Space Force, NRO launch ‘Silent Barker’ space observation satellites

On the same subject

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  October 11, 2023 | International, Land, Security

  Army leaders see Latin America as backyard test bed for military tech

  The region's proximity, partners and security challenges provide ways to test out new concepts and tech.

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  October 25, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  Deux premiers Dassault ATL2 pour la Marine

  La ministre des Armées, Florence Parly, a salué la livraison des deux premiers avions de surveillance Dassault Aviation ATL2 mis au standard 6 et arrivés sur la base de Lann-Bihoué en juillet et août derniers. Florence Parly, ministre des Armées, s'est vue présenter les nouvelles capacités des avions de surveillance maritime Dassault Aviation ATL2 mis au standard 6 lors d'un vol de deux heures. Les deux premiers ATL2, le prototype et le premier de série, respectivement arrivés à Lann-Bihoué les 18 juillet et 27 août dans leur version logicielle finale, "ont été minutieusement testés par une équipe intégrée associant le centre d'expertise et d'essais DGA Essais en vol, le centre d'expérimentations pratiques et de réception de l'aéronautique navale (CEPA/10S) de la Marine nationale et Dassault Aviation". "L'expérimentation opérationnelle de la Marine, débutée à Istres en parallèle des dernières phases d'essais, se poursuit à Lorient pendant les dernières vérifications contractuelles effectuées par la DGA en vue de la qualification. Elle a pour but d'élaborer les tactiques d'emploi permettant d'utiliser au mieux les nouvelles capacités de l'aéronef", indique le ministère des Armées qui poursuit :" La mise en service opérationnel du standard 6 est prévue fin 2021, après la formation des équipages, la transformation d'un premier lot d'aéronefs, et la livraison du simulateur à terre pour l'entraînement tactique de nouvelle génération (SIMTAC NG), en cours de réalisation sous la conduite de la DGA". Les chantiers de mise à hauteur au standard 6 s'effectuent en parallèle par Dassault Aviation (6 chantiers en plus de l'avion prototype) et le Service industriel de l'aéronautique (SIAé) du ministère des Armées (11 chantiers). "Au-delà du traitement des obsolescences d'un avion conçu dans les années 1980, la rénovation porte principalement sur le remplacement de certains matériels par des équipements numériques issus des meilleures technologies actuellement disponibles : calculateur tactique, systèmes de renseignement optronique et acoustique, consoles des opérateurs, radar. En particulier, le nouveau radar Searchmaster bénéficie de la technologie d'antenne active développée par Thales pour le Rafale. Naval Group est également impliqué avec le logiciel de traitement de l'information, ainsi que le SIAé pour la rénovation des consoles de visualisation", souligne le ministère des Armées qui rappelle que si les ATL2 sont "prioritairement destinés à la maîtrise du milieu aéromaritime via la lutte contre les sous-marins et les navires de surface, de la zone littorale jusqu'au grand large", ils peuvent aussi "constituer un appui aux opérations aéroterrestres gr'ce à leur capacité à mener des actions de renseignement et de frappes au sol". https://www.air-cosmos.com/article/deux-premiers-dassault-atl2-pour-la-marine-21912

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  January 16, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  Rolls-Royce develops world-first electrical technology for next-generation Tempest programme

  Over the last five years Rolls-Royce has been pioneering world-first technology that will contribute to the UK's next-generation Tempest programme. In an aim to be more electric, more intelligent and to harness more power, Rolls-Royce recognised that any future fighter aircraft will have unprecedented levels of electrical power demand and thermal load; all needing to be managed within the context of a stealthy aircraft. Before the launch of the Tempest programme, Rolls-Royce had already started to address the demands of the future. Back in 2014, the company took on the challenge of designing an electrical starter generator that was fully embedded in the core of a gas turbine engine, now known as the Embedded Electrical Starter Generator or E2SG demonstrator programme. Conrad Banks, Chief Engineer for Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce said: "The electrical embedded starter-generator will save space and provide the large amount of electrical power required by future fighters. Existing aircraft engines generate power through a gearbox underneath the engine, which drives a generator. In addition to adding moving parts and complexity, the space required outside the engine for the gearbox and generator makes the airframe larger, which is undesirable in a stealthy platform." Phase two of this programme has now been adopted as part of Rolls-Royce's contribution to the Tempest programme. As part of this journey, the company has been continuously developing its capabilities in the aerospace market, from gas turbine technologies through to integrated power and propulsion systems. The goal being to provide not only the thrust that propels an aircraft through the sky, but also the electrical power required for all the systems on board as well as managing all the resulting thermal loads. Rolls-Royce is adapting to the reality that all future vehicles, whether on land, in the air or at sea will have significantly increased levels of electrification to power sensors, communications systems weapons, actuation systems and accessories, as well as the usual array of avionics. The launch of phase one of the E2SG programme saw significant investment in the development of an integrated electrical facility – a unique test house where gas turbine engines can be physically connected to a DC electrical network. The launch of the second phase of the project in 2017 saw the inclusion of a second electrical generator connected to the other spool of the engine. It also included an energy storage system in the electrical network and the ability to intelligently manage the supply of power between all these systems. The two-spool mounted electrical machines allows, by combination of operation as either a motor or a generator, the production of a series of functional effects on the engine, including the transfer of power electrically between the two spools. As part of the E2SG programme, Rolls-Royce is investigating the feasibility of using dual spool generation to influence the operability, responsiveness and efficiency of the engine. Another key technology under development is the Power Manager intelligent control system, which uses algorithms to make real time intelligent decisions about how to supply the current aircraft electrical demand while optimising other factors including engine efficiency to reduce fuel burn or engine temperature to extend component life. Throughout the Tempest programme, Rolls-Royce will be continuing to mature the electrical technologies demonstrated by the E2SG programme, with a third phase of testing likely to include a novel thermal management system being integrated with the overall system, as well as more electric engine accessories. The company also intends to showcase a full-scale demonstrator of an advanced power and propulsion system. There will be new technologies in all parts of the gas turbine, including twin spool embedded generation to higher power levels, an advanced thermal management system, an energy storage system tailored to the expected duty cycle of the future fighter and an intelligent power management system which will be able to optimise the performance of both the gas turbine and the power and thermal management system. Press release issued by Rolls-Royce plc Defence Aerospace on January 9, 2020 http://www.airframer.com/news_story.html?release=73226