• Change of Heart: After hesitating because of a US DoJ probe, British-based Chemring Group has agreed to buy most of the assets of Allied Defense Group, a Vienna, VA-based ammunition supplier, for $59.6 million. ADG’s stock soared in response.

• False Claims: Northrop Grumman agrees to pay $12.5 milllion to settle a US DoJ lawsuit alleging the company submitted false claims regarding electronic parts for use in US military aircraft, helicopters, submarines, and satellites. Nothrop Grumman statement.

• On which topic… a 6,000 km ferry flight for Russia’s new SU-34 fighters? Really?

• Khmer Transport: China is shipping more than 250 military vehicles, including 200 transport trucks, to Cambodia after US suspends vehicle shipments.

• No Hard Feelings? Turkish military officers visit Israel to check out the Heron UAV, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems, despite tensions between the two nations.

• That’s Cool: Raytheon gets US Navy contract to develop cooling systems technology for future naval combatants.

• Thomas Barnett on the McChrystal-Petaeus switch. Short takeaway: Petraeus will get whatever he wants.

C-130 AMP cockpit
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SAR report; GAO report; Milestone C and LRIP approval. (June 23/10)

The USA’s C-130E/H fleet suffers from 2 key problems: (1) many aircraft, especially Air National Guard planes, aren’t flyable, or won’t remain so much longer; and (2) their avionics are too old to meet modern standards for flight in civil airspace.

The 1st problem is being addressed by major structural rework, inspections, and groundings. The 2nd problem was supposed to be addressed by the C-130 AMP program, begun in 2001 in order to improve aircraft fight-readiness, flight times, flexibility, and fuel use. Higher than expected costs left the US military considering program cancellation, however, even as initial AMP contracts, and progress, continued to inch along. Now, Boeing may have finally broken through…

• The C-130 AMP [updated]
• Contract & Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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KC-10 & F-22A
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On June 23/10 Boeing announced a 5-year, $216 million contract to upgrade the USAF’s 59 heavy KC-10 aerial tanker/ transports with new cockpit avionics. The new systems would comply with forecast 2015 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) CNS/ATM (communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management) standards. That compliance is required in order to fly in civil airspace without a waiver, a vital permission for a tanker fleet that’s on call for flexible assistance around the world, and wants to fly fuel-efficient routes.

Boeing has been doing similar CNS/ATM work for the Dutch RNLAF’s 3 aircraft KDC-10 fleet, but lost its hold on the multi-billion dollar KC-10 long-term maintenance contract in 2009, putting its incumbent status for this project in question as well. With its 2010 win, the USAF CNS/ATM contract will be managed at Boeing’s Long Beach, CA, facility. The first KC-10 will be modified and flight-tested in 2012 at the company’s San Antonio, TX facility, and Boeing will complete and deliver the final modified KC-10 in 2015.

International CNS/ATM standards are currently in the beginning stages of a profound change. In early June 2010, Boeing received a 10-year, $1.7 billion contract from the FAA, as part a $4.4 billion contract set to design and implement a next-generation air traffic system. The new NexGen SE2020 system will replace the current approximate position with precise, GPS-aided position fixes, allowing planes to fly much more direct routes with less separation. Europe has a similar SESAR effort underway. Boeing representatives contacted by DID said that NexGen/SESAR compliance was not part of the KC-10s’ cockpit upgrade program.

The New ACU: Changes
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Over $100M in contracts, New ACU pattern for Afghanistan. (June 24/10)

The USA’s Army Combat Uniform (ACU) has undergone significant redesign over the last few years, including the recent addition of an Army Combat Shirt made of different materials. The advances in ACU design undertaken by US Army’s “PEO Soldier,” drew on feedback from the troops and an iterative testing cycle to define the new functional design and look. See the graphic for more details re: specific improvements.

All of the new uniform pieces use a new fractal camouflage scheme called ACUPAT. Because of the wide variety of areas in which ACUPAT may have to operate, and the desire to keep the number of potential uniform schemes to a minimum, ACUPAT is not as locally optimized as other advanced fractal patterns like Hyperstealth’s KA2 for Jordanian forces. It is also very closely derived from the US Marines’ MARPAT, rather than incorporating some of the more recent advances in the field. Like the uniform itself, it may have further room for refinement, but it is an improvement over past conventional camouflage patterns and uniforms. This article tracks the current set of ACU contracts over time, from their initial 2005 issue to the present; as well as changes to US ACU patterns.

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MH-53E & Mk-105 sled
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RMS SAR report; ALMDS support & development contract. (June 24/10)

The US Navy currently uses large CH-53/MH-53 helicopters and towed sleds to help with mine clearance work, but they hope to replace those old systems with something smaller and newer. In an era where the threat of mines is arguably rising, new minehunter ship classes like the Ospreys are being retired by the US Navy and sold. That makes AMCM a doubly-critical program.

The smaller MH-60S helicopter’s Airborne Mine Counter-Measures (AMCM) system adds an operator’s station to the helicopter cabin, additional internal fuel stores, and towing capability, accompanied by a suite of carried systems that can be mixed and matched. AMCM is actually 5 different air, surface and sub-surface mine countermeasures systems, all deployed and integrated together in the helicopter.

• Airborne Mine Counter-Measures (AMCM): The Set [updated]
• Contracts & Key Events, 2000 – Present [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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67% of the fleet
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PVLS contract. (June 24/10)

The prime missions of the new DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class destroyer are to provide naval gunfire support and next-generation air defense in near-shore areas where other large ships hesitate to tread, possibly even as the anchor for an action group of stealthy Littoral Combat Ships and submarines. The estimated 14,500t (cruiser sized) Zumwalt Class will be fully multi-role, however, with undersea warfare, anti-ship, and long-range surface attack roles.

That makes the DDG-1000 suitable or another role – as a “hidden ace card,” using its overall stealth to create uncertainty for enemy forces. At over $3 billion per ship for construction alone, however, the program faced significant obstacles if it wanted to avoid fulfilling former Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter’s fears for the fleet.

True, or False?
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DID’s FOCUS Article for the DDG-1000 program covers the new ships’ capabilities and technologies, key controversies, associated contracts and costs, and related background resources. From the outset, DID has noted that the Zumwalt Class might face the same fate as the ultra-sophisticated, ultra-expensive SSN-21 Seawolf Class submarines. That appears to have come true, with news of the program’s truncation to just 3 ships. Meanwhile, production continues.

• Zumwalt Class: Program and Participants
• DDG-1000 Key Technologies and Features [updated]
• DDG-1000 Issues and Controversies
• Zumwalt Class: Contracts and Key Events
  • FY 2010 [updated]
  • FY 2009 to 1998
• Additional Readings & Sources
  
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Cougar 6×6, IEDed
- the crew lived.
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British order; Fleet management software; Field Service contracts (June 23/10)

The Cougar family of medium-sized blast-protected vehicles is produced in both 4-wheel (formerly Cougar H) and 6-wheel (formerly Cougar HE) layouts. Eventually, the wisdom of using survivable vehicles in a theater where land mines were the #1 threat became clearer, and these vehicles have gradually shifted from dedicated engineer and Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) roles to patrol and route-proving/ convoy lead functions as well. Related variants and blast-resistant designs are also produced in response to country-specific requirements (Wolfhound, Mastiff, Ridgback, ILAV Badger) and other designs cover different operational needs (Buffalo mine-clearance, Cheetah, Ocelot, and JAMMA patrol vehicles). To date, the firm has received orders from Britain, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Iraq, and Yemen; and Poland operates some on loan from the USA. Front line testimonials offer evidence of their effectiveness.

Cougar orders predate the USA’s MRAP program to rush mine-resistant vehicles to the front lines; indeed, the performance of Force Protection’s vehicles on the front lines was probably the #1 trigger for the MRAP program’s existence. This FOCUS article describes Force Protection’s vehicles and corporate performance, which became an issue in recent years. It also covers key events and procurements around the world related to Force Protection’s Cougar (MRAP CAT I & II), Buffalo (MRAP CAT III), and the firm’s related blast-resistant vehicle families.

• The Cougar Vehicles [updated]
• Cougar Family: Related Contracts & Events [updated]
• Appendix A: Ramping Up Production
• Appendix B: Additional Readings and Sources
  
  Continue Reading… »

• Sweden receives Parliamentary approval for a 2010 buy of 2 next-generation Type A26 fast-attack submarines; an initial design contract was issued in February 2010.

• Eye in the Sky: Israel’s recently launched spy satellite Ofeq 9, the latest in a series of Ofeq satellites built by Israel Aerospace Industries, began transmitting June 23.

• Truckin’: A report [pdf] by the Democratic staff of a US House Committee on Oversight and Government Report subcommittee criticizes DoD for lax oversight of the $2.16 billion Afghan Host Nation Trucking contract.

• Laser Shows: Northrop Grumman secures phase 2 contract from DARPA for development of fiber laser technology for weapons.

• No left turn: Boeing consolidates its 747 Airborne Laser and directed energy work in Albuquerque, NM.

• Lockheed Martin, Alaska Aerospace partner to bid for GMD missile interceptor support contract.

• Full of Holes: DoD grants $1.2 million to New England School of Acupunture to test effectiveness of acupuncture in treating Gulf War illnesses.

• New President: Raytheon names Thomas Kennedy to head Integrated Defense Systems unit, which supplies the Patriot air defense system and other defense systems.

• New Commander: Lt Gen Peter Devlin takes over command of the Canadian Army from Lt Gen Andrew Leslie. What, you thought we meant some other new commander?

Reinforcements coming
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In May 2008, “C-17A, F-22A May Get Reprieves from Congress” noted that the US House Armed Services Air & Land Forces subcommittee had recommended $3.9 billion to buy 15 Boeing C-17 cargo aircraft in FY 2009, a recommendation that was accepted and eventually became part of the FY 2009 budget. That recommendation was part of a larger controversy that has been swirling around the best structure for the USA’s strategic air transport fleet, as documented in Interactive: C-5s vs. C-17s in Washington.

That controversy has not gone away. Cuts to the C-5M AMP/RERP program will leave almost 2/3 of the fleet without the most significant availability improvements, creating a potential opening for more C-17 purchases over the next few years. There were rumors that the new administration will be sympathetic to that specific request, but that has not been the case. Despite veto threats from the Obama administration, independent Congressional action has remained the C-17 program’s lifeline, as it finally passes the original program goal of 210…

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MWMIK Jackal
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Another 140 Jackal 2As. (June 23/10)

Britain is part of the general push by western countries to field heavier, mine-protected vehicles, via orders for the Mastiff Cougar variant and its smaller 4×4 Ridgback companion. UK forces are also fielding vehicles like the Land Rover WMIK (Weapons Mounted Installation Kit) that have a very different core concept: firepower and visibility over protection. When deployed in mixed groups with more protected vehicles, and used on open terrain like the plains of southern Afghanistan, ‘the porcupine’ (WMIK) has earned enemy respect and commander requests.

The British sought to build on the WMIK’s strengths, in order to create a comparable vehicle with greater firepower and off-road mobility. Supacat’s HMT was adapted, then adopted, by the British and by Australia’s SAS commandos. Now, Britain has signed contracts for 2 new versions: Jackal 2, and the Coyote cargo vehicle…

• Land Rover WMIK Finds an Afghan Niche
• Supacat’s MWMIK/ “Jackal”: Origins and Program
• Supacat’s HMT: The Vehicles
• Contracts and Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
  Continue Reading… »