Kaman Signed Contract with New Zealand for the Purchase of 10 SH-2G(I)

New Zealand says the modernized systems on the SH-2G(I) will provide a "major boost"to the country's maritime surveillance and search capability (photo : Kaman)

Kaman Announces Contract with New Zealand for the Purchase of Ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite Aircraft

BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) today announced that its subsidiary, Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman), has entered into a $120 million contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Defence for the purchase of ten SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support.

The contract is consistent with the previously announced government authorization and calls for the aircraft to be delivered over an approximately three year period with revenue recognition beginning in 2013.

The SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite is an advanced integrated maritime weapon system and a proven day/night/all-weather multi-mission helicopter. Originally designed to meet the exacting requirements of the U.S. Navy, the SH-2G Super Seasprite has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any maritime helicopter, assuring a safe return-to-ship capability even in single-engine flight conditions. Its robust design, outstanding stability, and excellent reliability have been proven through more than 1.5 million flight hours.

The SH-2G is a fully integrated, multi-mission maritime weapon system designed to fulfill anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), over the horizon targeting, surveillance, troop transport, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and utility missions. It is the largest, most powerful small ship helicopter in use today and is recognized for its mission effectiveness, support, and unmatched performance. In addition to the Royal New Zealand Navy, the SH-2G Super Seasprite is operated by the Egyptian Air Force and the Polish Navy.

(Kaman)

LINAPS Artillery Pointing Technology has been Selected by NZDF

LINAPS Artillery Pointing System is a revolutionary selfcontained gun mounted navigation, pointing and weapon management system for all Artillery and Mortar platforms (photo : finmeccanica)

Selex ES sees export success in UAE, New Zealand, Poland: €11.5M for artillery pointing systems

(DS/IMP) -- Boosting its drive for growth in export markets, Selex ES, a Finmeccanica company, has recently seen its LINAPS artillery pointing technology selected by a number of international customers in contracts totalling more than €11.5 Million. The contracts include;

An award from the New Zealand Defence Force to supply complete LINAPS systems for their L119 Light Gun fleet.

The core of the LINAPS system, the FIN3110 Inertial Navigation Unit, has also been selected for the Jobaria Defense Systems Multiple Cradle Launcher (MCL) system deployed by the United Arab Emirates. Each Jobaria platform will be equipped with five FIN3110 units, one in the cab to assist with navigation and fire control and a unit for each of the Jobaria’s four missile cradles to allow each launcher to aim independently.

Royal New Zealand Army L119 105mm light howitzer (photo : dividshub)

Selex ES has also been selected by the Polish Army to equip a number of its 155mm AHS Krab howitzers with the FIN3110 system.

LINAPS is a battle proven, gun-mounted navigation, pointing and weapon management system. It enables rapid and accurate artillery deployment in all weather conditions, day and night. The system is currently in active use in Afghanistan with the UK Royal Artillery and is in-service with Canada, Malaysia and Thailand. The FIN3110 Inertial Navigation Unit is the core of the LINAPS system and is based on the same ring laser-gyro technology. It provides a continuous and accurate navigation solution for platform crews. The FIN3110 has been installed on all of the British Army's AS-90 artillery systems and has been chosen for most UAE artillery systems including the G6 howitzer and upgraded M109L47.

"Export markets are central for our business in the coming years, so these are particularly important programmes." said Alastair Morrison, Senior Vice President, Radar and Advanced Targeting, adding "The LINAPS has been proven to deliver accurate and reliable data in all operations time and time again and we’re proud that artillery detachments are able to rely on the system."

(Selex ES/Defense Studies)

Seasprite Helicopter Project Approved

SH-2G Seasprite (photo : Arkadiusz Smolkowski)

(IMP) -- Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the government has approved the purchase of an upgraded and expanded Seasprite helicopter fleet for the New Zealand Defence Force.

A total of eight Seasprites (plus two spare airframes) will be purchased from the United States company Kaman Aerospace in a $242 million dollar deal, which includes a training simulator, missiles, and additional components.

“The Defence Force currently has five Seasprites which have been in service since the late1990s and are due for replacement,” said Dr Coleman.

“This package from Kaman Aerospace will provide the Navy with an upgraded variant, the Seasprite SH-2G(I), and increase the fleet from five to eight helicopters. It will allow helicopters to be embarked on the two ANZAC-class frigates (TE MANA and TE KAHA) as well as the offshore patrol vessels and the multi-role ship HMNZS CANTERBURY,” he said.

“These helicopters come with modernised sensor, weapons and flight control systems and will be a major boost to our maritime surveillance and search capability. The helicopters will also ensure that our naval fleet is able to operate at its full potential,” said Dr Coleman.

The replacement helicopters were originally built for the Australian Defence Force. In 2009 the Australian government elected to cancel the contract and not to introduce them into service after questions about their suitability to meet Australia’s requirements.

“The New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence officials are acutely aware that the Australian government decided not to fully introduce these aircraft into service after concerns about a range of technical issues,” said Dr Coleman.

“As a consequence the New Zealand Ministry of Defence has invested considerable resources into examining all aspects of this project over the last two years. This included commissioning an independent study by Marinvent Corporation of Canada.”

“Ministry of Defence officials have advised the government this aircraft will prove a very capable purchase, meet all of the New Zealand Defence Force’s requirements, and can be introduced into service.”

“Based on this advice and after looking at other replacement options the government approved this project. The replacement Seasprites will have a multiplier effect on the capability of the Navy and what’s more the price is very good with alternative helicopter replacements costing three times the amount,” said Dr Coleman.

(NZDF)

New Life for RNZAF Jets

Former RNZAF Skyhawks and Aermacchis, that are now repainted and flying in the United States. A Skyhawk, rear, flies with two Aermacchis. (photo : Stuff)

After a decade collecting dust, New Zealand’s mothballed combat wing has taken to the skies again – in the United States.

The air force’s fleet of Skyhawks spent more than 10 years grounded after being decommissioned.

Last year eight were donated to museums across the country, and one was sent to a museum in Australia.

The remaining eight were snapped up US company Draken International for $7.9 million, including spare parts and engines.

Draken also bought nine of New Zealand’s Aermacchi jet training aircraft, which were decommissioned in 2001 but were flown regularly to keep them operational.

A team of New Zealand experts has been working alongside Draken staff at their Florida base to prepare the aircraft for flight.

Three of them – one Skyhawk and two Aermacchis – will take part in their first official fly-by during the Sun ’n Fun Airshow at Lakeland, Florida, at an event called the Royal New Zealand Air Force Heritage Day on Thursday.

The guest of honour for the event will be Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott, who is currently acting as defence attache at the New Zealand embassy in Washington.

Retired Air Commodore James Barclay and Wing Commander Barry Nelson will also attend as guest speakers.

Draken chief executive Jared Isaacman, one of the few civilian-trained pilots in the US authorised to fly Skyhawks, said the first Skyhawk had its first test flight only three days ago, while the two Aermacchis flew for the first time about two weeks ago.

When the Skyhawk took to the air, there were tears in the eyes of some of the New Zealand staff, and Mr Isaacman admitted it was a bittersweet moment for many.

‘‘Most of them probably wish the airplanes were still flying in New Zealand, and I don’t blame them, but the next best thing in their mind is that they’re flying again.’’

About 200 guests had been invited to the RNZAF celebrations, and the greater airshow would attract about 100,000 people.

After this week’s celebration it was planned to have another Skyhawk and Aermacchi operational each month, and they were likely to be used for combat simulation with the US Air Force and its allies, he said.

Since New Zealand’s air combat force was disbanded in 2001, it has cost $37.4m to maintain and operate.

(Stuff)

NNZN Tenders Anzac Class Frigates Upgrade

The Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) ANZAC class frigates (photo : Scoop)

ANZAC Frigate Systems Upgrade - (RFT 1-326) GETS reference #38405

(IMP) -- The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) ANZAC class frigates (ANZACs) have performed to their original design specification in almost all areas since their inception. However, as with any long-term complex defence system, they must be maintained and upgraded through-life to preserve capabilities, address obsolescence, respond to emerging threats and react to changes in how and where the Ships are operated.

A critical component for the RNZN is the capability to conduct combat operations and to support them. The ANZACs are key to this and it has been determined that the ANZACs require upgrades to their Combat Systems. As such, Her Majesty the Queen in right of New Zealand (through the Ministry of Defence) (the Crown) has initiated the Frigate Systems Upgrade (FSU) project (the Project).

The Project will generate a reliable and supportable ANZAC Combat System with enhanced operational availability and capability that will have a minimal drawdown on the constrained personnel and training resources within the RNZN.

The FSU as a whole will consider the replacement/addition of the following combat subsystems:

-Radar suite including Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) system;

-Infra-Red Search and Track / Optronics (IRST/O) system;

-Electronic Support Measures (ESM) suite;

-Communications Electronic Support Measures (CESM) system;

-Underwater Systems (UWS);

-Combat Management System (CMS);

-Tactical Data Link (TDL) system;

-Local Area Air Defence (LAAD) missile system;

-ASMD Soft Kill (ASK) suite; and

-Torpedo Self Defence (TSD) system.

The Crown seeks to contract the services of a CSI to procure combat subsystems and integrate all new both Contractor Furnished Equipment (CFE) and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) subsystems to the legacy combat subsystems onboard the ANZACs to provide the complete capability defined by the System Requirements.

To facilitate this, this RFT seeks tender responses from suitably qualified and experienced CSIs, which will then be evaluated. Shortlisted Tenderers may be invited to attend an individual workshop with the Crown, the purpose of which is for the Crown to seek any clarifications on the Tenderer’s tender and to gain a fuller understanding of the Tenderer’s proposed solution.

(RNZDF)

NZDF Issued a RFI for UWISR Systems

P-3K2 Orion aircraft of the RNZAF (all photos : RNZAF proboards)

(IMP) -- Underwater Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (UWISR) Project - (RFI 4107-02) GETS reference #38360

Defence is seeking information on potential solution options to restore the UWISR capabilities of its fleet of six P-3K2 Orion aircraft.

This RFI seeks responses from companies that have the requisite skills, knowledge and experience to provide either portions of or a complete airborne UWISR capability solution, including:

#Aircraft systems:

-a replacement for the existing acoustics system

-an acoustic processor simulator

-a Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) system

-a MAD simulator / stimulator

-upgrade / modification of the air-dropped stores ejection system.

# Ground based systems:

-a post-mission acoustic analysis system

-an acoustic data storage / archive system

-an acoustic processor simulator

-a MAD simulator / stimulator.

#Installation and introduction into service:

-integration and testing of the complete UWISR solution

-NZDF operator and technician training on the operation and maintenance of both the airborne and ground systems

-assistance with certification, testing, and Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of the new ground and airborne systems.

#Provision of ongoing industry support to maintain the UWISR capability at a contemporary standard through-life.

Respondents may choose to provide information that covers all aspects of this RFI or provide information that focuses on defined topic areas only.

Respondent information will be used to assist Defence in the development of a project Business Case. The Business Case will detail potential solution options for New Zealand Government approval. Defence will assume that respondents who provide information in relation to this RFI are also interested in participating in a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a Request for Tender (RFT), should the Project progress and such a document be issued. For the avoidance of doubt, respondents acknowledge that providing information in relation to this RFI does not in any way constitute an offer by Defence to the respondent to participate in, or be involved in any subsequently issued RFP or RFT.

(RNZDF)

CAE to Provide RNZAF with Beechcraft King Air 200 Classroom Training System

Beechcraft King Air 200 cockpit (photo : Altaero)

Melbourne, Australia. (IMP) -- Today at the Avalon Australian International Air Show, CAE announced it has signed a contract to provide the Royal New Zealand Air Force with a Beechcraft King Air 200 ProLine 21 CAE SimfinityTM Virtual Simulator (VSIM) classroom and B200 Computer-Based Training (CBT) in support of the Interim Advanced Pilot Training Capability (IPTC) project.

Under terms of a five-year lease that includes an additional five-year option, CAE will install and support the CAE Simfinity VSIM classroom for the Beechcraft King Air 200 at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

"The simulation services provided by CAE will play a key role in modernising the training of RNZAF pilots under the IPTC program," said Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell, RNZAF Chief of the Air Force,

The CAE Simfinity VSIM is part of the comprehensive suite of CAE Simfinity training media that leverages full-fidelity simulation software to provide a fully integrated training solution. The CAE Simfinity VSIM, which can be used for either self-paced or instructor-led training, is ideal for familiarisation and procedural training because pilots can "learn by doing" prior to training sessions in a full-flight simulator or aircraft. 

Included with the CAE Simfinity VSIM training solution is the CAE Simfinity Flight Management System Trainer, which integrates complete flight management system (FMS) capabilities including navigation display rendering of routes and navigation aids.

"By using the CAE Simfinity VSIM, you can offload pilot training events to more cost-effective training devices, making more efficient use of the aircraft" said Peter Redman, Managing Director, CAE Australia Pty Ltd. "CAE is committed to supporting the Royal New Zealand Air Force's simulation and training needs, and looks forward to delivering this innovative solution for Beechcraft King Air 200 classroom training."

(CAE)

RNZAF NH-90 Medium Helicopter

New Zealand NH90s has Completed of its Testing and Evaluation

RNZAF NH-90 medium helicopter (photo : NZDF)

(IMP). The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) new medium utility helicopter, the NH90, has completed the first phase of its operational testing and evaluation.

"The recent approval of the Interim Type Certificate and initial release of operational capability means that we can now undertake some operational tasking. It’s a significant milestone for the RNZAF," said Air Vice-Marshal Peter Stockwell, Chief of Air Force.

"The NH90 is now cleared to undertake New Zealand-based passenger and cargo tasks that will enable non-tactical support to Government agencies and the other Services."

The NH90 incorporates new technologies and capabilities that represent a substantial improvement over the long serving Iroquois helicopters.

(NZDF)