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CONTENT

• MKS180

• Defence

• Technology

• Industry & Trade

MASTHEAD

ESD SpotlightEmailnewsletterofthebimonthlymagazine“European Security & Defence” (ES&D)

Editor-in-Chief: Dr. Peter BossdorfDeputy Editor-in-Chief: Henning BartelsManaging Editors: Dorothee Frank (df) (newsletter)andStephenBarnard(magazine)Editors: WilhelmBocklet(wb),ChristianFuchs (cf), Gerhard Heiming (gwh)Layout: daviscreativmediaGmbHPhotos lead story: German Navy, BAAINBw

Published byMittlerReportVerlagGmbHA company of Tamm Media Group

MittlerReportVerlagGmbHBaunscheidtstrasse 1153113 Bonn, GermanyPhone: +49 228 350087-0Telefax: +49 228 350087-1Email:esd.spotlight@mittler-report.dewww.euro-sd.com

Managing Directors: Peter Tamm, Dr. Peter Bossdorf and Thomas BantleThe company is located in BonnDistrictCourtofBonn–HRB18658IdentificationnumberDE811223089

Contrary to some rumours the German Ministry of Defencewill continue to expedi-te the acquisition of theMKS180Multi-RoleCombat Ship as amajor and very significantprocurementeffort,aswasclearlyconfirmedand underscored during the meeting of theFederal Press Conference on October 17.Accordingtolatestresearchandfindingsthestatus of the programme is as follows: only lastyeartheNavy’soperationalrequirementfor these surface combatants was approved bytheChiefofStaff,Bundeswehr,anditcon-tinues to constitute an increasingly urgentneed. The decision to embark on a procure-ment programme has remained unchanged. Adaptationsaffectingthetimescheduleuntilthe award of a building contract only result from the fact that the tuning of contractual contents-inparticularthetechnicaldescrip-tionofthiscomplexweaponsystem-requiressignificantlymoretimefromindustrythanin-itiallyenvisaged.The BAAINBw procurement authority does, however, prioritise comprehensive docu-mentation as one means for risk minimisa-tion. Lessons learned from earlier projectssuggest that problems resulted from the fact that detailed specifications had onlybeen laid down after contract signature and

thus resulted in financial and time adap- tations.In light of the intended high quality standard fortheMKS180designtheprolongationofthecompetitionisalogicalstepandhastobein-terpretedasaproofofcontinuedcompliancewiththenewprocurementdirectives.Thefactthat this moderate delay enjoys support at po-liticallevels,too,underlinestheconfidenceinthe work of the project team in charge.Thechangeditineraryisinnowayrelatedtothepolitical initiative tosupport theNavy inthe accomplishment of its various missions withasecondbatchofClassK130corvettes.Against the background of a clearly growing number of global deployments on the one hand, and the very obsolete material in naval serviceontheother,fiveadditionalcorvettes

can contribute to respond to international expectati-ons for German maritimesupport. How and when thisinitiativecanresultinacontract remains to be cla-rifiedinamultitudeoftalksandnegotiations.

Peter Bossdorf

MKS180 continues as a major procurement programme of the German Navy

Different possible concepts of the MKS180

2ISSUE 44 / 2016

Defence

Cybersecurity challenge forcritical infrastructures

(df) The first edition of a new cy-ber security challenge organised by the “Pôle d’Excellence Cyber” cluster in partnership with Airbus Defence andSpaceandThaleswillseeitsfinalcom-petition on November 24 during the Eu-ropeanCyberWeekinRennes.Theaimofthischallengeistofindtalentsandtoalsoshow the students in France specialised in computer science the variety of professi-ons in the high-growth sector of computer security. “For France alone, Thales plans to recruit at least 200 engineers speciali-sedincybersecurityin2016,”saidLaurent

Maury,VicePre-sident, CriticalInformation Sys-tems and Cyber-security, Thales.

The taskof thefinalistswill be todefendcriticalinfrastructuresinthefieldofenergy(fossil, nuclear or gas) from cyber-attacksby an unknown “international organisati-on”. Their aim will be to minimise losses in keeping their power plant or other infrast-ructurerunningjustasprotectingthenatu-ral sites located near each target.The three teams with the highest score will share the win. They will be awarded technology prizes (computers, tablets or

smartphones) and training courses and/or joboffersatAirbusDefenceandSpaceorThales.ThecompetitionbeganonOctober21 with a series of technical tests to be sol-ved online in areas such as cryptography, forensic analysis or software vulnerabilityanalysis.Attheendofthis initialqualificationpha-se, the top 48 students will be selected to form16teamsofcyber-defencespecialists,whichwilltakepartinthefinalonNovem-ber24inRennes.https://challenge-ecw.frwww.airbus.comwww.pole-excellence-cyber.orgwww.thalesgroup.com

Operation SEA GUARDIAN starts in the Mediterranean Sea

(df) Yesterday NATO began a new stan-ding maritime security operation in theMediterraneanSeanamedOperationSEAGUARDIAN. The Italian frigate ITS Aviere,theBulgarianfrigateBGSVerni,theTurkishfrigate TCG Gemlik, the Greek submarine

HS Papanikolis and the Spanish subma-rineESPSMistralwillconductthefirstpa-trols in the central Mediterranean under NATOstandingoperations.Theplannedairsupport will include rotational patrols byMaritimePatrolAircraft (MPAs) fromPor-tugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey. The-sepatrolswillstartNovember17,2016.“OperationSEAGUARDIANhasthreecoremissions:maritime situational awareness,counter-terrorism and capacity building. Additionaltaskscouldbeaddedifdecidedby the Allies, including upholding free-domofnavigation,conductinginterdictiontasks,counteringproliferationofweaponsofmassdestructionandprotectionofcri-

ticalinfrastructure,”wroteNATOMaritimeCommand (MARCOM) to describe themain tasks and mission targets.“OperationSEAGUARDIANwillhelpmain-tainanaccuratepictureofdailyactivityinthe Mediterranean to help identify pos-sible security concerns. Ships, submarines and aircraft assigned to NATO OperationSea Guardian will contribute informationto maintain a comprehensive picture of the operatingarea.OperationSEAGUARDIANestablishes NATO Maritime Command inNorthwood, UK as the hub of maritimesecurity information sharing for the Alli-ance.”www.mc.nato.int(P

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Reinforcing the Black Sea

(df) “We just had a very constructivediscussion on the security situation inthe Black Sea region.Where Russia’s mi-litary build-up is a cause for concern. The security environment has changed – and NATO is responding with resolve,“ said NATO Deputy Secretary General RoseGottemoeller after the meeting with theForeignMinisterofRomania,LazarComa- nescu.

“We are strengthening NATO presence in theBlackSearegion.WithaRomanian-ledmultinational frameworkbrigadeon land.We are also working on measures in the air and at sea. Two weeks ago, several Allies indicated they will contribute to this pre-sence – a strong sign of solidarity.”As Gottemoeller pointed out, Romania isserving NATO in many ways, including by hostinganAegisAshoreofNATO’sMissileDefence system. “And I warmly welcome

that Romania has committed to increasedefence spending to 2% of GDP.”www.nato.int

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Technology

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Tank commander viewing outside with augmented reality

(df) Augmented reality has been in the sights of the military from the very begin-ning. The advantages are clear, bringing complexinformationdirectlytotheeyeofthe soldier: fire control; an outside viewfrom insideatank;orpicturesof thesur-roundings that might come from a drone.Butstill, theexistingdisadvantages–highcost, unclear reliability, interoperability challenges, possible security risks and an information overload upon the soldier –

haveuntillnowpreventedintroductiontothe armed forces.The Ukrainian Army is now introducing LimpidArmor,a circular reviewsystem forarmoured vehicles consisting of a helmetwith integrated Microsoft HoloLens glas-ses, into their tank troops. This helmet, with integrated augmented reality, will allowthecommandera360°thermalandopticalviewaroundthetankinanareaupto 300 metres around the vehicle.LimpidArmormadeitsdebutinOctoberatthe Arms and Security show held in Ukrai-

ne’scapitalcityofKiev,theintroductiontothe Ukrainian Armed Forces is planned for 2017.http://limpidarmor.com/

Marder-based battle tank by Rheinmetall

(cf)At the IndoDefence in JakartaRhein-metall presented a demonstrator of a 105mmmedium battle tank. The vehicleis based on the combat-proven Marder 1 chassis already fielded by the IndonesianArmy and now equipped with a modern HitfactIIturretfromLeonardo.Moreover,Rheinmetalliscurrentlycarryingout a combat performance upgrade of the Leopard2A4mainbattletankonbehalfofthe Indonesian Armed Forces. Depending onwhichof the twodifferent versionsofthetank–theLeopard2A4+orLeopard2

RI (Republicof Indonesia)– themoderni-sationprogrammeincludesaclimatecon-trol system, improvedballisticprotection,conversion from an hydraulic to an electric turret drive, an auxiliary power unit, and

installationof a reversing camera(RI).Rheinmetall isalsoenhancingthe120mmsmoothboregunintheRIconfigurationwithaprogrammingkitthatwillenableittofireRhein-metall’s new programmable DM11 multipurpose round. On show inJakarta was also the new network-capable Rheinmetall Oerlikon Re-

volver Gun Mk 2, which features AHEAD (advanced hit efficiency and destruction)technology. A final highlightwas thepro-grammableairburstammunition.www.rheinmetall.com

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Sectra Tiger/R receivedauthorization RESTRICTED

(cf) Sectra and Samsung have a strategic partnership aimed at pro-viding government au-thorities with an eaves-drop-secure smartphone solution. The result, theSectra Tiger/R, has nowbeen approved by the Dutch national communi-cation security authorityfor use up to and inclu-ding the security level Restricted.

Sectra Tiger/Rwill also allow the separa-tionofprivateandprofessionaldataonasinglesmartphone.ThecombinedofferingincludesSectra’sdefence-gradeencryption

and phone integrity package leveraging theSamsungKNOXplatform.Itpreventseavesdropping and substantially re-duces vulnerability to malicious appli-cationsandtampering.SectraTiger/Rispartofacommonin-frastructure with fully interoperable SectraTigersolutionsforbothRestric-tedandSecret.Thisprovidesflexibilityfor organizationswith individualswhohave different security needs by crea-

ting a highly secure environment that isalso cost-efficient to maintain. Sectra Ti-ger/Risacomprehensivesolutionforsecu-remobilecommunication.It enables the client to use the smartphone for Restricted-level secure voice and textcommunication,effectivelyprotectingyouagainst eavesdropping attempts. Throughits strong, policy-based, phone integrity package, integrated with Samsung KNOX, it also protects you against threats to the smartphone platform, such as hackingand malware or misconfiguration by the user. http://communications.sectra.com

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Update for Challenger 2 main battle tank

(cf)TheBritishArmyhasdecidedtoupdatetheir Challenger 2main battle tank fleet.The plan is to modernise 227 of the out-da-ted Challenger 2 that are currently in ser-vice.“The Ministry of Defence has chosen BAE Systems and Rheinmetall Landsystemeas preferred bidders for the assessment phase of the Challenger 2 life extension project,” a spokesman for the Defense Equipment & Support organization con-firmed.Thespokesmansaid theselectionis an “important step forward as we con-tinuetoworkwithindustrytodeliverakeyequipment programme for the UK’s armed forces.”Aftera24-monthassessmentprogrammethe winning company will be announced.

The decision of the UK Ministry of Defence for the winning company is expected in 2019.The British are investing €59.6 millionEuro, in the assessment phase. Each of the contractors will receive €25.8 milli-onandthere isanadditional€7.8millionbeing set aside to cover additional, un-specified work. The modernisation pro-grammehasavalueofabout€730.6mil- lion.

The rival teams are expected to build a prototype based on their proposal as part of the two year assessment, the Daily Tele-graphwroteonOctober31quotingmilitaryandpoliticalinformation.TheChallenger2is in service since 1998. As a result of the StrategicDefenceandSecurityReviewtheout-of-service date was extended ten years to 2035.A range of upgrades including the tur-ret andother capabilities of the tankwillbe adopted. It is expected that the af-fordable upgrades that make the tank more effective and improve its lethalitywould be applied. Germany and France are in the early stages of looking at a newmain battle tank for the 2030s, butto date there is no sign of British in- terest.www.baesystems.com

Stryker prototype with Kongsberg weapon system

(cf) The first Stryker prototype with aKongsberg MCT-30mm weapon system has been delivered to the US Army. This new infantry carrier vehicle will carry the name

Dragon, the name of the 2ndCavalryRegi-ment. The vehicle features a new fully-in-tegrated commander’s station, upgradeddriveline componentry and hull modifi- cations.Fielding to the 2ndCavalryRegimentinEu-rope will begin in May 2018, which repre-sents“anear-recordtimefromconcepttodelivery,” according to General Daniel B. Allyn,ArmyViceChiefofStaff.“This is an example of what is possible when government, military and industry leaders unite as one team,” he continu-ed, describing the collaboration betweenGeneral Dynamics Land Systems and PEOGCS. The goal, Allyn noted, was to offer

forces on the ground the best equipment andprotectionpossible.The Army has initiated the first two ele-ments of the Stryker Fleet Lethality Stra-tegy: providing an under-armour Javelin capability for the Stryker and improving the capabilitiesoftheStrykerAnti-TankGuidedMissile vehicle tobetter locateandenga-ge targets via networked fires. The Armyapproved upgrades for 81 vehicles with full rate production will commence follo-wing an abbreviated test phase in Spring 2017.www.gdls.comwww.kongsberg.comwww.peogcs.army.mil

Stryker with laser

(cf)GeneralDynamicsLandSystems(GDLS)has developed in partnership with the US Army a short-range laser system, designed to protect against missiles, mortars and drones. The system can be integrated on an armoured personal vehicle.Now this laser has been mounted on a Stryker and tested at Fort Sill. During the test the laser was able to destroy 21 of 23

drones. The energy of the laser can melt or destroy components of whatever it at-tacks. The laser weapon can operate with its own radar and therefore remain func-tional even if the vehicle’s systems are jammed.The power of the laser is currently two kilowattsbutshallbeincreaseduptofivekilowattsaccodingtoGeneralDynamics.Itis planned to raise the power up to 18 kilo-

watts.Thelasercouldbeoperationalin11months,GDLSsaid.www.gdls.com

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LASA Ballistic Shields pass NIJtesting standards

(cf) Morgan Advanced Materials’ LASA(Lightweight Armoured Soldier Architec-ture) Ballistic Shields have successfullypassedballisticstestinginaccordancewithNIJ (National Institute of Justice) 0108.01against NIJ Level III and special rifle threats.The fullNIJ compliant testingwas carriedoutbyChesapeakeTestingatanindepen-

dentcentre intheUSA.TheLASAballisticshields were successfully tested against three different rifle rounds: 7.62x51mmM80 Ball, 7.62x39mmM67 (PS Ball) and7.62x39mm M43 (PS Ball). Passing therigoroustestingistestamenttotheperfor-mance ofMorgan’s LASABallistic Shields,which deliver good multi-hit rifle protec-tionandlowweight.Withathicknessofjust16mm(0.6inches)andweightofjust16.0kg/m2 (3.28 psf). As

the manufacturer said, LASABallistic Shields are20% lighter than exis-ting in-service solutionsand allow for increased mobility and endurance. Morgan’s LASA BallisticShields are available in four standard sizes, withbespoke shaped soluti-ons also available for lar-ger volumes.The range is available to buy from Morgan Com-posites and Defence Sys-tems in Canada, the UK and Singapore.www.morgandefencesystems.com

New Zealand’s network-enabled army programme

(df) Systematichasannounced theawardof a contract to assist New Zealand De-fence Forces to complete Tranche 1 of the Network Enabled Army (NEA) Programme.“Systematic will provide an Enterprise Li-cense for the full SitaWare Suite including Headquarters, Frontline and Edge pro-ducts,” explained Mike Magill, President SystematicAsia-Pacific.“ThisenablesinteroperableC4Icapabilitiesat all levels of command including not just staticheadquartersunits,butalsovehicles

anddismountedcommanders. InadditiontotheCOTS-basedsoftwareattheheartoftheC4ISRcapability,wewillalsoassisttheNZDF team in providing architecture and

system design services, along with imple-mentationand integration support.A keyfeature of the support services is that they will take account of evolving and maturing requirements through the set-up of an ‘Agi-le’ project environment managed by Syste-matic.”The New Zealand NEA programme is one of the most important for the NZ Army in the comingyears. Itwillmodernise theC4ISRcapabilities in four different tranches, ad-ding additional capabilities through thecoming 12 years.www.systematic.com

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Half of the Leopard 2A7+arrived at Qatar

(cf)Kraus-MaffeiWegmann(KMW)hasde-liverednearlyhalfofallLeopard2A7MainBattle Tank (MBT) from the contractwithQatar to the Middle East.The Leopard 2 A7 is developed and qua-lified for the task inareaswithhigh tem-perature and dusty tracks like the Middle East. The tank can be fitted with the la-test armour upgrade and a roof-mounted FLW200.50machinegunremoteweaponstation(RWS).Thetopspeedofthetankwhenoperatingindesertenvironmentis68km/h.Theran-

ge is 450 kilometres. The Leopard 2A7+is designed to operate both in low inten-sityandhigh intensity conflicts.The tank’sprotectionhasbeenincreasedbymodulararmour; the frontal protection has beenimproved with a dual-kit on the turret and hull front, with additional protectionagainstRPGsandmines.Anotherpartoftheexistingcontractisthedeliveryof24PzH2000selfpropelledartil-lery systems. The contract also includes 32 Fennek vehicles and a quantity of DingoHeavyDutyinthreedifferentversions.SixFFG Wisent 2 Support vehicles and near-ly 100 Actros transporters from Merce-

des-Benz, plus a training and supportpackage are also part in the contract.Thehull and turret structuresof theLeo-pard 2 A7+ are manufactured in Volos,Greece. The final assembly of the tankpartstakesplaceatthemainconstructionhall in Kassel, Germany www.kmweg.de

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Extension of the Sentinel fleet

(df) The Royal Air Force has awardedRaytheonUKa€149millionextension–tothe year 2021 – of its contract to manage support services for the Sentinel surveil-lanceaircraftprogramme.Withinthiscon-

tract Raytheon will optimise the design,modification, configuration managementand support aspects of Sentinel at RAFWaddington and at Raytheon‘s facility inBroughton, Wales.“The Sentinel fleet is well-recognised for

the outstanding contribution it hasmadeto military and surveillance operationsaround the globe over the last nine years,” saidRichardDaniel,ChiefExecutiveOfficerofRaytheonUK.www.raytheon.com

Improved vibration control for the Chinook

(df) Delivery of the first Improved Vibra-tion Control System (IVCS) for the CH-47Chinook helicopter to Boeing took place in early November. The IVCS technologyusesaccelerometersthatmeasureaircraftvibration levels. These signals areproces-sed via a centralised computer through a softwarealgorithmthatinterpretsthedata

and sends commands to force generators located un-der the pilots’ seats. These forcegeneratorscreate“anti-vibration” that stops the pro-gressionof vibrationdue tothe main rotor, and creates more comfort.The product, made by LORD Corporation,is a direct/drop-in replacement for the

previously used passive tuned vi-brationabsorber.AccordingtoMikeJanowski, Manager of Electromecha-nicalDesignatLORD,theIVCSiseasily

installedbyusingalreadyexistingmounts on the Chinook aircraft,andalsooutperformstheexistinglegacy system.

www.boeing.comwww.lord.com

Cargo Hold Trainer – Enhanced for the A400M

(df) Rheinmetall and Airbus Defence &Space handed over the first Cargo HoldTrainer – Enhanced (CHT-E) for the A400M totheRoyalAirForce.TheCHT-Eisanexactreplica of the A400M cargo hold, encom-passing all of the operator interfaces, con-trol stationsand technical featuresof theoriginal equipment in order to allow reali-stictraining.The package also includes an instructor control station, where exercises can beprepared, monitored and evaluated. Trai-ning options includemission-specific rec-onfigurationofthecargohold,preparationfor loading, loading and unloading, stan-

dard operating procedures while in flightand on the ground, and cooperation bet-weenmultiplecrews.The CHT-E is an exact replica of the A400M cargo hold, encompassing all of the opera-torinterfaces,controlstationsandtechni-cal features of the original equipment, right down to the last detail. The package alsoincludesaninstructorcontrolstation,where exercises can be prepared, monito-red and evaluated.The system is therefore suited to initialand advanced training as well as refresher coursesandpreparationforspecificopera-tions.Moreover,difficultmanoeuvressuchasairdropprocedurescanbepractised incomplete safety.Abouta yearagoRhein-

metall has already handed over a CHT-E to theGermanAirForce.ThefirstCHT-EhasbeeninoperationattheAirbusInternatio-nal Training Centre (ITC) in Seville, Spain, since September 2013.www.rheinmetall.com

Advanced Training for UAS

(df) Simlat has delivered an advanced Si-mulationandTrainingSystemfortheAlta-vian Nova Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platform. For this solution the IntegratedTrainingSimulator(INTER)wascustomisedandintegratedtotheNova’scontrolstationnamedFLARE.“ThisisthefirsttimethatAltavianhashadaccess to professional quality simulationfortraining,”saidThomasRambo,COOof

Altavian. “We have a long-standing part-nershipwithSinclairasourNationalOEMTraining Partner to provide the most mo-dernand complete solution toour custo-mers. This simulation capability is unpa-ralleled in the commercial market, and will truly set Sinclair’s training programme apart.”ThenewINTER-Novatrainingsystemisful-ly integrated and capable of producing so-phisticated virtual training scenarios with

high-fidelityvisuals,realisticenvironments,andinteractivesituations.www.altavian.comwww.simlat.com

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Unmanned Warrior 2016

(df) After two years of planning the firstand only of its kind exercise, Unmanned Warrior2016,tookplaceofftheWestcoastof Scotland and Wales, as part of Joint War-rior 162.Major defence companies camewith theirunmanned systems,flying, sur-face and underwater, to probe the war of

thefuture,as(then)FirstSeaLord,AdmiralSir George M. Zambellas called it when he conceived the event in 2014. In this exerci-se several trials included a direct compari-sonofexistingandestablishedvesselswiththe new systems.For example, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK(AEUK), in partnership with Northrop Grumman, completed the Royal Navysponsored Unmanned Warrior Mine Hun-ting Challenge in Scotland. ARCIMS is al-ready being delivered to the Royal Navywith an influencemine-sweepingmissionpayload. The ARCIMSMine HuntingMis-sion System performed several high speed missions gathering high quality AQS-24B towed sonar data within challenging mine-

hunting conditions. A key aim for AEUKwas to demonstrate ARCIMS as a provenand reconfigurable USV mission systemthatcanperformreliableMCMoperations,offering,accordingtothecompany,aran-geofbenefitsoverconventionaldedicatedship systems.Several mine hunters of the Royal Navywereconductingalmostthesametrial,sothis was a very direct test of new systems against old at all possible stages.Theexerciseisstillbeingevaluatedbutasafirstresultmostoftheunmannedsystemswere able to show high performance and meet the given challenges.www.royalnavy.mod.ukwww.atlas-elektronik.com

Iceberg control in a cloud-based online platform

(df) The international iceberg patrol ser-vicesetupafterthesinkingoftheTitanicisnowabletotrackdriftingicefromorbitmore swiftly through ESA-backed cloudcomputing.Since1913theUSCoastGuardhas run the International Ice Patrol con-trolling the North Atlantic. The icebergstypicallybreakofffromtheGreenlandicesheetbeforebeingcarriedintoBaffinBay.Throughout the January to July ice sea-son, aircraftmake regular reconnaissanceflights,addingtoan increasingamountof

radar imagery from Europe’s Sentinel-1Aand -1B satellites.“Each flight lasts seven to nine hours tocover an expanse of water of 75,000 sq km ormore.But satellitesofferanadditionalwide view within the overall 1,300,000 sq km service area. Radar satellites are ex-tremelygoodatdetectingseaiceandice-

bergs, even in clouds or darkness,” explains DavidArthursofPolarView.“Thistaskhasjust been made much quicker and easier through our new platform, which has allthe major data assembly and processing on asingleonlineplatform.Itsrealvalueisinshrinking the gap between the satellites in orbit and the end users.”The online platform allows the easy ex-tractionofinformationfromacollectionofsatellite data and computer models, inclu-ding iceberg calving and trajectory models.www.esa.inthttp://p-tep.polarview.org/

Type 26 Global Combat Shipproduction starts next summer

(df) BAE Systems has confirmed that thefirst steelwill be cut on the RoyalNavy’sType26GlobalCombatShipsinGlasgowinsummer2017.TheType26GlobalCombatShipisananti-submarinewarfareshipandwillreplacetheType23frigatesintheRoyalNavy. Globally deployable, the new vessels will be capable of undertaking a wide ran-ge of roles from high intensity warfare to humanitarian assistance, either operatingindependently or as part of a task group.The UK Government committed to eightadvancedanti-submarinewarfareships in

its2015StrategicDefenceandSecurityRe-view(SDSR)andhastodateinvestedatotalof€2.14billion intheprogramme.Manu-facturing contracts are already in place for the procurement of major equipment for the first three ships, supporting progressto the full manufacturing programme in Glasgow.To date there are 27 companies working with BAE Systems to deliver the Type 26ships, with manufacturing of the ships’ air weapons handling systems, gas turbines, and electric propulsion motor and drive systems underway across the UK. BAE Sys-tems is also under contract to manufacture

the Maritime Indirect Fire System, inclu-dingits5-inch62calibreMk45gun,forthefirstthreeType26shipsandtheMoDhasannounced a contract with MBDA to deli-ver the Sea Ceptor self-defence missile sys-temforthefleet.www.baesystems.com

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Successful RBS15 firing

(df) Saab announced a successful customer livefiringof theRBS15 surface-to-surfacemissile systemby theCroatianNavy fromtheRTOP-42Dubrovnikfastattackcraftdu-ringthemilitaryexerciseHARPUN16.“The firing of the RBS15 demonstrated

the Croatian Armed Forces’ capability tooperate from all RBS15 launch platforms,which is a significant step forward in theCroatian Armed Forces’ capabilities“, saidLieutenantGeneralDragoMatanović,De-putyChiefoftheGeneralStaff.www.saabgroup.com

Update of the corvette’scombat system

(df) Indonesian state-owned shipbuilder PT PALhasawardedacontracttoupdatethecombat system of the In-donesian navy’s KRI-362Malahayati corvette tothe consortiummade upofIndraandNavantia.The contract is worth €15.7 million. The pro-ject comes as part of the mid-life modernisation

(MLM) programme for this FATAHILLAHclasscorvette.Thecontractedmodernisationofthecom-batsystemincludesrenovationofsensors

and fire control systems andintegrating these via amoderncombat management system. It will also include new de-ployment of some of the most advanced systems offered bythese two companies to the naval sector, including Indra’s ESM RIGEL electronic defense

andDORNAfirecontrolplatforms,aswellasNavantia’scombatmanagementsystem,thus strengthening their standing in the in-ternationalmarket.TheIndonesiancorvet-te will therefore be equipped with the la-test electronic technology that is also used by the Spanish Navy.Indra and Navantia are already partne-ring on a number of programmes, for ex-ample for the Spanish Navy’s future F110 frigate.www.indracompany.comwww.navantia.es

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Saab delivers integrated combat system to Australia

(df) Saab has signed a contract with Spa-nish shipbuilderNavantia for thedeliveryof an integrated combat system for the two newRoyalAustralianNavy replenishmentships.This contract contains the procurement of the total combat system equipment inclu-ding the helicopter control radar and dec-oy system, its value is €22.7million. The

choosenSaab9LVsystemisalreadyinser-vicewithbothANZACandCANBERRAclassships.

“Saab will deliver an integrated combat systembasedonthelatestSaab9LVCom-bat Management System,” says Thomas Kloos, head of business unit Combat Sys-tems and C4I solutions within Saab busi-ness area Surveillance. “Thanks to system integration,Saab’sproductscancommuni-cate seamlessly over different platforms,whichmeansthatresourcescanbeutilisedmoreefficiently.”http://saabgroup.com

Additional 28 missiles for theVIRGINIA class submarines

(df) BAE Systems has received a contract from General Dynamics Electric Boat to be-ginworkassociatedwiththeproductionofVirginia PayloadModule (VPM) tubes forBlock V VIRGINIA-class (SSN 774) subma-rinesoftheU.S.Navy.Productionwillstartin early 2017 with deliveries expected th-rough 2019.TheVPMisanadditionalmid-bodysectionbeing integrated into the submarines, be-ginningwiththesecondboatofBlockV.It

contains four large-diameter payload tu-bes, each capable of storing and launching up to seven Tomahawk cruise missiles. Ac-cessiblewhileatsea, theVPMalsooffersanunprecedentedamountofflexibility in

the potential integration of future paylo-ads.“The new Virginia Payload Module willbringanadditional28missilestoeachVIR-GINIA class submarine, tripling their pay-loadstrikecapacity,”saidJoeSenftle,vicepresident and general manager of Weapon Systems at BAE Systems. “Increasing the firepoweroftheVIRGINIAclassisacost-ef-fective way for the Navy to maintain itsstrikecapabilityafteritsfourSSGNguidedmissilesubmarinesretire.”www.baesystems.com

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Pilot programme for a sailor app

(df) The United States Fleet Forces Com-mand has just begun a six-month pilot pro-gramme with the pre-launch of Navy’s ne-westtooltocounterdestructivedecisions,theLiveSafesmartphoneapplication.This pilot programme will allow sailors and theirfamiliesassignedtoHamptonRoads,VirginiaandRota,Spainachancetodown-loadandinteractwiththeapplicationpriorto its release. Of course everyone – even civilians everywhere in the world – can downloadtheappLiveSafe,butthespecialbenefitwillbeforthesailors.

The LiveSafe app was de-veloped in the wake of the Virginia Polytechnic Insti-tute and State University shooting in April 2007, itprovides sailors with conso-lidationresourcesineasytouse formats.LifeSafe has maps with thenext security services in, for example medical services, NavalCriminal InvestigationServices but also housing officesandFleetandFamily

Support Centres. With this tool sailors might find helpwherever they are by provi-ding an easy to use one-stop app for all needs.The maps and informationwill be updated on a regular basis so that it might in futu-re provide a worldwide ser-vice for the sailor. It is avai-lable for free in Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store.www.navy.mil

Cyber security training centre for IT and SCADA

(df)CYBERBIT,asubsidiaryofElbitSystems,has been awarded a contract to supply its CYBERBIT Range platform to the CyberSecurity Training Range (CSTR) of Mary-land, which will then become the firsthands-on cyber-security training centre for IT and SCADA security professionals in the US. Work is to be done during 2017.Leveraging the capabilities of the CYBER-BIT Range, the CSTR of Maryland provi-des a unique approach to cyber-security training, enabling the entire security andbusiness teamtopracticethe incident-re-sponseworkflowinhyper-realisticsettings

that mimic the trainee’s actual work envi-ronment. Thus, it allows teams to respond fasterandmoreeffectivelytocomplexandadvancedattacksandtoperformbetterasateam.CentrallylocatedinBaltimore,clo-se to the federal government’s cyber-rela-tedactivities,CSTRofMarylandwill offercyber-security professionals in both private and public sectors training the most cur-rent cyber warfare strategies.The training and simulation platform willserve as the launching capability of the CSTR,instructingcyber-securityprofessio-nalshowtoprotectnationalassetsandin-frastructureagainstcyberattacks.www.elbitsystems.com

Cooperation for digitisingprecious data

(df)AtaceremonyheldinVaticanCitylastFriday,ESAandtheVaticanApostolicLibr-ary have agreed to continue their years-long cooperation on the preservation,managementandexploitationofarchivedinformation. The declaration follows a fi-ve-yearactivitybytheVaticanLibrarytodi-gitiseitsancientcollectionusingthe“FITS”flexibleimagetransportsystemformat,toensure that future generations will haveaccess to the books and to give scholars a chance to study the material worldwide. ESA and NASA developed FITS in the 1970s, stemming from radio astronomy.

Founded in 1475 and one of the world’s oldestlibraries,theVaticanLibraryhousestens of thousands of manuscripts and codices, some are even 1,800 years old. FITSdigitisinghasalreadyhelpedtopreser-ve the original documents. Pressed against a plate of glass, the old pages can be dis-torted,butscannersoftwaredevelopedfor

theVatican’sprojectautomaticallycalcula-testhedifferentangles,resultinginanac-curate,flatimage.Since 2008, ESA has been addressing the preservation, accessibility and future ex-ploitationofitsheritageEarthobservationdata assets through the Long Term DataPreservationProgramme.ESAplanstouseFITS to ensure that satellite data and asso-ciatedinformationareavailable.The agreement will also enhance the futu-recollaborationbetweenESAandtheVati-canLibrarytoallowbothorganisationstobetter evaluate digital formats and emer-ging technologies.www.esa.int

10ISSUE 44 / 2016

CEO Rolls-Royce Power Systems

(cf) Andreas Schell has been appointed as ChiefExecutiveOfficer(CEO) of Rolls-RoycePowerSystems(RRPS).Schell follows Dr. Ul-

richDohle,whoisretiringfromJanuary1,2017. Schell has international leadershipexpertise. He is currently Vice President,Digital Strategy, for UTC Aerospace Sys-tems.He joinedUTC in2009asVicePre-sident, Engineering, for Aerospace Power Systems, before being appointed as Presi-dent, Electric Systems and then President,

Actuation&PropellerSystems.PreviouslySchell worked at Chrysler, where he held anumberofpositions includingVicePre-sident, Electrical and Electronics Core En-gineering and was responsible for develo-ping and releasing electric systems for the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge product lines.www.rrpowersystems.com

Saab and PGZ sign MoU for Polish naval programmes

(df) Saab and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) have signed a Memorandum of Un-derstanding (MoU) to establish a close cooperationintheplanninganddeliveryofPolish naval programmes, including surface ship and submarine construction for thePolish Navy and export customers.Earlier this year Saab and PGZ already sig-neda letterof intent tocooperatewithina range of projects related to Poland’s de-fencemodernisation in thenaval, air andland domains. PGZ is a leading manufac-turer of equipment for the Polish defence

forces and will play a key role in Polish de-fence projects.“Iamconvincedthatthecooperationbet-ween Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa and Saab willbebeneficialbothforourpartnerandforthePolishNavy,”saidArkadiuszSiwko,CEO of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa. “Ensu-ring Polish security, also at sea, is one of

the most important tasks for PGZ arising from the Technical Modernisation Plan.The signing of this agreement opens the door for the Polish defence and shipbuil-ding industries to a wide range of techno-logical cooperation, while for the PolishNavy, it is an opportunity to procure the most modern ships.”The Polish Armed forces are currently see-king to develop modern defence capabili-tiesthrough15prioritymodernisationpro-grammes, including plans for the purchase of modern submarines and surface ships.www.pgzsa.plhttp://saabgroup.com

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Industry & Trade

Rheinmetall achieves good earnings in the defence sector

(df) Rheinmetall was able to realize par-ticularly strong growth in terms of salesandasignificantincreaseinearningsinitsdefencesectorduringthefirstthreequar-ters2016,thecompanyreported.Thesuc-cessful business performance in the firstthree quarters has prompted the techno-logy group to adjust its annual forecast for 2016:Rheinmetallisnowtargetingconso-lidatedsalesof€5.6billion(previousfore-cast:€5.5billion)andanoperatingmarginofaround6%(unchanged).“With our defence sector,we are benefi-tingfrommanycountries’growingdemandfor security precaution solutions, both incivil and military areas,” Armin Papperger, CEOofRheinmetallAG,saidatthepresen-tation. “With our diverse product range,

weareinthebestpositiontobuildonourmarketpositionsandkeepgrowingorgani-cally.Intheautomotivesector,wearenotonly devoted to the highly topical issues of fuelandemissionsreduction,butarealsoexpandingourexpertisetoalternativedri-vetechnologies.Inaddition,wearebenefi-tingfromthegrowthinthekeyautomotivemarkets around the world.”This positive outcomewas a result of in-creases in several branches with the con-siderable sales increase in the Weapon and Ammunition Division, which genera-ted sales growth of around 50% to €720million, having a particularly positive ef-fect on earnings development. But this development also had effects in other branches.The company stated: “At €1,912 million,thedefencesector’ssalesrosesignificant-

lyby€287millionor18%inthefirstninemonthsof2016compared to€1,625mil-lion in the previous year. Adjusted for cur-rencyeffects,growthwas20%.Thesector’searnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved by €43million year on year to€32millionandwerethereforepositiveinthefirstninemonthsofayearforthefirsttimesince2012.”www.rheinmetall.com

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11ISSUE 44 / 2016

Armoured vehicles market

Defence IQ estimates that the armouredvehicles market will reach €13.95 billionin 2017. Versatile and flexible in use, ar-moured vehicles provide the protectionand mobility for the deployment of troops, sensors and weapon systems. They deliver the military capability and “troops on the ground” where and when they are needed.To gain access to the latest survey data and analysisbehindthisfigureyouare invitedto download your copy of Defence IQ’s

Global Armoured VehiclesMarketReport. In this reportyou will get insight into:• The long-term outlook forglobal armoured vehicle pro-duction;• The biggest threats to themarket;•WhyAPC’sarethemostin-demandvehi-cleforthenextdecade;•Whatthemostcriticalarmouredvehicleattributesareoverthenexttenyears.

The report once again de-monstrates that the market – in the face of fluctuatingoil prices an unpredictable operationalenvironment–isdynamic. Although there is always some uncertainty, ele-ments of regional growth and

contractioncanbeforecastwithadegreeofconfidence.Download your copy now:www.internationalarmouredvehicles.com

A solid fiscal year forRohde & Schwarz

(cf) Rohde & Schwarz can look back ona solid fiscal year 2015/2016. Revenueexceeded the previous year‘s result by 5.2%. Thanks to its technologies and pro-ducts and even stronger focus on customer needs, the electronics group was able to maintainaleadingmarketposition.Rohde&Schwarzalsosuccessfullytappedinto new growth areas with its security scanner and a counter-drone system. New products for protecting critical infrastruc-turesunderscorethestrengthofRohde&Schwarz. Inthepastfiscalyear,thegroupsuccessfully launched its security scanner, with the Procurement Office of the Ger-

man Federal Ministry of the Interior sig-ningaframeworkagreementfor300R&SQPS200 security scanners. Further orders have already been received from all around the globe.The new R&S ARDRONIS radiomonitoringsolution also protects critical infrastruc-tures. It allows users to detect and locate drone control signals early on and even stop the illegal use of drones if necessary. The group deployed R&S ARDRONIStechnology in June 2015 at the G7 summit held at Elmau Castle. When the US Presi-dent visited the Hanover Trade Fair in April 2016, R&S ARDRONIS protected the areasurrounding Herrenhausen Castle from un-authorizeddrones.

Rohde&Schwarzhasalsowonseveralim-portantreferenceordersfor itsR&SSDTRtactical communicationssystemsandsuc-cessfully completed development work for a key project, the joint radio system of the GermanArmedForces(SVFuA).In the fiscal year 2015/16 (July to June),Rohde & Schwarz generated revenue ofaround €1.92 billion. The number of em-ployees rose slightly from 9,900 to 10,000 onJune30,2016.www.rohde-schwarz.com

Tosubscribe/unsubscribefromthisnewsletterpleasewriteanemailwith“Subscribe”or“Unsubscribe”inthe reference line to: esd.spotlight@mittler-report.de

Pelican Products - The American Dream

(df) The 40th anniversary of Pelican Pro-ducts marks the actual highlight of a true American Dream. Dave Parker started Peli-can 1976 in a simple garage in Torrance,CaliforniaandcreatedtheveryfirstofthestillsuccessfulPelicanProtectorcasesjusttwo years later.Another major step followed 1997 by really enteringtheEuropeanmarketandsettingup the EMEA headquarters in Barcelona.

In buying several other companies Peli was able to enlarge the portfolio – from ca-sesthroughpackagingsolutionstorobust

lights–significantlyandtoeliminaterivalproducers.“Pelicanhasbeenonanamazing journeyfromitsbeginningsinagaragein1976tobecoming the global power in the design and manufacture of the toughest products in theircategories,” saidLyndonFaulkner,Pelican’sPresidentandCEO.“Ourcontinu-ed success is a testament to the people who have contributed their ideas, vision, enthusiasm and hard work over the years.”www.peli.com

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