India to Buy Long Range X-Band Radars

In order to counter the threat arising from the incoming ballistic missiles and air-borne attacks, India will now be acquiring the latest “X-Band” radars which have a 4,600-kilometre range to pick out missiles and other airborne objects. Each “X-Band” radar is expected to cost roughly $700 million and India may tie-up with the US for the same.

Due to constant threat from neighbouring regions, this X-Band radar will beef up the missile defence capabilities of India and augment India’s hitherto limited capabilities provided by the “Swordfish” radar which can spot objects from about 800 kilometres.

The “X-Band” radars can pick out even a six-inch-wide airborne object from that distance and give the option of retaliation. Hence, India’s long range spotting capacity will allow a reaction time that will be six times quicker the current ability.

The new radars will enable India to view a target, track it down and enable the ground based operator to fire a counter missile and shoot down the incoming enemy missile. The X-Band radars will put China, Pakistan and even parts of Middle East within India’s viewing range.

Elbit Systems Introduces New Dual Remote Weapon Station (DRWS)

Israel: Elbit Systems is introducing a new Dual Remote Weapon Station (DRWS) at the upcoming Eurosatory 2010. The new Dual Remote Weapon Station (DRWS) is a derivative of Elbit Systems' RCWS-M, a medium-sized remotely-controlled weapon station, in serial production and qualified for service in the Austrian Army.With features such as lightweight, low silhouette, stabilized dual axis and the ability to be externally mounted (without hull penetration), the DRWS is highly suitable for a variety of AFVs, APCs as well as other platforms.

The Dual Remote Weapon Station is equipped with two weapons, the primary weapon can be a 40 mm AGL or a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, and the secondary weapon is a 7.62 mm machine gun.

The DRWS provides the operator with the advantage of being able to use both, 40 mm grenades with a lethal surface affect, as well as a 7.62 mm machine gun used for specific targets. The DRWS is equipped with a day camera, a night vision camera and a laser range finder (LRF), and is remotely operated from the gunner or commander workstations. Targets are acquired via either one of the video channels connecting the day camera, or night vision camera to the gunner and commander displays.

Automatic Target Tracking is available via the day or thermal channels, with the cameras set to the narrow field of view. These capabilities allow the gunner to perform accurate aiming and firing, and hit static and moving targets, while being either static or on the move.

A unique DRWS feature is its ability to work in Surveillance Mode. A dedicated elevation drive enables the weapon to be pointed upwards at the maximum elevation angle, while the operator surveys the theater of operation with the optical pod. While in Surveillance Mode the firing is disabled.

The DRWS can be interfaced with a variety of systems such as surveillance pods, Laser Warning System (ELAWS), Acoustic Firing Locator System (AFLS), Weapon Integrated Battle Management System (WINBMS), See-Through-Armor (STA), Local Situational Awareness System (LSAS) and an external vehicle mast-mounted observation pod, turning the new Dual RWS into a highly effective sensor-to-shooter and observer-to-shooter weapon station.

The DRWS is based on Elbit Systems' proprietary experience and know-how, in the fields of fire control systems, turret drives and stabilization systems, automatic target trackers and electro-optical sensors, generated and refined over the course of more than thirty years of service on the IDF's main battle tank, the Merkava, and other armored fighting vehicles and main battle tanks worldwide.

Source:http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Elbit_Systems_Introduces_New_Dual_Remote_Weapon_Station_DRWS_999.html

Russian Passengerjet Closer To Market After Delays

MOSCOW, Russia - June 20, 2010: The engine for Russia's first post-Soviet passenger jet should earn certification soon, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Friday, bringing a plane Moscow hopes will rival Boeing (BA.N) and Airbus (EAD.PA) aircraft closer to the market.Russian manufacturer Sukhoi's long-waited Superjet 100 made its maiden flight in May 2008, missing an initial 2007 deadline, and the first deliveries of the regional jet are more than a year behind schedule.

The international engine certification process has been the main stumbling block for a plane piched by officials as a new hope for languishing Russian manufacturers eclipsed even at home by Western rivals."The certification is practically over," Putin said at the plant where Russia's Saturn makes the SaM 146 engines with French aerospace group Safran. (SAF.PA).He said Saturn must guarantee production of 140 engines per year by 2014, a number that suggests Sukhoi plans to produce 70 of the jets that year. Sukhoi management said that provided the certification comes this month, deliveries of the Superjet 100, designed to carry between 75 and 95 passengers, may start this year. The initial deadline was the end of 2008.

Sukhoi, best known for its fighter jets, is owned by Russia's state-controlled United Aviation Corporation (UAC) (UNAC.RTS). It is developing the Superjet 100 in partnership with Italy's Finmeccanica SpA. (SIFI.MI).About 100 of the planes have been ordered and Russian flag carrier Aeroflot (AFLT.MM) tops the list of future buyers.

Putin, who held a government meeting at the Saturn plant, said the project was a priority and promised to take Saturn's financing needs into account when drafting Russia's 2011 budget.He said Saturn, part of conglomerate Russian Technologies, will receive some state funding this year.Russia is eager to breathe new life into its manufacturing and technology sectors as part of a drive to reduce dependence on natural resources.

(Writing by Steve Gutterman, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)

Source: DTN News/Reuters

SAPHIR-M decoy systems for Spanish Tiger Attack Helicopter Self Protection

MBDA has received a contract notification for the supply of SAPHIR-M decoy systems to provide self defence on the 24 Tiger HAD attack helicopters ordered by Spain from Eurocopter in December 2005.

The contract has been awarded to MBDA by Indra Sistemas, the prime contractor responsible for integrating the Self Protection Suite onto the Spanish Tiger.

MBDA's SAPHIR-M self protection decoy system provides protection against the full threat spectrum, particularly against the infrared and electromagnetic threat. The system can operate in either automatic or semiautomatic mode in conjunction with Indra Sistemas ALR-400 and EADS MILDS AN-AAR 60 missile detectors.

SAPHIR-M has also been selected for the German, Australian and French Tiger fleets as well as for the European and export NH90 helicopters.

The European leader in aircraft self defence, MBDA has already equipped around 1,000 air platforms to date with its decoy systems.

Next-Generation Eagle Light Tactical Vehicle Unveiled at Eurosatory

VIENNA: General Dynamics European Land Systems will display the next generation EAGLE light tactical vehicle during the EUROSATORY show in Paris from 14-18 June 2010. The new generation EAGLE will display advanced survivability and payload capacity while retaining its characteristic size and mobility advantages. It also provides greater levels of lethality with a Bofors Lemur remote weapon station.

The new EAGLE addresses the demands of today, while providing for growth and flexibility to meet future threats.

Next-Generation EAGLE

Today’s combat operations demand higher levels of survivability and capacity then previously provided by light tactical vehicles. Armies had to use overweight vehicles in the 12-20,000 kg weight class, resulting in significant compromises in mobility and tactical flexibility.

General Dynamics European Land Systems is leading the response to new requirements for a lighterweight tactical vehicle with increased protection and capacity and lower logistical costs with the launch of the next-generation EAGLE at the EUROSATORY on 14 June at the GDELS booth.

This next-generation EAGLE retains the key features of the existing in-service EAGLE that has made it the preferred light tactical vehicle of Europe’s most demanding customers. These features include low signature and mass, high reliability in all environments and outstanding off-road. The new EAGLE retains its capability to be air transportable via helicopters such as the CH-47 Chinook.

Next-Generation EAGLE - The New Survivability Standard

The new EAGLE sets a new survivability standard for the light tactical vehicle class and provides proven mine, improvised explosive device (IED) and ballistic protection previously only provided by vehicles up to twice its weight. The survivability systems of the new EAGLE are modular and completely integrated with the new high survivability cabin. These kits allow the tactical commander to adapt the vehicle to new threats in theatre, thus securing the utility of the EAGLE across the complete spectrum of combat operations. The new EAGLE is being launched with validated survivability kits meeting a range of threats.

It includes a system developed specifically to cope with the most aggressive IEDs that this class of vehicle commonly faces in today’s hostile environments. The vehicle will be shown with the RUAG LASSO RPG mitigation system integrated to demonstrate one of the many survivability enhancement kits that General Dynamics European Land Systems and its partners have developed for the vehicle. In addition to these modular systems, substantial advances have been made in crew ergonomics, energy-absorbing seating and occupant-restraint systems that will further improve the survivability of the new EAGLE when facing the threats of today and tomorrow.

Next-Generation EAGLE – Capacity and Flexibility for the Future

Network-centric operations, integrated force-protection countermeasures and the need for remote weapon stations with greater levels of lethality has seen the demand for payload and internal volume in the light protected vehicle category increase in recent years. The new EAGLE addresses these requirements and provides over 3,000 kg payload, an internal protected volume of more than 6 m3 and a flexible rear load space that ensures the vehicle can meet today’s demands while providing growth and flexibility for tomorrow.

The new EAGLE has a flexible internal seating arrangement that can accommodate four, five or six crew while retaining space for a comprehensive communications and electronic architecture system inside the vehicle. In addition, the new EAGLE can be provided in a utility variant capable of carrying NATO pallets or a system of standardised modules that allow the vehicle to be quickly adapted at unit level to fulfil a range of battlefield logistic roles.

Next-Generation EAGLE – Unrivalled Mobility and Proven Reliability

The advances in survivability and capacity provided by the new EAGLE have been accomplished without compromising the combat proven mobility and reliability of the vehicle or increasing the vehicle dimensions. EAGLE has now seen extensive operational service in the demanding Afghan theatre where it has shown that it is capable of accessing terrain that no other wheeled vehicle can while demonstrating outstanding reliability and availability in all conditions.

The vehicle’s class-leading offroad mobility comes from its combination of extraordinary wheel travel and ground clearance provided by the unique de-dion suspension system in combination with the self-locking drive train and central tire-inflation system. The new EAGLE improves in several key mobility areas including the ability to fit a wider 365/80R20 tire that decreases ground pressure and a new higher torque Cummins engine that further enhances the vehicle’s unique mobility. The new EAGLE also retains extensive commonality with existing EAGLE and DURO fleets, which substantially reduces the logistics burden and cost of ownership to existing customers.

General Dynamics European Land Systems, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, is a business unit of General Dynamics and conducts its business through four European operating units located in Spain, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. With more than 3,200 highly skilled technical employees, GDELS companies design, manufacture and deliver land combat systems to global customers, including wheeled, tracked and amphibious vehicles, armaments and munitions.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 91,200 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.

Source: http://www.defencetalk.com/next-generation-eagle-light-tactical-vehicle-unveiled-27078/

ARMY NEWS — BY GENERALDYNAMICS

Airmen reach 250K flying hours with remotely piloted aircraft

Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan: Members of the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here reached a significant milestone recently when the Air Force's remotely piloted aircraft flew their 250,000th hour in Afghanistan at the end of May.

The 62nd ERS is home to the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper aircraft at Kandahar Airfield. Over a five-year span, the unit has flown and supported these aircraft, beginning in 2005.

The squadron's operational tempo has increased tremendously in the past year, said Lt. Col. Morgan Curry, the 62nd ERS commander. "Forty-eight percent of our five-year total was flown in the past 12 months."The crews use satellite uplinks that allow the transfer of control between the deployed local pilots who taxi, launch, land and recover the aircraft from trailers near the flight line and the crews based in the U.S. or U.K.

Teams from multiple units across the U.S. control the aircraft in flight, said Colonel Curry, another unique aspect of the remotely-piloted aircraft's mission."When I first arrived, this was different for me," Colonel Curry said. "I was part of the flight crew team at Creech (AFB) so it had been a while since I had landed the aircraft. But it's great to see both sides of the operations.The primary mission of the 62nd ERS is to launch and recover all the Air Force RPAs in Afghanistan, Colonel Curry said.

A separate team of military and civilian members maintain and repair the aircraft, when necessary. "Maintenance and inspections are performed on the aircraft just like manned aircraft. If we need to, we also replace the weapons and get it back in the air. "

The unit spans the gamut from strategic to tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from keeping an eye on large targets to performing tactical ISR, watching out for coalition and Afghan partners."The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities are a huge part of our strategy to keep an eye on everything, literally," he said.

Both aircraft can perform dual missions of close-air support and ISR taskings.The Predator can stay airborne for more than 24 hours and although the Reaper does not fly as long as the Predator, it can fly at higher altitudes and can carry more weapons, squadron officials said.

Each aircraft is equipped with a full-motion video camera with various modes that can detect enemy movements.The MQ-1 Predator carries the multi-spectral targeting system which integrates electro-optical, infrared, laser designator and laser illuminator into a single sensor package, according to an Air Force fact sheet.

The aircraft can employ two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles.Reapers provide the joint-force commander a persistent hunter-killer ability, able to strike emerging targets. The MQ-9 also acts as an ISR asset, employing sensors to provide real-time data to commanders and intelligence specialists at all levels.

Source: http://www.defencetalk.com/airforce-250k-flying-hours-with-remotely-piloted-uav-27081/

AIR FORCE NEWS — BY AIR FORCE NEWS AGENCY

Iran could fire ‘hundreds’ of missiles at Europe: Gates

MISSILES & BOMBS NEWS — BY AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE 

Washington: US intelligence has shown Iran could launch an attack against Europe with "scores or hundreds" of missiles, prompting major changes to US missile defenses, Pentagon chief Robert Gates said on Thursday.

President Barack Obama in September cited a mounting danger from Iran's arsenal of short and medium-range missiles when he announced an overhaul of US missile defense plans.

The new program, called the "phased adaptive approach," uses sea and land-based interceptors to protect NATO allies in the region, instead of mainly larger weapons designed to counter long-range missiles.

"One of the elements of the intelligence that contributed to the decision on the phased adaptive array was the realization that if Iran were actually to launch a missile attack on Europe, it wouldn't be just one or two missiles or a handful," Gates told a senate hearing.

"It would more likely be a salvo kind of attack, where you would be dealing potentially with scores or even hundreds of missiles."

Top US generals have said the new anti-missile system was meant to guard against a potential salvo of missiles from states such as Iran or North Korea.

Gates made the comment when asked by Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss if he supported deploying improved missile defenses, including plans for an upgraded SM-3 missile by 2020, even if Russia objected.

Gates said he backed the 10-year plan, despite possible resistance from Moscow, saying the new missile defenses "would give us the ability to protect our troops, our bases, our facilities and our allies in Europe."

Gates, along with other top deputies in the Obama administration, appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee to argue for ratification of a new nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, trying to reassure Republican lawmakers the agreement posed no threat to the missile defense program.