Armée Emirati/Union Defence Force (UAE)

Citation :

UAE May Ditch Rafale

PARIS - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested technical information on the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a surprise move that turns an anticipated order of Dassault Rafales into a $10 billion competition, an Arabian Gulf defense source said.

"The UAE is asking the U.S. for information on the F/A-18 Super Hornet in the single- and twin-seater version," the source said. "It is in the very early stages; it's a preliminary contact. The UAE has opened the door to them."

UAE authorities approached Boeing about a month ago and were directed to the U.S. government, which is expected to respond in a month or so, a U.S. source said.

It's not clear why Abu Dhabi has suddenly expressed interest in the latest version of the U.S. strike fighter. Technology may be part of the reason, but politics is likely the main cause.

But the news will come as a severe upset to the French government and industry, which had confidently expected to secure a sale of the Dassault jet without competition.

"This is worth about $10 billion, depending on the delivery dates` and specification," the Gulf source said.

The deal means even more to the French administration, which has invested much political capital and effort in pitching the jet to the Gulf state.

Rafale is the standard-bearer for French aerospace industry, showcasing Dassault's competence as a designer and builder of cutting-edge fighters, Safran's engines and Thales' radar, electric warfare and avionics. A host of subcontractors depend on the jet, while MBDA hopes a UAE purchase will lead to exports of the Meteor and other missiles.

Two years ago, Claude Gueant, secretary general in the office of President Nicolas Sarkozy, told Europe 1 radio, "France is in negotiations with serious hopes, effectively, of selling around 100 Rafales. After 23 years, we're going sell Rafales at last."

Last year, Sarkozy put his personal stamp on the sales effort, talking up the fighter during a visit to Abu Dhabi to open the new French permanent military presence in the Gulf. Up to 500 French military personnel will be stationed at the Al Dhafra airbase, which houses a small number of Rafale fighters; and a naval station at the Mina Zayed port. The French Navy underscored the importance of the visit by dispatching three warships.

The Rafale has yet to win an export order; if the emirate buys it, other countries might follow suit.

The UAE is looking to replace the 63 Dassault Mirage 2000-9s it bought just over a decade ago. As part of Paris' efforts to sell the Rafale, France has offered to buy back the Mirage aircraft, which it would hold in a special-purpose company while looking for an export buyer.

Calls to the French president's office were not returned by press time.

WHY THE SHIFT?
It was not immediately clear why the UAE is exploring a U.S.-made option.

The U.S. source said the Gulf state is believed to be frustrated over price and the technology offered by France.

UAE authorities have been negotiating with the French government and industry a potential co-development of a more capable "fifth-generation" model of the Rafale.

Abu Dhabi is being asked to pay to upgrade the Rafale, while the F-18 is already at the desired technological level.

The Gulf source said, "The Super Hornet has everything we need. We don't need to co-develop or modify it."

Upgrades under discussion include a longer-range active electronically scanned radar, a more capable Spectra electronic warfare suite and a M88 engine that gives 9 tons of thrust, 1.5 tons more than the ones in the French Air Force's Rafales.

French Defense Minister Hervé Morin has said developing the upgrades would cost UAE around 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion). France itself would also bear some of the cost.

Media reports have estimated the actual development cost to UAE at 4 billion to 5 billion euros. Morin dismissed those figures as "fantastic."

The UAE did help bankroll the development of the Block 60 version of the Lockheed Martin F-16 and owns some of the technology. UAE bought 80 of the so-called Desert Falcon planes for $7.2 billion in the 1990s under a policy of spreading purchases among suppliers.

POLITICAL WINDS?
But the Gulf source said technology was not the reason for the sudden shift.

"This is not about the specifications," the source said.

Perhaps a political shift is behind it. Dassault Executive Chairman Charles Edelstenne has underscored the role of politics in fighter sales.

"The sale of combat aircraft is a political act. All we can do is to make the best plane possible," Edelstenne said in March. "The Elysées [presidential office] does a superb job. In May 2007, we had zero prospects. Today, we have a significant number."

Besides negotiations with Abu Dhabi, Dassault has fielded the Rafale in contests in Brazil, India and Switzerland. Paris also enjoyed last year a period of exclusive talks with Libya, which lapsed without a deal.

The F-18 is a competitor in the Brazilian and Indian races. Boeing withdrew from the now-delayed Swiss tender, but could re-enter when the competition is relaunched.

It is unclear what political shift might have occurred recently between France and the UAE, analysts said.

"There has not been a notable change in relations," said Pierre Razoux, senior research adviser at the NATO Defense College, Rome.

RELATIONS APPEARED SOUND
The inauguration of the French military base sent a strong signal of political support. Sarkozy's tough position on Iran's nuclear program was a sign that bilateral ties were running on a normal course.

"Abu Dhabi is a good friend," Razoux said.

The Rafale would not be the first French weapon to ink its first export sale in Abu Dhabi. In 1994, the UAE spent $2.4 billion to buy 390 Leclerc tanks and 46 armored recovery vehicles, built by Nexter, then known as Giat Industries. That has been the Leclerc's sole export sale.

But the Rafale is also the second European weapons deal in recent months to founder in the UAE. Last month, Finmeccanica was unable to deliver UAV technology, which had been agreed as part of a sale of 48 M346 jet trainers, leading the UAE to reopen talks to acquire the T-50 aircraft from South Korea.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4775556&c=FEA&s=CVS

y´a pas plus frustrant/stressant que de faire des marchés avec ces gens.

-si je peux me lancer dans le dechiffrage du message emirati=faites vite avec le developement,payez vous meme la partie importante,debarassez nous des M2k9,offrez la technologie ou bien on verra coté F-18E/F

-autre point,les emiratis semblent ne pas vouloir refaire l´experience du client exclusif d´un produit,comme le F-16E/F Block60,qui leur coute une fortune a maintenir,car personne ne pense a prendre leur moteurs puissant ou leur radar developé d´eux directement,tout le monde achete des Advanced+ et les US ne sont pas interessés.

-en plus,le Block60 est meme plus avancé que le Rafale que les francais veulent leur vendre,donc a quoi faire du sur place avec un achat,sensé renforcer et moderniser une force et pas regresser.meme le M2k9 est un mini-rafale,ayant profité de sa technologie.

bref,ca promet des buits blanches au "war-room" cette serie mexicaine..

J'adore ces gars là, lorsque tu fais du business avec eux, ils veulent le beurre, l'argent du beurre, la crémière, la fille de celle-ci (ça peut servir), la vache, le pré pour la vache, le pain, le boulanger, !e mitron (ça peut servir), le moulins à farine, et un gros "schmack" sur les deux joues pour montrer qu'on reste copains.

Que les officiels de Dassault et de l'Etat Français prennent le courage de le dire que le Rafale n'est plus a vendre pour personne,on le garde que pour la France ,mais bon ces officiels n'en feront rien et courberont l'échine comme d'hab .
Navrant ....

Citation :

si je peux me lancer dans le dechiffrage du message emirati=faites vite avec le developement,payez vous meme la partie importante,debarassez nous des M2k9,offrez la technologie ou bien on verra coté F-18E/F

je suis plutôt d'accord avec ce raisonnement en fait, le contrat EAU est essentiel pour l'état française pour concilier étalement et préservation du programme, ils ont la corde au cou, les EAU le savent donc ils en profitent. Mais pas trop non plus car ils veulent l'avion ils l'ont dit depuis le début.

le contrat EAU en apportant un plan de charge supplémentaire à Dassault permettrait à l'état d'étaler les commandes pour ses force sans pénaliser les cadences de livraisons qui ne peuvent raisonnablement tomber sous les 1,2 mensuelle actuelle sous peine de quitter un mode industriel avec des conséquences ingérables en matière de standardisation comme on pouvait lire dans un trés anciens articles d'A&C datant des années déjà ...

Quand on voit que les marins ont reçu le 30 en juillet et que le 34 premier AESA leur sera livré au mieux en début 2012 çà veut dire qu'ils recevront 3 avions en 18 mois ... pas de quoi sauter en l'air. les EAU ont le droit de jouer à ce jeu !!

Bon raisonement a tous les 2,le F18 a peut etre de bonne chance,c'est un bon avion ,éprouvé ,avec de bon prix ,la CIA a fait du bon boulot de sappe pour le Rafale un peu partout dans le monde ,mais c'est vrai comme dit Fremo que les EMIRIENS negocie a la dure ils ont un avantage de poids ,le temps...............et aussi l'argent.

Citation :

DATE:23/09/10
SOURCE:Flight International
UAE, Brazil in talks for Embraer KC-390
By Stephen Trimble

The United Arab Emirates is the latest nation targeted by Brazil to join Embraer's KC-390 tanker/transport programme as a supplier and customer.

Brazilian defence minister Nelson Jobim on 19 September met with Gen H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces.

Jobim says a possible agreement on military co-operation in negotiation between the countries could include Abu Dhabi's participation in the KC-390 programme. Such a deal also would involve UAE interest in the Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, he says.

An agreement on the KC-390 could take several months to reach fruition, but would likely follow along the lines of Embraer's international participation strategy for the project.

The existing five-nation partnership for the KC-390 is based on adapting Embraer's risk-sharing development model to the military market, says Jairo Sotério, the company's marketing and business development manager for defence programmes.

Each partnership requires three separate agreements - government-to-government, air force-to-air force and industry-to-industry, he says. The goal is to ensure that each member of a nation's military-industrial complex is vested in the programme's success.

So far, Embraer has signed agreements to produce a possible 54 aircraft for Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic and Portugal.

The company has identified a potential market for nearly 700 aircraft, the first of which should enter service after 2015. The KC-390 will carry a maximum cargo of 23.6t, Embraer announced in July, with this marking a nearly 20% increase over previous estimates.

Embraer still has not identified an engine supplier for the KC-390. Marketing materials have depicted the aircraft powered by engines resembling the CFM International CFM56 and International Aero Engines V2500.

Citation :

United Arab Emirates Preparing To Buy M-ATVs
QUANTICO, Virginia - Significant foreign military sales are in the works for the lightest-weight MRAP variant built by Oshkosh, including a sale to the United Arab Emirates, according to the company.

The uae is looking to buy the Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV), said John Bryant, vice president and general manager for Marine Corps programs at Oshkosh. The M-ATV was developed to meet an urgent operational request from U.S. combat forces in Afghanistan. There are currently 8,108 vehicles on contract with Oshkosh for the U.S. military.
In addition to the UAE, there are two other foreign military sales being worked, including an urgent requirement, Bryant said.
Oshkosh expects to wrap up production of the first 8,108 vehicles by the beginning of November, allowing the company to address the needs of other countries, he said.
More U.S. contracts also seem likely.
The Pentagon is working a joint urgent operational needs statement for an M-ATV-like ambulance, according to Lt. Col. Coll Haddon, program manager for M-ATV. And Oshkosh believes the U.S. Marine Corps has a need for a reconnaissance variant, Bryant said.
Bryant said he is also confident that the U.S. military's requirement for the first configuration of the vehicle, what's being shipped now to Afghanistan, will also grow.
The M-ATV contract was awarded to Oshkosh on June 30, 2009. By December, the first unit was equipped, 159 days after the contract award. Now, there are more than 5,000 of the vehicles operating in Afghanistan.

defensenews

Citation :

UAE Navy to Equip Missile Boats with Ixsea Inertial Navigation Systems



Abu Dhabi Systems Integration LLC (ADSI) has selected Ixsea's Marins inertial navigation systems (INS) for the UAE Navy's 12 Ghannatha Class missile boats.
ADSI is the combat system integrator (CSI) of the missile boats which will use Ixsea's INS for navigation, positioning and to provide attitude measurement for weaponry alignment and stabilisation.
Marins is based on Ixsea's fibre optic gyroscope (FOG) technology, and is designed for navigation and weapons control on all types of naval vessels, including attack submarines, offshore patrol vessels, destroyers and frigates.
PHINS (photonic inertial navigation system) also incorporates FOG technology and is a surface INS that outputs position, attitude and velocity data with high accuracy.
PHINS is high-speed craft suitable for application on any surface vessel and a variety of subsea vehicles.

naval-technology

Citation :

Sagem to Supply Navigation Systems for UAE Navy


Sagem will deliver and integrate the Sigma 40 inertial navigation systems on the new Abu Dhabi Class anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate, the future flagship of the UAE Navy.
The navigation system will be integrated into the ship's combat system to enhance the effectiveness of the ship's sensors, weapons and self-defence systems.
The Sigma 40 system has also been chosen by UAE for many other vessels.
The system is used on Horizon Class frigates and Rubis / Amethyste Class nuclear attack submarines, the FREMM multimission frigates to be deployed by France and Italy, and for the new Suffren Class nuclear attack submarines.

naval-technology

et 2 patrouilleurs de plus avec une possibilité d en construre 2 de plus sur place

pas mal

Citation :

De nouveaux détails sur les patrouilleurs furtifs émiriens
[Patrouilleur du type Falaj 2 MER ET MARINE]
Patrouilleur du type Falaj 2
crédits : MER ET MARINE

02/11/2010

Le salon Euronaval a été l'occasion d'en savoir plus sur le contrat annoncé en début d'année par Fincantieri et portant sur la réalisation de deux patrouilleurs furtifs pour les Emirats Arabes Unis (voir photos dans cet article). Du type Falaj 2, ces bâtiments de 520 tonnes en charge mesureront 55 mètres de long pour une largeur de 8.6 mètres. La vitesse est bien d'une vingtaine de noeuds. Cela parait assez faible mais s'explique par les nombreux équipements dont seront dotés ces navires, dont le poids final est important au regard de la taille. Côté armement, les Falaj 2 disposeront d'une tourelle de 57mm. Située sur la plage avant, cette pièce, à l'image des corvettes Visby suédoises, sera carénée, de manière à réduire la signature radar.



Derrière le bloc passerelle, deux rampes doubles pour missiles antinavire sont disposées. Ces rampes s'élèvent en position de tir et restent en position basse le reste du temps, de manière à améliorer la signature radar du bâtiment. On notera aussi, sur la plage arrière, la présence de deux rangées de trois cellules de lancement vertical pour missiles surface-air. L'armement est complété par deux canons télé-opérés de petit calibre au dessus de la passerelle. Les Falaj 2 comptent, enfin, deux lance-leurres, une mâture abritant notamment le radar de veille et une conduite de tir. Ces patrouilleurs seront conduits par un équipage de 28 hommes.
La tête de série doit être livrée par Fincantieri au second semestre 2012. Après la réalisation des deux premiers bâtiments en Italie, deux autres unités, en option, pourraient être construites aux Emirats Arabes Unis.

http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=114418

ce sont en 2 patrouilleurs et un corvette lourdement armé, et trés bien équippé coté électro, d chez fincanteri aussi !
ajouté ca à 6 baynounah... c'est pas mal pour une marine bien adapté au golf persique ...

Citation :

Work Starts on First of Two stealth Vessels for UAE Navy

Sheet cutting ceremony for first Falaj 2 held at Fincantieri shipyard 11:06 GMT, November 5, 2010 Trieste | Yesterday at Muggiano shipyard (La Spezia) there was the traditional sheet cutting ceremony marking the commencement of construction of the first of two “Falaj 2” stealth vessels which have been ordered from Fincantieri by the United Arab Emirates Navy. Signed at the beginning of the year the contract includes an option for the Emirate Navy to order a further two sister ships, in addition to the transfer of Fincantieri technology to a local shipyard. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled in the second half of 2012. At 55 metres with a beam of 8.60, these patrol vessels have a maximum speed of over 20 knots and can accommodate a crew of 28. Their main feature is their particular stealth structure which makes them difficult to track. The vessels are also highly flexible, capable of carrying out a range of mission profiles – from patrol and control operations to self-defence in the face of threats both from the air and the surface - in the context of national and international operations, whilst at the same time providing high standards of accommodation and safety. The market of the Emirates, where last year there was a first important order for an “Abu Dhabi class” corvette – currently under construction at Riva Trigoso shipyard – has become increasingly strategic to Fincantieri, both in terms of naval and civilian business opportunities, as witnessed by the launch of the joint venture in the area “Etihad Ship Building”, recently announced during the “Euronaval” fair. The new company will be tasked with the design, construction and sale of a range of merchant and naval vessels as well as managing maintenance and refitting activities.

defpro

et hop encore 5B$ pour Apache

Citation :

United Arab Emirates – AH-64D Block III APACHE Helicopters

WASHINGTON, November 4, 2010 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress November 3 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of 30 AH-64D Block II lot 10 APACHE helicopters, remanufactured to AH-64D Block III configuration and 30 AH-64D Block III APACHE helicopters, as well as associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $5.0 billion.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested a possible sale of 30 AH-64D Block II lot 10 APACHE helicopters, remanufactured to AH-64D Block III configuration, 30 AH-64D Block III APACHE helicopters, 120 T700-GE-701D engines, 76 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors, 70 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars with Radar Electronics Units, 70 AN/ALQ-144A(V)3 Infrared Jammers, 70 AN/APR-39A(V)4 Radar Signal Detecting Sets, 70 AN/ALQ-136(V)5 Radar Jammers, 70 AAR-57(V)3/5 Common Missile Warning Systems, 30mm automatic weapons, improved counter measure dispensers, communication and support equipment, improved helmet display sight systems, trainer upgrades, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $5.0 billion.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The UAE is currently deployed in support of U.S. regional operations, and plans to provide future deployment support.

The UAE needs these helicopters to fulfill its strategic commitments for self defense, with coalition support, in the region. The helicopters will provide the UAE military more advanced targeting and engagement capabilities. The proposed sale will provide for the defense of vital installations and will provide close air support for military ground forces. The UAE, which currently has AH-64Ds in its inventory, will have no difficulty absorbing these additional helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this weapon system will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be The Boeing Company in Mesa, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin Corporation in Orlando, Florida. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the UAE. U.S.

Government and contractor representatives will also participate in program management and technical reviews for one-week intervals, twice semi-annually.

DSCA

Citation :

United Arab Emirates – Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) T2K Unitary Missiles/Low Cost Reduced-Range Practice Rockets

WASHINGTON, November 4, 2010 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress November 3 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of 100 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and 60 Low Cost Reduced-Range Practice Rockets (LCRRPR), as well as associated equipment, training and logistical support for a total package worth approximately $140 million.

The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested a possible sale of 100 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), 60 Low Cost Reduced-Range Practice Rockets (LCRRPR), publications and technical documentation, training, U.S. government and contractor technical and engineering support, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $140 million.

This proposed sale will 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 the Middle East.

The United Arab Emirates intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand existing army architecture to counter threats posed by potential attack. This will contribute to the UAE military's goal of updating capability while further enhancing interoperability with the U.S. and other allies.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Industries located in Horizon City, Texas and Camden, Arkansas. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of up to 10 U.S. government or contractor representatives to travel to the United Arab Emirates for a period of up to one year for equipment de-processing/fielding, system checkout and training.

DSCA

Citation :

ROK details Special Forces deployment plan to the UAE

In accordance with UAE requests and mutual coordination, the Government of the Republic of Korea plans to deploy about 130 Special Operations personnel to the UAE within this year, pending national assembly approval. Since December 2009, the relationship between the two nations has been elevated to “comprehensive and strategic partner relationship” including economy, education, advanced technology, and security. In the field of national defense, we have engaged in a variety of cooperative activities including defense industry/logistics, mutual high-level official visits, military education and training, and information sharing. In order to develop the UAE's special operations units to world-class standards, the UAE has requested a deployment of the ROK’s elite special operations forces and close training cooperation. We have actively considered the possibility of deployment due to the opportunity for special operations capability enhancement in various environments, and the advancement of national interests. This deployment differs from previous UN PKO or multi-national deployments. It represents a new concept of deployment that strengthens military cooperation and promotes the national interest in safe, non-conflict areas with no potential combat risk. M king this deployment an opportunity, the ROK looks forward to the expansion of defense industry cooperation, export of advanced defense system, employment of the retired ROK military personnel and civilian specialists, enhancement of bilateral economic cooperation and improvement. The mission of the unit is to support education and training of the UAE special forces, conduct combined training and exercises and protect ROK nationals in case of emergency. The size of the unit will be one battalion (130 personnel) and the rotation cycle will be 4-6 months. The unit will be located within the UAE Special Operations Command school in Al Ain. The ROK unit will use the on-site garrison facilities and training range. The budget for the deployment is under review. After acquiring the national assembly’s approval, we will reflect the respective fund to the national assembly’s 2011 budget review. The government proposal for the deployment will be submitted to the national assembly after the cabinet meeting's review on November 9th. The ROK plans to deploy the unit within this year after the national assembly’s consent process.

defpro

MAATAWI a écrit:

Citation :

Work Starts on First of Two stealth Vessels for UAE Navy

Sheet cutting ceremony for first Falaj 2 held at Fincantieri shipyard 11:06 GMT, November 5, 2010 Trieste | Yesterday at Muggiano shipyard (La Spezia) there was the traditional sheet cutting ceremony marking the commencement of construction of the first of two “Falaj 2” stealth vessels which have been ordered from Fincantieri by the United Arab Emirates Navy. Signed at the beginning of the year the contract includes an option for the Emirate Navy to order a further two sister ships, in addition to the transfer of Fincantieri technology to a local shipyard. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled in the second half of 2012. At 55 metres with a beam of 8.60, these patrol vessels have a maximum speed of over 20 knots and can accommodate a crew of 28. Their main feature is their particular stealth structure which makes them difficult to track. The vessels are also highly flexible, capable of carrying out a range of mission profiles – from patrol and control operations to self-defence in the face of threats both from the air and the surface - in the context of national and international operations, whilst at the same time providing high standards of accommodation and safety. The market of the Emirates, where last year there was a first important order for an “Abu Dhabi class” corvette – currently under construction at Riva Trigoso shipyard – has become increasingly strategic to Fincantieri, both in terms of naval and civilian business opportunities, as witnessed by the launch of the joint venture in the area “Etihad Ship Building”, recently announced during the “Euronaval” fair. The new company will be tasked with the design, construction and sale of a range of merchant and naval vessels as well as managing maintenance and refitting activities.

defpro

......

Citation :

UAE Navy to Receive Two Stealth Vessels in 2012

Fincantieri, an Italian shipbuilding company, has begun construction of the first of two Falaj 2 stealth vessels, for the United Arab Emirates Navy.
The 55m-long Falaj 2, with a beam of 8.6m, can cruise at a speed of 20kt and can accomodate a crew of 28.
The vessel's stealth structure makes it difficult to track and highly flexible, capable of carrying out a range of mission including patrol and control operations, and self-defence from air and surface threats.
The UAE Navy signed a contract with Fincantieri in January for the two ships, which included an option for two sister ships with transfer of technology.
Construction work will be carried out at the Muggiano shipyard (La Spezia) with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2012.

naval-technology

Citation :

Emirates Arabes unies: Succès du premier vol du PC-21 destiné à l’UAE

Le premier Vol du PC-21 émirati s'est fait hier, 22 novembre, exactement comme prévu dans le contrat

Pilatus Aircraft annonce que le premier vol du premier exemplaire du PC-21 destiné à la Force aérienne des Emirats Arabes Unis (EAU) a eu lieu le 22 Novembre 2010, soit un an jour pour jour après que le contrat a été signé.

Le calendrier convenu dans le contrat était particulièrement strict à ce sujet, mais avec un effort suprême de toutes les parties concernées, il a été possible de réaliser cette étape dans les temps, exactement comme prévu !

Le décollage a eu lieu depuis l’aérodrome de Buochs à 10,34, l’avion était piloté par le chef pilote de Pilatus. Ce premier vol, sert de contrôle final de qualité et de la conformité de l’appareil. Après vérification du moteur, le pilote est monté à 10.000 pieds au-dessus de l’aérodrome pour effectuer des arrêts et redémarrages de la turbine. Puis les divers systèmes mécaniques ont été vérifiés, y compris les systèmes de commandes de vol, les caractéristiques de décrochage de la cellule, les performances du moteur et de vol sur le dos.

Enfin, la fonctionnalité du train d'atterrissage ont été examinées. Après le vol, les données sont vérifiées au sol. Un compte rendu aprés le vol a été entrepris avec le personnel présent de la Force aérienne des UAE.

La livraison des PC-21, soit 25 appreils au total, et dumatériel connexe va débuter au premier trimestre de 2011 et permettre le début de la formation des instructeurs sur les installations de vol au collége des Forces de l'Air Khalifa Bin Zayed à Al Ain.

atlas-defense

Citation :

Successful first flight of the UAE PC-21

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is proud to announce that the first flight of the first PC-21 for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force & Air Defence has taken place on November 22, 2010, one year to the day after the contract was signed. The schedule agreed within the contract was always considered very aggressive but with supreme effort from all involved parties this key milestone has been achieved exactly as planned.

Prior to first flight the aircraft was rolled out and presented to the UAE Air Force & Air Defence by Oscar Schwenk, Chairman & CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Limited, in a ceremony attended by members of the Pilatus executive management and project teams from both parties. After the roll-out the aircraft transitioned to the Buochs airfield. Take-off was successfully achieved at 10.34 and the first flight was performed by the Pilatus chief test pilot. The first flight of a new PC-21 serves as the final check for quality control and conformance. After engine checks on the runway, the pilots will climb to 10,000 feet overhead the airfield, shut down and then restart the engine in flight in order to prove the functionality of the engine related systems. Next, various mechanical systems will be checked including flight controls systems, airframe stall characteristics, engine performance and inverted flight. Finally the landing gear functionality will be examined. After flight, the data will be examined and the aircraft prepared for the remaining production flight test. A post flight debriefing was undertaken with the UAE Air Force & Air Defence, represented by Brigadier General Sami Saeed Al Nuaimi, and this formally closes the successful achievement of this element of the Project.

Delivery of the 25 PC-21 aircraft and the other key components of the Pilatus training system are scheduled to commence in the first quarter 2011, paving the way for UAE Air Force & Air Defence pilots to undertake basic and advanced flying training at Khalifa bin Zayed Air College, Al Ain, complementing the existing PC-7 fleet which has been in service for more than 26 years.

After Singapore and Switzerland, the UAE becomes the third country to revolutionise its training pipeline with the most modern and advanced turbo trainer aircraft on the market today.

http://www.pilatus-aircraft.com/index.php

A coté de nos T6II ils feront bien la paire..

UAEAF F-16E Block 60 #3080(00-6055)

Citation :

The last four Alenia Aermacchi MB-339As have left Venegonos facilities on the 21st of December for UAE





The four MB-339A, upgraded by Alenia Aermacchi for the National United Arab Emirates acrobatic team “Al Fursan” (The Knights), have left Venegono’s facilities on the 21st of December for the Emirates.
With the delivery of these aircraft, the “Al Fursan” UAE national acrobatic team will have ten aircraft at its disposal, the remaining six already in-service MB-339A were upgraded by Alenia Aermacchi in the Emirates one year ago.

Source and photos: Alenia Aermacchi

Flight International

Citation :

Alenia Aermacchi has delivered the last four MB-339As to have been upgraded for the United Arab Emirates air force's Al Fursan (The Knights) aerobatic team.

The aircraft left Alenia's Venegono plant on 21 December on a ferry flight to the UAE. The company in late 2009 completed work on six more MB-339s for the Al Fursan team, which will usually perform displays using seven aircraft.

Eight UAE pilots are due to complete a dedicated aerobatic training course at Udine Rivolto air base during January under the tuition of the Italian air force's Frecce Tricolore display team. Further preparations will take place in the UAE.

achat bizarre!

Citation :

DATE:25/01/11
SOURCE:Flight International
PICTURE: AirTractor delivers UAE's first AT-802Us
By Stephen Trimble

The first two of 10 AirTractor AT-802Us ordered by the United Arab Emirates air force have been spotted by alert photographers.

The counter-insurgency aircraft - each powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A turboprop engine - arrived at Luqa airport in Malta in late December while en route to their final destination in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi ordered the adapted cropdusters last year, when it became the first acknowledged military buyer for the counter-insurgency version.

The AT-802U is fitted with a turret-housed electro-optical/infrared sensor to identify targets on the ground. AirTractor has integrated a variety of armaments with the type, including guided weapons and a .50cal machine gun pod.

Images show the first pair of aircraft carrying their US delivery registrations N6008Q and N60066.

Nellis AFB 26/1/11