Armada International - April/May 2019

april/may 2019. Issue 02.

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APRIL/MAY 2019 www.armadainternational.com

08 air force

ANALYSING INTEGRATED MARITIME MISSION SYSTEMS Martin Streetly takes a close look at four integrated mission systems currently being used for maritime patrol missions.

14 SEA POWER

PATROL PUNCH: OCEANIC OPVS Dr Lee Willett takes a close look at the multimission capabilities of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s Holland-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

28 Special Ops and Expeditionary

Forces Debrief SPECIAL FORCES KEEP ‘EYES ON’ NEW TECHNOLOGY SOF operators need to continually monitor new technology that may help them achieve the most intricate of tasks. Andrew White reports.

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LAND WARFARE ‘LITTLE FRIENDS’ GUIDE THE WAY AHEAD Stephen W Miller discusses what S-UAVs and M-UAVs can bring to squad level situational awareness.

SEA POWER CHINA’S JIANGKAI FRIGATE ROLL-OUT DELIVERS GLOBAL REACH The expansion of China’s naval reach is boulstered to a large degree by its Jiangkai frigate programme, as Dr. Lee Willett explains.

36 COUNTRY ANALYSIS

42 ARMADA COMMENTARY

ISREAL’S DEFENCE INDUSTRY Andrew Drwiega looks at how Israeli companies retain their focus on producing battlefield ready equipment.

WINDS OF CHANGE IN THE FIGHTER MARKET Andrew Hunter examines the changing nature of ‘big ticket’ fighter programmes.

armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

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INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

ON THE COVER: The offshore patrol vessel HNLMS Holland at sea. The Netherlands Navy is using its Holland-class OPVs for oceanic duties as well as those closer to home. (Royal Netherlands Navy)

april/may 2019. Issue 02.

Armada Cover Apr-May 19.indd 1

AR MODULAR

COVER 2

IMDEX 33

39

ISDEF 27

AUSA 41

LAAD 31

DATRON

MEGGITT 11

ARMY MOSCOW

3/29/19 3:20 PM

Volume 43, Issue No.2, APRIL/MAY 2019 Published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd. Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd. Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd., 1603, 16/F, Island PL Tower, 510 Kings Road, Hong Kong Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Drwiega General Manager: Jakhongir Djalmetov International Marketing Manager: Roman Durksen Digital Manager: David Siriphonphutakun Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Wajiraprakan Punyajai Graphic Designer: Khakanaa Suwannawong Circulation Officer: Yupadee Seabea

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DSEI 35

MSPO

FNSS 17

PACIFIC 27

GENERAL ATOMICS

COVER 4

TADTE 25

HARRIS 5

UNMANNED SYSTEMS DEFENCE 29

HOUSE AD

WB GROUP

37

COVER 3

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■ Boeing

Delivers First KC-46A Tanker to Altus Air Force Base

■ New

ComTac™ VI NIB Tactical headset from the 3M PELTOR brand

Boeing delivered its fifth KC-46A Pegasus tanker to the U.S. Air Force, the first that will be based at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The KC-46 departed Seattle’s Boeing Field for Altus, where the base’s 56th Air Refueling Squadron is responsible for Pegasus aircrew, maintenance and support training.

ComTac 1st generation headset was a result of a project to help prevent hearing damage and at the same time use communication to help enhance the efficiency of the soldier’s mission during training as well as combat.

■ Rafale

■ Aerostar Moves Military MRO from Mig-21 to F-16

All Other Countries Jakhongir Djalmetov Media Transasia Limited Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile: +66 81 6455654 Email: joha@mediatransasia.com Roman Durksen Media Transasia Limited Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile +66 83 6037989 E-Mail: roman@mediatransasia.com

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F4 launched

Jon Lake – On 14 January 2019, the French government signed a $2.26 billion (€2 billion) contract with Dassault Aviation for a batch of 28 Rafales and at the same time approved the development of the new F4 standard.

David Oliver – Romania’s leading MRO provider Aerostar is planning to transform its military business that in 2017 amounted to only 17 percent of its turnover.

| . - / 2019

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Editorial Niche markets mean Israel remains in SIPRI’s top 10 arms producers

I

srael’s defence industry has historically grown up with an ambition for selfreliance due to fluctuating diplomatic relations with other countries and at times, the threat of an arms embargo such as that carried out by France just before the Six Day War in June 1967.

During the 1970s Israel’s defence sector began to grow in earnest and, after having bought foreign weapons only to have to adapt them for Israeli use at high cost, it was now producing indigenous weapons more cheaply which benefited the economy. If these could be exported then revenues would increase even more.

As Israeli arms companies began to export their products they tended towards Third World (now developing countries), and pariah states such as South Africa during the Apartheid era and Iran during the Shah’s reign. Exports also occurred to some African countries engaged in civil wars.

However, as the end of the second decade of the 21st Century approaches, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) placed Israel ninth in terms of a global arms sales in 2017 with a two percent share, just behind Germany’s 2.1 percent but in front of India’s 1.9 percent. Elbit Systems ranked as the world’s 28th biggest arms supplier, with Israel Aerospace

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. - / 2019

Industries (IAI) in 41st place and Rafael ranked in 45th place. Both Elbit and Rafael were in the high 90 percent bracket in terms of arms sales as a percentage of total sales, while IAI remained relatively high at 70 percent of total sales.

According to SIPRI analysis released on 11 March 2019, Israeli arms exports increased by 60 percent between the periods of 2009–13 and 2014–18. However, in the same region of the world the growth in arms imports recorded by Arab states was, in the main, off limits to Israeli exports.

SIPRI’s report states that “Saudi Arabia became the world’s largest arms importer in 2014– 18, with an increase of 192 per cent compared with 2009–13. Arms imports by Egypt, the third largest arms importer in 2014–18, tripled (206 per cent) between 2009–13 and 2014–18. Arms imports by Israel (354 percent), Qatar (225 percent) and Iraq (139 percent) also rose between 2009–13 and 2014–18.”

The SIPRI report showed Israel’s three major arms companies recorded combined arms sales of $7.9 billion in 2017. The report concluded that, for a small country, “the total arms sales of Israeli companies remain comparable with those of German or Japanese companies in the Top 100. This is a result of high domestic demand and a large and diverse export customer base.”

ANDREW DRWIEGA, Editor-in-Chief

. - / 2019

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Thales

air force

France’s Atlantique ATL-2 is one of the maritime patrol aircraft types that are equipped with AMASCOS suites

ANALYSING INTEGRATED MARITIME MISSION SYSTEMS

Patrolling over the oceans is defined less by the type of aircraft deployed but rather the integrated ability of the mission systems onboard.

Martin Streetly

I

n the face of a resurgent Russian Navy, Chinese ambitions in the Pacific and continuing problems with economic and politicallydriven migration, airborne maritime patrol is once again to the fore after the ‘peace dividend’ that followed the ending of the 20th Century ‘Cold War’.

Today, maritime patrol aircraft range in size and capability from the Boeing P-8 Poseidon through turboprop solutions (examples being France’s Atlantique and role optimised variants of transports such as Airbus’s C295 and ATR 45/72 series) to smaller platforms such as the Beechcraft King Air. What unifies all such solutions are increasingly integrated mission systems

8

that are scalable and sensor agnostic and it is with these architectures (which are frequently as applicable to retro-fit as to new build) that the following will address.

To illustrate the genre, four European packages will be examined that have been produced by the Spanish arm of Airbus (the Fully Integrated Tactical System or FITS), Italian contractor Leonardo Electronic Systems (the Airborne Tactical Observation And Surveillance System or ATOS), the French conglomerate Thales (the Airborne Maritime Situation Control System or AMASCOS) and Swedish contractor ST Airborne Systems (the MSS 6000/7000 airborne maritime surveillance systems).

Taking these in alphabetic order, Thales

armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

France’s AMASCOS suite takes the form of a multi-sensor airborne maritime patrol system that provides real-time tactical situation awareness (with updating) together with an operator decision aid facility.

AMASCOS is modular; is applicable to both fixed- and rotary-winged platforms; can accommodate up to 10 operator stations and features an open processing architecture that collates, processes and fuses data from available onboard and/or offboard (via a tactical datalink) sensors to provide a “comprehensive” tactical situational assessment. In terms of sensor/equipment integration, a typical AMASCOS package might include an electro optic (EO) imager (the Chlio, ASELFLIR-200, Star SAFIRE III

air FORCE

In usage terms, AMASCOS applications are listed as having (over time) been procured by the French Navy (Breguet Atlantic ATL-2 – being upgraded as of 2019), Indonesia’s Air Force and Naval Air Arm (Airtech CN235 maritime patrol aircraft), the Japanese Coast Guard (Dassault Falcon maritime patroller), the Pakistani Navy (Breguet Atlantique - reported to have been withdrawn from service during 2012), the Royal Malaysian Air Force (Beechcraft King Air 200), Turkey’s Naval Air Arm and Coast Guard (CN235 and ATR 72 MELTEM maritime patrollers) and the United Arab Emirates Air Force (de Havilland Canada DHC-8-Q315 maritime surveillance platform). Elsewhere, an AMASCOS application is also noted as having been included in the 2017 Thales - PAL Aerospace DHC-8-Q300 maritime surveillance aircraft concept, while unconfirmed (but frequently reliable) sources suggest that a ground-based AMASCOS remote control station forms the basis of a ground facility to support French Air Force King Air 350 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft.

Leonardo's ATOS The second suite, the Leonardo Electronic Systems’ ATOS is a multi-sensor surveillance and mission management system that is suitable for a range of applications including search and rescue, anti-pollution surveillance and monitoring, fisheries protection and

(at the high end of the scale) anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Digging down, ATOS systems are built around military standard (MIL-STD) 1553B data-buses and Ethernet local area networks (LAN) and offer a mission management capability that provides tactical situational management; sensor and communications system control; navigation, flight plan and database management; mission documentation and sensor aiming control. Again, the suite’s data collection and tactical planning facilities function in real-time and like AMASCOS, ATOS is scalable. In terms of sensor provision. ATOS applications are said to have included Leonardo’s Gabbiano and Seaspray featuring active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology) - and Raytheon SeaVue surveillance radars; hyper-spectral sensors; EO imagers (including the EOST 23 and 46 types together with a StarSAFIRE variant); electronic surveillance equipment (including Italian contractor Electronica’s ALR-733 system); a Spectrolab Nightsun searchlight and a Terma side-looking airborne radar (SLAR).

As already noted, ATOS is scalable, with (at the time of writing) the latest ‘high end’ manifestation that has been developed for use aboard the Aeronatica Militare’s (AMI - Italian Air Force) P-72A maritime patrol aircraft. Based on the PW127M turboprop powered ATR 72-600 airliner airframe, the P-72A ATOS system ties together a mission Thales

and L-3 Wescam 15HD equipment having all been associated with the system); a radar (Thales’ Ocean Master and Searchwater sets); an acoustic chain (Thales’ TMS 2000 and SADANG Mk II processors together with the same contractor’s FLASH dipping sonar have all been linked to AMASCOS applications); an electronic support capability (Thales’ DR 3000 cited), Link 11, 16 and 22 datalinks and a Global Positioning System (GPS).

Most recently, AMASCOS has benefitted from a reduced weight (by 50 percent) operator consoles and the introduction of a universal serial bus (USB) mission data recorder connection, a cockpit tablet-based display and integration with Thales’ TopEagle head-mounted display. Again (and over time), AMASCOS applications are said to have been divided into 100, 200 and 300 series suites, with the 100 being designed for the economic exclusion zone patrol, anti-piracy and immigration control missions, search and rescue and sovereignty patrol roles. The 200 configurations are described as having been suitable for the anti-surface ship warfare (ASuW), electronic intelligence (ELINT), littoral warfare/ surveillance and maritime surveillance aboard 8-tonne class platforms. Elsewhere, 300 series applications are said to have added anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to the architecture’s capabilities and to have been suitable for 10-tonne aircraft.

A graphic that shows the type of operator console that is associated with the AMASCOS maritime situation control architecture

armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

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Leonardo

air force

A general view of a typical ATOS workstation

maritime surveillance aircraft; a Libyan ATR 42 surveillance platform (currently in storage) and a number of helicopters including examples of the AW109 and Agusta Bell 412 types. Elsewhere, unconfirmed sources suggest that at least 45 ATOS suites have been deployed.

FITS FROM AIRBUS For its part, Airbus’s Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) is billed as being an airborne tactical system for maritime patrol applications that integrates a platform’s sensors with its navigation, communica-

Airbus

suite that includes four system operator stations - each featuring 56cm (22 inch) high-definition monitors, touch-screen control (including those for seven communications radios) and provision for the integration of the “additional sensors and components” needed to provide the host platform with an ASW capability; a ‘militarised ATR 72-600 cockpit; an automatic identification system (AIS) application; an identification friend-or-foe (IFF) capability; inertial and GPS navigation provision; Link 16 provision; a defensive aids suite (including a HENSOLDT Sensors AN/AAR-60 missile warner, an MES ECDS-2 countermeasures dispensing system and a Leonardo RALM 01/V2 laser warner); an external searchlight; a FLIR Systems StarSAFIRE HD EO imager and a Leonardo Electronic Systems Seaspray 7300E AESA surveillance radar.

Alongside the AMI’s P-72A application, ATOS solutions are said to have been implemented aboard Guardia di Finanza (Treasury Police) and Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard) ATR 42 maritime patrollers; Guardiadi Finanza P166-DP1 light surveillance aircraft; Ecuadorian CN235 and King Air 300 maritime patrol aircraft (with the suite including a Seaspray 7000E series AESA radar); Nigerian ATR 42 patrollers (Gabbiano T200 surveillance radar and an EOST 45 EO imager); an Algerian King Air 350ER

tions and (where relevant) weapon control systems. Like AMASCOS and ATOS, FITS is scaleable and is described as being an open architecture application that can support a wide range of sensors including search radars (Elta Systems’ EL/M-2022 and Raytheon SeaView equipments), EO imagers (including StarSAFIRE family units), magnetic anomaly detection systems (including the AN/ASQ-10 equipment), AIS applications, IFF interrogators, electronic surveillance equipment (including Indra’s AMES-C electronic support system) and sonobuoy provision (including the SPAS-16 processor).

In terms of system functionality, FITS is described as offering an X-Windows based, ‘intuitive’ human-machine interface (HMI); onboard sensor control and display; tactical situation picture creation; database maintenance; search pattern planning in concert with the platform’s navigation systems; data fusion and multi-sensor tracking; operator decision aid provision; communications system management (including Link 11 and 16) and ASW management. With regard to associated operator stations, a P-3 sized application is listed as incorporating six or more, with C212, C295 and CN235 solutions being given as featuring one, four and two consoles respectively.

Again, each operator’s multi-function console (MFC) utilises a high-speed LAN to connect with the architecture’s central processors and feature a high-resolution colour display, two multi-function touch panels (sensor control and tactical functions), a keyboard and a trackball. While each MFC is functionally identical, specific units can be configured to serve specific operator roles, while tactical information is displayed in a multi-Window format.

A multiple FITS operator console installation

10 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

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Leonardo

air force

Leonardo's ATOS mission system working onboard a Beechcraft King Air aircraft.

Digging further down, FITS applications are billed as incorporating two redundant central processors (with each MFC having its own processor) together with a data transfer unit for uploading data to and downloading data from the system. Again (and in its third generation), FITS uses a Linux operating system and is said to have received minor updates to its HMI. Elsewhere, the airborne segment of the capability is supported by a ground-based mission support centre (MSC) that utilises commercial off-theshelf hardware as well as both commercial and specific application software. As with the airborne FITS application, the MSC is scaleable and is listed as offering mission planning/preparation facilities; briefing and debriefing capabilities; automatic tactical picture updating and individual sensor mission analysis.

At the time of writing, FITS applications were recorded as having been made aboard nine Brazilian P-3AM maritime patrol (retrofit programme) and three C295-based SC-105 Amazonas surveillance aircraft; 16 Canadian C295 Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) programme aircraft; three Chilean C295 maritime patrol aircraft; two Irish CN235 maritime patrol aircraft; eight Mexican C212 aircraft; four Omani C295 maritime patrol aircraft; three Portuguese C295M maritime patrol aircraft (utilising a palletised FITS system designated as the VIMAR fit); four Spanish P-3 maritime patrol/ ASW (retrofit) and three CN235 search and

rescue/pollution control aircraft and 12 US Coast Guard HC-144A aircraft. Here, the HC-144A FITS system is understood (at the time of writing) to be being replaced by the Minotaur mission management system.

ST AIRBORNE'S MSS Last but not least, Swedish contractor ST Airborne Systems has produced several generations of airborne maritime surveillance systems under the MSS designator. Here, the latest of these are the MSS 6000 and 7000 applications, both of which are capable of integrating a range of sensors, with mission data being displayed via dedicated operator consoles. In numerical order, the MSS 6000 can accommodate a communications suite, side-looking and surveillance radars, optical cameras, infra-red/ultraviolet scanners, a direction-finder and an AIS application. With regard to the system workstations, ST Airborne Systems describes the architecture’s operator consoles as providing “highly automated” control of onboard sensors together with the “presentation, recording and reporting of mission information”.

For its part, the MSS 7000 configuration is billed as incorporating an improved (when compared with the MSS 6000) “multi-mission capability”; an improved situational overview capability; a revised, two touch screen solution; improved air to ground communications; real-time transfer of data and video and a generally more

12 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

powerful application for “less weight and volume”. In terms of usage (and at the time of writing), MSS 6000/7000 applications had been procured by customers in Canada (DHC-8-102), Estonia (King Air 350), Finland (Do 228-212), Iceland (DHC-8-Q314), Malaysia (Bombardier 415MP), Portugal (C212-300 withdrawn from service), Sweden (DHC-8 -Q311) and Vietnam (C212-400).

While the foregoing is by no means exhaustive (with, for instance, no details being given for the high-end architecture used in the P-8 Poseidon or the upgraded suites developed for Russian Il-38 and Tu-142 maritime patrol/ASW aircraft), the examples given provide an insight into the thinking behind and the capabilities that are incorporated in the latest generation of mission suites that are tailored for the increasingly important maritime patrol tasking. Of equal note, is the fact that what were once bespoke military capabilities are now being applied to a new breed of patrollers that address increasingly important areas such as pollution surveillance, migration control and off-shore asset protection.

While the traditional roles of long-range maritime surveillance and ASW/antisurface ship warfare remain central to the genre, it is perhaps what might be termed as the ‘paramilitary’ taskings that will see the most significant future developments, not the least of which is likely to be the application of the described technologies to unmanned aerial vehicles.

Royal Netherlands Navy

sea power

PATROL PUNCH: OCEANIC OPVs The Royal Netherlands Navy’s Holland-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) are demonstrating ocean-going multi-mission capability.

The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) oceangoing patrol vessel (OPV) HNLMS Groningen at sea. The RNLN’s OPVs are focused on lowerend surface warfare and maritime security.

Dr Lee Willett

T

he current focus on state-versus -state rivalry at sea presents a relatively sudden – but perhaps not unexpected – return to emphasis on higher-end capabilities and operational outputs. However, at the same time, the international focus on securing sea lines of communication (SLOCs), maintaining free movement at sea, and addressing maritime security tasks including counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, migration, and piracy at distance mandates an enduring requirement for global constabulary patrol.

Offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) as they are currently defined largely have begun appearing in service over the last decade.

Their relatively recent arrival as a concept in terms of typology, capability, and operations is typified by the fact that the first edition of Professor Geoffrey Till’s book Seapower: a Guide for the Twenty-First Century (published in 2004) did not list OPVs as a vessel type.

Their arrival over the last decade has been the culmination of a desire to meet a steadily emerging requirement (since the 1990s and the end of the Cold War) for constabulary capability, as navies sought to re-align themselves towards a range of lowerend maritime security tasks that became more politically prominent as the focus on higher-end operations faded. Against this backdrop, in 1994 the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) came into force: UNCLOS prompted a number of navies and coastguards to seek to procure vessels able to conduct constabulary patrols in offshore zones for sustained periods.

One particular navy looking to develop the ability to patrol national territorial waters but with some territories located at distance from the homeland was the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN). Across the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean basin is home to three countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curacao, and Sint Maarten) and three municipal island

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territories (Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius); these territories are spread across the basin’s northeastern and southern edges, with a distance of approximately 400 nautical miles (740km) between the two areas.

Meeting requirements Since arriving into service in the 2012-13 period, the RNLN’s four Holland-class OPVs – HNLM Ships Holland, Zeeland, Friesland, and Groningen – have made a prominent contribution to meeting both operational military tasks and geostrategic requirements across the spectrum of the Netherlands’ geographic areas of interest.

The four ships have all deployed routinely to the Caribbean region, where they have contributed centrally to the international counter-narcotics campaign and have also provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) support following earthquakes and hurricanes. At distance too, Groningen deployed in 2015 to the Horn of Africa to support the European Union

Naval Force’s (EU NAVFOR’s) Atalanta counter-piracy operation. In Europe, the ships have conducted maritime security tasks including counter-narcotics and at-sea safety and rescue operations; in March 2019, Friesland was set to conduct a six-week deployment in the Mediterranean in support of the EU’s FRONTEX border security and migration management operation. With the strategic focus returning to higher-end operations in Europe, two of the ships – Friesland and Groningen – have also escorted Russian Federation Navy ships transiting the North Sea. Talking to Armada International, Groningen’s current commanding officer (CO) Commander Hugo Sinke pointed to three primary factors shaping Dutch defence policy. “One is to obviously protect the integrity of our kingdom. Secondly, is the promotion of international stability and the rule of law. In that regards, we can tie in counter-drugs and counter-piracy operations and support to the Netherlands and Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard.” “Lastly,” he continued, “there is the support in the case of HADR operations.” Thus, he added, the navy has “a three-tier … reason of being”.

The Holland-class OPVs present a fairly unique example of the typology, capability, and operational requirements for an OPV, as they are defined by the RNLN as oceangoing, rather than offshore, patrol vessels; an emphasis driven by the trans-oceanic distance at which they have to operate.

COMPLETING TASKS AT DISTANCE The Holland-class OPVs’ ability to support a range of tasks at distance is underpinned by a hull size that is relatively large for an OPV – 108 metres in length and displacing 3,800 tonnes, with many other OPVs displacing only 1,000 tonnes or more. They also have a Thales Integrated Sensor and Communication Systems (ISCS) in the air and surface surveillance domains.

People form a key part of the ships’ flexibility in capability. The core crew numbers 50-60 personnel, with air, marine, or other detachments added to support particular operations. When Groningen deployed on the Atalanta operation, the addition of marines for boarding operations meant that 98 personnel were embarked. Such personnel flexibility is enabled by the ships’ size.

“Anything we need, we have the accommodation to [add] at least a couple of teams and expand our crew,” said Sinke. “It’s not just putting people in the hallway or on

Royal Netherlands Navy

sea power

As part of maritime security presence in the Caribbean region, the OPVs conduct visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations on suspect vessels. Here, Groningen is pictured deploying one of its two Fast Raiding, Interception, and Special forces Craft (FRISCs) to support VBSS tasks.

stretchers: we really have accommodation for everyone.”

During a tour of Groningen when the ship visited the UK in late January 2019, members of the ship’s company told Armada that the propulsion package - based around two main diesel engines that deliver a top speed of 18kts (33km/h), and two patrol electrical motors that can generate 10kts (18km/h) speeds together – provides a very efficient method of movement, reflecting the design focus on efficiency in operation as opposed to speed. Ships’ positioning is also assisted by a bow thruster.

According to builder Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, the propulsion system generates 5,000nm (9260km) range endurance at 15kts (27km/h) in Sea State Three. The ships also have an unsupported endurance of 21 days at sea.

In terms of fighting capability, firepower

against both air and surface threats is provided by the Leonardo/Finmeccanica Oto Melara weapons family. This consists of one bow-mounted 76/62 Super Rapid gun, one Marlin 30mm remotely/autonomously operated gun mounted for’ard, and two Hitrole 12.7mm remotely operated machine guns located towards the stern. The crew noted the utility of the Marlin system in particular, with an independent infrared camera (which can be operated separately to the gun, allowing Marlin to be used for identification tasks without aiming the barrel at a vessel or aircraft), data recording facility, and ability to provide near-360 degree coverage. Its smaller-calibre capability compared to the main gun also makes it useful for providing warning shots against ‘go fast’ narcotics craft operating in the Caribbean.

The ships’ small boats – two 12m Fast

armadainternational.com - april/may 2019 15

Lee Willett

SEA POWER

A picture of the bridge on the Holland-class OPVs, highlighting the ships’ spacious layout.

The combat information centre (out of shot to the right) is located directly behind the bridge.

Raiding, Interception, and Special forces Craft (FRISCs) – and embarked helicopter such as the multirole NH90 – provide additional reach, capability, and flexibility at speed.

One FRISCs is located in a multi-mission bay below the flight deck; it can be sternlaunched in around a minute in up to Sea State Seven. The other is located on the starboard side, and is launched from davits (in up to Sea State Five).

The FRISCs have a speed of 40kts and carry secure communications including UHF and VHF, enabling over-the-horizon operations. The craft are fitted to carry eight persons, but more seats can be added.

Small mounted weapons up to 7.62mm can also be installed, one in the FRISC’s bow and one in the stern. This would add force protection capability for the OPV. The ship’s company noted that the presence of two FRISCs provides the capacity to conduct more effective boarding operations. In such circumstances, one FRISC could deploy the boarding team while the second provides security around the first FRISC and the vessel being boarded. In addition, the ships carry a fast rescue boat that can be used as an emergency vessel or, for example, to support diving operations if a diving team is embarked.

The multi-mission bay also contains

space for six metre (20 foot) ISO shipping containers, which usually are used to carry general stores but can also provide HADR supplies. Such containers are embarked using the ships’ 10-tonne deck crane; an OPV asset that the RNLN’s frigates do not have.

NIGHT HELICOPTER OPERATIONS In tackling narcotics smuggling in regions such as the Caribbean, the embarked helicopter delivers a day/night airborne use-of-force (AUF) capability, based around helicopterborne sniper teams, to disable ‘go fasts’.

“Our NH90 is capable for AUF, day and night,” said Sinke during an interview onboard his ship in Den Helder in December 2018. As regards counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, the RNLN and the US Coast Guard (USCG) have an agreement and protocols in place to enable an RNLN NH90 embarking RNLN snipers to operate in support of USCG operations, including at night, with a USCG observer embarked in the aircraft to ensure adherence to agreed procedures. While RNLN ships have conducted daytime AUF operations in the region going back several years, Sinke noted that the nighttime capability is new, with a combination of technology to enable nighttime operations and agreed procedures now in place. Already, Groningen’s sister ship Friesland has conducted nighttime AUF

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operations on several occasions, under USCG tactical control.

In terms of crewing, the NH90’s threeperson aircrew includes one pilot, one sensor operator, and then the option to use either a tactical controller or a second pilot.

The Holland-class ships’ sensor, communications, and combat management suite is one of their main capability benefits.

The Thales SMILE E/F-band non-rotating, four-faced volume search radar provides air and surface surveillance, as well as helicopter and weapon control. In the latter case, it acts as the main sensor in terms of weapons system employment.

The sensor and weapon system information, from both the ship and other assets, is brought together by the CAMS/Force Vision Guardion combat management system (CMS). Software updates are regularly installed to provide corrections and patches, but the overall CMS functionality has not changed, said Sinke.

The ships’ relatively short planned service lives plus what appear to be robust and reliable systems and capabilities mean that no major machinery, weapon system, or sensor upgrades for the class are planned.

“The only thing that [has] happened is some software upgrades on the CMS, communications, and some other stuff, but it’s not stuff you can see from the outside,” said Sinke. Such upgrades are often required for the CMS or the integrated platform management system (IPMS), for example. “Sometimes, it’s nothing more than just putting in more memory.

Sometimes, it’s adding functionality or fine-tuning stuff that hasn’t been working the way we wanted it,” Sinke added.

AUTOMATION AND INTEGRATION The ship’s company use smartphone-style personal digital assistant (PDA) devices for onboard communications or also to receive ship system alarms. “The main benefit is that personnel can be mobile, versus standing watch in an engine control room,” said Sinke.

“They can conduct daily routines and rounds, and will be notified through their PDAs in case of alarms on the platform systems.”

The use of PDAs and the alarm capability provided also helps reduce manning requirements, such as allowing the ship at night with reduced personnel on watch.

The ships’ design includes a demonstrable emphasis on automation, which helps to reduce crew size. A ‘water mist’ sprinkler system fitted throughout the ship contributes

Royal Netherlands Navy

SEA POWER

HNLMS Holland deploys its FRISC during a UK-led Joint Warrior training exercise in 2014. As well as providing speed and reach to prosecute maritime security targets at sea, the FRISCs can also provide force protection for their host platform.

to firefighting capacity. Also, the IPMS provides sensor-based monitoring of areas such as the machinery spaces; this also reduces the need for the crew to conduct rounds.

Lean manning does present challenges

such as if the ship is required to conduct both maintenance and training at sea at the same time. Moreover, a reduced crew size makes it difficult to conduct all warfare disciplines simultaneously, although the Holland-class OPVs are traditionally tasked to deliver lower-intensity capability.

One particular benefit in the ships’ design, as regards both integration and boosting the flexibility and output of the crew, is the ‘open plan’ layout of the bridge and combat information centre (CIC); the latter is located directly behind the former, with a large window separating the two.

The CIC also contains a position for ship engineering/management control personnel so that personnel from all three elements of the platform’s capability – ship driving, ship operational outputs, and ship control – are co-located. This adds much to ship and crew communication and integration, with crew members noting that personnel can get a sense of what is happening in all areas.

Large screens throughout the ship provide a common picture of its status, again improving ‘whole-ship’ awareness.

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Aeryon

Land WARFARE

‘LITTLE FRIENDS’ GUIDE THE WAY AHEAD

Squad level UAVs are now proliferating among militaries who want to ensure their patrolling soldiers can gather situation awareness around their immediate location.

Stephen W. Miller

U

nmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) range from remotely controlled airplanes launched from a catapult or airstrip behind the battle line to systems that can be carried by a single soldier. To be clear, discussions about the complete system with operator and controlled will refer to unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Small and micro UAVs are changing the dynamics of small unit operations by providing squad

leaders and even individual soldiers with a real-time view of what lies ahead. Operating at very low altitude they see around corners, over walls, beyond trees and over the hill, even inside buildings. Of critical importance is that these UAS are operated by, and respond to, the specific needs of the small unit providing immediate information that they can act on. Providing that knowledge offers a major advantage over opponents.

Iraq and Afghanistan provided a testing

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ground for UAV and clarified the challenges faced in addressing often conflicting requirements. These include aerodynamics; how to design a flyer that is small and light yet able to manoeuvre in both open environments and tight spaces which may be subject to sudden cross-winds, dust, rain and other factors. In addition, it must provide a stable platform for the onboard cameras and sensors. Secondly autonomy; use by the combat soldier means operating

Physical Sciences

Land WARFARE

Simple launch and recovery are critical considerations for systems launched by troops in the combat area.

SkyRanger from Aeryon Labs, now part of FLIR Systems, is able to mount several specialty optical payloads below the main body of the UAV.

the unmanned system must be simple, requiring minimal attention and training.

Soldiers are generally using the system in addition to their own duties as a member of the unit. This demands that UAVs have onboard flight intelligence and not depend on the operator. Keeping in communication is also a concern since small UAVs typically have a low flight profile increasing the possible loss of a positive control and information data links. A complete loss is always a possibility meaning the vehicle must be able to automatically default to regain signal or to return without further direction. Lastly there is the question of power for flight, sensors and its data link. It must have power for sufficient operational time to transit, operate on station and return yet not be too heavy. It must also be readily recharged by the user in the field as

small units engaged with an enemy often need to use the UAV time and again with minimal support over long periods.

Any soldier system must balance the requirement to be easily manpacked to be carried for long periods while retaining the necessary range, flight endurance and sensor payloads. When it needs to be used, it must be relatively simple to launch and recover within minimal space with little or no special provisions. .

As a general rule, small UAVs should ideally be able to achieve a range just beyond the effective range of its available weapons. It should give the squad the ability to identify a threat before it engages them, or allow them to prepare and initiate an engagement on their terms. Flying range is directly linked to flight time. The further the UAV flies to reach a targeted area and then return the less time it has for operating in that area. Assuring the UAV has sufficient time to conduct the actual reconnaissance is a critical to effectively employing them on the battlefield.

Currently small unit UAS fall into two categories: micro-UAVs (M-UAV) and small-UAVs (S-UAV). M-UAVs are pocket sized and therefore handy and well suited to giving a squad a quick look at what lies just ahead. They generally operate at or below 150 metres (500 feet) above ground level.

However, to achieve a wider battlefield perspective a larger system is necessary for a more persistent observation and flight above 150m. This role is accomplished using small UAVs. These can be backpacked, but

may require several soldiers to set up since they are heavier and larger. The MUAV is well suited to the squad and team use while the SUAV finds it use a platoon and company.

M-UAVs MUAVs are very small systems that can be easily carried, launched and recovered by a single soldier. So far these criteria have generally favoured a rotary design. The USMC, after conducting a series of field assessments of the utility of M-UAVs with the small unit in combat exercises awarded a contract in February 2018 to Physical Sciences for 800 InstantEye Mk-2 GEN3A0 Quad copter UAVs. These are being fielded to every rifle squad. In doing so the USMC not only adopted a commercially available UAV as standard squad equipment but restructured the unit to better employ it. Mack Mackiewicz InstantEye Robotics director of operations stated that “our Mk-3 UAS were developed specifically for the US military. They fully address the cybersecurity concerns identified in the Deputy Secretary of Defense memo dated May 14, 2018, where the Department of Defence (DoD) Inspector General found that the DoD has not implemented an adequate process to assess cyber security risks associated with using commercial-offthe-shelf (COTS) UAS.” Mackiewicz said that the InstantEye’s “integrated standard payload consists of two full-time gimballed electro-optical (EO) cameras operating in both the visible and

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FLIR

Land WARFARE

long wave infrared (LWIR) thermal bands that are capable of providing georectified imagery to its tablet/EUD-based display.

There are additional payloads in development including GPS denied sensors for indoor operations or in contested peer to peer threat environments.”

Another successful M-UAV is the FLIR Systems Black Hornet. Referred to as a Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS), FLIR declares that “it is extremely light, compact, and nearly silent with a 25 minute flight time. Pocket sized it can be easily deployed to transmit live video and high definition still images up to 2km. Although only 33g (1.16oz) it contains two daylight cameras and fused thermal with a user selectable LED light. One camera looks forward, another straight down and one at a 45 degree angle. The flight unit is small with a body length of only 100mm (4in) and a ground speed of 6m per second. Its flight modes include auto or manual hover, route and user selected waypoint, automatic and loss link return. Each kit includes two Black Hornet 3 UAVs, a base station with recharger, and a handheld controller with display. Attention has been given in its design to the practical aspects of small unit use. For example, the flight unit recharges in less than 25 minutes allowing one unit to be charging while another flying thus permitting almost continuous coverage.

The latest Black Hornet 3 model introduced

AeroVironment

FLIR Systems’ Black Hornet sits in the palm of a soldiers hand yet carries two day cameras and a fused thermal imager.

AeroVironment's RQ-11 Raven is hand launched with a flight endurance of 60-90 minutes using a pusher propeller.

It can be used for controlled flight or autonomous planned missions.

in 2018 has improved cameras and can navigate in GPS denied environments such as caves and inside buildings. In addition, the unit itself carries no data thereby eliminating risk of compromise should it be lost and captured. Currently in use by over 30 forces, the US Army placed a $39.6 million order in January 2019.

S-UAVs S-UAVs focus on providing aerial surveillance to moderate distances

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generally inside 10km with up to 7km more typical. Flight times vary between one and two hours. These include fixed wing, hand launched systems such as AeroVironment’s RQ-11 Raven and RQ-12 Wasp III. Raven is widely used and has proven effective in combat. Nearly a metre (2.95 ft) in length and with a 1.38m (4.5ft) wingspan, it ranges up to 10km and is generally used at brigade and company level. The RQ-12 Wasp III is smaller with a .38m (1.2ft) length and .72m (2.3ft) wingspan and is broken down for

Lockheed Martin

Land WARFARE

By using a collapsible design Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies INDAGO quadcopter UAV is compact for transport yet made ready for flight in 60 seconds.

easier transport allowing it to be used at company, platoon and in certain circumstances, by the squad particularly when in a static position or when motorised transport is available. Both UAVs carry a pan and tilt stabilised camera with at least 50 minutes endurance.

Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies offers its Indago quad copter toward this requirement. Although its operational size is 800x800x175mm (32x32x7 inches) it collapses to a compact 300x225x150mm (12x9x6in) for carry and weighs 2.27kg (5lb). The platform will accept multiple 200 gram (.44 lb) sensor payloads that can be hot swapped in the field and includes the Perceptor gyro stabilised dual-sensor 360 degree gimbals. This mount contains a 10 megapixel (MP) camera, long range infrared (IR) with digital zoom and optional laser pointer. It has a 50 minute flight time, a connection range of up to 3km with optional long range antenna and is designed to operate at up to 150m (500ft). A hand controller with display allows for both way point navigation and inflight retasking.

Another candidate is the SkyRanger from Aeryon Labs, recently acquired by

FLIR systems. Its latest SkyRanger R70 quad copter carries up to 2kg (4.4lb) payload bottom-mounted plus a front EO/IR image fused suite. It will operate at up to 4,570m (15,000ft) above mean sea level in 65km/h winds, and uses both a digital communications link and has dual navigation allowing semi-autonomous flight without a wireless link. The R70 can lift long range cameras, other special sensors, radio relays, or, with its Osprey delivery system, it can deliver a payload, such as a ground sensor.

These UAVs all offer the longer endurance and both more and higher performing payloads including stabilised trainable gimbals cameras that facilitate the expanded mission roles of the company and platoon.

They also however are heavier, larger and the need to be prepared for launch which suggests a dedicated operator.

Future Possibilities By enhancing situational awareness for the small units, UAVs can offer significant advantages. However, a valid concern is that the demands of constantly monitoring and control of the UAV can easily be a distraction. One solution is through increasing the autonomy of the UAV itself.

An example of the possibilities is found in the Perdix micro-drone being developed by MIT under a US DoD Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) programme. These 150mm (6in) long M-UAVs weight 2kg (1lb) and can fly at 109km/h (68mph) use networking to coordinate their flight pattern. William Roper, SCO’s director, stated that “the drones use a distributed brain for decision making�. Designed for surveillance and initially demonstrated deployed from aircraft these also illustrate a possible future application to front line tactical use.

Similar UAVs could be launched to scout ahead or to offer flank security. Their inherent semi-autonomous operation would allow the operator to simply assign them a position which they would automatically maintain relative to the unit even as both move. This offers the advantage of eliminating the need to constantly actively control the UAS while assuring it is always providing coverage.

Effective employment of the small unit UAVs demands not only simply technology but the perfection of tactics, procedures and drills that can be practiced so as to maximise their contribution while minimising their drawbacks.

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sea power

China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Type 054A Jiangkai II frigate Xuzhou, pictured in the East China Sea in November 2015. In 2011, while deployed on counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, the ship diverted to the Mediterranean Sea to evacuate Chinese nationals from Libya.

CHINA’S JIANGKAI FRIGATE ROLL-OUT DELIVERS GLOBAL REACH Like any navy seeking global presence, China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) will use its surface forces to project influence. A primary platform in building this forward presence is the Jiangkai II frigate Dr Lee Willett

F

or major navies seeking to generate global presence and to operate across the task spectrum from lower-end outputs like securing sea lines of communication (SLOCs) to high-end outputs including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the frigate is playing an increasingly prominent role.

Perhaps more affordable than a multi-role destroyer but offering flexibility in outputs due to a current emphasis on broadening its operational role, today’s frigate is present across the world’s oceans and across the spectrum of operations. The frigate has moved from a Cold War focus on acting

principally as an ASW picket to bringing a greater range of capabilities and outputs.

Indeed, frigates are often referred to as ‘the workhorses of a fleet’.

China’s current maritime strategy is driven largely by desire to secure waters close to home in the face of a range of challenges from various actors, and by the desire to secure SLOCs at distance to deliver resources for its people and markets for their products. For China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), its Type 054A Jiangkai II-class frigates offer two primary benefits here.

First, these frigates are demonstrating

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the range of capabilities available today in supporting a multiple tasks.

Second, the PLAN is now expanding its global presence. In November 2018, UK Royal Navy (RN) First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sir Philip Jones told the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) that the PLAN has expanded over recent time from a coastal to regional to global naval force. In his mission statement A Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority (published in January 2016), the US Navy’s (USN’s) Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson referred to China (and Russia) as having advanced their military

US Navy

sea power

US Navy

capabilities “to act as global powers”.

A frigate’s capability and flexibility, along with speed enable navies like the PLAN to generate the forward presence that goes hand-in-hand with building and sustaining global influence.

BUILDING PRESENCE As of early 2019, 28 Type 054A Jiangkai II-class frigates are operational, with two more reported to be in build. Two older Type 054 Jiangkai I frigates are also in service.

According to Sino Defence, the Type 054A “represents a significant improvement over the previous Type 054, (also) exceeding some older destroyer classes in firepower and capability”.

There have been reports that the Jiangkai IIs will be followed by a larger variant known as the Type 054B Jiangkai III. The first-in-class Type 054A Jiangkai II frigate Zhoushan was commissioned into service in January 2008. The most recent Jiangkai frigate to enter service was Xianning, in August 2018. Underlining the relatively rapid rate that China is building ships ashore and building capability at sea, a class of almost 30 frigates has arrived in a decade.

The 4,000-tonne, 134-metre Jiangkai IIs have a multi-mission role focused primarily on anti-air warfare (AAW) but also equipped to support anti-surface warfare (ASuW) and ASW tasks. Such an operational set-up highlights the way in which frigate outputs have shifted towards more multi-purpose effect. The ships are also reported to have a stealthy design, with a sloped, reduced superstructure to minimise radar crosssection. The combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion arrangement generates

a top speed of 27 knots (50km/h) and an unsupported operational range of over 8,000 nautical miles (14,816km).

The 32-cell vertical launching system (VLS) typifies the modern frigate’s in-built flexibility. A VLS is designed to carry a range of systems to meet a range of roles.

It is reported that the Jiangkai II’s VLS carries the HHQ-16 medium-range surface-airmissile (SAM) for air defence as well as ASW missiles.

The spread of ASuW capabilities is fitted separately. The 250km range YJ-83 (C-802) anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) is carried in two quad launchers mounted amidships.

The ASuW fit also includes a 76mm main gun, and two 30mm close-in weapons systems (CIWS), the latter firing up to 5,800 rounds per minute at a maximum range of 3,000m.

The ships carry further ASW capability, with the Yu-8 ASW torpedo launcher and two six-tube 240mm ASW rocket launchers.

The ASW role also is demonstrated by the presence of a towed array sonar, as well as a large number of the newer Type 054As carrying a variable depth sonar. Prosecuting a submerged target is also supported by the ability to embark a medium helicopter, such

The Jiangkai II frigate Linyi, pictured visiting the US Navy’s (USN’s) Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii in 2013, has deployed on counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa, on exercise with the Russian Federation Navy in the Mediterranean, and as part of the PLAN’s carrier group in and around home waters.

armadainternational.com - april/may 2019 23

US Navy

sea power

The PLAN’s Jiangkai frigate Yuncheng (foreground) and the USN DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class Fight IIA guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (left) transiting waters off Somalia in December 2014.

Yuncheng has deployed on several counterpiracy rotations in the region.

as a Harbin Z-9C or Kamov Ka-28 ‘Helix’.

The ship’s size has clear operational and capability benefits. Writing in the Military Balance Blog in 2018, Nick Childs (senior research fellow for naval forces and maritime security at the IISS) noted that, alongside the increasing numbers of ships being procured for the PLAN, the fact that newer PLAN vessels “are much bigger compared to older classes of ships … enables them to accommodate modern weapon systems and sensors, and more of them, and also means they have better seakeeping and endurance for undertaking more distant operations, more often.”

OPERATION SNAPSHOT The Jiangkai frigates began entering service just as state-based naval rivalry returned as a strategic issue, first in the Asia-Pacific region and more recently in the Euro-Atlantic theatre. During their short time in operational service to date, the frigates certainly have been active both close to home and at distance. Spread fairly evenly across the PLAN’s three fleets (East Sea, North Sea, and South Sea Fleets) and the consequent areas of interest, the fact that the Jiangkai IIs have been active in various locations, conducting various tasks, and supporting various operations demonstrates not only (at a strategic level) the ship’s role in building the PLAN’s global presence, but also (at an operational and tactical level) the PLAN’s own confidence in the frigate’s design, system capability, and operational output.

A key component of China’s growing

maritime presence will be the development of a robust blue-water navy. The increasing international emphasis on naval power will give China the chance to learn from Western naval peers about how to sustain deployments at distance. Central to its learning strategy to date has been its presence since 2008-09 off the Horn of Africa in support of the international counter-piracy campaign, through a national contribution China refers to as its naval escort task force.

The Jiangkai IIs only began entering service in 2008; however, set against China’s wider desire to seem capable and credible on the world stage, the PLAN’s confidence in the Jiangkai IIs’ prospective contribution to meeting national interests was underlined when third-in-class Huangshan became the first Jiangkai II to deploy to Somalia in only the second task force rotation, which deployed in April 2009.

A total of 31 rotations have been conducted since, with Jiangkai II frigate Xuchang present in the latest task force. China’s Ministry of National Defence reported that the ship has been involved in escorting commercial ships in the Gulf of Aden and dispersing suspected pirate groups.

With the counter-piracy presence providing a platform from which the PLAN can project power into different regions, several highlights of the frigates’ operational outputs are worth noting. In 2011, second-in-class Xuzhou diverted from operations off Somalia to evacuate Chinese nationals caught up in the Libya crisis. This was the first time a PLAN ship had deployed to the Mediterranean, and (as noted by Andrew Erickson and Austin Strange in their book Six Years at Sea … and Counting: Gulf of Aden Counter-piracy and China’s Maritime Commons Presence) Xuzhou had already

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completed a previous counter-piracy rotation by this point.

In 2014, Yancheng deployed to the Mediterranean to conduct escort tasks as the international community worked together to transfer chemical weapons from Syria.

In 2015, Linyi and Weifang broke off from counter-piracy operations to evacuate Chinese nationals from Yemen during the emerging civil war there and, once finished off Somalia, sailed into the Mediterranean to join Russian Federation Navy forces for Exercise Joint Seas 2015 – the first time Chinese and Russian naval forces had exercised together in the region.

The same year also saw the PLAN deploy a task group to Northern Europe for the first time, with the group including the Jiangkai II frigate Yiyang. The ships conducted several port calls in the North Sea and Baltic region.

In 2017, the Yuncheng was present in the Baltic as part of a task force participating in Exercise Joint Seas 2017, the first Sino-Russian exercise in the region and occurring just after NATO’s annual ‘BALTOPS’ exercise. Around the same time, a separate task force – including the Jiangkai II frigate Jingzhou – deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Closer to home, Jiangkai presence has also been prominent. Yantai participated in the inaugural Joint Seas event with Russia, off Qingdao in 2012. In 2016, when the PLAN’s aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed for the first time beyond what is known as the first island chain in December 2016, Linyi was part of the escort group. Liaoning’s carrier strike group (CSG), which achieved initial operational capability (IOC) in early 2018, often includes a Jiangkai II frigate.

Another key indicator of China’s growing maritime presence will be the strategic and operational output of its emerging carrier capability. While Liaoning has operated close to home, major navies all see carrierbased power projection as central to their global presence. While the PLAN may still be learning how to construct a CSG and how to conduct CSG operations, and may also still developing its understanding of where a carrier capability fits into its overall strategic plan, the Jiangkai II frigates are playing a central role in the conceptual development of this capability. According to a recent report in The Diplomat, the Jiangkai IIs are “designed for fleet defence”: the report noted particularly the improved sonar capability of later ships of the class.

The Jiangkai II “is clearly one of the central

US Navy

sea power

One of the US Navy’s newest DDG 51s, USS Thomas Hudner, pictured at Naval Station Mayport, Florida while transiting to its commissioning ceremony in Boston (which took place in December 2018).

As well as providing ubiquitous global presence, the USN’s Arleigh Burkes have integrated multi-role capabilities and can operate with task groups or independently.

components of the PLAN’s development of balanced surface task groups, capable of defensive and offensive operations against a range of threats,” James Goldrick, a retired Royal Australian Navy rear admiral and currently a fellow at the Lowy Institute, told Armada International. The frigate “both complements and supplements the larger air warfare-oriented destroyers and is clearly intended to have an ASW focus but retain general-purpose capabilities”.

In terms of both carrier defence and broader global presence, the PLAN’s Type 052D Luyang III-class and forthcoming Type 055 Renhai-class guided-missile destroyers (DDGs) may be platforms that bring more robust presence around the world and greater levels of capability. In capability terms, destroyers bring significant ASuW and AAW punch, as well as ASW output.

Comparing current global presence between the PLAN and the US Navy (USN), the USN’s DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class DDGs provide a benchmark for the PLAN going forward, with similar ubiquity as the Jiangkai IIs in seas around the world but bringing greater capability.

For the USN, its Arleigh Burkes – its own

‘workhorses of the fleet’ – “provide multimission offensive and defensive capabilities … (and) can operate independently or as part of CSGs, surface action groups, and expeditionary strike groups,” according to the navy. Perhaps the key difference here for an Arleigh Burke, compared to a Jiangkai, is the DDG’s demonstrated ability to operate independently. In capability terms, the DDG’s multi-role outputs are brought together by the Aegis weapons system.

According to the USN, across its four DDG 51 ‘flights (FlightI, Flight II etc), 66 ships have been delivered to the fleet, with 10 more in build and a further 12 on contract. The Flight III ships – the latest ‘flight’ – will be significantly enhanced with the addition of the SPY-6(V)1 air and missile defence radar (AMDR) system that enables the simultaneous performance of AAW and ballistic missile defence (BMD) roles, meeting the growing requirement for integrated air and missile defence (IAMD).

HOME AND AWAY Arguably, the Jiangkai frigate has an evolving geographic presence and operational focus that is a function of its arrival on stage just as state-based rivalry returned, but reflects also other new capabilities arriving for the PLAN. Dr Sidharth Kaushal, research fellow in sea power at the Royal United Services

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Institute (RUSI), told Armada the Jiangkai II’s major value for the PLAN “is as an AAW and ASuW platform that extends the reach of the PLAN beyond its immediate shorelines”. In terms of layered defence at home, its YJ-83 ASCM capability can complement shore-based, ballistic missileequipped rocket forces and the capabilities of the Type 053 Jiangwei frigates and sealaunched cruise missile (SLCM)-capable Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines to provide layers of threats to opponents operating inside the first and second island chains and, effectively, to extend China’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) ‘bubble’, Kaushal explained.

Beyond home waters, Kaushal reinforced the argument that the Type 055 and Type 052D DDGs, both of which are fitted with VLS systems understood to be capable of carrying the HHQ-9 and HHQ-10 SAM, will mirror the position of the USN’s Arleigh Burke-class DDGs in the “all-purpose, out-of-area role”. By contrast, said Kaushal, the Jiangkai IIs may have a greater role closer to home, both in terms of providing presence in peacetime and operating as “part of a network of relatively cheap AAW and ASuW platforms that the PLAN has prioritised over the last decade … to provide a maritime component to its ‘Near Seas’ (Yellow, East China, and South China Seas) network of sensors and shooters”.

Kaushal noted the Jiangkai II’s improving ASW capability will still support a fleet escort role, adding that “it is one of the few ASW-capable ships in the PLAN” although, he continued, newer DDGs are also being fitted for the ASW role. Thus, while other platforms may emerge as the PLAN’s principal ASW platforms, the Jiangkais still have the capability to “augment an expeditionary force as an ASW escort, or play this role for convoys”. The Jiangkai frigate “has the range to play [such a] role and some of the vessels are clearly being retrofitted for this purpose,” Kaushal said.

Others see at-distance presence as a main role for the Jiangkai IIs. “The Type 054A is clearly intended for long-range, oceanic operations, whatever its utility in the ‘Near Seas’,” said Goldrick, adding the frigates are “likely to be the ‘workhorse of the PLAN’ in future years, providing escorts for the carrier and amphibious groups as well as being of a size and capability … to show the flag for China in many ports without being seen to overwhelm local capabilities”.

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SPECIAL FORCES KEEP ‘EYES ON’ NEW TECHNOLOGY

Capable of conducting an extensive spread of mission sets across a complicated operating environment, special operations forces (SOF) demand the highest levels in technical equipment.

Andrew White

W

hether in support direct action, special reconnaissance or military assistance operations, SOF-specific equipment must be capable of extending the survivability, precision lethality, situation awareness, and interoperability of small unit teams, often operating

in austere environments.

Many of these themes continue to be urgently reviewed and updated by special operations commands around the world although requirements must fall in line with budget constraints and development timelines.

However, much of the international

28 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

SOF community continues to closely follow research and development as well as procurement activities being undertaken by the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). It is seeking to better enable SOF operators with ‘resilient equipment’ as part of ‘indomitable teams’, with the operator viewed as a ‘platform’ on which to

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furnish technology and next-generation equipment.

The aim is to for SOF-specific equipment ment carried on and by the operator to allow them to ‘see themselves; see the environment; and see the threat’ through the provision of tactically relevant and decision-quality information at the edge’ including communications, computing, sensing, cognitive interface and advanced autonomous aids.

Over the past five years, USSOCOM has demonstrated its technology-leading capabilities with the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) - initially tasked by former USSOCOM Commander, Admiral Bill McRaven, to provide a combat suit for operators conducting urban warfare in particular. The TALOS Joint Acquisition Task Force is due to unveil a concept demonstrator in the latter part of 2019 before technology advancements achieved over the past five years will then be passed to programme executive offices across USSOCOM. Addressing delegates at the Special Operations/ Low Intensity Conflict symposium in Washington, DC on 5 February, USSOCOM’s acquisition executive Jim Smith admitted the TALOS exoskeleton (which comprises a central component of the concept) was not combat ready. However, Smith did describe how other technologies including lighter weight body armour; visual augmentation systems; and weapon stabilisation solutions could be rolled out to SOF operators in the shorter term.

C4ISTAR In the area of Command and Control, Computers, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR), SOF operators continue to require the capability to find, fix, finish, exploit and analyse’ target information.

Emerging requirements call for the ability to find and fix targets without any reliance upon the air domain where forward deployed small unit teams on the ground have often relied upon stacked layers of airborne ISR aircraft.

This follows a significant change in operational emphasis from counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Syria, to countering socalled ‘near peer and high capability’ adversarial forces from the likes of China and Russia.

Specific requirements for SOF operators in the C4ISTAR domain include demand

WB Group

Special Ops and Expeditionary Forces Debrief

Polish special forces took delivery of WB Group's Warmate loitering munition in January 2018.

for tactical software defined radios (SDRs) providing small unit teams with the ability to avoid the jamming and interception of communications by enemy forces.

Examples include SOF-specific technology created by Harris Corporation which remains in the process of developing specialist Low Probability of Detection/ Low Probability of Intercept (LPD/LPI) waveforms to support the tactical requirements of SOF units.

A company spokesperson for Harris Corporation confirmed to Armada how such demand remained a ‘major trend’ for the company which has entered full rate initial production of it’s SOF Tactical Communications (STC) Next-Generation Handheld (NGHH) radio, designated by USSOCOM as the AN/PRC-163 STC. Developments in waveform technology are being undertaken in association with the US Army’s Special Contested Environment Waveform Working Group which was founded in 2017 to identify various courses of action to reduce the probability of detection and intercept of communications by adversaries.

Additional C4ISTAR requirements call for multi-channel capabilities to allow for simultaneous voice and data communications; as well as high bandwidth to support ISTAR mission feeds; and finally, an ability to establish and maintain connectivity in enclosed spaces.

Industry sources associated with the

30 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

international SOF community also highlighted to Armada how multiple SOF commands across NATO and Five Eyes partners were closely monitoring USSOCOM’s fielding of the AN/PRC-163 STC NGHH with a view to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) in the future.

Elsewhere, SOF commands continue to identify and develop concepts of operation, tactics, techniques and procedures to optimise the performance and mission effectiveness of Loitering Munition (LM) technology.

Examples include WB Group’s Warmate solution which in January 2018, was delivered to the Polish Special Operations Component command (POL SOCC). An initial tranche of a total of 1,000 Warmate LMs, described by WB Group as a ‘Combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle’, were delivered to POL SOCC’s ‘Nil’ unit.

Providing SOF small unit teams with a loitering capability up to 50 minutes, Warmate can be used to find and fix targets out to a maximum operating range of 10km before decid-ing whether to prosecute a target with a laser-seeking warhead. LM technology, accord-ing to an official spokesperson for WB Group, provides an alternative to anti-tank guided missiles with greater detection and observation characteristics.

Survivability In terms of survivability, international SOF commands will be closely watching

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Special Ops and Expeditionary Forces Debrief

Saab and Fibrotex continue to supply SOF operators with personal camouflage equipment designed to allow small unit teams to reduce electromagnetic signatures in contested environments.

USSOCOM’s selection of its next-generation Family of Tactical Headborne Systems (FTHS) which is due to be confirmed by the end of Financial Year 2019 (FY19), according to ser-vice officials.

Today, SOF operators rely upon highcut Modular Integrated Communications Helmets (MICHs) capable of integration with headsets and additional tactical accessories while providing high levels of protection. Examples include Ops Core’s FAST MICH, some 40,000 units of which are currently in service with USSOCOM and other SOF operators.

USSOCOM has been pursuing the FTHS concept since 2015. However, on 5 October 2018, USSOCOM officials confirmed to Armada that the FTHS solicitation had been delayed with programme participants understood to have reapplied for the contract in August 2018. Contenders include 3M Ceradyne, Gentex (Ops Core parent company) and Revision Military.

The nature of the FTHS programme is to provide SOF operators with a modular and scal-able combat helmet capable of supporting both training and operational

roles with non-ballistic and ballistic appliqué kits. Variants include Ground and Maritime Bump combat helmets which can be uparmoured with a ballistic protection appliqué kit to provide increased levels in protection against small arms and fragmentation effects.

Combat helmets must also be capable of utility during specialist mission sets including military free-fall and combat swimming.

A USSOCOM spokesperson confirmed to Armada: “The FTHS requirement is in the source selection/evaluation phase. The requirement is on track for a third quarter, FY19, contract award.”

Also falling in line with emerging operational requirements relating to missions against higher capability adversaries employing mature ISTAR technologies, is the management of SOF operator electromagnetic signatures.

Both Saab and Fibrotex continue to supply SOF operators with man-wearable solutions designed to allow personnel to avoid physical detection by a variety of sources across the electromagnetic spectrum including thermal, radar, visual and near infrared.

32 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

According to head of marketing and sales for Saab’s Barracuda Special Operations Tac-tical Suit (SOTACS), Claes-Peter Cederlöf, the solution provides operators with a “camouflage system that allows stealth operations in hostile environments".

Speaking to Armada, Cederlöf described how the SOTACS comprised a customisable solution featuring multispectral characteristics designed to provide “cover from a wide range of reconnaissance systems”.

Designed to be worn over a battle dress uniform, SOTACS provides protection from identification by visual observation, night vision devices and thermal sensors.

Lethality On 7 August 2018, USSOCOM also contracted Sig Sauer to supply an undisclosed number of Suppressed Upper Receiver Groups (SURGs), designed to replace the upper receivers of 5.56mm M4A1 carbines.

SURG-upgraded carbines will benefit from a fixed means of suppressing audible and visual signatures of weapon systems which

Russian MoD EOTech

Special Ops and Expeditionary Forces Debrief

EOTech will supply USSOCOM with magnifiers for their holographic weapons sights.

the industry,” Harris added.

Aiming to provide SOF operators with increased levels in precision lethality as well as manoeuvrability, is a small arms community which continues to reduce form factors of special operations carbines in particular.

Requirements continue to emerge from a contemporary operating environment where SOF operators demand lightweight and easily manoeuvrable weapon systems which can effectively neutralise targets in enclosed spaces.

Examples include Sig Sauer’s Personal Defence Weapon (PDW), which is currently in the process of an evaluation programme with USSOCOM. Based on the company’s MCX Rattler, the PDW has been developed to provide operators with a carbine capable of being carried covertly as well as supporting engagements in confined spaces.

The PDW concept centres around a replacement upper receiver which can upgrade the 5.56mm x 45mm M4A1 CQB carbine to .300 Blackout calibre, capable of providing PDW (Author

can impact the communications and camouflage of small unit SOF teams working in urban areas in particular.

Up to 70,000 SURG appliqué kits could be delivered to USSOCOM as part of a potential $48m contract which is scheduled to run through to July 2023.

“The Sig Sauer suppressor withstood the stringent stress and torture requirements set by Department of Defence (DoD) for firing specifications, vibration, sound, and temperature requirements to ensure soldier safety,” Joel Harris, director, Media Relations & Communication at Sig Sauer highlighted to Armada.

“The requirements set by DoD for the SURG procurement demanded significant im-provements in reliability, thermal characteristics, and durability that went well above anything we are currently seeing in

Sig Sauer has designed the Personal Defence Weapon (PDW) to support SOF precision lethality requirements for reduced form factor and increased stopping power.

34 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

SOF operators with increased range and stopping power during kinetic actions.

In terms of target acquisition, SOF continue to identify the most optimal methods of allowing operators to rapidly engage enemy forces in congested and confined environments.

On 16 January, USSOCOM awarded L3 Technologies a $26.3m contract to supply an undisclosed number of Miniature Aiming System-Day (MAS-D) Optics. The holographic weapon sight will be augmented by EOTech’s Model G33 Magnifier, which can be employed as an ‘inline sight’ ahead of the MAS-D to allow for a smoother and more rapid transition from 1x to 3x magnification for longer range engagements.

MAS-D will support a variety of weapon systems across SOF armouries including the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) as well as the wider family of sniper weapon systems employed by USSOCOM. On 14 January the US Naval Surface Warfare Centre released a presolicitation document regarding their SOF Precision Variable Power Scope (P-VPS), designed to support short through to long range target acquisition of operators. The device is expected to support USSOCOM’s series of sniper solutions including the Advanced Sniper Rifle which has yet to be selected by the command.

USSOCOM officials explained to Armada how a total of 3,000 ‘standard’ and 3,000 ‘long range’ models could be supplied to force components across the command, supporting operators engaging targets at ranges anywhere between 50-1,500m.

Additional specification requirements call for variable power settings; removable aiming points; and a micro data display to feature ballistic details. USSOCOM is expected to accept proposals by the end of FY19 with a contract decision following evaluation by the middle of 2020, industry sources suggested.

Conclusion In order to maintain the tactical edge across the battlespace, particularly in light of emerging near peer and high capability adversaries, SOF operators require an agile development and procurement process.

However, as defence sources explained to Armada, any rapid technology injections into service with SOF units will need to be supported by evolutions in doctrine, CONOPS and TTPs in order to achieve enhanced levels in mission effectiveness.

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Country Analysis special report

UVision's Hero 30 is a man-portable, quickly launched loitering munition which has attracted international interest and is being evaluated by the US armed forces.

STAYING AHEAD OF THE GAME How do Israeli companies within the nation’s defence sector retain their momentum in terms of developing battlefield ready equipment?

Andrew Drwiega finds out in discussions with representatives from Elbit Systems, Rafael and UVision.

Andrew Drwiega

T

he state of Israel is in a state of perpetual conflict. Either it is engaged on one of its borders with militant groups such as Hamas or Hezbollah, or it is conducting internal counter-terrorist operations. With this in mind it is easy to see how the Israeli defence industry is different from the majority of its competitors in that it has a constant flow of military personnel either returning from, or going to, active military service. For the majority, this is due to conscription or those who volunteer for military reserve service. When it comes to the generation of ideas for new products, or to refine existing ones, there will be a core of critics within each company that can feed back ‘lessons learned’ from operational use that are current.

The Israeli defence sector has a reputation for developing specialised defence systems and equipment rather than ‘big ticket’ items such as fast jets, helicopters, heavy armour and naval craft. There are exceptions such as the Merkava main battle tank and a growing range of naval craft developed by Israel Shipyards.

Infantry weapons such as the 5.56mm Tavor have been developed by IMI Systems (formerly Israel Military Industries), a state owned company. In fact the state of Israel still plays a major role in the funding and development of a wide range of defence products across land, sea and air.

Armada International contacted a number of leading Israeli defence companies to gauge their view on the reasons behind the success of Israeli defence products, not only in their development but also in exporting them.

EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL One of the first questions concerned the perceived advantage of having employees who regularly serve in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), and how that exposure benefited each organisation.

Giora Katz , Rafael’s EVP marketing and business development said that having close proximity to the IDF through people service in it was “instrumental in learning about and inventing the most suitable solutions that will address real, current and future needs” through mutual feedback.” He explained that

36 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

“this close intimacy allows us to perform systems upgrades sometimes literally overnight, occasionally after being used in the field by our employees during their reserve duty, who sometimes also happen to be involved in the system’s development.”

Shane Cohen, UVision’s vice president, sales and marketing, observed that “a firsthand operational experience and on-going direct contact with end-users for real-time feedback is priceless to the process of keeping our systems fit for any change, new need or harsh demands arising constantly.”

With employees currently working in the IDF reserve, Cohen said that this experience translated down to the company’s engineering teams who “were familiar with the operational side” and who could then offer customers “the most advanced answers and adopt them to specific customised requests.”

R&D Israeli manufacturers make use of this close proximity to warfighter to feed in battlefield ‘knowledge’ when developing new products or adding to and updating the capabilities that already exist in their equipment portfolios.

Cohen said that UVision’s customers could expect solutions that “best fit” the evolving battlespace challenges faced around the world. “UVision Air constantly invests in R&D, which results in new solutions as well as in upgraded existing ones.”

One of these ongoing development paths can be seen through the company’s new capabilities introduced into its lightweight, portable short-ranged lethal loitering system. “UVision upgraded its Hero-30, the smallest member of its varied HERO family of smart lethal loitering munition systems, presenting a next-generation solution last October in Washington at AUSA 2018. The new HERO-30 is capable of speeds of up to 100 knots and is ideal for anti-personnel and light-skinned-vehicle attack missions,” said Cohen. He added that a lightweight HERO simulator was introduced at the same time “that enables premission rehearsal and training for the fighting forces, providing a high-fidelity environment and mission simulation.

Martin Fausset, CEO Elbit Systems based in the UK, said that Elbit invests around nine percent of its annual revenue into R&D: “The company is committed not just to the development of new products, but to the lifespan of its existing products, which

Armada International will publish its ‘single Technology supplement’ - compendium in 2019.

Get an in-depth special on programmes, advanced technologies and procurement opportunities in these domains.

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Country Analysis special report

Martin Fausset, CEO Elbit Systems based in the UK

Giora Katz, Rafael’s EVP marketing and business development.

Shane Cohen, UVision’s vice president, sales and marketing.

requires continuous drive in undertaking research, product development and in developing innovation to meet both future requirements and urgent operational needs.”

Fausset was also keen to underline Elbit’s investment in its deeptech incubator subsidiary, Incubit, which he describes as “an effective conduit for open innovation.” The organisation can call on Elbit Systems’ team of technological experts who are involved in the pre-funding due diligence process. it draws in “promising (civilian) entrepreneurs at their early stages.” This identifies and supports new technology ideas which benefit not only civil applications, but also possible military development as they mature.

“Rafael is Israel’s national laboratory and holds over 20 centres of knowledge and excellence,” stated Katz. Established in 1948, Katz asserts that “Rafael has developed some of the world’s most advanced, ground-breaking ing systems and technologies in the defence domain” with an annual investment of eight percent of sales into R&D (which represented over $160 million in 2017).

The development areas are diverse and “span a variety of disciplines, from underwater, to above-water, land, air, space and cyber technology,” said Katz. “Our workforce is comprised of over 5,000 engineers and scientists, 300 of which hold PhD’s in different areas of science and technology.” He said that the last couple of years have seen significant R&D investment “in the area of big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning and autonomous systems, based on the understanding that future systems and applications will necessitate the integration of such technologies and capabilities, some of which already play an integral part in many of our existing systems.”

DIVERSIFICATION As the global defence industry finds new uses for technology, and the range of equipment becoming available to war fighters is increasingly expanding, Armada asked if the companies had added to their traditional core military products or found it necessary to diversify their business away from what would be normal development.

“Diversifying and developing our technologies is second nature to us,” said Fausset.

“Elbit’s Seagull unmanned surface vessel (USV) has seen a significant diversification from its role performing mine counter measures (MCM) to include electronic warfare, maritime security and anti-submarine warfare (ASW),” he said. One of the main focus areas for introducing unmanned platforms, whether at sea, on land or in the air has been to reduce the risk to people in carrying out dangerous tasks while cutting procurement, operating and through life costs.

Rafael too is addressing new military needs across all domains. One such product, launched last year is Fire Weaver. “We have developed a significant force multiplier - Fire Weaver - a networked battle management system designed to enable the secure exchange of real-time targeting data and the immediate management and execution of autonomous multiple target engagement for tactical level requirements and above,” explained Katz. A company video states that Fire Weaver was tested in a “many to many” sensor to shooter environment involving live fires. Another developed capability from Rafael is ROCKS, a long range air-to-surface missile. According to Katz, it “uses Rafael’s scene-matching technology that is used in our SPICE air-to-surface system, providing an unmatched capability

of hitting targets from stand-off ranges, completely immune to GPS jamming and spoofing, with extremely high precision.”

38 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

CORPORATE USPs Every company searched for unique selling point (USPs) that it believes differentiate it from its competitors. Further underlining Israel’s strategic ‘fortress’ perception in the Middle East, many Israeli defence companies are stepping up their specialisation in specific sectors.

In the case of UVision, Cohen points to the company’s “highly innovative lethal loitering munition systems based on unique aerodynamic platform configurations that meet the requirements of today’s new battlefield doctrines for combat operations in complex, dynamic environments. These solutions are tailored with outstanding flight qualities, enhanced surveillance options, advanced airborne guidance and navigation systems, precision strike capabilities, and command and control stations fully integrated with communication links.”

Cohen added that his company also cooperates with other international organisations “to provide a swift and flexible response to the needs” of customers outside Israel. He highlighted an agreement recently made with South Korean company Firstec to market the Hero-30 loitering munition.

Earlier this year, the UVision USA subsidiary was opened with the same intent.

Elbit Systems is already a global brand as Fausset attests as CEO of the UK subsidiary. Employing 500 people, he says that the company’s presence has led to a ‘deep understanding of the UK’s defence requirements.

He believes that corporate agility is one

Country Analysis special report

of Elbit’s key differentiators. “By this I mean we often adapt, update and modify our technology and equipment in response to new and emerging customer requirements.”

It is important to understand that this “cannot be achieved with a ‘one size fits all’ approach, but by tailoring (it) to individual customers and being flexible in our ability to modify technology for the end-user requirement.” Importantly, and something that plays to any Israeli defence company’s strengths, is the fact that “value for money is only delivered with products that are operational or combat proven, up to date, well maintained, and subject to investment and development.”

THIRD PARTY RELATIONSHIPS Katz is clear about where he believes Rafael sits in the international defence market.

“Beyond the fact that we provide our customers the most advanced, cutting-edge systems, tailor-made to their specific needs, we also offer after-sale support, service and maintenance, and one of our strengths lies in our ability to create partnerships, transfer production, knowledge and technology.”

Rafael, he added, is “regularly engaged in offset activities globally” citing over 100 joint ventures where the company embraces local production.

“Our policy is to create knowledge centres in customer countries that can sustain, maintain and preserve knowledge,” he explained. “We encourage cost-based competition of supply chains…(and) look for local suppliers to bring added value to the system, to make it cheaper and to provide a technological edge.” He refers to the Iron Dome air defence system where Rafael works with Raytheon Advance Defense Systems to produce the Tamir interceptor missiles in the US, and in Europe when a cooperation agreement was signed last year with Romanian company Romaero for the first export sales of the Iron Dome rocket interception system within Europe. “Rafael will allow the transfer of know-how and production of Rafael-developed systems in Romania in the framework of procurement programmes for the Romanian army,” he confirmed.

In terms of the UK, Elbit Systems has an established supply chain and Fausset is confident about future growth: “The current pace at which Elbit Systems is expanding in the UK means we anticipate further development of our regional supply chains to support our growing footprint.”

Elbit Systems’ Seagull unmanned surface vessel has diversified its capability to include additional missions such as torpedo launches to counter submarines.

Rafael’s Fire Weaver networks sensors with shooters on the battlefield managing target selection and fire allocation.

THROUGH LIFE SUPPORT “Through life support is imperative in achieving and maintaining freedom of action and operational sovereignty.

If equipment is being used by the UK, it is only logical to have a proper UK basis for support, adaptation and modification,” stated Fausset. “Investments that the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) makes in Elbit Systems will be delivered and supported from within the UK.” .

From Rafael’s perspective, it has a dedicated department in charge of after-sale support which provides training, maintenance and support to customers. “This department‘s activity is embedded into every interaction and transaction that we have with potential and existing customers.

As part of our service, our crews are present on the ground after a sale, to provide different circles of support to the customer,” concluded Katz.

SUMMARY In an article published in June 2018 by the

40 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

The Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, Dr. Uzi Rubin, the founder and first director (1991-1999) of the Israel Missile Defense Organisation in the Israel Ministry of Defense and subsequently senior director for Proliferation and Technology in the National Security Council (1999-2001), concluded with an expectation that “Israel’s defence industries will continue to avoid investments in acquirable major weapons systems and continue its ‘boutique’-style specialisations, responding to the rapidly changing requirements of future wars.”

Dr. Rubin added that there was an attraction towards developing “unmanned and remotely operated force multipliers” for all domains. He qualified that pointing out that “the rapidly-accelerating pace of battlefield robotisation will call for more autonomous fighting systems” in all domains.

He concluded that “Israel’s defence industries, constituting in essence one sector of Israel’s high tech industry, are well placed to satisfy such future needs.”

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ARMADA COMMENTARY

WINDS OF CHANGE IN THE FIGHTER MARKET Andrew Hunter

V

ery little stirs the blood in defence quite like a good fighter competition. Fighters are glamorous, eye-catching, and expensive. They are the crown jewels of military gear. This means that fighter competitions, when they are actually held, are fiercely competed. Over the last two decades, however, competition seemed more the exception than the rule. Many awards simply went to domestic industrial champions.

Industry consolidation after the end of the Cold War meant that competition took place among a smaller number of players. Meanwhile the increasing sophistication of fighters, especially their onboard electronics, meant that fighter costs grew. These trends, a decrease in the number of fighters in competition coupled with increasing costs, seemed perfectly consistent with one another and potentially immutable.

It’s no wonder then that when global defence budgets started increasing again in 2016, fighter expenditures (along with other aviation expenditures) were a big part of the story.

As I discussed in a previous column, the growth in aviation spending was impressive, but it was also likely to bump up against natural budgetary limits at some point. It turns out that this has already occurred, with US aviation spending retreating a little in 2018 and with the 2019 and 2020 defence budgets giving little reason to expect a major resumption in aviation spending growth. Even as growth in the size of the fighter market began to taper, another surprising trend has taken hold. While industry remains quite consolidated, the number of potential competitors in the market is now actually growing. The reason for this growth is an intriguing combination of old and new that potentially heralds a major shift in how we think about delivering military capability.

One of the biggest factors in increasing the number of competitors in the market is the unwillingness of 4th Generation fighters to fade away. Upgraded versions of the Lockheed Martin F-16, and Boeing F-18 and F-15 remain viable competitors in the international market and the US Department of Defense (DoD) has actually proposed to restart US Air Force (USAF) purchases from the F-15 line in 2020 for the first time in over 15 years. Other 4th Generation competitors such as Saab, Dassault, and Eurofighter continue to find market share even as the F-35 has proven to be an international sales powerhouse.

At the same time, new designs and new partnerships seemed

42 armadainternational.com - april/may 2019

poised to enter the market, adding to the competition. Boeing bid aggressively in 2018 to win the USAF trainer competition with a combined offering with Saab that seems likely to develop into a fighter/attack variant. The UK, Germany and France are all talking about developing next generation fighters as are Japan and South Korea. In the longer term, the USAF and US Navy are contemplating fighter concepts as successors to the F-35. Meanwhile, unmanned systems, such as Boeing’s MQ-25, and light attack aircraft, such as the Embraer A-29 and Textron AT-6, remain under serious consideration for purchases. Today, any modernising Air Force is presented with an almost bewildering array of choices.

The increasing competition in the fighter landscape has actually started to have an impact on cost. The upcoming dogfight between the F-15 and the F-35 that will occur as the US Congress debates the 2020 budget will consider purchase prices for these aircraft of about $80-85 million per aircraft, roughly equivalent in inflation-adjusted terms with the price of their less advanced predecessors from the 1990s. Indeed, it appears that sustainment costs, rather than purchase price, are likely to determine the winner in this debate. And the curtailment of seemingly ever-increasing aircraft prices seems likely to point to a deeper shift: a blurring of the distinction between high-end fighters and other aircraft that perform similar missions.

The classic fighter characteristics of speed, range, and payload, are being replaced by demands for data collection, communications links, and situational awareness. These capabilities are delivered by payloads, and the aircraft flying these payloads could increasingly become commodity items for many nations. In turn, the payloads are powered by software. It is quite possible that the key to success in the fighter market in coming years won’t show up in any way at airshows, but will reside in the ability to protect and upgrade mission software faster than the competition.

Such a competition could lead to unpredictable outcomes.

Writing good software and rapidly iterating it is something that the traditional organisations of defence industry and defence acquisition struggle with. As a result, we may see major shifts in fighter industry structure, profitability, and competitiveness in the coming decade depending on who is able to build advantage in this area of expertise.

The Honorary Patronage of the Republic of Poland President Mr. Andrzej Duda

27th International Defence Industry Exhibition USA LEAD NATION

3-6.09.2019, Kielce - Poland Strategic Partner

www.mspo.pl

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