MILITARY TECHNOLOGY

At this year's Paris Air Show, Roketsan, with its state-of-art technologies, is hosting delegations and press from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Morocco, Moritania, and other countries in Hall 2a Stand B272 . Products such as the SOM-J Stand off Missile and TEBER-81 and TEBER-82 Laser Guided Bomb Kits (publicly unveiled at IDEF 2015) attract great attention from visitors throughout the world.

Roketsan with its state-of-the-art missile technologies is attracting attention from delegations throughout the world.

Roketsan expects to conduct the preliminary design review (PDR) of its SOM-J Stand off Missile (a version of the company’s SOM adapted for internal carriage in the F-35, but also available for external carriage by other aircraft) this September, with subsystem design and test activities to commence in November. Roketsan received the first production contract for the original 155mi-range SOM version in mid-2013, having developed the weapon in conjunction with Tubitak-SAGE, and being already in service with the Turkish Air Force’s F-4E-2020 upgraded PHANTOMs and F-16C Block 40 aircraft, while Roketsan has a cooperation agreement with Airbus Defence & Space to study integration with the Eurofighter TYPHOON.

In 2014, the company signed a deal with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control to collaborate on the development and marketing of the SOM-J derivative. Compared with the original SOM, the F-35 weapon has kinked rear fins, an additional set of small rear fins, revised main wings of shorter span, reprofiled nose section and the engine intake moved from underneath the missile body to the side. Many of these changes were driven by the necessity to fit the missile into the F-35’s weapons bay. It sports a combination of guidance systems, including GPS, inertial, terrain reference and imaging infrared seeker. Phases I (feasibility) and IIA (risk reduction) have been completed, and the Phase IIB studies have begun this month, building up to PDR. The first flight tests are due to begin in the second quarter of 2017, initially conducted from the F-16 Block 40. Development and integration with the F-35 are due to be completed in 2018.

The TEBER-81 and TEBER-82 Laser Guided Bomb Kits modifies 250lbs Mk 81 and 500lbs Mk 82 bombs into guided weapons that can be aimed with an accuracy of less than 10ft/3- circular error probable (CEP), and with capability against targets traveling at up to 60mph/90kmh. The TEBER kit adds a body strake section, laser seeker on the nose and a tail guidance kit with inertial navigation and GPS/GNSS receivers.

Also on display is the UMTAS missile that is intended primarily for anti-armour duties, with lock-on before and after launch capabilities over a range of up to five miles. The initial version has a laser seeker (L-UMTAS), but an imaging infrared version is also being developed. The missile can be fired from a variety of air, sea and land platforms but the initial application of L-UMTAS is the Turkish army’s new Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) T-129 ATAK helicopter. Successful firing tests from the T-129 against land targets have been undertaken, followed recently by firings from SH-60 SEAHAWK helicopters against maritime targets. Deliveries to the Turkish Armed Forces are expected to start later this year.

Also forming part of the T-129’s armoury is the CIRIT laser-guided rocket, which has also been selected by the UAE for use on its IOMAX ARCHANGEL border patrol aircraft. Currently in use with the Turkish Army’s Bell AH-1W COBRAs and on Airbus Helicopters' EC635s, CIRIT is a contender for the German Army’s laser rocket requirement to equip the EC665 TIGER attack helicopter. Roketsan has teamed with MBDA Deutschland to bid for this requirement.

On day two of Paris Air Show 2015 it has emerged that Airborne Technologies from Austria has been awarded a contract by Croatia to provide a comprehensive airborne maritime surveillance and border patrol system.

The company's CEO Wolfgang Grumeth announced the deal which will involve a B250 King AIR, which will be delivered by Beechcraft Berlin. Grumeth said: "We presented a customised solution exactly meeting the tasks." He described the company's scalable Airborne LINX solution that will be fitted into the missionised aircraft as, "the merger of all our components into one package." Airborne LINX typically includes a HD EO/IR sensor, Selex maritime surveillance radar, AIS, LOS and BLOS datalinks, a moving map/augmented reality system and tactical radios together with a mission management unit and multifunctional workstations. Optional are SIGINT, stills cameras or a searchlight as Airborne LINX is also available as a solution for rotary wing aircraft.

Pieter Bastiaans

Airborne Technologies Airborne LINX.

"Prosecuting a target behind enemy lines, in caves, or in remote areas," that is what the ground launched Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) is all about. Speaking during day one at PAS15, Debbie Rub, vicepresident and general manager of Boeing's global strike division, made clear that the new system aims to, "address the warfighter's need coupled with the need to address obligations resulting from the Oslo convention on submunitions." Some 12,000 M26 launchers are deployed globally, which need to be made compliant with the treaty.

Boeing and Saab team members make preparations for the first Ground Launched SDB test in Vidsel, Sweden.

Partnering with Saab to pair two proven technologies, the GBU-39B SDB which is normally ejected from an aircraft and the M26 rocket used on the M270 MLRS, Boeing touts the ground launched SDB as a 360° coverage system that has now also demonstrated reverse slope attack capability.

Reverse slope tactics are often used by troops or insurgents that are on the defence in an effort to reduce the attacker's capability to deliver accurate air or ground based fire support. The system will have a load out of six to keep the same footprint as the current M26 launcher. "Reach gets greatly extended to 150 km with great accuracy," according to Rub while the system could be installed on a ship as well. Reaching a ceiling of 20,000ft, "the beauty of SDB has been that it can stay short or longer aloft of the target," she said. Being what she described as, "the weapon of choice against ISIS/ISIL," Rub made clear that Boeing will continue to produce the weapon for the foreseeable future with several thousands being made a year.

Boeing together with Saab have so far conducted three live fire tests with the new system. Although there is no customer yet, Rub said the ground launched SDB capability has attracted, "the interest of multiple nations." When given the green light by one of these potential customers, the ground launched SDB system could be fielded, "in 18 to 25 months."

Speaking on behalf of Saab, Ulf Hellberg who is vice president and deputy head of sales and marketing for the company's missile systems activities said: "It is an integration of two products, not so much a development programme, hence the ability to deliver quickly."

The same business model as with JDAM will be used meaning enhanced sensors will be inserted into the programme incrementally. Asked about how the system compares to ATACMS, Hellberg indicated the ground launched SDB system is cheaper and has more range, however, "it would complement ATACMS filling a slot as there is no such weapon now." While the MLRS is used as an area attack weapon, the 250lbs SDB is a pin-point weapon that has a focused lethality warhead.

However Rub hinted a blast fragment warhead could possibly be installed on SDB to bring back some of the area denial capability if customers would want this.

Pieter Bastiaans

Yesterday, FLIR Systems and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland announced the selection of the Star SAFIRE 380-HDc compact system as the Global Preferred Solution for Electro-Optical Systems on the latest helicopter available from Airbus’ Donauwörth factory: The H135 P3/T3 MEGHAS. This announcement is in addition to the recently announced selection of the full size Star SAFIRE 380-HD as the Global Preferred Supplier solution on the H145 T2.

Tested and proven in the world’s most demanding environmental and operational conditions, the Star SAFIRE 380-HDc provides operators with state-of-the-art airborne observation capabilities, including extreme stand-off range observation and multispectral HD imagery in a compact, single unit configuration. The Star SAFIRE 380-HDc is ideal for rotary platforms performing search and rescue operations, law enforcement, military and border surveillance missions worldwide. The Star SAFIRE 380-HDc delivers high definition image quality, intuitive operation, and precision geolocation unmatched in its class.

“The selection of the Star SAFIRE 380-HDc provides a major technical advancement to the global ALE market. Traditionally, it has been split between large turreted systems and much less capable lightweight systems. Airbus Helicopters has recognized that the Star SAFIRE 380-HDc provides large system capability, but at a little more than half the weight and cost,” said Kevin Tucker, Vice President and General Manager of FLIR Surveillance. “The Star SAFIRE family is recognized as the global leader in full size and compact systems, providing installation and integration commonality between systems, which permits complete interchangeability between the various systems in less than 15 minutes.”

Furthermore, both companies announced a partnership to jointly offer enhanced availability Electro-Optical Systems for the German Police Helicopter market. FLIR Systems is supporting Airbus Helicopters by providing high performance Star SAFIRE 380-HD systems combined with a new service support package exclusive to German Police operators buying new aircraft. The package includes a three year warranty and guaranteed high availability/low turnaround time. Dedicated spare Star SAFIRE 380-HD systems will be based in Germany to ensure that Airbus Helicopters’ German Police customers receive the highest possible levels of support. Baden-Württemberg Police has been appointed the launch customer in Germany and will been followed by Niedersachsen and Nordrhein Westfalen Police forces.

“FLIR is keenly aware of the importance of German Police Aviation as a worldwide leader in the ALE community,” Tucker continued. “We are proud to have developed this significant partnership with Airbus Helicopters and look forward to supplying operators with both the latest in advanced thermal imaging technology and the best service support available.”

This successful venture builds on the Airbus Helicopters’ certification of the Star SAFIRE 380-HD last year on both EC135 and EC145 helicopter types.

W. L. Gore & Associates (Hall 2B F170) is showcasing their new advances in aerospace and avionics technology. These include the GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series and GORE Ethernet Cables.

Airframe cable assemblies are exposed to extreme conditions that can compromise their performance — beginning with the challenges of installation and continuing through the rigorous flight conditions that combine rapid temperature and pressure changes with potential contamination from fuels, oils, and fluids. Maintaining signal integrity in these challenging environments is essential to ensuring the reliability of the sophisticated electronic systems in the aircraft. At the same time, the assemblies must be lightweight and durable to improve fuel efficiency and reduce operating costs. GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series are lightweight cable solutions that deliver the lowest (according to the company) insertion loss before and after installation, ensuring reliable performance for the life of the system. The robust construction of these assemblies reduces total costs by withstanding the challenges of installation, reducing costly production delays, field service frequency, and the need for purchasing replacement assemblies. Also, the 6 Series are lighter weight, which improves fuel efficiency and increases payload.

The 6 Series has been qualified to the most stringent specifications for airframe assemblies. Gore controls the entire manufacturing process from purchasing raw materials and creating and applying the proprietary dielectric material, through testing and shipping the final cable assembly. This unsurpassed vertical integration allows Gore the complete control necessary to achieve tight specifications consistently. This process includes testing 100% of the assemblies for vapor leakage, dielectric withstanding voltage, VSWR, insertion loss, impedance, and velocity of propagation — ensuring that every assembly will deliver the highest-quality performance required for today’s civil and military aircraft.

Engineered for demanding aerospace environments, GORE Aerospace Cables are constructed with uniquely engineered fluoropolymers that deliver high-speed data transmission in a lightweight package. These cables meet the performance requirements of ANSI/NEMA WC 27500 Standard for Aerospace and Industrial Electrical Cable, Type 24. GORE Aerospace Cables maintain high-speed communication on avionics networks. GORE Ethernet Cables are engineered for the increasing data demands of modern airborne digital networks. This CAT-6A cable supports TIA-568 applications up to 10 gigabits and reduces weight and diameter while increasing signal density. GORE Ethernet Cables are available in two standard sizes — 24 AWG and 26 AWG.

GORE® Ethernet Cables can significantly reduce weight while maintaining reliable signal integrity. Jacket weight is reduced by as much as 37% when compared to ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) materials and 50% when compared to fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), according to the company. These lighter-weight materials also result in smaller cable diameters, which ultimately translate to significantly smaller, lighter, and higher-density cable bundles.

At a briefing in May2015, Chris Chadwick, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), and a member of the Executive Council of The Boeing Company, gave an overview of Boeing and Saab's involvement in the T-X programme that has been established to enable the US Air Force (USAF) to acquire a new two-seat jet trainer for fast-jet training to replace the Northrop T-38.

Chadwick informed a group of journalists from the USAF chief’s perspective, whose top three priorities are: F-35, Tanker, and LRS; while T-X is "just" the fourth priority. "We see funding emerge," he said, directing any specifics to the USAF.

"When we looked at the TX opportunity, with a potential opportunity for follow-on sales internationally; what would help the customer most would be a purpose build platform, focused on their requirements, their needs, not someone else’s," Chadwick continued. "So we consciously went into this with Saab to break the price curve and provide the customer with the right capability at the right cost at the right time for the T-X requirement."

According to the CEO, Saab has been a very successful company in a small country in designing, developing, and delivering a top line fighter aircraft: The GRIPEN. "They design in a very efficient manner, with a very similar culture to the BDS culture. So it was a natural, taking the best of two worlds, bringing our capabilities what we have learned across our programmes, our world class capability to produce Phantom Works technology, it has been the ultimate 1+1=4. We still have to compete, we still have to win, but we are at a very strong position."

Chris Chadwick concluded by saying: "The team that wins T-X will be in the driver seat for international sales. An international customer procures US capabilities for two reasons: The capability itself and the realtionship with the US. It would be very difficult to sell capability if you did not win."

Today at Paris Air Show 2015, Thales and Textron AirLand have successfully jointly integrated Thales’ I-MASTER radar on to Textron AirLand’s SCORPION Jet. The addition of the radar into the SCORPION’s mission system compliments the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensor suite which already includes a high end EO/IR capability. For more on the SCORPION jet, please see blog here.

The SCORPION jet, fitted with I-MASTER, can be seen from at the International Paris Air Show, Textron Pavilion A-2, during the show hours from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. (Photo: Pieter Bastiaans)

Having integrated the multi-mode radar into SCORPION within just two weeks, the first flight trials took place in late May. Combined with an EO/IR camera, I-MASTER adds long range, wide area surveillance and target tracking. Both payloads are operated simultaneously by a single operator.

“Thales is very pleased to have worked with Textron Airland to integrate the Thales I-MASTER radar onto the Scorpion jet. As a market leader, we are continuously striving to improve our offerings. This joint exercise shows how flexible the radar is and how easily it can be integrated onto a platform. The combination of I-Master and the SCORPION jet demonstrates a powerful ‘surveillance and strike’ capability.” said Eddie Awang, Thales’s Vice President in charge of Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance business

Textron AirLand’s SCORPION was introduced in 2013 and has completed more than 400 hours of flight testing with an exceptionally high mission availability score. SCORPION is a highly affordable, multi-mission aircraft offering diverse capabilities including ISR, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, advanced training and precision strike. Aircraft features include twin-engine power, two-seat operation, large internal payload capacity, high-definition ISR cameras, wing-mounted weapons stations, and modern avionics within an all-composite structure. With the ability to get to an escalating situation quickly – yet manoeuvring at much lower speeds, Scorpion brings the ability to see and exploit perishable intelligence and strike fleeting targets, bringing tactical advantage to demanding situations.

The Thales I-MASTER radar is a compact, lightweight, all-weather tactical surveillance radar, providing world-leading Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) performance and Maritime Moving Target Indication (MMTI) mode. I-MASTER provides high fidelity imagery for locating and classifying both moving and stationary targets at long stand-off ranges over land and sea. The choice of modes in a single sensor, together with its small form factor and high-performance capability, makes I-MASTER ideally suited for a range of air surveillance missions such as maritime security, border protection, disaster/humanitarian relief and counter narcotics.

SCORPION Jet (Photo: Textron)

Nearly 200 Gulfstream aircraft in 37 countries operate in support of government and military service special missions, including roles as head-of-state transports, airborne early-warning systems, and in support of international atmospheric data that, according to the company, had never been obtainable before a specially modified Gulfstream G550 went into service.

Israeli Air Force Gulfstream G550 SEMA (Special Electronic Missions Aircraft) by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). (All photos via Gulfstream)

Since 1967, Gulfstream has been honored to serve all five branches of the US military and other government agencies. Gulfstream aircraft have been used to train astronauts to fly the space shuttle and US Navy A-6 crews as navigators, and as platforms to help hurricane hunters track storms. Gulfstream aircraft provide on-demand dependability, speed and range, configurations and role flexibility and operation capabilities under extreme conditions. Those performance attributes for decades have made Gulfstream aircraft a great choice for special missions platforms. In the US, Gulfstream aircraft account for the majority of all large-cabin business jets delivered to the government since 1967.

Gulfstream has long maintained a Special Missions Programme Office, staffed with programme managers and project engineers with a unique understanding of and expertise in fulfilling the most demanding requirements, whether from domestic and international governments or defence contractors. Once a customer’s mission parameters are defined, Gulfstream’s programme office coordinates aircraft modifications and the installation of state-of-the-art equipment to meet specified purposes. Gulfstream’s ability to modify airframes to unique special mission specifications is the result of decades of experience - the platform matters.

Since 1967, when the US Navy selected the Gulfstream I as the standard weapon system and navigational trainer for its A-6 crews, Gulfstream aircraft have been recognized as the definitive choice for special missions platforms. Today, more Gulfstream aircraft perform in government and military service than any other large-cabin business jets in the world. Nearly 40 countries operate Gulfstreams, including 27 that use the aircraft to transport their heads of state. Within the US, Gulfstream aircraft account for most of the large-cabin business jets delivered to the government since 1967. The aircraft’s performance and reliability have earned Gulfstream the distinction and privilege of serving all five branches of the US military.

Recent missions include Special Electronics / Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Airborne Early Warning, Open Ocean / Coastal Surveillance and SAR, Medical / Critical Care Evacuation, High Altitude Atmospheric Research, Government Executive Transport / HOS, Priority Personnel and Cargo / Multi-Function, Coastal Watch and Fisheries Patrol, as well as Airways Navigation Qualification, Hurricane Research and Tracking, Tactical / Optical Reconnaissance, High Density Seating / Cargo Door / Convertible, and Utility / Target Tow.

Japan Coast Guard GV.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) ELTA has installed its ELW-2085 third generation of Conformal Airborne Early Warning and Control (CAEW) system on a modified long-range, high-performance and low operating cost Gulfsteam G550 business jet. The integrated sensor suite, together with a powerful communication system, support a variety of missions such as: Long-range Air Surveillance, Airborne C4I for Air and Naval Operations, Airborne Command and Control Post, Network Centric Warfare Operations, and Communication Node.

The Gulfstream G550 large-cabin, ultra long-range (6,750nm) business jet can, according to IAI, fly higher than any commercial jet modified to carry out AEW missions. Advanced, low drag conformal installation enables higher loitering altitude for long-range detection of low altitude targets. The scheduled maintenance of the G550 CAEW aircraft is mostly accomplished in parallel to its operation, thus supporting high operational availability and low operating cost. The CAEW integrates the data of the onboard sensors (Radar, IFF, ESM/ELINT, CSM/COMINT, SPS/RWR) with the theatre situation picture via high capacity multiple datalinks. IAI/ELTA systems have extensive experience in integrating tailor-made CAEW and multi-mission systems on various platforms, adapted to customer requirements.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, today announced that it has implemented the first major phase of its Operational Process Integration (OPI) project. A major company-wide initiative, OPI intends to redesign and improve its operational end-to-end processes extending from engineering to supply chain to manufacturing.

OPI encompasses a range of operations, including programs, contracts, manufacturing, engineering, quality, supply chain, and finance. GA-ASI worked closely to implement this new process with Accenture as the primary systems integrator and SAPService and Support. The company expects to consolidate data more efficiently, increase reporting fidelity, and improve cross-functional processes. For example, OPI integrates the company’s engineering and manufacturing systems so that data can flow reliably and automatically between the two.

“OPI is the single largest process transformation initiative in our company’s history,” said Linden P. Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “OPI supports GA-ASI’s ability to lead internal change, while we continue to provide exceptional service to our customers.”

Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, integrated its Advanced Accenture Enterprise Service with GA-ASI’s system. This integration enables rapid reuse of software, systems, assets, and capabilities for operations such as accounts receivable, manufacturing supply and demand management, logistics, procurement, and sales. GA-ASI worked closely with Accenture and SAP Service and Support in adopting aerospace and defence leading practices to build a scalable solution for the company’s current and future needs. “The digital coming of age is coalescing in the aerospace industry, and this successful program with GA-ASI is a great example of how a major industry player is building the digital platform of the future,” said John Schmidt, managing director for Accenture’s North American Aerospace and Defense group. “At the heart of this major programme is running business operations at lower costs, which is consistent throughout the aerospace industry.”

SAP Service and Support identified the scope, value, and benefits that would align with GA-ASI’s business’ strategic goals. With SAP’s and Accenture’s support, the company deployed the SAP Best Practice for Aerospace & Defense package to help reduce operational costs, provide visibility into its business for quick and effective decision making, and to operate on a platform that supports growth, flexibility, and scalability. GA-ASI’s project includes the SAP Complex Assembly Manufacturing for Defense and Security solution, the SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence (SAP MII) application, and SAP ERP and SAP Supplier Network Collaboration (SAP SNC) solutions. “GA-ASI is a very progressive and highly innovative company,” said Jeff Nuzum, SAP western region vice president. “SAP is proud to be part of an integrated business process platform that will enable GA-ASI to drive efficiencies, automation, and greater scale throughout its organisation.”

GA-ASI’s transition to OPI spanned 36 months from initial planning and scoping to actual delivery and deployment in March 2015 and impacted 7,000 users company-wide. The company implemented OPI because of disparate and labor-intensive systems and processes coupled with a growing demand for service and support of its products.

What would the émigré Igor Sikorsky have made of UTC’s cutthroat capitalist decision to sell his helicopter company based on the fact it was not due to make as much profit as UTC’s avarice motivated senior management required. Why not burn his desk and raffle his possessions too? Such items are still held in place, with reverence, as they were on his last day in the factory where he worked. Not an ostentatious man by company remembrances, his office was located with his engineers and working men towards the back and side of the building - not at the front for all to see.

If ever there was a man to step on Sikorsky’s famed fedora, then take a bow UTC CEO Gregory Hayes. Forget the fact that Sikorsky has been a part of UTC since 1929. Forget also that during the years of plenty Sikorsky has watched government money roll in with successive administrations only too eager (and patriotic) to buy its products.

Now that the sequestration fuelled wind is more chill, and times are harder, loyalty to those who have believed in the company and the billions that it has received from the taxpayer count for nought. It will not make enough profit over a decade or so for the comfort of the UTC board. Not that they see a loss of course, just not enough profit. As for working around the problem, they just don’t seem to have the energy to roll up their sleeves and get to work. And if Textron can design and build a jet - the SCORPION - in under two years, what does that say about how hard the UTC board has really tried to ‘work the problem?’ If Sikorsky had shown a similar lack of commitment, today he would probably only be known as a milliner!

Andrew Drwiega

Igor Sikorsky

In May 2015, MBDA Deutschland deployed a laser effector to acquire, track, and defeat a free-flying mini drone, which was destroyed within seconds of the start of the test.

Carried out at MBDA Deutschland’s testing area in Schrobenhausen, the drone in question manoeuvred in the target area at a range of about 500m with the test proving the laser effector's capability to combat realistic targets with precision, speed and safety.

Commercial mini drones (aka Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - UAV) represent a new type of threat that is nearly impossible to counter with conventional effectors. In 2013, a mini UAV crashed at a distance of only 2m from German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other dignitaries during an election campaign event being held in Dresden, Germany. In France alone, more than 60 overflights by such aircraft over strategically significant locations have been reported since October 2014. Highly precise and scalable laser weapon systems could protect major events and critical infrastructures and close a current capability gap.

At the heart of MBDA Deutschland's technological approach is a multi-stage, highly precise tracking procedure and laser effector that bundles numerous laser sources into a single laser beam using the principle of geometric coupling. These processes make it possible to combat small, highly agile targets reliably with a single laser effector.

MBDA Deutschland has proven the functionality of its laser effectors in a range of tests. As far back as 2012, MBDA Deutschland demonstrated the full operational sequence, from target acquisition to target engagement, at distances of up to 2.5km against a dummy mortar.

In its system studies, MBDA Deutschland is examining laser-armament options for waterborne platforms and ground-based mobile laser effector concepts with high power sources, 360° coverage and open system architecture for close and intermediate-range protection against micro UAVs and RAM (rocket and mortar) targets.

MBDA Deutschland's Laser Effector

Sky-Watch Labs has signed a contract with Sikorsky Aircraft to develop an advanced algorithm for real-time wire detection, which will help helicopter pilots operate safer in obstacle-rich environments. The development contract highlights the unique value that Sky-Watch Labs - the advanced technology development department of Danish UAV manufacturer Sky-Watch, offers the global defence- and aerospace industry.

The Royal Danish Air Force will receive nine Sikorsky MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters beginning in 2016.

Under the contract Sky-Watch Labs have undertaken development of a laser-based obstacle avoidance algorithm, aimed at helping helicopter pilots operating safer in obstacle-rich environments with buildings, trees, people, and power cables. Threats, that all pose a real and constant safety risk to pilots and crew in helicopters operating at low altitudes. “With this contract Sky-Watch Labs have proven that we can provide a unique development environment to the global defence- and aerospace industry," said Michael Messerschmidt, Chief Business Development Officer of Sky-Watch. "Our exceptionally skilled and creative development team, coupled with our extensive knowledge within sensor fusion technology and the fact that it’s significantly easier and less expensive to test new sensors on unmanned platforms, provides a very attractive value proposition.”

The cooperation was established on the basis of Industrial Cooperation, following Denmark’s selection of the MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters. The Royal Danish Air Force will receive nine helicopters beginning in 2016. With this contract Sky-Watch is associated with a consortium consisting of some of the world’s largest companies within the international defence- and aerospace industry including Sikorsky Aircraft, CAE, and Lockheed Martin that are all members of Team Seahawk. The contract for the development of the Laser Obstacle Avoidance System is an important landmark for the newly established Sky-Watch Labs. “The agile nature of a smaller companies like Sky-Watch in conjunction with the vast knowledge base of companies like Sikorsky is exactly what is needed to push the boundaries of today’s technology and drive development in the Danish defence- and aerospace industry. The contract between Sky-Watch Labs and Sikorsky Aircraft proves that we together can create solutions for real problems,” Messerschmidt added.

Sky-Watch Labs are also currently undertaking the development of the MUNINN VX1 UAV in cooperation with the Danish Technical University and partly funded by a government grant through the Innovation Fund. The MUNINN VX1 is a design which incorporates the ability to take-off and land vertically in small or constrained spaces, combined with the ability to cruise horizontally at high speed to cover larger geographical areas and quickly reach objects or points of interest.

Sky-Watch Labs' MUNINN VX1 UAV is a design which incorporates the ability to take-off and land vertically in small or constrained spaces, combined with the ability to cruise horizontally at high speed to cover larger geographical areas and quickly reach objects or points of interest.

Elektrobit (EB), a Finnish company providing cutting-edge technology and connectivity solutions, and CS, a designer, integrator and operator of critical systems, are presenting a joint demonstration of a tactical communication and control (C2) solution at the show. This new cooperation is an expansion of the partnership of these two companies. Earlier this year, in the Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona, Spain, both companies demonstrated integration of CS Monolith, a high bitrate data and voice encryption solution with the EB Tough Mobile smartphone.

The demonstration here builds on CS's STARLINX Tactical Data Link (TDL) system and EB Tactical Wireless IP Network (TAC WIN). EB TAC WIN enables fast, automated forming of wireless broadband IP network on the field, compatible with existing wireline and wireless infrastructure. STARLINX, a CS Group product, is an operational multi-link system providing instant standalone TDL capability on any type of platform and any type of data link (L11, L11b, L16, JREAP, L22) used by navy and air forces. Other products featured in this demonstration include EB Tough VoIP terminals and EB Tough Mobile smartphone.

CS and EB products together enable a complete solution for C2 (Communication and Control), which can be tailored to the specific needs of navy, air and land forces. At the Paris Air Show, CS and EB demonstrate this by establishing a surveillance and defense bubble at the exhibition site. Two case examples can be observed:

A slow aircraft, coming from the Seine Bay is heading to the Paris Air Show site without authorization or radio contact. The system will detect and identify an "unknown" aircraft, and send "investigate" order to the Rafale fighter, including itinerary for constraint and exhibition area avoidance.
A suspicious vehicle, reported by the French intelligence service, is driving on the A1 highway (south) and should be closely monitored during its passage near Paris Region. Drone research is conducted by demand of the French internal security police.

"This year's Paris Air Show represents a new milestone in our cooperation with CS. We are very pleased to work with CS in demonstrating a comprehensive and efficient C2 solution for defense customers," said Jari Sankala, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, EB's Wireless Business Segment.

"We are excited about that new opportunity to work with EB, a reliable CS partner. This global solution for tactical communications that includes IP infrastructures as well as tactical data links will expand our portfolio of C2 solutions. Rapidly deployable and ideally fitted for implementing protection zones this solution will be an asset for helping to secure events or special forces interventions," said CS Chairman Yazid Sabeg.

The demonstration is shown every day at the Paris Air Show on CS's booth located in Statique A6.

There are times when it is a genuine pleasure to report good news. Talking to Kaman director of business development, Terry Fogarty at Paris Air Show, was once such occasion. The last time we had met was only in Februaury this year at HAI Heli-Expo in Orlando when he was trying to obtain sufficient deposits necessary to reopen the K-MAX helicopter production line.

USMC K-MAX in Afghanistan.

On Tuesday, he confirmed that his company had been able to make the decision to reopen the K-MAX production line later this year (the company had wisely saved their machine tools after building only 38 aircraft, the last of which was in 2003). The fuselages will be made in Jacksonville, Florida, with final assembly being completed at the company’s Bloomfield Connecticut site.

“The first delivery of a new K-Max will be in January 2017,” said Fogerty. Although he could not be specific on when metal would start being pressed he said that the tooling and vendors were in place.

“We made the announcement during the company’s 70th birthday celebrations in early June,” said Fogerty, adding that the reaction of the workforce was almost one of those ‘yup, we did it’ moments.

Over the years, Kaman has had to turn away a steady stream of potential customers who wanted a K-MAX. “It will be the same aircraft as before, but with obvious software and mechanical upgrades due to certain original parts not being available today. Once we get into production, we will start to think of additional modifications to what may be a Lot 2 aircraft.”

The US Marine Corps (USMC) , who successfully extended their trial of an unmanned K-MAX in Afghanistan for several years, can now look at the Lockheed Martin/Kaman Aerospace partnership in the knowledge that a brand new K-MAX fleet can be produced if they continue down the unmanned resupply route that they conclusely proved in Afghanistan.

Fogerty said that software changes to the UAS aircraft will be demonstrated at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York state. Last year the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration confirmed Griffiss as an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test site.

Fogerty said that one of the improvements included increasing waypoint accuracy for missions including water dropping for fire-fighting missions. In Idaho, later in the month, the K-Max UAS will demonstrate its fire fighting capability by water bombing a hill side.

Andrew Drwiega

Cobham has been awarded a three year contract valued at approximately £2 million with the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation (NDLO) to provide maintenance support for the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s fleet of Dassault FALCON 20-5 aircraft. The work will be performed at Cobham’s Bournemouth facility.

This contract builds on Cobham Aviation Services’ 25 year experience maintaining, modifying and operating a fleet of Dassault FALCON 20 business jets which are used to perform operational readiness training with armed forces in the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and NATO.

“We’re pleased to provide the Royal Norwegian Air Force with our knowledge and experience maintaining Dassault FALCON 20-5 business jets and we look forward to building a highly effective relationship with the NDLO,” said Cobham’s Vice President and General Manager Special Mission, Darren Moncrieff.

Following the successful conclusion of the Super PUMA helicopter programme last year, RUAG Aviation is currently pressing ahead with the COUGAR prototype upgrade. Although RUAG can build on much of the experience gained from the Super PUMA project, the COUGAR, a newer generation helicopter, presents a number of its own challenges. RUAG's main task in this latest project is to unify the two different fleets by installing the same cockpit architecture.

Modernising a Super PUMA cockpit.

The contract for the COUGAR prototype upgrade was awarded to RUAG and signed in December 2014. Engineering work on the helicopter is currently ongoing, involving the replacement of hundreds of kilograms of cabling and tens of thousands of point-to-point connections. Thanks to the similarities between the Super PUMA and COUGAR upgrade programmes, RUAG Aviation has been able to accelerate its decision cycles, avoid delays when drawing up specifications, and even use a number of the same certifications. As part of the project, RUAG is also upgrading the COUGAR's integrated self-protection system (ISSYS) and mounting a new flare dispenser.

As a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider, RUAG Aviation offers solutions that are tailored to customers' requirements. In this role, RUAG monitors the status of the fleet and understands the individual weaknesses and capabilities of each aircraft. RUAG is also committed to ensuring close collaboration with its customers.

Other projects relating to RUAG's core competencies include providing a cockpit upgrade for all of the Pilatus-6 fleet operated by the Swiss Air Force. The focus here is on integrating an autopilot for the aircraft and updating the largely analogue cockpit, thereby expanding the aircraft's mission capability. Another involves providing MRO and upgrade services for the F/A-18 fleet of the Swiss Air Force, focusing on inspecting and repairing structures and extending the service life of the platforms.

By opting for RUAG Aviation, customers can benefit from the company's longstanding expertise in both military and civil aviation. RUAG also offers the unique advantage of combining its own wind tunnel facility in Emmen, where the company develops its own models and conducts aerodynamic tests, with general life cycle support.

RUAG Aviation is a certified Part 21J EASA Design Organisation, Part 21G EASA Production
Organisation and Part 145 EASA Maintenance Organisation.

RUAG Aviation, an international leading supplier, support provider and integrator of aircraft systems and components, has signed a teaming agreement with Chilean aerospace firm Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica de Chile (ENAER), marking a significant milestone in its international growth strategy.

The two companies share many business and operational areas, such as aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), upgrades and life-cycle support. This teaming agreement is the culmination of many years of collaboration between RUAG and ENAER and will allow both firms to share their capabilities and broaden their customer base.

RUAG Aviation has a strong international presence that spans four continents, while ENAER, one of the regional market leaders in manufacturing technology and aviation maintenance, is focused mainly on the Chilean and Latin American markets. The teaming agreement therefore creates clear scope for a mutually beneficial and complementary partnership. RUAG benefits from ENAER’s close ties with the local market in order to strengthen its existing business in the region, and ENAER gains access to RUAG’s extensive network and international reach. This strategic alliance, which comes into effect on 19 May 2015, marks the next step in RUAG’s strategy to further expand its position in the South American market. The agreement mainly covers MRO and MRO-related services, an area of strength for both companies, for civil and military aviation customers, particularly the Chilean Air Force. The focus is on identifying, developing and leveraging synergies and on creating a long-term and sustainable partnership. Customers also stand to benefit from an enhanced service portfolio.

RUAG was awarded a multi-million dollar defence contract for Multi Aircraft Hydraulic and Undercarriage Systems Support (MAHUSS) to RUAG Australia. The 4-year, multi-million dollar performance based contract, will deliver innovative maintenance solutions to ensure availability and reliability of hydraulic and flight control systems for the Classic HORNET (F/A-18A/B) and the AP-3C ORION fleets of the Australian Defence Force. The performance based contract includes also MRO services for the S-70B SEAHAWK and the CH-47 CHINOOK fleets.

Most of the work will be carried out at recently rebranded RUAG Australia’s facilities in Victoria and Queensland (formerly Rosebank Engineering Australia). Initiatives within the contract will see RUAG Australia increase its on-site presence at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW, further reducing sustainment cost and increasing aircraft availability.

The award of this contract strengthens RUAG Australia’s positioning as the ‘Partner of Choice’ for Defence and industry customers for aircraft component and subsystems manufacture and support. “We are proud to have been awarded the MAHUSS contract. It reinforces our view of the
importance of the Australian market for RUAG,” said Philipp Berner, CEO Division RUAG
Aviation.

RUAG Aviation is a leading supplier, support provider and integrator of aircraft systems and
components for civil and military customers. The company is the principal life cycle support partner
for the Swiss Air Force and supports many Air Forces around the globe. RUAG Aviation is also the
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Dornier 228 aircraft. RUAG Aviation is a certified
Part 21J EASA Design Organisation, Part 21G EASA Production Organisation and Part 145 EASA
Maintenance Organisation.

RUAG Aviation has taken the first steps towards bringing serial production of the Dornier 228 online. The move, which was announced against the backdrop of the International Paris Air Show, sends a clear signal to the market that RUAG is strongly committed to its Dornier 228 programme and expects steady growth in this segment.

Do228 (Photos: RUAG)

RUAG will produce four aircraft per year from mid-2016, with this number set to increase in line with demand. Assembly of the fuselage has already begun, and the wing panels are currently in the forming process. The final assembly line has also been set up in Munich-Oberpfaffenhofen as part of the ongoing preparations to get the facility ready for the start of serial production. Last year, RUAG Aviation signed a partnership agreement with Tata Advanced Systems, a world leader in air frame manufacturing, as part of a far-reaching realignment of its supply chain.

Production of the aircraft involves a number of global suppliers, including Tata in India. Nonetheless, everything is controlled by RUAG personnel on site in Germany where assembly, final checks, and test flights are carried out. "The Dornier 228 is experiencing significant growth in demand for special missions, including maritime policing and border control,"Volker Wallrodt, Senior Vice President
Business Jets, Do228 & Components explained. "In its special mission configuration, the twin turboprop offers numerous advantages for RUAG's global customer base, with on-station time of up to eight hours, high performance, and easy installation of equipment. The aircraft is also popular for connecting remote regions in countries such as Venezuela where, as a commuter aircraft, the Dornier 228 has proven its STOL and hot & high capabilities as well as its ability to operate on unprepared runways. The aircraft can also be re-configured from passenger to cargo-transportation layout with minimum effort. Besides that, it offers outstanding low operations costs."

Interest in the Dornier is set to take off in the key regions of Asia and Africa where the trend among operators is for smaller 19-seater aircraft such as the Dornier. In response to this growth, RUAG is focusing on ensuring a sustainable and reliable serial production line. As an original equipment manufacturer and specialist in maintenance, repair and overhaul services, RUAG Aviation offers its customers fully customised aircraft based on their needs, as well as life cycle support, service life extension and system integration.

Do228 over Venezuela connecting remote areas.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) this month received and began training exercises with AeroVironment's RQ-12 WASP AE small unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The ADF placed an AU$7.7 million order on 22 December 2014 as part of an Army Soldier Modernization Trial procurement. AeroVironment received the order from XTEK Limited on behalf of the ADF.

The WASP AE weighs 2.8lbs, operates for up to 50 minutes at a range of up to 5km and delivers live, streaming color and infrared video from its pan-tilt-zoom MANTIS i22 AE gimbaled payload. Launched by hand and capable of landing on the ground or in fresh or salt water, the WASP AE provides portability and flexibility for infantry, littoral or maritime reconnaissance operations.

"The man packable WASP AE unmanned aircraft system delivers powerful intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance on demand and directly to small tactical units or an individual warfighter," commented Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of the company's Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. "Increasingly, allied forces around the world are deploying our small UAS for valuable, real-time situational awareness to help them operate more safely and effectively."

AeroVironment has delivered more than 25,000 new and replacement small UAVs to customers within the US and to more than 30 international governments.

Australian Defence Force Commences Training with AeroVironment’s RQ-12 WASP AE sUAS.

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Paris Air Show 2015: FLIR Systems and Airbus Helicopters Deutschland Combine Forces

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Paris Air Show 2015: Thales Integrates I-MASTER Radar on Textron AirLand SCORPION Jet

Paris Air Show 2015: Gulfstream Details Special Missions Platforms

Paris Air Show 2015: GA-ASI Teams With Accenture and SAP to Redesign, Improve Operational Processes

UTC Selling the Dream - Literally

MBDA Deutschland Deploys Laser Against Mini UAV

Sky-Watch Partners with Sikorsky to Increase Safety for Helicopter Pilots

Paris Air Show2015: Elektrobit (EB) and CS Present a Joint Tactical C2 Solutions Demo

USMC Take Note: K-MAX Flies Again

Paris Air Show 2015: Cobham wins Maintenance Contract to Support Royal Norwegian Air Force

RUAG Gets Underway with Military Upgrade Programmes

RUAG Signs Teaming Agreement with ENAER

RUAG Signs MAHUSS Contract with Australian DMO

Paris Air Show 2015: RUAG Aviation to Start Serial Production of the Do228

ADF Received and Began Training with AeroVironment's RQ-12 WASP AE SUAS