Boeing to introduce flat satellite antenna to bring high-speed broadband to military aircraft

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  November 2, 2018 | International, Aerospace, Land

  En Allemagne, la plupart des équipements militaires qualifiés de non opérationnels

  Véhicules de combat d'infanterie Puma, avions de transport militaire Airbus A400M, avions de combat Eurofighter Typhoon, hélicoptères Tigre et NH90... Ces équipements militaires allemands qui devraient être la fierté de la Bundeswehr ne sont plus considérés dans la plupart des cas comme opérationnels, selon le secrétaire d'État allemand à la Défense. Seul un tiers de matériel militaire mis en service en Allemagne en 2017 peut être aujourd'hui considéré comme opérationnel, a annoncé le journal Stuttgarter Nachrichten en se référant au rapport présenté par Peter Tauber, le secrétaire d'État allemand à la Défense. Selon l'homme politique, sur les 97 véhicules de combat livrés, seuls 38 peuvent être utilisés, soit environ 37% du total. Dans le même temps, la Bundeswehr a l'intention d'augmenter leur taux d'aptitude opérationnelle jusqu'à 70%. «Nous pensons toujours que l'industrie doit atteindre les indicateurs convenus le plus vite possible», est-il indiqué dans le rapport de Peter Tauber. La principale préoccupation du ministère de la Défense concerne les véhicules de combat d'infanterie Puma et les avions de transport militaire Airbus A400M. Ainsi, sur les 71 Puma livrés à la Bundeswehr l'an dernier, seuls 27 sont considérés comme aptes au combat, tandis que sur huit A400M, seuls quatre avions de transport militaire peuvent être utilisés. En outre, seul un avion de combat bi-réacteur Eurofighter Typhoon sur quatre a été qualifié d'opérationnel. Sur sept hélicoptères Tigre, seulement deux sont opérationnels, et sur sept hélicoptères polyvalents NH90, seuls quatre sont en état d'être utilisés par la Bundeswehr, indique Die Welt. À la fin d'août, The National Interest avait qualifié de «honteux» l'état de la Marine allemande. Selon le média, la flotte du plus riche pays de l'Union européenne se retrouve pratiquement dans la même situation qu'en 1941 lorsque les navires allemands n'avaient pas pu faire face aux b'timents modernes des Alliés. https://fr.sputniknews.com/defense/201810311038714446-allemagne-equipements-militaires-non-oprationnels/

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  August 4, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  Japan confirms single prime contractor for F-X

  by Jon Grevatt Japan's Defence Minister Taro Kono confirmed on 31 July plans to nominate a “single prime” Japanese contractor to oversee the development of the country's next-generation fighter aircraft. In comments in a media briefing in Tokyo, Kono said the prime contractor – almost certainly Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) – will be expected to act as the lead systems integrator on the project, which has been dubbed F-X. “The MoD will adopt a single-prime system. [The selected company] will be responsible for integrating systems and the engine,” said Kono in comments published by the Ministry of Defense (MoD). Kano indicated that the MoD had now commenced the process for selecting companies to be involved in the development project but did not elaborate. In the media briefing, Kono also confirmed that the MoD is currently considering developing the F-X alongside the United Kingdom and the United States. The latter is regarded as leading candidate, given its strong diplomatic, economic, strategic, and industrial ties with Japan. The F-X project is led within the MoD by a dedicated office set up in April. According to the MoD, its responsibilities include technical investigations, budget execution, information security issues, and the control of intellectual property. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japan-confirms-single-prime-contractor-for-f-x

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  August 12, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  Thales Alenia Space will build SES-22 and SES-23 satellites

  Cannes, August 7, 2020 – Thales Alenia Space, a joint-venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), announced that it has signed a contract with SES to build SES-22 and SES-23, geostationary communications satellites. These two new satellites are designed to provide digital broadcasting services over North America. Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for the design, production, testing of the satellites and support of the payload in-orbit acceptance tests. SES-22 and SES-23 are based on the proven Spacebus 4000 B2 platform and will be 3.5-ton class satellites at launch. These satellites are the 11th and 12th satellites based on the Spacebus 4000 B2 platform to be built by Thales Alenia Space. The two satellites will help SES meet the Federal Communications Commission's accelerated C-band clearing deadlines in the United States and will contribute to the effort to clear spectrum necessary to roll out 5G in the United States. Hervé Derrey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space, said “The robustness and flight proven heritage of our Spacebus 4000 B2 platform, combined with our ability to timely and quickly deliver SES-22 and SES-23, have been key elements leading to the decision of SES working with us to replace its existing C-Band fleet. This demonstrates Thales Alenia Space's expertise in developing tailored solutions that meet each operator's specific needs to clear the C-Band spectrum.” ABOUT THALES ALENIA SPACE Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies' Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.15 billion euros in 2019 and has around 7,700 employees in nine countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com THALES ALENIA SPACE – PRESS CONTACTS Sandrine Bielecki Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94 sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com Catherine des Arcis Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 72 82 catherine.desarcis@thalesaleniaspace.com Marija Kovac Tel: +39 (0)6 415 126 85 marija.kovacsomministrato@thalesaleniaspace.com View source version on Thales Alenia Space: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press_release/thales-alenia-space-will-build-ses-22-and-ses-23-satellites