Yet communications,
information processing, computing plants, and network configuration
remain the heart of any SDI system. Under the title of Command Centre/System
Operation and Integration Functions (CC/SOIF) the SDIO is pursuing five
major objectives to support SDI Battle Management. Algorithm technology
research aims at providing efficient means for interceptor-target assignment,
threat track initiation and maintenance, and multi-sensor discrimination.
These algorithms will be robust and matched to advanced, parallel processing
architectures to achieve real time performance of critical CC/SOIF functions.
Software development programmes are supporting the progress of Ada programming
languages to achieve "programming-in-the-large".
Prototype
philosophy is based on the "build a little, test a little," concept
to provide critical feedback into requirement specifications. With the
aid of the National Security Agency (NSA) programmes to guard software
security in concept, writing and utilization modes are being developed.
The SDIO is a major cosponsor of DARPA’s Strategic Computing Programme
aimed at developing VHSIC technology processors. It aims to progress from
present technology to survivable and space qualifiable processors operating
at one hundred Million Instructions Per Second (MIPS) using gallium arsenide
(GaAs) technology for speed and radiation survivability.
Networking
technology programmes aim at developing control and routing algorithms
and message processing equipment. Major work aims at defining security
needs, evaluating bandwidth requirements and developing network packet
processing and switching procedures. Communications technology aims at
robustness, higher data rates and the development of laser linking systems
plus new looks at radio frequency links. The use of signal characteristics
analysis to extract spatial/temporal data from transmissions without impinging
on the bandwidth, is perhaps the most interesting of these endeavours.
Nonetheless, one thing is now certain about SDI. If the system ever makes
it into space it will be because the minds of the people working on it
are already there.
SHORT
RANGE NUCLEAR WEAPONS CONTENTIOUS FOR NATO
In a few
weeks, NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) will meet to discuss a variety
of contentious issues including the future of short range missiles based
on West German soil. U.S. officials, noting that the Soviets have done
nothing to diminish their stockpile of short range tactical nuclear weapons,
are pushing to remodel the current Lance system which, like its Soviet
counterparts, has not been included in arms reduction talks or agreements.
There are 88 Lance missile launchers in Europe, each with a range of less
than 175 kilometers. A modernized variant of the Lance would be capable
of reaching targets up to 450 kilometers away. Most of the 88 launchers
and their 700 warheads are based on West German soil.
During a NATO
meeting in the spring of 1989, when British and American negotiators pressed
for modernizing the Lance, the ensuing arguments nearly brought the meeting
to a grinding, screeching, halt. Leading the opposition to the proposal
were West German officials who by then were courting the notion of a reunified
Germany. The impasse was broken only by agreeing not to deploy the missiles
until 1992.
But the
matter has been reopened in Washington with the introduction of a request
by Defence Secretary Dick Cheney in his 1991 budget proposal asking Congress
for $112.2 million (U.S.) to develop a new short-range missile to replace
the aging, ground-based Lance. According to sources in Brussels, the latest
budget proposal on the Lance has created a rash of "to and froing" of cablegrams
across the Atlantic and much speculation as to how the issue will be resolved
in the face of collapsing Soviet strength in eastern Europe and what appears
to be the inevitable amalgamation of the two Germanies. One proposal calls
for the storage of the weapons in the United Kingdom. But, whatever the
solution, the topic is sure to earn heated debate during this spring’s
NPG talks.
THE
THIRD ZERO
The Soviet
Union and the U.S. are destroying their medium and shorter-range missiles
under the INF Treaty and sixteen states are in Vienna discussing conventional
arms reductions in Europe trying to bring down military confrontation and
stabilize the region.
But Europe
still has thousands of land, air and sea-based tactical nuclear weapons
with a range of up to 500 kilometers which can initiate a deadly armed
conflict. Even a layman understands that stability will not be attained
as long as there are nuclear weapons in Europe.
The destabilizing
effect of tactical nuclear weapons is growing while other classes of weapons
are being reduced. This calls for discussions, the sooner the better. Military
plans and research sometimes proceed quicker than negotiations.
Guided
by security considerations, the Soviet Union unilaterally pulled out
500 tactical nuclear charges from allied territories in Europe in 1989.
It is prepared to move further, if discussions on tactical nuclear weapons
get underway. The Soviet Union is not modernizing its tactical missiles
or replacing them with more sophisticated weapons.
But NATO’s
plans to modernize Europe-based tactical weapons are proof that procrastination
in this issue leads to attempts to make up for the elimination of medium
and short-range missiles. This is alarming -- we are losing time and undermining
major values.
Why is NATO
doing this? It is reasonable to plan the deployment of U.S. Lance-2 missiles
with a range of about 250 kilometers in Europe while major changes are
going on in east European countries and the Soviet Union has destroyed
its Lance-class missiles, SS-23s, under the INF Treaty? We have favourable
conditions now for moving towards the third zero, which is the elimination
of all tactical nuclear weapons.
Of course,
it is difficult to stop believing in "nuclear deterrence". Clearly
this belief still lives in the minds of NATO leaders. But the problem can
be settled at talks on tactical nuclear weapons that would lead to their
gradual reduction. A mandate for such talks could be produced at consultations
of Warsaw Treaty and NATO experts. In such a situation neither side would
harm its positions: the Soviet Union would remain loyal to its nonnuclear
ideas, while the west would retain its concept of minimal deterrence.
General
Yuri Labedev
Editor's
note: General Yuri Labedev is a popular defence and foreign affairs writer
for Novosti.
SOVIET
PARLIAMENT QUESTIONS NUCLEAR TESTS
Nuclear
tests were a topic of concern in the Supreme Soviet first question
period on March 28. Igor Belousov, Vice-Chairman of the U.S.S.R. Council
of Ministers, gave lengthy replies to questions about nuclear detonations
for ‘peaceful purposes’ in the Soviet Union.
He claimed
that since 1989 no nuclear devices had been detonated for civilian purposes.
Until 1988 the U.S.S.R. has conducted 126 ‘peaceful blasts’ for industrial
purposes. Such tests were ‘almost harmless’, since they were carried out
below ground level at a depth of 1,500 metres and were low in yields. They
had nothing to do with the Ministry of Defence claims Council of Ministers’
Vice-Chairman. Nevertheless, he says, the Soviet Union has stopped them
for the rest of this year. Belousov also said that the total number of
nuclear tests carried out by the Soviet Union was just over 700, including
126 for peaceful purposes. In 1986-1987 the Soviet Union observed a moratorium
on all nuclear tests for eighteen months, while the United States, he charges,
during that same time, carried out twenty-six nuclear tests allegedly aimed
mainly at testing and developing new types of nuclear weapons including
eighteen nuclear devices to develop an x-ray laser; five to produce enhanced
electromagnetic radiation; and about ten to valuate kinetic energy.
SOVIET
ARMY STAGES ‘FLEA MARKET’
Soviet
troops are having difficulty adapting to Mikhail Gorbachev’s ‘new order’.
Hundreds of former soldiers recently released from the Soviet Army
as a result of withdrawals from eastern Europe have poured into the civilian
population of the U.S.S.R. causing unpredicted havoc. Having left relatively
lavish homes and lifestyles in eastern Europe, many soldiers must now contend
with yearlong waiting lists for an apartment suite in their economically
unhealthy homeland and must endure a pursuit for employment that could
also lead to months of waiting.
Troops
remaining with regular Soviet units at home are having to deal with detente
in their own way. A military fair in Kiev -- the first ever held in Kiev
military district -- is featuring sheepskin coats, speed boats, and portable
medical labs on an auction block along with about 1,000 other military
items being disposed. Excited buyers are calling out their bids for rubber
boots, pile drivers, mobile radio stations and bridge-laying equipment.
Someone from a fishing cooperative in the Kurile Island bought a power
station and will send it home via Vladivostok as soon as the navigation
season opens. Uniformed men and officers from all three Soviet armed services
are wandering about describing the technical details of military hardware
to civilian customers.
"Reductions
in the armed forces make us military men save resources and produce
more civilian goods," said Major-General Gennady Kurdakov, deputy commander
of the military district. "The public sale of military hardware is one
way to meet conversion in the armaments industry half way. Last year our
military district sold 27 million roubles’ worth of military items to industrial
and agricultural enterprises. But this is the first fair we have held."
Kurdakov admitted, "We are replacing obsolete technologies with new systems.
But this does not mean we are offering shoddy goods. They can be put to
good use in the national economy for a long time."
Other participants
in the fair are the Odessa and the Byelorussian military districts,
the Black Sea Fleet, and many defence plants. The fair attracted customers
from all over the U.S.S.R. --as far away as the Kurile Islands, north of
Japan, and as close as the Cherkassy Region of the Ukraine. Delegates from
a collective farm there bought a mobile radio station. According to fair
director Alexander Diodorov, deals worth more than 50 million roubles were
concluded. "This 700 horsepower tank engine can be used in a stationary
or mobile system for powering different machinery, for example in drilling
and compressor systems. It costs 2,880 roubles. One, two... sold!" An entire
water-purification filtering station was sold. Other popular items were
radio relay stations mounted on lorries and desalination systems.
SOVIETs
TO USE WEST’S MODERN AIRCRAFT ENGINES
Aeroflot,
the Soviet national airline, has selected GE Aircraft Engines’ CF6-80C2
to power five firm and five option Airbus Industrie A310-300 aircraft in
an engine order potentially worth more than $150 million (U.S.). The CF6-80C2
will be the first western manufactured aircraft engine in Aeroflot’s fleet
of more than 3,000 aircraft, and GE the only western aircraft engine manufacturer
to have received engine orders from eastern European airlines.
Donald
R. Morrison, director of European sales for GE Aircraft Engines expressed
his excitement about the order. "We have built a strong presence in eastern
Europe over the past several years and adding Aeroflot to our customer
list really solidifies our position. This order opens a market of great
potential."
Aeroflot
selected the CF6-80C2 after extensive engine evaluations which included
briefings by a GE delegation in Moscow last November. In February, GE Aircraft
Engines also hosted a 13-man Soviet team for five days at its Evendale,
Ohio, manufacturing facility. Delivery of the five A310s is scheduled to
begin in late 1991 and continue through mid-1992. Aeroflot plans to use
the GE-powered aircraft to improve the standard of its service on international
routes between western Europe and southeast Asia through Moscow. Aeroflot
will have all CF6-80C2 engines serviced by one of the CF6 maintenance centres
located in western Europe, most likely Lufthansa.
Although
the Soviet market is new to GE Aircraft Engines, its parent company,
General Electric, has enjoyed a successful working relationship with the
Soviets since the 1920s in areas such as power generation, transportation,
medical equipment, and other industries. General Electric, which opened
its Moscow office in 1973 has earned more business and gained more experience
in the U.S.S.R. than any other U.S. manufacturer over the last two decades
with sales nearly doubling in recent years.
OPPOSITION
MOUNTING TO YELLOWKNIFE FOL
"Expect
a delay in construction of the Forward Operating Location (FOL) at Yellowknife,
North West Territories" warns Colonel Martin Sywyk, North American Air
Defence Modernization (NAADM) Project Manager. Five FOLs are being completed
under the NAADM programme to enable CF-18s to operate from the Arctic.
Environmental assessments are proceeding on schedule and the Government
of the North West Territories (GNWT) is said to be satisfied with the DND’s
environmental protection plans. On March 26, the City of Yellowknife issued
a building permit enabling site preparation work to begin at the Yellowknife
FOL.
There is
a fourteen day period in which any party may appeal the issuing of that
permit. The local Dene and Metis, convinced there is no need for armed
forces in our present ‘golden age of peace and enlightenment’, angry that
they were not consulted directly by DND and under the false impression
that DND did not follow the proper environmental assessment procedure,
are expected to launch an appeal on day 13.
Almost
certainly the appeal will be thrown out as the NAADM PMO’s construction
plans are not in violation of any city bylaws nor of Yellowknife’s long
term development plan. But, the process is holding up construction. Colonel
Sywyk cannot issue a contract for work at Yellowknife until he is certain
the appeal will be quashed. Meanwhile the Dene and Metis are putting pressure
on GNWT to deny approval of DND’s environmental protection plan and have
written to Defence Minister Bill McKnight. Sywyk notes that even if the
current building permit appeal is quashed, permitted construction involves
only site preparation and the construction of a gravel access road. A second
city building permit is required for construction of buildings and hangar
space which the Dene and Metis will also appeal.
CBC Yellowknife
is generating negative feeling towards the nearby military presence.
Sywyk has been condemned in CBC broadcasts and coverage has been limited
to spurious Dene and Metis claims that DND is not following the proper
planning process. Although he was interviewed by CBC, none of Colonel Sywyk’s
comments have been aired. Sywyk is frustrated. He has followed the proper
planning process. DND is required to complete an initial environmental
assessment and an environmental protection plan, which must be approved
only by GNWT as the initiating department and by Transport Canada as eventual
owner of the land. DND is only required to deal directly with GNWT; it
is GNWT’s responsibility to deal with the public and other interested parties.
However out of good will, DND provided a copy of its environmental protection
plan to the Dene and Metis and has attended public meetings at all five
FOLs.
DND has
taken steps to minimize any environmental impact of construction. All
buildings will be constructed with either insulating gravel or under-the-floor
cooling systems to ensure permafrost does not melt, and caribou herds will
be tracked constantly so that pilots can avoid them. Socioeconomic benefits
include construction of a new fire house at Rankin Inlet which will benefit
the nearby civilian airfield while a new paved runway will increase tourism
and business opportunities. Northern construction firms and labour are
being utilized throughout the FOL building process thus aiding the local
economy.
Sywyk points
out that Air Command is merely constructing buildings and hangar space
at existing Canadian Forces airfields to improve operational effectiveness.
In fact, Air Command has already been deploying fighters out of Yellowknife,
Inuvik and Iqualut for the past two years resulting in a total of one noise
complaint.
CDC
CONFIRMS NEW WESTERN PARTNER
Computing
Devices Canada (CDC) of Nepean, Ontario has signed a teaming agreement
with Westbridge Computer Corporation of Regina, Saskatchewan for the Integrated
Radio and Intercommunications System (IRIS) competition. Westbridge will
provide an Oracle-based project management system as well as internal management
services and business systems support through the company’s own mainframe
computers. TRW Command Support Division of Fairfax, Virginia another CDC
IRIS team member, will transfer some software development tools to Westbridge.
Westbridge provides corporate computer solutions to the public and private
sector. With nine offices in Canada and two in the U.S. Westbridge’s 1988
revenue was $128 million.
PARAMAX
HAS NEW "COORDINATED APPROACH" TO NSA
Paramax
Electronics Inc. of Montreal has overall control of software management
and mission system integration for the Mission System Data Handling System
(MSDHS), one of eleven subsystems of the New Shipborne Aircraft (NSA).
The MSDHS will function as the mission system’s command and control element
displaying tactical information from air, sea and undersea sensors for
the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operator aboard the EH101 ASW helicopter.
Last December,
a competition was expected to determine which of two systems would be used
as the NSA MSDHS. Computing Devices Canada (CDC) had offered the Helicopter
Integrated Processing and Display Subsystem (HINPADS) against Unisys Canada’s
Information Processing and Display Subsystem (IPDS) (See The Wednesday
Report, December 20, 1989 page 5, "New Shipborne Aircraft Data System Competition").
In March, Paramax Electronics Inc. and NSA prime contractor European Helicopter
Industries Canada (EHIC) decided to forgo the competition in favour of
developing a coordinated or hybrid approach to the MSDHS.
According
to Paul Flagg of EHIC, the coordinated approach will see the best elements
of both HINPADS and IPDS combined into one MSDHS tailored specifically
to the NSA programme. Thus neither CDC nor Unisys loses its sizable MSDHS
development investment. Unisys will provide the more mature IPDS as MSDHS
hardware. It is therefore likely that Unisys developed ‘integrated rack
technology’ will be the hardware configuration used. Integrated rack technology
involves the use of individual memory, bus, processor and display cards
which can be easily repaired or replaced if a problem occurs.
CDC meanwhile
will provide operator interface and associated software for the MSDHS.
This is the area in which CDC had spent most of its HINPADS development
money and work to date has been highly regarded. Paramax Electronics may
write the other management software itself.
Richmond B.C.-based
MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. is about to fulfill a $2.5 million
contract to provide CDC with certain software configuration items for HINPADS
development. These include tactical data handling software, mission system
management software, and outside system simulation software. Because the
MSDHS software requirements to be set out by Paramax may differ from those
of HINPADS it remains to be seen whether MacDonald Dettwiler will contribute
to MSDHS.
Paramax,
CDC and Unisys are deciding on the appropriate split of software and
work sharing responsibility. In the meantime Unisys will send its IPDS
Advanced Development Model (ADM) from its St. Paul, Minnesota facility
to Montreal this month for installation at the Paramax Avionics Simulation
Lab. The ADM will remain at Paramax Electronics Inc. for software integration.
The future
of coordinated development initiatives looks bright. With fewer defence
contracts being issued, firms that were once bitter enemies are now agreeing
to share what limited wealth is available.
OERLIKON
AEROSPACE AWARDS LLAD RADIO CONTRACT
Oerlikon
Aerospace Inc. has awarded Garrett Canada a contract of approximately
$9 million to supply military communications radios for the Canadian Forces
Low Level Air Defence (CF LLAD) system. As team leader Garrett will be
responsible for programme management, engineering support, and total logistics
support. The Very High Frequency (VHF) radios are based on Plessey Defence
System’s "System 4000" first sold last year to the Australian Army. The
Oerlikon purchase includes some further development of the radio system
to meet the special data handling, electronic countermeasures and installation
requirements of the Canadian air defence systems. Garrett’s plans for the
"System 4000" include offering a similar combat net radio design in their
bid for the upcoming Canadian Forces Tactical Command, Control and Communications
System (TCCCS) programme in which the company intends to play a leading
role in the development, manufacture and support of combat net radios.
PRIOR DATA
SCIENCES JOINS INTEGRAL FOR TCCCS BID
Prior Data
Sciences Ltd., of Kanata, Ontario, a specialist in software development
and real-time systems engineering, has announced its affiliation with the
Integral Defence Communications Group. The Integral Group now consisting
of six high-technology Canadian companies led by Garrett Canada, is seeking
to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the first phase of a tactical
command, control and communications system (TCCCS). Prior Data will be
responsible for the development of significant portions of the system software
and will integrate and test all software. Prior will establish a facility
in Calgary where the majority of the work on the communications management
system will be performed or managed. Prior forecasts annual revenues of
$10 to $11 million will be generated by 1994 from the Calgary division
and twice that amount if the Integral Group’s TCCCS bid is successful.
BOMBARDIER
TO ACQUIRE LEARJET CORP.
In a move
that was first speculated in 1987, Bombardier Inc., owner of Montreal-based
Canadair will acquire the assets and encumbrances of Learjet Corp. from
Learjet’s present owner, Integrated Resources Inc. of New York city. Rapidly
becoming the ‘United Technologies of Canada’, Bombardier has issued only
a spartan release stating its intentions to pursue the acquisition from
Learjet’s bankrupt owner. The deal will provide Bombardier with U.S. manufacturing
space, three small business jets to add to its stable of larger Canadair
Challengers -- a design that originated with Learjet Corp. -- and moreover,
a significant worldwide marketing organization and a substantially improved
thrust into the lucrative U.S. market.
AIR FORCE RELINQUISHES
CFB TORONTO TO TOTAL FORCE CONCEPT
On March 30,
Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Toronto was converted from Air Command to Mobile
Command (Army) administration. In the preparatory stages since last May,
the change was carried out as part of the ongoing ‘Total Force’ plan called
for in the 1987 defence white paper. The concept calls for the number of
Reservists to increase in number and stature with Reserve and Regular Force
units serving together under combined headquarters. CFB Toronto is to support
all militia units in Toronto and southern Ontario for payroll, uniform
and personal equipment issue as well as logistic and administrative requirements
and will be home to Land Forces Central Area (LFCA) Headquarters.
CFB Toronto
is currently home to two headquarters: Central Militia Area (CMA) Headquarters
with jurisdiction over all Militia units in Ontario, and LFCA-HQ serving
as a planning headquarters. Under the Total Force plan, CMA is to be dissolved
by Order in Council and the 42 Militia units under its command transferred
to LFCA. Eventually, LFCA-HQ will be responsible for all Canadian Central
Region Operations and will have under its command the Ontario militia units
as well as the Petawawa-based Special Service Force consisting of the Canadian
Airborne Regiment, 1 Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (currently quartered
in London, Ontario), the Royal Canadian Dragoons equipped with Cougar light
armoured vehicles, 2 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 2 Combat Engineer
Regiment and other headquarters and support elements. LFCA will also have
jurisdiction over bases in Toronto, Petawawa and London (until its 1992
closing) as well as the Meaford Training Centre. CFB Borden will not come
under LFCA’s jurisdiction as it is a training command base. Absorption
of CMA by LFCA was originally scheduled for February, postponed to April
1st and has since been postponed until later this year. Defence Ministry
officials were unavailable for comment on the delay. Following the Ontario
lead, Regular Force and Militia units will be amalgamated under area headquarters
at other national locations in the future.
QUEBEC AERO
INDUSTRY HELPS CREATE MASTERS PROGRAMME
Thanks to
the efforts of three universities -- Ecole Polytechnique, Concordia University
and McGill University -- and twelve Montreal-based aerospace companies,
a Master’s Degree Programme in Aerospace Engineering will be available
to students for the first time in Quebec. The graduate programme which
includes specialized courses in avionics, aerospace technology, aeronautics,
propulsion, and aerostructure materials will be offered at all three universities
which until now have only been able to offer a mechanical engineering programme
with a major in aeronautics.
Once drafted
the curricular programme will be submitted to the Council of Universities
for advice and then for approval to the Ministry of Higher Education and
Science. Raymond Royer, president and chief operating officer of Bombardier
Inc., and André Bazergui, director of the Ecole Polytechnique, industry
and university spokesmen respectively explained that this was a unique
initiative aimed at the growing needs for highly specialized resources
in areas which have experienced tremendous growth in Quebec in the past
few years.
The twelve
participating companies -- the Canadian Space Agency, Air Canada, Bell
Helicopter Textron, Bendix Avelex Inc., Canadair, CAE Electronics, CASO
(Centre Aéronautique Canada Corporation), Heroux Inc., Oerlikon
Aerospace Inc., Paramax, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Spar Aerospace
Ltd. -- have committed to hiring student trainees and to freeing resource
people to oversee students in "case study" type projects. It is estimated
that the Quebec aerospace industry will require close to 600 engineers
from now until the beginning of 1993. Some 250 engineers will be filling
newly created positions. Quebec represents approximately fifty percent
of the Canadian aerospace industry which employs 62,000 people and totalled
$7.7 billion in sales in 1989, of which $5.1 billion was for export. Total
sales are expected to reach $12.4 billion by 1993.
McDONNELL DOUGLAS
SELLS EIGHT MORE MD-88s TO AVIACO
Spain’s national
domestic air carrier, Aviaco has confirmed their eight options for the
McDonnell Douglas MD-88 bringing its total MD-88 orders to 13. The airline
will use the aircraft for its domestic air routes throughout Spain. Aviaco’s
MD-88s -- the most advanced of the five MD-80 models in production -- will
be the first of this MD-80 twin engined model to serve in Europe. The first
five MD-88s are to be delivered to Aviaco in late 1991 while deliveries
of the eight additional aircraft are to begin early the following year.
The MD-88, with its advanced cockpit that includes Flight Management, Inertial
Reference, and Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS), first entered
revenue service on January 5, 1988. As of March 1 McDonnell Douglas had
received 905 orders and other commitments for the MD-80s, 694 of which
have been delivered.
LASERFIRE
AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM is proven in tests
British Aerospace
(Dynamics) Limited has successfully completed a series of demonstration
firings of the Laserfire low level air defence system. Representatives
from potential customer countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa were
present and were themselves able to operate the system to track targets.
Laserfire is a completely new design concept using state of the art technologies
to provide a highly cost effective, self contained, and fully automatic
weapon system.
Laserfire
demonstrated a 90 percent success rate during the firings in the United
Kingdom in December and during the main demonstrations in the Middle East
in early March. The Laserfire missiles incorporate a proximity fuze to
optimize their capability particularly against small targets. During the
demonstrations targets were initially acquired by Laserfire’s surveillance
radar close to maximum range and automatically handed over to the system’s
laser tracker. Some firings demonstrated warhead detonation initiated by
the proximity fuze but an equal number of the small drone targets were
destroyed by direct hits. On three separate days of varying weather conditions,
the missile firings were carried out against small Banshee drone targets
-- a remotely piloted aircraft of delta planform whose size is approximately
one tenth that of a conventional fighter aircraft. A high rate of success
during these tests implies exceedingly high lethality against conventional
aircraft.
INFLUENTIAL
U.K. MP EMBROILED IN LOBBYING CONFLICT
The Chairman
of the U.K. House of Commons Defence Committee is at the centre of an altercation
over his business interests. Former cavalry colonel Michael Mates (55)
is generally regarded as a highly effective chairman of the all-party watchdog
committee. However, he has for a number of years been a consultant to Good
Relations, a public relations consultancy that was engaged by GKN Defence
during the time that it was bidding for the lucrative production contract
for the British Army’s fleet of MCV80 Warrior armoured vehicles.
In February
this year the influential London-based publications "PR Week" and "Defence
Industry Digest" revealed that Mates had accepted a directorship of a newly-formed
PR agency SGL Defence which was headed by another ex-cavalry officer and
was offering to educate clients -- of which it had none -- in the ways
of the MoD. There is no bar on MPs accepting such appointments, and indeed
Mates did all that he was required to do in the way of registering his
interests on the appropriate parliamentary register. At the time Mates
told The Wednesday Report’s John Reed that his advice was sought simply
because of his wide experience in defence matters. He subsequently resigned
his SGL directorship but remains as a consultant to the company, and it
has since emerged that not only did he effect SGL’s introduction to GKN
Defence, but that he also has been engaged as a consultant by simulation
specialist Link Miles.
In the meantime
there was an upheaval within the committee when one of its most outspoken
members, the widely-respected Labour MP Dick Douglas resigned in protest
against Mates’ connections. Last week the matter spilled over onto the
floor of the House when concern was expressed that members of a committee
which has access to sensitive material should be able to sell their expertise
on the open market.
The matter
will now go before the committee which deals with members’ interests. There
are strong pressures on Mates to resign from the committee, but the matter
has been made ultra-sensitive by the fact that Mates, who tried to secure
amendments to the government’s highly-unpopular Community Charge, is a
leading supporter of former Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine -- the
Tory most fancied to succeed Mrs. Thatcher should she be forced to step
down as Party Leader.
MDX PROGRESSES
AS MCDONNELL DOUGLAS SELECTS PW206A
McDonnell
Douglas Helicopter Company has signed a contract for the development and
production of the Pratt and Whitney Canada PW206A engine to be configured
for the MDX helicopter. The initial production order is for 200 engines
with deliveries beginning in June 1992. The first run of the final PW206A
configuration is scheduled for June of this year and first flight of the
MDX scheduled for June 1992. Helicopter deliveries will begin in December
1993. Pratt & Whitney Canada will be the exclusive MDX engine supplier
for a period of two years from the first helicopter delivery.
Meanwhile,
the McDonnell Douglas MDX twin-engine, eight-place helicopter has successfully
completed wind tunnel tests to verify its design. A one-fifth scale model
of the MDX was tested for 160 hours in a low-speed wind tunnel with particular
emphasis placed on assessing the aerodynamic characteristics of sub-component
designs and the stability characteristics of the empennage. Since the company
first announced its commitment to produce the MDX in January 1989, the
firm has taken orders for 201 of the advanced helicopters from private
and commercial operators around the world. First flight is scheduled for
mid-1992, with first delivery about 18 months later. Among the innovations
planned for MDX is the company’s NOTAR no tail rotor system. (See The Wednesday
Report, February 14, page 5, "McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Sales Booming".)
The development
of MDX includes participation by international partners. Hawker de Havilland
of Australia will build the fuselage; Kawasaki Heavy Industry of Japan
will manufacture the transmission; and operators will have the opportunities
to select between engines made by Pratt & Whitney of Canada and Turbomeca
of France.
GARRETT’s TEMPEST
AWARD RECOGNIZES TCCCS’ IRIS CAPABILITY
Garrett Canada,
a unit of Allied-Signal Aerospace Canada, has been recognized for its long
association with the Canadian Industrial Tempest Programme (CITP). At the
Third CITP Symposium at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, company
representatives from Garrett Canada received the Certificate of Accreditation
which noted their longstanding capabilities as a Tempest test facility.
The certificates, the first ever issued, were awarded to a total of four
firms.
For thirty
years, Garrett Canada has designed and manufactured advanced electronic
control systems and communications products, establishing a significant
technology base including electromagnetic compatibility design. In the
early 1980s, a Tempest-testing capacity was established enabling Garrett
to expand the company’s capabilities in the communications field. Tempest
testing will form a significant portion of the Information Securities requirement
for the Canadian TCCCS/IRIS programme for which Garrett is bidding as prime
contractor of the Integral Defence Communications Group. Most of the IRIS
subsystems and installations will have to meet stringent Tempest standards.
AGUSTA INCREASES
ORDERS FOR SF 260D PROP TRAINER
Two major
commercial contracts have recently been signed which will see sixty of
Agusta’s SF 260D primary pilot training aircraft heading to the United
States and an additional forty to Turkey. In the United States, the first
batch of seven aircraft will be delivered to the Doss Aviation Flying School
for use in the pre-selection of pilot cadets for the United States Armed
Forces. The forty new Turkish aircraft will be used to provide training
for Turkish Air Force pilots. The contract, signed in Ankara March 21,
calls for a co-production relationship with TAI, Turkey’s most important
aeronautical industry.
Turkish Defence
Minister Safa Giray attending the signing ceremony stated, "This project,
like others to be realized in the future, assures the continuation and
development of the aeronautical sector in Turkey and offers the possibility
of producing an aircraft with potential civil applications as well." This
order, in combination with others, ensures a new production run of some
200 aircraft.
AEROSPATIALE
AND MBB TO UNITE THEIR HELICOPTER ACTIVITIES
Aerospatiale
and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm GmbH (MBB) who already cooperate in
the Franco-German "Tiger" combat helicopter programme as well as in the
NATO Helicopter project (NH90) have decided to proceed with the merging
of their respective helicopter divisions. (See The Wednesday Report November
1, 1989, page 6, "MBB and Aerospatiale Plan Joint Helicopter Ventures".)
A Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) has been approved which dictates that the helicopter
activities of both companies will be coordinated as of immediately with
the aim of establishing a holding company, Eurocopter S.A., before the
end of 1990. The holding company will coordinate and control two firms
-- one French and one German -- which in turn will take over the helicopter
activities of Aerospatiale and MBB. Both partners will retain their respective
national identities. The new organization will facilitate an increase in
competitiveness and greatly improved penetration of the world market.
The helicopter
activities of Aerospatiale and MBB represent approximately one third of
the accessible world market and a combined turnover of more than 4 billion
Deutsche Mark. The current programmes of both companies as well as studies
and projects leading to a future helicopter product line will be continued
within the framework of Eurocopter S.A. who will be open to other European
helicopter companies to strengthen and concentrate the performance of the
European helicopter industry.
COST/TIME WORKSHOP
TO DEAL WITH AN EMERGING PROBLEM
With increasing
frequency, Canadian Government Requests For Proposals are demanding that
contractors operate and maintain sophisticated cost/schedule control systems
(C/SCS) as part of their contractual requirement. Because there is no Canadian
standard, Government Project Management Offices (PMOs) occasionally impose
a system based on the Cost/Schedule Control Systems Criteria (C/SCSC) of
the U.S. Department of Defence. While C/SCSC has been in existence in the
U.S. for over twenty years as a mandatory requirement on major contracts
C/SCSC is relatively new to Canada and has only recently become a feature
of Canadian Government projects.
Establishing
the capabilities required to comply with C/SCSC requirements involves extensive
and costly efforts by contractors and their major subcontractors. The absence
of a Canadian standard has resulted in inconsistent requirements being
imposed on Canadian firms which is of increasing concern to both industry
and government. The problem is further compounded by application of the
criteria to contracts where the cost risk is insufficient to justify its
use. Furthermore, portions of C/SCSC simply do not suit the Canadian environment.
Quadrum Consultants
Inc. is an Ottawa-based consulting firm which specializes in the application
of advanced project management techniques. They have been a major contributor
of project management expertise to Canadian Government projects. In 1987,
Quadrum established a joint venture with Decision Planning Corporation
(DPC) of Costa Mesa, California -- leaders in the application of C/SCSC
in the U.S. -- to establish a Canada-based centre of excellence in C/SCSC.
Quadrum and DPC have recognized the mounting problems associated with C/SCSC
applications in Canada and are joint sponsors of a workshop entitled Cost/Schedule
Control in Government Contracting to be held April 30 - May 2 in Ottawa.
The primary
objective of the workshop will be to provide a forum to create awareness
and air the views of industry and government on the appropriateness of
a standard in Canada, and to formulate recommendations on C/SCSC for issue
to Treasury Board, DND, DOT, and DSS policy directorates. All of these
departments have agreed to address the closing session of the workshop.
While it is recognized that a Canadian standard, when one is developed,
must be compatible with the U.S. Criteria as many Canadian contractors
respond to both Canadian and U.S. requirements, Mr. Robin de Schelthess,
president of Quadrum, has stated that it is not the intention to merely
press for an adoption of the U.S. C/SCS Criteria.
This timely
initiative corresponds with the efforts of the Canadian Maritime Industries
Association (CMIA) who have been attempting to direct the attention of
government decision makers to this problem for some time. Moreover, the
department of Supply and Services has taken steps to coordinate working
groups to include DND, DOT and industry, with the objective of addressing
the problem. For further information regarding the workshop contact Quadrum
Consultants Inc. at (613) 238-8371.
CALENDAR
April
17, 1990 -- The Canadian Defence Preparedness Association will hold a half-day
conference in the Theatre and Crush Lobby of the Lester B. Pearson Building,
125 Sussex Drive in Ottawa commencing at 1:15 p.m. The event is cosponsored
by the Department of External Affairs and International Trade and is scheduled
to include discussion on the following topics: Trade Development Environment,
The Global Economy, the Free Trade Agreement, and Defence Programmes. Members
will pay a fee of $15 at the door while nonmembers should contact Mr. Bond
at (613) 235-5337 prior to April 14.
April 28 --
The Toronto Branch of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute will
hold its annual dinner meeting at the Carlton Place Hotel. Dr. Karl Doetsch,
CASI President, will speak about the present and future of Canadian aerospace
including programmes and developments and the use of Space Station ‘Freedom’
as a stepping stone to the establishment of lunar bases for a mission to
Mars. For ticket information contact Wayne Rhodes at (416) 494-2816.
April 30 -
May 2 -- Quadrum Consultants Inc. and Decision Planning Corporation
(DPC) of Costa Mesa, California are jointly sponsoring a workshop entitled
"Cost/Schedule Control in Government Contracting" to be conducted in Ottawa.
Canadian Government Requests For Proposals are often demanding that contractors
operate and maintain sophisticated cost/schedule control systems (C/SCS)
as part of the contractual requirement. The primary objective of the workshop
will be to provide a forum to create awareness and air the views of industry
and government on the appropriateness of a standard in Canada, and to formulate
recommendations on C/SCSC for issue to Treasury Board, DND, DOT, and DSS
policy directorates. All of these departments have agreed to address the
closing session of the workshop. For further information regarding the
workshop contact Quadrum Consultants Inc. at (613) 238-8371.
May 3 -- The
Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies will hold its Spring Seminar at
the Park Plaza Hotel in Toronto. Titled "International Security in a Changing
Global Order" the seminar will discuss The Role of the United Nations;
Implications for International Financial Institutions; Domestic Pressures
and the International Environment; Europe and 1992; The China Situation;
and Europe - Present and Future. For more information contact the CISS
(416) 964-6632.
May 14-15 --
The "Thirty-Seventh Annual General Meeting" of the Canadian Aeronautics
and Space Institute will take place in Toronto at the Holiday Inn, Downtown
- City Hall. Various conference rooms in the hotel will accommodate the
number of sessions taking place including the Fifth Canadian Symposium
on Aerospace Structures and Materials; The Eighth Canadian Symposium on
Navigation; Sessions on aerospace propulsion; a session on astronautics;
sessions on new aircraft; a session on Aerospace Operations; a session
on simulation and training; and a Transport Canada Workshop, Future Navigation
Systems. The Annual Awards Banquet will conclude the two-day event followed
by a reception and dinner. For additional information contact the CASI
conference co-ordinator at (613) 234-0191.
July 9-11 --
Defence and Foreign Affairs and the International Strategic Studies Association
are sponsoring the seventh annual "Strategy’90" conference held at the
Dupont Plaza Hotel in Washington. Senior officials, executives and Armed
Forces officers involved in or concerned with national security policy
in more than fifty countries will gather to discuss what global transformation
means to the security of all states, and the regional balances of power
around the world. The programme will address such significant topics as
the true global impact of perestroika, the unification of Germany, the
rise of such major regional powers as India, and the impact of new developments
in chemical and biological weapons. Defence operational readiness as well
as defence medicine will be impacted by the chemical and biological developments,
but, worthy of consideration and evaluation by the strategic studies community,
they will also be impacted by the massive rise of AIDS in some countries.
"Strategy’90" is open to senior professionals involved in national security
matters. For information contact the International Media Corporation (703)
684-8455.
August 14-15
-- The Maple Leaf Chapter of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) in cooperation
with the Department of National Defence is co-hosting a "Back to Fundamentals"
symposium (post glasnost and ‘Open Skies’), in Ottawa. Topics include electronic
reconnaissance and intelligence; ECM from chaff to decoys; communications;
Electronic Warfare (EW) training; electro-optics; space EW; and signal
processing. For additional information contact the symposium chairman,
Mr. David Scribailo, AOC NE Symposium 1990, P.O. Box 41084, Ottawa, K1G
5K9.
September 16-19
-- The AIAC’s "Twenty-ninth Annual General Meeting" is to be held in the
resort area of Whistler Village, British Columbia. The four day event combines
an extensive AIAC business agenda with rest and relaxation in the beautiful
surroundings of the mountains and offers an enjoyable schedule of activities
for members, invited guests, and their spouses. For more information contact
Belva M. Neale, Convention Coordinator, (613) 232-4297.
Warning:
The Wednesday Report is protected by Copyright. No reproduction of any
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