16 septembre 2011 – Opex360

Un article paru dans l’édition du 16 juin 2011 de l’hebdomadaire économique britannique The Economist affirmait que le F-35 de Lockheed Martin allait être sans doute le dernier avion de combat développé aux Etats-Unis et que l’avenir appartenait aux drones armés.

Plusieurs arguments plaident en faveur de cette thèse. En premier lieu, l’utilisation d’un drone armé permet d’éviter de perdre des vies humaines dans son propre camp étant donné qu’il n’a pas de pilote à bord (et cela évite de mettre en place un dispositif de recherche et de sauvetage en cas de coup dur).

En outre, tout en étant plus discret qu’un avion de combat traditionnel, il est en mesure d’accomplir les mêmes missions. Selon The Economist, des experts militaires penseraient même que des missiles de croisière et des drones armés feraient même mieux que le F-35 pour neutraliser des objectifs au sol.

Lors de la visio-conférence qu’il a donnée depuis la base italienne de Poggio Renatico, le général français Vincent Tesnière, adjoint du commandant en chef de l’état-major multinational « air » de l’Otan, a donné du crédit à ces prévisions en déclarant que la guerre en Libye « aurait pu être gagnée par les drones armés ».

L’on sait que les Etats-Unis en ont déployés quelques uns (selon le dernier numéro d’Air Fan, au moins 4 Predator, des MQ-4 Global Hawk et des MQ-8 Fire Scout, dont un exemplaire a été perdu) et que la France a engagé un drone MALE (Moyenne altitude longue endurance) Harfang, non armé.

Est-ce à dire qu’il aurait donc mieux valu engager des drones armés en lieu et place des Rafale, Mirage 2000 et autres Tornado et Typhoon? Ce serait aussi oublier l’engagement déterminant des hélicoptères de l’Aviation légère de l’armée de Terre (ALAT) dans le conflit et qu’ils n’auraient pas été en mesure d’effectuer les missions de surveillance aérienne…

Quoi qu’il en soit, la France ne dispose pas de drones armés et l’on ignore si les F-Heron TP, que fournira Dassault Aviation pour remplacer les Harfang, pourront embarquer de l’armement. En tout cas, les propos du général Tesnière peuvent être pris comme une critique à peine voilée du choix fait par Paris de se passer du MQ-9 Reaper américain, qui, pour le coup, est capable de tirer des missiles Hellfire, afin de privilégier une solution hexagonale.

Cela étant, à l’avenir, il faudra compter avec les UCAV (unmanned combat air vehicle), c’est à dire des drones de combat, en bon français. Ces appareils, qui est plus est furtifs, apporteront une rupture dans les opérations aériennes. Plusieurs programmes ont été lancés, dont le nEUROn, conduit par Dassault Aviation, le Taranis, de BAE Systems, le X-47 de Northrop Grumman ou encore l’Avenger, de General Atomics.

Crédit photo: MorphoTrak

September 16, 2011 defpro.com

ALEXANDRIA, Va. | In an awards ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA, MorphoTrak (Safran group) was presented with the 2011 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Company of the Year. The award was based on Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis of the biometrics market and given in recognition of MorphoTrak’s pioneering biometrics and identity management solutions that give it a key competitive advantage. MorphoTrak’s international parent, Morpho is the world’s leading provider of Identification and Biometric Technology.

“We are honored to be recognized for this prestigious award,” said MorphoTrak President and CEO Daniel Vassy. “Knowing that we were benchmarked against all our competitors in innovation, leadership, and market penetration gives it added meaning.”

“MorphoTrak’s innovative biometrics and identity management solutions give the company a key competitive advantage when compared to other multi-biometrics market participants,” says Frost & Sullivan senior research analyst Neelima Sagar. “The company endeavors to meet the functional and technical requirements of its customers by anticipating market needs and staying focused on its core values. Over the coming years, MorphoTrak will push biometric identification beyond the now-existing finger, face, iris and palm identification to advanced multi-biometric identification systems.”

MorphoTrak’s extensive domain expertise and experience have been paramount in keeping it well ahead of the competition by catering to demands for safer communities. Its ever-growing customer base and ability to identify the future market requirements allows Morpho to foray into unexplored global markets and develop innovative solutions. Some of MorphoTrak’s products and services include airport and transportation security systems; biometric system integration; law enforcement AFIS systems and services; mobile ID; multi-modal biometric systems; personal identity products and services; physical and logical access control products and services; and security automation processes.

The award was presented September 13 at the annual Growth, Innovation & Leadership Awards Banquet, an event that recognizes companies, strategies, processes and executives that have achieved world-class performance within their industries.

source news.bbc.co.uk

WASHINGTON, September 15 (RIA Novosti)

The United States will deploy elements of a missile defense shield in Poland by 2018, the U.S. and Poland said in a joint statement on Thursday.

"The United States and Poland are pleased to jointly announce that the Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement of 2008 and its Amending Protocol of 2010 on deployment of the land-based SM-3 system within Poland has entered into force, effective of September 15, 2011," the statement said.

The system will be located at the Redzikowo military base, the statement added, calling it "a significant contribution by our two nations to a future NATO missile defense capability."

Russia has retained staunch opposition to the deployment of missile-defense systems near its borders, claiming they would be a security threat.

NATO says it needs the shield, which will be eventually deployed in the Mediterranean, Poland, Romania and Turkey, to counter the threat of missile attacks from Iran.

photo US Navy

LONDON, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire

RAM Block 2 will feature new systems and rocket motor upgrades

Raytheon Company and its German industry partner, RAMSYS, completed missile upgrades and integration testing as part of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2 program. The partnership completed five control test vehicle flights and met all upgrade requirements for Block 2.

RAM Block 2 features enhanced kinematics, an evolved radio frequency receiver, a new rocket motor and an upgraded autopilot system. These improvements enable the missile to outpace evolving threats.

"The next-generation RAM will provide the naval warfighter with an improved ship defense capability," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Weapon Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems.

RAM is a supersonic, lightweight, quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile providing defense against anti-ship cruise missiles, helicopter and airborne threats, and hostile surface craft.

The program will begin guided flight tests later this year and is expected to enter low rate production in late 2012.

For more than 35 years, the U.S. and Germany have worked together developing and maintaining RAM. Development, production work and funding are shared between Raytheon and RAMSYS.

source thinkdefence.co.uk

14 Sep 2011By ANDREW CHUTER DefenseNews

LONDON - The key British Army requirement for a new scout armored vehicle contract is in danger of being canceled due to continuing defense financial constraints, according to General Dynamics UK boss Sandy Wilson.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing on the sidelines of the Defence System Equipment International exhibition here, Wilson said that while a delay to the program was the most likely outcome, cancellation remains a possibility.

General Dynamics UK signed a 500 million pound ($791.4 million) deal in July 2010 with the government to design and demonstrate a family of medium weight specialist vehicles based on its ASCOD platform for the Army. The focus of the initial work is the development of a scout vehicle with a 40mm gun.

Under the government's original agreement, it was due to make a decision to enter a production phase in 2013 with first deliveries starting in 2016. At the least, that timescale is now under threat.

The Army is looking at various options to retain the program while reprofiling spending to take account of the continuing pressure on Army budgets in the wake of a recent three-month review of capabilities and budgets.

Wilson said one possible outcome aside from a delay was a reduction in numbers.

The specialist vehicles program is aimed at equipping the Army with a range of vehicle types using the ASCOD as the common platform.

General Dynamics has already been the victim of a change of government mind on armored vehicles. In 2008, the then-Labour government canceled a deal for the company to supply its Piranha V utility vehicle as part of the Future Rapid Effects Vehicle.

The specialist vehicle requirement is the British Army's top vehicle program along with a project to update the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle. Lockheed Martin is negotiating with the Ministry of Defence to secure that deal.

Timing and numbers are being discussed, but the Army is trying to alter the spending profile to be able to afford both key programs.

Wilson said the vehicle had already gained strong interest from four potential export customers and the company was looking at options to use different caliber weapons from the 40mm CTAI supplied cannon for overseas customers. The CTAI has been mandated by the British government for the scout SV vehicle.

source roman.ro

14 septembre 2011 par Mirel Scherer – L’USINE NOUVELLE

Située à Brasov au centre du pays, l'usine Roman SA fournira environ 360 véhicules construits sur mesure pour des opérations d'assaut et de transport de troupes.

Jamais deux sans trois. Après les deux appels d'offres du Département de la défense américain gagnés en 2004 et 2009, l'usine roumaine récidive. Elle annonce la signature en novembre prochain d'un nouveau contrat avec le Pentagone pour la livraison de 360 camions militaires. Destinés aux opérations militaires (assaut et transport de troupes) sur les différents théâtres d'opérations sur lesquels sont engagés les militaires américains et notamment en Irak et en Afghanistan, ces camions sont conçus et fabriqués sur mesure par l'usine roumaine.

Le montant du contrat n'a pas été dévoilé, mais il peut être évalué à plusieurs centaines de millions de dollars. Une véritable bouffée d'oxygène pour l'usine qui a traversé une mauvaise passe en 2010. Son chiffre d'affaires a été 2,5 fois plus petit qu'en 2009 (32 millions d'euros). L'usine emploie environ 3000 personnes.

Véritable rescapée de la période de transition qu'a connu le pays après 1989, l'usine roumaine qui fabrique aussi des bus, des véhicules pour l'industrie pétrolière, des tracteurs, etc., a déjà livré 1000 camions à l'armée américaine entre 2005 et 2010.

Installée sur environ 115 hectares, l'usine fabrique des camions depuis près de 90 ans. Son histoire récente est très mouvementée : des grèves à répétitions, des licenciements, plusieurs tentatives avortées de privatisation… Jusqu'à son privatisation en 2004, l'usine n'a pas trouvé la rentabilité et a enregistré des pertes abyssales provoquées par un management défectueux et la recherche des profits rapides par certains politiciens.

Ces politiciens voulaient surtout récupérer le métal et  transformer le terrain occupé par l'usine en un joli quartier résidentiel. Appelés à la rescousse, certains "spécialistes" étrangers assuraient que c'était la seule démarche viable, "parce que les roumains ne peuvent pas fabriquer des camions de qualité."

Reprise par un investisseur roumain, l'usine a connu une transformation radicale après 2004. La production a été relancée, le bureau d'études a conçu de nouveaux véhicules dont le rapport prix/performances a convaincu un bon nombre de clients, surtout à l'exportation. Dont l'armée américaine…

Photo UK MoD

14/09/11 By Craig Hoyle SOURCE:Flight International

The UK Ministry of Defence has outlined its planned schedule to field a follow-on batch of five General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles, and revealed details of the operational demands being placed on the Royal Air Force's current fleet.

RAF Reapers have flown missions totalling more than 25,000h from Kandahar airfield in Afghanistan since their introduction in 2007, controlled by a contingent based at the US Air Force's Creech AFB in Nevada.

Its aircraft are typically flown on 12h sorties at altitudes between 20,000ft (6,100m) and 30,000ft, armed with four Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and two Raytheon GBU-12 Paveway II 226kg (500lb) bombs. Some 190 weapons have been used so far, with roughly 75% of this total being Hellfires.

"The beauty of the Reaper is that it can hang around on the target for hours on end," said Wg Cdr Gary Coleman, from the MoD's HQ 2 Group ISTAR (Land) organisation. "It is really trailblazing the future ways of doing business."

Deliveries under the follow-on order will commence in 2012, with current plans calling for the MoD's urgent operational requirement deal to conclude in March 2015. However, options exist to extend this in one-year instalments, and potentially allow the UK to bridge the gap until the planned introduction of its Scavenger medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air system from 2018.

Earlier this year the MoD revealed plans to establish a new mission control element for the Reaper at RAF Waddington, in Lincolnshire, as additional aircraft are introduced.

However, Coleman said the service is investigating the possibility of also retaining capability in the USA, to better support its operations in Afghanistan.

Since September 2010, the UK's Reaper force has been capable of delivering 36h of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance cover each day, supported by 21 crews.

The forthcoming expansion will see this rise to providing up to three 24h "orbits" continuously, with an increased total of 44 crews.

The RAF's fleet-leader has now accumulated more than 9,500 flight hours, Coleman said. "That aircraft will be out of life by 2015, because of the colossal amount that we're using it," he told the UK Air Warfare Centre's remotely piloted air systems symposium in Shrivenham, Wiltshire, on 8 September.

The type has demonstrated an airframe and sensor reliability rate of over 95% since entering use, he added.

Plans for the UK's Scavenger capability are yet to be finalised, with options potentially to include acquiring the BAE Systems/Dassault-backed Telemos, Cassidian-developed Talarion, or even extending use of the Reaper.

The mk41 launcher module being installed on Peter Willemoes

source naval-technology.com

13 Sep 2011 By PIERRE TRAN DefenseNews

LONDON - Raytheon's hopes of selling its SM-3 missile to European navies are focused on 10 out of 24 warships equipped with the Smart-L or active phased array radar (APAR), said Wes Kremer, vice president for air and missile defense systems.

The distinguishing factor on the 10 warships - four Dutch, three German and three Danish frigates - is that they equipped with the Mk41 missile launcher, Kremer told journalists at the Defense & Security Equipment International show, which opened here Sept. 13.

The Mk41 launcher meant it would be easiest to deploy the Standard Missile onto those warships, Kremer said.

Raytheon presented its prototype dual-band data link, designed to enable ships to use S-band and X-band radars to communicate with the SM-3 missile and guide it to its target, namely, an enemy medium-range ballistic missile in the exo-atmosphere.

The U.S. company has used its own funds to develop the dual-band data link over 18 months and is now looking to sign up customers. A further six to eight months would be needed to complete the data link, consisting mainly of packaging work, Kremer said.

A first test-fire of an SM-3 Block IB weapon on Sept. 1 failed to hit its target in an attempted intercept in the Pacific Ocean.

Equipping European warships with the SM-3 would give those vessels the ability to intercept missiles in the upper tier in a layered NATO missile defense, while European companies would gain work share by modifying interfaces on the weapon systems, Kremer said.

Thales Netherlands, which makes the Smart L radar, stood to get a large amount of work in fitting the SM-3 on European warships, Kremer said.

Raytheon first laid out its plans to market the SM-3 into European fleets at the Paris Air Show in June.

The KC-46A will be externally similar to this Italian Air Force KC-767A refueling a B-52.

September 13, 2011 defpro.com

JOHNSON CITY, New York | Boeing has selected BAE Systems to provide its Interior Control Panel for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-46A tanker. The panel leverages touch-screen technology and a user-friendly interface that allows an aircrew to efficiently control a variety of interior functions such as lighting, potable water, and waste tanks on the new aerial refuelling and strategic transport aircraft.

This selection marks the transition of BAE Systems’ 737 Attendant Control Panel (ACP) into a derivative airplane application, a conversion beginning only six months after first entering service on Boeing’s new 737 Sky Interior. The ACP was initially developed for the Next-Generation 737s equipped with the new, passenger-inspired cabin upgrade. The ACP’s reconfigurable display and modular design allows ease of customization for a wide variety of aircraft interiors.

“Initially designed for commercial aircraft, our touch-screen technology is well-suited for military applications as well,” said Steve Hissong, director of aircraft electronics for BAE Systems. “The system can be easily installed on legacy aircraft, making our touch-screen controls an optimal solution for the KC-46A – whose design is based on a reconfigured Boeing 767.”

BAE Systems’ vast experience working with the Boeing 767 – the company supplies approximately 107 part numbers on the aircraft – played a key role in the company’s selection as the cabin controls supplier for the Air Force’s air refuelling aircraft.

The touch screen controls system features a durable, FAA-certified design with intuitive controls, a color touch-screen display, and a variety of peripheral and network ports. Configurable to airline preferences (as on the 737 aircraft), the panel can control a number of cabin system functions including dynamic “mood” lighting; environmental systems such as cabin climate control; in-flight entertainment; and assorted cabin attendant functions such as lavatory status, water and waste water tank levels, and smoke detector status. The panel’s ability to capture system fault data also simplifies maintenance for airlines and military air crews.

Work on the KC-46A tanker touch-screen cabin control systems will be conducted in Johnson City, N.Y., and Fort Wayne, Ind.

source boomerang.bbn.com

LONDON, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire

Raytheon BBN Technologies will provide its Boomerang shooter detection systems to the U.K. Ministry of Defence. BBN is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raytheon Company .

Through the contract with U.K. distributor Maxord Ballistics Limited, Raytheon BBN Technologies will deliver Boomerang perimeter defense and vehicle systems to alert troops to the location of incoming small arms fire. Boomerang immediately alerts troops to incoming hostile fire and pinpoints the location of the enemy shooter.

Sep 13, 2011 ASDNews Source : Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT)

Visitors to the Force Protection stand (N8-160) will be able to see how a modular approach to protected patrol vehicle design will provide militaries around the world with unprecedented levels of operational flexibility.

The vehicle that demonstrates this highly significant capability is the Ocelot Light Protected Patrol Vehicle from Force Protection Europe, which will be entering service with UK MOD in 2012 under the name Foxhound. One of the stars of DSEi 2011, Ocelot will be seen with the pods that enable the vehicle to be adapted within two hours to command & control, utility and weapons variants, providing commanders with multiple options from a standard protected chassis. Ocelot combines this adaptability with outstanding levels of manoeuvrability, maintainability and protection.

In the protected patrol variant crew and passengers sit inside a protective pod made of advanced composite materials incorporating Formula 1 racing technology; while beneath them critical components such as the engine, fuel tank and transmission are contained in a V-shaped armoured spine that deflects a blast away from the vehicle. The vehicle, which has gone from a clean sheet design to production in a little over two years, has successfully undergone more than 50 physical blast tests.

Ocelot is attracting worldwide interest and Force Protection is one of three companies selected for consideration to undertake the next phase of the Australian Government's Land 121 programme. The Land 121 contract is for the production of up to 1,300 vehicles valued at more than $A1 billion by the Australian Government.

David Hind, Managing Director of Force Protection Europe, said, 'Ocelot will enable militaries to rationalise their fleets in a way that enhances, rather than limits, operational capabilities. It is the right vehicle at the right time for operators that are having to reconcile the need for multi-mission capability with financially constrained budgets.'

September 12, 2011 defpro.com

Warsaw | A meeting of minister Tomasz Siemoniak with the US Ambassador to Poland Lee Feinstein recently took place at the Ministry of National Defence (MoND) in Warsaw, Poland.

The talks concerned important issues connected with bilateral cooperation within security and defence. The minister and the ambassador emphasised the very special character of relations between Poland and the USA. They declared their will to maintain close relations, aiming at supporting common initiatives and projects. They also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and cooperation between Polish and American military contingents in ISAF.

After the talks the Minister of National Defence and the Ambassador of the USA signed a "Reciprocal Defense Procurement MOU” [Memorandum of Understanding] – an agreement between the governments of Poland and the USA about reciprocity in the area of the defence orders. Signing this document allows companies from both countries to participate reciprocally in tender procedures within armament procurement.

photo US Army

September 12, 2011 Ian Kemp, SHEPARD GROUP

London - Centre stage at Lockheed Martin UK’s stand at DSEi is its proposal for the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) to comprehensively modernise the British Army’s 30-year old Warrior IFV.

BAE Systems Global Combat Systems was also competing for the WCSP, with a solution based on a completely new turret, until its bid was ruled non-compliant by the MoD earlier this year leaving Lockheed Martin the only contender for the project.

Industry sources believe an announcement about the WCSP project will be made by Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, or possibly Defence Secretary Liam Fox to coincide with DSEi.

Lockheed Martin UK is offering an upgraded version of the original Warrior turret which it argues provides a more cost effective solution than a completely new turret design. Partners on the bid include the Defence Support Group; Rheinmetall Defence (weapon mount); SCISYS (electronic architecture); Meggitt (ammunition handling system); Ultra Electronics (power; driver instrument panel); Thales UK (Battlegroup Thermal Imaging; sights); and, Curtiss Wright (servo system). The upgraded turrets will be protected by appliqué armour and feature larger hatches to allow easier access by crew members wearing combat body armour. Both the driver and commander are provided with new mine blast resistant seats.

The MoD has stipulated that WCSP turrets and the turret on the General Dynamics UK, Scout reconnaissance vehicle will be armed with the CTA International 40mm Cased Telescoped Cannon and Ammunition system which is being provided as Government Furnished Equipment. General Dynamics UK has subcontracted Lockheed Martin UK to develop a new turret for the Scout. The MoD has stipulated that there should be a high degree of commonality between the WCSP and Scout turrets.

Chassis updates to the Warrior include electronic, environmental, power and survivability improvements. A modular protection system across the chassis enables the quick change and adaptation to mission specific or in-theatre threats. Examples of protection include bar armour, ERA and ‘special armours to be fitted or removed easily upon heavy damage’.

The army’s original plan to upgrade up to 449 “gun vehicles” has been reduced in scope as the Future Force 2020 structure introduced in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) only requires six armoured infantry battalions, one in each of five new multirole brigades (MRBs) and the training battle group at the Land Warfare Centre, instead of the eight battalions previously equipped.

Moreover, the new force rotation cycle only requires one MRB to be deployed, or on high readiness to deploy, and second brigade preparing for deployment and the other brigades at extended readiness times with reduced equipment holdings.