The US Air Force plans to deploy a squadron of F-22 Raptors
to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of U.S. Pacific Command's
Theater Security Package in the Western Pacific in early 2007.
This will be the first overseas deployment for the Air Force's
newest fighter. As part of continuing force-posture adjustments
to address worldwide requirements, the United States continues
to deploy additional forces throughout the Western Pacific.
A new joint venture co-funded by mobile satellite communications
provider Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT) and digital communications equipment
provider ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT) is offering mobile satellite
communications services for the defense sector. The two companies
will develop a new mobile satellite communications terminal,
providing secure, highly mobile voice and high-speed data communications
destined for use by the armed forces.
Block 1 upgraded Javelin missile recently passed qualification
flight tests at Redstone Arsenal, in Huntsville, Alabama. The
U.S. Army continues to field the Javelin missile and has already
contracted for Block 1 missiles as part of its fiscal year 2005
contract. The upgraded missile uses an improved rocket motor
that reduces the missile's time of flight. Other improvements
are made in the command launch unit (CLU), introducing software
enhancements. The warhead has also been modified to increase
lethality against a wider range of target sets.
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has successfully completed at-sea
demonstration operational testing of a new Fast Inshore Attack
Craft (FIAC) Defense System, which provides an innovative and
cost-effective way to quickly extend the defensive perimeter
of most naval vessels out to five miles.
The U.S. Special Operations Command has awarded Raytheon Company
(NYSE:RTN) a $135.4 million contract to develop a new tactical
radar for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. The radar, called
Silent Knight will be initially integrated in the service's
new MH-47G helicopter, serving as a common multi-mode terrain
following/terrain avoidance radar, allowing airborne forces
safe low-level flight and safe ingress and egress in adverse
environments. The current phase will be funded by cost plus
incentive fee contract with potential value of US$164 million,
which will include six production units. Future contracts will
fund additional procurement for more MH-47Gs, MH-60M, MC-130H,
and CV-22 block 30 aircraft. Raytheon's team for the program
includes AIC, Crestview, Fla.; DRS Technologies, St. Louis,
Mo.; and Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Sikorsky Aircraft to Acquire
PZL Mielec
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has agreed to acquire aircraft maker
PZL Mielec from the Polish government. Upon completion of this
acquisition Sikorsky plans to aggressively modernize the factory
and tooling at PZL Mielec to support International BLACK HAWK
production and continue the current capability for aircraft
design, manufacture, flight test and delivery. In September
2006 the two companies established PZL as the assembly center
for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Under the new agreement Sikorsky
will acquire a 100 percent stake in the company, which is a
wholly owned by the Industrial Development Agency (ARP), a government
holding company under the Ministry of Treasury.
Rheinmetall Defense Systems will supply 12 heavy armored engineer
vehicles based on the Leopard 2 chassis to the Swiss Army Engineer.
The first "Geniepanzer" designated Kodiak, will be
delivered within two years. Kodiak represents a new generation
of armored engineer vehicles, for which the Swiss Army is the
first customer. The new vehicle was developed by a consortium
established by Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH of Kiel, Germany
and RUAG Land Systems of Thun, Switzerland. According to RDE,
A number of nations have already expressed an interest in this
state-of-the-art system; some have launched procurement projects
already.
US
Marine Corps' Prowlers to Get Litening 'Eyes'
The US Navy plans to expand the use of EA-6B Prowler electronic
warfare aircraft, employing them as 'multi-sensor platforms'.
A key to this role is the integration of Litening Advanced Targeting
(AT) pods, currently underway at Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC).
When completed later this year, the Prowler will be able to
rapidly close 'sensor to shooter' gaps, from the detection of
suspected target, by electronic sensors and identifying it with
electro-optical means, clearing it for attack by on-board weapons
or armament launched from other platforms.
BRITE Stars for the Armed
Reconnaissance Helicopters
The US Army will use FLIR system's BRITE Star II stabilized
multi sensor systems as part of the Target Acquisition Sensor
Suite (TASS) used with its new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters.
FLIR received an US$26.4 million order for these EO payloads,
from the program's prime contractor Bell Helicopter.
Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) successfully tested a prototype
Laser Area Defense System (LADS) combining the Phalanx radar
guided gun system with a powerful solid-state laser weapon to
defeat rockets, mortars and missiles at a combat significant
range. During three tests performed in the past 6 months, the
prototype system successfully detonated 60-millimeter mortar
bombs at a ranges beyond 500 meters (550 yards).
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) successfully displayed live tracks
with an innovative solid state active electronically steered
antenna developed as part of the Scalable Solid-State S-band
Radar (S4R) engineering model. The system utilizes new high
power silicon carbide (SiC) based Transmit/Receive (T/R) modules.
"According to Carl Bannar, vice president of Lockheed Martin's
Radar Systems business, the system provides evidence of a proven
approach using high-power Silicon Carbide technology.
The US Army is buying 169 RG-31 Mk5 mine protected vehicles.
The vehicles will be delivered over six months starting June
2007. General Dynamics Land Systems- Canada will supply the
vehicles under a contract for USD$76.5 million, which includes
an option for additional nine additional vehicles. GDLS Canada
is already contracted to deliver the Army 94 vehicles, under
contracts awarded in October and November last year. BAE System's
OMC of South Africa will manufacture the vehicles.
The French armed forces have ordered will maintain the Eryx
short range anti-tank missile in service through 2020. Last
month MBDA received an order worth €66.5 million, for combat
and training missiles destined for the Army and Marine commandos.
Deliveries will commence between the second half of 2008 through
2011.
US
Marine Corps' Prowlers to Get Litening 'Eyes'
