DSEi 2009

NAVAIR awards fixed-wing APKWS II study contract

Sat, 18 Feb 2011 11:28:00 GMT

USN awards BAE Systems Joint Capability Technology Demonstration contract for APKWS II

BVT cuts a dash

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 17:11:00 GMT

BVT Surface Fleet’s Halmatic small boats arm is making waves at DSEi with the head-turning display performed by its latest Pacific 950 (P950) rigid hull inflatable craft. Already trialled by the UK Royal Marines, the 9.5m P950 is aimed at high-end military users, such as elite and Special Forces units.

Elix-IR provides HFI for helos

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 16:52:00 GMT

Thales UK has been working on missile approach warning systems (MAWS) for some time, but in the past two years, the company has focused on the highly desirable ability to detect small-arms fire. The hostile fire indication (HFI) capability of the Elix-IR system has direct application to the kind of threats being faced by helicopters today in Afghanistan.

Diehl tracks head for UK market

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 16:52:00 GMT

Following extensive negotiations, Diehl Remscheid (Stand 1263) has appointed Cook Track Systems (CTS) of the UK as licensee for Diehl Track Systems tracks for the UK market. CTS is owned by Andrew Cook CBE – whose family formerly owned William Cook Defence – who has had many years’ experience in the defence industry.

AW149 edges towards first flight

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 16:51:00 GMT

Dominating the Finmeccanica stand here at DSEi (Stand 565) is a full-scale mock-up of the AgustaWestland AW149 utility helicopter. The AW149 is shown in TUHP-149 configuration, which is vying for the potentially huge Turkish Utility Helicopter Program.

Dial Bates for comfort

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 16:48:00 GMT

Seen to be a genuine breakthrough in advanced comfort technology, Bates Footwear is highlighting its new ‘dial’ system on Stand 906 in the US Pavilion. It enables each individual to choose the comfort zone that is right for them, so could foot patrol soldiers start the day assured that they will not get footsore?

Strength in diversity

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 16:45:00 GMT

Diversity but unity’ is the slogan of the Ballistic Tool Kit (BTK) organisation, bringing together the products and services of some 36 companies involved in the defence industry, although mostly small in size.

Fire Shadow gathers pace

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 16:45:00 GMT

MBDA’s team is forging ahead with the Fire Shadow loitering munition (LM), launched at DSEi two years ago and one of the programmes covered by the Team Complex Weapons agreement.

CNi security strategy briefings

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Yesterday, CNi Expo and The Institute for Security and Resilience Studies hosted the first in a two-part series of Government Security Strategy Breakfast Briefings sponsored by General Dynamics UK. Chaired by Dr John Reid MP, the purpose of the briefing was to give greater transparency and clarity to the security industry on Government Security Strategy going forward.

Future Soldier’s mask

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:56:00 GMT

A new M90 mask developed as part of the Italian Future Soldier (Soldato Futuro) programme was launched by Aero Sekur at DSEi. Designed to improve comfort without compromising NBC protection, mask features include low inhalation resistance, anti-mist properties and wide field-of-view.

KADDB debutantes

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:55:00 GMT

Jordan’s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau is here at DSEi with a number of its new technologies. It is showing its unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) armed with RPG launchers. The six-wheeled UGV has payload of 70kg, and has been driven remotely at up to 1km range.

Control by Rugged Tablet

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:54:00 GMT

On Stand 1488, Blazepoint is showing for the first time, the first pre-production ndura Rugged 8.4in Tactical Tablet PC developed by the company. It has been selected by launch customer Selex Communications to provide the control device for either mobile or vehicle-mounted systems and is destined for one of its export customers. The Rugged Tactical Tablet has been designed and developed within a rapid five-month timeframe.

PRODUCT NEWS

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:53:00 GMT

Cost-effective comms Speakerbus has launched its Mobile i-series module (iM101), the latest in its suite of communications products designed to meet the demands of government and military users. It is featured on Stand 2020, which the company shares with Thuraya Telecommunications, which provides cost-effective mobile satellite services in more than 140 countries worldwide. Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi-based Thuraya launched XT, claimed to be the world’s toughest hand-held satellite phone.

UK’s common anti-air missile forges ahead...

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:12:00 GMT

Missile house MBDA (Stand 367) is continuing to progress technology development and maturation activities for the next-generation Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) as part of the UK’s wider complex weapons development roadm

…while France and UK agree anti-ship missile deal

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:11:00 GMT

On Wednesday, the UK and French governments agreed to a joint assessment phase for a new antiship missile to equip the AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat in Royal Navy service, and the NH90 and Eurocopter Panther of the Marine Nationale. MBDA is leading the 27-month £35 million assessment, which seeks to evaluate options and define technologies for the new weapon

POF signs MoU with Roxel

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:10:00 GMT

On Tuesday, Pakistan Ordnance Factories, the country’s leading defence establishment, signed a memorandum of understanding with Roxel Group for the upgrade of the 122mm MBRL, to double its range from 20km to 40km.

Rockwell Collins ICDS

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:08:00 GMT

Derived from the Mounted Warrior programme, the Integrated Crew Display
System (ICDS) has been introduced by Rockwell Collins (Stand 738) to provide enhanced situational awareness resulting from increased vehicle crew safety and mission effective

A|D|S is new UK industry support organisation

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 15:07:00 GMT

Yesterday, a new organisation was unveiled to represent UK industries in the aerospace, defence and security sectors. A|D|S is being formed by the merger of the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (APPSS), the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC). The new organisation will be formally established on 1 October to represent about 800 member companies.

Ultra trialling lightweight gunfire locator

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 14:32:00 GMT

Drawing on its long experience in the underwater sonar world, Ultra Electronics (Stand 385) has developed a lightweight rifle-mounted gunfire locator, writes David Donald.

i-MAST 100 revealed

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 14:31:00 GMT

Thales Nederland has taken the wraps off i-MAST 100, the latest incarnation of its i-MAST family of integrated sensor/communication suites.

NEW PRODUCTS

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Chemring (Stand 364) has announced a new ‘two-way’ remote-controlled initiation system, seen to be an innovation for the safety and security of those dealing with IEDs. Its new development incorporates a two-way communication command and control system, which includes a programmable time delay function.

Raytheon scores first LRIP award for SM-6 missile

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 14:29:00 GMT

Raytheon Missile Systems has received a first Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command for the US Navy’s next-generation Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) extended range anti-air warfare (AAW) missile.

Trials underway of German AMPV

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 14:18:00 GMT

Following the rollout of the first example of the Armoured Multipurpose Vehicle (AMPV) in Berlin, the vehicle is now undergoing extensive company reliability and performance trials.

ATK expands chain gun cannon

Fri, 10 Sep 2009 14:06:00 GMT

ATK (Stand 2275) recently completed a successful series of firing trials of the latest member of the Bushmaster chain gun family of cannon, the Lightweight 25mm (LW25), and successfully integrated this onto two platforms.