Armée Finlandaise / Finnish Defence Forces / puolustusvoimat

Citation:

SOURCE:Flight International
Four bidders enter last phase of Finnish UAV contest
By Arie Egozi

A Finnish armed forces competition to select an unmanned air system supplier has reached its final stage, with four bidders believed to still be in contention.

Demonstration flights should begin before the end of April under the roughly $25 million programme, which seeks the delivery of 30-45 mini UAS for surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance duties.

Industry sources say the remaining designs being considered for the deal are the Aeronautics Defense Systems Orbiter 2, BlueBird SpyLite, Elbit Systems/Patria Skylark LE and the FlyEye from Polish manufacturer WB.

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un petit dessin vaut mieux qu'un long discours scratch

Citation:

First Flight of Hawk Mk 66 with Upgraded Cockpit

The Finnish Air Force is making good progress with the service introduction of its ex-Swiss BAE Systems Hawk 66 jet trainers. A red-and-white Hawk with a new glass cockpit fitted in Finland made its first flight on Thursday 5 May. HW-374 on a post-upgrade test flight from Halli.

On the first flight from the Finnish Air Force Flight Test Center's base at Halli, the crew verified that the aircraft had safe flight characteristics and checked the engine and other systems for normal operation. Airborne time was 1 hour and 1 minute.
The aircraft's original Swiss tail number U-1267 had been replaced by the Finnish military registration HW-374. The aircraft was purchased from Switzerland in 2007 in conjunction with seventeen other pre-owned Hawk Mk 66s. The Finnish Air Force has operated the Mk 51 and Mk 51A versions of the Hawk since 1980. These aircraft retain their original gray or green camouflage.
The Hawk Mk 66 fleet will be assigned to the Training Air Wing at Kauhava in 2011 and 2012 for fast jet and tactical flight training. All Mk 66s will undergo a cockpit upgrade which replaces conventional analog instruments with digital multi-function displays. The aircraft will also be fitted with a new digital mission planning and recording system.
The Mk 66 upgrade program is a joint effort of Patria Aviation and the Finnish Air Force. The Flight Test Center will continue test flights with HW-374 throughout the spring and well into the summer.
The Finnish Air Force will introduce into service 18 upgraded Hawk Mk 66s in 2011–12.
The next aircraft out of the upgrade line will be HW-376. It is scheduled to make its first post-upgrade flight during May. The Finnish Air Force plan calls for the upgrade of 26 Hawk Mk 66s, Mk 51s, and Mk 51As by 2015. At the time of writing, nine aircraft have been upgraded.
So far just one Hawk Mk 66s has flown in Finland. The Flight Test Center carried out a small number of test flights with the aircraft – that still bore its ex-Swiss tail number U-1261 and had not yet been upgraded – from its base at Halli in 2009 and 2010.

Defence Forces

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Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres

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Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornets escort the aeroplane carrying the Finnish national ice hockey team over the Baltic sea. The "Lions" conquered Sweden's vaunted Tre Nappar 6-1 in last nights World Championship final.

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Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres

Citation:

Lockheed Martin Receives $45.3 Million Contract to Upgrade Finland’s Precision Fires Capability

DALLAS, TX, May 18th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] received a $45.3 million contract to upgrade 22 Finnish Army M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers, incorporating the Universal Fire Control System and other enhancements. The upgrade enables the launchers to fire precision GPS-guided munitions for the first time.
“Finland has used MLRS products for four years, and the M270 launcher upgrade gives the Finnish Army a modernized fire control system and new artillery options with GPS-enabled precision munitions,” said Scott Arnold, vice president for Precision Fires at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This important upgrade will allow Finland to use the full range of MLRS precision munitions, including GMLRS Unitary and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Unitary.”
The agreement takes advantage of current full-rate component production for U.S. MLRS contracts. Finland joins other countries that have recognized the combat-proven precision advantages that the MLRS Family of Munitions delivers. This is Lockheed Martin’s third international M270 launcher upgrade contract.
“We want to make precision fires an affordable capability for our customers. We’ve accomplished that for Finland through a combined production run and using new capability upgrades to extend launcher life,” Arnold said.
Specifically, the launcher upgrade extends strike distance with the Universal Fire Control System, which is also common on new High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) models. It also provides GPS-guided precision fires capability for the first time, and enables M270 launchers to launch Finnish-furnished practice rockets, exemplifying the ease of integrating new products into the system. The contract also includes training and component support.
The launcher and its munitions are designed to enable troops to engage and defeat artillery, air defense concentrations, trucks, light armor and personnel carriers, as well as support troop and supply lines. The enhanced MLRS M270 launcher can move away from the area at high speed following missile launch and can be transported to and from conflicts using NATO cargo aircraft. Similar units have been in operation with the U.S. Army since 2002.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2010 sales from continuing operations were $45.8 billion.

lockheedmartin

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Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres

très Joli le NH90 en Action Cool

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La monarchie est le trésor du Maroc, et on a de la chance d'y vivre et appartenir, DIEU merci

"non c'è spazio per l'ambiguità e la doppiezza : o cittadino marocchino, o non lo è" Mohammed VI

son default comparé au Caracal c´est qu´il porte pas de door-gun

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je pense que les finlandais installeront des armes de sabord aux deux portes en opérations réelles

Citation:

SOURCE:Flight International
Aeronautics, BlueBird make last two in Finnish UAS contest

Israeli companies Aeronautics Defense Systems and BlueBird are the two final contenders in the Finnish armed forces' unmanned air system contest, with two other bidders having been removed from the running.

Respectively offering their Orbiter 2 and SpyLite systems, the remaining bidders are vying for a surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance programme requirement worth an estimated $25 million. A final selection is expected during November, with the winning company expected to deliver 30-45 unmanned systems under the deal.

Finland's latest move has eliminated two other bidders from the contest. Elbit Systems had been teamed with Patria to offer the former's Skylark LE design, while Polish manufacturer WB had promoted its FlyEye UAS.

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un petit dessin vaut mieux qu'un long discours scratch

Citation:

SOURCE:Flight Daily News
CMC upgraded Finnish air force Hawk Mk66 Trainer takes first flight

Canada's Esterline CMC Electronics upgraded Finnish air force Hawk Mk66 advanced trainer has taken its first flight. Patria selected CMC to provide its cockpit 4000 avionics suite upgrade to the service's fleet of Mk66 trainer aircraft. In January 2007, CMC also provided similar enhancements to the air force's Mk51 trainer aircraft. The air force will have a fleet of 26 upgraded Hawks, consisting 18 Mk66 and 8 Mk51 advanced trainers, said CMC.

The Hawks provide basic and advanced training at Kauhava air base for pilots of the Boeing F/A-18C and F/A-18D Hornet-equipped front-line team, added the company.

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un petit dessin vaut mieux qu'un long discours scratch

05-08-11 : Helsinki

le Hamina

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La monarchie est le trésor du Maroc, et on a de la chance d'y vivre et appartenir, DIEU merci

"non c'è spazio per l'ambiguità e la doppiezza : o cittadino marocchino, o non lo è" Mohammed VI

RNLAF Open Days 2011

Finnish F-18

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La monarchie est le trésor du Maroc, et on a de la chance d'y vivre et appartenir, DIEU merci

"non c'è spazio per l'ambiguità e la doppiezza : o cittadino marocchino, o non lo è" Mohammed VI

_________________
La monarchie est le trésor du Maroc, et on a de la chance d'y vivre et appartenir, DIEU merci

"non c'è spazio per l'ambiguità e la doppiezza : o cittadino marocchino, o non lo è" Mohammed VI

Citation:

The Finnish Defence Forces must save more than €800 million

When compared to the March 2011 so-called technical frame, the Finnish defence budget has been cut by a total of €575 million in the state's budget proposal for 2012 and the budget framework for 2013-2015. However, the actual amount that needs to be saved is around €825 million over the next four years, as the defence forces must find a way to save c. €150 million from its internal financing to cover the rise in expenses, and prepare to save a further €100 million in order to finance the defence forces' reform. That means on average 10 per cent every year.

THE BUDGET CUTS TO EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES WILL HAVE LONG-TERM EFFECTS

There is no one way to achieve savings. We must find ways of cutting costs from all areas: the Finnish Defence Forces' (FDF) routine activities, maintenance and replacement of FDF materiel as well as the maintenance of the organisation and structures. Because materiel procurements are bound by contracts, we cannot achieve immediate appreciable cost reductions in procurements. We can achieve savings in structures by axing activities and premises. This in turn will require two years of preparation even when the political decisions have been made if, say, we must close down a brigade-level unit. The downsizing of organisations and structures will pay off in 2015 at the earliest. Immediate savings can only be achieved by making reductions in the everyday functions of the Finnish Defence Forces.

The savings envisaged over the next four years will require reductions of the following magnitude (which may vary once planning has progressed):

• reducing the number of conscripts' field training exercises by a third
• dropping the number of refresher exercises to less than half
• significantly cutting the number of days Navy vessels spend at sea and the flight hours of Air Force fighter-interceptors.

These savings in FDF functions will have long-term repercussions on our defence capability. For example this will mean that the over 80,000 conscripts that will go into the reserve over the next four years will as troops have an insufficient capability throughout their time in the reserve. That is why it is imperative that in the defence reform the financing of everyday functions be returned to the level imposed by our requirements.

CUTS IN THE FINANCING OF MATERIEL WILL DIMINISH FINLAND'S DEFENCE CAPABILITY

For us to maintain our everyday activities even at a tolerable level, renewed materiel purchases related to the maintenance of our defence capability must be slashed immediately once this is technically possible. We will have to axe materiel funding much more radically than was originally foreseen.

Once the cuts will have been implemented, the Services materiel capacity and their so-called joint capabilities (such as command, logistics) run the risk of being under par, which in turn means they will not be able to operate together in the way required. The cuts would be especially devastating for the Army's regional forces, as their materiel was going to be updated in the coming years. Spending cuts mean we are taking a risk in regional defence.

POLITICAL DECISIONS ON THE DEFENCE REFORM NEEDED PROMPTLY

Because of the downsizing and savings, the defence forces' reform must be carried earlier than intended; the new organisation must be up and running from the beginning of 2015. However, this requires quick political decisions on the Finnish Defence Forces' new structure. Without these decisions, we cannot make the savings materialize.

Although the cut in the financing of renewed materiel procurement will leave a permanent scar in Finland's defence capability, the goal is to gain an entity where, on the one hand, financing and, on the other, the FDF's tasks and the expenses run by its everyday functions are in balance. The only way this balance can be achieved is by reducing the size of the Finnish Defence Forces considerably.

defpro

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Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres

Citation:

Defence Forces look to tactical missiles

The Finnish Defence Forces are looking into the possible acquisition of ground-to-ground tactical missiles.
The missiles are part of a project to investigate the possibility of buying new ordnance for Finland’s rocket launchers and its 155 mm. artillery.
The missiles would be launched from heavy rocket launchers.

The Finnish Defence Staff says that decisions on the matter are to be made “in the coming years”.
The Defence Forces have already started the process of upgrading its heavy rocket launcher and firepower control systems.
The project, costing EUR 40 million, will be ready in 2014. After the changes, heavy rocket launchers can be used as launching pads for the missiles.

The upgrading of the rocket launchers will primarily apply to their computer programmes. “It will bring with it the ability to use modern ammunition. The control of firepower today largely involves software”, says Lieutenant-Colonel Pekka Purtonen of the Finnish Army Staff.
The topic of missiles is somewhat awkward for the Finnish military. The missiles in question would have a range of between 200 and 300 kilometres, and could reach as far as St. Petersburg.

The Defence Forces say that the extended range means that they would not have to be placed in the proximity of actual forces, and would therefore not be as vulnerable to enemy firepower.
However, the acquisition of the missiles is not a done deal. The Finnish military is expected to cut costs in the coming years, and Chief of Defence Ari Puheloinen has warned that military personnel might have to be reduced.

A firepower study was conducted in 2004 to seek out the most effective combination of weapons from a point of view of overall defence.
The best systems were found to be heavy rocket launchers, special artillery shells and air-to-ground missiles for the Air Force.
The proposals of the firepower study were not left at the level of mere recommendations. The first of the missiles installed on the F-18 Hornet jet fighters are already in the testing stage.

The missiles acquired for the Hornets have a range of several dozen kilometres. The Air Force would have wanted missiles with a much longer range, but the Untied States refused to sell them.
Finland bought used heavy rocket launchers in 2007. The aim of the acquisition was to offset the effects of the ban on personnel land mines by replacing them with cluster shells.
However, international opinion turned against cluster weapons as well, and Finland has since renounced their use. Consequently, Finland ended up with a costly weapons system without the intended ammunition.

www.hs.fi

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Le Prophéte (saw) a dit: Les Hommes Les meilleurs sont ceux qui sont les plus utiles aux autres

TKIV-2000

KRPIST

DRAGUNOV

RAKH-89

Leopard 2A4

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La monarchie est le trésor du Maroc, et on a de la chance d'y vivre et appartenir, DIEU merci

"non c'è spazio per l'ambiguità e la doppiezza : o cittadino marocchino, o non lo è" Mohammed VI

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Armée Finlandaise / Finnish Defence Forces / puolustusvoimat

Armée Finlandaise / Finnish Defence Forces / puolustusvoimat

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