Monthly Archives: April 2019

Air

Multirole Helicopter

Świdnik, 26 April, 2019 – Leonardo announced that it has signed a contract valued at approximately 380 million EUR (1.65 billion PLN) that will significantly enhance the Polish Navy’s helicopter capability. Through its fully owned Polish company and main industrial presence in the country, PZL-Świdnik, Leonardo will supply four AW101s and a comprehensive integrated logistics and training package to the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MoD).

Leonardo: 380 million EUR contract for maritime multirole helicopters with the Polish Ministry of National Defense
Leonardo: 380 million EUR contract for maritime multirole helicopters with the Polish Ministry of National Defense

PZL-Świdnik, acting as the prime contractor and responsible for the entire contract execution, was selected in a multi-stage process, meeting all the requirements of the Polish MoD, and will deliver and support the most capable maritime multirole helicopter available on the market today. The helicopter is already in service in some of the most important NATO nations among others. The Świdnik facility plays a significant role in the production of all the AW101s ordered worldwide.

With deliveries expected to be completed by 2022 the AW101 will perform a range of missions including Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). This contract signing for the AW101s and the relevant support package follows the Offset Agreement, valued at approx. 400 million PLN (90 million EUR) recently announced.

The contract was signed today in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak and Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo, during a ceremony at Leonardo’s facility in Świdnik.

Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo CEO, said, «We are proud that the Polish MoD has confirmed its trust in Leonardo as one of its key partners to collaborate on national defence, to support the modernization of the Armed Forces and boost technological and industrial growth. We are committed to further reinforcing our presence and contribution to Poland, one of Leonardo’s home countries where we see significant collaboration opportunities in the future».

Navy

Critical test

Raytheon Company completed a successful static test of the new DeepStrike missile rocket motor, which moved the advanced, surface-to-surface weapon closer to its maiden flight test later this year.

Raytheon's new DeepStrike missile rocket motor passes critical test
Raytheon’s new DeepStrike missile rocket motor passes critical test

Raytheon’s new DeepStrike missile rocket motor passed a recent static test conducted at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia, which moved the weapon a step closer to its first flight. The company is on a fast track to deliver an advanced, surface-to-surface missile that exceeds the U.S. Army’s requirements by doubling the firepower while reducing the cost.

The company is offering the DeepStrike missile for the U.S. Army’s Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, program to replace the aging Army Tactical Missile System that is approaching the end of its service life.

«Testing shows us how initial data assessments line up and validates them for the next phase in development», said Doctor Thomas Bussing, Raytheon Advanced Missile Systems vice president. «This test confirms our design for the DeepStrike propulsion system is solid and moves us one step closer to extending the Army’s reach and doubling the load-out of long-range fires».

The rocket motor test at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia is the latest in a series of milestones for the DeepStrike missile. Raytheon recently concluded a successful preliminary design review for the weapon.

Raytheon’s new, long-range precision strike missile features an innovative, two-in-the-pod design and will fly farther, faster, and give the Army twice the firepower at half the cost per missile. It is also more maneuverable and has a modular, open architecture to simplify system upgrades.

«With our expertise in advanced weapon systems, Raytheon is best positioned to provide an affordable, low-risk solution that gives the Army an overwhelming advantage over our nation’s adversaries», Bussing said.

The DeepStrike missile will defeat fixed land targets 60-499 kilometers/37-310 miles away, and get there faster than current systems.

Raytheon’s next-generation DeepStrike missile is the U.S. Army’s affordable solution that offers double the firepower, greater range and precision accuracy

Navy

The third ship

The U.S. Navy christened its newest Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002), during a 10 a.m. EST ceremony Saturday, April 27, at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine.

BATH, Maine (December 9, 2018) – Following a multi-day process that includes moving the ship from the land level facility to the dry dock, the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) is made ready before flooding of the dry dock at General Dynamic-Bath Iron Works shipyard, and subsequent launching of the third Zumwalt-class destroyer (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works)
BATH, Maine (December 9, 2018) – Following a multi-day process that includes moving the ship from the land level facility to the dry dock, the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) is made ready before flooding of the dry dock at General Dynamic-Bath Iron Works shipyard, and subsequent launching of the third Zumwalt-class destroyer (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works)

The third ship in the Zumwalt-class, DDG-1002 is named in honor of late President Lyndon B. Johnson, who served in office from 1963-1969, and will be the first ship to bear his name.

Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Johnson, the two daughters of the former president, served as the ship’s sponsors. In a time-honored Navy tradition, the sisters christened the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. Robb also served as the principal speaker.

«The future USS Lyndon B. Johnson will serve for decades as a reminder of President Johnson’s service to our nation and support of a strong Navy and Marine Corps team», said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. «This ship honors not only President Johnson’s service, but also the service of our industry partners who are vital in making the Navy the nation needs».

Johnson served as a U.S. Navy Reserve officer before being called to active duty after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He requested a combat assignment and served in the Pacific theater. After returning from active duty, Johnson reported to Navy leaders and Congress what he believed were deplorable living conditions for the warfighters. He continued to fight for better standards for all military members.

Johnson’s time as president was marked by the passage of programs that greatly influenced and affected education, healthcare and civil rights for generations to come. He signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, enacting comprehensive provisions protecting the right to vote and prohibiting racial discrimination by employers. His work on civil rights continued with the passage of the Voting Rights Act, which guaranteed voting rights for all people, regardless of race.

The multi-mission Zumwalt-class destroyers will be capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions while allowing the Navy to evolve with new systems and missions. Zumwalt ships are 610 feet/186 meters long, have a beam of 80.7 feet/24.6 meter, displace almost 16,000 tons, and are capable of making 30 knots/34.5 mph/55.5 km/h speed.

Navy

City-class frigate

This is the first of the Navy’s next-generation frigates, gradually taking shape in a huge shed on the Clyde.

HMS Glasgow begins to take shape
HMS Glasgow begins to take shape

This is HMS Glasgow, the lead ship in the new City-class, successor to the workhorse of today’s Fleet, the Duke-class Type 23 frigates.

Eight of these Type 26 ships will replace the «souped-up» submarine-hunting variant of the 23s (those equipped with Sonar 2187 – the towed array streamed from the quarterdeck) from the middle of next decade. (The five general purpose 23s, such as HMS Montrose, will be superseded by the Type 31e frigate which is still at the design stage.)

Work has been under way on the £1.2bn warship since mid-July 2017 at BAE Systems’ yard in Govan.

She’ll comprise more than 60 blocks in her finished form, with all but half a dozen of those giant segments in place by the end of next year.

The size of the vessel and the Govan shed means the ship will be pieced together in two huge sections: first the forward part of the frigate, followed by the stern.

Once the two parts are joined on the slipway outside the shed, the main mast and bridge section will be lifted into place and the mostly-complete frigate will be taken downstream for fitting out at BAE’s yard on the north bank of the Clyde at Scotstoun.

All of which is a couple of years off. For now, Vice Admiral Chris Gardner wanted to see how far Glasgow had progressed in his new role as Chief of Materiel (Ships) at the Defence Equipment and Support organisation – the arm of the MOD which oversees new projects and programmes and provides engineering and technical support to existing military kit.

«You can now stand inside a Type 26 as the zones come together and get a real sense of HMS Glasgow as she takes shape», he said.

Three ships have been ordered from BAE: Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast, while the remaining five vessels in the class have been named: Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Edinburgh and finally London.

The admiral also dropped in on «mega Medway» – No.2 of five new RN patrol ships – which is about to sail from Scotstoun on her second period of trials; all five vessels have been built in Glasgow, four are in the water and one, HMS Forth, is in Royal Navy hands.

Air

Australian Triton

Northrop Grumman Corporation welcomes the announcement last month by the Australian Government to purchase a second MQ-4C Triton aircraft. Australia’s 2016 Defence White Paper identified the requirement for seven high altitude, long endurance Triton unmanned aircraft. Northrop Grumman will deliver the Triton through a cooperative program with the United States Navy.

Australia to purchase second Triton aircraft
Australia to purchase second Triton aircraft

«Northrop Grumman is excited to develop this unrivaled capability for the Royal Australian Air Force», said Doug Shaffer, vice president and program manager, Triton programs, Northrop Grumman. «MQ-4C Triton will provide the Australian Defence Force a high-altitude, long-endurance system for intelligence, reconnaissance and broad area surveillance missions to enhance the security of Australia’s borders».

Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne identified «people smuggling and the exploitation of our natural resources» as threats which Triton’s capabilities can help to address.

Minister for Defence Industry Linda Reynolds identified the opportunities this program will create for Australian industry and said that «there will be significant opportunity for Australian industry to share in billions of dollars of system maintenance and network management functions».

Northrop Grumman is committed to developing a sovereign defence capability for Australia through industrial partnership and participation, direct investment and technology transfer.

«We are proud of our partnership with the Australian Government and Australian industry, which we exemplified in the recent signing of the Australian Industry Capability Deed with the Minister for Defence Industry at the Avalon Airshow», said Chris Deeble, country executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. «To date we have partnered with several Australian entities to assist in the production and sustainment of the Triton unmanned aircraft system in Australia. Initiatives like this ensure local companies benefit from the investment in Australia’s security, and we take great pride in contributing to this».

 

Specifications

Wingspan 130.9 feet/39.9 m
Length 47.6 feet/14.5 m
Height 15.4 feet/4.6 m
Gross Take-Off Weight (GTOW) 32,250 lbs/14,628 kg
Maximum Internal Payload 3,200 lbs/1,452 kg
Maximum External Payload 2,400 lbs/1,089 kg
Self-Deploy 8,200 NM/9,436 miles/15,186 km
Maximum Altitude 56,500 feet/17,220 m
Maximum Velocity, TAS (True Air Speed) 331 knots/381 mph/613 km/h
Maximum Endurance 24 hours

 

Navy

FREMM frigate

On the 18th April 2019, Naval Group launched the multi-missions FREMM frigate FNS Alsace (D656). First one of the two air defense frigates of the FREMM program (FREMM DA) destined to the French Navy and benefitting from the same antisubmarine warfare performances than the preceding units, the FNS Alsace (D656) benefits from increased capacities in terms of air defense.

Launching of the ninth FREMM frigate, the FNS Alsace (D656), the first frigate with reinforced air defense capacities
Launching of the ninth FREMM frigate, the FNS Alsace (D656), the first frigate with reinforced air defense capacities

Thirteen months after the keel laying of the first block, the FREMM DA Alsace is released from the construction form of the Naval Group site of Lorient. Ninth multi-missions FREMM frigate, it is also the seventh one for the French Navy, ordered by the OCCAR on behalf of the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA).

In order to answer the operational requirements, the Alsace FREMM integrates the last evolutions ordered by the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR), according to an unchanged delivery planning. «The essential of the architecture of the first FREMM designed by Naval Group is conserved but its polyvalence will be increased by enhanced capacities in terms of anti-aerial warfare. These modifications particularly concern the combat system», says Pierre-Jean Cuisinier, director of the FREMM DA program.

The technical adaptations brought by Naval Group are notably translated into a more powerful multifunction radar, reinforced communication tools, three additional consoles for the Combat Management System SETIS in the Combat Information Center (CIC), with enhanced air defense capacities using the Aster 15 and 30 missiles. In a few days, the FREMM Alsace will also receive its new mast, opitmised in order to increase the detection performances.

«This ninth launching is scoring the collaboration between Naval Group, the DGA, the OCCAR and the French Navy in order to produce ships benefitting from the continuous enhancement of the already produced FREMM. Thanks to the good master of the technological risks but also to the determination and the know-how of the group’s teams, it is a new successful challenge», explains Nicolas Gaspard, director of the FREMM programs.

In addition to the ensuring the same anti-submarine warfare missions than the previous FREMM, the FREMM DA Alsace will have the role of ensuring the air defense of major units: the Charles de Gaulle aircraft-carrier or an amphibious helicopter-carrier, within an aero-naval or amphibious group.

The Naval Group teams and its numerous partners are mobilized in order to deliver the two anti-air defense frigates Alsace and Lorraine, respectively on the first semester 2021 and on the second semester 2022.

Seven FREMM have been delivered between 2012 and 2018. The FNS Aquitaine (D650) in 2012, the FNS Provence (D652) in 2015, the FNS Languedoc (D653) in 2016, the FNS Auvergne (D654) in April 2017 and the FNS Bretagne (D655) in July 2018.

On the international side, Morocco received the Mohammed VI (701) in 2014 and Egypt the Tahya Misr (FFG-1001) in 2015. The FNS Normandie (D651) will be delivered in summer 2019 in conformity with the contractual planning.

 

Technical caracteristics of the air defense FREMM

Strongly armed, the FREMM DA Alsace use the most performant weapon systems and equipment so as: the multifunction Herakles radar, the Aster 15 and 30 and Excocet MM 40 missiles or even the MU 90 torpedo. The performances of its combat system are reinforced with increased radar and communication capacities, a new radar and electro-optical fire-lead, and a Combat Management System SETIS equipped with specific anti-air defense functions.

 

Characteristics

Overall length 466 feet/142 m
Bearn 65.6 feet/20 m
Displacement 6,000 tonnes
Speed 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h
Complement 119 (+ 14 for the helicopter crew)
Accommodation 165 men and women
Range at 15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h 6,000 nautical miles/6,905 miles/11,112 km

 

Navy

German Navy

On April 25, the Peene shipyard in Wolgast will lay the keel for the new corvette «Cologne». The new corvettes are the first result of the trend to reverse the equipment decline of the German Navy. The construction of the first of five new corvettes takes place just two years and four months after the first parliamentary initiative in the Bundestag.

The K130 class corvettes are considered the workhorse for the Germany’s security responsibilities; after an initial batch entered service, Germany is now building a second, improved batch of five vessels (Bundesmarine file photo)
The K130 class corvettes are considered the workhorse for the Germany’s security responsibilities; after an initial batch entered service, Germany is now building a second, improved batch of five vessels (Bundesmarine file photo)

«The armament project of the new corvettes shows we can also be fast», said the Navy Inspector (chief of staff), Vice Admiral Andreas Krause. «And we also have to stay fast because we urgently need the ships to relieve the fleet».

Since its commissioning in 2008-2013, the first five ships in the class have become proven workhorses of the German naval forces. On the one hand, one of the corvettes for the UNIFIL stabilization mission in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Lebanon has been in use virtually since 2012. On the other hand, the small, manoeuvrable ships with a sea endurance of up to seven days are specialists for national and alliance defense missions in the Baltic Sea, where they regularly practice with NATO and EU partners.

The German fleet has recently tested the newly-developed concepts of intensive use and multi-crew model with the class K 130, for which the class 125 frigates are designed and of which the first will be put into service this year.

Intensive use means that a naval vessel will remain on operational service for up to two years, while the crew will change every four months thanks to the multi-crew model. Already in 2015 and 2016, the «Erfurt» proved the practicability of these concepts: It was in use 17 months at a time both at UNIFIL and in the Horn of Africa. During this time, her approximately 60-strong crew changed four times. The test has shown that although the wear was greater, the technology of the «Erfurt» is robust enough to withstand the intense use.

The «Cologne» is the first of a second batch of K 130 corvettes, around which the Navy will complement its current fleet with five additional corvettes. The «Cologne» will be followed by «Emden», «Karlsruhe», «Augsburg» and «Lübeck». The keel for the latter is expected to be laid in December 2020. The first maker’s sea trial for the «Cologne» is scheduled for August 2022.

With the procurement of these new ships, the Navy will also eliminate the obsolescence of the corvettes, which are already introduced into the fleet.

The five new corvettes will be built by a joint venture of three shipbuilding companies: Lürssen Werft, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and German Naval Yards.

Lürssen will build the foredeck of the «Cologne» in its shipyard at Lemwerder near Bremen, while the rear will be built at the Wolgaster Peene shipyard. These two large sections will then be assembled and equipped at the Thyssen shipyard Blohm & Voss in Hamburg. In Wolgast, the rear vessels of the remaining four new corvettes are also being built.

Navy

SIGINT ship

Nauta Shiprepair Yard has completed the next milestone in the construction of the Swedish Signals intelligence (SIGINT) ship HMS Artemis for the Royal Swedish Navy. Outfitting and equipment installation will take place in Nauta Shiprepair Yard, after which the vessel will undergo harbour and sea trials. The ship will then sail to Saab’s shipyard in Karlskrona to complete outfitting of special systems.

New Swedish SIGINT ship launched in Gdynia
New Swedish SIGINT ship launched in Gdynia

The launching ceremony took place in PGZ Stocznia Wojenna in Gdynia on April 17 and was attended by representatives of the Polish government, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) and Saab, as well as representatives of the Royal Swedish Navy, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Swedish National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA), the Embassy of Sweden and invited guests.

The first steel cutting took place in March 2018 followed by the keel-laying only three months later. The new ship is 243 feet/74 metres long with displacement of 2,200 tonnes.

«We are delighted to achieve a significant milestone within the contract for the construction of a signals intelligence ship, which will serve the Royal Swedish Navy», said Gunnar Wieslander, Senior Vice President, Head of Saab Business Area Kockums.

«The launch of the signal intelligence ship is a significant event in the construction process. The vessel is a showcase of the high quality and technical capabilities of the shipyard and our partners», said Adam Potrykus, acting President of the Board of Nauta Shiprepair Yard S.A.

Saab was awarded the contract to design and build the SIGINT ship HMS Artemis, which will replace the Swedish Navy’s existing HMS Orion, by the Swedish Material Defence Administration (FMV) in 2017. Subsequently Saab selected Nauta Shiprepair Yard, part of PGZ Group, to construct, launch and perform the sea trials of the ship.

The cooperation in ship construction between Saab and Nauta Shiprepair Yard is a direct result of the agreement, signed in late 2016, to establish a close partnership between Saab and PGZ in the planning and delivery of naval programmes.

The Swedish Rear Admiral, Jens Nykvist, earlier announced that the new SIGINT ship will be given the name HMS Artemis.

Air Force

Milestone C

The Northrop Grumman Corporation Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) pod for the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft has achieved Milestone C. This critical milestone, awarded by the Department of Defense Milestone Decision Authority, marks the end of the development and testing phase and enables the beginning of production and deployment.

Northrop Grumman’s laser-based LAIRCM infrared countermeasure packages advanced missile warning sensors, a pointer/tracker and processor into a pod that can be transferred between KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft for survivability (Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force)
Northrop Grumman’s laser-based LAIRCM infrared countermeasure packages advanced missile warning sensors, a pointer/tracker and processor into a pod that can be transferred between KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft for survivability (Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force)

The Generation 3 podded LAIRCM system, known previously as Guardian, is an infrared countermeasure system that detects, tracks and jams incoming missiles. It incorporates advanced missile warning sensors, a compact laser pointer/tracker and a processor in a single pod that can be readily transferred between aircraft to meet rapidly changing mission requirements. This mature system leverages Northrop Grumman’s decades-long countermeasures experience and requires no aircrew intervention. KC-135 Stratotanker aircrews can focus on their critical refueling, aeromedical evacuation and cargo missions while gaining the full survivability benefit the LAIRCM system provides.

To achieve Milestone C, Northrop Grumman worked closely with the KC-135 Stratotanker Program Office, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command to thoroughly test LAIRCM for KC-135 Stratotanker in the laboratory and the field.

«In this changing threat environment, the LAIRCM Generation 3 pod is ready to provide much-needed protection to KC-135 Stratotanker aircrews as they carry out their critical support missions», said Bob Gough, vice president, land and avionics Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman’s infrared countermeasure systems have been installed on more than 1,800 large and small fixed wing, rotary wing and tilt-rotor platforms of more than 80 types.

Navy

Antonio Marceglia

The frigate «Antonio Marceglia» (F-597) was delivered on April 16, 2019 to the Italian Navy at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia). It is the eighth of a series of 10 vessels of the FREMM program – Multi Mission European Frigates – commissioned to Fincantieri as part of the international Italian-French program, coordinated by OCCAR (the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation). Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (51% Fincantieri and 49% Leonardo) is the prime contractor for Italy in the FREMM program, which envisions the construction of 10 units, all already ordered.

FREMM «Antonio Marceglia» (F-597) delivered to the Italian Navy
FREMM «Antonio Marceglia» (F-597) delivered to the Italian Navy

«Antonio Marceglia» (F-597) is the eighth unit built by Fincantieri that includes the combat system, the fourth in multipurpose configuration after the «Carlo Bergamini» (F-590), the «Luigi Rizzo» (F-595) and the «Federico Martinengo» (F-596), delivered to the Italian Navy respectively in 2013, 2017 and 2018. Measuring 472.4 feet/144 meters of length and with a displacement at full load of approximately 6,700 tons, the FREMM frigates represent technological excellence: designed to reach a maximum speed of 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h and to provide accommodation for 200 people (crew and staff), these vessels are able to always guarantee a high degree of flexibility and to operate in a wide range of scenarios and tactical situations.

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

These units – which will become the backbone of the naval fleet over the next decades –significantly contribute to the development of the tasks assigned to the Italian Navy, being able to operate in various sectors, from specific military purposes to those in favor of the community.

 

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