AMR October 2015

Volume 23/issue 6

OCTOber 2015 US$15

A s i a P a c i f i c ’ s L a r g e s t C i r c u la t e d D e f e n c e M a g a Z i n e

NAVAL COMMAND AND CONTROL JTAC OPTRONICS Frigates & Destroyers UAV Directory

REMOTE WEAPONS STATIONS South Korean Defence ballistic Missile Defence

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Contents

OCTOber 2015 VOLUME 23 / ISSUE 6

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Engineering Ingenuity Jimyong Li provides a thorough update regarding some of the Republic of Korea’s leading defence procurement programmes.

Front Cover Photo:

Ballistic Missile Defence efforts are continuing in earnest in the Asia-Pacific region as nations grapple with the threat which the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s ballistic missile programmes continue to pose. They are examined in this issue’s ‘Testing Patience’ article © Raytheon

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19 Game of Drones

Everything you wanted to know about Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in the AsiaPacific courtesy of Claire Apthorp in our ever-popular annual UAV Directory.

32 Devices and Desires Andrew White profiles some of the latest technologies available to Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in the Asia-Pacific and elsewhere.

Management Consultants

The nervous system of a warship is its Combat Management System, and a wide array of products are now available to navies around the world to this end, Thomas Newdick reports.

Size Does Matter

Navies around the Asia-Pacific are investing in new frigates and destroyers to perform a multitude of missions across the spectrum of naval operations, Dr. Alix Valenti finds out.

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52 Station to Station

Getting the crews out of vulnerable vehicle turrets is an increasing priority for land forces, helped in no small measure by the advent of the Remote Weapons Station, Stephen W. Miller investigates.

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Testing Patience Thomas Withington examines the threat to the Asia-Pacific from ballistic missile proliferation, and some of the measures being taken to lessen this menace.

Thomas Withington’s regular column providing all of the latest news and analysis regarding events in the defence radio frequency domain.

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Index of Advertisers ADEX AZERBAIJAN 55 Boeing 5 DSA Malaysia 61 Dubai Airshow COVER 3 Elbit Systems 15 Eurosatory 59 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems 25 IAI (Malat) 21 Kongsberg 9 L-3 WESCAM 7 Northrop Grumman COVER 4 Photonis 35 RADA 47 RAFAEL COVER 2 RAYTHEON 11 Rosoboronexport 17,31 Sagem 37 Singapore Airshow 57 Thales NNL 41 Trijicon Inc. 33

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Editorial Unfinished Business

“P

olitical power grows out of a barrel of a gun,” Mao Zedong, the First Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China once reflected. It seems that Chairman Mao’s party still follows this dictum: On 2 September, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) held a military parade to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the defeat of Japan marking the end of the Second World War in the Pacific, following the signature of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender onboard the US Navy ‘Iowa’ class battleship USS Missouri.

That the PRC held a major event to herald this important anniversary is understandable.

During the Second World War China lost between 15 to 20 million people (depending on the sources) as a result of hostilities. In this respect it is second only to the Soviet Union which lost an estimated 27 million to similar causes. These deaths were the result of Japan’s occupation of mainland China in July 1937 until the end of the Second World War. During the Rape of Nanking, a six-week long murder, rape and looting spree by the Japanese Army, 300,000 people alone in the city of Nanking, eastern China lost their lives.

The PRC’s display of its military might was not only about the past, and commemorating the sacrifices made by the Chinese, both at the hands of Japan and fighting the occupation of the country. China thus played a pivotal role in the eventual Allied defeat of Japan following the atomic destruction of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 August and 9 August 1945 respectively. Much like the ‘Little Boy’ and ‘Fat Man’ atomic bombs which obliterated these two cities, the PRC’s parade sent a powerful message regarding its military power.

The PRC chose to showcase several force projection assets, during the parade, not least its DF21D anti-ship ballistic missile which is designed to deter US Navy aircraft carrier battle groups in the Pacific from engaging the People’s Liberation Army Navy in combat. The US Navy currently maintains its Carrier Strike Group Five, led by the USS Ronald Reagan ‘Nimitz’ class aircraft carrier, which operates from Yokosuka naval base on Japan’s Honshu Island.

Beyond the US Navy, the other intended audience for the parade was Japan itself. The Chinese government expressed dissatisfaction with the statement made by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on 14 August regarding his “feelings of profound grief and … eternal, sincere condolence” concerning Japan’s actions during the Second World War. Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry retorted that Mr. Abe’s statement fell short, encouraging Japan to “make a sincere apology to the people of victim countries.”

While bilateral issues regarding Japan’s sovereignty of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, which are claimed by the PRC, remain unresolved in Beijing’s eyes. The parade showed that history continues to influence today’s strategic narrative.

Thomas Withington, Editor

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by Thomas Withington Selex’ T-20 radar will equip the KC-390 turbofan freighter, while IAI ELTA has unveiled new ground-based air surveillance radars.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Air Force procures a new EW system, and the UK moves forward with the replacement of its Bowman tactical radios.

Selex’ T-20 Gabbiano radar will be installed on all Embraer KC-390 turbofan freighters destined to equip the Brazilian Air Force. Capable of air, land and sea surveillance, the radar will be installation on the Brazilian aircraft in a nose-mounted configuration © Selex

Radar Embraer’s KC-390 turbofan freighter is to receive Selex’s T-20 Gabbiano radar. According to a written statement provided to Pulse by Selex, deliveries of the radar to Embraer for installation on aircraft earmarked for the Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB/Brazilian Air Force) will commence this year. In 2010, the FAB placed orders for 28 KC-390 examples. Deliveries of the T-20 radar will then continue for the duration of KC-390 deliveries to the FAB. Selex adds that all of the FAB’s KC-390s will be equipped with the radar. The T-20 Gabbiano is an X-band (8.5-10.68 gigahertz/ GHz) radar which can be used for sea, land and air surveillance.

When performing maritime surveillance, the radar has a range of circa 220 nautical miles (407 kilometres), and can track up to 200 targets. Although the radar is available in belly-mounted and nose-mounted configurations, Selex says that the FAB’s KC390s will receive the nose-mounted version.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) will provide AN/APY-8A Block-20A Lynx Synthetic Aperture Multimode Radar retrofit installation kits for the United States Air Force’s (USAF’s) GA-ASI MQ-1B Block-10 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). GA-ASI’s radar programme director, John Fanelle says that an initial 24 radars will be delivered between December 2015 and December 2016: “We are currently only funded for the first 24, but expect to be funded each of the next two fiscal years (by the US Department of Defence) for an additional 24 radars per year.” This could result in an eventual total of 72 radars being delivered between the end of 2015 and the end of 2018. The radars will be installed onboard all legacy GA-ASI MQ-1B Block-10 aircraft in service with the USAF. More information regarding UAV programmes in the Asia-Pacific can

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be found in Claire Apthorp’s ‘Game of Drones’ UAV Directory in this issue.

The AN/APY-8A Block-20A Lynx radar is a Ku-band (15.218.2GHz) system which has both a SAR and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI). The SAR mode has a surveillance range of circa 43nm (80km), with the range of the GMTI being circa twelve nautical miles (23km). The AN/APY-8A Block-20A Lynx radar variant is capable of tracking dismounted and maritime targets and has a systems weight below 100 pounds (45.3 kilograms) whereas the other family members, notably the AN/ DPY-1 Block-30, can perform maritime surveillance (systems weight 85lb/39kg) while the baseline AN/APY-8 Block-20 has a systems weight of 120lb (55kg).

Raytheon has moved a step closer to outfitting the company’s AN/MPG-53/65 Sentinel ground-based air surveillance and fire control radar which equips the firm’s MIM-104 Patriot family of medium-to-high altitude surface-to-air missile systems with a new Gallium Nitride-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA). These two radars perform target acquisition, detection, tracking and illumination for the MIM-104. Using a phased array antenna, this C-band (5.25-5.925GHz) radar reportedly has a range of up to 92nm (170km). In terms of radar designation, the AN/MPQ-53 equips Raytheon’s MIM-104A/B/C/D Patriot variants, with the AN/MPQ-65 outfitting the MIM-104F. The AN/MPQ-65 has an additional travelling wave tube to increase its target search, detection and tracking capabilities vis-à-vis the AN/MPQ-53.

Compared to legacy Gallium Arsenide AESA antennae, Gallium Nitride offers even higher performances as antennae using Transmit/Receive modules constructed from this material

General Atomics’ is supplying AN/APY-8A Block-20A Lynx radar upgrade kits to the United States Air Force for its MQ-1 Block-10 Predator UAVs, with an initial 24 systems to be delivered by December 2016 © GA-ASI

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Electronic Warfare

Raytheon is improving the capabilities of the AN/MPG-53/65 radars which equip the company’s MIM-104 Patriot family of surface-toair missile systems with Gallium Nitride technology to improve their performance © USAF

can operate at comparatively higher power levels. Raytheon plans to introduce the GaN antenna to the US Army as part of the services’ planned Patriot Modernisation Roadmap, although the roadmap is yet to become a formal programme. As well as offering a GaN AESA antenna for the AN/MPQ-53/65, Raytheon is proposing to reconfigure the radar’s antenna architecture to equip it with four flat-panel GaN AESA arrays as opposed to the single array that it has at the moment so as to provide full 360-degree coverage. In early June, the company revealed, via a press release, that it is on course to have a low-risk GaN AESA operational by early 2016. This AESA could then enter an Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase.

Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA division has shared with Pulse some new details regarding its recently-unveiled EL/M2090U ground-based air surveillance radar. Showcased during the Paris Air Show in June this new radar operates in the UHF (420450/890-942MHz) frequency range, and the radar is particularly well-suited to long-range surveillance applications, and for small Radar Cross Section (RCS) target detection at such ranges. With a gaze of circa 266.6nm (493.7km), the radar can be truck-mounted or positioned on a turntable. Although it can provide 360 degrees of azimuth surveillance (in the case of the EL/M-2090U Ultra-C1 variant – see below) by rotating, it can perform electronic beam steering through its AESA array across 60 degrees of azimuth with 40 degrees of elevation beam-steering also possible. Moreover, the radar can mechanically tilt its elevation through 30 degrees to provide a total of 70 degrees’ coverage.

While the EL/M-2090U Ultra-C1 (see below) provides 360 degrees of azimuth coverage, the larger arrays discussed below can be mechanically slewed to provide 320 degrees of azimuth.

IAI produces the radar in three versions: the EL/M-2090U Ultra-C1, EL/M-2090U Ultra-C6 and EL/M-2090U Ultra-C22.

These differ in providing medium, long and very long range surveillance according to the company, although specific ranges have not been revealed, with the exception of the EL/M-2090U Ultra-C1’s range of 266.6nm. The company also revealed that the radar is currently in service with an undisclosed customer.

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Selex will supply a solitary SAGE-600 Electronic Support Measure (ESM) to equip the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara/TNI-AU). Designed to enable the collection, geolocation and analysis of Radio Frequency transmissions, the SAGE-600 plays a vital role in aiding the collection of information regarding the electronic order-of-battle.

Covering a frequency band of 0.5GHz to 40GHz, the company’s official literature notes, enables the SAGE-600 to gather information regarding a significant range of potential RF threats such as ground-based air surveillance and naval surveillance radars, and radars equipping anti-ship missiles. In addition, it can collect information regarding communications in the one to two gigahertz radio band. The SAGE-600, the official literature continues, provides a geolocation accuracy “typically better than five percent,” and its library can contain up to 16000 records.

According to a written statement from Selex provided to Pulse, a single SAGE-600 system will be supplied for integration on a single TNI-AU Airbus CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft by the end of 2015. The SAGE-600 is being supplied to US-based prime contractor Integrated Surveillance and Defence of Oregon which is performing the integration of the SAGE-600 onboard the CN235. This aircraft, the Selex statement continues, is then expected to be delivered to the TNI-AU in early 2016.

Meanwhile, in the naval domain, Elbit Systems has provided Pulse with particulars regarding its plans to upgrade the Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities of the Israeli Navy’s ‘Sa’ar-4.5’ and ‘Sa’ar-5’ class corvettes. The upgrade includes the installation of an active and passive EW suite, with the system furnishing both ship classes from 2016; although no timeline has been revealed regarding when the installation of these EW suites will be complete, nor has Elbit Systems revealed the value of the work to this end.

That said, the company told Pulse via a written statement that the new EW suites would equip both ships classes; a total of eight ‘Sa’ar-4.5’ and three ‘Sa’ar-5’ class vessels. The statement added: “The new advanced EW systems will replace the existing (legacy) systems that are in Israeli Navy service and will add new capabilities such as extended frequency range coverage, extra sensitivity and sophisticated processing enabling operations in the modern naval arena.” In terms of capability, “the new system has a modular design, utilising modern digital technology and is designed to effectively IAI ELTA has launched a handle current and future naval number of new ground-based threats while implementing air surveillance radars. They the vast operational experience include the EL/M-2090U gathered during many years Ultra-C1 (pictured here) which can provide 360 degrees of EW systems operation.” of azimuth coverage, and a Beyond these two classes of surveillance range of circa ship, the Israeli Navy signed a 266.6nm © IAI Elta deal with German shipbuilder

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The EL/M-2090U Ultra-C22 is one of several new ground-based air surveillance radars launched

by IAI ELTA. This radar, like its siblings, operates across the UHF radar frequency and is capable of very long range surveillance © IAI Elta

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in May to procure four ‘Sa’ar-6’ corvettes in a contract worth $474 million. Elbit Systems added that it expects these new ships to be equipped with a similar EW suite to that which is equipping the ‘Sa’ar-4.5’ and ‘Sa’ar-5’ classes.

Staying in the naval EW domain, Lockheed Martin announced in late-July that it had been awarded a contract worth $154 million as part of the US Navy’s Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Programme (SEWIP). This contract covers Block-2 of the SEWIP initiative (see below), and Lockheed Martin told Pulse, via a written statement, that the work on this initiative commences immediately and will conclude in April 2018.

This contract covers the Low Rate Initial Production of the Raytheon AN/SLQ-32(V) Electronic Warfare Suite which equips 147 US Navy surface combatants, 17 US Coast Guard cutters and 94 other vessels belonging to twelve navies around the world.

The SEWIP initiative is rolling out new hardware across the AN/SLQ-32(V) family. It will initially improve RF detection, and then, from 2017, enhance jamming. The SEWIP uses a modular, open architecture approach to ease the installation of new hardware. The SEWIP is being rolled out via a series of ‘Blocks’: SEWIP Block-1A improves the AN/ SLQ-32(V) display and interface, along with adding Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware to operate the display and to perform some of the systems’ signal processing.

SEWIP Block-1B adds an AN/SSX-1 emitter identification system for large vessels, with smaller US Navy vessels receiving the Small Ship Electronic Support Measures System.

SEWIP Block-1B2 further improves the emitter identification capabilities for ships which have received the SEWIP Block-1B upgrade. Finally, SEWIP Block 1B3 further upgrades the display and adds a high gain/high sensitivity subsystem to enhance the ability of the AN/SLQ-32(V) to detect radar-guided anti-ship missiles equipped with low probability of intercept radars. In late June, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract worth $8 million to upgrade several AN/SLQ-32(V) Block 1B3 systems as part of the Full Rate Production element of the SEWIP Block-1A/B initiatives (see above). Lockheed Martin’s statement added that work in this regard is expected to conclude in 2017.

The SEWIP Block-2 initiative improves the AN/SLQ-32(V)’s electronic support measures and upgrades its antennae leading to an overall improvement in the detection capabilities and accuracy of the AN/SLQ-32(V). A SEWIP Block-3 initiative is envisaged in the future for the AN/SLQ-32(V) which could improve the electronic attack capabilities of the subsystem, with a mooted SEWIP Block-4 adding infra-red and optronic detection, although it is unclear as to when these initiatives could commence.

www.kongsberg.com

Tactical Radio This June it was reported that the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to commence consultations regarding the replacement of the Bowman communications system used across the British armed forces. The Bowman tactical radio family includes the UK/PRC-354 VHF transceiver used for platoon level communications. A range of manpacks are also included based on Exelis/Harris manpack radios carrying the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) waveforms for use at the squad/platoon level.

The designation for these manpacks differs according to their power output and role. For example, the UK/PRC-355 is a fivewatt manpack, the UK/PRC-356 is a 16W manpack, while the UK/VRC-357 is a vehicular clip-in radio, the UK/VRC-358 a 16W low-power vehicular radio with the UK/VRC-359 being a 50W high-power vehicular radio. Bowman also includes a High Frequency (HF/three to 30 megahertz) component comprising the UK/PRC-325 20W manpack and the UK/VRC-328/9 100W vehicular and fixed-site transceiver. The UK/PRC-325 is in fact an ‘UK-ised’ version of Harris’ AN/PRC-150(C) Falcon-II multiband radio, although lacking the proprietary Harris Citadel encryption which is instead replaced by the UK Type-1 Pritchel encryption. At the top of the Bowman family is the UK/VRC340 High Capacity Data Radio which can form a self-managing mobile internet communications backbone.

It may seem early to start considering Bowman’s replacement, given that it only commenced full-scale operation with the British armed forces in 2010. However, tactical radio programmes can have long gestations. With this in mind, it was reported by the media in June that the UK MoD had launched ‘Project Morpheus’, with an ambitious plan to replace Bowman from 2026. At present, Project Morpheus is a consultation with the MoD reaching out to individuals and organisations with expertise in telecommunications, wireless technology and communications security, to name just three domains, to provide advice regarding the direction in which the UK MoD should go as it replaces Bowman. To examine the technologies which are proposed to the Project Morpheus initiative, the UK MoD has composed a consortium which includes PA Consulting, Roke Manor Research and QinetiQ to examine the proposals therein. The UK MoD has followed an innovative approach in developing its replacement for Bowman, particularly in an era where the white heat of innovation can often be found in small ‘start up’ technologies in the civilian world.

The UK MoD consultation intends to hear offerings from small- and medium-sized enterprises involved in telecommunications to obtain as wide The United Kingdom is moving a step a selection of ideas and closer to replacing its Bowman tactical technologies as possible radio system used extensively by the British Armed forces, by launching which might be relevant ‘Project Morpheus’, a consultation to Bowman’s successor. exercise aimed at discovering This could help to reduce technologies that could be employed in the burden of having to its replacement © Exelis/Harris develop new technology

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Lockheed Martin is continuing its work on the US Navy’s Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Programme, enhancing the Raytheon AN/SLQ-32(V) electronic warfare suite with several new capabilities via two contract awards in June and July © US Navy

from scratch for Bowman’s successor, helping to reduce research, development and procurement costs. Should this approach prove to be successful, it could be followed by other countries in the future which, when replacing their tactical radios, seek to acquire the best technology at a price that the armed forces can afford.

SATCOM Raytheon announced on 14 August that it had been awarded a $36 million contract by the US Army to test and certify an upgrade to the AN/ARC-231 Skyfire Multi-Mode Communications System. Raytheon’s AN/ARC-231 Skyfire radio performs VHF and UHF (300MHz to three gigahertz) communications for military aircraft. In terms of waveforms, the radio accommodates the UHF HAVEQUICK-I/II air-to-air/ground-toair and SINCGARS ground-to-ground and ground-to-air voice and data waveforms. Regarding data rates, the AN/ARC-231 can handle between 56 and 76.8 kilobits-per-second, according to the company’s official literature.

The contract awarded on 14 August for the test and certification of the AN/ARC-231 will be performed to ensure that the radio can use the US Navy’s MUOS (Mobile User Objective System) Satellite Communications network. This upgrade could then be rolled out across over 7000 AN/ ARC-231 radios which equip a range of US Army platforms including the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing AH-64D/E Apache Longbow/Guardian attack helicopters, its Boeing CH-47F/G Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, Sikorsky UH-60L/M medium-lift utility helicopters and Bell OH-658D Kiowa armed reconnaissance helicopters; to name just four airframes.

At the core of the MUOS SATCOM network is the WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) waveform which enables communications across the MUOS constellation. As of the time of writing (mid-August), three MUOS satellites are in orbit. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the MUOS constellation which is a US Navy programme. On 3 September, it was reported that the US Navy had successfully launched the fourth MUOS satellite, imaginatively named ‘MUOS-4’. A fifth MUOS satellite will join the constellation to act as an orbital spare, although it has not been revealed when the launch of this final spacecraft could occur. AMR

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REGIONAL M I L I T A R I E S

The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle Lead-In Fighter Trainer (LIFT) was the RoK’s first foray into the design and production of a supersonic jet.

Alongside the LIFT, light attack (TA-50) and MRCA variants of this aircraft have been developed © KAI

Engineering Ingenuity By the start of the new millennium, the military power of the Republic of Korea (RoK) had matched and eclipsed that of the day-to-day military posture of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) its arch-rival to the north, since the ceasefire which ended the Korean War in 1953.

by Jimyong Lim

T

he DPRK’s erratic regime led

by Kim Jong-un, its Supreme Leader, and the threats that it makes towards the territorial and maritime integrity of the RoK remains the leading security concern for the RoK’s defence community. As this article was being written in lateAugust, tension had erupted between Seoul and Pyongyang regarding the use of loudspeakers positioned on the RoK’s side of the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the de facto border and buffer zone between the two countries which roughly follows the 38th parallel north, to relay propaganda messages across the DMZ into the DPRK. Seoul activated the speakers on 10 August after a landmine

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attack blamed by Seoul on the DPRK which injured two RoK Army soldiers in the DMZ. On 15 August, the DPRK threatened “indiscriminate assaults” on the RoK unless the broadcasts were stopped, according to DPRK government sources. As of 25 August, Seoul agreed to stop the broadcasts, and the crisis appears to have now ebbed. That said, the RoK has, for the foreseeable future, little choice but to continue investing into its military to ensure that its capabilities remain sharp enough to both deter any aggression from the DPRK, and to prevail should hostilities erupt between the two countries. This article presents the RoK’s current efforts to modernise and improve its military forces.

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Major Systems On 30 June the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), the RoK’s procurement agency, announced that it had selected the Airbus A330-300 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) as the RoK Air Force’s (RoKAF) new tanker.

According to a press releases issued that day by Airbus, the firm will be supplying four A330-300 MRTTs to the RoKAF to be delivered by 2019. At present, this $1.3 billion project is one of the RoK’s top defence acquisition programmes, and it is expected to enhance the RoKAF’s strategic reach in conjunction with the recently-completed Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft project which resulted in the purchase four Boeing 737-

REGIONAL M I L I T A R I E S

700 AEW platforms in 2006; all of which had been delivered by October 2012.

By purchasing such big ticket items, the RoK has emerged as one of the prominent players in the global defence market, not only regarding airpower but also for land and sea platforms. For example, Lockheed Martin continues its close relationship with the Korean defence sector by striking deals to supply 40 F-35A Lightning-II Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) selected by the RoK government in November 2013 and Raytheon MIM-104F PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability-3) surface-to-air missile systems selected in March 2014. In addition to the 737-700 AEW aircraft discussed above, Boeing is supplying 36 AH-64E Guardian attack helicopters to the RoK Army, following a deal to this effect in April 2013, with deliveries expected in early 2016. Northrop Grumman is currently awaiting the green light from the US Congress, which has the final say on defence exports in the United States, to export four RQ-4B Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the RoK as part of a $657 million deal, with deliveries expected to commence in June 2019, according to local media reports. For more information on this deal, and other UAV programmes around the Asia-Pacific, please see Claire Apthorp’s ‘Game of Drones’ UAV Directory in this issue.

Modus Operandi The RoK’s defence acquisition procedure begins with the acceptance by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (the senior officers exercising military leadership of the country’s armed forces) of any requirement request which has been raised by the armed forces. The Joint Chiefs of Staff officially notify the Ministry of National Defence (MND) of the requirement request via the publication of the Joint Military Strategic Objectives Plan (JSOP) which constitutes an official requirement request. After this the Korean Institution of Defence Analysis (KIDA), which is the MND’s policy think tank, then undertakes a pilot study that estimates the strategic necessity of the requirement based on the current JSOP. Based on the results of KIDA’s investigation, the MND then drafts the Basic Defence Acquisition Promotion Plan (BDAPP) which reviews the requirement and selects potential options to fulfil it such as the type of weapon to be purchased, its qualification process and whether the equipment will be sourced domestically, or purchased from a foreign manufacturer plus the

timetable for its acquisition. Following this, the Defence Project Committee (DPC), chaired by the Minister of National Defence, currently Han Min-goo, reviews and approves the fiscal plan for the project.

There are two types of fiscal plan for the MND’s procurement process: If an acquisition is expected to be completed within one fiscal year, a single fiscal year budget, comprising the expected expenditure, is submitted to DPC (see above). On the other hand, if the acquisition project is expected to exceed one year, and be completed within a span of twoto-six years, the MND drafts a multiyear fiscal plan called the Mid-Term Plan. The project then goes to the Cabinet Council, the country’s chief political executive body, and then the National Assembly, the RoK parliament, for final ratification, a process which happens once annually.

After the ratification has been achieved, the acquisition procedure officially commences under DAPA supervision.

Following the MND’s BDAPP, DAPA may select a domestic manufacturer as the main contractor to design, develop and produce the weapon for the RoK’s armed forces: The Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KUH-1 Surion medium-lift utility helicopter and the Hyundai Rotem K1E1/KIAI and K2 Black Panther Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), Samsung Techwin K9 Thunder selfpropelled howitzers and the RoK Navy’s Korean Destroyer Experiment (KDX) programmes were all the result of domestic research, development and production.

If platforms or subsystems are to be purchased from foreign manufacturers, DAPA announces the purchase with a Request for Proposal (RFP). When the acquisition plan is announced by DAPA,

manufacturers who want to participate in the project will register themselves as bidders. DAPA then distributes the RFP to them at the explanatory meetings outlining the scope of the initiative.

Following the RFP, the bidders must submit their proposals. Among these submitted proposals, DAPA selects the preferred bidder for the equipment and conducts a comprehensive assessment of the options on offer in the next round.

When the result of the assessment is reported to the DPC, which consists of independent members appointed by the defence minister, the committee decides upon the final platform or subsystem to be selected. Following the decision of the DPC, DAPA will then sign a purchasing contract. The following are the major acquisition projects that are currently ongoing with DAPA:

F-X DAPA signed a deal with Lockheed Martin to purchase 40 F-35As as the RoKAF’s next MRCA with initial deliveries expected to commence from 2021, according to media reports. The F-35A acquisition forms part of the three-stage F-X project which is intended to upgrade the RoKAF’s fast jet fleet by acquiring the most advanced MRCA, which will gradually replace the current MRCAs notably the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing: F-4E Phantom, Northrop/Northrop Grumman F-5E Freedom Fighter and the General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block-50/52.

For the first stage of the F-X initiative, DAPA had completed two contracts with Boeing to purchase 60 F-15Ks. In the first contract, 40 aircraft were delivered

The RoK Army’s Korea Helicopter Project commenced in 2006, and is led

by Korea Aerospace Industries with assistance from the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Airbus Helicopters. Civilian versions of the KAI KUH-1 Surion medium-lift utility helicopter will also be developed © KAI

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While the RoK is proving its expertise in the military aerospace domain, it is also enlarging its land armaments sector, witnessed by the development of the K2 Black Panther main battle tank, the mass production of which commenced in 2013, with service entry following in 2014 © MND

in 2002; in the second contract signed in 2008, an additional 20 units were delivered by the end of 2014. Prior to the F-35A acquisition (see above), for the second part of the F-X programme, DAPA selected three candidates; the Eurofighter Typhoon, Boeing F-15SE and the F-35A, as the preferred bidders for the requirement and proceeded to the next round of negotiations, testing and evaluation. On 24 September 2013, based on the result of this aforementioned process, DAPA proposed the F-15SE as the final model to the Defence Project Committee.

However, the DPC declined to proceed with the F-15SE. According to an anonymous DAPA source speaking to AMR, this decision was owing to the strengthened RoKAF requirement request for a lower aircraft RCS (Radar Cross Section). In a meeting on 27 January 2014, the DPC ordered that DAPA should modify and re-launch the current F-X project as soon as possible. AMR’s source continues that the decision was a reflection to balance both the strategic airpower of Japan, which in December 2011 chose to purchase 42 F-35As for the Japan Air Self Defence Force and the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s expected deployment of the Chengdu J-20

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fifth-generation MRCA from 2018.

Two months later, following the decision of the Defence Project Committee, on 24 March 2014, DAPA announced the F-35A as the sole candidate for the second part of the F-X programme, and this time, the DPC approved DAPA’s decision. On 24 September 2014, the F-35A was finally selected as RoKAF’s next MRCA. In the same month, DAPA signed a deal with Lockheed Martin to purchase 40 F-35As. The third stage of F-X projects was launched by the then President of the RoK Kim Dae-jung in March 2001. It will entail the production of a domestic MRCA in the form of the KAI KF-X. In March 2014 DAPA and the Defence Project Committee announced that KAI, in partnership with Lockheed Martin, had been selected as the preferred bidder for the project to replace the RoKAF’s F-4E and F-5E aircraft.

According to a KAI spokesperson, the initiative is expected to take around eleven years of research and development, with a budget of circa $18 billion.

The spokesperson continues that KAI is now “in negotiation with DAPA with the mutual aim to reach the final deal for ‘the system development’ by the end of this year. If the deal is signed, KAI will complete

| Asian Military Review |

the design of the aircraft by 2025 and complete delivery by 2032.” KAI already has significant experience of developing new MRCA from scratch; witness the company’s development and production, bilaterally with Lockheed Martin, of the T/TA/FA-50 Golden Eagle family of lead-in fighter trainers and MRCA. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile, told AMR in a written statement that it had signed a protocol covering technology transfer for the initiative with DAPA and that the company will provide the necessary technical assistance to KAI during the project.

KAMD At a meeting on 11 June 2014, the Defence Project Committee decided to authorise the indigenous development of a new long-range/high-altitude surface-to-air missile (SAM), known as the LSAM to intercept DPRK ballistic missiles, with an anticipated initial operational capability expected from 2023 and a budget of circa $1 billion. Pending completion, the MND expects the LSAM to be deployed from 2023 with the RoK Army’s missile command. The LSAM will give the RoK a true multi-layered air defence capability known as the Korean Air and Missile

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The Boeing F-15K MRCA forms a vital part of the RoKAF’s fast jet fleet. The force operates three squadron’s worth of the aircraft, notably the 102nd, 110th and 122nd, all of which form the 11th Fighter Wing located at Daegu airbase in the southern RoK © RoKAF

Defence (KAMD) system. This will comprise the MIM-104F (see above) and the Agency for Defence Development/Almaz Antey M-SAM medium-range surfaceto-air missile. For more information on Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) efforts in the Asia-Pacific, please see Thomas Withington’s ‘Testing Patience’ article in this issue.

As it stands, DAPA aims to begin exploratory development of the L-SAM by the end of this year. Therefore, it is expected that DAPA will soon announce the detailed schedule for companies wishing to provide a response to the LSAM requirement. In addition, at a meeting held on 3 March, the Defence Project Committee decided to purchase Lockheed Martins’ Patriot PAC-3 SAMs and selected Raytheon as the main contractor to upgrade the MIM-104F to ensure that it can accommodate this new missile.

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Regarding BMD, in April 2014 General Curtis Scaparrotti, the commander of US Forces Korea (USFK), the umbrella command of US forces in the RoK, officially made a request to deploy the US Army’s Lockheed Martin Terminal High Altitude Area Defence SAM batteries on the Korean peninsula to deter DPRK ballistic missile launches. During an October 2014 interview, Robert Work, deputy secretary of defence, revealed that a survey for choosing potential sites to deploy the THAAD batteries in the RoK had been conducted by the USFK. During his visit to the RoK in May, John Kerry, US secretary of state, also emphasised the necessity to deploy the THAAD on the Korean peninsula in response to provocative actions by the DPRK. In line with this growing lobbying from the US government, some elements of the RoK’s political leadership such as Yoo Seong

| Asian Military Review |

Min, a parliamentarian and a member of the National Defence Committee in the National Assembly insisted that it is time for the RoK to consider adopting THAAD. At present, it is the official opinion of the Korean government not to consider adopting THAAD. This may be a reflection of the political objections which have been raised by the PRC and Russia regarding its deployment and that such a system could blunt the potency of their respective ballistic-missile based nuclear deterrents. Seoul has to take such concerns seriously, especially as the PRC is the RoK’s biggest trading partner in dollar value, according to 2012/2013 figures published by Michigan State University.

Moreover, Beijing represents one of the few channels of diplomatic communication to the DPRK regime. For the short term at least, it appears that Seoul is unlikely to take any quick decision

REGIONAL M I L I T A R I E S

The Republic of Korea Air Force has procured a total of four Boeing 737-700 Airborne Early Warning aircraft, under a $1.6 billion contract.

All four aircraft were delivered between 2011 and 2012 and are now in service © US DoD

to procure THAAD with such considerations in mind.

K2 MBT Regarding the RoK’s land armaments, on 29 December 2014, KADA signed the second contract with a Korean manufacturer, Hyundai Rotem to supply 106 additional K2 MBTs to the army by 2017 with a budget of around $90 million.

In 2010, Hyundai Rotem and KADA signed the first contract to supply 100 K2s to the army. However, the production was suspended owing to a technical fault found in the MBT’s power pack. KADA decided to replace them with German MTU engines. By the end of this year, the manufacturer will supply the MTU power packs to be retrofitted onto those 100 K2s ordered in 2010. Nevertheless, a new Doosan diesel engine and ST Heavy Industries transmission will be installed on 106 K2 MBTs ordered in December

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2014. According to an unidentified military source, the first example of a K2 outfitted with the MBT/ST Heavy Industries power pack combination will be delivered to the RoK Army by the end of the year for field tests and evaluation.

Helicopter Programmes On 25 April, 2013, KADA signed a deal of around $1.6 billion with Boeing to purchase 36 AH-64E attack helicopters by 2018. This contract complements another project which is developing a light attack helicopter as part of the KUH-1 programme (see above). This programme is intended to yield a new medium-lift utility helicopter to replace the RoK Army’s Bell UH-1H and MD Helicopters MD-500 light utility and reconnaissance rotorcraft. KAI was selected as the main contractor for this initiative in June 2006 and produced a basic (i.e. non-militarised) prototype in

| Asian Military Review |

February 2010, with a military prototype following in February 2014. The exact number of helicopters to be acquired by the RoK Army remains classified.

Next Steps Despite many challenges still to be surmounted, the RoK’s military modernisation process has produced some successful results so far. An MND spokesperson outlined to AMR some of the future aims of the RoK’s armed forces: “Defence reform is pushing forward the primary goal of securing the capability to respond against DPRK threats in the short- to medium-term, reinforcing the defence capabilities against potential threats while preparing for the era of unification between the RoK and DPRK in the long term.” The projects discussed above will play their important part in responding to such threats as the future unfolds. AMR

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The RQ-4B Global Hawk is a combat-proven HALE UAV with advanced reconnaissance capabilities.

The aircraft is proving popular in the Asia-Pacific region, with Japan and the Republic of Korea in the queue to purchase it © Northrop Grumman

Game of Drones – UAV Directory 2015 A report published this August by the Teal Group, a US-based consultancy, estimates that over the next ten years, the value of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market will increase to $14 billion annually, with sales over the period 20152025 totalling around $93 billion.

T

he Teal Group’s 2015 UAV Market Study adds that the consultancy expects $30 billion to be spent on military UAV research and development by 2025, and it is clear that UAV manufacturers expect to continue to increase their share of the world’s aerospace market. The key drivers behind this increase in the value of the market over the coming decade is expected to be the emergence of the next generation of UAV technologies, primarily in the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) domain, along with the increasing market for commercial and consumer UAVs. UAVs have demonstrated time and again their worth for military operations.

Now, having played a central role in USand North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

Prepared by Claire Apthorp (NATO) and US-led campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, providing critical reconnaissance to troops on the ground, armed forces are looking to expand the utility offered by UAVs into new areas as this technology continues to prove itself.

In the Asia-Pacific many nations are applying lessons learned from military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and seeking to further entrench UAVs into their military toolsets: while others take their first foray into the technology. At the industrial level, some countries are looking to develop their own UAV industries, with glimpses of increasingly sophisticated capabilities beginning to emerge.

Political tensions continue as a major driver for the procurement of UAVs, with border disputes in the region, such as those

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between India and Pakistan, and clashes over island territories in the South China Sea growing in number. The rise of piracy and the threat of water-borne terrorism are also seeing a push toward UAVs capable of operating from naval platforms such as offshore patrol vessels, with experimentation in this sector growing steadily.

A number of key acquisitions have been made over the past twelve months, with the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) purchase of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAV in March 2014 (see below), and Japan’s selection of the same company’s RQ-4B Global Hawk UAV in January (see below) set to dramatically change the mix of technologies deployed in the region. Medium-Altitude/Long-Endurance (MALE), tactical and small UAV demands will also

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A Heron-II UAV sits on the hardstand after a flight at the Royal Australian Air Force’s Woomera airbase. These aircraft were used widely to support the deployment of the Australian military and coalition partners during combat operations in Afghanistan © Australian DoD

continue to be healthy in the region, while Mini- and Micro-UAVs are becoming an increasingly likely reality as future soldier system programmes gather pace.

AMR’s UAV Directory has been researched using a range of resources, notably AMR correspondents, industry experts and serving military personnel throughout the region as well as open sources.

AUSTRALIA ■ Fielded

Heron-I, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI): Three Heron-I UAVs were based at Kandahar airfield, eastern Afghanistan, as part of Operation SLIPPER. Operation SLIPPER was Australia’s contribution to the US-led Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) combating Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgents in Afghanistan. These UAVs completed operations in November 2014 with more than 27000 mission hours flown providing reconnaissance to Australian and coalition forces supporting OEF. Two Heron-Is are currently operated from Woomera airbase in south Australia where they are playing a central role in developing the parameters for the eventual operation of UAVs in unsegregated Australian airspace, and will enable RAAF cadres to ensure operational UAV skills are maintained until the introduction of the MQ-4C Triton (see above).

ScanEagle, Insitu/Boeing: These aircraft

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were deployed for five years to support Operation SLIPPER (see above). During the deployment, they amassed 32000 flying hours across 6200 sorties. The ScanEagle fleet provided constant reconnaissance support to ground elements in Afghanistan from 2007 until the 2012. The system remains in testing with the Royal Australian Navy which is seeking a reconnaissance capability to support naval vessels from 2022.

RQ-7B Shadow-200, Textron: Acquired by the Australian government in July 2010, the deployment of the RQ-7B to Afghanistan (see above) commenced in May 2012 providing reconnaissance with the aircraft returned to Australia in November 2013.

Skylark-I, Elbit Systems: Following an initial order in 2005, the Australian Army has ordered more Skylark-I UAVs from Elbit Systems in 2008. The multi-million dollar deal was the third from the Australian Department of Defence for the handlaunched UAV. Aerosonde-III, Textron: The Aerosonde-III was originally developed by Insitu and produced by the Australian-based Aerosonde Ltd, which was acquired by Textron in 2006. Four units were sent to the Solomon Islands to support Operation ANODE, Australia’s peacekeeping deployment to help quell unrest in the archipelago during 2003.

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■ Trials and development

MQ-4C Triton, Northrop Grumman: Australia will purchase up to seven maritime surveillance MQ-4C UAVs as part of its efforts to replace the RAAF’s Lockheed Martin P-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). The maritime surveillance capabilities of the MQ-4C will complement those of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon MPA of which the RAAF is expected to obtain up to twelve from 2017. The RAAF’s MQ4Cs will be located at Edinburgh airbase in south Australia. About $127 million of new infrastructure will be required to support the new aircraft. The Australian government is currently considering a cooperative development programme with the US Navy to influence the future evolution of the platform to suit its own requirements.

More details on the MQ-4C will be confirmed in the 2015 Defence White Paper, which will outline the Australian government’s future spending priorities, expected to be published before the end of the year.

S-100 Camcopter, Schiebel: The Royal Australian Navy performed test flights this June using an S-100 Camcopter rotary UAV in a range of littoral and open ocean scenarios. The RAN is seeking a maritime support UAV to operate from its ‘Armidale’ class patrol boats, for which the Insitu ScanEagle is also being assessed. There is understood to be interest in the

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Boeing’s ScanEagle UAV is being trialled by many nations for maritime operations thanks to its Skyhook recovery system in which the UAV catches a rope hanging from pole, which allows the ScanEagle to operate in remote areas or aboard ships © Boeing

Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout rotary UAV to this end.

CHINA ■ Fielded

BZK-005, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics: This MALE UAV is believed to have been used by the People’s Liberation Army Navy since 2009. In June 2015 local media reports stated that at least three of the UAVs are operating in the East China Sea from Daishan Island in Hangzhou Bay. WJ-1, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC): Formally known as the Pterodactyl-I, this MALE UAV has been developed in a number of versions for use as a reconnaissance platform and is capable of being equipped with ordnance such as China North Industries Group Corporation Electro-Optical Science and Technology BA-7 and HJ-10 Air-to-Ground Missiles (AGMs). Closely resembling the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator UAV it can fly for in excess of 20 hours, has been approved for export by the Chinese authorities, and is understood to have been sold to an undisclosed Middle East nation. Along with the land attack version (GJ-1) the WJ-1 was

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publicly unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow in November 2014. The GJ-1 builds on the capabilities of the WJ-1 with the addition of a reconnaissance/targeting pod under the chin of the fuselage and hardpoints to carry weapons.

ASN-205, Xian ASN Technology: This UAV first appeared in 2009 and was intended as the successor of the ASN-104/5 UAV series, the first indigenously-designed piston-engine UAV for People’s Liberation Army (PLA) service.

ASN-206, Xian ASN Technology: This UAV is employed by the PLA for tactical reconnaissance and communications relay.

ASN-207, Xian ASN Technology: This UAV is a development of the ASN-206 (see above). It made its first public appearance in 2002 and is believed to be in service with the PLA. ASN-209, Xian ASN Technology: A derivative of this tactical UAV, known as the Silver Eagle, is in service with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) as a shore-based asset for communications relay, electronic intelligence gathering and electronic warfare.

WZ-6, Xian ASN Technology: This development of ASN-207 (see above) has a dis-

| Asian Military Review |

tinctive mushroom-shaped radome atop its fuselage to perform communications relay, and has been deployed for reconnaissance missions.

JWP02, Xian ASN Technology: This UAV is a derivative of the WZ-6 (see above) sans optronics turret below the fuselage. The aircraft is believed to be in service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to perform reconnaissance missions.

BZK-006, Xian ASN Technology: This enlarged development of the WZ-6 (see above) has under-wing hardpoints to accommodate up to four AGMs. The aircraft may also have the capability to deploy air-toair missiles.

DCK-006, Xian ASN Technology: First publicly displayed in 2009, this unarmed reconnaissance version of the BZK-006 (see above) is believed to have a twelve-hour endurance.

CH-4, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC): This MALE UAV has been developed in two versions, namely the CH-4A to perform reconnaissance and the CH-4B UCAV variant equipped with four hardpoints capable of carrying two CASC AR-1 AGMs and two CASC FT-5 small guided bombs. The air-

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The Shadow UAV provides an organic airborne reconnaissance capability utilising its payload of cameras and sensors. The aircraft has seen widespread use by the Australian armed forces to enhance battlefield surveillance © Australian DoD

craft is known to have been in service with the PLAAF since 2014, and is thought to have been purchased by Saudi Arabia.

X200, Yotaisc Science and Technology Development: This rotary UAV was first unveiled during the 2012 Singapore Air Show.

Its derivative, the X200S, is designed for naval employment and is currently under development.

■ Trials and development

Harrier-III, Guizhou Aircraft Industry Corporation: This UCAV strongly resembles the Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAV which is under development for the US Navy. The Harrier-III has a heavy payload of 1540lb (700 kilograms) and 24-hour endurance. The aircraft is thought to be designed for reconnaissance and ground attack. The Harrier-III was unveiled in 2012.

Sharp Eye-III, China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO): This small Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV is intended for use at the brigade/regiment level. Although designed for reconnaissance the UAV may have the capacity to be armed with light weapons.

Blue Fox, AVIC: Externally resembling a scaled-down Hongdu L-15 Falcon lead-in jet trainer, it is powered by two turbojet engines. Offering an endurance of in excess of 40 minutes, the Blue Fox is thought to have a maximum speed of 404.9 knots (750 kilometres-per-hour).

VD-200, Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation: This UAV was first displayed in 2013. With an endurance of up to eight hours, it could potentially be deployed on PLAN and Chinese Coast Guard offshore patrol vessels.

WJ-600, CASC: This UAV is currently under development for the PLA. First unveiled in 2010, it is capable of conducting ground attack missions and can be armed with under-wing missiles. The design features a number of elements to reduce its Radar Cross Section (RCS) such as a recessed turbofan.

CH-3, CASC: According to the manufacturer, this UAV is capable of reconnaissance, ground attack and ELINT/EW missions.

It can apparently be fitted with AR-1 AGMs. Reportedly in service with Nigeria and Pakistan, the CH-3A has an increased 396lb (180kg) payload and a satellite datalink.

SH-1, CASC: This short-range UAV has a six-hour endurance, and can carry a 66lb (30kg) payload. It was unveiled in 2008 with two variants, the slightly larger SH-3 and SH-3A, also being developed.

Soar Dragon, Xianglong: This HALE UAV has been designed for reconnaissance and possibly also for anti-shipping missions, and was first displayed in model form in 2006. It is similar in appearance to the RQ4B Global Hawk UAV. ASN-213, Xian ASN Technology: This micro UAV has an in-flight morphing design to change its shape. It weighs eleven pounds (five kilograms) and can reach a speed up to 97 knots (180km/h).

ASN-229A, Xian ASN Technology: This MALE UAV has a 20-hour endurance. The weaponised ASN-229A variant can be equipped with two AGMs. Whirlwind Scout, AVIC: This compact VTOL UAV has a ducted fan design.

U8E, AVIC: Designed as a lightweight VTOL UAV, the U8E was first shown at the 2010 Singapore Air Show.

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D I R E C T O R Y

SL-200, CASC: Developed as a propellerdriven UAV, the SL-200 was originally designed for agricultural use, and was unveiled to the public in 2010.

CH-802, Poly Technologies Inc: This handlaunched Micro-UAV is similar in appearance to the AeroVironment FQM-151 Pointer UAV. It can carry a 4.4lb (two kilogram) payload and has three hours of endurance.

V750, Qingdao Haili Helicopter Manufacturing Co: The V750 is designed as a rotary UAV. Yi-3, Luoyang Optoelectric Technology Development Centre: The Yi-3 is a highspeed HALE UAV. Soarhawk, Sunward: Described as similar to the piston-engine ADCOM SAT-400 target drone developed in the United Arab Emirates. Its current status is unknown.

DUF-2: Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics: The DUF-2 is a handlaunched Mini-UAV. Anjian/Darksword, Shenyang Aircraft Company: This UCAV is thought to be in early development.

BL-60, BE: This rotary UAV has a similar design to Kaman’s K-MAX rotary UAV. SVU-200, Sunward Tech Star-Lite: This aircraft was unveiled in 2012 and is thought to have an endurance in excess of two hours.

Daofeng/Blade SF-460, CASC: Currently at the prototype stage, this aircraft has a three-hour endurance and was unveiled in 2010.

Daofeng-300, CASC: The Daofeng-300 is equipped with a civilian single lens reflex camera and has up to three hours’ endurance.

Blue Eage 200W, Keyuan: With up to twelve hours’ endurance, this MALE UAV can deploy AGMs on six hardpoints.

T-100, Hubei Taihang Xinghe Aircraft Manufacturing: The T-100 has been designed as an electrically-powered Mini-UAV. T-120, Hubei Taihang Xinghe Aircraft Manufacturing: The T-120 is a reconnaissance UAV with a maximum speed of Mach 1.5.

TF-1C, Shenyang Aerospace: The TF-1C has an endurance in excess of twelve hours.

TF-5, Shenyang Aerospace: This MiniUAV weighs 28.6lb (13kg) and is equipped with a single camera.

TF-8, Shenyang Aerospace: This handlaunched Mini-UAV is designed to support reconnaissance operations at platoon level.

Z-8, PLA Research Institute: First shown in 2001, the Z-8 has a rotary design.

NOTES: The PLA has developed one of the largest and most organisationally com-

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A Skylark UAV is a small radio-controlled aircraft equipped with video cameras that provide ‘eyes in the sky’ for soldiers. Such small UAVs are proving very useful for forward-deployed troops to provide them with a detailed view of their locale © Australian DoD

ing test flights with the Indian Army in 2011 with the first four UAVs received by the force that same year. A new version known as the Panchi underwent taxi trials in late 2014, and is equipped with a wheeled undercarriage to allow operations from semi-prepared runways. Its current development status is unknown.

■ Trials and development

plex UAV programmes in the world, and at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2014 showed just how far some of its designs have come, thanks to the People’s Republic of China (PRCs) booming and innovative UAV industry. The development of advanced unmanned systems, including UAVs, for strategic reconnaissance and precisionstrike missions, and a number of increasingly sophisticated low-RCS designs, could position the PRC as a leader in the high-end UAV market in the long term.

According to the global UAV market forecast published in 2014 by Forecast International, a US-based consultancy, the PRC’s state-owned defence company AVIC will lead the world in unmanned aerial vehicle production, manufacturing about $5.6 billion worth of UAVs throughout the next decade which the report states will encompass half of the global value. Also, considering the few export restrictions Chinese defence firms face as compared to top UAV-exporting players such as the United States and Israel, the country could become a key UAV proliferator, especially to developing countries interested in the comparatively affordable options that the PRC will have available.

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF NORTH KOREA (DPRK) ■ Fielded

Pchela, Yakovlev OKB: According to unconfirmed reports, the DPRK acquired the Russian UAV in 1995.

DR-3/M-141, Tupolev: The DRPK maybe in possession of this tactical UAV. NOTES: In April 2014, three UAVs crashed in the Republic of Korea. The flight paths

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of the UAVs, later identified to be Chinese Taiyuan Navigation Technologies SKY-09 aircraft, indicated that they commenced their flight from the DPRK. Equipped with civilian digital cameras, the UAVs captured images of significant military installations and the RoK’s presidential office in Seoul.

INDIA ■ Fielded

Heron-I/II, IAI: In December 2013 the Indian government approved $300 million budget to buy another 15 Heron-I/ II UAVs and associated equipment from IAI, and to upgrade the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) and Indian Navy’s existing fleet with improved communications. The move will bring the total fleet of Heron-I/II UAVs operated by the Indian armed forces to over 40 units. The new MALE UAVs could be deployed along India’s borders with the PRC and Pakistan, although there is currently no evidence that these UAVs have commenced delivery.

Searcher-I/II, IAI: The Indian Army and navy are understood to have acquired 18 and possibly as many as 70 of these MALE UAVs. Lakshya, Defence Research and Development Organisation/Aeronautical Development Establishment (DRDO/ADE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): These UAVs were received by the Indian Air Force from 1999 and 100 Lakshya UAVs are now in service.

Harop, IAI: This UCAV was unveiled for the first time in 2009, with ten of the aircraft ordered by the IAF in 2009 and deliveries starting in 2011 as the result of a deal worth $100 million.

Nishant, DRDO/ADE: Development of this MALE UAV began in 1990, complet-

| Asian Military Review |

Rustom-1, DRDO/ARDE: This MALE UAV has twelve hours of endurance and took its first successful flight in October 2010. Further development of the Rustom-1 may have been suspended in favour of moving forward with the development of the Rustom-2 (see below).

Rustom 2, DRDO/ADE: This MALE UAV is in development for the Indian Navy, Indian Army and the IAF. Two prototypes have been developed thus far, one of which was displayed in its final configuration at the Defence Exposition (DefExpo) held in southern India in 2014. A letter of interest for 76 systems has been issued by the Indian Army, which calls for the system to have an all-weather capability, and an endurance of up to 48 hours. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the 2015 Aero India exhibition held in Bangalore between DRDO, HAL and Bharat Electronics Limited to produce the system.

Netra SUAV, DRDO and IdeaForge: This rotary UAV has an endurance of 30 minutes.

Kapothaka, DRDO/ADE: This Mini-UAV has been designed to test reconnaissance, and launch and recovery concepts.

Pawan, DRDO/ADE: The Pawan has been developed as a Mini-UAV comparable in size and capabilities to the Elbit Systems Hermes-180 UAV. Four prototypes are planned under the development programme with the engine expected to be purchased outside India, although there has been no update regarding the Pawan’s status since 2014.

Gagan, DRDO/ADE: This tactical UAV is currently under development and is expected to have a 134.9 nautical mile (250 kilometre) range.

MQ-4C Triton, Northrop Grumman: The Indian Navy expressed interest in acquiring six to eight MQ-4C UAVs in 2011. Local media reported that a deal between the Indian and US governments was in negotiation as late as December 2014 but nothing has materialised as yet.

TERP-2, MKU: This hand-launched MiniUAV has a 90-minute endurance and a range of 5.3nm (ten kilometres).

Lakshya-II, DRDO: This is an advanced version of a target drone. Beyond a suc-

Improved Gray Eagle

EXTENDING THE EDGE NETWORKING THE FORCE • Up to 42-hour endurance • External payload increases from 500 to 1000 lb • Increased capacity for missionized payloads: SIGINT, EW, optical change detection, real time LiDAR, hyperspectral • Organic GPS-targeting • Capable of video dissemination via JTRS network

www.ga-asi.com ©2015 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

Leading The Situational Awareness Revolution

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of twelve systems by the end of 2015.

Sriti, BPPT): This Mini-UAV is designed to be launched from land or ship. With a one hour endurance it is currently under development.

Pelatuk/Gagak, BPPT: This UAV is currently thought to only exist in prototype form.

Northrop Grumman’s MQ-8B Fire Scout is a combat proven, unmanned helicopter that provides real-time reconnaissance and target designation.

It can operate from any air-capable ship or from a land base, and has garnered significant interest in the Asia-Pacific © Northrop Grumman

cessful 30 minute flight test performed in January 2012 there has been no further news regarding the current status of this aircraft Chetak-based UAV, IAI/HAL: As of 2010, this programme which aims to develop a UAV version of the HAL Light Utility Helicopter, under development for the Indian Army and IAF, had experienced significant delays regarding the successful development of a take-off and landing system to allow the UAV to operate from warship helicopter decks.

NOTES: In 2015 India topped the list of the world’s UAV importing nations having accounted for 22.5% of the world’s UAV imports between 1985 and 2014, according to media reports. The Indian armed forces have a significant requirement for UAVs, with the army alone planning to have circa 1600 Mini-UAVs in service by 2017 to enhance the situational awareness of border regions. The navy is also seeking around 50 Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS). As well as buying in technology, India is forging agreements that will significantly boost the country’s UAV development and manufacturing capabilities. Agreements signed to date will see LH Aviation of France’s LH-D tactical UAV manufactured by OIS-Advanced Technologies under licence.

INDONESIA ■ Fielded

Searcher-II, IAI: Although ordered in 2006,

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it was not until 2012 that this MALE UAV was eventually fielded.

SS-5, PT Wesco Aerospace: One or more systems reported to be deployed to Aceh in 2005 to assist disaster recovery efforts in the province following the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Aerosonde, Textron: This Mini-UAV is deployed with paramilitary and police forces.

■ Trials and development

ALAP, Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT): This MiniUAV is currently under development and is expected to be manufactured by PT Dirgantara Indonesia for the army, navy and homeland security forces.

Wulung, BPPT: This UAV has an endurance of four hours and a 37.7nm (70km) range. The Wulung is made from composite materials and uses a two-stroke petrol engine. A cooperative development agreement for the aircraft was signed by BPPT (which developed the aircraft), PT Dirgantara Indonesia (which will manufacture it) and PT LEN Industries (which will develop the aircraft’s control systems) in April 2013. The UAV will be used to support the military and law enforcement organisations, and will be deployed in the border regions of Indonesia and Papua, Timor Leste and Malaysia. Testing began in early 2014 using three prototypes with an enhanced range in excess of 80.9nm (150km). A number of units have been ordered by the Indonesian armed forces with the expected goal of achieving a squadron

| Asian Military Review |

NOTES: In 2013, Gusti Muhammad Hatta, the then Indonesian research and technology minister, confirmed the intention of the government to build a UAV squadron for reconnaissance missions. The project, funded by the country’s defence ministry, has seen the direct involvement of the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN) and BPPT seems to yielded results with local reports stating that the improved Wulung has been ordered for the Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara (Indonesian Air Force), although this remains to be formally confirmed. The development of national defence technologies will also contribute to Indonesia’s ultimate effort to reduce the country’s dependency on imported military materiel. For this purpose, the Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Darat (Indonesian Army) and LAPAN have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January 2014 to develop UAVs to improve reconnaissance and to monitor regional security.

JAPAN ■ Fielded Forward Flying Observation System (FFOS), Fuji Heavy Industries: Three of these rotary UAVs have been equipping the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF) since 2004. The civil version of the design, the PRH-2, carries a chemical pesticide tank and spray boom for agricultural use.

RMAX, Yamaha Motor Company: This rotary UAV was originally developed for agricultural support roles. It was deployed to Iraq in 2005 during the JGSDF peacekeeping operation in that country.

ScanEagle, Insitu: The ScanEagle UAV is to be employed by the JGSDF to assist disaster recovery operations.

B-Type Machine-II, Fuji Imvac: In April 2011, this UAV was deployed to assist disaster recovery efforts following the significant damage caused to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station after a Tsunami which hit the northeast coast of Japan’s Honshu Island on 11 March 2011.

■ Trials and development

MQ-8B Fire Scout, Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman reports that the Japanese military has shown interest in the

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Aludra SR-10, CTRM: This hand-launched UAV has a one hour endurance and is currently performing flight testing. CTRM is keen to sell up to 200 platforms to the Malaysian Army.

Intisar-100, CTRM: This VTOL UAV has been designed for military and commercial applications and is available for acquisition.

Intisar-300, CTRM: This rotary UAV has completed flight tests and the aircraft can be equipped with interchangeable payloads. Like the Intisar-100 (see above), it is available for purchase.

The MQ-4C Triton is specifically designed for maritime missions of up to 24 hours’ duration. The UAV’s advanced suite of reconnaissance sensors have been configured to detect and classify different types of ships © Northrop Grumman

NEW ZEALAND ■ Fielded

procurement of this aircraft, although no MQ-9B aircraft have yet been procured to this end.

RQ-16B T-Hawk, Honeywell: Four THawk Micro-UAVs were deployed to assist disaster recovery efforts at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in April 2011 (see above).

RQ-4B Global Hawk, Northrop Grumman. The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in January 2015 that it had selected the RQ-4B for its reconnaissance capabilities. The aircraft will be acquired under a still-to-be finalised Foreign Military Sale with the US government. The number of aircraft being sought and timeframe for deliveries remains undisclosed.

NOTES: Clashes with the PRC over the sovereignty of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea is driving Japan’s demand for increased surveillance capabilities, a capability gap that can increasingly be filled by unmanned technologies. The US Air Force deployed two RQ-4B UAVs from Japan in 2014 to bolster maritime security in the region. The two aircraft were stationed at Misawa airbase from May to October, along with about 40 personnel, where they showed their environmental suitability for operating in the Pacific, and their maritime patrol capabilities. The RQ-4B also contributed to disaster recovery efforts in the wake of the 2011 Tsunami discussed above.

MALAYSIA ■ Fielded

Aludra Mk.1, Composites Technology Research Malaysia (CTRM): This aircraft is operated on a lease contract with the Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (Royal Malay-

sian Air Force/RMAF) to perform surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The aircraft has a three-hour endurance.

Aludra Mk.2, CTRM: The Aludra Mk.2 UAV has been leased by the RMAF since 2008.

Cyber Eye, Sapura: This UAV can accommodate a 33lb (15kg) payload. It is suitable for military application as well as agricultural uses. Sales of the aircraft have followed to Thailand for military customers (see below) and Australia for civilian use.

Yabhon Aludra, CTRM/ADCOM: This aircraft is the result of a co-development with ADCOM of the United Arab Emirates.

This MALE UAV has a 30-hour endurance and two aircraft have been leased by the RMAF to assist counter-insurgency efforts.

ScanEagle, Insitu/Boeing: This UAV was used by the Tentera Darat Malaysia (Malaysian Army) to support counter-insurgency operations against Royal Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo in February/March 2013 in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah.

■ Trials and development

Cyber Shark, Sapura: This UAV has been demonstrated to the Malaysian military, although its current development status remains unknown.

Cyber Quad, Sapura: This Micro-UAV could form part of the Malaysian Army’s Soldier Advanced Kombat (sic) Technology Integrated (SAKTI) infantry soldier modernisation programme.

Aludra Mk.5, CTRM: This UAV is being developed to meet Malaysian government requirements, although no further details have been provided to AMR by the Malaysian government regarding the specifics of these requirements or the timelines for the aircraft’s acquisition.

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Kahu, SKYCAM UAV NZ: This Mini-UAV has a two-hour endurance and a 13.4nm (24.8km) range. It supported New Zealand’s OEF deployment to Afghanistan. To date, two have been acquired.

■ Trials and development

SwampFox, SKYCAM UAV NZ: With a 50 minute endurance, this UAV is designed to support aerial cartography.

PAKISTAN ■ Fielded

Uqab-II, Global Industrial and Defence Solutions (GIDS): This tactical UAV commenced deployment with the Pakistan Navy in July to support maritime interdiction operations in coastal areas.

Uqab, GIDS: This MALE UAV has been operational since 2008 with the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy. Offering six hours’ endurance, 30 are now in service with the Pakistan Army, with one squadron of aircraft in service with the navy.

Burraq, National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM): Development of this strategic UAV commenced in 2009 with its introduction into the army and the air force occurring in November 2013, with eventual army plans to procure 24 UAVs. In March 2015 the Pakistan Army announced the successful firing of a NESCOM Barq AGM from the UAV against static and moving targets.

Shahpar, GIDS: This tactical UAV was revealed to the public in November 2012, and entered service with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and army in November 2013.

Falco, Selex: The Falco UAV has entered service with the PAF with the aircraft also being produced under licence by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex from 2009.

Bravo+/Jasos-II, AWC: This UAV has been operational with the PAF since 2004, in support of operational deployments and training programmes.

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Knight Falcon, PA-RDC: This aircraft is a slightly larger version of the Raptor (see above) with a three-hour endurance.

■ Trials and development

Blue Horizon, UVision: One Blue Horizon UAV was obtained for trials and operational testing by the Philippines armed forces in 2001, and there has been no further news regarding the testing of the aircraft.

NOTES: In December 2013, the Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas (Philippine Marine Corps) announced plans to activate the Marine Forces Imagery and Targeting Support Systems Acquisition Project Office (MITSS) to manage the acquisition of six UAVs to equip three Marine Corps brigades (two aircraft for each brigade). As of 2015, it seems that no acquisition to satisfy this requirement has been made.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA ■ Fielded

The T-Hawk is a Micro-UAV with a hover and-stare capability, designed to assist the gathering of reconnaissance. The aircraft has been used by Japan which employed the UAV extensively to help clean up efforts following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster © UK MoD

CH-3, CASC: 20 of these UAVs were reportedly acquired from the PRC by the Pakistani Army in 2006, with the Pakistan Navy signing an acquisition contract in June 2012 to buy the UAV for its shore surveillance.

■ Trials and development

S-100 Camcopter, Scheibel: This VTOL UAV was tested onboard a Pakistan Navy ‘Amazon’ class frigate in March 2008. As of mid-2015, there have been no further developments regarding the acquisition of this aircraft by Pakistan.

RQ-7 Shadow-200, Textron: In 2010, the PAF ordered twelve of these UAVs from the United States for an estimated $150 million.

PHILIPPINES ■ Fielded

MQ-5 Hunter, Northrop Grumman: These aircraft were reportedly acquired from the US Army and are operated by the Hukbóng Himpapawid ng Pilipinas (Philippines Air Force).

Raptor, PA-RDC: This Micro-UAV is understood to have entered service with the Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas (Philippines Army) in December 2013.

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Skylark-II, Elbit Systems: This Mini-UAV was ordered in December 2007, with deliveries following in 2008. The aircraft is equipped with Elbit’s Micro-CoMPASS optronics payload and Spectralink digital communication system.

RQ-101 Night Intruder 300, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI): UAV acquired by the Republic of Korea Army and navy. It was entirely developed by KAI in 1990 and entered service in 2001. The UAV has a six hour endurance and maximum payload weight of 99lb (45kg).

Shadow-400, Textron: One system in service with the Republic of Korea Navy for evaluation since 2006. The UAV has a 74.8lb (34kg) payload and a five-hour endurance.

RemoEye-006, Ucon Systems: Following delivery in 2009, this Mini-UAV is currently in service with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.

■ Trials and development

KUS-11 TUAV, KAI: This UAV is designed to equip division-level army formations.

A development contract was awarded by the RoK Ministry of Defence in September 2010. As of mid-2015, AMR has received no further information regarding the development status of this aircraft.

Night Intruder NI-11N, KAI: Development of this Mini-UAV commenced in 2006, with the aircraft designed to enhance maritime surveillance. As of mid-2015, AMR has received no further information regarding the development status of this aircraft.

KUS-9, Korean Air, KAI: Performing its

| Asian Military Review |

first flight in 2009, this MALE UAV is designed for operations in mountainous terrain. As of mid-2015, AMR has received no further information regarding the development status of this aircraft.

KUS-15, Korean Air: This MALE UAV is designed to provide the RoKA with corps level reconnaissance. As of mid-2015, AMR has received no further information regarding the development status of this aircraft.

Devil Killer, KAI: This Mini-UAV has an eight-hour endurance and is capable of carrying small air-to-ground ordnance. It is expected to be deployed with the RoKA from 2016.

KUS-X, Korean Air: Developed by the country’s national carrier, Korean Air, development of this turbojet, delta-winged aircraft commenced in 2009. However, the manufacturer and the government’s Agency for Defence Development, which is also involved in the programme, has remained taciturn regarding its current development status as of mid-2015.

Urban Star, Kyung An Cable Company: This VTOL UAV is currently under development.

RemoEye-002A, Ucon Systems: The current development status of this UAV which has a 5.3nm (ten kilometre) range and one hour endurance remains unknown.

RemoEye-015, Ucon Systems: Development of this tactical UAV was completed in June 2005. It has an endurance of four hours and a 21.5nm (40km) range.

Remo H-120, Ucon Systems: This UAV is currently under development. It has an endurance of two hours and a 26.9nm (50km) range.

RQ-4B Global Hawk Block-30, Northrop Grumman: The US government approved the sale of four RQ-4B Global Hawk Block-40 aircraft to the RoK in December 2014. The first will be delivered between 2017 and 2019. Two ground stations and supporting equipment will also be supplied under the contract. Production commenced in February 2015.

TR-60UAV, KARI: The TR-60 tilt-rotor UAV was unveiled in December 2011.

Local media reports in April 2015 noted that the system had set a new record in flight testing, reaching speeds of 269.9nm (500km/h). Development of the system is expected to be complete by 2023 with production to begin the following year.

NOTES: The RoK has big plans for its domestic UAV market, with the country hoping to be in the top five UAV producers in the world by 2023, by which point the market is expected to be worth somewhere in the region of $12 billion according to

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‘Victory’ class corvettes. The UAV was deployed from these ships during exercises with the US Navy in the AsiaPacific this year.

■ Trials and development

Skyblade IV, ST Aerospace: This UAV was unveiled in 2006, although its current development status remains unknown.

FanTail 5000, ST Aerospace: This VTOL UAV has a 30-minute endurance and an 4.3nm (eight kilometre) range. Its current development status remains unknown.

MAV-1, ST Aerospace: This low-observable developmental UAV performed its maiden flight in 2005, although AMR has received no update since 2014 regarding its current status.

Skyblade 360, ST Aerospace: The Skyblade 360 Mini-UAV was unveiled in 2012, although as of mid-August 2015, AMR has received no update regarding its status.

A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) IAI Searcher-II UAV sits in a hangar at Henry Post Army Airfield, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The RSAF has performed extensive exercises alongside the US armed forces to continually hone its UAV operating skills © US Army

an analysis performed by the Teal Group consultancy in 2013. A lot of work is being done to expand local UAV research, development and production capabilities, but high profile purchases such as the RQ-4B show that an appetite for imported technology remains. A huge driver in this regard is the RoK’s tense border with the DPRK (see above), where incursions by UAVs believed to be flown by the DPRK (see above) into RoK airspace are also driving developments in anti-UAV technologies such as ground-based air surveillance radar to detect such incursions.

Other responses to these alleged incursions include the activation of a joint Israeli-RoK programme to develop new UAV technologies. The RoK government announced its intentions in this regard in 2014, and in late-December 2014 the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (the RoK’s defence procurement agency) announced that it had selected the IAI Heron-I/II UAV, but no firm contract details have been released. Finally, the RoK intends to resume its once-aborted programme to develop monitoring capabilities of MALE UAVS to detect ballistic missile and nuclear weapons developments in the DPRK, although further details in this regard remain unknown.

Additional details regarding the RoK’s defence procurement activities and ballistic missile defence in the Asia-Pacific can be found in Jimyong Lim’s and Thomas Withington’s respective 'Engineering Ingenuity' and 'Testing Patience' in this issue.

The state-funded AgencyFor Defence Development, which assists the domestic

development of defence technology, launched the abovementioned indigenous drone development proect in 2006, completing the first prtotype in May 2010.

However, the project was suspended in early 2011, due to its overlap with the RoK Air Force’s (RoKAF) plans to acquire HALE UAVs. The RoKAF aims to deploy these RQ-4B UAVs in circa 2020 (see above).

SINGAPORE ■ Fielded

Blue Horizon, Singapore Technologies (ST) Dynamics: This MALE UAV was acquired in 1999 and remains in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

Searcher-I, IAI: The RSAF operates ten aircraft with its 119 and 128 Squadrons.

Hermes-450, Elbit Systems: This MALE UAV is deployed with the RSAF’s 116 Squadron having deployed twelve aircraft since 2007, declaring the Full Operational Capability for these aircraft this March.

Heron-I, IAI: This MALE UAV was delivered in 2012 and two systems are operated by the RSAF’s 119 Squadron.

Skyblade-II, ST Aerospace: This Mini-UAV was delivered to the RSAF from mid-2005.

Skyblade-III, ST Aerospace: Fielded with the Singapore Army in 2011 this UAV equips units at the battalion and brigade level.

Skylark, Elbit Systems: This Mini-UAV was designed to support tactical and counter-insurgency operations and was fielded by the RSAF from 2006.

ScanEagle, Boeing/Insitu: The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) successfully trialled the ScanEagle in March 2009, and then fielded it in 2012 aboard the RSN’s

| october 2015 |

NOTES: The Singapore Ministry of Defence’s strategic roadmap for unmanned systems includes plans for swarms of gyrocopter Micro-UAVs to furnish individual solders by 2030, according to a speech made by Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Singapore’s defence minister in March 2014.

SRI LANKA ■ Fielded

Searcher-I/II, IAI: These aircraft are operated by the Sri Lankan Air Force’s (SLAF) 111 Air Surveillance Squadron.

During the Sri Lankan Civil War, which occurred between 1983 and 2009, the SLAF performed 265 sorties with these UAVs during combat operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam insurgent organisation fighting for the establishment of a separate Tamil state in the north and east of Sri Lanka.

TAIWAN ■ Fielded

Chung Shyang-II, Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST): Development of the Chung Shyang-II UAV commenced in 2002, and the aircraft was publicly displayed in 2007. The UAV has since entered service with 601st and 602nd Airborne Brigades of the Republic of China Army (RoCA) 2011, with 32 platforms being ordered.

Albatross, CSIST: This UAV is understood to be in service with the RoCA's airborne special operations forces.

■ Trials and development

Long March, CSIST: A prototype of this

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Flying over the battlefield with its multimission optronic payload, the IAI RQ-5 Hunter UAV gathers imagery intelligence information in real time and relays it via video link to commanders and soldiers on the ground © Northrop Grumman

UAV was displayed during the Taipei Aerospace and Defence Technology Exhibition in August 2015. It strongly resembles the General Atomics’ MQ-1/9 Predator/Reaper UAV. Flight testing is understood to be underway.

Magic Eye, CSIST: This is Taiwan’s first VTOL UAV which was unveiled at the 2013 Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition, although its current development status is unknown.

AI Rider, Gang Yu Corp: This Micro-UAV is used by the Taiwanese armed forces and academia for cartographic work.

Cardinal, CSIST: This Mini-UAV is under evaluation by the Taiwanese military with local media reports stating in December 2014 that the system would be adopted by the RoC Marine Corps for surveillance in 2015.

Cardinal-II, CSIST: This hand-launched Mini-UAV has been provided to the RoC Army and Marine Corps for assessment.

Platalea, AmJet: This UAV offers 30 minutes’ endurance. Its current development status remains unknown.

Grey-faced Buzzard, National Cheng Kung University: Development of this Mini-UAV lasted three years before its maiden flight in 2010, although AMR has received no update since then regarding its development.

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AL-4, Aeroland UAV Inc: This UAV has been ordered by an undisclosed civilian customer in Taiwan.

Spoonbill, National Cheng Kung University: This UAV completed its maiden flight in 2010, although AMR has received no update since then regarding its development.

Besra, Uaver: This UAV weighs 4.4lbs (two kilograms) and offers over 40 hours of flying time, although its current development status remains unknown.

THAILAND ■ Fielded

CyberEye, Sapura: This MALE UAV is deployed with the Royal Thai Air Force which acquired three systems in early 2010 as part of the military’s effort to kick start an indigenous UAV programme.

Aerostar, Aeronautics Defence Systems: 22 of these tactical UAVs are operated by the RTAF. RQ-11 Raven, AeroVironment: The Thai Army acquired twelve of these UAVs from 2010.

■ Trials and development

G-STAR, Innocon/G-Force Composites: As of 2015, this UAV has completed qualification tests. The RTAF has since purchased one system to evaluate as a

| Asian Military Review |

potential tactical UAV. Black Kite, Avia Satcom: Development of this UAV commenced in 2013. The aircraft offers an endurance of six hours and is now ready for acquisition.

NOTES: The RTAF is leading a UAV development programme aimed at improving its border and territorial surveillance. Dubbed Project Tiger Shark it commenced in 2010 and has already seen the development of several undisclosed UAV prototypes, although AMR has received no update regarding the UAV’s current status.

VIETNAM ■ Fielded

VT-Patrol, Viettel Corporation: This UAV has a 27nm (50km) range. Deliveries to the Vietnamese military commenced in December 2013.

■ Trials and development

Irkut-200, Irkut: In June 2012, a $10 million deal was signed between the Vietnam Aerospace Association and Irkut, regarding the supply of UAV technologies to Vietnam. AMR has received no recent information regarding the current status of this aircraft. AMR

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DARPA’s PCAS technology has already been integrated onto a number of unmanned platforms. The latest latest move will see PCAS Air systems integrated on board the US Air Force’s A-10C Thunderbolt specialist close air support platform © US Air Force

Devices and Desires The force multiplying effects of the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) remains as important today as ever, given their vital work directing close air support and offensive air operations across the battlefield.

by Andrew White

T

he role of the JTAC is perfectly exemplified by ongoing US-led combat operations in northern Iraq and Syria where a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Arab coalition continue to perform air operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) insurgency organisation which has taken control of significant parts of Iraq and Syria. Nevertheless, the requirements placed on JTACs, their equipment and the airborne platforms tasked with executing their fire missions continue to evolve.

Arguably one of the most famous operational examples of the JTAC’s role was witnessed during the Battle of Do’Ab, eastern Afghanistan on 25 May 2011 when US Army and US Air Force (USAF) personnel, plus Afghan Army troops, were ambushed by 300 Taliban insurgents.

During the battle, a USAF JTAC called in

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ordnance from 14 different types of US and allied military aircraft resulting in the death of more than 200 Taliban combatants and a clear victory for the combined US and Afghan force.

The role of the JTAC is not just restricted to directing aircraft onto their targets.

Equipped with a variety of tactical radios and satellite communications, specialist optronics, Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER) terminals, laser rangefinders and laser target designators, a single JTAC is capable of providing general Situational Awareness (SA) and assistance to Medical Evacuation, and Combat Search and Rescue air assets for the unit that they are supporting.

Such units could range in size from a small special operations group through to platoon-, company- or even battalionsized formations.

| Asian Military Review |

That CNN Effect

Despite being widely utilised during recent campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, the role of the JTAC continues to be called upon in the contemporary operating environment, in theatres such as Syria and Iraq, with armed forces requiring a shortened ‘kill chain’ (the time taken to find and fix a target before destroying it) as well as precisely delivering ordnance and munitions to successfully avoid civilian casualties. This latter factor is viewed as critical in today’s operating environment as nations seek to win the ‘information war’ by reducing the opposition’s ability to exploit such casualties for propaganda .

PCAS

Undoubtedly the most advanced future JTAC Concept of Operation (CONOP) is the Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS)

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programme currently being pursued by the US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is tasked by the US Department of Defence to apply emerging technologies to military use, with assistance from the USAF, Raytheon and Rockwell Collins. In March, the PCAS programme demonstrated its full capability for the first time at the US Marine Corps’ (USMC) Exercise TALON REACH at the Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona. This initiative hones the skills of Marines to operate in an air-to-ground task force. The main effort of the demonstration was to prove the system’s capability to provide real-time SA between ground and airborne assets.

The PCAS solution includes air and ground elements. The latter comprises a tablet device used to identify target positions by employing cartographic software and full motion video feeds from reconnaissance aircraft and in the future, geostationary satellites. Using their tablet, the JTAC will make a call for fires providing a description of the target with the KILSWITCH (Kinetic Integrated Lowcost Software Integrated Tactical Combat

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The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Persistent Close Air Support concept of operation has fully digitised the role of the JTAC in the contemporary operating space with associated technology already being used on operations in Afghanistan © DARPA

Handheld) software equipping the tablet (see below) automatically selecting the most appropriate aircraft closest to the target to perform the attack. When a communications link with the aircraft is established, the JTAC will designate the target to be attacked,

and the desired effect on the target. Once the target has been designated, and the position of friendly forces determined, the JTAC will clear the aircraft to perform the attack. Similarly, the pilots flying aircraft supporting the troops on the ground can

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Rockwell Collins’ precision targeting systems including its FireStorm product have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the JTAC with particular emphasis on mobile connectivity to support airborne platforms © Rockwell Collins

view the information provided to them from the JTAC’s PCAS Ground tablet on their own PCAS Air display integrated into their cockpit. The KILSWITCH software application developed by the US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Centre-Weapons Division (NAWC-WD), China Lake, California and the USAF Air Force Research Laboratory’s Rome Laboratories, New York has been designed to assist navigation, SA, joint fires coordination and communications, DARPA explained to AMR. Fusing the air and ground elements of PCAS allow the JTAC on the ground and aircrew to view target information simultaneously and in real-time, thereby providing a much more rapid confirmation and execution of a requested fire support mission. Additionally Exercise TALON REACH proved how the JTAC and aircraft no longer had to depend upon sometimes unreliable voice communications, paper maps and target identification methods such as smoke grenades, the traditional tools of the JTAC, for guidance to their targets.

Nevertheless, there will remain a place for these latter methods should the electronic signals, upon which PCAS depends, be interrupted in the future.

During Exercise TALON REACH, JTACs used the PCAS architecture in conjunction with aircraft such as the USMC’s Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotors, equipped with

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According to USMC sources, during air support missions in which the PCAS architecture was utilised, the kill chain was measured as just four minutes, comfortably beating the six minute requirement for the PCAS programme. USMC soldiers participating in the event had also completed multiple tours in Afghanistan as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, the US-led multinational anti-Taliban and Al-Qaeda combat operation, and explained to AMR how the kill chain in that particular theatre had been "considerably longer."

Similarly, NATO soldiers operating in the same theatre had complained that when called upon, close air support aircraft had provided unsatisfactory capabilities required for the job in hand with certain national caveats preventing some air forces from performing kinetic operations and merely presenting a ‘show of force’ to enemy combatants. Importantly, PCAS will allow a JTAC to select the aircraft with the most applicable munition for the fire mission in hand. The PCAS effort now continues into the next phase aiming to evolve the technology onboard the USAF’s Fairchild Republic/Lockheed Martin A-10C Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft, with sources telling AMR that this is likely to commence in 2016.

Raytheon’s AGM-176 Griffin air-to-ground missiles. These weapons were launched at ranges in excess of seven kilometres (3.7 miles) FireStorm as JTACs and USMC ground forces sought to One company paying significant interest suppress simulated enemy forces looking to to JTAC potential in the Asia-Pacific is capture a downed pilot in the scenario.

“During the full-system demonstration, Rockwell Collins which is promoting its a … JTAC used a PCAS-Ground tablet JTAC Mobile solution to help increase (see above) to identify a target position near force agility and manoeuvrability on an unmanned truck and communicate its the battlefield. Referring to the complex position to the PCAS-Air module inside the operating environments of Asia-Pacific, a MV-22B, via a digital communications link company spokesperson explained to AMR added to the aircraft as part of the PCAS modi- that "(t)oday's battlefield is littered with fications.” A DARPA spokesperson explained: legacy software trying to address constantly“The PCAS architecture enabled both the changing enemy tactics. This software is JTAC and the aircraft’s weapon systems often too complex to be easily utilised in a officer, who also had a PCAS-Ground tablet, running battle in mountainous terrain or to share real-time information,enabling them in an urban environment. Current JTAC to quickly confirm the (request for fires) and software was designed around older tactics execute the order,” the spokesperson continued. and procedures where the JTAC was often The PCAS Ground element has already stationary and had the time to work with been deployed to Afghanistan with the the dialogue boxes and pull-down menus Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task common in desktop software.” They noted, Force and Marine Expeditionary Units “The tempo of the battlefield has accelerated, in 2013. The ground element uses two requiring current generation software to be software designs which can be loaded onto integrated onto lightweight mobile devices.”

On 24 February, the company revealed that any ruggedised tablet or handheld device using the Android operating system. In turn, it was providing Joint Fires Observer/JTAC simulators to the Australian armed forces to this software has a plug and play element allowing it to be used with the air-to- be set up at the Australian Army’s School of ground targeting equipment employed by Artillery in south-eastern Australia. Comprising Rockwell Collins’ FireStorm JTAC a multitude of fixed- and rotary-wing system, the simulator includes a 270-degree combat aircraft.

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The Black Diamond MTS system can be integrated into a tactical backpack, which can be stored under the top flap of a larger rucksack during operations thus allowing the JTAC to keep the system with them at all times © Black Diamond

simulation dome featuring high definition graphics and a complete sensor suite.

Rockwell Collins’ real-time JTAC Mobile includes Firestorm and allows a JTAC to execute a kinetic strike while still allowing

them to transmit and receive digital text messages from other JTACs and combat aircraft. They can also use it to send and receive friendly force information and target locations with or without laser

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rangefinders; transmit NATO so-called ’Nine Line’ casualty evacuation requests; and hands-free emergency fire support requests from troops in contact.

The concept comprises a General Dynamics Itronix MR-1 GoBook ruggedised laptop or Black Diamond Modular Tactical System (MTS) touchscreen device, and tactical radio software which can be integrated with Harris’ AN/ PRC-117F/G Very High Frequency/Ultra High Frequency (V/UHF) manpack radio as well as the Thales AN/PRC-148 and Harris’ AN/PRC-152 V/UHF handheld radios. Additionally, the system relies upon a variety of modems including the Elbit Systems PCIDM v2/3 or 4, which enables a tactical radio (or in this case the Itronix MR-1 GoBook and MTS discussed above) to be coupled to a computer to enable the transmission and reception of data. The FireStorm can also be connected to a wide variety of laser rangefinders, optronics and Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite navigation receivers.

The Rockwell Collins’ JTAC Mobile system is capable of supporting a variety of

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Black Diamond’s MTS system can be integrated into a body armour plate carrier for lighter weight operations where soldiers might be operating from vehicles and therefore not requiring backpacks to store additional equipment © Black Diamond

Georgia Tech’s FalconView mapping software has assisted coalition units in identifying friendly forces positions with the same technology now being integrated into JTAC platforms to increase the situational awareness of the JTAC and supporting airborne platforms © Georgia Tech

multi-role combat aircraft, most of which are currently, or could in the future, be operational in the Asia-Pacific, including the General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin F-16A/B/C/D Fighting Falcon, McDonnellDouglas/Boeing F-15E/J/K/SG Strike Eagle and Dassault Mirage-2000H/5EI MRCA.

MTS

Another option available to the Asia-Pacific market is Black Diamond Advanced Technology’s MTS (see above) which comprises a sunlight-viewable Panasonic FZ-M1 Toughpad device which can be carried on a soldier’s body armour. The MTS also includes an all-in-one commercial GPS system, worn on the non-shooting shoulder for a clear line-of-sight for satellite signals and a tactical computer generally worn on the upper rear vest panel or integrated into a backpack.

Verne Patterson, vice president of business development and marketing at Black Diamond, which is headquartered in Arizona, informed AMR how JTACs would be able to use MTS to control ground attack aircraft and direct fires to meet the intent of ground force commanders. Describing

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how the company has already conducted over 1000 combat flight hours, believed to have taken place in Afghanistan, teaming the MTS with AeroVironment’s RQ-20 Puma UAV used by all US armed forces (sans the US Coast Guard). Mr. Patterson explained how the company has been contracted by the US Battlefield Airman Office for its APEx system; a centralised Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) computer system which enables communications from three tactical radios, a laser rangefinder, a video downlink device and computers using the Windows and Android operating systems. Effectively, APEx takes targeting information from a number of sources, fuses this information together and then sends it to combat aircraft to support the calls for fires. “I initially saw this COTS trend as very alluring in the international portion of our market but what I learned was that our international customers really preferred the much more rugged military specification products like MTS. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that they require longevity of a product due to the

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fact that their domestic procurement cycles can be substantially longer than those of their United States counterparts,” said Mr. Patterson.

Explaining current requirements around the world for an ability to execute fire missions while on the move, Mr. Patterson said, “(with the MTS) JTACs can easily send a variety of messages while maintaining positive SA of friendly forces and task aircraft to deliver precision strikes while on the move…using real-time full motion video.” Black Diamond’s MTS can also automatically work with any laser designators and rangefinders along with AN/PRC-117F/G, AN/PRC-148 and AN/ PRC-152 tactical radios (see above) as well as Georgia Tech Research Institute FalconView mapping software. The MTS technology will also be able to operate with the air-to-ground targeting software equipping Lockheed Martin’s F-35A/B/C Lightning-II MRCA which, according to the USAF, will take over some ground attack missions in the future.

Referring to the future market, Mr. Patterson concluded that industry will be forced to become more agile and responsive to changing requirements with the ‘“next revolution” in digitally-aided CAS likely be some kind of smart hub comprising limited processing power to compliment laptop and tablet devices. JTACs could connect their computers to this hub where requests for fires will be gathered, enabling these requests to be seen by other JTACs and friendly forces. This hub could also perform some of the JTAC decision-making automatically, such as selecting suitable munitions for the task at hand. AMR

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Lockheed Martin’s Aegis system is likely the world’s most advanced and capable naval CMS. Although its basic design dates back to the early 1960s it is the subject of continual upgrade, with a particular focus on ballistic missile defence © Lockheed Martin

Management Consultants The Combat Management System (CMS) is the heart of the modern warship. It serves to integrate the ship’s various sensors and weapons and, in its more advanced iterations, can bring together information from other platforms to provide real-time situational awareness.

by Thomas Newdick

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hile particular combat management systems have been developed for submarines and mine warfare vessels, this report focuses on seven of the key manufacturers developing and building CMSs for use in surface warships, both for new vessels and to support vessel upgrades. The systems outlined here range from sophisticated high-end options like Lockheed Martin’s Aegis and the Thales Tacticos for major surface combatants, to

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the Terma C-Flex and MBDA Sea Ranger PB that are both configured for installation on smaller vessels.

DCNS DCNS occupies an exclusive position on the international naval market: as a system designer and integrator it offers not only CMS hardware, but also complete ships incorporating company-designed CMSs. “Our all-in-one solutions benefit from a high level of technology and reliability thanks to our main client, the

| Asian Military Review |

Marine Nationale (French Navy), whose requirements are very high,” notes the company’s spokesperson Marion Bonnet.

DCNS is able to develop integrated CMS consoles to meet a broad range of threats simultaneously (submarine, air, land, cyber and asymmetrical).

The current product line is lead by the SETIS (Ship Enhanced Tactical Information System) for frigates such as the French Navy’s ‘Acquitaine’ class and the ‘Mohammed VI’ and ‘Tahya Misr’ class frigates operated by Morocco and Egypt.

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SETIS is also included on the ‘Gowind’ corvettes currently under construction for Malaysia and Egypt. For more information on frigate and destroyer programmes in the Asia-Pacific please see Dr. Alix Valenti’s 'Size Does Matter' article in this issue.

Furthermore, DCNS offers the Polaris CMS for OPVs and multi-purpose vessels, as well as for amphibious vessels and supply ships. The Polaris CMS can also be provided as an upgrade for existing vessels and is currently installed on the French Navy’s L’Adroit ‘Gowind’ class corvette, while France’s 'Mistral' class amphibious support ships received an adapted version.

DCNS has almost 50 years of experience in the field, and the current SETIS is derived from the earlier SENIT (Système d’exploitation Navale des Informations Tactiques/Naval Tactical Information and Exploitation System), a version of which equips the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, and the French Navy’s ‘Suffren’, ‘Tourville’ and ‘Georges Leygues’ class frigates, the ‘Mistral’ class of amphibious assault ships, as well as the Sjøforsvaret (Royal Norwegian Navy) six ‘Skjold’ class Fast Attack Craft (FAC). Between 1997 and 2004, DCNS upgraded the SENIT-8 CMS of 14 ‘Hauk’ class FACs for Norway, bringing it up to the company’s SENIT-2000 standard with commercial off-the-shelf computing equipment.

According to Ms. Bonnet, “Our new lines of research focus on new warfare areas which allow us to broaden and deepen our systems’ capabilities such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) integration.”

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Development of the Terma C-Flex was initiated to meet the requirements of the Royal Danish Navy. To this end, it has been rolled out on several of the service’s vessels including its ‘Absalon’ and ‘Iver Huitfeldt’ class frigates © Terma

Together with the DGA (Direction Génerale de l’Armament/General Armament Directorate, France’s procurement agency) and the French Navy, DCNS has demonstrated the integration of the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter UAV onboard the L’Adroit. At the same time, DCNS is now working with Airbus to demonstrate the integration of that latter company’s Tanan maritime armed UAV onboard a frigate or corvette. “Secondly, we are conducting research on the integration of the CMS in the operational environment, from the innovative Operations Centre to the NextGen Combat Bridge.” The

Operations Centre and NextGen Combat Bridge concepts developed by DCNS are available over the entire range of DCNS ships and aim to simplify the control of ships, adapt ship subsystems to developments in maritime missions and improve standards of operation, safety and maintenance. “Our work aims to simplify the conduct of the vessel, the decisionmaking and the weapons handling. The more we integrate the systems, the faster and ultimately the more effective the crew is,” Ms. Bonnet concludes. The company’s research and development efforts may yield new developments, simultaneously covering functional aspects and the use of combat systems. These may include efforts to improve the ability of ships in a naval task force to share the Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP) derived from networking these ships’ radar and optronics systems ever deeper.

Raytheon

The Raytheon Total Ship Computing Environment (TSCE), the integrated mission system for the US Navy’s ‘Zumwalt’ class of destroyer. Designed to connect all ship systems within an integrated network, the TSCE marks the first large-scale implementation of the US Navy’s Open Architecture computing strategy © Raytheon

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Raytheon’s offerings include the Ship Self Defence System (SSDS) and SSDS Global.

The SSDS is an open, distributed CMS in service on US Navy ‘Nimitz’ and 'Gerald R. Ford' class aircraft carriers, plus the ‘Wasp’, ‘Tarawa’, ‘America’, ‘Whidbey Island’, ‘Harper’s Ferry’, and ‘San Antonio’ class amphibious assault ships. To date, the SSDS has evolved into a comprehensive CMS integrating a vessels’ sensors and weapons to provide a quick-response and multi-target engagement capability.

Raytheon has exploited the SSDS’s open

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weapons (such as lasers or electromagnetic railguns) and other updates to keep pace with evolving threats. As these updates become available, other ship classes can use them; for example, a computing update developed for a new destroyer could be applied to in-service assets such as aircraft carriers, cruisers, frigates, landbased sites or Coast Guard cutters.”

Lockheed Martin Canada

In addition to the Danish ‘Absalon’ and ‘Iver Huitfeldt’ frigate classes, the C-Flex was installed in the force’s ‘Flyvefisken’ class offshore patrol vessels, although these have since been either decommissioned or transferred to Lithuania and Portugal © Terma

architecture design to offer the exportoptimised SSDS Global, a scalable and flexible CMS that can be tailored to meet the particular needs of the ship and the operator. The SSDS Global is able to rapidly accept new and existing sensors and weapons, and is available for both upgrades and new ship programmes.

Lockheed Martin Joining Raytheon as a US supplier of CMSs, Lockheed Martin’s presence in the sector is best known through the Aegis Combat Management System, now in its ninth generation. As of 2015, Lockheed Martin had delivered Aegis (and CMS 330, see below) based products to 126 platforms in eight nations, with an additional 23 (and growing) under construction or planned. Aegis and Aegis-derived systems are in service with US Navy ‘Ticonderoga’ class cruisers, ‘Arleigh Burke’ class destroyers, 'Freedom' class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), the ‘Legend’ class cutters of the US Coast Guard, plus the so-called ‘Aegis Ashore’ sites currently under construction in Romania and Poland. These will employ Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-1D ground-based air surveillance radars, the Aegis CMS for command and control and Raytheon RIM-161 Standard Missile-3 Block-2A surface-toair missiles as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO) European Phased Adaptive Approach ballistic missile defence initiative. Beyond these vessels and installations, the navies of

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Japan (‘Kongo’ and ‘Atago’ class destroyers), Spain (‘Álvaro de Bazán’ class frigates), Norway (‘Fridtjof Nansen’ class frigates), the Republic of Korea (‘Sejong the Great’ class destroyers) and Australia (‘Hobart’ class destroyers) have also chosen the Aegis CMS. Keith Little, senior manager for public relations at Lockheed Martin, identified one recent milestone in the successful installation of the new Aegis Ashore site in Romania (see above). “We are currently exploring new opportunities with a number of existing and potential customers,” said Mr. Little. “On multiple occasions, we have integrated Aegis with international CMS products which are already in service on particular warships to provide the Aegis functionality. In other countries Lockheed Martin has successfully interfaced national- or foreign-supplied sensor and weapons systems with the Aegis CMS to provide solutions that meet national missions and optimise the inclusion of local industrial content.”

Regarding the evolution of the Aegis CMS, for the US Navy, the ‘Baseline 9’ version is now entering service on the ‘Arleigh Burke’ class of destroyer and will add the critical Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability that enables them to defeat aircraft, anti-ship missiles and ballistic missiles simultaneously, says Mr. Little. “We are able to incorporate new functionality rapidly and affordably. That functionality can take the form of future sensors (such as new radars),

| Asian Military Review |

Alongside the Aegis CMS, Lockheed Martin Canada has fielded a CMS for frigates and corvettes known as the CMS 330. This is a derivative of the system developed in Canada in the 1980s for the original build of the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) ‘Halifax’ class frigates. “The CMS 330 was developed as a result of over 25 years of experience and knowledge of Canadian and NATO naval operations,” explains Amanda Hauck, a spokesperson for Lockheed Martin Canada. “The system was designed from the outset as a modern, affordable solution for mid-life upgrades in the international market. It has an open architecture design which adapts to a variety of subsystems, reducing risk and ensuring delivery of unique customer requirements. As a result, the CMS 330 is more than a combat system solution. It provides for total system programme performance, complete with a full suite of training systems and logistical support tailored to meet customer needs and subsystem choices.”

Lockheed Martin Canada is the CMS provider and the combat system integrator for the ‘Halifax’ class frigates.

The first customer for the Tacticos CMS was Turkey and the system is now in service with 22 different navies. In US Navy service, Tacticos equips the ‘Independence’ class Littoral Combat Ship, in which it is used alongside a Saab AN/SPS-77(V) Sea GiraffeAMB radar © Thales

thalesgroup.com/tacticos

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FUTURE EXTENSIONS Future-proof Navy and Coast Guard ships with Tacticos on board

Millions of critical decisions are made to ensure mission success. Thales is at the heart of this with the TACTICOS Combat Management System.

Integrating both Combat and Maritime Security Operations into one cohesive system, the workflow-orientated interface combined with the MOC MK4 and the collaboration wall, maximise the performance of the command team. A customisable and innovative solution, TACTICOS has a proven track record across 20 navies and more than 200 platforms – ranging from coastal patrol craft to guided missile destroyers. Every moment of every day, wherever safety and security are critical, Thales delivers.

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as the cornerstones of the success of this product family. “The massive installed base and the unparalleled track record of integration have ensured a continuous evolution.” Currently, Tacticos is in use on 45 classes of ship serving with 22 different navies, of which seven are NATO members. In the last 45 years, Thales and its antecedents have sold 488 CMSs including 182 of the latest-generation open architecture systems. Thales has also undertaken 13 CMS upgrade programmes.

Among the latest vessels to be equipped with Tacticos are the US Navy’s ‘Independence’ class littoral combat ships, the Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Navy) ‘Kasturi’ class corvettes for the mid-life modernisation of these ships, the Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut (Indonesian Navy’s) ‘SIGMA 10514’ Sea Ranger PB is intended to counter sur- class frigates, the Royal Navy of Oman’s face and/or air threats, providing integra- ‘Al Ofouq’ class OPVs, the Armada Nacional de la República de Colombia tion with the company’s Marte Mk.2/N anti-ship missile, Brimstone surface-to- (Colombian Navy) ‘Padilla’ class frigates surface missile and the Mistral short- during their mid-life modernisation, the United Arab Emirates Navy’s ‘Arialah’ range surface-to-air missile. class OPV and the Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy’s) ‘Ślązak’-class OPVs. Terma Smaller vessels can be outfitted with Denmark’s Terma is active in the CMS Thales’ Compact Sensor and Control Syssector. “The current C-Flex CMS offering tem (CSCS). The CSCS provides small is fully developed and readily available ships with command and control includas a proven technology,” explains Kasper Rasmussen, Terma’s director of communi- ing automatic identification of air and cation. “It is based on an open architecture, surface targets, depending on the ship sensors providing the information. The is fault tolerant and fully scalable (and) a CSCS uses open architecture and makes number of standard configurations are offered.” In its definitive form, C-Flex in- use of COTS technology.

For non-combatant applications Thales cludes command and control functions and integrates a ships’ radars, optronics, offers the Commander C3 as an alternaself-defence systems and communications, tive to Tacticos (see above). Commander as well as offering simulation and train- C3 is a command and control system that provides near real-time sharing of the ing functions. “It is cost effective through the use of industrial Commercial Off-The- common operating picture (contact data, Shelf (COTS) components,” Mr. Rasmus- written messages, and map overlays) between vessels, helicopters and shore sen adds. If requested by the customer C-Flex can be customised. Terma installations. Commander C3 also provides considers the C-Flex especially well- communications with other vessels. suited for the OPV market and ofLooking to the future, Thales plans fers a compact version for smaller to continue evolving its CMS offerings. vessels. To date almost 100 systems have “This CMS roadmap is based on custombeen sold, with the latest customers in er consultation, Thales' system integrathe Asia-Pacific region and Europe. For tion experience and Thales' technology example, it has been adopted in the Royal vision,” Ms. Le Fol continues. “The roadThai Navy’s ‘Angthong’ class amphibious map contains CMS architecture, cyber assault ships and is utilised in four undis- security, computer and display technolclosed southeast Asian OPVs. ogy plus self-funded software developments.” Current extensions for Tacticos include support for maritime security Thales operations and for ballistic missile Thales currently offers the Tacticos defence notably the latest generation of family of CMS. Company spokesperson surface-to-air missiles both in use and Emmanuelle Le Fol points to the reliability and “ability to integrate virtually anything” under development. AMR

Operators’ consoles in the Tacticos CMS from Thales. The Tacticos was originally developed by Hollandse Signaalapparaten of the Netherlands and is available in a range of different capability standards, ranging from littoral security (Tacticos 100) to theatre ballistic missile defence (Tacticos 1000) © Thales

The company continues to manage this programme and works in partnership with the navy and shipyards to replace major critical sensors, command and control systems, modernise the Combat Information Centre (CIC) and deliver a suite of related simulation and training systems. Modernised ‘Halifax’ class ships have returned to the RCN fleet and commenced operations.

In 2014, following an extensive worldwide competitive tender, Lockheed Martin Canada was selected over several bidders as the prime systems integrator to upgrade the combat systems on the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ‘ANZAC’ class ships. The CMS 330 is the centrepiece of the modernisation and many of the other subsystems being supplied by Lockheed Martin Canada are common to the ‘Halifax’ class upgrade (see above). This is the first time a foreign navy will send its warships to Canada for a full-scale modernisation expected to be completed in 2018. Also building on this foundation, Lockheed Martin’s CMS-330 has been modified for use onboard the RCN’s new ‘Harry DeWolf’ class OPVs, with the construction of the eponymous first vessel of the class commencing this June.

MBDA MBDA has entered the CMS market with its Sea Ranger PB (Patrol Boat) CMS. Previously, MBDA’s command and control systems for the company’s missiles were plugged into the ship’s CMS. “The Sea Ranger PB is a turnkey system for small patrol boats which don’t have a full CMS that you’d associate with larger vessels,” explains MBDA spokesperson Mati Hindrekus. In a combat environment, the

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Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) surface-to-air missile system has entered service with the US Army. Both the Republic of Korea and Japan have expressed an interest in procuring THAAD in the near future for ballistic missile defence © US DoD

Testing Patience Ballistic missile developments continue in the Asia-Pacific, notably led by the Democratic People’s of Korea (DPRK). The unpredictability of the DPRK’s regime in turn encourages Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) initiatives in the Asia-Pacific and the United States.

by Thomas Withington

A

lthough published 15 years ago, A Line in the Sand is a novel which remains relevant today. Gerald Seymour’s book deals with attempts by Iran to develop ballistic missile-mounted biological and chemical warheads, and the efforts of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the United Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and MI5 (Military Intelligence Five) international and domestic intelligence services to thwart Tehran’s ambitions.

The fight against ballistic missile proliferation is largely fought in the shadows inhabited by spies, the logic being to prevent countries which have arguably unpredictable regimes such

as the DPRK obtaining ballistic missile technology in the first place, or from furthering their ambitions in this regard.

The machinations of the spooks rarely makes headlines, but occasionally one gets a glimpse as to the lengths which intelligence agencies will go to prevent a country’s enemies from acquiring weapons of mass destruction technology including ballistic missiles.

Working on the ‘Project Babylon’ initiative masterminded by the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to build a so-called ‘Supergun’ in the late 1980s capable of shelling Israel, the Canadian engineer Dr. Gerald Bull met a sticky end on 20 March 1990. Despite never being formally confirmed or denied,

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media reports at the time speculated that Dr. Bull had been shot on his doorstep in Brussels by an Israeli three-person Mossad (Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations) hit squad.

Stuff of Nightmares While there is little doubt that the Mossad and other intelligence agencies devote significant effort to preventing ballistic missile technology ending up where it perhaps should not, ballistic missile proliferation continues to keep politicians awake at night. Such insomnia is greatly encouraged by the ‘what if’ questions such as what a nation will do if a ballistic missile is launched at its own territory, or that of an ally’s?

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vessels deploy the Raytheon RIM-161B SM-3 Block-1A Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) which can detect a ballistic missile’s exhaust plume using the SAM’s colour seeker and intercept a fast-manoeuvring missile with its Solid Divert Attitude Control System.

These RIM-161B SM-3 Block1A SAMs are in turn controlled by the Lockheed Martin Aegis Combat Management System (CMS) deployed onboard the ‘Kongo’ class destroyers, and their accompanying AN/SPY1D(V) S-band (2.5-3.5/2.73.7 gigahertz/GHz) naval surveillance radars, produced by the same company, which detect the incoming missile.

This same radar and CMS combination is expected to furnish the Royal Australian Navy’s forthcoming ‘Adelaide’ class destroyers to afford them a BMD capability. Please see Dr. Alix Valenti’s ‘Size Does Matter’ article in this issue for more information regarding AsiaRaytheon’s RIM-161B SM-3 Block-1A SAM can detect a ballistic missile’s exhaust plume using its optronics and is Pacific frigate and destroyer able to perform break-neck manoeuvring to intercept a programmes. ballistic missile rapidly jinking to avoid interception Using semi-active radar © US DoD homing (with a separate radar illuminating the Fortunately, Ballistic Missile Defence or ballistic missile to guide ‘BMD’ efforts provide a potential answer the interception), infrared and Global to this question. In the Asia-Pacific, five Positioning System signals, the RIM-161B nations have active ballistic missile SM-3 Block-1A has a range of around programmes, namely the DPRK, India, 270nm (500km) and an altitude of 100nm Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China (160km). Destruction of the ballistic (PRC) and Russia. Of these, the DPRK’s missile is achieved following an impact ballistic missile programme is arguably with the SAM’s Light Exo-atmospheric of the most concern. This is because of Projectile which kills the weapon by the unpredictability of the regime of Kim Kinetic force.

Jong-un, Supreme Leader of the DPRK The JMSDF’s BMD capabilities will be which frequently tests ballistic missiles further enhanced with the acquisition of in a seemingly provocative fashion. two new ‘Atago’ class destroyers, which are equipped with the AN/SPY-1D(V)/ Aegis CMS combination, by 2021. The Japan new ‘Atago’ class vessels will be capable Given the threat posed by the DPRK’s of launching the Raytheon RIM-161 SM-3 ballistic missile programmes, it is of little Block-2A SAMs under development with surprise that the region is home to a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. This version number of BMD initiatives. The distance of the missile has improved capabilities to from the DPRK to Japan is a mere 563.1 discriminate between incoming ballistic nautical miles (1043.4 kilometres), and the range of the DPRK’s Rodong-1 medium- missiles and any decoys which the missile may launch, along with improvements to range ballistic missile is reportedly 809nm the manoeuvrability of the missile’s Light (1500km). Japan is in possession of BMD Exo-Atmospheric Projectile. capabilities in the form of its ‘Kongo’ class Meanwhile, Raytheon’s RIM-174A destroyers equipping the Japan Maritime SM-6 ERAM (Extended Range Active Self Defence Force (JMSDF). These

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Missile) SAM commenced full rate production in May. This weapon which uses inertial guidance, plus semi-active and active radar guidance has a range of 199.7nm (370km) and an altitude of 178.1nm (330km) according to published sources. This naval SAM performed flight tests from the USS John Paul Jones, a US Navy ‘Arleigh Burke’ class destroyer, in June 2014.

On 28 June, the US Navy performed a successful interception flight test of a RIM-174A SM-6 ERAM Dual-1 version of the SAM which contains a more powerful computer processor compared to previous versions of the weapon allowing the missile to hit a warhead descending towards the atmosphere at extreme speeds.

According to Mike Campisi, Raytheon’s senior SM-6 programme director, this puts the RIM-174A SM-6 ERAM programme on track to deploy the Dual I version in early 2016. He adds that the weapon could be made available for international customers: “Right now the US is the only country to deploy the SM-6, but we’re in the final stages of working through the approvals for international sale.”

Formidable Presence The RIM-161B SM-3 Block-1A SAM is not the ‘only game in town’ in the AsiaPacific region as far as BMD is concerned.

MBDA’s ASTER-30 SAM has a reported range of around 64nm (120km) with a 65616 feet (20000 metre) altitude and is in

The Arrow-3 surface-to-air missile has been developed with assistance from Boeing, and is designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles. The weapon is currently undergoing testing and is expected to enter service at an undisclosed date in the future © US DoD

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Joining the AN/FPS-132 radar in providing imagery to the US Ground-based Midcourse Defence initiative is Lockheed Martin’s AN/TPY-2 radar which is positioned at a number of deployed locations to detect ballistic missile launches from the Middle East and the DPRK © US DoD

service onboard the Republic of Singapore Navy’s ‘Formidable’ class frigates.

GMD Although several of the capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region which focus on BMD use naval platforms, land-based systems are entering service such as the United States’ Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD) system. The United States remains the world’s largest spender on BMD. According to a report published this May, entitled Opportunities Exist to Reduce Acquisition Risk and Improve Reporting on Systems Capabilities by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), “since 2002 the MDA (Missile Defence Agency, the US Department of Defence organisation which is managing and coordinating disparate US BMD initiatives), has spent $105 billion, and it plans to spend about $38 billion more by 2019, for defence against … ballistic missiles.” The GAO is responsible for auditing and evaluating government spending.

The GMD is intended to protect the Continental United States (CONUS) against limited intermediate and intercontinental range missiles. These weapons have

ranges of between 1619nm(3000km) and 2969.7nm(5500km) for intermediate range ballistic missiles, and in excess of 2969.7nm range for their intercontinental counterparts. The GMD employs SAMs and radar to detect and then engage incoming ballistic missiles following their launch when they are at an altitude of around 647nm (1200km). The ballistic missiles are then intercepted using the Raytheon Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) mounted on an Orbital Sciences Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) SAM. Two versions of the EKV exist: the Capability Enhancement-1 (CE-I) and CE-II. Deliveries of the CE-II to equip the GMD launch sites (see below) commenced at the start of this year. The CE-I and CE-II represent different interceptor standards.

Development of the CE-I commenced in 2002 as a prototype design with some upgrades to address obsolescence. In 2007, the MDA performed an upgrade of the CE-I design to “address reliability and incorporate flight test failure mitigations,” according to the GAO report. Three years prior to the CE-I upgrade in 2004, the MDA embarked upon the development of the CE-II to address CE-I obsolescence

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and other “issues” noted during the ongoing flight test programme. Further improvements were made as a result of the CE-II Block-I development which commenced in 2010, with additional upgrades as a result of lessons learnt during CE-II flight test programme commencing in 2011. The GAO report stated that undisclosed “reliability concerns” regarding the CE-II has resulted in the MDA ordering a redesign of the EKV, resulting in the Redesigned Kill Vehicle (RKV). The RKV will commence production in 2020, following an initial flight test in 2018, the report adds.

The GAO report continues that, by the third quarter of 2015, the MDA expects to declare an “initial homeland defence” capability for the GMD. As of May 2015, eight launches of CE-I and CE-II EKVs have been performed with three of the CE-1 intercepts considered successful and one considered a failure. Of the four CE-II tests, three have been failures. As a result the GAO report states that the MDA’s fleet of currently-deployed CE-I and CEII interceptors (23 CE-Is and ten CE-IIs) are in need of upgrades and retrofits to address prior test failures.

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The SAMP/T missile system which has been developed by the Eurosam consortium equips the French Army, and will soon equip the Republic of Singapore Air Force. SAMP/T is currently receiving enhancements to improve its ballistic missile interception capabilities © French MoD

PAW-prints Boeing is the GMD’s prime contractor, with Raytheon also providing the UHF (420-450/890-942MHz) AN/FPS-132 PAVE PAWS and AN/TPY-2 X-band (8.510.68GHz) ground-based air surveillance radars which provide ballistic missile detection. Three AN/FPS-132 radars support the GMD located at the United States Air Force’s Beale airbase in California, Clear airbase in Alaska and Cape Cod airbase in Massachusetts. Two additional radars are located at Thule airbase in Greenland and the Royal Air Force’s Fylingdales airbase in northern England. All five radars, each of which has a range of circa 2606nm (4827km), form part of the USAF Solid State Phased Array Radar System (SSPARS).

AN/TPY-2 radars provide imagery from deployed locations outside the CONUS. These include one radar deployed to Hawaii, a second deployed to the pacific island of Guam and a third at Kyogamisaki airbase on the west coast of Japan’s Honshu Island. All of these are tasked with detecting a potential DPRK ballistic missile attack against any of these locations. A fourth AN/TPY2 is based on Mount Keren in Israel’s Negev Desert, and at Kürecik airbase in south-eastern Turkey; both tasked with detecting ballistic missile launches from the Middle East (i.e. Iran).

All of the AN/TPY-2 and SSPARS radars provide imagery to the United States Strategic Command Missile Warning Centre

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(USSTRATCOM MWC), itself part of the US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) warning and air sovereignty organisation headquartered at Peterson airbase, Colorado. The USSTRATCOM MWC provides command and control for the GMD. In terms of GBI SAMs, missile launch sites exist at Fort Greely, Alaska and Vandenburg airbase in California. By 2017, the US Department of Defence (DoD) hopes to have 44 of the GBI SAMs spread across the two sites capable of intercepting any incoming ballistic missile; an increase of eleven from the 33 currently fielded.

that Seoul had concluded that THAAD represented the best defensive option for the country against any attempted ballistic missile attack by the DPRK. Beyond the RoK articulating an aspiration for an undisclosed number of THAAD batteries, no formal acquisition process to this end has yet been commenced. Any procurement to this effect by either Japan or the RoK is sure to raise the heckles of Moscow and Beijing which may see the procurement of THAAD as a way to blunt the effectiveness of their own ballistic missile-based nuclear deterrent.

THAAD is one of several available systems which is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, notably short, medium and intermediate range weapons. Shortand medium-range ballistic missiles can typically achieve distances of between 539.9nm (1000km) for short-range weapons and up to 1889.8nm (3500km) for medium-range missiles. Other SAMs with a similar capability include the Eurosam consortium’s SAMP/T (Surfaceto-Air Missile Platform/Terrain) system.

Currently in service with the Armée de Terre (French Army), with an undisclosed quantity ordered by the Republic of Singapore Air Force in 2013, Eurosam is enhancing SAMP/T capabilities against short-to-medium range ballistic missiles.

According to Luc Dini, BMD business development director at Thales, one

Land Solutions Alongside its ‘Kongo’ class destroyers, Japan is considering the acquisition of Lockheed Martin’s land-based Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system for BMD. The Japanese government commenced studies regarding the acquisition of THAAD in June 2014. These are thought to be continuing as Japan has not yet requested THAAD from the US government as a foreign military sale. The missile employed by the THAAD has a range of 108nm (200km) and is capable of reaching an 81nm (150km) altitude, with target detection and fire control provided by the AN/TPY-2 (see above). Meanwhile, a 21 May report published on the Korea Joongang Daily website, a Republic of Korea (RoK) media outlet, revealed

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A number of Ground-Based Interceptor missile flight tests have been performed as part of the development of the Groundbased Midcourse Defence initiative, with a successful demonstration of a ballistic missile interception performed on 22 June 2014 © US DoD

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The Raytheon AN/FPS-132 ground-based air surveillance radar forms a key component of the US Ground-based Midcourse Defence (GMD) initiative, as part of the GMD’s Solid State Phased Array Radar System © US DoD

of the Eurosam consortium partners alongside MBDA, “SAMP/T continues to be improved from its current operational capacity to extend its performance against Theatre Ballistic Missiles (which includes short- and medium-range weapons) up to a 809.9nm (1500 km) range,” with this capacity being available to SAMP/T operators and customers from 2020.

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Counter-Rocket Artillery and Mortar (CRAM) SAM system which, since 2011, has boasted a success rate in the order of 90 percent, according to Israeli Air Force sources, intercepting rockets fired by an assortment of Palestinian insurgent groups from the Gaza Strip Palestinian enclave. Although not confirmed by either company, or by the RoK, anonymous sources have informed AMR that the RoK may be considering the procurement of the Iron Dome at some undisclosed point in the future to help protect against rocket or artillery fire from the DPRK. Ballistic missiles of all shapes and sizes are here to stay, and are likely to remain a favourite method for unstable leaders to demonstrate their attention-seeking behaviour. The fear that one day such a test may intentionally, or otherwise, become a threat to sovereign territory no doubt keeps many in the Asia-Pacific’s defence community awake at night. Fortunately, the BMD systems both deployed and under development play their part in soothing such insomnia. AMR

Similarly, Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Arrow-3 SAM system, which is part of the overall Arrow-2/3 family which IAI has developed with Boeing, could prove attractive to operators in the Asia-Pacific. The Arrow-3 is intended to be capable of intercepting incoming ballistic missiles at 53.9nm (100km) altitude, causing destruction by kinetic impact. Since the commencement of the Arrow-3 programme in 2008, the United States has contributed around $449.2 million of funding to the initiative, $74.7 million of which was dispersed in 2015.

According to Boaz Levi, IAI corporate vice president and general manager of the company’s systems, missiles and space group, “the Arrow-3 is intended to provide the upper tier, exo-atmospheric solution to take out longer-range missiles, especially if suspected of carrying mass destruction warheads.” Mr. Levi continues that the Arrow-3 is currently undergoing testing and will be deployed at an unspecified date in the near future.

Alongside IAI, Rafael Advanced Defence Systems is involved in the Iron Dome

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The PLAN’s ‘Jiangkai-II’ class of frigate entered service with the force last decade. To date, it is thought that eleven examples comprise the fleet, with the class possibly increasing to 18 vessels © Thomas Withington

Size Does Matter Mounting tensions in the South China Sea and maritime piracy, in contrast to restrained defence budgets, are fuelling the appeal of frigates and destroyers in the Asia-Pacific. A look at programmes in the region reveals the clear advantages provided by their size and modular designs.

by Dr. Alix Valenti

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t is now a well-known fact that Chinese naval power in the AsiaPacific region has been growing significantly in the past decades. The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN) increasingly-assertive presence in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, where five countries; the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam are contesting each other’s maritime claims, is driving an unprecedented

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regional naval competition as each strives to match its counterpart. Within this tense regional context, frigates and destroyers have become key components of this race, especially as the PLAN’s South Sea Fleet (please see the ‘PLAN Commissions Second ‘LuyangIII’ class Destroyer’ article in this issue’s Asia-Pacific procurement news) has more major surface ships than the navies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore combined.

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“Southeast Asian navies are looking for powerful ‘blue-water’ fleets,” says Matthew Caris, senior associate at Avascent, a Washington DC-based consultancy, “driven by the PLAN’s expansion in the naval race,” but other concerns such as ‘green water’ littoral missions, as well as cost effectiveness, are being factored into procurement decision-making. As Asia-Pacific navies turn towards surface combatants such as frigates and destroyers, it appears

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that the physical size of these ships does matter, just not in the way we might think.

History Lessons Understanding the distinction between frigates and destroyers can be complicated.

One recurrent differentiation between the two is size: “a frigate will usually displace between 4000 and 5000 tons, whilst a destroyer will range between 6000 and 10000 tons,” says Joe Daugherty, a spokesperson for Lockheed Martin. In terms of role, frigates have undergone changes throughout their history. The word ‘frigate’ first appeared in the English vocabulary in the 15th century, yet it would not be until the 17th century that the first frigate, HMS Constant Warwick, commenced service with the Royal Navy. She possessed the qualities of a smaller, faster sailing ship compared to the navy’s fleet at the time, and carried armament on a lower, weather-protected deck. These features subsequently made the frigate one of the most popular ships for naval combat in Europe throughout the 17th century, given the ship’s considerable armament.

Contemporary frigates were born out of the need for a ship which was smaller and more manoeuvrable than a destroyer, and therefore capable of performing naval reconnaissance while carrying enough armament to support the naval battle.

This approach gained momentum during the Second World War with the destroyer configured as an anti-submarine and air defence platform, much as it is today.

The destroyer has undergone far less change than the frigate. Its origins go back to torpedo boats, which appeared in the 1870s as small, steam-driven ships armed with one torpedo tube and a gun.

As they grew in size, these ships became Torpedo Boat Destroyers: small and fast ships armed with torpedoes and guns.

Today’s destroyers descend from those Torpedo Boat Destroyers. As submarines proliferated during the Second World War, destroyers were equipped with depth charges, sonar and torpedoes. Subsequently, as aircraft became major threats to ships during the same conflict, destroyers were equipped with Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA). Since 1945, as the ‘Missile Age’ unfolded, destroyers have been equipped with Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), torpedoes, Anti-Ship Missiles (AShM) and a main armament of 100mm to 130mm calibre.

Local Markets This brief historical overview highlighted two important facts: firstly, frigates and

destroyers evolved as escort ships to protect capital ships. They filled a gap that had emerged between cruisers and smaller corvettes. Secondly, frigates and destroyers have maintained their appeal as they accommodate various sensors and weapons allowing multipurpose missions, whilst retaining a size and a price that allow smaller navies to defend themselves.

Navies in the Asia-Pacific currently have two key threats to face: the rise of the PRC’s naval power and maritime piracy. The capabilities required to address these disparate blue and green water threats differ significantly.

When many countries within the region are recovering from the global financial crisis, it is not surprising that many are turning to frigates’ and destroyers’ multipurpose abilities.

Australia As the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) prepares to replace its ‘ANZAC’ class frigates by 2020, the upcoming Defence White Paper and its attendant Defence Capability Plan (DCP), which outline government defence procurement priorities, includes two major frigate and destroyer procurements, according to local media reports.

The RAN’s SEA 5000 Future Frigate initiative will replace the current ‘ANZAC’ class with larger frigates for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR); more details regarding the specifications of these ships will be discussed in future editions of AMR

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as and when they are announced by the RAN. Moreover, the future frigates will embark naval support helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Regarding construction, three main options prevail: The Military Off-The-Shelf (MOTS) option involves the procurement of an existing design to be built either partly or entirely in Australia. The BAE Systems’ Global Combat Ship (GCS) could be the preferred design in this regard according to local media reports this March; the GCS is expected to replace the Royal Navy’s ‘Duke’ class frigates from 2018.

Similarly, an existing design could be procured based upon the Franco-Italian DCNS/Fincantieri FREMM (Frégate Européenne Multi-Mission/Fregata Europea Multi-Missione/European Multi-Mission Frigate) currently under construction for the French and Italian navies.

The ‘evolved MOTS’ option involves tailoring an existing design to the RAN’s needs and building it partly, or entirely, domestically. This option is part of the “upcoming procurement programmes in the Asia-Pacific region that we are looking at,” says Torben Beckmann, a spokesperson for ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Ultimately, the RAN will have to consider the cost-effectiveness of each option and its impact on domestic shipbuilding. Under the terms of the SEA 5000 Future Frigate programme, the RAN is expected to receive eight replacement new frigates, with construction of the new ships commencing in circa 2021, according to local media reports in May 2014.

This March, local media reports in Australia announced that BAE Systems’ Global Combat Ship could be the preferred design to replace the RAN’s existing ‘ANZAC’ class frigates © BAE Systems

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The Franco-Italian FREMM multipurpose frigate design could yet hold appeal to the Royal Australian Navy as it looks towards replacing its existing ‘ANZAC’ class frigates via the SEA 5000 Future Frigate programme © DCNS

The other key programme for the RAN is the ongoing construction of three ‘Hobart’ class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs) by the AWD Alliance (which includes Navantia, Australia’s Defence Material Organisation procurement agency, Raytheon and ASC) to replace the RAN’s ‘Adelaide’ class frigates.

The RAN launched the first ship in the class, HMAS Hobart on 23 May, while HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Sydney are respectively scheduled for launch in early 2016 and mid-2017. The ship’s design is “based on Navantia’s ‘Álvaro de Bazán’ class frigates in service with the Armada Española (Spanish Navy) with an increased displacement from 5800 tons to 7000 tons,” said Esther Benito Lope, a Navantia spokesperson.

Republic of Korea The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) is moving ahead with its ‘Incheon’ class frigate. The first batch of ships included the RoKS Incheon, RoKS Gyeonggi and RoKS Jeonbuk, that were delivered between 2014 and 2015. The second batch, constructed by STX, was built utilising ‘lessons learned’ from the first three ships, including the installation of a new propulsion system in the form of Finmeccanica’s Permanent Magnetic Motor hybrid-electric drive, which affords the ship weight, space and power advantages. The second batch of three ‘Incheon’ class ships include a 16-cell K-VLS (Korean Vertical Launch System) to increase the number of missiles which these latter ships will be able to deploy, alongside a larger hangar, compared to

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Indonesia is one of three countries in the Asia-Pacific region, alongside Malaysia and Vietnam, that is slowly improving its domestic shipbuilding industry’s capacity to enable the development and construction of indigenous designs.

Indonesia faces significant challenges in relation to maritime piracy: in 2015 alone, 55 percent of the 54 piracy and armed robbery incidents at sea reported in southeast Asia took place in the Strait of Malacca, between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra, according to media reports.

Thus, to improve the Indonesian Navy’s (Tentara Nasional IndonesiaAngkatan Laut/TNI-AL) ability to respond to the different threats facing the country’s maritime territory, in August 2010 the Indonesian Ministry of Defence launched the ‘SIGMA-10154’ class frigate project.

Two ships are being built by PT PAL Indonesia in collaboration with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) and are scheduled for delivery in December 2016 and October 2017. The two frigates will perform a wide variety of missions such as the patrol of Indonesia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), maritime security, search and rescue, and HADR. To this end, the ‘SIGMA-10154’ class will include a helicopter hangar and an aft flight deck,

the first three ships in the class, able to accommodate naval support helicopters weighing up to ten tons. A seventh, asyet-unnamed, frigate is currently under construction by Daewoo and is expected to be launched in 2016.

The other major acquisition programme for the RoKN is the ’Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin’ class of destroyers which were delivered and commissioned from 2000.

A total of six ships comprise the class.

These are equipped with Raytheon’s RIM-66A Standard Missile-2 BlockIIIB/V SAMs. These ships serve alongside the ‘Sejong the Great’ class, built by Hyundai Heavy Industries. Three examples were delivered between 2008 and 2012, and another three are scheduled for delivery between 2023 and 2027.

Importantly, the ‘Sejong the Great’ class are outfitted with Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Combat Management System and the company’s AN/SPY-1D(V) naval surveillance radar which enables them to perform short- and medium-range ballistic missile defence when teamed with the The Royal Malaysian Navy’s KD Jebat ‘Lekiu’ class frigate ship’s SAMs (see Thomas will soon be augmented by the first example of the Withington’s ‘Magic Bullet’ RMN’s forthcoming Second Generation Patrol Vessels © Thomas Withington article in this edition for more information)

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The Republic of Korea Navy operates six ‘Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin’ class destroyers which are equipped to fire Raytheon Raytheon’s RIM-66A Standard Missile-2 Block-IIIB/V SAMs © Thomas Withington

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development for littoral ships and systems at Lockheed Martin. The USS Freedom’s sister ship, the USS Fort Worth, completed her first combined patrol in the South China Sea alongside several ships from allied navies on 9 July.

The LCS presents a number of key features that are advantageous for AsiaPacific navies, including “a low draft to access many places that previously proved harder to reach, a modular design that facilitates its deployment for multiple missions, and it is affordable,” says Mr. King. Lockheed Martin has already delivered two ‘Freedom’ class LCSs, has seven under construction and three on order, with a delivery rate to the US Navy of one ship every six months.

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as well as two triple torpedo launchers, SAM and AShM launchers, and Thales’ Tacticos combat management system (for more information regarding combat management systems please see Thomas Newdick’s ‘Management Consultants’ article in this issue).

Malaysia Much like Indonesia, Malaysia is facing significant piracy threats in its territorial waters, and needs to enhance the Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Navy) with adequate platforms to carry out a whole array of missions. The RMN is, therefore, like Indonesia (see above) progressively developing its domestic shipbuilding industry to respond to these specific needs. To this end, local shipbuilder Boustead Naval Shipyard is collaborating with DCNS on the construction of its Second Generation Patrol Vessel (also known as the Littoral Combat Ship), the first example of which, local media reports state, is to be launched in 2018. It has not been revealed how many of the vessels the RMN may eventually procure.

More details regarding the specifications of the ships became apparent during the Langkawi Aerospace and Defence Exhibition on Langkawi Island in Malaysia this March. At the event, Boustead Naval Shipyard confirmed that the ship will be outfitted with Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile AShM. Other equip-ment earmarked include BAE Systems’ 57mm Mk.3 naval gun, MBDA’s VL-MICA SAM and two MSI DS30M Mk.2 remotely-operated 30mm cannon on top of the helicopter hangar.

US Navy Lockheed Martin’s ‘Freedom’ class built for the US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) initiative, which also includes Austral’s ‘Independence’ class, has already been deployed to the Asia-Pacific region, notably to Singapore in 2013, from where she conducted maritime security operations with Singapore’s allies. These exercises were performed “to ensure freedom of navigation in the region’s sea lanes on which many Southeast Asian countries depend for their economies,” says Neil King, director of business

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As navies in the Asia-Pacific continue to face a number of different challenges requiring their fleets to be able to adapt to blue- and brown-water missions, the shipbuilding market in the region will continue to witness an increase in the demand for frigates and destroyers.

Smaller, and therefore less expensive, than cruisers, yet bigger and more robust than corvettes, the popularity of these ships resides in their size which allows space for helicopters and a wide array of weapons and sensors, as the above discussion illustrates. Such characteristics enable these ships to perform a diverse range of missions from HADR to hightempo warfighting.

Indigenous shipbuilding in the AsiaPacific region will continue to increase: “We are already seeing countries such as Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia developing their industries to be able to build their own frigates,” says Mr. Caris, “even though for some of these countries destroyers will continue to remain too expensive.” Technology transfer will be key to deepening this domestic shipbuilding base as the countries mentioned by Mr. Caris are now focusing on gaining design and system development skills by favouring foreign contractors that allow the opportunity to work with local industry.

So, as the PLAN presence in the South China Sea and piracy threats in the region increase, while economies struggle to recover, it has become clear that frigates and destroyers owe their popularity to their design and their price tag. Big enough to be a major component of a blue water navy, yet small enough to perform littoral missions, at an affordable price, it would appear that size, after all, does matter. AMR

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The Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle saw one of the first large-scale introductions of RWS to a first line combat system by the US Army. Called CROWS (Common Remote Operated Weapon System) it is a version of Kongsberg’s Protector RWS © US DoD

The Remote Weapon Station (RWS) is increasingly seen as a solution providing effective firepower for armoured vehicles while meeting the design challenges of placing a weapon on a tactical platform and protecting its operators using less weight.

by Stephen W. Miller

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WSs can mount weapons without the internal space claims of traditional manned turrets.

The manned turret has been viewed as the most effective way to mount a weapon and to protect the crew.

Placing the crew in a turret allows the loading, accurate aiming and servicing of a vehicle-mounted weapon while remaining protected.

To do this turrets must accommodate the crew and usually have a ’basket’ that extends downwards into the vehicle interior. They tend to be large, heavy and reduce the space inside the vehicle. This is an issue for Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) where internal space is at a premium. Including a two-person turret

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on an IFV or an APC reduces the number of soldiers that can be transported.

The alternative is the open, unpowered gun mount which leaves the gunner exposed and restricts the weapon to a weight that they can physically handle.

These mounts do offer unobstructed visibility of the surroundings. Armour has been added to these open gun mounts as the vulnerability of the gunner has been recognised. This has included gun shields, side and rear armour and, in some cases, overhead protection. However, this has come at the cost of increasing overall vehicle weight and restricting the gunner’s sight. An armoured open mount like the US Army’s Objective Gunner Protection Kit (OGPK) adds over 195.5kg (430lbs), excluding the gun cradle and ammunition.

These stations cannot be fired accurately

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from a moving vehicle which is a serious drawback for small tactical platforms.

The RWS offers a solution by removing the crew from behind the gun. It reduces the size and weight, and reduces or eliminates internal space claims. The RWS also allows stabilised optronics for on-the-move engagement. Finally, the operator is better protected inside the vehicle.

Assuring adequate situational awareness has been the principle concern limiting the broad introduction of RWSs. Advances in optronics, video displays and computing offers more capable surveillance. Allied to this is the increasing acceptance by soldiers of viewing the surroundings on a television screen. Soldiers of today’s generation have used video and electronic devices since they were children and see

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structure. Essentially if maximum protection. The intent is for higher crew protection is them to dismount to fight and support a priority then the answer Israeli Army heavily-protected IMI is placing the crew outside Mekava-IV Main Battle Tanks. Priority the turret and capitalising is in providing the space for soldiers and on technological advances equipment. Therefore, it mounts the Rafael in sensors, computing and Advanced Defence Systems Samson RWS video displays to provide equipped with either a heavy machinegun observation, good situa- or an automatic grenade launcher. The tional awareness and Samson RWS uses a ’Y’ mount with the target acquisition.” gun centred and optronics and ready That the latest Russian ammunition balanced on each side of it.

IFV designs also utilise an The Samson is also on the General RWS suggests that these Dynamics LAV-III light armoured vehicles The KMW/Rheinmetall Puma IFV has located the entire crew design factors have been used by the Ejército Nacional de Colombia in the hull by employing a remotely-operated turret. The widely recognised. The (Colombian Army). commander, gunner and driver sit side-by-side in the vehicle.

KBP Instrument Design The characteristics inherent in the An integrated suite of optronics is used for surveillance, target Bureau Bumerang-BM RWS can make it the only powered acquisition and engagement © KMW RWS was observed for choice for many light vehicles, like the US AM General High Mobility Multithe technology as a part of everyday life. the first time at the 2015 Moscow parade commemorating the Great Patriotic War. purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or Whereas older soldiers still see their eyes KMW Dingo four-wheel drive armoured as the best way to understand their sur- This low, full-width turret mounts a nested Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company vehicle. This is increasingly being roundings, the new crew member has little 2A42 30mm auto cannon, 7.62mm coaxial recognised by both military and security difficulty trusting such electronic ‘eyes’. machine gun and two pairs of KBP forces. For example, the Ejército Mexicano Kornet–EM anti-tank guided missiles. It (Mexican Army) is considering FNPuma Herstal’s deFNder 12.7mm medium RWS The degree to which the remotely- is mounted on the T-15 Armata heavy IFV and Kurganmashzavod Kurganets- for its Oshkosh Defence SandCat TPV operated weapon has been accepted is 25 IFV; the latter anticipated to enter four-wheel drive protected vehicles with illustrated by its introduction in the latest installation to be completed in 2015. combat vehicles. Germany’s Krauss- service in 2017.

Nexter’s engineering staff reflected Maffei-Weggman (KMW)/Rheinmetall in a written statement provided to AMR Puma IFV has the entire crew positioned Trade-Offs that “some turrets still require manning, inside the hull, with controls and displays Does this mean that the RWS is on the for example, scout and reconnaissance in front of them. The more volume one way to becoming the answer for all vehicles.” Nevertheless, they continued, must protect the greater the weight of future vehicle turret requirements? OTO the vehicle. By removing the crew from Melara’s engineering team stated that “with threats lurking about the battlefield, exposing a human body from a vehicle’s the turret the vehicle can be smaller and in their view “operational feedback hatch is to put the soldier in harm’s lighter. The Puma mounts a Rheinmetall identifies a need for OWS (Overhead MK 30-2/ABM (Air Burst Munitions) Weapon Stations), but not strictly as an 30mm cannon in a station offset to the left alternative to legacy manned turrets.” of the vehicle’s centreline.

Their HITFIST OWS 30mm product aims to “overcome the intrinsic limitations of unmanned turrets with a compact and GCV integrated design.” A drawback of the With increasing emphasis on reducing casualties and enhancing crew survi- RWS is its lack of all-round observation vability the attraction of the RWS in IFVs, from an open hatch. Oto Melara’s solution APCs and other military vehicles is clear. is a unique panoramic firing sight. The In the US Army Ground Combat Vehicle challenge for the remote-controlled (GCV) initiative, cancelled in February weapon is capitalising on its smaller 2014, to replace the BAE Systems’ M2 size while mitigating its drawbacks.

Bradley IFV family, both BAE Systems HITFIST is employed on the Iveco/Oto and General Dynamics proposed an Melara Dardo IFV used by the Esercito RWS in their designs.

Italiano (Italian Army) and the Wojska Commenting on their GCV proposal Lądowe (Polish Army) WZM Rosomak Mark Signorelli, vice president and family IFVs (a licenced version of Patria’s general manager of combat vehicles at Armoured Modular Vehicle) deliveries of BAE Systems’ land armaments division which are expected to conclude by 2019.

The Protector series from Kongsberg is suggested that “the most effective way to For some missions the RWS benefits one of the most widely-fielded RWS with achieve the protection levels being sought outweigh the limitations. For example, commonality across the family. It is offered for ground and naval platforms here shown for the GCV was to take an ‘occupant the Israel Military Industries (IMI) with a .50 machine gun and 7.62mm medium centric’ design approach. This is best Namer IFV is designed for transporting machine gun © Kongsberg achieved by using options within the hull a dismounted infantry section with

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40mm Automatic Grenade Launchers and 30mm cannons. The LEMUR is in service on the Hæren (Danish Army) General Dynamics’ Piranha-III IFV and Eagle IV four-wheel drive reconnaissance vehicle, and the BAE Systems CV9035DK IFVs. Kongsberg’s Protector Series is also offered in versions for multiple weapons. All variants share the same baseline of a single pedestal and have stabilised optronics and BAE System’s LEMUR is offered with a range of weapons from a laser rangefinder. The 12.7mm machine guns to medium-calibre auto cannon. It is fully stabilised and has been mounted on a range of vehicles. sights sit under the weapon The LEMUR was proven in combat in Afghanistan on the BAE and its Detached Line of Systems’ BVS10 pictured here © BAE Systems Sight (DLOS) enables the gunner to keep their sights way,” so a trade-off must be considered. on the target independent of the elevation Even the manned turret accommodation of the gun. The M151/153 Protector RWS must provide surveillance and target is for armoured vehicles, using a .50 acquisition when the crew closes the machine gun. The Protector Lite and Super hatches. The company’s ARX20 RWS Lite have a 7.62mm or 5.56mm weapon offers greater firepower, a longer weighing roughly half that of the other range and better target effect while mounts. The Protector may be the most offering reduced weight and improved prolific RWS with over 17000 in service. compactness compared to legacy manned It is found most notably on the US Army turrets. It does so with a stabilized 20mm General Dynamics Stryker armoured gun with a two kilometre (1.2 mile) range vehicles, the Denel RG-31 Mine-Resistant/ and an auxiliary 7.62mm machine gun. Ambush-Protected four-wheel drive The ARX20’s flush mounting permits vehicles, and most recently on Croatia’s easy integration on new platforms and 324 Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle retrofit for legacy vehicles.

IFV/APCs, the delivery of which will be The ability of the RWS to upgrade completed by the end of 2015. legacy platforms without major alteration is a considerable advantage. Adding an Access RWS can enhance the combat power of Reloading many RWSs require the crew existing vehicles. Gerrie Van De Merwe, to leave the protection of the vehicle. business development manager at Denel’s land systems dynamics division, noted the company’s TRT-25 is specifically focused on these applications. “The TRT25’s design offers a fully-stabilised, highperformance 25mm gun station that can be readily installed on platforms from light reconnaissance vehicles to heavier APCs and IFVs modernising them to current combat standards.” The TRT-25’s configuration is noteworthy for its light weight of 850 kilograms (1870lb) and elevation and depression angles of -10 degrees to +65 degrees despite its low profile. This is important for engaging targets in mountainous and urban areas.

Flexibility BAE Systems’ LEMUR RWS can mount weapons from .50 calibre machine guns to

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To address this Kongsberg’s MCT-30 (Medium Calibre Turret) is entirely different resembling a manned design.

All aiming, loading and gun functions are in the turret with the operator in the hull.

It mounts the Orbital ATK Bushmaster-II Mk.44 30mm chain gun or a conventional 40mm gun. A benefit of the MCT-30 is that it is possible to reload the ammunition from inside by accessing the magazines through the turret ring. MCT-30 was integrated by General Dynamics on its LAV (Light Armoured Vehicle) which it has been demonstrating since 2014 in the USA and the Middle East. The system has also been fitted to the BAE Systems’ M2 Bradley IFV as a modernisation candidate. Meanwhile, CMI Defence of Belgium uses a similar approach in its CPWS (Cockerill Protected Weapon Station). It integrates an optronics and fire control system with a range of 20mm to 30mm weapons in a fully-protected mount. Though operated remotely, the CPWS allows a crew member to access the weapon plus a hatch from which he can observe and direct the vehicle.

One aspect of pedestal RWSs is that they sit high on top of a vehicle. This has the advantage of allowing for maximum depression to engage targets close to the vehicle. The Protector RWS series (see above) for instance is 750mm (30 inches) tall which provides -20 degree depression.

The drawback is that height complicates travel in urban and forest terrain with a risk of snarling power lines and hitting tree branches. Elbit Systems’ solution is its Dual Remote Weapon Station (DRWS) with a 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher or a 12.7mm machine gun with a secondary 7.62mm machine gun. The

A new series of RWSs in 7.62mm calibre are being introduced which are simple, lightweight and relatively low cost. They are particularly designed for use on tactical vehicles, replacing open ring mounts, with Denel’s SD-ROW shown here © Denel

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CMI Cockerill is offering its CPWS 20-25-30 as an RWS that is small and light enough to fit a four-wheel drive vehicle while providing enhanced firepower, accuracy and survivability. It can mount a 20mm to 30mm auto cannon © CMI

guns are nested in the mount giving a low silhouette. The DRWS can elevate the gun while allowing the gunner to use optronics for observation. This is considered desirable in peace support operations as surveillance can be performed without pointing weapons in a threatening way.

Entering series production in 2010 the DRWS is qualified for service with the Österreichisches Bundesheer (Austrian Army). Its suitability for lighter vehicles

is demonstrated by its mounting on the HMMWV, General Dynamics’ Cougar six-wheel drive armoured fighting vehicle, and Hatehof Xtreme (sic) fourwheel drive armoured vehicle.

Turkish Delight The RWS is an ideal solution to increase the lethality for existing vehicles. ASELSAN has developed both pedestal and ring RWS for armoured vehicles. The firms’

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MIZRAK-30 UKK is an unmanned 30mm or 25mm turret designed for medium armoured vehicles. The gun is offset to the right with a dual-axis stabilised gunner sight beside it. The MIZRAK-30 is found on Otokar’s Arma six-wheel drive armoured vehicle and Tulpar IFV. RWS’s are also being offered for tactical trucks to replace open mounts. Denel’s SD-ROW and FN Hertsal’s deFNder Light are simple and light yet allow the truck crew to engage targets from inside the cab returning fire even when moving; a significant advantage during an ambush.

It is not simply the RWS that is finding greater acceptance but rather the entire concept of remote operation. Advances in sensors, computing and displays have played a role by offering greater capabilities. Yet it may also be attributed to a changing mentality, with users accustomed and more comfortable with interacting though electronic mediums.

With the growing interest in, and use of, unmanned ground vehicles, the possible applications for RWS technology may increase yet further. AMR

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Regional News and

Developments

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Asia-Pacific Procurement Update

by Pierre Delrieu

India to order 48 additional Mi-17s The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) will buy 48 additional Mil Mi17V5 medium-lift utility helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) for an estimated $1.1 billion, to supplement similar aircraft that it

acquired from 2008, Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency reported on 21 July.

Originally raised at the Aero India exhibition held in Bangalore earlier this year, this new acquisition was discussed again when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir

Putin met in Ufa, southern Russia in early July. According to Russian sources, the contract should be signed later this year and with deliveries possibly commencing in 2016, after India’s MoD approves the purchase.

The Indian armed forces have already ordered a total of 151 Mi-17V5s, which were delivered in two batches; an initial 80 aircraft, ordered in 2008 for $1.3 billion, and a second batch of 71, purchased in December 2012, for an estimated $1 billion. The IAF’s new Mi-17V5s were specifically ordered to replace the force’s ageing Mil Mi-8 family of medium-lift utility

Aselsan to equip Pakistan Navy’s fleet tanker with CIWS Turkish defence electronics specialists ASELSAN announced the award of a $5 million contract to supply Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) and communications for the Pakistan Navy’s (PN) new oiler, currently under construction.

ASELSAN, which will be working in collaboration with fellow Turkish defence supplier Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret (STM), announced in a statement published on

20 July that its STOP CIWS and Communication Switch System will be installed on the PN oiler in 2016.

ASELSAN’s website describes STOP as “a new generation, cost-effective, medium calibre weapon for naval platforms.”

It mounts a 25mm gun, either an OTO Melara 25mm KBA or Orbital ATK M242 Bushmaster 25mm cannon, on a two-axis stabilised turret. The turret also features a fire control system and accompanying optronics.

In January 2013, STM signed a four-year contract with the Pakistani Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP),

in charge of managing the development of military technologies for the Pakistan armed forces. The contract stipulated that STM was to provide materiel, integrated logistic support, training tests, and trials, along with management support and consultancy for the construction of the Pakistan Navy’s new oiler, which is currently under construction at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) facility on Pakistan’s southern coast.

Known as the Fleet Tanker, she will primarily

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helicopters, and to augment the fleet of 90 Mi-17IVs acquired in the late-1990s. A total of over 300 Mi-17s and older Mi-8s aircraft currently serve throughout India’s armed forces.

While the delivery of the first batch of helicopters to the IAF ordered in 2008 commenced in September 2011, final deliveries for the second batch of Mi-17V5s is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. It remains unclear whether or not all, or part, of the 48 new Mi-17V5s will be configured to accommodate air-toground weapons.

As part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative launched

by Mr. Modi in September 2014 to encourage companies to manufacture their products in the country, the new Mi-17V5 contract will reportedly include an offset agreement which will compel the supplier to re-invest at least 30 percent of the contract’s value into Indian industry. provide logistic support to PN units at sea. At 155 metres (492 feet) in length, she displaces 15600 tonnes and is capable of reaching top speeds of 20 knots (37 kilometres-per-hour). The ship will be equipped with replenishment-at-sea equipment and a helicopter deck. She will be powered by conventional alldiesel machinery, driving controllable-pitch propellers.

The ship is expected to be launched in circa 2017, based on a 48-month construction time announced by the shipbuilder.

Regional News and

Developments

south east asia Two new ‘Kilo’ class submarines commissioned into Vietnam’s Navy Hai Phong and Khanh Hoa , the People’s Army of Vietnam Navy (PAVN) third and fourth Russian-built Admiralty Shipyards ‘Kilo’ class conventional hunterkiller submarines (SSKs), were officially commissioned on 1 August, according to local media reports. The vessels were commissioned into the PAVN during a ceremony held at Cam Ranh Bay naval base in southern Vietnam, presided over by PAVN Navy commander, Rear Admiral Pham Hoai Nam. The delivery is part of a $2 billion contract for six SSKs signed in 2009 between the Vietnamese government and Admiralty Shipyards, based in St. Petersburg. The contract includes service and maintenance for the boats.

The first two PAVN ‘Kilo’ class SSKs, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, had been inducted into the fleet in January and April 2014 respectively.

Delivery of the last of the six ‘Kilo’ class SSKs ordered from Russia is scheduled for 2017.

Professor Carlyle A. Thayer, a specialist on southeast Asia and Vietnam affairs at the Australian Defence Force Academy of the University of New South Wales, Canberra, told AMR that he believes these new submarines place Vietnam “far out in front in the acquisition of SSKs among its neighbours in Southeast Asia”, explaining that only “Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have conventional submarines”, while “(the People’s Liberation Army Navy/PLAN) boasts a submarine force in excess of sixty boats.” Prof. Thayer said that “Vietnam occupies over 25 islands in the South China Sea and fears that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) could suddenly block access or seize any number of them at will,” adding that in the past “the PRC has harassed foreign oil exploration and seismic vessels operating in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone

(EEZ) where its maritime area intersects with the PRC’s Nine Dash Line (which denotes PRC maritime claims in the South China Sea).”

According to Prof. Thayer, if “Vietnam’s new fleet of submarines will not alter the naval balance of power between Vietnam and the PRC … Vietnam’s submarine fleet will mean that the PAVN can contest the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s presence if the PRC should threaten Vietnam’s interests in the South China Sea.” Vietnam has yet to make any details concerning its maritime strategy public but, according to Prof. Thayer, “ it is clear from its acquisition of land-based Anti-Ship Missiles (AShMs), fourth-generation Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) armed with AShMs, fast attack craft and frigates also armed with AShMs, that Vietnam is rapidly developing an ‘anti-access/ area denial’ strategy.” This development proves that the PAVN, says Prof. Thayer, shows no actual intentions of confronting the PRC in a

major clash but “is aimed at lower order contingencies involving smaller numbers of PLAN ships operating at extended distances from their home ports.” In April, German media sources reported that Vietnam was to purchase 50 Novator Design Bureau 3M-14E Kub AShMs from Russia to equip its ‘Kilo’ class SSKs. Moreover, in June, media reports spoke of Vietnam engaging suppliers in Europe (Saab and the Eurofighter consortium) and the United States (Boeing and Lockheed Martin) regarding the purchase of new MRCA, although no timelines as to when any such purchases could occur have been revealed.

Concerning the country’s overall acquisition of submarines, Prof. Thayer, along with other military analysts, wonders “whether Vietnam can absorb so many submarines into its navy and use them effectively” In fact, he adds that analysts “feel Vietnam may be overcome by the costs and demands of maintenance and servicing of its submarines”.

Philippine Navy receives two former RAN landing craft Two recently decommissioned Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ‘Balikpapan’ class Heavy Landing Craft (LCH), were inducted into the Hukbóng Dagat ng Pilipinas (HDP/ Philippine Navy) on 23 July.

The Australian Department of Defence announced that the former RAN vessels, HMAS Tarakan and HMAS Brunei were recommissioned into the HDP as the BRP Ivatan and BRP Batak respectively. The transfer of the vessels was held during an induction ceremony attended by Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, the

HDPs chief naval officer, and the RAN’s chief of navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett. Australia had announced it would donate the LHD’s to bolster the Philippines’ humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities in January.

The ships will assist the island nation in its response to natural disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 6000 people in 2013.

Moreover, the acquisitions of the LHDs is widely seen as part of an effort to act as a deterrent to the People’s Republic of China, regarding the maritime claims that both nations have to the Spratly Islands archipelago in the South

China Sea. The government of the Philippines referred the PRC’s occupation of the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands in April.

The RAN ordered eight new ‘Balikpapan’ class LCHs in 1969. All eight

‘Balikpapan’ class LCHs are now decommissioned. Two of them were transferred to the new Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) during the lead-up to the country’s independence from Australia in 1975, and a second vessel was transferred to the PNGDF in 2014 to be used as a training ship.

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Regional News and

Developments

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PLAN commissions second Type 052D ‘Carrier Killer Destroyer’ The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has commissioned its second ‘Luyang-III’ class destroyer into service on 12 August, according to official PLAN sources.

The PLAN’s newlycommissioned Yangsha is expected to operate from Yalong Bay naval base on Hainan Island in the South China Sea. It joins the PLAN’s South Sea Fleet over a year after its launch, in July 2014, and four months after the Kunming, the first Type ‘Luyang III’ class destroyer to be commissioned into the PLAN. This delay

Japan signs deal for five V-22 OSPREYS The US Department of Defence announced on 14 July that the Bell-Boeing consortium, had been awarded a $332.5 million deal for five of its CV-22B Block-C Osprey tilt-rotors (the same variant as that used by the US Air Force/USAF) to be delivered to Japan. The deal, which is the first international sale of the aircraft, will be

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would suggest that the Yangsha underwent an extensive programme of trials and possibly received some modifications compared to her sister ship.

The ‘Luygang-III’ class is the latest generation of destroyer in the PLAN. Based on its predecessor, the ‘Luyang-II’ class, the ‘LuyangIII’ class shares the same hull, but the PLAN’s new class of vessel, dubbed the ‘Chinese Aegis’ as it is considered to be the PLAN’s equivalent of the US Navy’s ‘Arleigh Burke’ class destroyers equipped with Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Combat Management System (please see Thomas Newdick’s ‘Management Consultants’ article in this issue for more information on

made through via the US government’s Foreign Military Sales programme (FMS).

The contract for five CV-22Bs includes support, training, and equipment and could lead to an additional order for up to 17 units in total. The CV-22B will allow Japan to greatly enhance its Ground Self-Defence Force capabilities and provide an ideal platform for relief efforts in response to natural disasters.

the Aegis combat management system). The ‘Luygang-III’ class incorporates many improvements in terms of design, sensors and weapons compared to the legacy ‘Luygang-II’ class, including the Type 348 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar for air and surface surveillance; and China Precision Machinery ImportExport Corporation HHQ-9 surface-to-air missiles.

In total, the PLAN has ordered a fleet of twelve ‘Luyang-III’ destroyers.

Accordingly to publiclyavailable sources, the PLAN will receive a total of ten such ships, the last of which is due to be commissioned by the middle of 2018. To date, both the Kunming

and the Yangsha have been commissioned, with the Hefei expected to be commissioned by the end of the year.

In other PLAN news, China’s 19th and 20th ‘Jiangkai-II’ class frigates, Yangzhou and Handan , have also reportedly entered service with the PLAN, while two more vessels are being built at the Huangpu shipyard in Guangzhou, in the south of the People’s Republic of China, and another two at the Hudong shipyard in Shanghai. More information on frigate and destroyer programmes throughout the Asia-Pacific can be found in Dr. Alix Valenti’s ‘Size Does Matter’ article in this issue.

The five initial aircraft are to be delivered to Japan by June 2018.

In a statement published following the announcement Mitch Snyder, executive vice president of military business for Bell said, “the Bell-Boeing team is honoured to have Japan as the first international customer for the CV-22B.” The CV-22B and MV-22B is currently exclusively in service with the USAF and US Marine Corps. Earlier this year, the US

Navy announced that it would be acquiring 44 HV-22 aircraft.

In May 2015, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) which overseas military and defence cooperation with foreign powers notified the US Congress that Tokyo had placed a request for up to 17 CV-22Bs and 40 Rolls-Royce/ Allison T406/AE 1107C Liberty turboshafts, for a total value of $3 billion over five years.

The Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) had announced its selection of the CV-22B in November 2014 and the aircraft, which was included in the MoD’s 2015 defence budget request, are scheduled to equip a new amphibious unit designed to recapture territory “without delay in case of any invasion of any remote islands,” the Japanese MoD said when it announced the unit’s formation in December 2013. This statement is believed to be a barely-veiled reference to Japan’s ongoing dispute with the People’s Republic of China over the sovereignty of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

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Regional News and

Developments

a u s t r a l a s i a

Australia receives first of Twelve EA18Gs Australia received its first Boeing EA-18G Growler Electronic Warfare (EW) aircraft, a derivative of the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA), on 29 July, becoming the first and only international customer for the EW variant of the aircraft to date.

The EA-18G was rolled out during a ceremony held at the Boeing’s F/A-18E/F production line at its St Louis, Missouri factory and is the first of twelve E/A-18Gs ordered for $3 billion under a Foreign Military Sales agreement concluded with

Thales F90 assault rifle to enter service with Australia’s Defence Force The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has awarded Thales a $73.6 million contract to supply the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with 30000 EF-88 (Enhanced F90) bullpup assault rifles and circa 2500 Steyr Mannlicher SL40 integrated rifle grenade launchers, as well as spare parts and ancillaries. The equipment will be produced at the company’s Lithgow

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the US Navy in 2014, along with twelve additional F/A18E/Fs which will enhance the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) existing fleet of 24 F/A-18E/Fs. The RAAF’s EA-18Gs will undergo flight-testing at the US Navy’s China Lake airbase in California and will then head to the US Navy’s Whidbey Island airbase in Washington State, where RAAF pilots will pursue training with the US Navy.

The RAAF is planned to take definitive delivery of the EA18G in 2017, with an Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the aircraft being scheduled for mid-2018 and a Full Operational Capability (FOC)

anticipated for the early 2020s.

Speaking to AMR, Dan Gillian, Boeing’s F/A-18E/F and EA-18G programmes vice president described the EA-18G Growler as “the most advanced electronic attack aircraft in production today”, combining “the strike and defence capabilities of the F/A-18E/F with the latest avionics to support mission success across the entire electromagnetic spectrum”.

According to Mr. Gillian, the EA-18G will give “the RAAF unmatched electronic awareness and attack capabilities”, bringing “a unique, complimentary capability to the fight, and an essential complement to its current and future MRCA force”. He continued that “the EA-18G will play a key role in advancing the RAAF’s ‘Plan Jericho’; an initiative to transform the RAAF into an integrated, networked force able to deliver airpower in all operating environments.”

Boeing has no plans

to sell the aircraft to other international customers for the moment, explained Mr. Gillian, saying that the company only has “EA-18G contracts with the US Navy and Australia”, mostly due to the fact that “the EA18G offers a very unique capability and the US government is responsible for defining what technologies are shared with international allies.” For the time being, Australia will remain the only country outside of the US to be offered the EA-18G’s level of technology. “That being said,” Mr. Gillian added, “(Boeing has) some near-term opportunities to sell F/A-18Gs to international customers.” These include Kuwait and Denmark, both of which are considering the aircraft. Other countries contemplating the F/A18E/F for existent MRCA requirements include Malaysia and Belgium. In addition, Canada may also consider the aircraft.

Arms facility in New South Wales, with initial batches of F90s being issued to the Australian Army’s Royal Australian Regiment’s 1st Battalion and deliveries to the rest of the ADF to follow.

The F90 bullpup assault rifles will be referred to as the Enhanced F88 (EF88) rifle once in ADF service.

Deliveries to the ADF commenced following the announcement of the deal, and are to continue over six years. “An F88 upgrade is an effective option for Australia as adopting a completely new weapon is an expensive activity,” Graham Evenden, director of integrated soldier systems for Thales’ Australian

division told AMR. “This upgrade is a good mix of proven technology and innovative new features, resulting in an evolved platform suitable for current and future operations.”

Thales announced it would be supplying the ADF with two weapons under the EF88 initiative, both of which will be chambered for 5.56x45mm North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ammunition.

The ADF will receive a 3.2-kilogram (7.1lb) F90 model with a barrel length of 407 millimetres (16 inches) and an overall length of 700mm (27.5in), and a 3.39kg (7.4lb) F90M model with a 508mm (20in) barrel and overall length of 802mm (31.5 inches).

Mr. Evenden continued that the “legacy F90 and the new EF88s are essentially the same weapons, but with

some modifications made to the F90 to meet ADF requirements.” He adds that “(these include) an integrated SL40 side-loading 40mm grenade launcher that can be attached in just a few seconds by the soldier; a potentially decisive capability providing flexibility on operations. The grenade launcher itself is equipped with a lightweight robust quadrant sight that ensures rapid target acquisition, can be used at night and is compatible with night vision goggles.” Thales is already looking into further developments to evolve the F90 design. The company is also “currently exploring export opportunities for the F90 in various markets around the world”, said Mr. Gillian, declining to specify which countries were currently interested in the rifle.

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