Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
MSMF 2008 Volume: 1 Issue: 1 (August)
New U.K.-French Partnership Focuses on Missiles
The U.K. and France launched a new partnership on future guided weapons technology. The nations announced a new initiative in European defense research collaboration, with the formation of an innovation and technology partnership (ITP) focused on materials and components for missiles.
The ITP builds on the U.K.’s Defence Technology Centre concept, and will be jointly funded by the British and French governments and an industry/academia consortium led by MBDA. Others companies will include Thales Air Systems, Thales Missile Electronics, Microturbo, Selex, Roxel, QinetiQ and Nexter Munitions. The ITP will initially run for three years, extendable to five years. The ITP aims to consolidate a future European guided weapon capability by building the technological base and allowing a better understanding of common future needs. It will also prepare for future cooperative programs by fostering co-operation.
The ITP aims to fulfill joint research needs of U.K. and France for missile technology. It will identify common capability and technology needs and identify and de-risk emerging technologies for future equipment. Governmental experts of both nations will establish a joint team to monitor and evaluate jointly the different work packages of this project, in the broader perspective of expertise sharing. The collaboration also aims to provide more effective access to innovation from subject matter experts and universities and forge better links between industry and government.
Spanish Navy Eyes Block IV Tomahawk
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible foreign military sale to Spain of Block IV Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $156 million.
The government of Spain has requested a possible sale of 20 RGM-109E Block IV surface ship vertical launched Tomahawk land attack missiles, five Tactical Tomahawk weapon control systems hardware and software, canisters, containers, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training and training equipment, operational flight test and communications equipment, technical assistance and other related elements of logistics support.
This sale will enhance the Spanish Navy’s ability to engage in coalition warfare with the U.S. Navy. The conventionallyarmed weapons will be carried on the Spanish Navy F-100 class frigates.
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PAAMS Milestone
The Royal Navy’s new advanced naval air defense system, PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System), was successfully test fired for the first time from the trials barge Longbow at the French DGA’s CELM (Centre d’Essais de Lancement des Missiles) test range near the Ile du Levant off the French coast.
The successful firing marks a key step in the lead up to the PAAMS(S) system missile system entering service onboard the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 Daring-class destroyers. The trial comprised the firing of a single Aster 30 missile launched against a Mirach target simulating an aircraft, flying at 10 km (6.2 miles) altitude. All aspects of the system behaved as expected with the Aster missile achieving a direct hit on the target at 35 km range.
PAAMS is the self, local and fleet area defense system family that will equip the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers and the Horizon and Orizzonte frigates of the French and Italian Navies respectively. The Royal Navy’s PAAMS(S) system differs from the PAAMS(E) selected by France and Italy with respect to the multi-function radar (MFR). Whereas France and Italy opted for the EMPAR MFR, the requirements of the Royal Navy have resulted in the development of the SAMPSON MFR by BAE Systems INSYTE. All the PAAMS (S) system elements have been set to work on the first of class Type 45, HMS Daring, and system integration is now in progress. Deliveries of PAAMS equipment to the second Type 45, HMS Dauntless, are complete.
The next PAAMS(S) firing trial is planned in the second half of the year with the final system firing trial to take place in 2009.
Carol Reed: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Czech Republic and U.S Sign Missile Defense Agreement
On July 8, a ceremony was conducted for the signature of the agreement between the Czech Republic and the U.S. to establish a radar station southwest of Prague, Czech Republic for an evolving ballistic missile defense system in Eastern Europe. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg on behalf of the Czech Republic and on behalf of the United States by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
“I want to note too that this agreement is not just about missile defense. There will be an accompanying agreement very, very shortly that will help us to take advantage in the private sector, to help our private sectors take advantage of the research and development opportunities that this agreement will bring into being,” said Rice. She added, “And I know that there have been conferences here in which U.S. companies have participated and that there’s great excitement about the R&D and technological potential that this agreement will bring, deepening the technological cooperation between the United States and the Czech Republic.”
Teaming Agreement to Develop GATR-L
Elbit Systems Ltd. and Alliant Techsystems (ATK) announced a teaming agreement to develop the guided advanced tactical rocket– laser (GATR-L).
GATR-L will reportedly provide an affordable precision strike capability for all fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aerial systems platforms, according to the companies’ statement. The 70 mm rocket employs a semi-active laser guidance package to achieve high accuracy against both stationary and moving targets. In addition, GATR-L provides the ability to lock-on before launch to ensure only the target of interest is engaged. GATR-L is compatible with existing 70 mm launcher hardware and utilizes enhanced insensitive munitions technologies.
Iran’s Missiles
Iran, during recent naval wargame, launched a Shahab-3 missile, capable of carrying a 2,200 pound warhead. The missile is reported to have a 1,240 mile range. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) have responsibility for the missiles. Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali Ja’fari, IRGC commander, has said that, “Enemies might prefer to shorten the time of their possible war on Iran, we, from the outset of any war, will try to prolong it in order to use all our missile and non-missile capabilities against enemies.”
In related news, the IRGC launched a new navalized surface-tosurface missile with an estimated range of 190 miles. No other details were immediately available but command rhetoric promised that no enemy vessel would be safe and would be sent to the depths.
AASM Cooperation Agreement
MBDA France and Sagem Defense Securite signed a cooperation agreement concerning the modular air-to-ground weapon (AASM) and infrared guidance for tactical missiles. “Under the terms of the agreement, MBDA France will be responsible for all sales and marketing of the AASM family developed by Sagem Defense Securite. The two companies will also combine their respective areas of expertise to form a close partnership for the joint development of future versions of the AASM family,” read a statement provided by MBDA to MSMF.
The AASM is an all-weather precision weapon, comprising a guidance kit and a range extension kit that can be added to standard warheads. It is made in two versions. The version with inertial guidance and GPS, offering 10-meter (32.8 feet) accuracy, is already deployed by the French air force in foreign operations. A 1-meter version, including an infrared seeker, is now being qualified. French armed forces have already ordered 700 AASM systems, including both versions. The AASM family will join MBDA France’s range of tactical weapons for aircraft, allowing the AASM family to be included in any comprehensive offers aimed at meeting the requirements of air forces worldwide.
Yves Barillé: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
* Compiled by KMI Media Group staff