French Boeing E-3F Sentry AWACS to get latest military tactical datalink. (Boeing)

The Multifunctional Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade 2 (MIDS-LVT BU2) has been qualified for use on all four of the French Air and Space Force Boeing E-3F Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

Announced by the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) on 22 September, the new terminal will enable the operation of the latest-generation Link 16 military tactical data network on its aircraft in September−November 2022.

In 2020 Thales and Air France Industries were selected to integrate the new MIDS-LVT BU2 terminal on the French E-3F AWACS, the announcement said.

The DGA conducted two years of tests to qualify the terminal, in conjunction with the French Air and Space Force and the two industrial partners. Specifically, the DGA Information Control Centre of Expertise and Testing handled security with the information systems, while the DGA Project Engineering Centre examined the authorisation files for flight, temporary employment authorisation, and qualification of the integration of MIDS-LVT BU2 on the AWACS. Several flights were conducted by the DGA Flight Test Centre, which tested the integration and operation of the terminal, the DGA said.

The first of six H160 helicopters for the French Navy was handed over by service provider Babcock on 22 September. (Jean-Marc Tanguy)

Babcock delivered its first Airbus Helicopters H160 rotorcraft to the French Navy on 22 September during a ceremony at Hyères Naval Air Station (NAS) in southeastern France.

The helicopter was the first of six that have been leased by Babcock as a service provider for 10 years. With the remainder to follow by the end of 2023, they are to be used for maritime search and rescue (SAR) and interdiction missions by French Navy commandos.

The first aircraft will be operational from May 2023 at the Cherbourg NAS, then at Lanvéoc-Poulmic NAS and Hyères NAS. Meanwhile, the navy will conduct operational trials of the new type – the first H160 used by any military in the world.

Babcock has extensively modified the aircraft supplied by Airbus Helicopters in May with a winch, as well as a Safran Euroflir 410 electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret and control station. From January 2023 this H160 will also be able to conduct fast rope operations with the commandos.

The Philippine Army said that the ATMOS will boost the army's mobility and range, and enhance its indirect fire-support capability. (Soltam Systems)

The Philippine Army has deployed its Autonomous Truck Mounted howitzer System (ATMOS) 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled artillery units to the service's 10th Field Artillery ‘Rolling Thunder' Battalion, marking the weapon system's entry into operational status.

The deployment was held on 21 September at Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation area in Nueva Ecija, which lies about 120 km north of Manila.

Videos of the deployment were released by the Philippine Army's official social media channels on the same day.

Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Xerxes Trinidad told Janes on 27 June that the 10th Field Artillery Battalion operates under the service's artillery regiment. He further described the 12 artillery pieces as equipment that will boost the army's mobility and range and enhance its indirect fire-support capabilities.

The Philippine Army took delivery of the ATMOS units in December 2021 and conducted a three-day live firing exercise from 6 to 8 April 2022. This event marked the first in-country training programme for the weapons.