The Canadian government has named Lockheed Martin Corp. as winner of a C$5 billion contract ($4.4 billion) to replace the Canadian Air Force C-130H Hercules transport planes with the new C-130J, Canada's National Post newspaper reported today (Nov 22, 2006). Canada considered two alternatives - C-130J and the Airbus A400M. According to the 'Post, a contract is expected to be signed by the summer of 2007, with the first aircraft to be delivered three years after that. Canada plans to spend C$3.2 billion to buy the 17 planes and another C$1.7 billion for a 20-year service contract. (Reuters)

 First NATO AWACS Completes Major Mission Systems Upgrade

A major upgrade for the mission systems of the first Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft operated by NATO was recently completed by EADS, Boeing. The upgrade is part of a $1.32 billion Mid-Term Modernization Program. The entire fleet of 17 AWACS aircraft, based in Geilenkirchen, Germany, are scheduled to complete the upgrade program in 2008.

Elbit Systems unveiled today a new autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) called Silver Marlin. The new vessel is capable of autonomous extended operations of up to 36 hours, beyond the horizon, at ranges up to 500 km. It can be equipped with various mission specific payloads, including electro-optical payloads and stabilized weapon stations. Typical applications are Force Protection/Anti-Terror, Mine Warfare and Search and Rescue. The Israeli Navy has already evaluated USVs provided by RAFAEL and Aeronautics, and is also expected to test the Silver Marlin, since no procurement decisions have been made yet.

Additional Funding Released for Egyptian Missile Boats

VT Halter Marine, Inc, Pascagoula, Miss., received funding of US$165 million in addition to previously awarded US$28 million approved under Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program, for the detail design and construction of three Fast Missile Crafts for the Egyptian Navy. The program could more than double, to US$450 if the future Phase II will be implemented. The Egyptian Fast Missile Craft is designed for coastal patrol, surveillance, interdiction, surface strike missions and naval battle group support. The 62 meter vessels will incorporate ship signature control technology; its combat system will include anti-aircraft, anti-surface, advanced sensors and electronic warfare systems.

Denmark To Field New 120mm Tank Ammunition

The Danish armed forces ordered Rheinmetall's newly developed PELE 120mm KE tank rounds for their Leopard 2 tanks, becoming the lead customer for the new ammunition. PELE (Penetrator with Enhanced Lateral Effect) improves the kinetic round's effectiveness and reduces the potential for collateral damage. Denmark will modify its existing tank ammunition (DM 33 A2) with PELE technology and field the new DM 53 A1. The decision followed a live-fire campaign in mid September 2006, at the Danish Army's training area in Oksboel, where Rheinmetall's 120mm DM 53 A1 / DM 63 and 120mm PELE ammunition were demonstrated.

L3 to Miniaturize CDL Datalink

Northrop Grumman Boards DARPA's Underwater Express

Northrop Grumman is leading another R&D team under DARPA's Underwater Express program, exploring the application of supercavitation technology for high-speed underwater transport. Supercavitation creates a gas cavity between the vehicle surface and the water, thereby reducing drag and increasing vehicle speed. The program's ultimate goal is a new class of underwater craft for littoral missions that can transport small groups of Navy personnel or specialized military cargo at speeds up to 100 knots. The entire three phase program value is expected to be $45.8 million. Under the current 13 month phase Phase 1 Northrop Grumman and its teammate Pennsylvania State University's Applied Research Laboratory will establish the technology basis for supercavitation transport through a series of testing and modeling activities, and produce a concept design for an underwater demonstrator vehicle. A follow-on 15 months phase 2 would include continued research into detailed design of the demonstrator vehicle and, which will be built in Phase 3. Last week General Dynamics Electric Boat Company has already been awarded with R&D contracts for the program.

Patented Air-Hybrid Could Augment Aircraft, UAV Propulsion

The Scuderi Group announced it has secured patents for the world’s first air-hybrid internal combustion airplane engine, which will significantly increase the fuel efficiency of today’s propeller-styled airplanes and UAVs. The engine takes advantage of Scuderi’s split-cycle technology that recaptures and stores energy in the form of compressed air. Unlike conventional airplane prop engines, the Scuderi Engine produces compressed air during its normal operation. By adding a small air storage tank with some simple controls the Air Hybrid Airplane Engine can recapture energy normally lost during cruising and deacceleration at landings. The engine’s external charging capability gives the airplane more runway flexibility, providing a boost of power for shorter take offs. The inherent supercharging can also increase the range and altitude of the aircraft, ultimately providing longer cruising distances. Because of the extremely lighter weight and internal supercharging system, the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Airplane Engine is also ideal for unmanned aircrafts, providing the ability to fly faster, higher and farther to destinations that are normally impossible to reach. The first air-hybrid engine prototypes are expected to be completed in 2007. Scuderi plans to license the technology to qualified engine manufacturers.

U.S. Army Plans a new Radar Payload for UAVs

The U.S. Army is planning to develop an airborne radar system which will be able to detect and locate concealed targets. The radar will be configured as a payload carried by a UAV such as the Predator B. It will be designed to detect vehicle type targets concealed in foliage, suspicious cavities, which could be used for used for weapon caches in building or underground or explosive charges buried at roadsides. TRACER will able to provide long-range, wide area detection of targets under camouflage, concealment & deception (CC&D) conditions, and support wide area mapping in complex environments. The system will process raw radar data on-board in near real-time processing change detection and possibly orthorectification to provide accurate geo-location of targets. The TRACER ground station element will provide the target reports, with appropriate time-tag, geolocation and other information. TRACER systems are expected to be demonstrated and matured within 30 months.

DRS Receives $19 Million Order for FBCB2 Hardware

DRS Technologies, Inc. will deliver the U.S. Army additional hardware for the U.S. Army’s FBCB2 program. The US$19 million contract adds 1,700 Appliqué Computer Systems and peripheral equipment to already supplied 25,000 FBCB2 systems already deployed with the U.S. Army.