Apr. 8, 2014 - By JENN ROWELL, (GREAT FALLS, MONT.) TRIBUNE – Defense News

The Pentagon announced Tuesday that it will remove 50 Minuteman III missiles from its silos to meet nuclear reductions called for under an arms-reduction treaty with Russia.

The empty silos will remain in warm status, meaning they will remain fully operational and can be armed with missiles at any time.

The Air Force and U.S. Strategic command will determine which 50 missiles will be pulled from the 450 silos currently deployed across the three missile fields operated by Malmstrom, F.E. Warren and Minot Air Force bases.

The empty silos count toward the non-deployed launcher limit of 800 under the New START treaty, which was ratified by the Senate and entered force in 2011.

The determination of which missiles will be removed hasn’t been made yet and there’s currently no timeline for that decision other than the New START deadline of February 2018.

To keep all 450 silos, the military has to make other cuts to the nuclear force to meet the limits of 800 non-deployed and 700 deployed launchers.

The Navy will convert 56 launch tubes, or four on each of its 14 nuclear submarines, so they can’t be used to carry nuclear weapons. They will also remove weapons from 40 launch tubes and keep 240 armed, for a total of 280 counted toward the New START limit of 800.

The Air Force will also convert 30 B-52H bombers to conventional aircraft so that they cannot carry nuclear weapons.

The Air Force will maintain 66 nuclear-capable bomber aircraft.

Because the silos will remain fully operational, no ICBM squadrons will be cut, according to defense officials. An environmental assessment also is no longer needed.

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said Monday night that the plan is good for Montana and good for national defense strategy. He also said ICBMs continue to be the most cost-effective leg of the nuclear triad.

“Right now, for the dollars spent, the ICBMs are the most effective component,” he said. “No ifs, ands or buts about that.”

Keeping 50 silos empty at all times allows the Air Force to conduct more thorough maintenance without disrupting normal operations, Tester said. The empty sites will also continue to be secured by Air Force security units.

“[ICBMs] are still our ace in the hole, and we need to make sure that’s there so that our country has a strong defense,” Tester said. “We have got these assets, we don’t ever want to have to use them, but if we need to use them, they’re there.”

01.04.2014 Naomi Tzoref - iaf.org.il

Although it seems like the "Iron Dome" system has always been a part of the protection of the residents of Israel, today actually marks only three years since its first interception. Since then, the system has recorded hundreds of interceptions, been deployed around the country and boosted drafting percentages

Three years have passed since the "Iron Dome" system has become a significant part of the lives of the residents of southern Israel. Since the first interception above the city of Ashkelon, "Iron Dome" batteries have been deployed across Israel and the system is considered a central layer of defense against the threat of rockets.

The military service of the combat soldiers and technicians who operate the "Iron Dome" is unique: the location of the batteries in open areas close to population centers requires dealing with field conditions that are especially complex, as their location changes on short notice depending on intelligence picture.

The operators have to deal with an intensive routine, to adapt to the front and to stay alert all the time.

"Unlike other units, we don't have work plans that are determined ahead of time. Our activities are the result of the conduct of the enemy", explains Lieutenant Colonel Gilad Biran, commander of the unit. "The soldiers serving in the unit are called up on short notice over and over without warning. In fact, most of the soldiers continuously spend the duration of their service on high alert".

Because Of The Spirit

In the last three years, the unit has managed to grow and develop in all areas: from the integration of batteries and weapons to the accumulation of rich operational experience that includes hundreds of rocket-fire incidents.

"The spirit forged in the unit is what enables us to perform the complex task as efficiently as possible", explains Lieutenant Colonel Biran

Men and women serve side-by-side in the many posts at the "Iron Dome" battery: combat soldiers, interceptors and soldiers in the technical branch-everyone is greatly influential at the moment of truth.

"It's important to understand that the operations of the unit are not one-man show", Lieutenant Colonel Gilad stresses. "It's a team effort; it's just like an orchestra, in which every player plays a certain role. Only if everyone works precisely, with vigor and to the best of his/her abilities will overall tune come out fluent and accurate".

Someone Watching Over You

The tune Lieutenant Colonel Gilad mentions is frequently heard in the southern communities: in the last three years, the system has become a significant tool in the lives of the residents of the southern communities and it takes part in every round of fighting.

"Every single one of us feels the weight of responsibility", says Lieutenant Colonel Gilad. "It is clear to us that there isn't a unit similar to us in the IDF, there isn't anyone who can do the job for us. There is a deep understanding of the meaning of our operations, we provide a clear and substantive answer to the security of the country, we protect the home and, in so doing, we save a lot of lives".

The unit, which started its operations in the Gaza strip borders, operates on the northern border today and even on the Sinai border and its batteries are ready to be deployed at any time at any point on the map.

"It's hard for us to expect the security reality and we are prepared for different scenarios", he clarifies. "We are ready for the threats, but it's important to adjust the expectations to the reality: the unit cannot provide a hermetic solution during a large-scale war. This type of solution cannot only include defense capabilities; it must also include offensive ones in addition to detection, reliable deterrence and adherence on the part of the civilian population to the instructions of the Home Front Command".

April 8, 2014 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Air Tanker Co.; issued April 8, 2014)

‘Entente [Most] Cordiale’

With the French Air Force expected to place its first order for the MRTT, we catch up with Capitaine Francois Gilbert, Armée de l’Air, who has joined Voyager on secondment.

It is only Capitaine Francois Gilbert’s uniform, that of the Armée De L’Air, the Tricolore on its shoulder, which betrays his status. “My brief is to be a 10 Squadron pilot. To do exactly what they do and to go exactly where they go. I report into Wing Commander Jamie Osborne as Officer Commanding 10 Squadron and I follow his orders”, he explains in perfect, if slightly ‘accented’ English.

He joined Voyager from the Groupe de Ravitaillement en Vol: ‘The Bretagne’, which was formed in the deserts of Chad by the Free French Movement at the beginning of 1942 and now operates from Istres Le Tube, just south of Marseille.

His rank ‘translates’ broadly to that of Flight Lieutenant in the RAF, and with 10 years in the Armée De L’Air behind him – six as an air-to-air refuelling (AAR) specialist, flying the Boeing C135 - air transport and air-to-air refuelling, have become his specialism, if not his ‘Raison d'être’.

Capitaine Gilbert ‘joined’ the RAF Voyager programme last year, as part of a three year ‘secondment’ to serve with the RAF and No.10 Squadron. “The culture is perhaps a little different between the French and UK air forces but mostly the same. I suspect that Voyager is a little different anyway from what is ‘normal’ for the RAF because of AirTanker”, he continues.

But these cultural observations are made purely in passing. The French Air Force is expected to place its first order for the MRTT later this year. With the first of 12 tankers built by Airbus Defence and Space to be delivered by 2018, they will replace France’s 14-strong fleet of C135 FR jets, three A310 and two A340.

“I’m here to build an understanding of the MRTT, its capability and training required to fly it so that when I go back, the knowledge and understanding that I have gained here, can be applied to the French AAR programme”, he says.

At the cutting-edge of military aviation, the Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is the only fully certified new-generation aircraft of its type flying today. Able to carry 111 tonnes of fuel, Voyager, the MRTT in its RAF guise - can support air-to-air (AAR) refueling missions, without the requirement for additional fuel tanks.

With this inherent fuel capacity leaving its’ cargo hold and passenger capacity un-checked, Voyager can carry 291 passengers, eight NATO pallets or a payload of 43 tonnes, or be configured to provide a 40 stretcher medical evacuation capability.

But it’s not just the flexibility in operation but also the technical capability of the aircraft that sets RAF Voyager apart. Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines deliver an impressive 71,000 lbf (316kN) thrust. Fly-by-wire technology protects the flight envelope and reduces crew workload. While a cutting-edge vision system delivers 240 degree rear situation awareness, giving far greater visibility in air-to-air refueling missions.

In its configuration for the French Air Force, the first aircraft delivered will be equipped with a central boom and two underwing pods. Later versions should include a cargo door and specialist datalink which will allow the plane to receive information and transfer information more effectively from the L16 equipped receivers.

“It’s interesting moving from the Boeing to the Airbus”, continues Gilbert, “To begin with one is a 50 year old aircraft the other is new and the fly-by-wire technology is very different but the training is much the same and I believe is being delivered to a very high standard.

“Voyager is particularly good for receiver aircraft. The hose is a little longer and that’s good because they get hit by less turbulence but the wing span is also very good because it’s bigger.

“Air-to-air refuelling is not a ‘natural’ thing. If you had two or three aircraft that closely together it would normally be classed as an accident. The bigger wing span keeps the aircraft further apart and the technology is excellent, which is good for everyone!”

AirTanker has a responsibility for not only the delivery of 14 fully converted A330/MRTT aircraft to the RAF but also the service and support systems which underpin their operation through to 2035. This includes ground and flight operations, engineering, maintenance and dispatch, plus a comprehensive training programme.

This training covers everything from aircraft-type and mission systems training to ground handling and cabin crew courses. “Because I’m still part of the training programme I haven’t had a huge number of hours flying. I have gone through the SIM and classroom programme and done a trip to Akrotiri in addition to flying training sectors”, continues Gilbert.

“I believe the training is being delivered to a very high standard and works well with the civilian instructors, for example Dave Hall and Kieran Roebuck, who have incredible aircraft-type experience.

“It [AirTanker] does a lot of the things that Squadrons would normally do. In France you get the order to carry ‘X’ from ‘A’ to ‘B’. It’s then up to you to file your flight plan, you as a squadron manage diplomatic clearances. Here, all that is done for you. You check that it’s been done correctly but all of that initial work is done by the civilian partnership, which is quite different I think.”

This year represents a watershed for the Voyager programme as it picks up roles previously performed by the VC10 which was retired last autumn and the TriStar, which followed it in March. This includes a new role in support of the RAF’s Quick Response Alert (QRA).

2014 will also see delivery of the nine-Voyager strong core fleet in the summer. In the pursuit of this aim, AirTanker and the Voyager programme took receipt of its seventh aircraft, ZZ337 in late January. This brings the total number of aircraft flying on the MAR to six, (2x two-point tankers and 4x three-point capable tankers).

Since the start of air transport operations in April 2012, these aircraft have together clocked more than 7,200 hours, flying more than 1,940 sectors, carrying more than 125,300 passengers and 8,100 tonnes plus of freight. This includes the start of flights in and out of Camp Bastion in support of the Afghanistan air-bridge in December last year.

Voyager 02, which flies on the Civilian Aircraft Register, has flown more than 2,700 hours and 490 sectors, carrying over 55,600 passengers and more than 3,400 tonnes of freight, since the start of AirTanker’s civilian airline operation at the beginning of 2013.

With a home base south of Marseille and just having come through a winter classed as ‘wet’ by even UK standards, Gilbert concedes that he on occasion, has “missed the sun a little”. But he is hugely complimentary about his hosts’ hospitality. “I have a house just inside the wire at RAF Brize Norton, which is good for me. You don’t really feel that you’re on base. And the squadrons [No.s 10 and 101] have been very welcoming.

He concludes: “It’s been great. I have felt a part of the Squadron since my arrival and I’m sure the rest of my time is going to be good.”

Apr. 8, 2014 - By PIERRE TRAN – Defense News

PARIS — Russia risks driving itself into political isolation if Moscow continues to destabilize Ukraine, with the prospect of a breakdown of relations with the NATO defense organization, alliance chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Tuesday.

“If Russia were to intervene further in Ukraine it would be an historic mistake,” Rasmussen told a press conference at a high-level seminar on NATO transformation.

“It would have grave consequences for our relationship with Russia and it would further isolate Russia internationally,” he said.

Rasmussen was speaking after pro-Russian protesters April 6 seized public buildings in three Ukrainian cities — Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk — and called for a referendum to leave Ukraine.

“Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine is the greatest challenge to Europe’s security in a generation,” Rasmussen said. “I urge Russia to step back and not escalate the situation in eastern Ukraine.

“So I continue to urge Russia to pull back its troops, fulfill its international commitments and engage in a constructive dialogue with the Ukrainian parliament.”

NATO has suspended practical cooperation with Russia, while keeping political and diplomatic channels open, Rasmussen said.

NATO foreign ministers will meet in June and decide on how to handle the 1997 Founding Act and the 2002 Rome declaration, two cooperation agreements signed with Russia, in the light of the Ukraine crisis, he said.

The Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security aimed to boost cooperation, while the 2002 NATO — Russia Council included joint military exercises.

“Our decisions should be seen in the broad international response to Russia’s illegal actions, including responses from the United States and the European Union,” Rasmussen said. “Further steps will … depend on possible further Russian action.”

Regarding Ukraine, foreign ministers of the alliance met April 1 and “decided to enhance our cooperation with Ukraine,” he said.

NATO will work with Kiev to boost “cooperation in defense reforms, develop military capacity, and the ability of Ukrainian armed forces to work …with armed forces of NATO countries,” he said.

Rasmussen called on European NATO members to lift military spending.

“Over the past years, some of our European allies have cut their defense spending by as much as 40 percent. While other countries, like Russia, are increasing theirs by 30 percent,” he said.

French Air Force Gen. Jean-Paul Palomeros, NATO supreme allied commander transformation, led the seminar.

MOSCOU, 8 avril - RIA Novosti

Les Troupes aéroportées russes ont effectué mardi le premier parachutage sur des glaces en dérive près du Pôle Nord, a annoncé mardi à Moscou le porte-parole des Troupes aéroportées Evguéni Mechkov.

"Une unité des Troupes aéroportées a effectué mardi, à 14h00 (10h00 UTC), la première opération de parachutage sur les glaces dérivantes dans l'Océan glacial arctique, non loin du Pôle Nord", a indiqué le porte-parole.

Un avion de transport militaire Iliouchine Il-50 a largué plus de 50 hommes et des approvisionnements près de la station polaire dérivante russe Barnéo. Aucun parachutiste n'a été blessé pendant l'opération.

Selon le porte-parole, les parachutistes russes sont dotés de fusils de chasse et de couteaux qu'ils avaient reçus à la station polaire. Leur mission consiste à aménager un camp provisoire et à organiser un exercice de recherche et de sauvetage d'une expédition polaire du 9 au 11 avril. Des spécialistes de la Société géographique de Russie participent aussi à l'opération.

La base arctique de Barnéo doit son nom à l'île de Bornéo, dans le Pacifique. Elle a été baptisée ainsi par des pilotes russes, pas trop forts en orthographe, qui croyaient qu'il faisait toujours très chaud sur l'île de Bornéo. Au début des années 2000, la base a accueilli des touristes, ce qui a permis de financer les recherches scientifiques. La base, qu'on installe chaque mois d'avril à 89° de latitude Nord, soit à environ 100 km sous le Pôle Nord géographique, dérive un ou deux mois par an sur une banquise. Elle est dotée d'un petit aérodrome capable d'accueillir un avion Antonov An-74 et des hélicoptères Mi-8.

One of Japan's hi-tech Soryu class submarines (photo : kure-news)

08 April 2014 Defense Studies

ALMOST 72 years after Japanese midget submarines attacked Sydney Harbour killing 21 sailors, Australia could buy Japanese subs for its $30 billion replacement program.

Possible access to Japanese technology and even a so-called “military off-the-shelf” deal to buy the boats is on the agenda during high-level defence talks in Tokyo between Prime Minister Tony Abbott and senior Japanese officials.

Mr Abbott’s talks follow a top-secret mission to Japan in February by the nation’s defence purchasing guru and head of the Defence Materiel Organisation Warren King to open negotiations with Japan’s defence agency for possible access to its Soryu Class submarines.

Defence Minister David Johnston has also met Japanese officials to discuss submarines and senior navy officers have been on board the Japanese boats to examine technologies such as the Swedish-designed air independent propulsion (AIP) system.

The AIP system allows the diesel-electric vessels to remain submerged for long periods of time without the need for fresh air for diesel power-plants.

When asked yesterday what aspects of the Japanese boats might be included in an Australian design, a senior government source replied: “Everything.”

When pressed on whether that included buying the boats off-the-shelf from the Japanese the answer was an emphatic “yes”.


 

Soryu class cutaway (image : goo)

At a submarine conference in Canberra tomorrow Senator Johnston will tell Defence and industry that “all bets are off” when it comes to options for the future Australian submarine fleet.

He will also debunk the myth that Australia needs 12 submarines and will make it plain that the government is not a job-creation agency for local shipbuilders.

That means shipbuilder ASC would need to prove its credentials as a competitive and skilled shipyard.

Japanese officials have visited the ASC shipyard at Port Adelaide, where the navy’s six Collins Class boats were built.

The Japanese vessels cost about $600 million each, or less than half the price of an Australian-made alternative.

The 4200-tonne (submerged) Soryu submarines would be an ideal fit to replace the ageing 3400-tonne Collins boats.

It is understood the Japanese technology could also be used to extend the life of the Collins boats beyond the late 2020s.

Senator Johnston will also urge Defence to get moving quickly so a decision can be taken by March 2015.
He will point out that it took Singapore just 10 months to move from concept to decision for its new submarine.

(News)

The Spexer 2000 security radar improves the surveillance of borders substantially. Photo: Airbus DS

Munich,  08 April 2014 Airbus Defence and Space

Spexer 2000 security radar improves border protection

Airbus Defence and Space has been awarded a contract for the delivery of four of its Spexer 2000 security radars to further improve the surveillance of the borders of a major Middle Eastern country. The contract is an extension to an existing contract for the delivery of more than 40 Spexer 2000 radars, which have been operating successfully for almost two years now.

Thomas Müller, head of the Business Line Electronics at Airbus Defence and Space, said: “Spexer 2000 is using state-of-the-art Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) technology, which provides a multi-tasking and multi-mode capability, and increases the detection and target assessment capability substantially. Due to this, Spexer 2000 can replace several conventional radars.”

Spexer 2000 is optimized for the surveillance of borders and other applications which require the monitoring of vast areas over long distances of 40 km. With high Doppler and velocity resolution as well as high clutter suppression, Spexer 2000 is able to reliably detect, track and classify even very small and slowly moving targets such as pedestrians, and also fast objects such as speed boats or low-flying objects such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. In addition, a camera mounted on top of the radar can be cued to the radar in order to identify suspicious objects.

This technology ensures a high level of situational awareness providing border guards and security forces with additional reaction time towards illicit intrusions. The radar is qualified according to several military standards and provides a very high availability and MTBCF (mean time between critical failure), combined with a low false alarm rate and reliable performance even in severe environmental conditions.

Spexer 2000 is part of Airbus Defence and Space’s Spexer security radar family which consists of several radars, each optimized for specific surveillance applications including border, infrastructure, perimeter and coastal surveillance. A specific military version has been developed for the German Army.

About Airbus Defence and Space

Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe’s number one defence and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defence enterprises. It employs some 40,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €14 billion per year.

Brussels - 08 April, 2014 European Defence Agency

08.04.2014 by Rostec
 

The state corporation Rostec has unveiled a new brand for the concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET). The rebranding will improve capitalization and allow the concern to implement its strategy for international expansion, including integration into world markets and the introduction of an IPO.

The KRET Brand

The rebranding allows the concern to be identified by the same abbreviation of KRET in both Russian and English. This policy coincides with the strategy of its parent company Rostec, who implemented its own name change in late 2012. Given that 75% of its production has military purposes, KRET has become the leader of Russia’s military-industrial complex. The concern has also adopted a policy of increased transparency in communicating with partners, investors, and the media. The new brand gives KRET an image of strength and severity, along with openness and readiness to pursue mutual beneficial partnerships.

As KRET CEO Nikolai Kolesov noted, the rebranding will allow the concern to increase its capitalization in the long term. “An international brand and dual-language site are designed to help implement KRET’s strategy of international expansion, including integration into the world markets and the introduction of an IPO,” he said.

The new brand and dual-language site are designed to help implement KRET’s strategy for international expansion and the introduction of an IPO

Nikolai Kolesov, KRET CEO

Logo

KRET’s new logo consists of its abbreviated name graphic design, a stylized image of a pixel grid on which three symmetrical diamonds are visible. This symbolism is the essence of most of the concern’s technology: the transformation of real objects into a digital model.
“Competition in the global market is not possible without a strong, recognizable brand. Yet due to specifics of the dual-purpose enterprise, this resource is insufficiently used in Russia. Still, effective communication with the outside world is a competitive factor in the global market,” noted Vasily Brovko, Rostec communications director. “The rebranding aims to create a modern image of the concern as an innovative company with the strategic resources and objectives to develop unique, high-performance military and civilian technologies of the future that can also reach a new level of business.”

Site

KRET now has a new, multimedia website at www.kret.com. The site advances the concern’s new brand, presenting a multimedia portal for interaction with the outside world. KRET intends to adopt a policy of maximum openness with its partners, investors, and the media, which a new internet forum for feedback will help promote. To make communication with foreign colleagues as efficient as possible, information on the new site will be published in two languages, Russian and English. To increase visibility, the site will also provide videos, photos, and text about all aspects of KRET.

The strategic communications center Apostle, in partnership with SomeOneElse, one of the top creative agencies in the UK, developed the website. This team has also worked on projects for HSBC, Land Rover, BBC, Yota, Universal, and Rolling Stones. Warren Hutchinson, founder and design director of SomeOneElse led the project, which began in 2013 and took more than a year to complete.

This project sets a high standard for companies in the international market for radio-electronic technologies

Steve Haggarty, Apostle art director

“The developers were able to convey in their unique graphic language the product reliability of KRET and the stability of the company, along with its openness to cooperation, innovation, and investment. This project sets a high standard for companies in the international market for radio-electronic technologies,” said Steve Haggarty, art director for Apostle.

As part of its rebranding, the concern will use all digital communication channels, including video blogs and social networks. KRET already has official accounts in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, VKontakte, and official channel in YouTube.

Strategy

KRET has adopted a range of initiatives for building effective communication in an effort to implement its development strategy by 2020. The concern’s priorities include creating new products for civil and military purposes, improving the competitiveness of its avionics systems, modernizing its production facilities on a large-scale, and transitioning to a complex supplier model. According to the strategy, KRET’s net profit will grow 4.5 times to 20 billion rubles in 2020, with revenue increasing more than 3 times to 204 billion rubles. By 2020, the projected capitalization of the concern is expected to exceed 237 billion rubles.

The concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET) is Russia’s largest holding company in the radio-electronics industry. Founded in 2009, it is now a part of the state corporation Rostec. KRET specializes in the development and manufacture of avionics systems for civil and military aviation, air-based radar, state identification systems, radio warfare complexes, multipurpose measuring instrumentation, electrical connectors and cable systems. Additionally, the concern’s enterprises produce various household appliances, medical equipment, and control systems for energy, transportation, and engineering industries. KRET, which includes 97 enterprises, design bureaus, and production plants located in 28 constituent territories of the Russian Federation, employs more than 66,000 people.

8 April 2014 by Andrew McLaughlin – FG

Sydney - Australia's programme to introduce the Alenia Aermacchi C-27J medium transport remains on track, despite a two month delay in its lead aircraft leaving Italy to undergo modifications in the USA.

First flown in December 2013, "green" aircraft A34-001 had been scheduled to arrive at L-3 Communications' Waco, Texas facility on 11 February, ahead of work to bring it to the Joint Cargo Aircraft configuration. Scheduled to take three months to complete, the work involves the fitting of an electronic warfare and infrared countermeasures suite, US-standard communications equipment and ballistic matting around the cockpit and loadmaster’s station.

The Australian Department of Defence says delays in obtaining flight clearances from EASA and the US Federal Aviation Administration have delayed the event, citing “a change in process associated with delivery of the first Foreign Military Sales customer aircraft”. However, Australian officials say they are confident the programme “remains comfortably within the scheduled need dates”.

Ten C-27Js will be operated by the Royal Australian Air Force’s 35 Sqn from Richmond air base near Sydney, New South Wales. Its second example is now being flight-tested from Turin, with another six aircraft in various stages of production and to be completed at roughly three-month intervals.

Selected in 2011, Australia's C-27Js will replace its retired de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribous. The first four aircraft are due to be flown to Richmond in early 2015, with initial operating capability scheduled for mid- to late-2016. Full operating capability should be declared by the end of 2017, following the delivery of all aircraft, a full flight simulator and a fuselage trainer.

Ahead of the type's introduction, the Australian DoD says it has signed an agreement with the Pentagon “to establish a training delivery contract with L-3 to enable commencement of training in the fourth quarter of 2014”.

April 8, 2014 By Richard Tomkins (UPI)

The U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency picks BAE Systems application as the enterprise-wide standard for cross-domain information sharing.

A BAE Systems application for secure information sharing has been chosen by the U.S. military as an enterprise-wide standard.

The system chosen by the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency is XTS Guard, a cross-domain solution that enables secure information sharing between networks of various security classifications.

A single XTS Guard can handle 20 domains and carry various types of data at high speed, the company said. XTS Guard is being used by DISA’s Cross Domain Enterprise Services to ensure its ability to securely share information among authorized users within the Department of Defense and across the Global Information Grid.

“The DOD has an unprecedented need to share information securely while maintaining the highest level of cyber security,” said DeEtte Gray, president of BAE Systems’ Intelligence & Security sector. “With more than 700 worldwide deployments, our XTS Guard has a longstanding track record of securing sensitive data of all classification levels, and it’s an important tool for defending against insider threats.”

April 7, 2014 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: US Air Force Global Strike Command; issued April 7, 2014)

AFGSC Releases 2014 Strategic Master Plan

BARKSDALE AFB, La. --- Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, recently approved the Air Force Global Strike Command Strategic Master Plan for 2014.

The objective of the plan is to provide AFGSC Airmen with a roadmap to capture the command's priorities, Wilson said.

The plan is designed to "capture my priorities and guidance for the command," he added, and provides a framework for progression with the presentation, employment, sustainment and modernization of global strike capabilities.

Additionally, the SMP is the primary means by which the AFGSC commander communicates his strategic vision and priorities to the command to support the President and the combatant commanders.

"The SMP reminds us of our enduring mission, vision and command values," Wilson said. "It also reviews the current context of that mission - our strategic environment, to include threats and challenges. Finally, it captures my priorities for the command as we move forward."

Those priorities include:
-- Deter and assure with a safe, secure, and effective nuclear force
-- Win the current fight around the globe
-- Continue to strengthen and empower the team
-- Shape the future

Wilson told Airmen that the SMP was designed to provide general strategic direction for the command, and is designed for every Airman in AFGSC.

"It is only a framework - your energetic and disciplined effort will provide the specifics to realize the command priorities, and to accomplish our mission to provide safe, secure, and effective forces for nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of the President and our combatant commanders," Wilson said. "As a team, I am confident that we will meet that challenge."

Airmen who would like to read the Strategic Master Plan can read it here.

08/04/2014 CNE A. Philibert - Armée de Terre

Si l’acquisition des savoir-faire fondamentaux demeure le socle commun à toutes les unités, la diversité et la complexité des projections conduisent à une évolution de la préparation opérationnelle. Les régiments pourront accroître l’efficacité de leur entraînement avec la création de nouveaux espaces et l’arrivée de nouveaux moyens. Le schéma est spécifique en fonction de la mission et intègre l’emploi de la simulation.

Le déclenchement de l’opération SERVAL au Mali et de l’opération SANGARIS en RCA a confirmé la nécessité de maintenir un haut niveau de préparation opérationnelle (PO), pour garantir la capacité de l’armée de Terre à répondre au contrat opérationnel fixé par l’état-major des armées. Ce contrat découlant du Livre blanc ne remet pas en cause la politique générale de PO existante. Mais l’environnement reste soumis à des contraintes financières et matérielles fortes. Les modalités de mise en œuvre de la PO doivent être adaptées à ce contexte. Le principe de différenciation est confirmé, afin de former le personnel au juste niveau exigé par la mission qui lui est confiée et à temps avant sa projection. La loi de programmation militaire 2014-2019 implique de faire au mieux avec davantage les moyens dédiés à la PO (espaces d’entraînement, simulation, parcs d’équipements, etc.). Le maintien de l’équilibre général de la PO impose de consolider les outils existants.

La préparation opérationnelle décentralisée1 (POD) et la mise en condition avant projection (MCP) demeureront l’effort de l’armée de Terre, en vue de répondre au triple besoin qui ressort des opérations récentes :

    le haut niveau d’aguerrissement et de maîtrise des savoir-faire fondamentaux individuels et collectifs ;

    la forte cohésion des chaînes de commandement et la capacité à agréger des unités de circonstances, répondant à la variété des engagements ;

    une capacité élevée d’intégration interarmes, voire interarmées, à tous les niveaux.

Les forces terrestres de demain

    66 000 hommes projetables environ ;

    7 brigades interarmes ;

    200 chars lourds et 250 chars médians ;

    2 700 véhicules blindés multirôles et de combat ;

    140 hélicoptères de reconnaissance et d’attaque ;