August 3, 2021 | International, Aerospace
The UK is developing its Future Combat Air System that will include next-generation fighter jets, artificial intelligence, and drones.
September 21, 2020 | International, Aerospace, C4ISR, Security
The British Armed Forces are engaged in a technology race—as opposed to an arms race—as they look to gain the advantage in the government's upcoming Integrated Review. Ministers have promised that the... https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/budget-policy-operations/raf-targets-technology-review-shapes-uk-armed-forces
March 6, 2020 | International, Naval
March 5, 2020 - On March 5th, in Rio de Janeiro, Emgepron, an independent state company, linked to the Ministry of Defense through the Brazilian Navy Command, and Águas Azuis, a company created by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech, signed the contract for building four state-of-the-art Tamandaré Class Ships, with deliveries scheduled between 2025 and 2028. The construction will take place 100% in Brazil, in Itajaí, Santa Catarina State, and is expected to have local content rates above 30% for the first vessel and 40% for the others. Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will supply the naval technology of its proven MEKO® Class shipbuilding platform of defence vessels that is already in operation in 15 countries. Embraer will integrate sensors and weaponry into the combat system, bringing also to the program its 50 years' experience in systems technology solutions and in-service support. Atech, an Embraer Group company, will be the supplier of the CMS (Combat Management System) and IPMS (Integrated Platform Management System, from L3 MAPPS), and the recipient of technology transfer in cooperation with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, a thyssenkrupp Marine Systems subsidiary that produces the CMS and sonar systems. "We are grateful to participate again in such important milestone in the history of Brazil's naval defence with the most advanced ships in their class. Looking back the great achievements we had since the construction of Tupi Class submarines in 1980s, it is a recognition of the technological excellence, reliability and longevity solutions we have offered for almost two centuries. The Tamandaré Class Programme will strengthen our ties by transferring technology and generating highly qualified jobs for the country", said Dr. Rolf Wirtz, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. "The partnership validates our efforts to expand our defence and security portfolio beyond the aeronautical segment. Over the past few years, we have acquired expertise in developing and integrating complex systems, among others, in order to qualify Embraer to meet the needs of the Brazilian Navy, further strengthening our position as a strategic partner of the Brazilian State", said Embraer Defense & Security President and CEO Jackson Schneider. In addition to construction, the contract includes a sustained transfer of technology in naval engineering for building military ships and combat and platform management systems, as well as integrated logistical support and lifecycle management. The Tamandaré Class Programme has the potential to generate direct and indirect job opportunities of high level of qualification. It provides for a solid national partnership model with proven ability to transfer technology and qualify local labour, which guarantees the development of future strategic defence projects in Brazil. The naval alliance between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Embraer Defense & Security can also enable creating a base for exporting naval defence products from Brazil. MEKO®: the authentic ship for blue waters The new multi-mission vessels will be based on the proven MEKO® Class shipbuilding solutions from thyssenkrupp Marine Systems that are already deployed in 82 vessels operating in the Navies of 15 countries, including Portugal, Greece, Australia, Argentina and Algeria. The MEKO® modular design concept facilitates local integration and technology transfer, helping to reduce maintenance and modernisation costs. Combining cutting-edge technology, innovation and robust combat capabilities, the MEKO® Class is an authentic escort vessel for operating in blue waters, featuring exceptional autonomy and robustness qualities. About Águas Azuis Águas Azuis is a special purpose legal entity established between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech, a subsidiary from Embraer, to build four new Tamandaré Class ships in order to amplify and modernize the Brazilian Navy fleet. It will have a strong presence in the country and count on parent companies solid experience on diverse areas. The member companies have a solid and long-standing relationship, in addition to a strong presence in several countries. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, a thyssenkrupp Group company, is the leader of the Águas Azuis naval partnership and one of the world's leading suppliers of systems for submarines and naval surface vessels, as well as maritime safety technologies, with a centuries-old history of shipbuilding. Embraer Defense & Security, Embraer's business unit, is present in more than 60 countries and is a leader in the aerospace and defence industry in Latin America. Atech, an Embraer subsidiary, develops innovative solutions for the air traffic control, command and control systems, cyber security, instrumentation and control systems, embedded systems, simulators and logistics areas. Atech also operates in other strategical projects of Brazilian Navy as the LABGENE (Nuclear Power Generation Laboratory), for which develops Control and Protection systems, and the tactical mission combat system for the H225M/H-XBR SUPER COUGAR for the Brazilian Navy, as well. Press contact: thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Stefan Ettwig Head of Communications T: +49 172 2490090 stefan.ettwig@thyssenkrupp.com Embraer S.A. Valtécio Alencar Head of Corporate Communications M: +55 11 98106 7295 valtecio.alencar@embraer.com.br View source version on thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: https://www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com/en/press-releases/d/uid-2539b617-e129-4190-fd25-bd62b3e655e7.html
November 11, 2019 | International, Aerospace
By: Aaron Mehta and Jen Judson WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department has cleared the United Arab Emirates to purchase 10 CH-47F Chinook cargo helicopters, with an estimated price tag of $830.3 million. The potential deal was announced Thursday on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, or DSCA. Such notifications are not guarantees of final sale; should the request be approved by Congress, quantities and dollar figures can change during negotiations. This request represents the 10th Foreign Military Sales request from the UAE since the start of fiscal 2017, for a total approximate worth of $10.5 billion. It is also the first Foreign Military Financing request cleared by the DSCA since the Trump administration declared a regional emergency in order to get several weapons packages pushed through Congress despite opposition on Capitol Hill, leading to bipartisan criticism of the move. The UAE bought its first lot of CH-47Fs — 16 aircraft for estimated total of $2 billion — in 2009. Boeing said earlier this year that it was relying on foreign military sales, including “30 helicopters or less” to the UAE, to shore up a delta between the production of its Block I version of the F-model and its Block II version. The company needs FMS deals like the one with the UAE even more now that the U.S. Army is planning not to buy the Block II version for the active force. The service still plans to produce Block II aircraft for Army special operators. Top Army officials have said they are working hard to mint FMS deals to help make up for the huge production gap left open following the service's decision to not buy Block II F-models for the active force. But Boeing told Defense News that it expected FMS deals would not lessen the blow and, so far, none of the anticipated sales are for Block II versions. The UAE's order, according to Boeing, was not for Block II, and the only other possible F-model sale to the United Kingdom is for extended range versions of the Block I version. It is unclear which countries might actually be interested in Block II aircraft, but the service won't be ready to offer those to foreign customers until after the variant's qualification testing is completed in 2021. The proposed sale “will expand the UAE's helicopter fleet,” per the DSCA announcement. “Further, it will enhance the UAE's operational and defensive capabilities to better defend U.S. and UAE national security interests in the region, and increase the UAE's contributions to any future joint or coalition efforts requiring helicopter support.” In addition to the helicopters themselves, the proposed package would include 26 T55-GA-714A engines; 24 embedded global positioning systems with inertial navigation system; 20 M134D-H mini-guns; and 20 M240H machine guns, as well as various transmitters and other equipment. Up to 10 U.S. government or contractor representatives will be needed in the UAE to help prepare the Chinooks for operations. Primary work will be done at Boeing's Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, facility, Honeywell Engine's Phoenix, Arizona, location, and Science and Engineering Services in Huntsville, Alabama. https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2019/11/08/uae-cleared-for-ch-47f-chinook-buy/