DTN News: Royal Netherlands Air Force Upgrading 29 (28) Boeing AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters

DTN News: Royal Netherlands Air Force Upgrading 29 (28) Boeing AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopters *Source: DTN News / Defense Security Cooperation Agency (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - August 9, 2009: On August 6, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of The Netherlands of Apache helicopter modification kits and associated equipment, training, and logistical support for an estimated cost of $181 million. The AH-64D Longbow Apache is a remanufactured and upgraded version of the AH-64A Apache attack helicopter. The primary modifications to the Apache are the addition of a millimeter-wave Fire Control Radar (FCR) target acquisition system, the fire-and-forget Longbow Hellfire air-to-ground missile, updated T700-GE-701C engines, and a fully-integrated cockpit. In addition, the aircraft receives improved survivability, communications, and navigation capabilities. Most existing capabilities of the AH-64A Apache are retained. Transportability requirements were initially identified in the ORD and further defined in the AH-64D System Specification. Both configurations of the AH-64D, including any removed items and appropriate PGSE, shall be capable of being transported aboard C-141B, C-5A, or C-17 aircraft. The aircraft shall also be capable of being transported and hangar stored below decks in the landing platform helicopter (LPH) type carrier, Fast SeaLift ships, Roll-on/Roll-off, LASH, SEABEE ships, and Military Sealift Command (MSC) dry cargo ships. The Government of The Netherlands has requested a possible sale of modification kits to upgrade its 29 AH-64D APACHE Block I Helicopters to Block II configuration, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, engineering change proposals, contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistics support. This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the U.S. by improving the military capabilities of The Netherlands and enhancing standardization and interoperability with U.S. forces. The Netherlands is a NATO ally and an active U.S. partner in Overseas Contingency Operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Netherlands needs these upgrades to enhance its AH-64 fleet capabilities. Having the same aircraft configuration as the U.S. would greatly contribute to its military capability, making it a more capable and sustainable coalition force to support Overseas Contingency Operations. The Netherlands has the ability to use and maintain these helicopters as evidenced by their operating previous AH-64 configurations. The Netherlands, which already has the AH-64 APACHE in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing and utilizing these enhanced helicopters into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be Boeing Corporation of Mesa, Arizona. There are offset agreements proposed in connection with this sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require four contractor representatives in The Netherlands to conducting training for a period of two weeks. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean that the sale has been concluded.

DTN News: First Flight Of Refurbished C-130 For Royal Netherlands Air Force

DTN News: First Flight Of Refurbished C-130 For Royal Netherlands Air Force *Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) CAMBRIDG, UK - June 29, 2009: The first of two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft that are being refurbished and modernized for the Royal Netherlands Air Force has successfully made its first flight. Both aircraft are to be shortly delivered to the air force. The Ministry of Defence acquired the two aircraft because of its intensive participation in peacekeeping missions. These aircraft will double the number of C-130s in Dutch service to four. The first flight of the second refurbished aircraft will take place later this year from Marshall Aerospace, which is carrying out the refurbishment and upgrade program with Lockheed Martin, the original manufacturer. The cockpit of the aircraft has been extensively modernized, and all of its analogue displays have been replaced by digital displays, with the latest technology. The modifications help to reduce the crew workload while improving situational awareness and safety. Director Martin Broadhurst of Marshall Aerospace said : "This is one of the most complex tasks we have ever carrier out." Thanks to the modifications, the aircraft satisfy the current requirements in the field of maritime and electronic warfare. Modernisation was required since the previous owner, the US Navy, retired the aircraft in 1991. After beginning dismantling in 2006, the aircraft were transported to the Marshall Aerospace factory in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Over the coming weeks, Dutch aircrew will gain experience on the aircraft during several test flights.

DTN News: Lockheed Wins $2.1 Billion For JSF Production

DTN News: Lockheed Wins $2.1 Billion For JSF Production

(NSI News Source Info) PENTAGON/WASHINGTON - June 3, 2009: Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $2,106,525,040 modification to definitize the previously awarded Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) air system low rate initial production Lot III advance acquisition contract (N00019-08-C-0028) to a cost-plus-incentive-fee/award-fee contract.

The JSF’s incoming program manager has unexpectedly defended the rationale for the alternate engine the Pentagon wants to kill, while confirming further slippage in the flight test program.

This modification provides for the procurement of 7 Air Force conventional take off and landing (CTOL), 7 Marine Corps short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL); 1 CTOL for the Netherlands, and 2 STOVLs for the United Kingdom.

In addition, this modification provides for the associated ancillary mission equipment and technical/financial data.

Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif., (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom, (20 percent); Orlando, Fla., (10 percent); Nashua, N.H., (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md., (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in Dec. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force ($857,116,227; 40.7 percent); the U.S. Marine Corps, ($877,797,887; 41.7 percent); and the Governments of the Netherlands, ($119,666,120; 5.7 percent) and United Kingdom, ($251,944,806; 11.9 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

DTN News: Netherlands To Sell 18 F-16s To Chile

DTN News: Netherlands To Sell 18 F-16s To Chile

(NSI News Source Info) May 26, 2009: An agreement in principle has been reached with Chile concerning the sale of eighteen redundant F-16 Midlife Update (MLU) fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, as well as a limited support package.

The Netherlands Air Force wants to replace their current F-16 fleet in the next decade. In the beginning the candidates for the replacement were the Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 52/60, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Saab Gripen and Lockheed Martin's F-35. In 2002 The Netherlands signed a contract to develop the F-35 as a '2nd Level' Partner. That contract is worth around 800 million US Dollars. After the first comparison the F-35 seemed to be the best replacer of the existing F-16 fleet. Saab is now offering their latest aircraft, the Saab Gripen NG (Next Generation) to The Netherlands. The Netherlands was comparing the Saab Gripen NG and the F-35 in early 2009, however many sources and signs indicate that the F-35 will be the next fighter of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, with already an order for 2 test aircrafts to be delivered in 2010, the contract for 85 of these fighters is likely to be made in late 2009.

It is intended that the contract be signed shortly. The delivery of the first aircraft to Chile is foreseen for 2010.

The Netherlands have promised Chile their assistance for the training of approximately 75 Chilean technicians and instructors. Dutch industry will be involved in this contract. Related costs are to be paid by Chile.

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