Armada April-May 2013 by Armada International & Asian Military Review

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THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976

Issue 2/2013

INTERNATIONAL

April/May

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THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976

Contents 2/2013 INTERNATIONAL

www.armada.ch | www.armadainternational.com

54 TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT

NEW-TECH MILITARY AIRLIFTERS I Roy Braybrook, inputs from Eric H. Biass New-generation turbine engines with substantially improved thermodynamic and propulsive efficiencies are making possible transport aircraft that combine relatively short airfield performance with economical (and comparatively high-speed) cruise.

SMALL ARMS

ATTACK HELICOPTERS

NAVAL FIGHTERS

C4ISR

SPECIAL FORCES SMALL ARMS

ATTACK HELICOPTERS GO MULTIROLE

FIGHTING FROM A DECK

ROBUST NETWORKING

I Paolo Valpolini

I Roy Braybrook

SUBMARINE TECHNOLOGY

SHOW REPORT

COMPENDIUM SUPPLEMENT

MULTIPLE ROLES AND ROBOTICS

IDEX 2013

ARMOURED VEHICLE PROTECTION

I Eric H. Biass, Luca Peruzzi & Paolo Valpolini

I Paolo Valpolini, inputs from Eric H. Biass

I Luca Peruzzi

I Wesley Fox & Tom Withington

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Index I INDEX TO ADVERTISERS ACAMAT - RD

ITEC

REMINGTON

AR MODULAR

ITT EXELIS

RUAG

BELL HELICOPTER

ITT EXELIS

SAAB

BERETTA

IVECO

SINGAPORE AIRSHOW

LEMO

TEXTRON

CERADYNE DDC

LEOPOLD

UDT

47 33

DEFENCE AND SECURITY THAILAND 51

MBDA

ULTRALIFE

DIMDEX

NEXTER

VIASAT

DSEI

NORTHROP GRUMMAN AEROSPACE C2

EUROSATORY

PHOTONIS

GDLS

RAFAEL

VECTRONIX

Entries highlighted with blue numbers are found in Armoured Vehicle Protection Compendium 2013

I INDEX TO MANUFACTURERS

Volume 37, Issue No. 2, April 2013/May 2013

Companies mentioned in this issue. Where there are multiple references to a company in an article,only the first occurence and subsequent photographs are listed below 28

3M Group

Polaris Defense

12, 13

Gabler

Pratt & Whitney

ABBS

12,13

GE Aviation

Airbus Military

55, 56

General Dynamics

Alcatel-Lucent

Gibraltar Arms

Rebel Alliance

Alenia Aermacchi

H&K

Remington Defense

AMI International

HAL

25, 28

AmSafe

Harris

35, 39, 40

Antonov

54, 56, 57, 60

HDW

43, 44, 46, 52

ArmaLite

13, 14 20

Aselsan

20, 21

ATK

Atlas Elektronik AugustaWestland

44, 46, 48, 50 17, 18, 20, 21, 23

Aviastar-SP

BAe

27, 28, 30

17, 24, 55 10, 17, 35, 44, 10

Hindistan Aeronautics Ltd

IAI- ELTA

9 24, 25

IBD Diesenroth Engineering

Ilyushin

36, 26, 27

INTERNATIONAL

27, 28

Fuji

AAI

Aselfir

Rafael

20, 39, 40, 50

Raytheon

17, 40, 48, 50, 52 22 14 21, 22

Renault

24, 25, 26

Rheinmetall Defence Roketsan

18, 21

Rolls Royce

33, 54

Rosoberonexport

Ruag Defence

Rubin Design Bureau

43, 44

Russian Federation Industries

Indra

Russian Helicopters

International Aero Engines

Saab

46, 50, 2,10,11

Saes

48, 50

Sagem

44, 50

IMI

Israel Military Industries

BAE Systems 26, 35, 40, 50, 1, 2, 3, 17

Israel Weapon Industries

Barco

ITL

Saic

BEL

ITT

Sainsel

Bell

17, 23, 24

Ivchenko- progress

Beretta

04, 05, 14

Iveco

Boeing

17, 23, 26, 40, 54, 55, 60,

Carl Zeiss

Cassidian

38, 40, 8,14

Ceradyne

26, 27, 28

06, 08, 10

56, 60 23 20, 23

Scmidt & Bender Selex

Kelvin & Sperry Marine

50 8, 25

KMW

Sener Engineering

Sevmash Defence Shipyard

Shenyang

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)

Sig Sauer

12, 13

Kotlin-Novator

Snecma

Kuznetsov

SRM Arms

L-3 Communications

Lockheed Martin 23, 26, 40, 48, 50, 24

Sukhoi

M9 Defense Armor Technology

Surgeon Rifles

Condat Cubic Daewoo

5,19,20

35, 39, 48, 50 27

32, 60

MBDA

32, 52, 53

Meday

DCNS

43, 44, 46, 50, 52, 53

MiG

28, 30, 31

Denel

24, 25

MiL

17, 21

Diehl

52, 4, 6

Thales

ThyseenKrupp

Tupolev

DRDO

Mustang Technology Group

Elta

50 35

Navantia

UTC Power

Veritay Technology

Volga-Dnepr

17, 18, 21

Oshkosh

Fincantieri

FN Herstal

06, 08, 14

40, 50

Nexter

Eurocopter

Ultra Electronics

57 17, 18, 20, 21

United Aircraft

Northrop Grumman

17,18

TAI

58,59,60

Falanx

20, 32, 35, 37, 44, 46

Navistar

Embraer Eurofighter

43, 44, 48

12, 13, 19

Textron

MSC Software

40, 50

23 13,22

TenCate

Motor Sichin

Elbit Systems

14 22,23

Tata Steel

SSAB

Douglas EDO

14 39, 50

46, 52

CMI

Dassault-Breguet

25, 44

Kongsberg Defence Systems

Dassault Rafale

Samsung

Kawasaki

DARPA

Salyut

Kamov

Changhe Aircraft Industries Corp

Dalian Shipbuilding Industry

36, 26

57,60 44

8,13,14,22

Wass

50, 52

Patria

Wipro

Phananx Armour

OTO Melara

Plasan Sasa

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2/2013

Military air transportation is undergoing a quiet, but significant, revolution with non-American and non-Russian manufacturers like Military Airbus and even Embraer now offering serious alternatives to the market, as exemplified by the KC-390 (featured on our cover in mock-up form), which is slated to make its maiden flight next year.

20,21,22, 26

is published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd. Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd. Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd, Room No. 1205-1206, Hollywood Centre 233, Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2815 1933 Editor-in-Chief: Eric H. Biass Regular Contributors: Roy Braybrook, Paolo Valpolini, Thomas Withington Chairman: J.S. Uberoi President: Xavier Collaco Sr. Manager International Marketing: Vishal Mehta Manager International Marketing: Yusuf Azim Deputy Manager Marketing: Tarun Malviya Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Atul Bali Creative Director: Bipin Kumar Deputy Art Director: Sachin Jain Asstt. Art Directors : Mukesh Kumar, Ajay Kumar Visualiser: Sujit Singh Production Manager: Kanda Thanakornwongskul Group Circulation Manager: Porames Chinwongs Chief Financial Officer: Gaurav Kumar Advertising Sales Offices AUSTRIA, BENELUX, SWITZERLAND Cornelius W. Bontje Ph: +41 55 216 17 81, cornelius.bontje@armada.ch FRANCE Promotion et Motivation, Odile Orbec Ph: +33 1 41 43 83 00, o.orbec@pema-group.com GERMANY Sam Baird Ph: +44 1883 715 697, sam@whitehillmedia.com ITALY, NORDIC COUNTRIES Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg Ph: +46 31 799 9028, egillberg@glocalnet.net SPAIN Vía Exclusivas, Macarena Fdez. de Grado Ph: +34 91 448 76 22, macarena@viaexclusivas.com UNITED KINGDOM Zena Coupé Ph: +44 1923 852537, zena@expomedia.biz RUSSIA Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, Ph: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653 Email :alla@mediatransasia.com EASTERN USA – EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER Margie Brown, Ph: (540) 341 7581, margiespub@rcn.com WESTERN USA – WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER Diane Obright, Ph: (858) 759 3557, blackrockmedia@cox.net ALL OTHER COUNTRIES Vishal Mehta, Tel: (91) 124 4759625, Mobile: (91) 99 999 85425, (44) 11 5885 4423, E-Mail: vishal@mediatransasia.com Annual subscription rates: Europe: CHF 186. + 36. (postage) Overseas: USD 186. + 36. (postage) Controlled circulation: 24,351, ABC certified by ABC Hong Kong, valid from 1st April 2012 to 30th June 2012. Printed by Media Transasia Thailand Ltd. 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoeynue, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1 Subscription Information: Readers should contact the following address: Subscription Department, Media Transasia Ltd. Room No. 1205-1206, Hollywood Centre 233, Holywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2851 1933

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Small Arms

Special Forces Small Arms How much the choice of a new Individual Carbine for the US Army will influence the word market remains to be seen, but obviously Special Forces units tend to be ahead of the Green Army in terms of small arms choice.

The Negev NG7 is the 7.62 mm version of the IWI machine gun. It can also fire in semi-automatic mode to allow accurate shooting, something that might be appreciated by special forces. (IWI)

Paolo Valpolini

n the assault rifles/carbine field, the M4 saga in the Green Army is still in full swing while, in the special forces community, M4 derivatives such as the Heckler & Koch HK416 have become popular. The weapon uses a companyproprietary gas piston system that avoids the introduction of propellant gases and carbon fouling into the weapon, thus solving most of the stoppage problems that are so typical of the basic M4 carbine. While the Socom shifted to the 7.62x51 mm calibre with the adoption of the SCAR Mk17, numerous other companies have developed new carbines in similar calibre. It is well known that Beretta is working

INTERNATIONAL

2/2013

on such a weapon. For the time being the Italian company is leveraging the modularity of its ARX-160 and the short time needed to shift from one calibre to another. This allows one to, for example, switch from 5.56x45 to 7.62x39 mm depending on the mission, a feature that attracted the interest of some special forces units that might opt for the Soviet-origin calibre for concealed operations. The weapon is available both in the A1 and A2 models in the 7.62x39 mm version, equipped with a 16-inch (406 mm) barrel. It maintains all the ARX-160 characteristics with the exception of the open bolt position. The weapon can use standard AK47 steel or polymeric magazines. Shifting from one calibre to another requires the quick replacement of barrel, magazine, bolt and lower receiver, an

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The ARX-160 can quickly shift from the 5.56 to the 7.62x39 mm calibre. This allows to adapt the weapon to specific special forces missions. The same weapon (below) in 5.56 mm calibre equipped with a silencer. All accessories developed for that calibre have or are being developed for the 7.62 x39 mm version as well. (Beretta)

The Beretta ARX-160A2 broken down to its main components. The magazine betrays the 7.62x39 mm version that is scoring high in the special forces community as well as in some of the armies that still use the ammunition of Soviet origin. (Beretta)

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Small Arms

operation carried out without any specific tool. In this configuration the ARX-160 is 900 mm long (700 mm with stock folded), weighs 3.5 kg and has a rate of fire of 700 ± 70 rounds per minute. This version is attracting the interest of some countries that are still using Soviet standard ammo but intend to shift in the medium term to Nato calibres. All accessories developed for the 5.56 mm version have, or are being, developed for the 7.62x39 mm. Back to 5.56 mm, FN is still proposing its Hamr (Heat Adaptive Modular Rifle), originally developed for the US Marine Corps Automatic Rifle Program. This rifle remains a one-off in the genre as it is the only weapon capable to switch from closed to open-bolt mode automatically, based on heat sensors that prevent cock-offs. The idea is to have an accurate rifle shooting either auto or semi-auto in closed bolt mode, the single-shot mode being definitely the most accurate. However, when suppressive fire is required, the operator just starts to fire in auto mode and when a certain temperature is reached the rotating bolt switches to open-bolt mode firing without any intervention. When the barrel cools down the system switches back to close-bolt mode. Based on the SCAR 5.56 mm rifle, the Hamr is available with 16- or 18-inch (406 or 457 mm) barrels. Fitted with a telescoped and foldable stock, length being between 940 and 686 mm, it has an empty weight of 4.63 kg. How much such a solution will find its way in the special forces community remains to be seen, although

The P90 submachine gun developed by FN Herstal in the 5.7x28 mm calibre. This and the H&K MP7 in 4.6x30 mm calibre are competing against each other, special forces units having mixed feelings on ammo and weapons. (FN Herstal)

true fire support is definitely a machine gun business. FN intended to mount a demonstration of the Hamr, since the Socom has also shown some interest in the weapon. Israel Weapon Industries X95 assault rifle chambered for the 5.56 and 9x19 mm rounds was developed for the Israeli special forces units based on what was once known as the Micro Tavor. Its evolution never ceased and 2012 saw two important evolutions for that weapon. The first was the unveiling in June of the new flat-top configuration, extended to the whole family of the X95 and Tavor, which enables the attachment of all types of day and night

optics and additional accessories. This new configuration is IWI’s answer to specific customers requests. In October IWI announced a further development, that of an X95 conversion kit allowing to transform the weapon in a 5.45 mm carbine, the X95 now being available in 5.56, 5.45 and 9 mm guises. The Israeli company also introduced the latest version of its Uzi submachine gun, the Uzi Pro, which makes full use of polymers. A 9x19 mm closed-bolt weapon, it features a 152 mm long barrel, can be operated in semi-auto and auto modes, and weighs 2.32 kg without magazine, saving roughly 0.3 kg compared to the older models. The Uzi Pro features an adjustable shoulder stock with adjustable cheek rest. While the world of assault rifles has not moved much in the recent past, that of machine guns seems to be more active as improving the team support firepower is definitely an issue. Weight remains obviously at the top of the agenda, although terminal effect and range are becoming major considerations. Better carrying an effective system at some weight cost rather than carry some weight which does not produce the required effects. This led many special forces units, as well as some “green army” units, to acquire the 7.62x51 mm version of the FN Minimi. Adopted by the American special forces the FNH SCAR-H or Mk17 in 7.62x51 mm calibre is now in full service in Afghanistan and other operational theatres. (FN Herstal)

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Small Arms

Developed in the early 2000s under Socom influence, which then adopted it as the Mk48, the Minimi in 7.62 mm Nato calibre is available in fixed-butt and sliding butt configurations and with standard or triplerail handguard. With a weight of 8.2 or 8.4 kg (the higher being that of the sliding butt model) it can be fed by a 50- or 100-round pouch that attaches to the weapon. Roughly one kilo heavier than the 5.56 mm version, one must add the higher weight of the ammo load (slightly more than twice that of the smaller calibre) for a muzzle energy that

is also over the double. FN Herstal is not much talkative on its customers, although it has been chosen at least by Britain, Italy, France and the Czech Republic. It is clear that the 7.62 mm has become a commercial success in itself within the Minimi family. The trend towards larger calibre squad weapons has shown up also in Israel, where Israel Weapons Industry introduced the Negev NG7 (see title photograph), the latest generation of 7.62x51 light machine guns. Unveiled in late March 2012, the NG7 is available in two versions, standard and SF.

At Eurosatory 2012 IWI introduced the flat-top version of many of its assault rifles. Among those that of the X95 SF assault rifle and submachine gun can be chambered both for 5.56 or 9x19 mm rounds. (IWI)

The weapon is very much based on the previous Negev 5.56 mm LMG and operates in open bolt mode, reloading being carried out by gas impact on the piston head. The standard model features a 20-inch (508 mm) barrel while the Special Forces model is equipped with a shorter 16.5-inch (420

Israel Weapons Industries unveiled the latest version of its Uzi, the Uzi Pro, which features a slightly shorter barrel that maintains the same muzzle velocity as the Uzi, with improved ergonomics, and considerable weight saving thanks to the use of polymers. (IWI)

The 7.62x51 mm version of the Minimi light machine gun is gaining ground with special operations forces that are looking for greater firepower at team level. (FN Herstal)

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Small Arms

The 5.56 mm version of the Negev here equipped with a Mepro 21 sight. (IWI)

mm) barrel, and both feature a 1:12 twist rifling with four grooves. This has of course an impact on overall length, respectively 1,000 and 912 mm, and on the length with stock folded, 820 and 730 mm, as well as on weight which drops from the 7.6 kg of the standard weapon to the 7.5 kg of the shorter version. The muzzle velocity also drops from 860 to 810 m/s with the shorter barrel. The Negev NG7 gas regulator can be set on two different positions, one allowing stronger recoil when operating under difficult conditions, rate of fire being of 850-105 or 950-1150 depending on the position selected. The weapon is fed by assault drums containing 100 rounds or by belt chains. However, the quite unique feature of the Negev NG7, already seen in the smaller

The Lightweight Medium Machine Gun developed by General Dynamics ATP, here in defensive position on a tripod, is chambered in .338 Norma Magnum and provides a much heavier firepower than 7.62 mm MGs with the only penalty of heavier ammunition. (GDATP)

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calibre version, is the availability of a semiautomatic mode in the fire selector. This allows to use the MG as a precise support weapon, something probably of even greater importance in the bigger calibre version as it allows to put down aimed support fire with good brick penetration capacity. Equipped with Picatinny rails to allow easy accessories installation, it features standard back-up rear sight post and front iron sight post adjustable for windage and elevation with a 440 mm sight line radius, although an optical sight is the obvious choice. The Negev NG7 has already been selected by the Israeli Defence Forces. Another new entry that might attract

Much lighter than a 12.7 mm MG and with a terminal effect double of that of a 7.62 mm one at comparable weight as far as the weapon is concerned, GDATP LWMMG might well become part of special forces armouries. (GDATP)

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Small Arms

The new Sig Sauer MPX submachine gun unveiled at the Shot Show 2013 is a modular weapon and can be converted in three calibres, 9mm Nato, .357SIG or .40S&W.

interest of SF units is the LWMMG (Lightweight Medium Machine Gun), unveiled by General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products in May 2012 and then shown in public at AUSA 2012 in October that same year. With the LWMMG, GD-ATP aims at providing the warfighter with a machine gun having the weight of a medium machine gun, in 7.62 mm calibre, and a firepower as close as possible to that of a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. This would allow to employ the same machine gun both for mounted and dismounted operations. The new squad weapon is built around the .338 Norma Magnum ammunition, the terminal energy of which at 1,000 metres is four times that of a 7.62x51 mm Nato round, according to GD-ATP. The

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new ammo can thus perforate a Level 3 body armour at over 1,000 metres and neutralise a light skinned vehicle at the same distance. The round was developed in 2008 by Norma, a Swedish company which is part of the Swiss Ruag Ammotec group. The ball is a Sierra FML AP weighing 300 grams that leaves the barrel at a speed of 807 metres per second and has an effective range of 1,700 metres. In terms of complete round weight, that of a .338 NM is nearly the double of a 7.62 mm Nato, 44 grams versus 27 grams approximately, and is less than half of a 12.7 mm which is around 120 grams, the latter ball having a weight which is nearly the double of a .338 NM and thus remains “top” in terms of anti-materiel operations.

Though the ammo load will increase by 76 per cent, this is not true for the weapon. Thanks to the use of modern design techniques and new materials the LWMMG weighs only 10.9 kg, which compares well with the 12.5 kg of an M240B and even to the 10.1 kg of the M240L light version, while it has a weight similar to the H&K 121 and saves 2 kg when compared to the venerable MG3. Any comparison with a 12.7 mm machine gun would be a no contest, the bigger calibre weapon starting from 38 kg up. The LWMMG has a 24-inch (609 mm) quick change barrel, the whole length being 1,244 mm. During transport this can be shortened thanks to the foldable stock, while in defensive position the M192 tripod is available, with a weight of 5.2 kg. The LWMMG is belt fed and has a cyclic rate of fire of 500 rounds per minute, which is comparable with that of aforementioned 7.62 mm MGs, while an effective recoil damping system allows to maintain aiming during automatic fire. The machine gun can be quickly disassembled in six major components without the need of any tool. Starting the adoption of a new calibre in the military world has never been an easy task, thus it seems improbable that a “green army” will fall in love with the LWMMG. However, new and evolutive systems often find their way through specialists who use them in limited numbers, and Special Forces might well be the point of entry of the LWMMG in the US military if the need for a much more powerful machine gun is felt by such units. Looking at the future, according to information acquired at AUSA, the Socom has started showing interest in the LSAT (Lightweight Small Arms Technologies) programme. The LSAT development team is led by Textron AAI Corporation and includes ATK, Cubic, MSC Software and Veritay Technology. The programme reached TRL7 in September 2011 following the trials carried out with eight machine guns that fired 25,000 rounds overall. Tests were not limited to the firing sessions, as besides day and night firings the 20 military personnel involved in the trials also carried out quick march and obstacle courses using both LSAT weapons and M249 light

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At 2 1/2 lbs, It’s A Real Heavyweight In Booster Amps

machine guns. The outcome of those trials seems to have clearly favoured the LSAT system. The US Army is concentrating on telescope-cased ammunition, which would ensure a 40 per cent weight reduction, but only a marginal volume reduction. Caseless ammunition would provide a much higher volume saving and an even greater weight saving, but risks are considered much higher, thus current activity is limited to the research on new propellants. Over 80,000 telescope-cased ammunition in 5.56 mm have been fired during the whole programme, and the Socom asked for four modified machine guns. These will feature a 12inch barrel and a folding stock, the weight without ammo being slightly over 4 kg (similar to the weight of the MGs tested in 2011, but the weight saved from the barrel length is offset by the added weight of the folding mechanism). To conclude a short list of firsts from the Shot Show 2013, Sig Sauer introduced its new MPX submachine gun, an AR-15-looking weapon that can easily be converted into three calibres, namely 9mm Nato, .357SIG or .40S&W. The MPX operates with a fully closed and locked rotating bolt employing the company’s proven company gas-operated short stroke pushrod system. The MPX is available in four military-only versions, the standard select fire with a 6.5 inch (165 mm) barrel, the MPX-SD suppressed version, the MPX-P pistol variant Carbon fibre rail-adaptable hand-guard, and the MPX-K short version with a 4.5 inch (114 mm) barrel. The MPX has an 850 rpm rate of fire, is fitted with a user-configurable stock system (telescoping, folding or pistol). Non-suppressed versions have a weight of between 1.9 and 2.1 kg, the SD weighing 2.9 kg. Among the latest additions to the snipers world ArmaLite introduced the next generation of its bolt-action rifles, the AR30A1, available both in .300 Win Mag and .338 Lapua Magnum. Most components, almost all the mechanicals one, were subject to upgrades which allowed to considerably improve ergonomics, versatility, reliability and ease of use. They are fed by a five-round magazine. The rifles are available with 24-inch and-26 inch barrels and have a muzzle thread standard for sound suppressors,

The LSAT team led by AAI Textron is providing the Special Operations Command with specially developed machine guns using 5.56 mm cased telescoped ammunition. (Armada/P. Valpolini)

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Small Arms

namely 5/8x24 and 3/4x24. The buttstock can be easily removed to allow rifle use even in confined spaces, ArmaLite stating that its efficient muzzle brake allows to fire it even in “pistol configuration.” The rifles have a maximum length of 1,222 and 1,273 mm, a 51 mm stock adjustment being available, and tip the scales at 6.58 and 6.94 kg. In Vegas SRM Arms unveiled some major improvements to its 1216 shotgun and to the other members of the family. The main one is that the cast metal receiver of Generation 1 & 2 weapons has been replaced by a solid, machined receiver. This provides increased strength and ensures a perfect alignment between the receiver, the stock and the barrel. The new receiver is immediately visible as it comes with a new squared-jaw appearance. Other mechanical improvements are the redesigned cam track that reduces stress on bolt and receiver, and the increased thickness of bolt track walls inside the stock, which can now accommodate high-velocity rounds. An optional push-pin removal of the magazine is now available to comply with detachable magazines specific laws in some US States such as California, as well as with some foreign countries regulations. In Fall 2013 a A 1216 shotgun by SRM; the company has developed a series of improvements to that weapon, a full-auto version of which is now available to military units, the SRM weapon being promoted on the export market by Gibraltar Arms. (Gibraltar Arms)

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The AR-30A1 is the latest addition to the ArmLite snipers rifles catalogue and is available in .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum. (ArmaLite)

I SOCOM PSR GOES AHEAD AT LONG LAST? The Precision Sniper Rifle bid for the US Socom might finally lead to a new weapon for special forces. Launched in 2008, the programme had a series of ups and downs, but according to latest info it might finally materialise. This will bring a new bolt action multi-calibre weapon that will certainly include the .338 and .300 WM calibres in the hands of Socom snipers. Competitors are believed to include Accuracy International’s AX, Beretta Defence Technologies’ Sako M10, FN Herstal’s Ballista PSR, Remington Defense’s Modular Sniper Rifle, and Surgeon Rifles’ Remedy XL. What is sure is that the scope will be supplied by Schmidt & Bender which, in November 2011, received a $34 million contract for an undisclosed number of 5-25x56 PMIIs.

Version 3 will be available with complete magazine selectivity allowing the user to change from current magazine tube to any of the other tubes on the fly. On the commercial front the full-auto version is now in production and available to law enforcement and military worldwide, while Gibraltar Arms, currently the sole source for international distribution of SRM Arms 1216 shotguns, is developing a network of in-country distributors that will be handled by the export commercial arm of SRM.

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Attack Helicopters

Attack Helicopters Go Multirole First tested in Vietnam, but later developed primarily to counter massed armour thrusts across Europe, the attack helicopter may now be going back to its roots, as a fast escort for ground convoys and heliborne assaults, and as a fire support gunship. 16

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This French Army Hap Tiger is armed with 68-mm Sneb rockets and a 30-mm Nexter 30M781 cannon in a THL30 turret. Its callsign F-MBHC indicates that it is assigned to 5-RHC (5e Regiment d’Helicopteres de Combat) at Pau Pyrenees Airport in southwest France. (Eurocopter/Eric Raz)

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have been won by a single product: the Boeing AH-64 Apache. True, the AgustaWestland A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) was adopted as the basis for the Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI) T129 Atak programme, and the Eurocopter Tiger won in Australia and Spain. Likewise, the Changhe Aircraft Industries Corp (CAIC) Z9WE and the Mil Mi-28NE have been acquired by Kenya. The lightweight Changhe CZ11WA is to be licence-built in Argentina for Argentine Army Aviation and the wider Latin American market. However, these isolated sales pale in comparison with the AH-64’s selection by Egypt, Greece, India, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the UK. Nothing comes close to the recent export record of the Apache, if early sales of around 2400 (each) by the first-of-breed Bell AH-1 Cobra and the Mil Mi-24/35 assault helicopter are excluded. It may be noted that the AH-1Z is being built for the US Marine Corps (189 units), while Rostvertol produces the Mi-35M for the air forces of Russia (22) and Brazil (15). I APACHE

The AH-64’s success was partly due to it initially having no direct competitor. The AH-64 first flew in 1975 (ten years after the prototype for the AH-1), and it represented a massive step in size and cost. In essence, the

4310-kg AH-1G, powered by a single 820kW Lycoming L53, was to be replaced by a 10,433-kg AH-64, with two 1400-kW General Electric T700s. Coming when many felt that a helicopter could not survive over the modern battlefield, there was no immediate rush to compete with the AH-64. In the same weight category, the Mil Mi-28 and singleseat Kamov Ka-50 flew only in 1982, and their service entry was delayed by a bungled competition and lack of production funding, following dissolution of the Soviet Union. The much lighter AgustaWestland A129 followed in 1983, and the mid-weight Eurocopter Tiger in 1991. When the AH64A entered service in 1984, there was no alternative product ready to compete. Its sales were boosted by outstanding performance in the Gulf War of 1991. Between 1984 and 1997, a total of 937 AH64As were built. The radar-equipped AH-64D Longbow Apache first flew in 1992 and entered service in 1998 with day/night all-weather capability. The Mi-28N had flown in 1996, but did not enter service with the Russian Army until 2006. One of 60 purchased by the Italian Army, this AgustaWestland AH-129 serial EI-929 is armed with a 20-mm General Dynamics M197 Gatling gun in an OtoBreda turret, and eight Raytheon BGM-71 Tow anti-armour missiles. (AgustaWestland)

Roy Braybrook

hile some operators still expect each aircraft to kill a squadron of tanks, there is a broader market for less expensive though well armed and protected helicopters for peacekeeping operations, but with the flexibility to cover other missions, including anti-piracy and counter-narcotics. Viewed as a sector of the global defence equipment market, the attack helicopter is unique in that most recent export orders

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Attack Helicopters

The Apache (of which over 1800 have already been delivered) has been a true market leader, and it may still be the best option for those nations fearing heavy armoured attacks. However, today there are several alternatives, promoted by nations that are less averse to customers demanding offsets and industrial participation. Furthermore, smaller, less expensive attack helicopters offer adequate capability in many scenarios. The remainder of this report summarises the development and marketing status of the principal attack helicopters, according to region of origin. I CHINA

The PRC has been particularly slow to adopt the tandem-seat, slender fuselage configuration of the dedicated attack helicopter. It first developed an armed version of the Harbin Z9, a licence-built Eurocopter SA356N1 Dauphin, effectively reinventing the Panther. China’s army (PLA) China’s People’s Liberation Army uses armed versions of the Harbin Z9, a licence-built Eurocopter Dauphin. The main domestic model is the Z9WA and the export version is the Z9WE (shown here). The Chinese characters on the rear fuselage translate as ‘Harbin Aircraft Industries Group’. (CATIC)

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Turkey’s TAI T129 Atak helicopter is distinguished from the original AW129 by its much larger sensor turret and use of the tube-launched, infrared-guided Roketsan Umtas missile, with a range of 8000 metres. (AgustaWestland)

has large numbers of 4100-kg Z9WAs and at least one squadron of Z9WZs. The principal attack helicopter marketed by CATIC is the Z9WE, as used by the Kenyan Army. CATIC also offers the Z9EC ship-based ASW version. The 4500-kg Changhe Z19 is a recent development of the Z9, with tandem seating and a slimmed oval-section fuselage. Like the Z9, the Z19 has no chin turret. The Changhe Z10 is a much larger 7000-kg (class) design with an X-type tail rotor in place of the Fenestron, a slender diamond-section fuselage, a flexibly-

mounted chin gun, and a large wing and horizontal tail. It first flew in 2003, probably with P&WC PT6C engines. The single-engined 2250-kg Changhe CZ11W ‘light attack helicopter’ appears to be an unlicensed copy of the Eurocopter Fennec. In 2008 the CZ11WA was selected by Argentine Army Aviation for in-country licence production by Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA), with sales rights throughout Latin America. It is planned to offer a choice of the Zhuzhou WZ8D, Turbomeca Arriel and Lycoming LTS101 engines.

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Attack Helicopters

Photographed at the Maaks show near Moscow, the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator reportedly is more manoeuvrable and has more advanced avionics than the rival Mi-28N. Following the precedent set by the single-seat Ka-50, the Ka-52 has ejection seats, which naturally require jettison of the rotor blades. (Armada/Eric H. Biass) I WESTERN EUROPE

The 4600-kg AgustaWestland A129 is only half the weight of most attack helicopters, but may respond better to 21st century needs. The Italian Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 58 remaining Mangustas have been upgraded to multirole AH-129C (previously A129CBT) standard, with five-blade rotors and some of the modifications developed for the export market. The AH-129D is a further development that will feature the Rafael Toplite sighting system and Spike-ER missiles. Italian Army aircraft have been deployed to Macedonia, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Turkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TAI T129 Atak helicopter is a joint development with AgustaWestland, based on the A129, but with 1014-kW LHTEC CTS800s built by Tusas Engine Industries. The 2007 contract evidently called for one prototype to be built in Italy (it flew in 2009) and five in Turkey, followed by 45 production aircraft with an option on 40 more. In 2010 nine T129s were ordered from AgustaWestland for delivery in 2012, to meet an urgent Turkish Army requirement. The first 30 TAI-built T129s will be completed to TUC-1 standard (Turkish Army designation T129A), with an Aselsan mission computer, Aselflir-300T targeting system, and a Thales helmet-mounted display. Subsequent aircraft will be built to

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

Aircraft

Mi-28N

Ka-52

AH-64E

Rooivalk

AH-1Z

Engines Max kW Max TOW Cruise Speed (km/hr) Max Speed (km/hr) Range (km) Rotor Dia (m) Turret Gun Calibre (mm)

VK-2500 2x1640 10,900 270 300 1100 17.2 30

VK-2500 2x1864 11,300 270 310 1108

T700-GE-701D 2x1490 10,433 279 293 1900 14.63 30

Makila 2x1420 8750 278 n.a 1335 15.58 20

T700-401C 2x1340 8390 296 n.a 685 14.6 20

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Shown armed with two 20-tube 80-mm S-8 rocket pods and the 30-mm Shipunov 2A42 cannon, the Mil Mi-28N Night Hunter is now in squadron service with the Russian Air Force. (Russian Helicopters)

TUC-2 standard (T129B), introducing an Aselsan helmet display, and Roketsan Umtas anti-tank missiles and Cirit 70 mm laser-guided rockets. AgustaWestland is now promoting the T129 (not the A129) internationally, and TAI is authorised to market the aircraft anywhere except Italy and the UK. Potential customers include Azerbaijan, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates. In the long term Italy might buy T129s from AgustaWestland. The 6100-kg Eurocopter EC665 Tiger was launched in 1999 on the basis that 160

would be produced, split equally between the French and German armies. Germany is (so far) adhering to its plan to buy 80 antitank UHT Tigers, but France is now to buy 40 Hap (fire support) and 40 Had (multirole) Tigers. The French Army Hap Tiger has been operated in Afghanistan and over Libya, and the German Army UHT was deployed to Afghanistan in late 2012. The Had Tiger was developed for Spain, which ordered 24, with 18 to be assembled in-country. Australia ordered 22 ARH Tigers, based on the Hap variant, with 18 assembled locally.

I RUSSIA

In 2005 it was decided to replace the Russian Army’s Mi-24/35 with the 10,900-kg Mil Mi-28N ‘Night Hunter’, which is currently assigned to the Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF), but will return to Army Aviation from 2015. The first production order covered 67 Mi-28Ns for delivery by 2013. A further contract covers 30 to be completed by 2014. The service currently has Mi-28Ns with a training unit and three operational squadrons. The Mi-28N has taken so long to reach service that the RFAF plans to

Z10

Tiger

LCH

T129

Z9WE

OH-1

WZ9 2x1000 7500 270 300 800 13 23

MTR390 2x1092 6600 n.a 271 1130 n.a 30 (ARH/HAD/HAP)

Shakti 2x895 5500 n.a 265 700 n.a 20

CTS800 2x1014 5000 269 270 1000 n.a 20

Arriel 2C 2x626 4100 n.a 238 528 12.01 (no turret)

Mitsubishi TS1 2x660 4000 n.a 305 550 11.6 (no turret)

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Attack Helicopters

I SOFTWARE TOOLS IMPROVE A129 EFFECTIVENESS IN AFGHANISTAN Interview and photos by Paolo Valpolini

“W

hen back at camp, a 21 year-old corporal told me ‘thanks for saving my life’. I then realised how much my A129 attack helicopter was able to solve critical situations that other assets are not able to handle,” Capt. Paolo Trotta, 5th “Rigel” Army Aviation Regiment of the ItalianArmy, told Armada. Awaiting the latest version of the chopper, Italian Mangusta crews are flying in Afghanistan with some situational awareness improvements that proved to be game-changing items. “The first is the Safe Strike Air app that we run on an iPad-mini equipped with a leg-strap.” Developed by an Italian start-up called Rebel Alliance, the app was initially developed for helping JTACs in their job. “We immediately saw a potential,” Capt. Trotta says, ”and asked some adaptation for using it in flight.” The main advantage is that the system handles .sid maps and this allows to store the

The more dramatic underbelly view of the A129 seen here reveals the standard load carried in Afghanistan to cope with hot and high conditions, namely a 250-round 20 mm gun, two TOW missiles and one auxiliary tank, which provides the best balance between endurance and firepower.

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maps of the whole area of responsibility down to half-meter resolution maps, something of key importance when carrying out kinetic operations. Capacity touch-screen Nomex gloves were acquired to cope with the new system. “Safe Strike Air dramatically helps the mission commander in interfacing with ground personnel when carrying out close combat attack missions,” Trotta adds. In Italy the system was tested by integrating the iPad with a Thales StarMille radio, with the radio providing GPS data. With ground forces so equipped it allowed A129 crews to have a real-time force tracking system on their iPad at very low cost. “Giving such radios to ground low level commanders provides us with both blue and green force tracking, green being the Afghan forces,” Trotta says. This would be limited to line-ofsight, but that is plenty enough for close air support missions. Other similar radios might provide similar functions. “The system allowed us to dramatically cut down our reaction time when we are on Quick Reaction Alert both for planning and for operating,” he concludes. Capt. Trotta also explains that another important tool used in Afghanistan is the Virtual Battlespace 2 (VBS.2) battlefield simulation system. “It allows us to considerably shorten our planning time for major operations, and we were able to implement a scenario using data provided by our sensors such as Predators, helicopter optronics, etc., that was used for rehearsing the mission.” The system is also used for afteraction report, and it has been used by the Italian Aviation Battalion based in Herat to operate in conjunction with the US Shindad-based Aviation Battalion, Italy being the first nation to deploy VBS.2 in Afghanistan, as well as Safe Strike Air, the latter having been integrated with the former in order to export the planning on Safe Strike. Last but not least Italian attack helicopters have been equipped with a Rover 5 receiver at experimental level. “We have used it in ad-hoc missions and it proved very useful, although as it is not integrated into the helicopter cockpit we have some space problem on board. Therefore when possible we prefer to have it on board a CH-47 where the air mission commander can accommodate it on the chopper’s jump seat,” Capt. Trotta tells Armada. The addition of some C4I systems thus allowed A129 crews to considerably improve their effectiveness on the field.

launch a ‘modernised’ Mi-28NM in 2015. Exports of the Rostvertol-built Mi28N(E) are difficult to confirm. The Kenyan Army has received at least three of a rumoured 16. Iraq’s order for 30 was cancelled, but is said to be reinstated. Venezuela’s plan for ten, and Algeria’s interest in acquiring 42, have not yet reached the contract stage. The Mi-28UB is a trainer version, due to fly in 2013. The 11,300-kg Kamov Ka-52 Alligator programme is running behind the Mi-28N, since it was recognised only at a late stage that the former has advantages in manoeuvrability and avionics. It first flew in 1997. In 2009 the first 12 of an initial batch of 36 were ordered, and the Ka-52 entered nominal service with the RFAF at the end of 2010. In 2011 Russian Helicopters stated that it had signed a contract to deliver more than 140 Ka-52s to the RFAF by 2020. The marinised Ka-52K will have folding rotor blades and wings, anti-corrosion treatment, and emergency flotation gear. Russian Naval Aviation is expected to buy Ka-52Ks for its Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, which will each accommodate eight Ka-52Ks and eight Ka-29 assault

Also known as Arrowhead, the Lockheed Martin M-Tads (Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation System) represents an upgrade to the AH-64’s original sensors, in this case applied to Britain’s licence-built Apache AH Mk1. (AgustaWestland)

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Attack Helicopters

This Bell AH-1Z serial 167809 is operated by the US Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron HX-21 (callsign ‘Blackjack’) at NAWC Patuxent River, Maryland. The unit is responsible for testing rotary-wing and tiltrotor aircraft and drones. (US Navy)

helicopters. The first pre-production Ka52K is due to fly in 2013, and will be tested on the Admiral Kuznetsov carrier, pending availability of the Mistral class. Production aircraft will roll off the AAC Progress line in Arseniev in 2014. I USA

The latest variant of the Boeing Apache is the AH-64E (formerly AH-64D Block III), informally known as the Apache Guardian. It was developed to address the weightgrowth that resulted in the AH-64D being unable to fly with full weapons load in the Albanian mountains. The US Army plans to acquire 690 AH-64Es, consisting of 634 remanufactured and 56 new-build aircraft. The AH-64E improvements include more powerful GE Aviation T700-701D engines, an uprated transmission, new composite rotor blades and the ability to control drones. Some 51 remanufactured AH-64Es were ordered in the low-rate initial production phase, beginning with eight Lot One aircraft in FY2010. Lot Two consisted of 16 in FY2011, 19 in FY2012, and eight of the 40 in the FY2013 request (which added the first ten new-build aircraft). US Army deliveries began in November 2011. In October 2012, full-rate production was authorised.

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Remanufacturing Apaches to AH-64E standard is expected to cost the US Army around $ 16 million each, compared to about $ 40 million for a new-build aircraft. Taiwan was the first export customer for the AH-64E, the first of 20 new-build aircraft being handed over in May 2012. India is negotiating the purchase of 22 newbuild AH-64Es, suggesting far more than the ` 3095 crores discussed in the press. Indonesia has requested eight new-build aircraft, and Qatar 24. The Saudi request for 40 is for mostly new aircraft, and the UAE request for 60 is understood to be equally divided between new and remanufactured AH-64Es. The 8390-kg Bell AH-1Z Viper (or Cobra Zulu) is in broadly the same weight category as the AH-64. It was developed to meet the needs of the US Marine Corps under the H1 Upgrade Program, aimed at maximum commonality with the UH-1Y Venom. The plan in 1991 was to upgrade 180 AH-1Ws to AH-1Zs, and 100 UH-1Ns to UH-1Ys. After several changes, it currently appears that the Marine Corps will receive 123 newbuild UH-1Ys and a total of 189 AH-1Zs, including only 37 remanufactured aircraft. The AH-1Z has two GE Aviation T700401C engines, four-blade rotors, a Thales TopOwl helmet-mounted display, a

Lockheed Martin AAQ-30 Target Sight System (TSS) and a strengthened landing gear. It first flew in 2000, and the first delivery took place in 2005. The AH-1Z achieved initial operational capability in September 2010. Full-rate production was approved in December 2010. At time of writing the little-publicised, latecoming AH-1Z has won no export orders, but South Korea is considering the procurement of 36 (the AH-1Z being shortlisted alongside the AH-64E and T129). I REST OF THE WORLD

Attempts to market South Africa’s 8750-kg Denel Rooivalk (Red Kestrel) were terminated after Turkey’s selection of the A129. Rooivalk is completely dependent on French suppliers, who naturally support the Tiger in international sales. It is in service with one SAAF squadron, and is expected to be deployed elsewhere in Africa for peacekeeping duties. In January 2013 Iran announced initial deliveries of the Hesa/Panha Toufan 2 (Storm 2), a warmed-over 4540-kg Bell AH-1J, of which the Imperial Iranian Army received 202 in the 1970s. Iran has a more original lightweight (1450-kg) single-seat attack helicopter, the Shahed 285, which was derived from the Bell JetRanger and first flew

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U.S. Navy photo used with permission without endorsement.

in 2009. The ground-based version, designated AH-85A, is in smallscale service with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Air Force. One of the most interesting new projects is India’s HAL LCH (Light Combat Helicopter), derived from the Dhruv (Polaris) utility helicopter, which entered service in 2002. The LCH was inspired by the poor performance of the Mi-35 in the ‘Kargil War’ of 1999, high in the Himalayas. The 5500-kg LCH has two 895-kW Shakti (licence-built Turbomeca Ardiden) engines, to give a service ceiling of over 20,000 ft. The LCH was designed for a wide range of roles, including air defence against slow manned aircraft and drones. The first development aircraft flew in 2010, and service entry is due shortly. It is planned that the Indian Air Force will have 65 LCHs and the Indian Army 114. If the tandem-seat LCH is emerging much like an armed scout, the 4500-kg Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Korean Attack Helicopter (KAH) looks like an armed utility helicopter, since it is required also to provide the basis for a six/eight-seat civil product. The KAH is to enter service with the Republic of Korea Army in 2018, up to 260 complementing 36 heavy attack helicopters, and replacing 70 Bell AH-1Fs and 257 MD500s. Japan’s even lighter 4000-kg Kawasaki Aerospace OH-1 conforms to the traditional tandem-seat, slender fuselage configuration of an attack helicopter, but (like the LCH and KAH) has no gun turret. As in South Korea’s dual-use approach, some

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OH-1 parts will be employed in Kawasaki’s UH-X proposal for a JGSDF UH-1H/J replacement. The first of four prototype OH-1s flew in 1996. Despite initial plans for 150-200 OH-1s, only 34 production aircraft were ordered for the JGSDF, the last being built under FY2010 funding. This is not the first time that Japan’s defence equipment programmes have been cut to unrewarding levels. Fuji (FHI) has complained that, after having invested $ 600 million to launch licence-production of the AH-64DJP, production for the JGDSF was cut from 60 to 13 units. Japan’s manufacturers are arguing that the government should either refund such non-recurring costs, or allow the export of defence equipment. In hard times, it is not only the product that needs to be flexible.

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Naval Fighters

Fighting From a Deck

Having just left the Charles de Gaulle, this Rafale M is on its way to a ground attack mission, armed with four laser-guided weapons (Dassault)

Carrier-based fighters and attack aircraft are a special breed. Their weight is strictly limited, and they have either a slow stall to facilitate catapult/skijump-launch and arrested-recovery, or jet lift. Both solutions require excellent control at low airspeeds. Such aircraft also have to be rugged and tolerant of salt spray and designed to occupy only a limited area of deck or hangar floor.

Roy Braybrook

iven ten 100,000-tonne Nimitzclass nuclear-powered carriers (CVNs), of which at least four are constantly at sea (currently in the East China Sea, North Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and West Atlantic), the United States Navy tends to dominate any discussion of naval airpower. Each carrier has an air wing (CVW) that typically includes three Navy strike fighter (VFA) squadrons of Boeing F/A-18E/Fs and F/A-18C/Ds, and one Marine Corps fighter attack squadron (VMFA) of F/A-18C/Ds. The US Navy also has nine amphibious

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assault ships (one Tarawa-class LHA and eight Wasp-class LHDs) that can each accommodate a squadron of Marine Corps Boeing AV-8B Harrier IIs, and may one day serve as platforms for the service’s Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning IIs. I CARRIERS ELSEWHERE

Aircraft carriers are highly visible status symbols and effective means of projecting power (and of assisting in disaster-relief operations) at long range. However, they are expensive, and their future viability may have been placed in doubt by the Chineseled development of long-range ballistic missiles with terminal homing. Nonetheless, up to ten non-US nations may

be operating fixed-wing aircraft at sea in the near future. In the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas conflict with Britain, Argentina had an aircraft carrier, the 16,000-tonne Veinticinco de Mayo (formerly the Netherlands’ Karel Doorman). This was to launch its Douglas A-4Qs against the British task force, but evidently failed to produce sufficient wind over deck. Under threat from a Royal Navy submarine (which had sunk Argentina’s 12,000-tonne cruiser General Belgrano), the ship returned to port and took no further part in the conflict. In 1983 the ship was modified to operate the Dassault-Breguet Super Etendard, which had performed well from land bases in

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the 1982 conflict, sinking the 4800-tonne destroyer HMS Sheffield with an AM-39 Exocet missile. However, increasing maintenance problems led to the carrier being decommissioned in 1997, and towed to India for scrapping in 2000. Argentina’s Super Etendards can now practice deck operations only during visits by US Navy carriers and Brazil’s 32,800tonne Sao Paolo (previously the French Navy’s Foch). In 2009 the Brazilian Navy contracted Embraer to upgrade twelve A-4s (mainly ex-Kuwaiti A-4KUs), with modernised cockpits, armament and avionics, which include the Elta EL/M-2032 radar. They are expected to remain in service until 2025. Reports indicate that the Brazilian Navy will assist the Chinese Navy in developing its carrier operations. China revealed its intention to become a maritime power as far back as the 1970s, with serious interest in acquiring a development of the BAe Sea Harrier (a sale that fell through due to delays imposed by the Thatcher government). China subsequently imported a series of retired aircraft carriers, mostly for their design know-how. Australia’s 20,000-tonne HMAS Melbourne was purchased as scrap in 1985 (but was broken up only in 2002), followed in 1994 by Russia’s 42,000-tonne Minsk (now the Minsk World museum in Shenzhen), and in 1996 by the Kiev (now the Tianjin Aircraft Carrier Hotel). Finally, in 1998 China purchased from the Ukraine the 67,500-tonne Admiral Kuznetsov-class Varyag, for a mere $ 20 million. The ship was designed to accommodate 26 fixed-wing aircraft and 24 helicopters, but was only 70% complete and had been stripped of its engines and armament. Extensively refurbished by the Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company, equipped with Chinese radars and missiles, and renamed the CNS Liaoning (hull number 16), the vessel was handed over to the Chinese Navy on September 25, 2012. Intelligence sources in Taiwan have asserted that the construction of two nonnuclear Liaoning-class carriers has already started in Shanghai. There have also been rumours of two nuclear-powered carriers following, derived from the Soviet Union’s 85,000-tonne Project 1143.7 Ulyanovsk, the construction of which was stopped in 1991. However, all of this may be pure speculation. China’s Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark is a copy of the Russian Naval Aviation’s Sukhoi

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If China decides to build carriers beyond the CNS Liaoning, some AsiaPacific countries may buy F-35Bs to operate from through-deck ships such as Japan’s 18,000-tonne Hyuga (illustrated) and South Korea’s 18,800tonne Dokdo. (US Navy).

Pictured during Exercise Malabar with the US Navy, India’s INS Viraat is being overflown by a Boeing F/A-18F of VFA-102 and an F/A-18E of VFA –27, between two Indian Navy BAe Sea Harriers (in the foreground) and two Indian Air Force Sepecat Jaguars. (US Navy).

Su-33 (formerly Su-27K). In early November 2012 two J-15s (side numbers 552 and 553) began flight trials from the Liaoning. The production J-15 is expected to have a Chinese phased-array radar, fifthgeneration air-air guided weapons, and a new version of the YJ-63 anti-ship missile. The J-15 may eventually be replaced by the stealthy Shenyang J-31, which first flew on October 31, 2012. The fear of China building carriers may encourage its neighbours to consider the use of the F-35B from their helicopter platforms. For example, Japan (which

plans to buy the F-35A) already has two 18,000-tonne Hyuga-class escort ships (16/18DDH) with flat decks for helicopter operations. Two 24,000-tonne 22/24DDH through-deck destroyers are due to follow in 2015 and 2017. Likewise, South Korea (which is considering the F-35A in the context of its F-X requirement) has the 18,800-tonne Dokdo, the lead vessel of a four-ship class of amphibious landing ships with flat decks. The French Navy has only one carrier, the 42,000-tonne Charles de Gaulle, and the future of the planned second vessel is

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Naval Fighters

This MiG-29UBK (black 204) is shown performing a low fly-by of the INS Vikramaditya during trials in the Barents Sea in the summer of 2012. Note the large-chord trailing edge flaps and the extension of the leading edge flaps on to the chine. (RAC-MiG).

currently in doubt. The ship operates with a mix of Dassault Rafale Ms, of which the procurement of 58 is planned, and Super Etendard Modernisés (SEMs). The last of 27 remaining such Super Etendards is due to be retired in 2015. The Indian Navy operates the BAe Sea Harrier FRS51 stovl fighter (of which 25 were purchased) from the 28,700-tonne INS Viraat (formerly HMS Hermes). In 2014 it will introduce its first batch of twelve MiG-29Ks and four MiG-29KUBs on the 45,300-tonne INS Vikramaditiya (conversion of the Admiral Gorshkov Project 1143.4). A second batch of 29 MiG-29s was ordered in March 2010. The conversion of the carrier for the Indian Navy was performed by the SevMash defence shipyard at Severodinsk (near Arkhangelsk), an entity best known for its nuclear submarines. In 2011 SevMash undertook the construction of a floating airfield in the Arctic, half-way between Murmansk and the Prirazlomnaya oilfield. Six HAL Tejas LCA-Navy prototypes have been funded. Trials could lead to the

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purchase of 50-60 production aircraft to form two squadrons to operate from the Vikramaditiya and the 40,000 tonne INS Vikrant. The latter, India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), is currently scheduled to enter service in 2018. It is intended to replace the Viraat, but the latter has had its life extended to 2020 to allow for further delays. The Vikrant is to be followed by a second indigenous carrier, which may revert to a flat deck with steam catapults (in place of the skijump) to allow operation of the Indian Navy’s planned Northrop Grumman E -2D AEW&C aircraft. The Italian Navy has two carriers: the 14,000-tonne Giuseppe Garibaldi and the new 30,000-tonne Cavour. Each typically operates up to eight of the service’s 14 AV8Bs. It may be noted that Italy and Spain jointly funded AV-8B clearance to use the AIM-120 medium-range air-air missile, which the US Marine Corps did not require. Italy plans to buy 22 F-35Bs to replace its AV-8Bs. The Cavour will be able to accommodate ten F-35Bs in its hangar and six more on deck. For the longer term, acquisition of an F-35B-capable LHD and an LHA will allow retirement of the Garibaldi. The Russian Navy’s only carrier is the 67,500-tonne Admiral Kuznetsov (Project 1143.5), with a typical fixed-wing complement of twelve Su-33 fighters and five Su-25UTG attack aircraft. The Su-33 is

scheduled to remain in service until 2015. Ordering further Su-33s is deemed uneconomic, so in early 2012, riding on the back of the 2010 Indian Navy order for 29 MiG-29K/KUBs, the Russian Navy ordered 24 to be delivered by 2015. For the future, Russia appears to be focussed on building new submarines, not carriers. The Spanish Navy operates up to ten of its 16 EAV-8Bs (local designation VA-2 Matador II) from the 17,000-tonne Principe de Asturias. In 2012 there were rumours that this carrier might be retired as an economy measure, its role being taken over by the 27,000-tonne Rey Juan Carlos I LHD. It is anticipated that the EAV-8Bs will be replaced by up to 20 F-35Bs. Australia, which currently plans to buy only the F-35A (US Air Force version), is building two 25,790-tonne Canberra-class amphibious assault ships based on the Juan Carlos I (complete with skijumps), for delivery in 2014 and 2016. Nine of Spain’s earlier BAe AV-8S Matadors were sold to the Royal Thai Navy for operation from the Spanish-built 11,500-tonne HTMS Chakri Naruebet. However, these aircraft were retired in 2006, and the ship is now used only as a helicopter carrier. The United Kingdom pioneered highperformance stovl aircraft, but the Royal Navy’s sole remaining aircraft carrier, the 22,000-tonne Invincible-class Illustrious, is

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Vertical landing capability minimises deck space requirements. Here two Boeing AV-8B Harrier II+ attack aircraft are seen landing on the LHD-3 Kearsarge, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship. The aircraft intake ducts are painted white to reduce head-on visual signature. (US Navy).

now used as an amphibious assault ship, with helicopters as its air element. It is due to be retired in 2014. The Fleet Air Arm began withdrawing the BAe Sea Harrier in 2004, and the ex-RAF Harrier GR7/9 was retired at the end of 2010. Two 65,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are under construction for the Royal Navy. The first is expected to begin sea trials in 2017 and achieve operational capability with the F-35B around 2020. The F-35B could also fly from the 21,500-tonne HMS Ocean LPH, and the RNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two 18,500-tonne LPDs, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. Britain was originally to purchase 138 F35Bs for the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Fleet Air Arm. In July 2012 the British defence minister announced that an initial 48 F-35Bs would be purchased to equip the carrier fleet, but that a final figure for F-35 procurement would not be decided until after the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review. There was later speculation that F-35As would be bought to replace RAF Eurofighter Typhoons, but no more F-35Bs.

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I MiG-29K

Of the principal naval fighters now being marketed, the most affordable is RAC-MiGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MiG-29K. The basic configuration is old, the first MiG-29 having flown in 1977, and it might be criticised as a typical European design of that period (ie, all engines, little fuel). However, internal fuel capacity

Naval trials with the MiG-29UBK (black 941) included carriage of air-air missiles. It is shown taking off with two short-range 105-kg Vympel R-73 (AA-11 Archer) IR-guided weapons outboard and two medium-range 175-kg Vympel R-77 (AA-12 Adder) radar-guided weapons inboard. (RAC-MiG).

has been increased, and effort has gone into perfecting the aircraft’s handling characteristics at low airspeeds, possibly due to bad experience with the MiG-23/27. Over 1,600 MiG-29s are in service in 26 countries. Responding to Soviet Navy interest, the proof-of-concept MiG-29KVP with strengthened undercarriage and an arrester hook flew in 1982. The first true MiG-29K with an enlarged, folding wing flew in 1988. It performed the first landing on the Admiral Kuznetsov in 1989, just before the Berlin Wall came down. The Russian Navy chose the heavier and more capable Su-27K (later Su-33) to equip the Admiral Kuznetsov. Interest in the MiG29K then waned until in 2004 the Indian Navy decided to buy the much smaller carrier Admiral Gorshkov, for which the MiG was the obvious choice. RAC-MiG has redesigned the MiG29K/KUB as part of its “4++” generation family, with high commonality with the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-35/35D. It was given 88-kN Klimov RD-33MK Sea Wasp engines, the Phazotron Zhuk-ME pulseDoppler radar, a reduced radar signature, quad-redundant FBW controls, in-flight

Boeing exhibits at Aero India 2011 at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru, included this mockup cockpit for an upgraded F/A-18E/F, with a single 28x48 cm multifunction display, offering improved situational awareness and reduced life-cycle cost. (Boeing).

Boeing showed at Aero India 2011 a projected Super Hornet development, with mockups of conformal fuel tanks and a stealthy centreline weapons pod. Proposed improvements include a modernised cockpit and 20% more powerful GE Aviation F414 engines. (Boeing).

refuelling provisions, a structure containing 15% composite materials, increased internal fuel and improved high-lift devices. The first of the new series, a two-seat MiG29KUB, flew in January 2007. The single-seat MiG-29K is capable of Mach 2.07 at altitude, and the MiG-29KUB of Mach 2.0. Both have a normal take-off weight of approximately 18,600 kg and a maximum of 24,500 kg.

I SUPER HORNET

Following 1480 F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornets, the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a much larger derivative with reduced radar signature. It entered service in 2001, followed in 2005 by the Block II with improvements that included the Raytheon APG-79 Aesa radar and AIM-9X missile. The first multi-year production contract, MYP1, funded in fiscal years FY2000-2004,

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The only export order to date for the Boeing Super Hornet has been for 24 F/A-18Fs for Australia. These aircraft now equip No 1 Sqn, based at RAAF Amberley in Queensland. The unit was declared operational at the end of 2010. (Commonwealth of Australia).

purchased 210 aircraft. This was followed by MYP2 for FY2005-2009, buying 213 F/A18E/Fs and EA-18Gs Growler electronic attack aircraft. To this was added a supplement of 47, including 24 F/A-18Fs for Australia (an initial six of which are to be modified to EA-18G standard). The MYP3 covered 124 aircraft (66 F/A-18E/Fs and 58 EA-18G) for delivery in 2012-2015. Over 500 Super Hornets and Growlers had been delivered by the end of 2012. The Super Hornet equips 19 squadrons of the US Navy, which plans to acquire 515 F/A-18E/Fs and 114 EA-18Gs. The F/A-18E/F has two 98-kN GE Aviation F414 engines, a maximum speed of over Mach 1.8, and a maximum take-off weight of 29,937 kg. It is an outstanding strike fighter, but there is concern over its ability to deal with fifthgeneration fighters. In the naval context, it needs a big carrier with a powerful catapult. Nonetheless, if the US Navy should decide to skip the F-35C in favour of some future F/A-XX, Boeing will be ready with proposals for a stop-gap “Block III” F/A-18E/F, with 20% more powerful F414s, a stealthy centreline weapons pod, conformal fuel tanks, a new cockpit and other improvements. I RAFALE

Pictured on board the Charles de Gaulle, this Aeronautique Navale Dassault Rafale-M is fitted with two 2000-litre fuel tanks, a Thales Damocles laser targeting pod, one laser-guided bomb, two IR-guided MBDA Mica air-air missiles, and two Micas with radar guidance. (Dassault/S Rande).

With its multiplicity of fuselage doors open, the second development aircraft (BF-02) for the US Marine Corps Lockheed Martin F-35B performs an sto from the deck of the US Navy’s 41,000-tonne LHD-1 USS Wasp amphibious assault ship. (Lockheed Martin).

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The carrier-capable Dassault Rafale-M first flew in 1999. The French Navy plans to acquire 58, and already has enough to form two squadrons (Flotilles 11F and 12F). The Rafale is an advanced multi-role combat aircraft, with (initially) two 75-kN Snecma M88-2 engines. It has a maximum take-off weight of 24,500 kg and a maximum speed of Mach 1.8. The latest Rafales have the Thales RBE2/AA Aesa radar and M88-4E engines. Aside from extending service life and time between inspections, these engines have potential for thrust growth to 88 kN, subject to airframe modifications to provide larger air intakes. Some 200 MBDA Meteor ramjet-powered air-air missiles have been ordered for French Rafales. The Indian Air Force has recently selected the Rafale (presumably the Rafale B/C used by the French Air Force, which is to acquire 228) and plans to buy 126, with an option on 63 more. This could well lead to the Indian Navy buying the Rafale-M. A similar situation would arise if the Brazilian Air Force selects the Rafale B/C for its 36aircraft F-X2 programme.

Distinguished by their enlarged wings, the first two development aircraft (CF-01 and 02) for the US Navy’s F-35C were photographed somewhere over the Atlantic. (Lockheed Martin/Andy Wolfe).

I LIGHTNING II

The US Air Force F-35A version first flew in 2006, followed by the US Marine Corps F35B (the stovl variant) in 2008 and the US Navy F-35C (the catapulted and arrested landing variant) in 2010. However, full-rate production (planned as 80 F-35As and 50 F35B/Cs per year for the US services) has been deferred until FY2019. The planned acquisition total of 2,443 units for the domestic market includes 680 F-35B/Cs for the US Navy and Marine Corps. The breakdown of this number has yet to be finalised, but it is

generally expected to take the form of around 340 F-35Bs and 80 F-35Cs for the Marine Corps and 260 F-35Cs for the Navy. Britain, Italy and Spain all plan to buy the F-35B. All F-35s have a single 191-kN Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the F-35B also having three Rolls-Royce ‘extras’ for stovl: a three-bearing thrust-vectoring jetpipe, a shaft-driven LiftFan, and wingmounted ‘roll posts’ fed with bleed air for lateral control. Maximum take-off weight is reported as 27,300 kg for the F-35B, although its vto weight is probably closer to

17,000 kg. The maximum launch weight for the F-35C is reportedly 31,800 kg. All F-35s have a maximum speed of approximately Mach 1.6. Radius of action is given as 835 km for the F-35B and 1100 km for the F-35C. However, the US Marine Corps and Navy evidently use different mission profiles, since the F-35B has only two-thirds the internal fuel of the F-35C. Although the stealthy F-35 currently enjoys a unique position in the marketplace, there are concerns over its cost, delayed availability and the performance penalties incurred in designing an aircraft to meet three different requirements (especially stovl). There are also suspicions over the stealthiness of export F-35s. If some competitor could quickly develop a significantly less expensive semi-stealth fighter, optimised for the air combat role, it might badly dent international sales of the F-35.

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Robust Networking: End-to-end Connectivity At the heart of network-enabled capabilities, integration of voice and data intomilitary networking,with its acute security, jam-resistant andmobility requirements, remains troublesome. Sitting above combat net radios, tactical communication networks face particularly tough challenges due to the huge numbers of subscribers, high-capacity voice and data requirements, and the intrinsically difficult ground environment.

Wesley Fox & Tom Withington

he current trends pursued in most advanced military powers address end-to-end connectivity over IP, and advanced network management services to accommodate mobility and prioritisation in exchanging an ever growing amount of data on a â&#x20AC;&#x153;tactical internetâ&#x20AC;?. As most countries embark on upgrading legacy ATM networks to full IP, the US Army have so far the most ambitious programme with their Warfighter Information Network-Tactical. WIN-T in short is to provide voice, data and video

This avionics-laden AH-64D LongBow attack helicopter in Israeli service features Elta Systems Ku-band Milsatcom for on-the-move operations leveraging ISR feed from aircraft or UAV (IAF).

connectivity from brigade to dismounted soldiers. The programme is led by GDC4 Systems, supported by BAE Systems, Harris, L-3 Communications and Lockheed Martin, and is aiming at delivering tactical network nodes throughout the Army by 2016, following three increments: WIN-T increment 1, hitherto known as Joint Network Nodes, has begun fielding high-capacity line-of-sight and satellite communications to more than 200 active, reserve and National Guard units, where it provides deployed, at-the-halt interim capabilities from brigade to battalion. It replaces Mobile Subscriber Equipment, adapted from the Thomson-CSF (today Thales Communications France) Rita network on time for the 1991 war for Kuwait. The new increment 2 extends brigade communications to vehicle-integrated points of presence for company commanders (Tactical Communications Nodes), providing connectivity with soldier network extensions. It is offering on-the-pause and limited on-the-move

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connectivity down to company level, and is undergoing low-rate production with initial deployment to two brigades from the 10th Mountain division. This deployment has been following since 2011 a spiralling development process inspired by the now defunct Future Combat System, to bridge legacy Cincgars and new JTRS combat radio networks. Known as Network Integration & Evaluation (NIE), this twice-a-year process consists of field testing and limited deployment. NIE 12.2, completed at White Sands Missile Range in October 2002, validated mobile and onthe-pause communications for the 2nd brigade, 1st Armoured division, and

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This newly tested WIN-T Increment 2 company-level point of presence will provide on-the-move connectivity integrated into a Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected vehicle (here an Oshkosh Mrap), bringing an IP layer over legacy and new combat net radios (US Army).

connectivity with 101 Air assault brigade headquarters at Ft Campbell. GD C4 worked with the Army and the Systems of Systems Integration directorate to validate the current WIN-T capabilities in a test involving 4,000 soldiers over a 2,000 square mile exercise range.

The next phase is Increment 3, which is still under development and testing. It will include an airborne component to satcomms on the move capabilities, and enhance overall stability, interoperability (through the JC4ISR radio) and security. The latter aspect, consistent with the US Army Landwarnet network operations governance (see Landwarnet and the Global Information Grid, Armada April-May 2011), already features network planning and monitoring. Increment 1b had already upgraded WIN-T with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;colourless coreâ&#x20AC;? encrypted IP layer acting as a security enclave for classified and unclassified data, and easing interoperability with Increment 2. The same increment 1b,

provided by GD C4 over a 396M USD contract running until 2016, enhances dynamic networking for beyond line-ofsight communications thanks to a new Network Centric Waveform. Overall, WIN-T is proceeding with increased connectivity, interoperability and has been providing a major increase in tactical mobility. Its latest assessment by the Pentagon praised the NIE process as a consistent way to test and plan for deployment, although overall stability and reliability of a self-forming, selfhealing network is not expected before full operational capability of Increment 2, and may be pushed back to increment 3. A similar capability to WIN-T increment 2, though on a lower scale, is being deployed in France through the Rita N4 programme. Designed as an extension of the legacy Rita (Réseau Intégré des Télécommunications de l’Avant), the 240M€ contract was placed with Thales Communications to provide IP connectivity and high-data rates to mobile battlegroups. Extending deployed and onthe-pause voice, data and video exchanges based on the TRC-4000 LOS and APCmounted Syracuse satcomm nodes, Rita N4 builds tactical internet services (voice, data,

A WIN-T Increment 2 tactical communications node for on-the-halt networking is entering service with the US Army, providing high-capacity voice and data exchanges from brigade to battalion. It sits next to a legacy Mobile Subscriber Equipment inherited from the French RITA in 1990. (US Army).

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Preceding WIN-T on-the-move beyond line-of-sight capabilities thanks to an urgent operational for Afghanistan, this French Venus VAB light APC offers Milsatcom connectivity at rate of a couple of Mbps for mobile company commanders and interfaces with the PR4G combat net radio; one is currently deployed in Mali to support French battlegroup operations (ArmĂŠe de Terre).

and mail attachements) on an IP backbone delivered as part of Rita 2G in 2007, and is paving the way for battlegroup all-IP connectivity, acting as a networking layer for upcoming Scorpion digitized battlegroups and their Contact software-defined radios. One hundred new Rita N4 network nodes are to be delivered to the French Army between 2013 and 2015, with the upgrade of 200 legacy nodes to the new higher capacity

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communications architecture, providing Combat Net Radio Integration (CNRI), trunk nodes with HCLOS and mobile satellite uplinks. Vehicle nodes manage multi-link connectivity transparently to the users, allowing battlegroup commanders to focus on their mission. The use of commercial technology with military requirements allow flexible and modular connectivity, and military-grade network

management services provide deployability and mobility to mobile combined-arms battalions normally deprived of the former, regiment-attached, signals specialists. As part of an urgent operational requirement, Thales Communications has delivered APCs equipped with X-band on-the-move satcoms, supporting C4I services to legacy Cassidianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SIR battalion C2. These multilink command nodes have been successfully deployed in Afghanistan, where the deepest valleys often denied VHF connectivity. At least one of these vehicles has been sent to Mali to support Operation Serval, where France leads a coalition of African nations

fighting Islamic insurgents. The French technology has already been proposed via Thales abroad; whereas Malaysian MCRS tactical networking appears in standby due to a shift in budget priorities despite impressive field tests at the end of 2011 showing several tens of megabytes per second exchanges at more than 60 km. The United Arab Emirates, for their part, have procured part of Rita N4 technology, both through their Zagil tactical network and the newlydelivered ground segment of the dual-use Yahsat programme, featuring on-the-pause and on-the-move Ka-band satcoms. In Britain, the ground-breaking Bowman programme won by GD UK (with Selex, ITT, Harris, L-3 Communications, GDC4 and others) over Thales Communications in 2002 is proceeding to deliver tactical networking over nearly 50,000 high-capacity voice and data radios. The Bowman Combat Infrastructure Platform (BCIP) is being implemented slowly, an initial operational capability having been accepted in 2004 with 27 major reservations, a full operational capability having only been reached in 2008 (BCIP 5) with several important capabilities deleted, such as mobile voice and data

The TacMax broadband tactical network is Rafaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Missiles and NCW division answer to converged military networking over commercial 4G or WiMax technologies ; this family of base stations, relays and mobile stations is designed to be embedded in Army platforms (Rafael).

connectivity or full interoperability with allies. This compromise, as well as shortcomings experienced by units in the field in Afghanistan, led to a severe report from the House of Commons Committee on Public Accounts in 2007, criticizing overestimated technical challenges, unrealistic

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A Bowman lower tactical user configuration during a brigade command post training in Britain; the programme status is maximizing vehicle integration constraints under GD UK, while other suppliers like Barco, contribute with low electromagnetic emissions tactical terminals (Barco).

project timescale, and faulty governance of the programme. Governance was strengthened within a joint systems integration body to facilitate BCIP convergence between Bowman radios and Battlefield Information Systems Applications providing C4I services. The current army C2, artillery, air defence and engineering applications are partially handled by BCIP 5.4 fielded in 2010, and 2013 should see a morerobust BCIP 5.5, leveraging several urgent operational requirements enhancing Bowman connectivity for British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. These difficulties did not prevent GD UK to win the 94M€ New Integrated Marines Communications & Information System (Nimcis), delivering Bowman-type C4I capabilities to Dutch Royal Marines. As in Britain, the system will provide voice and data connectivity between ships and marines ashore. Tactical internet ambitions are also part of the Australian procurement plans, through Joint Project 2072 Phase 2B. This digital backbone component of the large

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Battlespace Communications (Land) project is in the tendering phase, valued between 0.5 and 1 billion US dollars. The four bidding consortia are: Boeing Defense Australia; GD C4 Systems with Raytheon Australia; Elbit Systems with Lockheed Martin Australia, and BAe Systems Australia with Thales Australia. In November 2012, however, the Defence Department announced its decision to postpone its shortlisting by about a year, and even possibly announce a retendering process instead. This would stretch any decisionmaking to FY 2013-2014, with planned operational capabilities three years later. In Korea, the Tactical Information Communications Network is to be fielded by Samsung Thales (with LIGNex1 and Huneed) by 2014, and the leading partners are already bidding against one another for the current Peruvian Army C4I tender. In India, the much-delayed Tactical Communications

System is still in design, development and prototyping phase, with the 3 leading consortia BEL, ITL and Wipro offering a mix of local and Western technology, including the Rafael TacMax WiMax-based broadband tactical networking for C2 on-the-move applications. Boasting 45Mbps over 12Km n-los conditions, TacMax leverages 4G cellular technologies, offering end-to-end connectivity to dismounted commanders. Its US and European competitors are also positioned in this niche: Lockheed Martin has adapted wireless broadband technologies in its Monax militarized cellular network infrastructure; Ultra Electronics proposes its UltraMove system, Harris its KnightHawk “UMTS in a box”, and Cassidian (teaming with Alcatel-Lucent) leverages its Tetra PMR technology adapted for military use under Evercor, earmarked for security and defence users in the 400MHz band. Launched between 2010 and 2012, all these solutions advertise connectivity with militarised smart phones and tablets leveraging LTE technologies. Thales is to follow suit in 2013, extending its multi-link network connectivity to an LTE smart terminal using running on Android, procured from Elektrobit.

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Multiple roles and Robotics, the Silent Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tech Mutations Recent operations in the Mediterranean Sea during Libyan crisis as well as antipiracy activities in the Indian Ocean, highlighted the importance of underwater platform intelligence and special forces support operations in addition to traditional SSK patrol, deterrence, surveillance of, and attack against, illegal operations.

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Luca Peruzzi

he importance of such capabilities is well known to Asia-Pacific region countries. These will acquire more submarines and spend more on them over the next two decades than any other region in the world except the United States, according to AMI International analysts. American, European, Russian and more recently Asian shipbuilders are also looking into new littoral warfare and special ops’ support boat designs to cope with customer requirements. Submarine designers, builders and system providers all are developing new platforms or adapting current production vehicles and systems to meet the new requirements.

The Scorpene is one of the latest families of advanced submarines on the market. Being sold to the Chilean, Malaysian, Brazilian and Indian navies, it is being marketed as a scalable platform with conventional or AIP propulsion system. (DCNS)

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I PLATFORM OVERVIEW

The demanding Australian programme, for instance, that aims at putting 12 newgeneration submarines into service from 2025 on, with the capability to conduct long endurance missions at considerable distances from home, equipped with both long-range strike weapon systems to support special forces and unmanned vehicles, is pushing French DCNS to offer a scaled-up version of the Scorpene equipped with the Mesma air independent propulsion system already in service with Pakistan’s Agosta 90B (also sold to India, Malaysia, Chile and Brazil). The later variant in production features an increased displacement compared to previous models, but maintains a conventional diesel-electric propulsion system. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems’ Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) company, on the other hand, is proposing the new Type 216 design with an 89-metre platform, a submerged displacement of 4,000 tonnes and a propulsion system employing a methanol reformer air independent fuel cell system allowing a submerged endurance of up to four weeks. The new design will also have a vertical multipurpose lock aft of the sail for cruise missiles, divers or robots in addition to a new sonar suite. Navantia proposes a scaled-up version of its S-80 air-independent propulsion SSK under construction for Spanish Navy, with enhancements for the specific programme. The Australian DoD is also looking at the newest Sōryū class SSK in service with the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF). In Europe, these companies together with Fincantieri and South Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering

(DSME) recently responded to a request for information of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence for a possible replacement of Ulaclass submarines (instead of opting for a further life extension operation). Russian submarine designers and shipyards are continuing to market their latest versions of the Project 636 Kilo class boats, the new Project 677 Lada or Amur 1650 for export, with both types introducing enhancements in platform, command, control, sonar and fire control suites and weapon suites including Klub-S family missiles. According to Russian newspapers, China is also to build Lada/Amur 1650 platforms maintaining a double source of submarines, in case the indigenous industry cannot satisfy developments and procurement requirements. I CURRENT TRENDS

Current market trends, however are now pushing submarine designers towards littoral and special operation support boats. Various offers are surfacing, including the roughly 900-tonne and 50-metre Andrasta from DCNS, the 1,150-tonne and 58-metre Type 210 from HDW, the 1,100-tonne and 56-metre S1000 from Fincantieri & Rubin – all featuring advanced solutions and able to conduct full-size conventional submarine missions. The same companies and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Maritime Engineering (DSME) are also working on platforms concepts for special operations, as The new Project 677 Lada or Amur 1650 for export family of submarines developed by Rubin design bureau features latest national industries’ platform, command, sonar and fire control suite systems, in addition to the Klub-S missile family. (Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

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exemplified by the DCNS SMX-26 showed at Euronaval 2012, the HDW Type 200 and the South Korean KSS 500A. The US Special Operations Command allowed foreign companies to participate and recently awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a contract to design and build a prototype ‘dry’ submersible for evaluation by the US naval forces community, with the participation of Italy’s GSE company, builder of commercial diver lock-out submersibles. HDW in Germany has pioneered the development of air-independent systems based on fuel-cell technology, as used by German and Italian Type 212As, South Korean and Portuguese Type 214s and lately by the Israeli navy’s Dolphin. In late 2012, Sener engineering group and HDW signed an agreement for the industrial production of an air-independent propulsion system based on a fuel cell methanol reformer technology. The latter provides an alternative for producing the hydrogen required by a fuel-cell system, which is more suitable for larger platforms with long endurance. A fully engineered submarine system demonstrator is to be ready for end-2013. In service with both the German and Italian navies, the Type 212A AIP-equipped platform is being produced in additional batches for both services. Here depicted is the latest version for the German navy, with a new flank array sonar system and an integrated combat system, both provided by Atlas Elektronik. (Luca Peruzzi)

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Already in service with Pakistan navy’s Agosta 90B class boats (the first AIP-equipped platform in the Indian Ocean), the Mesma system is also being promoted for the Scorpene here illustrated. DCNS has teamed with Thales Underwater Systems and Sagem on the integrated combat system, sonar suite, mast and sensors. (DCNS)

Applied to all Swedish navy’s recent submarines, Stirling air-independent propulsion systems also power Singapore navy’s Archer class boats, as well as the future Kockums A26 designed mainly for littoral operations with ocean-going capabilities. Built under licence by Japanese Kawasaki Heavy Industry, it is also embarked on the Sōryū class SSK, the newest boat in service with Japan Maritime Self Defence Force. The Australian DoD through its SEA 1000 programme has also showed interest for this method. Pakistan’s Agosta 90B became the first air-independent propulsion submarine to operate in the Indian Ocean, soon to be joined by other boats in 2013 – courtesy of the DCNS-supplied Mesma (Module d’Energie Sous-Marine Autonome). It consists of a combustion module fed with

liquid oxygen and fuel, and a steam production loop. The Mesma endows a Scorpene SSK with a submerged endurance of more than 21 days. DCNS is proposing the system for current and future P-75I-class programmes and for Australia’s SEA 1000 future submarine programme. Navantia, for its part, has developed the S80’s air-independent propulsion , which is based on a bioethanol-processor, fed with bioethanol as fuel, and liquid oxygen, generating high-purity hydrogen. The output feeds a series of fuel cells provided by UTC Power in America. Developing an indigenous submarine technology, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on air-independent propulsion technology at the Naval Material Research Laboratory (NMRL), which is expected to be available in 2015, and which can be applied to the new-generation P-75I. China, however, is reported to have a system of its own, which powers the newest Type 041 Yuan and Type 043 Qing SSK class. Developed by 711th Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Heavy Industry, the exact type hasn’t been identified but, according to some sources, it is a Stirling cycle engine. Russia was an early proponent of airindependent propulsion design, but in the last decade Western European nations took the lead. In late 2011, however, the Rubin design bureau unveiled an electrochemical generator plant based on the earlier Kristall27E solution, which employs fuel cells and the reforming of diesel fuel for hydrogen production by means of an electromechanical generator. Reported to be available for production in less than three

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years’ time, it is being offered to India via the Amur 1650 project. I COMBAT SYSTEMS

The covertness offered by underwater platforms and the new generation of sensors and weapon systems provide the conventional submariners with detection in the range required for wide-area tactical picture compilation and long-range engagements, but also place additional demands on the warfare team in the submarine control room. The latest generation of submarine combat systems offer far greater functional integration of sensors, tactical data handling and weapon systems. The latest trend is wholesale migration toward scalable commercial offthe-shelf based open-system architectures, a shift seen to offer multiple advantages. Their In addition to all Swedish navy’s submarine classes, Stirling AIP system equips the Singapore navy’s Archer and Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force’s Soryu class SSKs. The Royal Australian Navy also showed interest in the system. China is reported to have developed and put in service a similar AIP for Type 041 Yuan and follow-on SSKs. (Kockums)

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design and development costs can be significantly reduced by avoiding the use of proprietary products and eliminating vendor restrictions at all system levels. Moreover, the regular upgrading of computer systems enables rapid additional operational capability to be inserted to meet emerging threats, while potential shared computing environments allow for reduced hardware footprint and support rationalisation. One of the largest providers of SSK combat systems is Atlas Elektronik, with variants of its Isus (Integrated submarine combat system) integrated command, weapon control and sonar system, which forms the core for widely sold HDW Type 209 and Type 214 export types. The Isus roadmap showed an increasing reliance on cots technology and the migration toward open-standard architecture, hardware and system application software, including emphasis on new sonar functionality and sonar manager functions. Although the Subtics (Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System) was closely connected to French-built conventional submarines export sales (Pakistan’s Agosta 90B and Scorpene boats to Brazil, Chile, India and Malaysia), DCNS

was able to expand its customer range to South America and southeast Asia for German- and Swedish-built submarines. The Subtics results from DCNS and Thales shared experience with French navy submarine sonar, command and weapon control systems (including the Sycobs system), adopting open standards, a fully redundant design and Thales Underwater Systems TSM 2233 sonar suite. Up north, Kongsberg Defence Systems of Norway has sold its MSI-90U Mk2 combat and weapon system to the navies of Norway (Ula class), Germany and Italy (Type 212) and more recently Indonesia (Type 209 built by South Korea’s DSME) and South Korean navy’s Type 214 and derivatives. The Italian navy’s latest Type 212 boats will feature the Link 11/16 functionality, navigation package and Wass Black Shark heavyweight torpedo integration. Saab is involved in the continuing upgrading of Swedish navy’s SesuB command and fire-control suite on its Type A-17 and -19 submarines, while the latest SesuB version employing cots-based open architecture will equip the new Type A-26. The Netherlands navy’s four Walrus-class submarines are being

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upgraded with Ministry of Defenceprovided Guardion common core system also used by surface vessels. Lockheed Martin’s MS2 and Navantia’s combat systems house Faba are partners in the development of the fully integrated Core Combat System for the Spanish navy’s four new S-80A class submarine under construction. Based on Lockheed Martin Subics (submarine integrated combat system) open architecture model, it integrates Spanish hardware and software provided by Spanish companies, including Sainsel and Saes. The American company is also responsible for the Brazilian Type 209 upgrade. Working in conjunction with America and Australia, Raytheon supplied the AN/BYG-1(V)8 combat control system as part of the Royal Australian Navy Collinsclass replacement combat system programme. Already installed across the US Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet and

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The Type 209/214 family of conventional and AIP equipped submarines built by TKMS’s HDW is the most widespread around the world. Many customers are upgrading these boats. The Brazilian navy’s Tupi class Type 209s for instance are to receive Lockheed Martin’s integrated combat system and Raytheon’s Mk48 Mod 6AT torpedo. (US Navy)

being periodically updated, the AN/BYG1 calls on commercial open standards, allowing the rapid insertion of additional sensors and/or weapons. It is expected to become fully operational on all Australian navy boats by 2016, and is reported to become the basis of the SEA 1000 future submarine combat system. I SONAR

Spiral upgrading and cots insertion are the main themes in sonar suite development and enhancements. Thales is promoting its

S-Cube multi-mission sonar suite with an open system architecture (variant of TSM2233) using cots hardware and software and combining Fast adaptive beam-forming technique, large PVDF planar flank array and a simple-to-use ‘look and feel’ human-computer interface. Scalable for all size of submarine from coastal to oceanic, the suite has already been ordered for Brazil’s and India’s Scorpenes as well as Ecuador’s HDW Type 209/1300s. Thales Australia has been contracted to upgrade Australian navy’s Collins class TSM 2233 sonar suite. L-3 Elac Nautik is involved in providing subsystems to enhance acoustic packages already in service, including the Netherlands’ Walrus-class boats. The other non-nuclear sonar providers are Atlas Elektronik and Lockheed Martin. The German company is proposing the latest versions of its Isus already ordered for

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Turkey’s six new Type 214 submarines, which introduces new or improved signal processing, such as advanced ranging sonar techniques, smarter adaptive beam-forming algorithms, optimised contact tracking and reduced operator workload. The company is also looking to new sonar functionalities as well as working on sotram (sonar track manager) functions to improve tracking management. Lockheed Martin together with Saes in Spain are providing most of the Spanish navy’s S-80 sonar suite. Non-penetrating masts resulting from advanced elector-optical sensor techniques offer a distinct advantage over direct-view periscopes. Most of the specialists in periscope and related sensors, such as Sagem, Carl Zeiss, Thales, Gabler and L-3 Communications/Calzoni, are involved in activities aimed at providing multispectral EO/IR, quick identification and recording capabilities. The latest two companies have respectively developed the Triple M and the Universal Modular Mast that are capable of accommodating a flying drone. To maintain its stealthiness a submarine relies on low-probability of intercept search and navigation radars, such as those supplied by Thales, Kelvin and Sperry

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Italy’s Wass Black Shark heavyweight torpedo is in service with the Chilean, Malaysian, Portuguese and Singapore (allegedly) navies, and is being integrated on board Italian navy’s Type 212A AIP-equipped submarines. Optimized for both deep and very shallow (coastal) waters, the 50km+ range and 50kn+ Black Shark features advanced acoustic guidance capabilities. (Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

Marine as well as on both radar and communications ESM suites. Thales, Elettronica, Saab, EDO, Medav, Lockheed Martin and Elbit are all looking at ways of enhancing the capability of their electronic warfare system families in view of the increasingly challenging littoral warfare environment. In case of detection and attack by other submarines or surface vessels, reliance can then be handed over to Wass C303, Ultra Eletronics Scad 101, DCNS Nemesis and Contralto and Rafael Torbuster decoys—to name but a few—to defeat torpedo attacks. The new operational scenarios require joint and combined operation of sea, land and air forces with communications capabilities that extend to submerged patrol stations. Communications specialist

such as Thales, Indra, Selex ES, Lockheed Martin, Saab, L-3 Communications Marinekommunikation have developed complete packages including satcom capabilities (for instance the Thales Aquilon with Divesat satcom terminal) and/or communications buoy systems like the Callisto from Gabler, the Gateway from a consortium led by Atlas Elektronik, not to mention Lockheed Martin and Ultra Electronics solutions for the US navy’s Communications at Speed and Depth (CSD) facility with both tethered and freefloating system. I HEAVY TORPEDO RESURRECTION

The threat from diesel-electric and later airindependent propulsion submarines in the demanding littoral warfare arena, enhanced by increased sonar performance, is casting fresh light on the need for new generation heavy-weight torpedoes or upgrade kits for in-service weapons. Required are speeds of around 50 knots, ranges superior to 50 km and sophisticated acoustic guidance. While in recent years a number of navies have for upgrading solutions (Raytheon Mk48, Atlas Elektronik Seahake, BAE Systems Spearfish, Saab Tp62 and Russian Federation industries’

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TEST and UGST), some companies have turned to fresh developments. This is the case of Italy’s Wass and more recently French DCNS and South Korean LIG Nex1 who have completed or entered the development of new underwater weapons. In April 2008, the French DGA contracted DCNS as prime contractor and Thales Underwater Systems as acoustic guidance provider, to develop and produce the F21 for the new French Navy’s Barracuda nuclear SSN. The F21 will feature an electrical propulsion system based on the DCNSsupplied MU-90 lightweight torpedo Aluminium-Silver-Oxide technology battery, providing 50+km range and 50+ knots speed, according to DCNS. Equipped with a planar array and fully digital acoustic To enhance training and personnel proficiency while reducing costs, Wass is introducing rechargeable lithium-polymer and cots-based propulsion batteries derived from the automotive sector on the Black Shark heavy weight torpedo, allowing multiple exercise launches. (Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

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head, the F21 is also to comply with demanding nuclear-powered platform safety requirements, including insensitive warhead and safe detonation technology. Italy’s Wass is producing the Black Shark, which is already in service with Chilean, Malaysian, Portuguese and (allegedly) Singaporean navies. It also is being integrated on board Italian navy’s Type 212A Todaro class AIP submarines, and marketed in India. To enhance training and personnel proficiency while reducing costs, Wass is introducing a rechargeable lithiumpolymer type propulsion battery derived from automotive sector. This innovative solution will allow multiple exercise launches before depot maintenance is required. Optimized for deep and very shallow (coastal) water deployment, the Black Shark features a 50+ knot speed and 50km+ range, while the advanced acoustic offers long-range detection and simultaneous multi-target capabilities. I COUNTERING BOLT FROM THE BLUE

In response to customer concerns as to the increased anti-submarine threat posed by

maritime patrol aircraft and helicopter, DCNS recently unveiled plans for a compact, canister-based submarine airdefence weapon system based on the MBDA Mistral short-range infrared homing missile, which is to be fired from periscope depth in lock-on before launch mode with data provided by the submarine’s optronic mast. A German consortium, including HDW, Diehl BGT Defence and Kongsberg, developed and successfully tested the Idas (Interactive Defence For Air-attacked Submarine) submarine weapon system. Under advanced development, the Idas is an optical fibre-guided missile system which is canister-launched from torpedo tubes and designed to engage not only airborne ASW threats such as helicopters, but also surface ships and coastal targets. Raytheon has however successfully tested a canisterlaunched version of the AIM-9X shortrange IIR guided missile on a ground testrange in 2009, but American and other navies prefer to embark ASW or strike weapons, maintaining submarine stealth and low-acoustic signature.

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The US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency recently selected Saic to lead the design and construction of the operational prototype of the Anti-Submarine Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (Actuv) illustraded here. The aim is to demonstrate, with tests at sea as of 2015, an autonomous vessel that can track a quiet SSK for up to 80 days. (Darpa)

I UNDERWATER ROBOTICS

In addition to special forces operators and vehicles, submarines have been modified to act as mothership for so-called unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV). Although both US and European industries and operators have been playing with numerous solutions, technology maturation has only recently allowed the US navy to launch an LDUUV (Large Displacement UUV) programme. The resultant vehicle is planned to have long endurance (up to 30-45 days), and sufficient operational speed, autonomy and payload capacity to perform “independent” and clandestine operations in forward areas. Designed for launch and recovery from a variety of platforms including SSGN, Virginia SSN via their large-diameter tubes, but also surface ships, the system, for which a request for proposal is expected to be

In response to customer concerns about ASW threat posed by MPAs and helicopters, DCNS unveiled a compact, canister-based submarine air defence weapon system at Euronaval 2012, involving MBDA’s Mistral short-range infrared homing missile fired from periscope depth. (DCNS)

issued in 2014, is planned for operational service around the end of the decade. But the real revolution in underwater operations will come from the American Defense Advanced Research Projects

Agency in the form of an uninhabited vessel that can shadow a manned sub throughout its patrol. The agency has recently selected Saic to lead the design and construction of an operational prototype of an antisubmarine continuous trail unmanned vessel known as the Actuv. The aim is to demonstrate an autonomous vessel that can track a quiet diesel-electric submarine for up to 80 days and over a distance of 6,200km, avoiding other shipping and with minimal human input. At-sea testing is planned for 2015.

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New-Tech Military Airlifters New-generation turbine engines with substantially improved thermodynamic and propulsive efficiencies are making possible transport aircraft that combine relatively short airfield performance with economical (and comparatively high-speed) cruise.

Roy Braybrook, inputs from Eric H. Biass

he operation to liberate Kuwait in 1991, the occupations of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003, and the Russo-Georgian conflict of 2008 have all highlighted logistic limitations in the major air forces involved. The results have included boosts to international sales of the Lockheed Martin C-130J and the Boeing C17, and a fresh start for the Antonov An-70.

I HERCULES

The C-130 Hercules series has the distinction of having been in continuous production longer than any other military aircraft. The first entered US Air Force

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service in 1957, and 2154 examples of that first generation were built (231 C-130As, 230 Bs, 488 Es and 1205 Hs). Around 1200 are still in service in 72 countries. In 1999 deliveries began of the 70-tonne C-130J Super Hercules with four 3424-kW Rolls-Royce AE2100Ds turning six-blade propellers, and a modernised flight deck and avionics. Orders currently stand at 337 units, including Australia twelve, Canada 17, India twelve, Iraq six, Israel three, Kuwait three, Mexico two, Norway four, Oman three, Qatar four, the UAE twelve and Britain twenty five. In January 2012 the 2400th Hercules was delivered.

In 2012 Lockheed Martin unveiled a proposal for the reduced-cost C-130XJ, aimed at operators needing only a small number of aircraft for tactical transport and special missions duties. Representing a price reduction of approximately 15%, the C130XJ will omit advanced communications and defensive systems, and will use gaseous oxygen and a simpler cargo-handling system. It will also have provisions for a nose-mounted EO/IR sensor, to facilitate use in ISR and SAR missions. I GLOBEMASTER III

In June 2012 the US Air Force placed an order for its 224th and last 265-tonne Boeing C-17. The production line is being kept open until (at least) 2014, largely by orders from other nations: Australia six

Th To Tr AF

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The first production A400M Atlas on its maiden flight on 6 March will soon join the Armée de l’Air.

aircraft, Canada four, India ten (with an option on four more), Kuwait one, Qatar four, the United Arab Emirates six and Britain eight. In addition, three C-17s (one provided by the US Air Force) are operated from Hungary by the Heavy Airlift Wing, the operational unit of the Strategic Airlift Program, on behalf of ten Nato nations and the two Partnership for Peace nations, Finland and Sweden. A contract for two C-17s for an undisclosed new buyer was signed in 2012. Potential customers include South Korea and South Africa. The production rate is currently running at ten units per year. The $ 316 million cost of the final British C-17 is hopefully a better indication of unit price than the $ 693 million charge for Kuwait’s one aircraft. An interesting facility already added to over 70 US Air Force C-17s allows up to 100 aircraft to fly safely in close formation, day or night, to allow a whole army brigade to be air-dropped over a small zone within 30 minutes. It is based on a traffic collisionavoidance system (TCAS), with the lead aircraft serving as a positional reference. I GALAXY

The logistic demands of Afghanistan have encouraged the US Air Force to proceed with modernisation of its 381-tonne Lockheed Martin C-5 fleet. By FY2017 this will consist

of 52 C-5M Super Galaxies with GE Aviation F138 (CF6- 80C2) engines and only 29 C5As (46 C-5As having been retired). Several European nations (including Russia) see a need for a transport that is less expensive than the C-17, yet can accommodate outsize loads such as Mrap vehicles and helicopters, and deliver them over intercontinental ranges into short airstrips. Similar thinking may be found in regional leaders such as Chile, Malaysia and South Africa. I ATLAS

One aircraft designed to satisfy such needs is the 141-tonne Airbus Military A400M, officially named ‘Atlas’ by the seven launch partner nations in June 2012. It has four Europrop International (EPI) TP400 engines turning eight-blade propellers, allowing it to cruise at speeds up to Mach 0.72 and altitudes up to 37,000 ft. Maximum design load is 37 tonnes. The A400M is designed to also serve as a tanker, using a centreline 2250 lit/min hose or two underwing 1500 lit/min units. Its wide airspeed range allows it to refuel helicopters at 200 km/hr at 5000 ft, and fast jets at 540 km/hr at 25,000 ft. Its 8200-kW (class) TP400-D6 represents a massive leap in Western turboprops, The Airbus Military A400M Atlas will provide the ability to move outsize loads over intercontinental distances into short airstrips. This example, side-number EC-404 is MSN4 (the fourth of five ‘Grizzly’ development aircraft) is seen taking off at the ILA Air Show near Berlin last year. (Armada/Eric H. Biass).

This Boeing C-17 (serial 96-0001), making a spectacular take-off from the Tonopah runway at Nellis AFB, Nevada, is owned by Air Education and Training Command, but is assigned to the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB, Oklahoma. (US Air Force).

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producing 140% more power than the AE2100D of the C-130J. Such ambition did not go without teething problems (which appear to have now bee ironed out), but allows the Atlas to operate from short and unpaved airstrips and yet cruise at near jetaircraft speeds, which is totally unique to date. The first production aircraft took to the air on 6 March (see title picture) and is slated for delivery to the French Air Force shortly. Domestic orders for the A400M now amount to 170 units (Belgium seven, France 50, Germany 53, Luxemburg one, Spain 27, Turkey ten, and UK 22). The only export order is currently four aircraft for Malaysia, although South Africa might yet reinstate its earlier contract for eight (with an option on six more), which was cancelled due to cost increases. At least 750 TP400M engines are to be produced. In the longer term, the US Air Force might buy A400Ms, if only for special operations. In 2009 Eads North America submitted an unsolicited quotation to Air Mobility Command for 118 aircraft. The first of five A400M “Grizzly” development aircraft (MSN1-4 and MSN6) had its maiden flight on December 11, 2009. As seen above, the first production aircraft (MSN7) is due to be delivered in the second quarter of 2013 to the French Air Force, which will receive two more by the end of the year. The first for Turkey (MSN9) will also be handed over in 2013. Deliveries to Germany (starting with MSN18), Malaysia (MSN22) and Britain (MSN16) are due to begin in 2014, followed by those to Spain (MSN46) in 2017, and Belgium (MSN136) and Luxembourg (MSN133) in 2018.

The Airbus Military Atlas has the largest cargo hold any turboprop transport aircraft can currently offer in the Western World. (Armada/Eric H. Biass). I AN-70

The A400M is in the same size and performance category as the Ukraine’s 145tonne Antonov An-70, which first flew in 1994, when procurement of 160 was planned. The An-70 is powered by four 10,300kW Ivchenko-Progress D-27 engines (25% more powerful than the TP400), turning 14-blade (eight at front, six at rear) contrarotating SV-27 propfans. Its cabin is somewhat larger than that of the A400M, and it has a ten-tonne margin in terms of maximum payload (47 tonnes). The An-70 is claimed to have better

payload-range performance than the A400M (carrying 35 tonnes for 5100 km, compared to the latter’s 30 tonnes for 4540 km). If it achieves the estimated maximum speed of 780 km/hr, it will be marginally faster than the A400M, reaching only 765 km/hr. The first An-70 prototype was lost in a mid-air collision in 1995, and the second suffered a heavy landing in 2001. Russia withdrew support in 2006, but in late 2009 (following the conflict with Georgia of 2008, in which the Russian Air Force was allegedly unable to deliver loads to short forward airfields) the Russian MoD resumed funding. In September 2012 the second An-70 (UR-NTK) was ferried from Kiev to Gostomel to begin a new series of 20 test flights. This followed two years on the ground for modifications to the engines and propfans to reduce noise (the separation between the discs was increased by 50%), and improvements to the high-lift devices, avionics, instruments and auxiliary power unit. These preliminary tests are to be followed by joint state flight trials of around 75 sorties. Preseries production was launched in 2004, when Antonov received an order from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence for two An-70s. These are still being built at the The Antonov An-70 programme has now restarted, and the Russian Air Force plans to acquire 60, mostly built by Kapo. The second prototype is shown in its recently upgraded form with chin EO/IR turret, and spacing between the propfans increased from 600 to 900 mm to reduce noise. (Antonov).

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Antonov Serial Plant (formerly Aviant) at Svyatoshin. Russia is negotiating to buy these aircraft. In 2010 Russia’s then president Dmitry Medvedev formally adopted the 2011-2020 Armaments Programme, which includes deliveries to the Russian Air Force of at least 60 An-70s by 2020. These will mostly come from the Kazan Aircraft Production Association (Kapo), which is scheduled to deliver the first by end-2015, and reach twelve units per year by 2019. Antonov will provide wings, tail, nacelles and pylons to Kapo, which will manufacture fuselages and perform the final assembly and flight testing of production aircraft. On current plans, Kapo would assemble any An-70s required by the Ukraine (which may be as few as ten) and the civil An-70T proposed for Russia’s Volga-Dnepr and Polet Airlines. However, the possibility of establishing a final assembly line at the Antonov Serial Plant is not ruled out. Antonov will remain the design authority for the An-70, and will retain prototype URNTK as a testbed for any later modifications. The An-70’s 10,300-kW D-27 engines will be manufactured jointly by Motor Sich in the Ukraine and Salyut in Russia. The D27 is also being considered as a replacement for the 11,000-kW Kuznetsov NK-12M in the Russian Air Force’s 55 Tupolev Tu95MS bombers.

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I RUSLAN

There appears to be no interest in returning to service retired US Air Force C-5s, hence the only likely near-term additions to the global heavy lift fleet are 402-tonne Antonov An-124s. In 2008 the governments of Russia and the Ukraine agreed in principle to launch An-124 production at Aviastar-SP, at Ulyanovsk in Russia. In 2010 Antonov and Russia’s United Aircraft agreed to form a joint venture to build 60 An-124s. In May 2012 a Russian Air Force spokesman said that “up to ten” would be built for Military Transport Aviation (VTA). However, the definitive agreement has apparently yet to be signed. The new model is the An-124-200 with payload increased to 150 tonnes, modernised flight deck and avionics, and an 80% increase in fatigue life. The An-124300 is the proposed commercial version. Aviastar is already refurbishing and upgrading VTA Ruslans to An-124-100M standard. In May 2012 it was announced that the first three had been returned to the service, that work had begun on four more,

Illustrating growing defence cooperation between the US and India, this Indian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76MD had just landed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor – Hickam (US Air Force).

and that “another ten or so” would be similarly upgraded by 2020. The VTA’s 244th Flight Detachment offers seven An-124s for international commercial operations. This organisation was the subject of a four-year contract awarded by France in 2010, and will be used by several coalition forces in the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Commercial use of VTA An-124s has necessitated extending the lives of 24 of its 225-tonne, four-turboprop An-22s, which now carry most of the service’s own outsize loads. On behalf of Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan, Nato has recently extended to the end of 2014 its Salis (Strategic Airlift Interim Solution) contract with the Antonov Design Bureau and Volga-Dnepr Airlines. The programme began in January 2006, and covers the full-time use of two An-124s, two on six-days’ notice and a further two on nine days’ readiness. I CANDID

In terms of gross weight, the stretched 210tonne Ilyushin Il-76MF, which first flew in 1995, comes half-way between the lighter A400M and An-70 and the heavier C-17. It has a relatively narrow cabin, and so far has won only one order (two aircraft for Jordan International Air Cargo, reportedly priced at $ 50 million each).

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The Airbus Military C-295 pictured over Cape Town harbour. The company is marketing the aircraft in South Africa as a replacement for the veteran Douglas C-47TP Turbo-Dakota in the transport and maritime patrol roles. (Airbus Military/Mark Mansfield).

However, In October 2012 Russia’s Defence Ministry signed a $ 4.5 billion contract with United Aircraft for 39 Il76MD-90As (sometimes referred to as Il476s, for fourth-generation Il-76s) to be constructed by Aviastar-SP, with deliveries running from 2014 to 2020. The first had its maiden flight in October 2012. These newbuild aircraft will have Perm-built PS-90A-76s, a Kotlin-Novator avionics suite, a glass cockpit, and a stronger wing and undercarriage. I MISCELLANY

China’s Avic/Xian Aircraft is developing the Y-20 four-jet transport, grossing slightly over 200 tonnes. It has been described as a wide-bodied Il-76, but looks more like a scaled-down C-17. Wingspan of 47 metres is less than that of the Il-76 (50.5 metres). Maximum payload is increased to 66 tonnes. Taxi tests began on December 21, 2012, and the Y-20 first flew on January 26, 2013, using D-30KP-2s, planned for replacement by unspecified Chinese high-bypass

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engines. It also features Chinese supercritical aerofoils, avionics and composite materials. The Y-20’s earliest possible in-service date is given as 2017. Lower down the scale, sales are dominated by twin-turboprops, notably the 32-tonne AleniaAermacchi C-27J and Airbus Military’s 23-tonne C-295 and 16.5tonne CN-235. The Indian Air Force is having its 105 remaining 27-tonne Antonov An-32s upgraded in the Ukraine.

I TWIN JETS

Tactical transports emphasise airfield performance over cruise speed, hence most are twin-turboprops, but recent turbofan developments have produced several new jet projects. Although it has not flown yet, one of the most remarkable examples in this category, with a maximum take-off weight of 81 tonnes is the Embraer KC-390. Although it originally was offered as a pure transport

Considerably heavier and more expensive than the C-295, the AleniaAermacchi C-27J Spartan provides a larger cabin cross-section and greater payload capacity (Armada/Eric H. Biass).

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Transport Aircraft

According to latest news from Embraer, the KC-390 here seen as a model in a montage to display its air tanker capabilities, is to take to the air next year. (Embraer).

The “office” of the KC-390 is as modern as one would expect from a new-gen transport, complete with large multiple-function and head-up displays. (Embraer).

aircraft and therefore initially known as the C-390, it underwent a number of design reviews including the addition of an airtanker capacity for the Brazilian Air Force, hence its current KC prefix. The programme was formally launched with a $ 1.5 billion Brazilian Air Force contract in 2009, covering two prototypes. The Força Aérea Brasileira requirement specifies a payload of 19 tonnes, but the KC390 is estimated to carry 23.6 tonnes for 2600 km. In mid-2011 Embraer selected 133-kN

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International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500-E5, a ruggedised version of the turbofan used in some commercial A320s and MD-90s. As we were about to go to press, the Brazilian Air Force and Embraer announced that they had jest completed the aircraft’s critical design review, which confirmed the definitive aerodynamic and structural configuration, clearing the way for completion of aircraft prototypes. First flight of the KC-390 is scheduled for late 2014, and service entry for 2016. The Brazilian Air

Force plans to buy 28 and Embraer has letters of intent for twelve from Colombia, for six each from Argentina, Chile and Portugal, and for two from the Czech Republic. France is expected to buy twelve KC-390s if the Dassault Rafale is adopted as Brazil’s F-2X. Embraer has signed an agreement with Boeing on possible technical and marketing collaboration, and is considering a stretched KC-390 that could be available by 2018 for the commercial market. Antonov is now developing the An-178 tactical transport and civil freighter, based on the 43.7-tonne An-158 regional transport. The An-178 will have a maximum payload of 18 tonnes, a rear loading ramp, and uprated Ivchenko-Progress D436-148 turbofans. It is expected to fly in 2014. India’s programme to develop with Russia a 65-tonne tactical Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA) has moved only slowly. The underlying Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed in 2007, and the Bangalore-based joint venture Multirole Transport Aircraft Ltd (MTAL) was formed in 2010 by Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation – Transport Aircraft (UAC-TA), Rosoberonexport and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). The MTA preliminary design contract was signed in October 2012, and a joint IndoRussian team began work in December in the UAC-TA offices in Moscow. The maiden flight is expected to take place in 2017, with series production following in 2019. The investment required for MTA is estimated at $ 771 million in 2012 terms, and will be shared equally (as will production) between the Indian and Russian partners. It is planned that at least 205 MTAs will be built: 100 for the Russian Air Force, 45 for the Indian Air Force and 60 for other countries. Japan’s 141-tonne Kawasaki C-2 is much larger (in the same weight class as the A400M and An-70), powered by two 266kN GE Aviation CF6-80C2K1Fs. The first of two prototypes was rolled out in July 2007, but structural weaknesses delayed first flight to January 2010. The FY2012 budget provides funds (around $ 410 million) for two more. It is anticipated that the JASDF will buy 40 C-2s to replace its C-130s and Kawasaki C-1s. The C-2 may also be used to replace the EW version of the NAMC YS-11.

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The 2013 Edition of IDEX will not go down the books as an exceptional vintage in terms of large, or substantial order announcements – many were anxiously awaiting the Emirati authorities to break the unbearable suspense floating around their choice regarding the purchase of a substantial number of 8x8s – there surprisingly were a fair number of interesting novelties being unveiled here and there.

Visited and Photographed by Armada’s Eric H. Biass, Luca Peruzzi & Paolo Valpolini I AVANTI-BASED HAMMERHEAD DRONE

erhaps the most unexpected piece of news came from Italy, with Piaggio Aero Industries and Selex ES revealing, after a two-year joint effort, the existence of their P.180 Avanti II business aircraft–based drone, which had already completed its first low-speed taxi test on 14th February at the Sardinian Decimomannu air base. “We plan to fly the P.1HH HammerHead unmanned platform demonstrator by this summer, with the aim to conduct the maiden flight of the future dual-use medium-

altitude long-endurance fixed-wing UAS prototype by year-end, in order to complete the system certification by 2014end”, said Alberto Galassi, Piaggio’s CEO. The Italian MoD will certify the platform to Stanag USAR 4671 for flight in both restricted and unrestricted areas. The P.1HH UAS’s main features include a rearranged airframe without cockpit and main cabin with ancillaries, a new aerodynamic configuration based on a reinforced wing with increased surface and higher aspect ratio, more powerful

950shp P&W PT6-66B engines and new low-noise Hartzell 5 curved blades. Piaggio developed a new 15,5-metre span wing but maintained the aircraft patented 3 lifting configuration. The airframe sees the adoption of a large central internal fuel tank together with an avionics bay, in addition to sensors and communications gear in nose and underbelly stations, as well as a dorsal satcoms radome and two lateral mid-fuselage external hard-points for ISR payloads. The platform can fly up to 45,000 feet, with a maximum endurance of 16 hours with a payload of 500lbs (at maximum fuel capacity). By reducing fuel load, a higher payload (mission sensors/equipment) of 2,000 lbs can be accommodated. The outer wingsections are removable for easy ground transportation. Selex ES is developing the mission management system, which is based on the company’s skyISTAR platformagnostic solution that, after less than two years from its launch, is now securing its first customer. Selex ES also provides the vehicle management and control system. The SeaSpray 7300E radar is part of the offered package. The HammerHead meets programme requirements such as the Canadian Forces’ Juastas (Joint Uninhabited Surveillance and Target Acquisition System).

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I NEXTER UAE-RELATED WARES s said in our introduction, the long awaited down-selection for the United Arab Emirates’ 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle was not announced during the exhibition, leaving the bidding companies for that contract quite disappointed. This did not obviously detract them from presenting their proposals. Amongst these, Nexter exhibited the desert

version of its Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie (VBCI) while an Emirati Leclerc equipped with the Azur add-on armour aimed at improving its protection in urban warfare scenarios was also on show. A contract for the upgrade of 13 tanks to such standard was signed and also includes an undisclosed number of other tanks outfitted to accept the Azur kit, which can be installed

in half-day’s work at unit level. This includes 17 “boxes” per side to protect it from RPGs and other hollow charges threats, and slat armour around the rear half of the hull. A C4I upgrade is also ongoing by Emiraje Systems with the support of Nexter, but that programme is considered classified. The VBCI in the configuration offered to the UAE could be seen amongst the numerous models that were exhibited at the Nexter stand. The Emirati combat version would be equipped with the two-man BMP-3 turret, armed with the 2A70 gun launcher able to fire 100 mm rounds as well as AT-10 missiles and with the 2A72 30 mm cannon. The turret being much heavier than the one-man 25 mm Dragar turret, the chassis will have to be strengthened while sensors will have to be integrated into the VBCI vetronics system. The presence of the turret will reduce the number of dismounts to seven, the French Army IFV carrying nine. The UAE are looking for a total of some 700 8x8 vehicles. A number of other variants were also visible in model form, including a recovery vehicle, an ambulance, a 120 mm mortar carrier and a cavalry vehicle armed with the new Nexter turret unveiled at Eurosatory and armed with the 40 mm CTAI cannon.

I PREDATOR ORDER

eneral Atomics can pride itself with having actually won the only “significant” contract of the show, pocketing in the process a 722 million dirham contract to supply an unspecified number of Predators to the United Arab Emirates. The fullscale model of the aircraft was displayed on the Navdex waterfront part of the exhibition.

I NEW NAVAL WEAPON SYSTEM FROM CHEMRING-RAYTHEON TEAM

ompact, lightweight and multirole, these are the three main characteristics of the Centurion launcher unveiled by the team composed of Chemring and Raytheon. The two companies put together their expertise and products to provide even small vessels with a multi-mission and multi-round defensive system that can easily be integrated as it is installed overdeck and sensor- and C2-agnostic. The Centurion comes in the form of a carousel launcher in which 12 rounds of

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different types are stored vertically. Each 130 mm tube stands at 90° in resting position and can reach a 0° elevation in one second, azimuth orientation being ensured by carousel rotation. The minimum elevation allows easy munition reload or replacement even at sea. Chemring also envisages 150 mm launch tubes, with launcher height growing to two metres and munitions to 1.8 metres maximum. The system uses Raytheon munitions such as the Griffin, the wireless guided TOW, and the Talon

laser-guided rocket, while Chemring provides its array of naval countermeasures. In perspective the Centurion should acquire new capacities, in the form of drone and surface-to-air missiles. Integration firing of the system (Chemring has invested some £5 million in its development), is planned for 2013, with missile demonstration and qualification planned for 2014. With increasing threats and shrinking budgets, the advent of the low-cost multi-role Centurion is timely, one system being considered enough for smaller vessels while two systems are advised for frigates and above. Weighing less than one tonne sans munitions, two versions are available: one covered, with an RCS of less than 0.3 m2 (each munition being protected by a petal), and the other uncovered. Chemring is also working on an initial concept for land warfare that might see the Centurion installed on the back of a truck.

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I THALES VETRONICS STAR

esides their two main Thales stands (one at IDEX per se and one across the road at Navdex), the firm’s vetronics could also be seen on a number of other armoured vehicle manufacturer stands, in the form of the VSYS-Net. The system allows to put together intercom, communications, vetronics and BMS in a single network, allowing the commander to “call” the other crewmembers’ screens either individually or collectively, and to share digitised info with other vehicles in the team. The VSYS-Net was installed, inter alia, on a GDLS Ocelot exhibited in ISR guise, complete with mast-mounted optronic sensor, shot detection system, local situational awareness system and driver’s thermal imager. The Thales system was also installed on the RTD Crab (photo) exhibited on the CMI stand, on the Greek Leopard 2 at the KMW stand and on FNSS Pars 8x8. Thales and Renault Trucks Defense announced a co-operation agreement on digitised vehicles systems. The agreement will address a range of operational scenarios, such as Army surveillance and reconnaissance units, security forces, special forces, battlegroups formed by different types of combat and support vehicles, and security and law enforcement units, particularly in urban environments.

I TRAJAN

aving its first public outing in the Middle East, Nexter’s Trajan howitzer extensively draws on its lorry-mounted counterpart Caesar for what regards the 155mm/52 calibre gun system per se, including its fire-control system and loading system, which enables it to fire three rounds in 30 seconds. A towed howitzer, the Trajan was clearly developed with eyes set on the export market to further expand terrain thus far conquered by the Caesar in Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Indonesia. The howitzer’s base, which really is the new part of the system, was designed to satisfy a co-operative and technology transfer agreement with Larsen & Toubro in India to meet the Indian Army’s towed howitzer requirement (which includes the possibility of firing ammunition of Indian origin). Two units are to be built for trials this summer and then in the Himalayas for winter trials. At stake are about 1,500 items. Should a choice be made (the Indian towed acquisition programme has been going on for years), this should intervene in 2014 followed by contract signature in 2015 with deliveries starting a year later.

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I UAE NAVAL DEVELOPMENTS

he 2013 edition of Navdex’s naval defence and maritime security exhibition saw the participation of latest ship deliveries to United Arabs Emirates naval forces and the announcement of contracts and developments related to local ship industries. Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), the UAE public joint stock company owned 10% by the Abu Dhabi Government, 40% by Mubadala corporation and 50% by private shareholders, was heavily present at Navdex, showing the Al Hensen (P 172) 915 full load corvette, the second vessel of the Buynunah class, the first missile version of the Ghannatha (see picture) fast boat class and fast interceptors for Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority. Set up to develop local industry capability, increase self-reliance and meet the naval requirements of the UAE and other Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states, ADSB outlined its strategic five-year vision during the show, realigning its business towards four key market segments: prime contractor for major shipbuilding programmes focusing on value added to the UAE, small boat construction, servicing and combat systems integration activities, the later building on existing Abu Dhabi Systems Integration (ADSI) joint-venture with Selex ES. The Al Hensen Buynunah second-of-class corvette is set to complete trails and workup well in advance of 2013 year-end, while delivery of all six class vessels is planned within 2014. The first Ghannatha class missile boat, equipped with a small ADSI-provided and integrated command, control and fire director suite with Selex ES sensors, managing MBDA Marte Mk2/N anti-ship missiles, Rheinmetall 27 mm MLG (see picture) and Oto Melara Hitrole-G 12,7 mm Gatling GAU-19/A remotely controlled guns, was set for delivery in March 2013, while the troop carrier version was also on display. The programme covers the delivery of 12 new missile version boats and upgrading of the same number already in-service craft (split between troop carrier and Finish Patria company mortar-equipped versions). During the show, ADSB announced its selection to meet the Kuwait Navy’s future landing craft requirements, involving the supply of two 64-metre landing craft, one 42-metre landing craft and five 16-metre composite landing craft, all to be built in the Emirates, starting in mid-2013. Moreover the same company received from UAE armed forces three contracts for a total of €160 million including Buynunah class corvette upgrading and acquisition and integration of Al Yah Satellite Communications satcom suite on the same vessels, in addition to a separate weapon system acquisition and integration on UAE navy’s vessels.

I VARIATIONS ON THE VBCI THEME t exhibition time, Nexter said that is was currently in the process of building the 500th VBCI for the French Army, which has 630 on order, both command post and infantry combat variants included. Nexter thus needs to attract new customers and with that objective in mind has unveiled a brand new series of scaled-down models, which Armada’s editors were given the privilege of pulling out of their display window to photograph them. In addition to the UAEspecific version covered elsewhere in this report, the other new variants are the VBCI 40mm (sporting a CTI gun turret), VBCI Ambulance, VBCI Mortar (here clearly boasting a 2R2M rifled 120mm) and VBCI Dépanneur (recovery vehicle).

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I SELEX ES MIYSIS IR MISSILE DAZZLER

lso unveiled by Selex ES was the Miysis Dircm (Directed InfraRed Countermeasure) system which as showed at Idex, can be provided as either federated equipment, or as a role-fit pod solution. Developed on company funds the Miysis (named after ancient Egypt’s lion-headed god of war) faced three key technical challenges in terms of weight, laser power and speed of response. Based on experience garnered in the field of high performance airborne lasers and electro-optic pointing and stabilisation systems, together with the contribution to Northrop Grumman’s AAQ-24(V) Nemesis system family, Selex ES developed a new Dircm build around their Eclipse advanced, lightweight, lowcost Ircm point/tracker, and the Type 160 IRCM laser. The Selex Eclipse is centred on a 14cm diameter dome sensor head, low inertia, two-axis servo mechanism with a strap-down inertial sensor and advanced sightline control algorithms, allowing effective tracking through the nadir and providing superior sightline performance. The Type 160 Ircm laser is a lightweight, high-performance subsystem, which is directly coupled to the Eclipse. These two systems were selected by the British MoD in March 2010, to be part of the Common Defensive Aid Suite technology demonstrator programme aimed to define the architecture for advanced defensive aid systems.

The new-generation Miysis is based on the Eclipse and Type 160 laser developments, in a hardware and software format that is readily exportable. Elements of the system have been tested in over 90 live firing tests, combining tracking and real or emulated jamming activities, with a 100% success rate, says Selex ES. A typical Miysis installation includes two Eclipse Sensor Head Assembly/Ircm (as a single LRU ‘laser

point tracker’) units, a missile warning system package with five sensor heads, an electronic unit, cockpit display and control unit, weighing a total of less than 50kg, which makes it suitable for light aircraft, smaller helicopters and drones, providing the full suite a complete detection and protection system capable, according to Selex, of all-aspect (spherical) defence that would draw less than 500 watts of electrical power.

I THALES NEW NS100

uilding on established pedigree in 3D multibeam radars, Thales Nederland unveiled its latest NS100 S-band (Nato E/F) pulse-Doppler naval surveillance radar. Claimed to be the first company to have introduced a 3D dual-axis multi-beam radar by applying an active array antenna in combination with digitalization at antenna element level, the NS100 is reported as a ‘flexible and scalable platform’ capable to accommodate other sensors and provided with advanced logistics package. The NS100 combines an electronically stabilised rotating antenna (operating at 30rpm) with an AESA active array able to generate multi-beam in both elevation and azimuth simultaneously. The latter capability results in higher time-on-target at the same rotation rate and significantly improves Doppler resolution (therefore small target detection and clutter suppression).

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I ABU DHABI

fter her delivery by Fincantieri to the UAE navy on 8 January, the 1,650tonne Abu Dhabi (P 191) ASW corvette was officially presented at Navdex. Under €3 million contract Al Fattan Ship Industry is also fitting Oto Melara Hitrole-G remotely controlled 12,7 mm guns on board each Falaj-2 type vessels (first-of-class comèpleted). In addition a €5,8 million contract award to Finmeccanica’s WASS (Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei) was revealed to cover anti-torpedo effectors for the Abu Dhabi. According to industrial sources, Fincantieri has also received an undisclosed contract worth about €30 million to install the Raytheon Mk49 launch system for the Rolling Airframe Missile and the Thales Underwater Systems Catpas towed array sonar on board the same corvette. The UAE Navy has an option for a second same class vessel, which is in advanced stage of negotiations with Fincantieri, together with a second batch of two Falaj-2 type stealth patrol vessel, which according to technology transfer agreement could be built by ESB joint-venture at Al Fattan shipyard facilities.

Capable of 3D air surveillance with fast track initiation and active tracking, 2D surface surveillance and surface gunfire support, together with jammer surveillance and IFF interrogator support, the NS100 has a maximum instrumented range of 200km, a 70° max elevation coverage and a combined air and surface tracking of 750 targets. Thales developed an antenna housing able to accommodate other sensors. Options include an infrared camera for situational awareness, a frequency modulated continuous wave low probability of intercept radar such as the Sout for close-in surface surveillance, AIS (automatic identification system) or ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast) for respectively commercial ship or aircraft tracking and an IFF interrogator and transponder. The NS100 is positioned between the Thales Variant and Smart-S Mk2 naval surveillance radars. Full-scale development of NS100 is now underway at Thales Nederland’s Hengelo plant, with tests planned for 2014.

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I SCHIEBEL GOES BIG

he United Arab Emirates is a bit a second home for Austria’s Schiebel company, that nation having been the first major customer for its S-100 Camcopter, with an order for 80 units. Not only did the drone perform daily during the exhibition’s static show, it also featured on the deck of the Adroit moored nearby (and where this photograph was taken). Idex also appeared as a natural setting for Schiebel to announce that its S100 had recently completed a serials of fully operational trials involving a somewhat ‘serious’ payload in the form of the turretted 30-kilo Thales I-Master, the very same radar used by the Thales Watchkeeper drone being developed for Britain. The most impressive results of these long-endurance mission test, according to Schiebel, was the consistency of data transfer stability. This follows earlier tests with yet another synthetic aperture radar with ground moving target indicator capability, namely the Selex Picosar a couple of years ago. The S-100, sales of which have well exceeded the 120 unit mark, is poised to grow well beyond expectations. Not only is it also used by an undisclosed customer, fitted with a lidar, it also is being increasingly looked at as an electronic warfare platform “EW is definitely becoming a reality” according to a company official. Asked about the status of the development of the new heavy fuel engine being devised for the S-100 (heavy fuel now being a sine qua

non for the acceptance of any operational drone aboard a ship), Hans Schiebel told Armada International’s Editor-in-Chief that it will soon be ready for delivery. He also confirmed that by being a ‘dieselised’ version of the existing Diamond rotary piston engine and having similar performances, the new powerplant uses the same mounting points on the aircraft’s structure and thus constitutes a straight-swap option for current operators on the occasion of engine end-of-life replacement operation. The most impressive news, however, came when Schiebel confirmed certain rumors about a heavy version of the S-100. Hitherto unnamed, the machine would be a blown-up version of the S-100, not only in external physical appearance, but also in its monocoque construction, Schiebel having become an international authority in the field of carbon composite structural elements. Hans Schiebel was understandably shy on details at this stage, but reading his mind revealed that the helicopter would be looking at the maritime surveillance market, which presupposes the on-board presence of a substantial maritime radar. If one imagines endurances of between 12 and 24 hours, one can say that the Northrop Grumman Fire Scout might sooner or later have good company on the tail segment of that export market. The new drone would, however, remain fully compatible with the current ground station employed by the S-100. A demonstrator might be able to take to the air by the end of this year of early next year.

I DRONE MISCELLANEA

s the photos herewith show, a few other drones kept the General Atomics Predator company on the harbour’s banks. Not that any of them are new, but they are not often shown as full size display at other exhibition. Most noticeable on its red carpet was the Selex Falco Evo, which is a quasi-male evolution (hence it suffix in the form of an apocope) of the Falco. Wing and tail boom extensions enable its payload to increase from 85 kilos to a notable 120. Most interestingly, cut-outs in this mockup enabled one to see the emplacement

of a Picosar synthetic aperture radar in the nose, and of interesting electronic warfare sensors in the wingtips (not shown here). Almost facing the Evo were a couple of rarely seen drones from Pakistan’s Gids, like the 200-kilo Uqab, but one that caught the eye was the futuristic-looking Shahpar. Described as a ‘canard’ aircraft, it is more a biplane a la Piaggio Avanti, the smaller front wings obviously providing substantial lift in addition to nose-pitch control. The rest of the aircraft’s configuration is also interesting featuring

as it does a combination of delta and swept wings, plus wing-mounted vertical planes with directional surfaces while a pusher prop rounds up the basic portrait. According to a company official, the 480kilo Shampar (which means Hawk, by the way) is an all-composite design that “was qualified two years ago” and that entered service with the Pakistani Army and Air Force in 2012. At the time of the exhibition five had been delivered and five more were still to be delivered. Powered by a 100 hp Rotax, all its avionics were developed in Pakistan.

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NEXT ISSUE JUNE/JULY 2013: 3 JUNE, ADVT: 16 MAY High tier Ground air defence and ABM defence: While ongoing missions downrange do not include third dimensions threats, with the exception of the C-RAM segment, the risk of air and missile attacks against contingents deployed in certain areas of operation might well become a reality. Trainer aircraft: The business of developing and selling fixed-wing military training aircraft lacks continuity, and survival is enhanced by being part of a large multi-product empire. On the bright side, all sections of the market are reporting orders, and the new-generation jet trainers are finally taking off.

I TR-50 SCOUT

anging up discretely in a recessed corner of Cassidian’s otherwise fairly large indoors stand was a relatively newcomer in the drone world, making more than one observer ask themselves a few questions about Eads’s strategy regarding the so-called unmanned aircraft discipline after contradictory news on the Tanan and the straight out-of-the-blue announcement of the Spanish Cassidian Atlante’s maiden flight shortly after Idex. At any rate, after talking to Cassidian’s Björn Symank, it appeared that the aircraft is known as the TR50 (but internally referred to as the Scout) and had performed its first flights last year. Designed to provide ten hours of endurance at a speed of 180km/h, it can carry a variety of chin-mounted payloads (infrared and day cameras as well as a laser pointer) to a maximum weight limit of ten kilos. Powered by a 7kW flat-twin engine, it has a maximum takeoff (catapult) weight of 55kg, has a wingspan of four metres for an overall length of 2.5 metres, land on skids (though a back-up parachute is fitted) and is targeted to being “ready for procurement in 2014”.

Transport Aircraft self protection and civilian airspace issues: Selfprotection devices were until recently the privilege of fighter or attack aircraft whether fixed- or rotary-winged. Airlifters, however are now also flying into harm’s way, especially with the proliferation of shoulder-fired heat-seeking missiles. The problem stems from the fact that they are increasingly asked to operate with civilians on board into of from civilian airports, where pyrotechnics are not exactly perceived as “proper” items. Armament for Attack helicopters: All helicopters are weight-sensitive, hence the emphasis in choosing their weapons is invariably on lightness. However, whereas utility helicopters need armament for all-round selfdefence, attack helicopters need forward-firing weapons that can destroy hardened objectives from a safe standoff distance. Air-launched Laser-guided Rockets: The military need for low-cost semiactive laser-homing guided rocket projectiles has been evident for decades. Suddenly, half a dozen manufacturers are vying to satisfy that need. Blos C2: Satellite Communications or ‘SATCOM’ is as essential to warfare as bullets and body armour. Armada has recently chronicled the latest developments in tactical SATCOM for use on the battlefield. This article will discuss the long-distance satellite links connecting deployed headquarters back to national command authorities at the strategic level. Compendium Drones: Some of the commercially most successful drone manufacturers, hit by the general defence cutbacks and the ending of Operation Enduring Freedom, are recognising that hard times lie ahead.

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