11 September 2013 Ministry of Defence and Defence Equipment and Support

The MOD is to buy an additional 24 Foxhound vehicles for the British Army in a new £23 million contract.

Foxhound, designed and built in the UK by General Dynamics Land Systems: Force Protection Europe (GDLS:FPE), first deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 and has proved successful on operations.

Foxhound represents leading edge technology, and the vehicles are agile enough to reach a top speed of 70mph and have a V-shaped hull, providing unparalleled protection against a range of threats for their weight and class.

Since 2010, MOD has invested £371 million in Foxhound and the latest order will take the Army’s total fleet to 400 vehicles.

Announcing the contract at the DSEI (Defence Security Equipment International) Conference in London, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne said:

Foxhound gives our Armed Forces enhanced mobility, enhanced protection and enables them to operate in a wide range of environments.

This further £23 million investment will bolster the British Army’s capability far into the future and demonstrates our commitment to provide troops with the battle-winning vehicles they deserve.

There is no better advertisement for the British Defence industry on the international stage than the UK’s Armed Forces using British-built equipment on operations.

12 September 2013 Ministry of Defence and Defence Equipment and Support

UK military pilots have been involved in the second round of vertical night landings at sea of the new F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft.

Speaking at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event in London, the UK Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Philip Dunne, said:
 

Our Armed Forces will be equipped with the best next generation jet fighter machine, giving them the operational advantage they will need to protect our citizens for decades to come.

The fifth-generation stealth aircraft will fly from the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Carriers from 2018.

Sep. 11, 2013 By ANDREW CHUTER – Defense news

LONDON — Helicopter support contracts, a further order for Foxhound armored vehicles and the creation of an armor research center were unveiled by British defence procurement minister Philip Dunne on the second day of the DSEi defense show Sept 11.

Pick of the orders, at least in size, was a six year £367 million deal with Rolls Royce Turbomeca to support the RTM322 engine used to power the British Army’s Apache attack helicopter and the Merlin machines used by the Royal Navy and, the Royal Air Force.

Dunne told the DSEi audience that the Ministry of Defence expected to save more than £300 million compared with previous support arrangements.

Dunne also announced a further order for 24 Foxhound protected patrol vehicles from the Force Protection Europe arm of General Dynamics.

The £23 million deal brings total British military Foxhound orders to 400. To date, the company has delivered 350 of the 376 vehicles previously ordered.

The vehicle was deployed for the first time to Afghanistan in 2012 after a launch order from the British in 2010.

Armor was also the subject of Dunne’s third announcement: a plan to create a ceramic armor development center in Newport, South Wales, involving the MoD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and Kennametal Manufacturing.

The joint funding of a £2 million specialized manufacturing center will enable the partners to develop full-size ceramic armor components for personnel and vehicle protection in sufficient quantity to enable full-scale impact tests.

The MoD said in a statement that improved development and production will help reduce the reliance on armor imports.

Dunne said the facility, trhe largest in Europe “will further advance the UK’s freedom of action in advanced ceramic armor.”

Body armour containing ceramic ballistic plates helps protect UK Service personnel on operations – Picture UK MoD

11 September 2013 Ministry of Defence and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

A new partnership between MOD and industry will develop the UK's first centre of excellence for ceramic armour development.

The Royal Navy destroyer Daring pulls alongside the US destroyer Chafee in the Pacific Ocean in July. The head of the UK Royal Navy said Daring is conducting tests in the Pacific to see what role British vessels might play in ballistic-missile defense. (MC2 Sean Furey/Navy)

Sep. 11, 2013 - By ANDREW CHUTER – Defense news

LONDON — One of the UK Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyers is conducting tests to establish whether the warships could provide British forces with theater ballistic-missile defense (TBMD) capabilities for the first time, according to the head of the Royal Navy.

First Sea Lord Adm. Sir George Zambellas, said during a speech to industry executives and military personnel on the opening day of the DSEi defense exhibition on Tuesday that “The type is on trials in the Pacific to explore the ballistic-missile defense capabilities that are ready to be exploited, bringing strategic opportunities to the vessel.”

The Type 45 destroyer Daring, one of six Type 45s built by BAE for the Royal Navy, has been in the Pacific for several weeks, having departed its Portsmouth base this summer for a wide-ranging nine-month deployment, which the Royal Navy said in May would include science and technology trials.

The work is being done as part of a US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) research and development test.

In March, the UK Missile Defence Centre (MDC) revealed it was collaborating with industry and the MDA to “explore the potential of the Royal Navy’s destroyers to conduct TBMD missions.”

The MDC said at the time that the new BAE Systems Sampson radar fitted to the Type 45s would be used in detecting and tracking ballistic targets during the MDA tests.

The radar is part of the Sea Viper anti-air missile system, which includes the MBDA-developed Aster 30 weapon.

Successful satellite tracking experiments involving Sampson have already been conducted.

In May, the UK Defence Ministry confirmed it was talking to Aster 30 partners France and Italy about developing an extended-range version of a missile already used by the French and Italian armies to intercept incoming missiles

While there is no program to adapt the Type 45 to include TBMD capability, the trials support the possibility of such a move once a decision whether to go down that route is made by the British government.

NATO is already moving to strengthen its TBMD capabilities, including on the maritime front. Raytheon has been doing preparatory technology work as part of an effort to interest European navies, such as the Dutch and Germans in its Standard Missile-3.

While Zambellas pointed to tests that could see the Royal Navy adding capabilities to allow it to work alongside the US Navy’s Aegis-equipped ballistic-missile defense warships, Britain’s Defence Secretary Philip Hammond also boosted the Royal Navy’s air defenses with a contract announcement on the Sea Ceptor missile.

Speaking at DSEi, Hammond said the MoD had signed a £250 million (US $392 million) production contract to provide the anti-air missile defenses for the Type 23 frigate starting 2016 and future Type 26 frigate sometime in the early 2020s.

The UK government and MBDA signed a £483 million development contract in late 2011.

Overall, naval matters dominated the opening day of DSEi.

BAE announced a £22 million contract to support and maintain the Royal Navy’s River-class offshore patrol vessels.

Rolls-Royce unveiled the design for a new family of maritime patrol craft starting with a 500-ton, 55-meter vessel, while first time DSEi exhibitor CTruk launched an 11-meter, twin-hulled, fast-attack raider capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots.

The marine side of the British engine maker set up a naval ship design team last year, and the patrol craft, complete with Rolls-Royce systems ranging from propellers to steering gear, is the first product of that effort.

A 90-meter design is set to follow by the end of the year and a 75-meter variant sometime in 2014.

The Rolls-Royce marine business is expected to be named the gas turbine supplier for the Type 26 on Wednesday, as BAE announces a first wave of equipment selections for the upcoming frigate program.

CTruk is a small, British-based boat designer best known for building offshore wind-support vessels, although it is moving into the defense sector.

Sep 11, 2013 ASDNews Source : BAE Systems PLC

We are awarding four key design contracts for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, demonstrating the momentum building behind the programme to deliver the UK Royal Navy's next generation complex warships

The Design Development Agreements with Rolls-Royce, MTU, David Brown Gear Systems and Rohde & Schwarz cover propulsion and communications equipment for the ship design.

Geoff Searle, Type 26 Global Combat Ship Programme Director at BAE Systems, said: “Confirming our first major equipment design partners is a huge step forward and reflects the maturity we have achieved in the ship's design. We are working closely with the Ministry of Defence and our suppliers, bringing expertise together from across industry and we are now at the stage of developing detailed design of systems and equipment that will go into the ships.

“Using proven products and technology, ensures we are delivering the highest level of service and capability, giving confidence to the Royal Navy and prospective customers in the global market.”

The UK's Type 26 Global Combat Ship will employ a Combined Diesel Electric or Gas Turbine propulsion system. This will enable the ships to achieve high speeds, whilst also providing an economic power to the onboard systems and will allow the ships to operate quietly in cruising mode. Rolls-Royce has been selected as the design partner for Gas Turbines, while David Brown Gear Systems Ltd will develop the Gear box and MTU the Diesel Generator Sets. Rohde & Schwarz has been selected to design the Integrated Communications System for the ships.

The Assessment Phase for the Type 26 programme began in March 2010, with a joint team of 550 engineers from BAE Systems, Ministry of Defence and wider industry working across Bristol, Portsmouth and Glasgow to develop the detailed specification for the ships. The Ministry of Defence is expected to make its Main Investment decision around the middle of the decade, with manufacturing planned to start in 2016 and the first Type 26 set to enter service as soon as possible after 2020. The planning assumption is for a Class of 13 anti-submarine warfare and general purpose ships to replace the capability of the UK Royal Navy's Type 23 frigates with enhanced, flexible modern warships.

The Global Combat Ship will be a multi-mission warship capable of undertaking a wide range of roles from high intensity warfare to humanitarian assistance, either operating independently or as part of a task group. Designed with an acoustically quiet hull, it will support anti-submarine warfare, air defence and general purpose variants. The Global Combat Ship will take full advantage of modular design and open systems architecture, ensuring it can be easily upgraded as new technology develops and can accommodate sub-systems and equipment to individual customer needs.

Sept. 11, 2013 by Craig Hoyle – FG

London - The UK Royal Navy expects to conduct its first contractor-supported operations with the Boeing Insitu ScanEagle unmanned air system from late this year, although its timetable for the type's introduction has been affected by a lack of manpower.

Operations with the ScanEagle will occur under a contractor-owned and operated deal awarded to Boeing Defence UK earlier in June 2013 worth £30 million ($47 million). This will see the equipment launched from and recovered aboard some RN and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.

Urgent operational requirement acquisitions such as the ScanEagle deal are routinely expected to see equipment enter use within six months of a contract award, but the RN process is likely to require at least nine months, says Wg Cdr Dave Postlethwaite, commander of the UK Air Warfare Centre's UAS test and evaluation squadron.

Speaking at a pre-DSEi UAS conference in London on 9 September, RN Lt Cdr Pete Whitehead attributed the additional time requirement to the challenge of sourcing sufficient naval personnel to support the ScanEagle's introduction. This includes the service's need to have at least one person trained to fly the type, to serve as a safety officer.

Around three RN staff will be required per ScanEagle detachment, with this having been reduced from an earlier objective of up to eight. "We simply can't find the people at the moment" to achieve the latter figure, Whitehead says.

While the contractor will be responsible for flying the UAS in support of RN operations, Postlethwaite notes: "Whoever is looking at the [camera] picture will be trained, and will be military."

While the UAS will be flown by a contractor-hired operator, the Ministry of Defence must issue a release to service clearance before ScanEagle operations can commence, as activities will be conducted from a military vessel.

"We expect the capability to start becoming available from the end of 2013 onwards," minister for defence equipment, support and technology Philip Dunne said on 5 September.

Sept. 10, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: BAE Systems; issued Sept. 10, 2013)

BAE Systems Proposes Air-To-Air Refuelling Variant of BAe 146/Avro RJ

Building on the success of the BAe 146/Avro RJ regional jetliner in a variety of military and special role applications, BAE Systems today unveiled its proposal for a cost-effective air-to-air refuelling (A2R) variant of the aircraft

Speaking at the Defence Services Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London, Mark Taylor, Business Director Engineering for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft stated: “We believe that the A2R version of the BAe 146/Avro RJ is a sound business proposition for military planners and air forces that need this capability but who are having to face the financial realities of defence budget cutbacks.

“Whether to provide A2R tactical tanker capability or, in particular, to provide realistic A2R training instead of using expensive existing assets, the acquisition of a fleet of these aircraft can be accomplished at a fraction of the cost of current refuelling aircraft, whilst delivering excellent performance.”

The design of the aircraft with its high wing and T-tail configuration is ideal for A2R operations. BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has already carried out proximity flight trials using a BAe 146-200, Avro RJ85 and Hawk jet trainer. This was successfully completed and confirmed that the aerodynamic environment behind the quad jet is benign and the aircraft therefore has considerable potential as an A2R aircraft for refuelling a range of aircraft types and sizes.

It is considered the BAe 146/Avro RJ might be particularly suitable as a tanker for tilt-rotor aircraft which can experience additional challenges when in the slipstream of some other tanker aircraft.

The business has carried out design concepts for a hose and drogue unit (HDU)-based system and these included the option for additional fuel tanks within the cabin.

The standard tankage on the BAe 146/Avro RJ gives up to approximately 7000 kg of fuel available for transfer – sufficient for A2R training at the lowest capital cost. Additional auxiliary fuel tanks in the cabin would provide up to about 18,000kg of fuel available for transfer, making the aircraft a useful tactical refuelling airtanker.

The wide airspeed range of the aircraft gives flexibility in refuelling the variety of fixed and rotary wing aircraft currently in service. In this role the aircraft can fly up to 300 knots indicated air speed/M.072 at 31,000 ft (BAe 146) or 35,000 ft (Avro RJ).

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft is well equipped to undertake mission system development and provide operational support. The business has most recently designed and delivered two converted BAe 146 C Mk.3 passenger/freighter transports to the RAF. It also is working with QinetiQ for the conversion of an Avro RJ70 for the Empire Test Pilots School, is responsible for the BAe 146 Atmospheric Research Aircraft which involves two/three major scientific role changes each year, and is working with a number of Airtanker (aerial firefighter) operators in North America on multiple aircraft conversions.

There is a plentiful supply of pre-owned BAe 146 and Avro RJs on the market at very low prices of between US$ 1 – 6 million depending on age, configuration and condition with a fleet average flight cycle time of around 30,000 cycles. In addition, there is a Life Extension Programme available for both aircraft types that can increase this to 60,000 cycles, giving the aircraft many years of useful service, especially at the lower utilisation levels typically flown by military and special role operators.

Lead times are short so service availability can be relatively quick and BAE Systems Regional Aircraft estimates that from go ahead it will take some 18 months to produce a basic specification centreline HDU equipped aircraft available for flight trials.

The standard fit on an Avro RJ85 would include auxiliary fuel tanks, a centreline HDU, lights, cameras and control systems on the flight deck and military communications.

Pricing for a completed aircraft will be very competitive. As an example, a late model RJ85 will be around US$ 5 million for a basic aircraft with perhaps £5-10 million of conversion costs depending on final specification. Optional fits on the aircraft could include a dual HDU installation, defensive aids (missile protection, flight deck armour and fuel tank inerting) and unpaved runway operations.

Sep 10, 2013 ASDNews Source : Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has supplied the final batch of Platform Management System (PMS) hardware for the Royal Navy's Astute-class series' boat 5 submarine.

Under a performance partnering arrangement, Northrop Grumman's Sperry Marine business unit supplied the PMS to BAE Systems Maritime–Submarines for installation on Astute Boat 5, Anson, at its shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, U.K. The PMS equipment controls and monitors the submarine's platform machinery and onboard systems.

"Northrop Grumman has a well established relationship with the Royal Navy, supplying and supporting systems for surface ships and submarines," said Andrew Tyler, chief executive U.K. and Europe, Northrop Grumman. "The continued success of our involvement in the Astute programme is a reflection of the skill of our teams and the close partnership that we have with BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence."

Additionally, Northrop Grumman is currently under contract to supply PMS hardware and software for Astute Boat 4 (Audacious) and the forthcoming Astute boats 6 and 7, which will be the Royal Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarines.

"Our extensive track record of delivering reliable, high-performance navigation and ship control solutions has helped to establish us as a preferred supplier for Royal Navy platforms," said Alan Dix, managing director of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine. "We are particularly pleased that we have achieved 100 percent on-time delivery status during the two-year process for Astute Boat 5."

Based on Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine's innovative approach to configuring commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software to meet exacting military and commercial applications, the PMS is expected to reduce life cycle costs and minimize program risk for the U.K. Ministry of Defence. The system will provide an advanced network design that includes the stringent levels of safety and redundancy associated with nuclear submarine control systems.

Also, the Platform Management System is expandable and versatile due to an open architecture design that allows interfacing with third-party equipment via standard field-bus technology.

Sea Ceptor missile trial in Sweden [Picture MBDA UK Ltd]

10 September 2013 Ministry of Defence and Defence Equipment and Support

A new naval air defence system that can intercept and destroy enemy missiles is to be manufactured in the UK under a £250 million contract.

Sea Ceptor, which will be fitted to the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates and, in future, the Type 26 Global Combat Ship, is a cutting-edge missile designed and built by MBDA.

Capable of travelling at speeds of more than 2,000 miles per hour, it will be able to intercept multiple targets and protect an area out to a range of 25 kilometres.

It will complement the longer range Sea Viper system on the Type 45 destroyers, providing the Royal Navy with a full range of missile systems to defeat current and future threats.

Speaking at the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition at London’s ExCeL Centre, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the contract to manufacture Sea Ceptor will sustain around 250 jobs at MBDA sites in Stevenage, Filton and Lostock.

It is also estimated that a further 250 jobs will be secured in companies in the supply chain.

MOD has also extended an agreement made with MBDA in 2010 to manage the UK’s complex weapons portfolio. Under this agreement, MOD and MBDA are working together to deliver savings of around £1 billion over the next decade.

Mr Hammond said:

The production of Sea Ceptor will be a huge boost to the UK’s world-leading missile industry, providing hundreds of jobs, and once again proves our commitment to providing battle-winning technology to our Armed Forces. Having balanced the defence budget we continue to order new equipment for our forces with confidence.

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas said:

I am delighted by this announcement which marks an important milestone in the Sea Ceptor project. This state-of-the-art missile system is part of an exciting renaissance in our naval equipment programme – and when fitted to Royal Navy frigates it will further enhance our global authority as a leading maritime power.

Although Sea Ceptor will initially be used by the Royal Navy, its flexible design means that in future it could also be adapted for use by the Army and RAF.

10 September 2013 by Jonathan Katzenellenbogen – defenceWeb

With its sizeable pavilion at the DSEI show in London this week, South Africa continues to signal that it has the products and is keen to grow its share of world defence markets. The DSEI (Defence and Security Equipment International) exhibition is the world’s largest defence show to combine land, air, and sea elements, say the organisers.

Although defence spending is likely to face severe pressures over the next decade in Europe and the US, the show is bigger than ever in terms of number of visitors and exhibitors. Growth in defence spending in Asia and the Middle East will drive much of the growth in the international security market in the next decade.

Over the four days of the show, held every two years, about 30 000 visitors are expected at the ExCel centre in the docklands area of London. There are more than 1 500 exhibitors, compared to a little over 1 100 at the most recent International Defence Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. DSEI builds on Britain as an international centre for business, rather than as a big market itself, sometimes called “the Wimbledon effect”.

South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry paid around R6 million for its stand at the show. On the pavilion are stands for smaller South African companies whose presence is funded by the Department.

Government’s signal of the importance to which it attaches to the show is indicated by the presence of a sizeable delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Tabang Makwetla and the Chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke.

Without the presence of the heavyweights Denel and Armscor in the pavilion, the stand lacks an impressive focus. In previous years the two big state owned companies were on the South African stand.

The nearby Denel stand is dominated by the company’s heavy calibre gun and mortar that will be the main weapons mounted on the Badger infantry combat vehicle for the South African army. The GI-30 30 mm cannon and the M10 60 mm mortar system were launched earlier in SA, but today marks their international debut. Denel has already sold the turret and gun to Malaysia and intends to pursue other international opportunities.

On the morning the show opened the weapons had stirred some intense interest from a Chinese delegation who could be seen photographing the systems from a number of angles.

The smaller companies on the South African national stand are:

parachute manufacturer, Aerodyne Research, luxury vehicle armourer, Armormax, special purpose vehicle supplier, DCD Protected Mobility, fuse manufacturer, Fuchs Electronics, electronic warfare equipment manufacturer, GEW Technologies, ultra-high intensity searchlight supplier, Megaray, protected vehicle supplier, Osprea Logistics, electronic technology solution supplier, Parsec, antenna designer and supplier, Poynting Antennas, data modem product maker, RapidM, camp system supplier, Redeployable Camp Systems, communication and data solution company Tellumat, secure military communications provider, Reutech Communications, firearms manufacturer Truvelo, marine vessels builder Veecraft Marine, Reutech Radar Systems, grenade launcher maker, Rippel Effect Systems, power pack supplier, Shelhurst Components, specialised electronics maker, Shrike Marine, and helmet and body armour maker, Zebra Armour.

SNA du type Astute. crédits : ROYAL NAVY

10/09/2013 Mer et Marine

On le sait peu, mais le groupe français est, désormais, un fournisseur régulier de l’industrie navale britannique dans le cadre des grands programmes de la Royal Navy. DCNS a, ainsi, travaillé pour les six nouveaux destroyers lance-missiles du type 45, dont la tête de série (HMS Daring) est en service depuis juillet 2009 et le dernier exemplaire (HMS Duncan) sera prochainement livré par BAE Systems. Agissant pour le compte du groupe britannique, DCNS a réalisé sur son site de Nantes-Indret les groupes turbo-alternateurs des T45, ainsi que les lanceurs verticaux Sylver (destinés à accueillir les missiles surface-air Aster), fournis par son établissement charentais de Ruelle.

Dans le même temps, le groupe français a discrètement remporté, en 2001, un contrat pour la livraison d’équipements destinés aux nouveaux sous-marins nucléaires d’attaque du type Astute. Il s’agit, dans ce cas, de la conception et de la réalisation des échangeurs embarqués sur ces bâtiments. Ces échangeurs, chargés d’assurer les fonctions de refroidissement à bord des sous-marins, sont réalisés à raison de deux exemplaires par SNA. Les quatre derniers équipements, destinés aux sixième et septième Astute, dernières unités de la série, viennent d’être commandés par BAE Systems.  Livrables d’ici la mi-2016, ils sont produits par Indret. Le centre ligérien de DCNS, spécialisé dans les systèmes propulsifs, s’appuie sur un long savoir-faire, ayant conçu et réalisé plus de 500 échangeurs, dont 170 équipant des sous-marins conventionnels et nucléaires de 10 marines dans le monde. « La conception et la réalisation des échangeurs font appel à un savoir-faire technologique très particulier. DCNS a acquis ces compétences au travers de la réalisation de différents programmes de sous-marins conventionnels ou nucléaires, (et) apporte son expérience des équipements haute pression en proposant un système sur mesure répondant aux performances d’endurance, de rendement avec un haut degré de discrétion acoustique », précise le groupe naval.