+contracts +upgrades +launches


î ALL HALE (-D) NEW AIRSHIP TECHNOLOGY


The U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin are hailing the successful test flight of their High Altitude Long Endurance-Demonstrator, a trial which highlighted the key technologies critical to successful unmanned airship sorties. The airship, launched in Ohio, reached


an altitude of approximately 32,000 feet and descended without incident in a heavily wooded area in Pennsylvania. “First flights of new technologies like


HALE-D afford us the ability to learn and test with a mind toward future developments,” said Dan Schultz, vice president, ship and aviation systems, for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors business. “We demonstrated a variety of advanced technologies, including launch and control of the airship, communications links, a unique propulsion system, solar array electricity


generation, remote piloting communications, in-flight operations and controlled vehicle recovery to a remote area.” The unmanned HALE-D is solar-powered and lighter-than-air, designed to hover 12 miles above the


earth’s surface for extended periods of time. It is


demonstrating new


capabilities for keeping soldiers safer through


improved communications. The U.S. Army Space and Missile


Defence Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT) teamed up with Lockheed Martin to develop the High Altitude Airship programme to improve the military’s ability to communicate in


remote areas such as those in Afghanistan, where mountainous terrain frequently interferes with communications signals. The airship will serve as a stationery long-term overhead platform for a


telecommunications relay system


which will expand the range and reliability of battlefield


communications. The SMDC/


ARSTRAT provides ready missile defence forces and capabilities to the component


commands and in support of the warfighter. It also focuses on researching and integrating space, missile defence, high altitude and directed energy technologies.


Huskies clear the way boosts UK Phalanx job


Phalanx is a rapid-fire,


Two vehicles which assist in clearing routes and marking improvised explosive devices have arrived at the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armoured Division, Special Troops Battalion (2/1 STB). The unit is using these vehicles


in various training exercises during the Army’s Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The vast mountains and desert-like terrain at White Sands Missile Range create various line- of-sight and non-line-of-sight challenges, making it the perfect environment for soldiers to train while evaluating new capabilities. The Husky Mounted


Detection System, a vehicle


with ground penetrating radar capable of detecting buried IEDs and anti-tank land mines, and the Buffalo Armoured Vehicle, a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, can safely clear routes in dangerous environments. Many Soldiers in the STB


are familiar with or have had combat experience with both vehicles. “We have experienced senior non-commissioned officers and soldiers who have knowledge of the vehicles’ fundamentals prior to them coming to our unit,” said 2nd Lt. David McDonald, 1st Platoon Leader, Company C, 2/1 STB. “The addition of the Huskies


winter 2012_13 | globaldefencemedia.com


and Buffaloes, as well as the (mine) rollers, completes the company’s capability to conduct its mission.” Company C is the only one in the brigade to have these vehicles, which will give missions freedom of movement for allied forces and local civilians. Spc. Nicholas Wyant, a team leader assigned to 1st Platoon, Company C, said: “We used the Buffalo to interrogate and investigate suspected IEDs. My soldiers told me they really felt safe inside the vehicle. This training is highly important. Here we can implement tactics, techniques, and procedures – which will ultimately save lives.”


computer-controlled radar and 20mm gun system which automatically acquires, tracks and destroys threats that have penetrated all other ship defence systems. More than 890 systems have now been built and deployed in the navies of 25 nations. Paul Gilligan, head of strategic programs for Raytheon UK, said. “The constant evolution of the threat demands the most


reliable method of protection, which Phalanx provides.”


naval security Raytheon has won a £42.8m


contract to deliver five Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon Systems to the UK. Installation and support will be provided by Babcock Marine.


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