New Equipment to Modernize Combat Brigades

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Aug 10, 2009

Fielding the elements remaining intact, as the FCS is restructured into the BCT Modernization, will include the Honeywell Class I UAV (T-Hawk), iRobot SUGV mini-robot and the family of Unmanned Ground Sensors (UGS) developed by Textron Systems. Other FCS systems continuing as planned, include the Raytheon Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) Launch System and its associated ‘Precision Attack Missile’ (PAM), which are staying on track for early deployment.

In addition, the Army issued development contracts for the Ground Soldier Ensemble (GSE), slated for fielding with the first unit, 1-7 infantry BCT by 2011. TRADOC is currently developing the Tactics, Techniques and Plans (TTP) addressing these enhanced capabilities. The GSE will provide better situational awareness to dismounted commanders, through the use of wearable computers and distribution of position locators and personal radios, deployed with each team member. The system involves graphic displays, access to mapping information.

Testing of these systems has become more important in recent months as the program is restructured to meet current and future Army requirements. Where in the past the plan had been to supply FCS technology primarily to brigade combat teams organized on the FCS model, it has now been decided that FCS technology will be integrated into all BCTs. As a result, the tactics techniques and procedures developed by the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion will be utilized by even more soldiers than previously expected.

Our BCT Modernization Update covers these topics in four parts:

New Equipment to Modernize Combat Brigades
U.S. Army Reshapes its Requirements for the
Future Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV)
New Networking for the Brigade Combat Team
Introducing New Technologies to the Warfighter

Reshaping Future Combat Systems by Modernizing Brigade Combat Teams

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admin

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Aug 10, 2009

The memorandum by secretary of defense to the department sent by Ashton Carter on 23.6.09 to the Army formally set guidance on the program change. The memo covered 7 steps for a future program. The cancelation of the Future Combat System (FCS) program created 3 major acquisition programs, Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) aiming at modernizing all 73 Army and National Guards Brigade Combat Teams (BCT), rather than the FCS special BCTs planned under cancelled program. The near term MDAP the BCT Modernization addresses is the fielding of new sensors and unmanned systems, previously covered under the ‘FCS Spinout’ plan, as well as other systems to be included, following the initial review of the BCT needs, currently conducted by the Army Training, Doctrine and Operations Command (TRADOC). The second MDAP phase addresses the combat brigades’ Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) modernization. The third will introduce incremental enhancements into the brigade’s networking capabilities.

Our BCT Modernization Update covers these topics in four parts:

War in the Caucasus – Putin’s power play and a big gamble

By

David Eshel

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Aug 8, 2009

Russia and Georgia have been spoiling for a fight for years. With Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Beijing for the Olympic opening ceremony and the world’s attention fixed on China, Georgia may have been betting it could pounce on an opportunity to quickly wrest control of its breakaway province South Ossetia. But there may be much more than meets the eye to this. What still seems a local clash, in a remote Caucasus mountain region, which most people never heard of since yesterday’s newsflash, could escalate into a highly serious escalation with worldwide repercussion.

A glance at the map shows why. Georgia sits in a tough neighborhood, shoulder to shoulder with huge Russia, not far from Iran, and astride one of the most important crossroads for the emerging wealth of the rich Caspian Sea region.A U.S.-backed oil pipeline runs through Georgia, allowing the West to reduce its reliance on Middle Eastern oil while bypassing Russia and Iran. On Saturday, August 9, 2008 after Russian Air Force fighter bombers attacked the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline that transfers oil from Azerbaijan to Turkey. Concequently, Azerbaijan announced it has halted oil exports via the Georgian ports of Batumi and Kulevi. Oil flow through the BTC pipeline has been suspended since Wednesday, due to a technical failure in Turkey.

Moreover, Russian politics have become so utterly opaque that it is not easy to say why this particular “frozen” conflict has erupted right now. It may have to do with Moscow’s recent upsurge in its naval and air activities in the Baltic, Atlantic and Arctic regions – demonstrating a comeback of its global strategy, challenging Washington’s resolve in President George W Bush’s waning political tenure.

For a very long time it has been clear that there was a security vacuum created in the strategic Caucasus; that this vacuum was extremely dangerous, especially to US’ vanishing military presence in Central Asia.

It would be only natural to assume that the timing chosen by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili would be ideal, counting on surprise to fulfill his longtime pledge to wrest back control of South Ossetia. However, it could actually have been a shrewd move by Vladimir Putin, to perpetrate a perfect situation, challenging Washington over a highly strategic gambit in the remote corner of the Caucasus?

Putin’s move, to send in his tanks to “save” his beleaguered citizens in South Ossetia, was carefully orchestrated in advance preparations. Did his intelligence people give early warning of the Georgian move? Had Moscow’s troops been placed on high alert to move on short command? Previous performances of Russian troops in that region have not excelled in matters of discipline and logistics sofar.

If Putin has planned this move, he imitated another highly skilled political performer – the late Hafez Assad, who in 1991 during Desert Storm, while sending in his 9th Armored Division to “support” the war against Saddam Hussein – actually invaded Lebanon, while all attention, including Israel’s, was away in the Gulf and held it by force, until his inexperienced son, Bashar, lost it to the “Cedar Revolution” nearly fifteen years later .

Moreover, Putin has to do something to improve his armed forces shameful performance in Chechnya. His approach to the Muslim renegades, sofar, proved quite disastrous. Just as rough is his eight-year Machiavellian ‘pacification’ of Chechnya. Nothing could contribute more to the newly “elected” Russian prime minister, than a short, cheap and brilliantly conducted war against Washington’s ally Georgia – which has been a thorn in Moscow’s eye for a long time .

Indeed, from all its aspects, the conflict in the Caucasus has great strategic importance because it pits one of Washington’s staunchest allies in the war on terror against Russia, a re-emerging superpower with vast energy reserves that is showing growing eagerness to assert its will on the international stage .

But President Mikhail Saakashvili gamble may well be backfiring. Washington will not hasten to endorse Georgia’s attack and it will be hard for Georgia to win a fight with the Russians without outside help. The Russian cards in this ruthless game are overwhelming in their favor over anything the Georgians can put in their way.

Georgia’s armed forces number about 30,000 soldiers, including 20,000 ground forces. They are equipped with some 200 tanks, including 40 totally obsolete T-55s and 165 T-72s, which are currently being upgraded and perhaps still not operational. The ground troops can receive artillery support from 120 artillery pieces of 122 mm and 152 mm cannons, 40 multiple-launch rocket systems, and 180 mortars, totally insufficient against massive Russian firepower. The Georgian Air Force is equipped with five Su-25 (Frogfoot) close support aircraft, 15 L-29 and L-39 combat training aircraft and 30 helicopters, including eight MI-24 attack helicopters. To augment its combat forces fighting back home, Georgia is pulling back its 2,000-strong military contingent from Iraq.

Of course the South Ossetian’s are much weaker, if pitted against Georgia alone and the Russians are perfectly aware of this. According to recent reports, the Russian forces, which have already crossed the border, mount only one armored brigade, with another to follow behind. But if the fighting escalates, the Russian Army could send in much more forces and recapture Georgia as a whole within a week, if they are commanded to do so. In addition to the land and aerial campaign, Moscow has also ordered its Black Sea fleet to group near the Georgian coastline, to enforce a naval blockade preventing Georgia from getting arms resupply from supporters oversaes and prevent possible onslought against Abkhazia, the second Georgian seperatist region.

But a serious forecast of the outcome of this conflict cannot be based on mathematics alone. The Caucasus mountain ridge marking the Northern Georgian border is a rough mountainous land with few passages, where even a very small unit can resist a numerically much stronger enemy. In this case, the outcome of the conflict will primarily depend on the training of forces their fighting spirit and motivation and the influence of third parties.

While the training of the Georgian army, mainly directed by US military advisors, this army is not likely to have changed much in the last two months, but could well prove itself as a powerful guerilla army against the Russian forces, as they enter into their heartland. The painful lessons that the Russians have learnt in Afghanistan (which NATO is still experiencing today) and especially in Chechnya, could be repeated, if the Russian do not achieve all their objectives within a short time and Georgia asks for a cease fire to save it’s independence from total disaster.

It would be a serious mistake for the international community to regard the dramatic escalation of violence in Georgia as just another flare-up in the Caucasus. The names of the current flashpoints may be unfamiliar, the territory remote and the dispute parochial, but the battle underway will have major repercussions well beyond this volatile region. The outcome of this struggle will determine the course of Russia’s future relations with its neighbors; it could alter the relationship between the Kremlin and the West and decide the fate of future energy supplies from the strategic Caspian basin .

Whatever the case may be – it will now be up to Washington’s immediate decision as how to react against Moscow’s confronting challenge. If it waits too long it will lose it’s last hold in the Caucasus and the political repercussions, over a dramatic Russian political coup in that strategic region, could be devastating to the next US administration in it’s Middle East policy.

Europe is already within range of Iran’s ballistic missiles

By

Tamir Eshel

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Aug 7, 2009

sejjil-2 — Sejjil-2 was launched successfuly earlier in 2009.

In a briefing at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Uzi Rubin, former head of Israel’s missile defense program and Israel Missile Defense Association (IMDA) Board of Directors member, presented an assessment of the Iranian ballistic missile program and its potential threat to Europe. “Iran is not sparing any effort to develop missiles reaching beyond 2000 kilometers,” said Rubin. “We can assume this push is derived from government policy and strategic objectives, rather than scientific enthusiasm.”

Iran’s missile scientists have graduated through the development of the indigenous Sejjil missile and they now possess all the technologies required for exploiting these capabilities. They currently reach many Asian and Eastern European capitals, and within 18 month time they could extend their reach covering the entire European continent” said Rubin. “Europe may not be threatened by Iran at present, but within a short time, European capitals could face the full weight of the Iranian threat – missiles loaded with nuclear weapons capable of reaching all major cities. “Rapid fielding of an effective missile defense in Europe is not an option, it is imperative.” Said Rubin.

Rubin’s claim contradicts a recent EastWest Institute (EWI) report claiming Iran does not possess ballistic missiles capable of reaching Europe, Rubin quoted the recent Iranian test launch of the Sejjil-2 missile, capable of carrying a warhead of 1,000 kg (representative to be the minimum weight of a nuclear missile warhead). While the Iranians claimed the missile could reach ‘beyond 2,000 km’, Russian sources have estimated its maximum to be 2,460 kilometers, reaching at least six NATO countries. Rubin indicated that with minor modifications to the Sejjil – Iran’s two-stage solid-propelled missile, Tehran can acquire a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) covering distances of 3,900 kilometers, reaching all European capitals including London, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Rome. “Such a missile could use the same 5.78 ton second stage of the Sejjil, and a 1,000 kg warhead, with a 31.8 ton first stage, using slightly increased diameter (1.6 m’, compared to 1.2 m’ of the Sejjil’s). The overall height of the new missile could be 20 meters (compared to 18 of the Sejjil). Such a missile could be as survivable as the Sejjil, transported, stored and launched from hidden mountain-side silos that could store Sejjil-sized missiles.

From information made available through open sources, Rubin assessed, that despite the sanctions imposed on technology transfer, especially regarding missile technologies (MTCR), Iran has managed to surpass the technological levels sofar obtained from North Korea. ‘The student has excelled over the teacher’ said Rubin. “through the past 24 months Iranian scientists and engineers have acquired and mastered all the key technologies required for their ballistic missile programs” said Rubnin, “Within 12-24 months the Iranian engineers have successfully implemented new propulsion technologies indigenously developed in country, reaching mature state of these complex programs.” Said Rubin. In recent years the Iranian missile developers have managed three parallel programs – liquid-fuelled ballistic missiles, solid propelled ballistic missiles and satellite launchers; “in all three programs the Iranian engineers demonstrated a high level of proficiency, despite encountering failures and they have learned from initial failures, effectively acquired and analyzed flight test data to understand the problems, fixed what had to be corrected, resulting in subsequent successful tests” Rubin said.

Sejjil 2 missile carried on its transporter, erector, launcher (TEL) on the military parade in Tehran, September 2009. Photo: FARS news agency

Cracks in the Wall of Tehran’s Mullah Rule?

By

David Eshel

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Aug 4, 2009

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad begins his second term in high office, undermined by a deepening feud with his fellow hard-liners and under assault from a pro-reform opposition movement that has shown it can bring out again thousands of protesters despite a fierce crackdown.

With oppositionists still claiming the election marred by fraud, even some of his government members are unhappy. Culture Minister Mohamed-Hussein Saffar-Harandi has quit, citing “the recent events showing the government’s weakness”. On that very day, Ahmadinejad sacked Intelligence Minister Gholam Hussein Mohseni Ejeie. Furthermore, Ahmed Tavakkoli, a prominent conservative politician, criticized Ahmadinejad for the intelligence minister’s dismissal, saying that “there was no logical justification” for it. Although Ahmadinejad has frequently replaced his cabinet members over the past four years, then latest firings and resignations were significant, because the ministers were especially close to Iran’s Supreme Guide Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, itself an ominent sign of what may be in store.

Thirty years after the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran – if one can still call it a republic – is at a crossroads. What has been manifesting itself on Iran’s streets since the disputed presidential elections is not only the electorate’s collective feeling of injustice and rage, but also the religious-political elite’s underlying divide over the future of the velayat-e faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurists) and its entire political system.

Ahmadinejad’s problems could indicate that some of his supporters are seeking greater control in the controversial president’s second term. He was frequently criticized during his first term for what was seen as his tendency to reserve power for a small clique of associates. But the continuing turmoil is making things much more complicated. Dozens of Iranians have been killed and hundreds arrested in clashes between protesters and security forces since the disputed elections.

In a sign of the growing challenge which Ahmadinejad also faces from some in the religious establishment, an influential clerical group at the seminary in the holy city of Qom called for the opposition to continue its campaign against the election results. While supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Hoseyni Khameni has stuck by his protégé Ahmadinejad – this seems not so much by sheer love for him, but because doing otherwise would be a blow to his own prestige after he declared the election clean. . But there may even be much more trouble ahead, for the newly re-elected president.

In a rare event, several grand ayatollahs like Ali Montazeri, Nasser Makaram Chirazi, Assadollah Zanjani, Moussavi Ardebili or grand ayatollah Sanaïe have expressed their concern as to the loss of legitimacy of the regime. Some, like grand ayatollah Ali Montaezeri, even openly supported the demonstrators. Indeed, those who know the Shiite world know that the religious and moral authority of these grand ayatollahs is by far superior to that of the “Guide” Khamenie. In the doctrinal system of Shiism, these are “marjaas”, poles of imitation for the faithful. This is not the case with Ali Khamenei who was raised politically, to the rank of Ayatollah, so as to accede to the post of “Guide”, by his then mentor Grand ayatollah Rouhollah Mousavi Khomeini. Although the “Guide’ maintained his powerful position, with support of the Republican Guards and other security forces, for decades, the clerical establishment has silently, criticized Khomeini’s choice, but refrained intervening actively.

These positions taken by the higher clergy are currently witness to the importance of the present crisis, which broadly transcends the “simple” issue of electoral fraud. Iranian analysts warn that the current situation is only the culmination of a long and complex process which has taken place inside the clerical regime on the one hand, and in Iranian society on the other.

The public mass trial of Iran’s top reformist leaders during last July, on charges that include conspiring to overthrow the regime, signals that a process is under way to eventually outlaw the reformist party and ban its members and supporters from political activity. This unprecedented move could actually spell acute danger to the higher ranks of the clerical regime leadership. The dynamic of popular mobilizations deeply destabilizes the edifice of the Islamic Republic and for the first time the “Supreme Guide” has become the target of the demonstrators.

In his supporting Ahmadinejad well before the vote itself and characterizing his re-election as a “divine miracle”, Ali Khamenei had dealt a significant and highly dangerous blow to his own function. The Supreme Guide is the first personage of the state. He directs the key organs of the regime, the armed forces, notably the Guardians of the Revolution (Sepah-e Pasdaran) and the Islamist militias (Bassidjis), the state media, the legal apparatus, and he monitors the executive power.

The constitution of the Islamic Republic is based on the Velâyat-e faghih, the government of the legal experts, actually, the incarnation of divine power and the domination of the religious over the political. As a general rule, the “Guide”, who traces the guiding lines of the regime’s policies, has the mission of arbitrating between the different factions. But in taking part in the coup d’état against the “reformist” camp Khamenei has thrown all his weight into the balance and exposed himself to popular rejection. He thus strengthens the position of his long-time adversaries, who think that the regime is not reformable and might now challenge the leadership of the supreme leader.

The country and the regime stand more divided than ever in the 30-year history of the Islamic Republic, Iranian analysts say. Criticism has spread from targeting the president to the powerful Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself, an unprecedented occurrence, in this Islamic clerical-ruled state. Earlier calls by demonstrators to respect their vote have morphed into angry demands for an overhaul of the entire system, preferably one that separates religion from state and curbs the powers of the so-far unchallenged supreme leader. Sofar, though the top leadership, assisted by the powerful military, has weathered the storm- but dangerous undercurrents and still in motion.

In fact, the more serious grounds for the regime’s present concern are the depths of the unrest and its future challenges to the powerful clerical rulership. The election results were only a catalyst for the sudden outburst, but the roots of crisis lie in the desire of a large part of the Iranian public, mainly young people and women, for drastic and fundamental changes in the regime. They demand less repression and intervention by the dominant religious leadership, in personal lives and more liberalization of the political system. The public pressure calls for greater freedom of expression, an improved economic situation, and eradication of government corruption. This demand has already grown under the Ahmadinejad presidency, when over the last four years the regime restricted individual freedoms further and intensified the repression – this with the backing of the religious leadership and mainly with support of the ever powerful and ruthless Revolutionary Guards, which in military, political, and economic terms have become the dominant force in Iran. The regime apparently did not correctly assess the depth of frustration and anger, and did not expect such a powerful outburst from a large section of the Iranian public.

It is too soon to determine if the demonstrations are actually subsiding, as it appears now, or whether they will gain new momentum. In the current circumstances, the more likely albeit not certain scenario is that the riots will continue to die down gradually in the coming days or weeks, even if there may be some further outbursts of protests. Yet even if the demonstrations diminish, the pressure for changing the regime will remain active under the surface and will likely erupt again, sooner or later. Moreover, the crisis has battered and scarred the regime; its standing has been damaged, both domestically and externally. The cameras have shown, to the regime as well as to the world at large, that millions of Iranians do not want the regime, its policy, or its present leadership.

But changes will not happen overnight in a powerful regime like the Iranian Islamic Republic, ruled with an iron grip by a highly complex multi-layer “overwatch -control” system, which the Islamic clerical rulership has established to maintain its firm hold on all domains of the regime. Here, changes will need time – much time. Only a drastic change of heart in theleadership of the sofar loyal Islamic Republican Guards, and their ruthlessBassidjis offshoots, could bring any change in this ever suspicious regimeleadership. Such drastic developments are not in sight, even if the earth in Tehran will tremble from time to time.

Brazilian Federal Police Evaluates Israel’s Heron UAVs

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admin

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Aug 3, 2009

heron_over_brazil — IAI Heron flys over over San Miguel de Iguacu in the region of Parana, Brazil. During the demonstration the Heron regularly operated among civil air traffic, demonstrating full coordination with civil and military air traffic control systems.

Heron IAI concluded a successful demonstration of the Heron unmanned aerial system in Brazil. Performed for the Brazilian federal police, the Heron demonstrated its capabilities to perform border protection, counter-smuggling, drug interdiction and protection of natural resources.

The demonstration took place over San Miguel de Iguacu in the region of Parana, under rapidly changing, tropical weather conditions that frequently limit manned flights. Throughout its mission the Heron was operated within civilian controlled airspace demonstrating effective integration into the local civil and military air traffic control.

The successful demonstration was the culmination of two years of preparations by a select team established by Brazil’s federal police to evaluate unmanned aerial systems operations. According to IAI, the Brazilian team evaluated several platforms offered by different suppliers and selected IAI’s Heron for the demonstration, particularly for its multi-payload carrying capability, autonomous takeoff, landing and mission handling, and on-board satellite communications capability. The Brazilian team has expressed its satisfaction from the system’s performance.

IAI’s Heron have participated recently in a number of demonstrations in el-Salvador, the Mediterranean sea and South Pacific, where they were evaluated, primarily on maritime surveillance missions, by the U.S. Special Operations Command, the Spanish Navy and Australian Customs service.

Eurofighter Typhoon

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admin

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Aug 1, 2009

Eurofighter Typhoon is an agile, highly maneuverable, twin-engine strike fighter, designed primarily for air superiority and air supremacy missions, with secondary attack capability. The aircraft’s ability to gain air superiority beyond visual range (BVR) and in close combat, and at the same time deliver high sortie rates against air, naval and ground targets in all weathers with a variety of weapons, demands close attention to pilot workload. In Eurofighter the pilot flies through use of a computerized flight control system, which offers full carefree handling.

The Saudi Typhoon order is now secured. Eurofighter GmbH has signed a contract with its shareholder BAE Systems acting as the industrial prime contractor on this government to government contract for the supply of 72 aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The contract represents the second and most significant export order for the Typhoon, first was the sale of 15 fighters to Austria. Saudia received its first Typhoons in June 2009. The first 24 aircraftbeing delivered to Saudi Arabia are to be withdrawn from the Tranche 2 aircraft originally destined for the RAF.

Including the recent order, the Typhoon order book now totals 707 Eurofighter aircraft. The four Partner nations ordered 620 aircrat: 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy, 87 for Spain and 232 for the United Kingdom. Austria placed an order of 15 aircraft, the first two were delivered in July 2007. To date, 137 Series Production Aircraft, including six Instrumented Production Aircraft operated by industry, have been delivered to the customer Nations: 48 Royal Air Force, 37 German Air Force, 26 Italian Air Force, 18 Spanish Air Force and 2 to Austria. Thirty Tranche 2 aircraft are already in final assembly. Avionics and engine testing has already started for Type Acceptance of Block 8, to be achieved in Spring 2008, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Summer next year.

Air to Ground Role

With the evolving role of aerial attack in modern combat, Typhoon’s strike capability is also being enhanced, with inclusion of relevant weapon systems, sensors, targeting and communications packages as part of the baseline aircraft. An important Typhoon feature is its capability to operate from hastily prepared bases and small runways for worldwide operations. The aircraft is equipped with an advanced multi-mode radar and an extensive range of sensors and electronic countermeasures.

By the end of June 2008, 135 Eurofighter Typhoon have been delivered to seven units in four nations. The nations’ fleets have accumulated over 40,000 flight hours by that date, additon to over 5,600 test flight hours accumulated by the industry fleet. Typhoon units began assuming responsibility for NATO air defence operations in 2007, beginning in Italy and the United Kingdom. Germany has followed since January 2008, commencing Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) operations with Eurofighter Typhoon at Neuburg. Spain is expected to follow soon.

The aircraft is developed and produced by the Eurofigther consortium, which includes Alenia Aeronautica, BAE SYSTEMS, EADS Germany and EADS CASA., of the four partner countries, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. 105 production aircraft have been delivered to date including five Instrumented Production Aircraft operated by industry and owned by the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency NETMA.

The Typhoon began its air force career as an air superiority fighter, but in recent months it is beginning to unlock its multi-role potential. NATO Eurofighter Tornado Management Agency (NETMA) has committed to the first phase of the Tranche 2 forward development program providing for precision attack capability for the Typhoon, introduction of Paveway IV and Enhanced GBU-16 alongside work to integrate a Laser Designator Pod. Combined with the Type Acceptance of the Block 5 aircraft, the enhanced ground equipment for use with the Block 5 standard is now cleared for use, including a more capable version the Ground Support System. Folowing a successful test program seven Typhoons from RAF XI Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire participated demonstrated their operational capabilitiesthe at the Green Flag exercise at Nellis AFB in the USA. XI squadron’s Typhoons are expected to be declared ‘combat ready’ by the target date of 1 July 2008. Over the two-week period the Typhoons dropped a total of 67 munitions, comprising 43 Paveway II bombs, eight enhanced Paveway IIIs and 16 1,000 lb (454kg) free fall weapons. Exercise Green Flag West is a joint USAF and Army exercise in which close air support for ground forces is a crucial element aimed at preparing air and ground forces for deployment to overseas operational areas. It is played out in scenarios which simulate the sort of asymmetric combat experienced in conflicts such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Block 5 Capabilities

Block 5 supports full air-to-air and initial air-to-ground capabilities. The aircraft is cleared for the 9g envelope as intended, with additional features such as sensor fusion, the full Direct Voice Input, enhanced GPS, and Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) countermeasures including automatic chaff and flare dispensers. The radar air-to-surface modes are enhanced with ground mapping, and the aircraft also provides initial FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) capability. Block 5 Eurofighter Typhoon is cleared to carry AMRAAM, ASRAAM, IRIS-T and AIM-9L air-to-air missiles, as well as Paveway II laser-guided bombs and GBU-16s. External fuel tanks are certified for supersonic flight, while air-to-air refueling is cleared for all customer specified tanker types. The British RAF and Italian Air Force received its first Block 5 aircraft in August 2007.

Tranche 2 Production Phase:

251 of the total 620 production Typhoons will be “Tranche 2” standard. These comprise 236 aircraft for the core nations plus 72 Tranche 2 aircraft ordered by the Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia and 15 Tranche 2 replacing Tranche 1 aircraft in the nations that have been delivered to Austria. Early aircraft for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be taken from the UK final assembly line and the RAF will receive this number of diverted aircraft later.

Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft production will soon progress to the next stage, with the first flight of the Tranche 2 Typhoon which took place at EADS Military Air Systems’ site in Manching on January 16, 2008, piloted by EADS Test Pilot Chris Worning. The significant Tranche 2 capabilities focus mainly on the new mission computers which deliver the higher processing and memory capacity required for the integration of future weapons such as Meteor, Storm Shadow and Taurus. Differences in the build standard to Tranche 1 are related to changes in production technology or obsolescence.

The first aircraft fitted with full Tranch 2 avionics is Instrumented Production Aircraft Seven (IPA7), is a German single seat variant, representing the full Tranche 2 build standard. The aircraft will be used to test and certify ‘Type Acceptance’ for Typhoon Block 8 – the first capability standard of Tranche 2, anticipated for April 2008. This work will be carried out together with the BAE Systems-operated IPA6 Tranch 1 Typhoon fitted with Tranche 2 mission computer suite and avionics features. The first series of EJ200 engine flight testing for Tranche 2 was successfully concluded at the end of November with IPA2 in Italy. Deliveries of Tranche 2 Eurofighter Typhoons to all four Partner Nations will begin in Summer 2008. Deliveries are scheduled to run until 2013.

By July 2009, Tranche 3 is already underway. The initial order for 112 Tranche 3 Typhoon aircraft was awarded by NAMSA on July 31, 2009. These aircraft will be equipped with electrical, cooling and computing power to accomodate future systems, including a new radar, weapons, and electronic warfare systems. The airframe will also accommodate future installation of additional fuel tanks carried under the fuselage, greatly increasing range and endurance. Each of the new Typhoons can carry up to eight air-to-air missiles and up to six air-to-surface weapons. These aircraft are expected to become operational by the year 2013.

Further enhancements are currently considered within the Main Development Contract (MDC), currently in final negotiation, formulating the roadmap for the integration of future capabilities. Another future enhancement will include the fielding of the e-scan AESA radar capability. Recently, the Euroradar consortium conducted the first flights of the CAESAR (Captor Active Electronically Scanning Array Radar) antenna on DA5 at Manching, Germany.

Eurofighter Typhoon: Retrofit and Upgrade Programs

The R2 Retrofit program is intended to bring all the earlier Typhoons up to the Block 5 standard. All 115 Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft will be standardized through a series of “Capability Upgrade” projects. Aircraft in Blocks 1, 2 and 2B, are now being upgraded to Block 5 capability, also known as Final Operational Capability (FOC), in order to maximize the aircraft capability at the national fleet level. Upgrades will be included in scheduled maintenance activities to enhance overall fleet availability.

The first non-Block 5 aircraft to be brought to FOC standard is BS021, the 21st single seater of UK production. Only a few days later, German aircraft GS019 joined the program. Both are Block 2B aircraft. This functionality standard represents the full air-to-air functionality, whereas Block 5 includes this plus the enhanced carefree handling air-to-ground capability to drop laser guided bombs. As of February 2007, six aircraft are undergoing retrofits (three in Germany, two in the United Kingdom and one in Spain) with a seventh aircraft soon to join the project in the UK.

Priority in the R2 programme is on the upgrade of Block 2B aircraft, as less work is required to bring these aircraft to the higher performance level. By the end of 2007, the combination of Block 5 new aircraft deliveries and upgraded R2 aircraft will enable the Partner Air Forces to meet their NATO commitment goals.

Following on from Block 2B aircraft, Block 2 Eurofighter Typhoons with the initial air-to-air capability will be upgraded. Finally early Block 1 aircraft (all of them twin seaters) will enter the program. All Tranche 1 aircraft are scheduled to complete upgrade to Block 5 FOC standard by early 2012.

Eventually, all Tranche 2 aircraft will also go through the Phase 1 Enhancement program beginning 2011, covering new software architecture, enhanced multirole man-machine interface (MMI), integration of a new targeting pod, enhancements of MIDS (Multifunctional Information and Distribution System) datalink, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system, Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS), communications, improving ‘network centricity’ and expanded weapon support including Paveway IV and Enhanced GBU-16.

A second batch of future enhancements has been submitted during the Berlin Air Show this year. “Phase 2 Enhancement (P2E)” is targeted to be implemented by the end of 2014. It focuses on the introduction of enhanced weapons expected at this time, like enhanced Storm Shadow, Taurus, supersonic delivery of Paveway IV weapons, Brimstone, Small Diameter Bomb, AMRAAM C-5/7, and Meteor. Other improvements of subsystems are also expected, including further enhancement of DASS. Further enhancements are expected for Tranche 3.

Note: By mid- 2008 all Block designations have been deleted from the Typhoon program, except for Block 9 which has been instituted as a placeholder for future capabilities, to be more flexible in adapting future customer requirements.

Shipboard Protection System Enters Low-Rate Production

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admin

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Aug 1, 2009

August 26, 2009: The U.S. Navy has approved the Shipboard Protection System (SPS) for low-rate initial production (milestone C). The SPS was initiated as an Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) initiative in 2005, integrating ad-hoc protection measures deployed, after Navy vessels experienced repeated attempted attacks in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden,following the devastating attack by suicide fast boats on the USS Cole (DDG 67) at the port of Aden in October 2000. SPS was tailored for multiple classes of U.S. Navy ships, enhancing self-protection against asymmetric threats by coordinating multiple sensors, weapons, equipment, personnel and procedures with no increase in manning.

The system was developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren, over a short, three-year span. “Starting with guided missile destroyers, SPS will provide warfighters additional capability to help protect Sailors from attacks similar to the small-boat attack on the USS Cole (DDG 67)” Said Capt. John Day, program manger for Anti-Terrorism Afloat Program Office at Dahlgren.

Deployment Schedule Announced:

Energetic efforts increasing vessel- protection followed the devastating attack by suicide fast-boats on the USS Cole (DDG 67) at the port of Aden in October 2000. SPS was tailored for multiple classes of U.S. Navy ships, enhancing self-protection against asymmetric threats, by coordinating multiple sensors, weapons, equipment, personnel and procedures with minimal manpower increase.

The system was developed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) at Dahlgren, over a short, three-year span. “Starting with guided missile destroyers, SPS will provide warfighters’ additional capability helping protect Sailors against attacks, similar to the small-boat attack on the USS Cole(DDG 67)” Said Capt. John Day, Program Manager for the Anti-Terrorism Afloat Program Office at Dahlgren.

As part of the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phase, up to 12 systems will be delivered and installed on DDG-51 class destroyers. The system will be mounted through the installation of equipment and software sub-sets, or “block” upgrades to ensure early delivery of systems to combat ships. Future enhanced capabilities will continue to be incorporated, as research-and development efforts mature and available resources permit. The first four ships to receive the developmental systems were USS Benfold (DDG 65), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), USS Laboon (DDG 58), and USS Oscar Austin(DDG 79). Installation and testing of SPS on Aegis class cruisers, “L” class amphibious assault ships and aircraft carriers is anticipated in fiscal year 2012.

USS Benfold (DDG 65) was the first ship to be outfitted with an early version of the system – SPS Block 1. This configuration integrated the radar with two stabilized electro-optic (EO) payloads capable of identifying and engaging high-speed seaborne craft. The system provides a flexible-layered defense in all directions, enhancing situational awareness and providing early warning of small-boats approaching with suspect hostile intentions. By increasing operational efficiency and flexibility, deterrence is also improved, as specific procedures can be implemented along preset engagement-zones, providing ship commanders more time for the detection, identification, decision, engagement, and assessment sequence.

“Once fully integrated into the ship’s combat doctrine, SPS gives us much better situational awareness,” said Lt. Steingrube, Benfold‘s weapons officer. “It will take much of the guess-work out of a contact’s distance, and will help us to better assess potential threat’s intentions.”

SPS Components

The system provides protection while the ship is in port, at anchor or at sea. The crew can visually identify and track watercraft threats from the ships console, using electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensors, integrated with the ship’s AN/SPS 73 Surface-Search Radar – a short-range, two-dimensional radar system, providing contact range and bearing information. By tracking and visually identifying each potential threat’s distance, attitude and behavior, the crew can tell if an incoming, still unidentified craft, is just a fishing vessel that might have gotten lost, or a potential threat to their vessel.

The system is controlled by two consoles – one located in the ship’s combat information center (CIC) and another on the bridge, both are displaying surveillance, environmental, and tactical information required by the commander, onboard watch officer, or other AT/FP decision-makers.

Follow-on enhancements introduced with the system’s Block 3 versions have integrated pan-and-tilt acoustic hailers, which will provide a loud warning of pre-recorded messages to incoming craft, on approaching a Naval exclusion zone. The system will also have high intensity spotlights and could also use remotely controlled laser dazzlers, as a ‘non lethal effector’, deterring potential aggressors. Heavy machine guns provide a last line of defense – typically, such systems employ a .50 caliber weapons mounted on remotely controlled pedestal.

KAI, Eurocopter Unveil the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) Surion

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Jul 31, 2009

kuh_1 — Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Eurocopter celebrated the Rollout of the first Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) prototype. Photo: Eurocopter

Three years after the launch of the Korean Helicopter Program in 2006, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Eurocopter celebrated the Rollout of the first Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) prototype last week. The helicopter is scheduled to perform its first flight by early 2010, with initial deliveries commencing in 2012. The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) is planning to buy 245 KUH helicopters.

The Republic of Korea Armed forces are currently flying about 700 helicopters, with utility missions performed by the the UH-1H Iroquise helicopters. The new eight ton military transport helicopter is destined to replace existing utility helicopters in the South Korean Army fleet.

KAI is the system Integrator of the helicopter with, Eurocopter acting as the premier international partner assisting in technical design and providing the gear boxes, rotor mast and autopilot. In 2007 the two companies established a joint venture company to commercialize the KUH in export market, which is estimated to reach an order of 300 helicopters worldwide.

€9 billion Awards Launch Typhoon Tranche 3 Procurement

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Jul 31, 2009

typhhons_over_nevada_0608 — June 2008 - A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon from XI Sqn during a deployment to Nevada, United States, as part of Exercise Green Flag. The aircraft is carrying Enhanced Paveway II laser-guided bombs. Photo: via Eurofighter GmbH

NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NATMA) has awarded production contracts worth over €9 billion for Tranche 3 Typhoon fighter aircraft, to be produced by the principal Typhoon manufacturers – Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH and EUROJET Turbo GmbH. The two contracts are funding production of 112 Typhoon aircraft and 241 engines, for the four partner Nations: Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.

With the future production of the Typhoon being confirmed well into the next decade, the program is on track to continue and develop the current technological capability in Europe, enhancing future export opportunities. Having already secured two export contracts with Austria in 2003 and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2007, Eurofighter is pursuing more export opportunities in Switzerland, India, Japan, Romania, Greece and Turkey. Opportunities are also looming in South Korea, Bulgaria and Croatia. With 559 units under production contract, NATO’s Eurofighter Typhoon has positioned itself as the best selling 4th generation fighter aircraft on the market. The Eurofighter program represents the largest European industrial program, supporting 100,000 jobs in 400 companies across the continent.

German Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA 7) recently completed Paveway IV bomb handling, qualities familiarising flight testing at EADS site in Manching. The flight which took two hours and seven minutes saw the aircraft flying with six Paveway IV bombs, four MRAMMs and two SRAAMs missiles on board. It was designed to prove that the Typhoons Flight Control System (FCS) handles the aircraft effectively with full weaponry loaded. Photo: Eurofighter GmbH.

The UK submitted one of the largest orders for the Tranche 3 Typhoons, allocating £3bn for the procurement of 40 aircraft for the RAF. These fighters are to replenish RAF inventories of 24 Typhoons, the first shipment of the 72 ordered by Saudi Arabia. As a result, the RAF will receive 24 newer models, in addition to the 16 Tranche 3 fighters originally scheduled for this buy. The first of the new aircraft is expected to enter service with the Royal Air Force in 2013.

The 40 Tranche 3 aircraft will be equipped with electrical, cooling and computing power to accomodate future systems, including a new radar, weapons, and electronic warfare systems. The airframe will also accommodate future installation of additional fuel tanks carried under the fuselage, greatly increasing range and endurance. Each of the new Typhoons can carry up to eight air-to-air missiles and up to six air-to-surface weapons.

A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon from XI Sqn during a deployment to Nevada, United States, as part of Exercise Green Flag, June 2008. The aircraft is carrying six Enhanced Paveway II laser-guided bombs, the Litening III laser designator pod and a real-time range pod.. The aircraft is carrying six Enhanced Paveway II laser-guided bombs, the Litening III laser designator pod and a real-time range pod. Photo: Eurofighter GmbH

Oshkosh Receives Second M-ATV Production Contract

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Jul 31, 2009

Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) has received an additional $1.06 billion delivery order from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) for the delivery of 1,700 MRAP All Terrain Vehicles (M-ATV) to the U.S. Armed Forces by February 2010. The new delivery order follows an initial $1.05 billion delivery order Oshkosh Defense received last month, for 2,244 M-ATVs. The new contract also includes spares and support for the fielded vehicles, commencing April 2010.

Oshkosh began advance production of the M-ATV weeks before the first delivery order was awarded, and the company was ready to deliver 46 M-ATVs in July 2009, one vehicle above its obligated quota of 45 vehicles. “We are confident in our ability to ramp up production to 1,000 per month in December and this additional order will allow us to sustain that rate of production through February 2010.” Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh Corporation chairman and chief executive officer said.

Patroller UAV Completes Flight Testing Campaign

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Jul 31, 2009

Sagem and Stemme have successfully carried out the first series of test flights of the Patroller long-endurance UAV system. The first flight took place on June 30, 2009 at Kemijarvi in Finland. This facility provides the test site of Robonic Ltd, a Finland-based subsidiary of Sagem, specializing in manufacturing pneumatic driven catapult launchers for unmanned aerial vehicles.

It was followed by seven additional test flights, including several demonstrating long endurance flights exceeding 10 hour missions. The test campaign verified the platform’s range and performance envelope, automatic take-off, landing and automatic and remote handling of flight-control, as well as payload control functions.

Patroller was developed by the German glider producer Stemme and the French defense group Sagem Defense & Security, from the Safran Group. The Patroller, developed as a collaborative program, will be able to operate autonomously at altitudes of 25,000 ft, and at a maximum cruising speed of 300 km/h. The Pataroller is designed as a modular system, carrying different payloads, including the Euroflir 410 gyro-stabilized optronic sensor package developed by Sagem and a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) developed by the German company OHB. Other payloads destined for the Patroller include communications relays and maritime surveillance radars.

Patroller is operated from regular airstrips serving general aviation and gliders. It will be interoperable with Sagem’s Système de Drones Tactiques Intérimaire (SDTI) and Sperwer tactical unmanned systems, sharing common ground stations and much of the avionic systems on board. As it is based on civil aviation certified platforms, Patroller could be certified for operations, once unmanned platforms are allowed to operate in civil airspace, supporting territorial protection, search and rescue, border and coastal surveillance missions.

The French UAV maker Sagem has teamed with German glider producer Stemme AG to introduce the Patroller, a long endurance UAV based on a powered glider. The Stemme S 15 was first presented at the Berlin Air-Show last in 2008. In its current configuration, the Patroller is designed to perform long endurance missions, to be used in a wide spectrum of roles, from military surveillance to homeland security and maritime patrol. The unmanned Patroller will be capable of flying a 20-hour mission carrying a 440-pound payload. The aircraft carries the Euroflir electro-optical sensor payload provided by Sagem of France, and a pod mounted SAR radar provided by the German company OHB, carried underwing. Stemme is also offering an optionally piloted configuration of the drone. These aircraft are controlled through the German project LAPAZ flight control system and employ the Aerial Real Time Intelligence and Surveillance (ARTIS), both developed by Stemme.

An Unmanned DA-42 Performs First Flight

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Jul 29, 2009

dominator2_1 — Dominator takes off for its maiden flight. Photo: Aeronautics Defense Systems

Last week, Israel-based Aeronautics Defense Systems successfully completed the first flight of the ‘Dominator 2’ Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system (Israeli code name “Oz”). The Dominator II is based on the Austrian Diamond DA-42 manned aircraft. The system’s flight testing evaluated the performance of a variety of sub-assemblies integrated into the system to convert it into an unmanned platform.

Utilizing civilian certified, operationally proven manned aircraft for the unmanned mission, Dominator 2 conforms well to military and civilian applications. The twin-engine UAV has an operational ceiling of 30,000ft and mission endurance of 28 hours at speed ranging from 75 to 190 knots. The aircraft has a 13.5 m wing span, 8.5 m length and 2.5 meter height. The maximum gross take-off weight of about two tons, is able to carry multiple payloads weighing up to 400kg. It has advanced safety systems, including all-weather flight safety and anti-icing systems.
The UAV is expected to continue its series of advanced flights to integrate additional systems and sensors that will enable it to perform complex intelligence missions.

“Interest and demand for the Dominator 2 have far exceeded our expectations, and we believe that in the coming years Aeronautics will sell dozens of systems around the world. There is tremendous potential for civilian use of UAVs” says Avi Leumi, CEO of Aeronautics, adding, “Just as UAVs are gradually replacing manned aircraft in carrying out numerous and diverse operations, we expect to see UAVs engaged in a variety of applications on the civilian market in the future. Beginning with areas which seem naturally close to defense, such as policing and security, and through fields such as agriculture, infrastructures, transportation and even environmental protection.” According to Leumi, the new Dominator II renders Aeronautics a foothold in global markets with strong demand for the product, primarily in Western countries, including NATO members. “Given the ability to integrate a great deal of equipment and intelligence systems in the Dominator II, which cannot be carried in smaller UAVs.

Lockheed Martin Rolls Out the F-35C

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Jul 28, 2009

The U.S. Navy’s first stealth fighter, F-35C rolled-out in a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Ft. Worth TX facility July 28, 2009. Following the ceremonial roll-out the first F-35C, designated CF-1, will undergo a series of ground tests before its first flight, scheduled for late 2009. The aircraft is the ninth F-35 test aircraft to join the F-35 test fleet. Other variants of the Lightning II have logged more than 100 flights. The remaining ten aircraft of the test fleet are currently in various phases of production.

“The JSF will show the world that our Sailors will never be in a fair fight because this airplane will top anything that comes its way,” said Adm. Gary Roughead, the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations. “It will give our Sailors and pilots the tactical and technical advantage in the skies, and it will relieve our aircraft as they age out.” Tom Burbage, a former Navy test pilot and the executive vice president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration for Lockheed Martin, said the Navy has already began to “actively working to define joint and coalition tactics that will exploit this platform in ways we’ve never envisioned. We at Lockheed Martin are both proud and humbled by the trust the U.S. Navy has placed with us to lead the development and introduction of the Navy’s newest stealthy, supersonic strike fighter.”

The F-35C will be operating from the U.S Navy’s aircraft carrier decks via catapult launch and arrested recovery. Its distinctive features include larger, folding wings and control surfaces and the addition of wingtip ailerons, allow the F-35C pilot to control the airplane with precision during carrier approaches. The aircraft incorporates larger landing gear and a stronger internal structure to withstand the forces of carrier launches and recoveries.

The naval variant of the F-35 has an internal fuel capacity of nearly 10 tons, providing an unrefueled range of over 1,200 miles without external tanks. The standard internal weapons load is two AIM-120C air-to-air missiles and two 2,000-pound GBU-31 JDAM guided bombs. Optional internal loads include eight GBU-38 small-diameter bombs, as a variety of air-to-ground missiles, dispensers and guided weapons. The internal weapons bay can be configured for all air-to-ground ordnance, all air-to-air ordnance or a blend of both. A missionized version of the 25 mm GAU-22A cannon is installed or removed as needed. When stealth is not required to execute a mission, the F-35C can mount external stores and weapons on underwing pylons, giving the aircraft a weapons payload of more than 18,000 pounds.

As the aircraft becomes operational, around the year 2015 it will introduce the U.S. Navy carrier task forces with 5th generation fighter capabilities at sea, gaining improved operational freedom gained by its stealth, super-cruise and agility and air dominance, based on its sensor package network-centric operability. Another important aspect is the new fighter’s availability and support – the Lightning II’s operational and support costs are expected to be lower than those of current carrier-based fighters.

The use of materials and techniques reducing radar and thermal signature have different implications for aircraft operatoring in a maritime enviornment. The use of ruggedized exterior materials mean, more ressistant to salt and spray corrosion mean lower maintenance requirements for preserving the aircraft’s Very Low Observable radar signature, even in harsh shipboard conditions.

Adm. Gary Roughead, the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations, addresses the crowd at the rollout ceremony of the first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant Photo: Lockheed Martin

Defense-UpdateMilitary Technology & Defense News

Defense-UpdateMilitary Technology & Defense News

Our BCT Modernization Update covers these topics in four parts:

Our BCT Modernization Update covers these topics in four parts:

Air to Ground Role

Block 5 Capabilities

Tranche 2 Production Phase:

Eurofighter Typhoon: Retrofit and Upgrade Programs

Deployment Schedule Announced:

SPS Components

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