Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

[brar_w]

If you put a centerline power jamming pod on the F-35 it will actually become a better escort jammer than the Growler. The Growler suffers in that mission on account of two reasons - One being the power requirements from its pods forcing them to be quite large, and the other being the stand off jamming mission, particularly when full spectrum jamming is concerned. It really needs to carry 3 pods to account for the spectrum and the number of threats a stand off jamming platform needs to degrade or deny. There was a program back int he early 90's to develop a dedicated Low (er) power pod for the Prowler (still had a RAT but lower power requirements, smaller footprint) for the escort mission but it went nowhere and they didn't think about it again when they created the Growler. The mission makes it unable to keep up with packages given its speed, and TOS when factoring in that mission. Its a deficiency that comes with the trade-space since they want the Growler to act as both a stand off and escort jamming platform, and do so against the full spectrum threat..Stand off Jamming is where the Growler comes into its own since it has the spectrum diversity and the power to suppress from range.

The size, weight and power requirement for the Next Generation Jammer would make it even less useful in an escort role. The integration RAT solution that was rejected still tripled the power generation capability compared to the current pods. Raytheon is rumored to have chosen something even more powerful. For escort jamming, or even DEAD the F-35 with an external pod is a better option anyways and for purely DEAD so is the EA-18G minus the pods (with just the AN/ALQ-218) under the passive Growler concept where all you are doing is putting AARGM's on emitters.

For most users however the F-35 with its active/passive internal self-protection suite will suffice unless of course you are tasked with escorting heavy fighters as the IDF may end up doing given their F-15I's. It's much cheaper and elegant to put a high power jammer on the F-35 than to convert their F-15I fleet into a Growler like variant which may actually be quite impractical to do.

[NRao]

^^^ article is planting bias memes in the janata...

The source. Mouthpiece. To be expected.

If the above article is true, then please let it be the F-18. Pretty please

P.S. Can I click my heels on the yellow brick road and wish it was the Growler?

If one, then the F-16 IMHO.

Chances are both could come. I do not expect the Growler, especially a MII.

[Indranil]

What does this mean: Tender for GaN HEMT DEVICE CGH40120F

Please reply only if you know this field sufficiently well.

[Austin]

Saab pledges major investment if Gripen E wins IAF deal

http://www.janes.com/article/66248/saab ... s-iaf-deal

Saab has pledged to support the development in India of a "future-ready aerospace ecosystem" if its Gripen E multirole combat aircraft is selected to meet an Indian Air Force (IAF) requirement for single-engine fighters.

In comments to IHS Jane's on 13 December, Jan Widerström, Saab India Technologies' chairman and managing director, confirmed that Saab recently responded to the Indian government's request for information to support the procurement programme.

Saab is understood to be challenging for the contract against Lockheed Martin, which is offering the latest version of its F-16 Fighting Falcon. The deal is framed around a requirement for localised production and could be worth about USD12 billion as the IAF looks to procure up to 150 aircraft to replace its ageing Russian MiG-21 and MiG-27 fighter aircraft.

Widerström said, "We formally responded to the Indian government in October, expressing our willingness to manufacture Gripen E in India, in line with the 'Make in India' vision. Our aim is to work closely with Indian industry to develop the world's most advanced fighter aircraft, and a complete future-ready aerospace ecosystem in India in the coming years."

Widerström explained that Saab's proposal includes the establishment in India of a modern facility that is fully capable of developing and producing advanced fighter aircraft.

"We have a blueprint for a comprehensive 'Make in India' programme for the Gripen E, which includes the setting up of a full manufacturing facility, at par with our Gripen E facility in Sweden," he said. "[It also includes] transfers of technology, the setting up of an aerospace ecosystem, the development of a local supplier base, and employment of a well-trained workforce."

Widerström added, "We're not looking at this as component production or the transfer of an old assembly line. We will build a full spectrum of capabilities in India.

[prasannasimha]

Sara's development seems to be back n track

[brar_w]

What does this mean: Tender for GaN HEMT DEVICE CGH40120F

Please reply only if you know this field sufficiently well.

It appears to be for this -

http://www.wolfspeed.com/downloads/dl/f ... 40120f.pdf

[ramana]

Sara's development seems to be back n track

Good news on SARAS.

They did a lot with little.

[Nick_S]

Dinakar Peri ‏@dperi84 2h2 hours ago
#DAC approves 6 multi mission maritime aircraft 4 Coast Guard, cost Rs. 5500 crore. Suites to b designed by DRDO

Dinakar Peri ‏@dperi84 2h2 hours ago
Proposal for 1500 NBC systems for Infantry vehicles worth Rs. 1265 crore cleared by DAC, to be built by #BEL

Dinakar Peri ‏@dperi84 2h2 hours ago
#DAC approves proposal for 55 3D low level light radars designed by #DRDO for Army and IAF, cost Rs. 419 crore

Dinakar Peri ‏@dperi84 2h2 hours ago
DAC headed @manoharparrikar clears proposal for 1 C-17 heavy lift aircraft 4m @BoeingDefense. Will add to existing 10

Lol, C-17 is already out of production.

https://twitter.com/dperi84

[A Deshmukh]

http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/iaf-to-get-another-c-17-heavy-transport-aircraft-dac-gives-nod/484412/

[Cybaru]

which 6 multi mission crafts are these? Had they been shortlisted already?

[Karan M]

Dinakar Peri ‏@dperi84 2h2 hours ago
#DAC approves 6 multi mission maritime aircraft 4 Coast Guard, cost Rs. 5500 crore. Suites to b designed by DRDO

Dinakar Peri ‏@dperi84 2h2 hours ago
Proposal for 1500 NBC systems for Infantry vehicles worth Rs. 1265 crore cleared by DAC, to be built by #BEL

Dinakar Peri ‏@dperi84 2h2 hours ago
#DAC approves proposal for 55 3D low level light radars designed by #DRDO for Army and IAF, cost Rs. 419 crore

Dinakar Peri ‏@dperi84 2h2 hours ago
DAC headed @manoharparrikar clears proposal for 1 C-17 heavy lift aircraft 4m @BoeingDefense. Will add to existing 10

Lol, C-17 is already out of production.

https://twitter.com/dperi84

Huge win for India and DRDO.1500 crores of CBRN gear basically which is DRDO and BEL, 55 radars and six mission suites.

Good going Parrikar sir, services, DRDO and BEL. All worked together.

Also note report of procurements for Special Forces, as i had predicted PMO and MOD will prioritize these. They are the tip of the spear and have proven themselves to Modi and GOI with the strike in Myanmar snd TSP.

[Karan M]

It will be interesting to see which radars. Aslesha and Bharani or all 3D Aslesha variants. Way back in 1997, I had predicted India would steadily indigenize it radars after seeing the effort for Akash. Glad to see it coming true. One step at a time.

[Kakkaji]

Government to fund defence MSME work up to Rs 10 crore

In the first round, six projects have been identified for the Technology Development Fund (TDF) plan, in which the government will fund the development of technologies or a prototype by selected companies that has to be completed within two years.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation will oversee the execution. Among the projects chosen to initiate the plan are light weight bulletproof materials for the Army that can be used to make bulletproof jackets and vehicles.

Another project is to develop and demonstrate a series of fuel cells to meet different requirements of the Army.

[shiv]

Lol, C-17 is already out of production.

https://twitter.com/dperi84

There is one "white tail" C-17 available which is being bought in the "Nick" of time - pun intended

[shiv]

which 6 multi mission crafts are these? Had they been shortlisted already?

Guessing here: Do 228

[Karthik S]

Lol, C-17 is already out of production.

https://twitter.com/dperi84

There is one "white tail" C-17 available which is being bought in the "Nick" of time - pun intended

Thank starts for that, good thing is that it can immediately join the IAF.
OT, there was option for 6 more IIRC over initial order of 10. If that were the requirement, what will we do for the remaining 5.

[pkudva]

Its been really glad to see the DAC happening on Monthly Basis, but the concern still remains is the conversion of the AON to Contracts.

Thats Pretty Bad, some of critical contracts have been stuck for Yrs and see no light of the day. Hope RM & FM reviews it and get CCS clearance.

Until we have a specified period between AON and CCS Clearance all this will look good only on Paper.

Also dedicated review of DRDO Projects must take Place & accountability must be tagged on them for timely & quality oriented delivery of systems.

Jai Hind!!!

[shiv]

Sara's development seems to be back n track

Is this chaiwala or news item?

[Gyan]

DRDO brouchure Displayed C-295 based MPA

[Cybaru]

Thats what I am thinking but that C295 thing hasn't taken off. Would be great as an MPA, emergency refueler, avro replacement, transport and Do-228 replacement as well. I do hope its not another 6 do-228. They are decent but not enough payload or range.

[Gyan]

Dornier MPA would be ₹ 200 cr each and not ₹ 900 cr each

[Cybaru]

Good point Gyan! 200 crores fully kitted out?

[Gyan]

Yes

[Neela]

What does this mean: Tender for GaN HEMT DEVICE CGH40120F

Please reply only if you know this field sufficiently well.

It appears to be for this -

http://www.wolfspeed.com/downloads/dl/f ... 40120f.pdf

Looking at the Freq vs Gain in the specifications, it could be used for L band radars.
But i am no expert of use-cases. I work lower down chain where I interface with manufacturers producing GaN development kits.

[Neela]

I would expect the specified GaN device to be in US exports control list given the nature of the possible end use.
Reason: I was asked specifically if I work in GaN process when applying for a US visa. I had to declare that the company I work for makes components for power adapters and GaN offers smaller form factors and higher power density.
(Power adapters - the ones that you stick into your power sockets to charge mobile phones)#

[Prem]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt6XJTyeO28
Now, India to make Carl-Gustaf guns ( upgraded version)

[Sumair]

Admins can we start a separate “Make in India” thread exclusively to list and follow all the projects under this initiative including the civilian ones.

[arshyam]

^^ Fire away: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6907

[brar_w]

It appears to be for this -

http://www.wolfspeed.com/downloads/dl/f ... 40120f.pdf

Looking at the Freq vs Gain in the specifications, it could be used for L band radars.
But i am no expert of use-cases. I work lower down chain where I interface with manufacturers producing GaN development kits.

There are a few suppliers that now stock up on Cree (WS) and Qorvo GaN RF components and market them in India. Keep in mind that the non ITAR components on offer have more commercial applications. Most of the interesting (military) stuff is ITAR controlled. Even on the PA side there are quite a few GaN products that are not export-controlled, but of course the ones that one is likely to demand almost exclusively for such applications are.

I would expect the specified GaN device to be in US exports control list given the nature of the possible end use.

The product in question doesn't appear to be so. Mouser is marketing in India for ₹ 21,199.50. Cree markets this a lot to telecommunication firms on the commercial side.

[Neela]

brar_w

Possibly the 120W power output of this device has been superseded by more "power"ful ones and hence made available for commercial use.

[brar_w]

brar_w

Possibly the 120W power output of this device has been superseded by more "power"ful ones and hence made available for commercial use.

From my understanding the product has been exportable since late 2014 / early 2015 and is widely used commercially across the world. In fact its current usage/demand is more on the commercial side than the defense sector. There are various things they look at for ITAR and export restrictions. From the top of my head wide band gap, high power, high PAE and frequency matters a lot with the higher frequency systems naturally being protected. Commercial market for GaN components will continue to be many times the defense market even as virtually all defense RF components rapidly transition to GaN.

Note that virtually all new ground based AESA radars in the US are GaN, GaAs ones are or have already been upgraded to GaAs (L Band surveilance radars, X-Band TPY-2, and S-Band G/ATOR) all new Electronic Attack solutions are GaN, and all new data-links and communication nodes are being designed around GaN components but the commercial (Base-stations) side is really dictating the market and the demand will continue to outpace the defense side. The shift here is more remarkable than when they transitioned to GaAs especially in the defense radar, electronic warfare, and communications side.

There are plenty of Export restricted, GaN products on Cree, Triquint/Qorvo's product list and of course the 100% defense focused foundries of Raytheon, Northrop, BaE and others. Outside of the F-35 program only Lockheed with its Open Foundry concept goes to Wolfspeed or Qorvo for its GaN components which until recently have revolved around large surveillance radars operating in the L and S bands.

Possibly the 120W power output of this device has been superseded by more "power"ful ones and hence made available for commercial use.

Yes. Note that the particular GaN HEMT product was first made available in the market in 2008 so it's been around for a while and has obviously be superseded by many more modern products on the military and commercial side.

2013 - 500-W, 1200 – 1400-MHz, GaN HEMT, Drain Eff. 68% Power Gain 16dB

Cree releases two new GaN HEMTs for L-Band radar systems

2016 - 800-W, 1200 – 1400-MHz, GaN HEMT, Drain Eff. 65% Power Gain 16dB

Wolfspeed releases highest power L-Band radar GaN HEMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbSS0AEHWUI

[Aditya G]

Credit due to Parrikar for effectively managing the procurement process in MoD. He lives up to his IIT name!

https://www.myind.net/2016-review-modi- ... eparedness

One of the reasons that the current Indian government won a decisive five-year mandate in the 2014 parliamentary elections was because the youth of the country longed for a militarily strong and self-reliant country. Judging by its defense preparedness efforts in the year 2016, the government has met expectations, perhaps exceeded them.

The government is vigorously clearing the defense procurement logjam caused by the paralysis by analysis of the previous government. (Rafale MMRC, M777 lightweight howitzers.) Through regular meetings of the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC), the government is clearing weapon system procurements for the Armed Forces, favoring indigenous manufacture wherever possible. (83 Tejas Mk-1A, 464 Russian T-90MS, etc.)

Upgrade contracts are keeping weapon systems relevant while saving costs. (Kilo Class and Shishumar class subs, Kamov Ka-28 anti-submarine helicopters, BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicles etc.) The nature of the MoUs signed and the RFIs released show that the government has its eyes set on the future. (Passive Surveillance System, S-400, etc.)

.We have compiled for our readers a comprehensive list of landmark events during the year that is set to close, to illustrate the government's relentless pursuit of a policy aimed at plugging gaps in defense preparedness caused by years of policy drift, and rejuvenating defense R&D.
For a proper perspective, the list of landmark events has been compiled under the following headings.
Weapon System Inductions
Weapon System Orders
Weapon System Procurement Approvals
Weapon System Upgrades
Weapon System Procurement Pipeline
Indigenous Weapon System Development Landmarks
Indigenous Weapon System Development Setbacks / Delays
- See more at: https://www.myind.net/2016-review-modi- ... ness#.dpuf

....

[VinodTK]

Qatar, India, Italy purchase Raytheon Stinger missiles

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Raytheon has received a $207.9 million contract to produce Stinger missiles and supporting equipment for foreign military sales to Qatar, India and Italy.

The contract covers production for Stinger FIM-92H Block 1 missiles, FIM-92F Block 1 missiles, spares, captive flight trainers, and other training devices. Work is set to be performed at Raytheon's facility in Tucson, Ariz., and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2020.
:
:
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[Bheeshma]

Why?? We already have SA-16 and 18. Is it for the AH-64D?

[brar_w]

Why?? We already have SA-16 and 18. Is it for the AH-64D?

Yes. For the AH-64E.

http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/in ... elicopters

[Prem]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 264990.cms

US offers big-ticket military tie-ups with India

op government sources said the two projects would be discussed threadbare in the ensuing DTTI meeting (probably February) after the Donald Trump administration takes over in the US on January 20. India has already shown interest in the US offer for participation in its "future vertical-lift (FVL) aircraft" programme, which includes development of five different helicopters or "capability sets" over the next 15 years at a cost of around $8 billion, said the sources.The US has also suggested that the future infantry combat vehicle (FICV) project can be a trilateral venture with the inclusion of Israel. India is in a wait-and-watch mode about this proposal since it's trying to finalise its own Rs 60,000-crore FICV project, with two private sector players and the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in the reckoning for prototype development, as was earlier reported by TOI+ .
The earlier projects offered by the US under the DTTI were quite modest in nature despite India looking for "unique and transformative military technologies" to give its armed forces a decisive edge over its rivals. With the US now officially designating India as a "major defence partner" at par with its closest allies to facilitate the transfer of advanced technology, the two new projects are quite ambitious in scope.But India is unlikely to go in for all the five types of helicopters, which range from light-weight to heavy-lift ones. India and Russia, for instance, have already finalised the production of 200 Kamov-226T light-utility helicopters worth $1 billion, while Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. is also independently tasked to develop 187 similar choppers.India has also inked $3.1 billion deal for 22 Apache attack and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from the US, which are slated for delivery in 2019-2020. Nevertheless, the Indian armed forces are in the hunt for 1,200 helicopters of different types over the next 15-20 years to replace their ageing fleets at an estimated cost of over Rs 1.5 lakh crore."We can choose the kind of helicopters that suit our interests. Moreover, one to two products are also being identified under each of the seven joint working groups under the DTTI," said a source. Of the first four "pathfinder projects", India has finalised two —mobile generators and nextgen protective ensemble — worth $2 million.

[Neshant]

I wonder if India could convince Japan to jointly develop the AMCA.
Surely some of their technologies and even training apparatus developed for their F-3 could be repurposed for the AMCA.
Their F-3 fighter as of 2014 :

[VinodTK]

^^^ I allways thought it would be an excellent idea to work with Japan to develop Indian aeronautics industry and South Korea to develop tanks.

[Singha]

Japan will continue to hurt themselves with unviable go it alone projects rather than work with india

[brar_w]

The demonstrator is not the F-3. It's something they are using to develop and test some of the potential capabilities. They will wait and decide on what to do with the F-3 and a go-no-go decision will probably come closer to the end of the decade.

Japan has the technical capability to make a fairly decent 5th generation aircraft but for them it's always been about the cost. I wouldn't yet rule out an F-2 like F-35 variant either or them looking to see what comes of the USAF PCA and USN FA-XX studies and analysis. The political climate that prevented them from getting the F-22 is unlikely to exist now and they could well join any future US program as partners.