Daily news - Day 5
Swedish heli-UAV comes to market
The Skeldar V-150 UAV displayed by Saab (CON 5) has been refined since it first appeared at a defence exhibition and is now in a position to receive orders from military and security forces. Skeldar is in a quite different category from the tiny electric-driven devices seen on other stands and dedicated to very shortrange tasks.
22 February, 2007
Oman to get Javelin missiles
Oman will be the second country in the Middle East to deploy the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin medium-range anti-tank guided missile (ATGM). Jordan has already taken delivery of its Javelin ATGMs and there are now 10 international customers who have selected this system, normally following a competitive shoot-off. It was first deployed by the US Army and Marine Corps.
22 February, 2007
Coastal defence
General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas of Spain (Stand 905) is marketing a coastal defence version of a new generation 155mm/ 52 calibre towed artillery system that is now entering quantity production for the Spanish Army.
According to the company, a number of countries in the Gulf have shown interest in this mobile coastal defence system as a cost-effective way of defending the coastline from attack as well as closing narrow straits to hostile surface craft. Maximum range of the system depends on the type of projectile and its associated charge, but firing an extended range full bore base bleed projectile, a maximum range of 42km is obtained. Development of a new family of 155mm extended range ammunition with an associated modular charge system would enable longer ranges of up to 60km.
22 February, 2007
Bowman experience used to target exports
General Dynamics (GD) UK (Stand 2018) is applying its experience as prime contractor and systems integrator in the UK combat proven Bowman digital communication system to the lucrative C4I export market.
22 February, 2007
‘558’ supports former Soviet aircraft
Claiming to be one of the oldest maintenance, repair and overhaul plants in the Commonwealth of Independent States, the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant, headquartered at Baranovichi in the Republic of Belarus, is promoting its expertise on Stand 114. A government-owned company, it has a reputation for covering a broad spectrum, including the manufacture, overhaul, upgrade and the sale of military fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft and their components.
From the ubiquitous An-2 biplane to upgraded MiG-29BM and Su-27UBM1 combat aircraft, ‘558’ can handle more aircraft types than most of its competitors and in addition to Mil helicopters, the company is now developing a modernisation programme for the L-39 trainer.
22 February, 2007
Tactical transports compete head to head
It could be said that both the main contenders for tactical transport aircraft orders in this region are ‘derivatives’, but AleniaAeronautica’s (Stand 1711) C-27J Spartan claims to have the edge over the rival EADS/Casa CN235/295. Both aircraft are powered by twin turboprop engines, but the Italian C-27J uses the same power pack as that fitted to the Lockheed Martin C-130J ‘new generation’ Hercules.
22 February, 2007
CNIM is ahead of the game
Anticipating the addition of the yetto-fly Airbus A400M transport aircraft to the fleets of air forces around the world, CNIM (Stand 1600, French Pavilion) has designed a number of mobile airliftable bridges and crossing systems that could be carried in the new aircraft. Seen in model form in an A400M fuselage, the airliftable modular assault bridge (AMAB) is dimensionally similar to the proposed mechanised floating airliftable bridge (MEFAB), multipurpose airliftable crossing system (MACS) and airliftable crossing equipment system (ACES).
22 February, 2007
Saab offers an open solution
IDEX 2007 marks the first showing outside Europe for Saab Systems’ new 9LV Mk4 combat management system (CMS), hailed by the company as a new generation of naval command and control system adopting a truly modular and open architecture.
22 February, 2007
Train as you fight
Operations in the urban environment present a unique and stressful challenge to military forces. Built-up areas offer ideal cover to would-be attackers, and the threat from combatants who blend in with the civilian population is an ever-present concern.
22 February, 2007
Take a look NOW
It is no longer necessary to convince armies and security forces of the value of UAVs.Whether fixed-wing or helicopter types, they all play a vital role in providing a bird’s eye view. A number of exhibitors are showing very small ‘helicopters’ – among them is AirRobot of Germany, which is promoting a very small four-rotor system.
With a diameter of 1m and weighing only 1kg, the AirRobot is already being used by police and army units carrying payloads weighing up to 200g out to distances of 500m. Powered by four brushless and gearless electric drives, the AirRobot employs gyroscopic and acceleration sensors to ensure a steady platform, which can be used for aerial photography and to carry out security missions silently.
22 February, 2007