21 Nov 23. RJAF boosts training capabilities with the arrival of Bell 505 helicopters. Bell Textron has completed aircraft delivery to the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), elevating operational readiness.
Bell Textron, a subsidiary of Textron, has delivered the first batch of five Bell 505 helicopters to the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), marking a step in enhancing the country’s military training capabilities.
The acquisition, part of a more extensive agreement signed in July 2022, includes flight training devices and a computer-based training package.
The King Hussein Air College in Mafraq, Jordan, will serve as a centre for both basic and advanced rotorcraft flight training, further elevating the operational readiness of the RJAF.
According to GlobalData’s The Global Military Rotorcraft Market 2023–2033 report, Textron is expected to account for the fourth-highest revenue share of 3.5% over the forecast period in the Middle Eastern market.
Expressing enthusiasm, Patrick Moulay, senior vice-president of international commercial sales at Bell, highlighted the technological advancement these helicopters bring. “Bell is thrilled to complete the first Bell 505 deliveries to the Royal Jordanian Air Force and looks forward to equipping its cadets with a full fleet of technologically advanced, dynamic aircraft that will enhance the Armed Forces’ operational readiness,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Mohammad F. Hiyasat, commander of the RJAF, welcomed the new fleet, stating: “These deliveries mark the expansion of our operations in the country and the growth of the capabilities of the Royal Jordanian Air Force.”
The Bell 505 transport and utility helicopter were bought for $95m, according to GlobalData’s intelligence on Jordan’s defence market.
The Bell 505 has established itself as a preferred, advanced military trainer across the Middle East. The UAE operates 12 Bell 505s, and the kingdom of Bahrain received three of these helicopters in 2023.
The broader deployment of more than 30 Bell 505 helicopters in the Middle East and Africa underscores its significance in military training. Beyond the region, the Montenegro Air Force, the Republic of Korea Army and the Republic of Korea Navy rely on the Bell 505 as their military training helicopter.
The Bell 505 has technology including a fully integrated Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite, and a Safran Arrius 2R engine with a dual-channel FADEC. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 Nov 23. New military simulations for shooting, trench war, drones unveiled. As each of the military services seek to use simulations for more realistic training, some new technology and updates to existing programs will be on display at the simulation industry’s largest event in late November.
A new shooting simulation system to replace decades-old tech now in use and tactical training simulation that brings drone, counter-drone and Ukrainian-based trench warfare into its digital world are two such items that will be on display at the annual Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference, held in Orlando, Florida, Nov. 27 to Dec.1.
The Lockheed Martin SIMRES system uses a new approach to force-on-force shooting simulation as the existing technology: the multiple integrated laser engagement system, or MILES.
Early versions of the multiple integrated laser engagement system were in testing in the 1970s, and have been the shooting simulation system used by the Army and Marine Corps since the 1980s. The system works on individual weapons such as the M4 and crewed vehicles such as the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle and Abrams tank.
As its name suggests, the system uses small lasers fired from the modules installed on the weapon’s system. The laser strikes a sensor on the opposing force, triggering a beep and registering in the system to track hits.
While an improvement over blank rounds, and estimates of targets hit and damage that predated the sensor system, lasers don’t perform the way that bullets and other projectiles do.
With a laser, the trajectory essentially is flat, with no drop that’s associated with actual projectiles. The system can’t effectively simulate indirect fire such as mortars or grenades.
And, being a laser, anything in its path will disrupt it. So, a soldier need only hide behind brush or a leafy bush to defeat the laser system. Hardly a realistic training scenario.
The system is reaching the end of its life and has been scheduled to become obsolete beginning in 2026, Karen Saunders, then-head of Program Executive Office–Simulation, Training and Instrumentation told Military.com in 2021.
Through a combination of GPS, sensing, software and light detection and ranging ― or Lidar ― technologies, their system creates a kind of virtual space in live training, SIMRES Chief Engineer Dan Hyatt told Military Times.
By using decades of weapon ballistics data, Hyatt’s team has created what they call an “e-bullet,” which allows them to model the real-world physics of a projectile and how it would perform when fired at certain distances, angles and even through barriers, such as concrete walls.
So, no more soldiers hiding behind bushes.
Hyatt’s teams conduct a digital scan of the training area and then use sensors about the size of a deck of cards strapped on individual users to track participants’ movements, weapon orientation, hits and misses.
That technology also allows for indirect fire. Early development has included the M4 and the M320 grenade launcher, both widely distributed small arms systems used by thousands of soldiers and Marines.
Hyatt said some of the systems already have been tested by soldiers at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California.
The system also gives trainers and observers a bird’s eye view of exercises unfolding in real time.
“When you are watching our engagement it’s like a first-person shooter or flying around with 3D view or snap to any soldier and see their view, hover above at a 20-foot altitude,” Hyatt said.
The system is still under development and is not yet competing for a current Army contract, but it is expected to display features the Army has shown interest in during recently launched efforts to improve the service’s simulation capabilities, company spokesman Mark Schaub said.
The Army’s Cross-Functional Team-Synthetic Training Environment and Program Executive Office–Simulation, Training and Instrumentation have ramped up efforts in recent years to overhaul simulation technology across the force. In 2021, then CFT-STE director Maj. Gen. Maria Gervais said the service was seeking to replace MILES.
That same year, the Marine Corps announced it was replacing MILES with Saab Inc.’s Force-on-Force-Next program, after beginning its search in 2017.
Nearly half of the organic weapons systems in an Army brigade combat team cannot be used with MILES, retired Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler, who currently serves as Lockheed Martin’s STE campaign manager, told Military Times.
That tech limitation “limits home station and combat training center training,” Chandler said.
The legacy system also requires hours of setup that eats up training time.
Chandler said something as simple as not being able to “lead” a target when firing with a laser, can introduce negative training to soldiers. Essentially a soldier will adapt to the system and then must unlearn the bad habits introduced by the system.
“One of the things I dreaded was going out to the field and having to use MILES gear, because it didn’t work half the time, it was difficult to learn how to use and employ,” Chandler said.
The Marine Corps’ FoFTS-Next system, a contract worth potentially $248m according to a Saab announcement, is expected to field in 2024, Marine officials told Marine Corps Times in November. The system has since been renamed the Marine Corps Tactical Instrumentation System, or MCTIS
Between 2024–2026, the Corps expects to field 16 MCTIS systems in total. Those will be delivered to Camp Pendleton, California; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia; Japan and Guam.
For more screen-based, tactical training, Bohemia Interactive Simulations will unveil new updates and features to its long-running Virtual Battlespace program ― used by both the Army and Marine Corps for more than a decade.
The company is releasing VBS4, the fourth iteration of an interactive, 3D, computer-based operational environment at the upcoming show, Bohemia Interactive Simulations co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Peter Morrison told Military Times that.
New features include both drone operator and counter-drone views and capabilities. Following the re-emergence of trench-style warfare in the Russia-Ukraine War, the company also added tactical trench warfare training for users.
“From an offensive perspective we can literally train the drone operator,” Morrison said. “Simulate dropping a payload from a drone or running a drone into a tank. Defensively, we can simulate drone weapons.”
The Bohemia Interactive Simulations team has built out simulations that allow an artificial intelligence application to analyze how effective counter-drone measures used by players have been. The application can decide if the user has concealed their position effectively and other steps, and whether the other side’s drone operator would spot their location, Morrison said.
The application also holds key training features on effective trench-clearing steps that a user would have to take to be successful, based on an analysis of current Ukraine trench engagements.
(Source: Army Times)
17 Nov 23. The Crucial Role of Wargaming in Defence. Members of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) recently visited Southwick Park, spending time at Strategic Command’s Wargaming Hub.
In an ever evolving and complex world, where threats and challenges continually reshape the landscape of defence and security, wargaming remains a vital tool for military strategists and policymakers.
Taking place in safe-to-fail environments, wargaming is a structured way of simulating testing military scenarios. This approach enhances Defence preparedness while developing strategic thinking and encouraging innovation.
Members of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) recently visited Southwick Park, spending time at Strategic Command’s Wargaming Hub to learn first-hand how beneficial wargaming can be to individuals and Defence.
Operating alongside wider government partners, academia and allies, the Wargaming Hub uses cutting edge technology, data and analytics to visualise different threat environments which informs strategic decision-making and promotes wider Defence-level experimentation.
Hosted by Director Joint Warfare, Rear Admiral Andrew Betton OBE and Head of Warfare Development, Commodore Christopher Goodsell RN, the attendees were first given a tour of the Wargaming Hub, developed by Strategic Command and DSTL.
The visit also included participating in three wargames:
- Adapted Section Commander: simulation of military conflict at the tactical level using vehicles and units.
- Contested: exposed attendees to high-level military/strategic decision-making.
- Hope and Glory: was focused on building resilience in response to UK extremist groups and external interference in critical national infrastructure.
Rear Admiral Andrew Betton, Director Joint Warfare said: “I was delighted to host members of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme at the new Defence Wargaming Hub at Southwick Park. During their visit they experienced some of the specialist wargames Defence uses to train personnel to be better decision-makers. They were also briefed on a series of strategic wargames designed to inform high-level Defence decision-making. “
Drawing on Southwick Park’s heritage as General Eisenhower’s planning HQ for D-Day and the historic Map Room, the day was rounded off with analysis of how wargaming influenced the successful outcome.
To gain greater appreciation of the history of wargaming, members of AFPS toured D-Day Map Rooms, seeing how wargaming has evolved and incorporates traditional techniques with modern technology.
From this experience, the members of the AFPS left with a greater understanding on Strategic Command’s role in sharpening defence’s edge and the continued benefits of wargaming as we strive to maintain an advantage over our adversaries. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
17 Nov 23. Royal Navy Trials Improve Detection of Underwater Threats.
Trials Enhance Detection of Underwater Threats. A series of trials are underway to enhance the way the Royal Navy detects and tracks underwater threats. HMS Richmond and Merlin helicopters from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose have been helping the Royal Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Spearhead trials team in developing new tactics to battle underwater foes.
Recently, Mercury Trials held as part of the wider Spearhead programme saw data from sensors used by warships, helicopters and uncrewed systems integrated together to better detect and identify evading submarines and make it harder for them to remain hidden.
This UK multi-static sonar capability was tested by Type 23 frigate Richmond and Merlin Mk2 helos in waters off the south coast, alongside industry partners Dstl, Thales, QinetiQ, BAE and Ultra.
It saw the ship’s engineers, underwater warfare experts and industry partners living and working together onboard for a couple of weeks conducting extensive trials and data gathering.
As a fully operational advanced anti-submarine warfare ship, Richmond provides the perfect platform to facilitate these advanced trials. The crew relish the fascinating opportunity to be directly involved with a programme that is key to developing innovations in underwater technology and future anti-submarine warfare.
During the at-sea trials, the frigate simultaneously used her towed array, along with a Merlin Helicopter, to trial cutting-edge sonar networking while collecting a significant amount of underwater data. When processed, this information will contribute to upgrades in submarine detection capabilities, networking, and help to develop AI to support information compilation and decision making.
Lieutenant Commander Antony Lofts, from the ship, said: “Our team of underwater warfare experts and the whole ship’s company are looking forward to taking these trials further and, in time, integrating the new technologies and solutions into developing doctrine and tactics to sustain the Royal Navy’s operational advantage in the Underwater Battle-space into the future.”
Lieutenant Commander Jonnie Barnes-Yallowley, from the Spearhead team, added: “The Royal Navy is a world leader in the operation of Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.
“However, recent developments in underwater threats means that it is imperative for the navy to exploit the latest technology developments in order to maintain its leading edge. This means we can continue to protect the nation’s critical national infrastructure.
“Recent investment in technology by DSTL now means that the Royal Navy has the opportunity to develop multi-static sonar systems which will integrate tactical ASW units to improve detection performance and present unique challenges to underwater systems seeking to evade detection and threaten our way of life.”
The Anti-Submarine Warfare Spearhead trials team are also looking at getting cutting-edge technology in a faster timeline – getting equipment to the frontline of operations quicker than traditional procurement processes.
They also look to solve real-world military problems, not only with new kit but using existing systems to give the Royal Navy the edge in the underwater battlespace.
“Recent developments in underwater threats means that it is imperative for the navy to exploit the latest technology developments in order to maintain its leading edge,” said Lt Comdr Jonnie Barnes-Yallowley. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Royal Navy)
17 Nov 23. Royal Navy Joins Allies in Test of Latest Undersea Tech During Major Exercise In Australia. Patrol ship HMS Tamar has strengthened ties with the Australian and US navies in the Pacific – and tested a keystone capability of the Royal Navy’s future fleet.
The Portsmouth-based warship has spent the past four weeks operating in and around Sydney, focusing on furthering links with the Royal Australian Navy and an Anglo-American-Australian exercise, testing new equipment which will increase the protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
The exercise, staged just off the coast of Sydney under the banner of the AUKUS partnership between the three countries, allowed the first run out of the Royal Navy’s new ‘PODS’ programme, designed to expand the capabilities of today’s – and tomorrow’s – warships.
The workout saw some 39 Royal Navy and US Navy Dive Team, hydrographers and Royal Marine communications specialists embark on Tamar. Supporting them were two mission PODS – Persistent Operational Deployment Systems.
Roughly the same size as a shipping container each POD contains equipment and support for a dedicated operation which a ship wouldn’t normally perform, such as minehunting, launching surveillance drones, perhaps kit for a Royal Marines boarding team or raiding party.
It’s a concept central to the design of and proposed operations by the Royal Navy’s next generation of frigates, the Type 26 and 31.
In addition, an Australian dive team embarked on the Australian Defence Vessel ADV Guidance with current and experimental underwater equipment.
Described as a combination of “exercise, tactical development and demonstration all in one”, crewed and uncrewed, autonomous and remotely-operated systems were tested, pushing the boundaries of technology and interaction between three extremely-close allies on and beneath the waves.
For Tamar’s Commanding Officer Commander Teilo Elliot-Smith, the exercise proved eye-opening on many levels – from the speed of technological development in underwater warfare (“the rate of progress in this sphere is astonishing”) to expanding the capabilities of the River class ships which can ‘plug and play’ the new PODS – and the concept bodes equally well for future Royal Navy warships.
“The most satisfying part for me was watching the team from Tamar working alongside UK, US and Australian experts so effectively. This is important – really important – and I’m proud that Tamar has played a significant role in facilitating this most recent step forward,” Cdr Elliot-Smith added.
Despite operating extensively in and around the Australian sub-continent for nearly two years, this was the first visit by HMS Tamar to Australia’s largest city.
Hosted at HMAS Kuttabul – the Royal Australian Navy east coast home and against the backdrop of the Royal Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The patrol ship hosted a string of civilian and military VIPs, led by the head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, who thanked the ship’s company for their persistent efforts and they provided him with an update on their exploits.
With so many iconic venues to witness and experience, Tamar’s 50-strong ship’s company made use of any spare time to take in the sights and sounds of Sydney and its surrounding area.
“From surfing at Bondi Beach and hiking in the Blue Mountains, to attending performances at the Sydney Opera House, Sydney has been an experience never to be forgotten,” said Sub Lieutenant Justine Lambert, Tamar’s Correspondence Officer.
“A ‘bucket list’ for most and the pinnacle of ‘Join the Royal Navy and See the World’ for others. It certainly has been an excellent backdrop to the start of my time onboard HMS Tamar.”
Crew organised a football match against a team from HMAS Kuttabul.
“The opportunity to represent the Ship provided us the opportunity to meet our Australia counterparts, tell a few stories and see how similar our two Navies are – despite being from opposite sides of the Globe,” said IT and communications specialist Engineering Technician Niall Garvin.
HMS Tamar has now sailed from Sydney for a short period at sea ahead of a scheduled maintenance period and then onwards through Christmas and the New Year further afield across the Southern Hemisphere.
“The most satisfying part for me was watching the team from Tamar working alongside UK, US and Australian experts so effectively. This is important – really important – and I’m proud that Tamar has played a significant role in facilitating this most recent step forward,” said Commander Teilo Elliot-Smith. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/Royal Navy)