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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
26 Jul 24. The head of Italian defence group Leonardo has said he would be “open to” Saudi Arabia joining a tri-national project to build an advanced fighter jet if Britain decides to reduce its commitment. Leonardo chief executive Roberto Cingolani said he would be “personally very open” to it, “especially if there were some reallocation of resources” after the UK’s new Labour government completes its defence spending review. “Having a fourth partner could be very convenient for the consortium [and] in that case it could of course be Saudi Arabia,” Cingolani told the Financial Times at the Farnborough air show. Cingolani’s comments come amid speculation that Labour may reduce its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme with Italy and Japan as it conducts its defence policy review. During a visit to the show on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stressed the importance of the programme but also noted that the review was not yet complete. The UK, Italy and Japan signed an international treaty last year to set up GCAP, merging their separate next generation fighter projects into one to address increasing threats from China and Russia. Britain’s biggest defence companies, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, are working together alongside industrial partners Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan on the programme, which aims to fly an aircraft by 2035. The FT disclosed last year that Saudi Arabia, which has a long-standing defence relationship with the UK and is a big purchaser of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, was keen to join the project. The kingdom’s interest, however, sparked concern that the already-tight deadline to have a jet flying by 2035 could be at risk. Cingolani said that Saudi Arabia could bring both industrial capability and some fresh labour resources as a potential partner. Industry analysts believe the kingdom could yet secure a partnership role even if the UK does not reduce its support. Bringing Riyadh on board could open up other Middle East countries as potential export markets. Allowing Saudi Arabia into the programme could also pave the way for a new order of Typhoon jets from the UK, which has been in talks with Riyadh over the sale of another 48 aircraft. Roberto Cingolani said at Farnborough air show that Saudi Arabia could bring industrial capability and some fresh labour resources as a potential partner © Hollie Adams/Bloomberg The companies are currently trying to finalise the “industrial construct” that will underpin GCAP. There had been an expectation that an outline agreement could be announced at Farnborough, but wrangling over issues such as ownership of intellectual property had slowed progress, according to several people familiar with the talks. There has also been debate about individual companies’ core competencies — designed to define manufacturing capabilities and workshare. Italy in particular was concerned about ensuring it would have an equal share, these people said. Recommended UK defence Next generation fighter jet project ‘important’ to UK says Starmer Cingolani said that he was “not yet” happy about how talks had gone but said they were “progressing in that direction”. Leonardo’s expertise lies in advanced defence electronics and “system of systems” technology that will allow the fighter jets to link and interconnect with adjunct aircraft. Cingolani said it was still too early to talk about the exact workshare split as the project was not yet “mature enough”. “We are not yet mature to talk in terms of workshare but generally speaking we are trying to find an agreement to understand who makes what,” he said. Defence industry executives at the show privately played down the suggestion that the UK could cancel the programme. Speaking separately, Rolls-Royce chief executive Tufan Erginbilgiç said that while the UK defence review made sense, the importance of GCAP should not be overlooked, both in terms of the capabilities it offered but also in terms of its industrial footprint. Rolls-Royce already has 1,000 people working on the project. (Source: FT.com)
22 Jul 24. UK-led fighter program is still open-ish to paying partners. The prospect of another nation joining the trilateral Global Combat Air Program remains on the table, but an expansion would require additional work on an already demanding timeline, officials involved in the sixth-generation fighter effort said.
Representatives from the Italian, British and Japanese GCAP lead companies showcased a new concept model of their proposed aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow here, which featured a large wingspan for increased aerodynamics.
Executives noted that the latest version of the concept development was a representation of the power of the three-way cooperation between BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
“In the work we’ve done so far, with our colleagues in Japan and Italy, we find that our operational requirements align very well, there is a common approach with regards to what the threats are for the future and our collaboration is also very complementary,” Herman Claesen, managing director for future combat air systems at BAE Systems told reporters.
The possibility of the program expanding to include an additional nation has loomed for some time now, with the idea of Saudi Arabia in the mix tickling the imagination of the global aviation commentariat. Officially, there is no such course of action.
“What we can say is that we are developing a construct that is able and open for other partners –partners are absolutely important because the export market is relevant for the business case [of the program],” Guglielmo Maviglia, chief global combat air program officer at Leonardo, said.
The GCAP program is following a “very demanding timeline,” said Claesen, a reference to the envisioned in-service date of 2035.
When pressed on whether introducing a new country may cause delays in meeting the strict schedule, Maviglia said it was unlikely and that it would “require an extra effort.”
“What I can assure you is that in the event that such a decision was taken, it would not interrupt our ongoing activities – we have a clear picture about the program and hitting our targets,” he told Defense News. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
19 Jul 24. “GCAP is completely impossible if there’s a war in Europe in the coming five years because the global economy will have completely tanked,” said Justin Bronk, senior research fellow for airpower and technology at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK defense think tank.
Britain’s new Labour government has declined to make a firm, long-term commitment to the multinational next-generation Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), citing concern over influencing the recently launched Strategic Defence Review (SDR).
“It is a really important program for us,” said Luke Pollard, UK armed forces minister, during the Global Air Chief’s Conference today. “It’s important for our partners in Japan and Italy … and we’re meeting both those partners next week to underline that. But it’s not right for me to prejudge what might happen in the [Strategic] Defence Review.”
Pollard suggested that ministerial speeches should not be used to tell George Robinson, former NATO secretary general and the lead reviewer of the strategy document, that “this platform and this platform” must be saved.
The SDR was formally commissioned by Labour leader Keir Starmer on Monday, with London vowing to deliver a “new era” of defense in the process. It is expected to layout the UK’s strategic priorities, acquisition changes and procurement reforms. Work on the project has already started, “in recognition of the urgency of the threats” faced by the UK, and is expected to be delivered to lawmakers in “the first half of 2025.”
But Labour reticence to discuss GCAP appears out of line with its full public embrace of the AUKUS security partnership, which will develop a new class of nuclear-powered submarines for Australia.
Meanwhile, the economic sustainability of GCAP has been in the spotlight since the US Air Force suggested it is reconsidering the future of its own Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) effort and amid questions gathering around whether London should de-prioritise its six generation fighter to better prepare for a potentially more immediate war with Russia beyond Ukraine’s borders — predicted by some European leaders and analyst to be between three and five years away.
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“GCAP is completely impossible if there’s a war in Europe in the coming five years because the global economy will have completely tanked,” said Justin Bronk, senior research fellow for airpower and technology at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK defense think tank, here on Wednesday.
“It’s notable that the US Air Force is saying it can’t potentially afford NGAD, and given that NGAD already has prototypes flying around is their third or fourth attempt to build a combat stealth aircraft, they’re very good at it and it’s US funding, if the US thinks it is maybe unaffordable … then I think we probably need to look very carefully at how we’re going to do this in Europe,” he said. “But for the immediate term, you’ve got to stop the Russians from trying to test NATO militarily in this decade, otherwise, everything else is kind of irrelevant.”
Other analysts have previously been less skeptical about the impact a potential NGAD cancellation could have on GCAP, because the two projects are working off very different budgets, with the US design somewhere in the range of $200 to $300m per airframe.
“We need cutting-edge capabilities,” said Pollard. “We need to make sure that when we’re procuring systems, high-end systems, future systems that we need to keep our people safe, we do it in the most cost effective way and that is by working with our partners.”
Still, an senior RAF spokesperson told reporters on condition of anonymity at a media briefing today that he was “not at all surprised” by Pollard’s position on GCAP because of the funding involved.
“It is a very big investment. In orders of magnitude terms, over the next 10 years, investment in GCAP is about a quarter of what we will invest in the Army’s equipment procurement plan,” he said.
The previous UK Conservative government committed spending of £2bn ($2.6bn) on GCAP until 2025 and an additional £12bn ($15.5bn) overall. But it remains to be seen if Labour will stick to that level of funding.
The RAF spokesperson said that the service “needs something” to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon fourth-generation jet before 2037, and in the interim, the RAF will prioritize a focus on how to best exploit autonomous systems, digital manufacturing and synthetic environment technologies.
GCAP is also planned to replace Italian Eurofighter Typhoons and Japanese F-2 fighter jets.
First launched in December 2022, GCAP’s core vehicle is set to be capable of flying with loyal wingman or adjunct type platforms, and due to be equipped with “advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons and innovative data systems,” according to the UK MoD. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
22 Jul 24. Helicopters Made in Britain: Leonardo continues to see export success and invests an additional £604m in onshore helicopter operations and UK supply chain.
- Leonardo, at the Home of British Helicopters in Yeovil, continues to win export orders for its helicopter products, notching up £322M in exports since September 2023 including to Japan and South Korea.
- Leonardo is accelerating its UK uncrewed helicopter design and development, with the first flight of its Proteus Airborne Collaborative Platform (ACP) slated to take place in Q1 2025.
Leonardo in Yeovil, the Home of British Helicopters, has secured £322M of export orders since September 2023. This includes contracts with Japan and South Korea in the past few weeks. In Japan, Leonardo and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) agreed a contract for additional MCH-101 naval helicopters kits for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). Meanwhile, Leonardo has signed a five-year support services contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to support the AW159 Maritime Operations Helicopters in-service with the Republic of Korea Navy.
Since 2013, Leonardo has generated almost £6.8 bn in helicopter exports from the UK to customers across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North Africa. This includes over £500 m of export sales in 2023. The strong export performance allows Leonardo to support a thriving UK-wide helicopters supply chain and invest to future proof its Somerset-based manufacturing facilities, with the company spending £604M in 2023. Around 20% of this, in the region of £120M, was with more than 250 SMEs. Furthermore, it included an investment of about £4M to equip Leonardo’s helicopter transmissions factory, and the company’s centres of excellence including the Dynamic Composites Centre, in Yeovil, with the latest equipment, including new cutting machines, gear checkers, and grinders. The investment on-site ensures that Leonardo continues to be ‘AW149-ready’, fully equipped to deliver the medium multi-role helicopter to the UK Ministry of Defence should Leonardo be successful in the ongoing New Medium Helicopter competition.
AW149 Made in Britain
Leonardo is the only company down-selected in the New Medium Helicopter competition that has the skills and infrastructure onshore to provide a ‘Made in Britain’ helicopter to the UK Armed Forces. Decades of investment have empowered Leonardo to build a UK workforce comprising 430 design-focused engineers proficient in 87 essential skill sets for executing high-value helicopter design work. These skills have previously been employed in support of the UK’s Armed Forces on operations, including the delivery of 57 Urgent Operational Requirements relating to helicopters during Operations Telic and Herrick.
Should Leonardo be awarded the New Medium Helicopter contract, the company has pledged that future exports will be from the UK build line. The Department for International Trade has independently confirmed that the addressable export market for medium-sized military helicopters is 500 aircraft, worth tens of bns in UK exports. Recent sales of the AW149 to international armed forces, including NATO members Poland and
North Macedonia, prove that the modern, military-designed helicopter is being embraced for its survivability, performance, and availability.
Proteus at-pace
In line with Leonardo’s 2024-2028 Industrial Plan, Leonardo is making targeted investments in research and development, including a transformative approach to digitalisation across the whole business. At its UK-based helicopter business, this includes investment in the next generation of uncrewed rotorcraft technologies.
First in this domain is the Proteus Airborne Collaborative Platform (ACP), which Leonardo is developing under the Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System (RWUAS) Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP) in partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Future Capability Innovation and the Royal Navy. Uncrewed systems are part of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm 2040 vision for Anti-Submarine Warfare support.
The programme is proceeding at pace and testing in Yeovil’s specialist helicopter wind tunnel is now underway with a 3D printed 2:13 scale Proteus model. This is the first model of an uncrewed rotorcraft to be tested onsite, and it will provide critical aerodynamic data to assist the UK-based design team in producing an accurate flight profile of the aircraft. The wind tunnel helps replicate the actions of the aircraft in flight and will help engineers and designers in Yeovil understand the platform’s aerodynamic performance.
Following testing, further design and development work will take place before the first flight of the Proteus test aircraft, which is on-track to fly in Q1 2025. The approximately 3t prototype will have modularity at its core and will be able to be adapted to deliver a wide range of roles on behalf of military operators.
Adam Clarke, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters UK, commented: “In the UK, Leonardo is investing hundreds of ms to sustain our nation’s position at the forefront of rotorcraft research, design, and manufacture. We’re developing and designing advanced new helicopter technologies for our own Armed Forces, we’re exporting helicopter products all over the world and we continue to invest in our people and infrastructure in order to meet the emerging multi-domain and digital requirements of the most sophisticated military customers.”
Leonardo’s offer for the UK New Medium Helicopter requirement: The AW149
The AW149 is a proven, in-service medium multi-role military helicopter, designed this generation for the modern battlefield operations while minimising through life costs. Military certified in 2014, the multi-role AW149 began life as an all-new, blank sheet of paper military design, focusing on survivability on the modern battlefield, operations from austere environments and maximising aircraft availability.
Leonardo’s offer delivers social mobility around the UK through jobs, investment in skills and top-rated apprenticeship and graduate schemes. AW149 work in the UK will directly create or sustain 1,500 highly skilled jobs nationwide and support more than 12,000 helicopters jobs across Leonardo’s established UK supply chain.
AW149 for Poland: Delivery at pace for pressing military needs
The AW149 was recently acquired by the Polish Armed Forces. Demonstrating the readiness of the helicopter to meet urgent national requirements, PZL-Świdnik (part of Leonardo), has been able to quickly and flexibly meet Poland’s urgent requirements. Less than two years following contract signature, Poland has formally cleared the AW149 for operational service. This pace has been essential to Poland given the geopolitical scenario facing the NATO ally.
Investment in new UK onshore transmissions infrastructure
Only a handful of companies in the world are able to design, develop, test and manufacture highly complex transmissions for large helicopters, including main rotor, intermediate and tail rotor gearboxes. Leonardo in Yeovil is one of these select few and it is the only company in the UK with this capability, which is one of the reasons that Leonardo is the sole OEM capable of end-to-end helicopter production in the UK.
19 Jul 24. UK DASA seeks aerial threat detection systems. The UK Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a new GBP2 m competition seeking fast paced proposals over four key challenge areas, called Innovation in Support of Operations.
One of the four areas of interest pertains to aerial threat detection. According to the full competition document, DASA is looking for information on “reduced cost, low probability of intercept, wide-area sense and detect [systems] including (but not limited to) air search (including passive) and the function of 3D counter-battery radar.”
The document lists potential threats to be detected as adversary RF emitters; adversary ISR assets including drones, vehicles or personnel; and adversary weapons in flight such as mortars, rockets, and artillery.
Funded by the Ministry of Defence, the competition intends to identify “nearly ready solutions and techniques that can be accelerated into scalable and deliverable effect faster than our adversaries”.
The competition will run for three cycles, open continuously from 18 July until 3 December 2024. DASA expects individual funded proposals to be in the region of to be in the range of GBP50,000 to GBP200,000. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
16 Jul 24. UK NPSA issues call for fourth CORE event to test AI-enhanced C-UAS. Following three successful C-UAS Capability Optimisation Research Environment (CORE) events, the UK’s National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) is looking for expressions of interest from vendors of AI-assisted detect, track, and identify technology. The technology will form part of this year’s CORE event, which is expected to be held from Monday 7th – Friday 11th October 2024 and hosted by both NPSA and the United States Department of Homeland Security.
The theme for 2024 is AI-enhanced C-UAS. Use of AI could, for example, include providing initial detection in congested spectrum environments, improving classification (UAS vs non-UAS or to further levels of detail), automatically assessing threat intent, or achieving better outcomes than traditional fusion, correlation and tracking algorithms and techniques.
NPSA will provide the test site with infrastructure including control rooms and data recording tools, and a test fleet of rotary and fixed-wing platforms. There is no participation cost to the vendor. Interested parties are required to complete the expression of interest form by August 9. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
22 Jul 24. £10.9m boost for Scottish space sector.
The projects come from the National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) – designed to invest in high-potential technologies and drive innovation and growth.
Five projects funded by the UK Space Agency across Scotland have been announced on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow, providing over £10.5m in Scottish investment.
The projects come from the National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP) – designed to invest in high-potential technologies and drive innovation and growth in the space sector across the UK.
Two Scottish projects will receive £8.5m of the total funding for UK Major Projects. These include funding for a sub-orbital rocket test by HyImpulse (Glasgow) from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland.
A project led by Spire Global (Glasgow) will further develop technology to supply unique weather forecasting data to global numerical weather prediction centres.
Not only will the funding support the growth of UK space businesses and create new jobs, but it will enhance Scotland’s offering of space capabilities and services to international investors and major space players.
An additional three ‘Kick Starter’ projects across Scotland will receive £2.4m between them. These projects are designed to support technologies and applications that are in an earlier stage of development and increase their readiness for use in commercial and scientific endeavours.
These projects include a partnership between University of Strathclyde, UK Atomic Energy Authority and SJE Space, for a feasibility study into whether terrestrial directed energy drilling (plasmas/microwaves) could be adapted for space applications, specifically lunar exploration.
Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow where he met with a number of Scottish exhibitors, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:
“This is an exciting time for the Scottish space sector as we look forward to the first satellite launch from SaxaVord in Shetland later this year. The burgeoning industry plays a vital role in our economy and employs thousands of people across the country. It was fantastic to meet with some of them here and hear about their pioneering plans which could be a key driver for growth, jobs and investment in Scotland.
“Scotland is a major player in the international space industry and I am delighted the UK Government is continuing to back the sector with £10.9 m in funding for these five Scottish projects.”
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:
“These new projects will help kickstart growth, create more high-quality jobs, protect our planet and preserve the space environment for future generations. They go to the heart of what we want to achieve as a national space agency that supports cutting-edge innovation, spreads opportunity across the UK and delivers the benefits of space back to citizens on Earth.”
Chair of the UKspace trade association, John Hanley, said: “This investment into the space industry demonstrates the importance of funding through a national programme to unlock innovative collaborations in all parts of the UK. We hope this will further strengthen the sector and build upon the growth we have seen in recent years.”
Project Summaries:
Major Projects
- SHARP – Sustainable Hybrid: Accelerated Rocket Programme
Funding: £4,995,000
This project will set out to conduct a vertical launch of a sounding rocket in the UK with the final goal being the build completion of the second stage of the orbital rocket ready for testing. HyImpulse, in partnership with Cranfield University, Birmingham University and the AVICON Partnership, intends to provide a fully vertically integrated launch service for a low-cost, fast, flexible, and reliable deployment of small satellites to low earth orbits.
- Operational Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder-Satellite (OHMS-Sat)
Funding: £3,524,000
Led by Spire Global in partnership with STAR-Dundee Ltd, the Met Office and RAL Space (UKRI STFC), this project will build on the prior developments of the Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HYMS) to move it towards an operational mission to supply weather forecasting data to global numerical weather prediction (NWP) centres and create unique weather products.
Kick Starter Projects
- DIGGER – Drilling and Integrated GigaHertz-Generated Energy Resource for Lunar and Asteroid applications
Funding: £845,000
In partnership with University of Strathclyde, UK Atomic Energy Authority and SJE Space, DIGGER is a feasibility study into whether terrestrial directed energy drilling (plasmas/microwaves) could be adapted for space applications, specifically lunar exploration.
- Direct Detection Receivers for Millimetre Wave Radiometry
Funding: £827,000
Led by UKRI / STFC / RAL Space in partnership with University of Glasgow and Spire Glasgow, the project will develop the critical low noise amplifier and detector technology which will be at the core of the next generation of atmospheric remote sensing instrumentation. This technology will go beyond gathering data for weather prediction, with use cases being developed in emerging fields such as security imaging, and theft prevention.
- TARS-IOD: Flight-ready model for In-Orbit Demonstration of Tomorrow’s Astro-Robotic System
Funding: £804,000
Lodestar Space Ltd. will develop a platform-agnostic modular robotic arm to perform contact dependent dynamic space operations. Intended for flight on Momentus’ Vigoride platform, the partnership also involves Growbotics and the University of Glasgow to equip the UK with sovereign capabilities for inspecting, protecting, and repairing vital assets beyond Earth. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
22 Jul 24. £33m boost for national space programme. More than 20 national space projects have been announced today by DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle, on the opening day of the Farnborough International Airshow.
From:
National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP). £33m for cutting-edge UK space technology to boost innovation and growth.
The projects, worth £33m, come from the UK Space Agency’s National Space Innovation Programme – designed to invest in high-potential technologies, drive innovation and unlock growth across the UK.
Eight major projects will receive £24m of the total amount. These include funding for a sub-orbital rocket test by HyImpulse (Glasgow) from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, support for Rolls Royce (Derby) to develop micro reactors to support space exploration, and backing for Cambridge University spin-out SuperSharp to develop and launch a heat-detecting telescope to gather data that can be used to help tackle the climate crisis.
The funding will also support Lunasa (Harwell) to build and test technology to help satellites safely dock with one another, Orbit Fab (Harwell) to develop a solution for satellite refuelling, and Wayland Additive (Huddersfield) to develop an electronic propulsion system.
A project led by Spire Global (Glasgow) will further develop technology to supply unique weather forecasting data to global weather prediction centres, while ETL Systems (Hereford) will advance revolutionary ground equipment that links satellites to 5G and 6G mobile networks, improving connectivity.
DSIT Secretary of State Peter Kyle said: “From combatting climate change to staying connected with loved ones, space technologies play an important role in many aspects of our day to day lives.
But backing the growth of UK space companies is also essential for driving economic growth, boosting productivity, and creating wealth in every community. Our £33m investment in these projects highlights the huge potential of the UK’s space industry, especially as we collaborate with international partners.”
An additional 15 ‘Kick Starter’ projects will receive £9 m between them. These will support technologies and applications that are in an earlier stage of development and increase their readiness for use in commercial and scientific endeavours. The projects cover a wide range of space-related capabilities, from in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, as well as advanced material development and the use of satellite imagery.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “These new projects will help kickstart growth, create more high-quality jobs, protect our planet and preserve the space environment for future generations. They go to the heart of what we want to achieve as a national space agency that supports cutting-edge innovation, spreads opportunity across the UK and delivers the benefits of space back to citizens on Earth.”
Chair of the UKspace trade association, John Hanley, said: “This investment into the space industry demonstrates the importance of funding through a national programme to unlock innovative collaborations in all parts of the UK. We hope this will further strengthen the sector, and build upon the growth we have seen in recent years.”
Project Summaries
Major Projects
SHARP (Sustainable Hybrid: Accelerated Rocket Programme): £5m
Led by HyImpulse UK in partnership with Cranfield University, Birmingham University and AVICON Partnership.
This project aims to conduct the vertical launch of a sounding rocket from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, with the goal of developing key components contributing to an orbital launch service. HyImpulse intends to provide a fully vertically integrated launch service for a low-cost, fast, flexible, and reliable deployment of small satellites to low Earth and sun synchronous orbits.
An in-orbit demonstration of an unfolding TIR space telescope for climate change mitigation: £5m
Led by Super Sharp Space Systems in partnership with the University of Cambridge.
The project will support the launch of an innovative, unfolding, thermal infrared (TIR) telescope into orbit for Earth Observation. The TIR telescope will collect data to drive positive action towards mitigating climate change.
Space Nuclear Power Micro-Reactor Technology Development and Demonstration: £4.8m
Led by Rolls-Royce Submarines in partnership with Bangor University, University of Oxford and Rolls Royce Bristol.
The project will raise the overall technology readiness level for Space Micro-Reactors, closing the gap to a full system space flight demonstration and the commercialisation of space nuclear power.
OHMS-Sat (Operational Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder-Satellite): £3.5m
Led by Spire Global in partnership with STAR-Dundee, the Met Office and STFC RAL Space.
This project will build on the prior developments of the Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder (HYMS) to accelerate it towards an operational mission to supply weather forecasting data to global numerical weather prediction (NWP) centres and create unique weather products.
Electric Propulsion Innovations for Space and Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing: £2.7m
Led by Wayland Additive in partnership with Mars Space Ltd.
The project aims to adapt Mars Space Ltd (MSL)’s spacecraft electric propulsion technology and apply it to Electron Beam Metal Powder Additive Manufacturing in Wayland Additive Ltd’s Calibur machines. The access to, and spinout of, this technology to terrestrial applications will result in economies of scale for the MSL hollow cathode technology, benefiting both the space and terrestrial sectors.
SPITFIRE (Servicing Propellant Interface Technology For In-orbit Refuelling Effectiveness): £1.3m
Led by Orbit Fab in partnership with MDA Space and Robotics, and the University of Southampton.
The project will develop a full high-pressure interface solution to flight qualification level. This will bring together all the critical elements of refuelling for a UK-developed pressure agnostic interface solution that could be used on all future Orbit Fab refuelling missions in the pipeline.
Proximus Prime: Autonomous vision-based Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) demonstration mission in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using Small Satellites: £1m
Led by Lúnasa in partnership with Orbit Fab.
Lúnasa intends to co-engineer, integrate and test its autonomous Rendezvous Proximity Operations (RPO) Kit around Orbit Fab’s commercially available satellite docking and refuelling interface. Lúnasa will deploy the RPO Kit into Space and perform a first-of-its kind commercial satellite autonomous close-proximity demonstration between two MicroSats.
IF Lite project – Digital IF for Satellite mobile ground terminals and antennas: £690,000
Led by ETL Systems.
ETL Systems will develop an advancement in satellite ground segment technology, merging Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) including satellites, with terrestrial networks such as 5G and 6G, alongside cloud virtualisation. This will facilitate seamless waveform alterations and accommodate edge devices like satellite terminals.
Kickstarter Projects
SuperMagdrive: £1m
Led by Magdrive in partnership with Orbit Fab and the University of Southampton.
This project will develop and scale up Magdrive’s plasma propulsion system – ‘SuperMagdrive’. The project focuses on development of the power system, ultimately demonstrating the technology with a test fire. Applications of this technology range from rendezvous and proximity operations to in space refuelling operations, contributing to a more sustainable space.
Development of an ultra-high efficiency, low-cost flexible solar blanket and compact, modular roll-out mechanism for in-orbit deployment: £980,000
Led by Lightricity in partnership with AVS Added Value Solutions and University of Leicester.
Lightricity will work with partners to deliver a roll-out, in-orbit deployable flexible solar blanket or sheet for application in powering satellite payloads and potentially satellite electric propulsion, particularly suitable for small to medium satellites.
DIGGER (Drilling and Integrated GigaHertz-Generated Energy Resource) for Lunar and Asteroid applications: £850,000
Led by STFC in partnership with University of Strathclyde, UK Atomic Energy Authority and SJE Space.
DIGGER is a feasibility study into whether terrestrial directed energy drilling (plasmas/microwaves) could be adapted for space applications, specifically lunar exploration.
Direct Detection Receivers for Millimetre Wave Radiometry: £830,000
Led by STFC RAL Space in partnership with University of Glasgow and Spire Global.
The project will develop critical low noise amplifier and detector technology which will be at the core of the next generation of atmospheric remote sensing instrumentation. Applications extend beyond gathering data for weather prediction, with use cases being developed in emerging fields of millimetre wave non-destructive testing, short pulse laser and synchrotron diagnostics, security imaging, and theft prevention.
TARS-IOD: Flight-ready model for In-Orbit Demonstration of Tomorrow’s Astro-Robotic System: £800,000
Led by Lodestar Space in partnership with Momentus Space, Growbotics and University of Glasgow.
Lodestar Space will develop a platform-agnostic modular robotic arm to perform contact dependent dynamic space operations. Intended for flight on Momentus’ Vigoride platform, the partnership also involves Growbotics and the University of Glasgow to equip the UK with sovereign capabilities for inspecting, protecting, and repairing vital assets beyond Earth.
SCOPE (Solar Coronagraph for OPErations): Development and testing towards an environmentally-qualified model: £770,000
Led by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
A project continuing the development of the SCOPE coronagraph, UKRI aims to image solar Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), enhancing our ability to predict CME arrival and thereby space weather, progressing towards an environmentally-qualified instrument.
REALM (Rapid information extraction for environmental remote sensing on board spacecraft through application of light Machine Learning models in payload computing systems): £690,000
Led by University of Leicester.
The project will develop and demonstrate streamlined machine learning algorithms capable of complying with spacecraft power and computing performance requirements using drones. The project addresses the need for real-time and near real-time operation of various Earth observation applications ranging from wildfire detection to transport congestion monitoring.
Advanced Microscopy and Thermal Control Upgrades to the SpaceLab Microgravity Research System: £560,000
Led by Frontier Space Technologies, in partnership with Cranfield University.
Frontier Space Technologies Ltd and Cranfield University will develop their SpaceLab, capable of conducting experiments in microgravity environments. Specific upgrades will significantly enhance capability for drug discovery and in orbit manufacture of high value products. Applications include pharmaceuticals, biosciences and material science.
Multifunctional lightweight superstrates for high performance space PV (photovoltaics): £480,000
Led by Loughborough University in partnership with the University of Cambridge.
The project will develop a novel space photovoltaic device, enabling low cost, highly resilient solar power systems which meet the complex demands of next generation space applications.
FIBSTAR (FIBre STeered SpAce Reflective mirrors): £450,000
Led by iCOMAT in partnership with Cranfield University
The project will develop and prototype lightweight carbon fibre mirrors using novel fibre steering technology. The primary aims are to develop a simulation design framework, then produce a representative demo article to validate benefits of fibre-steering.
ABEP (Air Breathing Electric Propulsion) Intake End-To-End Simulation & Design: £390,000
Led by Stellar Advanced Concepts in partnership with the University of Manchester.
The project will work on simulating an Air Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) system to unlock new capabilities in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO).
Transmitter for D-band MIMO enabled by traveling wave tubes for ultra-throughput satellites: £390,000
Led by Lancaster University
Lancaster University will develop a satellite transmitter enabling ultra-capacity satellite links at D-band (134 – 141 GHz) with a novel multiple antenna technique, or MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) powered by Travelling Wave Tubes (TWTs).
CLASP (Capture of Large Spacecraft): £310,000
Led by ClearSpace Today in partnership with the Satellite Applications Catapult.
The project will develop a versatile capture mechanism for large unprepared satellites. The development involves analysing potential clients and identifying safe capture locations, creating a simulation tool for studying capture scenarios and trialling a robotics system based on the preliminary design of the capture mechanism.
Biocomputer System for Space Biomanufacturing: £300,000
Led by BiologIC Technologies in partnership with Axiom Space.
The project will optimise BiologIC Technologies’ biomanufacturing system, built using world-leading biocomputer technology, to withstand space launch, operate in microgravity and ensure compatibility with space infrastructure.
SOARS (Sewage) Outfall Assessment by Remote Sensing (SOARS): £250,000
Led by HR Wallingford.
The project will test the feasibility of two sets of novel Earth Observation innovations, addressing the strategic priority of sewage spills. SOARS will apply oil spill identification techniques to sewage spills and employ novel machine learning techniques to assess their impact.
The project funding figures above have been rounded and represent the funding provided by the UK Space Agency, excluding additional contributions by the applicants and project partners. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
23 Jul 24. At Farnborough International Airshow, Leonardo has published a new report by independent analysts at Oxford Economics. The report highlights the continued contribution of Leonardo to the growth of the UK economy and the increase in investment in research and development over the last five years.
The report showed that R&D spend by Leonardo UK had more than doubled since 2018, with the company spending nearly £500 m on R&D activities in 2023 alone. The company also conducted £1.4 bn of R&D activity over the five preceding years. This has included major investment in digital and data technologies and capabilities, which Leonardo expects to become central to its business as it continues to grow in the UK.
Cutting-edge onshore research includes Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data fusion, autonomy and advanced manufacturing, modelling and simulation technologies. These advances are underpinning Leonardo UK’s involvement in major international programmes such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), as well as its ability to design and develop new offerings in cyber security and uncrewed rotorcraft.
Based on the report, with eight major sites around the UK – including its new Newcastle site which was opened in October 2023 and is currently recruiting for high-quality jobs – Leonardo contributes £2.5Bn to UK GDP, meaning that for every £100 contributed to the economy directly by Leonardo, a total of £310 in GDP was generated across the economy.
The focus on high-value innovation extends to the company’s workforce, which the report reveals now comprises 50% highly-skilled engineers out of a total 8,200 direct employees, including approximately 2,800 at the company’s Yeovil-based helicopter design and advanced manufacturing facility and nearly 2,500 at the company’s electronics site in Edinburgh. These skilled employees design and manufacture highly-exportable combat air technologies, new military helicopters and advanced cyber security services. Leonardo workers contributed £99,000 a year to GDP in 2023 on average, compared to the UK average of £63,000 that year. The company’s workers are highly productive, generating 57% more in GDP contributions per job than the UK average in 2023.
This sustained innovation and investment facilitated Leonardo exporting £930m of products and services from the UK in 2023. The company also generated a further £4.4bn of exports in the five preceding years. By continuing to build on this strong performance in export markets, Leonardo will be able to contribute to sustained economic growth in the UK.
According to the research, Leonardo also spends £960m with its UK supply chain, with nearly 1,700 suppliers across the country of which 75% are small and medium-sized enterprises. Leonardo UK’s supply chain purchases supported a £830m contribution to UK GDP in 2023. The company’s economic activity supported nearly 31,700 jobs around the UK in 2023, of which 12,900 were as a result of supply chain spending.
Wage and salary payments made by the company to its UK employees in 2023 were just over £450m. The wages and salaries paid to Leonardo employees, as well the salaries of workers in the company’s supply chain, helped to support a further 10,600 jobs around the UK in 2023.
Leonardo also contributes to upskilling the UK workforce through its training schemes. In 2023 the company had more than 700 people on early careers schemes, including 310 graduate trainees, 360 apprentices, and 60 industrial placement students. Such high quality training drives social mobility by enhancing earning potential all around the country, improves productivity and will help lay resilient foundations for the UK economy.
Commenting on the headline increase in R&D spending by Leonardo:
Stefano Pontecorvo, Chairman, Leonardo, said: “I am proud of the forward-looking projects that our UK business is already implementing when it comes to cutting-edge research and exploiting the benefits of digitalisation. Research and development is at the heart of Leonardo’s 2024 – 2028 Industrial Plan and underpins our success internationally, including at our successful UK-based business. Focused R&D expenditure on innovative technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, Cloud and Supercomputing, as well as a massive use of digitalisation, will strengthen our core and pave the way to the future of Leonardo.”
Clive Higgins, Chair and CEO, Leonardo UK, said: “Data and software is a core onshore capability at Leonardo UK, informed by substantial experience of how our products are used by military operators. Targeted R&D will help us innovate on this foundation through a variety of activities, including in the fields of digitalisation, data fusion and AI. As well as enabling growth through the provision of information-age products and services for UK and allied Armed Forces, this investment in the long-term future of our business will provide high-quality jobs, drive social mobility around the country and keep vital skills onshore for the future.”
Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 53,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aircraft, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes, within these sectors, such as Eurofighter, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA. Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (72.3%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50% ), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (29.6%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2023 Leonardo recorded new orders for €17.9 bn, with an order book of €39.5 bn and consolidated revenues of €15.3 bn. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
EUROPE
26 Jul 24. Türkiye buys surplus UK C-130Js, national media reports. Türkiye has been identified by national media as being the customer for the bulk of the UK’s retired Lockheed Martin C-130J/C-130J-30 Hercules airlifters.
Several national media outlets reported the procurement in late July, saying that 12 of the 14 surplus aircraft were bound for the Turkish Air Force (TuAF).
The reports came weeks after Lockheed Martin told Janes in June that most of the C-130Js that the Royal Air Force (RAF) retired in March 2023 “now have a home”, though it stopped short of identifying the customer(s). Janes asked the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the identity of the customer(s) at that time, but was told that the buyer had not yet authorised its disclosure. Interest had also reportedly been received from Greece.
The sale of some or all of the one ‘short’ C-130J (C5 in UK service) and 13 ‘stretched’ C-130J-30 (C4) airframes represents the second batch of surplus Hercules that the MoD has sold off over recent years, with eight C5 aircraft retired in 2015 having already been acquired by Bangladesh (five), Bahrain (two), and the US Navy (one).
Although the UK C-130J/C-130J-30 fleet had been worked hard over years of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the final 14 aircraft that were the subject of the latest sale were put through a centre-wing box (CWB) replacement effort that continued after the retirement was announced. This was done to maximise the potential interest in the resale of the aircraft, as well as their monetary value to the MoD. (Source: Janes)
25 Jul 24. Today, the Greece government finalized its intention to procure 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft by signing a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) through a U.S. government Foreign Military Sale. The LOA also includes an option for 20 additional aircraft.
“We are excited to welcome Greece into the F-35 enterprise,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, director and program executive officer, F-35 Joint Program Office. “The F-35 will provide exceptional capability to the Hellenic Air Force, build interoperability between our allies and strengthen the combat effectiveness for all of NATO.”
“For several decades, the Hellenic Air Force has been our partner, and it is our honor to continue that relationship as Greece becomes the 19th nation to join the F-35 program,” said Bridget Lauderdale, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of the F-35 program. “The F-35 is the only fighter suitable to strengthen Greece’s sovereignty and operational capability with allies.”
The F-35 is rapidly becoming the NATO standard fighter of choice, offering unparalleled interoperability with NATO and other allied assets. This capability stands as a significant advantage for the U.S. and its allies, ensuring strategic superiority for decades. By the 2030s, more than 600 F-35s will work together from more than 10 European countries, including two full U.S. F-35 squadrons stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath.
“The F-35’s growing presence across Europe is a powerful testament of alliance-based deterrence and is setting the foundation for NATO and allied nations’ next generation air power capability,” said Mara Motherway, Lockheed Martin vice president of Strategy and Business Development.
The F-35 plays a crucial role in deterring threats and disrupting adversaries’ plans and actions. The mere presence of the F-35 strengthens Greece and the joint force, ensuring regional stability and safeguarding the sovereignty of allied airspace. As the battlespace evolves, connectivity becomes increasingly vital. The F-35 is poised to play a critical role in the joint force, contributing significantly to the 21st Century Security® battlespace.
To date, the F-35 operates from 32 bases worldwide, with 10 nations operating F-35s on home soil. There are nearly 1,000 aircraft operational with more than 860,000 flight hours fleetwide.
Further strengthening our international partnership and bolstering Greece and NATO’s defense capabilities, the Hellenic Armed Forces also operate F-16s, C-130s and Hawk helicopters. It is currently upgrading a portion of its F-16 fleet to the advanced “Viper” configuration while its Hercules fleet supports critical airlift mission requirements. Greece recently signed an LOA to acquire 35 UH-60M Black Hawks in addition to its existing S-70B fleet and newly acquired MH-60R maritime helicopters.
23 Jul 24. Swedish Air Force procures new weapons and aircraft. Swedish Air Force (SwAF) Commander Major General Jonas Wikman outlined his service’s procurement plans on the eve of the Farnborough International Airshow 2024 held from 22 to 26 July. He told journalists including from Janes attending a Swedish Air Force Fan Club event on 21 July that decisions would be taken soon on the procurement of deep strike missiles and a C-130H replacement.
He said Swedish membership in NATO allowed the SwAF to develop deep strike capabilities. Regarding the replacement of the SwAF’s C-130Hs, the oldest C-130s in Europe, Maj Gen Wikman hoped for a political decision soon between the C-130 and C-390.
He noted that Sweden’s NH90 troop transport helicopters would be retired in 2024 and the maritime versions by 2030. In the meantime, the Black Hawk helicopters that are replacing the NH90s are practising more dispersed use, he said.
Maj Gen Wikman spoke of the introduction of electronic warfare capabilities for the Gripen E, also for NATO, and the development of a manned-unmanned concept.
He is looking forward to phase 1–2 training of pilots on the Grob G120TP in Sweden and phase 3–4 training in Italy. Swedish pilot training takes place in the US for transport helicopters and in Germany for helicopters, Maj Gen Wikman noted.
He expressed Sweden’s long-term commitment to Ukraine, with the transfer of two ASC 890 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and battle decisive munitions.
For more information on Sweden’s Black Hawk procurement, please seeSweden signs for additional Black Hawk helicopters. (Source: Janes)
22 Jul 24. Embraer formalizes C-390 sales to Austria, Netherlands; deliveries from 2027.
- Deliveries to start in 2027 and conclude by 2030
- Embraer aims to increase C-390 production to 12 aircraft annually by 2030
- Analysts at Citi praise the deal amid rising global military spending
July 22 (Reuters) – Brazilian planemaker Embraer(EMBR3.SA) on Monday signed a contract to formalize the sale of nine C-390 Millennium military aircraft to the Netherlands and Austria, further expanding its defense order backlog.
The two European countries had previously selected the aircraft to replace their aging fleets of Lockheed Martin’s (LMT.N) Hercules C-130s, but a final deal with both nations placing a joint order was still pending.
The firm order announced at the Farnborough Airshow includes five aircraft to the Netherlands and four to Austria, with deliveries expected to commence in 2027 and conclude by 2030, according to the Brazilian firm.
“It is one of the most important days in the history of Embraer Defense & Security as it represents our largest contract for C-390 exports,” Embraer’s defense head, Bosco da Costa Junior, told Reuters.
Expanding its presence abroad with more C-390 sales has been a key goal of Embraer’s defense division, including selling the military transportation airplane to NATO members such as the Netherlands.
In addition to the two European countries and Embraer’s home country Brazil, nations such as Portugal, Hungary, the Czech Republic and South Korea have also tapped the aircraft for their fleets.
Analysts at Citi praised the announcement, saying it was a positive outcome for Embraer as global military spending rises. Sao Paulo-traded shares of the planemaker were down over 4.5% on Monday, but still up more than 75% year-to-date.
Delta chief sees flight disruptions lasting couple more days
“Citi reiterates its ‘Buy’ rating on Embraer and is intrigued to see what other news might emerge from this week’s Farnborough Airshow,” the analysts led by Stephen Trent said in a note to clients.
Embraer did not disclose the deal’s price tag.
Austria and the Netherlands, Costa Junior said, “had already selected the C-390 as the platform meeting all their requirements but now that becomes a purchase commitment, with deliveries and the aircraft being added to our production line.”
Embraer is currently working to increase output of the tactical airplane. Its production line was planned for 18 aircraft per year, but this year four planes are being delivered and next year another six, according to Costa Junior.
“We forecast (annual) production to reach 12 aircraft by 2030,” the executive said. “The challenge right now is for supply chain to keep up with it. A few months ago we had a ‘C-390 Day’ with our main suppliers to make sure this ramp-up will happen.”
Embraer’s defense backlog stood at $2.1 bn at the end of the second quarter, when it delivered one C-390 aircraft.
“This sale makes our backlog very NATO-concentrated, but we also had a sale last year to South Korea. Asia, Middle East and obviously Europe are regions where the C-390 has been standing out,” Costa Junior said. “We are very optimistic about future purchases by other countries.”
India, Saudi Arabia and the United States are seen as strategic markets for Embraer’s defense unit, with Sweden also a potential customer.(Source: Reuters)
19 Jul 24. Indra Signs an Agreement with Spanish Startup IDBOTIC, Now onboard NGWS/FCAS.
- Specializing in hardware encryption and authentication of IoT communications, IDBOTIC will work with Indra on the production of key technologies to drive the development of the combat cloud
- The agreement is part of the effort that Indra is making to mobilize all the capabilities and talent available in Spain’s industrial and innovative ecosystem in order to contribute to the development of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
- As part of this program, there is development of all types of dual-use disruptive technologies, which are set to revolutionize defence and transform all sectors of our economy in the coming decades
Indra has closed a deal to add the Spanish startup IDBOTIC into the NGWS/FCAS program, Europe’s largest and most ambitious defence program that is addressing the development of the future air combat system, key for the continent to maintain its air superiority throughout the 21st century.
This startup, which was created in 2019, specializes in hardware encryption and authentication of the Internet of Things (IoT) communications in the defence, industry and telecommunications sectors.
With the signing of this agreement, it joins forces with Indra for the development of disruptive technologies that facilitate a non-clonable identity for the different sensors and systems that will make up the Next Generation Weapons System/Future Combat Air Warfare System (NGWS/FCAS).
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This is a critical system to ensure the security of our continent in the future and will be based on a sixth-generation fighter that will fly escorted by several remotely piloted aircraft, called carriers, all operating within a combat cloud. The cloud introduces a completely revolutionary element in air combat, facilitating real-time data exchange between different platforms – air, naval, ground – by dynamically creating a sophisticated network of sensors and effectors distributed throughout the theater of operations, providing unprecedented situational awareness and the possibility of coordinating the actions of all these platforms as if they were a single entity.
The development of such ‘systems of systems’, with the capability of simultaneous interventions in multiple defence domains, represents an enormous technological challenge, requiring the development of a completely new defence concept where communications security and resilience must be placed at the center of the architecture.
Among the multiple technologies that will be developed for this purpose, Indra and IDBOTIC will tackle three parallel projects that provide security at different levels: the first is focused on guaranteeing hardware security (Non-Clonable Physical Function); the second on the rapid distribution of private keys (Distributed Registration Technology); and the third on the integration of encryption and decryption processes, which will already be resistant to post-quantum attacks (Fully Homomorphic Encryption) that will come with the emergence of this new form of computing.
The FCAS Operations Director at Indra, Miguel García Moreno, assures that “with this agreement we take a step forward in our commitment to incorporating any company, SME, startup, research center or university now working on cutting-edge technologies into the NGWS/FCAS program. We need all of them to be part of this great technological program that will extend beyond 2040. We are confident that IDBOTIC’s level of expertise and exceptional knowledge in the field of cryptography and secure communications will help us achieve better results faster, and also contribute to strengthening European technological sovereignty.”
IDBOTIC’s president, César Goyache, states that “our joining the NGWS/FCAS program allows us to make strides in our development of a dual technology that will find an enormous range of applications. We are proud to be collaborating with a great Spanish technology company such as Indra, which has opened its doors and facilitated our entry into what is undoubtedly one of the most exciting technology programs underway in Europe today.”
IDBOTIC is a company that had already started working with Indra on sustainability 4.0 projects, helping to secure, for example, the network used by Indra’s virtual assistant; a system that, through mixed-reality glasses, allows personnel in charge of maintaining equipment and platforms to connect remotely with other experts for support. IDBOTIC will now also work on the NGWS/FCAS program, an initiative that, in the words of the FCAS Operations Director, Miguel García Moreno, “will make Spain one of the most innovative countries in the world and will serve as a lever to structure the entire defence technology industry countrywide.” (Source: ASD Network)
22 Jul 24. Following the success of Blue Magic events held in Belgium, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has scheduled its first Blue Magic event in the Netherlands on November 19, 2024. The Blue Magic Netherlands (BMN) event will be held in Eindhoven, a city known as a global technology hub. BMN will bring together Dutch startups, universities, government officials, aerospace leaders, and representatives from other high-tech industries, who will see technology advancements within the Dutch technology ecosystem and connect qualified partners with funding opportunities to support next generation dual use solutions.
Joining GA-ASI for the event will be partners Lockheed Martin Ventures, Brabant Development Agency (BOM), and the Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security (NIDV), as well as Brainport Development, an organization that develops regional economic strategy and projects, and promotes Brainport Eindhoven at home and abroad.
“We want to build on our successful Blue Magic concept, which fosters a collaborative partnering environment for technology ideation, and bring it to the Netherlands,” said Brad Lunn, Managing Director-Strategic Finance at GA-ASI. “We look forward to hosting thought leaders in the Dutch innovation ecosystem for a full day of technology interchange. Our goal is to provide a single forum for sharing ideas and implementation strategies that can shape the course of technology and defense systems and ultimately make the world safer.”
GA-ASI delivered its MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) in 2021 and recently announced an increase in the total order of MQ-9As in its service to eight.
GA-ASI held its first European Blue Magic event in 2019, with subsequent events held in 2020, 2021, and 2023. Since the inception of Blue Magic, GA-ASI has commenced work with a broad range of European and international businesses. For the Blue Magic Netherlands event, GA-ASI and other participants will hear technology pitches followed by a lively panel discussion and host a networking event where participants can meet with other high-tech businesses and leaders to see if their capabilities can be leveraged in new and useful ways.
Areas of focus for BMN 2024 will be artificial intelligence/machine learning, autonomy, advanced materials, sensors, advanced manufacturing, and space.
Businesses interested in participating in the BMN 2024 event should visit the event website for additional informationhttps://www.ga-asi.com/blue-magic-netherlands-2024/
USA
23 Jul 24. Pentagon creates regional partnerships to sustain gear far from home. Seeking to move away from its reliance on hauling equipment back stateside for repairs, the Pentagon is working with allies and partners to better sustain capability forward in operational theaters, beginning with the Indo-Pacific region.
Being able to fix gear close to the fight is considered critical to any future conflict with China, according to officials.
The Pentagon recently released a regional sustainment framework that would “satisfy demand closer to the point of need,” while enhancing both U.S. and regional partners’ capabilities, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment Christopher Lowman told reporters at a recent briefing.
“For the past two and a half years, we’ve been focused on the realities of sustaining the U.S. joint force in a contested theater and what it would take to ensure success and mitigate some of the risk of relying on long, over-ocean lines of communication to retrograde equipment back to the United States for repair and then return,” Lowman said.
Historically, sustainment has been viewed solely as a national responsibility, with the U.S. government sustaining its own forces in theater.
The Pentagon’s new, partner-focused plans are “really a recognition that sustainment can be performed through a coalition and a network of regional providers, because each of those regional allies has capability, industrial capability, maintenance, repair and overhaul capability and a desire to support the work,” Lowman said.
The idea is not to build new maintenance and repair capabilities in theater, but to take advantage of what already exists while “making the appropriate changes to accommodate specific U.S. needs and then utilizing that through a joint venture arrangement, as opposed to a U.S. funded, built, owned and operated capability,” Lowman said.
The Pentagon’s under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, Bill LaPlante, and Lowman recently signed the strategy laying out the regional sustainment framework to align maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities globally.
Such a strategy would cover sustaining equipment that has experienced normal wear and tear or battle damage.
The framework will also provide theater commanders multiple options to redirect equipment sustainment and “creates a higher level of uncertainty within adversaries’ planning cycles, and thereby enhancing deterrence,” Lowman said.
The plan is to establish the framework in the Indo-Pacific theater first, and the Defense Department is already working with five nations there to put together maintenance, repair and overhaul capability for American and partner equipment.
Lowman said he was unable to disclose the countries the U.S. is working with in the Pacific as terms of agreements are still being negotiated.
But he said the Defense Department is working with five Indo-Pacific countries to establish appropriate projects and to identify industrial partners, both U.S. and regionally based.
The Pentagon plans to build out regional sustainment partnerships within the European and Middle East theaters in fiscal 2025, followed by South America in FY26 and Africa later on, Lowman said.
INDOPACOM is being prioritized given the U.S. national defense strategy’s focus on China as the pacing threat, but also because it presents the greatest contested logistics challenge because relying on long, over-the-ocean lines will no longer prove effective if the U.S. finds itself in a war against China.
Already in the European theater, because of support for Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion, sustainment partnership capabilities are emerging within the context of NATO cooperation, but the Pentagon plans to apply lessons learned from the INDOPACOM pathfinder effort to other key theaters, according to Lowman.
Ideally, regional partners will come to the table with existing capability because those countries are similarly equipped, or are equipped with U.S. produced weapon systems, “so they have repair capabilities that we’ll capitalize on,” he said.
The Defense Department will also take a look at capabilities like shipyards that are not currently configured to accommodate America’s specific requirements, but would require money for expansions and workforce training, Lowman said.
Less desirable, but also under consideration, is to look at places where capability does not exist and build it, but “that would entail the greatest amount of capital investment,” Lowman added.
Already, the U.S. has seen what regional sustainment can look like through small examples during major exercises like Talisman Sabre in Australia. During the exercise, a vehicle was damaged during a road march and was able to be repaired in country using Australian parts.
In addition to the regional sustainment framework, Lowman said the Pentagon is also engaged in a major push to use advanced manufacturing techniques forward in theater, such as additive or subtractive manufacturing and 3D printing to make parts.
“What we’re doing is enabling a digital framework in order to transmit intellectual property to the point of manufacture and then, of course, secure that intellectual property at the point of manufacture and finally to ensure that the parts produced meet our standards of manufacture so that they’re safe and suitable to operate,” Lowman said.(Source: Defense News)
19 Jul 24. USMC seek C-UAS technology to protect troops from small enemy drones. The United States Marine Corps has issued a Request for Information (RFI) from industry to help forces counter the threat from small drones.
Issued on July 15, the RFI pertains to dismounted counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) technology “to support ‘every’ Marines’ ability to conduct self-defence against threat Groups 1 and 2 small UAS (sUAS)”. Recent exercises and intelligence have shown that troops are vulnerable to UAS and require the ability to defend themselves from the threat.
The Marine Corps says it has an “emerging urgent requirement” for lightweight, easy to use and easy to train systems that can detect, track, identify and defeat small drones. The RFI calls for both squad-level and platoon-level C-UAS. Squad-level solutions need to be carried by dismounted Marines with little to no impact on their primary mission. They would use a passive detection system that can detect UAS using acoustic or radio frequency (RF) detection. Sensors should be body worn and components may include a handheld tablet, bracelet, earpiece, and/or glasses that receive alerts, warnings, or notifications from an external sensor such as a radar.
Also sought are Platoon-level solutions which may be transported in light tactical vehicles, assembled without the use of material handling equipment and operate on battery power.
To defeat enemy sUAS, non-kinetic squad-level solutions would feature a directional RF and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) jammer, and ideally able to mount on organic rifle. Non-kinetic platoon-level C-UAS would include an omni-directional RF/GPS jammer and/or spoofer. Kinetic systems for both levels might be in the form of a rifle / rifle optic capable of tracking and defeating small UAS.
Vendors are requested to submit white papers for capabilities that meet the requirements by August 2. Mature capabilities that have the potential to meet these requirements may be invited to an Industry Day in September 2024 for a demonstration against live targets.
For more information: https://sam.gov/opp/7583df85be8e43049feef904fa50ad55/view (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
22 Jul 24. Boeing ‘fighting through challenges’ in building new Air Force One planes. The head of Boeing’s defense unit said Sunday the planemaker is still “fighting through challenges” in building two delayed U.S. presidential aircraft known as Air Force One.
In 2018, Boeing received a $3.9bn contract to build two 747-8 aircraft for use as Air Force One, to be delivered by December 2024, but they are now delayed until at least 2027 and 2028.
Ted Colbert, who heads Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said the planemaker is facing supply chain, inflation, workforce and other challenges in building the airplanes. Boeing is heavily modifying a pair of 747s for the project.
The company has lost more than $2bn on the program. “Our team is fighting through a very, very challenging program – two very complex airplanes,” Colbert said. “We’ve done a ton of investment in our workforce and training, efficiency, work on the factory floor.”
The Boeing 747-8s are designed to be an airborne White House able to fly in worst-case security scenarios, such as nuclear war, and are modified with military avionics, advanced communications and a self-defense system.
Last year, the Biden administration opted to modify, but continue with, an Air Force One paint scheme that closely resembles the current white with two shades of blue, which dates back to President John F. Kennedy’s administration, reversing a decision made by then President Donald Trump.
In December 2016, Trump extracted a promise from Boeing’s CEO at the time, Dennis Muilenburg, that the cost of replacing Air Force One would not exceed $4bn. Boeing’s current CEO Dave Calhoun said later “critics were right” about the contract, saying it was priced too low.
In 2022, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the Air Force One program risked further delay, citing a tight labor market for mechanics, lower-than-expected security clearance rates and Boeing’s need to switch to an alternative supplier for some interior work. (Source: Reuters)
20 Jul 24. US resumes taking F-35 after delays over software upgrade. The United States has resumed taking delivery of F-35 jets with an interim upgrade after a months-long halt due to software delays, and will withhold some payments until remaining enhancements are ready, senior officials said on Saturday.
Lockheed Martin (LMT.N)and key suppliers have been upgrading the jets under a programme called Technology Refresh 3 – or TR-3 – that aims to improve displays and processing power.
“We are starting to accept deliveries of TR-3…It is a truncated version…and does not have all the functionality that we want, but it is far enough along that we can accept delivery now,” Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said.
TR-3 involves both hardware and software improvements and is seen as a pillar of a wider upgrade to the stealth jet known as Block 4.
“The hardware of that seems to be coming along fine but the software is lagging,” Kendall told reporters at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Britain.
“We are at a point now where we can accept aircraft with the understanding that additional increments of software have to go in to get it to where we need it to be.”
Andrew Hunter, assistant Air Force secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, said the decision to restart deliveries without the full software upgrade had been taken in part to prevent knock-on delays to other features.
“Waiting and waiting and waiting to finalise those capabilities that weren’t quite ready is actually holding up progress on some of the later capabilities that we also really need,” he said.
Hunter confirmed the Pentagon will continue to withhold some final payments for each jet, but did not specify the amount.
About $7m of the final payment for each jet, worth roughly $100m each, has been withheld to date.
“Not everything we contracted for has been delivered… We will not pay for that which we have not received,” Hunter said.
He added, however, that the scramble to complete TR-3 had helped improve co-operation between companies on the world’s largest defence programme.
“We are going to work very hard to ensure that that process of bringing down those barriers continues so that Block 4 comes through when we need it,” he said. (Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD
25 Jul 24. Armscor issues eagerly awaited border patrol APC bid. The South African Army’s long search for armoured personnel carriers (APCs) for border patrol duty is moving forward, with an invitation to bid from Armscor being published this week.
Tender ELWS/2024/71, released on 23 July, calls for personnel carrier vehicles for border patrol, to be utilised for internal and external missions of the SA Army. Nearly 500 vehicles are to be acquired, in three variants: 210 Section variants, 144 Command variants, and 108 Ambulance variants.
Armscor aims to acquire off-the-shelf vehicles as far as possible, with modifications adapted to local conditions and with minor development of elements that are unique to the SA Army’s requirements.
A bidders’ conference is scheduled for 31 July at Armscor, while bidding closes on 23 August, with deliveries expected on or before 15 March 2025.
In the tender document, Armscor states that the personnel carriers must have a payload of at least 1.5 tons must not have a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of more than 13.5 tons. They must be air transportable in Ilyushin Il-76 or Airbus A400M aircraft and also be able to be carried on ships and flatbed rail containers.
Minimum protection levels are against kinetic threats up to STANAG 4569 Level 1 (small calibre 7.62×51 mm rounds). A fire suppression capability must be incorporated, and run-flat tyres must be fitted along with central tyre inflation systems (CTIS).
The vehicles need to be in 4×4 configuration and have a minimum road range of 600 km, a top speed greater than 100 km/h on hard surfaces, a cruising speed of 80 km/h, and average speed of 30 km/h on cross country routes. They need to be powered by diesel engines coupled to automatic gearboxes and able to operate in -11 to +50 degrees Celsius conditions.
Other technical requirements include a self-recovery winch, tow hitch, air conditioning system, roof hatches, 150 litres of drinking water, exterior lighting, ring mount for weapons, and fitment for but not with a weapon station up to 450 kg on the roof.
The Section variant must accommodate a driver plus section of ten crew. The Command variant will need to have HF, VHF and ground-to-air radios installed as well as a more robust auxiliary power supply system. The Ambulance variant is also required to have HF and VHF radios and be able to accommodate a driver and medic. A bench, stretcher and medical equipment (defibrillator, suction unit, oxygen cylinders etc.) will need to be installed in the medical compartment, which must measure at least 1.6 metres high and 1.7 metres wide.
Armscor specified that spares need to be available for all variants for at least ten years, and a warranty of at least 100 000 km or two years must be provided. Maintenance plan quotes for 2, 4, 6 and 10 years must be provided, and the manufacturer must have at least one service centre with mobile fleet support located anywhere in South Africa.
Testing will include factory, field, cruising speed, mountain pass, crawling and drop testing as well as vibration and landmine testing.
The new APCs will replace the troop pack vehicles previously acquired for border patrol – over 400 Toyota Land Cruisers were originally bought for this purpose. National Treasury has allocated R500 million in 2024/25 for the procurement of vehicles to replace the troop packs.
Armscor was originally supposed to place the procurement contract from 1 April 2024, but this has been delayed. In January 2023, Armscor issued a Request for Information (SA Army/R/403/6) for a 2+8 seat APC capable of counterinsurgency operations with variable ballistic and mine protection able to defeat an 8 kg mine.
Sixteen local defence companies were invited to respond, with eight doing so. The intention was to evaluate the different vehicles along the South African borderline in operational conditions in October/November and afterwards demonstrate the vehicles during the SA Army’s Exercise Vuk’uhlome in November 2023.
However, this was postponed as Armscor revised specifications, reducing the combat weight specification as the original user requirement was mostly taken from that of the Badger infantry fighting vehicle for the SA Army, and this was not practical for the vehicles required for border patrol. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
25 Jul 24. US, Vietnam discuss supplying Hanoi with C-130 military transport planes, sources say.
- Summary
- Lockheed Martin aircraft can haul troops, gear, supplies
- White House, Vietnam defence ministry could reach deal this year
- Vietnam is trying to diversify arms supplies away from Russia
The United States and Vietnam are discussing the sale of Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules military transport planes to Hanoi, two people familiar with the discussions said, in a sign of closer security cooperation between the two former foes.
The talks could lead to a supply agreement this year, the sources said, in what would represent Vietnam’s largest military deal since it said publicly at the end of 2022 that it intended to diversify its defence supplies, which have for decades relied heavily on Russian gear.
The C-130 can carry soldiers, military equipment and other supplies, and would boost Vietnamese defence capabilities at a time of rising South China Sea boundary tensions with China and other countries in the region.
The United States could offer Hanoi financial support as part of a sale, the sources said. One of the sources, a U.S. official, said that could amount to tens of millions of dollars covering maintenance and other costs.
The other source, a Vietnamese person briefed on the talks, said the model under consideration was the C-130J, the aircraft’s latest iteration.
Neither source would indicate the total cost of the possible deal and the number of planes under discussion. Both declined to be named because the talks were not public.
Lockheed Martin referred questions to the U.S. or Vietnamese governments. The White House declined to comment, and Vietnam’s defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Asian shares hammered by jitters over Big Tech earnings
Talks on U.S. arms supplies to Communist-ruled Vietnam have been under way for months, before major changes in Vietnamese leadership, which experts and analysts say should not significantly change the country’s posture on foreign and economic affairs.
The discussions show the United States’ growing efforts to gain influence with Hanoi, nearly half a century after the end of the Vietnam War.
Since an arms embargo was lifted in 2016, U.S. defence exports to Vietnam have been largely limited to coastguard ships and trainer aircraft, stymied by Hanoi’s concerns over costs, U.S. government approvals and compatibility with existing gear.
FIGHTER JETS
Vietnam’s police have looked into buying U.S.-made helicopters, and the defence ministry has considered different types of U.S. aircraft, including F-16 fighter jets, Reuters has reported.
The Vietnamese official confirmed the talks over F-16s, also produced by Lockheed Martin, but said those negotiations were less advanced because U.S. fighter jets were seen as more likely to affect Vietnam’s relations with other countries, including China.
C-130s were “less sensitive”, the official said, because they could be viewed as defensive or non-combat equipment.
U.S. congressional approval for the fighters may be more complicated than for C-130s, the Vietnamese official said, noting that Hanoi had also concerns about whether the U.S. would approve the sale of missiles to arm the F-16s.
U.S. State Department reports have laid out human rights violations in the Southeast Asian country, further complicating arms transfer approvals.
(Source: Reuters)
23 Jul 24. Conroy announces accelerated plan for Army’s new littoral fleet. The delivery of 18 medium landing craft for the Australian Army’s new littoral fleet is being accelerated, according to an announcement made by Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy.
The $2bn project – part of the government’s record investment in Defence – is expected to create 1,100 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect jobs under a program that will also deliver heavy landing craft as well as amphibious vehicles.
The first of the medium landing craft vessels, designed by Birdon and to be built by Austal at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia, is expected to be delivered in 2026.
The local build of the medium landing craft is in addition to up to eight heavy landing craft which will also be built by Austal at Henderson.
These vessels are an essential component of Army’s transformation and optimisation for littoral manoeuvre. They will support a strategy of denial which includes deploying and sustaining modernised land forces with long-range land and maritime strike capabilities across the region.
“The Albanese government has an unwavering commitment to safeguarding Australians and their national interests, which is why we are making a record investment in defence and modernising the ADF,” Minister Conroy said.
“Building Australia’s new fleet of landing craft is also part of the government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and a future made in Australia. This pipeline of work will result in opportunities for the Australian defence industry and support a highly skilled shipbuilding workforce for years to come.
“These new vessels will enable the ADF to deploy and sustain land forces to beaches, rivers and ports in Australia and across our region, enhance our ability to work with regional military partners, and support communities across the Indo-Pacific with humanitarian and disaster relief operations.”
The federal is investing $7bn towards littoral manoeuvre vessels, an investment that continues to grow the Australian industrial base, supply chains and create highly skilled, well-paid jobs.
About the Landing Craft Medium: With a range of up to 2,000 nautical miles when operating with the Landing Craft Heavy, the Landing Craft Medium are capable of transporting up to 90 tonnes, equivalent to four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) or one main battle tank, or one infantry fighting vehicle and two Bushmasters. This is similar to the capacity of large aircraft such as a C-17 Globemaster. These landing craft will be supported by the Amphibious Vehicle Logistics which can navigate over beaches and through waterways that may be clogged with obstacles and debris.
Minister Conroy was joined for the announcement by Western Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry, Paul Papalia CSC MLA; Federal Member for Fremantle, Josh Wilson MP; State Member for Cockburn David Scaife MLA; Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO DSC; Head of Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships, RADM Wendy Malcolm AM CSC; Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Jim McDowell; Austal Limited CEO Paddy Gregg; and Birdon executive general manager Mark Albertson. (Source: Defence Connect)
22 Jul 24. NSW unveils new $500k space grant. The NSW government has unveiled a new grant scheme that will allow space businesses to share $500,000 worth of funding. The NSW Space+ Program, which will be overseen by SmartSat CRC, will also give the winning firms the chance to attend the global IAC conference in September next year in Sydney.
Applications are now open and will close on Friday 30 August, with the winners to be announced shortly afterwards.
SmartSat CRC is a collaboration between universities and research organisations that partner with industry and are funded by the Australian Government.
It aims to develop “know-how” and technologies in advanced telecommunications and IoT connectivity, intelligent satellite systems and next-generation data services for Earth observation.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to foster strategic partnerships and drive the commercialisation of innovative space technologies, ultimately benefiting the social, economic, and environmental landscape of NSW,” said SmartSat’s CEO, Andy Koronios.
The grant amount can be up to 100 per cent of eligible project expenditure (grant percentage), although SmartSat said co-investment is “strongly encouraged”.
The program lists five assessment criteria for eligible projects, which are:
- The project demonstrates significant potential to drive the advancement and growth of NSW’s space industry capability and capacity, ensuring It remains competitive and innovative, while delivering clear economic and broader benefits to NSW. (25%)
- The project supports the development and commercialisation of space capabilities that can integrate into national and international supply chains, delivering clear end-user benefits. (25%)
- The project team have proven experience, skill capacity, networks, and the ability to deliver the project. (20%)
- The project supports NSW space industry scalability and growth through national or international partnerships. (15%)
- The project delivers value for money for NSW, attracts significant external investment to support the project’s long-term development and growth. (15%)
Space Connect reported in December how Sydney was confirmed as the host city of the global IAC conference in 2025 after the SIAA and the event’s organisers formalised its previous agreement.
The widely expected announcement came after the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) won the bidding process in 2023 in a joint submission with the NSW government and the Australian Space Agency.
The five-day International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is expected to attract around 7,000 delegates and will be held between 29 September and 3 October.
Organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the IAC is known as the Olympics of space and was first held in Paris in 1950.
(Source: Space Connect)
22 Jul 24. Australia announces expansion of defence primes in Global Supply Chain Program. The Australian government has announced it will improve export opportunities for the Australian defence industry by expanding the Global Supply Chain Program.
The number of major defence companies, known as primes, participating in the Global Supply Chain (GSC) Program will almost double from seven to 13. The expansion of the program delivers on a commitment made in the landmark Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS), released in February this year.
The DIDS outlined the importance of the GSC Program and the need to expand the number of participants to assist with scale, competitiveness and sustainability.
After conducting an extensive approach to market, the number of participating major defence companies, known as primes, has now increased from seven to 13.
The successful companies are Babcock, BAE Systems, Boeing, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Kongsberg, L3 Harris, Lockheed Martin, Moog, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Rheinmetall, SAAB, and Thales.
“The Albanese government is proud to be continuing and expanding the GSC Program as a way of supporting Australian businesses to grow and, in turn, create jobs for locals,” Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said.
“Expanding the program will provide Australian businesses with greater access to the broader export markets and will increase opportunities to integrate into the international supply chains of the GSC Program partners.
“The Albanese government understands just how important the growth and sustainability of Australian defence industry is to meet our strategic needs and to also contribute to a future made in Australia.” (Source: Defence Connect)
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