KONGSBERG upgrades the Norwegian Armed Forces Bell helicopters

On the same subject

• 

  May 25, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Interview du général François Lecointre, chef d’État-Major des armées

  Selon le général Lecointre, en 2030, les « tensions seront encore plus fortes qu'aujourd'hui avec des risques de dérapages supérieurs ». Il anticipe « une réorganisation de l'ordre du monde, structurée autour de la compétition entre les États-Unis et la Chine ». Dans cette compétition, « la France et les Européens doivent représenter une voie d'équilibre en s'appuyant sur des partenaires stratégiques ». Pour le général, « le prochain pas en avant de l'Europe passera par la défense ». Parmi les espaces de confrontation, le général François Lecointre cite notamment l'espace : « nos activités militaires ne peuvent pas se passer de l'espace pour les communications, l'observation ou le positionnement. Un enjeu majeur consistera à préserver notre liberté de manœuvre dans l'espace face aux développements chez certaines puissances, en particulier la Chine et la Russie, de capacités de perturbation, d'entrave voire de destruction de moyens spatiaux ». Le Figaro, 22 et 23 mai

• 

  July 6, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  GE Gets Contract for First Batch of F-15EX Engines

  July 1, 2020 | By John A. Tirpak General Electric received a $101.4 million contract for the first batch of engines to power the F-15EX fighter being acquired by the Air Force, according to a June 30 notice from the Pentagon. The sole-source contract buys and installs F110-GE-129s plus spares, but USAF didn't specify how many engines are being acquired in the action. The engines are to be delivered by Nov. 30, 2022. This first batch of F-15EX engines is being procured sole-source because of “an unusual and compelling urgency acquisition,” according to the announcement. The GE engine is the only one certified for the F-15Q, which the F-15EX is based, and competition was waived on this batch in order to expedite testing of the F-15EX. Subsequent buys of F-15EX engines, however, will be open to competition, the Air Force said in May. In February, Pratt & Whitney—now part of Raytheon Technologies—protested an early decision to just buy the F110 powerplant for the whole F-15EX fleet, and the Air Force in March dropped its plan to use the GE engine exclusively. The service will need up to 461 new engines to power as many as 144 F-15EX fighters. Pratt is planning to offer its F100-229 engine, but would have to certify the engine for the “Advanced F-15” at its own cost. The Air Force said testing can take place “concurrently” with production. No obstacles are seen to integration of the Pratt engine. The company noted it is the “exclusive propulsion system for USAF's entire fleet of operational F-15s.” The service wants up to six competed engines to be delivered per month, with the first deliveries in 2023. https://www.airforcemag.com/ge-gets-contract-for-first-batch-of-f-15ex-engines

• 

  June 25, 2020 | International, Naval

  US Navy announces intent to ink $10B in contracts for first 2 Columbia subs

  By: David B. Larter WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy is poised to ink almost $10.4 billion in contracts with General Dynamics Electric Boat to procure the first two Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, which carry more than a dozen nuclear missiles on constant deterrent patrols. The announcement, released by the Defense Department Monday afternoon, detailed an award of $869 million to Electric Boat to complete design work on the subs as part of a contract modification. The announcement also establishes the Navy's intent to award an additional $9.5 billion for the first two hulls, which will happen once Congress officially approves the two-ship buy and appropriates the money. “The intent would be to award that option as soon as possible after the FY21 appropriation to ensure we keep this No. 1 priority on track,” said James Geurts, the Navy's assistant secretary for research, development and acquisition. “That will allow us to begin full-rate construction of the first ship, begin advanced construction on the second ship, with the intent of beginning construction of the second ship in 2024.” The first ship is slated for a 2028 deliver and to go on its first patrol in 2031. The total buy is planned for 12 submarines. In a statement Rep. Joe Courntey, D-Conn., who represents the Electric Boat's district, praised the announcement, saying it was years in the making. “This award is the culmination of nearly a decade's worth of preparation for this milestone moment for our region and our nation,” Courntey said. “The replacement of our sea-based strategic deterrent comes only once every other generation, and this work is already fueling unprecedented growth in the workforce in Groton and transformation of the shipyard.” The Columbia-class subs are the Navy's top acquisition priority, and a monstrously expensive one at that. All in, the program will cost roughly $109 billion, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report, and the service faces an enormous challenge in balancing the rest of the fleet's priorities with the Columbia bill. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/06/22/us-navy-announces-intent-to-ink-10-billion-in-contracts-for-first-2-columbia-subs/