Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Deploys to The Persian Gulf

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Apr 6, 2007

A third aircraft carrier, USS NIMITZ, departed from its homeport of San Diego on April 2 to join 5th fleet operating in the Persian Gulf. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will relieve the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG, currently operating in the area.

Nimitz’s arrival will continue the current two-carrier presence in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This is the Nimitz’s third deployment to the Central Command area of operations in four years. In mid-2005, the Nimitz CSG operated in the supported operations in Iraq and throughout the region. In 2003, the carrier flew combat missions over Iraq and supported combat operations during an eight-month deployment. The Nimitz CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. Terry Blake, is comprised of Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCG) 11, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23. It includes the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Nimitz; guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59); guided-missile destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), and USS Pinckney (DDG 91); two detachments from the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 “Scorpions,” and Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit 11, Det. 15.

Micro-Onyx

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Apr 6, 2007

Micro Onyx introduced by Atair Aerospace is a miniature, autonomously guided parafoil system developed for the precision emplacement of unattended ground sensors and deployment of small munitions from UAVs. The system supports payloads of up to 20 lbs. (9 kg) Micro Onyx uses collision avoidance algorithms to enable simultaneous deployment of multiple payloads (50+) in the same airspace, guiding each payload to a specific destination, or multiple targets without risking midair collisions. Additionally, individual units can be networked to other units and/or base station computers to form a self-healing, masterless ad-hoc network capable of transmitting data up to 60 miles (80 km) per unit.

Successful Test Sets UGS Path for Planned 2008 Spin-Out

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Apr 5, 2007

Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) developed as part of the Future Combat System family of combat systems was recently tested by the US Army in an urban warfare test and received positive after action feedback from the troops. The US Army plans to introduce the FCS-UGS to the current force as a spin-out of FCS, as early as 2008. During the experiment, Textron System’s UGS provided real-time images to battle commanders, allowing real-time situational understanding and actionable intelligence.

Another autonomous system, the Intelligent Munition System (IMS), provided detection and successful elimination of enemy vehicles, while a third system, known as Overwatch, provided awareness of enemy threats and battlefield damage assessment over the FCS network. Following a restructuring of the FCS program, IMS has been excluded from the FCS program to be pursued as an independent program. According to Dennis Muilenburg, vice president and general manager of Boeing Combat Systems and FCS program manager, “Textron Defense Systems’ Tactical and Urban Unattended Ground Sensors and Situation Understanding software performed flawlessly and received positive feedback during the Soldier’s After Action Review. This sets a great foundation for Spin-Out 1 to the current force.”

Textron Defense Systems was named a Future Combat Systems Tier 1 contractor and the UGS provider to the FCS program in 2003. Overwatch, Tactical Operations, also a Tier 1 FCS One Team Partner, is the lead contractor for the development of the Situational Understanding (SU) component of the Battle Command family of systems

A Growing Market for Synthetic Training and Simulation in Europe

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Apr 5, 2007

The European Military Synthetic Training and Simulation Markets earned revenues of $1.1 billion in 2006. Frost & Sullivan finds estimates this market segment to reach $1.8 billion in 2015. “As European countries increase cooperation in joint military training programs to promote improved training efficiency and cost reductions in net-centric warfare (NCW) environments, the markets for military synthetic training and simulation will expand, ” explains Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Marie-France Mann. “The switch to joint training will mean that a series of networked simulation devices will need to be procured even as current systems will have to be upgraded, networked or replaced.”

Besides, despite procurement costs, European militaries are likely to acknowledge the time and cost efficiency benefits offered by simulated training equipment. Operation and maintenance expenditures incurred while using simulated training devices for military training purposes are significantly lower than that incurred using actual military equipment. “Time efficiency is also an important factor as more training can be imparted on simulators compared to actual systems,” adds Ms. Mann. “In terms of personnel safety, simulation helps avoid injuries and accidents that can occur during actual training.”

Despite the optimistic scenario, contracts are decreasing in number. This situation is compelling subcontractors to win at least a segment of these contracts in order to survive and avoid exiting the market altogether. Also, as the number of participants increases, competition is intensifying and the market is becoming fragmented placing tremendous pressure on small- and medium-sized contractors. “Manufacturers must aim to design open and highly interoperable architectures to meet next generation synthetic training requirements necessitated by joint training programs,” advises Ms. Mann. “Being proactive on design, delivery and service capabilities together with a focus on innovation will be key to achieving product differentiation and market success.”

Remotely Controlled Turrets Protecting Naval vessels

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Apr 5, 2007

The growing threat of hit-and-run and suicide attacks on naval vessels operating in littoral water is motivating the world navies to equip their vessels with advanced, high performance close-in defenses capable of repelling such attacks. Remotely controlled gun turrets are among the systems considered for this role. The US Navy is fielding the Mk 38 Mod 2, based on the Typhoon weapon station, developed by RAFAEL while the German Navy selected the Italian HITROLE system for its F125 frigates.

The US Navy received the first shipment of 67 Mk 38 Mod 2 remotely controlled M242 25mm Gun systems from BAE Systems this week (video). More systems will be delivered from spring 2007 through March 2008 to equip various platforms, including Guided Missile Cruisers, Landing Ship Docks, and DDG Class ships. The system mounts 25mm, remotely controlled gun to provide self-protection at distances up to 2000 meters. The system mounts the RAFAEL Typhoon stabilized, naval weapon station, armed with a 25mm M242 chain gun and Toplite electro-optical target acquisition optronic payload.

The German Navy will also equip its new F125 frigates with remotely controlled machine guns. Germany has selected the remote-controlled HITROLE 12.7mm naval turret. Each ship will mount five systems, utilizing the new Naval Tilting (NT) version, designed and produced to meet the requirements of the German navy. The total order will include 25 HITROLE systems and will cost about EUR 10 million. OTO Melara announced today it has secured another contracts from the procurement arm of the ministry of Defence (BWB) to supply five 127/64 LW (Light Weight) naval gun systems to equip the German frigates. Four turrets will be installed on the four ships while the fifth will be used for training.

L-3 Integrated Systems Selected for Nimrod R1 Upgrade

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Apr 5, 2007

L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) was selected by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) to become the preferred bidder for a planned upgrade of the RAF Nimrod R1 electronic reconnaissance aircraft fleet. L-3 IS was awarded a contract worth more than GBP 11.5 million ($21.7 million) to carry out the risk reduction studies for HELIX Assessment Phase Stage 3, a major mission system upgrade to the capabilities of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Nimrod R1 electronic reconnaissance aircraft fleet.

Nimrod R1 provides electronic reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering support to military commanders and is viewed as a critical component of the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) force mix.

Upon Main Gate approval, expected in June 2009, L-3 IS will be the preferred contractor to execute the Project HELIX Demonstration and Manufacture contract, which has a projected value of up to GBP 400 million ($756 million), over a 7-year period, with first aircraft delivery scheduled in early 2013.

As the lead systems integrator and prime contractor, L3 heads a team that includes QinetiQ, LogicaCMG and BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies. QinetiQ will provide electronic reconnaissance technologies and LogicaCMG will contribute ground systems, information management and security services and technologies. BAE Systems will provide aircraft modification, aircraft certification, long-term support and logistics services and some sensor technologies. The modification work on the aircraft will be performed at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire, England, with final integration and flight testing conducted in Greenville, Texas.

Future Combat Systems Team Selects Centralized Controller Provider

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Apr 5, 2007

Lockheed Martin was selected by the FCS team to develop the Centralized Controller to provide a single, hand-held device to be used by warfighters of the FCS ‘Unit of Action’ (UA), allowing them to operate and control various unmanned systems. The controller will provide access to over 750 remotely controlled assets within each brigade at any particular time. The potential value of the Centralized Controller contract, which will be finalized shortly and will run through 2014, is in excess of $35 million.

The elements to be controlled by the new device include the Class I unmanned aerial vehicles and their sensor payloads; unmanned ground vehicles and their sensor and weapon payloads; unattended ground sensors; manned ground vehicle functions. The controller will also enable superior situational awareness, training, logistics and medical functions. The controller will consolidate the functions provided by numerous disparate controllers, into a single controller, reducing soldier’s load and improving usability.

Green Light for New Eurofighter Capabilities

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Apr 5, 2007

Eurofighter Typhoon is moving a step forward to become a true multi-mission fighter. By the end of March 2007 Eurofighter GmbH, the aircraft manufacturer was officially contracted to extend the capabilities of the aircraft beyond those already delivered with Tranche 1, based on the Main Development Contract. The next stage will focus on air-to-surface capabilities and communication improvements.

The Phase 1 Enhancement program associated with Tranche 2 aircraft will include the integration of new air-to-ground weapons such as Paveway IV and the EGBU-16 (Enhanced Guided Bomb Unit) alongside integrating a Laser Designator Pod (LDP) into Tranche 2 aircraft of all four partner nations. Besides the introduction of air-to-ground weapons, Phase 1 will also provide for full digital integration of the IRIS-T air-to-air missile, in service with Germany, Italy and Spain.

Phase 2 Enhancement, currently in planning, will introduce further improvements for Trance 2 aircraft, focusing on the integration of standoff weapons like Storm Shadow and Taurus. The final Tranche 1 capability already covers air-to-ground operations with Paveway II and GBU-10/16 Laser Guided Bombs (LGB) plus conventional bombs and the gun. The Royal Air Force will receive Tranche 1 aircraft with an integrated LDP already next year. First RAF aircraft to be upgraded under the new Future Capability Programme (FCP) are expected to enter service early in the next decade.

To maintain the single seat aircraft capability in both air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, the Human Machine Interface of Tranche 2 aircraft will receive performance upgrades required for the simultaneous Swing Role operation, allowing a pilot to continue a bomb run while at the same time fight air attacks by minimizing the pilot’s workload in complex air warfare scenarios. Further extension of the MIDS performance (Multifunctional Information and Distribution System) is a substantial contribution to this objective.

Meanwhile, flight testing of the Typhoon continues, as the fleet recently marked 5,000 flight hours milestone. Test fleets currently focus on testing and evaluation of new software to improve the capability of sub-systems thus increasing the overall weapon system performance. Another effort is focused on electro-optical systems, finalising the work on the Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST)/ Forward-Looking Infra-Red (FLIR), and the new helmet sight. Integration of the Litening Laser Designator Pod (under contract for the Royal Air Force) continues. Further tests are planned to evaluate the new CAESAR electronic scanning radar antenna, considerd for the enhanced radar under development by the EURORADAR consortium as a potential replacement for current CAPTOR radar.

Testing and evaluation of the new European Long Range Air-To-Air Missile, Meteor is also uderway in Spain and Italy. During five test flights in March 2007, the Meteor was flown by the fourth test aircraft (Spanish) in Moron, Spain on the front and rear fuselage stations in order to collect data on how the missile responds in the vibration, load and temperature environments. Further flights are scheduled later in April 2007 in Italy, where Meteor is planned to fly on the outboard pylons of Eurofighter Typhoon.

Lockheed Martin, Gibbs Join Forces to Pursue High Speed Amphibious Vehicles

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Apr 5, 2007

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) and Gibbs Technologies will develop a family of High Speed Amphibious (HSA) vehicles designed specifically for military operations. The new vehicle will reduce the risk of marines and Special Forces units by dramatically reducing the sea-to-shore transition time. According to Rich Lockwood, Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensor’s vice president for Mission Systems, “HSA minimizes that risk, allowing forces to move safer and faster – and with capabilities that make it a powerful asset in a net-enabled force.”

The new vehicles will be based on Gibbs’ amphibious vehicle prototypes originally designed for the consumer market. Lockheed Martin and Gibbs will enhance these designs integrating expeditionary command and control capability, armor and weapons systems. Gibbs’ technology enables amphibians to travel at speeds over 45 mph on water and over 100 mph on land – and to transition from water-to-land or land-to-water in five seconds. These features provide a much needed capability for military littoral, riverine and special operations. The vehicles will have armor protection capability, they will be equipped with network ability to share and distribute information from onboard and remote sensors. The craft will be able to accommodate a variety of weapons systems, based on specific mission needs.

Gibbs and Lockheed Martin are developing three military concept vehicles, representing a scalable capability to meet various missions – the Amphibious Combat Craft — Expeditionary (ACC-E), a 20-foot amphibian capable 45 mph on the water and 80 mph on land; The Amphibious Combat Craft – Riverine (ACC-R) is a 35-foot amphibian capable of 40 mph on the water and 65 mph on land; and the Terraquad, capable of over 55 mph on the water and 50 mph on land.
Alan Gibbs founded Gibbs Technologies in New Zealand in 1996. Initial amphibian concept work was undertaken in 1997 and 1998 in Detroit. In 1999, excited by the technology, Neil Jenkins merged his business to form Gibbs Technologies UK, of which Gibbs Military Amphibian is a licensee. ”

HSAs are high performance craft on the water, and high performance vehicles on the ground and the transition between the two is seamless,” says Alan Gibbs, chairman of Gibbs Technologies. “These are true amphibians, combining the best of both worlds”. Gibbs’ commercial offerings, currently in prototype stage, include the Aquada, a three-person sports car, Humdinga, a four-wheel military vehicle, and Gibbs Quadski, an amphibious all terrain vehicle.

More battlefield helicopters for the UK Armed Forces

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Apr 2, 2007

Britain is accelerating the procurement of helicopters in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The UK has agreed in principle with the Danish Government and AgustaWestland that six Merlin helicopters delivered in the past 12 months to Denmark, will be transferred to the UK, where they will be refitted to meet the British Royal Air Force requirements. Subsequently, Denmark will receive new aircraft from future productions. The RAF will also modernize eight Chinook Mark 3 helicopters at a cost of £50-60 million, to increase its heavy transport capability. The 14 helicopters are expected to be available for deployment in 24 months. The combined program is expected to cost around £230 million.

The six ex Royal Danish Air Force EH101 Merlin Joint Supporters, which will be known as EH101 Merlin HC Mk3As in RAF service, will be equipped with BERP IV technology main rotor blades which will provide further improved performance. The Merlin Mk.3As will be the first helicopters to be equipped with these new technology blades, developed under a jointly funded AgustaWestland and UK MoD research and development rotor technology program.
The acquisition of the six helicopters is expected to cost £175 Million. The new Merlins with operational enhancements and the latest generation of advanced rotor-blades which will enhance their speed, range and lift. This will ensure good performance even in demanding environments like Iraq and Afghanistan. Denmark will then receive six additional aircraft from AgustaWestland. Chinook Mk3s were ordered in 1995 for special operations and were delivered in 2001 but have been unavailable since then due to technical problems.

US Army Evaluates Military Uses of FTTS Concept Vehicles

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Apr 2, 2007

The US Army is conducting Military Utility Assessment (MUA) of five demonstration trucks built under a US$60 million technology evaluation program known as “Future Tactical Truck System” (FTTS). The test involving vehicles developed by Lockheed Marin, International Trucks and Armor Holdings (formerly Stewart & Stevenson) include three utility vehicles and two maneuver sustainment vehicles (MSV). During the evaluation, the vehicles are operated by troops of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and the 14th Engineer Battalion at Ft. Lewis to assess their military performance.

The 18,500 pound (8.39 ton) tactical utility vehicle is the smaller vehicle, built by International. It is powered by a hybrid-electric engine, positioned in the rear, clearing more room in the cab. The vehicle used four-wheel steering for enhanced maneuverability, including driving sideways. The vehicle is fitted with a remote weapons system.

A larger, 25,000 pound (11.34 ton) vehicle was built by Lockheed Martin. This vehicle offers an articulated drive, adjusting the vehicle’s height, and a tilt system enabling the truck and trailer to travel over rough terrain. The vehicle is designed with a V-shaped hull designed to deflect IED blasts. It has a top road speed of 75 mph.

Armor Holdings developed the Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV) comprising a hybrid electric drive that can deliver up to 30 kilowatts of exportable power. Each wheel is powered by a new 120kW electrical motor made by UQM. The vehicle is also equipped with a fully robotic crane that can lift 13 tons of cargo and remotely operated weapon station.

Boeing Starts Phase II of Focused Lethality Munition

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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.

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