News Story: Computer system for Hawkei vehicles tested

by Richard Tomkins

A C4I integral Computing System for the Australian Army's Hawkei vehicle has been tested by the government's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, the Australian Ministry of Defense announced on Monday.

The CASG Land 121 Phase 4 project team conducted the tests at the Monegeetta Proving Ground and signed a project charter for the system with nine companies involved in the system.

CASG identified the companies as Thales Australia, Cablex, Elbit Land Systems Australia, Esterline, Harris Australia, Kongsberg, Raytheon, Rockwell Collins, and Thomas Global Systems.

"Using generic vehicle architecture and a central computing concept to host various C4I systems and communications, the ICS will optimize and centralize the flow of information to the user, enabling rapid decision making and multi-tasking at levels not previously achievable on land based platforms," said Land 121 Phase 4 Project Director Col. John McLean said in a press release.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

News Report: Japan Enhances Offensive Capabilities, Equips F-35s with Joint Strike Missiles

The Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) is making moves to enhance its return on investment in F-35 fighters by equipping the aircraft with Joint Strike Missiles designed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence Systems, the South China Morning Post reported.

“Japan has never previously had anything like this,” defense analyst Lance Gatling of Nexial Research Inc. told the news outlet on Tuesday.

The F-35 can maintain its stealth profile while carrying the weapons, which allows pilots to soar “much closer to targets” when they launch the missiles, Gatling added.

As a self-defense outfit, the JSDF has been reluctant to procure offensive weapons capability, but Tokyo’s posture is shifting as potential regional threats loom on the Korean Peninsula and in the South and East China Seas. Upgrading strike capabilities for the F-35 is a natural decision for policymakers in light of such developments, Yomiuri Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper, reported on June 27.

Industry: Government identifies Raytheon system for Australian Ground Based Air and Missile Defence Program

CANBERRA – 10 April 2016: The Australian Government has announced First Pass approval for the LAND 19 Phase 7B project as the first piece of the land-based Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Program. This approval includes the release of a Single Supplier Limited Tender to Raytheon Australia - identified as the Prime System Integrator (PSI) for Army’s future Ground Based Air and Missile Defence capability.

Raytheon’s proposal for second pass consideration by Government will be based upon the proven Raytheon / KONGSBERG National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) capability that is fielded in seven nations, including the United States.  Importantly, this system can utilise different launchers, radar technologies and missile types for a range of different ground based air and missile defence missions.

In collaboration with Defence and CEA Technologies, Raytheon Australia will also investigate the option of the MEDUSA system; an incorporation of Australian AESA sensor technology into the proven baseline of NASAMS.

Industry: NASAMS Solution for Australian Army Ground Based Air Defence

The Australian Government has announced that a National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) solution will be developed for the Land 19 Phase 7B project – the Ground Based Air and Missile Defence capability for the Australian Army through a Single Supplier Limited Tender process to Raytheon Australia.

Raytheon Australia has been identified as the Prime System Integrator and KONGSBERG will be a major sub-contractor in the program. NASAMS is a proven and fielded mobile air defence system in service with seven nations today, including Norway and the United States.

“We are pleased to see that NASAMS is recognized as the preferred ground based air defence capability solution for the Australian Army and we are looking forward to the process leading to a contract”, says Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence Systems.

The inherent flexibility and modularity of NASAMS makes it a world leading solution with unique capabilities to combat modern airborne threats, as well as having the ability to integrate with networks and a variety of different sensors and weapons.

“NASAMS is one of the most successful KONGSBERG products internationally and we are proud to be part of the Raytheon Australia team for delivery of this capability to the Australian Army”, Lie said.

Kongsberg

News Story: Australia selects Raytheon for $1.5B ground-based air defense system

By: Jamie Freed

SYDNEY — The Australian government on Monday selected U.S.-based defense contractor Raytheon as the sole bidder for a ground-based air defense system contract worth up to AUD $2 billion (U.S. $1.5 billion).

The surface-to-air missile system will replace the country's 30-year-old short-range capability, which is due to be retired by early next decade, Defence Minister Marise Payne said in a statement.

"A modern and integrated ground-based air defense system is needed to protect our deployed forces from increasingly sophisticated air threats, both globally and within our region," Payne said.

Australia, a staunch U.S. ally, last year committed to increase defense spending by nearly AUD $30 billion over the next 10 years at a time when China's economic and military power is growing throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: BAE Systems Australia technology in Joint Strike Missile

BAE Systems Australia’s technology is another step closer to being used in the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) being developed for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, following the signing of a contract between the Federal Government and Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace.

The contract will enable Kongsberg, which is developing the JSM, to continue the integration and qualification of BAE Systems' passive radio frequency (RF) sensor into the system.

BAE Systems is Australia’s specialist manufacturer of missile control and guidance systems. The Company will provide a low-cost, light weight and highly sensitive electronic support measure (ESM) receiver for incorporation on JSM which will feature an additional land attack and littoral attack capability as well as a two-way communications line for target adjustment and inflight termination.

Industry: KONGSBERG signs contract with Australia to integrate new capability for the Joint Strike Missile

Kongsberg Defence Systems (KONGSBERG) has entered into a contract with the Australian Department of Defence worth 150 MNOK for integration of a new capability in the Joint Strike Missile (JSM).

This contract is a result of the agreement reached between the Norwegian and Australian Governments initialized during the visit by Norwegian State Secretary of Defence, Mr. Øystein Bø to Australia in 2015.

JSM is the 5th generation long-range precision strike missile that will be integrated for internal carriage on the F-35. Using a combination of advanced materials, ability to fly low, while following the terrain and using advanced passive seekers, the missile is extremely difficult to detect and stop even for the most advanced countermeasures and defence systems.

The unique state-of-the-art RF-seeker sensor, developed by BAE Systems Australia, will enable JSM to locate targets on the basis of their electronic signature. This will further strengthen the capabilities of JSM for the most challenging scenarios in a modern battlefield.

“We are very pleased that Australia joins the development of JSM by funding the integration of the RF seeker and that we together can increase the JSM capabilities”, says Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence Systems.

Kongsberg

News Story: Malaysian naval power suffers budget woes

By: Mike Yeo

MELBOURNE, Australia — Malaysia’s centerpiece plan for the restructure and recapitalization of its Navy has also been adversely affected by the country’s budget woes, leaving most of it underfunded or unfunded altogether. 

The so-called 15-to-5 plan, unveiled in 2015, calls for a reduction of the Royal Malaysian Navy order of battle from 15 to five classes of ships and submarines, which it hopes will trim sustainment costs by retiring older ships and reducing the number of ship classes operated by the RMN by 2030. 

The five ship classes will ideally consist of 12 French-designed littoral combat ships, 18 Kedah-class offshore patrol vessels, 18 Chinese-designed littoral mission ships, three multirole support ships of an as-yet undetermined design and four submarines. 

Of these, only six lightly-armed Kedah-class offshore patrol vessels are already in service together with two French Scorpene diesel-electric submarines. Malaysia has also ordered six littoral combat ships based on the French Gowind 2500 design under a $2 billion contract signed in 2011, with two ships in various stages of construction at Malaysia’s Boustead Naval Shipyard. 

The 3,000-ton ships will be armed with the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile and MBDA’s vertical launch MICA for anti-ship and anti-aircraft work respectively, along with 57mm and 30mm guns as well as torpedo tubes. The first ship is expected to be delivered to the RMN in late 2019 or early 2020. 

Malaysia is also pressing forward with its Littoral Mission Ship program, signing a contract in early November 2016 with China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense for an initial four ships with two built by Boustead and the other two in China. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Related Link: Malaysian defense: Budget hinders military asset procurement 

News Report: Former DoD Officials Laud International Development Programs, Question Their Future In Trump Admin

F-35 Lightning Stealth Fighter

By: John Grady

The Trump administration’s focus on “America first” throws into question whether it would launch any new large-scale international joint development programs such as the F-35, a former under secretary of defense for policy said Monday.

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Christine Wormuth said, “having that interoperability is increasingly valuable,” particularly when gained through “working with allies and partners on real-world projects.” Over time the development and operation of these systems strengthen trust and increase the depth of relationships with allies and partners, said Wormuth, now a senior adviser on international security at CSIS. Quoting a Special Forces mantra, she added, “you can’t surge trust.”

But other panelists noted that many challenges – plus the current political climate – could stand in the way of launching another major international joint development program in the near term despite the benefits.

News Report: New Strategy Emphasizes High-end Surface Warfare

By: Sam LaGrone

A new strategy for the surface force – released today – creates an outline for a navy that anticipates a return to high-end warfare it hasn’t known since the Cold War.

The document will fill in gaps for several pushes the surface establishment has announced over the last two years to create a cohesive path forward for the force.

“There was a picture that we were building, we just had to get that picture into focus. You want to be impatient, you want it into focus as rapidly as you can, but you may focus on the wrong picture,” Vice Adm. Tom Rowden told USNI News last week.

“This is our North Star, if you will. All the conversations we’ve had over the last three, four years, and starts to focus them in a single direction that will drive resources.”

For Rowden, that direction is sea control.

News Story: Successful flight test for Norwegian missile

by Richard Tomkins

Kongsberg's Joint Strike Missile, designed for internal carry on an F-35 aircraft, has been successfully flight tested in the United States, the company said.

The Norwegian missile was tested using a U.S. Air Force F-16 over the Utah Test and Training Range, demonstrating safe separation from the aircraft.

It also performed a number of flight maneuvers while continuously alternating speed and altitude.

Read the full story at SpaceWar

PacificSentinel Note: The JSM will be the primary, if not only, Anti-Ship Missile carried internally by the F-35, as such expect all F-35 users to operate this missile in the years to come.

News Story: Land Forces 2016 - Australia’s GBAD jigsaw puzzle

SAAB RBS-70NG mounted on a Thales Hawkei

by Gordon Arthur

The topic of ground-based air defence (GBAD) and integrated air defence attracted much attention at Land Forces 2016 in Adelaide, although potential vendors are awaiting an RfT to learn more about how Australia will approach this jigsaw.

The 2016 Defence White Paper called for a deployable short-range GBAD system to replace the Saab RBS 70 MANPADS by the early 2020s. Furthermore, new medium-range GBAD missiles will be acquired in the mid-to-late 2020s. These contribute to project Land 19 Phase 7B.

Another consideration is project Air 6500 that will have two phases to replace the Vigilare air defence C2 system and to shape long-range air defence.

The sentiment of industry is that an RfP for Land 19 Phase 7B will appear in late 2016/early 2017. The previously issued RfI sought a sensor suite, effector suite (i.e. missiles) and C4I system that can absorb the existing functionality of Phase 7A.

There is considerable interest from vendors. For example, a spokesman confirmed to Shephard that MBDA is proposing EMADS for the short-to-medium range, and Mistral MANPADS for the lower level.

The former, which stands for Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions, has options for both the CAMM and CAMM-ER, which give a layered defensive range of 25km for the former and 45km for the latter. The UK is introducing the CAMM, which uses a soft vertical launch, as its Rapier replacement.

Importantly, Australia already has a foundation upon which to build a capable air defence network, which is what Saab is counting on for further involvement. Australia has the RBS 70, recently updated with IFF Mode 5, and Giraffe AMB radars.

Australian Giraffe Radar with MAN Truck in Afghanistan

Australia purchased the Giraffes plus SRCTec Light Counter-Mortar Radars as part of Land 19 Phase 7A as an urgent requirement for counter-rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) purposes to protect troops in Afghanistan. However, these give only a sense and warn capacity, with no ability to kill incoming rounds.

These could form the basis of a more expansive system, a Saab Australia spokesman informed Shephard. ‘A little extra work can expand capability considerably,’ he said, plus a layered system could be phased in step by step. For example, the 9LV combat management system used on the navy’s upcoming Air Warfare Destroyers could be integrated.

Read the full story at Shephard

Editorial: US Navy Wants New Missile for Littoral Combat Ship by End of 2016

Kongsberg NSM (Image: Flickr User - U.S. Pacific Fleet)

By Franz-Stefan Gady

However, no decision on what new missile system to purchase has been made yet, according to a U.S. Navy admiral.

The United States Navy wants to equip its burgeoning fleet of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) with a new over-the-horizon missile by the end of 2016, the Navy’s surface warfare director, Rear Admiral Peter Fanta, told USNI News in a recent interview.

According to Fanta, equipping the LCSs with a new missile is “an absolute requirement” for the U.S. Navy. By the end of 2016 the admiral wants to have a new missile on the ships at least as a demonstration.

The U.S. Navy has rebranded the LCS as a frigate due to recent advances in effective counter-swarm defenses and is looking to increase the ships’ firepower. Naval engineers are currently studying what missile system would fit best on the LCS.

“It takes a little while for the guys with the slide rules to figure out… what the deck strength needs to be and what angle the launcher needs to sit at. That’s my biggest hold right now is guys doing math,” Fanta said.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: F-35’s Joint Strike Missile Successfully Completes Flight Test in US

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The test was hailed as a ‘milestone’ by the missile’s developers.

A missile specifically designed for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was successfully tested last week at the Utah Test and Training Range in Utah’s West Desert in the Western United States.

According to a press release by Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg, which is jointly developing the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) with Raytheon, the missile was launched from a F-16 at 22,000 feet and performed “a number of challenging flight maneuvers.”

The JSM–designed to fit inside the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter’s missile bay in order to maintain the stealth capabilities of the aircraft– is a fifth-generation, long-range, precision-guided, stand-off missile system and can be deployed in anti-surface warfare and naval fire support missions.

The recent test showed the technological maturity of the missile including its software, Kongsberg underlines. “This is a major accomplishment for the JSM program, and in addition several critical capabilities beyond the scope of the test were verified. The test demonstrates that we are on track with the qualification of JSM, which brings critical capability to F-35 and the warfighter,” says Harald Ånnestad, the president of Kongsberg Defense Systems.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: Tinker, Tailor, Hacker, Spy - Why Is China Hacking Norway?

By Benjamin David Baker

Chinese cyber spies have taken an interest in Norway. What gives?

All states spy. Stealing corporate secrets and understanding what other governments are thinking and planning have often been important methods for states to get ahead of their competitors.

This May, the cyber-security company FireEye released a report [PDF] on cyber-espionage aimed at the Nordic states. Some of the report’s key findings were hardly surprising. Russia and China were the two states from which most cyber-attacks originated. Defense/aerospace, energy and high-tech communications are the industries which have been the most targeted by cyber intrusions from these two states. Considering the Nordic states’ advanced, often niche, research and development within these sectors, that’s not surprising.

However, there was also quite a lot of activity aimed at acquiring classified government and military memos and emails. While this is to be expected from Russia, considering its position vis-à-vis NATO (of which four out of the five Nordic states are members, Sweden being the exception), it’s interesting that Beijing is showing an interest in a region from which it is so far removed.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

News Story: Norway, Australia Team To Upgrade Missile for F-35

By Lara Seligman

FORT WORTH, Texas — Norway and Australia have minted a deal to develop a new seeker capability for the Joint Strike Missile, a core weapon planned for integration onto Norway's F-35.

Under the Sept. 15 agreement, Australia will finance the development of a new RF-seeking capability, which will enable the missile to locate targets based on electronic signature. BAE Australia will develop and integrate the capability, according to a Sept. 21 statement from Norway's Ministry of Defense.

If Australia later decides to procure the JSM, developed by Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence Systems, Norway and Australia will share the cost of integrating the JSM on the F-35.

The new seeker will provide JSM dual-seeker capability, which enables the missile to operate in all weather conditions, Executive Vice President of Kongsberg Group and President of KDS Harald Ånnestad told Defense News on Monday. Kongsberg expects the announcement to fuel increased interest in the JSM from other international partners, he said.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Editorial: Confirmed - US Navy Launches Underwater Drone From Sub

REMUS 600 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The US Navy is making slow but steady progress in expanding its undersea warfare capabilities.

The Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS North Dakota (SSN-784) has launched and recovered an underwater drone for the first time, according to AP.

This week, the USS North Dakota returned to the United States after a nearly two-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. The submarine was specifically tasked with testing the launch and recovery of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) while submerged.

“This was something they thought we could go do. We went out, and we proved that,” the sub’s commanding officer, Captain Douglas Gordon told AP.

Gordon declined to provide additional details on the mission except that the underwater drone was launched from a dry deck shelter – a removable module that can be attached to a submarine – which makes entering and exiting a sub easier when the boat is submerged.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: Who Will Supply the US Navy's Next Anti-Ship Missile?

By Franz-Stefan Gady

Boeing just announced a new upgrade to its Harpoon missile.

Last week, Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) announced that it will offer the United States Navy an updated version of the Harpoon RGM-84 Block II anti-ship missile (ASM), called Harpoon Next Generation, for the navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the modified LCS Frigate program, USNI News reports.

Boeing will offer both a new missile as well as a kit to upgrade the existing Harpoon inventories of the U.S. Navy and 27 international clients. The principal improvements of the next generation Harpoon ASM, in comparison to the current model in use, will be increased range, a more fuel-efficient engine, and a smaller 300-pound class warhead.

According to Jim Brooks, director of cruise missile systems weapons programs for Boeing Global Strike Weapons and Missile Systems, a division of BDS, the upgrade aims at “doubling the range of Harpoon from 67 nm [124km] to 134 nm [248km].” The next generation Harpoon and the kit are supposed to be ready by 2018.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: US Navy to Deploy Underwater Drones by the End of 2015

REMUS 600 - Autonomous underwater vehicle

By Franz-Stefan Gady

Will this be a game changer for undersea warfare?

The U.S. Navy will for the first time deploy Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) from Virginia-class attack submarines by the end of this year reports military.com.

According to the U.S. Navy’s director for undersea warfare, Rear Admiral Joseph Tofalo, the soon-to-be deployed underwater drones will be commercially available UUVs such as the REMUS 600 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle.

Designed through funding from the Office of Naval Research, the REMUS 600 is modeled after the REMUS 100 UUV, built by the Norwegian-based Kongsberg Maritime defense contractor, and can be deployed for a wide range of missions including mine counter measure, harbor security, and search and salvage operations.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

Editorial: Will the US Buy the Naval Strike Missile?

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The US Navy is still looking to buy an anti-ship missile to implement its new surface warfare strategy.

Norwegian and U.S. defense contractors will team up to pitch an anti-ship missile to the U.S. Navy, according to media reports. The Norway-based Kongsberg Gruppen arms supplier and the U.S. missile manufacturer Raytheon have joined forces to try to convince the navy to acquire the fifth-generation over-the-horizon Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) for its new Littoral Combats Ships (LCS).

The NSM is already in production in Norway and in use on Norwegian frigates and corvettes, according to Defense News. However, “the missile could be built and assembled in America if the U.S. buys the weapon for the LCS,” the article notes. Additionally, Defense News notes that the missile could be a cost-effective option for the U.S., as “the Norwegian government has already borne the costs for developing the NSM.”

Harald Ånnestad, the Executive Vice President of Kongsberg Gruppen told reporters last week, “Our missile is competing very well, compared to other missiles when it comes to price per missile. The price will vary a lot if you buy ten or if you buy 400 missiles.”

Read the full story at The Diplomat