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18 Feb 22. South Korean Army makes detailed plans to trial Redback IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle by an armoured cavalry unit between April and May. The Republic of Korea Army has set up an action plan to trial the Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) developed by Hanwha Defense, as the tracked combat vehicle returns home in March after its successful tests and evaluations during 2021 in Australia as one of the two final candidates for LAND 400 Phase 3.
Under the plans, a Redback vehicle is to be handed over in April to an armoured cavalry unit of the ROK Army for two months of trials aimed at reviewing the Redback’s advanced technologies and operational capabilities. The trials will be focused on the Redback’s mobility, operability and maintainability, as the futuristic tracked IFV has successfully navigated the Risk Mitigation Activity tests and evaluations conducted by the Australian Defence Force from February to October 2021.
For mobility tests, the vehicle is set to be assessed on paved and unpaved roads with various driving skills, including pivot, obstacle clearance and night manoeuvring with situational awareness equipment. Operability trials will include evaluation of situational awareness cameras, operation during hard braking, load space and the ergonomics of various seating configurations. Tactical operations of the auxiliary power unit and turret systems are also to be tested.
To review the Redback’s operational sustainability, the vehicle will also be assessed in various recovery situations. During trials, the Redback is also scheduled to demonstrate its off-board Health and Usage Management System (HUMS), which monitors and diagnoses component faults in their early stages.
The Redback is a fifth-generation IFV featuring a range of state-of-the-art technologies, including composite rubber tracks and an In-arm suspension units (ISU). The rubber tracks reduce noise and vibration significantly while offering superior ride quality for its crew and the soldiers it protects. The advanced ISU allows more space for add-on armour to mitigate blast underneath. The Redback is also equipped with high-tech sensor systems such as IRON VISION, which allows the crew to see through the vehicle’s armour by projecting the image outside the vehicle onto their helmet-mounted displays, and the IRON FIST active protection system. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
17 Feb 22. Logistics provider to implement savings for UK MoD. Team Leidos is to produce £272m in efficiencies under the Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation programme. The Team Leidos consortium that is providing logistics services to the UK MoD will implement £272m worth of savings in a ‘comprehensive mid-life refresh’ of its £6.7bn Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation (LCST) programme contract. MoD Defence Equipment & Support added in a 10 February statement that the contract amendment also includes enhanced performance metrics to drive improved customer outcomes, a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target and a commitment to a Net Zero plan.
Team Leidos was awarded the 13-year LCST contract in 2015. The consortium comprises Leidos Europe as prime contractor, supported by Kuhne+Nagel, TVS Supply Chain Solutions and Agility Logistics. (Source: Shephard)
17 Feb 22. French MoD to receive around 1,500 Arquus vehicles in 2022. The deliveries will comprise 1,134 VT4s, 116 Griffons, 18 Jaguars and 120 VBL Ultimas, as well as 243 Hornet remote-controlled weapon stations.
Arquus expects to hand over 1,388 ground vehicles to the French defence procurement agency DGA this year, amid efforts by the French MoD to modernise the army’s ground fleet.
The deliveries will comprise 1,134 VT4, 120 VBL Ultima, 116 Griffon and 18 Jaguar vehicles plus 243 Hornet remote weapon stations.
Arquus announced these figures on 16 February during a press conference in Paris.
In 2021, the DGA received 1,441 Arquus platforms and 186 Hornets. Arquus president Emmanuel Levacher noted that the Scorpion programme is ‘at cruising speed’ and ‘all the Griffon different versions and variants were qualified and delivered on time’.
Last year, France received 119 Griffons. According to Shephard Defence Insight, 692 of these vehicles have been ordered by France. Since 2019, Arquus has handed over a total of 339 vehicles to the French MoD.
Griffon deliveries to date comprised the FELIN, sniper section (STE), 81mm mortar (MO81), refuelling (RAV), light intervention element (ELI), engineer (GEN), medium-range missile (MMP) variants, in addition to the command post vehicle (EPC) versions.
In 2021, the company also delivered the first 20-vehicle batch of Jaguar EBRCs as part of the consortium manufacturing the vehicle. Shephard Defence Insight notes that the initial deliveries were expected to begin in 2020, but disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak delayed the programme.
Levacher acknowledged that the pandemic affected the market and caused ‘tensions in the supply chain’. In 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19, Arquus suffered a 10% drop in revenues and overseas sales halved in comparison with 2019.
However, turnover recovered in 2021 with 6% year-on-year growth, leading Levacher to claim that it was ‘the year that Arquus bounced back’.
Looking ahead, the company expects to achieve €1 billion ($1.14 billion) in sales of products and services by 2030.
In terms of exports, Arquus will draw attention to the European market, so as to be ‘less dependent on the Middle East and Africa’ and ‘better balance out international contracts’, according to Levacher.
Milestones for Middle Eastern and North African customers in 2021 included the delivery of 300 VLRAs to Morocco and the first retrofitted VAB to Qatar. Arquus also created a support plant in Kuwait.
Already in 2022, the manufacturer has been in talks with Estonia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Romania and Sweden.
Regarding French procurement programmes, Arquus expects the DGA to move forward with the Armoured Vehicle for Engagement Support (VBAE) programme.
Although no funding has been allocated to this effort under the latest French Military Programme Law covering the period 2019-2025, the Belgian MoD confirmed last year that will join France in the development of the new vehicle.
The French Army planned VBAE as the replacement for its Light Armoured Vehicle (VBL) and as a light reconnaissance asset that will be used for air assault and SOF missions.
Arquus has already developed the 4×4 Scarabée as a candidate for VBAE. Unveiled in February 2021, it is a hybrid-drive armoured reconnaissance vehicle and features electrical propulsion and high-capacity batteries.
The company also intends to advance the use of innovative technological capabilities to improve the performance of its military vehicles and market more capable platforms.
Levacher pointed out that the focus will be on improving the survivability and enhancing the use of hybrid-electric capacities, alternative fuels, robotics and digital systems.
Arquus has proposed a hybrid version of the Griffon to the DGA and the company envisages that future programmes will involve the development of fully electric and electric-hybrid platforms in addition to renovating and retrofitting existing vehicle fleets.
‘It is an important challenge for us because, beyond the environmental issues, there is a true operational issue to increase energy power of the platforms,’ Levacher claimed. (Source: Shephard)
18 Feb 22. US Navy taps additive manufacturing to help keep E-6B Mercury aircraft flying. The US Navy (USN) started installing water separators about its E-6B Mercury communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft in January that had been made through additive manufacturing, according to Captain Adam Scott, the programme manager for the Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office.
Using additive manufacturing to secure parts for the E-6Bs is an example of the lengths the programme office must take to make sure it keeps the Mercury fleet aloft, Capt Scott told Janes.
“It’s an ageing aircraft,” he noted, adding that there’s no acceptable margin for any down time for the E-6Bs or their mission.
“We have to connect the [US] president to his nuclear forces,” Capt Scott said.
The E-6B Mercury provides survivable, reliable, and endurable airborne command, control, and communications between the National Command Authority (NCA) and US strategic and non-strategic forces. Two squadrons, VQ-3 and VQ-4, deploy more than 20 aircrews from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma to meet these requirements. (Source: Janes)
17 Feb 22. Singapore Airshow 2022: Hybrid propulsion technology gains prominence. Hybrid electric propulsion technology has emerged as one of the highlights at Singapore Airshow 2022, which is being held at the Changi Exhibition centre from 15-18 February.
In the aerial domain, Israeli companies Elbit Systems and Steadicopter are showcasing their new fixed and rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) powered by hybrid electric propulsion systems.
Making its debut, Elbit Systems’ Skylark 3 Hybrid Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (STUAS) offers triple the endurance of conventionally powered models of the Skylark family with up to 18 hours of flight operation and a 120km range while retaining the same compact size and weight, a move which the company says significantly enhances mission effectiveness and cost efficiency.
Elbit Systems said the Skylark 3 Hybrid – which has a 4.7 metre wingspan and a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 50kg – will use its internal combustion engine to transit rapidly to an area of operations at altitudes of up to 12,000ft, before engaging its electric motor to loiter over the area. Either method of propulsion is also able to serve as a back up to ensure reliability and safety.
Meanwhile, Steadicopter revealed its hybrid Black Eagle 50H vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV, which combines the capabilities of its petrol Black Eagle 50 and electric Black Eagle 50E platforms.
The baseline Black Eagle 50 has a MTOW of 35kg and can operate for up to 4 hours while carrying a 5kg payload, while the Black Eagle 50E can carry a 15kg payload albeit with a reduced flight endurance of up to 2 hours. In contrast, the hybrid Black Eagle 50H can operate for up to 5 hours with a 12kg payload by exploiting its two methods of propulsion.
In the land domain, Singapore’s ST Engineering is highlighting its push to introduce hybrid electric drive (HED) technology into its existing range of combat vehicles.
“Modern fighting platforms are packed with computers and power hungry electronics: battle management systems, command, control and communications systems, navigation, cameras, and situational awareness equipment, threat detection sensors and active protection systems besides the basic automotive functions,” an ST Engineering representative told AMR.
“These power-hungry systems solely depend on power supplied by the vehicle’s alternator and low-voltage battery systems, which are already at its limits,” the representative added. “[Therefore], we need to rethink how we design fighting vehicles that are relevant for the future battlefield.”
ST Engineering is showcasing its new 8×8 hybrid Terrex infantry fighting vehicle with a QinetiQ hub drive unit and 4×4 cross-country utility vehicle (XUV), which feature a modular architecture that can accommodate a hybrid electric drive (HED) system comprising a diesel-electric generator module, high-voltage battery system as well as a variety of electric drivetrain components such as the axle drives and hub motors.
These are further supported by smart energy management and drive-by-wire controls, which the company claimed to offer a number of tactical advantages, including extended range operations and silent running. (Source: AMR)
18 Feb 22. Mobility and firepower: Rheinmetall presents the Lynx 120 mechanized fire support vehicle. Rheinmetall has just unveiled the latest addition to the company’s Lynx next-generation combat vehicle family. The Düsseldorf-based technology group has now developed a mechanized fire support variant of the Lynx KF41 IFV. Called the Lynx 120, this unique platform merges a tried-and-tested turret concept and the proven 120mm smoothbore cannon with the Lynx KF 41 chassis. The new mechanized fire support variant of the Lynx offers the user outstanding fire support and anti-tank capabilities. Thanks to a well-balanced blend of lethality, protection, mobility and survivability, the Lynx 120 is the perfect additional battlefield asset for Lynx platform users. Featuring off-the-shelf components, meticulous engineering reduces the vehicle’s weight, while customizable protection packages round out the package. The vehicle architecture has been simplified and provides an open ‘plug-and-play’ capability for future upgrades, while complying with, and adapting to, NATO standards.
Because armed forces have to cope with future challenges such as high-tech combat systems at a time when conventional solutions and concepts have reached the limits of their performance, the Lynx 120 is designed to deliver maximum lethality and firepower on tracks paired with the latest defence technologies to keep adversaries at bay.
Utilizing the Lynx KF 41 modular chassis and a scalable large-calibre turret concept, the Lynx 120 is a high-performance solution, harbouring vast growth potential and an assured overmatch capability. Just a couple of weeks ago, Rheinmetall Defence Australia unveiled a combat support vehicle (CSV) variant of the Lynx: now there is the fire support version as well.
The basic idea behind the Lynx 120 design concept is to provide a combat system that offers maximum operational performance in combination with logistic advantages within a reasonable timeframe at a realistic cost.
The vehicle’s main armament is a Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore gun, derived from the main armament of the Leopard 2. It can fire state-of-the-art DM11 programmable high-explosive (HE) projectiles. Its secondary armament includes a coaxial machine gun. Moreover, the commander’s independent weapon station will feature an additional .50 cal. machine gun.
A 360° camera system with automatic target detection and tracking reduces the crew’s workload in all operational scenarios.
Special protection modules enable a mission-specific response to ballistic threats, improvised explosive devices, explosively formed penetrators and artillery fire, and can be quickly mounted with limited tools. Moreover, the Lynx 120 can be readily equipped with the proven, already fielded Rheinmetall Active Defence System, or ADS, to defeat rocket-propelled grenades and antitank missiles. Additional armour packages and active protection systems can be provided on request.
Various nations are interested in acquiring the Lynx as a next-generation replacement for their aging inventories. The platform is currently a strong contender in Australian and Slovak IFV modernization plans and is competing for the USA’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programme. Hungary became the launch customer in 2021. Going beyond strictly military aspects such as increased interoperability and capability upgrades, major localization elements form an integral part of these procurement plans, aimed at boosting local industry and creating jobs.
16 Feb 22. The INEOS Hambach production plant is now ‘Grenadier Ready’ as INEOS Automotive completes transition to fully operational OEM status. Production prototypes rolling off the line at INEOS Automotive’s Hambach plant signal the final stage in the company’s transition from ‘project’ to automotive manufacturer. Since acquiring Hambach in January 2021, INEOS has invested over €50m in addition to the €470m invested in 2019 by Mercedes-Benz in an all-new production line. The line now dedicated to the Grenadier includes a new fully-automated bodyshop, a new semi-automated paintshop, and an upgraded general assembly facility. Hambach also benefits from a new high-tech quality assessment centre. Having taken just 12 months to reconfigure the new line for the Grenadier, INEOS is nearing the end of a first production try-out (PTO1) phase. Building 130 PTO1 Grenadiers is crucial for defining the assembly process and also provides the engineering team with production-representative vehicles for final rounds of testing and certification. The PTO2 phase starts in March to validate the assembly process and build quality, before production of launch series vehicles proves out the supply chain, logistics, and build rate.
In parallel, preparations in all commercial parts of the business continue at pace to ensure INEOS is ready for customers. Over 100 sales and service partners around the world have been nominated, and contracts have been signed with parts distribution and retail finance partners.
“Some 15,000 customers worldwide have reserved their Grenadier,” said Dirk Heilmann, CEO of INEOS Automotive. “We want to deliver a vehicle that’s ready, and we won’t cut corners. With the benefit of the highly skilled and experienced team at Hambach, as well as the expertise in safety and quality that we have employed, we are on target to begin series production in July.”
Full pricing and specifications will be announced in April 2022, when customers in Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Middle East can finalise their orders either directly with INEOS online, or via their local retailer. North America will follow later this year.
Joint Forces Editor’s Comment: It is our understanding that INEOS has plans to enter the military and blue light services 4×4 medium utility truck markets with the new Grenadier. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
17 Feb 22. USMC Puts New ACV Through Amphibious Training During Exercise Iron Fist 22. The US Marine Corps has been conducting operational training with its new IVECO / BAE Systems amphibious combat vehicle (ACV) during the bilateral Exercise Iron Fist 22 (10 January – 16 February), as well as on the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage in the Pacific Ocean (14-15 February).
The eight-wheel drive ACV has begun to replace the old Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV). Production started in 2020 with the first 36 units. The ACV has been designed to self-deploy from an amphibious assault ship at least 12 miles from shore with 17 Marines aboard. It has a speed of around eight knots or more depending on sea conditions. Around 573 vehicles are scheduled for procurement.
“The amphibious combat vehicle, combined with L-class ships and the light amphibious warship are critical programs that afford us the ability to move forces around,” said General David Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps. “The Marine Corps’ role is a forward force. This organic mobility is crucial to operate as a forward deployed, stand-in force.”
Exercise Iron Fist combined the USMC’s 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion with troops from the Japan Ground Self Defense-Force with the 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment. The ACV’s undertook a range of amphibious basic skills including day and night training and a series of amphibious assaults. (Source: Armada)
16 Feb 22. GM Defense joins General Dynamics team in bid to replace US Army’s Bradley vehicle. General Motors Defense is joining the General Dynamics Land Systems team to design an optionally manned fighting vehicle for the U.S. Army in a competition already underway.
“Our team continues to grow stronger and gain momentum as we aggressively push to provide this important capability for the Army,” Don Kotchman, GDLS vice president and general manager of U.S. operations, said in a Feb. 16 statement.
“I see tremendous synergies as we seek to leverage core capabilities in integrated vehicles, power and propulsion and mobility and autonomy to support the OMFV program,” Steve duMont, GM Defense president, also said in the statement, adding that he looks forward to combining talents in advanced technologies, digital design expertise and manufacturing scale.
“Aligned with the Army’s phased philosophy for the OMFV competition, General Dynamics Land Systems has implemented digital engineering processes, artificial intelligence and modular open electronic architecture into its concept for the program,” the statement added.
There are five companies competing to design the replacement for the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, including GDLS. The other four are Point Blank Enterprises, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems and American Rheinmetall Vehicles.
The teams already completed initial concept reviews with the service, which are now informing simulation activity and requirements refinement.
The Army laid out nine broad characteristics, rather than a laundry list of requirements, when it solicited proposals for the first phase of the competition.
Two years ago, the Army, in its first attempt to hold a competition to replace the Bradley, received just one physical bid sample — from GDLS — by the October 2019 deadline. Instead of moving forward with one bidder, the service canceled the competition and took a step back, producing a new plan meant to generate robust competition over a more reasonable timeline. That plan laid out a five-phase effort.
The first phase, now in full swing, is for an initial design. That will be followed by a full and open competition for a detailed design phase that will take place over fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2024. Awards for up to three contractors are expected in the second quarter of FY23.
The prototyping phase will begin in FY25, and the Army is expected to select in the fourth quarter of FY27 one company to build low-rate production vehicles. Full-rate production is expected to begin in FY30.
When asked about partnerships in the fall of 2021, Kotchman told Defense News that the company didn’t want to get locked into too many partnerships because “you begin to artificially narrow the realm of your trade possibilities to support the Army’s requirement development for its performance spec.”
So far, GM joins AeroVironment, Applied Intuition and General Dynamics Mission Systems as a major partner on the GDLS OMFV team.
GM Defense won its first major contract with the U.S. Army in 2020 to deliver the new Infantry Squad Vehicle. The platform is based off of the Chevy Colorado. The company delivered the first ISV to the service 120 days after winning the contract.
Most competitors haven’t yet finalized a vehicle design because the Army hasn’t called for that level of detail, but is instead asking how the competitors would approach developing that design.
“One of the neat elements of this initial phase of the program is that the Army isn’t asking us for the answer,” Kotchman told Defense News last spring. “The Army is asking us how are we going to approach developing the answer.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
16 Feb 22. Less than a quarter of SAAF aircraft serviceable. Less than a quarter of the South African Air Force’s (SAAF’s) fleet of aircraft is serviceable as budget cuts, COVID-19 disruptions and problems at Denel erode its capabilities. This emerged during a Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV) briefing that, amongst others, looked at the status of the maintenance of the SAAF fleet by Denel and other service providers. In its presentation, Armscor revealed that only 46 of the SAAF’s 217 aircraft are currently serviceable.
Of the helicopter fleet, four out of 11 Rooivalks are serviceable and 17 out of 39 Oryx helicopters are, as well as three out of six BK 117s (one BK 117 is beyond economical repair). Out of the 30 A109 Light Utility Helicopters, five are beyond economical repair and just three are serviceable. None of the four Lynx naval helicopters are airworthy.
Regarding the VIP fleet, the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) is not serviceable while the single PC-12 is, and one of the three Falcon business jets.
On transport aircraft, just one of six C-130BZ Hercules is serviceable and one beyond economical repair. Five out of eight Caravans are serviceable and two are in long-term storage. Two out of three C212s are airworthy, as is one King Air out of three King Air 200s (one King Air 300 is in storage).
Of the C-47TP fleet, three are serviceable, five are unserviceable, four are in long-term storage and seven beyond economical repair, according to Armscor (defenceWeb records nine airframes total).
Regarding the sharp end of the SAAF fleet, none of the 26 Gripens are airworthy (two are beyond economical repair and 11 are in long-term storage). Out of the 24 Hawk lead-in fighter-trainers, just three are serviceable while three are beyond economical repair and 12 are in long-term storage.
The majority of the trainer fleet is grounded or in storage – of the SAAF’s 35 PC-7 Mk IIs, just two are serviceable while 16 are in long-term storage. 14 are undergoing maintenance and awaiting spares. The remaining three are unserviceable.
The lack of serviceable aircraft was attributed by Armscor to several factors, including the liquidity crisis at Denel, which is the original equipment manufacturer of the Oryx and Rooivalk and which also does maintenance on other SAAF types, including the C-130 Hercules fleet.
The other major factor is the SAAF’s reduced budget, with the lack of funds negatively impacting aircraft availability. Limited maintenance capacity within the SAAF, ageing aircraft that require more maintenance, and COVID-19-related disruptions are also adding to the serviceability crisis.
Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo, Chief of the SAAF, told the PCDMV that the situation within the SAAF “is not where it’s supposed to be as far as combat readiness is concerned and also the required hours of flying.” At present, around 5 000 hours are flown annually, which is far from the required number.
Mbambo said the lack of serviceable aircraft is affecting pilot training, as not enough trainers are airworthy. He added that the SAAF needs new patrol aircraft to support the Navy and lots of illegal activity is occurring in South African waters because “we don’t have the required capacity to monitor.” Pointing out that the C-47TP fleet is more than 60 years old, he said “we cannot hope to patrol properly and have a deterrent if you have such a weak capability.”
From the SAAF’s perspective, the situations “is very dire,” Mbambo said, with one of the biggest risks to the SAAF the decline of Denel. “Denel is the original equipment manufacture of most of our aircraft systems, specifically the rotary capability…Denel is the original equipment manufacturer of the Rooivalk and also they are supporting us in terms of C-130 for servicing. What we are watching on the horizon is a great worry for us. If Denel actually goes under, we have thin opportunities, or manoeuvring space, to continue doing business…This compounds the challenges we are facing at the moment.”
Democratic Alliance (DA) shadow defence minister Kobus Marais said the poor serviceability is a sad feeling, and “shows we are so vulnerable by any onslaught by anyone. It looks like our capabilities are just gone. That’s what we feared for in the past, that our Air Force would be reduced to an Air Wing and the same to the Navy – of becoming a Water Wing not a Navy. It shows we need to do something very quickly.”
Committee Chair Cyril Xaba said South Africa needs to invest in the defence force, especially as there are security challenges the country is facing. “Any country maintains its core defence capability because the future is unknown. Ten years ago we did not have the challenges we are experiencing north of South Africa.”
Defence Minister Thandi Modise suggested diverting funds towards maintenance and suggested drawing up a funding plan that is palatable to National Treasury. This would involve self-generation of funds as little money can be expected to be forthcoming from the government due to South Africa’s sluggish economy. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
16 Feb 22. Denel unable to deliver on Hoefyster contract; Armscor recommends cancellation. Denel is unable to complete Project Hoefyster for new Badger infantry combat vehicles for the South African Army due to insufficient capability, and consequently Armscor has recommended the contract be cancelled and the money be spent on Ratel upgrades. This emerged during a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans by defence materiel agency Armscor on Wednesday. Armscor recalled that Project Hoefyster was supposed to acquire 264 Badger vehicles to partially replace the Ratel fleet, in five main variants: Command, Missile, Section, Fire Support, and Mortar. However, Hoefyster is over a decade late, with no vehicles delivered to the SA Army. To date, R7.6bn has been spent on Project Hoefyster, and factoring in VAT, escalation and other costs, Armscor values the project at R16.2bn. R1.5bn has been spent on the first phase, which is design and development, and R5bn on the second phase, which is industrialisation. Denel did not receive all the payments for the project as other companies are also involved – for example, Reutech received R600m for communications equipment. Due to mounting delays, Denel and Armscor re-examined the project in 2018 and presented several scenarios. This included Denel extending deliveries to 2026 and waiving R500m in penalties; the Department of Defence (DoD) reducing the number of vehicles and variants acquired; the DoD seeking an alternative contractor to work with Denel or replacing it; and completing the Section variant and considering terminating the project after that.
Following further engagement, it was decided that Denel Land Systems would be allowed to complete Phase 1 Development up to Production Baseline stage, that the SA Army would defer Phase 2, and funds for Phase 2 would be ring-fenced for South African Army operational requirements.
Armscor noted that Denel made it clear it is not in a position to complete remaining work on Phase 1 due to insufficient capability (including a lack of staff), financial challenges, and obsolescence of critical subsystems. The project would also be loss making to Denel.
Armscor therefore recommends the contract with Denel be cancelled and consideration needs to be given to bank guarantees being called up. R1.4bn in guarantees is held by banks, including Absa, Nedbank and FNB as well as Guardrisk. Denel guarantees amount to another R550 million, but the amounts covered by Denel guarantees are at risk, Armscor warned.
However, recalling the guarantees may lead to the banks going after Denel and there is a real possibility of Denel being liquidated, which would essentially destroy South Africa’s sovereign capability to produce arms for the South African National Defence Force, Armscor said.
If the contract is cancelled, funds from the Hoefyster contract could feasibly be re-channelled for the upgrading of Ratel vehicles. These funds would be constituted of the bank guarantees and the current year allocation of R1.9bn.
Armscor states there is the possibility of selling off Hoefyster items worth R1.2bn, including 28 CamGuns, 15 Badger vehicles delivered by Patria, 58 training simulators, and stocks of 30×173 mm CamGun ammunition. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
16 Feb 22. Portsmouth Naval Base receives new specialist vessel Typhoon 3000. Typhoon 3000 will help accelerate the delivery of repairs and availability of warships for operations. Dutch company Ravestein has delivered a specialist vessel to support the repairs and maintenance of the British Royal Navy’s ships at Portsmouth Naval Base. Named Typhoon 3000, the $20.35m (£15m) jack up barge is designed to help keep the ships prepared to conduct front-line operations. The vessel has four moveable legs that can stretch up to the seabed, enabling its large working platform to be lifted out of the water. It offers a stable platform to carry out maintenance and lifting of machinery. With this new capability, smaller ships will not be required to enter the naval base’s frigate and destroyer docks during repairs and other related works. This will provide space for conducting repairs and speeding up the procedure of keeping vessels ready for operations. It is expected to improve delivery of repairs and maintenance services for the city’s fleet, including Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) carriers and River-class patrol vessels.
Naval Base commander commodore JJ Bailey said: “The barge offers the naval base a clear uptick in its capability, to improve our ship availability and deliver covered ship repairs.”
For this project, the Royal Navy worked together with industry partners for three months. The barge will also facilitate engineering work by providing access points on HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers.
The official naming ceremony for the barge is scheduled to take place on 4 April. Earlier this month, BAE Systems’ Combat Systems teams offered software updates to the British Royal Navy’s two QEC aircraft carriers. (Source: naval-technology.com)
16 Feb 22. FRC WESTPAC adds Japanese partner NIPPI to support V-22 PMI events. A USMC MV-22B Osprey has been inducted to undergo depot-level maintenance in NIPPI’s facility. Japan’s NIPPI has joined Fleet Readiness Center Western Pacific (FRC WESTPAC) as commercial partner to support V-22 maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). As part of this partnership, FRC WESTPAC has inducted the first US Marine Corps (USMC) V-22 Osprey aircraft to undergo planned depot-level maintenance.
The services will be delivered at NIPPI’s facility in Yamato, Japan.
The MV-22B Osprey belongs to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265), the Dragons.
FRC WESTPAC commanding officer lieutenant colonel Kevin Ryan said: “FRC WESTPAC is very excited to be inducting this aircraft today and adding another commercial partner to support V-22 planned maintenance interval (PMI) events in the region.
“NIPPI Corporation has demonstrated their maintenance expertise on multiple other aircraft lines for FRC WESTPAC and we anticipate we will see the same quality output for the V-22 line.”
Before NIPPI, Subaru has been providing the services to FRC WESTPAC V-22 since 2015. It was managing the maintenance requirement for the Osprey fleet situated Outside of the Continental United States (OCONUS).
NIPPI was allocated nine months to prepare their centre and make plans for the aircraft maintenance. (Source: naval-technology.com)
14 Feb 22. Hanwha Defense, Bisalloy Steel sign export deal. A global export agreement has been struck between the companies, which would see Australian steel used in the construction of Hanwha’s armoured vehicles. South Korea-based Hanwha Defense has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with NSW-based Bisalloy Steel, which is set to supply steel for the manufacture of Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers. The companies have also committed to conducting a joint technical analysis to explore whether Bisalloy steel can be integrated into the vehicles for export to overseas markets. This includes potential support for Hanwha’s $1.6bn K9A1EGY contract with the Egyptian Ministry of Defence. This latest MOU, signed last week, is in addition to Bisalloy Steel’s support for Hanwha Defense Australia’s bid for the Commonwealth government’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program – an $18bn-$21bn project to supply a fleet of up to 450 next-generation IFVs to the Australian Army.
Michael Gundy, managing director of Bisalloy Steel welcomed the opportunity to join Hanwha’s global armoured vehicle supply chain.
“Bisalloy Steel’s capability has been proven over its 40-year of history, and through working together we believe we will contribute to Hanwha’s product portfolio and its international business,” Gundy said.
“We look forward to expanding our business with Hanwha in the years ahead.”
Son Jae-il, CEO and president of Hanwha Defense reflected on the importance of the partnership with Bisalloy Steel.
“We are very excited to expand cooperation with Bisalloy Steel for international markets, as we have been delighted with Bisalloy steel’s proven quality through the performance of the Redback IFV,” Son Jae-il said.
“We will explore ways to use Bisalloy steel further for the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer, as well as the Redback IFV.”
The signing of the MOU comes just days after Hanwha Defense Australia announced it was selected to support the Oshkosh Defense OMFV Consortium – a cooperative participating in the US Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program Concept Design Phase.
The consortium – which includes Hanwha Defense USA, Pratt Miller Defense, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, QinetiQ Inc, and Plasan – is expected to leverage the chassis technology used in the Redback IFV.
The US Army’s OMFV program aims to replace nearly 3,800 Bradley Fighting Vehicles among its Armored Brigade Combat Teams. (Source: Defence Connect)
11 Feb 22. Czech IFV replacement contract delayed another year. The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced a reduction in its 2022 defence budget to around CZK88.2bn (USD4.1bn) on its website on 9 February but said there would still be funding for a new infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), albeit not until 2023. The ministry confirmed to Janes on 10 February that the first instalment of CZK4.83 bn for the new vehicles had been cancelled, adding that the IFV contract would not be signed this year. The MoD told Janes that a legal analysis on how to proceed was under way, which would not be completed before the end of this quarter, after which the ministry would decide on the next steps in the IFV programme. (Source: Janes)
09 Feb 22. US Army fires starting gun on $7.3bn JLTV competition. Current maker of the infantry vehicle, Oshkosh Defense, must face competitors to be Army/Marine supplier. The US Army today announced the solicitation for the long-awaited recompete of its Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, with the new contract estimated to be worth $7.3bn. The new request for proposals for the single-award contract will allow other vehicle makers to bid to unseat Oshkosh Defense as the current vendor. The joint program office plans to buy 15,425 JLTVs and 7,644 JLTV trailers under the new contract, according to Michael Sprang, project manager for the JLTV joint program office at Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support. The JLTV is a light armored vehicle designed to carry troops and cargo during military operations. The program is run by the Army and supplies JLTVs to both the Marines and Army units. The vehicle is replacing portions of the service’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) fleet.
“This follow-on contract focuses on a best value determination that includes retaining the capability of the JLTV today, and looks to the future, namely a vehicle possibly featuring hybridization or electrification to reduce fuel consumption in line with the Army’s new climate strategy,” Sprang said. “It also highlights manufacturing quality, addresses the commercial engine update, and incentivizes specific technology enhancements within cost and schedule targets.”
The Army climate strategy, released Tuesday, stated the service plans to field purpose-built hybrid-drive tactical vehicles by 2035. In late January, Oshkosh Defense announced that they had developed a hybrid-electric JLTV, though no orders had come in yet.
Oshkosh Defense executives have previously told Breaking Defense that they are confident they will retain the contract after building thousands of JLTVs in the last five years. But competitors will be aided by technical data on the JLTV that’s owned by the Army and will be shared with potential bidders.
“Having the access to the technical data is of course helpful — you couldn’t build it without it,” Oshkosh Defense president John Bryant told Breaking Defense in April. But he added that it’ll be difficult for rivals to compete with “the knowledge gained from having built over 10,000 of the vehicles.”
Oshkosh Defense has now delivered over 15,000 vehicles under its current contract, which was worth some $6.7bn at award time in 2015.
Whatever happens with the recompete, Oshkosh Corp. leadership previously warned that they expect their defense revenue to fall due to reductions in JLTV orders by the military. Fiscal 2022 budget documents show that the serviced plans to purchase 2,744 JLTV trucks, down from 3,398 the year prior. (Source: glstrade.com/Breaking Defense.com)
11 Feb 22. US Navy’s SSC LCAC vehicle concludes well deck interoperability testing. Numerous well deck entries and exits were performed from USS Carter Hall as part of the testing.
The US Navy’s next-generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), has concluded well deck interoperability testing.
The SSC LCAC vehicle completed the testing with the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship, USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), confirming its readiness for fleet integration.
This test event was carried out under the first phase of ship interface testing through a collaboration between Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships, USS Carter Hall, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, and other stakeholders.
Carter Hall commanding officer commander LaDonna Simpson said: “Working alongside Program Executive Office Ships, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division and other stakeholders to provide the fleet with a modernised and more capable Ship to Shore Connector makes our navy better in every way.”
To confirm user requirements, the craft was put through several well deck entries and exits from USS Carter Hall.
LCAC 103 was recently delivered, with its fly away to NSWC Panama City.
At present, LCACs 104 – 116 are undergoing serial production under the programme.
Four more craft are slated to be delivered later this year.
PEO Ships Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programmes programme manager captain Scot Searles said: “This is an exciting period for the ship to shore connector programme as we continue to validate user requirements and get the craft ready for their eventual fleet tasking.
“The success of the well deck testing and other recent evolutions validates these modernised craft will be a game-changer for the Navy/Marine Corps team as they execute various missions in the maritime domain.”
In June last year, the US Navy took the delivery of the next-generation landing craft, SSC, LCAC 102. (Source: naval-technology.com)
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