31.10.2013 Defence IQ Press

South Korea is nearing a decision to buy some Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jets, but may keep its options open for a limited purchase of Boeing Co's (BA.N) F-15, sources familiar with the country's fighter competition said on Wednesday.

South Korean officials could announce their plans as early as November to secure the funding needed to ensure initial deliveries of the F-35 in 2017, according to multiple sources who were not authorized to speak publicly. They cautioned that the decisions were not yet final, and an announcement could still be postponed if the decision-making process hits a snag.

South Korea's fighter competition has been closely watched given its importance to Boeing, which is keen to extend its F-15 production line beyond 2018, and to Lockheed, which is trying to drive down the price of the F-35 by securing more buyers.

Boeing's new F-15 Silent Eagle model was the only bid that came in under South Korea's budget cap of 8.3 trillion won ($7.2 billion). But Seoul last month rejected that offer and said it needed a fifth-generation warplane that is nearly invisible to enemy radar - a move widely seen as an endorsement of the F-35.

Europe's Eurofighter also plans to bid again for the order, but the head of Europe's EADS (EAD.PA) acknowledged last month that the company faced a tough battle against its U.S. rivals.

South Korean officials have said they are examining a mixed procurement approach that could help Seoul maintain sufficient numbers of fighters in its fleet if the F-35 runs into further delays. They are also looking at reducing the size of the order to 40 or 50 planes.

Analysts say Boeing is now offering Seoul a range of options for an upgraded F-15, instead of the more expensive Silent Eagle variant the company initially proposed, although the Silent Eagle version technically remains an option.

South Korean officials are under pressure to commit to at least some F-35 purchases soon, given their own budget deadlines, and the need to start buying certain "long-lead" materials needed for any jets that would be delivered in 2017.

Seoul may put off, at least for now, whether to buy a smaller number of F-15 variants, the sources said.

"South Korea will need to decide on a plan as soon as possible in order to secure (the project's) budget for next year," said one source with direct knowledge of a task force set up last month to review options for the delayed fighter jet buy. [Reuters]

The Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 fighter jet dropped a 500-pound bomb this week, hitting a tank at Edwards Air Force Base in California and marking the first time the new warplane has fired a laser-guided weapon, the Pentagon said Wednesday.

An F-35 B-model jet released the Guided Bomb Unit-12 (GBU-12) Paveway II bomb from its internal weapons bay while flying at around 25,000 feet, successfully smashing into a tank parked on the ground, the Pentagon's F-35 program office said in a statement. It took 35 seconds to hit the target.

"This guided weapons delivery test of a GBU-12 marks the first time the F-35 truly became a weapon system," said Marine Corps Major Richard Rusnok, the pilot who flew the plane during the weapons test Tuesday. "It represents another step forward in development of this vital program."

Different F-35 models have test-fired missiles during flight and over water. But this marked the first time the jet had fired a guided weapon at a ground target.

After more than a decade of development, the $392 billion F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program is making strides in testing, production and operations. The Marine Corps plans to start operating the planes in mid-2015.

The Pentagon's top arms buyer, Frank Kendall, this week said the F-35 program had made sufficient progress to budget for higher production in fiscal year 2015, but said he remained concerned about progress on the jet's software, reliability and a computer-based logistics system.

The GBU-12 weapons test will be followed later on Wednesday by a live fire test at Edwards Air Force Base of an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile, or AMRAAM, built by Raytheon Co.

A test of the F-35's ability to drop a 1,000-pound GBU-32 built by Boeing Co is planned next month. [Reuters]

The Pentagon's chief arms buyer wants details on how Lockheed Martin Corp and other companies will be held accountable for the quality and reliability of the F-35 fighter jet as he considers whether to approve an increase in the plane's production, U.S. defense officials said on Friday.

Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, is asking the Pentagon office that runs the $392 billion F-35 program to map out how it will ensure the quality, reliability and maintainability of the new warplanes as production ramps up in coming years, said the officials, who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Kendall chaired a five-hour review of the Pentagon's biggest arms program on Monday that showed progress in F-35 development, production and testing, and confirmed that Lockheed and its suppliers were technically ready to increase production.

But Kendall and other Pentagon officials want to make sure that they have contractual language and other tools in hand to hold Lockheed and engine maker Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corp, responsible if problems arise.

"The government wants to see how it can incentivize the contractors to do well, and what leverage it will have if they don't," said one source familiar with the program.

The Pentagon drive for more rigorous oversight could result in additional clauses in the next contracts for jets and engines. The contracts are being negotiated separately by Pratt and Lockheed with the government in coming months.

Government plans call for Lockheed to increase F-35 production from around 36 planes this year to 45 in 2016 and ramping up to 110 planes a year by the end of the decade. The company expects to build about 200 jets a year when the program, the largest in Pentagon history, is in full production.

Decisions on future production rates have been complicated by the lack of a federal government budget for the new fiscal year that began October 1 and uncertainty about additional cuts in Pentagon spending due to take effect under sequestration unless Congress agrees on other deficit-reducing measures. [Reuters]

Oct 30, 2013 ASDNews Source : Raytheon Corporation

Latest selection of integrated EW system - ACES - for F-16 aircraft marks 4th international contract

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been selected by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to provide its Advanced Countermeasure Electronic System (ACES) for the second group of Iraq's F-16IQ aircraft ordered this year. ACES was also selected by Lockheed Martin in 2012 for the first group of F-16IQs and is the integrated electronic warfare system of choice for other international air forces.

"ACES offers the latest in electronic warfare self protection technology designed specifically for the tactical fighter environment and mission," said Mark Kula, vice president of Tactical Airborne Systems for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business. "Our system identifies, locates and reacts to potential threats before they can engage. This is critical, game-changing technology needed in today's increasingly complex threat environment."

Read More

Oct 30, 2013 ASDNews Source : US Army

For years, route clearance patrols have helped keep the streets of Afghanistan safe from improvised explosive devices. U.S. Army combat engineers scour the country every day looking for IEDs, not just to ensure safe travel for military convoys, but also to protect the Afghan citizens who use the roads as well.

But the day of the route clearance patrol has come to an end.

In the continuing effort to increase operational effectiveness, route clearance patrol across Afghanistan are being reborn as combined-arms route clearance operations, or CARCOs.

Read more

31/10/2013 45eNord.ca (AFP)

Accusations d’espionnage, démentis et ripostes, appels à la discussion: Européens et Américains se sont à nouveau livrés mercredi à une partie de ping-pong autour de la question des interceptions de communications par la NSA qui empoisonne leurs relations.

Sur le front de la collecte d’informations auprès des fournisseurs d’accès à internet, la NSA a fait les frais de nouvelles révélations du Washington Post. Selon le quotidien, elle intercepte les données des serveurs de Yahoo! ou Google depuis l’étranger, contournant ainsi l’obligation qui lui est faite d’obtenir des injonctions de la justice américaine. Des informations qualifiées de «fausses» par le directeur de la NSA, le général Keith Alexander.

Mercredi, lors d’une conférence à Washington, le puissant patron de l’agence chargée des interceptions de communications a une nouvelle fois démenti avoir intercepté des dizaines de millions de communications de citoyens européens.

«La perception que la NSA a intercepté 70 millions d’appels téléphoniques en France, en Espagne ou en Italie est factuellement incorrecte. Ce n’est pas nous», a-t-il asséné.

Ces interceptions, réalisées selon lui par les services européens puis fournies à la NSA, concernaient des «opérations militaires» dans des pays hors d’Europe. Ces alliés de l’Otan travaillent avec les États-Unis, a-t-il ajouté sans plus de précision

«Cela n’a rien à voir avec des interceptions visant l’Europe, point», a-t-il lancé.

Cette ligne de défense n’a pas semblé convaincre les Européens. À Paris, la porte-parole du gouvernement, Najat Vallaud-Belkcacem, a jugé «peu vraisemblables» les propos du général américain et appelé à «davantage de clarté sur les pratiques des services secrets américains».

De son côté, Berlin a démenti les affirmations américaines selon lesquelles l’Allemagne espionnerait les États-Unis chez eux.

Le Vatican visé par les écoutes ?

Le responsable du renseignement extérieur (BND), Gerhard Schindler, a assuré dans l’hebdomadaire Die Zeit qu’il n’y avait «pas d’opérations de surveillance de télécommunications menées depuis l’ambassade allemande à Washington».

Dans ce contexte électrique, le patron de la NSA a appelé à «s’asseoir» avec les Européens afin de mieux coopérer en matière de cybersécurité et d’antiterrorisme. «Ce partenariat avec l’Europe est absolument important. Mais cela doit s’effectuer avec tout le monde autour de la table en mettant de côté tout sensationnalisme», a-t-il plaidé.

À la suite de la révélation de l’écoute présumée d’un téléphone portable d’Angela Merkel, deux hauts fonctionnaires allemands de la chancellerie se sont déjà rendus mercredi à la Maison Blanche pour rencontrer la conseillère à la sécurité nationale Susan Rice et le directeur national du renseignement James Clapper, a confirmé Josh Earnest, un porte-parole de la présidence américaine.

Dans les prochains jours, ce sera au tour des présidents des services secrets (BND) et des renseignement intérieurs allemands d’être reçus dans la capitale américaine.

Washington a également garanti aux Nations unies qu’il n’interceptait pas les communications de l’organisation, a annoncé le porte-parole de l’ONU, Martin Nesirky.

«Les autorités américaines ont assuré que les communications des Nations unies n’étaient pas écoutées et ne le seraient pas à l’avenir», a-t-il déclaré, refusant de dire si les États-Unis avaient espionné les communications de l’ONU dans le passé.

Mais en dépit des efforts pour gérer les dégâts et de l’annonce par la Maison Blanche qu’elle révisait ses pratiques en matière d’espionnage de dirigeants étrangers, les révélations sur l’ampleur de l’espionnage américain ont continué à déferler: les écoutes téléphoniques américaines auraient même visé le Vatican et le pape, affirme l’hebdomadaire italien Panorama à paraître jeudi.

L’hebdomadaire allemand Stern à paraître jeudi affirme quant à lui qu’une trentaine d’entreprises américaines font de d’espionnage en Allemagne, aidant notamment à l’analyse d’écoutes ou à la coordination de missions d’agents secrets.

Et selon le magazine, elles participent probablement à la coordination de missions de drones de combat en Afrique, à partir de la ville de Stuttgart (sud-ouest), où se trouve le siège du Commandement des États-Unis pour l’Afrique (AFRICOM).

Sur le plan intérieur, la révélation du Washington Post selon laquelle la NSA a intercepté des données de centaines de millions d’utilisateurs de Google et Yahoo!, pourrait s’avérer embarrassante pour l’administration Obama puisqu’elle concernerait également des citoyens américains.

Ce programme baptisé «MUSCULAR», et opéré avec l’homologue britannique de la NSA, permet depuis l’étranger aux deux agences de renseignement de récupérer des données depuis les fibres optiques utilisées par les géants d’internet, selon des documents obtenus auprès de l’ex-consultant de la NSA Edward Snowden.

Agir en dehors des États-Unis permettrait à la NSA d’avoir plus de latitude que dans le pays, où des décisions de justice seraient nécessaires pour ces actions, précisément pour s’assurer que les citoyens américains ne sont pas visés, selon le quotidien.

Oct. 23, 2013 defense-unmanned.com

(Source: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems; issued October 22, 2013)

GA-ASI's Improved Gray Eagle Flies Over 45 Hours Non-Stop

AUSA ANNUAL, WASHINGTON --- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today announced the successful completion of the first of two planned U.S. Army endurance demonstration flights with its Improved Gray Eagle (IGE) aircraft.

IGE, a next-generation derivative of the combat-proven Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), lifted off from GA-ASI's El Mirage Flight Operations Facility in Adelanto, Calif., at 6:56 a.m. on October 11th and landed 45.3 hours later at 4:16 a.m. on October 13th.

"This first endurance flight is a significant accomplishment for Improved Gray Eagle as it demonstrates the aircraft's game-changing potential for saving the lives of Army Soldiers abroad by providing extended surveillance coverage, along with the ability to self-transit to other remote distant locations," said Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, GA-ASI.

IGE was developed by GA-ASI on Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funds to demonstrate the increased endurance potential and higher payload capacity with minor modifications to the existing Block 1 Gray Eagle platform. The Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office is supporting testing of the aircraft by funding two demonstration flights this year that are designed to validate the enhanced capabilities. The first endurance test was performed with the aircraft in a Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) configuration. During the second demonstration, which is planned for later this year, IGE will carry a wing-mounted external payload and weapons.

IGE has a Max Gross Takeoff Weight (MGTOW) of 4,200 pounds, utilizing the 205HP Lycoming DEL-120 engine. Gray Eagle has a GTOW of 3,600 pounds with a 160HP rated engine. IGE's deep belly design and 500-pound centerline hard point allows for 850 pounds of internal fuel load, with an optional external fuel pod that can accommodate an additional 450 pounds (Gray Eagle's fuel load is 575 pounds). Use of this extra fuel would allow for RSTA missions in excess of 50 hours.

In addition, IGE has a maximum 540-pound internal payload capacity, compared to Gray Eagle's 400 pounds. This internal payload capacity, combined with the increased engine horsepower, provides growth capability for an improved airworthiness design, with the potential of incorporating lightning protection, damage tolerance, and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) features.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing remotely piloted aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company's Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft systems, including Predator A, Predator B, Gray Eagle, the new Predator C Avenger, and Predator XP.

10/22/2013 Andrew Elwell - defenceiq.com

DARPA is experimenting with new designs to create a new generation of “ IED-proof ” armoured vehicles. In conjunction with the U.S. Army’s Research Laboratory and, a leading producer of aluminium and fabricated parts, crew protection is hoped to be significantly improved by designing a. No welds, no weak points, just one single fabricated piece of formed aluminium.

In addition to the performance benefits, it’s thought an aluminium hull would be lighter and thinner than traditional steel hulls used for armoured vehicles.

"For decades, the Army has recognised the survivability benefits of a single-piece hull due to its thickness, size and shape for ground combat vehicles," said Dr. Ernest Chin of the Army Research Laboratory in a statement. "Our collaborative effort to develop continuous and seamless aluminium hull technology has the potential to be a game changer for how combat vehicles are designed and made to better protect our soldiers."

“Alcoa has helped the U.S. military stay ahead of emerging threats by innovating durable, lightweight aluminium technologies since World War I,” said Ray Kilmer, Alcoa Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “Our experts are now developing the world's largest, high-strength aluminium hull for combat vehicles to better defend against IEDs, the greatest threat our troops face in Afghanistan, while meeting the Army's affordability needs.”

The UK has already mass produced an armoured vehicle with an innovative hull design – the Foxhound. Rather than aluminium, a combination of advanced, lightweight composites are used to provide structural integrity, protection and lightweight performance. The composite pod has a V-shaped hull to help deflect the blast wave in the event of an IED explosion. The UK MoD has high hopes for the export potential of Foxhound, indicating that composite and, presumably, single-piece hull designs are both achievable and desirable.

With Alcoa also developing a single-form bulkhead for the new F-35 joint Strike Fighter, the company is well placed to work with the US military in the development of aluminium components. The real question is if aluminium is the right material to be working with. Composites are stronger, lighter and thinner than most metals, shouldn’t that be the focus of the DARPA’s efforts for future armoured vehicle design?

21.10.2013 Oshkosh - army-guide.com

OSHKOSH, Wis. -- As the U.S. Army advances the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program to fill a critical capabilities gap for ground operations, Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, has presented a JLTV solution with unprecedented protected mobility.

The Oshkosh JLTV solution, the Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (L-ATV), leverages unmatched depth of experience designing, integrating and sustaining vehicles for missions outside the wire.

Oshkosh is displaying its JLTV solution this week at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) 2013 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.

“The Oshkosh L-ATV redefines the future of light tactical vehicles – merging key design aspects of highly survivable combat vehicles and off-road tactical vehicles to operate in a wide range of threat levels and terrains,” said John Bryant, senior vice president of Defense Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “In fact, independent testing proves that the Oshkosh L-ATV provides the same ride quality at speeds 70 percent faster than today’s industry gold standard for off-road mobility, the Oshkosh MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV).”

Oshkosh delivered 22 JLTV prototypes to the government in August for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase. The Oshkosh JLTVs were produced following Oshkosh's standard development process, whereby initial variants were prototyped and remaining trucks were produced on a warm production line.

Oshkosh’s manufacturing facilities operate on lean principles with a mature, disciplined quality management system tailored for military vehicles and systems integration. The Oshkosh JLTV prototypes are undergoing 14 months of robust military testing, and Oshkosh will provide vehicle training and support throughout the testing.

“From design concept to manufacturing, the Oshkosh JLTV solution was developed with soldiers’ needs in mind,” Bryant said. “Since day one, we’ve managed cost as a key technical parameter to optimize the total life-cycle cost of our JLTV.”

Using the Oshkosh TAK-4i™ intelligent independent suspension system, the Oshkosh JLTV solution delivers unprecedented levels of off-road mobility for a light vehicle. The vehicle achieves a 25 percent improvement in independent wheel travel over the most mobile vehicles currently fielded, allowing for faster speeds and new levels of ride quality in off-road environments. The TAK-4i system expands on the success of the Oshkosh TAK-4 system, which has been used on more than 20,000 military vehicles and given Warfighters greater mobility in rugged landscapes like those found in Afghanistan.

Leveraging its experience with armored vehicle platforms like the Oshkosh M-ATV, Oshkosh designed the L-ATV’s crew protection system to be scalable and accept multiple armor configurations to protect soldiers from continually evolving battlefield threats.

The Oshkosh JLTV solution is on display at the Oshkosh Defense AUSA booth #6943. Oshkosh Defense representatives also are on hand to discuss JLTV and other programs.

HEaDS-UP helmet photo US Army

29/10/2013 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

The US Army is putting a hi-tech new helmet design through its paces in soldier trials.

Designed at the US Army's Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC), the HEaDS-UP system offers both dismounted and mounted troops [widely-popular video game] 'Halo'-styled head protection.

Modular in design, the HEaDS-UP next-gen helmet features upgraded ballistic materials, a transparent heads-up display, improved protection for eyes and ears and a boosted communications suite. Exactly what's included in the heads-up display isn't yet known but, potentially, battlefield maps, health status indicators and targets could all feature.

HEaDS-UP Helmet

HEaDS-UP (Helmet Electronics and Display System-Upgradeable Protection) has been in development since 2009. The next-gen helmet is the brainchild of NSRDEC and the US Army's Research Laboratory and according to the former's Don Lee, it's conceived as a platform able to interact with other advanced soldier systems.

Thus, says Lee, the HEaDS-UP helmet blends seamlessly "with other existing, fielded technologies - your body armour, your (hydration pack), your protective eye-wear", allowing warfighters to "accomplish common skills and tasks - getting up, getting in a prone position, entering a vehicle, exiting the vehicle, sighting a weapon, and stuff like that."

Next-Gen US Army Helmet

Currently, there are two modular next-gen US Army helmet prototypes. Each has been engaged in soldier trials from which valuable test data has been obtained and, in a US Army press release, Lee reports that those who wore them really rated the experience. "It was quite overwhelming...every Soldier that used these systems liked the prototype systems over their currently fielded system", he states.

In related news, it was reported earlier this month that the US Army is also working on so-called 'smart armour', resembling that worn by Iron Man. The TALOS (Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit) has an exoskeleton-type frame, allowing weighty loads to be carried, but also boasts materials that can read body temperature and heart rate levels in real-time.

"The requirement is a comprehensive family of systems in a combat armour suit where we bring together an exoskeleton with innovative armour, displays for power monitoring, health monitoring, and integrating a weapon into that", US Army representative Lieutenant Colonel Karl Borjes explained, in comments on the TALOS system quoted by the BBC. "It's advanced armour. It's communications, antennas. It's cognitive performance. It's sensors, miniature-type circuits. That's all going to fit in here, too."

The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer DDG 1000 is floated out of dry dock at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard. The ship, the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces and operate as part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. Photo: General Dynamics

October 29, 2013 defense-update.com

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) successfully launched the Navy’s first Zumwalt-class destroyer Oct. 28 at their Bath, Maine shipyard. The future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) will be the lead ship of the Navy’s newest destroyer class, designed for littoral operations and land attack. At 610 feet (186 meter) long, and 15,610 (long) tons displacement, the Zumwalt looks unlike any ship the navy has sailed, with an angular superstructure, a low-slung “tumblehome” hull to “pierce” waves for a smoother ride, Other new provisions include electric propulsion and a futuristic bridge, that looks more like it belongs on Star Trek’s USS Enterprise than a real Navy ship.

The $4 billion warship, built by Bath Iron Works in Maine, was launched on the Kennebec River Monday, five years after construction began. The Zumwalt, hull number DDG-1000, was meant to be the first of a class to replace the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Rising construction costs caused caused the Pentagon to tack, limiting the program to just three Zumwalts. They are 100 feet longer than their predecessor, but require half the crew.

The ship began its translation from Bath Iron Works’ land-level construction facility to a floating dry dock on Friday. Once loaded into the dry dock, the dock was flooded and the ship was removed from its specially designed cradle. By late Monday, the dock had been flooded and the ship was floated off and tied to a pier on the Kennebec River. Photo: General Dynamics

Because of the complexity of the first-of-class ship, the Navy will perform a two-phase delivery process. Bath Iron Works will deliver the ship itself to the Navy in late 2014. Upon delivery, the Navy will then conduct combat systems activation, tests and trials, to include multiple underway periods. The ship is expected to reach its initial operating capability in 2016. The BIW will deliver the USS Zumwalt in fall of 2015. DDG-1001, the USS Michael Monsoor, is scheduled for 2016 delivery, and the DDG-1002, USS Lyndon B. Johnson, is expected in 2018.

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships, an affiliated PEO of the Naval Sea Systems Command, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships and special warfare craft.

The Zumwalt floating after the completed launch. “The launch was unprecedented in both its size and complexity,” said Capt. Jim Downey, the Zumwalt-class program manager for the Navy’s Program Executive Office, Ships.

The ship, the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces and operate as part of joint and combined expeditionary forces. The Navy has incorporated many new technologies into the ship’s unique tumblehome hull, including an all-electric integrated power system and an Advanced Gun System, designed to fire rocket-powered, precision projectiles 63-nautical miles. The vessel will carry two MH-60R helicopters or one MH-60R and three unmanned vertical takeoff and landing unmanned helicopters (VTUAS). The Zumwalt’s 148 sailors will also enjoy improved on-board amenities, with fewer sailors per quarters, high-end food preparation and satellite laptops.

The USS Zumwalt may be the biggest destroyer ever built for the Navy, but it should be the hardest to spot on radar. The shape of the superstructure and the arrangement of its antennas significantly reduce the ship’s radar cross section, making the ship less visible to enemy radar at sea. The design also allows for optimal manning with a standard crew size of 130 and an aviation detachment of 28 Sailors thereby decreasing lifecycle operations and support costs.

Construction began on DDG 1000 in February 2009, and the Navy and its industry partners have worked to mature the ship’s design and ready their industrial facilities to build this advanced surface combatant. Zumwalt is currently more than 87 percent complete, and the shipbuilder will continue remaining construction work on the hull prior to planned delivery late next year.

The lead ship and class are named in honor of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt Jr., who served as chief of naval operations from 1970-1974. The official christening of the ship was cancelled earlier this month. Originally scheduled for Oct. 19, the ceremony was postponed until a future date due to the US administration shutdown.

October 29, 2013 defense-update.com

Raytheon Company and the U.S. Air Force concluded a series of test flights with the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) culminating in direct hits on targets moving at operationally representative speeds. SDB II can hit targets from a range of more than 40 nautical miles. It has a powerful warhead capable of destroying armored targets, yet keeps collateral damage to a minimum through a small explosive footprint. It is highly accurate and offers warfighters the flexibility to change targets through a datalink that passes inflight updates to the weapon.

“These successes are the latest in a series of test flights demonstrating Raytheon’s readiness to progress the SDB II program to the System Verification Review and Milestone C,” said John O’Brien, SDB II program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. “These tests showcase the game-changing capability of Raytheon’s tri-mode seeker to detect, track and engage moving targets in adverse weather.”

According to Raytheon, earlier supporting tests were performed in a multitude of different environments and scenarios, key to maturing seeker algorithms and validating the weapon’s aerodynamic performance. “All test flights helped reinforce the system’s capability to satisfy a critical warfighter need.” the announcement said. The Department of Defense has invested more than $700 million in the SDB II program.

Under another test program Raytheon, with the US Navy have recently confirmed testing the capability to guide the newest version of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) C-1 by from an E-2D airborne early warning and control aircraft. The team demonstrated how an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft and the JSOW C-1 can network together for such task.

The test was part of the Navy’s Trident Warrior 2013 demonstration in July. During the demonstration, fighters simulated the launch of a JSOW C-1 while the E-2D directed the weapon toward the positively identified target. The E-2D aircraft also received status updates sent from the JSOW C-1.

“The success of the Trident Warrior 2013 demonstration proves the feasibility of providing the fleet a means of executing the complete kill chain with carrier-based assets utilizing the F/A-18E/F, JSOW C-1 and E-2D to engage maritime targets at range,” said Cmdr. Errol Campbell, the U.S. Navy’s Precision Strike Weapons program office deputy program manager for the JSOW program.

Additionally, the team was able to track and designate a target; simulate the launch of the JSOW; send, receive and acknowledge target updates; and receive bomb hit indication data from the weapon.

“This test further verifies the flexibility and seamless plug-and-play connectivity of JSOW C-1′s network-enabled capability,” said Celeste Mohr, JSOW program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. “The test demonstrates the relative ease with which the U.S. Navy can build on the ongoing integration of the JSOW C-1 on the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 and expand the interoperability and connectivity to a fielded carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft.”

In 2009, the Navy performed a similar demonstration of connectivity and interoperability among sensor platforms, a shooting platform and the JSOW C-1 during the Joint Surface Warfare Joint Capability Technology Demonstration. This demonstration involved a P-3 Orion aircraft’s littoral surveillance radar system and an E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft.

29 oct. 2013 Par Sébastien Tribot - techniques-ingenieur.fr

C'était il y a quelques mois, Cassidian, la division d'EADS dont l'activité est de produire des systèmes de sécurité et de défense, remportait un contrat pour l'équipement des bases aériennes de l'aviation royale canadienne.

Le programme de surveillance des aéroports gagné par Cassidian s'élevait à 50 millions d'euros. En tout sept radars de surveillance nouvelle génération (ASR NG) ont été livré au parc d'aéroports du Canada.

Ces radars élaborés pour des clients militaires s'avèrent plus efficaces dans le contrôle du trafic aérien, en offrant de meilleures performances dans la gestion de la navigation aérienne militaire intégrée avec celle du civil, et le guidage pendant le décollage et l'atterrissage des avions. La sécurité aérienne s'en voit donc renforcée.

Qui plus est, l'ASR NG présente l'avantage de détecter et de classifier les migrations d'oiseaux et les « petits objets volants » tels que les ULM. Les pilotes sont ainsi mis au courant des zones fréquentées et peuvent éviter ces fameuses zones.

Enfin si l'on en croit Cassidian, le radar d'avant-garde ASR NG serait pourvu d'un second radar (le MSSR 2000 I) qui pourrait identifier simultanément et de manière sûre plus de mille avions. Ce dernier serait employé à des fins d'identification des risques militaires par les forces armées de 30 pays.

SPAN (Self-Powered Ad-hoc Network) - photo Lockheed Martin

29/10/2013 Par Sébastian SEIBT -- france24.com

L’un des principaux groupes américains de défense, Lockheed Martins, a démontré les capacités de surveillance d’un… caillou. Ou plutôt de capteurs qui peuvent être placés dans des pierres afin de rendre les dispositifs de surveillance plus discrets.

Il n'y a pas que la NSA qui espionne, il y a aussi les cailloux. Lockheed Martin, le géant américain de la défense, a réaffirmé, la semaine dernière lors de l’AUSA (le rassemblement annuel de tous ceux qui travaillent avec l’armée américaine) vouloir pousser sur le terrain son nouveau super-espion qui tient... dans un caillou.

Baptisée SPAN (pour "Self-Powered Ad-hoc Network" - réseau ad-hoc auto-alimenté), cette technologie est en développement depuis près d’une décennie. Il s’agit d’un capteur suffisamment petit pour être placé dans des réceptacles aussi anodins que des petites pierres. À la différence des premiers prototypes, les SPAN de dernière génération peuvent être laissés "à l’abandon" sur place pendant des années car ils se rechargent grâce à l’énergie solaire. D’après Matt Plyburn, un responsable de Lockheed Martin interrogé par le site spécialisé dans les nouvelles technologies "Wired", ces petits dispositifs auraient une durée de vie de plus de 20 ans.

Une fois qu’un de ces mini-maîtres espions perçoit un mouvement suspect, il avertit un drone ou un agent en chair et en os qui peut ensuite aller observer de plus près de quoi il en retourne. Tout le défi de ces dernières années a été, pour les ingénieurs de Lockheed Martins, de réduire le nombre de "faux positifs". Le groupe américain assure qu’aujourd’hui, ses sentinelles rocailleuses savent parfaitement faire la part des choses. Mais pour l’heure, l'efficacité des SPAN n'a pas encore été officiellement testée.

Pour Lockheed, les SPAN seraient de parfaits compagnons technologiques pour améliorer la surveillance aux frontières ou encore aux abords des QG des grands groupes qui hébergent d’importants secrets industriels. Le but, d’après Lockheed Martin, est d’offrir un système "de surveillance non-intrusive et en continu" à un coût opérationnel défiant toute concurrence, rapporte la chaîne russe d’informations en continu Russia Today. Chaque capteur est vendu 1 000 dollars. L’idée est de quadriller au maximum une zone grâce à ces cailloux afin de la sécuriser.

Ils voient des cailloux partout

Des espions tout terrain que l'armée américaine laisserait en souvenir au moment de quitter des zones où, comme en Afghanistan, les conflits sont toujours latents. "Nous allons laisser un grand nombre d’agents en Afghanistan et ils vont avoir besoin de ce genre de technologie facile à mettre en place pour surveiller, par exemple, un village sans pour autant installer des dispositifs trop voyants", affirme Matt Plyburn.

Lockheed Martin n’est pas le seul à travailler sur ce genre de technologie. L’armée américaine finance, à hauteur de plusieurs millions de dollars, la société américaine Camgian Microsystem pour travailler sur des technologies de réduction de consommation d’énergie de ce genre de capteurs. Depuis 2008, Textron, un groupe américain spécialisé dans les technologies militaires, commercialise un système qui ressemble beaucoup au SPAN sans être aussi discret.

Même les services secrets britanniques se sont déjà intéressés aux cailloux espions. Mais ils en ont gardé un amer souvenir : ils avaient essayé en 2006 d’espionner les Russes en installant un micro dans un caillou en plastique déposé dans une rue de Moscou. La Russie avait, rapidement, découvert le subterfuge, ce qui avait déclenché une mini-crise diplomatique entre les deux pays. "L’épisode du caillou espion a été plutôt embarrassant", a reconnu en 2012 Jonathan Powell, l’un des principaux conseiller de Tony Blair qui était Premier ministre britannique à l’époque.