Military tradings, World Wide Weapons deals

i would like to vote this thread as the most egomaniacal one of this forum. iamandi has 39 of the 45 replies. jesus christ....... did the moderators not tell u thatthe posts do not count anymore?

what the hell is this thread about anyway? since you alone seem to be interested in posting?!?!?

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And you think, if on of the two administrators decide to delete entirely this and all of the messages posted here, i will be upset? When i subscribed here i saw one guy who had a lot of posts in General Discution part and he was at mustache to strike the general rank!

Iama

Air China Limited and IAE Sign Aftermarket Agreement


Source: International Engine Alliance


" Air China Limited and IAE International Aero Engines have signed a 10-year Fleet Hour Agreement (FHA) at a ceremony in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, IAE announced today (24 January).

Under the new contract, IAE will provide maintenance support for the V2500 engines in Air China Ltd.'s fleet of 12 Airbus A319 aircraft.

China's flag carrier ordered the V2500 engines in 2002 and 2003. Six aircraft have been delivered and are operated by Air China Ltd.'s Zhejiang subsidiary.

Mr. Ma Kui Liang, Vice President of Air China Ltd. and General Manager of Air China Technics said: "With the signing of this FHA, Air China Ltd. and IAE enter a new phase of cooperation, which will help to further enhance IAE's aftermarket support. With the continuous growth of Air China Ltd.'s fleet, we believe the two companies will have more opportunities for cooperation in the future."

Craig Welsh, IAE's Vice President, Customer Business, China, said: "We are very honored to sign an FHA with China's flag carrier. With more and more V2500 engines entering service, our fully inclusive FHA has become increasingly popular because it offers low, competitive and predictable costs for engine maintenance, 100 per cent backed by the original equipment manufacturer. The new FHA will further strengthen our partnership and we are committed to continue to provide world-class customer support to Air China Ltd."

IAE's nine customers in China operate an in-service fleet of 127 V2500 powered aircraft. To date, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd., China Northern Airlines, and Air China Ltd. have signed FHAs with IAE for 52 aircraft in total.

IAE is a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, the Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines. More than 1,000 V2500-powered aircraft have been delivered and the worldwide fleet has accumulated over 30 million flying hours. "

Iama

Launch of the Design Phase of the Second Aircraft Carrier


Source: French Ministry of Defence


"PARIS --- The Minister of Defence, Mrs. Michèle Alliot-Marie, has launched the design phase for the French Navy’s second aircraft carrier.

This step marks the end of the program’s preparatory phases, during which the aircraft carrier’s main technical and operational characteristics were defined. They also validated the French President’s decision to opt for conventional, rather than nuclear, propulsion for the new ship.

Teams from the Ministry of Defence and participating manufacturers will now undertake the ship’s detailed design, which will lead to the beginning of the production phase, presently scheduled for 2006.

A contract for the design work, worth approximately 100 million euros, will be awarded by the defence procurement agency, DGA, to DCN and Thales Naval France, which will act as joint prime contractors. Other major manufacturers involved in the naval sector, such as Alsthom-Chantiers de l’Atlantique and EADS, will also participate in the design phase.

In line with the strategic guidelines decided during the French-British summit meeting of November 2004, the design phase will include risk reduction and cooperative opportunity studies so as to determine, by the summer of 2005, the feasibility and the scope of cooperation between the French and British aircraft carrier programs.

The decision to equip the French navy with a second aircraft carrier was included in the multi-year defence planning law for 2003-2008. The new ship is to be commissioned in 2014, in time to ensure the French Navy’s uninterrupted naval air capabilities when the current aircraft carrier, the nuclear-powered “Charles de Gaulle,” will become unavailable due to its scheduled refuelling and refit. "


Iama

do u actually think anyone in his right mind would make me a moderator????????? what do i know about moderating, i am the one that likes to shake the waters, i am no moderating type....

and about those million posts i used to have, they came from a time when i had internet in my room at the dorm, and i kept the ww2 page open all day long...now as u said i have to look on the floor for pennies in order to buy 2 minutes internet time at a net cafe....

General Dynamics Awarded $24 Million Contract for Abrams Tank System Technical Support


Source: US Navy


"STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. --- The United States Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, a $24 million contract for systems technical support (STS) for the Abrams tank.

STS allows the change-out of obsolete parts and keeps the Abrams tanks current to their base configuration. The main objective of STS is to keep the tanks running at high operational readiness rates.

Work under this contract will be performed at General Dynamics Land Systems' headquarters in Sterling Heights, Michigan, and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2006. "

Iama

Second French Aircraft Carrier: Thales and DCN Ready for Launch of Design Phase


Source: Thales


"Thales and DCN warmly welcome the 25 January announcement by the French defence minister, Michèle Alliot-Marie, concerning the launch of the design phase for France’s second aircraft carrier (PA2).

This important step marks the end of the preparatory study phase, in which Thales and DCN have been closely involved.

The current studies, which began in June 2004 and will be completed this summer, include risk reduction studies and an evaluation of opportunities for cooperation between the British and French aircraft carrier programmes. Once these studies have been completed, the final design definition phase will begin.

In June 2004, Thales and DCN announced their decision to combine their strengths and set up an integrated Prime Contract Office to jointly lead the future French aircraft carrier programme. A jointly owned company will assume the role of prime contractor on this programme. This company will have a four-member board of directors, with equal representation by Thales and DCN, chaired by a DCN nominee.

This company, which is currently being set up, will lead the PA2 programme from conception to completion and support implementation of cooperation with the United Kingdom’s future aircraft carrier programme.

The new joint company will be 65% owned by DCN and 35% owned by Thales Naval France.

Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets worldwide. The Group employs 62,000 people throughout the world and generated revenues of 10.6 billion euros in 2003.

DCN — a world leader in prime contracting for fully-integrated warships — offers a vast range of high-performance products and added-value services. As a designer, builder and integrator of state-of-the-art warships, DCN offers capabilities spanning ail aspects of naval defence, from design concept to through-life support and decomrnissioning. "

Iama

Parts Kit Extends Service Life of F-16 Fighting Falcon


Source: US Air Force


"RICHMOND, Va. --- Defense Supply Center Richmond officials are working on a billion-dollar, multiyear project that will extend the service life of the Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcons.

The F-16 Structure Augmentation Roadmap, or "Falcon STAR," program uses parts kits to strengthen the aircraft’s structure, officials said. The kits contain everything necessary to accomplish a maintenance task.

Officials said using the kits reduces maintenance turnaround time, ultimately increasing readiness. Center officials develop support strategies and initiate kit contracts.

Without the modification, the F-16 will not be able to attain its projected 8,000-hour service life under current operational usage, said Pat Livingston, the center’s F-16 weapon system support manager. Falcon STAR will allow the aircraft to remain in service through 2025, she said.

"(The Air Force’s) aircraft structural integrity program continues to identify areas that will not meet the service life of 8,000 flight hours," Ms. Livingston said. "The (goal is) to modify the aircraft structure before the onset of widespread fatigue damage and aircraft grounding.

"This is a ‘tip-to-tail’ modification -- 13 structural modifications including replacing bulkheads and wing-attachment fittings," she said.

Falcon STAR contains the list of structural parts necessary to address the areas identified by the aircraft structural integrity program, she said. There are more than 79,000 parts under 428 national stock numbers, all of which are managed by Defense Logistics Agency officials.

Parts for each kit are purchased by officials here and shipped to Defense Distribution Depot Red River, Texas, for assembly. The assembled kit is then shipped to Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where the aircraft modifications are performed.

The modifications are scheduled to run through 2014, said Dave Graves, weapons system support branch chief here. "Starting in 2006, we’ll modify F-16s for European countries as well," Mr. Graves said.

Officials here are working with the prime contractor on configuration of the kits. The contractor configured the initial 13 kits, and officials have configured 13 additional kits. "We’ve been working configuration control issues," Mr. Graves said.

Somewhere between 40 and 100 iterations of the kit are expected, Ms. Livingston said.

The kit configuration is constantly changing because of the different aircraft configurations, said Greg Sprouse, chief of the center’s kit section. "So far it’s going well," he said. "What we’re doing is challenging because of the different configurations. It is a variable kit -- it changes all the time."

More than 2,000 aircraft will be modified by 2014, Ms. Livingston said. Participants in the program include the Air Force and air forces in Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Israel, Greece, Singapore, Thailand and Bahrain.

On average, it takes 175 days to modify an aircraft with the Falcon STAR kit, officials said. The first modification was completed 14 days ahead of schedule, said Arnie Leighton of the aircraft division at Ogden Air Logistics Center.

Ten F-16s a month are expected to undergo the modification at Hill in 2005. "

Iama

Finmeccanica Signs EuroSystems Agreement to Become a European Leader in Defence Electronics


Source: Finmeccanica release


"Finmeccanica and BAE Systems today signed the final agreement for EuroSystems in the Defence Electronics sector. The agreement is of great strategic and economic value for Finmeccanica in terms both of the group’s competitive position and of its objectives to achieve strategic and operational autonomy.

“Thanks to this operation, Finmeccanica will rank second in Europe and sixth worldwide in defence electronics,” said Chairman and CEO Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, “generating revenues of more than EUR 3 billion in the sector. EuroSystems will make a huge contribution to the group’s objectives of growth and increased focus on aerospace and defence.”

Under the agreement, Finmeccanica will acquire a number of important UK -based assets in the sectors of avionics, military and secure communications and air traffic control. Since AMS will now operate independently, synergies will be created with other group companies, making Finmeccanica a leading systems integrator in the electronics field.

Under the agreement:

-- a new avionics company will be set up, controlled 75% by Finmeccanica and 25% by BAE Systems;
-- Finmeccanica will acquire BAE’s military and secure communications assets;
-- the Italian assets of AMS NV will come back under the full control of Finmeccanica. AMS SpA will now head up the air traffic management and air traffic control assets acquired from BAE Systems in the UK, Germany (Gematronik) and the USA (ASI).

Revenues from the defence electronics assets controlled by Finmeccanica are expected to grow at least as fast as the sector as a whole over the next five years (+8% per year). Moreover, a preliminary analysis of possible synergies with the UK assets shows that their operating margins should also increase over the same period, reaching the same level as Finmeccanica’s existing defence electronics assets.

Preliminary estimates show that the full implementation of these synergies should lead to a 25% improvement in operating profits (Ebita) by 2008 compared to what these companies would have been able to achieve on a stand-alone basis.

At closing the total net cash consideration to be paid by Finmeccanica is EUR 516 million (£360m). In order to maintain the financial solidity and stability of the group Finmeccanica will fund this consideration through an appropriate combination between the disposal of portfolio assets, available cash and debt instruments.

At end-2004, Finmeccanica’s net debt stood at around EUR 400 million, which was better than expected. It includes the EUR 1,441.5 million generated from the sale of 93 million shares in STMicroelectronics NV (equal to 10.3% of the share capital of STM) to CDP, at a price of EUR 15.50 per share as well as the consideration paid to GKN for the acquisition of 50% of AgustaWestland (EUR 1,588 million).

EuroSystems (together with AgustaWestland and Space Alliance), is one of the three cornerstones of the group’s strategy of growth, international expansion and consolidation in its main areas of excellence: helicopters, defence electronics and aerospace.

Finmeccanica is Italy’s leading high-tech company, operating in the design and manufacture of aerostructures, helicopters, satellites, space infrastructure, missiles and defence electronics. It plays a leading role in the European aerospace and defence industry, and participates in some of the biggest international programmes in the sector through well-established alliances with European and American partners. It employs around 46,000 staff in total. As part of its drive to maintain and build on its technological expertise, Finmeccanica spends the equivalent of over 12% of its revenues on research and development."



BAE Systems and Finmeccanica Sign EuroSystems Transaction Agreement


Source: BAE Systems


"Further to the announcement on 20 October 2004, BAE Systems plc announces that it has signed a definitive transaction agreement with Finmeccanica SpA in relation to the EuroSystems transaction.

Under the EuroSystems transaction:

-- BAE Systems and Finmeccanica will merge BAE Systems Avionics Limited and Galileo Avionica SpA to form a new Avionics business valued at approximately £1.08 billion. BAE Systems will own 25 per cent. of this business and will also receive net cash consideration upon completion of £379 million. Finmeccanica will own 75 per cent. of the business. In accordance with the option arrangements described more fully below, BAE Systems will be entitled to receive a further £269 million in cash for its remaining 25 per cent interest;

-- AMS, currently a 50/50 joint venture of BAE Systems with Finmeccanica, will be dissolved. BAE Systems will acquire AMS’ UK operations, which are valued at approximately £360 million, and Finmeccanica will acquire all of the Italian operations of AMS, which are valued at approximately £260 million. BAE Systems will pay Finmeccanica an equalising amount of £50.5 million in cash. In addition, Finmeccanica will acquire the UK Air Traffic Management business of AMS for £10 million (£6.5 million in cash and £3.5 million in assumed debt); and

-- Selenia Communications Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica, will acquire BAE Systems’ UK Communications business for £25.4 million in cash.


The total effective net cash consideration, including the UK Air Traffic Management assumed debt, to be received by BAE Systems is £633 million, of which £364 million will be received upon completion of these three constituent transactions and a further £269 million will be received under option arrangements. Completion is subject to obtaining all applicable regulatory and governmental consents.

The agreement enables BAE Systems to create a significant Systems Integration and C4ISR business by integrating the capabilities of AMS’ UK operations and BAE Systems’ C4ISR Networked Systems and Solutions business. The transaction also achieves BAE Systems’ and Finmeccanica’s mutual goals of securing control and clear management responsibility for significant businesses of the European defence industry. Finmeccanica will have majority ownership of BAE Systems’UK Avionics business and Galileo Avionica in Italy; and will have full ownership of BAE Systems’ UK Communications business and Finmeccanica’s existing strategic communications business.


--AVIONICS:
The new Avionics business will comprise BAE Systems Avionics Limited, BAE Systems’UK avionics businesses operating in the fields of electro-optics, airborne radar and electronic warfare (BAE Systems UK Avionics), together with Galileo Avionica SpA, Finmeccanica’s Avionics business. As previously indicated, the US and Australian Avionics businesses as well as the UK business of the Platform Solutions Sector of BAE Systems North America, based at Rochester and Plymouth are not included in the EuroSystems transaction.

The EuroSystems transaction agreement incorporates certain option arrangements whereby Finmeccanica may require BAE Systems to sell its 25 per cent interest in the new Avionics business to Finmeccanica at any time following completion and BAE Systems may require Finmeccanica to purchase its 25 per cent interest after 25 months following completion. The consideration for BAE Systems’ 25 per cent interest payable on exercise of either option will be £269 million in cash.

The net cash payable to BAE Systems and the option exercise price are subject to reduction, depending, in relation to BAE Systems UK Avionics, upon the profit achieved for the year ended 31 December 2004, the achievement of targets for certain contracts within a period of two years from completion and in respect of any amounts payable by BAE Systems UK Avionics to the BAE Systems pension schemes as a result of the transaction.

BAE Systems intends to account for its interest in the new Avionics business as an investment.

During the year to 31 December 2003, BAE Systems UK Avionics generated £677.9 million of turnover and £17.4 million of profit before interest, tax, amortisation and exceptional items. At 31 December 2003, BAE Systems UK Avionics had net assets which are the subject of this transaction of £99.4 million.

During the year to 31 December 2003, Galileo Avionica generated Euro 517.5 million of turnover and Euro 49.8 million of profit before interest, tax, amortisation and exceptional items. At 31 December 2003, Galileo Avionica had net assets which are the subject of this transaction of Euro 401.2 million.


--ALENIA MARCONIS SYSTEMS (AMS)
The AMS joint venture will be dissolved, with BAE Systems and Finmeccanica acquiring the UK and Italian operations of AMS respectively.

BAE Systems will merge the UK operations of AMS and BAE Systems’C4ISR Networked Systems and Solutions business to form a wholly owned systems integration business.

During the year to 31 December 2003, AMS generated £806.2 million of turnover (of which its UK operations accounted for £481.6 million and its Italian operations accounted for £324.6 million) and £63.8 million profit before interest, tax, amortisation and exceptional items (of which its UK operations accounted for £51.3 million and its Italian operations accounted for £12.5 million). At 31 December 2003, AMS had net assets which are the subject of this transaction of £756.7 million (of which its UK operations accounted for £444.2 million and its Italian operations accounted for £312.5 million).


--COMMUNICATIONS
During the year to 31 December 2003, the BAE Systems’ UK Communications business, which was disclosed in the BAE Systems 2003 Report and Accounts as part of the Avionics division, generated £46.7 million of turnover and a loss before interest, tax, amortisation and exceptional items of £5.2 million. At 31 December 2003, the BAE Systems’ UK Communications business, had net liabilities which are the subject of this transaction of £1.1 million.

The proceeds from the transaction will be used to reduce BAE Systems debt. The transaction is expected to be slightly dilutive to earnings per share in 2005.

Mike Turner, Chief Executive of BAE Systems, said: “BAE Systems is delighted to have reached agreement with Finmeccanica on such a major transaction. This transaction will generate substantial cash proceeds for BAE Systems and will result in management control and improved business opportunities in the strategically important area of Network Enabled Capability.”

Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein Limited is acting as lead financial adviser and broker to BAE Systems on the EuroSystems transaction. Rothschild is acting as co-financial adviser.


BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations. "


Iama

Thales to Equip French Armed Forces with Night Vision Cameras


Source: Thales


" NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, France --- The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales a contract to equip the French Army, Air Force and Navy with Sophie night vision cameras. This contract is for for the production of over 600 new-generation cameras, which offer 25% greater range compared with the previous version, as well as built-in image stabilisation.

The extended Sophie product line meets the full range of observation, surveillance, target detection, target designation and fire control requirements in line with user needs.

Commenting on this latest contract award, Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, Vice President, Director France of Thales’ Land & Joint Systems Division said: “The French forces already operate 1,000 Sophie cameras and have again expressed their confidence in this family of equipment. With inherent commonality across the product range, customers can quickly get to grips with the equipment, common accessories and maintenance protocols.”

Thales has sold over 6,000 Sophie infrared cameras in 45 countries for surveillance, combat and peacekeeping missions. Sophie cameras operate in the thermal infrared spectrum, making them undetectable and enabling day and night observation of camouflaged targets in ail weather conditions. Sophie is perfectly suited to the needs of infantry soldiers and enables tank recognition at ranges of over 3 km. The band used makes Sophie immune to fire, smoke, fog and reflected sunlight. These characteristics make it ideal for battlefield conditions and peacekeeping and security missions.

Additional new products of the Sophie family also include a multi-function version, which is already available. Incorporating a GPS, an eye-safe laser rangefinder, direction finder and laser pointer, the multi-function version is a complete system for target acquisition, location and designation for the Armies, Air Forces, Navies, and special forces.

Thales is an international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, secuiity and services markets. The Group employs 61,500 people worldwide and generated revenues of 10.6 billion euros in 2003. "



Iama

Lockheed Martin Receives $532 Million Production Contract Initiating International Sales Of Battle-Proven PAC-3 Missile


Source: Lockheed Martin


" DALLAS, TX --- Lockheed Martin has received a $532 million contract for 156 PAC-3 Missiles for the U.S. Army, the Netherlands and Japan. This represents the first international sales of the battle-proven PAC-3 Missiles.

The contract also includes launcher modification kits as well as kits of spares and other ancillary ground equipment. The PAC-3 Missile is currently the world’s only fielded hit-to-kill, pure kinetic energy air defense missile.

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will deliver 156 PAC-3 Missiles to the U.S. Army, 32 of which will then be delivered to The Netherlands and 16 missiles to Japan. The Netherlands and Japan are receiving their respective interceptors under Foreign Military Sale (FMS) agreements.

The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Huntsville, AL, is the contracting agency. Delivery of all missiles and equipment should be completed during 2006. Work will take place at Lockheed Martin facilities in Dallas and Lufkin, TX, and Camden, AR

“The PAC-3 Missile offers hit-to-kill lethality and much greater protection against weapons of mass destruction than other air defense missiles,” said Steve Graham, vice president - PAC-3 Missile Program at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “All Patriot-using nations have expressed interest in improving their defensive capabilities by upgrading to the PAC-3 system, and we want to put this vital capability into their hands as soon as possible.”

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canister (which holds four PAC-3 missiles), a Fire Solution Computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System. These elements are being integrated into the Patriot system, a high to medium altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and high-value assets.

In 2004, three PAC-3 Missile operational tests were conducted at White Sands Missile Range, NM. All three tests were against threat representative targets and employed operational doctrine, with each test increasing in complexity. All 2004 tests were successfully conducted, achieving intercept of all targets. The PAC-3 Missile has intercepted 17 targets in 19 opportunities during its testing phase, which stretches back several years and represents the most successful testing of any air and missile defense interceptor of this complexity.

“No other air defense missile can perform and protect like PAC-3, and international sales of the PAC-3 Missile Segment are significant because they add to the production base and contribute to further reductions in the missile price,” Graham added.

The PAC-3 Missile is the world’s most advanced, capable and powerful theater air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat to the Patriot Air Defense System: tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) carrying weapons of mass destruction, advanced cruise missiles and aircraft. PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase the Patriot system's firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four of the older Patriot PAC-2 missiles.

The PAC-3 Missile has been selected as the primary interceptor for the multi-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). MEADS is a model transatlantic development program for the next generation of air and missile defense. MEADS will focus on risk reduction, application of key technologies and validation of a system design incorporating the PAC-3 Missile as the primary interceptor.

PAC-3 Missiles will act in conjunction with Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Missiles to provide a layered coverage. PAC-3 supplies the lower-tier defense against air and missile threats while THAAD provides upper-tier coverage against ballistic missiles. THAAD flight testing is scheduled for later this year. "


Iama

Thales UK Awarded £6m Watchkeeper Contract In Progress Toward Main Contract Award


Source: Thales UK


" The Thales UK Watchkeeper team has been awarded a contract worth over £6M by MoD as part of the progress towards the main investment decision point. This critical path activity contract will include aspects of airworthiness approval, defining evaluation and acceptance criteria and ground systems integration risk reduction.

In July 2004 Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon named Thales UK as the preferred bidder to deliver the UK’s Watchkeeper Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) programme. The Watchkeeper programme at around £800M will provide UK Armed Forces with vital battlefield intelligence and will be a key enabler in the drive towards Network Enabled capability (NEC).

Alex Dorrian, CEO Thales UK said: “We are pleased with the good progress that has been made by the MoD and Thales UK in preparation for a main investment decision for Watchkeeper. It is important that this work is undertaken as soon as possible to get this vital ISTAR capability to our armed forces.”

Colonel Kevin Harvey, Integrated Project Team Leader Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles said: “We are determined to maintain the strong momentum in the Watchkeeper programme while ensuring that all risks are fully understood. We are working closely with Thales UK to provide the levels of confidence sought for all MoD programmes prior to major investment decisions.”


BACKGROUND NOTES:

Watchkeeper will provide UK commanders with vital Intelligence, Surveillance, target Acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) information through the provision of accurate, timely and high quality imagery.

It will contribute to meeting critical information requirements and will interface with many different battlefield assets. In order to achieve this Watchkeeper will carry a range of payloads including EO/IR sensors laser target designators, synthetic aperture radars and moving target indicators.

It will support intelligence collection and target engagement day and night and in all weather conditions. Information will be sent back to commanders in near real-time allowing the detection and tracking of targets without having to deploy troops into potentially dangerous areas.

The system Thales UK is offering includes air vehicles designed by Elbit Silver Arrow, as well as a full support package, ground control stations, datalinks and training equipment provided by Thales UK and sub contractors including Boeing, Cobham, Cubic, Marshall SV, Logica CMG, Vega and QinetiQ. "

Iama

United Defense Receives $18.2 Million Contract to Upgrade M113 Tracked Vehicles for Jordanian Armed Forces


Source: United Defense Industries


"SANTA CLARA, Calif. --- United Defense Industries, Inc. has been awarded an $18.2 million contract from the U.S. Army for the conversion of 126 M113A1 armored personnel vehicles to the M113A2Mk1 configuration for the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF).

This contract implements Phase II of the JAF conversion program. Engineering and program management will be performed at United Defense's Santa Clara, Calif. facility. Material procurement and parts kitting will be shared between production facilities in York, Pa. and with FNSS, the United Defense/Turkey joint venture. Final vehicle integration and assembly will be completed at the King Hussein Main Workshops in Jordan. The work is expected to be completed by May 2006.

The upgrade and overhaul provides an increased power to weight ratio and an improved suspension system. With the added automotive capability, integration of mission equipment such as a weapons station and additional armor is feasible without degrading overall performance.

United Defense designs, develops and produces combat vehicles, artillery, naval guns, missile launchers and precision munitions used by the U.S. Department of Defense and allies worldwide, and provides non-nuclear ship repair, modernization and conversion to the U.S. Navy and other U.S. Government agencies. "


Iama

HAL’s Dhruv Helicopter for Jharkhand Govt


Source: Indian Ministry of Defence


"The Government of Jharkhand has placed order on Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) for supply of two Advanced Light Helicopters (Dhruv). Out of the two helicopters, one will be placed for utility role with the Police and the other for the use of VIPs.

Dhruv, the ALH indigenously designed and developed by HAL, covers comprehensively the entire spectrum of heli-services which are required for civil administration today. It is a sate-of-the-art twin engine helicopter with full capability for operations in all weathers by day and night. It incorporated advanced avionics, digital engine control, digital auto-pilot and redundancy in all major systems to ensure highly reliable and safe operations.

The wide range of civil applications of Dhruv -- like transportation, VIP communication, search and rescue, medical evacuation, air-ambulance, law enforcement, anti-insurgency drive, survey cable and pipeline monitoring, adventure and sports, tourism and disaster management -- would provide enormous support to the Government of Jharkhand to meet all challenges of governance and growth.

Aviation is a major engine for economic development and Dhruv will make rich contributions towards the growth of Jharkhand.

HAL is committed to provide full customer support, repair and maintenance over the life cycle of the helicopter. "


Iama

The Spanish EF-18 MLU Entry Into Service


Source: EADS Military Aircraft


"MADRID --- The first EF-18 MLU production aircraft has been delivered to the Spanish Air Force during a ceremony celebrated at EADS Military Aircraft facilities at Getafe that was honoured with the attendance of the Chief of the Air Staff and other military and civil authorities.

Pablo de Bergia, President of EADS Military Aircraft in Spain has commented, “The modernization of the EF-18 is, at present, one of the most important programmes for the Spanish Air Force that will obtain a fundamental increase its operational capabilities. The MLU will guarantee Spain more homeland security and the interoperability with Allied Forces in international missions. The confidence of the Spanish Air Force in this project and the excellent collaboration between client and industry, have allowed, in only a few months, the achievement of highly qualified results”.

On 29th December 2003, EADS Military Aircraft in Spain and the Spanish Air Force signed the contract, valued aprox. 186 Millions Euro, which started the EF-18 MLU process.

The first aircraft arrived at Getafe on January 2004 and since than EADS has respected the contractual agreement and has punctually received one aircraft per month.

The software team of the SpAF Armament and Experimental Logistics Centre (CLAEX) and EADS CASA Military Aircraft have actively collaborated in the design and development of the software and in the integration and testing of the new avionics equipment, as well as in the complete development of the modified system integration software.

New characteristics of the upgraded aircraft:

--Tactical computer TPAC, high speed multiprocessor, 6 buses 1553 to wing tip, 4 digital graphics channels and associated software
--Two multifunctional colour screens
--Upgraded communications systems (Have-Quick II radios)
--Inertial GPS navigation system
--Full targets identification capacity
--Cockpit and external lights compatible with night vision
--Digital mission recording system
--MIDS pre-installation
--IDM (Improved Data Modem)

The Spanish Air Force will upgrade 67 aircraft in total (65 + 2 prototypes modified during the certification of the new systems), operated by the 12th and 15th Wings at Torrejón and Zaragoza Air Bases respectively.

The Military Aircraft Business Unit focusses the EADS competence on high-performance combat aircraft, unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), manned mission aircraft, trainer aircraft and related ground-based equipment and is an integrated part of the EADS Defence and Security Systems Division (DS). DS, with revenues of about EUR 5.2 billion in 2003 and roughly 24,000 employees across nine nations, forms the defence pole within EADS.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2003, the Group generated revenues of over EUR 30 billion and employed a workforce of more than 109,000 "

Iama