Defence`s Feeds

U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon Locates Missing Fishing Vessel in Search Off Sri Lanka. Dramatic Rescue Adds to List of Recent Humanitarian Successes by U.S. Aircraft. A U.S. Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon has located a missing civilian fishing boat and its six-man crew in the vast open ocean south of the island of Sri Lanka in […]

The outcome of EDA’s project on Additive Manufacturing (AM, better known as 3D printing), launched in 2016, is now available:  a report on the impact of AM on the defence and a video covering the various project activities.

The main objectives of EDA’s ’Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study & Technology Demonstration’ project were to assess the areas where AM technologies can have a positive impact on defence capabilities and to demonstrate their feasibility.

The project, initiated in the framework of the CapTech Materials & Structures within the EDA Research & Technology domain, was organized around three work-strands: (i) a desktop study to place AM and its potential in a defence context, (ii) a technology demonstration of the feasibility of deploying these technologies in support of a military operation, (iii) an exhibition to senior military staff which took place in Spain in September 2017.

The ’Additive Manufacturing: State of the Art and Strategic Report’ describes the different additive manufacturing technologies and identifies existing capabilities in Europe. Issues related to a potential use of AM in defence, such as gaps in the value chain, IPRs (Intellectual/Industrial Property Rights), standardization and certification, test and evaluation, skills and education are also addressed, as well as an analysis of the future needs in these areas. Three value chains for implementation of AM in the most promising defence areas were developed, identifying the main limitations for AM implementation and providing solutions to overcome the existing barriers. EDA’s contractors for this project, the research centre Fundación Prodintec and defence company MBDA France, worked together to support the activities described and helped to strengthen the links between research activities, industrial development, and the armed forces.

The EDA Additive Manufacturing in Defence final video, also published today, summarizes the three work-strands of this innovative project.

 

 

More information:

• EDA’s “Additive Manufacturing Feasibility Study & Technology Demonstration” project page

Length of video : 147'
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Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Americas

• Vencore Services and Solutions is being tapped to support the US Air Force’s Technical Applications Center (AFTAC). The awarded contract has a value of $49.8 million and supports R&D operations to develop future nuclear monitoring equipment. Nuclear surveillance is needed for the monitoring of treaties and observing global nuclear developments. Vencore will provide services that are heavily focused on organizing a group of highly-specialized scientists, engineers, and analysts to work in support of nuclear detection missions. The company will develop the future systems and other advanced detection technologies, including new analysis- methods and techniques. Consisting of more than 3,600 sensors worldwide, AFTAC operates and maintains a global network of nuclear event detection equipment called the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection Systems (USAEDS), the largest sensor network in the US Air Force. Once a disturbance is detected underground, underwater, in the atmosphere or in space, the event is analyzed for nuclear identification, and the findings are reported to national command authorities. Work will be performed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It has an estimated completion date of August 20, 2024

• The Navy is currently testing its MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS. A press release confirms that the UAV finished its Initial Operational Test and Evaluation from the littoral combat ship USS Coronado. The MQ-8C “Endurance Upgrade Fire Scout” is based on Bell Helicopter’s 3-ton 407 model, which serves as the base for the Iraqi Air Force’s manned IA-407-armed scout helicopters. MQ-8C is effectively a full-sized light naval utility helicopter, with 8 hours endurance carrying a 1,250-pound payload, and a maximum underslung payload of more than 2,600 pounds. The crew of the Coronado and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, or VX-1, conducted combat simulations to evaluate the Fire Scout on target identification, intelligence and surface warfare, the results of which will help the Navy decide how best to use the rotorcraft. The unit also evaluated best practices concerning pairing the Fire Scout and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters. The Fire Scout has a range of nearly 600 miles and can fly to up to 12,500 feet. The Fire Scout can be armed with Hellfire and Viper Strike missiles, alongside several other weapons systems.

• The US Army is again boosting the upkeep of its Abrams tanks. Honeywell International Inc. is being awarded a contract modification valued at $119.6 million in support of the Army’s Total Integrated Engine Revitalization Automotive Gas Turbine program for M1 Abrams tank engines. Approved for production in 1990, the M1A2 represents the US Army’s technological improvement of the basic M1A1 design and the most modern battle tank in the world. It is equipped with a 120mm gun and is protected by depleted uranium armor. Over 10.000 Abrams tanks have been built so far, many of which were exported to militaries across the world. Work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of March, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

• Jane’s reports that the Tunisian Navy commissioned its second Multi Service Offshore Patrol Vessel (MSOPV) 1400 and a third Istiklal-class patrol boat at the port of La Goulette. The Syphax is the second of four MSOPV 1400s currently being built for the Tunisian Navy. The ship is being built and developed by Romanian defense contractor Damen. The MSOPV is Damen’s second generation offshore patrol vessel design and was revealed several years ago. It incorporates Damen’s Sea Axe hull shape for superior seakeeping – since the hull is designed to reduce water resistance, the new OPV is fuel efficient and capable of speeds up to 25/26 knots. A Multi-Mission Bay can be equipped with dedicated mission modules (e.g. mission containers) for missions such as counter piracy, counter-drug operations, anti-mining warfare, search-and-rescue and so forth. The Multi-Mission Bay is also equipped with a nine-meter RHIB, which can be launched over a dedicated slipway through the rear of the vessel while the OPV is sailing. Meanwhile, the third OPV, Hannon, commenced initial sea trials in the Black Sea late last June.

Europe

• The Czech Ministry of Defense is looking into a variety of systems to replace its obsolete Russian-designed 2K12 Kub mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. The government has allocated about $450 million for procuring a new SHORAD SAM system with a range of 9 miles. It is yet unclear what kind of system the government is looking for. Currently there are several types of SHORAD systems on the market. Earlier this year, Estonia, which is also a NATO member opted for MBDA’s Mistral. However, considering its limited range of 4 miles, it seems unlikely that this system will be ordered. Another option could be Israel’s Iron Dome, which has an all-weather-range of up to 43.5 miles. The Ministry plans to equip the 25th ADM Regiment with four batteries, each equipped with up to eight ready-to-fire missiles.

Asia-Pacific

• India’s plan to build and commission its second indigenous aircraft carrier has been postponed again. Steadily declining budgets, technological hurdles and prolonged delays by the Ministry of Defense in approving the program make it very unlikely that the Vishal will enter service by 2030-2032. The proposed 65,000–70,000 ton conventionally powered ‘flat top’ carrier would be capable of embarking 50–60 fixed- and rotary-wing platforms and cruise at 30 knots, but it would also cost between $12 – 13 billion. India’s Navy has currently one carrier in operation the refurbished Soviet-era Kiev-class Vikramaditya. By 2018–19, Vikramaditya was to have been supplemented by INS Vikrant, the 37,000-tonne Project 71 carrier with a short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) configuration that has been under construction since 2009 at Cochin Shipyard Limited, southern India. At this point the Vikrant is scheduled to enter service by October 2020. The Indian Navy plans to field three carrier battle groups under its Maritime Capability Perspective Plan.

• The Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet EA-18G Growlers is expected to achieve its initial operational capability (IOC) in the coming months. Australia is currently only the second operator of the aircraft, after the US Navy. The EA-18 is more than 90% common with the standard F/A-18F Super Hornet, sharing its airframe, AESA radar, stores management system and weapons options. The exception is the Super Hornet’s Vulcan Gatling gun is substituted with electrical equipment. Additional electrical equipment is added throughout the airframe, and Raytheon’s internally-mounted AN/ALQ-227 communication countermeasures system uses a dedicated, omni-directional antenna for signals detection, analysis, and recording. In May 2013, then Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Defense Stephen Smith announced that 12 new-build EA-18G Growlers would be acquired for the RAAF, in place of an earlier plan to modify 12 ‘pre-wired’ RAAF F/A-18Fs to Growler configuration. The production of Australia’s 12 EA-18Gs was formally contracted as part of a larger US Navy buy of 44 Super Hornets and Growlers in July 2014.

Today’s Video

• Spectacular Typhoon Display – Yeovilton International Air Day 2018

On 3 July, Russia’s Northern Fleet reported that its headquarters airbase at Severomorsk-1 was reopened and fully operational after extensive renovation and modernisation. It had been closed for three years. Severomorsk-1 has received new flight management and communications systems, as well

Key Points Poland's state-run PGZ has signed an LOI to co-operate with Leonardo on the Italian firm's AW249 attack helicopter The deal could scupper any chance of Boeing selling the Apache E into Poland On 10 July Jakub Skiba, the president of Poland’s Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ), the

The Portuguese Navy commissioned its third Viana do Castelo-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), NRP Sines (P 362), on 6 July. NRP Sines and fourth ship NRP Setúbal (P 363) form a second batch of OPVs ordered from a consortium comprising West Sea-Estaleiros Navais and Thales subsidiary EDISOFT

A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) demonstrator project will examine how swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could help traditional manned combat aircraft fight in complex and heavily defended airspace. Senior RAF sources told Jane’s that the project was briefed at an industry day in March by

Length of video : 186'
You may manually download this video in WMV (2.2Gb) format

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

The latest European Defence Matters magazine (issue N°15) is now available with a special focus on the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). 

DID YOU KNOW? The magazine is now also available ONLINE in a user-friendly, state of the art responsive lay-out and accessible via all your devices: smartphone, tablet or desktop! Check it out HERE 

Were there an ‘EU Acronym of the Year’ contest, PESCO would be well-positioned to grab the prize.  The Permanent Structured Cooperation established last December has become a familiar term beyond the military community, standing for a new determination to enhance European defence and reinvigorate EU integration as a whole. 

In the new issue (N°15) of European Defence Matters, we look at PESCO from various angles through inspiring contributions from key actors from the academic, defence-political and military-operational domains.  Among others, we give the floor to the Defence Political Directors of various Member States, to the EU Military Committee, as well as to the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Military Staff (EUMS) who, together with EDA, form the PESCO Secretariat. Focusing on the Military Mobility project, we also talk to the Netherland’s Chief of Defence, Admiral Rob Bauer. 

Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo, is our guest at the ‘Industry Talk’ where he shares his views on topics such as the European defence industry, the recent EU defence initiatives and defence research. We also sit down with Krasimir Karakachanov, Bulgaria’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, to talk about the EU defence initiatives, EU-NATO cooperation and more. 

A meeting with Irish Lt Col Ray Lane, a (now retired) expert in Improvised Explosive Device Disposal, gives an insight into the C-IED domain where cooperation spearheaded by EDA produced remarkable results over the past 10 years. The Preparatory Action on Defence Research, helicopter exercise HOT BLADE 2018 and EDA’s Airworthiness, Standardisation & Certification Unit are other topics covered in the following pages. 
 

Go ONLINE and get MORE! 

The new ONLINE format of European Defence Matters makes your reading experience even more comfortable:

• in addition to the print version, the online version occasionally offers expanded articles and supplementary pictures
• articles and pictures can be shared instantly via Twitter, LinkedIn and Email
• the magazine’s ‘Explore’ section allows you to easily access the European Defence Matters archive and revisit articles of previous editions
• by joining us via www.eda.europa.eu/webzine, you will have access to the latest issue and the possibility to navigate through the previous editions by using the ‘Explore’ function.
   

More information:

• European Defence Matters 15 (online version)
• European Defence Matters 15 (printable PDF version)

 

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