Fire Scouts soon to be armed with APKWS precision-guided rockets
NASHUA, N.H. | For the first time, the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) will be integrated onto an unmanned aerial vehicle, BAE Systems announced Sept. 17. The company, which designed and manufactures the guidance section of the laser-guided rocket, was recently awarded a U.S. Navy contract to add the APKWS onto the MQ-8B Fire Scout UAV.“APKWS’ precision firepower will soon be available on a UAV platform,” said Roy Rumbaugh, APKWS program manager at BAE Systems. “With BAE Systems’ innovative technologies, the Fire Scout will engage targets on land or at sea with laser-guided accuracy while keeping our warfighters out of harm’s way.” The system is being integrated onto the Fire Scout in response to an urgent operational need and is being prepared for rapid deployment. BAE Systems will support this rapid APKWS integration by performing system analyses and modeling based on its high fidelity, integrated flight simulator. "This expansion onto unmanned aircraft is the next exciting step after demonstrating performance on both rotary and fixed-wing manned aircraft," Rumbaugh said. Unmanned aircraft can operate in regimes that are considered too hazardous for manned aircraft and dramatically expand the types of missions that can be conducted from surface ships. The APKWS is the U.S. government's only program of record for the semi- active laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket. U.S. Marine aviators recently completed the initial operational test and evaluation phase of the APKWS program, firing successfully against stationary and moving targets from AH-1W and UH-1Y helicopters. The APKWS system has since been deployed in Afghanistan and the company continues to ship units to theater for use against insurgent forces. BAE Systems has been the APKWS prime contractor since 2006. The company is partnered with the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Program Office at the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command for the development, integration, and delivery of the APKWS. (Photo: BAE Systems)
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(Photo: NHIndustries)
NHIndustries (NHI) is proud to announce the first flight of the first NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter ordered by the Belgian armed forces. For this first flight, performed on Sept 18th from Marignane, the crew tested all the main systems of this new-generation aircraft such as the engines and the flight controls. After landing, the crew expressed its satisfaction with the behaviour of the helicopter. The Belgian armed forces ordered eight NH90s, four TTHs for tactical transport operations and four NFHs for naval operations. The Belgian NH90 TTH is a Full Operational Capability standard helicopter. This aircraft is very close to the French NH90 Caiman TTH for which deliveries started in the end of 2011 in Full Operational Capability Standard. This commonality brings to the Belgian customer all the return of experience collected during the development of the French NH90 TTH. “This first flight is an important milestone for NHI since it marks the arrival of a new comer in the NH90 users community, we are all impressed by the degree of maturity demonstrated by this helicopter” declared Xavier Poupardin, delegated managing director of NHI. The NH90 TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) variant is a helicopter of 11 ton class primarily configured to perform tactical transport missions in all environments by day and night. The NH90TTH flexibility allows its users to perform additional missions such as internal/external load transport, Heliborne Operations, Special Operations, Search and Rescue, Casualties Evacuation and Training missions. The NH90 TTH is the most modern helicopter of its class available on the market. It features a high level of system integration built around a dual bus Core Avionic System, full glass cockpit with Multifunction Displays, Fly-by-wire controls with 4-axis Automatic Flight Control System. The dedicated Mission System includes among others: Piloting Forward Looking Infrared system, Helmet Mounted Sight and Display, Electronic Warfare System, Tactical Control and Tactical Communication System, Weather Radar, Digital Map Generator and an on-board Monitoring and Diagnostic System. It features a fully composite crashworthy fuselage fitted with a rear ramp which allows the transport of a light tactical vehicle. The two Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM322 modern engines provide power reserve in all environments. The NH90 helicopter has provision for a number of role equipment to enable mission flexibility and effectiveness coupled with a high level of safety and survivability. The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 helicopter program is managed by the consortium NHIndustries, the Company owned by AgustaWestland (32%), Eurocopter (62.5%), and Stork Fokker (5.5%).The NH90 helicopter programme is the largest ever launched in Europe, with firm orders now reaching 529 units for 19 Armed Forces of 14 Nations: France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greece, Oman, Australia, New-Zealand, Spain and Belgium.
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Airbus and Denel Aerostructures have described as ‘win win’ their renegotiated contract covering the production of A400M components. The new agreement makes parts production economically viable for Denel and ensures Airbus that it remains a reliable supplier.The contract was signed during a ceremony at Denel Aerostructures’ (DAe’s) facility at Kempton Park yesterday. It was attended by dignitaries that included Denel Group CEO Riaaz Saloojee, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba and representatives from Airbus.Ismail Dockrat, CEO of Denel Aerostructures, said the company was celebrating the conclusion of the renegotiated contract regarding the production of the wing to fuselage fairing (WFF) and top shell for the A400M military airlifter. “This successful outcome secure Denel Aerostructures’ future going forward,” he said.Maggie Bergsma, head of Airbus media relations, said that the original 2005 contract with Denel Aerostructures was for 18 years but the new contract covers a 30 year period. Dockrat said the scope of the technical content has stayed the same but the pricing structure, terms and conditions and production schedule have changed in the renegotiated contract. Before, Denel Aerostructures was making a loss producing parts and both Denel and Airbus underestimated the effort involved in building A400M components. “We’re very happy that we’ve reached this new agreement, which is a win win situation for both of us,” Bergsma said.Denel Aerostructures has had a rocky road, with years of consecutive losses. A ‘painful’ restructuring process began in 2009 saw some staff being cut in order to reduce losses. The company now expects to break even in 2016 or 2017. The confidence Airbus has shown in the company is a major boos to it getting further contracts.Zoli Kunene, chair of Denel’s board, said that DAe’s successful track record on A400M production means the company has the capacity to work with global industry. “We believe there is great scope for growing the local aerospace industry.” Kunene said Denel was proud to be part of the A400M global supply chain and thanked the company for the confidence it has displayed in Denel Aerostructures. “We are looking forward to a strong and constructive relationship with Airbus for the duration of this programme.”Antonio Rodriguez Barberán, Airbus Military Senior VP Commercial, said that, “I’m sure the agreement we are signing today is going to move us forward for the next thirty years.” Barberán said what Airbus liked most about Denel was its highly skilled workforce.Dockrat said that his company would deliver eight A400M shipsets this year, 16 next year and 24 the year after that – in fact, Denel Aerostructures is delivering components ahead of schedule. The company is also tendering for other Airbus work and is close to concluding a contract to produce ribs and spars for the vertical tails of the A400M.Dockrat noted that despite the global economic downturn, there remained strong demand for civil and military aircraft. He said that the company was engaging with other manufacturers about work, including Boeing, Bombardier and Embraer. “We are talking to a lot of companies out there,” he said.“This announcement sends a strong signal: we are can take on more work. We are ready for business. We have the capacity.” ----By Guy Martin, defenceWEB reporter(Courtesy by defenceWeb; First published at http://goo.gl/UOU2s)
