July 10, 2013 Source: DCNS

DCNS Pursues Sea Trials with FREMM Frigate for Royal Moroccan Navy

LORIENT, France --- The FREMM multi-mission frigate on order for the Royal Moroccan Navy is pursuing sea trials off the French coast in preparation for delivery later this year. In June, French naval shipbuilder DCNS successfully completed a third series of trials to test the performance of the ship’s combat system.

The crew and DCNS specialists completed the latest trials off the Brittany coast. This series of tests was designed to check the performance of the combat system’s main sensors.

Operational scenarios were executed to check the consistency of the data analysed and displayed by the combat system sensors with the results obtained during shore-based simulations. Specific tests included target engagement sequences using Aster anti-air missiles and MM40 anti-ship missiles, fire control tests for the 76-mm main gun and exhaustive testing of the multifunction radar. Other vessel capability tests involved helicopter approach control and the deployment of various towed devices.

“This third series of sea trials represents a major milestone for the overall programme and more particularly for the ship’s combat system. Our crews thoroughly tested the full suite of combat system hardware and software that makes FREMM frigates among the most versatile and advanced on the world market”, says Gilles Raybaud, DCNS's FREMM programme manager for Morocco.

To acquaint them with shipboard operations, members of the crew that will take over once the vessel enters service with the Royal Moroccan Navy participated in the trials. Working in tandem with the French Navy crew, they took part in activities ranging from bridge and propulsion watchkeeping to safety exercises and platform management. The Moroccan crew members had previously completed simulation-based training at DCNS’s Lorient and Le Mourillon centres to familiarise them with the FREMM platform management systems.

Vice-Admiral Laghmari, inspector-general of the Royal Moroccan Navy, toured the future Mohamed VI FREMM at Lorient, meeting members of the Moroccan crew assigned to the trials and congratulating them on the tasks already completed. He encouraged them to continue to familiarise themselves with the new ship prior to delivery, and indicated that he was fully satisfied with the programme’s progress and the results of the sea trials.

The first series of sea trials, conducted in April, demonstrated the full compliance of the ship’s propulsion and navigation systems with the relevant performance requirements.

FREMM, a major programme for DCNS and partners

The French FREMM programme calls for 12 ships – 11 for the French Navy and one for the Royal Moroccan Navy.

DCNS delivered the Aquitaine, the first FREMM multimission frigate, to the French Navy in November 2012.

In accordance the contractual provisions, the second-of-type is scheduled for delivery to the Royal Moroccan Navy by the end of this year. The ship will be named the Mohammed VI.

DCNS is currently working on four FREMM frigates at different stages of completion:

- third-of-type FREMM frigate Normandie will begin sea trials later this year and is scheduled for delivery to the French Navy in 2014

- fourth-of-type FREMM frigate Provence is approaching completion and scheduled to be floated out of her building dock later this year

- the fifth and sixth of type are at earlier stages of construction.

FREMM technical data

These heavily armed warships are being built under DCNS prime contractorship to deploy state-of-the-art weapon systems and sensors including the Herakles multifunction radar, MdCN cruise missiles, Aster anti-air missiles, Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles and MU90 torpedoes.

•Length overall: 142 m

•Beam: 20 m

•Displacement (approx.): 6,000 tonnes

•Max. speed: 27 knots

•Complement: 108 (including helicopter crew)

•Accommodation:145 men and women

•Range: 6,000 nm (at 15 knots)

DCNS designs and builds submarines and surface combatants, develops associated systems and infrastructure, and offers a full range of services to naval bases and shipyards. The Group has also expanded its focus into civil nuclear engineering and marine renewable energy. The DCNS Group employs 13,200 people and generates annual revenues of €2.9 billion

July 11, 2013 by Craig Hoyle – FG

London - Saab has secured a first customer for its Skeldar vertical take-off and landing unmanned air system, with the type to be employed in a maritime surveillance role.

Announcing its receipt of the contract on 11 July, the Swedish company says the "Skeldar UAS will be operationally deployed with the customer before the end of this year and will be used in naval operations where the benefits of a vertical take-off and landing UAS are most prominent".

Further details about the launch user and number of systems to be supplied have not been disclosed. "The industry's nature is such that information regarding the customer will not be announced," the company says.

Saab's head of aeronautics, Lennart Sindahl, cites the Skeldar's "flight performance, heavy fuel engine and easy-to-maintain design" as key factors in securing the sale. According to company information, the unmanned rotorcraft has a maximum take-off weight of more than 200kg (440lb), including a sensor payload totalling up to 40kg, and offers a 5h flight endurance.

Developed and tested during the last several years, the maritime version of the Skeldar can carry a range of payloads, including an electro-optical/infrared sensor and automatic identification system equipment to monitor the activities of surface ships.

MOSCOU, 11 juillet - RIA Novosti

Selon une source du ministère de la Défense, l'armée russe devrait s'équiper du système de combat individuel Ratnik au lieu du FELIN français, écrit le quotidien Izvestia du 11 juillet 2013.

L’Etat mènera ses essais d’août à novembre et les militaires russes pourraient recevoir leurs nouveaux équipements dès le début de l'année prochaine.

"Ratnik dépasse son prédécesseur – le système de combat Barmitsa - en termes de qualité, explique Alexandre Romaniouta, chef du département scientifique de l'armée de terre. L'ancien chef de l'état-major général Nikolaï Makarov s'était prononcé pour l'examen et la reproduction de l'analogue français FELIN mais bien que ce dernier ait quelques avantages mineurs, il est moins performant que Ratnik".

Le vice-premier ministre russe Dmitri Rogozine a probablement poussé les militaires vers ce choix : il a notamment déclaré le 4 juin que "le système de combat individuel Ratnik pourrait entrer en service dans un mois". Il a pourtant évoqué un certain nombre de problèmes sur les armes, qu'il faudra résoudre prochainement.

Un mois est déjà passé mais l'armée ne sera finalement dotée de Ratnik que début 2014, estiment des sources au ministère de la Défense. Cette imprécision est liée au fait que Dmitri Rogozine parlait en fait seulement du début des essais, pendant lesquels ce nouveau système devait être transmis à des unités du District militaire ouest et des troupes aéroportées.

"Les délais des essais et des livraisons de l'équipement Ratnik sont strictement respectés, souligne le colonel Romaniouta. Tout est conforme au contrat. En 2014 ce système équipera 5 à 7 unités et les autres le recevront pendant les cinq années à venir".

Les essais préliminaires de Ratnik ont permis d’évaluer plus de 100 éléments du système, notamment des casques, des gilets pare-balles et des moyens de protection. Les 40 exemplaires les plus performants participeront aux essais d'Etat.

La commande militaire d'Etat pour 2014 prévoit la livraison de plusieurs milliers de ces systèmes de combat individuels aux soldats de l'armée de terre, des troupes aéroportées et de la marine.

Le délai moyen de garantie de Ratnik étant de cinq ans, cet équipement sera transmis d'un militaire à un autre avant sa mise hors service. Et si le T-shirt n'est destiné qu'à un seul soldat, l'uniforme d'été pourrait servir à deux militaires. L'uniforme d'hiver restera en service encore plus longtemps aussi bien que les casques, les gilets pare-balle, les armes à feu et les couteaux.

L'uniforme actuel des soldats diffère considérablement du Ratnik par sa couleur, sa coupe et la structure des matériaux dont il est composé. Selon le ministre de la Défense Sergueï Choïgou, l'armée russe s'équipera d'ici 2015 d'un nouvel uniforme unifié destiné à l'usage quotidien. Les militaires n'auront donc pas besoin de changer pour utiliser le système Ratnik : ces nouveaux vêtements seront les mêmes pour tout le monde.

"Nous avons créé cet uniforme sans modélistes ni couturiers, raconte le colonel Romaniouta se référant aux créations de Valentin Ioudachkine, peu appréciées dans l'armée. On a fait tout nous-mêmes mais il dépasse significativement de nombreux analogues étrangers du point de vue de l'apparence et du confort".

MOSCOU, 8 juillet - RIA Novosti

La poupe du premier porte-hélicoptère russe de classe Mistral, le Vladivostok, a été envoyée en France depuis Saint-Pétersbourg, a annoncé dimanche le service de presse du Groupe unifié de construction navale russe (OSK) dans un communiqué.

"Aujourd'hui, la poupe du porte-hélicoptère Vladivostok a été envoyée à Saint-Nazaire (France). De la sorte, les constructeurs russes se sont acquittés de leurs engagements dans le cadre du contrat pour la construction du premier porte-hélicoptère de classe Mistral", indique le communiqué.

La poupe devrait arriver en France d'ici 17 jours. Le porte-hélicoptère devrait être mis à l'eau en octobre 2013 et partira pour la Russie, où il sera équipé d'armements, selon le communiqué.

La cérémonie de mise en cale sèche du premier des deux Mistral commandés par la Russie s'est tenue aux chantiers navals de Saint-Nazaire, en France, le 1er février dernier. La Russie assurera 20% des travaux de construction de son premier BPC et 40% des travaux pour le second Mistral. Un responsable du Groupe unifié de construction navale russe (OSK) a annoncé en février que la Russie avait déjà produit les 30 premiers petits blocs de la poupe du BPC, qui seront envoyés en France.

D'une longueur maximale de 210 mètres, d'un déplacement de 22.000 tonnes et d'une vitesse supérieure à 18 nœuds, le BPC Mistral est capable de porter 16 hélicoptères, quatre vedettes de débarquement ou deux navires sur coussin d'air de faible tonnage. Son pont d'envol permet la mise en œuvre simultanée de 6 hélicoptères. Sa distance franchissable est de 20.000 milles nautiques. Le navire peut embarquer, outre ses 160 hommes d'équipage, un commando de 450 hommes.

09 Juli 2013 Defense Studies

(PhunuToday) - Matador is a light anti-tank missiles in accordance with the task of protecting and occupying the island for the Vietnam Navy rating.

MATADOR was developed from the 2000s, to replace the outdated system ARMBRUST the Army payroll in the Republic of Singapore. After a series of memorandum and Development Cooperation light anti-tank weapons, the Republic of Singapore Army (SAF), Department of Science and Technology with 2 Singapore military defense industry corporations large Israeli Rafael and Dynamit have a project to develop a model rocket attacks shoulder to equip Guard Forces SAF and Israel.

MATADOR line of shoulder missiles kill light tank with bore sizes up to 90mm, using two types of warheads is HEAT standard attack and Hesh. This is a collaboration product from Singapore and Israel maintained military. The prototype of the missile system MATADOR shoulder of the Federal Republic of Germany ARMBRUST but is much improved and has made a remarkable mark in the anti-tank missile systems in the world shoulder.

MATADOR was developed from the 2000s, to replace the outdated system ARMBRUST the Army payroll in the Republic of Singapore. After a series of memorandum and Development Cooperation light anti-tank weapons, the Republic of Singapore Army (SAF), Department of Science and Technology with 2 Singapore military defense industry corporations large Israeli Rafael and Dynamit have a project to develop a model rocket attacks shoulder to equip Guard Forces SAF and Israel.

In some types of anti-tank missiles and shoulder armor now, MATADOR small size, light weight yet loaded with ammunition is loaded is 8.9kg and 14.2kg while. However, not so soft that it was underestimated. MATADOR is considered nearly as strong shoulder missiles smart FMG-148 "Javelin" of the United States.

With 2 main types of warheads, MATADOR can break bunker, destroy the kind of medium tanks and tank main battle (MBT) today. In addition, it can also destroy armor and troop transport vehicles for amphibious operations against the enemy, and capable of urban warfare - one of the common characteristics of weapons to Israel increased range and power on every battlefield.

Defense capability against armored vehicles, MBT, as well as the ability to completely destroy armored vehicles carrying regular troops as the M113 or the other shielded MATADOR is rated as the best among anti-tank weapons shoulder today.

Despite intense firepower but MATADOR was safe to humans because it does not generate the fallout from the jet engines of the rocket as shoulder-fired missiles and other not affect the use of the name Fire was launched.

With the ability to use high-pressure explosive warhead, dual shot mode passive target, MATADOR can use bullets to kill Hesh urban decay shoot any wall, whether it is permanent nowhere. After penetrating the wall, bullets explode inside creating a very strong destructive power. To break the bunker type, normally, people would use explosive anti-tank warhead HEAT. When the first bullet was lodged into the wall, the sensor system on the rocket will explode and destroy targets.

One other plus points of MATADOR is that it does not need a large space for the fuel to the rocket exhaust as many different types of shoulder-fired missiles that just a narrow space, may be shielded from the walls at a distance ly 5m was able to fire attacks.

Some improved version now allows to fire missiles from any location and any public space. This is one of the brightest features of urban warfare MATADOR, making it versatile attack but still achieve very high power.

To achieve this, the MATADOR tubes using special resin called SHP, is resistant to the excess fuel ejected from the rocket launchers behind. It will keep the dust and smoke from the engine and reduces low energy from the rear, to help ensure the safety of the troops and weapons, ammunition behind. In addition, SHP classes also ensure the safety of regional anti-tank rocket launchers and not discharged materials or toxic substances in the process of firing missiles.

MATADOR is kind of viewfinder is very precise reflex viewfinder multidimensional combination with electronic devices to increase magnification. The version used in Vietnam using the viewfinder of NVD, equipped with Picatinny slot, typically used on heavy weapons. Viewfinder has the ability to change between the 3 modes and flexible in terms of daylight, at night with infrared aiming system and ultimately aiming system with thermal imaging. Heat aiming system proved very useful in night conditions and do not have a clear vision and can hit targets very accurately.

Used in the fighting in Gaza with Hamas forces, MATADOR has made repeated Hamas military Shedding for the HEAT rocket and Hesh when it destroyed a series of armored vehicles and fortifications in Gaza.

MATADOR family, variations MATADOR-WB is designed for specialized tasks destroyed walls, fortifications in the metropolitan area. MATADOR-AS variant is equipped with advanced warheads double-dose, high-explosive effect to destroy the fortifications and inner vitality, slow explosion effects to destroy armored vehicles.

The technical characteristics of light anti-tank missiles are very suitable for Vietnam troops that particular type of naval deployment to protect the island or coastal areas against attack landings enemy.

(PhunuToday)

July 9, 2013 Source: ReconRobotics, Inc

EDINA, Minn. --- ReconRobotics, Inc., the world leader in tactical micro-robots and remotely deployed sensor systems, announced today that it has passed the 4,000 robots sold plateau, making it the second largest producer of military and police robots in the world. Recent sales of Throwbot XT and Recon Scout XL micro-robots to police agencies in Michigan, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, New York, California, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands pushed the company over this significant milestone.

The only company that has sold more military and police robots is iRobot, which reports 5,000 robots sold and began selling its Packbot in 2001, six years before ReconRobotics entered the market.

“When we came on the scene in 2007, all military and police robots were large and complex and were operated only by trained experts,” said Alan Bignall, President and CEO of ReconRobotics. “Our vision was radically different: give warfighters and SWAT operators an incredibly simple, personal system that weighed one pound and enabled them to remotely deploy video, infrared and audio sensors to reveal hidden threats. What we are most proud of is the countless lives these 4,000 deployed systems have saved over the last six years.”

Among the users of the company’s systems are the U.S. military and allied friendly forces, and more than 800 police and counterterrorism teams, worldwide. The company’s Recon Scout XL and Throwbot XT robots protect operators by providing immediate situational awareness and greater standoff distance during high-risk operations. These capabilities protect personnel from hidden threats, enhance mission planning and execution, and minimize collateral damage.

ReconRobotics is the world leader in tactical, micro-robot systems and remotely deployed sensor systems. The company is based in Edina, Minnesota, USA, and markets its products through a distribution network in 45 countries. Its international operations are based in Lugano, Switzerland.

10 July 2013 baesystems.com

The Royal Air Force has completed the biggest training mission ever undertaken by its Typhoon force.

Over the past two weeks a total of 265 sorties have been flown on six days in Exercise Android Preference.

Availability of aircraft

One of the main aims of the Typhoon Availability Service and ATTAC (Availability Transformation Tornado Aircraft Contract)TAS and ATTAC contracts is to ensure the RAF has the maximum amount of aircraft available. Working in partnership with the RAF, our colleagues on both these contracts contributed towards ensuring such a large scale training mission could take place.

Qualified Weapons Instructor Course

Exercise Android Preference, which concluded at RAF Coningsby on 5 July, forms part of the Qualified Weapons Instructor (QWI) course regarded as the pinnacle qualification for RAF aircrew, as RAF Coningsby Station Commander, Gp Capt Johnny Stringer, explained:

“The QWI courses are where we fuse the physical, moral and conceptual components of air fighting power at the tactical level. We’re taking our brightest and best and making them the most capable and aware tactical operators they can be. What Android Preference allows us to do is not only to prepare them for the QWI operational phase, but also to expose them to some of the wider and higher-level considerations and consequences of their tactical appreciation, planning and subsequent execution.”

A real operational feel

The exercise designer, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Tidmarsh, said:

“For the first time we’ve executed missions involving the entire Typhoon Force which, along with other Force Elements, gives a real operational feel. The exercise challenges the whole spectrum of what Typhoon can do as a platform; not only fighting air-to-air, but also finding, fixing and prosecuting targets on the ground.

“Being fully swing role the Typhoon is able to fight its way to the target and then fight its way out again. This places a high training demand on the pilots who have to be extremely capable in the air-to-air role and the air-to-surface role and be able to make timely tactical decisions to enable them to fulfil both in a high threat environment.”

Largest training mission for Typhoon

In the first week of the Exercise the single largest training mission Typhoon has ever undertaken as one complete Force was executed. A total of 22 Typhoons from five different squadrons took part in a Combat Search and Rescue scenario that also included Tornado GR4s, USAF F-15 Eagles and Danish F16s, as well as Support and Attack Helicopters. Tactical air control and command was provided by an E-3D Sentry from RAF Waddington and 1 Air Control Centre (1 ACC), which deployed to RAF Coningsby from their home station at RAF Scampton.

Gp Capt Stringer explained: “The key involvement of 1 Air Control Centre and E-3 Sentry underlines the importance of air command and control, as well as ISTAR, to the effective employment of modern combat air power. We’re also delighted and very grateful to have had the excellent support from the Support Helicopter and Tornado GR4 Forces, 100 Squadron, the Army Air Corps and our USAF and Danish colleagues.”

Challenging roles

This variety and scope of exercise participants presented its own challenge for mission planning and execution in addition to an excellent opportunity for training large and diverse packages of aircraft. Each QWI student took it in turns to act as a Mission Commander, a challenging role which requires individual tactical prowess and wider integration in order to succeed.

Flt Lt Tidmarsh added: “At one point there was a 16 versus 20 air-to-air fight concurrent with ground serials including Air Interdiction, Close Air Support and Dynamic Targeting. I can’t remember in my career the whole force attempting one Defensive Counter Air mission that lasted an entire day.”

July 10, 2013 by Robert Farley - Flashpoints

At long last, the delivery of INS Vikramaditya, the former Russian Admiral Gorshkov finally appears imminent. Vikramaditya is currently undergoing sea trials with a mixed Russian-Indian crew, and a transfer to Indian service is scheduled for the autumn.  The delivery comes several years late, but still perhaps in time for the Indian Navy to use the carrier as a test-bed for INS Vikrant, its first indigenous carrier, scheduled for commissioning in 2018.

However, while the delayed delivery of Vikramaditya has surely proven problematic for the Indian Navy, the program has an altogether broader set of problems. Unlike the PLAN, the Indian Navy has a long history of carrier operations, running from the Majestic class INS Vikrant to the former Centaur class INS Viraat.

But India’s carrier heritage may be less of an asset than it seems.  India doesn’t appear interested in achieving greater efficiency in many areas— even in terms of common training and operational procedures— with this path of carrier fleet development. 

With the arrival of Vikramaditya, the Indian Navy will be flying new aircraft off of a new carrier of largely unfamiliar design. Although the Indian Navy has experience with both carriers and with Russian vessels, its previous carriers have been of British design, and it has never operated a ship this large. 

Furthermore, no Kiev class carrier has been put to sea in an operational sense since the early 1990s, and the modifications to Vikramaditya make her a virtually new vessel in any case.  Even after delivery, Vikramaditya will require considerable practice and time to become an effective, operational unit. The MiG-29K is also relatively new to carrier operations, with the first aircraft entering service in 2011. 

Operational tempo in Russian service has thus far been slow, meaning that many of the kinks with the carrier-based version of the veteran fighter will have to be worked out in Indian service.  If India follows through on plans to build INS Vishal as a CATOBAR carrier, the Navy will again have to learn an entirely new set of procedures, presumably with a new generation of aircraft, in the next decade.

The most interesting points to watch will be Indian collaboration with other carrier-operating navies.  The obvious candidate is Russia, but Russia owns only one carrier, which operates at a relatively low temp and may shortly re-enter a prolonged refurbishment period.  The only other navy to operate a similar carrier will, ironically, be the PLAN, which is unlikely to share many of its developing operational procedures with the Indian Navy. 

The risk of duplication of effort can surely be overstated; some of the tacit knowledge of naval aviation operations will carry over from the STOVL Viraat to the STOBAR Vikramaditya and Vikrant to the CATOBAR Vishal. However, “knowledge efficiency” and modularity do not appear to be strongly valued by the Indian Navy; beginning in 2018, it will operate three carriers of radically different age, design, and capability, and will likely maintain that state of affairs into the medium term (even after Vishal replaces Viraat).

Jul 8, 2013 ASDNews Source : BAE Systems

BAE Systems is advancing the ability of today’s warfighters to securely and reliably communicate battlefield information via jam-resistant waveforms. As the developer of the Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) Anti-Jam (AJ) mode for the Department of Defense, the company tested its mid-tier PHOENIX™ networking radios at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (Fort Dix) in New Jersey.

“Protecting tactical communications is fundamental to maintaining battlefield advantage. Our expertise with the Anti-Jam mode of WNW is evident in the positive results of our field testing at Fort Dix,” said Christopher A. Ager, director of Networked Communications at BAE Systems. “During this testing, each PHOENIX radio successfully and securely communicated across uneven terrain.”

The over-the-air test was conducted within the scope of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), and BAE Systems. The CRADA provides industry with unique opportunities to collaboratively work alongside government engineers, allowing BAE Systems access to government facilities and resources at Fort Dix. The Product Director for C4ISR and Network Modernization — a directorate of CERDEC — provided the venue to host, instrument, and observe the BAE Systems-led tests.

Using PHOENIX radios, soldiers can communicate voice, data, and video for enhanced battlefield awareness. This family of software-defined radios includes three programmable variants, each of which uses the next-generation, government-owned WNW and Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW), and allows multiple configurations: two-channel with SINCGARS, two-channel, and four-channel. With the robust WNW, all PHOENIX variants provide full anti-jam modes to protect communications in hostile environments and when using jammers. This off-the-shelf radio system offers a low size, weight, and power design that integrates easily with the SINCGARS radio space already allotted on U.S. Army ground combat vehicles.

BAE Systems is planning additional WNW-AJ tests on networks of up to 30 nodes in the coming months. In November 2012, PHOENIX-2C radios successfully provided tactical networking capabilities during U.S. Army exercises at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, enabling soldiers to communicate more than 20 kilometers in moving vehicles, which is double the mid-tier network requirement.

08 juillet 2013 Par Jean-Christophe Barla (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) - Usinenouvelle.com

La structuration de la filière aéronautique provençale se poursuit. Après le projet Henri Fabre, à Marignane, autour d'Eurocopter, un nouveau pôle émerge à Istres (Bouches-du-Rhône), grâce à Dassault Aviation.

C’est un nouveau projet ambitieux pour la filière aéronautique de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur qui s'apprête à voir le jour. Le 5 juillet, Dassault Aviation a signé une promesse de vente sur son Centre de montage Mercure (CMM) avec le Syndicat d’agglomération nouvelle Ouest Provence. Hugues Chambonnière, directeur de l’établissement istréen de Dassault Aviation, a paraphé le document. L’acquisition représente pour la collectivité publique un cout de 13,156 millions d'euros. Elle concerne un ensemble de 45 000 mètres carrés de bâtiments de production et de locaux à vocation tertiaire sur un terrain de 33 hectares.

Après le projet Henri Fabre, sur Marignane, Saint-Victoret et Vitrolles (Bouches-du-Rhône), impulsé par Eurocopter et l’Etat pour renforcer la filière, après la pépinière qui prendra son envol cet été sur l'aéroport d'Avignon (Vaucluse), le projet Mercure vise à accueillir de nouvelles entreprises dans différents secteurs de l’aéronautique : les essais, simulation et mesures, spécialité du site d’Istres (Bouches-du-Rhône) avec le centre d’essais en vol de la DGA-EV, Dassault Aviation, EADS, Snecma, Thalès, les services de maintenance et réparation pour des prestataires existants ou à venir de la base aérienne 125, et enfin, la formation, en lien avec le Centre régional de formation de l'industrie, à Istres, où des formations en alternance sont proposées pour répondre spécifiquement aux besoins de croissance et de recrutement de l'aéronautique régionale.

Selon Ouest Provence, plusieurs projets d'implantation sont à l'étude, de grands groupes comme de PME innovantes. L'acte d'achat qui marquera le lancement opérationnel du projet sera signé dans les prochains mois. A long terme, le site devrait générer un millier d'emplois directs.

04/07/2013 par Nicolas Laffont – 45eNord.ca

Le gouvernement du Canada a exercé une option lui permettant de prolonger de cinq ans le contrat qui le lie à Babcock Canada Inc. pour la remise en état et l’entretien des quatre sous-marins de classe Victoria de la Marine royale canadienne.

Après une première période de cinq ans (2008-2013), cette prolongation d’une valeur de 531 millions $ est la première qu’exerce le Canada et la durée du contrat pourrait aller jusqu’à 15 ans, pour une valeur maximale d’environ 1,5 milliard $.

«La prolongation de ce contrat constitue un investissement important visant à soutenir une capacité opérationnelle majeure pour nos Forces armées canadiennes, a déclaré la ministre associée de la Défense nationale, Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay. Il s’agit d’un autre investissement important qui stimulera la création d’emplois qualifiés dans l’industrie navale canadienne. En effet, cet investissement permettra de créer et de maintenir plus de 400 emplois hautement qualifiés à l’échelle du Canada, dont plus de 200 dans la seule région d’Esquimalt.»

Tous les travaux d’entretien de grande envergure compris dans le contrat de soutien en service seront effectués sur les chantiers de Victoria Shipyards Co. Ltd, à Esquimalt (Colombie-Britannique). Les travaux couverts par le contrat comprennent la planification et la gestion des périodes de remise en état des sous-marins; l’acquisition de matériel; toutes les activités de maintenance, y compris des périodes de grand carénage, et des services techniques. Le grand carénage comprend l’entretien complet, la réparation, la remise en état et la modernisation de chacun des quelque 200 systèmes que compte le sous-marin.

Au moment de l’attribution du contrat, deux sous‑marins faisaient déjà l’objet de grands travaux de modernisation et d’entretien, le NCSM Victoria et le NCSM Windsor.

Canadian Submarine Management Group, maintenant connu, depuis 2011, sous le nom de Babcock Canada Inc., a commencé à exécuter la première période de grand carénage sur le NCSM Chicoutimi en 2010, dans les installations de son principal sous-traitant, Victoria Shipyards, à Esquimalt (Colombie-Britannique). Les travaux exécutés sur le NCSM Chicoutimi devraient prendre fin en 2013, et Babcock Canada Inc. prévoit entreprendre les travaux sur le NCSM Corner Brook en 2014.

À la fin de travaux de remise en état du NCSM Corner Brook, l’entreprise continuera de procéder aux grands carénages des quatre sous‑marins de la classe Victoria, de façon cyclique.

À l’heure actuelle, les NCSM Victoria et Windsor sont fonctionnels. Le NCSM Chicoutimi achèvera sa période de carénage plus tard cette année et entreprendra ses essais en mer par la suite. Ce contrat de soutien en service vise à s’assurer que la flotte a, en tout temps, trois sous-marins entièrement fonctionnels d’ici 2014.

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Babcock International Group PLC est une société cotée au FTSE 250 affichant un revenu de 3,1 milliards de livres sterling (4,91 milliards $) et un bénéfice avant impôts de 329 millions de livres sterling (521 millions $) en 2012, et comptant plus de 25 000 employés répartis dans le monde entier.

Babcock Canada inc. est la société de capitaux numéro un en matière de fourniture de soutien en service aux quatre sous-marins de classe Victoria pour le compte de la Marine royale canadienne. Le projet repose sur un contrat de 15 ans conclu avec le gouvernement canadien relativement à la prestation de services de gestion et de soutien dans les domaines de la gestion de projets, de la gestion de configuration, de la logistique, de l’ingénierie et de la maintenance de ces équipements hautement spécialisés.

Babcock Canada inc. compte 175 employés situés à Ottawa, Victoria, et Halifax.

04/07/2013 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

The US DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) has advised US Congress of plans to supply Australia with a maximum of 100 Mk 54 torpedoes in a deal valued at $83 million.

The planned Mk 54 LHT (Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo) contract would encompass the weapons themselves, along with 13 mock torpedoes (for training purposes), test and support equipment, training and technical support.

If the deal is approved, the torpedoes will be manufactured by US defence contractor Raytheon.

Australian Mk 54 Torpedoes Sale

In a statement on the proposed Australian Mk 54 torpedoes sale, the DSCA describes Australia as 'an important ally in the Western Pacific that contributes significantly to ensuring peace and stability in the region'. It adds: 'The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.'

It is Australia's intention to fit these torpedoes to its in-service Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, along with its yet-to-be-acquired Boeing P-8A Poseidons.

It now falls to US Congress to consider the proposition and give its approval, all being well.

Mark 54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo

The Mark 54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo is the product of a Raytheon and US Navy partnership established to produce a Mk 46 and Mk 50 torpedoes replacement.

The Mk 54 combines elements of both its predecessors - namely the Mk 46's power system and the Mk 50's warhead. Development got underway in 1999 and, five years later, the design entered series production.

The Mk 54 Lightweight Hybrid Torpedo is compatible with the majority of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft and, when deployed on ships, can be launched in two ways: either from vertical launchers or torpedo tubes

Using what Raytheon terms 'sophisticated processing algorithms to analyse the information, edit out false targets or countermeasures, and then pursue identified threats', the Mk 54 is a 'low-cost weapon that meets all performance requirements for littoral warfare'.