Backing for the Assad regime in strife-torn Syria hinges on a centuries-old Russian ambition. From the Crimean War to “the great game” of the 1800s, the lack of a deep, warm-water port has cramped Russia's global desires.
The Israel Aerospace Industries RAM MkIII traces directly back to the original mine-protected RBY platform developed by IAI's Ramta unit during the early 1970s. The latest version adds antiballistic armor, counter-mine blast protection and a firewall bulkhead that separates the engine compartment and fuel tank from the crew, weapon system and power pack.
Elbit Systems' Large Area Display (formerly Cockpit NG) received an important endorsement last month when Boeing chose it to provide the advanced avionics systems for its fighter aircraft, including upgraded versions of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-15SE Silent Eagle. The system integrates tactical data, mission planning and flight information into an 11x19-in. complete situational picture responding to specific mission phases and pilot controls.
It is an illusion to think that a $200M aircraft will have operating and support costs anywhere close to the $60M aircraft it is replacing. More expensive aircraft cost more to operate than less expensive ones, and it is often a proportional relationship. Partner nations may get a 'deal' on procurement as has been suggested, but will they be able to afford to operate the aircraft for 30 years?- —Talos IV on a post about Canada's commitment to the JSF
Getting Helicopter Development Right For The U.S. Army Getting Helicopter Development Right For The U.S. Army Getting Helicopter Development Right For The U.S. Army
The XM25 Individual Semi-Automatic Airburst System (Isaas) offers a new solution to one of the perennial challenges in combat: how do you hit what you cannot see?
SANTIAGO, Chile — Growing concern over cyberattacks against its radar and air command and control systems has prompted ThalesRaytheonSystems to launch a program to protect its systems from being spoofed.
The cost of the Pentagon’s largest weapon system continues to grow, as a Pentagon official contends that the increases are being brought under control.
SANTIAGO, Chile — Elbit is targeting Brazil for its latest laser-guided rocket project, hoping to convince the government to change its preferred rocket and add a precision-guidance system. The goal of the self-funded effort is to begin the first demonstration firings of the new laser-guided rocket by year’s end, to help generate interest within the Brazilian military, an industry official says. The weapon is slated for use on Panther and other helicopters, as well as the A-29 Super Tucano.
NEW DELHI — India’s defense minister says the country’s defense expenditures will continue to increase as the modernization of its armed forces remains a top priority. “Our armed forces need to have access to [the] latest defense technologies, equipped with the state-of-the-art platforms, equipment and systems. With the projected growth of the Indian economy expected at a trajectory of 8-10% for the next two decades, expenditures on defense in absolute terms is bound to increase,” Defense Minister A.K. Antony said in inaugurating DefExpo 2012 here.
The defense industry has been on edge since last summer about a potential $1 trillion reduction in military spending over the next decade, but it’s not an issue that registers with the voting public. To make the military’s angst known, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) is planning a “Defend Our Defenders” road show. The multistop tour aims to bring in retired military brass, members of Congress and industry to build the public’s interest in defense spending so it can be an issue on the campaign stump before November.
In another clear signal that moderation in the U.S. Congress is on the margins, House lawmakers have booted a deficit compromise proposal based on a bipartisan commission from 2010. The vote occurred as Republicans and Democrats are calling for prompt action on a deal to avert a potential $1.2 trillion across-the-board cut in government spending due to take place Jan. 2, 2013.
MINESWEEPER: The U.S. Navy recently finished a second round of testing to further prove the countermine mission potential for its Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The second phase started with testing of each of the components designed for the mine countermeasures package on the LCS-2 USS Independence, including the Remote Minehunting System, Airborne Laser Mine Detection Systems, Airborne Mine Neutralization System and the AN/AQS-20A sonar. Navy officials then tested multiple systems in concert, finally culminating in successful mine detection and neutralization tests.
GENOA — Italy’s Finmeccanica will establish a defense unit in 2013 to combine all of its U.S. operations, including aeronautics, helicopters and defense electronics, to be led by former U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn. The move, unveiled earlier this week by Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi, is part of several significant changes in the beleaguered giant’s strategy, structure and businesses. The changes are necessary, Orsi says, to return Finmeccanica to profitability as soon as this year.
NEW DELHI — Indian engineering company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Ltd. and South Korean defense firm Samsung Techwin Co. are joining forces in a bid to build self-propelled artillery guns for the Indian army. According to an announcement made at the DefExpo 2012 here, the two companies have formed a joint venture to compete for the Tracked Self-Propelled Artillery Program.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) analysis of 96 programs in the 2011 Pentagon portfolio puts their total cost to complete at $1.58 trillion, a 5% increase over the previous year. The 10 largest programs account for more than half the portfolio cost; the Joint Strike Fighter’s $327 billion total accounts for one-fifth. In assessing the overall impact of program cost growth, GAO observes that more than 60% of programs “lost buying power” because of increases in unit costs.
Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk Block 30 may have a shot at escaping U.S. Air Force plans to place it in storage. Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.), a member of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, says he will recommend continuing funding for the high-flying unmanned aircraft. “That may prevail, at least in the House defense subcommittee.” According to Moran, the “taxpayer is best served” by the Global Hawk, as compared to the U-2 intelligence-gathering aircraft, which the Air Force wants to continue using.
SANTIAGO, Chile — Embraer has added three countries to its A-29 Super Tucano customer list with Burkina Faso, Angola and Mauritania. Burkina Faso already received its three aircraft last year, with talks under way for more. Angola is buying six aircraft, with three to be delivered this year and the rest next year. The size of the Mauritania deal was not disclosed; all are to be delivered this year. All three countries are buying the Embraer-developed Training and Operation Support System. The total contract value is $180 million for the deals.
SANTIAGO, Chile — Brazil is expected to give the go-ahead this year to a new ground-launched cruise missile development program. Avibras has been working on the technology to launch the new weapon, called TM (Tactical Missile), from the Astros II artillery rocket system, but more serious engineering work will require government funding. A production contract is expected to follow in three to four years, according to an industry official.
Those at the Pentagon creating plans for surviving future wars are pressed to stay ahead of increasingly malevolent and sophisticated cyber hackers. Part of their effort follows the template of compartmentalization used for protecting networks on combat aircraft. Planners contain and isolate functionalities such as flight control, weapons and mission systems from cyber weapons that can be delivered wirelessly to corrupt, destroy or exploit digitally controlled capabilities. The key is to let systems interact without providing a path for malware.
A REPRIEVE: Hawker Beechcraft is working with lenders on a “comprehensive recapitalization” after receiving a temporary reprieve from interest payments that were coming due along with an additional $120 million in financing. The additional liquidity will fund ongoing operations while Hawker Beechcraft works with lenders on long-term financing, the company says. The announcement of the forbearance agreement and liquidity comes just days before the Wichita airframer is set to release its fourth-quarter 2011 results.
Amid Senate complaints that the U.S. Navy is treading on questionably legal ground with some of the service’s alternative fuel forays, the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (Navfac) Hawaii this month opened the first of three Ethanol 85 (E85) stations planned for the Navy’s fleet of flex-fuel vehicles March 22 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH).
