Avionics Upgrades Planned for International C-130J Fleet

Lockheed Martin will upgrade the avionics and capabilities of C-130J Super Hercules transports flown by United Kingdom, Australia, Italy and
Denmark. Known as Block 6.1 upgrade, the US$ 110 million program will enable these air-forces to collaboratively acquire enhanced  capabilities for their aircraft while sharing the cost of development,  design, test and integration.

ASV to Assume Artillery Support Role as an "Armored Knight"

The US Army will get 64 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV) modified into "Armor Knight" configuration under a recent $35 million contract
awarded to Textron's marine & land systems. The total requirement for the program has been listed at 345 vehicles. DRS Technologies is the prime contractor for the M707 Knight program. The Army has
also fielded Knight systems with Humvee and Stryker platforms to equip forward observers in heavy and light divisions and Brigade Combat Teams (BCT).

Raytheon Completes Upgrades for SL-AMRAAM Missiles

Raytheon recently completed the development of software upgrades for the ground launched AMRAAM missile system. The new capabilities were demonstrated in recent test firing conducted in partnership with the Spanish Army and the U.S. Air Force. Among the new capabilities added to the system are command destruct/self destruct capabilities, improving the missile's capability of intercepting cruise missiles and other unmanned targets, over urban terrain.

The Australian government is expected to release a tender for the development and supply of advanced command and control planning and decision support systems, to be deployed over existing networks and applications and improve the ability of command centers to operate with the new Headquarters Joint Operations Command. Known as JP2030 Phase 8, the program is expected to cost up to AS$350 million. In addition, Australia continues to evolve its tactical command and control systems, and is expected to release a tender for the supply of such systems to equip armored vehicles and infantry units, under Land 75 Phase 3.4 and Land 125 Phase 3 programs, at a total expected cost of A$225 million. Both programs are part of Australia's strategic roadmap implementing network centric warfare.

Advanced SATCOM Terminals Pass Development Milestone

Boeing reports a progress with its Family of Advanced Beyond-line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) development, as the system passed preliminary design review recently. FAB-T enable high throughput data transfer via satellite (up to 300 mbps). Once operational, FAB-T will provide critical, secure beyond line-of-sight communications capability for warfighters via various satellites that support military forces.

Common Datalink, SAR to Integrate on a single antenna

Raytheon will demonstrate the use of radar aperture system to transmit common-datalink waveform, carrying real-time radar images from airborne, synthetic aperture radars. When fielded, such technology will be able to reduce the weight and energy consumption of SAR radars, which are become smaller, to address space and weight requirements of smaller unmanned aerial systems. The US Air Force research laboratory is funding this four year study with $9.7 million.