May 07, 2013 brahmand.com

NEW DELHI (PTI): Moving towards completing its nuclear triad, India will activate the atomic reactor on-board the indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant in the "next two to three weeks" paving way for its operational deployment by the Navy soon.

"The nuclear reactor on-board the INS Arihant would be made critical (activated) in next two to three weeks," DRDO chief V K Saraswat told PTI on Sunday.

Nuclear triad is the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and sea.

He said after the nuclear reactor is activated, the agencies concerned can work towards readying the warship for operational deployments soon.

INS Arihant has been undergoing trials at Navy's key submarine base in Vishakhapatnam and would be launched for sea trials after the nuclear reactor goes critical.

The DRDO has also readied a medium-range nuclear missile BO-5 for being deployed on the Arihant and its last developmental trial was held on January 27 off the coast of Vishakhapatnam.

The nuclear submarine will help India achieve the capability of going into high seas without the need to surface the vessel for long durations.

Conventional diesel-electric submarines have to come up on surface at regular intervals for charging the cells of the vessel

8 May 2013 naval-technology.com

The Russian Navy is set to receive its third Steregushchy-class (Project 20380) corvette, Boiky, on 16 May from St Petersburg's Severnaya Verf shipyard.

Built at Severnaya Verf, Boiky has completed sea trials and was put through a series of final tests at the shipyard to validate its capabilities, as reported by RIA Novosti.

Designed by Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau, the Steregushchy-class corvette has a displacement capacity of 2,000t, is capable of reaching a speed of 27k, and can accommodate a crew of 100, including helicopter maintenance personnel.

The corvette is armed with Kh-35 missiles, 3M-54 Klub missiles and Arsenal A-190 100mm naval gun, as well as two 30mm six-barrelled AK-630M automatic gun mounts, fitted with two quadruple torpedo tubes for Paket-E/NK anti-torpedo missiles.

"The ship provides artillery support for beach landings and can also destroy enemy surface ships, submarines and aircraft."

Featuring stealth technology to reduce secondary radar fields, as well as acoustic, infrared, magnetic and visual signatures, the ship provides artillery support for beach landings and can also destroy enemy surface ships, submarines and aircraft.

Powered by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system, the 20380-class vessels are fitted with Sigma combat information management system, Zarya-ME sonar suite, TK-25E-5 ECM system and PK-10E decoy system.

The first corvette, Steregushchy, is already in service with Russia's Baltic Fleet, while the second ship, Soobrazitelny, joined the navy in 2011.

The fourth vessel Stoyky was rolled-out at St Petersburg's Severnaya Verf shipyard in May 2012 and is scheduled to enter service in November, following a series of sea trials.

Around 30 Steregushchy-class ships are being considered for procurement by the country in a bid to safeguard oil and gas transportation routes in the Black and the Baltic seas, as well as protect its coastal waters.

May 8, 2013 Ajai Shukla – business-standard.com

New Delhi - Ending worldwide speculation about the futuristic Agni-6 missile, the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) has briefed Business Standard about the direction of India's ballistic missile development programme after the Agni-5 enters service, probably in 2015.

DRDO chief Dr VK Saraswat, and missile programme chief Dr Avinash Chander, say the Agni-6 project has not been formally sanctioned. However, the missile's specifications and capabilities have been decided and development is proceeding apace. Once the ongoing Agni-5 programme concludes flight-testing, the defence ministry (MoD) will formally okay the Agni-6 programme and allocate funding.

Chander says the Agni-6 will carry a massive three-tonne warhead, thrice the weight of the one-tonne warhead that Agni missiles have carried so far. This will allow each Agni-6 missile to launch several nuclear warheads -Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Warheads (MIRVs) - with each warhead striking a different target. Each warhead - called Maneuverable Reentry Vehicle (MARV) - performs evasive maneuvers while hurtling down towards its target, confusing enemy air defence missiles that are trying to destroy them mid-air.

The DRDO is at an advanced stage of developing these warhead technologies. But the difficult challenge is building a booster rocket that can propel a three-tonne payload to targets 5000 kilometres away. This weighs almost as much as the satellite payload carried by the Indian Space Research Organisation's much larger and heavier Global Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).

"Our ballistic missiles must be compact and road mobile, even the Agni-6 with its heavy payload. We will do this by building the first stage with composites, fitting the Agni-6 with India's first composite 40-tonne rocket motor. This is a technical challenge but we have good capability in lightweight composites," says Chander.

The road mobile Agni-6 would also have stringent limits on its length. "It must be carried on a standard size trailer that can move from one part of the country to another, turn on our roads, cross our bridges and climb our heights. As the payload weight increases, we will require more advanced technologies to keep the missile's length constant," explains Chander.

Coaxing higher performance from smaller rockets becomes especially important in submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), which can be no longer than 13 metres so that they can fit into the cramped confines of a submarine. Even long-range SLBMs that can fly 14,000 kilometres, like the Chinese JL-2, are built no longer than 13 metres. The DRDO faces this challenge as it develops the K-4 SLBM for the country's Arihant-class nuclear-propelled ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).

Eventually the Agni-6 will be no taller than the Agni-5, i.e. about 17 metres, says Chander. It will, however, be heavier and thicker - slightly over two metres - which will cater for the different shape of the MIRV payload.

"The timeframe for developing a new missile system is about five years and the DRDO has mostly achieved this in the Agni programme," says Chander. Calculating five years from April 2012, when the Agni-5 had its debut launch, the first test of the Agni-6 could happen in 2017.

The DRDO says the Agni-6 will have a longer range than the 5,000-kilometre Agni-5, but is not mentioning figures. "The MARVs and MIRVs will give us extended range. I will not be able to tell you how much because that is secret," Saraswat told Business Standard.

Ballistic calculations, however, suggest that at least some of the MIRV warheads on the Agni-6 would reach at least 6,000 kilometres. In a missile that travels 5,000 kilometres, the last MIRV warhead released flies an extra 1,000 kilometres.

Currently, the DRDO is readying for the second test next month of the Agni-5 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile. This will be fired in the same configuration as its debut test a year ago, in order to establish the missile's reliability. A third test by end-2013 will see the missile fired from a canister.

"We will conduct at least five-six more Agni-5 tests before the missile enters operational service. After the repeat test this month or the next, we will conduct two test firings from a canister. Then the military units that will operate the Agni-5 will conduct two-three test firings as part of the induction process. Even after induction, the users conduct test firings as part of the Strategic Forces Command training plan," says Avinash Chander.

The Agni-5 is a three-stage, solid-fuel missile but its first stage consists of a metallic rocket motor, while the second and third stages have composite motors.

17 Apr 2013 By:   Bartosz Glowacki – FG

Warsaw - Poland has confirmed its intention to formally rejoin NATO's Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) programme as a core nation, with the alliance's managing organisation now preparing the relevant documents for its reinclusion.

Warsaw was involved in the early stage of the AGS project, but in early 2009 decided to leave the collaborative effort, citing financial problems.

Announcing its decision following a 21 March meeting, Poland's defence ministry says: "Joining AGS will be very significant for increasing Poland's meaning and strengthening its position in NATO structures."

It expects to re-enter the programme in early 2014, contributing 4.5% of the total AGS funds, or roughly €71 million ($93 million) until 2017.

Polish companies including Bumar Elektronika, Netline, Transbit and Wojskowy Instytut Lacznosci are expected to participate in the programme, providing radar equipment, component manufacturing and maintenance activities.

2 May 2013 By Arie Egozi – FG

Tel Aviv - A European project intended to prove the feasibility of using satellite communications to enable unmanned air system operations in non-segregated airspace completed a 6h flight from San Javier air base in Spain on 24 April.

Performed using a maritime surveillance variant of the Israel Aerospace Industries Heron, the demonstration involved the beyond line of sight control of the air vehicle, with satellite communications maintained between an operator in its ground control station and air traffic controllers.

Funded by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and European Space Agency, the Desire programme test was conducted by an international consortium led by Spain's Indra, and also included AT-One, CIRA, SES ASTRA and Thales Alenia Space.

The Heron's satellite data link was engaged after take-off, while the aircraft was still in segregated airspace, before it entered class-C airspace at 20,000ft (6,100m) under the supervision of Spanish air navigation service provider Aena.

During the trial, a manned aircraft from the Spanish air force academy approached the UAS, simulating frontal and 90˚ collision trajectories. "The pilots of the two aircraft followed the separation instructions issued by the air traffic controllers, demonstrating the safe operation of remotely-piloted aircraft, even in an emergency situation," the EDA, ESA and Indra say in a joint statement.

Land and maritime surveillance information was also relayed to the ground control station during the mission.

"All the information collected in these tests will be analysed and compared with the safety requirements being established by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the operational requirements being set by Eurocontrol," the programme partners say.

01.05.2013 F de St V / Mars Attaque

Le département de la Défense (DoD) pourrait dépenser jusqu’à 436 millions de $ (environ 330 millions €) sur les 2 prochaines années fiscales pour acheter de nouveaux chars lourds Abrams (à 7,5 millions de $ l’unité). Des chars que l’US Army ne veut pas.

« Si nous avions eu le choix, nous aurions utilisé cet argent différemment » a plusieurs fois déclaré le chef d’état-major de l’armée de Terre, le général Ray Odierno, au Congrès et dans la presse. Rien n’y a fait, les chars seront commandés et reçus. Comme en 2012, où 255 millions de $ avaient été dépensés pour 42 chars. Dingue, non ?

Du complexe militaro-industriel au complexe politico-industriel ?

Le 17 janvier 1961, à trois jours de la fin de son second mandat, le président des États-Unis Dwight David Eisenhower prononce un discours devenu depuis célèbre. Il y met en garde ses compatriotes contre « l’acquisition d’une influence injustifiée, qu’elle soit recherchée ou non, par le complexe militaro-industriel ».

Le futur retraité rappelle néanmoins l’absolue nécessité du développement de cet attelage militaro-industriel pour que « la sécurité et la liberté puissent prospérer ensemble ». Un demi-siècle plus tard, le 15 décembre 2011, le sénateur John Mc Cain note au Congrès que le conseil de l’ancien président n’a pas été suivi et que le monstre froid a depuis bien évolué. L’ancien pilote de l’US Navy durant la guerre du Vietnam, actuel élu de l’Arizona, indique que ce système serait devenu un « military-industrial-congressional complex » relevant par cette formule la connexion de cet ensemble avec la branche législative du pouvoir politique américain. Une harmonie entre les trois branches du triangle Défense – Industrie – État pas toujours garantie.

Suite à l’absence d’accord au Congrès, les coupes automatiques (sequestration) affectent depuis le 1^er mars le budget fédéral américain pour tenter de réduire le déficit public. Le DoD doit trouver 42 milliards de $ d’économies d’ici la fin du mois de septembre, en plus des 487 milliards de $ à économiser sur 10 ans, suite au Budget Control Act voté en août 2011. Le budget de la Défense américain part de si haut, me direz-vous… Et pourtant, à très court terme, le niveau opérationnel des unités non-déployés sur les théâtres prioritaires (Corée du Sud et Afghanistan) devrait être affecté par une baisse des crédits d’entraînement. De nombreux contractuels, ayant pour certains un rôle vital dans le soutien (maintenance, administration, renseignement, etc.) des opérations, devraient être mis au chômage partiel (« furlough »). Le lancement de programmes jugés indispensables devrait être rétardé, tandis que d’autres, jugés pourtant non prioritaires, seront lancés…

Fiscalement, le Congrès fait la pluie et le beau temps

L’achat d’Abrams non désiré n’est, pour une fois, pas de la faute des militaires, qui ont généralement tendance à demander toujours plus. Cette fois-ci, ils veulent dépenser autant de précieux dollars des contribuables américains, mais autrement. Or le Congrès est en embuscade et ne voit pas la chose de la même façon.

Via les 2 phases (plus ou moins distinctes) de l’autorisation d’un programme et de l’appropriation des fonds nécessaires, le Congrès a la haute main sur le budget fédéral (cf. cette étude de Maya Kandel / IRSEM). Par un truchement plus ou moins habile, il peut décider d’accorder des sommes à certains programmes et obliger à les lancer, bien qu’ils n’aient pas été proposés dans le budget prévisionnel d’un département ou d’une agence. Le pouvoir de contrainte est de facto largement supérieur à celui d’acceptation ou de refus d’une loi de finances annuel ou triennal soumise aux votes du Parlement français. Aux États-Unis, un programme, après avoir été débattu lors d’auditions au sein d’une commission (dans ce cas, celle des forces armées), est validé en session plénière, perdu au milieu d’un nombre important d’autres programmes dont l’immense majorité n’a pas retenu l’intérêt des votants.

Il n’est donc pas rare que des programmes désignés comme des « pets projects » (« projet de compagnie » ou programmes soutenus par un membre d’une commission car intéressant sa circonscription) passent discrètement. Manque de chance, celui des chars Abrams fait du bruit, et cela depuis plus de 2 ans.

Puisque l’US Army vous dit qu’elle n’en a pas besoin

La première variable prise en compte dans le lancement d’un programme est l’intérêt opérationnel. Le char Abrams (dans ses différentes versions) doté d’un canon de 120 mm est l’arme de la réassurance en cas de conflit majeur. Utilisé récemment en Irak lors des deux dernières guerres du Golfe et à quelques unités dans le sud de l’Afghanistan (par l’USMC), il est déployé notamment en Corée du Sud, fer de lance de 70 tonnes d’une dissuasion conventionnelle face à une possible agression de la Corée du Nord. Les 22 derniers chars américains de ce type ont quitté le continent européen le 18 mars 2013, laissant cet espace vide de chars américains pour la première fois depuis 69 ans.

Consommateur en carburant (alors que le prix du baril a explosé) et relativement peu engagés, l’US Army en conserve en nombre (plus de 8.000) mais en garde une majorité sous cocon (plus de 3.000 dans le désert en Californie), prêts à resservir. Aujourd’hui, avec le nombre et le type de brigades (d’infanterie, lourde ou Stryker) visés, l’US Army se satisfait de son parc de chars lourds en activité (de 3 ans de moyenne d’âge) et de sa composition (2/3 des 2.400 chars au standard M1A2SEPv2, le dernier). Elle conserve un certain nombre de chars d’une version ancienne (M1A1 : tableaux de bord non colorisés, électronique moins performantes, communications moins fiables, moindre protection, etc.), plus simples à utiliser pour des unités de la Garde nationale et de la Réserve, qui bénéficient de moins de jours d’entrainement. Sans oublier les quelques 400 chars (principalement au standard M1A1) du Corps des Marines.

Des intérêts supérieurs et/ou particuliers variables

Une autre variable est prise en compte dans la délivrance de crédits publics, avec encore plus d’acuité ces derniers temps : une certaine préférence nationale économique pour garantir un niveau d’emploi suffisant aux citoyens américains. En effet, la réduction des budgets de la Défense de 42 milliards de $ d’ici septembre 2013 pourrait conduire, selon des études commanditées par les acteurs industriels concernés, à la suppression d’un million d’emplois dans le secteur américain de la Défense. Ainsi, les élus du Congrès n’hésitent pas à défendre avec force les emplois de leurs circonscriptions qui pourraient être menacés si des industriels américains ne recevaient pas des fonds publics ou si des industriels non américains remportaient des contrats face à des acteurs américains. En effet, plus de 360 districts sur les 435 que compte le découpage électoral américain hébergent des industries de l’armement ou des sous-traitants directs de ces quelques géants de l’armement.

C’est l’axe majeur de la défense, et du lobbying à 11 millions de $ en 2012, sans compter les dons aux membres influents du Congrès, du maitre d’œuvre industriel concerné, General Dynamics. Ce consortium émarge à la 4^ème ou 5^ème place (selon les années) parmi les plus importantes entreprises du secteur de la défense américaine. Détenue par le gouvernement mais opérée par General Dynmacis (GOCO : governement owned, contractor operated), la chaine d’assemblage de Lima (« Lima Army Tank Plant » dans l’Ohio, dernière chaine de chars lours aux USA) de la filiale Land Systems est le 5^ème employeur de la ville avec quelques 700 employés (contre 1.100, il y a encore 2 ans). Une fermeture de la chaine aurait des conséquences directes sur ces emplois, et indirectes sur la chaine de sous-traitants (environ 560, employant 18.000 personnes en 2011). C’est le cas, par exemple de Verhoff Machine and Welding (aussi dans l’Ohio) qui réalise notamment les sièges de ces chars, et dont les commandes sont déjà passées de 20 millions de $ en 2011 à 7 millions de $ en 2012. 25 employés ont du être licenciés.

Ainsi, les représentants (Républicains et Démocrates) des districts concernés, qu’ils soient ou non des adeptes de la réduction des dépenses publiques (« deficit hawks »), montent au créneau. C’est le cas principalement des républicains Jim Jordan et Rob Portman représentant le 4^ème district de l’Ohio et du sénateur démocrate Sherrod Brown du 13^ème district. Les 40 sous-traitants présents en Pennsylvanie ont aussi trouvés leur défenseur en la personne du sénateur Robert Casey, par exemple. En avril 2012, une lettre signée par 173 membres du Congrès avait été envoyée au secrétaire à la Défense d’alors, Leon Panetta. Le débat dépasse bien le bipartisme, tous unis pour défendre l’emploi américain.

Investissements publics et maintien des compétences

Troisième facteur, ces quelques 300 millions € doivent permettre pour General Dynamics de maintenir encore deux années des compétences industrielles. Pas tant celles des bureaux d’études (les plus critiques du fait de la haute valeur ajoutée d’ingénieurs aux compétences rares à retrouver), mais celles de l’outil de production (ouvriers qualifiés, qui, au chômage, n’hésiteront pas à aller voir ailleurs). Or, des crédits de R&D sont déjà alloués aux bureaux d’études de GD pour la réalisation de la nouvelle version du char Abrams qui doit être livrée à partir de 2017 et que l’US Army attend. Ces crédits d’études pourraient même être augmentés si ces 300 millions ne sevraient pas acheter des chars neufs.

Malgré les contrats à l’exportation encore à honorer (pour compléter les parcs en Égypte (1.000 chars, produits et assemblés en partie sur place), en Irak (140), au Koweit (218), en Arabie Saoudite (370), voir peut-être demain en Grèce), les chaines d’assemblage de Lima devront fermées sans de nouvelles commandes. En effet, le nombre de chars à produire ne permettra pas une rentabilité à court terme. Outils de « la diplomatie du char lourd made in USA » pour influencer les équilibres de puissance dans certaines régions du monde, les contrats de vente à l’export de ces Abrams ne suffisent pas à garantir une cadence minimale. Commandés, les 4 à 5 chars par mois destinés à l’US Army viendraient aider à remplir les chaines d’assemblage, en plus des 5 par mois pour l’Arabie Saoudite et des 4 pour Égypte. La production serait néanmoins bien loin du seuil maximal estimé à 70 unités par mois.

Aux difficultés présentés par l’industriel de réouvrir une chaine de production après 2017 suite aux pertes de compétences jugées irrémédiables, le général Odierno rétorque que 2,8 milliards de $ pourraient être économisés (ou en partie réattribués) sans commandes d’ici là de nouveaux chars lourds. En effet, la fermeture des chaines d’assemblage est estimée à seulement 600 millions de $ environ. Les fermer n’est pas sans conséquence notamment si de futurs clients, en nombre suffisant, se font connaître d’ici là et permettent de remplir le plan charge de l’industriel qui tiendrait jusqu’en 2017 via les contrats à l’exportation. Encore faut-il que ces contrats soient remportés. D’où l’agressivité actuellement de General Dynamics, et des industriels américains en général, sur les appels d’offres internationaux.

En guise de conclusion

Pour le secrétaire à la Défense Chuck Hagel, il est donc nécessaire de se battre pied à pied sur chacun des programmes jugés non indispensables ou trop couteux par les armées. Alors même que le DoD est à la recherche d’économies pour financer d’autres agrégats (pour reprendre un terme français) : Infrastructures, Petits équipements, Carburants, Activités opérationnelles, etc. En somme, tout ce qui permet, hors Programmes à effets majeurs ou PEM (les grands programmes), de s’entraîner et de disposer de forces opérationnelles, en plus d’être équipées. De garantir la cohérence et l’efficacité d’un système finalement.

May. 6, 2013 By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS  - Defense News

WASHINGTON — The launch of the US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford has been moved back from July to November, a consequence of production delays identified two years ago.

The move comes weeks after the US Navy and shipbuilder Newport News Shipbuilding moved the ship’s delivery from September 2015 — which has been the contracted date for some years — to early 2016.

“We've been tracking and reporting schedule risk for several years and actively working to retire that risk,” Chris Johnson, a spokesman for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) said May 7 in an email. “Following a detailed review of the schedule in February 2013, the Navy and the shipbuilder concluded that a delay in the launch would allow the shipbuilder to complete the remaining critical path work and allow for increased outfitting to most economically complete the ship.”

Earlier, Johnson acknowledged the problems associated with the first ship of a new design.

“Certainly it’s not ideal, but in this case it is very much a first-of-class issue. And those ships have challenges.”

The Ford is the first of the CVN 78-class carriers, the first new US carrier design since the mid-1960s. The 100,000-ton ships — the largest warships in the world — are also the first to be entirely designed using computer-aided design technologies.

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is the only shipbuilder in the world capable of building full-sized nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

The shipbuilder, in a statement released Monday, acknowledged its problems in making up the schedule delays. HII’s statement in full:

“Working closely with the Navy, we have revised the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) launch date from July 2013 to November 2013. Although actions to resolve first-of-class issues have retired significant schedule risks, the revised launch date allows increased outfitting and ship construction that are most economically done prior to ship launch.

“As the first new design carrier beginning construction in more than 40 years, CVN 78 is designed to provide increased capability and reduced total ownership cost by about $4 billion compared to Nimitz-class carriers. For this first-of-class ship, construction commenced in parallel with design completion based on earlier decisions at [the] Department of Defense. Ongoing design during the construction process caused delay and inefficiencies in procurement, manufacturing, and assembly.

“We have demonstrated that delaying launch (and therefore delivery) to allow for increased outfitting and construction prior to launch is the most economical path forward to deliver the tremendous capability and affordability improvements resident in Ford. “

NAVSEA also released a statement on the shift in launch date:

“The CVN 78 launch date will be revised from July 2013 to November 2013, and delivery will be shifted to second quarter FY 2016. Although shipbuilder actions to resolve first-of-class issues have retired significant schedule risks to launch and stabilized schedule performance, they have not been able to overcome the 17 weeks of schedule pressure identified two years ago.

“The Navy and the shipbuilder concluded last month that a delay in the launch would allow the shipbuilder to complete the remaining critical path work and allow for increased outfitting to most economically complete the ship. The ship is expected to be 70 percent complete at launch, well prepared for subsequent shipboard testing.

“Ongoing design and new technology development during the construction process caused delays in material procurement, manufacturing and assembly.

“First-of-class producibility issues [that impacted the schedule included] the use of thinner steels which caused difficulties with structural erection; new processes for advanced coating systems; and qualification of new material components. The shipbuilder recommended a delay in launch in order to accomplish greater completion levels prior to launch and thereby enable the lead ship to be completed most economically. The Navy agreed.

“As reported by the Navy previously in its December 2011 CVN 78 Selected Acquisition Report, the Navy projects a most likely total ship end cost of $12.887 billion. This includes the cost of construction, government furnished equipment, and design funding of $3.3 billion for non-recurring engineering which is the investment in the 11 ship class design (not just the lead ship of the class, CVN 78). Current shipyard construction cost estimates are consistent with this Navy estimate from 2 years ago.”

SEOUL, May 7 (UPI)

Boeing and six other U.S. companies have reportedly promised to invest $380 million in South Korea.

The pledges of direct foreign investment were made Monday to South Korean government officials visiting the United States along with South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

"The decisions of the seven U.S. corporations demonstrate their trust in the South Korean economy without regard to various uncertainties in the country," Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Yoon Sang-jick said.

"Based on the new administration's resolute diplomatic and security policies, we will make active and strategic efforts to attract foreign direct investment."

The Korea Times newspaper reported that Boeing will invest $120 million to establish a maintenance, repair and overhaul center for F-15K Slam Eagle avionics components in South Gyeongsang province. The facility will be the first Boeing MRO facility in Asia.

U.S. company Curtiss-Wright will invest $30 million in South Korea to shore up its capacity in nuclear reactor valves, while Almost Heroes, an animation studio, will make a $20 million investment for creation of products to will be screened in the United States.

The newspaper quoted the minister as saying the other U.S. companies would invest in solar cells, leisure facilities and logistics centers.

May. 7, 2013 - By BURAK EGE BEKDIL – Defense news

ANKARA — Turkey’s leading armored vehicles manufacturer, Otokar, has revealed what it views as the most strategic indigenous vehicle ever developed by a local company, a tracked armored tactical vehicle, the Tulpar.

Analysts said that once the Tulpar has hit serial production, it would end Turkey’s dependence on imported tracked vehicles. But they also say the Tulpar may have to find export markets rather than win huge domestic orders.

“The Tulpar is a vehicle the Turkish military needed in large quantities. But the current peace process with Kurdish insurgents will probably mean less local demand than potentially foreign demand for a vehicle like this,” said one London-based analyst.

After three decades of civil strife with its autonomy-seeking Kurdish minority and nearly 40,000 deaths, the Turkish government earlier this year launched ambitious peace talks with the militant Kurds. The Kurdish separatist PKK promised to withdraw from Turkish territory as of May 8 in return for broader political rights and constitutional recognition. Turkey, the US and the EU recognize the PKK as a terrorist entity.

“The Tulpar is a strategic product for the Turkish military. It is designed to fight all anti-tank assets along with the new-generation tanks Turkey will possess,” Serdar Gorguc, general manager for Otokar, told reporters.

The Tulpar boasts an advanced ballistic and mine resistant body and modular armor technology. It can carry an entire infantry squad.

Otokar unveiled last year the country’s first national main mattle tank, the Altay, with top government officials promising the program would be completed “one or two years” ahead of time.

In 2008, Otokar signed a $500 million contract with the country’s procurement office, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries. Under the deal, Otokar will finish building four prototypes of the Altay this year, two years ahead of the original schedule. The four prototypes will undergo performance tests throughout 2013.

The SSM selected South Korea’s Hyundai Rotem for overall technical support. Turkey’s Aselsan was chosen as the fire control system and command, control and communications system subcontractor. Also, state-owned MKEK was selected as the subcontractor for the 120mm primary weapon, and Roketsan was tasked with the job to provide the armor.

Procurement officials said the serial-production agreement for the Altay would be effective probably in 2017, and together with the expected foreign orders, a first batch of at least 200 tanks is expected to be produced. The Altay probably will be the world’s most modern tank in the 60-ton category by then, Turkish procurement officials say.

Otokar also produces several other armored vehicles, the best known being the Cobra, a four-wheel-drive vehicle, used for reconnaissance and area control purposes by the Turkish security forces and the armies of several other countries.

7 May 2013 army-technology.comGDC4S

General Dynamics C4 Systems () has been awarded a contract modification for the development of a next-generation radar system as part of the US Army's range radar replacement programme (RRRP).

Valued at $16m, the contract covers engineering, development and initial manufacture of a new high/medium power close-in radar system, designed to provide enhanced fidelity during tracking of munitions and other targets at a range of 37m or more.

General Dynamics C4 Systems president Chris Marzilli said: "The close-in radar system is the second in a new generation of range instrumentation radars that deliver cost-effective, digital technologies and systems needed to meet the army's goal of modernising test ranges in Alabama, Arizona, New Mexico and Maryland."

Capable of acquiring information about the launch and early stages of flight for munitions and other low-flying objects, the radar joins the fly-out radar, the first system ordered by the army from the company under the $385m RRRP contract in June 2012.

The close-in radar systems are also expected to reduce the cost and downtime associated with the maintenance and relocation of old and obsolete radar systems that are currently installed at army test ranges across the US.

Capable of tracking up to 40 test objects over a range of 60 miles, the fly-out radar system recently completed the requirements phase of development.

Based on STAR Dynamics' XSTAR family of instrumentation radar, GDC4S's RRRP solution is scheduled to replace obsolete tracking radars at White Sands Test Center in New Mexico, Yuma Test Center in Arizona, Aberdeen Test Center in Maryland, as well as at Redstone Test Center in Alabama, US.

Led by GDC4S, the RRRP team includes STAR Dynamics, Georgia Tech Research Institute, and EO Imaging.

The delivery schedule has not been disclosed.

29/04/2013 Par Bénédicte GOUTTEBROZE

Denis Pinoteau est nommé directeur commercial export véhicules légers à roues de Nexter, groupe industriel spécialisé dans l'armement appartenant à l'État français. Il est sous la responsabilité directe de Jean-Christophe Bund, deputy director sales & marketing.

Diplômé de Saint-Cyr en 1991 et titulaire d'un executive MBA obtenu à HEC Paris en 2005, Denis Pinoteau était précédemment responsable commercial export Inde et Moyen-Orient chez Sagem, depuis 2006.

Nexter fabrique du matériel militaire pour le combat terrestre, aéroterrestre, aéronaval et naval.