Morning Defence News Briefing 29 January 2020

MORNING DEFENCE BRIEFING – 29 JANUARY 2020

Russian anti-aircraft vehicle Pantsir-S received hypersonic missiles: The Russian anti-aircraft system Pantsir-S (Панцирь-С) has received the latest hypersonic missile, said Valery Slugin – chief designer for air defense systems Instrument Design Bureau named. Shipunova (part of Roste) quoted in Russian State media. According to Slugin, the new hypersonic missile can fly faster to the target hence increasing the rate of fire the system. He noted that the Pantsir missiles are not equipped with Infrared homing passive weapon guidance system  heads as at ranges at which the system operates the targeting process is managed through the remote control system of the missile from the vehicle (read more).

US Air Force E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node crashes in Afghanistan: A US Air Force E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft has crashed in Afghanistan on 27 January. The modified Bombardier Global 6000 regional jet, is used by the US Armed Forces as a communications relay platform for ground troops operating in the mountainous terrain of the Afghan theatre.

SIGINT, US Air Force wants new collection technologies for cyber: According to a document issued from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the US Air Force is looking for defence industry input for a new generation of intelligence data collection and processing technologies, specifically for operations in the realm of cyber and signals intelligence (SIGINT). “This work is in support of the Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission to protect ‘blue’ coalition forces with command, control, computer, and intelligence applications, and to support technologies that will enable SIGINT systems and/or platforms with an improved ability to automatically detect, identify, sort, track, prioritize and reliably classify and more importantly geolocate signals of interest,” AFRL officials said in a revised broad agency announcement (BAA).

US and France strengthen defence ties: The US and France have agreed to keep strengthening their long-standing defence relationship over discussions on shared military priorities. During a diplomatic talk, the two nations have considered the roles played by Russia and China and the threats posed by them in this ‘era of growing mega-power competition’. The two countries have committed to jointly tackle it. US Defense Secretary Dr Mark Esper said: “For more than 200 years, the alliance between France and the United States has helped safeguard the values of liberty and the rule of law.” France Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said: “As both of us are preparing for the February defence Nato ministerial, we have agreed that the organisation remains the cornerstone of our collective security. “And France fully supports America’s insistence on Europeans taking a larger share of the (Nato) burden, spending more, committing more and fighting more.”

DEFENCE & SECURITY SYSTEMS

India’s DRDO selects Controp’s EO/IR system: Israel’s Controp Precision Technologies has been awarded a tender to supply its iSKY-50HD electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system for fitment onto unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) being developed by India’s state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Controp’s CEO, Hagay Azani, said in a statement that the DRDO had shortlisted the iSKY-50HD for procurement following an evaluation process that included several other EO/IR systems.

The company stated that its iSKY-50HD system features “highly sensitive gyro-stabilised multi-spectral sensors” fitted with advanced image-processing algorithms for assorted airborne defence applications.

US Air Force selects Raytheon to build new system to process missile warning data: The US Air Force has selected Raytheon to build FORGE, a new system to collect and fuse data from the military’s space-based missile warning sensors. The Air Force awarded Raytheon a five year, $197 million contract to build the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) Mission Data Processing Application Framework. Along with BAE Systems and Booz Allen Hamilton, Raytheon was one of three companies selected through the Space Enterprise Consortium to build FORGE prototypes. The new system is expected to be able to ingest and fuse data from the Air Force’s main missile warning satellite system, the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) constellation, as well as its eventual replacement, Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next Gen OPIR). Both systems use on-board sensors to detect the heat generated by a missile launch, giving the military a much needed heads up to any missile threat.

China receives the second regimental kit of S-400 air defense missile systems: The delivery to China of the second set of S-400 air defense missile systems comprising the command post, two divisions of launchers, radar stations, power and auxiliary equipment, spare parts and tools has been completed. “Since the signing of the document, the provision of the contract on 18-month warranty service of equipment by the Russian side has been in force,” the source told Russian State media. The customer also received more than 120 of the latest anti-aircraft guided missiles of two types. The source added that the second set was delivered to China by several vessels. The first sea transport went to China in July 2019.

DEFENCE & SECURITY NEWS AT A GLANCE

• Armed attack in the north of Burkina Faso, killed “dozens of people”.
• Tunisia, authorities prepare a plan for the protection of the Tunisian community in Libya.
• Libya, Erdogan, Haftar must be stopped to achieve peace in Libya.
• Libya, GNA announces to have destroyed an opponent’s drone, but LNA denies.
• Libya, a rocket hit a school in Tripoli, two children dead and two injured.
• Iraq, seven police officers injured in clashes with demonstrators in central Baghdad.
• Peace plan, Israel strengthens military presence in the Jordan Valley.
• Islamic State announces start of new phase against Israel.
• Five Eyes alliance extends to Japan and South Korea.
• Russia, signed the first Mi-38T helicopter export contract.
• Rouhani, Iran-China-Russia naval exercises demonstrate willingness to strengthen relations.
• US Defense Department launches Gremlins drone from a mothership for the first time.
• Lockheed Martin starts production of Denmark’s first F-35 aircraft.
• Poland to sign F-35 purchase on Friday.
• USAF to use VR technology for C-130 maintenance training.
• USAF’s XQ-58A Valkyrie UAV completes fourth flight test.
• RAFAEL to provide cyber defense for Dominican Republic Central Bank.
• Israeli Defense minister approves IDF multi-year plan.