LaBarge Awarded Contract from Bell Helicopter for US Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program

[Someoneforyou]

LaBarge Awarded $3.8 Million Contract from Bell Helicopter for U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Upgrade Program
UNITED STATES - 21 FEBRUARY 2011

ST. LOUIS, Feb. 21, 2011...LaBarge, Inc. (NYSE Amex: LB), a provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS), has received a $3.8 million contract from Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, to continue to produce electronic assemblies for the H-1 Upgrade Program for helicopters used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Just as the UH-1N is being rebuilt and redesigned into the UH-1Y, the U.S. Marine Corps Attack helicopters AH-1W are being rebuilt and redesigned into the AH-1Z as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1 Upgrade Program.

Production on this contract at LaBarge's Huntsville, Ark., facility began in January and is expected to continue through June 2013 for the box-level assemblies. The company has supported the H-1 Upgrade Program since 2004.


Source: LaBarge, Inc.

 

[Someoneforyou]

The Bell AH-1Z Attack Helicopter:

Weapons Capability:
*AGM-114A, B, and C Hellfire and anti-tank missiles up to 16 total
*AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles – up to 16 total
*70mm Rockets, 19 or 7 shot pods –up to 76 total
*AIM-9 Sidewinder*
(*A superior supersonic air-to-air missile with infrared target detection for fire and forget capability.)
*LUU-2A/B nighttime illumination flare
*Mk 77 fire bombs
*77 and 100 gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks
*20 mm cannon
(With a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory for better accuracy, it is capable of handling M50-series rounds designed specifically for air-to-air combat)
*MK 76 practice bombs
*BDU-33D/B practice bombs
*MK 106 practice bombs

Survivability & Crashworthiness:
Like no other attack helicopter in the world, the AH-1Z survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:

*AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
*APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
*ALE-47 "Smart" Countermeasures Dispenser and
*AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:

*Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
*Energy-absorbing landing gear
*Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
*Fuel vapor inerting systems
*Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.

Modern Technology:
The AH-1Z is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Marine Corps today – its aircraft design brings together proven AH-1W airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401engines. With virtually identical front and rear cockpits, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The AH-1Z is truly state-of-the-art.

Best Targeting System:
Target identification is critical in the complex post-cold war and urban conflict environments. The AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and currently provides the longest range, lowest jitter and highest weapons' accuracy possible of any helicopter sight in the world. In addition, the completely passive and automatic system scans the battlefield without emitting trackable radar, positively identifying and tracking multiple targets at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system.

Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System:
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.

Maintenance:
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the AH-1Z is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Maintenance features of the AH-1Z include:

*Fault detection sensors that facilitate "on-condition" maintenance
*Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
*Better accessibility
*Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
*Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
*Less spares storage requirement
*Modern Cockpit

Identical front and rear cockpits provide the true ability to fly and fight from either cockpit, so there's no need to have separate training programs for front or back seaters.

The Hands on Collective and Stick (HOCAS) side-stick architecture, allows pilot function without removing hands from the collective flight controls. Color displays are large, multifunctional and combined with the moving-map technology. Helmet mounted displays provide all the information required to engage the enemy more quickly and accurately.

H1 Program Commonality:
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y have 84% commonality with identical components.

Just as the AH-1W is being rebuilt and redesigned into the AH-1Z, the US Marine Corps Huey helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1 Program.

Source: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

 

[Someoneforyou]

The Bell UH-1Y tactical utility helicopter:

Features:
*125% higher payload than the UH-1N
*Almost 50% more range and maximum cruise speed than the UH-1N
*Sustainable high G loads in tactical or evasive maneuvers.
*Reduced vibration
*Fully integrated, night vision goggle (NVG) compatible "glass" cockpit
*Advanced electronic warfare self protection (EWSP) suite, and ballistically hardened components protect it from a broad range of modern threat weapons.
*A proven crashworthy fuel system to reduce the risk of fire and fully stroking energy attenuating seats to protect crewmembers and passengers from injury, in the event of a crash.
*Survivability & Crashworthiness

Like no other utility helicopter in the world, the UH-1Y survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:

*AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
*APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
*ALE-47 "Smart" Countermeasures Dispenser and
*AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:

*Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
*Energy-absorbing landing gear
*Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
*Fuel vapor inerting systems
*Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.

Modern Technology:
The UH-1Y is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the USMC today – its aircraft design brings together proven UH-1N airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401C engines. With fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the UH-1Y flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The UH-1Y is truly state-of-the-art.

Navigation Thermal Imaging System (NTIS):
FLIR Systems, Inc., BRITE Star NTIS is used on the nose of the aircraft for targeting and FLIR images that are displayed on selected multifunction displays (MFDs) are available to the pilots.

Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System:
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.

Maintainance:
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the UH-1Y is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Mantenance features of the UH-1Y include:

*Fault detection sensors that facilitate "on-condition" maintenance
*Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
*Better accessibility
*Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
*Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
*Less spares storage requirement

H1 Program Commonality:
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The UH-1Y and AH-1Z have 84% commonality with identical components.

Just as the UH-1N is being rebuilt and redesigned into the UH-1Y, the US Marine Corps Attack helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1Upgrade Program.

Supportable Design:
Built for expedient maintenance in the field as well as extended periods of trouble-free operation, the UH-1Y offers industry leading reliability at the lowest-through-life cost.

Designed to withstand the harshest, most challenging environmental operation, the aircraft comes "wet assembled" and incorporates aluminum transmission cases to prevent corrosion. With unique semi-automatic main rotor blade folding capability, this helicopter moves and stores easily in confined areas.

The Legacy Lives On:
With either new or remanufactured options for the existing fleet owner, the UH-1Y program greets prospective operators with tremendous ownership flexibility. As the aircraft of choice for the U.S. Marine Corps, the four-bladed, twin engine UH-1Y meets the Corps' stringent requirements with its 70% life cycle cost saving against the competition.

The Bell legacy continues in the most modern tactical utility helicopter available...the UH-1Y.

Source: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

 

[Someoneforyou]

 

[Someoneforyou]

U.S. Marine Corps declare AH-1Z Cobra operational

U.S. Marine Corps declare AH-1Z Cobra operational
UNITED STATES - 9 MARCH 2011

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - The Marine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra, achieved Initial Operating Capability ahead of schedule in February.

"Getting the AH-1Z to IOC has been a huge achievement for the entire team," said Col. Harry Hewson, program manager for U.S. Marine Corps Light and Attack Helicopters. "Now we get to put the Zulu in the hands of the Marines and prove that it is indeed the most capable marinized attack helicopter in the world."

As part of the H-1 Upgrades Program, the AH-1Z replaces the currently fielded AH-1W. The AH-1Z will serve a primary role in assault support, offensive air support and air reconnaissance. Cobras will play a supporting role in anti-air warfare, electronic warfare, and control of aircraft and missiles.

The new Cobras feature 10,000 flight-hour airframes, a new four-bladed rotor system with semi-automatic blade fold of the new composite rotor blades, new performance matched transmissions, a new four-bladed tail rotor and drive system, upgraded landing gear, and pylon structural modifications. The Cobra also incorporates modernized, fully integrated cockpits/avionics that will reduce operator work load while improving situational awareness and safety.

The AH-1Z is equipped with two General Electric T700-GE-401 series engines and greatly increased lift capability and stores capacity, giving it a significantly greater ordnance payload for future growth potential. The primary weapon system is the Hellfire missile. It is fully shipboard compatible, and capable of operating from prepared or unprepared landing sites, day or night.

The Marine Corps will remanufacture 131 AH-1W helicopters into AH-1Z aircraft and build 58 new AH-1Zs. The projected inventory for the AH-1Z is 189 helicopters. Full operational capability, defined as when all AH-1Z maintenance and repair support, test equipment, and spares are in place to support active component force primary aircraft authorization, is expected to be achieved in 2020.

AH-1Z Cobras were first delivered in 2007 by prime contractor Bell Helicopter Textron Incorporated. The Department of Defense authorized the Cobra for full-rate production in November 2010. The first deployment of the AH-1Z is scheduled for later this year with a Marine Expeditionary Unit. This will be the first opportunity for the AH-1Z and UH-1Y to deploy together. The UH-1Y is already on its third rotation to Operation Enduring Freedom.

"The expeditionary agility that the Yankee/Zulu package brings to the Marine Air/Ground Task Force is exactly what the Marine Corps needs as we continue to fight two wars and conduct numerous other engagements in every clime and place," Hewson said. "I am proud to be a part of the team that is making that happen."

Source: U.S. Navy Naval Air Systems Command

 

[Someoneforyou]

Bell Helicopter AH-1Z Earns Navy Initial Operating Capability Designation
UNITED STATES - 15 MARCH 2011

Fort Worth, TX. - Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the U.S. Marine Corps' newest attack helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra, achieved Initial Operating Capability ahead of schedule in February.

"The AH-1Z is a magnificent machine and I am thrilled that the Zulu has now been designated ready for combat." said John L Garrison, president Bell Helicopter. "The partnership between Bell Helicopter and the Navy-Marine Corp team demonstrates that we are both fully committed to providing world class equipment for our warfighters."

The U.S. Marine Corps is replacing the two-bladed AH-1W with the AH-1Z, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, two additional wing stores stations on larger stub wings, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit. The AH-1Z will see a 120% increase mission radius with attack payload over the AH-1W.

As part of the H-1 Upgrade Program, the AH-1Z replaces the currently fielded AH-1W. The AH-1Z will serve a primary role in assault support, offensive air support and air reconnaissance. The Zulu will play a supporting role in anti-air warfare, electronic warfare, and control of aircraft and missiles.

"Getting the AH-1Z to IOC has been a huge achievement for the entire team," said Col. Harry Hewson, program manager for U.S. Marine Corps Light and Attack Helicopters. "Now we get to put the Zulu in the hands of the Marines and prove that it is indeed the most capable marinized attack helicopter in the world."

The H-1 Upgrade Program offers 84 percent commonality of major component parts between the AH-1Z and UH-1Y utility helicopters. This commonality reduces lifecycle and training costs and decreases the expeditionary logistics footprint for both aircraft.

The new Zulus feature 10,000 flight-hour airframes, a new four-bladed rotor system with semi-automatic blade fold of the new composite rotor blades, new performance matched transmissions, a new four-bladed tail rotor and drive system, upgraded landing gear, and pylon structural modifications. This will help the new Zulu to achieve a 39% increase in HOGE useful load over its predecessor. The Zulu also incorporates modernized, fully integrated cockpits/avionics that will reduce operator work load while improving situational awareness while being able to carry 32% more fuel.

The AH-1Z is equipped with two General Electric T700-GE-401 series engines and greatly increased lift capability and stores capacity, giving it a significantly greater ordnance payload for future growth potential. The primary weapon system is the Hellfire missile. It is fully shipboard compatible, and capable of operating from prepared or unprepared landing sites, day or night.

"The expeditionary agility that the Yankee/Zulu package brings to the Marine Air/Ground Task Force is exactly what the Marine Corps needs as we continue to fight two wars and conduct numerous other engagements in every clime and place," Hewson said. "I am proud to be a part of the team that is making that happen."


Source : Textron Inc.

 

[Someoneforyou]

Lockheed Martin To Respond To Joint Air-To-Ground Missile Request For Proposal
UNITED STATES - 14 APRIL 2011

ORLANDO, Fl -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today that it will respond to the government's Request for Proposal (RFP) for the next phases for the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command issued the RFP for Engineering and Manufacturing (EMD) and Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) on JAGM on April 13.

"Lockheed Martin's JAGM builds on three of the most trusted precision-guided weapons on the battlefield today: HELLFIRE, LONGBOW and Javelin," said Frank St. John, vice president of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "We are prepared to provide U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps warfighters with the next product in that line, an affordable weapon that will offer the decisive edge in combat."

The scope of the JAGM EMD contract will be to "complete all major component and subsystem critical design reviews (CDRs), a system-level CDR, component and subsystem testing, design verification testing, engineering development tests and production prove-out tests on the six threshold JAGM platforms." In addition to the EMD requirements, the RFP calls for three fixed-price LRIP options, as well as two fixed-priced advanced procurement items for "long-lead" components that drive the hardware delivery schedule.

Lockheed Martin is partnered with some of the industry's leading suppliers on the JAGM program. Aerojet, a GenCorp [NYSE: GY] company, will provide the JAGM rocket motor for all six threshold JAGM platforms. GenCorp is headquartered in Sacramento, Calif., with production facilities in Camden, Ark. Marvin Engineering, headquartered in Inglewood, Calif., will provide launchers for all six threshold platforms. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), a business unit of General Dynamics [NYSE: GD], will provide the multi-purpose warhead with high HELLFIRE commonality. GD-OTS is headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Fla., with production in Niceville, Fla.

"We are confident our proposed JAGM weapon system can provide significant performance advantages that will save lives," St. John said. "We are also confident that with hot, high-volume production lines already in place for HELLFIRE, Javelin and the M299 launcher family, we can provide that vital performance edge at an affordable price and with best value over program life."

Work on the JAGM program will be performed in Orlando and Ocala, Fla., and Troy, Ala., as well as suppliers' facilities across the U.S. and in the U.K. Contract award is expected during second quarter 2011.

Initial operational capability (IOC) of JAGM on the Army's AH 64D Apache, the USMC's AH 1Z Cobra attack helicopter and the Navy's F/A 18E/F Super Hornet jet fighter is scheduled for 2016. IOC for the Navy's MH 60R Seahawk armed reconnaissance helicopter, the Army's OH 58 cockpit and sensor upgrade program (CASUP) for the Kiowa Warrior armed reconnaissance helicopter and the Army's extended range multi-purpose unmanned aerial system is 2017.

Based on the IOC schedule, platform integration on the first three platforms will occur during the 48-month EMD phase. Platform integration on the next three is scheduled to begin during EMD and continue into the LRIP phase.


More Info: Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM):

The Lockheed Martin JAGM builds on an unmatched foundation of combat-proven precision air-to-ground missiles. We have successfully fielded missiles with all three of the JAGM seeker modes: precision-strike semi-active laser (SAL) on HELLFIRE, passive fire-and-forget imaging infrared (I2R) on Javelin, and all-weather fire-and-forget millimeter wave (MMW) on LONGBOW. To this firm foundation, we added the latest technology to give Warfighters expanded operational flexibility in addition to increased combat effectiveness and survivability with a single, low-cost next-generation advanced missile.

Fire-and-forget engagement modes, coupled with increased standoff employment ranges, significantly increase JAGM user survivability against threat defenses. The capability to actively or passively engage stationary and moving targets, day and night, despite adverse weather, battlefield obscurants and countermeasures greatly increases the employability of JAGM from multiple platforms against multiple targets. Point-designation engagement modes allow JAGM users to apply deadly force accurately across wide target sets with a single missile, thus avoiding fratricide and collateral damage. JAGM's target sets include armor, air defense units, patrol craft, artillery, transporter erector/launchers, radar sites, C2 nodes, bunkers and other structures in urban and complex terrain.

Lockheed Martin's single-missile configuration provides an affordable, low-risk solution that meets all Army, Navy and Marine Corps rotary-wing, fixed-wing and unmanned aerial system (UAS) requirements—with high modularity for rapid response to future requirements. This single missile for fixed- and rotary-wing platforms significantly reduces life-cycle cost, total system cost and logistics burdens with increasing operational flexibility ashore and afloat.

Features

Lock-on before and lock-on after-launch maximize operational employment

Fire-and-forget engagements against moving and stationary targets in clear and adverse weather increase survivability

Precision-point accuracy surpasses combat-proven HELLFIRE II

Tri-mode seeker provides unmatched performance in adverse weather and robustness against countermeasures

Modular design allows upgrades based on changing threats, providing operational flexibility on the battlefield

Multi-purpose warhead defeats multiple heavy armor and soft land- or water-borne target sets

Single IM rocket motor exceeds range and environmental requirements on both rotary- and fixed-wing platforms

JAGM seamlessly integrates with F/A-18 E/F, OH-58 CASUP, AH-1Z, MH-60R, AH-64D and MQ-1C ERMP

JAGM leverages mature technologies and early testing to reduce cost and risk

JAGM significantly increases aircrew and aircraft survivability with its increased range, fire-and-forget and minimumsmoke characteristics

Specifications

Range >16 km RW, >28 km FW

Guidance Tri-mode: MMW/I2R/SAL

Warhead Multi-purpose cockpitselectable tandem shaped charge/fragmentation

Weight 108 lb (49 kg)

Length 69.9 in (177.5 cm)

Diameter 7 in (17.8 cm)

Wingspan 12.8 in (32.5 cm)

Source: Lockheed Martin

 

[Someoneforyou]

Lockheed Martin Submits Proposal for Joint Air-to-Ground Missile
UNITED STATES - 6 JUNE 2011

ORLANDO, FL, June 6th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today it submitted a proposal in response to the government's Request for Proposal (RFP) for the next phases of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) program.

"Lockheed Martin's JAGM builds on HELLFIRE, LONGBOW and Javelin, three of the most trusted precision-guided weapons on the battlefield today," said Frank St. John, vice president of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Our JAGM offering will provide U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps warfighters with the next product in that line, an affordable weapon that will offer the decisive edge in combat."

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command issued the RFP for Engineering and Manufacturing and Low-Rate Initial Production for the JAGM program on April 13, with a submittal deadline of June 6.

"Our proposed JAGM weapon system can provide significant performance advantages to help save warfighter lives," St. John said. "And with hot, high-volume production lines already in place for HELLFIRE, Javelin and the M299 launcher family, we can provide a critically needed capability at an affordable price and with best value over program life."

Lockheed Martin is partnered with some of the industry's leading suppliers on the JAGM program. Aerojet, a GenCorp [NYSE: GY] company, will provide the JAGM rocket motor for all six threshold JAGM platforms. GenCorp is headquartered in Sacramento, Calif., with production facilities in Camden, Ark. Marvin Engineering, headquartered in Inglewood, Calif., will provide launchers for all six threshold platforms. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), a business unit of General Dynamics [NYSE: GD], will provide the multi-purpose warhead with significant HELLFIRE commonality. GD-OTS is headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Fla., with production in Niceville, Fla.

Work on the JAGM program will be performed in Orlando and Ocala, Fla., and Troy, Ala., as well at suppliers' facilities across the U.S. Contract award is expected during fourth quarter 2011.

JAGM is the next-generation air-to-surface guided missile that will replace the aging Airborne TOW, Maverick and HELLFIRE family of missiles for the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Initial operational capability (IOC) of JAGM on the Army's AH 64D Apache, the USMC's AH 1Z Cobra attack helicopter and the Navy's F/A 18E/F Super Hornet jet fighter is scheduled for 2016. IOC for the Navy's MH 60R Seahawk armed reconnaissance helicopter, the Army's OH 58 cockpit and sensor upgrade program for the Kiowa Warrior armed reconnaissance helicopter and the Army's extended range multi-purpose unmanned aerial system is 2017.

Source: Lockheed Martin

 

[Someoneforyou]

Lockheed Martin Demonstrates JAGM Tri-Mode Seeker Against Moving Sea Targets in Captive Flight Tests
UNITED STATES - 7 JUNE 2011

ORLANDO, FL, June 7th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) tri-mode seeker successfully acquired and tracked multiple moving maritime vessels during recent high-speed, captive flight tests.

The tests occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, off the shore of Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., against multiple maritime targets, including a Revenge Advanced Composites (RAC) state-of-the-art, low-signature, high-speed patrol craft. The RAC performed a series of evasive maneuvers against Lockheed Martin's JAGM tri-mode seeker, mounted in the nose section of a Sabreliner Series 60 jet aircraft.

"These tests demonstrated the strong performance of our seeker design," said Frank St. John, vice president of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "There are many variables in tracking a target at sea, especially a moving target. Lockheed Martin's JAGM has clearly proven it fills all eight critical capability gaps identified and revalidated twice in the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process."

The tests highlighted the robustness of the seeker on fixed-wing aircraft, as well as its performance against one of the most challenging targets in JAGM's target set. The tests also validated superior seeker performance in the demanding, high-humidity environment associated with contingency operations in the world's littorals.

The long-range, high-speed seeker tests were company funded. They collected data that validated the effectiveness of the seeker against sea targets at the maximum ranges of the fire-and-forget modes. Speeds during the test approached 400 knots at 20,000 foot altitude.

Captive flight testing against maritime targets was not required by the recently completed JAGM Technology Demonstration phase, but is part of the upcoming JAGM Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) phase. These tests reduce risk for EMD and demonstrate the seeker's capability to acquire and track a moving target at sea from the required range. The tests also demonstrated the mid-wave infrared technology used in Lockheed Martin's JAGM seeker is capable of acquiring and tracking targets during any typical engagement scenario.

JAGM is the next-generation air-to-surface guided missile that is being competed as the replacement for the currently fielded Airborne TOW, Maverick and HELLFIRE missiles for the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Threshold aviation platforms for JAGM include the U.S. Army's AH-64D Apache attack helicopter, MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aerial system and OH-58D CASUP Kiowa Warrior armed reconnaissance helicopter; the U.S. Marine Corps' AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter; and the U.S. Navy's MH-60R Seahawk armed reconnaissance helicopter and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet jet fighter. JAGM initial operational capability (IOC) on the AH-64D, AH-1Z and F/A-18E/F is scheduled for 2016; IOC for the MH-60R, OH-58 CASUP and MQ-1C is 2017.


Source: Lockheed Martin

 

[Someoneforyou]

Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Improved Aircraft Survivability and Digital Interoperability
UNITED STATES - 19 JULY 2011

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., July 19, 2011 -- Technology developed as part of Northrop Grumman's (NYSE:NOC) Rotorcraft Avionics Innovation Laboratory (RAIL) took flight for the first time aboard the U.S. Navy's T-Rex UH-1N test bed aircraft to demonstrate improved aircraft survivability, increased situational awareness and digital interoperability.

Utilizing an Internet Protocol (IP)-based, mesh-enabled, beyond-line-of-sight network, the aircraft transmitted and received sensor meta-data and imagery from the battlefield to provide a common operational picture showcasing network-centric multi-platform collaboration.

"Several field-ready upgrade capabilities were integrated into existing systems to produce solutions our warfighters need, including threat geolocation, sensor cross-cueing, transmission of video and threat data, and scene-stitched imagery to provide situational awareness around the platform," said Hao Tran, director of Advanced Concepts and Technologies for Northrop Grumman's Advanced Concepts and Technologies Division. "In addition, we successfully introduced Northrop Grumman's multifunction Advanced Threat Warner onboard a helicopter providing a four-in-one capability in a single sensor, including missile warning, laser warning, hostile fire detection and sensor video."

The joint U.S. Naval Aviation Center for Rotorcraft Advancement (NACRA) and Northrop Grumman team rapidly integrated, installed and flew a complete avionics suite on the NACRA UH-1N T-Rex helicopter with more than 10 products from multiple companies, including aircraft survivability equipment, the APR-39 Aircraft Survivability Equipment suite controller function, data link and networking equipment, navigation equipment, sensor suites, and display systems integrated together in an open architecture environment.

T-Rex is operated by NACRA, based in Patuxent River, Md., and is the only rotary-wing technology test bed currently flown by the Navy.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

[Someoneforyou]

Bell Wins $550M for H-1 Helicopter Production

Pentagon Contract Announcement
UNITED STATES - 25 JULY 2011

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $549,999,711 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-10-C-0015) for long lead materials and components associated with the manufacture and delivery of 19 Lot Eight UH-1Y new-build aircraft; eight AH-1Z remanufactured aircraft; and six Lot Eight AH-1Z new-build aircraft.

This modification is the production definitization of the AAC to include negotiated Lot Eight aircraft pricing.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (60 percent), and Amarillo, Texas (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in February 2014. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.


Source: U.S Department of Defense

 

[Someoneforyou]

ATK, BAE Systems Awarded JATAS EMD Contract for US Navy and Marine Corps

ATK Awarded $109 Million Contract to Develop Joint and Allied Threat Awareness System (JATAS) for U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft
UNITED STATES - 28 JULY 2011

MINNEAPOLIS, July 28, 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) and teammate BAE Systems announced their industry team has been awarded a $109-million contract by the U.S. Navy for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of the Joint and Allied Threat Awareness System (JATAS), a next-generation warning system designed to enhance aircraft survivability against man-portable air-defense systems, small-caliber weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.

The JATAS enhances aircraft survivability by providing advanced missile warning capability; aircrew warning of laser-based weapon systems such as range finders, illuminators, and beam riders; and hostile fire indication (HFI) for small arms, rockets, and other unguided threats. It will interface with the existing AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispensing System.

The JATAS features an open architecture design, which enables easy upgrades in the future with other self-protection functions.

"The ATK � BAE Systems industry team brings tremendous engineering and operations expertise that is focused on making JATAS a success," said Mike Kahn, President of ATK Missile Products Group. "Our collective experience in the design, development and production of combat-proven aircraft survivability equipment brings together the very best capabilities of our industry to successfully execute and deliver JATAS for our customer."

"Our team is excited to be selected for the JATAS program, and we look forward to partnering closely with the U.S. Navy to develop an affordable and highly effective, next-generation aircraft survivability system," said Bill Kasting, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Defense Electronics Systems. "Our combined team will draw upon many years of proven experience in developing innovative systems to protect military aircraft and aircrew lives."

"BAE Systems is proud to be able to partner with such an exceptional group on this very important program," said Mike Pepin, Vice President of BAE Systems' Survivability & Protection Solutions business area. "We are thrilled by today's announcement and are looking forward to working with ATK for our warfighters."

The ATK and BAE Systems team was one of two industry teams competing under a Technology Demonstration (TD) phase, awarded in October 2009. As the manufacturers of the current AAR-47 and AAR-57 missile warning systems, respectively, ATK and BAE Systems bring experience with installations on more than 5,000 fixed and rotor winged aircraft -- including the MV-22, C-5, C-17, C-130, P-3, CH-53/MH-53, CH-46, HH/SH/MH-60, AH-1W/Z, AH-64, and UH-1N/Y -- that span the U.S. military services and several allied nations. As the next generation threat warning system, the JATAS is initially planned for integration onto the MV-22B, MH-60R, MH-60S, AH-1Z, and UH-1Y platforms. Future platform integration requirements will be determined by the military services.

The ATK team will commence the 48-month EMD phase, which will focus on transitioning the design from development prototypes to production representative systems. Contract work will be performed in ATK's Clearwater, FL, and Woodland Hills, CA facilities, and BAE Systems' Nashua, NH facility. Work is expected to be completed in September 2015. Other members of the JATAS industry team include DRS and Goodrich.


Source: ATK