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Singapore Airshow 2016: CONTROP Ships 2,000th STAMP Miniature EO/IR Payload

February 16, 2016, 9:00 pm
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CONTROP Precision Technologies, a world leader in EO/IR defence and homeland security solutions, has recently shipped its 2,000th STAMP Dual Sensor Day/Night Stabilised Payload. Ideal for small UAS (Unmanned Aerial System), VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) systems, and aircraft, STAMP is operational in dozens of locations around the world.

CONTROP M-STAMP with Bluebird SpyLite (Photos: CONTROP)

"We are excited to celebrate the shipping of the 2000th STAMP system to an extremely satisfied customer," Johnny Carni, VP Marketing, CONTROP, explained. "Throughout the years, the STAMP family has gone through modifications and enhancement procedures that have kept it in its position as a market leader. Technology-wise, this is the only small camera payload in the world to incorporate 3 gimbals, which allows for an unprecedented stabilized picture when looking both horizontally and vertically.  This high level of stabilisation is critical, particularly when using an uncooled thermal camera with a zoom lens, in order to provide the user with a clear and detailed image. With the STAMP, we have basically taken the most high-end technology in Electro-Optics and miniaturised it to fit even the smallest of platforms."

STAMP is a family of gyro-stabilised payloads especially designed for day and night tactical over-the-hill reconnaissance missions. Lightweight yet ruggedised, STAMP provides precise geolocation and can withstand high-shock landings. With low power consumption, STAMP incorporates only one LRU and provides the most cost-effective solution of its type.

CONTROP MICRO-STAMP

"CONTROP's STAMP line of EO/IR systems is in daily operational use in dozens of different locations and applications worldwide, and receives high praises from its users," Carni went on to say. "We have plans to expand the line with new systems to fill up operational gaps and will hopefully be announcing a new STAMP system during 2016."

The STAMP Family includes the super lightweight newcomer- MICRO-STAMP – a 300g gyro-stabilised payload that provides a dual(2) FOV Uncooled IR camera and a Day Camera with a Continuous Zoom Lens; the M-STAMP, a 1.3kg gyro-stabilised Multi Sensor Payload with an Uncooled IR Camera with a Continuous Optical Zoom Lens, a Day Camera  and a Laser Pointer; and the T-STAMP, a triple sensor gyro-stabilized EO/IR payload which includes a Cooled IR Camera with a Continuous Zoom Lens up to three degrees in the NFOV, a Day Camera and an optional Laser Pointer all in a compact and versatile 3.3kg payload.  

CONTROP T-STAMP installed on UAV

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Singapore Airshow 2016: TheMIS ADDER Weaponised UGV Makes Debut

February 16, 2016, 9:00 pm
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On of the world’s first modular hybrid unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), the Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) made its appearance at the show. Co-developed by ST Kinetics and Estonian defence solutions provider Milrem, the TheMIS ADDER (a variant where the THeMIS UGV integrates the ADDER Remote Weapon Station -RWS) is a weaponised UGV equipped with a remote weapon station.

The THeMIS UGV is a multi-purpose smart ground system that allows different superstructures to be integrated onto the middle vehicular platform for complex and hazardous missions. Its versatility not only increases efficiency but also significantly reduces operational costs and risks.

Lightweight and stabilised for accuracy, ST Kinetics' ADDER range of RWS can be mounted on tracked or wheeled armoured fighting or logistics vehicles, as well as UGVs. Remotely operated below deck or from a control console, the ADDER provides protection for the operator as it is operated below deck. The ADDER range includes variants mounted with various weapon combinations to meet different user needs.
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Singapore Airshow 2016: Finmeccanica’s Technology excellence

February 16, 2016, 9:00 pm
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Finmeccanica is participating at Singapore Airshow with its newly integrated “One Company” organisation (see below), and exhibits .its latest technologies and products in the helicopter, aeronautics, and security fields for the Singapore and South-East Asian market.

Expected to draw particular interest this year is ‘Project Zero,’ Finmeccanica’s futuristic unmanned green-technology aircraft ((bringing together electric propulsion, the vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] capabilities of a helicopter and the in-flight speed and altitude performance of an aeroplane), which makes its Asian debut at the show. Project Zero integrates future technologies in the fields of aeronautics and electronics and features electric propulsion with a low environmental impact. This year also marks the return of the C-27J, Finmeccanica Aircraft Division’s tactical transport, which has been absent since the 2012 show. This year the C-27J is carrying Royal Australian Air Force livery.

As a single entity from January 2016, organised into business Divisions (Helicopters; Aircraft; Aero-structures; Airborne & Space Systems; Land & Naval Defence Electronics; Defence Systems; Security & Information Systems), Finmeccanica operates in the most competitive international markets by leveraging its areas of technology and product leadership. Following the process of the reorganisation of the Finmeccanica Group’s companies, it should be noted that from 1 January 2016: The Helicopter Division has absorbed the activities of AgustaWestland;
The Aircraft Division and the Aero-structures Division have both absorbed parts of the activities of Alenia Aermacchi;
The Airborne & Space Systems Division, the Land & Naval Defence Electronics Division, and the Security & Information Systems Division have all absorbed parts of the activities of Selex ES; and
The Defence Systems Division has absorbed the activities of OTO Melara and WASS.

Singapore’s Air Force is the first export customer for Finmeccanica’s M-346 trainer aircraft. The M-346 is one of the most advanced training aircraft available for pilots who are preparing for future duty with current-generation defence aircraft. Thanks to the M-346’s flight performance and quality and its innovative technical characteristics, the aircraft provides a high level of safety combined with low acquisition and operation costs. The M-346 has been ordered by the air forces of Italy, Singapore, Israel, and Poland.
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Singapore Airshow 2016: Indonesian Air Force Light Aircraft Upgrades via Finmeccanica

February 16, 2016, 9:26 pm
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Finmeccanica,  through its  Airborne and Space Systems  Division,  has signed  with Singapore-based  prime  contractor  Aptronics  PTE  Ltd  to  provide  its  SEER  radar  warning receiver  for  the  Indonesian  Air  Force. 

SEER  is  a  self-protection  system  which  detects  and  identifies potential radar threats and alerts the pilot.  SEER  will  be  installed  on  a  number  of  Mk.209  Hawk  light  multirole  fighter  aircraft  used  by  the Indonesian  Air  Force,  providing  improved  security  protection  for  pilots. 

The  contract  covers  an  initial batch of aircraft for current operations with an option to provide further systems in future. This result  follows  another  recent  success  for  the technology  with the selection of  the  SG200-D  radar warning receiver,  a UK-specific  variant  from  the  SEER  family  of  products,  to provide  an ongoing radar warning  capability  for  the  RAF’s  fleet  of  Puma  and  Chinook  helicopters.  The  SEER  was  also  widely praised  after  it  was  trialled at  the recent  NATO  tactical  leadership programme.  Integrated onto two Czech Air  Force  L-159 Advanced Light  Combat  Aircraft  in  under  three  hours,  the system  identified  air, land and sea-based threats  at  significant  ranges  with a high degree  of  accuracy,  operating with 100% reliability during the exercise. 

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Singapore Airshow 2016: Milrem & STK Show Armed UGV

February 17, 2016, 12:00 am
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Estonian company Milrem has partnered with Singaporean defence company ST Kinetics, part of the ST Engineering Group, to adapt its unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) THeMIS (Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System) into an armed platform.

The Milrem THeMIS at Singapore Airshow 2016, with ST Kinetics' ADDER Remote Weapon Station.

Developed began 15 months and the first vehicle has already been in trials with the Estonian army as an unmanned ‘mule’ in support of troops. it is powered by a diesel generator in one of the track housing sections, and a Li-Ion battery pack with grapheme ultra capacitors inside the other track. This allows eight hour endurance from the generator and five from the battery. It can travel at up to 35km hour, although its current raison d’être is to keep pace with the infantry as a heavy equipment carrier.
Kuldar Väärsi, Milrem’s chief executive said that the working agreement with ST Kinetics allowed the company to begin the expansion of the UGS as a multi mission platform, beginning with an armed version. Initially two types of weapon are being tested: the Adder RWS L40/762 (grenade launcher and co-axial machine gun) and the L50 (.50 calibre gun).

Other potential mission roles it could fulfil would be as an articulated platform, mini UAV launcher, anti-tank/multi-weapon system, communications relay and articulated carrier among others. Väärsi also suggested that it may have a swarming role.

Although current control remains through line-of-sight, developments are moving towards autonomous and follow-the-operator control regimes.

Testing in Singapore with weapons systems onboard have been aimed at proving stability, particularly on sloping terrain.

There will be live shooting tests in Estonia later this year in cooperation with ST Kinetics and production could begin by the end of the year. Two additional units are being made with modifications made through lessons learned and with the objective of making the unit lighter but maintain stability with a secondary load.

Although the Estonian army is happy to test the THeMIS they will not be the first customer as it is not compatible with their current doctrine. Väärsi hopes that its cooperation with ST Kinetics will open potential market opportunities in Asia. Väärsi suggested that a basic unit may cost around €150,000 (unarmed).
Andrew Drwiega
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Singapore Airshow 2016: IFF for GRIPEN

February 17, 2016, 12:12 am
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Finmeccanica,  through  its  Airborne and Space  Systems  division,  has signed  contracts  to  provide Identification,  Friend or  Foe  (IFF)  systems  for  the  Gripen  Next  Generation (Gripen NG) aircraft earmarked for the Air Forces of Sweden and Brazil.  The IFF  systems  will  be  used by  Gripen pilots  to identify  other  aircraft  or  vehicles  as  friendly  (or potentially  unfriendly)  and  to determine  their  bearing  and  range  from  the  aircraft.  Independent  from  the Gripen  NG’s  radar  and other  sensors,  the IFF  system  can look  in a different  direction,  allowing the pilot to use the radar  to  queue-up targets  for  subsequent  identification.  Of  particular  note,  the  IFF  system’s separate antennas give it a wide, more-than 180 degree field of regard, providing operational benefits.

Each  complete  IFF  system  consists  of  a transponder  and  an interrogator.  Also included is  a  crypto customised  in  accordance  with  customer  requirements.  The  transponder,  which  is  the  company’s  Mode 5 M428  model,  is  the same  being offered to the  UK  MoD  to address  NATO's  requirement  for  a new standard of  IFF  across  all  platforms. In addition to the IFF  system,  Finmeccanica  provides  the  Gripen  NG’s  two  other  main  sensors,  the Raven  ES05  AESA  (E-Scan)  radar  and  the  Skyward-G  IRST  (Infrared  Search  &  Track)  passive  sensor. The  contracting arrangements  for  the IFF  systems  will  see  Finmeccanica  provide support  packages  that sustain the IFF in an integrated fashion with these other two sensors.

In  addition  to  the  IFF,  radar  and  IRST,  which  are  under  contract,  Finmeccanica’s  new  BriteCloud Expendable  Active  Decoy  (EAD)  has  been chosen by  Saab  as  an electronic  warfare  option  for  the Gripen  NG. 

Trials  on a Gripen aircraft  in  April  2015  confirmed the safe  and  effective release of  the  BriteCloud EAD and its compatibility with the Gripen’s electronic warfare countermeasures.

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Singapore Airshow 2016: ST Engineering Showcasing Excellence

February 17, 2016, 1:03 am
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ST Engineering, Singapore’s leading defence and engineering group, is showcasing its technology know-how, proven solutions and battle-tested products. Taking centrestage as the largest participant at the event, ST Engineering will be exhibiting more than 100 products, services and solutions - new and proven – organised into three clusters at its 2,000sqm space: Aviation, Smart Combat and Smart City.


ST Engineering’s businesses - carried out through its subsidiaries ST Aerospace, ST Electronics, STKinetics, and ST Marine - have established themselves as global players with world-class standards in their offerings through continuous application of new technologies as well as innovative ideas and engineering.  These businesses now compete in the global arena, as a credible player with innovative and value adding solutions. For example:

  • ST Aerospace is one of the world’s largest providers of airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul services (MRO);
  • ST Electronics designed and developed TeLEOS-1, the 400kg satellite that is orbiting 550km above Earth in a Near Equatorial Obit;
  • ST Kinetics designed and produced the Warthog, battle-tested in Afghanistan, and more recently, the Terrex 2 wheeled armoured vehicle that is one of two vehicles shortlisted for evaluation by the US Marine Corps; and
  • ST Marine designed and built four Patrol Vessels for the Royal Navy of Oman.


“ST Engineering’s smart solutions, for air, land and sea, are designed to help our customers, both commercial and defence, stay ahead and achieve the optimal advantage in everything they do,”  Patrick Choy, Executive Vice President for International Marketing at ST Engineering, said.  “This year, we are highlighting how far we have evolved over more than forty years – from being an individual product producer to one with the ability to create sophisticated solutions including systems-of-systems solutions, with an increasing degree of automation.”

The cross-feeding of engineering capabilities and technologies across the ST Engineering’s aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine businesses, underscores the entire Group’s  capability to  address megatrends impacting global aerospace, defence and security world as well as the rapid transformation of cities such as Singapore over the next decade.

The Aviation Cluster: ST Aerospace presents its range of solutions and aftermarket services for commercial airlines, airfreight and military operators.  In the commercial aviation segment, it is showcasing its nose-to-tail solutions covering airframe, engine and component MRO, as well as cabin interior retrofit and modification.  Among its displays are seat solutions, passenger-to-freighter conversion offerings and pilot training programmes.  An in-development virtual pilot training aid is also on show for customers who are looking to enhance their aircraft procedural training. A modernised digital glass C130 cockpit serves as an example of ST Aerospace’s C130 upgrade technologies, among its suite of military MRO and engineering capabilities across various airframe, component and engines platforms.  Its aerospace engineering and technological expertise is also demonstrated by a range of advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for commercial and military missions, including a proof of concept of an Unmanned Hybrid Vehicle that can be rapidly deployed for underwater missions.


The Smart Combat Cluster: The Smart Combat cluster demonstrates ST Engineering’s application of cutting edge technology across its businesses to offer possibilities to shape future fighting capability, and help modernise armed forces. It showcases capabilities and technology in improving soldiers’ fighting ability, while achieving systems-of-systems solutions for fighting platforms.  The Group has gone further, connecting soldiers within systems to bring about a network-centric force to provide overmatched advantage for the fighting force in the field even with higher echelon combat power.  With solutions in the areas of manned/unmanned interface, network connectivity, battlefield management systems and weapon systems, ST Engineering is able to fulfill the increasing demand of armed forces for integrated defence solutions that do more with less to manage soldier's loads, while enhancing their soldier effectiveness to influence a larger area of the battlefield.






The Smart City Cluster: As Governments everywhere, including Singapore, embark on smarter planning of their cities, ST Engineering has been stepping up its development of infocomm technologies to enhance communications, mobility, public safety and security – solutions that will result in improved public services and quality of life.  The Group’s Smart City products and services at the show include large-scale sensor grids that monitor and controls infrastructure assets like streetlights, safety and security solutions, satellite communications and wireless network solutions to enhance connectivity, as well as smart healthcare solutions that manage real-time data to provide greater insights and improved decision-making for healthcare operators.

Outside of the three clusters, the Group has put up a special zone to demonstrate how its UAV and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) could be deployed to perform situational assessment, collaboratively and effectively.  In a scenario depicting a disaster aftermath, these unmanned vehicles, equipped with payloads such as sensors, cameras and network communications systems show how they could conduct a rescue mission to pinpoint survivors rapidly.  The capability of the unmanned vehicles in this scenario is augmented by the use of ST Electronics’ Searchman Survivor Locator System, which detects the possible locations of disaster casualties by the signals from their mobile devices.  This suite of solution addresses the current need to improve rescue abilities in natural and man-made disasters, which are unfortunately rising in reported frequency.









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Singapore Airshow 2016: Photographic Recap of the First Two Days

February 17, 2016, 1:11 am
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FNSS Sells more PARS

February 17, 2016, 5:36 am
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FNSS has announced a sale of  its PARS  Wheeled  Armoured  Vehicle  (WAV)  family, having been awarded a  contract  to  supply  the behicle to  a new undisclosed customer. The  contract  is  already  effective  and  FNSS  has  started  to  fulfil  its  obligations  under  this  new  contract, which  includes  delivery  of  a  series  of  vehicles  in  various  configurations.  The company explained that alll other details will remain confidential. In  2011,  FNSS  has  achieved  one of the  highest  export  values among  the  Turkish  defence  industry  based  on  a single  contract  with  the  Malaysian  AV8  programme.

“This  latest  success  for  the  PARS  vehicle  family,  which  has  become  a  world  standard  in  8x8  and  6x6 wheeled  armoured  vehicles,  has  once  again  highlighted  the  status  already  achieved  by  FNSS  on  the international  market,"  K. Nail Kurt, General Manager and CEO of FNSS, said. "In  competition  alongside  the  world’s  other  top  companies,  FNSS  has  once  again demonstrated  the  real  quality  and  value  of  its  vehicles,  securing  the  highest  scores  in  both  the technical  and  value  domains.  We  will  continue  to  maintain  our  customer’s  satisfaction  at  the  highest level  by  meeting  the  contract  requirements  in  terms  of  the  schedule,  budget,  and  quality.”

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GA-ASI and Sener to Cooperate for Spanish Predator B

February 17, 2016, 3:26 pm
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The Spanish Ministry of Defense has awarded 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, a contract for one Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper RPA system (four aircraft equipped with MTS-B Electro-optical/Infrared -EO/IR- sensors and GA-ASI’s Block 20A Lynx Multi-mode Radar, two Block 30 Ground Control Stations, and Satellite Communications, and Line-of-Sight data link capabilities) to support the nation’s airborne surveillance and reconnaissance requirements; by means of a Spanish-US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement.  

“GA-ASI is proud to partner with the Spanish Armed Forces to offer our operationally proven Predator B RPA to fulfill Spain’s emerging multi-mission requirements,” said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “We also look forward to working with teammate SENER, a leading engineering company, and developing collaborative partnerships with other Spanish companies to help ensure the long-term success of the programme.”

For his part, Andrés Sendagorta, vice president of SENER, expressed: “SENER, as technological teammate of GA-ASI for the MALE [Medium-altitude Long- endurance] project in Spain, is delighted to make all its capabilities available to the Spanish Armed Forces in order to achieve the best integration of the new system in Spain.” And he added: “The MQ-9 is broadly considered to be the best system in its range to which SENER has been providing keen backing for years. Reaper will contribute significantly to strengthen our country’s Defense and Security system and will provide increased protection to our forces.”

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Singapore Airshow 2016: Photographic Recap of Day 3

February 18, 2016, 12:00 am
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UK Reassessing Role in SE Asia

February 18, 2016, 5:29 pm
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“We are looking at the major regions of the world in terms of how we can contribute [to their security] and how we can position ourselves to do that,” said Philip Dunne, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement who visiting the Singapore Airshow in a regional visit that also took in meetings in Malaysia.

The UK’s Gulf strategy in the Middle East, witnessed by the siting of a Royal Navy (RN) facility HMS Juffair in Bahrain, will have a roll-on effect in that the UK can now reconsider its deployment strategies further east. “We are re-assessing what role we can play in SE Asia,” said Dunne. The UK’s introduction of two new aircraft carriers, the largest ships of their type to be commissioned into the Royal Navy would, said Dunne “put us [UK] back into the position where we have carrier strike capability which will deploy internationally.”

Commenting on the airshow, he explained that the 25 exhibiting companies from the UK represented the largest group to attend this regional event to date. Steven Phipson, the Head of the UK’s Defence Services Organisation (DSO) headed British exporters while the senior military delegation was headed by Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford and Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, deputy commander of Combat Operations at RAF Air Command.

The UK’s commitment to spending two percent (2%) of its annual gross domestic product (GDP) in line with the minimum required from NATO nations, in addition to last year’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) regarding the capability of the UK’s Future Force had, said Dunne, led to a renewed emphasis on capability for the RAF and RN.

Dunne added that the UK’s commitment to the Five Powers Defence Agreement (between Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Britain) established in 1971 “is at the heart of our engagement in SE Asia.”

“The threat levels that we face as a nation are darker and more dangerous today, so we have made a conscious decision to reinvest in defence and security and to have a growing budget again,” explained Dunne. “That is an important change of posture by the UK government and we have recognised that through our engagement and training [internationally].”

“We are facing common threats, whether counter terrorism or, if at state level,” which he said laid to more opportunities for joint training and exercising around the world.

Stephen Phipson commented on the importance of joint ventures where international companies could partner together to deliver new capability. The UK’s purchase of over 100 ST Kenetics’ Bronco all-terrain tracked carriers (ATTC), renamed Warthog by the British Army, in December 2008 met an urgent operational need in Afghanistan by offering increased survivability and higher payload capacity.

Commenting on Japan, Dunne said that the UK considered it one of the nations noted in the SDSR where the UK wished to do more in defence cooperation. “We have a number of science and technologies initiative…and equipment opportunities we are talking to them about.”
“We share an interest in taking advantage of each others technological leads and technology transfer, in electronics they are particularly strong and we welcome the fact that their constitution change allows their forces to engage in international humanitarian and other activities in an integrated way.”

Andrew Drwiega

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Turbomeca Moves to New Triple Capacity Service Centre in Singapore

February 18, 2016, 8:17 pm
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Turbomeca has officially opened its new new support and service hub for South East Asia at a new location in the Seletar Aerospace Park, Singapore, a new centre for many aerospace related companies.

The organisation is not publicly declaring its financial investment in this 6,000 ft sq facility Franck Saudo, Turbomeca’s executive vice president, Support & Services, said it had triple the capacity of the old facility. Where before it was usual to service a couple of engines, now up to seven can be worked on in the centre’s maintenance area. The company counts 65 employees.

Turbomeca’s main military client in the region is the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) whose 125 Squadron operates a fleet of 22 Airbus Helicopter AS332M Super Pumas. These are powered by Turbomeca’s Makila engines and have been in service since 1985.

Mathieu Albert, managing director of Turbomeca Asia Pacific stated that the new facility will provide regional support for around 180 customers, from India to the Republic of Korea, Nepal and down to Indonesia. Within the region there are nearly 1,000 Turbomeca engines in both military and civil helicopters. In the last five years (2010-15) business has doubled and the expectation is for it to double again by the end of 2020.

The centre also houses a qualified technical training centre where customers’ maintainers are provided with engines in a classroom scenario for live training.

One of the main features of the logistics area is a SSI Schaefer Logimat vertical storage unit for parts which also keeps track of inventory and automatically generates an order for replacements for any particular stock that runs low. Turbomeca also uses resource planning data to track its inventory based on current fleet requirements together with historical data based on global usage of parts and components.

Andrew Drwiega

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Airbus Helicopter Makes Hourly Progress with ADF’s TIGERs

February 18, 2016, 10:33 pm
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“Airbus Helicopters is working intensely to bring the ARH TIGER up to Full Operating Capability (FOC),” Philippe Monteux, senior vice president and Head of Region, SE Asia Pacific for Airbus Helicopters, said at Singapore Airshow 2016.

RAAF ARH TIGER.

The manufacturer is awaiting the outcome of the Australian Governments defence White Paper, which is due of publication by early March. It may decide the future of the troubled attack helicopter. Said Monteux: “We have been working on a pay by the hour performance. We have seen improvement and the Army is currently much more satisfied with this commitment and the way we are now managing the contract.” Last year the ADF’s TIGERs flew around half of the 6,000 hours the Army had expected.

The appointment of Anthony Fraser as managing director of Airbus Group Asia Pacific is one of the cornerstones to Airbus Helicopters’ solution and to keep the ARH TIGER within the Australia Defence Force (ADF). Fraser left the ADF where he had been the head of the Helicopter Systems Division within the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO). Not only does he have extensive experience of the programme from the customer perspective, he was also the commander of 16 Brigade, Army Aviation, when the first of the new Tigers arrived back in 2004. The final aircraft was delivered in 2011 with FOC now expected some time later this year.

Australia has joined with what Airbus Helicopters (Eurocopter before the identify merge with the Airbus Group) used to call its ‘home countries’ - France, Germany and Spain - to plan a mid-life upgrade (MLU) for the TIGER, resulting in the TIGER Mk3. This would be completed by 2019.

Andrew Drwiega

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Textron Systems to Provide Ukraine with SCTV Armoured Vehicles

February 21, 2016, 9:18 pm
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Textron Systems Marine & Land Systems has recently won a contract with SpetsTechnoExport (STE), a subsidiary of Ukroboronprom, for the sale of three Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicles (SCTV), with deliveries expected six months after Textron receives an export license.

The SCTV features a fully-armoured, monocoque v-hull crew survivability capsule, engine upgrades, and suspension enhancements. Using patented armour technologies, the SCTV is equipped to handle a variety of missions including fire support, C2, reconnaissance, engineer support, and troop transport. The vehicle is comprised of three modular upgrade kits that offer superior crew protection while restoring lost vehicle performance and extending the life span of the vehicle.(Photo. Textron)

“We are excited to be working with Ukroboronprom on upgrading its HMMWVs to the SCTV,” Textron Systems Director of Business Operations, Europe and Africa, Bear Midkiff, explained. “With this contract marking the first sale of our SCTV, this is a great accomplishment for Textron. In addition, we are honoured to be ‘the other half’ of this new, exciting relationship with Ukraine.”

For this contract, Textron Systems will provide STE with basic operator’s manuals and operator-level maintenance manuals. For the current contract with Ukraine, Textron is building the SCTV capsules and will integrate them with a procured HMMWV chassis from US supply.
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Clear-Com's Two-Channel 2.4GHz System Provides Clear, Crisp Comms for Mid-Size Comms Needs

February 21, 2016, 10:03 pm
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Last week, Clear-Com has announced that its DX410, two-channel 2.4GHz digital wireless intercom system is now shipping. The new system, which features 7kHz wideband audio for exceptional audio clarity, is Clear-Com's first DX Series wireless intercom system to offer this level of audio frequency range. Easy to set up and configure, the DX410 also features lightweight yet rugged beltpacks and All-in-One wireless headsets.

Clear-Com's DX410 Group - WH and BP5

Each BS410 base station can support up to 15 registered BP410 wireless beltpacks and/or WH410 All-in-One wireless headsets. In a single-channel operation, any four beltpack users can engage in simultaneous, full-duplex (talk-listen) communication, while three users may be in full-duplex mode in a dual-channel operation. The BP410 and WH410 have rugged, reinforced casings and long-lasting keypads with no mechanical switch, proven to withstand harsh production environments. Fast charging Li-Ion batteries takes only 2.5 hours to provide up to 12 hours of battery life.

The DX410 system features 7kHz wideband audio. The high quality audio expands audio range and increases intelligibility in high RF environments so even soft whispers can be heard clearly. With an upgraded radio and a lost packet concealment capability, the DX410 delivers an improved experience in performance, range and sound. DX410 also features 2-wire and 4-wire bridging and 2-wire auto-nulling. The bridging capability allows the option for combining the 2-wire and 4-wire ports together on either channel A or B, allowing operators to use a 4-wire out to send all the audio to a mixer, matrix intercom or other audio source. 2-wire auto-nulling enables fast and accurate integration with Clear-Com or TW wired partyline systems.

The DX410 uses a frequency hopping system (FHSS), and offers spectrum-friendly and Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH) modes, to avoid interference with Wi-Fi, while operating in the 2.4GHz band means that DX410 does not require radio licensing for use.

“We are excited to announce that DX410 is now shipping,” Craig Fredrickson, Product Manager at Clear-Com, said. “The DX410 is truly an exceptional digital wireless system in terms of range, reliability, sound quality and comfort for the size of the system.”
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Rheinmetall and German Navy Conduct HEL Maritime Tests

February 21, 2016, 10:30 pm
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It was announced last week that Rheinmetall and the German Armed Forces (Bundewehr) have successfully tested a high-energy laser (HEL) effector installed on a German warship operating on the high seas. To carry out the test, Rheinmetall mounted a 10kw HEL effector on a MLG 27 light naval gun, designed to engage air, surface, and land targets.

Rheinmetall's 10kW high-energy laser (HEL) effector installed on a MLG 27 light naval gun on a German Navy warship.

The test programme included tracking of potential targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and very small surface craft. Furthermore, the HEL effector was also tested against stationary targets on land. For the first time, according to Rheinmetall, the effectiveness of Rheinmetall HEL effector technology was demonstrated in a maritime environment, and revealed insights important for the development of future HEL naval effectors.

The MLG 27 is an autonomous weapon system, controlled remotely from its dedicated operations console. The system is equipped with a laser range finder, day/night vision capability and a modern automatic tracking system with multiple tracking modes (manual, semiautomatic and automatic). Integrating the MLG 27 into an overall combat management system (CMS) or linking it directly to other fire control system sensors (radar, EW, IR and TV) is straightforward, further enhancing the effectiveness of this globally leading gun system. Moreover, the lightweight MLG 27 can be installed on nearly any naval surface vessel without deck penetration, and Rheinmetall has supplied 150 MLG 27 light naval gun systems to navies all over the world. The BK27 revolver cannon used in the MLG27 is in service with the German Air Force and Navy, as well as the armed forces of several other NATO and non-NATO countries. Worldwide more than 3,000 cannons have been sold to date. Its effective range is typically between 100-4,000 metres. The revolver gun’s high rate of fire (up to 1,700 rounds per minute) and highprecision optics make the MLG 27 an extremely effective naval gun system. The last of 12 MLG 27 for four new F125-class frigates and the new combat supply ship BONN have been delivered to the German Navy in 2013. Furthermore, a customer in East Asia
has procured the MLG 27 for a training vessel, which has already been delivered and integrated. 
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MetaVR VRSG Selected for USAF JTC TRS CAS Simulator

February 21, 2016, 11:03 pm
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MetaVR was selected as the 3D real time visualisation provider in the award of the Joint Terminal Control Training and Rehearsal System (JTC TRS) contract to QuantaDyn Corp. by Department of the US Air Force – Air Force Material Command. This award supersedes a limited contract for the JTC TRS programme that the US Air Force (USAF) awarded to Fidelity Technologies in February 2009.

Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) rendering of an A-10 entity flying over MetaVR's virtual environment. (Screenshot: MetaVR)

This partial dome simulator, which uses MetaVR visual channels, geospecific 3D terrain, and culture and entity models, immerses the joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) or forward air controller (FAC) trainee in a 3D real-time virtual battlefield. These close air support (CAS) simulators can be connected to the USAF A-10 Full Mission Trainers (FMT), which are already standardised with MetaVR 3D visuals.

QuantaDyn's JTC TRS solution under contract is comprised of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components including QuantaDyn's DIScover, Immersive Display Solutions' immersive dome display system, Battlespace Simulations' (BSI) Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE), and MetaVR's Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG), which provides the out-the-window and sensor visuals for the dome display, a ROVER device, and emulated military equipment.

The system uses BSI's MACE for the instructor-operator and role-player stations, as well as BSI's Viper DIS Radio for all simulated radio. MACE provides computer-generated/semi-automated forces with call-for-fire, 5-line, and 9-line interfaces. VRSG, when coupled with MACE, differs from game-based training systems in that it can simulate highly contested/degraded battlespaces including environments with radar, GPS and communications jamming, sophisticated Integrated Air Defense Systems (IADS), and adversaries with peer or near-peer capabilities in expansive, round-earth, geospecific virtual worlds.

The awarded system was evaluated during the acquisition process. The system evaluation involved tests in the form of four operational training scenarios designed to ensure that each system requirement was met. The scenarios used geospecific terrain built by MetaVR. All major aspects of the simulator were assessed simultaneously, running as they would be during real-world training events.

JTC TRS requirements include scenarios that take place on geospecific synthetic terrain of Afghanistan in the southern region of the Kabul province. To fulfill this requirement, MetaVR modeled villages to build up culture and roads to align with terrain imagery at the required coordinates. Culture includes over 2,000 structures instanced from over 160 newly built Afghan building models and over 11,000 instances of tree models. These models feature multiple damage states in support of the newest US Joint Fire Support Executive Steering Committee (JFS ESC) Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). The resulting built-up area was compiled into MetaVR's whole-country Afghanistan virtual terrain.

JTC TRS requirements call for 495 models of specific domestic and international military vehicles and munitions. Over 1,000 models from MetaVR’s 3D model libraries met those requirements; many new models were built specifically to meet the requirements. All terrain and 3D models MetaVR built to fulfill the requirements for the JTC TRS competitive evaluation will be available in the forthcoming release of VRSG version 5.11.

The JTC TRS is designed to support JTAC trainees in the performance of Terminal Control, Terminal Guidance, Close Air Support and Joint Fires operations training for the Combat Air Force (CAF), Special Operations Command (SOCOM), USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). Under the contract, QuantaDyn will initially install and support two JTC TRS devices in 2016, with additional options for 30 more devices.

MetaVR VRSG is used in multiple accredited training systems to simulate the functionality needed for US and NATO JTAC/FAC warfighter training in joint fires close air support exercises ranging from desktop systems to dome systems.
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Two ZEPHYR 8 HAPS to be Built for UK MoD

February 21, 2016, 11:16 pm
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Airbus Defence & Space (DS) has won an order from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the manufacture and operation of two solar-powered ZEPHYR 8 high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) craft.

ZEPHYR flies slowly and above weather systems, loitering over a selected area under the close guidance of a ground controller to perform its mission. The earlier ZEPHYR 7 HAPS holds the world record for 14 days continuous flight set in 2010 – with the aircraft charging its batteries from sunlight during the day and maintaining its high altitude at night. The latest generation ZEPHYR 8 has a wingspan of 25m, is 30% lighter and can carry 50% more batteries than its predecessor. (Graphic: Airbus)

Flying at some 65,000ft, the ultra-lightweight ZEPHYR 8 is capable of providing persistent surveillance over land or sea, and hosting communications links, over the same area for months at a time without landing. The precise purpose for which the UK MoD will use its ZEPHYRs has not been disclosed.

The latest generation ZEPHYR 8 has a wingspan of 25m, is 30% lighter and can carry 50% more batteries than its predecessor. This enables the ZEPHYR 8 to carry heavier payloads for its surveillance and communications roles. The ZEPHYR 8 HAPS is designed to fly continuously for over a month before landing, being refurbished, and flying again.

As well as for military purposes, ZEPHYRs can be used for humanitarian missions, precision farming, environmental and security monitoring, and to provide internet coverage to regions of poor or zero connectivity. The first ZEPHYR 8 is under construction at Airbus DS’ Farnborough, UK facility and is due to fly in mid-2017.

On 23 November 2015, the UK's Prime Minister already mentioned that the UK looks set to operationally field the Airbus DS ZEPHYR high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Announcing a series of enhancements to the UK's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities during the reading of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) in the House of Commons, David Cameron said that the country is to field a, "British-designed unmanned aircraft [that] will fly at the very edge of the earth's atmosphere and allow us to observe our adversaries for weeks on end, providing critical intelligence for our forces."

While he gave no further details, the solar-powered ZEPHYR that Airbus DS is developing with the UK MoD under the High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) project is the only platform that fitted the bill. The project, which was begun by QinetiQ more than a decade ago, but later taken over by Airbus DS, has been partially funded by the MoD, which is interested in using the platform as a pseudo-satellite and for communications relay.
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AeroVironment PUMA AE UAS Supporting USCG Ice Breaker for Operation Deep Freeze

February 21, 2016, 11:33 pm
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In a development that takes the life-saving capabilities of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to one of the most remote and unforgiving regions on earth, AeroVironment announced earlier this year it and a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have been contracted to provide the US Coast Guard (USCG) ice breaker POLAR STAR with a RQ-20A PUMA AE UAS and a flight crew for the annual joint Operation "Deep Freeze," the military component of the larger, civilian-managed US Antarctic programme to re-supply the National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station. The Operation "Deep Freeze" joint team departed Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, on 30 December 2015 and reached McMurdo Station on 18 January 2016.
The use of an UAS to assist USCG in navigating through treacherous Antarctic seas avoids putting crew and costly helicopters at risk.

“Operation 'Deep Freeze' is one of the U.S. military’s most complex peacetime missions due to the harsh Antarctic environment,” Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment, said. “AeroVironment’s PUMA AE is delivering vital advanced scouting intelligence to help the Coast Guard’s Polar Star conduct ice-breaking operations in the treacherous waters of the Ross Sea more safely and efficiently without putting pilots and costly helicopters at risk.”

During Operation "Deep Freeze," AeroVironment personnel were employing its new Autonomous Recovery System to capture PUMA in a portable net on its return to the ship. PUMA also can be recovered from the sea as a result of its waterproof design. The PUMA AE weighs 13.5lbs, operates for more than 210 minutes, typically at a range of up to 15km, and delivers live, streaming colour and infrared video as well as laser illumination from its pan-tilt-zoom MANTIS i25 AE gimbaled payload. Launched by hand and capable of landing on the ground or in fresh or salt water, the PUMA AE provides portability and flexibility for infantry, commercial, littoral or maritime operations.

AeroVironment received the contract from ADS on behalf of the USCG and is collaborating with NOAA to provide the requested services.
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