Saudi Arabia earmarked $2.51 billion in May for 22 BAE Hawk advanced trainers and 55 Pilatus PC-21 basic trainers, while India approved a $700 million contract for 75 Pilatus PC-7 basic trainers to bridge the gap until its own HAL Sitara trainer reaches operating capability. Alenia’s M-346 clinched a 30-unit, $1 billion buy from Israel in July. Singapore is buying the M-346 as well, with first delivery by the end of 2012. The M-346 beat out Korean Aerospace’s T-50 for both deals and is well positioned to compete for the USAF’s 350-unit T-X T-38 replacement program.
The Long Endurance Multi-Intelligence Vehicle (LEMV) approaches the landing area above Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., during its first flight on Aug. 7, 2012. The LEMV is intended to provide multi-intelligence sensors capable of persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in a forward combat environment. U.S. Army photo
The Air Force terminated its C-27J buy, which received no funding in the administration’s 2013 budget, but Congress once again stepped in, mandating that the Air Force retain 32 “medium-lift aircraft.” However, the medium-lift aircraft could also be C-130s. As of early 2012, 13 of the contracted 38 aircraft had been delivered. Boeing C-17 production will end in 2014 unless further export sales are made, ending strategic airlifter production in the United States, though medium airlift C-130 production will continue. In February, Lockheed unveiled its C-130XJ concept for international customers requiring less expensive small fleet/special mission airlifters with less content (deleted advanced communications/defensive systems). A C-130NG (Next Generation) could be a reality by decade’s end. Saudi Arabia was close to signing a $6.5 billion deal with Lockheed for 20 C-130J-30s and five KC-130J tankers as the year closed.
In May, the Airbus A400M was still experiencing minor TP400D engine problems, though Airbus maintained it would deliver the first-production aircraft to the French air force in 2012. By year’s end, delivery had shifted to the second quarter of 2013. A400M orders stood at 174 by the end of 2012, and it is to be operational in 2014.
The USN stood up its carrier onboard delivery aircraft replacement program in October. Northrop Grumman is pitting remanufactured C-2A Greyhounds against Bell Boeing’s V-22. The C-2 could offer fleet efficiencies with the E-2D while the V-22 can leverage a similar advantage plus operate from smaller ships. Boeing also announced a teaming arrangement with Embraer to market the Brazilian maker’s KC-390 lifter in June.
Boeing commenced building its first batch of AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopters in January, integrating more powerful engines and new rotors. The Block III Apache – officially designated the AH-64E in October, and named “Guardian” in January – is the only aircraft that facilitates pilot interoperability/control of unmanned air systems.
Soldiers from the 1-229th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., became the first in the Army to field the latest version of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Feb. 21, 2013. An AH-64 Apache rises from behind a hill during a training exercise at Yakima Training Center, Wash. The AH-64E “Guardian” replaces the AH-64D “Longbow,” and integrates more powerful engines, improved rotor blade technology and advanced electronics. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jesse Paulsboe
Lean times are forecast for the U.S. and other tactical helicopter markets, exemplified by doubts the U.S. Army can afford to fund a new armed scout/reconnaissance helicopter and will soldier on with the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. Armed scout competitors range from the EADS UH-72 and AgustaWestland AW119/AB109 to the Boeing AH-6 and Bell’s own Kiowa Block II.
The AH-1Z/UH-1Y, CH-47F, UH-60M, and MH-60R/S programs continue in full-rate production, with Sikorsky having inked an $8.5 billion, five-year deal to build 653 Black Hawk/Seahawk helos for the Army and Navy by 2017. An additional 263 aircraft may be optioned. Northrop Grumman and AgustaWestland will team to respond to anticipated requests for the USAF combat rescue helicopter replacement and new presidential “Marine One” with U.S.-built versions of the AW101.
Like many manufacturers, Bell is looking to the export market to keep its lines open. It showed the V-22 at the Dubai Air Show in November to several prospects including the UAE. China Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) used the Zhuhai Air Show to show off its WZ-10 “Thunder Fire” attack helicopter and WZ-19 “Black Tornado” armed reconnaissance helo to potential customers.
After spending more than $5 billion in 16 years of development, the Pentagon ditched the Airborne Laser (ABL) ballistic missile killer (747-400F) in December 2011 in favor of pursuing smaller directed-energy payloads fielded on high-flying unmanned aircraft. ABL program cancellation is a loss to Boeing, though the company retains its role as manager of the massive Ground-based Midcourse Defense system for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.
The shift in emphasis in missile defense did not detract from Lockheed Martin’s successful October test of its Command, Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) system. C2BMC performed the first-ever coordinated ballistic missile defense against three targets, simultaneously engaging Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Patriot Advanced Capability-3, and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems. The coordinated defense negated two ballistic missile targets and one cruise missile target.
As with other platforms, the USAF is hoping that a larger number of smaller, simpler satellites can take over mainstream Air Force missions by the middle of the next decade, possibly with the next-generation space situational awareness and weather satellites. Multiple satellite platforms separate capabilities, drive down cost per satellite, and present adversaries with more complex targeting problems.
Finally, a proposed merger of EADS and BAE failed due to Germany, France, and Britain’s failure to come to terms on the level of state involvement in the post-merger company. The rejection was seen as a missed opportunity for Europe’s shrinking aerospace sector.
This story was first published in Defense: Winter 2013 Edition.