Posted on 05/07/2003 8:16:47 AM PDT by Stand Watch Listen
A Block IV Tactical Tomahawk cruise missile--built by Raytheon Missile Systems--has been launched for the first time from an operational surface combatant equipped with the Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System. The test, conducted in the Naval Air Systems Command sea range off southern California, marked the beginning of the final phase of government evaluation of the new missile.The missile--launched from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem--was the first of four scheduled for launch from ships and submarines during the missile's operational test phase. During the 5 April test, the missile "established a satellite link with its launch platform and passed numerous tactical messages to demonstrate its real-time command and control communication capability," according to a Navy statement. The missile flew 780 nautical miles to its target while using the Global Positioning System to update its navigation.
A test flight conducted on 21 March at the White Sands Missile Range, N.M., marked the first live test of the Penetrator variant of the Tactical Tomahawk. This variant--developed under an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration sponsored by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Naval Air Systems Command--is designed to defeat weapons of mass destruction. The Penetrator variant is fitted with a Hard Target Smart Fuze, also developed under DTRA sponsorship.
The 21 March test "demonstrates the significant versatility of the Tactical Tomahawk to support a variety of payload options that can be delivered at extended ranges, making it a highly effective weapon choice," said Louise Francesconi, president of Raytheon Missile Systems.
Among the improvements incorporated in the Tactical Tomahawk are systems that upgrade the missile's in-flight-retargeting, tactical-loiter, and battle-damage-assessment capabilities, as well as mission planning on board the launch platform and the ability to transmit in-flight health and status reports.
In a related development, Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems has been awarded a $13.8 million Naval Sea Systems Command contract to continue work on integration of the Tactical Tomahawk with the Mk41 Vertical Launching System as part of the Navy's Cruiser Conversion Program--an effort to upgrade 22 of the 27 Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers with enhanced combat capabilities.
The Tactical Tomahawk is scheduled to reach initial operational capability in mid-2004. Raytheon officials say that the cost of the Block IV will be less than half that of the current Block II and III versions of the Tomahawk.
NGSS Awarded Contracts For Deepwater Cutter Design
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) has been awarded two contracts from Integrated Coast Guard Systems (ICGS) for detailed design and long-lead material procurement for the first National Security Cutter (NSC).
The two contracts, totaling $129 million, mark a major step forward in the development and delivery of the new class of cutters, which are intended to replace the Coast Guard's current fleet of high-endurance cutters. The NSC is the only mandated component of the Integrated Deepwater Program, the Coast Guard's recapitalization initiative to modernize and replace its rapidly aging ships, aircraft, and systems.
ICGS, prime contractor for the Deepwater Program, is a joint venture of NGSS and Lockheed Martin.
NGSS will begin detailed design of the NSC at the New Orleans Engineering Center of Excellence, where the company completed its preliminary and contract design phase for the new cutter. NGSS expects to begin fabrication of the first NSC in mid-2004 and to deliver the ship in 2006.
"We are extremely pleased with this announcement, as it supports our design effort in the U.S. Coast Guard's Deepwater Program," said Philip A. Dur, president of NGSS and corporate vice president of Northrop Grumman. "These contracts will provide the means necessary to produce a detailed design and allow us to purchase long-lead materials for the first ship.
"Now more than ever, the Coast Guard needs a modern force of National Security Cutters to defend our interests against those who would threaten the security of our homeland," Dur said.
Lockheed Martin SPY-1 Mods Succeed in Tracking Tests
Two new-generation variants of the SPY-1 radar--a major component of the Aegis Weapon System designed and built by Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems (LM NE&SS)--have completed tests involving the tracking of live targets.
The first production SPY-1D(V) radar--a feature of the seventh generation of the Aegis system--has demonstrated its ability to track live air tracks during the first live shipboard testing of the new radar. The SPY-1D(V) is designed to enhance operation of the Aegis system in a littoral environment and to more effectively defeat electronic countermeasures.
The upgraded Aegis system--which is the first to incorporate complete commercial-off-the-shelf Aegis advanced processing computer architecture, and represents a major step toward an open architecture--will be introduced to the fleet when it is installed on the 41st Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Pinckney (DDG 91), which is scheduled for sea trials in August 2003. A total of 22 DDGs are expected to be equipped with the SPY-1D(V).
The newest SPY-1 variant, the SPY-1F, also has successfully demonstrated its ability to track live air targets. The SPY-1F is planned for installation on five Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates being built by IZAR (of Ferrol, Spain) and Lockheed Martin for the Royal Norwegian Navy. The first SPY-1F will remain at the LM NE&SS facility in Moorestown, N.J., through 2003 and eventually will be installed in the lead ship of the class.
Boeing Proposes Data Link For Harpoon Missile
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems--which has successfully marketed the Harpoon Block II cruise missile to nine foreign nations--has proposed an enhancement to the Block II that would improve its strike capability by increasing its precision and flexibility. The upgraded version, designated Harpoon 21, would include a data link to permit targeting updates while the missile is en route to its target.
The Harpoon cruise missile, which added a potent blue-water cruise-missile capability to ships and aircraft of the U.S. and allied Navies, was given a littoral and coastal land-attack capability with the introduction of the precision Block II version. The upgraded missile has a range greater than 67 nautical miles and can reach a target 60 nautical miles away in less than eight minutes. The Global Positioning System (GPS), integrated with the missile's inertial navigation system, improved the missile's accuracy sevenfold in terms of target-to-ship selectivity and tenfold in terms of target-to-shore selectivity.
The integration of a data link in the Block II is designed to allow in-flight target updates transmitted from airborne platforms such as an SH-60B or MH-60R helicopter or an unmanned aerial vehicle. The updates would reduce the search area to a search point and enable the crew to either retarget the missile or abort the attack. Feedback from the missile--GPS coordinates or radar video, depending upon customer requirements--would allow a bomb-impact assessment.
The Harpoon 21 is based on the Block II version of the missile and includes a data-link transmitter/receiver and its associated antenna. Link 16 is among the link systems being considered.
Boeing officials point out the compatibility of Harpoon 21 with network-centric warfare and the Sea Strike pillar of the Sea Power 21 strategy advocated by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark.
The cost estimate of Harpoon 21 is evolving, said James W. O'Neill, general manager for naval weapons with Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. The company has invested more than $90 million in development of the Block II version. Boeing officials also point out that the current inventory of Harpoon Block 1Cs could be remanufactured into Harpoon 21s at relatively low cost.
ESSM Completes OPEVAL With "Flying Colors"
The Raytheon-built RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) has completed the Navy's operational evaluation and awaits final assessment by the commander of the Navy's Operational Test and Evaluation Force.
"Preliminary data indicates it will be a positive assessment," said Capt. Ken Graber, the Navy's ESSM program manager, at the Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition in Washington, D.C.
The ESSM passed the evaluation "with flying colors," said Neil King, domestic launcher programs manager for Lockheed Martin, which builds the Mk41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) that will serve as the ESSM launcher in many U.S. Navy and foreign ships.
In March, the ESSM passed the Navy's technical evaluation, conducted in the form of two test firings from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG) USS Shoup.
The RIM-162 ESSM--a kinematic upgrade to the RIM-7P NATO SeaSparrow--is designed to defend against faster, lower-flying, highly maneuverable antiship cruise missiles.
The ESSM--scheduled for initial operational capability in 2006--is being developed by a consortium of 10 nations, seven of which also are participating in the development of a system that can launch the ESSM from a quadpack inserted in a Mk41 VLS. The international nature of the ESSM program is expected to reduce the cost of the program by 50 percent.
Because the ESSM is manufactured on the same Raytheon production line as the Standard surface-to-air missile, economies of scale can be achieved more easily by interspersing production of the two missiles according to the requirements of the customers.
The Baseline IV and later configurations of the Mk41 VLS will be capable of launching the ESSM from DDG 79 and subsequent Arleigh Burke-class DDGs. The ESSM Mk41 launching system also will be retrofitted in Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers CG 52 though CG 73 as part of the Cruiser Conversion Program.
Raytheon Team Broaches BUBL
An advanced submarine payload launcher has been successfully tested in water, according to the Raytheon Company, leader of the four-member Forward Payloads and Sensors for Submarines (Forward PASS) consortium.
The Broaching Universal Buoyant Launcher (BUBL) has recently demonstrated "hydrodynamic stability and
hydrostatic robustness," according to Steve Brecken of Raytheon's Media Relations.The BUBL concept envisions a universal weapon encapsulation capability that would permit any payload--
including present and future missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles--to be deployed from any submarine under any operating conditions. The BUBL program--which encompasses the construction of prototype capsule structures, electronics, sensor, and power subsystems--is expected to culminate in the launch of an Army missile airframe. If the program is successful, initial operational capability of the BUBL could be achieved by 2007, depending on the payloads selected."The successful BUBL demonstration and test is a true testament to the value of focus and collaboration," said Richard Buchanan, vice president of submarine and undersea systems for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems. "The Forward PASS consortium is a model partnership with the cooperative teaming on government and industry talents working together to bring the best possible products to the fleet."
Teamed with Raytheon in the Forward PASS consortium are Electric Boat Corporation--a General Dynamics company--and TPI Composites. The Naval Undersea Warfare Center's Newport Division in Newport, R.I., is providing support for the program.
Defense Industry Notes
* Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems has been awarded a $164.2 million Naval Sea Systems Command contract for engineering the Aegis Weapon System for a Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force under the Foreign Military Sales program.
* Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove has signed legislation authorizing proceeds from the sale of $48 million in bonds to help Northrop Grumman Ship Systems (NGSS) expand and modernize the company's Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss. NGSS also is allocating $96 million of its own capital to the expansion of Ingalls and its Gulfport Operations in Gulfport, Miss. Among the planned improvements at Ingalls are the addition of new blasting and painting halls, a state-of-the-art automated steel processing panel line, additional technology design and procurement space, and an increase, of more than 400,000 square feet, in the ship construction area available for the Navy DD(X) and Coast Guard Deepwater programs. Gulfport Operations is scheduled for a three-year conversion into the first primary composite combatant-ship manufacturing facility.
* Vision Systems International--a joint venture between EFW Inc. and Rockwell Collins--has been awarded a $60.1 million contract from Boeing for a third low-rate initial production batch of more than 300 Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCSs). The JHMCS provides the pilots of Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 strike fighters and Air Force F-15 and F-16 fighters with accurate weapon and flight symbology (projected on the helmet's visor) to enable head-up, eyes-out operation during air-to-air and air-to-ground strike missions.
* Isotta Fraschini--an Italian company with a North American subsidiary, Isotta-FDGM in Chesapeake, Va.--provided engineering support for U.S. Navy mine warfare ships staged in the Persian Gulf during the war in Iraq. The Navy's minehunters and minesweepers are powered by Isotta Fraschini non-magnetic diesel engines. The company has established full-service support facilities for the Navy's mine warfare ships in Ingleside, Texas; Sasebo, Japan; and Bahrain.
* Electric Boat Corporation--a General Dynamics company--has been awarded a $59.3 million Naval Sea Systems Command contract for lead yard services in support of the construction of Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.
* Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems has teamed with Advanced Acoustic Concepts to pursue the Navy procurement contract for the Surface Ship Torpedo Defense program. The team's concept includes acoustic sensors to detect incoming torpedoes; decision aids to classify, identify, and localize targets; and command-and-control technology to engage countermeasures and/or launch an anti-torpedo torpedo.
* DRS Technologies has been awarded Naval Sea Systems Command contracts worth a total of $66.4 million to provide power electronics and control equipment for several classes of Navy combatant ships, advanced design work for the next-generation DD(X) destroyer and CVN 21 aircraft carrier programs, and engineering and technical services for surface combat system computer networks.
* Northrop Grumman Ship Systems has delivered the 39th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer to the Navy two months ahead of schedule. The Mustin (DDG 89)--the 18th ship of the class built at NGSS Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss.--is scheduled for commissioning on 26 July 2003 in San Diego, Calif.
* Raytheon has been awarded a $45.5 million Naval Sea Systems Command contract modification for Block 1B upgrades to the Mk15 CIWS (Close-In Weapons System) deployed on many Navy ships.
* The commissioning of the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan--originally scheduled for 10 May 2003--has been postponed because of construction delays. The CVN--built by Northrop Grumman Newport News Operations--is now scheduled to be commissioned on 12 July 2003.
* The System 3000 high-resolution side-scan sonar--built by Klein Associates Inc.--has been employed by the Navy Supervisor of Salvage and by Phoenix International in the search operation for debris from the space shuttle Columbia. The sonar has been deployed to conduct searches of four lakes in Texas. *
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