25.09.2013 Lior Estline --.iaf.org.il

It is almost 40 years old, but it is perfectly fit and though many years have passed since it started its service in the IAF, the IAI "Kfir" is one of the most surprising exports of the IAI. From outside it looks almost the same, but on the inside, technology from the second decade of the 21st century is installed, making it a fighter that can do anything on the modern battlefield

"It was the evening of Israel's Independence Day and high above Ben Gurion Airport a triangular winged fighter plane rolled in and performed maneuvers with grace and precision. What made the inaugural flight noteworthy is the fact that after years of relying on French and American fighter planes, Israelis now manufacture a plane with their own hands".

IAF Magazine opened its August 1975 edition with these very words. Four months prior, on the eve of Independence Day, two Kfir planes were delivered to the IAF and the vision of the "Israeli fighter plane" became a reality with the inaugural flight described in IAF Magazine.

While it is fixed in the national consciousness as the first Israeli fighter plane, few people know that today, almost 40 years after that evening in Ben Gurion Airport, the Kfir ('Lion" in Hebrew) has leapt into the 21st century, a leap that has brought with it the best of technology and armaments of 2013 and has made it a plane with diverse and attractive capabilities.

New, Brand New

"In the critical area of 'see first - shoot first', the Kfir has capabilities that are no less powerful than the capabilities of any western or eastern fighter plane of the fourth generation (F-16, F-15, Eurofighter, Rafal, MiG-29, Sukhoi-30) and is a first class competitor with planes that are not equipped with stealth technology produced in recent decades", says Oren Aviram, Director of Marketing and Business Development in the "Lahav" factory of the IAI. "If we take into account the technology and the computer systems installed in the newer fourth generation planes, it's around a decade old; in the 'Block 60' Kfir, the latest technology that is produced here these days is installed and that is where the advantage lies".

This situation is made possible because of the unique configuration of the aircraft system. According to Yossi Melamed, director of "Lahav":

"We work with open architecture, which allows us to continue to install innovations in the field of computing and avionics in the planes and actually to upgrade them all the time, unlike other fighter planes".

The "Block 60" which is the 2013 model of the Kfir, is an upgraded fighter plane that undergoes "stripping" before the beginning of the upgrading process. "Whether it's a Kfir that has arrived from a foreign customer or whether it's a local Kfir, we remove everything down to what we call the 'pipes', i.e. the central cylinder which constitutes the fuselage. Afterwards, we install everything new and if need be we produce parts that are needed", explains Melamed. "Of course, the equipment that is installed in the whole plane is new: wiring, avionics, computer systems, radar and various types of armaments and plane systems with zero hour flight".

During the stripping process, the body of the plane is checked down to the smallest screw. "After the process the plane undergoes in the 'Lahav' factory, it leaves with the ability to fly 8,000 hours with the manufacturer's warranty, meaning the plane can fly for decades", explains Aviram.

After the stripping process, the next step is the installation of the systems. One of the main systems is the version of the Data Link system that is installed in the Kfir planes produced by "Lahav" and also in all of the IAF fighter planes connecting the planes, control and command systems, and the armaments. The systems turns the Kfir into a plane that is suited for the battlefield of the 21st century, a battlefield that is based on a multitude of data, constantly connected and mainly data processing at record speeds in order to take necessary actions against targets with short exposure lengths and low signatures.

The Colombian Challenge

One of the main customers of the Kfir is the Colombian Air Force. "Colombia is a country that engaged in a battle", explains Oren. "The Kfir planes there work and attack; they have been engaged in continuous and intense operational activity for years".

Up until a few years ago the Colombians operated around a dozen Kfir fighters of the third generation configuration. "We faced some significant challenges on the Colombian project", adds Oren. "We had to upgrade the planes they own from third generation to fourth generation as well as double the number of Kfir planes of Colombia and finally, we were supposed to complete the project with in a period of three years".

All the Colombian planes underwent the upgrade process and became new planes within the same period of time that was assigned to the project. Consequently, on Colombian Independence Day which was set as the deadline, an impressive flying formation of 24 upgraded Kfir fighters flew across the sky.

"One of the main things in the project we put emphasis on was a high level of usability", said Melamed and not long before the level of usability was put to the test. The Colombian Air Force received an exclusive invitation to take part in the famous "Red Flag" week in USA. The Colombian Kfir planes flew over 2000 miles to the Nellis airbase in Nevada, using the new aerial refueling capabilities that constitute part of the upgrade and they all arrived safely, but the long flight was just a prelude to what happened at the "Red Flag" week.

"At some points in the flights during the week, the advanced fourth generation fighters of different countries took off in a partial composition following usability problems, while the Kfir planes demonstrated full usability in the air and yielded excellent results", explains Oren. "They did their job, scored hits and even surprised with their offensive abilities in aerial combat: the updated Kfir with advanced radar, electronic warfare, long range air-to-air armaments and advanced avionics managed to shot down fourth generation American fighters that flew against them as simulated enemy plane. The American participants thought very highly of the Colombian pilots and their Kfir planes, the many indications of which can be found on the internet".

Fire in the Sky

The people in "Lahav" put an emphasis on the Cost-Benefit characteristic of the 2013 "Block 60" model of the Kfir. "The Kfir is in line with fourth generation planes and brings with it between 80-120 percent of their capabilities in terms of avionics, armaments, payload and pods such as the 'Lightning' for nighttime attacks and laser designation capability for a precise attack, radar capabilities that include high resolution ground mapping, SAR capability that allows for information gathering and attacks in all weather conditions, all of this at a third of the price of fourth generation planes and with a flight hour at a fourth of the price of fourth generation Western planes with single engine", explains Aviram and Melamed adds that: "the customer receives a plane with radar capabilities, computer systems and advanced armaments at a significantly lower price than similar planes on the market".

The result is that more countries are already expressing interest in the Kfir planes, among them countries in Europe. The "Block 60" version for NATO countries will include connectivity, advanced radar of the AESA kind that allows activities in more than one mode simultaneously and more very advanced capabilities. Beyond that, aerial refueling capabilities were also added giving the plane a much broader scope and there were significant changes in the cockpit.

"The cockpit of the Kfir fighters has undergone a big change", explains Oren. "There is a colored radar screen, a moving map, a new multi-strength mission computer and HOTAS capabilities that allow control of many activities without removing your hands from the stick".

The Kfir can now lock on 64 targets, share them with other planes and get an indication of who is locked on whom. "The ability of the radar to separate targets and categorize together with the network sharing allows for a full picture of the battlefield", says Oren. "The Kfir has cross-section radar that is very low and coupled with the capabilities of its radar it 'sees first and shoots first' better than most of the other fighter planes of the fourth generation".

Even with respect to armaments, the Kfir planes are at the forefront. "You can hang on the Kfir any kind of armament on the nine stations", Melamed emphasizes. "We combined laser-guided munitions that are assisted by the designation pod with autonomous guided bombs and advanced air-to-air missiles, like the Python-5 and BVR missiles equivalent to AMRAAM".

It turns out that these capabilities also have evidence in reality. As stated, Colombia is very active with the upgraded Kfir planes in the air-to-ground area, precise attacks in inclement weather and at night. As a result, the Kfir planes remain operational and in use at all hours of the day.

Melamed is looking forward with optimism. "In a few years, the intention is to sell between two to three squadrons".

Kfir in action

The 27th of June, 1979 was a good day for world records and indeed two were actually set. It was a day in which for the first time, an F-15 fighter shot down an enemy plane but more interestingly, it was the first time the Kfir won a "Dog fight".

Captain S', who holds the world record, said in the August 1979 edition of IAF Magazine: "I got cold feet, but when you're inside, everything work out", and today when Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Shai Eshel looks back at that battle, he says that, in retrospect, it was possible to down even more Syrian MiGs. "The flight that same day was intended to intercept the Syrian MiGs that harassed the aerial photographing flights of the IAF that followed the placement of Syrian missile batteries in the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon", he adds.

The pair of Phantom F-4 jets that took photographs was accompanied by eight intercepting planes. "Four of the planes consisting of Falcon (F-15) jets were visible. They talked on the two way radio and flew above Beirut, while our other four planes consisting of two Falcon (F-15) jets and two Kfir fighters, where I was number 4, went silent and flew at a low altitude outside of the area".

The Phantom planes began to go north from the Dead Sea area and ascended to reach an altitude of 60,000 feet from which the photographs can be taken. The Syrians that located the flight deployed eight MiGs from the Damascus area towards the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. Crossing the northern line of the photographers getting ready to intercept them, the MiGs accelerated and gained height.

"Immediately afterwards, the F-15 jets start to make radar contact with the MiGs, while the photographing planes turn their tails towards the Syrian planes that were

flying towards them without knowing that they are arriving at a trap", explains Eshel. "Then, the controller tuned to the F-15 planes and gave the approval to open fire".

That is how the historic aerial battle began. While Eshel's silent aerial formation of four planes started to gain height towards the battle, the aerial formation of four F-15 planes opened fire. "We dropped extra fuel tanks, but my fuel tank got stuck because of a technical malfunction. As I was gaining height, the missiles launched by the F-15 fighters passed over our heads. We also entered the battle and I noticed a MiG spinning that I assumed was going to crash, so I didn't exert any effort on downing him. In retrospect, he landed safely and I missed an easy downing opportunity".

The radio network was filled with a lot of yelling and the air with missiles that were launched one after another. "I noticed two MiGs turning east and I went after them. From a range of 1500 meters I launched a missile towards the leader that exploded 2-3 meters behind it. It started to emit smoke, but the pilot continued to fly it. I approached it at a short distance in order to finish the job with canons, but he abandoned the plane and, in retrospect, it turned out that this moment was captured by the camera lens of the canon".

Eshel also tried to hit the second MiG. "The two of us were at low speed and so I tried to gain speed and raise the nose of the plane. I got into the missile launching position and I launched the second missile, but to my disappointment, it didn't hit the target. I reduced the distance between us in order to down him with a canon but he rolled over, entered a cloud and that is how lost the opportunity".

At the end of the massive battle that lasted a very short time, it became clear that five MiGs were shot down. Landed at the base, it became clear to Eshel that the real battle had just begun.

"The F-15 pilots claimed that all the shoot-downs belong to them", recalls Eshel. "Together with the Commander of the Base, I traveled to the debrief in which it was determined that the downing belonged to me".

September 24, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: US Air Force; issued Sept. 23, 2013)

100K & Going: Global Hawk Makes Mark As Safest Platform

GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. --- Although the days of the bombers and tankers are long gone, Airmen at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., are still finding ways to make Air Force history thanks to the Global Hawk mission.

The Northrop Grumman Corporation recently announced that its high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft systems achieved 100,000 flight hours Sept. 5.

News of the milestone was well-received by the leadership and members of the 69th Reconnaissance Group, the unit at Grand Forks AFB directly in charge of conducting Global Hawk missions.

"This milestone is something in which those of us involved in the Global Hawk mission take great pride," said Col. Lawrence Spinetta, 69th RG commander.

According to the Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M., approximately 85 percent of the 100,000 flight hours for this aircraft were logged by U.S. Air Force Global Hawks. Credit for the remaining flight hours was split among the NASA, German and U.S. Navy versions of the aircraft.

The Global Hawk also has the safest record of any fighter, bomber or reconnaissance aircraft in the Air Force's active inventory.

"The safety record of the U.S. Air Force Global Hawk fleet is remarkable, especially given the fact that the system was rushed to combat and flew 75 percent of its first 100,000 hours supporting our warfighters in Afghanistan and elsewhere," Spinetta said. "These figures prove the reliability of unmanned aircraft technology. More importantly, it's testament to the professionalism of our Airmen and the pride they take in accomplishing our mission."

The Global Hawk is aptly named. Every day, RQ-4s circle the globe, providing critical strategic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to six combatant commands.

"The jet's long endurance is a significant combat force multiplier," Spinetta said.

The RQ-4, which can fly for upwards of 30 hours nonstop, has the ability to cover almost half the circumference of the world without refueling. That capability makes it a key contributor to the global vigilance, global reach, and global power of the U.S. Air Force.

Spinetta reflected on the recent aviation milestone and contemplated what it means for the history of the Air Force.

He told members of the 69th RG that their hard work is "the realization of an Air Force prophecy" by Gen. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold. As the commanding general for the U.S. Army Air Force in 1945, Arnold said, "We have just won a war with a lot of heroes flying around in planes. The next war may be fought by airplanes with no men in them at all...Take everything you've learned about aviation in war, throw it out the window, and let's go to work on tomorrow's aviation."

Members of the 69th RG will receive patches from Northrop Grumman commemorating the milestone.

"Some people might refer to the patch as badge of honor, however, we know the real honor is knowing we are doing an excellent job protecting our warriors and our nation," Spinetta said. "That's exactly what we will continue to do."

Sep 24, 2013 ASDNews Source : The Boeing Company

    Provides next generation of combat training for US Air Force

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Air Force have completed the first unmanned QF-16 Full Scale Aerial Target flight, demonstrating the next generation of combat training and testing.

Two U.S. Air Force test pilots in a ground control station remotely flew the QF-16, which is a retired F-16 jet modified to be an aerial target. The QF-16 mission profile included auto takeoff, a series of simulated maneuvers, supersonic flight, and an auto land, all without a pilot in the cockpit.

Read morehttp://www.asdnews.com/news-51259/Boeing_QF-16_Aerial_Target_Completes_1st_Pilotless_Flight.htm

September 24, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: U.S Department of Defense; issued September 23, 2013)

Pentagon Contract Announcement

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded a $214,843,107 modification to the previously awarded F-35 Lightning II Lot VI low rate initial production advance acquisition contract (N00019-12-C-0090).

This modification provides for initial spare modules, initial spare parts, replenishment spare parts, and production non-recurring efforts, including tooling, for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, the United Kingdom, Italy, The Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark, and Norway.

Work will be performed in East Hartford, Conn. (67 percent); Bristol, United Kingdom (16.5 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (16.5 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2016.

Fiscal 2011 and 2012 procurement, Air Force, fiscal 2011and 2012 procurement, Navy, and international partner funding in the amount of $214,843,107 will be obligated at time of award, $33,328,898 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps ($111,245,364; 51 percent); U.S. Air Force ($72,711,358; 34 percent); and the Governments of Italy ($8,850,625; 4 percent), the United Kingdom ($6,824,288; 3 percent), Australia ($6,245,484; 3 percent), The Netherlands ($2,350,434; 1 percent), Turkey ($2,722,643; 1 percent), Canada ($1,769,504; 1 percent), Denmark ($816,366; 1 percent) and Norway ($1,307,041; 1 percent).

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

23 septembre 2013 par Pierre Sparaco – Aerobuzz.fr

Les Pays-Bas vont commander trente-sept F-35A Lightning II, alias Joint Strike Fighter. La Belgique en fera autant l’année prochaine, deux commandes qui confirmeront les grandes ambitions mondiales de l’avion de combat de Lockheed Martin.

C’est au terme d’une longue valse-hésitation que les autorités de La Haye ont décidé de consacrer 4,5 milliards d’euros au F-35A pour assurer le remplacement d’une partie de leurs F-16. Une commande complémentaire de plusieurs dizaines d’exemplaires est envisagée en un deuxième temps, pour autant que le budget de la Défense le permette.

Ce choix ne constitue en aucun cas une surprise, les Hollandais ayant de la suite dans les idées et ne résistant jamais à l’appel du grand large : ils ont en effet successivement commandé le Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, le Northrop F-5 puis le F-16, écartant systématiquement les propositions françaises qui leur étaient soumises. Les Belges ont été très influencés par cette manière de faire, aux dépens de l’Europe de la Défense, au point de multiplier les occasions manquées, à commencer par la possibilité qui leur avait été offerte par Dassault Aviation de prendre une participation de 10 % dans le développement et la production du Rafale.

Le Pentagone et Lockheed Martin conduisent des négociations avec d’autres acheteurs potentiels, notamment le Canada, où le dossier est à l’origine d’une violente polémique politique. photo Lockheed-Martin

En Belgique, la situation est plus complexe qu’aux Pays-Bas. Sans indiquer le nombre d’exemplaires qui seraient commandés, Pieter De Crem, ministre de la Défense, a exprimé une préférence pour le F-35A, toute autre possibilité semblant écartée, Super Hornet, Rafale, Eurofighter ou Gripen NG. Mais il va se heurter à l’opposition du parti socialiste et, explique notre confrère Patrick Anspach, aux réticences de la Flandre. Ce qui revient à dire que l’inextricable fracture politico-linguistique qui mine la Belgique n’épargnera pas ce dossier.

Le Pentagone prévoit de commander environ 2 400 F-35, dans ses trois versions, dans le cadre d’une opération d’une durée d’une cinquantaine d’années. photo Lockheed-Martin

Sabca, première entreprise aéronautique du royaume, va logiquement défendre les couleurs du Rafale, Dassault étant son actionnaire. Mais Asco, très influente, bénéficie de commandes de sous-traitance de Lockheed Martin et fera évidemment le choix contraire. D’où la perspective d’un affrontement violent qui, dans une certaine mesure, pourrait rappeler l’épique marché du siècle de 1975 : les Pays-Bas, la Belgique, le Danemark et la Norvège, après avoir renoncé au Tornado trop coûteux, avaient décidé de commander conjointement 348 avions pour tenter d’obtenir des conditions favorables et, notamment, des compensations économiques généreuses. Avec l’appui de Pratt & Whitney, General Dynamics l’avait emporté avec le F-16, qui n’était alors qu’un démonstrateur technologique, une défaite cuisante pour l’Europe.

Ce mois-ci, Lockheed Martin a célébré le début de l’assemblage du 100e avion à Fort Worth, jadis siège de General Dynamics, créateur du F-111 puis du F-16. photo Lockheed-Martin

Le F-35, programme d’une ampleur considérable, a déjà été retenu par le Royaume-Uni, l’Australie, l’Italie, la Norvège, Israël et le Japon, le Pentagone prévoyant pour sa part d’y consacrer 857 milliards de dollars. En retard, hors budget, mais bénéficiant d’efforts de redressement impressionnants, le prix catalogue du F-35 serait descendu, semble-t-il, à environ 85 millions de dollars. Trois versions sont mises au point, F-35A « classique », F-35B à décollage vertical, F-35C destiné à être embarqué sur porte-avions.

La production est lancée, le centième exemplaire est actuellement visible sur la chaîne d’assemblage final de Fort Worth, dans le Texas, dans le grand hall de 1 600 mètres de longueur d’une usine propriété de l’Etat fédéral, vestige de l’effort de guerre de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Une chaîne d’assemblage sera mise en place par Alenia Aermacchi, consacrant l’ancrage européen de l’opération.

La direction générale de l'armement devrait notifier à Dassault aviation et Thales un contrat pour moderniser la flotte d'Atlantique 2 de la Marine nationale

23/09/2013 Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

Le contrat portant sur la modernisation de quinze Atlantique 2 doit être notifié de façon imminente par la direction générale de l'armement à Dassault Aviation et Thales. Il est évalué à près de 400 millions d'euros. Le ministre de la défense, Jean-Yves Le Drian pourrait l'annoncer dans les prochains jours.

C'est une bonne nouvelle pour la marine et… pour les industriels (Dassault Aviation et Thales), qui vont enfin signer le contrat très attendu portant sur la modernisation de quinze avions de patrouille maritime Atlantique 2 (ATL 2) sur les 27 exemplaires livrés entre 1989 et 1997. Une opération qui permettra de maintenir cette capacité dans la marine jusqu'à 2032… faute de pouvoir acquérir actuellement un autre avion "sur étagère" plus performant. La cible de 15 avions rénovée sera atteinte post 2019 alors que la marine souhaitait en moderniser 22 exemplaires. Au total, le contrat est évalué à près de 400 millions d'euros à partager à trois : Dassault Aviation, Thales et le service industriel de l'aéronautique (SIAé).

Les Atlantique 2 appuient entre autre discrètement la force océanique stratégique française (dissuasion). Selon des sources concordantes, la direction générale de l'armement (DGA) doit rapidement notifier - vraisemblablement dans la première quinzaine du mois d'octobre - le contrat à Dassault Aviation (autour de 200 millions d'euros), le concepteur de l'avion et responsable de sa navigabilité, et Thales (130 millions) comme principal équipementier ainsi que DCNS, en tant que sous-traitant de l'avionneur, et le SIAé. Le ministre de la défense, Jean-Yves Le Drian pourrait l'annoncer dans les prochains jours.

Fourchette financière basse retenue

C'est donc la fourchette basse de l'évaluation de la modernisation, qui a été retenue par la DGA. Cette dernière avait estimé cette première phase entre 330 et 700 millions d'euros. La seconde reste encore à déterminer et devra  être engagée à partir de 2016. « Une rénovation de l'ATL 2 était aujourd'hui indispensable, mais présente des difficultés, notamment dans la définition des travaux souhaitables au vu des ressources financières disponibles », expliquait récemment un rapport du ministère de la Défense.

La modernisation concerne le traitement des obsolescences et la mise en place d'un nouveau système de mission et de nouveaux équipements. Ce qui permettra à ces appareils de s'adapter à l'évolution de la menace avec la prolifération de sous-marins classiques performants et discrets, mis en opération dans les pays émergents, notamment.

Un programme à 12 milliards d'euros sur 40 ans

Le retrait du service de l'ATL 2 est prévu à partir de 2032 après plus de 40 ans d'activité au cours desquels les cellules et les moteurs auront été constamment maintenus, tandis que le système de combat faisait l'objet de nombreuses modifications. Le coût annuel du maintien en condition opérationnelle (MCO) de ces appareils est estimé à près de 140 millions d'euros et le coût d'utilisation à près de 30 millions d'euros.

Ainsi, pour les quarante ans de vie de ces avions, dont la fabrication a débuté à Toulouse (usine Bréguet), le coût global de possession serait de l'ordre de 12 milliards d'euros (5,6 milliards pour l'acquisition : 5,6 milliards et 6,4 milliards pour l'utilisation). Soit plus de 50 % consacrés à l'entretien, au fonctionnement et au soutien. « Celui-ci est particulièrement élevé, car pour préserver le capital opérationnel irremplaçable représenté par ces avions, de multiples ajouts d'équipements ou améliorations ont été nécessaires », ont expliqué les auteurs de ce rapport.

Un coût unitaire en hausse de 35 %

Par rapport aux évaluations initiales, le coût unitaire moyen d'un appareil a augmenté de près de 35 %, pour des causes techniques ou technico-opérationnelles et industrielles, souligne le rapport du ministère de la Défense. Le développement (930 millions d'euros), sous-estimé au lancement de l'opération - la définition très rapide avait ensuite nécessité de revenir sur certains choix initiaux  - a grimpé de 55 %, tandis que la production a diminué de près de 20 %, notamment du fait de la réduction de la cible d'appareils.

Il faut également ajouter l'ensemble des opérations complémentaires, qui ont, entre autres, permis l'installation de la liaison 11, une liaison de données tactiques autorisant des échanges automatiques de données entre des unités de surface, aériennes ou sous marine (norme Otan) et, enfin, l'adaptation de la torpille MU 90. Leur développement et leur production ont coûté 380 millions d'euros.

A quoi sert l'ATL 2 ?

L'ATL2 assure son activité principale de combat au profit de la force océanique stratégique (FOS). Ils sont prioritairement destinés à la lutte contre les sous-marins et les navires de surface. Ils servent également pour des missions de surveillance des côtes pour lutter contre les narco-trafiquants, la pêche illicite, les navires pratiquant le déballastage. Faute de pouvoir utiliser des drones de surveillance au Sahel, les Atlantique 2 ont également été déployés pour localiser les otages. Facilement déployables hors du territoire métropolitain, ces appareils disposent d'une grande autonomie de vol à basse altitude et nécessitent une grande cohésion de l'équipage, qui exige une formation et une régénération permanente.

C'est un programme ancien, étudié à partir de 1977 et dont l'entrée en service opérationnel a eu lieu en 1991. Il a connu des réductions de cibles successives, passant de 42 à 28, puis 22 appareils. Sa clôture a été prononcée en janvier 1998, soit plus de vingt ans après la phase de définition. La dernière modernisation est prévue à l'horizon 2016.

23/09/2013 Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

Selon des sources concordantes, la direction du groupe britannique est très récemment venue à Abu Dhabi pour présenter son offre financière pour le remplacement des 60 Mirage 2000-9 émiratis.

September 23, 2013: Strategy page

U.S. SOCOM (Special Operations Command) has equipped and deployed 14 MC-130W "Dragon Spear" gunships in the last three years. The first MC-130W arrived in Afghanistan in late 2010 and a month later it had fired one of its weapons (a Hellfire missile) for the first time (killing five Taliban). Getting 14 new gunships into action so quickly was only possible because SOCOM adopted an idea developed by the U.S. Marine Corps; the "instant gunship." Called "Harvest Hawk," the marine instant gunship system works using weapons and sensors that can be quickly rolled into a C-130 transport and hooked up. This takes a few hours, and turns the C-130 into a gunship (similar in capabilities existing AC-130 gunships). The sensor package consists of day/night vidcams with magnification capability. The weapons currently consist of ten Griffin missiles and four Hellfires. A 30mm autocannon is optional.

The 15.6 kg (34.5 pound) Griffin had earlier entered service in Afghanistan aboard UAVs. The older Hellfire II weighs 48.2 kg (106 pounds), carries a 9 kg (20 pound) warhead and has a range of 8,000 meters. The Griffin has a 5.9 kg (13 pound) warhead which is larger, in proportion to its size, than the one carried by the heavier Hellfire. Griffin has pop-out wings, allowing it to glide, and thus has a longer range (15 kilometers) than Hellfire. UAVs can carry more of the smaller missiles, typically two of them in place of one Hellfire.

This use of missiles instead of cannon has allowed for a major change in how gunships are used. As a result in 2011 SOCOM, for the first time since the Vietnam War, allowed its MC-130 gunships to operate in daytime. For the last four decades it was believed too dangerous for these low, slow flying, heavily aircraft to operate when the sun was up. The key to this change is the use of missiles by gunships. The new, small, missiles enable the slow, large, MC-130s to operate above the range of ground fire and still hit their targets.

Dragon Spear is based on the earlier Harvest Hawk system which enabled marine KC-130J tankers to be transformed into a gunship with the addition of the portable weapons and sensors. The marines had long noted the success of the U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunships that SOCOM (Special Operations Command) uses. But they couldn't afford them, as an AC-130 costs more than three times as much as a marine KC-130J aerial refueling aircraft. But the marines developed a solution. This is something the marines often do.

The KC-130J is the latest, and largest, USMC version of the C-130 transport used for aerial refueling. The KC-130J can also carry cargo, and weapons (bombs and missiles) hung from the wings. Thus the Harvest Hawk version of the KC-130J adds a targeting pod, with the data going to a special cargo container containing control equipment (computers, commo and displays) enabling operators use of the day/night sensors of the targeting pod, to fire missiles hung from the wings. The SOCOM version is the MC-130W.

The original plan was to have a 30mm Bushmaster cannon fired out the door, so that there would be gunfire support as well. But this was made optional, as the 14 missiles seemed to provide sufficient firepower. It also means less for Harvest Hawk to carry. The Mk44 30mm Bushmaster cannon weighs 157 kg (344 pounds) and fires at 200 or 400 rounds per minute (up to 7 per second). The cannon has 160 rounds available, before needing a reload. That means the gunner has 25-50 seconds worth of ammo, depending on rate of fire used. Each 30mm round weighs about 714 g (25 ounces, depending on type.) Explosive anti-personnel rounds are fired when used in gunships. The fire control system, and night vision sensors, enable the 30mm gunners to accurately hit targets with high explosive shells. Existing SOCOM AC-130 gunships are armed with a 105mm howitzer, a 25mm and 40mm automatic cannon. But the two smaller caliber guns are being phased out of military service. The air force is considering equipping its gunships just with smart bombs and missiles.

The big thing with gunships is their sensors, not their weapons. Operating at night, the gunships can see what is going on below, in great detail. Using onboard weapons, gunships can immediately engage targets. But with the appearance of smart bombs (GPS and laser guided), aerial weapons are more available to hit any target that is found. So Harvest Hawk would be able to hit targets that were "time sensitive" (had to be hit before they got away), but could also call on smart bombs or laser guided missiles for targets that weren't going anywhere right away. Most of what Harvest Hawk does in Afghanistan is look for roadside bombs, or the guys who plant them. These the marines want to track back to their base, and then take out an entire roadside bomb operation.

Ultimately, the air force and SOCOM see the potential for the Harvest Hawk/Dragon Spear approach replacing custom built AC-130 gunships. There would still be a need for specially trained gunship crews. But they, and the several cargo containers of Harvest Hawk gear, could be held ready to go wherever they are most needed. SOCOM used their version of Harvest Hawk (the Precision Strike Package) in their MC-130 transports (which are already equipped for all-weather operations.) Meanwhile, SOCOM is expanding its existing AC-130 gunship fleet to 33, with the acquisition of 16 new AC-130J models. But the big change for gunships is the switch from automatic cannon (20mm, 30mm and 40mm) to missiles. The cannon require the gunships to fly low, within range of heavy machine-guns and portable anti-aircraft missiles. Missiles can be fired from much higher and new sensors still enable the gunship crew to get an up-close view of what is down there.

23.09.2013 par P. CHAPLEAU Lignes de Défense

La cérémonie officielle d'accueil du nouvel avion de transport militaire A400M Atlas au sein de l'armée de l'air française aura lieu le lundi 30 septembre. L'avion arrivera de Séville et se posera à Orléans à 14h (ou plus tard, l'A400 nous ayant habitué à des retards).

Jean-Yves Le Drian, qui présidera la cérémonie militaire, fera le vol Séville-Orléans à bord de l'appareil.

Comme le dit si bien le communiqué de la DICOD,

Sep 23, 2013 ASDNews Source : Lockheed Martin Corporation

The U.S. Air Force’s  Air Logistics Complex (ALC) at Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah, hosted a ceremony today marking the arrival of the first Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]  F-35 Lightning II aircraft to a depot facility.

The aircraft ferried from Nellis AFB, Nev., and will be the first Air Force F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant used in the Block 2B Operational Testing & Evaluation (OT&E) program in 2015. The aircraft will receive a series of structural and systems modifications at Ogden to enhance critical capabilities needed during OT&E testing. This marks the second depot opened this year. In July, the U.S. Marines welcomed the first F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant at Cherry Point, N.C.

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Sep. 21, 2013 – Defense News (AFP)

TAIPEI — Taiwan’s air force will be armed with “smart” munitions before the year’s end that could be used against any Chinese invasion by striking airfields and harbors on the mainland, media reported Saturday.

The new weaponry, developed under a project codenamed “Wan Chien” (Ten Thousand Swords), is scheduled to be carried by dozens of Taiwan’s fighter jets.

The island nation began developing its own smart weapons after the United States — Taiwan’s main arms supplier — refused to sell it guided bombs.

Taiwan’s air force plans to upgrade 60 fighters before the year’s end, with the last six being refitted and scheduled to be completed in December, the Taipei-based China Times reported.

The defense ministry declined to comment on the report.

The new weaponry will enable Taiwanese fighter jets to hit Chinese targets from a distance and reduce the risk of having to fly over mainland territory, analysts say.

The weapons, an equivalent of the US-developed joint direct attack munition (JDAM) that converts unguided bombs into all-weather “smart” munitions, is designed to target harbors, missile and radar bases, as well as troop build-ups prior to any invasion of the island, they say.

Each kit carries more than 100 warheads capable of blowing dozens of small craters in airport runways, making them impossible to use, they say.

The China Times said the refusal to sell JDAMs to Taiwan by United States had prompted the island to develop the offensive weapon on its own.

Ties between Taiwan and its giant neighbor have improved significantly since the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang government took power in Taipei in 2008. Ma was re-elected in January 2012.

But China still considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, prompting Taipei to seek more advanced defense weaponry, mainly from the United States.

Taiwanese experts estimate the People’s Liberation Army has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island.

19.09.2013 Emilie Drab.journal-aviation.com

« C’était une décision très difficile mais nécessaire que d’arrêter la production du C-17 », a déclaré Dennis Muilenburg, président et CEO de la division Defense, Space & Security de Boeing. L’avionneur a en effet annoncé le 18 septembre la fermeture de la ligne d’assemblage du C-17 Globemaster III pour 2015.

Le dernier C-17 destiné aux Etats-Unis a été remis à l’US Air Force le 12 septembre. Il reste désormais 22 de ces avions militaires de transport à produire.

Dennis Muilenburg a expliqué qu'en raison des coupes budgétaires nécessaires chez les pays clients de l’appareil, d’éventuelles commandes ne pourraient pas être passées suffisamment tôt pour maintenir la ligne d’assemblage de Long Beach (Californie) opérationnelle.

Actuellement, 3 000 personnes travaillent sur les quatre sites dédiés au programme (Long Beach, Macon en Géorgie, Mesa en Arizona et St Louis dans le Missouri). Les suppressions de postes débuteront dès 2014 et se poursuivront jusqu’à la fin de la production. Son arrêt aura également un impact sur 650 fournisseurs du programme.

Développé par McDonnell Douglas, le C-17 a effectué son premier vol en septembre 1991. Depuis, la flotte mondiale a cumulé plus de 2,6 millions d’heures de vol dans des missions diverses : transport de troupes et de matériel, largage d’aide humanitaire, missions médicales… Elle compte 257 appareils, dont 223 aux Etats-Unis. Les autres se trouvent au service de l’Australie, du Canada, de l’Inde, du Qatar, des Emirats Arabes Unis, du Royaume-Unis et de l’OTAN.