The Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ) will have to compensate for some past bad decisions that now hobble electronic warfare and the future of non-kinetic attack. The active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, for example, offers the potential for NGJ to become both an electronic sensor and weapon. But there will have to be intense development to make it an operational reality, and funding for such esoteric capabilities has been elusive.
In a “first step” toward implementing a more efficient procurement strategy for rockets, the U.S. Air Force has issued a $1.5 billion contract to United Launch Alliance for nine Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELVs) to support launches in fiscal 2014, according to service officials.
Although sales are soaring, two of Israel’s leading defense companies are undergoing unsettling personnel changes: Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI’s) CEO for the last six years, Itzhak Nissan, is being forced to retire, and Aeronautics Defense Systems’ CEO and founder Avi Leumi will also depart his position in the coming weeks.
The U.S. Navy LPD-17 San Antonio Class Amphibious Transport Dock ship program is making strides, says the Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), but the vessel is still a risky asset to deploy when and where it is likely to be needed. Navy officials maintain DOT&E operational concerns fail to take into account that the ship will be deployed with other vessels or assets that will be able to protect it.
The UAE Air Force and Air Defence's (UAE AF&AD) Al Fursan (Knights) formation aerobatic display team is displaying in Bahrain in the aftermath of a triumphant public debut at the Dubai Airshow in November.
The planned appearance of the Saudi Hawks display team at Bahrain has been cancelled following injuries to two of its pilots in non-fatal training accidents.
Aviation in independent Bahrain began with a small helicopter unit that formed part of Bahrain Public Security (the former Bahrain State Police), from which today's Police Aviation is directly descended.
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is dropping down the operational ladder a rung or two as the platform of greatest interest for the Next-Generation Jammer (NGJ). The initial plan of making the F-35 — probably the Marine Corps B-mode — an early user of the NGJ is being de-emphasized in favor of a more intense focus on the EA-18G Growler as the initial platform for a fully-funded airborne electronic attack (AEA) program, followed by the jammer’s adaptation to both stealthy and nonstealthy unmanned aircraft designs.
LightSquared has rejected as rigged government testing of the potential for its L-band wireless network to interfere with GPS satellite signals, and vows to fight its case in court, if necessary.
PARIS — The U.S. military has removed links to Phobos-Grunt tracking data posted on a public website detailing orbital parameters of the ill-fated Russian Mars mission that Russia says re-entered Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean on Jan. 15.
Last week the U.S. Army hosted almost 300 defense industry representatives at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland to further explain the ongoing testing process for its new “agile” approach to buying technologies to modernize its tactical communications network. This second Industry Day event is a big part of the Army’s biannual Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) held at Ft. Bliss, Texas, which puts an entire brigade from the 1st Armored Division into the field for weeks at a time to experiment with new equipment that the Army is considering buying.
The Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) still has concerns about the U.S. Navy’s Ford-class carrier program meeting its schedule because of radar development, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) integration and other key technological advancements for the ships being built by Huntington Ingalls Industries. The carrier program has been facing growing uncertainty about its schedule as speculation mounts that the Pentagon will delay development and delivery due to budget concerns.
An agreement by Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and New Zealand to become subscribers to the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) broadband communications network has prompted the U.S. Air Force to exercise an option for Boeing to build a ninth spacecraft. With their $377 million contract, the five nations join Australia, which funded WGS-6 in 2008, as members of the Air Force WGS team.
NEW DELHI — The Indian government is likely to give its final approval this week for the $365 million purchase of 75 Pilatus trainer aircraft from Switzerland. Indian air force (IAF) chief N.A.K. Browne says the green light is expected from India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) within the next two days. As soon as the CCS gives its stamp of approval , “we should be able to sign the contract,” Browne says. Deliveries of the aircraft are expected to begin next year.
HEAVY VEHICLES: The U.S. Army has awarded Oshkosh Defense a bridge contract to continue production and support of the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) through 2014. The Oshkosh FHTV includes the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), Heavy Equipment Transporter and Palletized Load System (PLS). The first $11 million order under the bridge contract was awarded Dec. 21, and includes more than 20 HEMTT Light Equipment Transporters, more than 10 PLS A1 trucks and more than 10 PLS A1 trailers.
Dassault's Rafale and Eurofighter's Typhoon briefly sat side-by-side in the static display here at the show, with a US Navy Boeing Super Hornet close by.
At the show the Royal Bahraini Air Force is taking the opportunity to show off its helicopter types, including examples of the Agusta Bell AB212 (the Huey of Vietnam war fame), the MBB Bo 105, the new Sikorsky UH-60M, and the Bell AH-1 Cobra gunship (pictured).
While the Aegis Combat System is proving efficient for missile defense, efforts to further develop and improve the equipment are experiencing a bumpy ride. Recent program briefings and the just-released annual report from the Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) highlight the mostly successful Aegis efforts. The DOT&E report in particular shows that while the Aegis system’s aim has been mostly true thus far, it’s not a bull’s-eye every time.
John Young, who took over as the CEO of Alenia North America in June 2010, has left the company, and a new top officer is evidently waiting in the wings. A company official says an announcement on a new CEO is forthcoming as soon as next week.
BORDER SURVEILLANCE: Thales, working with Spanish firm Aerovision, has demonstrated the Fulmar UAV system to Frontex, the European agency trying to coordinate border control. Fulmar weighs 19 kg (42 lb.), has an operating ceiling of 3,000 meters, and 8 hr. of endurance, the company says. The system was recently demonstrated during a Frontex trial at the Greek Aktio air base. Several other systems were also on hand.
