Industrie Militaire

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Renault Truck Défense s'offre Panhard

La filiale du groupe suédois a acheté le constructeur de blindés légers pour environ 80 millions d'euros. Ils formeront un groupe réalisant un chiffre d'affaires de 400 millions d'euros. C'est la première étape de la consolidation de l'industrie de l'armement terrestre, qui a tant tardé à se lancer.
Renault Trucks Défense (RTD) et Panhard ont entretenu un très long suspens pendant des mois. Ils sont enfin parvenus à s’entendre sur le rachat du constructeur de blindés légers français par la filiale du groupe suédois Volvo (latribune.fr du 2 juillet). Le prix de la transaction a fait durer ces négociations. "On a toujours été intéressé par cette acquisition", explique-t-on chez RTD. Cette opération, qui devraient être finalisée au cours du dernier trimestre 2012 une fois reçu l’accord du ministère de l’Economie (achat d’une entreprise française par un étranger) et celui des autorités de la concurrence, donnera naissance à un groupe réalisant un peu plus de 400 millions d'euros de chiffre d'affaires. La transaction, qui n’a pas été rendue publique, s’élèverait autour de 80 millions d’euros. Soit environ huit fois le bénéfice d’exploitation de Panhard (9,4 millions d’euros en 2011) ou une fois son chiffre d’affaires (81 millions).

Les sites de Panhard seront conservés ainsi que les 330 emplois, assuré le PDG de Panhard, Christian Mons, interrogé par "latribune.fr". Cette nouvelle entité "s’inscrit dans une stratégie de croissance", explique-t-il. RTD est un groupe qui "raisonne sur le long terme, il a une stratégie sur cinq à dix ans", souligne le PDG de Panhard, qui restera dans la nouvelle entité avec une mission de développement stratégique du groupe en France et à l’international. "Cela a du sens de se renforcer dans le domaine terrestre", avance-t-on chez RTD.

Première étape de la consolidation

C’est la première étape de la consolidation du secteur de l’armement terrestre. Car RTD, qui compte environ 500 employés principalement en France, est ambitieux dans ce domaine alors que la maison mère vient de vendre sa filiale aéronautique, Volvo Aero. Il table sur un chiffre d'affaires de 700 millions d'euros de chiffre d'affaires d'ici à 2015, contre 300 millions d'euros en 2011, avait déclaré mi-juin au salon de l'armement terrestre Eurosatory son PDG, Gérard Amiel. Avec un chiffre d'affaires d'un peu plus de 400 millions d'euros, cela le place juste derrière Nexter (851 millions d'euros) mais à un niveau comparable dans le domaine des véhicules, selon Christian Mons. Mais avec 400 millions d’euros de chiffre d’affaires, la nouvelle entité reste encore loin de l’allemand Rheinmetall (2,1 milliards dans la défense) ou de Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (900 millions en 2010), sans parler des BAE Systems et autres General Dynamics .

"La suite logique est de s’intéresser à Nexter mais ce n’est qu’un des objectifs parmi d’autres", annonce une source proche du dossier. « Il faut consolider cette industrie sinon elle va disparaître. C’est une condition essentielle pour résister face à une grosse concurrence, notamment celle des pays émergents comme les Coréens, les Sud-africains ou les Brésiliens », estime pour sa part Christian Mons. Un stratégie industrielle qui devrait dessiner Paris fin 2012, début 2013. Le gouvernement devrait être aidé par l’appel d’offre pour le programme Scorpion, qui pourrait être le moteur de la consolidation.

http://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-fin ... nhard.html

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General Dynamics Acquires Earl Industries’ Ship Repair Division

General Dynamics completed its acquisition of the Ship Repair and Coatings Division of Earl Industries, a leading East Coast ship-repair company that supports the U.S. Navy fleet in Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida. The acquisition is expected to be accretive to General Dynamics' earnings in 2013.

“The acquisition of the Ship Repair and Coatings Division of Earl Industries enhances our ability to compete in the growing naval ship-repair market. We have added a solid team with a successful track record that will strengthen our ability to deliver cost-effective maintenance and repair services to the U.S. Navy,” said Fred Harris, President, General Dynamics NASSCO (Photo).

The Ship Repair and Coatings Division of Earl Industries is a prime contractor for nuclear aircraft carrier (CVN) multi-ship, multi-option (MSMO) contracts. MSMO contracts provide for maintenance, modernization and repair to all ships of a class in specific homeport areas.

The company also provides maintenance and repair services to frigates and other classes of naval ships. It now becomes part of the shipbuilding and repair operations of San Diego-based General Dynamics NASSCO, a leading provider of ships to the Navy and a major producer of Jones Act commercial vessels.

General Dynamics NASSCO also is a prime contractor for MSMO contracts for Navy combat and support ships, including frigates (FFGs), dock landing ships (LSDs), amphibious transport ships (LPDs) and amphibious assault (LHA/LHD) ships.

http://www.defaiya.com/defaiyaonline/in ... =2&lang=en

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Irkutsk Aviation Plant – investments in the future

Until quite recently I have been an avid pessimist in respect of indigenous aircraft industry. But recently something has changed my point of view. New acquaintance with Irkutsk aviation plant (IAP) has engendered a new hope in me. As it turned out it is too early to sing a requiem, since we are still capable of making new technological leap.
The formerly closed enterprise now hospitably opens its doors for foreign delegations and mass media. Meanwhile the IAP’s products have already been well-known all over the world for a long time – these are Su-30MK fighters. Many believe that the enterprise just got lucky – if any other plant would have this jet in its production range, it would have also felt confident. However, to have a competitive advantage and to use today’s success wisely establishing basis for future success is not the same.The future of the enterprise is connected with MS-21 passenger aircraft, Yak-130 combat trainer and participation in international cooperation.

A large descent of mass media representatives has footed in the territory of IAP on July 18th. The president of Irkut Corporation, Alexey Innokentievich Fedorov,and Director General of IAP, vice-president, Alexander Alekseevich Veprev, have met us near the entrance to recently put into operation workshop of fluorescent-penetrant inspection, and our excursion has begun.

Irkutsk aviation plant –main production site of Irkut Corporation. ОАО «Scientific and production Irkut Corporation (Irkut Corporation) – vertically integrated company, providing the whole operation cycle on development, production, sales and post-sales support of military and civil aircraft. The Corporation’s share in the Russian arms export is about 15%. Ministry of Industry and Trade has awarded Irkut Corporation with a title of best exporter in the category “Aircraft industry (aircraft manufacture)” in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Corporation’s revenues were $1 672 650 thousand in 2010 (in accordance with IFRS). It is twice as large as the similar indicator in 2006 ($832 107 thousand).The gross margin was $693 882 thousand in 2010, which is 42% of the revenues. The net profit was $85 546 thousand in 2010. The Irkut Corporation’s order backlog as of the beginning of 2011 exceeded $6 billion.

A powerful engineering center named after A.S. Yakovlev affiliated with Irkut Corporation has been formed in 2009. It is specializing on development of passenger aircraft, combat trainers and light aircraft. Yakovlev design bureau has become the basis for forming the Center. The Corporation is formed by: Irkutsk aviation plant, Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex named after G. M. Beriev, Yakovlev design bureau, BETA AIR, etc. Irkut Corporation has been forming part of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) since November 2006.

The present basis of IAP’s production program is multi-role Su-30MK fighter. Su-30MK fighter is selected as the main combat jet for the air forces of India (Su-30MKI), Algeria (Su-30MKA) and Malaysia (Su-30MKM). More than 300 jets have been ordered and more than 150 of them have already been delivered. Irkut Corporation performs contracts on deliveries of technological kits for licensed production of Su-30MKI by the Indian HAL Corporation. Rosobornexport has signed a contract on delivery of additional batch of Su-30MK fighters to the Algerian air forces in 2010 and there are some prospects for further increase of order backlog.

It is the first serial jet having the supermaneuverability and the world’s first export fighter equipped with phased-array radar system. The preparation for comprehensive modernization of Su-30MKI jets of Indian air forces is being carried out now. At present Russian and Indian specialists are coordinating the technical face of modernized “Super-30” jet, equipped with airborne radar with active phased antenna array. The jet will be able to use advanced weapons made in Russian and foreign countries. The work on integration of supersonic anti-ship BraMos missile in the Su-30MKI’s weapon structure is being carried out in cooperation with Indian partners. This may open new market prospects for Su-30MK fighters and Russian-Indian BraMos missiles.
In spite of this jet being one of the world’s most popular multi-role fighters, our air forces still have no such vehicles. It is reported that president of Russia, Dmitriy Anatolievich Medvedev, was very surprised by this fact during visiting the plant. «At present the enterprise is assembling two Su-30SMs. It is planned to start their flight testing in the end of this year», - said Alexey Innokentievich Fedorov. Su-30SM aircraft is a modification of Su-30MKI adapted to the performance specifications of Russian Ministry of Defense. There is a possibility of signing contract with the Russian air forces on delivery of 18 Su-30SMs in 2012 with an option on 12 more jets for the navy.

However, the enterprise understands that success of Su-30MK is not the reason to rest on oars. The world’s leading aviation nations are developing and refining the fifth-generation aircraft. According to the specialists’ assessments, the demand for Su-30MKs will remain during the next ten years. And what’s next?

Until recently a unique multi-role Be-200 amphibian aircraft was a part of IAP’s product line. It is intended for fire-fighting, search and rescue missions, maritime patrol missions, ecological monitoring and cargo-passenger transportation. At present IAP is transferring the production of Be-200 to another Irkut Corporation’s enterprise - Taganrog Aviation Scientific-Technical Complex named after G. M. Beriev.

Irkut Corporation has delivered 4 Be-200ChS aircraft to the EMERCOM. One aircraft has been delivered to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Azerbaijan in 2008. In 2010 government of Russia has taken a decision to acquire 8 more Be-200ChSs for EMERCOM. The EMERCOM’s aircraft are taking part in fire-fighting in Russia and foreign countries. Negotiations regarding delivery of Be-200 to some foreign countries are in progress. Be-200ChS-E aircraft has received EASA certificate in September 2010.

The new advanced product of IAP is Yak-130 combat trainer developed by Yakovlev design bureau. This jet has been selected by the Russian Ministry of Defense as the basic trainer for initial and advanced training of Russian air forces’ pilots. Yak-130 provides capabilities for an advanced training of pilots for Russian and foreignfourth- and fifth-generation combat aircraft. The aircraft is a part of training facility including integrated system of objective control, training computer classrooms, flight and special trainers.

The state testing of Yak-130 with arms has been completed in December 2009 andthe deliveries of jets to the Russian air forces have been started in February 2010. The contracts on deliveries of Yak-130s to international customers are also being performed. Negotiations on deliveries of the jets to several countries are in progress. The market capacity for Yak-130 aircraft is assessed at 250 jets until 2015. The jet is manufactured using state-of-the-art digital technologies, it has a great potential for modernization and it will stay relevant during several decades.

Another advanced area is a program of international cooperation.The program assumes manufacturing of components for Airbus A320 family aircraft. The batch deliveries of components are being carried out since 2008 in accordance with a contract signed in December 2004. It is the only certified factory working on Airbus in Russia. The IAP is producing three types of products for Airbus in accordance with contract: flap guide rails, antitorque rotor pylon and nose wheel bay of A320. At present the enterprise is manufacturing 12 kits per month. It means that the kits made by IAP are installed on 144 delivered Airbus aircraft.

In spite of this being only a production of components, the enterprise is proud. These are rather difficult components and the most important thing is that the new technologies and production standards used by the enterprise are opening new prospects for future aircraft industry. The gained experience will be used in advanced projects like MS-21.

http://www.ruaviation.com/docs/3/2011/8/11/39/

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Airbus Military Signs Cooperation Agreements in Portugal

Airbus Military has signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Economy and various Portuguese industrial companies in fulfillment of the commitments arising from the sale of a fleet of twelve C295 aircraft for the Portuguese Air Force.

These agreements, with a value of several hundred million Euros, will boost the Portuguese aerospace industry and strengthen the commitment of Airbus Military to Portugal.

On 1st August an agreement was signed in Lisbon with the Portuguese Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Economy that specified the details of the cooperation framework with Portuguese industrial companies.

The agreements confirm that the assembly and production of the central part of the fuselage of the C295 will remain with OGMA, and that technical publications and the development of an improved MITS will be subcontracted to EMPORDEF-TI. GMV Portugal will develop an integrated modular avionics demonstrator and provide training courses for the Brazilian Air Force.

At the same time a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Portuguese company Salvador Caetano: it includes three work packages, tools, mechanization and composite materials, with both parties sharing the investment, and will introduce the Portuguese company to the aeronautical sector.

“This agreement is of strategic importance for the company and will permit us to complement our traditional partner in Portugal, OGMA, with whom we share a long history of cooperation,” emphasized the CEO of Airbus Military, Domingo Ureña-Raso.

The Portuguese Air Force is an outstanding client of Airbus Military. At present its fleet includes 12 C295, seven of which are the transport version, and the remaining five are for maritime patrols.

http://www.defaiya.com/defaiyaonline/in ... =2&lang=en

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BAE Systems’ Profits Fall 3% as Saudi Deal Drags

BAE Systems posted a 3% fall in first half profit, hit by a delay in the completion of a key deal with Saudi Arabia as well as lower spending by European and American military.


Europe's largest defence contractor on Thursday reported earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation (EBITA) of 939 million pounds ($1.46 billion) in the six months to the end of June on sales 10% lower at 8.33 billion pounds.

BAE, which makes Tornado fighter jets and is part of the Eurofighter consortium, said it expected to deliver some growth in the full year subject to the completion of the Saudi deal.

“Modest growth in underlying earnings per share is anticipated, assuming a satisfactory conclusion to the Salam pricing negotiations in 2012,” the company said in a statement.

Saudi Arabia - the world's top oil exporter - signed a contract with BAE in 2007 to buy 72 Typhoon aircraft, 24 of which have been delivered to the Royal Saudi Air Force. The Salam deal, as it is known, is worth around 4.5 billion pounds.

Talks between BAE and Saudi Arabia over changes to the price of the deal are expected to be completed in the coming months.

The company, which will build Britain's next generation of nuclear-armed submarines, increased the interim dividend by 4% to 7.8 pence per share.

http://www.defaiya.com/defaiyaonline/in ... =2&lang=en

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Raytheon, Lockheed See Gains in $604.5 Bln Senate Defense

Raytheon Co. , the top U.S. maker of military missiles, and No. 1 overall defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. saw millions of dollars added to their programs as part of a $604.5 billion defense budget request approved today by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The panel endorsed adding $194 million to buy 50 more Patriot-3 missile defense interceptors made by Bethesda, Maryland-based Lockheed Martin.

The committee added $163 million to purchase a second mobile air defense radar known as the AN/TPY-2 made by Waltham, Massachusetts-based Raytheon.

It also added $5 million more than the Pentagon requested for Raytheon’s Tomahawk cruise missiles, though it cut $17 million from a $381.7 million Defense Department request for 89 additional Raytheon Standard Missile-6 weapons, citing unit cost increases and testing issues.

The $604.5 billion bill also includes war spending for Afghanistan. On July 19, the House of Representatives passed legislation giving the Pentagon $607.1 billion in the 2013 fiscal year for weapons purchases, personnel and war operations in Afghanistan, or about $2 billion more than the Obama administration requested. The Senate version matches the White House request. A floor vote hasn’t been scheduled.

Army aviation accounts also benefited as the appropriations panel added $700 million to replace combat losses, money that benefits helicopter makers Chicago-based Boeing Co. and Stratford, Connecticut-based United Technologies Corp. (UTX)

More Jets
The panel backed roughly the full $9.1 billion request for Lockheed Martin for 29 F-35 jet fighters and added $777 million for a second Virginia-class submarine to be bought in 2014 and built by Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. of Newport News, Virginia, and General Dynamics Corp. of Falls Church, Virginia. The House bill contains similar submarine funding.

The committee cut from the Army’s request to $190 million from $287.3 million for the General Dynamics infantry “Manpack” radio.

The committee said the program was requesting more money than could be justified before testing of the radio is complete. The Pentagon’s testing office in a July 20 assessment criticized the radio as ineffective, unreliable and requiring more testing.

After the Senate votes, its version and the House bill will have to be reconciled in a conference committee before both houses vote on a bill to be sent to President Barack Obama for his signature.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-0 ... fense-bill

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The export volume of Sukhoi combat aircraft exceeded 2500 ones

The export volume of Sukhoi combat aircraft exceeded 2500 ones. Sukhoi jets have been exported since 1964, press-service of Sukhoi Company reports. AEX.ru
"During this period of time over 2500 jets (including Su-7, Su-17, Su-20, Su-22, Su-24, Su-25, Su-27, Su-30 and their modifications) were delivered to the air forces of more than 30 countries. The aircraft were delivered to Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. At present these vehicles are also operated in many of those countries. Sukhoi aircraft have proven their reliability, efficiency and ability to perform a wide range of combat tasks", - Sukhoi noted.

During the period since 1996 the major export potential of Su aircraft is defined by various modifications of Su-30 multi-role fighter. The sales of these vehicles along with air weapons and auxiliary equipment provide up to 50% of Rosoboronexport’s total export deliveries.

The export deliveries have significantly increased in 2000s after putting into service Su-30МКК fighter and its modification - Su-30МК2. It is a multi-role two-seated fighter able to hit air, ground and sea targets. A great volume of export deliveries is connected with implementation of Indian program for development and production of Su-30MKI multi-role fighter equipped with the advanced avionics. Modifications of Su-30 are also delivered to other countries.

At present Su-35 multi-role fighter is undergoing testing. The fifth-generation technologies and advanced technical solutions have been used during development of this super-maneuverable fighter. Its radar has the unmatched range of 400 km; its engines have a thrust of 14.5 tons and the thrust vectoring nozzle; it also has radar warning system, optical locator, missile launch detectors and laser warner. All these features give this aircraft the edge over all the other 4-generation and 4+-generation fighters. Serial Su-35S aircraft intended for Russian air forces are manufactured by Komsomolsk-on-Amur-based KnAAPO named after Y.A. Gagarin. The negotiations on export deliveries of Su-35 fighters are in progress. This jet should help maintain the competitive ability of Sukhoi Company at the global market until the launch of fifth-generation PAK FA fighter’s serial production.

The work on development of PAK FA’s export version (PMI) is being carried out in cooperation with India. Thisjetalsohasasignificantexportpotential.

Sukhoi Company also carries out the post-sales support of the delivered aircraft including deliveries of spare parts, repair of systems and components, technical support of the jets’ operation and provision of necessary equipment for service centers located in foreign countries, the company explained.

http://www.ruaviation.com/news/2012/8/8/1140/

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Boeing Receives Phase II US Army Contract for Testing of Advanced Rotorcraft Flight Control System

Boeing Receives Phase II US Army Contract for Testing of Advanced Rotorcraft Flight Control System

Testing will include AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook capabilities

Aug 08, 2012 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] will continue developing a technology that improves helicopters' maneuverability and performance, through an $18 million U.S. Army contract for Phase II of the Adaptive Vehicle Management System (AVMS) program.

The advanced rotorcraft flight control system, a joint development project between Boeing and the Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD)*, reduces aircrew workload and overall operating costs. AVMS adapts the flight controls to the aircraft's flight condition, environment and even pilot intent.

"This second phase will encompass more than 100 hours of flight test time and allow us to build on the great work we've accomplished over the past two years with the AATD," said James Dryfoos, AVMS program manager for Boeing.

In Phase II, the team will fly the AVMS system on the modified Boeing H-6 helicopter used in Phase I, as well as on the larger Boeing AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The tests will demonstrate the design's portability and show how it enhances flight performance during attack and cargo missions.

"Phase II also allows us to continue H-6 flight control test bed prototyping activities to expand AVMS' capabilities," said Steve Glusman, director, Boeing Advanced Mobility. "AVMS will be a key capability in future Boeing aircraft such as Future Vertical Lift rotorcraft."

http://www.menafn.com/menafn/954f337c-7 ... m?src=main

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JASSM-ER nears operational employment


The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range is an autonomous, air-to-ground, precision-guided standoff missile designed to meet the needs of U.S. warfighters. It shares the same powerful capabilities and stealthy characteristics of the baseline JASSM, but with more than two-and-a-half times the range.

The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron is scheduled to complete the final-phase of operational testing for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range in late August, marking a significant step toward operational employment.

JASSM-ER is an autonomous, air-to-ground, precision-guided standoff missile designed to meet the needs of U.S. warfighters. It shares the same powerful capabilities and stealthy characteristics of the baseline JASSM, but with more than two-and-a-half times the range.

"Although it looks the same and provides all the capabilities of the baseline missile, it has a new engine and larger fuel load capability," said Capt. Philip Atkinson, who works with the 337th TES. "This allows it to extend its range to more than 500 nautical miles, compared to the old system's range of 200 nautical miles."

This additional reach allows aircraft to deploy JASSM-ER against high-value, well-fortified, fixed and relocateable targets, while remaining clear of highly defended airspace and long-range surface-to-air missiles.

Like the original JASSM, the new missile uses its inertial navigation and global positioning systems to find its intended target, then its infrared seeker for pinpoint accuracy right before impact.

Furthermore, the cruise missile is able to operate in heavily degraded GPS environments.

"One of the emphasis items is to be able to operate in contested and degraded environments," Atkinson said. "One of the things the military relies heavily on is GPS, and we have demonstrated the ability to operate with intense GPS jamming. Even without GPS, the JASSM can find its target due to its internal sensor."

The 337th TES is scheduled to complete the final live JASSM-ER flight test Aug. 30 with the B-1 Lancer, the missiles' threshold aircraft and premier platform for JASSM employment.

"The B-1 is the very first aircraft to get it, so we will be the only JASSM-ER platform for years to come," Atkinson said. "As we shift our emphasis from the Middle East to the Pacific, as heavily defended as that region is, the JASSM combined with the B-1 presents a top choice for combatant commanders."

Like the baseline version, JASSM-ER will be capable of employment on the B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. However, the B-1 is able to carry 24 of the long-range missiles; that is twice as many as the B-52.

"The B-1 is the premier aircraft to employ this new weapon due to the quantity we can carry, flexibility in terms of mission sets we take care of and targeting flexibility," Atkinson said. "Also, JASSM shots can be either mission planned against fixed targets or can be retargeted dynamically in flight with waypoints, a feature unique to the B-1."

The JASSM-ER will be officially fielded late next year, when B-1s can be called upon for operational use.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123313382

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Lockheed Martin gets Marines' contract to add solar panels to Cleveland-developed fuel cells

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin has won a $3 million contract to integrate solar panels into Cleveland-developed fuel cells for the Marines.
Lockheed and Cleveland-based Technology Management Inc. have been developing and marketing portable fuel cells to the military for more than two years. TMI's cells can generate electricity from the diesel-like fuel mix the military uses for its vehicles and generators.
The military is looking for alternatives to the noisy diesel generators it uses to power computers and other electronic devices in war zones. In 1994, the Army estimated that fuel can make up 70 percent of the material (by weight) brought to war. Fuel has been a logistical problem in Iraq and Afghanistan, requiring the military to use delivery convoys that have become targets of insurgent groups.
TMI President and Chief Executive Benson Lee said fuel cells offer obvious benefits to the Marines because they're more efficient than diesel generators, allowing the military to get more electricity with less fuel. They also run quietly and can be placed inside field tents instead of being set up dozens of yards away.
Lee said adding solar panels to the cells will let the Marines use less fuel, allowing them to generate even more electricity from smaller amounts of fuel.
"When you combine them [fuel cells and solar panels], you get more power availability," Lee said. "The overall logistical footprint is reduced."
Lockheed said the goal of the 32-month contract is to produce a system that can cut the fuel usage of generators in half. The Office of Naval Research is overseeing the program.
The military uses more than 100,000 generators worldwide, so a successful system could be a big development both for Lockheed and TMI.
Lockheed vice president Dan Heller said in a prepared statement that cutting fuel use could make troops safer. Heller added that portable fuel cells could reduce risk to soldiers who are in "some of the world's toughest conditions."
TMI builds the fuel cells that could be used by the Marines at a plant in Highland Heights. Lee said the latest contract is another step in the development of Ohio's fuel-cell industry. Lockheed and TMI have won several round of funding from the state's Third Frontier initiative and have won multiple contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense.
Lee said the latest contract "is another step, another piece of this maturing, strategic partnership we have with the world's largest defense contractor."

http://www.cleveland.com/business/index ... nes_c.html

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Boeing: Laser Small Diameter Bomb Could Fill Gap

Boeing sees a laser-guided version of its 250-pound Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) filling a potential gap should U.S. lawmakers slow production of a new, more advanced version of the weapon built by Raytheon.

This comes as a powerful Senate panel has recommended slowing production of the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II), not due to development or testing issues but to major delays in the fielding of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, one of the two aircraft that will employ the weapon.

Boeing – maker of the baseline SDB – sees this as an opportunity to sell an upgraded version of its baseline weapon, which can strike moving targets.

“Until that [SDB II] comes online … this is a nice gap filler to take care of an important warfighting need,” Debbie Rub, Boeing’s vice president and general manager of missiles and unmanned airborne systems, said in an Aug. 8 interview at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s annual North America Unmanned Systems conference.

Boeing began testing a laser-guided version of the baseline SDB last year. The company took the same laser it uses on the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and integrated it on the SDB.

The weapon has been successfully employed against targets traveling at 30 miles per hour and 50 miles per hour.

“As we think about the fiscal constraints that we’re under and DoD is under, it’s the right kind of answer where you get an 80 percent solution at a fraction of the cost,” Rub said, noting prior U.S. military investment to support the JDAM and SDB.

In August 2010, the U.S. Air Force selected Raytheon over a Boeing-Lockheed Martin team to build the Small Diameter Bomb II, an upgraded version of the baseline weapon designed to hit moving targets in bad weather from far distances. It will also have a two-way data link that will allow it to be reprogrammed in flight.

The Air Force plans to integrate the SDB II on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-15E Strike Eagle.

The SDB II program has had successes during testing. In a July 20 statement, Raytheon touted a “direct hit” on a moving target during a July 17 launch from an F-15E at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

But delays to the F-35 program could lead to a slowing in Pentagon purchases of the weapon. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended zeroing SDB II funding in 2013 due to delays in fielding the F-35, according to a congressional report.

Although supportive of the weapon’s capabilities, the committee expressed concern that entering production in 2013 would lead to smaller initial production rates that would raise unit costs. Purchasing more weapons per year at a later date would lower the unit cost, the Senate panel said.

The Air Force has requested funding to buy 144 SDB IIs in 2013.

The Senate Appropriations Committee included $138 million for SDB II development in its mark-up of the 2013 defense spending bill.

Raytheon spokesman John Patterson said the company "continues to execute well in this development phase of SDB II." He declined to discuss the Senate mark, citing company policy not to comment on legislation until it is passed into law.

"Our recent successful guided flight test ... demonstrates our excellent progress in fielding this much-needed capability to the warfighter," he said in an email. "Raytheon's tri-mode seeker will enable SDB II to destroy moving targets in adverse weather."

http://www.defensenews.com/article/2012 ... |FRONTPAGE

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Optronique : Sagem et Thales créent la société commune OPTROLEAD

Sagem (groupe Safran) et Thales annoncent la création d’OPTROLEAD, société commune détenue à parts égales dans le domaine de l’optronique. Cette signature vient concrétiser le protocole d’accord signé le 20 décembre 2011.

OPTROLEAD assurera la commercialisation de systèmes optroniques futurs, notamment au profit des armées.

OPTROLEAD se positionne sur la charge optronique du projet de rénovation de l’avion de patrouille maritime Atlantique 2 de la Marine nationale, la chaîne image du futur drone MALE franco-britannique, des systèmes optroniques modulaires pour les véhicules de combat l’armée de Terre, ou encore l’optronique de l’hélicoptère du futur.

Selon Serge Adrian, "Une étape importante est franchie dans la mise en synergie des activités optroniques françaises. OPTROLEAD permettra de combiner efficacement les meilleures compétences respectives des deux sociétés."

"OPTROLEAD est dès aujourd’hui en capacité de piloter des contrats directement auprès des clients de Sagem et Thales. Dans cette perspective, le programme ATL2 pourrait être la première réalisation concrète de cette coopération" a ajouté Philippe Petitcolin.

Emmanuel de Roquefeuil (Thales) et Albert Levionnois (Sagem) ont respectivement été nommés président et directeur général de la nouvelle société.
Thales est un leader mondial des hautes technologies pour les marchés de la Défense et de la Sécurité, de l’Aérospatial et du Transport. Fort de 67.000 collaborateurs dans 56 pays, Thales a réalisé en 2011 un chiffre d’affaires de 13 milliards d’euros. Avec 22.500 ingénieurs et chercheurs, Thales offre une capacité unique pour créer et déployer des équipements, des systèmes et des services pour répondre aux besoins de sécurité les plus complexes. Son implantation internationale exceptionnelle lui permet d’agir au plus près de ses clients partout dans le monde.

Sagem, société de haute technologie du groupe Safran, est un leader mondial de solutions et de services en optronique, avionique, électronique et logiciels critiques, pour les marchés civils et de défense. N°1 européen et n°3 mondial des systèmes de navigation inertielle pour les applications aéronautiques, marines et terrestres, Sagem est également n°1 mondial des commandes de vol pour hélicoptères et n°1 européen des systèmes optroniques et des systèmes de drones tactiques. Présents sur tous les continents via le réseau international du groupe Safran, Sagem et ses filiales emploient 7 500 personnes en Europe, en Asie du Sud-est et Amérique du Nord. Sagem est le nom commercial de la société Sagem Défense Sécurité.

http://www.theatrum-belli.com/archive/2 ... trole.html

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Rheinmetall Reports Strong Increase in Defense Orders

Rheinmetall reported a strong increase in defense orders in the first half of 2012, but saw sales in the sector fall back before companies consolidated for the first time were included.

The German automobile and defense systems manufacturer said overall sales were up 9%, to 2.25 billion Euros ($2.76 billion), for the first half of the year.

Defense generated 1.01 billion Euros in sales, a 106 million euro improvement on the same period last year.

In a statement, though, Rheinmetall said growth resulting from companies consolidated into overall sales figures for the first time accounted for 137 million Euros in first-half sales.

The company said it is forecasting defense sales of about 2.5 billion Euros for the year.

Defense sector earnings for the first six months fell to 56 million Euros from 62 million Euros. The 2012 figures were boosted by the sale of Rheinmetall’s share of an unmanned air vehicle business to EADS Cassidian.

Rheinmetall’s defense order book was in better shape than six-month sales and earnings. New orders increased to 1.13 billion Euros, a 33% increase compared to the same period last year.

The company said the highlights included an order for its Gladius soldier system for the German military, and two air defense orders from the Middle East and Asia.

http://www.defaiya.com/defaiyaonline/in ... =2&lang=en

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Elbit va changer de directeur général

Elbit Systems, Israel’s largest defense contractor, will swap leaders effective April 1, 2013, a company news release said Aug. 13.

Current CEO Joseph “Yossi” Ackerman, 63, who has served as the company’s head since 1996, requested retirement, the notice said. Bezhalel Machlis, 49, an executive vice president at the company, will take over.

Elbit, which earned $2.8 billion in revenue in 2011, is the country’s largest defense contractor, earning 95 percent of its income from defense. The company employs about 11,000 workers worldwide.

Michael Federmann, chairman of Elbit’s board of directors, voiced appreciation for Ackerman’s work in the news release.

“Under his leadership, the company has increased its revenues tenfold and has grown from a primarily local company to a globally recognized leader in the defense market,” he said in the statement. “This has been accomplished in no small part because of Yossi’s strategic vision, leadership qualities and business savvy.”

http://www.defensenews.com/article/2012 ... |FRONTPAGE

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Boeing entre dans la course pour le programme High Velocity Penetrating Weapon
le programme vise a développer des bombes anti-bunker de 2000 livres avec propulsion à carburant solide et avoir la puissance équivalente d'une bombe à chute libre de 5000 livres

Air-launched weapons experts at the Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis will help the U.S. Air Force design a rocket-propelled bomb for the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter-bomber that can attack and destroy enemy bunkers, tunnel complexes, and other important deeply buried targets.
Boeing won a $1.4 million contract, announced earlier this month, for concept development of the High Velocity Penetrating Weapon (HVPW) program, which aims at developing a 2,000-pound bunker-busting munition with solid-rocket propulsion that will give the weapon the power of a 5,000-pound gravity bomb.
Awarding the contract to Boeing were officials of the Air Force Air Armament Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Boeing also is working on a separate bunker-busting munitions program called the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP).
The High Velocity Penetrating Weapon program is a long-term initiative to develop munitions capable of reaching and destroying high-value targets buried deeply in the Earth, or protected by concrete and reinforced steel.
Boeing joins a list of defense contractors working on this weapons program. The Air Force previously has awarded High Velocity Penetrating Weapon Flagship Capability Concept (HVPW FCC) research contracts to Lockheed Martin Corp. in Bethesda, Md.; MBDA Missile Systems in Paris; and Raytheon Co. in Waltham, Mass.
Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems segment in El Segundo, Calif., won a contract last January to design and demonstrate navigation and guidance technologies to keep future generations of deep-penetrating bombs and missiles on target in conditions where signals from Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite satellites are degraded or unavailable.
The contract calls for Raytheon to develop GPS-degraded munitions guidance technology as part of the Air Force High Velocity Penetrating Weapon program, which seeks to develop technologies for a future rocket-boosted bunker-busting bomb for the F-35 and other fighter-bombers.
Awarding the contract to Raytheon were officials of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Munitions Directorate at Eglin Air Force Base. Raytheon engineers will develop guidance to provide maximum penetration for a future High Velocity Penetrating Weapon, with the ability to overcome GPS-degraded environments and direct the deep-penetrating weapon to impact angles sufficient to destroy hard, deeply buried facilities.
Raytheon experts will explore weapons-guidance technologies for anti-jam GPS, angle-of-attack sensing, guidance law and autopilot, and RF seeker and guidance techniques that could support the High Velocity Penetrating Weapon's accuracy.
In October the Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW), Hard and Deeply Buried Targets (HDBT) Capability Area (CA) integrated product team at Eglin Air Force Base will brief industry on the progress and future needs of the HVPW FCC program.
Briefings will cover future needs for bunker-busting munition guidance, navigation and control; propulsion; explosives; and systems integration, as well as the Global Strike Penetrating Munition for Conventional Prompt Global Strike (CPGS) and Functional Defeat program.

http://www.militaryaerospace.com/articl ... -hvpw.html