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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
23 May 24. US-based company leads pitch for Royal Navy Type 31 sustainment programme.
KBR is looking to secure potential ten-year Royal Navy Type 31 frigate sustainment contract, valued at more than $300m, with Team Calibre partners.
KBR, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, and V.Group have announced the formation of Team Calibre to position capabilities to support the future UK Royal Navy Type 31 frigate through life support programme, which will sustain the platforms through their planned operational service.
The planned eight-year Type 31 through life support contract is expected to commence in Q4 2025 and intended to optimise the availability and operational service for the five new Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates, currently under construction by manufacturer Babcock’s site in Rosyth.
In a 23 May 2024 release, the trio outlined the formation of Team Calibre and the intention to support the Type 31 sustainment programme. US-based KBR is a known supplier to the UK Government in the defence domain, while V.Group has operations in more than 30 countries in the commercial shipping sector.
Frazer-Nash meanwhile is a UK-Australia consultancy working across industries, including defence. The company is a KBR entity, with the US company completing the acquisition in 2021.
In November 2023 the UK Ministry of Defence published a tender notice outlining requirement for the Type 31 through life support programme, which would run through until January 2032 with two additional years on option. The value of the contract was between $240m (£190m) and $305m (£241m).
It is likely that some of the Type 31 frigates will be forward based at locations such as the UK’s Naval Support Facility at Mina Salman in Bahrain, or potentially at Sembawang in Singapore.
Babcock providing upkeep for Type 31 predecessor, the Type 23
As one of two new classes of surface warships under construction for the UK Royal Navy, the Type 31 frigates will form a central element to the service’s surface combatant capabilities from the late-2020s, as they are introduced into service in replacement of the general-purpose variant Type 23 frigates currently operational.
The five general-purpose Type 23 frigates are based primarily in Portsmouth, with the remaining anti-submarine warfare variants located further westwards at Devonport Naval Base.
In April 2024, Babcock, manufacturer of the Type 31 frigates, was awarded the contract to manage the Type 23 frigate Refit Support Group, which saw the company take over end-to-end responsibility for vessel upkeep and generation in preparation for handover to ship’s crew for deployment.
This change follows more than five years of Babcock’s working with the Royal Navy-led Refit Support Group, with the company stating that the new arrangement would serve to “free up Royal Navy personnel for front line operations”.
Babcock’s Type 23 Refit Support Group engineering technicians would now work alongside Babcock’s Upkeep project teams to ensure Type 23 systems maintenance, intended to improve platform availability. (Source: naval-technology.com)
23 May 24. British F-35 fleet to increase to 74 aircraft by 2033.
A letter from the Minister of State for Defence Procurement sets out the status of the UK’s F-35 fleet.
The letter from James Cartlidge MP, Minister of State for Defence Procurement, to Jeremy Quin MP, Chair of the House of Commons Defence Committee, covers several key points regarding the development and operational status of the UK’s F-35 Lightning Force.
Here’s a summary.
- Full Operating Capability (FOC) Declaration: The FOC for the first phase of procurement (Tranche 1) is set for no later than 31st December 2025, with 33 out of the first 48 aircraft already delivered.
- Squadron Developments: The second front line squadron, 809 Naval Air Squadron, was recommissioned at RAF Marham on 8th December 2023 and is working towards its Initial Operating Capability scheduled for 1st December 2024. The squadron, like the rest of the Force, will be jointly operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy (RN).
- Operational Contributions: The Lightning Force continues to support NATO, particularly in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, with UK F-35Bs undertaking long-range missions and integrating with other partner nations’ forces. Operation FIREDRAKE in 2023 highlighted the F-35Bs’ capabilities through various tasks and exercises aboard HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, showcasing interoperability with other nations.
- Developmental Testing: A period of testing was conducted in October 2023 aboard HMS PRINCE OF WALES to expand the operating envelope for F-35B aircraft on UK Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers, aiming to formally approve expanded operating limits and procedures.
- Costs: Despite global inflation and foreign exchange challenges, the initial procurement remains within budget, with a notable decrease in aircraft price from 2014 to 2022, albeit with an expected slight increase for upcoming lots due to inflationary pressures.
- Capability Milestone Timeline Progress: The letter highlights the growth and maturation of the Force, including recruitment and training efforts for engineers, pilots, and instructors. However, it notes a temporary delay in aircraft deliveries due to software instability with Lockheed Martin’s Technical Refresh 3, which is not expected to impact the FOC declaration.
- Future Developments: Discussions are underway for the procurement of an additional 27 F-35 aircraft in Tranche 2, aimed at enhancing the UK’s Carrier Enabled Power Projection capability and increasing the fleet to 74 aircraft by 2033, with funding for this phase secured under an approved option.
Here’s the letter in full.
“JAMES CARTLIDGE MP
MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE PROCUREMENT
Dear Jeremy,
I am providing an update on the continuing growth and capability delivery of the F-35 Lightning Force. Since I wrote to your predecessor in July 2023, the declaration of Full Operating Capability (FOC) for the first procurement phase (Tranche 1) has been agreed as occurring no later than 31 Dec 2025. The first 48 aircraft continue to be produced as scheduled, with 33 aircraft received to date. The second front line squadron (809 Naval Air Squadron) was stood up in a re-commissioning ceremony at RAF Marham on the 8th December 2023. 809NAS will continue to work-up readiness throughout 2024, ahead of its Initial Operating Capability scheduled for 1 Dec 2024. As across the Force, 809NAS will be jointly operated by the RAF and RN.
Operations
The Lightning Force continue to provide a key component of the UK contribution to NATO in response to Russia’s continued illegal war and occupation of Ukraine. In 2023 UK F-35Bs have undertaken long-range missions from RAF Marham; supported by Voyager tankers, seamlessly integrating with our own 4th Generation Typhoon, and fighters from other partner nations, to form a potent force mix.
Carrier Strike 2023, Operation FIREDRAKE, was undertaken between 11 September and 10 November 2023; eight aircraft, pilots and supporting personnel boarded HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and undertook a range of operational tasks, joint exercises, and Defence engagement with other nations. Initially, they engaged in Joint Expedition Force (JEF) activities, working with Norway, Sweden and Finland, after which they undertook Large Force Employment activity with the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The final element of the deployment was under NATO direction, where NATO interoperability was demonstrated alongside Estonian, Latvian and Polish military forces.
In our last report we advised that a period of developmental testing using Joint Program Office (JPO) Integrated Test Force F-35Bs on HMS PRINCE OF WALES had been deferred to autumn 2023, following HMS PRINCE OF WALES serviceability issues. This period of testing successfully took place in October 2023 with the intent to expand the embarked operating envelope for all F-35B aircraft onboard UK Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers and Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landings for the platform; the trials have formed the evidence base towards formal approval aimed to expand operating limits and authorise those procedures in an updated Royal Navy, Ship Air – Release.
Programme Costs
Initial procurement (Tranche 1) expenditure has remained within its cost approval envelope, with almost all funds committed. Global inflation and foreign exchange currency (FOREX) challenges have been the key themes of the previous 18 months. The aircraft price has reduced by 32% over the period 2014 to 2022. However, it is anticipated that the price of each aircraft in LOTs 15-17 will increase marginally by around 6%. This is predominately due to increasing manufacturing costs associated with inflationary pressures. Inflation and FOREX continue to be a concern to the Programme, as do the recent savings pressures levied across the department.
Capability Milestone Timeline Progress
Following the successful stand up of 809NAS in December 2023, Force growth will continue to mature and build our frontline squadrons’ capabilities out to December 2025. Force growth remains an actively managed issue. We have already implemented the first increased recruitment of the required engineering workforce across the RN and RAF. The Operational Conversion Unit continues to graduate F-35B pilots into the Force at a sufficient rate. Additionally, the Force has trained a new tactical weapons instructor and 6 flying instructors, which has provided additional instructor depth. However, Lockheed Martin has currently suspended aircraft release post-production as they have experienced software instability during developmental testing of Technical Refresh 3, the next pan-platform software upgrade. We are aware of the current short-term delays to UK aircraft deliveries. At this time, it is not assessed to impact the scheduled FOC declaration at the end of 2025.
(Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
20 May 24. Hunt begins to find new high-tech insertion craft for Royal Marines Commando Force. The Ministry of Defence is looking for a new design to replace the Royal Marine Commando Force’s LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) – a design that can trace its origins back to the Second World War. A submission from Steller Systems, known as the Offshore Insertion Craft, is in the running to be the LCVP’s replacement, but can it meet the Ministry of Defence’s requirements? To win the MOD’s Novel Amphibious Craft competition, any new design must be able to sustain a speed of 25 knots over up to 350 nautical miles. It must be able to deliver personnel and light vehicles to a coastal access point with minimal impact on operational speed and capability, and relaunch and return from the same point. And it must be stealthy. (Source: forces.net)
EUROPE
22 May 24. Slovakia, Poland near deal for short-range air defense weapons. The Polish and Slovak governments are nearing a deal for the purchase of short-range, man-portable air defense systems, according to the manufacturer, as part of Slovakia’s push to bolster its anti-aircraft capabilities.
“We are in advanced negotiations with the Slovak Ministry of Defense for the sale of the Piorun systems, and we look forward to conclude a government-to-government contract by the end of this year,” a representative from the Polish Armaments Group PGZ, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks, told Defense News during the IDEB defense fair, held here May 14-16.
PGZ’s flagship weapon is the Piorun (Thunderbolt), designed to destroy drones, helicopters, aircraft and winged rockets. It is able to hit targets at an altitude of up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) and has a maximum range of 6.5 kilometers (4 miles), according to data from the company.
Slovakia has identified gaps in it air-defense capabilities, a shortfall deemed urgent by many eastern European nations who fear Russian aggression beyond Ukraine.
In April 2022, the previous government donated a S-300 air defense weapon to Ukraine, a key part of its air defense network. At the time, U.S. European Command temporarily relocated a Patriot system to Slovakia to help protect its skies.
Late last year, Slovakia’s defense ministry published a list of recommendations for very-short-range (VSHORAD) and medium-range (MRAD) air defense systems to buy, based on an evaluation process.
“The MoD recommends that VSHORAD systems be procured from Poland via a G2G agreement, the best offer from Poland was followed by the offers from Sweden, France and South Korea,” the study said.
For the MRAD systems, defense officials recommended the purchase of a mobile medium-range surface-to-air missile from Israel.
Following this, the Slovak government stated its intention to procure 36 Polish-made Piorun sets and one Barak MX MRSAM-M system, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries.
The overall procurement costs for these two types of air defense systems is estimated at €194 million ($210,4 million), and both are expected to enter into service with the Slovak Armed Forces from 2024 to 2027.
(Source: Defense News)
21 May 24. Swedish army pursues four-fold artillery growth, including rocket artillery. Sweden’s artillery will push from two units to eight by 2030, moving beyond simply balancing support for the Army.
At Future Artillery 2024 in Paris, Swedish Army Colonel Stephan Sjöberg discussed the growth and recovery of the Swedish artillery, which has ambitious plans to expand this function as part of the lastest defence bill.
“For decades of international operations, which was the focus for the Swedish army,” says Sjöberg, “the artillery was a function that was not needed, not asked for, and going from [counter-insurgency] operations in Afghanistan and Mali, to high intensity warfare and Nato conflict is a challenging journey for the artillery. The artillery is the function is that is growing the most in the defence bills.”
2024 will see the next Swedish defence bill, likely to take on considerations identified from Ukraine, as well as Sweden’s new membership in Nato, which began on 7 March, 2024. “This means a completely different a new landscape for Sweden,” says Sjöberg. On 26 April, 2024, Sweden submitted its final report on the development of its military defence, with proposals to gradually increase defence funding from 2025, to reach Skr52.8bn ($4.9bn) by 2030.
Sweden had plans for growth in the artillery segment of the Army that were present in the 2020 defence bill, before the outbreak of the Ukraine War put the need for an expansion in long-range fires into focus, and before the deepening of the partnership between Sweden and Nato.
The proposition for artillery in 2020 was decided by the Swedish government without the need to increase the home defences for forces in Sweden. The intention then was to “refill” artillery, says Sjöberg, to the point where it could balance the rest of the army.
Moving towards 2030, the Swedish Army will now expand its artillery from two units to seven units, with an eight unit to be procured of rocket artillery, according to a report from the defence advisory board. Sjöberg sees the new intention of the 2024 defence bill being to “fill up” artillery, leaving behind the idea of balancing artillery with the rest of the Swedish army, and head to a new structure reflective of how war in the land domain occurs today.
The new Swedish Army structure would see one artillery company and four brigades, each containing an artillery battalion. The first priority is for Sweden’s two existing brigades to be provided with artillery battalions.
Sjöberg stresses that the definition of a unit, for rocket artillery, has not yet been decided, but that the concept is separate to a less operationally tangible requirement class, such as demonstrator. (Source: army-technology.com)
22 May 24. Hungary discussing potential Gripen E buy from Sweden. Hungary is discussing with Sweden the possibility of acquiring Gripen E combat aircraft to add to the Gripen C/Ds it already operates, a senior Saab official said on 20 May.
With the Hungarian Air Force (HuAF) flying 14 leased Gripen C/Ds, to which in Februaryit added an order of four additional Gripen C aircraft, Åsa Thegström, vice-president and deputy head of Aeronautics at Saab, told reporters at the company’s Linköping production facility in southern Sweden that talks are now being held for a potential sale of the latest Gripen E to the Eastern European country.
“We are having interesting discussions with Hungary regarding the Gripen E,” Thegström said. Deputy head of marketing and sales for the Gripen at Saab, Richard Smith, added that the HuAF is looking at the possible acquisition to fulfil its requirement to get back to two front-line operational squadrons, noting that the timeline for such a procurement is not yet known. (Source: Janes)
17 May 24.Hanwha Aerospace held its inaugural Industry Day in Bucharest, Romania, on 17th May to build up partnerships with local industries. The industry event was designed to share emerging opportunities of collaboration between Hanwha and Romanian industries in a variety of business sectors ranging from aerospace, defence to energy and naval solutions.
The one-day conference called ‘Hanwha Industry Day’ was held at the Marmorosch Bucharest, with the attendance of about 80 Government and Industry representatives. High-profile participants include Mr. Rim Kap-soo, South Korean Ambassador to Romania; Mr. Horatiu Barbu, Head of Service in the Romanian Defence Industry Directorate; Ms. Cristina Dragomirescu, Vice President of the Romanian Agency for Technological, Industrial Cooperation for Security and Defense (ARCTIS); and Mr. Viorel Manole, President of PATROMIL, the Romania Business Association of the Military Technique Manufactures; Billy Boohwan Lee, Head of Hanwha Aerospace Europe; and Peter JK Bae, Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe.
About 20 Romanian companies participated in the event to present overviews of their business programmes and possible involvement of Hanwha projects. The industry partners also had opportunities to communicate face-to-face with Team Hanwha Aerospace for future collaboration.
“Hanwha Aerospace is looking to broaden cooperation with Romania over defence modernisation plans, leveraging strong partnership with local industries, and this is the key theme for today’s industry networking event,” said Peter Bae, Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe. “We will bring maximum economic benefits to the Romanian market by activating localisation programmes ranging from local manufacturing, tech transfer to the establishment of an MRO Centre of Excellence.”
In bids to strengthen partnerships with local industries, Hanwha Aerospace is dedicated to teaming up with Romanian suppliers for future projects. “We’re fully committed to working together with Romanian suppliers to build up an effective local supply chain network, which will generate future values and minimise operational risks,” Peter said. “Teaming up with Romanian partners, we will seek an opportunity to export our products to third countries as well as work on joint R&D projects aimed at the European market.”
During the conference, industry stakeholders showed keen interest in Hanwha’s Redback IFV solution, which can meet the needs of operational requirements of the Romanian Armed Forces, as well as enhance a manufacturing capability of the local industries.
The Redback is the world’s most modern infantry fighting vehicle featuring best-in-class armoured protection, mobility and lethality. With its adaptability and growth potential, the vehicle employs a range of innovative technologies including composite rubber track, a hard- kill active protection system, and a see-through helmet mounted display.
The Redback IFV was chosen in 2023 as the next-generation IFV solution for the Australian Defence Force for the LAND 400 Phase 3 project to deliver 129 advanced IFVs. The Redback is also considered as a point of start for the South Korean Army’s next-generation IFV programme. The Redback shares the same chassis and powertrain with the K9, which can lead to significant cost savings and manufacturing efficiency when operating both systems. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
17 May 24. Belgium pursue 155mm Caesar and 120mm Griffon artillery.
The Belgian Government want to increase mobility and range as part of its call for a new artillery “renaissance” that meets the geopolitical uncertainty. Belgium continues to pursue big changes to the Artillery Battalion in its Land Forces by increasing the range and mobility of its systems. Under a joint initiative with France, the 2018 Capacités Motorisée (CaMo) agreement, or ‘Motorised Capacity’ in English, is designed to bring about what the Belgian Government has labelled a “true renaissance” in its artillery capabilities.
Although CaMo has been in place for more than five years, Belgium continues to increase its artillery ambitions, prompted by a security climate that has grown insecure since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine mobilised all of Europe during the past two years.
As part of the CaMo artillery plan, Belgium will procure 382 Griffon armoured vehicles and 60 Jaguar infantry fighting vehicles in total; two 120-millimetre (mm) Griffon batteries will be delivered in 2028. In addition to these plans, in 2021, the government also procured nine 155mm Caesar howitzer systems and has since continued to procure ten more. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently stated it currently plans to induct 24 155mm Caesar howitzer systems in the short-term.
In mid-May 2024, a demonstration of the new Caesar and Griffon vehicles took place in Brasschaat, under the eye of the Vice-Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Vansina, accompanied by a delegation of Belgian and French generals and colonels.
can fire six rounds per minute and its 155mm gun has a range of 40 kilometres. This capability makes it possible to prepare the terrain, neutralize threats and attack targets with formidable precision.
Belgium’s existing artillery systems
Notably the Belgian Army’s existing artillery systems are looking increasingly tired as the service operates 6×6 and 8×8 Pandur units, YP-408 and the Eland Mk7 fighting vehicles, among others – almost all of which were procured throughout the 1990s.
“Today our 105mm and 120mm weapon systems are performing well, but we would like to improve the mobility of our artillery, increase its range and strengthen fire support for units that need it,” relayed Lieutenant Colonel Verstraelen, Corps Commander of the Belgian Artillery Battalion.
Besides equipping the Army with extended mobility and more powerful guns, CaMo also ensures interoperability with foreign partners. According to GlobalData intelligence, France similarly operates 77 Caesar howitzers, 20 Jaguar infantry fighting vehicles and 1,872 Griffon units.
Furthermore, it was announced that a second Artillery Battalion will also be established in the southern part of the country in 2035.
“We are currently spread over two sites: Brasschaat and Lombardsijde. From next year we want to open a third, French-speaking branch in Marche-en-Famenne. This makes our unit bilingual,” explained Verstraelen.
Meanwhile, a training centre in Marche-en-Famenne will open its doors in the summer of 2025. (Source: army-technology.com)
17 May 24. Ninth Italian FREMM in sea trials as OCCAR reveals new ship deal signing date. The FREMM frigate has been developed by Italy and France for their own navies, but also saw export success with Egypt.
The European Organisation for Joint Armament Production (OCCAR) agency has said that a contract for a further two FREMM frigates in the “enhanced configuration” will be signed in July 2024, as the first of the Italian enhanced configuration vessels began its initial sea trials this month. In a 16 May release by European OCCAR agency it was revealed that the Italian FREMM frigate Spartaco Schergat passed an inaugural voyage in early May before subsequently getting underway in the Gulf of La Spezia as it proceeds through the first stages in a series of trials to test key systems.
According to current plans, the ITS Spartaco Schergat will complete its sea trials by January 2025 and be delivered to the Italian Navy in April the same year. The vessel is the ninth Italian FREMM frigate and the first of the enhanced configuration, which sees additional capabilities added to the platform to provide increased multirole functions.
OCCAR stated that the Italian FREMM programme is currently planning the launch of the tenth ship, the ITS Bianchi, on 25 May 2024, which is also in the enhanced configuration.
It is not known who the customer for two additional enhanced configuration FREMM frigates will be, with France and Italy both operating the type, as well as Egypt.
Italian Navy FREMM frigate programme
The FREMM frigates are a central element of the Italian Navy’s surface warfare capability, with eight vessels currently in service. The additional of two enhanced configuration warships will see the retirement of the two Maestrale-class ASW frigates in 2025.
According to GlobalData’s FREMM frigate project entry, in May 2006 OCCAR awarded the contract for the first two Italian FREMM frigates, the first of which was launched in July 2011 and delivered nearly two years later in May 2013. The second vessel of the class, Virginio Fasan, was launched in March 2012 and delivered in December 2013.
The Italian frigates are armed with the SAAM Aster 15 missile system for air-defence capability and also Teseo Mk2 (export version – Otomat Mk2) sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, both supplied by MBDA.
Teseo Mk2 uses command-updated inertial guidance and has a range of up to 55km. Two DCNS Sylver A43 vertical-launch systems are also fitted to each ship.
Anti-submarine warfare capabilities include MBDA’s Milas all-weather ASW weapon system. A derivative of Otomat Mk2, Milas carries and releases a lightweight torpedo such as an MU-90 close to the designated hostile submarine.
Italian FREMM’s are equipped with the Thales Type 4110 hull-mounted sonar, while the dedicated ASW configured frigates are also equipped with Thales Type 4929 active very-low-frequency towed array sonars.
Fire control is provided by the EMPAR G-band multifunction phased-array radar from Selex Sistemi Integrati, while the vessel’s infra-red search-and-track (IRST) system is the Galileo Avionica silent acquisition surveillance system. (Source: naval-technology.com)
USA
20 May 24. GAO finds risk of additional delays to F-35 programme. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that problems with F-35 hardware and software have led to delays and cost overruns, the agency said in a report released on 16 May. In 2023 most Lockheed Martin F-35s and the Pratt & Whitney (P&W) F135 engines that power them were delivered late, with the risk of delays to future deliveries.
“The engine contractor – Pratt & Whitney – did not deliver any engines on time in 2023,” noted the GAO. “Furthermore, in 2023, engines were delivered more than 2 months late, on average, compared with 1 month late in 2022.”
Engine deliveries were suspended following a December 2022 crash of an F-35B during a Department of Defense (DoD) acceptance evaluation flight. The cause was traced to harmonic vibrations in an engine fuel delivery tube, which cracked under the strain. Deliveries resumed in February 2023 following the development of a fix to prevent such resonance. (Source: Janes)
17 May 24. F-35 reaches full-scale production, but more than 90% of engines are late. A GAO report finds that the F-35 has reached full scale production, but that engine deliveries have set back the program significantly. Despite encountering production issues and modernisation delays, the F-35 program achieved full-rate production in March 2024, demonstrating an acceptable level of performers and reliability, and completed development of its testing simulator.
However, late deliveries of engines and aircraft, as well as hardware and software delays, continue to be challenges for the program, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report published on 16 May, who found that of the engines delivered in 2023, 100% of engines from Pratt & Whitney were delivered late, as were 91% of engines from Lockheed Martin.
The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is the most expensive weapon system programme to come out of the Department of Defense (DoD), with an estimated cost of $2trn to operate 2,470 planned aircraft though to 2088.
The GAO has been actively monitoring and reporting on the progress and challenges of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program through independent assessments and recommendations. Since 2001, the GAO has conducted annual reviews of the program, evaluating aspects such as cost, schedule, performance, and management to provide oversight to Congress and the public.
The F-35 program has managed the integration of new capabilities and technologies into the aircraft through initiatives like the Block 4 modernisation – now in its sixth year – and the $1.8bn Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrades.
The GAO found these integrations to have had a significant impact on the overall cost and schedule of the program. Efforts to manage costs and schedules while incorporating advanced capabilities remain ongoing priorities for the program to ensure the successful evolution and sustainment of the F-35 fleet.
To mitigate manufacturing issues and parts shortages in the F-35 program, Lockheed Martin and its suppliers took several steps to address the challenge, including the procurement of additional tooling to improving the production capacity of critical parts, and boost production efficiency to alleviate delays caused by these issues in the F-35 program.
Alongside this effort, Pratt & Whitney have enhanced its monitoring and oversight and invested $100m in a quality improvement plan to enhance engine component manufacturing processes. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
16 May 24. US Army’s future artillery may include wheeled howitzers, automated cannons, and long-range mortars. Wheeled howitzers are “having great effect in a place like Europe,” Army Futures chief says.
An Army plan to modernize its artillery could include howitzers fielded in Europe, automated cannons, and long-range mortars, Army Futures Command chief Gen. James Rainey suggested Thursday at a Senate hearing.
“There are some very good wheeled howitzers that are having great effect in a place like Europe,” said Rainey, speaking while describing acquisition plans informed by an Army study on artillery modernization, also dubbed the tactical fires study.
The U.S. is planning on a competition between various mobile artillery systems this summer to select a new self-propelled howitzer. The competition follows the cancellation of the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) howitzer.
Rainey may have been referring to artillery systems fielded in Ukraine, the only place in Europe where wheeled howitzers are being used in combat.
Ukraine uses a number of wheeled howitzers, including France’s Caesar, Sweden’s Archer, and the domestically produced 2S22 Bohdana. The Caesar has performed well on the battlefield, with losses of less than 10 percent amid frequent Russian drone strikes on Ukrainian artillery.
Rainey’s emphasis on mobile artillery comes following previous statements that artillery systems must constantly be on the move in order to avoid being identified and destroyed.
His interest in wheeled artillery marks a shift from the Army’s traditional focus on tracked howitzers like the Paladin. In 2021, the Army launched ultimately unsuccessful trials of various foreign wheeled artillery to pick one for its Stryker brigades.
Rainey also said the Army is also working on extending the range of mortar systems, and that the Army has seen success with one of three mortar calibers in use. The Army uses 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortars.
“We’re having great success with one of [of the mortars] and we’re going to expand that extended range and lethality efforts to the other ones,” Rainey said.
The efforts parallel Army work in developing longer-range howitzer rounds. In one test, BAE installed an extra-long Rheinmetall barrel on the Army’s standard Paladin howitzer to fire a modified 155mm round farther than ever before.
Echoing earlier comments made at the AUSA conference in March, Rainey also expressed interested in a “very capable autonomous and robotic cannon” made by a U.S. partner.
While Rainey did not specify which cannon he was referring to, U.S. allies Germany and Sweden allies have produced the RCH 155 and Archer, whose loading processes are automated. The RCH 155 may be able to drive autonomously in the future, according to a KNDS fact sheet.
Rainey also downplayed the importance of precision munitions for tactical fires, a term that refers to the use of indirect weapons in support of local objectives, such as silencing an enemy’s heavy artillery.
“Capability is nice, but unlike precision munitions where it’s sinking a handful of ships or closing a piece of ground, the most important thing in tactical fires is not just capability but its capacity,” he said, giving the example of blanketing an enemy formation with dozens of standard 155mm rounds versus destroying a tank with rounds costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense One)
REST OF THE WORLD
17 May 24. SAPS rotorcraft and UAV acquisitions in Armscor supply chain queue. The service is looking to acquire a large rotorcraft troop carrier. When it comes to feet on the ground, Minister Bheki Cele’s SA Police Service (SAPS) can successfully point to recruiting thousands, while he and National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, are depending on Armscor for the acquisition of helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Armscor is managing three tenders for the SAPS, with one – ECAC/2023/117 – for a “troop carrier” helicopter and the other two – ECAC/2023/116 and ECAC/2023/118 – for unmanned aerial vehicles.
In February defenceWeb asked for more information on all three including load capacity, service and repair for the rotorcraft as well as flight endurance and equipment, for example infrared cameras, to be fitted on the UAVs and the number sought. Was training for future SAPS UAV operators also part of the tender was a further question.
This publication was informed Armscor cannot respond on any of these tenders in view of the currently underway supply chain management processes.
The closing date for the troop carrying helicopter bid was 5 March 2024. Armscor has overseen the procurement of multiple new helicopters for the SAPS Air Wing, with Business Day reporting seven are being acquired for R400 m. So far, three Airbus Helicopters H125 light utility rotorcraft have been delivered to the SAPS.
One who took a closer look at the SAPS tenders was James Kerr of Pretoria-based Orion Consulting. He is of the opinion the three-week timeline for submission of bids is short when taking the complexity of the tenders into account.
On the proposed helicopter acquisition he notes it is an opportunity for “some newer SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises) to get some alliance with an international OEM (original equipment manufacturer)”. This is in line with Armscor’s stated intent of advancing broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) via SMMEs with the time factor making it difficult to prepare as a compliant commercial off the shelf (COTS) based proposal.
Securing single rights for any product submission as well as DIP (defence industrial participation) and NIP (national industrial participation) need corporate approval, which takes time, more so if a foreign entity is involved, the specialist market entry strategy and proposal service supplier to the South African aerospace and defence industries said.
The SAPS, meanwhile, has a number of its own tenders out. One of those, issued on 10 May, is for the armoured conversion of Nissan Patrol 5.6 V8 LE Premium or similar vehicles for a period of two years for the Special Task Force. Bids close on 10 June.
Armscor continues to focus mainly on tenders for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and has a number out at present, primarily for the Navy. Tender ENLS/2024/19 calls for the procurement of maintenance spares for the support vessel SAS Drakensberg for the 2024/25 financial year. Closing date is 23 May. Tender EARO/2024/22 seeks alternator and maintenance spares for SA Navy frigates, with a closing date of 28 May. Further frigate work will come in the form of new exhaust flaps for the frigates, under tender EARO/2024/23, which has a closing date of 28 May.
For the Army, tender EWSD/2024/18 seeks the conversion of Toyota Land Cruisers to armoured 6×6 configuration for the Special Forces (closing date 14 May). Tender ELWS/2024/10 was issued on 29 April and seeks the procurement of E-Class spares for Olifant MK1A and armoured recovery vehicle systems, with a closing date of 20 May. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
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Since 1946, Industrial Electronic Engineers, IEE, has specialized in the design, test, support and fielding of display products for use in demanding military and aerospace applications throughout the world. IEE has developed an extensive product portfolio that today includes enhanced flat panel displays, smart displays and handheld devices.
From rapid prototyping of custom designs to full-scale production runs, IEE, produces displays with advanced features like low-latency video processing, high-bright and NVIS backlighting, and lightweight rugged enclosures. Their SWaP-C products employ the latest lightweight composite materials; low power, high performance integrated ARM processors; standard Ethernet and USB communication, in a low cost, highly producible design.
In-house California facilities include optical bonding, clean rooms for display assembly, a dark room for optical measurements and environmental chambers for pre-compliance and customer acceptance testing. On-site manufacturing includes PCB assembly and flow soldering. IEE has manufactured handheld, in-vehicle, airborne and naval LCD displays for all military branches as well as leading aerospace firms both domestically and internationally.
IEE is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.
IEE’s Advantage:
- Direct control of critical process steps that reduce cost, decrease production lead times and improves life-cycle management
- Unique advantage to serve to both smaller quantity, highly custom displays needs as well as high volume production outputs
- Expert in delivering the best value in form and fit replacement by modifying existing COTS products to meet legacy requirements
- Leading the next generation avionics efficiencies by leveraging open architectures and common software standards
- Field-proven, pre-engineered displays minimize lead-time and non-recurring engineering costs.
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