27.10.2015 Tal Giladi, Zohar Boneh, Nadav Shaham & Eliyah Levitan - IAF

The threat of UAV’s became substantial in Operation “Protective Edge". The Air Control Division, responsible for discovering the threat and the “Patriot” Division responsible for its interception are preparing for the new threat

The "Patriot" SAM Division, a part of the Air Defense Division, responsible for protecting Israel's airspace from hostile aircraft. During Operation "Protective Edge", the "Patriot" batteries successfully intercepted two hostile UAVs that penetrated Israeli airspace.

"Following the operation, the division's focus was turned to the UAV threat", said Lieutenant Roy Dgani, "Patriot" Division Officer. "The "Patriot" system is very efficient when dealing with UAV penetration".

Following the Operation in the passing summer, the division's yearly training program was remodeled, as were the qualifications. "Specific UAV discovery training was added to the division's combat soldiers qualification", mentioned Lieutenant Dgani, "The cadets will learn how to differentiate between a friendly UAV and a hostile one, with the help of a specific system and other criteria".

When it comes to training exercises, in the past year since the division's interceptions they have doubled in number. Moreover, the cooperation with various squadrons, mostly combat squadrons has strengthened significantly and is considered an integral part of the soldiers training exercises.

"The batteries routine has changed, we have changed the procedures in order to suit the current situation and to cope with the modern threats", shared Lieutenant Dgani about the perceptual change in the division.

Discovery Abilities will also Improve

The Air Control Division, which is responsible for the supervision of all air traffic and specifically the supervision of aerial forces in operational activity, the management of the aerial space and assistance in its protection, is improving its readiness to cope with the changing arena.

The division has began the examination of the procurement of a new radar for the regional control units, that will be suited to face the future challenges that the Air Force will face in the next few years, with the most relevant being the UAV threat.

"The new radar will be a strategic asset to the state of Israel", declared Major Ronen, The Head of the Radar Department.

The radar will contain improved and more precise recognition and classification abilities than its predecessor (it can better differentiate civil aircraft and hostile UAVs). The ability to correct malfunctions will improve and by utilizing modern networks the efficiency of data transfer between the radars and the regional control units will improve.

"When designing the new radar, we are considering the next 20 years" said Major Ronen.

21/10/2015 Sources : Etat-major des armées

Le 16 octobre 2015, les militaires français de l’opération Daman ont reçu à l’état-major de la Force intérimaire des Nations Unies au Liban (FINUL) basé à Naqoura,la visite de monsieur Emmanuel Bonne, ambassadeur de France au Liban. En poste depuis le 14 août 2015, celui-ci rendait visite pour la 1re fois au contingent français. Il a été accueilli par le général Grintchenko, chef d’état-major de la FINUL et le colonel Hardy, chef de corps de la Force Commander Reserve (FCR) de la FINUL.

Parallèlement à leur mission qui vise à constituer une réserve d’intervention opérationnelle au profit de la FINUL, les casques bleus français de la FCR agissent comme des vecteurs de coopération au Liban. Celle-ci s’appuie sur deux piliers complémentaires : opérationnel et structurel. Que ce soit par leurs interactions quotidiennes avec les militaires libanais ou par leur participation à des actions civilo-militaires au contact des populations, les militaires français contribuent à entretenir et à développer la coopération militaire bilatérale avec ce pays. Ils participent également au volet structurel de cette coopération en appuyant les projets culturels, techniques ou encore économiques mis en œuvre par l’ambassade.

Suite de l'article

15 octobre 2015 Romandie.com (AFP)

Moscou - Une ligne directe a été installée entre Moscou et Tel Aviv pour éviter tout incident entre leurs aviations dans l'espace aérien syrien, a annoncé jeudi le ministère russe de la Défense.

Le partage mutuel d'informations sur les opérations de nos forces aériennes a été établi par le biais d'une ligne directe entre le quartier-général russe de la base aérienne Hmeimin, dans le nord-ouest de la Syrie, et celui de l'aviation militaire israélienne, a déclaré le ministère.

Des entraînements se sont déroulés pour que les états-majors des deux aviations se familiarisent avec cette ligne directe, a-t-il ajouté, précisant que l'un d'eux se déroulait jeudi.

Lors de sa rencontre en septembre à Moscou avec le président russe Vladimir Poutine, le Premier ministre israélien Benjamin Netanyahu avait indiqué que les deux pays s'étaient mis d'accord pour établir un mécanisme visant à coordonner leur action militaire en Syrie afin d'éviter malentendus et confrontations.

Avec le début des frappes russes en Syrie le 30 septembre, l'espace aérien est de plus en plus encombré, avec des risques croissants d'incidents, même si les chasseurs russes opèrent surtout dans le nord et dans l'ouest de la Syrie.

Les Russes cherchent également à finaliser un accord avec l'armée américaine pour éviter tout incident avec ses avions de chasse qui visent le groupe jihadiste Etat islamique.

Un accord pourrait être signé dans les prochains jours, a déclaré mercredi à Washington un responsable américain de la Défense à l'issue de la troisième séance de discussions par vidéo-conférence depuis le début de l'intervention russe en Syrie.

Selon des sources concordantes, Israël a effectué plus d'une dizaine d'attaques aériennes en Syrie depuis 2013. La plupart de ses frappes visaient des transports d'armes destinées au Hezbollah libanais.

9.10.2015 source SHD
 

9 octobre 1882 : mort du LCL Froidevaux (Paris). Commandant les secours des sapeur-pompiers de Paris qui interviennent sur un incendie gigantesque rue de Charonne, le lieutenant-colonel F-X Froidevaux (officier saint-cyrien et commandant en second du régiment de sapeur-pompiers) est écrasé par une poutre alors qu’il mène une reconnaissance du sinistre. Il a droit à des obsèques solennelles et un tableau est même commandé au peintre Emile Renard par le gouvernement pour marquer sa « mort au feu ».

9 octobre 1934 : attentat contre Louis Barthou et le roi de Yougoslavie (Marseille). La vendetta que se livrent Serbes et Croates, coute la vie à Alexandre Ier. Il est abattu par un tueur macédonien à la solde des Oustachis d'Ante Pavelic. Le ministre français des Affaires Étrangères venu l'accueillir à son débarquement à Marseille reçoit une balle mortelle, tirée malencontreusement par un policier français lors des échanges de tirs. Ce concours de circonstances tragique met fin à l'énergique politique d'isolement de l'Allemagne qu'avait entamée Barthou, sentant bien qu'il fallait couper les Nazis de soutiens européens, italien notamment. L'assassin est tué par le LCL Jules Piollet (141ème RIA) d'un coup de sabre alors qu'il escortait le convoi sur la Cannebière. A noter aussi : le général Georges, chef énergique et concurrent du général Gamelin est grièvement blessé lors de l’attentat.

9 octobre 1945 : création de l’École Nationale d'Administration (ENA). Ordonnance n° 45-2283 du 09/10/1945 relative à la formation, au recrutement et au statut de certaines catégories de fonctionnaires et instituant une direction de la fonction publique et un conseil permanent de l'administration civile.

9 octobre 1967 : mort de Ché Guevara (Bolivie). Médecin argentin converti au marxisme révolutionnaire, il aide Fidel Castro à renverser Baptista à Cuba (janvier 1959). Véritable globe-trotteur de la révolution armée, il représente Castro très fréquemment à l'étranger. Voulant accélérer la révolution mondiale, il entre à nouveau dans la clandestinité pour combattre en Afrique puis en Bolivie. Il est capturé par l'armée bolivienne le 7 octobre et exécuté sommairement le 9.

9 octobre 1973 : bataille navale de Damiette (Egypte). Durant la guerre du Kippour, la marine israélienne coule 3 vedettes égyptiennes. Deux jours plus tôt au large de Lattaquié, les vedettes israéliennes ont détruit 5 navires syriens. A part quelques coups de canons, les combats opposant matériel soviétique et américain ont consisté principalement en des tirs de missiles mer/mer.

9 octobre 1975 : le Concorde reçoit son certificat de navigabilité.

06.10.2015 source SHD

6 octobre 1860 : sac du palais d’été (Pékin – Chine). Les vainqueurs franco-britanniques de la bataille de Palikao (21 septembre) pillent le palais d’été. L’ordre de l’incendier vient de Lord Elgin. Victor Hugo, alors en exile à Guernesey et donc en délicatesse avec Napoléon III, traitera les Européens de bandits dans une lettre rendue publique.

6 octobre 1918 : entrée à Beyrouth (actuel Liban). Une flotte franco-britannique entre dans le port de Beyrouth évacué par les Turcs. Deux contre-torpilleurs français de l’escadre de Syrie (l’Arbalète et le Coutelas) précèdent les troupes du général Franchet d’Esperey en Palestine.

6 octobre 1949 : loi américaine d’ « aide militaire pour la défense mutuelle ». Signée par Truman, cette loi porte uniquement sur l’aide militaire afin de ne pas donner raison à la propagande soviétique qui présente le plan Marshall (1947-1951) comme une machine de guerre américaine offerte aux Européens. La France a reçu environ 20  % des 10 milliards de dollars d’aide américaine.

6 octobre 1973 : début de la guerre du Kippour (Israël). L'Egypte et la Syrie, appuyées par une coalition arabe, attaquent par surprise Israël qui finit par l'emporter.

6 octobre 1977 : premier vol du Mig 29. Chasseur russe bi-supersonique baptisé Fulcrum par les américains. Grande maniabilité en vol et rusticité d’emploi. Toujours en service dans une dizaine de pays.

6 octobre 1981 : assassinat du président Sadate (Le Caire). Lors d'un défilé militaire, un groupe d'officiers proches des frères musulmans tire sur le président égyptien et le tue ainsi que 6 autres dignitaires présents dans les tribunes.

6 octobre 1986 : le K219 coule au large des Bermudes. Le sous-marin nucléaire soviétique K219 est victime d'un incendie qui l'oblige à faire surface. 4 hommes d'équipage périssent pour stopper le réacteur nucléaire menaçant d'entrer en fusion, avant que le bâtiment ne sombre par 5000 mètres de fond avec 32 missiles nucléaires à son bord.

September 30, 2015: Strategy Page

An Israeli firm has managed to sell some of its small battlefield robots to the American military, which is a first for an Israeli firm. The U.S. Air Force has ordered over 200 Israeli MTGR (Micro Tactical Ground Robot) for their bomb disposal teams. This came after MTGR demonstrated its capabilities during the 2014 war with Hamas in Gaza. This was particularly true with the large number of Hamas tunnels discovered. These proved more complex and dangerous than any previously encountered and a new robot was needed to deal with the situation. Within days a specification was provided to Israeli robot manufacturers and by the end of July 2014 a new robot design had been accepted, in production, delivered and in action. This was the MTGR and while it was not a major breakthrough, it was simply a better application of design elements that had been developed since the 1990s and suited current Israeli needs. The Israelis have ordered over a hundred MTGRs for delivery ASAP. Based on its success in Gaza MTGR is being offered to other armed forces and police departments around the world.

MTGR is a 7.3 kg (16 pound) tracked (or wheeled version weighing 9 kg) robot. Tracks are preferred for climbing stairs and getting over obstacles. MTGR can carry up to 9 kg of accessories. The basic MTGR comes with five cameras, a microphone, and can carry additional sensors. The cameras have day/night capability, 360 degree views and x10 zoom. One of the more useful accessories is a robotic arm for clearing debris or searching. Another useful item are bright LED lights when you need illumination. MTGR uses GPS and can carry a laser rangefinder to measure dimensions of where it is. The battery lasts 2-4 hours depending how onboard equipment is used. Top speed is 50 meters a minute and max range for the operator is 500 meters.

MTGR is designed to be carried in a backpack and an operator can use the handheld control unit to operate several MTGRs at once. The MTGR was a lifesaver for exploring Hamas tunnels, which are often filled with booby traps and other nasty surprises for advancing Israeli troops. Often an MTGR was simply sent down, take a lot of measurements and pictures and then withdraw after which explosives will be lowered down and the tunnel collapsed. If MTGR detects documents or electronic devices like laptops, tablets or cell phones, MTGR will carefully survey the area and troops will go down to recover the valuable intel often found on such devices. If MTGR can reach cell phones or small tablets it can pick them up and carry them away.

What made MTGR special was the firm that provided it demonstrated that it was able to take existing technologies and quickly adapt them to new situations. The small firm that developed MTGR it had an existing design modified and readied for production in less than a month. In wartime this is a very valuable capability. This has now been demonstrated under combat conditions and the rest of the military robot industry has to adapt.

The U.S. Army has been using robots like the MTGR since the 1990s. American designs went through rapid refinement after September 11, 2001 because thousands of these robots were bought and used by American troops in combat. The culmination of all that was expressed in the XM1216 SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle). SUGV was designed to be the definitive next generation infantry droid, replacing existing droids like the similar but larger PackBot. Not surprisingly MTGR is based on the same experience but more refined and using some newer technology.  This design was not ready for action until most of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan was over. Thus by 2012 only about 200 of these combat robots were in service or on order. It was only in 2011, after more than six years of development, that the army bought its first production model SUGV. Many in the U.S. Army were not satisfied with how long it took to get SUGV to the troops and MTGR is proof that it could have been done faster.

Before September 11, 2001, the army didn't expect to have robots like PackBot or SUGV until 2013. But the technology was already there, and the war created a major demand. The robots expected in 2013 were to be part of a new generation of gear called FCS (Future Combat Systems). SUGV is still waiting for some of the high tech FCS communications and sensor equipment (which MTGR used), and appeared in 2011 using off-the-shelf stuff in the meantime. The troops don't care, as long as it worked. These small robots have been quite rugged, having a 90 percent availability rate.

The overly ambitious, expensive and much delayed FCS program was cancelled in 2009 but successful bits, like SUGV, were allowed to keep moving. This was a big deal for SUGV, because demand for these small droids collapsed when the Islamic terror offensive in Iraq did in 2008. There were plenty of droids left over for service in Afghanistan, where the Taliban provided a much lower workload for the little bots than did Iraq.

SUGV is a 13 kg (29 pound) robot, similar to the slightly older and larger Packbot. SUGV can carry 3 kg (6.6 pounds) of gear, and seven different "mission packages" are available. These include various types of sensors and double jointed arms (for grabbing things.) SUGV is waterproof and shock resistant. It fits into the standard army backpack, and is meant to operate in a harsh environment. The battery powered SUGV is operated wirelessly, or via a fiber optic cable, using a controller that looks like a video game controller with a video screen built in. SUGV can also use an XBox 360 controller, with the right drivers. Like the earlier PackBot and later MTGR, SUGV can climb stairs, maneuver over rubble and other nasty terrain.

The SUGV design is based largely on feedback from combat troops. For example, it is rugged enough to be quickly thrown into a room, tunnel or cave, activated and begin sending video, as well as audio, of what is in there. This feature makes it very popular with the troops, who want droids with the ability to see, hear and smell were more acutely. No one likes being the first one going into dark, potentially dangerous, places. Throwing a grenade in first doesn't always work, because sometimes frightened civilians are in there. Despite all these fine qualities, the current generation of robots is not fast enough, agile enough or sensitive enough to compete with human troops doing this kind of work. Sometimes, however, the robots are an adequate, and life-saving, substitute. SUGV is supposed to be better at this sort of thing.

SUGV can also perform outpost and listening post work. These are two dangerous jobs the infantry are glad to hand off to a robot. Outposts are, as the name implies, one or two troops dug in a hundred meters or so in front of the main position, to give early warning of an enemy attack. A listening post is similar, but the friendly troops are often much deeper into enemy territory. The SUGV battery enables it to just sit in one place, listening and watching, for eight hours or more. After that, you send out another SUGV with a fresh battery, and have the other one come back for a recharge. No risk of troops getting shot at while doing the same things, and the troops really appreciate that. Again, the problem with this is that the robot sensors are just not there yet. The sensors are getting close, but not close enough for troops to trust their lives to this thing.

Other dangerous jobs for the SUGV are placing explosives by a door (to blow it open for the troops), or placing a smoke grenade where it will prevent the enemy from seeing the troops move. Since 2006 users of the older PackBot UGVs filled military message boards with interesting uses they have found for these robots, and new features they could make use of. SUGV and MTGR are the products of all that chatter.

September 16, 2015: Strategy Page

For intelligence experts cell phones and social networks are the best of assets and the also something of a curse. This was seen recently as more Russian troops and heavy weapons began showing up in Syria. At first the Russians tried to deny it, but they were done in by their own troops posting (on Russian social networks) photos of their presence in (and travel to) Syria. The Russian censors got most of those posts removed but not before they were seen by Western media and intelligence agencies and filed away. All this was good news for the Western intel people and bad news for their Russian counterparts. This sort of thing has been going on for over a decade and despite increasingly strenuous efforts to get the troops to be discreet there are always enough who disobey to give the real or potential enemy what they are looking for.

All this is yet another side effect of cellphone cameras, which have become a major source of military intelligence and this is especially true with counter-terrorism operations. For example in mid-2015 the United States revealed how a picture an Islamic terrorist took of himself with his cellphone (a selfie) revealed the location of an ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) headquarters, which was promptly bombed. Such incidents are more common with poorly trained irregulars, but even well trained troops have problems with “cellphone discipline”. This problem is a 21st century one and it has been getting worse.

Incorporating cameras into cell phones first showed up in 2000 and the practice quickly spread. This proved to be very popular and as such phones became cheaper, and their cameras more capable military intelligence agencies warned that troops were taking a lot of pictures, especially when in combat zones and making those photos public. This was leading to a lot of pictures going public that could reveal military secrets. Efforts to ban troop use of cellphones in combat zones or inside classified areas had some success, but that only reduced the flood of useful (to intelligence experts) cellphone photos. It has proved nearly impossible to eliminate the problem. This became a major problem because of improved technology. Thus because cellphone networks entered the 3rd generation (3G) about the same time cellphone cameras were introduced it became very easy to quickly distribute pictures. The 3G networks enabled cellphone users to take photos and immediately send them to someone else, or post them to a website. By 2010 social networks were growing in popularity and cellphone users competed to take and post photos of all sorts of things, often getting newsworthy photos into circulation well before the traditional media. Cellphones with 3G capabilities became so cheap that even many Islamic terrorists and most military personnel had them.

No country is immune to the problem. Israel, with the highest proportion of Internet savvy people in the world continues to have the problem because so many of their troops on active duty are actually reservists called up for the normal (but infrequent) bit of active duty. Changing cell phone and social network habits isn’t easy, despite the risk of getting caught and punished (often spending a week or two in jail, plus the bad publicity). China tried to ban all cell phones for troops on active duty outside their base. It worked for a bit and then it didn’t. Some troops knew better but found ways to post photos anonymously. Even the revelations that troops have been killed because of posting certain pictures to the web has not reduced the number of military people doing it.

14 September, 2015 BY: Arie Egozi - FG

Tel Aviv - Israel's UVision will use the DSEi exhibition in London to detail the maritime capabilities of its Hero loitering munition system, which was unveiled at the Paris air show in June. UVision will exhibit a new naval platform launcher for the Hero range of weapons during the 15-18 September event, in addition to a system which enables their deployment from land vehicles.

Read more

08 September, 2015 BY: Arie Egozi - FG

The Swiss parliament on 7 September voted in favour of an armed forces plan to buy six Elbit Systems Hermes 900 unmanned air vehicles, in a deal valued at $256 million.

Last year, the Hermes 900 was selected by the Swiss armed forces, but the signing of a contract was delayed until the receipt of political approval. A deal should now be signed within the next few weeks. The Hermes 900 UAVs to be supplied to Switzerland will be in an upgraded version that will improve performance in some parameters. One of the enhancements is the provision of a heavy fuel engine, which will enable the aircraft to achieve a higher rate of climb after take-off – a key requirement because of the country's mountainous terrain.

Read more

07.09.2015  Communication DDPS, Marco Zwahlen

En juin dernier, le Conseil national avait adopté le programme d’armement 2015 par 130 voix contre 55 et une abstention. Le Conseil des Etats lui emboîte maintenant le pas, par 31 voix contre 9 et 5 abstentions. La proposition de la gauche parlementaire de renoncer à l’acquisition de nouveaux drones de reconnaissance a été clairement rejetée. La minorité motivait sa demande en invoquant les trop nombreuses incertitudes d’ordre éthique, politique et pratique. Le ministre de la défense Ueli Maurer a argumenté qu’une acquisition en Israël ne va pas à l’encontre du droit international public, bien que le pays soit impliqué dans un conflit armé. Il a ajouté que la sécurité est un élément primordial pour un pays. Ces drones de reconnaissance nous permettent de combler une lacune qui existe depuis un certain temps. Cela sert la protection de la population suisse.

Le système de drones de reconnaissance 95 de type Ranger est en service depuis une vingtaine d’années. Il est dépassé et les pièces de rechange ne peuvent plus être achetées. Une évaluation approfondie préconise l’acquisition du système de drones de reconnaissance non armés Hermes 900 HFE construit par Elbit Systems. Quant au simulateur de tir pour fusil d’assaut 90, il est en service depuis 1993. Les coûts d’entretien augmentent et les pièces de rechange ne peuvent également plus être achetées. Il est prévu de le remplacer par un simulateur de tir de nouvelle technologie. Par ailleurs, le Conseil fédéral entend remplacer l’actuel véhicule pour systèmes Steyr-Daimler-Puch 230 GE par le véhicule léger tout-terrain pour systèmes techniques, développé à partir du châssis du Mercedes-Benz G 300 CDI 4x4. Les coûts de maintenance et de réparation de ces véhicules, acquis il y a 25 ans, dépassent en effet les limites économiquement admissibles.
 

Programme d'armement 2015

July 27, 2015: Strategy Page

Italy is renewing its lease on its only SIGINT (signals intelligence) aircraft, mainly because of the continuing and growing problem with people smugglers operating out of Libya and trying to bring several hundred thousand illegal migrants to Italy. SIGINT aircraft are equipped to monitor all sorts of wireless communications and are a key tool in keeping track of what the smuggling gangs are up to. The SIGINT aircraft was built by an American firm, using a modified Gulfstream III business jet. This 30 ton twin-jet aircraft normally carries a crew of two and up to 19 passengers. Outfitted for SIGNINT most of the internal space is taken up by electronics, monitored by about four system operators while the two pilots keep the aircraft in the air for up to eight hours per sortie. Italy began leasing the Gulfstream III SIGINT aircraft in 2012 because the air force could not afford to buy it. The Italian deal involved paying for hours (in the air) used and was a lot cheaper than buying.

These are not the only militarized business jets Italy uses. In 2012 Italy bought two Israeli AWACS (Airborne Early Warning Aircraft) for $375 million each. Italy didn’t have a choice in this case as this was part of the offset for the recent Israeli purchase of $993 million worth of Italian jet trainers. Israel also calls this aircraft CAEW (Conformal Airborne Early Warning).

In 2008 Israel introduced this new AWACS design which used a long range business jet (the 40 ton Gulfstream G550) fitted out with Israeli made radar and electronics. The Israeli Air Force bought the CAEW AWACs in 2006 and the first two entered service in 2008. Israel had already sold the AWACS electronics to India, for installation in four Russian Il-50/76 aircraft. Singapore later bought four CAEWs.

The CAEW AWACS carries a Phalcon conformal (it is built into the lower fuselage) phased array radar, SIGINT equipment (to capture and analyze enemy electronic transmissions), and a communications system that can handle satellite signals as well as a wide array of other transmissions. There are six personnel on board to handle all this gear, plus the flight crew. The Gulfstream G550 used for this can stay in the air for over ten hours per sortie and can fly at up to 13,200 meters (41,000 feet).

The G550 is a larger version of the Gulfstream G400, which the U.S. Army uses as the C-20H transport. The U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy also use militarized Gulfstreams (usually as C-37Vs). The 30 meter (96 foot) long aircraft has two engines and was built for long flights (over 11,000 kilometers). Current Gulfstream G550s cost about $40 million each.

The Phalcon radar is, in some respects, superior to the one used in the American AWACS. For example, Phalcon uses a phased array radar (thousands of small radar transmitters are fitted underneath the aircraft). The phased array radar, in combination with the latest, most powerful computers and other antennas for picking up a variety of signals, enables Phalcon to be more aware of what electronic equipment (airborne or on the ground) is operating up to 400 kilometers away. The phased array radar allows positions of aircraft on operator screens to be updated every 2-4 seconds, rather than every 20-40 seconds as is the case on the United States AWACS (which uses a rotating radar in a radome atop the aircraft). The first Phalcon system was fitted on a Boeing 707, although somewhat limited versions could be put onto a C-130. On a larger aircraft you can have more computers, and other electronics, as well as more human operators. But the major advantage of the Phalcon is that it is a more modern design. The U.S. AWACS is over twenty years old and has undergone upgrades to the original equipment. The Israeli air force operates six Phalcon aircraft (using Boeing 707 airframes).

Business jets have proven very popular for the latest generation of electronic support aircraft, mainly because the business jets have gotten larger and the electronics smaller and lighter. Altogether it is a cheaper and more affordable package. The next generation of these support aircraft will probably be unmanned UAVs.

Première cérémonie de remise de la Légion d'honneur dans l'église des Invalides le 15 juillet 1804 par Jean-Baptiste Debret. Musée national de la Légion d'Honneur - Paris

15.07.2015 source SHD
 

15 juillet 1099 : prise de Jérusalem. Objectif principal de la première croisade dont le lancement remonte à l'appel du pape Urbain II lors du concile de Clermont (15 août 1096), la Ville Sainte est prise par les croisés conduits par Raymond de Saint-Gilles et Godefroy de Bouillon. Ce dernier parvient à s'approcher de la muraille au moyen d'une tour d'assaut protégée des flammes par une couverture de peaux d'animaux fraichement dépecés. Selon les us et coutumes de l'époque, les vainqueurs massacrent une bonne partie de la population juive et musulmane. Cette précaution aussi sauvage qu'inutile sera lourde de conséquences dans les futures relations entre les différentes communautés qui se disputeront le contrôle des Lieux Saints.

15 juillet 1410 : bataille de Tannenberg ou Grunwald (Pologne actuelle). Les chevaliers Teutoniques sont écrasés par une coalition de Polonais et de Lituaniens en Prusse orientale.

15 juillet 1804 : première remise de la Légion d’honneur (Invalides – Paris). Bonaparte préside la première remise de croix de la Légion d'Honneur, ordre qu’il a créé 2 ans plus tôt.

15 juillet 1916 : fin de crise politico-militaire française. « Crise qui dure depuis plusieurs jours entre le ministre de la Guerre et le général en chef :le ministre sera désormais toujours accompagné par Joffre ou son adjoint lorsqu’il se rendra dans la zone des armées. » LCL Rémy Porte (EMAT).

15 juillet 1974 : coup d’Etat militaire à Chypre. La Turquie envahit la partie Nord de l’ile craignant une union de l’ile avec la Grèce.