EUROPE

SEA

11 Feb 10. Thales announces significant Sonar 2076 upgrade. Thales UK has been awarded a contract by BAE Systems to upgrade three Trafalgar-class and three Astute-class submarines with the Sonar 2076 Stage 5 system.
These submarines are currently fitted with the 2076 Stage 4 system. Once all the work is completed, 2076 Stage 5 will be fully deployed across the Royal Navy’s (RN’s) nuclear-powered attack (SSN) submarine fleet. This contract builds on Thales UK’s relationship with BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, and is a demonstration of the success of the Performance Partnering Agreement jointly put in place. The ‘Stage 5 Inboard Replacement’ (Stage 5 IR) contract is the latest in a series of developments to improve the capability, efficiency and through-life cost of the system to ensure that Sonar 2076 retains its reputation as the world’s most advanced, fully integrated, passive/active search and attack sonar suite. Stage 5 IR achieves the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) requirement for reduced through-life costs and the need for rapid capability insertions of new hardware, software functionality and new algorithms to meet the RN’s changing mission requirements. The upgrade also delivers an open architecture that allows a high degree of commonality with the future Astute and Vanguard-class replacement (Successor) submarines, and supports the MoD’s vision for the evolution of a common sonar and combat system across the RN submarine flotilla.

AIR

15 Feb 10. SELEX Galileo announced that Saab has selected the Infrared Search & Track (IRST) system SKYWARD-G to equip Saab’s Gripen Next Generation (NG) fighter. IRST provides similar functionality to a radar without giving out electromagnetic radiation and can therefore provide full operational search and track functionality with a stealth capability. IRST can operate in highly cluttered environments to track single and multiple targets, and can also operate in slaved acquisition mode. SKYWARD-G is a product of SELEX Galileo’s extensive experience in the field of infrared search and track airborne and naval systems and is the latest addition to the Company’s proven record in delivering innovative technology to customers. The selection of the SKYWARD-G system follows the agreement signed in March 2009 between Saab and SELEX Galileo for the development of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar Raven ES-05 for the Gripen Next Generation.

17 Feb 10. SELEX Galileo has received a £19m Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP) contract from the UK MoD. The contract includes development and build of a first of type, multi-function, wide field of regard AESA radar providing increased capability and performance when compared to conventional AESA Fire Control radar systems. Aimed at future UK platforms, the AESA TDP will focus on Day/Night All Weather targeting,
high resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Air – Air targeting and communications and will raise the technology readiness levels of the enabling hardware, de-risk the capability and demonstrate maturity of concept. After rigorous ground and compact antenna test range testing, the radar is planned to fly on a Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft in the UK.

18 Feb 10. The UK’s Royal Air Force has awarded VT Group a contract to provide support service to the air force’s fleet of Tucano training aircraft. Under the £35m (US$55m) four-year contract, VT will deliver between 12,000 and 14,500 hours of flying training every year for the RAF’s 50 Tucano aircraft. VT will perform the work at RAF’s Linton-on-Ouse base in North Yorkshire where Tucanos are used to train fast jet pilots in preparation for flying the Hawk fast jet trainer. VT has been providing engineering support and maintenance, flight line services and logistics to the RAF’s Tucano fleet since its inception in the air force. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

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