29 juillet 2019 | International, Aérospatial

Japan wants to be an official F-35 partner. The Pentagon plans to say no.

By: Aaron Mehta , Valerie Insinna , and Mike Yeo

WASHINGTON and MELBOURNE, Australia — Japan has formally expressed interest in joining the F-35 program as a full partner, but the Pentagon plans to shoot down that request, Defense News has learned.

Sources say Japan's request to join the partnership creates major political headaches for the Pentagon, with fears it would cause new tensions among the international production base for the joint strike fighter and open the door for other customer nations to demand a greater role in future capability development.

In a June 18 letter from Japan's Ministry of Defense to Pentagon acquisition head Ellen Lord, obtained by Defense News, Atsuo Suzuki, director general for the Bureau of Defense Buildup Planning, formally requests information on how Japan could move from being a customer of the F-35 to a full-fledged member of the industrial base consortium.

“I believe becoming a partner country in F-35 program is an option,” the letter reads. “I would like to have your thoughts on whether or not Japan has a possibility to be a partner country in the first place. Also, I would like you to provide the Ministry of Defense with detailed information about the responsibilities and rights of a partner country, as well as cost sharing and conditions such as the approval process and the required period.”

“We would like to make a final decision whether we could proceed to become a partner country by thoroughly examining the rights and obligations associated with becoming a partner country based on the terms and conditions you would provide,” the letter concludes.

Lord, the Pentagon acquisition head, is scheduled to meet with Japanese officials this week, and the question of membership is expected to come up. But Tokyo won't like the answer.

Although Lord's office will be responsible for carrying the final message to Japan, the F-35 Joint Program Office told Defense News that the partnership remains limited to the initial wave of F-35 investors.

“The F-35 cooperative Partnership closed on 15 July 2002,” stated Brandi Schiff, a spokesperson for the F-35 JPO.

The decision was documented in an April 2002 memo by the Pentagon's acquisition executive stating that, “except for those countries with which we are already engaged in Level III System Development and Demonstration partnership negotiation by 15 July 2002, we will not be able to accommodate any additional Level III partners due to our inability to offer equitable government-to-government benefits and U.S. industry's inability to offer equitable 'best value' workshare arrangements,” according to Schiff.

The F-35 partners in 2007 reiterated in a separate memo that only the partners who participated in the development phase of the F-35 program would be eligible to remain partners during the production, sustainment and modernization stages.

A source familiar with internal discussions says the Pentagon is concerned that letting Japan become a program partner would lead to other nations demanding similar access.

Japan's query is hitting the F-35 program at a time of change. Vice Adm. Mat Winter, the head of the JPO, retired this month after only two years on the job, and Turkey's pursuit of a Russian air defense system has resulted in them being booted from the F-35 consortium, with all work being done by its companies to end early next year.

So in many ways, Japan asking to be made a full partner now makes sense, said a former senior official in the F-35 program, who agreed to speak on background out of respect for current decision makers.

“You now lost a partner in Turkey, so there is a vacant parking space, so to speak. And other than the U.S. services, [Japan] will be the one nation with the most F-35s,” the former official said, noting two changes that have happened in just the last year.

“Ultimately, the Department of Defense, in coordination with the State Department, made up the rules," the former official said. "The Department of Defense can change the rules.”

Global impact

There are two tiers of participation in the F-35 program. The first-tier members are considered “partners” in the program, which comes with direct involvement in the joint program office. That includes having national representatives stationed in the JPO, weighing in on decisions about future capabilities, and deciding what future industrial participation looks like.

And that industrial participation is important — building parts of the jet that go into the global supply chain is expected to net the partner nations billions in revenue over the lifetime of the program. The partners are made up of the first nine nations to sign onto the program: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The second tier consists of “customers” for the jet, comprising nations that came later to the program. Those nations command less industrial participation, lack voting power on what future development of the jet looks like, and do not have officials assigned to the JPO. That tier is made up of Israel, South Korea, Belgium and Japan, but could expand in the future with Finland, Singapore and other nations.

In December 2018, Japan announced a plan to expand procurement of F-35s from 42 to 147 jets, making it the single largest F-35 operator outside of the United States, as well as one of only three foreign nations to operate the F-35B jump-jet model. But Tokyo appears interested in increasing its teaming with the program, in large part because it wishes to take part in guiding new capabilities development as the plane gets ready for its Block 4 upgrade.

“There are various merits in participating in continuous capability development and delivery deliberation process by partner countries. In addition, there is a further need to obtain flight safety information for accountability to the public,” the letter from the Japanese defense ministry reads. “I understand that partner countries are allowed to join [JSF Executive Steering Board], to be involved in capability improvement, to dispatch their personnel to JPO, to participate in parts production and to access further information.”

The emphasis on the need to obtain flight safety information is notable, after an F-35A crashed into the ocean in April, resulting in the loss of both the plane and its pilot. Japanese officials have since blamed the crash on spatial distortion for the pilot. However, customer nations receive the same safety information that partners do, albeit slightly delayed due to the need to clear information.

The letter also acknowledges that “partner countries share significant costs,” an indication that Japan would be willing to pony up more cash in order to join the inner circle of F-35 members.

From a pure program logistics perspective, Japan becoming a partner would not be a problem, and in fact program officials would likely find it easier to deal with the largest foreign buyer of the F-35 as a partner rather than customer overall. The politics, however, quickly get tricky.

Should Japan be allowed to join, the former official noted, “you've opened Pandora's box.”

The former official specifically said that South Korea, due to its complicated political relationship with Japan, and Israel, which was the first nation to be added as a customer after the partnership option was closed, would try to use Japan's joining the program as a way in, as well. The official also highlighted Belgium, for now the sole NATO ally buying the F-35 as a customer and not a partner, as a nation with a strong case for promotion should Japan be allowed in.

The best argument DoD could make would be that the sheer size of Japan's buy deserves special privileges, but that sets a bar that other nations could look to climb and effectively buy their way into a partnership.

“This is a very interesting political football that DoD has to wrestle with. This is a bigger political decision than a programmatic one,” the former official noted. “I personally think DoD doesn't want the headache if they say yes.”

No other countries have made formal requests to join the program, Schiff confirmed. Requests for comment from Lord's office, as well as the Japanese MoD, were not returned by press time.

Benefits for Japan

In terms of industrial participation, there are opportunities for Japanese firms to pick up work that has been removed from Turkey, said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with the Teal Group.

Major Turkish defense firms have had a hand in building hundreds of parts for the jet. Turkey's expulsion from the program, which includes the United States blocking Turkey's planned procurement of 100 fighters, means that production will at least temporarily move to the United States, with a plan to farm it out to other partners in the future.

Turkey's aerostructures work could be picked up by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and to a lesser extent Kawasaki and Subaru, Aboulafia said. But he said he was “baffled” by the idea Japan would want more industrial participation at the same time they have publicly moved away from its domestic final assembly and check out (FACO) facility, which since 2013 has handled final production on Japan's domestic F-35s. The FACO facility, which is operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will continue to carry out production work until FY22 to fulfill the F-35As contracted by Japan between FY15 and FY18.

Instead, Aboulafia sees Japan's interest as being driven by a desire for future developments, given the decision to increase the island nation's planned procurement of the jet.

“If they are going to base their fighter force on this plane for decades to come, they clearly want a say in how this plane is upgraded,” he said. “It's a sovereignty thing.”

And floating in the background is another potential complicating factor for the Pentagon: Japan's continued drive to develop an indigenous fighter.

Japan is developing a new fighter type to replace the indigenous Mitsubishi F-2 fighter currently in service, and wants the new design to enter service in the 2030s. It is also looking at development pathways for this project, with a fully indigenous design, collaboration with a foreign partner, or a spinoff from an existing fighter design being considered as possible options.

The country is already conducting research and development into a number of relevant areas for fighter design, including stealth technologies, fighter engines and active electronically scanned radars, and had previously built a technology demonstrator, the X-2 Shinshin, and carried out a series of test flights with this aircraft to validate these technologies.

Asked if the Japanese could be considering the fighter program in their decision to pursue membership in the F-35, Aboulafia bluntly responded, “How could they not?”

Schiff, the JPO spokesperson, said the F-35 remains a critical focal point of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

“Any opportunities to strengthen the alliance through interoperability and cooperation will be emphasized. As an FMS customer, Japan participates in F-35 user groups and other bi-lateral forums and engagements," she said.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2019/07/29/japan-wants-to-be-an-official-f-35-partner-the-pentagon-plans-to-say-no/

Sur le même sujet

12 mai 2023 | International, Naval

Attribution des contrats de prolongation de la durée de vie des navires Martha L. Black et Leonard J. Cowley de la Garde côtière canadienne
Ottawa (Ontario) - Veiller à ce que le personnel de la Garde côtière canadienne dispose d'un équipement fiable pour garder les voies navigables du Canada ouvertes et sécuritaires est une priorité clé pour le gouvernement du Canada. Aujourd'hui, la Garde côtière canadienne a annoncé l'attribution de deux contrats pour la prolongation de la durée de vie du NGCC Martha L. Black et du NGCC Leonard J. Cowley, d'une valeur de 31,5 millions de dollars et de 29,7 millions de dollars respectivement. Les deux navires seront en cale sèche pour commencer une période de maintenance prolongée, visant à augmenter leur durée de vie opérationnelle. À la suite d'un processus concurrentiel ouvert, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada, au nom de la Garde côtière canadienne, a attribué à Verrault Navigation Inc. de Les Méchins, au Québec, et à Newdock de St. John's, à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, les contrats pour terminer les travaux de prolongation de la durée de vie du NGCC Martha L. Black et du NGCC Leonard J. Cowley. Brise-glace léger polyvalent et navire baliseur, le NGCC Martha L. Black est principalement responsable des aides à la navigation et des travaux d’entretien des bouées dans la région du Saint-Laurent pendant les mois les plus chauds de l'année. Pendant les mois d'hiver, le navire effectue des escortes dans les glaces et sur le Saint-Laurent et le Saguenay, jouant un rôle essentiel dans le maintien de la navigation des principales voies navigables du Canada toute l'année. Le NGCC Leonard J. Cowley est un patrouilleur hauturier basé à St. John’s, à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. Bien que la tâche principale du navire soit la surveillance des pêches et l'application de la loi, le navire effectue également des opérations de recherche et de sauvetage en cas de besoin. Alors que les navires feront l’objet d’une prolongation de la durée de leur vie du printemps 2023 à l'été 2024, la Garde côtière canadienne redéploiera ses autres ressources maritimes pour s'assurer que les voies navigables du Canada continuent d'être sécuritaires pour tous les gens de mer. Ces contrats s’inscrivent dans le cadre du pilier réparation, radoub et entretien de la Stratégie nationale de construction navale, qui contribue à faire en sorte que le Canada dispose d'une flotte de navires sécuritaires et efficaces, pour servir et protéger les Canadiens pour les années à venir, tout en offrant des possibilités continues aux chantiers navals et aux fournisseurs partout au Canada. Citations « Grâce à la Stratégie nationale de construction navale, nous nous assurons d'investir dans le bon équipement afin que les membres de la Garde côtière canadienne disposent de l'équipement dont ils ont besoin, pour assurer notre sécurité sur l'eau, et garder ouvertes toute l'année les routes commerciales essentielles. Ce travail est gagnant-gagnant, car il stimule l'économie, et nous aide à protéger les côtes et les eaux spectaculaires du Canada. » L’honorable Joyce Murray, ministre des Pêches, des Océans et de la Garde côtière canadienne « Avec la Stratégie nationale de construction navale, notre gouvernement veille à ce que la Garde côtière canadienne dispose de l'équipement et des outils dont elle a besoin, pour s'acquitter de son travail crucial d'un océan à l'autre. Ces contrats vont permettre à la fois de prolonger la durée de vie du NGCC Martha L. Black et du NGCC Leonard J. Cowley et d'offrir des opportunités économiques aux chantiers navals canadiens. » L’honorable Helena Jaczek, ministre des Services publics et de l’Approvisionnement « Maintenir nos navires en bon état de fonctionnement est indispensable pour garantir que notre personnel puisse fournir aux Canadiens les services dont ils ont besoin tout au long de l'année. Nous sommes heureux de travailler avec Verrault Navigation et Newdock pour nous assurer que le NGCC Martha L. Black et le NGCC Leonard J. Cowley serviront les Canadiens pendant de nombreuses années à venir. » Mario Pelletier, commissaire, Garde côtière canadienne Faits en bref Le NGCC Martha L. Black est basé à Québec, au Québec, et a été mis en service en 1986. Le navire dessert les Canadiens dans la région du Saint-Laurent depuis sa mise en service, en veillant à ce que les voies navigables restent ouvertes et navigables. Le NGCC Leonard J. Cowley est entré en service en 1984 et effectue des opérations d'application de la loi en matière des pêches à partir de son port d'attache à St. John's, Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador. Le navire est équipé d'un pont d’envol nécessaire aux opérations d’un hélicoptère léger. Les travaux de prolongation de la durée de vie du NGCC Martha L. Black comprennent : Remplacement du moteur principal Renouvellement des parties en acier du hangar d'hélicoptère Remplacement de l'acier du pont principal et du pont du bateau Remplacement du système de communication interne Récupération des matières dangereuses Sablage et peinture de la coque Entretien des fenêtres de la timonerie Les travaux de prolongation de la durée de vie du NGCC Leonard J. Cowley comprennent : Remplacement et remise à neuf de l’équipement de pont Améliorations de la propulsion Travail sur les structures en acier Rénovation du logement Remise à neuf du hangar et des opérations aériennes Modernisation du système de ventilation Liens connexes Stratégie nationale de construction navale Carrières à la Garde côtière canadienne https://www.canada.ca/fr/garde-cotiere-canadienne/nouvelles/2023/05/attribution-des-contrats-de-prolongation-de-la-duree-de-vie-des-navires-martha-l-black-et-leonard-j-cowley-de-la-garde-cotiere-canadienne.html
15 octobre 2019 | International, Terrestre

How Army IT modernization is reshaping this cadre of soldiers
By: Mark Pomerleau The Army's efforts to modernize its tactical networks and information technology are expected to reshape its signal corps, according to service officials. One of the Army's efforts includes creating what is known as “expeditionary signal battalion-enhanced," or ESB-E. Expeditionary signal battalions support units that don't have organic communications capabilities. These groups could include military intelligence battalions, chemical battalions, engineering battalions or air defense artillery branches. However, the Army realized it took too long to get equipment to theater, and the units said the gear performed too slowly on the battlefield, Sgt. Maj. Wendle Marshall, the head of 50th ESB-E, told C4ISRNET during a September trip to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In response, the service adopted a more expeditionary approach, hence the “enhanced.” The Army as a whole is working to be more expeditionary and mobile to stay ahead of potential future threats, which will require units to move rapidly. Mobility extends to the overall tactical network modernization effort, for which the ESB-E is part of the first iteration of development to the force in 2021. The 50th ESB-E is the experimental unit, and three of its companies each received different equipment to test. When the Army receives feedback from those units and makes a decision on fielding, it will retrofit the entire battalion with the same gear. In 2021, the Army plans to outfit three ESB-Es out of 24 total ESBs. The biggest difference between the enhanced version of these battalions? Advancements in technology allow them to be more mobile and use less equipment while proving more capable. Soldiers described to C4ISRNET the difference in equipment between two sister battalions in the same signal brigade — one being an enhanced battalion. Based on the current configuration of a company in a typical battalion, six vehicles are needed to establish communications for a battalion or brigade — three vehicles and three trailers totaling six drivers — and three to seven C-17 planes to transport the vehicles. The enhanced versions can deploy that same company in a single C-17 requiring just a four-seat Humvee and one trailer to house equipment and personal gear. “If we had to get somewhere fast, we would not be able to provide the combat power as effective or fast as the ESB-E would,” Lt. Col. Trey Matchin, commander of 67th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, a sister battalion of the 50th located at Fort Gordon, Georgia, told C4ISRNET. Marshall said the enhanced battalions also aren't constrained to just satellite communications. “This kit's allowing us to change force structure to meet the needs of the Army,” Col. Matthew Foulk, commander of 35th Signal Brigade, which includes the 50th and 67th, told C4ISRNET in August. Moreover, with less equipment, soldiers' loads are lighter, they are more multifunctional and they rely less on contractor support. “ESB-Es being fielded is going to come to an apex at the perfect time. Which is creating a more multifunctional soldier instead of ‘I only do SATCOM [satellite communications] or I only do baseband, I only do radios.' We're getting away from that,” Foulk said. Marshall demonstrated how the motor pool for the 50th is smaller and simplified compared to sister battalions. One prominent example is an operations cell in which soldiers work on their kits as opposed to contractors. This allows war fighters to become proficient on systems ahead of exercises. https://www.c4isrnet.com/show-reporter/ausa/2019/10/15/how-army-it-modernization-is-reshaping-this-cadre-of-soldiers
8 juillet 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

Defense Industry’s Covid Closings Decline, Pentagon Agency Says
By Anthony Capaccio The defense industry has made major strides reducing the impact of Covid-19 on operations, decreasing total closings of facilities to six on Monday from a high of 148 in mid-April, according to the Pentagon agency that oversees contracts. “We're seeing a significantly smaller fraction of the industrial base impacted on a daily basis” as contractors have become “better at restoring operational capability after potential exposures” to the coronavirus, Army Lieutenant General David Bassett, director of the Defense Contract Management Agency, said in an interview. “We've gone from having a substantial fraction of the industrial base impacted to today,” where it's “just a handful.” In total, 279 defense contracting locations were forced to shut down an average of 20 days since April because of the pandemic. In addition, 149 locations currently have reduced operations because of the virus, according to the agency, which tracks 10,509 locations of major defense contractors and their subcontractors. “These closures have generally been short-term in order to clean facilities” or to “reduce the potential exposure of employees,” according to agency spokesman Matthew Montgomery. Ellen Lord, the Defense Department's acquisitions chief, has warned that pandemic disruptions are expected to result in defense industry claims for reimbursement of more than $10 billion under the Cares Act, which provides economic aid including reimbursing contractors for payments to employees affected by disruptions such as plant closings. She has said a single contractor, which she didn't name, is estimated to have at least $1.5 billion in potential claims. Bassett said the decline in plant closings reflects that companies “have really got a plan in place so that they know what they have to do when they find people who have been exposed, how they have to handle the plant and then what they can do to get back up quickly and safely.” Bassett assumed command of the contract agency on June 3 after a career that included positions as the Army's top program manager for command-and-control networks and for ground-combat vehicles. “As we watch right now and cases are beginning to rise in certain areas of the country, I've asked all of our teams to really think about what we can do right now to make sure if we do end up in a shutdown we can avoid impacts to the industrial base and our deliveries,” he said. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-07/defense-industry-s-covid-closings-decline-pentagon-agency-says

Toutes les nouvelles