DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Raytheon Co., (Missile Systems) For The Procurement of 485 AIM-9X Block II For U.S. Military And Other Countries

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Raytheon Co., (Missile Systems)  For The Procurement of  485 AIM-9X Block II For U.S. Military And Other Countries

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-120-14 June 25, 2014
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 25, 2014: Raytheon Co., Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $223,081,894 fixed-price-incentive-firm contract for the procurement of 485 AIM-9X Block II All Up Round Tactical Low Rate Initial Production Lot 14.

Missiles for the U.S. Navy (161), U.S. Air Force (158), and the governments of Singapore (20), the Netherlands (28), Kuwait (1), and Turkey (117). In addition, this contract provides for the procurement of 132 Block II Captive Air Training Missiles for the U.S. Navy (47), U.S. Air Force (55), and the governments of the Netherlands (20), Singapore (8), and Morocco (2); 27 Special Air Training Missiles for the U.S. Navy (13), U.S. Air Force (12), and the government of the Netherlands (2); 180 All Up Round Containers for the U.S. Navy (59), U.S. Air Force (60), and the governments of the Netherlands (18), Morocco (1), Singapore (8), and Turkey (34); two Spare Advanced Optical Target Detectors for the governments of Singapore (1), and Morocco (1); 10 Spare Tactical Guidance Units for the governments of the Netherlands (2), Singapore (2), and Turkey (6); and seven Spare Captive Air Training Missile Guidance Units for the governments of the Netherlands (2), and Singapore (5). Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (43.74 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (10.08 percent); Valencia, California (6.10 percent); Midland, Ontario, Canada (5.54 percent); Rocket Center, West Virginia (5.49 percent); Vancouver, Washington (5.07 percent); Goleta, California (2.86 percent); Cheshire, Connecticut (2.05 percent); Heilbronn, DE, Germany (1.88 percent); Simsbury, Connecticut (1.61 percent); Cincinnati, Ohio (1.22 percent); San Jose, California (1.48 percent); Anniston, Alabama (1.31 percent); Maniago, Italy (1.21 percent); Chatsworth, California (1.11 percent); San Diego, California (1.04 percent); Montgomery, Alabama (.60 percent); Orlando, Florida (.55 percent); Valencia, California (.53 percent); Newbury Park, California (.50 percent); El Segundo, California (.50 percent); Claremont, California (.43 percent); Joplin, Missouri (.39 percent); Lombard, Illinois (.28 percent); El Cajon, California (.15 percent); and various locations inside and outside the continental United States (3.98 and .30 percent, respectively). Work is expected to be completed in December 2016. 

Fiscal 2014 weapons procurement (Navy) and missile procurement (Air Force), as well as foreign military funds in the amount of $223,081,894 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. 

This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($74,071,450; 33.20 percent); U.S. Air Force ($74,148,758; 33.24 percent); and the governments of Turkey ($46,902,085; 21.03 percent); the Netherlands ($16,471,972: 7.38 percent); Singapore ($10,574,904: 4.74 percent); Morocco ($522,442; .23 percent); and Kuwait ($390,283; .18 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales Program. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. 


The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N00019-14-C-0053).

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-120-14 June 25, 2014
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DTN News - BELGIUM DEFENSE NEWS: Belgium Receives Its First NH90 Naval Helicopter

DTN News - BELGIUM DEFENSE NEWS: Belgium Receives Its First NH90 Naval Helicopter

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources EADS
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 1, 2013: Eurocopter today delivered the first NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) to the Belgium Armed Forces, providing an advanced, highly capable and fully-qualified rotary-wing aircraft for this nation’s multi-role mission requirements. In addition to being the no. 1 NH90 NFH received by Belgium, it also is the first built at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth, Germany industrial site – demonstrating this facility’s capability to assemble and deliver these new-generation twin-engine helicopters.

Belgium will become the fifth country to put the European-developed NH90 NFH version into service, joining France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway. The aircraft delivered today is rated at Full Operational Capability (FOC), ensuring its aptitude for the full range of Belgium naval missions – such as Search and Rescue (SAR) or military missions at sea.

Training of Belgium Navy flight and maintenance crews on the NH90 NFH will begin next month, with operations to be initiated in 2014 using its first two helicopters. Belgium has ordered eight NH90s in total, including four of NFH naval versions. The NH90 NFH is replacing the Belgium Navy’s Sea King helicopters. Its configuration is identical to the Dutch NH90 NFH version.

“The NH90 NFH is operationally proven, and Belgium will benefit from this helicopter’s already validated performance, reliability and versatility,” said Michel Polychroniadis, Director of the NH90 Programme at Eurocopter. “The Belgium acceptance teams and flight crews have been impressed by the NH90 NFH’s flight stability and its capabilities, providing a preview of the operational enhancements that will be provided for the country’s army.”

Military services currently operating the NH90 NFH have successfully utilized the helicopters in rescue, transport and surveillance missions. As an example, more than 50 persons have been rescued to date by French Navy NH90 NFH rotorcraft, while the Netherlands recently deployed its NATO Frigate Helicopters to the Horn of Africa in support of the European Union’s Atalanta naval operation.

The NH90 is the most successful helicopter program in Europe, boasting 529 firm orders from 14 different countries. A total of 154 NH90s has been delivered. The NH90 NFH version alone has accumulated 111 bookings.

Management of the NH90 program is handled by the NHIndustries consortium, which is owned by Eurocopter (62.5%), AgustaWestland (32%), and Stork Fokker (5.5%).

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 44 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business.

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DTN News - CANADA DEFENSE NEWS: Canada To Consider Buying Other Combat Aircraft Than American-Made F-35 Fighter

DTN News - CANADA DEFENSE NEWS: Canada To Consider Buying Other Combat Aircraft Than American-Made F-35 Fighter

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources CBS/AP
(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - December 16, 2012: Canada is considering buying fighter jets other than U.S.-made F-35's because of escalating costs associated with Lockheed Martin's (LMT) troubled Joint Strike Fighter program, the country's defense minister said Wednesday.

Defense Minister Peter MacKay said the government needs to ensure a balance between military and taxpayer interests.

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MacKay said Canada needs to have all viable options on the table to replace the current fleet of 1980s-vintage CF-18s, which the government says will reach the end of their projected service life around 2020.

He reiterated that Canada wants to buy 65 jets for about $9 billion. But escalating costs and delays have dogged the F-35, which is now the most expensive U.S. Department of Defense procurement program ever.

A KPMG report says the lifetime cost of Canada owning 65 F-35's is estimated at $45.8 billion over 42 years.

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MacKay had previously said it would buy the F-35, but the government never signed a binding contract. The government has since come under pressure because of ballooning costs and because other bids were not considered. An independent panel will consider a new range of options.

The government acknowledged Wednesday it could still buy the F-35. Other planes that could be considered include Boeing's (BA) Super Hornet or the European consortium made Eurofighter Typhoon jet.

Japan has said it may cancel its plans to buy dozens of the F-35s and Australia has said that to cut costs it is pushing back delivery of most of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The Netherlands has also said it will trim its order.

The next-generation fighter is set to become the centerpiece of U.S. and allied air forces. Canada is a funding partner in developing the Joint Strike Fighter. Most of the funding comes from the United States, while Australia, Turkey, Britain, Italy, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands are also funding partners.

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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DTN News - DUTCH EAST INDIES: Dutch Colony That Became Modern Indonesia ~ Part Of Our Roots

DTN News - DUTCH EAST INDIES: Dutch Colony That Became Modern Indonesia ~ Part Of Our Roots

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 4, 2011: This morning I received a very pleasant email from my younger brother Bob with a photo image of Indonesia during the 1930's era showing our grandparents, uncles and aunts. Our grandfather Rademaker was a ranking officer in the Dutch Indies armed forces and the photograph has been taken somewhere in Batavia (Indonesia) at an army cantonment base.

Dutch East India Company in Indonesia and Economic History

In the 14th century, the Indonesian archipelago thrived with many kingdoms and a spice trade controlled by Arabs. The first Europeans to arrive were the Portuguese in 1498. The Dutch war of independence against Spain, and the Spanish and Portuguese union disrupted Dutch access to spices brought to Europe by the Portuguese. Wishing, therefore, to ship spices from Asia themselves, the first Dutch expedition set sail for the East Indies in 1595. When it made a 400% profit on its return, other Dutch expeditions soon followed, but the competing merchant companies cut into their own profits. Recognising the potential of the East Indies trade, the Dutch government amalgamated the companies into the United East India Company (VOC).

As the British did with the East India Company, the Dutch granted a charter to the VOC to wage war, build fortresses, and make treaties across Asia. Where the Dutch thought the local rulers to be too weak, the VOC used violence to gain control and these became the first truly colonised areas. A capital was established at Batavia (now Jakarta), which became the centre of the VOC's Asian trading network. To their original monopolies on nutmeg, mace spice, cloves and cinnamon, the company and later the colonial government introduced non-indigenous cash crops like coffee, tea, cacao, tobacco, rubber, sugar and opium, and safeguarded their commercial interests by taking over surrounding territory.

Despite its profit, the company went bust in the late 18th century. It was formally dissolved in 1800 with its colonial possessions in the Indonesian archipelago—including much of Java, parts of Sumatra, much of Maluku, and the hinterlands of their ports such as Makasar and Menado on Sulawesi and Kupang on Timor—were nationalised under the Dutch Republic as the Dutch East Indies.

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DTN News: Chinook Chases Cougar Out Of Afghanistan

DTN News: Chinook Chases Cougar Out Of Afghanistan

Source: Strategy Page

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - May 19, 2010: The Netherlands has rotated its helicopter contingent in Afghanistan, sending three CH-47D "Chinooks" to replace five Cougars. The Eurocopter Cougar EC725 is an 11 ton aircraft with a useful load of 5.5 tons, a top speed of 324 kilometers an hour, a range of about 850 kilometers and can stay in the air for about five hours per sortie.The Cougars have been in Afghanistan since last October, and flew 271 missions, and spent 1,069 hours in the air. An-124 aircraft are used to move the helicopters to and from the Netherlands. The larger CH-47D "Chinook" is a 22 ton aircraft with a max load of ten tons. It can carry up to fifty troops, and is preferred in Afghanistan because of its ability to operate effectively at high altitudes. The first CH-47s entered service in 1962, able to carry only five tons.

Some 750 saw service in Vietnam, and 200 were lost in action. Between 1982-94, 500 CH-47s were rebuilt to the CH-47D standard. SOCOM operates 31 MH-47Ds and Es, which have additional navigation gear. These are being upgraded to MH-47F standards, and the fleet expanded to 61 helicopters. As a result of all this, the CH-47 will end up serving at least 75 years. The CH-47F upgrades and new builds will not be completed until 2018. New CH-47Fs cost about $35 million each. The Netherlands has ordered nine CH-47Fs.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com Disclaimer statement Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied herein, DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Unless otherwise indicated, opinions expressed herein are those of the author of the page and do not necessarily represent the corporate views of DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News.

DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 12, 2010 ~ Heineken To Buy Mexico's FEMSA In $7.9 Billion Deal

DTN News: Financial News TODAY January 12, 2010 ~ Heineken To Buy Mexico's FEMSA In $7.9 Billion Deal *Source: DTN News / Reuters By Ben Berkowitz and Philip Blenkinsop (NSI News Source Info) AMSTERDAM/BRUSSELS - January 12, 2010: Heineken NV will buy the beer business of Mexico's FEMSA in a $7.9 billion deal that boosts the Dutch brewer's emerging-market presence and cements an alliance with Latin America's biggest drinks firm. Heineken, the world's third largest brewer, said on Monday the all-stock purchase of the brewing assets excluding debt -- $5.5 billion based on Friday's closing share price -- would make FEMSA Heineken's second largest shareholder with a 20 percent stake and give it a boardroom role. Analysts said the deal was competitively priced and broadened Heineken's exposure to higher-growth markets, sending its shares sharply higher. Chief Executive Jean-Francois van Boxmeer told Reuters the deal would raise Heineken's operating profit from faster-growing emerging markets to 40 percent from 32 percent. "It rebalances that spread between the developed and developing markets," Van Boxmeer said in a conference call. Heineken would secure FEMSA's Dos Equis, Tecate and Sol brands, beers it already sells in the United States, and an operation with a 43 percent share of the Mexican beer market and a 9 percent share in Brazil. The United States, Brazil and Mexico are the first, second and fourth largest beer profit pools, Heineken said. Heineken shares, which opened lower, quickly reversed and were up 5.2 percent at 34.63 euros in Amsterdam by 1220 GMT, increasing the value of the acquisition to $5.8 billion. The deal includes a further $2.1 billion of net debt and pension obligations. The total value of the transaction based on Friday's closing Heineken share price -- $7.6 billion -- meant an 11.2 percent multiple of enterprise value to EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization). Analysts said this was broadly in line with levels of 10-11 times for Latin American beer assets. "It looks like a reasonable price ... Heineken lacked exposure to emerging markets and it is already selling the (FEMSA) beers into the United States so it protects that ... Overall it's positive," said Trevor Stirling, analyst at Bernstein Research. STRENGTHENS FEMSA PARTNERSHIP Heineken said it expected the transaction to close in the second quarter, provide annual cost synergies of 150 million euros ($215 million) by 2013 and to add to earnings per share within two years. It would produce a profit after six years based on weighted average cost of capital of 12.5 percent. FEMSA, which describes itself as Latin America's largest beverage company, sells Coca-Cola in nine countries in Latin America. It also operates OXXO, which it says is the largest convenience store chain in Latin America. With the deal, it will also be selling the Heineken brand. "It is a very good basis to build up in the future ... FEMSA has regional strengths and we will exploit them," Van Boxmeer said. FEMSA Chief Executive Jose Antonio Fernandez said the deal would allow FEMSA shareholders to participate in value creation from Heineken's transformation of its brewing assets and allow FEMSA itself to focus attention on Coca-Cola FEMSA and OXXO. Heineken will first issue 86 million new shares. FEMSA would keep half and exchange the rest for shares of Heineken Holding , which would retain its 50.005 stake in Heineken NV. Heineken would give FEMSA a further 29 million shares over the next five years, although FEMSA would earn Heineken dividends for these immediately. Van Boxmeer said Heineken would seek to buy these shares back from the market. The deal would give FEMSA a 12.5 percent stake in Heineken NV and 14.9 percent of parent Heineken Holding. It would have the right to appoint two non-executive members to the supervisory board of Heineken NV, one of them becoming vice chairman who would also sit on Heineken Holding's board. Keijser Capital trader Geoffrey Leloux said many analysts would be charmed by the deal. Heineken was consolidating its position and there would be no general share issue but a direct placement with only some dilution for shareholders. The absence of an expected general, larger share issue was pushing up the shares, Leloux said. The deal was expected, after SABMiller Plc dropped out of the auction for the FEMSA businesses. FEMSA had said in October it was looking at options for its beer business, which is the second-biggest in Mexico and number four in Brazil. ($1=.6983 euro) (Additional reporting by Gilbert Kreijger; Editing by Hans Peters, Sharon Lindores, John Stonestreet)

DTN News: Rheinmetall And KMW Hand Over First Serially Produced Boxer Vehicle

DTN News: Rheinmetall And KMW Hand Over First Serially Produced Boxer Vehicle *Source: DTN News / Defense Media (NSI News Source Info) MUNICH, Germany - September 30, 2009: The armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands have taken delivery of an optimally protected, highly mobile transport vehicle with massive useful load carrying capacity. At a ceremony in Munich, Rheinmetall Defence and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) transferred the first serially produced Boxer to the Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation en matiere d'Armement (OCCAR), which is administering the Boxer project, and Germany's Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB). (Image: Rheinmetall has acquired Dutch armored vehicle company Stork PWV, a move that gives the German armor company control of Artec, the company created to develop the Boxer armored vehicle for the Dutch and German armies). The transfer took place in the presence of German defence minister Dr. Franz-Josef Jung, and Dutch defence minister Eimert van Middelkoop. The series order for the Boxer includes a total of 272 vehicles for the German Bundeswehr and 200 for the Dutch armed forces. The Dutch Army will take delivery of the Boxer from 2011 through to the end of 2016. "The Boxer project underscores the cutting edge position of the German defence industry, and not just in Europe", declares Klaus Eberhardt, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall Defence, noting that "no other vehicle is so systematically oriented to the current and future needs of the armed forces. We thus see strong potential for additional international sales." In the words of Frank Haun, Chief Executive Officer of KMW, "the Boxer is an impressive example of European defence cooperation. The German and Dutch armed forces are getting a highly protected, highly mobile transport vehicle that's specifically designed to meet the needs of the modern military. I'm especially pleased that the defence ministers of both Germany and the Netherlands are on hand for the official transfer, which indicates the importance which both countries attach to the Boxer project." The Boxer armoured transport vehicle is a pioneering, highly mobile 8x8 wheeled vehicle. Thanks to its modular design, it can be quickly modified for a wide variety of missions, going from a medivac role, for instance, to a command and control configuration. To do this, all that is necessary is to exchange the mission modules on the vehicle chassis. When configured as a section (squad) transport vehicle, the Boxer can carry up to ten men, who benefit from excellent protection against landmines and ballistic threats: the fully armoured fighting compartment assures maximum crew survivability. Superb mobility, excellent self-defence weaponry and a heavy payload are further key features of this versatile, highly flexible transport vehicle. Rheinmetall and KMW have joined forces with other national and international partners in the ARTEC consortium to make the Boxer a reality.

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: Dutch Order Additional Bushmaster Vehicles

DTN News: Dutch Order Additional Bushmaster Vehicles *Sources: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands - June 21, 2009: In a further boost for Bushmaster exports, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence has ordered 14 new vehicles.The contract will take the total of Bushmasters supplied to the Netherlands to 72. The Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle or Infantry Mobility Vehicle is an Australian-built wheeled armoured vehicle. It was originally designed by Irish company Timoney Technology Ltd under a licence agreement with Perry Engineering in Adelaide; that licence was sold, with permission granted by Timoney as required by the licence terms, to Thales Australia. Once the Bushmaster was selected by the Australian Army after trials in 1998 to meet the Bushranger project requirements, the range of variants was developed further by Thales Australia in Bendigo. Oshkosh Truck has a contract to provide support and would manufacture in the US if there was an American order. The Bushmaster is currently in service with the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Army and British Army. Production work on the new vehicles has already begun, with delivery to the customer to be completed later this year.In a demonstration of the Bushmaster's flexibility, Thales will supply internal modular kits to allow vehicle reconfiguration in theatre. Additional EOS-SRWS stabilized remote weapon stations, which Thales is providing in conjunction with Australian-based EOS Ltd., are also part of the order. "This order is yet a further confirmation of the Bushmaster's suitability for a variety of tasks, and as a platform for different systems to suit every user's specific requirements," said Ian Irving, Vice President of Land & Joint Systems at Thales Australia. "The Bushmaster has been very successful on deployment with Dutch forces, and we have an ongoing close working relationship with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. Through life support for this contract will take place at Thales's local industrial presence in the Netherlands." "Our highly skilled workforce in Bendigo, Victoria, are Australia's leaders in delivering protected mobility solutions, with unrivalled local expertise along every stage of the process - from design and manufacturing to systems integration and through life support."

DTN News: NH-90 Helicopter Still Too Heavy For Dutch Frigates

DTN News: NH-90 Helicopter Still Too Heavy For Dutch Frigates *Source: ANP Dutch Press Agency (NSI News Source Info) THE HAGUE - June 13, 2009: State Secretary of Defence Jack de Vries on Wednesday had “bad news” for the House of Commons, he said. The NH-90 helicopter ordered by the Ministry of Defence is still heavier than planned. The NH90 program is handled by NH Industries while production shares of the 3 Partner Companies involved are 32.00% for AgustaWestland – Italy, 62.50% for Eurocopter – France and Germany, and 5.50% for Fokker Aerospace - The Netherlands. The NH90 was intended to being developed in two variants: the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), the program had some technical and funds problems at the end of the 90s, but a large production order was launched on July 2000 by the partner countries. The main serial production NH90 are born from 3 assembly lines of the NHIndustries Partner Companies community: Cascina Costa in Italy for AgustaWestland, Marignane in France and Donauwörth in Germany for Eurocopter although the Finnish and Australian contracts establish that theirs airframes w would be assembled locally. By 2005, the NH90 logbook shows a total of 357 firm orders, 86 options and 45+ selected NH90, by 13 countries and for 17 Armed Forces. [Program prime contractor] NH Industries had announced to measures to reduce the helicopter’s weight, but these have not had the desired result. The weight of the aircraft has been a problem for years. This is important because the additional weight makes them too heavy to land on the Dutch navy frigates for which they are intended. The Netherlands decided in 1991 to participate in the NH-90 program, and ordered twenty [of the NFH-90 naval variant] which should have replaced the current Lynx ship-borne helicopters beginning in 2007. However, because of the recurring weight issue, that date has been moved back several times. The latest date for their initial delivery has now been pushed back to 2011, de Vries said. It is not possible to rule out further delays, nor to say what extra costs will arise from the delays, he added.

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: Portugal Commissions ex-Dutch M-Frigate / Minister Of Defence Presides Delivery Ceremony For Frigate “Bartolomeu Dias”

DTN News: Portugal Commissions ex-Dutch M-Frigate / Minister Of Defence Presides Delivery Ceremony For Frigate “Bartolomeu Dias”

(NSI News Source Info) May 27, 2009: The Minister of National Defence, Nuno Severiano Teixeira, presided over the May 19 ceremony marking the delivery of the first of two Bartolomeu Dias-class frigates. The ceremony was attended by the Dutch Minister of Defence, Eimert van Middelkoop, and of the chiefs of the two countries’ naval staffs.

In May 2006, Portugal's National Defense Minister, Luís Amado, showed interest in buying two Karel Doorman class frigates to replace the two remaining frigates of the João Belo class in service with the Portuguese Navy — instead of buying two frigates of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, offered by the United States. A committee of the Portuguese government arrived in the Netherlands to evaluate the condition of two frigates to be bought. In the end of May 2006, the Portuguese Government Official News Bulletin published the order for the creation of an Official Portuguese Navy's "technical team" to supervise the transfer of two M-Class Frigates to Portugal. On November 1st 2006, the Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Severiano Teixeira signed a contract for the purchase of the frigates Van Nes and Van Galen. Van Nes, renamed NRP Bartolomeu Dias (F333), was transferred to Portugal on January 16, 2009 and Van Galen, renamed NRP Francisco de Almeida (F334) will be transferred on November 1, 2009. With the sale of two M-class frigates to Portugal only two of the eight ships will remain with the Dutch Navy.

The M-class frigates, built in the Netherlands during the 1990s, are modern-technology multi-purpose vessels, capable of carrying out anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare missions, and are thus also suited for anti-terrorism operations.

Their specific characteristics will allow Portugal to continue to operate an ocean-going naval force capable of carrying out both national missions, such as sovereignty and law enforcement at sea, and in support of the state’s international missions, when integrated into naval forces of NATO and the European Union.

These frigates, whose cost is 240 million euros, are being purchased under the current Military Program Law. The acquisition contract was signed with the Netherlands on November 1, 2006.

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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The Netherlands: Car Attack On Dutch Royal Parade

The Netherlands: Car Attack On Dutch Royal Parade

(NSI News Source Info) April 30, 2009: A car driver has crashed into crowds watching a Dutch royal parade, killing five people, in an attempted attack on the royal family, officials say. The car careered into a monument metres from an open-topped bus carrying Queen Beatrix and members of her family. The royals, who were unharmed, watched in horror as the car ploughed into bystanders in Apeldoorn, about 90km (56 miles) east of Amsterdam. Officials said the 38-year-old driver had suffered life-threatening injuries. We're speechless that something so terrible could have happened Queen Beatrix Prosecutor Ludo Goossens said the man, who is a Dutch national, would be charged with attempting an attack on the royal family and murder - if he survives. "The man indicated that his action was aimed against the royal family," Mr Goossens told journalists in Apeldoorn. After searching the car and his home, investigators ruled out terrorism as a motive and said it appeared he had acted alone. 'Bewilderment and disbelief' Members of the royal family were shown looking on in horror as the battered car rammed spectators before crashing into the stone monument. In a televised address, Queen Beatrix called the incident shocking, and said everyone would empathise with the victims and their families and friends. "What began as a great day has ended in a terrible tragedy that has shocked us all deeply," she said. "People who were standing close by, people who saw it happen on television, all those who lived through it, must have looked on with bewilderment and disbelief. "We're speechless that something so terrible could have happened." Cynthia Boll, a photographer at the scene, told the BBC the car was already badly damaged before it slammed into the crowds at high speed. "There were people everywhere, you could definitely see that it was serious because everywhere was blood and shoes ripped off and all the people giving CPR," she said. Other witnesses described people being flung into the air as the car crashed through the throngs who had turned out to see the queen. Officials said two men and two women died at the scene of the incident, while another person died later in hospital. Taken by surprise The crowds were celebrating Queen's Day - a national holiday in the Netherlands when thousands of people take to the streets to mark the queen's official birthday. Hundreds of police officers were on duty in a huge security operation that took months to plan. But the authorities said they were taken completely by surprise when the small black car smashed through a security fence and into the crowd of people. Following the incident, flags were lowered to half mast on government buildings across the country and all planned celebrations were called off. Witnesses said the streets of Apeldoorn were now deserted.

Chile To Finalize F-16 Deal With Netherlands - Minister

Chile To Finalize F-16 Deal With Netherlands - Minister

(NSI News Source Info) SANTIAGO - April 30, 2009: The Chilean Air Force is on the cusp of acquiring 18 used F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands, Defense Minister Francisco Vidal said Wednesday. The F-16 is the largest Western jet fighter program with over 4,400 aircraft built since production was approved in 1976. Though no longer being bought by the U.S. Air Force, advanced versions are still being built for export customers. In 1993, General Dynamics sold its aircraft manufacturing business to the Lockheed Corporation, which in turn became part of Lockheed Martin after a 1995 merger with Martin Marietta. Although the $278 million contract has not yet been signed by the two countries, Vidal insisted the deal was ready to go. "The deal is closed, only the signatures are missing," Vidal said Wednesday, following an earlier denial from the Netherlands that a deal had been reached. The F-16 fighters will replace the Chile's aging F-5 jets, which have been in use since 1976. "Chile has acquired a new fleet of F-16 planes," Vidal announced late Tuesday after leaving a Defense Commission hearing in the Congress. The jets will join the Chilean Air Force in December, he added. The purchase is the second military deal between Chile and the Netherlands, after Santiago's 2006 acquisition of 18 used F-16 jets at a cost of $185 million. In 2003, Chile bought 10 new F-16 jets from U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) at a cost of $660 million.

Israel May Drop Bid To Incorporate Own Know-How Into F-35 fighter

Israel May Drop Bid To Incorporate Own Know-How Into F-35 fighter

(NSI News Source Info) March 19, 2009: Israel is close to dropping an effort to put its own electronic warfare know-how into Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, a mainstay of its future strike force, a Pentagon official said on Tuesday.

Incorporating Israel's system into the model being built for it "is not going to happen," said Jon Schreiber, who heads the program's international aspects. "I think our system will meet their requirements with some tweaking, and I think they're starting to come around to that realization themselves," he told Reuters in an interview. The issue is sensitive because senior Israeli military officials had maintained that their aircraft must incorporate electronic warfare technologies developed by state-controlled Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.

An Israeli embassy spokesman referred a caller to the Defense Ministry, which could not be immediately reached for comment.

Dropping plans for incorporating sensitive Israeli technology onto the F-35 would be a significant departure for Israel. Israeli F-15s and F-16s were modified to carry Israeli electronic warfare, radars, munitions and command and control systems.

Israel is set to become a kind of trailblazer for the F-35, which is being developed by the United States and eight international partners: Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.

Israel has gone further than any non-consortium member toward acquisition, with plans to buy an initial 25 F-35A's in fiscal 2012 for delivery starting in 2014 and an option for 50 more.

The F-35 is a radar-evading, single-engine aircraft, designed to switch quickly between air-to-ground and air-to-air missions while still flying. The models built for Israel would incorporate Israeli-made data links, radios and other command and control equipment, but not the electronic warfare suite, largely because of the high cost of integrating it, Schreiber said.

"They have pretty tight budget constraints and we're attempting to fit their requirements into their budget," he said. Officials from the Pentagon's F-35 joint program office met Israeli procurement officials in New York on Monday to discuss the program, Schreiber added without elaborating on their talks.

"We expect to get a revised letter of request from (Israel) within the next month or so," and anticipate that a government-to-government deal will be concluded by the end of this year or early next year, he said.

U.S. instructor pilots would join Israeli pilots to train at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on four of the aircraft built for Israel, Schreiber said. By early 2015, the U.S. instructors would transition to Israel to continue training pilots there.

Singapore, the other non-consortium member linked to the program through a special status, appears likely to start buying as many as 100 F-35s a year or two after Israel, Schreiber said. He expected an agreement to be signed with Singapore within the next month detailing security safeguards for program information as a prelude to "more serious discussions" about acquiring the F-35. "

At this point, we don't have any indication from Singapore that they want to put anything unique in the airplane," he said. "They want to go with a plain vanilla airplane."

F-35 competitors include Saab AB's Gripen, the Dassault Aviation SA Rafale, Russia's MiG-35 and Sukhoi Su-35, and the Eurofighter Typhoon made by a consortium of British, German, Italian and Spanish companies.

Lockheed's chief F-35 subcontractors are Northrop Grumman Corp and BAE Systems Plc. Two rival, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development. One is built by United Technologies Corp's Pratt i Whitney unit; the other by a team of General Electric Co and Rolls-Royce Group Plc.

Boeing Plans New Fighter To Vie With Lockheed's

Boeing Plans New Fighter To Vie With Lockheed's

(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - March 19, 2009: Boeing Co unveiled on Tuesday a new multi-role design of its F-15 combat aircraft that would vie for international orders against Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Designated the F-15 Silent Eagle, or F-15SE, it incorporates what Boeing calls cost-effective "stealth" technologies as well as redesigned "conformal" fuel tanks that allow for carrying weapons internally to cut the aircraft's radar cross section.

Paul Lewis, a Boeing spokesman, said the projected price was roughly $100 million per copy, including pilot training, spares and support equipment.

By contrast, the F-35 is expected to cost in the upper $60 million range in adjusted 2014 dollars, when full production is due to start, Lockheed Martin spokesman Chris Geisel said in a Feb. 26 emailed statement. Lewis said the F-15SE represented "a fundamentally different approach" compared with Lockheed Martin, which designed the F-35 from scratch to minimize radar detection. "We have selectively applied stealth," he said. "You haven't put all your eggs in one basket.

"The aircraft represents "a balanced, affordable approach designed to meet future survivability needs," Mark Bass, a Boeing vice president, added in a statement.

Improvements in stealth, or radar avoidance, include coatings and treatments on the aircraft. The F-15SE would be able to internally carry air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9 and AIM-120 and air-to-ground weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition and Small Diameter Bomb.Depending on the specific mission, the new F-15 could carry the special fuel tanks designed to create internal weapons bays or swap them out to optimize fuel capacity and external weapons loads, Boeing said. Richard Abolafia, a fighter-market expert at aerospace consultancy TEAL Group Corp, said the new F-15 had some "strong opportunities, particularly in South Korea, Singapore and Saudi Arabia."

Overseas competitors include Saab AB's Gripen, the Dassault Aviation SA Rafale, Russia's MiG-35 and Sukhoi Su-35, and the Eurofighter Typhoon made by a consortium of British, German, Italian and Spanish companies.Lockheed Martin is developing its F-35 for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps plus eight international partners: Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway.

Jon Schreiber, who heads the F-35 program's international aspects for the Pentagon, told Reuters in an interview Tuesday that he foresaw orders from Israel for an initial 25 F-35s by early next year.

Boeing Holds 'Major Join' Ceremony For 12-Nation Strategic Airlift Capability's 1st C-17

Boeing Holds 'Major Join' Ceremony For 12-Nation Strategic Airlift Capability's 1st C-17

(NSI News Source Info) March 15, 2009: Boeing today marked a key milestone at its C-17 final assembly facility in Long Beach -- the "major join" ceremony for the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) consortium's first C-17 Globemaster III. The unique SAC approach to shared use of the strategic airlifter was hailed as a model for the future acquisition and management of defense capabilities for NATO and European Union (EU) missions. Hungarian Minister of Defense Dr. Imre Szekeres drives the ceremonial rivet at the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) C-17 major join ceremony on March 13. Hungary has agreed to host the Heavy Airlift Wing at Pápa Air Base, where the first SAC C-17 will be based. During major join, the C-17 airlifter's four major sections -- the forward, center and aft fuselages and wing assembly -- are integrated, and the aircraft begins to look like a C-17 for the first time. Hundreds of C-17 employees looked on as senior members of SAC and representatives of the government of the Republic of Hungary, NATO, and Boeing drove ceremonial rivets into the aircraft's fuselage. Hungarian Minister of Defense Dr. Imre Szekeres played a special symbolic role in the ceremony, since Hungary has agreed to both host the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) at Pápa Air Base, where a total of three C-17s will be based, and to register the aircraft under the Hungarian flag. "SAC is a great example to see that cooperation and mutual finance strengthen capabilities and efficiency both within NATO and two EU countries outside NATO. It is a model for future cooperation," said Szekeres. "Strategic airlift is critical in responding to today's global challenges," said Peter Flory, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment. "SAC1 represents a big step forward in strengthening our ability to support NATO, EU, United Nations and other military, humanitarian, disaster-relief, and peacekeeping missions around the world." The SAC1 C-17's first flight is set for June, with delivery tentatively scheduled for early July. SAC includes 10 NATO nations -- Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, United States -- and Partnership for Peace members Sweden and Finland. They will share acquisition and operating costs for three C-17s over the nearly 30-year course of the agreement. As chairman of the SAC Steering Board, Brig. Gen. Richard Johnston, U.S. Air Force, shared his thoughts during the ceremony: "No nation today is independent of those around it," he said. "These two Partnership for Peace and 10 NATO nations will succeed in bringing airlift to meet their national needs while working together through unwavering cooperation and partnership." "We have more than 70 airmen and families from the SAC nations working and living in Pápa, and our personnel strength grows each week," said the HAW's first commander, Col. John Zazworsky, U.S. Air Force. "With loadmasters and pilots already in training, we are on course for multinational flight operations as planned this summer." The colonel has been at work at Pápa Air Base since October. "The C-17 is the only tactical aircraft capable of performing all SAC airlift missions, including strategic, tactical, military and humanitarian missions, as well as brigade airdrops, aeromedical evacuations, and landings and takeoffs from standard runways or austere airfields," said Tommy Dunehew, Boeing International C-17 program manager. "SAC's commitment to the C-17 is yet another example of the value the C-17 has to international customers." Acting on behalf of SAC, the NATO Airlift Management Agency (NAMA), led by General Manager Gunnar Borch, signed an agreement with the U.S. government in November for the acquisition of three C-17s, one of which will be provided by the United States. NAMA provides acquisition, financial and human-resources support to the HAW, and has also been active since the fall in bringing this new concept to life.

BAE Touts PZH 2000 SP Gun At Australian Airshow / BAE Systems Showcases Self-Propelled Howitzer PZH 2000 At The Australian International Air Show

BAE Touts PZH 2000 SP Gun At Australian Airshow / BAE Systems Showcases Self-Propelled Howitzer PZH 2000 At The Australian International Air Show

(NSI News Source Info) MUNICH/AVALON, Victoria - March 12, 2009: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co.KG (KMW) and through-life support partner BAE Systems Australia are featuring the Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) capabilities for Land 17 at this week’s Australian International Air Show in Avalon.

The PzH 2000 (Panzerhaubitze 2000) is the 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) together with the main subcontractor Rheinmetall Landsysteme for the German Army. "The PzH 2000 is the 155mm self-propelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann." KMW received a contract in 1996 for production of 185 units. The first system was delivered in July 1998 and deliveries for this batch are complete. Rheinmetall (formerly MaK) delivers the complete chassis for all series vehicles. Total German Army requirement has been reduced from around 450 units to 260. PzH 2000 has also been selected by the Italian, Dutch and Greek Armies. The Greek Army has 24 systems, delivered between July 2003 and June 2004. A German / Italian co-production programme with Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara is providing the 70 units for the Italian Army. KMW delivered two units in 2002. First deliveries of the remaining 68 from Consorzio Iveco-Oto Melara took place in May 2007. The system entered service with the Italian Army in June 2007 and achieved initial operating capability in October 2008. Final deliveries are scheduled for 2009. The Dutch army signed a contract for the procurement of for 57 units, later reduced to 39 units and deliveries are underway. The surplus 18 units (not yet built) were offered to the Australian Army but were declined.

The Land 17 Artillery Replacement Programme will fundamentally change the Australian Army’s indirect fire support capability through a system of systems architecture. Fielding of the KMW PzH 2000 for the Land 17 SPH capability package will provide a versatile, safe, combat proven, networked, autonomous and PGM certified precision weapon system.

The PzH 2000 is the most modern tube artillery system in the world and meets all international demands. The PzH 2000 forms an essential element in combat support, both now and in future combat and crisis scenarios. Currently PzH 2000 units of the Dutch Army are providing combat support, convoy and base protection for Coalition forces in Afghanistan.

“Today there are 250 units in service across four NATO armies, including the Netherlands, already operating with advanced networked C2 and fire control systems,” says Christian Goettfert, Regional Sales Director of KMW. “One PzH2000 can deliver the indirect artillery support previously provided by four NATO M109 class Self Propelled Howitzers.”

BAE Systems Australia’s Managing Director Jim McDowell says the PzH 2000 is an attractive option for the Department of Defence because it offered considerably lower procurement risk. “This is a safe off the shelf solution. Minimal changes and verification and validation testing are required to meet the Land 17 SPH requirements. Crew safety, work load minimization, human factors and reduced crew size are all integral to the PzH 2000 system design.”

Other key features of the PzH 2000 include:

--Delivery of five rounds in less than two seconds on a single target (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact capability);

--Combat load of 60 rounds, with rapid resupply (60 rounds in less than 12 minutes), and ability to fire all types of NATO approved ammunition;

--Full 360 degree target engagement at all ranges from a stationary PzH 2000;

--Proven 30 kilometres combat range for standard 155mm HE projectiles and up to 56 kilometres with boosted munitions;

--No need for a specialised armoured resupply vehicle;

--Proven deployability and US certification for strategic lift in C17 aircraft;

--High automation levels mean reduced crew numbers (only two are required for static firing missions)

--Unmatched safety features, with charges stored in a protected compartment separate from the crew space and the gun crew contained within a safety cage in the turret to prevent injury during firing.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in Germany, Greece, the Netherlands and the USA, some 3200 employees manufacture and support a product portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily armoured wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, DINGO, GFF4 and BOXER) through reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems (FENNEK, GEPARD, LeFLaSys, Armoured Howitzer 2000, AGM and DONAR) to heavy battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2), armoured personnel carriers (PUMA) and bridge-laying-systems (LEGUAN and PSB2). The armed forces of more than 30 nations worldwide rely on the operational systems by KMW.

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.