Nouvelles

By: Ben Werner Lockheed Martin is committed to producing the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for $80 million each by next year and further reducing the overall program costs as part of the next production contract negotiations with the Department of Defense, the company said on Tuesday In 2022, Lockheed Martin officials expect to negotiate the next multiyear F-35 contract with the Joint Program Office. The goal is to use the steady cash flow from a multiyear contract to drive down further the production costs once the contract kicks in. As part of a pitch for multiyear contract, Lockheed Martin officials say such a deal will lower the F-35A price to less than $80 million per fighter, Marillyn Hewson, chief executive of Lockheed Martin, told analysts during a conference call today discussing the company's 2018 year-end results and expectations for 2019. “That's our target, to continue to drive the unit cost down,” Hewson said. “And we won't stop there, we will always be looking at ways that we can take the cost down in the program as it continues to mature and grows.” Currently, the F-35A, the standard take-off and landing variant primarily used by the U.S. Air Force and foreign partners, has a price tag of $89.2 million. The F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variant used by the Marine Corps and some foreign partners currently cost $115.5 million each, and the F-35C carrier variant used by the Navy cost $107.7 million per fighter, according to Lockheed Martin. As production increases, the price per F-35 is expected to decrease due to efficiencies in the production process and the ability to lock in lower prices for large quantities of raw materials and components. Lockheed Martin plans to deliver 131 fighters this year, compared to the 91 F-35 fighters delivered in 2018. Within two years, company officials expect to deliver more than 161 fighters per year. However, with F-35 production is closing in on what's considered the full capacity for the program of record, Hewson said the company could build more. Increasing the production rate would require coordination with the JPO, the supply chain and international customers, but Hewson said the company could handle increased demand. Germany, Switzerland and Finland are currently considering buying the F-35, Hewson said. Already the U.S. and 12 other countries are either part of the program of record or committed to purchasing F-35 fighters, according to Lockheed Martin. “We could certainly go to a higher rate if the demand were such that we needed to do that,” Hewson said. Other segments of Lockheed Martin's weapons systems portfolio are also expected to perform well in 2019. The company's Missiles and Fire Control business are expected to record a profit of between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion in the year. The Rotary and Mission Systems business is expected to record a profit of about $1.3 billion for the year, Bruce Tanner, Lockheed Martin's chief financial officer, said during the call. After the call, the U.S. Department of State's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced it approved the sale of two Aegis Weapon Systems, two Multi-Mission Signal Processors and two Command and Control Processor refreshes to Japan. Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems division is the prime contractor for the Aegis Weapon System and Multi-Mission Signal Processor portion of the $2.1-billion total buy. Japan selected Lockheed Martin in July to outfit its Aegis Ashore system but needed State Department approval before finalizing the deal. In September, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force successfully tested its sea-based Aegis ballistic missile defense capability with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. Japan currently has four Aegis-equipped destroyers and is in the process of building two more. The following is the State Department notice it approved a proposed Aegis Weapon System sale to Japan. AEGIS Weapon Systems Transmittal No: 19-08 WASHINGTON, January 29, 2019 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan of two (2) AEGIS Weapon Systems (AWS), two (2) Multi-Mission Signal Processors (MMSP) and two (2) Command and Control Processor (C2P) Refreshes and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.150 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Japan has requested to buy two (2) AEGIS Weapon Systems (AWS), two (2) Multi-Mission Signal Processors (MMSP) and two (2) Command and Control Processor (C2P) Refreshes. Also included is radio navigation equipment, naval ordnance, two (2) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Systems, Global Command and Control System-Maritime (GCCS-M) hardware, and two (2) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), U.S. Government and contractor representatives' technical, engineering and logistics support services, installation support material, training, construction services for six (6) vertical launch system launcher module enclosures, communications equipment and associated spares, classified and unclassified publications and software, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $2.150 billion. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific region. It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability. This proposed sale will provide the Government of Japan with an enhanced capability against increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile threats and create an expanded, layered defense of its homeland. Japan, which already has the AEGIS in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing this system into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support does not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor for the Aegis Weapon System and Multi-Mission Signal Processors will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Washington, DC. The Command and Control Processor Refresh will be provided by General Dynamics, Falls Church, VA. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will require annual trips to Japan involving U.S. Government and contractor representatives for technical reviews, support, and oversight for approximately eight years. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. https://news.usni.org/2019/01/29/40708

By JAMES BOLINGER | STARS AND STRIPES MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan — Using 3D printers, Marines based in southern Japan created two products that reduce the time it takes to repair F/A-18 Hornets and may save the Defense Department money. Called an engine ship kit, the first innovation is a set of plastic clips and plugs to prevent oil and hydraulic fluid leaking from aircraft engines removed for repairs. The other is a tool that helps maintainers grease the bearings on the F/A-18's high-speed Gatling gun. Designed by Marines from MCAS Iwakuni's Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, the engine ship kit will have an immediate impact on operations, squadron commander Lt. Col. Javier Garcia recently told Stars and Stripes. The kit eliminates the need for maintainers to travel to austere locations to drain oil and hydraulic fluids so an engine can be taken safely back to Iwakuni for repair. The plastic drain plugs prevent the fluid from leaking and the clips ensure the plugs are not dislodged as the engine is readied for transport. The kit is the brain child of 1st Lt. Simon Miller and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mark Willems, who needed to get a broken F/A-18 engine from Wake Island to MCAS Iwakuni late last year. The engine began to leak while a C-130 crew tried to load it, Garcia said. In the past, a team of maintenance Marines would have traveled to the location to prepare the engine for safe transport, but that takes away from their mission at MCAS Iwakuni. To solve the problem, Willems had the idea of creating plugs that would stop the leaks. Miller created the pieces using 3D drafting software and MALS 12's new 3D printers. “I'm not really sure why no one thought to make this kind of kit before, but this design is going to have an impact across the Navy and Marine Corps,” Garcia said. The same team behind the engine ship kit also created a tool that makes it easier for maintenance Marines to grease the bearing on the F-18's M61A Vulcan, a Gatling-style rotary cannon that can fire 6,000 rounds a minute. The bearing on the cannon must be packed with grease every 30,000 rounds, a job that used to take two Marines more than 30 minutes, said Cpl. Christian Smellie, an aviation life-support systems technician who works at Iwakuni's 3D printing lab. Full article: https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/iwakuni-marines-use-3d-printers-to-revolutionize-maintenance-for-fighter-jets-1.566446

By: Valerie Insinna WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has been given assurances by top Pentagon leaders that the F-35 program will not be negatively impacted by a potential U.S. Air Force buy of Boeing's F-15X, Lockheed CEO Marillyn Hewson said Tuesday. “If they choose to have an order of the F-15, it won't be at the expense of F-35 quantities,” she told investors during an earnings call. “I'm hearing that directly from leadership in the Pentagon, and I think that's an important point for me to make. It's not just our suspicion, but I've been told that directly.” The U.S. Air Force is expected to roll out a plan to begin buying new F-15s in its upcoming fiscal 2020 budget release. In December, Bloomberg reported the service intends to purchase 12 new F-15X aircraft in 2020 for $1.2 billion. On Friday, Gen. Dave Goldfein, the Air Force's chief of staff, confirmed to Defense News that the service will procure new F-15s if the budget grows enough to allow it, but that the F-35 program of record would remain the same with no slowdown to the buy rate. “I'm not backing an inch off of the F-35” Goldfein said. “The F-35 buy that we're on continues to remain on track. And I'm not interested in taking a nickel out of it when it comes to buying anything else in the fighter portfolio.” Goldfein added that the Air Force wants to increase fighter procurement to 72 aircraft a year. The Air Force has about 230 F-15 "C" and "D" models currently in service, and the F-15X will replace the portion of the fleet owned by the Air National Guard, according to Bloomberg. The new F-15 model will have new radar and electronic warfare equipment, the ability to carry more weapons, and include other improvements originally designed for Saudi Arabia's and Qatar's F-15s. If the service maintained a rate of one F-15X a month, it would be free to boost its F-35 production rate to 60 aircraft a year — a number that Air Force officials had cited as key for production ramp up. However, the FY19 budget forecast showed that the service would likely be unable to procure the F-35 in those quantities before FY23. “If we had the money, those would be 72 F-35s. But we've gotta look at this from a cost/business case.” Goldfein said. “An F-15 will never be an F-35. Never. But I need capacity.” Hewson's statement indicates that support for the F-35 continues to be strong both within the Air Force and among Pentagon leaders. However, earlier on Tuesday, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan told reporters he wants to see “more performance” from the F-35, although he did not specify particular areas of improvement. “I am biased towards giving the taxpayer their moneys' worth. And the F-35, unequivocally, I can say has a lot of opportunity for more performance,” said Shanahan, a former Boeing executive. When investors asked Hewson to respond to Shanahan's critique, the Lockheed CEO said the company remains on the same page with the Pentagon on the need to reduce the cost per plane. “We're on a path to drive it to an $80 million [unit cost] for the F-35A by full-rate production,” which is projected to begin in Lot 15 with deliveries starting in 2023, Hewson said. “So as long as we stay on our procurement rate plan — which by all accounts we're going to continue to ramp up at the rate that we envisioned — then we're going to continue to drive the price down." Aaron Mehta in Washington contributed to this story. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2019/01/29/lockheed-ceo-boeings-f-15x-wont-disrupt-f-35-program

CAE announced on Jan. 24 that the company has been awarded a contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to develop a comprehensive synthetic training system for the United Kingdom's Protector RG Mk1 remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) program. The Protector will be operated by the Royal Air Force and is the U.K.-specific variant of GA-ASI's certifiable MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPAS, which can meet the most stringent certification requirements of aviation authorities. Under terms of the contract, CAE will design and develop a comprehensive synthetic training system that will include desktop and high-fidelity mission trainers specific to the Protector RPAS. The high-fidelity Protector mission trainers will be based on GA-ASI's certifiable ground control station (CGCS) and will be the first simulators developed for this advanced CGCS. CAE will also provide brief/debrief and scenario generation stations as part of the overall synthetic training system. “We are pleased to continue our global training partnership with GA-ASI to support the U.K. Protector program,” said Gene Colabatistto, CAE's group president, defence and security. “Protector will offer a new level of capability in an unmanned air system and will require well-trained aircrews. We will leverage developments we have made over the past several years creating the highest fidelity training devices for the Predator family of remotely piloted aircraft to produce a world-class synthetic training system for the Protector program.” Initial deliveries of the synthetic training system will be targeted for delivery in 2020 to RAF Waddington, the hub of U.K. Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) that will be the main operating base for the Protector. “MQ-9B SkyGuardian, which Protector is based on, represents the next-generation of remotely piloted aircraft capabilities, including longer endurance and automatic take-off and landing,” said David R. Alexander, president, aircraft systems, GA-ASI. “The Protector synthetic training system will play a key role helping the Royal Air Force develop skilled aircrews, and we are pleased to collaborate with CAE as our training partner on this critical program.” https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/cae-awarded-contract-by-ga-asi-to-develop-synthetic-training-system

Par Stéphane Parent | francais@rcinet.ca Le responsable de l'approvisionnement militaire au ministère de la Défense révèle que le Canada, l'un des neuf pays partenaires du programme de mise au point des F-35, n'a pas planifié de s'en retirer. Il semble qu'Ottawa ira de l'avant avec le versement de dizaines de millions de dollars pour le développement de cet avion de chasse F-35, même si le gouvernement fédéral continue d'étudier la pertinence ou non d'acheter ces appareils pour remplacer près d'une centaine de CF-18 qui ont plus de 40 ans d'usure. Le F-35 figure parmi les quatre modèles qui seront évalués à partir du printemps prochain dans un appel d'offres de 19 milliards, qui résultera dans l'acquisition de 88 nouveaux avions de combat. Le Canada a investi plus de 500 millions dans le programme des F-35 au cours des 20 dernières années, dont 54 millions l'an dernier. Son prochain paiement annuel doit être fait ce printemps, et il y en aura sans doute d'autres, étant donné que l'appel d'offres n'est pas censé se conclure avant 2021 ou 2022. Ce versement annuel permet au Canada de demeurer pendant encore un an membre du club des neuf partenaires dans le projet du futur avion de chasse F-35, dont la mise au point connaît des déboires majeurs. La stratégie de rester dans le camp du F-35 Le Canada demeure donc résolument dans le camp de l'aviation militaire américaine avec l'Australie, le Danemark, l'Italie, la Norvège, les Pays-Bas, le Royaume-Uni et la Turquie. Ces pays pourront soumettre des offres pour les contrats de milliards de dollars liés à la fabrication et à l'entretien des avions de chasse, mais aussi bénéficier de rabais s'ils décident d'en acheter. D'autres modèles de rechange proposés sont de conception européenne – le Gripen de Saab, le Typhoon du consortium Eurofighter et le Rafale de Dassault – et Ottawa privilégie une conception http://www.rcinet.ca/fr/2019/01/24/plus-question-pour-le-canada-de-se-retirer-du-tres-couteux-programme-des-f-35-americains/

Le 26 janvier 2019 – Ottawa (Ontario) – Défense nationale/Forces armées canadiennes Comme l'indique la politique de défense du Canada Protection, Sécurité, Engagement, le gouvernement du Canada fait des investissements en vue de renouveler l'équipement et de prolonger sa durée de vie pour faire en sorte que les hommes et les femmes de l'Aviation royale canadienne (ARC) disposent de l'équipement nécessaire pour remplir les missions principales des Forces armées canadiennes (FAC). À cette fin, au nom du ministre de la Défense nationale Harjit S. Sajjan, M. Andy Fillmore, secrétaire parlementaire du ministre du Patrimoine canadien et du Multiculturalisme, a annoncé aujourd'hui que Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited allait entreprendre des travaux de conception en vue de prolonger la durée de vie utile de la flotte canadienne de 85 hélicoptères CH-146 Griffon jusqu'à au moins 2031. La première phase de cette prolongation de la durée de vie est la phase de définition, au cours de laquelle Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited, le fabricant d'équipement d'origine, élaborera des changements de conception en vue d'améliorer les systèmes d'avionique, les moteurs et les écrans d'habitacle des hélicoptères, et intégrera des systèmes de détection. Ces travaux de définition, d'une valeur pouvant atteindre 90 millions de dollars (taxes comprises), seront réalisés dans le cadre du contrat de soutien existant pour la flotte de CH‑146, qui a été attribué à Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited en 2011. La portée globale du projet de prolongation limitée de la durée de vie du Griffon est évaluée à environ 800 millions de dollars (taxes comprises). Le Griffon, l'hélicoptère utilitaire polyvalent du Canada, est essentiel aux opérations des FAC, tant au pays qu'à l'étranger. Il est utilisé pour remplir de nombreuses fonctions, notamment le transport tactique des troupes, les missions de surveillance, d'escorte et de reconnaissance, l'évacuation des blessés, les secours en cas de catastrophe, l'appui aérien des opérations spéciales et les opérations de recherche et sauvetage. La modernisation de la flotte d'hélicoptères CH-146 lui permettra de continuer de contribuer de manière importante au succès de toute la gamme de missions et d'opérations des FAC. Citations « Dans le cadre de notre politique de défense Protection, Sécurité, Engagement, nous fournissons aux hommes et aux femmes des Forces armées canadiennes l'équipement dont ils ont besoin pour accomplir les t'ches importantes que nous leur confions. Une capacité d'hélicoptères de transport tactiques est absolument essentielle au succès de toutes les opérations militaires. Gr'ce à ces améliorations, nous nous assurons que nos militaires pourront continuer de compter sur cet hélicoptère qui a fait ses preuves pendant les nombreuses années à venir. » Harjit S. Sajjan, ministre de la Défense nationale « Nous veillons à ce que les femmes et hommes qui servent fièrement notre pays au sein des Forces armées canadiennes aient l'équipement dont ils ont besoin pour accomplir leur important travail, tant au Canada qu'à l'étranger. En investissant dans l'entretien de l'équipement militaire, nous créons également de bons emplois pour la classe moyenne et nous assurons la croissance des entreprises canadiennes. » Carla Qualtrough, ministre des Services publics et de l'Approvisionnement et de l'Accessibilité « Je suis fier d'annoncer la modernisation des hélicoptères CH-146 Griffon. Ce projet profite à l'industrie canadienne et à nos hommes et nos femmes en uniforme en contribuant à créer des emplois de qualité tout en garantissant que le personnel de l'ARC dispose de l'équipement nécessaire pour mener à bien les opérations. » Andy Fillmore, secrétaire parlementaire du ministre du Patrimoine canadien et du Multiculturalisme « La prolongation de la durée de vie de la flotte de CH-146 Griffon assurera la longévité de la capacité d'hélicoptères tactiques de l'ARC. Ces hélicoptères se sont avérés extrêmement performants au fil des années, et gr'ce à ces améliorations, ils continueront d'être un atout précieux qui permettra à notre personnel de mener à bien des missions et des opérations à long terme. » Lieutenant‑général A.L. Meinzinger, commandant de l'Aviation royale canadienne Faits en bref Des hélicoptères CH-146 Griffon sont actuellement déployés dans le cadre de l'opération PRESENCE au Mali, servant d'escorte armée aux hélicoptères CH-147 Chinook pendant les opérations d'évacuation médicale et assurant le transport les troupes et des fournitures. Des hélicoptères Griffon sont également déployés dans le cadre de l'opération IMPACT en Irak, servant au transport des soldats canadiens, de l'équipement et des approvisionnements à l'appui de la mission d'instruction des FAC. Les hélicoptères CH-146 Griffon ont assuré un appui‑feu rapproché et le transport tactique pendant la participation des FAC en Afghanistan, ce qui a permis de réduire l'exposition du personnel des FAC aux menaces terrestres, comme les embuscades, les mines terrestres et les dispositifs explosifs de circonstances. L'hélicoptère CH-146 est inspiré de l'hélicoptère Bell 412 accessible sur le marché, et présente des caractéristiques uniques aux Forces armées canadiennes. Les hélicoptères canadiens CH-146 Griffon ont été mis en service de 1995 à 1997. Les hélicoptères Griffon sont exploités par les escadrons tactiques d'hélicoptères et les escadrons d'opérations spéciales d'aviation de l'ensemble du pays. L'hélicoptère CH-146 peut transporter jusqu'à 15 personnes (deux pilotes, un mécanicien de bord et 12 passagers). Il a une masse maximale totale de près de 5 400 kilogrammes, et peut atteindre une vitesse de 260 kilomètres à l'heure. Le projet de Prolongation limitée de la durée de vie du Griffon (PLVG) permettra de prolonger la durée de vie de la flotte jusqu'à 2031 au moins, jusqu'à ce que le projet d'acquisition de la nouvelle génération d'hélicoptères utilitaires polyvalents soit élaboré et mis en œuvre. Une fois la phase de définition achevée, un contrat distinct devrait être attribué de façon à permettre la mise en œuvre en 2022. Liens connexes CH-146 Griffon https://www.canada.ca/fr/ministere-defense-nationale/nouvelles/2019/01/le-gouvernement-du-canada-investit-dans-la-modernisation-de-la-flotte-dhelicopteres-ch146-griffon-de-laviation-royale-canadienne.html

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The North American Aerospace Defence Command says two F-22 and two CF-18 fighter jets identified two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Military authorities say U.S. Air Force and Canadian fighter jets were scrambled to escort two Russian bombers that were travelling near the North American coastline. The North American Aerospace Defence Command says two F-22 and two CF-18 fighter jets identified two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers. The Russian planes were said to be entering an area patrolled by the Royal Canadian Air Force on Saturday morning. There were no reports of conflict between the Russian and the U.S. and Canadian jets. NORAD says it uses radar, satellites and fighter aircraft to patrol the skies and monitor aircraft entering U.S. or Canadian airspace. General Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, the NORAD commander, said in a statement that “NORAD's top priority is defending Canada and the United States. “Our ability to protect our nations starts with successfully detecting, tracking, and positively identifying aircraft of interest approaching U.S. and Canadian airspace,” O'Shaughnessy said. https://montrealgazette.com/news/us-canadian-fighter-planes-scramble-to-escort-russian-jets

Par : Nicolas Gros-Verheyde | EURACTIV France La Slovaquie, la Roumanie, et bientôt la Bulgarie et la Croatie : les avions de chasse américains séduisent toute l'Europe. Pour les armées européennes, voler non américain se fait rare. Seuls six pays n'ont pas équipé leur flotte aérienne de chasse avec du matériel américain. La Suède et la France s'équipent uniquement en national (respectivement le Gripen et le Rafale), et l'Allemagne avec du matériel européen certes (Eurofigther), mais fabriqué sur son sol. Tandis que l'Autriche, la République tchèque et la Hongrie se sont équipées, le premier, en Eurofighter, les deux autres, en Gripen suédois. Un équipement made in US ou panaché Plusieurs pays, notamment dans le sud de l'Europe (Espagne, Grèce, Italie) ont choisi de panacher, prenant un produit européen (Eurofighter ou Mirage) et un produit américain (F-16 ou/et F-35). Un exemple suivi par le Royaume-Uni. Bien que fervente défenseure du lien transatlantique, la Royal Air Force équilibre ses achats entre le made in USA (F-35) et le made in Europa (l'Eurofighter renommé Typhoon outre-Manche). Un pragmatisme qui a un fondement très industriel. Une partie de ces avions sont fabriqués dans les usines britanniques. Les pays d'Europe centrale ou orientale, proches de la Russie sont plus monogames. Sauf les trois exceptions mentionnées (Autriche, Hongrie, Tchéquie), ils s'équipent exclusivement en matériel américain, en général avec des avions F-16 (Lockheed Martin). Il en est de même des pays du nord de l'Europe (Norvège, Danemark, Pays-Bas, Belgique) tous équipés en matériel américain. La tendance ne s'inverse pas Aucun signe ne montre une inversion de tendance. Au contraire ! Les derniers pays qui viennent de s'équiper (Belgique, Roumanie, Slovaquie) l'ont fait avec du matériel américain. Et les Bulgares et Croates s'apprêtent à suivre ce chemin. Tandis que les Grecs qui vont devoir renouveler leur flotte se t'tent pour déterminer leur choix, qui sera largement guidé par le poids économique de l'investissement. Même les Suisses, équipés actuellement de F-18 de chez Boeing,, se demandent s'ils ne vont pas reprendre américain à nouveau. Cette prééminence américaine pose un défi à l'industrie européenne, et à la velléité d'autonomie stratégique et industrielle des « 27 ». L'équipement en avion de chasse est, en effet, un investissement lourd. Le renouvellement n'intervient que tous les 20 ans en cas d'achat d'occasion, et à 40 ans en cas d'achat en neuf. Autant dire que les acquisitions prévues aujourd'hui vont réduire d'autant les capacités de l'industrie européenne jusqu'à 2060 minimum ! D'autant que l'arrivée de l'avion américain de nouvelle génération F-35 dans la flotte de plusieurs États (Belgique, Danemark, Italie, Pays-Bas, Royaume-Uni) risque de « siphonner » durablement les budgets de ces pays. Le futur avion franco-allemand-espagnol prévu pour 2035-2040 risque d'avoir un marché « bouché » et réduit à l'espace de ses pays constructeurs. Cette inconséquence européenne est troublante. Mais plutôt que d'accuser les États-Unis d'interventionnisme industriel, les Européens devraient se regarder dans le miroir. L'industrie aéronautique européenne est aujourd'hui éclatée entre trois constructeurs (Airbus, Dassault, Saab). Ce qui l'empêche d'avoir un modèle unique et donc de faire des économies d'échelle. Elle ne dispose pas d'une offre de « second choix », les fameux F-16 d'occasion, qui permet de s'équiper à moindre coût. Et les pays européens sont incapables de proposer une offre complète, politique, économique, académique et opérationnelle, comme le font les Américains. Offre qui va de l'accueil des stagiaires officiers dans les écoles militaires aux facilités financières pour l'équipement, à la présence militaire, parfois permanente, dans le pays, à titre de réassurance politique. Or, acheter un avion de chasse est une décision éminemment stratégique. Il ne s'agit pas seulement d'acquérir un véhicule aérien avec des capacités. On achète une « assurance-vie » et une protection militaire. Et on assure ainsi à cet allié un « retour » sur l'investissement politique et militaire. On bénéficie d'une culture stratégique et d'un réseau académique puissant. Tant que les Européens ne pourront offrir l'équivalent, l'avion de chasse, made in US, a de beaux jours devant lui. https://www.euractiv.fr/section/commerce-industrie/news/les-europeens-achetent-de-plus-en-plus-davions-de-chasse-americains/

By: Jeff Martin IN THE AIR OVER KENTUCKY — The U.S. Air Force could buy a new version of the F-15, known as the F-15X, as long as there is enough money in future defense budgets, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein told Defense News Saturday. And regardless of whether the service does buy the new jets this year, Goldfein said the new aircraft won't be taking money from the Lockheed Martin F-35. “I'm not backing an inch off of the F-35” Goldfein said. “The F-35 buy that we're on continues to remain on track. And I'm not interested in taking a nickel out of it when it comes to buying anything else in the fighter portfolio.” The FY2020 defense budget has been the focus of speculation for months, and the Pentagon has still not released a final topline figure. Original planning had called for a $733 billion topline, which dwindled down to $700 billion after calls from President Donald Trump to slash federal spending and then ballooned up to $750 billion after the intervention of then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. In December 2018, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told Defense News that “all options are on the table," and on Saturday Goldfein acknowledged that the service had built multiple budgets as different figures were proposed. “We built the [$]730[billion] budget, and we went in and did a drill said what if we only get [$]700[billion] and what do we subtract, and what if there was a [$]750[billion] budget?” he said. Goldfein would not directly confirm that the Air Force has the money in the budget for the new planes. But he hinted strongly that the service would pull the trigger on acquiring them. The F-15X is an improved model from Boeing, teaming a new airframe with an improved radar, cockpit, electronic warfare suite and the ability to carry more missiles, bringing in upgrades that have been developed for the F-15s sold to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Late last year, Bloomberg reported that the Air Force was planning to request $1.2 billion for 12 of the fourth-generation jets in the 2020 budget request. The report said the aircraft would go to the Air National Guard to replace the olders F-15Cs, which date to the 1980s. And that age is why the Air Force is looking at a new variant. The service currently has about 230 F-15C and D model aircraft in service. However, Goldfein acknowledged those aircraft don't have the lifespan to make it to 2030 like other current fourth-generation aircraft, such as the F-15E, the F-16 and A-10. “It [has] performed brilliantly, but the cost growth runs to a point to where you're spending too much money," Goldfein said. The Air Force's decision to buy new F-15s came as a surprise late last year, as Air Force leadership had previously pushed back on the Boeing sales pitch. As recently as September 2018, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said that the Air Force needed to prioritize buying fifth-generation aircraft. "We are currently 80 percent fourth-gen aircraft and 20 percent fifth-generation aircraft,” she said at the time. "In any of the fights that we have been asked to plan for, more fifth-gen aircraft make a huge difference, and we think that getting to 50-50 means not buying new fourth-gen aircraft, it means continuing to increase the fifth generation.” But, Goldfein said Saturday that the decision to possibly refresh the F-15 fleet comes down to the need for more fighters in service, regardless of generation. “They complement each other,” he said. “They each make each other better.” When asked if that meant compromising for quantity over quality, he said that would not be the case. “We've got to refresh the F-15C fleet because I can't afford to not have that capacity to do the job and the missions.” Goldfein explained. “That's what this is all about. If we're refreshing the F-15C fleet, as we're building up the F-35 fleet, this is not about any kind of a trade.” He added that Air Force needs to buy 72 fighters a year to get to the amount they need in the future — and to drive average aircraft age down from 28 years to 15 years. And while Goldfein might want all 72 to be fifth generation F-35s, budgetary concerns likely won't let that happen. “If we had the money, those would be 72 F-35s. But we've gotta look at this from a cost/business case.” he explained. “An F-15 will never be an F-35. Never. But I need capacity.” https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/2019/01/26/if-the-money-is-there-new-and-improved-f-15s-could-be-coming-soon-to-the-air-force