24 janvier 2020 | International, Aérospatial

How Top Military Contractors Raytheon And BAE Systems Are Drawing Non-Traditional Suppliers Into Defense

During the long years that U.S. forces were fighting Islamic extremists in Southwest Asia, Russia and China were investing in new warfighting technologies.

Russia's hybrid military campaign against Ukraine in 2014 was a wake-up call for Washington to start paying more attention to “near-peer” threats. China's steadily increasing investment in long-range anti-ship missiles, anti-satellite weapons and cyber warfare reinforced awareness that America's military might be falling behind in the capabilities needed for winning high-end fights.

These trends led the Trump Administration to produce a new national defense strategy in 2018 focused mainly on countering the military challenges posed by Moscow and Beijing. Most of that strategy's content is secret, but one element is clear enough: the Pentagon wants novel solutions to emerging near-peer threats, and it wants them fast.

Policymakers in both the Obama and Trump administrations have repeatedly stated non-traditional military suppliers are a vital part of the Pentagon's effort to get ahead of overseas rivals and stay there. “Non-traditional” has a specific legal definition in defense acquisition policy that potentially allows suppliers to bypass burdensome regulations when offering commercial products from outside traditional military channels.

In more common-sense usage, non-traditional simply means any company capable of offering the military a better mousetrap that doesn't usually do business with the five-sided building. That includes a majority of tech companies in places like Austin, Boston and Silicon Valley, especially startups with cutting-edge ideas. It may also include larger industrial companies like General Motors that are re-entering the military market after a long absence.

The challenge facing policymakers is how to leverage the skills and intellectual property of these non-traditional players without suffocating them under a blanket of bureaucratic requirements that contribute little to finding novel solutions. One way to tap the dynamism of commercial enterprises is to partner them with longtime military contractors who can assume most of the burden for negotiating the bureaucratic landscape.

Here is how two companies, Raytheon and BAE Systems, have stepped up to the challenge.

Raytheon. Massachusetts-based Raytheon has been a major military contractor since it pioneered radar during World War Two. It is in the process of merging with United Technologies, an aerospace conglomerate that has long managed to operate successfully in military and commercial markets (both companies contribute to my think tank).

Raytheon executives say the pace of change and the expectations of military customers have changed radically in recent years. It is not uncommon for military customers to seek new ways of sensing, processing or communicating that must be delivered within months rather than years. This emerging dynamic has led the company to rethink who it partners with in producing such solutions, and how to interact with them.

Raytheon has a cultural affinity for diversity, which may help it to think outside the box about who its partners should be. Although not all of the non-traditional suppliers with whom it teams are Silicon Valley startups, a majority have not previously offered defense products as part of their portfolios.

The role the company has fashioned for itself in partnering with such enterprises is to act as a translator between the fluid world of commercial innovation and the rule-based environment of military acquisition. Raytheon has always been driven by its engineering culture, so the company knows how to identify promising technologies that can be assimilated into cutting-edge combat systems. But it also knows the ins and outs of a baroque acquisition system that outsiders frequently find impenetrable.

Raytheon seeks to leverage the energy of non-traditional sources while remaining in compliance with relevant government standards. For instance, there needs to be effective communication between the company and commercial sources, but the ability of the partner to observe the intricacies of sensitive projects must be tightly constrained. The tension of being a valued supplier but not accustomed to working in a classified environment must be managed.

Non-traditional partners provide Raytheon with base technologies that potentially enable unique military capabilities, and they often can generate novel solutions to technical challenges quickly, thanks to their entrepreneurial cultures. Raytheon configures and integrates these inputs for military customers while translating the needs of those customers into terms the non-traditional supplier can understand.

BAE Systems. The military electronics unit of another major defense contractor, BAE Systems, Inc., is headquartered across the border from Raytheon's home state in Nashua, New Hampshire. BAE concentrates on many of the same technologies Raytheon does such as sensors, signal processing and secure communications—which isn't surprising, since the core of its electronics operation was founded after World War Two by former Raytheon employees. BAE is a consulting client, which has given me some insight into how the company views non-traditional suppliers.

In addition to pursuing partnering initiatives such as those at Raytheon, BAE Systems has fashioned an internal mechanism for leveraging the technology of entrepreneurial startups by helping them to finance their businesses. That mechanism is called FAST Labs, and as the name implies it was conceived to help generate novel solutions to military challenges quickly.

Beyond determining whether the company should manufacture key technology inputs internally or go outside, FAST Labs continuously scouts for promising innovations that are emerging from U.S. startups. When it finds ideas with high potential, it seeks to build trusted partnerships with the enterprises, venture capital investors, universities and government agencies aimed at speeding the pace of innovation. For example, BAE has sponsored technology accelerators at places like MIT.

Most of the startups FAST Labs assists are commercial companies with “dual-use” technologies potentially applicable to military purposes. Although the company has a significant commercial electronics business, the focus of FAST Labs is mainly on meeting the demands of military customers. It takes its cues as to what might be most worthy of support from agencies like the Air Force Research Lab and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

FAST Labs seems to be a unique business model within the U.S. defense sector. Because the electronics technologies on which the Nashua operation concentrates are fungible across diverse markets, BAE Systems has benchmarked FAST Labs against renowned commercial R&D centers such as the old Bell Labs. It is an unusual approach to military innovation, but like executives at Raytheon, BAE execs say the usual approach to developing warfighting systems just doesn't cut it anymore with their Pentagon customer.

https://www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2020/01/24/how-top-military-contractors-raytheon-and-bae-systems-are-drawing-non-traditional-suppliers-into-defense/amp/

Sur le même sujet

9 juillet 2019 | International, Aérospatial

Enhancing Unmanned Operations in Extreme Conditions with the Power of Two-Stroke
Peter Lietz, Head of International Business Development for Hirth Engines, explains why engine manufacturers must raise the endurance bar for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to advance capabilities in extreme weather conditions. Drones have become a popular choice for various exploits, from hobbyist aerial photography to large organisations such as Amazon exploring the future of delivery services. In the same vein, governments, militaries and research groups are exploring the use of UAVs to enable highly effective monitoring of unforgiving terrains without risking manned aircraft or land-based patrols. The need for unmanned aerial systems to navigate harsh environments is vital for the maritime, military and commercial sectors. Providing reliable and to the minute information on the status of, and threats to, environments like the Arctic is crucial as governments prepare to take action against significant issues such as climate change and increases in populations. UAVs will play a crucial role in this future considering the need for operators to monitor harsh environments and difficult to reach terrains, especially rotary UAVs. Reaching inhospitable locations can present a variety of logistical challenges, not least of which is the cost of sending land-based patrols or manned aircraft often from navy ships or other maritime vessels. This is where UAVs can enable operators to safely monitor terrains in a cost-effective and efficient way to better understand complex habitats. Carrying out monitoring exercises in areas such as the Artic where there is a real risk to life can be a major challenge. Through the use of well-engineered rotary UAVs, organisations are able to perform a variety of tasks with ease. The responsibility to advance the endurance capabilities of UAVs falls on engine manufacturers. For this reason, we must continue to innovate to increase performance. Over the last few years, rotary UAVs have grown in complexity, not only in terms of the platforms themselves but also the robustness and performance of the engines they run on. As the operational requirements for UAVs grows, engine manufacturers must continually innovate to improve power-to-weight ratios, reduce emissions, and accelerate capabilities in harsh environments. For a long time, fixed-wing UAVs were considered the optimal choice for endurance and speed over their rotary counterparts. However, this is changing rapidly thanks to enhancements in engine design. Rotary UAVs are now becoming a platform of choice due to their reduced logistical footprint and the ability to take off and land in a confined or limited space, especially in maritime environments such as on-board navy ships and coastguard cutters for example. The requirement for rotary UAVs to operate in extreme temperatures such as the cold of the Arctic or the severe heat of warmer climates is essential for operators. This is where two-stroke propulsion engines play a vital role. Two-stroke applications present rotary UAV manufacturers with a range of benefits, including ease of maintenance due to less moving parts and the ability to operate on heavy fuels which are a must for corrosive marine environments. Alongside this, two-stroke powered rotary UAVs are often capable of flying missions with a full payload in extreme conditions for more than five hours without overhaul. With this as a backdrop, it is vital for UAV and engine manufacturers to accelerate the development of propulsion systems capable of operating in extreme locations around the globe. As the industry moves towards hybrid and electric propulsion new challenges will arise and it is crucial that OEMs raise the bar to power the next generation of UAVs. In order to advance the endurance and capabilities of rotary UAVs, engine manufactures must look to innovate the propulsion technology used. Electric is an increasingly popular option for commercial drones. However, electric comes with its own challenges and limitations, such as operational endurance and increased weight of the electrical motors. Considering the performance of batteries in extreme temperatures in comparison to their fuel-based counterparts, there is a long way to go before pure electric UAVs will be capable of flying extended missions in harsh terrains. Hybrid applications that utilise both a combustion engine and electric propulsion systems will provide a bridge toward the future of pure electric flight. A clear advantage for hybrid applications is improving power to weight ratios to enable increased payload capacities. Hybrid UAV applications can be used in various functions, such as: electrically powered take-off and landing with conventional engines powering horizontal flight; or powering flight using only electrical motors whilst the combustion engine acts solely as a generator. In addition, safety is a key purpose behind the pursuit of hybrid applications. For UAV manufacturers, having the ability to convert to an electric battery should the combustion engine fail could make all the difference in enabling a safe landing. Operating UAVs in extreme weather conditions reduces the chances of potential health and safety issues associated with deploying staff or manned systems into harsh environments. In addition, a further key benefit of using UAVs is enabling the deployment of cost-effective systems that perform safely in extreme locations. Ultimately, developing UAVs that can fly farther and for longer in harsh environments will require engine manufacturers to consider alternative fuel and power systems such as heavy fuel two-stroke applications. Heavy fuel is widely considered a must in the maritime industry when dealing with complex environments due to its resistance to extreme temperatures. At Hirth, pairing a robust heavy fuel combustion engine with electrical propulsion is something we are pursuing to advance the future capabilities of unmanned systems and bridge the gap to pure electric flight. For further information about Hirth's portfolio of engines, visit: http://hirthengines.com/ About Hirth Hirth Engines GmbH, based near Stuttgart, with global sales operated from Vienna, has a long pedigree in the development of propulsion systems, stretching back to The innovative company was founded by German aviation pioneer and World War I ace Helmuth Hirth, a student of US inventor Thomas Edison, and collaborator with the Wright Brothers and Zeppelin. The company has set its sights on consolidating its leading role in the development of two-stroke engines for a range of diverse sectors including:  Unmanned and manned light and experimental aircraft (fixed wing and helicopters)  Hovercraft Next generation R&D will focus on hybrid engines, based on the company's winning formula of providing easy to maintain power to weight ratio propulsion technology across civilian and military applications. https://dronescrunch.com/enhancing-unmanned-operations-in-extreme-conditions-with-the-power-of-two-stroke/
26 octobre 2017 | International, Aérospatial, Sécurité

Le Symposium OACI sur l’identification des voyageurs souligne le rôle clé de l’aviation dans la lutte contre le terrorisme et la criminalité transfrontalière
Mme Liu, Secrétaire générale de l'OACI, a prononcé l'allocution d'ouverture du 13e Symposium sur la stratégie du Programme d'identification des voyageurs (TRIP) de l'OACI, qui se tient au siège de l'institution onusienne à Montréal. Rendez-vous mondial portant sur la gestion des documents de voyage et de l'identité, ce tout dernier Symposium TRIP est considéré comme une étape importante pour maintenir l'élan mondial à l'égard des priorités de lutte anti-terroriste qu'a récemment suscité le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies. Montréal, le 26 octobre 2017 – La lutte contre les mouvements terroristes et criminels internationaux a franchi une étape cette semaine, alors que des experts et des hauts fonctionnaires se sont réunis à l'occasion du 13eSymposium sur la stratégie du Programme d'identification des voyageurs (TRIP) de l'OACI. « La stratégie TRIP de l'OACI renforce la ligne de défense mondiale contre les mouvements terroristes internationaux, la criminalité transfrontalière et les nombreuses autres menaces qui pèsent sur la sécurité et la sûreté de la société civile et de l'aviation internationale », a fait valoir Mme Liu, Secrétaire générale de l'OACI, dans son allocution d'ouverture. « La majorité de nos travaux dans ce domaine sont principalement réalisés conformément à l'Annexe 9 à la Convention de Chicago – Facilitation. Les activités de facilitation appuient résolument les Objectifs de développement durable (ODD) des Nations Unies et la Stratégie TRIP de l'OACI contribue de manière importante aux Résolutions 2178 et 2309 du Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies. » Rendez-vous mondial portant sur la gestion des documents de voyage et de l'identité, ce tout dernier Symposium TRIP est considéré comme une étape importante pour maintenir l'élan mondial à l'égard des priorités de lutte anti-terroriste qu'a récemment suscité le Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies. Mme Liu avait présenté un exposé général de la sûreté de l'aviation au Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies en septembre, après avoir été invitée à la réunion du Comité contre le terrorisme (CTC) en juillet 2017. Outre le renforcement des inspections/filtrages et des contrôles de sûreté, le CTC a souligné l'importance du rôle des compagnies aériennes dans le suivi des déplacements dans le monde des passagers présentant un risque plus élevé. « Le CTC a expressément reconnu l'importance du partage des renseignements préalables concernant les voyageurs (RPCV) par les autorités nationales », a noté Mme Liu. « Bien que de nombreux États n'aient toujours pas mis en place des programmes relatifs aux RPCV, je tiens à leur rappeler que le partage des RPCV est obligatoire depuis le 23 octobre dernier, en vertu de l'Annexe 9 de l'OACI ». Les séances tenues dans le cadre du Symposium TRIP 2017 ont permis aux participants de s'informer sur les dernières mesures d'inspection/filtrage et de sûreté fondées sur les risques, tout en soulignant l'importance des partenariats et du renforcement des capacités alors que les États œuvrent à renforcer leurs lignes de défense respectives. « La mise en œuvre par les États de la stratégie TRIP nécessite une action coordonnée entre de nombreux États et entités de l'industrie, mais nous sommes aussi conscients que les divers gouvernements ne disposent pas des mêmes capacités à mettre en œuvre le Programme TRIP. L'OACI et les États s'emploient à résorber cet écart en favorisant la coopération entre les États et l'industrie, en renforçant la coordination régionale et locale, et en obtenant la contribution de donateurs », a indiqué Mme Liu. La question des orientations approfondies dont ont besoin les États pour la planification et la mise en œuvre du programme TRIP a été abordée plus en détail dans le cadre du lancement du Recueil TRIP de l'OACI. Ce nouveau document de référence exhaustif présente les initiatives connexes de partenaires tels que l'Office des Nations Unies contre la drogue et le crime (ONUDC), INTERPOL, l'Union européenne, l'Organisation pour la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (OSCE) et l'Organisation mondiale pour les migrations (OIM), et rassemble divers éléments indicatifs de l'OACI supplémentaires. Le Symposium TRIP 2017 a coïncidé avec deux ateliers OACI importants sur le Répertoire de clés publiques (RCP) et l'adoption de nouvelles approches en matière de RPCV, tenus en parallèle et en partenariat avec la Direction exécutive du Comité contre le terrorisme (DECT) des Nations Unies et d'autres organisations internationales. Si le Panama est récemment devenu le 59e État à tirer profit de la validation encryptée du RCP, qui maximise les avantages de la sûreté des passeports électroniques, Mme Liu a souligné que l'OACI s'attend à ce que davantage d'États adhèrent au RCP dans les mois à venir. « S'il est vrai que plus de 80 % des passeports électroniques en circulation dans le monde sont délivrés par des États qui participent déjà au RCP, de nombreux États ne s'en prévalent toujours pas pour authentifier les données contenues dans la puce », a-t-elle réitéré. Le Symposium TRIP 2017 était centré sur le thème « Renforcer la sûreté et l'efficacité du transport aérien », pour refléter le fait que des technologies de sûreté bien conçues contribuent aussi à l'amélioration de l'expérience des passagers et, de manière plus générale, de l'efficacité des processus de facilitation. « C'est uniquement en nous assurant d'équilibrer ces deux priorités que les solutions que nous proposons seront véritablement durables », a conclu Mme Liu. Outre le Symposium et ses ateliers, les participants à l'édition 2017 ont pu visiter une exposition éclectique présentant les dernières innovations de l'industrie en matière de technologies et de processus. Le Symposium a rassemblé près de 600 fonctionnaires venant de 82 États et de 14 organisations internationales et prendra fin aujourd'hui à l'OACI. https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/FR/ICAO-traveller-identification-event-highlights-key-aviation-role-in-combatting-terrorism-and-cross-border-crime.aspx
8 avril 2021 | International, Aérospatial, C4ISR

Airbus, Dassault Agreement on FCAS Project
Airbus and Dassault Aviation have proposed to the governments of France, Germany and Spain to build a demonstrator under Europe's Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project. The two companies reached an agreement Friday that paves the way for political talks to resume among the governments, a source close to the matter told Reuters. The FCAS program consists of a manned Next-Generation Fighter (NGF) aircraft, accompanied by drones of specialized capabilities, like reconnaissance and strike. It is envisioned as a futuristic air power weapon that will replace the Rafale and Eurofighter fleets in France and Germany beginning in 2040. A so-called combat cloud will pump command-and-control data between all program platforms, essentially creating a flying network of sensors and weapons with the NGF as its hub. The project is expected to cost anywhere between $60 billion and $95 billion until 2040. First floated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron in 2017, the program has been dogged by political differences as well as corporate disagreements. Airbus is unhappy being treated as a subcontractor while French jet maker Dassault leads the aircraft development. “Dassault accepts that Airbus will receive a larger overall FCAS workshare but remained ready to pursue a ‘Plan B' if the talks failed,” Dassault boss Eric Trappier said last month. Airbus is, however, spearheading the development of the drones and the "combat cloud" ultrafast communications network that will use artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

Toutes les nouvelles