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Scooped by
Romain
April 23, 2013 2:53 PM
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Eurocopter’s first production Tiger helicopter in the HAD attack configuration was delivered to France’s DGA armament procurement agency today for operation by French Army Aviation units, providing a highly capable combat weapon system that is tailored to the world’s evolving battlefield conditions. This milestone followed DGA qualification of the Tiger HAD version on April 10, and marked the delivery startup for Eurocopter’s latest variant of a rotorcraft product line which has already been combat proven during military operations in Afghanistan, Libya and today in Mali. “With the Tiger HAD, Eurocopter further expands the operational capabilities of a combat helicopter family which has demonstrated its mission effectiveness and performance in highly challenging military deployments,” said Dominique Maudet, the Eurocopter group’s Executive Officer for France, and Vice President of Global Business and Services. To date, France has ordered 40 Tiger combat helicopters in HAD configuration for its French Army Aviation units. Another 24 helicopters has been ordered by the Spanish government to equip the Spanish Army (which includes six Tiger HAP support and escort versions retrofitted for fire support and attack missions). Feature improvements of the Tiger HAD variant include two enhanced MTR390 turboshaft engines that provide 14 percent more power, improved ballistic protection, a new optronic sighting system, the capability to target and launch Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, an evolved electronic warfare suite, and an IFF (identification, friend or foe) interrogation system. 97 multi-role Tiger family currently are in service in four countries: France, Germany, Spain and Australia; which have ordered a total of 206 helicopters.
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Romain
April 23, 2013 2:49 PM
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The escort group for China’s first aircraft carrier (the Liaoning) is being formed. It currently consists of two Type 051C destroyers and two Type 054A frigates plus a supply ship. It is similar to what the U.S. has long used, which is currently 3-4 destroyers, 1-2 frigates, an SSN (nuclear submarine) and a supply ship. Chinese SSNs are few and not very good, which is why China probably has not assigned one to their escort group. The Type 51C is a 7,100 ton destroyer optimized for anti-aircraft defense. It carries 48 Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles (range 150 kilometers) in vertical launch tubes plus eight C-803 anti-ship missiles (range 300 kilometers), one 100mm gun, two 30mm anti-missile autocannon, six torpedo tubes and a helicopter. It has a crew of 290 and a top speed of 48 kilometers an hour. The Type 54A frigate is a 4,300 ton ship with a top speed of 49 kilometers an hour. The crew of 165 operates a 76mm cannon, two 30mm multi-barrel anti-missile autocannon, eight C-803 anti-ship missiles, six anti-submarine torpedoes, 12 240mm anti-submarine rockets, 32 vertical launch cells containing anti-aircraft or anti-submarine missiles, and a helicopter. For both ships the radars, sonar, and electronics are all Chinese made. As Japanese and South Korea have done, China appears to be following the American lead in destroyer design. The principal American destroyer is currently the Burke class. This is a design that is the culmination of over half a century of World War II and Cold War destroyer design experience. Even after the Burke was designed, in the 1980s, the design evolved. The first Burkes were 8,300 ton ships, while the latest ones, laden with more gear, and smaller crews, are 10,000 ton ships (what heavy cruisers weighed in World War II). With a top speed of nearly 50 kilometers an hour, their main armament is 90 vertical launch tubes flush with the deck, that can contain anti-aircraft, anti-ship, anti-missile or cruise missiles. There is also a 127mm (5 inch) gun, two 20mm anti-missile autocannon, six torpedo tubes and two helicopters. The Burkes were well thought out, sturdy and they got the job done. They became irreplaceable, and thus this class of warships will last more than half a century. China is using its new Type 903 replenishment ships for its most important missions. The first of these 23,000 tons tanker/cargo ships appeared in 2004. The replenishment ship provides fuel, water, food, and other supplies to the task force it supports. The replenishment ship would go to local ports to restock its depleted stores of fuel, water, food, and other necessities. The Type 903 is similar to the twelve American T-AKE replenishment ships in service. These 40,000 ton ships service a much larger fleet than the four Chinese Type 903s and are part of a larger number of replenishment ships the United States uses. China needs more replenishment ships now because it is more frequently sending warships long distances, not just to the Somali coast but also far into the Pacific. The Liaoning is a 65,000 ton ship that had spent over a year on sea trials and began operating jets from its flight deck six months ago. China has stated that the Liaoning will primarily be a training carrier. The Chinese apparently plan to station up to 24 jet fighters and 26 helicopters on the Liaoning and use the ship to train pilots and other specialists for four or more additional carriers that are to be built. The new escort group will enable escort ships to practice operating with a carrier.
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Scooped by
Romain
April 23, 2013 2:43 PM
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In an effort to demonstrate the operational capability of its MX series of designator systems, L-3 Wescam has successfully completed a series of testing of the turrets at Yuma Proving Grounds. The trials took place throughout March and were conducted using different aircraft and ground vehicles amounting to some 100 hours of semi-operational testing. ‘We had a range of products that we wanted to flight-prove in a semi-operational test environment, and that’s what the testing was about,’ Paul Jennison, VP of government sales and business development at Wescam told Shephard. ‘We took a variety of our systems, the MX-10, MX-15 and MX-25, all equipped with laser target designators to Yuma. ‘We were trying to ensure that our systems, all equipped with designators, could actually guide ordnance.’ The MX-10D was tested on an MD-540 helicopter and fired an FN HMP 400 .50cal machine guns and rockets, as well as an MD500E firing an M134 mini-gun in single and dual firing configurations. Meanwhile the MX-25D was tested on Cessna C208 Caravan and an aerostat. From the aerostat the company designated two Hellfire missiles from an AH-64D Apache to hit a tank test target. The MX-25 meanwhile was delivered to Yuma in February for the US Army's upgrade to the MX-20 EO/IR system that the Persistent Threat and Detection System (PTDS) aerostat platform already had. ‘We have proved you can put a laser spot on a target and guide either guided rockets or guided missiles, or just engage with machine guns so you can see that you can hit the target,’ he continued. ‘Our view is that this is primarily risk reduction for both ourselves on the product and for our clients. In this [economic] environment people are looking more for something that is production-ready, proven, and in production.’ Jennison said the demonstrations were company funded and there was both military and OEM presence over the different stages of the trials. ‘We are planning to go back in the late summer/early fall for a variety of tests, but for other ordnance that people have interests in for other guided rockets and missiles,’ he explained. ‘So we now find ourselves doing it probably once or twice a year to maintain currency with all of the systems that are out there.’ He said the company tries to get the engineering process finalised before showing the systems to customers, and explained that testing in the live environment is imperative because what is built to specification needs to then be able to translate to operation on-board the airframes. ‘There are lots things you can’t determine empirically in the factory or under controlled test conditions; you really need to get it on the airframes where the vibrations and flight profiles can happen, and get the effects that you just wouldn’t get from building something to a specification,’ he said. Previous demonstrations of this kind have been conducted for the Jordanian military, Jennison continued, while later this year Wescam is hoping to showcase the systems to the UK MoD.
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Romain
April 23, 2013 2:41 PM
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The first C-130J destined for the Israel Air Force (IAF Tail number 661) made its first flight this week at Lockheed Martin plant in Marietta, GA USA. The aircraft was flown by an American crew and lasted three hours. IAF Lt. Col. Uri reported it as successful. The new aircraft is one of three C-130Js ‘Samson’ tactical transport planes ordered by the IAF. The first is scheduled to arrive in Israel in 2014. For the first flight the aircraft flew in its basic configuration, “After this flight, Israeli systems will be installed in it. The IAF is interested in matching the airplane’s abilities to its missions”. Among the systems the IAF is planning to install on the aircraft are the “Toplite” stabilized electro-optical payload from RAFAEL, adding night-vision capability, a data link and satellite communications terminal, precision airdrop supporting autonomously guided parachute systems, as well as mission-planning and debriefing system.
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Romain
April 19, 2013 9:20 AM
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The Royal Moroccan Navy’s FREMM frigate yesterday began sea trials off the coast of Brittany in preparation for delivery to the North African country later this year. Its builder DCNS said that after putting to sea for the first time yesterday, the frigate will begin several weeks of sea trials. During this first period at sea, the crew ( made up of French Navy personnel, Moroccan Navy representatives and DCNS employees) will focus primarily on the performance of the ship's propulsion system and navigation system. "This milestone is the culmination of a remarkable team effort by DCNS, our partners and suppliers, the trials crew and customer representatives," said Anne Bianchi, director of FREMM frigate programmes at DCNS. "The FREMM frigates are designed and built by DCNS to meet the needs of many navies around the world, as demonstrated by this first export sale to Morocco. They are among the most technologically advanced and competitively priced vessels on the world market, and are inherently versatile to provide a response to all types of threats. They offer a range of innovative features and unparalleled levels of interoperability and operational readiness." The teams on board the Royal Moroccan Navy’s vessel will work day and night to conduct a series of tests. The first three days of the campaign, known as the 'familiarisation' phase, will be used to test the vessel's safety systems and equipment, including fire-fighting, flood control and emergency response systems and evacuation procedures as well as manoeuvrability and mooring performance. The second phase will focus on the propulsion system. The FREMM's hybrid CODLOG (COmbined Diesel eLectric Or Gas) power package combines electric motors for low-speed silent-mode propulsion and a gas turbine for high-speed mechanical propulsion, with a maximum speed in excess of 27 knots. This gives a range of 6 000 nm at 15 knots. In addition, the DCNS teams will also test the ship's navigation systems (log, position, heading) and its inertial platforms for precise positioning anywhere in the world. In the next few weeks, over 150 people, including 60 French Navy personnel, will spend time on this second FREMM frigate. To save the ship returning to port, people will be ferried out and back on a daily basis. On completing these preliminary trials, the frigate will return to DCNS's Lorient shipyard for several days of quayside work. A few weeks later, it will put to sea for a second campaign of trials focusing on the combat system. While these first sea trials are taking place, some of the Royal Moroccan Navy personnel who will crew the new vessel are beginning simulator-based training at DCNS's Lorient facility to familiarise themselves with the vessel and its systems. This training programme will be ramped up over the next few months as further members of the future crew arrive, DCNS said. “The exceptional seakeeping qualities of the FREMM frigates have already been demonstrated by the first-of-class Aquitaine, delivered to the French Navy in November 2012,” DCNS said. Aquitaine, the lead ship of the FREMM class, is undergoing an extended deployment to further test its capabilities. The FREMM programme includes 12 ships, 11 for the French Navy and one for the Royal Moroccan Navy. Morocco’s US$676 million contract for the frigate was finalised with DCNS in April 2008 and construction began at Lorient in December 2008. It will be delivered to the Royal Moroccan Navy before the end of 2013 and will be named Mohammed VI. The current Moroccan fleet includes two Floréal-class frigates and a Descubierta-class corvette in addition to some 21 patrol craft and a number of other ships and vessels. Four more patrol craft are also on order. Four other FREMM multimission frigates are at various stages of completion at DCNS's Lorient shipyard: Normandie, the third in the series, will begin sea trials at the end of the year and will be delivered to the French Navy in 2014; Provence is now fully built and will be floated out of the building dock in the fourth quarter of 2013, while the fifth and sixth of the series are under construction. The multirole FREMM frigates have been designed for several roles, including anti-air, anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare. They feature Herakles multifunction radar, Aster anti-air missiles, MdCN cruise missiles, Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles, MU90 torpedoes and an Otobreda 76 mm gun. Each vessel is 142 metres long, has a beam of 20 metres and displaces 6 000 tonnes. Although there is accommodation for 145 personnel, the standard complement is 108 including the helicopter crew. The frigate has an aft helicopter hangar and deck able to accommodate medium helicopters like the NH90, EH101 and Cougar.
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Scooped by
Romain
April 19, 2013 9:18 AM
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Three F-22s deployed to Kadena Air Base in Japan made precautionary landings over the period of three days in April for various reasons. However, none of the pilots complained of breathing problems that previous pilots had experienced in the fifth generation fighters, Air Force officials said. It’s unclear what caused these precautionary landings, but the result of them have not incurred “unique flight restrictions” for the 12 F-22As deployed to Kadena, said 2nd Lt. Hope Cornin, a spokeswoman for the 18th Wing. Two F-22s made precautionary landings on April 1, while another F-22 made a precautionary landing on April 3, Cornin said. No injuries were reported in any of these incidents. The F-22 remains under a microscope as the fifth generation fighter continues to operate without the flight restrictions the Air Force had placed on the fleet because of complaints from pilots about a lack of oxygen in flight. The service worked for more than two years to figure out the problem and then come up with a solution. Air Force leaders believe they have solved it by replacing the breathing regulator/anti-g (BRAG) valve, installing a new back-up oxygen system and changing the oxygen schedule for the F-22’s onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS). Plenty remain skeptical, but there have been no reported incidents since the Air Force lifted the flight restrictions to protect pilots. Cornin pointed out that the F-22s involved with the precautionary landings never lost their flight status because of the problems experienced by the pilots. F-22s with the 1st Fighter Wing, JointBase Langley-Eustis, Va., and the 192nd Fighter Wing, Va. Air National Guard, deployed to Japan in January and are scheduled to return to the U.S. this Spring, Cornin said. Read more: http://defensetech.org/2013/04/19/f-22s-make-precautionary-landings-in-kadena/#ixzz2Qum7xuhi Defense.org
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Romain
April 19, 2013 8:56 AM
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Germany has delivered the first of four multi-role NH90 utility helicopters to Mazer-e Sharif, Afghanistan to provide emergency air rescue for front-line casualties. The helicopter will be tasked for use in the forward air medical evacuation (FAM) role, and three more NH90s from the Transport Helicopter Regiment 10 in Fassberg will follow over the next few weeks, with deliveries to be completed by 30 June. One NH90 will be configured for medevac, one as an armed escort, and the remaining two will be held in technical reserve. Col Andreas Pfeifer, commander of the 10 transport helicopter regiment, emphasised the importance of providing airborne rescue to heavily wounded soldiers under combat conditions: ‘The use of NATO NH90 helicopters will greatly increase the safety of their own ground troops’ he said. A typical medevac scenario would involve two helicopters, one for the evacuation of casualties and a second to provide armed protection of the insert. The FAM configured helicopter is fitted out for medical personnel and the transportation and treatment of injured persons, and carries stretchers, advanced medical equipment and supplies. The ‘escort’ NH90 is equipped with two machine guns in the side doors and can seat up to 20 troops. The 11 ton class medium lift multirole NH90 was jointly developed by France, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany to meet NATO requirements.
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Romain
April 18, 2013 5:18 PM
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The Netherlands is to place its Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft into temporary storage, pending a final decision on how to replace its air force's Lockheed F-16 fighters. Newly appointed defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert announced the decision to park the test assets in a letter to the Dutch parliament on 4 April. A first example - delivered in late 2012 - and a second, expected to be handed over in mid-2013, will be stored at Edwards AFB, California, where they will be kept in airworthy condition and flown occasionally by US Air Force pilots. The effects of the decision will be discussed with the F-35 Joint Program Office. On 25 April, a meeting of the Dutch parliament regarding the F-16 replacement will be held, and with the current coalition it is uncertain which way the decision will go. The coalition partners say a decision on the F-35 will be taken before the end of this year. In an interview, Hennis-Plasschaert said that her office was open for all interested manufacturers. This would enable Boeing to promote the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Saab the Gripen E, although neither Dassault nor the Eurofighter consortium have confirmed whether they will offer their respective Rafale and Typhoon products in advance of a formal competitive process being launched. The Netherlands ordered two F-35As to participate in US-led initial operational test and evaluation of the Joint Strike Fighter. The Hague says its operational phase of this activity is due to commence during 2015.
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Romain
April 18, 2013 7:06 AM
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Pékin a publié mardi 16 avril son huitième livre blanc de la défense. Pour la première fois, le régime détaille ses effectifs militaires. Un exercice de transparence inédit destiné aussi bien aux puissances étrangères qu'aux Chinois. Jusqu'à présent, Pékin n'était pas connu pour étaler au grand jour les détails de sa force de frappe militaire. Mais un livre blanc de la défense, publié par la Chine mardi 16 avril, vient apporter des éclaircissements inédits sur le fonctionnement, la structure et le rôle de l’armée de la deuxième puissance mondiale. “C’est la première fois que Pékin fournit des données chiffrées aussi détaillées sur ses effectifs militaires”, souligne à FRANCE 24 Mary-Françoise Renard, spécialiste de la Chine et directrice de l’Institut de recherche sur l’économie de la Chine (IDREC). D’après ce livre blanc, seulement le huitième depuis 1998, l’armée de terre comprend 850 000 soldats, l’armée de l’air 398 000 et la marine en compte 235 000. C’est sept fois plus que la France mais à peine davantage que l’US Army. Pékin détaille également le fonctionnement de son deuxième corps d’artillerie au sein duquel se trouvent les missiles nucléaires dont dispose l’armée populaire de libération chinoise. Cet exercice de transparence peut étonner de la part d’un régime réputé plutôt secret quant à sa force de frappe militaire. Démonstration de force Mais le régime s’est, en fait, montré de plus en plus ouvert ces dernières années sur les questions de défense. “De toute façon, la Chine sait très bien que les services de renseignements américains ou russes en savent long sur leurs capacités militaires et il ne leur sert plus à grand chose de mentir sur les chiffres ou les dissimuler”, affirme à FRANCE 24 Daniel Schaeffer, spécialiste de la Chine et membre du groupe de réflexion Asie 21 qui regroupe une trentaine d’experts du continent asiatique. Officiellement, ce livre blanc constitue “un acte de transparence afin de démontrer la volonté nationale [chinoise] de contribuer au développement de la paix”. D’ailleurs, le document détaille, par le menu, toutes les opérations humanitaires ou de maintien de la paix auxquelles a participé l’armée chinoise que ce soit en Irak ou à la suite du tsunami qui a frappé le Japon en mars 2011. C’est aussi une incontestable démonstration de force. “Le fait que le livre blanc a été intégralement traduit en anglais démontre que c’est un message pour l’étranger”, remarque Mary-Françoise Renard. “Dans le contexte de tensions grandissantes en Asie, c’est une manière pour Pékin de répondre aux tentations américaines de venir jouer au gendarme dans la région”, poursuit cette experte faisant référence aux différents entre les deux Corées et entre la Chine et le Japon. D’ailleurs, les auteurs du livre blanc, sans jamais citer personne, évoquent “certains pays qui ont renforcé leur alliance stratégique dans la région et augmenté leur présence militaire”. Une pique qui semble viser directement les États-Unis. Acte de politique intérieure La Chine a-t-elle pour autant les moyens d’être une alternative militaire aux États-Unis dans la région ? “Depuis la fin des années 80, Pékin a massivement investi pour moderniser son armée”, rappelle Mary-Françoise Renard. En mars 2011, le régime a d’ailleurs annoncé que son budget pour la défense allait augmenter de 10,7%. “Depuis 20 ans, le pays augmente tous les ans ce budget de plus de 10%”, rappelle le quotidien économique britannique Financial Times. “C’est sûr que la Chine a les moyens militaires d’imposer ses prétentions territoriales à ses voisins”, assure Daniel Schaeffer. Cet ancien militaire est, en revanche, moins sûr que Pékin soit à la hauteur d’une éventuelle coalition entre le Japon et la Corée du Sud, soutenue par les États-Unis. Ce huitième livre blanc de la défense n’est pas seulement à destination des puissances étrangères. Il est, en effet, publié en tout début de règne du nouveau président Xi Jinping. Pour Mary-François Renard, ce n’est pas anodin : “Il y a actuellement une exacerbation du sentiment nationaliste chinois, sur fond de frictions entre Pékin et Tokyo, et Xi Jinping réaffirme avec ce livre blanc que la défense reste l’une des principales priorités du régime”.
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Romain
April 18, 2013 7:02 AM
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Le ministre de la Défense, Pieter De Crem, a laissé entendre mardi que son département ne prolongerait pas la location d'un Airbus A330 - le seul appareil de transport stratégique de l'armée belge - à une compagnie portugaise à l'issue du contrat qui expire d'ici la fin de l'année. "Le successeur de l'A330 fera de la même manière partie de la flotte blanche (la couleur dominante des avions militaires belges utilisés pour le transport de passagers, contrairement aux "avions gris" que sont les C-130 "Hercules", ndlr) et sera utilisé de manière similaire", a-t-il affirmé en commission de la défense de la Chambre. M. De Crem (CD&V) a précisé que la location d'un nouvel appareil se fera par le biais d'une procédure négociée avec publication (d'un appel d'offres) au niveau européen "en raison de la complexité et de la nature" du marché. En réponse à une question de la députée Karolien Grosemans (N-VA), il a ajouté qu'il présenterait le dossier vendredi au Conseil des ministres, sur la base d'un cahier des charges en concertation avec les services techniques et opérationnels de la Défense. "Nous ferons le meilleur choix" pour le nouveau contrat, a assuré le ministre. L'armée belge avait mis en service en novembre 2009 cet Airbus A330 - un ancien appareil de la compagnie faillie Sabena - pour assurer le transport aérien à longue distance et remplacer deux Airbus A310 vieillissants. La Défense avait eu recours à une formule innovante, qui consistait à louer cet Airbus à une compagnie civile, la portugaise Hi Fly, par l'intermédiaire d'un courtier français, Avico, tout en conservant ses propres équipages, pour effectuer quelque 2.000 heures de vol par an pour un montant de douze millions d'euros maximum par an. Mais jugé trop gros pour les besoins de l'armée par nombre d'aviateurs - d'où son surnom de "Belgian Air Force One" inspiré par l'indicatif donné au Boeing 747 présidentiel américain -, il n'a effectué que 1.165 heures en 2010 et 1.114 heures en 2011, pour un coût de location de 11,6 millions d'euros pour chacune de ces années. M. De Crem a toutefois assuré que l'Airbus, qui a conservé une immatriculation civile portugaise, a "exceptionnellement bien fonctionné durant la courte période (quatre ans, ndlr) pendant laquelle il a pu être engagé". L'avion a effectué des vols au profit du commandement européen du transport aérien (EATC) basé à Eindhoven, aux Pays-Bas, et dans le cadre du système d'échange ATARES (Air Transport and Refueling Exchange System).
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Romain
April 18, 2013 5:44 AM
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L’époque où les agences de renseignement américaines pouvaient dépenser sans compter est désormais révolu. Si les arbres ne peuvent pas monter jusqu’au ciel, comme le dit l’adage boursier, il en va également pour les budgets. Ainsi, au lendemain des attentats du 11 septembre 2001, les sommes allouées au renseignement américain ont considérablement augmenté, ce qui a permis de financer plus de 1.270 agences gouvernementales et 1.900 sociétés privées ayant des activités dans ce domaine. Seulement, augmenter les budgets est une chose. Garantir que l’argent est bien utilisé en est une autre. Une étude publiée en 2010 par le Washington Post estimait, en effet, que 50.000 rapports produits annuellement étaient tout simplement ignorés. Quoi qu’il en soit, comme les Etats-Unis ont, comme les Européens, des soucis avec leur dette publique, les agences de renseignement américaine sont désormais soumises à une certaine austérité, faute d’avoir fait preuve de rigueur dans la gestion des moyens qui leur avaient été accordés. Lors de l’année 2012, Washington a dépensé 75,4 milliards de dollars pour financer les activités civiles et militaires liées au renseignement. Pour le projet de budget 2014 présenté la semaine passée par la Maison Blanche, ce montant sera ramené à 62,2 milliards de dollars, ce qui reste encore élevé. Dans le détail, le président Obama a demandé 48,2 milliards de dollars pour la CIA et les autres agences civiles, soit 4,4 milliards de moins par rapport à l’année dernière, où déjà, il était question d’une baisse de 4% du budget dédié au renseignement. Quant au secrétaire à la Défense, Chuck Hagel, il prévoit 14 milliards pour financer ses programmes de renseignement militaire, contre 21,5 milliards en 2012. Mais, ce qui ennuie James Clapper, le directeur du renseignement national américain (DNI), est la mise en congé forcé des 800.000 personnels civils du Pentagone à cause des contraintes budgétaires, même si ces dernières ont été récemment allégées par le Congrès. La raison de cette inquiétude du DNI tient au fait que de nombreux employés civils de la défense américaine travaillent pour le renseignement militaire (notamment la Defense Intelligence Agency, DIA) en tant qu’analystes ou traducteurs. “Cela n’a pour moi aucun sens d’exempter les militaires [de la mise au chômage partiel] et de ne pas envisager d’alternative pour les personnels du renseignement qui occupent des fonctions vitales similaires pour protéger notre sécurité nationale”, avait ainsi affirmé James Clapper, en février dernier.
Face aux limitations des hélicoptères, les Transallitos de l'armée de l'air se sont trouvés une mission taillée sur mesure pour leurs performances , au Mali. Les trois Casa 235 mobilisables dans la zone ont été réquisitionnés pour ramener à Bamako les blessés récupérés par les ambulances ou les Medevac, et médicalisés d'abord dans des structures intermédiaires, les MCV (1). Pour cela, les Casa du Vercors et du Ventoux ont plusieurs atouts : leur soute peut prendre huit blessés couchés, et le réseau électrique de bord supporte sans peine les instruments médicaux des équipes du service de santé, ce qui n'est pas le cas de tous les cargos militaires. Cette capacité avait déjà été utilisée dans les Balkans et en Haïti. En outre, ils peuvent poser à peu près partout.
Les Casa ont été utilisés plusieurs fois au Mali, notamment pour évacuer des militaires africains (tchadiens majoritairement) très grièvement blessés. (1) au moins trois de ces modules de chirurgie vitale sont déployés au Mali. Le MCV a été développé conjointement par le SSA et le COS : c'est un exemple de plus des innovations des forces spéciales qui profitent à l'armée entière.
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Romain
April 18, 2013 5:25 AM
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Le renouvellement du marché d’externalisation de l’habillement des fonctionnaires de la Police Nationale a été attribué à un groupement d’entreprises qui rassemble Ineo Support Global, La Calaisienne et Balsan. Ce marché était précédemment détenu par Armor Lux. La société finistérienne a concouru sans succès, tout comme Paul Boyé et un groupement formé d'Unicorp (groupe canadien), Atalian et Mulliez-Flory (un groupe implanté près de Cholet). Le marché, d’une durée de quatre ans (avec une reconduction possible d’une année), porte sur la fabrication, l’approvisionnement et la distribution de vêtements et accessoires au profit des 125 000 personnels de la police nationale qui disposent d’un compte à point individuel et peuvent directement commander leurs tenues. Annuellement, 170 000 commandes devraient être enregistrées, pour un total de 1,2 million de pièces distribuées par an dans 900 points de distribution (les livraisons Outre-Mer étant assurées par le Ministère depuis Limoges). Selon des chiffres du ministère de l’Intérieur, 400 produits (pour 44 « vestiaires » différents) et 4 500 références sont concernés. La valeur de ce contrat de 4 ans est estimée à 85 millions d’euros. Du côté de la Défense. Parallèlement à ce marché d'externalisation de l'Intérieur, un autre marché identique est en cours d'attribution; il s'agit de celui, inédit, de l'externalisation de la fonction Habillement au sein du ministère de la Défense. Le groupement attributaire a été nommé; il s'agit de Griffe défense avec Ineo Support Global, La Calaisiennne, Eminence, Saint-James, TDV etc. Trois autres groupements ont pris part à cette compétition. Toutefois, le ministère de la Défense a précisé que la décision définitive d'externalisation de cette fonction ne sera prise qu'en juin. Il s'agira alors de choisir définitivement entre le maintien en régie et l'externalisation (solution que refusent les syndicats).
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Romain
April 23, 2013 2:51 PM
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C’est un signe fort peu encouragent pour l’avenir du Rafale aux Emirats arabes unis, pays qui envisage d’en acquérir 60 exemplaires depuis 2008. Ce marché, visé également par le consortium Eurofighter, a jusqu’à présent fait l’objet de négociations aux multiples rebondissements. Récemment, à l’occasion du salon de défense IDEX, à organisé en février à Abou Dhabi, l’optimisme était dans le camp français. “Nous sommes confiants qu’on finira par réussir à le vendre”, confiait même Christian Mons, le président du Conseil des industries de défense françaises (CIDEF), au sujet du Rafale. “Il y a une grande chance que le client (émirati) souhaite acheter en 2015/2016 et que nous commencions les livraisons en 2017/2018″, avait-il ajouté. Seulement, dans la rivalité entre Dassault Aviation et Eurofighter, laquelle avait pris corps en novembre 2011, époque à laquelle les Emirats avaient anoncé s’intéresser de près au Typhoon en faisant savoir que l’offre du constructeur français n’était pas assez “compétitive”, un troisième acteur a semble-t-il poussé ses pions. Au printemps 2012, il était alors dit que la vente du Rafale aux Emirats allait aboutir quelques semaines avant l’élection présidentielle française. Seulement, avec l’alternance politique à Paris, il y eut un nouveau refroidissement. Le président sortant, Nicolas Sarkozy ayant été battu, il n’était “plus là pour mettre une pression énorme sur les Emiratis ainsi que sur son entourage pour finaliser coûte que coûte le contrat”, écrivait La Tribune. De son côté, Abu Dhabi attendait un signe du nouveau locataire de l’Elysée. Ce fut donc à cette époque, d’après certains médias spécialisés d’outre-Atlantique, que le constructeur américain Lockheed-Martin joua sa carte, en proposant aux Emirats de compléter leur flotte d’avions F-16 E/F Desert Falcon avec des exemplaires supplémentaires de dernière génération, l’idée étant de se placer pour soumettre, le cas échéant, des F-35. Et visiblement, cette option a dû séduire les Emirats arabes unis car, d’après des responsables du Pentagone, il est question de leur vendre 26 F-16E/F Block 60 pour “un peu moins de 5 milliards de dollars.” Le dossier devrait être évoqué lors de la tournée au Moyen Orient de Chuck Hagel, le secrétaire américain à la Défense. Jusqu’à présent, les forces aériennes émiraties mettent en oeuvre 79 F-16 (l’un d’entre eux ayant été perdu en 2006) ainsi que 68 Mirage 2000-9, lesquels doivent être théoriquement remplacés par un nouvel appareil. Dans les négociations portant sur un éventuel achat du Rafale, il est d’ailleurs question que la France les reprenne. Mais l’achat de 26 F-16 supplémentaires risque fort de modifier la donne étant donné qu’il va rendre moins urgent le remplacement des Mirage 2000-9 émiratis, lesquels ont d’ailleurs encore du potentiel.
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Romain
April 23, 2013 2:44 PM
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A new amphibious armored personnel carrier (APC), the BTR-82AM, is undergoing a series of trials at the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s naval infantry facility in Sevastopol. During the trials, the BTR-82AM, which is due to replace the military’s workhorse, the BTR-80, will cover “dozens of miles at sea” to test its stability and endurance when afloat. The new APC incorporates an automatic 30-mm artillery system, which “has significantly enhanced the vehicle’s firepower.” The BTR-82AM is the latest APC modification of the BTR-80 8×8 wheeled carrier, production of which began in 1986. It features improved armor, is equipped with the Glonass navigation system and has a more powerful engine of 300 hp.
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Romain
April 23, 2013 2:42 PM
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The German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) announced it has signed a contract with the Emirate of Qatar to modernize the Emirate’s single armored brigade, at an investment of about $2.5 billion. The acquisition is part of a comprehensive modernization program the Emirate’s military forces is undergoing in recent years. In the past years Qatari authorities have evaluated offers from the U.S., China, France, Germany, South Korea and Turkey to equip their armored brigade. The Emirates’ land forces, comprising some 8,500 soldiers has not received significant modernization in recent years. Despite the country’s wealth from oil and trade, Qatari land forces were not spoiled with modern equipment in recent years. In fact, the Qatari forces still operate a fleet of French AMX-30B2 main battle tanks and South African G5 towed howitzers and Mk F3 self-propelled guns acquired in the 1980s. The only new infusion of hardware was in the air defense of the island, fielding 12 batteries of Patriot PAC-3. Qatar is likely to become one of the first international operator of the Terminal High Altitude Air defense (THAAD) missile defense system. Under the armored brigade’s modernization package signed with KMW the Emirate will receive two battalions of Leopard 2 MBTs, that will replace the AMX-30s. The package will also include 24 PzH2000 SP guns replacing the G5s. The latest version of Leopard 2 KMW is currently offering is the A7+, implementing an enhanced protection, firepower and digitization systems better adapting the tank for operations in asymmetric, urban environment. Rumors of the deal surfaced in Germany in 2012, claiming that Qatar is interested in buying up to 200 Leopard 2 tanks. The Qatari armored brigade currently employs one tank battalion, one mechanized battalion and an artillery regiment. With the quantity of new hardware doubling the number of tanks and artillery being replaced (62 vs 30+), it is likely the Qatari Army will deploy these assets in more flexible formations, better equipped and organized for modern warfare. According to French recommendations, the brigade should include one tank regiment, two infantry regiments and an artillery regiment. Such formations enable the flexible deployment of multiple task forces. Such reorganization could also lead to the procurement of modern infantry fighting vehicles. The Qatari Army is currently using various wheeled armored vehicles for protected infantry transport, including Piranha, VAB and AMX-10 of Swiss and French origin. According to KMW, the project’s total amount reaches €1.89 billion, including the delivery of peripheral equipment, training installations and additional services. The systems delivered to Qatar by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann are intended to progressively replace the emirates outdated artillery and tanks of French and South African origin. According to the German company, these outdated assets “will be scrapped”. The Qatari deal was in the making for over two years. KMW is pursuing other opportunities in the Middle east, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where Germany is offering to sell the kingdom some 800 Leopard 2 tanks and Boxer armored fighting vehicles. However, the possibility of selling the tanks to the Saudis has raised considerable opposition in Germany.
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Romain
April 23, 2013 2:41 PM
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The world’s largest defense contractor Lockheed Martinassesses the potential effect of sequestration measures taken by the US Government could reduce its 2013 net sales by approximately $825 million. Lockheed Martin was the first major defense company to comment on the scale of sequestration impact on its performance since the drastic measures took effect last month. The company reported today its net sales decreased 2 percent in the first quarter of 2013, to $11.1 billion; the business activity generated $2.1 billion. The company invested $0.5 billion for repurchasing 5.1 million shares, thus increasing net earnings 14 percent over the first quarter of 2012. With $761 million in net earning reflecting an $2.33 “Earnings per diluted share”, reflecting an increase of 15 percent over Q1/2012. “While the impact of sequestration on our business has been limited to date, we continue to work closely with our customers to better understand the future impact sequestration may have on our programs. Despite the challenging budget environment, we will continue to innovate and deliver value to our customers and shareholders.” said Lockheed Martin Chief Executive Officer and President Marillyn Hewson, “Our team delivered strong results this quarter by focusing on program execution and delivering on our commitments to customers.” After considering the potential sequestration estimate along with its first quarter 2013 results, the Corporation has revised the 2013 outlook to indicate that the Corporation expects its net sales to be near the low end of the range provided in January ($44,500 million) In January, the Corporation provided an outlook for 2013 premised on the assumptions that the U.S. Government would continue to support and fund programs through March 2013, that FY 2013 budget will be approved by the Congress at a level consitent with the President’s proposed defense budget and that sequestration would not go into effect. Although sequestration is currently in effect, the company said that customers have not yet informed it of specific decisions taken in response of this act, except in some very limited circumstances. However, the situation is expected to change in the coming months. Expecting sequestration measures bearing impact on Department of Defense and other federal procurements, Lockheed Martin expects its 2013 revenues to be within the low margin of the amount projected in January 2013. “Sequestration reductions will be achieved through delaying and deferring new program starts, versus modifying or restructuring existing programs that have contractually obligated schedule and delivery requirements” the company commented. Nevertheless, other market-wide implications of Sequestration could cause ‘collateral effects’, such as significant rescheduling or termination activity with the Corporation’s supplier base, contractual actions including partial or complete terminations, severance payments made to the Corporation’s employees, facilities closure expenses, and impairment of assets or goodwill, all these have the potential to align the Corporation’s cost structure to a lower sales base. Aeronautics sales were down over US$ 0.5 billion from $3,706 in Q1/2012, primarily due to lower sales in F-16, C-130J and C-5 programs. Missiles and Fire Control sales increased $222 million over the same quarter last year, attributed to JASSM program. Mission Systems and Training unchanged but improved their operating profit by 28 percent.
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Romain
April 19, 2013 9:20 AM
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Landing support specialists back away after connecting a Humvee to a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey during external lift training at Subic Bay, Philippines, during exercise Freedom Banner 2013.
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Romain
April 19, 2013 9:04 AM
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Le Head of Health Defence Statistics a diffusé les chiffres de la mortalité au sein de l'armée britannique en 2012 (pour accéder à l'ensemble des données, cliquer ici et ouvrir le dossier pdf). 129 militaires d'active ont perdu la vie; parmi eux 15 membres de la RAF, 19 marins et 95 soldats de l'armée de terre. Les causes de décès sont les suivantes: - maladie: 37 (dont 27 cancers) - accidents: 41 - mort au combat: 40 - suicide: 7 - autre: 4 Par rapport aux années passées, on note une baisse de la mortalité générale: 2003: 177; 2004: 170; 2005: 160; 2006: 191; 207: 204; 2008: 137; 2009: 205; 2010: 187; 2011: 132. Le nombre des tués au combat a sensiblement baissé: 2003: 40; 2004: 11; 2005: 21; 200648; 2007: 73; 2008: 52; 2009: 107; 2010: 95; 2011: 43. Celui des suicides aussi: 2003: 25; 2004: 20; 2005: 22; 2006: 12; 2007: 10; 2008: 10; 2009: 15; 2010: 7; 2011: 15.
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Romain
April 19, 2013 8:56 AM
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Boeing will supply 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to South Korea after beating out Turkish Aerospace Industries and Bell for the contract, which is expected to be worth up to $1.6 billion. The new contract was announced on 17 April by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in Seoul, amidst escalating military tensions in the region. DAPA officials said in a statement that the AH-64E has the ability to destroy tanks and armored vehicles, and will serve to strengthen South Korea’s defences against the aggression from the North. The heavily-armed attack helicopters will replace the Korean Army’s existing fleet of ageing AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters, with delivery taking place over three years and completed by 2018, they continued. Boeing celebrated the 36 machine order, and confirmed delivery times for the Apache would be decided ‘along the way’. ‘We look forward to working with the US Army and the Republic of Korea Army as they finalise the Foreign Military Sales contract for 36 AH-64E Apaches,’ the company said via email. The Apache was pitted against the AH-1Z Viper built by Bell Helicopter, and the T-129 of Turkish Aerospace Industries.
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Romain
April 18, 2013 10:37 AM
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Le chef de l’armée s’inquiète du retard pris par le nouvel avion de combat. Un achat qu’il justifie au nom de la sécurité. «Aidez-nous à obtenir les moyens financiers pour remplir notre mission.» C’est en substance le message transmis hier à Forum Fribourg par le chef de l’armée, le commandant de corps André Blattmann. Le Vulliérain d’adoption s’exprimait devant 150 décideurs politiques, économiques et militaires fribourgeois. En marge de cette rencontre, il évoque pour «La Liberté» les sujets chauds de l’actualité de l’armée. La Conseil national ne se prononcera finalement sur l’achat de 22 avions de combat Gripen qu’en septembre, et pas en juin comme prévu. Etes-vous inquiet du retard pris par ce projet? André Blattmann: Tout ce qui permet de clarifier les choses est en soi positif. Mais je rappelle qu’une sous-commission parlementaire a déjà analysé la procédure d’évaluation de l’appareil et qu’elle l’a jugée bien menée. Les questions qui devaient être posées l’ont été. A la fin, le monde politique devra répondre à une question de fond: voulons-nous un nouvel avion de combat, oui ou non? Si la réponse politique est positive, le Gripen constitue pour nous le bon choix. Maintenant, si c’est pour lancer cet achat sur de bonnes bases, je comprends que la commission de politique de sécurité du Conseil national veuille d’ici à septembre examiner dans le détail le contrat d’achat du Gripen. Mais si c’est une manière déguisée de dire non au projet, je préfère que la commission le dise d’entrée, je l’accepterais sans autre. En quoi l’achat d’un avion de combat est-il nécessaire dans la situation sécuritaire actuelle? Permettez-moi de citer le premier ministre du Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker. Dans une récente interview au «Spiegel», il affirmait que «les vieux démons de la guerre n’ont pas disparu, ils sont seulement assoupis». C’est le premier politicien européen qui affirme qu’il existe aujourd’hui en Europe des risques sécuritaires dont on ne veut pas parler, parce qu’on pense qu’ils sont loin de nous. Cherchez-vous à faire peur? Je constate pour ma part qu’il y a beaucoup d’avions et de drones en Europe dont nous ne savons pas comment ils seront utilisés dans le futur. Comprenez-moi bien, je ne pense pas que les Etats qui nous entourent nous soient hostiles. Mais personne ne sait comment la situation va évoluer. Or, celui qui est bien préparé évite les pépins dans son propre pays. Nous serions donc bien avisés de maintenir un certain niveau de sécurité pour montrer que nous sommes prêts à nous défendre au besoin. Cela dit, je ne demande pas le même nombre d’avions que j’aurais demandé pour pouvoir résister à une attaque massive du temps de la guerre froide. L’avenir de la Patrouille des glaciers inquiète beaucoup de monde. L’armée garantit son soutien jusqu’en 2014. Pour la suite, votre message, c’est: Donnez-nous les moyens nécessaires et nous maintiendrons notre engagement... Vous faites du chantage? Non, c’est une simple question d’honnêteté. Vous savez, aucune manifestation n’exige autant d’heures de vol d’hélicoptères militaires que la Patrouille. Et je ne peux pas prélever des soldats pour son organisation si cela prétérite les missions prioritaires de l’armée. Si on réduit les moyens financiers de l’armée, il faut donc être conscient qu’elle devra inévitablement réduire ses prestations. La Patrouille des glaciers est-elle avant tout une course valaisanne, comme l’affirme le ministre de la Défense Ueli Maurer? J’ai dit aux organisateurs que la retransmission sur la seule TV romande ne me suffit pas, je veux aussi toucher la Suisse alémanique à l’avenir sachant que des soldats alémaniques sont engagés dans la préparation de la Patrouille, et ils doivent savoir pourquoi ils travaillent. Pour que nous continuions au-delà de 2014, je demande donc plus de publicité pour le travail de l’armée, et que 40% des participants à la Patrouille soient des soldats. I
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Romain
April 18, 2013 7:04 AM
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Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said on Tuesday that India will make efforts to get Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) US, in the near future.
Speaking at the inauguration of the FAA-Asia Pacific Bilateral Partners’ Meet-2013 here, he said “in the last decade the domestic passenger traffic in India has grown by 160 per cent taking the country to the fourth place globally, after the US, China and Japan. Yet, India is still among the least penetrated markets, providing the civil aviation industry a great potential going forward.”
The global passenger traffic was estimated to touch 800 million by 2014. About 45 per cent of this or 360 million would be in the Asia Pacific route. “...The main focus in the Asia Pacific region will be India and China,” Singh said. The country was focused on civil aviation and that its policies like allowing 49 per cent FDI in the sector, creating a more efficient authority to replace the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) upgradation of airports and so on were indicative of the same. “The move to get Dhruv certified is also in line with this strategy,” he said.
Singh said a mechanism had to be evolved to benefit the bilateral countries involved in such agreements (with FAA, which India has signed recently) so as to boost trade of aeronautical parts.
Chairman of HAL R K Tyagi said the Defence PSU haD made a beginning with the civil variant of Dhruv, moving from its core focus of military aviation. “We now propose to play a leading role in India’s national civil aircraft development programme as we have dedicated facilities at our transport division in Kanpur,” he said.
The three-day meet is being organised by the DGCA with the main focus on aircraft certification. “This provides an opportunity for partner civil aviation authorities (CAAs) from 11 countries to share methods for strengthening bilateral airworthiness relationships through enhanced resource sharing, communications and procedural improvements,” a DGCA official said.
Apart from the delegates from the US, the participating Asia-Pacific countries include Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and India.
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Romain
April 18, 2013 6:49 AM
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Brazil's long-delayed FX-2 fighter purchase program has been pushed back again, leaving all three leading contractors guessing the outcome, whenever it happens. Boeing's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, French manufacturer Dassault's Rafale and Swedish company Saab's JAS-39 Gripen NG are in the race to win the contract to supply Brazil with up to 36 jets. Brazil's air force is operating a mixed fleet of aging aircraft, including the French Mirage, and many of the jets have gone through repeated upgrades and some have been grounded. All three companies are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on upgrading and matching Brazil's stated needs, with no indication yet which of them will be given preference. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has been postponing a decision, citing the country's economic slowdown and cutbacks in state funding. At the same time, the government is going ahead with refurbishment of all armed forces, though slower and in stages. The FX-2 program carries a current price tag of $8 billion but that is certain to change, analysts said. Defense News said contender Rafale was among manufacturers undertaking software upgrades. Dassault's F-X2 offer will be the Rafale F3R, which includes a major software upgrade that allows the aircraft to take fuller advantage of the new Thales RBE2-AA AESA radar, improves their Thales SPECTRA self-defense systems, adds Mode-5/Mode-S capable Identification Friend or Foe, and allows the Rafale to deploy MBDA's Meteor long range air-to-air missile, Defense News said on its website. "Given Brazil's insistence on an AESA radar, Dassault could hardly avoid offering the F3R." DefenseWorld.net said Rafale is being upgraded to a new standard with major software upgrades and will be known as the Rafale F3R. Active electronically scanned array, also known as active phased array radar, is a type of phased array radar. The transmitter and receiver functions of the system are composed of numerous small solid-state transmit and receive modules. Saab, meanwhile, has indicated avionics changes to meet with Brazilian requirements. Saab executive Eddy de la Motta was quoted as saying a Brazilian version of its JAS-39 Gripen NG would use Israeli subsidiary AEL's avionics, creating a forked version under the wider development effort, Defense News said. Elbit subsidiary AEL's avionics are already used in Brazilian military aircraft except Brazilian air force Mirage 2000s that are due to retire. Brazilian aviation major Embraer is likely to be involved with the FX-2 program irrespective of which of the three contenders wins the contract. Recent reports suggested some Brazilian government officials may be tilting toward support for Boeing over Saab. AEL Sistemas S.A., a subsidiary of Israel's Elbit Systems, recently announced it will produce avionics for Gripen NG fighter if it is chosen for the FX-2 program. The avionics package would include displays, processors, computers, software, integration services and logistics support.
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Romain
April 18, 2013 5:42 AM
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C'est un innovateur du 1er RPIMa qui a reçu le premier prix décerné lors du séminaire des forces spéciales, SOFINS, qui s'est tenu au camp du Souge la semaine dernière. Son invention apporte un gain de précision dans l'appui feu tireur embarqué, dans lequel les compétences du 1er RPIMa sont connues et reconnues (1). La société GERAC a reçu le prix de la meilleure coopération avec les forces spéciales dans la catégorie "recheche", vraisemblablement pour son travail avec les commandos marine. Le soir de cette remise de prix, le COS avait tenu également à honorer la mémoire des opérateurs morts au combat (2), dont les noms ont été cités, avant une marseillaise générale. Une montre de prix a également été émise aux enchères. Le produit de la vente (4.000 euros) est destiné au Bleuet de France. (1) lors d'un récent challenge de tir de forces spéciales, le régiment avait placé deux équipes dans le tiercé de tête, le RAID se classant deuxième. (2) L'Afghanistan aura été le théâtre le plus meurtrier pour le COS (11 morts en 11 ans de présence), devant le Gabon (5 morts dans le crash d'un Cougar), la Côte d'Ivoire (deux morts), le Soudan (un mort), le Mali (un mort), Djibouti (un mort). A ce jour et à ma connaissance, aucun document officiel ne recense ces personnels morts en opérations.
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Romain
April 18, 2013 5:40 AM
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Denel Dynamics is developing new surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles as part of a technology demonstrator programme that is leveraging off its experience with the A-Darter, R-Darter and Umkhonto missiles. Known as Marlin, the all-weather air defence missile technology programme was unveiled at the 9th biennial LAAD Defence and Security International Exhibition held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last week. According to Denel Dynamics, the Marlin technology demonstrator programme was contracted by the Department of Defence through Armscor and will result in a missile that is launched at a target in three to four years’ time. Marlin technology will subsequently be used for Navy, Army and Air Force applications, with synergy achieved due to common subsystems. The missile will use some subsystems and system architecture from Denel’s proven Umkhonto surface-to-air missile and its A-Darter short-range air-to-air missile. The performance of the missiles from the Marlin programme is expected to be in the latest generation class relevant to each type. Denel expects the Marlin All-Weather surface-to-air missile (SAM) will have a much larger range than typical Infra-Red SAMs. At the moment South Africa is seeking a partner to reduce risk on the project and elevate it to a full-scale joint development programme. “With that, comes skills growth and industry job opportunity for both parties,” Denel said. “The outcome of collaboration on Marlin will be a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile for the two Air Forces and an All-Weather Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) for the two Navies and Armies.” Brazil is being courted as a partner nation, notably due to its involvement in the A-Darter programme, which will near completion towards the end of 2014, as the missile is currently entering the qualification phase. Jan Wessels, CEO of Denel Dynamics, said there is potential to collaborate further with Latin America in the domain of guided missiles, aerospace, defence and high technology in general. “As seen with the A-Darter programme, this type of initiative can sustain and grow industry,” said Wessels. “Competitive, indigenous, guided missiles design and development capability serves a number of strategic objectives for both South Africa and other advanced developing nations. Locally developed defence products translate into improved technological capability for both countries and create an independent defence capability that is of strategic importance.” From a South African industry perspective, Wessels remarked upon the absolute synergy between the Brazilian and South African teams in terms of vision, work ethic and technical capability on the A-Darter project. “We look forward to expanding on this through more joint programmes,” said Wessels, who aims to manage his company to become the technology advancement leader in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), and other developing countries.
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