Radar now protecting Russian airbase in Libya
19 June 2020
by Tim Ripley
An early warning radar has been identified at the Libyan airbase where Russia deployed fast jets in late May, US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced on 18 June.
An overhead image released by AFRICOM on 18 June shows a ‘Spoon Rest’ radar and a MiG-29 at Libya’s Al-Jufrah Air Base. (US Africa Command)
It released an overhead reconnaissance image that it said showed the ‘Spoon Rest’ radar and a MiG-29 at Al-Jufrah Air Base earlier that day. It released another image showing an Su-24 coming into land at the base.
“Russia uses this system when deployed to a nation in the conduct of tactical combat operations”, AFRICOM said.
“Russia’s sustained involvement in Libya increases the violence and delays a political solution,” said US Marine Brigadier General Bradford Gering, AFRICOM director of operations. “Russia continues to push for a strategic foothold on NATO’s southern flank and this is at the expense of innocent Libyan lives.”
It described the Libyan deployment as part of a wider drive by Moscow to expand its influence in Africa, saying Russia is the “number one arms dealer in Africa” and “continues to profit from violence and instability across the continent”.
Bundestag approves Eurofighter EK
30 November 2023
by Gareth Jennings
Displayed as a mock-up at the ILA Berlin Air Show in 2022, the Eurofighter EK has now been approved by the Bundestag. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
The German Bundestag has approved development of the Eurofighter Elektronischer Kampf (EK) electronic warfare (EW) aircraft for the Luftwaffe.
The Luftwaffe and Airbus (Germany's lead contractor in the Eurofighter consortium) announced the budgetary committee approval on 29 November, saying 15 aircraft will be upgraded for electronic attack (EA) and suppression/destruction of enemy air defence (SEAD/DEAD) roles.
“[The] green light from parliament: 15 Eurofighters will be upgraded with the latest electromagnetic reconnaissance technology,” the Chief of the Luftwaffe, Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, said, with Airbus adding, “Now it's official: The Eurofighter EK is coming.”
Rohde & Schwarz unveils new C-UAS solution
28 November 2023
by Olivia Savage
Rohde & Schwarz unveiled a compact version of its Ardronis family of C-UASs. The system was seen operating at NATO's Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Technical Interoperability Exercise (C-UAS TIE23). (Janes/Olivia Savage)
Germany-based Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) has unveiled a new counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) called Ardronis Locate Compact.
Ardronis Locate Compact is a small, ruggedised system designed for the detection and localisation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially over large areas such as military bases, a company spokesperson told Janes on 24 November.
The solution, which can be deployed in standalone mode or integrated into a wider system of systems, locates UAVs operating on commercially available digital and analog video downlinks via a single-channel direction-finder. UAVs include DJI Lightbridge, DJI OcuSync, Autel Skylink, and the TBS Unify Pro, the spokesperson said.
British Army Foxhounds to take on command role
28 November 2023
by Olivia Savage
Up to 50 of the British Army's Foxhound LPPV vehicles will be converted into command variants. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
Up to 50 of the British Army's Foxhound vehicles will be converted into command variants under a GBP19.76 million (USD24.92 million) sole-source contract with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS).
The contract, expected to be awarded in early 2024, will involve the conversion of up to 50 Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicles (LPPVs) over a 15-month period, a UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract notice disclosed on 23 November.
According to the notice, the converted vehicles will be installed with enhanced high-frequency (HF), very-high-frequency (VHF), and ultra-high-frequency (UHF) capabilities and will enable operation of Bowman data terminals.
The UK MoD were unable to elaborate to Janes on the new communication systems expected to be installed on the converted command vehicles.
An early warning radar has been identified at the Libyan airbase where Russia deployed fast jets in ...
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