29 juillet 2020 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

Airbus Calls For Europe To Strengthen Defense Budgets Post-COVID-19

Tony Osborne July 10, 2020

While Airbus' commercial business faces strong headwinds from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the company's military capability is still very much in demand. But can Europe's big defense initiatives—many of which involve Airbus-—be sustained with burdened budgets post-COVID-19? London Bureau Chief Tony Osborne put those questions to Airbus Defense and Space CEO Dirk Hoke.

AW&ST: What does the defense environment look like post-COVID-19? Will we face more spending cuts, or will spending plans be maintained? And are you confident big defense programs can survive? A health and economic crisis doesn't erase the necessity of being able to defend your territory. NATO missions are continuing, and the extensive use of our A400Ms and [A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transports] MRTTs during the COVID-19 crisis is a perfect example of how much value military assets can bring in humanitarian missions, when nations are in need. In addition, spending in defense procurement, if you do it right, is always an investment in your own economy and therefore now twice as important.

The defense business was undertaking some restructuring and cost cutting at the beginning of 2020 after a difficult 2019. Where are those plans; will they have to be reconsidered? We have had to slightly adapt our restructuring due to the COVID-19 impact, but the rationale stays the same. In our defense business, many important contracts had been postponed or came later than expected, which has of course had an impact on operational planning. In our space business, we currently see an extremely flat market for telecommunication satellites. We are [the] market leader and confident that the situation will change again. But for the time being we must take the appropriate measures.

How has COVID-19 affected production and output in the various countries, and how have you overcome or are overcoming those hurdles? I would say we were early adapters. Given the experience we had at our commercial sites in China, on which we could build, it took us around a week to clear all production facilities for working under COVID-19 work restrictions. On the defense side, we also delivered aircraft in the lockdown phase and provided our services to the military crews on mission.

It was, rather, the space part, where we had to reschedule satellite launches due to the temporary closure of the launch site in Kourou [in French Guiana]. And for the desk jobs, many were working from home during the lockdowns in order to avoid [having] too many meetings at the offices at the same time. They are now coming back to their desks. We could demonstrate that also in crisis times we are a trustful partner for our customers.

Airbus proposed a compromise deal for the Eurofighter following Germany's decision on a Tornado replacement. Is Berlin showing interest in your proposals; could we see some of these Eurofighters on contract soon? Let me state that we are very proud of being part of the Eurofighter family. There are some good opportunities ahead. Recently we signed the contract for equipping 115 [German and Spanish] Eurofighters with brand-new Captor-E radars. In the autumn, we are confident [we will] sign a contract for 38 Eurofighters to replace the German Tranche 1 fleet.

Additionally, we are in discussions for planning a Tranche 5 [implementation of] the Long-Term Evolution Program. What the final decision on Tornado will be, we will see only after the elections in Germany [at the] end of 2021. In the meantime, there are further opportunities in Spain, Switzerland and Finland. The Eurofighter clearly is the backbone of European air defense.

What progress is being made on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS)? Can you talk about some of the technological hurdles, where there needs to be or has been progress to reach the next phase? There is a tremendous drive in the project. All parties, on both the political and industrial sides, are pushing for progress and can be proud of what has been achieved in less than three years after being mentioned the first time in the French-German declaration on July 13, 2017. We need to keep this spirit up to achieve our ambitious timelines. In terms of technologies, we are at the early stage of a long journey.

Overall, we are looking into a wide range of technologies in the areas of combat aircraft capabilities, digitalization and data analysis, as well as connectivity and communication. Airbus is the only company in Europe that has extensive know-how in all three areas. Nevertheless, as we are talking about requirements needed in 2040, we are far away from having definite answers yet. The FCAS is very much an incremental journey with an open end—that's what makes the program so challenging, but also so exciting.

You made representations to Madrid regarding the involvement with Indra on the FCAS. Is there any sign of that changing? Is there a point when you begin working together and sideline the differences? Spain is a very welcome partner in the FCAS program and is one of our Airbus home nations. I really believe that the FCAS project is large enough for the whole European defense industry. To make it a success, it is important that everybody contributes where he has the largest experience. In terms of system integration, it is undoubtedly Airbus—especially in Spain, where we have a large industrial footprint, are producing the Eurofighter, A400M, tankers and the light and medium transport aircraft. I think it is understandable that we expressed our incomprehension to the Spanish government.

Are you any closer to securing a contract for the Eurodrone development? Are you concerned that France could still be swayed down the U.S. route? In June we handed over our best and final offer and are expecting a decision by the nations after the summer break. Germany, France, Spain and Italy worked with us on the capabilities from the onset, so the complete design is according to their wishes. Therefore, in terms of performance, capability and European sovereignty there is no serious competitor on the market. What is clear is, the later the order comes, the more the delivery dates are slipping. I don't think that's in anybody's interest.

Are you making any proposals for Germany's Pegasus signals--intelligence (sigint) platform since Berlin withdrew from using Triton? Will you offer the Integrated Standby Instrument Systems (ISIS) system on a manned platform? That's now in the hands of the German government. Over the years of the project we developed many skills and capabilities in Germany that are required in any sigint platform. That applies especially for the ground control station, which we also deliver for NATO's [Alliance Ground Surveillance] project. Therefore, we stand ready [for] implementing our know-how once the decision has been taken. Nonetheless, I am still convinced that Triton would have been the most capable platform for the envisaged missions.

On MRTT, where do you see the next market for that platform? How many more orders could come from the European Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet/Unit (MMF/MMU)? Is the agreement with Lockheed on MRTT making progress on marketing for U.S. needs? What is your hope for that? Only weeks ago, we delivered the first MRTT to the joint NATO fleet. I don't want to speculate about numbers, but pooling resources as is already the case with military transport capacities is a blueprint for the future. The U.S. surely is the largest accessible market for military tankers. We have the best aircraft in this class. And besides our own Airbus footprint, we have Lockheed Martin as an equal partner in the country. We stand ready. In the end the question will be whether the U.S. is ready for this, too.

Regarding A400M tactical capabilities and exports, any progress on both? The A400M has meanwhile proven to be a real workhorse in the services, and flight testing again has made good progress in recent months. Simultaneous paratrooper jumps out of the side doors are now certified, and the helicopter air-to-air refueling is advancing well. The aircraft is simply best-in-class. Other nations recognize this very well, but it is currently a difficult environment to predict when the next exports are coming in.

Given that space has been declared a warfighting domain by several nations, are you seeing an uptake in defense interest in space, or is that something still warming? When we see how dependent mankind is on assets in space, it is high time to act and find ways to protect them. Some countries are making progress already. Others are still undecided on their strategy. As Europe's largest space company, we can make suggestions. But what is valid for the world applies also in space: You can't defend space or your assets there as a single country. What we need is a common approach. And it is needed sooner rather than later.

https://aviationweek.com/ad-week/airbus-calls-europe-strengthen-defense-budgets-post-covid-19

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14 mai 2018 | International, C4ISR

What to expect from AI, space and other tech over the next 18 months
By: Aaron Mehta What will the next 18 months mean for the Pentagon's ongoing challenge to maintain a technological edge over its enemies? That was the question posed to a panel of experts at the 17th annual C4ISRNET conference Thursday. And the answers underline just how wide the technical areas of expertise are that Pentagon officials need to get their heads around in the modern era — and how the situation will remain fluid going forward. For Richard Linderman, deputy director for research and engineering in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, the focus is on manufacturing the vital microelectronics that provide the base for all of America's high-end technologies. He predicts a push to create those chips at a higher rate domestically, which in turn would allow greater trust that the chips, forming the basis of communications equipment or artificial intelligence, would not be messed with by a foreign entity. Concern about the domestic production of microelectronics is expected to be part of a large defense industrial base review now underway. “If you're right out on the pointy end of the spear, you might not want chips made in China to be the foundation of your communications gear,” Linderman told the audience. “So I think you're going to see those kinds of investments increase dramatically, and it will be an exciting prospect for us to bring new dimensions to this discussion of trusted, assured microelectronics.” James Hasik, a professor at the National Defense University, said he would be keeping a close eye on how the autonomous Sea Hunter vehicle does during ongoing testing. DARPA recently transferred the Sea Hunter, designed to travel thousands of miles over open seas, for months at a time, without a crew member on board, over to the Navy for continued testing. “The economics of that concept are so compelling,” Lungu said. If the concept proves out, it could have “some profound applications for fleet structure, some profound applications for warfighting.” Clark Groves, a space expert also at NDU, predicted that the long-awaited boom in small satellites will finally reach critical mass in the near-future, driven by the desire to move the massive telecommunications market onto cheaper systems. DoD stands to benefit, as this would be happening at the same time the Pentagon seeks to move from relying on massive, expensive aggregated systems towards a disaggregated model relying on multiple cheap, smaller systems — which present more of a challenge for any enemy nation that may seek to take out American assets in space. “Once small satellites begin being produced in large numbers, that will fundamentally alter the industrial base of the status quo, and that will also affect the launch base,” Groves said, which in turn “will give opportunities to DoD for more effective per-cost basis to exploit the architecture that we need for resilience.” Finally, Ed Brindley, acting deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity at the Pentagon, pointed to a “more determined focus” inside the Pentagon to shift how it handles artificial intelligence. At the core of that, he said, is the upcoming AI Center of Excellence, which Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan predicted will be up and running in the next six months. “Part of what we will see will be opportunities for us to adopt some of what is occurring within industry today,” Brindley said, noting that AI isn't just for warfighting but could have massive impacts on the internal processes of the Pentagon, including in the medical and legal professions. https://www.c4isrnet.com/show-reporter/c4isrnet-conference/2018/05/10/what-to-expect-from-ai-space-and-other-tech-areas-over-the-next-18-months/
27 juillet 2018 | International, C4ISR

How Army researchers are using software and analytics to maximize battlefield power
By: Todd South ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — As soldiers at every level become more connected and devices proliferate, the strain on the field-level power grid increases. Staff at the Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command dove into the finer details of power management, auto tuning and analytics to drive how soldiers use power in the field. Most of that work is focused around the tactical microgrid, basically the network of power that runs tactical operations. Think thick cables, generators and all the power that lets the computers, radios and networks run to digest the vast amounts of information, communication and other electrical needs consumed by a modern military. In the not-too-distant past, generator operators and technicians played a sophisticated guessing game that involved a clock, multimeter, flashlight and notepad to measure and mark which power supplies were running, at what level, and where they were on fuel. But by adding digital capabilities and software-driven devices into the guts of what were simple analog generators and boxes full of copper wiring and switches, they have created a type of brain for what was formerly a mindless system. That's resulted in the new Advanced Medium Mobile Power Source, the first new generator for the service in years. The combination of that device, controllers within the system, and advanced software gives the soldier a centralized place to monitor and manipulate the different devices in the microgrid that will help the flow of power move to where its needed. “I can tell you if you're using too many lights or computers on one of those three phase lines and if you're out of balance,” said Bradley Stanley, an RDECOM computer scientist. By using software to make those readings, the end user can then shift the strain to other parts of the system, maximizing power output and fuel use for what can be 24-hour, days long operations. Another software improvement in “autotuning” is helping make what can be a multi-person with expert training four-hour job into an automated procedure handled by the computer. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/07/26/how-army-researchers-are-using-software-and-analytics-to-maximize-battlefield-power
15 février 2021 | International, Naval

Technological Advancements Make The CSC The Right Choice For The Royal Canadian Navy
Like many navies around the world, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is making use of the most modern technological advancements in the design and planning of its forthcoming 15 Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) – a single class of multi-role ships that will form the backbone of Canada's combat sea power. Royal Canadian Navy press release Life onboard the new CSC will be exciting for RCN sailors, as these ships will embrace leading edge technology and improved habitability, and are designed to take them well into the latter half of the 21st Century. How do technological advancements impact operations onboard the ship? Well for starters, a sailor will be able to view on one computer terminal or platform various streams of digital content/information originating from different sources – a process called convergence. Convergence will allow any operations room or bridge terminal to show video or data feeds from any sensor, weapon, or software support system. Not only does this mean that leadership teams will have real-time warfare and platform data at their fingertips from various onboard locations, it also means that the physical space and power required to run multiple terminals will be reduced. Until recently, electronic systems onboard a warship such as the weapons and sensor systems, took up space, and lots of it. However, with the application of widespread digitization and use of solid state electronics onboard the CSC, dedicated space requirements have been considerably reduced, while the capability and flexibility of these systems have been increased. By capitalizing on miniaturization and digitization, much of this new-found square footage can be freed up to improve working and habitability conditions, including making accommodations and personal living spaces better for the crew. Multi-function equipment will be incorporated wherever practical onboard the CSC. For example, a single digital beam-forming radar can replace multiple traditional radars, software-defined radios can be setup to support different communications requirements on the fly, and programmable multi-purpose weapons will be able to engage more than one kind of target, while being controlled from a common vertical launcher. Multi-functionality even extends to the CSC's modular mission bay: a reconfigurable space able to accommodate and integrate any container payload imaginable. When taken as a whole, the technology advancements that will be incorporated into the CSC means the single-class, single variant choice, coupled with the inherent and multi-role capabilities that it will bring, will serve Canadian interests for decades into the future. The CSC is the right choice for the RCN and the right choice for Canada. Canada's defence policy, “Strong, Secure, Engaged” (SSE), has committed to investing in 15 Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ships. In February 2019, the Government of Canada confirmed that the bid from Lockheed Martin Canada has been selected for the design and design team for the Canadian Surface Combatants. Irving Shipbuilding Inc., the project's prime contractor, awarded a sub-contract to Lockheed Martin Canada for work to finalize the design. The winning bid is based on the BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship. These ships will be Canada's major surface component of maritime combat power. With its effective warfare capability and versatility, it can be deployed rapidly anywhere in the world, either independently or as part of a Canadian or international coalition. The CSC will be able to deploy for many months with a limited logistic footprint. The CSC will be able to conduct a broad range of tasks, including: Delivering decisive combat power at sea; Supporting the Canadian Armed Forces, and Canada's Allies ashore; Conducting counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, interdiction and embargo operations for medium intensity operations; and Delivering humanitarian aid, search and rescue, law and sovereignty enforcement for regional engagements. The ship's capability suite includes: Four integrated management systems, one each for the combat system, platform systems, bridge and navigation systems and a cyber-defence system; A digital beam forming Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar (the SPY-7 by Lockheed Martin) and solid state illuminator capability; The USN Cooperative Engagement Capability system; A vertically launched missile system supporting long, short and close-in missile defence, long-range precision naval fires support and anti-ship engagements; A 127mm main gun system and dual 30mm gun mounts; A complete electronic warfare and countermeasures suite; A fully integrated underwater warfare system with bow-mounted sonar, towed low frequency active and passive sonar, lightweight torpedoes and decoys; Fully integrated communications, networking and data link capabilities; and A CH-148 Cyclone multi-role helicopter, multi-role boats and facilities for embarking remotely piloted systems. CSC Specifications: Length: 151.4 metres Beam: 20.75 metres Speed: 27 knots Displacement: 7,800 tonnes Navigational Draught: ~8m Range: 7000 nautical miles Class: 15 ships Accommodations: ~204 https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/02/technological-advancements-make-the-csc-the-right-choice-for-the-royal-canadian-navy/

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