Raytheon has completed flight tests of a low-cost missile that was developed rapidly to shoot down mortars, rockets and unmanned aircraft, but has yet to find a home for the weapon.
The Center for New American Security (CNAS) recently released a report entitled “Game Changers: Disruptive Technology and U.S. Defense Strategy.” That study considered additive manufacturing (3-D printers), autonomous vehicles, directed energy, cyber capabilities, human performance modification and other emerging technologies that the center believes need to be factored into U.S. security policy and planning.
Digital imaging was more than just a replacement for photographic film. It enabled a revolution in how images are captured, stored, shared and manipulated. Night vision is beginning a similar metamorphosis, with digital devices emerging to replace the analog goggles now in use.
The Textron AirLand Scorpion light attack aircraft, which is scheduled to make its first flight in the next few weeks, continues to capture—and hold—the attention of Europeans. Although its developers carefully avoid calling it a “low-cost” fighter proposal, it is obvious that their ultimate goal is to offer a two-seat twinjet costing a fraction of more conventional aircraft. This is an attractive proposition, of course, in an environment of increasingly restricted and uncertain defense budgets.
MEXICAN TRAINERS: The Mexican air force has placed a follow-on order for a second batch of six Beechcraft T-6C+ turboprop trainers to continue replacing its Pilatus PC-7s. An initial six aircraft ordered in Januarry 2012 are to be delivered late this year after required export licenses are received. The T-4C+ has a glass cockpit, head-up display, and wing hardpoints for external stores and practice weapons.
The Defense Department has set the stage for low-rate initial production of an upgraded version of the Paladin self-propelled cannon system. The Defense Acquisition Executive approved Milestone C for the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) program, the U.S. Army and PIM contractor BAE Systems announced this week at the annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army. Milestone C is a key incremental step in the Pentagon’s acquisition process, allowing entry into the production and deployment phase.
Even as the government gets ready to sort out Lockheed Martin’s protest of the U.S. Navy’s recent Air & Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) contract with Raytheon, investments continue to build for maritime missile defense.
As other defense contractors consider how to make military ground vehicles autonomous, Oshkosh Defense is exploring new uses for the autonomous technology it began developing in 2004. “So now we have a fairly mature system that is basically a kit that can be installed on any tactical wheeled vehicle. It’s been designed pretty much from the ground up to be a system for use in convoy logistics missions,” John Beck, chief engineer for unmanned systems at Oshkosh said Oct. 23, the final day of the annual Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington.
LONDON — The U.K.’s unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator Taranis has made its first test flights, according to documentation given to a government inquiry committee regarding the use of remotely piloted vehicles. In the public evidence, being heard by the Commons Select Committee and supplied by the U.K. Defense Ministry, ground tests of the UCAV commenced in 2010 and “flight trials took place in 2013.” No further detail is given about when or where the test flights may have taken place.
Northrop Grumman is not saying whether it will compete in the U.S. Air Force’s Long-Range Strike – Bomber program. Boeing and Lockheed Martin have announced that they will be teaming up to pursue the contract, with Boeing as prime and Lockheed as chief teammate.
The U.S. Navy is calling on industry to provide it with options on how to train helicopter pilots in the future. Naval Air Systems Command (Navair) has put out a request for information on how it can supplement or replace its aging fleet of Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger single-engine training helicopters to support the helicopter flight training of Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and foreign student pilots.
XIAN, China — The proposed Sino-Russian Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL) helicopter may be much larger than previously expected, some brief details revealed by Avicopter suggest. The helicopter is under study—as it has been since 2008—when the Russian and Chinese governments agreed to cooperate on its development. Gross weight will be 30-40 tons, says Avicopter, which had previously said it would weigh up to 30 tons.
For a second time in a week the U.S. Navy’s first-of-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-1) is in need of repairs. The USS Freedom was pierside in Singapore Oct. 24, making preparations to get underway when the crew found “seawater contamination in the starboard steerable waterjet hydraulic system,” says Lt. Cmdr. Clayton Doss.
SEQUESTRATION: There are no other outcomes under widespread, automatic budget authority reductions except for a smaller U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy, according to the top civilian and uniformed acquisition official of each armed service. The officials told the House Armed Services tactical air and land subcommittee that the consequences mean a less-capable and less-ready U.S. military.
LONDON — Eurocopter and UAV manufacturer AeroVironment have signed a cooperative agreement to develop new capabilities. Announcing the move at the Association of the U.S. Army event in Washington Oct. 23, the two companies said the agreement would allow them to explore expanding into new markets and developing new capabilities to meet future customer needs.
NEW DELHI — The Indian air force (IAF) completed the flight of its first upgraded Mirage 2000 at the Istres-Le Tubé air base in France early this month, according to a spokesman of manufacturer Dassault Aviation. Faced with a depleted tactical air capability and an inordinate delay in signing the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal, the IAF is pushing to expedite the upgrading of its Mirage 2000s. The first upgraded Dassault Mirage 2000H is likely to be delivered in August or September 2014, says an IAF official.
