+contracts +upgrades +launches


î FLEXIBLE HOWITZER ON COURSE


The U.S. Army is developing a 40-ton 155mm Howitzer artillery cannon which can fire precision rounds, accommodate additional armour protections and power more on-board electrical systems. The M109 Paladin Integrated Management


(PIM) will begin production in 2013 and features a 600-volt on-board power system which can accommodate networking technologies as they become available. Lt. Col. Dan Furber, product manager, Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems, said: “The (space, weight and power) buy-back the PIM will provide is huge. It allows us to add additional armour to the platform plus additional capabilities such as


electric drives and rammer, we are getting more consistent ramming of the round which allows for more consistent muzzle velocities – and we are more accurate and responsive with the electric drives.” The PIM vehicle’s cannon rests on a


automation or electronic packages. We’ve also harnessed the electric drives from the NLOS-C, which are faster than the hydraulic drives used in the existing fleet. With the


chassis built with Bradley Fighting Vehicle components, including engine, transmission and tracks. Furber added the connection with Bradley will decrease the costs needed to sustain the fleets. Prototypes of the vehicle are undergoing government testing, which includes reliability, availability and maintainability, as well as ballistic hull and turret testing – preparing for a Milestone C production decision by 2013.


It’s bon Voyager as air tankers impress


Cobham Aviation Services has ushered in its first Airbus A330-200 aircraft for conversion into the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) configuration for the Royal Air Force (RAF). The aircraft is the third of the 14 A330 MRTTs the Royal Air Force has contracted through Air Tanker – a joint venture also heading the operation of the aircraft. The first two aircraft have already been converted at Airbus Military’s facility in Getafe (Madrid), Spain. As part of the conversion


programme, all the A330 MRTTs – which will be known in RAF service as Voyager – will be fitted with


two wing-mounted 905E aerial refuelling pods. Additionally seven Voyagers will be fitted for 805E centre-line mounted fuselage refuelling units. The first aircraft will


commence operations by the new year, with the RAF operating the full fleet of 14 aircraft by the second half of the decade to replace its existing TriStar and VC10 aerial refuelling aircraft. Head of Airbus Military


Derivatives Antonio Caramazana said: “This is an important milestone in the A330 MRTT Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft programme.” Air Marshal Kevin Leeson,


Chief of Materiel (Air), said: “The conversions carried out at the new Cobham facility will turn Airbus A330s into the most capable military tanker transport aircraft of its type in the world. “Voyager will provide


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enhanced levels of availability, reliability and comfort for its passengers. Its 4,000 mile range – carrying 291 passengers and freight – will allow the UK to respond to world events with great speed. The air-to-air refuelling systems will provide access to an impressive 111 tonne fuel capacity and enable Voyager to refuel a large variety of platforms – from Typhoon jets to A400M transports”.


Meggitt hits target with ADF deal


Meggitt Training Systems has secured a USD$30.8M contract with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to operate and maintain the primary small and supporting arms simulation training centres. Created to train soldiers,


The conversions carried out at the new Cobham facility will turn Airbus A330s into the most capable military tanker transport aircraft of its type in the world


sailors and airmen in the rules of engagement, judgment, marks- manship and indirect fire, the WTSS (Weapon Training Simula- tion System) programme – which includes Indirect Fire Forward Air Control (I-FACT) and Indirect Fire Training (IFT) systems – builds on a decade of Meggitt supply- ing systems, weapons, software, courseware, systems operation, maintenance and site management to the ADF.


Co-ordinated from Meggitt’s facility in New South Wales, the company will provide operations and maintenance for 18 sites located at troop locations in every state in Australia.


globaldefencemedia.com | winter 2012_13


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