21 Mar 16. Philippines selects Lynx Wildcat for ASW mission. The Philippines has selected the AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat to fulfil its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter requirement, IHS Jane’s has learned. The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) has awarded the Anglo-Italian manufacturer a contract for PHP5.3bn (USD114m) under its Anti-Submarine Helicopter Acquisition Project for the Philippine Navy, according to a DND Notice of Award document seen by IHS Jane’s on 23 March.
While the document gives no details on the helicopter type or numbers, AgustaWestland had previously announced that it was bidding two AW159s for the requirement.
The news of the contract award comes a month after AgustaWestland officials said they were optimistic it would be awarded “very soon”, though the company told IHS Jane’s it is unable to comment on the contract award at this time.
The competition to provide the Philippine Navy with an airborne ASW capability, which it currently lacks, was launched by the DND in September 2014. It is understood that Airbus Helicopters and its local partner PT Dirgantara Indonesia expressed interest in bidding the AS565 Panther for the programme, though it was not confirmed if a formal bid was entered, while Bell Helicopter, NHIndustries, and Sikorsky were also reported to have shown interest with the 412EP, NH90, and S-70B Seahawk respectively.
In the ASW role the AW159 can be configured to carry active dipping sonar (ADS), sonobuoys, and torpedoes, while for the anti-surface warfare role it can be armed with anti-ship missiles, rockets, and guns. Once in Philippine Navy service, the AW159s are expected to be deployed aboard the navy’s Pilar (Hamilton and Hero)-class frigates BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, which were acquired from the US Coast Guard in 2012 and 2013. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Mar 16. Australia to invest $409m to modernise air traffic control facilities. The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has unveiled plans to invest $409m to modernise air traffic control facilities for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
As part of the development, the ministry plans to upgrade facilities at 13 defence bases and five off-base radar sites across Australia.
Australian Defence Assistant Minister Michael McCormack said: “AIR 5431 Phases 2 and 3 Air Traffic Management and Control System Facilities and Australian Defence Force Air Traffic Control Complex Infrastructure Project is a joint programme between Defence and Airservices Australia.
“This project will upgrade Defence’s air traffic control towers and airfield systems complexes that are aged, deteriorated and no longer fit for purpose, as well as provide new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure to support the OneSKY initiative.”
The OneSKY programme is aimed at the development of a single civil-military air traffic management (ATM) system to help streamline infrastructure and processes between military and civilian air traffic controllers in Australia.
Combined, the civil and military elements of the future ATM system are expected to support more than 200 operational air traffic control workstations deployed to multiple locations across Australia.
OneSky is scheduled to replace the current ATM system, the Australian Advanced Air Traffic System. It would be introduced through a phased transition from 2018 to 2021, and would help the country manage forecast growth of air traffic movement, of as much as 60% by 2030, minimising delays for travellers.
The Australian Advanced Air Traffic System was commissioned in the late 1990s. It has since undergone more than 200 incremental system modifications to address requirements of Airservices and the RAAF controllers. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 Mar 16. Fighter Jets A ‘Jackass of All Trades.’
Blue sky marketing is overshadowing major problems with the controversial next-generation fighter planes, a Senate inquiry has been told.
Australia’s next-