October 1, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
Contracts for September 30, 2021
Today
June 25, 2019 | International, Aerospace
US Army Deploys New Battlefield Counter-UAS Capability
Author: Mike Rees
The U.S. Army has announced that its Howler counter unmanned aerial system (UAS) capability has achieved Initial Operational Capability, putting critical protection against drones in the hands of soldiers.
Howler, a name coined by the U.S. Army, combines the capabilities of Raytheon's Ku band radio frequency system multi-mission simultaneous radar and Coyote unmanned aircraft system. The KuRFS advanced electronically scanned array acquires and tracks all size UAS threats. Coyote works with KuRFS using its advanced seeker and warhead to identify and eliminate UAS threats.
“We developed and fielded this system in just 17 months,” said Bryan Rosselli, vice president of Mission Systems and Sensors. “Detecting the drone threat is the first critical step in the counter-UAS kill chain. The combination of precise tracking and engagement of these two proven systems gives the U.S. Army a vital capability to defeat this constantly evolving threat.”
In addition to providing advanced situational awareness, precise discrimination and mobility to successfully counter UAS threats, Howler gives the Army singular flexibility to adapt to the quickly changing, multidimensional threat environment.
“Test after test proves that our Coyote is an integral solution for defeating the growing number of enemy drones in the skies above the battlefield,” said Sam Deneke, Raytheon Land Warfare Systems vice president. “Protecting soldiers on the ground is a top priority, and this new system truly delivers.”
Raytheon's portfolio of sensors, and kinetic and non-kinetic effectors networked into a command and control system covers the full counter-UAS kill chain.
On the same subject
-
-
January 20, 2021 | International, Aerospace
Australia selects Boeing Apache as next armed reconnaissance helicopter
By: Nigel Pittaway MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia has selected Boeing's AH-64E Apache Guardian as it's next armed reconnaissance helicopter, replacing its Airbus Helicopters Tiger fleet under the Land 4503 program estimated to be worth AU$4-5 billion (U.S. $3–3.8 billion). The selection of the Apache follows the release of a request for information in July 2019 and was announced by Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds on Friday. The RFI called for 29 helicopters, with 24 to be based at a single location with two operational armed recon helo squadrons, and a five for training Army pilots and battle captains at the Australian Army Aviation Training Centre at Oakey, Queensland. The two operational Tiger squadrons are currently based in Darwin in the Northern Territory as part of the 1st Aviation Regiment. The RFI also stipulated an initial operational capability, represented by 12 helicopters, in 2026; and final operational capability with all 29 aircraft two years later. In addition to Boeing, Bell responded to the RFI with its AH-1Z Viper, and Airbus Helicopters with an updated Tiger. “The Apache Guardian is the most lethal, most survivable and lowest-risk option, meeting all of [the Department of] Defence's capability, through-life support, security and certification requirements,” Reynolds said. “By pursuing a proven and low-risk system offered by the Apache, [the Department of] Defence will avoid the ongoing cost and schedule risk typically associated with developmental platforms.” The Tiger was introduced to service in December 2004 but suffered poor availability rates and high ownership costs early in its career, before a remediation plan was implemented by the Department of Defence and industry around 2016. Reynolds said the issues with the Tiger fleet and other Australian military rotary-wing projects had informed the strategy to seek a proven and mature replacement. The decision to acquire the Apache was made under the Australian government's “Smart Buyer” policy, which allows for sole-source selection without a competition if there is a clear preference for a particular platform. A spokesman for Australia's Department of Defence said the government will now consider the acquisition of mission sensors and mission-relevant equipment, including the AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radar, but no specific configuration or numbers of radars have been revealed. The spokesman said the department will continue to consider options to improve upon the Apache that maximize opportunities for the local defense industry, including warehousing services, training development, engineering services and maintenance, and repair and overhaul. “Additionally, early detailed transition planning will be conducted to ensure effective management of the skilled workforce, across [the Department of] Defence and industry, as [the Department of] Defence transitions the Tiger to the Apache,” the spokesman said. Boeing said the AH-64E provides Australia with a fully integrated, battle-proven capability and will continue to expand its industry capability and supply chain in Australia. “Apache is supported by an active production line and a U.S. Army modernization plan through to the late 2040s, thereby ensuring the platform remains the leading attack and reconnaissance capability through to 2050 and beyond,” a company spokesperson said. https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2021/01/19/australia-selects-boeing-apache-as-next-armed-reconnaissance-helicopter
-
September 21, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Florence Parly cherche à rassurer sur les prélèvements de Rafale pour la Grèce
La ministre des Armées Florence Parly assure que les prélèvements de Rafale sur la flotte de l'armée de l'Air au profit de la Grèce, qui compte acquérir 18 avions de combat français dont plusieurs d'occasion, seront réalisés "avec infiniment de sérieux" pour éviter tout impact. Revenant sur la vente de Rafale à la Grèce, la ministre des Armées Florence Parly cherche à rassurer, en promettant de minimiser l'impact pour l'armée de l'Air de la France. Dans un contexte de tensions accrues avec la Turquie voisine, Athènes a annoncé samedi son intention d'acquérir 18 Rafale, dont six appareils neufs et douze d'occasion, selon le Premier ministre grec Kyriakos Mitsotakis, qui a évoqué de premières livraisons à la Grèce en 2021. "C'est une excellente nouvelle pour l'Europe", a insisté Florence Parly, interpellée en commission défense de l'Assemblée nationale sur le risque de trou capacitaire pour l'armée de l'Air, très engagée sur de multiples fronts mais qui va devoir céder à Athènes certains appareils sur sa flotte actuelle de 102 Rafale. "C'est ma priorité de m'assurer que de tels prélèvements n'auront pas d'impact opérationnel sur nos forces. C'est ma responsabilité première", a réagi Mme Parly. "Nous examinons ces possibles prélèvements avec infiniment de sérieux", a-t-elle assuré. "Est-ce à dire qu'il n'y a pas de marge de manoeuvre, qu'il n'y a pas de solution intelligente? La réponse est évidemment non", a poursuivi la ministre. "Il y aura un petit creux sur une période qui reste à définir mais on fera en sorte de minimiser l'impact au maximum pour l'armée de l'Air", commente-t-on au ministère des Armées, en soulignant notamment que "l'armée de l'Air rénove 55 Mirage qui permettent d'assumer un certain nombre de missions". Entre 2022 et 2024, Dassault Aviation doit produire 28 appareils pour la France. En fonction de la cadence de production, tout ou partie des 6 avions neufs grecs pourraient être finalement prélevés sur les 28 à produire pour Paris. "Nous ne pouvons pas à la fois vouloir promouvoir une politique de préférence européenne et puis nous désoler lorsque la Grèce fait ce choix", une première pour un pays européen, a poursuivi la ministre devant la commission parlementaire, en vantant également "une très bonne nouvelle pour notre industrie" dans un contexte économique profondément assombri par la crise sanitaire. "Sans les exportations d'armement, nous ne pourrions pas assurer à nous seuls l'entretien et la pérennité des chaînes industrielles", a-t-elle insisté. En outre, "les activités d'exportation permettent aussi de réduire le coûts d'acquisition pour nos armées des capacités dont nous avons besoin". https://www.capital.fr/economie-politique/florence-parly-cherche-a-rassurer-sur-les-prelevements-de-rafale-pour-la-grece-1380855