29-Jul-2010


Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has finalised the contract for the order of an additional 57 Adour-powered Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

The Rolls-Royce engine contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is worth up to £200 million and includes the first Adour engines for the Indian Navy, which will operate 17 of the aircraft.

The BAE Systems Hawk will be powered by the Mk871 variant of the Adour which will be assembled in Bangalore, India, in partnership with HAL.

HAL Chairman Ashok Nayak said: 'Rolls-Royce has been our trusted partner since 1956, when HAL started producing the Orpheus engine, under licence. Since then the partnership has flourished on programmes like the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer's Adour Mk871 engine, following on from the production of Adour Mk811 engines for the Jaguar.

'Once again, we are proud to partner with Rolls-Royce on a programme where India's next-generation pilots will train on Advanced Jet Trainers powered by Adour engines, which the two companies will co-produce.'

Chris Awde, Rolls-Royce Sales and Commercial Director - Defence, said: 'This follow-on order for the Adour engine is a huge vote of confidence, both for the capabilities of the engine and the partnership we have developed with HAL for over 50 years.

'This new fleet of Adour engines will bring many advantages to the Indian Air Force and Navy. Pilots will benefit as the engine's performance and handling make it ideally suited to training, while operating the Adour in the Hawk and the Jaguar will continue to bring commonality benefits and savings.

'India is strategically important to Rolls-Royce and we will continue to look at new programmes that expand our partnership in the future.'

The Adour Mk871 shares a high degree of commonality with the Adour Mk811 that powers the Indian Air Force Jaguar fleet.

The Adour engine has been developed by the joint venture company Rolls-Royce Turbomeca.

29-Jul-2010


Raytheon Company has received a contract from Boeing to develop an international version of the APY-10 surveillance radar.

The long-range, multimission, maritime and overland surveillance radars will be installed on the P-8I aircraft Boeing is building for the Indian Navy. This is the first international contract award for Raytheon's APY-10 program, extending the company's considerable presence in the international maritime surveillance market.

'Our APY-10 radar will provide the Indian navy with proven, low-risk technology built on generations of successful Raytheon radar systems,' said Tim Carey, vice president for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems. 'We're committed to providing reliable systems that keep our customers safe and help them achieve mission success.'

The APY-10 radar delivers accurate and actionable information in all weather, day and night, for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare and for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission support.

A member of the industry team that Boeing leads for the U.S. Navy's P-8A program, Raytheon is also under contract with Boeing to provide six APY-10 systems and spares for the P-8A, of which the P-8I is a variant. Four of the six have been delivered, and Raytheon remains on or ahead of the production schedule.

29-Jul-2010


The Republic of Korea ship Sejong the Great, supported by the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin, successfully completed a three-week series of trials for the ship's combat system.

The Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) were conducted at sea and took place at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

During the CSSQT, the ship's Aegis Combat System was evaluated for combat-readiness through comprehensive surface, subsurface and anti-air warfare exercises, as well as thorough testing of the system's tactical data link capabilities. The anti-air warfare exercises included manned aircraft raids, electronic attack scenarios and live Standard Missile-2 and Rolling Airframe Missile air defense engagements, the Aegis Weapon System performed flawlessly throughout the exercises

'These trials prove that Sejong the Great's Aegis Combat System, ship and crew are fully ready for operational deployment," said Jeff Bantle, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors in Moorestown, N.J. "This first-of-class ship brings unprecedented air defense, anti-submarine, anti-surface and self-defense capabilities to the Republic of Korea Navy. We take great pride in contributing to the continuing partnership between the U.S. and Republic of Korea navies through our role on the KDX-III Aegis Destroyer program.'

ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) was launched on May 25, 2007 and commissioned on January 2, 2009. It is the first of three KDX-III destroyers being built by the Republic of Korea. At 8,500 tons standard displacement and 10,000 tons fully loaded, the KDX-III destroyers are the largest surface warships carrying the Aegis Combat System.

The Aegis Weapon System includes Lockheed Martin's SPY-1 radar, the Navy's most advanced radar system. When paired with the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, it is capable of delivering missiles for every mission and threat environment in naval warfare.

The Aegis Weapon System is deployed on 93 ships around the globe with at least 13 more ships planned. In addition to the U.S. and the Republic of Korea, Aegis is the weapon system of choice for Australia, Japan, Norway and Spain. Aegis-equipped ships have more than 1,200 years of at-sea operational experience and have launched more than 3,800 missiles in tests and real-world operations.

28-Jul-2010


In a move underlining the importance of BAE Systems' presence in India, the company has secured a new order, worth over £500 million, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), to supply products and services to enable a further 57 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft to be built under licence in India for the Indian Air Force (40 aircraft) and Indian Navy (17 aircraft).

The final terms and conditions for the contract were signed by Guy Griffiths Group Managing Director International, BAE Systems, in the presence of British Prime Minister, David Cameron on his historic visit to India and BAE Systems' Chairman Dick Olver.

The aircraft will be manufactured under licence at HAL's facilities in Bangalore and BAE Systems will provide specialist engineering services, the raw materials and equipment necessary for airframe production and the support package for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy end users.

Commenting on the news BAE Systems India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Gallagher said:

'HAL is the premier aerospace company in India and BAE Systems is proud to be able to build on its long-standing relationship with HAL to deliver a further batch of this excellent aircraft to increase the Indian Air Force's fast jet training capacity and establish a similar fast jet training solution for the Indian Navy. The Hawk AJT fast jet training solution enables an Air Force or Navy to provide front line pilots for even the most modern fighter aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon or Sukhoi SU-30.'Guy Griffiths, added:

'This new order continues and strengthens the long standing relationship between BAE Systems and HAL. It highlights the importance of BAE Systems' strategic development of India as a home market, and the benefit of solid Government support.'

This year BAE Systems and Mahindra & Mahindra launched Defence Land Systems India a joint venture whose first product is a mine protected vehicle designed and developed specifically for India. BAE Systems is committed to developing a domestic business in India and will continue working with industry in India to develop further capabilities in the defence and security sectors.'

With 18 customers, the Hawk aircraft has been widely exported around the world. Customers include Australia, Canada, South Africa, Bahrain, India and the UK Royal Air Force.

Prior to today's announcement BAE Systems was already working with HAL and Rolls-Royce to supply 66 Hawk aircraft to the Indian Air Force and this additional order will extend the current partnership for a further six years.

BAE Systems is committed to the development of a long term sustainable domestic business in India, not just in manufacturing, but in design, development, systems integration, testing and support. The company firmly supports the Government of India's objective of procuring 70 percent of defence equipment domestically. The further development of its long standing relationship with HAL, and the establishment of Defence Land Systems India are real examples of the company's determination to take active steps to demonstrate its support for the Government of India and India's defence services.

27-Jul-2010


Boeing on July 20 delivered to the U.S. Navy the first F/A-18 Super Hornet featuring a gun bay door manufactured by India-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

HAL manufactures the doors at its facility in Bangalore, India.

The gun bay door contract is the first military contract between Boeing and HAL. It is a direct result of Boeing's industrial participation commitment to India, which includes creating jobs with indigenous companies. The two companies also work together on projects for the P-8I multi-mission maritime aircraft and for the commercial Boeing 777 airplane.

The Boeing F/A-18IN Super Hornet is a competitor in India's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft Competition.

26-Jul-2010


The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is participating in Exercise Pitch Black 2010, a multilateral air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), from 16 Jul to 6 Aug 2010 in Darwin, Australia. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) are also taking part in this year's exercise, which comprises day and night air combat operations and air-to-air refuelling missions.

About 180 personnel, eight F-16C/D fighter jets, an E-2C Airborne Early Warning aircraft and a KC-135R tanker aircraft from the RSAF are participating in the exercise, together with the RAAF's F/A-18s, F-111s and Hawk 127 fighter jets, PC-9/A advanced trainer aircraft, and King Air B350 transport aircraft. The RNZAF is participating with a C-130 transport aircraft and the RTAF, with F-16 fighter jets.

This is the 20th year of Exercise Pitch Black which started as an exercise between the RSAF and RAAF, and later included other air forces in the region. To mark the occasion, Chief of Air Force Major-General Ng Chee Meng is co-hosting a commemorative dinner with his Australian counterpart, Air Marshal Mark Binskin, in Darwin this evening. Since 1990, Exercise Pitch Black has given the RSAF an invaluable opportunity to conduct air operations under realistic training conditions and enhance interoperability with the other participating air forces. The exercise also underscores the good working relationship and professional cooperation between the RSAF and the other exercise participants.

26-Jul-2010


Boeing has successfully completed the final design review (FDR) for P-8I, India's long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The P-8I, based on the Boeing 737 commercial airplane, is a variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing is developing for the U.S. Navy.

Completion of the FDR locks in the design for the aircraft, radar, communications, navigation, mission computing, acoustics and sensors, as well as the ground and test support equipment. It also paves the way for the program to begin assembling the first P-8I aircraft.

"For P-8I, we are incorporating not only India-unique design features, but also India-built subsystems, so this agreement that the design addresses all customer requirements is a huge milestone," said Leland Wight, P-8I program manager for Boeing. "It also leads us to the program's next stage: We are on track to start fabricating the P-8I's empennage section before the end of this year."

During the five-day FDR held in Renton, Wash., Indian Navy officers met with Boeing representatives from Defense, Space & Security and Commercial Airplanes to review relevant design information and performance against specifications.

"The P-8I's unique capabilities are tailored to India's maritime-patrol requirements. It has the reach and capability to defend India's vast coastline and maritime waters," said Vivek Lall, vice president and India country lead, Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

Boeing will deliver the first P-8I to India within 48 months of the original contract signing, which took place in January 2009. India is the first customer for the P-8 outside the United States.

26-Jul-2010


Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, has finalised with the United Arab Emirates two important contracts to provide the UAE Air Force with ten MB-339A aircraft in aerobatic configuration.

The two contracts cover the upgrading and supply of MB-339A to the National Aerobatic Team (NAT) configuration.

The agreement covered initially the conversion of six aircraft, already in the UAE inventory, followed by the acquisition of four additional MB-339.

The update consists mainly of removing the tip tanks, modifying the fuel system and installing smoke generators capable of releasing smoke trails in the white, red, green and black colours of the UAE flag.

Alenia Aermacchi is presently completing, in its Venegono factory, the work on the final four aircraft. This includes the application of an elegant and exclusive black and gold livery, specifically designed for the United Arab Emirates Display Team.

The UAE decision to equip its NAT with the Aermacchi MB-339 is an important indication of the excellent relationship between its Air Force and the Finmeccanica's company.

Alenia Aermacchi is very honoured by the UAE appreciation of its aircraft, which are serving many valuable Air Forces worldwide. These include the Italian Air Force, that also uses the MB-339 to train its jet pilots and to equip its famous Frecce Tricolori team celebrating, this year, its 50th anniversary.

26-Jul-2010


Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), today successfully conducted fourth consecutive Interceptor Missile test in Endo atmospheric regime at 15 Km altitude off ITR, Chandipur, Orissa. The single stage Interceptor Missile fitted with Directional Warhead and other advanced systems neutralized the target.

The target ballistic 'enemy' missile was launched from Launch Complex - III, ITR Chandipur. The Interceptor Missile fitted with directional warhead was launched from Wheeler Island and destroyed the Target Missile breaking it into fragments. This was tracked by various Radars and sensors. All weapon system elements including Command and Control, Communication and Radar performed satisfactorily.

The Interceptor Flight Test was witnessed by Dr. VK Saraswat, Secretary (Defence, R&D), Avinash Chandar, Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL), Hyderabad, Dr. K. Shekhar, Chief Controller, DRDO, VLN Rao, Programme Director, SK Ray, Director, Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, P Venugopalan, Director, Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, SP Dash, Director ITR and Users representatives' Air Marshal PK Barbora, Vice Chief of Air Staff and Maj Gen VK Saxena, ADG, Army Air Defence, Indian Army.

The Defence Minister AK Antony spoke to DRDO Chief Dr VK Sarswat over phone and congratulated the scientists for today's successful test.

26-Jul-2010


Indian Defence Minister AK Antony led the nation in paying tributes to Kargil martyrs, on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, at Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi, today.

The Minister was accompanied by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal PV Naik and Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt General PC Bhardwaj.