November 8, 2022 | International, Naval
Small shipyards consolidate amid Navy program delays
Though several ship programs more accessible to small yards are in the works, they won't go into production until 2025 or later.
December 2, 2020 | International, Security
Leonardo to strengthen security and rescue operations in Brazil with the supply of six AW119Kx helicopters to the Polícia Rodoviária Federal
Rome, November 30, 2020 - Leonardo announced today that the Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF) of Brazil will introduce into service six AW119Kx single engine helicopters.
The first aircraft is expected to be introduced in Brazil beginning next year, with the delivery of the remainder helicopters to the operator planned to be completed by mid-2021.
The AW119Kxs will be operated by the Air Operations Division (DOA) from its bases in the five Regions of Brazil to perform a range of missions including transport, rescue, emergency medical service, firefighting, surveillance and law enforcement.
The selection of the AW119Kx by the PRF was made following a rigorous assessment of technical capabilities to best meet the law enforcement agency's needs.
The handover of these helicopters will further expand the fleet of Leonardo helicopters used by law enforcement, rescue and public service operators across Brazil which already includes the AW119 single engine type in addition to the AW109 light twin and AW139 intermediate twin models.
The helicopters will feature an advanced customized configuration including, among others, a Garmin G1000NXi glass cockpit, an infrared capable electro-optics system, rescue hoist, cargo hook, bambi bucket to counter fires, rappelling kit on both sides for special forces operations, advanced communication systems.
To date there are over 190 Leonardo helicopters of various types operating in Brazil performing many roles including: corporate/private transport, law enforcement, public services, offshore transport, and naval applications.
As the success of Leonardo's product grows further, the Company is committed to further strengthening its existing level of localized services with the establishment of a new regional support centre, run by Leonardo do Brasil, in Itapevi, 30 km from São Paulo whose groundbreaking was celebrated in February.
The new support centre will expand the services already provided by the existing facility headquartered in São Paulo.
Leonardo is committed to serving and protecting communities around the world, contributing to their sustainable growth by leading in next generation technologies. Partnering with Governments, private organizations and industries for the best security and safety capabilities is a cornerstone of Leonardo's Be Tomorrow 2030 Strategic Plan.
Note to editors on the AW119Kx helicopter
The AW119Kx is the best in class single engine helicopter today available in the market, featuring a state-of-the-art avionics system for enhanced situational awareness, mission effectiveness and safety.
The AW119Kx has a large cabin which is able to accommodate up to six passengers and redundancy of all critical systems that are typically available on twin engine aircraft, ensuring outstanding reliability and safety.
The AW119Kx is perfectly suited to perform many roles including EMS, law enforcement, utility, fire-fighting, passenger transport, training and government/military duties.
Over 350 AW119 helicopters have been ordered by over 130 customers in 40 countries. A number of law enforcement, public service agencies or armed forces around the world have chosen or are already using the AW119 in Brazil, USA, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Portugal, Finland, Latvia to name a few.
A variant of the AW119 was selected by the United States Navy in January to train the country's next-generation of naval aviators.
View source version on Leonardo: https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/30-11-2020-leonardo-to-strengthen-security-and-rescue-operations-in-brazil-with-the-supply-of-six-aw119kx-helicopters-to-the-policia-rodoviaria-federa
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July 16, 2019 | International, Aerospace, Other Defence
New Army cyber gear for drones and teams test, protect units in another domain
By: Todd South A prototype device used recently at the Army's premiere combat training center has soldiers using precision cyber techniques to target small drones that might have been missed with other equipment and methods. Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division used the cyber precision drone detection system during a January rotation at the National Training Center. The equipment allowed soldiers to get alerts of drone presence and ways to target it that helped protect the brigade, according to an Army release. Capt. Christopher Packard said the prototype integrated with existing signal, intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities. Five soldiers embedded with the opposing force to attack the brigade with enemy drones for more realistic training, according to the release. A group of software developers at the Army's Cyber Command along with others at the Defense Digital Service built custom software and modified commercial equipment to make the early versions of the prototype last year. “The (Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office) and Tobyhanna (Army Depot) helped out with taking it from an advanced prototype and turning it into an engineering design model,” said 1st Lt. Aneesh Patel, with ARCYBER's Cyber Solutions Development Detachment with the 782nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade. “We designed our own hardware and schematics, but what we didn't have was the proper ability to scale, and I think that's important in a bridging strategy and for any prototype.” The system is an “interim solution,” according to the release. “Being a newer system and a new tool for a maneuver unit, there are going to be a lot of things we don't know as [cyber] engineers, and a lot of their specific needs for the capability that may not have gotten through to us. So being out there was very important to this and any other project like it,” Patel said. The system will be followed by an upgraded version slated for Special Operations Command for an operational assessment this summer. Phase two will maximize the capability's operational life span by adding software updates that improve performance, according to the release. That type of equipment hits drones, but the Army also has its own cyber protection teams, such as the one featured in another release out of Grafenwoehr, Germany in June, where the 301st and 172nd CPTs used defensive measures for the Sabre Guardian 19 exercise. The annual exercise is taking place this year in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, co-led by the Romanian Joint Force Command. The teams “create chaos by accessing the network and either disabling it or stealing classified information and using it against the units involved in the exercise.” Though cyber threats have been a talking point among commanders for years, it wasn't until this most recent rotation that cyber threats were simulated for the exercise, said Capt. Joe McNerney, 301st CPT battle captain. The captain explained that the CPTs simulate an insider threat. The 172nd is a combination of soldiers and airmen from units based in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The 301st is an Air Force unit out of the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Michigan. “They're people we work with on a daily basis so we want to beat them," said Sgt. Brian Stevens, an information technology specialist from Detroit. “We have to make them feel pain at some level.” https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2019/07/15/new-army-cyber-gear-for-drones-and-teams-test-protect-units-in-another-domain/
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April 22, 2024 | International, Land
Analysis: M10 Booker – filling an enduring gap in the US Army - Army Technology
What is the M10 Booker? This little-known platform, which is somewhere between an IFV and an MBT, will provide much-needed infantry support.