FQT reasonably simulates the production environment. Successfully conducting FQT verifies that the UHF SATCOM and HF waveforms will provide expected operational waveform functionality before GMR systems are fielded. The waveforms can then be used to support the Production Qualification Testing phase of the GMR program.

“We are very excited about bringing this important communications capability to the warfighter,” said Bruce King, vice president and general manager of Surface Solutions for Rockwell Collins. “JTRS GMR will enable warfighters to do what they’ve never been able to do with a single communication device – communicate with each other seamlessly in an ad hoc network using next generation waveforms, such as WNW and SRW, while also utilizing legacy HF and UHF SATCOM capabilities.”

Like all JTRS Operational Requirement Document waveforms in the 2 MHz to 2 GHz frequency range, the UHF SATCOM and HF waveforms can run in any of the GMR system’s four reprogrammable Universal Transceivers.

Rockwell Collins is a member of the Boeing-led GMR team whose vehicular JTRS radio design is based on the Rockwell Collins Modular Communications Platform – a unique Software Defined Radio packaging concept which partitions hardware modules according to function at the lowest operational level. This innovative approach substantially improves mission effectiveness and simplifies testing, repair and upgrades in the field, while the design reduces total life cycle cost for platforms on the battlefield.

Overall, the exercise is intended to thoroughly test the human and material endurance of the Navy, the efficacy of its operational and logistics plans and its combat effectiveness.

Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, was invited to push the button on the company’s new state of the art plasma steel cutter, marking the start of full scale production at the site. The team at Portsmouth is building Lower Block 2, one of the large structures, that forms part of the hull on the first ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth. Housing machinery spaces, stores, switchboards and some of the ship’s accommodation, this block alone will weigh around 6,000 tonnes and will stand over 18 metres tall, 70 metres long and 40 metres wide.

Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, said “Here in Portsmouth work is just beginning but across the country in Devon, Tyneside, Glasgow and Rosyth work is already under way. In all, six shipyards across the UK will be involved in the manufacture of the ships’ hulls, supporting up to 8,000 jobs in the construction and up to another 3,000 throughout the supply chain. The progress already being made to deliver these defence assets, which will be a cornerstone of future defence policy, is a testament to UK industry.”

First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope, said “The two ships will be the largest and most powerful warships ever built for the UK, each providing four acres from which to project airpower anywhere in the world. With 80 per cent of the world’s land mass within 500 miles of the ocean, the carriers will provide unparalleled logistical flexibility for the future of defence.”

BAE Systems is a member of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, responsible for delivering the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK. The carriers will sustain thousands of skilled jobs across industry and will be a key component of the UK’s maritime defence capability. BAE Systems employees at its yards on the Clyde began the manufacture of the carrier’s Lower Block 3 in July 2009 with work beginning on the largest section, Lower Block 4, in January.

Elsewhere across the UK, the Aircraft Carrier Alliance is making strong progress – the first of the flight deck extensions, known as the sponsons, have already been delivered to the final assembly yard in Rosyth, while the first blocks of the hull are due to leave Appledore in Devon for the Scottish shipyard in the spring. Over £1 billion of orders have been placed for equipment for the two ships and many of the ships’ key components such as the diesel generators and turbines have already been manufactured.

Fire Scout demonstrated how the soldier can rely on its multifunctional capability for force protection, reconnaissance surveillance target acquisition (RSTA) and communications relay that only a VUAS of its caliber can provide.

During the AEWE, Fire Scout flew to a named area of interest, surveyed the area to ensure it was clear, and landed autonomously within its pre-planned landing point. When Fire Scout’s on-board skid sensors detected contact with the ground, a command was sent to release the unmanned ground vehicle. Seconds later, Fire Scout ascended and then loitered at a higher altitude to observe and provide a relay for commands between the UGV and its controller.

“Use of an unmanned system to carry other unmanned systems into battle could improve the speed of operations while protecting U.S. lives,” said Al Nikolaus, program manager of land-based Fire Scout at Northrop Grumman’s Aerospace Systems sector. “This demonstration provides another example of Fire Scout’s maturity, reliability, flexibility, and its ability to operate successfully with currently deployed systems.”

“Tomahawk Block IV provides the Navy with a combat-proven weapon that plays a critical role in hybrid warfare operations,” said Capt. Dave Davison, the U.S. Navy’s program manager for the Tomahawk weapon system. “The Navy’s receipt of the 2,000th Tomahawk Block IV provides the commander with a powerful tactical weapon to shape the battlespace and prosecute time-critical targets.”

Tomahawk Block IV’s technologies provide a tactical capability while reducing acquisition, operation and support costs. Tomahawk Block IV employs a two-way satellite datalink that enables a strike controller to flex the missile in flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. This targeting flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield and await a more critical target.

“The Tomahawk program continues to provide the U.S. Navy with the capability to project precision firepower across the breadth and depth of the battlespace while delivering unprecedented flexibility to the commander,” said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon’s Air Warfare Systems product line. “With the dedication of our employees and suppliers, the Tomahawk program has set the standard in cruise missile capability.”

This project, valued at approximately $170 million, provides DRDC Valcartier with the facilities to meet the future scientific and technological needs of the Canadian Forces (CF). It will also ensure that DRDC Valcartier maintains its world-class expertise by attracting the best scientists and partners in defence and security science and technology (S&T).

“The scientific work of Defence Research and Development Canada has changed significantly since its facilities at Valcartier were first built in the Second World War era,” said the minister. “These investments are essential to help our men and women in uniform take on the challenges of the 21st century.”

Following a $13 million design phase in 2010, the project will be comprised of three construction phases. The first phase is expected to begin in 2012 and will cost approximately $37 million. The second phase is expected to begin in 2013 and will cost approximately $96 million. The final phase is expected to begin in 2016 and will cost approximately $24 million. The overall project is anticipated to be complete in 2020.

DRDC Valcartier, with its 400 employees and network of partners, has expertise in optronic systems, information systems, and protection and combat systems.

With history of defence science dating back to the Second World War, DRDC is an agency of the Department of National Defence that responds to the scientific and technological needs of the CF. Its vision, mission and values guide it to ensure that the CF remain scientifically and operationally relevant. The Agency is made up of nine research centres located across Canada, with a corporate office in Ottawa. DRDC has an annual budget of $350 million, employs more than 1,800 people and actively collaborates with industry, international allies, academia, other government departments and the national security community.

The new RG31 Mk5E version utilises the same driveline as the RG31 Mk5EM, 100 of which were sold during the previous MRAP contract completed in May 2009. A further enhancement includes an independent suspension system, which improves vehicle mobility and ride comfort. Combined with ease of handling, improved crew comfort, V-shaped hull for excellent mine and IED protection, the RG31 is one of the best vehicles for the harsh off-road conditions of Afghanistan, where the vehicles will be deployed.

All vehicles will be manufactured in South Africa and delivery of the vehicles to GDLS-C will take place in 2010.

Johan Steyn, Managing Director of BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa, said: “This follow-on order testifies both to the reliability of the RG31 design and its build quality, but more importantly, the capability this battle proven vehicle with its superior protection levels gives to the men and women in uniform. It proves once again the integrity of BAE Systems’ engineering and manufacturing excellence.”

Eurofighter Typhoons are deployed by the Spanish Air Force in air defence and air interception roles; having protected and defended national air space continuously since January 2008. Morón air base operates with two Squadrons. Squadron 113 is an operational conversion unit, providing among other roles training to Typhoon pilots, whilst Squadron 111 is the main front
line unit to provide the Spanish Air Force with the necessary offensive and defensive capabilities to execute international missions and fulfill the Spanish defense policy.

The Spanish Air Force has so far received 28 out of the 87 Eurofighter Typhoons ordered. Another two Squadrons will be equipped with the C.16 in the future: 14 Wing located on Albacete Air Force Base will see the Eurofighter replace the Mirage F-1 and 112 Squadron which will be the second operational squadron in 11 Wing.

In addition, the discovered equipment is almost 30 years old and corresponds to the type of equipment used at that time by MATRA and its suppliers or aircraft platform manufacturers to exchange certain technical data (dimensions, weight, interfaces and environmental factors linked to the carrying platform).

This equipment has not been in use for several years. Neither is it at all representative of current operational equipment. In fact, Mistral missiles were never manufactured nor assembled in Bourges.

Investigations are currently underway to discover the most recent owner of this equipment and to identify the reason for its presence in the Bourges area.

The joint offering will combine the companies’ expertise in electronic warfare, electronic attack, suppression of enemy air defenses and irregular warfare support to ground forces.

“Our alliance on the Next Generation Jammer is driven by our shared commitment to provide a flexible solution that fully meets the Navy’s operational needs,” said Steve Morais, director of attack solutions for BAE Systems. “We bring a disciplined systems engineering and risk-management approach, derived from our combined experience with electronic warfare and electronic attack systems in use today on fifth-generation fighters.”

The BAE Systems-Cobham solution will offer increased reliability, availability, and supportability, ultimately reducing the total cost of ownership to the Navy.

“Cobham has a deep understanding of the Navy’s mission needs and support requirements based on years of experience with the ALQ-99 jammer,” said Andy Humen, Cobham’s vice president of sensor systems. “Together with BAE Systems, we have an approach that will magnify the Navy’s mission capabilities while reducing risk and providing the lowest acquisition and life-cycle costs.”