Lebanese Air Force acquiring Joint Programmable Fuze FMU-152

A US DOD award on November 27, 2017 confirms that the Lebanese Air Force will be receiving an unspecified number of the Joint Programmable Fuze (JPF), FMU-152. The fuze is compatible with the MK-82/83/84 and BLU-109/113 warheads which can be used in conjunction with Paveway and JDAM kits.

This order comes soon after the Lebanese Air Force received its first two A29 Super Tucano, and must be directly related to its armaments.

"Kaman Precision Products, Orlando, Florida; Middletown, Connecticut, has been awarded a $85,169,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee contract for delivery of lot 13 of the joint programmable fuze, FMU-52 and corresponding production, test and engineering support.  Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida; and Middletown, Connecticut, with an expected completion date of Feb. 28, 2019.  This contract involves 26 percent foreign military sales to Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.  Fiscal 2017 procurement funds in the amount of $85,169,000 are being obligated at time of award.  This contract was a sole-source acquisition.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity (FA868118C0009).
https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1381242/
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This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)

Lebanese Air Force to receive 6 MD 530G helicopters and 6 ScanEagle UAVs

On December 13, 2017 the US Embassy in Lebanon announced that the US will be funding three programs to support the Lebanese Army capability valued at more than $120 million. The programs will provide:

1. Six MD 530G light attack helicopters
2. Six ScanEagle UAVs
3. Communication, electronic, and night vision equipment

The Lebanese Air Force already operates an unspecified number of ScanEagle UAVs (ref) but the MD 530G is a new platform that would most likely cause the SA 342L Gazelle helicopters to be phased out sooner or later. The LAF has been trying to overhaul and upgrade its inventory of SA 342 Gazelle helicopters for long time, but it never managed due to funding limitations and undelivered French aids.

While only few of the Gazelles currently in service can fire guided missiles, the six MD 530G will be capable of doing so thanks to the modern technologies it is equipped with. The MD 530G uses the Moog Weapons Stores Management giving it flexibly and modularity in types of weapons it can be equipped with which range from guns to TALON and Hellfire missiles.  The weapons, together with the EO/IR sensor and on-screen targeting display, the platform will provide highly accurate hits.

"These programs are being funded through the Department of Defense’s “Building Partner Capacity” program and are together valued at more than $120 million.  The first program will provide the LAF a rotary wing close air support capability through delivery of six new MD 530G light attack helicopters and associated equipment and training, valued at more $94 million.  The second program will provide the LAF additional command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities through the delivery of six new Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles and associated equipment and training, valued at more than $11 million.  The third program will provide the LAF additional capabilities to employ joint fire support and close air support through the delivery of communications equipment, electronics equipment, night vision devices, and training, valued at more than $16 million.

https://lb.usembassy.gov/centcom-commander-general-joseph-votels-visit-lebanon/
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This article first appeared on LAF Digest (Unofficial)