16 février 2018 | International, Aérospatial, C4ISR

Airbus explores A320neo military derivatives

Airbus has revealed that it is exploring the introduction of military derivatives of the A320neo family.

Speaking at the Singapore air show, Fernando Alonso, head of military aircraft at Airbus Defence & Space, said that the new platform could undertake missions such as VIP transport, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and maritime patrol.

"We have the knowledge of converting the A330 into the A330 MRTT [multirole tanker transport], and have a more efficient process."

Alonso says that the efficiency of new-generation engines will enable a more capable military derivative. Any future conversion will require between "six to eight months" to complete, he says.

Airbus is in talks with a number of operators, including the armed forces of Asia-Pacific nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, alongside European stalwarts France, Germany and the Netherlands.

The airframer is also working to add new capabilities to its existing military platforms: the A400M, A330 MRTT and C295.

It will allow A400M operators to drop up to 60 paratroopers from both sides of the aircraft simultaneously, while the A330 MRTT is expected to be ready to conduct automatic air-to-air refuelling "in less than three years". Airbus is also exploring the possibility of allowing the remodelled widebody to take on ISR missions.

Airbus is still proceeding with an "armed version" of the C295 medium transport, with the derivative in the engineering, development and testing phase. Flight tests will begin in late 2018.

"There are big opportunities for us in Asia-Pacific: big fleets are here, budgets are here. We are able to fulfill needs in a more agile way," says Alonso.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-airbus-explores-a320neo-military-derivati-445670/

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  • Coulson Aviation Fireliner wins USDA Forest Service contract

    3 avril 2020 | International, Sécurité

    Coulson Aviation Fireliner wins USDA Forest Service contract

    Coulson Aviation U.S.A. has been awarded a multi-year contract with the USDA Forest Service for next generation large air tanker services throughout the United States. The contract beginning in 2020 will see the first Boeing 737, Tanker 137 in operation. Coulson Aviation is the first in the world to modify Boeing 737s into Fireliners which utilize a new advanced delivery system specifically designed for this application, the RADS-XXL/2. To convert a 737 into a Fireliner takes over 43,000-man hours and includes the RADS-XXL/2 installation, avionics upgrades, full strip and re-paint, new interior, and 72 refurbished passenger seats. Once complete, the Fireliner is differentiated from all other next generation large airtankers by its ability to transport firefighters without re-configuration and to fly at maximum speeds and altitudes with a load of retardant and no restrictions. “This firefighting repurposed Boeing 737 was designed, manufactured and had the installation of the tanking system done in house which is a testament to the creativity of our teams led by Britt Coulson,” said Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Group. “I could not be prouder of our company based on all the dedication, hard work and commitment of teams to design, manufacture, build, operate and maintain this superior air tanker. Both our Lockheed C-130s and Boeing 737 Fireliners played keys roles in saving homes and lives in Australia this past devastating fire season which we are all proud of.” “The Fireliner is truly the next generation of next generation large airtankers,” said Britt Coulson, president and COO of Coulson Aviation. “The Fireliners are a perfect complement to our C-130s and having a diverse fleet assures our customers always have the right airtanker for the mission.” Coulson Aviation has over 36 years of experience in aerial fire suppression and the Coulson RADS Firefighting Systems were designed to make firefighting easier, safer and more effective than other systems. We are excited to continue supporting the USDA Forest Service with this essential service during the U.S. fire season. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/coulson-aviation-earns-usda-forest-service-contract/

  • Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - October 4, 2018

    5 octobre 2018 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

    Contract Awards by US Department of Defense - October 4, 2018

    NAVY Asturian-Consigli JV LLC,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (N40085-18-D-1124); Edifice LLC, doing business as Edifice Solutions,* Beltsville, Maryland (N4008-18-D-1125); ED DesignBuild LLC,* Germantown, Maryland (N40085-18-D-1126); HCG-JCG JV,* Escondido, California (N40085-18-D-1127); and Military and Federal Construction Co. Inc.,* Jacksonville, North Carolina (N40085-18-D-1128), were each awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for general construction projects in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. The maximum dollar value for all five contracts combined is $249,000,000. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, new construction, renovation, alteration, and repairs for general construction projects. Types of facilities include, but are not limited to warehouses, training facilities, personnel support and service facilities, housing facilities, etc. Asturian-Consigli JV LLC is awarded initial task order at $2,947,636 for the foundation and crawl space repairs at the advanced electronic guidance and instrumentation system facility (V-10) on Wallops Island, Accomack County, Virginia. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by December 2019. All work on this contract will be performed in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic Hampton Roads area, Virginia. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance, (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $2,967,636 are obligated on this award and expired at the end of fiscal 2018. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance, (Navy) and military construction. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 19 proposals received. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) MacDonald-Bedford | MBP JV,* Alameda, California, was awarded a maximum amount $98,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide construction management services in support of the Guam Defense Policy Review Initiative (DPRI) Program. The work to be performed will support the existing Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) workforce capabilities and provide increased capability to support construction projects and associated efforts undertaken by NAVFAC Pacific. The outcome to be achieved is the hiring of temporary supplemental construction management and engineering technician services. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed primarily in the Marianas region of operation (to include the following islands but not limited to: Guam, Tinian, Pagan, Palau, Chuuk, Saipan, and Northern Mariana Islands) (80 percent); Australia (10 percent); and Hawaii (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award and expired at the end of fiscal 2018. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance (Navy). This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (N62742-18-D-1171). (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) Davcon Inc.,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (N40085-18-D-1149); Delaware Corp.,* Topping, Virginia (N4008-18-D-1150); Doyon Project Services,* Federal Way, Washington (N40085-18-D-1151); Rand Enterprises,* Newport News, Virginia (N40085-18-D-1152); and Within Interior Design Inc., doing business as Tazewell Contracting,* Norfolk, Virginia (N40085-18-D-1153), were each awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract for heating, ventilating and air conditioning construction projects in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. The maximum dollar value for all five contracts combined is $95,000,000. The work to be performed will primarily consist of new construction, demolition, repair, alteration, and renovation of heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment, systems and infrastructure to include system components such as fans, motors, ductwork, controls, pumps, piping, supports, and insulation. Types of facilities on which work will be performed include administrative/industrial buildings, maintenance shops, warehouses, hangars, communications facilities, personnel support/instructional buildings, recreational facilities, lodging/dormitory facilities, medical clinics, training areas, indoor ranges, etc. Davcon Inc. is being awarded initial task order at $148,400 for the replacement of a chiller at Building 3889 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by February 2019. All work on this contract will be performed in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic Hampton Roads area, Virginia. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2018 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $168,400 are obligated on this award and expired at the end of the fiscal 2018. 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The maximum dollar value for all six contracts combined is $95,000,000. The work to be performed provides for, but is not limited to, new construction, demolition, repair, alteration, and renovation of buildings, systems and infrastructure and may include civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and communication systems. Types of facilities include administrative, industrial, maintenance, warehouses, communications, personnel support, recreation, lodging, medical, training, ranges, roads, etc., in support of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Public Works Department Crane, Indiana. A&H-Ambica JV LLC is awarded initial task order at $1,876,276 for the renovation of Building 2724 Break Room Renovation at Public Works Department Crane, Indiana. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by October 2019. All work on this contract will be performed in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic Public Works Department Crane, Indiana area of responsibility. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of September 2023. Fiscal 2018 Navy working capital contract funds in the amount of $1,901,276 are obligated on this award and expired at the end of fiscal 2018. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operations and maintenance (Navy); and military construction. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 19 proposals received. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Sept. 29, 2018) DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY BP Products North America Inc., Chicago, Illinois, has been awarded a maximum $47,075,766 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for aviation fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with 19 offers received. This is a one-year base contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Singapore, with a Dec. 31, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE602-19-D-0452). Olgoonik Technical Services LLC, Anchorage, Alaska, has been awarded a maximum $11,579,403 modification (P00027) exercising the third one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SP3300-16-C-5001) with four one-year option periods for warehousing and distribution support services. This is a fixed-price-incentive firm contract with cost-reimbursement line items. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $40,706,113 from $29,126,709. Locations of performance are Alaska and California, with an Oct. 15, 2019, performance completion date. Using customer is Defense Logistics Agency. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. AIR FORCE Onvoi LLC, De Funiak Springs, Florida, has been awarded a $39,951,581 contract for base operating services at March Air Reserve Base, California. This contract provides for all personnel, supervision, equipment, tools, materials, supplies, test equipment, and other items and services necessary to accomplish supply, vehicle operations and maintenance, traffic management, real property maintenance, fuels management, and airfield management. Work will be performed at March ARB, California, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2023. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 10 offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,106,974 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Reserve Command Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA4664-19-C-0001). CORRECTION: The Sept. 28, 2018, announcement of a $1,051,818,540 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract award to The Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, California (FA8802-19-C-0001), for Federally Funded Research and Development Center support, was not for a contract modification. All other information in the announcement is correct. ARMY Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded a $16,038,473 modification (P00151) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for spares acquisition integrated with production. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2018. Fiscal 2018 procurement Marine Corps; and other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $16,038,473 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1654951/source/GovDelivery/

  • Latvia relaunches ground vehicle competition following industry complaints

    3 octobre 2019 | International, Terrestre

    Latvia relaunches ground vehicle competition following industry complaints

    By: Aaron Mehta WASHINGTON — In recent years, the Baltic nation of Latvia has gone on a modernization spending spree, putting down cash for new Black Hawk helicopters, self-propelled howitzers, reconnaissance vehicles and anti-tank weapons. But there's another platform competition on the horizon, with officials in Riga having relaunched a stalled contest for tactical wheeled vehicles. In 2018, Latvia's Ministry of Defence awarded to Finland's Sisu Auto a €181 million (U.S. $197 million) deal for four-wheel drive armored vehicles. But the contract was overturned in early 2019 by a government watchdog after two bidders — AM General from the United States, and South Africa's Paramount Group — filed complaints over the process. Turkish firm Otokar had also bid on the program at the time. The recompete has seen offers from more than 10 companies for what will be a government-to-government agreement for a final contract. The price for the new contract will depend on the eventual winner and is not locked in at the Sisu contract level. Speaking to Defense News in September, Janis Garisons, state secretary for the MoD, said it's unlikely the government will reach a decision on the winner of the competition in the short term. “What we have to do, we will test the vehicles, because we want to ensure we are looking at vehicles fit for our terrain, that can drive into our forests and we are not [getting] stuck on the roads,” said Garisons, who is the No. 2 official at the ministry. “We will look also at the industrial part because we very much interested to have [the] ability to maintain those vehicles.” The last point is key, as Latvia is concerned about the ability to maintain its new purchases, something the country has struggled with, according to Garisons. “We don't want to be in that situation anymore.” The country is also focused on building up its domestic industrial base so that much of the maintenance on its new equipment can be done in-country, in case of conflict. Along those lines, the competition for a four-wheel drive vehicle is likely be the last big platform purchase for a while, as the ministry is turning its attention toward procurement efforts to benefit training and sustainment. “Now we face trying to implement everything and put [them] into service. This takes time, and of course all logistical tails, which goes with that,” he said. “Therefore, we now have to concentrate more on — it's not very fancy things, but basically the training is going on already on all those capabilities that [have been bought], but now we have to ensure all the logistical issues are solved and maintained and sustainment is ensured.” Regarding research and development, Latvia is working on a joint effort with Estonia to produce unmanned ground vehicles. “That is something for the future capabilities. The goal is to understand our limits and how to engage our companies, also, coming up with solutions for autonomous systems,” Garisons said. “Because I think the biggest issue right now is how to ensure that those unmanned vehicles can operate autonomously and not need the soldier operating, as that doesn't add much value.” https://www.defensenews.com/2019/10/02/latvia-relaunch-ground-vehicle-competition-following-industry-complaints

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