Notícias (Forças Aéreas/Sistemas de Armas)

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« Responder #165 em: Agosto 26, 2004, 08:32:06 pm »
Dutch Boost for ISAF
 
 
(Source: Radio Netherlands news; issued Aug. 25, 2004)
 
 
 The Netherlands is sending a small number of troops to Afghanistan to form a new Provincial Reconstruction Team in Baghlan province. A number of Dutch fighter planes will also start operating from nearby Kyrgyzstan. Both deployments are taking place at the request of NATO.  
 
 
Military support for the reconstruction of Afghanistan is, according to NATO, a number one priority. In fact, NATO believes it has greater priority than a possible mission in Iraq, which the United States has been calling for. The main focus in Afghanistan is on creating safe and secure conditions for presidential elections to be held in October this year, followed by elections for a new parliament during the course of 2005.  
 
However NATO's member nations appear to be having a problem converting this high priority into concrete action in the shape of providing additional troops and military hardware for the multinational mission in Afghanistan, ISAF (the International Security Assistance Force).  
 
Planes and troops  
 
The Netherlands has now given a modest but positive signal regarding the Afghanistan mission. It is the only NATO member to be sending six F-16 fighters to the region, where they will support ISAF from a US base in nearby Kyrgyzstan. It is, in fact, a renewed deployment for the Dutch air force, because Dutch planes also operated from the same base back in 2002 and 2003. The Netherlands is also to provide, for the first time, a Provincial Reconstruction Team or PRT. This team will be put to work in Afghanistan's Baghlan province, which lies in the northeast of the country. A further 39 Dutch troops will be assigned to strengthen the German PRT in Kunduz.  
 
The Netherlands already has a not inconsiderable military presence in places such as Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iraq, and – given the nature of the troops about to be sent to Afghanistan – it's possible to conclude that the country's possibilities in that field are running a little short. The new 150-strong Provincial Reconstruction Team in Baghlan is to be manned by an anti-aircraft defence unit. The Netherlands usually assigns troops who are better trained to deal with more immediate forms of aggression and conflict, such as marines or members of the Dutch air mobile brigade or other soldiers of the more "sturdy" kind.  
 
A diplomatic purpose  
 
However, the army has pointed out that it's not the aim of a PRT to provide an imposing military presence. The team of 150 soldiers will be little more than the "eyes and ears" of the local authorities and, according to the commander of the unit, its mission will be more diplomatic than military in nature.  
 
The Dutch troops posted to sparsely populated Baghlan will not be going on patrol through the province conspicuously laden with weaponry or travelling in tanks or armoured vehicles. Preferably, they'll be using vehicles with a more `civilian´ look. There are no concrete plans for reconstruction activities: the mission has a very modest budget which is to be used for humanitarian projects.  
 
Risky all the same  
 
However, the Baghlan mission is not entirely without risk. The province is said to still be home to a number of residual Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters, but is chiefly known for a high level of crime and lawlessness. Power resides with local warlords and the mainstays of the local economy are the expansive poppy fields and related opium and heroin trades. Human rights violations in the region are said to be widespread.  
 
To begin with the Dutch mission will operate mainly in the provincial capital, Pul-I-Khomri, and only move out into the more remote districts later on.  
 
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« Responder #166 em: Agosto 26, 2004, 08:33:21 pm »
AESA Radar Reaches One Year Flight Test Milestone
 
 
(Source: US Navy; issued Aug. 25, 2004)
 
 
 PATUXENT RIVER, Md. --- More than a year since its first flight, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Strike Fighter Program office’s F/A-18 Hornet Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) APG-79 Radar program continues to rapidly advance toward equipping the fleet with cutting edge radar technology.  
 
Since its inaugural flight July 30, 2003, the AESA system has undergone successful testing that has exceeded the expectations of both government and industry.  
 
AESA is far more advanced than the APG-73 radar that is currently installed and fielded on the F/A-18. When fully integrated into the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft, the AESA radar will support Network Centric Warfare, Sea Shield, and Sea Strike missions as one of several systems that provide robust forward deployed sensor capabilities.  
 
The AESA radar will enhance the warfighter’s situational awareness regarding the air and ground operating picture, increase targeting levels, and provide superior air-to-air and air-to-ground target detection and tracking capability.  
 
“The radar itself has little contribution to Network Centric Warfare,” said Cmdr. Aaron Bowman, F/A-18 Radar Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead. “However, when you surround that radar with all the onboard systems, it drives a tremendous capability toward linking in the future of Network Centric Warfare combat operations.  
 
“AESA’s contribution to network centric warfare will be through the generation of target information, which in turn will be distributed to multiple users,” he said. “Getting that combat information down to the ground troops near real-time can be a life-saver.”  
 
An agile solid state radar, AESA far exceeds the performance of its mechanically steered predecessors.  
 
“AESA is infinitely more responsive in its ability to track and scan a volume of airspace, in comparison to our legacy mechanically scanned radars that are limited by the drives associated with moving the radar dish around,” Chip Guffey, F/A-18 Radar deputy IPT lead said. “AESA is an electronically steered array of smaller sensors that can point and move the radar beam at near-light speed.”  
 
What the pilot will see in AESA is more range capability, better resolution, and the capability to perform several missions at the same time. Automation of radar operations via a resource management system provides operators reduced workloads during normal operations, and increased flexibility to support multiple tasks in high workload environments.  
 
“AESA will revolutionize the way the warfighter employs the Super Hornet,” said Guffey. “AESA represents not only a new radar, but the potential to create significant opportunities to improve how we use the airplane itself.”  
 
Looking back over the past year and further, Bowman believes one of the factors that has enabled the radar program to enjoy success thus far is the support it has received from the entire naval aviation community.  
 
“We’ve had an incredible amount of support from the Navy’s top leadership all the way down throughout the Navy,” he said. “Also, the three main players, Navy, Boeing and Raytheon, truly operate as an integrated team.”  
 
AESA is scheduled for operational evaluation in 2006. The first deployment is expected at the end of FY07.  
 
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« Responder #167 em: Agosto 31, 2004, 06:15:15 pm »
Esquadrão Guardião faz teste de conexão entre rádios de aeronaves

O Segundo Esquadrão do Sexto Grupo de Aviação (2º/6º GAV), Esquadrão Guardião, realizou, de 23 a 25 de agosto, um teste de interconexão entre rádios de uma aeronave R-99A e três A-29 Super-Tucano, em Gavião Peixoto, no interior de São Paulo.

A realização dos testes do sistema "data link" entre os dois modelos de aviões começou na manhã do dia 24. O primeiro enlace de voz, em modo seguro, ocorreu por volta das 16h, entre o R-99A FAB 6704 e o A-29B FAB 5902.

Na manhã do dia seguinte, o enlace de voz foi realizado também com as aeronaves FAB 5901 e FAB 5903. Após, foi conseguido entre as quatro aeronaves, sendo um R-99A e três A-29B.

O fato é inédito na história da Força Aérea Brasileira, pois relata a primeira comunicação entre aeronaves de modelos diferentes em modo seguro (criptografado), sendo o passo final que faltava dentro do Sistema de Vigilância da Amazônia (SIVAM), com o objetivo de realizar, com eficiência e segurança, o desenvolvimento sustentável da região amazônica.

É também o passo inicial para alcançar as demais aeronaves da FAB, em nosso território, permitindo o exercício da garantia da soberania nacional.

Além do 2º/6º GAV, os Órgãos envolvidos na missão foram o Comando de Defesa Aeroespacial Brasileiro (COMDABRA), a Comissão de Implantação do Sistema de Controle do Espaço Aéreo (CISCEA), a Comissão Coordenadora do Programa Aeronave de Combate (COPAC) e a EMBRAER.

Fonte: www.defesanet.com.br
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« Responder #168 em: Setembro 01, 2004, 01:39:05 am »
NOTA 42 – 31/08/04

O Comando da Aeronáutica lamenta informar o acidente aeronáutico ocorrido hoje, dia 31 de agosto de 2004, por volta das 13h53 (horário local), com 2 aviões do tipo T-25 Universal, nas proximidades do município de Casa Branca (SP).

O acidente aconteceu durante missão de treinamento realizada na área de instrução da Academia da Força Aérea, sediada na cidade de Pirassununga (SP).

Faleceram no acidente os seguintes militares:

Cadete-Aviador Gustavo Klug;

Cadete-Aviador Diogo Balonecker.

O Comando da Aeronáutica já iniciou as investigações para apurar os fatores que contribuíram para o acidente.

Fonte: CENTRO DE COMUNICAÇÃO SOCIAL DO COMANDO DA AERONÁUTICA.
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« Responder #169 em: Setembro 01, 2004, 01:40:35 pm »
New Helicopters for Army
 
 
(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Aug. 31, 2004)
 
 
 The Australian Army will be equipped with 12 new troop lift helicopters under a $1 billion project approved by the Howard Government, Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.  
 
Senator Hill said the Government had selected Australian Aerospace to supply the new MRH-90 aircraft to form an additional troop lift helicopter squadron, subject to satisfactory conclusion of negotiations.  
 
This will bolster Australia’s counter-terrorism capabilities by releasing a Black Hawk squadron to provide dedicated support to our Special Forces on the east coast.  
 
“The MRH-90 is the new generation of multi-role helicopters, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, a rear ramp that can be used to load small vehicles, a flexible cabin configuration, a full fly-by-wire flight control system and digital cockpit,” Senator Hill said.  
 
“The helicopter can carry up to 18 troops plus four crew or 4000kg of underslung cargo, cruises at up to 300kph and has a maximum range of over 900km. It is a fully marinised helicopter that is able to operate from the Royal Australian Navy’s current and future amphibious ships.  
 
“It is purpose-built for amphibious operations and includes extra corrosion protection, folding rotor blades and other enhancements to allow shipboard operations. This will give the Army an enhanced ability to move more soldiers further and faster from our amphibious lift ships, HMAS Kanimbla and Manoora, and their replacements.  
 
“The aircraft is certified for ditching and is designed to modern safety standards, including crashworthiness and tolerance to structural and system damage – offering excellent protection for our troops that will be conducting sea and land operations.”  
 
Senator Hill said the first helicopter for the new squadron at Townsville would be delivered in 2007, with all 12 aircraft expected to be delivered by 2008.  
 
“The new squadron will increase Army’s troop lift capability by more than half,” Senator Hill said. “This will allow the relocation of a squadron of Black Hawk helicopters to the Sydney area to support the ADF’s Special Forces, further strengthening the Howard Government’s commitment to fighting terrorism.  
 
“The Black Hawk squadron will be located near our Special Forces soldiers that are based at Holsworthy and will enhance mobility and training effectiveness for this critical capability.  
 
“The Howard Government has committed more than $1.3 billion to the Australian Defence Force to fight the war against terrorism since 11 September 2001. This project will mean our Special Forces are better equipped to respond swiftly to any terrorist threat or incident.”  
 
Senator Hill said the project would also provide a substantial boost for Australian industry.  
 
“The purchase of these new helicopters will include a support contract that may last for up to 20 years, and the overall Australian industry component of this project is expected to exceed $300 million,” Senator Hill said.  
 
“Benefits are expected to build on Australian Aerospace’s industry commitment developed as part of project AIR 87 and the delivery of the Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, the Eurocopter Tiger. Opportunities for Australian industry are anticipated in helicopter assembly, common and similar aircraft systems, avionics equipment, structural and engine technologies and training systems.”  
 
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« Responder #170 em: Setembro 01, 2004, 01:48:49 pm »
Stork Modifies Two Fokker 60s for Royal Netherlands Air Force
 
 
(Source: Stork; issued Aug. 30, 2004)
 
 
 Fokker Services, part of Stork Aerospace, has received an order from the Royal Netherlands Air Force for the modification of two Fokker 60 aircraft to be stationed in the Netherlands Antilles. The modifications to the Fokker 60s will include an enhanced radar system, additional fuel tanks and special observation windows. The contract has a value of 12 million euros.  
 
The aircraft will take over the air reconnaissance tasks of the naval P-3C Orion aircraft for the Coastguard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The Orions will be withdrawn from service. The Fokker 60s will be stationed in the Netherlands Antilles for a period of approximately one-and-a-half to two years.  
 
The modification of aircraft into special mission versions is a growing market for Fokker Services. After the successful modification of two Gulfstream V aircraft for the Japan Coastguard, this is the first conversion of a Fokker 50/60 into a maritime surveillance aircraft since the launch of the program in February 2004.  
 
These conversion activities form part of the Future 50 program, through which Fokker Services aims to promote the use of Fokker aircraft by new owners and in new roles. More than 120 aircraft have now been transferred to new owners under the Future 50 and Future 100 programs.  
 
Fokker Services is part of Stork Aerospace, which develops and produces advanced components and systems for the aviation and aerospace industry, and supplies integrated services to aircraft owners and operators. The group achieved a turnover of 478 million euros in 2003 with 3,000 employees out of the total Stork turnover of 1.94 billion euros.  
 
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« Responder #171 em: Setembro 03, 2004, 01:59:22 pm »
S Korea Chooses Two AWACS Bidders
 
 
(Source: Korean Information Service; issued Sept. 3, 2004)
 
 
 The Defense Ministry selected two final competitors to launch its 2 trillion won ($1.3 billion) airborne reconnaissance system for the Air Force, ministry officials said on Thursday (September 2).  
 
American manufacturer Boeing and IAI Elta from Israel were chosen. The ministry expected five bidders but three did not join the process.  
 
The project, the code-named E-X, is one of the largest-scale procurement projects aimed at deploying four Airborne Early Warning and Control systems, commonly known as AEW & C. Two will be deployed by 2009 and the others by 2011.  
 
The project came as the government is trying to build up its own defense posture against possible North Korean aggression. The United States is initiating to withdraw one third of its troops stationed in South Korea along with its repositioning of global forces to better cope with enemies like terrorists.  
 
The system is designed to detect, track and intercept hostile aircraft operating at low altitudes over any terrain, and also identify and control friendly aircraft in the same airspace.  
 
Maj. Gen. Won Jang-hwan, the ministry’s chief procurement officer, said the ministry received two presentations from Boeing and IAI ELTA in early June and determined both companies met the initial operational requirements.  
 
The radar equipment will be installed aboard large jets; Boeing nominated its B-737 model and IAI ELTA choose the Gulfstream G-550.  
 
According to a news release, the operating altitudes of the aircraft should have a range of higher than 26,500 feet with more than six hours flight.  
 
The radar must have a 360-degree view of the horizon with the ability to detect objects 200 nautical miles sideways and 180 nautical miles ahead and behind the jet.  
 
The ministry will send an inspection team led by Air Force Maj. Gen. Koh Kyung-ryun to the United States and Israel this month to make an actual inspection of the two aircraft systems.  
 
He said the ministry would choose a final winner in November, who meets the operations standards and suggests the best and lowest bid.  
 
“The lowest price is the most important factor in deciding the successful bidder, once they meet other government requirements,” Won said.  
 
The bidders should give to Korea key technology for the radar system and delegating at least 30 percent of the project’s money to domestic subcontractors, Won explained.  
 
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« Responder #172 em: Setembro 03, 2004, 02:09:10 pm »
Saab Conducts Autonomous Take-Off and Landing of the SHARC Technical Demonstrator
 
 
(Source: Saab AB; issued Sept. 2, 2004)
 
 
 On Wednesday August 25, Saab conducted its first totally autonomous flight with its unmanned aerial vehicle, the SHARC technical demonstrator. SHARC took off, flew and landed completely according to plan, and Saab can now count itself among the few companies to succeed in conducting a totally autonomous flight.  
 
“By conducting flights with autonomous take-off and landing, we have shown the rest of the world that we are a company to be reckoned with in future collaborative international UAV projects. We have strengthened our position as one of the main players in the UAV market,” says Lennart Sindahl, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Saab Aerosystems.  
 
The flight took place during a test campaign at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration test site in Vidsel. After taking off without pilot assistance, the SHARC performed a totally autonomous mission before landing on its own, aided by differential GPS and a radar height finder.  
 
The SHARC technical demonstrator has been developed by Saab. The project began in 2001 and the first flight was conducted in February 2002. The test campaign recently carried out in Vidsel is the third in order. The previous test campaigns, which included autonomous flights both within and beyond the point of visibility, laid the foundation for the successful autonomous take-off and landing.  
 
Successfully completing totally autonomous flights – i.e. flights with no pilot assistance whatsoever – is an important stage in Saab’s development of autonomous UAVs.  
 
There are many advantages of being able to conduct autonomous take-offs and landings, as these are the points where a large proportion of UAV failures occur. Automating these parts of a flight therefore represents a dramatic risk reduction, while also bringing about tactical and operational benefits such as landing at dusk or in darkness.  
 
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« Responder #173 em: Setembro 03, 2004, 02:10:49 pm »
Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) Delivers Second Batch of CN-235s to Pakistan Air Force
 
 
(Source: Indonesian Aerospace; web-posted Sept. 2, 2004)

(Edited for clarity by defense-aerospace.com)
 
 
 BANDUNG, Indonesia --- Indonesian Aerospace (IAe) has delivered a second CN-235 Military Version to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). This was the second of four aircraft ordered under a contract valued at US $49 million.  
 
The delivery was marked by the signature of the Protocol Acceptance by CEO of Indonesian Aerospace, Edwin Soedarmo, and PAF Technical Representative, Squadron Leader, Sayid Mehmood Awan, witnessed by Pakistan Ambassador of Indonesia, HE Syed Mustafa Anwar Husain, in the CN-235 hangar at the area of IAe, in Bandung.  
 
Edwin Soedarmo said that the second delivery should have taken place in August 2004, but that financial constraints had an impact on the availability of aircraft material and automatically affected the production schedule.  
 
"The third delivery may be scheduled in October 2004 and the fourth will be in December 2004," he added.  
 
Edwin also said that CN-235 aircraft was designed with STOL (short take off landing) specification. It is a multipurpose and easily modified aircraft. It is also equipped with a rear ramp-door and can be operated in any field. This aircraft is powered by two CT7-9C turboprop engines, each rated at 1870 hp, and equipped with four CRT cockpit displays to assist the pilot in controlling the aircraft.  
 
Today there are more than 200 CN-235 aircraft in operation around the world.  
 
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« Responder #174 em: Setembro 06, 2004, 06:49:57 pm »
Shadow TUAV Pass 2,500 Sorties in Operation Iraqi Freedom
 
 
(Source: AAI Corp.; issued Sept. 3, 2004)
 
 
 HUNT VALLEY, Md. --- U.S. Army RQ-7A Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) systems have achieved new, major milestones of flight, surpassing 10,000 flight hours and 2,500 sorties while performing surveillance and reconnaissance for coalition war fighters in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  
 
The record marks for cumulative flight hours and sorties were achieved in mid-August.  
 
“The performance of Shadow systems in support of our soldiers has been outstanding,” said Steve Reid, Shadow TUAV program director for AAI Corporation, prime contractor for the Shadow TUAV program. “The air vehicles, ground control stations, and support systems have delivered when called on in the harsh combat environment of Iraq. We are very proud of the Shadow systems and the soldiers who operate them so well.”  
 
AAI has delivered 19 Shadow TUAV systems: 15 to U.S. Army and National Guard operational units and four to the Army’s TUAV training center at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.  
 
Fielding of Shadow TUAV systems was recently accomplished by Maryland and Pennsylvania National Guard units in training at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.  
 
Production and delivery of the 100th RQ-7A Shadow TUAV air vehicle was completed in July 2004. Soon thereafter AAI began delivering a new model Shadow TUAV, designated the RQ-7B, with slightly larger wings, a modified tail assembly, and an extended flight endurance capability.  
 
AAI Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, is a company focused on the design and production of defense and training systems. In addition to unmanned aerial vehicle systems, its products include training and simulation systems, automated aircraft test and maintenance equipment, and logistical/engineering services for government- owned equipment.  
 
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« Responder #175 em: Setembro 06, 2004, 06:52:24 pm »
Boeing SLAM-ER Weapon Shows Moving Target Capability
 
 
(Source: Boeing Co.; issued Sept. 3, 2004)
 
 
 ST. LOUIS --- Boeing successfully conducted its first captive-carry test of a Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) missile enhanced with moving-target, network-centric software recently at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Range, China Lake, Calif.  
 
Carried on an F/A-18 aircraft assigned to VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron, the SLAM-ER received real-time data via standard Link-16 messages that originated from an orbiting Joint STARS aircraft. Once the information was relayed automatically through the F/A-18 controlling the missile, the SLAM-ER trained its seeker on the moving target and gauged its velocity. The F/A-18 pilot then used “Stop Motion Aimpoint Update” technology to designate the precise impact point and simulate attacking and destroying a truck traveling in traffic between 40-50 mph.  
 
“SLAM-ER will provide Naval war fighters with the first network-centric weapon capable of tracking down and eliminating moving targets,” said Mike Marks, Boeing vice president and general manager for U.S. Air Force Fighter and Bomber Programs, and Weapons Programs. “This is a significant step forward in weapons development.”  
 
The SLAM-ER production software with moving target capability will be delivered to the U.S. Navy in October 2004, followed by flight tests in mid-2005, and fleet deployment in October 2005. SLAM-ER missiles have a range exceeding 150 nautical miles (278 kilometers) against land and ship targets, and can fly a pre-planned or target-of-opportunity route to the target area.  
 
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« Responder #176 em: Setembro 07, 2004, 08:44:39 pm »
MBDA Signs Contract for Eurocopter NH-90 and Tiger Helicopters Self-Protection Systems
 
 
(Source: MBDA; issued Sept. 4, 2004)
 
 
 MBDA today signed an initial production contract with Eurocopter to equip all versions of the Tiger assault and NH90 multi-role helicopters with the advanced SAPHIR-M decoy self-protection system. The contract, which represents over 500 systems, is the largest of its kind in terms of quantity for MBDA and is the largest single contract placed for such a system in Europe.  
 
Commenting on the order, MBDA’s Chief Executive Officer, Marwan Lahoud said, “The development contract for SAPHIR-M, won in the face of stiff competition, is a strong endorsement of MBDA’s ability to work effectively with the leading platform suppliers of the world. With the production contract now in place, helicopter aircrews will have the confidence of knowing that the latest technology is in place to provide them with the highest levels of protection throughout the duration of the mission.”  
 
Following a request for tender issued by Eurocopter, MBDA won the development contract for SAPHIR-M against international competition from the leading suppliers in the field. The system is the latest addition to MBDA’s successful SAPHIR family of chaff and flare decoy systems, already proven in service on over 200 helicopters including Ecureuil, Gazelle, Puma, Super-Puma, Cougar and Lynx.  
 
On the Tiger and NH90, SAPHIR-M will provide helicopter self-protection for army, navy and air forces in Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal. This list will certainly be extended with other NH90 and Tiger customers to come.  
 
Deliveries have already begun and are scheduled to be completed over the next 15 years. SAPHIR-M will enter service on the first Tigers and NH90s to be delivered to the various customers.  
 
SAPHIR-M, suitable for all types of helicopter, is an expendable dispenser delivering countermeasures against the whole threat spectrum posed by radar and missiles, even against the type of very short-range surface to air missiles typically encountered on peacekeeping and counter terrorism missions. Protection is provided by the optimised ejection of chaff and/or flares controlled by the system’s Sequencing Supply and Safety Unit. The system’s magazines, housed in the cartridge dispenser modules, are capable of carrying cartridges in a chosen mix of chaff and flares. SAPHIR-M features manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic release.  
 
With an annual turnover exceeding EUR 2 billion, a forward order book of over EUR 14 billion and over 70 customers world wide, MBDA is a world leading, global missile systems company. MBDA currently has 45 missile system and countermeasure programmes in operational service and has proven its ability as prime contractor to head major multi-national projects.  
 
MBDA is jointly owned by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).  
 
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« Responder #177 em: Setembro 08, 2004, 08:24:04 pm »
Brazil - UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopters
 
 
(Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency; issued Sept. 7, 2004)
 
 
 On 7 September 2004, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Brazil of UH-60L Black Hawk Helicopters as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $250 million.  
 
The Government of Brazil has requested a possible sale of 10 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with T-700- GE-701C engines, 25 spare T-700-GE-701C engines, 22 7.62mm M134 Mini guns, search and rescue equipment, litters and hoists, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, contractor engineering and technical support services and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $250 million.  
 
This proposed sale would contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country, which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in South America.  
 
Brazil needs these aircraft to fulfill its strategic commitments for search and rescue and self-defense within the region without being dependent upon assistance of other countries. This procurement will upgrade its air mobility capability and provide for the defense of vital installations and close air support for ground forces. Brazil will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.  
 
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.  
 
The principle contractors will be: Sikorsky Aircraft of Stratford, Connecticut and General Electric of Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Brazil.  
 
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.  
 
This notice of a potential sale is required by law; it does not mean that the sale has been concluded.  
 
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« Responder #178 em: Setembro 09, 2004, 11:08:13 pm »
Northrop /Raytheon Team Completes Major Risk Reduction Program for New Airborne Surveillance Radar
 
 
(Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.; issued Sept. 8, 2004)
 
 
 EL SEGUNDO, Calif. --- A Northrop Grumman Corporation/ Raytheon team has successfully integrated and tested a laboratory-based prototype of a new airborne surveillance radar planned for deployment on the U.S. Air Force’s RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial reconnaissance and E-10A battle-management platforms.  
 
Known as the “single-string” Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) radar, the prototype radar provides a key risk-reduction tool for the MP-RTIP team. It has allowed the two companies to identify and resolve technical integration issues long before starting production and integration of actual flight hardware. The single-string radar developmental testing culminated in a demonstration of the MP-RTIP capability on July 30.  
 
MP-RTIP is a family of modular, active, electronically scanned array radar systems that will dramatically improve the Air Force’s ability to detect, track and identify stationary and moving vehicles, and low-flying cruise missiles. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are jointly developing and producing the MP-RTIP radars for the Air Force’s Electronic Systems Center under a six-year, $888 million system development and demonstration contract awarded in April.  
 
Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Systems sector serves as the Air Force’s MP-RTIP prime contractor, while the company’s Electronic Systems sector and Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems unit share the radar development and production work.  
 
“This demonstration proves that the team’s fundamental processes for producing and integrating this new radar system are correct,” said Dave Mazur, Northrop Grumman’s MP-RTIP program manager. “It not only raises our confidence in the way we build and test the first MP-RTIP units for Global Hawk, but also provides critical insight into the processes we’ll use to integrate and test the E-10A MP-RTIP units in the future.”  
 
According to Tom Bradley, Raytheon’s MP-RTIP program manager, the single-string radar demonstration also validated the MP-RTIP program’s decision to divide the radar development and integration work between two companies. “Our success integrating radar components produced in different development and manufacturing environments with critical mission software reflects the strong collaborative spirit and commitment to success that drives the Northrop Grumman/Raytheon MP-RTIP team,” he said.  
 
Functionally, the single-string radar is a prototype Global Hawk MP-RTIP radar. Its name is derived from the fact that it contains only the functional elements of the radar required to demonstrate critical integration techniques and to operate it in a few select test modes. For example, it contains critical MP-RTIP hardware such as receivers, exciters and antenna elements, but uses laboratory-based systems, such as power supplies, for many of its “support” components.  
 
As configured, the single-string radar contains two of MP-RTIP’s primary air moving target indicator (air-to-air) tracking modes.  
 
For the single-string test program, the MP-RTIP antenna elements were produced, assembled and tested at a Northrop Grumman’s facility in Norwalk, Conn. The complete radar was then installed in a Raytheon high-rise facility near Los Angeles International Airport. The radar antenna was positioned behind a flat, window-replacing radome pointing out at a series of passive and active “targets” installed on a second Raytheon facility about one mile away.  
 
Over the course of several months, the Northrop Grumman/Raytheon engineering test team actively operated the radar by transmitting radar signals to the targets, measuring signal strength at the targets, and measuring the strength of the reflected signals received by the antenna.  
 
“The single-string radar test program produced a strong vote of confidence for the MP-RTIP radar design,” said Russ Conklin, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems’ MP-RTIP program manager. “In terms of its beam width, beam steering characteristics, transmit power, receiver sensitivity and antenna gain, the radar consistently met or exceeded its design specifications.” Lessons learned from the demo will help the team shorten and simplify the processes it uses to integrate and test the radars for both Global Hawk and the E-10A applications, he added.  
 
Under the current MP-RTIP contract, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon will build six MP-RTIP radars - three for Global Hawk, three for the E-10A wide-area surveillance platform. The single string-radar, when built into a complete, fully functional system, will count as one of the three Global Hawk MP-RTIP radars.  
 
The MP-RTIP program schedule calls for flight-testing of the first Global Hawk radar to begin in October 2006. The team will conduct the testing using a manned, Northrop Grumman-owned Global Hawk surrogate aircraft called Proteus. Flight-testing of the MP-RTIP radars aboard a real Global Hawk is scheduled to begin in late 2007.  
 
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« Responder #179 em: Setembro 10, 2004, 08:12:37 pm »
Northrop Awarded $388 Million Contract for Next Phase of B-2 Bomber's Radar Modernization
 
 
(Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.; issued Sept. 9, 2004)
 
 
 EL SEGUNDO, Calif. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a $388 million contract by the U.S. Air Force for the next phase of a program to modernize the B-2 radar system. This program continues the efforts of the Air Force and Northrop Grumman to enhance the stealth bomber’s ability to operate as part of the military’s increasingly integrated force structure.  
 
Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Systems sector, the B-2 prime contractor, is leading the radar modernization effort, which will replace the current radar antenna with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna. Raytheon Company’s Space and Airborne Systems in El Segundo, which provided the original B-2 radar, is the principal subcontractor.  
 
During the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase, Northrop Grumman will develop and test the antenna and integrate six new radar systems on B-2 aircraft for initial demonstration and operational training.  
 
The subsequent production and deployment phase will include low-rate initial production and full-rate production to field the upgraded radar. Installation of the new antenna into the B-2 fleet will take several years to complete.  
 
The new radar system will resolve conflicts in radio frequency usage between the B-2 and commercial systems and allow future upgrades to improve radar performance. In addition to replacing the antenna, Northrop Grumman will modify the B-2 defensive management system and the radar transponder to support the change in operating frequency.  
 
Northrop Grumman’s work on the radar modernization program began in October 2002 with the component advanced development phase. The entire program is estimated to be worth more than $900 million to the company through 2011.  
 
Northrop Grumman performs its B-2 radar work in Palmdale, Calif. In addition to Raytheon, subcontractors include Lockheed Martin Corporation in Owego, N.Y., for defensive management system modifications and BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration in Greenlawn, N.Y., for radar transponder modifications.  
 
The radar modernization and other efforts to upgrade the B-2 will improve its ability to communicate and exchange data with joint force commanders, and share updated target information during a mission. Under another program, Northrop Grumman recently delivered the first B-2 with a specially formulated coating developed to improve the aircraft’s combat readiness. Still another significant improvement is a bomb rack assembly that enables the B-2 to deliver up to 80 ‘smart’ (GPS-guided) weapons on a single pass, five times as many as its current capacity.  
 
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