The Pentagon plans to sell Iraq 18 F-16IQ (Block 52) aircraft as part of an arms package worth over $4.2 billion.

The Pentagon is embarking on a new arms transfer to Iraq, this time involving a squadron of advanced versions of the Lockheed Martin F-16IQ – Block 52 fighter jets, supply of 440 refurbished Armored Presonnel Carriers and the establishment of a nationwide defense communications network. The estimated value of the entire package could reach about $4.5 billion.

The package notified to Congress by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency includes 18 F-16IQ fighter jets, worth around $4.2 billion. The aircraft will be delivered with weapons and mission payloads for air defense, strike and reconnaissance missions. These packages will comprise AIM-9L/M 8-9 short range and AIM-7M-F1/H Sparrow Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air/air missiles, and air/ground guided weapons including various types of the AGM-65 Maverick missile and GBU-12 Paveway II and Paveway III laser guided bombs, augmented by Sniper targeting pods.

For the reconnaissance mission the F-16IQs will be equipped by the BAE Systems’ F-9120 Advanced Airborne Reconnaissance Systems (AARS) Long-Range Oblique Photographic System (LOROPS) or the tactical, DB-110 Reconnaissance Pods made by Goodrich. The aircraft will be equipped with a standard Electronic Warfare suite including the ALQ-187 countermeasure package and ALR-93 radar warning receiver comprising the Advanced Countermeasure Electronic Systems (ACES), and AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing Systems (CMDS).

Washington also plans to ship 440 refurbished M113A2 Armored Personnel Carriers to Iraq, to equip the Iraqi land forces. The cost of this package is estimated at $131 million. The prime contractor for this upgrade is BAE Systems, the original vehicle manufacturer.

The Pentagon is moving to set up an independent defense network for the Iraqi military, under a 150 million investment that includes design, supply of equipment and technical support. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified congress on the proposed sale, to include the fixed network to be established under a $98 million program and Mobile Communications Centers, worth approximately $57 million. The prime contractors for both systems are ITT Corporation and the Harris Corporation.

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 European BVR Air/Air missile will be integrated on the Swedish Gripen.

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.

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European METEOR BVRAAM Missile Test Fired over Sweden

The Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle demonstrator successfully completed its first weapons launch during a July 14 flight at Point Mugu Naval Air Weapon Station, Calif. The Silent Eagle launched an inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AIM-120 AMRAAM) from its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, as seen in this video still. Photo: Boeing

Conformal weapons bay for the F-15SE

The Boeing company conducted a first missile firing test from the  conformal weapons bay of the F-15SE ‘Silent Eagle’ on July 14, 2010, a week after the aircraft completed the first flight of this technology demonstrator on July 8, 2010. On the first flight the aircraft, designated F-15E1 took off from the Lambert St. Louis International Airport on an 80-minute flight, where the aircraft opened and closed its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, which contained an AIM-120 Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV) missile. “[In this flight] we cleared the desired flight envelope needed to fire the missile at the test range” said Boeing F-15 Chief Test Pilot Dan Draeger. According to Boeing F-15 Development Programs Director Brad Jones, in the next couple of weeks, the F-15E1 will be ferry to a test range to launch an AIM-120.

Key to the F-15SE design is the conformal weapons bays, designed for the F-15SE. This new add-on module was originally designed specifically for the F-15SE but could also be available for other F-15 models, particularly interesting is the F-15E, I K, S and S (F-15E models operated by Israel, South Korea, Saudi-Arabia and Singapore) already operating F-15s with conformal tanks.

The Silent Eagle was developed in response to South Korea’s requirements for high-performance, stealth capable fighter aircraft. The F-15SE offers unique aerodynamic, avionic and Radar Cross Section reduction features that provide maximum flexibility in air dominance as it can be operated with and without stealth capabilities. Boeing is offering the F-15SE with customizable fighter that can be outfitted with AESA radars, radar absorbent coatings, large digital cockpit displays, fly-by-wire software, canted tails and bolt-on internal weapons bays.

According to UPI, Boeing is hoping to win an export license to sell its new F-15 Silent Eagle to South Korea within a month. South Korea has a requirement for a third batch of 60 F-15 size fighters, due next year. Boeing could be offering the F-15SE with customizable fighter that can be outfitted with AESA radars, radar absorbent coatings, large digital cockpit displays, fly-by-wire software, canted tails and bolt-on internal weapons bays.

Boeing performed the first flight of the F-15E1 'Silent Eagle' flight demonstrator on July 8, 2010 Photo: Boeing