Nouvelles

By: Cal Pringle WASHINGTON — The U.S. Marine Corps is testing a prototype laser weapon that could be used by war fighters on the ground to counter enemy drones, according to a Wednesday news release. The prototype Compact Laser Weapons System — or CLaWS — is the first ground-based laser approved by the Defense Department for use by ground troops, the Marine Corps explained. The program is on a rapid prototyping, rapid delivery track, the service said. “This project, from start to finish — from when we awarded the DOTC [Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium] contract, to getting all the integration complete, all the testing complete, getting the Marines trained, and getting the systems ready to deploy — took about one year,” said Lt. Col. Ho Lee, product manager for ground-based air defense future weapons systems at Program Executive Office Land Systems. The Defense Department believes lasers are a more affordable alternative to traditional firepower and that they prevent drones from tracking and targeting Marines on the ground. The release notes the laser is not a standalone weapon, but is meant to serve as part of a larger counter-drone system. If the prototype is successful, it could be incorporated into fixed-site and mobile capabilities designed to counter unmanned aircraft, the Marine Corps said. The Army and Navy are also exploring the possibilities of laser technology. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2019/06/19/us-marines-to-test-drone-killing-laser-weapon/

By: Kelsey Reichmann WASHINGTON — The U.S. agency responsible for making explosive materials used in nuclear weapons is facing challenges that could impact the country's planned modernization of its nuclear arsenal, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. The National Nuclear Security Administration, a semiautonomous agency within the Energy Department, is facing three main challenges, according to the report: a dwindling supply of explosive materials, aging and deteriorating infrastructure, and difficulty in recruiting and training qualified staff. This report comes amid congressional debate over the cost of modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal, an effort driven by President Donald Trump. NNSA's supply of materials, which are “highly specialized” with specific chemical and physical characteristics, are in low supply, the report says. Furthermore, the NNSA is lacking the knowledge base to produce the materials, as the recipes to make them were not well-documented, or the processes themselves infrequently practiced, the report notes. Challenges in obtaining materials is not a new issue for the NNSA, the watchdog notes. The agency experienced a similar situation with a material known as “Fogbank,” and the GAO reported in March 2009 that the NNSA lacked the knowledge to manufacture the material — leaving the process for Fogbank “dormant for about 25 years." Fogbank is used in the production of the W76-1, a warhead for the Navy's Trident ballistic missile. Under the Trump administration's plans for a new low-yield nuclear weapon, the U.S. is making a W76-2 variant, which entered production earlier this year. The GAO notes that when the NNSA is actually able to replicate formulas for materials, procuring those materials has proved challenging, given the irregular and small order specifications to contractors. But the GAO identifies aging infrastructure as the greatest risk to the NSSA. “The NNSA 2019 Master Asset Plan states that 40 percent of the explosives infrastructure of NNSA's sites is insufficient to meet mission needs, which can lead to contamination of explosive products or limit the use of facilities,” the report says. It notes that contamination has already occurred from rust falling off rafters and grass blowing through cracks in the walls, contaminating batches of explosives. Aging facilities must receive updates to modern safety standards to protect employees, the GAO says. The Los Alamos High Explosives Chemistry Laboratory, for example, was built in the 1950s and has struggled to adopt to modern instrumentation, according to the report. Facilities also deal with limited storage, the report says, meaning explosives can be stored in a single location where they could potentially cause a chemical reaction. The report also cites NNSA documents that describe challenges in recruiting qualified staff, who often must have a security clearance. For example, Pantex, a contractor hired by the agency, in 2018 estimated it would need 211 full-time staff members. However, in November that year, it reported only 172 full-time employees. Officials with agency contractors told the GAO that the problem is largely due to the competitive industry; in particular, Pantex competes with oil and gas companies in Texas. The company has now expanded its recruitment efforts to include local colleges and universities, the report says. In a written response to the report, the head of the NNSA, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, said the “GAO's observations and recommendations are consistent with [the Department of Energy]/NNSA's recent efforts to centralize management of energetic material." The Office of Safety, Infrastructure, and Operations previously identified many of the infrastructure data issues presented in the report and developed a series of actions aimed at improving the accuracy of asset data,” she wrote. “These efforts have already resulted in improved data quality, and the accuracy and consistency of data will continue to improve as additional actions are completed.” https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2019/06/19/government-watchdog-finds-3-issues-disrupting-us-nuclear-modernization-efforts/

By: Mike Yeo MELBOURNE, Australia — The U.S. Department of Defense has announced a contract award for 34 Insitu ScanEagle drones under the Foreign Military Sales program to partners in the Asia-Pacific region. Under the $47.9 million contract, announced May 31, the UAVs are for the governments of Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Respectively, they will take delivery of twelve, eight, eight and six ScanEagles. The manufacturer is a Boeing subsidiary. The announcement marks the first time that military equipment will be transferred to Vietnam following the end of a U.S. arms embargo imposed since the communist takeover there in 1975. It was fully lifted in 2016. The order also provides for spare payloads, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools, training, technical services, and field service representatives. Work is expected to be completed in 2022. Defense News understands from multiple sources that the UAVs will be provided to these countries by the U.S. government, although there are conflicting reports on whether these will falls under the purview of the DoD's capacity-building program or the maritime security initiative announced in 2015. One of the key advantages of the ScanEagle is its ability to be launched by a pneumatic catapult unit and recovered by Insitu's Skyhook system, which means it can be operated from any patch of open space or from aboard a ship, negating the need for a runway. Sensor payloads available for the UAV include electro-optic, infrared and high-resolution video cameras that enable the operator to track stationary and moving targets. The UAVs will assist the recipient countries in improving maritime domain awareness over their territorial waters and exclusive economic zones. The contract announcement came on the same day that the DoD released its latest Indo-Pacific Strategy Report. The document lists as key priorities, among other things, building partner capacity and enhancing maritime domain awareness for third party partners in the region, as well as strengthening interoperability that includes increased information sharing between the U.S. and other like-minded countries in the region. All the recipient nations in this contract have interests in the South China Sea, with Indonesia being the only country among this group of four that does not claim ownership of any of the islands, features and rocks in the disputed Spratly or Paracel groups. https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2019/06/05/these-us-partners-in-the-asia-pacific-are-to-receive-scaneagle-drones/

Par BOQUET Justine Plusieurs entreprises allemandes s'associent au sein du consortium FCMS pour participer au développement du système de combat aérien du futur. Le 19 juin, à l'occasion de la 53ème édition du salon du Bourget, plusieurs entreprises allemandes ont annoncé leur association à travers l'établissement d'un consortium dans le cadre du programme SCAF. Ce sont ainsi les sociétés Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, ESG et Rohde & Schwarz qui coopèreront au sein du consortium FCMS (Future Combat Mission System Consortium). Il s'agit ainsi d' « une union ayant pour objectif d'assumer la responsabilité liée à la thématique complexe de l'utilisation en réseau des capteurs et des effecteurs au sein du réseau SCAF », rapportent les parties prenantes. L'ambition est par ailleurs de faire émerger de nouveaux savoir-faire et technologies au sein de l'industrie allemande et ainsi de pouvoir intégrer de nouvelles solutions dans les technologies employées par les forces aériennes européennes. Hensoldt s'est félicité de cette association d'acteurs industriels allemands. Celia Pelaz, responsable de la division Spectrum Dominance & Airborne Solutions a ainsi déclaré : « Nous avons la conviction que l'union au sein de ce consortium des compétences individuelles d'excellence dans le domaine des capteurs et des effecteurs, de la communication et des systèmes de mission apportera une précieuse contribution en vue de satisfaire les besoins opérationnels correspondants des acteurs militaires dans le cadre du programme SCAF ». https://www.air-cosmos.com/article/bourget-2019-un-consortium-allemand-pour-le-scaf-10442

Boeing has awarded a contract to BAE Systems to supply the vehicle management control system and identification friend or foe (IFF) system for the MQ-25 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). With the contract, BAE Systems is the latest company to join the industry team for the US Navy's MQ-25 project. MQ-25 is the navy's first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft. The aircraft will provide refuelling capabilities to help extend the combat range of F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35C fighters. BAE Systems Military Aircraft Systems director Corin Beck said: “BAE Systems leads the industry in high-integrity fly-by-wire and mission-critical IFF technologies. Our relationship with Boeing started more than four decades ago and has resulted in aircraft that have some of the most advanced avionics and reduced size transponders in the world.” The role of the vehicle management control system will be to control all flight surfaces and take care of overall vehicle management duties for the UAV. BAE Systems' IFF system will identify both coalition and enemy aircraft to enable operation in contested environments. Boeing is under an engineering and manufacturing development contract to provide four MQ-25 aircraft to the navy. Boeing MQ-25 programme director Dave Bujold said: “The MQ-25 programme is vital because it will help the US Navy extend the range of the carrier air wing, and Boeing and our industry team is all-in on delivering this capability. “The work we're doing is also foundational for the future of Boeing, where we're building autonomous systems from seabed to space.” In addition, Boeing has awarded contracts to GE Aviation and Parker Aerospace. GE Aviation will supply a stores management solution for the MQ-25 programme. Parker Aerospace is required to supply flight control tail actuation. Other companies to have received contracts for the programme include Harris, Curtiss-Wright's Defense Solutions, and Cubic Mission Solutions. https://www.naval-technology.com/news/boeing-selects-bae-systems-for-mq-25-tanker-programme/

The US Navy has awarded a $234m initial low-rate production contract to Raytheon to manufacture 23 joint precision approach and landing systems (JPALS). The global positioning system (GPS) enabled precision landing systems will be outfitted on all of the navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. JPALS has the capability to guide aircraft to precision landings in all weather and surface conditions. The US Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft use Raytheon's JPALS to land on USS Wasp amphibious assault ship. Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services business vice-president Matt Gilligan said: “The US Navy understands how JPALS contributes to their mission success and safety of its people. “Other military services could also benefit from the system's ability to safely land both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft in almost any low-visibility environment.” Last year, the F-35B pilots began using the system to guide them onto USS Wasp during a deployed operation. In April this year, Raytheon demonstrated land-based deployable version of the JPALS system. The version is designed to provide the same precision capability offered in ship-landings. As part of the demonstration, F-35B pilots used the GPS-based system on the jet to connect with the expeditionary system on the ground from 200nm away. Raytheon used the proof-of-concept event to showcase how the JPALS system could be reconfigured into a mobile version to guide aircraft to land in a traditional airport setting. The expeditionary JPALS version currently fits in five transit cases. The company noted that the system could be repackaged for small, transit vehicles that are transportable by C-130. It can be set up in less than 90 minutes, once on the ground. The technology will help US Air Force pilots to perform landings on austere runways in remote regions. https://www.naval-technology.com/news/us-navy-awards-contract-to-raytheon-for-precision-landing-systems/

LE BOURGET, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--L3 Technologies (NYSE:LLL) announced today that it has signed a joint venture agreement with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) to collaborate on electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) and special mission systems projects within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The contract was signed on June 18 in the SAMI Chalet during the Paris Air Show. In February 2019, L3 and SAMI announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to the joint venture. “Through this partnership, L3 will further establish a long-term presence within the KSA,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, L3's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. “This venture with SAMI, which includes research and development, manufacturing, training and sustainment activities, represents a key milestone in the further development and execution of L3's international growth strategy.” “We are pleased to partner with L3 as we move towards our goal of creating a Center of Excellence in the Kingdom,” said H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Chairman of SAMI. “As we continue to support objectives tied to Saudi Vision 2030, this long-term partnership with L3 will help grow the sensor and mission systems industry while creating a comprehensive through-life support structure for our military customers.” L3 Technologies designs and manufactures industry-leading multi-spectral and multi-sensor EO/IR imaging and targeting sensor systems in addition to fully customizable mission systems for air, land and maritime vessels. Together, L3 and SAMI will indigenously design and implement these advanced technologies and solutions for a variety of customer-specific applications from a Center of Excellence that will be established in the Kingdom. About L3 Technologies With headquarters in New York City and approximately 31,000 employees worldwide, L3 develops advanced defense technologies and commercial solutions in pilot training, aviation security, night vision and EO/IR, weapons, maritime systems and space. The company reported 2018 sales of $10.2 billion. To learn more about L3, please visit the company's website at www.L3T.com. L3 uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding L3 is routinely posted on the company's website and is readily accessible. About Saudi Arabian Military Industries Launched in May 2017, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) is a state-owned military industries company working under the directives outlined in the Saudi Vision 2030. Aiming to be among the top 25 military industries companies in the world by 2030, SAMI is expected to play a key role in localizing 50% of the Kingdom's total government military spending. SAMI is combining the latest technologies and the best national talent to develop military products and services at par with international standards across four business divisions – Aeronautics, Land Systems, Weapons and Missiles, and Defense Electronics. For more information, visit www.sami.com.sa or e-mail us at info@sami.com.sa. Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements. Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to events or conditions or that include words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “will,” “could” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements set forth above involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any such statement, including the risks and uncertainties discussed in the company's Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements included in the company's recent filings, including Forms 10-K and 10-Q, with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190618005809/en

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Defense Intelligence Agency's National Media Exploitation Center awarded Engility Corp, a subsidiary of Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC), a single-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract worth potentially $106 million. As part of the new contract, SAIC will continue to provide media management and analysis work, and will expand these services to include all of the DIA Science and Technology Directorate. “Partnering with the DIA is a privilege we take seriously,” said Michael LaRouche, executive vice president and general manager of SAIC's National Security Customer Group. “Expanding our services to the entire Science and Technology Directorate offers our team of intelligence and data analytics experts a great opportunity to bring value and technological innovation to even more missions.” The IDIQ carries a potential 10-year period of performance. The contract supports NMEC's training, document and media management, program support, and related intelligence operations. The team assists NMEC with document and media exploitation processes like data acquisition, ingest, processing, reporting, and timely dissemination to ensure the chain of command is immediately informed of any changes or developments based on media gathered by the U.S. military and intelligence community. The contract award comes on the heels of SAIC's $2.5 billion acquisition of Engility, completed in January 2019, as part of its strategy to expand its intelligence community portfolio. About SAIC SAIC® is a premier technology integrator solving our nation's most complex modernization and readiness challenges. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, civilian, and intelligence markets includes high-end solutions in engineering, IT, and mission solutions. Using our expertise and understanding of existing and emerging technologies, we integrate the best components from our own portfolio and our partner ecosystem to deliver innovative, effective, and efficient solutions. We are 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has pro forma annual revenues of approximately $6.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release contain or are based on “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “guidance,” and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements in this release may include, among others, estimates of future revenues, operating income, earnings, earnings per share, charges, total contract value, backlog, outstanding shares and cash flows, as well as statements about future dividends, share repurchases and other capital deployment plans. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk, uncertainties and assumptions, and actual results may differ materially from the guidance and other forward-looking statements made in this release as a result of various factors. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause or contribute to these material differences include those discussed in the “Risk Factors,” “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Legal Proceedings” sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the SEC, which may be viewed or obtained through the Investor Relations section of our website at saic.com or on the SEC's website at sec.gov. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SAIC expressly disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statement provided in this release to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in SAIC's expectations. SAIC also disclaims any duty to comment upon or correct information that may be contained in reports published by investment analysts or others. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190619005487/en

The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales a major contract to design and build the ground segment for the next-generation Syracuse 4 satellite communication system for the French armed forces. From 2023, the armed forces will benefit from interoperable communication capabilities with improved throughput, availability, threat protection and end-to-end connectivity. This contract will enable French armed forces to meet their initial strategic capability objectives for the Scorpion vehicle programme, the Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier and the Rafale combat aircraft. An instrument of national power, space is strategically important for the defence authorities: military satellite capabilities enable forces to operate independently, with greater precision and with the highest levels of security. With the development of expeditionary missions and a growing operational need for advanced in-theatre communications, commanders and deployed forces on the move must be able to access and share information quickly. For urgent interventions and broader operations, forces need end-to-end, high-throughput mobile communication systems that are protected and secure with 24/7 operation and a high level of availability. Syracuse 4 will benefit from Thales's expertise in satellite communication systems, which the company has built up as a technology orchestrator and integrator in France and internationally. It will rely on the System21 highly secure transmission system to guarantee the availability and confidentiality of all communications and protection against jamming, interference, interception, detection and cyberattacks. As Thales Alenia Space will participate in the design of the ground segment, it will be responsible for the management of the mission and will enable the consistency of this kind of management in the frame of the onboard and ground contract for Syracuse 4 program. As prime contractor for the Syracuse 3 ground segment since 2004, Thales has deployed over 1,000 satcom stations worldwide and is a NATO approved supplier with its System21 protected and secure transmission system. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/group/press-release/french-armed-forces-boost-their-secure-high-throughput-satcom-capabilities