14.06.11 Par YAAKOV KATZ fr.jpost.com

En 2006, vers la fin de la deuxième guerre du Liban, Miki Edelstein, alors colonel, est envoyé dans le sud du Liban par le gouvernement du Premier ministre Ehoud Olmert. Une ultime mission pour gagner du terrain dans la guerre menée contre le Hezbollah.

Dans cet épisode qui prendra plus tard le nom de "bataille de Salouki", l'objectif était d'envoyer la brigade d'infanterie Nahal, qu'Edelstein supervisait à ce moment-là, accompagnée de la 401e brigade jusqu'au ravin de Sakine. Le plan consistait à conquérir le plus de territoire possible avant que la guerre ne s'achève, deux jours plus tard seulement.

Comme beaucoup d'autres missions pendant cette guerre, l'opération ne sera pas un franc succès. Presque cinq ans plus tard, Miki Edelstein - aujourd'hui âgé de 44 ans, vétéran d'une prestigieuse unité de combattants d'élite des forces de défense israéliennes - est chef de l'infanterie des forces de défense israéliennes et officier parachutiste.

Son travail consiste à faire en sorte que les corps d'infanterie d'Israël soient au mieux préparés à une éventuelle guerre. Il lui faut aussi s'assurer que les soldats incapables de porter leur imposante arme dans le ravin du Salouki, puisque pas entraînés à porter de tels poids sur de longues distances, le soient la fois prochaine. Une prochaine fois qui peut vite arriver.

Selon les forces de défense israéliennes, une guerre avec le Hezbollah n'est pas à exclure pour l'année à venir.

Le futur soldat de l'infanterie : mortel, rapide et... victorieux

Dans son nouveau travail, Edelstein est responsable d'un programme militaire révolutionnaire mais dont on parle peu : le "futur soldat d'infanterie". L'an dernier, il a mené une intense réflexion sur le type de soldat qu'il voudrait créer et comment celui-ci serait équipé.

Le but, comme l'explique Edelstein lors d'une interview exclusive accordée au Jerusalem Post, étant de créer un soldat plus "mortel" et plus professionnel.

"Aujourd'hui, l'armée est mieux équipée, mieux entraînée. Elle sait comment tirer le meilleur d'elle-même."

Le processus prendra plusieurs années avant qu'il ne soit appliqué par l'armée dans son ensemble, mais certains changements sont déjà visibles et le résultat final donnera un soldat différent, prêt à combattre les menaces et à remporter les défis du 21e siècle.

Mais pourquoi alors investir dans un tel programme ? Pour Edelstein, la réponse réside dans les nouvelles façons de faire la guerre ces dernières années.

Israël ne fait plus l'objet de menaces sur son propre territoire de la part de ses ennemis - principalement le Hezbollah et le Hamas - en revanche, l'Etat est de plus en plus confronté aux guérillas urbaines.

Aussi, des groupes terroristes comme le Hamas et le Hezbollah commencent à adopter les caractéristiques des armées ordinaires et celle de Syrie s'imprègne du modèle du Hezbollah libanais. Puis, il y a les roquettes, lancées depuis les territoires ennemis - prenant pour cible des champs et des zones densément peuplés de civils.

"Cela signifie que dans un conflit à venir, nous devrons nécessairement avoir recours à nos forces terrestres et pénétrer dans les territoires ennemis", dit-il. "Ce que nous voulons : c'est créer des troupes aussi mortelles que possible, aussi rapides que possible et capables de se battre tant qu'il le faut".

Quand Tsahal modernise son arsenal

Le bilan des corps d'infanterie de Tsahal a débuté suite à l'opération "Plomb durci" de 2009. Il inclut plusieurs nouveaux systèmes d'armement et se concentre essentiellement sur l'idée de savoir comment assister les troupes lors de combats en zone urbaine ou à l'occasion de guérillas.

La compagnie israélienne Marom Dolphin, a par exemple, présenté sa "veste dissociable tactique", qui comprend un gilet pare-balles, une ceinture morcelable pour équilibrer le poids et de multiples poches. Désormais, chaque compagnie comporte une brigade de tireurs. Auparavant, le bataillon disposait de son équipe de snipers, appelée de façon occasionnelle, lors de missions ponctuelles. Désormais les snipers sont équipés de nouveaux fusils H-S Precision 2000, d'une portée pouvant atteindre 1 000 mètres.

Autre nouveauté : les explosifs, traditionnellement réservés aux unités des ingénieurs. Dorénavant, l'infanterie régulière peut y avoir recours. Ces explosifs, faciles à utiliser, permettent de détruire un mur ou une porte séparément.

Les forces de défense israéliennes cherchent aussi à fournir aux soldats des uniformes légers et antitranspirants, beaucoup plus confortables que ceux portés aujourd'hui. Les soldats seront également équipés de nouveaux sacs séparables, capables de transporter de lourdes charges.

Une compagnie israélienne a développé un nouveau système de transport pour les chargements encombrants. Il s'agit d'une structure sur roues que le soldat tire et qui l'aide à diminuer le poids de son sac. Selon l'entreprise, ce moyen de transport à roulettes peut supporter une charge de 80 kg, mais le soldat ne porte en réalité qu'une quinzaine de kilos.

Aussi, les forces de défense israéliennes ont décidé de supprimer peu à peu les fusils d'assaut M-16 et ont l'intention de les remplacer par le Neguev commando fabriqué par l'entreprise Weapons Industries. Avec 89 cm de longueur et 7,58 kg, le Neguev commando est plus petit et plus léger. Il s'utilise facilement lors de combats en zone urbaine car ce nouveau modèle permet de réduire la distance de tir.

Vers un essor de l'infanterie

De plus, les forces de défense israéliennes misent sur le Matador : un lance-missile placé à l'épaule destiné aux bataillons d'infanterie. Utilisé pour la première fois lors de l'opération Plomb durci, il est capable de démolir des enceintes fortifiées.

Pourtant selon Edelstein, les progrès ne consistent pas en de simples ajouts en termes d'armes ou d'équipements, il faut repenser l'arsenal actuel :
"Comment nous pouvons nous débarrasser de 70 % de notre équipement. Beaucoup trop d'appareils sont inefficaces. C'est pourquoi nous devons faire un inventaire de précision et déterminer ce que tel ou tel engin peut apporter sur un champ de bataille et quels sont ses avantages".

L'année à venir sera le témoin d'un essor de l'infanterie au sein des forces de défense israéliennes. "Nous voulons des commandants aussi professionnels que possible qui sachent utiliser au mieux les moyens mis entre leurs mains. Objectif : devenir mortels, rapides et victorieux." précise Edelstein.

En repensant à la guerre de 2006 et à la bataille de Salouki, Edelstein se souvient du nom d'un soldat, "le Magist", qui portait sur lui une arme MAG. Lors de la prochaine guerre, Edelstein s'attend à ce que le nombre de soldats, se plaignant du poids des charges, diminue de façon significative.

"La différence majeure pour le Hezbollah, c'est qu'il se trouvera face à un bataillon plus vif, mieux entraîné et dévoué à sa mission. Puisqu'à la fin, même avec toutes les armes du monde : ce qui fait qu'on gagne une guerre réside dans cet esprit de sacrifice - et ça, on en a beaucoup", conclut-il.

13 Jun 2011 By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS DefenseNews

Saudi Arabia, which has long considered the purchase of American littoral combat ships (LCS) with a lightweight Aegis combat system, is contemplating the acquisition of new DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyers that could be fitted with ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability.

The U.S. Navy briefed Saudi officials in late May on the capabilities of the destroyers, which would be far more powerful than any ship currently in the kingdom's service.

The U.S. Navy would not confirm whether the brief included BMD options, but sources did not deny that it was part of the presentation.

Saudi Arabia has been looking at Aegis-equipped LCS designs from both Lockheed Martin and Austal USA since mid-2008. Those designs, which range in size from 3,000 to about 4,000 tons, would be equipped with SPY-1F lightweight Aegis radars similar to those fitted on Norwegian frigates. But the SPY-1F lacks the fidelity and software to perform the BMD mission, and the ships probably wouldn't have the electrical capacity to power a BMD radar.

The U.S. Navy's 9,100-ton DDG 51s are the heart of the fleet's BMD force. About 20 U.S. cruisers and destroyers have had their SPY-1D Aegis systems upgraded to perform the BMD mission, and more are being backfitted. Future DDG 51s will be built with the BMD capability.

A land-based Aegis BMD system also is under development by the U.S. for deployment in Europe as part of that continent's missile defense shield.

Capt. Cate Mueller, spokesperson for the U.S. Navy's acquisition office, confirmed that the "non-binding price and availability (P&A) rough order of magnitude estimate was delivered in May" to the Saudis.

The brief, she said, included information on the capabilities and prices of "medium surface combat ships with integrated air and missile defense capability, helicopters, patrol craft and shore infrastructure."

Saudi Arabia is in the midst of a major weapon upgrade for its armed services. The Saudi Naval Expansion Program II is said to be considering the purchase of up to a dozen new warships worth, according to various media accounts, between $20 billion and $23 billion.

The recent U.S. brief provided options that included buying a mix of destroyers and LCS vessels, sources said. One source said the Saudis were considering the purchase of two destroyers plus an unknown number of LCS vessels.

No decisions have been made by the Saudis. Back-and-forth talks are continuing between the countries, a Pentagon source said, with no deal imminent.

The Navy and Lockheed Martin are awaiting feedback from the Saudis, Paul Lemmo, Lockheed's head of Mission Systems and Sensors, said June 10 through a spokesman. He confirmed that Lockheed supported the U.S. Navy's presentation.

Acquisition of Aegis BMD would provide the Saudis with a considerable anti-missile capability, possibly in excess of any other gulf-region country, including Israel.

"The DDG 51 is the most capable destroyer on the planet," said one naval expert. "If the Saudis get anything like that, it would be quite significant."

A seagoing BMD capability would minimize terrorist threats to the system, said one senior retired naval officer.

"It's much more difficult to defeat it - a truck bomb doesn't matter," the retired naval officer said. Moreover, "you can move a ship to a particular threat axis. It's much harder for the other guy to plan against."

But Iran, the primary threat in the region, already operates three Russian-built Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines and is acquiring more small subs, all able to threaten ships at sea. But identification of the target may prove difficult, particularly if an Iranian sub was trying to target Saudi but not U. S. ships.

The addition of BMD-capable ships in the gulf would help the United States, which already maintains at least one such ship in the region.

"If the Saudis always have one in the gulf, it makes it easier for the U.S. Navy to meet its commitments in the region," the retired senior naval officer said.

Several other countries already operate the Aegis system or are building it into new warships, and Japan's four Aegis destroyers are BMD-certified. But the transfer of such high-level technology comes with risks - which could become a concern in Congress, particularly after this year's "Arab Spring" featured anti-government uprisings in several countries.

"If you think the kingdom isn't long for this world, a fundamentalist takeover could put a system in the hands of the enemy," the retired senior naval officer observed.

He harkened back to the late 1970s when prerevolutionary Iran, led by the shah, was a U.S. ally. Several highly capable destroyers were under construction for Iran when the shah fell.

Those ultimately were not delivered, but earlier, the U.S. had certified Iran as the only ally to receive F-14 Tomcat fighters equipped with the Phoenix air-to-air missile, then a state-of-the-art capability. Those aircraft and missiles all fell into the hands of the anti-U.S. Iranian government.

Elbit Systems has demonstrated the use of Skylark ILE mini-UAV from a Dominator wearable command and control kit, optimized use by special operations forces and small dismounted infantry teams. The kit reduces 15 kg from the weight load of current Skylark ILE systems, enabling dynamic 'hand off' of the UAVs between dispatching units and supported teams. Photo: Elbit Systemses

June 13, 2011 By Tamir Eshel DEFENSE UPDATE

Elbit Systems demonstrated how the Skylark 1LE, a small, silent, tactical mini-unmanned aircraft systems (Mini-UAS) can be operated with standard ‘Dominator’ wearable command and control, significantly reducing the warfighter carried load, relieving forward units from the need to deploy, control and retrieve UAS and empower special operations teams with persistent, ‘semi-organic’ ISR support.

The evaluation involved the Skylark I LE mini/man-pack UAS using the standard hardware developed for the Dominator wearable command and control (‘soldier system’) to control and operate the UAS. The Skylark was operated by the Forward Ground Control Station (FGCS) application, utilizing the Dominator organic hardware solution. This new concept offers interoperability and Size Weight and Power (SWAP), enabling dismounted and special operations infantry teams to carry out complex missions by flexibly tailoring common tools and systems for each mission (the ‘swiss knife’ approach).

The Forward Ground Control System (FGCS) comprises the Dominator's wearable computer, hand held display, operating stick and additional Rambo video datalink. Photo: Elbit Systems

 

Beyond adding flexibility, the FGCS reduces more than 15kg of the load of contemporary Skylark system weight. The FGCS comprises four main components aside from the UAS, all of which are geared on the soldier’s vest: FGCS computer (using a standard Dominator PDU), tactical hand-held display, operator stick and an active Skylark ‘Rambo’ transducer that fits as an additional radio into the soldier’s vest, replacing the datalink unit used with the Skylark system. For covert and “on-the-move” operations, an eyepiece can be used instead of the hand-held display, further reducing hardware weight and power consumption.

 

Using standard PDUs with the FGCS ‘app’ minimizes the load carried by dismounted soldiers. Furthermore, the UAS can be launched by Dispatcher Units at a distance from the supported force, transferring control of the operation to the forward units, when the UAS reaches their range.

June 13, 2011 SHEPARD GROUP Source: Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems announced today that it completed a series of successful tests of its Skylark I LE mini/man-pack UAS using the Dominator hardware to control and operate the UAS. During the tests, the Skylark was operated by a new cutting edge lightweight Forward Ground Control Station (FGCS) which utilizes the Dominator organic hardware solution. This new operational concept answers the modern battlefield's requirements for interoperability and SWAP (Size Weight and Power), enabling infantry forces to execute more complex missions in diverse arenas while offering enhanced operational flexibility.

Reducing more than 15kg of the contemporary Skylark ground control system, the FGCS is comprised of four main components aside from the UAS, all of which are geared on the soldier's vest: FGCS computer (PDU), tactical hand-held display, operator stick and an active Skylark Rambo transducer that fits as an additional radio into the soldier's vest. For covert and/or "on-the-move" operations, an eyepiece can be used instead of the hand-held display.

The FGCS allows dismounted soldiers to carry minimum gear for optimal operational efficiency, as the UAS can be launched by Dispatcher Units, transferring control of the operation to the Forward Units when the UAS reaches their range. Offering a new operational concept, this new lightweight ground station solution is ideal for covert and special operations where a small hardware signature is required. The tests confirmed the usability of the new hardware configuration and the preservation of all unique Skylark highly autonomous operation to the required mission range.

12/06/11 By Craig Hoyle SOURCE:Flightglobal.com

Boeing delivered its second C-17 strategic transport to the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence on 10 June, exactly one month after the service had accepted its first example.

Pictured at Boeing’s Long Beach site in California, the aircraft is among six on order for the UAE. Two more of these will be delivered this year, with the remaining two to be handed over during 2012.

12 juin 2011 par Valérie Cheron INFO-AVIATION

L’aviation israélienne a récemment essayé d’intercepter des objets volants non identifiés qui se sont avérés être des étoiles faisant partie de la constellation de Cassiopée, a annoncé l’hebdomadaire Bamahane publié par l’armée de défense d’Israël.

Un contrôleur aérien en poste dans une base militaire du nord du pays a remarqué des feux clignotants suspects dans le ciel nocturne. Il a estimé qu’il s’agissait d’une tentative d’attaque aérienne libanaise ou syrienne. Deux chasseurs et deux hélicoptères d’assaut ont recherché des agresseurs inconnus pendant 40 minutes.

Le pilote d’un hélicoptère a enfin supposé que les lumières n’étaient pas des aéronefs ennemis mais la constellation de Cassiopée. Il a posé son hélicoptère près de la tour de contrôle et a confirmé qu’il s’agissait bien des étoiles après avoir observé le ciel avec les contrôleurs aériens.

« Il est clair que les récents événements nous font prendre tout au sérieux (…) Nous ne pouvons pas nous permettre de prendre des risques », a indiqué un représentant de l’armée israélienne cité par l’hebdomadaire.

June 10, 2011 SHEPARD GROUP Source: Boeing

Boeing delivered a second C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defence today at the C-17 programme's final assembly facility in Long Beach.

The company is contracted to deliver a total of six C-17s to its UAE customer -- four this year and two in 2012.

"Congratulations to the UAE Air Force and Air Defence on accepting delivery of their second C-17," said Bob Ciesla, Boeing C-17 programme manager. "The leadership of the UAE team has resulted in incredible progress on this programme. We look forward to continuing to work closely together as we deliver the remainder of the fleet."

The C-17 is the only aircraft capable of performing all of the UAE's airlift requirements -- strategic and tactical, military and humanitarian, brigade airdrop and aeromedical evacuation -- using either standard runways or short, austere airfields. It can transport large payloads across vast ranges without refueling and operate in extremely hot and cold climates. With a full payload of 170,000 pounds, a C-17 can fly 2,400 nautical miles and land in 3,000 feet or less.

"We're proud to say that UAE 02 is mission-ready," said Rich Cutting, Boeing UAE C-17 programme manager. "UAE 01, delivered just one month ago, has already logged several missions. And that's what the C-17 is all about -- being ready to perform any mission, anywhere, on a moment's notice."

As a member of the worldwide C-17 "virtual fleet," the UAE's C-17s will be supported through Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, a proven multinational Performance-Based Logistics programme. Through the virtual fleet concept, C-17 customers receive comprehensive worldwide logistics support (spares, support equipment, tech orders, sustaining engineering, and on-site field teams) through use of shared resources across the entire fleet. This highly successful programme ensures high levels of mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers -- regardless of fleet size -- cost-effective access to an extensive support programme.

There are currently 232 C-17s in service worldwide -- 22 with international customers. The US Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve units, has 210. Other international customers include the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the UK Royal Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.

Jun 10, 2011 ASDNews Source : US Army

CAMP TAJI, Iraq, June 9, 2011 -- Two U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters flew in formation with two Iraqi Air Force helicopters May 18, 2011, during a joint medical evacuation training mission, serving to build rapport and partnerships between the two militaries.

The mission allowed the pilots and crews from the two militaries to better understand each other's way of doing business, explained Capt. Jennifer Sims, a pilot on one of the Black Hawks, and the headquarters company commander for the 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Both American helicopters that took part in the training mission were from the 1-171 GSAB, which is attached to the 40th Combat Aviation Brigade during the brigade's yearlong deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

The Black Hawk crews shared hot tea with their Iraqi peers, a traditional gesture of hospitality, before taking flight behind the two Iraqi Air Force helicopters. The Iraqis were flying an American-made UH-1 "Huey" utility helicopter and a Russian-made Mi-17 transport helicopter.

The four helicopters flew together from Camp Taji over Baghdad before landing at the Baghdad International Airport, or BIAP, where the crews were met by U.S Air Force personnel and members of the Iraqi Security Forces and conducted ground training.

Sims said there are challenges during mixed multi-ship flights, such as this one. The biggest challenge is the language barrier, she explained.

Dissimilar equipment, radio systems and flying skills create a different flying environment than when flying with American pilots only. So when the pilots from the two militaries get the chance to fly together, it leads to familiarization and better coordination while in the air, she said.

"Anytime we work together, it's a gain," said Capt. Andy Parker, chaplain for the 1-171. Parker said he was on the mission to interact with his Iraqi counterparts. He said his interaction was very positive.

"They see we're not here to be the Lone Ranger when we work together as a team. It builds rapport," Parker said.

"They are good pilots and we learn from them many things," said the Iraqi commander who flew the UH-1 Huey during the training flight. "We have a good relationship with the American side. This is not our first flight together."

A 22-year-old Iraqi second lieutenant from Baghdad flew the Iraqi Mi-17.

"It's like flying a beast -- the power," he said of his large transport aircraft. He said he enjoyed having the opportunity to fly with American pilots. "It shows the cooperation with the two sides."

At BIAP, Spc. Michael Kelley, from the 1-171's Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance), briefed Iraqi medics on the equipment used in his specialized medical evacuation helicopter. The Iraqis then briefed the Americans on their equipment before they practiced loading patients onto the aircraft.

"The partnership offers opportunities to share tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), both Iraqi and American," said Lt. Col. Steven Ballew, U.S. Air Force medical advisor with the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission - Air. "They have the way they do things, we have ours. It's always good to get together and share TTPs."

June 9th, 2011 By AFP DEFENCE TALK

The United States has stepped up its attacks on militant suspects in Yemen with armed drones and fighter jets, The New York Times reported.

The accelerated attacks have been taking place over the past few weeks, and come as the government in Sanaa has been struggling to remain in control.

The attacks are designed to take advantage of the growing power vacuum in the country and to keep militants in the south who are linked to Al-Qaeda from assuming power, the newspaper reported.

Earlier Wednesday, Admiral Michael Mullen, the top US uniformed commander, said the conflict in the Arabian Peninsula country was making the Al-Qaeda terror network more "dangerous."

Al-Qaeda in Yemen "has grown into a very virulent deadly federated point in the Al-Qaeda organisation," the head of the US joint chiefs of staff said in Cairo.

"It is incredibly dangerous and made more dangerous in the ongoing chaos."

In Sanaa Wednesday, demonstrators chanted "No to Saleh's return," referring to Yemeni President Ali Abullah Saleh, who was flown to Saudi Arabia for treatment on Saturday after an attack on his palace.

Saleh, who has ruled the country for 33 years, has been a key US ally on the "war on terror."

The New York Times said that the recent operations came nearly a year after they had been halted because of bad intelligence that had led to several civilian deaths.

According to the newspaper, Saleh had authorized American missions in Yemen in 2009, but has said publicly that all military operations were conducted by Yemeni troops.

The USMC V-22 Osprey the world's first production tiltrotor aircraft is one of many US Military aircraft demonstrating its capabilities during the eleventh annual McDonalds Air and Sea Show off the beaches of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. on April 30, 2005. (UPI Photo/Marino-Cantrell)

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 7 (UPI)

The Israeli air force is sending a team to the United States this month to evaluate the controversial V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft that it's eyeing for search-and-rescue and covert special operations.

The successful March rescue of a downed U.S. Air Force F-15 pilot in Libya by an Osprey crew has doubtless enhanced the prospects of the multi-mission aircraft built by Bell Helicopter and Boeing Rotorcraft Systems.

"The (Israeli air force) has had its eye on the V-22 for a number of years and senior officers, including Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz have flown in it and were impressed with its capabilities," The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.

The air force had initially looked at the Osprey as a replacement for its aging fleet of Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion transport helicopters.

But these days, the Post added, "due to the V-22's smaller size it is being looked at a complementary platform to assist in (Israeli air force) search-and-rescue operations and dropping Special Forces behind enemy lines."

Once the air force team has fully examined the V-22 in the United States, the service's helicopter directorate will submit a recommendation to the air force commander, Gen. Ido Nehushtan.

The V-22 can carry 24 fully equipped combat troops seated -- 32 floor loaded -- or more than 19,800 pounds of internal or external cargo. It has a range of 2,500 miles with a single in-flight refueling.

The Osprey is unique because it has vertical takeoff and landing capability like a helicopter, with the rotors of its two end-of-wing Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engines in the upright position.

It can shift the three-bladed rotors 45 degrees so they operate as propellers pushing the aircraft forward, with short-takeoff and landing capability.

It can reach speeds of 350 miles per hour, about double that of a traditional helicopter.

The Osprey was first designed in the 1950s but the first V-22 wasn't rolled out until May 1988. Since then its development has taken years because of the complexity and difficulties of being the first tilt-rotor designed for military service.

It has had to overcome a series of political, funding and technical battles that threatened to scrap the project before it was certified for operational deployment.

Despite a series of high-profile fatal accidents involving the V-22, the Pentagon approved full-rate production in September 2005.

The U.S. Marine Corps deployed the MV-22 in 2007 and has been steadily replacing its CH-46 Sea Knights on a squadron-by-squadron basis. The switch is due to be completed by 2019.

The U.S. Army deployed Ospreys in 2009 and it has seen combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. It made its combat debut in Iraq's turbulent Anbar province, an insurgent hotbed, in November 2007.

The Israeli air force team that will evaluate with V-22 will note that the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan, where the Osprey was deployed in November 2009, found that the V-22's speed and range made it a good operational match for fast combat jets.

The Marines thus split Marine Expeditionary Unit operations into two groups, one with fixed-wing jets and V-22s, the other with slower helicopters.

The U.S. Air Force's first operational CV-22 was delivered to the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., in March 2006. The aircraft is currently deployed with three Special Operations Squadrons.

There are 112 V-22s operational with U.S. forces. The Marine Corps has ordered 360 of the aircraft, each costing $110 million.

The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command wants 50 and the U.S. Navy is expected to acquire 48.

June 07, 2011 SHEPARD GROUP Source: ETC

Environmental Tectonics Corporation today announced the completion of Factory Acceptance of a Night Vision Training System (NVTS), sold to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) through ETC's Aircrew Training Systems (ATS) business unit. The new NVTS will be shipped to Saudi Arabia to be installed in the new RSAF aeromedical training center.

The NVTS consists of a computer-based training system with automated training programs for unaided vision and Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flying in the night environment and a Terrain Model Board designed to replicate the Saudi Arabia terrain. The NVTS will be installed in a theater-style classroom specifically designed for night vision training in the purpose-built RSAF areomedical training center

The RSAF will use ETC's NVTS to train their pilots how to safely and effectively conduct unaided vision night flying operations as well as the safe use of their own NVGs (NVGs are not provided with ETC's NVTS). This type of training complements the RSAF human factors training program by training their pilots in the procedures and techniques for coping with the hazards associated with night flying. The RSAF is committed to the professional development and safety of their pilots through modernization of its aviation physiology training program.

ETC is proud to be the supplier of state-of-the-art aviation physiology training equipment to the RSAF.

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 6 (UPI)

Israel's High-Tech Industry Association has signed a memorandum of understanding with its Indian counterpart to boost cooperation in advanced technology, a move that will undoubtedly increase the Jewish state's burgeoning defense sales to India.

The Jerusalem Post reports that industry executives see the accord with the Confederation of Indian Industry, signed June 1, leading to a convergence of "Israel's innovative prowess with India's huge and talented pool of human resources."

Trade between Israel and India -- one Jewish, one Hindu, both locked in conflict with Islamist terror groups -- hit $47 billion in 2010, with India moving into second place among the Jewish state's export markets.

That didn't include defense sales on more than $1 billion annually. India is engaged in a top-to-bottom upgrade and expansion of its armed forces.

This includes massive spending on combat aircraft and building up naval forces to project Indian power across the Indian Ocean, a vital energy and trade route between the Middle East and Asia.

"Increased arms spending has created a natural market for Israeli military technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles and airborne early warning radar systems," the Post said.

In recent years, Israel has consolidated defense links with India into a strategic relationship.

On April 20, 2009, India launched its 650-pound RISAT-2 satellite, built by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries and carrying the same multi-spectral aperture radar as the Tecstar-1 satellite developed for Israel's military.

The Indians, with Israeli help, fast-tracked vital surveillance systems in the wake of the attack by Islamic extremists on Mumbai, India's commercial hub, in November 2008 in which 166 people were killed, five of them Israelis.

In January 2009, India took delivery of the first of three Phalcon all-weather AWACS, also built by IAI, the flagship of Israel's defense industry, under a $1.1 billion deal. The radar system, produced by Israel's Elta Industries, is built around the Russian-built Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft. Delivery was advanced by two months following the carnage in Mumbai.

The Phalcons made India the first state in South Asia to have advanced multi-sensor AWACs capable of providing tactical surveillance or multiple airborne and surface targets and able to gather signals intelligence.

As part of the Phalcon deal, the Israelis disclosed they would establish five factories in India to produce artillery shells, a project reportedly worth $250 million.

Ties like this will likely deepen through the high-tech accord because of an Indian requirement that local components account for 30 percent of any contract.

Israeli firms generally focus on developing cutting-edge software and worldwide exports in 2010 totaled around $29 billion.

Given the fast-growing markets emerging in India and China, the high-tech accord is tailor-made for Israel's export-heavy economy. The two countries are already discussing an agreement to remove trade barriers.

The Israelis are focusing on the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, home of the fast-growing software center at Hyderabad.

It is close to signing an agreement with Matimop of Israel, a government agency that facilitates multinational research and development projects.

Andhra Pradesh is becoming a high-tech industries powerhouse, with software exports of $8 billion in 2010.

Missiles are a key Israel-India connection, and that requires intensive high-tech cooperation.

In 2008, India signed a $4.1 billion deal to purchase a shore-based and seaborne anti-missile air-defense system based on Israel's Barak long-range naval weapon built by IAI.

In August that year, New Delhi signed a $2.5 billion contract with IAI and Israel's Rafael armaments company to jointly develop an advanced version of the Spyder surface-to-air missile.