Rolls-Royce To Build New Engine Controls For OH-58D
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Events, Military Aviation, Rolls-Royce, Services, U.S. Army, development program, logistics, production program
The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is the standard reconnaissance helicopter in use by the U.S. Army. As all Army Aviation it has seen a great deal of use in Iraq. Ultimately it will be replaced by the result of the current Armed Aerial Scout program. This replaced the failed Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) program which was canceled in 2008. Due to this failure the Army must continue to invest money into the OH-58 to keep it fighting.
Rolls-Royce was awarded a contract to develop a new Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) for the aircraft. This system is one of the key components of the upgrades to the aircraft. No value for the contract was provided. FADEC systems are becoming common on helicopters and fixed wing aircraft and aid in managing fuel consumption and performance. Rolls-Royce manufactures the M250 engines for the Kiowa Warrior at their plant in Indianapolis.
BAE Systems Has One Contract End And Another Start
A few months of laying people off in New Hampshire BAE Systems opens a new factory to make defensive systems for helicopters. This illustrates...Logistical Costs Burden Operations In Afghanistan
Filed under: Business Line, Congress, Countries, DLA, Department of Defense, Events, Federal Budget Process, Services, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, logistics
Wars are expensive there is no doubt. As part of the planning for adding troops to Afghanistan the U.S. Department of Defense was asked why it costs about a $1 billion a year for a 1,000 soldiers to operate there. One of the main expenses it turns out is fuel. To get one gallon of JP8 to a soldier or airman who needs it costs about $400 if all related costs are taken into account. This figure alone is giving Congress second thoughts.
That is because the gas is shipped to Pakistan and then trucked to Afghanistan. To get it to the various outposts and bases sometimes requires aircraft and helicopters. For a helicopter to carry a gallon of gas probably takes a few gallons of gas and at a high maintenance rate. There is also the cost of all the personnel and contractors to handle the gas and supplies.
This should not really surprise anyone. In John Ellis’ book about World War II soldiers, On The Front Lines, he estimated it took about eleven personnel to support one front line soldier in the Pacific and almost ten in the European. That counted everyone who touched a ton of supplies as it moved from the U.S. to the actual soldier. That cost alone was fairly high. Take into account the gas used to move it and the maintenance of the ships, trucks and aircraft and the costs go up even more. Afghanistan is remote and costs even more.
New Zealand Hueys reaching end of the road
WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- New Zealand's aging UH-1 Iroquois helicopters have begun one of their last major military exercises before their replacement NH90s start arriving next year.
Australia halts warfare protection system
CANBERRA, Australia, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Australia has reined in advanced development of its controversial electronic warfare self-protection system, known as Project Echidna, to be fitted to helicopters and transport aircraft.
RAF Merlins headed to Afghanistan
BENSON, England, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- With its Merlin helicopters pulled out of Iraq, the British Royal air force said it was preparing to deploy the transport vehicle and its crew to Afghanistan.
French arms sales boost 13 percent
PARIS, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- French arms sales shot up by 13 percent over the previous year as orders for the A330 air tanker and helicopters spiked exports, a parliamentary report said Monday.
First AH-64D Block IIs delivered
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force says the first three upgraded AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters have been delivered to Osan Air Base in South Korea.
British, French to develop new missile
LONDON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- France and England announced plans to jointly develop an anti-surface missile for use with the British Lynx Wildcat and the French NH90 and Panther helicopters.
Brazil, France seal military partnership with major arms deal
BRASILIA, Brazil, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Brazil has begun negotiation with France to purchase up to 36 Rafale attack aircraft to add to an expanding military inventory that will include French helicopters and submarines, German tanks and a nuclear-powered submarine built with French technical assistance.
U.S. Department of Defense Buys Gas — Lots Of It
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, DLA, Department of Defense, Events, Services, logistics
The United States Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) announced today a sheaf of contracts to buy gas. Gas for airplanes, ships, trucks and vehicles. The U.S. military runs on it as it is very heavily mechanized and relies on its helicopters and aircraft for the kind of support many armies would say no to or use artillery for.
World Fuel Services was awarded a contract worth $104.5 million for aviation fuel to support all of the services and Valero also received one worth up to $230 million.
These contracts are good for a year. One of the increasing costs the Department of Defense is facing is the price of oil. As it has gone up and down over the last five years it has forced the Defense Department to adjust its O&M budget. The heavy demand of operations also means that money may have to be moved from procurement accounts to cover these costs. Ideally for good budgeting it would be hoped that the price would stabilize over the year so proper planning can be made.
Canada Buys CH-47 Helicopters
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Canada, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Federal Budget Process, Military Aviation, United States, logistics, production program
Canada awarded Boeing a contact for fifteen CH-47 helicopters. The contract has a value of over $1 billion and requires and equivalent amount of offsets in the Canadian economy. Boeing already is selling the latest version of the heavy lift helicopter so valuable in Afghanistan to the U.S. and Great Britain. Canada being the third most heavily involved country in that war will certainly be able to use them.
The aircraft will be delivered in either late 2013 or early 2014 as they fit in to the current production. Canada has been requiring significant offsets in their latest round of contracts and this favor many U.S. companies as they have either Canadian subsidiaries or already buy parts and support from that nation.
So far the Obama Administration has made little changes to the existing plans for U.S. Army aviation modernization with the UH-60M, UH-72A and CH-47F. The replacement of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) original canceled contract is also on current path for continuation at this time.
CAGW Advises Congress Not to Ground Presidential Chopper — Press Release
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Congress, Countries, Department of Defense, Events, Federal Budget Process, Finemeccanica, Italy, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, Proposal, Services, U.S. Navy, development program, production program
CAGW Advises Congress Not to Ground Presidential Chopper
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), the nation’s premier taxpayer watchdog organization, today expressed support for the continuation of the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter Program. President Obama included the program on the list of program terminations and reductions to the fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget, which he released on May 7, 2009 in a bid to whittle $17 billion out of his overall $3.6 trillion budget. The President had stated in February, 2009 that the helicopter he currently uses “seems perfectly adequate” and added, “I think it is an example of the procurement process gone amok. And we’re going to have to fix it.”
But even in his recommendation to terminate the program, Defense Secretary Robert Gates acknowledged that a new fleet of presidential helicopters is necessary due to the advanced age and technological limitations of the current fleet. In a post-9/11 world, there is broad consensus that the President should not be flying Vietnam-era technology.
“CAGW applauds the President’s desire to cut wasteful spending, but taxpayers are between a rock and a hard place on the helicopter issue,” said CAGW President Tom Schatz. “One of the most common axioms of aviation is that every takeoff is optional, but every landing is mandatory. The same could be said now about the $13 billion program to fund the new fleet of presidential helicopters.”
It has become increasingly clear that it won’t be as cost effective as it may have appeared to terminate the VH-71 program. More than $3 billion has already been invested in the program to cover the R&D and production costs of the first phase. Navy officials estimate that program termination and liability costs will be $555 million. Factoring in costs already incurred and shut-down fees, terminating the program now would leave taxpayers with nothing to show for nearly $4 billion – even though nine new aircraft have been produced that meet performance requirements. “This program is also another example of the rampant lack of realistic budgeting and absence of fiscal discipline in the Pentagon’s procurement process,” said Schatz.
More alarming, according to a recent memo prepared by House Armed Services Committee staff, the Navy has told Congress it will require billions of dollars to extend the life of the current fleet of presidential helicopters, which are already 35 years old, in order to keep them in operation for another decade until a new program can be devised. “In light of these facts,” said Schatz, “starting a do-over program from scratch would be even more costly than completing the current program – leaving the taxpayer to foot the bill twice rather than maximizing the current investment. Given the urgent security needs of the President and the massive amount of money that would be wasted should the Pentagon and the White House terminate the program at this late stage, the prudent course would be to move forward, take possession of the helicopters we have paid for, and find a responsible solution both for the taxpayer and the Office of the President.”
Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.
Iraq Reopens Arms Buying With France
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, EADS, Events, FMS, France, Iraq, Military Aviation, production program
In the past France sold substantial amounts of military equipment to Iraq when it was ruled by Saddam Hussein. These included military vehicles, aircraft and missiles. The most notable use of this equipment was the attack on the USS Stark (FFG-31) by a Mirage F1 jet firing Exocet surface-to-surface missiles. Since the liberation of Iraq by the Americans that country has tended to sell the most equipment to it. This has included aircraft, vehicles and support equipment. AFP writes that France and Iraq have now signed a contract for twenty-four EC 635 helicopters. The article also states that further deals are being explored by the two countries. Iraq will need to rebuild its military and will utilize its rather large oil funds for this meaning that several major contracts will probably be announced over the next few year. This contract is estimated at almost $500 million and includes parts and support.
Japan Buys Eurocopters for Training
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, EADS, Events, Japan, Military Aviation, production program, training
In the first contract that Eurocopter has been able to win from the Japanese military it will provide two EC-135 twin engine aircraft for training. EasyBourse.com reports that there is the potential for 13 more aircraft to be purchased. Eurocopter has been able to sell civil aircraft in Japan for over four decades but has not been able to switch the nation over to non-American products. The EC-135 helicopters will provide training for naval pilots in the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. The joint French-German company has made major gains in sales since its formation in the United States and other countries that had not been its traditional customers. The EC-135 has proved popular with medical transport, police as well as other civil and government users. More on the aircraft can be found here.
U.S. Army Continues Hellfire Launcher Production
Filed under: Business Line, Companies, Contract Additions, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, Services, U.S. Army, production program
The Hellfire missile is launched from U.S. attack and scout helicopters. It will eventually be replaced by the Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM). The original replacement Joint Common Missile (JCM) was canceled in 2007. Ocala.com reports that the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin an option to build more Hellfire launchers as part of a 2007 contract. This extension is worth $31 million. Lockheed Martin builds launchers and parts for the launcher assemblies which are then put together by another company.
Eurocopter Chosen by Japan for Training Aircraft
Filed under: Agusta Westland, Business Line, Contract Awards, EADS, Events, Japan, Military Aviation, logistics, production program, training
SpaceDaily.com reports that the Japanese government has selected EC-135 helicopters to use for training naval pilots. The other company in the contest was Augusta Westland. EADS has sold civil aircraft for years in Japan but this is the first time Japan has bought one as part of a military contract.
Canada and Sikorsky Have Issues with New Helicopters
Filed under: Business Line, Canada, Contract Additions, Contract Awards, Military Aviation, Restructuring, Sikorsky, production program
In 2004 the Canadian government ordered 40 new helicopters from Sikorsky to replace aging Sea King search and rescue aircraft. The original contract was for about $5 billion Canadian and set an initial delivery date of 2008. Now The Globe and Mail reports that due to requirement changes requested by the government $117 million had to be paid to Sikorsky. The contract has also slipped deliveries to 2012. There are also indications that due to further changes planned by the government more money will have to be paid. At the same time Canada has refused to collect a penalty clause in the contract to punish the company for delayed deliveries.
India Buys Russian Helicopters
Filed under: Business Line, Contract Awards, India, Military Aviation, Restructuring, Russia, production program
The Indian Government announced that it had signed a contract to purchase 80 Mi-17 Hip medium lift helicopters. The Times of India reports that the government is also renegotiating the contract to refit and upgrade the former Russian ship Admiral Gorshkov. Read more
Army buys a lot of Hellfires
Filed under: Contract Awards, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, U.S. Army, production program
The US Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to produce Hellfire missiles. These are normally fired from AH-64 and OH-58D helicopters and some Air Force aircraft. The missile is used by the US and its Allies. In Iraq and Afghanistan the Army has been using these with great effect to strike a variety of targets. The contract is valued at over $350 M and will purchase 1400 missiles. It is estimated that over 6000 have been used to date in the Global War on Terror.
For more see the Orlando Sentinal.
Textron unit wins contract for test equipment
Filed under: AAI Corporation, Contract Awards, IT, Military Aviation, Textron, U.S. Air Force, production program
AAI Corporation, an unit of Textron, won a contract form the USAF to build Joint Service Electronic Combat Systems Tester (JSECST) systems. See an article here. These will be used to test the electronic warfare equipment and avionics on various US aircraft. Since they are joint they will be used by USAF, Navy, USMC and Army aircraft. Even helicopters are starting to carry more sophisticated electronic and infra-red countermeasures as the threat has got more complicated. The contract is worth up to $67 M if all options are exercised. Sophisticated electronic systems require expensive test equipment to support their operations. The JSECST has been in production for several years and is used by the US and some allies.
CH-47 said vandalized
Filed under: Boeing, Military Aviation, U.S. Army, crime, production program
Bump – Boeing employee arrested for vandalizing aircraft. Story is here.
In a way this is good news. If it had been a quality issue then it might delay restarting the production line as they worked out new procedures and where they had gone wrong. The other good thing is they discovered the damage before they were fielded. The CH-47 is being used a great deal in Afghanistan and Iraq, as are all Army aviation assets, but in Afghanistan it is key due to the high altitude which limit smaller helicopters.
Two rivals team together for missile contract
Filed under: Boeing, Department of Defense, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon, development program
Two of America’s largest defense contractors will join together to pursue the next generation air launched missile. Raytheon and Boeing announced that they signed a teaming agreement to prepare for the Joint Air to Ground Munition (JAGM) development program. See the press release here. The JAGM will replace Hellfire and Maverick missiles for launch from both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. JAGM is at the early stages of its life and was started after the failure of the Joint Common Missile (JCM) program. See this for more on that. There is certainly no denying that the aging Hellfire and Maverick need replacing, although the Hellfire especially has seen a lot of use from OH-58D, AH-64 and Predator UAV in Afghanistan and Iraq. If Boeing and Raytheon team that leaves Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics as the only other US companies that might bid on such a program.
Army awards Chemring largest contract ever
Filed under: Chemring, Contract Awards, Military Aviation, U.S. Army, production program
The US Army gave Chemring, a British company, the largest contract in their history. See a story here. The $383 M contact will be for flares to protect helicopters from surface-to-air-missiles.
Czech Republic to renogiate deal for APC
Filed under: Contract Awards, Czech Republic, Restructuring, Seyr Daimler Puch, production program
According to this article in ceskenoviny.cz the Czech government will renegotiate the terms of the APC contract that they canceled recently. See this related post. They are retesting the vehicles made by Steyr in Austria, and then will announce a decision. It also sounds like they are reducing the quantity. The Czech-Slovak split probably left both new countries with a motley collection of Soviet and Czech made equipment. I know recently the Czech government sent some Mi-24 and Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan for that country’s use.
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