01 Feb 10. The US Army has reported a failed test of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defence (GMD) System. Test firing of the target missile was conducted from the US Army’s Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Ground-Based Interceptor was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The Ground-Based Interceptor, however, failed to intercept the target missile as the Sea-Based X-band radar did not perform to the expectations.
The GMD System provides early detection and tracking during the boost phase, midcourse target discrimination, precision intercept and destruction of inbound ballistic missile through force of hit-to-kill technology. The army has said that programme officials will investigate the cause of the failure. (Source: army-technology.com)
02 Feb 10. The international launch of SIMBAD-RC, the latest addition to MBDA’s range of naval air defence systems, will take place at the Singapore Air Show (2nd– 7th February 2010). SIMBAD-RC is a remote-controlled, short-range anti-air self defence system providing a highly effective capability against a comprehensive range of threats from combat aircraft and anti-ship missiles to small surface threats such as FIACs. SIMBAD-RC has been developed to meet the latest requirements of navies operating in either littoral or blue waters and is highly suited for ships with low crew numbers and for modern ship design requirements, particularly those relating to stealth and very fast craft concepts. The remotely controlled SIMBAD-RC twin launcher, deploying two Mistral 2 fire-and-forget missiles can provide the primary self defence capability on all classes of warship such as Fast Patrol Boats and large support ships for example or, alternatively, it can complement the main air defences of first rank warships such as frigates and destroyers. A single operator, working from a compact terminal located within the ship, can control two SIMBAD-RC launcher systems. With the operator not being exposed to the elements, this latest system from MBDA offers high availability in all weather and sea conditions.
01 Feb 10. DSM Composite Resins, Europe’s largest producer of Unsaturated Polyester Resins (UPR) is to introduce a price increase for its entire range of resins and gelcoat products. The price increase will be in the range of 9-12% depending on the specific products and raw material base, and becomes effective on Feb 15th, 2010, or at the earliest time possible depending on existing individual contracts. The increase is valid for China, Europe, Middle East & Africa. Michael Effing, President of DSM Composite Resins: “This price increase is the inevitable consequence of continuously rising costs for raw materials and energy. We have taken many measures to reduce cost in these difficult times, without jeopardizing our long term overall strategy and commitment to the industry. We will continue to focus on our customers by bringing new innovations and technologies to the market and by investing in our supply capabilities for the material technologies of the future.”
03 Feb 10. A Lockheed Martin joint air-to-surface stand-off missile (JASSM) has successfully completed a product upgrade verification (PUV) flight test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. During the flight test, the missile was launched from a B-52 aircraft and successfully navigated a predetermined route before destroying its intended target. The test also successfully validated a new missile control unit, a recently upgraded actuator control electronics and a digital engine controller thereby enhancing missile performance and eliminating the risk of future component obsolescence. The US Air Force has a total objective of 4,900 JASSMs and JASSM-extended-range (ER) missiles, with the eighth production batch under contract. JASSM is a 2,000lb class weapon with a penetrator / blast fragmentation warhead, which cruises autonomously in adverse weather, day or night, using a