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BATTLESPACE UPDATE Vol.20 ISSUE 24

June 11, 2018 by

BATTLESPACE UPDATE Vol.20 ISSUE 2

11 June 2018

NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF – EUROPE

Baltic Air Policing: New Missions

OP ALTHEA: Deployment

F-35B Lightning II: First Arrivals

Asia-Pacific: Regional Security

Romania: CAS Visits

Iran: Sanctions

EW: Teaming Agreement

Autonomous Minesweeping: Trials

Defence Budget: Letter to PM

HMS DUNCAN: Rescue at Sea

Inmarsat rejects EchoStar Bid

Unity in Meeting Security Threats

Weapons for future French Tiger

Poland cancels 4×4 Mustang

US, Europe sync battlefield

Russian, Chinese firms at Eurosatory

ISIS Cannot Be Allowed To Exist

Belgium, Netherlands buy warships

Germany boosts defence spending?

Bulgaria to buy fighters and APCs

NATO Approves Joint Force Commands

New NATO Initiatives

U.S. pushes NATO to ready forces

UK secondments to EU to cease

Bulgarian defence exports

 

NEWS IN BRIEF – USA

 

FY19 defense budget

JSTARS recap showdown

Google bars AI in weapons

Watchdog warns Pentagon on F-35

The Army’s Big Six

Change to export process?

 

NEWS IN BRIEF – REST OF THE WORLD

 

Afghanistan Making Progress

First export sale for RoK helo

Indian MoD clears procurements

Temporary ceasefire with Taliban

G7 – joint defence of democracies

PLA and corporate China draw closer

Operation Roundup in Syria

Iran Still Seeks WMD Tech

US operations in S. China Sea

Vietnam, RoK to boost trade

Liaoning carrier group update

China’s AVIC ownership reform

Aus agencies support exports

Malaysia probes French sub deal?

Phase 2 of Operation Roundup

U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy

Indo-Pacific Summit

 

BUSINESS NEWS

 

Northrop/Orbital ATK Approved

Lockheed’s startup investments

Lockheed VC Fund now $200m

Airbus nears Alestis divestment

Boeing investment in Kittyhawk

Patria aircraft components ops

Thales Capital Markets Day

Webasto to Acquire AV Unit

BEML aims to double revenue

Gooch & Housego stacks shelves

TT Electronics buys Precision

NG cleared to buy Orbital ATK

Trident Completes Newsystem Buy

Aeronautics Chassis Plans acquisition

QinetiQ energised in foreign markets

Cyberbit raised $30m investment

Boeing eyes greater APAC sales

Cache Creek Acquires MSS

Bioquell Disposal of MDH

 

MILITARY VEHICLE NEWS

 

DVD2018 Focus on Innovation

Cameroon’s Fortress APCs

Austrian Bundesheer’s new AFVs

Germany’s Puma Panzer problem

Supacat Extenda Vehicle to Norway

Rheinmetall ships 200th Puma IFV

Allison at Eurosatory 2018

Bulgarian 8×8 competition

Kazakhstani firms unveil Karakurt

Dutch army receives Kodiak AEV

 

LOGISTICS AND THROUGH LIFE UPDATE

 

Royal Helos Upgraded by Northrop

Indonesian Army Apache support

Japan’s UH-1H parts to Philippines

USMC F-35s parts shortages

BAE Systems USS Cole contract

DynCorp Croatia contract

Northrop PAVE contract

Charcroft launches new website

Ravenswood support of JLTV MOT&E

 

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

 

FREQUENTIS situational awareness

Project Natick Launched

Rockwell delivers RCAF display

Leonardo DRS MFOCS Contract

 

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

 

Viasat Canadian service

Northrop EHF XDR Contract

Next Two Galileos Plus Ready

USAF getting next-gen GPS boost

Harris GPS III Navigation Payload

USMC communicate with MUOS

Comtech satellite services

ViaSat-2 SATCOM services ready

ESA proposes governance overhaul

 

RADAR, EO/IR, NIGHT VISION AND SURVEILLANCE UPDATE

 

Sofradir and ULIS reorganization

Reliable hard-kill protection

Parrot ANAFI Flying 4K HDR Camera

Hikvision/Eagle Eye partnership

Elbit introduces MAY

Team Dedrone Compete at ThunderDrone

New threat radars present challenges

Preparing for radar war modes

US Army tests detection devices

FLIR adopts growth strategy

ERA role for passive sensors

Geospectrum towed array market

Pentagon Counter-UAS Software

RoK signals AESA progression

In-House Work For J-STARS

TiCAM Target Location System

Echosounders for icebreakers

 

MISSILE, BALLISTICS AND SOLDIER SYSTEMS UPDATE

 

New US Lightweight Helmet

Indian S-400 Purchases progress

Finnish firing of Thales Crotale

Lockheed HCSW contract

MDA shooting blind on contracts?

India to further S-400 acquisition

Demos for HERO-30 Loitering System

Belarus rocket launcher drone

Baltic Republic cooperation

Russian air defence for Rwanda?

$2bn Into Israeli Missile Unit

Russian plans for nuclear subs

USN selects Raytheon/Kongsberg

PT Pindad co-operation with India

Indian flight tests of Agni 5

 

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

 

China’s Dark Sword Stealth Drone

Shenzhen JTT Releases Drone

Kittyhawk Raises $5m Funding

USAF Reaper deploys to Greece

Rafael demos Protector USV

Airbus Zephyr Aus test centre

Knifefish acceptance testing

Chinese Payload Cargo Drone

Russia’s Katran UAV trials

 

C2, TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS, AI, CYBER, EW, CLOUD COMPUTING AND HOMELAND SECURITY UPDATE

 

Cyber Command Recruiting Efforts

Saab to fly jamming pod by 2020

Raytheon and Australia DST EW JV

Thales Cloud offering

Leonardo DRS Vesper tuners

UK Type 45 at sea with Shaman

Leonardo BriteCloud variant

Thales, BAE and CGI Team

Frazer-Nash appointed to Morpheus

Russia’s EW capability

Avantix’s new COMINT pod.

Preparing for radar war modes

Google withdraws from AI contract

RFP for JEDI cloud contract slips

TRANSCOM cloud award cancelled?

 

INTERNATIONAL PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

 

EUROPE

 

Saab-Damen submarine plan

Bulgarian 8×8 competition

Turkey Receives F-35 Invite

 

USA

 

TRU’s USAF simulation work?

Congress restrict F-35 Block 4?

GAO slams USN shipbuilding

RFP for JEDI cloud contract slips

 

REST OF THE WORLD

 

India approves hovercraft buy

US policy shift in military sales

Australia engages local industry

RoK strengthens import substitution

Indra Australia performance questioned

Russian air defence for Rwanda?

PTDI signs export finance deal

SME involvement in Aus projects

Indian fighters within 2 years?

Kamovs Boost India’s Defence Arsenal

RoK to reboot training helo buy

Armatec with Nortrax for CHER

Indian RFIs for USVs

 

CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF

 

UNITED KINGDOM

 

AIR

 

3XL Avation ISTAR contract

 

EUROPE

 

LAND

 

Saab NDMA Carl-Gustaf contract

 

SEA

 

Kongsberg Finnish sonar contract

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

Thales ELI-NP laser contract

 

USA

 

LAND

 

Northrop PAVE contract

Oshkosh FMTV contract

 

SEA

 

BAE DDG 67 contract

BAE Payload Tube contract

Insitu USCG contract

QinetiQ to support EMALS

 

AIR

 

Draken training contract

Harris DMC contract

Lockheed HCSW contract

Raytheon SM-6 contract

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

DLT Solutions Oracle contract

Raytheon FlexDAR contract

 

REST OF THE WORLD

 

LAND

 

Barrett Middle East contract

Kaman fuze contracts

Lincad Sojitz contract

Rheinmetall ammunition orders

 

SEA

 

CSTC Pakistan Navy contract

 

AIR

 

Northrop Japan E-2D contract

Raytheon Qatar ADOC contract

 

MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE

 

LOCATIONS

 

AIR

 

F-35B flies into Marham

Nigerian refurbished Do 228s

Bolivia inducts light aircraft

Taiwan’s XAT-5 prototype

 

MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT

 

PERSONNEL

 

Carlucci Left Indelible Mark

North Korea reshuffles military

 

U.S. APPOINTMENTS

 

USMC MG John K. Love appointment

USAF LG G.K. Tuck appointment

USAF MG Brian T. Kelly appointment

USAF MG J.T. Guastella Jr. appointed

Capt. John D. Spencer selected

Rear Adm. M.A. Hitchcock appointment

 

REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS

 

Ian Irving appointed at Ai Group

 

INDUSTRY

 

INDUSTRY TEAMINGS

 

Boeing and Safran APU Team

 

PERSONNEL

 

EUROPE APPOINTMENTS

 

Raytheon UK appoints Lord Strathclyde

 

U.S. APPOINTMENTS

 

Northrop elected Blake Larson

 

REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS

 

CONTROP appoints Hagay Azani

 

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

 

UK co-operation with EU

 

House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers

 

Ukraine: Military Aid

Nigeria: Military Aid

Israel: Arms Trade

Guided Weapons

Defence Fire and Rescue Service

 

FEATURES

 

F-35B Lightning & 617 Squadron Come Home

By Howard Wheeldon, FRAeS, Wheeldon Strategic Advisory Ltd.

 

RAF Cosford Air Show – 2018 Will Be A Truly Spectacular Event

By Howard Wheeldon, FRAeS, Wheeldon Strategic Advisory Ltd.

 

TAILPIECE

 

World Bicycle Day was celebrated for the first time on 3 Jun 18. (UN Daily Press Briefing, 4 Jun 18.) (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

CONTACT DETAILS

 

Julian Nettlefold

BATTLESPACE Publications

8 Sinclair Gardens

London W14 0AT

Tel/Fax: +44 (0)207 6105520

Mobile:  +44 077689 54766

e-mail

————————————————————————-

NEWS IN BRIEF – EUROPE

 

Sponsored by Harris Corporation

 

http://www.harrisforcemodernization.com

 

————————————————————————-

08 Jun 18. Baltic Air Policing: New Missions. The Defence Secretary announced (8 Jun 18) that four RAF Typhoons will return to Estonia in 2019 to undertake the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission. The Mission will, for the first time, include patrols over Iceland from the later part of 2019. The RAF completed its last Baltic Air Policing Mission in September 2016. The announcement was made during the NATO Defence Ministerial in Brussels (7-8 Jun 18). The Ministerial was the last such meeting before NATO’s Summit which is to take place in Brussels from 11 to 12 Jul 18.

Comment: At the end of March 2018 the Defence Secretary visited the 800 UK troops deployed to Estonia as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP). During the visit it was confirmed that 1st Bn The Yorkshire

Regiment is taking over eFP duties in Estonia, from 1st Bn The Royal Welsh, during June 2018. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

08 Jun 18. OP ALTHEA: Deployment. During the NATO Defence Ministerial, the Defence Secretary confirmed (8 Jun 18) that 40 UK personnel will be deployed to EUFOR’s OP ALTHEA in Bosnia & Herzegovina for six months. The troops will operate alongside EU partners and NATO allies to promote safety, security and stability.

Comment: UK military personnel will join a specialist surveillance and intelligence taskforce during the country’s elections which are due to be held on 7 Oct 18. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

06 Jun 18. F-35B Lightning II: First Arrivals. The UK’s first four F-35B advanced fighter aircraft arrived at RAF Marham on 6 Jun 18. With the aid of air-to-air refuelling, the aircraft flew non-stop across the Atlantic from the US Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, Carolina where UK pilots have been undergoing intensive training in partnership with their USMC counterparts. The aircraft were flown by pilots from 617 Squadron which was reformed in April 2018.

Comment: The UK currently has 15 F-35B aircraft in total, the remainder being stationed at MCAS Beaufort or Edwards Air Base in California, where they are involved in testing and training. It is expected that the UK will eventually have 138 of the aircraft. Resurfacing work on the secondary runway at RAF Marham has been completed, in anticipation of the Station becoming the UK’s F-35B main operating base. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

01 Jun 18. Asia-Pacific: Regional Security. Attending the 17th annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit (1-3 Jun 18) the Defence Secretary delivered a speech on Raising the Bar for Regional Security Co-operation. During the conference, the Defence Secretary held a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the region, including: Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The Defence Secretary also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singaporean Defence Minister,

aimed at strengthening Defence and security relations.

Comment: The Shangri-La Dialogue is an inter-governmental security forum organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. During his conference speech, the Defence Secretary drew attention to the Five

Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA – between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK) which will mark its 50th Anniversary in 2021. The Defence Secretary said that the FPDA would be looking to

broaden its focus “to encompass areas such as maritime security and counter-terrorism”. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

04 Jun 18. Romania: Chief of the Air Staff Visits. The Chief of the Air Staff visited (4 Jun 18) RAF personnel deployed to Romania as part of the NATO Enhanced Air Policing mission. 135 Expeditionary Air Wing is based at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Southern Romania, to conduct Enhanced Air Policing missions alongside Romanian Air Force aircraft.

Comment: The RAF also reported (4 Jun 18) on a visit to RAF personnel deployed to Southern Romania (OP BILOXI) by a cross-party group of Members of Parliament. The Parliamentarians visited Romania as part

of the Armed Forces Parliament Scheme, which gives Parliamentarians the opportunity to visit military personnel on fact-finding trips. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

04 Jun 18. Iran: Sanctions. France, Germany and the UK (the ‘E3’) sent a joint letter (4 Jun 18) to the US Secretary of State and Secretary

of the Treasury requesting exemptions from US secondary sanctions. The letter states that the E3 continues to believe that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) with Iran “is critical for protecting our collective security interests”. The E3 and EU are therefore committed to continuing sanctions relief to Iran in order to

uphold commitments under the JCPoA for as long as Iran remains in compliance. However, US secondary sanctions could prevent the EU from continuing sanctions relief.

Comment: The above request on secondary sanctions follows the US decision (8 May 18) to terminate its participation in the JCPoA and to reimpose sanctions on Iran. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

30 May 18. Electronic Warfare (EW): Teaming Agreement. Thales, BAE Systems and CGI announced (30 May 18) a teaming agreement that will see the three companies respond to the opportunity to partner the MoD for the second phase of the RN’s Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP). After successfully upgrading the RN’s EW sensor capability as part of Maritime Electronic Warfare Surface Ships Block 1, the three companies have ‘teamed’ to address the next increment.

Comment: MEWP is described as a significant MoD procurement programme, aiming to provide upgraded EW capabilities to the RN. The companies concerned claim that MEWP will employ ‘cutting edge’ technology, delivered in increments, deployed across the RN. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

07 Jun 18. Autonomous Minesweeping: Trials Continue. The RN reported (7 Jun 18) that trials are continuing with the Hussar autonomous minesweeping system. Hussar is an 11-meter-long motor boat which acts as ‘mother ship’ for a series of coil auxiliary boats (CABs). The CABs are designed to replicate ship signatures to trigger the mines. Using lessons learnt from IED blasts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the system deflects and dissipates any resultant explosion to minimise damage.

Comment: The Hussar system is undergoing trials with the RN’s Portsmouth-based Maritime Autonomous Systems Trials Team (MASTT) as part of a £13m contract with Atlas Elektronik UK. Hussar is due to be tested further off the coast of Scotland, in the Canadian Arctic and the Gulf. If the trials are successful, the RN plans to invest in four Hussars along with their associated equipment and support. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

07 Jun 18. Defence Budget: Letter to the Prime Minister. The Public Accounts and Defence Committees sent (7 Jun 18) a joint letter to the Prime Minister expressing concern about Defence budgetary pressures. The letter follows the Prime Minister’s appearance at the Liaison Committee on 27 Mar 18. The Committees highlight an “affordability gap” in the 10-year Defence Equipment Plan, amounting to at least £4,900m, and urge the Prime Minister “to consider our concerns as you examine future spending plans and the work of the Modernising Defence Programme”.

Comment: The “affordability gap” in the Defence Equipment Plan was addressed by the Public Accounts Committee in its report on ‘The Defence Equipment Plan 2017-2027’ published on 11 May 18 as HC 880. A

copy of the joint letter can be found on the Public Accounts Committee page of the Parliament website (www.parliament.uk) under publications and correspondence. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

05 Jun 18. HMS DUNCAN: Rescue at Sea. The RN reported (5 Jun 18) that HMS DUNCAN rescued two Algerian fishermen who had been stranded at sea for four days. HMS DUNCAN was making her way to Portugal when she came across the stranded fisherman about 70 miles off the Algerian coast. Following the rescue, the fishing craft was handed over to the Algerian Coast Guard.

Comment: As flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) HMS DUNCAN had been taking part in EX SEA SHIELD, led by the Romanian Navy Fleet Command, in the Black Sea. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 18/21, 11 Jun 18)

 

08 Jun 18. UK’s Inmarsat rejects takeover bid from Charlie Ergen’s EchoStar Satellite group says it was ‘significantly undervalued’ by proposal. Inmarsat, the UK satellite group, has rejected a multibillion takeover offer from EchoStar, a US peer founded by billionaire Charlie Ergen, in a sign that cross-border consolidation may ramp up in an industry that has been unnerved by falling profits and share prices. London-based Inmarsat said it had received “a highly preliminary and indicative non-binding proposal from EchoStar Corporation in relation to the potential acquisition of the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of Inmarsat.” Inmarsat, headquartered at Old Street roundabout, said it had rejected the proposal, which “significantly undervalued” the company. It added: “The board remains highly confident in the independent strategy and prospects. The statement came in response to earlier reporting by FT Alphaville, which prompted a sharp rise in the company’s share price. Inmarsat shares climbed 13.5 per cent on Friday in London, giving it a market value of £2.15bn. Including the company’s more than £1.7bn of debt, a deal could likely give Inmarsat an enterprise value above £4bn. Inmarsat has long been seen by analysts as vulnerable to a bid from a regional satellite operator looking to stitch together spectrum licences, particularly as earnings deteriorated. In recent years, the decline in its share price has also knocked it out of the FTSE 100 large-cap index and into the FTSE 250 index for mid-sized groups. The group, which takes the majority of revenue from its shipping business, also rents its spectrum to Ligado Networks, a US hybrid network that plans to launch in competition with EchoStar and Dish Network, Mr Ergen’s sister company. In May, shares in Inmarsat dropped more than 10 per cent after news that it would no longer have a monopoly on international maritime distressed communications. Stress in the shipping industry has led to a shrinking market for broadband terminals, which has also hurt Inmarsat’s performance. Almost 7 per cent of the company’s free-floating equity are on loan to hedge funds, including AQR, who are betting against a rise in Inmarsat’s stock price. Analysts have discussed the likelihood of a takeover approach by EchoStar for more than a year. “The fall in the Inmarsat share price now outweighs the evident dis-synergies and clunking industrial logic of a bid from EchoStar,” analysts at Jefferies wrote in December. EchoStar did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Under UK Takeover Panel rules, EchoStar has until July 6 to make a firm bid for Inmarsat or to walk away for six months. Mr Ergen, a former professional poker player and self-described avid mountain climber, is a veteran in the media and telecoms industry with a reputation for being a cut-throat operator. In 1980, he founded EchoStar with his friend Jim DeFranco, with the goal of providing rural Americans satellite service. The company grew, and in 1996 it launched Dish, which beamed cable channels to TVs across the country. The groups ultimately split in two. The billionaire’s nose for dealmaking continued. In 2013 he launched a bid to take wireless carrier Sprint Nextel private for more than $25bn, but Dish ultimately pulled out after a bidding war with SoftBank. Two years later he held talks with T-Mobile USA on a possible deal that would see Dish buy out the wireless group. Negotiations between Dish and T-Mobile later broke down. EchoStar has a market value of $4.5bn, with its shares falling 0.6 per cent by midday in New York. Inmarsat provides satellite communications services for industries ranging from maritime to military use and aviation. The company has also sought to expand in providing in-flight Wi-Fi to consumers. Its core business is providing connectivity to ships, aeroplanes and hard-to-reach places around the world. Inmarsat has faced competition from new entrants, such as SoftBank-backed OneWeb, as well as tech giants such as Google, which are looking to provide connectivity to far-flung corners of the world. The bid by EchoStar follows an attempt last year by Japan’s SoftBank merge Intelsat, the heavily indebted commercial satellite operator, with OneWeb. The deal between the two companies fell apart. (Source: FT.com)

 

08 Jun 18. Mattis Stresses Unity in Meeting Collective Security Threats. Threats to collective security have not waned, whether from terrorism or Russia’s aggression and hybrid threats, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said at NATO headquarters in Brussels today.

In the global fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the U.S.-led coalition “will continue to carry out operations necessary to crush the physical caliphate and prevent a resurgence of ISIS,” the secretary said at a news conference following a NATO defense ministers meeting.

“We will be unrelenting in our effort, working with like-minded nations. We will target ISIS around the world, for this remains a global fight,” he said.

And to support those efforts, NATO is transitioning its existing activity in Iraq into a sustainable training mission, the secretary said.

“In concert with the new Iraqi government, we will capitalize on Iraq’s success and reinforce their long-term counterterrorism efforts,” Mattis said. “We cannot allow ISIS or any other terrorist group to terrorize the people of this region, again driving thousands of refugees from their homes and into Europe and elsewhere.”

Resolute Support

On NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, NATO’s steadfast commitment and the implementation of the U.S. South Asia strategy have renewed stabilization efforts, now including additional, significant development funding from India, the secretary said.

“Afghan security forces continue to improve,” he said, adding that all six Afghan corps are deployed throughout the country, demonstrating Afghan resolve while their government pursues a stable, inclusive order for its people with NATO support.

“The level of confidence today is sufficient for [Afghan President Ashraf Ghani] to announce a temporary cease-fire for the end of Ramadan, offering the Taliban an opportunity to bring to an end this fighting and providing the world a clear demonstration of his government’s and our alliance’s commitment to peace and an Afghan-led, and an Afghan-owned peace process.”

Burden Sharing Improves

The secretary said NATO nations have stepped up their defense spending and reversed a three-year downward spiral, with 100 percent participation in 2017. “We also saw an across-NATO increase in military spending in a quarter century” last year, he added.

“Now, in 2018, eight nations are already meeting the 2 percent [of gross domestic product in defense spending] pledge benchmark, and I salute the 15 allies who are on track to reach 2 percent by 2024,” Mattis said.

Many allies are making investments beyond the monetary aspect of contributions, he noted. “I appreciate the troops and the leadership these nations provide to support NATO’s Kosovo [and] Afghanistan forward presence and other missions,” Mattis said.

“With [NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s] capable leadership, we also continue to improve the speed of political decision making,” the secretary said. “Coupled with building NATO’s military readiness, speed of alliance consultation and decision making [provide] a credible deterrent to any who would threaten our democracies.”

European Union Partners

Mattis said the alliance’s defense ministers also engaged European Union partners on security cooperation and military mobility. “[With] our defense cooperation with the EU, NATO recognizes effective deterrence and defense depends on a transparent dialogue between us,” he said.

“We also recognized that uncoordinated investments that waste resources or duplicate alliance efforts undercut our collective deterrence and defense posture, so we found further areas for cooperation and alignment,” he said.

“[For] nearly 70 years, the NATO alliance has served to uphold the values and the principles on which our democracies were founded,” Mattis said. “The American people remain committed to this alliance, and we look forward to working together to sustain our core function — the collective defense of our people — while fostering peace and security.”

(Follow Terri Moon Cronk @MoonCronkDoD)

 

08 Jun 18. France eyes 5 weapons for future missile. The French Army is studying five weapons in a technical evaluation for a new air-to-ground missile in a planned upgrade of the Tiger attack helicopter, said Army Sgt. Maj. Jean-Luc.

That assessment will allow the Army’s specialist Stat unit for weapon assessment to draw up a file of operational needs for the Future Tactical Air-Surface Missile, dubbed MAST-F, Jean-Luc told reporters May 15.

Jean-Luc’s full name is not being provided for security reasons.

The acquisition of a new missile is part of the Tiger Mk3 modernization project, which has been announced as part of Franco-German military cooperation in a bid to boost European defense.

The five weapons under consideration are MLP, a long-range version of the MBDA MMP anti-tank missile; EMMH, a Franco-German cooperative project based on the MLP; Brimstone 3, a British missile; Spike ER of Rafael; and the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile from Lockheed Martin, said Philippe Gouyon, a military adviser to MBDA.

The Army Stat unit will draft its file of operational needs, which will serve as the basis for program requirements set by the Direction Générale de l’Armement procurement office, and issued to industry in a public tender.

A cooperative Franco-German EMMH missile will require bilateral agreement, which will not be a simple matter, as there are separate requirements, a defense executive said.

It’s possible Spain may also join the process. Spanish participation is needed to qualify for European Union funding for development of the EMMH missile, as the European Defence Fund requires three EU partner nations to attract financial support.

The French Army is due to take the MMP to Mali in September, its first overseas deployment, said Jean-Luc.

Jean-Luc is one of 27 instructors who train those who will in turn train other troops to fire the MMP. There has been training of the special forces of the Air Force, Army and Navy.

A first firing of the MMP from the Jaguar combat and reconnaissance vehicle is due early next year. The Army received its first 50-strong batch of MMPs in December, part the replacement of the Milan anti-tank weapon.

The MBDA presentation of the MMP was part of a press trip organized by the defense industry association Gicat. (Source: Defense News)

 

08 Jun 18. Poland cancels 4×4 Mustang, prepares to start again. Poland’s Armament Inspectorate has confirmed the cancellation of yet another tender to procure a new fleet of light multipurpose 4×4 vehicles. At the end of May the Armament Inspectorate announced its decision to cancel the ‘Mustang’ tender, which was launched to replace legacy platforms such as the Honker and UAZ469.  Under the Mustang programme the Polish Army was to procure at least 872 soft skin and 41 armoured 4×4 vehicles with options for an additional 2,787 unarmoured vehicles.

The latest tender was a second attempt to procure new tactical vehicles, which was launched back in July 20 after a similar effort had to be cancelled that year after only one bidder showed interest.

Twelve companies initially showed interest in the latest procurement, out of which eight were invited to bid.

In a case of history repeating itself, only one company decided to submit a final offer – a consortium of Polish Defence Holding (Polski Holding Obronny, as the leader) and Concept, offering their Light Tactical Multipurpose Vehicle (LTMPV) Dino 319 4X4.

The LTMPV Dino 319 4X4 was designed as a light duty, high mobility off-road vehicle and developed in association with the Oberaigner Automotive and Mercedes-Benz, hence it shares some similarities with the Sprinter 319 model.

The offered platform has a GVW of 3.5t with a carrying capacity of 1,000kg. It has 5.6m length, 2.0m width and 2.4m height, along with a 3.2m wheelbase. It can accommodate up to nine people, including two crew members.

The vehicle is equipped with a 3.0 V6 CDI turbo diesel engine (190 HP/140 kW) and a 4×4 transmission with central differential. It runs on AT 285/75 R16 tyres with an independent double wishbone front and solid axle with leaf springs rear suspension. Additional accessories include electric rope winch, weapon mounts and IR lighting.

The sole offer amounted to 524m Polish Zloty ($143m).

This covered deliveries under the basic agreement, excluding options and appeared to exceed the programme’s budget by almost 120%, as the Armament Inspectorate planned to allocate no more than 239m Polish Zloty to Mustang. It is now expected that in the coming weeks or months the Armament Inspectorate will make another attempt to kickstart a programme. The inspectorate could rewrite the technical requirements to make them more compatible with what the market has to offer or commit to a bigger budget allocation. (Source: Shephard)

 

08 Jun 18. Fighting as one: US, European allies move to sync battlefield operations. U.S. military leaders have regularly said that it, along with its allies, should be prepared to mass a large number of troops and equipment to come to the aid of a partner country along the eastern flank of Europe should Russia push beyond acceptable boundaries to destabilize the region.

But speeding across Europe to bring a multinational unit that could be the size of a brigade combat team — or larger — in less than a week is no easy task.

Each country has its own equipment and command styles, and there are policies and regulations in place that hamper the ability for countries to easily come together. Even sharing blood for medical purposes with foreign troops is a challenge.

One of the most difficult aspects of fighting together is being able to view the battlefield the same way and to communicate and carry out commands led by another country or countries.

At the U.S. Army-hosted Joint Warfighting Assessment in Germany last month, the service, as well as joint and multinational partners, took steps to cement the capability to fight together on the battlefield by working to build a command network where any country can plug in its capability and seamlessly see a common picture of the battlefield and real-time operations.

The JWA is the first of its kind. Previous assessments were not focused on joint capability and took place at Fort Bliss, Texas.

This is an impressive feat, as each country operates off of its own network and systems, and each nation’s capabilities independently change as technology and threats evolve.

“[We] have spent quite some time over the last couple of years trying to break down some of these boundaries to progress and make our nations more interoperable,” Lt. Gen. Nicholas Pope, the deputy chief of Britain’s General Staff, told Defense News in an interview at the JWA.

At the JWA, under the U.S. Army’s 1st Infantry Division, French, British, German and Canadian brigades set up command headquarters to try to build an interoperable, networked solution to see a common operating picture.

“There is a very rich tapestry here in Germany today,” Pope said. “It’s kind of one peg on that journey to the nirvana, which is a truly interoperable force.”

Former U.S. Army Europe Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, before he retired last fall, told Defense News on the sidelines of the service’s largest European exercise last year, that while interoperability was a major focus and goal of his command, he would be leaving his post with much left to accomplish.

Hodges said it took NATO and coalition forces years to recognize that standards needed to be established to achieve interoperability, not just bridging capabilities so that one country’s radios can talk to another’s.

And while partnering forces were able to establish shared communications in Iraq and Afghanistan, Hodges said Europe is a whole different ballgame, especially in terms of the speed at which countries might need to assemble and in the context of the electronic warfare threat from adversaries.

An exercise like JWA is meant to ensure partnering forces are achieving interoperability more than just temporarily, Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, the deputy chief of staff with U.S. Army G-3/5/7, told Defense News at the exercise. “We can’t create niche capabilities here in Grafenwoehr that aren’t going to apply [elsewhere].”

Setting a standard

In response, the U.S. Army and its partners have built what it’s calling the Multinational Partner Environment, or MPE, network.

The idea is for each country to develop a node that directly ties into the network by building these nodes to an established standard, according to Col. Bert Shell, Joint Modernization Command’s chief of the Network Integration Division, who helped build the system.

In addition to plugging into the MPE network, the goal of the JWA was to provide a common operating picture, known as COP, to commanders at all echelons. This was a goal that was attempted but not reached in previous Army Warfighting Assessments, or AWA.

The COP is meant to provide the same intelligence and information collected from any asset to all the forces involved simultaneously as well as converge capabilities like digital fires where there will be little time to debate who within a coalition should respond to an attack and how.

Part of the exercise will evaluate and determine a strategy for nations to work under one established digital fires framework.

Each command headquarters from the different nations involved were set up and organized differently; but the goal remains that no matter what a nation brings to the table in terms of hardware and software, it can plug in.

Put to the test

“There are aspects that have gone extremely well and there are aspects that we continue to fight through,” Brig. Gen. Ross Coffman, acting commander of the 1st Infantry Division, told Defense News as the exercise was underway.

“What has gone well is the communications between headquarters. Everyone is on the same sheet of music, everyone understands the tactical and operational objectives that we are trying to accomplish. Information is being passed back and forth over our systems, and commanders are able to make decisions based on the information,” he said.

In France’s command post, one screen showed its own mission command information system, while another tracked the U.S. version to see if information was matching. The French reported that everything was aligning correctly and noted that not a single computer or laptop in its headquarters belonged to a foreign country. It was able to plug in using all of its own hardware and software to see the common picture.

Canada, which has participated in past AWAs, was also able to tie in similarly, as was the U.K.

But some aspects of interoperability still require workarounds that could be improved in the future.

The Germans, for instance, have a very good mission command information system called FISH, but due to some internal protocols, it’s not interoperable with certain other systems, so to align information flowing in from the battlefield in some cases, particularly on the secret level, the Germans were given U.S. workstations and had to manually input information from those systems into their own and vice versa.

The workaround is dubbed “the swivel chair” method because soldiers literally have to swivel back and forth in a chair to make sure information is exchanged between the two systems.

“Overcoming the swivel chair is key, absolutely. We have some systems which are already integrated, or we can utilize functions as we do in a national environment,” Lt. Col. Martin Sonnenberger, the German Army’s chief of staff of the 23rd Mountain Infantry Division, said in an interview at the exercise.

But, he added, “there are other systems where we still lack some capabilities. But with the modernization of our command-and-control system, I think we will overcome that because we see in Europe close integration is necessary.”

While Canada’s resident command-and-control system is fairly interoperable in the case of the JWA, there a couple of things that the country’s Army is still working toward, according to Canadian Army Lt. Col. Shane Gifford.

The Canadian Army does not have a digital fires solution, and “that is a critical part of the network that we are working on,” he said at the command headquarters in Grafenwoehr. Gifford said the service is learning from those with digital fires systems at the JWA.

The plan for all countries involved is to take back lessons learned to their respective governments and suggest new requirements that will improve interoperability. But even with technical means in place, there are still policy hurdles to be overcome.

The U.S. Army and its partners are wrestling with “how do we change the policies, protocols, licensing so people have access to it and you are not alienating an ally because of what they bring to the fight,” Anderson said.

“We are trying to kill the policy stuff, but the problem with policy is you’ve really got to understand it and you’ve got to read it, and we are having interpretation problems,” Anderson added. “This is painful stuff we are trying to vet through: What were all these policies that affected this exercise, and what do we do to get around it, and how do you institutionalize that so every time we show up … that we are not going through that process again?” (Source: Defense News)

 

08 Jun 18. Why aren’t Russian, Chinese firms bringing weapons to a military trade show?

Six Russian firms have booked exhibition space at the upcoming military trade show Eurosatory, but their products do not include weapons.

Instead, the Russian companies will bring clothes and other goods ― a reflection of Western sanctions following the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. Three Russian media outlets, including Tass new agency, are expected to attend.

The 55 Chinese companies attending Eurosatory are also showcasing nonlethal goods, reflecting the Western arms embargo since the bloody crackdown in Tiananmen Square in 1989.

Some 45 Australian firms have also booked exhibition space at the upcoming Eurosatory trade show for land weapons and security, marking a sharp increase from the three firms that came over two years ago, said Patrick Colas de Francs, CEO of show organizer Coges.

That rise in bookings for the June 11-15 exhibition is noticeable with:

  • 150 U.S. firms, up from 131.
  • 116 German firms, up from 111.
  • 88 U.K. firms, up from 77.
  • 71 Israeli firms, up from 52.
  • 60 Turkish firms, up from 29.
  • 44 Czech firms, up from 34.

France has invited Australia to send an official delegation, the executive said May 17 at a news conference. As of that announcement, Australia has not replied, , although a national team was expected at the biennial show.

There was a strong Australian corporate presence at the Euronaval trade show two years ago, reflecting Canberra’s selection of an ocean-going attack submarine proposed by Naval Group, a French state-controlled company.

The show organizer expects 230 official delegations, including the services, special and security forces.

Companies from some 140 countries have booked exhibition space at Eurosatory. Bookings from French companies rose to 590, up 5.4 percent from 560.

A total 1,750 exhibitors have booked, 11 percent up from 1,571 at the previous show.

Coges has met and arranged meetings with nongovernmental organizations including Amnesty International and Oxfam. The show seeks to observe international rulings such as the Ottawa Treaty against land mines.

Among new exhibitors are firms from Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Colombia and Lithuania. Cape Verde will offer a training center for special forces and anti-terror units. Small and medium companies from Croatia have booked space.

There will be increased security at the show, which will include 54 surveillance cameras.

Coges will also launch a Eurosatory Lab, where 70 French and foreign startup companies can seek to attract supporters.

Cybersecurity and robotics will be among the key themes at the show.

Coges is the show organizer of Gicat, the trade association specializing in land weapons.

Gicat has 245 members, with annual sales of €7.5bn (U.S. $8.8bn), said Chairman Stéphane Mayer. Exports account for 53 percent of turnover. The land weapons sector account for 21,000 direct jobs, with a similar number of indirect employment.

Mayer is also chairman and CEO of Nexter, the French state-owned land weapons specialist. (Source: Defense News)

 

08 Jun 18. Groups Such As ISIS Cannot Be Allowed To Exist, Mattis Tells NATO. While Iraq has liberated all of its territory once captured and held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the U.S.-led military campaign against the rogue organization continues in Syria, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said at NATO headquarters in Brussels today.

Mattis attended a conference of the alliance’s defense ministers this week.

“A little over 100 hours ago, our [Syrian] partner forces began the first of several offensives to diminish ISIS’ physical caliphate,” the secretary said. “As operations ultimately draw to a close, we must avoid leaving a vacuum in Syria that can be exploited by the [Syrian President Bashar Assad] regime or its supporters.”

Despite the successes of the last year, the enduring defeat of ISIS is not over, Mattis said, noting that NATO approved a training mission yesterday and called it a step in the right direction. “We look forward to working with the new government of Iraq on this as we assist a key partner in denying our common terrorist enemy any chance to recover,” he said.

“Every battlefield is also a humanitarian field, even after the fighting stops. To ensure a lasting defeat and prevent an ISIS 2.0 requires all elements of our collective national power,” the secretary said. “Initiating and maintaining stabilization activities are essential, as citizens cannot return to normal life in communities cleared of explosives and debris, and those conditions that initially allowed ISIS to take root return.”

While coalition members have contributed generously, short-term shortfalls remain, and continued support on an urgent basis will augment local security in liberated areas, Mattis said.

Foreign-Fighter Detainees

“Each of us also has an urgent responsibility to address the foreign-fighter detainee problem,” he added. “We all must ensure captured terrorists remain off the battlefield and off our streets by taking custody of detainees from our countries or quickly coming up with suitable options.”

The United States faces the same problem and is working diligently to find a way to solve it, Mattis emphasized. “Abrogating this responsibility is not an option, as it plants the seeds for the next round of violence against innocents,” he said.

As the U.S.-led coalition has repeatedly demonstrated, its greatest weapon against the enemy and the coalition’s greatest strength remains unity, he said.

It is critical that the strong spirit of collaboration fostered by the 75-member coalition be preserved as the coalition transitions from combat to stabilization operations, so other locations do not suffer the consequences witnessed in Iraq, Syria, the Philippines and elsewhere, the secretary said.

Guiding Principles

In the guiding principles of the defeat-ISIS coalition, it is noted that “’ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region and to our common security,’” Mattis said, noting that the guiding principles provide a vision for the coalition’s future and reinforce the whole-of-government approach. “Today, we plan to follow these guiding principles with a joint statement highlighting our commitment to coordinate efforts to confront ISIS globally,” he said.

While the coalition is nearing the defeat of ISIS’ so-called physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria, terrorist operations elsewhere have increased, Mattis said, adding he’s seeking insight to further discussions.

“The [United States] remains committed to the conditions-based approach, underpinned by our shared investment in shared security, and the approach is reinforced by, with and through assistance from local partners to help consolidate our hard-earned military gains,” the secretary said. “Groups like ISIS cannot be allowed to exist. Today’s meeting provides an opportunity to recommit ourselves to this mission.”

(Follow Terri Moon Cronk on Twitter: @MoonCronkDoD)

 

08 Jun 18. Belgium, Netherlands to buy 16 warships jointly: report. Belgium and the Netherlands have agreed to buy 16 military ships jointly for an estimated cost of around €4bn euros ($4.7bn), reports said. Dutch defence minister Ank Bijleveld and his Belgian counterpart Steven Vandeput, in Brussels for a NATO meeting, signed an MoU to begin the purchase procedure, the Belga news agency said, citing Vandeput. The agreement calls for four frigates, which would built in the Netherlands, and 12 minehunters, with 16 ships to be split evenly between the two sides. Bids have been requested from Dutch builder Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding and the Dutch affiliate of French group Thales, the Dutch ANP news agency reported. For Belgium, ‘some candidates have already been chosen… The goal is to make a decision by the end of the year,’ Laurence Mortier, a spokesman for the Belgian minister, told AFP. The new ships should be delivered starting in 2023, the Belgian navy said.  The neighbouring countries’ navies have collaborated for more than half a century and they cooperate closely in defence matters.

(Source: News Now/Shephard)

 

08 Jun 18. UK parliamentarians push for defence spending. Two senior UK House of Commons committee chairs have written an unprecedented joint letter to Prime Minister Theresa May pushing for more defence spending.

Meg Hillier, the Labour chair of the Public Accounts Committee, and Julian Lewis, the Conservative chair of the Defence Committee, expressed concern that the Modernising Defence Programme defence review would “not be able to deliver” the additional capabilities required to respond to new threats and undertake necessary organisational reforms within the existing budget.

“The existing affordability gap affecting traditional defence equipment and support programmes, combined with the intensification of new threats such as cyber, chemical, and biological attacks, risk undermining UK national security as well as our ability to play an effective role in the world,” the letter said. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

08 Jun 18. Germany should boost defence spending – defence minister tells parliament. Germany should boost defence spending because its security is at stake at a time of heightened threats around the world, Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen told ruling lawmakers on Friday.

During the Cold War, Germany spent about 2.4 percent of its economic output on the military but outlays fell to a low of just 1.1 percent after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.

U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing Germany to make good its 2014 pledge to move toward spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defence by 2024.

Germany says it will boost spending from 1.2 percent of GDP to 1.5 percent by 2025 but von der Leyen is lobbying the ruling coalition parties to back more spending beyond 2019 when the budget plan calls for a slight fall.

“The wish for security is indivisible from the willingness to make the necessary investments,” von der Leyen, a conservative, wrote in the letter, a copy of which was seen by Reuters. “We must act.”

Germany and Europe were working to forge a unified security, development and foreign policy but this required military readiness, she said.

The funds were needed because cuts eliminated spare parts, slashed maintenance, reduced munitions supplies and delayed the modernisation of aircraft, ships and tanks, she said.

Germany is scrambling to rebuild its homeland and alliance capacity in the wake of Russia’s annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014, after years of focussing mainly on overseas missions.

Von der Leyen said Germany would fulfil its commitment to lead NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in 2019, but only with “great effort” as materials were being borrowed from other German military units.

She said the goal was to establish a self-contained unit in 2023 when it is next due to lead the NATO readiness force and this requires investment in the next legislative period.

The Social Democrats, junior partners in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s grand coalition, are resisting moves to boost defence spending and instead want more focus on domestic spending.

A senior German military source said von der Leyen’s letter was part of a bigger push to build support for higher military spending ahead of the release of a 2019 budget plan next month. (Source: Reuters)

 

08 Jun 18. Bulgarian parliament approves plan to buy fighter jets and armoured vehicles. Bulgaria’s parliament gave the green light on Friday to a plan to buy 16 new or used fighter jets to replace its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s as well as the purchase of 150 combat vehicles.

Bulgaria, which joined NATO in 2004, will call for bids to supply the aircraft from the United States, Portugal, Italy, France, Sweden and Israel.

Under the plan backed by 151 lawmakers in the 240-seat parliament, it would acquire the jets in two equal stages to improve its compliance with NATO standards.

Some 1.8bn levs (£805.37m) will cover the first eight aircraft, as well as ground handling, team training and three-year initial integrated logistics support.

The Balkan country would also spend 1.46bn levs on armoured vehicles for three infantry battalion groups, as well as systems, additional equipment and training.

Several companies, including French state-owned group Nexter Systems, Finland’s Patria, Germany’s Rheinmetall Defence AG, U.S.-based Textron Inc and Swiss firm Mowag, which is part of General Dynamics’ European Land Systems Group, have expressed interest in supplying armoured vehicles, sources familiar with the matter said.

NATO has encouraged its eastern members to develop, buy and operate new alliance equipment compatible with older Soviet-era systems.

Some eastern European NATO allies that were once Soviet satellites still rely on Russian-made military jets – two-thirds of Poland’s military equipment dates from the pre-1991 Soviet era, for example.

The question of which warplanes to buy has vexed successive governments in Bulgaria for more than a decade. (Source: Reuters)

 

08 Jun 18. Finland reports decrease in defence exports for 2017.

The Finnish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reported a decrease in the value of realised defence exports for 2017. According to the MoD, which has oversight of defence exports and licensing, Finland exported EUR106.4m (USD125.6m) worth of equipment in 2017: a decline from EUR133.3m in 2016. In a report released by the MoD on 7 June, the statistics revealed that key export products for the country’s industry included patrol boats, protective equipment, and aircraft components.

A total of 256 permanent export licences for defence materiel were issued, with Poland accounting for the largest amount of delivered defence equipment (EUR21.1m), followed by Sweden (EUR17.1m), Turkey (EUR13.6m), and Oman (EUR11m). (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

07 Jun 18. France Orders Fifth Barracuda. Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, decided at the Ministerial Investment Committee meeting on May 2nd to order the fifth Barracuda-class Nuclear Attack Submarine. The Directorate-General for Armament (DGA) awarded this contract on 31 May 2018 to Naval Group and Technicatome. Naval Group is the prime contractor for the entire vessel. This submarine will be called Rubis. The Military Programme Bill 2019-2025 maintains the format of a six-boat Barracuda nuclear attack submarine flotilla in operational service by 2030. The first four boats will be delivered over the period 2019-2025, including the first-of-class, Suffren, in 2020. Their nuclear propulsion gives the Barracuda SSN a remarkable range of action and discretion. Armed with heavy Artemis torpedoes and Exocet anti-ship missiles, they will also carry naval cruise missiles (MdCN). This latter ability will allow them, in all discretion, to weigh on an opponent with the threat of long-range strikes, up to several hundred kilometers from the coast. Finally, they will also be able to deploy special forces while submerged, also with full discretion.

(Source: defense-aerospace.com/French Directorate-General of Armaments, DGA) (Issued in French; unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)

 

07 Jun 18. NATO Defense Ministers Approve Joint Force Commands, Discuss Burden Sharing. NATO defense ministers approved the creation of two new joint force commands and discussed burden sharing during their meeting in Brussels today.  NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also announced that for the fourth year in a row, alliance defense spending has grown.

Defense Secretary James N. Mattis is attending the defense ministers meeting for the United States.

The NATO defense ministers approved creation of a joint force command in Norfolk, Virginia, that will ensure alliance maritime security in the Atlantic. They also approved a joint force command to be based in Ulm, Germany. These changes will grow the NATO command structure by more than 1,200 personnel, Stoltenberg said during a news conference.

‘These Headquarters Will be Essential’

“These headquarters will be essential for Alliance reinforcements across the Atlantic and across Europe,” he said.

The defense ministers also approved a new NATO Readiness Initiative, called the “Four Thirties” — 30 battalions, 30 squadrons and 30 ships ready for deployment in 30 days.

“This is not about new forces, but about increasing the readiness of the forces our nations already have,” the secretary general said. “This shows our determination to instill a culture of readiness across the alliance.”

The leaders addressed defense burden sharing, which is a particular concern of President Donald J. Trump. “Allies are making real progress on all aspects of burden sharing — cash, capabilities and contributions,” the secretary general said.

On the budget side, Stoltenberg announced there has been four consecutive years of real increases in defense spending. “All allies have stopped the cuts,” he said. “All allies are increasing defense spending.”

More NATO members are spending 2 percent of their nations’ gross domestic product on defense and the majority of allies now have plans to do so by 2024, Stoltenberg said.

The European allies and Canada have increased spending by 3.8 percent this year. “This means that, since 2014, European allies and Canada will have spent additionally $87 billion dollars on defense,” he said. “When it comes to capabilities, allies have committed to investing 20 percent of their defense spending on major equipment.”

Alliance nations have also increased contributions to NATO missions and operations, the secretary general said.

“But of course, we still have more work to do,” Stoltenberg said. “Burden sharing will be a key theme of our summit next month, and I expect all allies to continue their efforts.”

The defense ministers also discussed cyber defense, he said. Since 2016, allies have enhanced cyber capabilities and look to building a cyber operations center as part of the new alliance command structure.

“Having agreed the principles last year, we have now agreed to a framework for the integration of sovereign cyber effects into alliance operations and missions,” Stoltenberg said. “This supports NATO’s overall deterrence and defense because all crises today have a cyber dimension. And we must be as effective in cyberspace as we are on land, at sea and in the air.” (Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneDoDNews)

 

06 Jun 18. New NATO Initiatives Aim to Boost Alliance Readiness. NATO is stronger than ever and new initiatives will increase the alliance’s readiness capacity, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said today in Brussels.

“High readiness is essential in a more unpredictable world,” Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg previewed the Defense Ministerial that will begin at NATO headquarters in Brussels tomorrow. Defense Secretary James N. Mattis is attending the gathering for the United States. The alliance defense ministers will be discussing the items that will be discussed by NATO heads of state at the NATO Summit in Brussels in July.

New NATO Joint Commands, Readiness Initiative

The secretary general expects the defense ministers to approve establishing two new NATO joint force commands: one in Norfolk, Virginia, for access across the Atlantic; and one in Ulm, Germany, for logistics inside Europe. This will increase the alliance’s command structure by about 1,200 personnel, he said.

“I expect we will also agree on the NATO Readiness Initiative — the Four 30s,” Stoltenberg said. This means, he said, that by 2020, NATO allies would have 30 mechanized battalions, 30 air squadrons and 30 combat vessels ready for deployment in 30 days or less.

“This is not about setting up or deploying new forces,” Stoltenberg said. “It is about boosting readiness of existing forces across each and every ally.”

The NATO allies will discuss defense spending and burden-sharing, Stoltenberg said, noting that defense spending in Europe is up.

“Burden-sharing is not just about cash, but capabilities and contributions,” he added. “Here, too, the trend is up. Allies are investing more in major equipment and increasing their contributions to NATO missions and operations.”

Combating Terrorism

The ministers will also discuss NATO’s roles in war against violent extremism, the secretary general said. The alliance already has deployed Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, he said, and the ministers are expected to approve the recommendation to launch a new NATO Training Mission in Iraq. The mission will “help Iraq better fight terrorism” and prevent the return of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the secretary general said.

Stoltenberg said the NATO ministers will also discuss alliance capacity building support for Jordan and Tunisia. The alliance ministers will discuss growing NATO-European Union cooperation with EU Vice President for defense cooperation Frederica Mogherini, the secretary general said. Defense ministers from Sweden and Finland will also participate.

“We will take stock of progress in our joint work, including on hybrid and cyber defense, maritime operations and exercises,” Stoltenberg said. “Going forward, military mobility could become a flagship for our cooperation, and we are working together to eliminate obstacles — whether legal, customs or infrastructure — to ensure our forces can move across Europe when necessary.”

The ministerial will close after a discussion with partners on the NATO effort in Afghanistan, the secretary general said.

“Allies and partners are stepping up with both forces and funding,” he said. “We have added about 3,000 more trainers to our mission, and we are discussing how to extend funding for the Afghan forces beyond 2020. The Afghan forces are performing with professionalism and bravery and creating the conditions for a political settlement.” (Source: defense-aerospace.com/US Department of Defense)

 

05 Jun 18. U.S. pushes NATO to ready more forces to deter Russian threat. The United States is pressing its European allies to get more NATO battalions, ships and planes ready for combat, officials say, in a fresh move to shore up NATO’s deterrence against any Russian attack.

U.S. Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis will seek broad agreement for the plan in Brussels on Thursday when alliance defence ministers meet, laying the ground for endorsement by NATO leaders at a summit in July, four U.S. and NATO officials and diplomats told Reuters.

Known as 30-30-30-30, the plan would require NATO to have 30 land battalions, 30 air fighter squadrons and 30 ships ready to deploy within 30 days of being put on alert.

It does not discuss specific troop numbers or a deadline for setting up the strategy. The size of battalions vary across NATO, from 600 to 1,000 soldiers.

That lays down a challenge for European governments, pilloried by U.S. President Donald Trump for slashing military spending after the Cold War, to remedy long-running problems with helicopters and jets that are grounded for lack of parts.

“We have an adversary (Russia) that can move quickly into the Baltics and Poland in a ground attack,” said one senior NATO diplomat who was briefed on the U.S. plans. “We don’t have the luxury of taking months to mobilise.”

One U.S. official said the initiative was primarily aimed at countering Russia and fit with the Pentagon’s 2018 National Defence Strategy, which accuses Moscow of seeking to “shatter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.”

Russia’s war games last year, involving what Western officials said were 100,000 troops, also prompted concerns about accidental conflicts that could be triggered by such exercises, or any incursions into Russian-speaking regions in the Baltics.

The Kremlin firmly rejects any such aims and says NATO is the security threat in eastern Europe.

“This idea, even if it flies, which I hope it won’t, would only increase tensions in an increasingly sensitive part of Europe,” Russia’s envoy to the European Union, Vladimir Chizhov, told reporters when asked about the proposal.

Wrong-footed by Moscow with Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014 and its intervention in Syria’s war in 2015, the United States is distrustful of the Kremlin’s public message and wants to be ready for any eventuality.

WHOSE TROOPS?

With more than 2 million troops, NATO forces outnumber Russia’s, whose active duty members are around 830,000, according to the International Institute of Strategic Studies, a British-based military think-tank.

Russia’s annexation of Crimea prompted NATO to set up a small, rapid-reaction “spearhead” force and put four battalions in the Baltics and Poland, backed up by U.S. troops and equipment on rotation.

But is unclear how fast the alliance could move large troop numbers to its eastern flank and how long it could sustain them. France is already stretched thin in Africa and British cutbacks are reducing the size of deployable forces, officials said.

According to a 2016 study by the Rand Corporation, Britain, France, and Germany could each muster a brigade of three or more battalions along with battle tanks and other armour in around a month. But their resources would be badly strained, leaving little capacity for any other conflicts.

Another unknown is how the 30-30-30-30 proposal would fit in with other initiatives aimed at improving European combat readiness and addressing shortfalls in weaponry and other military assets.

The EU last December formed a defence pact to develop crisis-response forces and work together to develop new helicopters and ships. French President Emmanuel Macron aims to set up a new French-led European “intervention force”.

“We only have a certain amount of forces in Europe, and they cannot be committed to every military proposal,” a second senior NATO diplomat said. (Source: Reuters)

 

06 Jun 18. UK military secondments to EU to cease after Brexit Setback for London in search for continuing military and defence co-operation. The EU has told UK military staff that they will not have their secondments to Brussels renewed after Brexit, in the latest setback to the increasingly fraught negotiations over defence and security collaboration after Britain leaves the bloc. While both sides say they are seeking an “ambitious” agreement on security and defence co-operation, talks have proved much harder than expected, with only limited progress made to date. UK and EU officials are discussing foreign policy co-operation in talks this week. The dispute over the secondments again underlines the stand-off between Brussels and London over elements of a future security and defence agreement. Of the 14 British personnel seconded to Brussels, 13 of them are serving in the EU military staff while one is working in the crisis management and planning directorate of the European External Action Service. UK officials argue that the positions, which replicate similar arrangements Britain has with US defence forces and command structures, enables smoother co-ordination on joint military missions and gives British commanders early sight of any key EU operational decisions. Britain has around 200 military personnel embedded in, or on secondment in the US, and there are also about 135 exchange officers. The Ministry of Defence said British secondments are now being considered by the European Commission on a case-by-case basis to ensure there are no conflicts of interest in potentially sensitive areas. Sir Stuart Peach, chief of the UK defence staff, urged negotiators to find some common ground © Mark Rawlings/PA The department added that there are “challenges surrounding new applications and extensions” of secondments although it said it was confident there are no present restrictions to the UK’s ability to second officials during the implementation period after Britain leaves the bloc next March. A senior EU official commented recently that the UK has “a lot of appetite for the secondment UK officials” into EU bodies “which would require the EU to change its rules again” on access for so-called third countries (non member states). Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, has compared some UK requests on internal security co-operation to a country “at the beginning of an accession process” to join the EU. Recommended Brexit 5 concerns for UK-EU defence after Brexit The commission is also adopting an uncompromising approach on European Defence Fund, which would limit the depth of involvement for UK companies. On Tuesday, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, the chief of the UK defence staff, urged negotiators to find some common ground. “At times like this the military to military relationships matter more than ever,” said Sir Stuart, following a speech to UK think-tank Policy Exchange. “The history and geography of our nation doesn’t change because of Brexit. We have to find ways of working together with our European friends and partners. We have to find a way to keep the door open as structures evolve for third party access.” (Source: FT.com)

 

05 Jun 18. Bulgarian defence exports reach EUR1.2bn. Bulgaria exported defence products were valued at EUR1.2bn (USD1.4bn) in 2017, deputy minister of the economy Aleksandar Manolev announced on 30 May.

Imports of defence products were valued at EUR250,000 over the same period. The level of defence exports in 2017 was broadly comparable with 2016. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

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Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems and Electronic Systems. Learn more at harris.com.

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Sponsored by Harris Corporation

 

http://www.harrisforcemodernization.com

 

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08 Jun 18. More troops and aircraft: Here’s what House appropriators want in the FY19 defense budget. House appropriators approved their first draft of the annual defense budget bill Thursday, including a 2.6 percent pay raise for troops, dozens more aircraft for the services and new protections for military families from political fights in Congress.

The $674.6bn measure — $606.5 in base military funding and $68.1bn for overseas operations — is about $1bn below the White House’s defense request in February but in line with the two-year budget deal reached by lawmakers a month later and the annual defense authorization measure approved by the House last month.

The spending plan was advanced by the House Appropriations Committee’s defense panel in a quick afternoon meeting with little opposition.

“Last year, we took the first big steps to rebuilding the military,” Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, and chairwoman of the subcommittee, told reporters after the mark-up. “This is the second step.”

The appropriations measure echoes previously passed House plans for the annual military pay raise and a military end strength increase of 15,600 troops. It also adds $318m to the president’s budget request for the Defense Health Program, to include more research into traumatic brain injuries and sexual assault prevention.

Lawmakers also added language to the measure to ensure that military death gratuity payments will not be interrupted by future government shutdowns, authorizing their immediate payment even if federal operations are curtailed or shuttered.

The issue has been a priority for military advocates since 2013, when several families of fallen troops faced financial headaches because of delays in the death benefit payouts due to the 16-day government shutdown.

More recently, families of two service members killed in a helicopter accident saw their payments delayed several days during the weekend-long shutdown in February.

The bill proposes a $145.7bn — $133bn in base dollars and $12.7bn in the overseas war budget — for equipment and upgrades.

That includes more equipment purchases than were in either the president’s budget request or the the House-passed authorization bill: 93 F-35 aircraft, which is 16 more; 66 AH-64 Apache helicopters, which is six more, and three Littoral Combat Ships, which is two more.

Granger said the reason for the big boosts in aircraft is “because the faster you can do it, the cheaper they sell. So we can keep those costs down.”

But appropriators also fund only 24 MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles, which is five fewer than the president’s request. The bill would buck the Air Force to back the recapitalization of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or JSTARS, program.

For the ground surveillance mission, the Air Force would like to abandon JSTARS, which it sees as vulnerable to surface-to-air missiles, in favor of a new advanced battle management system made up of aircraft and drones.

Even with a bipartisan budget agreement in place that sets spending levels for fiscal 2019, the defense spending bill isn’t expected to become law anytime soon. Senate appropriators still have not released their plans for military funding, and no timetable has been set for full House votes on their proposal.

The defense spending plan will also likely hinge on completion of a host of other federal agency appropriations measures, since Democrats and Republicans have sparred in recent years over balancing non-defense priorities with military funding.

The current fiscal year deal expires on Sept. 30. Lawmakers need to pass a full-year budget or a temporary budget extension before then to avoid the possibility of a government shutdown.

(Source: Defense News)

 

08 Jun 18. Get ready for the JSTARS recap showdown. Three of the four congressional committees that oversee the Pentagon have hammered out their annual defense legislation, and it’s clear that there’s no consensus on whether to kill the Air Force’s JSTARS recap program.

The Air Force, in its fiscal year 2019 budget request, aimed to cancel JSTARS recap, which would replace the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft with new planes.

Instead, the service planned to invest in a new Advanced Battle Management System concept — a series of targeted investments that would allow the Air Force to better network together its existing aircraft and drones to do the ground surveillance mission. It also wanted to retire three legacy E-8Cs.

While it’s obvious that all of the congressional defense committees disagree with aspects of the Air Force’s new strategy, it appears that a faceoff is coming between the House — which favors the JSTARS recap approach — and the Senate, which seems to be leaning in favor of cancelation.

Both House committees have thusfar included funding and language that would force the Air Force to award an engineering and manufacturing development contract to one of the three competitors in source selection for the program.

Meanwhile, the Senate Armed Services Committee would allow the Air Force to proceed with the JSTARS recap cancelation, and instead wants to pour money into ABMS to accelerate fielding. A Senate staffer told Defense News that it’s likely that Senate appropriators will follow suit when they release their version of the bill.

One reason that senators may be warming up to the prospect of a JSTARS recap cancelation is the Air Force’s decision, announced Wednesday, to base ABMS at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, where the E-8C fleet is located.

Georgia’s congressional delegation had been staunch defenders of retaining the legacy JSTARS and of the JSTARS recap. But Rep. Austin Scott and Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue hailed the decision to base ABMS at Robins in a joint statement.

And — importantly — the lawmakers acknowledged a transition from JSTARS to ABMS with no mention of the recap program.

“This decision by the U.S. Air Force underscores our ability to host critical strategic assets capable of impacting battlefields around the world,” said Isakson. “We welcome any and all new missions that the Air Force is willing to bring to Robins, and I will continue to work with the Air Force as the implementation of this plan proceeds.

Here’s how each of the congressional defense committees want to proceed.

House Appropriations

The House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee put forward their version of fiscal 2019 spending bill on Wednesday.

While it’s unclear how much money is included for JSTARS recap in the bill, it’s clear that the intention is to move forward with the program.

“None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be obligated or expended to divest more than one E-8C aircraft unless the Secretary of the Air Force certifies to the congressional defense committees that funds made available in this or any other Act have been obligated pursuant to the award of one or more contracts to continue the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System recapitalization program,” the language states.

Or in short, the committee will be given funding to put JSTARS recap under contract. And until the Air Force does that, it won’t be able to retire as many E-8Cs as it wants.

This committee is especially important because it, along with the Senate Appropriations Committee, is responsible for determining how the Pentagon spends its money. By contrast, the Senate and House armed service committees’ defense authorization bill only provides spending recommendations.

Senate Armed Services Committee

Meanwhile, the SASC addresses the prospect of a capability gap differently. Rather than mandating JSTARS recap’s continuation, it increases funding to accelerate ABMS, adding $120m to buy six more MQ-9 Reapers, a staffer said.

The Air Force envisions the Reaper as part of the ABMS network, and plans to upgrade a portion of the Reaper fleet with a miniaturized ground moving target indicator radar like the ones currently carried by JSTARS. Increasing the Air Force’s MQ-9 fleet will help ensure the service retains its capacity to accomplish the ABMS mission as well as the existing surveillance and strike duties carried out by the Reaper today, the staffer said.

To ensure that there’s no loss in capability while ABMS is stood up, it also invests in the legacy JSTARS aircraft. Language in SASC’s version of the NDAA prohibits the Air Force from retiring any E-8Cs unless its civilian head determines that those planes are no longer flyable due to mishaps, damage or because repairs have become uneconomical.

The committee adds $50mm to continue investing in the Northrop Grumman radar that was originally developed to go on new JSTARS planes. Air Force officials have said that radar could have other use cases across the fleet.

It also adds about $98m for contractor logistics support, operations and maintenance needed to keep all of the E-8Cs flying.

House Armed Services Committee

HASC unequivocally wants the Air Force to continue the JSTARS recap program, authorizing $623m in its defense policy bill to carry on the program.

Its version of the bill also includes a provision that halves funding for the Advanced Battle Management System unless the Air Force gives a JSTARS recap contract to Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin or Boeing, which all remain in source selection.

Like the other defense committees, it also limits the number of E-8Cs the Air Force can divest, capping it at one aircraft.

HASC’s proposal would allow all of the stakeholders to have their cake and eat it too. The Air Force would be able to move on with ABMS, the JSTARS recap program would continue on, and additional E-8C aircraft would be retained in the meantime. But all of that has a cost, Air Force leaders have warned. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told the Senate on May 17 that it would cost an extra $7bn over its current budget proposal to operate both JSTARS and ABMS.

From a survivability standpoint, the Air Force is right to want to invest in a more disaggregated battle management architecture like ABMS, said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with the Teal Group.

But with all of the committees fearful of a capability gap, it’s very likely that the Air Force will have to field at least some JSTARS recap planes as an interim solution.

“What is the date that the network becomes truly effective? What’s the gap between E-8 retirement and that marvelous capability? And Congress is clearly signaling that it will be a longer than an acceptable gap,” Aboulafia said.

“Given that the Air Force occasionally gets beaten up for not supporting ground troops, they might want to give in on this.” (Source: Defense News)

 

08 Jun 18. Google bars uses of its artificial intelligence tech in weapons. Google will not allow its artificial intelligence software to be used in weapons or unreasonable surveillance efforts under new standards for its business decisions in the nascent field, the Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) unit said on Thursday.

The restriction could help Google management defuse months of protest by thousands of employees against the company’s work with the U.S. military to identify objects in drone video.

Google instead will seek government contracts in areas such as cybersecurity, military recruitment and search and rescue, Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said in a blog post bit.ly/2M8Pdkq on Thursday.

“We want to be clear that while we are not developing AI for use in weapons, we will continue our work with governments and the military in many other areas,” he said.

Breakthroughs in the cost and performance of advanced computers have carried AI from research labs into industries such as defense and health in the last couple of years. Google and its big technology rivals have become leading sellers of AI tools, which enable computers to review large datasets to make predictions and identify patterns and anomalies faster than humans could.

But the potential of AI systems to pinpoint drone strikes better than military specialists or identify dissidents from mass collection of online communications has sparked concerns among academic ethicists and Google employees.

A Google official, requesting anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue, said the company would not have joined the drone project last year had the principles already been in place. The work comes too close to weaponry, even though the focus is on non-offensive tasks, the official said on Thursday.

Google plans to honor its commitment to the project through next March, a person familiar with the matter said last week. More than 4,600 employees petitioned Google to cancel the deal sooner, with at least 13 employees resigning in recent weeks in an expression of concern.

A nine-employee committee drafted the AI principles, according to an internal email seen by Reuters.

The Google official described the principles as a template that any software developer could put into immediate use. Though Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) and others released AI guidelines earlier, the AI community has followed Google’s efforts closely because of the internal pushback against the drone deal. Google’s principles say it will not pursue AI applications intended to cause physical injury, that tie into surveillance “violating internationally accepted norms of human rights,” or that present greater “material risk of harm” than countervailing benefits.

“The clear statement that they won’t facilitate violence or totalitarian surveillance is meaningful,” University of Washington technology law professor Ryan Calo tweeted on Thursday.

Google also called on employees and customers developing AI “to avoid unjust impacts on people,” particularly around race, gender, sexual orientation and political or religious belief.

The company recommended that developers avoid launching AI programs likely to cause significant damage if attacked by hackers because existing security mechanisms are unreliable.

Pichai said Google reserved the right to block applications that violated its principles. The Google official acknowledged that enforcement would be difficult because the company cannot track each use of its tools, some of which can be downloaded free of charge and used privately.

Google’s decision to restrict military work has inspired criticism from members of Congress. Representative Pete King, a New York Republican, tweeted on Thursday that Google not seeking to extend the drone deal “is a defeat for U.S. national security.”  (Source: Reuters)

05 Jun 18. Watchdog warns Pentagon to fix F-35 tech problems before full-rate production starts. The F-35 fighter jet is finally cruising toward the end of its development phase, but a congressional watchdog is warning the Defense Department not to move to full-rate production until it’s certain it’s resolved all critical technical issues.

The F-35 Joint Program Office intends to make a decision in October 2019 on whether to move to full-rate production, but had planned to defer certain critical technical deficiencies until after that time, the Government Accountability Office stated in a June 5 report.

That could make the program more expensive overall.

“In its rush to cross the finish line, the program has made some decisions that are likely to affect aircraft performance and reliability and maintainability for years to come. Specifically, the program office plans to resolve a number of critical deficiencies after full-rate production,” it wrote. “Resolving these deficiencies outside of the developmental program may contribute to additional concurrency costs.”

The GAO advised the F-35 JPO to resolve all critical deficiencies before full-rate production — a recommendation with which the JPO concurs and says it will pursue.

However, it’s important to understand what “resolve” means in this case.

“The Department of Defense expects the F-35 Program to resolve all critical deficiencies prior to entering Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E), with either a fix, a Service Operational Test Agency approved workaround or a formal acceptance of the deficiency,” the JPO said in a statement.

“The full-rate production decision will include an assessment of SDD [development phase] and IOT&E DRs [deficiency reports], as well as follow-on improvement DRs deferred for post-SDD action.”

Translation: While the JPO will take steps to address all critical deficiencies, there are some that may require future work in order to be completely fixed.

GAO noted that it is common practice for Defense Department acquisition programs to require that problems are “resolved” and not “fixed” because it “affords the department with more flexibility to develop alternative solutions rather than technical fixes.”

In a statement, Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of the F-35 program, said the company was working with the JPO to prioritize and correct issues.

The F-35’s next stage

The GAO report was also critical about the JPO’s new plan for Block 4 follow-on modernization, telling its congressional audience that it should consider holding back funding for that phase of the program until the JPO provides full details including an independent cost estimate, final acquisition strategy and test plan.

Last year, Vice. Adm. Mat Winter, the F-35’s program executive, announced that the JPO would pursue a path of rapid, agile software modernization during Block 4 called continuous capability development and delivery, or C2D2. The thrust behind C2D2 is for the government to constantly be developing, testing and delivering new capabilities as they become available, instead of as part of a traditional batch of upgrades every couple years.

Currently, the cost of the new plan is unknown. The Department of Defense plans to update its acquisition strategy in time for a Defense Acquisition Board meeting this month, when it will decide when to start the competition for Block 4 development.

However, a full business case won’t be finalized until March 2019 — despite the fact that the Pentagon has asked for $278m in fiscal 2019 for Block 4 development.

“As a result, DOD requested funding for modernization over a year before the program has a business case for Block 4,” the report stated.

“This means that the program is asking Congress to authorize and appropriate funds for Block 4 without insight into its complete cost, schedule, and technical baselines. Furthermore, once Congress appropriates these funds, DOD would be able to award a contract, beginning a long-term commitment to Block 4, the costs of which are not fully understood.”

However, the GAO also acknowledged that there are some elements of that plan that could end up being a boon to the DoD.

For one, it plans to use “government-owned open systems architecture and acquire data rights” for Block 4 development, which could increase competition throughout the F-35’s life cycle and make it easier and cheaper to upgrade the platform.

The C2D2 strategy may also “potentially shorten time frames for delivering capabilities over a traditional acquisition approach,” the agency said in the report.

Most of the noted flaws in the C2D2 plan revolve around oversight — specifically the DoD’s decision to keep Block 4 underneath the F-35 program instead of making it a separate acquisition program.

“According to DOD’s January 2018 report, however, each capability will be baselined separately in the program’s future Block 4 annual reports to Congress,” the GAO noted. “We will review these future reports to Congress to determine what level of insight they provide into the program’s cost, schedule, and performance goals.” (Source: Defense News)

 

04 Jun 18. Why Are We Buying The Army’s Big Six? What Will They Do?

The last time the US Army tried to modernize it spent $20bn buying the Future Combat System, which was cancelled as it foundered. Is the Army repeating the same mistakes with its Big Six? Rep. Mick Mulvaney held a 2011 meeting in his office to discuss defense spending after learning that the U.S. Army’s Future Combat System (FCS) modernization program had cost American taxpayers more than $20bn and produced nothing for the Army. The irate freshman lawmaker (now head of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget) asked, “What came out at the hearings?”

Rep. Mulvaney received his answer: There were no hearings. The money was spent and, most important, the money went where it was supposed to go: to defense industries in states and districts across the country where jobs tied to the FCS program were funded. In gratitude for the redistribution of cash to grateful shareholders, re-election campaign contributions poured in. Meanwhile, James Terry, the one-star in charge of FCS until Defense Secretary Bob Gates cancelled the failed program, was rewarded for the $20bn failure with a second star and command of the 10th Mountain Division. (He was replaced by a certain Mark Milley, now Army Chief of Staff.) Eventually, Terry was promoted to three stars and given command of a corps — so much for accountability.

The money is flowing again. This time, the money is flowing to an Army Futures Command headed by a Four Star general with eight general officer-led cross-functional teams pursuing the service’s Big Six modernization priorities; priorities tied largely to identified gaps or capability shortfalls inside the old Cold War Army. None of these priorities represent breakthrough concepts or capabilities. On the contrary, they are modest upgrades, if that.

Confused? Well, it may help to think of the modernization command in a sports context:

“The Japanese Army and the U.S. Army agreed to a rowing competition on the Potomac River. Both teams practiced long and hard. On the big day, the Japanese won decisively. An Army General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC) was convened to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

The GOSC discovered that the Japanese Army had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the U.S. Army team had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing. In response, the GOSC recommended a modified team: 1 Three Star to command the boat, 3 Two Stars to assist the Three Star, and 1 Colonel to act as coach. The GOSC told the Army Chief of Staff that these changes would ensure that the 1 soldier rowing the boat would row much harder in the future.

The next year, the Japanese Army Team won the race again by an even greater margin. Humiliated, the Chief of Staff insisted that the boat be commanded by a Four Star General assisted by 3 Three Star Generals, and a Two Star Coach along with a new, more physically fit Soldier to row. To cap it off, the Army Chief of Staff changed the name of the Army Rowing Team to the “Army Rowing Center of Excellence,” and posted new ‘requirements’ for paddles, boats and other equipment, as well as lavish awards for new prototype boats for delivery in five to 10 years. Officers from the Air Force, Navy and Marines were naturally excluded from participation in the new center.”

Notwithstanding the chronic problem of unneeded general officer overhead, the whole thing has been tried before—and it failed. Today’s Big Six approach is too close for comfort to the French idea between 1919 and 1939: top-down strategic planning by Four Star generals to prevent that anything new from disrupting the Army’s institutional and structural status quo.

Everyone in an Army uniform knows that the heavy general officer presence inside the modernization command will constrain open debate, cut off critical thinking, and — most troubling — obstruct honest experimentation. Army Futures Command’s true purpose is “to hang on to the old business model;” to incorporate “new technologies” inside the existing Army framework of doctrine, tactics and organization.

What’s missing is something Andrew Grove called strategic action. Strategic action occurs in the present, not in the distant future. It seeks a clearly articulated result, but recognizes that the path to results is marked by a series of incremental changes and adjustments that spring from honest experimentation.

The key questions for Congress, President Trump, and his new Secretary of the Army are: What should the desired result look like? And what kind of strategic action is required now—not in the distant future—to achieve it?

The Germans answered these questions with conceptual analysis and field experimentation between 1927 and 1935 with a small group of talented majors and lieutenant colonels insulated from the larger German Army. All were General Staff officers with experience on the World War I battlefield, as well as at the highest command levels. The strategic action to construct the new force design culminated in 1935 with the shift of resources away from the old Infantry-Artillery Army into new formations containing new platforms, weapons, and communication systems, which became known generically by the term blitzkrieg.

When the answer went public in 1940, it was an operationally decisive force of no more than 125,000 troops organized into new, mobile armored formations of all arms tightly integrated with air power. It crushed the French and drove the British from the European Continent in less than six weeks.

FCS consumed more than $20bn because two Army Chiefs of Staff and their generals were too heavily invested in the old force to admit failure and change course. The strategic mistake set back Army force modernization and joint warfighting for at least 20 years.

Before more money is squandered on the newest version of the Army Rowing Team, the Army’s senior leaders should be compelled to explain what an operationally decisive ground force in 21 Century Joint Warfighting looks like. If they cannot, they must stop funding programs with no chance to increase military lethality today, tomorrow, and certainly not in the future! (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense)

 

01 Jun 18. Two key industry groups hope now is the time to push a major change to the defense export process. With the Trump administration making it clear that American defense sales abroad are a fundamental part of its economic and security plans, two key industry trade groups are hoping now is the time to push through a major change to the defense export process.

The Aerospace Industries Association this week delivered a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calling for the creation of a national security cooperation strategy that would increase both transparency and speed to the military export system.

The 21-page AIA letter with 11 broad recommendations for how the Trump administration should handle defense exports to grow the industrial base, has been endorsed by the National Defense Industrial Association, America’s other major defense industry trade group.

The push for a national Security Cooperation Strategy started under Fanning’s predecessor, David Melcher. But AIA is hoping to get fresh energy behind that push during the current review period for the new arms control export rules proposed by the administration.

The association isn’t “advocating to getting to ‘yes’ faster; we’re advocating for getting to the right answer faster, whether it is ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” Eric Fanning, AIA’s CEO, told reporters this week.

“This was something that frustrated me when I was in government,” added Fanning, who served as both Secretary of the Army and Acting Secretary of the Air Force during the Obama administration. “If the answer is ‘no.’ it’s helpful to get to it quickly so we’re not frustrating allies and partners.”

AIA’s goal is twofold. First, to create a strategy guiding America’s goals with foreign weapon sales, which would be informed by the National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy. While not wanting to commit to a format, Fanning said he could envision a largely classified report that would lay out where America needs more capability and how allies could fill it.

As an example, he held up the ever-present need for more lift capability in Africa. If the U.S. knows it needs that capability, having a strategy would allow Washington to guide partners in Africa towards procuring lift capabilities over other items they may request instead.

While acknowledging that domestic desires don’t match up with what the U.S. thinks countries need, Fanning argued that having a cohesive strategy involving State, Commerce and the Pentagon would allow a clear voice that could impact those decisions.

“Saying ‘no, you can’t have X’ is different from saying ‘you can’t have X, but you could have Y,’” Fanning said. “If we can paint a picture of how them increasing certain capabilities does help them because it helps the broader effort, I think it helps us make our case.”

Remy Nathan, AIA’s vice president of international affairs, added that having a strategy could also allow the U.S. to guide partners on how best to improve in order to be cleared for the system they truly desire. If a nation can’t be sold a system because of industrial security concerns, for example, a broad strategy would allow the entirety of the U.S. government to give clarity on how to improve that.

Point person needed

The second half of the strategy would involve clarify a point person, or at least office, who has oversight on the entire weapon exports process.

Right now, various offices at DoD, State and Commerce all have a piece of defense exports, and there is no single person who is the export czar, for lack of a better term. Appointing such a person, or creating a board of some kind, would allow direct oversight and make sure individual cases are not getting caught in the gears of the system.

“This issue here isn’t that the system is broken. It’s that its burdened,” said Nathan.

Fanning again stressed this isn’t about turning all cases that are denied into American defense sales, but rather about making sure that everyone involved finds out what the status of their request is. An ally shouldn’t have to wait months and months to get a no answer, which would lead to confusion and frustration, industry has argued.

The letter from AIA is neutral on where that office or individual could reside, although given the interagency nature of the process, it may make sense to be tied into the White House staff itself.

Regardless of where it lives, however, the point person would be needed to ensure the security cooperation strategy is being carried out, Fanning said.

“By design or by accident, things get stuck a lot, and if someone is at least monitoring it we can push it along and get it through the system,” he noted. (Source: glstrade.com/Defense News)

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About Harris Corporation

 

Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems and Electronic Systems. Learn more at harris.com.

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08 Jun 18. Afghanistan Making Progress Toward Peace, Mission Commander Says. Afghanistan is making progress toward peace even as fighting continues, the commander of NATO’s Resolute Support mission, said today.

Afghan security forces are providing the power, NATO is providing support and training, and the Afghan people are providing the will in the fight against the Taliban and other extremist groups, Army Gen. John W. Nicholson said during a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

Nicholson also praised Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s announcement of a June 15 cease-fire in the country for Eid al-Fitr, the celebration that marks the end of the Muslim observance of Ramadan – a month of fasting. The move is a “bold step towards peace and stability,” the general said.

The cease-fire pertains only to operations against the Taliban. Operations will continue apace against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, al-Qaida and other violent extremist groups.

South Asia Strategy

Nicholson said the U.S. South Asia strategy has been a game-changer for Afghanistan and the region. “The objective of this strategy is reconciliation, and the strategy is working,” he added.

The level of violence between February and April in Afghanistan dropped 30 percent below the five-year average. “And in the month since the Taliban announced their offensive on April 25, violence has increased, but it is still below the five-year average,” Nicholson said.

Though violent acts still take place, the general said, the country is in a period of “fighting and talking,” as was the case in Northern Ireland and Colombia in the past. But the violent acts have not been effective, he noted. “The Taliban are no longer attempting to gain ground. They are trying to inflict casualties and gain media coverage,” Nicholson said.

For the first time, Nichoilson said, all six Afghan corps conducted offensive operations over the winter, successfully repelling 80 percent of Taliban attacks on district centers and retaking the remaining 20 percent within hours or days.

Finally, the general noted that a loya Jurga composed of 3,000 senior religious leaders issued a ruling rejecting the religious justification for suicide and terror attacks.

(Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneDoDNews)

 

 

08 Jun 18. Botched deal with Bell may mean first export sale for South Korean helo. South Korea has high hopes for exporting its utility helicopter for the first time, as the Philippines look into buying the KUH-1 troop-carrying helicopter, dubbed Surion, in bids to modernize its armed forces.

Before flying back to the Philippines on June 5 after a three-day visit to South Korea, President Rodrigo Duterte attended a makeshift arms exhibition at Seoul’s Defense Ministry headquarters, where he boarded a Surion on the ground to examine the helicopter’s functions.

Right after going back to Manila, according to several Philippine media outlets, Duterte directed his Department of National Defense to look into buying Surion helicopters as an alternative to a botched deal to purchase 16 Bell 412EPI helicopters from Canada. The $233m deal was reportedly canceled earlier this year after the Canadian government raised the issue of human rights record in the Philippines.

“Surion helicopters can accommodate 16 passengers as against Bell (helicopters), which could only load up to six passengers,” Philippine National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. was quoted by The Philippine Star as saying. “And if you look at their after sales, the availability of spare parts, Bell is proven because we have Bell helicopters, but (Surion) is near to us.”

The adviser hinted his government would consider 10 to 12 Surion helicopters.

South Korean arms procurement officials are cautiously optimistic about the potential deal with the southeast Asian country.

“We’ve heard that the Philippine Air Force created a task force for looking into the viability of procuring Surion helicopters, but we have yet to receive any formal request for purchasing Surion helicopters,” said Kang Hwan-seok, spokesman for Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA.

Surion manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries, or KAI, expressed high hopes for the utility helicopter’s first overseas sale. The twin-engine light utility helicopter was built with technical assistance of Airbus Helicopters, formerly known as Eurocopter, under a 2006 deal valued at about $1.2bn.

“Once Manila selects Surion, that will be the helicopter’s first overseas sales, a meaningful step toward developing an exporting market in Southeast Asia,” said Kim Ji-hyung, head of KAI’s public relations team. “As the Philippines successfully operates KAI-built FA-50 light-attack aircraft, we believe the Southeast Asian country has credibility about our products, including the Surion helicopter.”

KAI specifically focuses on promoting Surion in the T-50/FA-50 customer nations, Kim added. The Philippines bought 12 FA-50 light-attack aircraft, modified from the T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft, while Iraq placed an order of 24 FA-50 jets. Indonesia bought 15 TA-50 trainer jet with attack capabilities, while Thailand purchased 12 T-50 trainers.

Since 2010, about 200 Surions have been ordered by the South Korean Army and Marine Corps to replace the aging fleet of UH-1H and MD 500 helicopters, with deliveries of civilian variants for local police patrols and medical evacuation.

Modeled after the SA 330 Puma, the helicopter can be used in a variety of applications, including troop assault, search and rescue, tactical lift, and liaison.

The rotorcraft can accommodate two pilots, two gunners and nine fully armed troops. Without arms and equipment, it can handle 16 troops. With a maximum takeoff weight of 8,700 kilograms, the helicopter can fly at a cruise speed of 279 kph.

The helicopter recently passed de-icing tests aimed at evaluating whether it can fly in a minus 30 degrees Celsius environment for at least 30 minutes without ice forming on the inside. The test took place at Sawyer International Airport, Michigan, with staff from both KAI and the South Korean Army joining U.S. Army personnel for the work, according to KAI.

Surion failed previous tests between October 2015 and March 2016 at the same site, facing doubts about its flight safety. The supply of Surion helicopters to the South Korean Army were subsequently suspended for a year to November 2017. (Source: Defense News)

 

08 Jun 18. Indian MoD clears procurements worth USD81m. India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved procurements worth INR55bn (USD81m) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Indian Army (IA) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) under its ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is headed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, cleared on 7 June the acquisition of 12 high-power radars for the IAF under the ‘Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured’ (IDDM) category of the MoD’s Defence Procurement Procedure-2016 to modernise the country’s ageing air defence network.

“The radars will provide long-range, [as well as] medium- and high-altitude cover with the capability to detect and track high-speed targets following parabolic trajectories,” the government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a statement. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

07 Jun 18. Afghan government announces temporary ceasefire with the Taliban. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has announced a week-long ceasefire with the Taliban militant group that coincides with the holiday marking the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan. In a series of posts on Twitter on 7 June Ghani said that the ceasefire would begin on the 27th of Ramadan (12 June) and last until the fifth day of the Eid-al-Fitr holiday (19 June), but would not include military operations against Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) militants and “other foreign-backed terrorist organisations and their affiliates”. Ghani’s announcement came shortly after up to 3,000 Afghan religious scholars, the Ulema, issued an Islamic decree, or fatwa, calling for a cessation of hostilities between the Afghan government and the Taliban, according to the NATO-led ‘Resolute Support’ mission. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

05 Jun 18. G7 to pledge joint defence of democracies from foreign threats – EU official. G7 leaders will commit at their summit this week to cooperate in defending democracies from foreign threats and establish a response mechanism for that purpose, a senior EU official said on Tuesday. The G7 are the United States, Canada, Japan, Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Their leaders are to meet in Charelvoix in Canada on June 8-9.

“We have been very supportive of a Charlevoix commitment on defending democracy from foreign threats,” a senior EU official said.

“That could be one of the documents adopted in Charlevoix. In this context, leaders will commit to strengthen their cooperation to prevent, thwart and respond to unacceptable interference by foreign actors aimed at undermining the democratic processes and the national interest of the G7 states,” the official said.

“The intention is to establish a G7 rapid response mechanism tot strengthen our coordination in this field,” the official said.

In March, the United States imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and entities for meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections, and research showed that Russian Twitter accounts pumped out messages in support of the opposition Labour party in an attempt to influence last year’s British election. Other Western democracies are also concerned about Russian meddling in their electoral processes. (Source: Reuters)

 

05 Jun 18. People’s Liberation Army and corporate China draw ever closer. Dual use technology makes it difficult to determine intentions behind tech spending. Early on, Silicon Valley was highly dependent on the US military. Even Siri, the voice of Apple’s iPhone, was developed with funding from the Department of Defence research arm, Darpa. But in recent years, Silicon Valley has tried to keep its distance from the Department of Defence, as the recent controversy at Google over a Pentagon contract linked to the use of artificial intelligence shows. By contrast, the template of co-operation between the Pentagon and tech companies, which did so much for technological innovation in the US in the 1980s and 1990s, is alive and well in China. No other country except Israel has made as much progress in developing cutting-edge tech that has both civilian and military applications in areas from artificial intelligence and robotics to virtual reality. The growing tension between the US and China is ostensibly about trade but it can equally be seen to be about geopolitics. Many Chinese believe the trade measures that the Trump administration has just adopted reflect the angst of a country that senses its status in the world is being challenged by an ascendant China. Indeed, China is one of the reasons that Jim Mattis, defence secretary, states in the latest National Defence Strategy that terrorism has been replaced by rival nations as the largest threat to the security of the US. The effect will be to drive China ever higher in the value chain, whether in civilian or military technologies, and push China’s military even closer with its companies, whether state-owned or private, recreating the template that has largely been discarded on the other side of the Pacific. For example Midea, which started life in the mainland as a white goods company (and now has replaced Panasonic as the largest white goods maker globally by revenues), recently bought Kuka, the German robotics company, (although the US forced Kuka to exclude a US unit from the transaction). Robotics is a priority for China. Indeed, one study cited in the People’s Daily last year suggested that by 2040, robots and other unmanned systems will outnumber people in China’s military. Recommended Special Report Tech start-ups Shenzhen’s tech innovation hothouse overheats That closer embrace between the Peoples’ Liberation Army and corporate China comes as Beijing is ramping up its military spending and upgrading the quality of both its personnel and its equipment. Twenty years ago the country spent $35bn on its defence; today it has budgeted $230bn per year, a 700 per cent increase. There are numerous beneficiaries of this largesse. Some of them are well known; companies such as Baidu, which is working closely with the government on technologies involving artificial intelligence. Or take Shenzhen-based Da Jiang Innovations (or DJI) which today is a worldwide pioneer in civilian drones — but these drones also have military applications. Moreover, the (on and off again) US sanctions against telecoms firm ZTE came as a stark demonstration of the dependence of China on high-end semiconductor chips from elsewhere. That could lead to an influx of government funds to local chipmakers such as Shanghai-based Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation. Meanwhile, other companies that have one foot in the military sphere and the other in the civilian are far less well known. Take for example, Guangzhou Haige Communications, which is the beneficiary of orders for communications and navigation products from both the government and private sector. Haige, which is listed in Shenzhen, is expected to see both “civilian applications in new fields of driverless cars, drones, satellite phones and smart city systems and new military orders driven by the demand for new generation products,” according to research from Morgan Stanley. Dual use technology blurs the line, making it more difficult to determine intentions behind much technology spending: is it ultimately more about the income statement or national security? That can give rise to what one retired military officer refers to as the defence planners’ dilemma: every player assumes the worst about others’ decision making. For years, Asia has been the beneficiary of relative peace, which means that it has been able to dedicate its burgeoning reserves to the prosperity of its people. Now such distinctions have become far less black and white. (Source: FT.com)

 

05 Jun 18. Operation Roundup in Syria Continues to Target ISIS Terrorists. In Syria, Operation Roundup is in its 36th day of targeting and destroying remnants of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, Army Col. Thomas Veale, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman, told Pentagon reporters today via teleconference from Baghdad.

“The increased operational tempo under Operation Roundup includes 225 coalition partner strikes in May,” the spokesman said. “That’s a 304 percent increase over March and a 123 percent increase over April strikes. We and our partners have pounded ISIS remnants from the ground and air in relentless pursuit of their leaders and fighters.”

Sagging ISIS Morale

ISIS’ morale is low and its leaders are scurrying for their lives, he said, noting that thanks to increased coalition and partner pressure, quite a bit of ISIS traffic is now flowing west toward Syrian regime-held territory.

Veale also announced the removal of a key ISIS operative from the battlefield in Syria. Amed al-Hamdouni, a courier for ISIS senior leadership, was killed during a coalition operation May 17 near Dashisha, Syria, he said.

Al-Hamdouni carried messages among high-level ISIS leaders throughout Syria and Iraq. His death hurts ISIS leadership’s ability to communicate securely and increases their risk of public exposure or further isolation, Veale said.

Turning to Iraq, Iraqi security force partners continue to provide excellent internal security and border security to protect Iraq’s sovereign soil and citizens, Veale said.

Iraq’s citizens are increasingly coming home, and to date, more than 3.7 million Iraqis have returned, he said.

The spokesman emphasized Iraqi security forces’ key role in securing the Iraqi side of the border with Syria in Operation Roundup. “Iraqi border guard forces and the Iraqi army have covered the western border as our partners’ ground defenses attack ISIS remnants in Syria,” he said.

Operation Reliable Partnership

The coalition also continues support to Iraq through Operation Reliable Partnership, which will enhance Iraqi forces’ ability to train and equip themselves, Veale said, adding, “Reliable Partnership will build resilience and security and sustainment capabilities, as well as the growing air enterprise, security policy and operations, intelligence and counterterrorism.”

The United States views Operation Reliable Partnership as an investment in Iraq’s future security and, as the successful defeat-ISIS operations have shown, is also an investment in global security, Veale said.

“We look forward to continuing the successes of this partnership,” he added.

“Our mission remains unchanged: to defeat ISIS in designated parts of Iraq and Syria, and to help set conditions for follow-on operations to increase regional stability,” the spokesman said.

“We, the military arm of the global coalition, work by, with and through our partners to achieve and help sustain security that enables stabilization activities,” he said. “Military action will only take us so far by providing a safer environment in which to work. We now encourage the international community to take advantage of the space, time and opportunities military successes have bought.”

Veale said the coalition and its partners have dealt severe blows to ISIS. However, he added, the enemy is adaptable and determined to rise again.

“There is no doubt momentum is on our side, but we’re facing a determined enemy and there is much work to do,” the spokesman said. “We’re grateful for the support of the global coalition of 71 nations and four international organizations, and we are ever mindful of the sacrifices our predecessors and our partners have made.” (Follow Terri Moon Cronk on Twitter: @MoonCronkDoD)

 

05 Jun 18. For Fourth Year in a Row, German Intelligence Reports that Iran Still Seeks WMD Tech. The intelligence agency of the German state of Baden-Württemberg found that Iran is still trying to obtain technology for weapons of mass destruction and to advance its ballistic missile program, Benjamin Weinthal reported Saturday in The Jerusalem Post.

The report, which was reviewed by the Post, stated that “Iran continued to undertake, as did Pakistan and Syria, efforts to obtain goods and know-how to be used for the development of weapons of mass destruction and to optimize corresponding missile-delivery systems.”

More generally, the report confirmed that since the 2015 nuclear deal with six world powers, “Iran’s regime attempted to covertly secure advanced technology for its nuclear and ballistic-missile programs, according to German intelligence reports,” the Post reported.

The Post characterized Germany as Iran’s “most important” European trading partner, as well as the “European country most willing to resist US policy to wind down trade with Iran.”

In 2017, Germany exported 3.5bn Euro ($4.1bn) worth of goods to Iran; an increase from 2.6bn Euro ($3.0bn) in 2016.

The BfV, Germany’s federal intelligence agency, warned in 2015 that Iran was still trying to procure illicit technology for its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, despite then-ongoing nuclear negotiations with world powers. German intelligence also reported in 2016 that Iran sought to procure nuclear-related materials in at least half of Germany’s states. Last year, German intelligence reported that Iran made at least 32 attempts to acquire proliferation-related technologies, possibly in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal. (Source: theisraelproject.org)

 

04 Jun 18. US moves to justify sail-by operations in South China Sea. A senior U.S. Navy officer has pushed back against suggestions at a regional security summit that freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea have been ineffective, calling them a long-term strategy for demonstrating that China’s claims in the body of water are not internationally recognized.

Speaking in Singapore at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue organized by the International Institute of Strategic Studies, Rear Adm. Donald Gabrielson, commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific, added that the operations, known by the acronym FONOP, are not meant to be a military provocation or intended to shape policy in the short term.

Gabrielson said the operations are instead a statement on the lack of agreement to, and lack of recognition of, an excessive claim ― in this case China’s claim that the South China Sea islands it occupies and has constructed military facilities on are part of its territory. China has also deployed surface-to-air, anti-ship and jamming equipment to its reclaimed islands.

The islands in the Spratly and Paracel groups are also claimed by five other Asian countries, and several have reclaimed and constructed facilities on the islands, although they have been dwarfed by the pace and scale of China’s activities.

Gabrielson, who is due to be the next commander of Carrier Strike Group 11 out of Everett, Washington, added that the FONOPs were not a nation-on-nation interaction but rather a way to support the rights of all nations.

However, China, which claims large tracts of the South China Sea, its islands and features as part of its territory, has been angered by the FONOPs, which it sees as a violation of its territorial waters and sovereignty. It used this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue to express its displeasure at continuing American-led efforts to push back against Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea, despite not having a speaker at the dialogue’s plenary sessions due to it sending a relatively low-level delegation to the summit.

Senior Col. Zhao Xiaozhou, a research fellow at the Institute of War Studies of the People’s Liberation Army’s Academy of Military Sciences, said the FONOPs in the South China Sea were a “violation of the law of the People’s Republic of China.”

The officer accused the United States of “militarization in the South China Sea under the veil of the freedom of navigation,” following a speech by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Mattis had noted that the United States does not see the operations as militarization, as its ships were going through what has traditionally been an international water space, citing rulings by international tribunals based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

UNCLOS determined in 2016 that, among other things, China’s claims “exceed the geographic and substantive limits of China’s maritime entitlements.” China had rejected the ruling, with the ruling Communist Party’s newspaper, the People’s Daily, saying the country “will neither acknowledge it nor accept it.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)

 

05 Jun 18. Vietnam, South Korea look to boost defence trade. Vietnam and South Korea have pledged to explore opportunities for military trade and related industrial collaboration.

Following meetings in Hanoi on 4 June between Vietnam’s defence minister Ngo Xuan Lich and his counterpart from South Korea, Song Young-moo, the two countries’ highlighted a requirement to promote closer defence trade and technology ties.

During the meeting, the two countries also signed an agreement to facilitate deeper collaboration in military logistics.

Commenting on defence ties, South Korea’s defence ministry said Song highlighted a requirement for South Korea to “expand and develop” defence industrial links with Vietnam, while the defence ministry in Hanoi said the two countries would “implement measures to promote” closer co-operation in defence industries and technology transfers. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

04 Jun 18. Liaoning carrier group reaches initial operational capability. China’s first aircraft carrier group, formed around the carrier Liaoning, has reached initial operational capability (IOC), the Ministry of National Defense (MND) in Beijing announced on 31 May. The exercises conducted by the carrier group have become more demanding and “the carrier formation’s comprehensive system of offence and defence has been effectively tested”, MND spokesperson Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang told reporters during a press conference. Although training and developing a cadre of pilots capable of operating the carrier-borne J-15s at sea has been a dominant activity since the commissioning of Liaoning, the carrier has also completed several exercises with its escort group. According to the state-owned China Daily newspaper, Liaoning and its escorts headed into the South China Sea after taking part in the Fleet Review on 12 April, and “conducted a series of combat training operations, practising air defence, anti-ship and anti-submarine tactics, and strikes against land targets”.

Following these exercises, the carrier and its escort group sailed east of Taiwan and into the Western Pacific where they conducted further training, which “involved sophisticated situations in the air and on the water” and tested the commanders’ ability “to make decisions when faced with complicated circumstances”.

The group was monitored at the time by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), which identified the escorts as being a Type 052D (Luyang III)-class destroyer, three Type 052C (Luyang II)-class destroyers, and two Type 054A (Jiangkai II)-class frigates.

In 2011 an MND spokesperson had said that Liaoning, which was commissioned into the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in September 2012, would be used for “scientific research, experiment, and training”.

However, by November 2016 the state-owned Global Times newspaper reported that the ship was “combat ready” and had “real combat capacity”. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

04 Jun 18. China’s AVIC to deepen mixed ownership reform. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has said it is “actively exploring” methods to expand its implementation of mixed ownership reform (MOR): a government strategy aimed at promoting capability advancement through private-sector investment and entrepreneurism.

In a recent statement published on its website, AVIC said the methods it is prioritising to pursue MOR include the “securitisation of high quality assets”, promoting civil-military integration (CMI), and “building high-quality listed companies”. These methods, it said, will help AVIC “deepen MOR” and support efforts to “transform and upgrade”.

AVIC said in terms of asset securitisation – a means of fundraising by transforming assets into securities – it currently ranks top among China’s state-owned defence enterprises. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

05 Jun 18. Australian agencies agree to support defence exports. The newly established Australian Defence Export Office has signed an agreement with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, or Austrade, to provide support for domestic companies looking to expand in international markets.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) – announced on 4 June – will leverage “whole-of-government expertise and knowledge of foreign markets to assist [the] Australian defence industry to access greater export opportunities”, said Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne.

Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo, said that under the agreement local industry experts will work closely with the Australian Defence Export Office in providing advice and support for Australian defence companies using Austrade’s international networks to assist in navigating foreign markets. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

04 Jun 18. Malaysia mulling task force to probe French submarine deal. Malaysia’s cabinet is discussing setting up a special task force to investigate alleged corruption during the purchase of two French submarines in 2002 when the defence ministry was headed by ousted Prime Minister Najib Razak. Since his surprise defeat in an election last month, Najib has been barred from leaving the country, and anti-corruption agents have re-launched a probe into how billions of dollars went missing from a state fund that he founded.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing, but during nearly a decade in power he was dogged by scandal, mostly financial, including over suspected kickbacks paid in the submarine deal.

French financial prosecutors are probing the sale of the Scorpene-class submarines built by state-controlled warship builder DCN International (DCNI), and have placed Abdul Razak Baginda, a former aide to Najib, under formal investigation in connection with the deal.

Malaysia’s new defence minister said on Monday that a proposed task force looking into the deal will be discussed in cabinet, but did not elaborate further.

“It’s too early for me to comment because this task force will be discussed with Cabinet,” Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu was quoted as saying in an online report by Singapore-based broadcaster Channel News Asia.

Abdul Razak advised Najib on the 2002 submarine deal. He has denied wrongdoing, and the previous Malaysian government denied allegations of corruption. Telephone calls made by Reuters to Abdul Razak were unanswered. The French probe began after Malaysian human rights group Suaram alleged that the sale resulted in some $130m of commissions being paid to a company linked to Najib. There has been no evidence linking Najib directly to corruption in the deal, and he and his supporters have consistently denied any wrongdoing. Najib could not be reached on Monday for a comment on the task force. DCNI later became a new entity called DCNS, which in turn rebranded itself as Naval Group last year. French defence company Thales owns around a third of Naval Group. Suaram also linked the 2006 murder of a 28-year-old Mongolian model to the submarine sale. Altantuya Shaariibuu, an interpreter and associate of Abdul Razak, was killed and blown up with military grade explosives in a forest on the outskirts of Malaysia’s capital. Last month, Mongolia’s President Battulga Khaltmaa urged Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to reopen investigations into Altantuya’s murder. (Source: Reuters)

 

03 Jun 18. Coalition Forces, Partners Begin Phase 2 of Operation Roundup. Syrian Democratic Forces have initiated ground operations for phase two of Operation Roundup to defeat Islamic State of Iraq and Syria remnants in northeastern Syria, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials announced today.

The SDF ground offensive, aimed at clearing Dashisha, is bolstered by coordinated coalition cross-border air and artillery strikes, and strikes by the Iraqi air force and army artillery positioned near the border.

Iraqi security forces have also enhanced their border presence to prevent the escape of ISIS members from Syria into Iraq.

Operation Roundup began May 1, and the successful first phase ended with the clearance of Baghuz, Syria, May 15.

Powerful Offensive

“This is a well-coordinated, powerful offensive to annihilate ISIS remnants in northeastern Syria,” said Army Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. “Our partners are aggressively taking the fight to what’s left of ISIS’s conventional force, which has been demoralized by military losses and its leadership’s abandonment of the terrorists they left on the front lines.”

Coalition strikes supporting Roundup in May exceeded April’s strike total by 123 percent, and March’s strike total by 304 percent. Ongoing strikes are targeting ISIS command-and-control centers, weapons production and storage facilities, safe houses and facilitation sites.

Coalition and Iraqi forces are also targeting ISIS tunnel complexes and underground storage sites, Funk said.

The multi-ethnic Syrian Democratic Forces remain committed to liberating the people of northeastern Syria from ISIS’s control and putting an end to the human suffering in the area, officials said.

CJTF-OIR remains committed to the destruction of ISIS and setting the conditions for follow-on operations to increase regional stability, officials said. (Source: US DoD)

 

02 Jun 18. Alliances, Partnerships Critical to U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, Mattis Says. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. treaty allies and other partners, America seeks to build an Indo-Pacific region where sovereignty and territorial integrity are safeguarded and the promise of freedom is fulfilled and prosperity prevails for all, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said today in Singapore.

Addressing the 2018 International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue, the secretary said the Indo-Pacific strategy stands in firm support of America’s recently released National Defense strategy.

“[The strategies] take a clear-eyed view of the strategic environment, and they recognize that competition among nations not only persists in the 21st century, in some regard it is intensifying,” Mattis said.

And both strategies affirm that the Indo-Pacific region is critical for America’s continued stability, security and prosperity, he added.

“In [America’s Indo-Pacific strategy], we see deepening alliances and partnerships as a priority. [The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’] centrality remains vital and cooperation with China is welcome wherever possible,” the secretary said.

“So, make no mistake — America is in the Indo-Pacific to stay,” he noted.

“This is our priority theater; our interests and the regions are inexplicably intertwined,”Mattis said. “Our Indo-Pacific strategy makes significant security, economic and development investments.”

The U.S. strategy recognizes no one nation can or should dominate the Indo-Pacific, he said. “For those who want peace and self-determination, we all have shared responsibility to work together to build our shared future.”

Elements of Strategy Outlined

The secretary highlighted several themes of the strategy:

— Expanding attention on the maritime space: “The maritime commons is a global good, and the sea lanes of communication are the arteries of economic vitality for all,” he said.

“Our vision is to preserve that vitality by helping our partners to build up naval and law enforcement capabilities and capacities to improve monitoring and protection of maritime borders and interests,” he added.

— Interoperability: The United States recognizes a network of allies and partners is a force multiplier for peace, the secretary said. “Through our security cooperation, we are building closer relationships between our militaries and our economies, all of which contribute to enduring trust,” he added.

— Strengthening the rule of law, civil society and transparent governance: “This is the sunlight that exposes the malign influence that threatens sustainable economic development,” Mattis said.

— Private sector-led development: The United States recognizes the region’s need for greater investment, including infrastructure, he noted, adding, “We are reinvigorating our development and finance institutions to enable us to be better, more responsive partners.

“U.S. agencies will work more closely with regional economic partners to provide end-to-end solutions that not only build tangible products, but also transfer experience and American know-how so growth is high value and high quality, not empty promises and surrender of economic sovereignty,” he said.

U.S. Stands Ready

The United States stands ready to cooperate with all nations to achieve this vision, Mattis said.

“While a free and open Indo-Pacific is in all our interests, it will only be possible if we all pull together to uphold it,” he said.

“A generation from now, we will be judged on whether we successfully integrated rising powers while increasing economic prosperity, maintaining international cooperation based on agreed-upon rules [and] protecting fundamental rights of our peoples and avoiding conflict,” the secretary said.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy informs its relationship with China, he noted. “We are aware China will face an array of challenges and opportunities in coming years. We are prepared to support China’s choices if they promote long-term peace and prosperity for all in this dynamic region.”

China’s Policy

Yet China’s policy in the South China Sea stands in stark contrast to the openness of the U.S. strategy, Mattis said, adding that it calls into question China’s broader goals.

“The United States will continue to pursue a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China, [and] cooperation whenever possible will be the name of the game, and competing vigorously where we must,” he said.

“Of course, we recognize any sustainable Indo-Pacific order as a role for China, and at China’s invitation, I will travel to Beijing soon in an open, transparent approach, broadening and deepening the national dialogue between our two Pacific nations,” the secretary said.

As a Pacific nation, the United States remains committed to building a shared destiny with the Indo-Pacific region, he said, adding the nation offers strategic partnerships and not strategic dependence.

“Alongside our allies and partners, America remains committed to maintaining the region’s security, its stability and its economic prosperity — a view that transcends America’s political transitions, and will continue to enjoy Washington’s strong bipartisan support,” Mattis said. (Follow Terri Moon Cronk onTwitter: @MoonCronkDoD)

 

03 Jun 18. Mattis, Indo-Pacific Partners Discuss Security Issues at Singapore Summit. Defense Secretary James N. Mattis and his Indo-Pacific regional counterparts discussed security issues during a series of meetings at the 2018 International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, according to officials.

Mattis, Japan Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera and South Korea Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo today convened the 10th Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting in Singapore, where they held discussions on North Korea, the regional security situation and trilateral security cooperation, according to a statement.

The three ministers welcomed the results of the two recent inter-Korean Summits, to include the “Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula,” and noted the positive changes that have been brought about are setting favorable conditions for the U.S.-North Korea Summit. They expressed their hopes that the upcoming U.S.-North Korea Summit will contribute to comprehensively resolving matters of security and humanitarian concerns for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and to this end, pledged to strengthen security cooperation among the three countries.

The three leaders welcomed North Korea’s recent announcement to halt its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, as well as steps to close the Punggye-ri nuclear test site. The ministers agreed to remain united in support of the ongoing diplomatic efforts in the pursuit of the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. They also agreed to continue enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The leaders welcomed sustained international cooperation to deter, disrupt, and ultimately eliminate illicit activities, such as illegal ship-to-ship transfers. They noted that should North Korea come into full compliance with its international obligations, it would dramatically improve the security and prosperity of the North Korean people. The three leaders noted that multilateral security cooperation led by the three countries plays an important role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The leaders also committed to continuing existing security cooperation, including information sharing, high-level policy consultation, combined exercises, and other exchanges, by using trilateral or multilateral mechanisms. They also discussed other regional security issues, including the importance of maritime security and the maintenance of a rules-based order, and reaffirmed that freedom of navigation and overflight must be ensured, and that all disputes should be resolved in a peaceful manner in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law.

In addition, the three leaders shared the recognition that military-level confidence-building among countries in the region is important, and committed to strengthening cooperation to institutionalize such efforts. The United States reaffirmed its ironclad security commitments to South Korea and Japan, and pledged to continue to work closely together for peace and stability in the region and around the world.

Trilateral Defense Ministerial

Yesterday in Singapore, Mattis, Onodera and Australian Minister for Defense Marise Payne convened a trilateral defense ministerial meeting, according to a statement. They discussed the Indo-Pacific region, North Korea and trilateral defense cooperation. This was the seventh meeting among the three nations’ top defense officials. The ministers affirmed the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, and the key role Australia, Japan and the United States play in upholding a free, prosperous, inclusive, and open international order.

The leaders articulated the shared principles of respect for sovereignty, promotion of free and fair trade and investment, and adherence to international rules and norms. They reaffirmed their strong support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its central role in the regional architecture.

The three leaders remain concerned regarding the ongoing situation in the South China Sea. The ministers underscored their shared respect for international law as well as their shared commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea, including in the South China Sea. They emphasized the importance of the peaceful resolution of conflict in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and expressed strong opposition to the use of force or coercion as well as unilateral action to alter the status quo, and to the use of disputed features for military purposes in the South China Sea.

The ministers reiterated the importance of the conclusion of an effective and meaningful Code of Conduct between ASEAN and China. The ministers agreed to remain united to support the ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve complete and permanent dismantlement of North Korea’s nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile programs. They also agreed to continue enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The ministers welcomed sustained international cooperation to deter, disrupt, and ultimately eliminate illicit activities, such as illegal ship-to-ship transfers.

The ministers recognized the importance of further increasing the three countries’ cooperation in the region, with a view to maximizing the opportunities for defense engagement. They affirmed their determination to draft a strategic action agenda that would provide a long term vision for trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The ministers acknowledged the close defense relationship of the three countries, and agreed to increase synergies of both bilateral and trilateral cooperation and coordination on regional efforts such as maritime capacity building, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, and peacekeeping support.

Defense Ministerial Meeting

Also yesterday in Singapore, Mattis and his South Korean counterpart convened a defense ministerial meeting and held discussions on coordination measures relevant to the current security situation on the Korean Peninsula and key U.S.-South Korea alliance issues, according to a statement. The secretary and the minister welcomed the results of the two recent inter-Korean Summits, to include the “Panmunjeom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula,” and noted that positive changes that have been brought about are setting favorable conditions for the U.S.-North Korea Summit.

They agreed that in addition to strong international enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolutions, the robust U.S.-South Korea alliance and the close bilateral coordination greatly contributed to bringing such changes. The two leaders resolved to strengthen the coordination and cooperation between their two countries. Song explained that defense-related agreements from the inter-Korean Summits will be faithfully implemented and that he will continue to provide defense-level support to ensure implementation of the other agreements. In particular he emphasized that it is important to continue to strongly maintain the U.S.-South Korea defense posture through every step of alleviating military tensions and building trust between the two Koreas, and noted that he will continue to closely communicate with the U.S. in this regard.

Mattis reaffirmed that the ironclad U.S. defense commitment to South Korea will continue to be maintained regardless of the changes in the security situation on the Korean Peninsula, and to this end, noted that U.S. Forces Korea will continue to maintain the current level of forces. Moreover, he stressed that the role of the military will continue to be to reinforce diplomatic measures, such as through cooperation to enforce implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions aimed at the objective of complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization.

The secretary and the South Korean minister recognized the progress towards preparation for the operational command transition. This includes acquiring the necessary alliance capabilities and developing strategic documents and operational plans, and the commitment to strengthen cooperation to expeditiously meet the necessary conditions for the transition.

The two sides shared the understanding that the upcoming U.S.-North Korea Summit will serve as a historic opportunity towards denuclearization and building lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, and resolved to further strengthen the bilateral ministerial communication and coordination to provide defense-level support for setting favorable conditions for the summit. (Source: US DoD)

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About Harris Corporation

 

Harris Corporation is a leading technology innovator, solving customers’ toughest mission-critical challenges by providing solutions that connect, inform and protect. Harris supports government and commercial customers in more than 100 countries and has approximately $6 billion in annual revenue. The company is organized into three business segments: Communication Systems, Space and Intelligence Systems and Electronic Systems. Learn more at harris.com.

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06 Jun 18. What’s next for Northrop Grumman and Orbital ATK? Northrop Grumman won U.S. antitrust approval to complete its $7.8bn acquisition of rocket maker Orbital ATK on June 5, and is expected to complete the transaction by market close today.

The Federal Trade Commission approved the deal on the condition the companies provide solid fuel rocket motors on a nondiscriminatory basis to competitors for missile contracts, resolving charges that the acquisition would be anticompetitive.

The FTC is requiring Northrop to create firewalls between its new business and the rest of the company to prevent it “from transferring or using any proprietary information that it receives from competing missile prime contractors or [solid rocket motor] suppliers in a manner that harms competition.” The firewall will be monitored by the Defense Department’s acquisition and sustainment branch.

Orbital ATK is one of two firms working on propulsion systems for two prime contractors, Boeing and Northrop, competing for the Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent contract, which will replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. The FTC-mandated firewall was likely implemented with this competition in mind.

However there is precedent for a company to be involved in its competitors’ proposals. For instance, on the JSTARS recap program, all three prime contractors — Boeing, Northrop and Lockheed — submitted proposals featuring radar from Raytheon and Northrop.

Orbital ATK will operate as Northrop Grumman’s fourth business sector, named Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. The new sector joins Northrop’s aerospace systems, mission systems and technology services businesses.

The $9.2bn sale was announced on September 18, 2017. Northrop paid Orbital ATK $7.8bn in the all cash deal, and assumed $1.4bn in debt.

Northrop has updated its 2018 guidance, predicting sales to reach upwards of $30 bn.

What’s next?

In anticipation of the deal going through, Orbital has hired 1,000 more employees and invested a decent number of millions, tens of millions, in a number of our facilities to support readiness,” Mike Kahn, Orbital ATK’s defense group president, told Defense News in an April 10 interview at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference.

Orbital recently invested heavily in its Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center, West Virginia, where it builds rocket motors, warheads and fuses because it’s anticipating a “significant increase” stemming specifically from Army programs that are ramping up in the next few years, according to Kahn.

The deal will also allow Northrop to expand more into the space market, a key sales area of Orbital ATK where Northrop has historically lagged.

Northrop has decided not to pursue a number of contracts over the past year, like the GPS III, T-X trainer and MQ-25 drone competitions, but is on the lookout for more enticing opportunities.

Northrop secured a sole-source Air Force contract in May to develop next-generation missile warning satellites and Orbital announced in April a new intermediate and heavy lift rocket it hopes will compete for national security launches. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)

BATTLESPACE Comment: Another big question for Northrop to address is whether it wants to keep ATK and get into the medium calibre gun business? Sources suggest that Northrop may exit ATK and sell to another vendor such as Rheinmetall or Mauser if the DoD allows a foreign purchaser. Nexter and BAE are pushing CTAi into the US market and we await to see how successful this is. It may prove a game changer if CTAi gains a US foothold.

 

06 Jun 18. Lockheed Martin sees an appetite for startup investments. Lockheed Martin wants to invest in startups with big commercial potential, which are developing technologies that could give the firm a strategic edge in areas such as 3-D printing. (Scharfsinn86/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — Google may be backing away from future Pentagon contracts, but defense companies are finding a receptive audience in Silicon Valley startups, the head of Lockheed Martin’s venture fund said Wednesday.

Chris Moran had spent about 30 years of his career in Silicon Valley before taking over Lockheed’s venture fund in June 2016. So naturally he felt “a little trepidation” about moving into the defense sector, he told a group of reporters at June 6 roundtable.

“Almost from the outset, I was pleasantly surprised by the embracement from the folks that I met both inside the company and in the startup space, finding those technologies, talking about the problems that we have to work on, and finding that they were very excited about working on those technologies and working with Lockheed Martin,” he said.

Google announced on June 1 that it plans to no longer bid for future contracts on the Pentagon’s Project Maven, which used the company’s machine learning technologies to analyze drone imagery.

When Google’s involvement in the program was disclosed earlier this year, it was met with internal criticism, including a petition signed by 4,000 employees imploring Google to vow never to work with the Defense Department, Wired magazine reported in May.

But despite the controversy, Moran said he hasn’t seen startup companies try to move away from working with defense companies — or accepting their seed money.

“I know there’s kind of an independent streak in the Valley, so maybe they want to keep some distance there,” he said. “But I haven’t seen it. When I go talk to companies — and again I’m working at the engineering level a lot of times — they are absolutely enthralled by the types of things that we work on and love the challenge.”

Major defense primes including Lockheed, Boeing and Airbus have recently started venture funds with the hope of deepening ties with fledgling commercial tech businesses, and Moran said the companies’ engagements in Silicon Valley have made defense firms more credible as a partner.

Now, Lockheed is doubling down on its investments. Moran announced during the roundtable that Lockheed will take $100m of the money saved from recent tax reform legislation and funnel it into the its venture capital fund — increasing that pool of money two times over.

Since 2016, the company has invested $40m in eight companies, some of which have not be publicly disclosed. While Lockheed’s venture capital arm gets about 500 leads on new technology a year, Moran wants to be able to double that.

“We’d love to go from — generically — about four investments per year, we’d love to get to six or even eight,” he said. “The $200m will help us to work with more companies, and our goal is to try to get those relationships teed up earlier than later.”

With its new infusion of funds, it might also look to emerging technologies like quantum computing and quantum sensors, where there has been a lot of recent activity.

“Many companies have been formed in the last two years in that, so we’re looking in those areas as well,” Moran said.

So what has Lockheed been getting out of its venture capital investments?

Unlike other investors, Lockheed isn’t funding companies in the hopes of getting a massive financial return. Instead, it wants to invest in startups with big commercial potential, which are developing technologies that could give Lockheed a strategic edge in areas like cyber, space, artificial intelligence, autonomy, 3-D printing and data analytics.

“The perfect investments for us are those that are scaling and growing through commercial activity but at the same time are maturing, hardening, becoming more reliable as a result of the volume and scale that the commercial space can bring,” Moran said.

For instance, Lockheed has made investments in commercial radar and lidar companies closely aligned with the automobile industry.

If those products end up being successful and are integrated into hundreds of thousands of cars, that drastically decreases down the price for customers like Lockheed who could use the system for defense applications and creates a bigger pool of money for the startup to reinvest in its own infrastructure.

While a lot of venture funds are used by companies to pave the way for a future acquisition, that isn’t the case for Lockheed, which would rather keep those firms as potential suppliers based in the commercial sector.

“A home run would look like an entire portfolio of companies we’re working with like Terran Orbital,” the nanosatellite company that Lockheed has partnered with on Defense Department and NASA contracts, said Moran.

Through Terran Orbital, “we found a really capable technology that had immediate or near term application to things that we’re running with our government customers,” he said. “We could both grow them, grow our ability to enter new markets or hone our abilities in existing markets.”

(Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)

 

07 Jun 18. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced the doubling of its venture capital fund to $200m and recent investments in early-stage companies focused in the areas of autonomy and advanced manufacturing.

“Our focus is on finding and investing in companies developing cutting-edge technologies that will grow our business and disrupt our industry,” said Chris Moran, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures. “We’re developing long-term strategic partnerships with companies and helping them navigate through the early stages of product development while  leveraging our decades of experience working with government customers.”

Enabled by tax reform legislation, Lockheed Martin Ventures is focusing the additional $100 million on early-stage companies in the areas of sensor technologies, autonomy, artificial intelligence and cyber.

With the fund’s latest investment, Lockheed Martin expanded its relationship with nTopology, creator of ELEMENT, an emerging software technology in the high-growth additive and advanced manufacturing sectors.

“Our investment in nTopology will bring strategic advantages in Lockheed Martin’s computational design processes and help shorten the periods between the design and manufacturing phase,” said Moran.

The increase in the venture fund is part of $460 million that Lockheed Martin is investing as a direct result of tax reform savings. The tax reform legislation enables Lockheed Martin to make investments that improve its global competitiveness, including investing in transformative technologies that will bring lasting benefits to customers, employees and communities.

The company is making additional investments enabled by tax reform savings, including:

  • $200m additional investments in capital expenditures and research and development in 2018
  • $100m in employee training and educational opportunities over the next five years
  • $50m investment in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education enrichment, including the establishment of a new Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship Fund
  • $10m for the launch of the Lockheed Martin Innovation Prize competition

 

06 Jun 18. Airbus close to Alestis divestment. Airbus is understood to be close to reaching an agreement on selling its majority stake in Spanish Tier-1 aircraft parts supplier Alestis Aerospace. The group told Jane’s on 5 June that it has “received various strategic proposals on Alestis which it is evaluating, without having taken a decision yet”.

Airbus stepped in to save the company in 2014, a move the company said was “not an investment, but to guarantee its stability, its work, and therefore its future”. The long-term frontrunner to take over is another Spanish Tier-1 supplier, Aciturri, although market analysts said there at least two other potential buyers. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced its investment in Kittyhawk, a San Francisco, Calif.-based company offering a unified approach to the safe operation of commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Kittyhawk’s technology will support development of a UAS Traffic Management System (UTM) that enables piloted and autonomous air vehicles to safely coexist.

Kittyhawk pioneered enterprise software and mobile-based apps that integrate real-time UAS flight operations and management solutions all in one platform. Since its founding in 2015, Kittyhawk has grown its customer base to include industry leaders in media, insurance, energy, rail transportation and fire and emergency management agencies that rely on it for end-to-end drone operations.

“When paired with the broad portfolio of complementary data service offerings within Boeing, Kittyhawk is poised to help us shape the future of safe autonomous flight,” said Brian Schettler, managing director of Boeing HorizonX Ventures. “We are excited to explore new capabilities made possible through foresight, expertise and a focus on holistic solutions that support the safe integration of unmanned systems into the national airspace.”

Kittyhawk is partnering with Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen to expand unmanned operations by participating in the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). LAANC is a collaborative effort to create UTM processes that integrate unmanned aircraft, cargo delivery and beyond visual line of sight operations safely into the airspace.

“Boeing’s world-renowned aviation expertise and resources will help Kittyhawk continue to mature our enterprise offerings,” said Joshua Ziering, founder and chief pilot of Kittyhawk. “Boeing’s long history of forging new industries within the aerospace sector will also help as Kittyhawk continues its mission to create robust, open and interoperable standards to empower the commercial drone industry. We have a unique opportunity to pioneer a new aviation industry and having the support of Boeing will give Kittyhawk the resources and expertise we need to be truly disruptive in this space.”

Boeing HorizonX Ventures participated in this seed funding round led by Bonfire Ventures, with participation by Freestyle Capital. The Boeing HorizonX Ventures investment portfolio is made up of companies specializing in technologies for aerospace and manufacturing innovations, including autonomous systems, energy storage, advanced materials, augmented reality systems and software, machine learning, hybrid-electric propulsion and Internet of Things connectivity.

 

06 Jun 18. Patria expands aircraft components operations. Finland’s Patria announced on 4 June that it has agreed to acquire Finnish firm Patricomp from Spain’s Aernnova. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. However, Patria noted that Patricomp’s net sales in 2017 were valued at EUR6.6m (USD7.7m). Aernnova has owned the company since 2015, when it had been acquired from KMM-Invest. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. 2018 Capital Markets Day: Thales presents its 2021 strategic priorities.

 Highly-differentiated business model: intelligent systems to address 5 demanding end markets

 Reinforcing technological leadership by accelerating R&D investments

 Group ideally positioned to lead the digital transformation of its markets

 Powerful operational performance levers implemented to deliver significant margin increase

 Further potential upside from projected Gemalto acquisition

 2018-21 financial targets:

o Average organic sales growth of 3 to 5%1, with each Thales operating segment2 expected to outperform its market

o EBIT3 margin to reach 11% to 11.5% by 2021

1 Compared to 2017 pro forma IFRS 15 sales. Does not take into account the potential impact of the projected Gemalto acquisition.

2 Aerospace, Transport, and Defence & Security.

3 Non-GAAP measure, see definition in appendix, page 5. Does not take into account the potential impact of the projected Gemalto acquisition.

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is today hosting its 2018 Capital Markets Day with investors and financial analysts. During this event, Patrice Caine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and members of the management team will present the Group’s strategic priorities for the period 2018 to 2021.

In addition to presentations on Group strategy, financials and a review of each of the Group’s main businesses, the meeting will include in-depth presentations focusing on its renewed drivers of operational performance and on the Group’s unique ability to capture opportunities resulting from the digital transformation of its markets.

“The first phase of Ambition 10, our strategic plan, has delivered on all of its key targets. During the next phase, we have a clear plan to drive all our businesses to industry leadership.

We will reinforce our customer-centric organization and culture, ramp up new operational performance initiatives, and accelerate our R&D investments, notably to further position ourselves as strategic partner for our customers’ digital transformations.

Combined with our unique position, associating world class technology leadership and deep domain knowledge of our 5 end markets, these actions will allow us to grow profitably and faster than the market, in a sustainable way.

In a few months, the Gemalto acquisition, which we expect to complete in the second half of this year, will further accelerate this strategy, and enable us to build a global leader in digital security.”

Patrice Caine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer PRESS RELEASE 6 June 2018 Paris La Défense, France

The main topics to be addressed at the Capital Markets Day include:

A highly-differentiated business model: intelligent systems to address 5 very demanding end markets

Thales’s business model relies on its ability to combine deep domain knowledge of its 5 complex end markets with a unique portfolio of key common technologies focused on supporting the critical decision chain, from sensors to data transmission, data processing and decision-making.

This pure player focus enables the Group to develop and deliver breakthrough solutions that help its customers think smarter and act faster, mastering ever greater complexity at every decisive moment they face.

Relying on an asset light capital base and benefiting from significant negative working capital, this business model is creating high value, with a ROCE4 of 25% in 2017, in line with best in class global peers.

4 Non-GAAP measure, see definition and calculation on page 136 of the Capital Markets Day presentation.

5 Adjusted P&L research and development expenses line, €797m in 2017.

All Thales markets benefit from solid underlying trends, driven by the increasing need for mobility and connectivity, the confirmed trend-up of defence budgets, as well as the ability of intelligent systems to deliver operational and environmental efficiency, and to support more effective decision-making in critical environments.

Reinforcing technological leadership by accelerating R&D investments

To drive technological excellence and lead the digital transformation of its markets, Thales plans to further increase its self-funded R&D investments5, which are expected to reach approximately €1bn by 2021, up by 25 to 30% compared to 2017.

Leading the digital transformation of markets

The acceleration of digital innovation will transform and disrupt Thales customers’ businesses over the next 5 to 10 years.

With its focus on critical decision chains, digital by nature, its large integrated network of digital native talents, and its unique portfolio of digital capabilities, notably in the areas of connectivity, big data analytics, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, Thales is ideally positioned to lead the digital transformation of its markets.

To execute on this strategy and partner with its customers through their digital transformations, Thales will capitalize on its recent digital acquisitions and the launch of its “digital factory”, while focusing its R&D investments on digital-inside “dream” products, digital breakthroughs and new digital services.

Once completed, the Gemalto acquisition will further boost this strategy.

Powerful operational performance levers

Building on new marketing and sales initiatives, the Group will reinforce its customer-centric organization and culture, targeting deeper customer intimacy, sales pipeline optimization, and the development of exports from large countries.

In parallel, Thales will continue to concentrate its competitiveness initiatives on 4 high impact levers:

 Procurement performance, driven by a new worldwide integrated organization as well as the introduction of powerful new methods

 Engineering competitiveness, notably through the further deployment of agile methods, state-of-the-art digital engineering tools and the further reinforcement of skills and capabilities

 Support function efficiency, with the implementation of standard worldwide operating models across every support function, fostering process standardization, digitization and further platforming of resources

 Excellence in delivery, targeting continuous improvement in operational excellence, including bid and project execution, while delivering growth

Complemented by the positive impact on product competitiveness arising from increased R&D, the Ambition 10 competitiveness initiatives are expected to generate a 200 to 240 basis point improvement in EBIT margin6 over the 2018-21 period.

6 Compared to a reported EBIT margin of 9.8% in 2017.

7 Compared to 2017 pro forma IFRS 15 sales.

8 25.9% excluding one-off non cash tax items. Effective tax rates computed on adjusted P&L.

9 Free operating cash flow divided by adjusted net income. See definitions in appendix.

Persistent focus on shareholder value creation

As a result of these initiatives, Thales has set itself the following financial targets, not taking into account the potential impact of the projected Gemalto acquisition:

 Organic sales growth7 of +3% to +5% on average over the 2018-2021 period, with each operating segment expected to outperform its market

 An EBIT margin of 11% to 11.5% by 2021, resulting from the 200 to 240 basis point improvement related to competitiveness initiatives, partly offset by the reinvestment in self-funded R&D mentioned above, representing approximately 50 to 100 basis point of margin. All 3 operating segments are expected to further increase their EBIT margin

On top of the above-mentioned drivers, adjusted EPS will benefit from the expected progressive lowering of effective tax rates, from 31%8 in 2017 to 23-24% in 2021.

Thales will maintain its strong focus on cash flow generation, and targets a further improvement in its cash conversion ratio9, which is expected to reach approximately 90% before one-offs on average over the 2018-21 period, in spite of a less favourable cash/expense tax gap.

Further upside from transformative Gemalto acquisition

Once completed, the Gemalto acquisition is expected to deliver significant sales and cost synergies. It will also improve the efficiency of the capital structure, enabling Thales to deliver significant dividend growth whilst maintaining financial flexibility for bolt-on acquisitions.

 

04 Jun 18. Webasto to Acquire AeroVironment Electric Vehicle Charging and Test Systems Business. Webasto Group, one of the 100 leading suppliers to the automotive industry worldwide, and AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for both defense and commercial applications and tactical missile systems (TMS), announced Webasto’s agreement to acquire AeroVironment’s Efficient Energy Systems (EES) business segment for $35m, subject to customary post-closing adjustments and indemnification agreements. Webasto will retain all existing EES employees, while strengthening its long-term E-mobility strategy.

“This strategic acquisition accelerates the global development of our charging business,” said Holger Engelmann, chairman of the management board, Webasto SE. “Combining EES’ fundamental know-how in electric vehicle technology with our position as a global systems partner to almost all OEMs emphasizes the long-term strategic development of the Webasto Group,” added Engelmann. E-mobility customers among others will profit from the automotive supplier’s global experience in system integration and understanding the requirements of the automotive industry.

Webasto’s acquisition of AeroVironment’s EES business segment contributes to the company’s dual strategy. With this strategy, Webasto strengthens its existing core business areas in Sunroofs, Convertibles and Thermo Systems and participates in new business areas, focusing on battery systems and plug-in electric vehicle charging solutions.

“We conducted a very robust process in which we identified a number of potential strategic acquirers for our EES business. We found Webasto’s E-mobility strategy to be highly aligned with that of EES, and our respective capabilities to be highly complementary serving our end markets,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chief executive officer. “Our strategic divestiture of EES helps AeroVironment focus on our leading small UAS, Tactical Missile Systems, High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite, and Commercial Information Solutions businesses, each of which represents significant investment and long-term growth potential,” Nawabi added.

(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

05 Jun 18. BEML aims to double its defence vertical revenue in FY19.

BEML’s Defence segment accounted for around 17% of the company’s overall revenue of Rs 33bn in the financial year ended March 2018. Public sector engineering major, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is betting big on the defence vertical with a plan to double its revenues from this segment in the current financial year.

The defence segment accounted for around 17 per cent of the company’s overall revenue of Rs 33bn in the financial year ended March 2018.

“We see a lot of traction in our defence vertical. The order book looks healthy and we should be able to increase the pie of defence vertical to around 25 per cent of the overall revenues in the current financial year,” Chairman and Managing Director of BEML, DK Hota told Business Standard.

Such optimism stems from the fact that its aerospace vertical has shown signs of an upside in the current financial year. BEML supplies mortar and casing components to the Indian Army. “We are collaborating with other government agencies such as DRDO, ADA, BDL (Bharat Dynamics Ltd.) and HAL among others. We expect aerospace to drive our next phase of growth,” added Hota. BEML has been selected as the lead vendor for Akash missile system.

The Bengaluru-headquartered company is also working on recovery vehicle on main battle tank of Indian Army, mine protected vehicle for military and para-military forces, high-end missile programme and Akash missile system among others.

The company has already invested around Rs 300m to strengthen its capability to cater to aerospace segment, and plans to spend another Rs 1bn in next couple of years.

“Our spare business is also likely to take a leap from last fiscal’s Rs 1.5bn to Rs 4bn this financial year,” the CMD of BEML said.

The defence unit is also collaborating with Ordnance factory in joint development of various projects.

During last financial year, BEML has developed in-house design, development and supply of Arjun Repair and Recovery vehicle. It has also manufactured trawl assembly for T-72 tanks to R&DE (Engineers), Pune and developed aggregates for the quick reaction surface to air missile for DRDL (Defence Research & Development Laboratory).

As part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the company has built a supplier-base of more than 1,000 SMEs for procuring various articles for defence equipment.

The Mini Ratna public sector unit reported a 53 per cent rise in its consolidated net profit to Rs 1.29bn for FY18. Its income from operations rose to Rs 32.98bn, up 16.5 per cent over the same period of previous fiscal. While the company’s mining and construction business registered a growth of 11 per cent, its rail and metro business achieved a record sale of 244 metro cars, registering a growth of 114 per cent over the previous fiscal. Despite headwinds faced by defence business, it grew by 10 per cent during this period. (Source: Google/www.business-standard.com)

 

05 Jun 18. Gooch & Housego stacks the shelves. Gooch & Housego’s (GHH) half-year returns were in line with consensus, with profits boosted by revenue growth at the aerospace and defence (A&D) segment, up a third to £18.1m. That rise was partly aided by last year’s acquisition of StingRay Optics, although beyond deal-making the photonics (light sciences) specialist continued its climb up the value chain, a management objective that is being helped by optimising manufacturing processes.  The drive to increase unit profitability was also reflected in a surge in the underlying margin at the A&D segment, from 7.3 to 11.4 per cent, although the outstanding products in this regard are components for microelectronics applications. That isn’t immediately obvious as they fall within the industrials segment, which saw a 2.5 percentage decline in the underlying margin. This was primarily due to timing issues on orders, specifically in relation to fibre couplers, held in check due to delayed work schedules on subsea cable programmes.

There was an appreciable step up in orders for these high-margin components in the corresponding period in 2017, but G&H closed out the period with a record order book, and a significant working capital outlay to build capacity ahead of a ramp up in forecast demand.

Broker finnCap forecasts adjusted pre-tax profit of £18.5m and EPS of 56.4p for the September 2018 year-end, against £16.1m and 48.5p in FY2017.

IC View

A net cash outflow, an increase in trade receivables and strong inventory build also underline management’s expectations of rising industrial demand. We anticipate a step up in operating cash flow as inventories unwind. The shares now trade at a discount to peers on a price/earnings basis in contrast to a 14 per cent historical premium. We upgrade to buy.

Last IC View: Hold, 1,460p, 29 Nov 2017. (Source: Investors Chronicle)

 

05 Jun 18. TT Electronics buys Precision. TT Electronics has bought Precision of Minneapolis, the designer and manufacturer of precision electromagnetic product solutions for critical applications.

Precision has around 160 employees that support customers in medical, industrial, and aerospace and defence markets.

Precision brings new design, simulation and manufacturing capabilities to TT in electromagnetics.

Precision’s products are primarily sold into medical applications including pace makers, neurological implants and other in-body equipment as well as external diagnostic equipment such as dialysis machines and MRI scanners.

Precision also serves industrial and aerospace and defence customers in applications including satellite power supplies and aerospace guidance systems.

Precision’s capabilities include high-reliability, ultra-fine wire winding, particularly suited to components that require exceptionally high levels of precision. Precision will be integrated into the Power Electronics division.

TT will provide Precision with customer and market access in Europe and Asia, supported by a global Field Application Engineering team and distribution network. TT’s operating footprint will provide significant manufacturing and supply chain capabilities in Asia to support customers in region.

Together with Precision, TT now has a global electromagnetic product solution offering with engineering capabilities in the US, UK and Asia supported bymanufacturing capabilities in each region.

Commenting on the acquisition, Richard Tyson, CEO says the acquisition “will extend our capability for power electronic solutions in the important medical, industrial and aerospace and defence markets in the US.” (Source: Google//www.electronicsweekly.com)

 

05 Jun 18. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced today that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cleared Northrop Grumman’s proposed acquisition of Orbital ATK Inc. The FTC’s Bureau of Competition has completed its review of the merger, and the Premerger Notification Office has informed the company that the waiting period under the HSR Act has terminated, allowing the companies to complete the merger. As part of that clearance, the FTC issued a decision and order providing for solid rocket motors to be available on a non-discriminatory basis under specified circumstances and under processes defined in the order. The company expects to complete the transaction after market close tomorrow and is issuing the following updated guidance. This updated guidance assumes the completion of the transaction tomorrow.

 

04 Jun 18. Trident Maritime Systems Completes the Acquisition of Newsystem srl. Trident Maritime Systems (“Trident”), a portfolio company of an investment affiliate of J.F. Lehman & Company, announced today the completion of the acquisition of Newsystem srl (“Newsystem”).

Trident is a leading provider of turnkey marine systems and solutions for government and commercial vessel new construction, retrofit and repair both in the U.S. and internationally.

Newsystem is a provider of outfitting systems and solutions for the cruise ship new construction market.  The company is located near Bergamo, Italy and operates in shipyards throughout Italy.

“Since our acquisition of the company in 2011, Trident has demonstrated strong growth by diversifying and expanding its specialized systems and solutions offering and geographic footprint.  Newsystem is Trident’s seventh add-on acquisition and represents another successful step in executing this element of Trident’s strategy,” said Alex Harman, Partner at J.F. Lehman & Company.

Tom Eccles, Chief Executive Officer of Trident, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Newsystem to the Trident family. The addition of Newsystem demonstrates our commitment to the Italian cruise ship new construction market and will allow us to better serve our customers.”

 

04 Jun 18. Aeronautics completes Chassis Plans acquisition. Aeronautics has completed the acquisition of rugged electronics provider Chassis Plans, according to Israeli media reports. The announcement was made via a filing to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) on 3 June, completing the purchase that was first announced in September 2017. Chassis Plans designs, develops, and manufactures a range of ruggedized computer systems for the military and industrial markets, with systems including servers, storage, LCD monitors, and tablet computers. It is reported that the Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles manufacturer acquired US-based Chassis Plans for USD2.3m in cash at the point of completion, and will pay further amounts subject to sales milestones. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

25 May 18. QinetiQ energised in foreign markets. The investment case for QinetiQ (QQ.) is partly predicated on its expertise in advanced testing and evaluation services – technologies that can generate cost savings for the military at a time when the domestic defence budget is coming under intense scrutiny; a point borne out by claims from the House of Commons’ Public Accounts Committee that the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) spending plans for the next decade contain a £20bn black hole.

Even before the parliamentary watchdog took the MoD to task, sentiment towards the sector had soured when Ultra Electronics(ULE) warned of “mounting pressures in the funding of UK defence programmes”, at the tail-end of 2017. But against this backdrop, QinetiQ revealed its largest annual revenues in five years, together with a 7 per cent rise in underlying earnings (flattered by one-off items) and a double-digit hike in operating cash flows.

Order levels soared in the prior year, thanks to a long-term partnering agreement (LTPA) with the MoD, but if you exclude this from the equation, along with multi-year contracts awarded in the period, the order book was 15 per cent to the good. However, it’s clear the order mix isn’t quite so favourable – “lower value, shorter dated” – so only 69 per cent of current-year revenues were under contract at the start of April, against 74 per cent a year earlier. On a related issue, the adoption of the IFRS 15 (revenue recognition) accounting standard “is not expected to have a significant impact” on reported financial performance in the current year.

The group’s longstanding links with the MoD can be a mixed blessing when domestic defence budgets are under the pump, so QinetiQ has been diversifying geographically, ergo the recent acquisition of Germany-based air training company EIS Aircraft Group. Even before this deal, international revenues had risen to 27 per cent of the group total, up from 21 per cent two years ago. Bloomberg consensus forecasts give adjusted EPS of 16.9p for FY2019 and the following year.

IC View

The promise afforded by the group’s embrace of foreign markets is reflected in a marked increase in the book-to-bill ratio (implying improving order demand) for the global products division, although the opposite was true of the larger Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) services business. The LTPA provides a degree of predictability, but given increased uncertainties over MoD budgets, and with the shares trading in line with their historic enterprise/cash profits multiple, we move our original call (230p, 1 Sep 2016) down to neutral. Last IC View: Buy, 209p, 20 Nov 2017. (Source: Investors Chronicle)

 

04 Jun 18. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced today that it’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cyberbit Ltd. (“Cyberbit”), raised a $30m investment from the private equity investor Claridge Israel L.P. (“Claridge Israel”). Engaged in the cyber security area Cyberbit provides the cyber training and simulation solution – Cyberbit Range and a consolidated detection and response platform that protects an organization’s entire attack surface across IT, OT and IoT networks. This investment will facilitate Cyberbit’s ability to take advantage of the rising demand for its product line, as well as expand sales and marketing operations, primarily in North America, enhance customer and partner support and boost development.

Oded Tal, Managing Partner of Claridge Israel, will join Cyberbit’s board of directors. Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems, commented: “We see the cyber security field as a growth engine. We are encouraged by the technological and business achievements of Cyberbit in recent years, led by the rapid adoption of the market leading cyber training and simulation solution – the Cyber Range. I am confident that the partnership with Claridge Israel will lead Cyberbit to even greater achievements.”

 

04 Jun 18. Boeing eyes greater APAC defence sales to boost global services. “The next big market opportunity in the global services arena, is the doubling of [the Asia-Pacific] market in the next ten years, and becoming the largest market in the world,” says Jeff Shockey, vice president of global sales and marketing at Boeing Defense, Space & Security at a roundtable briefing in Singapore.

Vice-president of international sales, Gene Cunningham, says that the conversations that Boeing is having with governments are “no longer ‘I’ve got an Apache, would you like to buy an Apache’”, but are about understanding their specific needs, security concerns and the capabilities they are seeking.

Those conversations are opening up opportunities to create support programmes that address multiple products together, as opposed to the traditional support of an individual platform, he adds.

Sales prospects for military aircraft across the region remain strong. Boeing is in talks with multiple governments about its airborne refueling, maritime patrol and helicopter platforms.

Cunningham adds that Boeing is “engaged in the process to look at what their next fighter might look like”, as Japan looks to a future replacement of its F-2s. Reports in April suggested that rival Lockheed Martin plans to offer a hybrid of the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II to meet the forthcoming requirement. Meanwhile, the manufacturer is bidding to sell the P-8 Poseidon to South Korea, which is expected to decide on a maritime patrol aircraft by the end of 2018.

In India, Boeing is looking to pitch the KC-46 to meet a requirement there. Separately, on 1 June, it announced that its Tata Boeing Aerospace joint venture had delivered its first AH-64 Apache fuselage “five to six weeks” ahead of schedule.

The Hyderabad-based facility, which was operational a year ago, will be the sole global producer of fuselages for AH-64s delivered by Boeing to its global customers, including the United States. The facility will also produce secondary structures and vertical spar boxes for the multi-role combat helicopter.

Boeing is also looking to build on its delivery of eight AH-64s to Indonesia, and has had discussions with Jakarta on the potential sale of CH-47 Chinooks.

“Around the world, operators that have Apaches are also operators of Chinook. No doubt there is a fine pairing of those two aircraft in terms of defence capabilities and about us to provide unique solutions,” says Cunningham. (Source: Google/Flightglobal)

 

01 Jun 18. Cache Creek Industries Acquires Mountain Secure Systems

Creek Industries, LLC, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, today announced that it has partnered with Rockmont Capital to acquire Mountain Secure Systems (“MSS”), a provider of proprietary, ruggedized and highly engineered electronic solutions to leading defense contractors in the United States. MSS was previously owned by Phillips Service Industries, Inc., a privately held global manufacturing and services holding company. Since 1985, MSS has been providing the most reliable ruggedized electronics for fragile, box-level electronics, particularly for the military where reliability for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) is critical. These products have a proven track record of withstanding the harshest elements of land, sea, air and space for high reliability and mission critical applications. In addition to defense, the company also serves the aerospace, industrial and energy markets.

“We have been impressed with MSS’s culture of accountability, transparency and excellence, which provides a strong foundation for the company to continue growing both organically and through strategic acquisitions,” commented Dean Douglas, a Partner at Cache Creek who will serve as the new MSS Chairman. Jake Blumenthal, the Cache Creek Partner who led the transaction added, “We believe MSS is well positioned to take advantage of the increasing demand by the military for these solutions and there is also a growing need for MSS’s services in harsh environments across the aerospace, oil and gas, industrial and mining markets. We look forward to working closely with the management team as they pursue these growth opportunities.”

“The entire MSS team looks forward to working with Cache Creek, which shares our culture, values and has a successful history investing in, and operating companies similar to ours,” said President Ken Dickson, who has led MSS for over a decade. “Cache Creek’s recruitment of industry executive Allen Ronk to our board is very exciting for me personally. Having served as the founder and CEO of Secure Communication Systems, a provider of mission critical computing solutions, Allen’s experience, network and insights will be invaluable to MSS.”

Guaranty Bank provided the senior debt and Medallion Capital co-invested in the equity and provided the mezzanine financing for the transaction. Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP acted as legal advisor to Cache Creek Industries. The seller was represented by KAL Capital Markets LLC and Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP.

About Cache Creek Industries

Cache Creek Industries, LLC is a Los Angeles-based private equity firm focused on making control investments in companies with up to $10m of EBITDA. The firm invests in companies in the Industrial Growth and Aerospace & Defense sectors. Cache Creek actively partners with talented management teams to drive value creation by enhancing culture, people, creativity, performance, and execution. www.cachecreekllc.com

About Rockmont Capital

Rockmont Capital Partners, Ltd. is a private investment company based in Denver, Colorado. Its mission is to build wealth by investing in and acquiring companies and to work with their management to build highly profitable and successful businesses. The firm is opportunistic in its investments, creative in solving financial and business problems and it focuses on working with people it trusts, respects and enjoys. www.rockmontcapital.com

About Mountain Secure Systems

Since 1985, Mountain Secure Systems (MSS) has been providing the most reliable rugged electronic solutions in the world for the aerospace and defense industries, particularly in the area of rugged data storage systems. From submarine-based data-collection systems to mission-critical data logging on the space shuttle, the company engineers its rugged storage systems for superior performance and durability that will outlast the harshest environments. www.mountainsecuresystems.com (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

25 May 18. Disposal of MDH Defence. Bioquell PLC (“Bioquell”) (LSE symbol: BQE) – a leading provider of products and services for the Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare markets today announces the disposal of its MDH Defence business (“MDH”).

Under the terms of the disposal, MDH is being sold for an initial consideration of £0.4m, with a further contingent payment of up to £0.6m due if MDH is successful in winning a specific contract for which it is presently bidding within the next 12 months.  Bioquell will complete a partly fulfilled defence contract which will generate revenue and margin of approximately £0.7m and £0.2m respectively during the second half of 2018.

In the year ended 31 December 2017, MDH had revenue of £0.7m and made an operating loss of £35,000. The value of MDH’s net assets being disposed of at completion is £0.4m and any gain or loss on disposal will not be material, save to the extent that contingent consideration is received. MDH has no shared products or shared customers with Bioquell’s core business.

Commenting on the strategic disposal, Ian Johnson, Executive Chairman of Bioquell PLC, said: “I am pleased to have been able to reach agreement to exit this non-core business. The disposal represents a further step in simplifying and reducing the complexity of the business and transitioning Bioquell’s focus to its core products and services, namely; bio-decontamination, aseptic workstations and infection control enclosures.”

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Odyssey is an independent corporate finance firm which advises on acquisitions, business sales, management buy-outs and raising finance, typically in the £5m to £100m range.  We have extensive experience in the niche manufacturing sector with our most recent completed deal being the sale of MacNeillie to Babcock Plc. Details can be seen at:  http://www.odysseycf.com/case-study-macneillie/

 

As a result of this and related projects we have developed relationships with buyers and funders looking to acquire or invest in the sector.  We would be happy to share further insights into the sector and to carry out reviews of businesses whose shareholders are considering an exit, acquisition or fundraise.

The review will include:

* Valuation

* Market review

* Comparative deals and structures

* Initial thoughts on buyers/ investors/ targets

* MBO viability

* Feasibility review and identification of any issues to be addressed pre-deal

There is no charge for this review.

If this is of interest we would be happy to meet at your convenience.

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MILITARY VEHICLE NEWS

 

Web Page sponsored by MILLBROOK

 

Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408

 

www.millbrook.co.uk/military

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04 Jun 18. DVD2018 to Focus on Innovation and Army Transformation. DVD2018 will bring together industry and defence in the land equipment sector on 19 and 20 September at Millbrook. It will showcase the equipment and technology that can support a British Army that is fit to meet future challenges and embrace the need for continuous evolution.

The event, jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and the Army Headquarters, will focus on 21st Century Manoeuvre and the importance of Army innovation to its future delivery and transformation.

The theme for DVD2018 is Innovation today and tomorrow: exploiting current capabilities more creatively and identifying novel solutions to enable Conceptual Force Land 2035.

Innovation can be achieved through technological innovation of equipment and systems – which will be exhibited at DVD2018. However, change could also be realised through innovating how equipment is procured, stored, held at readiness, deployed, operated and supported on operations, and could include a holistic review of the workforce required to conduct these activities – be they military or contractor solutions – as part of the Whole Force Approach.

Colin McClean, Director Land Equipment, explains: “DVD2018 is an opportunity to demonstrate the vital contribution capability innovation and industry collaboration can make to enable an affordable and sustainable Army ready for the challenges of the future.

“Those attending will be able to see a wide range of equipment on display from industry and the military, with more than 250 companies expected to exhibit at DVD2018. Displays will include mobile vehicle demonstrations, equipment suppliers, spares provisioners and service providers.”

Visitors will experience a full agenda over the two days. They will have the opportunity to interact with Defence industry exhibitors, showcasing the equipment, innovative technology and support solutions that might meet the future Land equipment requirements.

For those involved in Land Equipment for Army Headquarters, DE&S and Front Line Commands DVD2018 provides an ideal opportunity to identify innovation, develop ideas and generate a greater understanding of technologies, capabilities and requirements. To register as a visitor please visit www.theevent.co.uk/Visitor/Register.

Providers of equipment and support for the UK’s Land Forces who would like to exhibit at DVD2018, are encouraged to register their interest at www.theevent.co.uk/Exhibitor.

 

06 Jun 18. Cameroon’s Fortress APCs now in action. The Cameroonian Rapid Intervention Battalions (BIR) are now fielding Mack Fortress armoured personnel carriers (APCs), Jane’s confirmed during a visit to the BIR base at Salak, the headquarters of Operation Alpha, the elite force’s deployment in the Far North Region. The vehicles were built by the French company ACMAT – which, like Mack, is a subsidiary of Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense) – as part of an order announced in 2015 by the US Department of Defense (DoD) for 62 vehicles for Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tunisia, and Uganda. The BIR received 15 Fortresses in late 2017 and deployed them to the Far North for operations against the militant group known as Boko Haram, a BIR officer told Jane’s. The vehicles are known as Cyclones in BIR service. The Fortress was formerly branded as the Bastion HM and is a development of the ACMAT Bastion APC. At 14.5 tonnes it is heavier than the 12-tonne Bastion and has a more powerful 340 hp engine and independent suspension. The Cameroonian vehicles have add-on armour mounted on both sides of the hull and heavier bullet-resistant windows. Few details were provided about the vehicle’s performance, but the BIR officer noted that the Fortress has good mobility, especially when compared with the heavier General Dynamics Peace Keeping Security Vehicle (PKSV) that the BIR also uses. BIR personnel praised the exceptional robustness and very high resistance to mines and improvised explosive devices of the PKSVs that were donated by the United States in 2015 and 2016. The BIR also received two Oshkosh FMTV A1P2 6×6 trucks from the United States in April, the BIR officer said. The FMTVs are equipped with an LTAS B-Kit armoured cab and are being used for logistics. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. Austrian Bundesheer receives new AFVs. Austrian Defence Minister Mario Kunasek presented new armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) for the Bundesheer, the armed forces, in the courtyard of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Vienna on 4 June 2018. Presenting three families of AFVs destined for mountain troops, engineers, and foreign deployments, Kunasek, a member of the ruling Freedom Party (FPÖ), said, “The protection of soldiers will continue to be an essential part of our investments in the future. Especially in missions abroad, our soldiers are exposed to many dangers, so it is important to me to continue investing in protected mobility.”

The Pandur Evolution (EVO) 6×6 armoured personnel carrier (APC) was shown publicly for the first time. These will be the first AFVs to be manufactured in Austria in 17 years, with 34 to be delivered to the Bundesheer. This new version of the Pandur has a more powerful 455hp engine; increased mine protection; more interior space; an anti-lock braking system for greater driver safety; a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection system; and more capable electronics. The programme cost is around EUR105 million (USD123 million).

The Pandur EVO will complement Austria’s older fleet of 68 Pandur Is that were delivered to the Bundesheer 22 years ago and received a EUR23-29 million upgrade in 2017. The upgrade included installation of the same Elbit laser warning system that is installed in Austrian Iveco Light Multipurpose Vehicles (LMVs).

Also on show were two Dingo 2 reconnaissance vehicles, of which a total of 40 examples will be delivered to the Bundesheer starting in September at a rate of four vehicles a month for EUR64 million. The Dingo 2 has an Elbit remote weapon station with an MG74 machine gun, laser rangefinder, thermal imaging device, and digital met station. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. Germany’s impending Puma Panzer problem. Federal auditors have flagged a coming chokepoint in the German military’s armored formations, warning that fully equipping the Puma infantry fighting vehicle will take years longer than previously thought. Given the program’s bumpy progress and low availability rates, German ground forces should be prepared to use the predecessor tank, the 40-some-year-old Marder, beyond the envisioned replacement in 2024, they wrote. The warning is included in a recent report to lawmakers by the Bundesrechnungshof, an agency comparable to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The document is part of a series of short papers meant to support ongoing budget deliberations in the Bundestag. The findings eventually will be made public, the agency said, but only once budget negotiations are complete.

Integrating all required features into the Puma, made by a consortium of Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, will take until 2029 if similar efforts of the past are any guide, according to the report.

Preparations for sustaining the Marder beyond its envisioned end of life in 2025 should include ensuring that enough spare parts are available. That has been a notorious problem for the German armed forces, wreaking havoc on readiness rates across the board in recent years.

Analysts report deployment-readiness rates of 48 percent in 2016 and 43 percent in 2017 for Puma vehicles, though they acknowledge that the weapon is brand new and only now in the initial delivery phase.

At the same time, the Defence Ministry set the bar low when vehicles as usable for deployment. Simply being useful in certain training tasks means vehicles are included in the lowest availability category of “conditionally deployable.”

Additionally, the Army has reported a lack of “system stability” of the Pumas, according to auditors. The weapon is known to often malfunction during training, and the failure source remains elusive.

Meanwhile, auditors note with “grave concern” that the Marder fleet’s availability rate also is trending downward.

Rheinmetall announced this week the delivery of the 200th Puma to the Bundeswehr. In a statement, the company praised the weapon’s “massive fire power and excellent network-enabled operations capabilities.”

The Defence Ministry already has several programs underway to improve the Puma and retrofit vehicles already delivered. But critical gaps remain, including a system offering improved situational awareness for vehicle operators and a camouflage feature that would reduce the vehicle’s radar signature, the ministry told lawmakers in a confidential report in April.

The price tag for the outstanding capabilities is expected to lie in the hundreds of millions of euros.

Defense officials announced in April that 35 Marder tanks are in line to get the anti-tank weapon MELLS, though a fleetwide program for all of the 1970s-era tanks also is under consideration. A portion of the legacy vehicles are slated to be part of Germany’s contribution to a NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, the ministry said. The entire Puma fleet will also get the MELLS tank-killing weapon, eventually. In their confidential report, however, officials predicted a yearlong delay, from March 2019 to the second quarter of 2020. Following integration testing in early summer, the government expects to request money for the retrofitting from the Bundestag later this year. (Source: Defense News)

 

06 Jun 18. Supacat delivers the first production HMT Extenda Vehicle to Norway. UK Special Forces vehicle designer and manufacturer, Supacat, has today announced the recent delivery of the first production HMT Extenda vehicle to the Norwegian Armed Forces. The handover took place at Supacat’s Devon facility on 30 May 2018.

Supacat signed a £23m contract with The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) to supply a new fleet of High Mobility Vehicles in May 2015.  The award includes the provision of a comprehensive through-life support package.  The first `pre-series` vehicle was delivered in early 2017 followed by full fleet delivery taking place during 2018 and 2019.

The HMT Extenda is unique as it is convertible to a 4×4 or a 6×6 configuration by inserting or removing a self-contained third axle unit to meet different operational requirements.  Like other HMT series platforms, such as the UK’s `Jackal`, the HMT Extenda can be supplied with optional mine blast and ballistic protection kits and with a variety of mission hampers, weapons, communications, ISTAR and force protection equipment to suit a wide range of operational roles.

Major Arild Stangenes, NDMA Programme Manager said: “the delivery of our first production vehicle is a major milestone in a long-term programme that has been ongoing since 2011. We are very pleased with the quality of our first production vehicle and with a product that fully meets the needs of our user”.

Nick Ames, Chief Executive of SC Group, of which Supacat is a part, said “this project milestone is a great achievement for Supacat and for our Norwegian customer.  I am proud of what the team has achieved in delivering a fantastic product and we are looking forward to following this first production delivery with the rest of the order.”  He added, “yet again, the Supacat HMT has proven itself to be the vehicle of choice for specialist users across the globe.”

 

05 Jun 18. Rheinmetall ships 200th Puma IFV to the Bundeswehr – the 100th system produced in Unterlüß. The 200th Puma infantry fighting vehicle earmarked for the Bundeswehr has just rolled off the assembly line at the Rheinmetall plant in Unterlüß in Lower Saxony. It is also the 100th Puma manufactured by the Düsseldorf-based tech enterprise, part-owner of the joint venture tasked with producing the vehicle. The jubilee vehicle will soon be arriving at the Bundeswehr’s force integration organization in Munster a.d. Örtze, likewise located in Lower Saxony.

The Puma IFV is the raison d’être of Projekt System & Management (PSM) GmbH, the fifty-fifty joint venture of Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in charge of developing and producing the vehicle as well as providing subsequent in-service support. (Each of the two partners is responsible for manufacturing half of the vehicles on order.) Just attained, this milestone shows that production of the Puma is in full swing and proceeding according to plan. The state-of-the-art infantry fighting vehicle is currently be integrated into the force structure of the German Army. Delivery of all 342 combat vehicles, which commenced in 2015, is scheduled for completion in 2020. In addition to the IFVs, the Bundeswehr has also taken delivery of eight driver training vehicles.

With the introduction of the Puma IFV by the Bundeswehr, the German mechanized infantry corps now has a new mainstay, one that represents a major departure in armoured vehicle design. The most advanced system in its class, the versatile Puma is perfect for operational scenarios in every climate zone. It sets new standards with regard to battlefield lethality, mobility, command and control, and situational awareness. Besides an array of modular, highly effective force protection features, the Puma boasts massive fire power and excellent network-enabled operations capabilities. This new infantry fighting vehicle is roomy enough to carry nine soldiers, yet compact enough to be airlifted into the theatre of operations in an A400M military transport plane.

Nor is Rheinmetall’s role restricted to manufacturing half of all Puma IFVs: via PSM GmbH, the Bundeswehr has now contracted with the Group to expand the system’s capabilities. These should keep the vehicle on the cutting edge for decades to come, while simultaneously improving possibilities for training. Among other things, this includes development of the new “turret-independent secondary weapon system”, or TSWA, for the Puma, which will enable the use of non-lethal munitions, as well as installation of advanced visualization technology and displays.

A further order encompasses new resources for training Puma turret operators. Separate turret training systems, each consisting of a standard turret and the upper section of the Puma hull, will in future enable the commander and gunner to sharpen their skills without having to use the original equipment. And maintenance personnel can practise repairing and servicing turrets in an effective, highly realistic way. This saves resources and leads to lower costs by reducing wear and tear on the actual vehicles, which moreover are never tied up due to routine training commitments. This make it possible to structure training operations much more flexibly. Other orders include the manufacture and supply of airburst-capable 30mm x 173 cal. ammunition as well as a firing apparatus, special tools and spare parts. NATO and NATO-associated nations are currently showing a keen interest in the Puma. The vehicle has demonstrated its outstanding capabilities in multiple comparative trials.

 

04 Jun 18. Allison fully automatic transmissions have reliably moved troops and cargo in both tracked and wheeled defense vehicles for more than 65 years. Known for superior performance and exceptional reliability, Allison automatics continue to evolve to meet the stringent demands of military fleets worldwide. Allison representatives will be at Eurosatory 2018, the international defense and security exhibition in Paris, June 11-15, to discuss the company’s current and upcoming innovative and adaptive propulsion solutions for military applications.

“Today’s global defense forces face a variety of new missions in addition to traditional armed conflict,” said Dana Pittard, vice president for defense programs at Allison Transmission. “These ever-evolving responsibilities demand vehicle transmissions that have demonstrated they are reliable and ready for action.”

Overall, Allison transmissions provide higher torque ranges and higher gross vehicle weight capacity. Combined with advanced electronic controls, this optimizes the performance of higher-horsepower engines, delivering better overall vehicle performance and control, regardless of grade or terrain. Additional performance enhancements include improved fuel economy, built-in power take-off (PTO) provisions that provide power to vehicle-mounted mission equipment, and superior braking and steering of tracked vehicles for precise mission execution.

Allison works with OEMs around the world to design, develop, manufacture and support transmissions that deliver in the toughest conditions. For fleets that are developing new wheeled or tracked vehicles, Allison can tailor a transmission specifically for that application.

Allison engineers also have a track record of retrofitting existing models. A recent example is the ongoing testing of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle now outfitted with the 3040 MX, a variant of the X300™, found in the British Warrior, British Terrier and Swedish CV90 vehicles.

Additionally, in an effort to anticipate and meet market demand, Allison is currently developing cross-drive architectures for medium tracked vehicles ranging from 23 to 36 metric tons, and for heavy tracked vehicles ranging from 50 to 63 metric tons.

Allison transmissions use a torque converter that absorbs shock loads and spikes, reducing wear and tear on everything from the vehicle’s crew to the engine to the wheels or tracks. With Continuous Power Technology™, smooth engine acceleration at launch and during shifts protects the entire drivetrain. In addition, because an Allison transmission uses a torque converter for launch, there are no mechanical clutches to wear out.

“From the command perspective, reliability is crucial,” said Pittard. “More uptime means crews have more time to spend on training, and this translates to increased mission readiness. Plus, when the vehicles are called into action, commanders can remain confident that the exceptional reliability of their Allison transmission will assist them in completing their mission.” (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

04 Jun 18. Bulgarian 8×8 competition to be launched soon. With the Bulgarian government busily preparing to launch a competitive procurement for new armoured vehicles, aspiring manufacturers showcased their products at the recent HEMUS defence and security exhibition held in Plovdiv. Plans to purchase 150 armoured vehicles – including 90 wheeled IFVs and 60 support vehicles – was approved by the Sofia government on 16 May, which allocated a budget of Bulgarian Lev 1.020bn ($609m).

The new armoured vehicles are to be used for equipping three battalion battle groups, which are component units of a mechanised brigade.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of HEMUS, Bulgaria’s minister of defence Krasimir Karakachanov emphasised the political commitment of the ruling coalition to make it happen and expressed his hope to have a contract in place by year-end.

A new Piranha V variant was shown by General Dynamics European Land Systems, sporting the Elbit UT30MK2 unmanned turret.

In turn, Finland’s Patria showcased its AMV equipped with a Rafael Samson Mk II turret with a 30mm gun. It was the only armoured vehicle at the exhibition to take part in live-fire demonstration at Zmeevo shooting range northeast of Plovdiv.

Nexter displayed its VBCI armoured vehicle, equipped with the T40 turret boasting the 40mm CTA gun. In addition, the company showed its Titus IMV.

Turkey’s Otokar also joined the list of contenders showing their hardware with its Arma 8×8 equipped with the Mizrak S turret.

Textron Systems was also present in Plovdiv, showcasing its 4×4 Commando family already in service with the Bulgarian Land Forces, which have an inventory of 17 such vehicles.

The only contender not present at HEMUS was German manufacturer ARTEC with its Boxer model, but it has made two presentations in front of the Bulgarian MoD since the beginning of the year, including a live presentation of the vehicle at the end of April and also agreeing to an in-country demonstration tour in the future.

The next step in the process will be to receive approval from the country’s parliament, which Bulgarian legislation requires for large military procurement projects.

According to Konstantin Popov, chairman of the parliament’s defence committee, a green light for procurement is expected by the end of June, allowing the MoD to begin sending RFPs to interested bidders.

The Bulgarian Land Forces’ requirements for a new wheeled IFV includes an 8×8 configuration, transport of a minimum of seven troops and an armament consisting of at least one 30mm gun and ATGMs.

For the support vehicles, requirements are still under consideration and could be less-expensive 6×6 or 4×6 vehicles.

It is now expected the winning offer will include not only the best pricing conditions but also a large share of production and know-how transfer to Bulgarian industry, as well as in-country final assembly.

General Dynamics European Land Systems and Patria are seen as the front-runners, with Turkey’s proposal seen as politically unacceptable. Both Boxer and VBCI proposals could be prohibitively expensive considering Sofia’s limited procurement budget allocated for this otherwise ambitious programme. (Source: Shephard)

 

01 Jun 18. Kazakhstani firms unveil new Karakurt robotic combat vehicle. Kazakhstani public and private industry joined to create an armed robotic vehicle, the Karakurt, and unveiled it during the KADEX 2018 defence exhibition in Astana. The tracked unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) was designed by Kazakhstani companies Robotron Aspandau and New Tech Distribution, with support from the Kazakhstan Engineering Research and Development Centre. The companies started developing the Karakurt UGV in mid-2016, finalised the basic design at beginning of 2018, and started design trials before mid-year. According to Robotron Aspandau representatives, the designers plan to attend military user trials from August 2018 through the year’s end. The prototype displayed during KADEX 2018 was fitted with a weapon station armed with an NSVT 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and 250 rounds, and two RPG-26I ‘Aglen’ rocket-propelled grenade launchers. The weapon station is fitted with a camera and four others are mounted on the hull for a 360°view.

The platform is 2.42 m long, 1.89 m wide, and 1.357 m high up to the machine gun’s top elevation. It has 35.23 cm ground clearance. The vehicle is fitted with an 8.5 kW electrical generator powered by air-cooled 459 cm one-cylinder, two-stroke petrol engine. The fuel tank carries 27 litres. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

01 Jun 18. Dutch army receives Kodiak AEV. The Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation has handed over the Kodiak armoured engineer vehicle (AEV) to the Royal Netherlands Army, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 31 May. The Netherlands is co-operating with Sweden on the procurement of 10 Dutch and six Swedish Kodiaks. The AEV was developed by Rheinmetall Landsysteme and RUAG. The Kodiak will be available for the NATO Response Force Very High Readiness Joint Task Force in 2019, the Dutch MoD said.

(Source: IHS Jane’s)

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Millbrook, based in Bedfordshire, UK, makes a significant contribution to the quality and performance of military vehicles worldwide. Its specialist expertise is focussed in two distinct areas: test programmes to help armed services and their suppliers ensure that their vehicles and systems work as the specification requires; and design and build work to upgrade new or existing vehicles, evaluate vehicle capability and investigate in-service failures. Complementing these is driver and service training and a hospitality business that allows customers to use selected areas of Millbrook’s remarkable facilities for demonstrations and exhibitions.

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LOGISTICS AND THROUGH LIFE UPDATE

 

Web Page sponsored by Oshkosh

 

www.oshkoshdefense.com

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07 Jun 18. Royal Jordanian Air Force Helicopters Upgraded by Science and Engineering Services, LLC and Northrop Grumman Begin Flight Testing.

Northrop Grumman’s avionics upgrade extends the aircraft’s life and mission capabilities. As the average age of aircraft inventories rises, military services worldwide are increasingly embracing the cost-effective solution of modernizing existing platforms as an alternative to purchasing brand new aircraft. A recent example of this trend is the upgrade of AH-1F/S Cobra attack helicopters used by the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The upgraded helicopter has entered flight testing in Huntsville, Alabama.

Northrop Grumman and Science and Engineering Services (SES) LLC have significantly modified the helicopter to extend its life by at least 20 years. The aircraft was rewired and reconditioned by SES to ensure its quality and integrity. Meanwhile, as the avionics systems integrator for the helicopters, Northrop Grumman is overseeing the design and incorporation of the avionics solution.

The aircraft avionics received a digital conversion via Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Mission Equipment package (iMEP), which includes a commercially available FlightPro™ Gen III mission computer, a full suite of LCD multifunction displays, an embedded software digital map and navigation controls. Scalable and fully integrated, the iMEP is based upon a modular, open architecture that supports rapid integration of third-party hardware and software. This flexible approach counters obsolescence and simplifies mission growth now and far into the future. The iMEP is also adding new and improved weapons capabilities to the helicopter, including advanced missiles, rockets and a rotary cannon.

“By providing a highly adaptable mission equipment package and critical integration support, we are reinvigorating older platforms with the capabilities of modern-day attack helicopters,” said Robert Fleming, vice president of programs, land & avionics C4ISR division, Northrop Grumman. “Because of our open-architecture approach to avionics solutions, the increases in capability that we are providing on this contract can be delivered to other customers around the world.”

The first modified AH-1F aircraft have been shipped to Jordan for Weapons Testing and Final Acceptance by the Royal Jordanian Air Force.

This program marks the first global customer to modernize the avionics equipment on the AH-1F/S helicopters since their production during the early 1980s. Northrop Grumman’s baseline configuration can be easily customized for other global customers and platforms through rapid software only updates, as an alternative to the lengthy traditional model of upgrading hardware. The mission equipment package cockpit features a flexible software package designed to be implemented across multiple platforms.

The mission equipment package’s integrated design and lightweight components offer a significant weight savings of nearly 300 pounds when compared with the current systems installed on the Jordanian AH-1F/S. (Photo courtesy of Science and Engineering Services)

Additionally, the mission equipment package’s integrated design and lightweight components offer a significant weight savings of nearly 300 pounds when compared with the current systems installed on the Jordanian AH-1F/S. Northrop Grumman has a long history spanning more than 30 years of successful military integrated avionics program capabilities for aircraft, including the UH-60V, AH‑1Z, UH-1Y, SH-2G, SH-60, and E-2D.

 

06 Jun 18. Boeing engages with Indonesian Army on Apache support. Boeing has outlined the scope of its industrial collaboration engagement with Indonesia as part of its Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract to supply the Southeast Asian country with eight AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters.

A spokesperson for Boeing told Jane’s on 5 June that the US corporation is collaborating with the Apache operator, the Indonesian Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Darat: TNI-AD), but that partnerships with local industry are still the subject of discussions.

The spokesperson added that the principal focus of collaboration is through a related contract with the TNI-AD that enables its engineers and technicians to support the helicopters, with assistance provided by Boeing.

“Boeing is currently supporting the TNI-AD with a Post-Production Support Services contract, which allows the TNI-AD to maintain their AH-64E Apache aircraft with technical reach-back support, spares, and repairs provided by Boeing. The helicopter purchase included training for TNI-AD maintenance personnel provided by the US Army and Boeing,” said the spokesperson.

Officials from Indonesia’s aerospace firm, PT Dirgantara (PTDI), have recently told Jane’s that the company was looking to play a role in supporting the Apaches in operation with the TNI-AD by providing spare parts and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.

However, the Boeing spokesperson said its engagement with Indonesian industry on the provision of Apache MRO services was still under negotiation. “Boeing is in regular discussions on ways to work together with Indonesian industry to enhance local capabilities, introduce new technologies, create aerospace jobs, and meet Indonesia’s industrial growth objectives,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that any Boeing requirement to transfer technologies to Indonesia as part of the deal would be determined by the US government. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

03 Jun 18. Japan agrees to supply UH-1H parts to Philippines. Japan has agreed to supply the Philippines with a wide range of spare parts to support the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF’s) Bell UH-1H helicopters. The decision is in line with Tokyo’s efforts to promote its viability as a defence exporter. The Japanese Ministry of Defense’s (MoD’s) Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA) said that the decision was communicated to the Philippines on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue on 2 June. ATLA said it will supply the components free of charge. ATLA did not elaborate on the development but Jane’s understands that the Philippines submitted a request to procure the spare parts in August 2017. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

01 Jun 18. USMC F-35s dogged by parts shortages. The Marine Corps’ premier F-35 training squadron is churning out new pilots, but low availability of spare parts and the jet’s logistics system continue to cause a headache for the maintainers at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina is home to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501, the service’s hub for pilots learning to fly the short takeoff, vertical landing F-35B variant.

But when Defense News visited the base on May 17, maintainers at the base echoed concerns heard around the F-35 enterprise: As home to some of the military’s oldest F-35s, aircraft availability is suffering as planes sit waiting for spare parts and for key hardware and software modifications.

When maintainers enter in orders for components needed to repair the jet, the F-35’s Autonomic Logistics Information System — which walks users through maintenance and helps manage the supply chain — will sometimes project an expected arrival of “a couple years out,” said Sgt. Pedro, a maintenance controller from VMFAT-501. Defense News agreed not to publish last names of Marines associated with VMFAT-501 due to security concerns.

“That’s [just] a forecasting,” Pedro quickly added. “Then we make a call and find out where it’s actually at, and so we get the parts sooner than what the forecast date is.”

One of the features of ALIS allows it to see the number and types of parts available across the entire supply chain, which is shared by the U.S. services and international F-35 operators. The system can reprioritize parts, so sometimes maintainers can actually receive a part as quickly as three to five days even if a longer date is projected.

However, it’s not uncommon for certain parts to take around a month, Pedro said.

In some scenarios, maintainers will “cannibalize” other F-35s — harvesting parts from one unavailable jet to repair another. That practice isn’t uncommon across fighter fleets and has been used to service F-15s and F/A-18s, but Pedro said that cannibalizing aircraft is a last resort.

“Before we start looking at cannibalizing that part, if it says a year out, we’ll monitor it,” he said. “Because the next report might say, ‘We have that part. It was going to be prioritized to that unit, but you need it more.’ So it will reprioritize that part.”

Beaufort isn’t the only base impacted by the spare parts shortage; the problem reaches all the way across the F-35 enterprise.

Due to a lack of parts available, F-35s worldwide were unable to fly about 22 percent of the time from January 2017 through Aug. 7, 2017, the Government Accountability Office reported in 2017.

GAO offered one explanation for the problem: the Defense Department simply didn’t take into account the time necessary to put parts under contract and produce them when it was doing its budget planning.

“Nineteen percent of F-35 parts have a lead time of more than 2 years,” the GAO noted. “However, program office and military service officials told us that the timing of prior service funding authorizations and contract awards did not account for this long lead time to procure parts, resulting in parts that were late to meet the military services’ operational needs.”

A Lockheed Martin team recently visited MCAS Beaufort and spoke with pilots, maintainers and base leadership on how it could help Marines get spare parts quicker and discuss other sustainment problems, Lockheed spokesman Mike Friedman told Defense News in a statement.

Some of the actions the company is taking to address concerns about long waits for spares include: pre-funding spares before a contract is awarded; working with suppliers to improve the reliability and availability of key parts; and ramping up both industry and government’s ability to repair parts.

The company also wants to explore options for using 3D printed parts, which can be made rapidly when old parts break, Friedman said.

Modifications for older F-35s contributing to low availability

Thirty F-35Bs are based at Beaufort: 11 jets belonging to the U.K. Royal Air Force and 19 U.S. Marine Corps planes.

Those aircraft run the gamut from those equipped with the 2B software — an early version with a restricted flight envelope and weapons carrying capability, ones with improved 3I software that the Air Force used when it declared its jets operational in 2016, and the final 3F software that allows for full warfighting capability.

All of the F-35s at Beaufort will eventually be brought up to the 3F standard, but doing the software and hardware modifications necessary to turn an early version of the jet into a fully-capable version takes time and a toll on the squadron’s aircraft availability.

On any given day, there are several aircraft undergoing modifications either at Beaufort or the Fleet Readiness Center at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, said Maj. Andrew, VMFAT-501’s assistant operations officer.

“There’s always constant [modification activity],” he said. “As parts become available [and] that aircraft can afford to go down for however it takes to get that done to it, the program will schedule in those modifications to those aircraft.”

Headquarters Marine Corps in the Pentagon and leaders at Beaufort refused to comment on the average number of planes ready to fly at Beaufort, citing 2017 memos by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis urging Defense Department personnel to be cautious about divulging information related to readiness.

“We are unable to provide readiness rates or the number of available aircraft for any platform and especially for a specific squadron due to operational security concerns and per the guidance of Secretary Mattis,” Marine Corps spokeswoman Capt. Sarah Mobilio stated.

However, the base has had one of the lowest availability rates across the F-35 enterprise. In fiscal year 2017, Beaufort’s 28 F-35B aircraft accumulated a dismal 38 percent average availability rate, meaning that only one third of the base’s B models were ready to go at a given time, according to data published in a 2018 report by the Pentagon’s director of operational test and evaluation.

Only the F-35Bs undergoing tests at Edwards Air Force Base posted a lower rate, at 35 percent.

While having older F-35s may cause some issues on the maintenance side, it doesn’t affect pilot training at all, said Lt. Col. Adam Levine, who commands VMFAT-501.

“All software versions that we have on the ramp here can accomplish 100 percent of the administrative and training tasks that we have,” he said. “And we’re delivering these pilots — brand new lieutenants — to front line operational units, and there is no complaint from the customer.”

As of May 24, the squadron has completed training of 16 F-35B pilots over the course of fiscal year 2018, Mobilio said.

ALIS improving…but slowly

ALIS, the F-35’s logistics system, has been slammed by F-35 critics for being overly burdensomeand requiring its users to often work around the system’s limitations. As the software improves, maintainers are noting better performance, but say it still needs improvement.

“It’s slow,” Pedro said, and that may be a problem specific to Beaufort, as Marines at MCAS Yuma in Arizona are reportedly experiencing faster ALIS response times.

“We have a bunch of aircraft out there. And we have only so many servers,” he said. “They have less aircraft, and their servers aren’t booting up as much information.”

Another maintainer told Defense News that ALIS’ 2.0.2 software update, a version of which is used at Beaufort, is helping speed up engine maintenance. ALIS 2.0.2 marked the first time the F-35’s Pratt & Whitney F135 engine was fully integrated with the system, allowing it to pull data from the F135 and run diagnostics.

However, a number of workarounds are still needed, for instance, when that data does not import correctly, the maintainer said.

Friedman, a spokesman for Lockheed, said the company is “making improvements to ALIS to enhance the user experience, improve work flow and lower maintenance labor and material cost.” (Source: Defense News)

 

01 Jun 18. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Virginia, is awarded a $36,610,149 firm-fixed-price contract for the execution of USS Cole (DDG 67) fiscal 2018 extended dry-docking selected restricted availability.  This availability will include a combination of maintenance, modernization and repair of USS Cole.  This is a long-term availability and was competed on a coast-wide (East and Gulf coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel’s homeport. BAE will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair and modernization for USS Cole.  This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $96,700,001. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by July 2019.  Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy); and fiscal 2018 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $36,610,149 will be obligated at time of award, and funding in the amount of $18,638,686 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was competitively procured using full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website. Only one offer was received in response to solicitation number N00024-17-R-4438.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-18-C-4438).

 

01 Jun 18. DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $62,441,808 modification (P00187) to domestic and foreign military sales (Croatia) contract W58RGZ-13-C-0040 for aviation field maintenance services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan and Iraq, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2010 and 2018 foreign military sales; and operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the combined amount of $62,441,808 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal Alabama, is the contracting activity.

01 Jun 18. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $866,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple contract line item contract for the sustainment and modification of radar sensors, providing depot-level sustainment services and modification projects for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning systems and PAVE Phased Array Warning system radars, and the Parameter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization system. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and other locations, and is expected to be complete by May 31, 2023.  This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and three offers were received. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA8723-18-D-0001).

01 Jun 18. Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services, Dulles, Virginia, is awarded a $64,476,915 fixed price modification P00024 under a previously awarded firm-fixed price contract (M67004-16-C-0005) in support of the Marine Corps Logistics Integration Support (LIS) program.  Work will be performed in Albany, Georgia (50 percent); Camp Pendleton, California (21 percent); Camp Lejeune, North Carolina (12 percent); Barstow, California (11 percent); Okinawa, Japan (5 percent); and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (1 percent).  Work is expected to be completed May 31, 2019.  Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $14,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $25,023,000 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Marine Corps Logistics Command, Albany, Georgia, is the contracting activity.

 

01 Jun 18. Charcroft launches new website for harsh and high-end applications.

  • Website simplifies the selection of high-reliability parts for specific applications
  • Includes parts from franchised distribution linecard and manufacturing division
  • Online purchasing of parts from UK-based VPG-approved manufacturing facility
  • Virtual assistant offers online technical and procurement support
  • New website is mobile and tablet compatible

Charcroft Electronics Ltd., – a specialist distributor and manufacturer of electronic components for harsh and high-end applications – has launched a new website at www.charcroft.com which enables buyers and engineers to simplify the selection of rugged and high-reliability components for use in specific applications: military & defence, Space, oil & gas, rail & transportation, industrial, specialist automotive, audio and instrumentation.

“The new website makes it easier for buyers and engineers to identify specialist parts which are designed to meet the reliability levels demanded by specific systems and applications,” explains Debbie Rowland, Director, Charcroft Electronics. “Rather than trying to find high-reliability versions among thousands of consumer-grade devices, engineers can quickly find parts across a range of reliability levels. These include Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS), AEC-Q, CECC and Space-approved devices with the option of additional high-level testing to support fail-free operation.”

The site offers easy access via PC, mobile and tablet. Online procurement tools include current leadtimes, an inventory list and stock search in addition to Parts Change Notices (PCNs), online quotations, subscriptions to Charcroft Intelligence emails and account applications. A Live Chat service provides online support for commercial or technical questions. Online purchasing of passive components manufactured in Charcroft’s UK-based CECC-approved manufacturing facility and Vishay Precision Group (VPG) Approved Precision Centre is offered via eBuy.

In addition to the UK-manufactured components, the site includes products from Charcroft’s franchised distribution linecard which covers passive, optoelectronic, electromechanical and magnetic components, in addition to power supplies, solid-state fuses, sensors and high-reliability semiconductors. All of these product ranges offer products which withstand extreme operating conditions such as high levels of temperatures, shock, vibration and contaminants as well as high ratings for voltage, power, current or precision. www.charcroft.com

 

01 Jun 18. Ravenswood completes instrumentation support of JLTV MOT&E. SRI International subsidiary Ravenswood Solutions has completed its instrumentation support of the joint light tactical vehicle’s (JLTV) multi-service operational test and evaluation (MOT&E) at the US Marine Corps (USMC) Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California.

The company integrated its Mobile Ground Truth System (MGTS) with the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) and the live-virtual-constructive environment during the test.

The integration works enabled Ravenswood to provide a live common operating picture (COP), real-time casualty assessment (RTCA), a tactical analysis centre and an instrumented after-action review (AAR).

Ravenswood Solutions chief executive officer Dan Donoghue said: “This event demonstrated the value of Testing-as-a-Service (TaaS) to the US military.

“Ravenswood Solutions is extremely proud to offer a sustainable, cost-effective and user-friendly solution to the test and evaluation community.”

The company was required to set up, operate, maintain and terminate all instrumentation and network assets as part of the TaaS business model.

The MGTS solution, known as FlexTrain to the US Department of Defense (DoD) clients, was customised to collect information from personnel and assets on the ground and afloat in the Pacific under the MOT&E, thereby demonstrating the system’s durability and seaworthiness.

Ravenswood’s MGTS is a time-synchronised, global positioning system (GPS) based solution that can be rapidly deployed and used to track vehicles and personnel to the individual level, enabling operators to view the entire battlefield on a single COP.

The system facilitates RTCA availability and generates reports of all instances such as shots fired, misses and hits.

(Source: naval-technology.com)

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About Oshkosh Defense

 

Oshkosh Defense is a leading provider of tactical wheeled vehicles and life cycle sustainment services. For decades Oshkosh has been mobilizing military and security forces around the globe by offering a full portfolio of heavy, medium, light and highly protected military vehicles to support our customers’ missions. In addition, Oshkosh offers advanced technologies and vehicle components such as TAK-4® independent suspension systems, TerraMax™ unmanned ground vehicle solutions, Command Zone™ integrated control and diagnostics system, and ProPulse® diesel electric and on-board vehicle power solutions, to provide our customers with a technical edge as they fulfill their missions. Every Oshkosh vehicle is backed by a team of defense industry experts and complete range of sustainment and training services to optimize fleet readiness and performance. Oshkosh Defense, LLC is an Oshkosh Corporation company [NYSE: OSK].

 

To learn more about Oshkosh Defense, please visit us at

 

www.oshkoshdefense.com

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NEW TECHNOLOGIES

 

Web Page sponsor Oxley Developments

 

www.oxleygroup.com

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06 Jun 18. FREQUENTIS puts its shared situational awareness framework into the spotlight ahead of the Eurosatory Defence Exhibition in Paris.

Frequentis, the leading international supplier of communication and information systems for businesses with safety-critical tasks, has been providing the defence market with mission-critical communication, information and surveillance systems for over seven decades.

The Frequentis shared situational awareness framework, designed specifically for the defence sector, allows customers to address inter-agency collaboration, improving response times and the coordination of resources in the event of a national crisis. The group of solutions can be tailored to meet customer needs in a scalable and evolving system. When integrated with the Frequentis state-of-the-art communication systems, it provides a unique cross-domain command and control tool.

This solution is in use today for the German Armed Forces. The National Air Policing Centre (NAPC) combines numerous data sources from widely disparate military and civilian systems into a single, easy to use HMI that is coupled with a fully integrated red/black communication system. This gives unheralded access to red/black landline and radio communications together with ‘click-to-dial’ functionality. Real-time situational awareness is a core element to NAPC and this is a first step toward wider capabilities that will enable this functionality across military forces.  By leveraging the technology used across rail, maritime and aeronautical industries, Frequentis is able to provide a solution that enables actionable intelligence, including the collection as well as analysis and distribution of information, to aid faster more informed decision-making when seconds count to save lives.

“Frequentis is a well-established and growing brand in the defence sector with an expanding portfolio of products and services including our innovative Remote Virtual Tower that allows Air Traffic Control to be conducted from a remote and secure location. Eurosatory is an important show in the global defence market for me and my team who will be in attendance and we will be happy to arrange meetings either in advance or during the event.”, says Peter Skiczuk, Vice President, Defence at Frequentis.

Frequentis’ fully redundant, highly-available communications framework is used by joint and combined forces in today’s command centre operations – be it in the air, at sea, or on land for a number of defence projects around the globe, including voice communications for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). The most recent achievements include a contract to provide end-to-end Internet Protocol (IP) Voice Communications System (VCS) and Airfield Management systems (AFM) for the OneSKY program for Airservices Australia and the Department of Defence. In addition, in 2016, the Royal Saudi Airforce (RSAF) awarded the company a contract for a network upgrade and solution expansion to safety and security technology solution provider, TAJ Systems. This new solution for Aeronautical Information Management has allowed the RSAF to be globally interoperable and fully digital.

06 Jun 18. Project Natick: Naval Group collaborates with Microsoft to deploy underwater datacenter. Microsoft chose Naval Group to implement Phase 2 of its immersed Datacenter project, also called Project Natick. The Datacenter successfully deployed in early June 2018 off the Orkney Archipelago, and will be operated “lights-out1*” for a period of one year.

1 A lights out data center is a server or computer room that is physically or geographically isolated, thereby limiting environmental fluctuations and human access. Unnecessary energy used for lighting and for maintaining a proper climate around frequently used doors can be saved by going lights out. Phase 2 Natick is an extreme example, with no human presence for the entire deployment of one year.

2 The pressure vessel is the cylinder hull containing the datacenter equipment.

Eric Papin, Naval Group’s Director of Innovation and Technological Expertise, highlights the boldness of the project and Naval Group’s participation. “We are proud to bring Naval Group’s expertise on design, implementation, deployment and maintenance of innovative projects in maritime environments to the service of Microsoft. Naval Group has always invested in research and development, most recently in Marine Renewable Energies. We are pleased to participate in Microsoft’s vision for a clean energy future.”

Naval Group and its subsidiary Naval Energies have adapted their technologies to the design of the Natick Phase 2 Datacenter structure.

Today, Naval Group is supporting Microsoft towards its objective to build, deploy and operate an underwater datacenter which is as powerful as several thousand high end consumer PCs with enough storage for about five million movies. The datacenter is contained in a submersible cylindrical system inspired by the underwater constructions of Naval Group. A triangular base (also called Subsea Docking Structure), ensures the positioning of the datacenter at the bottom of the ocean. A dual air-water system enables cooling of the datacenter, thus taking advantage of the temperature of the underwater environment.

Naval Group, with the support of its subsidiary Naval Energies, carried out this project relying on its strong industrial capabilities, involving the sites of Nantes-Indret (design), Cherbourg (model tests), Lorient (subsea base manufacturing) and Brest (design and manufacturing of the pressure vessel2).

The EMEC3 test base provided a favorable environment for the deployment of Phase 2 of the Natick Project, which is powered by marine renewable energy sources.

The underwater datacenter is designed to remain immersed for 5 years without direct intervention and will be operated “lights-out” for a year to evaluate its performance in real use conditions.

Installed near the coast, this type of installation is less resource intensive, offers rapid provisioning and could be located closer to customers: half of the world’s population lives and works within 200 kilometers of the coast.

Ben Cutler, Project Natick Manager at Microsoft Research:

“Microsoft is pleased to collaborate with Naval Group on Phase 2 of Project Natick. Project Natick reflects Microsoft’s ongoing quest for cloud datacenter solutions that offer less resource intensive options, rapid provisioning, lower costs, and high agility in meeting customer needs. A key advantage is getting closer to our customers: half the world’s population lives within 200 km of the sea, so placing datacenters offshore increases the proximity of the cloud to the population, reducing latency and providing better responsiveness. And by deploying in the water we benefit from ready access to cooling – reducing the requirement for energy for cooling by up to 95%.

Naval Group’s deep expertise in innovative marine technologies, including renewables, makes it an ideal choice for collaboration on Phase 2’s design, fabrication, and deployment of a standard, manufacturable, rapidly deployable datacenter.”

 

04 Jun 18. Rockwell Collins to deliver Panorama display for RCAF FWSAR. CAE has selected Rockwell Collins to deliver the Panorama collimated display to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

Under the deal, Rockwell will provide its Panorama display for the CC-295 full-flight simulator (FFS), which will be delivered by CAE to support the RCAF’s Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) programme.

The display will be installed on the CAE-developed CC-295 FFS, which is part of the comprehensive training programme to prepare RCAF aircrews for their missions in the new CC-295 aircraft built by Airbus Defence and Space.

Rockwell Collins Canada managing director Lee Obst said: “This is a programme that helps save the lives of thousands of Canadians each year, and working with CAE and Airbus on training will be a critical component for the RCAF’s success.

“The configuration flexibility and enhanced realism of the Panorama display will help better prepare pilots for the new platform.”

The display has been designed for simulators that require a wide field of view, cross-cockpit views and side-by-side training.

The system helps provide unobstructed fields of view up to and including 225° horizontal by 60° vertical, which makes it best suited for critical aircrew training on platforms such as the P-8 Poseidon, NH90, C-130 and CH-47 Chinook aircraft.

Available in a range of sizes from 9ft to 11ft radius options, Rockwell Collins’ Panorama collimated display offers the largest field of view available using film mirrors. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

 

30 May 18. US Army awards $841m contract extension for computing system support. Leonardo DRS has received a potential 10-year, $841.5m contract to continue its hardware supply and engineering services for an Army computing platform used to manage networked-battle command information in a common environment.

Leonardo DRS was the lone bidder for the Mounted Family of Computer Systems 2 contract and will continue its work as an incumbent from the predecessor MFOCS contract awarded in 2013. The Defense Information Systems Agency ran the MFOCS 2 procurement.

The Defense Department said in its Friday awards digest the new contract has an initial five-year base period followed by five one-year option periods.

MFOCS is intended to support situational awareness, command-and-control and maneuvering capabilities through computing and display hardware at multiple configurable levels.

Devices that fall under the MFOCS umbrella include dismountable tablets, processor units, keyboard units, removable solid-state disk storage, display units, and cabling designed for various platforms, and other ruggedized tools for continuous operation in a variety of military and combat environments. (Source: Defense Systems)

 

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Oxley Group Ltd

 

Oxley specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-optic components and systems for air, land and sea applications within the military sector. Established in 1942, Oxley has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and enjoys representation worldwide.  The company’s products include night vision and LED lighting, data capture systems and electronic components. Oxley has pioneered the development of night vision compatible lighting.  It offers a total package incorporating optical filters, equipment modification, cockpit and external lighting along with fleet wide upgrade services including engineering, installation, support, maintenance and training. The company’s long experience of manufacturing night vision lighting and LED indicators, coupled with advances in LED technology, has enabled it to develop LED solutions to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting in existing applications as well as becoming the lighting option of choice in new applications such as portable military hospitals, UAV control stations and communication shelters.

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

 

Sponsor Viasat

 

www.viasat.com/gov-uk

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31 May 18. Viasat’s SATCOM Just Got Better and Safer for Canada’s Armed Forces and Government with ViaSat-2. Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) is keeping Canada’s government and Canadian Armed Forces safer by providing improved satellite communications (SATCOM) service over ViaSat-2, an advanced communications satellite. The ViaSat-2 SATCOM system is the first in Viasat’s series of ultra-high-capacity global satellite networks, which will enable superior reach, readiness, and resiliency for military forces around the globe.

At CANSEC 2018, Viasat conducted its first international defense-focused ViaSat-2 system demonstration—attended by representatives from the Canadian Armed Forces—showing cloud-based applications and services delivered over Viasat’s secure, resilient, high-capacity SATCOM network in Canada.

ViaSat-2 system innovations available to Canadian Armed Forces and government users include:

  • Transmit bandwidth-intensive, media-rich cloud applications: Fast data rates and more satellite capacity enable 4Kand HD video streaming to thousands of electronic devices simultaneously for greater operational capabilities.
  • Information assurance: Security advancements available on ViaSat-2 will provide secure Internet Protocol (IP) networking and data storage for sensitive and top secret communications as well as accredited encryption systems including Viasat’s KG-250X, which is approved for use for Canadian Department of National Defense (DND).
  • Defense against electromagnetic, terrestrial or cyber-attacks: The resilient nature of the Viasat network will enable mission-critical communication packets to be protected and distributed safely, even in highly contested environments.
  • Assured communications: Viasat’s Hybrid Adaptive Network (HAN) concept will provide a global, redundant system for the Canadian government and military to access Viasat’s global Ku-band networks, its more advanced Ka-band networks, as well as the Mercury Global Project/Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system. Viasat’s HAN will allow terminals to roam across multiple networks to maximize resilience and collaboration for ground fixed, transportable, mobile, maritime and airborne platforms.

Ken Peterman, president, Government Systems, Viasat said that they are proudly demonstrating emerging military and government concepts of operations requiring bandwidth-intensive, cloud-connected applications with their latest high-throughput commercial satellite, ViaSat-2. Viasat is committed to delivering the latest advancements in SATCOM technologies for U.S. and international coalition partners. The innovations in the new ViaSat-2 satellite and network further demonstrate that they can provide their allies and coalition partners with superior SATCOM and communications services that will enable access to a number of bandwidth-intensive applications required for missions of today and tomorrow.

The ViaSat-2 satellite system verifies the performance advantages and capabilities of Viasat’s commercial SATCOM system today with a glimpse into the Company’s ViaSat-3 SATCOM system capabilities. Viasat’s SATCOM network delivers bandwidth and resilience, redundancy and active cyber protection required to maximize operational performance in the contested environments military operations face during combat. (Source: Satnews)

 

07 Jun 18. Northrop Grumman Awarded $429m Contract for Payload that will Provide Continuous Coverage of Polar Regions. A Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) payload will provide highly protected communications for warfighters under a new $429m contract with the U.S. Air Force. Northrop Grumman was awarded a $429m contract to provide two Extremely High Frequency eXtended Data Rate (EHF XDR) payloads for the Enhanced Polar System-Recapitalization (EPS-R). The contract was awarded by Space and Missile Systems Center, Military Satellite Communications Directorate, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California.

The EPS-R EHF system provides secure, anti-jam, low probability of detection/intercept communications for warfighters. The EPS-R payloads will maintain continuity of protected military satellite communications in the North Polar Region, and are designed to enable hosting on a separately procured satellite with other payloads.

“EPS-R provides communications services to critical national security users,” said Cyrus Dhalla, vice president, communications systems, Northrop Grumman. “We are pleased to support the Air Force as a system prime in the timely recapitalization of the protected, anti-jam communications capabilities in the strategically important polar region.”

In 2013, Northrop Grumman delivered two payloads that were hosted on government-owned satellites to bring next-generation protected, EHF communications to military users in the north polar region (above 65◦ North).

Northrop Grumman also successfully deployed the EPS Control and Planning Segment (CAPS) hardware in December 2015 to operational sites at Clear Air Force Station, Alaska and Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado – paving the way for System Acceptance Testing in the spring of 2017. CAPS is a next-generation ground system that receives telemetry and supplies configuration commands, mission planning and cryptographic planning for the two EPS polar-orbiting payloads.

 

05 Jun 18. Next Two Galileos Plus Launcher at Europe’s Spaceport for July Launch. Galileo satellites 25 and 26 have landed at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, joining their two predecessors ahead of their 25 July launch by Ariane 5.

The pair left Luxembourg Airport on a Boeing 747 cargo jet on the morning of 1 June, arriving at Cayenne – Félix Eboué Airport in French Guiana that evening.

They were unloaded, still in their protective air-conditioned containers, to be driven by truck to the cleanroom environment of the S1A payload preparation facility at Europe’s Spaceport. Here they joined Galileo satellites 23 and 24, which arrived last month.

The quartet will be launched together on a customised Ariane 5 on 25 July – designated Flight VA244 by Arianespace. The vehicle will deploy its satellite passengers at a targeted orbital altitude of 23 222 km.

The cryogenic main stage of this Ariane 5, known as the EPC – from its French title Etage Principal Cryogénique – arrived by sea at French Guiana’s Port Pariacabo on 30 May.

The Galileo System began Initial Services on 15 December 2016, and a growing number of commercial devices are using Galileo today. Completion of the constellation should improve Galileo’s positioning accuracy further still.

But Galileo satellites will continue to be launched into the future: a further 12 Galileo ‘Batch 3’ satellites were ordered last year, supplementing the 26 built so far to provide further in-orbit spares, and replacements for the oldest Galileo satellites, first launched in 2011.

A steady stream of orbital spares, ready to replace satellites reaching the end of their operational lives, is essential to ensure Galileo continues operating seamlessly. Looking further ahead, with the aim of keeping Galileo services as a permanent part of the European and global landscape, new satellites will be required by the middle of the next decade, offering improved performance and added features. (Source: ASD Network)

 

05 Jun 18. USAF is getting a next-gen GPS boost. Harris Corp. delivered the fifth of 10 advanced navigation payloads to Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation GPS program, the company announced June 5. Lockheed Martin successfully integrated four previous navigation systems to GPS III space vehicles. The first satellite is expected to launch later in 2018.

The second space vehicle passed thermal vacuum testing in December 2017, and is expected to be declared available for launch this summer, but likely will not launch until 2019. The next two space vehicles are scheduled to undergo environmental testing before the end of 2018.

The navigation payload includes “a Mission Data Unit (MDU) with a unique 70 percent digital design that links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened computers and powerful transmitters,” the Harris release said. This allows for signals three times more accurate than those on current GPS satellites, the company said.

Harris has also unveiled an upgraded payload in November 2017 to be used for the Air Force’s GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) program, which will begin with the 11th GPS III satellite. Lockheed Martin is expected to be the prime contractor. The new model contains a three times reduction in range error, an eight times increase in anti-jamming power, added signals including compatibility with Global Navigation Satellite Systems and stronger signal integrity. The next-gen navigation payload will also grant the clock signal for a new GPS III Search and Rescue (SAR) payload.

(Source: C4ISR & Networks)

 

05 Jun 18. Harris Corporation Delivers Fifth GPS III Satellite Navigation Payload.

Highlights:

  • Continues delivery momentum with fifth of ten advanced GPS III navigation payloads
  • Boosts satellite’s power, accuracy, flexibility and lifespan
  • Leverages 40-plus year legacy for a more powerful, fully digital MDU on future satellites

Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) has provided Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) with its fifth of ten advanced navigation payloads contracted for the U.S. Air Force GPS III satellite program.

The GPS III navigation payload features a Mission Data Unit (MDU) with a unique 70-percent digital design that links atomic clocks, radiation-hardened computers and powerful transmitters – enabling signals three times more accurate than those on current GPS satellites. The payload also boosts satellite signal power, increases jamming resistance by eight times and helps extend the satellite’s lifespan.

Lockheed Martin successfully integrated the navigation payload into the fifth GPS III space vehicle (GPS III SV05). Harris is committed to delivering three more payloads by the first quarter of calendar year 2019 for GPS III SVs 06-08.

Four navigation payloads have already been fully integrated on GPS III SV01-SV04. In September 2017, the Air Force declared the first GPS III satellite Available for Launch, or “AFL,” with launch expected later in 2018. In December 2017, GPS III SV02 completed rigorous thermal vacuum testing and is expected to be declared AFL this summer. GPS III SV03 and SV04 are expected to undergo environmental testing this year.

In November 2017, Harris announced that it completed development of an even more-powerful, fully digital MDU for the Air Force’s GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) program. The new GPS IIIF payload design will further enhance the satellite’s capabilities and performance for the Air Force.

Harris’ expertise in creating and sending GPS signals extends back to the mid-1970s – providing navigation technology for every U.S. GPS satellite ever launched. While the Air Force originally developed GPS for warfighters, millions of people around the world and billions of dollars of commerce now depend on the accurate, reliable signal created and sent by Harris navigation technology. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

05 Jun 18. Marine Corps Systems Command is improving the way Marines communicate with a reliable and convenient on-the-move system. The Mobile User Objective System, or MUOS, is a narrowband satellite communication system that uses commercial cell phone technology to increase access to voice and data communication while on the battlefield. The Marine Corps will be the first service to widely deploy the system as it has already fielded thousands of MUOS-capable AN/PRC-117G radios over the previous six years. Ultimately, the firmware within the radios will be updated to support the MUOS waveform and three new antenna kits will be added to support multiple operational configurations.

“MUOS provides several advantages over legacy SATCOM,” said Capt. Shawn Avery, MUOS project officer in Command Element Systems at MCSC. “The most obvious to the operating forces will be the increased accessibility. This will allow us to explore new operating concepts by pushing on-the-move voice and data connectivity to the squad level.”

MUOS is designed to support users who require mobility, higher data rates and improved operational availability. The updated technology in the system offers a more secure and reliable beyond line-of-sight communication capability. The MUOS waveform will be added to the AN/PRC-117G and future multi-channel radios within the Marine Corps inventory.

“Previously, infantry companies had limited access to SATCOM, but now company commanders can employ their Marines beyond line of sight with a higher degree of confidence in maintaining those critical [command and control] links,” said Avery.

The three antenna kits that will be fielded within MUOS include: a traditional directional antenna for better data performance at-the-halt; a dismounted on-the-move antenna which enables voice and data access when mobile; and a vehicular kit that modifies the AN/VRC-114’s to accept MUOS. MUOS is comprised of a space-based segment, a ground-based segment connected over fiber optic cables between multiple continents, and a software-defined radio terminal capable of running the MUOS waveform.

The new satellites are more robust and have more individual carriers, which allows the signal to be focused on a smaller geographic footprint, Avery said. This improvement enables on-the-move access while improving overall reliability in vegetation, urban environments and other extreme conditions where legacy SATCOM was challenged. Additional improvements include the ability to roam, similar to a cell phone. Marines can begin in the continental United States, and then deploy and have immediate access to another satellite on the ground providing unmatched operational flexibility.

“The system takes some stress off of the operators, allowing them to walk around on patrol without the range constraints of terrestrial networks,” said Avery. “And in the past, users didn’t have access to the Defense Information System Network over SATCOM. We either had to hold terrain to extend terrestrial links to provide DISN access, which incurs significant operational risk, or lease commercial capabilities which have proven costly. With MUOS, we’re meeting the data exchange requirements of today’s force with equipment that is organic to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.”

Initial fielding for the MUOS is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2018, with initial operational capability planned for the first quarter of 2019.

 

05 Jun 18. Comtech to provide sustainment services for US Army’s satellite terminals. Comtech Telecommunications has secured $13.8m in additional funding from the US Army for the delivery of ongoing sustainment services for personnel in the field.

The additional funding has been received by Comtech’s Command & Control Technologies group, which is part of the company’s Government Solutions segment, during its third quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2018.

Under the terms of the deal, the company will provide ongoing sustainment services for the on-field army personnel who require quick and mobile satellite communication terminals.

Comtech Telecommunications president and chief executive officer Fred Kornberg said: “We are pleased to provide sustainment services for our US Army customer.

“Our commitment to support our warfighters remains a top priority, and we are pleased that the US Army continues to put their trust in Comtech to perform this important work.”

Comtech Telecommunications’ Command & Control Technologies group focuses on delivering mission-critical, highly-mobile Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions to its customers.

Recently, the Command & Control Technologies group received orders, with a total value of $14.2m, during its third quarter of FY 2018 to deliver satellite terminals and networking equipment to the US Army.

Comtech Telecommunications focuses on designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing latest products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions, and sells its products to a varied customer base in the global commercial and government communications markets. (Source: army-technology.com)

 

04 Jun 18. ViaSat-2 SATCOM services now available. ViaSat’s newly-launched ViaSat-2 SATCOM service is now available for government and military applications, Viasat announced on 30 May.

The ultra-high-capacity ViaSat-2 offers improved reach, readiness and resiliency for military operators. The company recently conducted its first defence-focused ViaSat-2 system demonstration showing cloud-based applications and services delivered over Viasat’s secure, resilient SATCOM network in Canada.

ViaSat-2 enables bandwidth-intensive, media-rich cloud applications; information assurance; and defence against electromagnetic, terrestrial or cyber attacks. Fast data rates and more satellite capacity enable 4K and HD video streaming to thousands of electronic devices simultaneously for greater operational capabilities.

ViaSat’s hybrid adaptive network (HAN) concept provides a global, redundant system for operators to access ViaSat’s global Ku-band and Ka-band networks, as well as the Mercury Global Project/Wideband Global SATCOM system. ViaSat’s HAN allows terminals to roam across multiple networks to maximise resilience and collaboration for ground fixed, transportable, mobile, maritime and airborne platforms. (Source: Shephard)

 

05 Jun 18. European Space Agency proposes governance overhaul. Move to prevent UK blocking EU projects and stop Brussels creating rival body Galileo satellites are prepared for launch. The UK has threatened to slow progress on the project. The European Space Agency is proposing a radical overhaul that would prevent the UK and non-EU member states from blocking progress on EU projects, as it fights to stop Brussels creating a rival body. Jan Wörner, the ESA’s director-general, last week proposed to the European Commission that the EU and the agency should, in the longer term, pool management and exploitation of space programmes to ensure greater coherence of Europe’s space investment. As a first step he suggests the use of the space council, a regular joint meeting of the ESA and EU at ministerial level, to co-ordinate ESA’s intergovernmental programmes, EU-funded projects and the downstream exploitation of these investments. ESA, with non-EU members such as Norway and Switzerland, is independent of the EU but acts as its procurement body for space projects such as the Galileo satellite navigation system. Under Mr Wörner’s plan, decisions on EU-funded programmes would be ringfenced and non-EU members would not be allowed to vote without a special agreement. Mr Wörner’s proposals are aimed at resolving a long-simmering debate over ESA’s independence from the EU. That debate has intensified amid a row between Brussels and the UK over the EU-funded €10bn Galileo programme. The UK has threatened to slow progress on Galileo by using its seat on the ESA’s council to delay procurement for the programme, after Brussels said it would ban British involvement in the programme’s highly encrypted military-grade signal as a security measure post-Brexit. Listen: Britain and EU fall out over Galileo The ESA chief’s proposals were put forward just days ahead of the announcement of the EU’s new space policy, which will beef up and rebadge its supervisory body for Galileo as the Agency of the Space Programs of the European Union. EU officials said the rebadging — to be set out this week in a space policy document — merely reflected the need to bring together oversight of the EU’s growing space activities into one body with a common set of regulations. It would not threaten ESA’s current responsibilities, they said. However, European and UK officials believe the rebadging could open the door to an eventual migration of EU space funding from ESA to the new body if discontent rises. “It will be seen as a creep in power of the commission,” said one. Another European official said that, while the “intention is not to create a rival space agency”, there had been “all sorts of indications from all sides that this was the original idea”. EU officials acknowledge concerns over ESA’s governance regarding EU-funded space projects. Recommended Space industry Industry pushes for UK space programme ahead of Brexit A draft of the space policy document seen by the FT notes that a new framework agreement with ESA needs to “take into account the decision-making procedures within the European Space Agency, which cannot lead to a call into question of the decisions of the Commission or the European Space Agency within the framework of the actions and space programmes of the Union.” Last month, the EU proposed a significant rise in space investment to €16bn for 2021 to 2027, compared with €12bn over the previous seven years. The EU is ESA’s largest contributor, accounting for €1.3bn of ESA’s 2018 budget of €5.6bn. Senior ESA officials have had several meetings in Brussels to present their case that a separate EU agency would create unnecessary cost and duplication, jeopardising the expertise built up in ESA over 50 years. Mr Wörner argued in his own ESA blog last week that a common agency for implementation and oversight of space activities would make the bloc more efficient at a time when international competition is intensifying. “There is no need to develop a new Space Agency in parallel in Europe, the ramp-up of which would take decades and cost billions and would therefore in itself be a major risk to the programmes it manages,” Mr Wörner wrote in his ESA blog. “We need to streamline, not double administrative layers.” (Source: FT.com)

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At Viasat, we’re driven to connect every warfighter, platform, and node on the battlefield.  As a global communications company, we power millions of fast, resilient connections for military forces around the world – connections that have the capacity to revolutionize the mission – in the air, on the ground, and at sea.  Our customers depend on us for connectivity that brings greater operational capabilities, whether we’re securing the U.S. Government’s networks, delivering satellite and wireless communications to the remote edges of the battlefield, or providing senior leaders with the ability to perform mission-critical communications while in flight.  We’re a team of fearless innovators, driven to redefine what’s possible.  And we’re not done – we’re just beginning.

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RADAR, EO/IR, NIGHT VISION AND SURVEILLANCE UPDATE

 

Sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems

 

www.blighter.com

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07 Jun 18. Sofradir and its subsidiary ULIS today announce a structural reorganization to improve overall efficiency, quality of service and time-to-market of its infrared technologies for commercial, aerospace and defense markets, as well as emerging automotive and smart buildings sectors. The new organization is designed around a set of company values with people, innovation and product quality at its center. It involves activating operational synergies between Sofradir and ULIS. This includes creating two new departments; one dedicated to innovation and strategic projects and the other to product development and maturity.

“Faced with growing competition, we need to be smarter and more efficient about how we manage our assets going forward; we are setting the stage to continue our long-standing success in infrared imaging,” said Jean-François Delepau, chairman of Sofradir, ULIS and Sofradir-EC. “Fundamentally, we are reinvigorating our strengths: extensive scientific knowledge and industrial expertise, technological vision, a strong performance record, team excellence and close relationships with customers and suppliers. These assets will enable us to take product quality beyond current market standards and raise the bar in speeding up innovation to market. We believe this will bring substantial competitive benefits to our customers.”

The reorganization will take place over the next few months.

About Sofradir and ULIS

Sofradir and its subsidiaries ULIS and Sofradir-EC are global leaders in designing and manufacturing high-performance imaging technologies for aerospace, defense and commercial markets. Their vast portfolio of infrared and thermal imaging detectors and sensors cover the entire electromagnetic spectrum from visible to very far infrared. The organization’s detectors are at the center of multiple military programs and applications. Its sensors are the key component of many top brands in commercial thermal imaging equipment sold across Europe, Asia and North America. The organization is the leading European manufacturer for IR detectors deployed in space. It employs 900 staff. Safran and Thales are equal (50/50) shareholders.

 

07 Jun 18. Reliable hard-kill protection with a minimal radar signature. ADS Gesellschaft für aktive Schutzsysteme mbH, a global pioneer in reliable, high-precision hard-kill active protection systems, announced today that it has integrated the world’s lowest-power radar for APS missile detection into its ADS-Gen3 APS, giving users a critical edge on the modern battlefield. In symmetric conflicts the opposing forces have a sophisticated electronic warfare (EW) capability. Advanced APS defensive measures that utilize radar must respond by lowering their detection profile to the greatest extent possible. This can be done by making the missile detection distance requirement of the APS radar as small as possible, directly facilitating integration of the lowest-power radar.

In developing the radar sensor, ADS GmbH focused on high-precision detection of incoming threats, resulting in turn in extremely fast reaction times and thus assuring the shortest-possible engagement distance. The shortest possible distance in which an incoming projectile can be detected and successfully neutralized is known as the “minimal defeat distance”, or MDD. The ADS-Gen3 has an MDD of less than ten metres. That’s five to fifteen times less than with launcher-based systems. Thanks to this lower detection range, friendly forces have a significant tactical advantage in that it takes longer to detect them and potentially much longer to jam them.

To put this into context, this means EW receivers have to be within 350 metres. Even with SIGINT airborne detection systems, ADS-Gen3 won’t be detected unless it is within 6 kilometres. For opposing forces systems, these distances are at least two orders of magnitude greater.

In addition to being very difficult to detect, ADS sensors provide valuable threat data to the vehicle’s battle management system or to other integrated systems. This not only increases overall situation awareness, but also lets the crew mount an immediate, well-targeted response.

ADS-Gen3 radiates even less power than standard vehicle-to-vehicle radio communications systems. “By designing the fastest next generation autonomous protection system, we provide armoured vehicles and tanks with reliable defence against missiles, while simultaneously giving them an EW advantage in potential symmetric warfare scenarios such as in northeast Europe”, explains Dr Ronald Meixner, pre-sales manager at ADS, adding that “the ADS-Gen3 system has the lowest radar signature on the market, minimizing the potential for APS EW detection and jamming.”

“Our investment in the world’s fastest active protection system offers innovation potential as well as tactical advantages,” declares Stefan Haase, chief executive of ADS: “We have succeeded in integrating an incredibly low-power radar into our APS, giving friendly forces a critical advantage on the battlefield.” (Source: Armada)

 

07 Jun 18. Parrot ANAFI – a Flying 4K HDR Camera. For more than 2 years in Paris, a team of passionate engineers have been designing ANAFI: a drone with new capabilities. For the development of this new-generation drone, Parrot has gone into a start-up mode by mobilizing the entire company and taking a new step for the drone industry.

Parrot took into account the users’ feedback to meet four essential needs: Image quality, flight performance, foldability and ease of use of the software and the piloting.

Of these four key imperatives ANAFI was created, an extraordinary drone that intends to mark a turning point in the world of drones:

  • An ultra-portable, compact, rugged, lightweight and foldable UAV with a USB-C charging system.
  • A 4K HDR camera with a zoom, a 21MP sensor, a 3-axis stabilization system with, for the first time, a 180 ° vertically rotating camera and a lossless zoom up to x2, 8.
  • An impressive flight time of 25 minutes made possible by a ‘bio-inspired’ design combined with a smart battery.
  • A new intuitive app with automated movements of the drone and the camera

An ultra-portable design

ANAFI is the drone you will always have at your fingertips and with you. At the beach, hiking, skiing, at a party with friends … Every moment of life, as simple as it is, becomes with ANAFI a unique moment, that you can capture a professional image from any point of single view.

The observation of insects is at the origin of the ANAFI concept. Parrot followed the anatomical structure of an insect. ANAFI is divided into 3: the head (the camera and the gimbal), the thorax (the electronics and the mechanics is gathered in the centre) and the abdomen (it is the big battery on the scale of the drone).

This design principle has proven to be very functional. It is sturdy, lightweight, well balanced and folds very easily. The field of vision is very clear, the gimbal is protected. The electrical connections are short. Despite an exhausting development The Parrot engineers have surpassed themselves. They have identified the main challenges that the company has imposed to realize this new generation drone, half robot, half insect.

  • Ultra-compact

ANAFI is a 320 g (0.70 lb) ultra-compact, robust and foldable drone. Its four arms fold and unfold in less than three seconds

It is the same for its remote control, Parrot Skycontroller 3, which unfolds in 1 second and then, it automatically connects to ANAFI.

  • Ultra-lightweight and robust

Thanks to a unique assembly of carbon fibre filled with hollow glass microbeads, ANAFI weighs only 320 g (0.70 lb) without compromising its robustness and performance. ANAFI is the lightest drone in its category!

  • Ultra-portable

Equipped with a USB Type-C connector, ANAFI can charge with phone and PC chargers. It connects by car, a computer, the cable of a smartphone or a ‘powerbank’

  • Ready to fly

Complete with a carrying case, like a cocoon, ANAFI is protected and at hand, ready to fly

Breathtaking images

Taking videos and aerial photos is the main use of drones.

ANAFI is a flying camera that embeds the best software and hardware solutions of the moment.

The optics specially developed for ANAFI, withstands temperatures from -10 ° C to + 40 ° C.

ANAFI uses a latest-generation Sony IMX230 sensor and an Ambarella video processor to produce spectacular 4K HDR (30fps) and 21MP photos.

4K camera and 21MP sensor

ANAFI films in 4K HDR and 4K Cinema (4096 x 2160). The implementation of HDR videos in 4K is a real technological feat, ANAFI is the only drone on the market to do this.

HDR enhances the rendering of backdrop scenes for incredibly detailed video and balance between light and shadow. Ideal for filming a sunset or a very bright sky for example. The 4K Cinema format offers more pixels on a 17: 9 ratio for professional quality videos.

ANAFI, through its dedicated mobile application FreeFlight 6, allows you to choose between three video modes:

  • 4K Cinema: 24 fps
  • 4K UHD: 24, 25, 30 fps
  • 1080p: 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 or 60 fps

A revolutionary gimbal

ANAFI’s camera is mounted on a “gimbal” stabilized on 3 axes that combines the best of mechanical and digital stabilizations.

Lightweight and hyper-powerful, the stabilized gimbal on 2 axes makes it possible to take photos and videos hitherto impossible to achieve with a drone of this category thanks to a vertical tilt of -90 ° to + 90 °!

It can also tilt horizontally from -40 ° to + 40 ° to ensure stabilization of the horizon, whatever the flight conditions.

In addition, the digital stabilization provides + 5 ° to -5 ° EIS in the direction of flight allowing impeccably well-kept traveling’s when the drone is driving at high speed.

This unique system limits the angular vibration to 0.004 ° for super stable photos and videos.

The camera is equipped with a wide-angle lens (110 °) with 2 aspherical lenses designed to limit stray light and chromatic aberrations, regardless of the light conditions.

A lossless zoom

ANAFI is equipped with a lossless zoom of x1.4 in 4K and x2.8 in full HD (1080p) It is also possible to zoom in x3 in digital zoom.

The oversampling technique was used to create a lossless digital zoom. This involves capturing more pixels than necessary, then resizing the image to create a zoom effect while maintaining the same pixel size.

This is possible thanks to the ANAFI 21MP sensor (5344×4016) which offers 1.4x resolution higher than 4K (3840×2160) and 2.8x higher than 1080p (1920×1080). You discover, from a distance, unsuspected details of a building, take a close-up of your children or observe wild animals without disturbing them.

ANAFI also has a unique effect: the Dolly Zoom. Automatic, this feature allows you to zoom in on a fixed subject while moving the background away. A bluffing and fully automated effect used by great movie directors, such as Alfred Hitchcock or Stanley Kubrick who made it a cinematographic reference.

Professional settings

Experts and professionals of the photo / video can access and modify the settings:

  • The resolution of the photo:

o WIDE: 21 MP – 4:3 (5344×4016)

o RECTILINEAR: 12MP – 4:3 (4000×3000)

  • Photo format: JPEG and DNG-RAW
  • The shutter speed: 1 to 1/10000s
  • White balance: Tungsten, Warm fluo, Cool fluo, Sunny, Cloudy, Green, Blue Sky
  • Exposure value (EV): -3.0 to 3.0
  • The rendering: Natural, P-LOG (Parrot-LOG)

Power and Intelligence

While ANAFI has exceptional photo and video capabilities, it also displays outstanding performance for such a compact and lightweight drone.

A smart battery

ANAFI’s battery is much more than just a battery!

It is a smart polymer lithium battery optimized to obtain the best power density in a small volume and a high rate of discharge, which allows ANAFI to achieve an exceptional flight time of 25 minutes for a drone of its size.

In addition, the ANAFI battery continuously monitors its charge level (regardless of the temperature and ageing of the cell). During a flight, ANAFI evaluates the load level and returns to its take-off position.

The ANAFI battery has an integrated charger, compatible with the latest USB standard (USB-C) and can thus be charged via a phone charger, powerbank or laptop. It adapts to the power source, the charge is faster when it identifies a powerful charger.

Last but not least, the ANAFI battery has a hibernation mode to protect its internal chemistry. To activate it, the user must fully charge it before the first flight.

An ultra-silent flight

ANAFI’s its shape, the materials used and, the design of its propellers … have been optimized to make it the quietest drone in its class.

Omnidirectional Wi-Fi

Each foot of ANAFI is equipped with a dual-band antenna (2.4GHz & 5GHz) to ensure an optimal connection with the remote control Parrot Skycontroller 3 regardless of the orientation of the drone.

This omnidirectional transmission system uses Wi-Fi compliant protocols developed by Parrot.

ANAFI constantly monitors its Wi-Fi environment in order to switch to another channel when the one it uses is too crowded. This guarantees optimal spectrum utilization performance and allows ANAFI to fly up to 4 kms, for example in the mountains without obstacles or interference, keeping video transmission.

Impressive flight performances

The FreeFlight 6 application offers two manual control modes: Film and Sport. In sport mode, ANAFI achieves speed peaks up to 55km/h (33 mph) and withstands winds of 50km/h (31 mph)!

Users can customize settings such as the inclination of the drone, its rotation speed, the speed of the camera tilt, etc.

Ease of use

A new dedicated application: FreeFlight 6

The FreeFlight 6 application has been developed for ANAFI and offers a modern and intuitive interface.

The main features are accessible directly from the home page. The flight interface adapts to all users: Beginners have access to automatic control modes, such as SmartDronies or CineShots; professional photographers can select or customize camera settings.

The FreeFlight 6 application and the Skycontroller 3 long-range remote control have been jointly developed. The interaction between the two allows users to control the movement of the gimbal and the zoom with two dedicated keys very convenient. And change the settings directly on the smartphone screen.

Automatic movements

ANAFI offers automatic control modes: the SmartDronies, the cameraman mode and the Follow Me, which use a neural network to revaluate the target track for each image, with a focus on the shape recognition tracking system. A learning process was carried out by the Parrot engineers with a database of images of people and vehicles. (Source: UAS VISION)

 

07 Jun 18. Hikvision UK & Ireland, the world’s largest manufacturer of video surveillance products and solutions, and Eagle Eye Networks, the leading global provider of cloud-based video surveillance solutions, today announced a technology partnership to deliver customers a seamless and cyber secure cloud video surveillance solution.

Dean Drako, CEO and founder of Eagle Eye Networks stated, “we are pleased to expand our global relationship with Hikvision by partnering with Hikvision UK to serve customers in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland seeking a more cyber-secure surveillance solution.”

Eagle Eye’s Camera Cyber Lockdown blocks cameras from communicating with the Internet, blocks attacks from reaching cameras, and will not allow any Trojans ex-filtration. The Camera Cyber Lockdown feature greatly increases the security of video surveillance systems, reduces risk, and minimizes camera maintenance.

While the Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS works with hundreds of manufacturer’s cameras, the Hikvision UK partnership is a valuable benefit to customers who don’t have the IT resources to constantly monitor and address cyber threats entering their network through devices attached to their surveillance system.

“We are also excited about the partnership with Eagle Eye Networks”, stated Jens Berthelsen, Global Partner Alliance Manager for Hikvision Europe. “Eagle Eye Networks is the leader in secure, cloud-based video surveillance solutions and the combination of our cameras with their cloud provides great scalability and price/performance.”

Eagle Eye Networks’ investments to build a global footprint of Data Centres has enabled its customers to easily deploy surveillance video systems at their sites around the world while maintaining consistency and cyber security.

The United Kingdom Preferred Technology Partnership announcement follows the recent news of Hikvision USA and Eagle Eye Networks working together to integrate HD-TVI camera technology in to the Eagle Eye Security Cloud VMS, enabling customers and channel partners to reduce operating costs by utilising existing coaxial cabling while upgrading to high-definition video surveillance systems.

Rishi Lodhia, Eagle Eye Networks’ Managing Director for EMEA, is leading the Eagle Eye Networks growth program in the region and noted the extraordinary alignment between Hikvision UK’s and Eagle Eye Networks’ reseller programs. “The Hikvision dealers in the UK are an extremely capable group of industry professionals and they’re very attentive to cyber security and GDPR compliance. The use of Hikvision cameras and Turbo recorders with Eagle Eye Networks’ cloud bridges and subscriptions is a future-proof marriage.”

06 Jun 18. US Army testing new MFAL. The US Army is testing a new Multi-Function Aiming Light (MFAL) to help soldiers acquire and hit targets quickly and effectively, the army announced on 31 May.

The MFAL uses both infrared and visible aiming lasers to enable soldiers to engage targets during night and day.

The new MFAL is smaller, lighter and more powerful than previous versions. Its lithium batteries enable MFAL to run for about six-to-eight hours. The maximum range for the visible and IR beams on the modular handgun MFAL is 25m. The daytime range for the M4 MFAL is up to 200m in sunlight with the IR beam reaching 600m at night.

As the user doesn’t need to look through a night vision scope with the MFAL, firing from the hip or any other position becomes possible because the beam aligns with the bore and points to the target.

The army is planning to purchase a number of MFALs for its M16 rifles and M4 carbines, which are considered a higher priority over the MFAL variant for the handgun. (Source: Shephard)

 

06 Jun 18. Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) introduces MAY, an innovative sensing and analysis system that provides real-time, autonomous, wide-area acoustic based intelligence that significantly enhances situational awareness and response time of security forces operating in urban and border areas.  Developed by Elbit Systems EW and SIGINT Elisra, MAY is based on high-end acoustic sensors which operate interactively within an area of interest. Compact and durable, these fixed-installation sensors sustain long-term, outdoor 24/7 operation using either wired or wireless communications. MAY continuously senses its surroundings, detects acoustic abnormalities and provides a real-time analysis of emanating sounds based on advanced algorithms and deep-learning. Once it detects an acoustic anomaly such as gun-fire, the system identifies the event, classifies the sound type, pinpoints the geo-location of the signals and automatically provides actionable information to operating forces. MAY can also detect and process a variety of other public safety related sound signals including screaming, alarms and vandalism sounds. Deploying MAY dramatically reduces response-time of first responders, increases efficiency by avoiding irrelevant event interactions and introduces a strong deterrence factor to urban environments. These make it an effective solution for Homeland security and law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining order and providing public safety.

 

05 Jun 18. Team Dedrone Selected to Compete at ThunderDrone ‘Game of Drones’ Competition. Best-In-Class Detection, Radar, Acoustic and Defeat Technologies to Join Forces and Showcase Solutions at C-UAS Event. Dedrone, the market and technology leader in airspace security, announced today that its team of Echodyne Corporation, Squarehead Technologies, and Battelle, has been selected by SOFWERX for the ThunderDrone outdoor demonstration to take place at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and AFWERX Enclave on June 18-20, 2018. Team Dedrone will demonstrate the capabilities of a layered detection, tracking, and classification solution that defends protected airspace against all drone threats.

The Dedrone platform is a fully automatic counterdrone solution, designed to detect, classify, and mitigate drone-based threats. Dedrone’s software, DroneTracker, gathers intelligence from Dedrone’s RF sensors RF-100 and RF-300, Echodyne’s MESA™ radar and Squarehead acoustic sensor. Once DroneTracker makes a positive identification of a drone, Battelle’s non-kinetic defense system, DroneDefender™, is automatically triggered to defeat the drone and eliminate the threat.

Team Dedrone is comprised of the following technology providers:

  • Dedrone: The Dedrone platform is a fully automatic counterdrone solution, and uniquely designed to detect, classify, and mitigate drone-based threats. Dedrone’s drone detection platform utilizes multiple sensors, including RF, radar, video and acoustic, to detect drones, the flightpath and location of the pilot, and automatically deploy a passive security measure or defeat technology.
  • Battelle DroneDefender™: DroneDefender is the first man-portable, accurate, and easy-to-use system to provide critical security protection. It uses radio control frequency disruption to safely stop drones in the air before they can pose a threat to military or civilian safety. It is an inexpensive, lightweight point-and-shoot system with a demonstrated range of 400 meters. When the DroneDefender takes aim at the drone, most drones revert to one of three pre-programmed protocols: Hover in place, slowly descend and land, or return to its flight origin point.
  • Echodyne MESA Radar: Echodyne’s radar platform offers revolutionary sensor imaging technology made possible by its patented Metamaterial Electronically Scanning Array (MESA™). MESA radars operate the same as phased array radar systems, providing high-resolution ground-truth data at any time and in any weather. Unlike expensive and bulky phased arrays, however, Echodyne’s MESA can be produced in high volumes, at commercial price points, and with excellent size, weight, and power.
  • Squarehead Technologies: The Discovair system is a fully automated passive, acoustic drone detection system for close proximity air marshalling. The system utilizes our acoustic array sensors, allowing for both detection and tracking of drones. The system detects audio anomalies within field of view and runs a discrimination algorithm on the anomaly. Discrimination is immediate, and tracking is provided in real time.

SOFWERX is leading collaboration between SOF Warfighters, Interagency Partners, and select contributors from Industry and Academia on technology and innovation efforts to bring drones (sea, land, and air), tactical swarms, payloads (kinetic/non-kinetic/sensors), and their associated data science applications to the Special Operations Community. The ThunderDrone project is a series of Rapid Prototyping Events (RPE) that focus on different aspects of current drone technology. Team Dedrone will participate in the final ThunderDrone event, ThunderDrone RPE III. During this event, select companies will compete for cash awards up to $600,000 in the area of C-UAS capabilities.

Team Dedrone Quotes:

  • Dedrone: “Modern security requires a layered approach that keeps up with the evolution of drone technology,” shares Joerg Lamprecht, CEO and co-founder of Dedrone. “At ThunderDrone, Team Dedrone will demonstrate how our technologies converge and create an instant diagnosis and mitigation of drone threats.”
  • Battelle: “Our DroneDefender never fails to please when people see it in action. And, combined with the team’s technology, we’re very pleased with performance and are looking forward to competing in this event,” said Alex Morrow, Battelle technical director of counter UAS programs.
  • Echodyne: “We are excited to have progressed to this next stage of testing, and to be working with such a great group of companies,” said Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne. “Our participation underscores the importance of high performance radars as the primary long-range detection and tracking sensor for securing against airborne threats.”
  • Squarehead Technologies: “We are very pleased to work with a Team that has successfully proven technology. In a short period of time, we have integrated and are providing a near operational solution,” says Stig Nyvold, CEO of Squarehead Technology. “The Discovair’s ability to monitor acoustics and provide a C2 system with a high level of accuracy of detection to continue the chain has proven to be effective.” (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

05 Jun 18. New threat radars present intel challenges. Digital radar systems that use new frequency bands and have multifunction capabilities are making it increasingly difficult for electronic intelligence (ELINT) analysts to identify emitters and could soon make current jamming techniques obsolete.

The secretive ELINT world is often a game of cat and mouse between those that want to identify and disrupt emitters through anti-radiation weapons or electronic countermeasures, and the radar operators that want to detect enemy aircraft and neutralise them with anti-aircraft weapons.

As countries such as Russia and China build up their electronic warfare capabilities they are developing highly-complex radar systems that can not only detect stealthier aircraft from longer ranges, but also evade detection from equipment designed to map an enemy’s electronic capability and order of battle.

For some experts, this duel in the electromagnetic spectrum is currently favouring the radar, especially as many ELINT/ESM systems are not optimised for operating in the frequency bands occupied by emerging radars. That means some radars could go undetected, or a countermeasure is unavailable, which is a risk to personnel.

Challenges include the renewed development of digitised VHF radars, operating in the lower 150MHz spectrum, which were once considered obsolete until it was realised they could track stealth aircraft.

‘This is a major issue for [electronic support measures] receivers, they tend to start at 2Ghz, so these are pretty much invisible,’ said Nigel Lawton, a former Royal Navy ELINT specialist and now ELINT and radar-ESM systems product manager at German EW specialist Rohde and Schwarz.

Digital VHF radars continue to be developed with China showcasing an AESA VHF/UHF radar at the 2016 Zhuhai Air Show known as the JY-26 Skywatcher-U. Developed by the 14th Institute (Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology, or NRIET), the radar reportedly has a 500km detection range and has been able to track F-22 stealth fighters operating over South Korea.

Radars are also being developed that emit in the high-frequency K-Band or higher, generally between 33-36Ghz. ‘You’re finding that more radars are moving up the band, so that’s very difficult for us as collectors to intercept these radars and radar designers know this,’ Lawton said.

To intercept a K-Band radar often needs an ELINT collector to actually see the radar, which is dangerous for operators if the sensor is connected to a gun or missile as part of a defensive weapon system.

Unlike previous generation radars, today’s sensors also emit just enough power to detect the target and do not radiate more energy than required. Multifunction radars operating in the 2Ghz range, for instance, are increasingly difficult to intercept and analyse as they employ more sophisticated low probability of intercept (LPI) features.

Ultimately, according to Lawton, the proliferation of these complex radars means it can now take ELINT operators months to put a profile together for a database.

Lawton singled out Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radars as particularly troublesome. ‘The problem is the power is spread through the spectrum, it’s just noise, so unless I can see this radar as early as possible in processing chain I will not intercept and I certainly cannot process it with conventional ESM processes.’

Legacy mechanically scanned radars were relatively easy to collect and analyse, with ELINT operators able to look at the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) to identify the radar and ultimately jam it. These systems would use magnetrons or travelling wave tubes that could be ‘fingerprinted’ by ELINT systems.

That has fundamentally changed with today’s digital active or passive electronically-scanned technologies, which can adapt radar pulses to the environment. These systems can cycle through different modes – including acquisition, target tracking and target illumination – in one time period, allowing multi-mode operations simultaneously.

‘That’s a major problem if you have a wide open receiver…if that waveform doesn’t change I don’t know what he is doing’ said Lawton. ‘And how do you jam [a multi-mode radar]? I have no idea. I think jamming may be obsolete in the next few years.’

Many modern ELINT/ESM systems are no longer sensitive enough, and wideband receivers are often ‘blocked’ by radar emitters that can push out two simultaneous high-power pulses. Narrow band receivers also present challenges, mainly a lower probability of intercept and not addressing the growing bandwidth of radars.

Rohde & Schwarz has developed a two-stage detection process for its systems such as the WPU 500 wideband processing unit, which includes a pre-processing phase. This means that it is optimised to detect complex, low-power threats such as solid-state and FMCW radars.

‘We are looking into the spectrum before we are processing the radar,’ said Lawton. ‘If you were to process the radar and you want to analyse it, you need to get 12-13dBs above noise. So a low-power radar that does not give me that signal-to-noise ratio will not produce good pulses that I can analyse.’

‘What we do, we match the processing bandwidth to the bandwidth of the transmitting radar…we see the radar before we process, we see the bandwidth of the radar on the frequency, once you know the bandwidth I can put my processing channel exactly around the bandwidth of the transmitted radar.’

This, along with other advances in the ELINT world, could give operators their edge back over the new-generation of advanced radars, but for how long?  (Source: Shephard)

 

04 Jun 18. Preparing for radar ‘war modes.’ For pilots and crew, survival in the air is increasingly reliant on the ability to use electronic warfare tactics and technology to avoid and counter the threat posed by today’s complex enemy radars and radar-guided missiles.

Being able to monitor, identify, locate and defeat enemy signals is vital when it comes to operating effectively in complex and congested environments. This is growing in importance as peer threats, including Russia and China, deploy advanced radar-guided missiles that far exceed the range and capabilities of ‘heat-seeking’ missiles.

However, according to Fiona Clark, EW operational capability lead at Leonardo, the enemy threat signals we know and have recorded today are likely to be absent from the battlefield in the event of actual hostilities.

This is due to the use of ‘war modes’, which will change the characteristics of radar systems to mask their origin.

‘It is well accepted that most of the threats we know really well today will have a war-mode so the day you actually go to war… the parameters will be changed,’ Clark told Shephard.

To mitigate the threat of facing enemy anti-aircraft systems and surveillance radar without knowing their identity Leonardo has developed the SAGE and SEER electronic support measure (ESM) systems, which are capable of identifying and locating friendly, enemy and unknown signals.

‘Our SAGE and SEER systems already have the capability to identify signals against a pre-programmed library, or to declare as an unknown [signal] but we have mechanisms to allow the systems to declare that the signal looks like an airborne intercept, for instance,’ she said.

‘It is hugely important in the world of EW because things change all the time and particularly if we get into real engagements during actual conflicts, radars will change mode.’

Leonardo has been at the forefront of developing electronic countermeasure (ECM), ESM systems and defensive aid systems (DAS) for new and legacy platforms, and are generally the favoured solutions for the UK armed forces.

According to Clark there is a clear trend towards acquiring advanced EW suites across a wide range of military platforms.

The RAF’s new fleet of Apache helicopters, for example, will feature Leonardo’s DAS countermeasures and sensors, which will help the platform detect, defend or defeat threats from enemy air defence systems. The RAF will also be deploying the company’s active decoy system, known as BriteCloud, on its Tornado GR4 aircraft.

The decoy is part of Leonardo’s efforts to counter the threat posed by the proliferation of programmable digital radar, capable of automatically changing their characteristics to avoid EW countermeasures.

BriteCloud ‘contains a mission library, programmable with a number of threat systems. When deployed, it searches through to find the library entry that matches the current threat signal and then it will produce the correct countermeasure for that,’ Clark explained.

‘If, while BriteCloud is still active, that threat is defeated, BriteCloud will actually go back and search its library for another threat.  If it finds another one then it will start jamming that… Similarly, if the threat it’s jamming changes mode, BriteCloud can adapt to the new mode’. (Source: Shephard)

 

05 Jun 18. US Army conducts operational tests on radiological detection devices. The US Army has carried out operational tests on a radiological detection system (RDS) and a joint personal detector (JPD) to improve the service’s battlefield effectiveness and accuracy of current chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) detection capabilities. The RDS is a portable sensor deployed to identify and classify threats. The JPD is a wrist-mounted device that can be used to monitor amounts of exposure to radiation. The test was conducted by soldiers from the 20th CBRNE’s Nuclear Disablement Team (NDT) in order to enable the US Army Operational Test Command (USAOTC), based at West Fort Hood, Texas, to collect data on both units. Upon collection, the USAOTC informed senior leaders of the army of the effectiveness, suitability and reliability of the RDS and JPD systems during real-world operations. The new equipment is expected to help increase soldiers’ understanding of the radiological and nuclear (RN) environment through detection of RN threats. The new RDS has been designed to replace the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) existing radiation detection and computation (RADIAC) survey meters, and will help provide the warfighter with the capability to detect the entire range of radiological hazards.

USAOTC test officer Edward Jagodzinski said: “A unique opportunity presented itself to operationally test two separate radiological systems, on separate acquisition paths, in a combined test venue with a single test unit.

“Since operational testing is about soldiers and unit missions, this combined test event was about making sure that the systems developed are effective in a soldier’s hands and suitable for the environments in which soldiers and units train and fight.”

Subject matter experts from several agencies observed and assessed the new equipment while it was employed by the test unit. (Source: army-technology.com)

 

04 Jun 18. FLIR adopts ambitious growth strategy. Soldier modernisation programmes pursued by militaries around the world offer lucrative opportunities for producers of advanced sensing solutions. Providing essential technology for both modern soldier systems and platforms, companies such as US-based FLIR are positioning themselves to offer sensors that are fully networked and utilise the latest tools in AI and machine learning. Announced on May 16, FLIR’s new corporate strategy is a blueprint for how the company intends to expand into new markets, including unmanned and radar systems and increase its global footprint, with its eye on opportunities in Europe and North America.

‘Our continued partnership in the European community is going to continue to give dividends,’ David Ray, FLIR’s president of government and defence, told Shephard.

‘With some of our key partners, large defence companies in places like Germany and London, we are leveraging those partnerships and helping the primes deliver game change capabilities as part of their total solutions’.

FLIR has put securing contracts for these long-term modernisation programmes at the centre of its new strategy to ensure continued expansion in an increasingly competitive industry.

‘There is a lot of focus on readiness and modernisation… the modernisation of current assets on the field today,’ Ray said.

‘The whole notion of readiness, not only from upgrading systems and platforms but also really driving this notion of digital interconnectivity, the whole notion of the soldier as a networked node or a platform as a networked node.’

According to Ray, FLIR is keen to stay at the cutting edge of technology advances, investing in its LiDAR capabilities, unmanned technologies, AI and machine learning tools.

‘I think you are going to see major investments from FLIR in the software arena,’ Ray said.

‘We have traditionally been a hardware company but our competencies are in things like analytics, machine learning, AI… counter-UAS and we are expanding our footprint in the unmanned space’.

FLIR recently received a $2.6m order from the US Army for the company’s Black Hornet personal reconnaissance system, already in use with UK, German and Danish Special Forces. The micro-UAS will support squad-level surveillance for the force’s Soldier Borne Sensor programme.

Meanwhile, the company is also hoping to grow its radar division, offering a range of surveillance radar, with ambitions to expand its LiDAR capabilities.

‘We are looking to expand that, to do more with our radar capability. When we think about LiDAR and sonar and other types of sensing capabilities they present opportunities for us to expand our market in the sensor realm,’ he explained.

However, offering networked solutions comes with new threats which FLIR intends to mitigate by continuing to invest in cyber technology, with the possibility of new mergers and acquisitions or minority investments in the coming years.

‘We are looking at other companies that are doing great things in the world of analytics or machine learning,’ Ray said.

‘And looking at really being able to take minority positions in those companies… as with what we are doing around cyber in partnering with companies and making conscious investments in how we are cyber hardening or protecting the systems we are delivering.’

In the domestic US market FLIR is focused on a number of specific areas, including aircraft modernisation deals over the next year that offer the chance to gain a foothold in what Ray describes as ‘franchise programmes’.

‘Franchise programmes are programmes that we believe that once captured will be 10-40 year programmes that allow us to really engage and drive value across platforms we believe customers need for the long term,’ Ray explained.

‘There’s a huge focus on modernising our rotary aircraft. I think when you think about what the marine corps and the army are doing in terms of modernisation plans for their rotary aircraft… I think that presents sweet spot opportunities for us.’ (Source: Shephard)

 

01 Jun 18. ERA sees expanding role for passive sensors. Czech sensor specialists ERA is seeing expanded uses for its VERA-NG passive radar technology beyond traditional EW functions, evolving to surveillance missions and utilisation in ground-based air defence (GBAD) networks.

In the current security environment where radars are seen as potentially vulnerable to sophisticated electronic or kinetic attack, militaries are seeking ways to bolster their detection capabilities and augment active sensor technology.

Traditionally, the VERA-NG has been used for electronic intelligence gathering; soaking up the RF emissions from various platforms to build an electronic order of battle as well as sovereign threat libraries.

‘From the 1990s our main use case was electronic warfare, building emitter databases,’ said Vojtech Stejskal, who is responsible for strategy development at the Czech company. ‘But from this time it has evolved to something else, now there is another use case which is surveillance.’

Owing to the fact they do not emit any energy, passive systems remain hidden from electronic intelligence systems or anti-radiation missiles and can still function against, and even locate, jamming signals.

A key example of the technology’s growing use is the company’s €16m contract in 2014 to deliver two VERA-NG systems to the NATO Communications and Information Agency, which will be fielded initially in northern Italy to support alliance air operations alongside active sensor systems.

NATO plans to utilise the VERA-NG as a Deployable Passive ESM Tracker, meaning the alliance can transport the passive sensors to operational theatres as part of a deployable Air Command and Control System.

The system can track 200 real time targets up to a range of 400km, according to ERA. The frequency range for the receivers is anywhere from 50MHz to 18GHz, allowing the technology to detect a range of emissions from land, sea or air targets.

The VERA-NG is being optimised for NATO requirements, which focus on surveillance and automatic target identification. The inclusion of passive sensors into NATO’s air operations architecture is uncommon and has presented challenges, said Stejskal.

‘It’s quite a challenging project because such a technology was never standardised [to determine how] you could integrate such a system,’ he explained. ‘So at this moment it’s not only about delivering this type of technology but also changing STANAGs, CONOPS and all parts that are necessary to make the system operational.’

Shephard reported in April that Swedish Defence Materiel Administration had also trialled the VERA-NG in an air defence role. The Nordic country is investing in its air defence assets, including new Patriot batteries, and is examining ways it can reduce its reliance on vulnerable active sensors.

Indonesia has also reportedly selected VERA-NG as part of efforts to strengthen defences around its air bases.

Stejskal also explained to Shephard that he saw an expanding role in GBAD.

‘GBAD is a very hot topic right now,’ he explained. ‘The key [for GBAD] is to be silent and only be active in the moment you need to be. So they have found this type of sensor to be very valuable and we are having discussions with multiple GBAD units that this sensor could be part of their [organisation], so you have missile system, radar and a passive component.’

VERA-NG consists of four receiving stations, where one of them is central. The system is also capable of detecting continuous wave emitters, especially datalinks from UAVs.

The VERA-NG has lineage dating back to the 1960s when the first generation of passive sensors were developed by Czechoslovakian company Tesla (not to be confused with Tesla Motors). That government entity was sold off in the 1990s and ERA was born, carrying on the tradition of passive sensor development for both military and civil applications.

(Source: Shephard)

 

04 Jun 18. Geospectrum eyes international market for towed array. Fresh from having delivered the first Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar (TRAPS) low frequency variable depth sonar to the Royal Canadian Navy in March 2018, GeoSpectrum is sounding confident of the system’s appeal on the international market. Speaking to Jane’s at Cansec 2018, the company noted that the compact towed sonar system, which can be housed in 10- and 20-ft containers depending on inclusion of an operator cabin, provides a number of benefits over competing offerings. Cost is one of those, with the system expected to cost about 40% less to acquire.

TRAPS makes use of a vertical projector array active sound source, which is stored on the Curtiss-Wright supplied winch drum with the tow cable and passive receive array. The source is initially deployed as a sled, with an actuator subsequently bringing the array in the vertical position. Speeds of more than 18kt have been achieved in testing with the vertical array in position. When retracted, the sled can be towed at higher speeds. Maximum range using the lowest frequency (2 kHz) and highest power is noted to be in excess of 20n miles off Nova Scotia in summer. GeoSpectrum said that the active source is available in a number of frequencies and bandwidths to meet customer requirements. For example, it would be possible to carry more than one active source sled module to address different operating environments, such as blue water, brackish coastal and inshore waters, and fjords.

“We can switch them around in about 30 minutes,” a company representative told Jane’s.

GeoSpectrum also offers flexibility in other areas. The compact sonar system provides space for an operator cabin at one end of the 20 ft container variant. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

01 Jun 18. Pentagon Exploring Counter-UAS Software. Dedrone, an airspace security company, is working on technology that can detect adversarial drones on military installations. Dedrone’s software, called DroneTracker, can be integrated with radio frequency sensors, cameras and microphones, according to the company. The software can then gather information and determine the flight path of the drone.

“Especially in the DoD environment, the federal environment, where you have super expensive equipment … you don’t want any drones flying around there or crashing into it, or spying on it, or dropping grenades into it,” said Jörg Lamprecht, Dedrone co-founder and CEO.

Dedrone has already installed this type of protection on over 200 facilities in the last 20 months for customers such as gas companies and other enterprises, Lamprecht said.

Requirements for government installations “are not so different,” he said. It is “a drone that you don’t want in your airspace. You want a warning of what it is, you want to know where it is, you want to know where’s the pilot and you want to do something against it.”

Because the company already has an off-the-shelf system with this capability, the only experimental part is how the software will be employed, Lamprecht said. For instance, it could be used by the Navy or the Army to detect drones near helicopters and ships.

“The demand is high and it’s … [an emerging] threat and issue,” he said. The drone problem will not go away anytime soon, he added.

The company is working with the Defense Innovation Unit-Experimental, or DIUx, on ways this technology can be used to help the military, according to a company news release.

The United States may decide to use this technology in a variety of areas that are threatened by swarms of drones and vary in weather and temperature, Lamprecht noted. The company has already tested the system to ensure that it is rugged enough to withstand multiple environments, he said.

Dedrone also completed a two-month airspace activity survey with DIUx that focused on detecting unauthorized drones at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, the news release said. (Source: glstrade.com/NDIA)

 

01 Jun 18. South Korea signals AESA progression. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has signalled progression in its programme to develop an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system in collaboration with local industry.

DAPA said in a statement on 31 May that its radar programme – intended to support the Korean Fighter Experimental (KFX) aircraft – has completed a two-year preliminary design phase and will now move to the critical design stage before a design review in May 2019.

Following the design review, DAPA hopes to produce a pilot prototype in 2020, which will be installed on early prototypes of the KFX from 2022. After several years of trials, DAPA aims to start initial production of both the aircraft and its AESA radar from the mid-2020s.

Under a KRW360bn (USD334m) contract awarded in mid-2016, the AESA development programme is led by Hanwha Systems, which is collaborating with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), a DAPA subsidiary. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), as lead developer of the KFX, is also involved in the programme.

KAI has previously outlined a target to produce about 250 twin-engine KFX fighter aircraft to replace the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) F-4E Phantom and F-5E Tiger II aircraft and, ultimately, its F-16 Fighting Falcon platforms. KAI also expects to export several hundred KFX fighters. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/IHS Jane’s)

 

31 May 18. Northrop’s Slow Repairs Prompt Air Force to Try In-House Work. The Air Force, impatient with Northrop Grumman Corp.’s delays repairing the U.S.’s top ground surveillance aircraft, is testing whether to move more work in-house, starting with refurbishing a single jet this year.

Northrop is taking an average of 400 days per aircraft to repair or refurbish the inventory of 16 “Jstars” surveillance jets first deployed in 1991, and “we would like to bring that number down” to make more aircraft available, Air Force spokesman Derek Kaufman said in an email.

“We’ve been focusing intensely for a couple of years on improving contractor-led depot performance, but aircraft are still remaining in depot too long,” Steven Wert, the Air Force’s program executive officer for battle management, said in this month in announcing the new push. “We believe this option is well worth exploring.”

Jstars or Joint Stars — short for the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System — is a Boeing Co. 707-300 airframe that Northrop equipped with radar, sensors and moving-target indicators. The 16 planes have been used since the 1991 Gulf War to monitor enemy ground movements and pass along locations for airstrikes and intelligence. The aircraft more recently flew over Iraq monitoring Islamic State terrorist positions.

In July, the Air Force will deliver a Jstars plane to the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia for in-house depot maintenance in what it calls a “proof of concept.”

Seeking Replacement

The maintenance issues are separate from the service’s effort — over congressional resistance — to retire the planes after 2023 and replace them with an alternate system of aerial sensors networked together that’s still to be defined. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson reiterated the case for replacement in remarks Tuesday at the Atlantic Council in Washington.

“Northrop Grumman remains steadfast in its commitment to quality and safety to ensure the high demand Joint Stars fleet is mission-ready for America’s warfighters,” Vic Beck, a company spokesman, said in an email when asked to comment on the Air Force’s new initiative.

Northrop is performing maintenance on the aircraft at its Lake Charles, Louisiana, facility under a $7 n “total system support contract” awarded in September 2000 that had a six-year base with 16 annual options running through 2022. The contractor was paid about $1.1bn from May 2011 to October 2015 for work on the surveillance planes, according to the Pentagon’s inspector general, who issued a critical report in November 2016 on the Air Force’s management of the contract.

‘Real Progress’

“The contractor is in compliance with terms of the contract, but despite incentives, we’re not seeing the depot throughput we’d like,” Kaufman said. Still, the proposed depot work at Robins “would supplement, not supplant, the work being done at Lake Charles,” the service said in a news release. “In fact, the Air Force will need Northrop’s help to successfully execute this proof of concept.”

Kaufman said the service has worked closely with Northrop to improve quality after earlier lapses and has seen “real progress.”

Poor quality was found on six of seven of the contractor’s aircraft that were inspected after an Air Force review in 2016 raised questions about Northrop procedures. The service initiated the review after $7.3m in water damage to an aircraft radar was discovered in July 2016 on a plane that had just been returned from Lake Charles.

The Air Force concluded Northrop personnel were responsible. Almost two years later “the government is still working with the legal office and Northrop Grumman to determine an equitable solution,” Kaufman said. Beck of Northrop declined to comment on the status of that dispute. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Bloomberg)

 

01 Jun 18. New TiCAM 1000C Target Location System Integrated with PES C1 Dismounted Soldier Software Package. New TiCAM 1000C target location system from Thermoteknix is a versatile target acquisition and observation system for day and night time operation. It combines an uncooled thermal imager and daylight CCD channel with GPS, eye safe laser range finder, Digital Magnetic Compass, Target marker and video recording.

Lightweight and compact, TiCAM 1000C is suitable for forward target location and surveillance operations. TiCAM 1000C operates from AA batteries or external power. It can be connected to various C4I platforms systems, using USB connectivity.

Personal Eye System (PES) from MIL Sistemika is a Blue force tracking, navigation and data sharing application designed to communicate a Common Operational Picture (COP). PES was designed by active soldiers as a substitute for a traditional GPS receiver, paper map and a mobile phone.

In house development by MIL Sistemika has enabled Personal Eye compatibility with TiCAM 1000C.

It works on an Android platform and uses GPS and other device sensors for acquiring its location position which is then displayed on

a raster map PES can use online public maps (Yahoo, Google, Open

Street Maps etc.), online WMS maps (usually provided by internal GIS departments), off-line maps stored on the device in TMS (tiled format), or off-line cached maps stored while browsing online maps.

The ability to use off-line or cached off-line maps is invaluable in areas with no 3G coverage or when cost of data transfer is a limiting factor. Snipers can now use TiCAM 1000C with PES or Sniper Calculator

(a PES software module), to transfer target data and images directly to the map of PES, or use measurements for ballistic calculations.

Uses include: Target data sharing among units, JTACs (Joint Tactical Attack Controllers), use of target images for target recognition, or damage assessment. Use of target grids for sniper, mortar or artillery control is also possible. TiCAM 1000C requires a non-magnetic carbon fibre tripod with custom goniometer which is supplied separately).

PES is now fully compatible with Android devices (V6 – Marshmallow)

which support USB OTG and will be demonstrated live at Eurosatory

2018 both on the Thermoteknix and MIL Sistemika stands.

Thermoteknix Systems Ltd:  British company Thermoteknix Systems Ltd is one of the world’s leading innovators and manufacturers of night vision, thermal imaging and fused night vision systems.

 

01 Jun 18. Kongsberg pioneers echosounder retrofits for icebreakers. Kongsberg expects the first newly installed deep-water echosounders using an innovative new layout to enter service with within weeks, the company told Jane’s at CANSEC 2018. Under an August 2017 contract, Kongsberg is supplying its high-resolution EM 712 multibeam echosounders to the Canadian Coast Guard for retrofit on the medium icebreakers CCGS Pierre Radisson and CCGS De Groseilliers. The new systems provide the coastguard with an ability to expand mapping of the ocean floor in up to 3,600m of water in the Canadian Arctic, supporting hydrographic research. Compared to most previous installations, including one under way at St John’s Dockyard on CCGS Henry Larssen that involved keel-mounted systems, the new installation aims to reduce cost. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

————————————————————————-Blighter® Surveillance Systems (BSS) is a UK-based electronic-scanning radar and sensor solution provider delivering an integrated multi-sensor package to systems integrators comprising the Blighter electronic-scanning radars, cameras, thermal imagers, trackers and software solutions. Blighter radars combine patented solid-state Passive Electronic Scanning Array (PESA) technology with advanced Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) and Doppler processing to provide a robust and persistent surveillance capability. Blighter Surveillance Systems is a Plextek Group company, a leading British design house and technology innovator, and is based at Great Chesterford on the outskirts of Cambridge, England.

The Blighter electronic-scanning (e-scan) FMCW Doppler ground surveillance radar (GSR) is a unique patented product that provides robust intruder detection capabilities under the most difficult terrain and weather conditions. With no mechanical moving parts and 100% solid-state design, the Blighter radar family of products are extremely reliable and robust and require no routine maintenance for five years. The Blighter radar can operate over land and water rapidly searching for intruders as small a crawling person, kayaks and even low-flying objects. In its long-range modes the Blighter radar can rapidly scan an area in excess of 3,000 km² to ensure that intruders are detected, identified and intercepted before they reach critical areas.

————————————————————————

MISSILE, BALLISTICS AND SOLDIER SYSTEMS UPDATE

 

Sponsored by Control Solutions LLC.

 

http://www.controls.com/product-cat/systems/

——————————————————————-

07 Jun 18. Army Researchers Developing High-Performance, Lightweight Helmet. Army researchers in Massachusetts are developing technology that may soon yield a lightweight combat helmet that provides more protection than anything ever fielded. Representatives of the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, Natick, Massachusetts, had an array of combat helmets on display at the Pentagon, May 24-25, as part of a “Close-Combat Lethality Tech Day.”

Included among that protective gear was the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops, or PASGT helmet, first fielded in 1981; the Advanced Combat Helmet, or ACH, first fielded in 2003; and the Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet, or LW-ACH, which first appeared in 2013.

New Materials

All three of those helmets make use of para-aramid fibers to protect soldiers, and each successive helmet weighed less than its predecessor. The LW-ACH for instance, is more than a half-pound lighter than the PASGT helmet for a size large.

Newer helmets on display made use of a different material: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or UHMWPE.

The Advanced Combat Helmet Generation II, for example, weighs 22 percent less than the ACH and is designed to protect soldiers from fragmentation as well as from rounds up to 9 mm.

The Enhanced Combat Helmet and the most-recently fielded Integrated Head Protection System, or IHPS, with ballistic applique provide protection against rifle fire, as well. That increased protection, however, comes at a cost in terms of weight.

The helmet display made clear the challenge posed to those responsible for designing gear that keeps solders safe.

Minimizing Helmet Weight

“There’s kind of a competition between increased threat and weight,” said Richard Green, the director of the Soldier Protection and Survivability Directorate at NSRDEC. “We want to protect against increased threat, while minimizing the weight. That’s our goal.”

The centerpiece of the NSRDEC helmet display, the NSRDEC prototype helmet, met the protection versus weight challenge head on.

Weighing in at just 2.5 pounds for the shell, and an estimated 3.5 pounds final weight, the NSRDEC prototype provides the same protection as the currently-fielded IHPS.

But the NSRDEC prototype doesn’t require the modular IHPS ballistic applique that attaches over the base helmet. With that applique in place, the IHPS system weighs over five pounds. The NSRDEC prototype weighs less than half that and provides the same protection. It protects soldiers against fragmentation, against 9 mm weapons fire, and against what Green called a “prevalent rifle threat.”

The NSRDEC prototype helmet is made of the same class of material as the IHPS, the ECH and the ACH GEN II: UHMWPE. But what researchers at NSRDEC have done is developed new ways to process UHMWPE so that it will be stronger than it has been in the past.

“It’s stronger, so you need less of it,” Green said.

Improved Performance

The new processing methods NSRDEC researchers have developed for UHMWPE has improved the ballistic performance for that material within a helmet. That means soldiers may one day see a finished helmet that weighs the same as the ECH, but provides more protection.

“The processing of that material has enabled us to optimize its performance,” said Kenneth Ryan, the Warfighter Protection branch chief at NSRDEC. “Decreasing the load helps optimize soldier performance, and that helps them to be more lethal.”

The NSRDEC doesn’t manufacture helmets for the Army. Instead, it is the defense industry that ultimately provides that function, Ryan said. But when the time comes, it’ll be NSRDEC-conducted research that industry will use to make the next generation of helmets that will help keep soldiers safe on the battlefield.

Ryan said he expects it will be about 12 months before these advanced technology developments that yielded the current incarnation of the NSRDEC prototype helmet can move forward to a point where the Army may request industry to develop mass-produced helmets for fielding to soldiers. (Source: US DoD)

 

07 Jun 18. India to US: Sanctions won’t stop Russian air-defense system purchase. India is moving forward with a procurement of the Russian S-400 Triumf air and missile defense system, despite possible U.S. sanctions against Moscow, India’s defense minister announced at a news conference.

Nirmala Sitharaman said June 5 that India has explained to the U.S. “how India and Russia’s defense cooperation has been going on for a long time and that it is a time-tested relationship.”

India has “got quite a lot of Russian defense assets ― assets, spares and servicing,” she added.

Despite the threat of U.S. sanctions “we have mentioned that CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) cannot impact the India-Russia defense cooperation,” she noted.

The CAATSA was overwhelmingly passed by Congress in August 2017 ― a 98-2 vote in the Senate and 419-3 in the House ― empowering the legislature to “review and counter aggression” by Iran, Russia and North Korea.

The law, which came into effect in January 2018, can be brought to bear against any individual who “facilitates” an investment in Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors worth more than $10 million. Section 235 of the law stipulates U.S. President Donald Trump could then choose between five different sanction options, including asset freezes and denying access to U.S. and international financial institutions.

India’s defense and foreign ministers are expected to raise the issue of CAATSA sanctions when they meet with their U.S. counterparts in Washington in early July.

When asked if India will go through with the deal in light of possible U.S. sanctions, Sitharaman said: “The S-400 deal has been on for a very long time, and we have reached the final stage of negotiations. That explains it.”

The $5.5bn deal between India and Russia for the procurement of five S-400 regiments ― consisting of approximately 40 transporter erector launchers, radar systems and command posts ― was first reported in 2016.

The S-400 Triumf is one of Russia’s most advanced air-defense systems. It is currently deployed in the Russian enclave in Kaliningrad, recently annexed territory in Crimea, and in Tartus, Syria, to protect Russian and Syrian air and naval units. The system is also deployed throughout western and eastern Russia.

Russia and India have a history of collaborating and sharing missile technology. Not only does India currently operate the Russian-made S-300 ― the S-400’s Cold War predecessor ― but the two countries also partnered throughout the late 1990s and 2000s to develop the BrahMos anti-ship and land-attack cruise missile. If the deal is completed, India will join Turkey and China as the latest buyers of the air-defense system. (Source: Defense News)

 

08 Jun 18. Finnish Defence Forces performed a successful live firing of their Thales Crotale New Generation, equipped with new Catherine XP thermal camera. Finnish Defence Forces’ main role, besides operating alongside European and UN forces in numerous international missions, is to defend the national territory and the Finnish population. For the past 30 years, Thales has provided services and capability sustainment to the Finnish Defence Forces for their Crotale NG (New Generation) short-range air defence system. Within the framework of a running support contract, the Finnish Defence Forces have acquired a new Thales thermal camera. This is part of the long-term sustainment of the system’s optronic target acquisition and tracking capability. Operators find the Crotale NG’s advanced optronic functions to be a valuable feature of the overall system. Optronic mode also offers support to operators’ decision in the event of an air threat. The unmatched technical performance of the new camera helps providing Finnish Defence Forces with a dependable real-time image that is immediately available so that operators can make the best decision and act accordingly. The test firing, with a VT1 missile, conducted at a Finnish Defence Forces training range, demonstrated the capabilities of the Crotale NG equipped with the Catherine XP camera. It proved the accuracy and robust performance of a system that is fully consistent with the requirements of the Finnish Defence Forces as it fulfils its mission of protecting civilian populations and deployed forces. This latest evolution maintains the development momentum of the Crotale NG multi-sensor SHORAD system and further enhances its proven combat performance.

07 Jun 18. KADDB showcases new artillery systems. The KADDB 155 mm/39 calibre self-propelled artillery system with outriggers deployed and one of the ammunition racks open. Source: IHS Markit/Patrick Allen

Jordan’s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB) of Jordan has completed initial firing trials of a locally developed 155 mm/39 calibre wheeled self-propelled (SP) artillery system called Rum II. The weapon achieved a maximum range of 18.1 km with the standard US 155mm M107 high-explosive projectile. Longer ranges could be achieved with other ammunition types, such as the rocket assisted projectile (RAP) which is stated to possess a maximum range of 27.7km. The first example of the Rum II is based on a 6×6 DAF truck chassis with a fully enclosed and protected two-door cab at the front and a 155 mm/39 calibre M185 ordnance mounted on a turntable towards the rear. The ordnance is from the M109A1 SP artillery system and features a screw breech block and a flick rammer to increase rate of fire, while reducing crew fatigue. It is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake, fume extractor and has a maximum recoil length of 914mm. It fires over the frontal arc and features electro-hydraulical elevation (0 to +65°) and traverse (23° to either side), with manual controls for contingencies. Direct and indirect fire sights are also fitted. A total of 22 rounds of 155mm ammunition is carried with the mix depending on the fire mission. These are stowed 11 horizontally down either side in lockers. When deployed in the firing position a large spade is lowered at the rear of the vehicle, which lifts the two sets of rear road wheels clear of the ground. Two additional spades at the rear of the cab, one either side, are lowered to improve firing stability. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

07 Jun 18. Russia builds new weapons storage facilities. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) will commission a new arsenal in late 2018, according to Deputy Defence Minister Army General Dmitry Bulgakov. After inspecting the construction of the facility at Toropets in the Tver region on 2 June, Gen Bulgakov told Russian media it will be complete in October.

“The arsenal will enable us to protect supplies of missiles and munitions from the external elements and guarantee their security and safety. The capacity of each of the arsenal’s bunkers is 240 tonnes,” Gen Bulgakov said.

He added that new bunkers, made of concrete and prefabricated components, will ease overcrowding in existing weapons storage areas, minimise the possibility of terrorists acts, and improve the environmental situation at arms depots. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $928mi contract April 18 to develop a new missile that will travel more than five times faster than the speed of sound to overcome enemy defenses. Under the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, Lockheed Martin will develop the Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon (HCSW), a new air-launched weapon system. The company is working closely with the Air Force to finalize system requirements under the contract’s initial task order. This is the first phase of a development program, with future phases progressing through design, flight test, initial production and deployment of the weapon system at early operational capability. The contract ceiling through early operational capability is $928m.

“Our goal is rapid development and fielding of the HCSW system, and this contract is the first step in achieving that goal,” said John Snyder, vice president of Air Force Strategic Programs at Lockheed Martin. “Design, development, production, integration and test experts from across Lockheed Martin will partner with the Air Force to achieve early operational capability and deliver the system to our warfighters. We are incredibly proud to be leading this effort.”

The HCSW team will primarily work in Huntsville, Alabama; Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; and Orlando, Florida; with additional expertise in Denver, Colorado, and Sunnyvale, California. Lockheed Martin has developed and flown more hypersonic vehicles than any other U.S. company. The company has decades of hypersonic development and flight test experience from government contracts as well as internal investments in research and development projects.

 

05 Jun 18. Is the US Missile Defense Agency shooting blind on contracts?

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency needs to work on its communication skills, according to a new report from a government watchdog.

The Government Accountability Office’s annual review of the MDA’s acquisition goals and development objectives determined that although the agency continues to deliver valuable assets to war fighters, the use of unaccredited modeling programs and highly flexible contract tools obscures the true capabilities and costs defense systems.

Tasked with the development of the ballistic missile defense system, or BMDS, in 2002 ― a layered defense system that integrates terrestrial and celestial sensors, ground- and sea-based shooters, and command-and-control units ― MDA is relied on to contract, develop and test a variety of missile defense technologies.

Castigated by critics for overspending and under-delivering, the report identified a problem with MDA’s flexibility in its contracting authorities. The agency’s use of “undefinitized contract actions” ― or contracts negotiated with a not-to-exceed value when development of a requirement is needed on short notice ― has increased over the past five years.

Moreover, the not-to-exceed values and time taken to “definitize” contracts have also increased, creating more risk for the government. According to the report, the average time it takes to definitize these contracts has increased nearly eightfold, from 78 days in 2013 to more than 600 days 2016.

Factoring in increasing not-to-exceed values and longer definitization periods, the GAO determined that “MDA may be initiating contractor work with incomplete knowledge of the requirements or costs involved.”

For example, MDA entered into a not-to-exceed undefinitized contract for the Redesigned Kill Vehicle worth $1.088 billion in May 2017. As the report explains:

If the RKV program definitizes this contract action according to its schedule in May 2018, after 12 months, this will result in the definitization of the contract action with less than a year remaining before the program’s critical design review. In other words, the government will have agreed on contract terms, including costs, after much of the design work and related costs have been incurred.

In addition to spending concerns, MDA’s use of unaccredited modeling and simulation tools raises questions about the credibility of delivered capabilities and BMDS performance. Due to testing limitations ― MDA cannot conduct enough tests of all BMDS system elements to completely assess operational performance ― the agency relies on models to inform war-fighter tactics, techniques and procedures.

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Modeling provides valuable information about system effectiveness to war fighters, Defense Department decision-makers and Congress that is used to determine the limitations and capabilities of various system elements, as well as funding priorities.

However, only a fraction of MDA models are properly accredited, meaning the programs may suffer from unknown modeling errors that obscure performance results. Thirty percent of MDA models for Enhanced Homeland Defense, 23 percent for European Phased Adaptive Approach Phase 2 elements and 14 percent for Discrimination Improvements for Homeland Defense have received accreditation, according to GAO.

The lack of accreditation raises concerns that system performance is less reliable than testing records suggest.

This is not a new problem for MDA. According to BMDS operational testing officials, since 2009 the agency has never completely provided necessary data and has missed subsequent deadlines to accredit models.

The agency also proceeded to operationally test and deliver capabilities like Aegis Ashore for the European Phase Adaptive Approach Phase 2 even though key models were unaccredited.

Despite these criticisms, MDA reached several milestones in 2017. In May, the agency successfully intercepted an intercontinental ballistic missile target in a test for the first time. Additionally, the agency completed the delivery of seven more ground-based interceptors to missile fields in Fort Greely, Alaska, in November, bringing the total number of ground-based interceptors to 44.

In light of the increasing threat from U.S. near-peers like Russia and China, as well as so-called rogue states like North Korea and Iran, Congress voted to increase MDA’s budget by $3.3bn in March, bringing the agency’s total appropriated funding to $11.5bn for fiscal 2018.

The MDA submitted a $9.9bn budget request for FY19. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)

 

06 Jun 18. India to further S-400 acquisition talks with Russia despite US sanctions. New Delhi has declared its intention to disregard recent US sanctions against Moscow and further the acquisition of five Russian S-400 Triumf self-propelled surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

“I’d like to make it clear that in all our engagements with the United States, we have clearly explained how India and Russia’s defence co-operation has been going on for a long time,” Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said a 5 June press conference held in New Delhi.

“We have mentioned that the CAATSA [Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act] cannot impact the India-Russia defence co-operation,” the minister stated, adding that talks with Moscow about the procurement of the advanced air defence systems have been on for a “very long time” and reached the “final stage of negotiations”. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. Successful Operational Demos for HERO-30 Short-Range Loitering System. UVision Air Ltd. – a manufacturer of lethal aerial loitering systems of all sizes – has demonstrated its Hero-30 short-range loitering system to strategic clients.

“These recent trials for strategic customers are just the latest in a long list of successful trials” says Noam Levitt, CEO of UVision. “The scenarios demonstrated with the Hero-30 included the silent pneumatic launch, loitering and ISR capabilities, locating and locking on to the target and finally the precise hit (less than one meter CEP). The demonstration also highlighted one of the Hero-30’s big operational advantages – its ability to respond to rapid, unpredicted changes in battlefield conditions, by conducting a full abort of an attack in mid-air, automatically returning to loitering mode and quickly reengaging the targets”.

Man-pack portable, the Hero-30 is the smallest system in the UVision family of smart loitering systems. Deployable within minutes, it is capable of speeds of up to 100 knots and is ideal for anti-personnel missions or against light vehicles. Weighing in at just 3kg, including a 0.5kg warhead, it has a range of up to 40km and an endurance flight time of 30 minutes. (Source: UAS VISION)

 

05 Jun 18. Belarus reveals drone that is a rocket launcher with rotors. Drone is an expansive category, a catch-all name that transcended its aerial target past and now universally covers any flying machine operating under human-controlled or human-directed flight, without any people on board. How far can we stretch this definition? What about an rocket launcher, with four rotors attached, remotely controlled from the ground.

This drone was spotted by Defense Blog, which notes that the rocket launcher appears to be an old single-shot Soviet model, the RPG-26. In the video, the drone takes off and launches seconds afterwards, which is the likeliest scenario for a machine like this. Electric motors and battery power are enough to keep small, light, camera drones in the air for about half an hour, but any increase in payload weight really drags down the flight time. And, given that the weapon is single-shot, it’s unlikely that any future unit of infantry armed with a flying rpg launcher is going to want to use that machine for scouting. That’s a job for cheaper, simpler drones. Instead, should this be fielded, we can expect to see it pop up from behind cover to strike at armor from above without immediately jeopardizing the human doing the firing.

Putting an RPG on a drone (or, really, putting drone parts on and around an RPG) is a novel way to give people on foot cheap air support, but it’s hardly the only way. The confusingly named “Predator AX-1” is an RPG round in a single use drone body, meant to be fired by infantry at lightly armored targets, and it has a cousin in the Switchblade drones adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps. And between the two, there are drones like the Velvet Wasp that are designed to glide-launch RPG warheads from a normal octocopter body.

The overall trend, for anyone trying to guess at infantry armaments in the next five to ten years, is that air support will be a thing infantry can provide for itself. The low sky immediately above the heads of people doing the fighting is a contested space. And the armor on the tops of tanks, APCs, and other armored vehicles is again a weak point that can be exploited by a canny foe.

Should the infantry miss with the single-shot Belarusian RPD drone, there’s already an upgrade sitting next to it: a heftier quadcopter, this time with two RPS slung beneath its rotors. (Source: Defense News)

 

04 Jun 18. Baltic Republic cooperation could strengthen air defence capabilities. The International Centre for Defence and Security has presented the findings of a new study to the Estonian Ministry of Defence to highlight the possibilities for bolstering air defence capabilities of the Baltic Republics.

The study stated that cooperation between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as cooperation with Nato Allies, plays a major role to ensure air defence within the context of the Baltic region.

Findings show that the Baltic Republics are focused on developing management and communications systems that would be compatible with the Alliance’s air defence, as well as short-range and medium-range air defence systems.

The report recommends that Nato units rotating into the region for training exercises and Enhanced Forward Presence need to be armed with short-range air defence. The Baltic Republics also need to be deployed with medium-range and long-range air defence systems as part of training exercises.

A common air picture needs to be exchanged with Finland and Sweden, and procedures should be developed and practiced in order to transition from a Nato air policing mission to an air defence mission.

Since joining Nato, the Baltic Republics have been focused on developing the Ämari, Lielvarde and Šiauliai air bases, as well as sensors, radar, communications networks and personnel.

In addition, the Baltic Republics intend to develop three independent air traffic control centres by 2020 in order to replace the current single Kaunas air traffic control centre.

In 2022, Estonia plans to bring the 2nd Infantry Brigade’s air defence to the same level as the 1st Infantry Brigade.

Between 2018 and 2022, the country also plans to invest in additional ammunition for the Mistral system within the framework of the defence investments programme. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

04 Jun 18. Rwanda looking at Russian air defence. Rwanda is interested in acquiring Russian air defence systems, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during a visit to Kigali on 3 June.

“The Rwandan security forces, army, and law-enforcement agencies operate our helicopters. There are also Ural vehicles used by the army and the security service, and a whole bunch of small arms. Now the deliveries of air defence systems are being discussed,” Lavrov announced during a press briefing. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

01 Jun 18. Israel To Pump $2bn Into Ground-Ground Missile Unit. While we can’t confirm that Israel used ground-to-ground missiles against Syria, a few months ago the IDF established a new unit — on the orders of Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman — to operate Israeli-developed ground- ground missiles.

The recent massive Israeli attack on Iranian targets in Syria may mark a major shift in the way Israel uses its fire power.

On May 9 Israel attacked Iranian targets in Syria in response to the launching of 20 rockets from Syria by Iranian-controlled forces. Four of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system; the rest exploded on Syrian territory. There were no Israeli casualties.

Reports from Israel said more than 20 Israeli fighter aircraft prosecuted the attack, doubtless helped by Israel’s impressive electronic warfare capabilities. But reports from Syria claimed that surface-to-surface missiles were also used to hit the Iranian installations in Syria. Those reports may be signs of a important change in how Israel executes counter-battery strikes.

While we can’t confirm that Israel used ground-to-ground missiles against Syria, a few months ago the IDF established a new unit — on the orders of Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman —  to operate Israeli-developed ground- ground missiles. It will operate ground-ground missiles with a range of 300 kilometers. The unit was earmarked $500m to get started. But that is just the start. Sources tell Breaking Defense that the new unit will receive about $2bn over the next decade.

The new unit was created because the American-made Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) was not enough to meet new operational challenges. IMI Systems(formerly Israel Military Industries) decided to offer extended-range artillery missiles like the Extra, jointly developed with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The Extra, with a range of more than 150 kilometers, is designed to replace air-ground weapons for medium- and long-range strikes.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has also developed a very accurate ground-ground missile, the Long-Range Artillery weapon system (LORA). The LORA consists of a long-range tactical ground-to-ground missile developed by IAI’s MALAM division. It is intended for targets with a range of up to 400 kolometers with a Circular Error of Probability of 10 meters, according to the company.

Why is Israel so interested in improving ground to ground range and accuracy? It boils down to increased threat to Israeli aircraft.

For years, Syrian president Assad has been asking Moscow for the S-300 air defense system. Then Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu visited Moscow on May 9, a few hours before the rocket launch from Syria and the Israeli massive retaliations. Vladimir Kozhin, foreign aid adviser to the Kremlin, announced that Russia will not give Syria the S-300. So that threat may not increase in the near term, but Israel’s F-16s are clearly at some risk, witness Syria’s Feb. 10 shootdown of an F-16. While the pilot was blamed for focusing too much on his mission and not enough on defending his plane, it demonstrate the risks Israel faces in sending aircraft over enemy territory.

Another key reason for the new missile unit is to give the IAF more flexibility. “They have enough missions protecting the Israeli airspace and attacking long-range targets,” one source told Breaking Defense. (Source: glstrade.com/Breaking Defense.com)

 

01 Jun 18. Russia has plans for its future nuclear subs, and it involves hypersonic missiles. Russia’s next generation of multipurpose nuclear submarines, reportedly known as the Husky class, will be armed with hypersonic missiles, with the lead boat slated for launch in 2027, according to an unidentified Russian defense industry official quoted by the TASS news agency on Thursday.

“Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles will become the main armament of the newest multipurpose submarine,” the source said, referring to a Russian sea-based hypersonic missile project intended to replace the P-700 Granit anti-ship missiles that are common among Russia’s heavier-hitting warships.

Little is known about the Husky-class submarines. They’re called fifth-generation multipurpose submarines in the Russian press and are being designed by the Malakhit design bureau in St. Petersburg, but there is not yet a finalized version of the boat’s design. According to TASS, the Husky class will feature a typical ― or rather typical for Russian subs ― dual-hull design, with a 12,000-ton displacement.

This places the Husky in a similar weight class to the old Soviet-built Akula submarines that the Husky is intended to replace, and the newer Yasen-class multipurpose nuclear boats currently under construction in Russian yards. Yasen began as a late Soviet design that was delayed by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the subsequent decade of economic turbulence in Russia.

The addition of tubes for hypersonic missiles aboard the Husky-class submarines would, if true, come as no surprise. In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin demonstrated an affinity for hypersonic weapons as a means to counter current and future American missile defenses. It seems Russia, with its skill in missile design, is pursuing hypersonic technology as an offset.

Naval rearmament has been a key focus of Russian military rearmament for the past decade, with a strong emphasis on rejuvenating the aging nuclear submarine fleet. These efforts have so far focused on completing construction of the Borei-class ballistic missile submarines and Yasen-class multipurpose submarines.

Four Borei-class submarines have been completed, with four more on the way.

Two Yasen-class boats have also been launched, and five more are under construction. Construction of the lead boat in the Husky class, according to TASS, is expected to begin in 2023 in Severodvinsk and be completed by the end of 2027. This is likely an optimistic target. (Source: Defense News)

 

01 Jun 18. It’s official: The U.S. Navy has a new ship killer missile. The U.S. Navy has selected the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile as its new over-the-horizon anti-ship missile destined for the littoral combat ship and likely the service’s future frigate as well.

The NSM, which was a joint submission between Kongsberg and Raytheon, was widely expected to win the competition after its main competitors — Boeing’s extended range Harpoon and Lockheed Martin’s Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile — dropped from contention. Both companies felt the competition was skewed towards the Raytheon/Kongsberg offering, Defense News reported last May.

The introduction of the NSM to the fleet breaks the venerable Harpoon’s decades-long lock on the surface over-the-horizon mission and is a huge boost to Kongsberg’s ambitions in the U.S. market.

The initial contract is listed at about $14.86m but it could grow to as much as $848m over the life of the contract.

It positions the missile well as the market for surface-to-surface missiles is expected to increase in the coming years, said Oeyvind Kolset with Kongsberg’s missile systems outfit. Many of the word’s anti-ship missiles are coming to the end of their service lives and the selection of the missile by the U.S. Navy bodes well for future sales, Kolset said.

It is also a major victory for the European defense industry, which is seeing increasing interest from the U.S. Navy as it races to fill capabilities gaps in the face of competition with Russia and China.

In a conference call, Raytheon’s head of the Naval Strike Missile, Joint Strike Missile and Tomahawk programs said that his company was anxious to get started and that conversations with the Navy on exact details of how and where the first NSMs will be integrated began Friday morning.

“We just started dialogue with the customer, this has been a long competition and we are just now having those initial conversations with the U.S. Navy,” Daily said.

The Naval Strike Missile has a range of more than 100 nautical miles and has target-recognition capabilities that limit the need for another ship or aircraft to hold a track on the target.

In January, Rear Adm. Ronald Boxall, the chief of naval operations’ director of surface warfare, forecast that the competition would be wrapped up by summer and said the next step will be going after targeting at longer ranges. The Navy is looking at a combination of manned aircraft, unmanned aircraft and submarines as potential partners in helping the surface Navy hold adversaries at risk at increasing ranges. (Source: Defense News)

 

01 Jun 18. PT Pindad expands co-operation with Indian firms. Indonesian defence company PT Pindad has outlined the scope of its expanding engagement with counterparts from India.

In a statement on 31 May state-owned PT Pindad confirmed that it had entered a new partnership with Bhukhanvala Industries and that it has expanded collaboration with Tata. PT Pindad said that under its partnership agreement with Bhukhanvala the two companies will develop a ceramic-based ballistic protection system for land vehicle platforms produced by the Indonesian company, such as its 6×6 Anoa and 4×4 Komodo armoured personnel carriers (APCs). In addition, the two companies will explore opportunities for Bhukhanvala to provide assistance in the Indonesian company’s efforts to promote firearms – including its SS2 5.56mm assault rifles, G2 series of 9mm pistols, and SPR-4 sniper rifles – to the Indian military and paramilitary forces. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

04 Jun 18. India conducts flight tests of Agni 5 ballistic missile.  India has successfully flight tested the long-range ballistic missile Agni 5 from Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast. Indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile took off from mobile launch pad number four of the Integrated Test Range in the Bay of Bengal, defence sources said.

During the sixth flight test, the entire range of radars, electro-optical tracking stations and telemetry stations followed the weapon throughout the course of the trajectory, reported the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Defence sources were quoted by the PTI as saying: “The flight performance of the missile was tracked and monitored by radars, tracking instruments and observation stations all through the mission.”

According to a DRDO official, the Agni 5 trial tested several new home-grown technologies, such as navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based inertial navigation system (RINS) and the advanced micro navigation system (MINS).

With a strike range of 5,000km, the missile is capable of turning towards the earth after reaching the peak of its trajectory and continuing its journey towards the intended target with an enhanced speed supported by the earth’s gravitational pull.

The missile path is accurately determined by the advanced on-board computer and inertial navigation system.

On 19 April 2012, India conducted the first test of Agni 5, while the second was conducted on 15 September 2013, the third on 31 January 2015, fourth on 26 December 2016, and the fifth on 18 January this year. (Source: army-technology.com)

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06 Jun 18. How Soon Will China’s Dark Sword Stealth Drone Be Airworthy?

A Chinese plane-maker is developing a fast, radar-evading armed drone with many of the same attributes as the U.S. military’s F-22 and F-35 manned stealth fighters. At least, that’s what the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China, if not the Chinese government itself, apparently wants people to believe. It’s possible that the Dark Sword drone, the first official photo of which began circulating online in early June, is little more than a mock-up. In that case, the drone can’t even fly, much less fight. But that doesn’t mean AVIC won’t eventually turn the mock-up—if that’s what it is—into a functional, front-line weapon that could weigh on the balance of power in the Pacific region. The Chinese military-industrial complex has proved it can develop and produce high-end weaponry, including drones, faster than Western officials once anticipated. The Dark Sword’s first public appearance in its full-size form comes in an undated group photo of 18 men and one woman wearing white shirts and dark pants and badges on lanyards. They’re standing in front of the roughly 30-foot-long drone in a hangar or showroom of some sort.

“Looks like a mock-up for a supersonic stealth drone, but an official AVIC mock-up,” Patrick Lin, a professor and drone expert at California Polytechnic State University, told The Daily Beast via email. “Without knowing when this photo was taken, it’d be hard to figure out how far it’s along.”

AVIC did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. (end of excerpt) (Source: defense-aerospace.com/The Daily Beast)

 

07 Jun 18. Shenzhen JTT Releases ‘Foolproof’ Industrial Drone. Shenzhen JTT company announced a new industrial drone “Spider C85” during a conference which was held recently in Shenzhen. More than 200 domestic and foreign industry leaders, customers, guests, agents and media were present. In the conference, several presenters analyzed the industrial drone business in detail, including the intelligent flight controller of drones, the reliable security mechanism and the customer-oriented customization capability, etc.

Apart from the advantage of an industrial drone having a heavy payload, long working time and flight distance, the Spider C85 is portable and easy to operate. Its wheelbase is 85 cm, and maximum payload weight is 2 kg. Its maximum working time also can reach 45 minutes. Moreover, it can carry dual payloads to meet requirements for different missions.

Easy to operate – industrial drones for everybody

Compared with traditional drones, the “Spider C85” is easier to operate. For the traditional drone, it usually requires long-term training, however, the training time of the “Spider C85” operation can be shortened to as little as 10 minutes, which means that one can operate the drone shortly after the user’s training. The director of JTT UAV R&D states that,

“For some non-professional users, we have developed a simple mode in ‘SpiderC85’. When it is enabled, the drone will automatically set the height and distance. No matter where the UAV heads to, the drone will automatically recognize and remember the location of the operator. Also, the ‘Spider C85’ is set with functions such as instant take-off, instant landing, route-planning, navigational flight and so on, which is also user-friendly to non-professional operator.”

Easy to carry – industrial drones in backpacks

The traditional industrial drones are of large sizes, great weight, unfoldable, with their structures difficult to disassemble. All these features demand for a big container storage and bring great troubles in transportation. Because the “Spider C85” can be quickly deployed and folded into a backpack easily, it is quite convenient to carry out outside tasks with the drone.

At the conference site, an operator who has been working in power inspection for many years used the “Spider C85” for a special experiment. Starting with taking out the drone from the backpack, he unfolded the drone and installed the batteries. Then he set the payloads, powered it on and began operating it. When the drone took off, the starting process was over. The whole process only took 25 seconds and surprised the people present.

Powerful functions-Highly Intelligent Design

To ensure high reliability and stability, “Spider C85” has powerful functions and a high degree of intelligence.  The C85 not only supports “easy flight mode”, “intelligent return”,”mobile phone control” and other flight modes, but also supports some functions like”interest point”, “automatic cruise”, “mobile following”, “intelligent obstacle avoidance” and “optical flow positioning” that conforms to complex and diverse industries and application environments.

After the news conference, a JTT member demonstrated the industrial drone “Spider C85” in different circumstances, including security patrol, assisting criminal arresting, mass incident responding, emergency rescue, crowded areas and major traffic roads smart surveillance and other public security applications. Furthermore, JTT Technology also provided a series of solutions to daily routines and particular tasks for the army, police fire control system, electric-power industry and petrochemical industry.

This conference is not only an important step for the overall market strategy of the drone; it also reflects the core technology of JTT UAV in the development of the industrial drone industry.

To solve the bottleneck in application and meet the real needs of users are the dreams to every JTT member, whose aims are to promote the development of drone industry.

With the breakthrough of flight controllers, opto-electronic pods, power systems and other technologies, industrial drones will be more intelligent and simpler to operate, and more convenient to carry. This is the future of the drone industry. (Source: UAS VISION)

 

07 Jun 18. Kittyhawk Raises $5m Funding for Next-Generation Enterprise Drone Solutions. Kittyhawk, the enterprise drone solutions company, announced it raised $5m in funding, bringing the company’s total capital raised to $6.5m. Kittyhawk raised the capital to further its capabilities as a full stack enterprise drone solution to empower a variety of industries already realizing value from commercial drone operations.

Jim Andelman of Bonfire Ventures, a Santa Monica-based seed fund focused on enterprise software, led the round with participation by Boeing HorizonX Ventures and Freestyle Capital;Kluz Ventures’ The Flying Object also participated as a returning investor.

“We were blown away by the quality of Kittyhawk’s enterprise customer base: Fortune 500 companies who themselves are leading the way in enterprise UAS adoption,” said Jim Andelman, Managing Partner at Bonfire Ventures, who will be joining the Kittyhawk Board of Directors. “We were impressed by not only this current level of traction but also by the team’s thoughtfulness about the coming evolution of this industry. With their degree of forethought and vision, we’re confident that Kittyhawk will be well positioned to continue to lead the way. They’re two steps ahead of how we heard everyone else thinking about this space.”

Kittyhawk recognized early on that enterprises were moving drone programs in-house and that piloting a drone would become a skill, rather than a profession. This left enterprises wanting to in-house their drone program with a big dilemma: the wide and ever-changing array of apps, license agreements, support procedures, and data security concerns of having multiple vendors. Designed for commercial drone operations both large and small, Kittyhawk’s enterprise solution unifies the mission, the aircraft, and the data to empower companies to manage in-house commercial drone operations. From one singular platform, enterprises can manage the complexity of operators, aircraft, airspace, data analytics, insights and compliance to maximize safety and ROI.

“Kittyhawk is in the unique position of being central to all of the enterprise stakeholders — from data collectors to data consumers,” said Michael Blades, Senior Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Therefore, their market spans across a multitude of industries and verticals, they go deeper and wider than any other solution currently in the market”.

As a vocal advocate for the commercial drone ecosystem, Kittyhawk champions level playing fields, open standards, and responsible legislation around creating a UAS Traffic Management System (UTM). As the UTM matures, Kittyhawk will continue to work with the FAA, NASA, and Industry Trade Associations, as well as mature its product to further empower commercial customers.

“When paired with the broad portfolio of complementary data service offerings within Boeing, Kittyhawk is poised to help us shape the future of safe autonomous flight,” said Brian Schettler, Managing Director of Boeing HorizonX Ventures. “Boeing’s partnership with Kittyhawk on the FAA Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) program heralds the continued maturation of the commercial drone industry. We are excited to continue to explore new capabilities made possible through foresight, expertise and a focus on holistic solutions that support the safe integration of unmanned systems into the national airspace.”

As enterprises integrate and scale the number of drones in their workflow, they will be searching for ways to increase their oversight. Kittyhawk’s new artificial intelligence-powered feature, Hawkeye, will help fewer people manage a rapidly increasing number of flights, particularly as autonomous operations come to fruition. Kittyhawk will use the same technology that genetic researchers are using to find cures for debilitating diseases and the same technology that search engines are using to surface insights from the entirety of humanity’s knowledge base.

Kittyhawk was founded in March 2015 and is composed of top-tier talent in both the aviation and technology sectors. Since its founding, Kittyhawk has built a team that is dedicated to helping create a safety culture in the commercial drone industry and has a passion for creating delightful experiences via a “product first” methodology. It’s this methodology and culture that has allowed Kittyhawk to outmaneuver competitors and draw the attention of aviation incumbents. (Source: UAS VISION)

 

05 Jun 18. USAF Reaper deployment to Greece is part of deepening US–Greek co-operation. The US Air Force (USAF) has deployed MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Larissa, Greece, the US Embassy tweeted on 31 May. The Reapers, which are unarmed, are from the Air National Guard’s 110th Attack Wing. US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) told Jane’s, “the MQ-9s are deploying to Greece on a temporary basis as they transition to a different location,” but declined to say where they had been based previously or where the new location will be.

USAFE would not give details about the Reapers’ specific missions but said more generally that they “support US foreign policy security objectives and those of our regional partners, including opportunities for joint training. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. carried out a successful exercise for NATO forces, to demonstrate the capabilities of the “Protector USV” against naval swarm threats. The demo included a simulated firing of Spike missiles to neutralize the threat. The exercise took place along the shores of Israel.

In the exercise, a NATO ship spotted a large number of hostile vessels advancing towards it quickly (a swarm attack). The ship reported back to headquarters, which was followed by deployment of Rafael’s Protector USV that identified the threat from a long distance. An order was then given to neutralize one of the threats, and the Protector simulated the firing of a Rafael SPIKE precise, electro-optical missile.

Moshe Elazar, EVP and Head of the Land and Naval Systems Division at Rafael, noted that the demonstration of the Protector’s capabilities to the NATO force further enhances the need to handle the threats emanating from terror and criminal activity that naval forces are facing around the world, including swarm attacks. The demonstration illustrated some of the capabilities that can be applied by the Protector in a wide range of operational scenarios. These capabilities are a significant force multiplier for the naval forces, from the stage of detection, deterrence and, if necessary, neutralization of the threat, as was seen in the demonstration.

In March 2017, Rafael announced it had completed a series of successful tests in which a number of  SPIKE missiles were launched from the Protector and hit simulated enemy targets. This was the first-ever missile firing from an operational, remote-controlled USV.

This new capability allows pin-point attack of land or naval targets, enabling safe vessel operation from, with no risk to the operating force, from a remote command and control room or from aboard other naval platforms.

The Protector has been in use since 2004, allowing its developers and engineers to accumulate vast experience to continue its spiral development.

The test finalized the operational integration process of Protector’s entire suite of mission components to form four mission modules, including force protection and anti-terror, by employing a stabilized weapon station – Mini-Typhoon, a water cannon, non-lethal means, EW systems for protection and escort of naval vessels, Mine Counter-Measures to deal with the spreading threat of mines against sea lines of communication, Toplite electro-optical long-range detection and tracking systems, as well as Rafael’s Spike missiles, all remotely-operated.

The Protector is adaptable to civilian applications, including access to disaster, contamination and radiation zones, seabed mapping, and many other applications.

05 Jun 18. FLIR Launches Next-Generation Black Hornet 3 Nano-UAV

Latest Black Hornet Enables Operation in GPS-Denied Areas. FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) today announced the Black Hornet® 3 nano-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for use by global militaries, government agencies, and first responders. The Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) is already the world’s smallest combat-proven nano-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and FLIR’s next generation Black Hornet 3 nano-UAV adds the ability to navigate in GPS-denied environments, enabling the warfighter to maintain situational awareness, threat detection, and surveillance no matter where the mission takes them.

The Black Hornet PRS has been fielded by over 30 nations over the past seven years and continues to represent the cutting-edge in the combat nano-UAS space, enabling small combat units, SWAT teams, and first responders with immediately available intelligence, target-acquisition, and reconnaissance capability. At 32 grams, the Black Hornet 3 offers the lowest size, weight, and performance for UAS available. Offering improved speed and distance compared to previous versions, the Black Hornet 3 flies 2 kilometers at speeds of over 21 kilometers an hour. The Black Hornet 3 also incorporates sharper imaging processing featuring the FLIR Lepton® thermal microcamera core and a visible sensor to allow greater image fidelity. The design also features an improved encrypted military-approved digital datalink, enabling seamless communications and imagery significantly beyond line-of-sight and in closed areas.

Additionally, the Black Hornet 3 seamlessly integrates into the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) utilized by the military to provide battlefield networks and distribution of information to anyone on the network.

“We are excited to bring this advanced Black Hornet 3 to our warfighters and first responders,” said James Cannon, President and CEO of FLIR. “With longer range and indoor flight capabilities, the latest generation Black Hornet provides full surveillance coverage continuity to the mission. The Black Hornet 3 is representative of FLIR’s new focus on providing full-solution technology, and we look forward to playing a role in helping modernize our military customers.”

Last week, FLIR announced it had been awarded a $2.6m order from the United States Army’s Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program to deliver the Black Hornet in a first batch order. Units delivered for the SBS program, in addition to units recently deployed by the Royal Australian Army and French Armed Forces, will be the Black Hornet 3.

The Black Hornet 3, which includes two UAV sensors, a controller, and display, is sold directly through FLIR and is available today to military, government agencies and law enforcement customers.  The latest Black Hornet will be demonstrated at EUROSATORY 2018 in Paris, France from June 11 to 15 in the FLIR booth #A227. For more information about the Black Hornet 3, visit www.flir.com/blackhornet (U.S.) or www.flir.eu/blackhornet (Europe and Asia).

 

05 Jun 18. Airbus to establish Zephyr flight test centre in Western Australia. Airbus has selected Wyndham Airport in Western Australia to be the primary flight test centre for its Zephyr ‘pseudo-satellite’ unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Government of Western Australia said on 5 June that Airbus is to establish a site for the High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) programme at the site in the remote far north of both the territory and the country.

“The choice of Wyndham [was made] due to the largely unrestricted airspace and reliable weather, together with the strong support provided by the Western Australian Government,” a statement said.

As noted by the office of the Western Australia premier, Mark McGowan, his government has been working with Airbus since February to establish the solar-powered Zephyr at Wyndham Airport, and that in March the territory’s Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia visited Airbus at Farnborough in the UK to be briefed on the company’s proposal and to provide state government support.

A spokesperson for Airbus told Jane’s that the HAPS programme will continue to be headquartered at Farnborough, but that another site was needed for flight trials due to regulatory and weather issues. Airbus will begin flights from the Wyndham facility in the second half of this year. The Zephyr is designed to operate for up to 45 days at a time at altitudes of up to 70,000 ft to remain clear of the weather and commercial air traffic. Potential payloads include an over-the-horizon communications relay for line-of-sight communications and/or a surveillance payload. The latest Zephyr-T (Twin-tail) being developed by Airbus DS increases the wingspan of the baseline aircraft from 25 m to 33m, enabling it to carry as 20kg payload. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

05 Jun 18. US Navy’s new Knifefish MCM UUV completes sea acceptance testing. The US Navy’s new surface mine countermeasure (MCM) unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) system has successfully completed all stages of formal sea acceptance testing (SAT).

The latest UUV system has been named Knifefish and is slated to commence developmental tests and operational assessment evaluations following the successful completion of the SAT programme.

Personnel from General Dynamics Mission Systems carried out the acceptance trials off the coast of Boston, Massachusetts.

The trial programme used US Navy mine test targets and included a wide range of subsea MCM operational scenarios in various simulated mine fields.

General Dynamics Mission Systems vice-president and general manager Carlo Zaffanella said: “The successful sea acceptance tests are the result of strong collaboration and teamwork between the General Dynamics and US Navy Knifefish team.

“These tests prove the Knifefish system can detect, classify and identify undersea mines in high-clutter environments.”

General Dynamics is the prime contractor for the Knifefish programme and has also successfully concluded initial Navy Fleet operator training as part of the transition into the next stage of testing.

The company was responsible for designing the tactical UUV using an open architecture concept, which can be easily upgraded to accommodate a varied range of missions. Knifefish is a medium-class MCM UUV that has been developed based on the General Dynamics Bluefin Robotics Bluefin-21 deepwater autonomous undersea vehicle (AUV). It was primarily developed for deployment from the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs) and other vessels. The unmanned system will help reduce risks for navy personnel by operating in the minefield as an off-board sensor, allowing the host vessel to stay outside of the boundaries of the minefield. (Source: naval-technology.com)

 

05 Jun 18. China to Develop Large Payload Cargo Drone. Engineers at Beihang Unmanned Aircraft System Technology, a part of Beihang University in Beijing, are designing a drone that will be able to fly 1,500 kilometers carrying 1 metric ton of cargo. They plan to finalize their design before year’s end and construct a prototype in 2019 for test flights scheduled to start in 2020. Mass production will begin if test flights are successful, and a drone-based delivery network is expected to take shape around 2025, said Zhang Shuo, chief designer at the Beihang technology company, in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

The yet to be named drone will be so big that if it were to carry people, it easily would hold nine passengers, according to the company.

It will be 11.9 meters long, with a wingspan of 19.6 m, and have a maximum takeoff weight of 3.6 tons. The craft will be powered by two engines and have 16 cubic meters of cargo space.

The company expects to sign a strategic partnership agreement on Thursday with logistics company Cainiao, which is controlled by Chinese e-retailing giant Alibaba Group, to jointly develop and market cargo drones, Zhang said.

“We’re targeting express delivery enterprises as major users of our drone because they are projected to be the largest users of commercial drones. We believe that Chinese couriers will like a powerful craft suitable for cross-province cargo delivery, especially in remote or mountainous regions or islands,” he said.

The Beihang drone will incorporate lots of artificial intelligence, enabling it to not only control itself during entire flights but also autonomously determine and cope with malfunctions, Zhang said. It will cruise at a high speed, 360 km/h, and be able to take off and land on short, rough runways. Typical delivery drones are small models used on a small, experimental scale by a handful of technology-savvy firms like Amazon.com, DHL Express and Chinese online retail giant JD.com.

No other mass-produced civilian drone is as big or powerful as the Beihang model. Several unmanned, solar-powered planes have a longer wingspan but weigh much less and were designed for technological demonstrations. The world’s largest drone is the United States’ Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk, a military surveillance craft that is 14.5 m long and with a wingspan of 39.9 m and a maximum takeoff weight of nearly 15 tons. China has been the world’s largest express service market for four years. Couriers delivered more than 40bn packages in the country in 2017, earning total revenue of nearly 500bn yuan ($78bn), according to the National Bureau of Statistics. (Source: UAS VISION/China Daily)

 

04 Jun 18. Russia’s new Katran UAV to enter trials in mid-2018. Russia unveiled its Katran rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during the Victory Day Parade in May. “The trials of the Katran UAV are scheduled for this summer [mid-2018],” a Russian aerospace industry source told Jane’s.

The Katran is designed for fire support and reconnaissance missions, and carries a photo or TV camera, or a thermal imager. It features a co-axial rotor scheme and can land at unpaved airstrips.

The Katran has a normal take-off weight of 340kg for best performance, but can accommodate a maximum take-off weight of 490kg if necessary. The vehicle carries a 60 kg payload. It is powered by a 115-hp engine, which produces a climb rate of up to 12m/s, a maximum speed of 130 km/h, and an endurance of 4 hours during flights with the normal take-off weight. The Katran has a hover ceiling of 2,000m and a service ceiling of 4,000m. The UAV can be used by ground and naval units. Two Katran UAVs were shown, transported by KAMAZ-65117 multipurpose trucks, during the parade. The trucks were also fitted with two 9M113M Konkurs-M (AT-5B Spandrel-B) and two 9M120 Ataka (AT-9 ‘Spiral-2’) anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). (Source: IHS Jane’s)

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07 Jun 18. Cyber Command Steps Up Recruiting Efforts With Special Hiring Authority. A special authority called Cyber Excepted Service is helping the nation’s newest unified combatant command to streamline and expedite its recruitment and hiring processes.

The CES gives U.S. Cyber Command hiring managers the discretion to hire people directly and make on-the-spot job offers through agile recruitment sourcing outside the traditional confines of the USAJobs platform, Cybercom officials said.

Authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2016, the CES granted the secretary of defense the authority to establish Title 10 civilian cyber workforce to carry out the responsibilities of Cybercom and other organizations within the Defense Department.

This initiative includes Cybercom, Joint Force Headquarters Department of Defense Information Network, the DoD chief information officer for cybersecurity, the Defense Information Systems Agency and the service cyber components. The CES maintains Title 5 provisions such as appeal rights, attained career status, protections, federal benefits, retirement and performance management, officials said.

Under the CES, Cybercom now brings on new hires under the excepted service, or GG, grades, instead of the competitive service, or GS grades. The CES places high value on experience, officials explained, which transcends the typical time-based approach in the competitive service. Promotions in the CES are qualification based with no time-in-grade requirements required for advancement, they added.

First Public Hiring Event

Cyber Command teamed up with the Air Force Personnel Center for the command’s first-ever public hiring event May 8 in Silver Spring, Maryland. Co-hosted by Cybercom and AFPC’s Air Force Civilian Service talent acquisitions team, the event featured on-site resume reviews and interviews, with multiple qualified individuals receiving job offers. More than 400 people attended the event, with 500 more candidates registering online, officials said.

Cybercom hiring managers screened more than 300 resumes, resulting in same-day interviews for 70 people and 18 on-the-spot job offers. Positions hired include those for cyber operations, acquisitions and support. Officials said they expect more offers to come as they review the remaining resumes.

The two organizations followed up at a community job fair here May 23. Cybercom recruiters talked to prospective candidates and collected more than 200 resumes to consider for current and future positions. JFHQ-DoDIN and DISA also recruited at the job fair.

“These were an enormous success for the command and an important milestone as we just elevated to a combatant command on May 4,” said Air Force Col. Bill Norton, Cybercom’s director of manpower and personnel. “This is absolutely huge for the command, as the competition of cyber talent is hypercompetitive.”

More Hiring to Come

Cybercom is far from finished with the CES hiring. Looking forward, the command will be recruiting at the San Antonio CyberTexas Job Fair on Aug. 14, again on Fort Meade on Sept. 12, and in Baltimore at the Cyber Maryland Job Fair on Oct. 9.

“The cyber field is in demand and growing daily,” Norton said, noting that the CES offers a fast-tracked route to join Cybercom and jump into a “dynamic operating environment with unique challenges.”

To register or learn more about hiring events, visit https://www.afciviliancareers.com or email your resume or questions to . (Source: US DoD)

 

07 Jun 18. Saab to fly jamming pod by 2020. Swedish company Saab has said it will begin flight tests for a new jamming pod by the beginning of next decade, as it eyes a growing requirement from several air forces for organic electronic attack capabilities.

The jamming pod, which was first revealed last year as part of a wider electronic warfare package known as Arexis, is currently undergoing sub-system development and will eventually be built into a prototype ready for flight tests.

These flight tests will likely take place on a Gripen C/D aircraft owing to the availability of this type of aircraft to manufacturer Saab. Despite this, the pod will be available for a range of aircraft that are operated across NATO and elsewhere.

‘We see a huge interest in the airborne electronic attack pods,’ said Petter Bedoire, head of marketing and sales for EW at Saab, speaking at EW Europe. ‘In NATO, there is a need for airborne electronic attack…there is a capability gap’

Bedoire added that customer demonstrations will take place once the prototype is ready, which will likely determine how fast the demonstrator will be turned into a qualified product ready for serial production.

Jonas Gronberg, head of product management of Gripen EW at Saab, told Shephard that the company was currently building the sub systems that make up the pod.

‘The maturity of this technology is quite high due to the fact that we have reused several building blocks from the Gripen E, including the [digital radio frequency memory] and AESA technology we already have.’

DRFM works by digitally capturing the signature of the radar-guided threat and then emitting a jamming signal to confuse the incoming missile, usually by giving it a ‘false target’. This is integrated into the Gripen E, rather than being a podded solution.

It is believed the pod’s jamming capability will be optimised for jamming lower frequency radars, including anti-stealth air defence systems that have proliferated in recent years.

Saab could potentially offer the podded product to customers by 2022, although officials added that the challenge for Saab is not the technology, but qualifying the pod shell, as well as internal power and cooling supply, for supersonic flight.

‘That is time consuming,’ said Benoire.

Meanwhile, Saab is on track to begin testing EW systems onboard its new Gripen E this year as part of continuing flight trials for the Swedish fighter.

Testing of the Multi Functional System-EW (MFS-EW), which consists of radar warning receivers and electronic countermeasures, will carry on into 2019 when the first delivery of the Gripen E is planned.

A test programme will likely include radars illuminating the aircraft to test the platform’s radar warning receivers, eventually leading to the aircraft emitting RF energy from its high-powered electronic countermeasure system.

The Gripen E/F’s EW suite utilises several new technologies including ultrawideband digital receivers, gallium nitride, high-powered amplifiers and active electronically scanned array jammers. Electronic protection is provided in the frequency band ranging from 0.5GHz up to 40GHz.

‘We are really taking a technology leap here, we consider this to be the most advanced self-protection system ever installed in a fighter,’ said Bedoire.(Source: Shephard)

 

07 Jun 18. Raytheon and Australia DST agree to pursue advanced EW systems. The Australian Department of Defence and Raytheon have signed an interactive project agreement (IPA) to create advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. The intent is to create an incubator for advanced systems that will enable Raytheon and the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group to continue to refine and add more capabilities in the future and transition those to platforms and products. Australia faces many of the same EW challenges that any US ally faces, Doug Marimon, director of Raytheon Electronic Warfare Systems, told Jane’s from Canberra, Australia. “There are advanced threats, they are extremely sophisticated, and it is the traditional EW cat-and-mouse game where the threat evolves and, the counter measures evolve,” he said. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

07 Jun 18. Thales launches first Defence Cloud offering for armed forces

*Thales is launching a complete, resilient solution that will enable armed forces to stay connected with any device at any time and operate with complete autonomy in the field.

*Thales offers users private access to data in the constrained environment of military infrastructure networks, from central command to forces deployed in theatres of operation.

*This new solution benefits from Thales’s cybersecurity expertise.

At Eurosatory 2018, Thales is launching the first comprehensive private cloud infrastructure solution to improve the operational efficiency of the armed forces. With Nexium Defence Cloud, Thales is at the heart of the digital transformation of its customers and adapting to the specific needs of armed forces operating in constrained environments with stringent security requirements.

In recent years, cloud services have changed the day-to-day lives of businesses and individuals, driving the development of a whole range of applications to address new use cases. Organisations with a real need to share content can now remain connected at all times from any type of terminal or device. The armed forces share the same requirements.

The cloud solutions in use today for civil applications are not appropriate for deployed forces. They require unlimited bandwidth that armed forces do not have in the field. The Thales Defence Cloud is a sovereign solution designed for constrained environments, enabling deployed forces to conduct their missions in total autonomy in the theatre of operations.

Hyperconnectivity on the battlefield promises to drive a technological revolution for armed forces and engender a growth in demand for new capabilities to gather, share and process large volumes of data in real time. As threat environments evolve, armed forces units will be able to respond immediately, and sometimes simultaneously, to any situation that may arise in future conflicts.

With its Defence Cloud offering and related connectivity solutions, Thales proposes a complete solution including secure, end-to-end hosting of data and applications. Users ranging from commanders in the home country to units deployed in theatres of operation can access data in complete privacy in a dedicated environment that takes full benefit of Thales’s cybersecurity expertise.

The Nexium Defence Cloud solution is both comprehensive and modular. An extensive range of configurations is possible to accommodate the requirements of very high-capacity, readily expandable infrastructure networks for HQ all the way down to an all-in-one box that transforms a Forward Operating Bases into new cloud nodes in a matter of hours. This ability to interconnect systems and devices quickly and easily within ad-hoc command structures and organisations boosts mission effectiveness with no trade-off in security.

Equipment and applications can be deployed, configured and updated remotely so that the armed forces can focus on their core missions.

“Thales is bringing to armed forces, its expertise in secure, interoperable information and telecommunication systems, combined with world-class capabilities in the key digital technologies of connectivity and IoT, Big Data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. With Nexium Defence Cloud, Thales is expanding the armed forces’ arsenal with a new digital power that allows them to make decisions quickly and efficiently in real time at each decisive moment,” Marc Darmon, Thales Executive Vice President, Secure Communications and Information Systems.

To find out more about Nexium Defence Cloud new offer, visit the Thales stand at Eurosatory (B500 – outdoor)

 

06 Jun 18. Leonardo DRS Inc., announced today an addition to its popular Vesper family of small, high-performance RF monitoring and detection tuners. The smaller Vesper 3U VPX RF receiver is optimized for U.S. military, intelligence agency, and commercial customers who require a smaller form factor for spectrum monitoring applications.

The 3U VPX RF receiver offers the same high performance as the larger 6U model, and the various size options enable the scalability customers require to support a variety of missions. All channels can be dynamically configured for flexible applications as mission needs change.

The Vesper product line has provided a significant advancement in RF performance for modular, open-system architecture design.  Developed with over 60 years of DRS’s RF expertise, the family of wideband Vesper tuners can be configured with up to a class-leading ten RF channels of receive or transmit capability in a single slot 1-inch pitch 6U VPX module, or five RF channels of receive or transmit capability in a single slot 1-inch pitch 3U VPX module.

“Maintaining high performance in a small form factor and a flexible channel count is what our customers are looking for,” said Tina Hochstetler, director of signal solutions sales and marketing for the Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems line of business. “Our engineering continues to be focused on the need to reduce size, weight, power and performance without compromising the dynamic range required for modern surveillance missions in order to maximize space on ever-smaller platforms,” Hochstetler said.

As a front end to larger system applications, each RF receive or transmit channel can tune from 2 MHz to 6 GHz with 100 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth.  Digital data is timestamped and output via VITA 49 standard for system processing.  Channels within a VPX card or between multiple VPX cards can operate independently or are automatically phase-coherent when tuned to the same frequency, which allows for greater application possibilities.  The low phase noise synthesizers have fast tuning and rapid phase settling.  These features are ideal for geolocation systems performing direction finding or beam forming.

The modular design offers users an advantage over proprietary solutions that hinder upgrades to a system over its lifecycle. “Adherence to modular design approaches for rapid product instantiations, and open standards, was a strong consideration in the design of the Vesper product line. The performance, density, scalability and Open VPX technology greatly simplifies and extends a system’s capability,” said Ian Hill, senior director of signal solutions programs for the Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems line of business.

Built by the signal solutions product line of the DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems line of business, the Vesper systems are a leader in RF design for size, weight, power and performance, and with its high-signal fidelity and low spurious content, users can be confident they are detecting and analyzing genuine signals.

 

04 Jun 18. First UK Type 45 at sea with Shaman CESM fit. Key Points:

  • HMS Defender is the first UK RN Type 45 destroyer to receive the Shaman CESM fit
  • The Shaman CESM is based on the US Navy’s AN/SSQ-130(V) Ship’s Signal Exploitation Equipment Increment F

HMS Defender has become the first UK Royal Navy (RN) Type 45 destroyer to receive the AN/SSQ-130(V) Ship’s Signal Exploitation Equipment (SSEE) Increment F communications electronic support measures (CESM) system. Procured under Project ‘Shaman’ the new CESM capability is described by the RN as “an essential information, surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance tool in the delivery of maritime force protection, security and manoeuvre”. Already in US Navy (USN) service, SSEE Increment F is being acquired under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case with the US government; the equipment is produced by Boeing-owned systems and sensors house ArgonST. Defender returned to sea in April this year after completing an 18-month deep maintenance period at HM Naval Base Portsmouth. While the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation has declined to specifically identify the Shaman fit, it has previously acknowledged that Defender has received “a large number of additions and alterations” including “the fitting of additional and improved sensors”. The June edition of the RN’s semi-official magazine, Navy News, provided further confirmation, noting the installation of new “signals intelligence equipment and electronic surveillance kit” during Defender’s maintenance period. Pictures of Defender taken post-refit clearly show the new antenna fits associated with the SSEE Increment F equipment. These include an AS-4692 VHF/UHF tapered slotted array direction finding/acquisition array fitted on the communications mast, AS-4293A VHF/UHF omnidirectional acquisition arrays fitted fore and aft, and a series of ‘deck edge’ HF antennas mounted on the superstructure port and starboard. (Source: News Now/ IHS Jane’s)

 

05 Jun 18. Leonardo launches new BriteCloud variant. Leonardo has unveiled a new, more powerful, variant of its BriteCloud expendable decoy at EW Europe 2018. The new active decoy, BriteCloud 55-T, is capable of protecting large military transport aircraft, such as C-130 or A400M, from modern radar-guided missiles. Currently in the final stages of development, first deliveries of the 55-T model are scheduled for early 2019 according to Jon McCullagh, head of sales for combat air platforms at Leonardo.

‘We’ve had a lot of interest from customers… who want to provide the same type of protection on a larger aircraft’ he said.

‘It will also provide protection for stand-off assets [such as] ELINT and refuelling platforms that are vulnerable to the anti-access area denial, large systems. So, maybe those operating at the inside of an S-300 or S-400 engagement zone.’

The BriteCloud 55-T can be fired from aircraft with standard 55mm diameter chaff and flare dispensers and is the same size and weight as the original model 55, despite packing more power.

While the first generation decoy provides enough power to protect fighter jets, the 55-T variant utilises new battery technology and gallium nitride to deliver the larger radar return required to protect wide body aircraft.

‘We’ve developed our 55mm format into a more powerful version… it is sufficiently more powerful to cover the increased radar cross section,’ McCullagh said.

‘What we’ve done is we have gone back to the battery manufacturers and we have looked at an improved battery technology that gives us more power… we have also changed our amplifiers, so it’s gallium nitride amplifiers which allow us to run more power through and generate a stronger signal.’

The active decoy contains a mission library which can be programmed with a number of threat systems that, once released, the system uses to match the current signal threat it is detecting and produce the necessary countermeasure. By generating a ‘ghost’ radar signature radar-guided threats, such as surface to air missiles,  are drawn away from the platform.

Deliveries of BriteCloud 55, designed to provide EW protection to fighter jets, have already begun for the RAF’s Tornado GR4. The system is also offered as an EW option on all models of Saab’s Gripen platform.

Also available is the BriteCloud 218, which can be dispensed from fighter jets that use 2x1x8 square format dispensers, such as the F-15 and F-16. (Source: Shephard)

 

05 Jun 18. Frazer-Nash appointed to Morpheus programme. Frazer-Nash Consultancy has been appointed as testing and conformance partner for the next generation tactical communication information system, Morpheus.

Morpheus, which runs tactical intelligence management and communications for the Army and Information Systems and Services (ISS), is the replacement for the Bowman land digitisation product. Currently in development with a transition partner, Morpheus is unique in being the first defence authority-owned open architecture.

Morpheus will deliver improved situational awareness from soldiers to headquarters, increased bandwidth, and a more resilient network, allowing soldiers to get the information they need, when they need it. Its open architecture enables interoperability by design, supporting vendor-independent open procurement – leading to faster capability development and reducing through life costs.

Chris McDonald, who is leading the project for Frazer-Nash, said:

“Open systems architecture is becoming a key user requirement for defence across all platforms and systems. Open approaches reduce through life cost of ownership and enable faster, more agile evolution of capability to meet future needs.

“We are undertaking an assessment of Morpheus’ logical and physical architectures, to ensure the authority’s openness criteria are being met. We are also assessing the logical architecture conformance to confirm that the architecture can be built independently.

“We have already helped identify areas for improvement in the architectures: this has enabled issues to be fixed earlier, avoiding expensive reworking later in the project.”

 

04 Jun 18. Thales, BAE Systems and CGI have announced a strategic teaming agreement that will see the three companies bring together their collective expertise and proven UK industrial capability in Electronic Warfare, in order to respond to the opportunity to partner the UK Ministry of Defence for the second phase of the UK Royal Navy’s Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP). MEWP is a significant UK Ministry of Defence procurement programme that aims to provide upgraded electronic warfare capabilities to the UK Royal Navy. State of the art equipment using cutting edge technology will be delivered in increments and deployed across the Royal Navy. After successfully upgrading the Royal Navy’s electronic warfare sensor capability as part of Maritime Electronic Warfare Surface Ships Block 1, Thales along with BAE Systems and CGI have teamed to address the next increment known as Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC) Increment 1.

The three companies will bring together their collective expertise to partner with the Ministry of Defence in order to deliver the critical components of electronic surveillance sensors, electronic warfare command and control and electronic warfare operational support. The strategic teaming agreement will combine the individual strengths of Thales, BAE Systems and CGI to confidently meet challenging timescales and offer a UK sovereign capability, delivering the most technologically advanced, reliable and cost-effective solution for the Royal Navy.

What will each company offer?

Thales

Building on 20 years of collaboration and innovation with the UK Ministry of Defence in the field of Electronic Warfare, Thales’s solution develops the Royal Navy’s existing investment in technology, equipment, infrastructure, training and operator experience to deliver sovereign Electronic Warfare fleet protection for the UK. With a unique ability to operate in congested and complex modern Electro-Magnetic environments, Thales offers the most technologically advanced Digital Wideband Radar Electronic Surveillance

solution on the market, able to upgrade and rapidly integrate with other industrial providers in order to deliver future capabilities.

Based on operationally proven technology and capability, Thales can confidently deliver long term

Electronic Warfare fleet protection required by the Royal Navy.

Victor Chavez, CEO Thales in the UK stated – “The criticality of providing a cutting edge Electronic Warfare Defence capability to enable fleet wide protection has long been recognised. At Thales, we

have worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence for over two decades to develop world leading technology. I am delighted to announce we are now bringing to the table the collective expertise of BAE Systems and CGI in this field. I believe this partnership will enable us to deliver the best possible Electronic Warfare capability to the Royal Navy.”

BAE Systems

BAE Systems’ Naval Ships Combat Systems team designs, integrates and supports naval combat systems, and is the sole supplier of Combat Management Systems to the UK Royal Navy. Our command and control products are found across the Royal Navy’s fleet, including its Type 23

frigates, Type 45 destroyers and the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

BAE Systems is at the forefront of electronic warfare command and control technology having worked closely with the Royal Navy to develop its existing solutions and supported the Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme through its earlier phases. In response to the challenging requirement of MEWSIC, BAE Systems’ highly skilled combat system engineers will deliver a cost effective, open architecture command and control solution, ensuring the Royal Navy can plan, position and respond to both the current and emerging electronic warfare threat environment.

Richard Williams, Naval Ships Combat Systems Director, BAE Systems, commented – “I am pleased to announce that we are teaming with Thales and CGI to provide the Electronic Warfare Command and Control (EWC2) capability for MEWSIC, a new capability that will enhance the safety of the Royal Navy’s fleet. With more than 30 years of expertise in command and control systems, and as the sole supplier of Combat Management Systems to the Royal Navy’s surface fleet, BAE Systems brings vital

knowledge and experience to this team – the only team that can deliver an electronic warfare capability to time and cost based on current in-service, UK-based capabilities. Along with Thales and CGI we will provide a command and control solution that delivers both assured performance and secure UK operation and shows innovation in our technology and enterprise.”

CGI

For over 40 years, CGI has successfully delivered secure IT solutions across the Ministry of Defence, developing and supporting information services and processes that are common across Electronic Warfare Operational Support communities and also accommodate their individual needs. CGI’s information enabled approach recognises communities of interest through the integration of proven electronic warfare tools from both UK and international partners to provide fast, accurate and timely

data, so that end-users receive actionable intelligence when it is needed.

Neil Timms, VP Space, Defence and Intelligence at CGI in the UK said – “The value of agile and interoperable Electronic Warfare Operational Support (EWOS) has been understood for many years. CGI currently supports the Ministry of Defence in the provision of their EWOS Capability and related systems. I am delighted that we have this opportunity to work with Thales and BAE Systems to provide a world-leading EWOS Capability, as a fully integrated electronic warfare capability to the Royal Navy.”

 

04 Jun 18. What’s the frequency, Putin? 5 questions about Russia’s EW capability. Electronic warfare is the art of the invisible. Or at least, the invisible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the signals sent through it and detected by machines.

Given the reliance of modern war fighting by the United States and its NATO allies on successful mastery of the electromagnetic spectrum, it’s worth taking a close look at exactly what they might encounter in a near-peer adversary. To get that closer look, we asked Samuel Bendett, a research analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, to give us the run-down on Russia’s electronic warfare capabilities.

What unique threat does Russian electronic warfare pose to U.S. and NATO forces in Europe?

Russian EW is a developed, mature technology that has continued to develop after the collapse of the Soviet Union. While U.S. technology may have been superior to the Soviet analogue, Americans basically shelved their EW capacity after the end of the Cold War due to the absence of threat that Moscow used to represent prior to 1991. So over the past several years, Americans were suddenly confronted with their atrophied capability when compared to Russian EW tech and concept of operations. Objectively speaking, the United States can catch up to the current Russian capacity ― but it would take time.

Has that threat changed in the last five years?

Over the past five years, Russians have been testing and evaluating a variety of EW technologies ― those that operate at close range to those that can potentially function at hundreds of kilometers. Russians have also been practicing their operations and techniques, tactics and procedures under possible Western EW attack so that their troops and technologies can learn to function in the absence of technology that has grown ubiquitous on the battlefield, like GPS and GLONASS, the Russian version.

Have we seen any new EW platforms deployed in Russia’s proxy wars, like Syria, Ukraine or elsewhere?

In Ukraine, there have been reports of Leer-3 EW platform ― a UAV-carried cell tower-suppressor delivered via a team of two to three Orlan UAVs. In Syria especially ― where Russian military has tested close to 200 different military technologies ― the Krasuha and Moskva EW systems were sited, along with the aforementioned Leer-3.

In Syria, Russians are laying the foundation for what they call a “layered defense,” where EW systems are paired with the early warning radars and air defense systems like Pantsir-S. It was this layered defense that shot down a swarm of enemy UAVs in January this year and that continued to defend Russian military bases and assets in the country.

Are there any particular EW platforms that observers in the U.S. or NATO should be paying more attention to?

In Syria and in the Black Sea, Russians are collecting vast amounts of signals intelligence from all kinds of Western assets ― from missiles to aircraft to other electronic signatures. This, more than anything, may represent a potential threat to Western technological dominance since Russian EW systems may learn how to counter American/NATO military tech by targeting their very specific electronic signals and signatures. Russians are even saying that some EW systems they will field ― like Bylina ― will feature artificial intelligence capacity based on machine learning. Such learning would come from collecting Western sigint.

Have we seen an developments by NATO countries to counter Russian EW?

On Western countries countering Russian EW: I have seen debates about electromagnetic spectrum and the urgency in the U.S. military to ramp up their technological capacity in EW systems.

What’s also needed is an understanding that Russians are seeking to integrate their EW capabilities across their entire fighting force, and that they are learning how to conduct offensive and defensive EW maneuvers that may negate Western technological dominance in precision-guided munitions and advanced air-, space- and sea-based systems. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

 

31 May 18. Avantix lifts lid on new COMINT pod. French EW systems specialist Avantix has revealed a new communications intelligence (COMINT) pod it is developing for integration on light aircraft and UAVs.

The pod, known as Flashhawk, has been developed to detect, characterise and geolocate telecommunication emitters on the ground as part of ISR missions. Avantix – part of the French IT company Atos – has seen a growing demand from customers for sensors that detect emissions from communication devices, noting that EO/IR sensors alone are now seen as not enough by many image intelligence (IMINT) collectors.

‘Just having an IMINT video camera was not enough for them, they wanted to be able to detect communications and then identify it,’ said Marc Houry, director of product at Avantix.

Houry said the Flashhawk will have a frequency range of 30MHz to 3GHz. ‘What do we find in this spectrum? We find land mobile radio terminals, [Global System for Mobile Communications] and satellite telephones.’

The Firehawk system comprises the COMINT sensor as well as an image intelligence (IMINT) EO/IR sensor, and also an onboard processing unit.

The geolocation data from the COMINT sensor can be fed to the EO/IR turret to aid with identification of detected communications.

The system is capable of giving a GPS coordinate to the enemy position, even if the sensor platform is stationary. This means that Firehawk could be used by manned or unmanned helicopters while hovering.

The ideal operating altitude is expected to be around 2-3,000m (6,500-10,000ft), although its range is undisclosed.

Many aerial ISR platforms often feature ‘antenna farms’ – a series of antennas of varying sizes – to perform COMINT, although the Firehawk differs as it is a compact podded antenna.

‘You don’t have to spread antennas all over the aircraft,’ said Houry. ‘We only have one antenna, it’s a breakthrough technology and there is no such antenna on the market.’

‘For 30MHz you usually have to have a huge antenna, it would be impossible to put them on an aircraft,’ he added. ‘Here we have really been able to miniaturise the antenna and we are able to do 360 degree detection around the aircraft, and we have developed all the processing unit to allow that.’

The company expects to fly the sensor on an aircraft by the end of the year, most likely a Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II twin-turboprop aircraft. That campaign will last through next year and then Firehawk will be available on the market by 2020. Houry told Shephard that a further development of the Firehawk could be for land applications also. Avantix – which also specialises in ELINT and ECM products – will showcase the product at Eurosatory this year to begin customer discussions, although it will not be launched officially according to the company. (Source: Shephard)

 

04 Jun 18. Preparing for radar ‘war modes.’ For pilots and crew, survival in the air is increasingly reliant on the ability to use electronic warfare tactics and technology to avoid and counter the threat posed by today’s complex enemy radars and radar-guided missiles.

Being able to monitor, identify, locate and defeat enemy signals is vital when it comes to operating effectively in complex and congested environments. This is growing in importance as peer threats, including Russia and China, deploy advanced radar-guided missiles that far exceed the range and capabilities of ‘heat-seeking’ missiles.

However, according to Fiona Clark, EW operational capability lead at Leonardo, the enemy threat signals we know and have recorded today are likely to be absent from the battlefield in the event of actual hostilities.

This is due to the use of ‘war modes’, which will change the characteristics of radar systems to mask their origin.

‘It is well accepted that most of the threats we know really well today will have a war-mode so the day you actually go to war… the parameters will be changed,’ Clark told Shephard.

To mitigate the threat of facing enemy anti-aircraft systems and surveillance radar without knowing their identity Leonardo has developed the SAGE and SEER electronic support measure (ESM) systems, which are capable of identifying and locating friendly, enemy and unknown signals.

‘Our SAGE and SEER systems already have the capability to identify signals against a pre-programmed library, or to declare as an unknown [signal] but we have mechanisms to allow the systems to declare that the signal looks like an airborne intercept, for instance,’ she said.

‘It is hugely important in the world of EW because things change all the time and particularly if we get into real engagements during actual conflicts, radars will change mode.’

Leonardo has been at the forefront of developing electronic countermeasure (ECM), ESM systems and defensive aid systems (DAS) for new and legacy platforms, and are generally the favoured solutions for the UK armed forces.

According to Clark there is a clear trend towards acquiring advanced EW suites across a wide range of military platforms.

The RAF’s new fleet of Apache helicopters, for example, will feature Leonardo’s DAS countermeasures and sensors, which will help the platform detect, defend or defeat threats from enemy air defence systems. The RAF will also be deploying the company’s active decoy system, known as BriteCloud, on its Tornado GR4 aircraft.

The decoy is part of Leonardo’s efforts to counter the threat posed by the proliferation of programmable digital radar, capable of automatically changing their characteristics to avoid EW countermeasures.

BriteCloud ‘contains a mission library, programmable with a number of threat systems. When deployed, it searches through to find the library entry that matches the current threat signal and then it will produce the correct countermeasure for that,’ Clark explained.

‘If, while BriteCloud is still active, that threat is defeated, BriteCloud will actually go back and search its library for another threat.  If it finds another one then it will start jamming that… Similarly, if the threat it’s jamming changes mode, BriteCloud can adapt to the new mode’. (Source: Shephard)

 

04 Jun 18. Google to withdraw from Pentagon’s AI contract. Google has decided not to extend its contract with the US Department of Defense (DoD) next year, according to reports.

The company sources said that it will stop continuing the artificial intelligence (AI) work for the Pentagon.

Known as Project Maven, the contract uses AI to interpret video images, in addition to enhancing the targeting of drone strikes, reported The Business Times.

The Washington Post reported that the project, launched in April last year, has been designed to continue for 18 months and will expire in March next year.

Under the project, Google has worked to build machine learning algorithms in order to enable the US Pentagon to improve its surveillance efforts generally.

Several AI researchers from the company are said to believe that Project Maven has been designed as a first step to use the technology in developing advanced lethal weapons.

As a protest against Google’s contract with the US Pentagon, many employees resigned from their job, while 4,000 employees signed a petition against the firm for helping the US military in developing technological tools that might help warfighting.

According to CNN, the petition demanded a policy that would ensure the company, as well as its contractors, will no longer be involved in developing warfare technologies.

Gizmodo said the initial contract between Google and Pentagon was valued between $9m and $15m. (Source: army-technology.com)

 

01 Jun 18. RFP for JEDI cloud contract slips past May deadline.

The timing of the final proposal for the Defense Department’s massive cloud program is slipping from a self-imposed deadline of the end of May.

DOD’s chief spokesperson Dana White told reporters at a briefing May 31 that the department was still working on the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure program’s final request for proposal and that there was “no timeline” on its release.

“We are working on it, but it’s important that we don’t rush towards failure,” White said. “We have a lot more players in it. This is something different from some of our other acquisition programs because we do have a great deal of commercial interest.”

White said the first- and second-draft RFPs generated more than 1,000 responses, and DOD needs time to sift through them.

“I don’t have a timeline on it, but we are moving, and we also want to take in all of the different stakeholders and consider how we move best forward,” she said.

When asked if DOD would be able to make a September deadline for final source selection, White said, “We’re moving forward as quickly as we can to get this right.”

White also said that there’s been no political pressure from the White House to influence the JEDI contract, and it remains a full and open competition. (Source: Defense Systems)

 

31 May 18. GAO: TRANSCOM cloud award should be cancelled. In March REAN Cloud saw its cloud contract with the U.S. Transportation Command go from $950m to $65m. That deal has now gone to zero after the Government Accountability Office said the command improperly applied the rules governing its Other Transaction Authority. The Transportation Command used an OTA to award a contract to REAN through which the company would migrate the command to Amazon Web Services. Oracle then filed a protest, and GAO agreed that the command didn’t comply with statutory preconditions to award a production OTA. GAO has told the Army, which is managing the OTA, to terminate the contract with REAN and use a competitive process.

There also is the option to use an OTA again but the Army must prepare the “appropriate justification required by the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 to award a contract without competition.”

GAO has not released it full decision yet because it still needs to go through a vetting process to remove any proprietary information.

The use of OTAs has grown exponentially in recent years as agencies have looked for ways to more quickly buy innovative technologies, but they generally are used to develop solutions that are not commercially available and bring them into production.

Transportation Command raised eyebrows when it awarded REAN a production OTA for cloud migration services, which are generally commercially available. The scope of the REAN OTA also raised concerns, as it was to be available to any DOD agency looking to buy cloud services. DOD subsequently scaled back the contract and limited it to the U.S. Transportation Command. Government agencies are not legally bound to follow GAO’s recommendations but generally do. When they do not, GAO is required to make a report to Congress. (Source: Defense Systems)

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Spectra Group Plc

 

Spectra has a proven record of accomplishment – with over 15 years of experience in delivering secure communications and cybersecurity solutions for governments around the globe; elite militaries; and private enterprises of all sizes.

 

As a dynamic, agile, security accredited organisation, Spectra can leverage this experience to deliver Cyber Advisory and secure Hosted and Managed Solutions on time, to spec and on budget, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.

 

Spectra’s SlingShot® is a unique low SWaP system that enables in-service U/VHF tactical radios to utilise Inmarsat’s commercial satellite network for BLOS COTM. Including omnidirectional antenna for the man, vehicle, maritime and aviation platforms, the tactical net can broadcast over 1000s miles between forward units and a rear HQ, no matter how or where the deployment. Unlike many BLOS options, SlingShot maintains full COTM (Communications On The Move) capability and low size and weight

 

On 23 November 2017, Spectra Group (UK) Ltd announced that it had recently been listed as a Top 100 Government SME Supplier for 2015-2016 by the UK Crown Commercial Services

 

Spectra’s CEO, Simon Davies, was awarded 2017 BATTLESPACE Businessman of the Year by BATTLESPACE magazine and is a finalist in the inaugural British Ex-Forces In Business Awards in the Innovator Of The Year category.

 

Founded in 2002, the Company is based in Hereford, UK and holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.

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EUROPE

 

06 Jun 18. Saab-Damen team reveal submarine plan. A Saab-Damen team has revealed an initial design of a submarine that it plans to offer to replace the Royal Netherlands Navy’s incumbent Walrus-class fleet. The two companies initially joined forces in 2015 to jointly bid for work in a number of markets, stating at the time that the Dutch tender was of particular interest. Partly derived from Saab Kockums’ A26 submarine, the two companies have designed what they describe as a modular vessel for the Netherlands’ requirement. Saab and Damen representatives say that a modular approach will allow for many Dutch companies to integrate their systems onto the submarine, and subsequently support them throughout the life of the fleet. The team is working alongside a number of Dutch companies and institutions to offer the replacement, which is stressed by the two companies as being of importance to the programme because it will keep investment in country. The design incorporates a launcher for special forces personnel next to the torpedo launcher in the nose of the vessel, allowing them to swim out horizontally eight at a time. This is a new feature for a submarine, the companies claim, as previously special forces were required to leave the vessel vertically, one by one. The 1.5 m-diameter tube will also be wide enough to launch miniature manned or unmanned vessels, they say, and the submarine will be compatible with the Mark 48 torpedo. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

04 Jun 18. Bulgarian 8×8 competition to be launched soon. With the Bulgarian government busily preparing to launch a competitive procurement for new armoured vehicles, aspiring manufacturers showcased their products at the recent HEMUS defence and security exhibition held in Plovdiv. Plans to purchase 150 armoured vehicles – including 90 wheeled IFVs and 60 support vehicles – was approved by the Sofia government on 16 May, which allocated a budget of Bulgarian Lev 1.020bn ($609m). The new armoured vehicles are to be used for equipping three battalion battle groups, which are component units of a mechanised brigade.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of HEMUS, Bulgaria’s minister of defence Krasimir Karakachanov emphasised the political commitment of the ruling coalition to make it happen and expressed his hope to have a contract in place by year-end.

A new Piranha V variant was shown by General Dynamics European Land Systems, sporting the Elbit UT30MK2 unmanned turret.

In turn, Finland’s Patria showcased its AMV equipped with a Rafael Samson Mk II turret with a 30mm gun. It was the only armoured vehicle at the exhibition to take part in live-fire demonstration at Zmeevo shooting range northeast of Plovdiv.

Nexter displayed its VBCI armoured vehicle, equipped with the T40 turret boasting the 40mm CTA gun. In addition, the company showed its Titus IMV.

Turkey’s Otokar also joined the list of contenders showing their hardware with its Arma 8×8 equipped with the Mizrak S turret.

Textron Systems was also present in Plovdiv, showcasing its 4×4 Commando family already in service with the Bulgarian Land Forces, which have an inventory of 17 such vehicles.

The only contender not present at HEMUS was German manufacturer ARTEC with its Boxer model, but it has made two presentations in front of the Bulgarian MoD since the beginning of the year, including a live presentation of the vehicle at the end of April and also agreeing to an in-country demonstration tour in the future.

The next step in the process will be to receive approval from the country’s parliament, which Bulgarian legislation requires for large military procurement projects.

According to Konstantin Popov, chairman of the parliament’s defence committee, a green light for procurement is expected by the end of June, allowing the MoD to begin sending RFPs to interested bidders.

The Bulgarian Land Forces’ requirements for a new wheeled IFV includes an 8×8 configuration, transport of a minimum of seven troops and an armament consisting of at least one 30mm gun and ATGMs.

For the support vehicles, requirements are still under consideration and could be less-expensive 6×6 or 4×6 vehicles.

It is now expected the winning offer will include not only the best pricing conditions but also a large share of production and know-how transfer to Bulgarian industry, as well as in-country final assembly.

General Dynamics European Land Systems and Patria are seen as the front-runners, with Turkey’s proposal seen as politically unacceptable. Both Boxer and VBCI proposals could be prohibitively expensive considering Sofia’s limited procurement budget allocated for this otherwise ambitious programme. (Source: Shephard)

 

04 Jun 18. Turkey Receives Official Invitation for F-35 Delivery. Turkish authorities have received an official invitation to receive the country’s first next-generation F-35 Lightning II jet on June 21, according to the Turkish daily Hürriyet.

“Lockheed Martin would be happy to see you by our side during ‘The Republic of Turkey F-35 Delivery Ceremony’ at Fort Worth on June 21,” said the official invitation letter from Lockheed Martin, the main manufacturer of the aircraft.

The handover of the first warplane will take place after the reception on June 21, the invitation letter added. Turkey’s first F-35A will enter service in November 2019 after the completion of a pilot training program. The other jets will start coming at regular intervals, the report said.

Meanwhile, a U.S. Senate committee recently passed a defense policy bill which included measures to prevent Turkey from purchasing the F-35 jets. It was reported that the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) from Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator Thom Tillis, would remove Turkey from the F-35 program over the country’s detention of U.S. citizen Andrew Brunson, Shaheen’s office said. The bill also cited Turkey’s agreement with Russia to buy S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Daily Sabah)

 

USA

 

08 Jun 18. TRU seeks to continue USAF simulation work. The US Air Force (USAF) is expected to award two significant training system contracts in 2018, one for B-1B Lancer bomber and the other for the C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft training systems. The B-1B Request for Proposal (RFP), which was not made publicly available, was released to industry on 21 May. Responses are due on 5 July and the air force expects to make an award by the end of 2018. Bidders submitted their proposal for the C-17 training system in January 2018 and the air force is expected to make an award in the August–September timeframe. For the past seven years, TRU Simulation and Training, which is part of Textron, has been the prime contractor for the B-1B aircraft training system, managing five weapon systems trainers for the USAF. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. US GAO recommends Congress restrict F-35 Block 4 funding. Key Points:

  • GAO recommends Congress restrict funding for F-35 Block 4 modernisation
  • The office said the Pentagon has not provided a sound business case for this part of the programme

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommends lawmakers restrict funding for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Block 4 modernisation until the Pentagon provides a sound business case for the effort.

The Pentagon plans to spend billions of dollars to modernise the F-35 with new capabilities. GAO, in its annual F-35 report released on 5 June, said the Pentagon is requesting USD278m to begin that process before establishing a sound business case: a baseline cost and schedule estimate.

GAO made two recommendations. One is to direct the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) office to resolve all critical deficiencies before making a full-rate production (FRP) decision, which is due in 2019. The other recommendation is to direct the JPO to identify which steps are needed to ensure the F-35 meets reliability and maintainability requirements before each variant reaches maturity, and update the reliability and maintainability improvement programme with these steps.

The F-35 programme will defer action on some deficiencies found during the developmental testing until after entering FRP, which could add to additional programme costs. The Pentagon categorises deficiencies in two categories: Category 1 deficiencies are those that could jeopardise safety, security, or another critical requirement; and Category 2 deficiencies are those that could impede or constrain successful mission accomplishment.

GAO said that the JPO in early 2017 determined that not all open deficiencies found in developmental testing could be resolved within the cost and schedule of the developmental contract. Accordingly, the programme office and military services reviewed all open deficiencies and determined that about 30% of them needed to be resolved before completing development. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

07 Jun 18. GAO slams USN shipbuilding performance. In a recent report that sums up previous findings from other reports over the past decade, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) blasted the shipbuilding performance of the US Navy (USN) for most of its major vessel programmes during that time.

“The navy set a goal in 2007 for a fleet of 330 ships,” the GAO notes in its report, ‘Navy Shipbuilding Past Performance Provides Valuable Lessons for Future Investments’, released on 6 June.

Since then, the GAO said, the navy has done the following: fallen 50 ships short; gone USD11bn over budget; experienced many years of schedule delays; and delivered ships with less capability and lower quality than expected. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

01 Jun 18. RFP for JEDI cloud contract slips past May deadline.

The timing of the final proposal for the Defense Department’s massive cloud program is slipping from a self-imposed deadline of the end of May.

DOD’s chief spokesperson Dana White told reporters at a briefing May 31 that the department was still working on the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure program’s final request for proposal and that there was “no timeline” on its release.

“We are working on it, but it’s important that we don’t rush towards failure,” White said. “We have a lot more players in it. This is something different from some of our other acquisition programs because we do have a great deal of commercial interest.”

White said the first- and second-draft RFPs generated more than 1,000 responses, and DOD needs time to sift through them.

“I don’t have a timeline on it, but we are moving, and we also want to take in all of the different stakeholders and consider how we move best forward,” she said.

When asked if DOD would be able to make a September deadline for final source selection, White said, “We’re moving forward as quickly as we can to get this right.”

White also said that there’s been no political pressure from the White House to influence the JEDI contract, and it remains a full and open competition. (Source: Defense Systems)

 

REST OF THE WORLD

 

07 Jun 18. India approves acquisition of hovercraft for coastguard, army. Key Points:

  • India has approved plans to acquire hovercraft for the country’s coastguard, army
  • Vehicles will improve the respective service’s operational capabilities in shallow waters and riverine environments

New Delhi has approved acquisition requests for ‘air cushion vehicles’ (ACVs) for the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Army. The approval has been granted by the defence acquisition council (DAC), the country’s Ministry of Defence announced on 7 June. The DAC is chaired by India’s Minister of Defence, Nirmala Sitharaman.

“These vessels would offer great advantage over conventional boats [and] crafts with their ability to travel at very high speeds over shallow water, sand banks, mud flats, and swamps which are non-navigable by [the smaller vessels] due to draught restrictions [and] uncharted depths,” said the defence ministry in a statement.

(Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

07 Jun 18. Taiwan welcomes potential US policy shift in military sales. Taiwan has welcomed a potential shift in policy by the United States government to facilitate military sales to the country on a case-by-case basis as opposed to the current approach of ‘bundling’ several defence deals together.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) in Taipei said in comments reported by the state-owned Central News Agency on 5 June that any US transition to approving Foreign Military Sales (FMS) requests separately would improve its ability to plan and budget military modernisation requirements.

The MND made the comments in response to a US government official’s comments to Reuters recently that Washington aimed to change the way it approaches military sales requests from Taiwan and address them on a case-by-case basis as opposed to packaging them together.

(Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. Australia to engage local industry experts in defence export markets. The Australian Defence Export Office (DEO) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with government agency Austrade to engage local industry experts in major export markets.

The MoU is an initial step taken by the partners to ensure the delivery of increased export support for defence businesses in the country.

Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said that the current agreement will capitalise on whole-of-government expertise and knowledge of foreign markets to help support the country’s defence industry to access greater export opportunities.

Pyne said: “Cooperation between Austrade and the DEO is one of a range of initiatives being delivered under the Defence Export Strategy, to drive a more competitive defence industry to support Australian Defence Force (ADF) capability.

“A strong, internationally competitive and sustainable defence industry is key to meeting Australia’s current and future defence capability needs.”

Australian Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo said that local industry experts will work closely with the DEO in order to provide advice and support for Australian defence businesses using Austrade’s international networks to assist in navigating foreign markets.

Ciobo said: “The MoU is another step in supporting the Defence Export Strategy and employing industry experts across several overseas Austrade offices will assist exporters in navigating foreign markets to grow their business.

“Growing the defence export sector will boost the Australian economy and build upon the Turnbull Coalition Government‘s strong record of job creation.”

Under the MoU, the two parties will work together to support targeted multi-year campaigns and provide integrated support for defence exporters. (Source: army-technology.com)

 

06 Jun 18. South Korea strengthens import substitution measures. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has introduced new guidelines to support its drive to promote the localised production of defence components, systems, and subsystems.

DAPA said on 6 June that the new policy consolidates and updates several previously announced initiatives to promote domestic defence manufacturing.

It added that the new ‘guidelines for the localisation of components in defence manufacturing’ are necessary to help reduce reliance on imports, bypass foreign export controls, reduce costs, and ensure supply of defence items to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.

DAPA said the new rules simplify previous requirements, such as the method to calculate and define localisation; outline new measures to support the development of local components; and introduce new initiatives to ensure that local products perform better than imported items. These measures, said DAPA, are intended to “more efficiently localise imported parts used in weapon systems”.

The procurement agency added that the new guidelines are positioned to provide assistance to particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are bidding for subcontracting deals on major platform production programmes. DAPA said it hopes the new rules will help SMEs increase their involvement in the defence sector.

Kim Il-dong, head of DAPA’s defence promotion bureau, said, “The localisation of weapon system components will have a positive impact on the Korean economy by increasing the production rate, easing the procurement of parts, saving budget, and creating jobs.” He added, “We will continue to explore methods to expand the defence industry by promoting the localisation of parts and components.” (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

05 Jun 18. Australian Defence contractor accused of poor performance. The company charged with delivering project AIR 5431 Phase 1 Deployable Defence Air Traffic Management and Control System has been lashed at the most recent round of Senate estimates.

Indra Australia, which was awarded the $50m project in 2014, was singled out by Deputy Secretary of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) Kim Gillis while under questioning about the project from Labor senator Alex Gallacher.

“This is just, I would say, poor contractor performance, and it’s as simple as that,” Gillis said.

“I think the company involved has over-promised and under-delivered.”

The project was placed on the Defence’s projects of concern list in August last year.

“AIR 5431 Phase 1 was awarded to Indra Australia in 2014 to deliver a mix of mobile and transportable air traffic control radars and supporting equipment to allow Defence to control and monitor air traffic while deployed on operations,” Minister for Defence Marise Payne and Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne said in a joint press release last year.

“The project has experienced schedule delays since approval, and initial delivery is expected almost two years later than originally planned.”

The head of CASG also told estimates the project, which is running two years late, is likely to be a year late against final material release and is being taken “very seriously” by Defence because of its importance to the RAAF’s capability.

“The project is currently two years late against the initial material release and, we expect, one year late against final material release,” he explained. “We have only expended approximately 20 per cent of the contract and we put this onto a project of concern in August 2017. So again, with a very small number of projects of concern, this is one which we take very, very seriously because of its effect on Air Force capability.”

Gillis also confirmed Defence and Indra will be meeting this month or next with both ministers Payne and Pyne expected to attend. (Source: Defence Connect)

 

04 Jun 18. Rwanda looking at Russian air defence. Rwanda is interested in acquiring Russian air defence systems, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during a visit to Kigali on 3 June.

“The Rwandan security forces, army, and law-enforcement agencies operate our helicopters. There are also Ural vehicles used by the army and the security service, and a whole bunch of small arms. Now the deliveries of air defence systems are being discussed,” Lavrov announced during a press briefing. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

03 Jun 18. Indonesia’s PTDI signs export finance deal. Indonesian aerospace firm PT Dirgantara (PTDI) has signed an agreement with the government’s Export Financing Agency to receive funding in support of international military sales. The agreement – announced 1 June – is worth IDR354bn (USD25.5m) and will be focused on supporting PTDI’s exports of CN235 transport aircraft. PTDI produces the CN235 under a long-standing licensing agreement with Airbus. PTDI said the funding is available for one year and will be channelled into campaigns to export the aircraft to Nepal and Senegal. PTDI also indicated that additional funds would be available at a later date to support CN235 exports to other countries in targets markets such as Southeast Asia and Africa. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

04 Jun 18. Australian Industry alliance calls for more SME involvement in major projects. West Australian defence industry body, the Henderson Alliance, has called on the government to safeguard the involvement of small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ahead of the upcoming SEA 5000 Future Frigates announcement.

Henderson Alliance chairman Rohan Green said the $35bn project is a keystone project for developing Australia’s defence industry capabilities.

“The very basis of our alliance’s existence is the belief that SMEs are critical to overall industry success and we offer primes significant delivery and risk management benefits,” said Green.

“As SMEs we are prepared to invest in developing our business capabilities, train and retain quality staff and develop new execution processes and technologies – while continually introducing smarter productivity and reducing schedule and cost risks.

“SMEs provide 70 per cent of Australia’s non-government employment but job growth in small business has been horizontal for years while the top end of town has boomed – so now is a true opportunity to stimulate the SME sector.”

While the alliance is complimentary of the commitments Australian SMEs have seen from all three SEA 5000 contenders – BAE Systems, Fincantieri and Navantia – there are concerns throughout the industry the supply chains of the primes will back out of these arrangements.

“Here is the chance for Australia to ensure the economic benefits of the new defence industry maximise sustainable job creation at the grass-roots level – SME jobs are real jobs as they support families, careers and communities,” Green said.

“We have been buoyed by the excellent local content commitments of the three primes but remain cautious they may be diluted if European supply chain providers speciously claim that prospective Australian partners are not quite ready.

“We know that the current minister won’t let this happen on his watch but given the acquisition works will go on for another decade or more, we feel there should be reserve enforcement powers for future ministers to fall back upon in the last resort.”

The Henderson Alliance is calling for the Australian industry content (AIC) plan to be included in the main contract and regularly scrutinised.

“We believe the AIC Plan needs to be locked into the head contract and subjected to transparent ongoing scrutiny – with either a financial penalty or performance guarantee in the distant background to hopefully never be called upon,” Green said.

“If this approach had been in place during the WA resources construction boom, the local economic outcomes would have been significantly higher.”

A decision on the SEA 5000 project is expected before the end of June. BAE Systems has offered the Global Combat Ship-Australia, a variant of the UK Navy’s Type 26 vessel, Fincantieri has put forward its FREMM design while Navantia has tendered the F-5000. (Source: Defence Connect)

 

04 Jun 18. It could be another two years before India picks the winner of the world’s biggest fighter jet order, according to a senior Boeing Co. executive. Boeing is well placed in the race to supply the Indian Air Force with 110 fighter jets, Gene Cunningham, Boeing vice president of global defence sales, told Bloomberg News on Sunday on the sidelines of a security forum in Singapore. The company is a finalist in a separate competition to supply the Indian navy with 57 fighter jets.

“We have gotten to know Indian industry, understand the Indian process,” Cunningham said.

The tender for 110 fighter jets mandates building at least 85% of the order locally. The deal is likely to be at least $15bn.

Boeing said in April that it would partner with state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. and Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd to manufacture the F/A-18 Super Hornet in India at a new facility, which can also be used for other requirements. Other companies in the running include Lockheed Martin Corp., Saab AB and BAE Systems Plc.

“We’ll throw our hat into the ring,” Alan Garwood, BAE’s director for group business development, said in an interview on Sunday. “We’ve seen the requirement and we’ve said we’ll put some sort of tender in.”

The British defence and aerospace company makes the twin-engine Eurofighter Typhoon jet. Garwood said BAE had been making aircraft in India for 70 years, a key advantage given Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s requirement that the new jets be made in India.

“We have good relationships with industry and government there,” Garwood said.

Getting new aircraft is crucial for Modi as the South Asian nation faces increased risks from neighbouring Pakistan and China at a time when the Russian MiG fighters—India’s mainstay—are being phased out. The defence manufacturing industry is a key part of Modi’s “Make in India” policy, which aims to promote domestic manufacturing.

Canceled Order

After scrapping an order with Dassault Aviation SA for 126 Rafale jets worth $11bn in 2015, a process that took nearly a decade, Modi’s administration bought 36 jets separately to speed up the process. Under the new tender, the winner will have to deliver the first jet within three years of securing the contract.

India had previously said that it was looking to replace its current fleet of combat aircraft with a single-engine jet, but subsequently announced that it would also consider twin-engine aircraft such as Boeing’s twin-engine F/A-18 Super Hornet.

Boeing’s Cunningham said the change in direction meant that the timing of the Indian Air Force process was now about 12 months later than the Indian Navy.

“Certainly today, the Indian Navy timeline will conclude sooner than the Indian Air Force,” Cunningham said. “They would appear to us to be sequential, but I’m not assuming that they’re related.” (Source: Google//www.livemint.com)

 

03 Jun 18. 200 Kamov Military Choppers to Boost India’s Defence Arsenal; Govt to Seal Deal by October. The government is all set to conclude a multi-billion dollar deal by October to procure 200 Kamov Ka-226T attack helicopters through a joint venture between Russian Helicopters and state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

Official sources said almost all the ground work to finalise the mega project has been completed as the government is eyeing to seal it within the next four months.

An inter-governmental agreement between India and Russia was signed for the project during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow in December 2015.

In October 2016, India and Russia had finalised a broad agreement to set up the joint venture (JV) between HAL and Russian Helicopters which will co-produce the choppers. India is procuring the choppers to replace its ageing Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.

Last month, the defence ministry issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Indo-Russian venture for the project.

Officials said the HAL-RH joint venture will send a detailed response to the RFP by end of August and the final deal is set to be signed in October. They said the government has already approved the technical configuration for the twin-engine multi-role helicopter which is known for its superior manoeuvring capabilities in mountainous areas.

The defence ministry has already approved the payment for setting up of the JV. A site in the vicinity of Tumkur near Bengaluru has been identified for setting up the facility to produce the choppers.

The Kamov helicopters will be supplied to the Indian Air Force and the Army. Both these forces have been pressing for early conclusion of the deal so that they could replace their ageing fleet of existing choppers within next three to four years. According to the 2015 agreement, 60 Kamov-226T helicopters will be supplied to India in fly-away condition, while 140 will be manufactured in India. Russia had agreed to ensure transfer of technologies to India as part of the pact. Russia has been one of India’s key suppliers of arms and ammunition for decades. (Source: Google/www.latestly.com)

 

01 Jun 18. South Korea to reboot training helicopter acquisition. The South Korean military’s long-sought purchase of training helicopters has been ruptured due to price issues, prompting the arms procurement agency to prepare a rebidding process for the aircraft acquisition project code-named TH-X. Bell (formerly Bell Helicopter) and Leonardo Helicopters were competing for the $155m project to procure 41 training helicopters both for the South Korean Army and the Navy, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, or DAPA.

“The TH-X selection, originally due late last year, has been delayed, and a bidder failed to meet some of the TH-X requirements,” DAPA spokesman Kang Hwan-seok said. “As the TH-X acquisition is a competition basis, we’re scheduled to proceed with a rebidding soon.”

Multiple industry sources said the TH-X negotiations broke down mainly because of cost concerns.

“Bidding price was an issue, but there are some other reasons, too,” Kang said, adding his agency would issue a request for proposals again between June and July. He declined to elaborate further.

The South Korean military has sought to introduce new training helicopters to replace the older fleet of MD 500s, which have been operational for more than 30 years. The DAPA issued an RFP for the TH-X in November 2015. Bell offered its new 505 Jet Ranger light helicopter, which successfully completed its first flight in November 2014, while Leonardo suggested its SW-4 light single-engine multirole helicopter produced its Polish subsidiary PZL Swidnik. Both companies are expected to participate in the TH-X retender, according to DAPA officials. (Source: Defense News)

 

01 Jun 18. Armatec Partners with Nortrax for Canada’s CHER programme. Armatec Survivability Corp has partnered with John Deere subsidiary Nortrax on the Common Heavy Equipment Requirement (CHER) contract for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), representatives from the two companies told Jane’s on 30 May. Worth up to CAD 1.5bn (USD 1.16bn), CHER seeks to replace the CAF’s fleet of heavy support equipment with a range of 638 COTS and militarised loading and construction vehicles including dozers, loaders, graders, excavators, compactors, cranes, and forklifts, as well as trailers and armour packages. Combat tasks will include the dismantling or building of obstacles, camps and defensive positions, as well as cargo loading and unloading. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

01 Jun 18. Indian Navy issues RFIs for unmanned surface, underwater vessels. The Indian Navy has issued two separate requests for information (RFIs) for unmanned underwater and surface vessels.

The RFI for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) indicate a requirement for 12 vehicles with replaceable mission modules and a simulator that can assist in training for a variety of roles, including mine countermeasures (MCM) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. Each vehicle should be no longer than 12m. Meanwhile, the RFI for submerged systems calls for eight high endurance autonomous underwater vehicles (HEAUVs) of modular design with dedicated mission modules for operations that also include MCM, ASW, and oceanographic data collection, and one simulator. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

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American Panel Corporation

 

American Panel Corporation (APC) since 1998, specializes in display products installed in defence land systems, as well as military and commercial aerospace platforms, having delivered well over 100,000 displays worldwide. Military aviators worldwide operate their aircraft and perform their missions using APC displays, including F-22, F-18, F-16, F-15, Euro-fighter Typhoon, Mirage 2000, C-130, C-17, P-3, S-3, U-2, AH-64 Apache Helicopter, V-22 tilt-rotor, as well as numerous other military and commercial aviation aircraft including Boeing 717 – 787 aircraft and several Airbus aircraft. APC panels are found in nearly every tactical aircraft in the US and around the world.

APC manufactures the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Large Area Display (LAD) display (20 inch by 8 inch) with dual pixel fields, power and video interfaces to provide complete display redundancy. At DSEI 2017 we are exhibiting the LAD with a more advanced design, dual display on single substrate with redundant characteristics and a bespoke  purpose 8 inch by 6 inch armoured vehicle display.

In order to fully meet the demanding environmental and optical requirements without sacrificing critical tradeoffs in performance, APC designs, develops and manufactures these highly specialized displays in multiple sizes and configurations, controlling all AMLCD optical panel, mechanical and electrical design aspects. APC provides both ITAR and non-ITAR displays across the globe to OEM Prime and tiered vetronics and avionics integrators.

————————————————————————-CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF

 

UNITED KINGDOM

 

AIR

 

07 Jun 18. United Kingdom-Lisburn: Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance – 2018/S 107-244466. Contract award notice. Directive 2014/24/EU

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)Name and addresses

Ministry of Defence, C and C, Other

Army Commercial Proc Team NI, Rm G6, Bldg 114, Thiepval Barracks

Lisburn

SP11 8HT

United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 2892266653

E-mail: 

NUTS code: UKK1

Internet address(es):

Main address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence

II.1.7)Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: 2 639 000.00 GBP

II.2.4)Description of the procurement:

The Provision of Close Air Support and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Emulation for Training Branch, HQ Field Army.

The general scope of the contract requires a contractor who is able to emulate UK and other Nations’ CAS and ISR platforms, aircrew tactics and procedures for Training Branch training events in the UK and Kenya.

Description of options:

2 x 1 year extension options

V.2.3)Name and address of the contractor

3XL Avation Limited

The Tiger House, Sywell Aerodrome

Sywell

NN6 0BN

United Kingdom

NUTS code: UKF25

The contractor is an SME: yes

VI.4.1)Review body

Ministry of Defence, C and C, Other

Army Commercial Proc Team NI, Rm G6, Bldg 114, Thiepval Barracks

Lisburn

United Kingdom

VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:

06/06/2018

(Source: Tenders Electronic Daily)

 

EUROPE

 

LAND

 

05 Jun 18. Saab has received an order from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) for deliveries of Carl-Gustaf® ammunition. The order value amounts to SEK 110m and deliveries will take place in 2018.  The order comes under the terms of Saab’s framework agreement signed with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency in 2017 regarding Carl-Gustaf ammunition. The framework agreement enables the customer to place orders for live and training ammunition rounds during the period 2017-2022. The ammunition will be used by the Norwegian Armed Forces, currently operating the Carl-Gustaf in both M2 and M3 versions.

 

SEA

 

06 Jun 18. Kongsberg Maritime has been awarded a contract by Finnish Defence Forces (FDF) to deliver ST2400 VDS (Variable Depth Sonar) upgrade to the SQ2000MLU program for the Hamina-Class Corvettes fleet. The ST2400 VDS is designed to provide accurate and highly reliable performance for detecting submarines, mines and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles in Littoral waters. The ST2400 VDS upgrade will enable the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on all four Hamina-Class Corvettes operating in the Baltics. The ST2400 VDS is a medium-frequency sonar designed with an emphasis on performance and operation in shallow waters. It features a compact design, weighing under 3 tonnes and can be rapidly deployed for high speed manoeuvring in addition to full stop (dipping mode). The unique ST2400 VDS is a compact package with Omni-directional coverage and performance that can overcome challenging acoustic environments while not limiting the vessels manoeuvrability. (Source: ASD Network)

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

04 Jun 18. Thales to provide Laser Beam Transportation System of the world’s most powerful laser. Thales joined the Extreme Light Infrastructure for Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) programme in 2013 to develop the High Power Laser System (HPLS), the most powerful laser system in its field worldwide. Under this first contract, Thales is providing the National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH) in Romania with a laser system delivering 2×10 PetaWatt (20 million billion Watt) of power — more than any other laser system to date. This laser will support research in nuclear physics and help advance human understanding of the physics of matter. Thales has won the €19.8m contract for the Laser Beam Transportation System in partnership with SEIV and Alsyom, subsidiaries of the Alcen Group based in the Nouvelle Aquitaine region in France. Thales has been developing the world’s most powerful laser on the ELI-NP European research programme since 2013.

 

USA

 

LAND

 

01 Jun 18. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Chantilly, Virginia, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $866,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple contract line item contract for the sustainment and modification of radar sensors, providing depot-level sustainment services and modification projects for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning systems and PAVE Phased Array Warning system radars, and the Parameter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization system. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and other locations, and is expected to be complete by May 31, 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, and three offers were received. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, is the contracting activity (FA8723-18-D-0001). (Source: defense-aerospace.com)

 

07 Jun 18. Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $51,059,230 modification (0011 13) to contract W56HZV-09-D-0159 for procurement of Family of Medium Tactical Vehicle variants based on the current A1P2 technical data package which includes the long term armored strategy design on the vehicles. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 25, 2019. Fiscal 2018 other procurement (Army) funds in the amount of $51,059,230 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity.

 

SEA

 

06 Jun 18. BAE Systems has received a $36.6m contract from the U.S. Navy to modernize the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67). The Cole will undergo one year of extensive work at the company’s shipyard in Norfolk, Virginia, the ship’s homeport. The contract includes options that, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $96.7m. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

 

06 Jun 18. BAE to Provide Additional Payload Tubes for New Virginia-Class Subs. BAE Systems has received a contract to produce payload tubes for two of the U.S. Navy’s new Virginia-class (SSN 774) submarines to support increased firepower on the Block V version of the attack subs. Under the contract with General Dynamics Electric Boat, a builder of the Virginia class, BAE Systems will deliver two sets, each consisting of four tubes, for the Virginia Payload Modules on the SSN 804 and SSN 805. The Virginia Payload Module (VPM) extends the length of the Block V submarines over previous versions of the Virginia-class by adding an additional mid-body section to create more payload space for greater firepower. Each large-diameter payload tube can store and launch up to seven Tomahawk cruise missiles. The VPM offers exceptional flexibility as well for the integration of future payload types, such as unmanned systems or next-generation weapons. (Source: ASD Network)

 

08 Jun 18. US Coast Guard awards Insitu contract for SUAS on National Security Cutters. Key Points:

  • The USCG awarded Insitu a contract to procure SUASs on NSCs
  • The company will begin providing new sensor packages under the contract

The US Coast Guard (USCG) on 6 June awarded Insitu, a division of Boeing, a contract potentially worth USD117m to procure the company’s ScanEagle vehicle under the agency’s small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) capability for National Security Cutters (NSCs). The service contract covers installation and deployment of ScanEagle for roughly 200 hours per 30-day operational patrol period. Installations of the ScanEagle capability on NSCs are planned at a rate of roughly two per year. The contract includes seven option years, according to an agency statement. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. QinetiQ to support EMALS and AAG for US Navy aircraft carrier. QinetiQ Group’s North American subsidiary has been contracted to support the delivery of control hardware and software for the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) of a new aircraft carrier for the US Navy. The contract was originally awarded by General Atomics in September last year. QinetiQ North America is expected to deliver the EMALS and AAG solutions for integration on-board the US Navy’s third Ford-class aircraft carrier, the future USS Enterprise (CVN 80), under the arrangement. The scope of the deal also involves a multi-year production task to update, procure, assemble and test the contracted launch control and arresting control hardware. (Source: naval-technology.com)

 

AIR

 

03 Jun 18. The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded Draken International a five-year USD280m contract to provide continued contractor-based ‘Red Air’ training. The indefinite-quantity contract for adversary air aggressor services awarded on 1 June will continue to support the company’s provision of contractor-owned contractor-operated (COCO) “tactically-relevant aircraft” for air-to-air tracking, targeting, and adversary air (ADAIR) operations. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

06 Jun 18. Harris Corp., Palm Bay, Florida, is awarded $9,487,610 for modification P00023 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-14-C-0063) to exercise an option for the procurement of 35 Lot 18 digital map computers (DMCs) for H-1; 93 DMCs for Navy supply; 24 digital video map computers (DVMCs) for F/A-18 variants; 30 DVMCs for the government of Kuwait; 24 extension housings for F/A-18 variants; and 26 extension housings for the government of Kuwait in support of the Air Combat Electronics program office.  Work will be performed in Malabar, Florida, and is expected to be completed in March 2020.  Fiscal 2016, 2017 and 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy); and foreign military sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $9,487,610 will be obligated at time of award, $92,380 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This effort combines purchases for the Navy ($7,451,484; 79 percent); and FMS ($2,036,126; 21 percent).  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

 

06 Jun 18. The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $928mi contract April 18 to develop a new missile that will travel more than five times faster than the speed of sound to overcome enemy defenses. Under the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, Lockheed Martin will develop the Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon (HCSW), a new air-launched weapon system. The company is working closely with the Air Force to finalize system requirements under the contract’s initial task order. This is the first phase of a development program, with future phases progressing through design, flight test, initial production and deployment of the weapon system at early operational capability. The contract ceiling through early operational capability is $928m.

 

07 Jun 18. Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $44,823,411 cost-only modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-17-C-5409) for procurement of long-lead material in support of fiscal 2017 Standard Missile-6 full-rate production requirements and spares.  Work will be performed in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (33 percent); Dallas, Texas (9 percent); San Jose, California (8 percent); Warrington, Pennsylvania (5 percent); Costa Mesa, California (5 percent); Minneapolis, Minnesota (4 percent); Orangeburg, New York (4 percent); Torrance, California (3 percent); Dublin, California (3 percent); Blacksburg, Virginia (2 percent); Santa Fe Springs, California (2 percent); Berryville, Arkansas (2 percent); Anaheim, California (2 percent); Moorpark, California (2 percent); Sumner, Washington (1 percent); Cheshire, Connecticut (1 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (1 percent); Verdi, Nevada (1 percent); Bedford, New Hampshire (1 percent); El Segundo, California (1 percent); Joplin, Missouri (1 percent); Chicago, Illinois (1 percent); Brookfield, Connecticut (1 percent); Lancaster, Pennsylvania (1 percent); Tucson, Arizona (1 percent); Kalispell, Montana (1 percent); Anniston, Alabama (1 percent); Lombard, Illinois (1 percent); and various places below one percent (2 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2020. Fiscal 2017 weapons procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $44,081,780 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity.

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

01 Jun 18. DLT Solutions LLC, Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $379,309,544 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract, resulting from solicitation N00189-18-R-Q012 that will include terms and conditions for the placement of firm-fixed-price delivery orders allowing the department of the Navy to purchase licenses and technical support for Oracle software programs.  The contract will include a 60-month ordering period, with no option periods. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia, and the ordering period of the contract is expected to be completed by May 2023. At time of award, the first delivery order will be issued in the amount of $55,699,999 to fund the contract’s minimum amount; the funding will be fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) appropriations in the amount of $47,135,922; and fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Marine Corps) appropriations in the amount of $8,564,077, both of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This is a brand name action, processed pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, for Oracle software products and technical support. The requirement was solicited electronically through the Federal Business Opportunities website, and the solicitation limited competition to Oracle’s Government Resell Programs Group and members of the Oracle Partner Network at the gold level or higher, which includes over 100 companies. Five proposals were received. The award decision was made on a lowest-price/technically-acceptable basis. While the requirement was not competitively procured, competition was sought to the maximum extent practicable. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Contracting Department, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00189-18-D-Q001) Awarded May 31, 2018.

 

06 Jun 18. The Raytheon Co., Tewksbury Massachusetts, is being awarded $9,467,121 for cost-plus-fixed-fee modification P00018 to task order 0004 under previously awarded contract N00014-09-D-0696 for the Flexible Distributed Array Radar effort (FlexDAR).  FlexDAR will demonstrate new capabilities provided by the implementation of every-element digital beamforming combined with network coordination and precise time synchronization.  These capabilities will allow multiple input, multiple output operation, providing expected benefits in target detection and tracking as well as electronic protection.  Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and work is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2019.  Fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $7,142,933 will be obligated at the time of award.  No funds will expire at end of current fiscal year.  Task order 0004 was competitively procured under solicitation N00014-13-R-0003 entitled, Flexible Distributed Array Radar.  The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

 

REST OF THE WORLD

 

LAND

 

07 Jun 18. Barrett Communications have recently completed a contract worth AUD$7m for tactical VHF equipment to an unnamed Middle Eastern military force. The new client has deployed the equipment as part of a planned modernisation of their existing military VHF systems. The contract incorporated the full range of Barrett PRC-2080+ VHF equipment. The PRC-2080+ systems are designed for multi-role tactical military applications. This contract included the hand portable, manpack, mobile, base station and re-broadcast configuration. The Barrett PRC-2080+ system will provide secure voice and data communications over line of sight range. Training was recently undertaken in country ready for full deployment within the coming months.

 

01 Jun 18. Kaman Precision Products, Orlando, Florida, and Middletown, Connecticut, has been awarded a $69,368,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification (P00006) to an already existing contract (FA868118C0009) for exercising an option for the joint programmable fuze. This contract modification provides for delivery of Lot 14 of the joint programmable fuze (FMU-52) and corresponding production, test and engineering support. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida; and Middletown, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by June 1, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition.  The current action is 33 percent unclassified foreign military sales to the Netherlands, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Nigeria, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, and South Korea. Fiscal 2017 procurement funds in the amount of $69,368,000 are being obligated at time of award.  The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

 

01 Jun 18. Lincad, the UK designer and manufacturer of bespoke batteries, chargers and power management systems for military and other specialist applications, has won an important new contract from the Japanese Sojitz Aerospace Corporation. Under the terms of the contract, Lincad will be supplying batteries for the HALO (Hostile Artillery Locator) used by the Japanese Ministry of Defence.  HALO employs passive acoustic location techniques to detect the source of artillery fire at ranges of up to 30km. Virtually immune to countermeasures, it can provide almost instant data on hostile firing positions.  The HALO battery is a 24V, 80Ah battery, based on Lincad’s LIPS 6, and is engineered to the highest mechanical and environmental specifications, to provide a robust and reliable power source.

 

07 Jun 18. Rheinmetall books multiple ammunition orders in the first half of 2018. Rheinmetall has won orders to supply an international customer with various artillery components, including fuses, charges and a large number of projectiles. The contracts, booked during the first and second quarters of 2018 by one of the Group’s Defence subsidiaries, are worth a total of around €28m.

 

SEA

 

03 Jun 18. Pakistan signs for two more Type 054A frigates from China. Key Points:

  • Pakistan has signed a contract for two more Type 054A frigates from China
  • Country will operate a fleet of four vessels in the class by 2021

The Pakistani government has signed a contract for two more Type 054A frigates with China Shipbuilding Trading Co Ltd (CSTC), the Pakistan Navy announced on 1 June via an official social media channel. The contract was signed at the Ministry of Defence Production in Rawalpindi, in a ceremony attended by the country’s Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), Rear Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

AIR

 

05 Jun 18. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Military Aircraft Systems, Melbourne, Florida, is being awarded a $153,240,394 modification (P00056) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive (firm-target) contract (N00019-13-C-9999) for the procurement of one Japan configuration E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft for the government of Japan.  Work will be performed in St. Augustine, Florida (24.9 percent); Syracuse, New York (19.05 percent); Melbourne, Florida (7.6 percent); Indianapolis, Indiana (4.08 percent); El Segundo, California (4 percent); Menlo Park, California (3.83 percent); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (2.3 percent); Aire-sur-l’Adour, France (1.49 percent); Owego, New York (1.37 percent); Woodland Hills, California (1.26 percent); and various locations throughout the U.S. (30.12 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2020.  Foreign military sales funds in the amount of $153,240,394 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

 

06 Jun 18. Raytheon Co. – Integrated Defense System, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $49,400,000 modification (P00017) to a previously awarded contract (FA8730-15-C-0002) for the Qatar Air and Missile Defense Operation Center (ADOC). The contract modification is for the procurement of the Qatar ADOC integrated air and missile defense integration and material. Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by May 31, 2020. This modification involves 100 percent foreign military sales to Qatar. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity

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MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE

 

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LOCATIONS

 

AIR

 

06 Jun 18. The United Kingdom has welcomed home its first four F-35B advanced fighter aircraft, which will be flown by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. With the aid of air-to-air refueling, the aircraft flew non-stop across the Atlantic from the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina where UK pilots have been undergoing intensive training on the aircraft in partnership with their USMC counterparts.

With stealth technology, advanced sensors, weapons capacity and range, the F-35 is the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter aircraft ever built. More than a fighter jet, the F-35’s ability to collect, analyze and share data is a powerful force multiplier enhancing all airborne, surface and ground-based assets in the battlespace.

“This aircraft will truly transform how the UK conducts its defence operations and it is fitting that the next generation of combat air power has arrived as the RAF celebrates its centenary,” said Peter Ruddock, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin UK. “As a key partner in the F-35 programme from its early stages, the UK has been instrumental in shaping the design and development of the aircraft, particularly in relation to the short take-off and vertical landing capabilities.”

The programme has also greatly benefitted UK industry with more than 500 British companies involved in the supply chain. Around 15 percent by value of each of the more than 3,000 F-35 aircraft projected on the programme is manufactured in the UK, and to date the programme has generated about US $13bn in contracts for British suppliers.

The aircraft have arrived two months ahead of schedule which will allow the UK’s Lightning Force to focus on achieving initial operational capability by the end of 2018. The first flight trials with the UK’s Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are expected later this year.

Comprehensive sustainment support for the UK’s fleet of F-35 aircraft based at RAF Marham will be provided by Lightning Team UK, which represents the blended industry team of BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce.

The UK currently has 15 F-35B aircraft in total, the remainder of which are stationed at MCAS Beaufort or Edwards Air Force Base in California, where they are involved in testing and training.

 

05 Jun 18. Nigerian Air Force preparing to receive refurbished Do 228s. Refurbishment work is well underway on several Dornier 228 transport aircraft destined for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) after they were transferred from the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The NAF said this week that three aircraft were transferred from the NIS, but one was so heavily corroded that it is beyond economical repair. Preliminary inspections have been conducted on the remaining two aircraft by NAF engineers and technicians at 431 Engineering Group, NAF Base Kaduna and these are repairable. One of the Do 228s has been moved from Kaduna Civil Airport to the Kaduna military airfield following initial maintenance activities by the NAF. In addition, the faded paintings on both aircraft have been replaced with military paint schemes to minimize corrosion and in preparation for subsequent deployment to operational theatres. The NAF said it is now awaiting the delivery of spares so it can carry out outstanding maintenance.

“Apart from its usefulness as a light liaison transport aircraft, the Do 228 could be employed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions in the counterinsurgency and other operations in the country. Consequently, by the time the reactivation is completed, the operational effectiveness of the NAF would be further boosted and the hitherto grounded aircraft prevented from total decay,” the NAF said.

Progress on the project was inspected by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar on 4 June. He also inspected the ongoing construction of the headquarters complex for the Air Training Command Kaduna.  (Source: Google/http://www.defenceweb.co.za)

 

04 Jun 18. Bolivia inducts new light aircraft. The Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Boliviana: FAB) received five new aircraft during a ceremony held at the ‘Germán Busch’ Military Aviation College (Colegio Militar de Aviación: COMILAV) on 31 May. The platforms are three Cessna 210 Centurion, one Beechcraft Baron 55, and one Piper PA-34 Seneca light aircraft. The Bolivian media reported that the propeller-driven aircraft will be divided among various FAB units: Air Group 62 in Riberalta; Third Air Brigade in Santa Cruz; Tactical Air Group 65 in Uyuni; Air Group 72 in Trinidad; and Air Group 33 in Tarija. They will be utilised for patrol and surveillance operations. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/IHS Jane’s)

 

04 Jun 18. Taiwan starts production of XAT-5 prototype. Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) has started building the first prototype of its new XAT-5 ‘Blue Magpie’ advanced jet trainer aircraft (AJT). The company said in a statement on 1 June that it expects the prototype to be rolled out in September 2019 and flight tests to start in June 2020. A total of four prototypes are expected to be built. AIDC added that it is on track to deliver a contracted 66 XAT-5 aircraft by 2026 to replace the Republic of China Air Force’s (RoCAF’s) ageing fleet of AT-3 trainers, which were built by AIDC and have been in service since 1984. AIDC is leading the AJT programme in collaboration with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) under a TWD68.6bn (USD2.2bn) contract awarded in 2017.

The XAT-5 is based on the AIDC F-CK-1 Ching Kuo multirole Indigenous Defence Fighter (IDF), which entered RoCAF service in the mid-1990s.

Like the IDF, the XAT-5 will be powered by an F124 turbofan engine produced in Taiwan by the International Turbine Engine Company (ITEC), a joint venture between Honeywell Aerospace and AIDC.

To support the XAT-5 production programme, AIDC has recently introduced a programme to boost efficiencies across its domestic supply chain.

(Source: IHS Jane’s)

 

MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT

 

PERSONNEL

 

05 Jun 18. Mattis: Carlucci Left ‘Indelible Mark’ on DoD. Former Defense Secretary Frank C. Carlucci died June 3 at his home in McLean, Virginia. He was 87. Carlucci was secretary of defense from Nov. 23, 1987, to Jan. 20, 1989, under President Ronald Reagan.

“Secretary Carlucci served our great nation under four U.S. presidents, both republican and democrat, as a lieutenant in the United States Navy, the Ambassador to Portugal, deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and several other roles within the Department of Defense before becoming secretary of defense,” Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said in a statement.

“Appointed in 1987, with the end of the Cold War near, Secretary Carlucci was a transformative leader,” Mattis said. “He changed the way the department worked with Congress, and managed critical defense issues, such as procuring major weapon systems, and rebalancing military priorities and resources under dynamic and challenging geopolitical circumstances.

“Secretary Carlucci left an indelible mark on the Department of Defense,” he continued. “On behalf of all our service men and women and civilians, past and present, we will forever be grateful for his leadership and long honor his patriotism, service and legacy.”

Numerous Government Positions

Carlucci was a Foreign Service officer in the State Department and later served as ambassador to Portugal. He was deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, undersecretary of Health Education and Welfare, and deputy director of the CIA.

Appointed as deputy defense secretary in February 1982 under Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, Carlucci monitored the Pentagon’s day-to-day operations and oversaw the defense budget and procurement. His initiatives dealt with bringing more stability and order into the procurement system.

He left the Defense Department briefly in 1983 for the private sector, but returned to federal service at the White House as assistant to the president for national security affairs. With extensive roots in national security, Carlucci succeeded Weinberger and became defense secretary on Nov. 23, 1987. He was known for doing things his way, and while he served only 14 months as secretary, his brand was clear through his initiatives such as weapons systems and downsizing the military, as well as through his relationship with Congress. In those 14 months, Carlucci made 13 foreign visits around the globe, and he was the first defense secretary to visit the Soviet Union.

Controversial Domestic Issues

At home, Carlucci faced numerous controversial domestic issues. He dealt with a shrinking defense budget for fiscal year 1989 after the stock market crash of 1987. In 1988, to tighten the defense budget belt and rid the department of unnecessary military facilities, Carlucci proposed the Commission on Base Realignment and Closure, which ultimately eliminated some 90 bases by September 2011. He was up against tough opposition from members of Congress who wanted to save military bases and posts in their districts.

Carlucci’s proposed $299.5bn defense budget before Congress in 1988 included cutting 36,000 troops from a force of 2,174,000. That translated into cuts in all the military departments, for which he faced great opposition. The secretary of the Navy reportedly resigned after a Carlucci order to retire 16 frigates.

The budget request also provided for $4.6bn for the Strategic Defense Initiative – also known as the “Star Wars” program – and $200m for the Midgetman missile.

Reagan vetoed the bill that Congress passed, citing his displeasure over cuts in SDI and restricted Pentagon spending for space-based antimissile interceptor development, which was key to the SDI program. A bill finally was hammered out, and Carlucci accepted a spending ceiling.

INF Treaty

Carlucci was very much in favor of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty of 1987, which he saw as enhancing NATO security. It would reduce the Soviet’s military threat to Western Europe by taking out a class of missile systems from the area, and show that NATO nations had enough political will to support decisions to secure their safety.

He also made it known that the INF Treaty included tough verification provisions, and to put them in place, Carlucci created the On-Site Inspection Agency in January 1988.

Carlucci also dodged some slings and arrows from the long-term war between Iran and Iraq. In 1988, U.S. ships destroyed two Iranian oil platforms to retaliate for damage sustained by the USS Samuel Roberts in the Persian Gulf from an Iranian mine. U.S. ships sank and severely damaged six Iranian ships. Reagan ordered the Navy to expand its work in the Gulf to protect neutral merchant ships when they were attacked. Carlucci kept a close eye on the events.

Proudest Accomplishments

Carlucci left office at the start of President George H. W. Bush’s term. He told reporters three of his accomplishments made him most proud: convincing Congress to go along with BRAC, developing a positive relationship with Soviet military leaders, and successful tanker escort operations in the Persian Gulf. But his achievements totaled much more than those three.

He also was responsible for establishing funding priorities and guiding the cuts in the fiscal year 1989 defense budget, taking a calm approach to the Pentagon procurement fraud investigation, emphasizing the dangers of long-range missile proliferation to world leaders, and convincing Congress not to use military force to close off U.S. borders in the battle against drugs. Carlucci said he most disappointed with how the Pentagon had not been able to preserve the defense consensus in Congress and the nation when developments in the communist world proved that negotiating from strength works. (Source: US DoD)

 

04 Jun 18. North Korea reshuffles military top brass ahead of summit. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reshuffled the country’s military top brass days ahead of a landmark summit with US President Donald Trump, according the South Korean government. The move is being viewed as an attempt to keep the country’s 1m-strong army in check as anticipation grows that a deal is shaping up between Pyongyang, Washington and Seoul. On Tuesday next week, Mr Kim is set to meet Mr Trump in Singapore for the first summit between leaders of the two countries.  Officials from both sides are now in the midst of frantic final-stage preparations, with senior diplomats meeting daily in the demilitarised zone that separates the Koreas. Media reports in South Korea have suggested that President Moon Jae-in could travel to Singapore on June 13 — the day after the Trump-Kim meeting — to declare an end to the officially unfinished Korean war of the 1950s. On Monday, the unification ministry in Seoul confirmed that Pyongyang had ousted Kim Jong Gak, the director of the Korean People’s Army general politburo, replacing him with Kim Su Gil. Citing an intelligence source, South Korean state news agency Yonhap also reported that North Korea had replaced defence minister Pak Yong Sik with a more moderate official. The chief of the KPA’s general staff is also reported to have been changed.  The army is a dominant force in North Korea and Kim Jong Un has been careful to regularly rotate defence ministers to prevent any threat to his rule. Analysts believe the latest reshuffle is aimed at ensuring he has a secure footing at home as he enters potentially groundbreaking talks abroad. (Source: FT.com)

 

U.S. APPOINTMENTS

 

06 Jun 18. USMC MG John K. Love for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as U.S. military representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Military Committee. Love is currently serving as the commanding general, 2d Marine Division, Jacksonville, North Carolina.

 

05 Jun 18. USAF LG Giovanni K. Tuck for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as director for logistics, J-4, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.  Tuck is currently serving as commander, Eighteenth Air Force, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

 

05 Jun 18. USAF MG Brian T. Kelly for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as deputy chief of staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.  Kelly is currently serving as commander, Air Force Personnel Center, Deputy Chief of Staff, Manpower, Personnel and Services, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

 

05 Jun 18. USAF MG Joseph T. Guastella Jr., for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Air Combat Command, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.  Guastella is currently serving as director of integrated air, space, cyberspace and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

 

05 Jun 18. Capt. John D. Spencer, selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half), will be assigned as director, Nuclear Support Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.  Spencer is currently serving as executive assistant, U.S. Strategic Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

 

05 Jun 18. Rear Adm. (lower half) Marcus A. Hitchcock for appointment to the rank of rear admiral.  Hitchcock is currently serving as commander, Navy Warfare Development Command, Norfolk, Virginia.

 

REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS

 

07 Jun 18. Northrop Grumman Australia CEO Ian Irving has been appointed as chair of the Ai Group Defence Council National Executive, stepping up from the deputy chair position. Irving replaces outgoing chair Chris Jenkins, chief executive of Thales Australia. While Mr Jenkins is ending his term as Defence Council chair, he remains Ai Group national president. Andy Keough, managing director of Saab Australia, has been appointed as the new deputy chair. Ai Group, a national representative body for the Australian defence industry, thanked Jenkins for his contribution and praised the experience Irving and Keough will bring to their new roles. (Source: Defence Connect)

 

INDUSTRY

 

INDUSTRY TEAMINGS

 

04 Jun 18. Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Safran [EPA: SAF] have agreed to jointly design, build and service Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), creating better value for customers and for both companies. An APU is an onboard engine that is used to primarily start the main engines and power aircraft systems on the ground and, if necessary, in flight. The agreement will establish an important relationship between two of the world’s leading aerospace companies to work together on products and expanded service capabilities to benefit both customers and the industry at large. Both companies will have a 50 percent stake in the partnership, which will be based in the United States. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions including regulatory and antitrust clearance. The deal is expected to close in the second-half of 2018.

“This strategic partnership will leverage Boeing’s deep customer and airplane knowledge along with Safran’s experience in designing and producing complex propulsion assemblies to deliver expanded, innovative services solutions to our customers,” said Stan Deal, President and CEO, Boeing Global Services.

Safran currently supplies a wide range of components to Boeing commercial and defense programs, including as a partner to produce CFM’s LEAP-1B engine for the 737 MAX (through CFM International, a 50/50 JV between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE). Boeing and Safran also are partners in MATIS, a joint venture in Morocco producing wiring products for several airframe and engine companies.

“This will represent a new step in the long-lasting and fruitful partnership between Safran and Boeing. We are extremely proud of the continued confidence that Boeing has placed in our company. Safran has contributed to prestigious international military and civil programs, providing reliable, high-performance APU systems since 1962. Together we are committed to delivering advanced APUs and world-class support to our customers,” said Philippe Petitcolin, Chief Executive Officer of Safran. “This partnership will have no impact on our 2018 guidance nor on our plan to return Euro 2.3bn cash to shareholders over 18 to 24 months.”

“This move will strengthen Boeing’s vertical capabilities as we continue to expand our services portfolio and make strategic investments that accelerate our growth plans,” said Greg Smith, Boeing Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Enterprise Performance & Strategy. “The establishment of the joint venture will have no impact on Boeing’s 2018 guidance or on our commitment to returning approximately 100 percent of free cash flow to shareholders.”

Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aircraft propulsion and equipment, space and defense markets. Safran has a global presence, with more than 58,000 employees and sales of 16.5 bn euros in 2017. Working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. Safran undertakes Research & Development programs to meet fast-changing market requirements, with total R&D expenditures of around 1.4bn euros in 2017. Safran is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange, and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices. In February 2018, Safran took control of Zodiac Aerospace, significantly expanding its aircraft equipment activities. Zodiac Aerospace has 32,500 employees and generated sales of 5.1bn euros for its fiscal year ended August 31, 2017.

 

PERSONNEL

 

EUROPE APPOINTMENTS

 

04 Jun 18. Raytheon United Kingdom (UK) has appointed Lord (Tom) Strathclyde as board chairman, effective 4 June 2018. Lord Strathclyde was Leader of the UK’s House of Lords, 2010-2013, and leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Lords, 1998-2013. Lord Strathclyde holds a number of non-executive director posts and senior advisory positions. Previously, he held a range of senior positions within the financial services sector including:

  • Director at Trafigura Beheer BV (2013-16)
  • NED to Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust (2004-10)
  • NED at Marketform Group, the Lloyd’s based insurance company (2003-10)
  • Chairman of Trafalgar Capital Management, Ltd (2001-10)
  • NED at Hampden Agencies, the Lloyd’s of London members agency (2007-10)

Before serving in Government, he was an associate director at Bain Clarkson, (now Aon) (1982-88).

He is currently Governor of Wellington College, a board member of the think tank the Centre for Policy Studies, and is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Battersea Power Station Foundation which supports charities in underprivileged areas of South London.

Lord Strathclyde said: “Raytheon has a long heritage in the UK and, over the years, has invested in people, technology and infrastructure. Raytheon has made a serious long-term commitment to the UK, our national defence and increasing UK exports. I shall do all I can to help Raytheon at this crucial time in opening up new markets and providing the best possible value to UK taxpayers.”

 

U.S. APPOINTMENTS

 

06 Jun 18. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) today announced it has closed the acquisition of Orbital ATK Inc. (“Orbital ATK”), a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. Orbital ATK is now Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, a new, fourth business sector. Northrop Grumman’s board of directors has elected Blake Larson as corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, reporting to Kathy Warden, Northrop Grumman’s president and chief operating officer. Larson previously served as the chief operating officer of Orbital ATK.

 

REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS

 

05 Jun 18. CONTROP Precision Technologies Ltd. – a company specializing in the field of electro-optics and IR defense and homeland security solutions – announces the appointment of Mr. Hagay Azani, the company’s VP Marketing & Sales for the past year and a half, as its new CEO, replacing Mr. Dror Sharon, who led the company since 2012.

04 Jun 18. Israel Aerospace Industries has named Swami Iyer, a former military pilot and veteran executive in the aerospace, defence and cybersecurity industries, as chief executive of its North American operations. Iyer most recently was president of cyber and network security company Ultra Electronics, 3eTI, and previously was an executive at Honeywell Aerospace. He also was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force.  (Source: Google/http://business.financialpost.com)

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PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

 

07 Jun 18. Government must clarify Britain’s plans for future Defence co-operation with EU, says Defence Committee. The Defence Select Committee has called for further clarity from the Government on how Britain will co-operate with the European Union on Defence issues during and after Brexit. Its latest report, entitled, “The Government’s proposals for a future security partnership with the European Union”, examines the EU’s plans for Defence co-operation, the mechanisms being constructed to put this into practice and the circumstances under which the UK Government plans to engage with them after Brexit. It includes a timeline of the proposals and describes the intended shape of Permanent Structured Co-operation (PESCO), the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the Co-ordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD).

Questions for the Government

The Committee identifies sixteen key questions for the Government to answer, covering inter alia:

  • How future cooperation with EU Defence institutions will be different from the UK’s current Defence relationship with the EU.
  • Under what circumstances the UK would take part in a CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) operation or mission.
  • What model the Government is proposing to ensure that the Future Defence Partnership supports the effective co-operation of UK and EU Defence companies; does not disrupt complex supply chains; and does not disadvantage leading companies with EU-UK ownership.
  • What role the Government plans to play post-Brexit in the relationship between the EU and NATO.

Chairman of the Defence Committee, Dr Julian Lewis MP, says: “It is vital that Parliament fully understands what the Government is proposing for its Future Defence Partnership with the EU after Brexit. Our Report sets out everything we can glean, so far, from the Government’s public statements and identifies key areas where more clarity is essential. These include whether the UK will decide to participate in future military missions with the EU only on a case-by-case basis and only if we are then able to participate fully in the planning and execution of such missions. We trust that the Government will use its formal response to our detailed questions as an opportunity to shed more light on its intentions.”

The full list of questions is set out below.

ANNEX: The 16 key questions posed by the Defence Committee

Timing and nature of the future partnership

  1. i) Is it the Government’s intention to enter into Future Partnership with the European Union’s Defence institutions (a) before the UK leaves the EU in March 2019; (b) before the UK’s future economic relationship with the EU has been agreed; or (c) while the Implementation phase of the UK’s departure from the EU is still underway? What assessment has the Government made of the potential (i) advantages and (ii) disadvantages of each of these timings?
  2. ii) In what respects will the proposed Future Partnership with the European Union’s Defence institutions, if achieved as envisaged, differ from the UK’s current Defence relationship with the EU or from the continuing participation in those institutions by the remaining members of the EU?

CSDP

iii) Will the Government make a commitment not to deploy UK troops as part of any CSDP operation or mission unless it has been fully consulted – from the time at which the decision to participate has been taken by the UK and agreed by the EU – about the operation’s or mission’s objectives, the military plans and their execution?

  1. iv) Is it the Government’s intention to participate in CSDP operations or missions (a) only on a case-by-case basis, and (b) only after a decision taken by the United Kingdom autonomously?
  2. v) In which EU exercises over the next 5 years has the UK made a commitment to take part?
  3. vi) Have UK personnel or equipment been withdrawn or reduced after previously being committed to any EU exercises in the last 2 years?

PESCO

vii) Is it the Government’s intention to participate in any future PESCO projects (a) only on a case-by-case basis, and (b) only after a decision taken by the United Kingdom autonomously?

viii) What would be the policy, financial, broader resources and legal implications of the UK taking part in the Dutch-led military mobility PESCO project, what are the outcomes expected to be and when is it expected to conclude?

The European Defence Fund

  1. ix) If third countries are allowed to engage with the European Defence Fund, will the Government do so only on a “pay and play” basis, or would it be willing to pay an annual subscription?
  2. x) With which other EU Defence or other institutions, if any, would the UK have to be associated, if it participated in the European Defence Fund?
  3. xi) What discussions, if any, has the Government had to date with UK defence industry about the potential participation in the European Defence Fund?

Support for pan-European complex supply chains and research funding

xii) What model is the Government proposing to ensure that the Future Defence Partnership supports the effective co-operation of UK and EU defence companies; does not disrupt complex supply chains; and does not disadvantage leading companies with EU-UK ownership?

xiii) If European nations developed a proposal for collaboration on major defence projects (such as a sixth-generation fighter), on what basis would the Government decide whether or not to take part? Would the potential involvement of the European Defence Fund and the European Defence Agency make the proposition more, or less, attractive?

The EU and NATO

xiv) For what reason is NATO barely referred to in the two most recent documents, namely the ‘Framework for the UK-EU Security Partnership’ and the ‘Technical Note: Consultation and Cooperation on External Security’, published on the proposed Future Defence Partnership between the UK and the EU after Brexit?

  1. xv) What role does the Government intend to play in the relationship between the EU and NATO, with special reference to any moves to (a) create integrated EU armed forces, and (b) issue security guarantees to non-NATO countries?

Parliamentary scrutiny

xvi) The Government should make a commitment to holding a debate on the floor of the House before agreeing any binding document on a future EU–UK defence and security partnership. Will the Government additionally commit to holding this debate in Government time before the UK leaves the EU in March 2019?

 

House of Commons and House of Lords Hansard Written Answers

 

Q

Asked by Martin Docherty-Hughes

(West Dunbartonshire)

Asked on: 23 May 2018

Department for International Development

Ukraine: Military Aid

147474

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if she will publish information on the recent programme with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence Reforms Project Office to develop a housing system for the armed forces of Ukraine; and what the cost to the public purse was of that programme.

A

Answered by: Harriett Baldwin

Answered on: 06 June 2018

This project provided technical assistance to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence to support modernisation of the accommodation system for Ukrainian military personnel. It supported delivery of the UK’s objective to help Ukraine reform its Defence/armed forces to eliminate corruption and increase civilian oversight and rule of law, strengthening the resilience and stability of the State. The total cost over some 15 months was £414,930. The project successfully delivered its four main outputs: a proposal for a trusted and transparent centralised process for queue management; a policy for new accommodation maintenance, procurement and contracting standards for the Ukraine defence forces; new construction tender requirements and contracting guidelines; and a concept paper for a new defence housing system and detailed reform implementation plan for at least 2 years.

 

Q

Asked by Emily Thornberry

(Islington South and Finsbury)

[N]

Asked on: 01 June 2018

Ministry of Defence

Nigeria: Military Aid

148699

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policy of providing military assistance to the Nigerian armed forces of the Amnesty International Report, They betrayed us, published on 24 May 2018.

A

Answered by: Mark Lancaster

Answered on: 06 June 2018

Nigeria is a key partner for the UK and we are fully committed to helping the Nigerian Government in its fight against terrorism. However, the UK’s position on human rights is clear: they are universal and must apply equally to all. Any member of the Nigerian security forces found to have been involved in human rights violations must be held accountable.

The National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security sets out how the UK Government will integrate a gender perspective into its work to build security and stability overseas and protect the human rights of women and girls. The UK military training and assistance to the Armed Forces of Nigeria has consistently emphasised the importance of adherence to internationally recognised Rules of Engagement, as well as the importance of International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law. We have also made clear to the Nigerian authorities the importance of protecting civilians in conflict and detention, and that human rights standards must be upheld.

We continue to monitor the situation in Nigeria, and regularly assess the risks associated with the delivery of UK military assistance in line with the UK’s Overseas Security and Justice Assistance guidance.

 

Q

Asked by Mr Paul Sweeney

(Glasgow North East)

[N]

Asked on: 01 June 2018

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Israel: Arms Trade

149035

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether any arms licensed for export from the UK to Israel over the last three years have been used by the Israeli authorities in their policing of the Gaza border in recent weeks.

A

Answered by: Alistair Burt

Answered on: 06 June 2018

The Government takes its defence exports responsibilities extremely seriously and we have been keeping the situation in Israel under review. We have no information to suggest that UK supplied equipment has been used in contravention of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria.

 

Q

Asked by Mr Kevan Jones

(North Durham)

[N]

Asked on: 01 June 2018

Ministry of Defence

Guided Weapons

148633

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the current value is of the UK stake in the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile programme.

A

Answered by: Guto Bebb

Answered on: 06 June 2018

The current value of the UK stake in the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile programme is circa £654 million. The current proportional value of the UK stake in the programme (development and production) is circa 40%.

I am withholding the information on the current value of each partner nation’s stake in the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile programme as its disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces and relations between the United Kingdom and other States.

 

Q

Asked by Peter Dowd

(Bootle)

[N]

Asked on: 01 June 2018

Treasury

Defence Fire and Rescue Service: VAT

148836

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of extending contracted-out services VAT refunds to the successful bidder of the Defence Fire and Rescue project.

A

Answered by: Mel Stride

Answered on: 06 June 2018

Section 41 of the VAT Act 1994 allows government departments and NHS authorities to recover VAT incurred on certain contracted out services when those services relate to non-business activities. The mechanism does not apply to companies which are in business.

The purpose of this mechanism is to ensure that VAT does not sway decision-making when government departments decide how to design services.

 

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