Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008 - (Page 20)

MILITARY FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 GE Avionics for Lockheed C-130Js Boeing Dismisses Northrop Grumman for Next-Generation Bomber Boeing has teamed with Lockheed Martin to meet the U.S. Air Force’s emerging requirement for a next-generation bomber (NGB). But beyond that the company won’t say much about the program or how it intends to pursue it. Boeing notes that the long-range strike plan is still not fully defined, net-centric capabilities have yet to mature, and the desired weapons have not been selected. “There’s not even an RFI yet,” says Dave Koopersmith, Boeing’s advanced systems chief. “Those ‘next decision points’ are still with the Air Force. All I can say is that it’s the next big bomber for the USAF, a manned subsonic platform meets the requirement and it’s an aggressive schedule to reach initial operating capability in 2018.” Asked about the informed speculation that Northrop Grumman may already be ahead of the game with a quietly funded multi-billion dollar NGB development effort already underway—thanks to the U.S. “Black Budget”—Boeing is dismissive. Says Chris Chadwick, president, Precision Engagement and Mobility Systems, “We have the power of the Skunk Works and the Phantom Works behind us. Boeing and Lockheed Martin are the only two tactical fighter primes left in the United States. Northrop Grumman is just a Tier One subcontractor on the F/A-18.” —Robert Hewson GE Aviation will supply Lockheed Martin with the open systems avionics solution for C-130J aircraft, supporting Block 7.0 Communications, Navigation, Identification for flight deck avionics for more than 230 aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force and others. Estimated value for the CNI contract over the life of the program is more than $30 million, excluding production which will start in 2010. The avionics are being designed and manufactured at GE’s facility in Michigan. Earlier this year, GE secured a $52 million contract, with options, to provide performance-based logistics support for C-130J/K aircraft through 2016. GE Aviation is at Hall 4, Stand B7. GE for V-22 Ospreys Too GE Aviation has secured a five-year, $190 million contract to supply integrated systems and equipment for 167 Bell Boeing V-22 aircraft, 141 MV-22 Ospreys for the Marine Corps and 26 CV-22 Ospreys for Air Force Special Ops. Deliveries will start in 2009. The systems will be designed and developed at GE facilities in Maryland, Michigan, Florida, California, Ohio, Illinois and New York,as well as in Cheltenham and Wolverhampton in the UK. “This selection positions GE to be recognized as tier one supplier and partner with Bell Boeing for its past and future platforms,” said GE Aviation Systems president John Ferrie. Raytheon Delivers 1,000th Tomahawk Block IV Raytheon last month delivered the 1,000th T omahawk Block IV cruise missile to the U.S. Navy. The missile provides an expanded array of operational capabilities with two-way satellite datalink enabling a strike controller to flex the missile in flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. It can also loiter over the battlefield and await a more critical target. "T omahawk Block IV provides the Navy with an array of enhanced capabilities to support land-based operations in the global war on terror and across the spectrum of warfare," said Capt. Rick McQueen, Navy T omahawk program manager. Sagem, L-3, Launch Tactical Info System Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) and L-3 Communications have signed a deal to develop a new networked tactical information system for air-land targeting. The Real TimeSituational Awareness Airborne Targeting System (RT-SAATS) complies with NATO interoperability standards, linking ground troops and aircraft in inter-allied and inter-service operations. It covers a wide range of missions: special operations, intelligence, evacuation of nationals, close air support, precision strikes, using proven and available equipment, with a ground station for an advanced observer and an airborne station. Bigger BWB ‘X-Plane’ Planned Boeing and the U.S. Air Force have begun talks over development of a larger, piloted, blended-wing body (BWB) demonstrator that would follow on from the current subscale X-48B unmanned BWB now flying at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Company officials say the single-pilot vehicle will have a pressurized cockpit and be multiengined. Final configuration will depend on definitive research objectives and funding. Boeing says a piloted BWB would enable more realistic noise and handling performance tests that are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve with the current 21-foot-span X-48B. Boeing’s concept of how the NGB could appear. Eaton Negotiating F-35 Logistics LRIP2 Eaton Corp. is negotiating Low Rate Initial Production-Year 2 (LRIP2), the first phase of the F-35 JSF program that will include Performance-Based Logistics. PBL is a management approach that assigns roles and responsibilities as necessary to ensure there is a clear allocation of accountability for total system performance. Under PBL, the JSF Program Office and the Lockheed Martin-led team (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems) enter a long-term agreement where the JSF industrial base is empowered to meet performance requirements while reducing total ownership costs. Eaton (Hall 3, Stand C5) was selected based on its history of successes using this approach. 20 July 14, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008

Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008 Contents Thirty More Years CFM Reveals New Engine Boeing Reduces Forecast UAVs’ Quiet Revolution Finmeccanica: U.S. Success A Plethora of AESAs BAE North America Plus L-3 Becomes a Prime Better Late Than Never A Peek Behind the Curtain China’s J-10 Revealed Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner Breaking LM’s Hegemony

Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008

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