Source Lockheed Martin

20/04/2011 par Adrien Prévost AEROCONTACT

Les surcoûts et les retards du F-35 sont les deux raisons majeures qui font réagir les gouvernements de ces deux pays. Pour la Norvège le problème viendrait des coûts supplémentaires liés au développement de l’appareil alors qu’Israël souhaiterait renouveler sa flotte avant 2018 date de l’entrée en service officielle du JSF.

La Norvège a planifié l’achat de 52 appareils (48 plus quatre d’entraînement : lire l'article) et compte pour cela débourser 6,7 milliards d’euros. Or les récents rapports, américain et canadien, sur les dépenses croissantes que devront faire ces derniers lors de l’achat de l’appareil, relance la question du coût réel du chasseur.

Au ministère de la Défense norvégien les représentants sont sceptiques quant au retrait de la participation norvégienne du programme. L’achat d’appareils d’entraînement est lancé et le projet de Joint Strike Missile (JSM) est entré en phase II (lire l'article). Mais les trois plus gros partis politiques (Frp, Krf et SV) sont désormais prêts à lancer un débat portant sur l’acquisition ou non du F-35 par la Norvège. De plus le parlement doit se prononcer officiellement fin mai sur l’achat des 48 derniers appareils, ce qui doit être la plus grosse dépense publique jamais réalisée par l’Etat norvégien. Les JSF doivent remplacer les 57 F-16 AM/BM.

En Israël ce sont les retards du F-35 qui posent problème dans la mesure où les F-15 de l’IAF doivent partir à la retraite une fois leur quota d’heures de vol atteint. Pour pallier ce manque l’armée israélienne pourrait acheter des F-15 d’occasion à l’USAF. Une autre solution consisterait à mettre à jour et prolonger la durée de vie des avions déjà existants. La flotte actuelle est composée d’environ 70 F-15 (Eagle et Strike Eagle) et 300 F-16 A/B/C/D/I (le F-16I est la version la plus moderne de l’appareil soit l’équivalent de la Block 52 ++ de l’USAF).

Israël se fait financer l’achat de F-35 par le fonds d’aide militaire des Etats-Unis qui est d’environ trois milliards de dollars par an pour l’Etat hébreux. Les 20 JSF (plus 55 en option non compris dans le prix suivant) ont officiellement coûté 2,75 milliards de dollars sachant que le paiement d’un appareil se fait à sa livraison et est donc étalé sur plusieurs années.

Apr 20, 2011 US Army ASDNews

Grafenwoehr, Germany - The air was thick with the stench of bomb chemicals when the Soldiers walked into the room. Their breathing became labored, their eyes began to water and someone sneezed as he realized he was standing in a bomb-making lab. Fortunately for them, this was just a simulation. Soldiers from Baumholder, Germany were attending the Multicultural Mobile Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Interactive Trainer, or McMCIT, at the Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwoehr, Germany, April 12. The simulation cell exercise was designed to familiarize Soldiers with what bomb-making materials smell like so they are more easily recognizable when military members conduct searches in homes while downrange.

The McCIT, which has been funded by the Joint IED Defeat Organization, is a state-of-the-art mobile training system and the only kind in the world made available to all U.S., NATO and coalition Soldiers. Consisting of four cells, the McMCIT helps Soldiers gain enemy perspective and shows them what to watch out for during convoy operations - all without setting foot in a classroom. "It's a memory game," said Allen D. Drew, the site lead of the McCIT. "These four cells are designed to give Soldiers visual cues so they can see right away when something is not right - whether it's while they are conducting patrols or searches." The first cell shows examples of the five components of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, with the theme "IEDs are nothing new." Displayed on the walls, in glass cases, are bomb vests that are broken down to see each part of how a suicide bomber's vest functions. The vest models were designed by retired Command Sgt. Maj. Hideshi Sasaki, after he deployed with his unit and lost 18 of his Soldiers from suicide bombers. "He decided enough was enough and after studying the makings of the suicide bomber vest, developed the model for other Soldiers to study and understand, so they do not have the same fate as his Soldiers," Drew said. The main importance of this cell is to understand the many components of IEDs and the different categories. Drew also stresses that anything can be made into an IED and that is why Soldiers must conduct situational awareness, "Take 9/11 for example - was that not an IED?"

Proceeding into the second cell, Soldiers gain an understanding of the odors associated with bomb-making chemicals, as well as, seeing the many items which are used to make a homemade bomb. Designed to mimic the home of an al-Qaida member, the moment the door is shut, the lights dim and the Soldiers are greeted with a video image of a man in Middle Eastern garb. He is speaking Arabic, but Soldiers can follow along with the English subtitles provided. The Soldiers watch with solemn faces, some with looks of hatred, as the man on the screen describes how to kill the maximum amount of Soldiers with the minimum amount of force through the use of IEDs. Once the video segment ends, the lights come back on and Soldiers walk through the cell and observe the materials used to make bombs, including examples of sacks of chemicals with Arabic on the front describing the contents. To test what they have learned, the Soldiers must take an electronic quiz which, records their answers and gives them a score at the end. "It's a lot of information, but the visual pieces help - especially for Soldiers who have never been deployed," said Sgt. Ian Nickerson, an infantryman from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company 470th Armor Battalion from Baumholder, Germany. "Classroom lecture is not enough. Soldiers can only sit through so much of that and hardly retain anything at all."

In the third cell, Soldiers go back to their own realm, with a trailer set up to look like a command post. The lights dim again, only this time an American Soldier appears on the screen giving an operation order, which prepares the Soldiers to execute a mission in the fourth cell. Here, Soldiers can retain more insight into the pieces needed to complete a successful convoy mission. From communications systems to understanding and remembering information, Soldiers familiarize themselves with replicas of communication systems used for convoy operations."This is not a reflex trainer. This is a motorized trainer," Drew said. "This is just to see how well the Soldier can pay attention and analyze a situation."

In the fourth cell, two simulated Humvees are set up one in front of the other. Designed to look like a convoy, the Soldiers sit in the simulators, placing the headsets on and conduct a convoy operation together in one gaming system. On the other side of the narrow cell is the insurgent's area. Soldiers take turns role-playing this part to engage as the enemy, where they attempt to intercept the convoy mission. Scrambling over who gets to play which position first, the Soldiers excitedly grab the controllers as though they are getting ready to play a video game back in the barracks. "These might look like Playstation controllers," Staff Sgt. Amador Sanchez, a Counter-IED instructor for Theater Specific Individual Readiness Training said loudly over the commotion in the room, "but the system is designed to potentially save you or your battle buddy's life." The Soldiers portraying insurgents in the game simulator eagerly get into their positions and watch their individual screens, while waiting to attack the convoy approaching. On the other side, the Soldiers conducting the convoy mission are intensely engaged as they communicate on their headsets.

There are 16 different real-life scenarios to choose from, all from different parts of the world, four of which are from the U.S. In this exercise, the Soldiers are driving through an Iraqi village in search of terrorists and roadside bombs. One of the vehicles is struck by an IED and radio communication from the convoying Soldiers and animated voices from the "insurgent" Soldiers erupts in the room. The surviving vehicle stops and engages in enemy fire and the simulation ends.

The Soldiers join Sanchez in front of a large touch screen monitor where he conducts their after-action review. Both sides are scored on a point system and -- based on outcomes such as avoiding an IED for coalition members, or taking out a gunner for the insurgent role player - their point total helps assess their success in the scenario. While the McCIT is located in Granfenwoehr, it is capable of mobilizing and being moved to other countries to train U.S., NATO and coalition Soldiers, and currently, the course is offered in English, Polish, Bulgarian and Romanian. Training conducted by the JMTC is unique due to its advanced technological capabilities as well as being the only location in the world that offers training such as McMCIT, where it can be assured that U.S., NATO and coalition forces are fully capable of dominating in full-spectrum operations to support USAEUR's global requirements and USEUCOM's strategy of active security. Just like all JMTC courses, the curriculum for this course is frequently updated to meet multicultural and battlefield nuances to ensure students get the best instruction possible. "The courses here adapt by experiences and new-found information from our units downrange," said Sgt. 1st Class Ernest Hudson, a Combat Skill Training Branch Counter-IED Course manager and instructor. "So, when Soldiers come across an insurgent's change in tactics, we adjust fire on our end and make the necessary alterations so that our training is always kept current." Training nearly 100 Soldiers per day, the McCIT provides them with leadership development and, ultimately, prepares them for deployments to Afghanistan. "I'm new to the Army and have never been deployed," said Pvt. 1st Class Allen Ellis, an infantryman from 218th Infantry Battalion, Baumholder, Germany. "To be able to get this kind of training where I learn to think like an insurgent, will really help me when I do go downrange."

20 Avril 2011 par Arnaud Gonnard AEROPLANS

Alors que Boeing a lancé en février la production en série de son P-8A Poséidon destiné à l’US Navy, EADS maintient sa stratégie de développer ses activités de défense. L’un des projets du groupe Européen qui pourrait peser dans l’avenir de ce secteur est sans nul doute le futur A319 MPA d’Airbus Military, qui a déjà remporté de très beaux succès avec les versions maritimes des C295 et C235.

Les 2 futurs avions de patrouilles maritimes, tous deux dérivés d’appareils commerciaux, devraient radicalement changer la façon de procéder des équipages.

Opérer plus haut et plus vite

La première tranche de l’avion américain prévoit la production de 6 premiers exemplaires de série. Ceux-ci  devraient bénéficier d’une première capacité opérationnelle en 2013. Le contrat de 1,6 milliards de dollars comprend le financement des six P-8A Poséidon, de pièces, de prestations logistiques et d'entraînement, mais celui-ci sera suivi d’acquisitions futures puisque l’US Navy prévoit de s’équiper de 117 de ces appareils afin de remplacer le vénérable P-3 Orion.

D’un point de vue plus techniques le patrouilleur au nom du dieu des océans pourra assurer des missions de lutte antinavire et anti-sous-marine, ainsi que la surveillance et le contrôle de grands espaces maritimes. Il mettra en œuvre des missiles air-surface  Harpoon et SLAM-ER ainsi que des torpilles MK50 et MK54  pour la lutte ASM. Le Poséidon a la particularité de disposer d’une soute à munitions située très en arrière du fuselage, derrière le train d’atterrissage. Mais le largage d’une seule torpille contrairement à un largage de plusieurs munitions ne devrait pas décentrer  l’appareil significativement et le déséquilibrer.

Les armées américaines fondent l’espoir de réduire les coûts d’acquisition et de maintien opérationnels de leurs avions de surveillance (PATMAR, JSTAR, ISTAR), en les basant sur une seule et même base commune, le 737 de Boeing. A priori les spécialistes américains estiment que la cellule du 737 serait adaptée au milieu de la PATMAR (corrosion, fatigue structurale lors des vols en BA, capacité à tenir des vitesses de patrouille basse).

Mais la principale différence avec son prédécesseur est que le Poséidon  est propulsé par des Turbofans CFM-56 alors que l’Orion était équipé de turbopropulseur. Cette différence apporte beaucoup de changement aux missions de patrouille maritime. En effet, cette configuration et  l'évolution des capteurs permettent de patrouiller plus haut, à plus grande vitesse et de prendre plus de recul par rapport au milieu ambiant (ici la mer), ainsi que des menaces de ripostes anti-aériennes de la cible. L’USNavy anticipe le développement  d’un nouveau type de missiles antiaérien qui pourrait être tiré à partir des tubes lance-armes d’un sous marin. Certains armements, comme les torpilles seront dispensés via des kits de planage "diamond back"  pour un atterrissage en douceur, toujours dans un souci de prendre plus de distance par rapport à la cible, en évitant au PATMAR de se dérouter et surtout de descendre en basse altitude.

Concernant la détection, là aussi on marque une évolution radicale, bien que le largage bouées sonar, la veille optique/infra-rouge et radars peuvent  etre utilisés en haute altitude. ce n'est pas le cas du détecteur d'anomalie magnétique (MAD) qui doit impérativement s’opérer à basse altitude. Problème pallié par la dronisation du capteur. Le Scan Eagle Compressed Carriage, déployé à partir des soutes mêmes du Patmar, devrait jouer ce rôle. Là où le concept reste flou c’est la manière dont va procéder l’appareil pour récupérer son détecteur dronisé. Mais on va encore plus loin avec les possibilités que donne le RQ-4N de Northrop Grumman, établissant un véritable réseau de detection en haute altitude en plus du P-8, pouvant couvrir de très grandes surfaces maritimes grâce à plusieurs systèmes interconnectés.  Le Poséidon devrait donc permettre de couvrir les zones de recherche bien plus rapidement que les Orions.

L’Inde a déjà été séduite par le concept, avec 4 à 8 appareils commandés. Mais à la différence  de l’US Navy, elle ne souhaite pas déporter ses moyens de détection par des UAV. New Delhi souhait doter ses P8-I de MAD intégré dans sa version P8-I.

Si l’A319MPA devrait certainement opérer de la même façon, il n’a néanmoins pas trouvé d’acquéreur pour le moment.

Les ATL2 loin d’être à bout de souffle

L’A319 MPA vise clairement le remplacement des P-3 et ATL2. Mais alors que l’on parlait il y a quelques temps de la possible cession de 4 ATL 2 francais aux Emirats Arabes Unis, la vente ne semble plus d’actualité.  L’état major des armées a mis son veto, après l’éminent rôle qu’a joué ces appareils comme plate-forme de renseignements  et de coordination lors de la prise d’otages de ressortissants français en Afrique. Les ATL2 vont bénéficier d’une remise à niveau, notamment une amélioration des capacités en guerre électronique. L’appareil sera de plus en plus mis à contribution pour les forces spéciales et ne devrait pas tirer sa révérence avant encore quelques années, il vient justement de tirer pour la première fois une torpille MU90 de dernière génération lors d’essais en Méditerranée.

Il reste à savoir ce que compte faire le Royaume uni qui est dépourvu d’appareil de patrouille maritime depuis le retrait des Nimrods et l’annulation du programme de remplacement.  Ceci fait énormément faute à la Royal Navy ainsi notamment à sa flotte de sous-marins stratégiques. Les avions de PATMAR  font, en effet, partie intégrante du dispositif assurant l'efficacité et la crédibilité de la dissuasion nucléaire. Lors des départs en missions ou des retours de patrouille des sous-marins nucléaires lanceurs d'engins, ils font partie du dispositif destiné à sécuriser l'évolution du SNLE sur le plateau continental, avant que celui-ci ne gagne les grands fonds ou retourne à sa base.

La coopération Franco-britannique pourrait une nouvelle fois opérer. Les marins français pourraient mettre à profit leurs appareils pour leurs homologues, de la même façon que la RAF pourrait faire bénéficier de leur future A330 MRTT aux aviateurs français afin de palier le vieillissement du parc de C-135F. Mais pour le moment, les 2 cotés de la manche bien qu’intéressés n’ont exprimé le souhait d'acquérir l’A319MPA.

Airbus Military doit donc prospecter hors de l’Europe. Son plus gros potentiel est raisonnablement le golfe persique, notamment en Arabie Saoudite où les ATL2 en question précédemment donnent le champ libre. Le pays arabe ainsi que son voisin l’Arabie Saoudite souhaitent développer leurs moyens d'écoutes électromagnétiques et de contrôle de leur territoire et espaces maritimes.

Une nouvelle fois on devrait assister au duel Boeing-Airbus, alors que le constructeur de Seattle a pris une longueur d’avance, accordé encore une fois par le marché intérieur américain. On comprend alors l’intérêt d’EADS de percer dans le marché de défense du Pentagone qui sert de véritable tremplin pour tout nouvel appareil. Les 2 PATMAR s’affronteront très certainement pour  prendre place prochainement dans  la Royal Australian Navy, les Forces canadiennes ou  la Marina militare.

April 18, 2011 defpro.com

Châtenay-Malabry, France | Sofradir, a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced infrared detectors for military, space and commercial applications, today announced that company executives will give five presentations on new trends in infrared (IR) detectors for military and space applications at the SPIE 2011 Defense and Security Symposium, April 25 – 29, in Orlando, Fl.

These latest developments from Sofradir demonstrate the consistent strengths and pioneering performance of its IR technology, Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT/HgCdTe), which the company has used to lead the cooled IR detector field for 25 years. “We are delighted that Sofradir has increased its presence at SPIE this year, with the presentation of five technical papers on advances in IR detection,” said David Billon-Lanfrey, VP of R&D, technology & products at Sofradir. “This level of participation illustrates the cutting-edge role played by Sofradir in the defense, security and space fields.” Scientists at the CEA-LETI, a leading international technology research center, with whom Sofradir has a long-standing collaboration, including a joint R&D laboratory, co-authored two of the five technical papers Sofradir will present at SPIE.

Philippe Chorier, head of space project management at Sofradir, will present: “Sofradir’s latest developments for infrared space detectors” that deals with detectors from visible up to VLWIR wavebands for hyperspectral imagery for space applications. Sofradir continually pushes the performance of its technology to meet the qualification challenges and stringent design requirements of systems used in space. Mr. Chorier will focus on several of the 20 space programs Sofradir is currently involved in. Sofradir has delivered 28 flight models based on its second generation IR detector technology. Five of these flight models are currently in operation on-board satellites.

The first of the co-authored papers: “HOT infrared detectors using MCT technology” will be presented by Michel Vuillermet, head of R&D and new products at Sofradir. SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) systems require HOT detectors. One of the key drivers for cooled systems is the cooler and the operating temperature. The paper presents the operating temperature results using MCT with n/p and p/n technologies or complex nBn structures.

Gérard Destefanis, IR technologies expert at CEA, will present the second co-authored paper: “MCT IR detectors in France”. This talk gives an overview of MCT IR technology developments in France. It covers crystal growth of large CZT (Cadmium Zinc Telluride) for substrates, MCT epi-layers grown by LPE (Liquid Phase Epitaxy) and MBE (Molecular Beam Epitaxy). The latest results on third-generation detectors, such as multicolor FPAs (Focal Plane Arrays) and FPAs for 2D or 3D imagery that use MCT APD, will also be described.

Yann Reibel, project manager, will lead the presentation on “Infrared dual-color and dual-band band detectors for next generation”. He says that the development of dual-band infrared detectors has been the core of research and technological improvements for the last ten years at CEA-LETI and Sofradir. Sofradir’s dual band structure uses a proven standard process with robust reproducibility, leading to low-risk and a facilitated ramp-up to production. This makes it the natural choice for the third generation detectors proposed by Sofradir. Mr. Reibel will discuss the new technologies that widen perspectives and open new horizons of applications, such as large dual-band FPAs and dual mode capability.

Alain Manissadjian, project manager, will talk about “Compact Dewar and electronics for large format infrared detectors”. The trend in IR system cameras is to require higher performance (achieved through higher resolution) and in parallel demand more compact devices to make integration into systems easier. This paper discusses the challenging specifications for dewar compactness, lower power consumption and reliability. The talk will include Sofradir’s MEGALINK, a new compact Command & Control Electronics compatible with most of the Sofradir IDDCAs (Integrated Detector Dewar Cooler Assemblies). MEGALINK provides all necessary input biases and clocks to the FPAs, drives up to eight inputs, and digitizes and multiplexes them to provide a 14 bit output signal through a cameralink interface, as compact as a business card.

Sofradir Presentations at SPIE 2011:

• “Sofradir latest developments for infrared space detectors”

Paper 8012-1 of Conference 8012

Date: Monday, 25 April 2011

Time: 8:10 AM – 8:30 AM

Author(s): Philippe Chorier, Patricia Pidancier, Yoanna-Reine Nowicki-Bringuier, Anne Delannoy, Bruno Fieque, SOFRADIR (France)

• “HOT infrared detectors using MCT technology”

Paper 8012-89 of Conference 8012

Date: Thursday, 28 April 2011

Time: 10:30 AM – 10:50 AM

Author(s): Michel Vuillermet, Michel Zecri, Laurent Rubaldo, Alexandre Kerlain, SOFRADIR (France); Laurent R. Mollard, Johan Rothman, Nicolas Baier, CEA Leti-MINATEC (France)

• “MCT IR detectors in France”

Paper 8012-98 of Conference 8012

Date: Thursday, 28 April 2011

Time: 2:40 PM – 3:00 PM

Author(s): Gérard L. Destéfanis, CEA Leti-MINATEC (France); Philippe Tribolet, Michel Vuillermet, SOFRADIR (France)

• “Infrared dual-color and dual-band band detectors for next generation”

Paper 8012-101 of Conference 8012

Date: Thursday, 28 April 2011

Time: 4:10 PM – 4:30 PM

Author(s): Yann Reibel, Fabien Chabuel, David Billon-Lanfrey, SOFRADIR (France); Jacques Baylet, Philippe Ballet, Gérard L. Destéfanis, CEA Leti-MINATEC (France)

• “Compact Dewar and electronics for large format infrared detectors”

Paper 8012-109 of Conference 8012

Date: Friday, 29 April 2011

Time: 8:40 AM – 9:00 AM

Author(s): Alain Manissadjian, Serge Magli, Eric Mallet, François Barillot, SOFRADIR (France)

source spacedaily.com

Apr 18, 2011Kongsberg, Norway (SPX)

Following extensive product development and factory and sea trials, Kongsberg Maritime have successfully delivered the first of its new generation of innovative ultra low light cameras to the US Navy, via Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), for use within the existing Kongsberg supplied Helicopter Operations Surveillance System (HOSS) for amphibious class ships. The new high resolution camera is a drop-in replacement for the previous generation HOSS camera, allowing for a cost-effective and seamless system performance upgrade. Featuring significant advances in core imaging sensor technology and packaged for the harshest naval environments, the camera provides a performance step change in affordable low-light shipboard surveillance. Performance improvements include: increased camera light sensitivity, image contrast and a wider dynamic range, which results in improved image quality and range performance even in extremely low-light night time conditions. The camera also features a 10 times optical zoom lens, sealed nitrogen purged aluminium housing and thermostatically controlled window heater.

15 Apr 2011 By GERARD O'DWYER DefenseNews

HELSINKI - Norway will proceed with the purchase of four F-35 Joint Strike Fighter combat aircraft, with delivery slated in 2016. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has calculated the acquisition value, which includes logistical support and operations costs in the aircraft's initial years, at $744 million. The initial batch of four F-35s will be used for instructor and operational pilot training by the Norwegian Air Force. Most of the training will take place in the United States. Norway plans to acquire between 48 and 56 F-35s under an agreement reached with Lockheed Martin in November 2008. The bulk of the order will be delivered from 2018 to 2022. A formal order for the four aircraft will be placed once a request for funding is sanctioned by the government and approved by the Stortinget, Norway's national parliament. It is expected that final approval for the purchase will take place before the parliament breaks for summer recess in June. "The acquisition of the four fighters is an important step to maintain a satisfactory operational combat aircraft capacity in the transition phase between the F-16 and F-35," said Defense Minister Grete Faremo. The cost outlook for Norway's total procurement has changed little despite restructuring costs and delays in the U.S. F-35 development program, the MoD said in a statement. "As part of the basis for the procurement of four F-35 fighter aircraft for training purposes, we have also conducted an update regarding costs for the entire acquisition," the statement said. According to the MoD's revised estimate, the total purchase price for 56 F-35 fighters will increase by $183 million, or some 2.5 percent over the original cost estimate in 2008. The purchase cost for the four training aircraft includes $186 million in logistics and operations costs, as well as contingency costs amounting to $62 million. Overall, the acquisition of 56 F-35s, including weapons, logistics, support, training, infrastructure and equipment is estimated at about $8 billion. Because of the early delivery, Norway will pay marginally more for the first batch of F-35s. The flyaway unit cost of to Norway will be $49.6 million.

April 13, 2011 Spacewar – AFP

Washington - The United States said Wednesday it helped Ukraine destroy a stockpile of 185 surface-to-surface Scud missile systems. "Over 185 Scud missile airframes and 50 transporter-erector-launchers were destroyed or demilitarized," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters, adding the disarmament work was completed on Monday. "Support equipment was also eliminated, including refueling trucks, warhead transport vans, command-and-control trucks, and other items associated with the Scud system," he said. He added that some "1,441 tons of Scud missile liquid oxidizer fuel that posed an environmental and safety threat to Ukraine's population also is being eliminated." The work was financed by the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Fund (NPD), which was established in 1994 to take advantage of opportunities to help countries disarm.

Source kongsberg.com

ASDNews: Apr 13, 2011

The Norwegian Government has decided to present the continued development phase II of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for the F-35 Lightning II - Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) - for the Parliament ("The Storting"). For KONGSBERG this represents a continuation of the JSM development until 2013, should the Storting approve it. There is consensus between KONGSBERG and the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organization (NDLO) for a JSM phase II development contract worth MNOK 535. The contract will engage more than 100 employees at KONGSBERG. The JSM development started in 2008. A development contract worth MNOK 166 between KONGSBERG and NDLO was signed in 2009. "The JSM-development contract will contribute to secure KONGSBERG and several Norwegian Defence suppliers export related to the fighter program. This confirms that the missile technology developed by the Norwegian Defence, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, KONGSBERG and its suppliers is competitive internationally and covers the operational requirements for Norway and other F-35 partner nations. JSM will be a technological joint effort that will lift a broader scope of Norwegian industry to a new level," says President in Kongsberg Defence Systems, Harald Aannestad.

April 12, 2011 defpro.com

ARLINGTON, Texas | L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) announced today that it has been awarded a contract from armasuisse to provide upgrades that will keep the Swiss Air Force’s F/A-18C Tactical Operational Flight Trainers and associated training system equipment concurrent with modifications being made to the service’s F/A-18C aircraft.

The hardware and software training system upgrades will be accomplished in two phases. During phase one, L-3 Link will integrate the aircraft’s 23X(S) operational flight program and simulate the Swiss F/A-18C’s Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared sensor using L-3’s HD World database generation technology. Phase two of the program will include integrating the trainers with the aircraft’s 25X(S) operational flight program, in addition to simulating the AN/ALR-67(V)3 digital radar warning receiver, solid-state recorder and upgraded multi-function cockpit displays.

"L-3 Link is very pleased to continue to be the F/A-18 training solution provider for the Swiss Air Force and to be given the opportunity to upgrade the trainers to maintain concurrency with planned aircraft modifications," said Leonard Genna, president of L-3 Link. "This effort will help maintain an effective training balance between the high-fidelity trainers and the Swiss F/A-18 aircraft."

The Swiss F/A-18 trainers enable pilots to jointly conduct simulated air-to-air and air-to-ground tactical maneuvers, aerial refueling, normal and emergency procedures, and night vision goggle operations. The trainers are also integrated with a simulated joint helmet mounted cueing system that enables pilots to practice control of aircraft targeting systems and sensors.

April 12, 2011 defpro.com

ALBANY NY | Strategic Response Initiatives, LLC (SRI) today announced it has been awarded a contract by THALES USA to provide consultative services in support of Thales innovative product assessment and business development objectives in the US. The agreement, effective February 1, 2011, has a one year base period of performance with additional options available based on Thales ongoing needs and SRI performance. Under the agreement, SRI will support Thales’s efforts to enter the U.S. Homeland Security and Defense markets with highly specialized innovative technical products in the areas of air and ground-based Unmanned Systems, Chemical Biological threats detection systems, an All Hazards Response vehicle, thermal imaging and detection platform and emergency response communication systems.

11 April 2011 THALES press release

Thales UK has signed a new contract with Lockheed Martin UK for the next five-year phase of the existing 25-year Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) programme. This new contract covers the period April 2011 to March 2016 and continues to provide an availability-based support package for the acoustic sub-system for the Merlin Mk1 and Mk2 helicopters operated by the Royal Navy.

The Merlin’s acoustic sub-system comprises the Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters (FLASH) Active Dipping Sonar, combined with a sonics sub-system for sonobuoy processing. FLASH is the Royal Navy’s principal airborne sensor system for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and also equips the US Navy MH60-R ASW helicopters, French, Norwegian and Swedish NFH90s and is in service with the United Arab Emirates in the Cougar helicopter. The IMOS contract ensures the availability of depot stock levels to support the Royal Navy’s forward fleet by providing service management, supply support, technical support and equipment performance analysis.

This period of support will see the replacement of the Thales sonics sub-system by a phased introduction of the Thales acoustic sub-system as part of the Merlin Capability Sustainment Programme, which introduces a new common acoustic processor incorporating the latest processing technology. Thales’s naval business facility at Brest will continue to be the main sub-contractor for the FLASH Active Dipping Sonar sub-system. Phil Naybour, head of Thales UK’s naval business, said: “The FLASH dipping sonar is a proven world-class sonar system and an integral part of the Merlin’s outstanding ASW capability. This contract continues Thales’s long-term commitment to provide efficient and effective support solutions through a partnered approach with Lockheed Martin and the Royal Navy.”

Notes

The FLASH sensor is designed for deep and shallow water ASW operations and is proven in worldwide littoral environments. FLASH is the most versatile ASW sensor for use in support of operations conducted by independent warships or task groups. The system offers the best optimisation between mechanical performance (weight, volume) and acoustic performance (optimal frequency).

source army.cz

April 11, 2011 defpro.com

Together with American MUSTANG Task Force, personnel of future Czech 8th unit of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Logar, Afghanistan, ISAF operation, train close-to-real situations at American training facility in Hohenfels, Germany. The four-week “Thorny Valley“ exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, is held from 18 March to 11 April 2011 under the participation of more than 150 soldiers predominantly from the 102nd Reconnaissance Battalion based at Prostejov, Czech Republic. They will form the 8th Czech unit of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Logar, Afghanistan, at American forward operation base Shank. They will soon share the base not only with Americans but also Jordanian soldiers. The goal of the exercise is first of all coordination of PRT staff personnel with manoeuvre units, testing readiness of units and training possible solutions to probable situations, the soldiers can experience in Afghanistan. The exercise scenario brings close-to-real deployment conditions.

PRAGUE, 7 avril - RIA Novosti

Le ministère tchèque de la Défense pourrait fermer le site militaire de Brdy, où il était prévu de déployer un radar du système américain de défense antimissile, a déclaré à la télévision nationale le ministre tchèque de la Défense, Alexandr Vondra. "Nous avons des sites militaires en quantité", a dit le ministre avant d'ajouter que leur nombre devait être réduit. "Il n'y aura pas de radar (américain) à cet endroit", a-t-il souligné en évoquant la fermeture du site de Brdy. L'administration américaine de George W. Bush comptait déployer dix missiles intercepteurs en Pologne et un radar en République tchèque, invoquant une menace balistique potentielle de la part de l'Iran. La Russie craint que ces éléments ne mettent sa sécurité en péril. Après son arrivée au pouvoir, le président Barack Obama a décidé de suspendre ces projets.