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Par Stéphane Parent | francais@rcinet.ca Le gouvernement canadien de Justin Trudeau prévoit investir 3 milliards au cours de la prochaine décennie pour maintenir en service ses avions de chasse CF-18 jusqu'à l'achat de nouveaux chasseurs. La facture ne tient pas compte cependant de la mise à niveau des systèmes électroniques de ces avions qui n'ont pas été modernisés depuis 2008. Nos CF-18 auront 50 ans en 2032, l'année où le gouvernement prévoit les retirer. Leur technologie de combat accusera alors un retard de 15 ans si elle n'est pas modernisée. Croyant qu'elle allait pouvoir les remplacer en 2020, la Défense nationale canadienne n'a pas préparé de plan pour mettre à jour leur capacité de combat. Le vérificateur général du Canada, Michael Ferguson, a critiqué le gouvernement libéral, le mois dernier, en soulignant que les montants prévus pour le maintien opérationnel de la flotte ne comprenaient en fait aucune mise à niveau réelle des systèmes de combat des avions, qui n'ont pas été revus depuis 2008. Des avions capables de voler, mais pourront-ils réellement nous défendre? Des représentants de la Défense ont affirmé à un comité de la Chambre des communes, lundi après-midi, qu'ils s'attendaient à avoir une idée d'ici le mois de mai du type de mises à niveau nécessaires. Des améliorations qui, selon des analystes, coûteront des centaines de millions, voire des milliards de dollars. Selon les données de la défense nationale du printemps dernier, 22 % des postes de techniciens dans les escadrons de CF-18 à Bagotville au Québec et à Cold Lake en Alberta étaient vacants ou occupés par des techniciens peu qualifiés. Un autre défi qui attend l'armée canadienne sera de trouver une façon de remédier à la pénurie de techniciens expérimentés pour réparer et entretenir les vieux avions. Elle cherche à sous-traiter certaines t'ches de maintenance des avions de combat vieillissants CF-18. Des responsables de la Défense estiment qu'ils sauront le printemps prochain quels capteurs, armes et autres mises à niveau seront nécessaires pour que les avions de combat CF-18 vieillissants du pays puissent encore effectuer des missions de combat jusqu'à leur remplacement. De moins en moins d'avions et de plus en plus d'argent Pas moins de 19 chasseurs F-18 se sont écrasés depuis l'acquisition de cette flotte de 138 appareils par l'Aviation royale canadienne au tout début des années 1980 au prix de 5 milliards de dollars. Dix pilotes ont perdu la vie dans ces écrasements. Seuls 76 des 138 CF-18 achetés dans les années 80 sont toujours en service. Craignant de ne plus être en mesure de maintenir le nombre de chasseurs qui doivent être prêts à décoller en tout temps comme l'exige son alliance militaire avec les États-Unis au sein du NORAD, le Canada a décidé l'an dernier d'acheter 18 avions de chasse usagés CF-18 de l'aviation militaire australienne. En septembre, les États-Unis ont finalement donné le feu vert à l'achat par le Canada des CF-18 australiens usagés. L'approbation des Américains était nécessaire parce que ces avions ont été construits aux États-Unis avec la technologie américaine. Si toutes les négociations et approbations se déroulent comme prévu, les avions commenceraient à arriver au Canada en 2019. De nouveaux avions attendus depuis près de 10 ans d'ici 7 ans et plus Les CF-18 mis en service dans les années 1980 devaient être retirés d'ici 2020, mais leur remplacement s'est transformé en une longue saga. Il y a six ans, le gouvernement conservateur de Stephen Harper a abandonné dans la controverse son projet d'acheter des avions de chasse américains F-35 sans appel d'offres pour remplacer cette flotte vieillissante. Le gouvernement Trudeau, qui avait par la suite décidé d'acheter 18 avions Super Hornet à Boeing également sans appel d'offres, a annulé cet achat en 2017 dans la foulée du conflit commercial entre Boeing et Bombardier. Il a donc fini par se tourner vers l'Australie pour acheter des avions de chasse provisoires et a lancé un appel d'offres pour acheter 88 avions de chasse permanents. On s'attend maintenant à ce qu'il faille de cinq à sept ans pour réunir un nombre suffisant de pilotes et de techniciens à temps pour commencer à faire la transition des CF-18 vers de nouveaux avions ultramodernes. La livraison du premier avion est prévue en 2025, et celle du dernier en 2031. http://www.rcinet.ca/fr/2018/12/04/modernisation-vieux-cf-18-canada-verificateurs-avion-chasse-australien/

Bill Carey | Aviation Week & Space Technology The U.S. Air Force's choice of Boeing to supply the new T-X advanced pilot training jet to replace the Northrop T-38C Talon boosted the manufacturer's profile as a training and simulation provider, a shift overshadowed by the hard-fought competition over the aircraft itself. With the T-X program in hand, Boeing dominates the U.S. lead-in fighter trainer segment, and it expects to prepare generations of Air Force pilots to fly fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft. A navalized version of its new jet would position the company for any future replacement of the T-45 Goshawk used to instruct Navy and Marine Corps pilots, closing the loop of U.S. services that operate fighters. Boeing is no newcomer to the simulation field—it provides training devices and support for the F-22 Raptor, the F-16 and its own F-15, F/A-18, EA-18G, P-8A and AH-64 Apache. But the significance of the T-X award was not lost on peers exhibiting at the recent Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC). “Certainly, it's a pretty big program,” says Philippe Perey, CAE head of technology for defense and security. “Boeing will be the owner of that program for years to come.” Full article: http://aviationweek.com/defense/boeing-making-waves-simulation-and-training

First-agreement of its kind will repurpose aerospace-grade composite material for making laptop cases, car parts and other products Partnership will reduce solid waste by more than one million pounds a year SEATTLE, Dec. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE:BA] and ELG Carbon Fibre today announced a partnership to recycle excess aerospace-grade composite material, which will be used by other companies to make products such as electronic accessories and automotive equipment. The agreement – the first of its kind for the aerospace industry – covers excess carbon fiber from 11 Boeing airplane manufacturing sites and will reduce solid waste by more than one million pounds a year. Carbon-fiber reinforced material is extremely strong and lightweight, making it attractive for a variety of uses, including in building the super-efficient 787 Dreamliner and the all-new 777X airplane. As the largest user of aerospace-grade composites from its commercial and defense programs, Boeing has been working for several years to create an economically viable carbon fiber reuse industry. The company improved its production methods to minimize excess and developed a model for collecting scrap material. But technical barriers stood in the way of repurposing material that had already been "cured" or prepped for use in the airplane manufacturing process. UK-based ELG developed a proprietary method to recycle "cured" composites so they do not have to be thrown out. "Recycling cured carbon fiber was not possible just a few years ago," said Tia Benson Tolle, Boeing Materials & Fabrication director for Product Strategy & Future Airplane Development. "We are excited to collaborate with ELG and leverage innovative recycling methods to work toward a vision where no composite scrap will be sent to landfills." To prove that the recycling method can be applied on a grand scale, Boeing and ELG conducted a pilot project where they recycled excess material from Boeing's Composite Wing Center in Everett, Wash., where the massive wings for the 777X airplane are made. ELG put the excess materials through treatment in a furnace, which vaporizes the resin that holds the carbon fiber layers together and leaves behind clean material. Over the course of 18 months, the companies saved 380,000 pounds of carbon fiber, which was cleaned and sold to companies in the electronics and ground transportation industries. "Security of supply is extremely important when considering using these materials in long-term automotive and electronic projects," said Frazer Barnes, managing director of ELG Carbon Fibre. "This agreement gives us the ability to provide that assurance, which gives our customers the confidence to use recycled materials." Based on the success of the pilot project, Boeing says the new agreement should save a majority of the excess composite material from its 11 sites, which will support the company's goal to reduce solid waste going to landfills 20 percent by 2025. "This collaboration takes Boeing's commitment to protect the environment to a whole new level. Recycling composites will eventually be as commonplace as recycling aluminum and titanium," said Kevin Bartelson, 777 Wing Operations leader. Boeing and ELG are considering expanding the agreement to include excess material from three additional Boeing sites in Canada, China and Malaysia. As a result of the partnership, ELG estimates the number of its employees will nearly triple from 39 in 2016 to an expected 112 by the end of 2019 as the recycling market continues to expand. Contact: Todd Kelley 425-373-8388 todd.e.kelley@boeing.com SOURCE Boeing https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2018-12-05-Boeing-ELG-Carbon-Fibre-find-new-life-for-airplane-structure-material-in-groundbreaking-partnership

Collins Aerospace [UTX], formerly Rockwell Collins, will update B-1 Lancer training systems for Aero Simulation Inc. (ASI), which last month received a contract for B-1 training system sustainment from the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Maintenance Command.There are... http://www.defensedaily.com/newly-minted-collins-aerospace-upgrade-b-1-trainers

Lockheed Martin [LMT] is using 3-D printing, or additive manufacturing, technology to lower the cost of manufacturing F-35 flight simulators by an estimated $11 million over the next five years.Using new 3-D printing machines, the number of parts and components... http://www.defensedaily.com/lockheed-lowering-f-35-simulator-costs-3-d-printing

By: Mark Pomerleau Air Force leaders are reorganizing the service's primary IT office. As part of the change, leaders are dividing job responsibilities from the chief information officer to a new combined intelligence/IT shop and a deputy CIO. In addition, the Air Force's top IT position — the chief information officer — will become an undersecretary for the service. It's not immediately clear why Air Force leaders want to make the changes, which will take place at the beginning of 2019. Bill Marion, the Air Force's deputy CIO, said during a Dec. 4 event hosted by AFCEA that the service will move the offensive, defensive and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance elements of the staff into a new office. “Think offense, defense and ISR, think 24th [Air Force], 25th [Air Force], think bringing those two communities together in a total full-spectrum [information operations]/[information warfare] fight,” Marion said. The other side of the reorganization will be a pure IT play. Marion, in his role as the deputy CIO, will focus on the IT and associated workforce development components for the Air Force. As part of the changes, Brig. Gen. Kevin Kennedy will serve in a dual-hatted role spanning both aspects of the reorganization, Marion said, serving as a bridge during the transition. https://www.c4isrnet.com/it-networks/2018/12/04/the-air-force-is-reorganizing-its-primary-it-shop

(December 3, 2018) Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced the delivery of the first law enforcement-configuredBell 505 Jet Ranger X to the Sacramento Police Department. “The Bell 505 delivers best-in-class visibility, and the aircraft's advanced avionics and cost of operations make it the choice aircraft for law enforcement operations,” said jay ortiz, SENIOR vice president, the Americas. “bell is proud to support THE SACRAMENTO police department and provide reliable aircraft for the important mission of global law enforcement agencies.” Bell outfitted the Sacramento Police Department's Bell 505 with several law enforcement provisions, including high skid gear and forward/aft hard points for mounting equipment. The aircraft also features additional equipment including a 15” monitor with moving map system, loudhailer, MX-10 EO/IR Sensor and Trakka Beam Searchlight. “The Bell 505 will be invaluable in critical calls for service when minutes matter and will allow us to best protect the citizens of Sacramento,” said Sergeant Randy Van Dusen of the Sacramento Police Department's Air Operations Team. “The ergonomic seats allow the pilot and tactical flight officer to fly for hours comfortably, and the large windows allow for greater visibility that makes searching for suspects and missing persons easier.” With a speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kg), the Bell 505 is designed to be safe and easy to fly while providing significant value to the operator. The customer-driven design of the aircraft places safety, performance and affordability at the forefront, blending proven systems with advanced technology and a sleek, modern design. Press Contact Blakeley Thress +1 817‐280‐2968 mediarelations@bellflight.com https://investor.textron.com/news/news-releases/press-release-details/2018/Bell-Delivers-First-Law-Enforcement-Configured-Bell-505-Jet-Ranger-X-to-Sacramento-Police-Department/default.aspx

Rheinmetall has won an order to supply the German Federal Police with ballistic inserts for protective vests. The framework agreement lasts 36 months and is worth a total of around €10 million. Representing roughly €1 million in sales, a first batch consisting of over 5,000 ballistic inserts will be shipped in spring 2019. The contract encompasses an option for the supply of an additional 36,000 inserts. Developed and produced by Rheinmetall Ballistic Protection in Krefeld, Germany, the inserts exploit the latest technology in order to achieve high protection at the lowest possible weight. Among the lightest of their kind, these inserts withstand shots fired from an AK-47 assault rifle. As a result, law enforcement officers who find themselves in complex, life-threatening situations are not only well protected, but able to manoeuvre easily as well. Rheinmetall – a powerful partner of the police and security services Headquartered in Düsseldorf, Rheinmetall AG is a publicly traded, globally operating technology group. It consists of two operational units: Rheinmetall Defence and Rheinmetall Automotive. In 2017 the Group's 23,000 employees generated sales of just under €6 billion. Rheinmetall feels a special obligation to make the best-possible equipment available to those whose task it is to protect our society. Its Public Security product portfolio – tailored to meet the needs of law enforcement agencies and security services – covers a wide array of capabilities, ranging from reconnaissance and surveillance to command and control, cyber operations, kinetics, force protection and tactical mobility. https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/public_relations/news/latest_news/index_18816.php

By: Jarosław Adamowski WARSAW, Poland — Airbus Helicopters has decided to pull out of the Polish Defence Ministry's tender to acquire new copters for the country's Navy. The "offset requirements defined by the Polish MoD made it impossible for Airbus Helicopters to submit a competitive offer," the company said in a statement sent to the state-owned news agency PAP. “Airbus Helicopters continues to be interested in supporting the process of the modernization of the Polish Armed Forces in the field of helicopter fleet replacement,” the vendor said with respect to Poland's other helo procurement plans. Earlier this year, Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo placed their offers in the ministry's tender to purchase four helicopters. Leonardo, which is now the only active participant of the tender, owns Polish aircraft plant PZL Swidnik which makes the AW101 copter, among others. The new helos, enabled with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search-and-rescue (SAR) capabilities, are designed to replace the Polish Navy's Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite copters, according to First Deputy Defence Minister Wojciech Skurkiewicz. Local observers have also said the new helos could replace the Navy's Soviet-designed Mil Mi-14 copters. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2018/12/04/airbus-pulls-out-of-polish-helo-tender-due-to-offset-requirements