02 Sep 22. U.S. Navy Completes First BQM-177A Target Intercept During Missile Launch. The U.S. Navy’s next-generation subsonic aerial target (SSAT), the BQM-177A, reached full operational capability during a successful standard missile launch and intercept while participating in Pacific Vanguard 2022 (PV 22) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 28.
The target drones were launched from the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3) and engaged with missiles launched from Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) and Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth (FFH 157), marking the first time the BQM-177A has been used in the Western Pacific region and highlighting the drones achieving full operational capability.
“Not only am I glad the [Commander, Task Force (CTF)] 71 team was the first to have a successful Missile Launch against a brand-new type of target drone, but I am extremely grateful that we got to do it side by side with our allies and partners in the region,” said Capt. Walter Mainor, commander, Task Force 71. “I’m proud of all of the participants who worked hard to make this happen, but I’m especially proud of the crews of USS Barry, USNS Alan Shepard, and our coalition partner HMAS Perth”.
The BQM-177A is an advanced high-subsonic, recoverable aerial target system that imitates advanced subsonic anti-ship cruise missile threats to test the effectiveness of shipboard air defense systems and is used for fleet training. It is unmatched in its performance capabilities when it comes to delivering realistic anti-ship missile threat emulation, according to program managers at Naval Air Systems Command.
“Our primary focus in the targets community is effective, affordable training and test for the U.S. Navy,” said Don Blottenberger, the Navy’s Aerial Targets program manager. “The efforts of the team, including partnership with MSC and the target operations organizations, represents the best of our community. The BQM-177, now fully capable, will provide quality service to our warfighters for decades to come.”
PV 22-1 is the fifth iteration of the quadrilateral exercise series between Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, and U.S. Naval forces. This exercise is focused on improving the capabilities of the countries participating to respond together as a naval force against crises and contingencies in the region. The purpose is for the participating navies to continue to refine their skills operating as an integrated force ready to respond to a changing and complex maritime environment in the Indo-Pacific region.
CTF 71/DESRON 15 is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.
U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability, and prevent conflict. (Source: ASD Network)
15 Sep 22. Javelin Replacement Contract Awarded. The US Army awarded a production contract for $311m on Sep. 13 to the Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) between Raytheon Missiles and Defense and Lockheed Martin for delivery of more than 1,800 Javelins that will serve as replenishment for those rounds from DoD stocks sent to Ukraine in support of their military and security forces.
“This award is a great example of our continued commitment to strengthening our domestic industrial base while supporting our allies and partners,” Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William A. LaPlante said. “As we use various authorities to replenish our own stocks, industry can expect a strong, persistent demand signal.”
This procurement is part of the Ukraine Supplemental appropriation. The contract includes Army Ukraine replenishment, Army FY22 procurement, and international partner missiles.
“This award demonstrates the Army’s ability to use the new authorities given to us by Congress to acquire critical capabilities for our Soldiers, allies, and partners rapidly and responsibly,” said Douglas R. Bush, the Army’s assistant secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology.
To date, the Javelin Joint Venture has produced more than 50,000 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units. Javelin is expected to remain in the U.S. weapon arsenal until 2050 and is subject to continual upgrades to support evolving operational needs.
This effort was led by the Army’s Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, in partnership with components across the DoD.
Information on additional replacement contracting actions can be found here:
https://media.defense.gov/2022/Sep/15/2003077432/-1/-1/0/CONTRACTING-FACT-SHEET.PDF (Source: US DoD)
15 Sep 22. RAFAEL is arriving at NATO Days as one of the Main Marketing Partners of the event and as the only Israeli company which has developed an air defense system that has been acquired by a NATO member. The Czech Ministry of Defense purchased the SPYDER air defense system last year. At NATO Days 2022, RAFAEL’s state-of-the-art SPYDER Family of air defense systems will be displayed with two configuration models of the SPYDER SR and SPYDER MR which operates with 6 different interceptors. This event is free for the general public with RAFAEL’s displays in the VIP zone, and in zone 3 for the public.
SPYDER systems have already been successfully integrated into various armed forces around the world and have proven their effectiveness in battle — even in Europe. This advanced family of systems provides tailor-made solutions that operate with an open architecture to best-fit user needs. Through RAFAEL’s support, these systems are constantly upgraded and improved to deliver maximal performance while remaining versatile, cost-effective, and precise.
Allowing for an unprecedented degree of versatility, the SPYDER Family uses renowned air-to-air missiles: PYTHON 5, I-DERBY, and I-DERBY ER missiles — allowing for optimal commonality. With a selection of configurations available, SPYDER systems are able to provide air defense ranges of anywhere between 20 to 80 km, with extended range capabilities in the future. Additionally, these combat-proven systems are mobile — using autonomous detect, track and intercept capabilities to deliver threat detection while on the move and instantaneous launch after coming to a stop.
NATO Days in Ostrava is the largest European security show, bringing together the newest technological advancements in defense, national security, and more — all while attracting over 200,000 visitors.
This year the 22nd NATO Days in Ostrava will include the 13th Czech Air Force Days as part of the main event as coordinated by the Czech Ministry of Defense. 22 countries are expected to participate, along with hundreds of aircraft and thousands of pieces of ground equipment.
13 Sep 22. Kraken Technology Group (KTG) today announced it has partnered with Dillon Aero around the integration of its M134D Miniguns on the K50 KRAKEN maritime gunship. Currently employed by all branches of the U.S. military and in more than 30 countries, Dillon’s M134D Minigun is one of the most reliable weapons in the world given its capacity, simplicity in loading and ease of maintenance. Designed for speed and accuracy, the M134D is a true force multiplier and ideal for the operational requirements of the K50 KRAKEN which includes close proximity maritime engagement.
Dillon’s M134D will combine with systems from recently announced partners Thales and MSI-DS, to ensure all K50 KRAKEN effectors are fully systems-integrated, CMS-led and precisely-aimed for maximum operational efficacy in its maritime precision engagement role.
Mal Crease, Founder and CEO of Kraken Technology Group, commented: “The iconic M134D Minigun has been linked to maritime platforms but never a boat like the K50 KRAKEN. Its legendary firepower is a key ingredient in this definitive maritime precision engagement platform, and our technical collaboration with Dillon Aero will be another critical addition to the focussed effectiveness of the KRAKEN gunship.”
Randy Nance, International Business Development Manager at Dillon Aero, added: “The Dillon Aero team are pleased to be partnering with Kraken, and to be bringing the M134D’s fire power and ability to suppress close range targets to such a game-changing vessel. We’ve not seen anything like the K50 before, and setting new benchmarks in fire-power for ultra-high-performance boats is something we’re excited being a part of.”
12 Sep 22. French Navy embraces commercial tech for directed energy, drones. The French Navy is setting its sights on commercially developed drones and laser weapons to field new capabilities before the end of the 2020s, a senior service officer said on Monday.
“We need to go faster to keep up with the threats and to keep up with our competitors. We cannot wait until 2030 for some capabilities,” said Rear Adm. Eric Malbruno, the deputy for planning and programs in the office of the Navy Chief of Staff.
To do so, the service needs to embrace and field disruptive technologies, and specifically off-the-shelf capabilities, he told reporters during a press briefing in Paris. The briefing kicked off the biennial conference organized by the French naval industry group GICAN – which stands for Groupement des Industries de Construction et Activités Navales – held ahead of the Euronaval trade conference scheduled for Oct. 18-22 here.
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and directed-energy and electromagnetic weapons were key technology areas where the Navy is looking for products that are ready for operational testing out-of-the-box.
“Unmanned vehicles at large … are one of the domains where we are not at the state of the art, but we are recovering some experience on that,” Malbruno said. As an example, he referenced the service’s recent delivery of a new mini UAS dubbed SMDM for “Systèmes de Mini-Drones aériens embarqués de la Marine,” built by Airbus subsidiary Survey Copter. The Navy in 2020 signed a contract worth €19.7m ($19.73m) for 11 systems, which includes 22 aircraft.
The SMDM is a “great illustration of a successful integration of light capability that significantly increases the platform capability,” Malbruno said.
The Camcopter S-100 UAV, built by Austrian company Schiebel Group, is another example of a recent off-the-shelf drone procurement for the Navy, Malbruno said. The rotary-wing vehicle has been integrated aboard the service’s Mistral-class helicopter carrier Dixmude.
The service is also interested in exploring off-the-shelf directed-energy and electromagnetic weapons, Malbruno said. The service will perform a live-fire test of a laser weapon system against a target from a French Navy ship for the first time in 2023, he shared, but declined to provide additional details.
Additionally, “we are investigating the potential of electromagnetic weapons in operational applications like tactical and anti-air warfare,” he added.
The goal is for the Navy to “take more risks, and to get the appropriate capability, not the state-of-the-art one … that would be too late,” Malbruno said. The service is also interested in standalone capabilities that can be quickly tested on a ship. “Is it necessary to get fully integrated capabilities? I would say no,” Malbruno said. (Source: Defense News)
09 Sep 22. Lockheed Martin UK offers up Ampthill site for UK M270 MLRS upgrade. Lockheed Martin UK (LMUK) is exploring options to upgrade the British Army’s M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) in the UK, company officials told Janes .
Eve Holding, head of Strategy and Business Development at LMUK, informed Janes at a company briefing on 7 September that LMUK had proposed to upgrade the British Army’s M270 MLRS at their Ampthill site in the UK, to accelerate the modernisation of the vehicles.
Following an agreement with the US Department of Defense (DoD), the UK launched a project to upgrade its M270 MLRS in April 2021. The project includes the installation of improved armoured cabs on 44 launcher vehicles in addition to the modernisation of the automotive and launch mechanism components, scheduled to be installed at the US Army’s Red River Depot in Texas and Lockheed Martin’s facility in Camden, Arkansas. (Source: Janes)
12 Sep 22. MSPO 2022: New Polish ERA system unveiled. The Polish Military Institute for Armament Technologies (WITU) unveiled a new explosive reactive armour (ERA) system at the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2022 held in Kielce from 6 to 9 September.
The Pangolin ERA system is designed to increase the protection of armoured vehicles against shaped charge warheads, explosively formed projectiles, and kinetic energy projectiles.
The ERA tiles come in two versions: A smaller 4 kg variant for light applications with 750 g of explosives and a larger 5.8 kg tile for heavy applications with 1,500 g of explosives. The tile dimensions are 150×150 cm, with a depth of 92 cm or 52 cm to accommodate more or less explosive material. The method of construction is understood to be a typical ERA layout of explosive material sandwiched by two steel plates.
The dimensions of the tiles showcased at MSPO 2022 match ERAWA ERA tile dimensions used on Polish PT-91 main battle tanks, facilitating the replacement of the older ERAWA system without modifications. A WITU representative told Janes. (Source: Janes)
07 Sep 22. Hanwha Defense presents advanced defence systems at MSPO 2022 following the latest contract to supply K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers to Poland. The largest and most influential defence company in South Korea, Hanwha Defense showcases its sophisticated defence systems and technologies at the 30th edition of the MSPO International Defence and Security Technology fair, from September 6 to 9, in Kielce, Poland.
This year’s MSPO comes on the heels of the massive arms acquisition deals between Poland and South Korea, for which Hanwha Defense was contracted to supply hundreds of K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPHs) and other equipment. Hanwha Defense signed the first phase of Executive Contract with Poland on August 26 to deliver a package of K9 artillery systems and ammunition between 2022 and 2026 as part of the Framework Agreement concluded in late July. During the arms trade show, Hanwha Defense will present a variety of its defence capabilities, including the package solution of the K9 SPH and K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle; the futuristic Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle; and the BIHO II modular short-range air defence system. In addition, Hanwha Corporation, a sister company of Hanwha Defense, will showcase its precision guided missiles and ammunition packages.
“Following the back-to-back framework and executive contracts with Poland, the MSPO 2022 will be the venue for us to show and prove our determination and capability to cooperate with the Polish Government and local industry by presenting a wide range of advanced defence solutions meeting the requirements of the Polish Armed Forces,” said Billy Lee Boo-hwan, Executive Vice President of Overseas Business Division, Hanwha Defense. “We’re fully committed to establishing stronger partnerships with the Government of Poland and industry stakeholders in the spirit of cooperation and trust.”
The Hanwha-Warsaw partnership has grown with the successful implementation of the AHS Krab project under a 2014 contract. Under the Krab programme, Hanwha supplied the K9 chassis to Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW) to build 120 Krab SPHs for the Polish Army. In a move to expand its footprint in Poland and other European nations, Hanwha Defense plans to open a Polish business office by the end of 2022.
“I’m very proud that the partnership between Hanwha Defense and Poland have grown to enter a new phase of expanded cooperation based on the latest Framework Agreement and Executive Contract,” said Mr. Son Jaeil, President and CEO of Hanwha Defense. “Poland will be a hub base for Hanwha’s global expansion, especially in Europe. To that end, we are dedicated to work together with the Government of Poland with full partnership and trust.” Over 1,700 K9 units are currently in service with seven countries, including four NATO members (Turkey, Poland, Norway and Estonia), while Australia and Egypt have ordered hundreds of K9s to enter service in the coming years. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
07 Sep 22. PGZ and its subsidiaries, working hand-in-hand with MBDA, have been making rapid progress on the Mała NAREW SHORAD solution. PGZ and its subsidiaries, PIT-RADWAR, JELCZ and WZU, working hand-in-hand with MBDA have been making rapid progress on the short-range air defence (SHORAD) solution, known as Mała NAREW, with the first two Polish iLaunchers of the system already in Poland undergoing integration and trials ahead of delivery to the customer.
This project aims to deliver rapidly two SHORAD-class fire units equipped with CAMM missiles, integrated with SOŁA radar stations and the Polish C2 system. The Mała NAREW units are being adapted to work within one SHORAD class solution. Functional integration of the radar stations, C2 systems and CAMM missile fire control software is going hand-in-hand with the physical integration of subsequent iLauncher with JELCZ trucks chassis. The first training sessions for operators of iLauncher and Polish components of the Mała NAREW system has already been conducted.
Sebastian Chwałek, CEO of PGZ S.A. said: “By implementing this programme, we strengthen our credibility as a strategic partner for the army, ready to provide advanced air defence systems at record pace. We treat Mała NAREW as a test ground before the NAREW programme, showing what our capabilities are and how to cooperate with major foreign partner MBDA UK on a joint project. We believe that this relationship will translate into further successes, both for our companies and the armies that will trust us to bring their air defence into XXI century.”
Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said: “We’re proud that the co-operation between MBDA and PGZ achieved the arrival of the first air defence hardware into Poland in an incredibly short timeframe. The successes of the Mała NAREW project are a very positive indicator for the success of PGZ-MBDA co-operation on the wider NAREW project that will include extensive transfer of technology and knowledge to Poland on missiles and launchers.”
The Mała NAREW programme, in addition to the fire units themselves, also includes a training and logistics package. Under the project, PGZ and MBDA are conducting integration of selected British and Polish elements of air defence systems as well as provide technical support for the ordered equipment at the operational stage. The contract provides for the delivery of the first Mała NAREW fire unit this year, and the second in 2023. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
09 Sep 22. US Army, Marines declare Joint Air-to-Ground Missile ready for production. The U.S. Army and Marine Corps have declared the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile ready for full-rate production, manufacturer Lockheed Martin said in a statement on Sept. 8.
The decision, dated Aug. 30, was delayed after the weapon previously failed to achieve desired lethal effects on a maritime target, resulting in the Army and Marine Corps delaying the missile’s fielding by over a year.
“The milestone also marks the successful completion of operational testing of JAGM on the US Army’s AH-64E Apache and the Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Viper helicopters,” Lockheed said in its statement.
JAGM replaces the legacy Lockheed Martin-made Hellfire missile used across the services. However, the new weapon encountered problems during testing when it was fired from the Army’s AH-64E Apache and the Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Viper helicopters.
The new munition features a dual-mode seeker and guidance system mated to a Hellfire missile.
Prior to 2018, the Army experienced several failures during live-fire testing from an AH-64E Apache, including seeing the missile miss two targets. And during a major test event, one of the four launches with a live warhead failed to detonate. The Apache’s targeting site and fire control radar also passed “erroneous target velocities” to the missile, according to test reports.
The Army was able to resolve those problems in subsequent testing and evaluation.
But the Marine Corps struggled with JAGM on Viper during an initial operational test and evaluation at Fort Hood, Texas, and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in mid-2019.
The Marines fired two shots, both of which did not hit boat targets at the center of the vessel, but rather striking more toward the back.
The plan was to make a full-rate production decision about a year ago, but the Marine Corps needed more time to complete the platform integration with the missile. During that time, the Army has made no modifications to the missile since it completed its integration with the Apache.
The delay has not affected the program overall, then-Program Executive Officer for Missiles and Space Maj. Gen. Robert Rasch, said last fall. He has since pinned on his third star and now serves as the director of the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.
The Army is still producing JAGMs at the minimum sustainment rate, he said.
Lockheed rolled its 1,000th JAGM off the production line in February.
The plan is to ultimately integrate JAGM onto helicopters and unmanned aircraft, like Gray Eagle, as well as on air defense systems like the Mobile Short-Range Air Defense System, or M-SHORAD, that the Army rapidly fielded to its formations in European last year, Lockheed noted in its statement.
Lockheed is now working on extending JAGM’s range to 16 kilometers through the pursuit of a medium-range variant. This would double the missile’s current range without changing its length or diameter, the company said. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
09 Sep 22. New militant group drone threats “include loitering munition capabilities” – Rueben Dass. The next potential threat areas of militant groups using drones include the use of miniature loitering munitions such as the Switchblade and Phoenix Ghost, drone swarms and chemical/biological warfare attacks, according to Rueben Dass a Senior Analyst with the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, writing a blog for the UK’s Royal United of Services Institute (RUSI). Although loitering munitions systems such as Switchbale-300 and Phoenix Ghost are currently regulated under export control measures by the US Department of Defense, Switchblade systems have been found on the Dark Web and are going at prices between USD4,000–USD7,000, writes Rueben Dass.”The Switchblade has been used in conflict-affected countries such as Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. There is a possibility of them falling into the hands of militant groups, particularly in conflict zones. IS, for example, continues to be in possession of military-grade drones. From the group’s social media output, there have been at least 10 instances of IS capturing military-grade drones from government forces over the past two years, particularly in Iraq. Another example is the Taliban in Afghanistan, who have come into possession of several US-made midsize military Scan Eagle drones which were left behind after their August 2021 takeover of the country.”
Another trend to monitor in the future is the use of drones to carry out limited-scale chemical or biological attacks. “It does not take much skill or capability to mount sprayers filled with these agents onto quadcopters or to attach chemical-loaded munitions onto kamikaze drones. In June 2013, security forces in Iraq arrested an IS cell for planning to use remote-controlled helicopters to spray sarin and mustard gas over unspecified targets in Iraq, North America and Europe. Attacks like these are bound to have a substantial physical impact and an even greater psychological impact.”
Drone swarm attacks by non-state groups have already taken place. “In January 2018, a Syrian rebel group allegedly attacked a Russian army base in Tartus, Syria with 13 crudely made drones packed with explosives. While there was no clear indication of synchronisation between the drones, the attack clearly highlights the danger of drone swarms,” he writes. For more information: https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/militants-and-drones-trend-here-stay (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Sep 22. ‘Quick reaction’ SAM set for Indian Army induction. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army have completed six flight tests of the indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile System (QRSAM), the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. According to a press release by the MoD on 8 September, the tests were conducted from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the northeastern coast in Odisha. The flight tests were conducted as part of evaluation trials, the MoD said. A DRDO source told Janes that the test was an evaluation conducted by the Indian Army. “We [have been] developing the QRSAM for the Indian Army,” the source said. “Now that the development of [the] QRSAM is completed, the Indian Army tested the missiles for its usage. This is called a user test or an evaluation test. [It is] like a pre-induction test.”
Vipin Kumar Kaushik, the director of the DRDO’s Directorate of Public Interface, told Janes that the DRDO regards the QRSAM as now ready for Indian Army induction. (Source: Janes)
09 Sep 22. Kendall ‘more optimistic’ on hypersonic effort after successful tests. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Wednesday he is more bullish about the future of the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon after two recent flight test successes — but the key hypersonic program has not yet proven itself.
Lawmakers earlier this year pulled almost $161 m in procurement funding the Pentagon requested to buy ARRW weapons in 2022, citing testing failures and delays that had extended the program’s schedule. In 2021, three attempts to test launch ARRW all ended in failure.
After that funding was withdrawn and half steered to hypersonic testing, Kendall said in March ARRW “still has to prove itself,” and the service must consider its future mix of weapons and how hypersonics might fit in.
This year, two successful ARRW tests bolstered the program, and Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said in July it is already more advanced than previous hypersonic programs.
Asked at Wednesday’s Defense News Conference in Arlington, Virginia, if this year’s testing successes signaled the program has proven itself, Kendall said no.
“We still have work to do on ARRW,” Kendall said. “I’m becoming more optimistic about it, as they have successes. But we haven’t finished the flight test program.”
Kendall said questions about the program’s cost-effectiveness, place in the Air Force’s hypersonic inventory, and how it might grow in the future still have yet to be answered.
Asked what more he wants to see from ARRW, Kendall said it needs to reach its full capability. The previous test phase that wrapped up with July’s successful test focused on the weapon’s booster, but its all-up-round, or full-system, testing will begin this fall.
Hypersonic weapons are able to fly at speeds greater than Mach 5 and are highly maneuverable, meaning they’re able to quickly change course midflight. This means they could be better able to penetrate defenses and harder to track and shoot down than conventional ballistic missiles that follow a predictable parabolic arc. Chinese and Russian investments in hypersonic technology and testing successes have increased pressure on the Pentagon to speed up progress on its own weapons.
Kendall declined to say whether the upcoming fiscal 2024 budget might seek to move funding back into procurement for ARRW.
He said the Air Force is interested in both air-breathing scramjet and boost glide variants for hypersonic weapons. Each type brings different capabilities, which would force adversaries to defend against multiple weapons, Kendall noted. The hope is this would give a potential enemy more problems than it would be able to handle.
However, cost remains a major challenge, Kendall said, adding that the Air Force shouldn’t “blindly embrace hypersonics as a panacea.”
“They’re a valuable tool to have in the toolbox,” he said. “We have to think about what targets they’re most appropriate for, where that increased cost and so on has value, and returns on investment.”
William LaPlante, the under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said later at the Defense News Conference it remains to be seen whether the defense industry will be able to produce hypersonic weapons at a significant rate.
“The old joke about hypersonics [is] hypersonics is the weapon of the future for 60 years,” LaPlante said. “We’ve never, ever produced and manufactured hypersonics, ever in this country. It’s been entirely [science and technology]. I ask this question all the time, and I get reassurance that they’re ready. But the proof will be in the pudding.” (Source: Defense News)