Saturday, 2 May 2020

Navy wants more AN/BLQ-10 submarine electronic warfare (EW) systems to detect hostile radar signals at sea

taskandpurpose.com

 submarine electronic warfare (EW) radar | Military & Aerospace Electronics: 

 The AN/BLQ-10 submarine EW system detects, classifies, pinpoints, and identifies potentially hostile radar and communications signals at sea.

 John Keller

 May 1st, 2020

 WASHINGTON – Submarine combat systems experts at Lockheed Martin Corp. will build additional AN/BLQ-10 electronic warfare (EW) system for U.S. Navy submarines under terms of a $13.2 million order announced on Tuesday.

 Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington are asking the Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems segment in Syracuse, N.Y., to design, prototype, and test the Technology Insertion (TI)-20 version of the AN/BLQ-10 submarine EW system, which automatically detects, classifies, pinpoints, and identifies potentially hostile radar and communications signals at sea.

 The AN/BLQ-10 is for Virginia-, Los Angeles-, and Seawolf-class fast-attack submarines, Ohio-class conventional guided-missile submarines, and future Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarines. It is not for existing Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines.

 The AN/BLQ-10 processes signals from the submarine’s imaging mast or periscope when the boat is at periscope depth. It provides threat warning to avoid counter-detection and collision; determines the number and location of targets for subsequent prosecution; and conducts intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to support the fleet or battle group.

 The program is adopting an open-architecture, incremental development process that fields hardware and software technology insertions every two years. The AN/BLQ-10 blends modular interoperable systems that adhere to open standards with published interfaces.

 The system's first technology insertion in 2008 added a subsystem to intercept some low-probability-of-intercept radar signals. Fielded upgrades from the 2010 technology insertions updated commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors and displays, and Improved Communications Acquisition and Direction Finding (ICADF) system.

 TI-12 upgrades have been fielded on advanced-model Los-Angeles-class attack submarines (SSN 688I) to include new and more powerful computer servers; and standardize the system's cyber security process.

 TI-14 upgrades were scheduled for completion in 2018 for 688I submarines and new-construction Virginia-class submarines. It not only updated COTS processors and displays, but also upgraded the system's Electronic Warfare Server First Generation, which provides its electronic support system operator and platform decision makers with improved tactical situational awareness.

 TI-20 calls for Lockheed Martin to build an upgraded AN/BLQ-10 to modernize new-construction and in-service Virginia-class submarines, and for the future Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine.

 TI-22 work will eventually will provide upgraded AN/BLQ-10 systems for in-service Los Angeles- and Seawolf-class attack submarines, as well as for Ohio-class conventional missile submarines. In the future, TI-24 work will build an upgraded AN/BLQ-10 for Virginia-class and Columbia-class new construction, as well as for in-service Virginia-class modernization.

 On this order Lockheed Martin will do the work in Syracuse, N.Y., and should be finished by February 2021. For more information contact Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems online at www.lockheedmartin.com, or Naval Sea Systems Command at www.navsea.navy.mil.

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lockheedmartin.com

 General Dynamics Electric Boat delivers Vermont submarine to Navy
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U.S. Navy Stealth Destroyer Future USS Lyndon B. Johnson Achieves Important Milestone

The U.S. Navy’s third and final Zumwalt-class stealth guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), under construction at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works (GD-BIW) shipyard in Bath, Maine. GD-BIW Photo.
U.S. Navy Stealth Destroyer Future USS Lyndon B. Johnson Achieves Important Milestone - DefPost: 

 The U.S. Navy's newest Zumwalt-class stealth destroyer, the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), has achieved an important milestone on May 1.

 May 1, 2020  Arun Mathew

 The U.S. Navy’s newest Zumwalt-class stealth guided-missile destroyer, the future USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002), has achieved an important milestone on May 1, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (GDBIW) announced.

 The milestone, the Data Center Light-Off for the ship’s Total Computing Environment, brought the Ship Mission Center to life.

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

 The vessel was launched at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works (GD-BIW) shipyard on Dec. 9, 2018. She was christened during a ceremony in Bath, Maine on April 27, 2019.

 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 long, have a beam of 80.7 feet, displace almost 16,000 tons, and are capable of making 30 knots speed.

 The wave-piercing tumblehome ship design provides a wide array of advancements. Employing an innovative and highly survivable Integrated Power System (IPS), DDG 1000 has the capacity to distribute 1000 volts of direct current across the ships’ entirety, allowing for enhanced power capability for various operational requirements. Additionally, the shape of the superstructure and the arrangement of its antennas significantly reduce radar cross section, making the ship less visible to enemy radars.

 The U.S. Navy recently accepted delivery of the lead ship of the class, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000). Following this delivery, the ship will transition from Combat Systems Activation to the next phase of developmental and integrated at-sea testing. The second ship of the class, USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), is homeported in San Diego and is undergoing combat systems activation.


Nearly 4 years after commissioning, the US Navy is about to get a fully working stealth destroyer
Raytheon nabs $121.5M to work on Zumwalt-class destroyers
DOT&E warns on DDG 1000 self-defence capability
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Friday, 1 May 2020

How an F-16 Fighter Jet Accidentally Bombed Japan

Bruce Smith @flicker.com

 How an F-16 Fighter Jet Accidentally Bombed Japan: 

 Luckily, the inert laser-guided bomb fell...unexplosively...onto private property.

 BY KYLE MIZOKAMI

 APR 26, 2020
  • A U.S. Air Force F-16 stationed in Japan accidentally dropped a bomb on private property.
  • The accident report blames pilot error, including “channelized attention.”
  • There were no casualties or damage on the ground, and pilot was retrained and eventually placed back on duty.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet mistakenly dropped a bomb on private property miles from a bombing range in Japan. The Air Force released the accident report earlier this week, though the incident took place on November 6, 2019. The report explains that pilot error caused the GBU-12 laser guided bomb to strike the wrong target miles away from the actual target.

 An F-16CM fighter from the 14th Fighter Squadron was flying a training mission at the Draughon Bombing Range, located approximately 15 miles away from the fighter’s home base at Misawa Air Base. The pilot accidentally sent the GBU-12 flying to a target location he believed another F-16 was spotting for him. Instead, the bomb was sent to another location, 3.4 miles away and off the bombing range—on private property. No one was killed or injured during the incident, and there was no damage to property.

 The GBU-12 Paveway II is a 500-pound bomb fitted with a laser seeker and control fins to guide the bomb to target. The releasing aircraft, other aircraft, drone, or unit on the ground will “paint” the target with a laser beam. Once the bomb is dropped, the seeker homes in on the laser energy reflected off the target.

 Laser guided bombs like the Paveway II are considered “smart bombs” but are only as smart as the targeting data. In this case, the report explains, the pilot was flying a nighttime suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) mission and was cleared to drop an inert (non-explosive) GBU-12. Due to scattered clouds at the 6,000 to 8,000-foot level, the pilot was unable to see the target himself. The pilot asked another aircraft in his three ship formation to transmit target coordinates, and another plane did so. Unfortunately, the pilot apparently became confused and dropped the bomb on a different set of coordinates.

 The report blames “channelized attention, changing weather, and targeting technical error” for errant drop. The pilot believed that if one of the other aircraft in his flight could see the target it was safe to drop the bomb. Unfortunately, unknown to all those involved, the pilot acted on incorrect targeting data.

 According to the Air Force, the aircraft and pilot were both immediately grounded after the incident. The pilot was disqualified, retrained in weapons handling, and was ordered to brief all the other pilots at Misawa “on the sequence of events leading up to the mishap to prevent a similar incident.”

 Incidents like these happen periodically but are particularly disruptive at overseas bases where local governments are sensitive to the presence of foreign troops on their soil. The Japanese government later issued a “severe protest” over the Air Force’s handling of the incident and was particularly incensed it was not informed until the next day. In a March 2018 incident, another F-16 based at Misawa dropped two external fuel tanks in a lake after its engine caught fire.

 Source: Air Force Magazine


F-16C/D: Details
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Thales concludes first production lot of munition for Australian Air Force

Chris.W. @flickr

 Thales concludes first production lot of munition for Australian Air Force: 

 Thales Australia has completed the first production lot of a new Australian-made munition, BLU-111, for the airforce.

 Australia Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said that the milestone was a key addition to the country’s F-35A Joint Strike Fighter capability.

 Price added that 15 Australian companies, including five small businesses, were involved in this work.

 Thales’ new BLU-111 will have the same range and performance metrics as currently used General Purpose Bombs.

 However, the new munition will be significantly safer to store, transport and operate.

 Price said: “This work establishes a strategically important sovereign manufacturing capability to support the Australian Defence Forces.

 “It is a practical example of the government’s ongoing commitment to domestic manufacturing of munitions, which is one of the ten Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities under the 2018 Defence Industrial Capability Plan.”

 Last year, the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Industry Plan for Munitions and Small Arms Research, Design, Development and Manufacture was released by the Australian Government.

 Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities are critical to defence and must be developed or supported by Australian industry. They identify various elements of the Australian Defence industrial base at a capability level to encourage innovation in existing technologies.

 In October 2018, the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) No 3 Squadron received the tenth F-35A JSF at Luke Air Force Base (AFB) in Arizona, US.

 This was followed by acceptance testing activities and marked an important milestone in the Australian JSF project. The new aircraft joined the other Australian F-35 aircraft on the flight line.


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US approves Apache, Viper attack helicopter options for Philippines

Ottosen Photography @flickr

 US approves Apache, Viper attack helicopter options for Philippines: 

 The Philippines is not going to buy both.

 By: Aaron Mehta 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of two different helicopters to the Philippines, in advance of that country’s final decision on what system to buy.

 The Philippines was cleared to buy six AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and related equipment, produced by Bell, with an estimated price tag of $450 million.

 A much more expensive option, for six Boeing-made AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, comes with an estimated cost $1.5 billion.

 “The Philippines is considering either the AH-1Z or the AH-64E to modernize its attack helicopter capabilities,” according to a notification posted to the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. “The proposed sale will assist the Philippines in developing and maintaining strong self-defense, counterterrorism, and critical infrastructure protection capabilities.”

 DSCA notifications are not final sales; once cleared by Congress, the sales enter negotiations, during which quantities and costs can shift. In this case, the choice of either American-made platforms is not guaranteed; Manilla is also considering the Turkish-made T129 ATAK. However, the U.S. State Department often preapproves potential sales of systems to foreign countries so that if the foreign partner does select an American-made weapon, the process will move more quickly.

 Should the Philippines select the AH-1Z package, it would come with 14 General Electric T700-401C engines, seven Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation with Precise Positioning Service, six AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles, and 26 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System all-up rounds, among other equipment.

 The AH-64E package would come with 18 General Electric T700-701D engines, 15 Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning Systems/Inertial Navigation with Precise Positioning Service, 200 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, 300 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits, and 200 FIM-92H Stinger missiles, among other gear, equipment, U.S. government and contractor technical assistance, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

 In either case, industrial offsets are expected to be part of the winning package; such offsets are negotiated directly between the customer nation and the industry partner.


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Software innovations makes F-16 more capable

Maj. Jacob Rohrbach, test pilot with the 40th Flight Test Squadron, flew the first-ever M7 Test mission with two JASSM ER weapons on board an F-16 on July 25, 2018 at Eglin AFB, FL. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Brandi Hansen)


 Software innovations makes F-16 more capable | Aerotech News & Review: 

 The F-16 Operational Flight Program M-series 7.2+ was released in April 2020 to more than 600 Block 40/42/50/52 F-16s delivering a wide range of new capabilities to the Fighting Falcon.   

The $455 million program fielded major capability upgrades such as the Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (NORTHCOM’s number one priority Joint Urgent Operational Need), integration with the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range as well as the latest Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, an Integrated Communication Suite, and 42 other modernization enhancements. 

 Altogether, the upgrades bring reduced pilot workload, enhanced close air support weapons accuracy, increased lethality, and improved projected mission effectiveness rates, according to Capt. Justin R. Marsh, F-16 OFP Lead Engineer.

 The F-16 System Program Office, located at both Hill AFB, Utah, and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is responsible for development and sustainment of capabilities throughout the lifecycle of the aircraft.  The F-16 SPO, the 309th Software Engineering Group, the OFP Combined Test Force including the Air Force Test Center Developmental Test, 53rd Wing Operational Test, and the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center are partnered to develop and field software capability upgrades.

 OFP M7.2+ development encompassed over 300 personnel at 7 locations. The 100 percent organic, in-house development met all requirements while also increasing the reliability of the F-16s Modular Mission Computer.  In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the logisticians at Hill AFB were able to safely overcome restrictions through the combined use of remote telework, plus mission essential use of base facilities and were able to complete all documentation to release the upgrade to the field.

 The OFP CTF at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., led the F-16 flight test team in support of the M7.2+ program and was credited with more than 4,200 sorties and 4,600 flight hours, including participation in the 2019 Northern Edge Exercise. The OFP CTF is unique in that it is the only dual MAJCOM (Air Combat Command and AFMC) unit in the Air Force that specializes in fully integrating Developmental and Operational Test under one commander. This construct enables end-to-end ownership and effective integration of the weapon system through design, development, and ultimately the fielding recommendation provided to the USAF. 

 “The fielding of the M7.2+ OFP to over 600 USAF F-16s marks a milestone in the future of flight test efficiency,” said Lt. Col. Ben “Rex” Wysack, Director of the F-16 Test Division, OFP CTF. This was the first F-16 OFP ever managed from beginning to end, entirely under the capable hands of the fine men and women of the OFP CTF. Thanks to the incredible support and hard work from the Integrated Product Team at Hill, Edwards, Nellis, and Wright Patterson Air Force Bases, the warfighter has a much more capable F-16 than before.”

 OFP M7.2+ is also the official sunset of a legacy software development approach known as “waterfall.”  Moving forward, F-16 OFP development will use an open source, agile approach called DevSecOps as part of a Department of Defense initiative to revolutionize software development.  DevSecOps is a software engineering culture and practice that aims at unifying software development (Dev), with “baked-in” cybersecurity (Sec), and software operation (Ops).   The advantages DevSecOps provides over waterfall are shorter development cycles, increased deployment frequency through continuous delivery, and more dependable releases through continuous integration, all in closer alignment with military objectives, Marsh said.  “In terms of release cadence we’ll be delivering new software to flight test every 13 weeks versus 18 and new OFPs to the warfighter every two years versus every 3-4 years,” remarked Lt Col Paul Tinker, Materiel Leader for F-16 USAF Development. “The 309th is making huge strides in their software transformation efforts and leading our developmental enterprise towards the release on demand capability required for a modern Air Force.”

 The F-16 SPO and 309th SWEG are already hard at work laying the groundwork for successful DevSecOps implementation. “The 309th is excited about the future of the F-16,” said David Droge, the 309th F-16 Technical Project Manager.  “The changes to the Requirements Development Process allows the 309th Software teams to be more responsive to the user needs and pivot when needed to accommodate updated demands in an ever-changing threat environment. We look forward to providing continued support and to be in lock-step with our users to keep the F-16 relevant for decades to come.”

 In 2019, Dr. Will Roper, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, challenged the F-16 team to install and run Kubernetes, a key open-source platform for managing containerized workloads and services in DevSecOps, on an F-16 in 45 days.  The 309th successfully conducted a proof-of-concept demonstration in front of Dr. Roper and Nicolas M. Chaillan, Air Force Chief Software Officer, in December 2019 and is already exploring the next level of integration, Marsh said.  The end goal is for future F-16 software updates to be released on-demand and received in-flight without having to land, reducing software fielding timelines by 50 percent.

 “After many test sorties, weapons checks, and all that goes into getting fighter aircraft software right, last week we officially requested approval to field a major upgrade to the post-block F-16 fleet,” said Col. Timothy Bailey, F-16 System Program Manager and Senior Materiel Leader.  “From government coders to flight test pilots, I’m grateful for the M7.2 team’s hard work. This will be the fleet’s FINAL waterfall software program.  Agile or bust!”

 Needless to say, the future of the Viper is as exciting as ever. The F-16 continues to push boundaries and change what it means to be a modern fighter, now through software development and deployment.
The first AIM-120 “AMRAAM” shot using the first USAF Post Block F-16 utilizing the new APG-83 AESA radar shot by Maj. Joseph “Rocket” Schenkel over the gulf near Eglin AFB, FL. The installation of Operational Flight Program (OFP) M-series 7.2+ fielded several major capability upgrades to more than 600 Block 40/42/50/52 aircraft. (courtesy photo)

Group member (Left to Right) Terri George, Al Dawman, Jason Rasmussen, Senior Airman Davonia Carter, Harold “Doogie” Hauser, Mark “Fish” Fowler, John Barber, Brian Thomas, Cliff Hamon and Airman 1st Class Stephen Coffman, meet on the flightline at the Final M7.2+ Kitproof effort held at Nellis AFB Feb. 24-27, 2020. (courtesy photo)


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"Jet food for the Su-30": in Malaysia, appreciated the Chinese fighter FTC-2000G

china-arms.com

 "Jet food for the Su-30": in Malaysia, appreciated the Chinese fighter FTC-2000G: 

 Translated by google
Beijing managed to enter the lucrative market for light combat aircraft (LCA) in ASEAN: the Chinese media presented the news about the order of an unnamed country consignment of aircraft FTC-2000G Lead-in Fighter Trainer (LIFT).

 Who needs a Chinese masterpiece?

 This machine, called in the PLA JL-9, is largely based on the double-seat TCB FT-7 / JJ-7 (NATO designation is Mongol). According to the manufacturer AVIC, the FTC-2000G has a maximum speed of 1.4 Mach (or 1728 km / h), a maximum take-off mass of 11 tons, a maximum range of 1650 km and a ceiling of 15 km. Without additional fuel, it is able to stay in the air for two hours, equipped with “modern radars and SLAs”, has 7 suspensions and a maximum load capacity of 3 tons.

 In 2019, six FTC-2000s were delivered to Sudan. Some have decided that Myanmar will become the next foreign operator. However, as indicated by the Malaysia Flying Herald, “The country's air forces are in the midst of modernization, purchasing the MiG-29 supersonic interceptor, the Chengdu / PAC JF-17 Thunder light multipurpose combat aircraft, and a large number of Yak-130 UBS.”

 "The Yak-130 has already taken on all the role that could be assigned to the FTC-2000G in the process of initial pilot training

 - notes the publication, indicating that for similar reasons it was not destined to buy a Chinese car and Laos, which already has 4 Yak-130s and does not need more because of the "lack of access to the sea and external enemies."

The true price of “power”

 However, the situation is different with Cambodia, which has a "bitter relationship" with Thailand and Vietnam. Hanoi, hiding in the air of the Su-30, is at odds with its ally, China.

 At the same time, Cambodia has only five L-39s and two MiG-21-2000s (Israeli modernization). The remaining machines, as noted by the publication, are in disrepair. Against this background, the Chinese media present the FTC-2000 as a "powerful fighter." According to the Malaysia Flying Herald, he will only perform in such a collision with the Vietnamese Su-22, F-5T Tigris and KAI T-50TH Golden Eagle.

 "However, pointing to this, it should be understood that the FTC-2000G will become a “jet food” for the Vietnamese Su-30 (Su-30MKM)

 - concludes the Malaysia Flying Herald, noting that the Chinese aircraft have nothing to oppose to Thai aviation if there is an air battle with the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the SAAB JAS-39C / D Gripen.

 At the same time, one should pay attention to the experience of pilots: “Cambodian pilots are clearly not enough of the valor gained during the preparation”.


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FTC-2000G has secured its first export order; South East Asian customer
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