Provence “blazes” the sky for the first time

On 27 November 2017, the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Provence drove its first missile missile Aster. No French FREMM had yet fired such a missile in the Atlantic. The target was destroyed in a few seconds by this French-made missile. La Provence has demonstrated the effectiveness of its system.

The FREMM Aster 15 (AS 15) weapon system, also known as the Aster Weapons Management Launch System* (AWMLS), provides the combat ship with a large protection bubble, in which any potential target is immediately detected. , classified and, if necessary, destroyed by the missile which can hit it at the speed of MACH 3 (3700 km / h).

Capable of handling all types of aerial threats (fighter jets, anti-ship missiles, flying missiles, cruise missiles or diving antiradar), this system combines the three-dimensional surveillance radar and the latest generation firing control from the frigate to the missile AS 15. This allows it to simultaneously handle multiple threats by simultaneously guiding a large number of missiles.

*weapon launch management system

Original post: seawaves.com

FREMM European Multimission Frigate: Details

BAE Systems awarded 40 Mk4 Naval Gun contract for Finland

BAE Systems will produce and deliver Bofors 40 Mk4 Naval Guns for the Finnish Navy and its Hamina Class Squadron 2000 fast attack craft, under a contract with Patria, the prime contractor for the vessel’s mid-life upgrade and overhaul program.

With this contract, Finland adds the 40 Mk4 to its installed base of BAE Systems naval guns, including both previous versions of 40-millimeter (mm) L/70 systems and 57-mm Mk3 systems.

“Finland is the third country to select our Bofors 40 Mk4, the result of growing interest from countries seeking the flexibility that this 40-mm naval gun and ammunition system provides,” said Lena Gillström, managing director of Weapon Systems, Sweden at BAE Systems. “In modern tactical scenarios, ships must be able to operate in different levels of conflict, and survivability requires an extremely flexible weapon system like the 40 Mk4.”

The compact and low weight Bofors 40 Mk4 Naval Gun is a flexible, multi-purpose system offering a high rate of fire and the ability to switch between optimized ammunition types, including the programmable 40-mm 3P all-target ammunition. The system’s effectiveness against air, sea, and ground targets provides high survivability and tactical proficiency at all levels of conflict.

BAE Systems has a long and successful relationship with Finland, supplying gun systems to both the Finnish Navy and the Finnish Army, including air defense, field artillery, and anti-tank guns. Currently, several BAE Systems Bofors naval gun systems, the 40-mm L/70, and 57Mk3 guns with 3P ammunition are in service on Finnish naval ships.

In addition to Finland, more than 10 countries currently use BAE Systems Bofors 40-mm guns.

Original post: seawaves.com

40Mk4 Naval Gun

Modern ships must be able to operate in different levels of conflict; from peacekeeping operations firing warning shots to law enforcement missions against pirates, smugglers and terrorists. In military combat, the gun is a vital part of a ship’s self-defense against hostile surface vessels, attack aircraft, anti-ship missiles and shore targets. In the littoral scenario, the gun must be able to engage threats that are impossible to address with conventional gun systems. 

Survivability in such an environment requires an extremely flexible weapon system. The low weight and compact Bofors 40 Mk4 gun system with its high rate of fire and ability to switch between optimized ammunition types – including the intelligent 40mm 3P all-target ammunition – provides high survivability and tactical freedom at all levels of conflict.

Source: baesystems.com

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Boeing, AAR, StandardAero win contracts for P-8 support

Royal Australian Air Force P-8 

The companies will provide maintenance and repair support for the U.S. Navy, Australia and other foreign military sales customers.

By James LaPorta  |  Feb. 2, 2018 at 12:40 PM

Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Multiple defense contractors have been awarded a contract in support of the P-8 Poseidon for the Navy, the government of Australia and foreign military sales customers.

The deal, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, taps Boeing, AAR Aircraft Services Inc. and StandardAero for services valued at more than $268.7 million combined, with each of the three companies competing for individual task orders.

The terms of the three contract awards are classified under a firm-fixed-price, time and material, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts for the P-8A airframe, as well as engine maintenance and repair depot support services for the Navy, the government of Australia and foreign military sales customers, the Pentagon said.

Additionally, work on the engine will include depot maintenance and repair, with a full spectrum of repair and overhaul services for the P-8A Poseidon engine.

The P-8 Poseidon is classified as a Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft and is primarily used for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations, along with providing early warning self-protection and electronic support measures.

Work on the contract will occur at the respective companies facility sites, and is expected to be complete by January 2019. Funds will be obligated to the companies as they are sent work orders.

Original post: upi.com

P-8 Poseidon: Details

YPJ ATGM blows up another Turkish Leopard 2A4 killing crew

Footage: Women's #YPJ ATGM team strike against Turkish army's Leopard 2A4 killing crew. Bilbil district #Afrin #Syria. Source: Military Advisor

Looking at the size of the explosion it seems the tank disintegrated

Footage: Women's #YPJ ATGM team strike against Turkish army's Leopard 2A4 killing crew. Bilbil district #Afrin #Syria. Source: Military Advisor

Footage: Women's #YPJ ATGM team strike against Turkish army's Leopard 2A4 killing crew. Bilbil district #Afrin #Syria. Source: Military Advisor

Footage: Women's #YPJ ATGM team strike against Turkish army's Leopard 2A4 killing crew. Bilbil district #Afrin #Syria. Source: Military Advisor

Footage: Women's #YPJ ATGM team strike against Turkish army's Leopard 2A4 killing crew. Bilbil district #Afrin #Syria. Source: Military Advisor

Footage: Women's #YPJ ATGM team strike against Turkish army's Leopard 2A4 killing crew. Bilbil district #Afrin #Syria. Source: Military Advisor

Go to link to see video: HERE

More pictures

Pro-Turkish Twitterspere disturbed after photos of the tanks were leaked on social media. YPG/J’s own recording showed both tanks hit + another vehicle close to a border post. 

So today Turkey were forced to admit loss of another 8 Turkish soldiers during the invasion of Afrin. Source: A Dunon

Tiger ARH grounding lifted last November

Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH)

The Australian Army lifted the grounding of its Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) fleet more than two months ago according to a statement given to Contact Air Land & Sea magazine.

The fleet had been grounded since August 11 following the fatal crash of a German Tiger in Africa. Despite Defence sources pointing towards pilot error as a cause for the crash, the release of the preliminary report was reportedly delayed due to Germany’s federal elections and subsequent delays in forming a coalition government at that time.

“Unrestricted Tiger flying operations recommenced on 10 November 2017 after detailed consideration of the factors that caused the suspension. Prior to resuming flying operations, the Army and Airbus developed a rigorous program of work, involving inspections, checks and test flying, to support a full resumption to normal flight operations,” Defence advised Contact in a statement on January 31.

“During the cessation of Tiger flying operations, flying skills were maintained using the Tiger flight simulators. The 1st Aviation Regiment met its readiness requirements prior to the Christmas stand-down period.”

In late October, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Angus Campbell told the Senate’s Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee that the Army’s fleet of 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters would resume flying within coming weeks.

“We’re liaising very closely with other Tiger user partners as well as the manufacturer on the issue,” LTGEN Campbell said at the time.

“There are a couple of issues still at play, and the investigation remains open, but we think we’re coming to the end of the pause.”

Original post: australianaviation.com.au

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Lockheed awarded contract for Taiwan F-16 program support

Republic of China Air Force F-16

By James LaPorta  |  Feb. 2, 2018 at 4:09 PM

Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract for foreign military sales in support of the Taiwan F-16 Peace Phoenix Rising program.

The deal, announced Thursday by the Department of Defense, is valued at more than $13.3 million under a cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previous award contract.

The Republic of China Air Force kicked off its modernization process last month, according to Taipei Times, and calls for 144 Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Fighting Falcon's to be upgraded under the Taiwan F-16 Peace Phoenix Rising program.

The total cost of upgrades to Taiwan's fleet is estimated at roughly $5.3 billion, according to The Diplomat.

The contract modification is for additional work that was previously identified during performances tests, requiring Lockheed to provide maintenance in support of the F-16s, as well as fuel and other support needed for the completion of flight tests, the Pentagon said.

Work on the contract will occur in Texas and Taiwan, and is expected to be completed in May 2023.

More than $12.5 million has been obligated to Lockheed Martin at the time of award from foreign military sale funds.

Original post: upi.com

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Upgraded T-90M tank to enter service soon

T-90M tank © Anton Novoderezhkin/TASS

Military & Defense January 31, 13:54 UTC+3

The first consignment will be enough to rearm one battalion

MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. The Russian army within months will get the first batch of the upgraded T-90M main battle tank, the research and industrial corporation Uralvagonzavod told TASS, adding that the first consignment will be enough to rearm one battalion.

According to the official structure one battalion of a tank regiment has 31 vehicles, and the tank battalion of a mechanized infantry regiment, 40.

"Within months we will be able to say that T-90M will be authorized for service. The first batch will be enough for rearming a tank battalion. The state program for armaments envisages the acquisition of these tanks throughout the period it will be effective in amounts determined by the customer," Uralvagonzavod said.

The testing of the new tank was proceeding in compliance with the schedule authorized by the Defense Ministry.

What is new

The corporation emphasized such new features of the upgrade vehicle as the new turret module, which, in combination with a powerful weapon complex and automatic fire control system, considerably enhances the tank’s combat capabilities.

The tank owes the highest effectiveness of its weapon system to automatic target tracking in the sight’s thermal vision channel. The gunner and commander have the same target search capabilities, which enables the fire control system to operate in the highly effective hunter-gunner mode.

The tank has a new level of protection.

"Its new modular dynamic protection enhances resistibility to modern means of attack and is highly reparable. The electromagnetic protection is a safeguard against magnetometric fuse mines," Uralvagonzavod said.

The tank’s 125 mm gun is capable of firing any modern types of ammunition, while the remote controlled machinegun stabilized in two planes of movement enables the tank’s commander to conduct effective fire separately from the main weapons when the tank is still or on the move.

Uralvagonzavod and the Defense Ministry declared the signing of the contract for the supply of the new version of the T-90 main battle tank - T-90M at the international military-technical forum Army-2017.

Original post: tass.com

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