EDR issue N° 22 July / August 2015

EDR

Issue N째 22 July / August 2015

European Defence Review

Armoured Fist Year of the Rafale Water Wings Fire for Effect

FORMATION - CONSEIL - ASSISTANCE

www.groupedci.com

© Natcom - www.natcom.fr - 01 47 30 31 32 - Photos : Sirpa Terre, Mer et Air – DCI

LE LABEL DES FORCES ARMÉES FRANÇAISES

EDR

Contents

European Defence Review

2

2

Armoured Fist - Franรงois Prins

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Year of the Rafale - Eric Biass

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Water Wings - David Oliver

12

20

Fire for Effect - Eric Biass

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Industry News

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20 Publisher: Editor-in-Chief: Editor UK:

Joseph Roukoz Eric Biass David Oliver

European Defence Review issue no. 22

European Defence Review (EDR) is published

by European Defence Publishing SAS www.edrmagazine.eu

EDR - July / August 2015

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The Leclerc MBT is in service with the armies of France and the United Arab Emirates; it has been upgraded over the years and carries the latest Battle Management System. (French Army)

Armoured Fist

François Prins

Though the Main Battle Tank (MBT) first appeared more than a century ago, it is still a major player in today’s army.

T

he early tanks of World War One were slow and prone to mechanical failure but they showed how the vehicle could be used in warfare. During the two world wars tanks were developed and the resulting models were quite different from those that had served on the Western Front. Several tank battles were fought during World War Two and as weapons became more sophisticated it was thought the MBT was obsolete. However, there was still life in the tank, as evidenced during the 1960s between Israel, Syria and Egypt. After World War Two, Britain, France, the USA and especially the Soviet Union, developed the MBT and there are no signs that the tank has been consigned to history. Tanks are still a force to be reckoned with and were used by the coalition forces in Kuwait and Iraq where they proved vital.

France In France the AMX Leclerc MBT has been in service since 1992; developed by GIAT (now Nex-

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ter), it was named in honour of General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, who led the French troops in the Allied advance towards Paris in 1944. Production of the Leclerc was completed in 2011 and it is estimated that there are still some 250 Leclercs serving with the French Army as well as around 380 with the United Arab Emirates Army. The Leclerc took some time to become a reality and various design studies were made during the late 1960s and early 1970s in search for a replacement for the AMX 30 MBT then in service in France.

Comparable with the German Leopard 2, British Challenger 2 and USA M1A1/2 Abrams, the Leclerc is armed with a Giat CN120-26 120mm smooth-bore cannon capable of firing the standard NATO 120mm rounds, but in practice only French-produced ammunition is issued. The Leclerc has an auto-loading system which reduces the crew to three by eliminating the human loader. A 12.7mm coaxial machine gun and a remote-controlled 7.62 mm machine EDR - July / August 2015

China has the capable Type 99 which is now entering quantity production. (US DoD)

gun are also fitted. The Leclerc’s digital fire control system can be operated independently by the gunner or the commander, and it offers real time integrated imaging from all of the tank’s sensors and sights, including the gunner’s SAVAN 20 stabilised sight, developed by SAGEM. The final production 96 Leclerc MBTs were fitted with the ICONE TIS battle management system with digital communication system which integrates data from other tanks. Powered by an eight-cylinder SACM V8X-1500 1,500-hp Hyperbar diesel engine and a SESM ESM500 automatic transmission, the Leclerc can attain speeds of 72km/h on roads and 55km/h cross country.

China In the early 1950s the USSR supplied China with a quantity of T-54 MBTs and production was subsequently undertaken in China as the Type 59. Since those early days China has developed its own tanks and the third generation MBT is the Type 98/99 now in service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army(PLA). China obtained an example of the T-72 MBT from Romania and used it as a template for their new tank. In the Spring of 1989, China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) signed a contract with the Chinese government to manufacture the Type 98; the first prototype was produced the following year. Testing commenced and by 1999 the tank was seen in the National Day parade.

At the end of 2001, the first batch of 40 Type 98G tanks entered service with the regEDR - July / August 2015

ular Army. The Type 98G eventually gave rise to what is now known as the Type 99. Powered by a 1,500-horsepower diesel engine, it has a sloped-arrow armour plate on the front of the turret and additional composite armour layers on the sides. Type 98/99 is currently only operated by the PLA’s most elite divisions. The main armament of the Type 98/99 (ZTZ-99) includes a dual-axis fully stabilised 125mm/51-calibre ZPT98 smooth-bore cannon with a carousel-style autoloader which is largely based on the Russian system. Loading is mechanical with 41 rounds carried inside the vehicle while 22 rounds are stored within the autoloader. China has also reportedly manufactured Soviet AT-11 laser-guided anti-tank missiles to be fired from the gun with an effective range of four kilometres. A coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and a roof-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun are fitted.

Images released earlier this year reveal that the Chinese had equipped the Type 98/99 with a dual man-portable air defence system launcher mounted on the right hand side of the turret.

What appears to be a firing and laser guide system is mounted on top of the turret. Work on upgrading the Type 98/99 series continues and a longer-barrelled gun, reaction improved aiming system, digital battlefield information terminal, newly designed arrow-shaped armour and larger turret have been noted. At its current battle weight of 54 tons, the Type 98/99 has a maximum road speed of 80km/h and an off-road speed of 60km/h.

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The Pakistan Army is being equipped with a locally-built version of the Chinese Type 99G, seen here being demonstrated in China in 2014. (US DoD)

Pakistan China has close ties with Pakistan and it is no surprise that that country’s new MBT is a version of the Type 99G. Marketed by NORINCO, it is an improved version of the VT1A, also listed as the VT-4 and known as the MBT-3000 Al Khalid Mk.2 in Pakistan. This export version has downgraded capabilities such as sights, propulsion and gun and was first seen in model form in 2012.

Like the Type 98/99, MBT-3000 has a low silhouette; the hull and turret is of welded steel construction with a layer of composite armour over the front arc. Official sources claim that side skirts are also made of composite armour and there are modular add-on explosive reactive armour blocks. It is also fitted with new fire extinguishing and explosion suppression systems. The tank is fully digitalized and is fitted with a battlefield management system. Gunner and commander use a second-generation cooled thermal images. It seems that these sights were jointly developed with ASELSAN of Turkey.

Unlike the Type 98/99, the MBT-3000 is said to be fitted with an indigenous turbo-charged diesel engine, developing 1,300 hp. However it is thought that the engine is may actually be of

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Ukrainian origin. Some sources report that the MBT-3000 might be also fitted with a more powerful diesel, developing 1,500 hp. These tanks are formidable but commentators doubt these tanks are a match for modern Western MBTs. The Arjun MBT has been in development since 1984 and, though in service, it is still plagued with problems. (Indian DoD)

EDR - July / August 2015

MBTs India Britain supplied MBTs to India during the 1950s and later the country licensed-built Vickers tank designs to equip its army. In the early 1970s a decision was taken to design and build a new MBT and the Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment was tasked with the design and the development of the hull, armour, turret, running gear and gun, with the powerpack being imported. Named Arjun it has been in development for many years and though in service it is not without its problems.

By 1984 the first prototype was completed and ready for trials but these did not go to plan and by 2001, 12 further prototypes as well as 32 pre-production vehicles had joined the trials programme. The Arjun features a 120mm main rifled gun with indigenously developed armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarded sabot ammunition, one 7.62mm co-axial machine gun, and a 12.7mm machine gun mounted on the turret. Standard equipment includes a computerised fire control system, day/night sighting system, NBC system and long-range fuel tanks mounted at the rear of the hull. All-round anti-tank warhead protection, by the newly developed Kanchan armour, is claimed to be much higher than available in comparable third generation tanks.

Arjun is powered by an MTU multi-fuel diesel engine rated at 1,400hp, and can achieve a maximum road speed of 67km/h and a cross-country speed of 40km/h. Delays in development kept the Arjun from entering into service and as a stop-gap the Indian Army ordered a quantity of Russian T-90s in 2001.

Undaunted, India has continued to work on the Arjun and in 1996 a decision was taken to mass produce the vehicle at the Indian Ordnance Factory in Avadi. Sufficient numbers had been produced for the Arjun to enter service in 2004 with the 43 Armoured Regiment; the regiment was later made up to 45 tanks in May 2009 making it the first Arjun regiment of the Indian Army. Since then other units of the Indian Army Armoured Corps have also received examples of the Arjun.

EDR - July / August 2015

Developed from the K-1 the K-2 Black Panther is much improved and due in military service by 2017. (US DoD)

Early in 2015, nearly 75 per cent of the 124 tanks with the Army were non-operational due to problems with technical snags and lack of imported components. Budget over-runs and repeated delays that resulted in a development time of over 37 years has not helped the Arjun.

The Indian government sanctioned 155 million rupees (USD 2.5million) for the initial design in May 1974 and by 1995, the DRDO had spent three billion rupees (USD47.6million) on Arjun.

As part of improving the Arjun to the Mk II variant, the DRDO is developing new technology systems, in order to improve performance in areas like automatic target locating, tracking and destruction. An allocation of 400 million rupees (USD6.3million) has been allocated for the project which is expected to be completed within five years. Arjun Mark II has a total of 93 upgrades, including 13 major improvements, which include missile-firing capability against long-range targets and enhanced main weapon penetration. India is proceeding with future MBTs to be based on the Arjun and a new MBT is expected to appear in service by 2025.

South Korea By the 1970s South Korea was desperately in need of more modern MBTs; North Korea had been supplied with the Russian T-62 MBT and

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MBTs

Using some design features of the South Korean K-2, the Turkish Altay MBT is currently being trialled by the Army and is expected in service by 2016. (Turkish Army)

easily outnumbered and out-gunned the South Korea’s M47 and M48 MBTs supplied by the USA. Attempts were made obtain a licence to build the Leopard 1 but this failed and an upgrade programme for the M48s was undertaken.

The Koreans made plans to produce main battle tanks locally and a new design was produced based on the prototype M1 Abrams. South Kore-

an officials were dispatched to General Dynamics Land Systems to oversee the design, which would become the XK-1 (production MBTs are designated K-1). This retained the original M68E1 105mm rifled main gun, which would also be domestically produced under licence.

The development of the vehicle was completed in 1983, with a prototype being delivered to the South Korean government in the same year.

After the production of approximately 450 K-1s, the Hughes Gunner’s Primary Sight was replaced by the Gunner’s Primary Tank Thermal Sight (GPTTS) by Texas Instruments. While the exact composition of the armour has still not been released, it has been confirmed that K-1 is equipped with composite Chobham armour. It is estimated that the South Korean Army has around 2,500 MBTs in operation, including the K-1A1. The improved K-2 Black Panther has been delayed into service due to complications with the design but sources in South Korea have suggested an in-service date of 2017. Little is known about the K-2 but is has a 1,500hp water-cooled diesel engine

The Israel-built Merkava has been in action against Russian-built MBTs, the image shows the current Mark IV model. (US DoD)

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EDR - July / August 2015

Italy’s Iveco Ariete has been in service since 2002 and is continuously upgraded with new equipment to keep it current. (Iveco)

and a 120mm main gun, with improved reactive armour and laser detection.

Turkey The Undersecreteriat for Defence Industries in Turkey (UDIT) decided to provide the Turkish military with a modern tank. An agreement with South Korea enabled Turkey to base its new MBT on the K-2. The Turkish Ministry of Defence allocated a budget of USD one billion for the development of the Altay and the first pictures of the design were released in April 2010.

On 29 April 2009, the head of the UDIT confirmed at IDEX that the Turkish tank will be manufactured using only Turkish resources. He added that the research had started and that he expected the Altay to be ready in three years.

In September 2010, Conceptual Design Phase of the Altay project had been completed and in October, Otokar signed contract with MTU and Renk for the supply of power pack. Turkey is also developing its own engine for the Altay. In May 2011, a mock-up of Altay tank was shown at IDEF 2011. On 18 October 2012, the first partially complete Altay started on trials; a month EDR - July / August 2015

later two Altay prototypes successfully passed initial acceptance tests, paving the way for production two years earlier than expected, two more prototypes were built in 2013 or 2014 and delivered to the Turkish Land Forces for trials. A licence-built Rheinmetall 120mm smooth-bore main gun is fitted and once trials are completed a total of 1,000 MBTs will be built in batches of 250 each for the Turkish Army. Other countries have also expressed an interest in the Altay.

Israel Israel is experienced in tank warfare and in the past forty or so years has shown how effective the MBT can be. While the Arab nations largely fielded Soviet-built T54/55 tanks, the Israelis used an upgraded British-built Centurion MBT and this proved superior.

These tanks required updating and in the 1965 research began on a domestically produced tank but until 1973 that the programme commenced. The following year a design had been approved and a prototype built for trials. Work began to retool the Tal Ha Shomer ordnance depot for full-time development and production; in

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The Japanese Self Defence Force is still taking delivery of the formidable Type 10 MBT which is armed with a 120mm gun similar to that fitted to the US M1A2 Abrams. (US DoD)

May 1977 the first images of the new Israeli-built Merkava (Chariot) MBT were issued. By April 1979 the Israeli Defence Force received the MBT into service. Developed continuously over the past twenty years there are four main versions of the Merkava and it first saw action in Lebanon in 1982, where its 105mm M58 main gun opposed the Russian-built MBTs. Since then a 120mm smooth-bore cannon has been introduced and engine power has been upgraded to give the current Merkava a road speed of 46km/h. The MBT has an unusual design with a front-mounted engine which gives the crew additional protection and chance to survive if the tank is knocked-out.

All Merkava series tanks have a rear compartment which may be used to carry troops and cargo. Upgrades to radar and fire control systems is on-going and the Merkava remains the IDF’s Main Battle Tank with around 360 Merkava Mark IVs in service.

Italy The C1 Ariete is the Main Battle Tank of the Italian Army and was developed by a consortium formed by Iveco-Fiat and Oto Melara. The chassis and engine were produced by Iveco, while the turret and fire-control system were supplied by

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Oto Melara. Six prototypes were developed by 1988, which were subject to intensive testing the following year and deliveries were planned for 1993, but in fact took place in 1995 due to delays. Final delivery occurred eight years later in August 2002.

The tank has a conventional layout similar to other Western MBTs: with the driver located at the front of the hull, the fighting compartment in the middle and the engine compartment at the rear of the hull. The Ariete’s main armament is a 120mm smooth-bore gun developed by OTO Breda and is able to fire APFSDS-T and HEAT ammunition as well as most NATO-standard rounds of the same calibre. It carries 42 rounds, 27 of which are stored in a special magazine inside the hull with the remaining ammunition stored in the rear turret, separated from the crew compartment by an armoured door.

Secondary armament consists of a 7.62mm MG 42/59 co-axial machine gun and an additional 7.62mm MG 42/59 configured as an antiaircraft weapon.

Ariete is powered by a 25.8-litre Fiat-Iveco MTCA 12-cylinder diesel engine with a ZF LSG3000 automatic transmission giving the MBT a road speed of 65km/h. The Ariete Mk.2 EDR - July / August 2015

The Challenger 2 MBT currently in service with the UK Army is regarded as one of the best MBTs in the world. (Franรงois Prins)

was revealed at Eurosatory 2002 and now in production; it has an autoloader, new hydropneumatic suspension, modernized FCS, 1,500 hp engine and more advanced fire control system and additional armour.

Japan The TK-X or Type 10 is the latest Japanese MBT and it entered service in 2012. Currently it is one of the most advanced main battle tanks in the world. This new lightweight MBT is more agile, however less protected than contemporary tanks. The Type 10 is armed with a 120mm

MBTs

smooth-bore gun, broadly similar to that of the M1A2 Abrams. It also has advanced fire control system.

This tank has great mobility due to its impressive power-to-weight ratio, Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and state-of-theart hydropneumatic suspension. At the time of writing exact numbers in service with the JSDF are not known but deliveries continue.

UK Britain invented the tank and has produced some exceptional examples over the years; cur-

Highly capable and battle-proven the M1A2 Abrams is subject to a new development programme that will keep the type in service for the next fifty years. (US DoD) EDR - July / August 2015

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Germany’s Leopard 2 MBT is one of the most successful and has been sold to several operators outside Germany.

It is currently being upgraded. (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann)

rently it is the Challenger 2 that is the mainstay.

This MBT is regarded as one of the best in the world with only the Leopard and M1A2 Abrams as equals. Battle proven the Challenger 2 has the latest Chobham armour and is one of the most protected MBTs in the world today. It offers very high level of protection against direct fire weapons and can return fire with its Royal Ordnance Defence 120mm L30 rifled gun. The rifled gun is highly accurate and gives Challenger an aimed range of more than 5 km. With a road speed of 56km/h it is not as fast as some of its rivals, but Challenger 2 has proved very reliable in hostile terrain and continues in service with the armies of Britain and Oman. There are, at present, no plans for a replacement MBT in the UK. United States The first production M1 MBT was completed in 1980 at the Lima Army Tank Plant in Ohio; since then the M1A2 Abrams has seen action in the Gulf and Afghanistan and has been developed to meet the US Army’s changing requirements.

The M1A2 SEP is a successor to the M1A2 and offers significant protection against all wellknown anti-tank weapons. This main battle tank uses advanced armour, reinforced with depleted uranium layers. Most of the latest modifications are still classified but its Textron Lycoming AGT 1500 gas-turbine engine and 120mm M256 smooth-bore gun remain constant. A 7.62mm co-axial machine gun as well as a 7.62mm and

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12.7mm guns for anti-aircraft defence are also fitted.

Production at Lima was planned to end by 2016 but General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), which operates the factory, opposed the move, arguing that suspension of operations would increase long-term costs and reduce flexibility. By August 2013, Congress had allocated $181 million for buying parts and upgrading Abrams systems to mitigate industrial base risks and sustain development and production capability. Even though money is being spent there is still risk of production gaps, as budgetary pressures may push planned new upgrades for the Abrams from 2017 to 2019. The M1A2 SEP is in service with United States Army (at least 900) and there are plans to keep the type in service beyond 2050.

Export customers include, Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Morocco, Peru, Greece and Taiwan have expressed an interest in buying the Abrams.

Germany One of the most successful MBTs is the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Leopard 2; though the design was new, this tank was developed using lessons learned from the earlier Leopard 1. The first production Leopard 2s were were delivered to the German Army in 1978 and the last of 2,125 entered service in 1992. Examples have been sold to Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, EDR - July / August 2015

Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Currently, the Leopard 2A7+ is the most recent version of the design and is fitted with additional armour and updated electronics. This tank has better accuracy and longer range of fire compared with other MBTs due to its powerful Rheinmetall 120mm L55/L44 smooth-bore cannon which can fire standard NATO ammunition and new programmable 120mm HE-rounds. The latest model features enhanced protective armour and reconnaissance capabilities. It was unveiled during the Eurosatory 2010 exhibition in France, and has been tested by the German Army. Powered by an MTU MB 873 diesel engine, which generates 1,500hp, the Leopard 2A7+ has a maximum speed of 72km/h.

Russia Russia as a long history of tank warfare that was honed during World War Two; the factories of the Soviet Union mass produced tanks on a scale never seen before. Since then Russia has continued to develop tanks and the newest was seen for the first time on May 7, 2015, just before the World War Two Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9. Called the Armata T-14, little

about its capabilities are known; it is fitted with an unmanned turret and a 125mm smooth-bore cannon that can fire guided missiles as well as shells. The three-man crew has better protection than in existing Russian tanks and are housed in a reinforced chamber, away from the main gun.

A source has described the new armour as being able “...to resist anti-tank gun shells adopted by NATO countries, including the state-ofthe-art APFSDS DM53 and DM63 developed

by Rheinmetall [and] anti-tank ground missiles with high-explosive anti-tank warhead.” Russian sources have said that the Armata’s chassis is adaptable as a platform for other weapons systems and that it could be developed as fully robotic battle vehicle. Its computer technology, speed and manoeuvrability are said to be superior to those of the Russian Army’s current T-90.

Armata is part of Russia’s ten-year armament programme in which £254 billion is being spent on new weaponry. Russia plans to bring in about 2,300 Armatas, starting in 2020, to replace Soviet-era tanks.

Far from being a thing of the past the Main Battle Tank is alive and well and looks set for a long and powerful future. ,

The latest MBT to be seen is the Russian T-14 Armata which made its first appearance in Moscow on 9 May 2015. (US DoD) EDR - July / August 2015

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The Rafale, here a naval «M», has been active on a number of different operational theatres, including Afghanistan. ©Eric H. Biass

The Year of the Rafale

S

Eric Biass

Has the fighter aircraft that allegedly nobody wanted all of a sudden become a must have? ome 14 years after its introduction into French service, the aircraft scored orders for a total of 84 units in just the first few months of 2015. Why did it take so long? A number of circumstances are to be put into the equation, but there is no doubt that political implications heavily overweighed technical considerations. Cost factors can be thrown aside, even if they are regularly used by politicians to explain their rejection for a given type of aircraft. This can even lead to some rather absurd situations in which one aircraft, say the single engine Saab Gripen, can be called up in a selection process that may already include the twin engine F/A-18F, the Typhoon or the Rafale (strangely, the Lightnening II seldom

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seems to appear in those matches). In Switzerland, military affairs are closely followed by the country’s citizens since they have a say through referenda. The fact that the Rafale, which won the favours of the air force’s pilots, was unceremoniously swept aside by politicians in favour of the Gripen was smelled by the public as too fishy an affair for good words to the extent that the electors promply pulled the carpet from under the Swiss government’s feet, aided in this by an strong anti-military movement.

The passing of time may have negative aspects as it tends to paint wrinkles on the surface of everything, but like Aesop’s tongue that can be the best and the worst thing in the world, it may also have a beneficial effect on wisdom and EDR - July / August 2015

on maturing processes – including those of the technologies involved. Time also enables one to take a broader view of political changes, not to mention the growing influence these have on one’s independence to use one’s assets.

Empty Weight, Max TOW, t Fuel, internal, t Fuel, external, t External loads, t Engines

*Aircraft does not yet exist

Rafale t10 24.5 4.7 6.7 9.5 2x76kN Snecma M88-2

All those considerations have played in favour of the Rafale in the recent orders mentioned above, allowing the real, genuine characteristics of the Dassault fighter aircraft to be fully brought to light.

Looking at the principal characteristics of some of the leading Western aircraft summarised below, the Rafale B (which is the standard single-seat version) a striking feature appears: its maximum take-off weight is more than twice its empty weight. In other words, with full internal tanks it can virtually carry its own weight in weapons – and these cover an impressively wide

range of European types. It also comes with an active radar and a powerful passive forward observation and tracking electro-optical system and a very advanced self protection suite. The other advantage of the Rafale against its rivals Typhoon Gripen E/F* 11 n.a.

23.5 16 5 3.4 2.36 n.a.

7.5 5.3 (Jas39) 2x90+kN EJ2000 1x 98 kN GE-414G is its low radar detectability (this does not mean outright stealth characteristics that tend to be more than detrimental to aerodynamics than needed).

With the “pending first order” syndrome swept away, the Rafale can now contemplate new export markets, particularly with rather successful military operations behind its belt, on the African continent in particular. It might even revisit Switzerland in 2018, when this nation will need to replace not only its F-5s, but now also some of its F-18s that are now getting long in the tooth. ,

The Rafale was also designed for usability. The author, who took this picture at the French Air Force Mont-de-Marsan base, witnessed a full engine swap (including full pre-flight check) in one hour flat by two engineers. ©Eric H. Biass EDR - July / August 2015

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Water Wings David Oliver

France’s Aeronavale fleet of Dassault Atlantique 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft are about to undergo a comprehensive upgrade programme. (French MoD)

Europe is facing several major maritime issues stretching from the Mediterranean to Baltic Sea. The importance of maritime reconnaissance and surveillance comes at a pivotal time in the international maritime domain in which over 20,000 migrants have illegally crossed the Mediterranean resulting in over 2,000 deaths so far in this year alone.

A

t the same time, multi-national maritime assets are committed to Operation Atalanta, the European Union (EU) marine intervention in the Gulf of Aden, off the Somali coast to protect ships against piracy attacks and carrying out emergency transport services in the region.

Meanwhile, Russian is building build eight Borei-class SSBN’s with an option to construct two more by 2020. The Russian Navy currently operating three of them, the first was commissioned in January 2013 and currently serves in Russia’s Northern Fleet. At the end of last year, Swedish armed forces were engaged in a search for possible “foreign underwater activity.” It was thought to be Sweden’s biggest military operation in the Baltic Sea since the end of the Cold War. Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea, its naval forces have been strengthened in the region and keeping watch on its activities from the Black Sea to the Baltic is a growing problem for NATO and EU forces and its partner nations.

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With the proliferation of illicit activity in the maritime arena increasingly in the media spotlight, not least the issue of human trafficking, and Russia’s military expansion, navies and government authorities are facing mounting pressure to enhance maritime surveillance capability and enhance it quickly.

While military budgets have been hit by cutbacks in recent years, the market for shore-based fixed-wing Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) remains buoyant as operators look to recapitalise ageing fleets or reconstitute dormant capabilities, and Europe has a number of diverse and ageing platforms.

France’s Aeronavale operates a fleet of 15 Dassault Atlantique 2 (ATL2) MPAs that first entered service in 1989 which are planned to be upgraded by Dassault and Thales. The programme will improve the ATL2’s ability to deal with new and emerging threats under all weather conditions, both in strategic deterrence roles and in asymmetric conflicts involving quiet and stealthy subEDR - July / August 2015

M aritime Aircraft marines, high-speed craft and land vehicles. The aircraft will be equipped to remain in operational service beyond 2030. In June 2015, the Aeronavale announced that ATL2 crews were qualified for GBU12 Paveway II firing procedures with self designation. The ALT2s are supplemented by 35-year old Falcon 20H Gardian aircraft used for coastal patrol, and five four ex-government Falcon 50B VIP transports converted to MPAs in 2013 designated Falcon 50MS. The German Navy also has an upgrade package approved for its fleet of 8 former Netherlands Lockheed P-3C Orion MPAs. In July it was announced that a comprehensive EURO500,00 upgrade programme to keep them in service until 2015 will be carried out by a consortium of Airbus Defence and Space, Lockheed Martin.

The Orion is also in service with the Greek Air Force. However, its fleet is grounded awaiting a US Foreign Military Sale (FMS) in order to modify and reactivate two P-3Bs and upgrade another five. The aircraft would receive mid-life upgrades (MLU), phased depot maintenance, mission integration and management systems and new avionics systems, but in view of Greece’s ongoing financial crisis, this may be put on hold.

The Italian Navy’ Programme P-72A is for the acquisition of four ATR-72-600MP aircraft

as interim replacements for its four remaining Atlantic 1 MPA aircraft for delivery in 2015. In the longer term, Italy is a possible Boeing P-8A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) prospect.

The Netherlands no longer operates any MPAs having sold its fleet of P-3C Orions to Germany and in future with rely on NFH-90 shipboard helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) such as the Scan Eagle. The closest NATO country to Russia’s northern border is Norway whose air force operates four P-3C Orion MPAs plus two P-3Bs for Coast Guard duty.

Norway is looking to a future replacement of its Orion fleet and the twin-jet P-8A Poseidon MMA is in its sights.

Neighbouring Sweden has an equally long coast line to protect stretching from the Baltic to the North Sea but surprisingly, has no MPA fleet although it Coast Guard operates three Bombardier Dash-800 Q300 aircraft. But with increased activity by the Russians and increased presence of NATO forces in the Baltic States, this may have to change.

Spain, which with Italy, is in the frontline of the Mediterranean migrant crisis, has a fleet of five upgraded P-3M Orions and three Airbus C-235MP Persuaders. Neighbouring Portugal

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is the world’s most widely used MPA aircraft, but in spite of upgrades, is now approaching obsolescence. (US Navy) EDR - July / August 2015

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The twin-jet Boeing P-3A Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) is being seen as possible replacement for the P-3. (David Oliver)

has a similar number of P-3Cs which were modernized in 2012, plus three Airbus C-259MPAs. In April 2015 three Russian warships belonging to the Northern Fleet passed through the English Channel on their way to holding anti-submarine and anti-aircraft drills in the northern Atlantic. Although French MPAs kept track of the ships, there were none from the United Kingdom. Since the government’s 2010 Strategic Security and Defence Review (SDSR) opted to scrap the four-jet BAE Systems Nimrod MRA4, on account of cost and delivery overruns, there has been a very obvious maritime capability gap that has left the UK, a maritime nation with an ever more pressing requirement for a capable MPA to protect its coastline and shipping routes, and a proper support arm to the Trident nuclear deterrence programme. A solution to this oversight is expected to come in the next SDSR due in October 2015 if not before.

And what are the options. The preferred military option would be the P-8A, which is a development of the B737-900 commercial airliner, and offers long-range and high-altitude ASW, and on which British personnel are already undergoing training with the US Navy. However, much of the high cost incurred in the Nimrod MRA4 programme was the development of its sophisticated mission systems, none of which would be utilized in the P-8A. Airbus Defence and Space, however, is offering a variant of the C-295MP turboprop that would integrate British equipment, and would be available sooner than the P-8A and at a lower price option claims to offer enough of a solution and at a lower price.

If the P-8A were to be selected, and interim MPA would have to fill the gap between delivery.

Those on offer include UK-based Marshall Aerospace’s proposed MPA adaption of the C-130J which is operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The Airbus C-295MP is operated by the Portuguese Air Force and has been offered to the Royal Air Force for its urgent MPA requirement. (Airbus)

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EDR - July / August 2015

M aritime Aircraft

A C-130J Sea Hercules proposed as an MPA platform for the RAF by Marshall Aerospace. (Lockheed Martin)

This would involve installing a weapons bay and underwing hardpoints, and mission pallets, that include equipment from the MRA4 programme, in the cargo hold. The problem is that due to higher than planned use of the RAF Hercules fleet in support of Afghanistan operations and late delivery of the A400M, few of them are available for the proposed MRA role.

Other options include the Dassault Falcon 2000 which has been selected by the Japan Coast Guard for its nine- aircraft Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) requirement. Dassault claims the Falcon is a faster and more reliable solution to turboprop platforms and owing to its leading-edge slats and winglets, offers both short- and long- range performance.

Saab is offerings the Swordfish MPA, a complete multi-mission system that can be easily integrated onto the Saab 340 feeder. With Maritime ISR as its core, Saab’s C4ISTAR system

presents fused, integrated information to the operators, allowing real-time decisions to be taken.

The sensor suite comprises world-leading systems including 360˚ AESA radar, High Definition Electro-Optics, comprehensive ESM and DAS payload and Multi Static Acoustics for unrivalled detection of next generation submarines.

A more radical solution has come from the Textron AirLand with its Scorpion, an American twin-jet two-seat light attack and Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

Equipped with the Thales I-Master radar, a compact, lightweight, all-weather tactical surveillance radar, that provides Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) performance and Maritime Moving Target Indication (MMTI) mode with high fidelity imagery for locating and classifying both moving and stationary targets at long standoff ranges over land and sea. At a cost of one-

The Japan Cost Guard, for long highly satisfied with the quality and performances of the Dassault Falcon MPA aircraft family, has recently ordered from France the two first Falcon 2000 MSA aircraft which should be added to the JCG’s fleet early in in 2016. © Y. Watanabe

EDR - July / August 2015

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Saab has developed the Swordfish MPA variant, based on the civil twin-turboprop Saab 2000 feeder airliner. (Saab)

tenth of a P-8A, a maritime security-configured Scorpion may be an attractive package for many cash-strapped armed forces.

An added incentive for Europe, the UK in particular, to improve its maritime security was the announcement in June 2015 that the Russian Navy is set to receive a significant boost to its aviation capabilities with a planned upgrade of its entire fleet of anti-submarine planes. The plan is to upgrade the current fleet of fifteen Il38 maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft to the new Il-38N specification that will include the installation of the new Novella-P-38 search and target tracking system. It was also revealed that the Navy’s Il-38 MPAs and Il-20 ISR air-

craft would all be replaced by a new platform that will be selected within the next year and make its first flight by 2020.

For NATO and its partners, new multi-mission capable aircraft systems to enhance future the maritime security capability must be considered. Investment in unmanned aerial systems and aerostats to compliment platform persistent surveillance to counter threats in the military and civilian domain including maritime terrorism, piracy and smuggling must be developed. This will go hand-in-hand with radar, sensor and satellite developments to upgrade and increase target acquisition, data collection and information sharing capability to enhance overall efficiency. ,

The twin-jet Textron AirLand Scorpion is a lowcost alternative to the multi-engine maritime platforms now in service. (David Oliver)

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EDR - July / August 2015

Fire for Editorial Effect Eric Biass

The Rheinmetall Denel Munitions Assegai range includes cargo illumination rounds that leave one very little space to hide on a surface twice that of a football stadium. ©Eric H. Biass

And didn’t the artillery demonstration staged earlier this year by Rheinmetall Denel Munition and Denel in South Africa indeed have a mighty effect on the more than 400 delegates from the four corners of the world that had gathered at the Denel Overberg firing range southwest of Cape Town!

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he purpose of the event, known as Defence Day 2015, was to provide all attendees with a live experience of the capabilities of the latest systems developed by Rheinmetall Defence – from mortar bombs, through rockets to heavy artillery, to name but a few. As a matter of fact, not only did the event cover two days but it also ran into a fair part of the moonless night between the two, which was put to good use to judge the performance of a number of illumination rounds.

The Rheinmetall Denel Defence Days are generally tagged as one the world’s largest displays of capabilities. What makes it large is not quite measurable, but one thing is certain, they are at least the largest in term of ranges if one uses the distance covered by an Assegai round as a yardstick: 54.8 km. A noteworthy point is that the public was facing south (facing the sea) while

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the guns were located at variable distances south east of that point, enabling the public to see the rounds impact or ignite at a safe distance, more or less in front of them.

A Word about Rheinmetall Denel Munition This company results from the 51% takeover by Rheinmetall of a number of divisions of the South African Denel company in 2008, namely Somchem, Swartklip, Boksburg and Nashem. This move enabled Rheinmetall to expand its capabilities in the fields of 105 and 155mm artillery munitions, 60 to 120mm mortar rounds, missiles sub-assemblies (notably propulsion and warheads, minefield breaching, pyrotechnics, 40mm grenades and so forth).

EDR - July / August 2015

Within seconds this Rheinmetall Daisy-equipped vehicle built up an impressively thick multispectral protective screen, making it impossible for anyone behind that curtain to detect the vehicle - no matter what sensor is used. ©Eric H. Biass

The purpose here is not to give a tedious written account of all the equipment fired, but rather to support the performance of the most significant munitions through illustrations.

The first day started with launches of a number of infrared and ultraviolet tight smoke screening hand grenades, stun and flash hand grenades and 61mm mortar rounds. Stun hand grenades, incidentally, were used to great effect and for the first time by the German special forces in 1977 to free all the passengers of a highjacked Lufthansa aeroplane in Mogadishu. The 61 mm mortar round for its part is a new four-kilometre range high parabolic Rheinmetall Denel Munitions product intended for use by special forces’ short-barrel mortars. It comes in HE variant (with impact, delay or proximity fuse)

with increased fragmentation characteristics, or in titanium tetrafluoride smoke variant. It particularly feature a more stable propulsion in regards to ambient temperature to provide better range consistency. This was followed by the launch of the company’s new 81mm, five-kilometre range mortar bomb, which is now qualified and exported.

The highlight of the day was no doubt the sudden intrusion of a Rooivalk on the scene, and particularly when its started to unleash a salvo of 70 FZ rockets that impacted the ground with a loud bang at a range of 1,000 metres (the rocket has a range of six kilometres, though). Launcher empty, the helicopter then resorted to using its helmet-aimed chin-mounted gun to shower a derelict tank downrange under a hail of 20mm

Screening grenades have long been a Rheinmetall specialty. ©Eric H. Biass

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A Rooivalk helicopter fired a full salvo of 70mm FZ rockets. These are now equipped with warheads and propellants made by Rheinmetall Denel Munitions. ©Eric H. Biass

rounds. The Rooivalk was not so much called to barrel into the arena to display its manoeuvring capabilities (it no longer is exportable in any case) as to show the performance of the Belgian rockets which are now armed and propelled by Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (to the detriment of the original French supplier).

The show also went on inside the huge marquee set up behind the grandstand, albeit in a quieter and more static fashion. There the visitors were able to get a close view of some of the weapons being demonstrated outside, like the full range of Assegai artillery munitions and their related modular propellant charges, grenade munitions and launchers, and even new drones and missiles respectively in the form of the Denel Hungwe and the two versions of the

Fly-past of a Hawk carrying an Al Tariq guided bomb minutes before its launch. Its impact on target could be seen on a video screen. ©Eric H. Biass

These witness plates show the effectiveness of the 105mm M1130 RDM shell (piercing impacts painted in red) against the job achieved by the old M107 HE (green markings). ©Eric H. Biass

Al Tariq bomb strap-on guidance kit developed in co-operation with the United Arab Emirates’ new Tawazun Dynamics company. To be precise, the Al Tariq is based on the Denel Umbani.

The “static tests” included detonating a typical 155mm M107 HE shell (as has been used in the US armed forces for years) in an arena of vertical steel plates. Upon marking the holes made by the shell with green paint, a 105mm M1130 Rheinmetall Denel round was detonated in the same place for comparison. As can be seen on the photo of the plates displayed after the experiment, the 11,000 fragments contained by the M1130 round left no chance to its 155mm counterpart in the peppering match. In addition, the Rheinmetall Denel round offers the advantage of being an IHE, where the I stand for “insensitive EDR - July / August 2015

The new South African Army Badger firing an Ingwe (leopard) anti-tank missile. This 127mm calibre weapon has a range of 5,000 metres and is now powered by a Rheinmetall Denel propellants. ©Eric H. Biass

foothold in the fields of large-calibre munitions, warheads and propellants. The company’s exports account for 90% of its production.

Then came an event that was sure to wake up even the tiredest visitor when a demining squad laid and fired the Plofadder mine clearance system. This comes in the form of a coiled explosive cordon that is pulled out of its container by a powerful rocket. When the cordon is deployed

explosive”. The M1130 is now delivered by the thousand to the United States where it is produced in co-operation with General Dynamics.

Uprange in calibre, a V-LAP (base-bleed with rocket assistance) 155 Assegai round was fired from a long distance into the target area, scoring an amazing range of 54.8 kilometres. The round also is of the insensitive explosive type and contains some 18,000 fragments enclosed between the two walls of the shell to which have to be added some 10,000 “natural” fragments. Fragments are said to be lethal over a radius of 50 metres. The Assegai range covers the full spectrum of 155mm natures, including illumination and training, and is now heavily exported to Nato and Middle East countries. As suggested

by Rheinmetall Denel Munitions boss Norbert Schulze, Denel Munitions has come a long way since it was joined by Rheinmetall, and with factory productions now in full swing, the operation has given Rheinmetall a strong international

The Rheinmetall Denel Munition 155mm Assegai V-LAP (which stands for Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile) proved that it could reach a range of 54.8 kilometres. It was fired to this point of impact from across the bay by a T-5 – 52 howitzer. ©Rheinmetall

over its full 160-metre length it is primed to set off its 560 kilos (hence the powerful rocket) of high explosive material into a mighty explosion that leaves very little chance to any antitank mine (or anything else for that matter) to survive two metres on either side of the 160-metre cordon centrline. The ground could be felt shaking from a distance of 500 yards. ,

The new Denel T-5 155/52 howitzer mounted on an 8x8 Tatra platform was put to hard work, firing a variety of Assegai munitions. It is here seen in a direct fire exercise in which the second round (red arrow) merely enlarged the hole made by the first round in the target (green arrow in inserts).

EDR - July / August 2015

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EDR - July / August 2015

The IPA7 during the trials. ©Andreas Zeitler, Airbus Defence and Space.

Industry News

Modifications boost agility and weaponscarrying capability

A

irbus Defence and Space has successfully completed flight-testing of a package of aerodynamic upgrades to the Eurofighter Typhoon swing-role fighter that promises to enhance further the aircraft’s agility and weapons-carrying ability.

The Aerodynamic Modification Kit (AMK) is part of a wider Eurofighter Enhanced Manoeuvrability (EFEM) programme with the potential to help ensure the type’s continuing superiority for many years to come.

It entails primarily the addition of fuselage strakes and leading-edge root extensions, which increase the maximum lift created by the wing by 25% - resulting in an increased turn rate, tighter turning radius, and improved nose-pointing ability at low speed – all critical fighter capabilities in air-to-air combat.

The introduction of the AMK will not only enhance the Eurofighter’s current capability as a swing-role fighter-bomber, but will provide additional growth potential, enabling easier integration of future air–to-surface configurations and much more flexible applications, vastly enhancing the aircraft’s mission effectiveness in the air-to-surface role.

EDR - July / August 2015

Eurofighter Project Pilot Germany Raffaele Beltrame said: “This programme has been a tremendous success with very impressive results – in some areas even better than we expected.

“We saw angle of attack values around 45% greater than on the standard aircraft, and roll rates up to 100% higher, all leading to increased agility.

The handling qualities appeared to be markedly improved, providing more manoeuvrability, agility and precision while performing tasks representative of in-service operations. And it is extremely interesting to consider the potential benefits in the air-to-surface configuration thanks to the increased variety and flexibility of stores that can be carried.

“It´s right to say that the EFEM/AMK work has allowed us to discover a new aircraft with much higher performance and greater potential to meet the challenges of the years ahead.”

The flight trials followed some five years of studies. Eurofighter test pilots, joined in the latter stages by operational pilots from Germany, Italy and the UK, completed 36 sorties from Manching, Germany on the IPA7 Instrumented Production Aircraft.

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Airbus Defence and Space to build JUICE spacecraft, ESA’s next life-tracker inside the Solar System

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he European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Airbus Defence and Space, the world’s second largest space company, as the prime contractor to develop and build the JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) spacecraft. JUICE is the first large mission of the ESA Cosmic Vision programme, with a launch date in 2022.

“JUICE will address the question: are there current habitats outside Earth in the Solar System with the necessary conditions to sustain life?” said François Auque, Head of Space Systems. “To answer this, we will develop and manufacture a fantastic spacecraft, building on our unique expertise gained in previous unrivalled space exploration missions. After the Sun, Mercury, Venus, the Earth, Mars, Titan… and even a comet, our engineers’ next challenge is to build this sophisticated spacecraft to explore the Jupiter system.”

JUICE is the first European mission to Jupiter; its overarching theme is the emergence of habitable worlds around gas giants. JUICE will investigate the Jupiter system, with a focus on its icy moons and the possibly ocean-bearing worlds of Europa, Ganymede and Callisto. The mission will study the moons addressing two key themes: what are the conditions for planet formation and the emergence of life.

Following a launch on Ariane 5, JUICE will cruise for 7.5 years making extensive use of gravity assist manoeuvres (in order to save fuel and energy) around the Earth, Mars and Venus before reaching the Jupiter system. After insertion into Jupiter’s orbit, JUICE will use multiple flybys to complete a comprehensive orbital tour over 3.5 years. At the end of the tour, JUICE will be set in orbit around Ganymede, becoming the first spacecraft ever to enter orbit around an icy satellite in the outer Solar System. The complex

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mission profile will be supported by dedicated navigation cameras on-board the spacecraft.

To fulfil its scientific mission, the spacecraft will carry 10 instruments covering a wide range of measurements techniques (optical, sub-millimetre, radar, magnetic electric, plasma and particle sensors). To avoid any perturbation of the scientific instruments, the spacecraft will have an unprecedented level of magnetic cleanliness.

Weighing five and a half tonnes, JUICE will be powered by a 97 m² solar generator, the largest ever built for an interplanetary mission. This will ensure the spacecraft produces enough energy even in Jupiter’s low solar environment.

Airbus Defence and Space has unparalleled experience in designing and building scientific exploration spacecraft, having been involved in every European interplanetary mission. Its heritage includes missions to Venus (Venus Express), Mars (Mars Express), Titan (Huygens), and comet 67P (Rosetta). The company is currently building missions to the Sun (Solar Orbiter), Mercury (BepiColombo) and Mars (ExoMars), besides all the satellites built and under construction for Earth research (Swarm, Cryosat, the Sentinel satellites and many more…).

Through these previous missions Airbus Defence and Space has developed expertise in autonomy, allowing spacecraft to be self-sufficient during long duration cruise phases as seen on Rosetta, and also careful electromagnetic cleanliness plans, essential in missions like Swarm the magnetic field measurement mission.

Airbus Defence and Space is prime contractor for the JUICE spacecraft, building-on the expertise developed on their sites in Toulouse (France), Friedrichshafen (Germany), Stevenage (UK) and Madrid (Spain). , EDR - July / August 2015

Industry News

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First Rafales for Egypt delivered on schedule

fter eight intensive weeks of conversion training at BA 118 in Mont-de-Marsan, completed by a series of test flights at BA 125 in Istres, the first Egyptian Air Force Rafale crews are now getting ready to leave France for Egypt on-board the first three aircraft of a total 24 Rafales order only secured at the end of last February. Rafale DM01 (9251), 02 (9252) and 03 (9253), all now sporting the black-white-red roundels and the flag of Egypt have been ferried to Cairo West on 21st of July.

All three aircraft diverted from a previous French Air Force order are of the latest F3 standard with Thales RBE2 AESA radar and MBDA DDM-NG all-round infra-red detection system.

They are expected to open the big air and naval parade expected to take place over the new branch of the Suez Canal this coming 9 August.

The 21 further Dassault Rafales earmarked for Egypt are scheduled to be delivered over the coming 18 months with deliveries ending by the the end of next year. 13 more duals (Rafale DM) and 8 single-seaters (Rafale EM). After completion of the Egyptian order, export of Rafales to Qatar will then start in 2017 and end by the beginning of 2019. Meanwhile, as India still remains with tongue in cheek regarding its standing order for 36 Rafales, no delivery date has been announced yet by Dassault Aviation.

Jean-Michel Guhl

The first three Dassault Rafale DM fighters for Egypt are seen flying in formation shortly before their delivery to the Egyptian Air Force. Š A. Pecchi / Dassault Aviation

EDR - July / August 2015

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Industry News The First Fire Truck Assembled Under the Contract Between Renault Trucks Defense and Raba

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ollowing the signing on 28 July 2014 of the cooperation contract by the Chairmen of RENAULT TRUCKS Defense and RABA, the first kits have been delivered and the monitoring of the assembly work and the training of our partner’s teams has started with a view to supplying more than 200 fire-fighting vehicles to the Hungarian Ministry of the Interior.

This is a Semi Knocked Down (SKD) process in which RENAULT TRUCKS Defense supplies RABA, a military and special vehicle assembler, with the 4-door 6/7-seat cabs and the MIDLUM chassis, while the axle assemblies are manufactured and installed by RENAULT TRUCKS Defense’s partner on its sites, then the equipment items (tanks, pumps, etc.) are integrated by the local coachbuilder BM Heros.

This 3-year contract will see the delivery of 60 SKD kits between now and the end of 2016.

Today the RENAULT TRUCKS Defense instructor, assembly and Quality teams are monitoring the assembly work and validating the various stages of the process with our partner.

The tests of the first assembled vehicle carried out on RABA’s own proving ground, have given full satisfaction as regards the vehicle’s road handling, stability and manoeuvrability.

An official ceremony for the delivery of the first fully equipped vehicles will be held on 30 September in the presence of Emmanuel LEVACHER, President and CEO of RENAULT TRUCKS Defense, Istvan PINTER, Chairman-CEO of RABA, and high-ranking representatives of the Hungarian Ministry of the Interior.

Skynet 5A Satellite Starts Move Eastwards Secure X-band and UHF MILSATCOM available for users in the Asia Pacific region by autumn 2015

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irbus Defence and Space has announced that the planned 67,000 km move of the Skynet 5A satellite over the Asia Pacific region is on track. The move from 6° East to 94.8° East will expand Airbus Defence and Space’s capability to provide protected and secure military satcom services to allied governments in the Asia-Pacific region. The satellite will be on station at its new location in the autumn this year.

Airbus Defence and Space announced the planned move of Skynet 5A military communications satellite at the Satellite 2015 Confer-

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ence in March 2015. The relocation will extend the Skynet constellation coverage and services from 178 West to 163 East, including the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific region. This will provide near-global military X-band and UHF coverage, expanding core service reach for the UK military and augment coalition capabilities in the region.

Airbus Defence and Space owns and operates the hardened Skynet X-band satellite constellation of 8 satellites and the ground network to provide all Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications to the UK Ministry of Defence. The contract also allows other NATO and allied governments such as members of the five-eyes comEDR - July / August 2015

Industry News One MBDA Industrial Strategy Produces First Concrete Results

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he OneMBDA strategy is now starting to deliver. This initiative which involves industrial specialization in centres of excellence located in France and the UK, focusing on key technologies, has just enabled the first exchange of products made by one country for the benefit of the other.

As such, the first production standard fin actuation system for the French MMP land combat missile programme was delivered by MBDA’s Lostock UK site at the beginning of the year. This actuation system is currently undergoing qualification at MBDA’s actuator centre of excellence in Stevenage, in preparation for the series production of the missile which will be integrated in Selles-Saint-Denis, France.

At the same time, the first four test equipment units produced by MBDA’s Bourges facility in France for the UK’s Brimstone programme have been delivered to Lostock where this airto- ground missile is being produced. These test units, developed around a common core that will feature in all the company’s future test equipment, will allow for the rationalization of tooling, logistics and the training of technical teams across the group.

On the event of this double success, Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, stated: “We are now seeing a decisive step in the process initiated by the UK and French governments through the Lancaster House Treaty. These cross deliveries of equipment between the two countries are a vivid demonstration of MBDA’s commitment to support the essential sovereign capabilities of the two nations at the lowest possible cost. This is the first step in support of the principle of interdependence and we are looking forward to the inter-governmental agreement that will set the conditions for the bulk of French and British programmes to reap the full benefits of this specialisation logic within MBDA.” munity (besides UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada) to use the Skynet system to augment their existing services. Airbus Defence and Space also leases the X-band hosted payload on Telesat’s Anik G1 satellite which covers the Americas and parts of the Pacific including Hawaii and Easter Island.

“The Skynet 5 constellation consists of the world’s most powerful, nuclear hardened and protected, military X-band and UHF satellites,” said Colin Paynter, Head of Airbus Defence and Space UK. “With the move of Skynet 5A, we will expand the availability of our premium secure MILSATCOM services to allied nations in the region who need high grade resilient and secure communications services to complement their existing systems.”

EDR - July / August 2015

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Industry News DCNS delivers multi-mission frigate Provence, the second FREMM for the French Navy

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n June 12th in Brest, DCNS delivered the FREMM multi-mission frigate Provence to the French Navy, as stipulated in the contract.

This frigate is the second of the series ordered by OCCAR on behalf of the DGA (French armament procurement agency).

Delivery of the FREMM multi-mission frigate Provence is the result of a design and construction process managed by DCNS in close cooperation with the French Navy, DGA and OCCAR teams.

All DCNS sites, its partners and subcontractors took part to this technological and industrial success to ensure compliance with the industrial milestones, in particular the launching in September 2013 and the first sea outing in September 2014.

The delivery of the second series to the French Navy took place just a few weeks after the first successful firing in Europe of a naval cruise missile from the first-of-class, the FREMM Aquitaine.

The sale of a frigate to the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Egyptian Navy, as well as the announcement of the launch of the intermediate-size frigates programme, boost DCNS ambitions for international development thanks to a broader offer of first of rank surface ships.

“The delivery of the FREMM Provence represents an opportunity to applaud the industrial and technological prowess of DCNS and its subcontractors. It underlines our ability to produce first of rank combat ships that meet our client navies needs, such as those of Morocco and Egypt,” stated Anne Bianchi, Director of FREMM pro-

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grammes. “Today, we are proud to deliver this second ship to the French Navy.”

SETIS, one of the most effective sea-proven combat systems on the market The delivery of the FREMM Provence marks the culmination in the ramping up of SETIS, the latest-generation combat system developed by DCNS. The ship is now equipped with a cutting-edge solution that is perfectly integrated on board. Indeed, the successful firing of the naval cruise missile on May 19th 2015 from the FREMM Aquitaine is a demonstration of the anti-land warfare capabilities directed at targets located deep in enemy territory. Added to the anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare capabilities, the FREMM has now reached its full technological capabilities.

“DCNS has successfully accomplished this essential step for the FREMM SETIS combat system. We are proud to have contributed to the successful firing of a cruise missile from a surface ship, a first in Europe. This result is a demonstration of DCNS expertise in the area of the design and integration of combat systems,” stressed Anne Bianchi.

Four FREMM at different stages of construction at DCNS Lorient Shipyard For DCNS, the FREMM programme currently involves the construction of ten frigates, eight of them for the French Navy. Six of these are to be delivered by 2019 and the remaining two frigates, equipped with extended anti-aircraft capabilities, will be delivered before 2022. Two other were sold for export clients: the Royal Moroccan Navy and the Egyptian Navy. , EDR - July / August 2015

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