12 février 2021 | International, Naval
COLOGNE, Germany — Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has sealed its participation in the upcoming development of the European Control Corvette, a signature naval program that is part of the European Union's defense efforts.
Company executives signed a memorandum of understanding to that effect with the Naviris consortium, the companies announced Feb. 11. Naviris is a 50-50 joint venture between France's Naval Group and Italy's Fincantieri.
The notional European Patrol Corvette is meant to be a coast guard-type ship able to perform missions of fighting pirates and smugglers as well as border control and show-of-force trips in Europe's waters. At 100 meters and 3,000 tons, it will replace “several classes of ships, from patrol vessels to light frigates” in participating countries come 2027, the companies said.
The program has been advancing through the EU's so-called Permanent Structured Cooperation framework, or PESCO, whose goal is to create joint capabilities across the continent. Companies participating in PESCO projects have a shot at subsidies flowing from the multibillion-dollar European Defence Fund.
Italy has the lead on the patrol corvette project. The governments of France, Spain and Greece have already signed up, and Portugal is reportedly considering doing the same.
All participating navies are expected to submit their design requirements this year, according to the Naviris announcement. The idea is to find “commonality of solutions and modularity for adaptions to national requirements,” the company said.
“The ambition of the project ... is to include other European partners to integrate technological bricks, which correspond to innovation streams matching with national EPC requirements and European Commission strategy and guidelines.”
The European Defence Agency announced earlier this year that it would lend project management and related support to the program.
21 septembre 2023 | International, Aérospatial
The three countries established the Global Combat Air Programme in December for a ground-breaking collaboration that aims to deploy an advanced aircraft by the middle of the next decade.
27 juin 2019 | International, Naval
QinetiQ has signed a new 5 year contract with the Royal Navy that will see the introduction of a dedicated training variant of QinetiQ's Pointer system to optimise the effectiveness of Anti-Surface Warfare training on a wide range of weapon systems. Developed in partnership with the MOD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the Pointer data analytics and measurement system provides an effective link between the Command and Control function and weapon operators to counter threats from Fast In-shore Attack Craft (FIAC). The adoption of Pointer T in Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) exercises for the Royal Navy will improve situational awareness and performance evaluation on a range of platforms, while also providing immediate and objective training assurance for all non-firing FP serials. Featuring a weapon-mounted Laser Range Finder, Pointer T uses encoders to establish the precise position and attitude of weapon systems as well as the location of GPS-tracked threats and determines the nature and impact of ‘hits'. This data is recorded and displayed in real-time on a portable situational awareness tool, providing trainers with accurate and measurable performance data to maximise the effectiveness of training exercises. “The introduction of Pointer T will provide invaluable feedback and data analytics for FOST trainers while also helping to engage and motivate gunnery teams,” says QinetiQ's Stuart Hider, Maritime Programmes Director. “Countering the current and emerging threats of piracy, terrorist attack and threats from more capable nations, is vital for all platforms, and this advanced training solution will not only improve situational awareness but also help to determine the most effective tactics to employ for any given threat.” “We're delighted to be working with QinetiQ to ensure our FIAC training benefits from the most advanced data analytics and measurement technologies,” says Lt Cdr Richard Dobson, Royal Navy Surface Warfare trainer. “Pointer T will provide us with a highly responsive and cost-effective system to optimise our training capabilities and performance in FP training against small boats and SWARM (coordinated multi FIAC) serials.” https://www.qinetiq.com/News/2019/06/QinetiQ-signs-new-contract-with-the-Royal-Navy-to-optimise-gunnery-training
6 juillet 2020 | International, C4ISR
July 2, 2020 - Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency for a new Flexible High Capacity Radio Link (FHCL) for the Norwegian Armed Forces. Deliveries will start in May 2021. The contract is valued at 128 MNOK and requires the delivery of a complete communications solution with KONGSBERG's RL542A as the core component. The radio platform itself was developed by KONGSBERG and will be the centerpiece of the system that also includes antennas, cables, portable equipment and other accessories adapted to the Norwegian Armed Forces' need for use under demanding conditions. The radio is a NATO Band IV radio link with supreme ECCM capabilities and high data rates providing multiple waveforms for both point-to-point as well as point-to-multi-point operations. KONGSBERG has delivered more than 3,800 radio links to 21 countries worldwide and is considered a leading provider of tactical radio communications. KONGSBERG's radio link systems are a key component of NASAMS and Patriot air defence systems, among others. The deliveries under this contract will contribute to a significant capacity boost for the Norwegian Armed Forces, as well as increase the export opportunities for the product. “KONGSBERG is proud to be selected by the Norwegian Armed Forces for the FHCL program. KONGSBERG is currently providing the NATO Band III radio link to Norway as well as the complete communications network for the KONGSBERG/Raytheon NASAMS ground based air defence system in Norway and numerous international customers. The Band IV radio link provides a highly capable and flexible supplementary communication capability“, says Pål Bratlie, Executive Vice President Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS. For more information: Jan Erik Hoff, Group Vice President Investor Relations, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, tel: (+47) 991 11 916. Ronny Lie, Group Vice President Communications, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, tel.: (+47) 916 10 798. KONGSBERG (OSE-ticker: KOG) is an international, knowledge-based group that supplies high-tech systems and solutions to customers in the merchant navy and oil & gas, defence and aerospace industries. KONGSBERG has almost 11,000 employees in 40 countries. Follow us on Twitter: @kongsbergasa View source version on Kongsberg: https://www.kongsberg.com/newsandmedia/news-archive/20202/norway-selects-kongsbergs-nato-band-iv-tactical-radio-link/