EUROPE

LAND

07 Feb 12. Thermoteknix Systems Ltd has been awarded a prestigious contract to supply their ClipIR® Small Thermal Imager Clip On to the UK Ministry of Defence. The contract, secured in the face of stiff international competition, is for supply of an initial quantity of 180 ClipIR units, spares and accessories at a total cost of over £1.5m. The ClipIR units, compatible with most Night Vision Goggles and Monocular Image Intensifiers, are expected to be delivered directly to UK Special Forces frontline troops. ClipIR extends the use of image intensifier performance into total darkness and low light conditions. It features a full 40° Field of View with fusion of both thermal and intensified imagery and 384×288 thermal resolution for 40% more coverage than 320×240 based detectors and up to 4 and half hours operation from a single AA battery across a full ambient temperature range. ClipIR incorporates Thermoteknix’ unique patented shutterless MicroCAM XTi Technology ®, removing the need for internal mechanical shuttering or lens cap corrections and delivering continuous, uninterrupted thermal image from its instant switch-on.

SEA

08 Feb 12. Aero3A agency has just won a bid from CORICAN (France’s naval activities and shipbuilding innovation and research orientation board) to give a new dimension to the French naval sector’s communication on its research, innovation and environmental programmes. CORICAN, a ‘Grenelle de la Mer’ initiative, brings the entire French naval sector together, including State departments (the ministries of sustainable development, industry, research, defence and fishery), competitiveness clusters, local authorities, industrial players (in particular GICAN members) and the concerned higher education establishments. Thanks to its experience and its network, Aero3A wants to spotlight this profession’s commitment to promote the ship of the future, a ship that is clean, economical, safe and intelligent. Step one: in early 2012, Aero3A created a logo, a visual identity and a website for CORICAN.

08 Feb 12. Thales UK has been awarded a GBP30m+ contract to supply the
Sonar 2076 fully integrated search and attack submarine sonar system for the UK Royal Navy’s fifth Astute-class submarine, HMS Anson. Thales will supply the sonar system to BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, the prime contractor for the Astute-class build, to be fitted to the submarine at the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. Under the terms of the contract Thales will supply a complete sonar system, comprising both inboard and outboard of the bow, fin, intercept and flank arrays, and the associated inboard processing. (Source: ASD Network)

AIR

07 Feb 12. The MoD is to order an additional C-17 Globemaster, taking the number of aircraft in the RAF’s fleet to eight. The purchase of an extra C-17 will help to support the airbridge which transports Armed Forces personnel and equipment between the UK and frontline operations. The newest C-17 is currently being built by Boeing in the USA and is due to come off the production line next month. It is then expected to enter service with the RAF in July 2012. The aircraft, which will cost £200m, will be based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire along with the other aircraft in the fleet which are operated by 99 Squadron. The multi-million pound C-17 aircraft can fly over 4,500 nautical miles, meaning it can fly directly from Helmand Province to the UK.

06 Feb 12. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a potential sale of F-16C/D Block 52+ Falcon multirole fighter support and munitions, as well as associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support services to the Polish Air Force. Under the estimated $447m foreign military sale (FMS) programme, Poland has also requested for 93 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II tactical missiles, four CATM-9X-2 captive air training missiles, and 65 AIM-120C-7 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM). A