DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. And Israel Are Nervous About Chinese Entry Into The UAV Market

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS:  U.S. And Israel Are Nervous About Chinese Entry Into The UAV Market

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Strategy Page
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 24, 2013:  Despite all the publicity American UAVs receive, the major exporter of UAVs in the last decade has been Israel. Between 2002 and 2012 Israel exported $4.7 billion worth of UAVs, about twice as much as the U.S. exported. Part of this was due to the U.S. military demand for UAVs in Iraq and Afghanistan, which was largely met by American suppliers. But there were also U.S. government restrictions on American UAV exports. These still exist, for political (no weapons and a long list of countries that cannot buy) and security (many countries cannot be trusted to keep American secrets secret). These restrictions are becoming a major issue for U.S. UAV manufacturers because Israel already has a head start as an exporter and China (using copies of many Israeli and U.S. UAVs) is coming up fast. The UAV market is expected to double (to over $11 billion a year) in the next decade and American firms have to export to survive, because the American military has cut purchases way back and will not be buying much for the next five years (or more).

It’s understandable that the Israelis are leading exporters, as they developed a lot of the basic technology that made possible best-selling American models (like Predator and Raven). Israel kept developing UAV tech after successful American designs appeared. As a result of this trend, in the last decade nations have found that if they wanted American style UAVs but often could no buy American for whatever reason. But the Israelis probably had what you needed, and often at a better price.

Take, for example, the well-known American MQ-1 Predator. This is a one ton aircraft that is 8.7 meters (27 feet) long with a wingspan of 15.8 meters (49 feet). It has two hard points, which usually carry one (47 kg/107 pound) Hellfire each. Max speed of the Predator is 215 kilometers an hour while max cruising speed is 160 kilometers an hour. Max altitude is 8,000 meters (25,000 feet). Typical sorties are 12-20 hours each. The Predator evolved from concepts and UAV designs developed in Israel and Israel has long offered cheaper (and often similar looking) models that did what Predator did.

Before the Predator there was the Gnat 750 and  I-Gnat ER/ Sky Warrior Alpha. These looked like Predator and in terms of design and capabilities they were cousins, not siblings. The Gnat is a 1980s design that was used in Iraq, along with and the I-Gnat ER, which was similar in size and capabilities to Predator. All of these UAVs evolved from earlier Israeli designs and UAV concepts.

Another UAV with Israeli DNA was the Shadow 200. This was a 159 kg (350 pound) UAV that carries day and night cameras and laser designators but usually no weapons. Shadow is being replaced by the much larger MQ-1C. This “improved Predator” weighs 1.5 tons, carries 135.4 kg (300 pounds) of sensors internally, and up to 227.3 kg (500 pounds) of sensors or weapons externally. It has an endurance of up to 36 hours and a top speed of 270 kilometers an hour. MQ-1C has a wingspan of 18 meters (56 feet) and is 9 meters (28 feet) long. The MQ-1C can carry four Hellfire missiles (compared to two on the Predator), or a dozen smaller 70mm guided missiles. Each MQ-1C costs about $10 million. The army uses warrant officers as operators. The MQ-1C has automated takeoff and landing software and is equipped with a full array of electronics (target designators and digital communications so troops on the ground can see what the UAV sees).

As its model number (MQ-1C) indicates, this UAV is a Predator (MQ-1) replacement. The U.S. Air Force had planned to replace its MQ-1s with MQ-1Cs but later decided to buy only larger Reapers. The MQ-1C was developed for the army. The last member of the Predator family is the MQ-9 Reaper. This is a 4.7 ton, 11 meter (36 foot) long aircraft with a 20 meter (66 foot) wingspan that looks like the MQ-1. It has six hard points and can carry about a ton (2,400 pounds) of weapons. These include Hellfire missiles (up to eight), two Sidewinder or two AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, two Maverick missiles, or two 227 kg (500) pound smart bombs (laser or GPS guided). Max speed is 400 kilometers an hour, and max endurance is 15 hours. The Reaper is considered a combat aircraft, to replace F-16s or A-10s in ground support missions.

The most numerous U.S. Army UAVs are the micro-UAVs (Ravens and Pumas). There are over 6,000 of these tiny (under six kg/13.2 pound) reconnaissance aircraft in army service. They are the most heavily used UAVs. The RQ-11 Raven is a two kilogram (4.4 pound) aircraft popular with combat and non-combat troops alike. The current RQ-11B can stay in the air for 80 minutes at a time. The Raven is battery powered (and largely silent unless flown close to the ground). It carries a color day vidcam or a two color infrared night camera. The larger (5.9 kg) Puma AE UAV can stay in the air twice as long as Raven is more resistant to bad weather and carries better sensors.

Israel has UAVs similar in capabilities to all those mentioned above, and in many cases the Israeli versions got into service first. But that won’t do much good with the Chinese closing in. Both the U.S. and Israel are nervous about Chinese entry into the UAV market. The Chinese stuff is often copied or stolen tech and usually not as effective orreliable. But the Chinese stuff is cheaper and they will sell anything to anyone who can pay.  The Chinese pay more attention to Israeli UAVs and sales methods than those of the United States. Israel exports 80 percent of its UAVs and has customers in fifty countries. Unlike the United States, Israeli UAVs can operate within Israel and are heavily used by the Israeli military. This gives Israeli UAVs that “combat proven” seal of approval.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Strategy Page
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News: Bahrain Will Receive From Raytheon ~ 25 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Missiles

DTN News: Bahrain Will Receive From Raytheon ~ 25 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Missiles

*Source: DTN News / Defense Security Cooperation Agency (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - July 28, 2009: On July 27, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Bahrain of 25 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and associated equipment, parts and services at an estimated cost of $74 million. The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, is a modern Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM) capable of all weather day and night performance. It is also commonly known as the Slammer in USAF service. When an AMRAAM missile is being launched, NATO pilots use the brevity code Fox Three. The Government of Bahrain has requested a possible sale of 25 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAMs, missile containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $74 million. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major non-NATO ally that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The proposed sale will improve Bahrain’s capability to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-air weapons. Bahrain will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems Corporation, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require bi-annual trips to Bahrain involving six U.S. Government and four contractor representatives for program management reviews over a period of up to five years. 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: U.S. Eyes Fighters For Ballistic Missile Defense

DTN News: U.S. Eyes Fighters For Ballistic Missile Defense

*Source: Defense Media / U.S. AIR FORCE (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - June 17, 2009: The U.S. Air Force wants to look at arming fighter jets to shoot down ballistic missiles, according to a letter from Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz to the head of the U.S. Defense Department's Missile Defense Agency. U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz wants to examine the viability of a system called Air Launched Hit-to-Kill. (SENIOR AIRMAN LAURA TURNER / U.S. AIR FORCE) The June 2 letter from Schwartz, addressed to the MDA director, Army Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly, called for a study of arming F-15s and F-16s, and possibly F-22s and F-35s, with specialized munitions under a concept dubbed Air Launched Hit-to-Kill. Schwartz said a 2008 war game, based in the European theater in 2020, piqued the interest of the Air Force to study the ALHK concept. "This examination indicated several ALHK approaches may be operationally suitable for employment from Air Force fighters," Schwartz wrote. An accompanying white paper said the growing threat of increasing ballistic missiles in smaller nations could outstrip the military's ability to overcome a missile attack. The ALHK strategy would have roving packs of fighters, along with a support network of tankers and reconnaissance and radar aircraft to intercept missiles in rapidly established protection zones. The paper said the mission could be carried out by F-16s and F-15s, with more study need to explore the possibility of equipping F-35s and F-22s. The fighters would be armed with two types of missiles that could bring down ballistic missiles in their launch phase or from higher in the atmosphere. For high atmospheric interception, the paper suggested the Air Force consider a modified Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile, a 1,500-pound version of an Army ground-based missile. For use lower in the atmosphere, the paper suggested using an Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile designed to intercept shorter-range ballistic missiles. The missiles, according to the developer, Raytheon Co., would fit into any AMRAAM-capable fighter with minimum modifications. The request to the MDA comes on the heels of the cancellation of the Boeing YAL-1 Airborne Laser, designed to kill ballistic missiles in their early launch phases, and recent North Korean ballistic missile tests that have raised tension in the South Pacific.

DTN News: U.S. Air Force-Navy-Raytheon AIM-120D AMRAAM Completes Seventh Test Flight

DTN News: U.S. Air Force-Navy-Raytheon AIM-120D AMRAAM Completes Seventh Test Flight

*Source: Raytheon Company

(NSI News Source Info) EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., - May 29, 2009: Raytheon Company's newest variant of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile continued to demonstrate its advanced warfighting capabilities when it completed its seventh test flight. During the March 19 test, the AIM-120D AMRAAM was fired from a U.S. Air Force F-15D fighter aircraft. Initial analysis shows the missile achieved all primary test objectives. The highly reliable Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) provides interoperability in the global defense environment. "The hard work of the U.S. government-Raytheon team to deliver a world-class missile continues to pay off," said Col. Michael Andersen, commander of the U.S. Air Force's 328th Armament Systems Group. "The AIM-120D program is on track and will deliver to the U.S. warfighter the most capable beyond-visual range air-to-air missile ever fielded." The AIM-120D builds on the combat-proven AMRAAM family of missiles by integrating new technologies with legacy hardware and software. "Raytheon's ability to work with the customer to deliver reliable products to the warfighter is the cornerstone of our success," said Jim Knox, Raytheon Missile Systems' AMRAAM program director. "AIM-120D will help ensure future aerial victories for the U.S. warfighter and provide combatant commanders the reliability needed to deliver and maintain air dominance." The U.S. Navy and Air Force have tested AIM-120D on both the F/A-18 E/F and F-15C/D fighter aircraft. During the sixth flight test, accomplished two weeks prior to the most recent test, the AIM-120D achieved a direct hit on the target. Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide. Note to Editors: The AMRAAM family of missiles has been in production for more than 20 years. It is operational with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and 33 international customers. More than 16,000 AMRAAMs have been produced. The missile is responsible for nine successful combat intercepts. Raytheon's AMRAAM program provides more than 1000 jobs in Andover, Mass., Farmington, N.M., McKinney, Texas., and Tucson, Ariz. Scores of Raytheon suppliers associated with the AMRAAM program provide middle class employment to hundreds of people across the U.S. Major suppliers include: Alliant Tech Systems, Keyser, West Va.; Atlantic Inertial Systems, Cheshire, Conn.; B-K Manufacturing, Arab, Ala.; Ball Aerospace, Boulder, Colo.; Cobham Defense Electronic Systems - M/A-COM, San Jose, Calif.; Cristek Interconnects, Anaheim, Calif.; Eagle Picher, Joplin, Mo.; Endevco, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; Fairview Machine, Topsfield, Mass.; Flexible Circuits, Inc., Warrington, Pa.; General Dynamics, Anniston, Ala.; Hi-Rel, Claremont, Calif.; Kaman Aerospace, Middletown, Conn.; L3 Communications- Electron Devices, San Carlos, Calif.; L3-IEC, Anaheim, Calif.; Litton, Salt Lake City, Utah; Midcon, Joplin, Mo.; OECO, Milwaukie, Ore.; Precision Metal Products, El Cajon, Calif.; REMEC, San Diego; Teledyne Storm, Woodbridge, Ill.; TTM Printed Circuit Group, Stafford Springs, Conn.; Trak Microwave, Tampa, Fla.; UPCO, Fairfield, Calif.

Finland Orders EUR 340 Million Air Defence System From Norway

Finland Orders EUR 340 Million Air Defence System From Norway

(NSI News Source Info) May 4, 2009: The Finnish government said Wednesday it would buy a 340-million-euro air defence system from Norway's Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. Kongsberg’s NASAMS, essentially a ground-launched version of the Amraam missile, has beaten competitors for Finland’s medium-range air-defense contract. (Norwegian Armed Forces photo)

Kongsberg's Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is to replace a Russian-made air defence system.

The purchase price excludes the missiles themselves, with the government expected to authorise a further spend of about 100 million euros on US-made Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) ordnance.

The cabinet finance committee also showed green light to a 175-million-euro radar system.