Falcon Tactical Communications System

(Photo: BAE Systems)

July 11, 2012 defpro.com

BAE Systems' Tactical Communications System Falcon has successfully completed Systems Field Trials following weeks of extensive testing by the UK Ministry of Defence.

This trial allowed the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to assess and prove that Falcon can be deployed to deliver the required military capability. During the trial data was successfully exchanged and networks linked across six main locations in the UK.

Our team has now started delivering Falcon installations to the MoD in preparation for handover to the users from the Royal Air Force and the Royal Corps of Signals. This delivery plan will continue to run through to the middle of 2013.

In parallel with this activity, we have also commenced the Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) element of the programme. This includes support to operations, a spares and repairs service, technical help desk and a technical query service.

Brigadier Andy Bristow said: “FALCON offers the potential to be the deployed terrestrial architecture of the future, delivering an information space that the Armed Forces can be proud of for the 21st century.”

Our Falcon Tactical Communications System is a ruggedised, secure, deployable broadband voice, data and video communications network. Information can be the difference between winning and losing, understanding your enemy before he understands you is vital. Falcon delivers a competitive advantage on the frontline.

Jul 11, 2012 ASDNews Source : Thales Group

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a multi-million pound contract to supply the first full-flight simulator (FFS) for the Royal Air Force A400M military transport aircraft, recently designated Atlas by the European purchasing nations.

The FFS employs state-of-the-art visual and motion technology developed and produced by Thales UK at its facility in Crawley, West Sussex.

It is expected that a contract for a further FFS will follow, with both simulators being delivered to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. They will be maintained through a training service by a joint venture company comprising Thales and Airbus Military.

Marion Broughton, head of Thales UK’s military aerospace business, says: “This order confirms Thales as a leading military training service provider for the UK MoD. The order secures more than 50 jobs for Thales UK and its supply chain, and a further 300 UK jobs expected to be secured once the long-term training service is in place”.

Thales, as a long-standing Airbus partner, is the main supplier of the A400M’s cockpit display systems. Its technology can also be found throughout the aircraft’s avionics system, covering navigation, flight controls, electrical systems and utilities such as door management systems.

Thales UK provides military training and simulation services for a number of the MoD’s aircraft, both rotary and fixed-wing, including the Lynx helicopter, the Tornado GR4 and Voyager (Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft).

This follows on from orders for FFS from Spain, France and Germany.

Having now completed 21 air-launched test firings, MBDA is on track to deliver the first production Meteor BVR air-to-air missiles by year end. (Qinetiq photo)

July 11, 2012 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: MBDA; issued July 11, 2012)

MBDA's Meteor Firings Conclude with Lethal Display

MBDA’s Meteor Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM) has concluded its guided firing programme with three direct hits from three firings during Government sponsored Electronic Protection Measure (EPM) trials against targets deploying countermeasures. The comprehensive development and Government trials programme involved a total of 21 air launched firings, providing evidence of a progressive maturity.

As a result, MBDA is on track to complete qualification and make the first production deliveries of this unrivalled capability by the year end.

The main purpose of the firings was to gather data for the verification of the sophisticated modelling of the missile carried out by MBDA. MBDA is very confident that these results demonstrate that Meteor exceeds the performance and lethality objectives set by the Partner Nations and confirm its unrivalled air superiority.

The firing programme was carried out in two main phases with development firings in 2006 -2008 followed by a Guided Firing campaign from 2009-2012. The Guided Firings and EPM were from Gripen and Tornado F3 against a variety of scenarios and were undertaken at ranges in the United Kingdom and Sweden.

There were also a series of over 40 seeker data gathering flights and more than 100 ground firings of the throttlable ducted rocket propulsion system. Unmatched by other missiles, the Propulsion System, developed by Bayern Chemie (a subisidiary of MBDA Germany) gives Meteor the ability to manoeuvre under power, even at the extreme ranges that it achieves while maintaining very high speeds.

The UK will be the first of the Partner Nations to receive deliveries of the production missile from MBDA's UK-based Lostock site, with the programme on schedule make the first delivery around the end of 2012.

The MBDA Chief Engineer of the Meteor programme, Andy Bradford, said, “The Meteor project team are very proud to deliver this world-beating capability in BVRAAM missiles to the Partner Nations. This could not have been achieved without the full support of a supply base across Europe and MBDA's unique understanding of the control of air launched ramjet propulsion systems. Pulling together the technologies, skills and people from many different areas across Europe has ensured Meteor’s success and opens up major export opportunities beyond the production orders already contracted.”

Meteor is being developed to meet the requirements of UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden for a next generation Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) system with the capability to dominate medium and beyond visual range air combat. The missile is being integrated onto Europe’s major platforms, Typhoon, Gripen and Rafale. It is also a candidate for the next upgrade package for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2011 MBDA achieved a turnover of € 3 billion with an order book of € 10.5 billion. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems. MBDA is jointly owned by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).

July 11, 2012 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Eurosam; issued July 11, 2012)

Eurosam Signs FSAF Support Contract with OCCAR

Eurosam is proud to announce the signature with OCCAR FSAF Programme Direction of the first joint Integrated In Service Support contract (IISS), a 5 years, EUR360 million contract, was signed by OCCAR and Eurosam, on July 10th, 2012.

This complex contract is dedicated to a multinational, multifaceted community of 3 Nations and 5 end users: French Air Force, Italian Army, UK Royal Navy, Italian Navy and French Navy.

Through OCCAR EUROSAM will provide continued support for all land and naval weapon systems it provided to all 5 users: SAMP/T, SAAM-Fr, SAAM-It, and PAAMS.

July 11th, 2012 by Craig Hoyle - FG

Farnborough - BAE Systems cancelled a planned media briefing on an Anglo-French future unmanned combat air system (UCAS) project on the second day of the Farnborough air show, attributing the decision to paperwork issues.

Sources at the company's Warton site in Lancashire last month said UK and French officials were expected to sign a memorandum of understanding at or around the show to advance the collaborative effort.

The parties are not yet ready to sign, but will do so soon, BAE says. It will perform the study activity in conjunction with French partner Dassault.

A conceptual model of a future UCAS platform is on display outside BAE's pavilion at Farnborough, providing visitors with a glimpse of a possible strike aircraft of the future, positioned just feet away from a Supermarine Spitfire.

Le Francesco Mimbelli avec une Maestrale et des San Giorgio
crédits : MARINA MILITARE

11/07/2012 MER et MARINE

La Marina militare va, dans les toutes prochaines années, subir une importante cure d'amaigrissement. Début mars, le ministre de la Défense, Giampaolo Di Paola, avait annoncé cette cure d'austérité pour la marine italienne. Et on en sait désormais plus sur l'étendue et le planning de la réduction de voilure. D'abord, au niveau des sous-marins, le Salvatore Pelosi (1988) et le Giuliano Prini (1989) doivent être remplacés en 2015 et 2016 par les troisième et quatrième sous-marins du type 212A allemand, dont les deux premières unités, le Salvatore Todaro et le Scire, ont été mis en service en 2006 et 2008. En revanche, les Primo Longobardo (1993) et Gianfranco Gazzan Priaroggia (1995) n'auront pas de successeur. Après leur désarmement, entre 2016 et 2020, la marine italienne n'aura donc plus que quatre sous-marins.


Le Primo Longobardo (© : MARINA MILITARE)

7 frégates et 6 corvettes retirées du service d'ici 2016

Concernant les frégates de la classe Artigliere (ex-frégates du type Lupo initialement commandées par l'Irak et reprises par la marine italienne), après le désarmement de la tête de série (opérationnelle depuis 1994), en janvier dernier, le Granatiere (1996) doit être retiré du service en juin 2013 et l'Aviere (1995) en juin 2015. Il ne resterait plus à cette date que le Bersagliere (1995), seul à être doté d'un canon de 127mm LW.
Quatre des huit frégates du type Maestrale doivent, également, prendre leur retraite : Le Maestrale (1982) en décembre 2013, l'Espero (1985) en juin 2014, l'Aliseo (1983) en juin 2015 et l'Euro (1984) en juin 2016.


La frégate Euro (© : MER ET MARINE - JEAN-LOUIS VENNE)

Les bâtiments des types Artigliere et Maestrale doivent être remplacés par les nouvelles frégates multi-missions (FREMM), dont la tête de série, le Carlo Bergamini, est actuellement en essais. Mais, pour le moment, seuls six unités de ce type ont été commandées et la situation budgétaire de l'Italie fait craindre que les quatre autres FREMM prévues soient abandonnées.
Dans le domaine des frégates antiaériennes, en dehors des deux Horizon (Andrea Doria et Caio Duilio) flambantes neuves, le retrait des Luigi Durand de la Penne (1993) et Francesco Mimbelli (1993) n'est pas pour le moment programmé.


Une corvette du type Minerva (© : MARINA MILITARE)

Concernant les corvettes la classe Minerva (8 unités) reclassées en patrouilleurs de haute mer, il n'y aura pas de successeur. Les six premiers bâtiments doivent être désarmés d'ici 2016 : Minerva (1986) et Sibilla (1991) en septembre 2012, Danaide (1985) en juin 2013, Urania (1986) en juin 2014, Sfinge (1987) en juin 2015 et Driade (1990) en juin 2016. Le départ des deux dernières, les Fenice (1990) et Chimera (1991) interviendra ensuite. La force de patrouilleurs hauturiers sera alors limitée à 10 unités, quatre du type Cigala Fulgosi (2001 - 2002) , deux type Sirio (2005) et quatre type Cassiopea (1989 - 1990).


Le chasseurs de mines Lerici (© : MARINA MILITARE)

Guerre des mines et force de projection

Dans le domaine des chasseurs de mines, aucun retrait n'est prévu pour les 8 bâtiments du type Gaeta (1992 - 1996). En revanche, trois des quatre Lerici construits en 1985 prennent leur retraite: Le Lerici a été retiré du service en mars dernier, le Sapri doit d'être ce mos-ci et le Milazzo en juin 2015. Il ne restera alors plus que le Veste.


Le Garibaldi ravitaillé par un bâtiment du type Stromboli (© : MARINA MILITARE)

Concernant la force de projection, aucun retrait n'est annoncé. Le nouveau porte-aéronefs Cavour devrait rester épaulé par le Garibaldi (1985) jusqu'à la fin de la décennie avant d'être remplacé par un nouveau bâtiment de projection, projet qui tarde à être lancé. Les transports amphibies San Giorgio (1988), San Marco (1988) et San Giusto (1994) poursuivent leur activité. Dans le domaine des pétroliers-ravitailleurs, en plus de l'Etna (1998), un programme de remplacement doit assurer le renouvellement des Stromboli (1975) et Vesuvio (1978). Le Stromboli devait être retiré du service en 2016 mais il semble que ce bâtiment pourrait être prolongé jusqu'à l'arrivée d'un successeur. Quant au bâtiment de sauvetage Anteo (1980), son successeur doit être commandé d'ici la fin 2013 pour le remplacer en 2015.
Enfin, on notera que quatre des sept remorqueurs de haute mer de la marine italienne vont également être désarmés : Le Prometeo (1975) en juin 2012, ainsi que le Ciclope (1985), le Gigante (1986) et Tenace (1988) normalement en juin 2013. Il n'y a, pour l'heure, pas de remplaçant prévu.


Le Cavour (© : MARINA MILITARE)

July 11, 2012 defpro.com

The first firing of an operational Dual Mode Brimstone missile (Monday, 25th June) against a Fast In-Shore Attack Craft (FIAC) proved to be a resounding success and a clear demonstration of the unmatched operational flexibility that the weapon provides for air, naval and land based platforms.

During the trial, which took place at the QinetiQ Aberporth range in Wales, a RAF Tornado GR4 targeted a fast moving FIAC RT (realistic target), successfully engaging and sinking it.

“This latest firing was a great success for the team” said Paul Stanley, MBDA International Market Development Director. “This additional Capability builds upon the data gathered in March and demonstrates Brimstone’s low collateral yet lethal effects against moving and manoeuvring FIACs. It also significantly advances and confirms MBDA’s ability to offer customers as of now an extremely effective, anti swarming FIAC capability using our world leading, combat proven Brimstone missile in its mmW version.”

FIACs are small, fast and agile and a growing maritime threat. There are many variables and difficulties tracking and engaging maritime targets at sea, especially with laser-guided systems. The difference with Brimstone is that the mmW radar actually tracks the target rather than a wandering laser beam or laser return.

The firing marks the culmination of a series of seeker and telemetry gathering trials against maritime targets that have taken place over a period of five years. These trials confirmed the ability of the missile to acquire and track the FIAC in both semi-active laser and mmW (millimetric wave) radar guidance modes in realistic maritime scenarios.

“This makes Brimstone the only currently available weapon capable of providing a fully effective solution against small, fast moving and manoeuvring maritime targets” added Paul Stanley.

Brimstone has already demonstrated its capabilities as the weapon of choice against a range of fixed and moving ground targets during operations in Afghanistan and Libya. These recent trials represent the latest stage of MBDA’s programme to demonstrate the weapon’s wider versatility in engaging maritime targets.

A Wildcat helicopter (Photo: UK MoD)

July 11, 2012 defpro.com

Farnborough | SELEX Galileo welcomes the delivery of the first AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat helicopter to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in a ceremony that took place today at the Farnborough Air show.

The Company is proud to contribute to the Lynx Wildcat programme by providing leading edge technologies including the innovative Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Seaspray 7000 radar.

The Wildcat helicopter will therefore be the first UK aircraft flying with the Company’s unrivalled AESA surveillance radar, developed and manufactured at SELEX Galileo’s Edinburgh site.

The Wildcat fleet will also be protected by SELEX Galileo’s electronic warfare suite, part of the combat-proven HIDAS family which is designed and produced at the company’s Luton site. HIDAS is in service on a range of UK platforms, including the Apache, and is flying with a number of international customers.

SELEX Galileo will also support the radar and electronic warfare suite as part of the Wildcat Integrated Support and Training contract (WIST) awarded to AgustaWestland and contributes to the helicopter’s Store Management System (SMS).

The radar and electronic warfare suite will provide Wildcat crews with unparalleled situational awareness and platform protection as they perform a range of missions including reconnaissance, command and control, transportation of troops and material, and the provision of force protection.

10/07/2012 bfmbusiness.com

MADRID (Dow Jones)--Le gouvernement espagnol a annoncé lundi qu'il était actuellement en train de renégocier le calendrier des livraisons pour au moins certains des 46 Typhoon restants sur les 87 commandés au consortium Eurofighter, signe que la crise financière continue de peser sur les budgets de défense.

Madrid est déterminé à payer le solde du programme dans les délais après de récents retards de paiement, a noté une porte-parole du ministère espagnol de la Défense. Les 309 millions d'euros payés en février ont remis le gouvernement sur les rails, a ajouté la porte-parole. Une échéance de 720 millions d'euros attend Madrid cette année.

"L'Espagne a un engagement et a l'intention de respecter ses obligations", a affirmé la porte-parole. "Nous sommes dans une situation complexe et nous cherchons des solutions".

Le programme Eurofighter est une coentreprise composée de Cassidian, filiale de EADS (EAD.FR), BAE Systems (BA.LN) et Finmeccanica (FIN.MI).

July 10, 2012 by Greg Waldron – FG

Farnborough - Selex Elsag (OE1) has won an €11 million ($17 million) contract to equip Italian NH Industries NH90 helicopters with an obstacle avoidance system.

"Loam [laser obstacle avoidance and monitoring] is an auxiliary system for navigation, designed for rotary wing platforms," says Selex Elsag. "Its operating system is based on an eye-safe laser radar. This can detect any kind of dangerous obstacle along the flight path, such as power lines, ropeway wires and pillars, allowing the crew to adopt appropriate, timely and effective countermeasures."

The Italian army and navy will eventually operate a combined total of more than 100 NH90s.

July 10, 2012 by Craig Hoyle – FG

Farnborough - The Eurofighter programme received a major boost at the Farnborough air show on 9 July, with the confirmation that its four partner nations have reached an agreement to introduce a further batch of enhancements for the type.

These will see the Typhoon gain an active electronically scanned array radar, an advanced suite of defensive aids subsystem equipment and MBDA's Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile. Also to be included is the "further development of the air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities and integration of new weapons" to boost its multirole capabilities, with the latter to include Raytheon Systems' Paveway IV precision-guided bomb.

Eurofighter had scheduled a media briefing with chief executive Enzo Casolini for Tuesday, but news of the development with Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK was released by Prime Minister David Cameron's press office after he visited the company's pavilion on the opening day of the show.

"The further development of Typhoon that we have been working on with our partners is good for the Royal Air Force, who need this capability, good for our export customers, who want it too, and brilliant for the British manufacturers and British workers who are going to benefit," Cameron says.

"We are very pleased that the prime minister paid a visit to the Eurofighter community, and we appreciate all his support for export campaigns," says the Eurofighter consortium.

Approval to integrate the new equipment represents the go-ahead for a Phase 1 Enhancement programme for later Tranche 2 production examples of the Typhoon, dubbed P1EA. Export customer Saudi Arabia is also looking to introduce similar enhancements for its eventually 72-strong fleet of the type, along with the Thales Damocles targeting pod.

Meanwhile, Eurofighter partner company BAE Systems expects to fly the first element of a future P1EB package of equipment for the Typhoon on 20 July, using test aircraft IPA6.

juil 10, 2012 Nicolas Gros-Verheyde (BRUXELLES2)

C’est plutôt rare en ce moment. Quand un ministre britannique dit tout le bien qu’il pense de l’Union européenne et de sa politique de défense, autant le signaler. Il est vrai que c’était à Paris et que cela émanait du ministre britannique des Affaires européennes. Mais David Lidington a rendu un vibrant hommage à l’Union européenne et au rôle qu’elle peut jouer, à travers la PSDC, pour la prévention des conflits et la sécurité internationale.

L’avantage compétitif de l’UE

Certes « l’OTAN est et restera le meilleur outil de l’Europe pour répondre aux situations de conflit de haute intensité tels que l’Afghanistan ou la Libye. Et l’ONU et d’autres jouent un rôle vital dans le développement à long terme et la stabilité »  « Mais l’UE dispose d’un avantage compétitif (« its own unique selling points ») quand il s’agit de la sécurité internationale » a-t-il expliqué. « Son avantage est de pouvoir relier de façon  large et complémentaire un ensemble d’outils : diplomatique, civil, militaire, de développement et financier – qu’il peut employer, de façon collective, pour promouvoir la paix internationale, souvent dans des lieux où l’OTAN et d’autres ne peuvent pas agir. » Et de poursuivre : « Les missions de la PSDC faire une différence réelle pour la sécurité internationale. Elles aident à maintenir la paix dans les Balkans. Elles sont là pour assurer la protection de la navigation internationale et de l’aide alimentaire face au fléau de la piraterie. Et elles contribuent en Afghanistan à assurer un avenir stable et sûr… Ces missions apportent des résultats tangibles et positifs au Royaume-Uni, à l’Union européenne et à la communauté internationale. »

Une politique à améliorer, surtout sur l’aspect des capacités civiles

Cependant le ministre explique que la PSDC « doit s’améliorer pour permettre aux Européens d’assumer leurs responsabilités de sécurité internationales de manière plus efficace. » Et d’ajouter : « Trop souvent les Etats membres ont concentré leur attention sur les discussions sur la grandeur future de la PSDC ou même son existence, plutôt que de savoir ce qu’ils peuvent faire de mieux »

Naturellement pour le Britannique, la mission de la PSDC se tourne davantage vers « l’élaboration de ces capacités civiles telles que la réforme du secteur de sécurité et des experts juridiques ». Et elle doit se mener dans le cadre d’une politique globale, avec des partenaires, un mot qui revient à plusieurs reprises dans son discours. Le « futur de la défense européenne est d’avoir une capacité réelle à prévenir et à réagir aux crises dans le cadre d’une stratégie globale de l’UE et, de plus en plus, en tandem avec de nombreux autres partenaires. »

Les Européens doivent prendre leur défense en main

Pour Lidington, comme pour d’autres responsables avant lui (américains notamment), les Européens « doivent prendre beaucoup plus de responsabilités pour leurs propres intérêts de sécurité. Mais nous sommes, hélas, pas encore prêts à le faire. Trop de pays ne parviennent pas à construire et à entretenir les capacités militaires appropriées. » La Libye l’a montré, « les Européens peuvent réagir rapidement et résolument quand ils en ont besoin, ont le leadership adéquat et des capacités adéquates ». Mais aujourd’hui « nous manquons de la volonté politique collective et des capacités militaires pour mener les opérations sans un soutien important des États-Unis ».

La conclusion que je tire de cela est simple. Si les Européens sont à assumer nos responsabilités internationales de sécurité, nous devons nous engager à maintenir, développer et rendre disponibles nos capacités de défense qui pourraient être utilisés soit par la PSDC ou de l’OTAN.