Armée Britannique/British Armed Forces

Citation :

Le ministère britannique de la Défense lance une initiative pour stimuler l’innovation


Posté dans Technologie par Laurent Lagneau Le 15-08-2016



Identifier les technologies émergentes susceptibles d’avoir des applications militaires, encourager des projets innovants et bousculer les habitudes : tels sont les objectifs de l’ »Innovation Initiative » lancée le 12 août par le ministère britannique de la Défense (MoD).

Pour cela, une unité (Innovation and Research Insights Unit – IRIS) sera mise en place afin de détecter les technologies émergentes et d’analyser leurs implications pour les forces armées britanniques. Un fonds de 800 millions de livres servira à encourager l’élaboration d’idées et de concepts tant par les particuliers que par les entreprises.

Enfin, précise le MoD, un centre dédié « agira comme un ‘accélérateur de défense et de sécurité’, en veillant à ce que des solutions innovantes à nos défis les plus urgents de sécurité nationale soient développés rapidement pour devancer nos adversaires »

Cette initiative devra avoir des conséquences sur la culture du MoD, notamment en améliorant la coopération avec les industriels et le milieu universitaire. En outre, il s’agit aussi de « cibler » de nouveaux fournisseurs potentiels pour « renforcer l’avantage concurrentiel de la défense » britannique et de « trouver des réponses à nos questions les plus pressantes. »

« Cette nouvelle approche permettra de garder la Grande-Bretagne en sécurité tout en soutenant notre économie, avec nos plus brillants cerveaux qui nous permettront d’être en avance sur nos adversaires », a commenté Michael Fallon, le ministre britannique de la Défense.

Parmi les projets innovants cités par le MoD, l’on trouve un micro-drone « libellule » développé actuellement par Animal Dynamics, des capteurs qui utilisent la gravité pour étudier les structures souterraines en quelques minutes, des casques de réalité virtuelle pour la simulation ou encore des armes laser.

http://www.opex360.com/2016/08/15/le-ministere-britannique-de-la-defense-lance-initiative-pour-stimuler-linnovation/

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29375/Britain_s_First_Type_26_Frigate_Bow_Rolled_out_of_Shipyard___s_Build_Hall#.YH1ciS27hsM a écrit:

https://www.army-technology.com/news/uk-set-to-buy-14-new-chinooks-for-1-4bn/ a écrit:

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/04/bae-systems-launched-the-fifth-astute-class-submarine-for-the-royal-navy/ a écrit:

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-warrior-upgrade-cancellation-makes-sale-of-ct40-cannons-likely a écrit:

UK Warrior upgrade cancellation makes sale of CT40 cannons likely

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-looks-to-increase-contribution-to-nato-ags a écrit:

UK looks to increase contribution to NATO AGS

Citation :

PUBLISHED: 06 MAY 2021 LAST UPDATED: 06 MAY 2021

UK RAF Chinook 40 years 640Chinook 40th Anniversary colours



On 5 May 2021, RAF Odiham unveiled Chinook HC6A ZD984 operated by 27 Squadron in a special 40th Anniversary colour scheme!

ZD984 (construction number MA041/M7015) was delivered to the RAF in May 1993 as a Chinook HC1 and operated by 18 Squadron. Subsequently, the airframe was upgraded to HC2 (in 1994), HC4 (in 2011) and finally to HC6A. In February 2021, the Chinook was delivered from Boscombe Down to 27 Squadron at RAF Odiham.

According to RAF Odiham, the Chinook will be seen across the UK throughout 2021 supporting the Chinook Display Team and commemorative Chinook40 events.

On 20 April 2021, Scramble Magazine reported on the agreement between the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Boeing on the delivery of fourteen CH-47F Chinook helicopters.

Photo by RAF Odiham (Twitter @RAF_Odiham)

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/chinook-40th-anniversay-colours

Citation :

United Kingdom orders 148 Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks from Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land

Defense News May 2021 Global Security army industry

POSTED ON SATURDAY, 08 MAY 2021 10:45

The British Army will receive a fleet of 148 Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) as part of an £800 million contract with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), the British Defence Secretary has announced on May 7, 2021.


Challenger 3 main battle tank. (Picture source British MoD)

The new Challenger 3 MBT (Main Battle Tank) will carry additional high-velocity ammunition able to travel at faster speeds with an increased range. Ammunition will also be programmed digitally from a new turret with a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun. This cutting-edge tank will also feature an upgraded engine with a new cooling system and suspension to improve accuracy when firing in transit.

New automatic target detection and tracking system will be used to identify threats, whilst new thermal long-range cameras will be fitted as part of a day/night image system.

As part of the Army’s commitments to adapt to meet future threats, Challenger 3 will be fully digitalized integrating information from all domains whilst being able to travel up to 60mph. The Challenger 3 tank is being developed to replace the current Challenger 2 tank which has been in service since 1998. Full Operating Capability for the tank is planned for 2030, with initial operating capability expected by 2027.

As outlined in the recent Defence Command Paper, the British Army will be more deployable and better protected in the face of our adversaries. The announcement of Challenger 3 reaffirms our commitment to invest £3-billion into Army equipment over the next decade, delivering a modernized, adaptable, and expeditionary fighting force.


As part of the Challenger 3's layered protection, the fleet will also be the first to receive the best active protection system (APS) allowing it to recognise incoming threats and neutralise them. The tank will undergo full electromagnetic testing to ensure it is survivable in the most demanding of sensor saturated battlefields.

The world leading new modular armour has been developed through advances in armour technology provided by the in-house Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) funded armour expertise held within Dstl. This Dstl owned Intellectual Property (IP) has generated significant interest and is being exploited through the close links Dstl has with MOD and Industry.

Challenger 3 will lead NATO armoured forces with the highest levels of lethality and survivability on the battlefields of today and out to 2040. It achieves this not only by using the new gun, but also by making use of the most advanced ammunition available globally from our allies.

The new suite of sights gives the tank commander an independent day/night all-weather hunter killer capability, which allows them to acquire and engage targets quicker than potential adversaries.

The tank has also been designed to play its part in multi-domain warfare whilst retaining the ability to operate in the littoral environment (between the land and sea) in support of the Future Commando Force.

Challenger 3 will be fitted with a digitised backbone connecting it to the other combat vehicles that make up the fighting Brigade, enabling data sharing across domains to deliver information advantage and enable multi domain Integration and an edge over adversaries.

With its modular design, it offers operational commanders an enhanced survivability suite capable of taking on any battlefield threats that it is likely to encounter across the world.

Citing Nicholas Drummond, British military expert, The Challenger 3 MBT will use Thales sights as Ajax for commonality. Mix of DM11 PAB (Programmable Air Burst) and DM53 APFSDS ammo in L55A1 gun restore battlefield primacy. Separate driveline upgrade expected to include MTU883 powerpack plus Renk transmission.



https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_may_2021_global_security_army_industry/united_kingdom_orders_148_challenger_3_main_battle_tanks_from_rheinmetall_bae_systems_land.html

Citation :

PUBLISHED: 08 MAY 2021 LAST UPDATED: 08 MAY 2021



Next batch of F-35As delivered to RAAF

On 6 May 2021, a batch of four F-35As arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown (NSW). These are the latest additions to the RAAF's ever growing fleet of Lightning IIs.

Among the ones delivered on 6 May is A35-034. This is the final Lightning for the 2nd Operational Conversion Unit (2OCU). According to the Scramble Magazine database, this unit now has sixteen F-35As on strength.

The other three F-35s of this batch are A35-035, A35-036 and A35-037. These are the first jets for 77 Squadron Swift to Destroy. 77sq parted with their Hornets just a few months ago, in December 2020.

Australia ordered a total of 72 Lightning IIs of which 37 have been delivered so far. All are based at RAAF Base Williamtown. According to the Scramble Magazine database, just like 2nd OCU, 3sq has sixteen aircraft on strength.

Three aircraft are allocated to 77sq, so with 37 delivered, that leaves two aircraft that are unaccounted for. One of these is A35-029. This one was delivered to RAAF Base Williamtown in November 2020 in 75sq colours. However, 75sq is based at RAAF Base Tindel (NT) and is still flying the remaining operational Hornets. The other one is A35-030, which was also delivered to Williamtown in November 2020, however without unit markings.

Photo by Mitch Andrews Photography

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/next-batch-of-f-35as-delivered-to-raaf

Citation :

LE 18 MAY 2021

H&K develops smaller-calibre SA-80 assault rifle for training  

by Richard Jones

An in-house development by Heckler & Koch (H&K) of a new self-loading .22 Rimfire calibre variant of the standard British Army SA-80 (L85A2) assault rifle, normally chambered for the 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges, is to enter British service soon, according to two contracts recently awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The MoD’s decision to withdraw from service the long-serving H&K .22 Rimfire calibre L41A1 ‘Kit Conversion’ – originally issued for small-bore training on indoor shooting ranges with the primary L85A2/3 assault rifle and the L98A1 Cadet GP manually-operated version of the SA-80 (the latter also now withdrawn from service) – has left a requirement for a replacement in regular army and in Cadet units, many of which have limited access to outdoor ranges


The proposed design of the SA-80 0.22 Small Bore Rifle. The rifle may be fitted with either the L9A1 SUSAT optical sight or standard issue iron
sights.   (R D Jones)


H&K’s UK office told Janes that the new rifle is to be based on the L85A2 variant, for which H&K is the fleet maintainer, and has as yet to be allocated an official ‘L’ number nomenclature, but is described as the ‘SA-80 0.22 Small Bore Rifle’. Its system of operation is simple blow-back and the operating mechanism is based on that used in the earlier L41A1 ‘Kit Conversion’, with stripping and assembly of the rifle (apart from the operating system) being the same as the parent weapon. The dedicated magazine is also the same as that used with the L41A1

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/hk-develops-smaller-calibre-sa-80-assault-rifle-for-training

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/05/hms-queen-elizabeth-set-sails-for-her-maiden-operational-deployment-csg21/ a écrit:

Citation :

28/05/2021 15:32 | Bastien Carris

Nouveau succès britannique pour MBDA

Le missile de MBDA équipera les frégates « Type-31 »

Sea-Ceptor

La société MBDA a remporté le contrat du ministère britannique de la défense pour la fourniture des missiles anti-aériens destinés aux frégates « Type-31 », avec la solution « Sea Ceptor ». Ce missile qui remplace les précédents Rapier et Sea Wolf équipe déjà les frégates « Type-23 » de Sa Majesté. Il sera également en service sur les frégates « Type-26 », conçues pour la lutte anti sous-marine et le soutien aérien.

4 missiles en 1

Le rayon d'action du Sea Ceptor est de 25 km, et sa vitesse maximale de Mach 3 ( Donc 1,2 kilomètres à la seconde). Le « Sea Ceptor » est la version navale de la famille CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) qui se caractérise par son extrême compacité.

Etudes

Les études relatives au Sea Ceptor avaient été lancées suite à la « Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 », qui s’était traduite par de fortes compressions dans les effectifs et les équipements de l’armée britannique, y compris pour la Navy, mais également le maintien du « Global Combat Ship » (Frégates Type-26 et Type-31). La variante maritime du CAMM avait été finalisée en janvier 2012, avec la signature d’un contrat de développement entre MBDA et le ministère de la défense pour un montant de 483 millions de livres (561,7 millions d’euros au taux actuel).

www.air-cosmos.com/article/nouveau-succs-britannique-pour-mbda-24901

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/29871/Boeing_to_Deliver_14_Extended_range_Chinook_Helicopters_to_the_UK_Royal_Air_Force#.YNM4cS17SYU a écrit:

Citation :

25 JUNE 2021

UK selects Trophy for Challenger 3

by Nicholas Fiorenza

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Trophy active protection system (APS) for detailed assessment and integration into the British Army's Challenger 3 main battle tank (MBT), the ministry and company announced on 24 June.


The UK MoD has selected Rafael's Trophy APS for assessment and integration into the British Army's
Challenger 3 MBT. (Crown Copyright)


Rafael said in a press release that the selection was the result of a study conducted by the UK MoD as part of the Challenger upgrade programme led by prime contractor Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) involving detailed integration and system trials of the lighter Trophy MV variant.

The UK MoD stated on its website, “Trophy APS provides combat-proven protection against rocket and missile threats. The system simultaneously locates the origin of hostile fire for immediate response.”

The ministry quoted Colonel Will Waugh, director of the UK's Armour Main Battle Tank Programme, as saying, “This technology, already battle proven with our international allies and partners, will deliver a step change in protection against guided and unguided anti-tank weapons: a threat that continues to proliferate around the world and grow in lethality. This marks another step forward in delivering a modernised main battle tank able to defeat any threat it might meet in the future.”

The UK MoD added, “Challenger 3 will be a ‘best of class' NATO tank, with the highest levels of lethality and survivability on the battlefields of today and tomorrow, until its forecast out-of-service date of 2040.”

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-selects-trophy-for-challenger-3      

Ministry of Defence a écrit:

£500m firepower upgrade for Type 45 destroyers

The Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers will receive a £500 million upgrade to enhance their firepower capability.

Supporting over 100 highly-skilled jobs in Bristol, Stevenage, Gosport and Bolton, the two contracts will develop the cutting-edge air defence systems of the Type 45 destroyers.

MBDA UK has been awarded an 11-year contract to integrate the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) programme, often referred to as Sea Ceptor, into the Type 45 destroyers’ Sea Viper weapon systems. In addition to this, a 10-year contract with Eurosam will provide a refresh of the Aster 30 missiles system that are currently in use.

Minister for Defence Procurement, Jeremy Quin said:
Enhancing our destroyer capabilities, this investment reaffirms our commitment to equip the Royal Navy with the most advanced and powerful defensive systems.

This upgrade ensures the Type 45 remains hugely respected by naval fleets across the globe and secures highly-skilled jobs and investment.

Announced by the Prime Minister last November, Defence has received an increase in funding of over £24 billion across the next four years, focussing on the ability to adapt to meet future threats. Outlined further in the Defence Command Paper, this investment to upgrade the Type 45 destroyers will boost the lethality of the surface fleet. Currently, the Type 45 destroyers use a combination of short-range Aster 15 and long-range Aster 30 anti-air missiles to engage and destroy enemy threats. To facilitate the introduction of CAMM, a new 24-missile CAMM silo will be added in front of the current 48-missile Aster 30 silos, therefore increasing the overall missile capacity of the vessels by 50 per cent. This will result in a total capacity of 72 anti-air missiles per destroyer.

Royal Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE said:
These programmes will provide an exceptional capability to the front line, ensuring the RN remains poised to defend the surface fleet, and most importantly the Carrier Strike Group, against complex air threats both now and into the future.

CAMM also provides a means to accurately and effectively engage small, fast inshore attack craft, hovering helicopters and low-speed targets alongside defeating their more traditional high-speed air targets.

The Aster 30 missile system refresh is a tri-national sustainment and enhancement contract between the UK, France and Italy which includes investment in a dedicated UK embodiment facility at Defence Munitions in Gosport, Hampshire.

DE&S CEO Sir Simon Bollom said:
The introduction of the UK produced CAMM missile in conjunction with the current Aster 30 missile will provide the Type 45 with a significant uplift in anti-air capability into the future as the Type 45 delivers the backbone of air defence to the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group.

The Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers are among the most advanced in the fleet and carry out a range of activity, including defence from air attack, counter-piracy operations and providing humanitarian aid.

The first Type 45 destroyer is expected to have been overhauled by summer 2026.

Royal Navy HMS Prince of Wales (R09) arriving at HM Naval Base, Gibraltar on her maiden voyage @HMSPWLS @MODGibraltar @RoyalNavy @NavyLookout @RGPolice @InfoGibraltar @gibraltar_hour @WarshipsIFR @WarshipCam pic.twitter.com/sxxxqwoOGL

— Moses Anahory (@MAnahory) July 6, 2021