Armée Britannique/British Armed Forces

Rappel du premier message :

Citation :

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

La France va suivre...................

Gémini a écrit:

La France va suivre...................

la france a le double des effectif britannique.

Pour le moment fremo,pour le moment.
Mon pays va devoir rogner sur tout.
Et vu que ce qui ce passe de l'autre coté du channel (surtout les armées ) ,reviens quelque temps aprés chez nous.....

Les effectifs actuels des forces armées françaises ne sont pas si nombreux que ça au point d'être le double de ce que les britanniques possèdent ou posséderont dans les 10 ans à venir. Il existe de plus chez ces derniers des corps qui n'ont pas de correspondance chez les britanniques comme la brigade des sapeurs-pompiers de Paris (7400) ou le bataillon des marins-pompiers de Marseille (2450) qui oeuvrent pour les autorités civiles, fonctionnant en tout ou partie avec des budgets civils.

Citation :

A Royal Navy Merlin on display at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).

rafi a écrit:

Les effectifs actuels des forces armées françaises ne sont pas si nombreux que ça au point d'être le double de ce que les britanniques possèdent ou posséderont dans les 10 ans à venir. Il existe de plus chez ces derniers des corps qui n'ont pas de correspondance chez les britanniques comme la brigade des sapeurs-pompiers de Paris (7400) ou le bataillon des marins-pompiers de Marseille (2450) qui oeuvrent pour les autorités civiles, fonctionnant en tout ou partie avec des budgets civils.

plus au moins d'accord l'armée française compte 313402 dans ses effectifs contre 187890 pour les britanniques , mais faut aussi dire que l'UK compte plus de 150000 paramilitaire alors que l'armée française compte plus de 70000 civile soit réellement 240 996 militaire de profession ce qui laisse comme même une marge de 60000 homme professionnel de plus en France toute branche confondu sachant que le territoire français est plus grand .

l'armée de terre compte quelque 120000 homme contre quelque 92000 pour UK et 46390 force de type militaire (paramilitaire) en france

Citation :

Major Milestone Achieved on Eurocopter’s Puma Mk2 Upgrade Program for UK MoD


A Puma MK2 helicopter of the Royal Air Force. (Photo: Eurocopter)

19:47 GMT, July 9, 2012 Farnborough, England | The upgrade of UK Ministry of Defence Puma aircraft took a major step forward last week with Eurocopter completing its first internal qualification of the Puma Mk2 aircraft. This upgrade will significantly enhance the aircraft’s performance, mission capability and safety. The first modified aircraft will fly into the UK in the coming weeks to conclude test and evaluation activities at QinetiQ’s Boscombe Down facility.

Eurocopter’s first internal qualification of the Puma Mk2 was achieved on July 6, concluding the first phase of the planned developments, with further enhancements to its mission capabilities planned over the coming months. To date, Eurocopter has completed the initial upgrade process on three Puma helicopters, all of which are now involved in flight testing. The first of these will be delivered to QinetiQ’s Boscombe Down military test and evaluation center for further trials.

The Puma Mk2 helicopters represent a key element of the UK’s medium battlefield support helicopter capability, and will be deployed for tactical troop and load movement by day and night. The upgrade will extend the operational lifetime and significantly upgrade the capabilities of 24 of the Royal Air Force Puma helicopters. The new Puma is an ideal medium lift platform for urban operations and its ability to be rapidly deployed by C17 make it the ideal platform for fast moving contingent combat and humanitarian operations.

“This qualification milestone marks another important accomplishment in a program that is vital for the UK’s combat capabilities, and it results equally from Eurocopter’s commitment to its success and our close cooperation with the Ministry of Defence,” said Markus Steinke, the Managing Director of Eurocopter UK. “Once upgraded, Puma Mk2s will be serving the Royal Air Force until 2025, offering exceptional performance and capability that is excellent value for the money.”

Enhancements for the Puma Mk2 include major performance and safety improvements with the use of new Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines; the integration of a full glass cockpit incorporating modern avionics and a flight management system; the implementation of a digital automatic flight control system; as well as the incorporation of a secure communications suite, new defensive aids and ballistic protection for crew and passengers. Additionally, the helicopter’s greater onboard fuel capacity and lower fuel consumption will increase the Puma Mk2’s operating range. The Puma will be able to carry twice the payload over three times the range than its predecessor even in the most demanding of environmental conditions.

defpro

Le Sénat, c'est bien mieux que wiki, Leadlord.

Les effectifs du ministère de la défense en France étaient en 2010 de 306 200 personnels civils et militaires, de 298 500 en 2011, et seront de 291 000 personnels civils et militaires en 2012, de 283 500 en 2013 et de 276 000 en 2014.

http://www.senat.fr/rap/l08-513/l08-51311.html

attention au HS messieurs

Il n'y a pas de HS dans l'air, Viper. Afin de comparer les effectifs que possèdent ou posséderont français et britanniques à terme, il n'y a pas d'autres solution que de partir d'une base reconnue. D'ailleurs ce qui est le plus intéressant dans la démarche britannique, c'est ce recours aux réservistes pour assurer non seulement le soutien des forces, mais aussi, purement et simplement, les opérations de combat. Aujourd'hui la british army a un effectif de 102 000 soldats de métiers et environ 15 000 réservistes (soit un pool de 117 000 personnels), demain il s'agira d'intégrer encore plus les 82 000 soldats de métiers en service aux 30 000 réservistes recrutés à cette fin (112 000). Soit un déflation réelle de 5 000 troupes "seulement". Reste à savoir quel niveau d'entrainement auront ces réservistes et quelle capacité de combat effective cela représentera.

je sais qu'on vite tendance à dévier...vaux mieux prévenir que guérir ...

Citation :

Le tribunal britannique autorise à placer des canons antiaériens sur les toits de Londres


Photo: EPA


Un groupe de résidents d’un quartier à l’Est de Londres a perdu ce mardi l’affaire à la Haute Cour de Londres, pour interdire aux autorités de placer sur le toit de leur immeuble des systèmes anti-missiles pendant les Jeux Olympiques.

Les résidents des appartements ont déclaré que la présence de missiles sur leur toit ne fera qu'augmenter le risque de menaces terroristes, mais ces arguments ont été rejetés par le juge. Le bâtiment qui se trouve dans le quartier de Leytonstone est l'un des six bâtiments, sur les toits desquels il est prévu de déployer des systèmes antimissiles. Selon les organisateurs, ces dispositifs sont nécessaires pour assurer la sécurité pendant les JO de Londres

http://french.ruvr.ru/2012_07_10/jo-2012-londres-missile/

Citation :

Au moins 7 frégates britanniques du type 23 dotées du sonar remorqué 2087


Frégate du type 23 et hélicoptère Merlin
crédits : ROYAL NAVY

La Royal Navy continue de moderniser ses frégates dédiées à la lutte anti-sous-marine. A cet effet, 7 des 13 bâtiments du type 23 (classe Duke) ont été dotées du nouveau sonar 2087 de Thales. Ce sonar actif/passif à immersion variable est considéré comme l'un des meilleurs (si ce n'est le meilleur) équipement du genre actuellement en service. Remorqué à l'arrière du bâtiment et pouvant être immergé à plusieurs centaines de mètres, il réunit une antenne active à basse fréquence et une antenne passive linéaire composée de triplets d'hydrophones permettant de lever instantanément l'ambigüité sur la position de la cible (bâbord ou tribord).


Le sonar 2087 (© : THALES)

Les capacités exceptionnelles de ce sonar, capable de repérer des submersibles à très grande distance, sont complétées par celles du sonar trempé FLASH, un autre équipement de Thales, mis en oeuvre par les hélicoptères AW-101 Merlin embarqués par les frégates britanniques. Pouvant être immergé à 700 mètres, ce sonar, doté d'antennes d'émission et de réception, est déployé depuis l'hélicoptère avec un système permettant un treuillage de 10 mètres par seconde. La mise en oeuvre est donc très rapide et le temps réduit entre le début du vol stationnaire et les premières émissions, procurant un atout tactique indéniable. Le FLASH peut, en outre, intégrer un système un système de traitement des signaux émis par des bouées acoustiques.
Pour le moment, les frégates équipées sont le HMS Westminster, le HMS Northumberland, le HMS Richmond, le HMS Somerset, le HMS Sutherland, le HMS Kent,le HMS Portland et le HMS St Albans. D'après certaines sources, un huitième bâtiment, le HMS Argyll, viendrait d'être doté du sonar 2087. Nous n'avons, toutefois, pas reçu de confirmation officielle de cette information.


Un Merlin de la Royal Navy (© : AUGUSTA WESTLAND)


Une frégate du type 23 et un sous-marin britanniques (© : ROYAL NAVY)

http://www.meretmarine.com

Veuillez deplacer SVP si c'est HS

BBC:

Citation :

Armed forces on Olympics standby

The UK's armed forces are on standby to provide an additional 3,500 troops to help with security at the 2012 London Olympics, the BBC has learned.

It comes amid fears that private contractor G4S would not be able to provide enough trained staff in time.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that soldiers serving with the British Army in Germany have had their notice to move shortened.

This means they could be transferred to London within a matter of days.

G4S is being paid £300m to guard the Games, but the BBC understands it has not been able to guarantee it can supply the 10,000 guards it has been contracted to deliver.

'No impact on security'

Instead, summer leave is likely to be cancelled for some British troops as the MoD prepares around 3,500 military personnel to fill the potential gap in security.

The armed forces were already due to provide some 13,500 personnel to help at the Games, with more available as a contingency plan.

Whitehall sources are keen to stress that there is no impact on security at the Games, and that the plan was always to have a mix of civilian and military working.

BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said the move would come as an embarrassment to G4S.

She said there was anger within the military that they were being asked to step in, not least at a time that the armed forces were being downsized.

Citation :

United Kingdom’s First Lockheed Martin F-35 Makes Inaugural Flight

Here’s test pilot Bill Gigliotti with BK-1, the United Kingdom’s first F-35 Lightning II production aircraft. Gigliotti took BK-1 on its inaugural flight on April 13, 2012


FORT WORTH, Texas, April 16, 2012 – BK-1, the United Kingdom’s first Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II production aircraft, flew its inaugural flight Friday. Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti took the short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) jet through a series of functional flight checks during a sortie that lasted 45 minutes. The jet will complete a series of company and government checkout flights prior to its acceptance by the U.K. Ministry of Defence. The U.K. MOD will use this 5th Generation fighter for training and operational tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., beginning later this year.

"Not only is this a watershed moment for the Joint Strike Fighter program, since BK-1 is the first international F-35 to fly, but it also brings us one step closer to delivery of this essential 5th Generation capability for the U.K., " said Group Captain Harv Smyth, the Joint Strike Fighter U.K. National Deputy.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 123,000 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 net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

Citation :

Le choix du F-35B : couteux, désastreux (expert UK)
Damien Kerlouet /Capacités Milit – Exercices UE /


(crédit : Lockheed Martin)

(BRUXELLES2) Le choix britannique du F-35B pour la Royal Air Force et la Royal Navy a des « implications désastreuses pour la puissance aérienne britannique« . Celui-ci qui explique cela dans un article au vitriol paru dans Defence IQ n’est pas un Frenchie jaloux. Mais simplement, James Bosbotinis, un spécialiste des questions maritimes et stratégiques, doctorant au King’s college et associé au centre Corbett pour les études de politique maritime.

Le choix du ministère de la défense britannique de renoncer, en mai dernier, au F-35C (catapulté) pour revenir au F-35B (à décollage court et atterrissage vertical), estimant que le coût de mise à niveau du Queen Elisabeth pour le catapultage des avions était trop important pour le budget de la Couronne, est mauvais pour plusieurs raisons selon Bosbotinis : la capacité limitée du F-35B, son coût non négligeable, l’absence de réflexion à long terme, comme la perte de profondeur stratégique ou de puissance vis-à-vis des autres alliés…

Une capacité limitée

Le F-35B est tout d’abord sujet à des limites techniques de réservoir (13.500 lbs au lieu de 19.145 lbs) ce qui limite sa portée : son rayon d’action est ainsi de 463 miles nautiques contre 613 miles nautiques pour le F-35C tandis que son temps sur cible est de 15 mns, 36 mns pour son alter ego. De même, il ne peut emporter que des bombes de classe 1000 lb (environ 450 kg), le double pour le F-35C. Ce qui ne permet pas d’atteindre des cibles comme les ponts ou les abris d’avions. La seule alternative serait d’ajouter un missile Storm Shadow, mais aux « dépens des capacités furtives de l’appareil et donc de la possibilité de pénétrer en profondeur dans l’espace aérien adverse » explique Bosbotinis.

Le coût d’achat : plus important

Le coût de ce changement de cap est particulièrement élevé tant au moment de l’achat que durant sa mise en service. 97 F-35C se substitueraient en termes de capacités à 136 F-35B » avec une différence de coût de 4,46 milliards £ en faveur du premier, selon un document confidentiel du ministère de la défense révélé par nos confrères du The Telegraph. De plus, l’achat de F-35B devrait aussi s’accompagner de l’achat de quelques F-35A pour combler les insuffisances techniques à répondre aux exigences britanniques de la capacité offensive soutenue (Deep and Persistent Offensive Capability ou DPOC), doublant alors les coûts durant la mise en service (environ 2 milliards £ supplémentaires pour une flotte mixte au lieu d’une force homogène de F-35C) et les problèmes techniques (adaptation des ravitaillements aériens notamment).

Une réflexion à long terme pour le Queen Elizabeth

L’option envisagée de choisir le F-35C et d’adapter les navires de la classe Queen Elizabeth aux configurations CATOBAR (catapultage et appontage simultanés) ne serait pas si couteuse. De nouvelles projections parues dans The Telegraph annoncent ainsi un chiffre de moitié moindre que l’achat d’une flotte de F-35B et A (estimées environ à 1£ milliard selon le secrétaire adjoint de la Marine américaine S. J. Stackley) couterait ainsi deux fois plus chère que l’option du F-35C. Autre argument de Bosbotinis : le Queen Elizabeth, adapté au décollage court et atterrissage vertical STOVL, devrait rester en service jusqu’aux environs de 2070 alors que le F-35B ne serait lui opérationnel jusqu’en 2042. Que se passera-t-il alors après 2042 ? Le Queen Elizabeth ne devra-t-il pas alors être configuré CATOBAR ? La réflexion budgétaire semble faire défaut.

Une perte de profondeur stratégique et de valeur vis-à-vis des alliés

Le fait que l’armée de sa majesté souhaite passer des configurations CATOBAR au STOVL est « une perte de flexibilité stratégique et de potentiel d’expansion sur le long terme … comprennent des problèmes tels que l’intelligence embarquée, la surveillance, la reconnaissance, et la résistance du Carrier Strike dans le cas où le programme F-35 échouerait ou serait retardé ou encore la viabilité sur le long terme du Carrier Strike. » selon Bosbotinis. D’autant plus qu’en « termes opérationnels, l’interface air/navire dans un environnement STOVL n’est pas moins complexe que pour CATOBAR. » Tout cela est sans compter que la valeur ajoutée de l’aviation britannique va être remise en question. La faiblesse qu’elle constituerait au sein d’une alliance européenne (Italie, Danemark, Norvège et Pays Bas disposant du F-35A, plus complet dans ses possibilités de missions) ou du Commonwealth (idem pour le Canada ou l’Australie) pourrait remettre en cause le rapport de force. Sans parler des pertes d’interopérabilité avec l’US Navy qui a décidé, elle, d’acquérir des F-35C en plus des F-35B déjà présents dans sa flotte…


http://www.bruxelles2

Citation :

Parachute partners across the Channel



British and French troops have performed parachute jumps using each other’s aircraft and equipment as they work towards a closer relationship.

Exercise EAGLES VOL saw soldiers from Colchester-based 16 Air Assault Brigade jump alongside their French counterparts from 11e Brigade Parachutiste (11e BP) in Pau, south west France.

Both brigades provide their armies’ rapid reaction forces, held at high readiness to deploy on operations anywhere in the world. They have been tasked to develop a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force for contingency operations, ranging from disaster relief to war fighting.

The exercise saw British paratroopers jump wearing French Ensemble Parachutage Individuel parachutes from a French C-160 Transall aircraft, while French troops jumped from an RAF C-130 Hercules with British Low Level Parachutes. By doing the jumps the soldiers earned the other country’s parachute wings, with a presentation ceremony held on the drop zone.

Experts from Joint Air Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit (JADTEU) also inspected the vehicles and equipment used by 11e BP for airborne operations to assess what could be transported in British aircraft on a joint mission.

Colonel Andrew Jackson, Deputy Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, said: “This exercise has been a major practical step forward in developing our relationship with 11e Brigade Parachutiste, which shares a very similar role and outlook to 16 Air Assault Brigade.

“As airborne troops, there is no better way for us to get to know each other than to parachute together. It has been valuable to see each other’s equipment and procedures, both on the ground and in the air, and learn from the different approaches we take to the same challenges.”

Colonel Xavier Vanden Neste, Deputy Commander of 11e BP, said: “We are glad to welcome our British brothers in arms of the famous 16 Air Assault Brigade to the French parachute training school in Pau.

“A common parachute session is a major opportunity to improve our interoperability and to prepare ourselves technically, physically and psychologically for a future common commitment, hopefully on operations.”

The partnership between the two brigades is part of closer military co-operation between Britain and France following the signing of the Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty in November 2010.


http://bfbs.com

Citation :

Royal Navy Submarine HMS Turbulent Retires

ceremony marking the retirement of Royal Navy submarine HMS Turbulent took place this weekend at Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth.

Turbulent officially left operational service at a decommissioning ceremony on Saturday after nearly 30 years of service, including firing missiles during operations against Libya.

The ceremony marked the end of the distinguished service of the second oldest of the Trafalgar Class submarines with the Royal Navy, the boat having come to the end of her natural operational life.

Guests included the submarine's sponsor Lady Cassidi, twelve previous commanding officers, and family and friends of the submarine and her crew from over the years.

Lady Cassidi paid tribute to the submarine, her crew and the families who supported the vessel when at sea. The submarine's bell was rung for the last time, the decommissioning pennant was lowered on board, a religious service was staged and the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Commando Training Centre Lympstone played.

HMS Turbulent's current Commanding Officer, Commander Nicholas Wheeler, said: "The decommissioning event provides a memorable opportunity to officially decommission Turbulent from her fleet life. It was an opportunity for me to offer my and the Royal Navy's gratitude for the hard work the men of Turbulent have provided me and my predecessors over recent years.

"It is an honour to have Lady Cassidi attend the event as ship's sponsor after many years of unfaltering support."

The submarine has had an active and successful career, fundamental to the defence of the United Kingdom. In 2011 Turbulent deployed from the UK for a longer than normal 268 days, successfully completing a deployment to the Indian Ocean.

HMS Turbulent also provided Tomahawk land attack missile coverage in support of joint operations against the former rulers of Libya and conducted other operations and exercises during which she visited Souda Bay, Fujairah, Bahrain, Goa and Aqaba.

Commander Ryan Ramsey, who captained the submarine in 2011 and now teaches new submarine commanding officers, said:

"This was a chance to celebrate 29-and-a-half years of maintaining service and operations for our country. I came to say goodbye to some amazing people. I was always amazed by the quality of my ship's people when I was serving on submarines and their unfailing ability to deliver security and operations to the UK.

"This was an exceptionally emotional time - to see the end of a submarine which has been so much part of my life and my family's life for several years."

Commander Ramsey added: "It is a great occasion to celebrate the success of the submarine and to see my former ship's company who I led on so many operations - we formed a strong bond which remains. It has also been very rewarding to see how my former team has moved on and developed and been promoted in some cases."

Since being commissioned in 1984 Turbulent has been deployed on patrols as far apart as the North Atlantic and Far East, and saw service in the Adriatic during the Balkans conflict. Trafalgar Class attack submarines were designed as Cold War warriors but have adapted to the demands of the 21st century.

Based in Devonport, the boat's hunter-killer title came from her primary role - to hunt out and destroy enemy nuclear missile submarines as well as surface ships.

That has always been part of her remit, but over the decades the submarine has been kitted out for other roles, including covert surveillance of enemy forces and inshore reconnaissance of installations and landing beaches.

Captain Tim Lightoller (Ret'd) was HMS Turbulent's first commanding officer in 1982 and was a guest of honour at the decommissioning ceremony. He said:

"I must admit to being emotional at seeing the end of HMS Turbulent's service today. I am surprised at how emotional it is. It is a day of mixed emotions for me - a sad day to say farewell to a very happy boat, but there is much to remember of a fantastic life of operational service.

"I was in charge of the boat for its first three years of life and was at the launch with Lady Cassidi and got it through trials and testing and into operational service. It was then the Cold War and our prime role was monitoring Soviet submarine operations and working under the ice in the North Atlantic."

Captain Lightoller's grandfather was Second Officer Charles Lightoller on the liner Titanic and the most senior officer to survive the famous sinking who went on to be decorated for sinking submarines in the First World War.

Captain Lightoller said he had always wanted to be a submariner and served on HMS Rorqual and Opportune before heading submarine sea training in Scotland where he lives. On leaving the Royal Navy he got a job with the National Trust for Scotland.

A former member of Captain Lightoller's crew at the ceremony was ex-Chief Petty Officer Tony Chamberlain who said:

"HMS Turbulent has always been a happy boat and this is obvious today mixing with old shipmates at this event. A highlight was meeting a US boat, the submarine Sea Devil, at the North Pole on Independence Day and being escorted by her and having her captain on board.

"We worked a lot under the ice in northern waters collecting intelligence in the Cold War and testing systems in Norwegian waters. It is great being at this event and catching up with old colleagues."

HMS Turbulent is the second Royal Navy submarine to bear the name. The first was a Triton Class submarine launched in 1941 which served during the Second World War until she was sunk by a mine near to the Maddalena Archipelago off Sardinia in 1943.

The current HMS Turbulent was built by the Vickers shipbuilding company in Barrow-in-Furness, was commissioned in 1982, and has been commanded by thirteen captains.

defpro

Bonsoir tout le monde .

Esque l'arme d'assaut de l’équipe spécial Britannique SAS est le MP5 (SMG) ??

Citation :

UK Accepts First International Lockheed Martin F-35


The UK’s first F-35 Lightning II takes off for its maiden flight.

Bob Stevens: Important ‘first’ among many milestones in F-35 program

15:58 GMT, July 19, 2012 FORT WORTH, Texas | The United Kingdom accepted the first international Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in a ceremony today with senior representatives of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense. The Right Honourable Philip Hammond, U.K. Secretary of State for Defence, and Mr. Frank Kendall, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, represented their governments.

“We are here to celebrate an important ‘first’ among so many milestones associated with the F-35 program,” said Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin chairman and chief executive officer. “It’s fitting that our first delivery to an international partner is to the United Kingdom, because without sustained British innovation over many generations, we would not have an event to celebrate today.”

The U.K. was the first of eight international partners to join the F-35 program and plans to acquire the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Headquartered in the U.K., BAE Systems brings a rich heritage of capabilities to the F-35 program, including short takeoff and vertical landing experience, advanced lean manufacturing, flight testing and air systems sustainment, and is responsible for the F-35’s aft fuselage, fuel system, crew escape and life support systems. The U.K. will play a vital role in the F-35’s global production, follow-on development and sustainment over the next 40 years, bringing strong economic benefits to the country.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th Generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV8-B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.

(Photo: Lockheed Martin)

defpro

Citation :

First UK F-35 Delivery Ceremony
On July 19, 2012, the United Kingdom took delivery of its first F-35 Lightning II jet during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. The jet, BK-1, is an F-35B STOVL model. Here Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, UK Secretary of State for Defence, addresses the crowd.

Dommage que les spanish sont en expédition au iles Jaafari si non pas question de vous

Citation :

HMS Sutherland in gunnery exercises off Gibraltar

HMS Sutherland has stopped off at Gibraltar to take part in a series of gunnery exercises as she begins her six-month deployment.




A sailor onboard HMS Sutherland conducts live firing off Gibraltar
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Ben Sutton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]


The Rock was the first port of call for the Devonport frigate as she makes her way towards the Indian Ocean to take over from HMS Westminster on a counter-terrorism/counter-piracy patrol.

The exercise began with the 30mm cannon set to automatic. The gun can fire up to 200 rounds a minute; a shell leaves the muzzle travelling at around 3,500 feet (3,840km) per second - 2,386mph (3,840km/h) - three times the speed of sound - which means it reaches its maximum range three miles (5km) from the Type 23 frigate in under five seconds.

The live firing was part of a series of naval gunfire support exercises with the Army's 148 Battery Royal Artillery as specialist observers, who also help direct the guns of the Royal Navy in time of conflict; as they did with HMS Sutherland off Libya 12 months ago.




HMS Sutherland's 30mm gun during the live firing exercise off Gibraltar
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Ben Sutton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]


The main 4.5-inch (114mm) gun was also fired up, with shells travelling a little slower, at 2,500 feet (2,743km/h) per second - 1,705mph, or twice the speed of sound, but with greater range (about 12 miles [19km]) and packing much more of a punch.

The exercise allowed the 200-strong ship's company to build on the two intensive spells of training they completed off the South Coast of England, under the wings of the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation in Plymouth, during the past six months.

Once alongside in Gibraltar itself, some of the more active sailors ran the famous Rock Race - run 2.7 miles (4.3km) from the ship to the top of the Rock, climb 1,300 feet (396m), and avoid the resident apes.

One member of Sutherland's Royal Marines detachment decided it would be a challenge to complete the race running backwards (he reached the top in under one hour), and a couple of shipmates both lugged a heavy bag all the way to the top.

HMS Sutherland conducts a live firing exercise with the ship's main gun off Gibraltar
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Ben Sutton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

Sutherland conducts a live firing exercise with the ship's main gun off Gibraltar
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Ben Sutton, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

To give military and civilian staff at Commander British Forces Headquarters an insight into life aboard a Type 23 frigate, Sutherland offered the opportunity for them to join the ship at sea.

Commander Al Wilson, HMS Sutherland's Commanding Officer, said:

"Gibraltar is an iconic visit for sailors of the Royal Navy and always keenly anticipated.

"My ship's company enjoyed the wide variety of sporting and social activity that Gibraltar has to offer, as well as utilising the time to consolidate mission-focussed training ready for operations."

www.mod.uk

Citation :

HiRes






A MQ-9 Reaper sits on the ramp at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, July 10, 2012.

Citation :

UK MOD Signs Trident Support Contract




08:04 GMT, July 30, 2012 The UK Ministry of Defence on Friday, Jul. 27, signed a 15-year contract with ABL Alliance to provide support of the Trident Strategic Weapon System at the Royal Naval Armament Depot (RNAD) Coulport and the Strategic Weapon Support Building (SWSB) Faslane, both of which are part of Her Majesty's (HM) Naval Base Clyde.

RNAD Coulport has provided support to the UK's nuclear deterrent for over 40 years, delivering safe and secure support to both the Polaris and Trident Strategic Weapon Systems. In 2008 the MOD started looking at a range of options to ensure that the work of Coulport, and associated work at the SWSB, can continue to be carried out effectively in the long term, and in May 2011 we decided that the most effective way to sustain the workforce in the future was to use an experienced supplier within the private sector.

Following the conclusion of our commercial negotiations, we have signed a 15-year contract to outsource elements of support at Coulport and the SWSB. The contract is with an industrial alliance of contractors: AWE plc, Babcock and Lockheed Martin UK Strategic Systems (LMUKSS), known collectively as the ABL Alliance, under a prime and strategic sub-contractor arrangement, with AWE plc in the role of prime contractor. This will ensure that the highly skilled workforce at Coulport and in the SWSB can be maintained in the long term, delivering vital support to the Trident system.

All three contractors have extensive experience of supporting the UK's independent nuclear deterrent, gained over many years: AWE plc has successfully run the Atomic Weapons Establishment under Government Owned Contractor Operated (GOCO) arrangements since 2000, so this new arrangement is a natural extension of their current role in supporting the nuclear warhead carried by our Trident missiles. In addition, Babcock carries out all our major submarine maintenance at Devonport Dockyard, and already plays a major role in submarine support at HM Naval Base Clyde; and LMUKSS is part of the consortium that owns AWE plc, and has an existing role in providing Strategic Weapon System support in the SWSB and at Coulport. With their impressive track records, I am confident that these companies have the knowledge and experience to operate Coulport and the SWSB to the high standards we expect, and will build on the skills of the existing workforce.

Under these arrangements 149 MOD civilian posts will transfer to ABL Alliance under the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) Regulations (2006). The staff transferring are specialist SWS industrial and technical grades, warehousing operatives, logistic support services, supervisors and managers. In addition, 39 Royal Navy posts will be seconded to the alliance. The Department has already engaged extensively with the relevant Trade Unions, and this will continue as the formal TUPE consultation process now takes place. Subject to the successful completion of this further consultation, and on conclusion of a six-month transition phase, Vesting Day will take place, which will mark the formal start of the new arrangement. This is currently scheduled for January 2013.

HM Naval Base Clyde has an excellent safety record and we are determined to maintain the highest standards of safety. The MOD will continue to own the Naval Base sites, including Coulport, and Naval Base Commander Clyde will retain overall responsibility for security and for the activities carried out at Coulport and the SWSB. The site will also continue to be a MOD Nuclear Authorised site, so will be subject to regulation by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator, the Office of Nuclear Regulation and other regulatory bodies.

defpro