LAND
26 Jan 12. SELEX Sistemi Integrati wins new contracts for the value of €120m with the Italian Ministry of Defence and the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA). The first contract signed with the Italian Ministry of Defence concerns the strengthening of the protection level for the forward operating bases (FOB) and the forward support bases (FSB) in service in Afghanistan. SELEX Sistemi Integrati, as prime contractor of a temporary grouping of enterprises, will deliver surveillance integrated systems which include the man-portable LYRA10 radar, designed and manufactured by the same company, and several electro-optical sensors by SELEX Galileo. The supply also includes the creation of command and surveillance posts for the systems management, surveillance systems for airport areas, camera integrated systems for the internal surveillance of entrances, robotic systems in “combat” version manufactured by Oto Melara for the protection of the bases, acoustic systems by SELEX Galileo able to locate the fire sources. SELEX Sistemi Integrati will also be responsible for the transport, installation in site and the integration and management of all the systems installed. The second contract signed with the Italian Ministry of Defence is relevant to the strengthening of some of the operational functionalities of the command and control system developed by SELEX Sistemi Integrati for the Italian Army (SIACCON2) and the related connective infrastructure (mission network) at the moment in use in Afghanistan by the Italian Armed Forces; the upgrade will allow them to operate with higher efficiency and wider interoperability in the complex multinational mission which is in course in the Country. The SIACCON2, installed in Afghanistan for the first time ever, will increase the effectiveness of the asymmetric warfare counter actions in the context of multinational missions, also thanks to its capability of being federated with NATO and the Altantic Organisation Countries, so guaranteeing interoperability with mobile platforms. The agreed supply will assure a fast deployment of means and men, an effortless transportability of systems, an easier use of the system itself also in adverse environmental conditions. The agreement also includes the use of a national site for personnel training activities, remote support and the implementation of whatever necessary to complete the connection infrastructure both in Afghanistan and in Italy. Further contracts have been signed by SELEX Sistemi Integrati with the Ministry of Defence for the maintenance of the Army managing and information system (SIGE) and for the development of new services and capabilities of the system itself which will advantage all the Italian Armed Forces. The new services also consider a net-centric evolution of the system to permit the sharing of data into the network according to different authorization levels. Finally, the company signed a contract with the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) under the Italian Ministry of Defence mandate, both to develop the new mission planning system for the A129 combat helicopter, and to update the technology used in the mission planning system of the NH90 tactical transport helicopter. Both the mission planning systems installed on the aircraft in use by the Italian Army will allow to manage flight plans in a more advanced and efficient way. The supply, which will be delivered in a very short time, will be completed by logistic support services.
SEA
27 Jan 12. The MoD has confirmed that a new Royal Navy missile defence system will be able to intercept and destroy enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds. The £483m contract to develop this cutting edge air-defence system – known as Sea Ceptor – is being awarded to UK industry. Sea Ceptor’s ability to intercept missiles at sea will be developed under a demonstration contract with MBDA (UK) that is expected to last for five years. This contract will sustain arou