Northrop Grumman Developing the Next Generation Radar for the F-35 Lightning II

Calum John

Northrop Grumman Developing the Next Generation Radar for the F-35 Lightning II | Northrop Grumman

BALTIMORE – Jan. 11, 2023 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is developing AN/APG-85, an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the F-35 Lightning II. Northrop Grumman currently manufactures the AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar, the cornerstone to the F-35 Lightning II's sensor suite.

Northrop Grumman is developing the next generation radar for the F-35 Lightning II. Credit: Northrop Grumman

The AN/APG-85 is an advanced multifunction sensor that will be compatible with all variants of the F-35 aircraft and will be capable of defeating current and projected adversarial air and surface threats.

The development and integration of APG-85 will incorporate some of the latest technologies available and help ensure air superiority. This advanced sensor will provide unparalleled battlespace situational awareness that translates into platform lethality, effectiveness and survivability.

Northrop Grumman plays a key role in the development, modernization, sustainment and production of the F-35. In addition to producing the AN/APG-85 and AN/APG-81 radars, the company manufactures the center fuselage and wing skins for the aircraft, produces and maintains several sensor systems, avionics, mission systems and mission-planning software, pilot and maintainer training systems courseware, electronic warfare simulation test capability, and low-observable technologies.

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The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced the flight of MiG-31BM fighter-interceptors over the Pacific Ocean

Nik Pilgrim

Минобороны РФ сообщило о полете истребителей-перехватчиков МиГ-31БМ над Тихим океаном -

MiG-31BM         press service of the VVO

Moscow. January 8. Interfax-AVN - Two MiG-31BM interceptor fighters based in Kamchatka have flown over the Pacific Ocean, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

      "Pilots of the MiG-31BM high-altitude interceptor fighters practiced their skills in performing flights at low temperatures with instrument piloting in the absence of visible landmarks," the military department's website said in a statement.

     "The main task during the event was to improve the skills of performing the assigned tasks by the crews of the MiG-31BM fighters when on combat duty for air defense in the regions of the Far North," the ministry said.

     The MiG-31 (NATO codification: Foxhound - "Foxhound") is a two-seat long-range supersonic fighter-interceptor designed for long-term patrols and combating high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, strategic bombers and low-flying targets. The aircraft is capable of simultaneously hitting 6 and tracking up to 10 air targets.

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Air Force test fires missiles on the new F-15EX weapons stations

Sunil Gupta

Air Force test fires missiles on the new F-15EX weapons stations

The upgraded F-15EX can carry up to four more air-to-air missiles than its predecessor.

BY MAX HAUPTMAN | PUBLISHED JAN 4, 2023 1:33 PM

 

Flying locally over the Gulf of Mexico, two F-15EX Eagle II aircraft launched missiles from their new weapon stations, known as Stations 1 and 9, on November 29, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo).

The Air Force’s new F-15EX Eagle II conducted its first successful missile launch from the two new weapons stations that are part of the aircraft’s significant upgrades during a recent flight over the Gulf of Mexico.

During the test, conducted on Nov. 29, 2022, at the Eglin Test and Training Complex, two F-15EXs fired an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile from the aircraft’s new weapons stations. The two new weapons stations will allow the F-15EX to carry up to 12 air-to-air missiles, four more than the F-15C/D Eagles, which operate today.

“Having been a part of the Eglin F-15EX team from day one, it’s exciting to see the progress made and new milestones achieved as we work to field the most combat-capable F-15EX,” said Maj. Brett Hughes, who fired the AIM-120.

Development of the F-15EX was first announced in 2018, with the Air Force granting a $1.2 billion contract for eight aircraft in 2020. It took its first flight in February 2021. The Eagle II conducted its first successful missile launch in January 2022, when one of the test aircraft from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida fired an AIM-120D missile at a BQM-167 aerial target drone.

Designed to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet of F-15C/D fighters, the F-15EX contains numerous upgrades to just about every aspect of the aircraft, including a new electronic warfare system, radar, and fly-by-wire controls. It also significantly upgrades the amount of ordnance the aircraft can carry with the addition of the two new weapons mounts, which are located toward the wing tips. This allows the aircraft to carry up to four additional air-to-air missiles — 12 in total — such as the AIM-120D. That missile has an estimated range of 75 miles, and possibly up to 100 miles, and was used for what the Air Force called the “the longest known air-to-air missile shot to date,” during a March 2021 test fire.

“The F-15EX is an incredible addition to the USAF inventory. This event, executed by a top-notch team of test pilots, engineers, and experts, proves yet again the F-15EX will be ready if, and when, our adversaries challenge our nation’s interests,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Wee, commander of the Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force.

Following this successful demonstration of the aircraft’s expanded missile capability, the F-15EX will continue undergoing operational testing before the jets begin being delivered to units later this year.

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A batch of T-90Ms was received by tankers involved in the SVO in Ukraine - Russian Defense Ministry

Vladislav Perminov

Партию Т-90М получили танкисты, задействованные в СВО на Украине - Минобороны России -

20.12.2022 14:08:05

       Moscow. December 20. Interfax - A batch of upgraded T-90M Proryv tanks has entered service with a tank unit of the Central Military District, whose units are fighting in the Special Military Operation Zone (SVO), the Russian Defense Ministry reports.

       "After the completion of combat coordination, the tank crews will begin to perform tasks as part of the Brave grouping of subunits," the statement said.

       According to open data, the T-90M is the latest modification of the Russian T-90 main battle tank. The T-90M is equipped with a new combat turret module with a powerful 125-millimeter cannon that provides the use of new ammunition, as well as a guided missile that can destroy enemy armored vehicles at a distance of up to 5 km. The high speed characteristics of the T-90M, fuel efficiency and power reserve are provided by a diesel engine with a capacity of 1,130 liters. with.

       The T-90M is distinguished by all-round protection, a modern all-day highly automated fire control system and increased survivability.

       According to the commander of a tank platoon, quoted by the press service of the Ministry of Defense, the main difference between the T-90M Proryv tanks is that they are modernized, they have system surveillance, a thermal imager system, the Accord turret rotates, I can switch to the gunner, I can shoot from the cannon for the commander," the officer noted

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Allison Transmission Awarded $51M Contract to Support Abrams Tank Production

U.S. Army photo / Staff Sgt. Charles Porter

Allison Transmission Awarded $51M Contract to Support Abrams Tank Production | Manufacturing.net

Deliveries and technical support under this contract will begin in January 2023 and continue through March 2024.

IEN Staff

Dec 14, 2022

 

Allison Transmission, a designer and manufacturer of conventional and electrified vehicle propulsion solutions for tactical wheeled and tracked defense vehicles, and medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, has been awarded a $51 million contract for the X1100-3B1 transmission and technical support for the Abrams Main Battle Tank used by the U.S. Army and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers.

“The Abrams is the most prevalent main battle tank in the free world, and the recent announcement of defense sales expanding to Taiwan, Australia and Poland increases its presence to eight U.S. partner nations. Allison is proud to support the U.S. Army and our global customers today and for decades to come,” said Dana Pittard, Vice President for Defense Programs, Allison Transmission.

Deliveries and technical support under this contract will begin in January 2023 and continue through March 2024.

The Abrams tank, introduced in the early 1980s, has been the subject of continuous capability improvements throughout its service life. Similarly, Allison continues to develop innovative enhancements to meet customer demand while ensuring transmission longevity and performance.

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Magellan Aerospace Signs Agreement With BAE for F-35 Aircraft Assemblies

Matt Ellis

MAGELLAN AEROSPACE SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH BAE SYSTEMS FOR F-35 AIRCRAFT ASSEMBLIES - Magellan Aerospace

Toronto, Ontario – 9 December 2022 – Magellan Aerospace Corporation (“Magellan”) announced today that it will continue producing F-35 Lightning II (“F-35”) horizontal tail assemblies under an agreement with BAE Systems. This significant, multi-year agreement is the continuation of contract awards made to Magellan by BAE Systems and will further Magellan’s participation on the global program.

Magellan and BAE Systems have been working together to produce horizontal tails for the global F-35 program for more than a decade, signing the original Letter of Intent for this agreement in 2006. Both companies have since made significant investment in facilities, technologies and training to ensure the successful delivery of these flight-critical assemblies to F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin.  The horizontal tail assemblies produced at Magellan’s facility in Winnipeg, MB, will be used on the Conventional Takeoff and Landing variant of the F-35. Magellan is targeting to produce more than 1,000 ship sets of horizontal tail assemblies over the life of the F-35 program.

“Magellan has been able to achieve and maintain the maximum production rate per year during the COVID-19 crisis.  The award of this agreement to Magellan and the ongoing demand for horizontal tails will enable our rate to be maintained for another three years,” said Mr. Phillip Underwood, Magellan’s President and CEO. “Magellan is proud to be contributing on a critical program, from the earliest days, supporting all of the global customers in this unprecedented international enterprise.”

Magellan is excited to continue to participate on the F-35 program that includes eight international partners — the U.S., United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, Australia, Norway, Denmark and Canada. Eight Foreign Military Sales customers are also procuring and operating the F-35 ­— Israel, Japan, South Korea, Poland, Belgium, Singapore, Finland, and Switzerland.

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U.S. Air National Guard recommend fielding Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 decoy after successfully completing an extensive US Defense Department test programme

Duncan Monk

U.S. Air National Guard recommend fielding Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 decoy after successfully completing an extensive US Defense Department test programme | Leonardo

Rome  24 November 2022 12:59

BriteCloud’s world-first miniaturised jamming technology delivers a major upgrade in aircraft protection compared to traditional expendable countermeasures

The decoy will be designated AN/ALQ-260(V)1 in U.S. Armed Forces service

The U.S. Air National Guard (ANG) has issued a ‘fielding recommendation’ for Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 expendable active decoy, tested on US F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. This means that the service, which has conducted an extensive testing and live trials campaign with BriteCloud since 2019, is confident that the decoy meets and, in some instances, even exceeds operational requirements, delivering an increased platform protection capability to 4th generation fighter aircraft like the F-16.

The U.S. Air Force has subsequently designated BriteCloud 218 as AN/ALQ-260(V)1, identifying it as an airborne electronic warfare countermeasure. BriteCloud is unique in the combat air countermeasure market, packing latest-generation DRFM jamming technology into a compact expendable that can be launched from standard countermeasure dispensers. Unlike traditional chaff and flares, BriteCloud employs a sophisticated on-board electronic warfare capability designed to counter radar-guided threats.

Designed and manufactured by Leonardo in the UK, BriteCloud has already entered service with the UK’s Royal Air Force. As a world-first technology, BriteCloud has been undergoing evaluation for potential service with U.S. Armed Forces under the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) programme. The fielding recommendation by the ANG is one of the final stages of the programme and gives the green light to BriteCloud 218 as proven effective and fit for operations.

The BriteCloud 218-variant rounds evaluated under the FCT are standard-sized rectangular countermeasures measuring just two by one by eight inches. This means they are compatible with common dispensers including the AN/ALE-47 and are ready to equip other 4th generation fighters such as the F-15, F/A-18, F-16 and A-10 fighters. BriteCloud 218 is also an effective protection capability for smaller uncrewed platforms, with the German Armed Forces successfully trialing the system with target drone aircraft last year.

Leonardo’s original BriteCloud 55 decoy (a slightly larger variant, compatible with round 55mm flare dispensers such as those on the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen C/D), is used by the UK’s Royal Air Force. BriteCloud’s unique combination of latest-generation threat protection with extremely low integration costs continues to generate significant international interest and Leonardo is in talks with a number of Air Forces about the capability.

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