Armée Britannique/British Armed Forces

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Des bâtiments de défense anti-aérienne ... sans missiles anti-aérien
Publié le 14 mars 2009.

Le National Audit Office (NAO), l’équivalent britannique de la Cour des Comptes, a indiqué que les nouveaux destroyers Type 45 de la Royal Navy auraient 2 ans de retard. Le budget prévu a été dépassé de 1,5 milliard de £ pour 6 exemplaires.
Le NAO a aussi indiqué que les navires prendraient au départ la mer sans leur système de missiles anti-aériens à cause de retard dans la mise au point.
Le ministère a indiqué que, après des retards au début du programme, il respectait désormais le calendrier.
Les destroyers sont les chevaux de trait de la Royal Navy, protégeant contre des attaques aériennes les bâtiments plus gros comme les porte-avions, et fournissant un appui feu pour les troupes au sol.
Ils effectuent aussi un large éventail d’autres missions comme les patrouilles anti-pirates et le secours en cas de catastrophe naturelle.
Une flotte vieillissante
Le ministère britannique de la défense avait d’abord prévu d’acheter 12 destroyers Type 45, mais ce chiffre avait été réduit à 8 en 2004, puis à seulement 6 l’an dernier.
Néanmoins, le NAO indique que le programme, qui devait au départ couter 5 milliards de £, couterait au final près de 6,5 milliards de £ (pour un nombre de bâtiments divisé par 2).
Le premier des destroyers, le HMS Daring, qui a été lancé en 2006, ne dispose toujours pas de la totalité de son système de communications. Il ne recevra pas avant 2011 son principal système de missiles anti-aérien, le PAAMS. Celui-ci peut abattre en même temps plusieurs appareils ou missiles ennemis.
Il devra aussi attendre jusqu’en 2014 pour être équipé de la capacité de combat en coopération, qui relie ensemble les systèmes de combat et les senseurs de plusieurs navires, améliorant leur capacité à combattre ensemble.
Le NAO indique que, en raison de ces retards, la Royal Navy devra conserver plus longtemps ses destroyers Type 42 vieillissants, qui avaient été conçus pour la Guerre Froide et que les Type 45 doivent remplacer.

http://www.corlobe.tk/article13114.html

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First Sea Lord: Royal Navy is prepared and delivering every day

Royal Navy Sea King helicopters land Royal Marines at the start of Operation SILKMAN in Sierra Leone in 2000. The Navy is prepared for the future and is playing a vital role every day in the UK's defence and security, the head of the Royal Navy said yesterday. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, was speaking at the International Institute for Strategic Studies yesterday, Wednesday 24 February 2010. In his speech entitled 'Delivering Defence Today and Tomorrow: The Maritime Contribution', Admiral Stanhope said he wanted to make some observations that build on the Defence Green Paper, 'Adaptability and Partnership: Issues for the Strategic Defence Review', which was launched earlier this month to set key questions regarding the future of Defence. Admiral Stanhope said that the dilemma which Defence faces is support to the 'Main Effort' in Afghanistan while meeting other standing commitments, at the same time as preparing for an uncertain future against a backdrop of significant public debt. If we are to resolve that dilemma, he said, our Armed Forces need to be much more adaptable and better able to operate alongside others, military and governmental, UK and multi-national, adding: "To my mind, that means, among other things, a continued emphasis on joint operations at every step of our development of military capabilities; doctrine, training, equipment, support, you name it, must be underpinned by the joint piece." His speech focused on how the Royal Navy has unique attributes that make it a vital component in meeting the dilemma: "Maritime forces benefit from unique attributes which allow them to be used, not only operationally to fight on land, sea and in the air, all over the world, but also strategically to contain and prevent conflict from happening in the first place. "Such wide utility is a consequence of the global reach and enduring presence that are the characteristics of such forces. They can deliver a range of effects on behalf of a Government seeking choice in its means of response to a developing threat to UK interests, whether a warship acting alone or as part of a multi-national joint task force. "This country's Naval Service is inherently flexible and able to integrate with our sister Services, allies and other partners. "Maritime forces are constantly engaged in shaping and setting the conditions which facilitate the work of others. "They can also enhance the contribution of others. I firmly believe that maritime forces have a vital role to play in contributing to the delivery of the Defence mission in the unpredictable world of tomorrow." The Admiral gave some examples of how maritime forces contribute to what Defence can do at the strategic and operational levels. In giving these examples he said: "I hope to show you that maritime forces possess the attributes of flexibility and interoperability that are at a premium in Defence thinking and which are the themes underpinning the Green Paper." The first example Admiral Stanhope gave was the response of HMS Illustrious and her air group, along with HMS Ocean and her Amphibious Ready Group, to an urgent request from the UN in 2000 for assistance in bolstering a fast-deteriorating security situation in Sierra Leone. Admiral Stanhope said that the British military intervention there was a success and made the point that all three Services had their part to play in countering this particular insurgency - just as they do in Afghanistan - and all contributed to the ultimate success of the mission. He also said: "A capable Navy with a global presence not only supported the operation, but also shaped it. Maritime power played its part in allowing a relatively small force of ground troops to achieve superiority in critical areas of our choosing. "If you want agile forces, able to be tailored for a specific mission, if you want them to be sustained and supported from a position of security, then maritime forces can make an important contribution. "Where you are operating in territory that has a coast, or is accessible from the sea, the sea control and sea denial that maritime forces deliver are a prerequisite for operational success. "I want to stress that, because it resonates with a similar point made by the Chief of the Air Staff when he spoke here a few weeks ago. He warned that we should guard against the presumption that air superiority is a given. I agree. "Equally, we should not assume that sea control can be easily achieved or maintained, particularly against state adversaries with advanced sub-surface capabilities, or indeed in areas where asymmetric swarm attack by less sophisticated opponents may be the major threat. "To prevail, to establish the sea control needed for success, we will continue to need the ability to meet these sorts of threats with confidence and the right equipment and training." The second example Admiral Stanhope gave yesterday in considering the utility of maritime forces was the Royal Marines landing from the sea into the Al-Faw peninsula of Iraq in 2003 as the spearhead force there. He also spoke about the initial attacks in Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11, when Navy submarines launched cruise missile attacks on Al-Qaeda positions, while delivery of initial entry forces came courtesy of Navy carriers at sea in the Indian Ocean. He said: "You will know by now that the Naval Service has been an enduring presence in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout, where their adaptability is widely recognised. "The Royal Marines are as much at home in the Green Zone as they are in boarding teams in the Gulf; fleet divers are conducting bomb disposal operations alongside their Army engineer colleagues; and the Fleet Air Arm is using its maritime surveillance capabilities to track and target the Taliban, no longer free from detection as they move across the deserts. 40 Commando returns to Afghanistan in a month's time, as does 3 Commando Brigade next year. "The Naval Service commitment endures even in this land-locked country. "In all those examples, there has been and remains an important role for sea-based air power and our versatile amphibious forces. In fact, since the end of the Cold War, these important maritime capabilities have never been more in demand, testament to the enduring utility that these forces bring, whatever role is demanded of them." He also said that when crises demand a response which includes a military contribution, maritime forces will inevitably be intelligence-gathering from the early stages, conducting reconnaissance covertly and improving situational awareness for other forces. He added: "We will usually be the first to arrive and often the last to leave. We can provide a protected sea base from which to operate. We can provide mobile launch platforms for our forces . We can limit the political and military liability of operations by protecting and controlling the maritime flank. "We can integrate with other maritime and littoral forces. We can get land forces where they need to be, and then support them: combat air support, helicopters, logistics, medical, you name it. And we are there to recover those forces too if necessary. "And our presence in the first place, engagement without entanglement, may be a sufficient enough demonstration of intent and deterrence to prevent the need for final engagement." Admiral Stanhope developed his theme on adaptability by talking about the Naval Service's ability and track record in working in partnership with others. He said: "The Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary routinely operate alongside other agencies and partners, both nationally and internationally. It is what navies do. We have direct links with 35 nations in all the UK's main regions of interest, and we operate and exercise with many more, within established alliances like NATO, and beyond. "Our contribution to the EU Naval Force mission to protect World Food Programme shipping from piracy sees us operating alongside navies from India to China, Pakistan to Singapore. You don't see military co-operation like that outside of the maritime domain. "In the Gulf and Caribbean, we work with law enforcement agencies, national and multi-national, to intercept illegal drugs and other smuggling. "HMS Iron Duke and HMS Cumberland, working with our partners, last year intercepted drugs worth more than £70m. "Working in partnerships also has an important domestic dimension for us. The Royal Navy continues to safeguard the integrity of UK Territorial Waters, to provide counter-terrorism support to the Home Office, to protect shipping, ports and offshore energy platforms, undertake inspection and enforcement action on behalf of the Marine and Fisheries Agency, and conduct Search and Rescue operations around our coast. "We are one of many contributors to the concept of UK maritime security, a team game which involves many stakeholders." As regards the future, Admiral Stanhope said that the Naval Service remains committed to change. He added: "We are leveraging technology and innovation to deliver against our growing range of tasks, while preserving and developing the capabilities we will need for tomorrow. "At the same time, we are working with all of our partners, military and non-military, from the UK and further afield, to better understand what they might require of us in the future. Summing up, he said: "The issues, as you can appreciate, involve more than simply making a choice between land forces or carrier-based air power. It's not about tanks versus jet fighters. It is about deciding where the balance of investment should lie, judged against this country's vital national interests, and the ambition this nation sets, both for itself, and for defence and security. "Regardless of where or how we fight, our focus must inevitably always be the same: defence of the realm, security of our people and the protection of the national interest. "In the final analysis, we need to be prepared for whatever the future might throw at us. "The Navy is prepared, and is delivering, every day. I believe that maritime forces also have a vital role to play in delivering this country's defence and security into the future, in delivering choices for the Government, as much as in delivering firepower when required."

defpro

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CVF Construction begins at Royal Navy’s new carriers’ Portsmouth base
February 26, 2010 by Jeffrey Bradford
Filed under: BAE Systems, Syndicated Industry News

Construction begins at Navy's new carriers' Portsmouth base

Steel-cutting on a section of the hull of the first of the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers began at Portsmouth yesterday, Thursday 25 February 2010.

Portsmouth, which will be the future home of both Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, became the fifth UK shipyard to be involved in construction on the programme.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth pushed the button to start the laser cutter. He said:

"Here in Portsmouth work is just beginning but across the country in Devon, Newcastle, Glasgow and Rosyth work is already under way.

"In all, six shipyards across the UK will be involved in the manufacture of the ships' hulls, supporting up to 8,000 jobs in the construction and up to another 3,000 throughout the supply chain.

"The progress already being made to deliver these assets, which will be a cornerstone of future defence policy, is a testament to the skill and professionalism of UK industry."

The steel-cutting which began yesterday is for the first of three blocks that BAE Systems Surface Ships will build for the ships in Portsmouth.

At 70m long and 40m wide, the block will use 6,000 tonnes of steel. It will house space for machinery and supplies as well as switchboards and some accommodation.

"The progress already being made to deliver these assets, which will be a cornerstone of future defence policy, is a testament to the skill and professionalism of UK industry."
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth

BAE Systems' role in the carrier build programme at Portsmouth is in the order of £800m, forming a substantial element of the workload at the naval base, where the company employs over 3,000 people, including around 200 apprentices.

First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, said:

"The two ships of the Queen Elizabeth Class will be the largest and most powerful warships ever built for the UK, each equalling four acres [16,000 square metres] from which to project air power anywhere in the world.

"With eighty per cent of the world's land mass within 500 miles [800km] of the ocean, the carriers will provide unparalleled access and flexibility. They are vital joint assets for the future of defence."

Managing Director of BAE Systems Surface Ships, Alan Johnston, said:

"This is a very proud day for our workforce here in Portsmouth and comes on the back of our work on the Clyde, where another large part of the carrier's hull is already taking shape.

"The design and build of ships of this magnitude is a massive engineering feat and a real testament to skills harnessed in our industry across the UK.

"We will continue to work closely with our partners in the Aircraft Carrier Alliance and to invest in the skills of our employees and our facilities not only to deliver the Royal Navy's future flagships, but also to secure the long-term future of the UK's warship building industry."

Construction of the ships is progressing, and a national project that draws on the skills of shipyards throughout the UK is underway.

This includes the shipyards at Glasgow, Rosyth, Newcastle, Devon and Birkenhead, as well as around a further 100 contracts throughout the supply chain.

Some of the sections of the first ship's flight deck, called sponsons, have already been delivered to Rosyth, where the ships will be assembled.

In spring, the first of the blocks of hull are also due to leave for the Scottish shipyard from Appledore in Devon. Many of the key components for the ships, such as the diesel generators and the turbines, have also already been manufactured.

Six shipyards will together construct the nine blocks that make up the hull:

http://www.defenseprocurementnews.com/2010/02/26/cvf-construction-begins-at-royal-navys-new-carriers-portsmouth-base/

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RAF Typhoons are set to travel to Oman for Exercise ‘Magic Carpet’.

Royal Air Force Typhoons from No.XI Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, are set to travel to Oman for Exercise ‘Magic Carpet’. The three-week exercise will see the squadron carry out swing-role training missions with the Royal Air Force of Oman’s (RAFO) Jaguar squadrons dropping live ordnance as part of larger Combined Air Operations (COMAO). ‘Red’ forces will be provided by RAFO F-16s and Hawks. Army Forward Air Controllers (FAC) will also be participating as part of their work-up for Operation ‘Herrick’ in Afghanistan. No.XI Squadron will be taking seven aircraft and 15 pilots for the duration of the exercise, and anticipates a busy schedule of both day and night missions.

http://www.airforcesmonthly.com/view_news.asp?ID=1667

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New nuclear sub captain defends £1bn vessel despite technical problems

THE captain of a £1.2billion nuclear submarine being tested in Scotland has defended the vessel amid claims serious flaws were exposed.
Insiders at the Navy's Faslane base, near Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, say the Astute sub's trials offthe west coast of Scotland have been plagued by technical faults.
One said: "There have been problems with Astute. Every time engineers think they have solved one problem, another crops up.
"This has to be sorted out quickly."
But Commander Andy Coles, Astute's captain, yesterday said he expected the trials to identify issues needing further work.
He said: "I am proud of what my crew have achieved as part of Astute's successful sea trials. They have shown the clear potential of this fantastic new platform.
"There has been no major emergency. The crew and I are full of confidence in Astute."
Navy chiefs have still not taken over formal control of the 7675-ton vessel - now nine years in development.
Once commanders are satisfied with the sub, it will be signed over from defence equipment specialists to become HMS Astute.
Work on the sub at Barrowin-Furness, Cumbria, had to be stopped last year when a fire broke out with 20 workers on board.
It emerged that there were problems with the 323ft-long vessel's propulsion system, a fault engineers were unable to fix at the time because of the blaze.
Submarine expert Tim Fish said: "There can be a whole range of issues but diving and surfacing can be the main problems."
Critics say the Astute programme has been one of the most troubled UK defence projects. Due to serious delays and problems in construction, the sub, which has a crew of 98, was launched four years late.
Another Navy source said: "The crew are worried about the problems. They must be fixed without cutting corners."
The Royal Navy's most advanced submarine, described as "more complex than the space shuttle", arrived at its new base on the Clyde in November.
Astute, which weighs 7400 tons, has the latest stealth technology and sonar systems - and carries a deadly array of Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk land missiles.
The huge vessel, which could stay under water for 25 years without running out of fuel, will carry out anti-ship and anti-sub operations, surveil lance and intel l igence gathering plus provide support for land forces.
Astute's huge reserves of power are provided by a pressurised water nuclear reactor that MoD bosses say is capable of powering a city the size of Aberdeen.
Last night, a Navy spokesman said: "Defects must be dealt with by the MoD's Defence Equipment and Support branch."

Daily Record

UK Boeing E 3D Sentery AEW1

Plusieurs responsables militaires britanniques contestent la déposition de Gordon Brown

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A peine Gordon Brown a-t-il fini de témoigner devant la commission Chilcot, répétant que l'intervention était "une bonne décision" et qu'il avait accepté "toutes" les demandes d'argent en vue de la guerre qu'un amiral l'accuse d'avoir "manqué de sincérité" lors de son audition. "Il dissimule des choses", déclare au Times l'amiral Lord Boyce, qui était chef des forces armées au moment de l'invasion de l'Irak en 2003.

Le véritable problème, explique l'amiral Boyce, était que le ministère de la défense "était privé de fonds". "Dire qu'il a donné à l'armée tout ce qu'elle a demandé est tout simplement faux", déclaré également au Daily Telegraph le général Lord Guthrie, chef des forces armées de 1997 à 2001.

M. Brown a bel et bien accepté de financer les besoins "urgents", explique le général de division Tim Cross, qui était le plus haut gradé britannique après l'invasion en Irak. "Mais ce qu'il a refusé, c'est d'accroître le niveau des dépenses de la défense... qui était réduit année après année", dit-il sur la BBC. "Bien joué Monsieur le premier ministre de dire que nous avons eu tout ce que nous voulions. Mais cela ne concerne que la question vraiment mineure des opérations", accuse aussi sur la BBC le général Richard Dannatt, ancien chef d'état-major devenu conseiller pour l'opposition conservatrice.

La presse britannique estime cependant samedi que M. Brown avait réussi à sortir indemne de ses quatres heures d'audition, un exercice risqué à quelques semaines d'élections législatives qui s'annoncent serrées. "Mission accomplie", titre le Guardian. Le Daily Telegraph estime que le dirigeant a "réussi à donner l'impression qu'il soutenait l'invasion de l'Irak mais tout en gardant ses distances" avec une décision qui a été prise par le premier ministre d'alors, Tony Blair, dont le récent passage devant la commission avait été beaucoup plus critiqué.

LEMONDE.FR

Photos de la Première plongée du sous-marin HMS Astute

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Le nouveau sous-marin nucléaire d'attaque de la marine britannique, à l'allure toujours aussi étonnante, a réalisé le 18 février sa première plongée, au large de la base de Falsane, en Ecosse. Cette manoeuvre, qui entre dans le cadre des essais en mer du bâtiment, a été réalisée sous la protection de la frégate HMS Montrose.
Le HMS Astute, premier d'une nouvelle série d'au moins quatre unités (Astute, Ambush, Artful et Audacious), a quitté les chantiers BAE Systems de Barrow-in-Furness en novembre dernier. Il doit réaliser une période d'essais d'au moins 18 mois avant d'entrer en servicePlus gros sous-marins de ce type en Europe, les Astute mesurent 97 mètres de long pour un déplacement de 7400 tonnes en plongée. Capables d'atteindre la vitesse de 29 noeuds et d'opérer durant 90 jours, ils embarqueront 25 armes, avec panachage de torpilles Spearfish, de missiles antinavire Sub Harpoon et de missiles de croisière Tomahawk

meretmarine

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Lockheed Martin Delivers Hawk Mk 2 Flying Training Device for UK Military Flying Training System

| Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has delivered the Hawk-T Mk 2 Flight Training Device (FTD) to Ascent for use in the UK Military Flying Training System at Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley, Wales. Ascent is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and VT plc., which was formed in June 2008 to provide military flying training to the UK Armed Forces for the next 25 years. This training device is part of the Ground Based Training Environment element of Ascent's Advanced Jet Training (AJT) service contract and is the first of five key deliveries on the AJT program. Designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support (STS), the flight simulator replicates the Hawk-T Mk 2 aircraft and will provide an initial training capability to allow for early conversion of pilots to the Hawk T Mk 2. It will also be used for syllabus development associated with the training service design and implementation. "The delivery of this simulator is a key milestone for AJT and demonstrates our commitment to the success of the UK's Military Flying Training System program" said Jim Weitzel, vice president of Flight Solutions at Lockheed Martin STS. "MFTS is an exceptional example of using the Private-Public Partnership model as an effective solution for the lowest cost turnkey training." The FTD has been installed and is operational at RAF Valley in a temporary location, pending the completion of the new squadron and training facility currently under construction. Lockheed Martin will deliver six FTDs and other trainers to Ascent for use in the AJT program.

defpro

Sur le forum "Militaryphotos" ont postée une nouvelle du journal Financial Times où est dit que General Dynamics avec son véhicle ASCOD 2 aurait battu a BAE Systems et son CV-90 dans le programme FRES...

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BAE loses to US in £1bn army ‘Scout’ race


By Alex Barker and Sylvia Pfeifer
Published: March 12 2010 23:01 | Last updated: March 12 2010 23:01

BAE Systems has lost the race to build the British army’s next generation of “Scout” armoured vehicles, beaten by General Dynamics of the US in the competition for a contract worth more than £1bn.
The US company’s victory is a heavy blow for BAE and will put at risk jobs at the UK company’s armaments division.
Quentin Davies, defence minister, is shortly expected to name General Dynamics as the preferred bidder in the deal to build an initial 750 vehicles.
However, there will be a delay of at least a year for a planned upgrade of the Warrior armoured vehicle.
The delay to the Warrior upgrade is the result of a “funding gap” that has emerged because of the Scout procurement and some doubts over the maturity of the technology. But defence officials insist the programme will still go ahead and that the “slippage” will only be short term.
The contest to supply the armoured reconnaissance vehicles is central to the future of Britain’s armoured vehicle industry and BAE’s business.
BAE, which has already announced the closure of three land-vehicle manufacturing plants and several hundred job losses over the past year, needed to win the two contests. It might have to cut more jobs.
The company had pledged to create jobs if it won the contest by opening a site near Donnington. GD has said winning the competition would create and sustain 10,500 UK jobs. But BAE has also said it would have to take another “look at restructuring in the UK” if it failed to win the Scout contract and Warrior upgrade.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010. Print a single copy of this article for personal use. Contact us if you wish to print more to distribute to others.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/4a45fe4e-2e19-11df-b85c-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F4a45fe4e-2e19-11df-b85c-00144feabdc0.html%3Fnclick_check%3D1&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.militaryphotos.net%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3F167598-FRES-Future-Rapid-Effect-System-News-Discussion%2Fpage4&nclick_check=1

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HMS Westminster upgrade completed on-time, on-budget

HMS Westminster has left Devonport Royal Dockyard on-time and within budget, and with significantly increased sustainability and fighting capability, following a successful upkeep period by Babcock which culminated in the ship being ‘Ready for Sea’ ahead of schedule. The eight month project has involved well over 200,000 manhours and has seen some 40 km of new cable installed, 300 new items manufactured, and 1100 items removed for overhaul in the workshops at Devonport, as well as many items renewed through the ‘Upkeep by Exchange’ process. The upkeep period has been a challenging one, HMS Westminster being the first Type 23 frigate to receive two of the largest upgrades at the same time; the Royal Navy’s new DNA(2) Command System (central to its fighting capability against air, surface and underwater threats), and SeaWolf mid-life update comprising tracking, guidance and weapon management upgrades to counter evolving anti-ship missile threats. The ship has also received the Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) (DII(F)) upgrade, ready for installation of the new software to enable information sharing and collaborative working across the Armed Forces and MoD. The refit has also involved a large weapons package, including a 4.5 inch Mod1 gun upgrade, as well as an upgrade of Sonar 2087, NATO radial filters to protect fresh air supplies from contamination, and a sophisticated incident detection system, the Nuclear Biological Chemical Defence Incident Surveillance System. A new transom flap has also been fitted to increase fuel efficiency and endurance by harnessing previously lost energy from the propellers. These are in addition to a programme of maintenance (including, for example, replacement of the 10 tonne, two metre diameter port main gearwheel from the main propulsion gearbox), defect rectification, and habitability improvements, plus a large preservation package. Close working between the MoD, Royal Navy and Babcock has been a key feature of this project, and an important contributor to the success of this demanding upkeep period. A ‘partnering charter’ established by the key stakeholders in advance of the programme start outlined a set of principles that has guided the team, leading to the successful delivery of HMS Westminster on time. Babcock warship support director (Devonport) Chris Tomkins remarked: “It has been a fantastic achievement from the whole team to have the ship materially ready ahead of the contracted Ready for Sea Date, and is reflective of the strong partnering ethos that existed on the project. At all times during the docking period, risk was openly shared and jointly managed in a very open, honest and trustworthy environment, with all partners working extremely closely towards a common goal.” Babcock project manager Andy Correy, leading the upkeep project, commented: “This has been a very challenging project with a number of significant upgrades coming together in one upkeep period, along with a substantial maintenance package. Close working and true partnering values in our relationship with the MoD and Royal Navy have been vital to ensuring the smooth running of this complex project, and we are delighted to be delivering Westminster on-time and in-budget, and fully equipped for her operational duties.” MoD Project Contract Manager Peter Mercier said: “This has been a very busy period in which the partnership of Babcock, SFM, and ship’s staff has successfully delivered a significant increase in the capability of HMS Westminster, and made her the most capable Type 23 frigate in the fleet. The partnership team has also delivered habitability upgrades to improve living conditions for ship’s staff, and carried out extensive deep maintenance to equipment and systems. This has all been delivered as part of a fleet timeliness trial for upkeeps, and the project achieved every significant milestone on-time, with the majority being delivered early.”

defpro

cette fois-ci la RN est morte

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Le ministère britannique de la défense supprime les cocktails à l’étranger sur les bâtiments de la Royal Navy


Piliers de la tradition navale britannique depuis l’époque de Lord Nelson, les cocktails organisés par les commandants de bâtiments de la Royal Navy faisant escale dans un port étranger devraient être supprimés pour faire des économies.

Les chefs de la Navy seraient furieux par l’abandon de cette tradition, qui permet d’établir de bonnes relations dans le monde entier.
Le coût relativement faible de chaque cocktail — environ 1.000 £ (1.100 €) puisque les boissons servies à bord d’un bâtiment militaire sont détaxées — est mineur quand on le compare au budget militaire de 36 milliards £ (39,6 milliards €) que le ministère de la défense lutte pour mettre sous contrôle.
On estime que la suppression de ces cocktails pourrait permettre d’économiser entre 50 et 70.000 £. Un porte-parole du ministère a déclaré : “Les bâtiments de la Royal Navy organisent des réceptions officielles afin d’établir et de maintenir des relations lorsqu’ils sont en escale. Nous demandons aux commandants de ne pas organiser ces réceptions lors d’escale de routine afin de faire des économies en ces temps financièrement difficiles.”
Un officier de haut-rang a indiqué : “C’est une honte que cet important outil de la diplomatie britannique soit supprimé. Nous appelons ces réceptions ‘soft power’ parce que nous participons à la politique étrangère britannique lors d’une réception officielle en territoire étranger. Cela fait des merveilles dans les relations internationales et le commerce.”
Un cocktail qui devait être organisée à bord du destroyer HMS York lorsqu’il a fait escale dans les îles Falkland il y a 2 semaines, a été annulée à la dernière minute. Un autre cocktail organisé à bord d’un bâtiment à Simon’s Town en Afrique du Sud, a été annulée après que le ministère ait refusé le financement.
A l’avenir, le financement des cocktail sera officiellement accordé seulement pour des visites de haut-rang, telles que celles de la Reine ou de certains amiraux de la Royal Navy.

The Times

50 à 70000 livres par an sur un total de 36 milliards de livres. C'est vrai qu'avec ça ils vont se payer au moins 3PA. Je n'ai qu'un mot LAMENTABLE

Cela me fait penser à l'abandon du programme de Nimrod AEW remplacé par des Schackelton avec le radar des Gannet.

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RAF Accepts First Nimrod MRA4 Surveillance Aircraft
The first of nine new Nimrod MRA4 maritime surveillance aircraft has been delivered to the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) for a series of acceptance tests.
The RAF will use the BAE-designed Nimrod, designated PA04, for maritime duties such as anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, maritime reconnaissance, intelligence collection, search and rescue, and attack.
The MRA4 will include an advanced technical and mission capability and a fully integrated training system and logistics support package to increase operational effectiveness.
It will be equipped with 90 antennae and sensors, as well as six million lines of software code, to scan an area the size of the UK every ten seconds.
The PA04 will be able to fly 6,000 miles or 14 hours without refuelling.
Once commissioned, it will begin operating out its main base at Kinloss, Scotland, later this year.
The RAF will receive the final MRA4 aircraft by 2012.

airforce-technology

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Two of the best - Dauntless and Astute on sea trials

Dauntless and Astute on sea trials in the firth of Clyde. Glasgow, United Kingdom | Two of the most advanced naval vessels in the world met for the first time this week, as Dauntless, the second of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, and Astute, the first of class Astute nuclear powered attack submarine, combined on sea trials in the firth of Clyde. Astute is the most advanced attack submarine ever supplied to the Royal Navy, incorporating the latest stealth technology combined with a world class sonar system, an improved capability for world-wide operations, much greater firepower, better communications and crew accommodation than in-service submarines. Astute is designed to fulfil a range of key strategic and tactical roles including anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, surveillance and intelligence gathering and support for land forces. Displacing 7,400 tonnes and measuring 97 metres from bow to propulsor, Astute is significantly larger than the Swiftsure and Trafalgar class submarines that she will replace but requires fewer crew to operate her due to the advanced technology and automated systems on board. The Type 45 anti-air warfare destroyers are the most advanced ships of their kind in the world today. With a primary role to defend a task force from any aerial attack, they are extremely flexible and can provide a wide range of capability ranging from humanitarian relief through to intense war fighting. Dauntless was handed over to the Ministry of Defence by BAE Systems in December 2009 and will be commissioned into the Royal Navy fleet later this year. Astute arrived at her operational base of Faslane Naval Base on the Clyde from BAE Systems’ Barrow yard in November 2009 and is currently undergoing sea trials ahead of her acceptance into service.

defpro

Longbow à El Ferrol:





Photos señalero

Belles images Fremo!!!Je me demande que feront les perfides par ces latitudes avec ces systèmes...

Ils auront probablement écouté l'histoire de comment dans des essais en Ferrol avec un des systèmes Aegis d'une de notres F-100 on contrôlait parfaitement l'espace aérien et les avions qui décollaient depuis l'aéroport de Barajas(Madrid) à plus de 600 km de distance, et essayeront d'effectuer un tel exploit avec un des systèmes Paams de ses T-45…

AMRAAM_88 a écrit:

Belles images Fremo!!!Je me demande que feront les perfides par ces latitudes avec ces systèmes...

Ils auront probablement écouté l'histoire de comment dans des essais en Ferrol avec un des systèmes Aegis d'une de notres F-100 on contrôlait parfaitement l'espace aérien et les avions qui décollaient depuis l'aéroport de Barajas(Madrid) à plus de 600 km de distance, et essayeront d'effectuer un tel exploit avec un des systèmes Paams de ses T-45…

la réponse est là, tu devrais comprendre ça, parceque moi j'ai rien pigé :

Citation :

Fotografiando desde las alturas sobre la Ría de El Ferrol apareció bastante temprano esta gabarra "Longbow" a remolque del "Ionian Pielagos", sobre la gabarra una torre de unos 35 mts. de altura que resulta ser un PAAMS (aegis inglés, más o menos) de los Destructores Type 45, procedente de Toulon (con astillero de la DCN) y con destino Falmouht entró a reparar alguna incidencia . . . como curiosidad indicar que el 04 de junio de 2.008 efectuó el primer lanzamiento de los misiles que portarán estos DD

Fremo a écrit:

AMRAAM_88 a écrit:

Belles images Fremo!!!Je me demande que feront les perfides par ces latitudes avec ces systèmes...

Ils auront probablement écouté l'histoire de comment dans des essais en Ferrol avec un des systèmes Aegis d'une de notres F-100 on contrôlait parfaitement l'espace aérien et les avions qui décollaient depuis l'aéroport de Barajas(Madrid) à plus de 600 km de distance, et essayeront d'effectuer un tel exploit avec un des systèmes Paams de ses T-45…

la réponse est là, tu devrais comprendre ça, parceque moi j'ai rien pigé :

Citation :

Fotografiando desde las alturas sobre la Ría de El Ferrol apareció bastante temprano esta gabarra "Longbow" a remolque del "Ionian Pielagos", sobre la gabarra una torre de unos 35 mts. de altura que resulta ser un PAAMS (aegis inglés, más o menos) de los Destructores Type 45, procedente de Toulon (con astillero de la DCN) y con destino Falmouht entró a reparar alguna incidencia . . . como curiosidad indicar que el 04 de junio de 2.008 efectuó el primer lanzamiento de los misiles que portarán estos DD

Copy!!

Citation :

Red Arrows crash at Hellenic Air Force Base Kastelli in Crete



The MOD can confirm that an incident has occurred involving the Red Arrows whilst undertaking pre-season training at Hellenic Air Force Base Kastelli in Crete.
A Service Inquiry will be convened to identify the cause of the crash.
Further information will be released in due course.
A Red Arrows pilot has been taken to hospital after a mid-air crash between two display planes during a training exercise in Crete.
The male pilot ejected from the aircraft following the collision over Hellenic Air Force Base in Kastelli during a pre-season exercise.
The second pilot from the RAF aerobatic team, based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, landed safety.
The planes were practising a manoeuvre when they collided at 1150 GMT.
The injured pilot, who ejected himself from the plane before it crash-landed on the runway of the base, has a dislocated arm and minor abrasions.

aviationnews

La RN aurait commencé l'étude d'un nouveau type de frégate le type 26, une dizaine serait prévue avec une participation Australienne pour atténuer les coûts...

Citation :

Clyde shipyard jobs secured as BAE Systems land £127m contract to help design new frigate for Royal Navy

Mar 25 2010

ENGINEERING jobs on the Clyde received a major boost today as a new contract to develop the next generation of warships was unveiled.

The Ministry of Defence has signed a £127million four-year contract to help design the Type 26 ships, BAE Systems said today.

The company, which owns shipyards in Glasgow on the River Clyde, described the contract as "key to engineering jobs".

Bristol will be the main base for the project team but engineers on the Clyde will also be involved. The Type 26 ships will replace the Type 22 and Type 23 frigates. The shipbuilding contract for the Type 26 boats will be announced at a later date.

News of the deal was announced during a visit by Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy to the Govan yard with John Robertson, MP for Glasgow North West, and Ian Davidson, MP for Glasgow South West.

The minister confirmed that the MoD signed the contract to take the project into the assessment phase.

Mr Robertson said the move "shows a Labour government's commitment to long-term planning for defence, retaining capability and skills and protecting Scottish jobs".

Alan Johnston, managing director of BAE Systems Surface Ships, said: "This is an exciting step in a programme that is hugely important not only for the Royal Navy but for the whole of the UK maritime industry.

"Type 26 is a key component in sustaining a surface warship capability in UK industry as agreed under the Terms of Business Agreement we signed with the MoD last year.

"Working in close partnership with the MoD and industry will help to reduce risk and deliver better value for UK taxpayers. It represents a real step change in procurement for defence."

An 80-strong joint MoD and BAE Systems team is based in Bristol. This team will increase to more than 300 people during the next four years of the contract.

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope said: "These programme announcements are welcome news for the Navy. You simply cannot have an effective Navy without capable Frigates, and the Type 26 combat ship will form the future backbone of the Royal Navy's surface combatant force, alongside the new Type 45 Destroyers.

"These ships will be highly versatile, able to operate across the full spectrum of operations, from war fighting to disaster relief."

The first of the new Type 26 class ships are due to enter service around the start of 2020.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/03/25/clyde-shipyard-jobs-secured-as-bae-systems-land-127m-contract-to-help-design-new-frigate-for-royal-navy-86908-22138056/

mais tous de même voilà un autre aspect qui nous montre que l'Europe de défense restera utopique, je crois que modifier la Fremm à leur Sauce ca leur serait revenu encore moins cher pour le coup

Je n'aime pas les dessins des navires perfides.Ils ont toujours un dessin très particulière et caractéristique, mais esthétiquement je les trouve vraiment moches.C'est tout le contraire aux dessins des navires de nos frères italiens par exemple,lesquels j'aime bien généralement...