DARPA and the U.S. Office of Naval Research are embarking on the development of a new offensive surface weapon called Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), capable of outperforming adversary anti-ship missiles and air and missile defenses. DARPA goal for the program is to fly a technology demonstration missile of sufficient maturity to support rapid transition to operational use.
“LRASM is an effort to place the US Navy in a dominant position on the high seas” says Rob McHenry, a program manager in the Tactical Technology Office at DARPA. “We want US Navy cruisers and destroyers to be able to stand off from outside of potential adversaries’ direct counter fire range, and be able to safely engage and destroy high value targets they may be engaging against from extended range, well beyond potential adversary ranges that we may have to face.” Said McHenry. “Once the missile flies that far, it has a requirement to be able to independently detect and validate the target that it was shot at. Finding that target, the missile will have to be able to penetrate the air defenses and finally, once it gets to that target, it has to have a lethal capability to make a difference once it gets there.”
LRASM will be different from current generation missiles such as the Harpoon and Tomahawk, which are dependent on prior intelligence and targeting data. Unlike those missiles, LRASM will be designed to reduce dependence on precision intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sources, data links, and GPS. The missile will employ advanced onboard sensing and processing capabilities, allowing precision engagement of moving ships based only on coarse, initial target cueing, even in extremely hostile environments. LRASM will be designed to be compatible with existing VL-41 Vertical Launch System employed by the U.S. Navy and will have sufficient range to engage targets from well beyond direct counter-fire ranges of projected threats. To further improve its effectiveness the missile will also employ innovative features that to survive enemy air defenses and deliver high-assurance lethality.
Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control has been awarded a $10 million contract by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the development and demonstration of the LRASM. The agency is expected to award additional contracts for the initial demonstration phase.
During this phase, contractors will conduct trade studies and system performance analysis, develop a preliminary design, and perform risk reduction testing of critical elements of their system. This phase will conclude with a Preliminary Design Review, operational effectiveness assessment, and evaluation of the technology development plan to complete the remaining DARPA demonstration program and operational transition to the Navy. The next phase could span over 27 months and include system design refinement, subsystem developmental testing, to be followed by Critical Design Review, and flight tests culminating in an end-to-end flight demonstration of missile’s.
A terminal phase seequence of photos showing the devastating effect of a DAGR warhead on a 'soft target', representing an unarmored vehicle, typically used by insurgents. While the target is destroyed, the blast effect is contained at the target proximity, minimizing the risk of collateral damage to non combatants or friendly forces. Photos: Lockheed Martin
Since the beginning of operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 the use of stand-off precision attacks from manned, unmanned aerial systems as well as heavy artillery platforms were the weapon of choice for ‘kinetic’ attacks employed by coalition forces. Such weapons employed massive bombardments utilizing laser guided, and geo-targeted weapons, such as the 500 – 200 pound Paveway and JDAM weapons or massive guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS). Such weapons carefully guided by forward observers, verifying that non combatants or friendly forces are affected were employed with high precision. However, each weapon, carrying warheads weighing hundreds to thousands of pounds of explosives, had an excessive ‘overkill’ effect on the targets, causing significant collateral damage.
A terminal phase seequence of photos showing the devastating effect of a DAGR warhead on a 'soft target', representing an unarmored vehicle, typically used by insurgents. While the target is destroyed, the blast effect is contained at the target proximity, minimizing the risk of collateral damage to non combatants or friendly forces. Photos: Lockheed Martin
Following repeated incidents of attacks, causing significant collateral damage to non-combatant civilians, new ISAF directives have restricted the use of ‘kinetic effects’ by the forces to the minimum, therefore limiting the operational flexibility of combat units. While such self-imposed restrictions are bound to receive a warm welcome from the civilian population, Taliban will undoubtedly exploit them in their operations.
New types of weapons, utilizing standard 2.75″ / 68mm or five inch Zuni rockets, modified into precision-strike weapons could enable commanders at all tactical levels to employ limited, precision kinetic effects, increasing deterrence and combat effectiveness, while risking minimal collateral damage, but having maximum effect on the target.
Although the development of such weapons was slow, lacking enthusiastic customer support, developers persisted in keeping programs alive and only recently the military are waking up to the reality, that a ‘small bang’ may be better than a ‘big bang’ that could totally derail a military campaign, due to excessive casualties or collateral damage, resulting in political pressure.
“Pilots in theater have expressed a desire for a guided rocket that hits the target and minimizes collateral damage,” said Jerry Brode, DAGR program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “With multiple platform firings under its belt, along with the live warhead test we conducted at Eglin Air Force Base last year, DAGR is being qualified to deliver that capability.”
Lockheed Martin’s DAGR is one of the most mature laser guided 2.75″ rocket systems, developed by the company under a privately funded initiative. Recent firing trials involved AH-64D Apache helicopters and OA-6 Little Bird, hinting about interest from the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The weapon has performed well in all guided firing tests, demonstrating precision strikes in 12 successful guided flight tests, hitting short- and long-range off-axis targets within minimal distance of the laser-designated aimpoint.
The Apache firing trials were conducted at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground in March 2009, firing three rockets from the Apache; two successfully impacted the targets within minimal distance of the designated aimpoint. These tests marked the first airborne platform tests for DAGR, demonstrating its ability to engage targets in both day and night conditions.
Further tests were conducted in July 2009, also in Yuma, employing a Mission-Enhanced Little Bird helicopter test platform. The helicopter carried the DAGR in four-pack launch canister attached to the outboard rail of a modified XM299 launcher. The Little Bird firings were performed as a running fire, using a ground designator, and then self designation using the Little Bird’s onboard MX-15D1 targeting system. The DAGR rocket was extremely accurate in hitting the laser aimpoint in both tests.
DAGR is designed to be compatible with the Hellfire’s M299 family of launchers, offering potential integration on all rotary-wing platforms currently employing Hellfire missiles, including the Apache, Little Bird, Kiowa, Blackhawk, Cobra, and Tiger helicopters. A mixed loadout of Hellfire II and DAGRs can be mounted on the same launcher, providing operational flexibility that enables cost-effective multi-mission capability from a single platform.
The U.S. Marine Corps have indicated their requirement for a forward firing, low-cost precision guided weapon capable of accurately engaging fixed and moving targets in close proximity to friendly forces, while allowing firing aircraft to remain outside the threat envelope. The Corps are eying two different systems to convert existing stocks of 2.75″ Hydra II and 80mm Zuni unguided rockets into precision kill systems. To facilitate such capability the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) has developed the WGU-58/B Guidance and Control system, to modify the Zuni rockets used by the Corps’ AV-8B, F/A-18s and AH-1W helicopter gunships.
The kit, developed by MBDA Inc., was recently tested in a successful live firing test employing a Semi-Active Laser Guided Zuni rocket at the U.S. Navy’s test facilities at China Lake, CA. utilizing the WGU-58/B Guidance and Control System. The WGU-58/B design maximizes use of off-the-shelf hardware and software, does not require changes to the aircraft interface, and attaches the WGU-58/B guidance and control kit to existing Zuni rockets. The upgrade can be performed at field level, permitting rapid transition of the hardware into the inventory. The rocket is fired from a LAU-10 pod launcher carrying four rockets. This capability dramatically increases the effective engagement capability of the aircraft and helicopter, as comparable weapons are carried only one or two per weapon station. Apart from MBDA Inc. (a subsidiary of the European missile group) and U.S. Navy China Lake facility, the NAWCWS industry partner team also includes Elbit Systems of America, General Dynamics and Honeywell.
In 2008 the U.S. Navy assumed control of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) development contract, currently at System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase with BAE Systems demonstrating the guided rocket’s performance. Although the system performed a series of successful tests in 2007, the Army did not show much enthusiasm to transition the program into an operational weapon. The current funding allocated by the Marine Corps will be used for testing and qualification of the weapon for use on the Marine Corps’ AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter. BAE Systems’ Nashua facility plans to begin production of the upgraded rockets by the end of 2009.
Progress with 2.75″ laser guided rockets was also reported in Israel, with Elbit Systems and Alliant Techsystems performing a series of flight tests of the Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR). The platform used for the test firings was the BattleHawk armed Blackhawk helicopter, being evaluated by the Israel Air Force and Sikorsky. The guided rockets fired from the BattleHawk used lock-on before launch engagement profile, to engage an off-boresight target at a range of approximately three kilometers. The test validated flight worthiness, safe separation launch, and autonomous laser designated guided flight through a series of tests. The laser designated guided flight, launched from a standard 2.75 inch launcher, resulted in a direct impact on the target. The weapon also supports lock-on after launch as well as autonomous or remote laser designation firing modes.
In the past Raytheon has also competed for the APKWS after BAE’s win, the company decided to pull back from an independent development and opted to continue the program under an international cooperation with the Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under this cooperation the companies are developing the Laser-Guided Rocket (LGR) version for its 2.75″ Hydra II weapon. Earlier this year (2009) the weapon has completed a wind tunnel test that produced both high fidelity flight simulations and data for development of the aerodynamic model required for autopilot design. “This program is a potential model for Raytheon’s global business template,” said Richard Janik, Raytheon Missile Systems’ LGR program director. “It has important financial, engineering and manufacturing ramifications for our international business efforts, our UAE partner and our customers.” The Raytheon-EAI cooperative development agreement includes a follow-on production proposal to manufacture LGR in both the U.S. and the UAE. Similar international development programs are underway in Norway (by Nammo) and France (by Thales).
The battle management system constantly plots the ballistic trajectories of each threat, assessing if it is presenting a threat to the protected areas. Such threats are marked red, and trigger the computation intercept solutions. Within a few seconds, over 800 different intercept solutions are performed per each target, evaluating the best possible match of target, interceptor, launcher and launch unit to ensure all targets are engaged and destroyed outside the protected areas, while the system complies with other restrictions, such as no-fire zones, minimized collateral damage and eliminating potential threat to friendly air assets operating in the area.
In a split second the system suggests the preferred solution and requests the operator’s permission to launch the missiles. Firing commences immediately upon the operator approval. However, if human intervention is required for, the user can select another firing plan from the suggested options or manually override the system to instruct using a specific asset.
As the Tamir interceptor is launched it sets course to bring itself to the planned intercept point. As its sensor acquires the target, Tamir maneuvers to the final engagement, bringing the target into the kill-zone and activating its warhead at close proximity to the target. Recent tests have demonstrated the missile has exceeded the level of performance originally planned for the system. Operators can monitor and assess the situation over the digital map, depicting the situational picture, depicting the incoming threats, each plotted with firing sources, actual location, projected impact point and recommended intercept, all firing units are also displayed, as well as protected areas, safe impact areas and protected airspace, where extra caution should be maintained for flight safety. Information can also displayed in different schemes, such as a histogram, prioritizing all targets engaged at a given time.
AccuWeather.com reports after extensive research into the weather that may have affected the Air France Airbus A330 on Sunday evening, it is believed that the plane flew into thunderstorms, and the updrafts or turbulence associated with those storms in addition to lightning may have played a role.
The projected flight path of flight 447 took the aircraft near Sao Luis, Brazil, where it may have first encountered a thunderstorm. Later in the flight, the plane appears to have flown into or near a large cluster thunderstorms that were in the development stages northeast of Fernando De Noronha, which is located off Brazil’s northern coast, and along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the belt of low pressure that surrounds the Earth at the equator.
Based on weather information from Fernando De Noronha, the updrafts associated with the thunderstorms may have reached up to 100 mph. Such an updraft would lead to severe turbulence for any aircraft. In addition, the storms were towering up to 50,000 feet and would have been producing lightning. TheAir France plane would have encountered these stormy conditions, which could have resulted in either some structural failure or electrical failure as noted in the communications between the Airplane and Air France headquarters.
Based on satellite information, the Air France flight had little chance of going around the storms given that they stretched for over 400 miles and were developing along the flight path. The airplane was flying at cruising altitude of 35,000 feet. With the updrafts pushing the storms up to 50,000 feet, the plane had to fly through the storms and not over them.
Despite the presence of the storms Sunday evening, the only lightning detected along the flight path was near Sao Luis, Brazil. Lightning strikes were not being detected with the storms northeast of Fernando De Noronha and along the ITCZ at the time.
According to Brazilian aviation officials, wreckage that has been found in theAtlantic Ocean about 400 miles off the northern coast of Brazil could be from the Air France aircraft. The debris sighted includes metallic objects and plane seats. This wreckage still hasn’t been confirmed as being part of the Air France jet.
Tropical thunderstorms and the lightning patterns generated by them are different from storms that typically occur over the United States. Studies have shown that the top region of tropical thunderstorms is highly charged and more conducive to lightning, which indicates that an airplane flying near the top of a tropical thunderstorm could be more susceptible to a lightning strike. Tropical thunderstorms are also notorious for producing frequent cloud-to-cloud, as well as cloud-to-air lightning.
Story by AccuWeather.com Meteorologists Heather Buchman, Kristina Pydynowski and Henry Margusity, and AccuWeather.com News Correspondent Gina Cherundolo
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israel Ministry of Defenseconcluded another series of intercept tests conducted with the Iron Dome counter-rocket defense system, the recent tests employed all the system’s elements, including the Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) system, developed by IAI Elta Systems (shown on the photo at right), Tamir missile interceptors with live warheads, and battle management system, developed by MPrest Systems. Rafael is planning to resume the system’s testing in the upcoming months, to demonstrate the Iron Dome operation as a system Iron Dome is expected to reach initial operational capability by early 2010.
At the recent Paris Air Show Rafael and MPrest demonstrated Iron Dome's advanced battle management capability in handling intercepting multiple targets simultaneously. The simulated battle management scenario depicted multiple attacks from different launchers, fired at the protected area marked on the map in green. (Photo: Defense Update)
The tests validated the missile’s performance and demonstrated its effectiveness in intercepting rocket targets such as the Grad rocket in use by the Hezbollahand Hammas terrorist organizations. Iron Dome is designed to provide effective defense against short-range rockets, fired from distances of four to 70 kilometers. The Extended range Grad rockets fired by the Hammas during the recent conflict in January 2009 have reached targets 42 kilometers.
The interceptor approaches the target and uses its seeker to acquire the target and guides the interceptor within passing distance. The target warhead is detonated over a neutral area, therefore reducing collateral damage to the protected area.
A model of the Iron Dome missile launcher, containing 20 Tamir missiles ready to launch. The missiles are stored ready to launch in the container-launcher, and are elevated to a nearly vertical position uponthe first alert of an imminent attack. Photo: Rafael
BAE Systems Global Combat Systems and General Dynamics (UK) are the two companies invited by the British Ministry of Defence to team with the MOD to develop a new armored vehicle for the British Army. The program is part of the Future Rapid Effect System Specialist Vehicle (FRES SV), intended to field reconnaissance and reconnaissance support variants that will replace the existing Scimitar and Spartan vehicles now on operations in Afghanistan. FRES SV will focs on a medium-weight capability comprising three families of vehicles: Reconnaissance, Medium Amour and Maneuver Support.
Formal invitations are expected in July 2009. The invitation after MOD announced its Armored Fighting Vehicles Sector Strategy earlier this month. The FRES program aimed at replacing a number of vehicles that have reached or are reaching the end of their service lives. However, the initial phase known as FRES Utility Vehicle was halted after a decision to cancel the decision to buy the Pirhana V armored vehicle from General Dynamics UK. The decision resulted in a painful restructuring at BAE Systems, which expected significant subcontracting work for this vehicle. After reexamination of equipment requirements, MOD is now recommending that FRES SV should be procured, with the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme, prioritised ahead of the FRES Utility Vehicle. Some of the Scorpion CRV(T)s have been upgraded recently, prepared for service in Afghanistan.
A new US Navy / Marine Corps program drawing a growing attention among UAV manufacturers is the STUAS / Tier II UAV. Several companies have already lined up for the competition, including Raytheon, offering with the KillerBee 4 system, originally designed by Swift. After Northrop Grumman acquired Swift UAV business, Raytheon secured access to the system and bought the relevant segment from Northrop Grumman. Other companies competing for STUAS are Elbit Systems, teaming with General Dynamics, offering the new Hermes 90 platform. AAI has also announced it is offering the Aerosonde 4.7 system. Boeing is offering the Integrator, a beefed-up version of the Scan Eagle designed by its subsidiary company InSitu. The program, originally scheduled to launch in 2007 was delaid to 2009 after the Navy and Marines re-evaluated their requirements and plans. As an intermediate step, the corpsfielded severalUS Army/AAI RQ-7 Shadow systems. For the original program, the MArine Corps evaluated several systems, including the SpyHawk, by Arcturus, and BAE Systems’ Skylynx II, designed by the Israeli company Inocon, which has recently reappeared, redesigned and rebranded as the Hermes 90. According to Vic Sweberg, Director of the newly created Boeing Unmanned Systems Division, the Integrator is only the first step in a long way that will position Boeing at the forefront of the unmannes aerial systems market. Boeing is determined to become a major player in the unmanned systems market. “With Insitu we believe we can make the step forward and take that ground in about 3-5 years. He added that, at present, the market is already indicating a steep growth.
Raytheon also considers its contender for the program to play a central role in the company’s growth into the unmanned systems domain. Mark Bigham, director of business development for Raytheon’s Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS) is confident Raytheon will take a leading role in the UAS market by leveraging its legacy of sensors, weapons, C3I expertise and recent integration experience on KillerBee to provide a complete systems solution. He said Raytheon is investing in new technology to address emerging defense and civil requirements that will make Raytheon a significant player in the UAS market and a systems integrator for future UAS requirements.
Elbit Systems is positioning the newly introduced Hermes90 as its contender for the US program. To better position itself in the US market the company announced a teaming agreement with General Dynamics Armament and technical Products (GDATP) to promote its unmanned systems in the USA. The Hermes90 offers long endurance of up to 18 hours, mission range of up to 100 kilometers, and varied payloads integration capability. Equiped with wheels or sleds, the unmanned aircraft can be launched and recovered using different methods, including launching by an integral launcher for point launch and recovery on non-prepared surfaces without using any dedicated ground equipment. The compact and lightweight system can be carried onboard two tactical utility vehicles and is operated by a two or three-person crew. AAI is offering the Aerosonde 4.7 unmanned aircraft for Navy/Marines program. To support expeditionary deployment, the 4.7 uses an integrated launch and recovery system enabling fast, flexible ground and/or shipboard automated launch and recovery capability. The modular payload installation allows the rapid addition of new payloads and capabilities as they become available, enabling technology refresh with little to no aircraft or system modifications. For the ground control system the company is offering the Expeditionary Ground Control Station (EGCS), based on the 4586-compliant ‘One System’ design AAI developed for the U.S. Army. AAI comments that this architecture will support interoperability between the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 and other One System platforms, including the Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) already used by the Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
France and the UAE are negotiating the sale of 60 Rafale fighters to the UAE, replacing the country’s Mirage-2000-9 currently in use. UAE operates a mixed fleet of F-16E/F Block 60 and Mirage-2000-9. Both aircraft were significantly improved from their baseline configuration and tailored for the UAE requirements, a process expected to continue with their selecting a unique model of Rafale. Under the terms being negotiated between the countries, the French will ‘trade-in’ the older Mirage fighters for the new-generation Rafales, which will be further improved with a more powerful Snecma M88 engine, having 20 percent higher thrust, a choice of new weapons, including the MBDA Meteor Beyond Visual Range missile and advanced avionics. One major improvement is the integration of Thales RBE2 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The new radar successfully completed a new series of tests on the Rafale. The first two RBE2s are to be delivered to Dassault Aviation next year for installation in Rafaele F3 by 2011. The first fighters operating the new radar will become operational in 2012. Rafale is also pursueing opportunities in Lybia, Brazil, and Inida.
Another improvement scheduled to field with Rafaele by 2012 is a new targeting pod. Thales is introducing a major upgrade for the Damocles targeting pod. The Damocles XF will be produced as form-fit version of the current pod, as well as an upgrade kit destined for the 100 pods currently operational and on order. The new version, referred to as ‘third generation’ is equipped with navigational FLIR and laser spot tracker in addition to the previous targeting FLIR, laser rangefinder and designator. The daylight channel has been improved with the addition of high resolution TV camera while the FLIR is added continuous zoom lens. More powerful image processing of the thermal channel delivers enhanced IR imagery, comparable to the video channel. Thales plans to have an XF version of the pod ready for test flights by 2012.
Typhoon is also fighting for more dominance despite lagging behind in current international bids. Unlike the Rafale, the Typhoon produced by the Eurofighter European multinational consortium has won significant orders from European air forces as well securing a sale of 72 aircraft to Saudi Arabia. The first two aircraft destined to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) were officially delivered early June. The delivery is part of a large weapons sale program signed between the U.K and Saudi governments in 2007. The aircraft were withdrawn from the U.K Tranch 2 production lots. Originally, the RAF expected to receive more modern Tranche 3 fighters instead of the Tranche 1 and 2 diverted to the Saudis but apparently budget cuts have taken their toll on the British appetite for Typhoons and, at present, the U.K. have not reinstated the full for Tranch 3 aircraft. Apparently London is delaying purchasing decisions to Tranche 3B phase, which has not been committed yet.
The Boeing Company is introducing its redesigned F-15 in the international arena, fitted with new avionics and advanced stealth features to challenge the latest fighters, including F-35. Boeing is discussing the potential co-development opportunities with a number of international aerospace companies, to help paving the Silent Eagle’s way to international customers. The redesigned multi-role strike fighter will be provided with aerodynamic improvements featuring stealth capabilities, as well as digital electronic warfare suite coupled to an Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for enhanced situational awareness. The company announced it will dedicate funding to further development of the F-15 Silent Eagle program, with the goal of a flight demonstration in the third quarter of 2010. “We know from talking with current international F-15 operators that they are very interested in the capabilities of the Silent Eagle,” said Jim Albaugh Boeing Integrated Defense Systems President and CEO. “Making this commitment to get the program through to a flight demonstration will ultimately help international customers understand how this aircraft meets their need for a flexible, long-range, large-payload, high-speed, multi-role strike fighter with reduced observability.”
The company also promotes the F/A-18E/F with new improvements on the way, including a more powerful engine and an infra-red search track (IRST) system developed by Lockheed Martin, to be placed on the centerline pod. While the position underneath the fuselage provides a clear view downwards, Navy aviators realize the IRST also provides ample coverage upwards, at least against targets of interest at long-range. Some of the early production E/F models could also be fitted with new AESA radar, designed by Raytheon especially for upgrading programs.
Raytheon is introducing a new AESA radar designated AN/APG-82, developed as a ‘spiral’ spin-off from the mechanically scanned AN/APG-63(V)3 and -4 models sofar used for upgraded and new F-15s. Unlike the previous model, AN/APG-82 will have full commonality with the AN/APH-79 radar used on the F/A-18E/F, thus offering significant advantages in production costs and logistical availability. The different models will differ mainly in the size of their antenna arrays, designed to fit the different radomes of the two aircraft. Raytheon has already won a USAF contract to install the new radar in 224 USAF F-15Es. The radar was also selected for integration in the new F-15SE Silent Eagle proposed by Boeing. In addition Raytheon is developing the Advanced Combat Radar (RACR) AESA radar currently, proposed as an upgraded or new built aircraft such as the F-16. RACR is uniquely optimized for the F-16 and could be installed with minimal modifications and changes to the aircraft. Raytheon is also eying about 135 early production F/A-18E/F aircraft currently fitted with mechanically scanning AN/APG-73 radars that cannot be fitted with the APG-79.
Northrop Grumman is also offering a new AESA based radar for the upgrading of existing aircraft. The technology of the new radar is ‘downscaled’ from the APG-81 radar, destined for the F-35. Northrop Grumman is hopeful the this radar as a subset of APG-81 technology, approved for export by the U.S. Government and available for export by 2011.
An optionally piloted configured Boeing OH-6 'Little Bird' helicopter was recently tested by the Marine Corps warfighting Lab. This helicopter is currently used by the Special Operations Command and is a likely candidate for the future Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. Photo: U.S. Navy
The U.S. Marine Corps is seeking new ways to support troops fighting in Afghanistan, and is exploring how unmanned vehicles could be utilized for this role. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory’s immediate cargo unmanned aircraft system project has drawn considerable attention from the industry, with offers received form at least four bidders.
An optionally piloted configured Boeing OH-6 'Little Bird' helicopter was recently tested by the Marine Corps warfighting Lab. This helicopter is currently used by the Special Operations Command and is a likely candidate for the future Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. Photo: U.S. Navy
The Marines require the autonomous vehicle demonstrator to deliver 10,000 lb. of cargo over a round-trip distance of 150 nautical miles within a 24 hour period, with a minimum lift of 2,500 lb. in 6 hours. Such vehicle should be able to hover out of ground effect at an altitude of 12,000-15,000-ft. above sea level and fly at altitudes of 18,000-20,000 ft. with full cargo load. The Marines are looking for a vehicle that can operate autonomously beyond line of sight, and be controlled remotely at the cargo delivery location.
Among the known bidders are Boeing, offering the long-endurance A160T Hummingbird lifting up to 2,500 lbs; Lockheed Martin offering and Kaman offering the unmanned version of the K-Max external-lift helicopter that can haul cargo loads up to 6,000 lbs; Canada’s MMIST, introducing an autogiro powered CQ-10A SnowGoose cargo UAV and Northrop Grumman offering the MQ-8B Fire Scout carrying about 400 and 600 lbs of payload respectively. A dedicated vehicle also developed for this role is the Israeli MULE, which will not be ready for the Marine Corps schedule.
Another version of an optionally piloted helicopter recently tested by the Marine Corps warfighting Lab is the Boeing OH-6 ‘Little Bird’. This helicopter is currently used by the Special Operations Command and is a likely candidate for the future Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter.
The Kaman / Lockheed Martin Optionally Piloted K-MAX performs at the 2009 Greater Binghamton Air Show on July 5, 2009. Photo: Mike Lynaugh
AAI Corporation is offering the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 Small UAV as its contender for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ joint Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS)/Tier II program. The expeditionary Mark 4.7 system participated in flight demonstrations on June 23-24 at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The new vehicle joins a family of Aerosonde SUAS which already includes the Mark 4.4 and Mark 5.0. Aerosonde 4.7 was introduced earlier this year in Australia.
According to the manufacturer, the new vehicle incorporates several additions in the aircraft design, ground control and system features designed with the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ mission requirements in mind. To support expeditionary deployment, the system uses an integrated launch and recovery system enabling fast, flexible ground and/or shipboard automated launch and recovery capability. The modular payload installation allows the rapid addition of new payloads and capabilities as they become available, enabling technology refresh with little to no aircraft or system modifications. For the ground control system the company is offering the Expeditionary Ground Control Station (EGCS), based on the 4586-compliant ‘One System’ design AAI developed for the U.S. Army. AAI comments that this architecture will support interoperability between the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 and other One System platforms, including the Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) already used by the Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
In May 2009 AAI demonstrated a simultaneous mission comprising three UAVs small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) at the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range. The company launched the Aerosonde Mark 4-series aircraft that completed a fully autonomous flight from takeoff to landing, operating at 4,500 feet using an electro-optic (EO) payload. At the same time, two Orbiter electric-powered mini-UAVs were operating with the Aerosonde aircraft. One Orbiter flew at 1,500 feet utilizing an EO payload, while another Orbiter aircraft flew at 1,000 feet with an infrared payload. Real-time video was relayed directly to users on the ground AAI’s One System Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT). This demonstration with Flint Hills Solutions LLC took place in conjunction with the 2009 Kansas Unmanned Systems Symposium.
Aerosonde 4.7 Demonstrates Operations At Sea
The Aerosonde Mark 4.7 small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) has completed a week flight operations aboard the M-80 Stiletto, a maritime demonstration test bed. The successful test involved multiple launches and recoveries aboard the vessel. The Stiletto shipboard trials involved testing Aerosonde integrated launch and recovery system, proposed by Textron Systems/AAI for the Navy/Marine Corps STUAS program.
The shipboard Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS includes the integrated launch and recovery system; the Mark 4.7 aircraft with enhanced, leading-edge wings; on-the-move navigation; automatic takeoff and landing capability; and shipboard integration to the command and control center. The integrated, one-piece launch and recovery system easily fits aboard small ships without necessitating shipboard alterations.
“Our Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS delivers powerful benefits for the maritime services including long endurance and unmatched multiple-payload flexibility with superior video and communication relay capabilities,” says AAI Division Vice President, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Stephen Flach. “In addition, its single-piece launch and recovery system enables the aircraft to execute missions from even the smallest ships.”
The conduct of the new campaign in the south of Afghanistan follows new tactical guidance, recently published by ISAF and U.S. Forces commander in Afghanistan, Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, in re-emphasizing coalition forces serving in Afghanistan with the importance of preventing civilian casualties. These directives were published after a series of attacks caused significant casualties among non-combatant Afghans, causing civilians rage against Coalition forces. The new directives and operations are aiming to turn the tide, ‘win the hearts and minds’ of Afghan civilians and convince them that ISAF and the foreign forces are there to help, if only they are given a fair chance to do that.
“Working together with our Afghan partners, we can overcome the enemy’s influence and give the Afghan people what they deserve: a country at peace for the first time in three decades, foundations of good governance and economic development,” General McChrystal said.
The new directive takes the new strategy for Afghanistan as its base, recognizing that ISAF and Afghan forces may win tactical victories against the Taliban, but lose the war. The new approach will change the rules of engagement for close-air support. Afghan houses and properties will be searched by local security forces, rather than coalition troops, expected to be more attentive to Afghan cultural and religious sensitivities. “No ISAF forces will enter or fire upon, or fire into a mosque or any religious or historical site, except in self-defense,” McChrystal wrote in the directive. “All searches and entries for any other reason will now be conducted by the Afghan National Security Forces.”
Taliban fighters commonly engage coalition forces from positions that expose Afghan civilians to counterfire from coalition forces. The Taliban cite such incidents to lead people to believe that a NATO-led force does not care for Afghan civilians. McChrystal’s tactical directive emphasizes ISAF mission to protect the people from the insurgents. “Like any insurgency, there is a struggle for the support and will of the population,” he wrote. “Gaining and maintaining that support must be our overriding operational imperative – and the ultimate objective of every action we take.” While the new directive is general, and does not prevent commanders from protecting the lives of their troops engaged in direct combat, Gen. McChrystal expects commanders at all levels to understand the directive and abide by it when planning and conducting operations. “Following this intent requires a cultural shift within our forces – and complete understanding at every level,” he wrote.
Specifically, the directive calls on commanders “to scrutinize and limit the use of force, like close air support against residential compounds and other locations likely to affect civilian casualties.” Bombing residential compounds will be allowed only under very limited conditions, the directive says. For example, if a coalition force comes in contact with Taliban fighters and the enemy takes cover in a residential compound, the NATO force can break contact and wait out the enemy rather than calling in close-air support.
British Army (Ret.) Colonel Richard Kemp talks about the difficulties of fighting irregular warfare in civilian populated area, as reflected in the Israeli campaign in Gaza, 2009;
A Guardsman screams information back as the men of 7 Platoon go through a compound assault. During Operation Panchai Palang 2 , the men of 2 Company 1 Battalion Welsh Guards (2 Coy 1WG), occupy a compound overlooking Checkpoint Yellow 7, a volatile bridge crossing which had been denied to the insurgents by the introduction of obstacles and men. Photo: Cpl Dan Bardsley RLC / MOD
In the latest phase of operation Panchai Palang (Panthers Claw), units of soldiers from the Welsh Guards Battle Group, Light Dragoons Battle Group and 3 SCOTS Battle Group (The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland) have seized key canal crossing points along the Helmand river irrigation canal and other areas. The soldiers are moving mostly on foot, assisted by Land Rovers, Jackals, Scorpion reconnaissance vehicles, Mastiff armored vehicles which provide fire and logistical support, evacuation and protection when needed. IEDs are the most dangerous threat in the area, during first week, the British lost five soldiers but by the second week of the operation British casualties mounted to 15. The UK operation, with Danish, Estonian and US forces integral to the Task Force, working alongside many other nations in support, is taking place in a heavily-populated area, between Gereshk, the economic hub of Helmand and Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital.
A Guardsman screams information back as the men of 7 Platoon go through a compound assault. During Operation Panchai Palang 2 , the men of 2 Company 1 Battalion Welsh Guards (2 Coy 1WG), occupy a compound overlooking Checkpoint Yellow 7, a volatile bridge crossing which had been denied to the insurgents by the introduction of obstacles and men. Photo: Cpl Dan Bardsley RLC / MOD
Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, spokesman for Task Force Helmand, said the current campaign is a strategically important operation complementing the US-led Operation Khanjar. “It has several phases, some of which are already completed, others are still to follow. We have made significant progress so far. Having already secured the crossings along two major waterways to the north of Lashkar Gah, we recovered a large number of IEDs, fought back the enemy in several locations and cleared villages along the way.” Col. Richardson said. By improving security and allowing freedom of movement, the operation will also allow reconstruction and development, to take place straight after military operations are complete.
The first phase of the operation began over two weeks ago with some 350 soldiers from 3 SCOTS BG, transported by helicopters to seize key points along the Nahr-e-Burgha canal, some 16km (10 miles) north of Lashkar Gah. The Scottish unit secured three crossing points along the waterway to form a significant barrier to movement for the insurgent forces. Once these points were secured, units from the Afghan National Army, and the Afghan National Police reinforced the Scot’s positions and expanded the the secured area around them, building a new checkpoint position along the main road, to limit insurgent’s freedom of movement in the area.
Sappers strengthen defences around the bridge at Checkpoint Yellow 7, on the Shamalan Canal. Photo: Cpl Dan Bardsley RLC / MODAn armored Viking such as the vehicles seen in this convoy was struck by an IED, killing the commander of the Welsh Guards and a trooper.
In the second phase, the Welsh Guards, supported by Afghan troops began moving up the Shamalan canal, seizing 13 canal crossing points as part of the second phase of the operation. Nearer Gereshk, the unit was assisted by Danish forces in capturing further crossings to cover the Welsh Guards’ advance. The Taliban engaged the advancing British troops from nearby compounds with small arms fire and IEDs. In several locations the units encountered enemy opposition, some of it from close quarters, with fire-fights lasting several hours. The Brits responded with guns, light-and heavy machine guns, grenades, shoulder-launched missiles and Javelin missiles, mortars, artillery and air assets, by Apache, Harrier and Tornados. British and US bomb disposal experts removed almost 100 IEDs since the operation began. But some went off undetected causing casualties to the troops.
The third phase began July 3rd, with about 750 troops from the Light Dragoons Battle Group, companies from 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (2 MERCIAN), and Afghan army units sweeping through the area in vehicles and on foot. North of here IED teams from Task Force Helmand recovered in excess of 50 IEDs laid in the area of the Nahr-e-Burgha canal – evidence of the threat that still exists there.
After 10 days in operation Panchai Palang, British forces have suffered significant casualties, compared to losses officially published by other forces. In this period Afghanistan claimed 15 British military lives, mostly around Lashkar Gah, in Helmand, putting the number of dead in that conflict at 184, the Defense Ministry said. The British military has lost 179 soldiers in Iraq. For comparison, in the first 10 days of operation Khanjar, taking place south of the British sector, U.S. Marines suffered four casualties in the Helmand province. Elsewhere in Afghanistan American forces suffered 12 additional deaths in combat operations, mostly from IEDs and attacks on outposts in the east.
Part V: British Troops Seize Control of Helmands’ Lifeline the Shamalan Irrigation Canal
During a co-ordinated attack from all sides of Checkpoint Yellow 7, which saw accurate enemy fire coming from within fifty meters, together with indirect fire hitting various points around them, troops pinned down by fire which bounces off the walls around them tend to an injured soldier and evacuate him. Photo: Cpl Dan Bardsley RLC / MOD.
Facing continued pressure on supply routes to Afghanistan, the U.S. Army is vehicles relying on aerial delivery of more than 300 Stryker destined for the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team deploying this summer from its home base in Ft. Lewis Washington state. The vehicles and equipment are being taken by ship for the majority of the trip around the world, and then Air Force assets take over to fly the last portion of the journey into land-locked Afghanistan. U.S. Air Mobility Command officials plan to move the 300-plus vehicles and support equipment, totaling nearly 9,500 tons, into Afghanistan over the next two months on C-17 Globemaster IIIs flown by military crews, an AN-124s, operated by commercial partners. All efforts for the move are being closely coordinated by officials from the U.S. Transportation Command, headquartered at Scott Air Force Base. The 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center staff, also at Scott AFB, is responsible for planning and executing the airlift missions.
Dutch Army Sergeant Major Jan, 2nd Platoon, E-company, Battle Group-7, Task Force Uruzgan, talks to an Afghan village elder about the needs of his community. Jan also discussed the importance of Afghan people getting involved with local government to improve quality of life issues. The platoon was on a 3-day International Security Assistance Force mission conducting foot patrols through villages to meet the Afghan people. Photo: ISAF - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Collins, U.S. Navy.
Can ISAF forces really ‘win the hearts and minds of the Afghans’? The Dutch contingent controlling parts of Uruzgan in central Afghanistan are demonstrating how such a task can be achieved. While southern Afghanistan insurgency rises to new heights, in Uruzgan the number of attacks has been decreasing steadily in recent years, while Taliban controlled areas are shrinking. The Dutch forces claim credit for this progress, the result of close cooperation and trust building process with the local populations. Early in their deployment, the Dutch decided to position their forces in the towns and villages where the majority of Uruzgan’s population lives. This strategy has deliberately left the high desert area and remote villages for the Taliban.
Dutch Army Sergeant Major Jan, 2nd Platoon, E-company, Battle Group-7, Task Force Uruzgan, talks to an Afghan village elder about the needs of his community. Jan also discussed the importance of Afghan people getting involved with local government to improve quality of life issues. The platoon was on a 3-day International Security Assistance Force mission conducting foot patrols through villages to meet the Afghan people. Photo: ISAF - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Collins, U.S. Navy.
By contrast the British forces in neighboring Helmand decided to spread across less populated areas where they are occupied mostly with self defense and less capable to interact and support the population. The Dutch were less obsessed with finding the Taliban. While isolating them from stronger support bases in the villages and towns the Taliban could roam the high desert and isolated villages uncontested, using the area as a rest area and staging ground to hit British forces in neighboring Helmand, leaving the Dutch forces safe in their area. The casualties suffered by the two forces are striking – With the British forces taking 160, compared with 18 Dutch casualties. The Dutch military claims its containment strategy is working – while the British were struggling to hold their ground, the area under Dutch control is growing and the Dutch commander, General Tom Middendorp says he is not handing territory to his enemy. Claiming the Taliban’s is pushed back to the higher and rougher terrain.
“In the beginning, two years ago they covered the whole province. Now they cover only the more outer parts. There they have less chance of surviving.” Said Middendorp “you have to make choices, you can’t cover anywhere. You have to start on the key areas, and the key areas are the populated areas.” The General expects the Afghan army and the police to gradually take over control, and improve security and quality of life.
While the Dutch strategy is apparently working, terrain, and Afghan internal aspects are also working in their favor. The mountainous area of Uruzgan enables the Ducch military to effectively dominate the few roads in the area, limiting enemy movement between the major population centers. Furthermore, the area’s population is divided between valley and mountain tribes which are also divided among them, leaving Taliban no clear dominance among the mountain tribes. But most important, the area is considered less strategic to the Taliban, since opium farming is not as dominant here as in Helmand, and Kandahar.
Nevertheless, the Dutch forces can take the credit for keeping their area quiet and under control. However, the Dutch success may be short lived since Dutch politicians want their forces to pull out in 2010, and when they go away, Taliban will definitely return. In fact, they never went away, they were out of reach.
The Afghans have made their choice and ISAF won’t like it – many would prefer to be ruled by the Moslem Taliban rather than to be caught in the crossfire between foreign troops, Taliban and the Afghan security forces. Whether the new American counterinsurgency doctrine that puts protecting civilians above killing Taliban convince the Afghan population to switch sides remain unanswered. They need time and patience to be convinced, and time, we know, is a rare commodity in western politics.
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The new directive takes the new strategy for Afghanistan as its base, recognizing that ISAF and Afghan forces may win tactical victories against the Taliban, but lose the war. The new approach will change the rules of engagement for close-air support. Afghan houses and properties will be searched by local security forces, rather than coalition troops, expected to be more attentive to Afghan cultural and religious sensitivities. “No ISAF forces will enter or fire upon, or fire into a mosque or any religious or historical site, except in self-defense,” McChrystal wrote in the directive. “All searches and entries for any other reason will now be conducted by the Afghan National Security Forces.”
