INDIAN ARMED FORCES CHIEFS ON
OUR RELENTLESS AND FOCUSED PUBLISHING EFFORTS

 
SP Guide Publications puts forth a well compiled articulation of issues, pursuits and accomplishments of the Indian Army, over the years

— General Manoj Pande, Indian Army Chief

 
 
I am confident that SP Guide Publications would continue to inform, inspire and influence.

— Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Indian Navy Chief

My compliments to SP Guide Publications for informative and credible reportage on contemporary aerospace issues over the past six decades.

— Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Indian Air Force Chief
       

Quick RoundUp

Issue: 06-2019

BELL-BOEING

Bell-Boeing has won a $42.2 million contract modification for fleet software sustainment of the V-22 flight control system. The order includes engineering and technical support for the Osprey. The V-22 Osprey is the world’s first production tiltrotor aircraft. Work is expected to be completed June 2021.

BOEING

The US Navy has awarded Boeing a $139.8 million modification to continue manufacturing precision laser guidance sets for the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided “smart” weapons. Work is expected to be completed in April 2020.

The US Air Force has awarded Boeing an $11.2 million contract in support of the F-15 for US as well as FMS. The F-15 Eagle is the Air Force’s primary fighter jet. is expecting completion by November 9, 2027.

The US Navy has awarded Boeing a $163.9 million modification to continue modernizing the Navy’s F/A-18E/F fighter jet fleet under the service life modification programme. The deal will extend the operational service of 10 Super Hornets from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000 flight hours. It is the second US Navy contract for Super Hornet Service Life Modification. Work is scheduled to be completed in May 2021.

INDRA

Spain’s Indra has won a contract to supply the Royal Air Force of UK with an advanced long-range air defense deployable radar. The Indra LTR25 L-band radar offers very high long-range detection capabilities and is transportable.

ISRAELI

The Israeli Navy has deployed its Helicopter based Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) equipped Seagull in an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise. The HELRAS is a naval helicopter undersea sensor that can detect submarines up to 12 km.

Israel’s share of the UAV market is shrinking, according to Israel defense. While the US industry is increasing and Russia and China have started to export, the Israeli-made MALE UAVs, such as IAI’s Heron, Elbit Systems’ Hermes-900, and similar systems are facing a decline in exports. According to the newspaper the threat to the industry is now expanding.

LOCKHEED MARTIN

The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $16.4 million contract modification to support the Taiwan F-16 Peace Phoenix Rising program. Taiwan kicked off its modernization program at the beginning of the year and called for 144 Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon’s to be upgraded. Work is to be completed by the end of May, 2023.

PAKISTAN AIR FORCE

The last three Pakistan Aeronautical Complex JF-17 Thunder Block II multirole combat aircraft are scheduled to arrive for the Pakistan Air Force by the end of June. The JF-17 Thunder is single-engine, multi-role combat aircraft utilized primarily by Pakistan for aerial reconnaissance, ground attack and aircraft interception.

PRATT & WHITNEY

Pratt & Whitney won a $55.7 million contract modification for additional funding for F135 long lead items. The deal supports the production delivery schedule, and exercises an option for additional initial spare parts. The Pratt & Whitney F135 afterburning turbofan powers all three variants of the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

QATAR

The HS State Department approved a possible FMS to Qatar for 24 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The deal is worth $3 billion. The proposed sale would double Qatar’s previous procurement of AH-64Es, which are used for close air support, armed reconnaissance, and anti-tank warfare missions.

RAYTHEON

The US Air Force has awarded Raytheon a $24.5 million contract modification for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) System Improvement Program. The deal includes software architecture and design risk reduction efforts to counter evolving threats. AMRAAM is an active radar-guided intercept missile with inherent electronic protection capabilities. Work is scheduled to be complete by September 30, 2022.

Raytheon has won a $355.5 million contract for refurbishment of the AGM-88B missiles for Qatar, Bahrain and Taiwan by the US Air Force. The AGM-88 can detect, attack and destroy a radar antenna or transmitter with minimal aircrew input. Raytheon will perform work which will be completed by 2027.