Boeing Wins Contract To Support F/A-18 Fighters
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Military Aviation, logistics
The Australian government invested in F/A-18 “Hornet” fighter and attack aircraft as an interim solution while waiting for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to be delivered. The Boeing built aircraft have seen heavy use by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps over the last twenty years and represented a good investment for the Pacific country. It has now been reported that Boeing (BA) will receive a contract to provide further maintenance support for the aircraft. This contract is worth about $1.5 million.
This six year contract will see Boeing advising the Tactical Fighter Systems Program Office with maintenance and upgrade planning and execution.
Australia Continues Project To Automate Logistics
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, IT, Mincom, logistics
Australia’s Ministry of Defence awarded a follow on contract to Mincom to continue developing an automated, integrated logistics system. There was no value given for the contract. The contract is continue the work done so far for the Joint Project 2077.
This contract is for Phase 2B.2 which builds on the Phase 2B.1 where Mincom delivered the Military Integrated Logistics Information System (MILIS). The goal is for the Australian Defense Force (ADF) to have an system that supports all three services when they deploy for contingency operations overseas. Phase 2B.2 will complete in 2011 and will allow better control and tracking of supporting assets and build upon Phase 2B.1.
Automated logistics systems are becoming more-and-more sophisticated and allow better control, less waste and higher rates of supply and maintenance. For armed forces that are consistently deploying away from their central bases the better logistics control the higher the operational availability of equipment and the higher the capability.
Australian AEW Aircraft To Be Supported By Manufacturer: Boeing
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Military Aviation, development program, logistics, production program
It was announced that Australia had awarded a contract to Boeing (BA) to provide service and support to the new Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft being purchased by the Pacific nation. The new aircraft is based on the 737 airliner and is fitted with a variety of radars and communications gear. The five year contract is worth over $600 million if all options are exercised. Boeing has been building these aircraft for the last few years and the six when delivered will provide a significant upgrade to the Royal Australian Air Force’s capabilities.
The contract will be executed by Boeing’s subsidiary in Australia and will lead to the creation of a few hundred jobs. The contract is a Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract similar to what the U.S. military has been using recently. The program not only includes the aircraft, but training and mission planning elements as well. Two aircraft have been delivered to date.
Royal Australian Navy Test-Fires Raytheon Standard Missile-2 — Press Release
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Companies, Countries, Events, Press Releases, Raytheon, development program, missile defense, production program
Royal Australian Navy Test-Fires Raytheon Standard Missile-2
JERVIS BAY, Australia, Jan. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — The Royal Australian Navy fired Raytheon Company’s (NYSE:RTN) Standard Missile-2 Block IIIA anti-air warfare missile during recent tests on board the HMAS Melbourne.
“With this firing, Melbourne’s crew validated the work done to transition warships from SM-1 capability to SM-2,” said Ron Shields, Raytheon’s SM-2 program director. “This was the first time an SM-2 has been launched by any navy from an upgraded frigate, clearing the way for other fleets to make similar upgrades.”
As the most widely fielded variant of SM-2, Block IIIA is deployed by the U.S. and eight allied navies. The missile is part of a long-range area air defense capability capitalizing on communication techniques, midcourse guidance, advanced signal processing and propulsion improvements. These enhancements substantially increase the intercept range to 90 nautical miles (104 statute miles) and provide high- and low-altitude intercept capability and performance against advanced anti-ship missile threats.
Three other Royal Australian Navy frigates are scheduled to be upgraded to the SM-2 configuration. The modifications, along with upgrades to the combat management systems, launchers and other systems, will improve the ships’ capabilities against low-altitude and supersonic targets and provide extended area air defense protection.
“Standard Missile has been the U.S. Navy’s primary surface-to-air fleet air defense weapon for more than three decades,” said Shields. “This test shows the flexibility of SM-2, and why it is the global air defense missile of choice.”
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
Contact:
John Eagles
502.727.9391 (mobile)
John_J_Eagles@Raytheon.com
Source: Raytheon Company
Australia Awards BAE Systems Helicopter Support Contract
Filed under: Australia, BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Military Aviation, Sikorsky, UTC, logistics
The Australian Government announced that they have awarded BAE Systems a three year contract with five options to support their fleet of S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopters. The contract is worth $35 million (Australian) for the fist three years. It is expected at the end of the eight years that the Sikorsky helicopters will be replaced by new aircraft.
The Black Hawk is in use with the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force as well as enjoying strong sales to overseas customers. It was developed to replace the ubiquitous UH-1 of the Vietnam Era. The S-70 is the export version of the aircraft. Australia has been a strong ally of the U.S. in its fighting in Afghanistan and has had Black Hawks since the mid-Eighties.
Australia Moving Out On New Submarines
Filed under: ASC, Australia, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, Rand, development program, production program
The Australian government has planned an ambitious expansion of their armed forces. Several major defense contracts will be let in the next few years with a goal of local companies doing the work. The largest amongst these is to build new submarines for the Navy. The first step in this contract was taken last week with the award of a contract to The Rand Corporation of the United States to begin doing a study of Australia’s capability to build these submarines in the necessary quantity. There was no value given for the contract but the goal is to have the study done early next year.
Australia had built there last class of submarines, the Collins Class, at the ASC company’s yards. This company provides maintenance for the vessels as well. They are also the lead for a new class of destroyers being built by Australia. Earlier this year the government had expressed concern about ASC’s performance maintaining the existing submarine fleet and this contract is related to those beliefs.
Thales Pitches New Australian MRAP
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Companies, Countries, Events, Promotions, Thales, development program, logistics, production program
The market for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles has grown over the last five years incrementally. The United States and its Allies have bought thousands of the vehicles for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan where the major threat has been from mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The U.S. military is beginning its winding down of operations in Iraq which will mean less requirement for new MRAP vehicles. The U.S. has also awarded Oshkosh large contracts for a new MRAP-ATV to support their troops in Afghanistan. The world market though for these types of vehicles should be fairly solid as the IED has been demonstrated as a weapon of choice.
Thales in Australia has successfully marketed and sold their larger Bushmaster vehicle to both its home forces as well as The Netherlands for use in Afghanistan. Now it has developed the lighter Hawkei MRAP. This vehicle is targeted towards replacing tactical vehicles like the Land Rover or HUMVEE. It has removable armor to facilitate transportation and is configurable to conduct a variety of missions. Thales is hoping that the Australian military will invest in it to supplement their Land Rover vehicles as well as marketing it to other countries.
There is certainly will continue to be people willing to invest in these type of vehicles especially if it is priced competitively and offers some capabilities that other don’t.
EADS Sells More A330 Tankers To Saudi Arabia
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Additions, Countries, Department of Defense, EADS, England, Events, Japan, Military Aviation, Northrop Grumman Corp., Services, U.S. Air Force, UAE, United States, commercial aviation, development program, logistics, production program
EADS announced today that Saudi Arabia had doubled their order for aerial tankers by buying three more A330 MRT aircraft. This means that the Kingdom will now have six of the advanced tankers. They along with the U.K., Australia and the U.A.E. have ordered the aircraft. As part of the buy of the new aircraft Saudi Arabia has ordered logistic and parts support for the tankers although no contract value was announced.
The big contract for military refueling aircraft is the new tanker for the United States Air Force (USAF). EADS and Northorp Grumman had won the contract for the KC-X last year only to see it overturned on a Boeing protest. Now the new Obama Administration and the USAF will try again with a completely new RFP. That contract would be for over one hundred aircraft and would dwarf previous orders. There is still discussion of possibly splitting the contract between the two suppliers with a goal of maximizing the number of aircraft delivered in a short time. The USAF and Defense Department are against that as the two aircraft would require their own substantial support tail of parts, maintenance and training which would be quite expensive.
The A330 is a bigger aircraft then the 767 proposed by Boeing last time but requires larger airfields and more gas to fly a comparable mission. The bigger aircraft can carry more fuel for other aircraft so there has to be a balance struck there. It is definitely conceivable that the loser of the next contract will protest anyway so there may be further delays to the acquisition of the greatly needed capability.
Air Force Begins New Space Tracking System
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, IT, Military Aviation, Northrop Grumman Corp., S&T, Satellites, Services, U.S. Air Force, United States, development program, missile defense, production program, space
The United States Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to begin development of a ground based radar to conduct surveillance of space objects. The initial contract is worth about $30 million. The current Air Force system was installed back in the early Sixties.
The need for an upgrade to this capability has become more critical in recent years as the amount of near earth objects, space junk and satellites has increased. This system while primarily used to support missions in space will also provide some aid in missile defense. Identifying and tracking space junk will allow better detection of new objects including possible missile launches. The proliferation of objects has also affected launches and operations in space as the threat of collision to manned vehicles is especially dangerous.
Australia Reportedly To Buy F-35
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Countries, Events, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, Proposal, Restructuring, development program, production program
Two days after the roll out of their first F/A-18 aircraft necessary to provide an interim air capability until the nation moves out on its fifth generation buy of either the F-35 JSF or the F-22 Raptor the Government announced that they would invest in the F-35. While the F-22 was attractive due to its longer range and greater payload up to seventy F-35 aircraft will be purchased.
Australia plans to now review their defense procurement plans every four years and readjust as necessary. Australia has been a partner in the F-35 development effort but recently had looked at buying the F-22. This would require an act of Congress as current law bans the sale of the modern aircraft. Japan and Israel have also inquired about the availability of the F-22. With the Obama Administration planning on ending procurement of the F-22 foriegn sales are now attractive to Congress as a way to keep production going.
Australia’s First F/A-18 Delivered
Filed under: Australia, Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Countries, Department of Defense, Events, Federal Budget Process, Military Aviation, Missouri, Services, U.S. Navy, production program
Boeing delivered the first F/A-18 Super Hornet for Australia on July 8. This is the first of twenty-four. The aircraft will provide a stop gap until either the F-35 JSF or the F-22 aircraft Australia has expressed interest in buying. The total value of the contract to Boeing is about $3 billion.
The F-18 for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps is facing the end of production as the Obama Administration has proposed accelerating deliveries of the F-35 for those services as well as the U.S. Air Force. This is tied in to the ending of F-22 production. Congress has not received these proposals well and have included continued F-22 deliveries in the appropriation and authorization bills working their way through both Houses. The House has also looked at increasing planned F-18 deliveries as well as exploring the award of another multi-year production contract. Multi-year contracts have to be specifically authorized and have been used for large aircraft contracts in a bid to keep overall costs down. If there is a consistent buy profile over several years it makes it easier for the contractors to manage supplies and material ideally reducing costs.
Australia Awards Major Ship Contract
Filed under: Australia, BAE Systems, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Events, production program
The Australian Government awarded BAE Systems a contract worth about $300 million (US) to begin laying down the new Hobart class anti-air warfare destroyers. The total program is worth over eight billion (US). On top of that over 200 jobs will be added to the shipyard where the class will be built.
The contract is for various hull blocks for the class of ships. The construction also involves Australian companies FORGACS Group and ASC Pty Ltd. The Hobart class is part of the modernization of the Australian Navy and the country’s armed forces in general recently planned on by the current government. BAE will also provide major communication and weapon systems for the ship.
Israel Moves Out On F-35
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Contract Awards, Countries, Department of Defense, Events, Israel, Japan, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, production program
It is being reported that the U.S. and Israel have come to an agreement on the purchase of the JSF by that country. There had been some rumors in the past that Israel would not be able to get the advanced fighter due to demands that they be allowed to modify the technology with their own. Israel commonly modifies their equipment with indigenous produced systems and weapons.
The initial buy will be for twenty-five aircraft and expected delivery is sometime in 2014. Congress must still approve the request but normally has no issues with sales to Israel of U.S. weapon systems.
Over the last twenty years the U.S. has placed more-and-more restrictions on technology transfers to other countries with worries that the technology sold will end up in unapproved hands. There are often restrictions on what the buyers can do or access with their systems. Israel’s history of modifying and using the foriegn technology they purchase may have caused second thoughts about selling to them although they have been involved with the JSF since almost program inception.
The JSF will be used by a variety of countries across the globe as it is designed as a replacement for the F-16 and is the only modern U.S. aircraft available for export. Australia and Japan are in discussions with the U.S. about buying F-22 as they would like an aircraft with longer range among other things. Right now the sale of the F-22 is prohibited by law but some in Congress are looking at changing that to keep the production going.
The Airbus Military A330 MRTT Has Successfully Performed First Contacts Using A New Generation Of Under-wing Hose And Drogue Refuelling Pods — Press Relase
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Cobham Defense Electronic Systems, Companies, Countries, EADS, Events, Germany, Military Aviation, Press Releases, Spain, development program, logistics
The Airbus Military A330 MRTT Has Successfully Performed First Contacts Using A New Generation Of Under-wing Hose And Drogue Refuelling Pods
The Airbus Military A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) has completed another major milestone performing successfully a series of dry contacts using the new generation Cobham 905E hose and drogue refuelling pods, located under the wings. The receiver aircraft was a Spanish Air Force F/A-18A+ fighter.
The system performed well in hose extension and retraction, and showed good hose response in the contact as well as stability during pre-contact and when connected.
This new refuelling pod is a development of the 907E pod already in service with the Canadian and German air forces on their A310 MRTTs. The pods can each deliver up to 420 US gal/min (1600 litres/min) through a 90 ft (27.4 m) hose, and are controlled from a state-of-the-art Fuel Operator Console located in the cockpit.
“The next steps in the flight test program involve more contacts with the new hose and drogue refuelling pod and the advanced Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), refuelling a variety of receivers that will include French, Portuguese and Spanish small and large receiver aircraft. This flight test phase will lead us to the completion of military certification, and final qualification with our customer” said Miguel Morell, Vice President Airbus Military Derivative Programmes.
The A330 MRTT has been selected by the air forces of Australia, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and was chosen last year by the U.S. Air Force for its recapitalization of the service’s aging tanker fleet.
Media contact:
José María Palomino Communications Airbus Military Tel.: +34 91 585 77 89
Barbara Kracht Communications Airbus Military Tel.: +34 91 585 77 89
Eduardo Galicia Communications Airbus Military Tel.: +34 91 585 77 89
Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) See Growth In Prices
Filed under: Austal, Australia, Business Line, Companies, Congress, Countries, Department of Defense, Events, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Marinette Marine, Services, U.S. Navy, development program, production program
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a new class of light warships for the U.S. Navy designed to fight close inshore and have the ability to mix-and-match its systems to the mission requirements. The Navy currently has ordered four of the controversial ships two each from Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics. The plan is to buy three more in 2010 from one or both of the contractors.
Due to cost growth in the first two ships the Navy had at one point had canceled the contracts for ships 3 and 4. Congressional pressure made them order these next two ships. The initial estimate was that the ships would cost $220 million on average but the price tags have slowly escalated over time. Now LCS 1 is estimated to cost $637 million and hull 2 $704 million. Congress has placed a cap of only $460 million for the average cost. The Navy originally intended to build over fifty of the vessels.
With the continued cost growth of the existing program it is hard to see how the Navy can continue it. There will have to be a restructuring of the costs and number of ships planned. If not the program will like the bigger DDG-1000 class look like a good candidate to end with the Navy having to accept a new design or continue constructing existing ships.
Australia To Expand And Restructure Military
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Countries, Events, Military Aviation, Restructuring, development program, production program
The current government of Australia under Prime Minister Rudd has announced major plans to restructure the country’s military for the Twenty-First Century. A white paper describing the proposed changes was released late last week. The focus will be on expanding the ground forces, re-equipping the Navy and general modernization.
The government is also looking at this increased investment in the military as a sort of stimulus for the Australian economy during the current downturn in the world’s finances. As much of the work possible will be done in Australia and for the Navy especially there are plans for significant new construction of submarines and ships.
The core of the plan is to add twelve new submarines and new destroyers and multi-role patrol craft. There will also be new helicopters for the Navy to replace the SH-2 fiasco. The Air Force modernization will be built around 100 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF). The ground forces will see a slight growth with new vehicles.
The way this is structured shows that Australia is looking at defending themselves with the submarines and aircraft. The ground forces will allow intervention in regional conflicts if necessary. The submarines as well will provide the core offensive capability if required. The White Paper makes it clear that China will be the dominant Asian power for the next several years and Australia must adjust their capabilities for this.
While Australia has spent more since 9/11 and used their forces in Afghanistan the major modernization programs were carried over from the Nineties. This is the first stop and relook at the country’s needs and rebaseline of capabilities.
RAAF Buys FLIR Systems for Patrol Aircraft
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Contract Additions, FLIR, production program
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) exercised an option with FLIR Systems to procure more FLIRs for their P-3 maritime patrol aircraft. CNNMoney.com has the press release. The contract option is the first option exercised under an original contract signed last year. The original contract had a value of over $13 million U.S. and no value for the option was released. The contract will upgrade existing FLIR Systems products to HD standard.
Australia Buys Support for Jet Engines from GE
Filed under: Australia, Business Line, Contract Awards, Florida, GE, Massachusetts, Military Aviation, logistics, production program
The Jacksonville Business Journal writes that Australia has awarded a contract worth over $300 million to provide parts, maintenance and overhaul of the engines for their F/A-18 fleet to General Electric. GE has several other of this type of contract with the U.S. armed forces that utilize their engines in a variety of platforms. Even though the contract is with a foreign country the parts will be shipped to the U.S. for work in Jacksonville, FL and Lynn, MA.
Australia Plans to Privatise Electricity Production
The Australian Government still owns three electrical power generators; as well as three electricity retail companies. Now the The Australian is saying that the government plans to sell these companies to private bidders. This had been proposed previously by the government but the terms were considered so bad that the Minister in charge, Mr. Iemma, was forced to resign. Now his successor, Mr. Rees, is trying to follow through with the idea. Read more
Australia will participate in JLTV
Filed under: Australia, Contract Awards, development program, logistics, production program
The Australian Defence Minister announced that the country would participate in the development phase of the JLTV. As we posted yesterday three development contracts are due to be announced soon by the US Army. JLTV will be used to replace Land Rover vehicles in the Australian inventory. The benefit to them of course is that there 4200 unit buy will be a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands the US military will purchase guaranteeing them a good price. Mr. Fitzgibbon also announced upgrades to a variety of current vehicles and the purchase of more Bushmaster armored vehicles.
See the Heraldsun.com.au for more.
Australian health care system awards IBM contract
Filed under: Australia, Contract Additions, Contract Awards, IT, logistics, medicine
IBM was awarded a contract to extend their services in support of the Australian health care system. The $70 M (Australian) effort will provide internet transactions in support of all aspects of the system by connecting doctors, patients, hospitals and pharmacies. IBM provides the mainframe and support services necessary for the system to process the transactions. This is yet another illustration that IT support and services are a big part of all government and defense spending.
See the press release at Networkworld.com.
Metal Storm continues to market in the US
Filed under: Australia, Industry Analysis, Metal Storm, Promotions, S&T, development program
The Army of the United States Association (AUSA) held their national convention last week. One of the key parts of this is exhibits by a large number of defense contractors, big and little. Metal Storm the Australian company that is developing rapid fire electronic gun systems attended. They have received some contracts with the US Military to work on their systems. Metal Storm uses multiple barrel system with a stack of ammunition in them. By firing electronically they can launch all of the ready rounds very quickly. Rates of fire for their larger systems are very impressive and their is a lot of potential for them. No nation yet has committed a large sum to buying these systems, which range in size from 9mm to 40mm; although it is probably scalable to larger rounds.
See the press release at MarketWatch.com.
Here is a link to the demonstration video they used at AUSA.
Army continues investment in Excalibur
Filed under: Australia, Contract Awards, Raytheon, U.S. Army, production program
The Excalibur is a 155 mm artillery round fired by the standard Army gun systems, both towed and self-propelled. When the program started in the Eighties the plan was to use laser guidance for terminal homing. Excalibur now uses GPS guidance, like the Joint Directed Air Munition (JDAM) used so successfully over the last seven years in Iraq and Afghanistan. The round also has extended range over older, more conventional ammunition. Raytheon was awarded a production contract for the US and Australia. The value is about $85 M.
The press release is at the Phoenix Business Journal.
Lockheed Martin expands in Australia
Filed under: Acquisitions, Australia, IT, RLM Holdings, Tenix Group, logistics
Lockheed Martin has moved to buy a joint venture it had set up in Australia today. See a press release here. RLM Holdings was a company established by Lockheed Martin and the Tenix Group to manage the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) and provide other defense services. The JORN is a large array over-the-horizon surveillance system that can detect surface and aerial targets at very long range. RLM also manages other defense radar systems as well as providing services to the Australian defense forces. This acquisition will have to be approved by the Australian Government.
Australia seeks to save money on software
The Australian Ministry of Defence is reviewing ways to save money through improvements to its liscensing agreement with Microsoft. See a short article here. Like many large organizations, government and private, the MoD has invested in MS products – windows, office and project – to run things. They probably buy thousands of licenses and any efficiency there will save money in the long run.
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