News Story: General Atomics targets first big international Avenger drone sale

General Atomics Avenger (Image: Wikipedia)

By: Valerie Insinna

POWAY, Calif. — Fewer than a dozen Avenger drones have been purchased since the product first flew in 2009, but General Atomics believes it may be able to sell about 90 aircraft in the next few years to a single international buyer, its president said Wednesday.

General Atomics has struggled to find a major customer for the Avenger, also called the Predator C, since the collapse of the U.S. Air Force’s MQ-X program and the U.S. Navy’s UCLASS program, both of which sought out UAVs that could survive contested environments.

But speaking to reporters on Aug. 16, GA president David Alexander said the company was engaged with an unnamed foreign nation on a potential Avenger purchase.

“A quantity of 90. It would be a big program,” he said.

Robert Walker, senior director of strategic development, added that “a lot of work” needs to be done to refine the requirements and that details were still being ironed out.

Although GA officials would not spell out which country is interested in the UAV, all signs point to India. In April 2016, Reuters reported that India’s Air Force had inquired about the potential procurement of up to 100 Predator Cs.

Even if India decides to press on with the sale — which is especially uncertain given the country’s fondness for rapidly changing weapons acquisition plans — it is unclear whether the United States would agree to export the armed UAVs. Unmanned aircraft are currently subject to the Missile Technology Control Regime, which spells out a “presumption of denial” for Category I systems like the Avenger.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Report: Reaper vs. Rainbow? China’s New Drone Deemed Ready for Mass Production

CH-5 Rainbow; China's Predator knock-off (File Photo)

The CH-5 ‘Rainbow’ drone made by China’s Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is finally ready to enter mass production, the Diplomat reported on Tuesday.

"The CH-5’s design has been finalized and we are ready to mass-produce it," the unmanned aerial vehicle’s project manager told China Daily.

The Rainbow is reportedly intended to compete with the MQ-9 Reaper drone, which became the only drone used by US forces as of July 1 of this year when the Predator was retired. 

The company declined to specify who would be in the market to buy China’s new drones. The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have previously bought Chinese drones after being spurned by American drone makers, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. 

News Report: US, India Leaders Pledge to Boost Security, Trade Ties

Steve Herman

WHITE HOUSE — U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are pledging to work together to boost security and trade ties.

The two countries “look forward to working together on advanced defense equipment and technology at a level commensurate with that of the closest allies and partners of the United States,” according to a White House statement issued Monday evening.

Declaring his talks with the president “very successful and very fruitful,” the visiting Indian prime minister gave his host a trademark bear hug in the White House Rose Garden when the two finished reading their respective statement. They did not take questions from the dozens of White House correspondents and the visiting Indian reporters.

Modi also announced increased cooperation on fighting terrorism, including enhanced sharing of intelligence.

“The top priority for both President Trump and I is to protect our societies from global challenges like terrorism, and our aim is to strengthen India and the United States, the two great democracies of the world,” Modi said alongside Trump.

News Report: Modi Confident in 'Convergence' of US, Indian Interests

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is "confident in the growing convergence" between India and the U.S. as he prepares to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House.

In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Modi stated his optimism for economic growth and increased bilateral trade between the two countries.

"In an uncertain global economic landscape, our two nations stand as mutually reinforcing engines of growth and innovation," he wrote.

On Sunday, Modi met with top American business executives and members of the Indian diaspora on his first visit to the U.S. since Trump was elected president.

Meeting with tech leaders 

At a hotel meeting in Washington with leaders of some of the top American technology companies, the prime minister extolled the virtues of doing business in India where he said there was "minimum government," making it easy to do business in the South Asian nation.

Among those attending the meeting were Google's Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella of Microsoft and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe Systems, who are all Indian Americans. Amazon chief Jeff Bezos and Apple's Tim Cook also attended the meeting.

News Story: MQ-9B drone sale for India to be OK'd

MQ-9B Guardian (Image: Wiki Commons)

By: Aaron Mehta

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department is in the final stages of clearing the sale of 22 MQ-9 drones to India, with an expectation that U.S. President Donald Trump will announce the sale during the upcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Modi, who will meet with Trump for the first time on June 26, is expected to discuss a wide range of topics, including terrorism and visas, but is poised to walk away with an offer to purchase the unarmed MQ-9B Guardian design produced by General Atomics. 

The Guardian design is a variant of the Predator B drone, equipped with several radar systems specifically useful for maritime searches.  

“We are pleased that the U.S. government has cleared the way for the sale of the MQ-9B Guardian to the Indian Government,” said Linden Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, in a statement to Defense News. “Guardian provides the endurance and capability required to significantly enhance India’s sovereign maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is standing by to support the US and Indian Governments throughout this process” 

It is unclear how much the sale will be worth, nor what offsets were being offered to India. Modi’s Make in India initiative has emphasized production on the ground in India be part of weapon procurement from foreign suppliers. However, GA estimates the sale will create around 5,000 jobs in the U.S. through its supply chain. 

An industry source confirmed that General Atomics has been told the sale is being approved. A spokesman for the U.S. State Department declined to comment. 

But offering sales to New Delhi and getting them concluded are two very different things, with the Indian government notorious among defense circles for dragging out negotiations before cancelling them outright. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Gray Eagle Stationing in South Korea Long Planned, Says U.S.

MQ-1C Gray Eagle (Image: Wiki Commons)

by Bill Carey

The U.S. Army has begun the process of stationing MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft in South Korea as part of its strategy of outfitting each division with a Gray Eagle company. Some media outlets interpreted the move, announced by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) on March 12, as responding to recent missile launches by North Korea.

According to the USFK release, the Army, in coordination with the U.S. Air Force and the Republic of Korea armed forces, started the process of permanently stationing a Gray Eagle company at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. That entails upgrading infrastructure at the base to accommodate the unit, which is expected to become active early next year, a spokesperson with the command told Stars and Stripes. The company will be assigned to the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division, which is responsible for the defense of South Korea.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: GA-ASI Goes Head-to-head with IAI for Australian UAS Contract

A US MQ-9B Reaper

by Mike Yeo

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has described its proposal for Australia’s armed medium‑altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) requirement. The company displayed a Reaper UAV and a complete ground control station at the Avalon Airshow last week and introduced its several Australian partners. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)—the main rival for the Australian contract—also displayed its candidate UAV at the show, the Heron TP.

Project AIR 7003 is the name of the program to acquire the new MALE UAS. Australia’s 2016 Defense White Paper and accompanying Integrated Investment Plan (IIP) called for the procurement to “enhance battlefield intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.” It is not known how many aircraft or systems Australia is seeking, although the IIP allocated A$1-2 billion ($0.75–1.5 billion) for the project starting from 2018, with the selected UAS expected to enter Australian service in the early 2020s.

A Heron 1 in Australian service in Afghanistan

Team Reaper Australia comprises GA-ASI, Cobham, CAE Australia, Raytheon Australia and Flight Data Systems. AIN understands that the offer will be centered on General Atomics Certifiable Predator B variant of the Reaper. Cobham will offer through-life support and training while CAE, which provided a Reaper simulator for Italian Air Force, is expected to do the same for Australia. Raytheon will supply the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera payload, and Flight Data Systems will supply the flight data recorder required by Australia. 

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: GA-ASI forms team to supply Reaper drones to Australia

MQ-9B Reaper

by Richard Tomkins

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has formed a team with Australian industry to support an Australian military program for remotely piloted aircraft.

The partnering, announced at the Australian International Aerospace and Defense Exposition is composed of GA-ASI, Cobham, CAE Australia, Raytheon Australia, and Flight Data Systems.

"General Atomics Aeronautical recognizes the importance of working with Australian established partners, and we are very pleased to be joined in this endeavor by Cobham -- our key partner in Australia -- CAE Australia, Raytheon Australia, and Flight Data Systems," said Linden Blue, chief executive officer of GA-ASI.

"We have been working closely with the Australian Defense Force to understand the operational needs of AIR 7003 and are confident that our RPA System solution will provide mature, persistent, interoperable support to Australia's warfighters."

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Story: General Atomics to launch ‘Team Reaper Australia’ at Avalon

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is set to officially launch an industry team for the AIR 7003 Phase 1 Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial System project at the Australian International Airshow.

Representatives of Cobham, CAE Australia, Raytheon Australia and Flight Data Systems are scheduled to attend the event on February 28.

Read the full story at Australian Defence Business Review

News Report: US Defense Secretary May Return Empty Handed From Last-Ditch India Visit

MQ-9 Guardian (Image: Wiki Commons)

The last India visit of Ashton Carter as US Defense Secretary may not yield substantial results because New Delhi has confirmed that it has no plans to purchase American drones.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — The outgoing US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter makes no secret of his familiarity with the Indian Defence Ministry but his last visit to the country may not yield results.

The Indian government has denied reports claiming it has started the process for purchasing 22 long-range Predator B Guardian surveillance drone under a government-to-government deal with the US. 

News Story: General Atomics Predator C Avenger ER Makes First Flight

by Bill Carey

An extended-range variant of the Predator C Avenger remotely piloted aircraft made its first flight in October, manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced on November 10. The jet-powered aircraft now has 20 hours of endurance.

The maiden flight of the Avenger ER took place on October 27 at the company’s Gray Butte flight operations facility in Palmdale, Calif., GA-ASI said November 10. The manufacturer did not disclose specifics of the aircraft’s performance or the duration of the flight.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney PW545B turbofan engine with a top-mounted engine inlet, the Predator C first flew in April 2009. Its fuselage was extended by four feet (to 44 feet) in 2012 to accommodate larger payloads and more fuel. Earlier this year, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration granted GA-ASI an experimental certificate that allows it to fly the Avenger in the National Airspace System.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Story: India Eyes the Jet-powered Predator

Predator-C Avenger (Image: Wikipedia)

by Neelam Mathews and Chris Pocock

India’s likely accession to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) next month may clear the way for acquisition of armed Predator C jet-powered UAVs made by California-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI). The country first expressed interest in the drone, also named Avenger by California-based GA-ASI, last September. India has also made inquiries about the Predator XP, but this export version is licensed only for surveillance.

“MTCR was the first step. Now things can be discussed. The U.S. Foreign Military Sales process is lengthy and it has to be also cleared by the U.S. Congress,” an Indian defense ministry official told AIN. The MTCR is supposed to prevent the proliferation of unmanned nuclear weapons delivery systems capable of carrying a 500 kg (1,100-pound) payload for at least 300 km (186 miles). The jet-powered Predator can carry a payload of up to 6,500 pounds and has a range of 1,800 miles, flying at up to 50,000 feet.

While initially India’s requirement was for approximately 100 Avengers, the official said this could go up to 250 if the Indian Navy decides to change the design of the catapult launch system on its second indigenous aircraft carrier, making Avengers the natural choice. General Atomics Electro Magnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) technology was offered to India under a cooperation agreement on aircraft carrier technologies as part of six “path-finder” projects under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative during President Barack Obama’s visit in January last year.

Read the full story at AINonline

Think Tank: Sea, air and land updates (22-MAR-2016)

Collins class Submarine

Dione Hodgson, Ashleigh Sharp and Lachlan Wilson

Sea State

The claws are out in the battle for the Australia’s $50 billion future submarine contract, with French contender DCNS claiming last week that Japan’s plan to install high-tech lithium ion batteries in the new fleet could endanger RAN personnel. Speaking in Paris on 18 March, DCNS president, Herve Guillou, and deputy chief executive, Marie-Pierre de Bailliencourt, told journalists that lithium ion battery technology had not yet been sufficiently developed for use in submarines, and that doing so without adequate testing could be dangerous. Ms de Bailliencourt also warned that moving forward with Japan could increase Australia’s risk of being drawn into a future conflict between Japan and China, while a partnership with France would bring strategic benefits. Check out Andrew Davies’ article looking into the merits of batteries and air independent propulsion here. 

Russia announced on 18 March that it will begin construction of its new Kalina-class diesel-electric submarines after its final two Lada-class submarines are completed in 2019. Little information is available on the new generation Kalina-class, but Moscow does intend to install air independent propulsion systems on the vessels, a feature found on many Western diesel boats, but not incorporated on the Lada-class. The Project 677 Lada-class was considered a disappointment by many, and has now been terminated by Moscow with only three boats built. 

News Story: Asia's Biggest Air Show Set To Open in Singapore

By Wendell Minnick

TAIPEI — Asia's biggest commercial aerospace and defense air show, set to open Feb. 16 at Singapore's Changi Exhibition Centre, will feature air power displays from across Asia, North America and Europe.

Lockheed Martin will promote its F-35 stealth fighter and F-16 midlife upgrade (MLU) program. South Korea, Taiwan and, more recently, Singapore have awarded Lockheed MLU orders, which include Northrop Grumman's scalable agile beam radar (SABR). The SABR is an active electronically scanned array radar.

AgustaWestland-Finmeccanica will display its Project Zero tilt-rotor technology demonstrator. First unveiled at the 2013 Paris Air Show, the electric-powered aircraft can hover like a helicopter and convert to a fixed-wing aircraft for forward flight.

Defense News asked air show officials about potential competition from Seoul ADEX and Airshow China (Zhuhai), both rising stars in defense air shows in Asia.

Singapore Airshow officials insist their show continues to be Asia’s largest and one of the most important aerospace and defense exhibitions in the world.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Editorial: Revealed - Details of India's Second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

CGI of IAC-1 INS Vikrant

By Ankit Panda

New details emerge about India’s second indigenously built aircraft carrier.

India’s second indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-2), the INS Vishal, the second Vikrant-class carrier, is slowly taking shape. Recently, the Indian Navy outlined the specifications of this carrier in a letter of request issued to shipbuilders worldwide. Many of the details, including the tonnage and the physical dimensions of the carrier, are in line with older expectations. For example, the Vishal will displace 65,000 tonnes—25,000 tonnes more than the first indigenous carrier, the INS Vikrant.

The Indian Navy’s Naval Design Bureau clarified other features: the carrier will travel at 30 knots, a hair above the Vikrant, and come in at a length of 300 meters, longer than the 262 meter Vikrant. The Navy’s letter of request also outlines plans for the carrier to field between 30 and 35 fixed-wing combat aircraft and 20 rotary wing aircraft. In many ways, though this carrier will be the second in the indigenous Vikrant-class, it represents a significant upgrade over the first carrier, which was bogged down in delays ahead of its successful undocking in early June 2015. The Vishal and Vikrant, along with the modified Kiev-class Vikramaditya, will form the carrier backbone of India’s Navy, and, with the decommissioning of the INS Viraat, the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the world, the total Indian Navy carrier count will stand at three.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

News Story: Biggest buyer of military drones in 2020 may be China

China's Wing Loong UACV (File Photo)

The competition for geopolitical and economic dominance in the Asia-Pacific region, especially the struggle between Beijing and Tokyo over the Diaoyutai islands (Senkaku to Japan, Diaoyu to China) in the East China Sea, centers on the role of drones.

According to a Business Insider report published on June 22, the market for military drones will reach US$8.2 trillion by 2022, yet the biggest buyer will no longer be the US, but rather China and Russia.

In the past decade, the US military's appetite for stealth and surveillance has greatly stimulated the development of drones. With US withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan, however, orders from the US are rapidly shrinking, said the report.

Read the full story at Want China Times