Armada International

THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976
Issue 3/2012
INTERNATIONAL
June/July
THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976
Contents
3/2012
INTERNATIONAL
06
MODERN SOLDIER
WHERE DO MODERN
SOLDIER PROGRAMMES
NOW STAND?
I Paolo Valpolini
It has now been a couple of years since
Armada International published its Modern
Soldier Programmes Compendium – a
comprehensive survey covering all the
then-called Future Soldier Programmes. Future
has become today for a number of these
programmes and Armada though useful to see
how some of them fared since 2010
20
28
38
AEW&C AIRCRAFT
UTILITY HELICOPTER ARMAMENT
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
TODAY’S “MUST-HAVE”
ASSETS
SWISS KNIVES FOR JACKOF-ALL-TRADES WHIRLYBIRDS
A LIFESAVER
FORVEHICLE CREWS
I Roy Braybrook
I Roy Braybrook
I PaoloValpolini
50
60
RADIO ACCESSORIES
FIGHTER AIRCRAFT MARKET
ACCESSORISE TACTICALLY
FIGHTER MARKET IN FRENZY
I Tom Withington
I Roy Braybrook
COMPENDIUM SUPPLEMENT
DRONES 2012-13
I Eric H. Biass & Roy Braybrook
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
01
Index
I INDEX TO ADVERTISERS
AFRICA AEROSPACE
69
ILA BERLIN
35
ROCKWELL COLLINS
57
AR MODULAR
67
INDO DEFENCE
C3
RUAG HOLDING
43
ARGON
15
INVISIO
53
SAAB
13
ARMADA SUBSCRIPTION
22
ITT EXELIS NIGHT VISION
37
SCHIEBEL
C2
CERADYNE
13
ITT EXELIS SPEARNET
35
SELEX ELSAG
63
CODAN
59
IVECO
39
SELEX GALILEO
11
L3 WESCAM
25
SMi GROUP
63
DAIMLER
3
DATRON
55
LEUPOLD
17
STAUBI
49
DCI
33
MBDA
C2
TEXTRON AAI
C4
DDC
25
NEXTER
47
9
ELBIT SYSTEMS
THALES
41
NORTHROP GRUMMAN 23, 15, 16, 17
TRIJICON
15
EURONAVAL
C3
NOVATEL
45
ULTRALIFE
51
EUROSAM
27
ODU
71
VECTRONIX
31
FISCHER
65
RAFAEL
C4
VIASAT
FLIR
9
RECON ROBOTICS
19
IAI MALAT
5
REVISION
11
5
Entries highlighted with blue numbers are
found Drones 2012-13 Compendium
I INDEX TO MANUFACTURERS
Companies mentioned in this issue. Where there are multiple references to a company in an article,only the first
occurence and subsequent photographs are listed below
3M
58
FN Herstal
Accusonic Voice Systems
59
Force Protection
42
Norinco
62
Galileo Avonica
26
6,12,14,20,26
Northrop Grumman 3,04,6
Garwood Industries
31
Oerlikon
ADA
2,6,24,26
AeroVironment
Airbus Military
23,24,67,69,72
GE Aviation
Alliant Techsystems
28
General Atomics
Antonov
22
General Dynamics
31
General Electric
ATE South Africa
32,34,67,68
31,3
ATK
Augusta Westland
04,26,30,36
Aurelis
54
03,04,0
06,08,24,32,33
BAE Systems
4,28,33
Bell helicopter
Beretta
12,50,51
Beriev
Boeing
22
03,04, 0 4,06,21,24,2
26,31
29,30,31,32
22,31,62
1,2,3,4,10,28
30,32,42,52,58
21,28,30
Nexter
Pilatus
PZL Swidnik
QinetiQ
26
16,2
Gulfstream
26
Quietpro
58,59
RAC MiG
14,30,62,63
Hamilton Sundstrand
22
Harris
18,58
14,31,65
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd
Honeywell
IAI
8
6,7,8,10,11,22,26,36
IHAG Holding
4
Radmor
Raytheon Elcan
Roketsan
Imtradex
Indra Systems
36
Saab
54
Sagem
Chengdu Aircraft Industry
61
Invisio
China Electronics Technology Group
22
ITOCHU Croporation
7,8,30,64,65
Dassault
Denel land Systems
31
Dillon Aero
30,31,32
12,14,24,70
DRDO
04,12,13,71
KAI
61,62
34
26
22,2
Rolls Royce
Russian Helicopter
35,36
36 ,62
24,25,3
7,8,10
12,35,36
Schiebel
Selex Elsag
10
Selex Galileo
12, 40, 42, 30,31,34
Kaman K-Max
6, 7,34,69
Shaanxi Aircraft Company
22
Kamov
26,30,31
Shenyang Aircraft Corporation
66
Kanematsu
4
06,28,30,34,3
35
Sikorsky
Kazan
28
Silynx
61,
ST Engineering
7,8,36
Klimov
EID
52,53
Kongsberg
8,10,11, 12, 34,44,70
4
ITT Exelis
EADS /Cassidian
Elbit Systems
53,54
10,12
7,12,14,42,44,48
Rheinmetall
32
22
52
6,14,23,2
24,27,28,3
30,34
04,6
Raytheon
44
44
32
61
Carl Zeiss
04,52
4
22,65,67
Guizhou Aircraft Industry
Bristol Aerospace
Copenhagen Sensor Technology
4
58
Pratt & Whitney
Ilyushin
Cobham
32
Peltor
3,6
Boeing Insitu
28,31
18,48
35,71
10,12,3
L3 Wescam
06,14,21,2
24,67
04,0
Elno
50,56,57
Lockheed Martin
Embraer
24,25,68
Marinette Marine Croporation
68
Symetrics Industries
59
TAI
64
30,36
04,3
Textron
08,10,16,17,18,26,32,36,40
MBDA
Eurocopter
29
Micro Power Electronics
53
Tikhomirov NIIP Institute
Eurofighter
64,65
Motorola
58
ULTRACELL
Thales
Eurojet
64
Nanjing 14th Institute
22
Vectronix
Fincantieri Company
68
Narce
58
Volvo
02
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
4
14,30,66
Sukhoi
33
Emirates Advanced Investment
36,61,67
56,57,58
22
54
14,16
61
The French Félin is the world’s first
comprehensive modern soldier suite to have
entered service, almost turning fiction into
reality. These soldiers have been captured by
the Editor’s camera while they were training in
an urban warfare training centre near Sissone.
Volume 36, Issue No. 3, June/July 2012
INTERNATIONAL
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Business
Actuator Control Unit (ACU) for the
Boeing KC-46A tanker. The contract is for
the design, development, test, and
production of the ACU for the Boom
Actuation Control System (ACS) of the
KC-46A tanker.
AGUSTAWESTLAND and Kanematsu
Corporation have pleased to announce
that they have been awarded a contract by
the Japan National Police Agency (JNPA)
to supply two GrandNew law enforcement
light twin helicopters as part of an ongoing programme to modernise the Police
helicopter fleet. The order represents the
first sale of GrandNew helicopters to the
Japan National Police Agency and is part of
their plan to modernise its fleet with a
modern high performance helicopter.
BOEING and the U.S. Air Force completed
the first manned flight of the QF-16 Full
Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) on May 4 at
Cecil Field in Jacksonville. The QF-16 took
off at 3:05 p.m. Eastern time and climbed
to an altitude of 41,000 feet during its 66minute flight.
RAYTHEON BBN TECHNOLOGIES has
been awarded $1.9 million by the U.S. Air
Force Research Laboratory under the
Force Protection program. BBN is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company.
OERLIKON has signed an agreement with
to sell its 13.97 % minority stake in the
Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus
Flugzeugwerke AG, to IHAG Holding,
Zürich and J.F. Burkart (Southfield
Aircraft Ltd.). The parties agreed not to
disclose the purchase price. The
transaction will have a positive one time
effect on Oerlikon’s 2012 financial result.
JAPAN Ministry of Defense recently
ordered 19 AbleSentry® systems from
Lockheed Martin and its trading partner
ITOCHU Corporation to provide
detection and early warning of a possible
chemical, biological, or radiological attack.
BOEING has begun an extensive
maintenance training program for
Turkey's Peace Eagle Airborne Early
BAE SYSTEMS has been awarded a
contract to develop and manufacture the
Warning and Control (AEW&C) program
at a Boeing facility near Seattle. Classroom
training for 10 Turkish Air Force
personnel and two Turkish Airlines
employees is being conducted by
instructors from Boeing Defence Australia
and Boeing Training and Flight Services.
The training covers all aspects of the 737
AEW&C aircraft, including mechanical
avionics, mission systems and electronic
warfare subsystems.
NORTHROP GRUMMAN completed
its 2,000th microwave power module, an
integral component in radars, jammers
and other military electronics. These
assemblies are critical components in
electronic warfare and countermeasure
systems such as the AN/ALQ-135 for U.S.
and international F-15 aircraft.
I BIG DEALS IN SHORT
COMPANY
AMOUNT
ST Engineering
Boeing
BAE Systems
EVENT
$100 million
Rail electronics solutions & satcom systems contract
$55.3 million
Upgrade of B-1 Lancer navigation system
A$ 86.6 million
Interim Basic Flying Training services to ADF
FROM WHERE
Singapore
U.S. Air Force
Australia
Raytheon
$33 million
Mission readiness support services contract to US Pacific Command
U.S. PACOM
BAE Systems
$ 11 million
U.S. Special Operations Command contract to procure SkeetIR® thermal monocular
U.S. SOCOM
Boeing
$12.5 million
Cobham
£13 million
Raytheon
$106 million
BAE Systems
$ 60 million
BAE Systems
$75 million
Lockheed Martin
BAE Systems
Contract for additional Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (Laser JDAM) sensors
To supply Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) and support solutions
Contract for the production of Aegis-related equipment
Contract for training to defeat IED
Contract to produce and deliver hard armor inserts
$79.4 million
Contract for development of new GMLRS variant
£224 million
Contract to upgrade electronic warfare capabilities on Saudi fighter jets
U.S. Navy
U.S. DOD JIEDDO
U.S. DLA
U.S. DOD
Royal Saudi Air Force
Northrop Grumman
$ 52.8 million
Textron Systems
$71.4 million
Contract to supply Afghanistan with 65 additional mobile strike force vehicles
U.S. Army
ITT EXELIS
$ 238 million
Contract for production of AN/ALQ-214 on-board jammer system on F/A-18 aircraft
U.S. Navy
04
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
Contract to upgrade Electronic Attack pods
US NAVAIR
NATO Customers
U.S. Air Force
Modern Soldier
Where Do Modern Soldier
Programmes Now Stand?
It has now been a couple of years since Armada International published its Modern
Soldier Programmes Compendium – a comprehensive survey covering all the then-called
Future Soldier Programmes. Future has become today for a number of these
programmes and Armada though useful to see how some of them fared since 2010.
06
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
Rheinmetall should soon
receive a first order for enough IdZ2
systems to equip a battlegroup.
(Rheinmetall)
Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South
Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden,
Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and
the United States are the nations that are
in a way or another involved in such
programmes.
Some of these programmes still only exist
on paper while others are in various stages
of development. However, the only soldier
modernisation programme that can be
considered in full production is the French
Félin, although a number of other nations
are on the verge of freezing their
configurations before shifting to mass
production.
Not all programmes pursue similar
objectives. Some, such as the French one,
involve the full spectrum of soldier
equipment, from firepower through
protection to C4I, while others concentrate
only on specific areas. It is thus very difficult
to draw comparisons between those various
programmes.
I FRANCE
The French Felin (see our cover) is definitely
the only integrated system currently in
service. It also is battle-proven, the first
Felin-equipped regiment having been
deployed to Afghanistan in late 2011. The 1st
Infantry Regiment part of Joint Tactical
Group “Picardie” deployed at Tora was the
first unit to be fully equipped with the
The French Army is taking delivery of the
sixth Félin regimental package. Here member of the
fifth unit to be equipped with the system, the 8th
RPIMa, was caught by the author’s camera during
an exercise in Great Britain. (Armada/PV)
Paolo Valpolini
S
OLDIER Modernisation Programmes are underway in numerous
countries, some with more than a
single programme running or
being planned. Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Israel,
Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, the
Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand,
Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Spain,
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
07
Modern Soldier
A view of the Felin company commander’s
ruggedized tablet-PC used as C4I terminal;
one month into the Félin familiarisation
process, the 8th RPIMa officers and soldiers
were fully satisfied with the system.
(Armada/PV)
system developed and produced by Sagem,
although not much has hitherto been
revealed about lessons learned. The only
comments were made last January by the
French Minister of Defence Gérard Longuet
at the Defense Commission, where he
praised the system’s advanced features that
allowed the French soldiers to overcome a
most difficult situation.
In February 2012 the 1st Company of the
8th Marine Parachute Infantry Regiment
deployed to Otterburn for a combined
exercise with the British Army 5 Scots
Regiment. The 8th RPIMa was the fifth
French Army unit to receive the system, and
it was the first time that the system was used
The Sagem Jim LR (long
range) multifunction
binocular is the
target acquisition
device available to
Félin-equipped infantry
sections. (Armada/PV)
08
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
Modern Soldier
in such a binational exercise. In October
2010 Sagem received an initial conditional
tranche of over €25 million for the
development of the RIF-NG (Réseau
d’Information du Fantassin – Nouvelle
Génération), the radio aimed at replacing
the current Felin radio, because it operates
on the 800 MHz band which is now being
allocated to civilian applications. Not much is
known about the development of this radio
despite the fact that it is intended for initial
delivers in 2013.
In late 2011 a team made of Sagem, the
Institut de Recherche Biomedical des Armées
and the Hidalgo in Britain won the bid for a
Biosensor Information Demonstrator issued
by the European Defense Agency. With the
team made up of Sagem (Félin prime
contractor), and Hidalgo (producer of the
The first Soldato Futuro batch will be
equipped with Elcan SpecterDR x1-x4 optical
sights and L-3 Insight Mini Thermal
Monoculars. (Armada/PV)
10
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
Equivital LifeMonitor miniaturised human
monitoring system) the EDA requires a
system that checks out heart rate, blood
pressure, oxygen saturation, body
temperature, metabolic rate, cognitive status,
posture, etc. Terminals dedicated to the
hierarchical and the medical chains are also
part of the system.
I ITALY
March 2012 saw what will possibly the last
step before the production of a first batch of
558 Soldato Futuro sets that will equip the
first Italian Army digitised regiment.
Testing, carried out mostly at the Infantry
School at Cesano near Rome, also involved
the so-called “precursors”, that is the eight
sets modified to the latest development
standard. This includes the new SWave
Handheld Software Defined Radio that
replaces the original Individual Pocket
Radio, both being designed and developed
by Selex-Elsag, the leading company of the
Soldato Futuro programme.
The new radio operates in the 30-512
MHz band (instead of 800-900 MHz) and
supports five types of waveform in VHF and
UHF bands that allow ground-to-ground as
well as ground-to-air communications.
With a 5W maximum output, 100mW,
1.25W and 2.5W output levels being also
available, the radio has a two-kilometre
range with the wideband waveform,
stretching out to five on the narrowband
one. The new radio also lends itself to
generating a mobile wireless network with
a 2MB/s data rate when using the SBW UHF
EPM EASY II waveform. The SWave HH’s
further advantage is that it is inherently able
to handle data, while the IPR required an
extra node to do so. Slightly heavier than its
predecessor, it weighs 800 grams without
batteries, but considering the boon offered
by the node facility, weight is actually saved.
Power supply is now provided by a single 70
Wh Li-Ion battery weighing around 0.5 kg
that ensures over eight hours of operating
time. A newly adopted hot swap system
allows batteries to be changed without
having to switch off. The eight precursors
Modern Soldier
computers were also using the latest
software delivery.
Turning to the weapon per se, while the
Beretta ARX 160 rifle is currently being
acquired in batches to equip the whole
Esercito independently from the Soldato
Futuro programme under which it was
developed, the Selex Galileo Individual
Combat Weapon System (ICWS) and Night
Mobility System (Nimos) will be replaced in
the first batch by off-the-shelf items while
further improvements are made in terms of
performance amd weight. The interim
solution consists of the Elcan Specter DR 14x coupled for night firing to the L-3 Insight
Mini Thermal Monocular. As for the Nimos
interim replacement, the choice lies between
two image intensification goggles, the
AN/PVS-21, which features high
12
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
The trials conducted last March at the Italian
Army Infantry School were used to
validate the latest configuration before
starting production. (Armada/PV)
compactness, and the new ITT Exelis TMNVG (Tactical Mobility – Night Vision
Goggle). The latter has a primary monocular
that allows not only to project information
and colour imagery coming from the C4I
system in front of the soldier’s eye
(something also available on the AN/PVS21), but to also capture a 960 x 680 pixel
image and forward it to the C4I system.
According to some sources the latter should
be the preferred choice.
As for the future, Selex Galileo is looking
into an image fusion solution for the next
batch of Soldato Futuro kits. Selex Galileo
Grenade Launcher Fire Control Sight
(GLFCS) and Linx target acquisition
systems successfully passed acceptance tests
and are part of the kits. Once the 558 kits
known as “Forza NEC” (as they will be a key
element of the Italian Army digitisation
programme) are distributed to the first
regiment, operational experimentation will
commence, probably followed by
deployment downrange. This will then give
the green light to the production of the 1,205
kits that will equip two more regiments and
thereby complete the digitisation of the first
Forza NEC Brigade.
I GERMANY
The German IdZ2 programme, developed by
Rheinmetall as the prime contractor of a
A decision on the Soldato Futuro’s NVG is
expected soon, but apparently the ITT Exelis
TM-NVG is on top of the list. (Armada/PV)
group of German companies, is awaiting a
parliamentary go-ahead to the order of the
first batch of systems. The company is
convinced that the authorisation will be
granted as politicians look forward to deploy
the system as soon as possible to Afghanistan
in order to improve the Bundeswehr soldiers’
effectiveness and enhance their protection.
The contract will be split in three batches of 30
systems (“system” refers to all the equipment
needed by an infantry section of 10 soldiers).
Each batch will also include spares, training,
documentation and education.
Delivery of the first batch of 30 systems is
scheduled for late 2012 and a six-month
training period is envisaged before the
deployment downrange around mid-2013.
The option for a second batch of 30 systems
would see delivery in mid-2013, while the
last option for the same amount of
equipment should be delivered by late 2013.
No decision has yet been made on whether
to equip the whole German Army combat
Modern Soldier
units with the IdZ2 system (which, by the way,
may soon receive a new name) or not,
although the number of 438 systems is still the
known requirement. What will certainly not
be met, however is the previously announced
date of 2015 for the delivery of all the systems.
From a technical standpoint not much has
changed, configuration having been frozen
following the 2011 evaluation field tests, while
some subcontractors may change in the
production phase.
Rheinmetall is now offering the expertise
garnered with the IdZ2 on the international
arena, the Benelux request for proposals
being the first of a series of potential markets.
Developed by Vectronix/Wilcox the Rapid
Acquisition Aiming Module is now in
service with British Army grenadiers within
infantry sections. (Armada/PV)
14
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
I THE NETHERLANDS AND BENELUX
With the issue in December 2011 of its request
for proposals for the Smart Vest the Dutch
Verbeterd Operationeel Soldaat Systeem
(Voss) programme has reached a significant
milestone following the green light given by
the Dutch Parliament to the Voss investment
in October 2008. The subsequent definition,
pre-study and study phases have now been
completed and the three separate projects that
come under the Voss umbrella are at different
stages of progress.
The most advanced is the E-Lighter, the
Fokker Aerostructures (formerly Stork)
portable diesel generator that allow to extend
missions over the 24 hour-limit offering a
more efficient solution than traditional
batteries. The final development contract was
awarded in September 2011 with an option
for series production, and the Dutch MoD
expects to receive a number of prototypes at
TRL6 in 2012, paving the way to a final
product by 2014.
The above mentioned Smart Vest includes
a C4I module, which includes radio and GPS
offering, inter alia, blue force tracking,
displays, vehicle installation, etc, the energy
supply subsystem with batteries and
connectors, and the load carriage and
protection subsystem, with hard and soft
ballistic protection, backpack, water supply
and so on. Born as a single-nation
programme, the 2011 study phase saw
Belgium and Luxembourg signing a cooperation agreement in April that year.
Their respective Best (Belgian Soldier
Transformation) and Compass (Co-operative
Modernisation Programme of the Army for
a Soldier System) programmes thus joined the
Voss on as for the Smart vest component, the
Netherlands this acting as the single
contracting nation for that purchase.
The final development contract regarding the E-Lighter diesel
portable generator, which also includes options for production, should
lead to a definitve configuration by 2014. (Dutch Ministry of Defence)
Numerous companies involved in their national programmes are
now taking part in that bid for which proposals were expected by early
March 2012, for a contract in late 2012-early 2013. A pre-series
evaluation run will eventually lead to serial production.
I BRITAIN
Following the signature of the Increment 1A Surveillance and Target
Acquisition segment in September 2009 the Future Integrated Soldier
Technology (Fist) programme has not evolved beyond the initial
increment. Increment 1B’s intent was to provide commanders with
Modern Soldier
The Fist Thermal Sight (FTS) is an improved
version of QioptiQ Vipir-2 and is part of the
Fist package that started to be distributed to
British Army units in February 2011.
(Armada/PV)
the situation of all network members, but
the Ministry of Defence decided against
proceeding although it has evolved into a
series of urgent operational requirements,
while Increment 2, aimed at improving C4I
and enhancing connectivity, is under
discussion, Increment 3 networking of all
capabilities
having
apparently
disappeared from the Army wish-list.
This being said, Increment 1A
seems to be in good health: the items
introduced at DSEI 2009 by Thales
UK, the prime contractor for this
tranche, underwent a development
phase that included users trials
during which feedback was
implemented wherever possible.
16
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
System acceptance was achieved in
September 2010 with initial deliveries
commencing shortly after.
The package included the FTS (Fist
Thermal Sight), an improved version of
Qioptiq Vipir-2, provided to the team
commander and gunner and fitted with
Shield CQB red dot sight and an IR laser
aimer, the Elcan Specter OS4X day sight
issued to all four members in the fire team,
the grenadier being equipped with an
Istec Underslung Grenade Launcher
sight and a Vectronix/Wilcox Rapid
Acquisition Aiming Module, while
the team commander is receives a
Vectronix Moskito target locator
In late 2011 the Netherlands
issued a Request for Proposals
regarding the Smart Vest of its
Voss programme, which
now also involves Belgium
and Luxembourg. (Dutch
Ministry of Defence)
system, an Olympus ruggedised camera and
a Uniscope hand-held optical periscope
closely derived from the company’s LH2000M. The programme included also the
upgrade of the existing Common Weapon
Sights and Maxikite 2, to be provided
respectively to the grenadier and to the
marksman once equipped with the CQB
sight. In that way half of the fire team is
equipped with thermal systems and the
other with image intensifiers. The initial
order was for 95 Company packs; however
in December 2010, following the initial
deliveries, an order for further 51 Company
packs was awarded to Thales UK by the
British Ministry of Defence, bringing the
grand total to 146 Company packs.
The British Army announced the Fist
Increment 1A in-service date in early
February 2011, that date marking the
deployment of a sufficient number of kits
and the training of the units. Currently
Thales UK delivered around one third of the
overall kits, with final deliveries being
planned for 2015. Parts of the Fist suite have
already been deployed to Afghanistan,
however the British Army plans to field the
whole suite in theatre later this year.
According to Thales UK the later kits
might differ from the earlier ones under
certain aspects, a spiralling process being
part of the programme. In the meantime
the company is receiving enquiries from
overseas customers and is in discussion
with some of them, but declines to expand.
Those countries are closely following the
British experience with the intention of
leveraging lessons learned. Thales is
looking beyond the current Fist suite and
envisages a C4I component based on the
company’s experience acquired through
other C4I programmes such as the
Normans in Norway.
I NORWAY
Since late 2009 the Norwegian Modular
Arctic Network Soldier programme, or
Normans, made considerable steps
towards its fielding point. In tests carried
out by Thales Norway together with the
The Normans Commander Personal
Digital Assistant was finally developed
by Thales itself, as no cots systems met
the requirements. (Thales)
Modern Soldier
Harris radio. The Version 2 was thoroughly
tested by a Norwegian Army sub-unit during
the 2011 Bold Quest exercise, that took place
last September at Camp Atterbury Joint
Manoeuvre Training Center in Indiana,
involving ground and air units from 13
different countries. The exercise, which
aimed at improving battefield identification
procedures, marked a turning point in the
Normans history as the Norwegian ministry
of Defence subsequently asked the
Norwegian Defence Logistic Organisation to
file the contract with Thales Norway for the
systems’ acquisition, Teleplan Globe software
company being the main partner. According
The Normans Commander, left, and the Normans Light, right; Thales Norway obtained a
five-year contract in late 2011. (Thales)
Norwegian Defence Research Establishment
(FFI) the Normans proved its capacity to
increase the soldiers’ combat effectiveness.
This led in late 2010 to the contract for the
Normans Version 2, which maintained most
of the capabilities and design features of the
Version 1. The system thus maintains the
philosophy of having only the squad
commander equipped with the C4I software
installed onto a PDA.
One of the evolutions is linked to the
latter piece of equipment, as no cots PDA
met the requirements. The company thus
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developed an existing system into the 440gram Thales Normans PDA that is now the
core of the Normans Commander. The
commander maintains the two radio sets,
the Harris RF 7800 SPR radio for the squad
net and the Kongsberg Handheld MH300
VHF to maintain its link with the vehicle’s
Battle Management System.
The soldier, for his part, is equipped with
the Normans Light configuration of the
system that includes the 150-gram Thales
wrist-mounted lightweight microcontroller
with built-in GPS and 3D compass, and the
The Normans
Light controller
includes a GPS and
a compass and has
a weight of only 150
grams. (Thales)
to the announcement made on 3 October
2011 Thales Norway will be the prime
contractor for five years and discussions are
underway regarding production phase. No
numbers or deadlines have been announced,
but it is clear that the programme will be
carried out with a spiral approach. Thus
newer batches might include more advanced
software, which might be easily uploaded
onto existing systems in order to maintain
full interoperability, the latter issue being also
under discussion between Thales Norway
and the customer.
AEW&C Aircraft
There are few visual clues to
distinguish these Northrop Grumman
E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes from the
preceding Hawkeye 2000, but the
new radar doubles the detection
range. (Northrop Grumman)
AEW&C Aircraft – Today’s
“Must-Have” Assets
Airborne radar platforms with fighter control facilities are increasingly viewed as
essential for surveillance and defence. Their detection and tracking capabilities now
include low-flying cruise missiles, reconnaissance drones, surface vessels, and tactical
ballistic missiles. Aside from controlling interceptions and strikes, they can be used in
search-and-rescue, counter-drug and anti-piracy operations, and to provide
emergency air traffic control following natural disasters.
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orbited over the Gulf of Tonkin and Laos.
I SENTRY
The EC-121 was replaced by the Boeing E-3
Sentry Awacs, which entered US Air Force
service in 1978. In Operation Desert Storm
of 1991, E-3s controlled up to 3000 Coalition
sorties per day.
Based on the 707-320B, the 152-tonne US
Air Force E-3B/C has four P&W TF33s, a
Northrop Grumman APY-2 radar and a 9.1metre diameter rotodome. This turns at six
rpm and gives a detection range of over 320
km. The E-3 can cruise at up to 30,000 ft. It
has a flight crew of four, and 13 to 19 systems
operators.
The US Air Force has 32 E-3B/Cs. The
current Block 30/35 E-3B/Cs are being
brought to Block 40/45s with computer
upgrades. The first will be operational
in 2013. Approved modifications include
the Northrop Grumman AAQ-24(V)
(Laircm) and Boeing/UTL AYR-1 electronic
support measures.
The US Air Force is considering
improving E-3 performance against stealthy
aircraft through bistatic operation, with a
drone second receiver.
The E-3 is also operated by Nato (16 E3As), the Britain (seven E-3Ds), Saudi
Arabia (five E-3As) and France (four E-3Fs).
British, French and Saudi E-3s have CFM562s, increasing endurance from eight to
eleven hours, and refuelling probes as well
as receptacles.
I E-767
Following 707 production termination in
1991, Awacs marketing moved to the 175tonne 767-200ER with two General Electric
Providing an excellent view of its 9.1-metre
diameter rotodome, this Boeing E-3A Sentry
(one of five operated by the Royal Saudi Air
Force) is shown undergoing maintenance at
Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. (USAF)
Roy Braybrook
T
HE NEED for airborne early warning
and control aircraft was highlighted
in October 1944 by Japanese
‘kamikaze’ suicide attacks, which
sank 34 US Navy ships and damaged 386
more, with over 9700 casualties.
This led to AEW variants (AD3W/4W/5W) of the Douglas Skyraider for
the US Navy. The first major land-based
AEW aircraft was the Constellation-based
Lockheed WV-2/EC-121 Warning Star,
with both dorsal and ventral radomes and
a crew of up to 31. During the Vietnam
War, EC-121s of the Big Eye Task Force
Probably expecting that the US Air Force would follow suit, the Japan Air Self Defense Force
purchased four Boeing 767 Awacs, which it operates under the designation E-767. (Boeing)
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21
AEW&C Aircraft
CF6-80Cs and a high-prf S-band APY-2
radar. The 767 has over 50% more floor area
than the E-3, flies higher (up to 40,000 ft),
and stays up longer (13 hours at 550 km).
However, the US Air Force E-3 may not
be replaced until 2040, and the only buyer of
the 767 Awacs has been Japan, which
operates four E-767s. The cabin has nine
consoles, but the basic design allows for
up to 19.
I DISCO-ILYUSHINS
Russia’s Beriev A-50 places the Vega ‘Shmel’
(Bumblebee) radar with its 10.5-metre
rotodome on the Ilyushin Il-76MD. The A-50
first flew in 1978 and entered service in 1984,
six years after the E-3. The 190-tonne A-50
has a five-man flight deck crew and eleven
operators. It has a detection range of 150 km,
and can control only ten fighters. About 40 A50s were built by 1992, and around twelve are
still in Russian Air Force service.
The Titan-U upgrade programme
introduces an advanced mission computer,
satellite communications, and the ShmelM radar. This operates in the 0.5 to 18 GHz
range, tracks 300 targets (according to
Beriev, others say 150) and allows control
of 30 interceptors. Detection range is 215
km for cruise missiles and up to 650 km for
large aircraft.
In September 2008 state trials began with
this upgraded A-50U (export designation A50E). The first entered service in January
2012, and two further upgrades are funded.
Beriev expects to upgrade one A-50
annually, pending A-100 availability
(discussed later). The company credits the
A-50E with four hours on station at 1000 km,
or seven hours with aerial refuelling.
In 1994 China ordered one A-50 (plus
three options) with fixed disc-type radome, to
be equipped with an Elta Phalcon radar
using three static phased arrays.
The A-50 arrived in Israel in 1999, but the
deal was cancelled under US pressure in
2000, and the aircraft was recovered by
China only in 2002. It flew as the KJ-2000 in
November 2003, with a radar developed by
the Nanjing-based 14th Institute,
duplicating the Phalcon arrangement of
three fixed arrays.
Four further KJ-2000s were converted
from China United Airlines Il-76MDs.
Deliveries began in 2005, for operation by
the Plaaf 26th Air Division, in the coastal
Zhejiang province below Shanghai.
In 2004, India signed a $ 1.5-billion deal
with Russia and Israel to acquire three Il-
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The first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
development aircraft (BuAer No 166501) is
shown during trials with Emals
(Electro-Magnetic Aircraft Launch System)
at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,
New Jersey. (US Navy)
76MDs with PS-90A engines, EL/M-2075
Phalcon radars and fixed disc-type radomes
(likewise Elta products). These A-50EIs
were delivered to the Agra-based No 50 Sqn
of the Indian Air Force (IAF) between 2009
and 2011. The aircraft can reportedly track
60 targets at up to 400 km. In 2011 the IAF
won approval for an $ 800 million order for
two more Phalcon aircraft.
Following China’s rejection of the A-50E,
citing lack of a phased-array antenna, Beriev
projected the A-100, with a Tikhomirov NIIP
Institute radar. However, reorganisation of
the Russian aerospace industry, in which
Beriev was taken over by Irkut, led to the
project being frozen in 2002.
In 2005 the Russian Air Force developed a
new AEW&C requirement, relaunching the
A-100, now based on the Vega Premier
mission system. The rotodome will turn twice
as fast (twelve rpm) as most AEW radars, and
the antenna will scan electronically only
in elevation.
Under a 2007 contract, Beriev is
modifying an A-50 into an A-100 prototype,
to fly in early 2013. Production A-100s will
be converted at Taganrog from 195-tonne Il76MD-90As manufactured at Ulyanovsk.
The A-100 will have a refuelling probe and a
dorsal satcom radome. The first Il-76MD90A is to fly in early 2012, with a lightweight
wing and PS-90A-76 engines.
Beriev and Vega are also studying
AEW&C versions of 40-tonne transports,
notably the Antonov An-148, the Beriev Be200 amphibian and its Be-300 ground-based
derivative.
Antonov transports with rotodomes
already exist as the Pakistan Air Force’s
ZDK-03 ‘Karakorum Eagle’ version of
China’s 65-tonne Shaanxi Y-8F600 (An-12
derivative). Pakistan ordered four from the
China Electronics Technology Group in
2008. The first was rolled out at Hanzhong in
November 2010, for delivery in November
2011. Mystery surrounds the powerplants,
as the agreement on supplying P&WC
P150Bs and six-blade GE Aviation/Dowty
R-408 propellers was limited to the
commercial Y-8F600.
I THE NEW-GEN HAWKEYE D
The first turbine-engined naval AEW&C
aircraft was the Grumman E-2A Hawkeye,
which entered service in 1964. The
improved E-2C followed in 1973. The
current Hawkeye 2000 (H2K) with
Lockheed Martin APS-145 radar and eightblade Hamilton Sundstrand NP2000
propellers entered service in 2003. The last
was delivered in 2009.
The E-2C has been exported to Egypt (six),
France (four), Israel (four, now retired), Japan
(13), Mexico (three, ex-Israeli), Singapore
(four, now retired), and Taiwan (six E-2Ts,
now being upgraded to H2Ks). The APS-145
radar has also been applied to eight Lockheed
P-3s of the US Department of Homeland
Security. Three such aircraft were requested
(fruitlessly) by Pakistan in 2007.
The next generation is the 26.8-tonne E2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE), powered by
two Rolls-Royce T56-427As and designed to
cruise at around 25,000 ft for seven hours.
Rotodome diameter is unchanged at 7.3
AEW&C Aircraft
The latest project in this category is the Airbus
Military C-295 AEW, which will have a new
Elta S-band radar linked to a six-metre
rotodome. The C-295 has the largest cabin in
its class. (Airbus Military)
metres. The E-2D flew on 3 August 2007 and
is due to achieve IOC by the end of 2014.
Low-rate initial production has been
running at five units per year since FY2011.
The US Navy plans to acquire 70 by 2021,
following two development aircraft and
three pilot-production AHEs.
Northrop
Grumman
forecasts
international sales of at least 25-30 E-2Ds.
The United Arab Emirates and the Indian
Navy are known to be interested in acquiring a
land-based version (the Raytheon APY-10
radars in the Indian Navy’s 24 planned Boeing
P-8Is will have some air search capability).
The E-2D’s Lockheed Martin APY-9
UHF radar feeds an antenna array that
electronically scans a 90-degree arc. The
rotodome turns at four, five or six rpm, but
can be stopped to concentrate the search.
The APY-9 has a detection range of 550 km,
over twice that of the APS-145. Mission
avionics are controlled by three operators,
but either pilot can act as a fourth teammember. In-flight refuelling may be
developed, as Israel did for the E-2C.
I C-295
A disc-type radome guarantees 360-degree
cover, hence its choice by Airbus Military in
developing the 23.2-tonne C-295 AEW&C.
A development aircraft with a fixed sixmetre rotodome first flew on 7th June 2011.
The production C-295 AEW&C will have
six operator stations and an endurance of
around eight hours, which could be extended
by the addition of winglets or in-flight
refuelling. In June 2011 Airbus Military
signed an agreement with Elta Systems to use
the latter’s new 4th-generation S-band AEW
radar, with an Aesa aerial in a rotodome.
Since the first flight, a ventral radome for a
sar/gmti radar has been added.
I ERIEYE
One alternative to a disc-type radome is a
phased-array antenna in a ‘plank’, ideally with
additional antennas for forward and aft cover.
This first example was the Saab
Microwave Systems Erieye PS-890 radar,
which equipped five of six Saab 340Bs
ordered by the Swedish Air Force (SwAF).
The E/F-band PS-890 has an eight-metre
array and scans through 150 degrees on
either side. It can detect large transports at
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The pioneer in the development of linear phased-array antennas for AEW&C applications
was Saab Microwave Systems with the Erieye. This example is flown on a Royal Thai
Air Force Saab 340B. (Saab)
450 km and fighters at 350 km.
The resulting 13.2-tonne Saab S-100B
Argus entered Swedish service in 1997. It
was first used purely as a radar platform (FSR
90), downlinking data to the ground. Two
were upgraded to S-100Ds with two operator
stations and loaned to Greece as Saab 340H
training platforms. Fitted with a third
console, they are now flown by the SwAF,
designated ASC 890. The remaining four
SwAF Saab 340Bs were sold in pairs to
Thailand (one without Erieye) and the
United Arab Emirates.
In 2006 Pakistan ordered four 23.8-tonne
Saab 2000s with Erieye and five
workstations, but in the financial crisis of
2007 was forced to renegotiate the deal. At
least two have been delivered. Saudi Arabia is
rumoured to have ordered similar aircraft
for $ 670 million, which may be funding for
Pakistan’s second pair. The Saab 2000 has an
endurance of 9.5 hours, compared to six for
the Saab 340.
Brazil uses the Erieye on three 23.4-tonne
Embraer EMB-145Hs or R-99As, which have
five workstations. Jet-powered, these aircraft
have a 35,000 ft ceiling, compared to the
20,000 ft of the Saab 340 and the 30,000 ft of
the Saab 2000. Greece has purchased four
similar aircraft, and Mexico two.
Under a $ 415 million contract, Embraer is
delivering four EMB-145Is to India for a new
S-band AEW&C system jointly developed
by that country’s Defence Research and
Development Organisation and the Centre
for Airborne Systems. Equipped with an
8.24-metre ‘plank’, five operator stations, an
in-flight refuelling probe and a dorsal
satcom radome, they are to serve from 2014
alongside the A-50EIs. It is anticipated that, if
the project succeeds, 15 more EMB-145Is
will be ordered. The EMB-145I had its
maiden flight in Brazil on 6 December 2011,
and is due for delivery by mid-2012.
I 737 AEW&C
Some services require less capability than the
E-767, but more endurance and work stations
than the E-2C. Boeing thus projected the 77.6
tonne 737 AEW&C, based on the 737-700
The Saab 2000 AEW&C is equipped with
the Saab Avitronics HES-21 electronic support
measures and self-protection system,
combining a range of sensors
with countermeasures-dispensers. (Saab)
IGW and the Northrop Grumman Mesa
(Multi-role Electronically-Scanned Antenna)
L-band radar.
A 10.7-metre ‘plank’ array scans 120
degrees on either side, with end-arrays
scanning 60 degrees forward and aft. It can
detect targets flying at 10,000 ft at a range of
600 km, and targets at 500 ft at almost 400
Pictured on its maiden flight at Sao Paolo, Brazil,
is the first of four EMB-145I AEW&C aircraft
being manufactured for the Indian Air Force.
They will serve as platforms for an S-band radar
being developed in India. (Embraer).
km. It can track 1000 air and surface targets.
The aircraft has a flight crew of two and ten
systems operators. It has an endurance of ten
hours, and can operate up to 41,000 ft.
Australia signed the first Project
Wedgetail contract in 2000 and later brought
the total to six units. Development problems
hit deliveries and Boeing finances, but the
first aircraft was provisionally accepted in
December 2009. At time of writing five have
been delivered, and IOC is expected to be
announced in the course of 2012.
Turkey signed for four 737 AEW&Cs in
June 2002. Delivery of the first Peace Eagle
aircraft is scheduled for the fourth quarter of
2012, and the other three will be delivered in
2013. South Korea signed a $ 1.6 billion
order for four (with an option on two) in
November 2006. The first Peace Eye aircraft
was delivered in September 2011, and the
other three are scheduled for delivery in
2012. Italy, Saudi Arabia and the United
AEW&C Aircraft
Arab Emirates appear likely buyers.
China is believed to have at least five
plank-equipped Y-8W/KJ-200 (serials
30171-5), based on the Y-8F600. A
prototype, converted from a Y-8F200, flew
in 2001. The first true KJ-200 followed in
January 2005, with six-blade propellers and
small radomes added to the nose and tailend. As with the ZDK-03 (discussed earlier),
it may be that PW150s and R-408 propellers
were obtained for commercial Y-8F600s.
Four Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft are being
manufactured for the Turkish Air Force under
the Peace Eagle programme. The last is due for
delivery before the end of 2013. (Boeing)
I PHALCON
The EL/M-2075 radar used in India’s A-50EI
(discussed earlier) is only one form of Elta’s
Phalcon series, which first appeared as
fuselage-mounted radomes on two Israeli
and two South African Boeing 707s. A 707385C (EC-707 ‘Condor’) with a bulbous nose
radome and two massive fuselage ‘scabs’ was
delivered to the Chilean Air Force in 1995.
More recently, Elta and Gulfstream have
used the EL/M-2085 mission system to
produce the CAEW (Conformal AEW)
version of the 41.3-tonne G550 bizjet. This
includes S-band radars in the nose and tail,
and L-band units in fuselage scabs. Two
were delivered to the Israeli Air Force in
2008, and deliveries of four to Singapore
began in early 2009.
The G550 CAEW can operate at up to
41,000 ft, and remain nine hours on station at
185 km. The Israeli ‘Eitam’ version has four
systems operators, while the Singaporean
has six. Detection range is over 370 km.
I HELICOPTERS
Lockheed Martin UK, as prime contractor for the
AgustaWestland Merlin, proposes a version
equipped with its Vigilance AEW&C ro-ro system,
with a Northrop Grumman radar feeding lateral
antennae. (Lockheed Martin UK)
Thales UK is advocating replacing the Royal Navy Sea King AsaC7 by switching its Cerebus
AEW&C system with retractable radome to surplus ex-Royal Air Force Merlins. (Thales UK)
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Britain’s heavy maritime losses in the 1982
Falklands/Malvinas conflict, notable for its
lack of AEW&C assets, led to the
installation of a retractable Thorn-EMI
Searchwater radar and two operator
stations on the Royal Navy’s 9.7-tonne
Westland Sea King AEW2 helicopter. A
similar installation is used on Sikorsky SH3Hs of the Spanish Navy.
The RN’s current Sea King ASaC7 has a
Thales UK Cerebus mission system, with a
Thales Sensors Searchwater 2000AEW
radar. It is due to be replaced from 2016 by
an AEW&C version of the 15.6-tonne
AW101 Merlin. The Italian Navy already
has AEW&C capability in four AW101 Mk
112s with ventral Galileo Avonica
MM/HEW 748 radars.
Thales UK has suggested switching the
Cerebus systems from the RN’s Sea Kings to
surplus ex-Royal Air Force Merlins.
However, Lockheed Martin UK (Merlin
programme manager) is promoting its new
Vigilance roll-on/ roll-off system, with a
Northrop Grumman radar and two
antennas mounted on the fuselage sides.
(Vigilance is also proposed for the Lockheed
Martin C-130, with side-looking radomes in
outboard underwing pods).
The Russian Navy uses the 12.5-tonne
Kamov Ka-31 with a NIIR E801M ‘Oko’
(Eye) radar feeding a six-by-one-metre
rectangular ventral antenna, which scans
mechanically in azimuth and electronically
in elevation. The Ka-31 has only a two-man
crew, radar data being downlinked to
the ship. It has an endurance of 2.5 hr and
can detect fighters at 115 km and ships
at 250 km. The Indian Navy has received
15 Ka-31s, and five more are planned.
Nine are being delivered to the Chinese
Navy (Plan).
Utility Helicopter Armament
Swiss Knives for
Jack-of-All-Trades
Whirlybirds
In times of defence economies, “multirole” is key.
No military equipment warrants that appellation better
than the armed utility helicopter, serving as troop
transport, cargolifter, gunship, escort, and combat
search-and-rescue platform. All vtol (vertical take-off
and landing) aircraft are weight-sensitive, hence the
emphasis in choice of weaponry is on lightness. Utility
helicopters will become even more potent with the
new generation of laser-homing rocket projectiles and
the miniature air-surface guided missiles being
developed for drone applications.
Roy Braybrook
I
N THE ALGERIAN War of 1954-62 the
French Air Force developed a flexible
mounting for a 20 mm cannon on its
Sikorsky H-34s (S-58s). The French
Army installed light machine guns and
rocket pods on some Vertol H-21s (‘La
Banane’) and on the turbine-engined SudEst Alouette II, some examples of which
were armed with Nord SS.10/11 guided
missiles.
Helicopter armament advanced further
with American operations in Vietnam
(1962-75). Initially, US helicopters were
used to transport Vietnamese troops and
relied for fire support at the LZ (landing
zone) on ARVN (Army of the Republic of
Vietnam) mortars and artillery and VNAF
(Vietnam Air Force) air strikes. This
support proved so ineffective that helicopter
crewmen began carrying rifles or the 0.45calibre M3 ‘Grease Gun’, and mounting light
machine guns to give lateral cover.
The concept of arming utility helicopters
advanced further with the arrival of the Bell
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Huey series in late 1962. The UH-1B/C was
given forward- firing seven/eight-tube 2.75inch rocket pods and 7.62-mm M37C or
M60C machine guns, all mounted on the
skids. Some 6700 rounds of ammunition
were carried in twelve boxes, and fed
electrically to the guns via metal chutes.
In many cases an M60B was simply hung
by elastic cord from the top of either
doorframe. Gunners then found that the
best way to achieve area coverage was to try to
hold the aim fixed.
Subsequently, the four M60s were
replaced by two flexibly-mounted, forwardfiring six-barrel 7.62-mm General Electric
M134 Miniguns, each firing at 2000 rd/min.
The ‘Heavy Hog’ version of UH-1C also had
a Ford Aerospace M75 40-mm grenade
launcher in a chin turret. The Nord SS.11
anti-armour guided missile was introduced
in Vietnam in 1965, and the
Hughes/Raytheon BGM-71 Tow in 1972.
I POST ’NAM
In 1976 the US Army selected the ten-tonne
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk to replace the
4.4-tonne ‘Huey’. The UH-60A entered
The Nexter Systems 20-mm 20M621
cannon fires at 750 rd/min. It is applied
to helicopters in various forms,
including the pintle-mounted SH20 and
the NC621 pod (shown here on an
NH90 of the Royal Air Force of Oman)
with 180-250 rounds. (Eurocopter/AP)
service in 1979 and led to various armed
models, including the MH-60L with M134
door guns and stub wings that can mount
30-mm Alliant Techsystems M230 Chain
Guns. Armed export versions include the
AH-60L Arpia III for Colombia.
Just as the Vietnam War spurred the
development of armed Hueys, Soviet
operations in Afghanistan (1979-89)
accelerated weaponisation of the Mil Mi-8
series, producing what are probably the
world’s most heavily armed helicopters, the
13-tonne Ulan-Ude Mi-171Sh and the
Kazan Mi-17-1V.
For example, the Mi-17-1V can carry 80 S8 80-mm or 192 S-5 57-mm rockets, or four
twin-barrel 23-mm UPK-23-250 gunpods. It
has provisions for a remotely-controlled
PKT/PKTM 7.62-mm machine gun in the
nose and at the rear, and troops can fire their
AKM assault rifles or PK/RPK machine guns
Unveiled at Eurosatory in 2010, the 3.6-tonne
Eurocopter EC645 is shown with a range of
weapons, including the Lockheed Martin
AGM-114A Hellfire, the Denel Ingwe, a 19-tube
70-mm rocket pod by FZ, a GSh-23 cannon
pod and an M134 Minigun. (Eurocopter/TJ)
on six swivel mounts in the side windows.
I MACHINE GUNS
Automatic Weapons combine the
advantages of relatively low cost, broadaspect coverage and fire persistence.
Lightweight single-barrel guns are
exemplified by the 7.62 mm FN Herstal
MAG 58M, which has the US Army
designation M240D. The same company’s
standard heavy machine gun is the 12.7-mm
FN M3M/M3P/GAU-21 series.
The pintle-mounted M3M is fitted with a
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29
Utility Helicopter Armament
The US Air Combat Command operates the
Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk for combat
search and rescue, armed with 12.7-mm
FN Herstal M3Ms for lateral cover.
These were pictured when assigned
to the 66th Expeditionary
Rescue Squadron in Iraq. (US Air Force)
300 or 600-round ammunition box, and fires
at 1025 rd/min. Applications include the US
Air Force Sikorsky HH/MH-60G. Recent
platform integrations for the M3P include the
FN Herstal HMP400 and the RMP pods (the
latter with three 70 mm rockets) on the
AgustaWestland AW101. The M3P has also
been selected for the US Army’s Bell OH-58D.
The use of multiple barrels, following the
lead of the pioneering Gast and Gatling
guns, overcomes the cyclic-rate limitation
of a single-chamber weapon. One of the
best examples for helicopter applications is
the General Dynamics Armament &
Technical Products (GDATP) three-barrel
12.7-mm GAU-19/A, which is externallypowered and fires at 1000/2000 rd/min.
Applications include some US Air Force
HH/MH-60Gs, Colombian Air Force Bell
UH-1s and Mexican Navy MDH MD-902s
and Mil Mi-17s.
The Soviets developed two four-barrel
guns, both self-powered (ie, gas-operated).
The lighter design is the Shipunov GShG7.62, which fires at 6000 rd/min. It is used
in gunpods and in the nose turret of the
Kamov Ka-29. The other is 12.7 mm
Yakushev-Borsov (Yak-B) or 9A624, which
was the original chin turret armament for
the Mil Mi-24.
In Vietnam the US Army demanded
extremely high cyclic rates for suppressive
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fire. This led to the electrically-powered sixbarrel General Electric 7.62 mm GAU-2B/A
Gatling gun or M134, which was capable of
6000 rd/min, but was generally operated at
4000/2000 rd/min. It has been employed in
fixed, pintle-mounted and turreted forms on
a wide range of rotary-wing aircraft, but its
reliability is problematic.
Arizona-based Dillon Aero has reengineered the M134, and restricted cyclic
rate to 3000 rd/min, giving outstanding
reliability and reduced recoil loads. The new
Close-up of the 7.62-mm six-barrel Dillon Aero M134D and its operator, alongside a
US Air Force Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk of the 56th Rescue Squadron (RQS), based at RAF
Lakenheath in England. (Dillon Aero)
gun is known to the US Army as the M134D
and to the US Navy as the GAU-17/A.
Dillon Aero has now standardised on the
M134D-H Titanium Hybrid version, which is
5.0 kg lighter than the M134D (Steel). It uses
some titanium components from the
M134D-T Titanium for lightness and
corrosion-resistance, but retains the steel
housing of the original M134D for longer
(million-round) life.
The company has now produced over
2200 new-build M134Ds and more than
3250 upgrade kits for old GE-built M134s.
Foreign applications include Jordanian
Socom helicopters.
The demand for improved M134s has
encouraged
another
Arizona-based
company, Garwood Industries, to enter the
market with its M134G. Firing rate is
selectable as 3000/3200/4000 rd/min. The
M134G employs chrome-lined barrels with
phosphate coatings, manufactured by FNH
USA. Both Dillon Aero and Garwood quote
a barrel life of 200,000 rounds.
I CANNON
In helicopter applications, cannon are
generally not required to produce the high
The French Air Force has six EC725 Caracals
assigned to combat search and rescue and
eight more for special operations. This
example is armed with 7.62-mm FN Herstal
MAG 58M machine guns, but it can also carry
two 19-tube pods for 68-mm rockets or two 20mm Nexter NC621 cannon pods. (Sirpa Air)
firing rates used in fighter aircraft. In any
event, the carriage of large numbers of shells
is unacceptable from a weight viewpoint.
Nexter Systems produces the 20 mm
single-barrel 20M621 in various forms. As
the NC621 pod, it has been applied to several
Eurocopter products, recently including the
EC635. The pintle-mounted SH20, firing at
750 rd/min, is employed in a retractable
installation on the Eurocopter EC725. The
THL20 turret has been ordered for the HAL
Light Combat Helicopter. Nexter’s 30 mm
30M781 cannon is used in the THL30 turret
of the Eurocopter Tiger.
In the ‘SuperHind’ Mi-24 upgrade
developed for the Algerian Air Force by
South Africa’s Advanced Technologies &
Engineering (ATE), the four-barrel 12.7-mm
gun in the chin turret is replaced by a 20-mm
single-barrel Denel Land Systems GI-2.
The heaviest Russian single-barrel
cannon in this class is the 30-mm Shipunov
2A42 from the BMP-2 ground vehicle, but
this has been applied only to the Mil Mi-28
and Kamov Ka-50 attack helicopters.
Likewise the Alliant Techsystems (ATK) 30mm externally-powered M230 Chain Gun is
used only on the Boeing AH-64 series.
Utility Helicopter Armament
In developing the Mi-24 to meet
operational demands in Afghanistan, Mil
first replaced the 12.7-mm four-barrel turret
gun with a twin-barrel 23-mm GSh-23L
cannon. This concept was dropped, but the
GSh-23L is used in UPK-23-250 pods on
various utility helicopters, including the Mi171Sh, Mi-17-1V and PZL-Swidnik W-3PL
‘Gruszec’. In place of the chin turret, the Mi24P has a fixed twin-barrel 30-mm GSh-30K
on the starboard fuselage side.
GDATP’s 20 mm three-barrel M197
cannon is a lightweight derivative of the sixbarrel M61A1 Vulcan used in fixed-wing
aircraft, and can fire at up to 1500 rd/min. It
is used as a turreted gun in attack helicopters,
and in the GPU-2/A gunpod, which holds
300 rounds.
I ROCKETS
The majority of unguided rocket projectiles
used on Western helicopters are the
Thales/TDA Armements 68 mm SNEB, the
2.75-inch/70 mm General Dynamics Hydra70 or the Magellan/Bristol Aerospace CRV7.
Russian helicopters are generally armed
with the 57 mm S-5 rocket, but this is being
superseded by the 80 mm S-8. Chinese
helicopters are seen with 57- and 68-mm
rockets, presumably copied from the Russian
and French originals, and also with the
home-grown 90-mm Norinco Type 1 in
seven-tube launchers and the 130 mm Type
82 in four-tube pods.
I ROCKETS TURNED MISSILES
The many unguided rockets held in storage
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The 7.62-mm FN Herstal MAG 58M is shown in
LWP (Light Window Pintle) form on a French Air
Force Eurocopter EC725. The standard
magazine takes 250 rounds, but a 1000-round
box is optional. Firing rate is adjustable from
650 to 1000 rd/min. (FN Herstal)
offer a low-cost means to produce guided
missiles, when combined with a laser
homing kit. In comparison with a laserguided Raytheon AGM-65L/E2 Maverick or
Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire, a
Hydra-70 rocket has a small warhead, but
this is an advantage when the target is soft
and low collateral effects are required.
The need for a lightweight precision
weapon (effectively a cheap complement for
Hellfire) was recognised in the US Army
study that followed Desert Storm of 1991. In
1996 the Department of the Army approved
a Mission Need Statement (MNS) for the
Apkws (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon
System), specifically for helicopters.
However, it was only in 2000 that the
Operational Requirement Document
(ORD) was formally approved.
The Apkws was envisioned as a laserguided rocket (LGR) with a unit cost of less
than $ 10,000, an accuracy of around one
metre, and a standoff range of at least six
kilometres. It was to combine the GDATP
Hydra-70 rocket motor, warhead and fuze
with a small, strapdown solid-state laser
seeker, an off-the-shelf inertial measuring
unit and a low-cost control system. The
Apkws was expected to reduce cost-per-kill
significantly, and increase the number of
kills that one helicopter could achieve by a
factor of up to 20.
The US Army selected BAE Systems as
prime contractor for the Apkws in 2006, but
zeroed funding in FY2008. In November
2008 the programme was taken over by the
US Navy, to provide an accurate lightweight
weapon for US Marine Corps helicopters.
Bell offers a kit that relatively easily turns its
407 into a 407AH (Armed Helicopter) without
having to tamper to deep into the aircraft’s
structure. Rockets starboard and Dillon
Minigun port for starters? (Armada/EHB)
Firing of a Russian 57-mm S-5 rocket from a 32-tube UB-32 pod
mounted on a Mil Mi-35 of the Afghan National Army Air Corps.
The S-5 weighs around 5.0 kg and has a range of 4000 metres.
The fully loaded UB-32 weighs 264 kg. (US Air Force)
The BAE Systems Apkws employs a Dasals (Distributed
Aperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker) arrangement, with four
sensors mounted in the leading edges of the canard surfaces. The
mid-body guidance and control section allows the use of existing
warheads, fuzes and rocket motors, and protects the sensors (on
canards folded back in the launch tube) from the blast of
preceding rockets.
The Apkws has been cleared for use on the US Marine Corps
Bell UH-1Y and AH-1W, and will later be cleared for the service’s
AH-1Z and the US Navy MH-60R (and Northrop Grumman MQ8C drone). The first batch of missiles for operational use in
Afghanistan has now been delivered. The US Air Force is
interested in acquiring Apkws for fixed-wing tactical aircraft.
In August 2009 the US Army issued a request for information on
lightweight (less than 22.7 kg) precision strike weapons under the
Ampm (Aviation Multi-Platform Munition) programme. This
effort is primarily intended to allow the Bell OH-58D to combine
long endurance with a large number of kills against thin-skinned
vehicles and combatants in the open, when taking off under
hot/high conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The US Army
trialled three types of LGR in 2009, but appears to be waiting to
see how the US Marine Corps Apkws performs operationally
before placing orders.
One LGR tested by the US Army was the 70 mm Talon jointly
developed by Raytheon and the Abu Dhabi-based Emirates
Advanced Investments (EAI), presumably on the basis of the
Raytheon LGR tested in 2006 under the Apkws programme. The
Talon has since been successfully launched at ranges up to 6.0 km,
and is claimed to be the only LGR to have achieved an air-launched
direct hit from as short a range as 1.2 km.
If the United Arab Emirates place a launch order for the Talon to
Utility Helicopter Armament
arm the AH-64D, the initial conversion kits
will be manufactured by Raytheon at
Tucson, Arizona. The ability to manufacture
the guidance and control section will then be
transferred to EAI, but the laser seeker will
remain a Raytheon product.
Another Ampm candidate is the
Lockheed Martin Dagr (Direct Attack
Guided Rocket), which uses seeker and
guidance technology from its Hellfire and
later air-ground missile projects. The
modification kit is intended for both the
Hydra-70 and CRV7.
The Dagr has a launch weight of 15.9 kg
with a 4.5 kg warhead, and 19 kg with a 7.7
kg warhead. It has a range of 7.0 km at sea
level, and up to 12.0 km from 20,000 ft. It
can engage targets moving at up to 90 km/hr.
Lockheed Martin has designed two- and
four-tube launchers for Dagr.
There have been at least 20 Dagr firings,
including airborne launches from the AH64D, OH-58D and AH-6. The Dagr is in
limited production under US Air Force
contract, reportedly to arm Iraqi Air Force
Mil-171s and ATK AC-208Bs, and Iraqi
Army Air Corps Mil Mi-17s.
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When collateral damage control and accuracy
are an absolute prerequisite, a Raytheon Talon
missile (a 70mm rocket fitted with a seeker)
for example, fitted into this 19-tube Lau-3/A
launcher could often yield the required result
(and no more) than its neighbour under
the stub wing of an Army Apache, but for about
a sixth of the cost. (Armada/EHB)
The third LGR tested by the US Army was
the ATK/Elbit Systems Gatr-L (Guided
Advanced Technology Rocket – Laser). This
combines an improved rocket motor by ATK
and guidance and control technology from
Elbit’s Star (Smart Tactical Airborne
Rocket), which is based on the laser seeker
from its Lizard LGB.
The Gatr-L has also been tested on the
Sikorsky/Elbit Armed Black Hawk (ABH)
and is seen as a likely candidate for Israel’s
AH-64s and AH-1s. It is proposed as a newbuild weapon (rather than a modification
kit) that provides improved kinematic
performance, with a range of over eight
kilometres.
Several European companies have
produced test LGRs, but evidently lack the
funding or motivation to complete
development.
One that appears likely to go ahead is the
Roketsan Cirit (Javelin), a completely new
70 mm LGR, designed in response to a
Turkish Army requirement for a weapon for
its Atak helicopter. It weighs 14 kg, and
delivers a tri-mode (anti-armour, antipersonnel and incendiary) warhead over a
range of eight kilometres. Development of
Cirit is almost complete, and series
production is expected to start shortly.
It appears that the emphasis in Russian
LGRs is currently on heavy rockets, such as
the 122-mm S-13L and 340-mm S-25L,
which are used only on attack helicopters
and fixed-wing aircraft.
I MISSILES
Despite early use of the SS.10/11 and Tow,
the idea of arming utility helicopters with
guided missiles failed to take off in the West,
due to the development of two-seat
dedicated attack helicopters.
Maritime operations represent an
exception to this rule, a wide range of antiship weapons being employed on what are
Utility Helicopter Armament
This computer-generated image of the
eight-tonne AgustaWestland AW149 shows it
armed with Hellfire missiles and FZ 70-mm
rocket launchers. A development of the
commercial AW139, the AW149 first flew in
February 2011. (AgustaWestland)
basically naval utility helicopters. For
example, the 310-kg MBDA Marte Mk 2/S
is being cleared for use on the Italian
Navy NHI NH90 and AgustaWestland
AW101, and the 385-kg Kongsberg Penguin
AGM-119B is used on the US Navy
The 5.5-tonne Hindustan Aeronautics Dhruv
(Sanskrit for ‘Polaris’) is flown by nine
military operators. It is shown here armed
with two twelve-tube 70-mm FZ rocket
launchers and four MBDA Mistral air-air
missiles. (Hindustan Aeronautics).
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Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk.
The 5.5-tonne Hindustan Aeronautics
Dhruv (Sanskrit for ‘Polaris’) is flown by
nine military operators. It is shown here
armed with two twelve-tube 70-mm FZ
rocket launchers and four MBDA Mistral
air-air missiles. (Hindustan Aeronautics).
In the Soviet Union, where attack
helicopters were developed only later,
various guided missiles have been applied to
the Mi-8 family. For example, today’s Mi171Sh (the export version of the Mi8AMTSh) can carry eight KBM-designed
(Degtyarev-manufactured) 9M120 Ataka
(AT-9) anti-armour guided weapons.
Returning to the US Army’s Ampm
programme, aside from the three LGRs, tests
were carried out on the Raytheon Griffin and
Textron Defense Systems Sharpshooter
missiles. Little has been published regarding
Sharpshooter, but the laser-homing, 15-kg
Griffin offers off-boresight engagements,
three fuzing options and GPS-reversion.
Griffin-A is ejected aft from the loading
ramp of a US Marine Corps KC-130J
Harvest Hawk. Griffin-B was designed to be
ejected forwards from a launch tube under a
drone. Griffin technology is also used in the
5.9-kg Raytheon STM (Small Tactical
Munition) glide weapon.
The trend to arming drones has
encouraged the development of several
munitions in the 13-kg category, including
the IAI Lahat (which has been tested on the
Mi-8/17), the Lockheed Martin Scorpion, the
MBDA Saber, and the laser beam-riding
Thales UK LMM (Lightweight Multi-role
Missile), which has been ordered for the
Royal Navy’s AgustaWestland AW159
Lynx Wildcat.
Situational Awareness
An SAS module installed on
the flank of a vehicle; the Rheinmetall
system can be fitted with automatic
target recognition. (Rheinmetall)
Situational awareness: a
lifesaver for vehicle crews
The Ballistic, mine and roadside bomb threat encountered by western forces
during the last operations in Iraq and Afghanistan led to the adoption of vehicles and
weapon systems that allow all personnel to remain safe within an armoured cell.
While this ensures a better protection, it does on the other hand reduce crew
situational awareness, something that has already been experienced by soldiers
belonging to mechanised formations.
Paolo Valpolini
T
HE NEED to maintain or improve
situational awareness is even more
important with the increase in the
number of missions carried out in
urban environments, where dismounts need
to understand the situation before the ramp
or the rear doors are opened. Numerous
companies thus developed optronic systems
that allow vehicle crews to obtain as much
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visual information as possible while still
under armour protection. Other sensors can
also be added, such as shotgun detection
systems that not only warns on board
personnel that their vehicle is being targeted,
but also informs them on the direction and
the distance from which the shot was fired.
Basically, situational awareness systems try
to provide crews with what they would see
and hear if they kept their heads out of the
vehicle, with the boon of a few extras
afforded by the use of evolved sensors.
I 360° OPTRONIC SYSTEMS
All-round vision is the first parameter of a
good vehicle viewing system which itself
depends on . a network that collects the
images, sends them to a processor, which in
turn feeds the screens of the various
crewmembers. The most widely adopted
solution is based on multiple sensors
distributed around the vehicle, or around the
chassis when the vehicle is a turreted one.
Single 360° sensors are available and can be
easier to install and may be cheaper. The
Situational Awareness
1. Front Sensor
2. Rear Sensor
3. Front Left Side Sensor & IR Illuminator
4. Front Right Side Sensor & IR Illuminator
5. Rear Left Side Sensor & IR Illuminator
6. Rear Right Side Sensor & IR Illuminator
7. Driver Display
8. Commander Display
9. Illuminator Power Supply Unit
The diagram showing a possible arrangement of Selex Galileo Road Marshall sensors,
including the 50° field-of-view driver night vision system. (Selex Galileo)
difficulty stems from the fact that quite often
vehicle elements obstruct vision, while
single-sensor systems lack redundancy.
Selex Galileo developed an integrated
vehicle situational awareness suite known as
Road Marshall – a name that includes a
family of equipments ranging from close-in
SA (situational awareness) to long range
RSTA (recconnaissanc3e, surveillance and
target acquisition). The system’s core is the
Multi Functional Display, which far from
being only a display, also provides power to
all the linked systems and ensures
communication.
The standard model has a 10.4-inch
display and a resolution of 1024x768 pixels,
though a version with an embedded
Windows XP PC being also available for
A British Army Mastiff equipped with Selex
Galileo Road Marshall. The company provided
over 1,200 systems to the the British Ministry of
Defence. (Selex Galileo)
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running third party applications. Those
displays have picture-in-picture capability,
which is not part of the smaller 8.4 inch crew
station displays. All sensors are linked to that
single LRU. For close-in applications Selex
Galileo uses its Driver’s Night Vision System
modules, the uncooled thermal imager
working in the 8-12 µm band providing a
52°x38° field of view. These can be
complemented with day/low light cameras
with a 90°x75° field of view and a sensitivity of
0.009 to 100.000 Lux. Configurations can
vary from the drivers station, with a single
TI camera and a single screen to a full 360°
coverage, the system being able to handle up
to 16 cameras. Each screen being
independent, soldiers can call up the image
they need from one of the
cameras. The company
has provided over 1,200 systems to the
British Ministry of Defence. All Mastiff
protected mobility vehicles are equipped
with a 360° system and feature three screens
driver, commander and dismounts.
At DSEI 2011 Selex Galileo introduced its
new DNVS-4 digital dual-channel
thermal/colour camera, respectively offering
52°x39° and62°x46.5° fields of view. Output
comes in digital video format (either Def Stan
00-82 or GigE Vision). A wash-wipe module
can be added to the camera, the latter being
also available in high performance colour
day/night camera only or monochrome lowlight camera only. While the previous
analogue system is currently in service in
Australasia, Europe and Middle East
including Saudi Arabia, where it is mounted
on an infantry fighting vehicles, the latest
digital version has already bagged an order
from an undisclosed European Nato country.
The Selex Galileo Road Marshall has been
integrated with acoustic shotgun detection
systems, Britain using the
Raytheon BBN Boomerang III
while others opted for the 01dB
Metravib Pilar.
Over recent years Thales UK has
provided some 100 analog
situational awareness systems to the
Britain, but a fully digitised LSA
system was introduced in early 2011.
Known as the Ilsa (Integrated Local
Situational Awareness) it includes a
digital open architecture network as
well as optronic sensors and displays,
but the system is however able to
accept any sensor or display compliant
with the Britain’s new Def Stan 00-82
Digital Video Distribution and Def
Stan 23-09 Generic
Vehicle Architecture
Situational Awareness
One of the latest Selex Galileo products is the DNVS-4 dual channel
thermal/colour camera, introduced at DSEI 2011. (Selex Galileo)
(GVA) design standards. A first contract was
immediately won from Force Protection
Europe, Thales UK being responsible for the
whole electronic architecture of the
Foxhound (the armoured vehicle
commercially known as Ocelot that was
selected as part of Britain’s Light Protected
Patrol Vehicle requirement).
Some 200 systems were thus ordered in
early 2011. The Ilsa ensures minimum
latency and is composed of two types of
sensors, VEM-2 (W) thermal cameras and
colour/mono TV cameras, both being of
small dimensions with a weight of less than
2.5 kg. Thermal sensors working in the 8-12
µm band are available with 40°, 50° and 90°
horizontal fields of view and are based on a
640x480 detector. TV cameras have a 78° or
96° horizontal field of view and can operate in
low light mode down to 0.1 Lux, with
resolutions of 480 TVL in colour mode and
600
TVL
in
monochrome
mode, the sensor
ensuring man
recognition at
100
meters.
Images are sent to
a central hub that
redistributes them to the
various “on demand”
displays thus allowing driver,
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commander, gunner
and dismounts to see on their screens the
images that pertain to their respective roles.
The Ilsa can accept other types of digital and
analog sensors like existing sights, remote
weapon stations, or acoustic gunshot
detection systems, although the company
has not yet been asked to integrate the latter
systems. The Ilsa has also been selected for
the Scout SV programme and is providing
the system to General Dynamics UK for the
demonstration phase, following which 400
to 600 vehicles may be produced. The suite’s
configuration is reminiscent of that adopted
on board the Foxhound with sensors
installed along the chassis, one of the two
screens for the dismounts being located on
the rear bulkhead in order to allow the
soldiers to have a clear idea of the scenario
at their 6 o’clock position. Thales UK is ready
to incorporate new functions in its Ilas, such
as automatic target detection.
Rheinmetall Situational Awareness
System (SAS) has 360° coverage and in its
basic configuration includes two camera
modules, each made of three 60° cameras
(this a total of 180°) and a Video Processing
Unit. The system can be adapted to all kinds
of combat vehicles and is extendable to four
camera modules (day and infrared sights).
The single images of the camera modules are
merged together by the VPU in a virtual 360°
panoramic view. The observer can select a
full resolution cut from the 360° panorama
view by a simple touch on the monitor. Up
to four part-window views can be selected
similarly; these are displayed on the upper
part of the monitor. With the extended
version a roll-in function for a weapon
station is provided to support
countermeasures against attacks. It is also
possible to implement automatic target
recognition and tracking system; assumed
targets are detected and tracked fully
automatically within the observed video
stream, their data extracted and reported
cyclically. The SAS is in production and has
The Thales VEM-2 RHS is thermal sensor of the Ilsa system
and is available with different field of view. (Thales)
Situational Awareness
The first order chalked up by Rheinmetall SAS was from the Spanish naval infantry, where the
system is mounted on the company’s Lance turret that equips the Piranhas. (Rheinmetall)
been installed on the Lance turret provided
by Rheinmetall to the Spanish Naval
Infantry. It is also on trial worldwide,
mounted on many different chassis.
Elbit Systems of Israel See-Through
Armor (STA) provides seamless 360°
coverage of the vehicle surroundings and
allows zooming into selected areas of the
image. The system can support four to
twelve day-and-night high-resolution
sensors providing an elevation coverage of
–20°/+30°. Day sensors come in the form of
Gigabit Ethernet cameras available with
different resolutions (640x480, 782x582 or
720x1280). For night vision, thermal
imagers based on uncooled bolometric
sensors with 384x288 or 640x480
resolutions are available. Day and night
image refreshing is typically rated at 25
frames per second with a two-frame delay,
though a maximum of 100 fps is attainable
with day sensors. Captured images are
processed by STA algorithms that allow
jointing them in a single 360° view.
The image is then made available
onto a maximum of three screens,
where the operator can see a front
panoramic vision, select a region of
interest into which he can zoom in,
while keeping, for instance, the
upper part of the screen for the rear
panoramic view in order to maintain
full awareness. The STA can be integrated
The MiniSight developed by Carl Zeiss
Optronics is a stabilised platform that can
house different types of sensors.
(Carl Zeiss Optronics)
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with other sensors such as battle
management systems, warning systems and
fire control systems.
Carl Zeiss Optronics has just developed
the Mini Sight System (MSS), a small
stabilised platform that can host an
uncooled thermal imager and/or a CCD
camera, as well as a laser rangefinder as an
option. The MSS is 250 mm high and has a
diameter of 180 mm; the optics can be
oriented on the 360° in azimuth while
elevation is between –30° and +80°. The
two-axis stabilisation ensures that the target
is maintained in the MSS field of view,
maximum angular speed being of 1.8 rad/s
while the stabilisation error is less than 300
µrad. The MSS features a motion detection
software that allows reducing the crew
workload, especially in urban terrain. Two
to three MSS are used to cover 360° on an
Application diagram of the Zeiss
Mini Sight on a medium armoured vehicle.
(Carl Zeiss Optronics)
infantry fighting vehicle. The system’s
dimensions and weight makes it usable by
light armoured vehicles of all types.
Copenhagen Sensor Technology (CST) is
developing a complete family of Situational
Awareness cameras, which will be unveiled at
Eurosatory 2012. Known as Citadel, they are
specifically designed to be mounted on
military platforms from light armoured
vehicles and reconnaissance vehicles to
Situational Awareness
The Panoramic version of the CST “Citadel”
family of SA cameras includes two cameras
providing a single 170° FoV image. (CST)
tanks. Designed with virtually no image lag
they can be used for driver’s assistance,
providing enhanced forward and rear view, as
well as for providing all-round view for the
commander and dismounts. Based on the
latest generation of CCD colour image
sensors, the high-resolution camera system
provides clear images in conditions ranging
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INTERNATIONAL
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from full sunlight to low-light scenes, thanks
to the Extended Night Mode operation. Fully
ruggedized and featuring a low profile, they
can operate between –40°C and +70°C. The
Citadel camera system comes in two basic
configurations. The Panoramic consists of
two cameras, with the two image streams
stitched together as one image stream, with
an 170° horizontal field of view, built into a
ruggedized metal housing. The Wide Angle
configuration uses a single wide-angle field of
view camera, with a factory-configurable
horizontal field of view ranging from 47° to
112°, depending on the specific model.
Interfacing is carried out via a MIL 38999
type connector, allowing easy linkage to onboard video processors and monitors. While
these cameras can be easily integrated in
retrofit packages, to address the digital world
of newly developed vehicles CST offers the
Citadel camera models with a digital Gigabit
Ethernet interface, providing high-speed
video streams in accordance with either the
GigE Vision standard or Def.Stan 00-82. The
company is in close dialog with major
The latest success of 01dB Metraviv Pilar acoustic sensor was with the French Army VAB TOP
upgraded 4x4 vehicles aimed at the French contingent in Afghanistan. (Armada/EHB)
European vehicle manufacturers and system
integrators, and a number of field trials
are either underway or planned.
I GUNSHOT LOCATING SYSTEMS
Why most types are based on acoustic
sensors, one of the latest developments calls
on sensors of entirely different nature, based
as it is on an infrared focal-plane technology.
Known as Flash, for Fast as Light Assessment
of Snipers and Hostile fire, it is produced by
Oceanit, a Hawaii-based engineering
company. The infrared sensor – a chip that
operates at over 10,000 frames per second –
can “see” the gunshot when the bullet
leaves the barrel and can report in 1/10 of a
second the shot location and the type of
weapon used, discriminating between rifle
types, rocket propelled grenade launchers,
etc. The Flash comes in the form of a camera
with a 360° fish-eye lens. According to
Oceanit the Flash has a detection range of
over one kilometre. with a detection rate
greater than 99% and a false alarm rate of less
than 0.1 %, thanks to algorithms that allow
to discriminate between the flash of a gun
and one that bouncing off a polished surface.
The Flash technology is being used to
The hand-held display of the 01dB Metravib
Pilar shows the sector from which the
threat is coming. (Armada/EHB)
develop a Hostile Fire Detection System
(HFDS) for the US Army that can be adopted
both on vehicles and helicopters. (Armada
tried to obtain additional information from
the company. As a result, quite unbelievably,
an internal e-mail was mistakenly sent to the
author stating that his original e-mail was to
be forwarded “ to counter-intelligence”!)
One of the most widely used acoustic
detection systems is certainly Raytheon BBN
Technologies Boomerang III, of which over
10,000 are deployed downrange. The last
contract from the US Army dates back to
October 2011, and includes both new
systems and spares. It works at speeds of up to
95 km/h and ensures a shot detection of over
95 % against supersonic rounds passing
within 30 meters from the microphones
mast. Bearing and elevation accuracy are
better than 2.5° while range error is of ± 10
%, results being shown in less than 1.5
seconds. BBN does not unveil its customers
but at least Britain is known to be one of
them, the system having been integrated into
situational awareness systems equipping
most vehicles deployed to Afghanistan.
Another well-known system is the Pilar
Mk-IIw from 01dB Metravib of France, of
Situational Awareness
The Rheinmetall Acoustic Sniper Locating System completed its full development stage and
is now ready for production. (Armada/PV)
over 1,000 units have been sold to 20 different
countries in various configurations. Two
types are available, stand-alone or integrated
with an RCWS. The system is capable to
detect any round between 5.56 and 20 mm
calibre fired in ripple or as single shot, with
or without suppressor, as well as RPGs and
mortar rounds. Response time is two seconds
while accuracy in azimuth is ± 2° with the
vehicle stopped and ± 5° with the vehicle on
the move, reference being the vehicle’s
heading, elevation accuracy being ± 5°.
Range accuracy varies between ±10 % and ±
20%, detection range being of about 1,500
metres. The system is composed of an array of
microphones, an interface and data
acquisition module, a filter module for
aggressive fire detection, a display unit
(normally a ruggedized computer) running
on ShotGuard software and connecting
cables. The MMI includes two modes,
aggressive fire in urban terrain and all types of
shots in open terrain. In the integrated
version the Pilar Mk-IIw can slew the RCWS
straight towards the detected threat, or can
provide the threat position to a Battle
Management System allowing sharing the
48
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
threat information along the chain of
command. Such a solution has been adopted,
inter alia, by Norway and Singapore. Among
its latest contracts 01dB Metravib bagged an
order for 80 kits known as Slate for the French
Army, to be installed on 4x4 VABs equipped
with a Kongsberg M151 Protector RCWS;
these are fully integrated and the turret can
be slewed either instantaneously or with a
delay to allow the vehicle to reach a more
favourable tactical position. The systems
were delivered in late 2011 and became
operational in Afghanistan.
Rheinmetall Defence also developed a
vehicle acoustic sensor, the ASLS, for
Acoustic Sniper Locating System, made of
an eight microphones array and a
computing system that provides automatic
detection with an angular accuracy of less
than 2° when static and 5° when on the
move and a range accuracy of ± 10 %,
maximum range being 20 % in excess of that
of the weapon firing against the vehicle. The
system integrated orientation sensor
provides vehicle movement compensation,
allowing to maintain the shooter’s direction
on the display unit relative to the orientation
Thales UK Vehicle Mounted Acoustic
Sensor System (Vmass) provides a
360° coverage using three
microphones deployed around the
vehicle, allowing simultaneous
tracking of multiple sources and a
bearing accuracy of less than 2°
horizontally and 4° vertically. Its range
against small arms equates the
weapons’ effective range, the Vmass
being able to pick-up mortar fire at
ranges of over 5 km, a main
battle tank at over 10 km and a
helicopter at over 7 km.
itself. the system also provides elevation, all
data being refreshed every 1.5 second, and
covers 360° in azimuth and 180° in
elevation. Wireless communication between
the sensor, the control and the display unit
ensure a smooth installation. Besides being
used as a stand-alone solution, the ASLS can
be interfaced with Rheinmetall’s SAS as well
as with a weapon station to automatically
slew it towards the threat. The system is
ready for production, demonstrators being
available mounted on various vehicles and
turrets, which are being used for trials in
tenders worldwide.
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Visit us at Eurosatory 2012:
Hall 5 – Booth H 80
Radio Accessories
Caught during his training this
French Felin soldier wears an Elno
ostheophone which not only
keeps his ears clear but also acts as
a microphone (Armada/EHB)
Accessorise Tactically
Many readers will be aware that a huge choice exists amongst the tactical radios
that are available on the market to equip land forces, but just as a wide
range of communications systems can equip ground troops, an impressive array
of accessories is also available to supplement them.
Tom Withington
A
CCESSORIES ARE provided by
companies involved in the
production of High Frequency
(HF), Very High Frequency (VHF)
and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tactical
radio sets, along with firms which do not
produce such equipment per se, but which
have developed a niche providing high-
50
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
performance items to accompany them. One
company in the former category is Barrett
Communications of Australia. An example is
the firm’s 2MHz (megahertz) to 30MHz 911
Automatic Antenna Tuner which has an
unlimited channel capacity and a twelve-volt
direct current power requirement.
Along with the antenna tuner, the
company provides broadband and singlefrequency base station antennae that covers
the 2-30MHz frequency range, namely the
BC91200 125W (Watt), BC91202 500W and
BC91203 1000W multi-wire broadband as
well as the BC91201 125W single-wire
broadband dipole aerials. Other items
include the 915 single-wire dipole antenna
with a 500 kilohertz (KHz) to 30MHz range
and the 918 Log periodic antenna which can
receive broadband inputs from 13-30MHz,
or 10-30MHz. An automatic tuning dipole
operating in the 3-30MHz range is also
available from the Barrett together with the
Radio Accessories
2019 Automatic Tuning Mobile Antenna.
The latter has the option to be outfitted with
an integral Global Positioning System
receiver. The 2019 can operate with the
company’s 2000-series HF transceivers, as
can Barrett's 2022 13.8V DC regulated 21amp power supply. Each 2022 can power one
2000-series transceiver and one 2000-series
accessory. Finally, VHF and UHF users
requiring access to an HF network can opt
for Barrett’s 2062 HF-VHF/UHF crossgate,
allowing such users to obtain a beyond-lineof-sight range across an HF network.
base and base station whip aerial and
mounts are available from General
Dynamics in the form of the UVU-115 and
UVU-130, with the UVU-200 and UVU-300
offering dual- and tri-band base station
solutions. Finally, the UVU-100S is a springloaded mobile antenna, with a 30-90MHz
spring-loaded vehicle-mounted antenna
available in the form of the UVL-150.
I RADMOR
Like General Dynamics, Radmor of Poland
I IP MESH
Military electronics specialists Cobham
announced in March their latest innovations
regarding Internet Protocol (IP) Mesh
Radios. IP Mesh radio nodes allow the
handling of video, audio and satellite
geolocation traffic over a mobile wireless
network which can readjust itself as the IP
Mesh Radio node moves without degrading
the performance of the network or the
bandwidth that it handles. All of this can be
performed using equipment which
weighs 350 grams and consumes a mere
ten watts of power.
I GENERAL DYNAMICS
Antennae are a speciality of General
Dynamics, particularly line-of-sight
transceiver types that support the
company’s URC-200 transceiver. The
company produces antennas for
manpack, fixed and vehicle-mounted
applications. The manpack antenna
product line includes the UVU-100 and
UVL-100, the latter being configured for
a 30-90MHz backpack radio. Mobile
I EID
Like a number of companies
mentioned in this article, EID is
a firm which specialises in the design
and production of tactical radios. The firm also
acts as a one-stop-shop which enables
customers to purchase accompanying EID
accessories like their headsets. (EID)
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INTERNATIONAL
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is in the business of providing both tactical
radios and accessories. The company’s
range of accessories include batteries and
battery packs, handsets and headsets, cords
and adapters as well as chargers. Five types
comprise Radmor's battery range notably
the NiCd 3571/1 which provides twelve
hours of operation, Nickel-Metal Hydrid
(NiMH) 1.2V (15 hours), the Lithium-Iron
(Li-Iron) 3571/2 (25 hours) and BA-685A
batteries (24 hours) plus the Lithium
CR2450 battery, which can be used with
the company’s R35010 Personal
Soldier Radio.
Radmor’s handset range
includes the COT 20714R, which has the
appearance
of
a
telephone receiver
equipped with a Push
To Talk (PTT)
button, and the
01316/1, 01316/2
and 01316/3 headset
and
boom
microphone
combinations. Three
vehicle adapters are
available from Radmor,
namely the 05210/1 for
the manpack radio, the
0526/1 for the handheld radio
and the 05215/1 for the
personal radio. These adapters
are supplemented by five separate
battery chargers including the
02727/3 Universal Battery Charger.
Likewise, a wide array of radio
accessories is available from Portugal’s
EID. Customers who have purchased the
firm’s tactical radios may also wish to
augment these with the MA-250 VHF 30108MHz
wideband
antenna
multicoupler which allows two VHF
transmitters to link to a single antenna,
reducing the number of aerials required
for each radio system. Meanwhile, the
SA-525/20 Antenna Tuning Unit can
operate in an active tuning mode where the
unit generates the RF signal, or a silent mode
where pre-loaded tuning parameters are
utilised. Furthermore, this product can be
used with frequency-hopping systems. A
15W loudspeaker is available in the form of
the company’s CC-230 Class D audio
amplifier which can accompany either an
intercom or radio equipment.
Of course, the range of coverage offered
by a tactical radio net often needs to be
increased both in terms of traffic handled
and geographical footprint. This is where the
EID’s ER-525V comes in. Offering both a
range extension node, and a gateway
between tactical radio nets, the ER-525V
includes two 50W PRC-525 transceivers
with the whole system handling voice and
data communications at up to 64 kilobitsper-second capacity. Three modes of
operation are available with the ER-525V
including fixed frequency, digital fixed
frequency and frequency-hopping options.
I SMART BATTERIES
Effectively any tactical radio is little more
than a box of wires and circuit boards
without an accompanying power supply.
Micro Power Electronics provides a wide
array of batteries specifically intended to
power tactical radios. The firm’s
rechargeable batteries are available in NiMH,
Li-Iron and lithium-Polymer configurations.
Customers requiring disposable batteries
can opt for the company’s lithium primary
cells which can be used straight off the shelf,
even when they have been stored for up to
Germany's Imtradex manufactures a range of tactical radio accessories. These include
the Aurelis handheld microphone which can be used alongside a number of
different tactical radio systems. (Imtradex)
seven years. These primary batteries are
manufactured in various lithium
combinations including lithium sulphur
dioxide and lithium thionyl chloride.
Meanwhile, Micro Power Electronics’ line
of Smart Batteries can communicate their
health to the user via an integral circuit
located in the battery pack, which can
provide a run-time within one percent
accuracy during the entire life span of the
battery.
High-power micro fuel cells also provide
Radio Accessories
Invisio's X50 provides hearing protection for
users of the company's X5 and X6 bone
conduction headsets. The X50 is one of a wide
range of products that Inviso provides for tactical
radios. These also include push-to-talk
equipment that can be submerged in up to 20
metres of water. (Invisio)
electricity and such products are available
from UltraCell which manufacturers the
XX25 Fuel Cell. This can provide the
equivalent power using 65 percent fewer
batteries for a typical 72 hour mission
compared to the same number of traditional
batteries that a platoon of troops would
require for a given operation. Neither is the
use of the XX25 confined to powering
tactical radios: this fuel cell can be used to
recharge batteries and even power small
remote-control vehicles.
I HEADSETS
Just as a top-of-the-range sound system is
little more than a highly sophisticated box of
circuitry without state-of-the-art speakers,
a tactical radio also depends on high quality
headsets for receiving and transmitting voice
communications. A wide range of such
products exist provided by an array of
companies. One such firm is Imtradex of
Germany, which provides dedicated
headsets to military users. These can be
customised to fit specific tactical radios. The
firms’ products include the Aurelis
Handheld Microphone, which can be used
with digital radio systems. Although the
Imtradex produces analogue headsets
such as the NB2000 and FireTalk, the
company stresses that these products are
already adapted for use with digital radios.
I INVISIO
The name Invisio is synonymous with
tactical radio accessories, and the firm's
wares have been sold around the world
equipping special forces and regular troops
alike. Invisio provides a range of headsets
using bone conduction technology. This
offers a unique benefit in providing clear
communications, as bone conduction
headsets only pick up the sound of one's
voice from vibrations moving through the
wearer's skull. Because of this, other sounds
such as gunfire, the shouts of one's
comrades and vehicle engine noise are
automatically filtered out. Customers can
choose up to ten different headset designs,
although one product which may be of
special interest to the military user is
the Invisio X5 dual headset which,
like many of the company's other designs,
can be used with a gas mask or helmet.
Soldiers requiring a bone conduction
headset which offers hearing protection, can
opt for Invisio's X50 product which will
work with the company's X5 and X6
Imtradex's range of radio accessories
includes the firm's FireTalk analogue
headset. The firm stresses that its
analogue products also work seemlessly
with digital tactical communications
systems. (Imtradex)
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INTERNATIONAL
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Another item in Imtradex's catalogue is the
NB2000 tactical radio headset. It is important to
stress that the 'extras' which can be procured to
accompany today's battlefield communications
are in fact imperative to ensuring that
communications remain clear. (Imtradex)
headsets. A similarly impressive range of
push-to-talk products is included in the
company's catalogue. These include the
Invisio M20 PTT which will tolerate up to
20 metre submersion in water. Another
clever device is the Invisio M80 remote
wireless PTT that enables users to operate
their radio using a Picatinny rail-mounted
switch.
Headsets are also a speciality of Impact
Radio Accessories. Customers can choose
the PTM-1 and PTM-3 Impact heavy-duty
throat microphones which are equipped
with a large PTT button. Offering a
lightweight, yet rugged design Impact’s
PBH-1 behind-the-head single-muff ear
piece is equipped with a headband and an
Radio Accessories
Along with producing accessories for infantry
troops, Elno provides radio equipment for
vehicle crews, in particular helmets for use in
heavy armoured vehicles which shield
personnel from the interior noise of main battle
tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. (Elno)
don a quickly in the event of chemical,
biological or radioactive contamination.
I ELNO
Elno is a company with considerable
experience in the field of osteophones.
The firm produces a wide range of
systems including the most innovative
BCH300 ultra-lightweight headset, fitted
as a standard configuration with bone
conduction technology for both listening
and speech transmission, but a modified
version with a noise-cancelling boom
microphone is available. Conventional
headset designs are also a speciality of Elno,
which produces the IH295 tactical headset
fitted with an earpiece and a noise cancelling
microphone. Any of these products can be
outfitted with a push-to-talk switch for
manual or hands-free transmission.
Elno’s bone conduction headset is a
revolutionary product which, by not
covering their ears, allows soldiers to
perfectly well hear their communications
adjustable gooseneck boom microphone.
Impact’s POH-2 headset has an over-thehead lightweight configuration and in-line
PTT functionality. Military users are often
required to keep their ears open while
receiving communications traffic which
makes the firm’s NX-PTHS-1 headset
particularly attractive. Sound is heard via
dual temple transducers which rest on the
temples but leave the ears open. The user
can then hear communications traffic and
the world around them at the same time.
Similarly, the NX-PSM-1 dispenses with a
traditional microphone and instead uses a
skull-mounted microphone which will
pick up vibrations from the users skull
when they speak, but at the same time leave
their mouth free of obstructions,
particularly useful if they have to quickly
Silynx is also responsible for the C40PS
headset range. These hard-wearing
tactical radio accessories are able to equip
troops with systems that can withstand
immersion down to 20 metres of water.
56
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
Silynx's C4 Grip can adorn a rifle, providing an
infantry soldier with a means of controlling
their tactical radio without them needing to
remove their hands from their weapon. The C4
Grip can also be used to control torches and
lasers mounted on the weapon. (Silynx)
as well as whatever is happening around
them. The bone conduction headset also
detects their voice, freeing them of the need
to have a boom microphone. That
particular system has been selected for
integration into the French Army Felin
system seen in our title photograph.
For mechanised infantry, Elno
manufactures the VH586 helmet to equip
crews of heavy armoured vehicles, and the
VH590 headset for light armoured vehicle
crews. Both are built in a binaural
configuration with ear shells to dampen
noise and the company is currently
integrating an active noise reduction system.
A talk-through system is also available as an
option. These products are compatible with
any vehicle intercom system, including the
full IP Elips intercom, also from Elno.
Elno is something of a one-stop-shop for
Radio Accessories
tactical radio accessories, as the company
produces the LS701 and LS112 loudspeakers,
the former of which can be installed in a
vehicle and has a robust design, as does the
LS112 loudspeaker which can be used by
dismounted troops.
I QUIETPRO
There will be times when a soldier needs
their ears protected, which is where Narce’s
QuietPro+ can help. QuietPro+ combines
an ear plug style design to protect the user’s
hearing, while also allowing them to hear
communications traffic. The product is
offered in both binaural and monaural
configurations with the ear piece
connecting to a control unit, which in turn
links through to an external PTT box
available in a wired chest, wired finger or a
wireless configuration.
Like Narce, Silynx provides combined
hearing protection and enhancement
systems via its Micro C40PS 20-metre
immersible, software-defined headset which
has a built-in GPS for blue force tracking and
active noise reduction. Its sibling product, the
C40OPS Hybrid Headset Configuration is
designed for use in very noisy environments
while, as its name suggests, the C40PS
Maritime Headset Configuration can
withstand immersion in 20 metres of water
and manages sound leakage as its
communications are inaudible from a range
of 20 inches. An auto whisper mode
is included for times when the users must
keep their voice down.
Able to fit onto a weapon’s Picatinny rail,
Silynx’s C4Grip comes outfitted with
switches to control lasers and torches, plus
wireless controls for up to two radios. This
allows the users to maintain their
communications without them ever needing
to take their hands off their weapons. Other
products in the Silynx stable include the
company’s Headband Boom Mic, the C4OPS
Skull Cap, the BA5590 Battery Adapter which
can power Harris’ AN/PRC-152 Falcon-III
multiband and Thales’ AN/PRC-184 MBITR
and AN/PRC-148 JEM handheld radios.
Although 3M is arguably better known
for its civilian products such as adhesive tape
and Post-It Notes, the company does
produce a line of audio accessories in the
form of its Peltor communications and
hearing protection systems. One of the
Peltor products is the PTT adaptor
which has an ambidextrous design and
can equip the AN/PRC-148 MBITR,
Harris AN/PRC-150 and AN/PRC152 high frequency and multiband
radios, the Motorola AN/PRC-153
Integrated Intra Squad Radio and
Motorola XTS series of digital,
portable radios. The Peltor PTT
adaptors have a robust construction
devoid of any protruding parts.
I SPEAKERS
Although 3M is arguably better
known for the manufacture of
consumer items, the firms' Peltor
subsidiary manufactures
accessories for tactical radios,
including radio and intercom
headsets for tank crews. (3M Peltor)
58
INTERNATIONAL
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As the above discussion states, the battlefield
can be a noisy place. Not only is it imperative
for soldiers to clearly hear orders and
information, they must also be able to be
clearly heard when speaking through a radio.
While soldiers can hear their radios through
their headsets, there may also be times when
they want to hear communications traffic via
a speaker, perhaps when working in a fixed
base, or travelling in a vehicle. For these
purposes, General Dynamics produces the
PTSH-104 Amplified Audio Speaker
which has a ruggedised chassis to
protect it in the most challenging of
environments. It can operate with
almost any 12-28 volt direct current
power source, according to the
company.
Crystal clear reception is
imperative as misheard communications can
result in mistakes being made, which in the
worst case can cause death and injury to one’s
own forces or to innocent civilians.
Accusonic Voice Systems have kept such
considerations at the forefront of their mind
with their Tactical Talker product line. The
Tactical Talker family offers a range of
handsets which have an ergonomic and
lightweight design, plus a high degree of
customisation all of which offer clear and
intelligible speech.
Put simply, QuietPro kills to
birds with one stone by
providing the users with ear
protection that will at the same
time enable them to hear
communications from their
accompanying radio. (USAF)
I USB CABLES
Another similarly clever piece of kit is
Symetrics Industries’ U-Roc laptoptactical radio connector. Comprising two
cables, one end has a standard USB
connector which fits into the laptop. The USB
connector-equipped cable then passes
through a box with an embedded circuit card
containing a digital signal processor. Two
cables pass from the other side of the box
and connect to the radio. Given the
indispensable role that today’s tactical radios
have in carrying data as well as voice
communications, laptop-to-radio connection equipment is in high demand.
This article has aimed to provide the
reader with as full an overview as possible of
the wide array of tactical radio accessories
which are available today. Available space
prevents us from discussing all of the several
hundred products available from suppliers
across the world. However, the sheer range of
accessories on the market underscores not
only the level of customisation that one can
add to their existing tactical radio systems in
terms of antennae, headsets and batteries, but
also the importance of configuring one’s
communications so that they can support any
mission in the most efficient way possible.
Any products in high demand inevitably
breed a wide range of accessories and a glance
at the civilian world in terms of cell phone
hardware and software available to the
consumer confirms this. The tactical radio
world is little different.
Fighter Aircraft Market
Fighter Market in Frenzy
Important fighter acquisition decisions are shortly due - or have recently been
made - in Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary,
India, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Oman, Qatar,
Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, the
United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. This ‘tsunami’ of buying may largely be driven
by various impending production-line closures. However, it may also indicate
that the next few years are viewed around the world as the last rational time to
acquire pre-stealth combat aircraft.
Break and dispense flares! The ‘AJ’ tail
code and unit badges of these US Navy
Boeing F/A-18E/Fs indicates ownership by
VFA-31 ‘Tomcatters’ of carrier air wing
CVW-8, based at Oceana NAS, Virginia and
normally assigned to CVN-71, USS
Theodore Roosevelt. (US Air Force)
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Roy Braybrook
F
UTURE AVIATION historians may
look back on the middle of this
decade as a turning-point in the
fighter business, after which some
nations (those that could) bought stealth
fighters and the rest waited for alternative
(probably unmanned) solutions to their air
defence, counter-air, ground attack and
reconnaissance requirements.
Of those nations buying new-build
fighters, many will favour minimising
spending until the real value of stealth and
the prospects for unmanned combat aircraft
become clearer.
Three standard batch of 50 (if approved) is
to be completed by the end of 2015, taking
the PAF total to 150.
In 2010 Chengdu began testing an FC-1
with the 86.4-kN Guizhou WS-13 engine in
place of the standard 84.4-kN Klimov RD93. There is talk of a thrust-vectoring WS13 being developed.
There is serious interest in the JF-17 from
Egypt, which is considering licenceproduction. In addition, Algeria, Azerbaijan,
Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Zimbabwe are
among the list of possible customers. China
is still considering whether to buy the JF-17.
A two-seat version is currently under
development.
I GRIPEN
I THUNDER
The lower end of the market is currently
represented by the Chengdu/Pakistan
Aeronautical Complex (PAC) JF-17
Thunder, which has a maximum weight of
12.7 tonnes and a basic price of less than $ 25
million. Designed under the direction of
Yang Wei, the JF-17 first flew in 2003 with
the domestic designation FC-1.
It may be recalled that the MiG-21 from
which the JF-17 was derived had its maiden
flight in 1955, and that almost 11,500 were
built in the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia
and India. Over 2400 more were built as the
Chengdu F-7.
Following four prototypes and eight
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) preseries JF-17s,
all built by Chengdu, a batch of 42 Block One
standard aircraft constructed by PAC were
to be completed in April 2012. A Block Two
standard batch of 50 is to follow, with
improved weapons clearances, modified
avionics and air-air refuelling. The Block
The West’s own “affordable”, lightweight
fighter with a relatively small radar signature
There is a market for measured sophistication
over ruggedness as exemplified by the JF-17
Thunder, which is being eyed by Algeria,
Azerbaijan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and
Zimbabwe. Even Egypt is considering licence
production. (Armada/EHB)
is the 14-tonne Saab Jas39 Gripen, which will
be the first aircraft cleared to use the MBDA
Meteor medium-range air-air missile. The
current engine is the GE F404-based 80.5kN Volvo Aero RM12, which is being further
developed to 92.5 kN.
The Swedish Air Force (SwAF) has
received 120 Jas39A/Bs and 84 Jas39C/Ds, but
is consolidating its fleet as 100 upgraded
Jas39C/Ds. South Africa and Thailand have
respectively purchased 26 and twelve Gripen
C/Ds. Hungary was buying 14 ex-SwAF
Gripen C/Ds under a lease-purchase
The Republic of Korea Air Force has placed an order for 20 Korea Aerospace Industries
(KAI) FA-50 fighters, based on the company’s two-seat T-50 trainer (pictured), in turn derived
from the Lockheed Martin F-16. (Lockheed Martin)
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
61
Fighter Aircraft Market
Photographed from a Boeing F/A-18D of the
Swiss Air Force, this Saab Jas39D of the
Swedish Air Force gives some impression of
how the somewhat larger Gripen NG could
look over the Alps, if Swiss procurement goes
ahead. (Swiss Air Force)
agreement running from 2006 to 2016, but
has recently negotiated an extension to 2026.
The Czech Republic is reportedly considering
extending the lease of a similar batch from
2014 to 2019.
In November 2011 Switzerland selected
the 16.5-tonne Gripen NG with 98-kN
General Electric F414G, Selex Galileo Raven
Aesa radar, a modified undercarriage, and a
larger wing with additional weapon stations
and increased internal fuel. If the Swiss plan
to buy 22 in a $ 3.2 billion deal to replace the F5E/F is approved (with first deliveries in 2015
– which sounds more than hypothetical at
time of writing - Ed), Sweden will place an
initial order for ten, bringing forward from
2018 its plans to field the Jas39E/F domestic
form of Gripen NG.
Development of the Gripen NG began in
2008 with testing of an F414 engine in a
Jas39B. The Gripen NG prototype with all
the modifications is due to fly in 2013. A
carrier-capable version is projected for
marketing in Brazil, Britain and India.
I TEJAS
Marginally lighter than Gripen, India’s 13.3tonne Tejas (Radiance) Light Combat
Aircraft (LCA) has a tailless modified-delta
configuration and an 81.4-kN GE F404
engine.
Jointly developed by the
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) to replace
the MiG-21, the LCA began flying in 2001.
Eight pre-series aircraft are being
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INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
followed by a batch of 40 Tejas Mk Is for the
Indian Air Force. The first squadron is to
form at Sulur AB by December 2013 and
reach full operational capability within
twelve months. A further 40 Mk Is are to be
ordered, followed by at least 83 Mk IIs with
98-kN GE F414s. The Mk II is due to fly in
2015, and enter service around 2018.
A navalised (ski-jump take-off, arrested
recovery) Tejas with improved leading edge
devices is being developed to replace the
Indian Navy BAe Sea Harrier. The first of six
development aircraft is to fly shortly, and a preproduction batch of nine has been approved.
I FA-50
Yet another in the same size category is the
13.5-tonne Korea Aerospace Industries
(KAI) FA-50, a combat aircraft derivative of
its T-50 supersonic trainer, in turn derived
from the F-16. The T-50 family is already
well established, with 82 produced for
domestic use and 16 ordered for Indonesia.
The FA-50 is (initially at least) powered by a
78.7-kN GE F404. The South Korea Air
Force (Rokaf) has recently placed an $ 800
million order for 20 FA-50s to begin
replacing its F-5Es.
I J-10/F-10 VANGUARD
China’s 19.2-tonne (F-16 class) Chengdu J10 first flew in 1998. Although Laviinspired, its design is credited to Song
Wencong. It is currently powered by a 125kN Saturn/Salyut AL-31FN, although China
is trying to develop the Liming WS-10A to
end dependence on the Russian engine. The
J-10 entered service in 2005 with the Plaaf,
which has now fielded at least 150.
The J-10B, distinguished by diverterless
intakes, flew in 2008. This is presumably the
version being built for the PAF, which was
granted government approval for a batch of
36 (of an eventual 150) in 2006. However,
deliveries for Pakistan have slipped to 201416, mainly because of lack of funding, but
possibly also because China wanted every
available AL-31FN for its own J-10s. Iran is a
potential long-term customer.
I MIG-29
If Russia restricts China’s purchases of AL-
The United Arab Emirates, by adding another
60 units to its currently ordered 80, may well keep
the F-16 Block 60 production line humming for
another three years. (Armada/EHB)
The latest derivative of the RAC-MiG MiG-29 series is the MiG-35, which
uses the uprated engines of the carrier-based MiG-29KS. The company
hopes to win a domestic launch-order for 48 MiG-35S. (RAC–MiG)
31FNs, it is partly because J-10 sales will damage those of the MiG29. In recent years RAC-MiG has sold small numbers of MiG-29s to
Syria, Myanmar and Yemen, but the most significant contracts
were for 45 MiG-29K/Kubs for the Indian Navy. A Russian MoD
order for 24 MiG-29KS/Kubs for the Russian Navy was signed in
February 2012. The Indian Air Force is having 62 MiG-29s
upgraded to MiG-29UPG standard, and others are being upgraded
for Syria and the Russian Air Force.
RAC-MiG hopes for a domestic order for 48 examples of the
29.7-tonne MiG-35S derivative, which (like the MiG-29K) has
88.3-kN Klimov RD-33MK engines. The company is currently
upgrading some 46.2-tonne, Mach 2.83 Russian Air Force MiG-
Fighter Aircraft Market
This French Air Force Dassault Rafale is shown
in long-range strike configuration, armed
with two MBDA Scalp-EG cruise missiles and
two MBDA Mica air-air missiles. Its ‘7-HR’
side-number indicates that it is from
EC1/7 ‘Provence’ at BA-113 Saint Dizier.
(Dassault Aviation/KT)
31s to MiG-31BM standard.
However, the company’s longer-term
prospects have been severely damaged by
the deletion of reference to a Lightweight
Multi-function Tactical Aircraft (LMFS) in
Russia’s National Armaments Programme
(GPV-2020).
I F-16
Having made its maiden flight in 1974, the
then General Dynamics F-16 is still being
produced by Lockheed Martin in America
and by TAI in Turkey. Orders now exceed
4500 units for 26 nations. Maximum weight
has increased from 17.0 tonnes for the F16A/B (Blocks 1-15) to 19.2 tonnes for the F16C/D (Blocks 25-52) and 22 tonnes for the
F-16E/F (Block 60). Over 3000 F-16s are
currently active.
The F-16 is still being built for Egypt,
Morocco, Turkey and Iraq, which has
requested 18 more F-16IQ Block 52s
(following 18 bought for $ 835 million).
Oman has ordered twelve more Block 50s for
$ 600 million. The Fort Worth line may well
be kept open beyond 2015 by the United
Arab Emirates ordering more Block 60s
(following the original 80).
Defence economies are widespread. In a $
750 million deal Indonesia has requested
from US Air Force stocks 24 Block 25s as
Excess Defense Articles, to be upgraded to
Block 52 standard. The Philippines have
requested twelve. In 2009 Romania
attempted to buy 24 refurbished Block 25s in
a $ 1.4 billion deal, but this appears to have
stalled due to funding problems. Turkish
Aerospace Industries is upgrading 41
Pakistan Air Force F-16A/B Block 15s.
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3/2012
Another emerging pattern results from
delayed deliveries of the Lockheed Martin F35. For example, Israel is planning to have its
F-16s upgraded, and Norway is buying new
wings to keep its F-16s in service until 2023.
Under the Long Term Viper programme,
the US Air Force plans to spend around $ 2.8
billion to extend the life of the 350 Block 40
and 50/52 from 8000 to 12,000 hours, and
introduce an Aesa radar, a new electronic
warfare suite, a stealth data link and cockpit
improvements.
At the recent Singapore air show
Lockheed Martin announced the new F-16V
with Aesa radar and improvements to the
cockpit and mission computer.
I HORNET-SIZE
The size-standard for mid-weight combat
aircraft was set by the 23.5-tonne Boeing
F/A-18C/D Hornet. Western Europe
designed two canard-delta aircraft to this
size: the 23.5-tonne Eurofighter Typhoon air
combat fighter with ground attack capability
added and the 24.5-tonne Dassault Rafale
“omnirole” aircraft. They are powered
respectively by two 89-kN Eurojet EJ200s
and two 75-kN Snecma M88-2s, hence the
Typhoon has better ‘top-end’ performance.
The first three Typhoon tranches,
totalling 559 aircraft (including 15 for Austria
and 72 for Saudi Arabia) are now under
contract, but will keep the lines open only
until 2015. Oman is expected to buy twelve
Tranche III aircraft. The final Tranche IIIB
of 124 aircraft may depend on winning a
follow-on order of 48 by Saudi Arabia.
In January 2012 it was announced that
the Rafale (which is nuclear-capable) had
been selected to fulfil India’s 126-unit
MMRCA (Medium Multi-Role Combat
Aircraft) programme. The first 18 will be
Goodbye stealth! On ‘Day Two’ when enemy air defences are down, this is how the US
Marine Corps’ Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II will look, with GDATP 25 mm GAU-22/A
gunpod under the centreline and six underwing pylons. (Lockheed Martin)
Flying past the skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi, this Eurofighter Typhoon
F2 (pictured with leading edge flaps and intake lips depressed) is
evidently the mount of Sqn Ldr R Joel of Britain’s Royal Air Force No XI
Sqn, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. (Eurofighter/K.T)
manufactured in France, and the remainder licence-built by
Hindustan Aeronautics. This massive order (initially estimated at
$10.4 billion) boosts Dassault hopes in Brazil, Kuwait, Qatar and the
United Arab Emirates.
Some 180 of the 286 Rafales planned for domestic use (228 for
the Air Force and 58 for the Navy) are already under contract. The
fourth batch (60 Rafale F3-04Ts) will begin deliveries in 2013 with
M88-4E engines, which could (if given larger intakes) be developed
to 88 kN, eliminating the performance advantage of the Typhoon.
I LIGHTNING II
The stealthy 31.8-tonne Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II,
powered by a single 190-kN Pratt & Whitney F135, began as a
nine-nation programme and continues to win orders. Israel,
Singapore and Japan came on board in 2011. Japan expects to pay
around $ 130 million for each of its 42 F-35As. In early 2012
Turkey ordered the first two F-35s of a planned 100. Over 3100 F35s are planned, including 2443 for the US services.
The US Marine Corps F-35B stovl version is currently to enter
service in 2016, and the US Air Force F-35A in 2018.
Concurrency of development and production is causing major
problems. The F-35 first flew at end-2006, launching its elevenyear $ 56.4 billion development, at the completion of which (at
end-2016) the first 543 will already be under contract. In Lrip-5
(FY2011) negotiations, the Defense Department has been
pressing the contractor to accept an unprecedented “concurrency
clause” and self-fund any modifications found necessary in flight
tests, as if these were design faults.
I SUPER HORNET
The single-engined stealthy F-35A/C reaches even heavier weights
than the twin-engined reduced-signature Boeing F/A-18E/F, of
which the US Navy plans to acquire 515 (plus 114 EA-18Gs).
Fighter Aircraft Market
The latest of the Sukhoi Su-27/30 series is the
“4.5-generation” Su-35S, with thrust-vectoring
and new radar and optical sensors. Deliveries
of the first 48 Su-35S have now begun to the
Russian Air Force. Seen here is the second
production aircraft. (Sukhoi)
Boeing has now delivered 467 F/A-18E/Fs
and EA-18Gs under the first two multi-year
contracts (including 24 F/A-18Fs for
Australia) and is working on the third
contract for 66 F/A-18E/Fs and 58 EA-18Gs.
An order from Brazil, Malaysia or various
Persian Gulf states would keep the F/A18E/F line running beyond 2015. In
addition, F-35 delays could lead to follow-on
orders from the US Navy and Australia.
Boeing has proposed further F/A-18E/F
development, including 20% more thrust
from its GE F414s.
I STRIKE EAGLE
The 36.5-tonne multirole Boeing F-15E
provides an attractive balance between the
fighter and strike roles. The US Air Force
plans to keep 217 in service until at least
2035, and is accordingly studying a
programme to quadruple fatigue life to
32,000 hours. (The life of the F-15C/D air
supremacy fighter, of which the service plans
to retain around 400 of the current 522, is to
be doubled to 18,000 hours).
Powered by two 129.6kN (afterburning)
thrust engines, the F-15E has deservedly
sold well. Israel bought 25 F-15Is in
addition to 72 F-15A/B/C/Ds. Singapore
has ordered 24 F-15SGs, and South Korea
61 F-15Ks (with GE F110 engines in place
of the standard P&W F100s), and both will
probably buy more. Saudi Arabia earlier
bought 72 F-15S in addition to 109 F15C/Ds, and has recently in a $ 29.4 billion
deal ordered 84 improved F-15SAs and
upgrades for its F-15S to –15SA standard.
Boeing plans to fly a new-build
“advanced international F-15” trials aircraft
around the end of 2012, to test key features
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INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
of the reduced-signature F-15SE Silent Eagle
proposed for South Korea’s F-X III contest.
I SU-27/30/34/35
Developments and derivatives of the Su-27
continue to attract orders. In 2011 the
Russian Air Force received twelve newbuild multi-role Su-27SM(3)s, two Su30M2 two-seaters and six 45-tonne Su-34
strike aircraft. Under a 2008 contract, 32
Su-34s are being built by Napo in
Novosibirsk, and a new contract covers 92 to
be delivered by 2020.
In 2009 the service ordered 48 examples
of the 38.8-tonne “4.5-generation” Su-35S
for delivery in 2012-2015, and a second
batch of 48 is expected to follow, with others
to provide for eight squadrons by 2020. The
Su-35S has thrust-vectoring, an Optical
Locator System that can track targets at
over 80 km, and a radar that allows 30
aircraft to be tracked and eight engaged
simultaneously.
Around 25 Su-30s were built in 2011 for
Algeria, Vietnam and Uganda in 2011. At
the end of the year, Indonesia, which
currently operates six Su-27SKMs and four
Su-30MK2s, signed a $ 470 million contract
for six more Su-30MK2s. Venezuela, which
has 24 Su-30MKVs, plans to buy at least
twelve more (or alternatively Su-35s).
India, which already has 230 Su-30MKIs,
recently firmed an order for 42 more with
updated cockpit, improved radar, and
upgraded armament, including provisions
for the Brahmos cruise missile.
Prime Minister Putin has stated that
Russia will acquire 600 new combat aircraft
over the next ten years. These will
presumably be mostly Su-27 derivatives in
the short term, and the new-generation
Sukhoi PAK-FA in later years.
I SHENYANG
China originally bought 76 Su-27SK/UBKs
and 100 Su-30MKK/MK2s. Shenyang later
licence-built 100 Su-27SKs as J-11As and at
least 100 without licence as J-11Bs, with
Chinese avionics and weapons.
An
incomplete prototype of the Su-33 strike
fighter (of which the Russian Navy operates
19) was obtained from the Ulkraine in 2001,
providing the basis for the 33-tonne
Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark, which first flew
in 2009 with Saturn/Salyut AL-31Fs.
On 11 January 2011 Chengdu flew the 50tonne (class) J-20 stealthy strike aircraft,
which is apparently being developed to
threaten US bases and carriers in the Western
Pacific, and is unlikely to be offered in the
marketplace for a very long time.
Boeing has proposed the reduced radar signature F-15SE Silent
Eagle, with conformal tanks redesigned as weapon bays. In this trial
the internal weapon carriage concept was tested by launching a
Raytheon AIM-120 air-air missile. (Boeing)
What's up June12.qxp:Armada
5/25/12
9:14 AM
Page 3
What’s Up?
A C295 carrying a dummy
piggy-backed AEW dish aerial started
flying in summer 2011 to validate the
aerodynamic feasibility of the
concept. (Airbus Military)
C295 sales hit the 108 unit mark, and
introduces a wealth of improvements
As it announced that Oman had placed an order for eight C295 in Madrid on
21 May, Airbus Military also provided a useful update on the further developments
that are either planned or already in the pipeline for this aircraft.
Eric H. Biass
O
man’s Royal Air Force order is
for five aeroplanes that are to be
configured as tactical transports
and three as maritime patrol
aircraft, the latter to patrol territorial waters
and conduct anti-piracy and anti-smuggling
missions. Deliveries are scheduled to
start next year.
The C295 scoreboard now shows orders
for a total of 108 units, of which 85 are
already in operation in 13 countries.
The C295 appears to be eyeing a growing
number of different missions. The company
already flew a C295 last year with an empty
radome to verify the compatibility of
the aircraft with a back-mounted AEW&C
dish aerial. The configuration has been
validated and Airbus is now working out
the development of the mission system with
Elta and discussing with several potential
customers.
The type is also being modified into a
gunship for Jordan by ATK, which has
prompted Airbus military to approach the
American company with a view to
developing a modular package for the C.295.
Another field of investigation is to equip
the maritime patrol version of the C295 with
MBDA Marte anti-ship missiles, and thereby
To further improve its usability in critical conditions, the C295 could ne equipped with a head-up
on which an infrared picture from an external sensor could be superimposed
complement the current Mk46 weapon load.
This will take place in three distinct flight
test phases, first to check the aerodynamic
compatibility between the missile and the
aircraft, secondly to perform separation
tests, and finaly a full drop and motor firing.
Also being looked into is the installation
of wing-tip winglets to reduce induced drag
and thereby enable the aircraft to increase
its operational ceiling, which will prove a
significant advantage particularly for the
AEW&C version mentioned above.
On the subject of altitude, Airbus Military
has been discussing engine setting changes
with Pratt & Whitney since last year with a
view to certifying a new climb rate profile to
allow the aircraft to reach its ideal operational
ceiling much faster with little or no
detrimental effects on engine maintenance
costs. The aim is to get the new procedure
certified and introduced in the aircraft flight
manual during the year. While this will
inevitably increase fuel consuption in the
climb phase, it is expected to bring savings
because the aircraft will be allowed to reach its
optimal efficiency ceiling much earlier.
A head-up display is also being offered
for the type and should be undergoing
testing in the course of next year. Being fully
integrated with the aircraft's avionics and
mission systems it is also offered with an
enhanced vision system (EVS) in the form
of an externally mounted infrared camera.
Obiggs is a new acronym one will have to
get acustomed to, particularly in the context of
aircraft being operated in areas with gunfirehappy populations as indeed it stands for “on
board inert gas generating system”. The
obejective of the Obiggs is to quickly fill the
aircraft's tanks with an intert.
INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
67
Digest
USS LCS 3 COMPLETES ACCEPTANCE TRIALS
S third Littoral
Combat Ship, USS
Fort Worth (LCS 3),
successfully completed
its U.S. Navy acceptance
trials and will be
delivered to the Navy
this summer.
Fort Worth is the
second surface
combatant designed and built by a Lockheed Martin led industry
team. The trials, conducted in Lake Michigan from April 30 to May 4,
included a four-hour full-power run and both surface and air detect-toengage demonstrations of the ship’s combat management system.
Major systems and features were demonstrated, including aviation
support, small boat launch handling and recovery, and ride control.
The Lockheed Martin-led LCS team includes ship builder Marinette
Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, naval architect Gibbs &
Cox, as well as domestic and international teammates.
U
MINUTEMAN ICBM
WEAPON TEST
orthrop Grumman
N
Corporation recently
supported the successful
F-35A COMPLETES
FIRST IN-FLIGHT
REFUELING WITH
EXTERNAL WEAPONS
ockheed Martin F-35A
Lightning II conventional
takeoff and landing aircraft
completed the program’s first
in-flight refueling mission while
configured with external
weapons at Edwards Air Force
Base, Calif. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col.
George Schwartz piloted the
test aircraft, known as AF-4, with
two external inert AIM-9X
weapons and four external
stores. Internally, the jet was
carrying two Joint Direct Attack
Munitions and two Advanced
Medium-Range Air-to-Air
Missiles. The two-hour mission
tested the flying qualities of the
aircraft while maneuvering with
external weapons. This test
paves the way for weapons
separation testing later this year.
L
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INTERNATIONAL
reliability testing of the
United States Air Force's
Minuteman III
intercontinental ballistic
missile weapons system.
The Northrop Grumman
led ICBM prime team
includes Boeing, Lockheed
Martin, ATK and more than
20 other subcontractors.
The ICBM team is
responsible for overall
sustainment of the
weapon system including
development, production,
deployment and system
modifications.
The operational test
was designated Glory Trip
203GM. The test launch
proceeded as planned
with the missile traveling
roughly 4,800 miles in 30
minutes. The Minuteman
III carried a single Mk21 reentry vehicle specially
instrumented to measure
operational performance
parameters.
3/2012
KC-46 TANKER COMPLETES PRELIMINARY
DESIGN REVIEW
he Boeing KC-46 Tanker program has completed a Preliminary
Design Review (PDR) with the U.S. Air Force, a key milestone
in the development of the next-generation aerial refueling tanker.
The review, which began March 21 and ended April 27,
demonstrated that the preliminary design of the KC-46A Tanker
meets system requirements and establishes the basis for
proceeding with detailed design. Boeing remains on plan to deliver
18 combat-ready KC-46A Tankers by 2017.
The program's next major milestone is a Critical Design Review
(CDR) that will take place in the summer of 2013. The CDR will
determine that the design of the KC-46A is mature and ready to
proceed to the manufacturing phase.
Boeing will build 179 next-generation aerial refueling tanker
aircraft that will begin to replace the Air Force's fleet of 416 KC-135
tankers. Based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane, the
KC-46A tanker is a widebody, multi-mission aircraft updated with
the latest and most advanced technology to meet the demanding
mission requirements of the future, including a digital flight deck
featuring Boeing 787 Dreamliner electronic displays and a flight
control design philosophy that places aircrews in command to
maximize combat maneuverability. The KC-46A also features a
modernized KC-10 boom with a fly-by-wire control system, and a
refueling envelope and fuel offload rate that is greater than that of
the KC-135 it will replace.
T
ADDITIONAL ELECTORNIC SYSTEMS FOR
EMBRAER KC-390 AIRCRAFT
ircraft manufacturer Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force have
selected BAE Systems to provide active side sticks as part
of the overall cockpit controls for the KC-390 military transport
aircraft. In 2011, BAE Systems was chosen to provide flight control
electronics for the aircraft.
The KC-390 is a twin-turbofan powered medium-weight
transport jet that can be refueled in flight and used for in-flight or onground refueling of other aircraft. BAE Systems has more than 20
years of experience in developing and produc)ing active pilot
controls. The company’s active side sticks have additional features
and benefits over existing pilot control technologies, including
electrical linking between pilot and co-pilot and changes in the
force-feel characteristic depending on the flight modes and
condition of the aircraft.
A
A400M MAKES FIRST REFUELLING
CONTACTS WITH A330 MRTT
n Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter has successfully
performed simulated refuelling contacts with an Airbus Military
A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport.
The A400M made some 30 contacts with the hose and drogue
of the A330 MRTT´s Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU). No fuel was
passed in these tests which consisted of “dry contacts”. The A330
MRTT that took part in the tests is one of the aircraft to be delivered
to the UK Royal Air Force, where it is known as Voyager, as part of the
Future Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) programme.
The FRU is typically used to refuel large aircraft such as the
A400M and the tests demonstrated the stability of both aircraft
when flying in close formation and when refuelling.
A
DEPLOYMENT MILESTONE FOR K-MAX
UNMANNED HELICOPTERS
unmanned
K-MAX helicopters
Thavewo
delivered more
than one million
pounds in less than
four months in
support of the U.S.
Marine Corps in
Afghanistan and will
remain in theater
until September on a deployment extension.
The aircraft, a joint effort by Lockheed Martin and
Kaman Aerospace, is the first unmanned helicopter to
deliver cargo and resupply troops in a combat zone. They
have been keeping a steady pace of six missions per day,
with record load deliveries ranging from a single 4,200pound sling load to 28,800 pounds lifted in a single day.
During operations in Afghanistan, previously scheduled to
end in June, the aircraft has met or exceeded all
expectations with less than one maintenance man-hour per
flight hour. As a result, the Marine Corps has extended the
K-MAX deployment through the end of the fiscal year,
September 30.
The unmanned K-MAX has demonstrated its ability to
carry and deliver 6,000 pounds of cargo at sea level and
more than 4,000 pounds at 10,000 feet altitude.
Digest
LASER TEST FIRED
FOR MILITARY
APPLICATIONS
orthrop Grumman
Corporation has test fired
the first product in its nextgeneration FIRESTRIKE™
family of high-energy, solidstate lasers that meet goals
for size and weight reduction
and ruggedization for
operational applications.
The tests, conducted in
the company's Redondo
Beach laboratory,
demonstrated that the laser
could burn through the skin
and critical components of
a target drone used to
simulate anti-ship cruise
missile threats to U.S. Navy
ships.
The laser, called Gamma,
uses a "slab" architecture
similar to previous Northrop
Grumman high-power
lasers. It operated at 13.3
kilowatts for a number of
shots over a total of 1.5
hours with stable
performance and a beam
quality that exceeded
design goals, completing
the initial phase of trials.
N
PROTECTION OF MARITIME FACILITIES
lbit Systems has launched an Integrated Maritime Awareness
Concept and Solution (IMACS) suit, developed to answer the
unique defense requirements of maritime infrastructure facilities,
such as oil and gas rigs. Strategically important, these facilities
call for a unique protection concept due to the potential threats
posed by pirate and terror attacks.
A modular solution, IMACS enables customization of various
available technologies and capabilities according to specific customer
requirements. In order to tailor the comprehensive defense suit for
each customer, Elbit Systems has established a unique laboratory,
where the use of advanced simulation technologies projects a
precise virtual presentation of the potential threat scenarios. Based
on the relevant customer's operational scenarios, a unique and
dedicated "protective circle" strategy is tailored, implemented by an
integrated and effective maritime security suit.
The suit includes Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Unmanned
Surface Vessels (USVs), advanced Intelligence Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) systems for maritime, aerial and ground
missions, maritime patrol aircraft and other advanced systems.
E
SHADOW TACTICAL
UAS COMMENCES
AFGHAN OPERATIONS
he Shadow 200 Tactical
Unmanned Aerial System
has officially commenced
operations in Afghanistan,
providing an enhanced
capability to the International
Security Assistance Force.
The Shadow 200 TUAS is
designed to conduct
Intelligence, Surveillance, Target
Acquisition and
Reconnaissance (ISTAR)
operational support, enhancing
the decision cycle of the
support force element, through
the employment of its sensors.
The Shadow 200 TUAS
replaces the ScanEagle which
has been in operation since
mid 2007.
Since being deployed to
Afghanistan mid 2007 the
ScanEagle has flown
approximately 32,000 hours in
Afghanistan and over 6,200
missions in support of the
Reconstruction Task Force,
Mentoring and Reconstruction
Task Force, Mentoring Task
Force, Combined Team Uruzgan and the Special
Operations Task Group.
T
FIRST DUAL-FREQUENCY SONAR FOR US NAVY
INDIA LAUNCHES LONG RANGE
BALLISTIC MISSILE
he GPS III program will affordably replace aging GPS satellites
while improving capability to meet the evolving needs of
military, commercial and civilian users worldwide.
Raytheon Company has completed delivery of the electronics for
the AN/SQQ-90 tactical sonar suite, the complex sonar for the first
ship of the U.S. Navy's DDG 1000-class multimission destroyer. The
AN/SQQ-90 tactical sonar suite, the first dual-frequency hullmounted sonar of the Navy's surface fleet, is a major advancement in
undersea warfare capability and will provide broad warfighting
coverage to DDG 1000.
Raytheon delivered the sonar electronics completely assembled
and integrated into an Electronic Modular Enclosure (EME), an
innovation to 21st century shipbuilding designed into the Zumwaltclass destroyer program for affordability. The EME delivers benefits
not only in upfront integration and testing before delivery to the
shipyard for ship installation, but also minimizes the footprint
occupied onboard the ship (size and weight) and maximizes
efficiencies in both power and cooling.
ndia set a new milestone in the
Integrated Missile Development
Programme, with maiden Long Range
Ballistic Missile (LRBM) AGNI-V (A-5)
successful flight test.
The flawless auto-launch of the
missile took off from the launch pad at
from south eastern coast of India. The
missile, with a range of more than
5000 kms, followed the entire
trajectory in copybook style perfection
as the three stages of Propulsion
dropped and fell at appropriate
intervals into the Bay of Bengal. The
three propulsion stages, developed completely indigenously by
DRDO, performed exactly the way they were intended to. The
indigenously developed Composite Rocket Motors performed well,
signifying the country’s stride and complete self-reliance in this
complex propulsion technology.
T
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INTERNATIONAL
3/2012
I
ADVANCED PRECISION KILL WEAPON
SYSTEM DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN
he Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), the
latest weapon in the fight against insurgency forces, was
recently approved for its first deployment by Headquarters Marine
Corps. The APKWS, the U.S. government’s only program of record
for the semi-active laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket, converts the
Hydra 70mm unguided rocket into a precision guided munition
through the addition of a mid-body guidance unit (WGU-59/B)
developed by BAE Systems.
The APKWS is a “plug and play,” “point and shoot” weapon, and
is fired like the unguided 2.75-inch rocket. The weapon is easily
assembled by removing the warhead, attaching the guidance
section to the rocket motor using existing threads, and then remounting the warhead to the guidance section. The weapon is shot
with minimal instruction, as if it were an unguided rocket.
T
NEW JV FOR LISC CONTRACT
newly formed joint venture — IBL JV, LLC (IBL) — will bid on
the U.S. Air Force Space Command’s planned Launch and
Test Range System Integrated Support Contract, or LISC.
The team, comprised of ITT Exelis, BAE Systems and L-3 ,
brings extensive experience in successful range operations and
maintenance (O&M) and logistics. The joint venture teammates
serve as the incumbents on the existing Air Force Spacelift Range
System (SLRS) contract, delivering a strong combination of
performance and value.
LISC will allow the Air Force to combine O&M and sustainment
services of its Eastern and Western Ranges under a single
contract. The move will effectively merge the Air Force’s SLRS
contract, currently primed by Exelis, with the Eastern Range
Technical Services and Western Range Operations
Communications and Information contracts.
The LISC contract calls for program management, range O&M,
sustaining engineering, logistics support and management, range
instrumentation systems operations and engineering, hardware
and software depot-level maintenance, downrange base
operating support, and information assurance.
A
JOINT POLAR SATELLITE SYSTEM
CGS MILESTONE
he Common Ground System (CGS) developed by Raytheon
Company for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) achieved
a major milestone with the successful download and delivery
of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) data
through McMurdo Station, Antarctica, to the Air Force Weather
Agency (AFWA) in Omaha, Neb.
T
Digest
NEXT ISSUE AUG/SEPT 2012: 3 AUG, ADVT: 18 JULY
Maritime Patrol Aircraft: The naval forces patrol aircraft has always
been a sort of Jack of all trades, including that of finding capsized leisure
sailing boats. Its tasks now include a whole variety of side activities,
including the detection of pirates, smugglers and sensitive island
intruders. The wider type of airframes now available enables them to suit
many a pocket.
Baseline Aircraft on Steroids: More than ever, flexibility is the word of
the day and many operators or potential operators are eyeing the
possibility of equipping standard aircraft – small or large – to enable to
perform missions other than the ones they were originally designed for.
This goes from turning light (and even agricultural) and trainer aeroplanes
into ground attack/support aircraft and even otherwise pedestrian
transports into awesome gunships.
RAF VOYAGER AIRCRAFT MAIDEN FLIGHT
he Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport has
made its maiden flight in service with the UK Royal Air
Force.
Known as the Voyager in RAF service, the aircraft took off
from RAF Brize Norton for a training sortie around the United
Kingdom to allow the AirTanker crew to familiarise themselves
with the aircraft and achieve the first part of the Voyager crew
training schedule.
The Voyager aircraft was delivered by Airbus Military to
AirTanker, the company formed to operate and support the
Voyager for the UK Ministry of Defence under the Future
Strategic Transport Aircraft programme, at the end of last year.
The Voyager aircraft represents a new standard in
tanker/transport technology and will provide the RAF with the
world´s most advanced air-to-air refueling, passenger transport
and aeromedical capability. As a modern and efficient aircraft,
the Voyager is quieter and more fuel-efficient than any other
aircraft currently based at RAF Brize Norton – the RAF´s
primary transport/tanker base.
T
Latest Electronic Rifle Sights: This new generation of sights can in fact
be real fire control systems – particularly when applied to rifles carrying an
underslung grenade launcher, but can also provide remote aiming to fire
‘round a corner, or even relay a target to a fellow soldier.
Show Report: SOFEX - A vivid report on the latest wares exhibited at this
special operations equipment exhibition in Amman.
Drone Update: Just 550 identified drone types in 2005, but over 1500
by mid 2011. This regular column enables the reader to keep abreast with
this ever-growing segment of the defence industry.
Compendium Tactical Radios: The much awaited Tactical Radios title
returns with more focus on SDR and Cognitive Radios and Networks as
well as coalition interoperability in the communications operational
sphere. Ad hoc connectivity on and about the digital battlefield has for
years been considered a networking panacea, but much that is obvious to
some is never considered. Waveforms do come to the rescue in many
applications but obviously hardware is still, even in a slower economic
atmosphere, a major consideration. Many innovative ideas are being
placed onto the table - some are being embraced, with new radios
beginning to offer unmatched capabilities.
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