Boeing to upgrade USAF's B-1 Lancer bombers

CALIFORNIA (BNS): Boeing has been awarded a $99.5 million contract by the US Air Force to integrate three major modifications on the B-1 Lancer bomber fleet.

The contract is the first lot of modification kits of a planned multi-lot production contract to upgrade the USAF’s B-1s.

The upgrades to be carried out under the latest contract include delivery of kits with parts for the vertical situation display unit in the forward cockpit and for the fully integrated data link and the central integrated test system in the aft cockpit of the bomber aircraft.

All three programs will be installed concurrently from late 2012 through 2019 in a single modification called the Integrated Battle Station, Boeing said.

The upgrades will make the B-1’s cockpit more reliable and supportive and provide the bomber’s aircrew with a higher level of situational awareness and faster secure digital communication link, a Boeing official associated with the programme said.

The three upgrades are in various stages of final ground and flight tests in preparation for installation on the B-1 Lancer bomber fleet, the company said.

(Brahmand)

IAF plans consortium of domestic companies for Rs.10,000 cr contract

(The Livemint) : The Indian Air Force (IAF) is trying to bring together a consortium of domestic firms to compete for a Rs.10,000 crore contract to manufacture 45 medium transport aircraft (MTAs).
If the consortium is formed, it will be the first example of Indian companies partnering to bid for a defence aviation contract, a domain in which they do not have proven capability.
MTAs are used to carry personnel and equipment.
On 1 July, IAF officials met the industry bodies Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India to discuss the proposal, said a person who attended the meeting, asking not to be named.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled for 7 July, said an IAF official, requesting anonymity.
“This is a preliminary step,” said a CII executive, who also did not want to be identified. “We are just exploring the possibility of coming together, but it is still some way off.”
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Larsen and Toubro Ltd are among the companies that can participate in such a consortium. Their executives confirmed the meeting between industry bodies and IAF, but declined to comment further.
IAF publicized its requirement for MTAs in January 2010. It needs the aircraft to replace an ageing fleet of Hawker Siddeley HS 748s. The force is already upgrading Russian-origin Antonov An-32 transport aircraft.
IAF’s effort to form the consortium follows the publication of India’s defence production policy in January this year, which obliges the defence ministry to exhaust all possibility of indigenous manufacturing before turning to overseas vendors.
The contract is still likely to go through open bidding in which foreign defence firms may participate, said another person aware of the development, who also did not want to be named.
Industry executives and analysts are not upbeat about the prospects of an Indian consortium meeting IAF’s requirement.
“Indian industry does not have the expertise to build such a complex machine,” said an industry executive, requesting anonymity. “This might as well turn out to be a futile exercise. So, in all likelihood, the contract would still go to a foreign bidder.”
Retired colonel Rajiv Chib, who works as defence analyst with the audit and consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers India, said the invitation to Indian industry to participate in the project is a positive step.
“But the government should first explore possibilities in the civil aerospace sector, as there are no foreign direct investment caps there,” he said. “Once sufficient capacities are developed in civil aerospace, Indian companies can seriously consider making aircraft for defence use.”
Separately, India is planning to develop a multi-role transport aircraft with Russia.
In September, the two nations announced plans to design and develop the aircraft through a joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. and Rosoboronexport. Both countries have earmarked a combined $600 million (Rs.2,664 crore) for the project.

Auto cos, L&T vie for Army’s $10-bn combat vehicle order

(The Financial Express) : Ashok Leyland (ALL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Bharat Forge, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) are among those who have bid for a $10-billion (R44,000 core) defence ministry contract to supply combat vehicles for the Indian Army. The size of the tender is comparable to the one for combat aircraft being finalised by the ministry. The ministry will shortlist two vendors for Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICVs) by July end, based on technical and commercial criteria under the ‘buy & make’ category. Under this category, only Indian companies with technical and financial capabilities are asked to submit bids.
Infantry combat vehicles are armoured vehicles carrying soldiers and supporting main battle tanks with firepower in war. Their armour is lighter than main tanks’ but heavier than armoured personnel carriers’.
While ALL and L&T have bid as a team, state-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is also believed to be in the fray. The defence...

Saab 2000 MPA with Selex AESA radar on offer to Indian Navy MRMR

The Saab 2000 multi-role Maritime Patrol Aircraft equipped with an AESA radar and a Saab RBS 15 anti-ship missiles is being offered to the Indian Navy to meet the growing challenges in India’s maritime domain stretching across 2 million square km.The Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar onboard SAAB 2000 MPA is a modern high performance system that supports the full range of maritime surveillance and coherent imaging modes used for both naval and overland operations.
Saab 2000 MPA which is being offered for India’s Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) program will be equipped with a state-of-art Selex AESA radar and RBS 15 Anti Ship Missile.
The AESA radar provides Saab 2000 MPA with Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) capability with customized interrogator functions. The AESA surveillance radar is supported by a Saab R4A AIS transponder receiver/transmitter system for locating and identifying any naval activity. The AIS system also provides an encrypted data link. For close range detection, identification and recording of surface objects and activities, Saab 2000 MPA incorporates Electro-Optic (HDTV) and Thermal Imager sensors. The Saab 2000 MPA system incorporates an ELINT system providing the capability to intercept and collect intelligence information consisting of detailed information of e.g. complex emitters active signal components, the relationship and the dynamics between active signal components.

The Saab 2000 MPA on offer is also equipped with an ESM system for automatic identification of RF signal sources and Direction Finding of RF signal sources with high accuracy. For self protection, a SPS system is installed including radar warning receivers, missile approach warning sensors, laser warning sensors as well as chaff and flare dispensers.

The Saab 2000 MPA comes equipped with a COMINT system that complements the baseline ELINT system for enhanced SIGINT capabilities. The installed COMINT system includes both a Direction Finder function and an Intercept System.

The Saab 2000 MPA is equipped with a Command & Control (C2) system that integrates, and assists in controlling all mission sensors and provides the user interface to mission operators, via four (4) workstations installed side-by-side in the cabin facing starboard, and to the pilots via a dedicated tactical display. The workstations also provide access to the mission communication system.
The Saab 2000 MPA has a cruising speed of 350 knots, it can climb to an altitude of 20,000 ft in 10 minutes, reaching operating area 1,000 nautical miles afar within three hours. It can operate from high altitude airfields, taking off with maximum load and fuel even at very hot temperatures. Flight safety is maintained throughout all flight conditions, including single engine operations, where the aircraft can maintain altitude at 20,000 ft. The Saab 2000 MPA can operate at a maximum range exceeding 2000 nautical miles, with mission endurance exceeding 9.5 hours. The Saab 2000 MPA can carry out a mission covering a 200 nm Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for 5.5 hours at an altitude of 2,000 ft, or longer patrol times at higher altitudes even up to 31000 ft. The aircraft on offer comes with promised 35,000 flight hours and a guaranteed support for 25 years by SAAB.

The Saab 2000 MPA comes equipped with Saab RBS 15 anti-ship missile system. Its unique Command & Control (C2) system facilitates a seamless planning of missile launching zones, trajectories and target seeking activities. The missile launching sequence and priming are controlled by customized Store Management Unit.

(Machinist.in)

Iran tests indigenous anti-ship missiles in Gulf drills

(RIA Novosti) : Iran tested on Wednesday domestically-designed anti-ship missiles as part of annual large-scale military exercises in the Persian Gulf, Iranian media said.
According to Al-Alam television, two Khalij Fars missiles were launched from a military base near the Strait of Hormuz and hit their designated targets.
The Khalij Fars is a single-stage solid-propellant, anti-ship ballistic missile with a range of 300 kilometers based on the Fateh-110 missile. It was unveiled in February 2011.
The 10-day Great Prophet 6 land-and-sea war games of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard started on June 27.
Last Tuesday, Iran fired nine Zelzal missiles, two Shahab-1 missiles, two Shahab-2s and one upgraded Shahab-3 missile, and the next day tested a new radar.
Tehran has repeatedly stated that the annual Great Prophet exercises display Iran's "defensive and deterrent power," and send a message of "peace and friendship" to regional states.
However, Western powers and some of their allies in the Middle East claim that Iran could be preparing for future aggression against neighboring countries.

France Orders Third Barracuda class SSN

Defence procurement agency DGA has placed an order with DCNS for the third Barracuda-type nuclear-powered attack submarine for the French Navy.

      This order comes under the framework programme contract awarded to DCNS in December 2006 calling for the delivery of six next-generation SSNs between 2017 and 2028.

      Barracuda-type SSNs will replace the six Rubis-class boats currently in service. The Barracuda weapons payload will include next-generation type F21 heavyweight torpedoes, SM39 anti-ship missiles and MdCN-type naval cruise missiles. The boats will also be fully equipped for missions with Nato naval forces and special operations.

      DCNS is the programme prime contractor. The first-of-class Suffren and second-of-class Duguay-Trouin are under construction at the Group’s Cherbourg shipyard supported by DCNS centres around the country. 

 

(Defenseworld)

USA: Submarine California SSN 781 Returns from Successful Sea Trials

Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that California (SSN 781), the nation’s newest and most advanced nuclear-powered submarine, returned to the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding division after completing the ship’s first round of sea trials.
The submarine returned July 2 with a broom on its mast, symbolizing a “clean sweep” and successful sea trial. A Newport News Shipbuilding flag also flew over the submarine to mark the first Virginia-class submarine sea trial since the return of the Newport News Shipbuilding name.
Sea trials provide an opportunity to test all systems, components and compartments and include submerging for the first time, high-speed runs while on the surface and submerged, and a demonstration of many of the submarine’s other capabilities.
“Sea trials are a highlight of the shipbuilding process,” said Becky Stewart, vice president for Newport News Shipbuilding’s submarine programs. “A successful sea trial is a major accomplishment and the culmination of several years of work that showcases the skills and craftsmanship of our shipbuilders.”
California, the eighth ship of the class and named to honor the “Golden State,” is in the final stages of testing at HII’s Newport News shipyard. Upon delivery to the Navy later this year, California will be the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. The keel for California was laid May 1, 2009, and the ship was christened Nov. 6, 2010.
Newport News Shipbuilding, one of only two shipyards capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines, is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build Virginia-class submarines.
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) designs, builds and maintains nuclear and non-nuclear ships for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard and provides after-market services for military ships around the globe. For more than a century, HII has built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. Employing nearly 38,000 in Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana and California, its primary business divisions are Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding.

(Naval Today)

UK: Construction of Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier Takes Significant Step Forward

Construction of the first Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier took a significant step forward today, as the final rings of the forward hull section came together for the first time at BAE Systems’ facility in Portsmouth Naval Base.
Two huge ring sections of Lower Block 02 were joined together in a 30 minute move involving 26 remote controlled hydraulic transporters. Workers carefully manoeuvred a 3,700 tonne slice of the block over 25 metres across the company’s production hall, where it was carefully lined up to join the rest of the hull. The hull block is made up of five rings in total, with the first rings joined in April, today’s move marks the end of the three month process.
Steven Carroll, Queen Elizabeth Class Project Director at BAE Systems’ Surface Ships division, said:
“Bringing together Lower Block 02 marks the beginning of an exciting stage in the block’s life. The team will now begin the task of connecting the pipes, cabling, ventilation and machinery which runs throughout the block, before she is transported to Rosyth in April next year.
“As the block takes shape, the sheer size and scale of this engineering project becomes even more apparent.”
Housing machinery spaces, stores, and switchboards, Lower Block 02 will weigh over 6,000 tonnes on completion, with over 8,500 metres of pipes and 260,000 metres of cable installed – the equivalent distance from Portsmouth to Bristol and back. Standing over 70 metres long and 18 metres tall, the block will house 85 cabins, sleeping over 500 junior crew members on board the HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Today’s move comes only four weeks after production commenced on the second aircraft carrier, the Prince of Wales, at the company’s Govan shipyard on the Clyde. Additionally, workers in Portsmouth are gearing up to begin work on the forward island, which will house the ship’s bridge and control vessel navigation, in the coming weeks.
BAE Systems is a member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, working in partnership with Babcock, Thales and the Ministry of Defence to deliver the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK. The company provides overall leadership and programme management to the QE Class programme and plays a central role in the design and build of the ships. Additionally, BAE Systems is responsible for the design, manufacture and integration of the complex mission systems for the aircraft carriers, with work underway at the company’s Maritime Integration and Support Centre on Portsdown Hill.
Each 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier will provide the armed forces with a four acre military operating base which can be deployed worldwide. The vessels will be versatile enough to be used for operations ranging from supporting war efforts to providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief. The QE Class will be the centre piece of Britain’s military capability and will operate at least 12 of the carrier variant Joint Strike Fighter jets, allowing for unparalleled interoperability with allied forces.
-  (Naval Today)

India’s 197 Light Utility Helicopter Contract Process Extended

(Defense World) : Contenders for India’s 197 light utility helicopter tender have been requested an year’s extension to complete the acquisition process. The commercial bids of the two finalists, Eurocopter and Russian Helicopters had expired in mid-June under India’s two year time limit for procurement bids.

      Industry sources told Defenseworld.net that the bidders have received communication requesting an extension and are most likely to comply. The contract for 197 light utility helicopters has Russian Helicopters Kamov Ka-226T, powered by Turbomeca Arrius 2G1 powerplants, and the Eurocopter AS550C3 Fennec to replace HAL built Chetaks and Cheetahs for the Indian air force and army. It is worth an estimated US$750 million for the winning bidder.

      The acquisition process has been going on since 2003 when the RFP was first issued. Eurocopter had been declared a winner the first time only to have the contract canceled and the process retendered because there was only one bidder after the withdrawal of Bell Helicopters from the race.

      The second time around, Eurofighter had AgustaWestland and Kamov for company. While AgustaWestand was disqualified on technical grounds, the remaining two went through the full trials in India and their home countries which were completed in 2010.

      The sources said that the extension could be due to the Indian MoD having to compute life cycle costs and offsets which are proving to be quite challenging across the procurement spectrum.

Negotiations completed with Swiss company for trainer aircraft

(PTI) :  Moving ahead with the procurement of 75 basic trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF), Defence Ministry has completed negotiations with Swiss company Pilatus, which emerged as the lowest bidder in the USD 1 billion deal."The negotiations with Pilatus have already been completed on the basis of valid commercial offer submitted by the Swiss company," Defence Ministry officials said here.

They further added that following Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) norms, the Contract Negotiations Committee (CNC) report is progressing for approval by the competent financial authority. Besides Pilatus, US firm Hawker-Beechcraft and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) from South Korea had pitched for the deal.The bid will fulfill IAF's need for a basic jet trainer after the fleet of HPT-32 basic trainers were grounded in 2009, following an air crash which raised concerns over its safety features."Presently the cadets are trained on Kiran trainer aircraft, which are actually meant for second level of flight training," the officials added.

Army set to place order for 248 more arjun main battle tanks

(Economic Times) :: The much-maligned Arjun Main Battle Tank is poised to get a fresh lease of life, with the Indian Army set to order 248 more of India's first indigenously-built tanks, a decision that will also give a much-needed shot in the arm to the country's beleaguered tank fleet.

"We are definitely expecting more orders, at least a minimum of 248 tanks of the Mark-II version. The Ordnance Factory Board has been instructed by the ministry of defence to initiate action for the procurement of the Mark-II version," P. Sivakumar, director, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, told the Economic Times.

The order, which could be placed in late-2011 itself, will come as a huge boost to the Arjun production line at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadhi, on the outskirts of Chennai, as the same was expected to be terminated due to a lack of interest shown by the Indian Army.

So far, the Army has placed an order for 248 tanks of the Mark-I and Mark-II versions. 

The Mark-II version of the Arjun MBT is currently undergoing its critical summer trials in Pokhran, Rajasthan, conducted by the country's nodal defence lab, DRDO, while the winter trials are expected to take place later in the year. The defence research establishment expects to get the new orders from the end user - the Army - once the current trials conclude.

"If the trials go well, particularly relating to missile firing, there is no doubt that further orders will be placed. There is a commitment given by the deputy chief of Army staff, if the new improvements are incorporated successfully" Sivakumar said.

The June trials have already seen the Arjun MBT Mark-II tested with a number of technical improvements, including command panoramic sight and uncooled thermal image. According to Sivakumar, a further 40 technological improvements are to be tested, including a new transmission control system and new fuel tanks.

'We are planning the first phase of the end user trials by October or November for the missile and other design improvements," he said.

The Army's decision to induct greater numbers of the Arjun MBT is a significant turnaround from its earlier reluctance to do so. However, with the military's 4,000-strong tank arsenal consisting largely of more than 2,400 obsolete T-72 tanks and transfer of technology issues with Russia relating to the T-90, has forced it to take a re-look at the Arjun.

The tank has had its fair share of detractors within the country's military establishment.

After being in development hell for more than 30 years and at a substantial cost of Rs 300-crore, the Arjun MBT programme had come under severe flak for cost overruns and its failure to meet the Indian Army's combat requirements, leading to speculation that it could never be the mainstay of the Indian Army's Armoured Corps.

But ever since comprehensively outgunning and outrunning the T-90, India's current flagship battle tank in 2010, the DRDO has been positioning the Arjun MBT as the backbone of the country's armoured fighting units.

Defended the programme, the defence establishment also laid part of the blame for the project delays on the Indian military , stating that they had to be "realistic" in their demands.

"'But while we welcome all inputs and guidelines, we also feel the need for the Services to firm up realistic requirements at the earliest, so we may properly plan our project requirements," Dr VK Saraswat, scientific advisor to the defence minister said last month.

India: ABG Enters Defence Production

Securing contracts to build warships has emerged as an option for local shipyards seeking to sail through a global downturn in the industry.
ABG Shipyard Ltd, India’s largest shipbuilder outside state control, entered defence production last week by signing a contract with the Indian navy to build two cadet training ships together valued at Rs. 970 crore.
“There is ample scope for defence contracts,” said Dhananjay Datar, ABG’s chief financial officer. “There will be a positive impact on valuations with defence portfolio in the order book.”
The navy and the Indian coast guard have lined up projects worth at least Rs. 50,000 crore in the next 10-15 years to patrol the country’s coastline that stretches over 7,400km, according to the defence ministry. The government is also focusing on enhancing local defence production with private participation.
Recently, Pipavav Shipyard Ltd announced changing its name to Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd to better reflect its growing focus on defence and oil and gas sectors.
The change in name came after Pipavav secured a licence to build warships for the Indian navy and a clearance from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board in March permitting foreign direct equity investment in the company.
“Indian shipyards are facing a threat of a slowdown. There are no major orders coming their way. These companies have identified defence production to avoid idling of their infrastructure,” a shipyard consultant said, requesting anonymity. “Considering the flow of defence orders in the pipeline, the valuations of these yards will also have a positive impact.”
Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T), India’s biggest engineering and construction company, began work in 2008 on a Rs. 3,375 crore shipbuilding yard at Kattupalli in Tamil Nadu, mainly for commercial ships, but had to change course after the global recession to focus on the defence business, a company executive said on condition of anonymity.
For most yards, the current order books for building commercial ships will last till 2014 and new orders for such vessels aren’t coming by easily.
“There is a lull all over the world. For shipyards, if orders from international companies are not coming, it has to come from somewhere,” said Revati Kasture, head of research at rating agency Credit Analysis and Research Ltd (CARE).
“It is not just a question of slowdown or valuation,” Kasture added. “If you have a shipyard that has the capability to build defence ships, and customers, then why not?”
Kasture said valuations will follow if investors see revenue coming to these shipyards from defence businesses. The defence ministry is evaluating options of placing orders with domestic shipyards and has asked shipyards to secure a rating indicating financial health from rating agencies, including CARE.
The agency has carried out ratings for three shipyards in India, including ABG and Bharati Shipyard Ltd.
About 42% of Pipavav’s $1.5 billion (about Rs. 6,700 crore) order book already comes from defence contracts. Pipavav has tied up with various foreign strategic partners, including SAAB Dynamics AB, Northrop Grumman Corp., and Babcock group UK to boost capabilities in the defence segment.
The company proposes to convert an existing wet dock into a second dry dock to enhance the capabilities to build warships for the Indian navy and the export market, said a recent investor presentation made by the company.
Analysts predict a bad year for shipping companies, with freight rates expected to remain low after a record delivery of vessels last year.
A 25 January Fitch Ratings Ltd’s report said its 2011 outlook for India’s shipping industry is negative. The agency expects all shipping segments to face low freight rates because the net increase in capacity has exceeded demand.
The Union government, too, has delayed a share sale in Cochin Shipyard Ltd over fears that the downturn in shipping will impact valuation, said a shipping ministry spokesman.
The state-run shipyard, which is constructing the country’s first local-made aircraft carrier for the navy, has hired consultancy Ernst and Young to prepare a business and vision plan in the changed scenario for the next 10-20 years, a company spokesperson said.
Last year, L&T won a Rs. 977 crore contract for designing and constructing 36 high-speed interceptor boats for the coast guard.
Last month, Pipavav said it had signed a Rs. 2,975 crore order from the navy to build five gunboats.
Cochin Shipyard last year won a contract from the coast guard for constructing 20 fast-patrol vessels valued at Rs. 1,500 crore.
By P.R. Sanjai & P. Manoj (livemint)/Navaltoday