USA: Possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for Gulfstream G550 Aircraft with Airborne ISR and EW (AISREW) mission systems

A G550 with an AISREW system installed under the fuselage

WASHINGTON, Jun. 26, 2017 - The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for Gulfstream G550 Aircraft with Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (AISREW) mission systems. The estimated cost is $1.3 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on June 23, 2017.

The Government of Australia requested the possible sale of up to five (5) Gulfstream G-550 aircraft modified to integrate Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (AISREW) mission systems, Global Positioning System (GPS) capability, secure communications, aircraft defensive systems; spares, including whole life costs of airborne and ground segments; aircraft modification and integration; ground systems for data processing and crew training; ground support equipment; publications and technical data; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; flight test and certification; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $1.3 billion.

Industry: L-3 to Deliver Soldier Modernization Technology to the Australian Army

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2016-- L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) announced today that it has been awarded a contract totaling $208 million by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), under the LAND 53 Phase 1BR program, to deliver soldier modernization technology, including specialized night vision equipment, to the Australian Army. The five-year contract was awarded through a competitive bid process that included extensive ADF field testing. Deliveries are expected to occur between May 2017 and May 2021.

“This new business award demonstrates the growing demand for our highly advanced, capable products and solutions in a key international market,” said Michael T. Strianese, L-3’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “L-3’s ability to deliver a collaborative, one-company solution to meet a wide range of requirements is increasingly important to our customers, both in Australia and across the globe.”

Work will be performed by L-3 Warrior Systems in collaboration with Australia-based L-3 Oceania, both in L-3’s Electronic Systems business segment. Under this contract, L-3 will provide the Australian Army with innovative targeting and detection capabilities that are designed to perform at night and under all weather conditions. These include binocular night vision goggles, which incorporate white phosphor image intensification technology, a compact multifunction aiming laser with integrated white light capability, and the next generation of lightweight, miniature laser rangefinders. L-3 Warrior Systems is also scheduled to open a new sustainment center in Australia to provide in-country logistics support, as well as regional customer support, for this project.

L-3 Warrior Systems develops and manufactures fully qualified, advanced night vision and electro-optical systems and components for the United States military, law enforcement, first responder agencies and allied nations across the globe. An original and qualified manufacturer of night vision imaging technology, L-3 Warrior Systems uses the latest in thermal, image intensifier and fusion technologies to provide an extensive portfolio of products that enables optimal performance during the day, at night and in adverse weather. L-3 Warrior Systems is committed to the quality, reliability and supportability of all its fielded systems. To learn more, please visit www.L-3com.com/warriorsystems.

L-3 Communications

News Story: BAE Systems targets Australian companies for possible Type 26 supply chain roles

Type 26 Global Combat Ship for Australia's SEA 5000

BAE Systems has declared that it intends to open up the supply chain for the UK’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship program, with 150 Australian companies set to pitch their products and services.

BAE Systems together with 20 of its major suppliers, including Rohde & Schwarz, Rolls-Royce, David Brown Santasalo, L-3 and Babcock, will be in Canberra to meet Australian SMEs over the next two days.

As well as having an opportunity to meet with BAE Systems and its suppliers, SMEs will hear from companies that have been successful in securing global defence contracts and learn more about what it takes to be part of a global supply chain, BAE Systems Australia stated.

Read the full story at Australian Defence Business Review << UK Type 26 Variant Pictured

Think Tank: The Gulfstream G550 and the ADF—plugging the ISR gap

Malcolm Davis

The Australian Defence Force will soon acquire an important new platform that will enhance its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, focusing on electronic intelligence (ELINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) gathering.

The US Defense Department recently revealed that several Gulfstream G550 executive jets will be modified by L-3 Communications Mission Integration in Texas under a under a US$93.6 million USAF foreign military sales (FMS) contract, with the capability being introduced into operational service by the end of next year.

The G550 performance envelope boasts a long range of 6,750nm (12,501km), a high subsonic cruise of Mach 0.885, and a short take-off and landing distance. That makes it a truly strategic platform, able to range far and wide across the Indo-Pacific region to perform vital intelligence gathering and other specialised tasks. It is by definition a high value asset for the ADF.

Although the Australian government is yet to officially comment on the acquisition, it seems highly likely that Australia will follow the lead set by other countries which operate the platform and emphasise the ISR role for the aircraft. A total of 37 states operate nearly 200 aircraft in support of a variety of government and military service special missions ranging from the more mundane executive transport through to more esoteric roles such as strategic reconnaissance, SIGINT and ELINT, and to assist with the development of radar and electronic systems.

News Story: (Australian) Defence confirms $133m project to convert luxury corporate jets into military spy planes

By defence reporter Andrew Greene

Defence has confirmed a $133 million project to convert two luxury corporate jets into state-of-the-art spy planes for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Shortly after Christmas, the United States entered into a "Foreign Military Sales arrangement" with Australia to modify two Gulfstream G550 business jets, into high-tech surveillance aircraft.

In a statement to the ABC, Defence said: "The aircraft will be modified to provide an airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare capability to support ADF operations.

"Further details on the capability will be provided in the Integrated Investment Program due for release this year with the Defence White Paper."

The ABC has learnt the modified aircraft are due to come into service at the end of next year.

Read the full story at ABC

News Story: L-3 G550 contract suggests new Australian surveillance deal

BY: GREG WALDRON

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) could be due to receive a new electronic intelligence (ELINT) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft, following a recent US Air Force contract award to L-3 Communications.

In a deal announced on 28 December 2015, the USAF granted a $92.6 contract for an “undefinitized contract action task order for Australia government G550 aircraft procurement and maintenance”.

The work – which is understood to involve two aircraft – will be performed at L-3's Greenville site in Texas, and should be completed by 30 November 2017.

Read the full story at Flight Global

Industry: Lockheed Martin Continues to Bring World-Class Innovation to South Australia

$3 million investment confirms South Australia as a submarine combat systems integration global centre of excellence

Adelaide, Australia, Nov. 27, 2015: Lockheed Martin today opened a new high-tech laboratory to support the design, delivery and sustainment of Australia’s future Submarine Force, bringing world-class defence innovation to South Australia.

Leveraging significant international expertise, the submarine combat system laboratory will create a collaborative environment where the best minds from industry, academia and government come together openly to create a world-best design that meets Australia’s unique national security and defence challenges.

In recognition of the laboratory’s contribution to future defence projects and the local South Australian economy, today’s opening was attended by the Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science the Hon Christopher Pyne MP and the South Australian Defence Industries Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith MP.

Industry: Nuship Adelaide commences sea trials

Williamstown, Victoria: NUSHIP Adelaide, one of two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships being built for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), left BAE Systems Williamstown (17 June) to begin sea trials.

After some initial trials in Port Phillip Bay, NUSHIP Adelaide will spend ten days on the water travelling to Sydney.

The current testing precedes a second period of sea trials in August, ahead of delivery to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) later this year. The sea trials are conducted under a number of scenarios; some require the ship in certain conditions and/or water depths while others require the ship’s systems in specific configurations.

News Story: Asia's Biggest Maritime Expo To Kick Off

By Wendell Minnick

TAIPEI — Singapore's quest for a new maritime patrol aircraft, a mid-life upgrade for F-16s and possible purchase of the F-35 are among the expected areas of interest at this year's Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX), experts say.

The 10th biennial IMDEX will be held at Singapore's Changi Exhibition Centre from May 19-20.

Show officials have said this year will have many new attractions, including the first India pavilion. The India pavilion will join seven other country pavilions: France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Singapore, United Kingdom and the United States.

The US presence will include three naval vessels: the littoral combat ship Fort Worth, the destroyer Mustin and an unidentified fast-attack submarine.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: L-3 Awarded $81.8 Million Contract to Supply SATCOM Terminals to the Australian Defence Force

Hawkeye III (Image: L-3)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 12, 2015-- L-3 Communications (NYSE:LLL) announced today that it has been awarded an $81.8 million contract from Raytheon Australia to supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with 236 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), additional support equipment, and training as part of Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B1. This program will further enable the ADF to utilize the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system, significantly increasing their satellite communications capabilities. Two L-3 business units, Global Communications Solutions (GCS) and Linkabit, will perform on this contract, with hardware deliveries expected to be completed this year.

The contract will deliver L-3 GCS's Hawkeye™ and Panther™ family of VSAT terminals, integrated with L-3 Linkabit’s MPM family of modems, and includes the option to purchase additional terminals and equipment. These terminals will enable ADF troops on the ground to benefit from increased data rates and a higher level of network performance. This award comes as a follow-on to the $35 million Joint Project 2008 Phase 3H contract awarded to L-3 in 2013 for 54 Hawkeye III Lite VSATs and support equipment.

AUS: Defence upgrades to satellite terminals

The Australian Government has given second pass approval for the acquisition of satellite terminals for deployed land forces, upgrades to existing satellite terminals and terminal monitoring and control systems, as part of Joint Project 2008 Phase 5B1. Approximately $180 million has been approved for the acquisition.

Satellite communications are a critical enabler of Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations, connecting our troops on the ground with command and control, intelligence, geospatial and logistics information.

The project will provide a significant increase in Defence’s satellite communications capabilities, including the first large terminals capable of adequately supporting deployed headquarters. It will also upgrade existing terminals and establish networked terminal monitoring and control systems.

Industry: NUSHIP CANBERRA DEPARTS MELBOURNE

CANBERRA departs Sydney during sea trials (File Photo)

Williamstown, Australia: BAE Systems Williamstown shipyard has farewelled the first Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) NUSHIP CANBERRA as she departed today bound for Sydney.

The shipyard has been home for NUSHIP CANBERRA since late 2012 when the hull arrived from Spain.

Since its arrival, the BAE Systems Williamstown team (along with key subcontractors) has consolidated the Australian-built superstructure and masts, installed and integrated a variety of platform, combat and communication systems, and conducted a comprehensive series of harbour and sea trials.

The Defence Materiel Organisation accepted the warship  from BAE Systems on 7 October. The Royal Australian Navy will commission NUSHIP CANBERRA at the end of November.

Industry: COMMONWEALTH ACCEPTS FIRST LHD FROM BAE SYSTEMS

Melbourne Australia: The Commonwealth of Australia has accepted the first of two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships, NUSHIP CANBERRA, from prime contractor BAE Systems.

The 27,000 tonne warships are the largest vessels ever constructed for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and will provide the Australian Defence Force with one of the most capable and sophisticated air–land–sea amphibious deployment systems in the world. 

At a ceremony to mark the signing of the acceptance certificate, Chief Executive of BAE Systems Australia, David Allott, said: “The delivery of the first LHD was a significant milestone for BAE Systems, Australian shipbuilding and international co-operation. Shipbuilding projects are long-term and it’s a credit to the organisations we worked with including the Commonwealth, Navantia, L3 and Saab and the individual project team members for their perseverance, dedication and commitment to delivering this complex and highly capable ship.”

News Story: Future Royal Australian Navy LHD HMAS Canberra Started Her Final Sea Trials

NUSHIP Canberra arriving in Sydney (File Photo)

NUSHIP Canberra, the first of two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships being built for the Australian Defence Force, has sailed on her final contractor sea trials before delivery to the Australian Government. The ship departed Williamstown shipyard on 12 August as planned with the trials taking place in both Port Phillip Bay and off the southern coast of New South Wales before returning to Williamstown around the end of August.

Final contractor trials involve testing of the combat and communication systems along with some platform systems trials.

Director of BAE Systems Maritime, Bill Saltzer, said: “This is the last major element of a very complex and comprehensive test program to prove the capabilities of the ship and its systems prior to delivery to our customer.

Read the full story at Navy Recognition

News Story: (Philippines) P5.9-B long-range patrol aircraft fails

Carmela Fonbuena

Seven companies can file motions for reconsideration to supply the Philippine Air Force with 2 aircraft units that will help boost maritime surveillance

MANILA, Philippines – The first stage of bidding for a P5.9-billion ($133.6 million)* contract for 2 long-range patrol aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) failed on Monday, August 11.

Seven of the 10 companies that bought bid documents joined the bidding Monday, but – after 12 hours of the bidding session and a series of executive meetings – they were declared "ineligible." They were, however, given 3 days to file motions for reconsideration, according to defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong.

Long-range patrol aircraft were no longer in the inventory of the air force, but the acquisition project was conceived to boost the country's maritime domain awareness as tensions grow in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) among claimant countries.

Read the full story at Rappler

News Story: Australia waits on C-27J transfer approval

By: ANDREW MCLAUGHLIN

Australia's programme to introduce the Alenia Aermacchi C-27J medium transport remains on track, despite a two month delay in its lead aircraft leaving Italy to undergo modifications in the USA.

First flown in December 2013, "green" aircraft A34-001 had been scheduled to arrive at L-3 Communications' Waco, Texas facility on 11 February, ahead of work to bring it to the Joint Cargo Aircraft configuration. Scheduled to take three months to complete, the work involves the fitting of an electronic warfare and infrared countermeasures suite, US-standard communications equipment and ballistic matting around the cockpit and loadmaster’s station.

Read the full story at FlightGlobal

Industry: Nuship Canberra Sea Trials

Nuship Canberra Under-Construction (File Photo)

Williamstown, Australia: NUSHIP CANBERRA, one of two Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships being built for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), left BAE Systems Williamstown this morning bound for Sydney on the first period of sea trials.

Director of BAE Systems Maritime, Bill Saltzer said sea trials were the final stage of the project for BAE Systems before acceptance by the ADF later this year. He said the journey to Sydney would take approximately 12 days.

“The ship will undergo a series of tests before we hand it over to the ADF which includes both platform tests as well as testing the ship’s combat and communication systems,” he said.

“We will undertake approximately 240 hours over 16 days of testing on the ship and to ensure all systems perform to their capability.

Industry: BAE Systems completes classic Hornet deeper maintenance contract

Williamtown, Australia: BAE Systems has concluded its decade-long maintenance and modification support of Australia’s F/A-18 Classic Hornet fleet ahead of plan.

Together with its engineering partner L-3 MAS Canada, the company has completed the Hornet Maintenance and Modifications Support Contract.

The contract delivered deeper maintenance and significant structural refurbishments, ensuring the Classic Hornets remain an important element of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) air combat capability until the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) comes into service.     

BAE Systems Australia Director Aerospace Steve Drury said the company was proud of the enhanced capability it had produced while delivering the Commonwealth real savings.