BAE Systems division aeronautique

[Invité Rob]

Le nouveau CEO du BAE Systems va etre Ian King (un britannique).

Link.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7476797.stm

[Invité Rob]

UK to launch new offensive UAV study

By Rob Coppinger

The UK Ministry of Defence has launched a capability study into offensive unmanned air vehicle systems. The deep persistent offensive capability study will use data from BAE Systems' Taranis unmanned combat air vehicle technology demonstrator programme and the MoD's Project Morrigan trial of the company's Herti surveillance UAV.

An industry day is planned for September by the MoD team overseeing the study. "We are building up the [project] team now," integrated project team commercial manager Daniel West said during the ParcAberporth UAV exhibition in west Wales this week.

Conducted by the Royal Air Force's Air Warfare Centre UAV Battlelab, the Project Morrigan work involved use of the Herti for training and exercises, including a deployment to the UK's Camp Bastion base in Afghanistan.

Link.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/27/224948/uk-to-launch-new-offensive-uav-study.html

Aussi, a Parc Aberporth UAV air show en Nord Wales BAE Systems a pesente un HERTI pour la police.

[Invité Rob]

BAE SYSTEMS FURY MAKES PUBLIC DEBUT AT FI08

14 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI001/2008

Farnborough UK – Following the successful guided launch of a live weapon during recent trials, the BAE Systems Fury armed reconnaissance and close air support UAS (Unmanned Autonomous System) is making its public debut on static display at the Farnborough International Air Show 2008.

Sharing a similar airframe and some vehicle system components with the HERTI reconnaissance and surveillance UAS, Fury features the latest generation mission systems avionics, a newly developed stores management system and a proven weapon guidance system.

The product of a distinct military development programme, Fury has been developed and trialled in partnership with Thales UK’s missile business in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  This latest member of the BAE Systems’ UAS family is armed with the new Thales Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM) system, selected for Fury due to its suitability for lightweight manoeuvrable platforms, and for its ability to fire on the move while delivering significant precision effects.

BAE Systems’ project director Chris Clarkson said: “Fury is an affordable and reliable platform which has the ability to perform a number of military roles.  With a high degree of autonomy, it combines many of the already proven elements of our other unmanned platforms, including a small logistic footprint and low operator workload with a reliable and highly accurate weapon system.”

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_108611161633.html

NIMROD MRA4 IN POLE POSITION

14 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI012/2008

NIMROD MRA4 IN POLE POSITION

Farnborough, UK – Nimrod MRA4 development aircraft PA02 has successfully completed its longest and furthest flight to date, heading deep into the Arctic to investigate polar navigation.

The aircraft took off from Prestwick in Scotland with its heaviest ever fuel load, returning to Warton, Lancashire, just over 12 hours later after a journey of over 4000 nautical miles.

The route took the aircraft up between Greenland and Svalbard Island and gave excellent views of the ice shelf when the cloud cleared above 80 Degrees North.

The aircraft carried out a series of 'race track' manoeuvres at both 80 and 85.1 Degrees North to assess navigation accuracy before returning south, tracking parallel to the Norwegian coast then crossing the North Sea.

Aircraft captain Neil Dawson said: “the aircraft behaved almost flawlessly and the navigation system worked admirably throughout. The radar was used in all modes with good detection ranges and we had some interesting pictures of the ice shelf”.

At the most northerly position, Neil held a satellite phone conversation with Joe Harland, BAE Systems Large Aircraft Managing Director to update him on progress. Joe said; “this is a great achievement. Other than Santa Claus, there's no one I'd rather have call me from the top of the world than Neil Dawson, on the sat-phone in PA02”.

This success builds on significant progress made on the design and development programme which is targeted for completion by the end of the year. Recent highlights have included a highly successful overseas detachment for natural icing trials, testing of the new stability augmentation system and safe separation trials of torpedoes and other stores.

The flight test part of the design and development programme is being performed by PA01 and PA02, while the third development aircraft PA03 is being used to review maintenance procedures and as a ground-based test rig.

“The development aircraft are rapidly approaching 350 test flights and have now passed the 1100 flying hour mark, and all aircraft systems are on track to meet their target level of maturity”, said Joe. “We are planning to close the flight test programme before the end of this year and are working closely with our partners in the MoD to ensure that we deliver an excellent aircraft weapons system and value for money”.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007.

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_10861118549.html

FIRST SIMULATED LANDINGS ON NEW ROYAL NAVY CARRIERS

14 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI010/2008

Farnborough, UK – Engineers at BAE Systems, a major partner in the F35 Lightning II fighter programme, have successfully simulated the aircraft performing a shipborne rolling vertical landing manoeuvre (SRVL) to the deck of the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier (CVF) using the BAE Systems simulation facility at its Warton site in North West of England. This represents a world first with the integration of the F-35 and CVF synthetic models. 

The Company, which pioneered short take off and vertical landing technology, a key capability of the F35 Lightning II, is working with the UK MoD to support integration of the aircraft with the carrier ahead of entry into service.

This work aims to develop the capability of the short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the F-35 Lightning II, the UK replacement aircraft for the Harrier, and has been identified as a significant step forward to enhancing the capabilities of the UK armed forces in the future.

The SRVL manoeuvre is a development of a land based technique used currently by the Harrier aircraft and involves the aircraft landing on the carrier with a low-speed approach instead of vertically. This enables STOVL aircraft to land with heavier a payload. BAE Systems has successfully tested this technique at its dedicated flight simulation facility at Warton.

Mick Ord, F-35 Lightning II Managing Director said: “This is a significant achievement for the F-35 Lightning II programme. I am excited by this new development; the F-35 STOVL variant will be the most advanced STOVL aircraft in the world and will enhance the capabilities for the men and women of our armed forces.

“BAE Systems has a rich heritage in STOVL technology and this capability demonstrates the world leading position BAE Systems continues to have.”

Three versions of the F-35 Lightning II are planned: a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) and a carrier variant (CV).  Each is derived from a common design, and will ensure that the F-35 JSF meets the performance needs of the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and allied defence forces worldwide, while staying within strict affordability targets.

BAE Systems Inc in the US also brings key capabilities to the F-35 programme and delivers significant elements of the programme including electronic warfare, advanced low observable apertures, advanced countermeasure systems, vehicle management computer and active inceptor systems.

The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), will be the world’s first and only stealthy, supersonic, multi-role fighter. The F-35 is being developed for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps to replace the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16 and the F/A-18 Hornet and for the UK’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to replace the Harrier GR9 and Sea Harrier.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007.

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_108611175155.html

BAE SYSTEMS ENTERS PRODUCTION PHASE OF F-35 LIGHTNING II PROGRAMME

14 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI008/2008

BAE SYSTEMS ENTERS PRODUCTION PHASE OF F-35 LIGHTNING II PROGRAMME

Farnborough, UK – BAE Systems has completed, on schedule, the first detailed machining component for the first production F-35 Lightning II aircraft, signalling a major milestone for the

F-35 programme.

Produced from a solid piece of aluminium at BAE Systems’ dedicated machining facility in Samlesbury, North West England, the component will form part of the first production aircraft’s rear fuselage.

Mick Ord, F-35 Lightning II Managing Director said: “This is a significant milestone for the BAE Systems team. It marks our entry into the second major phase of the F-35 programme low rate initial production (LRIP), while we are still working in the system development and demonstration (SDD) stage of the programme.

“Working simultaneously on both major phases of SDD and LRIP in the programme provides many challenges for the team. But it is great to see that we continue to meet our commitments on schedule and to budget also.”

The component will go through a series of inspections before undergoing further treatment work prior to entering assembly later this year.

This first production aircraft will enter service with the US Air Force (USAF) in 2010 and follows the production contract announcement made in December last year. The contract is worth £25m to BAE Systems and will see the production of two conventional take off and landing variants of the aircraft.

Three versions of the F-35 Lightning II are planned: a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) and a carrier variant (CV).  Each is derived from a common design, and will ensure that the F-35 JSF meets the performance needs of the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and allied defence forces worldwide, while staying within strict affordability targets.

BAE Systems Inc in the US also brings key capabilities to the F-35 programme and delivers significant elements of the programme including electronic warfare, advanced low observable apertures, advanced countermeasure systems, vehicle management computer and active inceptor systems.

The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), will be the world’s first and only stealthy, supersonic, multi-role fighter. The F-35 is being developed for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps to replace the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16 and the F/A-18 Hornet and for the UK’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to replace the Harrier GR9 and Sea Harrier.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007.

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_108611174722.html

[Invité Rob]

BAE Systems presente le production standard HERTI.

BAE SYSTEMS UNVEILS PRODUCTION STANDARD HERTI

11 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI002/2008

BAE Systems Unveils Production Standard HERTI

Farnborough, UK - BAE Systems has unveiled the production variant of its HERTI unmanned autonomous system (UAS) at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Developed by BAE Systems, HERTI is one of a new generation of UAS suitable for both military and civil operations. The production standard airframe is manufactured by Slingsby Aviation in the UK, based on an original design by J&AS Aero Design of Poland.

A new, robust mission system is a key feature of the production standard HERTI. Enhanced sensor flexibility is provided through a multi-payload turret manufactured by Polytech AB from Sweden which enables easy integration of alternative sensors to meet the operational requirements of individual customers. This turret is equipped with state of the art electro-optic sensors for day and night operations.

BAE Systems carried out an extensive flight test programme using three development aircraft to verify the new mission system. This programme included endurance flying, night flights, and a fully autonomous night landing. Comprehensive fatigue testing of a HERTI airframe is also being performed.

Andy Wilson, Business Development Director Utility UAVs at BAE Systems, said: "From our extensive development and trials programme, and by taking the time to understand the requirements of potential customers both now and in the future, we believe that what we now have with the production standard HERTI is an affordable UAS, built to meet operational needs, but with the flexibility to meet emerging and future requirements."

Key to the production standard HERTI is the level of reliability and safe operation it will provide. This will be achieved through the BAE Systems-developed flight control system and new avionics suite, which give improved operational capability and a high level of system redundancy. This enables operation over populated areas and guarantees a high level of mission availability. The production standard system also includes lightning protection and a full night flying capability which reflect its ability to provide persistent surveillance in all weathers.

HERTI has performed a number of demonstration flights at fully operational RAF airbases using a new containerised ground control station and remote viewing terminal and proved its ability to provide real time access to intelligence data via satellite.

With its ability to take off, complete a full mission and land - all at the click of a computer mouse - HERTI has been designed to meet a wide variety of operational needs, both cost effectively and with extremely high levels of reliability while removing the need for an operator or pilot to control the aircraft from the ground. When coupled with BAE Systems' Imagery Collection & Exploitation (ICE) system, the aircraft offers real potential in the fields of maritime, coastline, border and military surveillance as well as showing broader potential for areas such as pipeline, plant and infrastructure surveillance, and insurgent detection.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007.

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_108611163922.html

BAE Systems va payer pour le BBMF - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

BAE SYSTEMS TO SPONSOR BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT

14 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI022/2008

BAE Systems To Sponsor Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight

BAE Systems is helping the RAF celebrate its 90th anniversary this year with a new five year sponsorship agreement under which it will support the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby, helping to preserve legendary aircraft such as Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane - vital elements of the two organisations' shared heritage.

The initiative grew out of a desire, shared between BAE Systems and the RAF, to safeguard their combined heritage. It's a proud history which includes "The Few" who took to the skies to defend Britain during WWII and BAE Systems’ heritage companies which include some of the most famous names in aviation, including Supermarine, Hawker and Avro.

While a key aim of the venture is to keep history alive, both parties recognise the aircraft also have an important "inspirational value" attracting people towards aviation and engineering.

As part of its sponsorship, a dramatic new air-to-air photograph of a historic Spitfire and new-generation Typhoon swing-role fighter was commissioned. Taken by aviation specialist photographer Jamie Hunter, this will be used in a new promotional poster for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, underpinning a relationship between BAE Systems and the RAF that is stronger and deeper today than ever.

Alongside the historic ties, RAF Coningsby is also where BAE Systems and the RAF are developing an entirely new way of working together to deliver the enormous abilities of the Typhoon swing-role fighter.

The base is home to four Typhoon squadrons and, alongside the RAF staff, 150 BAE Systems employees are based there to provide engineering, training and spare parts support as part of the development of a full availability service contract.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007.

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_108611184310.html

BAE Systems presente le GA22 - un 'airship' UAV. Le GA22 est un airship de l'entreprise britannique Lindstrand Technologies Ltd.

BAE SYSTEMS FLOATS AUTONOMOUS SYTEM AT FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL

14 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI020/2008

BAE SYSTEMS FLOATS AUTONOMOUS SYTEM AT FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL

A 22 meter long airship, originally developed by balloonist and adventurer Per Lindstrand, could become the latest addition to BAE Systems growing portfolio of autonomous systems.

The GA22 airship, perfect for deployment into roles such as communications relay stations, will be updated and adapted to carry payloads, such as high tech surveillance equipment at up to 150 kilograms in weight, to heights of more than 6,500 feet

BAE Systems plan to integrate their existing Unmanned Autonomous Systems into the GA22 making the technology more accessible to potential users.

“Strategically, GA22 fits perfectly into the autonomous fleet that we are developing“said Richard Williams, Director of Civil Autonomous Systems at BAE Systems “The new vehicle has the possibility of opening up a range of markets for BAE Systems.  It has a range of unique capabilities and we have identified a number of roles at major events, from sporting occasions to floods and forest fires, for which GA22 is ideal”.

BAE Systems designers and engineers have worked with Lindstrand Technologies to update the original design.  GA22 will be able to carry high-tech surveillance equipment, including a payload of up to 150 kilograms, to heights of more than 6,500ft.  In addition, it is being made from a newer and lighter material, which improves the airship’s performance. At the moment GA22 is radio controlled, but the plan is to make it fully autonomous.

Richard continued: “Even more exciting are the long-term prospects for success. I have no doubt that GA22 can make a significant contribution to our civil autonomous systems business,” Richard concludes.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_108611183947.html

BAE Systems presente un Jetstream 'surrogate UAV'.

JETSTREAM GOES IT ALONE

15 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI009/2008

JETSTREAM GOES IT ALONE

Farnborough, UK – A  BAE Systems team that includes Cranfield Aerospace and the National Flight Laboratory Centre at Cranfield University have achieved a major breakthrough in unmanned air systems technology, flying a series of missions totalling 800 miles in a specially modified Jetstream passenger plane without any human intervention – the first time such an undertaking has been achieved.   

Nick Colosimo, the manager of the programme at BAE Systems explained: “In order to comply with current aviation regulations, the Jetstream we use in our autonomous testing is a ‘surrogate’ unmanned air vehicle, or UAV, meaning it always has an aircrew on board, and up to now they’ve guided the aircraft through a display in the cockpit that’s acted as a pseudo-flight director.

“Now, we’ve got a way of taking them out of the picture and providing a purer UAV environment by controlling the plane through the mission system and autopilot.”

The development has many benefits. It means a demand from the mission system can be carried out immediately, eliminating the time lag that an aircrew brings. Similarly, it is now possible to fly routes with a greater level of repeatability.

Nick said: “removing the human element from Surrogate UAV flight helps to eliminate the uncertainty associated with human actions. This allows the Surrogate UAV to do exactly what it is told, when it is told.

“Looking wider, we’ve got the chance to make greater use of the Jetstream by using it to help test UAV technologies that support Unmanned Autonomous Systems in their UK airspace integration”.

There have been several follow-up flights since the first Jetstream mission with human-free input in May, and more are scheduled as part of BAE Systems’ continually developing unmanned air systems programme

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_10861118492.html

[Invité Rob]

Le Times dit que BAE Systems va presenter un nouveau grand UAV a Farnborough, Juillet 14 2008.

Raytheon Universal Control System creates a new rule of thumb

David Robertson

The endless hours that children spend playing computer games is not, as many parents suspect, a waste of time but rather training for a future career as a fighter pilot.

Thumb dexterity will become a key skill for tomorrow's pilots as they take control of the multimillion-dollar unmanned drones that are likely to take over from manned fighters.

The current generation of children will clock up an estimated 10,000 hours of “thumb time” on games consoles by the time they start looking for jobs and Raytheon, the American defence company, is hoping to take advantage of the skills developed.

The company is developing a system for controlling unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using X-Box and Nintendo Wii technology. The current fleet of UAVs, such as the £30 million Predator, which the United States Air Force and Royal Air Force have deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, are normally controlled by a single joystick and keyboard instructions.

However, using a Qwerty keyboard to control an aircraft remotely is difficult and Raytheon has been searching for a more intuitive means of piloting these aircraft.

Its answer has been to hire gaming developers to create a virtual cockpit that uses joysticks and control pads. This would allow a pilot to fire the Predator's Hellfire missiles by using the large red button on the control pad rather than typing in a command.

Keith Little, a spokesman for Raytheon, said: “What our guys have figured out is that the thumb control techniques used in computer gaming also gives pilots the most control.

“This has the added advantage that the Air Force will be able to recruit pilots who already have the dexterity required.”

Both the USAF and RAF have shown an interest in the Raytheon project, which will be demonstrated at the Farnborough Air Show next week.

Military commanders are concerned by the high number of UAV crashes that are caused by the difficulty pilots have controlling them remotely. Raytheon's Universal Control System is designed to be more like a real cockpit and will make piloting unmanned aircraft more natural.

UAVs are regarded as the future of flight and they are already used for numerous missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The USAF Predators, which are built by General Atomics, are flown by pilots located on a base near Las Vegas. The aircraft are typically used for surveillance and reconnaissance but can also be armed with missiles for hunter-killer missions. UAVs are also used for border patrol and BAE Systems, Europe's largest defence company, is working with Sussex police to deploy an unmanned aircraft that will look for criminal activity.

BAE is expected to unveil a new unmanned aircraft at Farnborough on Monday. This will mark BAE's entrance into the larger end of the UAV market having previously developed smaller models.

Thales, its rival French defence company, will also have its Watchkeeper aircraft at the show.

However, Howard Wheeldon, senior strategist at BGC Partners and a 40-year veteran of Farnborough, said that the star of the show would be the USAF's F22 Raptor. Farnborough will be the first time that the $250 million (£127 million) F22, the world's most sophisticated fighter, will be displayed outside the US.

Mr Wheeldon said: “We have seen displays from other fighters like the Eurofighter and F16 for years but the F22 is something very special. I just hope it turns up. Two years ago a USAF B52 bomber was supposed to fly over Farnborough but got the wrong airport. That's precision bombing for you.”

More than 1,500 companies will be exhibiting at the air show and over 250,000 people are expected to visit during the trade and public days.

Link.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article4319149.ece

[LordAssap]

DATE:11/07/08

SOURCE:Flight International

BAE battles to rebuild its reputation

By Craig Hoyle

BAE Systems is pinning its home market expansion plans partly on additional exports of the Eurofighter Typhoon

BAE Systems will arrive at this year's Farnborough air show in mixed spirits. On the plus side, last month it announced the selection of an internal candidate, Ian King, to become its next chief executive, and on 3 July it received contracts linked to the production of two new aircraft carriers for the UK Royal Navy.

But the company also faces continued uncertainty over the future of several of its key aerospace products, and is still trying to restore a corporate image severely tarnished by investigations into alleged financial impropriety during its past deals with Saudi Arabia.

Last October's announcement that Mike Turner would step down as chief executive of the UK's leading defence contractor prompted widespread speculation that BAE would look outside its senior management for a replacement, or even consider appointing a foreign national - a move that would have required UK government approval.

But the 27 June confirmation that King, the firm's current chief operating officer for the UK and the rest of the world (excluding its North American business activities) would take up the post from 1 September should guarantee a smooth transition. Announcing his selection, company chairman Dick Olver noted: "Ian is a highly experienced business leader with a proven track record."

Promoting from within also underlined BAE's corporate commitment to the UK, despite the massive growth of its US business.

Delayed progress on the Royal Navy's future aircraft carrier project included contracts to UK industry worth more than £3 billion ($5.95 billion), and enabled BAE and VT Group to launch their long-planned BVT Surface Fleet joint venture. The carriers will enter service in 2014 and 2016, and the Ministry of Defence is expected later this year to approve the purchase of two initial operational test and evaluation examples of the short take-off and vertical landing Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter - its preferred combat aircraft for the 65,000t vessels.

This is good news for BAE, which produces the rear fuselage section for the F-35. But the company may have to wait until early 2009 to discover the fate of the UK's planned Tranche 3 purchase of the Eurofighter Typhoon, with the MoD having also sought pricing options to possibly halve or even cancel its remaining commitment to the four-nation programme.

Uncertainty also hangs over the future of BAE's Hawk advanced jet trainer, with orders nearing an end from the UK and the US Navy, which operates the Boeing-modified T-45 Goshawk. BAE is also concerned that the MoD has yet to decide whether to increase its firm production order for the Nimrod MRA4 from nine to 12 aircraft, as the type moves towards a delayed in-service date of late 2010.

The MRA4 was partly responsible for a major crisis at BAE early this decade, when the company's strategy of winning the fixed-price contract at any cost came unstuck as the project hit major development problems.

The company has recovered from this and other contractual crises, and now has a much more "risk averse" attitude to securing such complicated deals. Speaking earlier this year, then-group strategy director Alison Wood said: "We are now through the process where we have fixed the business it is performing."

Wood recently left BAE, and was replaced on 1 June by former land systems business head Andrew Davies, who will pursue new areas of domestic activity, such as homeland security and infrastructure protection.

But it is on the international stage that BAE sees much of its future growth potential. The company has already established footholds in Australia - a position recently strengthened by the acquisition of Tenix Defence - plus Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden and the USA. Other "home markets" are now sought, with King telling Flight International last year that India and Japan are key future objectives.

Immediate Hopes

Although its immediate hopes are partly driven by an EADS-led campaign to sell the Typhoon to New Delhi, Wood said: "It is not good enough just to sell equipment into India." BAE is investigating a possible Hawk joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics, and a land systems deal with Mahindra & Mahindra. Longer term, it views South Korea as a possibility for investment and partnerships.

BAE's international dealings have come under great scrutiny in recent years. A long-running probe into past Al Yamamah deals between the British and Saudi governments by the UK Serious Fraud Office greatly damaged the company's reputation it has always vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

Company officials had hoped the SFO's controversial December 2006 decision to drop its inquiry on national security grounds would draw a line under the affair, but it has so far been unable to move on, with legal wrangles still rumbling on in the UK appeal courts. Crucially, however, an earlier threat that the investigation could derail Riyadh's planned purchase of 72 Typhoons failed to advance, and the first BAE-assembled example will be handed over in 2009.

Across the Atlantic, an investigation by the US Department of Justice has also resulted in embarrassment, with several senior company officials, including Turner, having been detained and questioned during business trips to the USA this year.

As part of a sustained "hearts and minds" campaign to re-establish its reputation, BAE in May published the findings of an internally mandated, but independent report into its business activities. Headed by Lord Woolf, former Lord Chief Justice for England and Wales, this made recommendations including that the company should "develop, publish and implement a global code of ethical business conduct", boost transparency and enforce tougher controls when using external advisers during offset negotiations.

But even before the report was published, BAE officials were highlighting the importance of promoting "safety, ethics and diversity" across company activities, describing this as "crucial in reputation terms".

King has made the completion of such corporate reforms one of his first priorities as chief executive. "My big challenge will be to implement the Woolf recommendations and to get the changes into the DNA of the company," he said in a recent interview with the UK's Times newspaper. "The big issue for us is reputation. We are raising that bar very high, so we are a global leader."

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/07/11/225292/bae-battles-to-rebuild-its-reputation.html

[Invité Rob]

Ici, l'image officiel du GA22, airship UAV.

[Invité Rob]

Superbes nouvelles: BAE SYSTEMS va developer un 'Reaper' class UAV - le nom 'MANTIS'

Taranis, Herti, Fury, Mantis, Raven, Corax, Soarer, Kestrel - BAE Systems leader europeen en UAVs/UCAVs.  =) A mon avis c'est maintenant sans doute vrai.

BAE Expected to Unveil UAV Demonstrator Program

By andrew chuter

Published: 14 Jul 12:10 EDT (16:10 GMT)

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BAE Systems is expected to strengthen its efforts to increase its unmanned aerial vehicles expertise with an announcement at the Farnborough air show that the company is to lead a British government technology demonstrator program to develop a platform in the same as the General Atomics Reaper.

Company executives have scheduled a press conference as the show gets underway July 14 where it is thought they will announce an agreement with the Ministry of Defence here to launch the technology demonstrator work.

Related Topics

Details of the propeller-powered vehicle, known as Mantis, are scarce ahead of the announcement. It seems likely, however, the program, led by BAE, will also include engine-builder Rolls-Royce and other companies.

The work could be related to an upcoming British network enabled ISTAR program known as Dabinett. One of the requirements for that program is for deep and persistent ISTAR capability.

A BAE spokesman declined to comment but did confirm the company would be making an announcement on a new program July 14. A large air vehicle hidden under camouflage was evident on BAE's static display July 13. It's possible this is a full-scale replica of the Mantis.

BAE, Rolls-Royce, research company QinetiQ and others are already involved in a technology demonstrator program known as Taranis.

The program in which industry and the government are together investing 124 million pounds has been underway since 2006 with the aim of developing a sovereign fully autonomous unmanned combat air vehicle capability.

Last month BAE took the wraps of an armed reconnaissance vehicle called Fury. Based on its Herti vehicle, it's the latest in a string of unmanned platforms developed by the company in recent years. Most of them have been demonstrator vehicles put together with BAE's own money.

The Royal Air Force already operates the armed Reaper vehicle. Three were purchased as part of an urgent operational requirement to support troops fighting in Afghanistan. One of the Reapers crashed with what is believed to have been engine trouble.

The British government has provided the cash to restore the fleet to three and has shown interest in further purchases of the Reaper subject to funds being available at some point in the future.

Link.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=3624281&c=AIR&s=TOP

[P4]

le voila.

 

Almost Under Wraps

[Invité Rob]

Merci! C'est superb.  =)

[Invité Rob]

Quote:

BAE Systems to take wraps off Mantis UAV

July 14, 2008

Defense

BAE Systems unveils the Mantis UAV at its outdoor exhibition site today. The Mantis, shown in full-scale model form, is armed with GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and Brimstone missiles on its six weapon pylons. The twin-prop, T-tailed vehicle is equipped with a multi-sensor turret and radar under the fuselage, and a satcom antenna in the upper nose section. It employs a triplex flight control system. The vehicle appears to be in the same class as the Reaper hunter-killer UAV, which the RAF currently flies in Afghanistan.

The Mantis is being developed as an advanced concept technology demonstrator, jointly funded by the UK Ministry of Defence. Industrial partners include Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, Selex Galileo, GE Aviation and Meggitt. Design and manufacture of both the air vehicle and its ground infrastructure is already under way, with an aim to fly early next year.

The Mantis benefits from BAE Systems’ experience in low-cost advanced construction techniques, and provides for plug-and-play options for testing different systems. It brings together technologies and capabilities to demonstrate the potential of a large UAV to support the UK’s operational needs.

BAE Systems has embarked on a focused strategy to become a major player in the multibillion-dollar U.S. market. On display alongside the Mantis are the Herti and its armed Fury derivative. Other unmanned systems are shown in model form in the company’s display hall, including an autogyro design called Ampersand.

Link.

http://www.ainonline.com/news/single...ff-mantis-uav/

[Invité Rob]

Apres tous les bonnes nouvelles sur les UAVs, une mal nouvelle sur le Hawk:

Singapore rejete le Hawk. M346 ou T50 vont gagner ce marche. On peut esperer que la nouvelle commande de l'Inde (57 Hawks), l'Arabie-Saoudite (40 Hawks), USN (180 Goshawks) et autres vont finaliser vite.  =)

Link.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/07/14/225319/exclusive-singapore-eliminates-bae-hawk-from-trainer.html

[Invité Rob]

Poste par Assap:

Monsieur Robert!

  Quel  plaisir...

  Pourriez vous s'i vous plait nous faire parvenir les sources officielles sur le "lead" de Taranis dans la course a l'armement?

  Curieux de savoir encore une fois quel armement cet U©AV en fait un programe plus "avance" que nEUROn?

BAE Systems est avant Dassault a mon avis parce qu'ils ont plus de programmes signifiquant. Ou est le Dassault 'Mantis'? Dassault travail avec IAI sur le Heron, un plateforme israeli. Taranis va voler un an avant Neuron, et Neuron est seulement 50% francais, dont environ 80% Dassault ---> Neuron est seulement 40% Dassault. Ou est l'equivalent Dassault pour le BAE Herti? Ou le BAE Fury? Ou le BAE Ampersand? Ou le BAE/Lindstrom GA22? Et je ne parle pas de BAE Raven, BAE corax, etc.... .

BAE Systems est maintenant clairement le leader europeen en UCAV/UAV et apres le, il est Finmeccanica, Dassault sur 3, Saab sur 4, etc... .

[Invité grinch]

le BAE Mantis

http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getAsset.aspx?ItemID=23918

[Invité Rob]

Press release officiel sur le BAE Mantis.

BAE SYSTEMS AND UK MOD ANNOUNCE MANTIS UAS DEMONSTRATOR PROGRAMME14 Jul 2008 | Ref. FI019

Farnborough, UK – BAE Systems has entered into a jointly funded 1st phase of a programme with the UK Ministry of Defence to develop an Unmanned Autonomous System (UAS) that will help shape technology development for the UK’s future UAS capability.

The Mantis UAS Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator programme will bring together technologies, capabilities and systems that will demonstrate the potential of a large unmanned aircraft to support future UK Operational needs.

Phase one of the programme will see BAE Systems working alongside the MOD and key UK industrial parties including Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, SELEX Galileo and Meggitt.

The design and manufacture of the twin-engine Mantis and the associated ground control infrastructure is already underway. Assembly, vehicle ground testing and infrastructure integration testing will take place later this year, with first flight currently scheduled for early 2009.

Mark Kane, Managing Director of Autonomous Systems and Future Capability at BAE Systems, said: “Mantis is another important step forward in the development of UAS capabilities in the UK. The aim is to prove that the integrated technologies on Mantis, that build on several years autonomous UAS experience within BAE Systems and the wider UK industry, can provide the tangible military capability and levels of performance required for future UK UAS Operations.”

On behalf of the UK MOD, AVM Simon Bollom, DG Combat Air, commented: “Mantis is an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator that will provide an opportunity to exploit emerging technologies, capabilities and systems. Its rapid development will provide indicators of how we can improve the acquisition process to deliver capability swiftly into fast changing military environments. A development programme such as Mantis will also help maintain UK indigenous capabilities in this fast evolving area. We expect to see positive early results before deciding about further investment in a longer term programme.”

The Mantis benefits from low-cost advanced construction techniques developed on earlier BAE Systems UAS programmes and provides for a wide range of  “plug and play” systems and equipment, as well as enabling flexible external stores carriage. A triplex flight control system will give high system reliability and integrity, with full exploitation of onboard autonomy reducing operator workload and increasing system performance. The novel design will also explore how low logistical footprint and ease of support could reduce through-life operating costs.

About BAE Systems:

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.

Link.

http://www.baesystems.com/Newsroom/NewsReleases/autoGen_10861413322.html

Aussi, interessant, BAE va offrir des grandes modernisations pour les presque 900 Hawks deja en service. On espere de gagner une commande pour des nouvelles Hawk Mk128 de l'Arabie-Saoudite.

FARNBOROUGH 2008: BAE unveils major upgrades for Hawk trainer

BAE Systems is to offer a major package of upgrades for international users of the Hawk advanced jet trainer, while also promoting the latest generation 128-model’s capabilities to potential new customers.

“We will start offering a suite of upgrades later this year,” says Michael Christie, BAE’s senior vice-president, Hawk International, whose responsibilities cover trainer business outside the UK.

The proposed enhancements will encompass “airframe, engine and avionics,” he says, with the move having been prompted by the Royal Australian Air Force’s need to perform a mid-life upgrade to its 33 Hawk 127s. The Bombardier-led NATO Flying Training in Canada system is viewed as another potential customer, he adds.

 

BAE is using the current record price of oil to highlight the fuel economy of its single-engine Hawk, and estimates that operating costs for the type could be half those of twin-engined or supersonic designs over a service life of 4,000-5,000 flight hours.

“You can’t separate life extension from fuel consumption – it’s becoming a real issue,” says Christie. “I can see most of the larger air forces concentrating on life-cycle costs.”

Countering competition charges that the aircraft lacks the dynamic performance of current fighter aircraft, Christie notes: “We designed the Hawk to go slower, because that’s where the training regime is. There’s enough dynamic performance to stress the pilot.”

Saudi Arabia could be another potential customer for a package of upgrades, with BAE expecting to offer the nation a mix of new Hawk 128s and a modernisation package for some of its Hawk 65s to prepare pilots for operations with the Eurofighter Typhoon.

“There is no official requirement or budget, but there is clearly a need,” says Christie. Riyadh’s expected AJT contest was also one of the factors which led to Boeing recently partnering with Alenia Aermacchi on the M-346. BAE also continues to support Hawks operated by the United Arab Emirates, which has yet to advance its AJT contest. BAE meanwhile expects Singapore to issue a request for proposals for its AJT requirement around September.

Link.

http://www.air-defense.net/Forum_AD/index.php?action=post;topic=10513.30;num_replies=38

[Invité Rob]

[Invité Rob]

BAE To Build Knowledge Base With New UAV

By andrew chuter

Published: 14 Jul 12:41 EDT (16:41 GMT)

Print  Print  |  Print  Email

FARNBOROUGH, England - BAE Systems has taken the wraps off a multimillion-pound technology demonstrator program aimed at boosting British know-how in unmanned autonomous systems.

The doors had barely opened for business at the weeklong Farnborough Airshow starting July 14 before BAE and the Ministry of Defence announced they had signed a deal to jointly fund the first phase of the Mantis development.

The BAE-led consortium is scheduling the maiden flight of Mantis for early next year.

Aside from BAE, other companies involved in the project include Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, Selex Galileo, Meggitt and L-3.

Neither the MoD or BAE would reveal how much is being spent on the program nor how much of the cash is being provided by the government.

The reticence by the two sides to reveal program costs leads to the suspicion that the amount of cash involved in the program at this stage is small, and the cash-strapped MoD is providing only a small portion of the funding.

Industry sources estimated the investment in the tens of millions of pounds, significantly less than the 124 million pounds being jointly invested by industry and government in the stealthy, jet-powered Taranis unmanned air vehicle technology demonstrator launched in 2006.

Many of the leading players in Mantis are also playing a role in Taranis. That airframe is in assembly.

Both programs are expected to give operational sovereignty to British forces using large unmanned UAVs in the ISTAR and attack roles.

A BAE spokesman said the vehicle would have a 24-hour plus endurance, an operating ceiling of 50 kilometers and a wingspan approaching 22 meters.

That puts Mantis firmly in the same market sector as the General Atomics Reaper, which is already being used by the Royal Air Force in Afghanistan.

The first phase of development will see the twin-engined platform use Rolls-Royce's RB250 turboprop.

Later spiral developments planned for Mantis are likely to feature a more advanced powerplant.

Mark Kane, the managing director of BAE's Autonomous Systems & Future Capability business, said he reckoned a twin-engine capability would be a growing trend as UAVs began gaining clearance for civil applications.

Other spiral developments could include the fitting of multisensor suites and exploring its use as an armed platform.

A mock-up of Mantis displayed by BAE at the airshow carried precision-guided bombs and Brimstone anti-armor missiles.

Although there is no agreement in place beyond phase 1, two further spiral developments are being discussed to take the program beyond the second quarter of next year.

Air Vice Marshal Simon Bollom, the MoD's director-general, combat air, said Mantis was a "real opportunity to develop better understanding of what we can do with these vehicles."

While Reaper provides relevant capability now, Bollom said Mantis was an opportunity to look into the future with its autonomous control systems.

Development of autonomous-control capabilities was also one of the prime roles allocated Taranis when it was launched in 2006 by the then-defense procurement minister, Lord Drayson.

Bollom said the program also was aimed at demonstrating the rapid prototyping capabilities of British industry in the UAV sector.

"Rapid development programs such as Mantis will provide indicators of how we can improve the acquisition process to deliver capability swiftly into fast-changing military environments," Bollom said.

Several of BAE's earlier privately funded demonstrator programs, like Corax and Raven, were developed using rapid prototyping.

Kane said the company had only been working earnestly on the program since the last quarter of 2007.

"The aim is to prove that the integrated technologies on Mantis can provide tangible military capability and levels of performance required for future U.K. unmanned autonomous operation," Kane said.

Link.

http://www.defensenews.com/osd_story.php?sh=VSDF&i=3625470

2009: Premier vol du BAE Mantis

2010: Premier vol du BAE Taranis

=)

[Will]

Ce Mantis est une grande surprise  pour moi  :O

Good show  =D je lui espere du succes.

[Invité Rob]

[Fenrir]

Le Mantis serait le remplaçant désigné des MQ 9 Reaper?

[Invité Rob]

Le Mantis serait le remplaçant désigné des MQ 9 Reaper?

Je pense que le Mantis va etre un concurrent au Reaper sur les marches. BAE Systems veut clairement que le MoD achete le Mantis, mais en moment, 3 Reapers sont en service et le RAF aime ces. Je doute qu'ils veulent une flotte de 3 Reaper et 3 Mantis.

Mais, il y a un programme avec le nom 'Dabinett' ou le RAF veut des avions qui peut voler tres longues, faire des missions 'intelligence' et aussi avoir des armes. Ce serait le remplacement des Canberras. Le RAF veut probablement environ 10 avions.

Il est interessant de comparer Mantis et Reaper, j'ai prendu les statistics pour le Reaper du Wikipedia, les statistics du Mantis sont quoi j'ai lu.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

    * Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated BAE Systems

    * Landing Type: runway runway

    * Launch Type: runway runway

    * Power Plant: Honeywell TP331-10 turboprop engine, 670 kW 2 R-R RB250 avec environ 900shp ---> environ 700kW

PERFORMANCE

    * Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15 km) 50km - source Defense News - mais il me semble c'est trop - je pense ils veulent dire 50000ft

    * Operational altitude: 25,000 ft (7.5 km)

    * Endurance: 16-28 h 24 h

    * Range: 3682 mi (3200 nmi, 5926 km)

    * Fuel Capacity: 1,300 kg (3,907 lb)

    * Length: 11 m (36 ft)

    * Payload: 1700 kg (3800 lb) 4 Paveway IV + 6 Brimstones = ca. 3000+ lbs

    * Maximum speed: 400 km/h (250 mph, 220 knots)

    * Cruise speed: 160 km/h (100 mph, 85 knots) [29]

    * Weight: 1676 kg (3700 lb) empty; 4760 kg (10,500 lb) max [30]

    * Wingspan: 20 m (66 ft) 22 m

[LordAssap]

  Tres joli T-UAV, toujours pas d'UCAV? :lol:

[Invité Rob]

Mantis est un HALE et Taranis est un UCAV. Ces sont deux chooses qui Dassault n'a pas fait comme un produit tout Dassault (airframe).

Le UCAV demonstrateur pour Dassault est seulement 40% Dassault et le HALE est en grand part israeli, le Heron. Il est claire maintenant que la petite entreprise Dassault a aucune chance contre les grands garcons en l'europe, comme BAE Systems et Finmeccanica, qui pouvent aider leurs programmes avec plus d'argent. BAE Systems est maintenant sans doute le leader europeen en UCAV/UAV.

[pascal]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Va falloir (ré)apprendre à dessiner des avions chez BAe

Déjà que quand il s'agit d'appareil PILOTéS il est très difficile pour les ingénieurs brits de concevoir autre chose que des sabots volants

(Tornados, Typhie...) et encore avec l'aide des collègues étrangers.

Alors pour un drone... (pour l'instant un démonstrateur) patience et longueur de temps.

Quand on voit le look du MANTIS çà laisse rêveur...

Merci Robert pour cet aimable divertissement

cheerrio

[Invité Rob]

Je comprend que tu es jaloux, je comprend, pas de probleme.  =)

Aussi, 'general wisdom' nous dit qu'un avion sans pilot est plus difficile de dessiner pour voler qu'un avion avec un pilot. :lol: Et BAE Systems ne besoin pas reapprende une choose, ils ont eu et ont le plus grand bureau pour avions militaire en tout l'Europe en les derniers dizaines.