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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 17:55
Manurhin cherche 20 millions d'euros pour son développement

 

11 septembre 2014 Par Thomas Calinon (Alsace) - l’Usine Nouvelle

 

Ayant retrouvé un haut niveau d'activité, le fabricant de machines destinées à la production de munitions compte investir dans son outil industriel et confirme sa volonté de croissance externe.

 

Réunie mercredi 10 septembre à Mulhouse (Haut-Rhin), l’assemblée générale des actionnaires du groupe Manurhin a autorisé la direction de l’entreprise spécialisée dans la conception et la fabrication de machines destinées à l’industrie des munitions à réaliser un emprunt d'un montant de 20 millions d'euros pour accompagner son développement.

 

Suite de l’article

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 17:50
More EU Sanctions Against Russia Set To Begin

 

Sep. 11, 2014 - By JULIAN HALE – Defense News

 

BRUSSELS — Further sanctions against Russia agreed to by European Union countries on Monday will enter into force tomorrow, an EU official said here Thursday. The measures will cover the capital market, dual use (civil and military) goods and the energy sector.

 

EU nationals and companies may no more provide loans to five major Russian state-owned banks. At the same time, trade in new bonds, equity or similar financial instruments with a maturity exceeding 30 days, issued by the same banks, has been prohibited. The same restrictions have been extended to three major Russian defense companies and three major energy companies. Providing services related to the issuing of the above financial instruments, e.g. brokering, is also included in the prohibition.

 

The EU official refused to name the three Russian defense companies ahead of publication of the sanctions in the EU’s Official Journal tomorrow.

 

An existing ban on exporting dual use goods and technology for military use in Russia has been extended to also include a list of nine mixed defense companies that must not receive dual use goods from the EU. Again, the EU official would not name the companies and would only say that there were “around 20 items” on the list but was unable to give specific examples.

 

“The measures to be published tomorrow were prepared at the end of August by EU countries in response to the flow of arms from Russia to Ukraine,” said the EU official.

 

In a press statement, the European Council’s President, Herman Van Rompuy, said that the Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) of EU countries will carry out a comprehensive review of the implementation of the [Russia-Ukraine] peace plan on the basis of an assessment carried out by the European External Action Service (EEAS) before the end of the month.

 

“Work on that is ongoing,” said the EU official, who added that “she expected it to be an internal assessment.”

 

“We have always stressed the reversibility and scalability of our restrictive measures. Therefore, in the light of the review and if the situation on the ground so warrants, the Commission and the EEAS are invited to put forward proposals to amend, suspend or repeal the set of sanctions in force, in all or in part,” said Van Rompuy in his statement.

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 17:40
7ème édition du salon international « MILEX 2014 »

 

 

11/09/2014 SITTA

 

Du 09 au 12 juillet 2014,  la 7ième édition du salon international « MILEX 2014 » s’est tenue dans le nouveau complexe sportif « Arena »  à Minsk (Biélorussie). Durant quatre jours, plus de 150 sociétés, en majorité biélorusses et russes, ont exposé leurs matériels dans les domaines de la défense terrestre et de la défense anti-aérienne. La Chine participait pour la première fois à ce salon avec la société ALIT qui proposait une gamme variée de matériels dans le domaine de la defense terrestre et de la défense anti-aérienne. Grâce à ses programmes de modernisation de systèmes d’armes d’ancienne génération et le développement de nouveaux radars, la Biélorussie conforte sa position dans les domaines de la défense terrestre et de la défense anti-aérienne.

 

Inauguré par le premier ministre de la république Biélorusse, Mihail Myasnikovich et en présence de Nikolaï Bordyuzha, secrétaire général de l’organisation du traité de sécurité collective (organisation politico-militaire regroupant la Russie, la Biélorussie, l’Armenie, le Kazakhstan, le Kirghistan, et le Tadjikistan), MILEX 2014 a ouvert officiellement ses portes aux professionnels de l’industrie de l’armement le mercredi 09 juillet 2014 à midi.Etaient également présents lors de cette inauguration, Oleg Bochkarev, vice président de la commission militaro-industrielle du gouvernement de la Fédération de Russie, Alexeï Kubrin, secrétaire adjoint de l’état de l’union de la Russie et de la Biélorussie, et Sergueï Gurulev, président du comité d’organisation du salon et du comité d’état militaro-industriel de Biélorussie.

 

Sur une surface de 13 000 m², plus de 200 modèles ou prototypes d’équipements militaires étaient présentés dont :

 

- le radar PRV-13BM de la société biélorusse BSVT ;

- le radar TRS-2D de la société biélorusse TETRAEDR ;

- la station de brouillage KIWI des sociétés biélorusses KB-RADAR et MINOTOR ;

- la station radio-relais R-134 de la société biélorusse AGAT CONTROL SYSTEMS ;

- le système sol-air OSA modernisé de la société biélorusse USINE 2566 ;

- le système sol-air PECHORA-2BM de la société biélorusse ALEVKURP ;

- le système sol-air STRELA-10BM2 de la société biélorusse BSVT.

 

L’académie militaire de Biélorussie était présente avec ses innovations en matière de systèmes de détection et de logiciels.

 

La prochaine édition est programmée pour 2016

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:50
BAE starts assembly phase of HMS Prince of Wales

Construction begins on the second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. Photo BAE Systems.

 

11 September 2014 naval-technology.com

 

BAE Systems has successfully docked the hull sections of the UK Royal Navy's second Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, at its Rosyth shipyard, marking the commencement of the carrier's assembly phase.

 

The latest move comes within days of the announcement by the UK Prime Minster David Cameron that HMS Prince of Wales will be commissioned, assuring that Britain would always possess an aircraft carrier, available from 2020.

 

Aircraft Carrier Alliance managing director Ian Booth said: "Every milestone in the carrier programme is hugely significant and the recent announcement that HMS Prince of Wales will enter service means there is a real sense of excitement as we start to bring the second ship together.

 

"Everyone working across the Alliance is incredibly proud of the work undertaken so far, in what is currently one of the biggest engineering projects in the country and we remain focused on delivering both ships to the highest standards."

 

Weighing at 6,000t and 8,000t respectively, both Lower Blocks 02 and 03 will form the distinctive forward hull section and the mid-section of the aircraft carrier's hull respectively.

 

Lower Block 02 will be equipped with machinery spaces, stores and switchboards, while Lower Block 03 will feature 160 cabins and the ship's bakery.

 

Following the anticipated structural completion by July 2016, Prince of Wales will begin sea trials in January 2019, followed by acceptance in August of the same year.

 

In addition, BAE is currently working on outfitting the HMS Queen Elizabeth preparing it for scheduled sea trials in 2016, with scheduled commissioning in 2017.

 

The UK is also investing to transform HM Naval Base Portsmouth as the home port of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, with work involving dredging the approach and main channels within the harbour, upgrading navigational support and the revamp of several jetties, together with extensive infrastructure enhancements.

 

Delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a joint initiative by BAE Systems, Thales UK, Babcock and the UK Ministry of Defence, both aircraft carriers will be the showpiece of Britain's defence capability for the 21st century.

 

The two 300m-long, 74m-wide and 65,000t vessels will boost sustained operations and ferry an air wing of up to 40 aircraft, as well as offer armed forces with a four-acre military operating base that can travel about 500 miles per day and be deployed anywhere worldwide.

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:45
Angolan Navy acquiring seven patrol vessels from Brazil

 

09 September 2014 by defenceWeb

 

The Angolan Navy will receive seven Macae-class patrol boats from Brazil, with four to be built in Brazil and three in Angola.

 

The Brazilian and Angolan defence ministers, Celso Amorim and João Manuel Lourenço, on September 5 signed a Technical Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the production of the vessels as part of Angola’s Naval Power Development Programme (Pronaval).

 

The Brazilian Navy’s Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais (Emgepron) will produce four of the vessels in Rio de Janeiro while the other three will be manufactured in a new Angolan shipyard to be built 200 km south of the Angolan capital Luanda, with technical advice, materials and equipment supplied by Brazil. The Brazilian Navy will provide education and training of Angolan personnel both to build and to operate the vessels that will be built in the new shipyard, the Brazilian Ministry of Defence said.

 

The Macae class is based on the French CMN Vigilante 400 CL54 and has a displacement of around 500 tons, length of 54.2 metres, beam of 8 metres, an endurance of ten days and a complement of 35.

 

The vessels are powered by two MTU Friedrichshafen 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines coupled to controllable pitch propellers, giving a top speed of 21 knots and a range of 2 500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots.

 

Brazilian vessels can carry rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) at the stern and and are armed with an Allied Ordnance of Singapore L70 NADM 40 mm gun and two 20 mm Oerlikon GAM-B01 cannons. Equipment includes Ares Aerospacial e Defesa electro-optical sensors; IPqM TTI 2900 tactical control system; and Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine VisionMaster FT 250 integrated bridge system, which includes X-band and Y-band navigation radars, according to IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly. However, the technical configuration of the Angolan vessels is still being finalised.

 

Lourenço said that increasing the strength of Angola’s Navy will allow the country to fight threats such as maritime piracy and terrorism. "We will do everything so that implementation of this cooperation will not take long," he said.

 

Amorim during the MoU ceremony on Friday said that Brazil and Angola enjoy a strategic relationship as they both need to monitor the South Atlantic Ocean. The two countries, along with 23 other African and South American nations, are signatories of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic (ZPCSA), a multilateral organization created by the United Nations (UN) in 1986, and which aims to prevent the introduction of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the region.

 

"Angola is a thriving nation and increasingly active in Africa. We have friendship and great mutual respect. Brazil doesn’t want a paternalistic attitude towards Angola, because Angolans rightly would not accept it," said Amorim.

 

Apart from the purchase of seven patrol vessels and advising on the construction of the shipyard, the MoU provides for cooperation in the academic field and the training of personnel to build and operate vessels, as well as to qualify sailors of the merchant marine.

 

The Angolan delegation attended the third IDB Brazil Show, organized by the Brazilian Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (Apex-Brazil) and the Brazilian Association of Defence and Security Equipment, supported by the Ministry of Defence, and which brought together nearly 100 industry peers in Ulysses Guimarães Convention Centre in Brasilia.

 

At the moment Angola’s Navy is relatively small, with around a thousand personnel, and its vessels includes four Mandume class fast attack craft, five ARESA PVC-170 and three Patrulheiro patrol boats. In order to protect Angola’s 1 600 km long coastline, the Angolan Navy is undergoing modernisation but is still lacking in many ways.

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:45
The Paramount Roadrunner UAV

The Paramount Roadrunner UAV

 

08 September 2014 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

 

Paramount Group is investing R100 million in unmanned vehicles with the launch of a new Robotics division, which encompasses unmanned ground, air and sea vehicles.

 

Discussing the launch of the new entity last week, Ivor Ichikowitz, Executive Chairman of Paramount Group, said that, “The next generation of innovation in the global defence and security sector will be in the Robotics sector. As warfare becomes more complex and the political risk associated with loss of life becomes more sensitive, both sophisticated and developing defence forces alike are investing in reducing the number of soldiers exposed to dangerous environments. In light of this we are pleased to announce the establishment of Paramount Robotic Systems – a consolidation of Paramount’s mission systems, unmanned and robotics capabilities across land, sea and air. This division will consolidate Paramount’s robotics research and development activities as well as the organisations’ current unmanned programmes.”

 

The Group will invest over R100 million in research and development funding in robotics, “bringing to market some of the most exciting innovations in the autonomous defence space.”

 

“There is no defence company locally that has a robotics division like ours. We are now focussed on developing unmanned robot systems that take the human element out of the equation. This is a first for Africa and the Southern hemisphere, and we are very excited to be forging the way to making South Africa world leaders in the robotics industry,” said Ichikowitz.

 

Paramount Group already has a number of unmanned products in its stable. It acquired unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities through the acquisition of Advanced Technologies and Engineering (ATE), now Paramount Advanced Technologies. Its UAV range includes the Civet, Roadrunner rhomboid wing UAV and new Mwari UAV. Paramount has also proposed an AHRLAC 25 unmanned version of its Advanced High-performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft. On the naval side, the company is offering a remotely operated Guardian vessel.

 

“We are seeing a huge growth in unmanned systems,” Ichikowitz said, adding that, “we have the capability and competence to lead the way.” He said the new Robotics division is a catalyst for a whole range of innovation and that Paramount is working with universities and other institutions in this regard.

 

Although the research and development investment in robotics comes from Paramount’s own funds, in future the Group will explore co-development with global partners. He said that having no government funding means the company in innovative and able to move fast with projects.

 

At the same time as the Robotics division was announced, Paramount also revealed it had bought Aerosud Aerospace Systems and Veecraft Marine, further adding to its already diverse capabilities. Ichikowitz said these investments and innovations “are a true testament to the skillset and entrepreneurial spirit of the continent. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary at the same time as South Africa celebrates its 20 years of democracy, we are proud to be recognised as global innovators with world-leading technologies and solutions. The development of the defence industry will go a long way towards creating an indigenous African capability that will deal with threats to the security of the continent.”

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:45
AAD 2014 sold out; 40 companies on the waiting list

 

10 September 2014 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

 

All the indoor and outdoor exhibition space at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2014 exhibition has been sold out and demand for space is so high that 40 companies had to be turned down and put on an exhibition waiting list, according to the show organisers.

 

Briefing the media this morning on the show, to be held at Air Force Base Waterkloof between September 17 and 21, the organisers said that one exhibitor cancelled but their space was instantly filled as there are forty companies that want to exhibit but can’t find space, even though AAD 2014 has an extra, seventh, hangar this year.

 

At the moment there are 70 foreign military delegations from 50 countries scheduled to visit AAD 2014, together with 13 national pavilions and 300 companies (there were 14 national pavilions but Argentina pulled out due to their current financial situation). A number of first time exhibitors include Uganda, Australia, Lithuania, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

 

Simphiwe Hamilton, Show Director, said he expected AAD 2014 to be bigger than the previous edition, which saw 40 000 trade visitors and 90 000 tickets sold for the two air show days.

 

Dean Mogale, AAD 2014 Policy Committee Chairperson, said the organisers have signed an agreement with the city of Tshwane to host the show through to 2018. Tshwane Executive Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, said AAD will be kept in Tshwane for the next three editions including this one. He said it was one of the most auspicious events on the aerospace and defence calendar, not only on the continent but in the world.

 

He added it was a significant revenue contributor to the country and noted that the aerospace and defence industries contribute to the economy and technological innovation – he pointed out that the Internet was originally developed by the military, for example. Ramokgopa said he wanted AAD to expose the youth to career opportunities in the aerospace and defence industries. Several thousand learners are expected to come to the show as part of the Youth Development Programme (YDP).

 

Airshow

 

So far 10 000 tickets have been sold for the air show days on September 20 and 21. The South African Air Force will be flying and displaying the Gripen, Hawk, Rooivalk, A109 and C-130 while the Silver Falcons aerobatic team will wow audiences with precision flying displays. The Air Force Museum at Air Force Base Zwartkop will contribute a number of aircraft, such as the Vampire, Alouette II and III, Puma etc.

 

On the civil side, Bombardier, Gulfstream and other manufacturers will be displaying their jets such as the Global 6000, Gulfstream G450 and G650. Bombardier will have a Q400 on display and Airbus Helicopters will have several of its rotorcraft on show. The presence of many other aircraft is still being negotiated – for instance, Embraer is still deciding what to bring.

 

The Airplane Factory will try and set a world record at AAD 2014 by building one of their Sling light aircraft at the show, which is set to fly by the time the exhibition concludes.

 

Less than three months after it performed its maiden flight, the Paramount Group Advanced High-performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) will fly in to Waterkloof at the beginning of the show and be exhibited as a static display. As the first military fixed wing manned aircraft to be designed and built in South Africa in decades, it is expected to attract considerable interest.

 

Unfortunately no unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be flying at Waterkloof. The organisers had hoped to have a UAV demonstration at Ditholo 50 km from Pretoria but this is not happening. However, the organisers noted that having UAVs flying is a priority for the next edition of AAD, by which time the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) should have finished drafting regulations on the operation of UAVs in South African airspace. Nevertheless, over a dozen companies will have their UAVs on static display.

 

Another disappointment to visitors will be the fact that the United States yesterday cancelled plans to bring out an eight-engined Boeing B-52 bomber. However, the US Air Force will fly out a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules. The New Zealand and Pakistani Air Forces were contemplating bringing out aircraft to AAD but these plans have been shelved. Zimbabwe was scheduled to fly a K-8 jet trainer but after last week’s crash that killed two of their pilots, this is uncertain. However, a full air show schedule will be available just before the show starts.

 

Firefighting helicopters will perform a demonstration during the show while Paramount will have an anti-rhino poaching demonstration using a Gazelle helicopter. Other highlights include a vehicle mobility track, which will allow military vehicles to show off their capabilities, and a mini-war re-enactment.

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:45
Sale of sniper rifles to Turkmenistan questioned

 

10 September 2014 by defenceWeb

 

South African arms sales, this time of 50 sniper rifles valued at more than R5 million, to “the repressive regime” in Turkmenistan has been questioned in Parliament.

 

The questioner is DA shadow defence and military veterans minister, David Maynier, who was responded to the second quarterly report of this year issued by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC).

 

According to legislation the NCACC, chaired by Jeff Radebe, now Minister in the Presidency with responsibility for planning, performance, monitoring, evaluation and administration, and previously Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, must “avoid transfers of conventional arms to governments that systemically violate or suppress human rights and fundamental freedoms”.

 

In support of the NCACC having transgressed in the Turkmenistan sale, Maynier quoted from Human Rights Watch’s 2014 World Report.

 

“Turkmenistan remains one of the world’s most repressive countries. The country is virtually closed to independent scrutiny, media and religious freedoms are subject to draconian restrictions and human rights defenders and other activists face constant threat of government reprisal. The government continues to use imprisonment as a tool for political retaliation,” the report states.

 

Maynier pointed out the latest known sniper rifle sale, which does not specify the rifle type or manufacturer, is not the first time the NCACC has transgressed in approving sales to “repressive” states.

 

“In 2010 the NCACC authorised the sales of about 100 sniper rifles and more than 50 000 rounds of ammunition to Libya,”

 

Other sales he finds questionable in the latest NCACC report include 13 armoured combat vehicles, valued at over R44 million, to Equatorial Guinea; and a pair of airborne observation systems, valued at more than R16,6 million, to the Russian Federation.

 

He will ask for a full-blown investigation of all three sales.

 

In total the South African defence industry sold R1,7 billion worth of product in the second quarter of this year. The revenue earned is markedly down from the R2,8 billion reported for the same period last year.

 

Biggest buyer of South African defence expertise was Sweden at R555 million, followed by Thailand on R501 million.

 

The trade in conventional arms and the rendering of foreign military assistance is regulated by the NCACC, which reports to Parliament, as well as the Directorate Conventional Arms Control (DCAC). South African arms traders are required to be registered with the DCAC. Permits are required for weapons development and manufacturing, marketing, contracting, exporting, importing or transferring of conventional arms. This includes; weapons, munitions, vessels designed for war, articles of war, and related systems, components, technologies, dual-use goods or services.

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:45
The BDSL Kalaat Beni-Abbes during its delivery ceremony -  photo Giorgio Parodi

The BDSL Kalaat Beni-Abbes during its delivery ceremony - photo Giorgio Parodi

 

08 September 2014 by defenceWeb

 

Italian shipyard Fincantieri has delivered the Algerian Navy’s flagship amphibious warfare vessel Kalaat Beni-Abbes at its Muggiano Shipyard.

 

The delivery ceremony took place on 4 September and was attended by dignitaries that included General Malaoui, Head of the Supervisory Board of the Algerian Navy, General M L Haouli, President of the Acceptance Commission of the Algerian Navy, Alessandro Concialini, CEO of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, Angelo Fusco, Executive Senior Vice President Italy of Fincantieri Naval Shipbuilding Division, and Ferdinando Tognini, the Riva Trigoso-Muggiano yard manager.

 

The Kalaat Beni-Abbes was ordered in July 2011 by the Ministry of Defence of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria from Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a company controlled by Fincantieri in which Selex ES also holds an interest. The vessel was ordered at a cost of more than 400 million euros.

 

The 9 000 tonne vessel belongs to the BDSL class (Bâtiment de Débarquement et de Soutien Logistique - landing and logistic support ship), and developed from the Italian San Giusto amphibious class vessel. Fincantieri said its most important feature is an internal floodable dock, capable of accommodating a ready-to-go 20-metre landing craft; two landing craft of the same size can travel attached to the ship's deck, and can be deployed using a system of davits. If necessary, the dock can be emptied to accommodate other types of vehicles.

 

The vessel can accommodate 15 main battle tanks or 30 light tanks or armoured personnel carriers. Five medium helicopters can be carried in a hangar. Armament includes Aster 15 missiles, a single OTO Melara 76 mm gun at the bow and two 25 mm cannons. Electronics include Selex Sistemi Integrati EMPAR radar, SCLAR-H chaff/flare decoy launchers and Athena-C combat management system.

 

The Kalaat Beni-Abbes is 143 metres long with a 21.5 metre beam and has a full load displacement of about 8,800 tons. With two diesel engines, it can reach speeds of over 20 knots, and carry more than 430 soldiers, 12 flight service specialists and 152 crew, for a total of about 600 people.

 

It has a full-length flight deck, with two helicopter landing spots, fore and aft. It is also equipped with a 60-bed hospital and several operating theatres, to provide medical support to both troops and civilians during humanitarian operations.

 

The contract with Algeria also includes the provision of logistical support during crew training. Training of Algerian personnel by the Italian Navy has taken place since 2013 using the facilities of the Fincantieri Training Academy, a project initiated by Fincantieri in conjunction with the Italian Navy with the aim of training the crew of ships in the process of delivery.

 

Fincantieri Training Academy, which is already serving the United Arab Emirates Navy, is a positive example of cooperation between the armed forces and industry through which Italy's naval excellence is made available to Navies around the world, Fincantieri said.

 

The order has required Fincantieri not only to build the main vessel, but also to oversee the design and to manage and coordinate the local construction of three smaller Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) vessels, built at the Mers El Kebir naval shipyards in Algeria. These support vessels, known as chaland, are able to carry 140 men or a heavy tank, with a maximum weight of 30 tons, and are an integral part of the equipment of the Kalaat Beni-Abbes.

 

At the flagship’s launch in January this year, the Italian Navy said the vessel would be delivered in November, with full operational capability expected in early 2015.

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:45
First Mozambican patrol boat hull delivered

 

11 September 2014 by defenceWeb

 

The first of three hulls for Mozambique’s new Ocean Eagle 43 patrol boats is on its way to the CMN shipyard in France, where it will be motorised and equipped. Mozambique has three patrol boats, three interceptors and 24 fishing trawlers on order from the French company.

 

CMN Shipyards on Tuesday announced that the first hull left the H2X Shipyard workshops on September 8 and was due to depart La Ciotat, France, on September 12 to reach Cherbourg aboard the cargo vessel Spirit. CMN will then complete the vessel.

 

The other two hulls are already under construction. One will be removed from its mould during the week for a delivery in mid-November and the third is scheduled for mid-January 2015, CMN said.

 

The Ocean Eagle 43 patrol vessel features an innovative trimaran design ideal for shallow waters. The model has a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 3 000 miles at 20 knots. Crew complement is seven, but another eight people can be accommodated aboard. A small helipad can accommodate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like the Schiebel Camcopter while a seven metre rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) can be launched from a ramp at the back of the vessel. Weapons options include a 20 or 30 mm cannon above the bridge and two 12.7 mm machineguns at the stern.

 

On September 5, 2013, the Mozambican government signed a 200 million euro deal with Constructions Mecaniques de Normandie (CMN) to build the three Ocean Eagles, three HSI 32 interceptors and 24 fishing vessels over a two year period.

 

The HSI 32 interceptors are able to reach speeds of up to 45 knots and can undertake patrols for three days, with a range of 800 miles. Weapon options include a remotely operated 20 mm cannon and two 12.7 mm machineguns. A RHIB can be launched from the back of the boat. Crew complement is 12. These vessels are ideal for anti-piracy, anti-terrorism and anti-smuggling missions.

 

The order for 24 trawlers involves the CMN 23.5 model, crewed by eight and having an endurance of ten days. Deliveries should take place by 2016.

 

The new vessels ordered from France will provide a major boost to Mozambique’s small navy, especially in light of recent offshore oil and natural gas finds. At present the country’s small navy comprises a single Conejera class patrol craft (Pebane) donated by Spain, a couple of Namacurra class harbour patrol boats donated by South Africa and around ten small patrol craft, including RHIBs.

 

The order was well timed for CMN, which was struggling with a small order book and was about to lay off staff. It was the biggest contract in the company’s history.

 

Mozambique is paying for the vessels with money from loans from Credit Suisse and VTB Capital, Bloomberg reports. Last year Mozambique set up Empresa Mocambicana de Atum SA, or Mozambican Tuna Co., (Ematum), which secured a $500 million loan from Credit Suisse and $350 million from VTB Capital. Ematum is 34% owned by the Institute for the Management of State Holdings (IGEPE). The other shareholders are the state fishing company Emopesca and GIPS (Management of Investments, Holdings and Services), with 33% each. GIPS was set up in December 2011, and its main shareholder is the social services of the State Intelligence and Security Service (SISE)

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:35
India receives fifth Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft

Indian Navy's fifth Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft taking off during its delivery. Photo Boeing.

 

11 September 2014 naval-technology.com

 

The Indian Navy has taken delivery of its fifth P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft from Boeing, which would support the navy's maritime patrol requirements.

 

Delivered as part of a deal signed in January 2009 for eight P-8I aircraft, the latest aircraft joins the navy's already existing fleet of four P-8Is, which are currently undergoing operational review.

 

Indian Navy naval staff deputy chief vice admiral RK Pattanaik said: "The P-8I programme is progressing on schedule, and the aircraft are providing the capabilities to meet our maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare requirements."

 

Powered by CFM International's two CFM56-7 engines, the aircraft features a directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system and the electronic support measures (ESM) system, which safeguard the jet from approaching infrared-guided missiles.

 

Based on Boeing's Next-Generation 737 commercial aircraft, the Indian navy version of the US navy's P-8A Poseidon jet integrates Indian-built sub-systems that are customised to meet the country's maritime patrol necessities.

 

Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) India vice-president Dennis Swanson said: "This is another important milestone for the programme and we look forward to continuing our great relationship with India.

 

"We'll deliver one more P-8I before the end of the year, followed by two in 2015."

 

Incorporating advanced sensor and display technologies, in addition to open system architecture, the aircraft supports missions including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), intelligence, maritime patrol, surveillance and reconnaissance.

 

Boeing P-8 international programme manager Mark Jordan said: "We appreciate that senior representatives of the Indian Navy were with us in Seattle to participate in delivery activities and watch the plane take off for Rajali.

 

"It's a great accomplishment for the entire team, and we're hard at work assembling and testing the next P-8I in line for delivery."

 

The aircraft has been built by a Boeing-led industry team including CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 16:20
Canadian DND orders iRobot 510 PackBot CBRN robots

iRobot 510 PackBot CBRN recce system is a modular expansion to 510 PackBot multi-mission robot. Photo Outisnn.

 

11 September 2014 army-technology.com

 

iRobot has secured multi-year contracts for the delivery of iRobot 510 PackBot reconnaissance, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) recce systems to the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND).

 

Valued at a combined $9.6m, the competitively awarded contracts cover the delivery of a total of 20 iRobot 510 PackBot systems, along with training and future product lifecycle support.

 

iRobot defence and security business unit senior vice-president and general manager Frank Wilson said: "CBRN events occur globally and each present their own unique challenges.

 

"iRobot offers all of our customers rugged, reliable and expandable systems that are capable of addressing a wide range of specific mission needs."

 

A modular expansion to iRobot's 510 PackBot multi-mission robot, the 510 PackBot CBRN recce system is designed to address specific requirements set forth by the Canadian DND.

 

The easy-to-use, mobile robot includes a CBRN suite, comprising five primary sensors to reliably detect, alert and report on chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, volatile gases, explosives and radiation.

 

The robot can access confined spaces and broad sensing capabilities, and features enhanced mobility through the addition of rear flippers.

 

Deliveries under the contract are expected to be completed by April 2015.

 

Weighing around 24lb, the 510 PackBot is a modular robot designed to assist soldiers and first responders in conducting bomb disposal and improvised explosives device neutralisation, as well as surveillance / reconnaissance missions from stand-off distances.

 

Equipped with a range of interchangeable payloads, the combat-proven robot can be configured to screen vehicles and is able to integrate additional sensors to aid in the identification and interrogation of CBRN threats.

 

To date, iRobot has delivered more than 5,000 robots to military and civil defence forces worldwide.

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 14:55
Discours de clôture de l'UED 2014 par le ministre de la Défense, Jean-Yves Le Drian

Discours de clôture de l'UED 2014 par le ministre de la Défense, Jean-Yves Le Drian

 

11/09/2014 Armée de l'air

 

L’Université d’été de la Défense s’est achevée, mardi 9 septembre 2014, à Bordeaux par le discours de clôture du ministre de la Défense, M. Jean-Yves Le Drian.

 

Évoquant le contexte international particulièrement «grave», ainsi que les nombreux défis auxquels la communauté de la Défense devait faire face, M. Le Drian a également tenu à saluer l’armée de l’air, hôte de cette 12eédition de l’Université d’été.

 

«Puisque nous sommes en un sens sur les terres de l’armée de l’air, vous me permettrez d’adresser un salut particulier à nos forces aériennes. Elles ont été particulièrement mobilisées sur les récents théâtres d’opérations. La réactivité, qui est l’une des clés des engagements militaires contemporains, est en effet le cœur de métier des aviateurs».

 

Les forces aériennes stratégiques saluées

 

Le ministre de la Défense est également revenu sur le caractère essentiel de la composante aéroportée de la dissuasion nucléaire, au moment où les forces aériennes stratégiques célèbrent leurs 50 ans.

 

«La composante aérienne de la dissuasion nucléaire est parfois questionnée, voire remise en cause. Le Président de la République a tranché la question en maintenant les deux composantes. J’ai évoqué tout à l’heure la préservation essentielle de notre autonomie stratégique, dans le contexte grave qui est le nôtre. La crise ukrainienne montre que nous ne sommes pas à l’abri de surprises stratégiques, et que la fin de la guerre froide n’a pas fait disparaître les menaces de conflits interétatiques, y compris en Europe. Notre dissuasion nucléaire dans ses deux composantes représente, à cet égard, la garantie fondamentale de notre souveraineté et de notre liberté d’appréciation, de décision et d’action.»

 

Ce discours est venu clore deux journées de débats et d’échanges nourris. Militaires, industriels, hommes politiques français et étrangers: au total, plus de 400 membres éminents de la communauté de Défense ont échangé et débattu lors de nombreux ateliers et tables rondes autour du thème central choisi cette année: «Agir et Réagir».

 

La réactivité des forces aériennes et leurs structures C2 mises à l’honneur

 

L’ensemble des participants a également assisté, dans la matinée du lundi 8 septembre, à une démonstration dynamique des capacités de l’armée de l’air, articulée autour des thèmes de la réactivité et des systèmes de commandement et de conduite (C2).

 

Démonstration dynamique des capacités C2 par le général Borel, COMDAOA

Démonstration dynamique des capacités C2 par le général Borel, COMDAOA

 

«Nous avons choisi de vous présenter l’actualité des opérations aériennes à travers nos trois missions majeures : protection, dissuasion, intervention immédiate (…), a déclaré le général Denis Mercier, chef d’état-major de l’armée de l’air (CEMAA). Les récents engagements l’ont rappelé: en Libye, au Mali et plus récemment en Irak avec l’apport d’aide humanitaire. (…) Le cœur de compétence de l’armée de l’air réside dans cette réactivité et cette aptitude à être engagée ou désengagée au dernier moment. Cette réactivité que nous démontrons au quotidien est structurée par nos deux missions permanentes que sont la protection et la dissuasion. Conduites depuis les années 1960, ces deux missions d’excellence absolue ne souffrent pas l’échec.»

 

Durant cette matinée, plusieurs tableaux se sont succédé. L’ensemble étant orchestré par le général Jean-Jacques Borel, commandant la défense aérienne et les opérations aériennes (CDAOA) : mesures de police du ciel, mission de ciblage en OPEX par un drone Reaper, visioconférence en temps réel avec les commandants d’opérations au Sahel et en Afghanistan, démonstrations de recherche et de sauvetage au combat…

 

Plus de 400 participants étaient réunis pour cette Université de la Défense

Plus de 400 participants étaient réunis pour cette Université de la Défense

 

Le maintien en condition opérationnelle: enjeu stratégique

 

Au terme de cette Université d’Été de la Défense, la base aérienne 106 a également servi d’écrin à la deuxième édition du salon ADS-UAV Show, événement dédié au maintien en condition opérationnelle (MCO) aéronautique de Défense.

 

Partenaire de cet événement majeur, l’armée de l’air a, à cette occasion, exposé de nombreux moyens tels que les systèmes de maintenance aéronautique associés au Mirage 2000 et au Rafale… «En tant qu’intégrateur du MCO aéronautique pour le ministère de la Défense, notre présence à ce salon est totalement naturelle, explique le général Guy Girier, directeur central de la structure intégrée de maintien en condition opérationnelle des matériels aéronautiques de la défense (SIMMAD). (…) Ce salon permet de présenter notre rôle et nos missions, qui sont parfois méconnus. Cela nous permet également d’échanger avec nos partenaires, au sein des armées ou du monde industriel.»

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 12:45
La FREMM Mohammed VI fabriquée par DCNS et livrée par la France en début d'année

La FREMM Mohammed VI fabriquée par DCNS et livrée par la France en début d'année

 

10 septembre 2014, Pierre-Olivier Rouaud - Usinenouvelle.com

 

La France a cumulé 1,8 milliard d'euros de commandes du Maroc sur les cinq dernières années en armes et technologies de défense. Le royaume est le sixième client de la France avec un contrat majeur celui de la frégatte multimission FREMM, mais reste dépassé par les Etats-Unis.

 

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 10:55
Missiles : Berlin bloque un contrat de MBDA dans le Golfe

Le poste de tir du Milan ER, dernière génération du missile terrestre de MBDA, est fabriqué en Allemagne. Berlin peut donc bloquer son exportation. - MBDA

 

10/09 Alain Ruello – LesEchos.fr

 

Berlin, qui a engagé une politique plus restrictive en matière d’exportations d’armements, bloque un contrat de missile Milan de MBDA dans un pays du Golfe.

 

Les prises de position anti-exportations d’armements à Berlin commencent à se faire sentir en France. Ainsi, l’Allemagne bloque-t-elle depuis le début de l’année un contrat de missile de MBDA dans un pays du Golfe. Il s’agirait, selon nos informations, du Milan ER, dernière génération de cet armement terrestre mondialement vendu. Comme son poste de tir est conçu outre Rhin, sa vente nécessite une autorisation du gouvernement allemand, que ce dernier refuse de donner.

 

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11 septembre 2014 4 11 /09 /septembre /2014 10:55
Armement : Arabie Saoudite, Singapour et Maroc, meilleurs clients de la France en 2013

Armement - Le Rafale de Dassault Aviation attend son premier contrat à l'export (Crédits : Armée de l'air)

 

10/09/2014 Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

 

Arabie Saoudite, Singapour et Maroc. Les trois premiers clients de l'industrie d'armement française ont représenté en 2013 près de la moitié des exportations d'armements tricolores (3,1 milliards sur 6,87 milliards).

 

Arabie Saoudite (1,92 milliard d'euros), Singapour (651,3 millions) et Maroc (584,9 millions). Voici les trois meilleurs clients des industriels de l'armement français en 2013. L'an dernier, ils ont cumulé à eux trois près de la moitié des exportations d'équipements militaires français (3,15 milliards) sur un total de 6,87 milliards d'euros de prises de commandes, qui ont explosé de 43 % en 2013 (4,8 milliards). Huit contrats d'un montant de plus de 200 millions ont été gagnés en 2013 (contre 3 en 2012). Soit un pactole de 2,82 milliards d'euros. Une performance qui permet à la France de rester au quatrième rang des exportateurs mondiaux d'armements, selon le rapport 2014 au Parlement sur les exportations d'armement de la France.

Par ailleurs, l'an dernier, la France a livré pour 3,8 milliards d'armements, dont 924 millions au Proche et Moyen-Orient. Des livraisons stables sur les cinq dernières années (3,3 milliards en 2012, 3,7 milliards en 2011, 3,7 milliards en 2010, 3,7 milliards en 2009).

 

Quinze pays ont commandé plus de 100 millions à la France

Outre les trois premiers clients de la France en 2013, douze autres pays ont acheté du matériels français pour plus de 100 millions d'euros : Indonésie (480 millions), Brésil (339 millions),  Émirats Arabes Unis (335,2 millions), Ouzbékistan (208 millions), Inde (180 millions), Bolivie (161 millions), Qatar (124,9 millions), États-Unis (125,2 millions), Allemagne (115,3 millions), Malaisie (108,9 millions), Chine (107,8 millions) et Oman (104,1 millions). A noter que les exportations vers la Chine de matériels duals restent stables par rapport aux années précédentes (114, 3 millions en 2012, 93,7 millions en 2011, 109,8 millions en 2010).

Selon une étude d'impact réalisée par le ministère de la Défense, le conseil des industries de défense (Cidef) avec le cabinet McKinsey & Co, environ 40.000 emplois en France sont concernés par les ventes d'armes à l'exportation, auxquels s'ajoutent 10.000 emplois indirects chez les fournisseurs. "Dans une France frappée par le chômage et menacée de désindustrialisation, ces 50.000 emplois sont d'une importance vitale", a souligné mardi le ministre, Jean-Yves Le Drian. Sans les exportations d'armements, "le déficit de la balance commerciale aurait été de 5 à 8 points plus élevé chaque année" sur la période 2008-13, selon cette étude.

Pour Jean-Yves Le Drian, les opérations militaires "nombreuses, difficiles" dans lesquelles la France est engagée, notamment en Afrique, "font pleinement partie de cette dynamique" des exportations, en démontrant "la puissance et la fiabilité" du matériel issu de l'industrie de défense. Il s'est également félicité de l'"état d'esprit d'action en commun" des industriels français, évoquant "l'équipe de France des exportations d'armement".

 

Arabie Saoudite dépasse le milliard de commandes

Pour la première fois depuis 2007 (1,1 milliard), Ryad a commandé à la France pour plus d'un milliard d'euros d'armements. Le contrat qui pèse le plus en Arabie Saoudite et d'une façon générale dans le bilan des commandes françaises, est bien sûr LEX (Life Extension Sawari 1), la modernisation de quatre frégates et de deux pétroliers ravitailleurs de la marine saoudienne d'un montant de 1,1 milliard. A cette commande de DCNS, il faut rajouter un premier contrat engrangé par le groupe naval pour la modernisation de trois frégates Sawari 2 (programme ERA) d'un montant de 150 millions.

Par ailleurs, MBDA a conclu plusieurs contrats avec le royaume. Le missilier européen a vendu des missiles sol-air VL Mica à la Garde nationale, l'armée privée du roi commandée par le prince Mitaeb bin Abdullah (150 millions d'euros) ainsi que des Mistral, un missile surface-air de très courte portée. Surtout, le missilier a vendu un nouveau lot de missiles de croisière Storm Shadow (environ 500 millions), fabriqués en France.

 

Singapour et Maroc sur le podium

Traditionnel client de la France, Singapour se classe au deuxième rang des clients de la France même si l'Ile-Etat a préféré l'année dernière acheter des sous-marins allemands que français. C'est MBDA qui a réalisé la plus grosse commande avec la vente de missiles Aster pour plus de 300 millions d'euros. Un second contrat majeur a été signé avec les Singapouriens, la vente de six avions ravitailleurs MRTT (la part française s'élève à un tiers du contrat sur ce type d'appareils).

Le Maroc est la grosse surprise dans le classement des très bons clients des industriels de l'armement tricolores en 2013. Astrium (devenu Airbus Space Systems) et Thales Alenia Space (TAS), en tant que maître d'œuvre, ont signé l'année dernière un contrat portant sur la vente de deux satellites d'observation de type Pléiades au Maroc en deux phases (1 + 1), dont le montant s'élèverait à un peu plus de 500 millions d'euros, lancement compris. Un contrat tenu confidentiel.

 

Bolivie, Ouzbékistan, des nouveaux pays clients

De nouveaux clients apparaissent dans les clients de la France. Ce sont le cas de la Bolivie qui s'est offert 6 Super Puma AS332 C1e pour plus de 150 millions d'euros et de l'Ouzbékistan qui a acheté 10 Fennec et 6 Cougar. Deux contrats pour Airbus Helicopters, qui perce sur des marchés où la France était inexistante jusqu'ici dans le domaine de l'armement. C'est aussi le cas au Turkménistan mais de façon plus modeste (32,7 millions de commandes en 2013).

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10 septembre 2014 3 10 /09 /septembre /2014 16:20
High Energy Laser (HEL) - Mobile Demonstrator photo Boeing

High Energy Laser (HEL) - Mobile Demonstrator photo Boeing

 

09/09/2014 Par Julien Bergounhoux - industrie-techno.com

 

Le laser à haute énergie de Boeing vient de passer une étape importante. Ce démonstrateur mobile, monté sur un camion, s'est montré capable de neutraliser ses cibles (drones, tirs de mortier de 60 mm) même dans des conditions météorologiques difficiles. Une condition impérative pour la future mise en service de systèmes défensifs à énergie dirigée.

 

Boeing vient de tester avec succès le fonctionnement de son démonstrateur mobile de laser à haute énergie (High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator, ou HEL MD) dans des conditions météorologiques difficiles. Les tests ont eu lieu en collaboration avec l'armée des Etats-Unis, sur la base aérienne d'Eglin, en Floride.

 

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10 septembre 2014 3 10 /09 /septembre /2014 16:20
Tomahawk Block IV TACTOM

Tomahawk Block IV TACTOM

 

10 September 2014 naval-technology.com

 

The US Navy has successfully completed back-to-back flight trials of the Raytheon-built Tomahawk Block IV missile cruise missile to demonstrate its recent software improvements.

 

During the first test, a Tomahawk Block IV missile was launched from the US Navy's Los Angeles-class submarine USS Hampton (SSN-767) vertical capsule launch system, flew in a pre-planned mission until directed to a new target by strike control personnel.

 

Prior to striking the updated target at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake weapons range, the missile successfully demonstrated its enhanced flex retargeting.

 

During the second flight test, a Tomahawk Block IV missile was launched by the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), following which the missile flew a series of pre-planned high altitude manoeuvres and validated its improved performance.

"These flight tests demonstrate how Raytheon and the US Navy are working together to enhance this already sophisticated weapon."

 

Following a pre-planned vertical dive, the missile successfully intercepted a target on San Nicolas Island off the Southern California coast.

 

Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice-president Mike Jarrett said: "These flight tests demonstrate how Raytheon and the US Navy are working together to enhance this already sophisticated weapon.

 

"By constantly improving Tomahawk, we are helping to ensure that US and allied warfighters have this critical capability far into the future."

 

Since 2006, the US navy has carried out more than 70 successful Tomahawk Block IV flight tests.

 

The cruise missile, which has been deployed in combat more than 2000 times to date, is the key weapon used for defeating integrated air defence systems and striking heavily defended high value targets.

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10 septembre 2014 3 10 /09 /septembre /2014 16:20
X-47B Achieves New Set of 1sts Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt

 

Sep 10, 2014 ASDNews Source : Naval Air Systems Command

 

The Navy's X-47B completed its final test aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Aug. 24 and returned to its home base at Naval Air Station Patuxent River after eight days at sea.

While underway, the X-47B flew in the carrier pattern with manned aircraft for the first time and conducted a total of five catapult launches, four arrestments and nine touch-and-go landings, including a night time shipboard flight deck handling evaluation.

 

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10 septembre 2014 3 10 /09 /septembre /2014 11:40
Shvabe Holding has released the new Attack-3 laser combat simulator

 

09.09.2014 Rostec

 

Shvabe Holding has released a new generation of laser combat simulators, the Attack-3. The system is intended for indoor entertainment and military-sports games.

In Attack-3, the new generation of gaming simulators, the shooting range has increased from 35 to 100 meters, with the number of simultaneous players also expanding from 32 to 64 people. Attack-3 can record mutual hits and can regulate electronic ammunition within a set game time.

Using the Attack-3 gaming system, teams can develop their reaction speed, accuracy, and endurance. The device is designed for the Russian market of gaming clubs that organize group holidays for youth or conduct tactical exercises with the students of specialized educational institutions.

Attack-3 is custom made depending on the number of prospective players. The production base of the holding company can facilitate the production of 100 units a year. The system includes shooting simulator, injury simulator, information device, power supply, cables, and software.

Experts at Shvabe Holding are currently developing additional devices to diversify the simulator scenarios.

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10 septembre 2014 3 10 /09 /septembre /2014 11:35
SAFT équipera en batterie les T-50/A-50 de KAI.

 

9 septembre Aerobuzz.fr

 

Saft annonce avoir reçu une nouvelle importante commande pour la fourniture de systèmes de batterie de pointe de Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd (KAI). Suite à ce contrat, Saft équipera de ses batteries à base de nickel et sans maintenance, la nouvelle génération d’avions d’entrainement léger T-50/A-50 de KAI.

 

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10 septembre 2014 3 10 /09 /septembre /2014 11:30
MDA and Israel test upgraded Arrow 2 interceptor missile system

The Arrow 2 anti-ballistic missile interceptor lifts off from the Point Mugu Sea Range, California, US. Photo US Navy.

 

10 September 2014 army-technology.com

 

The US Missile Defence Agency and the Israel Missile Defense Organization's directorate of defence research and development conducted a joint test of an upgraded Arrow 2 ballistic missile interception system over the Mediterranean Sea.

 

US Defense Department spokesman army colonel Steven Warren said: "An Arrow-2 missile was launched and performed its flight sequence as planned.

 

"The results are being analysed by programme engineers.

 

"The test results have no effect on the Israeli operational system capability to cope with the existing threats in the region."

 

A Sparrow missile was fired from the Mediterranean Sea at Israel during the test, which forms part of Israel's effort to develop a more advanced block of air defences against continually improving projectile threats used by its enemies.

 

A senior Israeli defence ministry official said: "The systems detected and tracked the missile, and at the correct time, fired an Arrow 2 interceptor.

 

"All of the stages were carried out. We are now going over visual intelligence, broadcast from the interceptor and the target missile, to determine what occurred in the end stage."

 

The improved version of the joint US-Israel Arrow Weapon System is intended to counter future threats and provide the system with an interceptor engagement capability.

 

Manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, the Arrow 2 serves as the second layer of Israel's multi-layered missile defence system and is designed to block incoming long-range enemy missiles.

 

In 2000, the system entered operational service with the Israeli Defence Forces and has occasionally been tested either in Israel or the US.

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10 septembre 2014 3 10 /09 /septembre /2014 11:20
Elderly F-16Ds Cracking Up

 

September 9, 2014: Strategy Page

 

In August 2014 the U.S. Air Force grounded 82 F-16D jets after cracks were discovered in longerons (metal support beams inside the forward fuselage, which hold the cockpit in place). The D version of the F-16 is the two seater used for training. Some 16 percent of the 969 F-16s in the U.S. Air Force are the D model and these are all at least 24 years old with more than 5,500 hours in the air. The longeron design for the D model is different than that for the single seat models because the D model has a longer cockpit canopy. The air force is making repairs and replacements to put the grounded F-16Ds back in service.

 

There was a similar problem in 2013 with some older F-15s. In this case the longerons in question were eventually discovered to be defective, not suffering from old age. The inspections of the older F-15s found substandard parts in 182 aircraft. Boeing (the manufacturer) eventually admitted that it had built over a hundred F-15s using longerons that were not 2.5mm thick, as specified, but in some cases only one millimeter thick. That apparently worked when the F-15s were new but age was not kind to the thinner metal and it eventually broke. Thicker stuff apparently would not have failed because of age.

 

The U.S. F-16 fleet is rapidly aging. The average age of existing F-16s is over 25 years, and the average aircraft has over 6,000 flight hours on it. Back in 2009 the first Block 40 F-16 passed 7,000 flight hours. In 2008 the first of the earliest models (a Block 25) F-16 passed 7,000 hours in the air. The F-16C was originally designed for a service life of 4,000 hours. But advances in engineering, materials and maintenance techniques have extended that to over 8,000 hours. Because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, F-16s sent to these areas will fly over a thousand hours a year more than what they would fly in peacetime.

 

The U.S. F-16 is one of the most modified jet fighters in service. The most numerous F-16 is the C model. The first version of this, the F-16C Block 25, entered service in 1984. The original F-16, as the F-16A Block 1, entered service in 1978. While most F-16s still in service are the F-16C, there are actually six major mods, identified by block number (32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60), plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. Another special version (the Block 60), for the UAE (United Arab Emirates) is called the F-16E. The various block mods included a large variety of new components (five engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit and electrical mods.)

 

The F-16 is the most numerous post-Cold War jet fighter, with over 4,200 built, and still in production. During The Cold War, Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s, and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s, but since then warplane has plummeted about 90 percent. One exception, since the end of the Cold War, has been the F-16, which has been popular enough to keep the production lines going.

 

The F-16 can also function as a bomber and ground attack aircraft, although not as effectively as the air force folks would have you believe. It can carry four tons of bombs, and has been very effective using smart bomb. In air-to-air combat, F-16s have shot down 69 aircraft so far, without losing anything to enemy warplanes. Not bad for an aircraft that was originally designed as a cheaper alternative to the heavier F-15.

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9 septembre 2014 2 09 /09 /septembre /2014 16:35
A Republic of Korea Air Force's KF-16CD Block 52 aircraft in flight. Photo BAE Systems.

A Republic of Korea Air Force's KF-16CD Block 52 aircraft in flight. Photo BAE Systems.

 

9 September 2014 airforce-technology.com

 

The US Government is reportedly planning to sign an agreement with South Korea by the end of 2014 for the second phase of the Republic of Korea Air Force's (ROKAF) KF-16C/D Block 52 aircraft upgrade programme.

 

Two unnamed sources were quoted by Reuters as saying that the two sides are trying to finalise the pricing and schedule of the contract, as some changes requested by Seoul have increased the cost.

 

One of the sources said South Korea had already budgeted money for the project this year with an aim to conclude the current negotiations before the year end.

 

"The question now for BAE, the US Government and the South Korean Government is, can we fulfil the requirements the South Koreans are asking for at the price they're asking for," the source said.

 

The second source said: "The basic scope of the contract isn't changing. I wouldn't expect to see a significant increase in the price."

 

US Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek declined to address any specific communications with South Korea, while BAE Systems said the company was assisting as needed in the talks between the air force and Seoul.

 

In December 2013, BAE received a foreign military sales contract from the US to upgrade ROKAF's ageing fleet of 134 KF-16 fighters in two phases at a cost of $1.3bn.

 

BAE already started work on the $140m first phase, which included the development of design for the upgrades, including new radars, mission avionics, higher resolution screens and new weapons.

 

The second phase would fund systems integration and flight test activities, followed by production and installation of upgrade kits in the aircraft at the company's sites in Florida, New York, California, Virginia and Texas, the US.

 

BAE spokesman Neil Franz said: "Phase One of the programme began earlier this year and is proceeding on schedule, and we look forward to soon beginning Phase Two."

 

Powered by F100-PW-229 engines, the KF-16 is a Korean variant of the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter and was built by Korean Aerospace Industries under license from its manufacturer in the 1990s.

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9 septembre 2014 2 09 /09 /septembre /2014 12:55
Sillinger lance sa gamme d'embarcations Rafale

 

09.09.2014 par Philippe Chapleau - Lignes de Défense
 

Elle s'appelle Rafale mais n'a rien à voir avec le chasseur de Dassault. Sillinger vient de lancer une nouvelle gamme: la gamme SILLINGER - RAFALE®. Elle comprend 6 modèles à l’heure actuelle qui vont du 9,50m (photo ci-dessus)au 16m.

L'entreprise de Mer (41), filiale du groupe Marck, est un spécialiste des embarcations pneumatiques pliables et semi-rigides à usage militaire et professionnel.

A noter l’option Meta-Ops qui permet une architecture de pont modulable en fonction des besoins : des rails en aluminium disposés sur l’avant, le coffre moteur et l’arrière permettent d’ajouter, fixer et enlever des équipements relatifs aux missions spécifiques.

Le modèle phare de la gamme, le SILLINGER 950 RAFALE® sera exposé lors du salon Euronaval qui aura lieu du 27 au 31 octobre 2014, au Bourget, HALL 2 Stand C4.

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