USMC hopeful on V-22 FMS deals

The US Marine Corps (USMC) is still looking to secure its first international customer for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft but believes the market exists in 10-12 countries.
US Department of Defense team is currently in Israel for V-22 discussions. US Secretary of Defense said last year that V-22 sales to Israel would be expedited.
Last year was the programme's production peak to date, and signing some international contracts at this point would significantly drive down unit costs.
Readiness rates are up 25% while operating costs are down 20% since 2009, when the USMC launched an effort to improve readiness and to reduce costs.
Meanwhile, an aerial refuelling mission kit for the Osprey is still in the design phase. That capability would primarily be geared towards tanking of the USMC's short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) B-model of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.
A prototype of the mission kit could be tested as soon as August if funding is available.
janes

USA To Shrink 30 B-52 Nuclear-Capable Bombers and Modify Subs to meet New START Obligations

The Pentagon will shrink the number of its nuclear weapon-carrying bomber aircraft and reduce the number of submarine ballistic missile launch tubes as it modifies its force posture to meet the limits of the New START treaty with Russia.
The New START treaty, signed between Washington and Moscow in 2010, sets lower levels for the number of deployed and non-deployed nuclear weapons allowed. Non-deployed status means the delivery system, a bomber, a submarine or an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch silo is undergoing maintenance and cannot fire a weapon.
The Air Force will convert 30 B-52 bombers to a conventional-only role, meaning they could not deploy nuclear weapons. That will leave the service with 66 nuclear-capable B-52 and B-2 bombers, 60 of which will be in deployed status.
There are 336 ballistic missile tubes on the Navy’s 14 Ohio-class submarines. Four tubes on each of the Navy’s 14 submarines will be converted, so that they won't be used to launch missiles. The submarine-launched ballistic missile tube limits under New START are 240 deployed and 40 in non-deployed status.
DoD plans to remove warheads from 50 of its 450 ICBM launch silos. The cuts will be distributed across the Air Force’s three ICBM bases in Wyoming, North Dakota and Montana.
Four hundred silos will still have nuclear ICBMs inside. DoD has four additional launch silos that are used for test launches are not impacted by the New START treaty.
The reductions must be made by 2018.
The New START treaty also limits the number of warheads on deployed forces to 1,550.
defensenews

España, único país de #UE que mantiene un avión de vigilancia marítima permanente en la operación Atalanta

España, único país de #UE que mantiene un avión de vigilancia marítima permanente en #Atalanta #Foto @paco_huertas_ pic.twitter.com/x8wP1flsIP

— Ministerio Defensa (@Defensagob) April 5, 2014

Vigilancia del cielo de España 24 horas al día, los 365 días del año

2.000 militares vigilan el cielo de España 24 horas al día, los 365 días del año http://t.co/OneBMjyZNe #ArticuloRED pic.twitter.com/lKM8t7yM47

— Ministerio Defensa (@Defensagob) April 7, 2014

Taiwan air force to start upgrading F-16s from 2016

Taiwan's air force said that it will begin the process of upgrading its fleet of over 100 F-16A/B fighter jets in the second half of 2016.
Before upgrading its entire fleet of the fighters, Taiwan has sent several of the planes to the United States for a trial to see if the upgrade will work. The planes will be brought back to Taiwan once they pass the testing process.
If all goes well, Taiwan will then buy the parts and gain the necessary expertise from the US to upgrade the rest of its fleet.
The United States had agreed to upgrade Taiwan's F-16A/B fighters after Taiwan's government had repeatedly asked to buy 66 of the newer generation F-16C/D fighters from the US, without getting an affirmative answer.
Taiwan's government has argued that its military needs the more advanced C/D fighters to replace its aging fleet. It it has been reported that after the upgrades, the A/B fighters will match the performance of C/D fighters.
wantchinatimes

South Korea cleared to buy 76 AIM-9X-2

The State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Korea for 76 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Missiles.
The ROKAF intends to use these AIM-9X missiles to supplement its existing missile capability and current weapon inventory. This sale will contribute to the ROKAF modernization goals and enhance interoperability with U.S. forces.
The principal contractor will be Raytheon.
dsca.mil

UK Team To Train on Triton as Government Ponders Maritime Patrol Future

Britain’s Ministry of Defence is dispatching a team to train on Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton UAV in the run-up to a possible decision next year on whether to re-establish a maritime patrol capability.
The government said that four personnel are scheduled to train on the MQ-4C Triton during June and August, 2014.
The Triton is a maritime version of the Global Hawk remotely piloted surveillance vehicle. The high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft is in its flight-test phase ahead of deliveries to the US Navy.
The British government said the team will be trained at the US Navy’s Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland.
Defence Secretary has said on a number of occasions that unmanned aircraft could meet at least part of the requirement for a future maritime patrol aircraft capability if the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) resurrects the requirements.
The government controversially axed Britain’s maritime patrol aircraft capability as part of a budget-cutting exercise in the 2010 SDSR when BAE Systems’ long-delayed and over-budget Nimrod MRA4 program was canceled before the aircraft entered service.
Two demonstration versions of the Triton are scheduled to be delivered to Patuxent River in the next few weeks.
Triton has already been ordered by the US Navy to operate alongside Boeing P-8 Poseidon MPAs. Australia has also said it intends to buy the machine to work with the P-8s it has on order.
Twenty british personnel have been embedded with US Navy P-8 operations as part of a program to retain crew skills until a decision is made on whether to recreate a maritime patrol capability.
defensenews

Turkey Accepts First A400M

Turkey has finally accepted its first A400M tactical transport aircraft from the Airbus consortium, ending a monthslong controversy over whether the aircraft met technical specifications.
The acceptance of the A400M was formalized April 4. The delivery made Turkey the second operator of the A400M.
Following today’s contractual transfer of title, the aircraft will be flown to Kayseri air base in central Turkey, where it will initially be used for training.
Turkey, a partner in the multinational consortium that builds the aircraft, had been wrangling with the group over disputed technical snags that blocked delivery of its first aircraft. Turkey received its first A400M late in 2013.
Airbus Group NV CEO said Feb. 26 in Toulouse, France, that he was frustrated by Turkey’s failure to accept the delivery, even though two planes are flying successfully with French forces.
But Turkey’s chief procurement official, who was removed from office in late March, said that the aircraft failed to meet the acceptance criteria.
defensenews

Czech, Slovaks to connect their fighter squadrons

The Czech Republic and Slovakia will connect their fighter squadrons in a few months before Slovakia also acquires the Jas-39 Gripen fighters which the Czech military has decided to lease for another 12 years.
Both countries’ working groups are now finishing up details.
The Slovak air force has now eight Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters.
The Czech government recently approved the extension of the contract on the lease of 14 Swedish Jas-39 Gripen supersonic fighters until 2027.
Both countries airspaces will be partially interconnected and Czech Gripens or Slovak MiGs will be able to enter the other country’s airspace within cross-border operations.
Such situations may occur if Gripens accompany a plane that does not communicate with a ground controller. They will be allowed to pursue it as far as the Slovak-Ukrainian or Slovak-Hungarian borders.
Both Czech and Slovak fighter squadrons should be more closely interconnected after 2016 when the service contract on MiG-29s expires. Slovakia will probably buy or lease up to eight fighters from the West, while Gripens are favorites.
If the CzechRepublic and Slovakia had the same type of supersonic fighters, a joint squadron would be formed with one main and one minor air base.
The Czech and Slovak governments have planned meetings to debate a joint protection of the countries’ airspaces where a few agreements are to be signed.
A joint purchase of airport radars has long been considered.
praguepost

Boeing cuts final C-17 output by three jets, ends production early

Boeing will produce three fewer of its C-17 cargo-carrying military transport planes than expected as it closes the production line, reflecting further decline in demand for the aircraft.
Boeing said that it would shut the production line in Southern California three months earlier than anticipated, in mid-2015 instead of late 2015.
Boeing first announced plans to close the line last September, and at the time said it would produce 22 more of the four-engine planes. It has since delivered five of the planes. It now plans to build 10 in 2014 and seven in 2015.
Of the 262 jets delivered so far, 223 went to the U.S. Air Force. The Air Force, which is under budget pressure, took delivery of its final new C-17 last year.
Foreign sales have not offset the loss of U.S. military orders. Boeing said it has logged 39 foreign sales to Australia, Canada, India, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Britain and a 12-nation group known as the Strategic Airlift Capability consortium.
reuters

Hungary buys additional Mi-8 helicopters

Hungary has bought three additional Mil Mi-8T 'Hip-C' helicopters to fulfil an interim need.
The helicopters have already been transferred to Hungary's Kecskemet Air Base.
The three Mi-8Ts, said to be in good condition, will be tasked by the MoD with emergency response and search-and-rescue roles.
janes

Syria's MiG-25s fly again

Video footage coming out of Syria has revealed that some of the country's MiG-25 'Foxbat' aircraft are operational.

The Syrian Arab Air Force acquired an unknown number of MiG-25s from the late 1970s in four variants: MiG-25P and MiG-25PD interceptors, MiG-25RB reconnaissance bombers, and MiG-25PU trainers.
The SAAF was believed to have retired its MiG-25s by 2011. This impression was bolstered by satellite imagery showing numerous MiG-25s left in the open at Tiyas Air Base (also known as T4) rather than stored in hardened aircraft shelters.
Satellite imagery of the base taken on 3 November 2013 shows 28 MiG-25s, the majority of which are on parking areas around the runway, but 12 have been towed into the desert, suggesting they are derelict. Imagery taken on 1 January suggests none of the 28 aircraft were moved over the following two months.
Nevertheless, a video released by an insurgent group on 8 August 2012 suggested some MiG-25s might be operational at the Tadmur (Palmyra) Air Base, which is 60 km to the east of Tiyas. The video showed two seemingly active MiG-25PD/PDS interceptors and one MiG-25PU trainer on the tarmac at a base the group identified as Tadmur. No MiG-25RB reconnaissance aircraft were sighted.
This assertion was confirmed by the two videos released in March, both of which showed a lone MiG-25 flying over Uqayribat, a town 60 km north of Tiyas Air Base and a little further from Tadmur.
While it is unclear which MiG-25 variant can be seen in the footage, the group that released one of the videos claimed the aircraft being viewed had just returned from a bombing mission, meaning it would have to be a MiG-25RB, which has a limited - albeit inaccurate - ground-attack capability.
It now seems the SAAF never formally phased out its MiG-25s, with most of them simply being set aside as scarce fuel was needed elsewhere. As its Su-22, Su-24 and MiG-23 fleets are worn down by their frequent usage and sporadic hits by insurgent air defences, the SAAF has increasingly started to use aircraft less suited for the air-to-ground role, such as its MiG-23MF/ML, MiG-29 and now even MiG-25RB aircraft.
It is also plausible the MiG-25 will return to the skies in order to protect SAAF ground-attack aircraft flying close to the Turkish border in the wake of the shooting down of a Syrian MiG-23 by a Turkish F-16. MiG-25PD/PDS interceptors armed with R-40RD semi-active radar homing and R-40TD infrared homing missiles might cause the Turkish Air Force to think twice before engaging Syrian planes again.
janes

KC-46A development passes halfway point

Development of the Air Force’s KC-46A tanker is about 57 percent complete, with the first flight of the test aircraft planned for this summer.
The schedule announcement comes as the KC-46A program faces increased costs for the contractor.
The Air Force has scheduled the first flight of the 767 derivative this summer.
The plane is in the factory and set to go through ground testing, such as vibration tests to ensure its stability.
The second aircraft will move from the factory in Everett, Wash., to a Boeing facility in Seattle for finishing, including the installation of the refueling boom and other military-specific equipment such as the boom operator’s station before heading to the flight test program in January.
Production on the first aircraft has encountered setbacks, including problems with the aircraft’s electrical wiring systems.
In March, the Air Force estimated that the development for the aircraft will be about $1.1 billion over budget.
The January 2015 test flight of the KC-46A is about 18 months after its critical design review, which was released in July 2013.
Additionally, the program said software-related issues are a risk with the system in concurrent testing and production, similar to problems that have delayed the F-35 program.
The KC-46A development comes at a time of uncertainty over the future of the Air Force’s tanker fleet. While the Pegasus is planned to replace the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet, the service has said that if sequestration continues, it will be forced to divest the entire fleet of 59 KC-10 Extenders.
airforcetimes

Canada: No F-35 Buys Before 2018

Canada has told the US government it won’t be in a position to purchase the F-35 fighter jet until 2018.
This moves the notional date of first delivery of aircraft from 2017 to 2018. No official reason was provided by Canada for the change in dates.
Canada committed in 2010 to purchasing 65 F-35s, but the acquisition soon became a major political albatross. Opposition alleged his government misled Canadians on the F-35’s price and performance.
In December 2012, Canadian government, under continuing fire over the increasing cost of the F-35s, announced it would put the procurement on a temporary hold and examine other aircraft.
That process continues, but senior officers from the Royal Canadian Air Force have publicly stated they are preparing for the eventual delivery of the F-35.
Until the evaluation of other aircraft is complete, the government will not decide on how to proceed.
Canada is still a partner in the program and has not informed the US government or Lockheed Martin of any plans to change that.
Canada operates 78 CF-18 fighters and was planning to replace those with the F-35A.
defensenews

NATO AWACS to fly surveillance missions over Romania and Poland

The North Atlantic Council decided on March 10, 2014, to employ NATO AWACS surveillance aircraft over Poland and Romania.
This employment will enhance situational awareness over what is happening in the region, including in Ukraine, and reassure NATO Allies in the region. All AWACS surveillance flights will take place solely over Alliance territory and no flights will take place over Ukraine.
Operating solely from its main operating base, the Component will fly a line of tasking every day to Romania and a line of tasking every other day Poland. These surveillance missions will be shared with the E-3D Component, who will fly out of Waddington, United Kingdom.
The deputy commander explained that is up to the discretion of NATO's military commanders, notably the Supreme Allied Commander and NATO Air Command based in Ramstein, Germany, to decide on when to start mission flights.
By coincidence, the Component had already scheduled routine missions to Romania and Poland on the schedule for March 11 and 12.
e3a.nato

Long-range Training Flight Exercises B-52 and B-2 Capabilities

Two B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale AFB, and two B-2 Spirit bombers from Whiteman AFB., recently flew non-stop from their home stations to training ranges in Hawaii to exercise flexible military options to meet national security obligations to the U.S. and its allies. Part of the mission was to conduct coordinated range operations amongst multiple airframes as well as test low approach training capabilities before returning to their bases.
The mission, which spanned nearly 8,000 miles from home station to the drop site and back to the home installation, tested the ability for planners to coordinate operations between combatant commands and amongst multiple Air Force wings. The 20-plus hour training missions also demonstrated the U.S.' capability to provide a flexible and always-ready force to respond to a variety of threats and situations within U.S. Strategic Command's global strike and strategic deterrence missions.
During the training mission, bomber crews enhanced their operational proficiency and readiness by releasing their inert ordnance on Hawaii's Pohakuloa military weapon range. They also honed their skills at operating during a long duration flight; an important element of U.S. Strategic Command's enduring deterrence capability.
afgsc

Ukraine Puts Mothballed Mig-29 Fighter Jets Back in Service

Several mothballed Mig-29 were returned to combat service in Ukraine.
Test flights are being conducted and more mothballed fighter jets will take off again.
The state of Ukraine’s armed forces came under close scrutiny when the new government took office in late February, after months of violent uprising.
Kiev launched extensive combat readiness checks of its armed forces in early March, following Crimea’s announcement that it was ready to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
Defense Minister said in his report to the president that the checks revealed “unsatisfactory” condition of the armed forces.
Out of 507 combat planes and 121 attack helicopters, only 15 percent are serviceable. Air Force crews lack proper training and only 10 percent of them are capable of performing combat tasks.
ria.ru

SAAF Hawk fleet grounded

The South African Air Force has ground their Hawk trainer fleet following the crash of a jet whilst landing last Thursday.
The BAE Systems Hawk Mk 120 jet trainer, operated by 85 Combat Flying School, was performing a ‘touch and go’ at AFB Makhado when it experienced a control problem.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the control stick ‘locked’ shortly before touch-down, resulting in the aircraft slamming the front wheel onto the runway, bouncing and then hitting the runway again with the front wheel. This resulted in the front wheel breaking off and the Hawk sliding down the runway before coming to a halt.
Neither of the two crew aboard, who deploying the drag chute after the nose-wheel broke off in order to slow the aircraft, were injured.
As the damaged aircraft blocked the runway, other aircraft that were still in the air were forced to land on the taxiway. This was safely accomplished as when the airbase was built in the 1980’s, the taxiway was designed to operate as a secondary runway in the event of the main runway being blocked or damaged.
AFB Makhado is situated near the town of Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. 85 Combat Flying School is equipped with the remaining 23 Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) Hawk jets of the 24 delivered as part of the 1999 Strategic Defence Package (SDP).
The other flying squadron operating from the base is 2 Squadron, equipped with the SAAB Gripen advanced fighter.
saairforce

Lockheed F-35’s Operating Cost Estimate to Decline

The Pentagon will decrease its $1.1 trillion estimate for the cost of supporting F-35 over55-year lifespan, the top U.S. weapons buyer said, but “It will drop to a number that’s not trivial but is not as much” a reduction “as I would like”.
While debate over the aircraft, the costliest U.S. weapons system, has focused mostly on the price to develop and build the fighter, Pentagon agencies also have disputed its long-term operating costs, from spare parts to repairs.
The Pentagon’s F-35 program office that the fleet will cost $857 billion to operate and support over its lifetime.
On the separate cost of developing and producing a planned fleet of 2,443 F-35s, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in February that its projection is $390.4 billion, as adjusted for inflation over the years the plane is produced. The Pentagon’s latest estimate by the same measure is $391.2 billion, about a 1.1 percent reduction from an earlier calculation.
That’s still a 68 percent increase from a 2001 estimate the included 409 more planes.
Pentagon expects see active progress” on the next version of software the Marine Corps needs to declare operational its first F-35 models by July 2015 as well as a final version of war-fighting software.
bloomberg

US sends 175 Marines to boost force in Romania

The United States is sending 175 more Marines to Romania to extend the U.S. military’s ability to respond to crises around the region.
Nearly 300 Marines are already present as part of the Black Sea rotational force. The newly arriving troops, will be part of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force headquartered in Moron, Spain.
The Marine unit — which will increase in size from 500 to 675 troops — is tasked by U.S. Africa Command, but could be used elsewhere in the region if needed.
The move is unrelated to the recent confrontation between Ukraine and Russia over the Crimean Peninsula.
The United States has sought authorization to add up to 600 additional troops the approximately 1,000 now stationed at what the U.S. military calls the MK Air Base in Romania.
stripes

Faulty Avionics Gear Grounds Some Indian Su-30s

Avionics failures have led to the grounding of more than 20 of India’s Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, with Indian and Russian officials each suggesting the problem subsystems could have been supplied by the other side.
The avionics faults have included the head-up display and the mission computer.
India has contracted to acquire 272 Russian-designed Su-30 aircraft, with 140 being license-produced by HAL.
The remainder is being provided by Russia in three phases; the first began in 1996. The grounded twin-engine planes were built in India.
No HAL official would publicly comment on the faulty avionics systems but a source in HAL said the firm has sent letters to Russian arms exporter Rosoboronexport complaining about faulty subsystems supplied by Irkut, the original equipment manufacturer.
A Russian diplomat said it is not clear whether the problems have been caused by subsystems supplied by Irkut or subsystems procured from Indian vendors by HAL. Aircraft built in India use subsystems from both countries.
India began licensed Su-30 production in various phases in 2004, and it expects to produce the last of the 140 aircraft by 2016.
In addition to technical problems with the subsystems, the cost of the India-built aircraft is as much as 30 percent higher than the aircraft provided by Russia.
The Indian Air Force has often complained about the shortage of spares and high-tech subsystems from Russia, hampering aircraft maintenance.
The Russian diplomat said a steady supply of spare parts cannot be ensured because of erratic orders from India, slowing deliveries. Moreover, HAL and the Indian Air Force do not make long-term inventory and requirements plans.
defensenews

South Africa's defence minister calls for Rooivalk line to be reopened

South African defence minister has called for Denel to restart production of the Rooivalk attack helicopter, although it is unclear at this stage how likely this might be.
Speaking after a briefing in Cape Town on South African participation in peace-support missions, minister said the small Rooivalk detachment deployed to support the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) had enjoyed a remarkable impact and demonstrated the effectiveness of the aircraft. She added that other countries had made enquiries about the Rooivalk.
The South African Air Force (SAAF) has also deployed Oryx medium transport helicopters to the DRC to support the UN's Force Intervention Brigade.
South Africa planned to build 36 Rooivalks for the SAAF, but that was cut to just 12 when defence funding was slashed after 1990. Despite good reviews from potential customers, no export orders emerged, largely because the SAAF had not taken the helicopter into full service due to funding shortfalls. A possible Turkish order was thwarted by a foreign supplier that refused to supply a critical component.
While the Rooivalk is now operational, it still lacks the 10,000 m-range Mokopa laser-guided missile expressly designed for it by Denel Dynamics because there is no funding to buy the weapon. The Mokopa, meanwhile, is being produced for an export order to arm shipboard helicopters.
janes

RAF retires two Tornado squadrons

A phased reduction of the UK Royal Air Force’s fleet of Panavia Tornado GR4 strike aircraft has taken its latest step, with two frontline units having been stood down on 28 March.
The service’s 12 and 617 squadrons ceased operations with a disbandment ceremony conducted at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, which from mid-2014 will instead become home to its Eurofighter Typhoon-equipped 1 and 6 squadrons, which are to be relocated from RAF Leuchars.
Known as “The Dambusters”, 617 Sqn will be reformed in 2018 as the UK’s first frontline unit to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II. Some personnel from 12 Sqn, meanwhile, will be retained at Lossiemouth to support operations with the Typhoon.
The latest unit retirements leave the RAF with operational Tornado GR4 squadrons only at its Marham base in Norfolk. Its 15 Sqn operational conversion unit for the type will remain at Lossiemouth until 2018, with its last examples currently expected to leave use during 2019.
flightglobal

Israel's first C-130J set for delivery on 9 April

The Israeli air force's first Lockheed Martin C-130J will arrive on 9 April, with preparations at Nevatim air base now complete.
In June 2013 Lockheed delivered the first of four on-order C-130Js to Israel at its Marietta site in Georgia, ahead of the airframer supporting training activities in the USA. The remaining three transports will be delivered towards the end of this year and in early 2015.
The Israeli air force has also made a formal proposal for an additional two aircraft.
Israel's new-generation Hercules have a cockpit configured for three crew members, similar to that used by US special forces. They will also be modified post-delivery to carry some Israeli-produced systems.
Israeli air force is having a current active fleet of 16 Hercules, comprising 12 C-130Hs and four C-130Es. The latter are being phased out, while the H-model fleet is receiving structural treatment to extend their use.

South Korea dispatchs F-15K as North Korea fires artillerey across border

When North Korea conducted live-fire drills in the Yellow Sea Monday, firing some 100 shells across the Northern Limit Line, Seoul quickly dispatched an F-15K fighter jet carrying cutting-edge, air-to-surface missiles.
The so-called SLAM-ER missiles, have a range of 278 kilometers and their margin of shooting error is only about 2 meters.
The secret of its precision is a state-of-the-art guidance system that connects the missile, the pilot of the jet and the operation headquarters.
When the 4.5-meter-long missile approaches within a few kilometers of a target, a camera in its nose transmits an image of the target to the pilot or the headquarters so that they can guide the missile exactly.
If the SLAM-ER is fired from the air near the inter-Korean border, its range covers the entire territory of North Korea.
Its name is an acronym for Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response.
South Korea’s military did not strike North Korean artillery units immediately when shells reached Southern waters,because the shells from North Korea did not fall onto South Korean land.
Had the North’s shells landed on Baengnyeong Island, the forefront island of South Korea, the situation would have been totally different.
koreajoongangdaily

India To Augment Awacs Fleet

In a bid to boost its aerial surveillance, India will buy six aircraft that can be used for supporting its indigenous Airborne Warning and Control System (Awacs).
Though the type of aircraft hasn’t been specified, India is looking at acquiring a platform that can support an Awacs antenna dome, which is about 10 meters in diameter. The aircraft also should have provisions for the installation of all external and internal elements of the mission systems, the official adds.
Only original aircraft manufacturers are qualified to submit the bids. Also, “the vendors should be willing to support the product for a period not less than 30 years from the date of acceptance of the aircraft,” he says.
In March 2013, Indian Defense Minister said the indigenous development of Awacs was envisioned to be completed in 84 months. The program started in late 2013 and is expected to be completed by around 2020, assuming there are no delays.
IAF currently operates three Awacs platforms: Ilyushin IL-76s upgraded with Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Phalcon Awacs radar and mission control systems, with a platform designation of A-50EI. The modified IL-76s already serves in Russia as the A-50 Awacs.
India has already activated a follow-on order for two additional A-50EIs from IAI.
According to the defense ministry official, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), which is developing the radars and sensors, is looking at either the Boeing-767 or Airbus A330 as the new platform. However, vendors such as Ilyushin, Antonov, Sukhoi, Bombardier and Saab could also be in the running.
aviationweek

South Korea launchs bid to buy 4 tanker aircraft buy to boost air defence

South Korea kicked off the process to buy four in-flight refuelling tanker aircraft, with Boeing and Airbus expected to compete.
The purchase is part of South Korea's attempts to bolster its air defence in the face of rising tension in Northeast Asia over the maritime interests of neighbours such as Japan and China, as well as against an unpredictable North Korea.
The purchase will be made through a competitive bid process and bids will be accepted by June 30.
Boeing Co is expected to bid with a model that is based on a Boeing 767-level aircraft such as the KC-46 Pegasus, while Airbus Group NV is expected to enter its A330 multi-role tanker transport.
South Korea expects the purchase will boost its fighter jets' airborne operation time by more than an hour.
reuters

NATO preps for military exercises in Baltic airspace

The Ministry of Defence presents this scenario: A Lithuanian Air Force C-27J Spartan transport aircraft is flying over the Baltic Sea and suddenly loses radio communication. The Airspace Control Centre of the Kingdom of Sweden immediately allows the Lithuanian aircraft to enter Swedish airspace and raises the Swedish Air Force’s JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from standby status. Simultaneously, the U.S. Contingent conducting the NATO Air Policing mission in the Baltic States with F-15Cs is activated. As the Swedish aircraft escort the Lithuanian C-27J to the border of international airspace, US fighter jets are waiting to escort it back to the Lithuanian Air Force base in Šiauliai.
This is just one of the training scenarios in a NATO air capability exercise taking place in Baltic airspace from 1-2 April. Other scenarios that will be simulated during the training event include emergency landing and search and rescue operation using the Mi-8 helicopter of the Lithuanian Air Force.
As unrest has escalated in the near vicinity of the Baltic States, NATO has augmented the Baltic Air Policing mission with additional warplanes to further strengthen security.
The air training event will involve an F-15C Eagle of the U.S. Air Force currently deployed on NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, a JAS-39 Gripen aircraft of the Swedish Air Force, C-27J Spartan transport aircraft and an Mi-8 helicopter of the Lithuanian Air Force. NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft based in Germany and U.S. KC-135R air refuelling aircraft are also expected to join the exercise.
The training event will include low-altitude flights over Palanga and Vilnius airports.
During the two-day exercise from 1-2 April, Sweden’s JAS-39 aircraft and the C-27J of the Lithuanian Air Force will train in Palanga at about 11.00 and 11.15 hours, respectively. U.S. F-15C fighter jets will be training in Vilnius at about 15.00 hrs.
lithuaniatribune

Canada To Seek Less Expensive Maritime Patrol Plane, Upgrade More Auroras

Budget problems have scuttled Canada’s quest for a large, long-range maritime surveillance aircraft, with the focus now shifting to the acquisition of a smaller, more affordable plane.
As a stop-gap measure, the Royal Canadian Air Force will upgrade additional Aurora CP-140 surveillance planes.
Canadian Defence Minister announced March 19 that Canada was upgrading four more Auroras, bringing the total of modernized surveillance aircraft to 14. The Auroras were originally purchased in 1981, and the Air Force now expects the planes to keep flying until 2030.
Over the last decade, other Auroras have received new wings and upgraded radars and sensors.
The Aurora US military equivalent is the P-3 Orion.
Airbus Military has provided information to the Air Force on the use of its C-295 aircraft to fill the role of a medium-sized maritime surveillance aircraft. Airbus Military officials also have pointed out to the Canadians that Chile has acquired the C-295 in an anti-submarine warfare configuration.
Boeing and Field Aviation of Toronto are also working on what company officials call a “P-8 light.” That maritime surveillance aircraft would be based on a Bombardier Challenger 605 airframe but use technology developed for the P-8A Poseidon.
The new work will involve the installation of upgraded avionics and missions systems, such as the Link 16 datalink, beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications capability and an improved self-defense system.
The aircraft also will be structurally overhauled with new wings and a tail.
In 2012, Boeing made a presentation to the Canadian Air Force, pointing out it could purchase a fleet of P-8As but the RCAFdetermined that the P-8A was unaffordable.
defensenews

US Approves FMS of Six UH-72 Lakota for Royal Thai Army

EADS North America, has been awarded a contract for six Lakota helicopters with the environmental control unit, mission equipment package and airborne radio communication for the Royal Thai Army.
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