USAF, Northrop test new B-2 digital mission data upgrades

by Carlo Munoz

A B-2 Spirit bomber, deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, is prepared for a training mission at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on 17 January 2019. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) and representatives at Northrop Grumman have successfully demonstrated a new digital data transmission capability for the B-2 bomber, as part of a larger effort to overhaul the legacy stealth aircraft, according to a company statement on 9 August.

Service officials and company representatives completed an integrated airborne mission transfer (IAMT) between a B-2 Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) ground station and a B-2 Spirit outfitted with Northrop Grumman's Multi Mission Domain (MMD) architecture, according to the statement.

The IAMT demonstration took place at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, and was part of a larger, joint digital modernisation effort between the USAF and the company, dubbed the B-2 Collaborative Combat Communication (B2C3) programme.

Specifically, the 9 August IAMT demonstrationwas part of the Spiral 1 phase of the B2C3 effort, company officials said in the statement.


Get the full article by
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading


DSA 2024: Chinese manufacturer showcases aperture radar jammer

by Rakend P

An image of the SAR jamming system on display at QuanLian's booth at DSA 2024. (Janes/Rakend P)

Chinese manufacturer QuanLian T&E (Hainan) International Trade Co Ltd showcased a jamming system for synthetic aperture radars (SARs) at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur from 6 to 9 May.

This is the first time the system is displayed outside the home country, the manufacturer informed Janes .

The system counters SARs and reduces the probability of detection. It provides warning of SAR transmissions and jams it. The equipment is designed for protection against X-band frequencies (8–12 GHz).

It consists of an antenna module and a signal processing module and can operate in electronic support (ES) and electronic attack (EA) modes. The ES receiver of the system continuously monitors SAR signal emissions in the X-band and provides the SAR reconnaissance warning.

The ES receiver has -60 dBm sensitivity to detect SAR emissions with 360º azimuth coverages.

The EA system jams the SAR systems using a coherent suppression method. The jammer also operates in X-band frequencies with a bandwidth of 1 GHz.

Representatives of QuanLian told


Get the full article by
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading


Ukraine conflict: Hensoldt sending additional six TRML-4D radars to Ukraine

by Olivia Savage

This is the fourth order for the TRML-4D radar from the AFU in less than two years. The C-band ground-based air-defence radar (pictured) has been designed for near- to long-range ground-to-air detection and for weapon assignment. (Hensoldt)

Ukraine is receiving another batch of TRML-4D ground-based air-defence radars from Hensoldt to strengthen the country's air defence.

In total, six additional radars will be delivered later in 2024 to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) as part of a deal worth a EUR100 million (USD107.1 million), the company announced on 3 May.

This order follows several deliveries of Hensoldt's TRML-4D radar to the AFU. In 2022 the company delivered four TRML-4D radars for Ukraine's Diehl Defence IRIS-T surface-launched medium-range (SLM) air-defence systems, and a further four for the air-defence system in June 2023. Over the course of 2023 Ukraine also received eight standalone TRML-4D radars, independent of the IRIS-T SLM system.

The six new radars destined for the AFU this year are not intended for the IRIS-T SLM, a Hensoldt spokesperson informed Janes . They added that the order comprises a set of spare parts, training, and services.


Get the full article by
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading


UAE inaugurates GlobalEye early warning aircraft

by Jeremy Binnie

The UAE's fourth Saab GlobalEye was delivered on 18 April. (Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates)

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on 24 April that a reception ceremony for an early warning aircraft had been held at Al-Dhafra Air Base.

It cited Major General Ibrahim Nasser al-Alawi, the commander of the Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD), as saying the aircraft was a “qualitative addition” that will help protect the country's strategic interests.

The MoD released a video showing a Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft without AFAD markings being escorted by F-16 and Mirage 2000-9 fighters before landing at Al-Dhafra, as well as personnel with 8th Aviation Wing badges working at a ground station.

Saab confirmed on the following day that it delivered the fourth of five GlobalEyes ordered by the UAE on 18 April.


Get the full article by
Already a Janes subscriber? Keep reading


https://www.janes.com/defence-news/air-platforms/latest/usaf-northrop-test-new-b-2-digital-mission-data-upgrades

The US Air Force (USAF) and representatives at Northrop Grumman have successfully demonstrated a new...

Latest Podcasts

Using OSINT to support law enforcement

Ritu Gill, Intelligence Analyst, joins Harry and Sean to discuss the practical use of OSINT to support law enforcement. Ritu discusses it’s use in supporting risk assessments and classified or closed sources of intelligence. She also discusses t...

Listen now

Iran Israel analysis

A focus on Libya

China Taiwan relations

AI applications for OSINT in defence

Janes Case Studies

Using Janes Intara to build a common intelligence picture: Russian build up on the Ukrainian border

View Case Study

Assessing threats in the South China Sea 

A competitive assessment of the military aircraft market

Identifying an unknown aircraft

Case study: Using Interconnected Intelligence to Monitor Russian Troop Movement

News Categories

Request Consultation

Request a free consultation to discover how Janes can provide you with assured, interconnected open-source intelligence.

Air Details