Mar 21, 2014 (SPX)

Orlando FL - Lockheed Martin recently demonstrated the ability of its DAGR missile to launch from an Apache AH-64D helicopter and repeatedly hit the target during a series of Air Worthiness Release (AWR) live firing flight tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

The AWR tests demonstrated DAGR's capability as an air-launched weapon. In each of the 16 flight tests, a DAGR missile locked onto the laser spot illuminating the target before launch. Upon launch, each missile flew between 1.5 and 5.1 kilometers and hit the target within one meter of the laser spot.

"These flight tests confirm DAGR's ability to safely launch and separate from a moving, diving platform without degrading aircraft or weapon performance," said Kevin Fitzpatrick, close combat systems development program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

"These tests also validate DAGR production readiness at our Ocala Operations facility."

Prior to AWR testing, Lockheed Martin completed DAGR System Qualification testing, validating the missile and rail-mounted canister for use in aircraft captive carry, storage and transportation operations.

The 30 System Qualification guided flights demonstrated DAGR's ability to hit moving targets, devastate tactical targets such as structures and trucks, and achieve high accuracy when launched with a 7-degree offset, up to six kilometers away from the target.

DAGR incorporates proven HELLFIRE II technology into a 2.75-inch/70 millimeter guidance kit that integrates seamlessly with legacy Hydra-70 rockets. Its lock-on-before-launch mode ensures the missile identifies the correct target prior to launch. Multiple DAGRs can be fired in rapid succession at different targets using different laser codes from multiple designators.

The result is a laser-guided missile that puts a 10-pound warhead within one meter of the laser spot, defeating high-value, non-armored or lightly-armored targets while minimizing collateral damage.

Lockheed Martin has conducted more than 40 DAGR guided flights from ranges of 1 to 6 kilometers. DAGR has been launched from multiple HELLFIRE-equipped rotary-wing platforms, including the AH-64D Apache, AH-6 Little Bird and OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, as well as the ground-based HELLFIRE/DAGR pedestal launcher.

20.03.2014 journal-aviation.com (Reuters)

La Pologne, membre de l'Otan, a décidé d'accélérer sa procédure d'appel d'offres pour un système de défense antimissile, à la lumière de la crise actuelle entre la Russie et l'Ukraine.

"Nous allons accélérer le règlement des questions relatives à la défense antiaérienne de la Pologne", a déclaré jeudi le porte-parole du ministère de la Défense, Jacek Sonta. "La Pologne compte arrêter dans les prochaines semaines son choix sur son système de défense antimissile."

Quatre candidats sont en lice: le français Thales associé au groupe européen MBDA et au groupe polonais d'armement; le gouvernement israélien; l'américain Raytheon et le consortium MEADS emmené par Lockheed Martin . (Marcin Goettig et Andrea Shalal avec Dan Williams; Guy Kerivel pour le service français)

19/03 Par Alain Ruello - LesEchos.fr

Le missilier a signé pour 4 milliards de contrats en 2013.

Tirant hier le bilan de l'année 2013, MBDA s'est félicité d'avoir atteint tous ses objectifs. Le missilier européen, filiale d'Airbus Group, MBDA et Finmeccanica, peut ainsi effacer la mauvaise passe de 2012 et s'assurer d'un plan de charges suffisant sur le moyen terme.

Le chiffre d'affaires est ressorti à 2,8 milliards d'euros, en léger retrait par rapport aux 3 milliards de 2012. La faute au décalage de commandes des mois précédents, le vote en France de la loi de programmation militaire (« Les Echos » du 20 mars 2013). Ce décalage a été en grande partie compensé depuis puisque les prises de commandes ont atteint les 4 milliards - l'objectif étant de dépasser 3 milliards.

MBDA a finalement accroché l'année dernière les grands contrats espérés plus tôt, comme le missile moyenne portée en France, le « Sea Ceptor » au Royaume-Uni, ou encore le Meteor en Allemagne. Mais c'est à l'export que les affaires ont été particulièrement heureuses, avec 2,2 milliards de commandes. Au passage, le record de 1,4 milliard est pulvérisé.

La bonne surprise est venue de Singapour, qui a retenu les missiles Aster 30 pour moderniser sa défense anti-aérienne. « La décision a été relativement rapide », indique-t-on au sein du missilier. MBDA a aussi fait mouche à Séoul en plaçant ses Taurus sous les ailes des F15 sud-coréens. « Pour la deuxième année d'affilée, les prises de commandes à l'export ont été supérieures à celles de nos clients nationaux », a résumé son PDG, Antoine Bouvier. Et encore, MBDA espérait que New Delhi mette enfin en oeuvre le très gros contrat SR-SAM de défense sol-air (il a été signé depuis des mois). Avec l'élection législative à venir, l'industriel veut croire que ce n'est que partie remise.

Le groupe européen a engrangé 2,2 milliards d'euros de commandes à l'export en 2013 sur un total de 4 milliards d'euros.

18/03/2014 Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

Le missilier a obtenu de nombreux contrats à l'international. L'Arabie Saoudite, Singapour et Corée du Sud figurent dans le top trois des clients de MBDA.

February 24, 2014 by Shiv Aroor - Livefist

DRDO Statement: Akash, the indigenously designed developed and produced surface to air missile for the Indian Army was once again successfully flight tested today at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. These were part of a series of trials being conducted in various engagement modes from the first of the production model system being produced to equip two regiments of the Indian Army. Both, today’s flight destroying a target in receding ting mode, as well as the one conducted on 21st Feb 2014 (video) destroying an approaching target, fully met mission objectives. A few more trials are planned in different engagement modes.

The multi target, multi directional, all weather air-defence system consisting of surveillance and tracking radars, control centres and ground support systems mounted on high mobility vehicles for the Army version of Akash is designed to enable integration with other air defence command and control networks through secure communication links. Developed by DRDO, the Army version of Akash is being produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) as the nodal production agency with the involvement of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and a large number of other industries. The total production value of Akash air defence systems cleared for induction by Indian Army and Indian Air force is more than Rs 23,000 crore.

Mar 14, 2014 ASDNews Source : US Army

In August, the Army expects to again test its Advanced Hypersonic Weapon Technology Demonstration. The results of that test will help determine the system's future.

Lt. Gen. David L. Mann, commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, discussed the status of the Advanced Hypersonic Weapon, or AHW, program, March 12, before the Senate Armed Services Committee, subcommittee on strategic forces.

"Based upon the results that come from that test, we'll go ahead and, again, work closely with Office of the Secretary of Defense as to what they would like us to do, what the next steps are," Mann said.

The general told lawmakers the Army is also working with the Navy on "possible utilization of this capability."

The AHW is part of an effort to develop a conventional "Prompt Global Strike" capability. Conventional means non-nuclear. The AHW can be launched from the United States and can hit a target anywhere in the world. It can travel at speeds of Mach 5, about 3,600 mph, or higher.

As part of the November 2011 test, an AHW was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii, and arrived 30 minutes later at the Reagan Test Site, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands -- a distance of about 2,500 miles.

Mann said with the AWH, the Army is on budget and on target with the program.

"I don't see any kind of an overrun at this moment," he said. "Everything is kind of predicated on what happens after the test. We have the monies allocated to support the test. We don't envision any kind of overruns."

MISSILE DEFENSE

Beyond offensive capabilities like the AHW, the Army is also looking at defensive capabilities against threats from other nations.

The U.S. has defensive missile capabilities at Fort Greely, Alaska and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Mann said adding an additional site on the East Coast of the United States would be beneficial to America's defense capability.

"Obviously, putting a third site out there on the East Coast will provide increased capacity, not so much capability, but increased capacity," Mann said. "You will take your assets and spread them out so that you don't have them just at Greeley or at Vandenberg Air Force Base. It also will give a little bit more decision space or 'battle space' as it's known, in order to make a decision regarding a threat emanating from Iran."

Mann told lawmakers the Army must focus more on "long-range discrimination," of targets -- determining what is a threat.

"I think it's fair to say that we will never have enough interceptors to really address all the threat vehicles that are out there," he said. "I think it's more important that we're as efficient and as effective with the interceptors that we currently have, and that's the reason why making sure that we're providing the interceptor with the best track data, the discrimination, to be able to really identify the target within a complex. That's really what I would really highly recommend."

March 9, 2014. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

News release from Saab:

Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract on deliveries of the RBS 70 VSHORAD (very short range air defence system) to the Brazilian Army. The order has a value of approximately MSEK 80 and comprises deliveries of man-portable launchers, missiles and associated equipment.

First deliveries of materiel are scheduled during 2014.

The deal comprises an undisclosed number of RBS 70 man-portable launchers, Mk II type missiles, simulators, night vision equipment, a test set, maintenance tools, spares, associated equipment, and training for the weapon’s operators and maintainers. The systems are among others intended to protectBrazil’s strategic infrastructure, and would be employed in protection of major incoming events, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2016 Summer Olympics inRio de Janeiro.

“This is very positive and it further proves the capability of the RBS 70 system which, by this contract, has been acquired by 19 countries located on all five continents. The system´s unique capabilities, reliability and very low life-cycle cost are highly appreciated by all users in different exacting environments,” says Görgen Johansson, Head of Saabs Business Area Dynamics.

The Saab portfolio of short-range ground based air defence missile systems comprise of the RBS 70 and the further enhanced RBS 70 NG. With the RBS 70 family, Saab offers state-of-the art systems for demanding customers investing in the future. The RBS 70 system has an impressive track-record on the market. 19 countries have procured more than 1,600 RBS 70 systems, including more than 17,000 missiles.

The new RBS 70 NG is designed to build on this success enhancing the VSHORAD capability even further. An accurate, unjammable laser-guided missile system, the RBS 70 and RBS 70 NG is unaffected by countermeasures, heat sources and clutter. The RBS 70 NG sight can be applied in a multitude of system configurations ranging from MANPADS (Man-portable air defence system) to remotely controlled and vehicle as well as ship integrated Air Defence systems. The sight is designed to be used with all existing and future generations of the RBS 70 missile family.

The various system configurations makes RBS 70 and RBS 70 NG highly suitable for static ground based air defence of important infrastructure, protection of mobile units or for event protection.

Mar 8, 2014 ASDNews Source : Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

The United States and the State of Israel concluded an agreement on March 5 to continue support of the production of the Iron Dome weapon system.

The Iron Dome system is capable of intercepting and destroying short-range rockets, and mortar and artillery shells, and is an invaluable component of Israeli missile defense. During Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, Iron Dome was credited with saving countless Israeli lives, and was called a "game-changer" by many Israeli policy-makers. Yesterday's agreement ensures continued U.S. funding for procurement of Iron Dome systems and interceptors, and provides for significant co-production opportunities for U.S. industry. Under the terms of the agreement, $429 million will be transferred immediately to Israel to support Iron Dome procurement.

The agreement represents strategic value for both nations. Israel will obtain valuable resources to contribute to its defense and U.S. industry will receive meaningful co-production opportunities for Iron Dome components.

MOSCOU, 28 février - RIA Novosti

Les forces armées russes ont débloqué près de 2.000 milliards de roubles (40 mds EUR) pour le programme de développement des Troupes de défense aérospatiale (VKO) d'ici 2020, a annoncé vendredi le service de presse du ministère de la Défense.

"Le volume total des moyens financiers concernés s'élève à environ 2.000 milliards de roubles", a fait savoir le ministère.

En juin dernier, le président russe Vladimir Poutine a déclaré que près de 3.400 milliards de roubles (79 milliards d'euros) seraient investis dans l'armement des troupes aérospatiales à l'horizon 2020, ce qui devrait permettre de porter à 70% la part des armes modernes possédées par les troupes VKO.

MOSCOU, 12 mars - RIA Novosti

Les Troupes balistiques stratégiques russes (RVSN) utiliseront des robots pour protéger leurs sites stratégiques à partir de 2014, a annoncé mercredi à Moscou le porte-parole des Troupes Dmitri Andreïev.

"En mars, les Troupes balistiques stratégiques ont commencé à étudier la possibilité d'utiliser des robots à vocation militaire pour protéger les sites appartenant aux Troupes RVSN", a indiqué le porte-parole.

Cette année, les Troupes ont procédé à la modernisation des systèmes de protection de cinq sites stratégiques en les équipant notamment de robots mobiles.

Selon le porte-parole, les robots mobiles sont destinés à effectuer des missions de reconnaissance, d'appui-feu des troupes, à détecter et détruire des cibles fixes et mobiles, à patrouiller et protéger des sites importants en tant qu'éléments de systèmes de protection automatisés.

March 12, 2014: Strategy Page

Iran recently announced that it has equipped some of its helicopters with the Nasr 1 and Qader anti-ship missiles. Iran described both as Iranian made cruise missiles. In reality Nasr 1 is the Chinese C-704 anti-ship missile that is built under license in Iran. Qader is a variant on the Chinese C802A that Iran produces as the license built Noor.

The C-802A entered service in 1989 and is a 6.8m (21 foot) long, 360mm diameter, 682kg (1,500 pound) missile, with a 165kg (360 pound) warhead. Qader is the Noor with a smaller warhead that extends the range to 200 kilometers. It is common for Iran to claim, or at least imply, that license-built weapons are actually developed and built in Iran.

The C-704 entered service in 2006. This missile appears to be a half sized version of the U.S. Harpoon, but it is actually based on a Chinese copy of the 300 kg Maverick missile (the C-701), but made larger. China helped Iran set up a plant to assemble the C-704s in Iran, under license as the Nasr 1. The C-704 is a 400 kg (880 pound) missile with a 130 kg (286 pound) warhead and a range of 35 kilometers. It has a radar guidance system to guide it to the target, assuming it has been fired to the general area where the target is. This is a cruise missile, moving at 800 kilometers an hour, at an altitude of 15-20 meters (46-61 feet).

Back in March 2011 Israel intercepted a cargo ship off their coast on March 15th, and found six Chinese C-704 anti-ship missiles. The seized missiles were apparently Iranian built C-704s. The ship had been hired by Iran to take a cargo of weapons to Egypt where the weapons would be smuggled into Gaza for Iranian ally Hamas to use against Israel.

Mar. 10, 2014 - By BARBARA OPALL-ROME – Defense News

Spike Team Trainer Can Support Single Gunner up to Platoon

TEL AVIV — Rafael, Israel’s premier provider of tactical missiles, is expanding its niche in training and simulation with Spike Team Trainer (STT), a system designed to support international users of the firm’s Spike family of precision strike weapons.

First fielded at Israel’s Infantry School in 2010, the STT is now being used by five nations for a spectrum of Spike-based training programs from the level of platoon down to single gunners, executives here said.

Ran Kaplan, marketing manager for Rafael’s Tactical Precision Weapons Systems Directorate, said about 20 nations operate versions of the firm’s Spike precision-strike missiles, including Chile, Finland, Germany, Holland, India, Italy and Poland.

Initially developed as an anti-tank weapon for infantry, Rafael’s family of Spike extended-range, long-range and non-line-of-sight missiles and their various warheads are used against multiple fixed or moving targets at ranges up to 25 kilometers.

STT, a Rafael executive here said, hones readiness and maximizes the inherent “one-shot, one-kill” capabilities of the electro-optical guided weapon.

“One of the important tactical principles when deployed for anti-tank and reconnaissance operations is fire control and coordination. Our STT simulates fluid battlefield conditions, allowing Spike combat teams to augment proficiencies across the full operational sequence … from deployment, target acquisition and engagement, repositioning and battle damage assessment,” said the manager of Rafael’s Spike trainer program.

According to the executive, STT provides training from single gunners to separate, yet simultaneous deployment of multiple Spike combat teams.

For simultaneous team training, each Spike section is situated in separate training rooms to simulate the operational environment in which they deploy separately, yet are required to maintain mutual dependence and coordination.

Under the STT concept, simulated and interactively changing battlefield conditions involving enemy formations and other targets are transmitted into the gunner’s command launch unit as well as the commander’s binoculars.

Each Spike section sees the same picture from its particular point of view projected onto a wide panoramic screen, and the system allows section commanders to communicate via tactical headset.

According to Rafael marketing data, the STT features advanced audio and video debriefing and generates statistical reports about trainees.

“Coordination is essential for maximizing terrain coverage, distributing targets and alternating fire. ... And in times when budgets are decreasing, the need for low-cost, simulated team training increases,” he said.

Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois meets MBDA apprentices [Picture: MBDA]

8 March 2014 Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois has learned about the opportunities available to apprentices at defence equipment company MBDA.