Sponsored by Control Solutions LLC.
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16 Oct 14. Northrop Grumman Corporation has received Milestone C approval for its Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) Increment 1 Build 1 (I1B1) system from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The JCREW I1B1 system is a jammer that defeats devices used to trigger improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Northrop Grumman developed mounted, dismounted and fixed-site variants to protect warfighters, vehicles and permanent structures.
“Northrop Grumman appreciates and applauds the contributions of every member of the JCREW team that are enabling this critical capability to be deployed next year to protect our warfighters against current and emerging threats,” said Jeannie Hilger, vice president and general manager, Communications division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems. “We’ve developed a system that’s exceedingly more effective against a multitude of different IED threats than currently fielded systems. Northrop Grumman has also added capabilities to JCREW I1B1 that aren’t available today that make the system easier to maintain and enable quick updates to jamming profiles.” Prior to achieving Milestone C, the JCREW I1B1 system successfully completed developmental testing, a functional configuration audit, and system verification review. The developmental test process consisted of a series of tests at five different sites that demonstrated and verified key requirements. These included verifying system protection distance performance in realistic electromagnetic environments (Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona); establishing radio frequency compatibility with other U.S. government communications and jamming equipment (Dahlgren, Virginia); ensuring soldiers using the system were safe and protected from electromagnetic radiation, hazardous transmission levels to ordnance, and hazardous power levels to fuels in close proximity (San Antonio); testing the network features of the JCREW I1B1 jammers (Indian Head, Maryland); and demonstrating the reliability of multiple systems in an open-air environment (Lake Glendora, Indiana). The functional configuration audit confirmed the three system variants met all requirements. NAVSEA awarded Northrop Grumman a contract option in January 2013 to complete development of JCREW I1B1. NAVSEA previously awarded the company a JCREW development contract with options in December 2009.
09 Oct 14. India cancels LAHAT installation on Arjun Mk II. The Indian Army recently rejected an Israeli missile that was to have been fitted onto the indigenously designed Arjun Mk II main battle tank (MBT), further delaying the upgraded platform’s induction into service. “The IAI [Israel Aerospace Industries]-built Laser Homing Anti-Tank [LAHAT] missile failed to meet the Indian Army’s acceptance criteria,” said P Shiv Kumar, head of the state-run Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment that designed the Arjun. “We have decided to indigenously develop the missile over the next three years at the Armaments Research and Development Establishment [ARDE in Pune, western India],” Kumar told IHS Jane’s on 22 September. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
09 Oct 14. MBDA starts SIMBAD-RC testing ahead of 2015 deliveries. European missile house MBDA has started prototype testing of its remotely-controlled SIMBAD-RC ship self-defence system and will begin production deliveries next year, IHS Jane’s has learned. Developed from the manually-controlled Système Integré de Mistral Bitube d’Auto-Défense (SIMBAD) twin launcher system already in service with the French Navy and over 10 export customers, the new SIMBAD-RC variant is a private venture development intended to address market requirements for a lightweight, automated, close-in defence capability against air and surface threats out to a maximum range o