Mar 18, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

 (Source: US Department of Defense; issued Mar 17, 2015)

Pentagon Contract Announcement

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $93,312,100 modification (P00233) to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0008 for eight "Green" configured UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopters for the Tunisian government.

Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the amount of $93,312,100 were obligated at the time of the award.

Estimated completion date is Dec. 31, 2016. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut.

Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

18 March 2015 by defenceWeb

African arms imports increased by 45 per cent between the periods 2005–2009 to 2010–14, with Algeria importing the most during this period, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed in an analysis of the global arms trade.

Between 2010 and 2014, Africa accounted for 9 per cent of all arms exports, measured by volume. The three largest importers in Africa in 2010–14 were Algeria (30 per cent of imports), Morocco (26 per cent) and Sudan (6 per cent).

States in sub-Saharan Africa received 42 per cent of imports by African states. Sudan was the largest and Uganda the second largest importer in the subregion, accounting for, respectively, 15 per cent and 14 per cent of the subregional total, according to SIPRI.

Between 2005–2009 and 2010–14 imports by Algeria increased by 3 per cent; imports by its regional rival Morocco increased elevenfold. In 2014, major deliveries to Algeria included a helicopter carrier from Italy, the last batch of 48 air defence systems from Russia and an estimated 50 self-propelled guns from China; meanwhile, Morocco received a frigate from France. Algeria, unlike Morocco, has several major outstanding arms orders. These include orders placed in 2014 for two Kilo submarines and 42 Mi-28/Mi-26 helicopters from Russia and 926 Fuchs APCs from Germany. The orders for helicopters and APCs appear partly related to the Algerian Government’s conflict with rebel groups.

Nigeria and Cameroon received weapons from several suppliers to fulfil their urgent demand for weapons to fight against the militant Islamist group Boko Haram. Taken together, in 2014, both countries ordered and received helicopters from China and Russia, and armoured vehicles from China, Czech Republic, South Africa and Ukraine. Canadian companies also supplied armoured vehicles from production lines based in Nigeria and the UAE, SIPRI reports.

Elsewhere in the world, SIPRI noted that arms imports to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states increased by 71 per cent from 2005–2009 to 2010–14, accounting for 54 per cent of imports to the Middle East in the latter period. Saudi Arabia rose to become the second largest importer of major weapons worldwide in 2010–14, increasing the volume of its arms imports four times compared to 2005–2009. The top six importers are India, Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE, Pakistan and Australia.

“Mainly with arms from the USA and Europe, the GCC states have rapidly expanded and modernized their militaries”, said Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme. “The GCC states, along with Egypt, Iraq, Israel and Turkey in the wider Middle East, are scheduled to receive further large orders of major arms in the coming years.”

Asian arms imports continue to increase and of the top 10 largest importers of major weapons during the 5-year period 2010–14, five are in Asia: India (15 per cent of global arms imports), China (5 per cent), Pakistan (4 per cent), South Korea (3 per cent) and Singapore (3 per cent). These five countries accounted for 30 per cent of the total volume of arms imports worldwide. India accounted for 34 per cent of the volume of arms imports to Asia, more than three times as much as China. China’s arms imports actually decreased by 42 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14, SIPRI data reveals.

“Enabled by continued economic growth and driven by high threat perceptions, Asian countries continue to expand their military capabilities with an emphasis on maritime assets”, said Siemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme. “Asian countries generally still depend on imports of major weapons, which have strongly increased and will remain high in the near future.”

Other notable developments highlighted by SIPRI are that European arms imports decreased by 36 per cent between 2005–2009 to 2010–14, although the Institute cautioned that developments in Ukraine and Russia may counter this trend after 2014 with several states bordering Russia increasing their arms imports.

SIPRI also pointed out that arms imports by Azerbaijan increased by 249 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14; to fight ISIS, Iraq received arms from countries as diverse as Iran, Russia and the USA in 2014; and deliveries and orders for ballistic missile defence systems increased significantly in 2010–14, notably in the Gulf and North East Asia.

Exporters

The United States remains the lead global arms exporter, followed by Russia, China, Germany and France. Together, they accounted for 74 per cent of the volume of arms exports. Overall, the volume of international transfers of major conventional weapons grew by 16 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14, SIPRI said.

The volume of US exports of major weapons rose by 23 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14. The USA’s share of the volume of international arms exports was 31 per cent in 2010–14, compared with 27 per cent for Russia.

“The USA has long seen arms exports as a major foreign policy and security tool, but in recent years exports are increasingly needed to help the US arms industry maintain production levels at a time of decreasing US military expenditure”, said Dr Aude Fleurant, Director of the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme.

Russian exports of major weapons increased by 37 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14. During the same period, Chinese exports of major arms increased by 143 per cent, making it the third largest supplier in 2010–14, displacing Germany in the number three spot, however still significantly behind the USA and Russia.

China supplied major arms to 35 states in 2010–14. A significant percentage (just over 68 per cent) of Chinese exports went to three countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. China also exported major arms to 18 African states. Examples of China’s increasing global presence as an arms supplier in 2010–14 included deals with Venezuela for armoured vehicles and transport and trainer aircraft, with Algeria for three frigates, with Indonesia for the supply of hundreds of anti-ship missiles and with Nigeria for the supply of a number of unmanned combat aerial vehicles, according to SIPRI.

Germany’s share of the global arms market has been decreasing (by 43 per cent between 2005–2009 and 2010–14) according to SIPRI, but nevertheless the country has received some major contracts. African orders in 2014 included two Type 209 submarines for Egypt and 926 Fuchs armoured personnel carriers for Algeria.

France exported a substantial amount of hardware to Africa – between 2010 and 2014 21 per cent of its exports went to the continent. French eff orts to increase arms exports were boosted by a deal negotiated in 2014 and signed in early 2015 with Egypt for the delivery of 24 Rafale combat aircraft and one FREMM frigate.

The Su-30MKM, designed specifically for Malaysia's Royal Air Force, is armed with several air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles with ranges of about 75 miles. By 2011, the country purchased 18 Su-30MKMs from Russian Irkut Corporation.

17.03.2015 sputniknews.com

LANGKAWI (Sputnik) — Russia has started delivering missiles for Malaysia's Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighters, manufactured by Russia's Irkut Corporation, the head of Russia's state arms exporter Rosoboronexport's regional department told RIA Novosti in an interview on Tuesday.

"We are currently providing after-sales service for Su-30MKM, fighters, including the supply of all necessary spare parts and repair services, as well as the supply of aircraft munitions," Vladimir Ereschenko, who is in charge of the Rosoboronexport delegation at the LIMA-2015 exhibition taking place in Malaysia, said.

Malaysia signed a $900-million contract with the Irkut Corporation for the delivery of 18 SU-30MKMs in August 2003. The country received all jets by 2011.

The Su-30MKM, designed specifically for Malaysia's Royal Air Force, is armed with several air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles with ranges of about 75 miles.

According to Rosoboronexport, the company exceeded its export projections by $22 million in 2014, despite being subject to Western economic sanctions, imposed on key Russian companies due to the situation in Ukraine.

Northwestern Malaysia's Langkawi hosts the biennial LIMA-2015 exhibition on March 17-21. Around 38,000 people are expected to visit the event, according to the organizers.

Mar 18, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

(Source New Delhi TV.com; published Mar 17, 2015)

Sukhoi-30 MKI, Air Force's Most Modern Fighter Jet, Plagued by Engine Trouble

NEW DELHI --- Sukhoi-30 MKI, the most powerful and modern fighter jets in Indian Air Force's stable, has been hit by mid-air engine failures. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Parliament today that as many as 35 instances of engine failures were reported in 2013-14 - that's nearly three a month.

In all, there are 69 instances of engine failure in the last four years, the minister said. Inquiries by the Air Force have revealed that in as many as 33 instances, the engines failed because of impure fuel, in another 11 cases, the problem was caused by excessive vibration and in eight others, engine failures were reported because of low pressure in the lubricant tanks, the Defence Minister said. About five SU-30 MKI have crashed since 2009.

Like all twin-engine jets, the Russian made Su-30s are capable of landing on a single engine. But to reach its maximum potential of carrying a total eight tones of payload including bombs, missiles and spare fuel tanks, the jet needs both its AL-31FP engines to function.

Engine failures is fast becoming a major concern for Air Force and also puts a question mark on India's ability to defend its skies. Another problem area that senior Air Force officers point out is serviceability. "Serviceability of the aircraft is about 50 per cent only," an officer said. It means at any given time, roughly half out of a fleet of 200 jets are available for operational purposes. This becomes crucial in times of emergencies like war.

Mr Parrikar said that the engines were scheduled to be overhauled after every 1000 hours of flying, but the defects started showing-up after only 500 hours of flying. The minister said that Russia-based NPO Saturn, manufacturers of Su-30 Al-31FP engines, offered to make "nine technological improvements" during overhauls, and added that after the modifications the engines were flying for upto 900 hours.

To address the growing capability gap, especially that created by increasing obsolescence of MiG-21, India is talking to France to buy 126 medium multi-role Rafale fighter jets. But the negotiations have been dragging on for three years. Although the acquisition has got mired on per unit cost and number of man hours required to produce it in India, a resolution of these issues can be expected when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits France in April.

Mar 18, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

The Philippines Air Force has taken delivery of the first of three Airbus C295 medium transport aircraft ordered from Airbus Defence and Space.

The aircraft was formally handed over in Seville, Spain where the final assembly line is located and is now being ferried to the Philippines.

In Philippines Air Force service the C295 will play a key role in the modernization of the force´s transport fleet and will undertake a wide variety of military and humanitarian missions.

The Argentina air force has sent a technical team to China to discuss a possible buy of 12 to 24 Chengdu JF-17 Xiaolong (Thunder) combat aircraft, seen here armed with anti-ship missiles. (Chinese Internet photo)

Mar 18, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: La Gaceta; published Mar 17, 2015)

(Published in Spanish; unofficial translation by defense-Aerospace.com)

Argentina Evaluating Offers to Buy 24 Fighter Jets

BUENOS AIRES --- Argentina is talking with China about buying up to 24 FC-1 / JF-17 fighters capable of reaching the Falklands, as confirmed by the Minister of Defence, Agustín Rossi. He said that an official delegation will travel to China next week to begin the talks.

"The Chief of Staff of the Air Force (Mario Miguel Callejo) is going to China with a technical mission to explore the possibility of purchasing" the fighters, Rossi confirmed as he accompanied President Cristina Fernandez in announcing an investment of $930 million to equip the Army.

Argentina’s interest in the Chinese fighters was first reported by the London Sunday Express newspaper The possibility was first raised as part of the trade agreements signed by Fernandez during her recent trip to China.

“The aircraft is a single-seat, single-engine design capable of a top speed of Mach 1.8 at an altitude of 55,000 feet. It also has a combat range of 1,350 kilometers, which allows him to fly back and forth to Stanley from the base of Tierra del Fuego," Rossi explained during an interview with Radio America.

Rossi declined to give many details of the talks but confirmed that the intention is to buy "not less than 12 and not more than 24" aircraft. If the agreement did indeed materialize, he said it would be "something new for Argentina’s Air Force, which has always had Western equipment."

The defense minister said that China is not the only country with which negotiated for the purchase of fighter planes. For the moment, Argentina has "two formal offers" for Spanish Mirage F-1s and Israeli Kfir Block 60s. "We also have an informal French offer," he said, but avoided giving details.

Argentina will make its decision once all formal offers are on the table, but the intention is that it should happen before the end of the year. "Then, I'll take the options to the President to make the decision," Rossi confirmed.

Mar 17, 2015 ASDNews Source : AFPS

This year, the Defense Department will move aggressively to reverse the trend of chronic underinvestment in weapons and capabilities, the deputy defense secretary said here today.

Bob Work spoke this morning about defense modernization and the department’s proposed fiscal year 2016 budget before an audience attending the McAleese/Credit Suisse Defense Programs Conference.

The bottom line, he said in prepared remarks, is that “because of budget uncertainty and restrictions imposed by Congress, and because of our unrelenting focus on the readiness of forward deployed forces, we're chronically underinvesting in new weapons and capabilities.”

Work added, “That should give all of us pause because our technological dominance is no longer assured.”

Modernization = Technological Superiority

The U.S. military’s technological superiority is directly related to its modernization accounts, the deputy secretary said, so this year the department is moving to redress the long-deferred modernization to stay ahead of competitors and potential aggressor nations.

Work said the White House has helped by approving about $21 billion in added requirements over the Future Years Defense Program.

“This came with added funding, which has allowed us to make targeted investments in space control and launch capabilities, missile defense, cyber, and advanced sensors, communications, and munitions -– all of which are critical for power projection in contested environments,” he said.

The White House also added funding to help the department modernize its aging nuclear deterrent force, Work said.

Supporting Ongoing Operations

The department’s fiscal 2016 base budget request is $534 billion, or $36 billion above the FY16 sequestration caps, he said, adding that it’s “only the first year of a five-year Future Years Defense Program. When considering fiscal years 2016 through 2020, our planned program is approximately $154 billion over the sequestration caps.”

The department also is asking for $51 billion in overseas contingency operations funding, Work said, “to support our campaign against the extremist [Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant], ongoing operations in Afghanistan, and other operations in the Central Command area of responsibility.”

The global demand for U.S. forces remains high, particularly for deployable headquarters units, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, missile defense, and naval and aerospace forces. The global operating tempo also remains high, he added.

Together, the deputy secretary said, these requests provide funding needed to recover readiness over the next several years, invest in long-deferred recapitalization and modernization, and meet global demands placed on the military by the National Security Strategy.

The Ragged Edge

 “The leaders of this department believe firmly that any significant reduction in funding below what is in the president's budget, or a broad denial of the reform initiatives that we have proposed to Congress, would mean the risks to our defense strategy would become unmanageable,” the deputy secretary said.

 “Quite frankly,” he added, “we’re at the ragged edge of what is manageable.”

Adding to the pressure on defense systems, potential competitors are developing capabilities that challenge the U.S. military in all domains that put space assets and the command and control system at risk, Work said.

 “We see several nations developing capabilities that threaten to erode our long-assured technological overmatch and our ability to project power,” he added.

These include new and advanced anti-ship and anti-air missiles, and new counter-space, cyber, electronic warfare, undersea and air attack capabilities, Work said.

Erosion of Technical Superiority

In some areas, he added, “we see levels of new weapons development that we haven’t seen since the mid-1980s, near the peak of the Soviet Union’s surge in Cold War defense spending.”

The department, Work said, is addressing the erosion of U.S. technological superiority through the Defense Innovation Initiative, a broad effort to improve business operations and find innovative ways to sustain and advance America’s military dominance for the 21st century.

 “The DII’s leading focus is to identify, develop and field breakthrough technologies and systems,” he said, “and to develop innovative operational concepts to help us use our current capabilities in new and creative ways.”

The ultimate aim is to help craft a third offset strategy, he added.

Third Offset Strategy

After World War II the United States used nuclear weapons development to offset Soviet numerical and geographic advantage in the central front, and again changed the game in the 1970s and 1980s with networked precision strike, stealth and surveillance for conventional forces, Work explained.

Now, he said, “we will seek to identify new technologies and concepts that will keep the operational advantage firmly in the hands of America’s conventional forces, today and in the future.”

Central to the effort is a new Long-Range Research & Development Planning Program, the deputy secretary said.

The LRRDP was created to identify weapons and systems in the force that can be used in more innovative ways, promising technologies that can be pulled forward and long-range science and technology investments that can be made now for a future payoff.

Invitation to the Table

Technologies that might be associated with a new offset strategy are being driven by the commercial sector, he said.

These include robotics; autonomous operating, guidance and control systems; visualization; biotechnology; miniaturization; advanced computing and big data; and additive manufacturing like 3-D printing.

 “The third offset strategy is an open invitation for everyone to come to the table … to creatively disrupt our defense ecosystem. Because we'll either creatively disrupt ourselves or be disrupted by someone else,” Work said.

Game-changing New Technologies

Funding dedicated to the effort includes the department’s annual $12 billion in science and technology accounts, and the FY 2016 budget request creates a reserve account to resource projects expected to emerge from the DII, he said.

 “The FY 2016 budget submission also invests in some fantastic, potentially game-changing new technologies that we can more quickly get into the force,” Work added, “as well as longer-range research efforts.”

Over the Future Years Defense Program, for example, the department is investing $149 million in unmanned undersea vehicles, $77 million in advanced sea mines, $473 million in high-speed strike weapons, $706 million in rail gun technology, and $239 million in high-energy lasers.

And, he said, a new Aerospace Innovation Initiative will bring people together to develop a wide range of advanced aeronautical capabilities to maintain U.S. military air dominance.

Solving Operational Challenges

Work said the department’s innovation must be “broad-based and rooted in realistic war gaming –- a big priority of mine -– more experimentation, and new concept and leadership development to enable our people to adapt to situations we can’t yet imagine.”

The third offset strategy is looking to solve specific operational challenges, the deputy secretary said, using the electromagnetic spectrum as an example.

“Electronic Warfare is often regarded as a combat enabler, but more and more it is at the actual forefront of any conflict,” he said. “To ensure we remain ahead in this increasingly important space, today I’m signing out a memo that establishes an Electronic Warfare, or EW, Programs Council.”

Electronic Warfare Programs Council

The senior-level oversight council will have the lead in establishing and coordinating DoD’s EW policy and will be co-chaired by Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., he said.

Compared to the platforms that carry EW suites, the deputy secretary added, it is a relatively small investment but has the potential for a very high payoff.

“Our potential competitors seek to contest the EW space, an area where we retain a decided lead,” Work said. “But that lead is tenuous, and we believe that there has been insufficient focus on EW across the department.”

Mar 16, 2015 ASDNews Source : General Atomics

    Predator/Gray Eagle Series Also Sets Record for 2014 Flight Hours

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, today announced that its Predator® B/MQ-9 Reaper® RPA fleet has achieved a historic milestone of one million cumulative flight hours, with almost 90-percent of all missions flown in combat.

Additionally, GA-ASI announced that its Predator/Gray Eagle®-series aircraft family set a company record and historic industry feat in 2014: over 500,000 flight hours flown, which is the equivalent of flying 1,370 hours around-the-clock every day.

Read more

Mar 18, 2015 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Bernama news agency; published Mar 18, 2015)

LANGKAWI, Malaysia --- French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation says Malaysia is being offered a financial package similar to that given to Egypt for procurement of its Rafale jet fighter.

Dassault Chief Executive Officer Eric Trappier said the package entails a ten-year repayment loan from a French commercial bank and guaranteed by the government of France.

Cairo recently acquired 24 Rafale combat aircraft and a multi-mission frigate and associated equipment from Dassault Aviation worth 5.3 billion euros.

"We are committed and looking forward to having a long term business deal here in Malaysia as we have the best fighter aircraft which can cover multirole missions," he said during a breakfast session with the media here Wednesday.

He said Dassault had already tied-up with a few local companies, namely, Zetro Aerospace, CTRM and Airod as part of a long-term plan to expand its business in the aerospace industry in Malaysia.

He said the company is also eyeing other local companies that have potential for collaboration, with the transfer of know-how and technology to Malaysia, in some aspects of the process to build aircraft.

"We are also looking at different types of industrial packages to offer to Malaysia, like the final assembly line of aircraft, production of some parts, development, maintenance and support which we see local industries as having the capability, if they collaborate with us," he added.

On the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2015-2030 launched yesterday, he said it was apt for fuelling the industry's development.

The blueprint was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in conjunction with the ongoing Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima 2015).

Trappier said Dassault sees the present as a good opportunity to collaborate with more Malaysian companies as it is not merely focused on selling aircraft. The Rafale is making its third appearance at the LIMA since 2011 and is the only company participating in an aerial demonstration this time.

"We believe we can succeed in Malaysia. We have a good aircraft to offer. and as far as I am concerned, good government-to-government relations as well," he added.

Paris, March 18, 2015 by Morpho (Safran)

Anne Bouverot has been appointed Chair and CEO of Morpho (Safran), effective August 1, 2015. She will replace Philippe Petitcolin, who is expected to be appointed Chief Executive Officer of Safran.

Anne Bouverot, 48, is a graduate of the Ecole Normale Supérieure, with a telecommunications engineering degree, and holds a PhD in computer science (1991). She started her career as an IT project manager for Telmex in Mexico, moving to Global One in the United States in 1996. She was named Vice President, IT services business unit at Equant in 2002. Two years later she became Chief of Staff to the Orange CEO in the UK, then Executive Vice President, Mobile Services for France Telecom Orange. In 2011, she was named Director General and a member of the Board of Directors of GSMA, the global association of mobile operators. In addition, she is a member of the Boards of Directors of CapGemini and Edenred.

"Anne Bouverot brings to Morpho her very solid experience in the very dynamic and selective field of information technologies," said Philippe Petitcolin.

In line with the governance principle approved during its meeting on December 5, 2014, Safran's Board of Directors, meeting after the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on April 23, 2015, is expected to name Philippe Petitcolin as Chief Executive Officer of the Group.

18 mars 2015 par Jacques N. Godbout – 45eNord.ca

Au grand dam de la Chine, la Corée du Sud et les États-Unis discuteront de l’éventuel déploiement du système de défense antimissile à haute altitude THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) sur le sol sud-coréen lors de leur rencontre de haut niveau sur la défense le mois prochain, a fait savoir une source sud-coréenne s’exprimant sous couvert de l’anonymat.

Washington a fait part de sa volonté de déployer une batterie THAAD sur la péninsule coréenne mais la partie sud-coréenne affirme qu’aucune consultation n’a encore eu lieu sur le sujet, rapporte l’agence sud-coréenne Yonhap.

«Toutes les questions en suspens entre les deux côtés devraient être discutées durant le Dialogue de défense intégrée Corée-USA (KIDD) qui se déroulera mi-avril à Washington», a indiqué la source de l’agence sud-coréenne.

La Corée du Sud sera représentée par Ryu Je-seung, vice-ministre de la Défense, alors que David Helvey, vice-secrétaire adjoint américain à la Défense pour l’Asie de l’Est, mènera l’autre délégation, a-t-il été précisé.

L’armée sud-coréenne envisage depuis quelques années d’acquérir le système THAAD pour renforcer la capacité d’interception de son système KAMD (Korea’s Air and Missile Defense)

Il s’agit des sujets de sécurité les plus urgents et importants, non seulement entre Séoul et Washington mais aussi en termes de relations avec la Chine.

Pékin, de son côté, exerce une pression de plus en plus forte sur la Corée du Sud pour qu’un tel déploiement ne s’effectue pas, en avançant que cela irait à l’encontre de ses intérêts en matière de sécurité.

Mais Séoul affirme que le déploiement du système de défense THAAD servirait à mieux contrer les menaces nucléaires et de missiles de la Corée du Nord et renforcerait sa défense nationale.

Le Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) est un système de missiles antibalistiques américain en service depuis 2008 conçu, construit et monté par Lockheed Martin Space Systems en tant que principal contracteur

Il est destiné à détruire les missiles balistiques de portées moyenne ou intermédiaire dans leur dernière phase d’approche en s’écrasant contre eux (hit-to-kill).

Le missile ne transporte en effet aucune ogive et c’est seulement son énergie cinétique qui sert à détruire. À l’origine, le THAAD a été conçu pour abattre les Scuds et des missiles similaires, mais pas un missile balistique intercontinental.

Le THAAD est conçu, construit et monté par Lockheed Martin Space Systems en tant que principal contracteur

18 March 2015 airforce-technology.com

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has deployed its newly upgraded Puma HC Mk2 helicopters to Afghanistan.

The first operational deployment of the helicopters comes more than three weeks after declaration of initial operating capability (IOC).

These helicopters will be flown by 33 and 230 Squadrons at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, UK.

They are scheduled to relieve the Chinook force in Kabul, from providing aviation support to the UK and coalition troops who remain in Afghanistan in non-combat roles assisting the Afghan Government and the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.

33 Squadron commanding officer wing commander Mark Biggadike said: "Our role will be to move troops and equipment around Kabul by air, which is more efficient than moving personnel who would otherwise be travelling by road.

"Puma 2 is ideal for operating in urban environments such as Kabul, it's small enough to land in fairly built up areas without creating too much downwash and disruption and it is relatively fast so we can move around the city quickly."

Approximateky 24 RAF Puma helicopters are being upgraded by Eurocopter under a £260m Puma life extension programme (LEP) contract awarded in September 2009, with an aim to extend their service life until 2025.

The Puma 2 upgrade includes the integration of two Turbomeca Makila engines, new gearboxes and tail rotors, and new engine controls, as well as a digital autopilot, a flight management system, an improved defensive aids suite, and ballistic protection for helicopter crew and passengers.

Biggadike said: "The upgrades to the aircraft mean it will fly further for longer, with greater loads in more extreme environments, such as the high attitudes and hot summers we will experience in Kabul."

The Puma Mk2 is air-transportable by C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. It can carry up to 16 fully-equipped troops, and requires only four hours to be ready for deployment in support of both combat and humanitarian missions.