News Story: Sixth RAAF KC-30A arrives at Amberley

The sixth Airbus Defence and Space KC-30A MRTT for the RAAF arrived at Amberley, south-east Queensland on September 1.

The former A330-203 airliner saw service with Qantas and Jetstar as VH-EBH and first flew in 2007. It was converted to MRTT configuration by Airbus Defence and Space at Getafe near Madrid and arrived at Amberley, where it will enter service with 33 Squadron, wearing its Spanish test registration MRTT039.

The aircraft requires the completion of airworthiness directive (AD) and service bulletin (SB) work, Australian Defence Business Review understands, as well as hardware and software configuration upgrades to bring it up to a common standard with the RAAF’s five existing KC-30As before being accepted into service.

Read the full story at ADBR

News Story: Use Allied Investments To Help Rebuild US Military

RAAF Wedgetail AEW/C Aircraft (File Photo)

By ROBBIN LAIRD

The shift from slo mo — counterinsurgency operations — to high intensity combat is a major challenge for the US military and its allies. It is a culture shift, a procurement shift and an investment shift. But mobilization is even more important than modernization.

To get ready for this shift, our weapons inventory needs to become more robust. In visiting US bases, a common theme we hear is the challenge of basic inventory shortfalls.

The Trump Administration came to power promising to correct much of this. But there simply is not enough time and money to do readiness and training plus ups, mobilization and rapid modernization.

As a businessman, Donald Trump might take a look at how the Pentagon actually functions as an effective business in equipping the force. Having highlighted the question of allied spending, he might be pleased to learn of significant allied investments in new combat systems which his own forces can use, saving American taxpayers money and enhancing our military effectiveness at the same time.

One way to augment US forces would be to do something which might seem to be at odds with the Make America Great notion. As one of my Danish friends put it well: “I have no problem with the idea of making America great again. For me, the question is how?”

One way would be to leverage existing allied capabilities which, if adopted by the US forces, would save money but, even more importantly, would ramp up the operational capability of the US forces and their ability to work with allies in the shortest time possible. It would also allow the US to target investments where possible in break through programs which allies are NOT investing in.

Read the full story at Breaking Defense

News Story: Allies Can Help US Lower Weapons Costs, Build New Force

RAAF E-7A Wedgetail refueled by A RAAF KC-30A MRTT

By ROBBIN LAIRD

Shifting from a primary focus on counterinsurgency land wars to building a high intensity combat force able to prevail against peer competitors is a significant challenge for the United States and its closest allies after 15 years of COIN.

A key dynamic within this effort is the crucial opportunity the US and its closest allies have to learn from each other thanks to the number of core weapon systems being bought at the same time.

The F-35, P-8, Triton and Growler are all being bought by the United States and by some of our closest allies, notably Australia.

And when we see American F-35As going to RAF Lakenheath this month, what can be missed is that at RAF Marham — located less than 30 miles from RAF Lakenheath — the first British squadron of F-35s will be stood up BEFORE the US does so at RAF Lakenheath. One hopes the US plans to ensure it gets as much synergy as possible between the bases where F-35s will be based in the UK.

Norway is also drawing upon this interactive modernization process to stand up its own 21st century combat force.

At the same time, Australia’s Wedgetail command and control aircraft and its KC-30A airborne tanker have been deployed for some time and are cutting edge systems NOT found in the US inventory.

Additionally, the British RAF is modernizing its Typhoons with long-range strike systems that are complementary to the F-35Bs, and they are doing it before the US has made similar adjustments to its legacy aircraft.

Read the full story at Breaking Defense

News Story: Australian Helicopter Needs Discussed at Avalon Show

Australian Tiger ARH

by Mike Yeo

Australia’s search for a new armed reconnaissance helicopter to replace the Army’s troubled Airbus Helicopters Tiger fleet was a major topic at the Avalon Airshow, held near Melbourne from February 28 to March 5. The show also featured—as expected—the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II and Boeing EA-18G Growler. The RAAF’s Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and Leonardo C-27J battlefield airlifter also made their Avalon debuts.

The country’s 2016 Defence White Paper stated that the 22 Tigers should be replaced starting around 2025. Boeing brought a factory-fresh AH-64E Apache to the show, while Bell Helicopters had an AH-1Z Viper cockpit simulator at its stand in the exhibition hall. The Apache conducted demonstration flights throughout the week, and Boeing emphasized that AH-64 production will run until 2026 based on current orders. Bell disclosed that it had made an unsolicited offer of the AH-1Z as a Tiger replacement.

Bell’s is also offering the UH-1Y Venom for Australia’s Special Forces light helicopter program, which is expected to kick off in 2018 and cost A$2-3 billion (U.S.$1.5-2.3 billion). This machine is required to “insert, extract and provide fire support for small teams of Special Forces undertaking tasks ranging from tactical observation through to counter-terrorism missions, or hostage recovery.” It must be rapidly deployable by the RAAF’s C-17 airlifters three or four at a time. This could be a problem for Bell as it acknowledges only two Venoms can be carried in a single C-17. Other possible contenders for the program include the Boeing AH-6i Little Bird and the Airbus H145M.

Read the full story at AINonline

Industry: Royal Australian Air Force and Airbus partner on KC-30A future capability roadmap

A RAAF KC-30A in-flight refueling an F-35 via the Boom

Melbourne, 2 March 2016: The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Airbus today signed a research agreement to further develop the RAAF KC-30A’s capabilities.

The agreement strengthens the industrial partnership between Airbus and Australia’s defence force, and will help to define the evolution of the KC-30A fleet as it reaches operational maturity and expand its capabilities.

This will result in the KC-30A’s core transport and refuelling capabilities supporting the RAAF’s transformation into a fully integrated force, capable of tackling complex contemporary defence and security challenges.

The agreement’s first milestone is the joint development of the automatic air-to-air refuelling (A3R) concept, which represents a major step forward in in-flight refuelling.

News Story: Australian tankers to get automatic midair refueling capability

A RAAF KC-30A MRTT mid-air refuels a F-35 via it's Boom

By: Nigel Pittaway

AVALON, Australia — The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) signed a research agreement with Airbus Defence and Space to develop an automatic air-to-air refueling capability for its KC-30A multirole tanker transport aircraft.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies signed the agreement with Airbus DS boss Fernando Alonso at the 2017 Australian International Airshow at Avalon on Thursday.

The agreement will see an RAAF aircraft involved in the testing of the system, which has been under development by Airbus DS for some time.

Davies also used the opportunity to announce that the Australian government had signed off on final operational capability for the KC-30A.

“A lot of hard work has gone into the development of this capability, and we are now able to go into the next phase,” he said. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

AUS: Final operational capability for KC-30A MRTT

A RAAF KC-30A MRTT refueling a RAAF E-7 Wedgetail

The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today congratulated Royal Australian Air Force on the achievement of Final Operational Capability (FOC) for the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft fleet.

Minister Payne said the KC-30A was a significant capability multiplier for our Air Force, which has proven itself over Iraq as part of Operation OKRA.

“This is a significant milestone for the fleet, which is now able to refuel a range of aircraft from our Air Force and our international partners,” Minister Payne said.

“The KC-30A has been an outstanding asset over Iraq on Operation OKRA, having offloaded over 74 million pounds of fuel to coalition aircraft, including Australia’s F/A-18A Hornet and E-7A Wedgetail aircraft. It is on the front line, making sure the Hornets can take the fight to Daesh effectively.

“Just one KC-30A can support the deployment of four fighter aircraft over 5000km, with 50 personnel and 12 tonnes of equipment. It is an extremely versatile aircraft that is suited to the long ranges of the Australian continent.”

The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies said FOC for our KC-30A MRTT is a critical component of our aviation capability.

Industry: Northrop Grumman Partners with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance on Australian KC-30A Through-Life Support Program

A RAAF KC-30A refuels an F-35 during an operational test

SYDNEY, Australia – Jan. 18, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Integrated Defence Services (IDS), a fully-owned Australian subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), has signed an agreement with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) for the provision of services in support of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. Northrop Grumman IDS is the prime contractor for MRTT Through-Life Support (TLS).

“We are excited to have reached this agreement with AFI KLM E&M,” said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “Partnerships such as this are an important way for Northrop Grumman to support the Australian Department of Defence’s ‘smart buyer’ philosophy. By leveraging huge commercial supply chains and expertise in order to provide competitive pricing for MRTT maintenance, this agreement will increase the program’s value and effectiveness.”

The agreement will provide the Australian MRTT program with improved access to an experienced, world-class aftermarket organisation. As a result, Northrop Grumman will also have increased access to a worldwide network and a more streamlined process of materiel management solutions leveraging AFI KLM E&M’s global expertise and footprint.

Industry: Northrop Grumman Partners with Lufthansa Technik on Australian KC-30A Through-Life Support Program

A RAAF KC-30A MRTT refuels a RAAF E-7 Wedgetail

SYDNEY, Australia – Jan. 18, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Integrated Defence Services (IDS), a fully-owned Australian subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), has signed an agreement with Lufthansa Technik AG for the provision of services in support of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) fleet of KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. Northrop Grumman IDS is the prime contractor for MRTT Through-Life Support (TLS).

“This agreement between Northrop Grumman and Lufthansa Technik provides the potential for significant savings for the Australian government,” said Ian Irving, chief executive, Northrop Grumman Australia. “This access to parts and expertise through this agreement is an important part of our vision to build Northrop Grumman as a regional support hub for a range of aircraft types for Australian and regional air forces.”

The agreement will provide the Australian MRTT program with improved access to a global inventory network, landing gear services and a reduction in component repair times through Lufthansa Technik’s commercial expertise. It also allows for future extension for support of parts and general maintenance to other aircraft types.

News Report: US, S. Korea, UK Invincible Shield Drills to Take Place in Korea on Nov. 4-10

Eurofighter Typhoon

Trilateral military exercises with participation of servicemen from the United Kingdom, the United States and South Korea are expected to start at the Korean Peninsula on Friday and to last until November 10.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The first drills with participation of the three countries dubbed Invincible Shield were announced in September and were aimed at training in countering Pyongyang in the event of a war on the Korean peninsula.

According to the South Korean Air Force, the servicemen from the three countries will hold the drills at the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek located south of the country's capital. 

South Korean media reported that the United Kingdom would send Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets, Voyager tanker aircraft and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft to participate in the drills, the United States would be represented by F-16 fighter jets, while the host nation would participate in the drills using the F-15K and KF-16 fighters.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: UK and Japan air forces kick off first ever bilateral exercise

The Royal Air Force (UK) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on Monday Oct. 23 kicked-off exercise "Guardian North 16", which is the first bilateral drill JASDF conducted with another foreign military, excluding the U.S., local media reported.

Four Typhoon fighter aircraft, flown by No 2 (AC) Squadron pilots from RAF Lossiemouth, arrived at Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) Misawa Air Base, in the northern part of the island of Honshu on Saturday, Oct. 22.

An RAF Voyager from RAF Brize Norton, crewed by No 10 and 01 Squadrons, provided air-to-air refuelling during the 3,500 mile (5,600 km) non-stop flight from Malaysia.

Read the full story at Air Recognition

News Story: Australia Gets Its Air Force One

A KC-30A MRTT Tanker Aircraft

Amy Remeikis

Australia is getting its own Air Force One – albeit a budget version.

After years of deliberations and political hesitancy, the Defence Department has been given the go-ahead to convert a KC-30A air-to-air refuelling aircraft, essentially an Airbus A330, into the VIP jet, replacing the ageing leased fleet.

First floated in a white paper, Defence has admitted, five months after it was first asked, it is moving ahead with modifications of one of its $204 million refuellers to give the Prime Minister an office in the air.

The new VIP jet is to be kept "modest" with only the minimum required modifications, remain capable of acting as an air-to-air refueller, but will also allow for "the continuance of Government business whilst in transit", meaning the Prime Minister will remain in contact at all times.

The government has chosen the cheapest of the options available to it, following former British prime minister David Cameron's lead. Defence confirmed it was "managing the modification",  with the cost to come from $190 million already set aside to alter planes according to the air force's needs. Britain managed it for £10 million, which equates to about $16.5 million.

Read the full story at Sydney Morning Herald

News Story: State Department Clears $1.9B Sale of KC-46A Tankers to Japan

Boeing KC-46 (Image: Wiki Commons)

By: Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — The US State Department on Wednesday approved a potential $1.9 billion sale of KC-46A refueling tankers to Japan, moving Boeing one step closer to finalizing its first international deal for the aircraft. 

According to a Defense Security Cooperation Agency notice, the proposed deal includes four KC-46A aircraft, the associated Pratt & Whitney Model 4062 engines needed to power the plane, plus one additional spare. Japan would also receive training and support as part of the agreement. 

Those aircraft will be equipped with the  ALR-69A Radar Warning Receiver and Miniaturized Airborne GPS Receiver — both from Raytheon — as well as Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-24(V) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures system. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

AUS: Exercise Northern Shield 2016

Australian Army soldier Private Connor McMillan from 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conducts urban clearance training during Exercise Northern Shield 2016 (© Commonwealth of Australia 2016) >>

Troops, armour and fighter jets are fanning out across north-west Australia, as Exercise Northern Shield 16 ramps up in the Kimberley.

Three Royal Australian Navy ships – HMAS Newcastle, Ballarat and Success are patrolling oil and gas installations offshore, as F/A-18A jets prowl the skies in response to a fictitious terrorist threat in the area.

Australian Army soldiers from the Ready Combat Team have flown in from 1st Brigade in Darwin and are now patrolling Broome and Derby in their Bushmaster vehicles, working with local police as part of the Exercise scenario.

Exercise Director, Colonel Brett Chaloner, said the response from the local people has been very positive, with many offering to take part. The support of the local community and shire councils is important for the Exercise to work.

News Report: U.S. Increases Role in Aussie Pitch Black Air Combat Exercise

By: Mike Yeo

The U.S. has increased its role in an air combat exercise, featuring its largest contribution of airpower in more than a decade from the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps in a practical demonstration of Washington’s, “rebalance to the Pacific.”

Codenamed Pitch Black 2016, the biannual exercise in the first three weeks in August, saw 115 aircraft and 2,800 personnel from 10 countries participating, flying offensive and defensive counter-air missions using large force employment tactics to build interoperability in a coalition environment.

Other than the United States and host Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Canada, and France also took part with aircraft, while New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands sent personnel to participate.

The American contingent included USAF Lockheed-Martin F-16CM fighters and Boeing B-52 bombers, along with a squadron of Marine Boeing F/A-18 Hornets and Lockheed-Martin KC-130J Hercules tankers.

AUS: KC-30A successfully refuels multi-role F-16 Fighter

RAAF KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)

The operational capability of the Royal Australian Air Force’s KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft fleet has taken another important step forward with the first operational refuelling of fighter aircraft with the tanker’s advanced Aerial Refuelling Boom System.

The boom was used to successfully refuel two United States Air Force (USAF) F-16C Fighting Falcon single-engine multirole fighter aircraft from the 480th Fighter Squadron during a mission in support of counter-Daesh operations in the Middle East region.

The commencement of F-16 refuelling broadens the tanker’s ability to support the US-led multi-national coalition in the fight against Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

The Commander Air Task Group, Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Phil Gordon said the milestone has further enhanced Australia’s reputation in the coalition environment.

News Story: Australia Crafts Its Own Anti-Access, Area Denial Strategy

RAAF E-7A Wedgtail AEW&C

By ROBBIN LAIRD

The Australian military is shaping a transformed military force, one built around new platforms but ones that operate in a joint manner in an extended battlespace. The goal is to extend the defense perimeter of Australia and create, in effect, their own version of an Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy.

They also recognize a key reality of 21st century military evolution in terms of shaping an integrated information-based operating force. Interactive modernization of the force is built around decision-making superiority and that will come with an effective information dominant force.

That makes the Aussies a key partner to the US and other allies in discussing openly a path for force transformation along lines where cutting edge thinking is occurring in the US and allied forces. Put bluntly, they are driving a public discussion of transformation in a way we have not seen in the United States for a long time.

Read the full story at Breaking Defense

News Report: India Considers Buying Russian Il-78 MRTT After Ending Six Year Old Airbus Deal

An Australian Airbus KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT)

High costs and pending inquiries against Airbus has forced India to abort a 2 billion dollar deal with Airbus. Sources say a contract for Russian Ilyusin-78 (IL-78) aircraft is likely to be signed by October of this year.

India has terminated the 2 billion dollar contract for six multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft with Airbus Defense and Space. This comes as no surprise for observers as the deal was troubled by objections over its high costs. Many officials were also skeptical considering protracted inquiries against the European consortium in India dating back to the 1970's. 

India's Ministry of Defense had shortlisted six Airbus A330 MRTT for the Indian Air Force following a RFP issued six years ago. According to highly placed sources, the Finance Ministry was of the opinion that the aircraft were too expensive and asked the Defense Ministry to look for cheaper options. A new RFP was released, following which the budget was increased to $2 billion and included lifecycle costs in the price arguing that the Airbus plane would work out cheaper in the long term over its Russian competitor if lifecycle costs were to be considered.

News Story: India Cancels Deal for Six Airbus Tankers

A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A MRTT Tanker Aircraft
refuels a RAAF C-17 Globemaster Cargo Aircraft

Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India has withdrawn the tender for a much-awaited contract for the purchase of six multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft with Airbus Defence and Space, worth more than $1 billion, on grounds of the planes’ high operational cost.

This is the second MRTT aircraft global tender to be cancelled by the ministry of defense since 2006.

"We have [recently] cancelled the MRTT deal with Airbus because platforms are too expensive and not economically viable to operate", said an MoD official who declined to be identified.

"We have examined this deal very carefully and the [budgetary] approval has been rejected thrice by the Indian finance ministry," the MoD official said.

"This is indeed a setback to us, as we want the MRTT aircraft desperately, and a fresh [global] procurement will take at least five more years", said a senior air force official said who requested anonymity.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

AUS: Mammoth Milestone for KC-30A in Operation OKRA

A RAAF KC-30A refuels a RAAF E-7A via the Boom system

A staggering 50 million pounds of fuel has been offloaded by the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) deployed for Operation OKRA.

That figure equates to 22,679 tonnes of fuel, or more than 28 million litres, offloaded for RAAF and Coalition aircraft in the Middle East Region since September 2014.

Flying as part of Air Task Group (ATG) 630 for Operation OKRA, the KC-30A reached the milestone figure on April 27 during a sortie with a pair of RAAF F/A-18 Hornets.

As of May 2016, the ATG630 Air Mobility Element has conducted 631 sorties with the KC-30A, and flown more than 5,000 hours.

Commander of ATG630, Air Commodore Antony Martin, said the KC-30A MRTT was an essential enabler for Operation OKRA missions.