Auto GCAS technology uses information gathered from Global Positioning System data and incorporates it with Digital Terrain Elevation Data maps to enable aircraft to reference terrain below. In the event that an aircraft is flown dangerously close to the ground, this critical data enables the aircraft to automatically execute avoidance maneuvers without pilot intervention. Photo: USAF, AFRL

The U.S. Air Force completed the final 103rd test flight in the testing for the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS), part of the Automatic Collision Avoidance Technology (ACAT) /Fighter Risk Reduction Program. Researchers hope the lessons learned during these tests will lead to the virtual elimination of fighter aircraft mishaps.

The cooperative program was conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in conjunction with the Air Force Flight Test Center and NASA Dryden. The Auto GCAS flight testing effort has collected data over the course of over 141 flight hours, with more than 1,600 automatic recoveries executed. The F-16 test aircraft will now be transitioned to the Air Force Flight Test Center 416th Flight Test Squadron, who will begin production flight testing in the next phase of the ACAT program. The Auto GCAS software was recently transitioned to Aeronautical Systems Center, with the goal of incorporating the system into F-16 production aircraft in 2014.

Auto GCAS technology uses information gathered from Global Positioning System data and incorporates it with Digital Terrain Elevation Data maps to enable aircraft to reference terrain below. In the event that an aircraft is flown dangerously close to the ground, this critical data enables the aircraft to automatically execute avoidance maneuvers without pilot intervention.

Onboard for the final test flight was Lockheed Avionics Design Engineer Charles Canney and NASA project pilot Nils Larsen. The flight took place over a widespread area including portions of California from Edwards Air Force Base to Death Valley and the peaks and canyons of the Sierra Nevada Range. The flight evaluated the ability of the system to fly at low levels without “nuisance fly-ups,” or unwarranted activations of the system. Additionally, the system’s collision avoidance capability was evaluated with the execution of numerous mishap profiles that are typically seen in the F-16 fleet.

Mr. Canney, who has served as part of the design team for Lockheed since 1989, flew aboard many of the collision avoidance runs throughout this testing effort. He described the final test flight as “the best flight anyone has ever had,” and stated, “As Nils got down low, I could see dirt being kicked up off of the desert floor and no nuisance activations.”

DARPA’s Vulture Program Enters Phase II, demonstrating over one month of continued flight with a near-full-scale flight demonstrator. Photo: DARPA

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected a concept developed by the Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) for the second phase of the Vulture long-endurance unmanned aerial system (UAS) program. The Solar eagle was selected over the Odysseus, a rival proposal submitted by Lockheed Martin and Aurora Flight Science’s. The agency awarded Boeing an $89 million contract for the development and flight demonstration of the Vulture air vehicle, a 400 ft. (122 m) wing span, quad-tail flying wing, designed for operation at very high-altitude of 90,000 – 60,000 ft, and operate continuously, unreplenished, for a period of five years. The Vulture will be able to carry a payload of 1,000 lb (450 kg) operated with 5kw of power. Vulture type platforms have potential in numerous roles: operation as a single platform, as a formation of multiple aircraft or as a constellation providing infrastructure augmentation or recovery.


Flight testing is expected to run through 2014, demonstrating a continuous mission spanning over 32 days. In addition, the agency will continue the definition of an objective system design and military utility in a range of applications. DARPA’s Vulture program is supported by a government team including the Air Force Research Laboratory and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Boeing is leading the program, teamed with Qinetiq that develop the ‘Solar Eagle’, a new airframe developed by QinetiQ, powered by a combination on solar panels and solid oxide fuel cells developed by Versa Power Systems. Boeing is also developing another high altitude UAV – the Phantom Eye, powered by hydrogen engines. Under another program, QinetiQ has developed a smaller solar powered drone – Zephyr UAS, which recently broke the world record for continuous flight.

DARPA considers the Vulture technology to provide services similar to a low-earth-orbit satellite, enabling rapid re-tasking and persistent surveillance capability addressing immediate needs of warfighter. An airborne, aircraft like platform have the inherent advantages of flexibility and mission responsiveness, as well as sensor resolution, reduced transmit/receive power and affordable deployment typical of an endo-atmospheric flight. Other attributes are typical of a satellite – such as low speed, high altitude and extended mission capability providing on-station persistence, zero logistics tail, and emissions, energy independence, minimal fleet size, absence of in-country footprint etc.

The program will help mature several key technologies, considered essential for future platforms of this type, includig solar energy collection, reliable and efficient energy storage and retrieval, aircraft reliability and mission assurance, and aeroelastics and flight control of a very large, flexible, lightly-loaded aircraft structure.

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For Combat Search and Rescue, the AW101 can be equipped with window or door mounted guns, defensive aids suite and air-to-air refueling equipment. Photo: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland plans to compete for the U.S. Air Force’s planned replacement of HH-60G Pave hawk combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter with over 100 ‘off-the-shelf’ platform. The European group is offering a version of the AW101 designated HH-71. Two years ago the company teamed with Lockheed Martin to offer the U.S. Air Force a similar search and rescue helicopter (CSAR-X program). Then they lost to the much heavier HH-47 Chinook, proposed by Boeing. Last month Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky announced their intention to offer the Air Force a modified version of the latest Black Hawk UH-60M tailored for CSAR missions.

A view from the cockpit of an AW-101. Photo: AgustaWestland

R. Scott Rettig, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland North America believes the HH-71, “has modern, stealthy capabilities are balanced out with the confidence of a mature, proven platform, as the full CSAR program requirements are developed.” Among the HH-71s’ attributes that could benefit its CSAR role are low acoustic signature, all-weather capability and effectiveness in austere environments such as sand and snow. The aircraft includes three engines providing aircrews the assurance that the mission can be safely completed, even under hostile or irregular warfare conditions. The spacious cabin space is wide enough to transport 35 seated troops or 16 stretchers for medical evacuations and room for on-board treatment – a significant capacity increase over the legacy platform. More than 155 AW101 helicopters were delivered to date, accumulating over 200,000 flight hours, some have been flying combat and support missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. For Combat Search and Rescue, the AW101 can be equipped with window or door mounted guns, defensive aids suite and air-to-air refueling equipment.

Other likely competitors for the US$1.7 billion program are the European NH Industries NH-90 or Eurocopter EC-725 Super Cougar, both proposed by EADS North America present a different possibility that could rely on one of the aircraft or a mix of both types. Boeing is also offering a mix of CH-47 Chinook and V-22 Tilt Rotor aircraft.

M-346 from Alenia Aermacchi, positioned as the successor of the European Alpha Jet, is currently competing for the Polish and Israeli Air Force advanced trainer programs. Photo: Alenia Aermacchi

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.

The M-346 cockpit is designed as a moder glass cockpit, and helmet mounted display (left). The avionics represented in the cockpit employ embedded 'virtual avionics' realistically representing advanced systems including radar, targeting systems, electronic warfare and other avionics, without the need to carry such expensive systems on board, or simulate a training combat-like environment in the real world. Yet the pilot can practice using these systems as part of regular flight training, based on input provided on board or from other aircraft or participants, networked training environments. Photos: Alenia Aermacchi

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.

Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 Golden Eagle is one of two finalists selected for the Israel Air Force future trainer program. The aircraft will be procured by the IAF and supported under a multi-year maintenance package to be shared by IAI and ELbit Systems. Photo: Defense-Update

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.

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A notional representation of the U.S. Army Ground Combat Vehicle. Photo: US Army

The Army has cancelled the request for proposal process for the Ground Combat Vehicle, delaying the program by about six months. Details about revised rules for a more affordable program are expected within 60 days. Despite the setback, the Army is still hopeful the GCV could be deployed by the year 2017. However, in the near term the service could lose part of the $934 million funding, part of the fiscal 2011 budget request set aside for the development of the GCV prototypes.

The decision followed a report by the Army and Office of Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (OSD/ATL), that evaluated the new vehicle and determined that the service should better prioritize its requirements to better define achievable goals on schedule. Critics in industry have claimed the requirements for the vehicle were set to be too vague as the Army was not in agreement on exactly what the vehicle’s should do. “The refined RfP will result in a vehicle that provides soldiers with critical armored protection in the modern combat environment.” The Army statement said. One of the main concerns about the GCV was that to provide such protection the vehicle weight could increase up to 70 tons.

The announcement comes as the Defense Department prepares for major budget cuts. The GCV program is considered vital for the Army, but since the definition and requirement were too vague from the beginning, the Army finds it difficult to justify committing to a long-term multi-billion dollar program only to replace the Bradley fighting vehicles. The proposed GCV meant much more than just a replacement, it is intended to be a bridge between current warfare and future, networked operations. While different from the cancelled Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) mainly for political reasons, GCV should be much better protected and survivable, and well equipped to operate in distributed operations, where small units, sometime individual vehicles are empowered to conduct decisive military operations. Modifying current vehicles to perform such missions was found to be too complex.

Three industry teams participated in the program; next month (September) the Army had planned to award contracts to at least two of the three teams, for the development of  demonstrator vehicles. These teams competing for these contracts were SAIC-led group with Boeing and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann; a BAE Systems – Northrop team, and a third group led by General Dynamics Land Systems partnered with MTU Detroit Diesel, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The development phase of the program is valued at $2.1 billion. The entire program could cost about $40 billion.

More on GCV in the following Defense-Update articles:

U.S. Army Defines Ground Combat Vehicles Priorities

U.S. Army Requests Proposals for a New Ground Combat Vehicle

Teaming for the Ground Combat Vehicle

Army Begins GCV Contractor Selection Process

A notional representation of the U.S. Army Ground Combat Vehicle. Photo: US Army

The Army has cancelled the request for proposal process for the Ground Combat Vehicle, delaying the program by about six months. Details about revised rules for a more affordable program are expected within 60 days. Despite the setback, the Army is still hopeful the GCV could be deployed by the year 2017. However, in the near term the service could lose part of the $934 million funding, part of the fiscal 2011 budget request set aside for the development of the GCV prototypes.

The decision followed a report by the Army and Office of Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (OSD/ATL), that evaluated the new vehicle and determined that the service should better prioritize its requirements to better define achievable goals on schedule. Critics in industry have claimed the requirements for the vehicle were set to be too vague as the Army was not in agreement on exactly what the vehicle’s should do. “The refined RfP will result in a vehicle that provides soldiers with critical armored protection in the modern combat environment.” The Army statement said. One of the main concerns about the GCV was that to provide such protection the vehicle weight could increase up to 70 tons.

The announcement comes as the Defense Department prepares for major budget cuts. The GCV program is considered vital for the Army, but since the definition and requirement were too vague from the beginning, the Army finds it difficult to justify committing to a long-term multi-billion dollar program only to replace the Bradley fighting vehicles. The proposed GCV meant much more than just a replacement, it is intended to be a bridge between current warfare and future, networked operations. While different from the cancelled Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) mainly for political reasons, GCV should be much better protected and survivable, and well equipped to operate in distributed operations, where small units, sometime individual vehicles are empowered to conduct decisive military operations. Modifying current vehicles to perform such missions was found to be too complex.

Three industry teams participated in the program; next month (September) the Army had planned to award contracts to at least two of the three teams, for the development of  demonstrator vehicles. These teams competing for these contracts were SAIC-led group with Boeing and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann; a BAE Systems – Northrop team, and a third group led by General Dynamics Land Systems partnered with MTU Detroit Diesel, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The development phase of the program is valued at $2.1 billion. The entire program could cost about $40 billion.

More on GCV in the following Defense-Update articles:

U.S. Army Defines Ground Combat Vehicles Priorities

U.S. Army Requests Proposals for a New Ground Combat Vehicle

Teaming for the Ground Combat Vehicle

Army Begins GCV Contractor Selection Process

Raytheon has developed an all new airframe and wings for the new SDB-53/B Small Diameter Bomb. The weapon was selected for the next generation SDB-2, to enter service in 2014. Photo: Raytheon

The U.S. Air Force has awarded the Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) US$450 million for the development and production of GBU-53/B for the Small Diameter Bomb increment II program. SDB II is the next generation of the lightweight, aerial precision-strike standoff weapon designed with integral capability to accurately strike moving and fixed targets in adverse weather conditions. Raytheon has developed an all-new, streamlined bomb casing and folding swept-wing for the new weapon (shown in the photo above), departing from the MBDA designed ‘Diamond Back’ configuration used by the Boeing designed SDB (photo on left). The SDB family of weapons developed by Boeing quadruples the number of weapons an aircraft can carry, enabling aircrews to attack more targets on each sortie.

Raytheon’s proposal was selected over a competing offer from Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Raytheon will begin producing the new weapons in 2013 with initial deliveries completing the first production lot by late 2014. The GBU-53/B incorporates an three-modal seeker featuring millimeter-wave radar, a semi-active laser (SAL) and an uncooled imaging infrared. The use of an uncooled thermal imager is a unique implementation of such sensor in aerial weapons, demonstrating the maturity and high resolution achieved with bolometric technology. “Our uncooled IIR seeker met all the warfighter’s requirements and reduced the weapon’s total life-cycle cost and logistics footprint” said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. The tri-modal terminal seeker is a derivative from the seeker systems used in the 120mm Medium Range Munition for the M-1A2 tank and the cancelled XM-501 Precision Attack Missile. Raytheon also integrated a new ‘multi effect warhead’ designed to defeat armored targets, structures and soft target in the open with minimal collateral damage.

The SDB II multi-effect warhead defeats armored targets by penetration with shaped charge generated plasma jet. The effect is augmented by blast and fragmentation. Photo: Raytheon

Raytheon conducted a successful technical demonstration program, during which the company tested and verified that its form factored tri-mode seeker could seamlessly transition between modes. The GBU/53-B seeker proved its reliability during flight testing when it flew 26 missions in 21 days without a single hardware failure.

Dassault Rafale F-3 Omnirole Fighter, loaded with an air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon mix. Photo: Dassault. Photo: Dassault

The Indian Air Force has concluded the technical assessment of six fighter aircraft proposed for the Medium MultiRole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, paving the way for the Ministry of Defense to decide on the Air Force’s US$10 billion (Rs 42,000 crore) acquisition of 126 new fighters plus options for additional 63. The six proposals considered by the Indians included the Typhoon, proposed by the European Eurofighter consortium, the French Rafale from Dassault, the Russian MiG-35 from United Aircraft Corporation subsidiary RSK-MiG, the Gripen E/F, proposed by the Swedish Saab group; Two proposals were submitted by U.S. companies – Boeing offered the Super Hornet F/A-18 E/F and Lockheed Martin proposed the F-16 E/F Fighting Falcon. The Air Force report provides a technical assessment of the six candidates.

The commercial proposals, including industrial cooperation and local participation will be evaluated by the MOD beginning this week. According to unconfirmed media reports, the Indians, seeking a modern fighter, have rated both European fighters – the Rafale and Typhoon as the most preferred types and both are shortlisted for the next phase with the Boeing Super Hornet considered a ‘marginal option’. The Swedish Gripen was determined to be redundant to India’s indigenous Teja; both the Russian MiG-35 and the U.S. F-16E/F are based on obsolete platforms (both are based on 40 year old platform designs) and hence are not conforming with the program’s  primary directive.

However, the weight of the technical parameters in the final evaluation is not exclusive and determinant, since final decisions on the MMRCA will be based on the economic and political interests. New Delhi’s aim to tighten its relations with Europe is clear, and such deals are likely, since India has signed significant orders with Franch and the U.K. in the past.

However, Russia still has the inroad to India’s military and politics and, therefore, despite its financial alleged insufficient engine lifespan shortcoming, “the MiG-35 is likely to remain in the picture until the end” according to Sergei Kornyev, the department head of Russia’s Air Force special equipment and services at a press conference in Farnborough last month. Facing serious consequences of the planned reduction of 90 Typhoons destined for the RAF and Italian Air Force, Eurofighter is hopeful that winning the MMRCA program could compensate for these production losses and boost the program research and development for the advanced, multirole Tranch 3 phase.

For Dassault, being shortlisted by the Indian could drive Brazil to finally announce its FX-2 decision in favor of the French fighter. Winning both program could transform the Rafale from a lame duck into the leading fighter in the export market, offering the French, Indian and Brazilian aerospace industries attractive prospects for the future.

The final decision on the Indian MMRCA fighter of choice could be taken around 2011-2012. Indian Air Force officials are hopeful that Initial deliveries could be expedited and arrive in India two years after the contract award.

In addition to the ongoing MMRCA selection, India defense ministry has announced plans to increase India’s orders for Su-30MKI fighters by 42 aircraft, to be delivered over four years beginning 2014. The $4.3 billion deal will increase the number of aircraft to be produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to 200, setting India’s inventory of Su-30MKI fighters at at 250. India is also cooperating with Russia on the development of the next generation T-50 (PAK-FA) fifth generation fighter developed by Sukhoi. The program, valued at about US$8 billion is partly financed by New Delhi.

ITAF EF2000 Typhoons formating with NATO AWACS. Both aircraft are from Grosseto, Italy of 9 Squadron and have drop tanks and IRIS-T missiles. Photo: Eurofighter

Dassault Rafale F-3 Omnirole Fighter, loaded with an air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon mix. Photo: Dassault. Photo: Dassault

The Indian Air Force has concluded the technical assessment of six fighter aircraft proposed for the Medium MultiRole Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program, paving the way for the Ministry of Defense to decide on the Air Force’s US$10 billion (Rs 42,000 crore) acquisition of 126 new fighters plus options for additional 63. The six proposals considered by the Indians included the Typhoon, proposed by the European Eurofighter consortium, the French Rafale from Dassault, the Russian MiG-35 from United Aircraft Corporation subsidiary RSK-MiG, the Gripen E/F, proposed by the Swedish Saab group; Two proposals were submitted by U.S. companies – Boeing offered the Super Hornet F/A-18 E/F and Lockheed Martin proposed the F-16 E/F Fighting Falcon. The Air Force report provides a technical assessment of the six candidates.

The commercial proposals, including industrial cooperation and local participation will be evaluated by the MOD beginning this week. According to unconfirmed media reports, the Indians, seeking a modern fighter, have rated both European fighters – the Rafale and Typhoon as the most preferred types and both are shortlisted for the next phase with the Boeing Super Hornet considered a ‘marginal option’. The Swedish Gripen was determined to be redundant to India’s indigenous Teja; both the Russian MiG-35 and the U.S. F-16E/F are based on obsolete platforms (both are based on 40 year old platform designs) and hence are not conforming with the program’s  primary directive.

However, the weight of the technical parameters in the final evaluation is not exclusive and determinant, since final decisions on the MMRCA will be based on the economic and political interests. New Delhi’s aim to tighten its relations with Europe is clear, and such deals are likely, since India has signed significant orders with Franch and the U.K. in the past.

However, Russia still has the inroad to India’s military and politics and, therefore, despite its financial alleged insufficient engine lifespan shortcoming, “the MiG-35 is likely to remain in the picture until the end” according to Sergei Kornyev, the department head of Russia’s Air Force special equipment and services at a press conference in Farnborough last month. Facing serious consequences of the planned reduction of 90 Typhoons destined for the RAF and Italian Air Force, Eurofighter is hopeful that winning the MMRCA program could compensate for these production losses and boost the program research and development for the advanced, multirole Tranch 3 phase.

For Dassault, being shortlisted by the Indian could drive Brazil to finally announce its FX-2 decision in favor of the French fighter. Winning both program could transform the Rafale from a lame duck into the leading fighter in the export market, offering the French, Indian and Brazilian aerospace industries attractive prospects for the future.

The final decision on the Indian MMRCA fighter of choice could be taken around 2011-2012. Indian Air Force officials are hopeful that Initial deliveries could be expedited and arrive in India two years after the contract award.

In addition to the ongoing MMRCA selection, India defense ministry has announced plans to increase India’s orders for Su-30MKI fighters by 42 aircraft, to be delivered over four years beginning 2014. The $4.3 billion deal will increase the number of aircraft to be produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to 200, setting India’s inventory of Su-30MKI fighters at at 250. India is also cooperating with Russia on the development of the next generation T-50 (PAK-FA) fifth generation fighter developed by Sukhoi. The program, valued at about US$8 billion is partly financed by New Delhi.