Monthly Archives: February 2018

Air

JAGM test

Aviation testers at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona are deep into testing the latest Army aviation missile, known as the JAGM (Joint Air-to-Ground Missile).

Pilots fire the new Joint Air-to-Ground Missile being tested at Cibola Range, Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, in support of deliberate attack mission against armor ground vehicle targets (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Tad Browning, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs)
Pilots fire the new Joint Air-to-Ground Missile being tested at Cibola Range, Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, in support of deliberate attack mission against armor ground vehicle targets (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Tad Browning, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs)

The complex JAGM test was a collaborative team effort between the West Fort Hood, Texas-based Aviation Test Directorate (AVTD) of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, Yuma Test Center (YTC) at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), Arizona, and Redstone Test Center (RTC) based at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

AVTD coordinated multiple efforts to assure a successful test as JAGM moves towards its next major milestone, a low-rate initial production decision.

«The close cooperation between YTC and the Operational Test Command during the short duration was critical», said Lieutenant Colonel Karsten Haake, Chief of the AVTD Rotary Wing Test Division. «Without the professionalism and the mission dedication of the YTC range support team, test completion would have been significantly delayed. This was truly a team effort».

Participating pilots give the new weapon’s versatility high marks.

«One of the things that sticks out to me is the simplicity for the crew in terms of how they select weapons for their missions», said Chief Warrant Officer 5 John Bilton, the first non-experimental test pilot to fire the missile, a milestone that took place at YPG in the fall. «Before, we had to put a lot of thought into, ‘What do I need?’ As soon as I launch, I don’t get to come back and change out my missiles», Bilton said. «In combat, you don’t want to encounter a target you need to hit and not have on-board the right missile for the job».

The JAGM boasts the ability to use semi-active laser or radio frequency as a means of guiding it to target.

Moreover, the crew can switch modes within seconds as a combat scenario evolves.

«Using a Semi-Active Laser (SAL) missile, the last six seconds of the missile flight is the most critical to keep your laser sight on target», explained Michael Kennedy, Experimental Test Pilot, Aviation Flight Test Directorate, RTC. «If you’re getting shot at and your line of sight goes off the target, your missile misses. JAGM can start off using the laser, then transition to the radar portion and still hit the target if the crew has to use evasive maneuvers», he added.

More capable in adverse weather conditions and boasting a longer range than the older Hellfire, the JAGM can now be fired and aircrews can retreat to a safer standoff distance, but also can be aimed without pointing the laser directly at the target.

«You aren’t required to have your laser sight on a target to hit it», said Kennedy. He also said the ability to off-set lasers, a capability that defeats potential laser countermeasures, has distinct tactical advantages.

«The ability to not have to put the laser directly on the target and let the adversary know that you are about to kill him is a tremendous benefit», added Al Maes, Aviation weapons technical advisor for the Training and Doctrine Command’s Capability Manager Recon Attack. «Once you have the missile off the rail and encounter smoke or dust or fog, a regular laser missile could lose that target. With JAGM, I have a pretty good guarantee that I am going to kill that target with a single missile instead of multiple missile shots», he said.

YPG’s vast ranges and variety of realistic targets is a great location and allows the Apache equipped with JAGM to operate in a variety of situations and altitudes that resemble an operational environment.

«We’re out here shooting at real targets», said Scott McLendon, AVTD Operational Test Officer for JAGM. «It’s a real T-72 driving down the road, not a burnt-out hulk with a million holes in it sitting out on the range. To me, the real targets provided at YPG are really a value-added».

To make the testing as realistic as possible, YPG personnel installed remote-control kits on four separate target vehicles, allowing pilots to fly scenarios where they engaged multiple moving targets at once.

«It’s difficult and unique», said Kennedy. «Having real moving targets adds good operational flavor to the test».

YPG’s natural desert environment also contributed significantly to the test’s realism.

«In an active combat zone or engagement area, you have multiple targets, half of which could be burning», said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Jackson, AH-64D/E Recon and Attack Standardization, TRADOC Capability Manager Recon Attack. «The other half could be evading. Then you have wind shift and wind flow that could kick up obscurants and make it more difficult to determine a clean target set».

«We also get more battlefield realism in that we get dust as well as smoke, so we get a two-for-one here in terms of the environmental piece», added Maes.

Information gathered during the operational test not only validates the weapon, but also contributes new insights for training pilots on how to use the JAGM for maximum effect.

Though the operational test is now complete, further developmental testing, including integrating new software to support the JAGM into the Apache, will continue at YPG.

Yuma Proving Ground has nearly 2,000 square miles/5,180 square km of restricted airspace, a vast and precious asset used to test manned and unmanned aircraft – and their weapons – in all stages of the development cycle.

The clear, stable air and extremely dry climate – which makes inclement weather a rarity – as well as YPG’s isolation from urban encroachment, makes it highly coveted for this type of testing.

«YPG is way less restrictive than some other installations», said McLendon. «We can put the missile through all the parameters we need to, including high-altitude shots. It’s really user-friendly here».

YPG can conduct multiple tests concurrently and without having to compete for runway and airspace with manned fighter jets, a limitation at other installations.

The close coordination, professionalism and favorable test locations assured the success of this critical test as this new capability moves towards fielding for Soldiers.

Test unit pilots for the JAGM LUT are (left to right): Chief Warrant Officer 3 Justin Porter, Master Gunner, Gunnery Branch, Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD), Fort Rucker, Alabama; Chief Warrant Officer 5 John Bilton Brigade AH-64D/E Subject Matter Expert, 110th Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker, Alabama; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Jackson, AH-64D/E Recon and Attack Standardization, Training and Doctrine Command Capability Manager (TCM) Recon Attack, Fort Rucker, Alabama; and Mr. Michael Kennedy, Experimental Test Pilot, Aviation Flight Test Directorate, Redstone Test Center, Alabama (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Tad Browning, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs)
Test unit pilots for the JAGM LUT are (left to right): Chief Warrant Officer 3 Justin Porter, Master Gunner, Gunnery Branch, Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD), Fort Rucker, Alabama; Chief Warrant Officer 5 John Bilton Brigade AH-64D/E Subject Matter Expert, 110th Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker, Alabama; Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Jackson, AH-64D/E Recon and Attack Standardization, Training and Doctrine Command Capability Manager (TCM) Recon Attack, Fort Rucker, Alabama; and Mr. Michael Kennedy, Experimental Test Pilot, Aviation Flight Test Directorate, Redstone Test Center, Alabama (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Tad Browning, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs)

 

About the U.S. Army Operational Test Command (USAOTC)

As the Army’s only independent operational tester, USAOTC tests and assesses Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. USAOTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer – the American Soldier.

The Aviation Test Directorate at Fort Hood, Texas, plans and conducts operational tests and reports on manned and unmanned aviation-related equipment to include attack, reconnaissance, cargo and lift helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, tactical trainers, ground support equipment, and aviation countermeasure systems.

Ground Forces

Phase 1 Swarm

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) selected Northrop Grumman Corporation as a Phase 1 Swarm Systems Integrator for the Agency’s OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program. As part of the program, Northrop Grumman will launch its first open architecture test bed and is seeking participants to create and test their own swarm-based tactics on the platform. Northrop Grumman is teamed with Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI) and the Interactive Computing Experiences Research Cluster, directed by Doctor Joseph LaViola at the University of Central Florida.

Northrop Grumman Launches First Open Architecture Test Bed to Support DARPAs OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics OFFSET Program
Northrop Grumman Launches First Open Architecture Test Bed to Support DARPAs OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics OFFSET Program

As part of the DARPA OFFSET program, Northrop Grumman serves as a swarm systems integrator, tasked with designing, developing and deploying a swarm-system, open-based architecture for swarm technologies in both a game-based environment and physical test bed. The team has been tasked to produce tactics and technologies to test on the architecture and is responsible for engaging a wider development and user audience through rapid technology-development exercises known as «swarm sprints».

Approximately every six months, DARPA plans to solicit proposals from potential “sprinters” in one of five thrust areas: swarm tactics, swarm autonomy, human-swarm teaming, virtual environment and physical test bed. Participants from academia, small business and large corporations are invited to join in these swarm sprints. Sprinters will work with the integration team to create and test their own novel swarm tactics within the test bed environment. The end of each sprint will coincide with live physical test experiments with DARPA, the systems integrator team and other sprinters.

The goal of the OFFSET program is to provide small-unit infantry forces with small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) or small Unmanned Ground Systems (UGSs) in swarms of 250 or more robots that support diverse missions in complex urban environments. OFFSET seeks to advance the integration of modern swarm tactics and leverage emerging technologies in swarm autonomy and human-swarm teaming.

«Cognitive autonomy has the potential to transform all defense and security systems. OFFSET will explore a variety of applications in relevant mission scenarios», said Vern Boyle, vice president, advanced technologies, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. «We are applying cutting-edge technologies in robotics, robot autonomy, machine learning and swarm control to ultimately enhance our contributions to the warfighter».

Ground Forces

Lightweight VBMR

February 12th, 2018, Nexter and Texelis are delighted at confirmation by Florence Parly, Minister of Armies, for the attribution of the supply of Lightweight Multi-Role Armoured Vehicles (VBMR Véhicules Blindés Multi-Rôles) for the French Army. The contract went through the «Direction Générale de l’Armement» (DGA) in the presence of Joël Barre, National Armament Director (NAD), and Bernard Barrera, Major General of the land forces.

An artist’s impression of the Véhicules Blindés Multi-Rôles Léger (VBMR Light), the next-generation multirole armored vehicle that will equip the French army’s combat units. Over 2,000 are planned to enter service by 2030 (Nexter image)
An artist’s impression of the Véhicules Blindés Multi-Rôles Léger (VBMR Light), the next-generation multirole armored vehicle that will equip the French army’s combat units. Over 2,000 are planned to enter service by 2030 (Nexter image)

These 4-wheel drive vehicles are designed for use by the Army’s intelligence and reconnaissance units as part of the SCORPION programme. With their multi-role capability, they are equipped with the SCORPION Information and Communication Systems (SICS) and come in several variants: troop transport, command post, artillery fire control, engineering, ambulance, and ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance), tactical communication hub, etc.

The Nexter Group will be responsible for the design to cost and performance, integration, production and support of the lightweight VBMR. This fully French-made vehicle will be assembled in Roanne, alongside the VBMR-GRIFFON and EBRC-JAGUAR, thus reinforcing job creation in the Roanne basin and in the engineering offices.

TEXELIS, a French intermediate sized enterprise based in Limoges, will design and supply the mobility equipment. As the French specialist in heavy vehicle power trains, Texelis contributes to the Lightweight VBMR’s mobility performance.

Stéphane Mayer, Nexter’s CEO commented, «I am extremely proud and pleased of this recognition of the expertise of Nexter and its teams, who have come up with the perfect answer to this programme’s requirements. With this contract Nexter is reinforcing its presence within the SCORPION programme and strengthening its position as the reference player in the field of land armament». This contract follows on from the industrial architect contract awarded to tns-MARS (a JV including Nexter, Safran and Thales), the contract grouping together the design, production and support of the VBMR-GRIFFON and the EBRC-JAGUAR (within a temporary consortium consisting of Nexter, Thales and Renault Trucks Defense) and from the renewal of the Leclerc tank of which Nexter is prime contractor.

For his part, Charles-Antoine de Barbuat, Texelis CEO said, «I am very proud of the Texelis team for the part they have played in winning this highly significant contract for Lightweight VBMR. The decision of the DGA and the partnership with Nexter strengthens and confirms our strategy to be specialists in wheeled armoured vehicle and public transport mobility».

Air

400th Super Hercules

Lockheed Martin reached a major milestone with the delivery of its 400th C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on February 9. This Super Hercules is an MC-130J Commando II Special Operations aircraft that is assigned to the U.S. Air Force’s Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

Lockheed Martin delivered the 400th C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on February 9, 2018. This milestone Super Hercules was delivered to the U.S. Air Force, which is the largest C-130J operator in the world (Photo by Amanda Mills, Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin delivered the 400th C-130J Super Hercules aircraft on February 9, 2018. This milestone Super Hercules was delivered to the U.S. Air Force, which is the largest C-130J operator in the world (Photo by Amanda Mills, Lockheed Martin)

The C-130J Super Hercules is the current production model of the legendary C-130 Hercules aircraft, with operators in 17 nations. To date, the global fleet of C-130Js has surpassed more than 1.7 million flight hours supporting almost any mission requirement – any time, any place.

«We celebrate this accomplishment with our employees, industry partners and the Super Hercules operator community that spans 17 countries», said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. «These first 400 C-130Js meet a global demand for the proven performance and unmatched versatility found only in a Super Hercules. Its durability, relevancy and capability will continue to set the C-130J apart as the world’s choice in tactical airlift for decades to come».

The C-130J is defined by its versatility. To date, the C-130J supports 17 different mission configurations to include transport (military and commercial), firefighting, search and rescue, Special Operations, weather reconnaissance, and aerial refueling.

This aircraft has another distinction in addition to being the 400th C-130J delivered: it is the 13th MC-130J to be converted into an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. It will be assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The AC-130J is a highly modified C-130J that provides close-air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance.

The U.S. government operates the largest C-130J Super Hercules fleet in the world. This delivery represents the U.S. government’s continued transition to the C-130J as the common platform across Air Mobility Command, AFSOC, Air Combat Command, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps. The Air National Guard and Reserve still operate a mixed fleet of C-130J and legacy aircraft.

Air

James Webb

The two halves of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope now reside at Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach, California, where they will come together to form the complete observatory.

The Space Telescope Transporter for Air, Road and Sea (STTARS) container enclosed with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s Optical Telescope and Integrated Science instrument module (OTIS) arriving at Northrop Grumman Redondo Beach, California facilities on Friday, February 2
The Space Telescope Transporter for Air, Road and Sea (STTARS) container enclosed with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s Optical Telescope and Integrated Science instrument module (OTIS) arriving at Northrop Grumman Redondo Beach, California facilities on Friday, February 2

«This is a major milestone», said Eric Smith, program director for Webb at NASA. «With the arrival of the science payload at Northrop Grumman’s Space Park facility, we will now carefully test the observatory to ensure the work of thousands of scientists and engineers across the globe is ready for launch and will enable people to seek the first luminous objects in the universe and search for signs of habitable planets».

The Optical Telescope and Integrated Science instrument module (OTIS) of Webb arrived at Northrop Grumman on Friday, February 2. It was previously at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where it successfully completed cryogenic testing.

In preparation for leaving Johnson, OTIS was placed inside a specially designed shipping container called the Space Telescope Transporter for Air, Road and Sea. The container was then loaded onto a U.S. military C-5 Charlie aircraft at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, just outside of Johnson. From there, OTIS took an overnight flight to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Upon its arrival, OTIS was driven from LAX to Northrop Grumman. OTIS and the spacecraft element, which is Webb’s combined sunshield and spacecraft bus, now both call Northrop Grumman home.

«It’s exciting to have all three Webb elements – OTIS, sunshield and spacecraft bus, here at our campus», said Scott Willoughby, vice president and program manager for Webb at Northrop Grumman. «The team is excited to begin the final stages of integration of the world’s largest space telescope».

During the summer, OTIS will receive additional testing before being combined with the spacecraft element to form the complete James Webb Space Telescope observatory. Once the telescope is fully integrated, the entire observatory will undergo more tests during what is called observatory-level testing.

Webb is scheduled to launch from Kourou, French Guiana, in 2019.

The James Webb Space Telescope is the world’s premier space observatory of the next decade. Webb will solve mysteries of our solar system, look beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it. Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.

Ground Forces

Hit-to-kill

The United States and allied military forces will upgrade their missile defense capabilities under a $524 million contract modification for production and delivery of Lockheed Martin Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) and PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors. This modification is in addition to the $944 million contract awarded on December 21, 2017 for PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE production and delivery.

Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 MSE interceptor obliterates incoming threats by striking them directly at extremely high velocity
Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 MSE interceptor obliterates incoming threats by striking them directly at extremely high velocity

The contract modifications include PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE missile deliveries, launcher modification kits, associated equipment and spares.

«PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE give our customers unmatched, combat-proven hit-to-kill technology to address growing and evolving threats», said Jay Pitman, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. «PAC-3 and MSE are proven, trusted and reliable interceptors that employ hit-to-kill accuracy, lethality and enhanced safety to address dangers around the world».

The PAC-3 is a high-velocity interceptor that defends against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. PAC-3 currently provides missile defense capabilities for 11 nations – the U.S., Germany, Kuwait, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and Romania.

Building on the combat-proven PAC-3, the PAC-3 MSE uses a two-pulse solid rocket motor that increases altitude and range to defend against evolving threats.

Air Force

Full operational

Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) – Extended Range (ER) achieved full operational capability on the F-15E Strike Eagle, flown by the U.S. and allied nations’ air forces.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flies with a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). JASSM-Extended Range has more than two-and-a-half times the range of JASSM for greater standoff distance (Photo credit: U.S. Air Force)
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle flies with a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). JASSM-Extended Range has more than two-and-a-half times the range of JASSM for greater standoff distance (Photo credit: U.S. Air Force)

With completion of integration and the fielding of JASSM-ER’s Suite 8 Operational Flight Program, the F-15E Strike Eagle becomes the first Universal Armament Interface (UAI)-compliant platform to field JASSM-ER. UAI-compliant aircraft feature standardized interfaces to support future weapon integration.

«Fielding on the F-15E Strike Eagle expands JASSM-ER’s mission flexibility», said Jeffrey Foley, program director of Long-Range Strike Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. «With its greater than 500 nautical-mile/575 mile/926 km standoff range and planned block upgrades currently in work, JASSM-ER provides an impressive tactical advantage for U.S. and allied warfighters».

Baseline JASSM was the first missile ever to be integrated onto a UAI platform. The U.S. Air Force Seek Eagle Office led the F-15E Strike Eagle JASSM-ER and JASSM integration.

Armed with a penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead, JASSM-ER and JASSM can be used in all weather conditions. They share the same powerful capabilities and stealth characteristics, though JASSM-ER has more than two-and-a-half times the range of JASSM for greater standoff distance. These highly accurate cruise missiles also employ an infrared seeker and enhanced digital anti-jam GPS to dial into specific points on targets.

Effective against high-value, well-fortified, fixed and relocatable targets, JASSM-ER is also integrated on the B1-B and currently in the process of integration on the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon and the internal bay and wings of the B-52H Stratofortress. JASSM is integrated on the U.S. Air Force’s B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-15E Strike Eagle. Internationally, JASSM is carried on the F/A-18A/B Hornet, F-18C/D Hornet and F-16 Block 52 aircraft. Produced at the company’s manufacturing facility in Troy, Alabama, more than 2,150 JASSMs have been delivered.

Air

Vehicle lift

CH-53K King Stallion successfully lifted (and set down) a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) during a demonstration, January 18.

A CH-53K King Stallion lifts a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle during a demonstration, January 18. Using the single point hook, the helicopter hovered up to 100 feet/30.5 meters for approximately 10 minutes while carrying the 18,870-pound/8,559-kg vehicle (U.S. Navy photo)
A CH-53K King Stallion lifts a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle during a demonstration, January 18. Using the single point hook, the helicopter hovered up to 100 feet/30.5 meters for approximately 10 minutes while carrying the 18,870-pound/8,559-kg vehicle (U.S. Navy photo)

Using the single point hook, the helicopter hovered up to 100 feet/30.5 meters for approximately 10 minutes while carrying the 18,870-pound/8,559-kg vehicle.

«This was a first-of-its-kind event for both the CH-53K and JLTV programs», said U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Hank Vanderborght, program manager for the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters program office, PMA-261. «Watching these two high priority programs come together on the flight line was an exceptional sight».

The JLTV family of vehicles are the Army and Marine Corps’ replacement for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and the CH-53K King Stallion is replacing its predecessor, the CH-53E Super Stallion. The specific JLTV used for the demonstration was the four-seat model, known as the Combat Tactical Vehicle.

Prior to using the JLTV, the program tested various external payloads on the CH-53K King Stallion using representative concrete slabs, up to 27,000 pounds/12,247 kg. This year, the test team will expand that external weight envelope up to 36,000 pounds/16,329 kg.

«The payload capability of this helicopter is unmatched, triple that of its predecessor and better than any other heavy lift helicopter in production», said Vanderborght.

The demonstration was a collaborative effort among the CH-53K Integrated Test Team (Sikorsky, NAVAIR and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21), the NAVAIR Internal Cargo Lab and PMA-261.

In addition, the Helicopter Support Team from Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 25 traveled to NAS Patuxent River to support the demonstration, providing key ground support in the hook of the JLTV to the aircraft. It was the first time this unit had an opportunity to support both platforms.

«The biggest thing my unit noticed was the stability of it», said Corporal Ronald Fritter, CLB-25. «Safety is paramount while underneath the bird because you have so many variables with the down wash of the aircraft to the hook … with the hook not moving around at all, little to none, it makes our jobs easier».

There are four Engineering Development and Manufacturing Model aircraft and a Ground Test Vehicle in test. In addition, a sixth aircraft, known as a System Demonstration Test Article, joined the test program this month. To date, the program has logged more than 700 cumulative flight hours.

CH-53K demonstrates vehicle lift
CH-53K demonstrates vehicle lift

 

General Characteristics

Number of Engines 3
Engine Type T408-GE-400
T408 Engine 7,500 shp/5,595 kw
Maximum Gross Weight (Internal Load) 74,000 lbs/33,566 kg
Maximum Gross Weight (External Load) 88,000 lbs/39,916 kg
Cruise Speed 141 knots/162 mph/261 km/h
Range 460 NM/530 miles/852 km
AEO* Service Ceiling 14,380 feet/4,383 m
HIGE** Ceiling (MAGW) 13,630 feet/4,155 m
HOGE*** Ceiling (MAGW) 10,080 feet/3,073 m
Cabin Length 30 feet/9.1 m
Cabin Width 9 feet/2.7 m
Cabin Height 6.5 feet/2.0 m
Cabin Area 264.47 feet2/24.57 m2
Cabin Volume 1,735.36 feet3/49.14 m3

* All Engines Operating

** Hover Ceiling In Ground Effect

*** Hover Ceiling Out of Ground Effect

Navy

First FFX-II-class

The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has received its first FFX-II-class guided-missile frigate ROKS Daegu (FFG-818), according to a statement on 1 February by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The RoKN received Daegu, its first FFX-II-class frigate, on 1 February, according to South Korea's DAPA (Source: DAPA)
The RoKN received Daegu, its first FFX-II-class frigate, on 1 February, according to South Korea’s DAPA (Source: DAPA)

Named Daegu (with pennant number 818), the 122 meter/400-foot-long ship was handed over to the service by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in a ceremony held at the company’s Okpo shipyard on Geoje Island. According to Jane’s Defence Weekly, it is expected to be operationally deployed from the second half of 2018.

Launched in June 2016, Daegu is the first of up to eight vessels of the class expected to enter service with the RoKN. The FFX-II class is a larger variant of South Korea’s six Incheon (FFX-I)-class ships, the first of which entered service in 2013.

According to specifications provided by DSME, the FFX-II class has an overall beam of 14 m/46 feet, a standard displacement of 2,800 tonnes, and a full-load displacement of 3,650 tonnes. The platform is powered by one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine engine, and two DRS permanent magnet motors powered by MTU 12V 4000 diesel-generator sets, in a Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas (CODLOG) configuration. The ship can attain a maximum speed of 30 knot/34.5 mph/55 km/h.

The FFX-II class is armed with one 127-mm MK 45 MOD 4 naval gun and one Raytheon six-barrelled 20-mm Phalanx close-in weapon system mounted on the top of the aft superstructure.

It has also been equipped with a 16-cell Korean vertical launching system for surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine rockets. The cells, each of which can be sub-divided depending on the type of missile, may also be used for land-attack missiles.

Also present on the ship are slant launchers for anti-ship and land-attack missiles, along with hull-mounted and towed array sonars as well as six 324-mm torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare.

Navy

Antonio launched

The launching ceremony of the «Antonio Marceglia» (F597) frigate, the eighth of a series of 10 FREMM vessels – Multi Mission European Frigates, took place on February 3, 2018, at the integrated shipyard of Riva Trigoso (Genoa) in the presence of the Italian Minister of Defence, Roberta Pinotti and, on behalf of the Chief of Defence, General Claudio Graziano, the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, Admiral Valter Girardelli. The 10 FREMM vessels have been commissioned to Fincantieri by the Italian Navy within the framework of an Italo-French cooperation program under the coordination of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).

The eighth multipurpose frigate «Antonio Marceglia» launched
The eighth multipurpose frigate «Antonio Marceglia» launched

Godmother of the ceremony was Mrs. Silvia Marceglia, niece of the Golden Medal for Military Value, Antonio Marceglia.

The President of Fincantieri, Giampiero Massolo, and the CEO, Giuseppe Bono, played host to Giovanni Toti, Governor of the Liguria Region, in addition to a number of civil and religious authorities.

After the launching, fitting activities will continue in the Integrated naval shipyard of Muggiano (La Spezia), with delivery scheduled in 2019. The «Antonio Marceglia» (F597) vessel, like the other units, will feature a high degree of flexibility, capable of operating in all tactical situations. 144 metres/472.4 feet long with a beam of 19.7 metres/64.6 feet, the ship will have a displacement at full load of approximately 6,700 tonnes. The vessel will have a maximum speed of over 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h and will provide accommodation for a 200-person crew.

The FREMM program, representing the European and Italian defence state of the art, stems from the renewal need of the Italian Navy line «Lupo» (already removed) and «Maestrale» (close to the attainment of operational limit) class frigates, both built by Fincantieri in the 1970s.

The vessels «Carlo Bergamini» (F590) and «Virginio Fasan» (F591) have been delivered in 2013, the «Carlo Margottini» (F592) in 2014, the «Carabiniere» (F593) in 2015, the «Alpino» (F594) in 2016, and the «Luigi Rizzo» (F595) in 2017. The Italian program has been fully implemented with the option exercised in April 2015, regarding the construction of the ninth and tenth vessel, whose delivery is scheduled after 2020.

Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (51% Fincantieri, 49% Leonardo) acts as prime contractor for Italy in the initiative, while Armaris (Naval Group + Thales) is prime contractor for France.

This cooperation has applied the positive experience gained in the previous Italo-French program «Orizzonte» that has led to the construction for the Italian Navy of the two frigates «Andrea Doria» and «Caio Duilio».

 

Main Characteristics

Length overall 472.4 feet/144 m
Width 64.6 feet/19.7 m
Depth (main deck) 37 feet/11.3 m
Displacement 6,700 tonnes
Maximum speed 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h
Crew 145 people
Accommodation Up to 200 men and women
CODLAG PROPULSION SYSTEM
Avio-GE LM2500+G4 32 MW
Electric propulsion motors 2 × 2,5 MW
Diesel Generator (DG) sets 4 × 2,1 MW
Propellers 2 × Controllable-Pitch Propeller (CPP)
Endurance 45 days
Range at 15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h 6,000 NM/6,905 miles/11,112 km
COMBAT SYSTEM
Anti-Air Warfare (AAW)/ Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) Capabilities
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Defence
Electronic Warfare (EW) Capabilities