An airborne electro-optical laser sensor designed to detect minefields has demonstrated the ability to detect simulated improvised explosive devices. The Airborne Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Minefield Detection System (ASTAMIDS) developed by Northrop Grumman, demonstrated this capability during an Army evaluation of the new system. The system was flown on the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial system.

ASTAMIDS combines multi-spectral electro-optical sensors employing different sensing methods, including texture analysis and change detection, to spot recently buried objects suspected as mines or IEDs. In addition to its primary counter-mine and counter-IED mission ASTAMIDS also provides reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capability. The system’s laser can also designate targets for laser guided munitions. Under the Army evaluation the system successfully designated targets for three Hellfire missiles.

Through a recent test series conducted in September 2010, ASTAMIDS flew 12 missions on an Army UH-1 and the Northrop Grumman owned MQ-8B unmanned vehicle. These flight tests evaluated the system’s C-IED nadir step stare, off-nadir road following and large area precision mapping capabilities.

These capabilities were supported by the new ‘ASTAMIDS Ground Exploitation Station’ (AGES), integrated with the systems’ ground control segment for the test. AGES processed streaming telemetry data obtained from the airborne sensor, enabling operators to identify target locations in near real-time.

The core of the system is the gimbaled, lightweight, multi-spectral, electro-optical and infrared imaging sensor designed to be flown on both manned and unmanned aircraft. The airborne payload weighs about 36 kg (80 pounds). Integrated with AGES processors and software, the system detects, locates and identifies ground targets, minefields, obstacles and IEDs, determines ranges to ground targets, and, as proven in the tests, designates targets for attack by laser-guided munitions.

According to the U.S. Army PM Close Combat Systems, “ASTAMIDS will give Army Brigade Combat Teams unprecedented situational awareness and target designation capabilities.” The near-real time response of the system is critical for counter-IED missions, as it provides warfighters with actionable intelligence minutes after a specific area is analyzed.

“These tests proved we’ve achieved our goal with ASTAMIDS – we can identify ground threats and deliver targeting-quality data to adjacent warfighters to destroy the threats and do that in near real time” said Dan Chang, Northrop Grumman vice president of Maritime and Tactical Systems.

Please visit our latest report from ISDEF 2010 at:

http://defense-update.com/wp/20101018_isdef-2010-first-day.html

May 2008

• Elbit Systems to Supply Mortar Fire Control Solution to the U.S. Army

December 2008

• Palestinians Deploy Chinese Extended Range 122mm Rockets

September 2008

• Future Combat Systems’ NLOS-Cannon Tested at Yuma

June 2008

• Rafael Expands Air and Missile Defense Family of Weapons
• First FCS’s All-Automatic, Ultra-lightweight 155mm Howitzer unveiled
• KMW, GD Introduce an Autonomous, Air-deployable Self Propelled Artillery

May 2008

• SAMP/T Air defense Missile Tested During Operational Capability Evaluation
• First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss
• Army C-RAM Intercepts 100th Mortar Bomb in Iraq

March 2008

• Excalibur GPS Artillery Projectile Debuts in Afghanistan

February 2008

• U.S., Israel Pursue Counter Rocket, Artillery & Mortar (CRAM) Weapons

January 2008

• ATK, ADG (Mecar) team to Modernize Stocks of Aging Tank Ammo
• US Sells TOW Missiles, Guided Weapons for Persian Gulf States
• Israeli Infantry Battalions to Improve Fire Support

December 2007

• Saab Scores Two Export Contracts, for Arthur & BILL-2

November 2007

• Modernizing Fire Support
• Air Defense Modernization
• British MoD Orders German Smart Munitions for 155mm AS-90 Guns
• KVH Develops Compact, Low-Cost Northfinding Module for Portable Applications

October 2007

• Artillery & Missile Systems at DSEi 2007

July 2007

• US Army Launches a Solid-State, Mobile, High Energy Laser Weapon Technology Demonstrator
• FCS Team Gets Green Light for NLOS-Cannon Production

June 2007

• Russian Iskander M Hits “within a meter” from its target

May 2007

• Excalibur Retains High Precision at Maximum Range

April 2007

• Army Orders Excalibur Guided Artillery Projectiles
• British Royal Artillery to Deploy GMLRS to Afghanistan
• Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) Improves Artillery Fire Accuracy
• US Marines’s Forward Observers Gear up For Excalibur
• India Floats Self Propelled Artillery Tenders
• Russia’s Almaz Antei Expands, Pursuing New Air Defense System
• THAAD Scores 2nd Kill In An Endo-Atmospheric Intercept
• 18 Additional Longbow Apaches For the US Army
• New Gunships for Russian Special Forces
• BAE Systems To Build 57mm Turrets for the Fourth LCS

March 2007

• US Army Enhances, Standardize Patriot Units
• US Army to Evaluate C-RAM Gun System
• Army, BAE Systems Unveil the Future Mortar Firing Platform

January 2007

• 60 Additional HIMARS Ordered for U.S. Army, Marines
• Archer Program Receives Funding for Continued Development
• Lockheed Martin Gets 240 Million for HIMARS, GMLRS

Dec 20, 2006

• Spain Orders ARTHUR Artillery Locating Radars

Dec 19, 2006

• Slovenia Orders AMV, SP Mortars from Patria

Dec 10, 2006

• Pakistan to order RF TOW2

Dec 8, 2006

• Dutch Army to Modernize Air Defense System

Nov 28, 2006

• Spain Approves €324 million SPIKE LR Acquisition

Nov 24, 2006

• Russia Begins Deliveries of Tor M1 SAM to Iran

Nov 17, 2006

• EUROSAM Conducts Final Missile Qualification Test

Nov 10, 2006

• ATK’s Booster for Raytheon/RAFAEL Stunner Interceptor

Oct 26, 2006

• DRS Equips ASVs with Knight Target Acquisition kits

Oct 18, 2006

• Raytheon Completes Upgrades for SL-AMRAAM
• ASV Armored Knight to Assume Artillery Support Role

Oct 17, 2006

• Army Orders $47 Million for ATACMS Replenishment
• Laser Armed C-130 Gunship Begins Flight Testing
• US Army Converts TOW 2B Into a Wireless Weapon

Oct 7, 2006

• Affordable Weapon in Progress
• USAF Awards AMRAAM Production Orders

Sept. 29, 2006

• NLOS-Cannon, a Key segment for FCS Unveiled

Sept. 28, 2006

• EQ-36 Counter-Artillery Radar Program

Spet. 7, 2006

• Israel’s Army Fields First Advanced Mortar Unit

Sept. 6, 2006

• BAE Systems Bofors Wins Swedish Artillery Order

Defense Update 3-2006

• Toward a Cleaner Battlefield?
• Missiles for Precision attack
• Urban assault weapons at AUSA 2006
• Artillery and Mortars at Defendory 2006

Defense Update 2-2006

• Combat Engineer Systems
• Large caliber artillery ammunition
• Extending the reach of the Long Range Artillery

Defense Update 1 – 2006

• Guided MLRS Unitary Rocket Passes Warhead Demonstrates Capabilities of Multi-Function Fuze
• PGMM passes PDR
• Effects Based Fires in Urban Combat

DUpdate 3 – 2005:

• DSEI-2005 review – artillery & Fire Support

Defense Update 4 – 2004:

• CAESAR self propelled artillery
• Eurosatory 2004 Review – Artillery
• APKWS / APKWS II

Defense Update 2 – 2004:

• Precision guided artillery munitions
• Defexpo-2004 – Artillery Review
• SHORAD air defense modernization

Defense Update 1 – 2004:

• Mobile Mortar Systems
• Advanced Mortar Munitions

2002-3

• Harpy Air Defense Suppression Killer Drone

2002-3

• Advanced Artillery Munitions

2002-3

• New Fuel Air Explosive Mine Clearing System

2002-3

• Weaponized Hunter UAV tests Viper Strike

2002-3

• Tactical Laser System intercepts rockets

2002-3

• Scaterrable Bomblets with Self Destruct Fuses

An airborne intercept of a liquid-rocket target failed on September 1, 2010 when the megawatt power airborne laser (ABL) veered away from the target a split second before the planned engagement. Despite this problem, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) plans to resume flight experiments this week, testing the performance of the software fixes, leading to a lethal shoot-down experiment involving a solid-fuel target missile by the end of September 2010. Another test, scheduled for mid-October will involve lasing another solid-fuel missile at a distance three times the range of the last successful intercept of a liquid-fuel missile performed on February 11, this year. The recent failure came after repeated aborted test attempts in August, where issues attributed to calibration and component cooling prevented tests completion.  Prior to these tests, the aircraft set idle for several months until minor damage to its optics,  caused during a May 2010 test flight are repaired. Test range availability have also limited further flights since May this year.

The recent intercept was the second failed attempt to shoot down a liquid-fuel missile during its boost phase. The first took place after the successful first intercept on February 11, 2010. While the February failure was caused by the megawatt laser shutting down prematurely, the recent mission terminated early, when corrupted beam control software steered the high energy laser slightly off center. preliminary indications are that a communication software error within the system that controls the laser beam caused misalignment of the beam. The on board safety system detected this shift and immediately shut down the high energy laser.

Additional reading:

Airborne Laser Demonstrates First Ballistic Missile Intercept (Defense-Update)

Airborne Laser Gears Up for Next Shoot-down Test (Space News)

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The Russian Emergencies Ministry signed a $330 million contract with the Beriev design bureau for the procurement of eight Be-200 Altair amphibious planes configured for firefighting. The Russian news agency Novosti reports. The Altair is the largest multipurpose amphibious aircraft currently operational. This acquisition comes as a quick reaction to the criticism of Russian authorities failing to contain wildfires raging through western Russia for two months in the summer of 2010.

Forest and peat bog fires raged in European Russia in July-August 2010 killing more than 50 people and destroying thousands of homes and crops in open farmland. The role of aerial firefighting with Be-200 amphibious planes was made clear when Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took part in putting out wildfires in Ryazan Region on board a Be-200. On this flight, the aircraft scooped up water from the nearby Oka River and dumped it on the flames.

The aircraft designed by the Taganrog-based Beriev Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex (TANTK) can be configured for fire fighting missions, search and rescue, maritime patrol, cargo and passenger transportation. In this configuration the Altair can hold 12 tons of water mixed fire retardant agents, dispersing its cargo over wildfires in areas difficult for access by other means of fire fighting.

Beriev is one of the world’s pioneers of amphibious flight. The company introduced its first amphibian aircraft in 1932 and is currently marketing the firefighting version of the BE-200 worldwide. BE-200 firefighters were demonstrated in the USA, and participated in active firefighting campaigns in Spain and Greece.

One of the most modern Advanced/Lead-In Fighter Trainer in production today, the M-346 from Alenia Aermacchi is gathering momentum to become the leading trainer preparing future combat pilot to fly the latest generation fighters. On the way, it will have to fight tough opponents, from the BAE Systems’ Hawk – being the market leader in the past 35 years, and still going strong with the latest AJT version, and Korean T-50 Golden Eagle, eagerly promoted by Korea and U.S. based Lockheed Martin, still awaiting the international breakthrough.

While offering high performance and good flying qualities that closely match modern single-seat fighters, M-346 is offering high safety standards and reduced acquisition and operating costs of a twin-seat trainer. The aircraft can also carry weapons and stores, supporting advanced training and secondary operational missions as a light attack aircraft. The structural design includes nine hard-points, and has provisions to install and integrate special equipment.

Sofar the M-346 was selected by three countries – Italy, UAE and Singapore. The Italian Air Force has also selected the aircraft for its Integrated Training System (ITS), comprising 15 aircraft. In the United Arab Emirates the M-346 will provide the core of their new training air fleet, training pilots to fly the F-16 Block 60 fighter. The UAE intend to buy 48 aircraft, 20 to be configured with secondary light attack capability. Singapore has also selected this model for their Fighter Wings Course (FWC) requirement. The new trainers will replace the current fleet of two-seat A-4 Skyhawk advanced trainers, training Singaporean pilots to fly the RSAF F-16 Block 52 fighters.

In a joint initiative promoting the aircraft within the European community, EADS Defence and Security (DS) and Finmeccanica have teamed to propose the M-346 for the Advanced European Jet Pilot Training (AEJPT) program, replacing the 40 year old Alpha Jet still in service with nine European air forces. M-346 is offered by this multi-national team as the ‘All European’ trainer, meeting the requirements of the AEJPT nations and the European Defense Agency (EDA) in terms of capabilities, flexibility, training effectiveness, interoperability, geographic allocation and industrial work share. The team intends to involve all other European firms from AEJPT member countries in the training service and base operating activities.

Another opportunity for the M-346 is the Israel Air Force, seeking to replace upgraded single-seat operational trainers such as the A-4 Skyhawk and Block 10+ F-16A Falcon. The two finalists considered by the Israel Air Force are the M-346 and the K-50 proposed by a Korean Aerospace (KAI) and Lockheed Martin. Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems have also reached an agreement supporting the platform selected by the IAF with full training and logistical package. Both companies are already providing such services supporting lead-in trainers, advanced trainers and simulator farms operated by the IAF.

The latest prospect is Poland – which published this week an international tender for the delivery of the Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) – as part of an Integrated Aviation Personnel Training System, to include 16 jet trains, training and logistical support. Poland expects the bids by October 4th, 2010. Potential bidders expected to submit offers are Italian Alenia Aermacchi of the Finmeccanica group, the company brought its latest trainer, the M-346 to MSPO, Poland’s annual defense exhibition.  Finmeccanica has set its eyes on the Polish opportunity for several years, with the M-346 participating in evaluations in Poland and Polish airshows and events since 2006.

Both M-346, Hawk AJT and T-50 are expected to compete for the world’s largest opportunity for jet trainers – the USAF trainer replacement competition (T-X). BAE Systems has already announced its plans to compete, the likely opponent is Lockheed Martin, teamed with KAI on the T-50. As for Finmeccanica, the Italian group is expected to team with a U.S. group to effectively compete with these two giants. Among the candidates are L-3 which already participates with Alenia on the C-27 program.

Related posts:

BAE Systems to Offer the Hawk Advanced Jet
Trainer for the USAF Jet Trainer Replacement Program (T-X)

The Swedish Defense Material Administration (FMV) has awarded the Saab group an order for the integration of the Meteor active radar-guided Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air/air missile with the Gripen fighter aircraft.

The four year program is worth about US$42 million (MSEK 312). Through the integration process Swedish Gripen C/D fighters will be equipped with two-way datalink, communicating between the aircraft and the missile once it has been fired.

The Meteor missile will be tested to work with the fighter’s radar, avionics systems and displays. The order includes test flights and test firing, as well as the integration of Meteor with support and maintenance systems such as simulators and planning computers.

Gripen has been used since 2006 as the test aircraft for the development of Meteor. Multiple missiles have been fired from Gripen to date. This experience can now be utilised for a more cost-effective integration of Meteor with the Swedish Armed Forces’ Gripen C/D.

Related links:

European METEOR BVRAAM Missile Test Fired over Sweden

BAE Systems plans to offer the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) for the U.S. Air Force’s Advanced Pilot Training Family of Systems. Part of the US Air Force Advanced Pilot Training (APT) Family of Systems (commonly called the T-X system) APT aims to provide the training system for the next generation of operational pilots. It is expected to replace the aging T-38 trainers by 2017. BAE Systems intends to be the prime contractor for the program, based on its U.S. business unit. “We will pursue strategic partners in the U.S. to provide best value to the U.S. Air Force while investing in the U.S. industrial base” said Larry Prior, Executive Vice President of Service Sectors, BAE Systems.


Since the current Hawk AJT meets the USAF requirements now, BAE Systems is confident it can achieve this goal. Hawk family aircraft are already serving as F-35 lead-in trainer for the U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Hawk AJT now entering service with the Royal Air Force has evolved from the Hawk aircraft, of which over 900 aircraft were built and delivered across 18 countries, flying more than 2.5 million flying hours.

Warfare of the future is not just about flying the aircraft, but about understanding, processing and reacting correctly to the quantity of information available in the cockpit. To introduce the pilot to these advanced cockpit environment, the latest configuration of the Hawk integrates live jet training with a high-fidelity virtual environment to support the development of pilots. The system also includes advanced aircraft avionics, a fully integrated training environment, instructor debrief features and other capabilities enabling pilots to train effectively in a synthetic environment and allows them to train in the same way they fight, including multi-engagement scenarios, complex combat situations, intercepts, data-link operations and the use of synthetic sensors.

Related posts:

New Opportunities Mature for Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Advanced Trainer

Defense Update is sponsoring the Global MilSatCom 2010 conference and exhibition, now in its 12th year. This event is a unique opportunity to meet an international array of SatCom decision makers and network with hundreds of leading international decision makers in the satellite communications arena. Global MilSatCom 2010 will be held at the London Millennium Conference Centre, in the U.K., from the 8th to 10th November 2010.

Over the years, Global MilSatCom has led the way in offering a diverse range of international military speakers, key European and NATO players – Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands and the U.K., and global SatCom leaders from Australia, South Africa, USA, UAE and Canada.

Among the keynote speakers are Air Vice Marshal Muthumanickam Matheswaran AVSM VM from the Indian Air Force, General C. Robert Kehler, Commander, Air Force Space Command, US Air Force, Rear Admiral Liz Young, US Navy, Director, Systems Engineering, National Reconnaissance Office and Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command’s (SPAWAR) Space Field Activity (SSFA), and Program Executive Officer for Space Systems, Malcolm Green, Chief CAT 9 NII Communication Infrastructure Services, NATO C3 Agency and Bruce Bennett, Director, Programme Executive Officer for SATCOM, Teleport & Services, Defence Information Systems Agency (DISA), USA.

The event is organized by the SMi group.