Armée Britannique/British Armed Forces

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Citation :

Commercial Sale of Type 22 Frigates


(Source: UK Ministry of Defence; issued Dec. 17, 2012)



It is the Disposal Services Authority (DSA) intention to invite expressions of interest in tendering for the Type 22 Frigates (HMS Chatham, HMS Campbeltown, HMS Cumberland and HMS Cornwall) for the following:
•Further Use
•Sinking for an Artificial reef
•Recycling

At this stage the DSA does not require interested parties to specify which Vessel/s they wish to bid for.

It is the DSA intention to award at least one vessel to a UK Ship Recycler; this is in part to secure detailed knowledge of the UK’s capacity to recycle vessels. Any decision to award to a UK Ship Recycling company will be made in accordance with transparent and objective evaluation criteria which will be issued at the Invitation to Tender stage.

All interested parties should note that only Bidders that have completed and passed a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the vessels and allowed access to view the vessel.

The vessels are moored at Portsmouth and will be sold from there.

The DSA are planning on hosting viewings 25th February - 15th March 2013.

As previously requested all bidders intending to undertake inspection of the vessels will be required to wear the correct PPE clothing i.e. steel toecap boots, high vis jackets (overalls optional). Please be assured that if you do not have steel toecap boots on arrival you will be refused access to the vessels.

Only Bidders that have received a copy of the ITT will be allowed access to inspect the vessels.

Bidders should not book travel until they have received a copy of the ITT and understood the requirements.

A copy of the PQQ can be down loaded from the bottom of this page or you can e-mail the DSA’s Commercial section requesting a copy at deslcsls-dsa-comrcl-3b@mod.uk

The closing date for returning the PQQ to the DSA and expression of interest is 17.00 GMT Wednesday 23rd January 2013.

-- HMS CUMBERLAND
formally a Warship Frigate F85 was built at Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow UK in 1988 and is now lying at HMNB Portsmouth. The vessel ceased service on the 23rd September 2011 and is due to be tendered early 2013.
All interested parties should beware that only companies that have successfully completed a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an invitation to tender for this vessel.

-- HMS CAMPBELTOWN
formally a Warship Frigate F86 was built at Cammell Laird ship yard Birkenhead UK in 1987 and is now lying at HMNB Portsmouth. The vessel ceased service on the 7th July 2011 and is due to be tendered early 2013.
All interested parties should beware that only companies that have successfully completed a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an invitation to tender for this vessel.

-- HMS CHATHAM
formally a Warship Frigate F87 was built at Swan Hunters Shipbuilders in Wallsend UK in 1989, and is now lying at HMNB Portsmouth. The vessel ceased service on the 20th October 2011 and is due to be tendered early 2013.
All interested parties should beware that only companies that have successfully completed a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an invitation to tender for this vessel.

-- HMS CORNWALL
formally a Warship, Frigate F99 was built at Yarrow Shipbuilders, Glasgow UK in 1988 and is now lying at HMNB Portsmouth. The vessel ceased service on the 20th October 2011 and is due to be tendered early 2013. All interested parties should beware that only companies that have successfully completed a Pre Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be sent an invitation to tender for this vessel.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/141126/uk-to-sell-off-four-type-22-frigates.html

Citation :

Navy sub's radiation leak scare

BRITAIN’S nuclear fleet suffered a dangerous setback last night after a submarine was docked for emergency repairs following a ‘radiation incident’.


HMS tireless could be docked for up to 10 months
HMS Tireless may face up to ten months in dry dock at Devonport naval base where, last night, engineers were “planning” repair works.

Her absence from operations has reduced Britain’s hunter-killer fleet to just five submarines instead of the recommended seven plus a spare needed to carry out vital duties, including protecting the UK’s Trident missile-carrying Vanguard submarines. Of those five HMS Astute, Britain’s brand new £1.2bn attack sub, is still not fully operational, and at least one other is undergoing maintenance.

The dramatic incident happened as the, 4,800 tonne Trafalgar class submarine was taking part in a training exercise for new officers off the west coast of Scotland ten days ago.

Navy chiefs ordered it to limp back to the Royal Naval submarine base at Faslane on the Clyde, where engineers inspected the ageing 30-year old reactor system.

It comes just weeks after the ballistic nuclear-powered submarine HMS Vigilant was stranded in the United States after its rudder broke during a deployment after a £350 million mid-life refit.

Launched in 1984, HMS Tireless was due to decommissioned from the fleet this year, but her service was extended for another four years due to the delay in the roll out of the new Astute class submarines.

The boat made naval history in 2011 when she returned to Plymouth after a ten-and-a-half-month deployment east of Suez, the longest for a Royal Naval submarine.

However it is the second time that “HMS Tired”, as she has been dubbed, has been forced to spend almost a year out of action due to reactor problems.

In May 2000 she was stranded at Gibraltar, where she stayed for 12 months, after being forced to make an “emergency call’ at the port following a radiation leak during a patrol in the Mediterranean.

It was later revealed that the submarine’s pressurised water reactor had suffered a crack in its coolant system, which could in a worst-case scenario result in the uranium rods being exposed.

Both Gibraltar and Spain lodged protests to the British government about the dangers posed, and Royal Navy maintenance workers forced to run a daily gauntlet through protestors as they battled to repair her. Repairs were thought to cost in the region of £200 million.

Earlier in 1993 the submarine suffered a minor fire aboard, then in 2007 a fire broke out when the submarine patrolled was under the Arctic ice cap, killing two sailors Paul McCann and Anthony Huntrod.
Speaking last night former First Sea Lord Admiral Lord West said: “Clearly it is important to be cautious when dealing with nuclear submarines.

“However, it is a fact that T-class submarines are old, with operating systems designed more than 30 years ago. Because of problems in ordering the new Astute class submarines, they are replacing T-Class boats later than one would have hoped.

“We just can’t afford problems like this. We need to have eight SSNs in our locker to be able to carry out the tasks required, of which one is always undergoing deep maintenance.

“Now it looks a though we are dropping to as low as five.

“The problems with running with such tight numbers is that if there’s suddenly a problem like this, it effects operational capability.”

Andy Smith of the UK National Defence Association, said: “The problems with HMS Tireless illustrate the folly of trying to have 'defence on the cheap' and failing to upgrade or replace equipment due to political short-sightedness and a defence policy dictated by the treasury rather than the military.”

A Royal Navy spokesman said: “HMS Tireless returned to Devonport Naval Base last week for repair following a small coolant leak that was contained within the sealed reactor compartment. There is no risk to the public, the environment or the crew.”

www.express.co.uk

Franchement ils sont a la ramasse les Anglais question Sm. Sans l'aisde Américaine il n'y a rien de bon dans leur chantier........

Citation :

UK Royal Artillery rolls out new structure
By Tim Ripley
2/18/2013
Three rapid reaction regiments equipped with a mix of BAE Systems AS90 155 mm self-propelled guns and Lockheed Martin Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) are to form the warfighting core of the British Army's artillery branch from the middle of this year.

The restructuring of the Royal Artillery follows from last July's launch of the Army 2020 project to downsize the British Army from 100,000 to 82,000 soldiers by the middle of the decade.

As a result of these changes every British Army artillery regiment is being reorganised, with one regiment disbanded, a net loss of four battery-sized sub units and several hundred posts lost across the Royal Artillery, according to a briefing on the restructure seen by IHS Jane's . "The majority of these Army 2020 implementations will be phased in from mid-2013," said the briefing.

Under the new structure the three armoured brigades of the high-readiness reaction force will each have a close-support regiment, made up of three batteries of AS90 and one precision fire battery of GMLRS and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike Non-Line-Of-Sight Exactor precision-guided missiles, if funding can be found to bring the latter weapon back from Afghanistan.

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065976367&channel=defence

Citation :

RAF takes delivery of BAe 146 C3 transports
The UK Royal Air Force has accepted two freshly modified BAe 146 quick change transports, with the pair to be deployed to Afghanistan following the completion of training activities and electronic warfare system trials.
Previously operated by TNT Airways, the passenger/freighter aircraft have been brought up to the new C3 operating standard under an urgent operational requirement deal contracted with BAE Systems during 2012. Now in grey service markings, the aircraft carry the military registrations ZE707 and ZE708.

Peter Foster

Both 146-200QC aircraft will perform flight trials over the Donna Nook weapons range in Lincolnshire to test the performance of their newly installed self-protection equipment. Work to bring them to the RAF's theatre entry standard for Afghanistan has included the installation of two directional infrared countermeasures turrets beneath the tail and one below the forward fuselage, along with flare dispensers.
Acquired to help meet the UK's intra-theatre lift requirements inside Afghanistan, the transports have been purchased and modified under a programme worth an eventual £47 million ($72.7 million), according to figures released by the UK National Audit Office. They will be assigned to the RAF's 32 (The Royal) Sqn, which already operates two BAe 146s in the -100 standard for VIP transport tasks from the service's Northolt base in north London.
The Ministry of Defence says the new assets will be deployed to Afghanistan following the completion of training, test and acceptance activities, with its expectation being for their introduction during "spring 2013".

/www.flightglobal.com

Citation :

Thales awarded sonar contracts for 6th and 7th Astute Class boats




25 February 2013

Thales UK has been awarded contracts to supply the Sonar 2076
fully-integrated search and attack submarine sonar system for the UK Royal
Navy’s sixth and seventh Astute Class submarines.


Thales will supply the sonar system to BAE Systems Maritime - Submarines, the
prime contractor for the Astute Class build, to be fitted to the submarines at
its shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.
The complete sonar system supplied by Thales will comprise both inboard and
outboard of the bow, fin, intercept and flank arrays, and the associated inboard
processing. Thales has now been contracted to supply Sonar 2076 for all seven
Astute Class boats.

The Astute Class platform is also fitted with a significant number of other
Thales sensors and systems, including two non-hull penetrating CM010 optronic
masts that, together with Sonar 2076, effectively provide the submarine with its
‘eyes and ears’.

Thales also supplies the electronic support measures (ESM) system, which has
two multifunction antenna arrays mounted on the masts. These are designed to
monitor the electronic environment around the submarine to provide situational
awareness of other platforms equipped with radar systems operating in the
area.

Other Thales equipment onboard includes the ECB680 communications and SEEPIRB
emergency beacon buoys and an ultra-high frequency satellite communications
antenna.

Ian Hawkes, Head of Combat Systems, BAE Systems Maritime - Submarines, said:
“BAE Systems is pleased to award Thales UK these important contracts for the
sonar systems for the sixth and seventh Astute Class submarines. Placing these
contracts not only continues a well-established and enduring relationship with
Thales UK, it also helps the submarine enterprise to meet the submarine
programme affordability challenge, by obtaining economy of scale through batch
procuring the sonar.”

Phil Naybour, head of Thales UK’s naval business, said: “Thales is proud
to be supplying Sonar 2076 for all seven Astute Class submarines. This
successful programme reflects the skill and dedication of our teams in Cheadle
and Templecombe, and also the close support and cooperation we have received
from BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence.”

Captain Martyn Williams, Submarines Combat Systems Team Leader for the MOD’s
Defence, Equipment and Support Organisation, said: “With advanced stealth
technology, the Astute Class has been designed to be quieter than any of her
predecessors and is very hard to detect. These sonars deliver world-beating
capabilities that, together with the other sensors, ensure that these submarines
can operate in the most challenging environments and against the most
challenging of threats.”

www.thalesgroup.com

Citation :

UK and French Armies conduct Exercise Steel Sabre
26 February 2013
The British Army is conducting a joint live firing artillery exercise, Steel Sabre, with French Army personnel at Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland, UK.

Around 1,600 personnel from 18 British regular and reserve regiments are participating in the exercise, alongside soldiers of the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment and 40 French troops to enhance their readiness for contingency operations.

The two-week exercise aims to train UK artillery units for future missions, including being part of contingency forces, such as the Airborne Task Force or commando lead elements.

Commenting on the exercise, 1st (UK) Armoured Division Royal Artillery commander brigadier Simon Humphrey, who is responsible for coordinating the exercise activities, said the drill brought together all the components of an effective artillery group to train in delivering fire-power on the battlefield.

The Royal Artillery live firing exercise serves as an indication of how the UK Army will function in the future, as a significant number of reservists are being integrated alongside their full-time counterparts.

Exercise Steel Sabre represents one of several joint exercises scheduled being conducted by the two countries this year, as part of a declaration on defence and security co-operation agreement signed between UK Prime Minister David Cameron and then French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the UK-France Summit in London in November 2010.

Aimed at seeking greater focus on joint training between the two armies, the agreement also enhances further cooperation in nuclear safety, cybersecurity and international security domains.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsuk-and-french-armies-conduct-exercise-steel-sabre

Citation :

UK defence equipment management 'unacceptable'
By Nicholas de Larrinaga
3/1/2013
There are "serious problems" with the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) management of its equipment inventory, the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has found.

In its report, "Ministry of Defence: Managing the defence inventory", published on 28 February, the PAC noted that while there was "honest acceptance" within the MoD of its problems in managing its inventory, barely any progress had been made improving it.

"The need for the Department to improve its management of inventory was identified by the National Audit Office as far back as 1991, but long-standing issues have not been addressed. The Department has had no overall inventory management strategy, and its management and accountability structures have failed to provide any incentive for teams to ensure that the right level of inventory is held," the PAC report stated.

Particular problems included skill gaps within the MoD and the lack of adequate processes to prevent the over-ordering or disposing of excess equipment. Between April 2009 and March 2011, the PAC noted, the MoD ordered 38% more "raw materiel and consumable inventory, such as clothing or ammunition" than it used - worth some GBP1.5 billion (USD2.3 billion).

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065976622&channel=defence

Citation :

UK signs A400M training, self-protection deals








Eighteen months ahead of receiving its first of the aircraft, the UK Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth more than a combined £300 million ($450 million) linked to the training service and self-protection equipment for its Airbus Military A400M airlifters.
Announced at the type's future main operating base with the Royal Air Force at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on 1 March, the deals will support the UK's eventually 22-strong fleet of Atlas tactical transports.

Craig Hoyle/Flightglobal Development aircraft "Grizzly 4" visited RAF Brize Norton on 1 March

Work to build a UK training school for the A400M had already started at the site in advance of a £226 million contract signature between the MoD and a joint venture between Airbus Military and Thales Training and Simulation. Under the 18-year deal, the A400M Training Services company will provide services and equipment including two full flight simulators, computer-based training systems and a loadmaster workstation.
The first pilot training course to use the infrastructure is due to be launched in April 2015, says Flt Lt Chris Aston, a pilot assigned to the RAF's 24 Sqn training unit for the new type. The service's first instructors are due to begin their conversion to the A400M around the middle of 2013, at Airbus Military's San Pablo site in Seville, Spain.
Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing with regard to a joint in-service support model to be contracted with the airframer by the French and UK defence ministries. Talks are currently focused on an initial two-year deal to run from mid-2014, with a follow-on element to extend this by a further 10 years, says Richard Thompson, chief executive of Airbus Military UK.
The MoD also has announced an £80 million order with Northrop Grumman to provide large aircraft infrared countermeasures equipment to protect the UK's A400Ms in operational use. This will include the same defensive aids installation as currently used with RAF types including the Boeing C-17 strategic transport.
Production activities linked to the UK's first A400M are already under way, with the all-composite wing for aircraft MSN16 having recently been placed in a jig in Filton, Bristol. This and other main structures for the transport are due to arrive at Airbus Military's San Pablo final assembly line around June. The aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Brize Norton in September 2014.
Current plans call for the Atlas to achieve in-service status with the RAF in March 2015, following the arrival of its seventh aircraft. An official linked to the UK's A400M acquisition says the nation's final example is due to be delivered during 2021.
Meanwhile, Airbus Military's first production A400M is on track to perform its debut flight from Seville during the week of 4 March, according to the company. One of four Atlas transports scheduled to be delivered during 2013, MSN7 is the first of 50 aircraft on order for the French air force. It was due to perform a high-speed rejected take-off test on 1 March; one of the final hurdles to be cleared before it can be flown for the first time.

www.flightglobal.com

Le HMS Astute ... il est devenu moche après l'ajout de ce truc.. je rappelle qu'il a connu beaucoup de probs et un accident druant ses premiers séries d'essais

Citation :

British Troops To Leave Germany by 2019
Mar. 5, 2013 - 01:13PM | By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE |

LONDON — British troops will leave Germany by 2019 — a year earlier than planned — ending one of the enduring legacies of World War II, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said Monday.

Unveiling a 1.8 billion-pound ($2.7 billion, 2.1 billion euros) plan, Hammond said around 4,000 troops had already returned and another 11,000 would move back by 2016. The remaining 4,500 will be back in Britain by 2019.

The government had previously said that all British troops in Germany and their families would be home by 2020.

The speeded-up return of the troops will lead to a shake-up of army bases to accommodate them when they return. Four will close, and parts of three others will shut to allow resources to be concentrated on bases where the returning forces will be stationed.

They will be based at seven sites, including Salisbury Plain in southwest England, Edinburgh and Leuchars in Scotland, Catterick in northern England and Colchester in southeast England.

There has been a British army presence in Germany for 70 years, but the end of the Cold War necessitated a change in thinking.

Hammond told parliament: “The return of the British Army from Germany marks the end of an era, and I want to put on record the huge debt of gratitude we owe to the German government and the German people for the support, both moral and material, they have shown our Armed Forces over more than six decades.”

The plan will see around 1 billion pounds of the funding go toward 1,900 new houses for service families and accommodation for 7,800 single soldiers. Another 800 million pounds will be spent on infrastructure and refurbishment of bases.

http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130305/DEFREG01/303050014/British-Troops-Leave-Germany-by-2019?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

les regions touchés ont commencé a pleurnicher ils aiment les bases etrangeres ici

Yakuza a écrit:

les regions touchés ont commencé a pleurnicher ils aiment les bases etrangeres ici

En general, qu'est-ce qui arrive aux anciennes bases ?

le Bund les reprenne et soit ca reste marginalisé(majorté) ou ca va comme lieux des asylés

Citation :

RAF and Danish Helicopter Crews Train Together for Afghanistan


(Source: U.K Ministry of Defence; issued March 6, 2013)



RAF helicopter crews have exercised with their counterparts from the Royal Danish Air Force in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.

Exercise Pashtun Jaguar saw various units from Joint Helicopter Command deploy to Salisbury Plain to support 1st Mechanized Brigade’s final training prior to deployment to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick 18.

Commanding the Danish contingent was Major Finn Christensen. He explained that working with the RAF was nothing new:

“We have operated with the RAF in Iraq and Afghanistan with Squirrel helicopters. We have a lot of things in common and a mutual understanding of how we operate. This exercise will enable us to plug in at both staff and operational level in Afghanistan.”

The Danes deployed 2 of their 14 EH101 Merlin helicopters from their base at Karup to Netheravon for the final 2 weeks of the mission rehearsal exercise, which Major Christensen deemed a great success:

“It’s gone brilliantly. The 2 crews we are training here [as instructors] have been at Benson for 4 years and in Afghanistan flying with the RAF Merlin squadrons.”

“Mixed formation flying with the UK helicopters enables us to practise the techniques and procedures used in Afghanistan with the units we would operate alongside. The good thing is the flexibility of airspace and the larger areas in which to fly low-level than we have in Denmark. This gives us a lot of new ways to challenge our crews.”

He added:

“On the exercise we have the framework of troops on the ground and the battle rhythm so we can develop and participate at the same time.”

The Danes operated closely with both RAF and Army helicopters but in particular with Merlin-equipped 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron.

RAF Merlin HC3 helicopters of 28 (Army Cooperation) Squadron at Netheravon Airfield Camp [Picture: Wing Commander Dylan Eklund, Crown copyright]
Flight Lieutenant Jack Longbottom, the squadron’s Junior Engineering Officer, said:

“It’s been great to operate with the Danes. The relationship is good and we’ve shared knowledge and experience. We’ve taken the opportunity to look at their aircraft and role equipment and supported them with ground equipment support, tooling and experience.”

Operating in the field is what the Merlin Force does and my team have taken this in their stride. It’s been enjoyable to operate alongside our Danish colleagues who have been very receptive to our support.”

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/143230/danish%2C-uk-crews-train-together-for-afghanistan.html

Citation :

British Warship to Join US MDA R&D Trials

Building on its relationship with the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) a Royal Navy Type 45 frigate will take part in major research trials.
The joint Ministry of Defence and industry-run UK Missile Defence Centre (MDC) has agreed to take part in trials which will include testing the Sampson radar, part of the Sea Viper missile system, in detecting and tracking ballistic targets.
While there is no programme to fit Type 45 with Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (TBMD) capability, much of the MDC’s research over recent years has been geared towards understanding potential the Royal Navy’s newest destroyers may have in this arena.

Simon Pavitt, Head of the MDC, remarked on the new research and development approach:
"It will be a step change to be able to work so closely with such a ship in an emerging area of Defence. Working with an operational platform will make a significant difference to our level of understanding and could contribute both financially and technically towards any future programme."

The MDA regularly conducts similar trials to test and verify the US military’s BMD systems. Including a Type 45 in one of these events for the first time, allows the two allies to closely cooperate with each other. HMS Daring , the first of the Type 45 Class, is no stranger to operating with the US Navy, having completed several training exercises in both US and UK waters. HMS Daring’s recent deployment to the Gulf included several joint operational missions.

The UK Missile Defence Centre was established in 2003 following signature of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK and US on how to jointly conduct ballistic defence studies. By establishing a joint industry and MOD centre the UK government can best meet the UK’s long-term policy and research requirements.

http://www.marinelink.com

futur HMS Queen Elizabeth





son assemblage ...

Citation :

UK MOD awards A400M Atlas training service contract to Thales and Airbus Military



Thales UK and Airbus Military have signed an 18-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to supply training services for the A400M Atlas, the Royal Air Force’s next-generation military transport aircraft.

The multi-million pound training services programme will be operated by A400M Training Services Ltd, a joint venture between Thales UK and Airbus Military. The training services will include the design, construction and management of the A400M Atlas training school, the installation and maintenance of full flight simulators and all synthetic training equipment, and support to the RAF’s own course design team and training staff.

The training school will be built at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, with work planned to complete in spring 2014. The school will train a range of aircrew and groundcrew in how to operate and maintain the RAF’s 22 A400M Atlas aircraft.

The contract and associated simulator orders are expected to sustain up to 300 long-term jobs, principally at RAF Brize Norton and at Thales UK’s facility in Crawley, West Sussex, where the simulators are being built, and also in Airbus Military.

Marion Broughton, head of Thales UK’s military aerospace business, said: “This contract award demonstrates yet again that Thales is a key MOD partner in the provision of training services. It also continues our long association with RAF Brize Norton where we already provide VC10, TriStar and Voyager training services. We look forward to providing further services to the RAF’s next generation of air support aircraft.”

http://www.thalesgroup.com

Citation :

KBR contracts Vikoma for additional powerpacks supplies to UK MoD
8 March 2013
Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) has awarded a contract to Vikoma International to supply rugged and portable powerpack equipment to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Awarded as part of the MoD's joint operational fuel system (JOFS) project, the £2.5m contract covers production and delivery of rugged and portable hydraulic powerpacks to support ground vehicle and aircraft refuelling operations of the UK armed forces.

The company will also supply an undisclosed number of fuel tanker rollover kits to the MoD.

Vikoma managing director Peter Tyler was quoted by media sources as saying that the powerpacks have been designed to operate under extreme conditions, and have also completed rigorous testing prior to receiving approval from the MoD.

"Our track record in the manufacture of these products impressed KBR as did our ability to engineer a solution that meets the stringent requirements of operating in extreme temperatures, as well as at high-altitude and in very sandy conditions," Tyler added.The powerpacks are responsible for delivery of the hydraulic drive needed for operation of refuelling pumps, which enable fuel transfer, storage and issue under extreme weather conditions and harsh environments.

The rollover kits are inflatable tanks, which have been designed to stop them rolling over by capturing any spilt fuel during accidents.

A wide range of powerpacks, including heavy-duty powerpack (HDP) and medium-duty powerpacks (MDPs) has already been supplied by the company to the UK military as part of a previous £2m contract awarded by KBR in January 2010.

The powerpacks were successfully used by the MoD for more than two years to improve refuelling capacity in Afghanistan and the Falkland Islands.

Delivery schedule of the latest contract has not been disclosed by the company.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newskbr-contracts-vikoma-additional-powerpacks-supplies-uk-mod

Citation :

UK basing plan creating specialist unit hubs
By Tim Ripley
3/8/2013
A series of specialist hubs are being created by the British Army to concentrate on key enabling capabilities and units to improve operational efficiency, training, and personnel retention.

Details of the efforts emerged in the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) army basing plan, announced on 5 March by Defence Secretary Philip Hammond.

The creation of the hubs follows the British Army's effort to concentrate the majority of its troops and major units in seven regional centres in the United Kingdom. One of these regional centres is to predominately contain logistic units and another involves specialist communications units.

From the documentation released by Hammond it has emerged that there are also a number of smaller hubs where other specialist units have been concentrated. This is in order to move them closer to training areas and similar units from other UK armed services or US forces. Army officers have told IHS Jane's that the moves are aimed at reducing disruption to the highly trained personnel in these units to increase retention rates.

The Royal Artillery has created specialist hubs for its ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition & reconnaissance) and air-defence units.

http://www.janes.com/products/janes/defence-security-report.aspx?ID=1065976992&channel=defence

Citation :

New trial for UK Missile Defence Centre

The UK Missile Defence Centre (MDC), in collaboration with its industry partners, has
announced a programme to explore the potential of the Royal Navy’s destroyers to
conduct Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (TBMD) missions.
It follows on from successful satellite tracking experiments using BAE Systems’
Cowes based Sampson radar, which is fitted to the Type 45 Class.
Building on its relationship with the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the joint
Ministry of Defence and industry-run MDC has agreed to take part in a trial which will
include for the first time a RN Type 45 taking part in a major research and
development programme. This will include testing the Sampson radar, part of the
Sea Viper missile system, in detecting and tracking ballistic targets.
While there is no programme to fit Type 45 with TBMD capability, much of the MDC’s
research over recent years has been geared towards understanding any potential the
Royal Navy’s newest destroyers may have in this arena.
Simon Pavitt, Head of the MDC, remarked on the new approach to research and
development: “It will be a step change to be able to work so closely with such a ship
in an emerging area of Defence. Working with an operational platform will make a
significant difference to our level of understanding and could contribute both
financially and technically towards de-risking any future programme.”
The MDA regularly conducts similar trials to test and verify the US military’s BMD
systems, including that of the US Navy’s AEGIS ships. The invitation to include a
Type 45 in one of these events provides the first of such an opportunity and will allow
the two allies to continue their close cooperation in fostering interoperability between
their navies. HMS DARING, the first of the Type 45 Class, is no stranger to operating
with the US Navy having completed several training exercises in both US and UK
waters. HMS DARING’s recent deployment to the Gulf included several joint
operational missions.

www.dstl.gov.uk

Citation :

RAF puts Typhoon upgrade through paces during Red Flag

The UK Royal Air Force is using a new upgrade to its Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft during exercise Red Flag 13-3 in the USA, with the enhancement to also soon be embodied with all its early production examples of the type.


Crown Copyright

BAE Systems, which developed the enhancements package, says the activity "provides capability upgrades to a wide range of Typhoon avionic systems, covering the displays and controls, attack and identification, defensive aids and communication subsystems". The programme also involves Germany's national support centre for the Eurofighter.

The first flight of a modified aircraft was performed at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire in May 2012, BAE says, with the new standard having been formally assessed during a High Rider series exercise late in the same year.

"The Drop 2 upgrade has been successfully evaluated and will now be embodied onto the [RAF's] wider Tranche 1 fleet," the UK's Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation says. "The initial roll-out has targeted the aircraft participating in the Red Flag high intensity air-to-air combat exercise being conducted at Nellis AFB in February/March 2013, with the remaining frontline squadrons receiving the upgrade shortly thereafter."

Nine Typhoons from the RAF's 11 Sqn are participating in the multinational Red Flag 13-3 manoeuvres from the Nevada base, with Panavia Tornado GR4 strike aircraft from the service's Lossiemouth-based 12 Sqn also involved.

Other Eurofighter operators are also looking to incorporate the improvements brought with the latest modification, according to the DE&S. "The participating nations within the Drop programme have taken a keen interest in what the Royal Air Force has achieved with this modification, and are now looking to embody the Drop 2 product onto their Tranche 1 aircraft," it says.

http://www.flightglobal.com

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HMS Duncan prepares for Portsmouth arrival

THE Royal Navy’s sixth and final new Type 45 destroyer is preparing to sail to Portsmouth for the first time.

HMS Duncan has been built by BAE Systems at its Scotstoun shipyard in Glasgow.

Workers there are preparing to say farewell to the last in the line of new destroyers, which will all be based in Portsmouth.

Today The News was invited on an exclusive tour of the 8,000-tonne warship ahead of the first journey to her new home port of Portsmouth.

She will sail from Glasgow on Friday before arriving in the city on Wednesday for an official handover ceremony.

Commander James Stride, the ship’s commanding officer, told The News: ‘I’m very excited.

‘It’s a great honour to take command of a ship and particularly a brand new Type 45 destroyer. I’m looking forward to sailing in to Portsmouth for the first time.

‘It will be a big moment.

‘I’m looking forward to getting the ship and its crew ready for deployments.’

HMS Duncan is the seventh Royal Navy ship to be named after Scottish Admiral Adam Duncan, but this destroyer has more than a few individual attributes.

Throughout the messes, control rooms and wardroom, a specially-commissioned tartan design adorns the ship’s walls and seating areas.

Jennifer Osbaldestin is the Type 45 project director for BAE Systems.

She said: ‘There is obviously a tinge of sadness among the workers here but that is far outweighed by our pride.

‘They are fantastic ships.

‘We have ripped up the rule book and completely redesigned destroyers with these Type 45s.

‘One of my favourite moments is when you bring the ship’s company on board for the first time and their reaction when they see it all for the first time is just awe.

‘She will be missed up here, but the people of Portsmouth have something to look forward to.’

HMS Duncan is the sixth in the line of Type 45 destroyers after Daring, Dauntless, Diamond, Dragon and Defender.

The first Type 45, HMS Daring, entered Portsmouth for the first time in 2009.

They are the largest and most powerful destroyers ever built for the Royal Navy

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk

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UK Army Riflemen enhances readiness with field training exercise
15 March 2013
The UK Army's 5th Battalion The Rifles (5 Rifles) soldiers have conducted a training exercise with Warrior infantry fighting vehicles at the Sennelager Training Area in Germany, in an effort to maintain readiness for providing military support.

Carried out in sub-zero temperatures, the three-week exercise saw participation from 484 riflemen, and included dry training and live-firing in mounted, dismounted and integrated roles within a return to contingency scenarios.

Originally focused at preparing the battalion for the Bavarian Charger exercise in June 2013, the drill also aimed to ensure riflemen were fully ready as an armoured infantry unit for any future deployments.

Following their return after operating as a ground-holding battle group in Afghanistan, the battalion is scheduled to serve as part of the UK's reactive forces under the Army 2020 announcement.

Commenting on the exercise, 5 Rifles commanding officer lieutenant colonel Charles Collins said: "Each level has been tested, from fire team to company headquarters to our logistic echelons, and we are now in a better position for exercises in Bavaria and Canada later in the year, as well as for any return to contingency and our armoured infantry future under Army 2020."

Captain Iain Hardman added: "This is the most thorough level one collective training exercise I have been on and I am confident we are not only ready for our level three collective training exercise in Bavaria but also for any challenges the future may hold."

The exercise also featured an obstacle crossing manoeuvre by armoured vehicles, with Challenger 2 tanks from C Squadron of the Queen's Royal Hussars providing overwatch.

Currently based in Paderborn, Germany, 5 RIFLES are part of the 20th Armoured Brigade, and are scheduled to be based in Bulford from 2016, under the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) recent rebasing announcement.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsuk-army-riflemen-enhances-readiness-field-training-exercise

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No tanker role for UK A400Ms
The UK has no requirement to use its future fleet of Airbus Military A400M Atlas tactical transports in a secondary tanker role, minister for defence equipment, support and technology Philip Dunne has confirmed.

"The Ministry of Defence has recently refreshed its study into requirements for air-to-air refuelling capability," Dunne said on 14 March. "This concluded that [the A330] Voyager will meet all requirements; therefore, there is no need for an air-to-air refuelling capability by the A400M Atlas."

Three aircraft from an eventual core fleet of nine Voyagers are in Royal Air Force use, under a private finance initiative deal with the AirTanker consortium. The modified A330s are being used in a passenger transport role, pending release-to-service approval for the type's air-to-air refuelling system - a milestone which AirTanker has previously described as "imminent".

A total of 14 A330s will be provided under the UK's Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme, with five of these to made available for third-party use but kept at short-notice readiness to support a surge in operations, if required.

Airbus Military is scheduled to deliver the RAF's first of 22 A400Ms to the service's Brize Norton air base in Oxfordshire in September 2014, with two further examples to follow later the same year. Eight more will be handed over to the UK in 2015, with the type also due to achieve in-service status in March of that year.

Deliveries to the RAF will continue with the transfer of six aircraft in 2016 and two each during the following two years, before a gap to the planned acceptance of its last example in 2021.


The A400M will be delivered with an in-built tanker capability, with some nations expected to acquire hose-and-drogue refuelling pods and/or hose drum units to provide an in-flight refuelling capability to support fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/no-tanker-role-for-uk-a400ms-383509/?cmpid=SOC|FGFG|twitterfeed|Flightglobal

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Roke to lead UK MoD's DCCS research programme
18 March 2013
Roke Manor Research has been awarded a contract to lead the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD) Dismounted Close Combat Sensors (DCCS) research programme over the next three years.

Under the £5m research contract, awarded by the MoD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the company will lead a team of experts from across industry and academia to assess, mature and integrate innovative sensor technology for dismounted close combat infantry soldier.

Comprising SEA and QinetiQ, the DCCS team will carry out a comprehensive system integration, architecture and experimentation with an array of technology and exploitation partners in an open framework, to assess and integrate sensor technologies.

Dstl C4ISR Domain programme lead Dr David Massey said the programme was for delivering an integrated sensor capability within the wider intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) enterprise to the UK's dismounted soldier, improving battlespace awareness and overall combat effectiveness.

Over the next three years, Roke, along with its partners, will be developing the key low-power, low-weight sensor and processing technologies that will realise the benefits envisaged," Massey said.

Roke business sector manager James Fisher said the team would provide a complete range of industry and technology expertise to optimise the programme's results.

"The team will be casting the net wide to identify novel sensor technologies, developing them into workable solutions that improve military capability and maximise the return on this programme's investment," Fisher added.

Additional responsibility for Roke includes collaboration with Dstl to ensure the programme objectives are addressed.

The DCCS programme primarily seeks the development of an open system architecture system, in compliance with the developing Generic Soldier Architecture (GSA), to enable the incorporation of multiple sensor-based subsystems, including acoustic, thermal imaging and RF subsystems.

In addition to improving situational awareness, the system will also allow for collaborative targeting and increase operational tempo, while reducing size, weight and logistics burden on the soldier.

http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsroke-lead-uk-mods-dccs-research-programme