SELEX Galileo wins UK MoD CDAS Pointer-Tracker competition

March 8, 2010 by Jeffrey Bradford · Comment
Filed under: Syndicated Industry News

SELEX Galileo wins UK MoD CDAS Pointer-Tracker competition
March 8, 2010

SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, has won the competition to supply its next generation ECLIPSE Pointer-Tracker and Type 160 Infrared Counter Measure (IRCM) laser as part of the Common Defensive Aid Suite (CDAS) Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP). The TDP aims to define the architecture for advanced defensive aid systems and forms a critical component of the UK MoD’s aircraft protection strategy.

The ECLIPSE Pointer-Tracker and Type 160 IRCM laser combine to provide the critical element of an advanced Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) System which is used to protect platforms from IR guided Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) missiles.

This strategic win follows significant investment into key enabling technologies and product design. The Company now has more than 20 years of experience in the development, manufacture and support of more than 1200 combat proven Pointer-Trackers, delivered to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) for the AN/AAQ-24(V) DIRCM system.

Accelerated development programmes culminated in the manufacture of a number of demonstrator and pre-production units used in helicopter flight trials in the UK, and live fire testing in collaboration with SELEX Galileo’s strategic partner, Northrop Grumman, in the United States.

The ECLIPSE Pointer-Tracker and Type 160 IRCM laser provide mature, low-risk, lightweight and cost effective Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) solutions to protect both rotary and fixed wing transport fleets.

Notes to the Editor
The ECLIPSE Pointer-Tracker, with an associated multi-band IRCM laser, was developed to meet US and UK requirements for a lightweight low-cost DIRCM Jam Head. The design capitalises on our existing DIRCM pedigree, formulated through the development and production of more than 1200 combat proven transmitters for Northrop Grumman’s AN/AAQ- 24(V) NEMESIS system, which has been in operational use and in full rate production since the late 1990’s.

Technorati Tags:
UK Ministry of Defence, Selex

Tags: air defence systems, cdas, critical element, Defense Industrial Base, finmeccanica company, flight trials, helicopter flight, northrop grumman, northrop grumman corporation, selex, transport fleets

SELEX Galileo awarded a £19M contract from the UK MoD for an AESA Technology Demonstrator Programme

February 17, 2010 by Jeffrey Bradford · Comment
Filed under: Syndicated Industry News

SELEX Galileo awarded a £19M contract from the UK MoD for an AESA Technology Demonstrator Programme
17 February 2010

SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, has received a £19M Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar Technology Demonstrator Programme (TDP) contract from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MoD). The contract includes development and build of a first of type, multi-function, wide field of regard AESA radar providing increased capability and performance when compared to conventional AESA Fire Control radar systems.

Aimed at future UK platforms, the AESA TDP will focus on Day/Night All Weather targeting, high resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Air – Air targeting and communications and will raise the technology readiness levels of the enabling hardware, de-risk the capability and demonstrate maturity of concept. After rigorous ground and compact antenna test range testing, the radar is planned to fly on a Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft in the UK.

This TDP programme builds on previous investment from UK MoD and SELEX Galileo’s considerable internal investment in AESA technology and product development.

SELEX Galileo announces $10M AESA surveillance radar contract for the US Department of Homeland Security

SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded a $10M contract for Seaspray 7500E Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars which will be fitted to King Air 350ER Multi-role Enforcement Aircraft (MEA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Customs and Border Protection (US CBP). Follow on contracts for additional SELEX Galileo AESA radars should be finalised within the next few months. This new achievement follows the success of other SELEX Galileo AESA radars in the US strategic security domain.

The US Coast Guard previously selected Seaspray 7500E for its HC-130H maritime patrol aircraft which is now in operational service. US Customs and Border Protection has also selected the Vixen 500E for its Citation 550 aircraft for an air intercept role. On the King Air aircraft, Seaspray 7500E will be crucial to the Multi-role Enforcement Aircraft’s ability to conduct its missions of maritime surveillance, overland surveillance and air to air detection and tracking of small light aircraft.

The prime contractor for the MEA is Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) of Sparks, Nevada and the Seaspray radars will be delivered to them for integration into the aircraft. SELEX Galileo will work closely with Sierra Nevada Corporation to ensure the radars are optimised for the specific MEA missions.

Steve Mogford, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted to announce this latest Seaspray contract in the US and are proud to be delivering a key sensor for this vital MEA mission. SELEX Galileo’s AESA surveillance radar is setting standards in the US surveillance market that other radars cannot meet. We look forward to working closely with our prime contractor, Sierra Nevada Corporation, to deliver this important capability”.

SELEX Galileo awarded a £10 M contract by the Canadian Department of National Defence

SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, has been awarded a £10M contract by the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) for the supply of the Company’s Digital Gun Management Systems (DGMS). DGMS is a variant of the UK Light Gun LINAPS (Laser Inertial Artillery Pointing System) for the M777 lightweight towed howitzer. The order follows on from an initial contract procured in 2006.

The Company’s Digital Gun Management Systems (DGMS) has demonstrated that it can dramatically improve the Canadian Artillery’s capability during missions providing timely and accurate target engagement. The system can be rapidly deployed and the gun crew can operate from unsurveyed locations, in all weather and light conditions. DGMS represents a significant improvement over traditional artillery systems which relied on optical sights to determine gun direction.

Keith Marshall, VP Marketing and Sales Electronic Warfare and BPA at SELEX Galileo said: “SELEX Galileo welcomes the award of this new contract for its battle proven LINAPS system. Above all we are delighted by the appreciation of its performance that has been acknowledged by the Canadian customer, as well as by other customers that are currently using it in theatre. LINAPS confirms itself as a strategic asset in the tactical scenario delivering outstanding force protection capability and further market opportunities are arising around the world starting with India.”

The DGMS-equipped M777s have performed with high precision since they were deployed in theatre in late 2006. The Canadian Forces has proven experience with the DGMS on operations and training since its introduction into service in 2006.

Notes to the Editors:

DGMS incorporates a gunner’s display, vehicle motion sensors and a powerful mission management system. The DGMS is integrated with the Indirect Fire Control Computer System (IFCCS) and the Raytheon Microlight digital radio, to provide a digital link from the Command Post to the guns. This ensures a seamless transfer of mission data and rapid, accurate target engagement.

LINAPS, of which DGMS is a variant, is in service with the British Army 105mm L118 Light Gun, and was successfully deployed in Iraq during the second Gulf war. A self-contained gun-mounted navigation, pointing and weapon management system, LINAPS enables rapid and accurate artillery deployment in all weather conditions.

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Contract Win, Finmeccanica (SIFI:MI), Selex

Tags: 10m contract, customs and border protection, Defense Industrial Base, field of regard, finmeccanica company, fire control radar, maritime patrol aircraft, surveillance radar, synthetic aperture radar, technology readiness levels, us department of homeland security

AgustaWestland North America Awarded U.S. Navy Contract — Press Release

November 18, 2009 by Matthew Potter · 1 Comment
Filed under: Agusta Westland, Business Line, Companies, Contract Awards, Countries, Egypt, Events, Military Aviation, Press Releases, Services, U.S. Navy, logistics

AgustaWestland North America Awarded U.S. Navy Contract

RESTON, Va., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ — AgustaWestland North America (AWNA) is pleased to announce that it was recently awarded a $17.35M U.S. Navy contract to provide depot level maintenance on three Egyptian Mk-2 variant H-3 helicopters. The contract provides full funding for this effort, which began in November 2008, and calls for complete refurbishment of the aircraft structure and all aircraft components. AWNA will also complete all safety checks to ensure the aircraft are flight ready.

Work will be carried out at the company’s 88,000 square foot maintenance repair and overhaul facility in Hagerstown, Maryland. Up to 20 new employees are expected to be added to the existing staff of 26 at Hagerstown Airport. All work on the H-3 helicopters is estimated to be completed in December of 2010.

“AgustaWestland North America is honored to receive this contract from the U.S. Navy,” said AgustaWestland North America Chief Executive Officer, R. Scott Rettig. “I am proud of our team and our close working relationship with the U.S. Navy. I look forward to future growth and successes of our Hagerstown operations, as we continue to expand our U.S. footprint and meet the specific needs of the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense.”

AgustaWestland North America, a subsidiary of AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is FOCI mitigated and responsible for the company’s U.S. government programs. AgustaWestland is a global leader in designing, manufacturing and supporting the world’s most technologically advanced helicopters. With more than 100 years of experience in the aerospace industry, AgustaWestland provides a full range of rotorcraft for every commercial, government and military application, and an unrivalled capability in training and support solutions.

For further information please contact:
Michael Lugo
Office: 703.373.8019
Mobile: 571.435.4430
Email: mlugo@awnainc.com

Source: AgustaWestland North America

Tags: aerospace industry, agustawestland, awna, depot level maintenance, finmeccanica company, hagerstown airport, mk 2, navy contract, overhaul facility, u s navy

Northrop Grumman and SELEX GALILEO Team to Compete for U.S. Army’s Common Infrared Countermeasures Program

September 10, 2009 by Jeffrey Bradford · Comment
Filed under: Syndicated Industry News

Northrop Grumman and SELEX GALILEO Team to Compete for U.S. Army's Common Infrared Countermeasures Program
September 10, 2009

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. - Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) today announced the formation of a strategic alliance with SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica company, to compete for the U.S. Army's Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) program.

CIRCM is intended to provide the U.S. military with a
laser-based infrared (IR) countermeasures solution against current and
future IR threat systems. For the CIRCM program, the Northrop
Grumman-SELEX Galileo team has integrated the ECLIPSE micro
pointer/tracker with a processing and laser countermeasures capability
to produce a 4th generation lightweight, highly reliable Directional
Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) system specifically designed for
medium and light helicopter protection.

SELEX Galileo began development of its Economic Compact
Lightweight Pointer-Tracker System (ECLIPSE) in 2007. An ECLIPSE
development model was integrated with the Northrop Grumman Viper(tm)
IRCM laser, processor and missile warner in a highly successful live
fire demonstration in 2008 at the Tonopah Missile Range in Nevada. In
this test, the ECLIPSE prototype micro pointer/tracker successfully
acquired, tracked and defeated an infrared missile in flight.

"The Northrop Grumman-SELEX Galileo team represents the most
experienced laser IRCM development and production capability in the
industry with three generations of DIRCM systems developed, and over
1,200 pointer trackers and 1,100 lasers produced, for 450 aircraft
installations on 50 different aircraft types including large and small
fixed wing, rotary wing and tilt wing," said Carl Smith, vice president
of Northrop Grumman's IRCM Products.

"The versatile, open architecture approach that this new system
is based upon will allow the customer to use existing equipment such as
missile warners and countermeasures dispensers--while improving the
survivability of these helicopters significantly with the addition of
modern, laser DIRCM capability--and allow continued future growth.
Backed by decades of investment, hundreds of thousands of operational
flight hours and actual helicopter combat experience, this team is
ready to protect the U.S. Army's warfighters," said Smith.

The only such aircraft protection system currently in full
production, Northrop Grumman's LAIRCM system is now installed or
scheduled for installation on several hundred military aircraft to
protect approximately 50 different types of large fixed-wing transports
and rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks. The system
functions by automatically detecting a missile launch, determining if
it is a threat and activating a high-intensity laser-based
countermeasure system to track and defeat the missile.

"MANPADS (man-portable air defense systems) pose one of the
most serious threats to the army aviator operating in today's hostile
environments," said Norman Bone, senior vice president, Radar and
Advanced Targeting and Group Operations director, SELEX Galileo.
"Building on over twenty years of experience within this field, we are
now able to provide a lightweight low cost directed countermeasure
solution based on the ECLIPSE pointer tracker, to protect helicopter
platforms from the latest generations of missiles. We are proud to
support the U.S. Army and look forward to continuing our partnership
with Northrop Grumman for many years to come."

SELEX Galileo provides world class capabilities in
surveillance, protection, tracking, targeting, avionics and imaging
systems. With industrial presence in the UK, Italy and U.S., the
Company builds on 60 years of experience and market presence in more
than 70 countries.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology
company whose 120,000 employees provides innovative systems, products,
and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and
shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

# # #

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Tags: Defense Industrial Base, finmeccanica company, galileo team, infrared countermeasures, light helicopter, missile range, northrop grumman, northrop grumman corporation, open architecture approach, production capability, threat systems

U.S. Air Force Awards Alenia North America Approximately $7 Million Training Contract for U.S. Air Advisors in the Afghan C-27/G.222

March 14, 2010 by Business Wire Defense: Contracts News · Comment
Filed under: Syndicated Industry News

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alenia North America, a subsidiary of Alenia Aeronautica – a Finmeccanica Company - has been awarded a contract worth approximately $7 million by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to perform C-27/G.222 aircrew and maintenance training for U.S. Air Advisors to the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC). The contract is for a year of training classes. The initial classes of Air Advisors have completed or are nearing the completion of their courses. The training for