Update: Brazilian KC-390 Program Gathers Steam

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Sep 13, 2010

In the recent month Embraer has strengthened its KC-390 tanker transport program, transforming from a domestic program into an international venture. Following the announced Brazilian government commitment to acquire 28 of the military transport jets for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), Embraer announced three additional customers – Chile, Colombia, Portugal and most recently, the Czech Republic. Adding the the two European partners to the KC-390 program is an important step introducing the new transport plane to NATO, particularly as a potential successor of transport planes used by Eastern European NATO members as well as those countries operating relatively smaller air forces.

Embarking on four simultaneous cooperation programs underline the growing international interest and support for the program. Colombia intends to buy 12 aircraft, with Chile and Portugal buying six aircraft each. The Czech plans have not been made public but could materialize in the initial acquisition of two aircraft.

According to Orlando José Ferreira Neto, Embraer Executive Vice President – Defense Markets, the KC-390 project is moving ahead according to plan. The first flight of the airplane is expected for 2014 and entry into service for the end of 2015. “The most relevant wind tunnel tests campaigns have been concluded, allowing aerodynamic, structural and system configurations freezing.” Said Neto. Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President & CEO added that following the completion of the preliminary studies of the new jet transport, the company is now establishing the final configuration of the aircraft and the primary suppliers. The intended Portuguese buy places the prospective future sales of the KC-390 as of September 2010 at a total 52 airplanes.

Prospective Buyers Lineup

As early adaptors of the new transport plane, each of the countries is seeking industrial cooperation which Embraer is eager to share, leveraging part of the development and infrastructure costs involved with the new program. Following the declarative announcements the Embraer and its counterparts in Chile, Colombia and Portugal are expected to discuss the work share of each country in the future program. In addition, Argentina is also interested in joining the program as a supplier and customer.

Chile and Colombia are the largest operators of medium transport aircraft in Latin America. France and Sweden have also expressed support as part of offset buy supporting their respective offerings for Brazil’s F-X2 fighter program. Other prospects in the continent include Argentina and Bolivia (operating five C-130s each), Ecuador (2xC-130s) and Peru, operating seven Russian made An-32s.

kc-390_refueling — KC-390 is configured as an aerial refueling aircraft from the baseline, equipped with two refueling pods carried underwing. Image: Embraer

Significant Wins

While these two countries represent two of Embraer’s existing customers, an order from Portugal means a major win for Brazil, introducing its new transporter with a NATO member for the first time. Portugal is currently operating six C-130H Hercules transport planes, Portugal also operates 10 EADS C-295 used for maritime patrol. Colombia is operating 7 C-130B/H transports and Chile operates three C-130B/H models. Colombia has been a loyal customer for Embraer in the past two decades.

For Colombia, the KC-390 deal means an opportunity to develop its local industry. “We are taking big steps to significantly speed up the development of the country’s aeronautics industry, through the Colombian Aeronautics Industry Corporation (CIAC)” Air Marshal Flavio Ulloa, Colombian Air Force Chief of Logistical Operations commented. Colombia will follow the Chilean company ENAER, which has been supplying structures for the 50 seat ERJ145 since the mid 90s.

kc_390_low — KC-390 is designed for operation in extreme environments, from the polar zone to the tropics. Image: Embraer

A Tough Competitor

The mission portfolio of the KC-390 includes troops and cargo transportation in diverse and challenging environments such as the Antarctica and Amazon regions, in-flight refueling, search and rescue (SAR) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). The jet transport is designed to be faster than its turbo-prop powered competitors, yet it will be capable of operating from short and semi prepared runways.

According to preliminary assessment, the KC 390 cargo capacity should exceed the initial Brazilian requirement and achieve 23 tons. A full size model of the cargo hold was built to assess the aircraft internal space and typical cargo operations. The results of these evaluations have confirmed the aircraft’s versatility.

The KC-390 will feature Computed Air Release Point (CARP) technology integrated with the fly-by-wire system, which will bring greater accuracy to air dropping while lowering crew workload. The airplane will incorporate a modern avionics system, including two Head-Up Displays (HUD) and a complete self-defense system. To support night operations the KC-390 cockpit will be compatible with Night Vision Goggles (NVG) technology.

EMBRAER And FAdeA Sign Partnership Contract For KC-390 Program:

Embraer Defense and Security and the Argentine company FAdeA signed a partnership contract, today, for the KC-390 program. The announcement was made during a press conference held at LAAD Defense and Security 2011 (www.laadexpo.com), taking place in Rio de Janeiro. The agreement states that FAdeA will manufacture the spoilers (plates on the top surface of a wing for controlling wing lift), doors for the nose landing gear, ramp door, flap fairings, tail cone, and electronic cabinet.

This agreement arises from the Declaration of Intent signed by the Brazilian and Argentine Ministries of Defense in October 2010, whose scope reinforces the commitment of the Argentine government to acquire six KC-390 aircraft. The development program of the aircraft is moving ahead as planned. Production of the first prototype should begin in 2013 and the first flight take place in 2014.

On May 5, 2011 Embraer announced that Rockwell Collins will provide its Pro Line Fusion flight deck for Embraer KC-390 tanker/transport aircraft. The flight deck features the largest format displays available, enhanced graphic capabilities and available synthetic vision. Standard features on the KC-390 flight deck include: five high-resolution 15-inch diagonal liquid crystal displays, Integrated Flight Information Systems with electronic charts and enhanced maps, advanced Flight Management Systems with Wide Area Augmentation System that supports Localizer Performance with Vertical guidance approaches and Required Navigation Performance capabilities, advanced graphical flight planning capability and an Information Management System for databases and wireless interactivity with the ground infrastructure.

Further Reading: Brazil Launches KC-390 Medium Transport Aircraft Program

AgustaWestland to Offer HH-71 for USAF Combat Search and Rescue HH-60G Pave Hawk Replacement Program

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Tamir Eshel

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Sep 13, 2010

AgustaWestland plans to compete for the U.S. Air Force’s planned replacement of HH-60G Pave hawk combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter with over 100 ‘off-the-shelf’ platform. The European group is offering a version of the AW101 designated HH-71. Two years ago the company teamed with Lockheed Martin to offer the U.S. Air Force a similar search and rescue helicopter (CSAR-X program). Then they lost to the much heavier HH-47 Chinook, proposed by Boeing. Last month Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky announced their intention to offer the Air Force a modified version of the latest Black Hawk UH-60M tailored for CSAR missions.

aw101 — For Combat Search and Rescue, the AW101 can be equipped with window or door mounted guns, defensive aids suite and air-to-air refueling equipment. Photo: AgustaWestland

AW101_cockpit — A view from the cockpit of an AW-101. Photo: AgustaWestland

R. Scott Rettig, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland North America believes the HH-71, “has modern, stealthy capabilities are balanced out with the confidence of a mature, proven platform, as the full CSAR program requirements are developed.” Among the HH-71s’ attributes that could benefit its CSAR role are low acoustic signature, all-weather capability and effectiveness in austere environments such as sand and snow. The aircraft includes three engines providing aircrews the assurance that the mission can be safely completed, even under hostile or irregular warfare conditions. The spacious cabin space is wide enough to transport 35 seated troops or 16 stretchers for medical evacuations and room for on-board treatment – a significant capacity increase over the legacy platform. More than 155 AW101 helicopters were delivered to date, accumulating over 200,000 flight hours, some have been flying combat and support missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. For Combat Search and Rescue, the AW101 can be equipped with window or door mounted guns, defensive aids suite and air-to-air refueling equipment.

Other likely competitors for the US$1.7 billion program are the European NH Industries NH-90 or Eurocopter EC-725 Super Cougar, both proposed by EADS North America present a different possibility that could rely on one of the aircraft or a mix of both types. Boeing is also offering a mix of CH-47 Chinook and V-22 Tilt Rotor aircraft.

WWII Flypasts Mark the 70th Anniversary for the Battle of Britain

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Tamir Eshel

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Sep 13, 2010

On the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain this week the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) performed commemorative flypasts and displays to mark the occasion. These flights culminate with a flypast over the cabinet War Rooms where Robert Hardy read the famous speech by Mr Winston Churchill “never has so much been owed by so many to so few”.

bob_2010 — Two World War II fighters, a Spitfire and Hurricane fly in formation during a flight display commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Photo: Crown Copyright/MOD 2010

As part of the aerial displays this summer, synchronised flights were demonstrated by an RAF Typhoon and Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire. The Typhoon, from 29 Sqn Royal Air Force Coningsby seen below flew last flight this year at RAF Leuchars. The Typhoon was flown by Flt Lt Walton. The BBMF Spitfire was flown by Sqn Ldr Mason of RAF Wittering, a volunteer pilot with the Flight. “The iconic image that the pairing of these aircraft presents is one of inspiration from those who fought in the Battle of Britain to those who still fly and fight in the front line today.” Said Sqn Ldr Mason.

typhoon_spitfire — As part of the flight displays this summer, synchronised flight displays by an RAF Typhoon and Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire were demonstrated. The last flight this year was flown recently at RAF Leuchars. The Typhoon was flown by Flt Lt Walton from 29 Sqn RAF Coningsby. The Spitfire was flown by Sqn Ldr Mason, a volunteer pilot frm RAF Wittering. Photo: Crown Copyright/MOD 2010

Russia, India set JV for the Multirole Transport Aircraft

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Tamir Eshel

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Sep 11, 2010

India and Russia are setting up a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to design and develop the IL-214 Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA). The partners in the JVC will be Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Russian United Aircraft Corporation and Russian defense export agency Rosoboronexport. The operating site of the new JVC will be in Bangalore, India – adjacent to HAL headquarters.

mta_2009 — Multirole Transport Aircraft - the Indo-Russian program based on the Ilyushin Il-214 design.

The two countries are expected to equally share the development cost of around $600 million. Russia and India will also win equal work share of the planned production of 205 aircraft – the expected orders from Russia, India and a number of countries that have already expressed interest in a future replacement of aging Russian made transport planes. In India and Russia the MTA is slated to replace the aging fleet of An-32 transports. First flight of the IL-214 based MTA is expected in 2014 and the new transport could be operational by late 2015.

an-32 — An Antonov An-32B of the Croatian Air Force releases flare countermeasures during a low-level pass. Photo: Goran Maravic

Unlike the Brazilian KC-390 program that dramatically took off in 2009, after two years of planning, the Indo-Russian MTA has been in the making since 1999, with the first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between HAL and the Russian companies Ilyusihin and Irkut in 2001. It took six years for the parties to agree on common requirements and specifications for the plane. In 2008 Irkut bailed out from the program, to focus on its Superjet-100 (MC-21) civil transport plane. Ilyushin, now an operating unit in the UAC consortium, was hoping to spinoff the MTA into a similar 100 seat aircraft, continued the cooperation. Only after, which will be upgraded now from a loose bilateral inter-governmental operation into a commercial JV. The inclusion of the Russian defense export agency is expected to streamline export activities to countries where Russia has extensive defense exports, particularly in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East where MTA will run head to head with the Brazilian KC-390.

The twin-jet powered MTA will have a Maximum Take-Off Weight of 65 tons and payload capacity of 15-20 tons. Its length will be 33.2 meters, with a wingspan of 30.1 m’ and height of 10m’. Powered by two Aviadvigatel PD-14 turbofan engines, MTA will be able to cruise at a speed of 800 km/h, to a range of 2,500-2,700 km with full payload. Service ceiling will be 12 km. meeting the requirement of both Indian and Russian Air Forces. The aircraft will feature fly-by-wire system, full authority digital engine control, and avionics suite configured as a modern ‘glass cockpit’. The MTA will be capable of takeoff and landing from a runway of 1200 meters.

Despite recent ABL Failure, MDA Pursue With Long Range Missile Intercept in October ’10

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Sep 11, 2010

An airborne intercept of a liquid-rocket target failed on September 1, 2010 when the megawatt power airborne laser (ABL) veered away from the target a split second before the planned engagement. Despite this problem, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) plans to resume flight experiments this week, testing the performance of the software fixes, leading to a lethal shoot-down experiment involving a solid-fuel target missile by the end of September 2010. Another test, scheduled for mid-October will involve lasing another solid-fuel missile at a distance three times the range of the last successful intercept of a liquid-fuel missile performed on February 11, this year. The recent failure came after repeated aborted test attempts in August, where issues attributed to calibration and component cooling prevented tests completion. Prior to these tests, the aircraft set idle for several months until minor damage to its optics, caused during a May 2010 test flight are repaired. Test range availability have also limited further flights since May this year.

abl_in_flight — The Boeing 747F modified into the YAL-1 Airborne Laser escorted by an F-16B chase plane on a test flight from Edwards AFB.

abl_boeing — The beam director of the Megawatt class chemical laser of the Airborne Laser (ABL) is inspected by visitors at the Edwards AFB. The laser has successfuly intercepted one target but failed in two other tests. Photo: Missile defense Agency

The recent intercept was the second failed attempt to shoot down a liquid-fuel missile during its boost phase. The first took place after the successful first intercept on February 11, 2010. While the February failure was caused by the megawatt laser shutting down prematurely, the recent mission terminated early, when corrupted beam control software steered the high energy laser slightly off center. preliminary indications are that a communication software error within the system that controls the laser beam caused misalignment of the beam. The on board safety system detected this shift and immediately shut down the high energy laser.

Additional reading:

Airborne Laser Demonstrates First Ballistic Missile Intercept (Defense-Update)

Airborne Laser Gears Up for Next Shoot-down Test (Space News)

Moscow to Spend $300 Million on Eight Aerial Firefighters

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Sep 9, 2010

The Russian Emergencies Ministry signed a $330 million contract with the Beriev design bureau for the procurement of eight Be-200 Altair amphibious planes configured for firefighting. The Russian news agency Novosti reports. The Altair is the largest multipurpose amphibious aircraft currently operational. This acquisition comes as a quick reaction to the criticism of Russian authorities failing to contain wildfires raging through western Russia for two months in the summer of 2010.

Forest and peat bog fires raged in European Russia in July-August 2010 killing more than 50 people and destroying thousands of homes and crops in open farmland. The role of aerial firefighting with Be-200 amphibious planes was made clear when Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took part in putting out wildfires in Ryazan Region on board a Be-200. On this flight, the aircraft scooped up water from the nearby Oka River and dumped it on the flames.

The aircraft designed by the Taganrog-based Beriev Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex (TANTK) can be configured for fire fighting missions, search and rescue, maritime patrol, cargo and passenger transportation. In this configuration the Altair can hold 12 tons of water mixed fire retardant agents, dispersing its cargo over wildfires in areas difficult for access by other means of fire fighting.

Beriev is one of the world’s pioneers of amphibious flight. The company introduced its first amphibian aircraft in 1932 and is currently marketing the firefighting version of the BE-200 worldwide. BE-200 firefighters were demonstrated in the USA, and participated in active firefighting campaigns in Spain and Greece.

New Opportunities Mature for Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

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Sep 9, 2010

One of the most modern Advanced/Lead-In Fighter Trainer in production today, the M-346 from Alenia Aermacchi is gathering momentum to become the leading trainer preparing future combat pilot to fly the latest generation fighters. On the way, it will have to fight tough opponents, from the BAE Systems’ Hawk – being the market leader in the past 35 years, and still going strong with the latest AJT version, and Korean T-50 Golden Eagle, eagerly promoted by Korea and U.S. based Lockheed Martin, still awaiting the international breakthrough.

m348 — M-346 from Alenia Aermacchi, positioned as the successor of the European Alpha Jet, is currently competing for the Polish and Israeli Air Force advanced trainer programs. Photo: Alenia Aermacchi

While offering high performance and good flying qualities that closely match modern single-seat fighters, M-346 is offering high safety standards and reduced acquisition and operating costs of a twin-seat trainer. The aircraft can also carry weapons and stores, supporting advanced training and secondary operational missions as a light attack aircraft. The structural design includes nine hard-points, and has provisions to install and integrate special equipment.

m-346_cockpit — The M-346 cockpit is designed as a moder glass cockpit, and helmet mounted display (left). The avionics represented in the cockpit employ embedded 'virtual avionics' realistically representing advanced systems including radar, targeting systems, electronic warfare and other avionics, without the need to carry such expensive systems on board, or simulate a training combat-like environment in the real world. Yet the pilot can practice using these systems as part of regular flight training, based on input provided on board or from other aircraft or participants, networked training environments. Photos: Alenia Aermacchi

Sofar the M-346 was selected by three countries – Italy, UAE and Singapore. The Italian Air Force has also selected the aircraft for its Integrated Training System (ITS), comprising 15 aircraft. In the United Arab Emirates the M-346 will provide the core of their new training air fleet, training pilots to fly the F-16 Block 60 fighter. The UAE intend to buy 48 aircraft, 20 to be configured with secondary light attack capability. Singapore has also selected this model for their Fighter Wings Course (FWC) requirement. The new trainers will replace the current fleet of two-seat A-4 Skyhawk advanced trainers, training Singaporean pilots to fly the RSAF F-16 Block 52 fighters.

In a joint initiative promoting the aircraft within the European community, EADS Defence and Security (DS) and Finmeccanica have teamed to propose the M-346 for the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) program, replacing the 40 year old Alpha Jet still in service with nine European air forces. M-346 is offered by this multi-national team as the ‘All European’ trainer, meeting the requirements of the AEJPT nations and the European Defense Agency (EDA) in terms of capabilities, flexibility, training effectiveness, interoperability, geographic allocation and industrial work share. The team intends to involve all other European firms from AEJPT member countries in the training service and base operating activities.

k50 — Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 Golden Eagle is one of two finalists selected for the Israel Air Force future trainer program. The aircraft will be procured by the IAF and supported under a multi-year maintenance package to be shared by IAI and ELbit Systems. Photo: Defense-Update

Another opportunity for the M-346 is the Israel Air Force, seeking to replace upgraded single-seat operational trainers such as the A-4 Skyhawk and Block 10+ F-16A Falcon. The two finalists considered by the Israel Air Force are the M-346 and the K-50 proposed by a Korean Aerospace (KAI) and Lockheed Martin. Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems have also reached an agreement supporting the platform selected by the IAF with full training and logistical package. Both companies are already providing such services supporting lead-in trainers, advanced trainers and simulator farms operated by the IAF.

The latest prospect is Poland – which published this week an international tender for the delivery of the Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) – as part of an Integrated Aviation Personnel Training System, to include 16 jet trains, training and logistical support. Poland expects the bids by October 4th, 2010. Potential bidders expected to submit offers are Italian Alenia Aermacchi of the Finmeccanica group, the company brought its latest trainer, the M-346 to MSPO, Poland’s annual defense exhibition. Finmeccanica has set its eyes on the Polish opportunity for several years, with the M-346 participating in evaluations in Poland and Polish airshows and events since 2006.

Both M-346, Hawk AJT and T-50 are expected to compete for the world’s largest opportunity for jet trainers – the USAF trainer replacement competition (T-X). BAE Systems has already announced its plans to compete, the likely opponent is Lockheed Martin, teamed with KAI on the T-50. As for Finmeccanica, the Italian group is expected to team with a U.S. group to effectively compete with these two giants. Among the candidates are L-3 which already participates with Alenia on the C-27 program.

Sweden Funds METEOR missile Integration with the Gripen Fighter

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Sep 8, 2010

The Swedish Defense Material Administration (FMV) has awarded the Saab group an order for the integration of the Meteor active radar-guided Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air/air missile with the Gripen fighter aircraft.

The four year program is worth about US$42 million (MSEK 312). Through the integration process Swedish Gripen C/D fighters will be equipped with two-way datalink, communicating between the aircraft and the missile once it has been fired.

Meteor BVR/AAM — The European BVR Air/Air missile will be integrated on the Swedish Gripen.

The Meteor missile will be tested to work with the fighter’s radar, avionics systems and displays. The order includes test flights and test firing, as well as the integration of Meteor with support and maintenance systems such as simulators and planning computers.

Gripen has been used since 2006 as the test aircraft for the development of Meteor. Multiple missiles have been fired from Gripen to date. This experience can now be utilised for a more cost-effective integration of Meteor with the Swedish Armed Forces’ Gripen C/D.

BAE Systems to Offer the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer for the USAF Jet Trainer Replacement Program (T-X)

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Sep 8, 2010

BAE Systems plans to offer the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) for the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training Family of Systems. Part of the US Air Force Advanced Pilot Training (APT) Family of Systems (commonly called the T-X system) APT aims to provide the training system for the next generation of operational pilots. It is expected to replace the aging T-38 trainers by 2017. BAE Systems intends to be the prime contractor for the program, based on its U.S. business unit. “We will pursue strategic partners in the U.S. to provide best value to the U.S. Air Force while investing in the U.S. industrial base” said Larry Prior, Executive Vice President of Service Sectors, BAE Systems.

Since the current Hawk AJT meets the USAF requirements now, BAE Systems is confident it can achieve this goal. Hawk family aircraft are already serving as F-35 lead-in trainer for the U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Hawk AJT now entering service with the Royal Air Force has evolved from the Hawk aircraft, of which over 900 aircraft were built and delivered across 18 countries, flying more than 2.5 million flying hours.

Warfare of the future is not just about flying the aircraft, but about understanding, processing and reacting correctly to the quantity of information available in the cockpit. To introduce the pilot to these advanced cockpit environment, the latest configuration of the Hawk integrates live jet training with a high-fidelity virtual environment to support the development of pilots. The system also includes advanced aircraft avionics, a fully integrated training environment, instructor debrief features and other capabilities enabling pilots to train effectively in a synthetic environment and allows them to train in the same way they fight, including multi-engagement scenarios, complex combat situations, intercepts, data-link operations and the use of synthetic sensors.

Global MilSatCom 2010

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Sep 8, 2010

Defense Update is sponsoring the Global MilSatCom 2010 conference and exhibition, now in its 12th year. This event is a unique opportunity to meet an international array of SatCom decision makers and network with hundreds of leading international decision makers in the satellite communications arena. Global MilSatCom 2010 will be held at the London Millennium Conference Centre, in the U.K., from the 8th to 10th November 2010.

Over the years, Global MilSatCom has led the way in offering a diverse range of international military speakers, key European and NATO players – Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands and the U.K., and global SatCom leaders from Australia, South Africa, USA, UAE and Canada.

Among the keynote speakers are Air Vice Marshal Muthumanickam Matheswaran AVSM VM from the Indian Air Force, General C. Robert Kehler, Commander, Air Force Space Command, US Air Force, Rear Admiral Liz Young, US Navy, Director, Systems Engineering, National Reconnaissance Office and Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command’s (SPAWAR) Space Field Activity (SSFA), and Program Executive Officer for Space Systems, Malcolm Green, Chief CAT 9 NII Communication Infrastructure Services, NATO C3 Agency and Bruce Bennett, Director, Programme Executive Officer for SATCOM, Teleport & Services, Defence Information Systems Agency (DISA), USA.

The event is organized by the SMi group.

“Fighting in Urban Terrain” the Theme for Latrun 2010 Conference

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Sep 7, 2010

News from Latrun: IAI’s Panther UAV, Photo report: Day 1, Day 2

The upcoming Latrun 2010 Conference will focus on ‘Fighting in Urban Terrain’ jointly conducted by the IDF Ground Forces Command and the Institute for Land Warfare studies. The three-day event will also include a ‘Technology Day’ focused on Force Protection, sponsored by SIBAT, Israel’s Ministry of Defense Export authority. (Register here to visit the technology day)

Exhibiting companies include:

Astronautics CA
Bluebird Aerosystems
Elbit Systems
Eltics
G-Nius
GFC Combat Systems Department
Hidro-Noa
Israel Aerospace Industries
Israel Military Industries
LVT
Merkava & Namer PM (RAPAT)
Ness
Netline
ODF Optronics
Optronics
Plasan
Rafael Advanced defense Systems
Senso Optics
Shilat Optronics
Urdan Industries

Defense Update has been covering the Latrun Conference in the past two years and has been selected to become the first Media Sponsor of the Latrun 2010 conference and Exhibition. (see past coverage: Israel Unveils New Precision Weapon Systems for the Ground Forces, Israel is Seeking to Achieve ‘Land Dominance’ in the Battlefield).

latrun_2009_5 — The first industry day held at the 2009 Latrun conference provided defense professionals from foreign and the Israeli military to explore first hand the latest and unique defense systems being developed by Israel's defense industries. The 2010 event will quadruple the number of exhibitors and demonstrators, promising an exciting experience for visitors. Photos: ILWS.

‘Urban Warfare’, as the main theme of the two-day conference, will be addressed by Israeli and foreign speakers, discussing operations in Grozny (Chechnya 1995), Tyre and Beirut (Lebanon 1982), Baghdad and Fallujah (Iraq 2004), East Timor and Gaza (Gaza strip, Operation ‘Cast Lead’ 2009). The conference will also discuss the international law of war and ethical responsibilities of the warfighter in urban terrain.
Discussions will cover planning and execution of tactical operations, employment of firepower in support of urban operations, development of intelligence plans and tactical aids, and the challenges of logistics support in urban terrain. It will also discuss the illusive nature of this type of combat, whether irregular, urban guerillas immersed in the civilian environment, or the changing roll of military forces, from combat to civilian population control.

latrun_2009_2 — The Latrun conference and exhibition has attracted foreign delegations from a number of countries including North and Latin America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Photo: ILWS

Presenters at the Force Protection technology day will include Lt. General (U.S. Army Ret.) Thomas F. Metz, former director of the U.S. Joint IED Defeat Organization. The head of the IDF Merkava IV production Program will also discuss the evolution and development of the protection system for Israel’s Merkava tank.

The event will coincide with a dynamic and static display (indoor and outdoor) of Israeli indigenous defense technologies, including weapon systems, unmanned systems, armored vehicles, defense electronics and electro-optics.

Senior leaders planned to address the conference include the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. General Gabi Ashkenazi and Minister of Defense Lt. Gen (ret) Ehud Barak.

The Technology Day is open for professional visitors from the military, industry and civilian sector by invitation only. Foreign visitors and delegations are welcome. Access is free of charge but requires prior registration. Click here for the full conference agenda . Attendees are offered a special package at a five star hotel in Tel Aviv, and transportation to and from the conference site.

See who’s visiting on the event page on Linkedin

LRAS3 Target Acquisition Systems Enhanced with Liteye’s Monocular Displays

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Sep 7, 2010

The US Army Communications & Electronics Command in Washington awarded Liteye Systems a contract valued up to $22.6 million, for the delivery of monocular displays for the LRAS3 target acquisition system. Deliveries will begin immediately and span over five years. The total quantity to be delivered has not been determined yet but could exceed 4,000 units.

lras3_m1200_knight — LRAS3 target acquisition system mounted on an M1200 Armored Knight.

le600 — Liteye LE-600 monocular display used for the enhancement of LRAS3 target acquisition systems. Photo: Liteye

The U.S. Army is fielding the new Monocular Display augmenting the Long-Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3), multi-sensor target acquisition systems that detect, recognize, identify, and geo-locate targets at long distances. The monocular displays selected for the program were developed by Liteye Systems. The display consists of Liteye’s Military Off the Shelf (MOTS) LE-600 miniature display, that can be used in helmet mounted or hand held viewer modes of operation. The handheld system comprises a high-resolution OLED microdisplay, energy efficient electronics and optics, all packaged in a compact form factor, built to meet military-standard.

The LRAS3 is deployed with scout platoons at infantry and armor the battalions, providing the scouts autonomous, long range, line-of-sight reconnaissance and surveillance capability. The system automatically determines Far Target Location (FTL) coordinates for any target ranged to by the operator. The system is currently mounted on US High-Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) and the Stryker Armored vehicles, M707 Knight, and M1200 Armored Knight Support Vehicle. The system can also be dismounted, using a tripod and battery pack.

The Army evaluated different alternatives for the display, and determined that the a small monocular viewer is preferred, because of its small package and flexibility while maintaining high performance required to accurately display the LRAS3 video. The new display will greatly reduce the weight of the dismounted package, enabling systems operators to maintain good orientation and situational awareness, while operating the system on or off the vehicle.

U.S. Army Plan To Modernize Armored Vehicles Makes Sense

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Sep 7, 2010

It’s tempting to look at the Army’s cancellation of the solicitation for a next-generation troop carrier and conclude that the service has lost its way in figuring out how to meet future combat needs. After all, this is the same service that spent a decade developing a successor to its Kiowa armed reconnaissance helicopter, killed it, and then killed the successor to the successor two years later. End result: Kiowa keeps flying for the foreseeable future. It is also the same service that spent $18 billion developing a net-centric family of future fighting vehicles — the “future combat system” — and then couldn’t convince defense secretary Robert Gates the program made sense. Such episodes don’t inspire confidence.

But most of what has gone wrong with Army modernization plans during the first decade of the new millennium can be traced to the fact that senior policymakers were pushing a concept of future warfare bearing little resemblance to the combat operations soldiers were actually conducting. When your civilian superiors are enchanted with capability-based, network-centric, transformational warfighting concepts but your force is straining to meet the challenge posed by lightly armed and elusive insurgents, it’s pretty hard to come up with a modernization plan that everybody likes. Secretary Gates changed all that by telling Army leaders to forget the fancy theories and focus on winning today’s fight.

So the Army’s revised plan for modernizing its armored vehicles is more practical than visionary, a focused effort to reconcile what is needed with what is affordable. The only new system in the plan is a “ground combat vehicle” that can be fielded in a few years while correcting deficiencies of existing vehicles noted in overseas conflicts. The reason the service pulled back its request for proposals last month was because it feared contractors had been asked to include too many features — a problem that could delay fielding while raising costs. The service is taking two more months to scrub its requirements before going forward. The other parts of the plan are mainly about upgrading existing vehicles to provide greater protection, mobility, awareness and firepower to soldiers as they deal with diverse adversaries employing unconventional tactics.

The basic building block of today’s Army is the brigade combat team, which comes in three flavors: heavy units dominated by Abrams tanks and Bradley troop carriers that provide maximum protection but are difficult to deploy quickly; infantry units that are easier to deploy but more lightly protected; and Stryker units organized around a wheeled (as opposed to tracked) combat vehicle that are more deployable than heavy units but more protected than infantry units. Current brigade combat teams thus offer an adaptable mix of protection and mobility that is tailorable to the character of whatever contingencies arise. That is the logical way to organize ground formations in an era of diverse threats.

The problem with the existing armored vehicle fleet is that it wasn’t designed to cope with improvised explosive devices. Efforts to adapt the fleet to the new style of warfare have used up all the space, weight, power and cooling capacity of the vehicles, leaving little margin for further improvement. The revised vehicle plan seeks to “buy back” that margin by upgrading Stryker, Abrams and Bradley while replacing much older M113 troop carriers. The new ground combat vehicle will replace one type of Bradley troop carrier so that a full squad of nine soldiers can ride inside with improved protection and awareness. It’s a reasonable plan, but given past mis-steps, the Army needs to keep its existing vehicles up to date as a hedge against future failures in fielding better equipment.

This analysis originally published by Loren B. Thompson, Ph.D. Lexington Institute

IAI’s B767 Based Multi Mission Tanker Transport Demonstrates Aerial refueling

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Sep 7, 2010

767-MMTT-delivered-to-the-Colombian-Air-Force — 767 MMTT delivered to the Colombian Air Force. Photo: IAI/Bedek

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has completed initial flights testing of the Multi Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT), an aerial refueling aircraft converted from a pre-owned B767-200ER (Extended Range) aircraft by Bedek Aviation Group (a subsidiary of IAI). Upon testing completion the aircraft will be transferred to the Colombian Air Force. The tanker conversion project spanned over more than two years.

IAI Multi-Mission Tanker Transport aircraft — IAI Multi-Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT) converted by Bedek Aviation from a Boeing 767ER Photo: IAI

Kfir C10 refuels in flight from an IAI Multi-Mission Tanker Transport (MMTT) converted by Bedek Aviation from a Boeing 767ER — After the initial envelope verification flights, follow-on tests included in-flight refueling of an IAI C10 Kfir fighter jet, demonstrating easy and stable hook-up in each of the two WARPs. Photo: IAI

The MMTT is configured with two Wing Air Refueling Pods (WARPs) of the ARP3 model, developed and manufactured by IAI. The MMTT can also be configured with a boom, or a mixed boom, Hose and Drogue refueling system. During the first 3.5-hour flight test, the full envelope, including altitude, speed, and Mach number, was opened without any flutter or buffet problems. Follow-on tests included in-flight refueling of an IAI C10 Kfir fighter jet, demonstrating easy and stable hook-up in each of the two WARPs.

IAI was awarded a multi-year contract in 2007 worth more than $150 million for the upgrade the Colombian Air Force’s Kfir aircraft. The first upgraded Kfir C10 was redelivered in 2009 and have been in operational activity ever since.

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