Insider knowledge for the discerning defence and security professional

Issue #9 April 2016

Ukraine pledges Big interest in Australian Navy defence spending US nano RFP welcomes Aegis tests

Why Vertical Lift Could INTERVIEW ‘Shock the World’ RUSSIA’S EXPORT PLANS EXPLAINED

UK’S 40MM TURRET TAKES AIM EXCLUSIVE INSIGHT ON INDIA’S HYBRID POWER: A GREENER EXPORT HOPES NAVY NOW

1 :: Defence Industry Bulletin 1 Welcome 1 The Briefing Room 35 The Broader Picture 2 More Information 50 Land 10 Sea 19 Air 24

pring has finally arrived. to give us the latest. Also in the environment. He also interviews SFor those involved in the Air section, the Italian Air Force’s General Atomics about the future defence industry, there are hopes HH-101 CSAR helicopters reached for the Predator XP. Georg Mader that technologies will begin to initial operational capacity and we speaks exclusively to Russia’s bloom and that new windows of get insight on Romania’s deal for its ROSOBORONEXPORT at the opportunity will open. In this issue, first new fighter jets in September. Bahrain International Airshow Defence Industry Bulletin invites about its interests in the Middle you to stop and smell the flowers At sea, Defence Industry Bulletin East and interviews India’s ‘Tejas’ with fresh news, insight and reports on Italy’s Multipurpose programme-director about progress opinion on a number of important Patrol Ship (PPA) as General Electric of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). developments – including a special is picked to supply the gas turbines on green energy… while Fincantieri starts building the As always, we hope you learn Logistic Support Ship at its shipyard something useful. In The Broader Picture, Oliver in Castellammare di Stabia. We Austin reports on Egypt’s $3.7bn also have the latest as Lockheed French military loan and Ukraine’s Martin begins test and integration pledge to invest in its National of the Aegis combat system on the Guard. Meanwhile in the Land Royal Australian Navy’s air warfare section, Victor M.S. Barreira updates destroyer (AMD) and news of the us on the latest with Turkey’s Stingray as it replaces the U.S. Altay MBT project and reports Navy’s UCLASS on the new periscope system for the Brazilian Army’s M113BR APC. In The Briefing Room, our Andrew Elwell and Richard de Silva DIB has insight on the U.S. Army’s correspondent Rory Jackson is interest in the nano UAS market reporting from the first ever Abu and its budget for a new ultra-light Dhabi Aerospace and Aviation armoured vehicle. Week where he spoke to Motion Reality Inc. about its Dauntless The F-35 recently undertook its first system helping militaries and transatlantic flight from Italy and federal agencies train their troops we had Eugenio Po on the ground in an immersive and reactive

Front cover image: V-280 concept art; courtesy of Bell Helicopter; This page: Graphic by kentoh/Shutterstock

1 :: Defence Industry Bulletin The Broader Picture

Egypt approves $3.7bn French military loan Oliver Austin

gypt’s Parliament has by Crédit Agricole for Comp-anies multi-mission frigate and four Eapproved a $3.7bn (€3.37bn) loan and Investment Bank, which will Gowind 2500 corvettes/light frigates from France to fund the acquisition provide the loan at 60 percent of (with 45 MM-40-3 Exocet missiles), of military equipment, primarily the total equipment value. Egypt with delivery due to begin in 2016 for the Air Force and Navy. The will pay the remainder of the bill and completion by the end of 2017. deal also provides provisions for outright for an estimated total the induction of French weapon of $6.36bn (€5.62bn). The loan is Demonstrating the strength of their systems in the coming years. reported to have been guaranteed partnership, both nations teamed by the Egyptian Ministry of Finance. up in March to undertake joint Under the terms and conditions, manoeuvres in the Mediterranean the defence ministry will As part of their efforts to increase as part of the Ramses 2016 Exercise. collaborate with French banks led internal security and continue their attack on jihadist positions, the Russia has also benefited from Egyptian Air Force has ordered 24 Egypt’s increased defence spending Egypt will pay Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters since 2013. After securing the along with advanced air-to-air and Mistral-Class platforms from the remainder of air-to-ground munitions. The first Paris (originally intended for sale three of these aircraft were in July to Russia), Cairo made a deal the bill outright 2015. with Moscow to purchase 46 Ka- 52K Russian-made naval attack for an estimated Aside to the acquisition of two helicopters, which are already Mistral-class aircraft carriers from compatible with the carriers. total of $6.36bn France in 2015, the Egyptian Navy has also ordered a DCNS FREMM

Egypt has ordered 24 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighters. Image: Thor Jorgen Udvang

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 2 The Broader Picture

Ukraine honours National Guard with new investment pledge Oliver Austin

kraine is planning to Guard of Ukraine (26 March), increase its defence commemorating the establishment Ucapabilities to fulfil the Kiev’s politicians of the service just two years prior requirements of both the National by President Petro Poroshenko. Guard and Armed Forces, including are considering Turchynov himself was the author the purchase of new equipment of the law that created the Guard, and the modernisation of existing a “revamp” of and personally signed the bill assets. twice, as head of the Verkhovna the government Rada (Supreme Council) and as the According to comments made by acting President. Oleksandr Turchynov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense with the At time of writing, Kiev’s politicians Council of Ukraine, and reported are considering a “revamp” of the by Ukrainian national media, possibility of government with the possibility investment must be made because of a new ruling coalition and “the threat from the aggressor a new ruling changes to the cabinet. The change does not become smaller. In order is said to be critically important to defend the country, we will coalition for reforming the economy and continue to enhance the defence avoiding the possibility of pro- capabilities, ensuring the needs of of our country, counteracting the Russian militants taking advantage the National Guard and the Armed internal enemy, terrorists and of the fiscal crisis. Forces in military equipment and saboteurs, as it was on August modern weapons.” 31, 2015, near the Parliament of Ukraine. We are proud of you the “The National Guard defends real knights and heroes of Ukraine.” Ukraine not only at the front, but also protects the lives and the Turchynov’s comments were peace of its citizens in all regions made on the Day of the National

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during a visit to the training center of the National Guard of Ukraine in Novi Petrivtsi. Image: Shutterstock

3 :: Defence Industry Bulletin The Broader Picture

The Hour of Power: Hybrid Technology for Security and Military Applications John Haynes

ybrid is ‘here and now’ new technologies that have military Hybrid Power and Security technology that is being applications. Operations Hutilised by many transport sectors This is not just green energy and industries around the world. As the requirements grow for for the sake of it. ‘The Hour Of The professional and military 24/7 security in many ports and Power’ focuses on hybrid solutions sector is now recognising the waterways Unmanned Surface linked to viable business cases. potential of utilising hybrid power Vehicles (USV) will be considered For professional organisations and innovative propulsion systems for various roles and the drivers for the concept of running vessels for vessels in the sub IMO / sub 24 rapid technology development are with zero emissions at 10 knots metre (80 feet) sector. significant. As no crew changes are for one hour will shape decisions required USVs can remain at sea that lead to improvements of in- Certain maritime sectors are for days at a time. As diesel engines service systems and procurement potentially well suited to hybrid were not designed for ‘start – stop’ of next generation vessels. The diesel / electric systems. These operation, hybrid systems that overall objective is fuel saving and include ferries, harbour tugs, use stored energy will be a viable improved efficiency by all means. workboats and pilot boats that solution for USVs. At the start of

have relatively consistent duty a mission batteries can be fully cycles. For military applications charged from shore power or the hybrid systems, including battery / Parallel systems mother vessel. During the mission electric with diesel, are relevant to batteries can receive their main patrol, interception, loitering and are more charge from a diesel generator. A autonomous vessel duties. secondary charge can be provided likely to win by solar power and in the near ‘The Hour Of Power’ concept future alternative sources of energy, enables vessels to run in and out initial market including wave action. of port for an hour on electric with battery power - then carry out their acceptance Sustainable sources of free energy open sea work on diesel power. can be applied to unmanned The aim of this innovative hybrid vessels when on extended duration solution is to enhance conventional because of a tasks. power and propulsion systems. Vessels can reduce emissions and perception of improve fuel consumption whilst Serial and Parallel Hybrid extending engine maintenance greater reliability Power Systems periods and engine life. The Hour Of Power can also be utilised to extend Submarines have utilised stored military capability. energy for many years. Diesel / For military applications hybrid electric systems have been used systems, including diesel / battery in large ships for many years but Green Energy and Military / electric, will give patrol vessels these are not hybrid systems. Power the ability to turn off main engines The diesel / electric vessel uses then loiter silently with a low heat its engines to connect directly to In 2015 two significant signature. Patrol vessels will still an electrical generator, the power developments made many use their main engines to move in the system is then transferred operators and builders of rapidly from point to point, once electrically to the propeller shaft professional vessels consider in position a vessel can patrol via a motor controller and electric hybrid marine power. Firstly the slowly on battery electric power. motor. The system may have new emissions laws in ports and This will be particularly relevant multiple generators and multiple secondly there is now an incentive to vessels undertaking low speed motors. By strict definition this is for high technology manufacturers port or estuary patrols. Stealth and not a hybrid as there is no storage to invest in developing highly the element of surprise have many of electric energy. efficient batteries. These drivers for applications for customs, borders environmental change will create and fisheries protection.

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 4 The Broader Picture

There are currently two main types fuel consumption which offers of hybrid system. Firstly, a serial increased operational range. hybrid, where the engine in the A ferry could system only powers a generator and is not mechanically connected offer the perfect Hybrid Power and to the propeller shaft. Secondly, a Propulsion Systems parallel hybrid, where the engine work cycle for Increase Efficiency is mechanically connected along with an electric ‘machine’ that ‘electric only’ We are entering a period of can operate as both a propulsion rapid change and commercial motor and a generator. The reduced with a land opportunity in the hybrid marine electric propulsion, generator market. Boat builders, engine and battery demands of a parallel based charging manufacturers, designers and naval system substantially reduce the architects are now developing cost compared to a serial system. system systems for survey vessels, Parallel systems are more likely superyacht tenders, patrol vessels to win initial market acceptance and unmanned craft. Benefits because of a perception of greater set out to develop an optimised include improvements in energy reliability, as the ‘trusted’ diesel hybrid system. HYMAR developed reliability, increased fuel efficiency, engine is still connected to the a parallel hybrid system that lifecycle cost reductions and propeller shaft with the electric has been installed, tested and redundancy. DNV-GL USA recently propulsion adding a redundant validated on marine craft. The stated that, ‘energy storage is system. optimised hybrid system developed an exciting new technology, but during the project offers three the offshore E&P sector of the oil Until recently it has not been major advantages – no detectable and gas industry has yet to truly possible to transfer such systems emissions, no discernible noise take advantage of it. Tugboats, successfully to smaller craft. A and a substantial reduction in fuel workboats and offshore support European Union funded project consumption. Although the obvious vessels are particularly suitable for called HYMAR (High efficiency advantages are ‘environmental’, hybridization.’ hybrid drive trains for small military benefits include low and medium sized marine craft) signature plus a reduction in When studying work cycles of vessels it is relatively straightforward to make a decision for new builds on whether to go for all electric or a diesel / electric hybrid system. For example, a ferry operating over a short route with a long stopover each end could offer the perfect work cycle for ‘electric only’ with a land based charging system. Other issues, such as the cost of downtime and structural alterations affect viability calculations for retrofit of in-service craft.

BAE Systems is a provider of hybrid propulsion systems with technical experience in hybrid technology for land based applications. David Adamiak, Senior Manager Business Development at BAE Systems HybriDrive said, ‘From over ten years experience supplying hybrid The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk research vessel ‘Spirit of the Sound’ is technology equipped with BAE Systems HybriGen technology

5 :: Defence Industry Bulletin The Broader Picture

to land transport sectors we know to create an increased top speed for that cost-benefit calculations start short bursts. with the initial purchase of the Riverine system. Payback periods can be Focus is now on the sub IMO / sub based on the life cycle of the vessel operations 24 metre (80 feet) workboat, and and life cycle of the hybrid power patrol craft sectors to investigate system. Once a system is defined could benefit the engineering and systems projections of savings can be based integration required to bring on engine management data linked from a silent together viable and sustainable to work cycles.’ Hybrid systems are solutions. With vessel life cycles infinitely scalable which enables running mode of over 20 years, naval architects en users to specify what they are and builders of new craft will offer trying to achieve over a period when patrolling designs that have space and access of time or an entire fleet. David routes to enable retrofit of hybrid Adamiak added, ‘We supplied a or transiting installations. HybriDrive system to the 19 metre (62 feet) research vessel Spirit Of towards an area Speed limits in harbours and The Sound. She runs virtually channel approaches at beginning silently on battery electric power of interest and end of daily transits mean for two hour study cruises on Long that ‘The Hour Of Power’ battery Island Sound.’ /electric could be engaged for a silent running mode when that part of the cycle to reduce patrolling or transiting towards emissions in ports and to reduce Military Hybrid Systems an area of interest. For specialist the hours of running main engines and ‘The Hour Of Power’ operations, boat teams could utilise at inefficient low speed loads. stored energy to approach the Military exercises that require Certain military sectors are target in silence. Once the energy extended command and control potentially well suited to ‘hybrid’ is onboard engine designers could from slow moving or stationary diesel-electric systems. Riverine also configure the main engines to vessels could utilise stored energy operations could benefit from use extra kilowatts of battery power from high energy battery systems.

65 metre Offshore Supply Vessel with hybrid propulsion system for the Italian Coastguard. Image: Siemens AG

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 6 The Broader Picture

onboard energy management systems are designed to ensure that battery systems operate at optimum performance. The objective is hybridizing and electrifying marine vessels to produce systems that are geared to end users requirements.’

Hybrid Marine Power and Propulsion Workshop

In 2015 the Hybrid Marine Power & Propulsion workshop brought together a group of experts in to explore the possibilities of utilising hybrid power and propulsion systems in the professional marine sector. Focussing on sub IMO / sub 24 metre (80 feet) vessels, the Cost of Ownership : A comparison of standard and hybrid propulsion. group highlighted the potential of the Hour Of Power concept for workboats, pilot boats, harbour but also the experience of taking Next Generation Cells and service vessels and patrol craft. Batteries high voltage battery projects from concept through production into The military has many uses for the finished system.’ For the marine industry to move efficient small to mid size engines. forward it needs to utilise expertise Electric outboard engines are The next generation of cells and from aviation and other sectors now proven and their power sizes batteries are key technology to drive this innovation and are increasing. Christoph Ballin, developments that are making support relevant safety standards. co-founder & CEO of German marine hybrid systems potentially Automotive manufacturers in manufacturer Torqeedo, explained viable. Battery chemistry such as Europe, the Far East and the the development of high-power Lithium-ion offer impressive power US have recognised that hybrid integrated propulsion systems for solutions and the business case technologies such as PHEV (Plug- serial production, ‘Torqeedo Deep is starting to fit for professional in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) utilising Blue hybrid power and propulsion operators. Since there is no single lithium ion batteries will be for the professional marine sector system that fits every application dominant for the next decade. is based around components of the it is important to work with The need for self sufficient land proven and multiple innovation manufacturers that have flexibility based grid applications has further award-winning system for electric in cell manufacturing and offer extended the capabilities of next hybrid yachts. The hybrid system scalable solutions. New factories generation battery and hybrid can provide drive systems and with fully automated processes are technology. supply the power required onboard. designed to ensure consistently The use of renewable sources of high quality cells and quality Michigan based XALT Energy offer energy has also been integrated control of the entire battery several variants of High Energy, into the energy management management system. High Power, and Ultra Hi-Power system. Professional users of cells. Robert Young, Technical Lead the hybrid system can travel Robert Young added, ‘We are now for Marine Applications at XALT silently and use environmentally working with boat builders, naval Energy, said, ‘our team of engineers friendly sources of energy at lower architects and marine operators have worked to the highest operating speeds.’ to analyse different maritime standards developing electric and duty cycles. Engine management hybrid energy solutions for the data can be matched to battery automotive sector. XALT Energy not characteristics to develop the most only has the necessary knowledge, efficient solutions. XALT Energy

7 :: Defence Industry Bulletin The Broader Picture

Looking to the Hybrid and environment to give efficient power when it is needed. Since no John Haynes is an Associate Future two vessels, routes or captains are Fellow of the Nautical Institute, alike, decisions can be improved Yachtmaster Ocean and For naval architects working in the with data logging and analysis. Advanced Powerboat Instructor. commercial marine sector class Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Subject matter expertise includes rules, safety, performance and cost power management systems will high speed craft consultancy, are relevant when considering bring together diesel, electric and product development and innovative battery power and diesel battery data to create optimised specialist training. He is electric propulsion systems. The whole vessel hybrid systems. Operations Director of Shock challenge for designers of naval Mitigation www.shockmitigation. vessels is to engineer solutions As ocean going shipping, com and founder of the RIB & utilising hybrid technology which automotive and aviation move High Speed Craft Directory that are affordable plus manageable in rapidly towards hybrid solutions brings together specialist boats terms of physical size, weight and it will be interesting to see how and equipment for the sub IMO / maintenance. the military and security industry sub 24 metre professional sector decides to utilise the numerous worldwide www.ribandhsc.com. As new sources of energy become opportunities now available to available it is important to them. identify which energy source best fits the vessel, duty cycle

Deep Blue hybrid by Torqeedo is a fully integrated scalable system offering hybrid power and propulsion.

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 8 Main Conference: 15th – 16th June 2016 • Post-Conference Workshops: 17th June 2016 • London, UK

Countering radicalisation and the spread of extremism though influence activity

Speakers Include:

GOVERNMENT: MILITARY: NGOS: Haroon Ullah, Senior Colonel Rolf Watts, Jonathan Russell, Advisor to the Under J-39 Chief of Current Head of Policy, Sectary for Public Ops, US Africa Quilliam Diplomacy and Public Command Foundation Affairs,State Department

Confirmed Lieutenant Colonel Hanif Qadir, representative, Mike Jackson, Founder, Head of Counter Daesh Chief of Information Active Change Communication Coalition Operations, Foundation Cell, Foreign and US Europe Command Common Wealth Office

Identify transferrable methods, techniques and solutions from the sector’s leading experts that can be applied to your own CVE effort Key discussion points at CVE 2016 include:  How to create “positive” counter messaging  Reducing the recruitment pool of home grown campaigns: Exploring the fundamentals radicals by “hardening” vulnerable communities of success and the role of “negative” against the lure of extremist messaging communications  Identifying how to leverage open source  Understanding how we can identify and intelligence to greater effect through better influence the influencers: Examining use of analysts, toolsets and an understanding methodologies, rhetoric and common of regional sensitivities challenges through international case studies

 Engage in interactive roundtables tailored to each of these themes, crowd sourcing ideas and solutions to your specific challenges whilst assisting other participants with theirs

2016 SPONSORS:

WWW.COUNTERINGVIOLENTEXTREMISMEVENT.COM Defence Industry Bulletin :: 9 Land

U.S. Army scanning nano UAS market Joseph Carpenter

he U.S. Army issued an RFI system – including air element, pursue the request. These include in March for a stand-alone, ground element, batteries, carrying AeronVironment, makers of the Tsoldier-portable nano unmanned puch and display – will be just 3 Raven UAV, made headlines in aircraft system (UAS). lbs. It will transmit incoming video 2011 with its ‘Hummingbird’ Nano and telemetry data in near real Air Vehicle (NAV) developed for time, day or night, and be able to the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced feed back an image of sufficient Research Projects Agency (DARPA), The vehicle resolution for for a trained operator which could see development to to detect a man-sized target with a meet the latest requirements. Proxy should also be 90% probability at 100 metres (or 50 Dynamics also fields the combat- metres at night). proven PD-100 ‘Black Hornet’ able to operate PRS (Personnel Reconnaissance The vehicle should also be able to System), which is night-vision within a Line operate within a Line of Sight of capable and can transmit video 500m, boast an endurance of 15 streams or high-resolution still of Sight of minutes, and have the ability to images via digital data-link within be hand launched and recovered a 1 mile range. Black Hornets have 500m, boast an – without exposing the operator been in use with the British and – while in a prone position in a Norwegian Armies and with several concealed location. Meanwhile, special operations teams, including endurance of 15 light rain and gusts of wind up to those in the United States. 15 knots should not trouble the minutes device. A full listing of the Army’s The Army will be holding a virtual minimum requirements was made Industry Day on 12 April, which available on the Federal Business will provide a forum for innovators Under the Soldier Borne Sensors Opportunities website. to hear about the SBS programme (SBS) programme, the UAS intended directly from the Army and allow for procurement will weigh no A number of vendors are already the programme manager to answer more than 150g, with the full said to be at the forefront of any questions. consideration if they opt to

The Black Hornet nano helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be in the running for a US contract. Image: Richard Watt/MOD

10 :: Defence Industry Bulletin Land

India signs up for more military tractors, ambulances Oliver Austin

he Indian Ministry of in deployment when managing its approximately 50 percent in the TDefence has awarded artillery resources. next 10 years, with the country Indian automobile manufacturer planing to spend $150bn on Ashok Leyland an $128m (Rs 800 Meanwhile, the super stallion equipment in the next 15 years. crore) contract to supply 450 field vehicle can be used across various artillery tractors (FAT) 6X6 units, logistical segments, and the 4X4 825 ambulance 4X4 units and will provide enhanced medical similar super stallion vehicles. care in the immediate aftermath The FAT 6X6 of battlefield injuries. A double Vinod K Dasari, managing director insulated body of the ambulance on the super of the Hinduja Group’s flagship would maintain temperatures company, announced at the end inside the vehicle, while the rear stallion cargo of March that orders for Field air suspension would reduce Artillery Tractor (FAT) 6x6 and the shocks caused during transport ambulance 4x4 are “in keeping transportation. with the momentum witnessed recently in the area of upgradation Ashok Leyland’s is currently truck will be of technology and resources by the India’s largest defence mobility defence forces.” manufacturer, providing platforms employed as a across all three national services. The FAT 6X6 on the super stallion gun tower for all cargo transport truck will be The Modi government is pursuing employed as a gun tower for all the ‘Make in India’ initiative, a artillery guns artillery guns and should also new policy designed to reduce provide the Army more flexibility weapon imports from the current 70 percent of acquisition to

Ashok Leyland Stallion 4x4. Image: Ashok Leyland

11 :: Defence Industry Bulletin Land

Ultra-light vehicle RFP in US Army budget Joseph Carpenter

he US Army is expected is a 4,500 lbs platform intended to issue an RFP by the end of to transport a nine-man infantry T2017 for its Ground Mobility Vehicle Draft squad. With both vehicles too (GMV), the new name given to bulky for the discreet and stealthy the armoured vehicle programme requirements mobility that the Army wants to aimed at fulfilling the mobility provide for its smaller teams, an needs of its light forces. include the all-new alternative is seen as the only option. This GMV programme is not to be capacity to be confused with the existing GMV Draft requirements for the new 1.1 vehicle (Flyer-72) developed up-armoured vehicle include the capacity to be by General Dynamics for Special up-armoured and the ability to be Operations Command. However, and the ability to sling-loadable by a UH-60 Black that company is likely to have Hawk (rather than a CH-47 Chinook an advantage in the new GMV be sling-loadable required on the SOCOM vehicle). competition given its SOCOM contract. by a UH-60 Black The Army has so far assigned a provisional manager within While decisions were finally made Hawk the Program Executive Office last year on the long-awaited Combat Support and Combat Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), mobility as being of “World War I” Service Support. The same portfolio intended as a replacement to standard and declared the search will include development of the the Humvee, officials are keen for the ultra-light solution as the Lightweight Reconnaissance to outfit light infantry with a Command’s “number one priority.” Vehicle (LRV) programme, which transportable and agile vehicle for has had prototypes demonstrated rapid, forced-entry operations. So At present, the Army plans to buy recently at Fort Benning by the urgent is this requirement that the upwards of 49,000 JLTVs, produced likes of Northrop Grumman, Commander of Army Training and by Oshkosh Corp. However, this Rheinmetall and Navistar. Doctrine Command (ATDC) openly vehicle is built with MRAP-level referred to the light forces’ current IED protection, while the GMV 1.1

General Dynamics’ Flyer-72 was selected for the SOCOM GMV contract. Image: General Dynamics

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 12 Land

Turkey’s Altay MBT project gathers speed Victor M.S. Barreira

urkish armament The 78-month project, known as Savunma and FNSS Savunma procurement organisation Phase I (or Dönem I in Turkish), Sistemleri. The first batch is TSSM is expected to complete the included “Conceptual Design”, expected to be followed by follow- qualification of the indigenously “Detailed Design”, and “Prototype on orders. developed Altay main battle tank Development and Qualification” (MBT) later this year. The battle stages. One Mobility Test Rig (MTR), The Altay design fulfils a variety of tank project was set up as part of one Firing Test Rig (FTR), and PV1 operational requirements for the the Milli imkanlarla Modern Tank and PV2 prototypes were later Turkish Land Forces Command. It Üretim Projesi (MiTÜP) project, produced. PV1 and PV2 vehicles has a specially designed hull which which is looking to progressively were completed at the end of 2014, comprises a combination of flat replace existing vehicles fielded by with PV2 having been displayed at belly and a special type of V-shaped the Turkish Land Forces Command. IDEF 2015 in Istanbul in May. hull. A monocoque chassis ensures The qualification process is being structural integrity and enhanced executed jointly with Turkish Land Prototypes are currently protection. Forces Command and the vehicle’s undergoing “System Qualification main contractor Otokar Otomotiv and Acceptance Tests” including The major subcontractors of the ve Savunma Sanayi. endurance and reliability, mobility, development phase were Aselsan protection, firepower, EMI/EMC, Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret for Following a decision by Turkey’s command and control assessment. the electronics, Makina ve Kimya Defense Industry Executive Endüstrisi Kurumu (MKEK) for Committee in 2007, privately-. The incoming Phase II (Dönem the main gun and Roketsan for owned Otokar (part of Turkish II) will see a contract by SSM for the modular protection package. conglomerate Koç Holding) was serial production from 2018 of an Other Turkish companies are also awarded a $500m contract by SSM initial 250 tanks and the supply involved including MilSOFT Yazılım to carry out design, development, of associated integrated logistics Teknolojileri, Türkiye Bilimsel ve production, and prototyping with support. Otokar submitted a bid Teknolojik Arastırma Kurumu technical support and assistance by on 18 January 2016. Other Potential (TUBITAK) and Tepas Hyundai ROTEM. bidders include local firms BMC

The Altay battle tank during a fire session. Image: Otokar Otomotiv ve Savunma Sanayi

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Elektrik Motorları. Savunma grenade dischargers each; hydro- Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret pneumatic suspension; and electric (STM) develops the Tank Komuta The Altay design driven gun turret drive system. Kontrol Bilgi Sistemi (TKKMBS) integrated command and control fulfils a variety The first vehicles were equipped system according to a contract with a Rolls-Royce Power Systems from Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve of operational MTU MT 883 Ka-501diesel engine Ticaret. developing 1500 hp that is coupled requirements for to Renk HSWL 295TM fully Altay is equipped with a 120 mm/55 automatic transmission, however a caliber smoothbore gun fitted with the Turkish Land new powerpack is being developed fume extractor, thermal sleeve, by Türk Motor Sanayi ve Ticaret muzzle reference system and Forces Command (TÜMOSAN) according to €190m guided missile firing capability; ($216m) contract placed by SSM on power pack consisting of 1500 hp 17 March 2015. armour system featuring various V12 diesel engine with 5 forward Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi Ve armour technologies including and 3 reverse gears coupled to fully Ticaret was awarded a contract of composite built-in and add-on automatic transmission; fire control 30 November 2015 for the design, armour modules and reactive system incorporating gunner’s and development, test, qualification and armour modules; pre-heating commander’s panoramic sights and production of two prototypes for system, automatic weather sensor; gunner’s auxiliary sight unit; life an AKtif KORuma (AKKOR) active battlefield target identification support system combining CBRN protection. system for the Altay. system; battle management protection and air conditioning; system; C3I system; front and automatic fire extinguishing and An armoured engineering combat rear thermal and day cameras for explosion suppression system; version of Altay is also planned, and the driver; situational awareness nuclear and chemical detection provisions will be made available to system for 360 degree coverage; system; auxiliary power unit; laser allow integration of mine clearing coaxial machine gun; remote warning system; Balistik Koruma equipment into the platform. weapon station; two banks of eight Merkezi (BKM) modular composite

UK receives first 40mm production weapon system for Ajax Victor M.S. Barreira

TA International (CTAI), British Army’s Warrior infantry Air Burst -Tracer); TMR (Target a joint venture company fighting vehicles being modernised Marking Round); and A3B (Anti- Cbetween BAE Systems and Nexter by Lockheed Martin UK according Aerial Air Burst) rounds. Systems founded in October to Warrior Capability Sustainment 1994, has delivered the first Programme (WCSP). The remaining production standard 40 CTAS systems will be used for trials and CTAI was (Cased Telescoped Armament training roles. System) 40mm weapon system to awarded a the United Kingdom’s Ministry of The CTAS weapon system is Defence. comprised of cased telescoped cannon; ammunition handling production CTAI was awarded a production system; controller; gun control contract for the contract for the CTAS in 2015 for equipment; and gun mount. It the delivery of 515 gun systems fires 40mm cased telescoped CTAS in 2015 for over seven years. The weapon ammunition such as APFSDS-T system will arm the Lockheed (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised the delivery of Martin-developed turrets for Discarding Sabot-Tracer); TP-T the 245 Ajax tracked armoured (Target Practice-Tracer); TPRR-T 515 gun systems reconnaissance vehicles that (Target Practice Reduced Range- General Dynamics UK will deliver Tracer); GPR-PD-T (General Purpose over seven years to the British Army from 2017. Round Point Detonating-Tracer); CTAI’s system will also arm the GPR-AB-T (General Purpose Round

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 14 Land

The cased telescoped cannon was delivered from 2020 to the French as VAB (Véhicule de l’Avant Blindé) qualified in June 2014 as well as the Army as part of the SCORPION vehicles equipped with MÉPHISTO 65 x 255mm long APFSDS-T and (Synergie du COntact Renforcé par (Module Élévateur Pour HOT Installé TP-T ammunition by UK’s Defence la Polyvalence et l’InfovalorisatiON) Sur Tourelle Orientable) quad-anti- Equipment and Support (DE&S) modernisation programme. Jaguar tank missiles launching station. and France’s Direction Générale is being developed by a consortium de l’Armement (DGA). GPR-PD-T formed of Nexter Systems, Renault The 40mm weapon system was also and GPR-AB-T ammunition are Trucks Defense and Thales, designed to arm Thales RAPIDFire undergoing qualification. according to contract awarded by truck-mounted self-propelled anti- DGA in December 2014. aircraft gun system. The CTAS will also fit the Nexter Systems T40M modular ballistic The Jaguar vehicle will protected turret that will equip the progressively replace AMX-10RCR 248 Jaguar 6x6 reconnaissance and and ERC-90D Sagaie 6x6 armoured combat armoured vehicles to be reconnaissance vehicles, as well

The Ajax armoured vehicle with CTAS turreted gun system. Image: General Dynamics UK

15 :: Defence Industry Bulletin Land

New periscope system for Brazilian Army’s M113BR APC Victor M.S. Barreira

PTEX Systems was a lens that provides a 39° vertical The company has supplied Oawarded a contract in and 49° horizontal field of view. sighting systems for a wide range January 2016 by the US Government Both cameras are located within of armoured vehicles including to deliver 31 M17DT day/thermal the main housing of the periscope, Abrams, M113, Stryker, LAV III, periscopes for the Brazilian Army’s and feature video format output Merkava Mk4, M2 Bradley, AAV7A1 M113BR armoured personnel compliant with NSTC (National family and COMMANDO series carriers (APCs). The first batch Television System Committee) vehicles. will be delivered in April, the standard. The monitor, which is a company told DIB late January. This thin film transistor active matrix A total 150 M113Bs were system enables 24 hour situational color liquid crystal display (LCD) modernised by the Brazilian Army’s awareness by utilising two compact with a 640 x 480 resolution, is Pq R Mnt/5 Regional Maintenance cameras and a 6.5-inch picture-in- located on the viewing end of the Park in Curitiba, State of Paraná, picture monitor display. mount where the exiting image with assistance from BAE Systems would normally be located on the as part of Brazil’s strategic project The system was tested on Brazilian M17 periscope. Attainment of the Full Operational APCs during trials held at the Capability (PEE OCOP). It included Brazilian Army’s Evaluations Centre A separate thermal camera the installation of a Detroit Diesel in Rio de Janeiro in 2014. The M17 programming cable for Corporation 6V53T diesel engine systems will replace the vehicle’s configuration control of the thermal and Allison Transmission TX- standard M17 periscope. camera, including black hot/ 100-1A cross-drive transmission. white hot, digital zoom, and image Another 236 vehicles will receive The color CCD (Charge-Coupled optimisation control is available identical upgrades according to a Device) day camera has a 1/3” color as option. A secondary display can 2014 US foreign military sale (FMS) sensor with a lens that provides also be incorporated in the system between the Brazilian Army and the a 48° vertical and 62° horizontal to allow additional viewers. In US Department of Defense. field of view. A FLIR Systems Tau addition, a tactical video recorder 2-324 compact long wave infrared can be incorporated in the system thermal imaging camera integrates that provides 8 hours of record time.

Brazil has seen 150 of its M113Bs modernised to M113BR standard, with another 236 to receive identical upgrades. Image: BAE Systems

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 16 Land

Each MLT launch platform is armed with up to eight missiles. Image: Victor M.S. Barreira

France receives last Mamba mobile air defence system Victor M.S. Barreira

n 25 February, the “Servance”, 05.950 “Barois”, and by SIAG OMC and up to eight Organisation for Joint 12.950 “Tursan” . Each squadron is launching canisters for Aster 30 OArmament Cooperation (OCCAR) composed of two Mamba sections. Block 1 missiles; and two MRT accepted delivery from the (Module de Rechargement Terrestre) EUROSAM consortium of the last Each section is comprised of missile resupply modules; as SAMP/T self-propelled medium- one ME (Module d’Engagement) well as other associated logistics range air defence system on behalf engagement module featuring vehicles. All the modules rely on of France’s DGA and subsequently Garofoli’s 20ft ISO shelter fitted 8x4 Renault Trucks Defense Kerax transferred it to French Air with Mara computers and Magics high-mobility transporters. It was Force. The legwork to officially II operator consoles VHF and MIDS designed to protect the battlefield handover the whole sub-systems, antennas, datalink interface and and critical infrastructure against including the support provisions radios; one MRI (Module Radar cruise missiles, manned and was preceded by activities such et Identification) identification unmanned aircraft and tactical as configuration surveys and and radar module consisting of ballistic missiles. functional trials. a Daher’s shelter equipped with X-band Thales ARABEL (Antenne The missile features a maximum In 2003, the consortium formed RAdar à Balayage ÉLectronique) range of 80 km, speed of more than by MBDA and Thales was awarded multi-function radar for 360 Mach 4.5, engaging altitude of 20 a contract to deliver 10 SAMP/T degree surveillance, detection and km, length of 5.20 m and weight systems to replace Thales Crotale tracking with identification friend of 510 kg. It uses an active radar and MBDA ASPIC systems and to or foe antena of Selex ES; one MGE seeker for terminal guidance. On 23 complement Crotale NG system (Module de Génération Électrique) December 2015 the DGA awarded within the Armée de l’Air. shelter-based power supply EUROSAM a contract to develop module with power generating the Aster 30 Block 1NT missile with The SAMP/T, designated in France set by Ausonia; four MLT (Module first deliveries to France scheduled as Mamba, is operated by ground- de Lancement Terrestre) vertical for 2023. based air defence squadrons 01.950 launch platforms equipped with “Crau”, 02.950 “Sancerre”, 04.950 Thales PR4G radios, cooling system

17 :: Defence Industry Bulletin CELEBRATING 300 YEARS SINCE THE BIRTH OF THE ROYAL ARTILLERY REGIMENT TAKING FIREPOWER FORWARD

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Aegis goes down under with Lockheed Martin Oliver Austin

ockheed Martin has begun maritime security capabilities, and Freedom class Littoral Combat test and integration of the through the seamless integration of Ship programmes. LAegis combat system on the Royal the Aegis combat system, to defend Australian Navy’s air warfare against advanced air, surface and With more than 40 years of destroyer (AMD) HMAS Hobart. subsurface threats.” significant investment by the U.S. Navy and its allies, the Aegis The 7,000-ton vessel will be the “With more than 100 Aegis- Combat System is used globally first of several RAN ships to be equipped ships deployed by five navies (US, Japan, South built around the naval weapon worldwide, Australia is joining Korea, Norway, Spain) across seven system, which includes a SPY-1D a family of allied nations that ship classes, with Lockheed Martin air search radar, a 48-cell Mark 41 continues to push the boundaries leading the integration effort. Vertical Launch System capable of innovation with adaptable and of deploying Raytheon Standard affordable capabilities that meet The Hobart-class represents Missile 2s, the RIM-162 Evolved Sea the warfighter’s multi-mission Australia’s largest ever defence Sparrow Missile (ESSM), and the needs.” procurement project, estimated at Harpoon anti-ship missile system more than $8bn. HMAS Hobart is for use against surface threats. Lockheed Martin is the Aegis due for completion in June 2017, The advanced capabilities will also Combat Systems Integrator followed by the HMAS Brisbane in include cutting-edge sonar systems and engineering agent for the September 2018, and the and surface-launched torpedoes U.S. Navy Aegis destroyers and HMAS Sydney in March 2020. for specific anti-submarine warfare cruisers, Australian Air Warfare operations. Destroyers, as well as a range of Also in the RAN’s ship-building other international customers plan are nine new ASW- frigates Commodore Craig Bourke, the for both new construction and and 12 new offshore patrol vessels Hobart ADW programme manager, modernisations. Lockheed Martin over the next ten years, in addition called the development “a also provides the combat system to life-extension programmes for significant step towards an increase engineering, integration and test four mine hunting ships. in the Royal Australian Navy’s for the U.S. Navy’s future frigate

The USS Hopper (DDG 70) launching a Standard Missile-3 in the Pacific Ocean. Image: DoD

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 19 Sea

Stingray replaces US Navy’s UCLASS Joseph Carpenter

ollowing a “strategic From 2010-2015, the Navy had reducing the overall financial risk Fportfolio review”, the US sought to fulfil UCLASS with input as the programme moves forward. Navy has redrawn its unmanned from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, It will employ open standards carrier-launched airborne Northrop Grumman and General to encourage future design and surveillance and strike (UCLASS) Atomics, but following contention integration possibilities once it aircraft programme to instead over whether the platform should takes its place in the carrier air pursue a downscaled capability in be employed as a hunter or a wing. the form of an unmanned aerial seeker – for airborne penetration refuelling platform, coined the MQ- strike or long endurance ISR – the The Navy has requested $89m in 25 Stingray. Department of Defense announced research and development funding that it would be overhauling the for the Stingray in its Fiscal Year programme requirements. 2017 budget request, with the total budget targeted at $2.16bn by 2021. The MQ-25, intended as a multi- It will replace the Boeing F/A-18E/Fs The platform mission platform, rather than pure Super Hornets in the aerial tanker reconnaissance and attack, will be role, freeing the multi-role fighter to is expected to under discussion in April as the perform its strike mission, and offer Pentagon Joint Capabilities Board the range and payload capacity have limited aims to determine its true needs associated with high-endurance ahead of the acquisition strategy unmanned aircraft to provide strike but will due this summer. The platform is “critically-needed, around-the- expected to have limited strike but clock, sea-based ISR support to the have refuelling will have refuelling capabilities Carrier Strike Group and the Joint aside to an ISR suite. The rethink Forces Commander. capabilities aside was described by the Navy’s deputy assistant secretary for budget as a It is understood that the existing to an ISR suite “smart approach” that could allow UCLASS bidders will transition their for an incremental development interest in the MQ-25 platform. of additional capabilities while

An artist’s impression of the now ‘overhauled’ Lockheed Martin UCLASS concept. Image: Lockheed Martin

20 :: Defence Industry Bulletin Sea

Fincantieri starts building Logistic Support Ship Eugenio Po

diesel (NATO type F-76), 3,700 m3 of JP-5 and over 800 m3 of fresh water and is equipped with 4 lateral refueling stations (two per side) capable of delivering naval diesel and JP-5 and an with an aft station for the F-76 only.

The ship is able to combine the capability of replenishment at sea for liquids (fuels and water) and solids (spare parts, food and ammunition) and can also perform repair and maintenance operations at sea. The LSS has also a fully equipped hospital with operating rooms, radiology, dental surgery and hospitalisation area can receive up to 12 severe injured. The LSS will be certified by RINA in compliance with international conventions for A computer generated image of the LSS. Image: Italian Navy the prevention of pollution and for the more traditional aspects such n the 16 February at speed of 10 knots, for higher speeds as those treated by the MARPOL Fincantieri’s shipyard in (up to the maximum speed of 20 Convention. OCastellammare di Stabia (Naples), a knots) the main diesel engines ceremony for the first steel cutting will be used in together with the of the LSS (Logistic Support Ship) electrical ones. The ship will have for the Italian Navy was held. a range of 7,000 nautical miles at The ceremony marked the official 17 knots. The LSS is designed to starting point of the construction provide support to a naval group of of the fleet scheduled by the Navy 4-5 main ships for over 15 days. The renewal plan (known as “Legge ship can carry 6,700 m3 of marine Navale” or “Marine Law”).

Castellamare shipyard is only building the front part of the vessel while the stern section of the LSS is under construction by Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genova). The two parts will be eventually be transported by sea to Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia) where they will be assembled together. The delivery of the LSS is expected in 2019.

The LSS will have a displacement of 23,000 tons, a length of 165 m and a width of 24 m and can accommodate up to 200 people. The propulsion system will be CODLAD (Combined Diesel Electric and Diesel) with 2 electric motors (1.5 MW each) and 2 diesel. The electric propulsion will ensure a maximum The first steel cut in Castellamare di Stabia shipyard. Image: Fincantieri

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 21 Sea

General Electric gas turbines picked for Italy’s Multipurpose Patrol Ship Eugenio Po

eneral Electric LM-2500+G4 (BERGAMINI class) and seven for Ggas turbines were chosen for the PPA patrol ship. the Italian Navy’s new Multipurpose The Italian Navy Patrol Ships “Pattugliatori Avio Aero, part of the General Polivalenti d’Altura” (PPA). The is one of the Electric group, is responsible for the LM-2500+G4, which is the same largest users of design of the gas turbine control engine installed on Franco-Italian system, of the auxiliary systems FREMM frigates (Italian BERGAMINI the GE Marine gas and of the “base and enclosure” of class and French AQUITAINE class), the entire propulsion system. will be one of the key elements turbine family In Brindisi, Avio Aero has of the propulsion system of the established an advanced vessels. In 2017, the first LM- maintenance centre for naval gas 2500+G4 gas turbine for PPA will 2500+G4 (rated for 32 MW of power) turbines with over 700 employees. be delivered to the Fincantieri together with two diesel engines, In this newly built structure Avio shipyard, manufacturer of the new which have 10 MW of power each. Aero also produces up to 20 percent Multipurpose Patrol Ship, while the of the LM-2500 + G4 components other six turbines will be delivered Considering the “older” LM-2500 and does the revision of LM-2500 by 2022. and the new LM-2500+G4, the turbines not only for the Italian Italian Navy is one of the largest Navy but also for U.S. Navy engines For propulsion, PPA has a complex users of the GE Marine gas turbine of some ships. Outside of the US combined diesel and gas or electric family. With these seven engines the centre of Brindisi is the largest system. For reaching top speed of the total number of LM-2500+G4 of its kind for the revision of naval 32 knots the PPA employs the LM- acquired by the Italian Navy rises gas turbines. to 17; ten for the FREMM frigates

A technician performs last check on a LM-2500+G4 gas turbine. Image: General Electric

22 :: Defence Industry Bulletin SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

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23 :: Defence Industry Bulletin WWW.OPVLATINAMERICA.COM Air

Hawk trainer support contract awarded to BAE, Babcock, Rolls-Royce Joseph Carpenter

he UK Ministry of Defence Owing to pressure on the and Lincolnshire, and in Anglesy, has awarded a $529.52 m (£372 government to minimise costs where most of the employees are Tm) in-service support contract on defence contracts, the deal based. to BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and will consolidate BAE and Babcock Babcock International for work and under the same roof and includes “The contracts to support these maintenance on the Hawk aircraft. provisions for them to assist in vital training aircraft are a boost The contract will see the fixed- upgrading the software on the jets to British industry, sustaining wing trainer continue to provide a as well as physical equipment. hundreds of jobs across the competitive solution for Royal Air The deal comes a month after the UK –all made possible by our Force and Navy pilots for the next MoD awarded a contract to Ascent growing defence budget and our five years. Flight Training to provide basic pilot £178bn investment in buying and training at RAF Valley until at least maintaining the best possible kit 2033. for our armed forces,” Dunne said. The deal comes a Of the contract, Rolls-Royce The fleet of Hawk T1s and T2s month after the received $113 m (£79 m) to support are the first aircraft trainees fly and maintain the Hawks’ ‘Adour’ before graduating to Typhoons or MoD awarded a engines, with testing taking place at Tornados. They will also be used to RAF Valley and repair and overhaul train pilots for the incoming F-35 contract to Ascent activities carried out at facilities Lightning II. The jets are also used in Bristol and Inchinnan, all under by international forces, including Flight Training the oversight of 40 specialised Saudi Arabia and India, serving to provide basic personnel. more than 20,000 pilots worldwide. Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence pilot training at Procurement, who announced the deal in March, stated that it will RAF Valley until at also secure 675 jobs at BAE and Babcock facilities at Cornwall, least 2033 Somerset, Yorkshire, Lancashire

British Aerospace Hawk T1 (XX245) from no. 208(R) Sqn RAF. Image: Adrian Pingstone

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 24 Air

Romania to receive first new fighter jets in SeptemberVictor M.S. Barreira

he Romanian Air Force is Nationala Romtehnica on behalf of added in line with the country’s scheduled to receive an initial the Romanian authorities. To set latest Military Programming Law Tbatch of six Lockheed Martin F-16 up the deal, a third-party transfer approved May 2015, including M6.5 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft in authorisation was obtained from software update in 2016. In 2017, September 2016. The Romanian the US Government. Portugal also Portugal will receive another two Government purchased the fighters paid a foreign military sale (FMS) F-16AM and one F-16BM aircraft, from Portugal, according to the recoupment to the US. that are in fact two US surplus Peace Carpathian acquisition F-16A Block 15 and one F-16B programme. The remaining aircraft The new Romanian aircraft will Block 15 jets granted by the US will be delivered mid-2017. be assigned to 86th air base of Government via the Excess Defense Borcea-Fetesti where MiG- 21 Articles (EDA) scheme in August A total of 12 aircraft comprising LanceR aircraft are currently based. 2013. The three aircraft are being nine F-16AMs and three F-16BMs Romania also operates Mig-21 modernised by OGMA-Indústria previously fielded by the Portuguese LanceR jets from the 71st Air Base Aeronáutica de Portugal. Air Force will be transferred to in Câmpia Turzii. The type will stay Romania with updated Operational in service after the F-16AM/BM are The Portuguese aircraft are armed Flight Program (OFP) development inducted, the Romanian Air Force with 6-barrel 20mm automatic software M5.2R. revealed. cannon M61A1 Vulcan; Mk 82, Mk 84 and BLU-109 general- Along with the updated aircraft, To equip its new aircraft, Romania purpose bombs that can be the government-to-government requested the US FMS of embedded coupled to GBU-12/GBU-49 contract also included the global positioning systems/inertial Enhanced Paveway II, GBU-31(V)1 overhaul of engines, initial logistics navigation systems, AN/ALQ- and GBU-31 (V)3 precision kits support, training of nine pilots, 131 electronic countermeasure respectively; and AGM-65 Maverick, 75 technicians and four mission pods, AIM-120C AMRAAM, AIM-9 AIM-9Li Sidewinder and AIM- planners between 30 September Sidewinder and AGM-65 Maverick 120C5 AMRAAM missiles. Other 2014 and 2017, and two years of in- missiles, GBU-12 Enhanced equipment includes ALQ-131 country technical support. guidance kits and multifunctional countermeasure pod and AN/AAQ- information distribution system/ 28(V) Litening AT Block II targeting The acquisition of aircraft and low volume terminals. pod. Twelve targeting pods will associated services was set up upgraded to Litening G4 standard according to a €181m ($206m) The 27 Portuguese aircraft by Northrop Grumman between contract between the Portuguese (comprising 24 F-16AM and three 2016 and 2018 according to a Ministry of National Defence F-16BM) are currently updated direct sale contract worth $22.7m procurement arm and Romanian to M6.1.1 software configuration awarded by Portugal in August 2015. state-run import-export Compania with new updates planned to be

A loaded F-16AM jet being handled jointly by Portuguese and Romanian personnel at Monte Real air force base. Image: Victor M.S. Barreira

25 :: Defence Industry Bulletin Air

Initial Operational Capability for the Italian Air Force’s HH-101 CSAR helicopters Victor M.S. Barreira

he first Finmeccanica CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue) The HH-101A is armed with three THD (Helicopter Division, missions. The machine has a M-134D 7.62mm Gatling machine formerly AgustaWestland) HH- standard crew of five and is able guns built by Dillon; two at the side 101A CSAR helicopter of the Italian to accommodate up to 20 fully doors and one in the rear ramp Air Force has reached Initial equipped soldiers; for Special with a new type of installation that Operational Capability (IOC). At Operations and for CSAR the keeps the ramp available for ascent the moment the Italian Air Force’s crew can increase to six members and descent from the helicopter. 15th Stormo (Group) has a fleet while it can transport up to eight of four machines, with a total SPECOPS soldiers. It also includes an in-flight of 15 helicopters ordered (under refueling probe, the laser obstacle programme CAESAR). The HH- The major upgrades introduced on avoidance system Finmeccanica 101A CSAR has gained IOC on Slow HH-101 are three new turboshafts LOAM, a FLIR Systems Star SAFIRE Mover Interceptor (SMI), MEDEVAC capable of a maximum continuous and a complete self-protection (Medical Evacuation) and utility power of 2,041 hp each, advanced suite. This includes the ELT-572 transport missions. rotor blades BERP-3 replacing DIRCM (Direct Infra Red Counter the previous BERP-2 and a new, Measures) system integrated with The HH-101A is the most advanced highly advanced avionics and VIRGILIUS ECM/ESM/RWR, both variant of the AW-101 helicopter developed by Finmeccanica HD in developed by Elt Elettronica. and is designed for performing collaboration with Rockwell Collins.

A loaded F-16AM jet being handled jointly by Portuguese and Romanian personnel at Monte Real air force base. Image: Victor M.S. Barreira

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 26 Air

F-35: First transatlantic flightEugenio Po

n Italian Air Force F-35 which was on the way to the US for AFB and had a total of 50 hours LIGHTNING II has completed a Red Flag exercise. flying time on this type of aircraft. Athe first ferry flight across the Atlantic, reaching the base of The flight was a challenging After completion of the flight this Patuxent River, MA. This was not training experience and was a good F-35 will conduct three months of only the first ferry flight for the opportunity to test the capabilities electromagnetic compatibility tests Italian Air Force F-35 but the very of the aircraft. For example, during at Patuxent River facilities. After first ferry for a LIGHTNING II. The the flight the aircraft was refueled that the aircraft will be transferred aircraft, manufactured in the Italian in flight many times with the KC- to Luke AFB, the USAF F-35 FACO (Final Assembly and Check 767A. “training hub” where other Italian Out) of Cameri (Novara) and flown Air Force fighters will be delivered. by an Italian pilot, made a stop in Pilot Major Gianmarco “Ninja” Di Later this summer there will be the Azores and was escorted by Loreto coming from Italian Air at least five Italian LIGHTNING II four other Italian Air Force aircrafts: Force Experimental Unit of Pratica fighters there. a KC-767A tanker, two C-130J cargo di Mare (Roma), completed his and a Eurofighter TYPHOON fighter, training on the F-35 last fall at Luke

The Italian Air Force F-35 during the ferry flight across the Atlantic. Image: Italian MoD

27 :: Defence Industry Bulletin Air

ROTARY WING SPECIAL MD Helicopters Plans to Hold Steady in the Light Attack Scout Market Richard de Silva

This year, Andy Pillado, Vice DIB: Gentlemen, when it comes to – it’s under $1,000 an hour for this President, Business Development light multirole helicopters, where helicopter, so it really makes it for MD Helicopters, presented a does the need for a solution lie? an affordable asset to bring to the briefing at the 2016 International What are the threats that aircraft fight. Military Helicopter Conference like this are intended to counter? (London, United Kingdom) on When engaged in small-scale Multi-Mission Light Scout Attack Andrew Pillado: Oh, yes. With skirmishes, you have to ask Helicopter solutions and delivering the current hours as a basis, we yourself whether you want to rapid operational readiness. Pillado now can give an average cost of deploy a $50m attack helicopter discussed the critical role that US$1,050 per hour. asset or a $5m attack helicopter light scout attack aircraft play in a asset that can really do the same range of unpredictable operational Craig Kitchen: And that’s our major thing for that type of mission? It’s theatres at a time when there is selling point in this global market easy economics, really. a real and compelling need for – the fact that we can rapidly rotorcraft platforms to offer more deploy assets. As an example, today DIB: Is that a unique selling point, in the way of faster delivery, when we are shipping products to the timeframe to operations? expanded capabilities, and a Afghanistan, we’ll build helicopters, wider range of mission profiles. In have them ready to go, and ship CK: For the most part, it is. I don’t response, the MD Helicopters Scout them within six to eight months – think anybody in the rotor wing Attack fleet, manufactured by the in this case because of the urgent business can deploy and build as Mesa, Arizona-based manufacturer, requirement in that region. The quickly as we can. We normally includes the (L - R) MD 530F, MD helicopters will leave our facility quote 12 month lead times on our 530G and MD 540A, all of which and within two weeks they’re in helicopters but where there’s an offer a key component – flexibility combat. They get over there, we urgent and compelling need, we’re at an affordable price. reassemble them, flight test them able to move quickly to respond. and they’re undertaking operations In this case, the US Army needed In addition to MD Helicopters’ all within that short time. So people to field this system. We went to expanding fleet of MD 530F Cayuse are being able to field a weapon contract last October. Six months Warrior helicopters in service with system in less than a year at a later we delivered six aircraft. the Afghan Air Force, the company very good cost. The operational Within nine months we delivered was recently awarded a contract cost going forward is then so low 12. In less than 12 months they to deliver the more advance MD 530G Light Scout Attack helicopter to Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence, Malaysian Army Aviation. Additionally, the company has training, scout and light attack helicopters in service with Saudi Arabia, Japan, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Kenya, and others.

Alongside Craig Kitchen (Chief Commercial Officer), Pillado discussed the company’s role in the military helicopter market today with DIB, as well as the strategic game plan for the years ahead…

An Afghan Air Force MD-530F Cayuse Warrior helicopter fires its two FN M3P .50 Cal machine guns. Image: Staff Sgt. Perry Aston

28 :: Defence Industry Bulletin Air

were fully operational, performing affordability and sustainability experiences with different systems combat operations in theatre. So parameters. and subsystem suppliers. There we have the ability to throttle our may be a country we work with production line to meet the needs DIB: Being able to cherry-pick a that will tell us they don’t use a when they arise. range of solutions is a popular particular system because they’ve approach, particularly where either had a bad experience or DIB: What about end user smaller or more financially- because they just have a preference feedback? We’ve heard discussion constrained nations are concerned. of one over another. We’re not today about the need for OEMs to That brings with it a question of trying to offer all things to all ensure constant communication integration… people but we are offering a wide and properly understand the range of systems and capabilities operational demands, so how do CK: The way we go about it is that so that customers can be certain you go about ensuring that that we do all the hard work upfront. we’re meeting their requirement at dialogue doesn’t break down as There’s a range of capabilities an affordable cost. is so common when it comes to that customers want which is defence industry matters? why, again, we offer the family of DIB: You’ve talked about the helicopters. When one of these 500s success of the past year – what can CK: You’re right. Our setup is that hits the production line, they all you tell me about the goals for the we offer nose to tail solutions look the same. Day one, they roll next 12 – 24 months? Is it a case for our aircraft when we ship in, they look the same, and as they of maintaining the pace or are you them. As in Afghanistan, we have get the bits and pieces added to changing anything about the shape partners and teams on the ground them, the systems are integrated. It of what and how you provide to maintaining the aircraft. We are may be a (MD 530F) Cayuse Warrior, this market? in daily 24/7 communication with it may be a 530G, or it may be the the support group on the ground next generation we have coming CK: We’re staying the course with and with the customer. You have to down the line. You can’t tell the how we see the market developing. have that type of support system in difference at the start. Once the We anticipate that we’ll be growing place and just keep at it day in and customer requirements are tabled, over the next couple of years day out. it takes on its own shape. so that we can meet even more requirements, and so that more AP: Knowing the demands is about So we do the integration from the folks find their way to us. The more listening to the customer. For the start, hand-in-hand with our team we do, the more people become militaries throughout the world mates, whether it’s the weapons aware of what we can do for them. that we deal with, we go there, they systems management, night vision, present their problem set, what forward looking infrared, whatever In the longer term we’re looking at they’re trying to accomplish, what it might be. Show me another more evolved systems and at more their needs are, and then we design example where somebody has been capable airframes that can do more the solution together. We put the able to field an airborne combat – carry more, fly longer, farther, capabilities into the platform that system in less than 12 months and faster, those kinds of things. We’re they need so that they can be put put it in a fight. You can’t find one currently doing those trade studies into effect. It doesn’t matter what ever, anywhere that’s gone that fast. and looking at initial designs for you’re providing, industry needs to It’s a very unique solution set. things to answer present and listen to the customer. That’s why emerging threats. For MD, our we call talk about our family of DIB: But that’s not to say it’s an growth will take us only to a certain helicopters – it’s almost a menu for easy process, I’m sure. point. We’re never going to threaten them to choose what capabilities an Apache or a Eurocopter Tiger – fit their needs. No threat is the CK: Well, like I said, all the hard that’s not our direct competition same. I agree with everyone when work is upfront. We’re working with and that’s not where we intend to they say the response needs to be the user on a continual basis to take our business. We’re going to overwhelming, but the question is evolve the upmost system. We look stick to our knitting and continue how overwhelming? You still have to offer more than one solution to address the light attack scout a cost on the end of it. You can for any given requirement – more market. We’re responding to some have the most expensive platform than one weapon; more than one requirements from other customers in the world but if you can’t fly it, FLIR capability, and so on. Because that may or may not include twins, you can’t afford to fly it, and can’t we do that work, our customers and we’re beginning to do trades on employ it, what good is it? We don’t have to. We’ve found that those kinds of things as well. provide a solution they can take to our customer base is quite diverse the fight day to day and that meets and a lot of them have different

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 29 Air

In short, we like this market space. one end of the attack spectrum, We don’t want to sacrifice that sort The military market space is what light attack on the other end of of pedigree. You don’t want to find the company was really grown on, the spectrum, and then everything you’ve left your gun at home and with the OH-6 in South East Asia in-between. There really is quite a find yourself in a gunfight. If you’re during Vietnam. From that emerged difference between the two poles in a situation where you need a the 500s, 530s, 520s and the 500Cs, but we’re marching up the chain. parachute and you don’t have one Ds, Es, and so on – all an evolution The guys at the top end of it aren’t on you, chances are you’re too late of commercial helicopters. We’ve coming down because it doesn’t to correct the problem. In other now come back full circle in a way, make sense for them. That said, words, we have to have a system developing a new set of light attack there’s only a certain amount of that’s ready to go as soon as you scout helicopters that will result in distance we can travel, only a need it to go. new law enforcement helicopters certain system we can offer and and other innovative products for maintain in a cost-effective way. the commercial market. The more complexity you add, the less reliable these platforms DIB: And that’s not MD pushing tend to get. So our aim is to keep that, it’s simply the fact that our birds ready to go, to remain demand and supply for light attack reliable, and to maintain our 97 is surging? percent operational readiness rate (for three years running) in CK: There’s such a diverse base Afghanistan. It’s the highest rate of of customer requirements. Again, any fielded system in the US Army, you have the Apache and Tiger on so it’s a phenomenal achievement.

A Philippine Air Force MD-520MG Light Attack Helicopter. Image: Roy Kabanlit

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Gearing up for an unfair fight: Bell’s Future Vertical Lift seeks to prove its claims Richard de Silva

The US Army is on the cusp the threat is. So while we have lots of launching a new attack/ of advanced lethal and non-lethal reconnaissance rotorcraft capabilities to deal with a spectrum There’s a huge programme in the form of the of situations around the world, the Future Vertical Lift (FVL). Two ability to action those objectives misconception RFIs have been released this year and be in the right place at the for next-generation rotorcraft right time has to come to the fore. about affordability technologies and concepts in the and cost for what lightly armed reconnaissance and DIB: Have you been surprised by mid-size utility/attack roles. The the shape of the helicopter market we’re aiming to do service is looking at replacements in the past year or two? Has there for a range of helicopters, including been a big difference with what with the tiltrotor the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, some see as a major shift in Boeing AH-64 Apache, Bell OH-58 requirements – or has the change Kiowa Warrior andCH-47 Chinook of geographic focus significantly replacement. impacted the business end? DIB: While it may be the right fit for the United States, there have been Bell Helicopter is pitching a third- KF: I think it has. When you some questions aired these past generation tiltrotor design for the look at the peer – or near-peer – few months about whether this FVL programme, names the V-280 adversaries that the U.S. and allied really is the future of helicopters Valor, and has suggested that the nations are dealing with, I would for the global market. Royal design could be ready for other argue that the service members Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) services’ helicopter replacement of all of our respected nations commander Lt. Gen. Alexander programmes before the Army is deserve overmatch because they’re Schnitger voiced concerns that he ready to award a bid. our most precious resource. We is not “convinced that the current therefore have to make a conscious plans are advanced enough to Keith Flail, vice president of Global decision to continue to evolve or survive use past 2030.” Others have Military Business Development for even revolutionise in terms of what suggested that the specific national Bell, told DIB why the FVL is on technology we can provide. That requirements for smaller forces course to “shock the world”… recognition is starting to emerge may not call for such a high-end and is related to the joint multirole platform. How do you address that? effort – the front-end science and DIB: What are the threats that you technology effort that is informing KF: I’m glad we’re having this believe today’s armed forces, and requirements on reducing risk discussion because I think there’s particularly helicopter forces, must for the FVL programme. Just a huge misconception about deal with? from my own observations from affordability and cost for what 2012 to 2016, the education, the we’re aiming to do with the Keith Flail: The threats and understanding, the technology tiltrotor. If you look at the V-22, you operations worldwide are development, the fact that we’re have to look at the right metrics. asymmetric and very dispersed. actually designing and building You have to look at the productivity Distance, time, space, speed, this – it’s becoming a reality. We’re of your asset. You have to look at range and other factors make a going to be flying it in 2017. So a cost per seat mile. You actually have difference when it comes to the lot of eyes have been opened by to look at what you’re ultimately responsiveness needed to deal with our ability to take army pilots and getting out of that asset. If you the threat within any given theatre decision-makers into the simulator draw two rings for how far you can – especially in the Pacific and Africa and show them show them range with a tiltrotor, you find you where helicopters are faced with a everything from the acceleration that with tiltrotors in the centre significant challenge because of the and deceleration to high- and low- of Afghanistan you can range the tyranny of distance. It’s as much speed agility, and how that can entire country. about where the threat is as what impact TTPs.

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 31 Air

You don’t need FOBs and you price point comparable to an Echo- in design for manufacturing, don’t need field hospitals. You’d model Apache or Special Mission affordability and maintainability, be putting a smaller ring inside Blackhawk. And we’re tracking that. to give the government all that there for what you’d be getting with data – concrete actuals, videotaping conventional helicopters. So when DIB: As we speak, where are you everything we’re doing, so that we we talk about affordability, you have exactly with development? can show the accuracy of our work. to look at everything – R&D costs, Unfortunately, in the past, we’ve procurement costs, operational KF: We’re now essentially through heard the stories before from other costs, and then you have to look at the detail design phase and heavily programmes – that this platform the productivity you’re getting out into the build of the aircraft. The is going to be more affordable than of that asset, including the effect on fuselage is completed; we’re mating the last – well, we’re providing the logistics. You can remove all these the nacelles to the wing within proof. Everything about the aircraft things because you don’t need the next month, and then within – the processes, the materials, them anymore. I think that’s been a month later we’ll be mating the the advanced digital tools, the something that’s been overlooked wing and nacelle to the fuselage; way the aircraft fits together – the in the last couple of years with then we’ll begin to fit the aircraft fuselage itself that came from Spirit the joint multirole effort, with our with all the systems, building AeroSystems…there’s only three government counterparts, we’ve up all our gearboxes – we have hard chines on the entire aircraft, actually received comments back our systems integration lab, we so literally everything fits together that we’re seeing and learning have our cockpit rig, our electrical like Legos. When you look at that things out of this science and benches, our flight control software, design for manufacturing, you’re technology effort that we didn’t avionics, a rig room that has all removing a lot of potential rework, anticipate we would be getting, in of our hardware in the loop for all reducing the potential costs such terms of advanced digital tools, of our actuators to prove out all as additional holes you have to embedding all of our teammates of our controllers in the systems drill, because we’re using a lot of in the same virtual environment, integration lab before it gets to the composites – all those things add so you can design faster. You can aircraft. All that activity is going up to a more affordable platform, put the government in that same on now. By the end of 2016, the it’s cheaper to build and get into environment, you can iterate on aircraft will be completely built the flight test programme in 2017 design changes, rather than having up with the exception of the rotor to show that it performs and to go with the traditional methods. installation. This is unit number operates like it should. It’s all about one of a demonstrator, so providing providing the proof which we’re So all that cycle time is another all that data of the simplicity one hundred percent focused on. thing that relates to affordability. When people talk about affordability, you need to look at it holistically. There’s a lot of short-sightedness. Number one, on what a V-22 costs versus what a V-280 is going to cost (and they’re a different scale of aircraft). The V-22 is an incredible platform with an incredible capability but what does it mean downstream in terms of all those other costs? Either way, you can talk austerity of budgets, but you still have x number of dollars or whatever your national currency, you still have to pay for all those things. You’re only looking at the front-end, at the cost to buy the platform, but not the additional procurement costs or operational support costs or system lifecycle costs. That’s where you’re impacting your bottom line. With the V-280, we’re targeting a The V-22 Osprey has been praised for its ability to access disaster-hit regions. Image: USAF

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KF: We’re providing flexibility as applying that to the V-280. well as all this affordability data. Right now, we’re At a recent Army Association The bottom line is that when of America event, we set up a this thing flies, it’s going to shock beating all the full-scale model. One day we the world. I’m not trying to be metrics the demonstrated it in terms of utility. dramatic – it will. Once you’ve The next day we demonstrated addressed every capability gap, Marine Corps how it would configure with you’ve reached the affordability and weapons. The next day, how it agility required, why would you not has established would configure with MEDEVAC. want something at a comparable Even though it was a model, that price point, a comparable physical for cost per reconfigurable central cabin area footprint, and that has twice the was the same as in the real design. capability? It comes down to flight hour and So I don’t understand how this overmatch. The world is not a safe could be comparable to the JSF place and we owe it to our service maintenance situation. We look at it from the members to provide them with this. standpoint of our Marine Corps man-hours per and how satisfied they are with the commonality between the H-1 flight hour programme between the Yankee and the Zulu – they’re 85 percent common – and right now, we’re DIB: Which presumably answers beating all the metrics the Marine the question from some about the Corps has established for cost per risks of FVL becoming similar to flight hour and maintenance man- the Joint Strike Fighter programme hours per flight hour. We leverage and it’s notoriously spiralling the V-22 experience and the H-1 costs… experience on commonality,

Concept image of the V-280 Valor. Image: Bell

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 33 The Briefing Room

“Many Middle Eastern countries have expressed increased interest in Russian military hardware…”

In the wake of Russia’s ‘fall out’ with the West over its intervention in Ukraine since 2014, Moscow’s state-run arms export agency ROSOBORONEXPORT has been targeting new arms export markets as part of a larger Kremlin policy to turn away from the West and towards the East. At the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS) 2016 at Sakhir Air Base this past January, DIB correspondent Georg Mader discussed this ‘pivot’ with the agency’s regional manager and head of analysis and planning, Mr. Nikolai V. Ruban, PhD.

Nikolai Ruban is confident in more Middle Eastern exports. Image: Georg Mader

DIB: Russia globally leads with a we expect the same global demand 3% share of arms exports among for Russian defence products. Algeria ordered total exported goods. SIPRI says Russian arms exports in the years DIB: What is the demand here in 14 Sukhoi Su- 2014 and 2015 were substantially the Middle East? lower than in 2011, 2012 and 2013, 30 fighters from and more in line with the levels Ruban: Our agency is negotiating seen between 2006 and 2010. So to a series of contracts with Egypt, IRKUT Aircraft give us an idea of magnitude, what Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Algeria. Corporation. are ROSOBORONEXPORT’s current The Arab world accounts for 37% portfolios and their approximate of Russian arms exports. We, as Deliveries will value? ROSOBORONEXPORT, part of the ROSTEC State Corporation, are begin later this Ruban: In basic figures here to primarily discuss the those numbers may be right. prospects for deliveries of Russian year Nevertheless, we are defending aviation equipment to the region. our No.2 rank behind the USM, Many Middle Eastern and North with ROSOBORONEXPORT holding African countries have expressed DIB: Who, for example, is using a 85%+ share of Russia’s military increased interest in Russian modern Russian IFVs? exports and an orderbook of (USD) military hardware, with significant $45bn at present. Among that, interest grow expressed in combat Ruban: The UAE Army, for one. the order portfolio for aviation planes and combat helicopters, Several hundreds of them have equipment currently exceeds $22bn military transport aircraft and already been used in combat in and the one for ground based trainers, and of course different Yemen, from what I hear. Last year air defence technology stands at types of ground based air defence we also completed the fulfilment $9bn. And it continues to grow. systems. Regarding the latter, of the contract to supply 200 BMP- In 2015 – which is not yet fully Russia is holding talks with Egypt 3M and BMP-3K IFVs to Kuwait. The calculated – we have received fresh on the delivery of ‘Antey-2500’ anti- last batch of the vehicles arrived in foreign orders worth $18bn. It’s not ballistic missile system and ‘Buk’ Kuwait in early November and are only classic armament, but also a surface-to-air missile systems. But currently undergoing the receipt wide range of products for urban interest is also received on Russian and acceptance process. A number security, counterterrorism, facility wheeled and tracked armored of Middle Eastern countries also protection, border protection and IFV-vehicles, already in use in the expressed their wish to buy the natural disaster clean-up. For 2016 region and proven in combat. Russian T-90 MBTs.

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DIB: Can you confirm a fresh contract with Algeria on more Su- 30MKs, or even one for the Su-34 strike-bomber?

Ruban: In September 2015, Algeria ordered 14 Sukhoi Su-30 fighters from IRKUT Aircraft Corporation. Deliveries will begin later this year and will be completed by late 2017 or early 2018. They already have 44 from before 2010. Regarding the Su-32 – the export-designation of the strike-aircraft Su-34 – I only can confirm that they want it. The related talks are ongoing and have Rostervol Mi-17 production facility. Image: Georg Mader reached an advanced stage. Previously, these aircraft did not Ruban: We have come here – Ruban: Yes. Moscow and Manama have an export certificate, but along with ROSTEC subsidiary are eager to broaden their military- the appropriate documents were companies ‘Russian Helicopters’ technical cooperation. In May obtained in late 2015. So I am and ‘United Aircraft Corporation’, of last year, Russia and Bahrain hoping the contract for an initial and ‘Ilyushin Finance’ – because signed an agreement on military batch of 12 or 14 will be signed at the last Russian International cooperation during a visit of the between the Algerian Ministry of Aviation and Space Salon MAKS in head of the Russian Federal Service Defence and manufacturer NAPO Zhukovsky, his Excellency Engineer for Military-Technical Cooperation (Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed (FSMTC) to the Kingdom. Russia Association) by mid-2016. Definitely (Minister of Transportation and has similar agreements with other by the end of the year. There is a Telecommunications for the Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, mutual interest in the deal. Kingdom of Bahrain and Deputy Kuwait and the UAE. Talks between Chairman of the Supreme FSMTC’s head, ROSOBORONEXPORT, Organising Committee for BIAS) and the Bahraini side were fruitful signed an agreement to do so, in and we expect further extension The current the push for both our countries of cooperation in the military- to benefit from cooperation with technical sphere. The foundation fleet of Soviet- Russia and the GCC. The Bahrain is already in place. You may Government is committed to remember back in 2011, when the building stronger ties with Russia. Bahraini Forces (BDF) had a sudden and Russian- Last July, a delegation from here break in supplies [because U.K. visited Russia to observe the 2015 and France banned some weapons produced civil ‘Aviadarts’ international military sales to Bahrain following its aviation competition, which crackdown on protestors], the BDF and military featured Mi-35, Mi-8 and Ka-52 subsequently ordered Russian small helicopters, as well as fighters arms like AK103, with grenade- helicopters in like the SU-30 and Su-34. Russian launchers and ammunition. Since manufacturers have, by the way, then, Bahrain also has become Middle Eastern participated here at BIAS since the the first customer for the ‘Kornet- inaugural event in 2010 and we EM’ anti-tank missile. And when countries are delighted to see a continued yesterday the King of Bahrain, presence established. This time our Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, visited numbers more delegation is represented by the the Russian chalets and exhibitions, Russian Air & Space-Force Deputy he expressed interest in Russia’s than 500. Commander-in-Chief, Lt. Gen. 5th Generation multirole fighter- Sergey Dronov. complex, Sukhoi T-50.Colombia is currently looking to replace their DIB: But are concrete steps being fleet of Cessna A-37 ‘Dragonflies’ DIB: What do you expect here in made in the defence-industrial and with a similar aircraft. Bahrain? sector?

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 35 The Briefing Room

A Su-34 in Syria with dumb bombs. Image: Georg Mader

DIB: Will PAK FA be exported the international market and high anywhere besides India? And if so, operational effectiveness of modern when? You often Russian military aircraft, including its capabilities for delivering Ruban: Later on, it can be. A serial don’t need surgical strikes on ground targets. production of an export version is Demand is supported by an scheduled for 2020, while today the this expensive excellent cost-effectiveness ratio eleventh and last of the T-50 pre- high-precision and Russia’s reputation as a reliable series is about 60-70 % ready. and responsible partner in military- munition for technical cooperation. That’s what DIB: What types of aircraft and we have to constantly try to remain helicopters did you market or push these terrorists competitive. for here at Bahrain? all the time, these DIB: You talk about ‘surgical Ruban: The Su-35 and MiG-29M/ strikes’ on ground targets, but why M2 multirole fighters, Yak-130 thugs in their do we then see quite modern Su-34 combat trainer, Il-76MD-90A among the Russian air forces in military transport, Ka-52 and Mi- Toyotas Syria carrying four or six ‘dumb’ 28NE attack helicopters, Mi-35M and old bombs? Are those precision transport/attack helicopter and Soviet- and Russian-produced weapons just for MAKS or exports, Mi-171A2 type military transport civil and military helicopters in or are there not enough to outfit helicopters. They have great export Middle Eastern countries numbers the Russian VKS regiments? potential in the region. more than 500. The ability to carry out maintenance and repair Ruban: Yes, of course they We also present the ANSAT, Ka- work in the region will allow are available – if the military 32A11VS and Ka-226T. A key operators to significantly reduce commander requests them. area in negotiations will be the costs. This is why interest from GLONASS-guided KAB-bombs, development of an integrated foreign customers, including in for example. But you often don’t system of aftersales equipment the Middle East and North Africa, need this expensive high-precision service for the lifespan of is growing. This stems from both munition for these terrorists all the helicopters. The current fleet of launching new aircraft models to time, these thugs in their Toyotas.

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DIB: Yes, your doctrines have more of a…’kinetic’ approach. Western air arms however do not even have those FAB and OFAB and SBU equivalents in their inventory. Do you advertise Russian technology in the fight on terrorism here?

BA: We do. Where else, if not in this region. At the exhibition, ROSOBORONEXPORT held the open presentation “Russian Military Aircraft Fighting against Terrorism,” which analyses the Russian fixed- wing and rotary capabilities for use in counterterrorist operations. Russian efforts throughout the region will pay off, because of lower cost and reliability of Russian military hardware. I would not name it a ‘showcase’ because it is a clear execution of policy by our government and leadership, but Russian systems and their use are literally on display in Syria. Everyone can see their capability and availability.

DIB: At Dubai 2015 there were reports on a significant interest in Russia’s Mi-35 combat helicopters, with Bahrain and Pakistan among the Air Forces reportedly looking to add the aircraft to their inventory. What news has there been on this?

BA: I can confirm that we have signed a contract with Pakistan for the Mi-35, with deliveries to begin this year. The Royal Bahraini Air Force [RBAF] has also expressed strong interest in the Mi-35, the latest export version of the ‘classic’ Mi-24 helicopter. They received an exhaustive consultation-briefing about the technical characteristics and military use of that helicopter, in several versions, which is currently in service in more than 30 nations, including Brazil, India, Venezuela, and in the new Iraq. The King of Bahrain tried out the view from a Sukhoi cockpit. Image: Georg Mader

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 37 The Briefing Room

Interview: Thomas M. McLaughlin, CEO of Motion Reality Inc. Making virtual reality training for the military a…reality Rory Jackson

The first ever Abu Dhabi Aerospace and Aviation Week, held in March 2016, saw cutting edge technologies from multiple industries displayed for defence and security agencies from around the world. Given the importance of keeping pilots trained and ready for any situation, it was only natural to find a dedicated simulation and training zone within one of the show’s many halls.

It was here that Atlanta, Georgia-based Motion Reality Inc. had set up a fully-sized demonstration display of their state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) training solution, the Dauntless system, for their newest customers in the United Arab Emirates, and prospective buyers from military and police forces worldwide. Defence Industry Bulletin sat down with Thomas M. McLaughlin, CEO of Motion Reality, to discuss the technology and history behind their unique platform

DIB: I understand that Motion DIB: But a great deal of DIB: And recent months have seen Reality has been working with technological advancement the system gain international graphics engines and software for must have been necessary to get recognition. decades now. When did the idea to where you are now - to the first arrive to start applying your Dauntless system? TM: I/ITSEC was where we technology to military and police launched VIRTSIM eight years ago, training scenarios? TM: In the 90s we proved that we and we just showed in December could put two soldiers at a time last year the first Dauntless TM: It first started in the mid- into virtual battles for training. system at a trade show, and here 90s. We were working since 1990 But the technology wasn’t quite at UMEX in Abu Dhabi is the first to put the first humans into where it needed to be at the time. international showing of Dauntless. both video games and motion And although we’ve made great When the sequester happened, in pictures, working with Acclaim progress, and we were being 2010 we started getting orders from Entertainment on games like positioned to train all our forces, around the world and we’re very Mortal Kombat and Alien Trilogy when 9/11 happened all the pleased that the very first foreign and Turok and many, many others. priorities changed very drastically. client was the United Arab Emirates Starting in the mid-90s, the U.S. So when the funding priorities of - Presidential Guard Command - Army actually approached us for the army changed to deal with and we have had several systems in putting the first soldiers into virtual the new threats, Motion Reality the UAE Presidential Guard training reality simulation training. We put began the work to create a next- their forces from their National the first head-mounted display on generation simulator for squad- Service, all the way up through a non-pilot; up to that point, every based training, up to 12 people, their Special Operations since head-mounted display had been on which would handle the biggest around 2011. In addition to that, pilots sitting on chairs with a cable squads in the US, the Marines. We many guests of the UAE use the attached. So the concept of having developed and launched our first system for training Special Forces people actually run and move military and police simulator in of many other nations, which around with the headset on was 2008, and at the I/ITSEC conference includes the US. So we’ve now done very unique. About 99 percent of all in Orlando that year, the FBI was tens of thousands of soldiers, we’ve the money ever spent on simulators the first one to immediately order also helped train U.S. Homeland has been for pilots - and yet about a system for training all the agents Security on several projects, and the same percentage of the deaths at Quantico. Now it did take several police and army and special and injuries in all of our wars, years, they wanted it to be IN the forces from around the world - worldwide, have been the people on Quantico schoolhouse, and so arguably more people than any the ground. So essentially, this is a it took several years for them to company in virtual reality training simulator for everyone else. find the space and renovate an environments. old boiler room - but it’s been in there, training agents since 2011.

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DIB: But what Motion Reality has created differs hugely from present simulator systems, doesn’t it?

TM: What’s unique about our system versus other simulators is that in almost every other simulator, you are typically a passive observer of what’s on- screen. They could be all around you, they could be in front of you, they could be on a laptop, or you could be shooting lasers at videos on screens. However, you are not actively engaged in that environment. In our world, we put Three Motion Reality employees demonstrate the equipment, as engineers and onlookers observe the you as a truly immersed, active simulation through display monitors. Image: Rory Jackson participant in a 360-degree battle, and there are no encumbrances, no essentially a TENS unit for muscle DIB: To what extent can trainees cables, there aren’t any joysticks stimulation-rehabilitation that we interact with the environment, in or controllers or treadmills, or any have on different parts of the body. context of the rooms and situations artificial devices, which have been If you get hit on, say, your upper they’re in? proven by independent studies to quadrant, or your right arm, you be ineffective in training people. We will get this very strong feedback. TM: We now have things like as humans need to move naturally, And we can make it different levels physics objects. So you can literally and if you’re going to train people of intensity now on Dauntless, we touch objects and they respond. to fight, they need to train the can leave it on for ten minutes or You can knock things off a table way they are going to fight. If it’s whatever, so you have to learn how that aren’t even there. You can artificial, under stress they revert to deal with the pain and not being have dynamic shadows. You can back to the way they trained, and able to move your arm. You have to have any time of night or day, it that can cause injuries and death. learn how to stay in the fight and can be created to train in. Most stay alive. It’s much more realistic importantly you can create geo- DIB: How deep does this than anything else. Stephen specific areas for mission training ‘immersion’ run? Hawking said about our technology before you actually go out and do in his international TV series a mission, for mission-specific TM: So we have tried to make it ‘Brave New World’ last year, this is training. as close to the real thing - to have the closest thing to being actually all of the impact of a real training shot at. And you do not know how DIB: And does the philosophy of exercise to be as close as possible people respond in training until realism extend to simulations of to the real battle. For example, they are shot at. the real world? there is sensory feedback that basically allows the closest thing What Dauntless shows is a result TM: You can create an area of a to being shot to occur. To take it of about three years work by a very city, for example, with imagery from being just a game, there has talented team of interdisciplinary from satellite and other sources. to be consequences when you do scientists that we have from every And actually have your forces train something wrong. When somebody branch of engineering, computer in that environment before they shoots you in the Dauntless system, programming, 3D animators army go out and do the real thing. And live or artificial, you will get an and FBI veterans that give us even have them train in the time immediate and powerful muscle- feedback and training input into of day that they’ll be going out and stimulation that will definitely get what we should build. And many doing the mission. We’ve added all your attention. very talented people working sorts of visual features that include together. In the last three years things like explosions, night DIB: And these are within the gear we’ve integrated in a world-leading vision, dynamic flashlights on the they wear as part of the training graphics engine and we have also weapons… programme? added significant new software features that our clients have DIB: Including low-visibility TM: And in the part of the body asked for that we couldn’t do in the conditions like fog and dust? that gets hit! We have put what is previous generation.

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 39 The Briefing Room

TM: Particle physics, we call basically, water, and beaches, you dimensions are the same, with the them. And bullets will go through can get on a bench and it becomes new generation of graphics. They things they’re supposed to, but a Blackhawk helicopter that takes can be much better prepared by not through things they’re not off, you can shoot and be shot at training in exactly the worlds that supposed to. We actually have accurately as you’re flying in things they may someday have to protect, very powerful electronic recoil like helicopters. A bench becomes when something - God forbid - and realism in our weapons, we - a vehicle. You’re not limited - it happens. have M4 rifles, we have Sig Sauer truly is unlimited potential for any handguns, and they are as real kind of training. DIB: And even manually- as anything that they use in the constructed training villages may real world. We are also custom- be made obsolete by Dauntless. building other weapons for our We have Would you agree? clients; we even count the number of shots that you take, and then artificially TM: We have been proven to we electronically jam the weapons be more cost-effective and when you run out of rounds so intelligent more quickly-usable, and we you have to actually put another never get old. Building physical magazine to continue firing. We can avatars that have infrastructure, shoot houses, and also jam a weapon if we decide we training villages, and so on...once want to see how a trainee performs different levels of you’ve been through that one time, under stress. you know where everything is. In shooting accuracy our world, it’s not only constantly DIB: Given the nature of the changeable for the future, with simulation zone - it is a wide, and responses to an unlimited number of training flat area - how can the system scenarios and environments in account for situations with varying what you do different parts of the world, but, elevation? Combat situations will unlike video simulators, we can not always take place on a single immediately, in a few seconds, level - storming multi-storey change where things are. Change buildings or dealing with height DIB: What about the opponents walls. Move people. So the next differences in outdoor skirmishes, that trainees will face? Enemy group in line actually goes into a for example. combatants can be far more totally different situation. It can unpredictable than environments. be modified fast, so it’s always TM: We have patents on quite a few unlimited. new features now, for Dauntless - TM: We have artificially intelligent when you walk through a stairway, avatars that have different levels of DIB: What provisions has the you start - going up - the virtual shooting accuracy and responses system integrated for post-exercise stairways. You know where all parts to what you do, but in addition you review? To point out to trainees of your body are, so we actually can have tactical team leaders and where they need improvement? track where your feet are when training officers become what we they get near a virtual stairway, you call ‘virtual role-players’, where TM: A new feature we have, unlike walk on the flat ground but you they can become - and look like - every other simulator where are literally, seamlessly, walking any bad guy, and get in with the you have some very elementary up stairs. And fighting up and artificial intelligent characters, information - typically just a down stairs. We also have another and do many more challenging couple video views, some simple new patent on what’s called ‘3D things to the trainees than you ideas which were shot on a screen directional sounds’. Wherever you could ever programme. They can - we have the most powerful 3D are in the virtual world, it may not play an infinite number of roles. after-action view ever. All of the be where you are in the physical And we’ve actually been asked to engineering physics, all of the data, world, you could be standing right create a lot of sensitive buildings. of how every single trainee moved, next to each other in the physical For example, for the first time, every shot taken, the time instance system, but yet you could be in we can create photo-realistic of every shot, who shot who, who blocks a mile away, and when training environments that can’t was hit, what part of the body was there’s an explosion, or shots taken, be trained in. Nuclear plants, hit, what was the 3D trajectory... or a missile, you will each hear something like the White House for We can show all of that graphically. things accurately from your own example, embassies, presidential We keep track of everything in a three-dimensional locations. We compounds, and so on. Forces can database. You can make hits-and- have many, many other features - train in these areas, knowing all the misses reports. It’s like a 3D VCR

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or DVR. You’ve got every database. People can be evaluated conceivable view; you can look and quantified for their progress through every single person’s over time. You can come back a year We have three eyes and see what they saw - you later and see how they’re doing can evaluate every technique of now. It’s the best way to certify clients that very every trainee - and our training that you are training for forces, officers around the world call this for police and military, in the best much want us to our ‘No-Alibi System’. Because no possible way. create football- training officer can ever see what every trainee does on any kind DIB: One last question: what is field-sized of a training exercise. You just the largest training space you’ve can’t see what everybody does. constructed, or might expect systems. Very often a trainee will say “Yes to construct for the Dauntless sir, I looked behind that couch in system? I understand you generally clearing that room.” In our world, provide for close quarter combat just that right now the wireless we can play back every single demands, but out of curiosity...? limitations - because we need high- thing, look through everybody’s speed wireless to keep up with eyes - we actually have the ability TM: Yes, we have three clients the very high speed rates to the to see where they looked, to be able that very much want us to create eyes for our VR headsets and the to identify, did they actually look football-field-sized systems. computers on the back. It’s wireless there? A lot of times, the trainees constraints that nobody in the don’t even know that they didn’t DIB: As if to simulate multiple city world has the ability to overcome. look behind something! Or they blocks! But as soon as we begin to work out don’t know, they don’t remember a way to do that, we will be creating what they really did! So they can TM: Yes. Our biggest system right football-field sized systems. see and quantify every single detail, now is a basketball court sized what every person does. And it’s system. So it’s a hundred feet by often very valuable to have - to give fifty feet, or roughly thirty-three them the eye-view of the bad guys! metres by seventeen metres. Now, They can see: “Oh my gosh, I gave we are not limited by that size - in away - I leaned forward around that our motion picture business, we’ve corner, and gave away my position! done much bigger things than that I’d be dead if he’d really shot me!” over the years. However, there’s no The after-action view has all the reason technically why we can’t data stored in an automatic meta- create a football sized system. It’s

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Interview: James Thompson and Robert Walker, General Atomics Rory Jackson

The second Unmanned Systems Conference and Exhibition was held as part of the first Abu Dhabi Aerospace and Aviation Week. Defence Industry Bulletin took the opportunity to speak with James “Jim” Thompson, General Atomics’ Regional Vice President in charge of international strategic development for the Middle East and North Africa. DIB also spoke to Robert Walker, Director of Strategic Development, on the development of the company’s latest platform, the Predator XP, and on the work being carried out on the Predator B to conform to STANAG 4671 - the NATO Airworthiness Standard for RPA systems - on lightning and bird strike protection, non-destructive testing, and advanced composite and adhesive materials for extreme Robert Walker (left), Jim Thomson (right), General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. Image: Rory Jackson environments.

DIB: I understand the Predator XP DIB: Why did they cease JT: We took the opportunity to is based on the original RQ-1A, and procurement of the platform? completely redesign the aircraft will be delivered to the UAE later from the ground up, in terms of this year? JT: Well, they were buying our improvements. We were limited by larger Predator B at the time. And having the one customer being the JT: RQ-1A first flew in operation they had been splitting their orders U.S. Air Force, where, it really was in Bosnia in 1995. It really was between the two; they decided to ‘their design’. We couldn’t make a a game-changer in the world of put all their money in one basket change - if we thought something unmanned air systems; prior to the and go with the Predator B. A lot could be improved upon, we could Predator, RPAs - remotely piloted of reasons why. Number One – make a recommendations to the aircraft - were not known for their obsolescence; you’re better off U.S. Air Force, but they didn’t want reliability. And they were basically investing in one platform. Well, the to make it a part of the programme flying on a line-of-sight datalink, timing of that actually was very of record, and then we weren’t which limited them to maybe, good for us, because we had been allowed to change it. And so, the 100-120 miles from their point of working on getting approval of the engineers at General Atomics had a take-off. So they had limited utility. Predator XP for sales in this region. long list of improvements that they General Atomics, with the Predator, And that happened at about the wanted to make to the Predator put a satellite control datalink same time, 2010-2011. And when that were limited until the Predator in it, and that enabled you to go we shut down the production for XP arrived - and everything, all of a much further, because the aircraft the U.S. Air Force, that left all this sudden, came out of the woodwork. itself at that time is flying for up capability - the composite, moulds, to 25 hours. And the reliability was everything, the salinoids that we DIB: What systems and greatly increased. That system flew had set up for twenty years, we components has the XP retained? successfully - it’s still flying today. were able to apply it to the Predator But it’s no longer being produced. XP. We didn’t have to lay anybody JT: We retained the power plant The U.S. Air Force, our primary off or shut anything down. and the datalinks that were proven, customer for the Predator RQ-1 - robust - so we kept the Rotax which of course, then, became the DIB: And so, with the Predator 914 engine, but we improved the MQ-1 - stopped their procurement XP, General Atomics took the cooling capability for it. Especially in about 2011, or 2010, when they opportunity to begin making for operating in these areas. And bought the last one. improvements? the datalink, the loss-link

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software - which is very important configuration, dual-redundant. So if though it’s based on the oldest if you lose your link, proven over you had one of your ailerons on the aircraft, it’s now our newest aircraft. two million flight hours, airplane tail lock up or freeze, it didn’t make comes home on its own, you retain the airplane unflyable because each DIB: And a full range of modern the link and you land - all that one has two. We added automatic sensor options are available to stayed. Some of the other areas that take-off and landing capability operators? we kept included the radios, which to the system, which came out of is another very important part of our U.S. Army Grey Eagle aircraft. JT: As far as the sensors go, we have the aircraft. We didn’t change out Very important point: we added an EO/IR, we can use WESCAM’s, the radios; the communications dual sensor capability. The original FLIR’s, Raytheon’s... they all offer links all stayed the same. Predator only had the ability to HD EO/IR capability; laser pointers, carry an EO/IR camera. All of our laser illuminators, range finders, DIB: How about improvements other aircraft since that time also truly amazing sensors. So you to the subsystems? Given the had a wide-area search radar think back to the old days of 1994, technological advancements and system, called the Lynx radar, you had an analogue system on changes in conventions since the which General Atomics produces. there: a 14 inch gimbal. We’ve now late 90s, which other systems has It’s capable of Synthetic Aperture gone up to almost a 16 inch size General Atomics been able to take Radar (SAR) imaging, Ground gimbal. So there’s been tremendous advantage of? Moving Target Indicator (GMTI); improvements in EO/IR camera it even has a mode for maritime systems. JT: We looked at our other aircraft, tracking. So the Predator XP has which is the U.S. Army Grey Eagle dual payloads. We added new DIB: UAVs are never static; and the Predator B for the U.S. Air winglets on the wings - the original development, as I understand it, is Force, and we had put in triple- Predator did not have those. We always ongoing, to keep systems redundant avionics in those extended the wing length by up-to-date with all the capabilities aircraft. The original Predator was about a metre, added the winglets, modern technology offers, and to single-string, so you basically had and that gave us quite a bit more keep offering something new that one of everything - if that one endurance. Five percent more. competitors cannot. Can you share failed, then you could have some any details about what’s in the problems. Very reliable system, but DIB: So the winglets also contribute woodwork for the Predator right nonetheless, our new aircraft had to the increased range of the now? triple-redundant avionics so, if aircraft? you had one fail, the other two will JT: The one we’re working on today carry you home. We took that, and JT: Yes. And they also work very is a Traffic Collision Avoidance put it into the Predator XP. well - we moved our antennas for System (TCAS) for sense-and-avoid. the radio, the UHF, VHF, and we It’s not integrated in what we’re also have Automatic Identification delivering today, but it’s something We extended the System (AIS), which is a means of we’re working on back at the tracking ships - we put those in factory. A lot of our customers - wing length by the winglets, which takes it away especially in this region where from the main body of the aircraft countries tend to be small and about a metre, where we have a lot of electrical they don’t have a lot of segregation added the winglets, interference. It puts them out as between the military and their far as you can from the main body commercial aviation. And right and that gave us of the aircraft. As you can see from here, in the UAE, Al Bateen base is a our model, we have LED lights as multi-use military and commercial quite a bit more well on those winglets. We even base. You go to Bahrain, Kuwait, endurance. Five changed out the propeller. We did Qatar - they’re all very small a design study on the propeller, countries, and there’s really not a percent more. we had about four or five different separation. They fly their military models built, ran them in wind aircraft the same place they fly tunnels for hours and hours on their commercial craft. So we’re end to see which one was more working on integrating a TCAS: we DIB: The shape of the airframe has efficient. The aircraft resembles the have transponders on the aircraft also visibly changed between the original RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator from currently, the TCAS will help RQ-1A and the XP, has it not? the outside, because we retained greatly. It’s something we hope to the basic aerodynamic shape, but have available in our systems in the JT: We redesigned the tails, it’s actually fully designed, it’s our next year or so. and made them a fixed-tail newest aircraft, it really is. Even

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DIB: How long has GA been into, in the nose. TCAS is what airworthiness standards across working on its TCAS? we’re integrating onto the Predator Europe; that’s going be extended XP. into other countries as well. The JT: TCAS systems are in existence idea behind the extended range today - many aircraft, manned DIB: While we’re talking about the and the 13-foot longer wing is that aircraft, have TCAS systems on Predator B, I understand recently that’s essentially the first step in board. We’re not developing it, we there was an announcement - the the development of the certifiable are integrated an existing TCAS first flight following the extension configuration. onto our aircraft. I don’t know of the wings on the Predator B, who the OEM is for that system, which successfully brings greater JT: So it increases the endurance but we’re integrating it onto the range endurance to the UAV. Will from about 27 hours to over 40. Predator XP. But the Due Regard there be any upgrades to the Which is significant, but also radar is a General Atomics product engine, fuel tanks, or datalink, to helps with short-field take-off and that goes beyond a TCAS system. better accommodate this increase landings. It also has some lightning in range? protection that we’re incorporating RW: We’re expecting to have that onto these long-wings, so as Rob available by the end of the year. JT: I personally don’t know about said, it’s a step towards a certified TCAS integrated into the XP. the engine or datalinks...fuel Predator B. system, potentially, by having JT: One clarification - the Due a wingspan that’s about 13 feet Regard radar, right now, is being longer than the standard Predator integrated onto the larger aircraft; B, since we do use wet wings - we the Predator B, not the XP. I would have fuel in the wings - there’s like to think in the future, that is potential for adding more fuel to a potential thing to do, but there’s the wings. size, weight and power (SWaP) issues that have to be overcome, RW: The programme that we have because we have a smaller platform in development for delivery in...let’s with less space on board. So at say 2018, right now is the certifiable this point in time, the Predator B Predator B configuration. And the aircraft that we’re selling to the U.S. certifiable Predator B was designed Air Force, foreign allies, Homeland specifically for international Security, that is the aircraft we’re customers, specifically to integrating the Due Regard radar comply with a host of different

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Tejas ‘shines’ out of India for the first time In Sanskrit, ‘Tejas’ means ‘brilliance’, ‘shine’ or ‘brightness’. At the start of the year, all these fabled attributes of India’s indigenous - and long-delayed - Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) were focused onto Sakhir airbase in Bahrain, where the type made its first international debut. While the the design appeared to be mature, there was also pride and confidence on display among the accompanying high-ranking industry and political representatives.

DIB’s Georg Mader went to Bahrain to speak with the ‘Tejas’ programme-director and head of all Indian Aeronautical-Development (ADA), as well as the new secretary in the Modi- government for defence research (DRDO)…

DIB: For our European readers, can you please tell me which one of you is involved in the LCA? You are said to be quite new in your functions, but I suppose that’s not the case with the long-slipping ‘Tejas’...

CD BALAJI (smiling): No, that’s true. We’ve both been associated with it for many years. My background is naval-aviation and later I became the programme-responsible within the national aeronautical- development for the LCA’s naval version, then later for all combat- The Tejas is powered by the General Electric F404-IN20. Image: Jeremie M. Yoder aircraft and, since last July, director of the whole agency. situation – something like 28 where DIB: So, did you bring the ‘Tejas’ there should be 40. In the next few here to Bahrain because you’re Dr S CHRISTOPHER: My scientific years, the MiG-21 ‘Bison’ will be looking to sell overseas? The background is in design and retired and then the MiG-27s. Can programme has taken so long to development of the slotted array the ‘Tejas’ counterbalance this? It mature and the recently agreed technology, which has been used was originally intended to replace production at HAL will take years… in several airborne and missile the MiG-21... Do you really see capacity and projects. I also work on the LCA’s chances for exports at this stage? multi-mode radar. More recently, CHRISTOPHER: These are the I was head-of-programme for requirements of the IAF leadership. CHRISTOPHER: It was very our airborne early-warning- and Politics are trying to support important that we could come control-system aircraft [AEW&C] this in helping them out, based here to demonstrate to the world and director of the centre for on intelligence-based threats that India is capable of producing airborne-systems (CABS) at as well as by the budget. I know a world-class fighter plane. It Bengaluru. Since last July, I’ve been what you mean in pointing to the was quite different from flying in secretary for research within the long history the plane has had, Bangalore at AERO-INDIA. Here, a Indian DoD and director-general of but it was a brave and ambitious discerning audience was watching DRDO. undertaking to begin this project, the performance very closely and and it’s now finally bearing fruit. Of the feedback has fed my curiosity DIB: A grim picture has been course, I would love if only ‘Tejas’ even more. We are ready to build painted by your air-chiefs in replaces all the old types. And not the ‘Tejas’ at a rate of 8 per year the IAF, of India having too few just in India... now and at least 16 per year squadrons against the air threat

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from 2017 onwards. Nations are Outside the LSP, there are seven BALAJI: ‘Tejas’ has undoubtedly already making enquiries about its of them with No. 4 and No. 7 come of age. It has extended its capabilities. Our lengthy teamwork here today at Bahrain. They will flight envelope in reaching the has finally paid off, so we’re just be followed by an initial serial full +8G/-2G-level and the angle of very proud. Our aim was to ensure production of 20, with the first attack of 24°. We have to clear it a we have a quality product – not just already delivered to the Indian little more before it’s released to for indigenous requirements, but Air Force, and then another 100 manual service. Structurally the also for exports. We’re currently planned [for the IAF]. aircraft is cleared for 12G, so we’re ramping up production, so for any confident to release it to actual export order we would be ready to DIB: These 100 will then be what service. dovetail. you call ‘Mark.1A’ right? With the US-supplied GE404-engine... DIB: What’s the status on weapons BALAJI: You’re right, ‘Tejas’ has integration? taken a long time. But the world CHRISTOPHER: Yes, the ‘Mark.1A’. now wants to know if it really is a The initial 20 are just the ‘Mark.1’. BALAJI: At this initial stage, +4G fighter aircraft. Today they saw Both have the F404-IN20 engine. weapons integration is basically the proof, right here in a region completed, both in terms of air-to- that is always a profitable market DIB: So what does the ‘A’ stand for? air and air-to-ground – the latter for combat-aircraft. There’s good with unguided- and precision- interest from the trade observers BALAJI: It will have some major guided bombs. What still needs and Middle East buyers. Yesterday improvements against the basic ‘1’, to be done is to fire the gun from we had a specific discussion with including the integration of the EW the aircraft while airborne. When customers from Abu Dhabi who are suite with a self-produced jammer. we return the LSP7, the gunnery requesting information. And we Subsequently, there will be an verification against air- and ground- have verbally received interest from AESA radar – at the moment, in the targets will commence. The same many other delegations. We’ll host first 20, there is the mechanically aircraft will then go on to its some of them in India in April. scanning slotted-array of the ELTA necessary BVR missile firings, as so EL/M-2032. For the AESA, we have far just the WVR missiles have been DIB: The two aircraft now here at options for a US product or a joint integrated. Bahrain – what are these? Low-rate Indian-Israeli-product based 60:40 initial-production versions? How on an upgraded variant of the DIB: What weapon will that be? An many prototypes were there? ELTA EL/M-2052. It will be decided Indian one? this year upon its maturity. And of BALAJI: These here we call ‘Limited course Mk.1A will have in-flight- CHRISTOPHER: Soon it will be an Series Production’(LSP) aircraft. refuelling. Indian one – the radar-homing Before them, there were five ‘ASTRA’, which has already been prototypes called PVs. Actually DIB: Regarding final flight-testing fired from Su-30MKI. On the LCA, there was no PV4 because we before initiating production – what we will first integrate the Israeli decided to have two two-seaters, does the aircraft have to prove for RAFAEL ‘Derby’ BVR-missile. For which were the PV5 and PV6. flight clearance? WVR or IR-weapons, the Russian Vympel R-73 [AA-11] is already integrated and the Israeli ‘Python 5’ will follow suit.

DIB: Tell us about the two-seaters – they’ll be part of series production, right?

BALAJI: Of course, it’s needed for OC [Operational Conversion], but the twin-seater on this aircraft is not critical as we’ve established a very good synthetic substitute in form of a capable high-fidelity simulator. That’s been done indigenously, under DRDO. The pilots – although all experienced – felt very comfortable transitioning from the simulator to the real The aircraft on display at the Aero India exhibition. Image: Defence 19

Defence Industry Bulletin :: 46 The Briefing Room

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. Image: wikimedia

aircraft, even without a trainer. For on land. That was when, under was planned for the future Mk.2, regular squadron ops, there will be my supervision, we built a ski- would have to be integrated earlier. some two-seaters in each batch. jump at Goa. Commodore Jaideep Is that the case? However these will be operational Maolonkar did the first ‘jump’ from aircraft, which also can do many there on NP1 in December of 2014. BALAJI: Yes, but just for the naval other things... The result was that the aircraft version for now. A land based Mk.2 performed even better than the is another, more distant thing. For DIB: Ah – like EW, battle- team ever thought it could. the carrier version, that margin management... of extra power of the F414-IN56 is DIB: In what way? definitely needed. Besides that, we BALAJI: Exactly. Other specialised are in the comfortable position of roles besides just training. BALAJI: The cautious flight-test having both engines fitting into the team decided to lock 5.7° as the airframe without many changes DIB: On the subject of specialised minimum-climb angle for the required. roles, we have to touch on the NP1 once it made the leap off the naval version of ‘Tejas’. As you ski-jump. When the aircraft did DIB: A question about the ‘Tejas’ initially said, Director Balaji, this that, the minimum climb angle all-round combat power…We all has been your ‘baby’… was observed to be in excess of know that India feels ‘encircled’ 10°! Soon NP1 achieved an angle- by China and what you call their BALAJI (smiling): Yes, thank you. of-attack after ramp exit of 21.6°, ‘proxies’, Pakistan. The latter have Concurrently with the basic giving the team enough of a new F-16s and their JF-17 ‘Thunder’ version, we are proceeding with ‘healthy’ margin to work with in while China also have Sukhois the naval variant. This – as you terms of performance. The arrester- and several – even stealth(y) – well know – has its own challenges. hook was also successfully tested developments. Do you see – in For the Indian Navy, it is built to and is now integrated into the a larger conflict scenario – the operate from a ski-jump carrier airframe and flight-controls. ‘Tejas’ as competitive, not only as under the STOBAR-concept [Short- a survivable striker but also as a Take-Off-But-Arrested-Recovery]. DIB: Even so, we’ve heard that ‘killer’ in the skies? Therefore it needed an arrester- the Navy has had doubts over hook and different, stronger the initial version’s thrust output, BALAJI: It’s certainly competitive. landing gear. Before it could deploy meaning the GE414 engine – the We have done well on weapons out on a ship, it had to be tested one in the ‘Super Hornet’ – which integration and we have done the

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to their full fruition with the CHRISTOPHER: Exactly. With a addition of human capability and production-rate of 16/year this We as engineers man-machine interface. Only would take six or seven years. as a symbiosis can they survive Nobody wants that, in the light have to provide and succeed in wartime. We as of these urgent requirements engineers have to provide the mentioned by the IAF. And 120 will the pilots the pilots the ability to exploit the nowhere be the final number in the maximum capabilities of a new end. However, that low rate is only ability to exploit plane, developing this with our own calculated on the capacities of HAL hands and with the pilots in mind. and therefore we are thinking of the maximum Of course, we also have to take increasingly outsourcing for parts capabilities of a into consideration space and the or whole sections to private sector inevitable possibilities for various suppliers. This would be done in new plane improvements demanded by those the same way as the Airbus C295, our pilots or suggested by the which saw those 56 medium- technicians in the future. transports assembled by the private ‘swing-role’ that allows air-to-air Airbus-partnered Indian company and air-to-ground in the same DIB: How long do you think ‘TATA Advanced Systems’ (TASL) to sortie. Also the aircraft is very HAL [Hindustan Aeronatics Ltd.] replace the IAF’s aging Avro 748Ms. easy to handle. It’s small – even will need to deliver those 100 Or in the same way that helicopter a little smaller than the Swedish ‘1.As’? HAL has so many other parts have been provided through ‘Gripen’, which is an advantage in commitments – like the HAWK, partnership with Sikorsky. So the air combat. Our senior pilots are all the Mirage modernisation, the fuselage can come from here and very confident in its survivability. Jaguar DARIN-III upgrade, even wings from there, all to speed up They say we have not produced the potential PMF [Indian 5th-Gen the process. Of course, it would all what you would call a ‘lame duck’ fighter based on the Sukhoi T-50], remain under HAL’s quality control. but quite the contrary. all in the mid-term future. Isn’t this again prone to a repeat of endless delays, for which HAL has become CHRISTOPHER: I have to add here that survivability and infamous? competitiveness only come

HAL Tejas NP-1 takes-off from the Shore Based Test Facility at INS Hansa, Goa. Image: Indian Navy

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