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 :

Londres achète deux Zephyr 8


Dans Actualité Défense, Actualité drones militaires
Publié le 05/02/2016 à 17h19, par George de Bonadona


Initialement développé par QinetiQ, le programme et son équipe ont été racheté par Airbus en 2013. © Airbus DS


La Grande-Bretagne va acquérir 2 exemplaires du drone expérimental Zephyr 8, au standard Initial Operational Capability (IOC). Produit par Airbus Defence and Space, le drone a été pensé pour emporter de petites charges, telles que des capteurs optiques et thermiques. Londres voudrait tester ses capacités d’observation. Selon Michael Fallon, Secrétaire d'Etat à la Défense cité par la revue Jane’s, le contrat s’élève à 10,6 millions de Livres Sterling (15,2 millions d’euros).

Développé avec le concours du Ministère de la défense britannique sous le projet High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS), l'appareil détient le record du vol le plus long sans avitaillement : 14 jours !  

A terme, le Zephyr 8 au standard Full Operational Cabpability (FOC) doit pouvoir voler 45 jours durant et évoluer à plus de 70 000 pieds d'altitude (plus de 21 km). Celui-ci est prévu pour 2017/2018. D’une endurance record, moins chers que les satellites, les drones à très hautes altitudes font l’objet d’un grand intérêt. Au niveau civil, Google et Facebook développent déjà leurs propres programmes.

http://www.air-cosmos.com/londres-achete-deux-zephyr-8-62313

Citation :

Testing Times Ahead for the Royal Navy F-35B Lightning II Fighter

The Royal Navy’s strike fighter of tomorrow will be tested to the limit by BAE Systems – without ever leaving the ground. Scientists and experts on Humberside will be putting strains and stresses on the F-35 Lightning II – the aerial punch of HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales – to ensure the stealth fighter-bomber is up to a lifetime of demanding operations.




The airframe of each F-35, which is being built jointly by Lockheed Martin and the UK’s BAE Systems, has a lifespan of around 8,000 hours – more than 47 entire weeks airborne.

Two 8,000-hour tests have already been conducted by the BAE team at their Military Air and Information site in Brough, just west of Hull.

Now a third stage is about to start to prove the airframe will be able to safely handle a variety of flying conditions it could experience when in service.

The engineers use a special 350-tonne test rig, which has been built to ‘fly’ the F-35 through a series of scenarios. More than 20 miles of wiring, 2,500 strain gauges and 160 loading actuators are designed to subject the aircraft to a range of loads that it could typically encounter when airborne.

“We’ve pushed the testing to the limits, ensuring that the F-35 will fly safely and effectively throughout its lifetime of service,” explained Andy Prendergast, operations manager for structural and dynamic testing

“Reaching two complete lifetimes of testing is an important milestone for our structural test facility at Brough, and demonstrates the proven endurance of the F-35 airframe. We will further qualify this by starting a third lifetime of testing.”

His team has rigorously tested a dozen aircraft types over the past 40 years from the legendary Buccaneer and Harrier right up to the Eurofighter.

Fifteen per cent of each F-35 is produced in the UK, with BAE manufacturing the jet’s rear fuselage, vertical and horizontal tails and wing tips and numerous other elements of British industry bringing more to the complex aircraft.

BAE are also responsible for the fuel system, crew escape, life support and ensuring the Lightning II operates seamlessly with the two new carriers.


http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3538

Citation :

1,600 British troops head to Jordan for war game
Feb 8, 2016



More than British 1,600 troops will head to the Middle East to practise an Iraq invasion-scale operation for the first time in more than a decade.

The logistics war game in Jordan aims to ensure the Army can still deploy a 30,000-strong force of tanks and troops to a crisis zone anywhere in the world, despite sharp defence cuts in the past five years.

Exercise Shamal Storm could be a dry run for one day having to send a large armoured force of British troops to Eastern Europe if there was ever a Russian confrontation with Nato, sources said.

It comes after American commanders last year said they were concerned defence cuts would mean Britain was no longer be able to send a division-strength force of troops to join an allied operation as it did during the Iraq 2003 campaign.

More than 300 military vehicles are being shipped to the Jordan, where logistics, medical, intelligence and bomb disposal experts will practise supporting a massive British military expedition.

Read more at www.telegraph.co.uk





http://defence-blog.com/army/1600-british-troops-head-to-jordan-for-war-game.html

Citation :

Embraer «Phenom 100» jets selected to train armed forces aircrew in the United Kingdom
Feb 5, 2016





The Embraer Phenom 100 business jet was selected to provide multi-engine pilot training to armed forces aircrew in the United Kingdom.

The contract with Affinity Flight Training Services will provide five aircraft to the U.K Ministry of Defence’s Military Flying Training System, (UKMFTS) program. The contract includes support services and an option for additional follow on aircraft.

The Fixed Wing programme is intended to replace the elementary, multi-engine and basic flying training that is currently delivered on aging platforms with a new fully integrated solution that provides state-of-the-art training aircraft, ground based training devices and courseware all derived from the training design developed by Ascent Flight Training, the training service provider of the MFTS programme in UK. In 2014, Affinity was selected by Ascent Flight Training to provide and operate the aircraft selected for the MFTS programme.
“We are very proud to be selected in such an important programme for United Kingdom´s Ministry of Defence”, said Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The Phenom 100 is a very reliable, cost-effective and easy to operate aircraft that was also selected to provide flight training services to major international airlines”.
The UKMFTS takes United Kingdom armed forces aircrew from initial training through, elementary, basic and advanced flying training phases preparing them for their arrival at their designated operational conversion units. The system is operated by Ascent Flight Training, a consortium formed by Lockheed Martin and Babcock International under a Private Finance Initiative contract for the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
www.embraer.com

http://defence-blog.com/news/embraer-phenom-100-jets-selected-to-train-armed-forces-aircrew-in-the-united-kingdom.html

Citation :

Le Royaume-Uni va doubler ses déploiements en mer pour l'Otan en 2016


Londres, 10 fév 2016 (AFP) -

Le Royaume-Uni va doubler ses déploiements en mer dans le cadre de l'Otan cette année, devait annoncer le ministre britannique de la Défense Michael Fallon lors d'une réunion ministérielle mercredi à Bruxelles.

"Le ministre de la Défense va présenter un plan maritime prévoyant le quasi doublement des déploiements en mer du Royaume-Uni dans le cadre de l'Otan en 2016", a annoncé le ministère britannique de la Défense dans un communiqué.

"L'augmentation de nos déploiements dans le cadre de l'Otan envoie un message fort à nos ennemis que nous sommes prêts à répondre à toute menace et à défendre nos alliés", devait dire M. Fallon à Bruxelles, selon le communiqué. "En 2016, l'accent sera mis sur la région de la Baltique".

Le Royaume-Uni prévoit ainsi de déployer la frégate HMS Iron Duke entre janvier et juillet dans la mer Baltique et un destroyer britannique type 45 entre octobre et novembre.

"Ces déploiements, impliquant environ 400 membres de la Marine royale, reflètent l'accent mis sur l'Otan dans le cadre de la Révision stratégique de la défense et de la sécurité (SDSR, sorte de Livre blanc de la défense, NDLR)", indique le ministère.

Les autres engagements en mer du Royaume-Uni pour l'Otan en 2016 incluent notamment le déploiement de trois dragueurs de mines pendant quatre mois chacun, la participation de deux frégates à l'exercice Dynamic Mongoose et celle du principal navire de guerre britannique, HMS Ocean, lors de l'exercice Baltops.

http://www.marine-oceans.com/actualites-afp/12325-le-royaume-uni-va-doubler-ses-deploiements-en-mer-pour-lotan-en-2016

Citation :

Reaper UAVs conducting majority of UK combat missions over Syria

Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
12 February 2016





The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has carried out most of the UK's combat operations over Syria, the government revealed on 11 February.

In answering a question in parliament on the number of UK missions flown over Iraq and Syria over the previous 12 months, armed forces minister Penny Mordaunt said that, "The majority of aircraft flying [reconnaissance and strike] missions in Syrian airspace will have flown over Iraqi airspace as well."

With the UK having committed the Panavia Tornado GR4, Eurofighter Typhoon, and GA-GASI MQ-9 Reaper to combat operations in Iraq and Syria under Operation 'Shader', all except the Reaper are based at Royal Air Force (RAF) Akrotiri in Cyprus. While the UK government has not publically acknowledged the number or location of Reapers it has committed to this mission, it has been reported that as many as 10 such aircraft are being flown out of Kuwait, meaning that the Reaper is the only asset that would need to fly over Iraqi airspace in order to reach its area of operations in Syria.

According to Mordaunt, the breakdown of operations against the Islamic State between 1 February 2015 and 1 February 2016 has been 435 reconnaissance missions over Syria and 906 over Iraq; 64 combat (strike) missions over Syria and 699 over Iraq; and 484 'other' (passenger and cargo transport) missions over Iraq and none over Syria. The 'other' figures do not include those missions flown by the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, the details of which are not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost, she said.

The UK began combat operations over Syria on 2 December 2015, well into the time period addressed in the government's response, although the Reaper had been flying intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sorties over the country at the same time as conducting ISR and strike missions over Iraq from late 2014, and had been used to kill two British-born jihadis in Syria some three months prior to the official launch of UK combat operations in that particular country.

Citation :

Hausse des incidents sur les réacteurs nucléaires des sous-marins Astute de la Royal Navy


Posté dans Europe, Forces navales par Laurent Lagneau Le 22-02-2016



En 2015, le nombre d’incidents signalés sur les réacteurs nucléaires des sous-marins d’attaque de type Astute, mis en oeuvre par la Royal Navy, a quasiment doublé par rapport à l’année précédente, passant de 12 à 21.

Au total, en 4 ans, ce sont 69 incidents qui ont été constatés, soit une moyenne de 17 par an et d’un toutes les trois semaines. Ces données [.pdf] ont été communiquées par le ministère britannique de la Défense (MoD), en vertu d’une loi sur la liberté et l’information, en vigueur outre-Manche.

La nature des incidents constatés n’a pas été précisée. Mais il s’agit « d’événements qui ont (ou aurait pu) conduit à une réduction de la sécurité nucléaire ou radiologique, ou qui font l’objet d’un retour d’expérience opérateur. »

Le problème est que seulement deux sous-marins nucléaires d’attaque (SNA) de la classe Astute ont été mis en service par la Royal Navy, le troisième lui ayant été livré qu’en décembre dernier. Et cela fait beaucoup d’incidents pour seulement deux bâtiments.

« La persistance de problèmes sur les réacteurs des sous-marins Astute ne les met pas seulement en danger lorsqu’ils sont en mer. Elle est susceptible d’entraîner une réduction du nombre et de la durée des missions, ainsi que l’étendue de leur zone d’activité », a commenté John Large, un ingénieur indépendant, sollicité par le quotidien Herald Scotland.

« Conformément avec nos règles de sécurité, nous enregistrons tous les incidents, même les plus mineurs, afin d’en tirer des leçons. Plus de 80 réacteurs nucléaires ont été mis en œuvre depuis 1963 en toute sécurité », a réagi un porte-parole du MoD.

Cela étant, la question de la sécurité des réacteurs nucléaires des sous-marins britannique revient de manière récurrente. En 2013, Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) s’en était inquiété dans un rapport, lequel parlait de « danger à la fois pour les équipages et la population civile », en mettant l’accent sur le vieillisement des réacteurs des SNA de la classe Trafalgar.

L’an passé, le matelot Willam McNeilly avait défrayé la chronique en mettant un ligne un rapport dans lequel il dénonçait des manquements graves à la sécurité concernant la dissuasion nucléaire britannique, qui repose exclusivement sur 4 sous-marins nucléaires lanceurs d’engins (SNLE) de classe Vanguard. « Nous sommes tellement proches d’un accident nucléaire que c’en est effrayant et pourtant tout le monde a l’air d’accepter le risque », avait-il alors affirmé.

Photo : SNA Ambush (c) Crown Copyright 2012, OGL

http://www.opex360.com/2016/02/22/hausse-des-incidents-sur-les-reacteurs-nucleaires-des-marins-astute-de-la-royal-navy/

Hum ,pas serieux tous cela ,sachant que ces Sm on 4 ans cela fait beaucoup...
Pour etre pragmatique j'aurais aimer savoir ce type d'incident sur les SNA et SNLE en France...

Citation :

Thursday, 25 February 2016

British Royal Artillery displayed its firepower with AS90 Artillery System in exercise
Soldiers from 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, otherwise known as the “West Midlands’ Gunners”, have rolled on to the frozen landscape of the Northumberland hills for an impressive display of their firepower. The soldiers were practising their drills and skills firing Artillery System 90 (AS90).





http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2016/02/british-royal-artillery-displayed-its.html

Citation :

UK Royal Marine unit ditches the SA80 for Colt C8


Tim Ripley, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

02 March 2016

A high-profile UK Royal Marine unit has been re-equipped with the Colt Canada C8 carbine to enhance its ability to protect the Royal Navy's nuclear deterrent submarine base and nuclear weapon convoys.

The move makes the unit the first British non-special forces unit to completely drop the bullpup L85A2 (SA80) rifle used by the rest of the regular forces. Various UK special forces units already use the C8, which is designated the L119 in British service.

Details of the re-equipment effort were revealed by the commander of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines, Colonel Graeme Fraser, in a briefing document to service members distributed in February.

Citation :

16 Air Assault Brigade a ajouté 7 photos — à Salisbury Plain Training Area.

Paratroopers and Apache attack helicopters have taken to the skies with the US Air Force for an air assault masterclass.
Exercise Voijek Valour saw 663 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and C (Bruneval) Company, 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment training in Wiltshire with USAF CV-22 Osprey tiltrotors and HH-60 Pave Hawks and Royal Air Force Chinook support Helicopters.
The combined force of some 250 soldiers and seven helicopters was based at Hullavington Airfield across the week-long training to plan and launch air assault missions onto Salisbury Plain.
A key serial saw the paratroopers transported by Chinook and Osprey to attack the mock village at Imber, with Apache carrying out simulated strikes on ground targets and Pave Hawk providing casualty evacaution.
The exercise’s aims were to improve interoperability with the USAF and confirm the readiness of 663 Sqn, which is based at Wattisham Flying Station, for contigency operations. From the spring, 663 Sqn will provide the Apache attack helicopters that would deploy alongside an airborne infantry battlegroup from 16 Air Assault Brigade and RAF support helicopters in the Air Assault Task Force, the British Army’s rapid reaction force.

PHOTOS:

Citation :

The future of armoured fighting vehicles


07 March 2016

General Dynamics announce that it will build the AJAX (AFV) Armoured Fighting Vehicle in a factory site near Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales.

AJAX provides a step-change in the Armoured Fighting Vehicle capability being delivered to the British Army.

The programme includes six variants: AJAX, ARES, APOLLO, ATHENA, ATLAS and ARGUS. Each AJAX variant will be a highly-agile, tracked, medium-weight armoured fighting vehicle, providing British troops with state-of-the-art best-in-class protection.

The vehicles are developed upon a highly-adaptable and capable Common Base Platform, maximising commonality in mobility, electronic architecture and survivability that ensures the British Army has a family of world-class platforms.

Each AJAX platform variant has extensive capabilities, including acoustic detectors, a laser warning system, a local situational awareness system, an electronic countermeasure system, a route marking system, an advanced electronic architecture and a high performance power pack.



The AJAX family of vehicles has growth inherently built in. With an upper design limit of 42 tonnes of driveline capability, scalable and open electronic architecture and a modular armour system, it has enormous potential to combat future threats and incorporate new technology throughout the lifespan of the platform.

As a result, AJAX provides the kind of growth capability that the user will need to face the uncertain challenges of Future Force 2020 and beyond. AJAX will replace the less capable CVR(T), providing broad utility throughout the balanced Army 2020 force across all operations.

In September 2014, General Dynamics UK was awarded £3.5 billion to deliver 589 AJAX platforms to the British Army. In July 2015, it was awarded a further £390 million contract to provide in-service support for the AJAX fleet until 2024.

In addition, the Company announced that it is opening a new Armoured Fighting Vehicle Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) facility in South Wales.

The AJAX programme was originally known as the SCOUT Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme. It was renamed at DSEI (Defence Systems & Equipment International) exhibition on 15 September 2015.

On 3 September 2014, General Dynamics UK was awarded £3.5 billion to deliver 589 SCOUT SV platforms to the British Army

http://www.army.mod.uk/news/28476.aspx

Citation :

General Dynamics UK awarded $191 million to provide enhanced communications to British Army

General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited has been awarded $191 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to provide enhanced Bowman tactical communications systems to the British Armed Forces.The BCIP5.6 contract will allow for the Bowman tactical communications equipment currently used by the UK military to receive a series of enhancements and upgrades.








http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-03-10T23:58:00-08:00&max-results=10

Citation :

British Army ditches Warthog armoured vehicle

Nicholas de Larrinaga, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
10 March 2016






The British Army has retired is ST Kinetics Warthog articulated tracked armoured vehicles from service, IHS Jane's can reveal.

In total, 115 Warthogs (an improved version of the ST Kinetics Bronco) were purchased by the United Kingdom as an urgent operational requirement (UOR) for use in Afghanistan instead of the less-well protected BvS 10 Viking articulated tracked vehicle.

In December 2013 the MoD announced that 100 Warthogs would be brought into the 'core' equipment budget, meaning they would remain in service once UOR funding for operations in Afghanistan ended. Under this plan the Warthogs would be modified and transferred to the Royal Artillery's 32 and 47 Regiments to support unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations.

However, speaking to IHS Jane's on 10 March, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that this decision had been reversed, with Warthog instead having been retired from service in October 2015.

In a statement the MoD said: "Warthog was delivered in 2010 to replace Viking and was designed specifically for use in Afghanistan. A number of protected mobility vehicles have been brought into core; it was decided that the capability required from Warthog could be delivered by other vehicles, therefore Warthog was withdrawn from service in 2015. The Army has a fleet of other protected mobility platforms still in service delivering this capability."

The MoD were not able to answer questions from IHS Jane's on whether work was indeed undertaken to modify Warthog for post-Afghan use after the 2013 decision to keep them, or if any money was wasted on this effort. The MoD also did not answer questions on exactly what vehicles 32 and 47 regiments would operate instead of the Warthog in the future.

Citation :

Royal Marines New Helicopter Tested In Norway

By UK Ministry of Defence -March 11, 2016


The Royal Marines’ ‘flying eyes’ on the battlefield have come through their ‘baptism of ice’ in the Arctic wilds of northern Norway.

For the first time, the new Wildcats of the Commando Helicopter Force have tested their ability to fly – and fight – in the harshest climatic conditions on the planet.

Four Wildcats from 847 Naval Air Squadron have spent six weeks contending with temperatures down to 30 below zero, snow storms and high winds.

Each winter the Commando Helicopter Force takes some of its aircraft, air and ground crew to Bardufoss – roughly half way between Tromsø and Narvik, and a good 170 miles inside the Arctic Circle.

The training – Exercise Clockwork (because it’s regular as) – is intended to ensure sailors and Royal Marines on the force can survive in such an unforgiving environment (living in tents or snow holes, if necessary, clambering out of holes in the ice if it breaks, cooking the local wildlife if you run out of rations) as well as maintain their helicopters and, in the case of the aircrew, fly them.

The latter saw the fliers run through the gamut of military operations from the basics of landing in snow – the down-draught from the rotor blades throws up a swirling wall of fine snow – to ferrying loads, scouting for the troops on the ground, a spot of shooting practice for the aircrewman with the machine-gun and using the Wildcat to direct Allied jets on to targets.

The Norwegian experience saw the Wildcats packed into the cavernous cargo holds of RAF C-17 transporters for the first time and demonstrated that the helicopters’ mottled grey paint scheme is a highly-effective camouflage in the snow.

“I’ve been to Norway before but this is my first time flying here,” explained pilot Lieutenant Alex Lovell-Smith. “The challenges are unique: the weather can change in an instant, so our captaincy and flying skills are always tested.

“I certainly feel that my aviation skills have improved in a way that only Norway can provide. Everyone on 847 agrees that Norway has given us an excellent opportunity to bond as a squadron – and push the Wildcat to its limits in this new environment.”

When 847 arrived in northern Norway, they faced just three hours of daylight. By the time they left that had risen to nine, allowing for plenty of flying.

“The guys have pushed hard to learn the lessons and keep the aircraft on the line. Serviceability has been good – that’s supported a high rate of flying and meant we successfully completed our training,” said air engineer technician PO John ‘Julie’ Andrews.

“For many of our more junior engineers, this has been their first time in Norway and they are all relishing the chance to come back again.”

The squadron made use of the facilities at the Norwegian Air Force Base in Bardufoss, working side-by-side with NH-90 and Bell 412 helicopters, while the Brits showed off their helicopter to their hosts.

“We came to Norway with definite objectives – we’ve not just hit them, we’ve surpassed them,” said Commander Graeme Spence, 847’s Commanding Officer.

“Wildcat has met the challenge head-on, as have our people. Our flying rate has been high and we’ve achieved a lot more than just qualifying to operate in the Arctic environment.

“Norway’s always been a special place for the Commando Helicopter Force – and we’ve made the most of the opportunities to test ourselves and our aircraft.”

Now back at base in Somerset, the squadron is preparing for the large-scale Anglo-French amphibious exercise in the Bristol Channel and Irish Sea next month, Griffin Strike, followed by desert warfare training in El Centro in southern California.



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/royal-marines-new-helicopter-tested-in-norway-67012/#ixzz42c39FSJe

Citation :

Un des deux futurs porte-avions britanniques sera transformé pour mener des opérations amphibies


Posté dans Forces navales par Laurent Lagneau Le 18-03-2016



Lors de la Guerre du Golfe, et dans le cadre de l’opération Salamandre, en septembre 1990, le porte-avions Clemenceau avait rejoint l’Arabie Saoudite avec, à son bord, des hélicoptères Gazelle et Puma ainsi que des camions et des véhicules légers. Peut-être que cet épisode a inspiré le ministère britannique de la Défense…

En juillet 2008, Londres commanda deux porte-avions de type Queen Elizabeth pour près de 4 milliards de dollars. Mais, deux ans plus tard, à la faveur de la publication de la Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), l’équivalent du Livre blanc sur la Défense français, il fut question d’en revendre un exemplaire en raison des contraintes budgétaires.

Finalement, la SDSR publiée en novembre 2015 a confirmé que la Royal Navy disposerait bel et bien les deux porte-avions qui lui avaient été promis. Toutefois, elle devra se séparer du porte-hélicoptères HMS Ocean, qui, avec ses engins de débarquement LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel), est utilisé par les Royal Marines pour leurs opérations amphibies.

Ces derniers ont également à leur disposition les HMS Bulwark et Albion. Mais ces navires n’ont pas les mêmes capacités offertes par le HMS Ocean.

Répondant à une question d’un parlementaire, Philip Dunne, le secrétaire à la Défense britannique chargé des marchés publics, a indiqué qu’un des deux futurs porte-avions de la Royal Navy subirait des transformations pour lui permettre de mener des opérations amphibies et de reprendre ainsi la mission du HMS Ocean.

« La SDSR a déterminé qu’il fallait maintenir la capacité amphibie », a déclaré M. Dunne. « Nous allons faire des modifications sur l’un des deux porte-avions Queen Elizabeth afin de veiller à ce qu’elle subsiste pendant la durée de vie de cette plate-forme », a-t-il précisé. Il est probable que le HMS Prince of Wales soit désigné pour subir ces modifications.

On n’en saura pas plus pour le moment. Mais, a priori, la Royal Navy se retrouverait ainsi avec un navire d’assaut amphibie surdimensionné (avec des coûts d’exploitation plus élevés par rapport à ceux du HMS Ocean) et ne compterait plus que sur un seul porte-avions, avec tout ce que cela suppose en terme de disponibilité quand il s’agira de l’immobiliser pour sa maintenance.

http://www.opex360.com/2016/03/18/des-deux-futurs-porte-avions-britanniques-sera-transforme-pour-mener-des-operations-amphibies/

.........
L'on a trouver plus cons que les décideurs nationaux Français...c'est pour dire....

Citation :

UK Royal Navy commissions third Astute-class SSN

Dr Lee Willett, London - IHS Jane's Navy International
17 March 2016



The UK Royal Navy (RN) has commissioned its third Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN). HMS Artful joined the fleet in a ceremony at HM Naval Base Clyde, in Faslane, Scotland, on 18 March.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, the RN's first sea lord and chief of the Naval Staff, told the ceremony that the commissioning of the third 97 m, 7,400-tonne Astute-class boat "dramatically increases the operational capability" of the navy's submarine flotilla.

In a press release, the navy said that the Astute class is "the largest, most advanced, and most powerful attack submarine ever operated by the Royal Navy, combining world-leading sensors, design, and weaponry in a versatile vessel."

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British Army a ajouté 3 photos.

The Royal Wessex Yeomanry Reservist tank crews have faced the Regular Challenger 2 Annual Crew Test for the first time. The test, at Lulworth
Ranges in Dorset, included static shoots, engaging moving targets, the use of different sighting systems, and firing on the move while engaging
moving targets.
Photographer Cpl Jamie Dudding; Crown copyright.

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UK receives first production 40 mm Cased Telescoped Cannon System

Christopher F Foss, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

23 March 2016



A Warrior IFV fitted with a Lockheed Martin UK two-person turret armed with a 40 mm CTCS during firing trials.
Source: Lockheed Martin


The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken delivery of the first production-standard 40 mm Cased Telescoped Cannon System (CTCS) from CTA International (CTAI) in Bourges, France.

CTAI is a joint venture company formed by Nexter Systems of France and BAE Systems of the UK that was awarded its first production contract for the 40 mm CTCS in July 2015.

Under the contract, the company will supply 515 CTCSs to the UK MoD over a seven-year period. The systems are delivered to the UK MoD as they are supplied as government-furnished equipment for the two-person turret developed by Lockheed Martin UK for the General Dynamics UK Ajax (formerly Scout - Specialist Vehicle) tracked reconnaissance vehicle and for a different Lockheed Martin UK turret for installation as part of the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP).


The baseline 40 mm CTCS seen from the right-hand side without ammunition-handling system installed. (CTAI)

The first two natures of 40 mm ammunition, both qualified in 2014, are armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding-sabot - tracer (APFSDS-T) and target practice - tracer (TP-T) rounds that are insensitive munition compliant.

In addition to being mandated for the British Army, the CTCS has been selected for the French Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance et de Combat (EBRC) 6x6 reconnaissance vehicle, now known as the Jaguar, which is the replacement for the currently deployed AMX-10RC and Sagaie armoured cars.


The CTAI 40 mm CTCS is installed in the Lockheed Martin two-person turret mounted on the General Dynamics UK Ajax
reconnaissance vehicle. (GDUK)

The Jaguar is being developed by a French industrial consortium that consists of Nexter Systems, Renault Trucks Defense, and Thales. Following trials with prototype vehicles a total of 248 production Jaguars are due to be delivered from 2020. These will manufactured by Nexter Systems with Renault Trucks Defense supplying the complete power pack, suspension, and driveline.
 

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Major Investment Boost for Next Generation Royal Navy Ships

By UK Ministry of Defence -March 24, 2016


The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced a further £472 million for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 Global Combat Ship program. It will allow the MOD to continue progressing the project’s demonstration phase, with additional investment for detailed design work, the purchase of essential equipment and setting up shore-based testing facilities.

This demonstrates an enduring commitment to the program, centered on the Clyde, which will benefit suppliers across the UK including companies in Fife, Midlothian, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, West Yorkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Bristol and Leicestershire.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

“These highly advanced ships will help keep Britain safe and support our ship-building industry. Investing in them is part of our plan to increase defence spending so our Armed Forces have the most modern equipment they need.”

Key equipment purchases will include diesel generators; sonar domes, which form the bow-mounted sonar used for Anti-Submarine detection; helicopter handling equipment to control the movement of aircraft to/from the hanger; mission bay side doors, for the loading/unloading of equipment; and the stabilizer and steering gear system, key elements of the T26 navigation system. These will all provide further work for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship supply chain.

Meanwhile, shore-based testing facilities will assess key parts of the ship’s power and propulsion system and the Combat System.

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship will replace in time the Type 23 Frigates, and will undertake the Royal Navy’s three core roles – warfighting, maritime security and international engagement – worldwide.

Together with two additional Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), making five OPVs in total, and the planned light General Purpose Frigate, the warships will be a key element of the UK’s defence, specializing in Anti-Submarine Warfare.

Chief Executive of Defence Equipment and Support, the MOD’s procurement organization, Tony Douglas added:

“We have a long history of delivering complex warships in the UK and as a result of today’s announcement we will continue to develop a clear way forward for the Type 26 Global Combat Ship Program that reflects the recent Strategic Defence and Security Review, in which the design is further matured while extending the engagement of the wider UK supply chain.”

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship will be in service with the Royal Navy into the 2050s. The ship is being designed so it can be upgraded as new technology develops, so that it remains relevant and capable far into the future.



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/major-investment-boost-for-next-generation-royal-navy-ships-67159/#ixzz43pyuD2jl

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British Troops Test ‘Invisibility Cloak’

By UK Government News -March 24, 2016




Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion The Rifles have taken part in trials of a high-tech camouflage which has been likened to Harry Potter’s “invisibility cloak.”

The material, called Vatec, can help the soldiers disappear from view and hide them from infra-red and heat-seeking equipment.

During field trials in the United States, British snipers could use the sheets to build hideaways.

Troops have called on the government to invest in the camouflage.

Corporal Tyrone Hoole, from 3 RIFLES, told the Mail on Sunday: “This is an absolutely brilliant piece of kit. The lads are desperate for the Army to buy it. Instead of carrying chicken wire, spray paint and thermal sheets we can use this one item, which is really light.”

It’s reported the testing took place earlier this year at the US Army’s centre for experimental warfare techniques in Fort Benning, Georgia.

However, even more advanced camouflage is believed to be as little as five years away.

Material capable of changing colour in seconds is being developed by scientists, which would adapt to the surroundings.

It mimics the way some animals, such as squid or octopuses, can change their colour to avoid a predator.

Using thousands of light-sensitive cells, the dynamic camouflage would reportedly detect surrounding colours and trigger a top layer to imitate the area using heat-sensitive dyes.

Engineering professor Xuanhe Zhao, based at MIT, said:

“I have high hopes for its use in military camouflage. At the moment the military spends millions of dollars developing new camouflage patterns but they’re all static right now, they don’t change.”

“If you put a pattern designed for the forest into the desert, it is not going to function. Dynamic camouflage would allow soldiers and their vehicles to adapt to their surroundings instantly.”



Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/british-troops-test-invisibility-cloak-67162/#ixzz43pzEEHMD