EUROPE
17 Jun 05. Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) and MiG Russian Aircraft Corporation today signed an agreement protocol at the 46th Paris Air Show. It lays out possible areas of joint development in avionics modernization for future MIG export aircraft. Over the past years, Sagem Défense Sécurité has become the benchmark for gyrolaser inertial navigation systems used in the different versions of the MiG 29 that are exported. Both parties now aim to expand this cooperation to cover equipment such as optronic search and track and latest-technology systems as the guided armament AASM and the SAMIR anti-missile warning, for perspective fighter planes, providing them with state-of-the-art aeronautic electronics.
17 Jun 05. Sofradir, a developer and manufacturer of advanced infrared detectors for military, space and industrial applications, announced that its infrared detectors are fully operational in the European military space satellite, Helios IIA, and are making day and night observations as well as detecting activity on Earth. Helios IIA is the first of two satellites in the Helios II system, a second generation defense program supported by France, Belgium and Spain that takes over from the Helios I spacecraft family. Sofradir supplied its IR detectors to Alcatel Space for integration in the High-Resolution (HR) imaging instruments used in Helios IIA. In addition to improving the quality of images captured by Helios IIA, Sofradir’s IR detector provides end-users with night imagery, a first in the Helios defense and security program.
16 Jun 05. The U.S. Army introduced its first unit equipped with the Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), helping the service meet its goal of fielding a lighter, more mobile and more flexible fighting force. Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS was presented to Lieutenant Colonel William Turner, commander, 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, XVIII Airborne Corps, in a ceremony at Fort Bragg, NC, as the 3-27th Field Artillery Regiment (FAR) became the first certified HIMARS Battalion. The ceremony was witnessed by hundreds of Soldiers, suppliers, dignitaries and Lockheed Martin personnel, many of whom supported user training and transition of the HIMARS system to the warfighter.
Comment: HIMARS, based on Stewart & Stevenson’s FMTV chassis is soon to be fitted with the L-3 active suspension. The fitment of this suspension, which is also slated to go on the next generation of FMTV in 2007 with some backfits, will increase the stability of the system (See; L-3 AND HORSTMAN SHOW OFF ACTIVE SUSPENSION ON LANCER CHASSIS)
23 Jun 05. Saab signs general agreement with Swedish Defense Materiel Administration for consulting services. The Saab owned AerotechTelub has signed a general agreement with the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration, FMV, for consulting services focusing on resource consultants in the fields of Sensors and Telecom Services. The framework agreement is valid for two years with an option for a further two years in total. The order is worth a total of MSEK 100 a year for all 10 suppliers with which the FMV has signed general agreements.
20 June 05. In its first major demonstration of capability, a prototype of the Army’s Joint Effects Tactical Targeting System (JETTS), has been deployed at the UK Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration 2005 (CWID 05). Prime contractor Raytheon Systems Limited (RSL), which won the £10m Assessment Phase for this programme in July 2004, has been able to demonstrate JETTS’ successful adaptable architecture and show considerable de-risking of this key programme. JETTS is a key part of the UK MoD’s Network Enabled Capability (NEC) initiative and the digitization of UK forces. NEC emphasises the integration of capabilities to allow the rapid and controlled delivery of precise military effect. The aim is to improve the operational capability in the battlespace by enhancing the combat effects of tempo, simultan