For the first time since U.S. Navy ships and submarines played cat and mouse with Soviet counterparts, America is finding it much more difficult for its forces to roam the seas at will and project forward presence where and when it wants.
With the new U.S. chief of naval operations (CNO) making fleet readiness a top priority, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (Spawar) has established a new fleet readiness directorate (FRD). In recent appearances and interviews, CNO Adm. Jonathan Greenert said he wants to invest more heavily in readiness and bolster those accounts rather than beef up force structure with some other programs, particularly those with riskier technology.
LONDON — The Netherlands now expects the first NH Industries NFH90 helicopter in its full operational capability standard to be delivered in the second quarter of 2012, three months later than expected.
The computer virus that infected parts of the U.S. unmanned aircraft fleet in September is “more of a nuisance than an operational threat,” say officials of U.S. Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo. The infection was first detected Sept. 15 by 24th Air Force cyber-protection specialists. Officials at Creech AFB, Nev. — home of U.S. Air Force Predator and Reaper UAV operations — were notified that malware was on their portable hard drives used to transfer information between systems.
LONDON — The Netherlands defense ministry no longer expects to receive its first CH-47F helicopters this year, with the timing of the initial delivery “uncertain.” The schedule update for the €364.6 million ($503 million) acquisition was provided to legislators by Defense Minister Hans Hillen. The ministry previously worried that problems with the equipment could push back the handover. Flight trials in August revealed the CH-47Fs need further software adjustments before they can be delivered.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY General Electric Co., Lynn, Mass., was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for a minimum $31,968,905 for aircraft turbine rotors. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is the Army. The date of performance completion is May 2015. The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-09-D-0041/ZB18). NAVY
Top Aerospace & Defense Programs 2011-2020 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Top Aerospace & Defense Programs 2011-2020 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Top 10 Programs Per Category In Terms Of Total Value Of Production — 2011-2020 (In 2011 Dollars) Manufacturer Program 2011-2020
SINGAPORE — U.S. helicopter manufacturer Kaman is pitching its Super Seasprite SH-2G anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter to Indonesia. The Indonesian navy has a requirement for ASW helicopters for its new Sigma-class corvettes, whose helipads now accommodate aging Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo-105 utility helicopters.
An information technology trade group forecasts $600 billion in U.S. defense budget cuts through fiscal 2021, unless the “nightmare scenario” of Congress failing to meet the deficit reductions mandated by the Budget Control Act (BCA) occurs, which would result in $1 trillion slashed. To fund the “must-pay” bills of operations and maintenance as well as personnel, the funding levels for procurement, new starts and especially research will have to be reduced, according to TechAmerica Foundation’s latest annual forecast.
AIR FORCE Tecolote Research Inc., Goleta, Calif., is being awarded an $88,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursement and firm-fixed-price contract line items to provide specialized cost services advisory and assistance services to the Electronic Systems Center. ESC/CAA, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., is the contracting activity (FA8721-11-D-0001). ARMY
LONDON — The resignation of British Defense Secretary Liam Fox could delay reforms that he had been pushing. Fox resigned after around 10 days of controversy over his links to a friend who presented himself as an adviser during the secretary’s international trips. The issue led to a review of Fox’s conduct. Fox’s letter to Prime Minister David Cameron states: “I mistakenly allowed the distinction between my personal interest and my government activities to become blurred.”
HEAVY HITTERS: With Polish procurement programs and Ukraine’s ambitious naval plans overshadowing budget problems in neighboring countries, the defense industry in Central and Eastern Europe should remain “secure,” according to consulting group Frost & Sullivan. The group predicts “slight” growth in spending, from $17.5 billion this year to $17.9 billion in 2020.
The three U.S. agencies responsible for purchasing launches of government payloads into space are agreeing on long-awaited criteria that for the first time pave the way for new rocket companies to penetrate a national security launch sector now dominated by United Launch Alliance, a Lockheed Martin and Boeing joint venture.
More details about how the U.S. disabled Libyan air defenses, communications and cyber-networks using submarines and electronic warfare came to light this week in testimony by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta to the House Armed Services Committee. The U.S. exercised “unique capabilities to help NATO intervene” in Libya, said Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) during the Oct. 13 hearing. “We had a submarine fleet in the Mediterranean — the Scranton, the Providence, the Florida — which in a matter of 48 hours neutralized Gadhafi’s air defenses.”
The U.S. Navy still is intent on developing the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR), despite the service’s recent decision to drop the AMDR integration requirement from the planned Aegis combat system upgrades for budgetary reasons. “The Navy is still fully committed to integrating the AMDR into the Tactical Aegis Combat System as part of a future Advanced Capability Build (ACB),” the Navy says in a statement. The Navy needs AMDR to meet the current and expected threats, according to several service and industry officials.
LONDON — Northrop Grumman is signing industrial agreements with South Korean industry to support the company’s efforts to sell the high-altitude, long-endurance RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft to the country. The four industrial agreements are due to be signed next week during the Seoul air show. The deals will allow the South Korean partners to bid for workshare on Global Hawk. Partners include the Dreaming and Challenging Co., Firstec, Korea Jig and Fixture, and Korean Air Lines.
BENCHMARKING MMRCA: India is preparing to undertake an unprecedented cost analysis of commercial bids for its $11 billion Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) to a degree officials admit they have not accomplished before. With the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale battling for selection, and the winner expected to be announced by the middle of November, New Delhi has outlined the process by which it will determine the lowest bidder.
FAIR AND OPEN: Launch upstart SpaceX is hailing the new, tri-agency memorandum of understanding (MOU) that establishes a process for new rocket companies without long track records to gain access to U.S. government launch competitions. The agreement, signed by the U.S. Air Force, NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office, will be followed by more detailed guidance. (See story p. 2).
DEF EXPO: The seventh iteration of India’s official defense exhibition, DefExpo, will be held March 29 to April 1 at Pragati Maidan in the national capital New Delhi. Originally conceived in 1998, DefExpo aims to promote defense exports from India and exhibit Indian defense research, development and production capabilities. The exhibition focuses on equipment, weapons and systems for land, naval and internal security forces.
In what appears to be its sharpest break yet from previous leadership, U.S. Navy under Adm. Jonathan Greenert is taking a different tack on high-tech development programs. Greenert, the new chief of naval operations (CNO), says he wants to avoid riskier technology programs and dial down some of the investment in that equipment. Greenert says he wants to invest more heavily in readiness and bolster those accounts rather than beef up force structure with some riskier technology-development programs.
To list an event, send information in calendar format to Donna Thomas at [email protected]. (Bold type indicates new calendar listing.) OcT. 20 - 21 — Aviation Week MRO IT Conference & Showcase, "Transferorming the MRO Enterprise with Cutting-Edge IT," Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Chicago, Ill. For more information go to www.aviationweek.com/events Oct. 24 - 26 — 49th Annual SAFE Symposium, Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Reno, Nev. For more information go to www.safeassociation .com
The U.S. Marine Corps is interested in “harvesting” technologies form the Army’s Humvee Recap program, but because of the capabilities they have already identified as essential to their mission, they won’t buy any fully Recapped Humvees. Instead, according to comments made by the Corps’ Dan Pierson, deputy program executive officer for land systems, the service is banking on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) while upgrading—not fully recapping—several thousand Humvees.
