Two major projects to replace ageing RAAF jet planes have come under fresh assault from the Pentagon's chief weapons tester

New reports from the United States military's top weapons testing expert have raised fresh doubts about two of Australia's key future air power projects.

According to leaked documents the head of the Pentagon's operational test and evaluation office, Michael Gilmore, has raised major concerns about software flaws in the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the sensors on board the Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

The eight Australian Poseidons to be based at Edinburgh near Adelaide are due in service by 2019 to replace the RAAF's P3C Orion maritime patrol planes.

Read more

Troubled P-8A Poseidon enters full production

The Navy's P-8A Poseidon has entered full-rate production, despite the Pentagon discovering major problems with the aircraft.

Naval Air Systems Command announced that the P-8A had received the go-ahead from the FRP Production Milestone Decision Authority on January 3. The Navy is scheduled to receive 117 Poseidons. This includes 37 low-rate initial production aircraft, of which 13 have already been delivered. The P-8A will replace the venerable P-3C.

The current Increment 1 of the P-8A is equipped with persistent anti-warfare capabilities, an integrated sensor suite and improved situational awareness. The next program milestone is Increment 2, slated for 2016, will include multi-static active coherent acoustics, automated identification system, and high-altitude anti-submarine weapons, according to a NAVAIR news release.

Read more

Sukhoi-30 is game changer in the Pacific

If Canada wants to be a world power and exercise some clout in the world community, it should have a strong modern military. Canada should be aware of what is happening in the world today and respond quickly to what developing countries are equipping their military with.

We cannot be a mute bystander anymore! This is an area where Canada lags behind.

Let’s look at another developed country very similar to Canada — Australia. Australia has always felt secure militarily.

Read more

Submarines, Sonar, and the Death of Whales: NRDC Goes Back to Court Against Dangerous Navy Sonar

There's an old adage that the environment is never saved -- just continually being saved. And the U.S. Navy's testing and training with high-intensity active sonar is a perfect example.

When it comes to the next five years of training and testing activities in Southern California and Hawaii, the Navy's not just up to its old tricks, it's moving forward with activities that, by its own estimate, will inflict an 11 fold increase over the harm the Navy estimated for its last five years of training.

The National Marine Fisheries Service -- the agency charged with protecting whales and dolphins -- has authorized nearly 9.6 million instances of temporary hearing loss and significant disruptions of vital behavior, thousands of permanent injuries, and more than a hundred deaths.

Read more

S. Korean Navy receives its 13th guided-missile destroyer

The South Korean Navy has taken delivery of its 13th domestically built guided-missile destroyer, which will join patrol missions to defend the nation's shoreline and harbor waters, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Monday.

Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction delivered the newest PKG-class (Patrol Killer, Guided Missile) patrol ship to the Navy command, located in Jinhae, some 410 kilometers south of Seoul.

The 450-ton high-speed ship can sail at a top speed of 40 knots and is equipped with anti-ship missiles that have a range of 140 kilometers.

Read more

Syrian opposition: Israeli jets bomb missile launchers in Latakia

Israeli fighter planes bombarded S-300 missile launchers in the Syrian port city of Latakia late Sunday, Syrian opposition groups were quoted as saying by Israel's Channel 2 television. Residents of the city reported hearing loud explosions just around midnight.

Opposition sources told Channel 2 that the explosion took place in the Sheikh Dahar neighborhood just near the local port. The claims by the opposition have not been confirmed by any official sources.

Israel has on numerous occasions been fingered as responsible for attacks on Syrian military targets during the two-year long uprising against the Assad regime.

Read more

Carrier cut could be back on table

The reality of finalizing the fiscal 2015 budget submission is driving top defense officials and the White House to quickly make major decisions, and indications are growing that the elimination of one carrier and one carrier air wing could be among the defense request’s key features.

Pentagon officials would not confirm or deny the matter, citing the fluid nature of budget discussions. But numerous sources — in the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill, in the defense industry — agreed that the prospect is picking up steam.

“It’s quietly being socialized,” one source said, and others agreed.

Read more

Congress Handcuffs Pentagon Cost-Cutters

While the budget battles in recent years have been difficult for many parts of the federal government, they have forced the Pentagon into a perpetual state of crisis management, limping from one budget showdown to the next. This fiscal chaos is not conducive to carrying out the nation's defense.

If military spending must decline as part of an overall reduction in federal spending, Congress should abide by three simple rules: (1) a gradual decline in military spending rather than a sharp drop; (2) a greater degree of budgetary certainty for the coming years; and (3) the flexibility necessary for the Pentagon to make smart, strategically informed reductions.

The Ryan-Murray budget agreement, passed by Congress late last year, conforms to two of these rules. It reduces the cuts required in 2014-15 so that spending reductions are phased in gradually.

Read more

Airborne early warning aircraft to serve over East China Sea

China deployed its Airborne Early Warning and Control or AEW&C aircraft to patrol the East China Sea in the past few days.

AEW&C aircraft are essentially airborne radar platforms which can survey a designated area and identify air, marine and land targets. The aircraft will help in monitoring China’s recently declared Air Defense Identification Zone or ADIZ. Presently, there will be at least one aircraft available to patrol the ADIZ in all weather.

The plan in the future is for the AEW&C aircraft to be able to directly command an air combat group comprised of fighter jets, bombers and supply tankers. Military experts hope the force will be able to help China manage its ADIZ over the East China Sea more efficiently.

Read more

Chinese Sends Destroyers to Shoal Contested By Malaysia

Three Chinese ships on Sunday patrolled the James Shoal, an area also claimed by Malaysia, and soldiers and officers on board swore to safeguard its sovereignty, in the latest sign of Beijing's territorial assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The group was made up of an amphibious landing craft, the Changbaishan, and two destroyers, state news agency Xinhua said.

"During the ceremony held in the Zengmu Reef area, soldiers and officers aboard swore an oath of determination to safeguard the country's sovereignty and maritime interests," Xinhua said. Zengmu Reef is the Chinese term for James Shoal.

Read more

100% price escalation on Rafale fighter aircraft to Rs 1.75 lakh crore likely to dent IAF's strike capability

India’s biggest deal of procuring 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) for $18 billion (Rs90,000 crore) has hit rough weather. Two years after French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation bagged the deal for its Rafale fighter jets on account of being the lowest bidder, its cost has now shot up by 100 per cent.

In January 2012, when Rafale was declared the winner, its price was quoted between $60-65 million (Rs373-Rs400 crore). A top defence ministry official said the price of a fighter jet made by Dassault could now cost $120 million (Rs746 crore). The second bidder, Eurofighter, had quoted $80-85 million (Rs497-Rs528 crore).

The price hike would mean that the deal would cost India nothing less than $28-30 billion (Rs1.75 lakh crore-Rs1.86 lakh crore),” said an Indian Air Force (IAF) official, who is privy to discussions of the cost negotiation committee.

Read more

India celebrates 65th Republic Day, showcases military prowess, cultural kaleidoscope

As India celebrates 65th Republic Day, the true essence of Indian pride came alive on the 8km stretch from Raisina Hills to Red Fort as the marching contingents presented a brilliant display of the country's military prowess and a kaleidoscope of cultural richness.

Braving the fog and winter chill, proud spectators cheered as the various contingents marched past.

The impressive highlight of this year's parade was DRDO's Tejas, the Indian 'Light Combat Aircraft' which is believed to be a game changer for India's air defence preparedness.

Read more

Scandal of our scrapyard Navy: We sold Ark Royal to the Turkish for scrap... now we have to buy back bits of her to repair UK's last carrier

The Ministry of Defence was forced to buy scrapyard parts to keep its only carrier in service.

Today The Mail on Sunday can reveal how, in a frantic effort to refit HMS Illustrious after a fire, MoD officials salvaged parts from her sister ship HMS Ark Royal – the aircraft carrier sold two years ago.

To public outcry, the historic vessel was sent to a Turkish scrapyard to be recycled into tin cans.

Read more

Navy begins course-correction, orders inquiry and acts against its senior officers

The Indian Navy has decided to act against its own in the cases of multiple mishaps which have occurred in the past one month. Towards the same, two senior officers have been relieved of the command of their ships - both frigates and thus frontline warships. Not just that, the navy has also decided to order a Board Of Inquiry (BoI) into the episode of the Kilo-class submarine, the INS Sindhughosh, which had temporarily hit the ground.

Last week, the Defence Minister AK Antony too had sought a report from the navy on these incidents.

"The Talwar had hit a fishing vessel off the coast of Maharashtra. He has thus, based on what was found was relieved of the command of his ship. However the case of INS Betwa, which reported a crack in its sonar dome, is different. He had completed his tenure and was due for a transfer anyway," said a source. It was added, "The Sindhughosh inquiry intends to find out just why a hazardous situation arose around the submarine."

Read more

Pentagon report: Indian Navy's new submarine hunter is ineffective

An unexpected and worrying question mark has been placed over the Indian Navy’s expensive new Boeing P-8I multi-mission maritime aircraft (MMA), which were bought to allow the navy to monitor the Indian Ocean and to destroy enemy submarines that it detected.

According to a Bloomberg news report, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) has found that the US Navy’s version of the aircraft, the P-8A, is ineffective at both surveillance, and in detecting and destroying submarines.

Michael Gilmore, the Pentagon’s chief weapons inspector, has reported that the P-8A “is not effective for the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission and is not effective for wide area anti-submarine search”, according to Bloomberg, which cites Gilmore’s annual report on major weapons.

Read more

United Arab Emirates - Equipment in Support of a Direct Commercial Sale of F-16 Block 61 Aircraft

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Jan 23 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for equipment in support of a Direct Commercial Sale of F-16 Block 61 Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $270 million.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible sale of equipment in support of its commercial purchase of 30 F-16 Block 61 aircraft and to support the upgrade of its existing F-16 Block 60 aircraft.

Major Defense Equipment includes: 40 20mm M61A Guns; and 40 Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation Systems. Also included: Identification Friend or Foe Equipment; Joint Mission Planning System; night vision devices; Cartridge Activated Device/Propellant Activated Devices; Weapons Integration; spare and repair parts; tools and test equipment; personnel training and training equipment; publications and technical documentation; International Engine Management Program-Component Improvement Program; repair and return; aerial refueling support; ferry maintenance and services; site surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

Read more

Raytheon secures first international customer for its F-16 RACR AESA radar

Raytheon Company has signed a contract with BAE Systems in support of upgrading the Republic of Korea's fleet of more than 130 KF-16C/D Block 52 aircraft.

As a key subcontractor to BAE Systems, the company will provide an integrated solution that includes the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR), ALR-69A all-digital radar warning receiver, advanced mission computing technology and weapon systems integration.

"South Korea's competitive selection of our RACR last year gave us an important foothold in the international F-16 upgrade market," said Jim Hvizd, vice president of International Strategy and Business Development for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems.

Read more

Hagel says 'something is wrong' inside Air Force nuke missile corps, but it will get fixed

Vowing to look hard at problems inside the U.S. Air Force's nuclear missile corps, Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday it's clear "something is wrong" and he is determined to restore public confidence in the nuclear force.

Hagel told reporters that he is sure the problems will get fixed and that the nation's arsenal of nuclear weapons will remain safe and secure. He said he will convene a high-level meeting soon to probe the problems.

At a Pentagon news conference, Hagel said the issues are complex and derive from a post-Cold War mindset that has reduced the focus on the nuclear weapons mission and led people to "just take for granted" that it will function correctly.

Read more

Boeing bullish on Brazil despite lost fighter jet deal

Boeing Co says its failure to win a $4 billion-plus fighter jet deal in Brazil was a lost opportunity that will lead it to scale back planned investments in the country, although it still sees excellent opportunities in cargo, defense and biofuels.

The Chicago-based aerospace company was until last June the clear front runner to win a deal to supply at least 36 jets to the Brazilian Air Force -- one of the world's significant defense contracts.

"It's a lost opportunity for the U.S.-Brazil relationship and for Boeing," lamented Donna Hrinak, Boeing's president in Brazil, in an interview with Reuters.

Read more

US to deploy Global Hawks to Misawa, Japan

Global Hawks, America’s largest unmanned surveillance aircraft, will fly out of Japan for the first time this summer, the Air Force says.

Interest in the drones — ranging from NASA to NATO and other U.S. allies — has been rising due to their versatility and endurance. Two of them, along with 40 personnel, will deploy to Misawa Air Base from May to October, according to 1st Lt. Caitlin Suttie, a public affairs officer with the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa.

“The plan to deploy more advanced capabilities in Japan, such as the Global Hawk, has strategic significance and further contributes to the security of Japan and the region,” she said in an email Friday.

Read more

Boeing Tests Mammoth Hydrogen-Powered Drone

A massive unmanned spy plane being developed by Boeing completed its sixth test flight in mid-December, setting a new prototype endurance record by flying for more than five hours, company officials said.

Boeing's colossal Phantom Eye is a liquid hydrogen-powered drone designed for long-lasting intelligence and reconnaissance missions at high altitudes.

While the December test flight, from Edwards Air Force Base in California, surpassed five hours, the Phantom Eye is designed to eventually be able to fly for up to four days at 65,000 feet (19,800 meters), according to Boeing officials.

Read more

PLA drill in Victoria Harbour seen as warning to Hong Kong protesters

The People's Liberation Army staged its first air-and-sea drill of the year across Victoria Harbour yesterday in a move seen as a warning to protesters such as those who broke into the garrison's headquarters in Admiralty last month and to the emerging Occupy Central movement.

Two frigates and three helicopters carried out a co-ordinated patrol across the harbour yesterday morning, Xinhua reported.

It said the drill had made the PLA "more familiar with the air-and-sea situation of Hong Kong and has improved its ability to handle emergency situations".

Read more

Royal Australian Navy takes delivery of new Seahawk 'Romeo' helicopters

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has taken delivery of its next generation of helicopters, two Seahawk "Romeos" designed for fighting submarines and other combat vessels.

The Navy has bought 24 of the new Seahawks, which are modelled on the Black Hawk helicopters used by the Army, at a cost of $3 billion.

The first two rolled off the production line of US manufacturer Lockheed Martin in December and the rest are expected by the end of next year.

Read more

Indonesian military to have Apache combat helicopters

The Indonesian army will be strengthened with 8 units of AH-64 Apache AH-64 combat helicopter, Army Chief of Staff General Budiman said.

The helicopters would be delivered by phases starting next year until 2017, Budiman said here on Thursday.

The Boeing-made helicopters will be piloted by army fliers, he said, adding the army will prepare a number of bases for the helicopters.

Read more

Russia Begins Nuclear-Powered Missile Cruiser Overhaul

The refit of one of Russia’s four heavy nuclear-powered missile cruisers has begun after years of delays, the country’s largest shipbuilder said Friday.

The work on the Admiral Nakhimov will revamp its firepower and set the stage for the revitalization of the Russian Navy’s capital ships, which have not been modernized in the post-Soviet era.

The vessel, formerly named the Kalinin, is one of four Kirov-class missile cruisers, the largest surface combat ships in operation with any navy. Only one of the ships, the Pyotr Veliky, is operational, but Russia plans to return the other three to service starting with the Admiral Nakhimov in 2018.

Read more