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30 septembre 2015 3 30 /09 /septembre /2015 14:55
photo DGA

photo DGA

 

30/09/2015 Ministère de la Défense

 

Le mercredi 30 septembre 2015, à 10h28, la direction générale de l’armement (DGA) a effectué, depuis le centre DGA Essais de missiles, site de Biscarrosse (Landes), un essai en vol du missile balistique stratégique M51. Ce tir entre dans le cadre du développement de la nouvelle version du missile M51 inscrit dans les objectifs de la Loi de Programmation Militaire 2014-2019.

 

Cet essai s’est déroulé comme prévu et a été effectué sans charge nucléaire. Le missile a été suivi tout au long de sa phase de vol par les moyens du centre d’essais de la DGA dont le bâtiment d’essais et de mesures « Monge » (BEM). La zone de retombées se situe en Atlantique Nord à plusieurs centaines de kilomètres de toute côte.

 

Le missile M51 équipe aujourd’hui deux des quatre sous-marins nucléaires lanceurs d’engins de nouvelle génération (SNLE-NG). Le passage de l’ensemble de la force océanique stratégique à cet armement est prévu d’ici la fin de la décennie.

 

Le ministre de la Défense félicite les équipes de la DGA et l’ensemble des unités des trois armées qui ont contribué au succès de ce tir de développement.

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30 septembre 2015 3 30 /09 /septembre /2015 12:45
AGM-114 Hellfire II missile - Lockheed Martin

AGM-114 Hellfire II missile - Lockheed Martin

 

29/09/2015 par African Manager

 

Le Commandement des marchés de l’Armée américaine (USACC) a attribué à Lockheed Martin un contrat pour la fourniture d’un nombre non encore révélé de missiles AGM-114K / R3 Hellfire II à l’Egypte et à la Tunisie ainsi qu’à l’Irak, au  Pakistan et à l’Indonésie pour un montant de  357 800 000 de dollars au titre des ventes militaires à l’étranger. Dans un avis publié le 16 septembre par le ministère US de la Défense, l’USACC a précisé que Lockheed Martin était le seul soumissionnaire pour le contrat, qui devrait être exécuté avant septembre 2017.

 

Le AGM-114 Hellfire (hellfire signifie en anglais « feu de l’enfer ») est un missile antichar à guidage laser semi-actif, ou à guidage radar (de type tire et oublie) en fonction des versions. Il est principalement utilisé sur les hélicoptères, notamment sur l’AH-64 Apache, mais également sur des drones tels que les MQ-1 Predator et MQ-9 Reaper. Très polyvalent, il peut être employé contre tout type de véhicule, mais aussi contre des bâtiments. Sa portée relativement longue permet au lanceur de rester à l’abri, voire invisible.

 

 Bien qu’il n’y ait aucune spécification sur le nombre de missiles devant être livrés à chacun  de ces pays, une notification adressée en avril dernier au Congrès américain par le Département d’Etat a sollicité l’approbation de ce dernier pour une  «vente possible à l’Egypte de 356 missiles  AGM-114K / R3 Hellfire II Air-sol  avec des conteneurs, des pièces de rechange et de réparation, des équipements de soutien, outre la formation du personnel et  l’équipement de formation ».

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30 septembre 2015 3 30 /09 /septembre /2015 11:35
Indo-Israeli LRSAM Range Extended By A Third

 

25.09.2015 by Livefist

The Indo-Israeli LRSAM/Barak-8 began its first hot trials with the Israeli Navy in May this year. In what could be the single most significant development in the weapon system's long-drawn journey, the Indian Navy has confirmed to Livefist that the LRSAM will sport an operational range a third higher than initially agreed upon. In effect, the LRSAM's range now moves from 70-km to in excess of 90-km or higher. Range upgrade discussions took place in November last year following a land test in Israel.

 

IAI and India's DRDO missile cluster (led by the DRDL) that have jointly developed the missile system, designated the Barak 8 for Israel and yet to be officially named in India, have begun work on boosting weapon range.

 

With preliminary integration activity already on, Livefist can also confirm that the LRSAM is all set to undergo its first test firing from Indian Navy destroyer INS Kolkata in November-December this year in the Arabian Sea. The weapon system is intended for a host of frontline surface combatants, including all future fighting ships of the Indian Navy.

 

Top Navy tell Livefist that while the 2nd Kolkata-class destroyer Kochi set to enter service on September 30, like the first ship of its class, sports a BEL-built HUMSA NG bow mounted sonar, the contracted active towed array sonar will be integrated within the next 16-18 months.

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29 septembre 2015 2 29 /09 /septembre /2015 16:55
Tir du Mamba depuis le SAMP/T - photo Armée de l'Air

Tir du Mamba depuis le SAMP/T - photo Armée de l'Air

 

28/09/2015 Armée de l'air

 

Depuis le 23 septembre, l’exercice NAWAS 15 bat son plein dans le sud de la France. Près de 900 hommes des trois armées participent à ce rendez-vous majeur de la défense surface-air.

 

Fort de son succès en 2012, l’exercice NAWAS est reconduit tous les trois ans; il s’inscrit désormais dans une certaine continuité. Nouveauté cette année, l’utilisation de la liaison de données tactiques L16 est au cœur du scénario concocté par la direction de l’exercice. NAWAS 2015 vise en premier lieu à entraîner, en terrain libre, les unités de défense sol-air équipées de la liaison 16, à la défense et à l’accompagnement d’une force projetée sur un théâtre extérieur comportant une façade maritime. «Cette édition 2015 est également destinée à développer la prise en compte de la logistique opérationnelle associée à ce type de mission, domaine peu abordé lors des exercices majeurs de défense sol-air», ajoute le capitaine Hervé, officier projet de l’exercice.

 

Un exercice interarmées

La manœuvre terrestre se tient cette année dans le sud-est de la France, entre Narbonne et Nîmes. La partie commandement est, quant à elle, menée depuis le JFAC (Joint Force Air Command - commandement air de la force interarmées) de la base aérienne 942 de Lyon Mont-Verdun. Pour l’occasion, l’état-major tactique de l’armée de terre, le Land Component Command, est colocalisé avec le JFAC. Ces deux commandements planifient, programment et conduisent l’ensemble des opérations réelles et simulées de l’exercice.
 Pour sa part, l’armée de l’air met en œuvre des systèmes sol-air (Mamba, Crotale NG,…), des moyens C2 (Command and Control – commandement et conduite) tactiques (radar GIRAFFE), ainsi que plusieurs aéronefs (E-3F, Mirage 2000, Rafale, C135…). 
La marine nationale, quant à elle, a déployé en mer Méditerranée, au large de Sète, la frégate de défense  aérienne «Forbin», tandis que plusieurs batteries de défense sol-air de l’armée de terre sont employées sur le terrain. Une unité Mistral de l’armée belge participe également à cet exercice, en coopération avec les forces françaises sur le terrain.

 

Un scénario sur-mesure

«L’idée générique du scénario est de mettre les éléments de la force opérationnelle terrestre (FOT) en phase de manœuvre rétrograde suite à une agression», explique l’officier projet. Dans un deuxième temps, la FOT devra effectuer une manœuvre offensive pour contrer l’adversaire et retrouver l’intégrité territoriale, obligeant les moyens de défense sol-air à réarticuler leur dispositif pendant les différentes phases du scénario. «L’ensemble du dispositif profite de l’activité aéronautique, terrestre et maritime pour entraîner son personnel dans un cadre réaliste, résume-t-il. Nous faisons également appel à un outil de simulation lors de périodes définies pour apporter un complément d’activités opérationnelles.» Par ailleurs, des événements seront générés de manière à travailler les reconfigurations de liaisons de données tactiques. «Une des attentes interarmées est de s’exercer à des bascules de C2, en particulier entre la marine et l’armée de l’air, conclut le capitaine Hervé. Des incidents majeurs sur les réseaux seront également joués.» L’exercice NAWAS 2015 couvre ainsi tout le panel de la défense sol-air et contribue à la préparation opérationnelle d’une multitude d’entités, comme c’est le cas de l’escadron de défense sol-air d’Avord, désigné unité de référence de l’armée de l’air pour la protection d’une force aérienne terrestre.

photo Armée de l'Airphoto Armée de l'Air

photo Armée de l'Air

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19 septembre 2015 6 19 /09 /septembre /2015 16:40
Missile balistique intercontinental Topol-M photo RIA Novosti. Alexander Kriazhev

Missile balistique intercontinental Topol-M photo RIA Novosti. Alexander Kriazhev

 

September 19, 2015: Strategy Page

 

On August 22nd Russia conducted another successful test of its RS-12M (RS-24/ Topol-M) ICBM. While this is an older (late 1980s) ballistic missile design it is still in service. Only about a hundred were built and 72 are installed in silos. As is Russian (and American) custom some silo based ICBMs are periodically fired for quality control purposes. The Russians used to fire the test missiles from their actual combat silos but now follow the American method of moving the missile to a test launch site. In this case it was Kapustin Yar in southern Russia. The RS-12M test sent the missile 10,000 kilometers to a missile testing site rented in Kazakhstan. The test warhead his its target area.

 

Originally the RS-12M ICBM was going to replace hundreds of older liquid-fueled ICBMs. But the end of the Cold War in 1991 and the sharp cuts in defense spending wrecked that plan. Since then an upgraded version of the RS-12M ICBM was developed and this one is replacing those older Cold War era ICBMs. Russia believes RS-24 is a worthy successor to the venerable, reliable and aging RS-18s. Reinforcing that attitude is a string of successful RS-24 test firings. Russia began deploying RS-24s in 2010. In 2013 the program to replace RS-18s with RS-24s accelerated, indicating a high degree of confidence in the RS-24 and enough cash to retire the RS-18s and build RS-24s to replace them. The 106 ton RS-18 is a 24.5 meter (76 foot) long missile that uses storable liquid fuel, meaning that the missile is inherently more complex than a solid fuel missile. But that also means you don’t require hours of preparation to fuel the missile. The RS-18 entered service in 1975, and it wasn't until the 1980s that Russia began producing reliable solid fuel rocket motors large enough for ICBMs like the 45 ton RS-12M. The last RS-18s were manufactured in 1990 and Russia expects each RS-18 to last 30 years if well maintained, regularly refurbished and needed badly enough.

 

The RS-18 was developed as a "light" ICBM, in effect, a competitor for the U.S. Minuteman series. The RS-18 was the first Russian ICBM to carry MIRV (multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles). The current RS-18 carries six warheads and has a range of 10,000 kilometers. RS-12M has a max range of 11,000 kilometers. Russia is also extending the life of its heavier (217 ton) RS-20 ICBMs to 30 years. This missile carries ten warheads and is also being converted to launch satellites. Eventually RS-12M will probably replace this one as well.

 

In 2009 Russia announced that the latest version of the Topol series, the RS-24, had entered service. The RS-24 appears to be a slightly heavier version of the 46 ton RS-12M1/M2. The RS-24 is being deployed in silos as well as on wheeled vehicles. The RS-24 carried more warheads (up to ten) than the Topol-M. The Russians developed the RS-24 to enable them to use all the additional warheads to penetrate American missile defenses.

 

At one point Russia planned to develop a liquid-fuel ICBM to replace its RS-18 and RS-20 (SS-18) ICBMs. The prototype was built but not tested. Russia had also announced plans to replace the old liquid-fuel missiles with the Topol M and this plan is apparently being implemented with the RS-24. This depends on being able to avoid cut to the defense budget despite sanctions and low oil prices. As Russia learned in the 1980s, economic fundamentals win in the end. The Soviet Union dissolved in large part because it was broke.

 

It was never explained why Russia is sticking with liquid-fuel technology for the Cold War era “heavy” missiles. It might have something to do with the liquid-fuel missiles being able to lift heavier loads, making it possible to use them to also launch satellites. The liquid fueled missiles weighed 100-220 tons and had warhead weights of 5-9 tons. In contrast, all American ICBMs (including those launched from subs) are solid fueled and have a warhead weight similar to the RS-12M (about a ton). Russian SLBMs (Sea Launched ICBMs) also have the one ton warhead.

 

Russia continues to test launch older RS-18 and RS-20 ICBMs. Russia still has over a hundred (out of a 1980s peak of 360) RS-18s in service and expects to keep some of them active into the next decade or until replaced by the new design. The test firings for most of the last decade have been successful, and other quality-control tests have come back positive. Despite the post-Cold War collapse of the Russian military, cash and quality personnel kept going to the missile forces, which are the final defense of the largest nation on the planet.

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17 septembre 2015 4 17 /09 /septembre /2015 17:50
EDA is recruiting Seconded National Experts

 

Brussels - 17 September, 2015 European Defence Agency

 

The European Defence Agency (EDA) is currently looking for Seconded National Experts (SNEs) with the following profiles: Project Officer Education, Training and Exercise, Project Officer Navigation and Air/Missile Defence, Project Officer Engage, Project Officer Land Programmes, Project Officer Communication and Information Systems, Project Officer Helicopter Training. Candidates must apply via the EDA website by 15 October 2015.

 

The Agency is an “outward-facing” organisation, constantly interacting with its shareholders, the participating Member States, as well as with a wide range of stakeholders. It works in an integrated way, with multi-disciplinary teams representing all the Agency’s functional areas, to realise its objectives including its annual Work Programme and its rolling three-year Work Plan. Its business processes are flexible and oriented towards achieving results. Staff at all levels need to demonstrate the corresponding qualities of flexibility, innovation, and team-working; to work effectively with shareholders and stakeholder groups, formal and informal; and to operate without the need for detailed direction.

The above mentioned positions are located in the three operational directorates of the Agency: Capability, Armament & TechnologyCooperation Planning & Support and European Synergies and Innovation. All positions are for Seconded National Experts (SNEs). SNE’s are persons employed by governments, ministries or governmental agencies of the participating Member States, who are seconded to the EDA so that it can use their expertise in a particular field. An SNE must be a national of one of the participating Member States. 

 

More information:

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17 septembre 2015 4 17 /09 /septembre /2015 16:55
SNLE Le Triomphant - photo Marine Nationale

SNLE Le Triomphant - photo Marine Nationale

 

13/08/2015 Sources : Marine nationale

 

Le 4 août 2015, la Marine a repris la pleine responsabilité et le commandement effectif du sous-marin nucléaire lanceur d’engins (SNLE) Le Triomphant. Ce transfert de responsabilité marque un jalon important dans l'indisponibilité pour entretien et réparation (IPER) de modernisation et d’adaptation au missile stratégique M51 débutée en mai 2013. Le bâtiment va désormais reprendre les essais avant son retour dans le cycle opérationnel.

 

Le Triomphant était revenu à l’île Longue le 14 avril 2015, après 20 mois de travaux au bassin n° 8 de Brest consacrés notamment à la refonte des tubes lance-missile pour passer de la génération des M45 à celle des M51. Le sous-marin a aussi été doté du système de combat tactique SYCOBS (système de combat commun Barracuda/SNLE) et d'un système global de navigation plus performant (SGN-3E). Enfin, cette indisponibilité périodique constitue une étape importante pour LeTriomphant puisqu’il s’agit de son IPER à mi-vie.

 

 

Suite de l'article

 

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17 septembre 2015 4 17 /09 /septembre /2015 16:35
Royal Thai Army places additional order for STARStreak Air Defence Missile Systems

 

September 16, 2015 Thales Group

 

Thales announced today at DSEI that it has signed a multi-million pound contract with DataGate in Thailand to supply the Royal Thai Army with the STARStreak air defence missile system.

 

This contract follows on from Thailand’s initial purchase of STARStreak in 2012.

 

The system comprises STARStreak missiles, the world’s fastest very short range air defence (VSHORAD) missile and Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML).  The LML tripod-based system allows swift deployment of STARStreak missile to deal with attacks from low-level fighter aircraft, Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) and attack helicopters.  The system plays a key part in the air defence forces continued commitment to protecting the Kingdom of Thailand.

 

Victor Chavez, CEO of Thales in the UK, said: “STARStreak is the leading VSHORAD system in the world today, enabling nations to protect key assets against both emerging and established threats.  We are honored to continue to serve the Royal Thai Army as a key supplier for Thailand’s advanced air defence capability.”

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16 septembre 2015 3 16 /09 /septembre /2015 16:50
Contrats Rafale : le missilier MBDA va embaucher 550 personnes en France

Les contrats Rafale permettent à MBDA d'embaucher 550 personnes sur 18 mois en France (Crédits : Dassault Aviation A. Pecchi)

 

16/09/2015 Par Michel Cabirol – LaTribune.fr

 

Le PDG du missilier européen, Antoine Bouvier, a lancé un vaste plan d'embauches en France et en Grande-Bretagne. Il a annoncé le recrutement de 550 personnes sur les sites français d'ici à fin 2016.


 

Les commandes pleuvent (ou vont pleuvoir) chez MBDA, notamment celles liées aux contrats Rafale et Eurofighter : Égypte (1,1 milliard, dont 300 millions pour l'armement de la frégate FREMM) et Qatar (autour de 2 milliards d'euros à confirmer) pour le Rafale et, enfin, Koweït pour l'Eurofighter. Du coup, le PDG du missilier européen, Antoine Bouvier, a lancé un vaste plan d'embauches en France et en Grande-Bretagne. Il a annoncé vendredi lors d'un comité central d'entreprise (CCE) aux syndicats français du missilier le recrutement de 550 personnes sur les sites français d'ici à fin 2016. Soit un solde net de de 220 salariés.

"Les contrats Égypte arrivent au bon moment en raison de l'incertitude sur la charge qui pesait en 2016 et 2017", avait admis en début d'année Antoine Bouvier lors de sa conférence de presse sur le bilan 2014.

Cette augmentation des salariés de MBDA France correspond à une hausse d'environ 5% des personnels du missilier dans les sites français (4.060 salariés sur un total de 10.900 dans le monde). Antoine Bouvier doit prochainement annoncer un plan d'embauches aux syndicats britanniques.

De nombreuses commandes britanniques

Cette nouvelle hausse des effectifs en Grande-Bretagne est le fruit des nombreuses commandes gagnées ces dernières années par les équipes britanniques. D'ailleurs, MBDA a annoncé ce mercredi avoir gagné un contrat de plus de 300 millions de livres (près de 410 millions d'euros) portant sur la livraison de nouveaux missiles air-air ASRAAM, destinés à la Royal Air Force. Ces missiles seront produits dans le nouveau site de fabrication et d'assemblage de Bolton, qui sera mis en service à la mi-2016.

En 2014, l'essentiel des commandes (4,1 milliards d'euros en 2014) a été essentiellement réalisé grâce à des produits britanniques. Ainsi, l'Arabie Saoudite, en vue d'équiper ses Eurofighter fournis par BAE Systems, s'est offert des missiles air-air Meteor, un contrat estimé à un plus de 1 milliard d'euros. C'est le premier contrat export du Meteor. En outre, MBDA avait également enfin obtenu un contrat en Inde. New Delhi a mis en vigueur un contrat estimé à 428 millions de dollars en vue d'équiper les vieux Jaguar de l'armée de l'air indienne de missiles britanniques air-air de courte portée Asraam

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16 septembre 2015 3 16 /09 /septembre /2015 11:50
MOD to upgrade air-to-air missile

 

16 September 2015 Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment and Support and The Rt Hon Michael Fallon MP

 

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £300m contract to sustain a key air-to-air missile used by RAF Typhoon jets, supporting over 400 jobs across the UK.

 

MBDA (UK) Ltd will design and build the new variant of their Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) missile, incorporating updated sub-systems into the current ASRAAM design. This will make it possible to upgrade the weapon system as necessary.

The eight-year contract will directly sustain around 200 highly skilled technology jobs across MBDA sites in Bristol, Stevenage, Hertfordshire and Lostock, Lancashire and the UK-based supply chain, with around another 200 supported in wider industry.

Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, said:

ASRAAM missiles provide our Typhoon jets with battle-winning technology on combat missions, and these upgrades will help to make it a missile for the future, ready for use on our new Lightning II aircraft.

This contract is part of our £160 billion equipment plan, supported by a rising Defence budget. It will sustain hundreds of skilled British jobs and ensure that the RAF continues to perform at its very best.

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Chief of Materiel (Air) at the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, Air Marshal Simon Bollom, said:

Sustainment of the UK’s short range air-to-air capability is essential as it supports standing operational commitments such as the protection of UK airspace and any other air defence roles.

The contract provides the most cost-effective way of maintaining this capability and allows what is a very effective missile to be retained whilst ensuring continued compatibility with the aircraft we launch it from.

 

MOD to upgrade air-to-air missile

ASRAAM is currently in-service on Typhoon and Tornado GR4 aircraft, and will be integrated onto the Lightning II platform in time for first aircraft delivery.

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16 septembre 2015 3 16 /09 /septembre /2015 11:50
Typhoon Completes Meteor Guided Firing Trials

An MBDA Meteor long-range, ramjet-powered air-to-air missile launches from a Typhoon during recent trials in the UK, part of the flight test campaign for Typhoon’s ‘Phase 2 Enhancements’ (P2E) program.

 

Sept 15, 2015 defense-aerospace.com/

(Source: BAE Systems; issued Sept 15, 2015)


Our Company has successfully completed guided firing trials of the Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile launched from a Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft.

The trials took place at the Ministry of Defence’s Hebrides range in the United Kingdom and saw Typhoon conduct guided Meteor firings against real air targets in pre-planned scenarios. The trials formed part of the flight test campaign for the ‘Phase 2 Enhancements’ (P2E) programme which will introduce a range of new and improved long range attack capabilities including Meteor and Storm Shadow missiles.

Typhoon aircraft IPA6, a Tranche 2 standard aircraft equipped with the latest P2E software, was used for the trials. Our test pilot Nat Makepeace, who flew the aircraft, said: “The missile separated very cleanly and guided very successfully towards its target maintaining a datalink communication between the weapon and the aircraft.

“This year is undoubtedly one of the most exciting years I have experienced in the development of Typhoon. We are taking to the skies with upgraded software, trialling new nigh

 

t vision helmet technologies, developing and expanding weapons capabilities and looking forward to flying the Captor E-scan radar – all in the space of one year.”

The integration of the Meteor weapon further enhances Typhoon’s swing-role capabilities, allowing the pilot to engage hostile air threats at long range, at the same time as identifying and engaging targets on the ground.

The flight trials were conducted with support from QinetiQ, MBDA and Selex and form part of a NETMA contract to fully integrate the Meteor missile onto Typhoon by 2017.

Information on further developments in the Typhoon Phased Approach can be found here.

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16 septembre 2015 3 16 /09 /septembre /2015 11:35
Thales announces order for ForceSHIELD Integrated Air Defence system and STARStreak missiles for Malaysian Armed Forces

 

September 15, 2015 thalesgroup.com

 

Thales announced today at DSEI that it has signed a contract with Global Komited, a company within The Weststar Group, to supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with ForceSHIELD, the Thales integrated Advanced Air Defence system.

 

In addition to the STARStreak missiles, the system comprises CONTROLMaster 200 radar and weapon coordination systems, RAPIDRanger and RAPIDRover mobile weapon systems and the Next Generation Lightweight Multiple Launcher, as well as associated communications.

 

The STARStreak missiles and launcher systems are manufactured in Thales’s facility in Belfast and the CONTROLMaster by Thales in France. This significant purchase by the Malaysian Armed Forces will increase jobs in Belfast and develop high value added jobs and skills set in Malaysia through a programme of technology transfer.

 

The purchase of ForceSHIELD will enable the Malaysian Armed Forces to replace and enhance the previously commissioned Thales STARBurst missile system, which has been in service since the mid 1990’s.

 

The STARStreak missile utilises the proven principle of ‘high velocity’ to defeat threats with short unmasking times.  The three-dart configuration maximises lethality and the highly accurate laser beam riding guidance enables engagement of small signature targets.

 

Victor Chavez, CEO of Thales UK, says: “I am delighted that another country has decided to buy ForceSHIELD.  This latest-generation sensors to effectors solution will give Malaysia a world class, cutting edge capability.  Increasing our export sales is a key part of Thales’ growth strategy and today’s news marks another milestone.”

 

    "I am delighted that Westar and Thales have agreed to work together to supply the STARStreak missile system to the Malaysian Armed Forces. This is an excellent example of companies sharing technology to support the ongoing modernisation of the country’s Armed Forces. I very much value our Defence relationship with Malaysia and look forward to working with their government and Armed Forces as part of our enduring Defence cooperation."

    Philip Dunne, Minister of State for Defence Procurement

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16 septembre 2015 3 16 /09 /septembre /2015 11:20
USS Halsey (DDG 97) - photo US Navy

USS Halsey (DDG 97) - photo US Navy


14.09.2015 Pacific Sentinel
 

The United States is upgrading its Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to counter China's new DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile with their ability to sink medium-sized warships, Harry J Kazianis, the executive editor of National Interest magazine, writes in a piece published on Sept. 9.

 

At a press conference on Sept. 4, Lockheed Martin announced a new contract worth US$428 million to modernize the US Navy Aegis Combat System's hardware and software over the next 10 years. Just a day prior to the announcement, China used the military parade in Beijing to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II to display its DF-26 missiles to the public for the first time.

 

Read the full story at Want China Times

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16 septembre 2015 3 16 /09 /septembre /2015 06:50
Thales unveils new generation Lightweight Multiple Launcher

 

September 15, 2015 source Thales

 

The Lightweight Multiple Launcher New Generation (LML NG) system can be used on a tripod or vehicle mount, and supports swift deployment of STARStreak and/or the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) systems. The system provides two ready to fire missiles, allowing it to handle saturation air attacks or provide a complimentary surface to surface capability. The man-portable system is designed to suit a wide range of missions from lightweight rapid reaction roles to air droppable operations.

 

When using the STARStreak missile - with it’s extremely fast time of flight - a variety of threats can be defeated from head on or fast crossing aerial targets, to targets such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters. When used with the LMM, a capability is provided to enable the defeat of surface targets such as Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs), trucks and fixed installations and aerial targets such as UAVs. Both systems utilise Thales unique laser beam riding guidance system.

 

Thales unveils new generation Lightweight Multiple Launcher

This new launcher gives the operator a unique lightweight and highly deployable capability to react quickly against a wide variety of threats. LML NG perfectly complements the other state of the art lightweight missile launchers in the Thales portfolio."


Philip McBride, General Manager of Thales Advanced Weapon Systems activities in the UK

 

The LML NG provides a 24 hour surveillance asset consisting of TV and Thermal Imaging cameras. System architecture supports linkages to a Command and Control network, to radar or passive sensors for early target detection and auto target tracking. Display of the command and control information can be provided to both the Commander and the Operator.

 

LML NG is being exhibited at DSEI on the Thales Stand (S6-110).

 

About Thales

Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 61,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of €13 billion in 2014. With over 20,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its unique international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world.

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15 septembre 2015 2 15 /09 /septembre /2015 16:55
MMP missile - photo Laurent Guichardon - MBDA

MMP missile - photo Laurent Guichardon - MBDA

 

September 14, 2015: Strategy Page

 

In early 2015 a Swedish firm (Saab) agreed to design and produce warheads for the new French MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée) medium-range anti-tank missile (ATGM). Warhead deliveries are scheduled for 2017. This is a big deal for Saab, a Swedish company that is often a competitor when it comes to anti-tank weapons. Saab is often competing with the French manufacturer (MBDA) of MMP for ATGM business. The French military did the math and concluded that it was cheaper (and more effective) to buy certain key MMP components from the ATGM manufacturer with the best reputation. This was obviously cheaper and faster that having MBDA conducting their own research in that area.

 

MMP is a new generation of ATGM similar to the American Javelin or Israeli Spike but developed by a local firm because the French like to manufacture key weapons in France. The MMP will replace the older MILAN family of anti-tank missiles, which were also developed in France. The replacement effort goes back to 2009 when France rejected yet another Milan modernization proposal and in 2010 ordered 260 FGM-148 Javelin missiles from the United States. This purchase was quite a shock for French industry but also an incentive to develop an attractive locally made alternative to Javelin. This led to MMP and the Swedish warhead was seen as an asset, not a liability.

 

The MMP missile itself weights about 15 kg (33 pound), is 1.3 meters (51 inches) long 140mm in diameter. The weight of the firing unit, including tripod and battery, is another 11 kg (24 pounds). The missile can be fired from portable firing posts, vehicles and army aviation platforms (in the future). MMP features a dual-mode seeker incorporating an uncooled thermal and daylight television channel together with inertial reference unit. An uncooled IR seeker is especially useful, because it can be used very quickly, as opposed to cooled seekers like Javelin’s that require some time to become ready. The warhead is a 140mm caliber tandem shaped charge which according to producer is capable to penetrating any modern tank or two meters of concrete. The missile can engage targets 4,000 meters away. MMP also has a two-way datalink which provide fire-and-forget, man-in-the-loop and non-line-of-sight firing modes with either direct or top-attack (flying over a target and sending penetrator through the thin top armor). MMP can also soft-launch (be safely fired from confined spaces like buildings).

 

A heavier 8,000 meter version (called MLP) is in the works for helicopters and vehicles. MLP will replace the current HOT missiles.

 

MMP successfully conducted extensive test firings in early 2015. These included live-firing under various conditions. Some additional tests will take place before the end of 2015. The French Army had no doubt that the MMP effort would succeed and in late 2013 ordered 175 firing posts and 450 missiles, which deliveries beginning in 2017. The entire procurement contract for the French Army is for 2,850 missiles and 400 firing posts. MBDA expects MMP and MLP to be competitive export items.

 

Meanwhile the older (1970s) technology Milan has remained in production, mainly because it can still get the job done if used against lightly armored vehicles and older tanks. India is a major user (building Milan under license) because their likely opponents, until recently, only had tanks that Milan could handle. But now they have an aggressive China massing forces on the border and building much better protected tanks. The basic Milan is a 1.2 meter long, 125mm diameter, 7.1 kg (16 pound) missile. It has a minimum range of 400 meters and maximum range of 2,000 meters. At max range the missile takes about 13 seconds to reach its target. The missile is guided to the target by the operator via a thin wire. The launcher weighs 21 kg (46 pounds). The missile can penetrate about a meter (39 inches) of armor, making it effective against all but the most modern tanks (M-1, Challenger, Leopard 2). Since the 1970s, over 350,000 Milan missiles and 30,000 launchers have been built worldwide. More modern ATGM are wireless and require much less effort on the part of the operator but they are more expensive. Milans are now being phased out in favor of more modern designs although some will remain in service into the 2020s.

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15 septembre 2015 2 15 /09 /septembre /2015 11:50
The JASSM missile on display at an airshow in Australia.  photo Lockheed Martin

The JASSM missile on display at an airshow in Australia. photo Lockheed Martin

 

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 14 By Richard Tomkins (UPI)

 

Lockheed Martin is to supply air-launched cruise missiles for the Polish Air Force.

 

The Polish Air Force is receiving Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles from Lockheed Martin for its fleet of F-16 fighters.

 

The contract for the air-to-ground cruise missiles comes as a result of a U.S. Foreign Military Sales deal for Poland announced last year.

 

That package, worth about $500 million, was for 40 AGM-158 JASSM missiles and upgrades to the aircraft.

 

"JASSM provides Poland with operational flexibility, reliability and mission effectiveness to meet their national defense requirements," said Joe Garland, vice president of business development at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "JASSM gives our allies a powerful, vital and affordable cruise missile capability."

 

JASSM is a stealthy, precision-guided cruise missile that employes an infrared seeker and an enhanced digital anti-jam Global Positioning System. It is integrated on the U.S. Air Force's B-1, B-2, B-52, F-16 and F-15E. Internationally, it can also be used by F/A-18A/B and the F-18C/D aircraft.

 

Poland, with the order, will be only the third U.S. ally with the JASSM in their military inventory. The other two countries are Australia and Finland.

 

Lockheed Martin gave no information as to a delivery schedule for the missiles.

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1 septembre 2015 2 01 /09 /septembre /2015 07:30
Artillery: The Fabled Fateh-110

 

September 1, 2015: Strategy Page

 

 On August 22nd Iran announced that it had developed, tested and was putting into production a new ballistic missile. This one, called Fateh-313, used solid fuel and had a range of 500 kilometers. This is the latest claimed Iranian development of the Fateh 110 which is a copy of the Chinese DF-11 ballistic missile, which appeared in the 1980s with a range of 300 kilometers and an 800 kg warhead. In the 1990s an improved version, the DF-11A appeared with a range of 800 kilometers and a half ton warhead. A decade later the DF-11 was using GPS (American or Chinese) guidance in addition to the less accurate INS. For nuclear warheads either guidance system is accurate enough. For conventional warheads GPS is essential to avoid missing the target with the smaller explosive power of the conventional warhead. The big change here is solid fuel, which enables a missile to be made ready in less than 30 minutes compared to several hour for liquid fueled missiles like the SCUD.

 

The Fateh 110 is an 8.86 meter (27.5 foot), 3.5 ton rocket with a half-ton warhead. The first version appeared after in 2002 and had a range of 200 kilometers. By 2010 there had been to improved models, with ranges of 250 and 300 kilometers plus improvements in reliability and accuracy. The Fateh 110 is a solid fuel missile developed to replace the liquid fueled SCUD ballistic missiles Iran had been using since the 1980s. SCUD was developed from the German World War II era V-2. In 2008 Iran licensed Syria build the Fateh-110 as the M600. In 2010 some of these were apparently transferred to Hezbollah. Apparently the only Fateh-110 type missiles to be fired in combat were two Syrian M600s fired at rebel targets in 2012.

 

In 2011 Iran claimed to have created an anti-ship missile, called the Khalij Fars, with a range of 300 kilometers based on the Fateh 110. What all this implies is that Iran is claiming to have developed a ballistic missile that can hit moving ships at sea. China is also claimed to have developed this technology (the DF-21D). But neither country has demonstrated their anti-ship ballistic missiles actually working.

 

In fact there is little evidence, in the public record that any versions of the Fateh 110 are effective or exist in large numbers. Iran regularly announces wondrous new weapons, developed entirely in Iran. Very few of these weapons are ever seen in service. Still, the Iranians can handle modern tech and it is possible that their Fateh 110 missiles, or at least most of them, would work in wartime

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28 août 2015 5 28 /08 /août /2015 16:55
McDonnell Douglas LIM-49 Nike Zeus Spartan - photo US Army

McDonnell Douglas LIM-49 Nike Zeus Spartan - photo US Army


28.08.2015 source SHD
 

28 aout 1521 : chute de Belgrade (actuelle Serbie). Soliman le magnifique assiège Belgrade qui n'est défendue que par une garnison de 700 soldats et la prend après quelques jours de bombardement depuis une ile du Danube. Soliman réussit là où son arrière-grand-père, Mehmed II avait échoué en 1456. La situation s'est en effet détériorée entre le roi hongrois et ses vassaux serbes si bien que les défenses manquent d'unité. De plus, la ligne de confrontation entre les deux cultures n'est pas si nette : depuis la poussée musulmane en Europe orientale (Chute de Constantinople 1453), slaves et ottomans vivent les uns à côté des autres entre chaque bataille et par la force des choses tissent quelques liens. La nouvelle de la chute de Belgrade a cependant un fort retentissement en Occident et fait prendre conscience aux Habsbourg du danger ottoman de manière plus impérieuse. Ce danger est accru par les relations toujours plus serrées que François Ier, le "roi très chrétien", noue avec Soliman afin de gêner son rival habsbourgeois, Charles Quint.

 

28 aout 1706 : fin de travaux à l’église St Louis des Invalides. Alors que les corps de logis abritant l’hospice des blessés sont réalisés entre 1671 et 1674, l’église et son dôme ne sont quant à elles achevées qu’au terme de 30 années de travaux et négociations de crédits. Tout comme pour l’inauguration de l’hôtel, c’est Louis XIV en personne qui reçoit les clés de l’église, remises par l’architecte Mansart.

 

28 aout 1914 : bataille navale d’Heligoland (Mer du Nord). La première bataille navale de la guerre se solde par une victoire britannique. La flotte allemande perd 6 navires et plus de 700 marins.

 

28 aout 1970 : première interception d’un ICBM (Océan Pacifique – ile de Kwajalein). La première interception réussie d’un missile balistique intercontinental est due au missile Spartan (LIM49A). Ce succès américain porte un coup à la menace nucléaire que les soviétiques font peser sur le territoire US et initie la course à la défense anti-missiles. Cependant le Spartan avec sa charge de 5 mégatonnes à neutrons, tout en assurant la destruction de l’ICBM ennemi, créait une impulsion électromagnétique incontrôlable et dangereuse qui a incité les Américains à opter pour des systèmes plus précis et moins puissants.

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27 août 2015 4 27 /08 /août /2015 07:40
Kh-38ME Air-Launched Short-Range Modular Missile

Kh-38ME Air-Launched Short-Range Modular Missile

 

26.08.2015 sputniknews.com

 

The bomb was constructed on the basis of the Kh-38ME modular aircraft guided missile, according to the manufacturer.

 

ZHUKOVSKY (Sputnik) — A unique Grom-2, possessing the destructive utility of both a missile and a bomb, has been developed in Russia, general director of the Tactical Missile Systems Corporation said Wednesday.

 

“Grom-2 is in fact a glide bomb, as there is another warhead weighing 130 kilograms [286 pounds] instead of an engine with a total weight of 250 kilograms," Boris Obnosov told journalists.

 

According to Obnosov, the Grom-2 was constructed on the basis of the Kh-38ME modular aircraft guided missile.

 

Russia's Tactical Missile Systems Corporation was established in 2002 on the Zvezda-Strela research and production center. The corporation produces guided missiles and weapon systems for air, ground and seaborne applications.

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14 août 2015 5 14 /08 /août /2015 16:30
Les Etats-Unis vont accélérer leurs ventes d'armes aux pays du Golfe

"Nous sommes tombés d'accord pour accélérer certaines ventes d'armes qui sont nécessaires et qui ont pris trop de temps par le passé", a déclaré John Kerry lors d'une conférence de presse au Qatar.

 

04/08/2015 Par latribune.fr

 

Les États-Unis vont "accélérer" leurs ventes d'armes aux pays arabes du Golfe, a annoncé lundi le secrétaire d'État John Kerry, les monarchies s'inquiétant des ambitions régionales de leur rival iranien chiite et de l'accord sur le nucléaire.

 

Déjà très présents militairement, les États-Unis vont "accélérer" leurs ventes d'armes aux pays arabes du Golfe, a annoncé lundi le secrétaire d'État John Kerry, les monarchies sunnites s'inquiétant des ambitions régionales de leur rival iranien chiite et de l'accord sur le nucléaire. "Nous sommes tombés d'accord pour accélérer certaines ventes d'armes qui sont nécessaires et qui ont pris trop de temps par le passé", a déclaré John Kerry lors d'une conférence de presse au Qatar.

John Kerry était à Doha pour rassurer ses homologues des monarchies du Golfe sur les bienfaits de l'accord international sur le nucléaire iranien pour la sécurité de la région. Il a participé à une réunion exceptionnelle des ministres des Affaires étrangères des pays membres du Conseil de coopération du Golfe (CCG) : Arabie saoudite, Bahreïn, Émirats arabes unis, Koweït, Oman, Qatar. "Nous sommes tombés d'accord pour engager des formations très particulières (...) pour échanger et partager des renseignements", a poursuivi le chef de la diplomatie américaine.

 

Missiles balistiques

Il a également évoqué une poursuite des discussions entre les États-Unis et leurs alliés du Golfe, engagées à Camp David en mai, sur l'intégration des systèmes de missiles balistiques des pays de la région, ainsi que "l'augmentation du nombre d'exercices" militaires conjoints. "Ce sont quelques exemples de la manière dont nous pensons que la sécurité de la région peut être renforcée et la coopération améliorée", a plaidé John Kerry au côté du ministre des Affaires étrangères du Qatar, Khaled al-Attiya.

Ce dernier, parlant au nom de son pays, a assuré que l'accord sur le nucléaire iranien était "la meilleure option parmi d'autres". Les monarchies du Golfe, conduites par l'Arabie saoudite, ont accueilli avec prudence l'accord historique conclu le 14 juillet à Vienne entre l'Iran et les grandes puissances du groupe 5+1 (États-Unis, Chine, Russie, France, Royaume-Uni, Allemagne), sous l'égide de l'Union européenne.

D'une durée de dix ans, le compromis doit garantir que Téhéran ne se dotera pas de la bombe atomique en échange d'une levée progressive et conditionnelle des sanctions internationales qui étouffent son économie. Mais les puissances sunnites redoutent que leur rival chiite ne cherche dorénavant à élargir encore son influence dans le monde arabe et à s'imposer comme la puissance régionale.

 

- "un bon accord" -

Un diplomate américain s'est félicité que le chef de la diplomatie saoudienne, Adel al-Jubeir, ait "exprimé publiquement la satisfaction du gouvernement saoudien devant un bon accord". Mais le même Adel al-Jubeir avait dénoncé la semaine dernière des "déclarations agressives" émanant de responsables iraniens, après que Téhéran a accusé Bahreïn, allié de Ryad, d'exacerber les tensions en portant des accusations infondées contre Téhéran. Dimanche au Caire, John Kerry avait déjà assuré que le règlement avec l'Iran renforcerait la sécurité des pays arabes, inquiets des ambitions de Téhéran. Des propos quelque peu contradictoires avec la volonté des États-Unis d'accélérer les ventes d'armes dans les pays du Golfe.

Au même moment, dans une déclaration télévisée, le président iranien Hassan Rohani affirmait que l'accord nucléaire allait créer un "nouveau climat" régional afin de régler des conflits armés comme au Yémen et en Syrie. Poids lourd du Golfe, l'Arabie saoudite dirige une coalition arabe qui mène depuis fin mars au Yémen des frappes aériennes contre les rebelles chiites Houthis, afin d'empêcher cette rébellion soutenue par l'Iran de s'emparer de tout le pays. En Syrie, l'Iran est le principal allié régional du régime du président Bachar al-Assad, alors que l'Arabie saoudite soutient l'opposition.

 

La Syrie évoquée

John Kerry a rencontré à Doha ses homologues russe et saoudien, Sergueï Lavrov et Adel al-Jubeir, pour parler essentiellement du conflit syrien. A l'issue de cette réunion tripartie inédite, Sergueï Lavrov a dénoncé comme "contre-productives" les mesures supplémentaires annoncées par Washington pour défendre ses alliés combattant en Syrie. John Kerry s'est envolé en soirée pour Singapour.

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6 juillet 2015 1 06 /07 /juillet /2015 11:20
photo USAF

photo USAF

 

June 27, 2015: Strategy Page

 

The U.S. Air Force recently ordered another few hundred Griffin missiles for use in its AC-130 gunships and UAVs. Entering service in 2010 the AGM-176 Griffin, which weighs 15 KG (33 pounds, or 20.5 kg/45 pounds with the launch tube) and has a 5.9 kg (13 pound) warhead, was first used in Afghanistan. Griffin has a greater range (20 kilometers from aircraft for the B and C versions) than Hellfire because of pop-out wings that allow it to glide after launch. The latest version (Griffin C) uses laser, GPS, inertial guidance and two way communications. The Hellfire II missile has been around a lot longer, weigh 48.2 kg (106 pounds), carries a 9 kg (20 pound) warhead, and have a range of 8,000 meters. But for precision work, as gunships and UAVs are often called on to do, smaller warheads and cheaper missiles are preferred.

 

The U.S. Army also tested the Griffin B missile as a replacement for the more expensive Javelin ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile). In Afghanistan troops at remote outposts use the Javelin as their own artillery, which is especially useful if they are out of range of American 155mm guns and so far from air bases that bombers or helicopter gunships would take a while to arrive. Javelin gets the job done but it is expensive ($75,000 per missile). Griffin is smaller, simpler, and dispenses with the expensive armor-piercing warhead. This is a much cheaper alternative to Javelin. The Griffin B is being tested in a six missile launcher that can be swiveled towards the target and missiles can be quickly fired at nearby threats. Budget reductions put this project on hold although the U.S. Navy also considered using a similar system on ships to take care of Iranian suicide boats.

 

The air force and marines find Griffin excellent for use from gunships, enabling (in addition to the larger Hellfire) gunships to operate in daytime. Previous to the introduction of these precision missiles the gunships had to be low enough to use 20mm and 40mm autocannon. But that brought them within range of similar weapons on the ground plus heavy machine-guns and portable missiles. With Griffin and Hellfire the gunships can fly high enough to be safe from ground fire.

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3 juillet 2015 5 03 /07 /juillet /2015 12:30
Israël / Ministère de la Défense : succès du Dôme de fer amélioré

 

juil 02, 2015 Israpresse

 

Une série de tests ont été effectués ces derniers jours sur une nouvelle version améliorée du système de défense anti-missile Dôme de Fer.

 

Le ministère de la Défense a annoncé que cette série de tests avait pour but d’accroître les capacités opérationnelles du système et d’améliorer ses résultats dans le cadre de différentes menaces.

 

Le système anti-missile a en effet déjà été déployé depuis un mois dans le centre du pays, pour contrer une éventuelle escalade des attaques de roquettes faites depuis la bande de Gaza.

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1 juillet 2015 3 01 /07 /juillet /2015 12:30
RAF strike on ISIL vehicle in Iraq June 26

 

1 juil. 2015 by DefenceHQ

 

On Friday 26 June, a Reaper on patrol over western Iraq located an engineering vehicle, used by ISIL to construct defences in the area. Despite the efforts to conceal the vehicle, the Reaper was able to destroy the target with a Hellfire missile.

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26 juin 2015 5 26 /06 /juin /2015 16:20
photo US Navy

photo US Navy

 

June 26, 2015: Strategy Page

 

In May 2015 the U.S. Navy ordered its new SM-6 (Standard Missile 6) anti-aircraft missile into full production. Over 200 have already been built or ordered for development or as initial (low quantity) production. In late 2014 there were successful several live fire tests in which SM-6 shot down aircraft, anti-ship missiles and cruise missiles under a variety of different conditions. This included the longest surface-to-air engagement (missiles shooting down target) in naval history. The distance achieved was not released, but the max range of the SM-6 is given as 240 kilometers. The new version of the Aegis fire control software was also successfully tested under realistic combat conditions.

 

It was only in 2013, two years after receiving the first production models, that the SM-6 successfully hit an aircraft (a BQM-74 target UAV) over the horizon. The SM-6 is basically the existing SM-2 anti-aircraft missile with the more capable guidance system of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile, as well as general improvements in the electronics and other components. The SM-6 is a 1.5 ton, 6.55 meter (21.5 foot) long, 533mm (21 inch) diameter missile. It has a max altitude of 33 kilometers (110,000 feet).

 

The older SM-2 is 1.35 ton, 8 meter (26.2 foot) long missile with a max range of 190 kilometers and max altitude of 24.4 kilometers (80,200 feet). The main change for the SM-6 is the guidance system which is self-contained and will seek out any target it comes within range of. The SM-2 uses a "semi-active" guidance system, which requires that a special targeting radar "light up" the target with a radar beam, which the SM-2 guidance system detects and homes in on. The "active" guidance system of the SM-6 is thus harder to jam and can home in on targets beyond the range of targeting radars. The SM-6 can attack anti-ship missiles as well.

 

The SM-6 took 9 years to develop and has been in limited production since 2011, with plans to obtain 1,200 missiles at a cost of $4.3 million each. SM-6 will replace many of the SM-2 missiles currently carried by American and Australian warships.

 

Meanwhile, the navy has been continuing years of improvements in the Aegis radar and fire control system that controls SM-2, SM-6, and the smaller SM-3 anti-missile version. The SM-3 can destroy ballistic missiles and low orbit satellites. Aegis equipped ships began getting version 4.0 of the Aegis anti-missile software in 2013 and the next major upgrade (5.0) makes the anti-missile capabilities a standard feature of Aegis software. New destroyers are having anti-missile Aegis software installed as standard equipment. Much of the anti-missile capability of the original Aegis anti-aircraft system came from upgrades to the Aegis software.

 

The Aegis anti-missile system has had a success rate of over 80 percent in knocking down incoming ballistic missile warheads during test firings. To achieve this, two similar models of the U.S. Navy Standard anti-aircraft missile are in service, in addition to a modified (to track incoming ballistic missiles version) version of the Aegis radar system.

 

The RIM-161A, also known as the Standard Missile 3 (or SM-3), has a range of over 500 kilometers and max altitude of over 160 kilometers. The Standard 3 is based on the anti-missile version of the Standard 2 (SM-2 Block IV). This SM-3 missile has a shorter range than the SM-2, which can destroy a warhead that is more than 200 kilometers up. The SM-3 is optimized for anti-missile work, while the SM-2 Block IV was designed to be used against both ballistic missiles and aircraft. The SM-2 Block IV also costs less than half of what an SM-3 costs. So going after aircraft with SM-3s is discouraged unless absolutely necessary.

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22 juin 2015 1 22 /06 /juin /2015 12:55
Plateau d'Albion : visite des représentants de la Conférence du désarmement de Genève

Sur l’un des silos se trouve aujourd’hui un observatoire astronomique, et un laboratoire souterrain à bas bruit remplace un ancien poste de commandement et de tir. Photo Observatoire SIRENE

 

19/06/2015 Marine Picat  -  DICoD

 

Le 18 juin 2015, des représentants de la Conférence du désarmement de Genève ont visité les installations nucléaires militaires démantelées du plateau d’Albion, au carrefour de la Drôme, du Vaucluse et des Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. Cette visite était organisée dans le cadre des efforts de transparence menés par la France en matière de désarmement nucléaire.

 

Jeudi 18 juin, des représentants d’une trentaine d’États membres de la Conférence du désarmement (CD) de Genève ont visité les installations nucléaires militaires démantelées du plateau d’Albion. Cette visite, organisée dans le cadre des efforts de transparence de la France en matière de désarmement nucléaire, a permis aux visiteurs de constater les transformations opérées.

 

Plateau d'Albion : visite des représentants de la Conférence du désarmement de Genève
Plateau d'Albion : visite des représentants de la Conférence du désarmement de Genève
Plateau d'Albion : visite des représentants de la Conférence du désarmement de Genève
Plateau d'Albion : visite des représentants de la Conférence du désarmement de Genève

À la fin des années 90, les anciens silos des missiles balistiques intercontinentaux et les installations de commandement et de tir du plateau d’Albion sont démantelés, puis reconvertis pour des activités civiles ou militaires conventionnelles. Sur l’un des silos se trouve aujourd’hui un observatoire astronomique, et un laboratoire souterrain à bas bruit remplace un ancien poste de commandement et de tir.

 

Ces transformations soulignent l’exemplarité de la France en matière de transparence. En février dernier, le président de la République, François Hollande, avait appelé tous les États disposant de l’arme nucléaire à faire le même effort de vérité.

 

L'engagement français en matière de transparence nucléaire

 

Dès 1996, la France décide d’abandonner la composante nucléaire terrestre de sa dissuasion. En 2008 et 2009, elle ouvre les portes de ses anciennes installations de production de matières fissiles pour les armes nucléaire de Pierrelatte (Drôme) et Marcoule (Gard). En avril 2015, les représentants de la CD de Genève ont pu franchir les portes de la base aérienne 116 de Luxeuil afin de se rendre dans les anciens dépôts de munitions d’armes nucléaires et dans les anciennes installations de l’escadron de chasse La Fayette.

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