Overblog
Suivre ce blog Administration + Créer mon blog
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:50
NHI Delivers First NH90 Step B to Italian Navy

The Italian navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 Step B naval helicopter, which is the fully operational version of which it has ordered 46. Five earlier aircraft delivered in the interim Step A configuration will now be upgraded. (NHI photo)

 

Nov. 12, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: NH Industries; issued Nov. 8, 2013)

 

Delivery of the First NH90 Step B to Italian Navy

 

NHI is proud to announce that the first NH90 NFH Step B has been delivered today to the Italian Navy. This fully operational naval helicopter will be assigned to the 5th Helicopter Squadron of the Italian Navy at the Sarzana-Luni base. The Italian Navy has ordered 56 NH90s, 46 of which in the NFH variant.

 

“This NH90 Step B will allow its crews to fully take advantage of its tremendous mission system” explains Xavier Poupardin, Delegated Managing Director of NHIndustries. The Step B configuration features a range of significant advancements in mission capability including mission systems integration for both air-to-surface missiles such as the Marte MK/2S and torpedoes, advanced satellite and encrypted communications, radar and avionics capability enhancements. Next year the five previously delivered Italian Navy NH90NFH in Step A (MOC, Meaningful Operation Capability) standard, will begin to be retrofitted to bring them to the final configuration.

 

"The NH90 NFH is the most recent and versatile helicopter for naval warfare" it is designed according to precise NATO Staff Requirements. It is equipped with a state of the art weapon system combining on a modern platform several types of sensors with a complete weapon suite. The NH90 NFH is able to perform a wide range of missions such as Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, SAR, Transport, Special Ops support, Boarding, Medical Evacuation, Maritime reconnaissance and Anti-Piracy In any type of environment. It can safely operate from a ship even in rough weather.

 

The NH90 is the optimal choice for tactical transport, naval operations thanks to its large full composite airframe, its excellent power to weight ratio; and its wide range of rôle equipment. It features a redundant Fly-by-Wire flight control system for reduced Pilot’s workload and enhanced flight characteristics.

 

As of today, more than 164 helicopters have been delivered and are in service in Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Greece, Oman, Australia and New Zealand.

 

The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter program is managed by the consortium NHIndustries, the Company owned by AgustaWestland SpA (32%), Eurocopter (62.5%), and Fokker Aerostructures (5.5%).

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:50
A New Queen is Shaping Up at the Dockyard

The forward ramp section in place on the Queen Elizabeth at the shipyard in Rosyth (Photo: Aircraft Carrier Alliance)

 

November 12, 2013 defense-update.com

 

Pictures released by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance yesterday show the ramp section, which will allow jet aircraft to take off from the ship, being lowered into place at the shipyard in Rosyth, Scotland, where the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers are being constructed.

 

The 300-tonne section of ramp, which is 64 metres long and 13 metres wide, is the final exterior piece of the aircraft carrier to be fitted. At its highest point, the take-off ramp is 6 metres above the flight deck, which will allow aircraft to be propelled into the air.

 

The pictures come on the same day as MOD announces that a fourth Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft has been ordered from Lockheed Martin. The UK has already taken delivery of 3 Lightning II jets and Royal Navy and RAF pilots are training on the aircraft in the USA.

 

This fourth jet, which is specially designed to be a test aircraft, will help boost the ongoing training available.

 

Earlier this year, the first take-off at sea by a UK pilot in a Lightning II took place during a week of trials aboard the United States Marine Corps’ amphibious assault ship USS Wasp.

 

“We are on track to ensuring carrier strike capability by 2020. Both the completion of the take-off ramp and the announcement of the contract for the fourth jet show the tremendous progress being made to ensure that the Royal Navy will have a modern carrier force.” Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology confirmed.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:50
Typhoon Flight Simulators Improve Weapon System Training

 

 

November 10, 2013. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

 

News release from BAE:

 

Up to the minute weapon system simulation software is being loaded onto the Typhoon flight simulators at RAF Leuchars, allowing pilots to experience ‘flight missions’ even before the aircraft arrive at the base.

 

At the heart of this improved training environment is an accurate, fully qualified simulation of the Typhoon weapon system, developed by a team of our engineers based our facility in Warton, Lancashire.

 

Thanks to its flexible and scalable design, the simulation can be plugged into a wide range of training systems from desktop devices to full dome cockpits.

 

Two simulators are in use at RAF Leuchars and each is loaded with the latest standard of software to provide concurrent training for the RAF’s Typhoon pilots.

 

With the upgrades formally accepted by the RAF, Air Commodore Keith Bethell, Head of the DE&S Fast Air Support Team said: “I am very encouraged by the capability being developed by BAE Systems which has now been delivered into service at RAF Leuchars. I am hopeful that this capability will be a significant contributor to the development and sustainment of our military capability in the coming years.”

 

Alan Murdoch, who led our efforts to deliver this enhanced training capability said: “Typhoon continues to evolve over time and with that comes a constant flow of new capability. The development work we are doing in simulation is key to unlocking these enhancements by getting new capability into the hands of the customer when it is needed. Our innovative approach to simulation offers real benefits to current and future customers.”

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:45
Nautic Africa Guardian BR850 boat

Nautic Africa Guardian BR850 boat

 

12 November 2013 by Guy Martin/Oscar Nkala - defenceWeb

 

The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Marine Unit has commissioned seven new Guardian BR850 interceptor boats from Nautic Africa, which are being deployed on Lake Malawi.

 

They were commissioned by President Joyce Banda last week at their Monkey Bay base, on the shore of Lake Malawi. The boats will be used to patrol the lake, and will also engage in VIP transport/escort, search and rescue and disaster relief operations. They were delivered in pairs over the last three months.

 

James Fisher, CEO of Nautic Africa, told defenceWeb that the contract for the seven boats includes training and maintenance support over a period of five years and that Malawi is in discussions to purchase additional larger boats from the company. One option could be purchasing a 35 metre patrol boat and using it as a ‘mother ship’ from which to launch BR850s, allowing Malawi to cover a much larger area of the lake.

 

Although the BR850s were delivered without weapons, Malawi intends to arm them – the interceptors have weapons mounts for items such as 12.7 mm machineguns.

 

According to the Malawi News Agency, the delivery is a big boost to the operational capability of the Marine Unit, which has struggled to accomplish its mission of securing the country's maritime domain since its foundation in 1978.

 

The Malawi Defence Force’s maritime wing has only a few patrol boats in its inventory, including a couple of armed launches, a dozen Zodiacs and several small patrol craft, including two Namacurras donated by the South African Navy.

 

Fisher said the delivery of the BR850s was a major boost to the Marine Unit as the boats are fast, hardy and strong and suitable for beach landings and navigating shallow creeks and other waterways.

 

Banda said the acquisition of the boats was part of a comprehensive government strategy to improve the working and living conditions of the defence force.

 

"(The) government is committed to improving the living conditions for all men and women in uniform who are currently performing remarkably despite the lack of modern resources and the poor living conditions they are enduring. I am pleased to report that our soldiers who are on the peacekeeping assignment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are performing excellently and that is an indication of the well disciplined military that Malawi owns," Banda said.

 

The Guardian BR850 is an 8.5 mm aluminium craft with a full load displacement of 3.8 tonnes and can be carried aboard larger vessels for use on boarding operations – it has a single-point hoist mechanism, making it easy for mother ships to hoist the boat onto the water.

 

The craft has a 2.8 m beam and 60 cm draught - this shallow draft combined with a 373 kW diesel with a tunnel propeller drive allows operations close to the shore and in river deltas.

 

They craft has a maximum speed of 42 knots with a range of 295 km at that speed, or a 700 km range at 20 knots for inshore patrol or similar tasks. It is designed for a crew of two with space for a six-strong boarding party, and can be fitted with shock-mitigating seats if intended for high-speed intercept missions. Systems include a GPS/chart plotter and a 2 kW 4G broadband radar. Ballistic protection is available using Nautic’s SuperShield armour, which protects to NATO Level 3+. However, this adds a couple of tons of weight.

 

Nautic began sea trials of the 8.5 metre Guardian BR850 in December 2012. Several African customers have already ordered, and received, the BR850. Nautic Africa recently concluded a R600 million deal to build several 35 metre multi-role patrol vessels for West African clients and these will carry BR850 boats.

 

Ten and 12 metre variants of the Guardian are also available, but none have been built yet as Nautic is full up with other orders. Fisher said there was a lot of interest in the range, and expects further BR850 orders before year-end.

 

The Paramount Group last week announced it had acquired a majority stake in Nautic Africa, and once the Paramount marketing machine gets rolling, Fisher is confident of receiving many more orders – in fact, he is worried that the company won’t be able to cope and that it will need to expand it premises even more. He told defenceWeb that production capacity stands at R500 million a year, but Paramount could bring in orders worth billions.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:40
Russia launches Proton rocket with military satellite

 

Nov 12, 2013 ASDNews (AFP)

 

Russia successfully launched a Proton-M rocket carrying a military satellite in the early hours of Tuesday from its Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

 

The launch took place at 03:46 Moscow time (23:46 GMT) carrying a satellite for the Russian defence ministry, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said.

 

Read more

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:35
Philip Hammond joins Afghan president at military academy opening

 

11 November 2013 Ministry of Defence and Foreign & Commonwealth Office

 

The UK Defence Secretary has joined President Hamid Karzai at the formal opening of the Afghan National Army Officer Academy in Kabul.

 

The formal opening marks a significant step in Britain’s long-term commitment to a stable future for the country.

Having paid his respects at a remembrance service in Camp Bastion yesterday, Mr Hammond flew from Helmand province this morning to join President Karzai at Qargha, west of Kabul. There, at the Afghan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA), he saw teaching rooms, living spaces and training areas where hundreds of officer cadets have recently started training, before addressing more than 1,000 members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) at the official launch of the academy.

There are 265 recruits in the first intake, narrowed down from more than 10,000 initial applications. Candidates will progress through a 42-week course designed to give them essential leadership skills to take into battle. It is inspired by the British Army’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst model, and adapted to include courses that are Afghanistan-focused.

Following the launch Mr Hammond attended an Armistice Day service at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul.

The Defence Secretary lays a wreath during the remembrance service held at Camp Bastion
The Defence Secretary lays a wreath during the remembrance service held at Camp Bastion [Picture: Corporal Ross Fernie, Crown copyright]

Mr Hammond said:

It was a pleasure being here to witness the official opening of the Afghan National Army Officer Academy. The efforts that have brought the academy to this point have been significant.

Modelled on the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, this academy will provide world-class training. It will teach the importance of leadership, of self-reliance, of personal discipline, of dedication and of service to fellow soldiers.

This will help ensure the Afghan officers and those training them will be of the highest quality, helping sustain the progress made in building a capable and professional force.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Peter Witkowski, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, is the ANAOA sergeant major mentor. He said:

It’s fantastic here. It’s a great opportunity, particularly with the drawdown within Afghanistan, to be able to provide more support and assistance, particularly mentoring support for the ANA beyond 2014 here in Qargha.

The recruits who leave here will be posted to combat units around Afghanistan and will have a really important job. They will be leading young soldiers on operations and will work hard to improve stability in their country.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:35
Thailand’s Defence Technology Institute partners with Ricardo on new 8x8 vehicle

Black Widow Spider 8x8 concept on display at the Defence & Security 2013 exhibition, Bangkok

 

11.11.2013 Ricardo - army-guide.com

 

The Defence Technology Institute (DTI) – the Thai ministry of defence’s research and development agency – today announced that it will partner with Ricardo on the next phase of development of its Black Widow Spider 8x8 armoured vehicle programme in support of the Royal Thai Army.

 

DTI was set up to develop Thailand’s defence technology capability and to help build the local defence industry; the Black Widow Spider represents its first major military vehicle programme. DTI and Ricardo have already completed the initial phase of technology development for the Black Widow Spider 8x8, and displayed the vehicle configuration at the recent Defence & Security 2013 exhibition hosted in Bangkok. The vehicle has been designed to provide protected firepower and extreme mobility in reconnaissance, command and control and fire support roles.

 

“DTI and Ricardo have agreed to work together to develop the next phase of the Black Widow Spider 8x8 project,” confirmed Colonel Tawiwat Veeraklaew, DTI’s executive director of R&D. “I am looking forward to working closely with Ricardo on this important project for Thailand’s defence industry.”

 

“Ricardo is proud to have been selected by DTI to partner with it on this key vehicle programme,” commented Andy North, Ricardo chief engineer, defence. “This work builds upon our extremely strong reputation for the design, development and production of class-leading, agile and highly crew-protected defence vehicles, including the Foxhound, WMIK and Vixen platforms used by British forces. We look forward to working with DTI on this important programme and helping to develop a truly world-class defence vehicle.”

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:35
Les radars belges protègent Kandahar

 

08/11/13 Texte & photos : Bn ISTAR – MIL.be

 

Dans le sud de l'Afghanistan, des véhicules équipés de radars de l'armée belge surveillent l'aéroport de Kandahar. Depuis la fin du mois de juin, huit militaires de l'escadron surveillance du champ de bataille (détaché du Bataillon de Chasseurs à Cheval d'Heverlee) s'attèlent à la tâche.

 

Photos >>

 

Ce détachement travaille au profit des forces de protection de la base et est intégré dans la sphère internationale. Les opérateurs utilisent plusieurs véhicules radars pour collecter des informations sur les mouvements autour des installations. Ils se procurent une vue d'ensemble (dans le jargon : la situational awareness) de la force de protection internationale et y assurent la sécurité de tous les militaires de Kandahar. Leurs collègues de la Composante Air garantissent l'appui des éléments non-opérationnels.

 

Le système radar date de 1989. Il avait été utilisé au Kosovo et pour surveiller la base de Kleine-Brogel. Il a poursuivi son évolution après une mise à jour en 2003. Les techniciens d'Heverlee ont doté le radar de caméras dont le réseau permet la commande à distance.

 

À Kandahar, il semble que le système belge soit fort compatible avec celui des Américains. Leur commandant a félicité nos militaires en les remerciant pour leur professionnalisme et l'accroissement de la sécurité sur l'aéroport.

Les radars belges protègent Kandahar
Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:35
Indian Navy Launches INS Vikrant

 

Nov 8, 2013 ASDNews Source : GE Marine

 

    LM2500s to Power CountryaEUR(tm)s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier

    Gas Turbine Modules Produced by HAL in India

 

GE Marine announces that four GE LM2500 gas turbines will soon power the Indian Navy’s INS Vikrant, providing 80 megawatts for the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier.

 

Similar to the INS Vikrant itself, the ship’s propulsion plant -- four LM2500 gas turbine modules -- were manufactured in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.’s (HAL) Industrial & Marine Gas Turbine (IMGT) Division. Through its license with GE, HAL assembled, inspected and tested the LM2500 gas turbines and module enclosures for INS Vikrant. The IMGT Division’s Bangalore facility provides comprehensive support including inspection, spare parts, maintenance, equipment overhauls and assembly for industrial and marine gas turbines under license.

 

Read more

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:20
Newest Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Launched

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78)

 

November 9, 2013 by Tamir Eshel

 

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the first of class of the US Navy next generation aircraft carrier (formerly known as CVN-21) officially received its name today. USS Gerald R. Ford represents the first new design since the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), which was launched in 1972. The new aircraft carrier will be able to sustain higher operational tempo, while costing less to operate and maintain, saving the Navy a projected $4 billion over the ship’s 50-year lifespan. Capt. John F. Meier has already been named as the ship’s first commanding officer. He will be responsible for monitoring the final months of construction and likely be onboard when the Ford goes on its first sea trials.

 

Read more

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:20
Three More Global Hawks To Be Built For USAF

 

November 8, 2013. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

 

News release from Northrop Grumman:

 

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a $114 million advance procurement contract in preparation to build three more high-flying RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and associated sensors. The combat-proven intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft allows military commanders to receive high-resolution imagery, survey vast geographic regions and pinpoint targets on the ground.

 

This contract provides for advance procurement of long lead items associated with three Block 30 aircraft, including three enhanced integrated sensor suites, three airborne signals intelligence payload (ASIP) and two ASIP retrofit kits to be installed on previously purchased aircraft. Work under this contract is expected to be completed in 2015.

 

“Global Hawk’s ability to fly more than 30 hours at high altitudes while gathering multiple types of intelligence data makes it extremely valuable to field commanders who need near real-time information,” said George Guerra, Northrop Grumman’s vice president for Global Hawk UAS. “This award is especially important because it reaffirms the Air Force’s commitment to this safe and cost-effective system, which has been supporting our warfighters for more than 15 years in the U.S. and abroad.”

 

Combined with Global Hawk’s ability to fly for long periods at altitudes up to 60,000 feet, the aircraft’s 12,300 nautical mile range makes the system ideally suited to take on many different ISR missions.

 

Global Hawk can carry a variety of ISR sensor payloads that allow military commanders to gather imagery, use radar to detect moving or stationary targets on the ground, and provide airborne communications and information sharing capabilities to military units in harsh environments.

 

The UAS has logged more than 100,000 flight hours and has been used over battlefields in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. The system has also supported ISR efforts following the devastating earthquakes that struck Haiti and Japan.

 

In addition, NASA has been using Global Hawks for scientific and environmental research, recently flying over two hurricanes in September 2013 as part of a broader project studying how tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean.

 

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cyber, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:20
Boeing Partners with USAF to Reduce Supply Chain Costs

 

 

Nov 8, 2013 ASDNews Source : The Boeing Company

 

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC) have entered into an overarching public-private partnership that will streamline supply chain contracting, saving money and speeding up execution by as much as 10 months.

 

The partnership – the first of its kind – allows the three Air Force logistics complexes that are under the AFSC to immediately execute implementation agreements with Boeing, reducing administrative costs and increasing efficiency.

 

Read more

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:20
photo US Navy

photo US Navy

 

Nov 8, 2013 ASDNews Source : US Navy

 

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Surface Warfare Mission Package successfully completed the second phase of its developmental testing, the Naval Sea Systems Command announced Nov. 7.

 

USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) conducted the testing at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Point Mugu range off the coast of California, Oct. 1-25.

 

Read more

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:20
Pentagon Needs to Rethink Cancellation of Meads

 

November 8, 2013 Daniel Goure*, Ph.D. -  defense-update.com



The Department of Defense has a long and unhappy history of spending tens of billions of dollars bringing weapons programs well along the path to completion only to terminate them in the 11th hour. Remember the A-12 attack aircraft, Comanche helicopter, Future Combat System, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, CG(X) cruiser, VXX Presidential Helicopter and Crusader howitzer.

Often the military service and contractors involved fail to salvage any of the advanced technologies or manufacturing capabilities developed as part of the program. If the political stars are properly aligned, the Pentagon may be pressured into producing a small number of extremely capable but controversial platforms at very high unit prices: Seawolf nuclear submarine, B-2 bomber, F-22 fighter and Zumwalt DDG-1000 destroyer.

In an era of austere budgets and renewed calls for acquisition reform, one might think that DoD would make a concerted effort to admit to its dysfunctional behaviors and reconsider some of its near-term acquisition decisions. Chief among these is the decision by the U.S. Army to terminate the Medium Extended Air Defense System. MEADS was intended to be the next-generation in ground-mobile air and missile defense replacing a wide range of Western systems. MEADS had many attractive features, it was a multinational program — Germany and Italy were co-developers and provided nearly half the funding, it was highly mobile, and the radar and battle management system provided 360-degree coverage against fast moving aircraft and cruise missiles.

 

Just this week, MEADS demonstrated the unprecedented capability to track, intercept and destroy simultaneously two targets approaching from opposite directions. One target represented an air-breathing threat and the other a short-range ballistic missile. Every element of the system worked flawlessly: the 360-degree MEADS Surveillance Radar, a networked MEADS battle manager, two lightweight launchers firing PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Missiles and a 360-degree MEADS Multifunction Fire Control Radar. This was the third successful test in a row for the MEADS system.

At a time when the Army is trying to become more expeditionary, agile, lighter and responsive to new threats, the decision to cancel MEADS, a system that supports all of these objectives, seems odd. The Army has promised to identify component technologies that could be harvested from MEADS to enhance existing air and missile defense systems. Unfortunately, this means the Army will still be left with a ground-based air and missile defense capability less responsive and mobile than MEADS.

Critics have complained that the multinational character of MEADS increased complexity and cost. But the same could be said about the international F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program which has eight co-development partners. Yet, DoD has stressed international participation as one of the positive features of the JSF program. Germany and Italy would like to keep the MEADS program going, adding new participants. Poland recently expressed strong interest in becoming a MEADS principal. Warsaw would have to put some money to the program for which it would expect to receive significant industrial participation. If other nations can be enticed to participate, perhaps DoD should tell the Army to give MEADS a second look.


* Dr. Goure is a Vice President with the Lexington Institute, a nonprofit public-policy research organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. He is involved in a wide range of issues as part of the institute’s national security program.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 18:20
U.S. Special Forces To Get C-27Js

 

November 10, 2013. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

 

My Defense News/Navy Times colleague Aaron Mehta has details on the Pentagon’s decision to assign seven C-27J Spartans to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The decision was made a couple of weeks ago. Three of the aircraft will be transferred to SOCOM by the end of November. Four more are in production and are scheduled for delivery directly to SOCOM between December and April 2014, Aaron writes.

 

The fate of the remaining C-27J aircraft has not been decided.

 

His article notes:

“The Air Force is maintaining those C-27s under “Type 1000” storage, which requires the planes be kept in near-active condition. The goal is that when a decision on their destination is made, they can be quickly spun up and delivered.

Altogether, the Air Force has paid for 21 C-27s. With the seven SOCOM planes assigned, 13 aircraft in inventory are destined for the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), known as the “Boneyard,” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. One more aircraft will end up there after undergoing work at an L-3 facility in Waco, Texas.”

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 17:55
Livraison du deuxième A400M français à la DGA


12/11/2013 Armée de l'air

 

La direction générale de l’armement (DGA) a réceptionné le deuxième exemplaire de série de l’avion de transport militaire A400M Atlas, le mercredi 6 novembre 2013.

 

L’appareil, qui porte le numéro de série MSN8, rejoindra la semaine suivante la base aérienne 123 d’Orléans-Bricy, sa base de mise en œuvre au sein de l’armée de l’air.

 

Pour en savoir plus sur l'A400M Atlas, consultez notre webdocumentaire ainsi qu'un dossier web complet dédié au nouvel avion de transport de l'armée de l'air.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 17:55
Mercredi 4 décembre : remise du « Prix de la reconversion des militaires » Edition 2013 (Ecole militaire, Paris)

 

12.12.2013 Association des entreprises partenaires de la Défense

 

Le « Prix de la reconversion des militaires » Edition 2013 sera remis le mercredi 4 décembre à l'amphi Louis de l'Ecole militaire à Paris.

 

La cérémonie sera ouverte par Patricia Adam, présidente de la commission de la Défense nationale et des forces armées de l'Assemblée nationale et close par le ministre de la Défense ou son représentant.

 

Le Prix option « création d'entreprise » sera remis par le député Gwendal Rouillard, secrétaire de la commission de la Défense nationale et des forces armées.

 

Le Prix option « rachat d'entreprise » sera remis par le général Arnaud Martin, directeur de Défense Mobilité, l'Agence de reconversion de la Défense.

 

La cérémonie sera précédée d'une intervention de Thierry Do Espirito, en interaction avec la salle, sur le thème :

« Reconversion des militaires et réseaux sociaux : quel intérêt ? quelles limites ? »

et d'un témoignage de Jean Panel (pdfmenuiserie Debrais – Panel) lauréat du Prix 2012, option « rachat d'entreprise ».

 

Accueil de 14 heures à 14 heures 30 uniquement.

Fin de la cérémonie à 19 heures.

 

Inscription obligatoire avant le 1er décembre à l'aide du lien :  LIEN

 

Créé par l'Association des entreprises partenaires de la Défense et placé sous le Haut patronage du ministre de la Défense, le « Prix de la reconversion des militaires » récompense chaque année un projet de création ou de reprise d'entreprise par un personnel militaire en situation d'activité devant rejoindre la vie civile au plus tard un an après la remise du prix.

Le jury du Prix est composé de deux parlementaires, de deux représentants de Défense Mobilité, l'Agence de reconversion de la Défense, du chef de la Mission retour à la vie civile des officiers généraux (MIRVOG) et de praticiens du monde de l'entreprise. Les prix remis aux deux lauréats sont composés d'une couverture médiatique et de produits et prestations destinées à être une aide pratique dans le cadre de la création ou de la reprise d'une entreprise.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 17:50
Poland is Interested in Ukraine Anti-Tank Missiles

Corsar, a man portable guided missile weapon system weighing 28 kg can engage moving or stationary targets at ranges of 2,500 meters.

 

November 8, 2013 defense-update.com

 

The Defense Ministry of Poland is considering purchasing anti-tank missiles from the Ukraine as part of the implementation of a weapons modernization program. According to Ukraine news agency Interfax-Ukraine, a Polish executives mission headed by Deputy Defense Minister for Weapons and Arms Modernization Waldemar Skrzypczak, has met last week with representatives of Ukroboronprom State Concern and Ukrspecexport State Enterprise, to discuss bilateral military and technical cooperation. The meeting was held in Bangkok, where the missions attended the Thai defense exhibition Defense & Security 2013. This proposal of the Polish defense ministry will be discussed at a meeting of the Ukrainian-Polish sub-commission for cooperation in the defense industry, which will take place in Kyiv in November.

 

“We are ready to consider the acquisition of Ukrainian-produced advanced 105mm anti-tank guided missiles which were developed by the Promin State Design Bureau. We are also interested in the joint production of high-precision weapons.” Interfax quoted Skrzypczak saying.

 

Since 2003 Poland has fielded over 2,600 Israeli Spike LR missiles, which are likely to remain and even increase the number in service, particularly with the planned fielding of missile-equipped turrets with the new Rosomak wheeled infantry carriers in is planning to buy over the next four years. The Polish interest in these Ukraine missiles could be in in the laser-guided man-portable and tank-gun launched missiles the Ukraine offers. Laser guided missiles are often less costly, compared to EO guided weapons. They are likely to have high immunity to thermal and EO countermeasures.

 

The weapon Skrzypczak has mentioned is likely to be the Corsar, built by the kiev based LUCH Design Bureau. The Corsar weapon system is designed as a semi-active laser guided man-portable weapon (18 kg total system weight), capable of engaging stationary and moving targets at a range of 2,500 m’, its tandem warhead is designed to penetrate 550mm of armor (RHA) behind reactive tiles. The Corsar homes in on laser light reflected from the target. It was designed as an affordable, lightweight anti-tank weapon offering superior range, compared to light ATGW, while maintaining relatively low cost (a system is offered at a cost of $130,000).

 

The Polish Army also operates laser guided missiles with 30 Mi-24 HIND and is interested in arming the W-3/W-3W Sokol light helicopters used for recce, scout and utility missions. For that mission, the Polish military is likely to consider EO and laser guided weapons, to modernize or augment existing systems.

 

Corsar guided missile and container. Photo: LUCH

Corsar guided missile and container. Photo: LUCH

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 17:50
NGC Delivers LITENING G4 Targeting System to Royal Danish AF

 

Nov 12, 2013 ASDNews Source : Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

    Denmark is the 1st International Partner to Receive the G4 System

 

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has delivered LITENING G4 advanced targeting systems to the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) for its F-16 aircraft following a rigorous flight test and evaluation program. The LITENING G4 pods give pilots powerful capabilities for detecting, identifying and tracking targets at long ranges for precision weapon delivery or nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

 

With this delivery, Denmark becomes the first international partner to receive LITENING G4, the latest configuration of the LITENING advanced targeting system.

 

Read more

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 17:45
Combat Debut for Rooivalk

One of three Rooivalh helicopters painted white for the mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was seen at SAAF AFB Bloemspruit, home to the SA Air Force’s 16 Squadron, which operates 11 Rooivalks. Photo via Defenseweb.

 

November 7, 2013 defense-update.com

 

The South African Denel DH-2 Rooivalk attack helicopter made its combat debut on Monday 4 November, 2013 while conducting armed overwatch and close air support flights of UN personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South African media has reported. The SAAF deployed three Rooivalk helicopters to the DRC in late October, clearing them to begin operations on the day that this first contact took place. This is the first time Rooivalk helicopters have engaged in combat since the prototype’s first flight 23 years ago. Another South African news outlet, DefenceWeb, reported that the Rooivalks had conducted their offensive operations against M23 positions in partnership with a pair of Mil Mi-24/35 ‘Hind’ helicopters of the FIB. The report was not clear on who was operating these Hinds, but India and Ukraine are known to have contributed such helicopters to MONUSCO – the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo.

 

Combat Debut for Rooivalk

Rooivalk firing rockets on firing demonstration.

 

Two South African Air Force (SAAF) Rooivalks fired multiple 70 mm rocket salvos against M23 rebel bunkers close to the Rwandan border, while operating on behalf of the MONUSCO and its Force Intervention Brigade (FIB). According to the South African website African Defence Review, early reports from sources in the area indicate that the action was successful, with the Rooivalks’ tactical approach through the clouds taking the M23 defenders by surprise and their rocket fire being accurate enough to disperse them and destroy one of the 14.5 mm anti-aircraft guns that had been previously used to fire at the Rooivalks and other helicopters.

 

The attack was combined with a renewed FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) assault and subsequent claims by the DRC government that the remaining M23 senior commanders have now fled across the border into Rwanda. However this could not be independently verified. Established in November 1999 to monitor and keep the peace in the DRC, MONUSCO currently comprises some 20,688 military and police personnel from 56 countries. According to UN figures, 61 MONUSCO personnel have been killed since the mission began.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 17:30
This is how the M346I could look like when it is delivered in 2014

This is how the M346I could look like when it is delivered in 2014

 

November 8, 2013 defense-update.com

 

Alenia Aermacchi’s plant in Venegono has begun assembling Israel’s first M-346 advanced jet trainer. The three major components of the first aircraft are currently being joined to form the aircraft’s structure. Israel’s first M-346 – to be called Lavi – in IAF designation – will make its way down the assembly line and roll out of the factory for final checks and delivery to the IAF in the mid of 2014. Israel ordered a total of 30 M-346 as advanced trainers to replace the TA-4 Skyhawk and F-16A/B s Falcons currently in service.

 

Israel is expecting to receive the first two aircraft in 2014 with remaining 28 to be delivered through 2016.

 

Alenia Aermacchi’s plant in Venegono has begun assembling Israel’s first M-346 advanced jet trainer. Photo: Alenia

Alenia Aermacchi’s plant in Venegono has begun assembling Israel’s first M-346 advanced jet trainer. Photo: Alenia

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 17:20
photo US Navy

photo US Navy

 

Nov 11, 2013 ASDNews Source : US Navy

 

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) conducted flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Nov. 10.

 

The event, the most-recent in a series of carrier-based tests, demonstrated the integration of the latest in naval aviation technology with the most advanced and capable carrier.

 

Read more

 

More PICS

photo US Navy

photo US Navy

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 13:35
How A2/AD Can Defeat China

 

November 12, 2013 By  J. Michael Cole - thediplomat.com

 

Most of the debate that has surrounded the emergence of China as a major military player in the Asia-Pacific has focused on the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) development of an anti-access/area-denial (A2AD) strategy and its potential impact on a U.S.-led regional security architecture that remains anchored to old concepts.

As China expands its military capabilities and, alongside those, its claims to various territories within the region, the PLA has developed and fielded a variety of platforms that are intended to deter and delay external intervention by U.S. forces in, say, an armed conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The much-discussed Dong Feng 21D (DF-21D) anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM), which could theoretically threaten a U.S. carrier battle group on its way to the region, is at the core of such a strategy.

Far less discussed, however, is the fact that China’s A2/AD strategy, or the likelihood that it will directly affect the course of a conflict, is contingent on a U.S. or allied response along conventional lines. In other words, China’s deterrence/denial efforts assume two things: first, that outside forces would seek to deploy closer to China in order to conduct operations; and second, that such deployments would involve traditional warships, aircraft carriers, fighter aircraft and bombers — in other words, everything that the ill-defined Air-Sea Battle strategy promises to include.

This “asymmetrical” approach provides China with a relatively inexpensive way to counter an opponent’s superior platforms: the PLA can afford to build and deploy several DF-21D launchers, while the U.S. would be loath to risk losing modern surface combatants, let alone a multi-billion-dollar aircraft carrier.

Now a new report by the RAND Corporation proposes turning the tables on China by creating a regional A2/AD alliance, relying principally on anti-ship missiles (ASM), to impose a “far blockade” on China should the latter threaten regional security. Under the plan explored in Employing Land-Based Anti-Ship Missiles in the Western Pacific, U.S. forces and partner countries would respond to Chinese aggression by deploying land-based anti-ship cruise missiles with operational ranges of between 100 km and 200 km at various chokepoints — among them the Strait of Malacca, the Straits of Sunda and Lombok and the Java Sea Routes, waters between Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines, as well as sea areas between Japan and South Korea — to keep the PLA Navy (PLAN) vessels (and presumably merchant ships) bottled inside the first island chain.

The presence of such missiles, the report argues, would undermine the ability of PLAN warships, transport vessels, and amphibious craft to safely carry out sea operations in those areas while denying them access into the West Pacific. In addition, the size of the aggregate territory involved in the proposed alliance (optimally Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and perhaps Australia) as well as the number of islets on which ASM launchers could be dispersed, would severely challenge the PLA’s ability to locate such systems and render them inoperable using ballistic missiles, air strikes or sabotage.

By resorting to such a plan, small regional powers would be in a position to wage their own A2/AD strategy against China and to threaten, at a relative low cost, more formidable and far more expensive Chinese naval platforms such as warships, landing helicopter docks, and carriers.

However, creating a multinational ASM strategy would not be without its challenges, nor can its formation be taken for granted. Although a number of ASM systems are currently available and their acquisition within the financial means of even the weakest of the partners involved, their effectiveness would depend on the ability of member states to also receive cueing and targeting data from U.S. sensors, which creates challenges (by no means insurmountable) in terms of ensuring that all the platforms involved can communicate.

Moreover, to avoid fostering the impression in Beijing that the U.S. and regional countries are seeking to keep it bottled in, ASM units probably could not be deployed permanently, and instead should be pre-positioned (presumably on U.S. territory) for rapid deployment amid rising tensions resulting from Chinese aggression or threat thereof. Access to heavy lift capabilities and operational airfields in partner countries would therefore be crucial elements for the success of this strategy.

For obvious reasons, proposing such an alliance would be controversial. Nor can it be assumed, as the report notes, that countries in China’s periphery would be willing to risk Beijing’s ire by joining the effort, unless conditions in the region deteriorate dramatically and the PLA’s posture becomes more aggressive than it is currently.

Moreover, an ASM component alone would be insufficient to ensure the ability of a member country to counter a Chinese attack. While “far blockade” would make the operations of the PLAN more difficult by denying its surface combatants the ability to expand beyond the first island chain or to approach enemy waters, it would have little value against other branches of the Chinese military, such as its air force and the Second Artillery Corps.

That said, as an instrument of deterrence, a flexible multinational ASM partnership could achieve much more, and at a much lower cost, than the longstanding approach of sales by the U.S. of highly expensive (and oftentimes vulnerable) conventional platforms like fighter aircraft and warships to regional allies

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 12:56
Budget de la Défense: Le Drian dément toute tension avec Bercy

 

11/11/2013 boursorama.com (AFP)

 

Jean-Yves Le Drian a démenti lundi toute tension avec Bercy dans l'élaboration de la loi de finance rectificative concernant le budget de la Défense, contrairement à ce qu'affirment des informations de presse.

 

Dans un communiqué, le ministre indique qu'il travaille avec son homologue du Budget pour garantir que les ressources nécessaires à la défense "seront au rendez-vous" pour respecter les objectifs de la Loi de programmation militaire en discussion devant le Parlement.

 

Celle-ci est "l'expression la plus complète de la politique de Défense définie par le président de la République", poursuit-il.

 

Dans le même temps, "ces objectifs tiennent compte (...) de la nécessité de garantir notre souveraineté financière aussi bien que notre autonomie stratégique".

 

La mise au point de M. Le Drian fait suite à des articles de presse, notamment dans Le Monde daté de mardi, faisant état de vives tensions entre Bercy et la Défense en raison d'un refus du budget de dégeler des crédits sur lesquels comptait la Défense.

 

Ces informations "ne reflètent ni la qualité des relations que j'entretiens depuis longtemps avec Bernard Cazeneuve, ni le travail que mon équipe et la sienne entreprennent de concert, y compris pour résoudre de la meilleure façon possible les difficultés qui marquent la fin de la gestion 2013 du budget de l'Etat", écrit M. Le Drian.

 

"Notre objectif commun est de garantir que les ressources nécessaires à notre défense seront au rendez-vous, en particulier à travers le respect des objectif de la Loi de programmation militaire 2014-2019", assure-t-il.

 

Une "communication commune avec le ministre du Budget permettra de le vérifier" mercredi, jour où la loi de finances rectificative doit être présentée en Conseil des ministres.

 

Les industriels de la défense se sont notamment inquiétés de voir le ministre du Budget préparer des coupes dans le budget de la Défense que le président Hollande s'était engagé à préserver.

 

"On parle d'annuler 600 millions d'euros de crédits sur le budget de la Défense 2013", avait déclaré vendredi à l'AFP Marwan Lahoud, président du Gifas qui regroupe les sociétés spécialisées dans l'industrie aéronautique, spatiale et militaire.

Partager cet article
Repost0
12 novembre 2013 2 12 /11 /novembre /2013 12:55
Le général Jean-François Furet-Coste.- photo ZDSO

Le général Jean-François Furet-Coste.- photo ZDSO

 

12/11/2013 Par Christophe Lucet - sudouest.fr

 

Le patron de la région militaire relativise l’impact des coupes budgétaires.

 

Comment adapter l’outil militaire à la « forte contrainte budgétaire » actuelle ? C’est le défi auquel s’est attaqué le général Jean-François Furet-Coste, le nouvel officier général de la zone de défense Sud-Ouest. Et l’expérience de sa mission précédente (il était chef de la division ressources humaines de l’état-major des armées à Paris) va lui être utile pour gérer la baisse d’effectifs prévue pour la période 2014-2019 par la loi de programmation militaire en discussion au Parlement.

 

« Notre région militaire est loin d’être la plus impactée », relativise ce général de corps aérien de 54 ans qui chapeaute aussi l’état-major interarmes d’une zone de défense couvrant quatre régions (Limousin, Aquitaine, Poitou-Charentes, Midi-Pyrénées) : sur les 7 500 suppressions de postes prévues en 2014 (1), les unités des 20 départements de la zone « cotiseront » à hauteur de 500 postes - dont 15 à l’état-major -, chiffre à comparer avec les 43 000 personnes (civils et militaires) employées dans les dix bases militaires régionales.

 

La zone Sud-Ouest, qui abrite de nombreux régiments de choc et forces spéciales préservés par les coupes, a plutôt profité des récentes réorganisations. La base aérienne (BA) 120 de Cazaux (Gironde) a été désignée pour accueillir l’escadron 2/2 Alphajet en provenance de Dijon en vue de mutualiser le soutien à ces escadrilles, dont les liens se renforcent avec les forces spéciales. Cela représente une centaine de personnes. Et, en 2012, la BA 106 de Mérignac a accueilli les 850 membres du personnel de la Simmad, structure hier implantée à Brétigny qui maintient en condition opérationnelle 1 300 aéronefs de 42 modèles pour un budget annuel de 1,8 milliard d’euros.

 

Démenti sur la Simmad

 

Jean-François Furet-Coste a tenu à démentir les rumeurs faisant état du retour prochain de la Simmad en région parisienne : « Je n’ai pas la moindre information indiquant un éventuel retour sous d’autres cieux, ou même une baisse de ses effectifs. » Le général quatre étoiles préfère insister sur le maintien des capacités militaires, sur le plan tant régional que national, et sur les perspectives ouvertes par le renforcement des capacités de cyberdéfense, de transport lourd (l’arrivée de l’A400M) ou du nombre de drones (l’unité est à Cognac).

 

Le successeur du général Jean-Marc Laurent (dont il n’a plus la tâche de commandement des forces aérienne, confiée au général Soulet à Dijon) a profité des cérémonies du 11 Novembre pour évoquer les commémorations de la guerre de 14-18. « Le préfet de chaque département est en train de recenser les initiatives », indique le général Furet-Coste, qui a chargé le général Beaussant de gérer ce dossier lourd, car presque toutes les communes de la région voudraient faire appel à l’armée pour leur cérémonie. « On ne pourra pas être partout », prévient le général, qui rappelle que 2014 coïncide aussi avec le 70e anniversaire de la Libération.

 

Des hommages régionaux sont déjà envisagés, comme celui consacré aux tirailleurs sénégalais, dont le camp d’entraînement était à Arcachon. On prépare aussi un hommage au défunt 144e RI de Bordeaux, qui était monté au front le 5 août 1914, fut décimé et ne reprit jamais sa place dans la capitale aquitaine…

 

(1) Il y en aurait 24 000 d’ici à 2019, s’ajoutant aux 10 000 déjà supprimés.

Partager cet article
Repost0

Présentation

  • : RP Defense
  • : Web review defence industry - Revue du web industrie de défense - company information - news in France, Europe and elsewhere ...
  • Contact

Recherche

Articles Récents

Categories