DTN News: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Lockheed Martin For Target Sight System (TSS) Related To Pakistan Army Aviation Corps AH-1Z Cobra Attack Helicopters

DTN News: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Lockheed Martin For Target Sight System (TSS) Related To  Pakistan Army Aviation Corps AH-1Z Cobra Attack Helicopters 

Source: K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-010-16 January 15, 2016
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 18, 2016: Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, is being awarded a $14,221,556 cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action for the procurement of non-recurring engineering requirements on the Target Sight System (TSS), including software development and testing, system modification, testing, and installation requirements necessary to configure the TSS to the requirements of the government of Pakistan.  

The TSS provides target identification and tracking, passive targeting for integrated weapons, including Hellfire missiles, and a laser-designation capability supporting friendly laser-guided weapons.  The TSS is integrated into the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters.  

Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (94 percent); and Ocala, Florida (6 percent).  The work is expected to be complete by December 2017.  Fiscal 2016 foreign military sales funding in the amount of $3,555,389 will be obligated at time of award.  Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  


This contract is being negotiated on a sole-source basis in accordance with statutory authority 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4) as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-4.  The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity (N00164-16-C-JQ11).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth - DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-010-16 January 15, 2016 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: The Bell AH-1 Super Cobra is The US Marines' Attack Helicopter

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: The Bell AH-1 Super Cobra is The US Marines' Attack Helicopter

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Bell Helicopter
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - September 10, 2014: The AH-1W Super Cobra is the US Marines' attack helicopter. It is supplied by Bell Helicopter Textron, and entered service in 1985.

As well as the US Marine Corps (USMC), the Super Cobra is operational with the Turkish Land Forces and the armed forces of Taiwan. The AH-1W was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003.

AH-1W Super Cobra orders and deliveries

Around 63 AH-1W helicopters were acquired by the Republic of China Army in 1990. As of January 2010, 59 helicopters were operational.

In 1990, the Turkish Army procured ten AH-1W Super Cobras. Six helicopters were operational as of July 2010. Two more AH-1W helicopters were delivered by the US in 2011 under a foreign military sales contract. About 167 AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters are being operated by the USMC.

The Republic of Korea Army obtained eight AH-1J Cobras in 1978 and three are in service as of January 2010.

The US Navy uses seven AH-1Ws for test and rating purposes on behalf of the USMC. The marine corps took delivery of three upgraded AH-1s from Bell in February 2008. Bell received a contract for 15 upgraded aircraft (11 UH-1Ys and four AH-1Zs) in September 2008 and delivered 20 upgraded H-1 helicopters (14 UH-1Ys and six AH-1Zs) in 2008.

The US Navy ordered 16 Lot 6 H-1 helicopters (five AH-1Zs and 11 UH-1Ys) in March 2009 totalling the entire contract to produce 65 upgraded H-1 aircraft (17 AH-1Zs and 48 UH-1Ys). Bell delivered six AH-1Zs and 17 UH-1Ys in March 2009.
In September 2008, NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command) ordered 46 AH-1Zs bringing its total orders to 226.

Super Cobra attack helicopter upgrade programme

A major upgrade of the Bell Super Cobra known as the H-1 programme is underway. The programme calls for the remanufacture of the US Marine Corps fleet of 180 AH-1W Super Cobra and 100 UH-1N utility helicopters to an advanced four-bladed configuration, which will operate to beyond 2020. An upgraded cockpit configuration allows easy co-pilot access to the night targeting system (NTS). These are also remanufactured with "zero-time" airframes comprising advanced technology.

The original two-bladed semi-rigid, teetering rotor system has been replaced with a four-bladed, hingeless, bearingless rotor system. The improvement in flight characteristics provided by the four-bladed configuration has led to increases in flight envelope, maximum speed, vertical rate-of-climb, payload and rotor vibration level.

The USMC subsequently decided on new-build rather than remanufactured UH-1Y helicopters and, in February 2008, awarded Bell a contract for the new build of 40 of the proposed 189 AH-1Z helicopters. Four additional helicopters were ordered in September 2008.

First flight of the AH-1Z took place in December 2000. The AH-1W entered low-rate initial production (LRIP) in October 2003. Five AH-1W helicopters were remanufactured to AH-1Z standard and took part in flight testing at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. Sea trials in May 2005 included the first shipboard landing on USS Bataan, Wasp Class amphibious assault ship.

Developmental testing was completed in February 2006 and two test aircraft began operational evaluation (OPEVAL) with the USMC in May 2006. The first production AH-1Z helicopter was delivered to the USMC in January 2007. Phase II of OPEVAL began in February 2008, and the OPEVAL was completed in October 2010. In November 2010, the AH-1Z was approved for the full-rate production. Initial operating capability of the AH-1Z Cobra took place in February 2011.

The Turkish Army selected the AH-1Z King Cobra in July 2000 with a request for 50 out of a total requirement for 145 helicopters. In May 2004, it was announced that the acquisition was to be cancelled. The helicopters were to be built in Turkey by Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Super Cobra cockpit

Northrop Grumman has developed the integrated avionics systems for the AH-1Z. The systems include two mission computers and an automatic flight control system with four-axis stability control augmentation system. Each crew station has two 8in×6in multifunction displays and one 4.2in×4.2in dual function display, based on active matrix liquid crystal colour technology.

The displays are supplied by L-3 Ruggedised Command and Control Solutions. Smiths Aerospace supplied the weapon stores control and data transfer system.

"The AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003."

The communications suite combines the new US Navy RT-1824 integrated radio, UHF/VHF, COMSEC and modem in a single unit. The navigation suite includes an embedded GPS inertial (EGI), a low-airspeed air data subsystem, which allows weapons delivery when hovering and a digital map.

In June 2002, Thales Avionics' TopOwl helmet-mounted display system was chosen for the USMC AH-1Z. The first system was delivered in January 2003. TopOwl, also fitted on Tiger, NH90 and Rooivalk helicopters, has integrated Gen IV image intensifier and FLIR capability and provides transition from day to night use at the push of a button.
Weapons and missiles

The Super Cobra can carry both TOW and Hellfire anti-armour missiles and is being qualified to carry the Maverick missile. The Raytheon BGM-71 TOW missile has a range of more than 3km and semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight guidance. The AGM-114 Hellfire missile is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. It is equipped with a semi-active laser seeker and has a range of 7km. The Super Cobra has fire-and-forget capability when firing the Hellfire missile in co-operative mode with laser target illumination.

The Super Cobra was the first attack helicopter to qualify both the Sidewinder air-to-air missile and the Sidearm anti-radiation missile. Both missiles can use the same LAU-7 rail launcher. Sidearm has a range of more than 15km. AIM-9L Sidewinder is an all-aspect, short-range, air-to-air missile produced by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The missile has a range of 15km.

The Super Cobra can fire the Hydra family of unguided 70mm rockets or the larger 127mm Zuni rocket bombs. Since 2008, all units have been armed with the advanced precision kill weapon system (APKWS), a guided version of the Hydra. The US Army reopened the competition for the APKWS in September 2005 and BAE Systems was selected as the prime contractor on 27 April 2006. A $96.1m contract was awarded to BAE systems by the US Army for design and development of APKWS II laser guided rockets.

The Super Cobra carries a three-barrel, 20mm Gatling gun for close range (up to 2km) engagement and 750 rounds of ammunition. With the gun in a fixed forward position, the pilot can aim by manoeuvring the helicopter. Either crew member can slave the turret to the helmet-mounted sight and aim the gun by looking at the target.

"The Super Cobra carries a three-barrel, 20mm Gatling gun for close range engagement."
The AH-1Z for the USMC will be armed with: 16 Hellfire missiles, six AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 70mm rocket pods (7- and 19-shot), and a 20mm gun.
Sensors

Targeting for the AH-1W is provided by the night targeting system (NTS), jointly produced by Tamam Division of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd and Kollsman.

NTS integrates a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) which provides automatic target tracking with a laser designator / rangefinder and video recorder.

Lockheed Martin has developed a longer range AN/AAQ-30 target sight system (TSS) for the AH-1Z to replace the NTS. TSS includes a third-generation four field-of-view FLIR based on a 3-5-micron staring array, CCD colour TV, Kollsman eyesafe laser rangefinder / designator and multi-target autotracker. L-3 Communications Wescam supplies the turret assembly. Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to supply the first 16 systems to the USMC in March 2008.

Longbow International (a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman) is developing the Cobra Radar System for the AH-1Z, based on the Longbow millimetre wave radar on the AH-64D Apache. Cobra is a pod-based radar that can be mounted on a wingtip or in a stores position. Cobra can automatically search, detect, classify and prioritise multiple moving and stationary targets. It has a range of 8km against moving and 4km against stationary targets.

Countermeasures

The H1 Super Cobra upgrade includes provision of a new electronic warfare suite. A new radar warner, the AN/APR-39(XE2) from Lockheed Martin, replaces the Lockheed Martin AN/APR-39(V)2 pulse radar warner and the AEL Industries AN/APR-44 continuous-wave radar warner.

The ATK AN/AAR-47 missile warning system has been included in the upgrade suite. AN/AAR-47 uses infrared detectors to detect the missile plume. The Goodrich (formerly Raytheon) AN/AVR-2A laser warning receiver has also been added. The infrared countermeasures system is the AN/ALQ-144A developed by BAE Systems IEWS (formerly Sanders, a Lockheed Martin company).

The helicopter is also equipped with the AN/ALE-39 chaff and infrared flare dispenser manufactured by BAE Systems Integrated Defense Solutions (formerly Tracor) and Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems.

Engines

Twin General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines provide a total of 2,410kW or 3,380shp.

In standard conditions, with an air-to-air ordnance load, the Super Cobra can take off and climb out at more than 4.1m/s on only one engine. It can hover out of ground effect (OGE) at 914m, with a load of four TOW and four Hellfire missiles, full turret ammunition and rockets.

Performance

The helicopter can climb at the rate of 8.2m a second. The maximum and cruise speeds of the helicopter are 388km/h and 274km/h respectively. The range and service ceiling are 648km and 3,720m respectively. The maximum endurance of the helicopter is three hours and 30 minutes. The helicopter weighs around 4,953kg and the maximum take-off weight is 6,690kg.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Bell Helicopter
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Walbridge Aldinger Co., Detroit Contract Of Gearbox Repair And Details As Stated For H-1Y/Z Helicopters

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Walbridge Aldinger Co., Detroit Contract Of Gearbox Repair And Details As Stated For H-1Y/Z Helicopters
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources DoD No. 181-12 March 15, 2012
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 20, 2012:  Walbridge Aldinger Co., Detroit, Mich., is being awarded $11,515,000 for firm-fixed-price task order 0003 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N40085-10-D-5331) for construction of an H-1Y/Z helicopter gearbox repair and test facility at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point.  

This single-story high bay building facility will include a disassembly area, parts kitting area, production/control clean parts area, assembly area for the main rotor gearbox, assembly area for the immediate and tailor rotor gearboxes, flushing room and integrated quality team area, main rotor gearbox test cell and intermediate/tail rotor gearbox test cell.  

The task order also contains one unexercised option, which, if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $12,005,506.  Work will be performed in Havelock, N.C., and is expected to be completed by August 2013.  

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  Five proposals were received for this task order.  

The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. 

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources DoD No. 181-12 March 15, 2012 
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DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Bell Helicopter Textron For Repair Works On H-1 Helicopter

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Bell Helicopter Textron For Repair Works On H-1 Helicopter

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources DTN News & U.S. DoD issued No. 142-12 February 29, 2012
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada – March 2, 2012: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.*, Hurst, Texas, is being awarded $11,057,924 for delivery order 7001 under previously awarded contract (N00383-11-D-012N) for the repair of four items supporting the H-1 helicopter:  Cobra main rotor blade; combining gearbox assembly; right hand stub wing; and left hand stub wing.  Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas, and the expected completion date is November 2013. 

 The Navy Working Capital Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 

One company was solicited for this requirement and one offer was received in response to the solicitation. 

NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources DTN News & U.S. DoD issued No. 142-12 February 29, 2012
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DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed Martin Delivers AH-1Z Cobra Targeting Systems To The U.S. Marine Corps Ahead Of Schedule

DTN News - LOCKHEED MARTIN DEFENSE NEWS: Lockheed Martin Delivers AH-1Z Cobra Targeting Systems To The U.S. Marine Corps Ahead Of Schedule

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Lockheed Martin

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada / ORLANDO, Fl,- May 26, 2011: Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently began early delivery of Target Sight System (TSS) follow-on production units for the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. The TSS units feature upgraded software to provide additional targeting capabilities.

TSS is the multi-sensor fire control system for the AH-1Z, integrating state-of-the-art sensors to provide pilots with enhanced capabilities to acquire, track and designate targets. The highly stabilized sensor suite includes a laser designator, color video display and a third-generation, mid-wave, forward-looking infrared sensor with advanced image processing.

“The TSS team has been working diligently to assure the AH-1Z Cobra is one of the most effective attack helicopters to counter today’s battlefield threats,” said Joseph Butera, TSS senior program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The team ensured that the squadron had the hardware they needed when they needed it, and the sensors performed flawlessly during testing.”

The integration of the TSS with the AH-1Z Cobra fire control system gives pilots the capability to detect and identify targets before they fly into the range of the threat, ensuring increased standoff range and precise target engagements in every climate and location.

Lockheed Martin delivered the first follow-on production unit two months ahead of schedule. Early integration of upgraded system software provides enhancements based on flight test results and user feedback. Additional targeting capabilities include a new target sizing function, refined geo-location accuracy and superior weapon alignment. The Cobra attack helicopter achieved initial operating capability in February 2011.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center awarded the initial TSS production contract in March 2008 and a follow-on production contract in June 2010. The system is produced at Lockheed Martin facilities in Florida. Production is expected to continue through 2018.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

Melissa Hilliard, (407) 356-5351; e-mail melissa.hilliard@lmco.com

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources

Lockheed Martin

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DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY February 17, 2010 ~ Marines Battling Afghanistan Taliban Call In Gunships

DTN News: Afghanistan TODAY February 17, 2010 ~ Marines Battling Afghanistan Taliban Call In Gunships *Source: DTN News / BBC (NSI News Source Info) KABUL, Afghanistan - February 17, 2010: US Marines battling the Taliban in southern Afghanistan have had to call in helicopter gunships for support, as a major offensive enters its fifth day. The marines have faced sustained and heavy machine-gun fire from fighters hiding in bunkers, as they try to gain control of the Taliban haven of Marjah. US Marines have come under heavy machine-gun fire in Marjah Some 15,000 troops are taking part in the joint Nato and Afghan operation. To the north, British forces have discovered an insurgent cache of stolen Afghan army and police uniforms. U.S. Marines from Bravo Company of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines and an Afghan soldier prepare to enter a house to search for weapons in the town of Marjah, in Nad Ali district of Helmand province February 16, 2010. U.S. Marines, leading one of NATO's biggest offensives against Taliban Islamic militants in Afghanistan, are facing fierce resistance in some areas, bogged down by heavy gunfire, snipers and booby traps. The find suggests the Taliban could have been planning attacks disguised as Afghan security personnel, the BBC's Frank Gardner in Kandahar says. Both American and British forces taking part in Operation Moshtarak have been having to deal with large numbers of improvised bombs. American forces have found a so-called "daisy chain" - a long bomb rigged up from mortar bombs, rocket-propelled grenades and a motorbike, our correspondent says. Flames rise up from heroin and hashish set ablaze during a drug burning ceremony in Khost, south of Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010. Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium, the raw ingredient for heroine, which is considered to be a major funding source for the Taliban. Meanwhile, British engineers have deployed a device called a "python" - a length of explosives designed to set off mines and clear a safe path through them, he says. Afghan army chief of staff Besmillah Khan told the AFP news agency the threat from improvised bombs meant gains were coming "slowly". Nato says discussions with the local population on how to bring lasting security in the area are continuing, our correspondent adds. Missiles 'on target' US forces have encountered pockets of fierce resistance around the town of Marjah as the operation to force the Taliban out of their strongholds in Helmand province continues. But British and Afghan troops are reported to be advancing more swiftly in the nearby district of Nad Ali. Operation Moshtarak is the biggest coalition attack since the Taliban fell in 2001 The commander of British forces in southern Afghanistan said on Tuesday a missile that struck a house outside Marjah on Sunday killing 12 people, including six children, had hit its intended target. Maj Gen Nick Carter said the rocket had not malfunctioned and the US system responsible for firing it was back in use. Officials say three Taliban, as well as civilians, were in the house. Initial Nato reports said the missile had landed about 300m (984ft) off its intended target. Gen Carter blamed these "conflicting" reports on "the fog of war". He said that protecting the local population remained at the heart of the operation and that coalition forces were being very careful with aerial-launched missiles. Nato has stressed that the safety of civilians in the areas targeted is its highest priority. Speaking on Tuesday, Dawud Ahmadi - a spokesman for Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal - said the Afghan National Army and Nato forces were clearing areas around Marjah of mines. Mr Ahmadi said that 1,240 families had been displaced and evacuated from Marjah - and all had received aid in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Operation Moshtarak, meaning "together" in the Dari language, is the biggest coalition attack since the Taliban fell in 2001. Allied officials have reported only two coalition deaths so far - one American and one Briton killed on Saturday. TALIBAN CONFLICT LATEST NEWS Taliban 'military chief' seized in Pakistan Afghanistan missile 'hit target' Afghan Taliban resist Nato push Operation Moshtarak: Day-by-day Operation Moshtarak: Diary BACKGROUND Breakthrough? How significant is Taliban chief's arrest? Tightening grip Critical operation has high stakes Operation Moshtarak Information - the new frontline 'Success not surprise' Who are the Taliban? Map: Foreign forces Q&A: Who is fighting the Taliban Mapping the militant nexus

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Delivers First Target Sight System Production Unit To The U.S. Marine Corps

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Delivers First Target Sight System Production Unit To The U.S. Marine Corps *Sources: DTN News / Lockheed Martin (NSI News Source Info) ORLANDO, FL, - July 2, 2009: Lockheed Martin marked the delivery of the first Target Sight System (TSS) production unit at a ceremony held at its Orlando, FL, facility June 30. The TSS is the multi-sensor fire control system for the U.S. Marine Corps’ AH-1Z Cobra helicopter. The TSS integrates state-of-the-art sensors, providing Cobra pilots with enhanced capabilities to acquire, track and designate targets. The system provides superior imagery through a highly-stabilized sensor suite that includes a laser designator, color TV and a third-generation, mid-wave, forward-looking infrared sensor with advanced image processing. "Lockheed Martin has worked hard to deliver a superior targeting system capability for the AH-1Z Cobra,” said Col. Harry Hewson, U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager Air 276. "TSS allows Warfighters to see farther with greater precision, enabling mission accomplishment and safe return to base. We are looking forward to deploying this capability in the field." The Naval Surface Warfare Center awarded the initial TSS production contract in March 2008. Production will take place at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Ocala and Orlando, FL. Delivery of the 16 systems contracted will be completed in 2010. "We are committed to providing the U.S. Marine Corps with a sensor solution that provides outstanding value through high performance, reliability and combat survivability," said Mike Inderhees, director of Turreted Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "With TSS, Cobra pilots can now identify a threat from significantly increased standoff ranges, allowing them to accurately engage the enemy at maximum weapon ranges."Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

DTN News: Israeli Air Force Conducts War Games / Israeli Air Force Holds Exercise Simulating War With Iran

DTN News: Israeli Air Force Conducts War Games / Israeli Air Force Holds Exercise Simulating War With Iran

(NSI News Source Info) JERUSALEM - May 24 2009: Israel recently ran an air force exercise, to practice deploying combat and transport aircraft and helicopters for a simultaneous war with Hamas in the south, and Hezbollah in the north. Israel frequently runs large scale air force exercises. These are hard to miss. Israel is only 424 kilometers long, and 114 kilometers wide.

Soldiers prepare an Israeli air force F-16 fighter jet for take off at Hatzerim air base, southern Israel.

Put several hundred jet fighters into the air for a day, and it will be noticed, and noted. In the last three years, the air force has been in the air a lot more often for these training exercises. The air force was deeply embarrassed by its inability to perform as promised in the 2006 war in southern Lebanon. Thus it made a lot of changes before going after Hamas in Gaza in late 2008. Most people only noted the massive surprise attack, with dozens of targets taken out within three minutes by Israeli warplanes. That was an impressive example of precision bombing. But when the Israeli ground troops entered Gaza ten days later, other air force innovations were largely invisible to the public. Since 2006, the air force has made radical changes in the way it coordinates its operations with the ground forces. To do this it mobilized dozens of older (some retired) fighter pilots and used them to staff air support coordination detachments at brigade headquarters. These officers were in turn supported by new technology that provided the air support coordination officers, and the army commanders they supported, with more real time video from UAVs and aircraft. The objective of all this was to increase the speed and accuracy of smart bombs and missiles hitting targets the army wanted taken out. The air force tracked targets outside areas where Israeli ground troops were operating, and trained to find, and keep tabs on, key Hamas personnel and weapons (like rockets), and hit them when there weren't many (preferably any) civilians around. Each brigade also had its own attack helicopter squadron, which the brigade commander could use any way he saw fit. But he also had in his headquarters, an experienced attack helicopter pilot to advise on how best to use the gunships. Again, the idea was to use aircraft and helicopters more quickly and accurately. Unlike 2006, the air force no longer underestimates the enemy. That's largely because the air force has regularly been carrying out attacks in Gaza for the last two years, in response to Hamas attacks, usually with rockets, on Israel. The "Gaza War" operations were simply an expansion of that, doing more attacks in a shorter period of time, and in closer coordination with the army. The air force also has some new tactics just for Hezbollah, but those are not talked about much. The core combat power of the Israeli Air Force is found in 24 F-15E and over 300 F-16 fighter bombers. The older F-16s are all being upgraded to the F-16I standard. There are also 37 AH-64 helicopter gunships, and several hundred trainers, transports and other support aircraft and helicopters.

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U.S. Navy Orders More H-1 Aircraft From Bell Helicopter

U.S. Navy Orders More H-1 Aircraft From Bell Helicopter

(NSI News Source Info) FORT WORTH, TEXAS - April 8, 2009: Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced that the U.S. Navy has awarded a new production contract to Bell for the purchase of Lot 6 of the H-1 Upgrade Program, an award worth $288 million. The 16 aircraft in Lot 6 include five AH-1Z aircraft and 11 UH-1Y aircraft. All 16 aircraft will be built at Bell's Military Aircraft Assembly Center in Amarillo, Texas, with deliveries of completed Lot 6 aircraft scheduled to begin in 2011.

*The AH-1Z is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the USMC 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. *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. *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. Officials at Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., signed the new production contract Mar. 27. Bell is now on contract to produce a total of 65 upgraded H-1 aircraft for the Marines: 17 AH-1Z attack aircraft and 48 UH-1Y utility aircraft. So far, the company has delivered 23 upgraded H-1 helicopters: six AH-1Zs and 17 UH-1Ys.

Bell Wins $289M For UH-1Y, AH-1Z Production / Pentagon Contract Announcement

Bell Wins $289M For UH-1Y, AH-1Z Production / Pentagon Contract Announcement

(NSI News Source Info) March 31, 2009: Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $288,862,757 firm fixed price contract for the Fiscal Year 2009 procurement of 11 UH-1Y and 5 AH-1Z helicopters and associated technical data for the U.S. Marine Corps. Under the US Marine Corps H-1 programme, 100 UH-1N Huey utility helicopters are being remanufactured by Bell Helicopter to the UH-1Y grade and 180 AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters to AH-1Z grade. In April 2005, the USMC decided that the helicopters will be built as new rather than remanufactured, starting from the third low-rate initial production (LRIP) batch in 2008. "The UH-1Y helicopter is fully marinised and capable of shipboard operations worldwide." This strategy was preferred because of the increase in operational deployment following Operation Iraqi Freedom, the marginal cost difference and the adverse impact of having helicopters out of commission during the upgrade process. The UH-1Y and AH-1Z have a very high level of commonality which reduces the manufacturing and procurement costs. The helicopters have a common four-bladed, composite, hingeless, bearingless main rotor system and tail rotor, engine, avionics, software, controls and displays.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, (60 percent) and Amarillo, Texas, (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in Oct. 2011.

Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity (N00019-09-C-0023).

Iran: Circumventing Arms Embargo, Risky Business

Iran: Circumventing Arms Embargo, Risky Business

(NSI News Source Info) February 2, 2009: A naturalized U.S. citizen, Hassan Keshari, recently pled guilty to violating the arms embargo on Iran. Keshari was born in Iran, and acted as a middleman between the Iranian import companies that paid for all this, and a supplier in Florida who was able to obtain spare parts for C-130 transports, F-14 fighters and AH-1 helicopter gunships. Many parts for these aircraft are fairly common items in the U.S. aviation business, but harder to get overseas, or in an embargoed country like Iran. The owner of the Florida company has pleaded innocent, and goes on trial in four months. Ever since the U.S. embargo was imposed in 1979 (after Iran broke diplomatic protocol by seizing the American embassy), Iran has sought, with some success, to offer big money to smugglers who can beat the embargo and get needed industrial and military equipment.

This is a risky business, and American and European prisons are full of Iranians, and other nationals, who tried, and failed, to procure forbidden goods. The smuggling operations is currently under more scrutiny, and attack, because of Iran's growing nuclear weapons program. Many of those caught aiding the Iranian procurement effort, are Iranian by birth. Iranian recruiters go after expatriate Iranians, especially those who have become citizens in their new countries, to help get forbidden items.

This has put over a hundred of these expatriates in jail or on the run from their adopted homes. In most cases, the Iranian recruiters offer money, but they will also invoke "love of the motherland", or even threats against kin still in Iran.