Raytheon to Modernize F-15E Radar with AESA Technology

Nov 8, 2008

Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) have launched a Radar Modernization Program (RMP) for radar installed in the F-15E Strike Eagle. Backed by a $238 million award from Boeing, for the system’s design and development phase (SDD), Raytheon will implement its latest active electronically scanned array technology to upgrade the Eagle’s radar systems already operated with U. S. Air Force F-15C and U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F/A-18G Growler.

According to Dr. Tom Kennedy, vice president for Tactical Airborne Systems, Raytheon’s AESA team has been working on working on some early software and design development initiatives since the company was selected by Boeing last November. “Maintaining the momentum on our high-performance AESA programs is critical because it results in technological advances that will keep our aviators at the cutting edge of combat operations today and in the future,” said Kennedy.

The RMP will incorporate an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna with more-supportable radar electronics. The AESA replaces the APG-70 radar currently integrated on the F-15E, improving radar reliability, maintainability and performance while reducing support costs. When integrated into the F-15E weapons system, the AESA radar will improve detection and tracking of enemy targets, including small targets.

During the SDD phase, Boeing team member Raytheon will produce developmental and flight-test units and support Boeing’s integration of the AESA into the F-15E. The integration activity will take place at Boeing facilities in St. Louis prior to the developmental and initial operational test and evaluation flight programs. Initial operational capability is expected in fiscal year 2014 with 12 operational aircraft.

One of the first F-15E derivatives to fly the AESA radar is the Singaporean F-15SG, recently flown for the first time from Boeing’s St. Loius plant. F-15SG production deliveries will begin in the second quarter of 2009. The final aircraft in this procurement will be delivered to the RSAF in 2012. The F-15SG’s integrated sensor suite, includes the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and the SNIPER advanced targeting pod, facilitating long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.

F-15SG1 successfully completed its first flight from Lambert International Airport in St. Louis on Sept. 16. The aircraft now will undergo a one-year flight test program to confirm aircraft performance. Flight testing will take place at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and in Palmdale, Calif. More than 1,500 F-15 aircraft have been delivered and are in service with the U.S. Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Israeli Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force.

Sweden Plans to Equip Mechanized Battalions with Hundreds of Wheeled APCs beginning 2014

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Nov 6, 2008

The new Wheeled APC wil replace tracked vehicles including the PBV302, Swedish Hägglunds BV206(S) and Russian origin MT-LB, as well as several wheeled 6×6 APC variants of the Patria PASI Series.

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) announced a request for Quotation (RFA) for the delivery of hundreds of wheeled armored personnel carriers to equip Swedish Army mechanized battalions by 2014. The new vehicles are required to replace aeging tracked and wheeled APCs currently operational as armored personnel, combat support and combat service support carriers. In the past years FMV considered the development of an indigenous platform (SEP) but cancelled this plan. BAE Systems is expected to be one of the candidates for the new program, offering a new wheeled platform derived from the SEP program. Other offers are expected from international bidders such as General Dynamics Land Systems, and fromFrance, Germany and Finland.

The new vehicles are required to replace aeging APCs currently operational as armored personnel, combat support and combat service support carriers, including tracked platforms such as the PBV302, Swedish Hägglunds BV206(S) and Russian origin MT-LB, and well as several wheeled 6×6 APC variants of the Patria PASI (XA-180/202 and 203).

FMV decided that the new armored vehicles should be wheeled. Initially, 113 vehicles would be required to equip mechanized ‘medium weight’ battalions. Overall, up to 150 vehicles will be needed, to augment and replace some of the APCs currently supporting heavy armor battalions equipped with Leopard 2 and CV90 tanks. The basic requirement is for 74 APCs, 10 company command vehicles, 18 armored ambulances, four communications carriers and seven repair vehicles.

FMV also requests an option to double its order as well as split or differ some of the logistical support packages. The vehicles are scheduled to be operational in the first battalion by 2014. Proposals for this tender are expected by the end of November with contracts to be concluded in the first half of 2009.

Sniper Targeting Pod Enhances Cooperative Engagement Support

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Nov 5, 2008

Better High Definition TV, and FLIR sensors, Two-way Datalink, advanced algorythms to maintain the Sniper’s combat edge

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has received a $147 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for additional Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs). The Sniper ATP supports Air Forces’ precision guided weapons such as JDAM, SDB, Paveway, Laser JDAM and Maverick missiles, and provides critical long-range, positive identification of targets and coordinates self-generated video down link (VDL) to remotely-operated, video enhancement receiver ground terminals. The company is currently developing advanced high definition TV sensors, better thermal imaging, two-way datalink to further enhance the system.

According to Ken Fuhr, director of Fixed-wing Targeting Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control the company continuously drives new features and capabilities into the system. One of the latest introduced features is the missionized two-way data link system. Other planned improvements include a low-light-level, high-definition TV, enhanced forward-looking infrared and algorithm upgrades. Each system advancement is supplied in a single line replaceable unit design for flexible flightline upgrade capability.

Lockheed Martin has a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the Air Force Research Lab to integrate Quint Networking Technology into the Sniper pod. This will enable a two-way data link between other Sniper ATP-equipped aircraft and ground parties, dramatically shortening targeting, close air support and damage assessment timelines.

For joint force coordination, Sniper ATP has successfully demonstrated real-time, streaming video via its VDL to the Army Apache helicopter using the Video for Unmanned Aerial Systems Interoperability Teaming-2, or VUIT-2 system. To further support such cooperative engagement and ‘non traditional ISR capability, the system incorporates meta-data in every frame of video. Such data includes date/time stamp and coordinate information to further ensures accuracy throughout intelligence and command and control functions.

Honeywell Wins Production Contract for the Micro Air Vehicle (MAV)

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Nov 5, 2008

90 systems will be fielded by the end of 2009

Honeywell (NYSE:HON) will deliver 90 Micro Air Vehicles (MAV) Block II under a $65 million production contract received this week. Once fielded next year, MAV will become the first system developed as part of the US Army ‘Future Combat Systems’ (FCS) program to enter operational service. Initial systems have already been deployed with US forces in Iraq.

In September 2009 Honeywell was awarded an additional $30 million contract to deliver 46 T-Hawk (Block II Micro Aerial Vehicle) systems. 40 of the systems are destined to the U.S. Navy and six to the British Ministry of Defence. The cost of the two systems differs significantly – while the unit cost of the U.S. T-Hawks systems remains around $700,000 a piece, the systems to be delivered to the UK cost British cost only $437,000 each. The gap could reflect the costs of different payload systems.

The MAV system recently received the trademark ‘T-Hawk’, can be carried in a backpack. It is equipped with video cameras and video datalink, relaying video images from the hovering MAV, directly to the operator’s handheld terminal. Each system consists of two air vehicles and one ground control unit. All systems are expected to be delivered through 2009, beginning in the second quarter. Honeywell is also offering a civilian version for law enforcement use; such systems are currently being evaluated by the Miami Dade Police Department.

The cylindrical vehicle weighs 17 pounds and measures 14 inches in diameter. It can hover at height, descend to inspect hazardous areas or perch at high vantage points, searching for threats without exposing warfighters to enemy fire. The T-Hawk is designed to operate over mission durations exceeding 40 minutes of flight, at maximum speed of 40 knots. It is capable of take off and land vertically from complex desert and urban terrains without using runways or helipads at altitudes of 7000 ft.

The system requires minimal operator training and includes two airborne vehicles and a portable ground station used to guide the aircraft and receive images from the cameras. The ground station can be used to program a flight path for the T-Hawk or control it manually. The aircraft also can be optionally equipped with electro-optical cameras for daylight operations or infrared cameras for night missions.

High Capacity Fuel Cell from Protonex

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Nov 3, 2008

Protonex unveiled its new fuel cell, offering unique advantages for military applications. The Protonex fuel cell is designed for optimized output power of 30 watts at 17 volt. The system is based on the fuel cell processor and replaceable cartridges, storing 720 W/h each. The cartridge contains Sodium Borohydride fuel in dry state and, upon being mixed with water it generates hydrogen consumed by the fuel cell to generate electricity. Protonex licensed the hydrogen generation technology from Millennium Cell Inc.

The cell will generate full power within 60 seconds from activation, for up to 24 hours. A Protonex fuel cell with three fuel cartridges replaces a3 BA5590 batteries, saving 62% on weight, 50% on size and about 20% on cost per mission.

Another application for the Protonex system is designed for Unmanned systems, both UGVs and UAVs. The ProCore fuel cell system generates 2-4 times the energy density of advanced batteries, significantly extending the run time of ground robots or UAVs and increasing their payload carrying capability. For example, the Protonex fuel cell was recently demonstrated on the AeroVironment Puma small UAV, which maintained continuous flight for nearly five hours. The standard Puma is equipped with rechargeable batteries that sustain mission of up to 150 minutes. The nearly five-hour duration of the Puma flight using fuel cell battery hybrid power surpassed the longest previous Puma flight achieved by AV using any technology. Looking forward, AV and Protonex expect Puma flight durations to increase further through optimization and continued development of the hybrid system.

Earlier in July 2007 Protonex received an $800,000 extension to a previously awarded contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to increase the power density of the ProCore fuel cell system, enabling even longer flight times and increased payload capability of small unmanned aircraft. The improvement in the chemical hydride fueling subsystem is expected to increase energy density, with the potential to deliver enough power for up to four times the available energy of batteries of the same size and weight, achieving flight times of up to ten hours. The ProCore uses a high power fuel cell stack technology to deliver energy density of 1,000 watt/kg. The entire system of fuel cell and cartridge weighs about two kilograms, each cartridge having the capacity of 770 W/h. The net output of the system is 50-200 watts, at voltage levels of 20-30 volt and output current of 1 – 10 amp.

Multi-Purpose Mini Robotic Platform

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Nov 2, 2008

Technological Solutions Meeting Counter-Terror Indoor Challenges

An example for a matured miniature robotic platform fully adapted to the urban, indoor and subterranean environment is the EyeDrive, developed by ODF.

Leveraging panoramic video technologies developed for the Eyeball, ODF has created a mini-robot called Eyedrive, which utilizes autonomous movement, 360 degree vision, and the ability to mount lightweight precision weapon to ‘instinctively’ eliminate targets upon command. Similar to a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle, Eyedrive is guidedutilizing a patented ‘sensor guidance mode’ called ‘point and Go’, where the operator points to an object of interest and the robot moves to this direction. It also has built-in navigation and patrol modes that enable a robotic team to work in unison, seeking contact with the target as quickly as possible, thus doubling, even tripling indoor reconnaissance capacity by employing multiple vehicles from a single control unit.

One of the proposed payloads for the EyeDrive is a hopping mechanism, enabling the miniature robot to negotiate obstacles over one meter in height, by hopping over them. A similar concept is currently underway at DARPA, is designed to negotiate urban obstacles by hopping above the obstacle. DARPA experts considers that hopping mobility can be shown to be much more efficient than hovering for obstacles at heights less than or equal to a few meters. The proposed hopping robot would be truly multi-functional in that it will negotiate all aspects of the urban battlefield to deliver payloads to non-line-of-sight areas with precision.

The EyeDrive will also be able to carry lethal or non lethal payloads, drop communications relays and unattended passive sensors to monitor hostile activity, or even deploy ‘eyeball’ sensors to dominate primary locations. ODF, in cooperation with Rafael are developing a lethal configuration for the EyeDrive, where the robot could carry up to 16 miniature rockets, capable of eliminating human target from a distance of 30 meters. Four rockets contained in a quad launcher weigh only 280 grams. Each rocket measures 8 millimeter in diameter, and carries a warhead weighing 40 grams. The robot can carry up to four such launchers, with associating target acquisition and control systems, or any combination of launchers and sensors to match specific missions. The weapons are aimed utilizing a target marker coupled with the vehicle’s ‘Point and Go’ navigation system, assuming some of the roles previously performed by trained dogs.

While a scene of rocket packed mini-robots roaming inside a building monitored the comfort of a nearby van is a bit extreme, SWAT and CT teams are already being assisted by mini-robots on their daily operations. By gaining experience and confidence with unmanned recce missions, weaponized platforms could soon be utilized as an integral element of the assault team.

Our survey of current technologies assisting assault teams engaged in indoor combat covers the following aspects:

Building Modeling – Remote Sensing Reveal Indoor layout, structures
Vision Spheres Probe Rooms for Suspects
Mini-Robots Operating Indoors
Mini Robotic Multi-Purpose Platform

Mini-Robots Operating Indoors

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Nov 2, 2008

Mini-Robots Operating Indoors: Technological Solutions Meeting Counter-Terror Indoor Challenges

Miniature robots are designed for indoor surveillance and recce, assuming the dangerous mission of patrolling an indoor space suspected to be occupied by terrorists. Among these mini robots are the Swiss made Micro SpyRobot from Macroswiss, the Israeli EyeDrive from ODF and recently introduced Dragon Runner from QinetiQ North America.

Wheeled robots are fast and agile, but lack the ability to negotiate vertical obstacles. In contrast, tracked robots could be slower but more resilient. Both Dragon Runner and EyeDrive can mount tracks, enabling the platform to negotiate staircases and other obstacles. The Viper, from Elbit utilizes an innovative transforming wheel/track mechanism that adapts to the surface characteristics.

Several companies are offering tracked robots t best handle multi-level complexes. such are the SUGV-300, developed by iRobot for the US Army Future Combat Systems program. Elbit Systems has also developed a tracked robot known as the the Versatile, Intelligent, Portable Robot (VIPeR), which can climb or descend stairs using patented wheeled/tracked propulsion. The Viper can mount cameras, deployable sensors and even lethal weapons.

Another approach for obstacle negotiation is the ‘Urban Ops Hopper’, a semi-autonomous hybrid hopping/articulated wheeled robotic platform that could adapt to the urban environment in real-time, delivering small payloads to any point of the urban jungle while remaining lightweight and small. The hopping robot, under development for DARPA will be able to overcome obstacles many times its own size. According to DARPA, hopping mobility can be shown to be much more efficient than hovering for obstacles at heights less than or equal to a few meters. (read more on the hopping EyeDrive)

Our survey of current technologies assisting assault teams engaged in indoor combat covers the following aspects:

Building Modeling – Remote Sensing Reveal Indoor layout, structures
Vision Spheres Probe Rooms for Suspects
Mini-Robots Operating Indoors
Mini Robotic Multi-Purpose Platform

Vision Spheres Probe Rooms for Suspects

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Nov 2, 2008

Vision Spheres Probe Rooms for Suspects: Technological Solutions Meeting Counter-Terror Indoor Challenges

Science fiction motion pictures often describe robot sensors that can prawl building complexes indoor. But these robots are not purely fictitious imagnation. These animated Hollywood representations are based on real robotic technology which is in use today, or being evaluated for deployment in the near term. While ‘spider’ like mechanical creatures are operating only in rudimentary laboratory experiments, assault teams worldwide are already using indoor surveillance means utilizing ‘throw away’ sensors such as the Israeli Eyeball R1 or Swiss made Short Range Throwing Camera (SRTC) developed by Macroswiss.

The SRTC is a compact, rugged device that can be thrown into a potentially unsafe target area. Upon landing, the SRTC will self stabilize, perform a continuous rotational sweep and transmit live video. The operator viewing the video can slow down or reverse the rotation, or stop to monitor a particular point of interest.

More versions of similar devices include the French Spybowl from Exavision and the ScoutBall developed by U.S. based company Mobile Fusion that can see, hear and even smell its environment. A new concept recently endoresed by the British Ministry of Defence is the I-Ball, under development in the UK by the Scottish company Dreampact. These sphere shaped devices are designed to be rugged enough to be thrown or rolled into a scene, providing a clear, real-time view of the room interior. Rooms verified as cleared could be monitored by static unattended sensors, such as the UGS-Urban, developed by Textron Systems for the US Army Future Combat Systems program. These units comprise video, PIR and acoustic sensors that can be placed in a room or corridor, and report on any suspicious movement or activity in their vicinity. A similar concept is the Gatekeeper from ODF, providing wireless video and area surveillance indoors.

These vision spheres are proved as highly effective tools for manned assault teams operating indoors. But, what could be done in situations where entry into a building could doom the fate of the hostages or put the assault team at risk from explosives? In such circumstances. This task is the forte of the ‘Wall Penetrating Radar‘.

Our survey of current technologies assisting assault teams engaged in indoor combat covers the following aspects:

Building Modeling – Remote Sensing Reveal Indoor layout, structures
Vision Spheres Probe Rooms for Suspects
Mini-Robots Operating Indoors
Mini Robotic Multi-Purpose Platform

Seeing Through Walls

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Nov 2, 2008

Building Modeling Indoors – Technological Solutions Meeting Counter-Terror Indoor Challenges

Recognizing the need to model, and understand the internal structure of a building prior to an operation indoors, DARPA is developing tools and capabilities for external sensing, deep inside buildings, gaining a detailed situational understand, both above- and below-ground. Such a capability could provide an essential planning tool, as well as invaluable ISR capability, processing and providing live updates during mission execution.

One such DARPA program is VisiBuilding – an urban sensing and planning tool capable to determe building layouts, find anomalous quantities of materials and locate people within the building. To achieve these goals, VisiBuilding could exploit phenomenology of signal penetration into buildings, measuring propagation and backscatter off urban structures. The system will utilize various means to position and monitor sensors in the vicinity of the objective, gaining an insight about the building, developing hypothesized ‘best guess’ model of theinternal layout of rooms, walls and utility infrastructure that best fits the available sensor data.

Another program recently launched at DARPA is ‘Harnessing Infrastructure for Building Reconnaissance’ (HIBR), a capability that translates VisiBuilding into practical terms: DARPA believes that ‘opportunistic sensing’ could be a practical approach to ‘guess’ such interior structure, using exterior observations. Information could be gathered from geometrical and stimulus response (for example, seismic or acoustic vibrations performing a sonar effect). Such stimulus could uncover minute details that, when processed, could provdie tactically useful information, for example, ad-hoc mapping of structural, electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems.

Other capabilities, such as wall penetrating ‘vision’ could be handy. Such capabilities are provided by ‘wall penetrating radar’, the latest models being compact, hand held devices. The British company Cambridge Consultants has demonstrated ‘vision through the wall’ capability utilizing mobile x-ray vision. A similar technology is already available from the Israeli company Camero, offering the Xaver 400 hand-held radar, capable of penetrating concrete, reinforced concrete, cinder block, brick, stucco, adobe, drywall and other common wall types, with a range of up to eight meters (26ft). A larger version, Xaver 800 can penetrate multiple walls up to a distance of 20 meters. The device presents the operator with an easy to read display indicating the location and number of people behind a wall or barrier. Xaver is being evaluated as part of the gear for Israel’s future infantry urban combat team.

An even smaller, hand held device is the RadarScope developed for DARPA. This system weighs less than 1.5 pounds and runs on AA batteries. It allows security forces to sense through nonmetallic walls, such as concrete, to determine if someone is hiding inside a building or behind a wall. Recent tests conducted by the U.S. Army demonstrated that the Radar Scope was successful at detecting a person hiding behind concrete and adobe walls. In 2008 DARPA has deployed 50 Radarscopes to the Army, Marines, and others for evaluation in-theater.

Our survey of current technologies assisting assault teams engaged in indoor combat covers the following aspects:

Building Modeling – Remote Sensing Reveal Indoor layout, structures
Vision Spheres Probe Rooms for Suspects
Mini-Robots Operating Indoors
Mini Robotic Multi-Purpose Platform

Negotiating the Indoor Maze

admin

Nov 2, 2008

Indoor Reconnaissance – Technological Solutions Face the Toughest Counter-Terror Challenge

Counter terror operations rely primarily on intelligence warfare. Fortunately, most terror attacks are foiled in their early stages, as security forces uncover plans, preparations, operatives or their supporters in time. The few operations that manage to hide from the prowling eyes of intelligence services and reach their objectives, are usually coming as total surprise. Usually, these actions are also ‘trend setters’ uncovering an intelligence loophole and a capability gap of the respective counter-terror forces involved.

The Islamic Jihadi terror attacks in Mumbai uncovered several deficiencies that many SOF, CT units and SWAT teams are well aware of – the complexity of indoor reconnaissance and surveillance. Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) has known to be an extremely complex and the least desired by military commanders. That’s why terrorists have picked the cities as their ‘playground’.

Originally, terrorists would use the city and its civilian population, sympathetic or neutral to their cause, for coverage and concealment, establishing safe houses where they could prepare weapons and explosives, moving through crowded streets and markets to reach their targets unnoticed. By attacking public places, transportation and religious centers their aim was achieve mass casualties to gain maximum publicity effect. In Mumbai, the terrorists picked their playground with a different perspective. By utilizing the complex interior setting of a multi-story building complex, few highly motivated warfighters could hold out against counter terror elements for days, fighting to the death through the illusive indoor maze.

Collecting intelligence from an indoor setting is even more problematic, as visibility, communications and GPS coverage is severely limited, degrading situational understanding, command and control, therefore minimizing the counter-terror forces’ advantage to mere skills and experience.

Every military operation is determined by whom, who dominates the terrain. An open area is controlled by observation and fire. Counter terror operations would seldom utilize snipers for this role. Snipers could be quite effective covering few terrorists taking hostages in a bus or an apartment, but matters get quite complex when the target is located ‘somewhere’ in a multi story mega-hotel. Since indoor movement is extremely dangerous to the CT teams and could result in terrorists executing hostages, gathering information must be done by covert means. Therefore, the vital assessment of the number, location and status of the terrorists and hostages is virtually impossible to achieve.

But is it true? Virtual is the keyword here since the challenge is to obtain ‘hard evidence’, such as pictures or live video. Modern sensors employed with autonomous means could be operated indoor. Some exciting concepts have been described in several science fiction motion pictures, such as ‘Minority Report’.

Capabilities similar to those describedabove are already operational, others are in development or under evaluation at the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), collectively managed under the ‘Force Multipliers for Urban Area Operations’ initiative. This program focuses on obtaining revolutionary technologies to make planning and execution of urban operations more responsive and flexible. Among the thrusts of this program are obtaining continued reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting, by the employment of new weapons that can be employed beyond-line-of-sight, with ultra-precise, lethal and nonlethal capabilities.

Our survey of current technologies assisting assault teams engaged in indoor combat covers the following aspects:

British Forces in Afghanistan to Receive 1,200 New Armored Vehicles

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Nov 1, 2008

Invest over £350 million in the procurement of hundreds of Tactical Support Armored Trucks

The British Ministry of Defense announced a plan to deploy nearly 1,200 new armored vehicles to bolster the protection and mobility of British troops engaged in combat in Afghanistan. The cost of the decision, announced by Defence Secretary John Hutton on 29 October, 2008 is estimated at £700 Million.

The plan focuses on the procurement of over 400 new ‘tactical support vehicles’, worth about £350 Million, to augment or replace up-armored trucks currently operated in theater. Due to the vulnerability of supply convoys, armored vehicles are overtasked in convoy protection missions. The deployment of payload optimized, highly protected TSV will improve the protection and load capacity of convoys, balancing the demand for escort vehicles. In addition to the new package, new shipments of ‘Ridgeback’ 4×4 protected patrol vehicles and Panther armored command vehicles and Buffalo route clearing heavy vehicles are expected to be deployed to Afghanistan early in 2009.

The Royal Marines are also seeking the replacement of BvS10 Viking articulated tracked vehicle with a new high mobility ‘cross-country’ vehicle that will provide better armor protection than the Viking could. The Marines are seeking to buy over 100 such vehicles, dubbed “Warthog”. MOD selected the Singaporean Bronco from ST Kinetics over an improved BAE Systems Hagglunds BV206 version. The Army is highly satisfied with its version of ‘cross country’ vehicle, the Jackal and is planning to continue buying 100 additional vehicles under the newly announced package. Additional equipment to be introduced are several route clearing vehicles, based on Force protection Buffalo, recently introduced by the Italian and Canadian armies operating in theater.

The British army requires three distinct categories of Tactical Support Vehicles (TSV) including a heavy armored flat-bed truck called ‘Wolfhound’ (TSV Heavy), which will be based on heavy platforms, such as the Cougar they are called to support. Force Protection was selected as the preferred bidder for this class of vehicle, at the benefit of maintaining commonality within the Cougar-based fleet. These vehicles will have the highest levels of mine blast protection.

A light weight armored vehicle will also be procured, to fulfil multi-purpose various logistical missions. This flat-bed vehicle, dubbed ‘Coyote’ (TSV Light) will also employ a Supacat 6×6 chasis, a derivative of the all-terrain Jackal. Coyote is designed to support the Jackals operating in the harsh terrain of Afghanistan.

A third class of medium-size medium protected TSV called Husky (TSV Medium) is also required to be utilized as load carrier, ambulance and mobile command post support. The Husky will also provide transportation and logistical support in areas where the heavy Mastiff and the heavy TSV cannot operate.

Further procurement and modifications are also being implemented with current vehicles, including 30 new Cougar vehicles (both 4×4 and 6×6) to be used as training vehicles. Armor upgrades are introduced with the Panther, facilitating theater specific protection as well as communication equipment. Snatch-Vixen, a new variant of the LandRover, specially designed for Afghanistan has also been produced, with extra power and payload which to enhance the mobility of the protected vehicle. This variant of the LandRover received a new running gear, chassis reinforcements, more powerful engine, and other modified automotive components to give the vehicle more power and the ability to carry a greater load.

New Life for the Hunters

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Nov 1, 2008

U.S. Army Awards Northrop Grumman $97 Million Contract to Procure and Modify Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Parallel to the fielding of Block 0 Sky Warrior UAVs, the U.S. Army continue to support and enhance the existing tactical UAV fleet. The Army recently awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) an order for more Hunter MQ-5B UAV systems.

Under the $97 million order Northrop Grumman will deliver 12 Hunter MQ-5B Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) aircraft; six One-System Block II ground control stations; eight tactical common data link, ground data link terminal sets; two sets of ground support equipment; and four sets of spare parts. The award was made through a modification to the Hunter Contractor Logistic Support (CLS) 2008 contract. Deliveries and support will commence over a period of two years with a third year option.

The air vehicles will be produced by Stark Aerospace, Starkville, Miss.; L-3 Communications, Salt Lake City is providing the datalinks and remote video terminals. Rockwell Collins, Cedar Rapids, Iowa provides the communications gear. AAI Corporation, Hunt Valley, Md. will supply the ground stations and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.’s TAMAM Division, from Israel will deliver the EO payloads for the UAVs. APL provides the heavy fuel engine for the aircraft. Work will primarily be performed at Northrop Grumman’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Center of Excellence, Sierra Vista, Ariz., and facilities at Starkville, Miss.

Oshkosh Awarded Over $1.2 Billion Contract to Supply the US Army with FHTV Heavy Trucks

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Oct 31, 2008

The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) awarded Oshkosh Defense (a division of Oshkosh Corporation NYSE:OSK) an order for the supply of more than 6,000 upgraded vehicles to the U.S. Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicle (FHTV) fleet. The upgraded FHTV family of vehicles includes increased horsepower and performance features due to power-train and suspension upgrades. All three vehicle families will be Long Term Armor Strategy (LTAS) compliant and come off the assembly line fitted with upgraded suspensions and integral composite (“A” kit) armor. They also will be ready to receive an add-on (“B” kit) armor appliqué.

The first order under the new three-year contract is valued at $1.2 billion and delivery will start in November 2008. This order follow earlier contracts awarded this year for initial delivery of 1700 heavy trucks. This award somewhat sweetens the bitter news for the company this week, as the Oshkosn-Northrop Grumman team failed the selection for the technology demnostration selection phase of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle competition (JLTV).

FHTV III variants include the 13 ton payload Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT), 16.5 ton payload Palletized Load Systems (PLS) and PLS trailers (PLST), and Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET) capable of transporting main battle tanks and other tracked combat vehicles weighing up to 70 tons. As part of the contract, Oshkosh Defense will supply the U.S. Army with the next-generation HEMTT, the HEMTT A4, and will soon introduce the A1 models of the PLS and HET, offering increased horsepower and performance features due to power-train and suspension upgrades.

Earlier this week Oshkosh was awarded a $46 million contract by the US Marine Corps Systems Command, for the supply of 173 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) and their armor kits.

V-STAR UAV Dubbed “HUMVEE OF THE AIR”

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Oct 30, 2008

Frontline Aerospace, Inc., unveiled at AUVSI 2008 a new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft configuration called V-STAR. The company is implementing this design concept in a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, associated with the MicroFire gas turbine fuel-efficiency technology also developed by the company.

Frontline’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Ryan S. Wood, calls the company’s new VTOL-Swift Tactical Aerial Resource (V-STAR) the ‘HUMVEE of the air’, as it could provides breakthrough solutions for forward deployed military units, pushing logistics and weapons where other assets cannot move. “With payload at the center-of-gravity, V-STAR provides real mission flexibility, enabling to reach targets often three times faster than helicopters” said Wood. The same capabilities enable the platform to assume area surveillance, observation and target acquisition roles, carrying ISTAR payloads said Wood.

The V-STAR uses a vertical positioned ducted lift fan with counter-rotating blades for vertical flight and hovering. After takeoff the vehicle transitions to forward flight with its “diamond-box-wing” and propelled by the ducted rear pusher fan. Dual Rolls-Royce Model 250 gas turbines will propel the aircraft at a cruise speed of 288 knots with a 400-pound payload for 650 miles. Endurance variations of V-STAR can carry a 110-pound ITARS package for over 19 hours. The long endurance is derived partly form the implementation of Frontline’s patent-pending MicroFire technology, contributing to the high fuel-efficiency and reduced carbon emissions for the Rolls-Royce Model 250 engine family.

The system is extracting heat from the engine through counter-flow heat recuperator, transferring heat from the exhaust air back to the compressed engine air before combustion. Such implementations could double the overall thermal efficiency of the engine. The 50 pound MicroFire system is designed for improved durability and reliability of such system at a low specific weight, improving fuel consumption as much as 40% with low pressure drop and low power loss.

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