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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
10 Sept 24. NATO shepherds 10 firms whose tech could help the alliance. NATO’s technology accelerator chose 10 companies to move into its next investment phase, including two quantum firms. (Defense Innovation Unit)
NATO’s defense technology accelerator announced Tuesday it picked 10 companies to transition to the second phase of competition, which not only brings additional funding but tailored support as they look to break into the national security sector.
The firms are part of the Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic’s inaugural cohort, which NATO announced last year. The organization, known as DIANA, chose 44 companies for Phase I, selecting firms whose technology could address needs in both defense and commercial markets.
The companies participated in a competition series last fall that took place across five cities: Tallinn, Estonia; Turin, Italy; Copenhagen, Denmark; Boston; and Seattle. During the events, companies used emerging technology to solve real-world defense challenges.
“To move into Phase II, innovators had to demonstrate progress in their commercial and defense market potential, the technical viability and novelty of their solutions, and their investment readiness,” NATO said in a statement. “Review panels comprised technical, defense and innovation experts.”
The 10 companies that will transition to the next phase of DIANA’s challenge series are:
- Aquark Technologies, a quantum firm based in the United Kingdom
- Astrolight, a laser communications company in Lithuania
- Dolphin Labs, an ocean-observation company in the U.S.
- Ephos, a computing firm based in Italy
- Goldilock, a UK-based privacy firm
- IONATE, a U.K. firm specializing in smart energy platforms
- Lobster Robotics, a mapping company based in the Netherlands
- Phantom Photonics, a Canadian quantum sensing company
- Revobeam, a polish antenna firm
- Secqai, a computing company in the U.K.
The selected firms will receive up to €300,000 ($330,000).
DIANA is jointly funded, which means NATO doesn’t draw from the common fund that allies are required to contribute toward. Instead, member nations choose whether to pay into DIANA. The U.S. Defense Department last year appointed Jeffrey Singleton, U.S. principal member and head of the delegation to the NATO Science and Technology Board, as the U.S. representative to DIANA’s board of directors.
The accelerator has more than 100 affiliated test centers across nearly every country that partners with NATO. That includes 28 “deep-tech” accelerators, two of which are located in North America. (Source: Defense News)
06 Sept 24. UK to axe planned VIP military helicopter contract renewal.
The new Labour government has taken the decision to cancel the contract renewal in order to “ensure value for money” for the UK taxpayer.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) will not renew the Rotary Wing Command Support Air Transport Helicopter Service (RWCSAT), a VIP military helicopter capability due to expire by the end of 2024 that was under consideration for a multi-m-pound extension.
It was reported in March 2024 that the MoD was seeking options to fulfill its RWCSAT contract worth up to £40m ($52.7m) over a five-year period.
A contract notice published in mid-February stated a solution was being sought to provide point-to-point flights for “high priority military personnel, ministers and government officials within the UK and near Europe”, which would be performed by “British military aircrew” from 32 Sqn based at RAF Northolt and tasked through Air Command HQ.
However, on 5 September the UK’s new Labour government revealed that the contract for VIP rotary transport provision would no longer be renewed when it ends in December 2024 in order to “ensure value for money for the taxpayer”.
The funding that was to be set aside for the VIP military helicopter contract will be returned to the MoD’s core budget.
report into the MoD’s Equipment Plan, stating that there was a £16.9bn funding black hole between its intentions and the reality of available finances.
Former UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps created headlines at the end of February 2024 when he was reported by The Mirror to have utilised an RAF AW109 helicopter to fly from RAF Northolt to attend a meeting on public transport in the north of England.
32 Sqn RAF: business jets and corporate helicopters
It is not known whether the cancellation of plans to acquire an industry provided RWCSAT capability will impact the role of AW109 helicopters operated by RAF 32 Sqn at RAF Northolt, which can perform such functions.
Currently providing rotary-wing VIP transport with 32 Sqn, the AW109 provides transportation for senior military commanders and government ministers in the UK and Europe, according to the RAF. The platform has a maximum endurance of two hours 40 minutes, with up to six passengers on board.
In addition, 32 Sqn also operates two Dassault 900LX business jets, known as the Envoy CC Mk1 in RAF service, which were acquired to replace the Bae146 which went out of service in March 2022.
The 2021 Integrated Review committed to retire the fleet of four BAe146 aircraft and provided funding for two Dassault 900LX Falcon replacements. The Envoy CC Mk1s are military owned and tasked, civilian registered, and commercially operated from 1 June 2022; with a transition to full military registered and operated service from 1 April 2024. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
EUROPE
11 Sept 24. Boeing expects Polish air dominance fighter decision by early 2025. Warsaw has long committed to acquiring 32 new multirole jets for the air dominance effort with rival bids from Boeing’s F-15EX Eagle II fourth generation type and the Eurofighter Typhoon on the table. An aircraft selection decision relating to Poland’s air dominance fighter jet program could be made as soon as the end of the year, according to a Boeing official.
Warsaw has long committed to acquiring 32 new multirole jets for the effort with rival bids from the manufacturer’s F-15EX Eagle II fourth generation type and the Eurofighter Typhoon on the table. A third option — another F-35A order — building off the $4.6 bn deal with Washington in 2020, has not been ruled out either.
“From our understanding, we are still trying to track when that [air dominance] decision is, we are of course meeting with the customer and also the political side, to make sure they understand the capabilities of the F-15EX,” said Marissa Myers, Boeing’s senior manager for fighter programs, business development, during the International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Poland. “They have not given us a date per se, but we are targeting late 2024 or [early] 2025.”
Maj. Gen. Cezary Wisniewski, deputy general commander for the Polish Armed Forces, told Breaking Defense last year that as part of an initial evaluation stage for the air dominance program, he had dispatched a team to Italy to discuss Eurofighter Typhoon capabilities. Myers at the time declined to comment on whether the F-15EX was similarly assessed.
The jet is a modernized version of the legacy F-15, complete with digital fly-by-wire controls, glass cockpit and a new electronic warfare suite.
Myers also weighed in on the question of powerplant, saying that “if” Poland decided to place an order for Pratt and Whitney’s F100 turbo fan engine, an alterative to General Electric’s F-15EX qualified F110-129 powerplant, Pratt would face “cost and schedule” issues tied to a F100 certification and test phase.
Josh Goodman, F100 program director at Pratt and Whitney, told reporters on Sept. 3 that the company was campaigning for a Polish F100 order in support of the F-15EX offer, labelling the engine for Warsaw as “low risk” and one that would require a “couple of flight tests” to gain certification.
In 2021, General Electric secured a $1.6bn F110 contract for the Eagle II, beating the F100 in the process, while opening the door to the potential supply of 329 engines. USAF works off a program of record of 98 aircraft for the jet, subject to intervention by Congress.
“There was a response of timing [concerning Polish air dominance engine requirements],” Scott Keating, regional general manager of sales and business development in Europe for defense and systems at GE Aerospace, told Breaking Defense at MSPO. “I’m not certain on how long that timing is, but it’s a risk,” if additional time is required for engine qualification. “We are the only qualified engine on the platform, that is a key element … the point that we want to illustrate is we are ready to serve, we are ready to deliver.”
He also shared that F110 production will “almost triple” in the next five years, adding, “we are ramping up our supply chains to meet demand.”
The GE offer also includes local sustainment benefits, with Poland able to maintain “90 percent” of engine shop replaceable units in country, according to Keating.
According to a US Air Force spokesperson, 89 engines are on contract for F-15EX, covering Lots 1-5 and 29 spares. 21 engines have been delivered to date.
GE company literature [PDF] notes that in addition to powering all USAF Eagle II aircraft, the F110 is also integrated on 70 percent of the service’s “frontline” F-16 fleet and at an export level, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Jordan, Qatar and Taiwan have all selected it for F-15 and F-16 integration.
Planned export orders for the F-15EX include Israel acquiring up to 50 units, due to be named F-15IA. Tel Aviv’s acquisition was cleared by the US State Department last month, as part of a wider F-15 package, valued at $19 bn.
Additionally, in August 2023, Boeing and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding as a key milestone to finalize the sale of 24 Eagle II’s. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
10 Sept 24. Hanwha pursues Polish Orka submarine support with WB Group.
An MoU was signed, forming an independent Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul package in support of the Orka programme.
Hanwha Ocean has approached a major Polish military technology company, WB Group, to work together in pursuit of supporting Poland’s Orka submarine programme.
Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding to that effect (MoU) on 3 September during the MSPO 2024 exhibition in Kiecle, Poland.
Fundamentally, their cooperation will be based on forming an independent Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) package in support of the Orka programme.
Hanwha Ocean’s KSS III submarine model is already a major contender for the programme, which the potential contractor said it was “ready to offer” in November 2023.
Global industrial cooperation
This is the latest international deal for the South Korean naval giant in its “localisation” agenda, as the company aims to expand its global influence in supporting various navies and local industries.
Lately, Hanwha Ocean agreed to perform MRO services to a 40,000 tonne, Lewis and Clark-class auxiliary ship, the Wally Schirra, at its shipyard in Geoje. Hanwha is the first Korean shipyard to be contracted for MRO services on a US Navy vessel.
Meanwhile, Poland is no stranger to the global naval market either. The country’s ballooning industry has been modernising at a rapid pace with the help of leading naval manufacturers such as Babcock. The British contractor recently extended its support for the Polish Navy’s Miecznik frigate programme until the very end of construction in 2031.
Around 20 people attended the signing of the MoU in Kiecle, including officials from both companies, Polish government officials and domestic and international partners related to the Republic of Korea’s KSS III Batch II submarine.
These four new boats will, the Polish government have said, “constitute the basic combat and reconnaissance element of the Navy, and at the same time, thanks to the equipment with cruise missiles, they will be a key element of the state and allied military deterrence arsenal.”
Currently, the Polish Navy operate a single 1980s-era Russian-origin Kilo-class SSK.
The Orka programme has been in the conceptual stage of development since 2014. Initially, Poland only entertained the possibility of the French Scorpene-class, Sweden’s A26 Belikinge-class and Germany’s Type 212CD class diesel-electric submarine models.
However, the world has changed considerably since then and Poland is anticipated to be the largest military power in Europe in the coming years. The Central European republic can boast that defence spending is approximately 4% of its gross domestic product; Nato, meanwhile, has set the target at 2%.
In these new times of military demand and Polish preeminence, the Polish defence market is highly attractive, and this has prompted the cultivation of relationships with major suppliers such as Hanwha.
Already, the parent company provides K9 155mm howitzers, K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems, and K2 main battle tanks and KA-50 light attack fighters. (Source: naval-technology.com)
06 Sept 24. Netherlands white paper heralds Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates purchase. The report also detailed additional F-35 jets for the Air Force, NH90 helicopters, and the reestablishment of the Army’s tank battalion
Netherlands will acquire addition anti-submarine warfare frigates (ASFW) for its Navy as part of new investment announced in the Defence White Paper 2024, published 5 September.
The report also detailed additional F-35 jets for the Air Force, NH90 helicopters, and the reestablishment of the Army’s tank battalion, as part of an additional €2.4bn ($2.7bn) – an investment that brings the total defence spending up to €24bn per year.
With Russia’s attack on Ukraine having put into focus the potential for an attack on the Nato Alliance, Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans explained the additional investment as preventative from war, deterring potential adversaries with a ‘credible, powerful and innovative military’, according to a Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD) release.
The requirement for additional anti-submarine warfare capabilities stems from the Royal Netherlands Navy’s increased activity in recent years. Having more ships deployed longer increases the underwater threat, and drove the decision to purchase new ASFW.
Dutch naval manufacturer, Damen is the prime contractor for the ASW Frigate (ASWF) programme, after signing a contract in June 2023 for the production of four vessels.
These 146-metre frigates will feature a high degree of automation, allowing them to be operated by a relatively small crew. Although their primary mission is to detect and neutralise submarines, each ship will also be fitted with a Thales Above Water Warfare System (AWWS) to defend against surface and airborne threats.
Belgium and the Netherlands embarked on a collaborative project to acquire ASWF vessels. Initially, Belgium committed to funding €1bn for its two ships, while the Netherlands was projected to invest around €1.5bn.
However, as of April 2023, the total cost for the four vessels had risen to approximately €4bn. The Netherlands anticipates receiving its first frigate by 2029 and the second by 2031, although delays could push completion to 2033. (Source: naval-technology.com)
REST OF THE WORLD
11 Sept 24. Babcock Australasia kickstarts global supply chain partnerships across Europe. Babcock Australia has confirmed exploratory talks with dozens of international stakeholders in a bid to uncover commercial opportunities for its Australian-based supply chain.
Members of Babcock’s dedicated global supply chain team have spent four weeks in the UK and Europe where they have sought to identify specific export opportunities for Australian SMEs within Babcock’s international operations.
This milestone follows Babcock’s recent selection into the Global Supply Chain Program (GSCP), a Commonwealth initiative designed to help Australian suppliers access work in global markets so they can diversify their revenue sources and remain viable through the peaks and troughs of domestic acquisitions.
Babcock Australasia Global Supply Chain Program manager Kellie Jenkins said, “We are working across all Babcock business units, in all regions, and at all technological readiness levels to introduce the GSCP and advocate for the inclusion of Australian capability.”
The Commonwealth program’s 13 member primes work with competitive national suppliers to embed, develop, and scale their solutions so they can compete for international tender and export opportunities. Since its inception in 2007, the GSCP has unlocked $1.9 bn in contracts for more than 250 Australian suppliers.
“We work alongside these high-performing Australian businesses everyday as part of our inclusive prime model, so we know the enormous value they bring. We believe we can create more opportunities for them through our global networks, including customers such as the UK Ministry of Defence,” Jenkins said.
Babcock’s team has also engaged with a number of economic development agencies including Austrade and Team Defence Australia to make strategic connections with Australian businesses already advanced in their pursuit of export opportunities.
Babcock’s GSCP team joined Team Defence Australia’s delegation to the International Defence Industry and Military Technology Exhibition, MSPO, in Poland earlier this month, where it met with exhibiting Australian suppliers and potential international customers to promote the Global Supply Chain Program.
It also discussed how the program may be able to value add to international supply chains through the offerings of Babcock’s Australian supplier base.
Jenkins said, “Ultimately, we are all here to support our Australian supplier base and achieve the goals of our government customers. We want to create sustained in-region support to service both Babcock’s global business and visiting international customers so they have continuous access to a vast array of science, technology and engineering disciplines to achieve their outcomes.” (Source: Defence Connect)
11 Sept 24. Project 17 Bravo frigates to enhance Indian Navy’s operational effectiveness with significant improvements over preceding class, says GlobalData.
In line with its efforts to enhance deterrence capabilities against the increasing Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India’s Defence Acquisition Council recently approved the acquisition of the Indian Navy’s Project 17 Bravo frigates. This initiative involves the construction of seven new frigates, incurring an investment of INR70,000 crore ($8.34bn), while incorporating significant improvements over the design of the preceding Nilgiri-class frigates, which are currently in active service. This would augment the Indian Navy’s operational effectiveness, underscoring the country’s dedication in advancing its naval prowess, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s report, “The Global Naval Vessels and Surface Combatants Market Forecast 2024-2034” reveals that India will be spending about $41.9bn on procuring various naval vessels over the next 10 years. Out of which, 32.3% will be directed towards the procurement of frigates, including Project 17 Bravo.
Harsh Deshmukh, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Indian Navy is not only focusing on the growing presence of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) in IOR but is also undertaking maritime security operations to counter various other threats, such as piracy, smuggling, and natural disasters. The Navy’s strategy calls for deployment of key naval assets, such as surface vessels, aircraft, and special forces, to secure the seas and ensure safety of the maritime routes around the IOR. The Project 17 Bravo frigates will be equipped with advanced radar and electronic warfare systems, making them well suited for independently undertaking these complex maritime operations.”
Project 17 Bravo would also enable the Indian shipbuilders to keep the assembly line afloat and sustain the capabilities gained over the years through the construction of frigates for the Indian Navy.
Frigates to be built under Project 17 Bravo are expected to be fitted with indigenous weapons package such as Vertically Launched Short-Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM), along with Barak-8 to facilitate surface-to-air attacks. They are also likely to be equipped with Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) along with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for surface-to-surface attacks, which emphasizes the Navy’s intent to support the Make in India initiative.
Deshmukh concludes: “India has signed logistics support agreements with multiple countries like the US, Russia, France, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, which will enable the Indian Navy to significantly expand its operational range, undertake extended patrols, and offer safe passage to mercantile traffic in IOR. With Project 17 Bravo, the Indian Navy would drastically expand its Blue Water capabilities and support its allies in securing key maritime trade routes.” (Source: GlobalData)
05 Sept 24. Personnel carrier tender: Is all well at Armscor?
The Request for Bid (ELWS/2024/71) for the procurement of personnel carriers for the SA Army was issued on 23 July 2024, with a requirement for 462 vehicles. This Request for Bid followed the initial Request for Information (RFI/01/2023) for armoured personnel carrier vehicles capable of counterinsurgency operations.
This is an exciting development for providing locally produced solutions for the market. The problem is that there have been too many changes in approach since the issuing of the RFI. It makes industry wonder if the Handbook for the Acquisition of Armaments in the Department of Defence and in Armscor (DAHB 1000) has been followed. The Required Operational Capability would have been completed. The definition phase with the Staff Target that guides the Functional Study, which gives the output of a Staff Requirement would have been captured prior to entering the rest of the procurement process. Project Study Report has earmarked a buy decision. The buy decision is for existing Off-The-Shelf products with minor modifications to achieve specification. The specification of the end user is generally captured at this stage in the Functional User Requirement Specification (FURS). This process is signed off by the Operations Staff Council for recommendation by the Military Command Council. This guides procurement requirements and Armscor then generates a procurement specification based on the FURS.
The confusion started with the RFI mentioning different levels of protection. Firstly, paragraph 3.1.1 states minimum 7.62 x 51 mm ball ballistic protection and Level 1 blast protection, followed by second requirement 5.2.1.2 & 3 that “shall be used as a guideline” that mentioned protection against 7.62 x 51 mm and 5.56 mm ball ammunition and protection against a single 8 kg surrogate mine (Level 3 blast) placed under the vehicle. The mine protection was subsequently reduced to Level 1 (only against hand grenades).
The standard APC configuration in the RFI aligned with the South African defence industry (SADI) accepted norm of 10 crew members (generally 2+8 seating configuration), with the option for variant configurations of Section, Command and Ambulance variants.
Many Military-Off-The-Shelf (MOTS) solutions were options that could satisfy the differing range of protection mentioned in the RFI. Below are some vehicles by local entities that meet the various descriptions of APC for counterinsurgency operations.
The specification has called for the RFI minimum 7.62mm x 51mm ball ballistic protection and no blast protection. There was then an additional change in configuration to have a minimum of 11 crew with 10 seats in the rear crew compartment of the Section Variant. This effectively requires a 2+10 seat configuration, but also asks for all patrol equipment and personal kit for 72-hour operations to be carried inside the vehicle, not in storage bins as per the RFI. A further development captured in the RFP is that the vehicle is to have a 13.5 ton Gross Vehicle Mass, while catering for a minimum payload of 1.5 tons.
The RFP was issued on 23 July 2024 with a bid submission date one month later of 23 August 2024. A bidder’s conference was held on 8 August 2024 (initial date was 31 July 2024).
The answers to questions raised leading into the bidder’s conference were only answered on 21 August 2024, just two days before submission. On this date, an extension was granted by Armscor for submission of bids to 13 September 2024. The problem is that the answers to the questions have significantly changed the vehicle system requirements.
The ballistic protection has effectively been increased to “full” STANAG Level 1 protection that covers 7.62 x 51 mm and 5.56 mm ball ammunition. Not just the 7.62 x 51 mm ball ammunition of the RFP Specification. Even more importantly, the mine blast protection was changed to a Level 2 blast (single 6 kg surrogate mine placed under the vehicle) versus the RFP specification mentioning NO mine blast protection, and then down to Level 1. These two changes have a significant mass impact, but also eliminate some potential supplier solutions. I am thinking of the competitive Paramount Maatla in a Long Wheel Base as an example of how the changes to requirements can cause bidders to restart documentation, or even change the solution being offered, or in the worst case decide on a no bid due to a now non-compliant solution.
Of less consequence is that the decision to allow a crew member to sit in the open front seat, thus changing the configuration to 2+9 seat. This could aid in fitting the equipment to be fitted in the vehicle. As example, the radios must be mounted behind the driver, using seat space.
The changes are significant. If a MOTS vehicle needs to be modified to achieve the specification, then in reality the mine blast certification would have to be conducted again. This adds significant overhead to a product in terms of time and cost to initial delivery.
At what point does a change of specification imply that a tender needs to be retracted? There is hope that the submission would not have to be redone by suppliers due to a future challenge of any contract award. Think of the VISTULA programme that was challenged. The impact is that the SANDF still does not have a replacement for the SAMIL support vehicle fleet 20 years later.
The reality of the time for placing orders and the potential of industry to deliver complex systems is also in question. The process of acquisition is well specified in DAHB-1000. The Personnel Carrier approval will be at the highest level of the Armaments Acquisition Council (AAC) that is chaired by the Minister of Defence & Military Veterans. Delays in the approval process are well known. As examples, the pilot rescue vehicle tender (ELWS/2023/39) that was posted on 26 September 2023 with a validity of 365 days has requested bidders for extension to 31 March 2025. The really urgent 6×6 vehicle tender (EWSD/2024/18) published on 14 May 2024 that was going to be delivered for testing by 31 July 2024 has requested bidders for an extension to 31 October 2024.
Now the Personnel Carrier tender has set stretch targets for industry to submit a proposal for a complex system. Keep in mind that the previous timelines related to a complex RFP would generally be minimum three months to submission. The last large complex vehicle programme RFPs of similar stature (VISTULA and HOEFYSTER) had a one-year timeframe for submission. It is as if the defence industry is being punished for delays in the internal acquisition process. If the original Armscor tender is correct, then an order should have been placed from 1 April 2024. The RFP was only issued in July 2024.
The delivery dates are also a stretch. The first article vehicles of each variant are required two months after receipt of order for entering testing. According to the DAHB 1000, these would establish a manufacturing baseline after testing. Then 20 of each variant is required by 15 March 2025. This is 60 vehicles. A question would be why Armscor does not specify the 82 vehicles needed to cover the first deployed battalion. The vehicle supply of 60, or 82 vehicles, would be a challenge unless the vehicles are in stock. If not in stock, then a realistic timeline based on long lead items would be 12 months for the initial 60 vehicles. The remaining portion of the 462 vehicles with the logistics and support deliverables are required by a realistic 15 March 2028.
The earliest AAC would be at the beginning of December 2024 or end January 2025. Keep in mind that there are at least three other approval levels to be navigated prior to submitting the information to an AAC. The AAC also needs the information at least two weeks in advance of a meeting. The examples used above indicate that this is stretch. The tender validity of 180 days is more realistic, but still tight. So, the revised dates are interesting and raise questions on the validity of the tender process.
Is all well at Armscor?
Written by James Kerr, Orion Consulting CC, which provides Market Entry Strategy and Bid & Proposal services to the Aerospace & Defence related industry and assists international SME mission system product suppliers to gain traction in South Africa. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
09 Sept 24. New Zealand considers options to replace Boeing 757s. Technical personnel board an RNZAF Boeing 757-2K2 at Port Moresby International Airport in Papua new Guinea on 17 June 2024 after the aircraft suffered a technical snag while transporting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Japan. (AFP via Getty Images)
New Zealand is “investigating options” to replace the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF’s) ageing Boeing 757 strategic airlifter, the country’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 4 September 2024.
The RNZAF operates two 757-2K2s inducted in 2003. It uses the aircraft as a long-range freight and personnel carrier, as well as a transport for senior members of the national government. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), however, has reported technical problems with the fleet in its 2022 and 2023 annual reports.
In its 2022 report, the NZDF said, “No Boeing 757 aircraft were available during Quarter 1 and Quarter 3 of 2021/22 due to unforeseen maintenance issues with the aircraft’s [Rolls-Royce] RB211 engines.” In its follow-on 2023 annual report, the NZDF added that “increased maintenance of ageing aircraft, supply chain restrictions, and engine availability caused challenges for the strategic air mobility fleet (Boeing 757) into the first quarter of 2022/23”.
Business case
The MoD said on 4 September that “market research is investigating options” to replace 757-2K2 capability “with an aircraft to undertake similar activities – primarily movement of military personnel and equipment, as well as support for trade and diplomatic missions”.
Officials have initiated discussions with “a number of aviation companies to investigate opportunities and to explore delivery times, availability, and ownership options for replacement capability”, the MoD said in a press statement. (Source: Janes)
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