Nouvelles

NAVY General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $346,500,311 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-16-C-2111 for fiscal 2019 lead yard support and development studies and design efforts for Virginia class submarines. This lead yard support will maintain, update, and support the Virginia class design and related drawings and data for each Virginia class Submarine, including technology insertion, throughout its construction and post shakedown availability period. The contractor will also provide all engineering and related lead yard support necessary for direct maintenance and support of Virginia class ship specifications. In addition, this contract modification provides development studies and design efforts related to the Virginia class submarine design and design improvements, preliminary and detail component and system design, integration of system engineering, design engineering, test engineering, logistics engineering, and production engineering. The contractor will continue development studies and design efforts related to components and systems to accomplish research and development tasks and prototypes and engineering development models required to fully evaluate new technologies to be inserted in succeeding Virginia class submarines. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut (91 percent), Newport News, Virginia (8 percent); and at other various sites throughout the U.S. (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by September 2019. Fiscal 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $129,889,865 will be obligated at time of award and no funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems Land & Armaments LP, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is awarded a $41,528,204 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-13-C-5314 for Mk 21 mod 2 (SM-3); and Mk 21 mod 3 (SM-6) canisters in support of the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS). The Mk 41 VLS provides a missile launching system for CG 47- and DDG 51-class surface combatants of the Navy, as well as surface combatants of allied navies. This effort includes the manufacture, production and test of Mk 21 mod 2 and Mk 21 mod 3 canisters. The canisters provide rocket motor exhaust gas containment and a launch rail during missile firing. The canisters also serve as missile shipping and storage containers. Work will be performed in Aberdeen, South Dakota (90 percent); and Minneapolis, Minnesota (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by August 2021. Fiscal 2018 weapons procurement (Navy); fiscal 2018 Defense-wide procurement; and fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funding in the amount of $41,528,204 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. DRS Power & Control Technologies Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is awarded a $13,339,019 firm-fixed-price modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-14-C-4200 to exercise an option for DDG 51-class power conversion modules (PCM) for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) production ship sets, engineering services and associated support. This contract provides for the AMDR PCM non-recurring engineering, long-lead-time material, low-rate initial production units for testing, associated engineering services and support, and up to 12 production ship sets for DDG 51-class ships. The requirements support the DDG 51 class flight III new construction program (PMS 400D) and the electric ships office (PMS 320). The AMDR PCM will supply power to the radar from the ship's service electrical system. Work will be performed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is expected to be completed by April 2022. Fiscal 2017 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $13,339,019 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Progeny Systems Corp., Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $12,739,130 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-14-C-6220) to exercise options for engineering services and Navy equipment. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by September 2020. Fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy); and fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $12,739,130 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Detyens Shipyards Inc., North Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded a $9,062,606 firm- fixed-price contract for USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) mid-term availability commencing on Jan. 8, 2019. Work will include general steel and piping repairs, air conditioning plant installation, air conditioning plant maintenance, steam driven fire pump turbine inspection, bilge and ballast segregation, lifeboat and life raft davit falls replacement, and ventilation duct cleaning. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $11,323,572. Work will be performed in North Charleston, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 21, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,062,606 and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N3220519C6500). (Awarded Dec. 6, 2018) AIR FORCE Affordable Engineering Services, San Diego, California; Logmet LLC, Round Rock, Texas: Powerhouse Resources International, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and SkyQuest Aviation, Glendale, Arizona, have been awarded a ceiling $160,000,000 firm-fixed-price, multiple-award, five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for maintenance with an option to extend the ordering period by one year. This contract will support maintenance and related tasks for Ogden Air Logistics Complex, Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona; Vandenberg AFB, California; Malmstrom AFB, Montana; Minot AFB, North Dakota; Randolph AFB, Texas; and Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. Work is expected to be completed Dec. 6, 2025. This multiple-award is the result of a competitive acquisition and eight offers were received. Fiscal 2018 consolidated sustainment activity group - maintenance funds in the amount of $10,000 ($2,500 per awardee) are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center, Hill AFB, Utah, is the contracting activity (FA8224-19-D-0011). ARMY Fluor Federal Solutions LLC, Greenville, South Carolina, was awarded a $145,720,840 firm-fixed-price contract for a weapons storage and maintenance facility. Bids were solicited with five received. Work will be performed in Laramie, Wyoming, with an estimated completion date of April 17, 2020. Fiscal 2016 military construction funds in the amount of $147,965,622 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska, is the contracting activity (W9128F-18-C-0029). Intelligent Decisions LLC, Ashburn, Virginia, was awarded a $46,500,000 modification (P00005) to contract W912DY-18-F-0004 for information technology hardware, agnostic parts and accessories. Work will be performed in Ashburn, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 11, 2019. Fiscal 2019 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revolving funds in the amount of $46,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Arrowpoint Corp.,* McLean, Virginia, was awarded a $17,022,960 modification (P00012) to contract W9133L-15-F-0011 for the management of the reserve component manpower system. Work will be performed in McLean, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 15, 2019. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $17,022,960 were obligated at the time of the award. National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. FN America LLC, Columbia, South Carolina, was awarded a $13,273,603 modification (P00015) to contract W15QKN-15-D-0003 for work on the M240 series machine gun. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 8, 2019. U.S. Army Contracting Command, New Jersey, is the contracting activity. The 106 Group Ltd.,* St. Paul, Minnesota (W912PP-19-D-0003); Brockington and Associates Inc.,* Peachtree Corners, Georgia (W912PP-19-D-0004); Desert Archaeology Inc.,* Tucson, Arizona (W912PP-19-D-0005); R. Christopher Goodwin & Associates Inc.,* Las Cruces, New Mexico (W912PP-19-D-0006); Harris Environmental Group Inc.,* Tucson, Arizona (W912PP-19-D-0007); Keres SEAS JV,* Albuquerque, New Mexico (W912PP-19-D-0008); Northland Research Inc.,* Tempe, Arizona (W912PP-19-D-0009); North Wind Resource Consulting LLC,* Phoenix, Arizona (W912PP-19-D-0010); Statistical Research Inc.,* Redlands, California (W912PP-19-D-0011); and Stell Environmental Enterprises Inc.,* Exton, Pennsylvania (W912PP-19-D-0012), will share in a $9,900,000 firm-fixed-price contract for tribal consultation, cultural resources, and environmental services. Bids were solicited with 12 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 6, 2023. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Parker-Hannifin Corp., Irvine, California, has been awarded a maximum $14,202,759 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity delivery order (SPRRA1-19-F-0113) against a three-year contract (SPRRA1-19-D-0031) for hydraulic manifolds. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Location of performance is California, with a Nov. 30, 2023, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Aurora Industries LLC,* Camuy, Puerto Rico, has been awarded a maximum $36,835,535 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for duffle bags. This is a two-year contract with no option periods. This was a competitive 8(A) set-aside acquisition with three responses received. Location of performance is Puerto Rico, with a Dec. 6, 2020, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-19-D-1117). *Small business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1708175/source/GovDelivery/

By: Mike Yeo MELBOURNE, Australia — In the west of the sprawling metropolis that is Tokyo lies Yokota Air Base, a major air transportation hub in the U.S. military's Indo-Pacific Command's area of responsibility and a critical waypoint for cargo, passengers and VIPs. Occupying an area of approximately 2.75 square miles that includes a single 11,000-foot runway that runs roughly north to south, the base is also home to U.S. Forces Japan, a joint service headquarters coordinating matters affecting U.S. and Japanese defense relations, and Fifth Air Force, whose mission is to enhance the U.S. deterrent posture and, if necessary, provide fighter and military airlift support for offensive air operations. Other tenant units on base include the 730th Air Mobility Squadron of the 515th Air Mobility Operation Group, which manages air mobility operations throughout the Western Pacific, and the Japanese Air Defense Command, which controls Japan's air defense mission. Air traffic control for the base is integrated with Tokyo's air traffic system, a must given the busy nature of the skies above the Japanese capital with its two international airports and a number of Japanese Self-Defense Force bases in the vicinity. As a logistics hub, Yokota plays host to all kinds of visiting aircraft on a regular basis, with Captain Felicia Ticas, airfield operations flight commander, telling Defense News that the base “accepts around 2,100 transient aircraft annually, which includes U.S. Air Force, Japanese Self Defense Forces, and other allied aircraft.” She added: “Our role as the primary logistics hub means we move 85,000 personnel and 19,000 tons of cargo every year in and around Indo-Asia-Pacific, which is essential to meet the peace and stability objectives of our nation and our allied partners.” The visitors have included secretaries of state and defense Mike Pompeo and James Mattis during their visits to the region, as well as President Donald Trump who landed there during a visit to Japan in November 2017. 374th Airlift Wing The host unit at Yokota is the 374th Airlift Wing. The Wing includes four groups: operations, mission support, maintenance and medical. Each group manages several squadrons in order to carry out the wing's mission, which is to execute rapid global mobility through agile airlift operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and as the primary Western Pacific airlift hub for peacetime and contingency operations, the wing provides airlift for the movement of passengers, cargo and mail to all Department of Defense agencies in the Pacific area of responsibility and provides transport for people and equipment throughout the Kanto Plain and the Tokyo metropolitan area. In addition to the Lockheed-Martin C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters of the 36th Airlift Squadron, the other flying squadron at Yokota is the 459th Airlift Squadron. The unit operates a mixed fleet of Bell UH-1N helicopters and Raytheon C-12J Hurons to fulfil its mission of providing airlift support for distinguished visitors as well as other priority passengers and cargo, along with conducting aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue and priority airlift missions throughout the Pacific. The UH-1N Huey, whose design dates back to the Vietnam War, is used by the 459th AS to provide distinguish visitor and cargo transport throughout the Kanto Plain which encompasses the Greater Tokyo area, according to Major Matthew Sims, assistant director of operations of the 459th AS. In addition, he told Defense News that the type is also used to provide medical transport and search and rescue assistance for the government of Japan, and can be configured with a rescue hoist and litters for medical cases as the mission requirements demand. The twin turboprop-engined C-12J Hurons serving alongside the UH-1Ns at the 459th AS are used primarily for VIP transport. However, they have also become the primary response aircraft for small-scale aeromedical evacuation. An aeromedical evacuation nursing team is now deployed to the base on a rotational basis, with each team there two- to three-week deployment to support the mission. The use of the C-12J, which is based on the Raytheon 1900C regional airliner, has significantly freed up the USAF's primary aeromedical evacuation platform, the KC-135R tanker, to perform its primary role and Major Drew Skovran, 459th AS Assistant Operations Officer called the C-12J “the most cost-effective airlifter for small groups in the PACAF inventory carrying 10-18 passengers or up to 3000 lbs of cargo. With the addition of a converted hospital bed we are one of the premier platforms for aeromedical evacuation for all joint partners in the AOR”. Non-flying elements of the Wing includes the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron, which directs logistics for Western Pacific airlift hub orchestrates mobilization of wing and tenant units supporting Pacific Command's operations plans, currently stores over 13 million and issues over 36 million gallons of fuel. Part of the unit includes its Combat Mobility Flight, which is responsible for the support of real-world contingencies, INDOPACOM and/or PACAF exercises, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission support. It is also “the only PACAF unit that builds and specializes in coastal humanitarian air drop, allowing for specialized humanitarian relief aid avoiding possible damage to people and buildings” according to Technical Sergeant Ryan Aubert, a Recovery Lead at the 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Combat Mobility Flight Air Force Ospreys The sole USAF flying element at Yokota that is not part of the 374th AW are the Bell-Boeing CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group. The first five Ospreys arrived at Yokota in April this year, and that number will eventually rise to ten. Four of the unit's Ospreys were subsequently deployed to Iwakuni to take part in search and rescue operations following the collision of a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J tanker and F/A-18D Hornet fighter jet off Japan in early December, joining the C-130Js of 36th AS along with other U.S. military and Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft. The 353rd SOG is based out of Kadena Airbase in Okinawa operating the MC-130H Combat Talon II and MC-130J Commando II special missions aircraft modified from the C-130 Hercules, and according to 1st Lieutenant Renee Douglas, a spokesperson from the unit, the CV-22Bs are based at Yokota because the base “was the location that provided the most effective operations, training and maintenance environment for the CV-22.” Due to training and operational requirements, Defense News was unable to speak to the Osprey detachment at Yokota to learn more about their mission, but 1Lt Douglas added in an emailed response to questions from Defense News that “having CV-22s at Yokota Air Base will help our forces develop expertise, build long-term relationships with the host nation to ensure stability, and contribute to special operations capabilities with our allies and security partners.” The continuing security challenges in the region and the presence of forward deployed elements of the U.S. military means that Yokota's status of a regional logistics hub is here to stay and even increase in the future. Asked to sum up the importance of the base and the wing's mission, Colonel Otis Jones, commander of the 374th AW, told Defense News that “because of our proximity to Tokyo, along with the unique airlift capabilities we contribute to the region, Yokota, and specifically the 374th Airlift Wing, provides an advantageous hub for cargo and personnel moving into and out of the Pacific area of responsibility.” The wing also executes rapid global mobility through agile airlift operations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and engages in regular bilateral engagements with the Japanese Self Defense Force, surrounding communities and the local Japanese government. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/japan-aerospace/2018/12/07/on-the-ground-at-yokota-air-base-the-air-force-transport-hub-of-the-pacific/

By: Mark D. Faram The Navy will deactivate the Grim Reapers of Strike Fighter Squadron 101, consolidating all Joint Strike Fighter operations and training at California's Naval Air Station Lemoore, officials confirmed on Friday. The squadron has been based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. It was reactivated in 2012 as the Navy's initial F-35C fleet replacement squadron. At the time, the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Joint Strike Fighter replacement squadrons were located there as well. The move of the Grim Reapers' 15 aircraft is slated to be effective on July 1, according to OPNAV notice 5400. “The Navy is moving forward with the deactivation of VFA-101 at Eglin AFB next year, and the re-alignment of F-35C assets into Strike Fighter Squadrons to support VX-9 Detachment Edwards AFB, Air Warfare Development Command (NAWDC) at NAS Fallon and maintain Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) production at VFA-125, while transitioning Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadrons to the F-35C Lightning II,” wrote Lt. Travis Callaghan, a Naval Air Forces spokesman, in an email to Navy Times. The shift to California should see the Grim Reapers' 29 officers and 239 enlisted personnel replace their patches with those of the “Rough Raiders” of Strike Fighter Squadron 125, Lemoore's F-35C replacement squadron. “This will co-locate the fleet replenishment squadron production of pilots directly into the operational squadrons scheduled for transition to F-35C,” according to a note in the directive ordering the move. The extra aircraft, pilots and maintainers at Lemoore are expected to help the Pentagon meet its testing and evaluation requirements for the the Navy's first operational fleet F-35C squadron, VFA-147, That major milestone for the Navy's JSF program is still slated to happen in 2019. The maiden overseas deployment of VFA-147 is anticipated in 2021 while embarked on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson. Deactivating VFA-101 wasn't the Navy's original plan. Officials wanted to move the squadron to Lemoore in early 2017. Then the Navy decided to keep VFA-101 at Eglin and stood up a second training squadron, VFA-125, at Lemoore. At the time, officials told Navy Times there was “no plan in the foreseeable future for VFA-101 to be stood down” because “the requirement is for two FRS while we are transitioning squadrons.” The Grim Reapers could be resurrected if the Navy chooses to have an F-35 replacement squadron on both coasts. The OPNAV note requires the Navy to “maintain VFA 101 squadron lineage (name, UIC, insignia, call sign, etc.) for future reactivation.” But bringing the Grim Reapers back to life likely won't happen for at least a decade. That's because the Navy has yet to start the process of naming a home base for its East Coast F-35Cs. It requires extensive environmental impact studies before senior leaders make the final decision on where the squadrons will go. And that, Navy officials say, isn't expected to start until the mid-2020′s at the earliest. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2018/12/07/why-the-navy-will-deactivate-an-f-35-squadron-next-year/

By: Stephen Losey Nearly two months after Hurricane Michael devastated Tyndall Air Force Base in Northern Florida, the Air Force on Friday said it wants to rebuild the installation — so it can station three squadrons of F-35 fighters there. But the change in plans, if approved, would mean operational F-22 Raptors from the 95th Fighter Squadron would not return to Tyndall. The Air Force is asking Congress for supplemental funding to repair Tyndall's damage, the service said in a release. Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said the amount of money is still being decided. A preliminary evaluation showed Tyndall could accommodate up to three F-35 squadrons, the Air Force said. If Congress grants the supplemental repair funds and the F-35 basing is approved, F-35s could be based there beginning in 2023. The move would mean operational F-22s that were formerly at Tyndall would be permanently moved to squadrons at other bases that are now temporarily housing them: Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. Those F-22 squadrons would grow from 21 to 24 fighters apiece to permanently accommodate the Tyndall aircraft. “We have recommended that the best path forward to increase readiness and use money wisely is to consolidate the operational F-22s formerly at Tyndall in Alaska, Hawaii and Virginia, and make the decision now to put the next three squadrons of F-35s, beyond those for which we have already made decisions, at Tyndall,” Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said. “We are talking with congressional leaders about this plan and will need their help with the supplemental funding needed to restore the base." This decision will allow the Air Force to tailor the new construction at Tyndall to the best fit for F-35s, the Air Force said. The 325th Fighter Wing, which was comprised of two F-22 squadrons, was located at Tyndall before the Oct. 10 storm. Most Tyndall aircraft evacuated before the storm hit, but 17 Raptors could not be flown and stayed behind, sustaining varying levels of damage that is now being repaired. Nearly a month after the storm, Wilson said that F-22 training with the 43rd Fighter Squadron would be temporarily moved to nearby Eglin Air Force Base. The Air Force said it will conduct a formal process to decide what will be the best location for the 43rd and its training mission. The 95th has 21 F-22s and 36 active-duty airmen, the Air Force said last month, and its associated maintenance units have about 500 airmen. F-35 basing decisions in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin, which have already been announced, will not be changed. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/12/07/air-force-wants-to-house-three-f-35-squadrons-at-rebuilt-tyndall-move-raptors-permanently

By: Mark Pomerleau The new head of the Marine Corps' nascent information directorate is focusing on three priorities: network modernization, putting new information-related units to work and gaining asymmetric advantage. The Marine Corps reorganized its leadership in 2017 to create a new three-star position, the deputy commandant for information, that would oversee all aspects of information war to include cyber, electronic warfare, signals intelligence and information operations. Over the summer, Lt. Gen. Lori Reynolds became the second officer to hold this new position. William Williford, executive director of Marine Corps Systems Command, provided an outline of various efforts to modernize the network during the Charleston Defense Contractors Association Defense Summit on Dec. 5. The initiative includes: broader adoption of Windows 10, creating a cloud cross functional team, starting a network cross functional team, fielding Tampa microwave terminals, protecting spectrum used for the F-35 and running a pilot program to help ensure GPS signals aren't jammed. Kenneth Bible, deputy director of the C4 directorate and deputy chief information officer, said during the same conference that the Marines still have IT solutions that date back to the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet days that have to be modernized The Marine Corps needs to divest of some of its legacy systems and modernize them, he said. He added that Marines are finding there are systems needed to get the network “up to snuff to go support that.” Additionally, he said, systems need to be capable of supporting the automation needed in order to make the network more effective. Regarding the second line of effort, the deputy commandant is focused on using the new Marine Expeditionary Force Information Groups, or MIGs. These teams will work on all information related capabilities, providing commanders a clearinghouse of options including cyber, intelligence, electronic warfare and information operations. Bible said Marine Corps leaders are working hard to figure out how the groups can directly help commanders. Third, Bible said the Marines want to gauge whether they can create an asymmetric advantage. “How do we shape the conflict before we end up in a conflict,” Bible said. “A lot of this is going to merge in the information environment.” Some of the efforts related to providing an asymmetric advantage will involve Navy partners, Bible said. He discussed the need to for Marines to fight to get to the fight. “We're probably not going to have enough organic aviation assets to get all the Marines to all the different places that an advanced expeditionary base operations concept [and] very distributed operations” demands," he said. That will require partnering with the Navy in some regards. https://www.c4isrnet.com/it-networks/2018/12/07/3-priorities-for-the-marines-information-directorate

Le Monde avec AFP La Russie s'est hissée au deuxième rang des pays producteurs d'armes en 2017 derrière les Etats-Unis, une place jusque-là occupée par le Royaume-Uni, selon un rapport de l'Institut de recherche sur la paix internationale de Stockholm (Sipri) publié lundi 10 décembre. « Les entreprises russes connaissent une croissance significative de leurs ventes d'armes depuis 2011 », a expliqué le chercheur Siemon Wezeman, dans un communiqué. Elles représentaient 9,5 % des ventes des cent plus gros producteurs mondiaux en 2017 avec un chiffre d'affaires de 37,7 milliards de dollars (33 milliards d'euros), en progression de 8,5 % par rapport à 2016, selon le rapport. « Ceci est conforme à l'augmentation des dépenses de la Russie en matière d'achat d'armes pour moderniser ses forces armées », a ajouté le chercheur. En septembre, le pays a par ailleurs conduit les plus vastes manœuvres militaires de son histoire en Extrême-Orient, dénoncées par l'Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord (OTAN) comme la répétition d'un « conflit de grande ampleur ». Les Etats-Unis largement en tête La deuxième place du classement était occupée, depuis 2002, par le Royaume-Uni, rétrogradé au troisième rang (9 % de la production mondiale). La France conserve la quatrième place (5,3 % de la production) et les Etats-Unis restent largement en tête. A eux seuls, les producteurs américains représentaient 57 % du total des ventes mondiales en 2017, avec quarante-deux entreprises dans le top 100 pour un chiffre d'affaires cumulé de 226,6 milliards de dollars (environ 198 milliards d'euros). « Les entreprises américaines bénéficient directement de la demande constante d'armes du ministère de la défense [des Etats-Unis] », a expliqué Aude Fleurant, directrice du programme de recherche sur l'armement et les dépenses militaires. article complet: https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2018/12/10/la-russie-devient-le-deuxieme-producteur-d-armes-au-monde_5394967_3210.html

Par Alexandre Boero La division Airbus Defence and Space a collaboré pour mettre au point Drone-it!, un dispositif de surveillance des drones, de plus en plus présents dans l'espace aérien. Aviation, sécurité, cinéma, télévision, maintenance, surveillance : les domaines dans lesquels on les utilise à tout-va ne manquent pas. Voilà pourquoi Airbus a décidé de se concentrer sur le développement d'un appareil, via sa branche Airbus Defence and Space, qui viendra diminuer le risque de collision de drones dans le ciel. Une technologie qui rend les drones visibles sur un radar Souvent délicats à détecter sur radar dans un espace aérien toujours plus massif, les drones peuvent causer des situations de danger, pour les autres et pour eux-mêmes. La technologie Drone-it! vise à résoudre ce problème et permet un suivi en temps réel des drones. Pour cela, l'appareil Drone-it! est équipé d'un récepteur et d'un émetteur GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System ou Système mondial mondial de navigation par satellite), ainsi que d'un chipset, un jeu de puces qui rend les drones bien visibles sur un radar spécifiquement développé. Le jeu de puces possède la capacité de communiquer directement avec les réseaux au sol ou alors être relayé par satellite à orbite géostationnaire. Des essais menés avec succès Avec 40 vols et six scénarios différents, la technologie a été testée avec succès lors de démonstrations menées au Royaume-Uni en octobre 2018. Sous le nom de code « Class », ce projet a été mené par Airbus Defence and Space en étroite collaboration avec l'École nationale de l'Aviation civile (ENAC), l'Université norvégienne des sciences et technologies (NTU) et Unify, une filiale du géant français Atos, spécialisée dans les communications unifiées. https://www.clubic.com/drone/actualite-848333-airbus-cree-dispositif-surveillance-trafic-aerien-drones.html

Project could lead to a new polar radar system to monitor the Canadian north CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 4, 2018 /CNW/ -- Raytheon Canada Limited (RCL), a subsidiary of Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN), will design, build and install two over-the-horizon radar sites in Canada's polar region to determine what effects, if any, the Aurora Borealis has on target detection along the Canadian north. These two contracts, totaling $30 million, resulted from a competitive solicitation posted on BuyandSell.gc.ca by Public Services & Procurement Canada on behalf of the Department of National Defence. These contracts will enable Defence Research and Development Canada to conduct a feasibility study of using sky-wave Over-The-Horizon Radar technology, in the arctic, to determine the effect of the Aurora Borealis on target detection beyond line-of-site. Working with Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services, RCL will build two test sites to gauge how the Northern Lights may impact operations. Should those tests prove successful, Canada may decide to build additional radar sites to monitor its increasingly accessible arctic waterways. "Raytheon built and operates a similar radar system in the U.S. which has been key to defending America's borders," said David Appel, director for mission systems at Raytheon IIS. "A full over-the-horizon radar will monitor the arctic, as those waters have become more accessible to shipping traffic." Raytheon also will work with local companies to design and build the system. "We will be working with Canadian suppliers to secure the Canadian north," said Terry Manion, RCL vice president and general manager. "We understand the environment and can provide crucial technologies which may lead to significant long term economic growth." About Raytheon Canada Limited Raytheon Canada Limited (RCL) is a subsidiary of Raytheon Company. RCL is a leader in high technology solutions, engineering services, surveillance and navigation systems including air traffic control radars, highway traffic management systems, maritime surveillance radars and systems, and precision optics. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales of $25 billion and 64,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. Follow us on Twitter. Media Contact Chris Johnson +1-571-250-3418 Chris.Johnson@raytheon.com SOURCE Raytheon Company https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/raytheon-building-canadian-radar-to-test-effects-of-aurora-borealis-701865451.html

David Pugliese, Ottawa Citizen and Tyler Dawson DND officials said there had been consultation about the move with local politicians. 'It's totally not true,' said local MP David Yurdiga The federal government will create a new centre of excellence in Ottawa to support aircraft testing, but it will come at the cost of relocating staff and shutting down existing military facilities in Alberta. The move affects the Canadian military's Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment, or AETE, which has been at Cold Lake, Alta. since 1971. Under the new plan AETE would be relocated to the international airport in Ottawa and partnered with the National Research Council Flight Research Laboratory and Transport Canada Aircraft Services Directorate to create a centre of excellence for flight testing and evaluation. The move would affect almost one-third of the unit, which employs 166 military personnel and 22 public servants. The remaining two-thirds would be reassigned to other air force functions, said Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier. Moving AETE will save $14 million a year and free up space for the arrival of more fighter jets at Cold Lake. Canada is in the process of purchasing used fighter aircraft from Australia and the federal government has committed to buying 88 new jets to replace the existing fleet of CF-18s. “This partnership will streamline our flight testing and evaluation capability, while ensuring sufficient space is available for the arrival of additional fighter aircraft in Cold Lake,” Le Bouthillier said. The move, however, is not sitting well with local politicians. David Yurdiga, the Conservative MP for the area, said he'd heard about the move on Monday when it was raised at the House Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts. DND officials briefing the committee said there had been consultation about the move with local politicians. “It's totally not true,” said Yurdiga. Craig Copeland, the mayor of Cold Lake, said the city hasn't yet received a briefing from officials in Ottawa. “It's been sort of verbally mentioned over the years that there would be a re-org,” he explained. “We're hoping to get somebody to brief us.” Details about the exact number of jobs that will be moved from Alberta are still not clear. It is not known how many of the air force personnel who will be reassigned to new jobs would continue to operate from Cold Lake. Yurdiga said the loss of jobs would hit the community hard but he added that defence minister Harjit Sajjan had assured him there would be a “net benefit” to the community. “Cold Lake can't afford to lose even one position,” Yurdiga said. “There are so many unanswered questions and uncertainty is what the community is facing,” he added. Copeland said he had heard an estimate of 50 jobs being lost. That would be a real blow to the area, already suffering from depressed oil prices, and with a home foreclosure rate, he said, of around 10 per cent. “That is concerning to me,” Copeland said. “On the one hand it's tough to see people leave our community but on the other hands, we are hopeful — and expecting — that the Canadian military's going to be investing (locally) for the new fighter jet program.” AETE currently occupies the second-largest and newest hangar at Cold Lake, which will be repurposed for other air force needs, including the new fighter program. The final details of the move are still being worked on, including costs, Le Bouthillier said. DND is in ongoing discussions with the Ottawa International Airport Authority regarding the location of the new centre, he added. The costs for relocating AETE are included in the $470 million the Liberal government has set aside for buying the used Australian F-18 fighter jets, and would not take place before summer 2021. The Cold Lake location was primarily selected for AETE because of the large evaluation range nearby and its favourable climate for flight testing. AETE employs test pilots, flight test engineers, qualified systems evaluators, specialist engineers, and technologists. Postmedia first revealed the proposal to move AETE in April 2016. The plan first started under the Conservative government but the Liberals continued with the relocation initiative. At the time the Canadian Forces said it would still use the bombing ranges associated with the Cold Lake installation but other test work could be moved. At the time, the military told defence industry representatives the remote Cold Lake location made it challenging to attract or retain people and that relocating could save money. https://nationalpost.com/news/so-many-unanswered-questions-feds-to-move-military-aircraft-testing-from-alberta-to-ottawa-but-locals-say-theyre-in-the-dark