New President for BAKS
Berlin. On 31 March 2008 the German Minister of Defence Dr. Franz Josef Jung appointed LtGen (ret.) Kersten Lahl as the new president of the Federal College for Security Studies (Bundesakademie für Sicherheitspolitik BAKS). Lahl succeeds Dr. Rudolf Adam in this position. In his commemorative speech in the presence of numerous guests from politics and society the minister stressed the exposed importance of the BAKS as a central, independent federal institution for all questions related to security political education and doctrine. “The BAKS is an important element in the network of the German security political society”, the minister said and added that cooperation often can only be enabled through personal contacts, as they are fostered by a college of this kind. Moreover, he pointed out, the lines of communication crossed each other in Berlin. Short and fast ways of communication, as they can only be found in Berlin, support the exchange of information between teachers and students. This possibility of interactive exchange applies to the minister of defence as well as universities, politics, consulting research institutions, colleges, think tanks, political and lobby representations.
The minister thanked the departing president Dr. Adam for his influencing involvement. According to the minister the work of Dr. Adam has made a decisive contribution to defining and animating terms like “Networked Security” and “Transformation”. Minister Jung congratulated the new president, LtGen (ret) Lahl, for his new assignment and said that he expected the reputation of the BAKS to be raised and the security political debate in Germany to be fostered, including the promotion of the networked approach throughout all ministries of the Federal Government.
Diehl demonstrates new Ground-Based Air Defence System
Überlingen. Diehl BGT Defence demonstrated its new IRIS-T SLS short-range air defence system during a successful live firing at the South African OTB Test Range.
Government officials from more than seven nations witnessed the interception of a manoeuvring drone in a representative air defence scenario with a direct hit after the missile had locked onto the target at a distance of more than ten kilometres.
Diehl used the IRIS-T air-to-air missile, which the company currently supplies to seven European customers, in a vertical launch from a light-weight allterrain truck. The infrared seeker-equipped missile with lock-on-after launch capability received target assignment data from a Saab Giraffe AMB air defence radar, providing surveillance of more than 100 km in range and 20 km in height while tracking up to 150 targets simultaneously.
Even in the surface-launched mode, the solid-propellant IRIS-T missile is capable of operational ranges well in excess of ten kilometres. The vertical launch combined with the very large missile seeker look angle ensure full 360 degrees air space coverage. The missile’s excellent kinematics reduce the inner operational dead zone to some hundred meters.
The live firing demonstration proved full functional performance of the IRIS-T SLS air defence system based on the Saab Giraffe AMB radar with an integrated command & control system and the original IRIS-T missile. The cooperation with partner company Saab represents a further step into the ground based air defence market for Diehl.
In another programme Diehl currently develops the IRIS-T SL medium range surface-toair system to meet the German Air Force’s requirement for a lower-tier supplement to the US-German-Italian MEADS missile system. The improved IRIS-T SL missile features an RF-data link and an extended range of more than 30 kilometres.
DWT Represented in Brussels
Bonn. The German Association for Defence Technology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik DWT) is aiming at an increasing involvement in Brussels in order to also implement its statutory objectives at international levels, thus responding to the expectations of the DWT’s regular and sustaining members. The diversity of governmental and non-governmental institutions and associations in Brussels necessitates an own local representation, which is why the DWT has delegated Mr. Michael Langer, the Director of the Brussels Office of Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG, as “DWT Representative, Brussels”. This representation, however, is not expected to operate as a full-time office. Rather, measures and activities will continue to be controlled by the DWT’s headquarters in Bonn.
Successful RBS15 Mk3 Test Flight
Überlingen/Vidsel (Sweden). In a test campaign on 15 March, the RBS15 Mk3 heavy anti-ship missile, jointly developed by Diehl and Saab, successfully demonstrated its ability to engage land targets. In the presence of numerous government delegations from Germany, Poland, Sweden and other countries, the test was conducted at the Vidsel test range of the Swedish defence procurement agency FMV in northern Sweden. The missile was launched from a ground vehicle and automatically followed a pre-programmed trajectory across various terrain profiles. The missile was guided by its on-board navigation system along the trajectory with pinpoint accuracy via numerous waypoints to the target.
After the successful demonstration of the RBS15 missile’s anti-ship capability in the past, this test’s primary purpose was to verify the new GPS-supported land attack capability implemented in the Mk3 version. With its range in excess of 200 kilometres the latest generation RBS 15 Mk3 is a powerful and multi-purpose naval missile system against sea and land targets. In 2003, Saab Bofors Dynamics and Diehl BGT Defence signed an agreement for the development, production and marketing of the new RBS 15 missiles. Two years later, the German Navy decided to procure RBS15 Mk3 for its new Class K130 corvettes. Subsequently, the Polish Navy ordered the missile for its ORKAN-class fast patrol boats.
Training Simulator for Naval Aviators
Fürstenfeldbruck. ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH has developed a “Cockpit Procedure Trainer” (CPT) for German naval helicopter pilots. The simulator exactly portrays the cockpit of the Sea Lynx MK88A helicopter, which is deployed on the frigates of the German Navy. The CPT offers training of the onboard systems for future missions whilst still on the ground. The CPT has been developed in light of the ongoing service life extension and modernisation programme for the Sea Lynx fleet. The helicopters are currently being fitted with new flight electronics, including new display and operating elements. Therefore, the training content of the new simulator has been laid out in accordance with the new components. ESG will reproduce the cockpit with all operating elements for this purpose. Instead of using the original operating elements, the CPT will be controlled via touch screen.
In addition to this cockpit variant, which gives pilots a realistic representation of a real helicopter, ESG has also developed a simplified laptop variant of the CPT. This way, procedures and scenarios can be practised more easily in various locations.
The new CPT will complement the German Navy’s present training simulator, which is located in the Netherlands. It will be set up on the premises of the Naval Air Wing (MFG) 3 in Nordholz. The simulator can be controlled and telemaintained via the specially secured Bundeswehr network, a type of military Internet, from the ESG headquarters in Fürstenfeldbruck. For the CPT programme, ESG can rely on more than twenty years of experience in the development of rotary and fixed wing aircraft simulators. ESG currently operates simulators for CH53 and TIGER helicopters as well as for TORNADO, EUROFIGHTER and A400M aircraft in the company’s technology centre in Fürstenfeldbruck.
Berlin. Effective 1 April 2008, Christopher Bach (41) has been appointed Director of Press and Public Relations of the German Aerospace Industries Association (Bundesverband der Deutschen Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie BDLI). His predecessor, Dr. Jens Krüger, decided to take up a position with Atlas Elektronik already in November 2007. As a specialist in American studies and political science Bach can refer to more than ten years of experience in public relations management positions in electronics, IT and telecommunication industries. His last assignment was Director, Corporate Communications for Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Southeast Asia and India at Eurocopter. Besides, he was the spokesman of Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH. In his new position, Bach directly reports to the BDLI’s CEO Dietmar Schrick.
Stuttgart/Koblenz. Mercedes-Benz has delivered the first vehicles of the new protected military “Enok” variant of the G-type vehicles to both the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) and the Bundeswehr as the user. The protected vehicle is part of the new generation LAPV series of light protected patrol vehicles with the Bundeswehr designation “Enok”. The NATO designation LAPV stands for “Light Armoured Patrol Vehicle”. The LAPV is based on the protected G-type and has been developed in cooperation with Armoured Car Systems of Aichach (Bavaria). Compared to the conventional G-type the LAPV “Enok” is equipped with a special protection fit, has an all-steel passenger compartment and thus offers significantly better allround ballistic protection, better protection of the vehicle base as well as protection against IED threats (IED = Improvised Explosive Devices). The protection was tested by the BWB’s Military Test Centre 91 and corresponds with the Bundeswehr requirement for the “Class 1 Protected Command and Multi-Purpose Vehicles” (GFF 1). The vehicles delivered represent the variant with two doors, protected passenger compartment and unprotected tail module. The protected passenger compartment has seats for two soldiers and offers sufficient space for the integration of installation kits, like radio communication equipment. The co-driver’s seat can be pushed backwards to the rear of the compartment on rails, thus allowing for the handling of the controls without having to leave the vehicle. With the first LAPV “Enok” vehicles the Bundeswehr now for the first time has a small, highly protected military mission vehicle in service, the size of which equals that of the current “Wolf” light trucks (Bundeswehr designation for the G type vehicle).
Actros in Service for Canada
Ottawa-Canada/Wörth-Germany. The first highly protected “Armoured Actros” vehicles from Mercedes-Benz have been arlifted to the customer base in Canada. Additional logistics vehicles for special missions of the Canadian forces will follow. With these first deliveries Mercedes-Benz complied with the demanding time schedule of the customer, which had formulated an immediate requirement for protected personnel carriers. For the Canadian Government the protection of its citizens represents an absolute top priority. During UN mandated operations like in Afghanistan best possible protection is to be generated with the use of most modern and robust technical solutions. As a result, the Canadian Department of National Defence decided for the procurement of some 96 highly protected “Armoured Actros” heavy-duty trucks from Mercedes-Benz. Only six months after contract award the first vehicles for training preparations were delivered and proved their value under extreme operational conditions during the Canadian winter. On time, 46 months after contract award the first “Armoured Actros” were airlifted to the actual theatre of operation.
For the protection of the drivers the four-axle all-terain chassis of the “Actros” series are fitted with a protected driving cab, which provides protection of the soldiers against mines, fire and IEDs at an extremely high security level. The vehicle concept of Mercedes-Benz offers the globally best protection that can currently be provided with a full-production run vehicle chassis. With a variety of applications and configurations the “Armoured Actros” are suited for missions in unstable crisis areas. The “Armoured Actros” series comes in four variants: transport vehicle with a loading crane, heavy recovery vehicle, heavy trailer truck and Palletized Loading System (PLS).
Force Ware Team Features “Knight” at ELROB
Eningen. At this year’s European Land Robot Trial (ELROB), which will be held from 30 June to 3 July at the Hammelburg Infantry School, the German company Force Ware is teamed with WM Robots from the United States and participates with the “Knight” unmanned vehicle in the Reconnaissance and Surveillance, EOD and Transport and Mule contests.
“Knight” is based on a proprietary design powered by a 48 V DC battery pack that provides between two and ten hours of duty time. The robot is controlled via a fibre-optic cable for secure operation. RF radio control comes as an option. All processing takes place on a PC 104 stack, powered by a battery-backed, electronically controlled power system. During operation the system is controlled by real-time feedback with the support of seven onboard cameras, each of which has an individual zoom capability. Equipped with removable tracks the robot can climb steps up to 45° and can move on a variety of uneven surfaces, including snow. To lower power consumption and for better mobility on flat surfaces the tracks can be removed to run strictly on the tires.
The manipulating arm has seven degrees of freedom and features variable speeds of all axes simultaneously through the use of joysticks. Along with the video set the two-way audio system ensures a permanent recording capability for post reference use. The integrated sensor software gives the robot the capability to interface directly with a variety of sensors, such as chemical, radiation, X-ray, etc.
EC135 for the Austrian Air Police
Marignane/Innsbruck. On 5 May, at the Innsbruck Flight Operations Base of the Air Police, the Austrian Minister of the Interior, Peter Blatter, accepted the first three of eight new EC135 helicopters into service.A total of four of the new helicopters were delivered by Eurocopter in time for the European Football Championships hosted jointly by Austria and Switzerland. As a result, the Police Aviators will be able to patrol the event with state-of-the-art helicopters. In the course of May the new EC135 were also publicly presented in Salzburg, Vienna and Klagenfurt as important venues of the UEFA EURO 2008.
The contract, which covers eight twin-engine Eurocopter EC135 P2i light helicopters, was signed by the Austrian Ministry of the Interior on 26 September 2007. The contract stated that four of these aircraft, which have been laid out as light multi-purpose helicopters, had to be delivered prior to the EURO 2008 in order to contribute to an optimum level of security for the global visitors of this mass rally. Of the four remaining EC 135 two will be delivered in March, and two in May 2009. These aircraft will additionally be equipped with FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) cameras and searchlights. All aircraft are equipped with a rescue winch and are certified for IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). Their glass cockpits are suited for the use of night vision goggles. The contract also includes “Power-by-the-Hour-Service” throughout a period of ten years as well as the technical support of the Austrian Air Police fleet by Eurocopter during the system introduction phase of the EC135 at the Ministry of the Interior and during the UEFA EURO 2008.
ATC Radio Series for Military Air Traffic Control
Munich. The R&S Series 4200 is now also available with an UHF variant. As a result, the radio communication family from Rohde & Schwarz also covers ground-to-air communication in military air traffic control. With an external crypto device the UHF transceivers can also be used in security-sensitive operations. The VHF variant of the R&S Series 4200 for civilian air traffic control (ATC) has already successfully been introduced in the market. The systems are available as transceivers, radios and receivers. The UHF transceiver is equipped with a standard analogue broadband interface. The interface allows for the connecting to an external crypto device. That ensures tap-proof standard radio communication, which e.g. extends the service options of the R&S Series 4200 to operational-tactical communication.
Oberschleissheim. Following successful trials the transmitter and receiver modules that have been developed by EADS Defence & Security (DS) for the fire control radar of the MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defence System) are now entering series production. Thus, EADS DS is the first company that has managed to develop the new AESA (Active Electronic Scanning Array) radar technology to industrial mass production maturity, with a series production number of 40,000 modules. As a result, the U.S./Italian/German MEADS programme assumes a strategic pioneering role for the implementation of the AESA technology.
In the scope of the MEADS design and development contract valued at some € 120 million the Defence Electronics business unit of DS will deliver the transmitter and receiver modules in only two years, thus making the MEADS fire control radar the most effective of its kind. The modules represent key elements for the new generation radar systems, which are based on AESA technology. Instead of a mechanical antenna drive AESA radars are equipped with an electronic beam control unit with thousands of T/R modules, which provides for completely new performance options. The technology will be used for all future military radars. EADS Defence and Security employees from the Defence Electronics and the Defence & Communication systems business units as well as LFK closely cooperate in order to ensure the success of the programme. LFK GmbH/MBDA Germany has assumed responsibility for the entire radar antenna.
Austrian Army Trains at German Combat Training Centre
Altmark. With the support of Saab Training Systems friendly forces from other nations can use their own combat training equipment while training together with German troops in the German Army’s Combat Training Centre (Gefechtsübungszentrum GÜZ) in Altmark. Since 2007 the Austrian Army has trained in the GÜZ with the DUSIM mobile combat training centre, which is part of the GAMER family of Saab Training Systems AB (Saab TS) of Huskvarna, Sweden. Saab TS could demonstrate that despite different radio communication systems and system approaches the GAMER family is interoperable with the system technology of the GÜZ. Therefore, as a parallel radio network to DUSIM, Saab TS installed two mobile radio stations covering the entire training ground. An interface to the Saab TS “Wise PC” transferred the incoming and outgoing data of all participants in the exercise to the GÜZ control centre and “translated” them into the respective other system. With this performance Saab demonstrated how international training groups particularly from Austria, The Netherlands and the Nordic countries can in the future train in the GÜZ with the training sets that they are used to. The German and Austrian troops training together in the GÜZ currently form the “Operational Reserve Force Battalion” for Kosovo.
Increase in Turnover at KMW
Munich. In the fiscal year 2007 Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) was able to increase its turnover figures by about 30 percent to approx. 1.3 billion Euro. The order backlog of more than 3 billion Euro equals that of 2006 and thus contributes to a safe long-term business forecast. In 2007 KMW has continued its successful performance as a leading system house for wheeled and tracked vehicles in Europe. Besides, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann was able to create 150 new jobs in fiscal year 2007. More than 20 percent of the KMW’s employees work in R&D.
Last Batch-1 Eurofighter Delivered
Hallbergmoos. With the hand-over of Eurofighter GT015, a German two-seater, the last batch-1 aircraft was delivered to the partnering air forces of Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. Deliveries of the Eurofighter TYPHOON to the four nations commenced in summer 2003, service introduction followed in the spring of 2004. Italy was the first country to conduct air space surveillance and air defence missions at the end of 2005. Today, the Eurofighter flies in ten units on six airfields. The air force fleets have completed more than 34,000 flight hours.
Eurofighter TYPHOON is the most modern and most effective new generation multi-role combat aircraft currently available on the market. Up to now six nations have ordered a total of 707 aircraft (Austria, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain, UK). As the currently largest European military procurement programme the advanced technologies implemented in Eurofighter ensure the leading position of the European aerospace industry as well as some 100,000 jobs in about 400 companies. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeuge GmbH is the lead company by order of its partners, namely Alenia Finmeccanica, BAE systems, EADS CASA and EADS Deutschland GmbH, the largest companies of the European aerospace industry with a combined turnover of some 60.7 billion Euro (2006).
“Gigant” Halls Prove their Value in Afghanistan
Mannheim. Two large capacity halls from Graeff Container und Hallenbau GmbH, Mannheim, are used by the Bundeswehr as warehouses and maintenance facilities for their mission aircraft above all, the TORNADO recce aircraft deployed to the theatre of operation in Mazar-e-Sharif, North Afghanistan. Camp Marmal near Mazar-e-Sharif is the largest Bundeswehr camp in support of the International Security Assistance Force. Maintenance logistics for the TORNADOs is carried out in two type “Gigant” halls from Graeff Container und Hallenbau.
Type “Gigant” represents a cost-effective and extremely flexible large capacity hall, which according to Graeff’s CEO Heinrich Graeff opens up a particular dimension due to its stable steel framework. The two halls measure 40 x 52 m resp. 52 x 52 m and cover an area of 2,080 qm resp. 2,704 qm without the need for additional pillars.
The framework skeletons are covered with an extremely sturdy and 100% dust-proof Ferrari® tarpaulin in order to resist any kind of sand storm. Both halls are air-conditioned and can be heated, which is an absolute requirement in light of the climatic conditions in the theatre of operation. The halls are permanently controlled and if necessary maintained by Graeff’s programme director and his incountry maintenance team. With the support of the Bundeswehr’s air service spare parts can usualy be exchanged within a weeks time, and Graeff as a company is prepared for a long-term partnership with the Bundeswehr in Afghanistan both in terms of organisation and personnel.
High-End Generators for Protected Vehicles
Wedel. ESW GmbH is a leading supplier of energy components and systems for main battle tanks, wheeled combat vehicles, light armoured and next generation vehicles as well as for military aircraft. The ESW power supply systems provide all the necessary electrical power for the vehicle and its electrical consumers with an extremely high power density. The right amount of power at the right time: the modular design of ESW components forms the basis for a multitude of different future applications in the sector of hybrid and electrically driven vehicles. For military applications it is of vital relevance that power be produced in sufficient quantities, controlled safely, distributed precisely and consumed efficiently.
Rapidly changing warfare scenarios, application of new technologies for auxiliary components and additional loads are pushing conventional generator technologies to their limits when it comes to providing the necessary power output. The increasing number of consumer loads as well as their rising performance outputs caused by electrification of hitherto mechanical and hydraulic realised functionalities require new designs and technologies. These changes require generator outputs of up to 20kW across the rotational-speed range which is significantly higher than current technologies provide. The average output requirement for highly equipped hybrid vehicles is expected to go up to 40kW in the next decade. ESW meets these ambitious power demands with customised solutions.
ESW is a leading supplier in the segment of innovative generator technologies. ESW has succeeded in developing a 28VDC watercooled generator product line of up to 500A built into the construction space of a conventional air-cooled generator. This presents enormous advantages regarding vehicle durability and resistance especially in rough terrains such as windy desert conditions. The generators are designed as a belt-driven, brushless, watercooled AC generator with integrated rectifiers, in compliance with MIL STD 461 E and MIL STD 1275.
They can be efficiently operated over a wide range of rotational speeds while contained in a solid mechanical construction. An integrated voltage controller governs the generator and monitors its functions. A control amplifier with power transistor matches the excitation current to the given load situation to provide a stabilised 28V DC output voltage in compliance with MIL STD 1275. The built-in load dump of the generator allows it to be operated without a battery. An integrated monitoring circuit ensures that high and low voltages are detected and controlled. The water-cooled generators are designed for parallel running with a second generator. Therefore the generator is equipped with a current control unit, so that if a threshold current is exceeded the second generator automatically takes over the additional load. This advanced technology is installed in vehicles all over the world: M113, Duro/Yak, Eagle and Fuchs.
First MILAN ADT Field Trials Successfully Completed
Schrobenhausen. South Africa has successfully completed extensive field trials of the MILAN ADT (Advanced Technologies) weapon system, which has been developed and produced by MBDA Deutschland/LFK. This was the first-ever field trial with the new, entirely digital MILAN ADT firing post. A total of ten firings were conducted with the ADT firing post. Both the ADT firing post and the MILAN 3 missiles performed without failure. The South African gunners who had undergone dedicated weapon training only shortly before the firing engaged stationary and mobile targets at different ranges. All ten firings were hits.
MBDA Deutschland/LFK had delivered the first series production batch of the new MILAN ADT system to South Africa on 16 February 2008. The new digital technology implemented with MILAN ADT enables improved detection and identification of targets and also opens up new possibilities in material maintenance and training equipment. As a result from its universal deployability, its high effectiveness and its proven reliability MILAN has been introduced by 44 nations. A total of 360,000 MILAN missiles and some 10,000 firing posts have been sold, 10,000 missiles were engaged in operational firings. Of all 100,000 firings the hit rate was as high as 95%.
BR725 Engine for Gulfstream G650
Dahlewitz. With the BR 725 engine Rolls-Royce introduced already the fourth propulsion system programme within a year’s time. For a start, the engine has been selected as the exclusive propulsion system for the new Gulfstream G650 business aircraft. In the segment of business aircraft engines Rolls-Royce is a world leader with a market share of 34%. With the BR725 Rolls-Royce has further extended its product portfolio within a period of six years the sixth civilian engine programme has been launched. Thus, Rolls-Royce underlines its ability to continually introduce technologically advanced products into the market.
Of the BR700 family of engines the BR725 is the most modern product. Its advanced technologies and superior performance parameters will enable it to set new standards in the top segment of ultra-long distance business airliners. Within the next 20 years these aircraft will operate in a market, which is expected to represent some US$ 14 billion in engine sales. The BR725 combines proven technologies of the BR700 and Trent engine types with brand-new technologies developed in current Rolls-Royce R&D programmes. Developed for superior reliability the BR725 will be supported by the market-leading Rolls-Royce CorporateCare(r) service programme. First tests of important engine modules have generated promising results. After the first run of a complete development engine in the spring of this year the delivery of the first flight test engine to Gulfstream is scheduled for the end of 2008. Certification of the BR725 and the beginning of flight tests are planned for the summer of 2009, and service introduction is to take place in 2012.
Kärcher Supplies Water Bottling Plant to Afghanistan
Winnenden. At the end of February, Kärcher UK Ltd. completed the installation of a water bottling plant for the British Forces in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan (Helmand Province). The plant has been delivered to Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR), a company that provides logistic support for the British Military. The plant purifies and bottles the water from local boreholes and can produce 50,000 one-litre labelled bottles a day. As the second plant of its kind it is the first ever in this particular configuration with two water purification systems and four water bottling devices. In the scope of the contract, KÄRCHER Futuretech has also provided millions of PET bottle preforms. These preforms are warmed in a heating carousel and then blown up in a mould using compressed air. The bottles are then placed on a conveyor belt, which carries them through the filling, capping and labelling stations. Finally, the bottles are banded into six-packs and stacked onto pallets.
The components included two WTC 1600 water purification systems, which can decontaminate and desalinate 1600 litres per hour; and four WBP 700s, which can produce up to 700 one-litre bottles per hour. Each component can be accommodated in a 20 ft ISO container, which allows either part or all of the system to be relocated, if so required. It is expected that the use of the water bottling plant will result in significant cost savings for the British forces. Previously, bottled water was trucked to the British military camp from Pakistan, which represented a major and expensive logistic effort.
Major Contract for JUNGHANS Microtec
Überlingen. The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded JUNGHANS Microtec, a subsidiary of Diehl Defence, a contract for the demonstration, qualification and supply of a new artillery fuse system, which is to be used in current and future rounds for the 105 mm
field howitzer as well as the AS90 155 mm SP howitzer of the British Army. The contract covers the supply of fuses and fuse conditioners and has a volume of more than 40 million British Pounds. The artillery fuse system will provide the British Army with state-of-the-art fuses and fuse conditioners ensuring improved firepower and higher reliability. The scope of the contract includes the qualification of two types of fuses and one fuse conditioner as well as technical and training documentation. The initial order is for 145,000 fuses and 500 fuse conditioners, including the option to expand the volume of the contract.
The two fuse types are a multi-function fuse, which has been designed to optimise the performance of the projectiles, as well as a time fuse, which is used in different types of ammunition, including screen and tracer ammunition. Moreover, inductive fuse conditioners are procured to set the fuses. The procurement of these fuse conditioners is part of a maintenance contract. The artillery fuse system is to be introduced by the British Army in 2010.
Speedy High-Tech Solutions for the Bundeswehr on Missions
Bonn/Fürstenfeldbruck. During a reception of the Parliamentary Aerospace Delegation in Bonn speedy technological measures in support of efficiency and effectiveness of the German forces wered introduced by Gerhard Schempp, the CEO of ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH and Chairman of the Defence Technology Section in the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI). Schempp introduced several approaches that based on proven systems recognise a “joint” approach and to an extent utilise civilian technologies, thus generating additional cost and time advantages. Among others, he mentioned solutions for the safeguarding of german field camps, a sensor-based helicopter landing aid for bad visibility conditions and new concepts for the logistic support of systems and vehicles abroad.
Schempp also considered an aspect recently brought forward by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces, Reinhold Robbe: The prevention of traumas. Designated CHARLY ESG has developed a highly interactive, multimedia platform for e-learning applications serving for the prevention of traumas. The system supports a systematic de-sensibilisation and strengthens the psychosocial tolerance of the task groups. By doing so it improves the capacity to act in acute stress situations.
KMW presents new vehicle family
Munich. At the International Aerospace Exhibition Berlin (ILA), the leading trade fair for the aerospace industry in Germany, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann presented its new family of modular scalable tactical vehicles to specialists and the public. The generic platform Future FENNEK Technology (GP-F2T) is based on the FENNEK armoured reconnaissance vehicle. This is already being used successfully by the Bundeswehr and Dutch armed forces in a number of variants and has proven itself in daily use in Afghanistan. “With the development of the GP-F2T vehicle family we want to offer the Bundeswehr and later other international customers a new dimension in mobility, modularity and protective technology for their current deployments, taking the constantly changing deployment conditions into account,” explained Frank Haun, Chairman of the KMW Board of Management, at the presentation of the new vehicle. “For this, the GP-F2T family represents a weapons system tailored to both the current and future requirements of the armed forces,” Haun went on to say. A first prototype of the twin-engined system will be presented in June 2008 at the world’s biggest trade fair for land systems, the EUROSATORY in Paris. GP-F2T vehicle family new technology, more flexibility and greater survivability. In developing the GP-F2T, great store was set on the survivability and assertiveness of crew and system. For this reason, an innovative concept has been realised, characterised by the redundancy of vital components, such as independent drive trains for the front and rear axles. This concept permits a closed, highly protected useful volume between the vehicle axles, in which modular and mission-specific vehicle cells can be integrated. As a result, modular equipment of the GP-F2T family is possible for various deployments.The vehicle family comprises two basic types, resulting from the scaling of the support structure, with the essential components and sub-systems of both systems being identical. This approach permits the realisation of deployment-specific crew and mission compartments for three to six crew members. The highly protected vehicle cell protects the occupants against ballistic, mine and IED threats, as well as against the potential risks of ABC contamination. Furthermore, extra reinforcement of the vehicle cell provides protection against handheld anti-tank weapons. Depending on the scenario, adaptive modules guarantee the ballistic protective level for the particular vehicle version. In addition, the GP-F2T family has a very low silhouette and consequently an extraordinarily low infrared and radar signature. The engine output of over 20 kW per ton vehicle weight allows the vehicle to effortlessly negotiate 60 percent forward slopes and up to 30 percent side slopes. In combination with a range of over 1,000 km, the crew can operate for up to five days autonomously. Since the vehicles are air-transportable too, they can be transferred to distant deployment areas quickly and easily. The new concept also adopts the suspension characteristics and consequently unique mobility of the FENNEK. Thanks to the redundant drive components, the vehicle also possesses extraordinary “residual mobility.” This means that even in the case of a subsystem failure, such as the front axle drive train, the vehicle still remains mobile as a result of the second sub-system (rear axle drive train).
First Successful IDAS Launch from Submerged Submarine
Überlingen. On 29 May 2008 the fibre-optic data link controlled IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines) missile was successfully launched for a test flight in the Western Baltic from U33, one of the German Navy’s most modern Class 212A submarines. After the inertial system of the missile had been adjusted with the help of the submarine’s navigation system, the missile was discharged from a torpedo tube. While still travelling submerged the wings and rudders unfolded and the propulsion system was ignited until - some seconds later - the missile penetrated the water surface, raised to its defined operational height and passed into a controlled flight mode. Other than in operational deployment the test was concluded with a controlled gliding flight. Throughout the entire duration of the flight data and images from a video camera were transmitted to the submarine via the fibre-optic link.
The test provided proof that IDAS can be launched from a submarine that is travelling submerged. All mechanical interfaces turned out to be reliable; the data traffic via the fibreoptic link between the submarine and the missile worked out permanently.
High-ranking naval officers from several interested countries participated in the event as observers on an escort ship and complimented the German Navy and the offices and companies involved in the programme.
With this successful test flight the ARGE IDAS (comprising Diehl BGT Defence, Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) and Kongsberg) together with the German Navy and the Federal German Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) completed another important milestone of this innovative missile programme - nine months ahead of the contractual schedule. The next steps include the generation of the phase documents and the initialisation of an international development programme.
Successful Industrial Testing of MILAN ADT-ER
Schrobenhausen. In line with its development work on MILAN ADT-ER, MBDA has successfully conducted a series of three test firings, further demonstrating the reliability of the new technologies integrated within this new weapon system. The tests involved the new ADT (ADvanced Technologies) firing post, manufactured by MBDA Deutschland/LFK, and the new ER (Extended Response) missile, produced by MBDA France. The tests, successfully carried out at the DGA’s ETBS (Etablissement d’Expérimentation Technique de Bourges) test site in central France, served to prove certain features of the system, namely operator safety as well as effectiveness over minimum and maximum operating ranges against stationary and moving targets. The first test served to verify arming distance. Following a strike at a short range of 40 metres, the warhead did not detonate, demonstrating system safety and therefore the benefits to the operator in such an event. A second test demonstrated the missile’s accuracy over the minimum engagement range of 150 metres. The front and main charges were both triggered with the correct lag time between the two events. With the third test, the objective was to demonstrate system performance against a moving target at the maximum range of 3,000 metres. The missile followed perfectly the sight line which was slaved to the target. MBDA Deutschland/LFK is responsible for the manufacture of the firing post whilst MBDA France is responsible for the production of the missile. Of important note is that the French DGA has acknowledged these successful test firings as part of the French evaluation process of this new weapon system. These tests constituted the final industrial firings prior to evaluation trials which will be carried out by the relevant state authorities.
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