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Boeing Starts Phase II of Focused Lethality Munition

Apr 2, 2007

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded the second phase of a $27 million U.S. Air Force contract for the Small Diameter Bomb I Focused Lethality Munition (SDB I FLM) Joint Capability Technology Demonstration program.

During the $17.7 million second phase, Boeing will integrate the FLM warhead into the SDB I weapon, perform a series of ground and flight tests, and manufacture a limited number of FLM weapons.

The FLM warhead, developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the U.S Air Force Research Laboratory, features an advanced, multi-phase blast explosive and a composite carbon fiber warhead case, allowing for pinpoint strikes with low collateral damage.
The weapons are slated for flight testing in August 2007. Boeing will deliver the first 50 weapons for operational assessment in January 2008, with the Air Force potentially procuring as many as 450 SDB I FLM units through 2012.

Australian Destroyers to Get Next Generation AEGIS

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Apr 2, 2007

The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) $260 million for Aegis Weapon Systems to equip three Australian Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) and one Spanish F-100-class frigate. The four systems will be next-generation Aegis Weapon Systems – among the first to fully utilize commercial off-the-shelf hardware and a open architecture computing environment. Production of the systems destined for Australia and Spain with be synchronized with the U.S. Navy’s Aegis modernization program, which calls for delivery of the first fully open architecture Aegis Weapon System to the USS Bunker Hill in 2008.

“Aegis Open Architecture will provide many advantages, including the opportunity to more easily integrate indigenous systems into the combat system and to reduce acquisition and certification risks and costs,” said Orlando Carvalho, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Surface/Sea- Based Missile Defense Systems business in Moorestown. “Aegis Open Architecture is already driving commonality across the United States’ surface fleet, as we are directly leveraging and reusing it in combat system development associated with the Littoral Combat Ship and the Coast Guard’s Deepwater programs.”

The contract is the latest milestone for the AWD program. Currently, the Australian government is in the process of selecting the AWD ship design in support of final program approval. The Aegis Weapon Systems Lockheed Martin will produce through this contract will support equally both of the ship designs under evaluation. Earlier this month, the U.S. Navy also contracted Lockheed Martin to produce the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for the AWD in an identical manner, again supporting both ship designs.

Turkey Selects Italian A-129 for Future Attack Helicopter

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Apr 2, 2007

AgustaWestland, a member of the Finmeccanica group won a major Turkish program worth $2.7 billion to supply Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopters for the Turkish Land Forces Command. AgustaWestland estimates its share of the program to be in excess of Euro 1.2 billion, based on the requirement for 51 A129 helicopters. AgustaWestland proposed significant industrial benefits for Turkey, involving several companies including TAI and Aselsan.

The Italian company will co-produce the helicopters with locally based Turkish Aviation Industry (TAI) which will handle final assembly. As part of the initial phase, Turkey will buy 31 helicopters, and will have options for 20 more. About 60 A-129s, most of them modernized to CBT configuration, are currently operational with the Italian Army Aviation.

The Turkish model of the Mangusta will be designated T-129. The A-129 is operated only by the Italian armed forces. However, China is also known to be developing, with European assistance, a locally designed gunship known as WZ-10. This helicopter bears general similarity to the A-129 design. The only other company shortlisted in the Turkish tender was Denel of South Africa which produces the Rooivalk, so-far operated only by the South African armed forces. Franco-German company Eurocopter and Kamov of Russia were eliminated earlier in the process.

Two years ago a previous contract with Bell, to co-produce a Turkish version of the AH-1Z Super Cobra failed over price, technology transfer and licensing issues. This time the Turks demanded full access to designs, software source codes and mission systems to be used with the helicopter. Based on a platform anticipated as a cooperative European program, A-129 was well fitted for such requirements. The original design, first flown in 1983 went through two decades of modifications, enhancements and changes in dynamic, avionics, and weapon systems. The A129 is a multi-role combat helicopter designed for day/night and adverse weather combat operations. The A129, powered by two LHTEC T800 turboshaft engines, has a state-of-the-art cockpit and features a fully digital integrated avionics system which controls and manages the flight and mission sub-systems. The Turkish Army considers the Hellfire and Israeli Spike to equip its new helicopters.

FanCopter – VTOL Mini UAV

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Mar 26, 2007

The FanCopter system uses counter-rotating rotor system combining speed, stability and hovering with small dimensions (65 cm diameter, 40 cm height). the Fancopter air vehicle weighs 1.3 kg, can be carried and operated by a single soldier, transmitting live video over a distance of 500 meters. The system uses collision avoidance technology, enabling the compact air vehicle to operate near and even inside buildings.

The vehicle flies on an autopilot, maintaining the direction and line of sight controlled by the operator (the user indicates only the point of interest). In addition, fully autonomous flight segments can be defined, where the vehicle will follow waypoint navigation or return to a designated location.

Fancopter uses a daylight camera positioned in a pod, above the rotor assembley. Wide angle camera provides situational overview and an additional telephoto lens mounted on a tiltable mount, is used for reconnaissance. This camera has a tilt down position enabling the Fancopter to landon rooftops or other elevanetd positions and perce over the area below for suspicious targets. EMT also offers a high resolution still camera, which stores images on board, and a low-light camera payloads for night operations. Fancopter can stay on a mission for up to 20 minutes and observe continuously for up to two hours (perching).

Athena RF Tags

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Mar 21, 2007

RF Tags, developed by General Atomics, under a U.S. Army CERDEC I2WD program will provide reliable combat identification (CID) of friendly forces, through when viewed by imaging radar sensors (SAR).

The Athena RF Tag system uses coherent gain block RF tag architecture, developed by Sandia National laboratory and demonstrated in field tests with a wide range of surveillance and fire control radars. The system operates on the same channels used by the radars, transmitting low-power tag data “buried” in the radar clutter, to eliminate detection and location by enemy eavesdropping.

The tag is detected by the radar system, and identifies the platform when seen on the radar screen of the surveillance or attack aircraft with zero latency. Current RF tags use analog processing, but future versions could utilize digital RF memory (DRFM) for more flexible performance. These tags have already been tested with Lynx SAR radars and Joint STARS platforms, as well as F-15E and F-16s radars. The system will also be compatible with earlier models of F-16s, AV-8B, F/A-18 Hornets and Predator UAVs.

CAMAC Composite Armor for CAMCAV armored vehicle

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Mar 20, 2007

New Vehicles at DSEi 07: Based on a standard Iveco medium truck chassis which has been in military service for the past 15 years, CavCat uses NP’s CAMAC all-composite armor solution which was first use with the armored Landrover Snatch using the CAV100 suite. CAMAC is designed as an all-composite bulletproof box, offering a high level of protection and structural strength at relatively low weight. The CAMAC provides a modular monocoque construction providing optimal ballistic protection and strength to carry structural loads. Large scale armor components made of laminated composite are molded and bonded together to form the hull, minimizing joint lines and facilitating a stronger, more repellant surface.

NP has augmented their composite armor solution with the new CAMAC Advanced Composite Passive Explosively Formed Projectile Armor (EFPA) and Advanced Composite Bar Armor (ACBA), which can be combined into the CAVCAT to effectively mitigate mine, EAF, RPG and kinetic energy threats effects.

According to NP Armour CAVCAT provides this capability at half the mass of high hardness steel. The composite armor is also offered as enhancement for existing vehicles as well as for add-on armor protecting gunner’s turrets. Internally, the vehicle is configured to carry seven warfighters seated in ballistically protected ‘capsule’ seats. These seats have also been fitted with blast mitigation elements while the vehicle itself uses a ‘floating floor’ to further reduce blast effects. The vehicle is equipped with armor and slat protected doors, with transparent armored windows for the driver and commander, and rear access for the troops.

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MQ-9 Reaper Joins First Unmanned Attack Squadron

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Mar 16, 2007

The first MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft arrived at Creech Air Force Base, NV this week after completing flight tests in California. This is the first of 18 aircraft to be operated by the 42 attack squadron from this base. By May 1, the squadron should transition under the 432nd Wing, the first wing totally dedicated to Predator and Reaper operations. According to squadron commander Lt. Colonel Jon Greene, By 2009, the 42nd Attack Squadron should have 18 Reapers assigned for training and deployment purposes. The plan is for the Reapers to deploy by the beginning of summer, said. The squadron is tasked with the initial training and development of MQ-9 specific tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) to be used in the current fight as well as any potential future conflicts. The first deployment of the MQ-9 is expected in AFghanistan during the second half of 2007, subsequently it will be fielded in Iraq, probably with the Predators stationed at Balad airbase, by late 2007 or early 2008.

Seven MQ-9s are currently in production; In January 2006 General Atomics was awarded an initial contract for the production of five MQ-9 Reaper air vehicles, scheduled for delivery by March 2008, for the total amount of $41 million. By March 13 the company received additional $43 million for the delivery of two MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicles, two ground control stations plus mission equipment and support. These aircraft are scheduled for delivery by December 2008. All aircraft will employ the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS-B) electro-optical payloads, developed by Raytheon. A production contract for five systems was awarded to Raytheon in February, as part of a $70 million MTS order for 65 systems, destined for the MQ-1 Predator (60 systems) and MQ-9 systems (5).

Israeli Tavor Assault Rifles Modified To Improve Reliability

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Mar 16, 2007

IWI is modifying the Tavor assault rifle to address reliability issues encountered during the initial operations with the Givati brigade. Some of the rifles failed when exposed to the fine dust of the Israeli Negev. These issues were immediately addressed by the manufacturer, which has introduced some 20 changes to the fielded weapons. The first batch of modified rifles is being returned to service, offering improved reliability under tough field conditions.

“The Tavor actually benefit from this experience, as the quick reaction enabled us to improve the performance and reliability under tough battlefield conditions” IWI marketing manager Mark Shachar told defense Update. According to IDF Magazine Bamachane, the fixes introduced include improved cocking handle, redesigned magazine loading port, and improved sealing for the ejection port, eliminating the buildup of dust inside the weapon. These changes are expected to be included in all serial production Tavors. Few weeks ago Jane’s Defense Weekly reported about problems encountered with the Tavor in India. However, IWI informed Defense Update that contrary to this report, the Indian Tavors are being delivered as planned, and the entire delivery of 3070 rifles is nearing completion.

The evolution of the new Israeli assault rifle was paved with hurdles, facing opposition from within the ministry of Defense and Army, which favored the US M-4, which could be imported from the USA using more available Foreign Military Sales funding. Despite this opposition, Tavor was highly praised by combat troops participating in a competitive evaluation against the M-4, paving the way for its induction into IDF service.

US Army Enhances, Standardize Patriot Units

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Mar 14, 2007

The US Army intends to upgrade and streamline its Patriot fire units with configuration-3 capability, comprising an affordable missile guidance system which improves performance and overcome the original system’s obsolescence. This configuration will be integrated throughout the units deployed worldwide, as part of the “Pure Fleet” effort launched in 2006.

Three battalions are currently undergoing preliminary tests prior to obtaining “Pure Fleet” capabilities. Testing will be conducted by Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), the prime contractor for the Patriot system and the system integrator for the PAC-3 configuration received a $38.6 million Army contract to provide increased capability for warfighters now using the Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) configuration. The contract is for test equipment upgrades and engineering as the first step in the upgrade of three Patriot battalions (12 fire units) from PAC-2 to the PAC-3 configuration.

Indian AF Embarks on a $800 Million MiG-29 Upgrade

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Mar 14, 2007

India and Russia have signed a us$800 million program to improve the air-combat capability of its MiG-29s. 78 of the aircraft currently deployed with the IAF will receive a new phased array radar and long range (beyond visual range) missiles. They will also the Klimov-33 engines with digital fuel injection, aerial refueling capability and a modern ‘glass cockpit’. The majority of the work will be done in India by HAL through 2010, after prototype work is completed in Russia.

The aircraft will be equipped with the Phazotron Zhuk-ME phased array radar, a modified version of the Zhuk used in the original version. A different version, known as Zhuk AE will be used in the MiG-35 model which is one of several options considered for the IAF future multi-role combat aircraft (MRCA) program. Current MiG-29s are armed with R-27 (AA-10) and R-77 (AA-12) beyond visual range missiles for offensive air superiority operations.

Under a parallel plan the IAF plans to upgrade its 52 French made Dassault Mirage 2000H fighters. India is currently in the final stage negotiating the 1.5-billion euro program with Thales and Dassault. Officials said, the upgrade of the Mirage 2000s will begin by June.

EADS Installs Obstacle Warning in German Police Helicopters

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Mar 14, 2007

EADS Defence & Security (DS) is fitting Eurocopter EC 135 helicopters deployed by the German federal police with the HELLAS (Helicopter Laser Radar) obstacle warning system. The first two of 16 rescue helicopters were handed over to the customer. The remaining helicopters will be delivered and equipped with the system within the next two years.

HELLAS is a laser-based obstacle warning system, which detects obstacles reliably even if the pilot has difficulties making them out during the flight, when thin obstacles such as suspended electrical wires are so thin that they are almost invisible to the pilot. The system scans the area in front of the helicopter with an eye-safe laser beam, detecting obstacles such as wires at distances of up to 1,000 m’. The latest version of HELLAS enables the pilot better situational awareness by superimposing the obstacle over a grey-scale image of the terrain in front of the helicopter. Potential obstacles are displayed in a red color for intuitive recognition and avoidance.

V-Communicator Improves Cross-Language Gaps

admin

Mar 13, 2007

The US Army is evaluating a new language translation system promising to improve communications between troops and the local population. The solar-powered iPod-based V-Communicator has been designed to help Soldiers communicate with locals in Iraq and Afghanistan and gives the Soldiers access to more than 400 phrases in five different languages to include Pashto, Iraqi Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic. Currently in use by approximately 700 military service members in Iraq and Afghanistan, the one-way translation device also provides video cues describing cultural gestures in the form of hand signals that may be common to a specific region, allowing for cultural awareness.

With the swipe of a finger over the device, Soldiers can select the language they need from a menu and choose a topic from a mission list to find an appropriate phrase for whatever situation they find themselves in.

The menu includes such topics as basic conversation; cordon and search; intelligence gathering; building trust and relationships; raids; detainee processing; vehicle checkpoints and coordinating missions with Iraqi Security Forces among many other possible missions.

Once they choose the mission, they will see a list of phrases in English. Each of the phrases have a phonetic Arabic translation beneath them and when Soldiers press on the phrase they want to use, a video will play showing an animated, virtual Soldier saying the phrase in Arabic and the voice of the animated character plays through the device’s speaker. Along with that, the phonetic spelling of the Arabic phrase also appears on the screen.

“It’s very useful in situations where you may have only one to two interpreters on the ground, and about 80 to 90 Soldiers on the ground, so you may not have enough interpreters to go around in a particular situation,” said Ernie Bright, operations manager at VCOM, the developer of the V-communicator. Soldiers can learn Arabic or other language phrases from the device or they can use it to communicate for them through the tool’s speaker, according to Bright.

ICS Computer is Ready for FCS Mobile Platforms

admin

Mar 9, 2007

The first Integrated Computer Systems (ICS) were delivered last week to the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. The prototype units supplied by the ICS team will provide mobile FCS elements with computing, networking and information assurance resources to enable current force vehicles to be a part of the FCS network. Bradley fighting vehicles, Abrams main battle tanks and Command Variant HMMWVs will be equipped with ICS as part of the first spin-out of FCS future force technologies in 2008. The ICS team include General Dynamics C4 (NYSE:GD) and Rockwell Collins (NYSE:COL).

The ICS was developed in just 21 months to support the rapid spin-out of FCS capability into existing vehicles. ICS provides a common computing environment for 13 of the 14 platforms in the FCS family of systems, comprising a network of sensors, unmanned aerial platforms and manned and unmanned ground platforms. The ICS integrates a wide range of traditionally independent computing applications into a single, integrated, secure processing environment. It provides the FCS-equipped Units of Action with advanced processing, networking, data storage and information assurance generating common operating picture for faster decision-making.

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Defense-UpdateMilitary Technology & Defense News

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