L’armée face aux enjeux de la « guerre spatiale »

On the same subject

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  April 24, 2022 | International, Aerospace

  Thales obtient la certification de type du système de drone Spy'Ranger 330

  Thales a obtenu la certification de type du système Spy'Ranger 330, délivré par l'autorité technique de navigabilité de la Direction générale de l'armement (DGA). Le Spy'Ranger 330 équipe l'armée de Terre française au titre du programme SMDR (Système de Mini-Drones de Reconnaissance). Le certificat de type permet à l'armée de Terre de former et entraîner les opérateurs du SMDR et de mettre en œuvre le système en opérations extérieures (OPEX), sans autorisation de vol spécifique et de manière pérenne. « Le système de mini-drones Spy'Ranger 330 offre aux forces armées les technologies d'imagerie les plus innovantes disponibles sur le marché », indique Thales. Le Spy'Ranger 330 a été conçu, développé, industrialisé et produit pour le programme SMDR sous maîtrise d'ouvrage de la DGA, par la filière française des systèmes de drones légers de contact. La famille Spy'Ranger répond aux besoins des unités de contact et de renseignement, engagées sur des thé'tres d'opérations extérieures. « Ces unités disposent ainsi d'une capacité d'appui au contact et de renseignement d'origine image combinant plusieurs éléments au sein d'un même système : un drone endurant et robuste, résistant aux environnements exigeants, une chaine image contribuant à la supériorité tactique, une liaison de données sécurisée et enfin, un système de contrôle/commande (C2) simple à opérer », explique Thales. La Tribune et Zone-Bourse.com du 21 avril

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  March 20, 2023 | International, Aerospace

  Boeing to Produce 184 Apaches for U.S. Army, International Customers

  This award comes on the heels of the U.S. Army?s Apache fleet surpassing five million flight hours, a milestone proving the AH-64 is the most capable, reliable and versatile attack...

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  September 20, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  The US Navy’s new autonomous refueling drone takes historic first flight

  By: David B. Larter WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy's MQ-25 Stingray refueling drone, destined to be the first carrier-launched autonomous unmanned aircraft integrated into the service's strike arm, took its first test flight from MidAmerica Airport in Illinois, Boeing announced Thursday. The two-hour flight, remotely controlled by Boeing pilots, tested the basic flight functions of the aircraft, a Boeing statement said. “The aircraft completed an autonomous taxi and takeoff and then flew a pre-determined route to validate the aircraft's basic flight functions and operations with the ground control station,” the release said. Boeing's project head said it was an important step toward getting the drone on the flight deck. “Seeing MQ-25 in the sky is a testament to our Boeing and Navy team working the technology, systems and processes that are helping get MQ-25 to the carrier,” MQ-25 Program Director Dave Bujold said in the release. “This aircraft and its flight test program ensures we're delivering the MQ-25 to the carrier fleet with the safety, reliability and capability the U.S. Navy needs to conduct its vital mission.” An $805 million contract awarded to Boeing last August covers the design, development, fabrication, test and delivery of four Stingray aircraft, a program the service expects will cost about $13 billion overall for 72 aircraft, said Navy acquisition boss James Geurts. The award to Boeing kicks off what the Navy would is aiming to be a six-year development effort moving toward a 2024 declaration of initial operational capability. At the end, it will mark a historic integration of drones into the Navy's carrier air wing. The MQ-25 flown Thursday is a Boeing-owned test asset and a predecessor to the first four engineering design model aircraft provided for under last year's contract. The model “is being used for early learning and discovery to meet the goals of the U.S. Navy's accelerated acquisition program,” the release said. The Stingray was a priority pushed by the Navy's previous chief of naval operations, Adm. John Richardson, who saw it as a chance to force a program through the system and field a new capability quickly. “The MQ-25 was really a signature program to test the limits and plow new ground in that direction,” Richardson told Defense News last April. "And so we brought industry in way earlier. I think that's key to getting the acquisition cycle faster, even in the refinement of the requirements phase. “And so that's where we've been with MQ-25, is to bring them in, see what they've got and see how fast they can get a prototype together to fly. One thing we did do was we locked down on requirements. We could probably get agreement from everybody that we need something to tank. It liberates a lot of our strike fighters from doing that mission and it's something that we can get done ― its relatively straightforward.” https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2019/09/19/the-us-navys-new-autonomous-refueling-drone-takes-historic-first-flight