Armoredd.com

A Defence Policy and Business news article
3 Jul 09

It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Thompson and Flight Lieutenant Nigel Morton of 43 Squadron, RAF Leuchars, were killed when their Tornado aircraft crashed yesterday, Thursday 2 July 2009.

The crash happened during a routine training flight at Glen Kinglas in Argyll, Scotland. An RAF Service Inquiry into this incident is now underway.

Pilot Flight Lieutenant Thompson, 27, was from the Glasgow area. Weapon Systems Officer Flight Lieutenant Morton, 43, was from Fife.

Pilot Flight Lieutenant Thompson’s family said:

“Kenneth is from a military family background. He was passionate about his career in the RAF, his flying and he loved life. We, the family, have lost our son and brother, but take some comfort from the fact that he died doing what he loved - flying. Our thoughts are also with the family of his navigator, friend and colleague at this most difficult time for us all.”

Weapon Systems Officer Flight Lieutenant Morton’s family said:

“Beloved father and husband, son, brother and son-in-law. Respected by all who worked with him. Our thoughts are with Kenny’s family at this terrible time.”

Air Commodore R J Atkinson, Air Officer Scotland and Officer Commanding Royal Air Force Leuchars, said:

“Flight Lieutenant Nige Morton was a wonderful, energetic and professional member of our team. Constantly enthusiastic and steeped in experience he has been a highly valued member of his squadron and RAF Leuchars. Well known by everyone, Nige will be sorely missed; my thoughts are with his wife and son at this desperate time.

“Flight Lieutenant Kenny Thompson was a bright and effervescent young man with a zest for life. I shall remember him for his constant smile and inspirational attitude that brought much happiness to all; he will be dearly missed by all who have known him. My thoughts are with his family.”

Wing Commander David Hazell, Officer Commanding 43(Fighter) Squadron, said:

“43(Fighter) Squadron has been stunned and saddened by the tragic deaths of Flight Lieutenants Kenny Thompson and Nigel Morton.

“Kenny was a young pilot with an extremely bright future ahead of him. He was enthusiastic about everything in life; in particular he had an enormous thirst for flying. His character was defined by his tremendous and infectious enthusiasm. Kenny was a very popular member of the squadron.

“Nige was one of the most experienced navigators on the Tornado F3 Force with nearly 3,000 hours on the aircraft. His professionalism and skill were matched only by his generosity of spirit and his commitment to flying. Nige was greatly respected throughout the fast jet community. He set the highest standards, putting his heart and soul into everything he did.

“Their deaths are a huge loss to the squadron and the Tornado F3 Force as a whole; however, it is nothing compared to that suffered by their families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this dreadful time.”

Squadron Leader Wayne Smith, Kenny and Nige’s Flight Commander on 43(Fighter) Squadron, said:

“Nige was a ‘Professional Aviator’ in title and this totally defined him. A veteran of operations in Bosnia and Iraq, Nige was a consummate professional, a talented Weapon Systems Officer and a good friend. He was pivotal to squadron flying operations. He single-handedly ran the flying programme and manning.

“He was a superb instructor, supervisor and font of technical knowledge. Nige was so approachable, which made him such a great man on the Tornado F3 Force. I will miss Nige tremendously, not just in squadron daily life, but also in his other love on the golf course. Our thoughts are with his wife and son at this terribly sad time.

“Kenny was the epitome of a fighter pilot and at the heart of 43(Fighter) Squadron. He had a close association with the squadron long before becoming one of its pilots, during his university days. No-one was more enthusiastic, professional and committed to flying than he. His great attitude was contagious.

“Flying was what defined Kenny and when he wasn’t in a Tornado F3 he would be flying his own aircraft around Scotland. Trips to Tiree with Kenny in his plane were the talk of the summer at Leuchars. It is with some consolation that his squadron friends know that he died doing what he enjoyed the most; flying a fast jet on a beautiful summer’s day in the West of Scotland. Kenny will be sorely missed.

“The squadron and anyone who ever met Kenny will always remember his humour, professionalism and dedication to flying, which was never a job but a way of life to him.”

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

“I was deeply saddened to hear about the deaths of Flight Lieutenants Kenneth Thompson and Nigel Morton. A thorough investigation is underway to establish the cause of the incident. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families of the two aircrew as they face this shocking loss.”

Source: U.K Ministry of Defence

MELBOURNE, Fla., June 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Like the advertisement that speaks to the value of a product, Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE:NOC) new Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communications capability is priceless for troops on the ground. That is the sentiment coming from the 116th Air Control Wing, which flies the U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS).

The company completed delivery of the new airborne broadband and Internet Protocol (IP) communications capability on the E-8C earlier this year. The ground stations, trainers and the full fleet of aircraft have been equipped with the IP-based BLOS communications system, which provides chat, e-mail and web-browsing capabilities across the U.S. Department of Defense secure network.

“I can’t begin to quantify what BLOS can do,” said Lt. Col. Tom Grabowski, 116th ACW’s director of plans and programs. “Already we’ve seen our operators in the back of the jet working multiple chat rooms, real-time, directing information in ways we hadn’t imagined.”

The BLOS capability upgrade was developed in response to an Urgent Operational Need (UON) program request received in September 2007 to support the warfighter’s requirement to communicate on a global scale using Internet-based technology. Included in the BLOS product are critical information assurance (IA) designs, which ensure the integrity, security and correct accessibility of classified communications.

“This was the first airborne implementation of IA concepts in a communications design,” said Stu Schreiber, Northrop Grumman’s BLOS program manager. “We were able to create a robust airborne mobile network that can provide IP addressing across the fleet, communicate globally and ensure security and information integrity.”

“The BLOS capability allows Joint STARS operators to connect with personnel anywhere in the world using either data or voice communications via existing satellite and IP infrastructures,” said Schreiber.

“Our development team pulled together a detailed design, developed software and customized networking protocols, and integrated the system within four months,” said Dale Burton, vice president of Northrop Grumman’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance programs for the company’s Aerospace Systems sector. “This precedent-setting effort also included a parallel retrofit/fielding effort, resulting in a complete fleet-wide design to install upgrade within 14 months and within the constraints of aircraft availability, as Joint STARS continues to support key warfighting efforts overseas.

“This type of system design and development (SDD) program would normally take 20-22 months to complete, but the entire effort was condensed into a nine month effort through an incredible level of contractor and government focus and dedication,” continued Burton. “Now we’re looking for ways we can improve the jet’s connectivity even more.”

Schreiber noted that to ensure earliest possible system availability for the warfighter, elements of SDD design were developed concurrent with BLOS installation to accelerate the fielding of an initial operational capability. “Fleet Retrofit was executed by updating aircraft at Robins AFB during extended weekends and on a non-interference basis through close coordination with the 116th Air Control Wing’s scheduling personnel,” he said.

“In a time when delivering programs on cost and on schedule can be challenging, BLOS is a success in both respects, coming in early and on cost while also meeting an urgent warfighter need,” said Capt. Kate Stowe, Air Force BLOS program manager.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the E-8C Joint STARS development and whole-life support programs. The E-8C is the world’s most advanced wide-area airborne ground-surveillance, targeting and battle-management system. It detects, locates, classifies, tracks, and targets hostile ground movements, communicating real-time information through secure data links with joint and component command and control elements.

All 17 Joint STARS aircraft are assigned to the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing, a “total-force blended wing,” based at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The wing comprises active-duty Air Force, Army and Air National Guard personnel.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Source: Northrop Grumman

29 June 2009

The first of two C-130 transport aircraft to be delivered to Royal Netherlands Air Force took its first flight after being upgraded.

The upgrades include replacement of analogue displays with digital displays and incorporating weather radar, engine instruments and lightning sensor that will improve situational awareness and safety of the craft.

The aircraft needed the refurbishment to match up to modern requirements as they had been retired in 1991 by their previous owner, the US Navy.

The air force will deploy the aircrafts in peace missions bringing the total number of C-130 in Dutch service to four.

The second C-130 is being upgraded by Marshall Aerospace, with support from its manufacturer Lockheed Martin, and will take its first flight later in 2009.

The aircrew will gain experience of flying the craft during the test flights scheduled for the coming weeks.

Source: Air Force Technology

June 29, 2009 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Obama administration finally agreed to Egypt’s longstanding request to purchase 24 new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter aircraft.

Egypt had requested the US to supply 24 new LF-16 Block 52 fighter jets to upgrade its existing fleet.

Sources said U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates relayed the commitment in his May 5 meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

The Egyptian request for the F-16 fighter jets and other military equipment had been denied repeatedly by the former Bush administration over Egypt’s record on human rights and democracy.

The other equipment included the Longbow Apache helicopter, mobile air defense systems and the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) which is a guidance kit that converts existing unguided or “dumb” bombs into “smart” munitions.

Lockheed Martin chief executive officer Robert Stevens confirmed that the company had been notified of the Egyptian request.

The 24 F-16s would replace some of the other 220 F-16s of varying capability that Egypt has acquired on five separate occasions beginning in 1980 under direct U.S. Foreign Military Sales and through the Netherlands and Turkey.

Egypt has been flying the F-16 since 1982, and acquired a total of 220 of those jets since 2002 (42 Block 15 F-16A/B, 40 Block 32 F-16C/D and 138 Block 40 F-16C/D).

Source: F-16.net

By Associated Press of Pakistan on June 28, 2009 at 1:44 am

ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman on Saturday said that first Pakistan made JF-17 - Thunder - aircraft would fly in the country’s airspace by end of this year.He made this announcement while addressing the Graduation Ceremony of No 38 Combat Commanders’ Course which was held at Pakistan Air Force Base, Mushaf (Sargodha).

In his address to the graduating Combat Commanders, he said, The JF-17 Thunder program is on track. “We will start production of this aircraft from 30th of this month and Inshallah 1st Made in Pakistan JF-17 aircraft will fly in Pakistan’s airspace by end of this year.”

“PAF has extensively flown against the militants in Swat as well as in FATA. Application of airpower has brought about tangible results. This is a new type of warfare in which PAF has been participating for the first time during the last one year or so in support of Pakistan Army. We will continue our contribution towards our national security effort as long as it is required.”

Referring to the challenges confronted the nation, he said ‘the challenges, both internal and external, that confront us today and our responses to these have to be viewed in the broader perspective of the changes that are shaping the geopolitical landscape of the world. Apart from the traditional hostile adversary, new frontiers of conflict have lately emerged for us in the West and from within. These developments pose a great deal of threat to our national security.”

The Chief Guest awarded certificates and trophies to the graduating officers who underwent a strenuous and professionally demanding course.

The Chief of the Air Staff Trophy for the best Combat Commander was awarded to Squadron Leader Haider Shahbaz Ali while Air Officer Commanding Air Defence Command Trophy for best Combat Controller was awarded to Squadron Leader Saquib Rehman.

Earlier on his arrival, the Chief Guest was received by Air Commodore M Ashfaque Arain, Base Commander PAF Base, Mushaf. The ceremony was attended by Principal Staff Officers and field commanders of Pakistan Air Force.

Source: Defence Talk

PARIS, June 12, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — The Canadian military and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) have completed a joint venture that integrated the combat-proven Enhanced Paveway II 500-pound GBU-49 on Canada’s CF-18 Hornet strike aircraft.

The effort took less than 90 days and culminated in the successful employment of four weapons, which were dropped during the U.S. Air Force’s Weapon System Evaluation program. This marked the first time a GPS-guided weapon was employed by a Canadian CF-18.

“EP II will provide a much needed capability to the fighter force by providing a precise and flexible option to meet the challenges of the modern battlespace,” said Maj. Paul Frigault, officer commanding of the Canadian operational test and evaluation effort responsible for evaluating the GBU-49. “This is a milestone for the Canadian Forces in demonstrating the ability to deliver precision munitions through clouds.”

Enhanced Paveway II is an affordable, all-weather, dual mode GPS/laser-guided precision munition that has successfully been used in combat by the U.K.’s Royal Air Force during Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom.

“With this employment under our belts, Raytheon’s EP II is now integrated on 18 aircraft,” said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile System’s Air Warfare Systems. “EP II is the ideal weapon for counter-insurgency operations, providing a critical capability to the Canadian military.”

During the test, three weapons were released through a cloud deck at 10,000 feet and guided via GPS to impact with a high degree of accuracy. The fourth weapon initially guided to the target by GPS but used laser energy for the last 15 seconds of flight, resulting in a precise impact on the target.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Source: Raytheon Company

Posted 6/24/2009

by Jennifer Kleinhenz
Air Combat Command Public Affairs

6/24/2009 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFNS) — Langley Air Force Base officials opened their gates to five Iraqi military members and one Iraqi contractor June 10 as a part of the Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq Iraqi Security Forces Senior Engineer Symposium.

The Iraqi Security Forces Senior Engineer Symposium showcased how the U.S. military conducts facilities engineering and management in order to empower Iraqi senior engineers to design, develop and execute their own plans for aiding Iraq’s expanding military abilities.

Maj. Gen. Abdullah Nezar, Brig. Gen. Nabeel Alhamdani, Brig. Gen. Alaa Altaei, Yousif Mohanad, Col. Hanesh Ahmed, Col. Mohammed Mahmood Qasim and Saad Hamdi visited several Langley AFB sites and attended a briefing at Headquarters Air Combat Command.

“The reason for this symposium is to come here and view most of the installations and how they operate them and how they construct them to transfer all these experiences to Iraqis and do the same thing as they do here,” said General Nezar, the ministry of interior infrastructure director in Iraq.

“The main idea is to provide the Iraqi security, either ministry of interior or ministry of defense, with facilities to provide security for all the people in Iraq,” General Nezar said.

Iraqi senior engineers attended a briefing and visited locations such as the in-house construction site at the 1st Force Support Squadron and the 1st Operations Group. The briefing provided an overview as to how ACC members accomplish civil engineer installation management and support for their installations.

For Col. Richard Wheeler, the installations and mission support deputy director, it is very important for the U.S. to join with other countries to exchange ideas and spread knowledge.

“For our allies, spreading that knowledge and information is critical to ensuring they can become self-sufficient in the near term and in the long term,” Colonel Wheeler said.

However, this exchanging of knowledge and ideas works both ways.

“A lot of the engineers we deal with from countries we are engaged with have earned their degrees from universities all over the world and those experiences pay huge dividends for us in the U.S. military,” he said.

Colonel Wheeler agreed with and elaborated on General Nezar’s wish to provide security for all the people in Iraq.

“I think that the average American does not realize most of the allies we deal with have the same goals and values and they want to be able to provide the best facilities and infrastructure they can for their people,” Colonel Wheeler said.

The MNSTC-I, a division of the Multinational Force-Iraq in charge of developing, organizing, training, equipping and sustaining the Iraqi Security Ministries, funded the symposium from June 6 until June 14 in Norfolk, Va.

The Iraqi senior engineers attended seminars held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Mid Atlantic and Army Installation Command at Fort Eustis, Va.

“We visited different installations, some for the Army, for the Navy and for the Air Force, so we can have a complete vision for all of the different installations,” said General Nezar.

Source: U.S Air Force

SEATTLE, June 16, 2009 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that it has completed satellite communications and air traffic management upgrades on the U.S. Air Force’s 32 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance aircraft as part of the Integrated DAMA/GATM (IDG) program.

The satellite communications upgrade, known as Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA), provides multiple channels for voice and data, which improves each AWACS aircraft’s ability to communicate with other AWACS aircraft, platforms and ground stations.

The Global Air Traffic Management (GATM) upgrade helps AWACS aircraft operate more efficiently in congested airspace worldwide, especially in Europe and the U.S. East Coast corridor, by allowing them to fly closer to other aircraft. The enhancements include a collision avoidance system, which sounds an alert and provides a message to the AWACS flight crew to climb or descend as needed.

“The IDG program has been a tremendous success, and through outstanding teamwork with our government and industry partners, we were able to complete the modifications and put these important capabilities in the hands of the Air Force several months ahead of schedule,” said Kelly Freebairn, Boeing IDG program manager.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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Source: Boeing

Air Forces from ten nations are currently participating in the NATO-led operation Loyal Arrow to train methods for quick reaction and the ability to participate in international efforts.

6/15/2009 |

With more than 50 aircraft participating, Loyal Arrow is the largest aerial exercise held in Sweden since the days of the Cold War. The exercise is being conducted over northern Sweden between the 8th and 16th June. The exercise scenario is based on a multinational crisis management effort acting under a UN mandate.

The main base is the F 21 Wing at Luleå, with aircraft also based at Vidsel, Bodö and Örland in Norway, Oulu in Finland and additionally on the British aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious in the Gulf of Bothnia.

Readiness for international missions
Three of the Swedish Air Force’s divisions are participating. Swedish Gripen will be based at Luleå and Vidsel. For the Swedish Air Force’s Expeditionary Fighter Unit SE02 the exercise also means it will be certified in accordance with NATO’s Level 2 standard. As of the 1st July the company will be on ten day’s standby notice.

Air divisions from Finland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Germany and the USA are participating, in addition to Sweden. Amongst the aircraft types are Harrier, Tornado, F-15E Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-18 Hornet, KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3A AWACS.

Source: SAAB

Press Releases

Jun 15, 2009

Awards include 20mm and 30mm Training and Tactical Ammunition

ATK Produces Over Eight Million Rounds of Medium-Caliber Ammunition Annually

MINNEAPOLIS, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received $31 million in awards under two contracts from the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Contracting Center, Rock Island, Ill., to produce 20mm and 30mm tactical and training ammunition.

Under the first award, ATK will deliver 20mm Mk244 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot (APDS) rounds for the U.S. Navy 20mm Phalanx anti-missile system. The award consists of a base year with four option years and deliveries beginning in December 2009. The Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) is a fast-reaction, rapid-fire 20mm gun system that provides U.S. Navy ships with a terminal defense against anti-ship missiles that have penetrated other fleet defenses.

Under a separate award, ATK will deliver 30mm PGU-15 Target Practice (TP) ammunition for the U.S. Air Force’s A-10 Warthog. Deliveries on the multiple-year contract begin in 2010. Specifically designed for close air support against a variety of ground targets, the A-10’s combination of large and varied ordnance load, long loiter time, accurate weapons delivery, austere field capability, and survivability has proven invaluable to the United States and its allies. ATK’s Mesa, Ariz. facility was awarded the contracts. Production will take place at the company’s facilities in Lake City, Mo., Radford, Va., and Rocket Center, W.Va.

ATK produces more than eight million rounds of medium-caliber ammunition per year, including the revolutionary air bursting rounds it developed for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and a complete suite of ammunition for ATK’s new Lightweight 25mm chain gun.

ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues in excess of $4.7 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: assumptions related to the volume of ammunition delivered under the IDIQ contract; changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company’s competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: ATK

Source: Indo Asian News Service

Tezpur/New Delhi, June 15 (IANS) Four front-line Sukhoi combat jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were formally inducted in the sensitive northeastern region Monday as part of a strategic deployment of advanced assets close to the Chinese border, defence officials said.

The four multi-role strike Su-30MKI fighters will be based at Tezpur, about 185 km north of Assam’s main city of Guwahati, with the strength of the squadron gradually being raised to 18 aircraft.

‘Due to bad weather, there was no flypast of the Sukhois, although there was a small symbolic ceremony to welcome the jets and crew at the Tezpur base,’ an IAF official said.

Air Marshal S.K. Bhan, air officer commanding-in-chief of the Eastern Air Command, presided over the induction ceremony.

The decision to deploy the Su-30MKIs, the most potent fighter in the IAF inventory, follows repeated instances of Chinese incursions in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh in the last few years.

The Tezpur base is within striking distance of the India-China border along Arunachal Pradesh.

According to the defence ministry, there have been about 270 violations by Chinese soldiers in the western, middle and eastern sectors of the border in 2008, while 60 have been reported so far this year.

Beijing had in 2003 given up its territorial claim over the Indian state of Sikkim but still maintains that vast stretches of Arunachal Pradesh belong to China.

The mountainous state of Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030-km (650-mile) unfenced border with China. This frontier is defined by the McMahon Line, a notional boundary that is now known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). China has never recognised the McMahon Line, and claims 90,000 sq km or almost all of Arunachal Pradesh. India also accuses China of occupying 8,000 sq km (14,670 square miles) in Kashmir.

India and China fought a bitter border war in 1962, with Chinese troops advancing deep into what was then called the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and inflicting heavy casualties on Indian troops.

Capable of carrying nuclear weapons and tailor-made for Indian specifications, the Russian designed Su-30MKI being manufactured under license by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The aircraft was inducted into the IAF in 1997.

The IAF currently operates five squadrons of the Su-30s, with three stationed at Lohegaon in Pune and two at Bareilly. Each squadron comprises 18-20 aircraft.

The IAF plans to increase the strength of its Su-30 fleet to nearly 200 jets over the next five years.

The Tezpur airfield was constructed in 1942, during the Second World War. It lies between Bhutan, Tibet, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Ever since its inception, it has been one of the most active bases in northeast from where a variety of fixed and rotary wing aircraft have been operating.

As of now, five bases in the eastern and northeastern parts of the country, including Tezpur, Chabua and Jorhat in Assam, Panagarh in West Bengal and Purnea in Bihar, are due for upgrades.

Source: Sulekha.com

Ravi Sharma

- Defence Ministry sends letters to six aviation firms
- It’s for IAF to speedily complete evaluation and indicate its choice
- Aircraft to be tested in hot weather and at high altitude

BANGALORE: The Indian Air Force’s bid to acquire 126 medium multirole combat aircraft has got a much-needed push.

The Defence Ministry has issued “the letters of invitation for flight evaluation trials” to six companies that are vying for the $10-$12-billion contract.

They are the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, which pitches in with Eurofighter Typhoon, America’s Lockheed Martin (F-16 Falcon) and Boeing Integrated Defence System (F/A-18F Super Hornet), Russia’s Mikoyan (MiG-35), Sweden’s Gripen (JAS-39) and France’s Dassault (Rafale).

The ball is now in the IAF’s court “to speedily complete the flight evaluation and indicate its choice,” say Ministry officials.

Between July and March next, the IAF will have to undertake the trials, initially in India to test the performance of the aircraft under local conditions and then in the countries of their origin. Armament trials will be conducted in the country of origin as bringing weapons to India could be problematic.

For the evaluation trials, the IAF is likely to form two teams composed of test pilots, flight test engineers and maintenance crew, drawn primarily from the Aircraft Systems and Testing Establishment and, to a lesser extent, from fighter squadrons. The teams are also likely to include officials of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (to look into technology transfer and industrial partnership) and the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification.

Besides enabling the IAF test pilots to try out the aircraft, the trials will allow flight and ground test crew to know about the maintenance and overhaul facilities required.

Once the IAF makes its evaluation, some time in 2010, commercial negotiations could begin. The terms indicate that the first aircraft will have to be delayed 48 months after a contract is signed.

Time-consuming, expensive
The time-consuming and expensive process — it could cost each competitor $5 million — will test each aircraft whether it can measure up to the performance indicators set forth in flight manuals in Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh (under normal conditions, in hot weather and at a high altitude).

Each competitor is sending two aircraft. Informed sources have indicated that Rafale will be one of the first to be evaluated. It will fly into Bangalore in the first week of September.

Officials of the companies told The Hindu that they had initiated a survey of the locations, where their aircraft would be tested.

Source: The Hindu

BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Published: 12 Jun 2009 11:08

Source: Defense News

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia has taken delivery of the first two Eurofighter Typhoons out of a massive order for 72 of the British planes that first fell into doubt over an arms scandal, state news agency SPA said June 12.

Assistant Defense and Aviation Minister Prince Khaled bin Sultan received the two Typhoons at a ceremony with British officials at the facilities of BAE Systems, the aircraft’s manufacturer, in Wharton, England on June 11, it said.

The two fighters were the first out of an order for an eventual 72 that has been valued at up to 20 billion pounds ($32.9 billion), including armaments and long-term servicing.

Saudi Arabia is the first country outside Europe to have the Typhoon, a multi-role aircraft produced by a BAE Systems-led consortium of European firms.

The deal was first announced in August 2006, but then fell into doubt due to a British investigation into massive corruption allegations in earlier arms deals between Saudi Arabia and BAE Systems that implicated senior officials of both countries.

The investigation into the so-called Yamamah deals was called off by the British government in December 2006 on grounds of “national security” and “public interest,” and the final contract for the Typhoon aircraft was signed in September 2007.

The purchase will help the Saudis upgrade their air force from its current fleet of BAE’s 1980s-vintage Tornado F3s and U.S.-made Boeing F-15s.

Under the original deal, BAE is to deliver 24 Typhoons completely built to the Saudis, and another 48 are to be assembled inside Saudi Arabia as the country seeks to build up its own aeronautic industry capabilities.

Prince Khaled, who is also commander of the Saudi air force, said the new aircraft “are not to threaten anyone but to protect and secure the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the coming decades,” SPA reported.

But Riyadh is known to want to maintain air superiority over rival Iran amid fears that Tehran is seeking to extend the range of its air force to full region-wide capability.

According to Lebanon-based defense news service Tactical Newswires, the Saudis will soon begin meetings with U.S. officials to discuss buying F-16s for the Saudi air force.

All content © 2009, Army Times Publishing Company

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 29, 2009 – A U.S. Air Force B-1B bomber returned to flight last week after a team led by The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] replaced its catastrophically damaged upper-center boron longeron – the aircraft’s “backbone.”

The B-1, Swift Justice, was damaged during a routine training mission in December 2007. An engine-bleed air duct rupture triggered a temperature warning light, forcing the crew to land the aircraft at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

Replacing the upper-center boron longeron, which is essential for stability in flight, is not a simple task because the part is unique to each aircraft, with no spares available.

“The boron backbone of the B-1 is an aggressive composite design, even by today’s standards,” said Mahesh Reddy, B-1 program director for Boeing Global Services & Support. “In order to perform the repair, we worked with the Air Force and industry partners to remanufacture the entire part.”

Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and Boeing Commercial Airplanes employees from sites across the company worked together with the Air Force and material vendors to re-create the damaged part. Specialty Materials Inc. in Lowell, Mass., the original boron/epoxy supplier, provided 14,000 feet of 4-inch-wide unidirectional tape to fabricate the longeron. Cytec Engineered Materials Inc., in Tempe, Ariz., supplied the adhesive film and adhesive primer. Due to the part’s complexity and 47.5-foot length, the Boeing Composite Fabrication & Assembly Center in Seattle was selected to perform the layup and cure the part in its 90-foot-deep autoclave.

“The return to flight of this B-1 is a perfect example of how Boeing solves issues by applying skills and capabilities from across the company, our suppliers and our customer,” said Reddy.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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Source: Boeing

09 June 2009

Rationalisation of finances and resources in the UK armed forces may lead to operation of all combat jets by the Royal Air Force alone, RAF chief marshal Sir Glenn Torpy said.

This prediction, if true, may divest the Royal Navy of its air power except for a small fleet of helicopters and close-up operation of its maritime air force and its fleet air arm, The Telegraph reports.

The RAF’s potential control over all fixed-wing aircraft operations will also lead the navy to give up its claims over its F-35 joint strike fighters.

It is anticipated that any shake up of military air power would have far reaching consequences.

However, the chief feels that the controversial remark is supported by the fact that rationalisation is needed to deliver the maximum from the current defence budget.

Source: Air Force Technology

by 2nd Lt. Mark Lazane
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

6/3/2009 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — Seeing a C-130 Spectre gunship rolling down the strip is a common occurrence here.

So common, in fact, that often the sight of the aircraft taking off does not draw the attention of most personnel on base. To many, it is just another routine training exercise in progress for one of the busiest squadrons in the Air Force.

True to form, on Tuesday, May 19, a pair of Spectre gunships took off in what may have appeared to be yet another normal training flight.

However, this particular take off meant something truly special to all Hurlburt Field personnel, whether they realized it or not.

On this particular takeoff, members of the 16th Special Operations Squadron, the men and women who fly the Spectre gunship, rolled down Hurlburt Field’s runway, marking the beginning of the end of a decorated combat squadron located on Hurlburt Field.

The planes reached the end of the runway, climbed into the sky, then quickly headed due west, becoming the first airplanes from Hurlburt Field headed to the squadron’s new home awaiting them at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

“It was satisfying to see the big pieces of the move getting prepped and ready for their formation departure,” said Lt. Col. Sean Farrell, 16th SOS commander. “It marked another milestone [in the move] as it was one of first tangible things to demonstrate that yes, we are actually moving.”

Upon landing at Cannon AFB, the two aircraft and their crew members were greeted with a warm reception. Then, with as much simplicity as they had left Hurlburt Field, the crew members got to work. They knew that the gunship’s operational tempo does not allow the aircraft or its crew to sit idle for a long period of time, even during historic moments.

“We have to continue to replace and train our guys,” said Farrell. “We have to train them to ensure we continue to have the best gunship crews Air Force Special Operations Command’s got.”

Cannon AFB, formerly a fighter wing base, was named as a new AFSOC base. The addition of a second base dedicated to special operations missions helps alleviate some of the log jam that currently exists for some aircraft at Hurlburt Field who use the Eglin Range for training, said Farrell.

Moving an entire squadron has the potential to cause some headaches.
Col. Farrell, however, believes that a well-developed plan coupled with expert personnel have helped to lessen the impact and shock that could have risen.

“Our maintenance folks have really come through for us,” Farrell said. “They have managed to provide us with planes to do the mission. With their help, we have been able to provide training and combat sorties in three different locations. They have done a great job.”

“I’m proud of how we have accomplished the move thus far,” Farrell said. “We haven’t interrupted schoolhouse operations or operational requirements. In addition, despite the move, we have been able to meet the obligations to the combatant commanders down range, while working with reduced operations here.”

The move will help the aircraft train more often, which allows them to continue to improve their tactics and techniques to become an increasingly lethal force, said Farrell.

The expansive Melrose Range, located just outside of Cannon AFB, is a range that provides the operators with realistic practice areas. It has similarities to the Eglin Range already in use by the squadron, which helps eliminate much of the lag time for personnel as they get used to their new surroundings, said Farrell.

“The training opportunities will get better every year,” Farrell said. “We plan on taking advantage of that. There are some aspects of training that may in fact eventually be a better fit for the squadron [at Cannon].”

The AC-130H Spectre gunship is a modified Lockheed airplane configured with several side-firing weapons, including a 105 mm Howlitzer and a 40 mm Bofors cannon. The aircraft is used for close air support, armed reconnaissance, interdiction, night search and rescue, and airborne command and control.

There will be several events taking place to highlight the squadron’s change of location. On June 18, there will be a barbecue organized by the 16th SOS as an opportunity for the squadron to thank the wing for the memories.

The following day, there will be a flag transfer, when the 16th SOS’s guidon will be loaded onto a gunship and flown to Cannon to signify the transfer of location. On that day, the detachment currently operating at Cannon AFB will officially become the 16th SOS, and the remaining individuals who are finishing up the move at Hurlburt Field will operate as a detachment here until all aspects of the move are complete.

Though manpower, equipment and aircraft will still be at Hurlburt Field through the end of October, the transformation of the new location will take another step on July 30, when Farrell relinquishes command of the squadron to the current Squadron Operations Officer, Lt. Col. Jason Miller.

The manner in which the 16th SOS is moving is unique, said Farrell. Usually, a squadron will go on inactive status in order to move their people all at once to a new location.

Due to the operational requirements of the aircraft, however, the 16th SOS was not afforded that luxury, as they have had personnel continuously deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom since 2001.

The 16th SOS became operational in October of 1968 at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. They moved to Hurlburt Field in December 1975, where they have been ever since.

Despite over 30 years at Hurlburt Field, Farrell does not feel that people should be saddened by the move.

“The 16th SOS is not going away, we will still be the 16th SOS no matter where we go,” Farrell said. “I understand for former active duty gunship guys, it’s bittersweet because we’re leaving, but it’s not as sad for guys in our unit, though they will miss their friends and family that they have here. It’s beneficial to spread units and capabilities around and not hold them in one spot.”

Source: Cannon Air Force Base

05 June 2009

The US Air Force has completed site activation of sniper advanced targeting pods (ATP) on A-10C aircraft at its Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tuscan and Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany.

Sniper ATP involves installation, maintenance and aircrew training. It ensures that maintainers are prepared to fully support the system in theatre and aircrews are proficient with pod operations and capabilities.

A-10Cs enabled with the targeting pod will help the air force in locating, identifying, tracking and defeating both moving and stationary targets at long range.

It can also relay high-resolution streaming video to forward-deployed forces for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and rapid target coordination.

It has already been deployed in two military exercises by the 354th Fighter Squadron Airmen where it delivered precision engagement.

The system is currently site activated at operational US Air Force and Air National Guard F-16 and all F-15E and B-1 bases. It is deployed in combat operations on F-16, F-15E, B-1 and Harrier GR7 and GR9 aircraft.

The pods are in use or have been selected for use by US Air National Guard and ten international air forces including coalition partners.

Source: Air Force Technology

WICHITA, Kan., May 22, 2009 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the successful first flight of a B-52 Stratofortress upgraded with Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT), a modification that equips the legendary B-52 with 21st-century situational awareness and mission flexibility. The aircraft made the 3.5-hour flight on May 21 from the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems facility in Wichita.

“The CONECT modification gives our warfighters equal footing in a network-centric battlefield,” said Scot Oathout, Boeing director of B-52 Programs. “It is fitting that this very airplane was delivered from Boeing Wichita in 1960 as the most advanced aircraft in the U.S. Air Force and now it’s on track to be delivered from Wichita again, transformed with a new capability for today’s mission.”

The CONECT modification installs a digital communications infrastructure in the B-52 that allows the aircraft to communicate with the Air Force’s digital communications network and tie in with Air Force command and control centers, ground forces and other platforms. This first aircraft will leave Wichita in June to go into flight test at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. All 76 aircraft in the fleet will receive the CONECT modification after the flight test program is complete.

Boeing employees celebrated the achievement today at a ceremony that also included Air Force staff, state and local elected officials, and representatives from the city of Wichita.

“We are excited to be taking the CONECT program into the flight test phase,” said Lt. Col. Darren Cochran of the Air Force’s 651st Aeronautical Systems Squadron, which is responsible for the development, acquisition, fielding, modernization and sustainment of the B-52. “I want to personally thank the men and women of The Boeing Company for their hard work and dedication to the B-52 in the past, today and in the future. Together, we continue to transform this platform for today’s fight.”

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

# # #

Source: Boeing

$322-million contract for 22 helicopters is over budget and behind schedule

NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. officials in Washington and in Baghdad tell Defense Technology International (DTI) that the U.S. Army’s controversial December 2007 decision to order 22 Mi-17 helicopters from Russia for the Iraqi air force has resulted in extensive delays and questionable procurement costs. The article “Helo Holdup” appears in the June 2009 issue of DTI, published by AVIATION WEEK.

“The U.S. Army signed off on an unusual procurement contract in December 2007: A $322-million order for 22 Russian helicopters bought through a U.S. defense company (Arinc of Annapolis, MD) for Iraq. The contract was a rush order, designed to deliver Mi-17 helicopters in a bid to quickly reequip the Iraqi air force and allow it to perform counterinsurgency operations,” according to the DTI article. “But 18 months after signing, not a single helicopter has been delivered, despite full payment. The Army now concedes the contract is over budget and nearly a year behind schedule.”

The contract raises questions about procurement costs, as the Army’s Threat Systems Management Office in Huntsville, AL, sole-sourced the contract to Arinc rather than soliciting multiple bids. Also in question is the overall process of buying equipment through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system instead of direct commercial sales. The FMS process is designed to avoid mistakes and corruption, but “it has not done much in the case of the Mi-17s to prevent delays, or even guarantee reasonable costs,” according to the DTI article. The piece cites Defense Department officials on mistakes made in the Mi-17 case for Iraq, as well as their views on the overall FMS process.

The full text of “Helo Holdup” is available in the June issue of DTI and at http://www.aviationweek.com/dti. For further comment, contact DTI Editor-in-Chief William Sweetman at william_sweetman@aviationweek.com.

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SOURCE AVIATION WEEK

29 May 2009

The Royal Australian Air Force has awarded a joint contract to BAE Systems and L-3 MAS for long-term maintenance and support for its F/A-18 Hornet fighter.

The four-year contract can be extended till 2018 and is valued at about A$150m (US$117.1m).

BAE Systems Australia managing director Jim McDowell said the contract was a key in sustaining the fast jet support capability of the Royal Australian Air Force.

“Our investment in enhancing the skills of our technical workforce provides the basis for future support not only of the RAAF Hornet aircraft but also the Joint Strike Fighter that will eventually replace them,” McDowell said.

BAE Systems plans to build new facilities in Williamstown not only to support the F/A-18 but also the joint strike fighter (JSF) that will eventually replace it.

Source: Air Force Technology