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RQ-16: Future Combat Systems’ Lone UAV Survivor

Related content: Americas - USA, Boeing, Britain/U.K., Contracts - Awards, FOCUS Articles, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Project Methodologies, T&C - SAIC, Testing & Evaluation, Transformation, UAVs

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MAV Launch
Class 1 MAV
(click to view full)
DII

American testing; Upgrade plans; British fielding. (Aug 17/10)

The USA’s Future Combat Systems Class I UAV is intended for reconnaissance, security and target acquisition operations in nearly all terrain, including urban environments. Each system of 2 vertical take-off and landing air vehicles, a dismounted control device, and associated ground support equipment. It will be carried by selected platforms and dismounted soldiers, and will use autonomous flight, navigation, and recovery.

The larger Class II and Class III UAV development programs were canceled in favor of existing options: the RQ-7 Shadow, and MQ-1C SkyWarrior. The planned Class IV MQ-8B Fire Scout was canceled by the Army in 2009, though it will see naval use. Despite excellent field reports for mini-UAV competitors like the RQ-11 Raven, however, Honeywell’s hovering RQ-16 “T-Hawk” avoided the axe, found a niche, and made the list for the US Army’s early increment 1 Brigade Combat Team Modernization fielding. It has even seen limited exports…

Next-Stage C4ISR Bandwidth: The AEHF Satellite Program

Related content: Americas - Other, Americas - USA, Boeing, Britain/U.K., C4ISR, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, Electronics - General, Europe - Other, FOCUS Articles, IT - Cyber-Security, L3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, Project Management, R&D - Contracted, Raytheon, Satellites & Sensors, Transformation

Satellite AEHF Concept
AEHF concept
(click to view full)
DII

AEHF-1 launched; $16M to study future enhancements. (Aug 16/10)

This article offers a look at the AEHF system’s rationale and capabilities, while offering insight into some of the program’s problems, and an updated timeline covering over $5 billion worth of contracts since the program’s inception.

The USA’s new Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites will support twice as many tactical networks, while providing 10-12 times the capacity and 6 times higher data rate transfer than that of the current Milstar II satellites. With the cancellation of the higher-capacity TSAT program, AEHF will form the secure, hardened backbone of the Pentagon’s future Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) architecture. Its companion Family of Advanced Beyond-line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) program will give the US military modern capabilities, and more flexibility on the receiving end. The program has international components, and partners include Britain, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Britain’s Future CVF Carriers: the Queen Elizabeth Class

Related content: Asia - China, BAE, Britain/U.K., Budgets, Contracts - Awards, Corporate Innovations, Europe - France, Events, FOCUS Articles, Force Structure, Issues - Political, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Power Projection, Procurement Innovations, Project Management, Project Methodologies, Rolls Royce, Rumours, Surface Ships - Combat, Thales

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CVF Concept
RN CVF Concept
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DII

Last shipyard begins construction; Sale rumors resurface; Switch to Super Hornets?; EMALS-type catapult research. (Aug 8/10)

In 1998, Britain’s Strategic Defence review (SDR) announced plans to replace the current set of 3 Invincible Class 22,000t escort carriers with 2 larger, more capable Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) ships that could operate a more powerful force. These new carriers would be joint-service platforms, operating F-35B aircraft, plus helicopters and UAVs from all 3 services in roles that could include ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), force projection and logistics support, close air support, anti-submarine/ anti-surface naval warfare, and land attack.

The scale of the CVF effort relative to Britain’s past experiences means that the program structure is rather complex. It has passed through several stages already, and is being run and conducted within an industrial alliance framework. There is also a parallel international framework, involving cooperation with France on its PA2 carrier as a larger derivative of the CVF design. This DID FOCUS article covers that structure and framework, ongoing developments, and the ships themselves as they round toward final design, construction, and fielding…

Israel’s Arrow Theater Missile Defense

Related content: ABM, ATK, Americas - USA, Asia - India, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, IAI, Issues - International, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Israel, Middle East - Other, Missiles - Surface-Air, Other Corporation, Project Methodologies, RAFAEL, Radars, Raytheon, Testing & Evaluation, Training & Exercises

Arrow Interception Concept
Arrow test concept
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In a dawning age of rogue states, ballistic missile defenses are steadily become a widely accepted necessity. Iran is widely believed to be developing nuclear capabilities, and Israeli concerns were heightened after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged that Israel be “wiped off the map” (the fact that America was also placed in that category went largely uncovered).

Because missile defenses are so important, states like India and Israel have taken steps to ensure that they have the ability to build many of the key pieces. The Arrow project is a collaboration between Boeing and IAI to produce the missile interceptors that accompany the required radars, satellites, command and control systems.

Murky Competitions for Indian Howitzer Orders May End Soon… Or Not

Related content: Africa, Asia - India, Asia - Other, BAE, Guns - Artillery & Mortars, Lobbying, Middle East - Israel, Other Corporation, Project Methodologies, Rumours, Scandals & Investigations

FH77B Kargil
FH-77Bs, Kargil War
via Bharat Rakshak
(click to view full)

Cancellation, yet again. Now what?(July 27/10)

India has marked over $4 billion worth of artillery projects to purchase several hundred new 155mm howitzers. They’re intended to supplement India’s dwindling artillery stocks, while out-ranging and out-shooting Pakistan’s self-propelled M109 155mm guns. It seemed simple enough, and in the main towed artillery competition, BAE Systems Bofors had been competing against systems from Israel’s Soltam and Denel of South Africa.

Unfortunately, that competition and related artillery procurements have mostly served as cautionary tales, years-long affair filled with legal drama, accusations of corruption, and more than one re-start. Meanwhile, India’s stock of operational 155mm howitzers has dwindled to around 200. In 2007, a new towed howitzer RFP was issued, and the competition was expanded. Only to crash again in 2009. Is there an end in sight to any of these competitions? Or a potential winner?

APKWS II: Laser-Guided Hydra Rockets to Finish SDD Phase

Related content: Americas - USA, BAE, Budgets, Contracts - Awards, Design Innovations, General Dynamics, Issues - Political, Lobbying, Lockheed Martin, Missiles - Anti-Armor, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Project Failures, Project Methodologies, Raytheon, Rockets, Rumours, Sensors & Guidance

ORD_Hydra-70_and_Hellfires.jpg
Hydras & Hellfires
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1st low rate production contract. (July 30/10)

The versatile Hydra 70mm rocket family is primed for a new lease on life, thanks to widespread efforts underway to convert these ubiquitous rockets into cheap laser-guided precision weapons.

The benefits would be considerable, which explains why strong competition has emerged from all points of the compass. America’s “Advanced Precision-Kill Weapon System (APKWS)” is one of those efforts, and after numerous delays and false starts since its inception in 1996, an “APKWS-II” program finally entered System Design and Development (SDD) in 2006. In 2010, it finally entered low-rate production…

Continue Reading… »

ROVER Sics TacAir on Enemies

Related content: Americas - USA, C4ISR, Design Innovations, Electronics - General, FOCUS Articles, Field Innovations, Fighters & Attack, IT - Software & Integration, L3 Communications, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Project Successes, Signals Radio & Wireless, Soldier's Gear, Specialty Aircraft, Transformation, UAVs

JTAC w. ROVER
Start with this…
(click to view full)

ROVER into ATFLIR; French use; ROVER contract. (July 26/10)

“ROVER” is an unimpressive piece of equipment. Mostly, it looks like a ruggedized laptop with antennas. But SpaceWar.com quotes Lt. Col. Gregory E. Harbin, of the 609th Combat Operations Squadron at Shaw Air Force Base, SC, who says ”...the ROVER is bringing a phenomenal capability to our people on the ground.” ROVER is the Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver, which receives camera images from nearby aircraft and UAVs (somewhat like Israel’s wrist-mounted V-RAMBO), then integrates them with other US positioning and targeting software.

Staff Sgt. Justin Cry, a Shaw Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC), has a job that’s an art form at the best of times. Describing features from the ground to a pilot looking down while flying at high speed is no easy task. According to a Dec 16/05 USAF article, he used the system in Iraq and in New Orleans, and says simply: “I can circle an area on my screen, drawing arrows for emphasis, and what I’m drawing appears on (the pilots’) screens as well.”

ROVER continues to evolve, and is becoming an unheralded but critical piece of equipment in America’s arsenal. This is DID’s FOCUS Article covering the system and its ongoing developments – the latest of which is appears to be the FY 2009 ROVER contract.

Replacing Canada’s Failing CC-130s: 17 C-130Js

Related content: Americas - Other, Boeing, Budgets, EADS, FOCUS Articles, Force Structure, Issues - Political, Lockheed Martin, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Power Projection, Pre-RFP, Procurement Innovations, Project Failures, Project Methodologies, Rolls Royce, Support & Maintenance, Think Tanks, Transformation, Transport & Utility, United Technologies

AIR CC-130 AAR BC
CC-130 over BC
(click to view full)
DII

Engine support sub-contract to Rolls Royce. (July 30/10)

The US military has been coming to the realization that its aging aircraft fleet will begin posing serious challenges in the coming years. Canada is experiencing similar problems. In 2005, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier said that “Our [CC-130 E/H] Hercules fleet right now is rapidly going downhill. We know that three years and a little bit more than that, the fleet starts to become almost completely inoperational and we will have to stop supporting operations – or else, not be able to start them.”

The CC-130s are used in a wide variety of roles, from tactical transport to aerial refueling and even search and rescue. The Canadian Forces do not own any other aircraft in a similar class, which makes replacement essential. EADS tried to remain in the running with its Airbus A400M, and other alternatives were proposed, but the specific requirements set by Canada’s Department of National Defense (DND) tended to exclude alternatives. In December 2008, a program worth almost C$ 5 billion got underway to buy 17 of Lockheed’s privately-developed C-130J “Super Hercules” planes.

In this updated Spotlight article, DID can offer additional details regarding the Canadian procurement program, and the thinking behind it; some background that points up the parallels between the issues faced by the Canadians, and the experiences of other air services; and some insight into why the buy took so long, after the C-130J was declared Canada’s preferred choice in an “expedited” process. That initial buy has now added a large fleet support contract…

Despite Problems, SBIRS-High Moves Ahead

Related content: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Official Reports, Outer Space, Project Management, Satellites & Sensors

SPAC SBIRS-High
SBIRS-High
(click to view full)

Launch & support funds for HEO-3. (July 16/10)

The Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS)-High satellite program is a key component of the USA’s future missile alert system, designed to give maximum warning and monitoring of ballistic missile launches anywhere in the world. The new satellites will replace the existing Defense Support Program (DSP) fleet. Their infrared sensors have 2 times the revisit rate and 3 times the sensitivity of DSP, while providing better persistent coverage.

Unfortunately, the program has been beset by massive cost overruns on the order of 400%, technical challenges that continue to present problems, and uncertain performance. Despite these problems, the U.S. Air Force is proceeding with the program, even as it terminates potential alternatives and supplements.

Canada’s C$ 2.9B “Joint Support Ship” Project, Take 2

Related content: Americas - Other, BAE, Force Structure, Issues - Political, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Power Projection, Project Methodologies, RFPs, Support & Maintenance, Surface Ships - Other

SHIP_HMCS_Protecteur_and_USS_Wisconsin_1991.jpg
1991: HMCS Protecteur &
USS Wisconsin battleship
(click to view full)

Letth try that again… (July 14/10)

The Canadian supply ships and oilers HMCS Protecteur, and HMCS Preserver have contributed to humanitarian aid missions in Florida and the Bahamas, peace-making off Somalia and East Timor, and have been poised for the evacuation of non-combatants from Haiti, to name but a few of their recent endeavors.

As part of its spate of military modernization announcements issued just before Canada Day (July 1) 2006, the Canadian government issued an RFP that began the process of defining and building 3 “Joint Support Ships.” The aim was to deliver 3 multi-role vessels with substantially more capability than the current Protecteur Class oiler and resupply ships. In addition to being able to provide at-sea support (re-fueling and re-supply) to deployed naval task groups, the new JSS ships were envisioned as ships that would also be capable of sealift operations, as well as amphibious support to forces deployed ashore.

SHIP_Canada_JSS_Concept_Profile.jpg
JSS
(click to view larger)

This was expected to be a C$ 2.9 billion (USD $2.58 billion) project. DID describes the process, the 4 pre-qualified industry teams participating, and some of the issues swirling around Canada’s very ambitious specifications. Specifications that ultimately sank the whole project, in a manner that was predictable from the outset. Leaving Canada’s navy with a serious problem. Will a second go-round in 2012-13 help any?...

  • JSS: Contracts and Key Events [updated]
  • Appendix A: The JSS v1.0 Procurement Process
  • Appendix B: DID Op-ed/Analysis – June 30, 2006
  • Appendix C: Additional Readings [updated]

    Continue Reading… »

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