Internationale fighter ontwikkelingen

[Sparkplug]

Pentagon budget 2017: USAF postpones retirement of 'devastating' A-10

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly | 02 February 2016


The A-10's 'devastating' performance against the Islamic State in the Middle East has prompted the DoD to defer retirement until 2022. Source: US Air Force

The US Air Force (USAF) has postponed the retirement of its Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft as a consequence of its continued need on the battlefield, it was announced on 2 February.

Previewing the upcoming release of the Pentagon's fiscal year 2017 (FY 2017) budget request, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter disclosed that the A-10's retirement will be deferred until 2022 on account of its "devastating" performance against the Islamic State in the Middle East.

The decision not to immediately withdraw the A-10, as previously outlined, represents a spectacular volte-face for the Department of Defense (DoD), which had stated that it was necessary to retire the 1970s-vintage platform so as to free up resources and personnel for the introduction into service of its successor, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

Since the DoD's intention to fast-track the retirement of the USAF's approximately 300 A-10s from the planned out-of-service date of 2028 to 'as soon as possible' were first announced in 2014, the issue has been hotly debated and contested at the highest levels of government.

Supporters of the legacy platform asserted that it offers an unparalleled close-air support capability, primarily by means of its 30 mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon, and that its divestment would go so far as to endanger the lives of US and coalition troops on the ground. The DoD countered this by claiming that the A-10 was past its prime and that it could no longer be expected to survive for long over a modern battlefield (a position that appears to have been fatally undermined by the platform's showing against the Islamic State).

Ever since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, the USAF has attempted on several occasions to rid itself of the A-10, claiming that the platform is 'a one-trick pony'.

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(327 of 614 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/57656/pentagon-budget-2017-usaf-postpones-retirement-of-devastating-a-10

[Sparkplug]

USAF considers defensive lasers for future fighters

By James Drew, Washington DC | 02 February 2016

The dawn of the combat laser era might begin in 2021 when the US air force hopes to begin demonstrations of a podded electric laser system for fifth and sixth-generation fighter jets that can destroy incoming missiles, not just steer them off course.

Today, the air force research laboratory started gathering market information under an advanced technology demonstration programme known as SHiELD, or self-protect high-energy laser demonstrator.

According to the request for information notice, the project seeks to integrate a "moderate power" electric laser into a protective pod for supersonic combat jets, including fifth-generation jets like the Lockheed Martin F-35 and F-22 as well as future fighters and bombers.


Northrop Grumman

"SHiELD seeks to expand moderate power (tens of kilowatts) laser weapon operation into the supersonic regime by demonstrating system performance under transonic flight, and acquiring aero-effects data under a supersonic environment relevant to current and future tactical aircraft," the notice states.

"Advanced laser options under investigation are those with size and weight appropriate for integration as part of a complete laser weapon system into an aerodynamic integrated pod-like structure carried by a tactical aircraft."

The laser pod would be significantly more powerful than current-generation self-protection capabilities like Northrop Grumman's directional infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) system. It's added power could burn or otherwise disable infrared and radar-guided missiles at high speeds.

Military scientists hope to validate the laser pod in a laboratory environment (technology readiness level four) by 2017 and be ready for prototype demonstration by 2021, the notice says.


General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

The air force has long sought to introduce airborne laser weapons, but the technology remains elusive. Lockheed Martin has explored laser weapon options for the F-35, and US special operations forces want to install a laser gun on the new AC-130J Ghostrider gunship by 2020.

Instead of chemical lasers that were favoured for the defunct Boeing YAL-1A airborne laser testbed, air force and industry officials now see electric-powered lasers as the best way forward.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-considers-defensive-lasers-for-future-fighters-421535/

[Sparkplug]

US Navy plans SLEP for Super Hornet fleet

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly | 02 February 2016


With the earliest delivered Super Hornets set to reach the end of their service lives in about 2017, the US Navy is to roll out a service life extension programme for the type that should help offset delays with the F-35C. Source: US Navy

The US Navy intends to launch a service life extension programme (SLEP) for its fleet of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft, a notice posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website reveals.

The notice, which was originally published by the The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on 19 January and updated on 1 February, is for Boeing to undertake a SLEP of the F/A-18E/F aft fuselage to extend the life of the aircraft upwards from the current 6,000 hours.

NAVAIR revealed no details pertaining to the number of aircraft involved, the extent of the increase in the service life of the aircraft, timelines, or contract values. Neither did the notification say whether the effort would be extended to international operators, which are currently limited to Australia but expected to include Kuwait shortly.

The US Navy fields approximately 550 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, the first of which entered service in the late 1990s. The earliest aircraft to be delivered are expected to reach the end of their current 6,000-hour service lives in about 2017, which is two years ahead of the planned declaration of initial operating capability for the carrier variant Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.

Delays to the F-35C have already prompted the US Navy to execute a SLEP for 150 of its more than 600 legacy F/A-18 Hornet fleet (including US Marine Corps [USMC] assets). The goal of this particular SLEP is to increase the service life of the 1980s-vintage jets out to 10,000 hours, with the aim of keeping them in operational service until 2035. Other enhancements being considered for the legacy Hornets include a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) integrating the Link 16 datalink, colour screens in the cockpit and navigation upgrades with a moving map display, new Naval Aircrew Common Ejector Seats, and the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System.

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(331 of 584 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/57646/us-navy-plans-slep-for-super-hornet-fleet

[dudge]

Het is niet alleen dat zij graag willen, maar ook omdat zij moeten. Voordat de F-35C productie echt op stoom is gekomen, ontstaat een tekort bij de Carrier Air Wings. De legacy Hornet squadrons (USN en USMC) lopen op hun laatste benen. Hoe vaak er al niet is gesproken over een Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) voor de legacy Hornets en Super Hornets.

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=1919

Gezien de aantallen denk ik eigenlijk dat het ook vooral een SLEP van de productiecapaciteit is, die de marine nog niet durft op te geven.

[Sparkplug]

Navy to request for 16 Super Hornets    ( De Navy kan nog niet genoeg krijgen van de F-18, productielijn zou hierdoor weer wat langer openblijven.)

Het is niet alleen dat zij graag willen, maar ook omdat zij moeten. Voordat de F-35C productie echt op stoom is gekomen, ontstaat een tekort bij de Carrier Air Wings. De legacy Hornet squadrons (USN en USMC) lopen op hun laatste benen. Hoe vaak er al niet is gesproken over een Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) voor de legacy Hornets en Super Hornets.

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=1919

[Harald]

Navy to request for 16 Super Hornets    ( De Navy kan nog niet genoeg krijgen van de F-18, productielijn zou hierdoor weer wat langer openblijven.)

The U.S. Navy will request to buy 2 Super Hornets for fiscal 2017 budget and 14 more aircraft in fiscal 2018, Reuters reported

http://alert5.com/2016/02/02/navy-to-request-for-20-super-hornets/

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Boeing Defense Jobs In St. Louis At Risk As Kuwait F-18 Super Hornet Deal Left Uncertain

By Christopher Harress @Charress   On 01/29/16

http://www.ibtimes.com/boeing-defense-jobs-st-louis-risk-kuwait-f-18-super-hornet-deal-left-uncertain-2284719

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Japan will likely try to partner with the USA on a sixth generation jet fighter project

http://nextbigfuture.com/2016/01/japan-will-likely-try-to-partner-with.html

[Sparkplug]

ATD-X to spur Japan's advanced fighter research

By Greg Waldron, Singapore | 29 January 2016

The Mitsubishi ATD-X fighter technology demonstrator could conduct its maiden flight in February, following a media rollout in Japan on 29 January.

The rollout offered reporters unprecdented access to the aircraft, unofficially named 'ShinShin' which was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagoya.

The Y39.2 billion ($27 million) ATD-X, which has been delayed for several years, will conduct a test campaign explore advanced "fifth generation" fighter technologies, namely stealth, thrust vectoring, advanced sensors, and datalinks.

As reported previously by Flightglobal, the aircraft small by fighter standards with a length of 14.2m (46.5ft) and a wingspan of 9.1m.

It is powered by two IHI XF5-1 low-bypass engines. A video shared with journalists shows that the engines are equipped with afterburners that have been ground tested. Mitsubishi previously had automatic engine restart issues with the engine control software, but apparently these have been resolved. The engine inlets have stealth coatings.

The aircraft will not be armed and is likely to be retired after two to three years in service. The technology tests could eventually make their way into an indigenous fighter, the F-3, that would replace Japan's fleet of Mitsubishi F-2s and F-15Js in the 2030s.

The ATD-X is calibrated to address Tokyo's concerns that it lacks the know-how to develop advanced fighters indigenously.

For years, Japan tried unsuccessfully to obtain the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, but Washington's concerns about leaks prevented this aircraft from being exported. Tokyo eventually ordered 42 F-35s in 2011, which are to be built under licence by Mitsubishi. It is not clear, however, how much access to sensitive technologies this acquisition will provide.

Meanwhile, Tokyo is concerned by aircraft developments in regional rivals. China is making steady progress with its Chengdu J-20 fighter, with some Chinese blog sites reporting that this large aircraft, which has some stealth features, has entered low rate initial production. At the Dubai Air Show in November 2015, Avic also hosted a presentation about another advanced Chinese jet, the FC-31, apparently a follow-on aircraft of the J-31.

Closer to home, South Korea is committed to developing the KFX fighter in cooperation with Indonesia.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/atd-x-to-spur-japans-advanced-fighter-research-421374/

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Het kan ook maar zo zijn dat extra F-15's voor Israel (zij willen één extra squadron) alleen onderhuids SE technologie hebben en qua uiterlijk op de F-15I lijken. Overigens heeft Israël onlangs ingestemd met de F-15I modernisering (zie Antwoord #161).

Is idd even afwachten wat de definitieve keuze gaat worden.

[Sparkplug]

Zoals het er (nog nog) naar uit zijn de lijnen van de F18 en F16 definitief gesloten tegen het einde van dit decennium, al heeft Boeing met haar F15 familie nog twee spannende ijzers in het vuur: Israël voor de SE en Qatar voor de E, toch een +/- 100 exemplaren.

Het kan ook maar zo zijn dat extra F-15's voor Israel (zij willen één extra squadron) alleen onderhuids SE technologie hebben en qua uiterlijk op de F-15I lijken. Overigens heeft Israël onlangs ingestemd met de F-15I modernisering (zie Antwoord #161).

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Ik snap ook dat de VS liever de F-35 wil verkopen, maar deze zullen ze zeker niet aanbieden aan de Golfstaten, dus dan blijven alleen de F-16, F-18 en F-15's over om te verkopen. Dat zijn maar "oude" 4de generatie type toestellen, toch ...

Zoals het er (nog nog) naar uit ziet zijn de lijnen van de F18 en F16 definitief gesloten tegen het einde van dit decennium, al heeft Boeing met haar F15 familie nog twee spannende ijzers in het vuur: Israël voor de SE en Qatar voor de E, toch een +/- 100 exemplaren.

Indien de VS blijft treuzelen met de Qatar optie, dan zou het mij niet verbazen als de blik, net als die van de VAE, richting Parijs gaat.

[Harald]

Valt mij op dat de VS de laatste tijd wat terughoudend is met toestemmingen voor verkoop van wapensystemen, zoals nu ook bij Koeweit voor de verkoop van de F-18.  en eigenlijk ook bij de F-15E's

Door te lang wachten, zullen verkoop van Eurofighters en Rafales alleen maar toenemen.

Ik weet dat defensie verkoop/aankoop trajecten zijn van jaren (soms nog langer), maar toch ....

Ik snap ook dat de VS liever de F-35 wil verkopen, maar deze zullen ze zeker niet aanbieden aan de Golfstaten, dus dan blijven alleen de F-16, F-18 en F-15's over om te verkopen. Dat zijn maar "oude" 4de generatie type toestellen, toch ...

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Dus (nog) geen F-18E's , maar eerst Eurofighters voor Koeweit. Dit alleen omdat de beslissing tot verkoop in de VS te lang duurt volgens Koeweit.

En daarmee stres bij Boeing.... de productielijn van de SH droogt nu in een rap tempo op en (voorlopig) zonder export orders maakt ze afhankelijk van eventuele extra US order die (nog) niet in de pijplijn zitten.

Zwanenzang voor de Hornet?

[Harald]

Italian MoD Source: Kuwait To Sign Deal for 28 Eurofighters

By Tom Kington 9:23 a.m. EST January 27, 2016

ROME — Kuwait is expected to sign a deal to buy 28 Eurofighter aircraft on Jan. 31, an Italian Ministry of Defense source has told Defense News.

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/strike/2016/01/27/italian-mod-source-kuwait-sign-deal-28-eurofighters/79394322/

Dus (nog) geen F-18E's , maar eerst Eurofighters voor Koeweit. Dit alleen omdat de beslissing tot verkoop in de VS te lang duurt volgens Koeweit.

After delays in gaining approval from the US to buy new F-18 Super Hornets, Kuwait instead looks set to sign contracts external link for twenty-eight Eurofighter Typhoon jets to replace their older F-18s. An official in the Italian Ministry of Defense said minister Roberta Pinotti would visit Kuwait on Sunday to sign papers finalizing the deal estimated to be worth $8.7 billion. Talks had been ongoing since November with issues over pilot training delaying the deal, but should be completed within eighteen months. The switch in allegiance will no doubt annoy manufacturer Boeing, and may see renewed frustrations over the lengthy congressional approval process for foreign military sales.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/

One senior official said the decision came after repeated US delays regarding the acquisition of a new fleet of Boeing F-18 Super Hornets.
"We were trying to acquire the F-18 Super Hornets and replace the existing fleet of F-18s with Super Hornets and Eurofighter Typhoons," he said.  "However, we cannot wait for the American approval and need to update our Air Force now."

http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/strike/2016/01/27/italian-mod-source-kuwait-sign-deal-28-eurofighters/79394322/