BAE's superdrone Taranis to be tested at Woomera

THE most secretive piece of airspace in Australia - the RAAF-run Woomera flight test range in South Australia - will make history later this year when the world's first unmanned supersonic stealth combat aircraft makes its maiden test flight above the desert.

Extreme secrecy surrounds the joint British-French project and the drone called Taranis, named after the Celtic god of thunder and built by a British/French consortium led by aerospace giant BAE Systems.

Resembling an insect and using the delta-shaped "flying wing'' technology favoured by modern-day stealth aircraft such as America's B-2 stealth bomber, Taranis is designed to fly above the speed of sound over long distances undetected by enemy radars to attack targets with an array of precision missiles and bombs.

Unlike current generation attack drones such as Predator and Reaper, that are used extensively to attack insurgent targets in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen, Taranis will carry the latest in remote defensive technology so it can also evade missiles and hostile manned 

 Unmanned drones are unlikely to ever engage in a dog fight with a manned fighter jet, but the technology is being developed. A more likely future scenario is a long-range missile fight between combat drones.

The Woomera restricted area has already played host to a number of world firsts including the maiden flight of a scram jet engine that could power aircraft to speeds in excess 8500 kmh or Mach 7 - seven times the speed of sound.

That would enable future passenger jets to fly a sub-orbital trajectory from Sydney to London in two hours.

The rocket range is the second busiest launch pad in the world after NASA's Cape Canaveral in  Florida.

In 2009 BAE Systems flew a propeller driven drone known as a Mantis at Woomera.

The military regularly uses the range to test missiles and foreign governments use the vast test site for a variety of top-secret test missions.

The company said Taranis was designed to utilise the most advanced means possible of achieving low observability.

"This includes both the systems and technology inside the aircraft as well as the shape, design and finish of the exterior of the aircraft. This does mean that there are aspects of the exterior design of the aircraft which remain classified,'' it said.

Other details such as range and top speed are also top-secret.

The development of pilotless combat aircraft is controversial and many regard the risks of mistakes associated with removing humans from the kill chain as unacceptable.

Several American companies are also developing unmanned fighters and helicopters for land and sea based operations.

A senior American aerospace executive told News Limited that the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, being purchased by the RAAF, will be the last manned fighter built in the US.

Concept Super Drone Taranis

Taranis BEA Super Drone
 

U.K. May Alter Warship Timetable to Save Jobs at BAE Shipyards

BAE Systems Plc  and the British government are in talks to adjust warship manufacturing to avoid disruptions from reducing levels of work, according to Bernard Gray, the U.K.’s chief of defense material. 

The timing of the shipbuilding already included in the government’s equipment plan could be adjusted, Gray said yesterday at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London. “Our aim, of course, is not to form some gap where nothing happens but to have a successful transition,” he said. 

BAE, which consolidated U.K. warship building capacity in 2009, lacks work to sustain three shipyards in England and Scotland and is considering closures to adapt to demand. After completion of two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers due to start coming into service in 2018, activity will dip before the building of Type 26 frigates commences. Several thousand engineering jobs are at stake, according to the Unite union. 

“We are working with the industry to make sure we have a smooth transition between the aircraft carriers and Type 26,” Gray said. “There are a variety of choices.” 

U.K. shipbuilding is “at a multi-decade high,” said Gray, who didn’t address how many shipyards the government wants to sustain. “There is some relativity to consider here about what the appropriate size of the shipbuilding industry is going to be for a sustainable, long-term future.”

The shipyards involved in a potential adjustment are located in Portsmouth, England, and Scotstoun and Govan in Scotland. 

Overcapacity, Duplication 

BAE Chief Executive Officer Ian King said last week that discussions with the government are taking place. The company, Europe’s  largest arms manufacturer, has announced possible job cuts of as many as 3,500 workers in its U.S. naval shipyard business as the Pentagon reduces spending. 

Gray said industrial capacity concerns stretch beyond the U.K. because of multiple suppliers of frigates and four makers of aircraft carriers. “Within Europe we have overcapacity and duplication,” he said. 

The situation is similar in areas including armored vehicle production, where Europe will have 23 manufacturing programs in the next decade, Gray said. More cooperation is needed between allies, the former Financial Times journalist said. 

“The challenge for us is looking at the programs of the future -- what are we prepared to do to pool and share,” Gray said. One opportunity to cooperate could come on a future utility vehicle for ground forces, he said. 

‘Do Better’

The U.K. and France agreed in 2010 to cooperate more closely on national security issues, including on a range of defense equipment programs. A U.K. spending review in the wake of the pact and last year’s change in French government have hampered advances, stalling cooperation in missile and unmanned aircraft programs. 

“Our collective progress has not been as swift as either of us would want,” Gray said. “We should do better than this.” 

BAE said last week it will buy back shares worth as much as 1 billion pounds ($1.52 billion) over three years after demand outside the U.S. and the U.K. helped swell cash reserves. The move pleased some BAE investors, who had opposed a plan to merge with European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co. (EAD) That effort failed on opposition from the German government.

BAE wins $1.05bn defence deal

South Korea has selected British defence firm BAE Systems for a 1.3 trillion won ($A1.05 billion) project to upgrade its ageing KF-16 fighter jets.

 BAE Systems' US branch beat rival Lockheed Martin to win the deal, the Defence Acquisition and Procurement Agency said on Tuesday, adding a contract would be signed later this year.

BAE Systems will upgrade the mission computers and operating systems of 134 KF-16 fighters by 2021. The agency plans to select a separate firm to upgrade the warplanes' radars.

The KF-16 is a version of the F-16 built locally under licence from Lockheed Martin in the 1990s.

The deal comes as US and European firms including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and the makers of the Eurofighter Typhoon compete to win a $US7.3 billion ($A6.99 billion) contract for 60 advanced fighter planes.

UK - BAE could snub Portsmouth with new frigate build

Portsmouth dockyard could miss out on building the first of the Royal Navy’s new class of frigates,. A well-placed source has revealed a BAE Systems executive told them the new Type 26 programme will begin in the firm’s yards in Scotland later this decade.

It comes as BAE reviews whether to carry on building ships in Portsmouth – potentially placing 4,000 local jobs at risk.

A company spokeswoman said the decision on where it will build the Type 26s won’t be finalised until 2014.

But a Westminster source said: ‘At a meeting last week, BAE said the first Type 26 will be made in Glasgow.

‘From what BAE said, there would have to be investment in its facilities to accommodate the Type 26 in Portsmouth, so the first one will be done in Scotland.’

There are fears this will mean Portsmouth may never see any of the much-needed Type 26 work.

There will already be a gap in work from the end of 2014 when city shipbuilders complete the last parts of the navy’s aircraft carriers.

Defence economics expert Dr Michael Asteris, of the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘In the absence of alternative orders, this would be pretty bad news for Portsmouth.

‘This raises the question of what will happen to the yard in Portsmouth because mothballing it is not an option. You wonder if this is the death knell?’

BAE Systems employs 1,700 shipbuilders at Portsmouth Naval Base.

These jobs are at risk under the company’s review which began in January.

As reported last week, an economic study warned as many as 2,300 local supply chain jobs could also be lost if the defence giant stops building ships in the city.

BAE’s review is solely focused on the future of its shipbuilding division.

The 1,300 Portsmouth jobs in its ship maintenance and repair facility for the navy’s fleet are not affected and the MoD has stressed Portsmouth Naval Base will continue to be the home of the Royal Navy fleet.

As previously reported,  BAE is pushing for all 13 of the Type 26 frigates to be based in Portsmouth from 2020 to increase its fleet repair and maintenance operations within the naval base.

This could offset some job losses within the shipbuilding side of the dockyard.

Amid the uncertainty, a campaign has been launched to keep Portsmouth’s shipbuilding industry alive.

Brazilian Navy receives first OPV from BAE

BAE-built ocean patrol vessel

The Brazilian Navy has taken delivery of the first of three ocean patrol vessels (OPVs) from BAE Systems at Portsmouth Naval Base, US, in support of navy's Prosuper fleet modernisation programme.

Delivery is part of the Brazilian Navy's $186m deal with BAE for the purchase of three OPVs, originally built by BAE for the Trinidad and Tobago coast guard to perform intercepting and emergency relief operations in the Caribbean region.

In addition to providing three already-built 90m-long, 2,200t OPVs, the deal includes an additional £13m for training and support by BAE with an option to locally build another five OPVs to the Brazilian Navy.

BAE Systems's naval ships business managing director Mick Ord said: "The handover of the first ship marks both a significant stage in the programme and the close working relationship we are forming with Brazil.

"I am sure these highly capable vessels will be a great asset to the Brazilian Navy."

"The handover of the first ship marks both a significant stage in the programme and the close working relationship we are forming with Brazil."

Capable of carrying a crew of 70, with additional accommodation for 50 troops or passengers, the vessel features a helicopter flight deck, 30mm and 25mm cannons and can cruise at a speed of 25k when fully loaded.

The deal was originally signed in 2007 for the construction of three OPVs and supported by the UK Government, but was cancelled in September 2010 over delays relating to delivery timelines.

The second and third vessels are scheduled for delivery to the Brazilian Navy in December 2012 and 2013 respectively.

The Brazilian Navy fleet modernisation programme also involves acquisition of five frigate-class boats and one support ship.

BAE Systems wins $15m contract to swap subs' periscope systems

BAE periscope program senior quality engineer Mike McMonagle conducts an optical alignment inspection.

BAE Systems has won a $15 million contract to replace periscope systems in the Collins class submarines with work flowing through its Mawson Lakes workshop.

The contract will see the current outdated analogue electronic sub-system in the first of the six Collins class submarines replaced with a new digital system.

There were hopes that once the first system was replaced and proved successful, BAE would win further work to replace the periscope systems in the remaining five submarines.

BAE Systems will work with Thales Optronics in Glasgow, Scotland, for the next 26 months through the design, develop and manufacture of the one attack and one search periscope system, before installation in Adelaide.

BAE Land and Integrated Systems director Kim Scott said the company had been supporting the Collins class submarines' periscope systems for more than two decades when the warships were first launched.

Periscope Systems project manager Hugh Cardle said the periscope system - made up of the one attack and one search periscope - were the vital "eyes" in the Collins.

They were housed in 12.5 metre-long tubes that were raised and lowered about six metres.

"(The current system) was first designed in the '80s so the old electronics are getting obsolete," Mr Cardle said.

"We have negotiated an in-country offset arrangement with Thales Optronics in Glasgow; they are the designers and we are the local in-country builders and maintainers."

Two periscopes have been provided to the UK to be stripped and fitted out.

BAE maintains and supports the periscope systems in the Collins subs with about 16 staff spread through two workshops in Mawson Lakes and Garden Island in WA.

BAE worked with Thales Optronics on installing the first periscope system into the submarine HMAS Collins in the early '90s. Local work then stepped up to about 80 per cent on the last sub.

"Then we won a support contract in 2002 of about $5 million over five years to maintain the periscope systems," Mr Cardle said.

BAE Systems Delivers First U.S. Navy Submarine Propulsor from Louisville Facility, Receives Additional $24.3 Million Contract

BAE Systems recently delivered its first Louisville-produced submarine propulsion system to the U.S. Navy. The propulsor will be integrated in the U.S. Navy Virginia class submarine, USS John Warner.

This delivery is an important step in strengthening BAE Systems' Naval Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Louisville, Ky., following its move from Minneapolis last year.

BAE Systems also received a $24.3 million firm-fixed price contract for its Virginia Class Propulsor Program from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to continue building key components of the fixed propulsor system on Virginia class submarines.

"This delivery and contract award continues BAE Systems' legacy as a premier supplier of propulsors to the Navy's undersea fleet, and marks a significant achievement for our Louisville community and Navy customer," said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Weapon Systems for BAE Systems.

Last year, BAE Systems began manufacturing propulsors at its Louisville facility, bringing the work closer to the U.S. Navy customer and more jobs to the region. By the end of 2012, BAE Systems will transfer all naval gun manufacturing to Louisville.

The contract award includes funding for the development of fixed propulsor systems, tailcones and associated spare hardware to be complete by the end of 2014. Previous contracts for this project include propulsors for the Seawolf class submarine and the initial 14 propulsors for the Virginia class.

Test Demonstrates APKWS’® Short-Range Accuracy and Penetrator Warhead Performance

At one-third of the cost and one-third of the weight of existing inventory of laser-guided weapons, APKWS proves it is the precise, rapid-fire missile system for today’s warfighter.

Recent tests at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida – deemed  successful by U.S. Army and Navy representatives – illustrate the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System’s exceptional capability to engage targets at close range and penetrate complex targets. 

“This weapon, now deployed in Afghanistan, continues to prove it is a precise rapid-fire missile system, available at one-third of the cost and one-third of the weight of the existing inventory of laser-guided weapons,” said John Watkins, director of Precision Guidance Solutions for BAE Systems. “These tests demonstrated APKWS’ ability to hit targets at close range and penetrate complex targets in urban terrain, which is vital when supporting troops on the ground.”

Using inert M282 warheads with unmodified flight software, APKWS engaged six targets from airborne helicopters at ranges of 1.5 to 4 kilometers. All six shots hit the target less than a meter from the laser spot. During two live warhead ground shots, APKWS rockets with the M282 warheads penetrated a triple brick wall and an M114 armored personnel carrier.

Using standard M151 warheads, APKWS engaged targets from airborne helicopters at ranges of 1.1 and 1.2 kilometers. APKWS engaged four additional targets with M151 warheads at various ranges and off-axis angles from 0 to 14 degrees. All six APKWS shots with M151 warheads hit the target less than a meter from the laser spot. Based on these results, the system’s off-axis performance was verified and its short-range performance expanded from the threshold specification of 1.5 kilometers down to 1.1 kilometers.

BAE Systems manufactures the weapon, which was shot for the first time in combat operations in Afghanistan from AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters supporting U.S. Marine Corps ground forces in March. The system’s semi-active laser guidance section integrates with existing 2.75-inch (70mm) rocket motors and warheads to provide precision engagement of soft and lightly armored targets and very low collateral damage.

APKWS can be fired from any helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft that can launch 2.75-inch rockets. BAE Systems fired its first APKWS from a fixed-wing aircraft, a Hawker Beechcraft AT-6C, in January. APKWS is qualified on the AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters, and BAE Systems anticipates that the U.S. military will expand its use to other platforms, including the MQ-8B Fire Scout and the armed MH-60B.