Patria has signed an agreement with the Finnish Defence Forces on the mid-life upgrade and overhaul of the Finnish Defence Forces’ Hamina Class fast attack craft. The procurement is part of the Naval Capability Development Programme, based on which the overhaul of Hamina Class vessels will ensure continued naval defence capabilities in the period between the decommissioning of Rauma Class fast attack craft and the commissioning of Squadron 2020 corvettes during the 2020s. The total value of the delivery contract, without options, is around 170 million euros (excluding VAT). The estimated employment effect of the programme in Finland will be around 300 person-years.
As it waits for the production of its new corvettes under the Squadron 2020 program, the Finnish Navy has awarded Patria, with Saab as the main subcontractor, a contract for the mid-life upgrade of its Hamina-class fast attack missile craft (FI Navy photo)
Patria will act as the prime contractor, designer and lead system integrator having the overall responsibility for the project. The delivery includes a number of sensor, weapon and communication systems, system upgrades, as well as ship technical modifications and overhauls. In addition to extending the lifecycle of the attack craft, their anti-submarine warfare capability is enhanced. Related to the new capabilities, Patria will equip the Hamina Class craft with its new, innovative Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training Target system, which enables flexible and cost-effective anti-submarine warfare training.
As part of the extensive supply chain management effort involved, Patria also signed the most significant subcontracts related to Combat Management System (CMS), torpedo and sensor systems with Saab AB and ship technical work with Oy Western Shipyard Ltd.
«The Hamina Class mid-life upgrade is a large effort, which has been planned in close cooperation with the Finnish Defence Forces. We have strong expertise and capabilities for leading and implementing challenging and extensive system integration projects as a prime contractor. We were also responsible for the successful Rauma Class fast attack craft mid-life upgrade project», says Pasi Niinikoski, President of Patria’s Systems Business Unit.
Boeing and its partner Saab AB will use their two production T-X aircraft, revealed on September 13, to show the U.S. Air Force the performance, affordability, and maintainability advantages of their approach.
The Boeing and Saab T-X aircraft (Boeing photo)
Boeing T-X is an all-new aircraft designed specifically for the U.S. Air Force training mission, and takes advantage of the latest technologies, tools and manufacturing techniques. It is an advanced aircraft designed to evolve as technologies, missions and training needs change. The design is more affordable and flexible than older, existing aircraft.
«Our T-X is real, ready and the right choice for training pilots for generations to come», said Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Leanne Caret.
The Boeing T-X aircraft has one engine, twin tails, stadium seating and an advanced cockpit with embedded training. The system also offers state-of-the-art ground-based training and a maintenance-friendly design for long-term supportability.
«It’s an honor to build the future of Air Force training», said Saab President and CEO Håkan Buskhe. «We have created the best solution thanks to great cooperation and a clear strategy since day one».
T-X will replace the Air Force’s aging T-38 aircraft. Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is planned for 2024.
Swedish defense and security company Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defense to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs. Saab is a $4 billion business with approximately 14,000 employees in about 35 countries.
According to Reuters, Brazil’s Senate approved on 05 August 2015 a $4.6 billion financing agreement reached last week with Sweden for the purchase of 36 Gripen fighter jets from Swedish planemaker Saab AB for the Brazilian Air Force.
From the very beginning, Gripen has been designed to be a true multi-role and swing-role fighter – meaning it can perform air-to-air, air-to-surface and reconnaissance missions
The Senate rushed through a request from President Dilma Rousseff’s government authorizing it to borrow up to 39.88 billion Swedish crowns from Sweden’s export credit agency SEK for the planes and an additional $245.3 million for weaponry.
In the midst of a fiscal crunch, Brazil managed to negotiate better terms, reducing the interest rate on the main credit to 2.19 percent from 2.54 percent agreed last year. Interest on the smaller dollar loan was set at 3.56 percent. Brazil has 25 years to repay the loans with an eight-year grace period. Despite Brazil’s economic difficulties, the borrowing authorization was backed by opposition parties who said the purchase was of strategic importance for the country’s defense.
The first Gripen NG fighter jets should be delivered to Brazil in 2019. Saab plans to set up a Brazilian assembly line producing the fighter jets through 2024 in partnership with Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA. The contract provides for full transfer of technology and the production of 15 of the jets in Brazil.
Brazil awarded the contract in December 2013, choosing Saab’s fighter over Boeing Co.’s F-18 Super Hornet and the Rafale made by France’s Dassault Aviation SA. Brazil signed an additional $245 million contract with Saab in April to provide arms for the Gripens.
Gripen NG has weapons for all types of mission, from guided bombs for precision engagement with low collateral damage, to long-range and agile air-to-air missiles and heavy anti-ship armaments
Gripen NG
The maximum combat radius for Gripen NG on an air-to-surface configuration is approximately 800 NM/932 miles/1,500 km. This is defined as flying to a target, releasing air-to-surface weapons, and then returning to home base. The actual combat radius depends on the configuration of the aircraft’s external stores, its profiles and the availability of reserve fuel tanks. Gripen NG’s combat radius meets the needs of air forces around the world, but at a much lower cost than its competitors.
The aircraft’s maximum time on station in a mission depends on the stores carried and the distance from the home base to the combat air patrol station. In a typical air-to-air configuration for example, Gripen NG can patrol for over two hours.
The single-seat Gripen NG is equipped with a 27-mm Mauser BK27 gun. This can be used in air-to-surface attacks against land and sea targets and is suitable for air policing missions. Gripen NG can also carry pods and sensors for reconnaissance and special missions.
Gripen’s flexible weapon system architecture allows easy and cost-efficient integration of new stores, from long-range and agile air-to-air missiles to anti-ship missiles and guided bombs. This is enabled by standard pylon interfaces, a modular avionics system, and adaptive payload classifications that eliminate the need for updates of the flight control system.
The new PS-05/A Mk4 is a multi-function radar system developed to provide air force commanders with efficient means of countering evolving threats and executing complex missions types with new fighter aircraft capabilities.
Gripen NG has a canard/delta wing configuration with relaxed stability. A triplex fly-by-wire aerodynamic control system enables stable and precise flight with highly agile maneuvering
SINGLE-SEATER
Dimensions
Span (incl. launchers)
27.56 feet/8.4 m
Length (excl. pitot tube)
46.26 feet/14.1 m
Height overall
14.76 feet/4.5 m
Wheel track
7.87 feet/2.4 m
Wheel base
17 feet/5.2 m
Weights
Empty weight
14,991 lbs/6,800 kg
Internal fuel
>4,409 lbs/2,000 kg
Total load capacity
11,685 lbs/5,300 kg
Maximum take-off weight
30,865 lbs/14,000 kg
One of Gripen NG’s key strengths is its ability to find and exploit information
Boeing and Saab have proven that Boeing’s Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I), originally developed for use by aircraft, can be adapted for launch from a ground artillery system. The companies recently tested the Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB), integrating the SDB I and M26 rocket motor technologies for the Multiple Launch Rocket System. The testing showed that the bomb can withstand a rocket artillery launch without its performance being compromised.
The weapon can do both high and low angles of attack, fly around terrain to hit targets on the back of mountains, or circle back around to attack a target behind the launch vehicle
«GLSDB combines two highly successful, combat-proven systems into an effective ground forces offensive capability», said Beth Kluba, vice president, Boeing Weapons and Missile Systems. «Boeing and Saab bring together deep knowledge of precision weapon systems and can quickly and cost-effectively deliver GLSDB domestically and around the world. Moreover, this is not developmental, it’s not PowerPoint. It’ hardware, it exists, and through our investment we’re able to bring this capability to the war fighter very quickly».
GLSDB allows the artillery system to reach targets from significantly longer distances, and engage hard-to-reach targets, while maintaining the Small Diameter Bomb’s flight maneuverability and accuracy. Under a teaming agreement signed last year, Boeing and Saab will offer GLSDB to current and future rocket artillery users. The rocket motor used during testing was provided by Nammo.
«Saab and Boeing have a history of successful cooperation that now extends into yet another technology area – precision weapons systems», said Görgen Johansson, Head of the Dynamics Business Area within Saab AB. «Together, we now offer a new and game-changing capability for the U.S. as well as the global market».
The weapon is designed to be launched out of a Multiple Launch Rocket System, used by a number of US allies already, avoiding the need to design a new launch system. That MLRS can hold six weapons per pod, with two pods per vehicle
Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb
The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb revolutionizes rocket artillery. GLSDB will provide the warfighter with a long-range, precision fires weapon capable of conducting reverse slope engagements and defeating targets ranging from hardened facilities to soft-skinned assets. With 360-degree target engagement ability, GLSDB provides commanders and planners with a highly flexible weapon that complements existing ballistic trajectory weapons.
GLSDB is an integration of combat proven systems, not a developmental program. It builds upon Boeing’s highly successful Small Diameter Bomb Increment I and existing Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) rockets.
The SDB I is a 250-pound/113.3-kilogram class weapon with an Advanced Anti-Jam Global Positioning System aided Inertial Navigation System, combined with a multipurpose penetrating blast-and-fragmentation warhead and a programmable electronic fuze. The result of this integration is an innovative, low risk weapon that provides significantly more capability over current MLRS rockets.
More than 10,000 SDBs have been built at Boeing’s award-winning, modern production facility in St. Charles, Missouri. Since the first SDB delivery in April 2005, every weapon has been delivered on time and at cost.
The system essentially sticks a GBU-39B small diameter bomb, widely used by the US military and a number of international customers, on the front of a M26 rocket
General Characteristics
Increased range – extends range 60 km/37 miles beyond current Guided MLRS
Highly accurate
All angle, all aspect attack – even targets behind the launch point
Multiple rocket, multiple target, near simultaneous impact
All weather, 24/7 availability
Terrain avoidance, such as mountains
Cave breaching capability
Launches from hidden or protected positions to avoid detection
Programmable fuze provides impact and delay fuzing for deep penetration or proximity height-of-burst
SDB Focused Lethality Munition variant is also an option for low collateral damage
Compatible with M270A1 MLRS and M142 HIMARS platforms
150 km/93 miles range
360-degree target engagement ability Six rockets per pod
Dimensions
Length: 154 in/3.9 m
Weight: 615 lbs/279 kg
The SDB I is a 250-pound/113.3-kilogram class weapon with an Advanced Anti-Jam Global Positioning System aided Inertial Navigation System, combined with a multipurpose penetrating blast-and-fragmentation warhead and a programmable electronic fuze
Warhead
Penetrating blast fragmentation
Weight: 205 lbs/93 kg – 4340 steel cylindrical case with conical-shaped nose
Explosive Fill: 36 lbs/16 kg Insensitive Munition Certified
Fuse: Integrated Electronic Safe/Arm Fuse System Impact and Delayed Settings with Height of Burst Sensor
Size: 71 in/1.80 m (L) x 7.75 in/0.20 m (H) x 7.5 in/0.19 m (W)
Wingspan: 63.3 in/1.60 m (open), 7.5 in/0.19 m (stowed)
Guidance Set
Inertial Navigation System (INS)/Global Positioning System (GPS)
Anti-jam and Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module
Advanced Core Processor Two Module
Defence and security company Saab and Boeing have proven that Boeing’s Small Diameter Bomb I, originally developed for use by aircraft, can be adapted for launch from a ground artillery system
