September 23, 2013: Strategy Page

In Nairobi, Kenya the fighting with Somali al Shabaab gunmen in a mall continues. The government says that most hostages have been freed and that troops are closing in on the remaining terrorist gunmen. An Internet announcement said the terrorists in the mall were holding hostages, which they would kill if security forces continued attacking them. Last night the government said the mall was being cleared and would soon be safe. The hostages have been used as human shields, complicating army and police efforts to eliminate the terrorists inside the mall. Al Shabaab describes the mall attack, which has left nearly a hundred dead and 200 wounded, as retaliation for Kenyan peacekeepers coming into Somalia to fight the Islamic terror group. The Kenyan government repeated promises that attacks like this will not lead to a withdrawal of Kenyan troops from southern Somali. What’s going on between Somalia and Kenya goes back a long time. The Somalis have been raiding what is now Kenya for centuries, and for once the Kenyans have the upper hand. They are not dissuaded by terror attacks. Al Shabaab believes that an attack of this magnitude would change that. So far the Kenyan reaction appears more anger than fear and that bodes ill for Somalis (citizens and refugees) living in Kenya.

Al Shabaab sponsored terror attacks in Kenya over the last few years has created a backlash against the Somali population there. There is growing tension between Kenyan Christians and Somalis. About ten percent (4 million) of Kenyans, mostly along the coast, are Moslems and most of these are ethnic Somalis. There has always been some Islamic radical activity among Kenyan Moslems, but the police have been particularly attentive to it after Kenyan Moslems were found to be involved in terrorist operations in the 1990s.

What the police have not done, however, is make much of a dent in the criminal infrastructure that supports smuggling, money laundering, a black market for guns, IDs and drugs and much else. The cops are often bought off, and the criminal gangs (especially the many Arab and Somali ones) provide support for terrorist operations in Somalia and Kenya. For example, a lot of the pirate ransom money ended up in Kenya, either for purchases of goods shipped to Somalia, or to be laundered and invested. Wealthy Somalis often find it prudent to go into exile, and Kenya is a popular place to retire to.

Then there are the overseas Somalis. Most of these are in Britain (300,000) and the United States (150,000). There are also half a million Somali refugees in northern Kenya and several hundred thousand more in places like Ethiopia and Yemen. Somali Islamic radicals often send their families into exile, to protect them, and some Islamic radicals have themselves gone into exile. There, Somali men, usually young (teenager to early 20s), are recruited and sent back to Somali for more indoctrination and training. Some are killed there, and some return to the U.S. and Britain to help with recruiting and, it is feared, to carry out terrorist attacks. This Western source of recruits has been largely shut down but Somalis outside Somalia continue to be a source of radicalized recruits for al Shabaab and cash for terrorist organizations. 

The Somali Islamic radicals have long been recruiting from among Kenya's Moslem population. This recruiting has slowed in the last year, because of the many defeats al Shabaab has suffered recently in Somalia. But many radicalized young Somalis are still living among the refugees and Moslem populations of Kenya. Police attempts to find and arrest Islamic radicals are often clumsy and result in innocents being rounded up or killed. This just creates more anger in the Moslem neighborhoods. The mall murders are expected to increase the police pressure on Kenyan Somalis. Many al Shabaab believe that this might trigger a Moslem uprising in Kenya and lead to a combined Somali-Kenyan Islamic state. This is pure fantasy but it’s the sort of thing Islamic terrorism thrives on. The mall attack and continued terror attacks in Somalia appear to be al Shabaab’s way of remaining in the news. A group like al Shabaab survives only as long as it can attract new recruits and cash donations. Western governments are trying to cut off the flow of cash to al Shabaab, and that is having some impact. But the fanatical puritanism and righteousness of Islamic terror groups still appeals to some young Moslem men, who see little future for themselves. Most Moslem societies have major problems with providing education and curbing corruption. This combination discourages foreign investment and economic growth. The Islamic radical solution is a mirage, but to the young, unemployed, uneducated and violence prone it resonates.  

It is believed that al Shabaab attacked this particular mall because it is popular with foreigners and wealthy Kenyans. Many Moslems work or shop there and some are believed to have died despite al Shabaab efforts to spare Moslems. Al Shabaab also made much of the fact that some of the mall owners are Israeli and Israel has been helping Kenya with intelligence and expert advice that has been useful in the fight against Islamic terrorists.

In Mogadishu two years of increasing security has attracted more foreigners (diplomats, aid agencies and entrepreneurs) and that has sent real estate values increasing by a factor of ten or more. This has forced out many long-term renters and led to corrupt officials assisting in the theft of some properties. This is usually done using false ownership documents obtained by bribing a government official and then bribing police to assist in the eviction. Court officials are then bribed to make the theft stick. This is causing a long of anger in the city. In addition the government is forcing over a hundred thousand refugees from areas outside the city.

September 21, 2013: In Nairobi, Kenya some 15 al Shabaab gunmen stormed into an upscale mall and began killing people. Those who could prove they were Moslem were spared but all others were killed. Automatic weapons and grenades were used and by the end of the day 59 were confirmed dead and over 200 wounded. Many of the casualties were women and children. Soldiers and police responded quickly and drove the attackers into a single location where the gunmen kept shooting and said they had hostages. Israeli counter-terrorism experts who were in Kenya quickly went to the mall to assist the security forces. Israel offered additional help.

Al Shabaab had its twitter account shut down again for violating Twitter terms of service by announcing the Nairobi attack and taking credit for it. Al Shabaab had that account shut down on September 6th for more Terms of Service violations but the terrorist group started a new account on September 10th. Last February al Shabaab began using a new Twitter account and criticized Twitter for shutting down al Shabaab’s original (since 2011) account on January 20 because the Islamic terrorists had used Twitter to make specific threats against several people on January 16th. This is not allowed by the Twitter terms of service. The al Shabaab account had over 20,000 followers.

September 16, 2013: Some 30 kilometers north of Mogadishu peacekeepers and Somali troops forced al Shabaab out of Mahadeey. The town is one of dozens of small places still held by al Shabaab gunmen. Al Shabaab rarely fights to hold onto these places anymore and flees at the approach of troops. The al Shabaab men will find some other place to set up shop. If cornered, groups like this will often fight to the death.

Uganda has ordered 24 of its peacekeepers to return home tomorrow and face charges of corruption. Those recalled include some officers, one them was the general commanding the Ugandan peacekeepers, whose next job was to be the military attaché at the Ugandan embassy in Kenya.  The soldiers were caught stealing supplies meant for Ugandan peacekeepers and selling the food and fuel on the black market. Some junior officers reported suspicions that some of their superiors in Somalia were involved. The Ugandan troops had been complaining of shortages and the government quietly conducted an investigation.

September 14, 2013: Al Shabaab fired on a peacekeeper base outside Marka (70 kilometers south of Mogadishu) and apparently set off a bomb inside the town. Although AU peacekeepers and Somali troops drove al Shabaab gunmen out of the port town of Marka a year ago, there are still armed al Shabaab operating in the area. This town has long served as a base for al Shabaab terrorists carrying out attacks in Mogadishu.  

September 13, 2013: In Kismayo, some al Shabaab gunmen attacked a military base. No casualties were reported but there were believed to be dead and wounded on both sides.

September 12, 2013: In Kismayo a car bomb exploded near the convoy of Ahmed Mohamed Islam (the senior government official in the southern region now called Jubbaland). Several civilians were killed but the intended target was unharmed. It’s not known if the attack was carried out by al Shabaab or local political rivals of Ahmed Mohamed Islam.

In the south (Al Baate) an American (Omar Shafik Hammami) member of al Shabaab was killed in a shootout with other al Shabaab members. Hammami has been with al Shabaab since 2006 and handled Internet propaganda for the terrorist group. Last year he was condemned to death by al Shabaab leaders who objected to Hammami accusing them of corruption. Six months ago the U.S. announced a $5 million reward for help in capturing Hammami, who has been hiding out in Somalia, apparently unable to get out of the country. Islamic terrorists with a large price on their heads and condemned to death by their fellow terrorists have limited options when it comes to finding sanctuary. There were many other Islamic terrorists, including some al Shabaab members, who supported Hammami. Apparently two of these allies died with Hammami. Some terrorist groups criticized al Shabaab for killing Hammami rather than clearing up the corruption charges.

September 11, 2013: Near the Ethiopian border (Hiran, central Somalia) al Shabaab executed two of its own men, one for spying and the other for armed robbery.

September 9, 2013: In Mogadishu al Shabaab fired mortars at a residential areas and an army base. There were no casualties.

September 8, 2013: In Mogadishu al Shabaab used a roadside bomb to attack a military convoy, but only managed to damage one vehicle.

September 7, 2013: In Mogadishu al Shabaab set off two bombs in a parking lot, killing 18 people.

September 3, 2013: Outside Mogadishu al Shabaab used a roadside bomb to attack a convoy carrying the president. The target was unharmed.

MOSCOU, 23 septembre - RIA Novosti

Sotchi accueille aujourd’hui le sommet de l'Organisation du traité de sécurité collective (OTSC), bloc militaro-politique de l'espace postsoviétique supervisé par Moscou, écrit lundi 23 septembre le quotidien Kommersant.

La Russie espère rallier les membres de l'organisation face aux menaces croissantes venant du sud, avant tout d'Afghanistan.

Les présidents des pays membres de l'OTSC se réunissent en général en décembre mais cette fois, ils ont jugé devoir le faire plus tôt. Selon une source de la délégation russe, tout un ensemble de questions ne peut pas attendre comme la situation en Afghanistan, d'où se retirera la majeure partie du contingent de l'Otan en 2014. Bien que l'Alliance évoque l'avenir en Afghanistan avec optimisme et affirme que les forces de sécurité nationales arriveront à assurer l'ordre, la Russie et ses alliés se préparent au pire scénario.

Au cours des entretiens prévus lors du sommet le président russe Vladimir Poutine, le ministre russe des Affaires étrangères Sergueï Lavrov et le ministre russe de la Défense Sergueï Choïgou discuteront avec leurs homologues biélorusses, kazakhs, arméniens, kirghizes et tadjiks du développement de la Force collective d'intervention rapide de l'OTSC et de son potentiel en termes de maintien de la paix. Une attention particulière sera accordée au renforcement de la frontière entre l’Afghanistan et le Tadjikistan.

La Russie a promis d'allouer 200 millions de dollars au réarmement de l'armée tadjike : actuellement, Moscou et Douchanbé se mettent d'accord sur la nomenclature du matériel dont le Tadjikistan aura besoin - il s’agira avant tout d'armes d'infanterie. Par ailleurs, les experts pensent que l'affaire pourrait ne pas se limiter aux livraisons d'armes et les garde-frontières russes pourraient revenir à la frontière tadjiko-afghane. Ils avaient protégé cette région de 1 400 km jusqu'en 2005, après quoi Douchanbé avait entièrement pris en charge cette mission.

Les forces tadjikes ont en réalité des difficultés à remplir leur mission, comme en témoigne la hausse significative du trafic de drogues afghanes dont la majeure partie est destinée à la Russie. Si après le retrait du contingent étranger la situation en Afghanistan s'aggravait et qu’une guerre civile éclatait, les autorités tadjikes n'arriveraient pas à gérer l'afflux de réfugiés et la pression des groupes criminels armés sans aide extérieur en selon les experts russes. L'ambassadeur russe à Kaboul, Andreï Avetissian, a récemment déclaré qu'en raison de la détérioration prévue de la situation en Afghanistan, Moscou étudiait la possibilité de projeter ses garde-frontières sur la frontière tadjiko-afghane. Il a toutefois souligné que la Russie n'entreprendrait aucune action sans en avertir préalablement les autorités tadjikes.

Pour l'instant, Douchanbé ne dit rien de concret à ce sujet. L'élection présidentielle se tiendra au Tadjikistan en novembre et bien que le président sortant Emomali Rakhmon n'ait pas de concurrents sérieux, il n'annoncera certainement pas une mesure qui pourrait être interprétée par ses opposants comme une atteinte à la souveraineté du pays.

La Syrie sera également un thème clé du sommet. Sergueï Lavrov, ministre russe des Affaires étrangères, a déclaré hier à la chaîne Perviy Kanal que la Russie était prête à mettre à disposition ses militaires pour contribuer à la sécurité des régions où travailleront les experts de l'Organisation pour l'interdiction des armes chimiques (OIAC). Les dirigeants des pays membres de l'OTSC devraient adopter aujourd'hui une déclaration commune en soutien de l'initiative de Moscou pour l'établissement du contrôle international sur les arsenaux chimiques syriens.

Aujourd'hui également le Kirghizstan passera le relais de la présidence à l'OTSC à la Russie. Selon une source du secrétariat de l'organisation, Moscou cherchera à renforcer la coopération politique et militaro-stratégique au sein du bloc et proclamera comme priorité la lutte contre le trafic des stupéfiants, ce qui sera certainement l'une des initiatives clés de la présidence de la Russie au G8 l'an prochain. Selon la source, Moscou espère rallier les membres de l'organisation face aux risques croissants émanant du sud car ces menaces pourraient prochainement devenir la plus importante épreuve pour le bloc.

September 23rd, 2013 By RAND  - defencetalk.com

Like the collapse of East Germany, the collapse of North Korea could occur suddenly and with little warning. But a North Korean collapse could be far more dangerous and disastrous than the actual collapse of East Germany, especially given the inadequate preparations for it, according to a new RAND Corporation report.

The current North Korean government, led by Kim Jong Un, has showed signs of instability for some time and most experts agree that a collapse is likely. It is more a matter of “when” than “if” it will occur, says Bruce Bennett, the study’s author and a senior defense analyst at RAND, a nonprofit research organization.

The study describes many of the possible consequences of a North Korean government collapse, including civil war in the North, a humanitarian crisis, the potential use and proliferation of the nation’s chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, and even war with China.

Failure to establish stability in North Korea could disrupt the political and economic conditions in Northeast Asia and leave a serious power vacuum for a decade or longer, Bennett said.

The study examines ways of controlling and mitigating the consequences of a North Korean government collapse, recognizing that the Republic of Korea and the United States almost certainly will need to intervene in the North, even if only to deliver humanitarian aid. They will likely seek Korean unification as the ultimate outcome.

Preparation is required because the situation in North Korean could deteriorate rapidly. Food and medicine already are in short supply, and a collapse would lead to hoarding that would leave many people starving. A simultaneous deterioration in internal security could force people to leave their homes, making it even more difficult to deliver humanitarian aid.

The Republic of Korea and the United States must be prepared to rapidly deliver food supplies throughout all of North Korea, Bennett said. Prompt delivery requires preparing stockpiles of food and practicing delivery methods.

The nations also must also be prepared to quickly achieve a degree of stability and security in the North. This requires co-opting North Korea military and security service personnel. A failure to do so would lead to military battles with North Korean forces and a defection of some of those forces to insurgency or criminal activities, which could disrupt local security for years and perhaps even frustrate unification.

The North Korean personnel must be convinced that they will be treated well and can achieve better lives after unification. Already, information is leaking into North Korea that challenges the regime’s propaganda claiming that people in the Republic of Korea lead lives that are even worse than people in the North.

North Korean troops also pose a serious threat in the potential use of weapons of mass destruction. These weapons appear to be dispersed among a large number of facilities, at least some of which have not been identified, making it difficult to quickly eliminate the threat. Prompt, prepared action is more likely to secure much of the weapons of mass destruction, especially with Chinese help.

Potential Chinese intervention also must be addressed, ideally leading to cooperation with forces from the Republic of Korea and the United States. A North Korea collapse would heighten Chinese fears of both a massive influx of North Korean refugees and U.S. intervention into an area directly adjoining China’s border.

China recognizes that the United States will want to promptly reach the North Korean weapons of mass destruction sites north of Pyongyang to prevent their use or proliferation. This U.S. interest could force China to seek to secure these facilities before the United States does.

China also may try to create a buffer zone inside North Korea to contain the refugees and prevent them from reaching China, where there are large pockets of ethnic Koreans. North Korean ports on the East Sea and North Korea’s mineral wealth are other economic targets China will want to secure. The Republic of Korea also has concerns that if China intervenes in North Korea, it might not be reversible, and China may end up annexing some significant portion of the North.

China has been reluctant to discuss the possibility of a North Korean collapse, for fear of appearing disloyal to its ally and adding to the stability problems in North Korea. But some Chinese attitudes are changing, opening new opportunities for dialogue, according to the RAND report.

A final concern is the military capabilities of the Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea’s army will be reduced from its current size of 22 active-duty divisions to approximately 12 by 2022 because of very low birthrates. Action must be taken to curb these reductions and compensate for the loss through measures such as building the capabilities of the reserve forces.

Full Report in PDF format: U.S., Republic of Korea and Allies Should Prepare for Eventual Collapse of North Korean Government (51)

Research for the report was sponsored by the Smith Richardson Foundation and was conducted within the International Security and Defense Policy Center of the RAND National Security Research Division. The National Security Research Division conducts research and analysis on defense and national security topics for the U.S. and allied defense, foreign policy, homeland security and intelligence communities and foundations and other nongovernmental organizations that support defense and national security analysis.

September 23rd, 2013 Rosoboronexport

India is going to buy more than fifty short range air defense systems

India has announce a tender to buy more than fifty short range air defense systems. Rosoboronexport probably will submit two Russian systems – Tor-M2E manufactured by PVO Almaz-Antei and the surface-to-air missile system Pantsir-S1.

India already has air defense systems that was supplied by the Soviet Union and later on by Russia. Indian army employs the earlier counterpart of Pantsir which is called Tunguska. The army also has medium range air defense systems S-75 and short range air defense systems S-125, Kvadrat air defense systems which serves as a basis for India’s own improved surface-to-air missile system called Akash.

“India knows how to use Soviet and Russian air defense systems and they will quickly get the hang of the new systems. Of course there was a period when Israeli manufacturers cooperated with Indian military forces and nowadays supply them with short and medium range air defense systems both for Indian navy and land forces. On the other hand Russia offers the cutting edge systems which have already been tested both in Russian army and in other armies as well. Pantsir combines in itself capabilities of a quick-firing long-range missile”, said Said Aminov, editor in chief of Vestnik PVO web-site.

The range of action of Pantsir is 20 km. This characteristic makes Pantsir a one-off system. Nowadays we have made four contracts with Middle East and North African countries to supply this surface-to-air missile system.

“Tor-M2E is also quite effective system. It was exported extensively. Now we offer a container variant. The pilot model with the Indian manufactured undercarriage of this system was presented at MAKS show. Tor can protect against all air weapons including high-precision weapons”, said Said Aminov.

According to Vyacheslav Davydenko, Rosoboronexport’s spokesman not only India but also other countries choose Russian air defense systems. Such systems as Tor-M2E and Pantsir are new and in the immediate future there will be no question as to their improvement or replacement.

Experts say that if there are orders for the supply of more than 52 systems, then it will be possible to consider the licensed production of certain kinds of Russian weapons in India. As a matter of fact the experience of supplying T-90 tanks and multipurpose Su-30 MKI jets show that this can be possible.

Two M1A2 Abrams tanks of the Saudi Arabian Army

23 September 2013 army-technology.com

General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has received a contract for conversion of additional M1A1 and M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) to the Saudi M1A2 (M1A2S) configuration for Saudi Arabia.

Awarded by the US Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) Lifecycle Management Command (LCMC) on behalf of the Royal Saudi Land Forces (RSLF), the $187.5m contract covers conversion of additional 44 M1A1 and 40 M1A2 Abrams tanks.

The latest foreign military sales (FMS) contract also continues the work initiated by the company in 2008 to update M1A1 and M1A2 tanks to the M1A2S configuration, which improves its efficiency and operational capability.

An upgraded version of the US Army and Marine Corps' M1A1 MBT, the M1A2 Abrams is designed to engage and attack enemy forces using enhanced firepower, manoeuvrability and shock effect in the battlefield.

Integrated with manually loaded 120mm M256 smoothbore cannon, the tank can fire a multitude of different rounds, such as M865 TPCSDS-T and M831 TP-T training ammunition against enemy armoured vehicles, soldiers and low-flying aircraft.

Offering enhanced protection to a crew of four, the tank features a gunner primary sight, new Block I second generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) technology, an eye-safe laser range finder and a blue force tracking (BFT) system for improved effectiveness in the battlefield.

Upgrade work under the contract is scheduled to be carried out at the company's Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio, with an estimated completion in March 2015.

General Dynamics spokesman Rob Doolittle was quoted by Reuters as saying that the contract is one of several foreign and domestic awards the company was hoping to secure to ensure continued work at the Lima facility.

GDLS also secured $132.7m and $40m FMS contracts in January and April 2013, for supply of additional M1A2S tanks to the Saudi Arabian Army.

Sep 20, 2013 ASDNews Source : The Boeing Company

    Exhibit includes Phantom Badger high-performance tactical vehicle, Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb

Boeing is highlighting a diverse warfighting equipment portfolio – including an advanced high-performance tactical vehicle – during this year’s Modern Day Marine exposition.

The Marine Corps League event takes place Sept. 24-26 at U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico. Boeing will display the Phantom Badger, a combat support vehicle that is small enough to fit in a MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft for transport.

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Sep. 23, 2013 by Dave Majumdar – FG

Washington DC - Concerns are being raised within industry about the new direction mandated by the Pentagon for the US Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Launched Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) aircraft programme.

The reason for the concern is because the Pentagon’s Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) has fundamentally altered the requirements for the UCLASS from a long-range penetrating strike platform to something akin to a modestly stealthy carrier-based Predator. “Where it leaves us is developing an alternative that meets the requirements that the navy has outlined,” says one industry source – which means spending even more company money after funding nearly three years of internal research and development designing an aircraft without any guidance from the USN.

“This looks like a giant runaway for General Atomics and Predator, I would not be surprised if the other companies ‘no-bid,’” says Dan Goure, an analyst at the Lexington Institute. Companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have spent a large sum of their own money on UCLASS and may not want to dump even more money into what amounts to a stacked deck, he says.

“It does damage to an industrial base that is already fragile,” Goure adds.

Congress is also concerned about the direction of the USN acquisition strategy, which has been described as “atypical”. In a letter to navy secretary Ray Mabus, congressmen Randy Forbes and Mike McIntyre – chairman and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee’s sea power subcommittee respectively – question the service’s plan to field four carrier air wings worth of UCLASS aircraft before the completion of operational testing or even a formal “Milestone B” decision to enter engineering and manufacturing development.

This is a concern shared by some in industry. “I have had similar concerns regarding the navy trying to procure one to four carriers worth of UCLASS aircraft for early operational capability as part of a technology demonstration phase that is pre-Milestone B,” says another industry source. “The only type of technology development programme which results in ‘residual operational assets or capabilities’ used to be called a JCTD [Joint Capabilities Technology Demonstration] – which the UCLASS programme is not.”

However, more fundamentally for the industry, both industry sources concur that the USN has deviated significantly from the normal process for developing a new aircraft. Typically, the industry would have been developing solutions over the past two years based on an initial set of navy-issued requirements. Those specifications would have been refined and updated as needed, based on various industry-informed trade studies, both sources say. That procedure would likely have yielded more relevant industry investment, more affordable requirements and a better overall competition.

The USN, however, did not issue any aircraft performance specifications or draft requirements until the spring of 2013. That means that for nearly three years, industry teams have been developing potential UCLASS candidates using their own money and based on their own assumptions about the navy’s requirements, both sources agree. That means each competitor is now trying to “force-fit” their aircraft into the UCLASS preliminary design review phase – which is now requiring even more investment, one industry source says.

The lack of industry feedback has had some unforeseen consequences. Superficially, the shift to an aircraft designed for long-duration orbits over permissive airspace would appear to favour General Atomics, which builds the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. However, the current requirements are not as simple as they look, says one industry source. “They want to span the deck-cycle, the means the endurance has to be greater than 12h,” he says. “From a carrier that’s pretty significant because you have limitations on wing-span just because of the carrier environment.”

Fundamentally from an engineering standpoint, to achieve better endurance, the aircraft must have a higher aspect ratio wing – which means a longer wing-span. However, on board a carrier, the wing-span is limited to about the same length as a Northrop X-47B. The absolute maximum is probably 70ft (21m), which means – by necessity – weight reduction is the key to meeting the USN’s new requirements.

“If you were allowed to refuel in the air then you might actually have a much broader performance spectrum,” the source says. “With that gone, you’re into designing as light a weight structure as can survive the carrier environment and hold as much fuel as you can.

Although the navy says that the UCLASS is going to be designed to operate in “permissive and low-end contested environments”, one industry source says that the low-observable requirement was not completely removed. “I don’t think the survivability requirements are trivial,” he says. However, he concedes that “the overwhelming design driver now is endurance without refueling”.

An aircraft carrier would be expected to deploy enough UCLASS aircraft to maintain two orbits about 600nm (1,110km) distance from the ship, or maintain a single orbit at a range of 1,200nm. If the UCLASS were called on to conduct a light strike mission, it could attack lightly defended targets at a distance of 2,000nm. As currently envisioned, the UCLASS will have a total payload of 1,360kg (3,000lb), of which only 454kg would consist of air-to-ground weapons.

Either a flying-wing or wing-body tail configuration could meet the requirements, the industry source says. However, the endurance requirement is strenuous enough that the source says that he is not sure that a turbofan engine is a “viable option”.

Boeing and General Atomics appear to have selected a wing-body tail design, while Lockheed Martin has disclosed its RQ-170-derived flying-wing concept. Presumably, the Northrop design will resemble its X-47B demonstrator.

23 Septembre 2013 par Frédéric Pons – V.A.

Le nouveau patron du service Action de la Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure est l’un des meilleurs colonels de sa génération, Nicolas Le Nen, 47 ans. Saint-Cyrien, Le Nen a commandé le prestigieux 27e bataillon de chasseurs alpins.

Engagé en Afghanistan de décembre 2008 à juin 2009, il en a rapporté la Bronze Star américaine, qui distingue un acte héroïque, et une citation pour sa « Task Force Tiger ». Réputé pour son charisme et son sens tactique, Le Nen a écrit, en collaboration avec d’autres officiers, des livres de référence sur la guerre en montagne et la contre-insurrection (à paraître aussi en octobre : Le vent d’Alasay). Dans une interview de décembre 2012, il faisait cette remarque sur la guerre de Libye : « Ce que doivent avant tout les dirigeants politiques à leurs concitoyens, c'est un but de guerre qui soit légitime… Décider rapidement est nécessaire, mais décider sur une base stratégique cohérente est indispensable. »

September 22, 2013 eucom.mil

U.S. ARMY GARRISON GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Learning through partnership is key to most joint training exercises and Combined Endeavor 2013 is no different.

The world's largest command, control, communications and computers (C4) exercise, Combined Endeavor, brings communications experts from 40 coalition partnership nations to one location for the primary purpose of building coalition information sharing operations.

For 18 years, Combined Endeavor has enhanced joint multinational partnership solutions in the C4 realm by promoting information dominance. One delegation member said he was looking forward to gaining more insight through CE13 and building partnerships in the process.

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September 23rd, 2013 By US Defense Security Cooperation Agency - defencetalk.com

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on September 18 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia of F-5 avionics upgrades and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $60 million.

The Government of Tunisia has requested a possible sale of Block 1 Avionics Upgrades on Tunisia’s fleet of 12 F-5 aircraft. The upgrade includes 12 LN-260 Standard Positioning System Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (GPS/INS), Control Display Unit, Electrical Power, and Environmental Control System, repairs, Material Condition Inspection, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $60 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country in North Africa.

The proposed sale will improve Tunisia’s capability to deter regional threats and strengthen its homeland defense, as well as support counter-terrorism operations. These systems will bolster Tunisia’s ability to continue supporting its air and ground forces in counter-terrorism and border security operations. Tunisia, which already has F-5 aircraft in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing this service and support into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Northrop Grumman of St. Augustine, Florida. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of up to 23 U.S. contractor representatives to Tunisia for approximately two years.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

23/09/2013 Par Georges Malbrunot – LeFigaro.fr

Selon CNN, plusieurs Américains figureraient parmi les assaillants du centre commercial Westgate de Nairobi, confirmant ainsi la place importante que jouent les djihadistes américains au sein des Chebab somaliens.

Trois ressortissants américains figureraient parmi la quinzaine d'islamistes somaliens qui retiennent encore des otages dans le centre commercial Westgate de Nairobi, deux jours après l'avoir attaqué et tué au moins 68 clients de ce centre commercial très fréquenté de la capitale kenyane.

 

Interrogé, John Kerry, le secrétaire d'Etat, n'a cependant pas confirmé ces informations de CNN. Un homme présenté par la BBC comme un «commandant» des Chebab a également démenti lundi que des étrangers figuraient parmi les assaillants.

 

Une chose est sûre: les Chebab somaliens comptent plusieurs Américains parmi eux. Pas plus tard que la semaine dernière, l'un d'entre eux, Omar Shafik Hammami, alias Abou Mansour al-Amriki (Mansour l'Américain) a été tué dans un affrontement avec d'ex-compagnons d'armes avec lesquels il s'était brouillé.

 

Abou Mansour, né dans l'Alabama il y a 29 ans, était l'un des combattants étrangers de Somalie les plus connus. Le département d'Etat offrait cinq millions de dollars pour sa capture. Abou Mansour était en fait la vitrine occidentale des Chebab, celui qui devait attirer d'autres étrangers vers la rébellion islamiste somalienne.

 

Suite de l'article

September September 22, 2013: Strategy Page

The first of the Chinese Type 052D destroyers has been recently seen on sea trials in the East China Sea. This new destroyer design appears very similar to the American Aegis equipped destroyers (especially the Burke Class). Three versions of the Type 052 destroyer has, in about a decade, advanced Chinese destroyer design considerably and China now has ships similar in capabilities to the 8,300 ton American Arleigh Burke class destroyers. This is currently the principal American destroyer. The Burke design is the culmination of over half a century of World War II and Cold War destroyer design experience. Even after the Burke was designed, in the 1980s, the design evolved. The first Burkes were 8,300 ton ships, while the latest ones, laden with more gear, and smaller crews, are 10,000 ton ships (what heavy cruisers weighed in World War II). With a top speed of nearly 50 kilometers an hour, their main armament is 90 vertical launch tubes flush with the deck, that can contain anti-aircraft, anti-ship, anti-missile or cruise missiles. There is also a 127mm (5 inch) gun, two 20mm anti-missile autocannon, six torpedo tubes and two helicopters. The Burkes were well thought out, sturdy and they got the job done. They became irreplaceable, and thus this class of warships will last more than half a century. China likes the sound of that is trying to match the Burkes.

Over the last decades two Type 052B and two Type 052C destroyers have entered service. These four ships appear to have been part of an effort to develop something similar to the U.S. Burkes. Not only is one 052D at sea, but three more are under construction and apparently the plan is to build at least eight. These appear to be 7,500 ton ships armed with 64 American style (hot launch) VLS (Vertical Launch System) tubes for anti-aircraft (HQ-9), cruise of anti-ship missiles. There is a single 130mm gun, six torpedo tubes (for submarines), and two 30mm autocannon for anti-missile defense. There is also one helicopter hanger and landing platform.

The older (2004) Type 052B Guangzhou Class Destroyers are 5,900 ton general purpose ships (with anti-ship/submarine/aircraft capabilities). Armament consists of 48 HQ-16 anti-aircraft missiles (range 30 kilometers) and 16 C-802 anti-ship missiles (range 120 kilometers). There is a single 100mm gun and two 30mm autocannon for anti-missile defense. There is also one helicopter.

Type 052C Lanzhou Class Destroyers are 6,500 ton ships that first appeared in 2005. These ships use cold launch VLS (Vertical Launch System) tubes. There are 48 HQ-9 anti-aircraft missiles. There are also eight C-602 anti-ship missiles, in two four-cell launchers. There is a single 100mm gun and two 30mm autocannon for anti-missile defense. There is also one helicopter. These ships are mainly for air defense and use a phased array radar similar to the American Aegis system.

Vol d`un avion prototype du F-15SE effectué en juillet 2010 aux Etats-Unis (Boeing)

2013/09/23 yonhapnews.co.kr

SEOUL, 23 sept. (Yonhap) -- Dans le cadre du plan d’acquisition du nouvel avion de combat (F-X) qui remplacera les F-4 et F-5 de l’armée de l’air, l’Administration du programme d’acquisition de défense (DAPA) va soumettre son dossier d’examen final, avec comme seul candidat le F-15 Silent Eagle de Boeing, lors de la réunion de la Commission du projet de défense qui aura lieu demain et qui révèlera le nom définitif du retenu.

Parmi les trois candidats de cet appel d’offres d’un budget de 8.300 milliards de wons (7,2 milliards de dollars), à savoir le F-15SE de Boeing, le F-35 de Lockheed Martin et l’Eurofighter d’EADS, seul celui du Boeing a répondu à la limite budgétaire fixée par le gouvernement et la DAPA a rapporté ce résultat au palais présidentiel le 13 septembre dernier et va soumettre demain le dossier du F-15SE à la commission qui va conclure la procédure de sélection.

La commission sera dirigée par le ministre de la Défense, Kim Kwan-jin, et ses membres évalueront la pertinence du candidat final dans ce projet d’acquisition de 60 avions de chasse de Boeing entre 2017 et 2021. La Corée du Sud a acheté le même nombre de F-15K en 2002. Un responsable de la DAPA a confirmé le 17 septembre dernier qu’«il reste la dernière étape de ce projet d’acquisition du nouvel avion de chasse, nous allons rapporter à la commission le sujet de la sélection de l’avion et le résultat des examens».

Il a par ailleurs confirmé qu’«il n’est pas possible de faire demi-tour pour relancer le projet de son point de départ afin de ne pas avoir de trou dans la ligne de défense aérienne». Ces propos sont liés aux critiques concernant la présence d’un seul candidat au sein de l’opinion publique et parmi notamment 15 anciens chefs d’état-major de l’armée de l’air qui ont demandé le 12 septembre dernier le choix d’un avion furtif au lieu de sélectionner le F-15SE.