A move by Canada to postpone any F-35 buys until 2018 means decisions will wait until after the next federal election. (US Air Force)

Apr. 6, 2014 - By DAVID PUGLIESE – Defense news

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA — Canada has told the US government it won’t be in a position to purchase the F-35 fighter jet until 2018, a move that critics of the aircraft say intentionally delays the controversial procurement until after the next federal election.

The decision has a number of ramifications. It will allow the ruling Conservative Party government to claim during the 2015 election campaign that no decision has yet been made on the purchase of a new fighter jet.

But if the Conservatives are defeated in that election, set for October 2015, it could mean further delays or even a cancellation of the proposed buy, since the country’s other political parties have raised concerns about the acquisition. Both the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party favor an open competition for a new fighter jet.

The F-35 Joint Program Office in the US has amended the Canadian “buy profile,” which indicates numbers of aircraft and timelines of the purchase.

“This moves the notional date of first delivery of aircraft from 2017 to 2018,” the Canadian government noted in a statement. No official reason was provided by Canada for the change in dates.

But industry, military and government officials say the change means a final decision won’t need to be made until after 2015.

“This whole thing is designed to delay and to get the Conservatives past the next election so they don’t have to come clean with Canadians about their F-35 plans,” Liberal Party defense critic Joyce Murray said.

Her analysis was echoed by Jack Harris, defense critic with the official opposition New Democratic Party, as well as Alan Williams, the Department of National Defence’s former head of procurement who approved Canada’s participation in the F-35 program.

Canada’s Conservative Party government committed in 2010 to purchasing 65 F-35s, but the acquisition soon became a major political albatross around the neck of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Opposition MPs alleged his government misled Canadians on the F-35’s price and performance.

In March 2011, the majority of the members of Parliament supported a motion that declared the Conservative government in contempt of Parliament over its withholding of information about the F-35, as well as other key financial documents on other issues. That motion of non-confidence in the government led to the federal election in May 2011, but despite the controversy, the Conservative Party was re-elected.

But in April 2012, Canadian Auditor General Michael Ferguson found Department of National Defence officials had withheld key information from Parliament about the fighter jet, underestimated costs and didn’t follow proper procurement rules.

In December 2012, the government, under continuing fire over the increasing cost of the F-35s, announced it would put the procurement on a temporary hold and examine other aircraft.

That process continues, but senior officers from the Royal Canadian Air Force have publicly stated they are preparing for the eventual delivery of the F-35.

Until the evaluation of other aircraft is complete, the government will not decide on how to proceed, said Pierre-Alain Bujold, a spokesman for Public Works and Government Services Canada. That department handles federal procurements.

Bujold said the “work is being completed as expeditiously as possible,” but the department could not provide any timelines on when it might be finished or a final decision on an acquisition made.

That’s because the process is a public relations exercise, former defense procurement chief Alan Williams alleges.

“It’s all designed to buy the government time so they can pick the opportune moment to announce the purchase of the F-35,” Williams said.

Jack Harris, defense critic with the official opposition New Democratic Party, said the F-35 acquisition has the potential to hurt the Conservative government’s image with voters in the upcoming election.

“They portray themselves as strong fiscal managers, but they have bungled numerous defense procurement files, particularly the F-35,” he said. “They don’t want this mess hanging over their heads during an election campaign.”

In his 2012 examination, Ferguson found that although Department of National Defence officials were publicly claiming the F-35 purchase would cost CAN $14.7 billion (US $13 billion), they had already quietly estimated the actual price tag to be $25 billion.

Mike Barton, a spokesman for Lockheed Martin Canada, said the delay will not affect the F-35 program. When Canada is ready to place its order for the planes, the company will respond, he said.

Canada is still a partner in the program and has not informed the US government or Lockheed Martin of any plans to change that.

Canada operates 78 modernized CF-18 fighters and was planning to replace those with the F-35A, the conventional-takeoff-and-landing version of the F-35.

CANBERRA, Australia, 3 April 2014 – Pacific Sentinel

Lockheed Martin Australia and Pilatus Aircraft, supported by Hawker Pacific, have jointly launched a bid to provide a new pilot training system for the Australian Defence Force.

The consortium, known as Team 21, submitted its proposal for the AIR 5428 Pilot Training System on March 31st. Under the proposal, Australian Defence Force pilots will graduate from a proven training system tailored to Australian requirements.

The companies in this team are currently in the eighth year of a 20-year performance-based flight training contract to provide the Basic Wings Course (BWC) to the Republic of Singapore Air Force, at Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce in Western Australia.

“Team 21 offers superior performance, a proven team in Australia and capability for the future,” said Raydon Gates, Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive. “We have an established track record and have now graduated 20 classes from a Pilatus PC-21 based pilot training program at RAAF Base Pearce. BWC has very similar mission and support systems as proposed for AIR 5428, significantly reducing risk to the Commonwealth.”

“Team 21’s proven experience provides an excellent foundation for a cost-effective, off-the-shelf solution tailored to prepare Australian Navy, Army and Air Force pilots for fourth and fifth generation aircraft capability,” said Markus Bucher, Pilatus chief executive officer.

Selection of Team 21’s comprehensive pilot training solution will provide Australia with a fifth generation training system, delivering a safe, affordable and practical solution for today’s training needs while also supporting future requirements.

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIF., April 2, 2014 – Lockheed Martin

DMSP Satellite Inserts New Capability in Constellation Significantly Outliving Design Life

The next Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] is ready for liftoff April 3 from Space Launch Complex 3 East at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The launch window will open at 7:46 a.m. PDT.

DMSP satellites collect data that enables military forecasters to find, track and forecast weather systems all over the globe, particularly in remote and hostile areas for deployed troops. Additionally, DMSP supports a broad range of civil users with sensing capabilities not provided by U.S. civil and international weather satellite systems.

“We’ve delivered more than 40 DMSP satellites over 50 years, so this launch represents a long partnership in monitoring and predicting weather,” said Sue Stretch, DMSP program director at Lockheed Martin. “I congratulate the entire Air Force-industry team that designed, built and tested this satellite, which is ready to serve our military and civil users.”

DMSP satellites fulfill the country’s most critical requirements for global atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial and space environment information. DMSP-19 is the fourth Block 5D-3 version to be launched, and Lockheed Martin has produced more than 40 satellites throughout the program’s 50-year history. Many of the satellites are performing beyond their design life, so adding on-orbit capability is important for reliable weather information.

The approaching launch is the first in five years for DMSP. The previous one was October 18, 2009, when DMSP-18 joined the constellation. The DMSP program is led by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., and control is provided by a joint team of the U.S. Air Force and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Suitland, Md. All DMSP satellites were integrated and tested at the Lockheed Martin Space Systems facility in Sunnyvale, Calif.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 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 net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

1 April 2014 BAE Systems

A ceremony was held at Australian company Marand, commemorating the delivery of the first ship of Australian made F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter vertical tails.

The Honourable Dr. Denis Napthine, Premier of Victoria and The Honourable Michael Ronaldson, Senator for Victoria representing the Defence Minister were among the distinguished guests in attendance.

This delivery of the first major air frame components marks an important production milestone for Marand, ourselves and Australia, demonstrating the significant industrial benefits the F-35 program brings to the growing Australian aerospace industry.  The work on the F-35 vertical tails is subcontracted to Marand by ourselves and is one of the largest planned manufacturing projects for the F-35 in Australia, with 722 ship sets anticipated.

 “We take our commitment to international participation very seriously, and today is a very proud day for us, for Marand, and for Australia’s F-35 programme.  In just two years, we have worked side by side with Marand to develop a world class aerostructure facility with a first-rate, repeatable capability for the next 20 to 30 years,” said Cliff Robson, senior vice president F-35 for BAE Systems. 

David Ellul, managing director of Marand, commented, “This is a major step for Marand to move into the field of aerostructures manufacturing.  I am very proud of our team for achieving so much in such a short time with tremendous support from BAE Systems. The unique capability we have established will serve the Australian Defence industry and create high technology Australian jobs for many years to come.”

The F-35 Lightning II aircraft will provide the Royal Australian Air Force with a transformational 5th generation fighter capability and provides significant benefits to the Australian aerospace industry, with more than $350 million (USD) already contracted and $6 billion (USD) in expected manufacturing orders over the life of the programme.

“The F-35 is not only transforming the battlefield but also the global aerospace industry. This programme is built on a foundation of unprecedented partnerships that not only tie our countries together, but also link our companies with one another. There’s really no better example of the true global nature of this programme than right here at Marand,” said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president Aeronautics, Lockheed Martin Corporation.

28 March 2014 army-technology.com

The Australian Department of Defence is investing up to $13m for development of future defence technology under Round 18 of the Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) programme.

Managed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DTSO), the CTD programme enhances Australia's defence capabilities by offering local industry an opportunity to develop and demonstrate new technologies.

Australian Defence Minister Senator David Johnston said that seven technology proposals from Australian companies and universities have been selected to demonstrate possible defence applications in 2014.

"These proposals have the potential to advance defence capability, produce innovative products for defence and civilian use, and stimulate Australian industry growth," Johnston added.

The projects were submitted by GPSat Systems Australia, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, CEA Technologies, Adelaide Research & Innovation (University of Adelaide), EM Solutions, BAE Systems Australia and Lockheed Martin Australia.

The proposals include a new technology for improved detection of interference sources affecting GPS, a portable fuel cell to boost energy support to forward operating bases, software for rapid submarine communications, and a sound deadener to improve submarine stealth through reduction in exhaust noise from diesel engines.

Other proposals include the development of a portable global wideband satellite communications terminal suitable for smaller ships, technology to improve the processing performance of maritime radars, as well as a miniature radio frequency kit for next generation decoys that protect Australian Defence Forces (ADF) platforms from missiles.

Australian Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert said the department has invested $263m in 112 projects since the beginning of the CTD programme, half of which were proposed by small-to-medium enterprises.

"Of these, 96 projects have provided successful demonstrations to date, with 15 having entered service," Robert added.

The new CTD projects are scheduled to start in mid-2014, subject to satisfactory contract negotiations.

27.03.2014 Helen Chachaty - journal-aviation.com

Alors que Lockheed Martin n’avait exposé qu’une maquette de son F-35 lors du dernier salon aéronautique de Farnborough (près de Londres) en 2012, il se pourrait fort bien que l’édition 2014 soit marquée par la présence d’un, voire de plusieurs F-35. C’est ce que croit savoir l’agence de presse Reuters, qui cite des sources selon lesquelles le chasseur de nouvelle génération pourrait effectuer son premier vol transatlantique au mois de juillet, afin d’être exposé à la fois au salon de Farnborough, mais également lors du Royal International Air Tattoo.

Une annonce du secrétaire d’État à la Défense Chuck Hagel en ce sens serait « très proche » selon Reuters, qui parle de deux ou trois F-35 qui effectueraient le voyage depuis les États-Unis, dont un F-35B destiné à la Grande-Bretagne.

Il s’agirait bien évidemment de « montrer » le F-35 et d’en faire la promotion, une opportunité pour un programme dont les coûts explosent et dont les délais de livraison s’allongent. Une opération de communication qui pourrait bénéficier à la Grande-Bretagne, mais aussi au Danemark, à l’Italie, à la Norvège ou encore aux Pays-Bas.

Aucune annonce officielle - gouvernementale ou industrielle - n’est pour le moment venue infirmer ou confirmer l’information livrée par Reuters.

27 mars 2014 par Nicolas Laffont – 45eNord.ca

Dans une mise à jour publiée sur son site Internet, Travaux publics et services gouvernementaux Canada indique que désormais, la première livraison d’avions chasseurs prévue est passée de 2017 à 2018.

Ainsi, les quatre premiers F-35, si la décision de maintenir l’achat des avions de Lockheed Martin est maintenue, ne seraient pas livrés avant 2018.

Cela pose donc certaines questions étant donné que la mise en œuvre du projet de remplacement des CF-18 doit s’échelonner sur un certain nombre d’années, si bien que de nouveaux avions seront déjà en service alors que d’autres ne seront pas encore acquis. En 2020, les CF-18 auront atteint leur fin de durée de vie utile, et l’Aviation royale canadienne n’aura théoriquement reçu que 20 F-35, les quatre derniers devant être livrés en 2024.

Cela veut donc dire que le contrat de «financement intégral» pour les 65 avions doit être passé au plus tard en 2016, et donc une décision d’achat avant. Des experts s’attendaient à ce qu’une décision soit prise en 2013, avec une signature de contrat en 2014, mais avec la reprise à zéro du processus de remplacement de la flotte de CF-18, le gouvernement ne veut pas prendre de décision finale tant que son «Plan à sept volets» ne sera pas achevé.

Dans sa «Mise à jour annuelle de 2013», le Secrétariat national d’approvisionnement en chasseurs (SNAC) indique qu’en retardant le profil d’achat d’un an, la Défense nationale bénéficierait d’une économie du coût d’acquisition d’environ 160 millions $, mais qu’en contrepartie, il s’ensuivra une hausse des coûts du soutien.

En interview téléphonique pour 45eNord.ca, la porte-parole en matière de défense du NPD Elaine Michaud s’est dite peu surprise de cette décision de repousser l’échéancier. «C’est une situation préoccupante, a dit la députée. Il faudrait que le processus soit beaucoup plus transparent et ouvert qu’il ne l’est. [...] Des sommes considérables sont en jeu et le gouvernement nous cache des informations juste avant les prochaines élections».

Le rapport définitif de l’Aviation royale canadienne sur l’analyse complète des capacités, des coûts et des risques liés à chaque option est en cours d’examen par le SNAC et devrait être rendu public dans les prochains mois, si tout va bien.

Marietta, Ga. Mar. 25, 2014– Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] delivered its 17th C-5M Super Galaxy to the U.S. Air Force from its facilities here today. It is the first C-5M delivery for 2014. U.S. Air Force aircrews will deliver the aircraft tail number 87-0020 to Dover Air Force Base, Del. after a stop at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., where it will undergo internal paint restoration.

The C-5M is the only true strategic airlifter capable of offering the entire globe in one unrefueled flight. A total of 52 Super Galaxy aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to the Air Force by 2017.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 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 net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

C-140 Aurora (Flickr/boegh)

March 25, 2014 By Richard Tomkins (UPI)

The Canadian Department of National Defense, which has ordered the upgrading of additional surveillance aircraft, has ordered new radar for the planes.

The Canadian Department of National Defense has contracted MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. to provide radar surveillance systems.

The eight systems to be provided under the $57 million contract will be for integration aboard CP-140 Aurora fleet, which Canada is upgrading.

MDA's said its surveillance system for theCP-140 provides high-resolution imaging capability to detect, locate, and classify, land and marine-based objects.

"Canada's DND and MDA have developed a successful working relationship based on quality, reliability and value,” said Don Osborne, an MDA vice president. “We are pleased to support DND with this repeat business and provide additional high-performance airborne radar surveillance systems.

"This contract underscores the global need for critical multi-mission intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that aid in the detection of illegal or hostile activity in maritime approaches or remote regions."

The CP-140 Aurora is Canada's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance Aircraft. The Lockheed Martin aircraft is based on the P-3 Orion airframe. Canada currently operates a fleet of 14 updated Auroras but announced last week it is investing in four more modernized CP-140s.

Modernization will be conducted under existing competitively awarded industry contracts and will include new avionics and missions systems.

21 Mar 2014 By Jon Hemmerdinger - FG
 

Washington DC - The US Air Force is seeking an improved digital helmet-mounted display (DHMD) for pilots, in response to the increasing complexity of aircraft and weapons systems.

In a recent request for information posted on the US government’s procurement website, the USAF says it seeks a helmet that improves pilots’ situational awareness and has features that integrate sensor data to help pilots better identify targets. The helmet system should also monitor pilot health and oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the helmet.

Oxygen-related issues were found to have caused a series of hypoxia incidents that led to a four-month fleet-wide grounding of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors in 2011. An F-22 oxygen system problem also preceded one fatal crash.

However, the USAF's request – posted in February but updated on 13 March – does not say which aircraft the helmet would be used for, and the service did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

“The government is interested in receiving information on a broad array of technologies that have the potential to enhance aircrew warfighter operational capabilities in fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft platforms,” says the request.

“As weapon systems have become increasingly complex and aircrews are exposed to extensive amounts of battlespace information, it has become clear that a significant effort is necessary to provide a revolutionary leap in [DHMD] capability.”

The request says the USAF seeks a new helmet that makes better use of symbol displays – called symbology – and possibly uses “conformal”, or three-dimensional, symbols.

Also of interest is eye tracking technology that would allow information to be presented where pilots are looking, rather than where they are facing, says the USAF.

The service also wants a helmet that digitally incorporates night vision capability, and one that collects information gained from a variety of sensors, including mid-wave and long-wave infrared sensors and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors, says the request.

The USAF wants that information to be processed using algorithms that would help the pilot to better detect and identify ground objects, such as vehicles, humans, terrain hidden by fog, haze or dust, as well as objects concealed by floors and vehicles, says the service.

In addition, the system should be able to distinguish whether humans or vehicles are friend or foe, says the notice.

It would also have cognitive and physiological pilot monitoring that would identify, and prevent mishaps caused by pilot fatigue, cognitive overload, unconsciousness or spatial disorientation. The eye tracking system could potentially monitor vigilance and sleepiness by monitoring blinking and the amount of time a pilot’s eyes are closed, says the request.

The USAF is interested in monitoring heart activity with electrocardiogram data and brain activity with electroencephalography data.

The helmet system could also monitor “galvanic skin response” – used to identify sweat – blood flow, hydration and mask oxygen and carbon dioxide content, says the USAF.

In 2011, the service grounded all F-22s due to hypoxia incidents later attributed to issues with the aircraft’s onboard oxygen generation system and the pilot’s upper pressure garment. The grounding followed an F-22 crash in November 2010 that was preceded by failure of an oxygen sensor. That crash killed the pilot.

The USAF blamed the crash on the pilot, saying he failed to activate an emergency oxygen supply, but a later Pentagon report found the service’s conclusions were based on insufficient evidence.

Lockheed, which is integrating a helmet-mounted display from Vision Systems International (VSI) into its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, says it does not know which aircraft the new helmet is intended for.

Rockwell Collins, which joined with Elbit Systems to form VSI, could not be reached for comment.

The helmet for the F-35, the only fighter that currently has a digital helmet-mounted display, suffered developmental delays sufficient to lead the military to seek an alternative helmet in September 2011.

BAE Systems proposed a design, but the F-35’s programme office decided in October 2013 to stick with VSI.

Lockheed says the latest “third-generation” VSI helmet is progressing, noting that it plans to flight test the helmet in an F-35 in the third quarter of this year.

Features of VSI’s helmet include symbology, a virtual head-up display, mounted night vision and real-time video that is integrated with the aircraft’s 360˚ situational awareness system, says Lockheed

24/03/14 lesechos.fr (Reuters)

SEOUL, 24 mars - La Corée du Sud a budgétisé quelque 6,8 milliards de dollars (5 milliards d'euros environ) pour l'achat de 40 chasseurs F-35 fabriqués par la firme américaine Lockheed Martin, a-t-on appris lundi de source proche du dossier.

Le contrat doit être finalisé au cours du troisième trimestre.

Mais le budget a d'ores et déjà transmis par l'Agence nationale des programmes d'achats d'armements (DAPA) à la commission parlementaire qui supervise les acquisitions militaires, a ajouté cette source. (Joyce Lee; Henri-Pierre André pour le service français)