04 Jul 24. Norway issues RFI for K9 turret simulators. The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) issued a request for information (RFI) on 3 July for K9 self-propelled howitzer (SPH) turret simulators.
The RFI, announced on the European Union’s (EU’s) tendering website, aims to identify companies that are building or have already built a turret simulator based on the K9 that can fulfil the army’s requirements for a realistic training system.
Managed by the Land Systems Division, the procurement aims to enhance the operational effectiveness of the army’s artillery systems, by raising the level of competence, while reducing ammunition consumption and wear and tear on K9 equipment.
One or two simulators will be procured, with deliveries beginning no later than 2027.
In 2017 Norway signed a KRW245.2bn (USD176.5m) contract with Hanwha Defense for 24 K9s in the A1 configuration and six K10 ammunition resupply vehicles. Known as VIDAR (Versatile Indirect Artillery) in Norway, the K9 delivered features a 155 mm/52 calibre artillery gun. In November 2022 Norway ordered four more K9s and eight K10s.
NDMA is striving for a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution with minimal development required. (Source: Janes)
04 Jul 24. Royal Navy takes part in first joint exercise with Australia and Japan in Indo-Pacific. HMS Tamar has joined vessels from the Australian and Japanese navies in an exercise first for the three nations.
She has been training with the JS Noshiro of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) and HMAS Choules of the Royal Australian Navy ahead of the upcoming Tongan International Fleet Review.
“This is the first joint exercise between Japan, Great Britain and Australia,” said the JMSDF.
HMS Tamar is a batch two River-class offshore patrol vessel and is known as the Royal Navy’s greenest warship.
She posted on social media site X: “Three-mendous. Some excellent training with our friends and allies from the Royal Australian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force en route to the Tongan International Fleet Review.”
The JMSDF added: “Great Britain and Australia are special partners for Japan in realising a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“JMSDF will continue to strengthen co-operation with allied and partner navies, contributing together to maintaining and enhancing maritime order.” (Source: forces.net)
03 Jul 24. Rheinmetall delivers first simulation system Ausbildungs Ausstattung Training Navigation to the German Navy: Ceremonial handover at the NAVOS in Bremerhaven In the presence of representatives of the German Navy headquarters, Rheinmetall handed over the first of seven ship-handling simulators Ausbildungs-Ausstattung Training Navigation “AATN” to the Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) at the Naval Operations School (MOS/NAVOS) in Bremerhaven. The BAAINBw also handed over the system to the Navy, thus giving the authorization to use the system. This is a significant milestone for everyone involved, as it marks the start of the rollout to the end users, who can now integrate their first simulator into their training operations. History and challenges in the project The need to regenerate existing systems and procure new systems in the area of technical navigation training was identified at an early stage. Following the necessary procedures, the naval schools and flotillas defined functional requirements. This resulted in the project “Regeneration AATN”. A key success factor in the implementation was the agile and iterative interaction between the various users and participants in the project, from the design phase to the development and testing phase. This made it possible, among other things, to incorporate important technical changes from other parallel projects (such as RadEA ) and, as “pioneers”, to realize a construction project on naval property by creating a temporary infrastructure. Benefits of the AATN The AATN handed over to the NAVOS is a classroom trainer with 20 student workstations and one instructor workstation dedicated to the training of naval soldiers, which virtually simulates all German Navy ships and relevant sea areas. The NAVOS primarily offers tactical, navigational and radio communications training for future operators of a warship, including trainees from foreign navies as part of exchange programs.
The AATN in Bremerhaven enables interdisciplinary nautical training for all naval services throughout all ranks for the approximately 3,000 soldiers who go through the NAVOS every year. With a focus on technical navigation using electronic chart systems (including the military warship ECDIS “ECPINS” by the Canadian company OSI Maritime Systems, which was selected as part of RadEA) and various radar surfaces, these simulators also offer the opportunity to realistically teach content in terrestrial and astronomical navigation, nautical law, military procedures, ship-handling and eKey facts K Handover of the first of seven simulation systems ship-handling simulators (AATN) to the Naval Operations School (NAVOS) 20 student workstations and one instructor workstation for training naval personnel Focus on technical navigation Further rollouts in Eckernförde and Warnemünde in 2024 Contacts Oliver Hoffmann Head of Public Relations Rheinmetall AG Tel.: +49-(0)211 473 4748 oliver.hoffmann@ rheinmetall.com Dr. phil. Jan-Phillipp Weisswange Deputy Head of Public Relations Rheinmetall AG Tel.: +49-(0)211 473 4287 jan-phillipp.weisswange@ rheinmetall.com lSocial Media @Rheinmetallag @Rheinmetallag Rheinmetall basic seamanship such as maneuvering in port, towing or being towed. At the same time, the simulator meets the high standards and requirements for information security in accordance with the BSI (German Federal Office for Information Security) guidelines. Rollout and Way Ahead In addition to the NAVOS Bremerhaven as the first user, the Naval Academy Mürwik (NAVAC) and the naval bases in Wilhelmshaven, Kiel, Eckernförde and Warnemünde will receive their own AATN in different configurations in order to enable a decentralized training. The rollout of the simulators continues this summer with Eckernförde and with Warnemünde in winter. Rheinmetall is thus increasing its reach and visibility within the training landscape of the German Navy with the aim of providing future Navy crews with a sophisticated and state-of-the-art training.
28 Jun 24. India successfully completes new booster design on Abhyas HEAT. India successfully tested the Abhyas High Speed Expendable Target with an improved booster configuration. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completed trials on an improved booster configuration for the High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (Heat), Abhyas, announced the Department of Defence (FoD) on 27 June 2024.
Details of the new booster design were not disclosed, but as recently as October 2021 the Abhyas, which is programmed for fully autonomous flight, launched using a twin underslung booster.
Six successful consecutive developmental trials were completed, with the Abhyas trialled under observation from an improved radar cross section, visual and infrared segmentation system. The Heat system contains a Luneburg lens in the nose cone that can enhance the target’s radar cross-section for weapons practice.
The Chairman of the DRDO, Dr Samir V Kaman – who also serves as the Secretary of Research and Design for the DoD – congratulated the success and said “The system is cost effective with huge export potential.”
India’s Minister of Defence Rajanth Singh complimented the work of industry, the services and the DRDO for the development of Abhyas: “The successful tests are noteworthy testimony of synergy between scientists and industry.”
Two of the trials were launched back-to-back in 30 minutes, to demonstrate low logistics burden and ease of operation. The mission objectives of the full set of trials included safe booster release, launch clearance, and endurance tests.
DRDO conducted the first experimental launch of the system in 2012, with Rs150m ($1.8m) in initial funding from the Indian Government for the project, with a per unit cost of Rs4m ($48,000).
As a HEAT, the Abhyas is intended to offer a realistic threat scenario for weapon systems practice. Under operation from an autopilot and a laptop-based ground control system. The ground control system enables aircraft integration, allows for autonomous flight, and performs pre-flight checks. The autopilot system can support live-fire weapons tests.
The vehicle is equipped with a small gas turbine engine and leverages MEMS-based inertial navigation system to navigate and the Flight Control Computer for guidance and control.
While the Abhyas is expendable, it does contain a data recorder for post-flight analysis. In addition, Abhyas is equipped with an acoustic miss distance indicator that allows users to find out how much a missile missed its target by.
The Abhyas system was designed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment in Bengaluru in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Larsen, and Toubro. The new booster design was designed by Advanced Systems Laboratory, and the navigation system came from the Research Centre Imarat. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
21 Jun 24. Embraer and Rheinmetall are discussing a new C-390 Training Center in Europe. Embraer and Rheinmetall are in discussions to expand their training network with a focus on the C-390. The aim is evaluate the needs of the increasing number of C-390 European customers with respect to training and decide on the development of a dedicated training center in the region, supporting existing and future C-390 customers.
Currently, there is an Embraer C-390 Training Center in Brazil, in the state of São Paulo, featuring a Full Flight and Mission Simulator (FFMS) and a Loadmaster Training Station, where Brazilian, Portuguese, and Hungarian Air Forces C-390 crews are having their initial training. Embraer and Rheinmetall aim to analyze ways to increase proximity with their current and future C-390 customers, to ease the training for pilots, loadmasters, mechanics, and additional crew members.
“With the ongoing success of the C-390 throughout Europe, it is the right moment to start the evaluation and planning for a European C-390 training hub, providing comprehensive training facilities for aircrew and cargo operation training,” mentions Timo Haas, Chief Digital Officer of Rheinmetall AG.
“We want to create the best conditions for our C-390 customers, by offering the best-in-class training. We continuously monitor the network and assess customized solutions per region as the fleet grows,” said Ayslan Anholon, Vice President for Flight Operations and Training, Embraer Services and Support.
“With the evolving defense and security challenges facing NATO allies and partner nations, European Air Forces must train their pilots to stringent standards, to effectively counter emerging threats. Our objective is to prepare C-390 pilots for diverse and complex scenarios. Creating conditions for rigorous and continuous training will enhance their tactical skills and decision-making capabilities, which are crucial for operating advanced aircraft and responding to dynamic threat environments,” said José Gustavo, Vice President for Sales of Embraer Defense & Security for Europe and Africa.
The Portuguese Air Force has purchased a FFMS as part of their C-390 contract with Embraer, which will be installed at Beja Air Base, in Portugal. The Royal Netherlands Air Force is also planning to have their own FFMS in the country. The outcome of the discussions between Embraer and Rheinmetall could enhance the above network and foster other future national C-390 FFMS worldwide.