Italian Air Force’s famed acrobatic squad changes course on new planes

On the same subject

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  February 2, 2021 | International, Naval

  Submarine maker to add jobs amid $39 billion backlog in work

  By: The Associated Press GROTON, Conn. — General Dynamics Electric Boat plans to add 2,200 jobs this year in Connecticut and Rhode Island as it tackles a $39 billion backlog of work, the submarine maker's top executive said Monday. Kevin Graney, Electric Boat's president, made the announcement during a video briefing for stakeholders. He said the company is facing the largest backlog of work in its history, with orders to build two new ballistic missile submarines and 19 new attack submarines, 11 of which are currently under construction. The company added more than 2,000 jobs a year ago, much of it at the company's Quonset Point site in Rhode Island. The new jobs will include shipyard workers, engineers and support staff, Graney said, and the firm expects to be in a “stable hiring mode pretty much for the next decade.” “We're going to need to sustain the Rhode Island workforce as we grow the Connecticut workforce,” he said. Electric Boat employs more than 17,000 people, including about 12,000 at its Groton shipyard and more than 4,000 in Rhode Island. Congress increased funding for submarine programs from about $11.1 billion during the last fiscal year to $11.6 billion this fiscal year. Members of Connecticut's all-Democrat congressional delegation, who took part in the video conference, said the defense contractor can expect to continue receiving work under the Biden administration. “It may be unmanned as well as manned weapons platforms, but the future of the submarine is critically important,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/02/01/submarine-maker-to-add-jobs-amid-39-billion-backlog-in-work/

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  December 24, 2018 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR

  Airports to go on counter-attack with 'killer' devices and bazookas

  The Telegraph, Charles Hymas All Britain airports are increasing or reviewing their defences because of fears of copycat attacks ... following the chaos at Gatwick that ruined the travel plans of 140,000 people Britain's major airports are to step up security with military-grade detection systems that would help them counter Gatwick-style drone incidents by launching their own “killer drones” or shooting them down with firearms. The move emerged as Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, and Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, prepared to meet today (Monday) to review progress on the police investigation and measures to protect the public from future attacks. All airports in Britain are increasing or reviewing their defences because of fears of copycat attacks, according to Whitehall sources, following the chaos at Gatwick that ruined the travel plans of 140,000 people. Gatwick is expected to be the first to operate detection technology designed to be as sophisticated as that being used by the crack RAF and Army signals teams deployed to the airport last week. It allows personnel to detect, track and photograph drones at a distance of more than 1km and up to 5km. Whitehall sources said options for countering the threat included airports deploying their own drones, firing bazookas with projectiles that trapped them in nets, or deploying police with shotguns to shoot them down. The military team was due to remain at Gatwick until the airport's own defence system was operational, possibly for the two weeks over Christmas. Stewart Wingate, the chief executive of Gatwick, said: “We are equipping ourselves with capabilities to detect and defeat drones.” A Whitehall source said: “The first thing is to detect when a drone is coming in and having enough distance in which to do that. Second is being able to track the signal.” The Metis Skyperion technology, thought to be used by the military, deploys cameras, laser rangefinders, radar and radio frequency scanners to pinpoint the drone. To install a similar system at a major airport could cost up to pounds 5m, according to one expert. To track the drone to its operator would require additional sensors that even the military has not deployed at Gatwick. Finding the culprit becomes easier if they remain in sight of their device. Gatwick declined to reveal the measures it was considering to “defeat” or “disrupt” any further attacks. Police at Heathrow are testing a SkyWall 100 bazooka, a shoulder-launched weapon that fires a projectile containing a net. “Some of the airports are putting up enhanced firearms capabilities, most are doing increased police patrols inside and outside,” said a Whitehall source. “Airports are also assessing and monitoring potential launch sites.” Legislation will be rushed through in the new year to enable electronic jamming by airports, bigger drone exclusion zones and new police powers. https://nationalpost.com/news/world/airports-to-go-on-counter-attack-with-killer-devices-and-bazookas

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  June 17, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  BAE Systems Joins Boeing’s MQ-25 Industry Team

  NASHUA, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BAE Systems has been awarded contracts by The Boeing Company to supply the Vehicle Management Control System and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) System for the MQ-25. “BAE Systems leads the industry in high-integrity fly-by-wire and mission-critical IFF technologies,” said Corin Beck, director of Military Aircraft Systems at BAE Systems. “Our relationship with Boeing started more than four decades ago and has resulted in aircraft that have some of the most advanced avionics and reduced size transponders in the world.” The Vehicle Management Control System will control all flight surfaces and perform overall vehicle management duties for the MQ-25 unmanned aerial vehicle. The IFF product ensures operation in contested environments by reliably identifying both coalition and enemy vehicles. The MQ-25 is the U.S. Navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft and is designed to provide a much-needed refueling capability. The contract supports Boeing's engineering and manufacturing development program to provide four MQ-25 aircraft to the U.S. Navy for Initial Operational Capability by 2024. “The MQ-25 program is vital because it will help the U.S. Navy extend the range of the carrier air wing, and Boeing and our industry team is all-in on delivering this capability,” said Dave Bujold, Boeing's MQ-25 program director. “The work we're doing is also foundational for the future of Boeing – where we're building autonomous systems from seabed to space.” BAE Systems is an industry leader in the design, development, production, and support of highly reliable flight control systems for commercial and military aircraft. It was the first to introduce fly-by-wire in both military and civil applications. BAE Systems is also a world leader in IFF equipment and this program expands its footprint to approximately 150 platforms worldwide. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190617005088/en