Raytheon is developing a new laser-assisted sensor system to demonstrate the detection and location buried land mines and tunnels. The system developed under a $19 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), will utilize a laser radar vibration sensor, (also known as LADAR vibrometer) to detect underground targets by measuring the reverberation of the ground-surface in response to artificial stimulus (vibration), measuring the anomalies created by underground objects or activity.
The integration of different sensors (Laser Vibrometer, acoustic and seismic) into a single system will provide to stand-off detection capability, with improved probability of detection while reducing false alarm rate. The LADAR vibrometer will provide the broad area sensor, capable of scanning a large area employing multiple parallel channels yielding 600 simultaneous pixels of data. This data will be enhanced and processed with acoustic and seismic data, constantly compensating for vehicle, and ambient noise created by structural and acoustic sources.
The system will employ Raytheon’s most advanced Morphable Networked Micro-architecture (MONARCH) processor, the world’s first computer whose architecture can adopt different forms depending on the application. The MONARCH is designed to flexibly allocate computing power to simultaneously process multiple, massive data streams, and efficiently handling large volume of data throughput by power efficient architecture, typical for mobile applications.
Under a different program, DARPA will study an airborne surveillance system designed to detect underground targets by spoting gravity-based effects from tunnels and underground facilities from the air. DARPA’s Gravity Anomaly for Tunnel Exposure (GATE) program will demonstrate the capability to map tunnel networks generated by aerial surveillance of gravity anomalies measured by ‘gravity gradiometer’ to detect, classify and characterize subterranean threats. The sensor will be designed to detect underground voides typical of tunnels, bunkers and caches, which can be traced by their characteristic gravity effects. The sensor will be designed to measure minute spatial variations in the pull of gravity caused by the voids. Installed on a low-flying aircraft or UAV, the GATE sensor will try to detect those variations and process the signals on-board, in near real-time, to discriminate the positive signal from the variable natural and man-made topography and geology.
Panthers are Underway to Support British Troops in Afghanistan. MoD Crown Copyright
The first batch of Panther Command and Liaison Vehicles has been delivered to British troops in Afghanistan. The vehicles will be first used by both the RAF Regiment and the Army’s Close Support Logistics Regiment. More vehicles are en route to theatre later this month for deployment on the front line.
Panthers are Underway to Support British Troops in Afghanistan. MoD Crown Copyright
Outfitted for operation in this harsh combat zone, the Panther weighs over seven tons, equipped with integrated armor, remote-controlled weapon station. The first Panthers that were delivered to 1 Mechanized Brigade for training in the summer of 2008, has undergone design adjustments following a series of hot weather trials to make them ready for operations in Afghanistan. As part of the recent modifications, over 60 vehicles were processed by BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Newcastle’s plant fitted with augmented protection for the engine, installed with a fourth seat was added and rear-view camera was installed to improve situational awareness. Vehicles destined for Afghan theater are also fitted with suitable IED jammers.
More than 400 Panthers are being assembled by BAE Systems under a £160m contract. It is intended that the Panther will replace vehicles including Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (Tracked), Fighting Vehicle 430, Saxon, and Land Rover Truck Utility Medium. Panther is air-transportable and can be underslung beneath a Chinook helicopter. It is armed with a 7.62 mm L7 general purpose machine gun-equipped remote weapon station, which can be upgraded to a 12.7mm weapon if required, and an appropriate day/night sighting system. The armored citadel provides crew protection from small arms fire and blast mines. The Panther is protected against a range of threats including small arms and blast and anti-personnel mines.
The Panther MLV is based on the Light Multi-Role Vehicle (LMV) builtin Italy by Iveco. The vehicle is in service with the Italian Army as well asa number of NATO military forces.
The Royal Jordanian Army is upgrading 300 M113A1 Armored Personnel Carriers. The U.S. Army awarded BAE Systems a $43.3 million contract to deliver complete kits to be assembled in Jordan. The company will deliver 300 modification kits comprising an uprated engine, transmission, cooling systems, electrical system and suspension, upgrading the vehicles into M113A2Mk1 configuration. “The M113 is one of the most enduring and battle-tested military vehicles in the world,” said Joe McCarthy, vice president, Heavy Brigade Combat Team Programs at BAE Systems. “The technical upgrades we will provide to the Jordan Armed Forces will ensure that these personnel carriers will continue to serve their mission for years to come.”
Singapore Navy Landing Ship Tank RSS Persistence. Photo: Singapore MOD
“The piracy situation in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia is a clear illustration of how insecurity in one part of the world has global ramifications” said Teo Chee Hean, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.
“It demonstrates again that contemporary security challenges can no longer be solved by a single country or a small exclusive group of countries acting on its own.” He added
Singapore Navy Landing Ship Tank RSS Persistence. Photo: Singapore MOD
According to Mr. Teo Chee Hean, cooperative approach was effectively demonstrated in improving the security in the Malacca Straits, by conducting regular maritime patrols sharing elements from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. “The Malacca Straits Patrols have contributed substantially to bringing piracy levels down in regional waterways, through collaborative deterrence, information-sharing and sense-making, as well as coordinated responses at sea. Such operational groupings help to translate policy dialogue into ground action.”
“While naval action to deter and disrupt the pirates is critical to restoring immediate order and confidence in this important maritime artery, the situation in the Gulf of Aden is much more complex. Issues such as the prosecution of pirates under capture and coordination of naval resources continue to limit the effectiveness of these efforts. This means that a flexible and inclusive approach towards the Gulf of Aden situation is needed until a more lasting solution can be found on shore.” The minister added. In his opening speech at the IMDEX exhibition in Singapore the minister stressed the need to eliminate this disruption to the security of the Sea Lines of Communication by cooperative international response. There are various naval groupings led Combined Task Force or CTF 151 operating off Somalia, from the European Union, NATO and the US, assisted by ships from various navies operating independently. Singapore has sent a Landing Ship Tank (LST), the RSS Persistence, with two Super Puma helicopters embarked, to be deployed under CTF 151 for three months.
The acquisition of six additional Swedish Gripen fighters by the Royal Thai Air Force has fell victim to the economic turmoil in Thailand. The Thai government decided to slash half a billion $US (20 billion Baht) off the current national defense budget, and most of the amount is expected to be saved by the elimination of about 15 billion baht, slated for the acquisition of the six additional Gripens.
Thailand has already acquired six Gripen fighter jets at a cost of 19 billion baht, to be delivered in 2010, replacing aging F-5 fighters scheduled to be decommissioned in 2011. While the decision is not likely to have a critical effect on the air force operations in the near term, since the Gripens has yet to entered operational service, it will have implications of the life cycle cost of the small fleet. The Thais will find that supporting such a small fleet will be extremely expensive and the operational benefit of only six aircraft will be questionable. Therefore, they are likely to revisit their decision in the future, as the economical and political conditions in the country improve.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is back at IMDEX with a growing focus on the Asian market. The company is displaying here a range of naval systems, including UAVs, radars, stabilized optronic payloads, laser-homing attack missiles and naval and air defense systems.
The company is promoting the Barak- 8 naval air defense missile, developed by the company’s MBT Missiles Division. The missile has already been selected for integration into Indian Navy surface vessels and most likely to be included as part of the Israel Navy future surface fleet, when a decision on the type and mission is made. Propelled by a dual-pulse rocket motor, Barak-8 has a range of 70 km. The main component of the rocket is the booster-sustainer, providing thrust for the cruise phase while the second phase kicks in at the end game, providing sufficient energy for maneuverability and speed. Like its predecessor Barak-1, the new missile comes in batches of eight, whci can be grouped on a single location or distributed on deck to match the ship’s configuration. MBT is also showing a maritime application of its LAHAT laser guided missile, which can be employed either from fast attack boats or lightweight aerial platforms.
IAI Radar specialist Elta Systems is also showing the Multi-function Surveillance Track and Guidance Radar (MF-STAR) EL/M 2248 associated with Barak-8, as well as the Advanced Lightweight Phased Array Naval Radar (ALPHA) EL/M 2258. Both radars are solid-state active phased array multi-beam and pulse-Doppler radar, developed for the new generation of military ships. The two systems are adapted for different applications – larger and smaller vessels and upgraded platforms. Both are delivering a high quality situation picture under high density targets/environmental conditions.
The spending of Asian countries on naval procurement is expected to top $60 billion over the next five years, over what the whole NATO alliance (excluding the USA) is expected to invest in naval buildup. The biggest spenders in the region are expected to be China, Japan and South Korea, followed by India, Australia and Singapore. Closing the list are Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, expected to formulate new procurement plans in the next decade.
Beyond missile carrying frigates and diesel electric powered submarines, landing Amphibious Landing Ships capable of operating helicopters and vertical take-off and landing aircraft are becoming a hot procurement issue among several regional Navies, among them Japan and Australia. “Defense spending in Asia has proven stable over the last year and is expected to remain so. Looking at the global market, we’ve not seen the same cutbacks that are unfolding in Europe” said Bob Nugent, vice-president of US-based naval consultancy AMI International. “In our view, this reflects greater macroeconomic stability and relatively less exposure to systemic and credit risk in most Asian economies as well as a recognition of how vital effective sea power is to national security and prosperity.” He added.
Beyond the national security and maritime security, major Asian Navies are gearing to operate far beyond their coastlines, protect offshore oil rigs and platforms as the search for more energy sources expands.
Above: Analysis of new construction at the nuclear research and production center near Khushab, Pakistan. Satellite Images: Courtesy of Imagesat International
Construction of a new plutonium producing reactor in the Pakistani nuclear research and production center is in pogress, despite the conflict with the Taliban that errupted about 250 kilometers northeast of this location.
The satellite images, obtained by Defense Update from the Israeli Eros B satellite, show significant progress in the construction site of the second plutonium producing reactor built at the Pakistani nuclear facility south of Khushab.
This 50 megawatt heavy water reactor is a central element of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program, producing plutonium and tritium for use in the production of compact warheads for tactical nuclear weapons. The Khushab facility is not being monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The construction of the first plutonium producing reactor in Khushab was launched in the mid 1980s with Chinese assistance It was commissioned 1996 and has ‘gone critical’ by early 1998. To fuel the reactor, a heavy water facility was constructed nearby. The site is defended by a belt of anti-aircraft weapons, clearly seen in the aerial images below. This reactor and its adjacent heavy water facility are very similar to the Iranian nuclear facility being built at Arak, which was reviewd by Defense Update in February 2009. A second reactor has been under construction since the early 2000s, and is currently nearing completion.
Images above and below: Digital Globe image, processed from Google Earth
Boeing's Phantom Ray unmanned airborne system sits atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft prior to takeoff Dec. 13 at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. Photo: RON BOOKOUT/BOEING
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is reviving the X-45 unmanned aerial system to be used for testing and demonstration of advanced unmanned air system technologies, under a company funded research program code-named ‘Phantom Ray’. First flight of the Phantom Ray is expected in early 2011, following an air transfer abroad the Boieng 747 that normally transfers the space shuttle. The Boeing Phantom Works organization is employing rapid-prototyping techniques that facilitate the speed and agility needed to meet the 2010 flight schedule. Lab testing for the Phantom Ray air vehicle were performed last year, followed by ground testing done as St. Louis. All the Phantom Ray demonstration tests are scheduled to complete before the beginning of carrier suitability tests of a parralel Navy program – the X-47B developed by Northrop Grumman’s. Under the Phantom Ray technology demonstration program the unmanned aircraft will conduct 10 flights over a period of approximately six months, supporting missions that may include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, suppression of enemy air defenses, electronic attack, hunter/killer, and autonomous aerial refueling.
NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a modified Boeing 747, carries Boeing's Phantom Ray during a test flight on Dec. 13 in St. Louis. Photo: NASA
Boeing has unveiled the new, fighter-sized 50 foot span experimental unmanned Phantom Ray – a test bed for advanced Unmanned Combat Aerial System (UCAS) technologies. Phantom Ray is designed to support potential missions that may include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defenses; electronic attack; strike; and autonomous aerial refueling. According to Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works the Phantom ray is progressing on schedule and the aircraft is expected to begin taxi tests in the summer of 2010 and perform its maiden flight toward the year’s end, about two years after Boeing launched the program. Davis said the first flight in December will be followed by up to nine additional flights over approximately six months.
“Phantom Ray represents a series of significant changes we’re making within Boeing Defense, Space & Security,” said Darryl Davis, president of Phantom Works. “For the first time in a long time, we are spending our own money on designing, building and flying near-operational prototypes. We’re spending that money to leverage the decades of experience we have in unmanned systems that span the gamut from sea to space.”
Boeing's Phantom Ray unmanned airborne system sits atop a NASA Shuttle Carrier Aircraft prior to takeoff Dec. 13 at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. Photo: RON BOOKOUT/BOEING
Key Phantom Ray suppliers include General Electric-Aviation (propulsion and power distribution), Honeywell (brake system), Woodward-HRT (flight control actuation system), Crane Hydro-Aire (brake controls) and Heroux-Devtek (landing gear). “We’re really excited about this because Phantom Works is back as a rapid prototyping house, operation and organization,” said Craig Brown, Boeing Phantom Ray program manager. “This is the first of what I expect to be many exciting prototypes, and they’re all with exciting technology.”
Phantom Ray General Characteristics:
Length: 36 ft (10.9 m)
Wingspan: 50 ft (15.2 m)
Gross Weight: 36,500 lbs (16,556 kg)
Operating Altitude: 40,000 ft (12,192 m)
Cruise Mach: 0.8 (614 mph-988 km/h)
Engine: F404-GE-102D
“What is particularly exciting about Phantom Ray is that we will incorporate the latest technologies into the superb X-45C airframe design,” said Dave Koopersmith, vice president of Boeing Advanced Military Aircraft, a division of Phantom Works. “As we gradually expand the vehicle’s flight envelope, potential users will have access to a full range of unique capabilities that only this type of autonomous platform can provide.”
The original X-45C Unmanned Combat Aerial System (UCAS) developed by Boeing with funding from DARPA was competing with Northrop Grumman for the Joint UCAS program. Phantom Ray will pick up where the UCAS program left off in 2006 by further demonstrating Boeing’s unmanned systems development capabilities in a fighter-sized, state-of-the-art aerospace system. The Boeing UCAS program began with the X-45A, which successfully flew 64 times from 2002 to 2005. Those flights included a demonstration exercise with two X-45A aircraft that marked the first unmanned, autonomous multi vehicle flight under the control of a single pilot. Boeing also designed a larger UCAS aircraft, the X-45C, which will serve as the basis for the Phantom Ray demonstrator.
Picture above: Mark Witsken, a Boeing X-45A test pilot, simulates a test flight from a station console at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Witsken was the pilot on the programs graduation combat demonstration flight August 10, 2005.
Below: Boeing developed a larger unmanned combat aircraft designated X-45C, for the DARPA J-UCAS Program. All Photos on this page by Boeing
The introduction of unmanned combat aircraft with air force, and naval service, particularly on board aircraft carriers will open revolutionary new capabilities for military aviation and naval aviation capability in particular. Scott Winship, Northrop Grumman vice president and Navy UCAS-D program manager defines the new capability as ‘sea change in military aviation’. Captain Martin Deppe, the U.S. Navy Unmanned Combat Aircraft System Program Manager explains the Navy’s vision “We look forward to a time when we can introduce a new long range, persistent, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) — strike capability to the carrier decks of tomorrow.”
The first Unmanned Combat Air Systems (UCAS) developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy was unveiled December 16, 2008 at the company’s manufacturing plant at Palmdale, California. The new aircraft, designated the X-47B is the first of two aircraft Northrop Grumman will produce for the Navy to demonstrate unmanned combat aircraft operations from the deck of an aircraft carrier. The Navy awarded the demonstration contract to Northrop Grumman in 2007 and aircraft assembly was completed in just over a year.
Following the roll out, the UCAS will undergo subsystem and structural testing through 2009, leading to the first flight scheduled in fall 2009. Carrier suitability tests and demonstration will be carried out during the sea trials planned to begin in late 2011.
The X-47B UCAS is produced by Northrop Grumman and industry teammates including Dell, Eaton Aerospace, GE Aviation, GKN Aerospace, Goodrich, Hamilton Sundstrand, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Moog, Parker Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Rockwell Collins and Wind River.
The largest military parade in 20 years took place in Moscow May 9, 2009. Over 100 military vehicles, 70 aircraft and 8000 soldiers paraded in Moscow commemorating V Day, the victory over Nazi Germany, May 9, 1945.
The military hardware demonstration begins on the min. 39 of the video below, visible are BTR-80 wheeled APCs, BMP-3, T-90 tanks, 2S25 Sprut-SD (125mm) amphibious tank destroyers and 2S19 Msta-S 152mm self propelled howitzers and 300mm Smerch self propelled multiple rocket launchers.
The air defense segment begins on Min. 41 with SA-17 BUK-M, S-400 mobile anti-aircraft missile carriers. Among the ballistic missiles on parade, SS-26 Iskander-M and SS-24 Topol ICBMs are visible on min. 42:30′. The land systems display was concluded by an aerial flypast of helicopters, including flag carrying Mi-8/17, four Ka-50 Aligator (min. 45) escorting a Mi-26 heavy transport helicopter, Mi-35, and three Mi-28 helicopter gunships, recently added to the military (min. 45).
The air force segment was opened by a five-ship formation of Su-25 (min. 46), Antonov An-124 escorted by four Su-27 (min. 47), an Il-78 AWACS also escorted by Su-27s. The aerial display continued with demonstration of aerial refueling of two Su-24s from an Il-76 (min. 48) followed by a Tu-95 led by an Il-76 tanker, escorted by four MiG-29s. They were followed and Tu-160 bomber, escorted by four MiG-31s and a three aircraft formation of white painted Tu-22 (min. 49). A combined arrowhead formation comprised four six Su-27 and two MiG-29 fighters.
The misguided policy of restraint against the ever growing threat from pirates, roaming the high seas off the Somali coastline is becoming dangerously close to total surrender. There is little doubt left, that Islamic terror leaders will sooner or later exploit this signal of weakness and start substantial maritime terror all over the Globe, eventually bringing strategic shipping lanes to virtual standstill and with it, disaster to western economy.
Somali pirate activity off the Gulf of Aden and east coast of Somalia has soared into over a hundred pirate attacks lately. With it the cost of plying the treacherous route through the Gulf of Aden, which links the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, has risen to impossible proportions. Beyond the potential need to come up with ransom payments, insurance premiums have already increased tenfold and will no doubt continue this trend, if determined action will stop this disastrous activity.
Temptations to take the longer route also have diminished as pirates extend their range. In response to international naval forces patrolling the Gulf of Aden, the pirates are already targeting ships up to 600 miles from shore farther south, intercepting several vessels between Kenya and the Seychelles.
Sofar counter action against the pirates has been, hesitatingly slow and ineffective, to say the least. Although scores of naval surface vessels from several states have been deployed in the area, their contribution to engage the pirates was virtually noncommittal. The pirates seem to ignore their presence and continue to rule the waves in their highly lucrative trade.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, claimed recently that 16 countries have deployed naval ships to the region, but they cannot patrol “1.1 million square miles” with complete effectiveness. However independent naval experts believe otherwise. “With all that complicated satellite technology modern navies have these days it should be possible to track pirate mother ships.”
The USNS Lewis and Clark ancors at an East African port.Spotting pirate locations on the coastline is not difficult. This series of satellite images, provided by Imagesat Internationalprocessed with change detection clearly demonstrate extensive growth of coastal villages, with infrastructure typical of Pirate activity.
An example to this sordid state of affairs was clearly demonstrated only last Tuesday, May 5, when a US Navy Military Sealift Command ship, the Norfolk-based USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE-1), was approached by a pirate attack off the Somali coast. According to the official US Navy report: “Once shipboard lookouts spotted the two suspected pirate skiffs, the Lewis and Clark conducted evasive maneuvers and increased speed to elude the pirates.” The Navy also reports the ship’s embarked security team used a ‘long range acoustical device (LRAD)’ to issue verbal warnings to the approaching skiffs. The Navy says the suspected pirates then fired small arms weapons from approximately two nautical miles toward the Lewis and Clark, which fell one nautical mile short of the ship’s stern. There was no mention that the Americans returned the fire!
What was most surprising, is the official directive issued by the US Navy: “The actions taken by Lewis and Clark were exactly what the U.S. Navy has been recommending to prevent piracy attacks – for both commercial and military vessels,” said Capt. Steve Kelley, Commander, Task Force 53, to which Lewis and Clark is operationally assigned. “Merchant mariners can and should use Lewis and Clark’s actions as an unequivocal example of how to prevent a successful attack from occurring.” If this is the official directive, than one can expect much more deadly encounters with the pirates, which will cost lives!
However, there are also different views on this sensitive issue. Gen. David Petraeus, chief of U.S. Central Command, said only last month that the maritime shipping industry must do more on its own to stop pirates. “There are a number of actions that need to be taken,” Petraeus said. Among them, it is important the maritime shipping industries get more serious about this problem.” “They are going to have to take a very hard look at not just taking additional defensive preparations in terms of simple things, like concertina wire, Israeli cargo ships use, to make it harder to climb over the side, or again over a railing. But Petraeus is also looking at the employment of armed guards or security forces on merchant ships. We already put them on many of the ships that have our equipment on them, the General said. Well, who is right here, the Navy or the Army?
Dinghies tied to a French sail boat attacked by pirates off the Somali coastA satellite view provided by Imagesat International spotted a pirate mothership off the Somali coast remotely controls hijacked vessels.
And there are indeed others who have already taken decisive action. France is at the forefront of multinational efforts to protect the Gulf of Aden, a strategic shipping zone, and the north of the Indian Ocean, operating there since last December. In April, French Navy commandos stormed a French sailboat held by pirates off the Somali coast in an assault triggered by threats that the passengers would be executed. It was the third time the French have freed hostages from the hands of pirates “Negotiations were leading nowhere, and the boat was approaching the coast, the official report said.” Under clear orders, from President Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s policy is to refuse to allow French citizens to be taken ashore as hostages.
The Germans seem to adopt the French attitude to counter piracy as well. Last April the German-Italian cruise ship “Melody” carrying 1,500 people on board fended off a pirate attack far off the coast of Somalia. The pirates attacked the Melody and opened fire under cover of darkness, but retreated hastily, when an Israeli armed security detail, aboard the cruise ship returned accurate automatic fire and chased them off immediately!
Unfortunately, the piracy-plagued shipping industry is still resisting calls to deploy armed guards on cargo ships, fearing it will not stop pirate attacks and could make shipping lanes off Somalia’s coast even more dangerous. They emphasize the disastrous explosive hazard effect that a fire exchange defending a supertanker could cause. The argument is also raised, that seamen would be unable to actually use weapons proficiently, without special training, for which they are not qualified by their non military trade. That may perhaps currently, be the logical case, but there are sufficient highly trained naval commando forces available in many western navies and if counter piracy will declared a top national priority, their deployment will become imperative to stop this harassing quandary once and for all. Moreover, if seamen will continue to be confronted by the deadly threat from pirates, it is only natural that they will wish to defend themselves adequately.
It takes of course, expert practice, shooting from a rolling, pitching, yawing, surging, swaying, heaving platform to target a small speedboat on the high seas. Indeed, shooting small arms from a ship at sea and score a hit, is more of an accomplished “Art Form” than it is a practiced skill. One has to be “in tune” with the harmonic motion of the vessel, to be able to put small arms slugs accurately inside the target’s body at 100 meters, in daylight or darkness of night. Using modern targeting equipment, like monocular scopes that can vision heat and draw a bead on target will certainly help, but it still requires considerable training and skill. US Navy SEALs, UK Royal Marine Commando and the French, not to mention the Israeli elite Naval Commando are absolutely expert at this sort of warfare and only await the right order to go into action.
Australia has committed to buy eight Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft as part of an investment of $A5 billion. These aircraft will maintain the capability currently provided by the AP-3C Orion aircraft, when that aircraft is retired in 2018 after 30 years of RAAF service.
P-8A Poseidon image: Boeing
Until then, the Australian Defence will cooperate with the U.S. Navy to develop upgrades to the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which has recently entered the early flight testing. The P-8A is being developed for the U.S. Navy. A special version and recently been acquired by India. To fit Australian specific requirements into the development process, the collaboration will focus on ‘Spiral One’ update of the aircraft. This phase represents the first batch of improvements planned through the life of the aircraft. The cooperation will also gain Australia access and influence into the P-8A improvements and support program. Australia is already cooperating with the U.S. on the AEW version of the Boeing 737 which also provides the platform for the P-8A.
The Australian manned maritime patrol and response aircraft is part of Project AIR7000 Phase 2, to be operated in conjunction with the Multi-mission Unmanned Aerial System, to be acquired under Project AIR 7000 Phase 1. The specific type of such UAV has not been determined yet, after the Australians rejected the proposed RQ-4N Broad Autonomous Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) selected by the U.S. Navy.
The Poseidon will be equipped with advanced surface search radar and optical, infra-red and electronic surveillance systems. With these systems, along with a high transit speed and the ability to conduct air- to- air refuelling, these aircraft will provide a superior capability for rapid area search and identification tasks. They will also provide a highly advanced anti- submarine warfare capability, including the ability to engage submarines using air- launched torpedoes.
Below: The first painted P-8A Poseidon aircraft rolls out of the paint hangar at Boeing?s [NYSE: BA] Renton, Wash., facility, displaying its new U.S. Navy livery. The aircraft, designated T-2, is the third of five test aircraft being assembled and tested as part of the System Development and Demonstration contract that Boeing received in 2004. The first test aircraft, T-1, which successfully completed the program?s first flight on April 25, will be painted in the same gray paint scheme later this summer. T-2 was painted in late April. The Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8A anti-submarine warfare aircraft to replace its fleet of P-3Cs. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013. The P-8A is built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aviation. Photo: Boeing
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® and XTEND have achieved a major milestone in JADC2 by integrating the XOS operating system with the MDCX™ autonomy platform. This technical breakthrough enables a single operator to simultaneously command multiple drone classes, eliminating the friction of mission handoffs. From "marsupial" drone deployments to operating in GPS-denied environments, explore how this collaboration is abbreviating the data-to-decision timeline and redefining autonomous mission execution.
As traditional defense primes face mounting competition from agile “neoprimes” such as Anduril, Palantir and Helsing, the balance of innovation is shifting toward software-defined warfare and scalable, dual-use technologies, while global industry consolidation—marked by Boeing’s integration of Spirit AeroSystems and other strategic mergers—signals an intensified race to secure control over the defense technology value chain. Our Defense-Tech weekly report highlights these trends.
In early October 2025, a coordinated wave of unmanned aerial system (UAS) incursions—widely attributed to Russia—targeted critical infrastructure across at least ten European nations. The unprecedented campaign exposed the fragility of Europe’s air defenses...
Executive Summary
The past week (September 18-25, 2025) represents an inflection point where strategic defense concepts have transitioned from doctrine to tangible reality. An analysis of global events reveals four primary, interconnected trends shaping an...
At the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force and Space Force leaders unveiled major updates on next-generation fighters, bombers, unmanned systems, and space initiatives, highlighting both rapid innovation and critical readiness challenges as the services race to outpace global competitors. A short version is available here, with a more detailed version for subscribers.
The Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2025 crystallized around four dominant strategic themes that collectively illustrate Taiwan's comprehensive approach to defense modernization amid escalating regional tensions. Based on a detailed report by Pleronix (available upon request). Includes a Podcast discussion on TADTE 2025's highlighting Taiwan's four strategic themes beyond the post's coverage.
Israel’s Iron Beam 450 high-power laser system has completed final testing, marking a major leap in air defense. Developed by Rafael, it offers precise, cost-effective interception of rockets, UAVs, and mortars, and is set for IDF deployment by 2025.
