U.S. Pacific Command (Pacom) has developed and deployed a new logistics tracking system between the U.S. and Australia that the U.S. Navy says will help ensure faster, more coordinated responses to humanitarian crises and other contingencies. U.S. Navy officials say the Pacific Radio Frequency Identification System will also foster more collaboration and integration across the Asia-Pacific region. Pacom, through its U.S. Army Pacific component, and the Australian defense force launched the system in April.
The U.S. Navy is looking to improve the SH-60 Sea Hawk’s ability to provide operational overwatch by gathering intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and disseminating that information to ground troops. The Sea Hawk’s utility for such work was tested this month during the biennial multinational exercise Talisman Saber 2013 in the South Pacific.
PARIS — France secured its two biggest export deals in recent memory with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week, including an agreement to purchase 17 medium-range Ground Master 200 tactical anti-aircraft radar for more than €200 million ($265 million) from Franco-American joint venture ThalesRaytheonSystems, according to industry sources.
MOVING FORWARD: The first Littoral Combat Ship, the USS Freedom, got under way to resume participation in the at-sea phase of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) Singapore the afternoon of July 24 after repairs to the ship’s electrical plant, the U.S. Navy reports. “Initial assessment on the loss of propulsion was that the number 2 and 3 ship service diesel generators (SSDGs) overheated and shut down,” the Navy says. “Since arriving in Singapore July 21, crew and maintenance technicians replaced turbochargers in (the SSDGs).
The U.S. Navy’s plan for its future ballistic missile submarine fleet meets the nation’s needs and should not be cut, says Rear Adm. Richard Breckenridge, undersea warfare director, in a recent blog.
FRANKFURT — China’s AVIC International has bought German aircraft engine manufacturer Thielert in a move that further broadens the group’s general aviation portfolio. Thielert’s insolvency administrator confirmed the deal on July 23, saying the company would be relaunched as Technify Motors, with operations remaining in Germany. Neither side disclosed details about the acquisition cost.
NASA will expand its probe into the water leak that prompted an abrupt end to a July 16 spacewalk outside the International Space Station with the creation of a five-member mishap investigation board.
RNAS CULDROSE, U.K. — The U.K. defense ministry is set to make a decision on marinizing the Royal Air Force’s fleet of AgustaWestland EH101 Merlin Mk. 3 transport helicopters by year’s end. An assessment phase for the program, known as the Merlin Life Sustainment Program (MLSP), was completed in April and officials will reach the main gate funding decision at the end of the year to get the program moving in time for the retirement of the Westland Sea King fleet in 2016.
FIZZY COMET: Observations using NASA’s Spitzer space telescope have revealed what most likely are strong carbon dioxide emissions from Comet ISON ahead of its anticipated pass through the inner solar system later this year, the agency announced. Images captured last month with Spitzer’s Infrared Array Camera indicate carbon dioxide is “fizzing” away from what has now been dubbed the “soda-pop comet,” along with dust, forming a tail 186,400 mi. long. Scientists estimate the comet is emitting about 2.2 million lb. [1 million kg] of gas and about 120 million lb.
RAF FAIRFORD, U.K. — Alenia Aermacchi and ATK have begun work on the fire control system envisioned for the gunship variant of the C-27J Spartan tactical airlifter.
NEW DELHI — The Indian air force (IAF) has taken delivery of its second C-17 military transport aircraft, a month after the first arrived in India. Boeing is on schedule to deliver three more C-17s this year and five in 2014, giving India 10 aircraft and making it the largest C-17 operator outside the U.S. IAF chief Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne took delivery of the second C-17 from Boeing in Long Beach, Calif., on June 22.
Large commercial engine spares orders at Pratt & Whitney (P&W) jumped 15% organically in the second quarter, reversing five straight quarters of decline and helping parent company United Technologies Corp. (UTC) offset weakness in the defense market, company executives said on July 23.
LONDON — BAE Systems is set to deliver the first of 25 Cirrus SR22 single engine light aircraft to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) next month. The purchase of the Cirrus SR22 for the primary training role is part of a £1.9 billion ($3 billion) training package deal signed by the Saudi government in May 2012.
The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has outlined a series of messy and costly options for U.S. military intervention in Syria. Patriot batteries have currently been deployed to Turkey and Jordan to defend against potential missile attacks, and F-16s are based to defend Jordan. But going beyond that to establish a no-fly zone or targeting Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile could cost the U.S. more than $1 billion per month, according to Gen. Martin Dempsey.
BRAC BENEFITS: U.S. lawmakers looking to protect defense facilities in their districts and states may take little solace from a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit on how the Pentagon measures excess base capacity. The reason: the Defense Department’s methods for estimating excess capacity outside of a congressionally authorized base realignment and closure (BRAC) process have limitations — in other words, the only way to know how much to cut is to start the surgery.
