21 novembre, 2013 FOB

Seconde partie de l’interview de Philippe Folliot (relire la première ), député du Tarn, responsable des questions défense au sein du contre gouvernement de l’UDI (Union des démocrates et indépendants) et secrétaire de la commission défense et des forces armées de l’Assemblée.

Pensez-vous que cette LPM soit satisfaisante pour les industriels ?

Les industriels ont des propos publics rassurants mais certains propos de couloirs laissent interrogatifs. Les industriels sont confrontés à une LPM incertaine : entamés par l’inflation, les crédits sont en diminution tandis que les ressources exceptionnelles (REX) prévues sont aléatoires.
Le moins que l’on puisse dire, c’est que la LPM interpelle ! 23 avions de chasse Rafale sont commandés, soit 2 ans et demi de production pour Dassault qui doit, pour maintenir ses chaines, produire 11 Rafale par an. Si un contrat export n’intervient pas rapidement, à la mi-2016, la LPM sera de facto caduque. Et pour sauver l’industriel, il va alors falloir supprimer d’autres programmes. Cette LPM est source de grandes incertitudes.

Vous évoquez une politique industrielle européenne, êtes-vous favorable à une rationalisation des industries de défense en Europe ?

Il faut un cadre de coopération qui soit pragmatique pour un rapprochement industriel. Mais il faudra le faire. Il faut que les Etats lancent des coopérations ciblées pour aboutir à des programmes spécifiques.
L’Etat doit établir une stratégie. Or, l’Etat est la fois souvent actionnaire et client des industriels. La première chose est de mettre en cohérence ces deux rôles.

La LPM prévoit des REX qui peuvent être financées par la vente de parts de l’Etat dans les entreprises publiques. Si cela peut favoriser l’émergence de champions industriels européens, pourquoi pas. Mais il faut être prudent et veiller à ce que ces groupes industriels, faute d’actionnaires stables, ne puissent être contrôlés par d’autres pays extra-européens d’un part et de l’autre veiller à ce que ces groupes jouent la carte de la synergie européenne ensuite.

Le rôle de l’Agence européenne de défense (AED) est justement de trouver cette expression commune aux besoins des Etats. Mais est-ce suffisant ?

L’AED, créée pour définir les besoins capacitaires de la politique extérieure et de sécurité de l’UE n’a hélas, malgré le traité de Lisbonne, pas acquis la plénitude de ses moyens.
Elle reste trop souvent concurrente avec la Commission, alors même qu’il convient de défendre ardemment la base industrielle et technologique de défense européenne (BITDE). Ce rôle est essentiel afin de garantir aux forces armées européennes les technologies et capacités critiques permettant à l’UE de décider et d’agir seule. Je ferai un certain nombre de propositions en ce sens dans le cadre de la présentation d’ici quelques jours du projet défense de l’UDI.

Sans même parler des fermetures d’unités, les armées sont aujourd’hui confrontées à de nombreuses réformes. Bases de défense (BdD), la transformation du système de paiement des soldes Louvois. Or la plupart de ces réformes ne fonctionnent pas ou mal. Qu’en pensez-vous ?

Ces transformations ont été menées trop rapidement. Les BdD sont à l’origine une bonne idée, mais cette réforme est très complexe et les difficultés sont accentuées aujourd’hui par les baisses d’effectifs.
J’ai certaines inquiétudes, au premier rang desquelles les infrastructures régimentaires. Avant d’être député, je travaillais dans le logement social. Et le casernement de nos soldats est absolument indigne d’une armée moderne. On vante la rusticité de nos forces, mais si le comportement et les crédits alloués rendent les conditions d’opex plutôt bonnes, pour ce qui est des conditions de casernement en France, c’est tout simplement insupportable.
Ajoutez la suppression budgétaire de nombreux petits programmes, de petits matériels qui importaient pour la vie quotidienne de nos soldats….
Or aujourd’hui le gouvernement n’y apporte pas de réelles réponses.
S’ajoutent à cela les ratés de Louvois et les fermetures d’unités, tout cela accentue le malaise. Il est important qu’au-delà des mots, la France donne un signe fort envers la communauté militaire. N’oublions pas que le métier de militaire n’est comparable à nul autre, car au bout du bout de l’engagement, il y a le sacrifice suprême et irréversible de la vie.

Pourtant Jean-Yves Le Drian vient de débloquer une enveloppe de 30 millions d’euros pour répondre à ces préoccupations…

Soyons sérieux, 30 millions d’euros pour 60 bases de défense, c’est très peu. Cela ne correspond en réalité qu’à guère plus que la somme de 500 000 euros allouée par base de défense, ce qui vous en conviendrez, au-delà du caractère symbolique, reste nettement insuffisant.

Et l’armée de terre est la première victime de ces réformes…

Je suis député de Castres et donc du 8ème RPIMa, et j’ai conscience de l’importance essentielle de ces forces de mêlées. Un conflit ne se termine réellement que par la stabilisation à travers une présence au sol. Si le sud lybien risque de devenir le nouveau Mali, c’est à dire une zone de non droit, c’est parce qu’à l’opposé de l’opération Serval, pour l’opération Harmattan, il n’y a pas eu de déploiement au sol. On ne se rend compte qu’aujourd’hui qu’il faut avoir les moyens adaptés, avec armée de terre conséquente. Croire qu’on s’en sortira avec la dissuasion et les seules forces spéciales est un leurre.

Le programme Scorpion est très important pour l’armée de terre. Mais, à l’image du char Leclerc, conçu à un moment où la donne stratégique a changé, l’armée de terre doit s’adapter. Il faut faire attention à l’immobilisme.

J’en profite pour rendre un hommage appuyé à l’ensemble de nos militaires. Je suis allé leur rendre visite au Mali et cinq fois en Afghanistan : à chaque fois, je constate le grand professionnalisme de nos hommes, leur sens de l’engagement. Nos soldats font honneur aux armes de la France.

MOSCOU, 21 novembre - RIA Novosti

La Russie et le Kirghizstan doivent être prêts au retrait des troupes de la coalition occidentale d'Afghanistan, car cela pourrait créer de nombreux risques et défis, estime le ministre russe de la Défense, le général Sergueï Choïgou.

"Notre niveau de préparation au départ des troupes de la coalition d'Afghanistan en 2014 revêt une importance particulière. Il s'agit d'une tâche ardue, car le retrait de cette force pourrait entraîner de nombreux risques et des menaces de tout genre", a déclaré jeudi M. Choïgou lors d'une rencontre avec son homologue kirghiz, le général Taalaïbek Omouraliev.

Les ministres ont également évoqué la coopération technico-militaire entre les deux pays.

"Cette année, nous avons préparé un programme important de coopération bilatérale", a indiqué le ministre russe, précisant qu'il s'agissait, entre autres, de l'entraînement et de l'armement des troupes kirghizes.

"Je pense que ce programme sera réalisé grâce aux efforts conjugués de nos pays", a souligné le général Choïgou. 

La rencontre entre les ministres russe et kirghiz a eu lieu en marge de la 65e réunion du Conseil des ministres de la Défense des pays membres de la Communauté des Etats indépendants (CEI) à Moscou.

Nov. 19, 2013 - By ANDREW CHUTER – Defense News

DUBAI — Beechcraft is looking to add anti-submarine warfare (ASW) to the lengthy list of capabilities offered by its King Air 350 ER in the special missions market, according to Justin Ladner the company sales vice president.

Ladner said Beechcraft has been approached by several systems integrators for an ASW-lite concept capable of combating the increasing numbers of mini-submarines used by drug smugglers and the military.

The executive, who heads Beechcraft’s special mission aircraft sales worldwide, said ASW is an emerging market and he expected to receive several tenders in the next 12 months that an ASW-capable version of the twin-engined King Air 350ER could address.

Some of those requests would be for customers in the Arabian Gulf region he said.

Mini-submarine numbers are on the rise. United Arab Emirates Navy chief Rear Adm. Ibrahim al Musharrakh recently told the Gulf Naval Commanders Conference that Iranian midget submarines are an imminent threat they were looking to counter.

The growing potential of mini-subs was illustrated at the Defence Security Exhibition International show in London in September when British company James Fisher Defence created considerable interest with a range of small submersibles capable of transporting special forces on covert operations.

Company officials at the show reported heavy interest in the craft on the back of the recapitalization of naval special forces.

Drug smugglers are also known to use mini-subs to transport narcotics in places like Latin America.

The addition of ASW capabilities would add to already strong levels of interest for the King Air in the maritime role. Ladner said Beechcraft was increasing its list of maritime patrol aircraft operators by handing over aircraft to Argentina this week.

The growing interest in maritime surveillance opportunities in the gulf and elsewhere is not limited to Beechcraft. Boeing and Saab both emphasized their interest in the sector at the Dubai show.

Boeing chose to use the show to take the wraps off a tie-up with Bombardier and Field Aviation to offer a Challenger 605 business jet-based maritime surveillance aircraft and Saab turned up with actual hardware in the shape of the smaller, and considerably cheaper, converted 340 turboprop airliner. Neither offer ASW capabilities.

A move into the bottom end of the ASW sector could provide Beechcraft with further opportunities to build a special missions aircraft operation that already accounts for more than a third of the company’s annual business.

It’s a sector that already spans intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, such as the King Air Shadow machines widely used by the British in the Afghanistan conflict, through to the less technically demanding training and air ambulance roles.

Special mission business was constrained last year by Beechcraft undergoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but having emerged from that Ladner said business in the sector was already 2.5 times higher than 2012 with the prospect of further deals to come before the year ends, including at least one in the gulf region.

“The gulf region is one of the fastest growing market sectors for special mission aircraft as customers had the needs and the budgets to acquire aircraft,” said Ladner speaking at the Dubai air show this week.

The Beechcraft executive reported high levels of interest in special mission aircraft at Dubai.

“It’s been one of the busiest shows of the year for us,” he said.

19 November 2013 airforce-technology.com

Endurance is a primary challenge for manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which play a key role in wide range of military and non-military operations. The Global Observer unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed by AeroVironment has the best endurance and can stay aloft for seven days. Airforce-technology.com lists some of the world's best UAVs ordered by endurance.

Global Observer Stratospheric Persistent UAS

The Global Observer is a stratospheric persistent Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) designed to serve in defence and homeland security missions. The UAS can carry communications relay and remote sensing payloads for military or commercial customers.

AeroVironment developed the Global Observer under the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) programme, made its first flight in August 2010. The UAS successfully completed its first hydrogen-powered flight in January 2011.

The UAS is equipped with liquid hydrogen-fuelled propulsion and can loiter in the air for up to one week or 168 hours. The system can operate at high altitudes of up to 65,000ft covering over 280,000 square miles (725,197km2) and carry up to 181kg (400lb) of payload

Orion Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

Orion is a long-endurance UAS developed by Aurora Flight Sciences, for Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and communication relay missions. Developed for the same programme as the Global Observer, the ORION UAS has been selected as the preferred option by the US Air Force for its JCTD programme.

The Orion UAS successfully completed its first flight in August 2013. It can carry multiple payloads of 2,600lb including full motion video electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, communication relay equipment, radars, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) and Wide Rea Airborne Surveillance (WAAS) equipment. The wing hard-points of Orion can also be mounted with munitions.

The dual Austro Engine AE300 heavy-fuel engines fitted in the Orion UAS ensure a high endurance of five days or over 120 hours with 1,000lb payload. The UAS has a dash speed of 120kt and ferry range of 24,140km. It can fly at a maximum altitude of 30,000ft.

United 40 (Smart Eye 2) UAV

United 40 or Smart Eye 2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV developed by ADCOM Systems, a company based in the United Arab Emirates. The UAV made its public presence at the Dubai Air Show 2011. The maiden flight was conducted in March 2013.

The UAV can be used to conduct near real-time assessment of combat and battle damage, ISR, communications relay, border surveillance and humanitarian aid missions. The UAV's wings have a high aspect ratio resulting in an ultra-long endurance of 120 hours.

The United 40 can carry 1,000kg of payload including two gyro stabilised platforms, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and terrain and obstacle avoidance sonar. The four under-wing pods can hold 100kg each. The hybrid propulsion system, equipped with a Rotax 914 engine and an electric motor, provide a maximum speed of 75km/h to 220km/h at an altitude of 22,965ft.

Yabon Smart Eye UAV

The Yabon Smart Eye MALE UAV, built by ADCOM Systems, is intended for strategic and tactical missions. The UAV was displayed first at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2009.

The Smart Eye UAV can stay airborne for 120 hours. It can carry 550kg of payload including IR, thermal imager, Laser Designator and Range Finder (LDRF), and EO sensors. Its advanced flight control unit (FCU) ensures autonomous operation.

The propulsion is provided by a primary propeller engine complemented by a secondary jet engine boosting the performance. The UAV has a maximum speed of 222km/h and can reach a maximum altitude of 24,000ft.

Phantom Eye HALE UAS

The Phantom Eye is a liquid hydrogen-powered high-altitude long endurance (HALE) UAS developed by Boeing Defence, Space & Security. The UAS can be deployed in ISR and communications relay missions.

The Phantom Eye made its first autonomous flight in June 2012 at NASA Dryden. The aircraft was designed to remain airborne for up to four days at 65,000ft while holding a 450lb payload. It can integrate multiple sensor payloads for variety of missions.

The UAS is equipped with hydrogen-powered propulsion system integrating two 2.3L 150hp internal combustion engines and two propellers. The cruise speed of the Phantom Eye is 150kt, while the maximum speed is 200kt.

HERON Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS

HERON is a multi-role MALE UAS manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). The UAS is operated by over 20 customers for intelligence, surveillance, maritime patrol and other tactical missions.

The HERON UAS can carry multiple sensor payloads such as EO/IR/LRF, Communications Intelligence and Electronic Intelligence (COMINT and ELINT), communications relay and radar systems. It uses direct line of sight data link or Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) with SATCOM to communicate with the ground control station. The mission payload can weigh up to 400kg.

The UAS has an endurance of up to 45 hours based on the payload. It can fly at a maximum speed of 120kt and can reach an altitude of over 30,000ft. The propulsion is provided by a Rotax 914 turbo-charged engine.

MQ-1 Predator UAS

The MQ-1 Predator UAS, built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is the most battle-proven unmanned aircraft system in the world. The UAS is in service with the US Air Force, US Navy, US Government, and the Italian Air Force. It was used in combat missions over Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bosnia, Serbia, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, and Somalia.

The Predator has an endurance of 40 hours, and is the first-ever armed UAS capable of delivering precision air-to-surface weapons. It can carry 340kg of multiple payloads including EO/IR video cameras, laser designators, communications relay, SIGINT/ESM system, Lynx multi-mode all-weather radar and Hellfire missiles.

The UAS is controlled from the ground control station through C-Band Line-of-Sight data link and Ku-Band SATCOM. The power-plant consists of a heavily modified Rotax 914 turbo engine providing a maximum air speed of 120kt. The maximum altitude the UAS can reach is 25,000ft.

Hermes 900 MALE UAS

The Hermes 900 is an advanced multi-role MALE unmanned aircraft system manufactured by Elbit Systems. The UAS is used in persistent intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

The Hermes 900 completed its maiden flight in December 2009. It can endure airborne for a maximum of 36 hours. It is in service with the Israeli Air Force (IAF), Chilean Air Force, Colombian Air Force, and Mexican Federal Police.

The UAS can support multiple payload configurations such as EO/IR/Laser Designator, SAR/ground moving target indicating (GMTI) & maritime patrol radar, COMINT, COMMJAM, ELINT, and electronic warfare (EW), hyper-spectral systems, communications relay, wide area surveillance and mapping payloads. It is controlled from Hermes ground control system (GCS) and can fly at a maximum altitude of 30,000ft.

RQ-4 Global Hawk HALE UAS

RQ-4 Global Hawk is a HALE UAS produced by Northrop Grumman. The combat proven UAS is in service with the US Air Force and US Navy. The Global Hawk was deployed in more than 15 combat missions and accumulated 350 combat hours during Operations Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch, and Iraqi Freedom. It has a maximum endurance of over 32 hours and a ferry range of 22,780km. It can fly at an altitude of 60,000ft.

The Global Hawk set a new endurance record for operational UAS in a non-stop flight of 33.1 hours at altitudes up to 60,000ft. The UAS supports different configurations or blocks. The initial Block 10 and Block 20 were substituted with latest Block 30 and Block 40 configurations. The Euro Hawk, a derivative of the Block 20 Global Hawk, was also developed by Northrop Grumman and EADS for the German Air Force.

The Block 40 versions integrate multi-platform MP-RTIP active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI). The UAV employs Wideband Ku SATCOM and line-of-sight to communicate with the ground station.

Patroller-R / Patroller-M Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)

Patroller-R and Patroller-M Patroller-R are two MALE unmanned aerial vehicles in the Patroller range of UAV systems developed by Sagem. The Patroller-R is designed to cater to Air Force missions, while the Patroller-M supports long-endurance maritime surveillance missions.

Patroller-R/M versions have a typical endurance of 20 to 30 hours but endurance can extend to over 30 hours when equipped with single EO/IR payload. The UAVs can support multiple plug-and-play payloads including EO/IR, COMINT, ELINT, SAR, maritime radar (Patroller-M), automatic identification system (AIS) receiver, and wide field-of-view scanners. The two under-wing hard points on the Patroller-R can be fitted with additional fuel tanks or payloads.

The Patroller UAV is controlled by Sperwer Mk.II mission control system employing a direct link in Ku bandwidth (LOS) and a satellite link (BLOS/Satcom). It can reach a maximum altitude of 25,000ft, while flying at speeds of 70kt to 130kt.

Denmark has said the winner in the competition to replace its F-16 fighter jets will be based on the contractor's ability to create jobs and generate subcontracts for Danish firms.

Nov. 20, 2013 - By GERARD O’DWYER – Defense News

HELSINKI — The Danish government, in a pre-emptive strike aimed at protecting the country’s defense industry against impending European Union (EU) reforms that would phase out the use of offsets, is drafting new legislation that could appease the EU and enable Denmark to retain much of its offset structure for large-scale international military contracts.

The legislative action represents a marked reversal in Denmark’s policy, which traditionally demands 100 percent offsets on major military equipment purchases.

As recently as August, Defense Minister Nicolai Wammen told US and European bidders for the US $5 billion F-16 fighter replacement program that the selection decision will be based on the number of “jobs created and subcontracts generated” for Danish firms.

The Defense Offset Bill, which is being drafted by the Ministry of Business And Growth, will reach the Danish Parliament in February 2014. Denmark wants to negotiate special-case terms with the EU that allow it to retain offsets as a tool to grow the country’s modest-sized defense sector.

The bill is based on policy recommendations advanced by the Danish Business Authority, which advises the government on EU and international competition matters. Final amendments to the bill will take place after European heads of state convene for a European Council meeting in Brussels on Dec. 19-20.

This meeting will shape the European Commission’s (EC’s) Common Security and Defense Policy, with discussion centered on the implementation of directives that inject greater competitiveness into European defense contracts. Central to this plan is a proposal to phase out the use of offsets as the basis for defense contracts within the EU.

The Danish government will need time to formulate amendments that satisfy EU requirements on military offsets. The best-case scenario, said Henrik Sass Larsen, Denmark’s business and growth minister, is that Denmark will be able to create a new legal structure around offsets that conforms to EU competition rules, but does not prevent Denmark from continuing to use offsets, Larsen said.

“It is difficult to predict exactly what the outcome will be. Our objective is that we continue to build a strong defense industry in Denmark. It should be noted that some 75 percent of the industry’s output is exported,” Larsen said in an interview. “Offset is critical to growth within the defense industry area. Therefore, we want to continue to have the ability to use offset for military contracts.”

The EC has repeatedly criticized Denmark for failing to abolish industrial offsets from its legal framework and military procurement practices.

The objectives of the Defense Offset Bill largely reflect industry thinking on the use of offsets as a viable mechanism to channel potentially lucrative sub-contract business from significant defense contracts, won by foreign suppliers, to local defense firms.

Industry wants the Danish government to negotiate a solution under which the EU would agree to allow Denmark to operate one set of rules for industrial cooperation agreements to suppliers from the EU together with a separate system for suppliers from non-EU countries.

The industry view, said Tomas Ilsøe Andersen, a partner at the Copenhagen-based law firm Kammeradvokaten Poul Schmith, is that a dual-track solution is feasible and would compel Denmark to conform to the EU’s planned internal restrictions on offset while continuing to use offset for large-scale contracts with non-EU suppliers.

“Certain large acquisitions, which may span 30 to 40 years in terms of the operation of military equipment, have significant security implications for a small country like Denmark. This is very much about maintaining a national industry which can ensure retention of Danish know-how and technical support skills. This is needed in a world where the balance of power, and alliances, can change quickly,” Andersen said.

Denmark, he added, can argue its case based on sovereignty and national security policies that are reliant on a defense strategy that not only includes industrial offsets, but which uses offsets to protect the nation’s ability to retain skills and military assets integral to national defense.

The Danish government will present its legal case for a restructured offset policy when it meets with EU heads of state in December.

The EC should treat smaller EU nations, such as Denmark, as special cases when it comes to industrial military offset practices, said Frank Bill, the director of Denmark’s Defense and Security Industries Association.

“In real world terms we cannot really talk about a European defense market. Between 80 and 90 percent, in value, of all procurement contracts within the EU are placed nationally,” Bill said in an interview. “The acquisitions of small nations are irrelevant to the European market as a whole in this context. The government must insist that Denmark be allowed to determine its own defense and security policies.”

Previous offset deals, such as Denmark’s acquisition of F-16s in the 1980s, had a positive impact on growing Denmark’s defense industry, Bill said. Adding an offset dimension to the re-started fighter replacement program is essential to further growing this base, he added.

Denmark will need to negotiate an offset deal with the EU on the basis of “realistic expectations,” said Lars Barfoed, the Danish Conservative party’s chairman.

“The European Commission is determined to build on its directives on defense procurement and transfers and phase-out offsets. The general objective here is to strengthen the efficiency and competitiveness of the defense and security sectors in Europe,” Barfoed told Defense News. “In the area of procurement, the EC is establishing a market monitoring mechanism. A lot is happening, and will happen. Denmark must be smart and persuasive in negotiating the best deal within these confines.”

Denmark will be lucky to extract any concessions covering the retention of offset rights from the EU, said Martin Trybus, professor of European Law and Policy at the University of Birmingham.

“I can’t imagine that the EU Commission will accept counter-trade as part of the Danish acquisition of new aircraft,” Trybus said. “I do not see what arguments Denmark can field that will justify counter-trade under the new rules.”

Danish negotiations with the EU will likely focus on the retention of offsets for non-EU third market deals, said Pietr Wauters, a Brussels-based political analyst.

“It’s not that the Danes do not accept that offset is inefficient and adds to the final cost of procurement; they do. The issue here is protecting a native defense sector that continues to benefit from offset-based orders,” Wauters said. “It can expect some degree of EU support to retain offset for third markets as any concessions here will only have a marginal impact on Europe’s defense industrial base. The EC is well aware that offset is a common feature of defense equipment deals in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America.”

November 19, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: US Air Force; issued Nov. 19, 2013)

First Rivet Joint Delivered to the Royal Air Force

RAF WADDINGTON, England --- The first of three RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft was officially delivered to the U.K. during a special ceremony at Royal Air Force Waddington, England, Nov. 12.

The historic occasion is the culmination of a 2010 agreement between the Department of Defense and the U.K. Ministry of Defense for the RAF to purchase three RJs.

This first aircraft is scheduled to enter service with the 51st Squadron after it reaches full operational capability in late 2014.

"This is a fantastic day for 51st Squadron and marks the start of a new era in our long and illustrious history," said RAF Wing Commander Tom Talbot, the 51st Squadron commander.

As the sole provider of Rivet Joint initial qualification training, the 55th Wing has trained more than 140 aircrew and ground maintenance personnel from the RAF since the programs initiation in 2010.

"Following three years of training and preparation with our U.S. Air Force brethren, the Rivet Joint brings with it a step change in airborne signals intelligence capability for the U.K.," Talbot said.

Upon graduation, RAF aircrews are allowed to fly on U.S. Rivet Joints as part of a co-manning agreement. They flew their first operational mission June 21, 2011, and since then RAF crews have flown more than more than 1,800 sorties and achieved in excess of 32,000 flying hours with the 55th Wing.

"Everyone is aware of the special relationship our two countries have and it's been an absolute honor for the wing to have RAF Airmen here training with us," said Col. Gregory Guillot, the 55th Wing commander. "The end result is an increase in our ISR capabilities and we are looking forward to continuing this relationship for years to come."

Known as project AIRSEEKER, the U.K.'s procurement of three Rivet Joints will provide the U.K. with world class airborne signals intelligence capability. Once in service, the aircraft will provide real time on-scene intelligence, collection, surveillance and analysis to coalition forces in the air and on the ground.

"I am delighted that the first RJ aircraft has been delivered to the U.K., an important milestone in the procurement pathway for the future AIRSEEKER signals intelligence capability for U.K. Defence," said RAF Air Vice-Marshal Peter Ewen, the director air support at Defence Equipment & Support, who are responsible for the procurement of the aircraft.

"A testament to the ongoing and highly effective U.K. and U.S. co-operation in the procurement program, support and RAF aircrew training, this first of three aircraft, will form a vital component of the nation's future ISTAR capabilities," he added.

LINKOPING, Sweden, Nov. 20 (UPI)

Sweden's Defense Materiel Administration has contracted Saab for upgrades and maintenance of its mobile airbase communications systems for remote deployments.

The contract is for three years with options for an additional four years. It carries an expected value of more than $22.6 million. The first task order under the award will be issued next year.

Saab said under the contract it will provide maintenance, change management and upgrades of communications platforms.

"By this order, [the] Swedish Defense Materiel Administration re-affirms their faith in our relationship and it is a testimony to our capability and performance in providing communication solutions in a competitive market," said Richard Price, head of Saab Security and Defense Solution's Critical System and Communication Solution business unit.

Additional details were not disclosed.

In other company news, Saab said it has received orders from Germany to supply defensive systems for the German Air Force's Tornado aircraft.

The equipment to be supplied, worth about $15 million, includes the BOZ-101 EC podded self-protection system, with the MAW-300 missile approach warning system.

Saab will also develop a new cockpit control unit for the defensive system's pod.

"These orders mark the first contract with Germany for Saab's MAW-300 missile approach warning system," said Micael Johansson, head of Saab's Electronic Defense System unit. "It is a breakthrough and a strong vote of confidence in Saab as an electronic warfare supplier.

Russia is seeking to protect its Glonass satellite navigation system from enemy signal disruption. (Pavel Kolotilov/Wikimedia)

Nov. 20, 2013 - By JAROSLAW ADAMOWSKI – Defense News

WARSAW — The Russian Ministry of Defense has launched a project aiming to secure Glonass, the country’s satellite navigation system, against enemy disruptions of signals, state-run news agency ITAR-TASS reported.

The ministry has handed a 350 million ruble (US $11 million) contract to two local entities, the Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Physical-technical and Radiotechnical Measurements (VNIIFTRI) and NAVIS navigation systems. The two contractors are to increase the system’s immunity to electronic warfare.

Under the plan, VNIIFTRI and NAVIS will set up a facility to test the system’s resistance by mimicking noise that can jam the satellite signal aimed at land- and air-based Glonass receivers. The aim is to teach the system to distinguish noise from signals and bypass it.

The system was developed by the then-Soviet Ministry of Defense beginning in 1976 as an alternative to the US-controlled Global Positioning System. The first Glonass satellite was launched on Oct. 12, 1982.

Currently, the system is operated by 23 fully operational satellites. Russia says that Glonass provides full global coverage.

Meanwhile, Moscow is aiming to involve other countries in joint strategic cooperation on the navigation system. In December 2012, India and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the Glonass program.

Nov. 20, 2013 – Defense News (AFP)

WASHINGTON — Australia and the United States will launch negotiations next month on a binding deal to govern the stationing of US troops in northern Darwin, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday.

He was speaking after annual bilateral talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry and their Australian counterparts Defense Minister David Johnson and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Plans to post more than 2,500 Marines by 2016-17 to the northern city of Darwin were first unveiled two years ago by US President Barack Obama.

And Hagel said that the initiatives “remain on track.”

“Two companies of Marines have rotated through Darwin,” he told a press conference at the State Department, adding that next year, the force would expand to 1,100 Marines and continue to grow.

“These ongoing rotational deployments to Australia are important to making the US military presence in Asia-Pacific more geographically distributed, operationally resilient and also politically sustainable,” Hagel insisted after the two countries signed a statement of principles on their shared regional defense and security objectives.

“Negotiations will begin next month on a binding agreement that will govern these force posture initiatives and further defense cooperation.”

Johnson said the ties to the United States were “Australia’s most important strategic alliance” and hailed the “very effective” and “productive” talks.

The negotiations began with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where the ministers laid wreaths to troops killed in past conflicts — a somber reminder of the wars in which the two countries have fought side by side.

But they also came against the backdrop of a row with Indonesia, amid reports that US and Australian missions in Jakarta had been used for spying on the country.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono suspended cooperation with Australia in the sensitive area of human smuggling, denouncing what he called Canberra’s “Cold War” behavior.

It was the latest angry outburst from Indonesia over the reports, based on documents leaked by US intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden, that Australian spies tried to listen to the phone calls of the president, his wife and ministers in 2009.

Kerry and Bishop both refused to answer any questions about the row at the press conference, with the top US diplomat saying that “we don’t discuss intelligence procedures in any sort of public way at this point in time.”

Hagel also revealed that he had earlier signed an agreement with Johnson on relocating “a unique advanced space surveillance telescope to western Australia.”

“This telescope provides highly accurate detection, tracking and identification of deep space objects, and will further strengthen our existing space cooperation,” Hagel said.

The talks, known as AUSMIN, were the first to be held with the new Australian government of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, and both sides stressed the strength of the ties between the two nations.

A Pilatus PC-21 trainer demonstrator lands at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England. Photo Arpingstone.

20 November 2013 airforce-technology.com

Esterline CMC Electronics (CMC) has been selected to supply its latest generation CMA-9000 flight management system (FMS) and SparrowHawk head-up display (HUD) sub-systems to Pilatus Aircraft.

The high-performance avionics are scheduled to be installed onboard the PC-21 turboprop training aircraft intended for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) and Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF).

Pilatus is scheduled to supply a total of 55 and 24 PC-21 trainers, along with integrated ground based training system and a comprehensive logistics support package, to RSAF and QEAF as part of contracts signed in May and July 2012, respectively.

Esterline CMC Government and Public Affairs Sales vice-president Jean-Michel Comtois said, ''Esterline CMC is very proud to supply its high-performance avionics for the PC-21 aircraft, given Pilatus's prestigious reputation, product line and the unique profile of the PC-21.''

Featuring advanced tactical functions, radio management and night vision goggle (NGV)-capability, the CMA-9000 is a compact FMS designed for installation in modern digital cockpits of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

"The CMA-9000 is a compact FMS designed for installation in modern digital cockpits of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft."

The SparrowHawk HUD is a complete weapons delivery system offering a powerful, cost-effective solution that can increase pilots' aiming envelope, and allows for pinpoint accuracy and a greater combat safety margin.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68B turboprop engine, the PC-21 is a low-wing swept-monoplane advanced trainer aircraft designed to fulfil the requirements for basic, advanced and fighter lead-in training for pilots and, if required, weapon systems officers (WSO).

The aircraft features a fully digital glass cockpit with head-up displays, an up-front control panel (UFPC), hands-on throttle and stick (HOTAS) control and full-sized multi-function displays, to enable the basic and advanced flying training to keep pace with the fourth generation aircraft already in service in the front line squadrons.

Apart from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the aircraft has also been ordered by the air forces of Singapore, Switzerland and the UAE.

20 novembre 2013, Portail des Sous-Marins

Un sous-marin iranien de la classe Tareq (Kilo), le Younus, sera prochainement envoyer en Asie du Sud, a annoncé mercredi un commandant de la marine iranienne.

« Dans un avenir proche, la marine iranienne va envoyer un sous-marin de la classe Tarq (Kilo), le Younus, dans le cadre de la 28è flotille vers des pays d’Asie du Sud, » a indiqué le commandant des opérations de la marine iranienne, l’amiral Siyavash Jarreh.

Il a souligné que la technologie sophistiquée iranienne dans l’industrie navale, indiquant que « les technologies les plus compliquées dans les équipements militaires sont les sous-marins. »

Il a précisé que le destroyer Alborz et le porte-hélicoptère Bandar Abbas accompagneront le Younus dans la mission la plus importante de la marine à l’étranger.

« La 28è escadrille accostera à Mumbaï (Inde) et à Colombo (Sri-Lanka) au cours du voyage, » a-t-il ajouté.

Référence : Fars (Iran)

Nov. 20, 2013 - By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS – Defense News

'Won't Drive Shipbuilders Out Of Business'

The complete GAO report is available at www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-122

20/11/2013 par Nicolas Laffont – 45eNord.ca

Toronto, le 18 novembre 2013 – Thales Canada a annoncé la nomination de Mark Halinaty au poste de Président-directeur général, Thales Canada Inc., succédant ainsi à Paul Kahn, qui prend d’autres responsabilités au sein de Thales Royaume-Uni.

Mark Halinaty a précédemment occupé divers postes au sein de la société, y compris Vice-président et Directeur général Défense et Sécurité à Ottawa, Vice-président Exploitation pour Thales Canada, supervisant les activités Transport, Défense et Sécurité et Avionique, ainsi que Vice-président de l’ingénierie pour Thales Canada, Solutions de Transport, à Toronto.

Pendant cette période, il a travaillé sur un grand nombre de projets et a occupé plusieurs postes-clés dans les domaines technique et commercial, notamment le poste de Directeur général des solutions de signalisation ferroviaire de Thales au Royaume-Uni.

Mark Halinaty a rejoint la division Transports d’Alcatel (aujourd’hui Thales) en 1983, en tant qu’Ingénieur Sécurité, travaillant sur les premiers déploiements de contrôle-commande des trains basés sur les télécommunications – CBTC.

Fort de plus de 25 années d’expérience, M. Halinaty a également apporté sa collaboration aux domaines du spatial et de l’énergie nucléaire.

M. Halinaty possède un diplôme en Génie Physique de l’Université Queen’s ainsi qu’une maîtrise en Administration des affaires de l’Université de Toronto. Il est Ingénieur professionnel certifié.

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“Thales Canada a une présence ininterrompue et croissante au Canada depuis le début des années 1980″, a déclaré Mark Halinaty. « Fournisseur mondial leader des systèmes de contrôle pour la sécurité des transports terrestres (CBTC) , concepteur et fournisseur de première classe de commandes de vol électriques -Fly-By-Wire-, Thales-Canada est également aujourd’hui un maître d’œuvre de confiance et de premier ordre, et un systémier reconnu par et pour l’ensemble des forces armées canadiennes. Notre capacité à valoriser des transferts de technologie en partenariat avec de nombreuses entreprises canadiennes nous place aujourd’hui comme l’un des meilleurs fournisseurs canadiens de solutions systèmes qui répondent aux objectifs de la politique industrielle de défense canadienne ».