Analysis: Deadly
Scourge of the US Helicopter Pilots in Iraq
The downing of six helicopters in the past three weeks shows
that Iraqi insurgents are becoming more adept at attacking
these aircraft, which the military relies on for a variety
of critical functions, regarding them as central elements
to counter insurgency warfare.
Israel conducted yesterday the 15th test of the IAI/Arrow Missile
System, intercepting a ballistic missile target with an Arrow-2
missile. The test took place at 9:18 p.m., the first time such
test is conducted at night time. This intercept was designed
to demonstrate the Arrow's capability and defeat threats farther
and higher than before, hinting at its capabilities to defeat
potential nuclear threats. It also tested the system's ability
to operate as a network of interceptors units and sensors located
at multiple and dispersed locations, contributing to the system's
efficiency, probability of kill and survivability.
In
an attempt to balance between sustaining the current force,
and equipping the future force, the U.S. Army is restructuring
and stretching the "Future Combat Systems" (FCS) program,
eliminating $3.4 billion from its budget over the next five
fiscal years. These savings were achieved by stretching the
fielding of the 15 brigades over five years, starting 2015 and
eliminating or deferring four systems from the 18 planned, including
the Class II and Class III UAVs, the Armed
Robotic Vehicle (ARV) and Intelligent
Munitions System (IMS). Total cost of the restructured program
is expected to be $162 billion with another $2 billion slated
for additional construction required.
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced today it
will submit a bid for the U. S. Air Force's KC- 135 Tanker Replacement
Program, KC-X. "After carefully studying the final language
in the Air Force's KC-X request for proposals, we and our team
members have determined that the Northrop Grumman KC-30 is a
very competitive offering that fully supports the Air Force's
tanker mission" Said Scott Seymour, corporate vice president
and president of Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems sector.
Russia,
Ukraine Plan to Export Uncompleted Missile Cruiser
Russia and Ukraine agreed to cooperate in an effort to export
the missile cruiser Ukraina. Two potential clients are considered
- India and China. 'Ukraina', a Project 1164 (Slava Class) cruiser
was launched in 1984 at the Nikolayev shipyards during the time
of the former Soviet Union. However, construction was stalled
at the final stage in the late 1980s. Initially, the government
of Ukraine planned to complete construction and induct the ship
to its navy but this endeavor was never completed and the shuip
was left to rust at the shipyard. According to the latest agreement,
the two countries will jointly complete construction. Russia
will be required to supply the mission systems and weaponry
to the vessel, necessary to prepare the vessel for export.
Australians
Conduct Sea Trials for Aqua Puma
AeroVironment,
Inc. (Nasdaq:AVAV) completed sea trials of the Aqua Puma unmanned
aircraft system (UAS) for the Royal Australian Navy. The Australians
are planning to deploy the UAS with the new Armidale class patrol
boats. Aqua Puma is launched by hand, lands directly onto the
sea surface and is recovered by hand from vessels. It is a next-generation
FQM-151 Pointer, with the same form factor but increased endurance
(1.5 hours) and enhanced sensor capability. AV has teamed with
the Australian company XTEK For regional representation and
support. The company's RQ-11 Raven UAS are operational with
the Australian forces since 2005.
The ScanEagle UAV system has been qualified to comply with
NATO mandated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) interoperability
standard (known as STANAG
4586), establishing common specifications employed in ground
station system operating all UAVs used by NATO military forces.
STANAG compliance will enable existing and future deployed ScanEagles
to be operated with operational ground control stations such
as Army One as well as other STANAG qualified systems operated
by NATO member nations.
The U.S. Air Force has deployed a new intelligence sharing
capability offering commanders and analysts at different locations
an immediate access to each other's intelligence imagery and
services, utilizing the recently fielded Distributed Common
Ground System (DCGS) Integration Backbone (DIB) provided by
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT). By connecting three independent
and autonomous intelligence databases, located at Langley Air
Force Base in Virginia, Beale Air Force Base in California,
and a forward location in Europe, DIB enabled qualified users
operating DGCS an access to imagery and intelligence libraries
in real-time, at other Air Force sites as well as other agencies.
Completing the initial 20- month deployment to southwest Asia
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) C-130Js operated by the 143rd Airlift
Wing, Rhode Island Air National Guard, the Maryland 135th Airlift
Group based in Baltimore, Md. and the California 146th Airlift
Wing based in Channel Islands, Calif. The four C-130Js aircraft
conducted 5,444 sorties over 10,750 flight hours, delivered
12,681 tons of cargo and carried 70,350 passengers operating
under demanding desert conditions.
In
an attempt to balance between sustaining the current force,
and equipping the future force, the U.S. Army is restructuring
and stretching the "Future Combat Systems" (FCS) program,
eliminating $3.4 billion from its budget over the next five
fiscal years. These savings were achieved by stretching the
fielding of the 15 brigades over five years, starting 2015 and
eliminating or deferring four systems from the 18 planned, including
the Class II and Class III UAVs, the 
AeroVironment,
Inc. (Nasdaq:AVAV) completed sea trials of the Aqua Puma unmanned
aircraft system (UAS) for the Royal Australian Navy. The Australians
are planning to deploy the UAS with the new Armidale class patrol
boats. Aqua Puma is launched by hand, lands directly onto the
sea surface and is recovered by hand from vessels. It is a next-generation
FQM-151 Pointer, with the same form factor but increased endurance
(1.5 hours) and enhanced sensor capability. AV has teamed with
the Australian company XTEK For regional representation and
support. The company's RQ-11 Raven UAS are operational with
the Australian forces since 2005.