Sponsored by Control Solutions LLC.
http://www.controls.com/product-cat/systems/
——————————————————————-
11 Jun 15. US, South Korean navies flex full spectrum ASW capabilities in Exercise ‘Silent Shark.’ The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) and US Navy (USN) are conducting a five-day bilateral anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise that includes surface, subsurface, and airborne assets in the Philippine Sea close to Guam. ‘Silent Shark’ 2015, which began on 8 May and is expected to conclude on 12 May, aims to improve the interoperability of the ASW assets between both navies and has been held biennially since 2011. The 2015 iteration comprises an unnamed diesel-electric submarine (SSK) from the RoKN, as well as a USN Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67). Airborne assets include the RoKN’s Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion and USN’s Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. According to the USN, one of the key objectives of ‘Silent Shark’ is to conduct subsurface tracking and simulated “quick reaction” engagements between the submarines. The exercise is also aimed at enhancing the RoKN’s ASW target detection and tracking capabilities. The opportunity would also enable the RoKN to understand the detection and emissions profile of the latest P-8A aircraft, which first deployed to the region in late-2013. South Korea is known to be exploring options to supplement its 16 Lockheed Martin P-3C/CK Orion platforms with 20 new maritime patrol aircraft, with the P-8A a potential candidate, should a formal bid emerge.
“Executing complex ASW scenarios like those in Exercise ‘Silent Shark’ helps us practice the co-ordination needed with our Republic of Korea counterparts for maintaining stability in the Asia Pacific,” Lieutenant Commander Aaron Kakiel, public affairs officer at Combined Task Force (CTF) 74, told IHS Jane’s on 10 May.
Lt Cdr Kakiel confirmed that ‘Snapdragon’ type manoeuvres, in which the navies’ P-3 and P-8 aircraft identify and track participating submarines, with the latter attempting to evade detection/escape tracking, were also conducted during ‘Silent Shark’. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
10 Jun 15. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has completed extensive lab testing on a new extended range variant of the combat-proven AMRAAM®. The tests validate that AMRAAM-ER can be integrated and employed from the NASAMS launcher. Designed specifically for ground-based air defense, AMRAAM-ER will be combined with AN/MPQ-64 F1Sentinel radar and the NASAMS launcher to provide increased air defense protection in the medium range air defense market.
“AMRAAM-ER significantly expands the capability of our proven ground-based air defense system. The new surface-launched missile will be even faster and more maneuverable than the current AMRAAM,” said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon vice president of Air Warfare Systems. “By leveraging components from existing weapons programs, Raytheon is on a fast track to deliver AMRAAM-ER affordably and with very low risk.”
Raytheon is integrating the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile rocket motor into AMRAAM-ER, enabling the new missile to intercept targets at longer ranges and higher altitudes. Completion of lab testing allows Raytheon to move forward with launcher and system integration scheduled to begin mid-2015 followed by a live firing demonstration. Raytheon is on schedule to flight test AMRAAM-ER before the end of the year. NASAMS is the latest and most modern Medium Range Air Defense system. In partnership with KONGSBERG, Raytheon has delivered more than 70 fire units to seven countries. It is the most commonly used Short and Medium Range Air Defense System in NATO. Fielded in Norway for more than a decade, NASAMS is operationally deployed in the U.S. National Capital Region, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, and an undisclosed country. It is also in production for Oman under