Helicópteros de combate

[champi]

De RU: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ve_age.pdf

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7.39. The Army is retiring its oldest CH-47 Chinook helicopters and investing, alongside the US, in newer variants of this operationally proven aircraft, enhancing capability, efficiency and interoperability. Our AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters will be upgraded to a state-of-the-art capability by 2025. Investment in a new medium lift helicopter in the mid-2020s will enable a consolidation of the Army’s disparate fleet of medium lift helicopters from four platform types to one; including the replacement of Puma. The Army will also retain and upgrade Watchkeeper.
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Podría ser el NGCR con el que inicialmente se comprometieron, pero la IOC se anunció para aproximadamente 2035. Si comienzan a invertir a mediados de década es posible que no les de tiempo...

Contratos relacionados con el H-60 (22/3/2021): https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contra ... e/2546009/

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ARMY

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $90,687,678 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for engineering, analysis, test, and technical support services for the H-60 product line. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 25, 2026. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W911W6-21-D-0001).
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Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $30,959,224 modification (P00181) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 for procurement of nine Army UH-60M and 15 Army HH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2023. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $30,959,224 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
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[champi]

Contrato para UH-60M por parte de Arabia Saudí (24/3/2021): https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contra ... e/2549344/

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ARMY

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $99,886,365 modification (P00126) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 for 25 modified UH-60M Black Hawk aircraft in support of the Saudi Arabian National Guard. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2021 Foreign Military Sales (Saudi Arabia) funds in the amount of $99,886,365 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
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Otro más (25/3/2021): https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contra ... e/2550918/

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Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $94,278,532 modification (P00180) to contract W58RGZ-17-C-0009 to support an option exercise of six Program Year 5, Lot 45 HH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2022. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $94,278,532 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
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[champi]

Bell anunció el pasado día 24 que el Invictus ya ha completado el 30% de su fabricación, la cual comenzó en octubre de 2020: https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 35.article

Las pruebas estáticas están programadas para verano del año que viene, con el primer vuelo un poco después. De momento, van bien con el calendario.

Por su parte, el Raider X comenzó su fabricación en febrero de 2020 (antes de ser seleccionado), aunque desconozco cual es el estado actual de la fabricación.

También Bell acaba de inagurar su "Manufacturing Technology Center", muy relacionado con el FVL y sus proyectos futuros: https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/19777 ... n=newsroom

26 March 2021, 11:58 (CDT)
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The MTC is an innovative proving ground where Bell plans to test and refine technologies and processes and demonstrate readiness and ability to successfully build and support Future Vertical Lift aircraft and other new products. It offers a digitally connected space for collaboration between Bell teams in an environment that promotes smart risk taking. New systems will be tested and vetted for production suitability before being introduced to Bell’s future factories. Bell broke ground on the facility August 2020 and anticipates the facility to be fully operational later this year.
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[champi]

Accidente fatal de un Z-10K chino el pasado día 19: https://defence-blog.com/news/army/chin ... vince.html

[champi]

Singapur recibe su primer H225M: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-r ... opter.html

[champi]

Contratos para Bell y Sikorsky para el FLRAA (30/3/2021): https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contra ... e/2555751/

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ARMY

Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $292,647,481 modification (P00006) to contract W9124-P1-99-0001 for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Competitive Demonstration and Risk Reduction Phase 2. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas; Owego, New York; Wichita, Kansas; Torrance, California; Jackson, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cary, North Carolina; Kirkland, Washington; Garden Grove, California; Tallassee, Alabama; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lod, Israel; Papendrecht, Netherlands; and Ajax, Canada, with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $19,496,334 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $284,393,040 modification (P00006) to contract W912-4P-199-0001 for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Competitive Demonstration and Risk Reduction Phase 2. Work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania; Stratford, Connecticut; Owego, New York; Fort Worth, Texas; Jupiter, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Coatesville, Pennsylvania; and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2022. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test, and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $19,496,334 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
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Llama poderosamente la atención que a Sikorsky le hayan dado dos meses más para refinar su propuesta. Respecto a la diferencia en presupuesto, podría ser para compensar el anterior contrato CD&RR.

Para ponernos en contexto, el 28/6/2019 se anunciaba una nueva fase con un CD&RR ("Competitive Demostration and Risk Reduction"). Una vez acabada la fase de prototipos, el US Army adjudicó el 16/3/2020 este contrato CD&RR a las propuestas de Bell ($84 millones) y Sikorsky-Boeing ($97 millones). Se componía de dos fases de aproximadamente un año de duración cada una.

Dentro de la primera fase de este contrato, ambas compañías deberán realizar el ID&RR (“Initial Design Requirements Review”) y el IDFR (“Initial Design Functional Review”). Para ello, el Congreso de EEUU añadió en el FY2020 $76 millones (se esperaban inicialmente de $75 a $130 millones) para reducir riesgos y acelerar el programa. En diciembre de 2020 el US Army envió privadamente a Bell y Sikorsky-Boeing un borrador del RFP del FLRAA, un documento que se estima en unas 2.100 páginas, esperándose el RFP definitivo para el tercer trimestre del FY2021.

La segunda fase consistirá en un refinamiento del sistema de armas y en el IDCR (“Initial Design Concept Review”), para el que se esperaban inicialmente unos $90 millones, ya que ahora se preveía la primera unidad equipada en 2030. Este es el contrato que estamos viendo, y por lo que se ve, se han superado de largo las espectativas en cuanto a presupuesto, y es que se quiere acelerar la entrada en servicio, esperada para 2030.

De momento, los plazos se van cumpliendo incluso en este calendario acelerado.

[evol]

¿Se podría decir que Bell lleva cierta ventaja?, lo pregunto por el hecho de que el primer prototipo voló antes y que parece que el de S/B tuvo problemas con las palas, aunque acabo volando. Incluso el de Bell creo que ha llegado a las 200 horas de vuelos...

[champi]

Ahora mismo (declaraciones del día 31), el V-280 ha superado las 200h de vuelo y los 160 vuelos, lo que indica que este año han volado por lo menos un par de veces. Por su parte, el Defiant (también en declaraciones del día 31) sigue con las mismas horas y vuelos que en diciembre del año pasado (26h y 31 vuelos), solo ha avanzado en el PTSB (el banco de pruebas de motor-transmisión), donde ha pasado de 135h a 148h: https://www.defensenews.com/land/2021/0 ... t-program/

[champi]

Artículo sobre el AH-56 Cheyenne: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/4 ... -star-wars





Sikorsky parece que será el encargado de integrar y cualificar el ITE ("Improved Turbine Engine") en el UH-60M a partir del FY2022: https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopter ... 99.article

[Urcitano]

KAI LAH y KUH-1 Surion.




Lo he dicho en alguna ocasion, el SURION me parece el "escudero" ideal de los NH90 en nuestras FAS. Y no me gustan mucho los helicópteros de ataque ligeros, pero viendo que nos vamos a quedar con solo 18 HAD, no estaría mal tener una docena de esos bichos para complementarlos.

[Vorlon]

Pero para eso tienes en Airbus el H160 y el H145.

Y Leonardo los AW139.


Ir a uno tan exótico es como arriesgado.


saludos

[Atticus]

el SURION me parece el "escudero" ideal de los NH90 en nuestras FAS.

Seria un poco absurdo en tanto en cuanto el coreano es principalmente ingenieria de Airbus pasada por los requerimientos sudcoreanos de un Cougar disminuido. Porque es justo eso: un AS332 a medida. Vamos, es tan "airbus" que se monto una buena por el tema de las tecnologias autoctonas a desarrollar localmente, que no fueron las esperadas. Como bien dicen en ese segmento hay mejores helicopteros sin salir de casa.

[Arkhaim]

Pero para eso tienes en Airbus el H160 y el H145.

Y Leonardo los AW139.


Ir a uno tan exótico es como arriesgado.


saludos

Y dotar de nuestros H145M de entrenamiento con el sistema HForce, para que sirvan en el aprendizaje de uso del armamento (como escalón previo al Tigre)?
Y en escenarios poco contestados, podrían usarse como complemento al Tigre en operaciones y dejar a éstos las misiones más difíciles? O mantener el soporte sobre el terreno mientras los Tigres vuelven a base para repostar / remunicionar? (creo que es así como están haciendo los franceses en Mali con sus Gazelles)

Tempus fugit...

[champi]

Varias noticias relacionadas con el FVL. La primera de ellas respecto a las opciones que se barajan para la radio y otros sistemas ISR: https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... r-omfv-fvl

Recordemos que tanto los componentes del FVL como el OMFV ("Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle") deberían funcionar como repetidores de una red "mesh" dentro de la ITN ("Integrated Tactical Network") del US Army.

La siguiente, no se menciona al FVL pero por la misión estaría englobado (el contrato viene del AFWERX). Trascendent Air acaba de recibir un contrato para desarrollar un sistema de operación simplificada de vehículos y leyes de vuelo para "nap of the Earth" a gran velocidad en vehículos VTOL: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/ ... TOL-Flight

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April 05, 2021 12:36 PM Eastern Daylight Time
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Transcend Air today announces it has been awarded an AFWERX Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research and development contract, in partnership with Auburn University, to develop Simplified Vehicle Operation and flight control laws for high speed VTOL “nap of the Earth” flight with the Vy 400 Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft.

“Nap of the Earth” is the term for a demanding flight regime where an aircraft stays low and follows the contours of terrain to remain undetected. Transcend Air is working with Professor Imon Chakraborty and his Vehicle Systems, Dynamics, and Design Laboratory (VSDDL.com) to implement control software to enable the Vy 400 aircraft to automatically fly nap of the Earth while being safely operated by a non-pilot crew member.

Through this joint R&D contract, Transcend Air’s Vy 400 VTOL aircraft is being customized to provide military support for small unit resupply and casualty evacuation missions. The 405 mph speed of the Vy 400 is two and one half times faster than the helicopters currently used for these missions, which would allow it to conduct rescues over areas more than six times as large.
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La velocidad es superior en unos 50 nudos a la que podría dar el V-280. Un par de imágenes del Vy 400AF:




Y la última noticia se trata la RFI del programa "Top Attack Increment 1", para desarrollar varias municiones que releven a minas como la M93 Hornet o la XM204, aún en desarrollo, y que se puedan desplegar mediante disparos de artillería de 155 mm o desde elementos del FVL. Como ya es norma, compatible con sistemas abiertos y modulares: https://beta.sam.gov/opp/7345d68707cd4d ... rue&page=2

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INTRODUCTION

On behalf of the Project Manager Close Combat Systems (PM CCS), the Department of the Army, U.S. Contracting Command – New Jersey (CCNJ), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ is issuing this sources sought notice to identify vendors with potential solutions for a lethal, command and control capable Terrain Shaping Obstacle (TSO) Top Attack prototype. This effort is the first increment (Increment 1) of the Close Terrain Shaping Obstacle (CTSO) Program. PM-CCS will commence development of CTSO’s first increment in 2QFY22. The other increments, Bottom Attack (Increment 2) and Full Network Capability (Increment 3), will follow Increment 1 in 3QFY25 and 3QFY26, respectively. Due to the incremental acquisition approach, solutions to Increment 1 should allow growth for the future increments of CTSO. Responses from vendors that partially meet the desired capabilities of Increment 1 are acceptable in response to this sources sought notice.
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ITEM DESCRIPTION

PM CCS is executing a sources sought notice in order to identify vendors with solutions for a hand-emplaced top attack terrain shaping capability for a directed close tactical obstacle. The top attack system is envisioned to consist of the Common Anti-Vehicle Munition (CAVM) top attack munition, the top attack dispenser launcher module (DLM), the Remote Control Station (RCS), and an obstacle planning capability. The CAVM top attack munition shall have improved lethality over previous generations of top attack munitions (M93 Hornet and XM204). Once emplaced in a tactical obstacle, the system shall be capable of operating in a standby mode for up to six months with the ability to transition to a target engagement mode for 30 days. The Remote Control Station (RCS) shall be capable of controlling at least 12 fields (150 m by 250 m) located up to 5 km away from the RCS. The system shall also be capable of displaying SAFE and UNSAFE authoritative safety information to the operator controlling the fields with a 1 in 1 million probability of false display of safe. In addition, the hand-emplaced top attack system shall be capable of rapid emplacement. Also, emplaced DLMs shall be recoverable and reusable prior to the firing of their top attack munitions. To enable future operational needs, the top attack Common Anti-Vehicle Munition (CAVM) design should consider compatibility with delivery platforms such as 155mm tube artillery, developmental Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF), robotic ground vehicle platforms, current and future vertical lift (FVL) aircraft, unmanned aerial aircraft, and fixed wing aircraft. To facilitate growth to Full Network Capability Increment 3, the Increment 1 system design needs to consider the capability to communicate with and allow command and control from Army Tactical Command and Control (C2) Systems with minimal modifications to Increment 1 hardware in Increment 3.

REQUIRED TOP ATTACK INCREMENT 1 CAPABILITIES

The top attack system shall provide a lethal obstacle capability sufficient to shape terrain by disrupting enemy maneuver and defeating threat forces.
The top attack system shall be compliant with US Landmine Policy issued by the DoD.
The top attack system shall be capable of autonomously engaging threat vehicles.
The top attack system shall engage enemy vehicles with a 50 m minimum standoff with sufficient threat of damage or destruction.
Emplaced systems shall be capable of operating in a standby mode for up to six months with the ability to transition to a pre-armed mode for 30 days.
The top attack system shall have the ability to plan the obstacle deployment and emplacement on an existing fielded platform.
The top attack system shall be capable of communicating obstacle deployment and emplacement information from an existing platform to the top attack system’s remote control station (RCS).
The RCS and the top attack DLMs in the field shall be capable of two-way communications.
The top attack system shall be capable of remotely controlling at least 12 fields (150 m by 250 m).
The RCS shall be capable of controlling top attack DLMs located up to 5 km line-of-sight (LOS) from the RCS.
The RCS User Interface shall be a plug-in on the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) application.
The RCS plug-in for ATAK shall be capable of operating on the Nett Warrior System End User Device (EUD).
Data transmission shall implement NSA approved encryption.
A device shall display authoritative safety information with a 1 in 1 million probability of false display of safe to the RCS operator.
The system shall maximize commonality with future delivery methods to include artillery, missile, rotary wing, and fixed wing aircraft in support of a long-term Common Anti-Vehicular Munitions (CAVM) acquisition approach.
The top attack system subcomponents should adhere to a form factor that allows for future integration into 155mm artillery delivery to the maximum extent possible.
The top attack munition subcomponents that cannot be directly leveraged to support future 155mm artillery delivery shall be addressed via analysis to outline a growth path to achieving the required form factor.
The top attack munition subcomponents shall address survivability for 155mm delivery to the extent possible and where not feasible to implement, shall address via analysis to indicate a growth path to achieving the requirement.
The top attack system shall be capable of rapid emplacement, recoverability, and reusability.
The emplacement of the top attack system in the field shall not require more than two (2) soldiers (84lbs) per item (MIL-STD-1472).
The system should accommodate Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) where feasible.
GROWTH TO INCREMENT 3 FULL NETWORK CAPABILITIES

Compatibility with Army Tactical Command & Control (C2) Systems with communication ranges up to 300 km to and from the obstacle
Compatibility with the Army Common Operating Environment
The CTSO system shall be able to exchange C2/SA messages with Army Tactical C2 Systems.
OTHER INFORMATION

The prototype system shall have a desired Technology Readiness Level (TRL) greater than TRL 4 at contract award and a maturation to a TRL 7 within two (2) years.
The system developer shall have the opportunity to refine their design at a Soldier Touch Point in the first year after contract award.
A prototype system shall be developed and delivered within two (2) years after contract award.
The system developer shall demonstrate the Top Attack Increment 1 during qualification tests between the second (2nd) and third (3rd) years after contract award.
The system developer shall be capable of producing the first article of Top Attack Increment 1 within four (4) years after contract award.
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[Kique]

https://twitter.com/headdancer7/status/ ... 47328?s=20