Nouvelles

Munich, December 9, 2020 – Airbus has concluded a pilot phase of the “Innovations for FCAS” (I4 FCAS) initiative which aims at involving German non-traditional defence players -covering startups, small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and research institutes- in the development of Future Combat Air System (FCAS). This initiative which was launched in April 2020 was funded by the German Ministry of Defence. “The initiative shows that FCAS does not compare with previous larger defence projects. By implementing young and innovative players, some of whom have never been in touch with the defence sector, we ensure to leverage all competencies available for a game-changing high-tech programme such as FCAS”, said Dirk Hoke, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Defence and Space. “It will also foster technological spill-overs between the military and civil worlds. It is our ambition to continue the initiative in 2021 and beyond, and make it a cornerstone of our FCAS innovation strategy.” During the pilot phase, 18 innovative players worked on 14 projects in different areas, covering the whole range of FCAS elements: combat cloud, connectivity, new generation fighter, remote carriers, system of systems, sensors. Among these 14 projects, Airbus engineers have worked closely with SMEs and startups to achieve concrete results such as: · A first flight-test approved launcher of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from of a transport aircraft. This project is the result of a cooperation between Airbus as A400M integrator, Geradts GmbH for the launcher and SFL GmbH from Stuttgart for UAV integration and supported by DLR simulations. An agile design and development approach allowed for rapid prototyping and flight readiness in only 6 months. · A secure combat cloud demonstrator: a first time transfer of secured operating systems into a cloud environment. Kernkonzept GmbH from Dresden together with Airbus CyberSecurity have shown how IT security can be used for highest security requirements on a governmental cloud system. · A demonstrator of applied artificial intelligence on radio frequency analysis. Hellsicht GmbH from Munich trained their algorithms on Airbus-provided datasets, allowing for a unique capability of real time fingerprinting of certain emitters, such as radars. As Europe's largest defence programme in the coming decades, FCAS aims at pushing the innovation and technological boundaries. Its development will bring disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, manned-unmanned teaming, combat cloud or cybersecurity to the forefront. @AirbusDefence #FCAS #NGF Your Contact Florian Taitsch Head of External Communications - Airbus Defence +49 151 528 49288 Send an email View source version on Airbus: https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2020/12/innovations-for-fcas-airbus-concludes-cooperative-pilot-phase-with-startup-companies-in-germany.html

December 9, 2020 - Rheinmetall has won an order from the German Bundeswehr to inspect, maintain and repair Sikorsky CH-53G transport helicopters. Starting in March 2021, the Düsseldorf-based Group will be operating two maintenance and repair bays belonging to the German Air Force's 64th Helicopter Squadron at Diepholz in Lower Saxony. Worth a figure in the lower two-digit million-euro range, the contract with Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH runs for five years, with an option for a one-year extension. In Diepholz, the 64th Helicopter Squadron is responsible for larger maintenance operations in a separate remote squadron, with a total of five Bundeswehr-owned maintenance and repair bays for the CH-53G – an aircraft that has been operated in the Bundeswehr since 1972. An integrated high-tech enterprise dedicated to security and mobility, Rheinmetall's proposal won the tender, so that its subsidiary Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH (RAS) will soon be in charge of maintaining and repairing Bundeswehr helicopters in Diepholz. RAS will draw on organizational and aeronautical regulatory support from its sister company Rheinmetall Technical Publications GmbH, an approved aeronautical company located at Bremen Airport. About Rheinmetall Aviation Services: Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH, which is also based in Bremen, was founded at the beginning of 2019 as part of the Group's strategic cooperation with Sikorsky in the Heavy Transport Helicopter (STH) procurement programme, with responsibility for maintenance, repairs, training and documentation. Rheinmetall and Sikorsky have been cooperating together intensively in various procurement projects since 2009. Thanks to the new order, expertise gained through this partnership will now be profitably put to work on behalf of the Bundeswehr in Diepholz. Looking ahead, the Bundeswehr also stands to benefit in the long term from the partnership between Rheinmetall and Sikorsky in the STH procurement programme, coupled with experience accumulated at Diepholz Air Base. Rheinmetall AG Corporate Sector Defence Press and Information Oliver Hoffmann Rheinmetall Platz 1 40476 Düsseldorf Germany Phone: +49 211 473-4748 Fax: +49 211 473-4157 View source version on Rheinmetall Group: https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/rheinmetall_ag/press/news/latest_news/index_22144.php

Munich/The Hague, December 9, 2020 – Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and the Dutch procurement agency DMO (Defence Materiel Organisation) have signed a contract for the upgrading of 322 FENNEK vehicles. The MLU (Mid Life Update) order has a volume of over EUR 300 million and includes among others the integration of new observation and reconnaissance systems (BAA II NDL) and the integration of the C4I command and control system. The work is to be carried out at KMW in Germany as well as in the Netherlands, at the partner companies Van Halteren Defence and Nedinsco in cooperation with the army's Material Stock Logistic Command (MatLogCo). Delivery of the upgraded FENNEK systems will begin in 2021 and is expected to be completed in 2027. The FENNEK is a binational project between Germany and the Netherlands. There are other variants in addition to the FENNEK recon vehicles, ranging from an engineering vehicle to an anti-tank version and even one for high-mobility anti-aircraft defence. What they all have in common is a high off-road ability thanks to the special drive concept and robust chassis design. Downloadlink: https://www.kmweg.com/news-media/photos/press-kits/detail/kmw-renews-dutch-fennek-fleet/ Press contact Should you have any further questions, please contact: Christian Budde External Communications View source version on KMW: https://www.kmweg.com/news-media/press/detail/kmw-erneuert-niederlaendische-fennek-flotte/

By Endre Lunde, December, 9 2020 Nammo and the Finnish Defense Forces (FDF) signed a new long-term strategic partnership agreement today during a brief ceremony at the Finnish Defense Command in Helsinki. The agreement is a continuation of a previous security of supply agreement between the two parties signed in 2014, and comes after the Finnish Minister of Defense approved the new agreement on 20 November “This agreement confirms the close relationship between Nammo and the Finnish government, which has existed since the formation of Nammo in 1998, and before that since our current Finnish factories were founded in the 1920s. We are as committed to Finnish safety and security as we have ever been, and this new agreement will allow us to take on an even greater role and build an even closer partnership with the Finnish Defense Forces,” said Morten Brandtzæg, President and CEO of the Nammo Group. Raimo Helasmäki, Managing Director of Nammo Lapua Oy, Nammo's Finnish subsidiary, is very satisfied with the agreement being signed. “This Strategic Partnership Agreement strengthens and supports Nammo Lapua Oy's position as a major player in domestic security of supply,” Helasmäki said. The Strategic Partnership is a multi-year agreement, and will remain be in force until further notice. The total value is expected to be about EUR 20 million per year. Nammo's history in Finland dates back to the years immediately following its independence, when what is today Nammo Lapua, Nammo Vihtavuori and Nammo Sastamala were founded to produce much-needed munitions for its armed forces. The new agreement continues this long-standing history, and covers every aspect of ammunition, explosives and propellants manufacturing in Finland, thereby ensuring a continued domestic security of supply for the Finnish Armed Forces. Finnish Defense Forces Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Armaments, Lieutenant General Timo Kakkola believes the agreement will strengthen the approach and ways of working that has been developed over the past six years by Nammo and the FDF. At the same time, it represents an important step further where Nammo becomes a true strategic partner for the FDF, helping to manage the full supply chain for ammunition, an essential part of Finnish national readiness. “Our domestic ammunition and propellants industry still has a significant part to play in our security of supply, and this agreement allows us to continue its development through a long-term partnership with Nammo,” said General Kakkola. ABOUT THE AUTHOR ENDRE LUNDE, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS EMAIL endre.lunde@nammo.com TEL +4790853270 View source version on NAMMO: https://www.nammo.com/story/nammo-signs-strategic-partnership-agreement-with-the-finnish-defense-forces/

• Cost-effective optional antenna array kit designed to integrate seamlessly with AeroVironment's standard RF head antenna • Provides operators 100 percent greater controllable range over standard RF head antenna with minimal logistical footprint • Add-on kit narrows antenna beam width, extending command and control range up to 40 km SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Dec. 10, 2020 – AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced the introduction of its Extended Range Antenna (ERA), the latest addition to AeroVironment's growing line of network connectivity solutions. The ERA is a lightweight, portable antenna array kit designed to integrate seamlessly with AeroVironment's standard RF head antenna to support a diverse range of missions. The ERA add-on kit narrows the antenna beam width, extending the command and control range up to 40 kilometers (24.9 miles) with minimal impact to its size, weight and power (SWAP) footprint. Similar to the standard RF head antenna, the ERA is manually positioned. The included RF Unit switch allows users to toggle between omnidirectional mode, for short-range operations, and extended range mode, for longer-range operations. The ERA supports both M1/2/5 and M3/4/6 Digital Data Link (DDL) operating bands. By adding the ERA kit to their existing AeroVironment RF antenna, UAS flight operators can immediately expand their operational capabilities, gaining actionable battlefield intelligence at greater stand-off range to maximize their stealth and safety. When used in combination with other AeroVironment network connectivity options, the ERA provides an enhanced level of operational flexibility. This enables teams to coordinate command and control transfer of UAS, such as Puma LE, easily over greater distances, maximizing the aircraft's multi-mission capabilities, in day or night operations, across dynamically changing environments. “AeroVironment continues to incorporate direct customer and user feedback into our product development investments to address increasingly complex and dynamic mission requirements,” said Rick Pedigo, AeroVironment vice president of sales and business development. “Not only do operators benefit from available options in terms of UAS capabilities, but they can also benefit from a selection of antenna options that are portable, easy to operate and provide extended range and multi-mission capabilities.” Further expanding its connectivity solutions, AeroVironment recently announced updates to its Long Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA), which it now offers in two versions to support M1/2/5 and M3/4/6 DDL frequency bands. AeroVironment's network connectivity product line includes the pocketable, short-range pDDL (5 km), standard RF antenna (20 km), ERA (40 km) and LRTA (60 km) capabilities in both M1/2/5 and M3/4/6 bands. For more information on AeroVironment's network connectivity solutions, visit www.avinc.com/tuas/network-connectivity. https://soldiersystems.net/2020/12/10/aerovironment-introduces-extended-range-antenna-expanding-uas-command-and-control-up-to-40-kilometers-in-a-lightweight-portable-form-factor/

Matthew Jouppi Craig Caffrey https://aviationweek.com/aerospace-defense-2021/defense-space/military-aircraft-competitions-worldwide

Graham Warwick https://aviationweek.com/aerospace-defense-2021/defense-space/defense-technology-highlights-2020

By: Jen Judson   WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps has awarded BAE Systems with a $184 million contract to deliver Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV) at full-rate production, according to a Dec. 10 company announcement. The first lot of FRP ACVs amounts to 36 vehicles but is expected to grow to 72 vehicles in early 2021, with the option for 80 vehicles annually over five years. The Marine Corps declared the ACV had met Initial Operational Capability (IOC) requirements on Nov. 13. The FRP decision was delayed due to issues related to the coronavirus pandemic. “As the ACV enters into service it will be providing highly advanced solutions for conducting maritime-based warfare operations and will play a vital role in the Marine Corps' complex and challenging missions,” John Swift, director of amphibious programs at BAE Systems, said in the statement. “For BAE Systems, full-rate production validates years of dedication and teamwork in partnership with the Marines to introduce this capability to the warfighter and leave our adversaries on the battlefield at a marked disadvantage.” BAE, with teammate IVECO Defence Vehicles, of Italy, beat out SAIC for the contract to build ACV following a competitive evaluation period in June 2018. That contract allowed the company to enter low-rate initial production with 30 vehicles expected by the fall of 2019 and valued at $198 million. The ACV offers “force protection capability three times greater” than its predecessor the Assault Amphibious Vehicle, the BAE statement notes. “It provides substantially increased horsepower, with its six-cylinder, 690 horsepower engine, making it capable of land speeds exceeding 55 mph while running extremely quietly. It's also designed to provide Marines the flexibility to address additional mission roles and future technologies through its modular design,” the statement adds. The BAE ACV provides space for 13 embarked Marines and a crew of three, which keeps the rifle squad together. The vehicle has a V-shaped hull to protect against underbody blasts, and the seat structure is completely suspended. BAE is currently under a $67 million contract modification awarded in June 2019, according to the company, to develop new variants for the ACV including adding a command vehicle and a version with a 30mm medium caliber cannon. The company notes that the design and development for both have begun. The Marines plan to field 204 of the vehicles. The total value of the contract with all options exercised is expected to amount to about $1.2 billion. https://www.defensenews.com/land/2020/12/10/marine-corps-amphibious-combat-vehicle-reaches-full-rate-production/

La STAT (section technique de l'armée de terre) a révélé que le SMDR (système de mini-drones de reconnaissance) sera déployé dans les prochains jours sur le thé'tre sahélien. Barkhane. La section technique de l'armée de Terre a reçu l'AJD (association des journalistes professionnels de défense) le mercredi 9 décembre sur le plateau de Satory. A cette occasion, le Général Vidaud, commandant de la STAT, a annoncé que le SMDR, système de mini-drones de reconnaissance, sera déployé en opération dans les prochains jours, avant la fin du mois de décembre. Le SMDR et l'équipe de marque qui l'accompagnera seront ainsi projetés sur le thé'tre de l'opération Barkhane. La durée de projection des équipes de la STAT est estimée à un mois, mais pourrait évoluer en fonction des besoins sur place. Emploi opérationnel. Le déploiement du SMDR par une équipe de la STAT permettra de « vérifier que l'équipement peut être employé de manière opérationnelle », nous explique ainsi le Général Vidaud. L'ambition est ainsi de pouvoir transférer le matériel vers les forces tout en les accompagnant dans cette prise en main, via un appui des équipes de la STAT. Cela représentera donc la dernière étape de l'opérationnalisation du SMDR avant son transfert complet vers l'armée de Terre. Evalué par le groupement renseignement de la STAT, le SMDR est très attendu par les forces. Les systèmes de mini-drones de reconnaissance « seront mis en œuvre par les sections mini-drones des batteries d'acquisition et de surveillance des régiments d'artillerie et par le 61e régiment d'artillerie », détaillait en juin dernier la DGA. Alors que le programme avait pris du retard puisque les premiers systèmes étaient attendus pour 2019, la DGA annonçait le 16 juin dernier, lors de la livraison à l'armée de Terre des trois premiers systèmes (un système correspondant à trois drones et une station sol), un déploiement opérationnel avant fin 2020. Un engagement respecté de justesse. Modernisation des moyens de renseignement. Le SMDR viendra ainsi remplacer le DRAC (drone de reconnaissance au contact) dont l'entrée en service remonte à 2008. Ce renouvellement des moyens permettra de doter l'armée de Terre de moyens plus performants. Alors que le DRAC disposait d'une heure d'autonomie pour 10 km de portée, le SMDR peut mener des missions de trois heures, pour 30 km de portée. Au total ce sont 35 systèmes qui ont été commandés par le Ministère des Armées. « Déployer des drones tels que le Patroller ou le SMDR sur Barkhane, c'est sauver des vies. Les moyens de surveillance manquent en BSS », déclarait ainsi dans nos colonnes le colonel Marc Bonnet, chef de corps du 61e RA, en juin dernier. https://www.air-cosmos.com/article/barkhane-dploiement-imminent-du-systme-de-mini-drones-de-reconnaissance-23965