WEAPONS SYSTEMS

India’s DRDO conducts first flight test of Pralay missile

// Credit: G3-Working Dog Kennel System. Credit: G3 Systems

India’s DRDO conducts first Pralay missile flight test


The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced the successful first test launch of the new generation surface-to-surface missile, Pralay. All sub-systems of the surface-to-surface missile delivered a satisfactory performance in the test.


Conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the flight test took place from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast of Odisha on 22 December. All the mission objectives were met with “high accuracy” and the missile followed a quasi-ballistic trajectory. It reached the destined target, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms, the MoD stated.


According to the MoD, all the sensors deployed near the impact point across the eastern coast monitored the missile trajectory and captured all the activities.


Equipped with a solid-propellant rocket motor, the missile can be launched from a mobile launcher. It has a range of 150km to 500km. The missile guidance system features an advanced navigation system and integrated avionics.

project

UK and Japan to jointly develop future fighter jet engine demonstrator


Japan and the UK have partnered on a programme to design and build a future fighter jet engine demonstrator. The development is a key part of the UK’s Combat Air Strategy. Over £2bn will be invested by the UK in the coming four years to design the Tempest Future Combat Air System (FCAS).


Work on the new demonstrator will commence in 2022. The UK will invest an initial £30m that will be used to plan and carry out digital designs and other developments. The UK will invest a further £200m for the development of a full-scale demonstrator power system.


UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Strengthening our partnerships in the Indo-Pacific is a strategic priority and this commitment with Japan, one of our closest security partners in Asia, is a clear example of that.


“Designing a brand-new combat air system with a fighter aircraft at its heart is a highly ambitious project so working with like-minded nations is vital."

DELIVERY

Austal delivers US Navy’s 15th Independence-class littoral combat ship


The US Navy has received its 15th Independence littoral combat ship (LCS) variant, the future USS Canberra (LCS 30), from Austal USA.


LCS 30 is the second warship to carry the name USS Canberra in honour of the capital city of Australia. The warship is also the second LCS delivered by Austal USA to the Navy this year. The US Navy’s LCS programme involves the construction of the vessels in two variants, the Freedom-class and the Independence-class.


Austal USA is serving as the prime contractor for the Independence-class and Lockheed Martin is developing the Freedom variant. Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said that the vessel was named after Australia’s national capital, Canberra. It was sponsored by Australian Foreign Minister and Senator Marise Payne.

SALE

US approves $125m sale of Javelin missiles to Lithuania


The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of Javelin FGM-148F missiles to Lithuania. Approved by the US State Department, the sale includes 230 Javelin missiles and associated equipment. It is estimated to cost $125m.


Under the deal, Lithuania has also requested 20 Javelin command launch units (CLUs). The agency noted that this sale will be combined with an earlier ‘implemented case under threshold’. The initial FMS case, which was valued at around $28.23m, included one 111 Javelin FGM-148F missiles and ten Javelin CLUs. The US will also extend support in the form of engineering and logistics support services.

TEST

USAF’s Rapid Dragon completes final flight test


The US Air Force’s (USAF) Rapid Dragon programme has completed its final flight test at the Eglin Air Force Base Overwater Test Range.


For this flight test conducted on 16 December, the USAF tested a current inventory cruise missile equipped with a live warhead. Rapid Dragon showcased the ability to employ weapons, making use of regular airdrop procedures from cargo aircraft leveraging the Rapid Dragon Palletised Weapon System. Under the Rapid Dragon programme, this is the first live-fire test deployed from a cargo aircraft.


During this test, an MC-130J flown by an operational flight crew of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) received new targeting data while in-flight. In the past five months, the programme conducted five system-level flight tests using MC-130J, EC-130SJ, and C-17A.

CONTRACTS

Thales to supply key technologies for France’s Guépard helicopters


Airbus Helicopters has selected Thales to deliver key technologies for France’s Guépard helicopters.


The move comes after the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to procure military H160M helicopters under the Light Joint Helicopter programme (HIL). The first delivery batch will include 30 aircraft including 21 units for the French Army.


The naval forces will receive eight helicopters and the remaining one will be for the air force. Overall, France can order a total of 169 joint light helicopters which will be known as Guépard (Cheetah) in the armed forces following their induction.

Syntonics secures FORAX-HARC radio range extension payload contract


US-based Syntonics has received a $9.1m contract for FORAX-HARC radio range extension payloads as well as spare parts. The company will deliver the High Antennas for Radio Communications (FORAX-HARC) equipment to a tethered aerostat supplier for the US Army as part of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme. FORAX-HARC leverages Syntonics’ Fibre Optic Remote Antenna eXtension (FORAX) RF-over-fibre technology.


The payload enables a tethered aerostat to operate as a tall antenna tower thereby increasing coverage for radio communications. Syntonics will deliver 20 six-radio HARC systems with each of them offering low VHF and UHF antennas high aloft on a tethered aerostat.

HHI secures $547m order to deliver two corvettes for Philippine Navy


The Philippine Navy will receive the two warships under the service’s Corvette Lot 1 Acquisition Project contract. South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has secured a $547m (PHP28bn) contract from the Philippine’s Department of National Defense (DND).


The contract will see HHI construct and deliver two new corvettes for the Philippines Navy. Under the Philippine Navy (PN) Corvette Lot 1 Acquisition Project contract, the navy will receive two warships that can undertake anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare (AAW) missions.


Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was quoted by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) as saying: “We are finally signing the contract, the last phase of the procurement process. For a total approved budget of $547m (PHP28bn), this project will give the PN two modern corvettes that are capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare missions.”

Saab to supply TactiCall ICS system for Norwegian warships


Saab has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) to provide a complete communication system for the Royal Norwegian Navy. Known as TactiCall Integrated Communication System (TactiCall ICS), the communication system will be installed on seven Royal Norwegian Navy vessels.


The ships belong to classes that include Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMs) and Skjold-class corvettes, as well as the Coast Guard Vessel Svalbard. NDMA has selected TactiCall ICS to replace the existing communication system for both internal and external use on-board, including multi-level secure communication, restricted NATO secret as well as national secret communication channels. TactiCall ICS deliveries to the Navy will start from this year and run through 2024.

Fincantieri signs contract to construct Italian Navy’s second LSS unit


Fincantieri-led consortium Raggruppamento Temporaneo di Impresa has signed a contract to construct a second logistic support ship (LSS) for the Italian Navy. The nearly €410m contract was signed with the Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement. According to Fincantieri, the deal also includes providing logistics and maintenance support over the vessel’s lifecycle in the first ten years.


The order also comprises the provision of naval components and machinery produced by Fincantieri’s Mechanical Systems and Components Unit. This equipment includes shaft lines, steering system, fin stabilisers, manoeuvring thrusters, as well as other handling systems.


The second LSS will be built at Fincantieri’s shipyard, Castellammare di Stabia, and delivered in 2025. Under a multi-year programme, Fincantieri is currently building seven multi-purpose offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and the Trieste Landing Helicopter Dock. The programme aims to safeguard Italy’s defence at sea capacity.

Projects

US Navy plans to use UAS for cargo transport

The US Navy is assessing the feasibility of using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for cargo transport between vessels or from ship to shore. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division has acquired a logistics UAS prototype to demonstrate the transfer of cargo over long ranges. The vehicle will be tested and upgraded for military sealift requirements.

Naval Group delivers first Suffren-class submarine to French Navy 

French shipbuilder Naval Group has delivered the first of six Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines for the French Navy. This delivery marks an important milestone in the Barracuda programme, which upgrades the submarine component of France's nuclear deterrent.

Iran unveils domestic ballistic missile launcher

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has reportedly unveiled a domestically built ballistic missile launching system. Tasnim news agency reported that the air force manufactured thdine automated system, which is used for launching long-range ballistic missiles.

Exercises

Australian Navy tests robots for counter-disaster operation

The Royal Australian Navy has tested robots in a simulated counter-disaster operation. As part of exercise Autonomous Warrior Genesis, the navy tested uncrewed land, air and sea vehicles in response to a simulated humanitarian relief scenario.

US and Japan complete exercise Keen Sword 21 

US Indo-Pacific Command units and the Japan Self-Defense Force have completed exercise Keen Sword 21, a joint-bilateral field training exercise in Japan. It involved maritime and air operations, amphibious landings, missile defence exercises, resupply, cyber and space operations.

Royal Air Force concludes Exercise Crimson Warrior 

The Royal Air Force has concluded Exercise Crimson Warrior, a three-week training operation involving fast jets, helicopters and unmanned air systems with involvement from the British Army, US Air Force and US Marines. Exercise Crimson Warrior has been adapted from Cobra Warrior with missiodinns being added to support the F-35B and helicopters that form part of the Carrier Strike Group Air Wing.

In brief

Fabri-Kal launches Recycleware Containers to expand sustainability

Food packaging solutions provider Fabri-Kal has expanded its sustainable product offerings with the launch of its new Recycleware Containers. Manufactured in the US, the products contain a minimum of 20-50% post-consumer recycled PET material and are recyclable.

Burger King and TerraCycle’s Loop to pilot new reusable packaging 

Fast-food chain Burger King has partnered with TerraCycle’s circular packaging service, Loop, to pilot new reusable packaging. The partnership is part of the brand’s Restaurant Brands for Good framework to help reduce packaging waste.

Stora Enso launches take-away bowls for food service packaging 

Pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso has partnered with wholesale company Tingstad to market its new food service take-away bowls, PureFiber. The packaging is designed to replace plastic on-the-go food packaging. It is free from plastic and PFAS.

H&M presents new Looop garment-to-garment recycling system

Swedish clothing-retail company H&M is introducing a garment-to-garment recycling system that helps transform old textiles into new ones. Known as Looop, the container-sized machine promotes circularity in fashion and keeps unwanted garments from turning into waste.