Armed Forces International

Underwater Laser Sensing/Robotics Technology: Armed Forces News

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:22:50 GMT

US scientists are developing hi-tech military technology designed to be able to act as an underwater radar, in essence, and detect things like mines. The scientists are working within Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute's Ocean Visibility and Optics Laboratory - sited at Florida Atlantic University - and their technology could surpass existing technologies' abilities to quickly establish and transmit data relating to potential seaborne threats.

Underwater Technology

Upon reaching maturity, the intention is for this underwater technology to be integrated into robots which will be deployed as a fleet, and for it to feature prominently within the US military's arsenal.

The Florida scientists were recently provided with two million dollars in funding from the Office of Naval Research (a branch of the US DoD - Department of Defense) to take their underwater laser sensing/robotics technology to the next level. As well as military applications, it will have environmental uses too - in being able to highlight the state of the ocean.

Underwater Mines

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute's assistant research professor, Dr Fraser Dalgleish, highlighted how the technology being worked on could benefit military operations, especially in terms of countering underwater mines.

"Underwater mines pose a major threat to U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and merchant fleets", he said.

"Using intelligent, adaptive laser imaging and communication techniques with swarms of co-operating underwater robots could provide identification-quality underwater imagery in real-time across much greater regions of seabed than current technology allows, and will therefore be vital for effectively classifying both military and environmental threats to our coastal regions in the future."

The venture is a three-phased one, with the ultimate aim being to develop simultaneous imaging/data transmission technology deployed within hi-tech robots operating within an underwater environment. During their trials, Dr Dalgleish and his colleagues will employ hi-tech computer simulation software to forecast how the technology can be expected to perform within different oceanic states.

Using this data together with calculations from live, physical tests of the technology, they hope to gain comprehensive knowledge of how this kind of technology has a place within future military missions.

DHS Systems Opens New Support Facility at Fort Riley

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:02:04 GMT

On July 1, 2009, military shelter contracting company DHS Systems LLC officially opened its new support facility (SF) for the 1st Infantry Division and surrounding units of Fort Riley in Manhattan, Kansas.

Enjoy the Art of Dissipation Inside CM Computers’ Latest SixHex

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:39:18 GMT

Cooling your boards to a temperature they deserve.

New Award for Armed Forces Killed in Action: Armed Forces News

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:11:07 GMT

Queen Elizabeth II has given her approval for the creation of a new medal for UK military personnel who lose their lives while serving their country. To be known as the Elizabeth Cross, the award will be presented in recognition of UK troops killed on the front line, or in instances of terrorism.

Launching the new award, the Queen referred to it as "a right and proper way of showing our enduring debt." The cross-shaped award will feature depictions of the national flowers of all four countries within the United Kingdom, the rose (England), thistle (Scotland), shamrock (Northern Ireland) and the daffodil (Wales). This makes the point that soldiers from all four countries have been deployed in action both historically and in more recent times.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the award on July 1st, highlighting his confidence that it would be "a very special and fitting tribute indeed for the great debt we owe to all those who die on operations and the enduring loss shouldered by their families."

UK Soldiers Killed

The award will be retrospectively given to the families of UK soldiers killed from 1945-to-date. On this basis, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), it could be given to as many as 8,000 families. The ministry has set a threshold in terms of the families it will contact directly, and those that will need to contact it. Specifically, relatives of soldiers fatally wounded after the year 2000 will be contacted, while those related to UK personnel killed between 1945 and 2000 will have to take first action. In both instances, the option will be there to receive the Elizabeth Cross in public or behind closed doors.

British Military Award

Almost 70 years have passed since a British military award was created that incorporated the reigning monarch's name. This was the George Cross, established in 1940, while some 80 years earlier, the Victoria Cross was incepted by Queen Victoria.

"The Elizabeth Cross was recommended by the military chiefs to Her Majesty to recognise the huge debt this country owes to the families those brave individuals have left behind", Bob Ainsworth, UK Defence Secretary, stated.

The head of the armed forces, Sir Jock Stirrup, meanwhile, spoke of how the families of those eligible for the Elizabeth Cross could wear it with "immense pride."

"It is a reminder not just of the ultimate price their loved ones have paid while safeguarding our security and freedom, it is also a lasting symbol of the nation's recognition of and gratitude for their sacrifice", he added.

Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series B7

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:46:53 GMT

IAG moves into B7 territory with new industry leading Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series.

Key New Report Calls for UK Defence Review: Armed Forces News

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:28:55 GMT

Senior UK military and political figures have urged for proposals to retire the Trident nuclear deterrent and replace it with a more modern equivalent to be re-assessed. The Trident replacement - which would cost £20 billion - is no longer economically viable for the UK, they said, adding that the country's range of defence mechanisms should be slimmed down to concentrate on specialist areas, rather than such a spread of military capabilities.

The report issued on June 30th was titled Shared Responsibilities, and was the product of the UK Commission on National Security. In it, the authors stressed the need for a full-on review of the UK's planned defences for years to come, including Trident, the pair of Future Navy Carriers and the Joint Strike Fighters set to serve the Fleet Air Arm from 2014 onwards.

UK Defence Spending

The authors - ex NATO Secretary-General Lord Robertson among them - stopped short of stating that the UK did not need any kind of nuclear defence, but queried whether taking Trident out of service in favour of a newer model was either cost-effective or strategically viable. Britain, they said, required some form of deterrent for the 21st century, but defence spending factors, etc, still needed to be factored in.

The detailed review called for by the authors must give consideration to "whether we should replace the Trident system as currently planned, seek to extend the life of the current system further or decide that some other system for providing Britain's deterrent in a nuclear armed world would be better suited to the strategic circumstances in which we then find ourselves", they stated.

In this way, in-depth evaluation of whether Trident could still be cost-effective and right for the job in hand from 2024 onwards should be taking place, right now. And this, said the authors, would transmit positively to the international community, "...in particular to the non-nuclear weapon state signatories of the NPT." Furthermore, it was crucial that the UK avoided "....locking itself into a Trident extension programme any earlier than was absolutely necessary."

"It [the in-depth evaluation] could also push some of the heavier spending years of the Trident programme further into the future, take some shorter-term pressure off budgets and give the UK extra decision-making flexibility, should we find ourselves a few years down the line in a context in which major US and Russian cuts in strategic arsenals might begin to impact on the US programmes on which the UK's Trident deterrent depends", the study explained.

UK Defence Technology

Among the other types of UK defence technology covered in the report were aircraft and tanks. The 350+ Challenger 2 tanks in service with the British Army, it said, were "arguably...far more than we need", while the Royal Air Force's Tornado fleet could also be slimmed down, "especially given the recent decision to buy Tranche 3 of the [Eurofighter] Typhoon."

In conclusion, the report wrote that the best military capabilities available were now out of Britain's financial reach and, as a consequence of this, Gordon Brown and his colleagues should look at "capability downgrading and quantity reductions as well as complete cancellation of some equipment programmes". They should also create a unified defence budget to cover all aspects of defence spending, including when it touched on other areas like Transport and Health.

US Troops Pull out of Iraq’s Cities and Towns: Armed Forces News

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:28:38 GMT

Six years after the invasion of allied forces, US military personnel deployed in Iraq have now completed their pull out from the country's cities and towns, and passed the security reigns over to their Iraqi counterparts. In honour of the occasion, a new public holiday has been established and named 'National Sovereignty Day', while a large-scale party took place in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, on June 29th.

In the hours preceding the withdrawal, four members of the US armed forces serving in Iraq were reported as dead. Although confirming that these deaths had involved soldiers based in Baghdad, the US military provided no further information at this stage, bar that they had suffered "combat related injuries."

US Forces Deployed in Iraq

The timescale for the remainder of US forces deployed in Iraq now sees all combat operations terminating by September next year, and all deployed personnel being withdrawn entirely by the beginning of 2012.

Although now having left urban areas, Iraqi-based US troops will continue to serve alongside Iraqi security forces, with the most prominent military officials from both countries highlighting the prospect of a fresh wave of insurgent action.

The US military's overall level of deployed troops is about 131,000 - including the members of a dozen combat brigades - and it is not anticipated that this will reduce until February 2010 at earliest.

As far as Christopher Hill - American ambassador to Iraq- was concerned, the urban withdrawal represented a "milestone" moment. "Yes, we think Iraq is ready and Iraq thinks Iraq is ready", Hill stressed. "We have spent a lot of time working very closely with Iraqi security services... and I think there is an understanding that now it is the time."

US Combat Capabilities

He added that "a lot of US combat capabilities" would remain "in Iraq for months to come."

"After 30 June, with US combat forces out of cities and villages, localities, we'll still be in Iraq", he continued. "We will still have a very robust number of US troops in Iraq and, in fact, those troops will not begin to withdraw from Iraq until probably several months from now."

In the initial months of 2007, the US military upped its troop presence in Iraq through a succession of "surges", through which the number of personnel deployed there peaked at 170,000. The arrival of these extra numbers quelled down violence in the country for a while but, more recently, hostilities have spiked once more. This month alone has seen a number of attacks take place, from which almost 170 people have died.

Cryptography: The Importance of Security Management (II)

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:05:18 GMT

Security management has a split image traditionally.

Shrike Exploder and Accessories

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:40:08 GMT

Introduced into the UK MoD in the early 1980s the Shrike exploder, manufactured by BDL Systems Ltd and now Chemring EOD Ltd, represents an impressive combination of safety, reliability and ease of use.

Recoilless Disruptor / De-armers

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:36:08 GMT

Introduced into the UK MoD in the early 2000s the Richmond range of disrupter/de-armers, manufactured by Richmond EEI Ltd and now Chemring EOD Ltd, represents an impressive combination of versatility and safety to the EOD/IEDD operator.

Cooneen Watts and Stone Range of British Military Shorts

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:04:02 GMT

Cooneen Watts and Stone supply the British military with a large range of shorts. This article features some the range and discusses their different uses.

Coyote, Husky, Wolfhound for UK Forces: Armed Forces News

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:45:02 GMT

The MoD has unveiled a range of new armoured vehicles to equip troops deployed in Afghanistan. Titled the Coyote, the Husky and the Wolfhound, the trio's introduction is one component of a wider armoured vehicle programme worth £350 million.

The Land Rover Snatch presently used by the UK armed forces in Afghanistan has come under recent criticism in light of a number of deaths attributed to its limited survivability. As Armed Forces International recently reported, a number of families intend to launch legal action against the MoD in connection with the deaths of four soldiers in Land Rover Snatch vehicles.

These new vehicles are not intended to take over from the Snatch but their introduction, says the ministry, will provide battlefield commanders with an enhanced choice to pick the optimum vehicle for the required task.

Coyote, Husky and Wolfhound

In comments made during the Coyote, Husky and Wolfhound's June 24th launch in the UK, Quentin Davis - Minister for Defence Equipment and Support - highlighted how their introduction would give UK military personnel a "battle-winning edge in Afghanistan".

"We are working tirelessly to ensure they have the right equipment for the right job and ensuring that we respond quickly and innovatively to equipment requests from the frontline", Davis said.

British Armoured Vehicle

Here are some brief facts on each new British armoured vehicle.

The Coyote is an adaption of the Jackal armoured vehicle design, featuring six wheels. The MoD envisages that over 70 Coyotes will have been deployed to Afghanistan before 2009 is out

The Husky is a US-made armoured vehicle that features a machine gun and that, in Afghanistan, will be tasked with transport and command duties, as well as the medical role.

The Wolfhound is an adaption of the Mastiff, again featuring six wheels and designed to carry loads around the UK military's theatre of operations

The Coyote, Husky and Wolfhound are currently still in prototype form, albeit advanced.

During the same launch, the MoD also showcased a new type of textile armour, intended to offer troops protection against grenades. Over 20 Amsafe-made Tarian armour systems are now being utilised by UK forces in Afghanistan.

To find out more about other armoured vehicles in present military service, please visit Armed Forces International's Project's Page.

Approval for US Military Cyber Command: Armed Forces News

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:02:39 GMT

The US military will establish a Cyber Command to safeguard its computers and allow operations in cyberspace after approval for the technology was given by Robert Gates, US Defense Secretary, on June 23rd. US Cyber Command will probably be headquartered at Maryland's Fort Meade military facility and while its coverage will extend to the US military's computers, it will not include any other networks, according to Bryan Whitman - a spokesman for the Pentagon.

Whitman did not elaborate on the subject of Cyber Command having an offensive as well as a defensive role. "This command is going to focus on the protection and operation of DoD (the US Department of Defence) networks", he explained, adding: "This command is going to do what is necessary to be able to do that."

Pentagon Computer Protection

The command, Whitman said, would reinforce the current Pentagon computer protection programme - a programme which the Nebraska-based US Strategic Command presently coordinates.

The US DoD is presently comprised of an estimated seven million individual PCs, which slot into 15,000 networks.

These networks, said Whitman, "are constantly probed."

"The power to disrupt and destroy, once the sole province of nations, now also rests with small groups and individuals, from terrorist groups to organized crime to industrial spies to hacker activists, to teenage hackers", he continued.

"We also know that foreign governments are trying to develop offensive cyber capabilities."

Cybercrime Prevention

In tandem with technological advances, the US military's susceptibility to computer hackers is a mounting 21st century concern among officials. In May 2009, Barack Obama, the US President, announced his intent to select a czar to oversee the US government's attempts at cybercrime prevention.

In the past, the US has looked to China when trying the establish the source of cyber attacks, but has never publically confirmed its suspicions.

It is anticipated that US Cyber Command will begin working at a basic level in October 2009, and be up to full capacity in 2010.

In recent comments contained within Armed Forces International's previous coverage of US Cyber Command, William Lynn, US deputy defense secretary, said that the US military regarded cyberspace as of equivalent importance to airspace and other areas of operations.

Mistakes in Iraq, says UK Armed Forces Head: Armed Forces News

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:54:43 GMT

The head of the British Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, said on June 23rd 2009 that Britain had made mistakes in the military campaign in Iraq, adding that military equipment and personnel were redeployed to Afghanistan too hastily.

Sir Richard, the Chief of the General Staff, highlighted a "window of consent" that had opened up swift on the heels of the 2003 invasion, which allied forces had failed to exploit to the full.

Insufficient troop levels, he added, had remained in Iraq once Afghanistan had become the focus of attention.

Iraq War Review

Sir Richard's comments formed part of a speech delivered to defence and security forum, the Royal United Services Institute, which occurred in advance of the British Government's anticipated official Iraq War review.

Key among the experience gained from time spent in Iraq, said Sir Richard, was the requirement of achieving what he called a "decisive effect", early in the game.

"In Iraq this meant acting while we had a window of consent to address the security and basic needs of the Iraq people, reconstruction, development and developing the capacity of indigenous security forces", he explained.

"Our failure to deliver this through proper investment and a comprehensive approach and our early switch to an economy of force operation in favour of Afghanistan sowed the seeds for the dissatisfaction that followed and the rise of the militias supported so cynically by the Iranians in the south."

Troop Surges

Sir Richard added that not enough allied forces were present on the ground, hence the implementation of troop surges when needed. Further errors were made in sending newly trained Iraqi troops into battle before they were ready.

"We must acknowledge that it takes time, expertise and resources to develop impartial, loyal, well-trained, well-equipped and well-led local security forces", Dannatt stated.

"We must not repeat the mistakes of 2003 to 2004 when we recruited and deployed hastily security forces of very limited effectiveness and, as it turned out, of questionable loyalty."

Previous Iraq News Items:

Change in Mission for British Forces in Iraq, says Brown

120 More British Troops for Iraq: MoD

Black Watch Troops in Afghan Air Assault: Armed Forces News

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:12:48 GMT

News broke on June 23rd 2009 that members of the British armed forces deployed in Afghanistan had launched a significant new operation, which they were conducting from the air, and which was targeting a Taliban-heavy area in the south of the country. Over 350 military personnel from the Scottish Black Watch regiment were airlifted into Babaji, in the province of Helmand, in what the MoD referred to as among the most major operations of the modern age.

Operation Panther's Claw

The assault is titled Operation Panther's Claw, and features US as well as British forces. On June 19th, these were transported by a fleet of 12 Boeing Chinook helicopters, while aerial support was provided by a range of other NATO air assets. These included:

AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, which are operated by the US and British Armies
UH-60 Blackhawk utility helicopters, as flown by the US Army
An AC-130H Spectre gunship, derived from the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and operated by the US Air Force
Harrier GR7s/GR9s - part of Joint Force Harrier, which is made up of RAF and Royal Navy assets
Various Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which both militaries operate

Black Watch Regiment

On the ground, meanwhile, over 150 Black Watch regiment soldiers and Royal Engineers were present, onboard Viking armoured vehicles.

"The aim is to secure a number of canal and river crossings in an area which has previously been one of the main Taliban strongholds", Task Force Helmand spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Richardson, explained.

"We are working very closely alongside the Americans and together we are seeking to reduce the fear, intimidation and violence that the insurgents cause and inflict on the Afghan population."

The assault actually took place on Friday June 19th, but details of it have only now entered the public domain. Since then, the MoD has reported that several militants attacks had been launched, all of them overcome by allied forces. The result was that three of the area's prime crossing locations have now been secured - the Nahr-e-Burgha canal, the Lui Mandey Wadi crossing and the Shamalan canal.

"This has been a major air assault operation with a large number of helicopters, both UK and US", Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Cartwright, Commanding Officer of 3 SCOTS (3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland), explained.

"The Black Watch met some resistance but we were able to establish a firm foothold in the area."

On June 19th - the same day as this operation took place - news broke of the 169th British military death to have taken place in Afghanistan over the past eight years.

Steel Beasts Professional Version: CV90/35 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Simulator for the Danish Army

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:49:35 GMT

With the procurement of the new infantry fighting vehicle CV90/35 from BAE Hägglunds the necessity for a training solution appeared on the agenda of the Danish Army.

Reported: RAF Harrier Force Faces Axe: Armed Forces News

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:33:30 GMT

What has been described as the "bloodiest spending round" to affect the British armed forces may result in the Royal Air Force Harrier force being scrapped. Military officials are now talking over the implementation of measures that, as well as the disappearance of the RAF's V-STOL capability, could also reduce British Army manpower down to circa-1850 levels, according to reports. The RAF, British Army and Royal Navy alike are all said to have tabulated proposals to slim down either equipment or personnel numbers as a means of reducing the armed forces' portion of UK spending.

Harrier in RAF Service

2009 marks 40 years of the Harrier in RAF service. From the initial GR1 to the current GR7s and GR9s, the type has been a staple of the British military's strike force for four decades. Modern era-Harrier GR7s/GR9s form part of Joint Force Harrier, which was created in 2000 and which unified the RAF's and Royal Navy's Harrier aircraft and associated personnel under one operational umbrella.

Earlier this month, Armed Forces International reported on the imminent arrival back in the UK of the RAF's Afghan Harrier force, which is being replaced in that part of the world by Tornado GR4 aircraft.

Among the options said to be being discussed are those of eliminating as many as three present British Army infantry battalions - the equivalent of approximately 1,800 troops. The Royal Navy, meanwhile, could end up having to put its Type 42 warships into retirement in advance of their scheduled withdrawal from service, and similarly the RAF - its Harriers.

Speaking to the Daily Mail newspaper, an unidentified military official spoke of the need for a complete defence review to take place, following on from the last one in 1998. A review of this kind would compel ministers to prioritise the UK's strategic needs, as opposed to anticipating widely implementable defence cuts.

UK Military Overstretch

Amidst reports of UK military overstretch, measures of the kind reported would put even more strain on the system, and cause greater controversy. To take the British Army as an example, however, it has been said to be achieved, the cutbacks under discussion would involve needing to either reduce overall manpower, or downsize future armoured vehicle plans.

No comment on the situation has yet been provided by the Ministry of Defence which, on June 20th, simply said defence budget-related talks remained "ongoing".

Indian Air Force Jet Fighter Trials Soon: Armed Forces News

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:21:47 GMT

The Indian Air Force will soon be putting six of the world's hottest current military combat jets through their paces, in order to select one as the outright winner of its 126-aircraft-strong MRCA (Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) contract, it was reported on June 21st 2009.

Among the aircraft in contention to win this contract are the French-built Dassault Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet designs, which presently serve with the French Air Force/Navy, the Royal Air Force and the United States Navy respectively.

Fighter Flight Trials

The scheduled for these fighter flight trials has slipped. Originally planned to have been wrapped up in March 2009, they have been postponed to July, but even this could now shift to August 2010, since part of the trials involve assessing how the aircraft handle in Indian heat - most evident in the month of July - and certain manufacturers have said they cannot provide demo aircraft until September 2009. The six aircraft makers and types involved in the MRCA competition are the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and Boeing Super Hornet, along with the Lockheed Martin F-16, Saab JAS-39 Gripen and the Mig 35. In terms of nationality, these aircraft represent the US, France, Sweden, Russia, the UK, Italy, Spain and Germany (the last four being the quartet of nations responsible for the Typhoon's development).

All six have been contacted and asked to take part in the flight trials although, previously, the Rafale was close to being ruled out since all questions contained in the initial RfP (Request for Proposals) had not been answered. According to Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik - Chief of Air Staff for the Indian Air Force - the Rafale was definitely still involved. The "template for flight tests", he explained, "would be common to all'.

Fighter Jet Flight Assessments

Air Chief Marshal Naik issued the current edition of the Indian Air Force's defence publication at the Paris Air Show, which ended on June 21st. In comments made to the media, he described the fast pace with which the fighter jet flight assessments were planned to be executed. Initial aircraft and associated system trials would begin in Bangalore, he explained, following which the hot weather tests would take place in Jaisalmer.

"The evaluations would be in sequence, one after the other, starting from Bangalore", he said.

"In India, the aircraft would be subjected to performance trials which would include take off and landing characteristics, aircraft manoeuvring, and checks of certain systems in the air. Evaluation of its maintainability, mission support equipment, operations at high altitude and in specific environments will also be conducted. Analyses of some aspects operations of its avionics, radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems along with live firing of long range weapons would be conducted at vendor-specific locations."

The Indian Air Force will conclude these trials by selecting a single aircraft capable of fulfilling its military requirements, and that comes at the right price. It is expected that Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Saab, EADS, Dassault and Mig will each bring a pair of aircraft, giving them the capability to take part in different strands of the trials simultaneously.

126 new combat aircraft are required, but an option exists for the purchase of 63 more. The Indian Air Force anticipates that the chosen type will have entered military service by 2014, and will serve for up to four decades past that.

Obama: US Ready for North Korea: Armed Forces News

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:22:32 GMT

US President Barack Obama has described his country as "fully prepared", should North Korea carry out a missile trial over the Pacific Ocean. Obama's comments were made during a CBS interview, and followed recent reports that North Korea was contemplating aiming a missile in Hawaii's direction.

The Obama/CBS interview was due to be televised on Monday June 22nd, but a transcript of some of it was issued to journalists pre-broadcast. In it, the US President asserted: "This administration - and our military - is fully prepared for any contingencies." Quizzed on whether this referred to military action, he replied in the negative, explaining: "I don't want to speculate on hypotheticals.

"But I do want to give assurances to the American people that the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted."

North Korean Missile Testing

May 2009 saw the latest wave of North Korean missile testing take place. The country performed a subterranean nuclear assessment, and also test-launched several missiles - events that led to additional sanctions being imposed on it by the UN Security Council.

The state of North Korea's nuclear programme has been a long-term concern for the international community.

On the same day as Obama's latest comments on North Korea were scheduled for full release, the main newspaper read across North Korea, Rodong Sinmun, described ideas of the nation threatening the United States as "nonsense", adding that it would react militarily if antagonised. "As long as our country has become a proud nuclear power, the U.S. should take a correct look at whom it is dealing with", Rodong Sinmun wrote. "It would be a grave mistake for the U.S. to think it can remain unhurt if it ignites the fuse of war on the Korean peninsula."

Kang Nam Cargo Ship

On June 21st, meanwhile, YTN - a news organisation active in South Korea - stated that a United States Navy warship was in hot pursuit of a North Korean cargo boat, on the (perceived) basis it was ferrying banned weapons into Burma. Speaking to AP (the Associated Press) two days earlier, an unnamed representative of the US armed forces had confirmed that the warship in question, the USS John S. McCain, was positioned fairly near to North Korea's Kang Nam cargo ship, adding, however, that it was not tasked with intercepting it, nor had it asked for permission to do this.

Armed Forces International understands that the monitoring of the Kang Nam stands as the first such act of its kind, and forms part of the new wave of UN sanctions on North Korea.

"One of the things that we have been very clear about is that North Korea has a path toward rejoining the international community", Obama stressed to CBS. "We hope they take that path. What we're not going to do is to reward belligerence and provocation in the way that's been done in the past."

MoD Lawsuit over Armed Forces Deaths: Armed Forces News

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:07:37 GMT

The families of four British military personnel killed while in armoured vehicles in Afghanistan and Iraq are to launch legal action against the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces International understands.

Those planning to the sue the MoD are said to be doing so on the grounds of negligence, saying that the Snatch Land Rovers in which their loves ones died had insufficient armour to offer protection against the blasts that killed them. The ministry, however, is adamant that these vehicles are right for the tasks that need to be performed in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Iraq.

Over the past six years, over 35 members of the British armed forces have lost their lives whilst inside Snatch Land Rover vehicles. These vehicles are used by the UK military for tasks when the requirement is for a quick mode of transport and, while designed to withstand the impact of some explosive devices, critics of them highlight how they cannot properly protect against roadside bombs.

In 2008, John Dutton - at that time UK Defence Secretary - said a public Snatch Land Rover enquiry would not happen, announcing instead that £700 million would be invested into acquiring replacement vehicle technology.

As far as the families behind the legal action are concerned, the MoD did not protect their sons adequately, and so violated their human rights. They add that the ministry is also guilty of negligence, and highlight how the May 2009 ruling made in the Court of Appeal expanding the scope of the Human Rights Act to include battlefields backs them up.

The families involved are those related to the following, four members of the British armed forces.

Private Lee Ellis, who lost his life in Iraq three years ago
Marine Gary Wright, who lost his life in Afghanistan, also three years ago
Lieutenant Corporal Kirk Redpath, who lost in life in Iraq two years ago
Private Philip Hewett, who lost his life in Iraq four years ago.

The lawyers involved in these cases have highlighted the prospect of further, similar actions taking place in years to come.

"Over the past 14 months, the MoD has received four compensation claims following deaths involving Snatch Land Rovers in Iraq and Afghanistan", a spokesman for the ministry stated.

"The MoD pays compensation wherever there is a liability to do so.

"In these cases we remain profoundly aware of the enduring grief of the four families who lost their loved ones in combat."

Prince William Keen to Serve on Front Line: Armed Forces News

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:23:48 GMT

Prince William gave a suggestion on June 18^th of his keenness to be deployed operationally on the front line, as happened with Prince Harry in Afghanistan. The Prince’s comment was made to the media at RAF Shawbury, the home of the Defence Helicopter Flying School which trains Royal Air Force, Army Air Corps and Royal Navy helicopter pilots.

“I think as a future leader of the armed forces, it's really important you at least get the opportunity to be credible and to do the job I signed up for, as best I can”, he said.

“That's all I want to do.”

The Prince – who was awarded his RAF Wings in April 2008 - is presently training for the search and rescue role, a fact he alluded to. “The search and rescue role is now slightly different to obviously being able to go to Afghanistan, but it's still doing an important job”, he said.

Prince William’s statement came just days before the first Armed Forces Day at Chatham, Kent – an event aimed at promoting reflection on the British armed forces' past, present and future. His words seemed to conflict with the opinions of military figures who, behind closed doors, are said to consider his front line deployment impossible. The Daily Mail, however, quoted the words of an unidentified source with Royal/ RAF connections, who stressed: “It is clearly something said from the heart.”

Prince Harry in Afghanistan

Prince Harry served with the British Army in Afghanistan for around two months between December 2007 and February 2008. His presence there was cut short when one publication leaked his situation into the public domain.

While Prince William is set to become a rescue pilot, Prince Harry is undergoing Army Air Corps training with a view to flying AAC attack helicopters. Harry’s training period could extend to up to 12 months, during which time he could fly the Gazelle, the Lynx or the Apache helicopters.

Quizzed on whether he considered it really possible that he would be permitted to serve this country as a front line member of the British armed forces, Prince William responded:

“In my mind, of course, you talk to everyone else and it's impossible.

“I still remain hopeful there's a chance.”

Training Insert Plates For Ballistic Floatation Vest

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:20:24 GMT

Buffers Marine AB has recently got a new order from the Swedish Defense Material Administration for training insert plates to ballistic vests.

SELEX Sistemi Integrati awarded an 11.6 million euro contract for air traffic control systems in Senegal

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:13:43 GMT

SELEX Sistemi Integrati, a Finmeccanica Company, signed a contract valued 11,6 million euro with Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) for the supply of air traffic control systems for the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar (Senegal).

Lockheed Martin JSF Sales Could Reach 6,000: Armed Forces News

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:40:49 GMT

A chief official involved in the F-35 aircraft programme has forecast the prospect of Joint Strike Fighter sales reaching the 6,000 mark, which would put the new technologically-advanced multi-role type up there among the most-produced combat jets in history.

The prediction - delivered by Brigadier General David Heinz, who heads the JSF programme - was rooted in the volume of current, fourth-generation fighter aircraft in present military service that air arms would need to replace in future years. These aircraft included the likes of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A18 Hornet and F-15 Eagle which, between them, are used by operators including the USAF, US Navy, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Swiss Air Force.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Known as the Lightning II, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a US design, but eight other nations are also involved in its development - Australia, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Turkey. Between them, these nine countries are anticipated to place orders for in excess of 3,000 JSFs, but this could swell as the likes of South Korea, Japan and Singapore look to advance their 21st century combat capabilities.

Heinz' comments were made to representatives of the media present at the 2009 Paris Air Show - an industry showcase event which runs until June 21st at Le Bourget airfield. At this event, Lockheed Martin made presentations to the eight JSF partner nations, in reference to the recent support that each had shown.

JSF Testing

The Royal Navy is set to receive examples of this aircraft in future years and, earlier this year, Britain pledged to take part in the JSF testing phase and to acquire three development airframes.

"If I take a look at the entire inventory of the world that are flying Harriers, F-16, F-15s and other fourth-generation airplanes, as those airplanes age out, I believe my airframe will be competitive", Heinz stated.

"As I get down the affordability curve, as we deliver a world sustainment product, I think F-35 will be very competitive in that, but I welcome the competition", he added, in response to a question regarding the possible impact of present fourth-generation fighter demand on his fifth-generation fighter .

A final point was the prospect of the JSF being implemented into the Japanese Air Self Defence Force, in light of US aircraft manufacturer Boeing's current export ban on the F-22 Raptor, which Japan had previously been keen on acquiring.

Related News Items:

First Flight for F-35B Joint Strike Fighter

F-35/JSF Aircraft Cost Approaching $1 Trillion Mark

No Need for Trident Missile, Politicians Say: Armed Forces News

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:24:02 GMT

A UK political party has set a precedent in being the first to announce it will not support a replacement for the Trident SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile). In comments made to the Guardian newspaper, Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, linked the party's decision to the country's rapid economic downturn, highlighting simultaneously how a nuclear weapon of Trident's capability was unnecessary in the modern world.

According to information freely available in the public domain, Trident is forty-four feet long, capable of striking targets in excess of 4,500 miles away and costs close-on £17 million apiece, not including the associated running costs. The missile has been in Royal Navy service since 1994, and it is thought that a single Trident has the power to cause eight times the damage unleashed on Hiroshima by the US military in 1945.

The Liberal Democrats declaration represents a public first but, behind the scenes, a number of MPs are said to share similar views. Its just that none have been capable of convincing party leaders of the strength of their arguments.

"New leadership in Russia, new leadership obviously in the White House and a wider geostrategic appreciation means that a cold war missile system designed to penetrate Soviet defences and land in Moscow and St Petersburg at any time, in any weather, from any location anywhere round the planet, is not our foremost security challenge now", Mr Clegg said.

"We have got to be grown-up and honest about it. Given that we need to ask ourselves big questions about what our priorities are, we have arrived at the view that a like-for-like Trident replacement is not the right thing to do."

Need for Trident Missile

Clegg's comments could spark a governmental review into the use of/ need for the Trident missile or a replacement Trident, on account of the financial aspects of it. At present, all areas of public spending are facing cuts, on account of the huge debt the UK has found itself in as it tries to dig a way out of financial recession. Having said this, Trident is the only non-detectable missile deterrent in present British military service, and other alternatives are too expensive. The UK has already spent £14.9 billion acquiring the system, and withdrawing the system would probably result in a huge waste of public money.

One option put forward by Mr Clegg was for the UK to adopt a similar strategy to Japan, which has a reserve of nuclear material from which weapons could be assembled within a short timeframe.

Trident remains a controversial issue among a portion of the British public. On June 15th, a demonstration took place at a site that builds components for the SLBM - the Berkshire-based Atomic Weapons Establishment. The demonstration resulted in 11 charges being given out for wilful obstruction.

North Korean Nuclear Programme

In related nuclear-themed news, North Korea has threatened the West with large-scale military retaliation if it is provoked - the latest threat in a series of similar events linked to the perceived state of the country's nuclear programme.

The warming spoke of a "thousand-fold" level of military response and came hot on the heels of US President Barack Obama's declaration that North Korea represented a "grave threat", adding that a new wave of United Nations sanctions would be regimentally imposed on it.

On June 16th, President Obama was in discussions with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, the result of which was a firm agreement to forge a "strategic alliance" to head efforts to denuclearise North Korea.

British Soldiers Set Up Afghan Army School: Armed Forces News

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:21:01 GMT

Members of the British armed forces deployed in Afghanistan are set to be at the forefront of the development of a new school to train Afghan military personnel, it emerged on June 16th 2009. To be known as the Combined Arms Training School, the facility will instruct ANA (Afghan National Army) personnel, Bob Ainsworth, UK Secretary of State for Defence, announced.

The announcement came hot on the heels of discussions at a NATO meeting held in Brussels, Belgium. While UK forces will take the lead in delivering strategic training and theory, other members of the NATO ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) will also be involved.

Combined Arms Training School

The Combined Arms Training School will deliver much-needed training for multiple ranks of the ANA - junior and non-commissioned officers among them.

"British forces have enjoyed a long and successful history of providing training missions and we are well placed to deliver the expertise needed to lead the new Combined Arms Training School", Mr Ainsworth stated.

"Along with the support of our multi-national partners, we will continue to build the capacity of the Afghan National Security Forces so that they can provide security for the Afghan people. As the Prime Minister set out in April, the UK will focus increasingly on building Afghan capabilities. Effective Afghan security forces are essential to the long-term stability of the country. Through training and support, we can help them achieve this goal."

British Military Deployment in Afghanistan

Armed Forces International recently reported on other aspects of the British military deployment in Afghanistan. In terms of aircraft, Royal Air Force Harriers deployed in Afghanistan since 2004 are in the process of being flown back to the UK, their place to be taken up by Tornados. On the ground, meanwhile, a pair of new armoured vehicles - the Mastiff 2 and Ridgback - have now begun to be used operationally in the country.

In April 2009, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown highlighted how the role of British military personnel in Afghanistan would swing more and more towards training Afghan National Army members, with an aim of heightening their ability to make the country a more secure place, and to stabilise life for civilians there.

Since the school will be run by existing deployed British armed forces members, no additional deployments will take place to augment numbers. Current Afghan National Police/ Afghan National Army training schemes taking place in the province of Helmand will remain in operation, as will the Kabul-based Afghan National Army Officer Candidate scheme.

USAF Drone Training Reaches New High: Armed Forces News

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:16:42 GMT

An indication of the importance of Unmanned Aerial Aircraft (UAVs) to the world's dominant military airpower emerged on June 15th when United States Air Force officials highlighted how 2009 was set to see more military personnel trained to fly them than to fly conventional air force combat jets.

Future UAV Designs

The USAF is integrating UAVs into its fleet more and more, and this trend is set to continue into future years. According to the newly-issued Unmanned Systems Update document, a comprehensive programme of future UAV designs is planned, though which pilotless fighter, bomber and air-refuelling aircraft will be developed and put into service. The document adds that these UAVs would function in tandem with conventional, piloted types.

Earlier this week, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal - head of allied forces in Afghanistan - highlighted the benefits of UAVs to members of the US senate, telling them how airstrikes could be carried out more precisely and, thus, fewer civilian deaths caused than those associated with standard aircraft.

Reaper, Predator Drones

Overall, the USAF will provide UAV training to 240 military personnel this year - all of them destined to navigate the Reaper or Predator drones across the skies. By way of contrast, fighter and bomber training will be given to 214 members of the US armed forces. As things stand, 550 UAV pilots currently serve with the air arm, against 4,600 fighter/ bomber pilots of types like the F-22 Raptor, F-16 Fighting Falcon and B-52 Stratofortress aircraft.

Besides with the USAF, the Reaper drone is also in service with the Royal Air Force, who have used it against insurgent forces in Afghanistan, while USAF Reapers have been active in Iraq. Another type of UAV is the Lockheed Martin Desert Hawk III, which Armed Forces International recently profiled in-depth.

Aerial Surveillance Platforms

The USAF's focus on UAVs mirrors the requirement for aerial surveillance platforms to operate around the clock in conflict zones like Afghanistan and Iraq.

"The capability provided by the unmanned aircraft is game-changing", USAF chief of staff, General, Norton Schwartz, stated in an email sent to newspaper USA Today. "We can have eyes 24/7 on our adversaries.

"The importance of that is clear in the feedback from the ground troops - this is a capability they don't want to be without."

US Military Iraq Withdrawal on Track: Armed Forces News

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:06:19 GMT

The US military's withdrawal from Iraq's cities is proceeding as planned and will have taken place by June 30th 2009, it was reported yesterday. The departure was described by the chief military commander of US forces in the country, General Ray Odierno, as "a significant moment in history".

Speaking to representatives of the media gathered together in Baghdad on June 15th, the general added: "The dark days of previous years are behind us. It's a fitting time that our combat forces return from cities and villages."

US Armed Forces Withdrawal

Contrary to previous thoughts, the mass US armed forces withdrawal will include Mosul - the location of a marked upsurge in violence at the beginning of 2009. On the subject of Mosul, Odierno said he was now confident in its future and that control of it would be transferred over to Iraqi forces. These Iraqi forces, he added, had already assumed responsibility for more than 140 US outposts spread across Iraq. US military personnel will remain stationed at the remaining 320 sites, but predominantly to provide support and guidance.

Over the past nine months, approximately 30,000 US troops have been pulled out of the country, leaving a present force of 130,000.

The general picture in Iraq, the general said, was strikingly different than two years ago, when insurgent forces were arriving in the country in regular waves. "We have seen a significant decrease in the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq in the last eight to 10 months. For the most part it has just been a trickle. We have seen some fighters coming through Syria, but Syria has been taking some action over the last few weeks, so hopefully that will continue.

"Al-Qaida has been degraded. And financially it has become more difficult for them to operate."

US Troop Deployments

All-in-all, General Odierno stated, the majority of US troop deployments in urban parts of Iraq had already been terminated, and the scheduled withdrawal was running on time.

Shortly after General Odierno's media event, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki confirmed to a French newspaper that the country would not have a need for US forces in combat past June 30th.

"We will not ask them to intervene in combat operations or in operations related to maintaining public order", al-Malaki said in comments published by Le Monde, adding: "It is finished."

US forces, he said, would only be called on "...for transporting our troops when we need them because we don't have any planes. That is why we are purchasing helicopters from France and the United States."

The current wider plan for US forces in Iraq is that they will have left the country entirely by December 2011.

Military Cyber Attacks Hit Defence Computers: Armed Forces News

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:32:10 GMT

South Korean military officials reported on June 16th that the country's network of military computers were being hacked into more and more, with an average of 95,000 such attacks taking place each day. Breaking this figure down, South Korea's Defence Security Command reported that almost 10,500 hacking attempts were being made on a daily basis, alongside nearly 82,000 viruses - a 20 per cent increase over last year.

While acknowledging that about 90 per cent of these were comparable to the cyber attacks experienced by regular, home PC users, a Defence Security Command spokesman added, however, that the minority were serious, data-acquisition attempts. "Eleven percent of the total are sophisticated and vicious attempts to hack into military servers and to gather intelligence", the spokesman explained, in comments made to news agency AFP.

Military Hacking

No information was provided by the Defence Security Command as regards the origin of the military hacking. Previous, similar incidents, however, have been linked to China and North Korea, where South Korean officials believe highly-trained military hacker organisations are in operation.

In comments printed by national news organisation Yonhap, National Intelligence Service representative Yoo Ho-Jin highlighted the gravity of the situation.

"Our country continues to be vulnerable", Yoo was quoted as having said.

"Some of our government branches failed to function when we recently simulated a cyber-attack on them. This is a grave threat to our national security."

US Cyber Command

In related news, the US military is now close to establishing a new division to react to cyber attacks made on its computer network. To be known as US Cyber Command, the organisation will defend against what William Lynn, US deputy defense secretary, referred to as a wholly contemporary threat. "This is not an emerging threat", he said. "This is not some future threat. The cyber threat is here today. It is here now."

According to Lynn - speaking to the Voice of America - the US Defense Department's computer network was made up of no less than seven million individual computers, with over three million log-ins carried out on a daily basis. With this in mind, he added, the department's 15,000 networks represented a "tempting target" for potential cyber attackers.

"There is simply no exaggerating our military dependency on our information networks", Lynn asserted. "The command and control of our forces, the intelligence and logistics upon which they depend, the weapons technologies we develop and field, they all depend on our computer systems and networks. Indeed, our 21st century military simply cannot function without them."

On this bases, he added, the US military put cyberspace on the same level of importance as airspace and other areas of operations.

Countdown to First UK Armed Forces Day: Armed Forces News

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:47:37 GMT

The countdown has now begun to June 27th 2009, the date of the first ever Armed Forces Day to take place in the UK. The location for the main celebrations will be Chatham in Kent, the site of a Historic Naval Dockyard with a strong military heritage - although smaller events will also be held at venues up and down the country.

"The reason for [the creation of] Armed Forces Day is the results of a national recognition survey", an MoD spokesperson told Armed Forces International by telephone, referring to last year's National Recognition of the Armed Forces report, and the recommendations contained within it.

British Military Personnel

Armed Forces Day 2009 will be the initial one of its kind to be held in this country, and has its roots in a previous, yearly event. "Armed Forces Day used to be Veterans Day", the MoD spokesperson explained, in reference to the series of annual events that had been held on June 27th from 2006 onwards. The change to the much wider title of 'Armed Forces Day' was implemented in order to incorporate serving British military personnel and air cadets, and to reflect on the British armed forces' past, present and future.

In comments made at the launch of Armed Force Day, Veterans Minister Kevan Jones stated: "The purpose of this day is to honour Britain's Armed Forces, our past achievements, the dedication of those serving at present and the opportunities that the Armed Forces offer to our future generations.

He added: "Our Armed Forces and veterans deserve your support and recognition because of their outstanding contribution to the country. They make huge personal sacrifices to defend the UK and our interests and contribute to international peace and security."

Chatham Armed Forces Day

Chatham Armed Forces Day will include a flypast from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. Also appearing in the air will be historic British military aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, whose fleet includes an Avro Lancaster, two Hawker Hurricanes and five Supermarine Spitfires. At ground level, meanwhile, a parade will take place featuring RAF, Royal Navy and British Army personnel, along with representatives of the Royal Marines. Among the multiple other attractions will be interactive displays put on by all three strands of the British armed forces.

The organisers of Armed Forces Day reported on June 12th that tickets for the Chatham event had now completely sold out. Further information on this event, together with the network of smaller, UK-wide events, can be viewed at the official website - www.armedforcesday.org.uk.

USAF F-22 Raptor Shuns Paris Air Show: Armed Forces News

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:44:17 GMT

The United States Air Force's ultra hi-tech F-22 Raptor combat jet will not be appearing at this week's Paris Air Show, aircraft manufacturer Lockheed Martin announced on June 15th, in a statement likely to dismay many. The withdrawal was linked to airframe availability, Lockheed Martin spokesman Christopher Trippick explained, adding no additional information.

While a frequent participant at airshows across the United States, the F-22's appearances outside of home soil have been extremely limited, although in 2008 one was presented at the Farnborough Air Show during the type's initial European tour.

Air Superiority Fighter

The F-22 Raptor is a 21st century air superiority fighter that was introduced into USAF service in 2005. According to the latest available information, 139 examples now serve with the air arm across 12 squadrons. The type incorporates significant radar image-reducing stealth technology and, reacting to the news, some European aerospace figures wondered whether its Paris no-show was related to fears that too much classified information on it would be given away.

In 1991, the Paris Air Show hosted the first F-117 Nighthawk 'Stealth Fighter' appearance to be made at an airshow outside of the US. At the next Paris Air Show in 1993, no US types appeared at all - the result of a boycott by the then-Bill Clinton-led US Presidency.

An unnamed defence official - who requested that his identity be kept private - highlighted reports that the French government had been monitoring the aircraft's approach into Le Bourget (the French airport which hosts the Paris event) via radar, and that this had caused concern back in the US.

USAF Raptor Fleet

Two months ago, President Obama announced that just four more airframes were destined to join the present USAF Raptor fleet, meaning production would come to an end. A ban is currently in place prohibiting foreign F-22 sales, although a number of US lawmakers are trying to get this overturned.

Commenting on the withdrawal, some executives suggested that, from the US' perspective, it would not be wise to show off this aircraft at what is one of the aerospace industry's premier events, when the type isn't for sale.

The Paris Air Show/ International Air Salon has now been running for 100 years - so dates back almost to the birth of aviation itself. Prior to the 2009 event, it was expected that defence issues would take precedence over commercial aviation, which is suffering more from the global financial downturn at present.

To find out more about this aircraft, please click on Armed Forces International's F-22 Raptor project page.

Drinking Water in Action…Bottles or Pouches?

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:44:38 GMT

Providing reliable drinking water to teams in action in theatre and in the field time and time again is a top notch logistic performance.

Cooneen Watts and Stone Range of Military Slacks

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:38:55 GMT

This article looks at the wide range of military slacks Cooneen Watts and Stone provides. These slacks are generally intended for non combat purposes.

Military Combat Trousers

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:41:10 GMT

This article details the benefits of Cooneen Watts and Stone's military combat trousers. These trousers are designed specifically for use in combat situations.

RAF Harrier Afghanistan Deployment to End: Armed Forces News

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:09:26 GMT

The RAF's deployment of V-STOL (Vertical Short-Take Off and Landing) Harrier aircraft to Afghanistan is soon to end, with the world-famous fighters set to return to the UK shortly. Since 2004, when the first RAF Harriers arrived in Afghanistan, they have been heavily involved in close-air support missions in support of ISAF (NATO's International Security Assistance Force), ensuring the survival of numerous members of the British armed forces serving in the country.

The present deployed force of RAF Harrier GR9s comprises eight airframes and 11 crews. Their position in Afghanistan will now be filled by Panavia Tornado GR4s, with the changeover scheduled to have been completed by June 30th, 2009.

Joint Force Harrier

Royal Air Force Harriers form part of Joint Force Harrier, which was established in 2000 and which ties up the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy's V-STOL assets. Joint Force Harrier is comprised of two front line RAF Harrier Squadrons (1 and 4), a reserve squadron (20), and the Naval Strike Wing, which is itself sub-divided into 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons.

Each Joint Force Harrier deployment to Afghanistan has lasted for six months, carried out through a strict rotational policy. The current deployed unit is No.1 Squadron, which is based at RAF Cottesmore in Rutland - the UK's smallest county.

The original plan was for the RAF Harrier GR7s and GR9s in Afghanistan to have ended their deployment by April 2009. This date, however, was moved back on account of necessary construction work at Kandahar Air Base, as well as the RAF Tornado fleet's continuing upgrade programme.

RAF Harrier Ejection

Last month, an RAF Harrier ejection took place when the pilot involved was landing at Kandahar. The MoD subsequently launched an investigation, simultaneously asserting that the incident was not apparently linked to "enemy action."

Summing up the feelings of the Harrier pilots involved in the type's deployment, the commander of No.1 Squadron RAF, Wing Commander Dave Haines, stated: "The Harrier crews have mixed emotions about leaving after all this time".

"The task here has been very rewarding professionally but everyone is now looking forward to rebuilding their personal relationships back home".

Ongoing Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles: Armed Forces News

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:02:23 GMT

A new US report has been issued covering the state of a number of nations' perceived and estimated short-term Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) programmes. Produced by the USAF's National Air and Space Intelligence Center and published by the Federation of American Scientists, the report covers Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, India and Pakistan, and in this News Item Armed Forces International will summarise each country's coverage in turn.

Iran, according to the study, could develop a long-range ICBM able to strike the US under the right conditions. Describing the country's "missile and space launch development programs" as "ambitious", the report explained that "with sufficient foreign assistance", such a missile could have been built and operationally evaluated by 2015.

Taepodong 2 Missile

In terms of North Korea, the report covers this country's Taepodong 2 missile, which could be given ICBM properties, could also be capable of reaching the US and which "could be exported".

China, meanwhile, is reported as possessing "the most active and diverse ballistic missile program in the world". The deployment of two members of this programme, the DF-31 and DF-31A, is described as now being underway. In terms of the numbers of these two intercontinental ballistic missiles deployed, the report suggests "less than 15", and this supersedes the US DoD's (Department of Defence) previous reckoning that there was "less than 10" of them.

The DF-31 and DF-31A, along with the as yet unfinished JL-2, feature single warheads. However, said the report, they could be adapted to multiple warhead configuration. China's overall ICBM strike capability in terms of missiles with a range inclusive of the US could reach "well over 100" by 2024, although not all of these would be weapons "primarily targeted against the US".

Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles/ SLBMs

Russia, said the study, would likely "...retain the largest ICBM force outside the United States", and the majority of these ICBM were "...maintained on alert, capable of being launched within minutes of receiving a launch order." The country is thought to have a 2,000-strong ICBM inventory, including SLBMs - Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles.

India's deployment of Agni 1 and 2 ICBMs got underway in recent months and, to date, "fewer than 25" of the launching infrastructures required to fire them have been fielded. Elsewhere, it is currently working on a pair of SLBMs named the Sagarika and the Dhanush, stated the report, adding that the former would enter service after 2011. Although separate reports have emerged regarding India's development of a nuclear cruise missile, this missile was not covered in the new US study.

Finally, Pakistan, whose complement of ballistic missile launchers is below 50 in number. Pakistan currently has the Shaheen and Ghaznavi SRBMs (Short-Range Ballistic Missiles) and, while a missile with longer range has been proposed, development has not yet begun.

Mastiff 2 Ridgback for UK Army Afghan Force: Armed Forces News

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:56:28 GMT

The initial batch of Mastiff 2 armoured vehicles for use by the British armed forces in Afghanistan have now been delivered and are being used operationally, the MoD announced on June 10th 2009. The same is true of the new Ridgbacks and, in total, 300 new armoured vehicles have now been put into operational service in the Middle East. The effect for British military personnel serving in Afghanistan is that their battlefield capability has been significantly augmented.

Updates have been carried out on the British military's Mastiffs and Ridgbacks to optimise their capabilities. These include:

The introduction of new seats to the vehicles, which are designed to better cushion the impact of a roadside bomb or similar IED (Improvised Explosive Device)
Improvements made to the vehicles' armour
Improvements made to the vehicles' suspension, in line with the rough Afghan terrain
The expansion of the vehicles' interiors, meaning more crew can be accommodated
Improvements to the vehicles' thermal imaging capabilities

Deployment to Afghanistan

Commenting on the Mastiff 2 and the Ridgback's deployment to Afghanistan, Quentin Davis, British Minister Defence Equipment and Support, commented;

"The Mastiff is already giving troops a battle-winning edge in Afghanistan and Mastiff 2 is even better as we have improved the vehicle in line with comments from personnel on the front line."

He added: "Ridgback will supplement the excellent work currently carried out by its bigger brother Mastiff and offer our forces first-rate protection with greater manoeuvrability and easier access to urban areas."

The Mastiff 2 and Ridgback's legacies lie in the American Cougar design, which is produced by Force Protection. Conversion to UK standards was performed by the British firm NP Aerospace.

Battlefield Capabilities

Both designs have significant battlefield capabilities. The Mastiff 2 is capable of reaching speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour while the Ridgback, around 64 kph. Among the weapons that can be fitted to the two vehicles are:

An (automatic) 40 millimetre grenade launcher
A 7.62 millimetre machine gun
A 12.7 millimetre heavy duty machine gun

Training for British military personnel being converted to the Mastiff 2 and Ridgback has been taking place at the UK Defence School of Transport - Europe's largest such facility.

Please click on the indicated link to view Armed Forces International's in-depth Mastiff 2 armoured vehicle profile.

Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters - 4500NV Pocket Weather Tracker

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:13:24 GMT

The Kestrel 4500NV Pocket Weather Tracker is a great tool to add to your kit. Whether you are at the range, on perimeter, on patrol or manning an observer/long rifle position, this weather tracker provides information that is critical to your mission or objective.

30,000 Pound Bomb for USAF Stealth Bombers: Armed Forces News

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:01:07 GMT

The United States Air Force intends to equip part of its extensive strategic bomber fleet with a new type of weapon - a 30,000 pound bomb with an immense strike capability - it has emerged. The heavyweight bomb, developed by Boeing, will equip Northrop B-2 Spirit "Stealth Bombers" in limited numbers from 2012 onwards.

Massive Ordnance Penetrator

While the USAF has just announced the acquisition, trials of the Boeing GBU57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) have actually been taking place for a few years now. The MOP is designed primarily to take out solid bunkers at subterranean level.

Initial flight tests of the B-2 Spirit/ GBU57 MOP combo are scheduled for June 2011, with a view to achieving operational readiness 12 months later, according to the USAF. It added that no modifications would be required to the Stealth Bomber's programme of flight operations in order to fit the new technology into the aircraft's weapons load - meaning the process can be done relatively quickly and relatively cheaply.

No concrete data is yet available on the exact number of GBU57s that the USAF intends to acquire. However, the air force itself has suggested 10 as a "best estimate figure", with five before this as test bombs. There is also the potential for five more to be acquired, Armed Forces International understands.

Prior to the current Obama presidency, requests for funding for as many as 20 MOPS to equip USAF B-2s were denied. The situation now seems to have changed, meaning that the USAF can progress with purchasing and integrating the GBU57 into its military aircraft weapons inventory.

USAF Weapons Inventory

At 30,000 pounds, the GBU57 will potentially be the largest weapon in its penetrative class within the USAF's weapons inventory - a title currently held by the GBU-28, which weighs 5,000 pounds. Six years ago, a USAF test occurred involving a MOAB (Massive Ordnance Air Blast) bomb, which weighed 20,000 pounds.

Relatively little information exists on the GBU57, although we do know that it incorporates precision guidance technologies.

The B-2 Spirit itself has now been in USAF service for 12 years, and first flew in 1989. A total of 21 were built, with 20 still operational and most of them operating out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

First Flight for New RAF Air-to-Air Refueller: Armed Forces News

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:08:15 GMT

The first flight of a new tanker aircraft that will equip the Royal Air Force - as well as the Royal Australian, Royal Saudi and UAE air forces - has taken place in France. Royal Air Force tanker duties are currently performed by the VC-10 and Tristar aircraft, both of which are now elderly designs adapted from commercial airliners.

The new aircraft- the Airbus A330-200 - is based on one of the most modern jetliners in present airline service and, in militarised form, will fill the RAF's FSTA (Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft) requirement.

FTSA/ Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft

Under the terms of FSTA, 13 A330-200s are destined for the RAF, all of them acquired through a partnership between the MoD and AirTanker Ltd, which was established in March last year. The arrangement will be that AirTanker will own and maintain the 13 Airbuses, but they will effectively be part of the RAF's tanking force and liveried as such. If appropriate, however, AirTanker will lease individual aircraft out to commercial air travel groups at points where the RAF does not require a full complement of A330-200s.

Air-to-Air Refuelling

The A330-200's initial test flight was performed on June 4th, during which it was flown in various configurations while, onboard, engineers assessed how its systems were performing. When in service, the aircraft will be able to undertake air-to-air refuelling missions over 1,600 kilometres away from its operational base and, after this, loiter for up to two hours before returning back. The rate of fuel supply will be in the region of 5,000 litres every sixty seconds, and each aircraft will typically take 80 tonnes or more of fuel up with it on every sortie.

Since the fuel tanks required for the air-to-air refuelling role are already in place inside standard Airbus A330 airliners' wings, the -200's fuselage space will give it an additional transport role, in which capacity it will carry a maximum of 290 members of the British armed forces.

Military Tanker Capability

Overall, the A330-200 will give the RAF and other operators a military tanker capability way beyond preceding aircraft, being more reliable and more energy-efficient.

The FSTA fleet will operate mainly out of RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

Pentagon's Air Force Bombing Raids Disclosure: Armed Forces News

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:13:47 GMT

The USAF operated outside standard airstrike procedures when attacking Afghanistan in a stream of May 2009 bombing raids, according to information delivered by the Pentagon on June 8th 2009. The airstrikes resulted in a large number of civilian fatalities - 140 of them, according to the Afghan government.

"There were some problems with tactics, techniques and procedures, the way in which close air support was supposed to have been executed in this case", Geoff Morrell, press secretary, advised representatives of the media.

United States Air Force Bombing Raids

The United States Air Force bombing raids in question took place on May 4th and targeted areas in the province of Farah. They occurred in response to initial militant attacks carried out on security checkpoints.

Mr Morrell's statement followed an investigation by the US military into exactly what went wrong that day. What it discovered was that one particular aircraft - a USAF Rockwell B-1b Lancer intercontinental bomber - suffered a momentary loss of contact with the target it was aiming for.

"That plane, because of how it takes its bombing routes, had to break away from positive identification of their target at one point to make its elongated approach", Morrell explained.

Afghan Civilian Casualties

He stressed, however, that no concrete conclusion had been drawn up linking the B-1b's actions with the Afghan civilian casualties. "It was just noted as one of the problems associated with these events, not that it was the cause of the civilian casualties", Morrell emphasised, adding that the assessment has been "exhaustive", and that this illustrated that "the guys on the ground who are involved in this incident took great pains to limit civilian casualties, to target those who had attacked them."

In contrast to the 140 civilians figure quoted by Afghanistan, the US military reported that up to 30 non-military personnel had died, together with up to 65 militants.

This keynote Washington press statement represented the US military's most transparent declaration to date over an incident which Afghanistan itself responded angrily to. The issue of civilian deaths remains a tense one between allied forces and Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal - head of allied forces in Afghanistan - highlighted the prospect of the conflict in Afghanistan ending in the insurgents' favour unless the number of civilians losing their lives could be reined in.

Boeing A160T Hummingbird Helicopter Trialled: Armed Forces News

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:10:27 GMT

A new, hi-tech pilotless helicopter design could become the US Marines' technology of choice for transporting supplies into combat zones.

Military operations need an effective infrastructure around them as a means of support. Cargo aircraft, therefore, play a vital role, and while computers have done much to assist ground-based logistics, they're also now powering unmanned cargo aircraft. The US Marines have expressed a requirement for pilotless UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) as a means of supplies provision, replacing the often dangerous task of transporting them by road where food and medical convoys can be at risk of attack.

Boeing A160T Hummingbird

They has therefore set up an Immediate Cargo Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Demonstration Program, which US aerospace and defence firm Boeing has responded to by putting forward its A160T Hummingbird design.

The A160T is capable of carrying weights of up to 2,500 pounds. Its rotor technology embodies a revolutionary, energy-efficient design in which the speed at which the rotor blades rotate varies in accordance with the helicopter's height, speed or weight. It actually first flew seven years ago, and has since set a world endurance record, having spent over 18 hours aloft on a single sortie.

The majority of the A160T's flight control systems are self-serving. In other words, while UAVs are traditionally controlled by operators at ground level, this technology can pretty much control its own flight path in line with the mission profile.

"The Marines have identified an urgent need for unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver supplies in lieu of putting trucks and personnel on dangerous roads", programme manager for the A160T at Boeing, John Groenenboom, explained.

"The A160T was designed from inception as a UAS with significant payload-carrying and high-altitude-operation capabilities, so we are confident in its ability to meet the requirements of this critical mission."

It is anticipated that the winner of the US Marines contract will be announced next month.
In the interim, in order to highlight the A160T's capabilities and suitability for the role, it will be put through a series of trials, including carrying a 2,500 pound load in between two bases in under six hours for three days running.

The image accompanying this News Item is not of the actual technology.

RAF Nimrod Fleet to Resume: Armed Forces News

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:53:14 GMT

The Royal Air Force's fleet of Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft will shortly be put back into operational service, potentially once again patrolling the skies over areas like Afghanistan as they did before. The Nimrods have been absent from Middle Eastern skies for several months while essential airframe modifications were being made, in light of the September 2006 incident in which one aircraft exploded in mid-air, with significant loss of life.

Royal Air Force Nimrod Fleet

The Royal Air Force Nimrod Fleet is headquartered at RAF Kinloss in Scotland. Providing the latest update on the situation to news organisation Flight International, base commander Group Captain Robbie Noel stated: "We are in really good shape, which is allowing us to support operations in the UK, and also start contemplating a return to the Middle East", adding: "If a requirement exists then I anticipate we would be ready to deploy in the summer."

As of June 8th 2009, seven Nimrods were at the stage where they could be put back into service, while an eighth will join them at the end of this month. All have had engine components replaced.

In related news, the Nimrod MR2's replacement, the Nimrod MRA4, is getting ever-closer to entering service. An initial aircraft type conversion course gets underway on June 22nd, while it is anticipated that the MRA4 itself will begin duties by Christmas 2010, although the first aircraft is set to take up residence at Kinloss in February 2010.

The Nimrod MR2's service life will extend up until March 2011.

RAF Nimrod Crash

The inquest into the September 2006 RAF Nimrod crash lasted much of May 2008, with the coroner involved in it, Andrew Walker, ultimately proclaiming that the aircraft were never fit to fly, and urging for a type-wide grounding to be enforced. Des Browne - UK Defence Secretary at the time - countered that the Nimrods were perfectly flyable.

On March 31st 2009, however, the MoD legislated the grounding of the fleet, pending airframe rectifications.

The explosion resulted in 14 deaths onboard the Nimrod - a fatality number that made it the most devastating single act encountered by British military personnel since the Falklands Conflict in 1982.

The 14 members of the British armed forces killed on the Nimrod were Flight Lieutenants Steven Johnson, Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore, Gareth Rodney Nicholas, Allan James Squires and Steven Swarbrick, Flight Sergeants Gary Wayne Andrews, Stephen Beattie, Gerard Martin Bell and Adrian Davies, Sergeants Benjamin James Knight, John Joseph Langton and Paul Quilliam, Lance Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts and, finally, Royal Marine Joseph David Windall.

Increase in Global Arms Sales: Armed Forces News

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:20:52 GMT

Military spending around the world increased four per cent last year to reach an unprecedented high of $1,464 billion/ £914 billion. The increase for the period 1999-2008, Swedish organisation Sipri (the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) added, was 45 per cent.

While, then, the airline industry is not doing so well, the defence industry is flourishing, with the world's economic downturn yet to strike it hard. "The global financial crisis has yet to have an impact on major arms companies' revenues, profits and order backlogs", Sipri stated.

A further rise was recorded in the number of peace operations in action around the world in 2008, which increased 11 per cent and which focused on areas including DR Congo and Darfur. In all, over 187,000 people around the world were engaged in peace-keeping operations, said Sipri, adding this also represented a new high.

Global Arms Sales

Overall, the world's dominant 100 arms manufacturers made global arms sales totalling $347 billion in 2007 (2007, since accurate figures for 2008 have not yet emerged). The vast majority of these 100 firms were European or US-based, although Russia, Israel, India and Japan were also represented.

"Since 2002, the value of the top 100 arms sales has increased by 37% in real terms", explained Sipri.

More arms were sold by Boeing than by anyone else - it racked up a total of $30.5 billion. UK defence firm BAE System came in just behind them, with $29.9 billion worth of arms sold, and Lockheed Martin claimed third place with $29.4 billion.

Here's the top ten list, including the three above-mentioned firms, plus the other seven that dominated global arms sales in 2007:

Boeing, which sold $30.5bn
BAE Systems, which sold $29.9bn
Lockheed Martin, which sold $29.4bn
Northrop Grumman, which sold $24.6bn
General Dynamics, which sold $21.5bn
Raytheon, which sold $19.5bn
EADS (West Europe), which sold $13.1bn
L-3 Communications, which sold $11.2bn
Finmeccanica, which sold $9.9bn
Thales, which sold $9.4bn

Global Arms Spending

The US also bought the majority of the arms sold in 2008, although Russia and China both upped their spending considerably. Again, here's the top ten for global arms spending, according to Sipri:

The USA, which spent $607bn
China, which spent $84.9bn
France, which spent $65.74bn
The UK, which spent $65.35bn
Russia, which spent $58.6bn
Germany, which spent $46.87bn
Japan, which spent $46.38bn
Italy, which spent $40.69bn
Saudi Arabia, which spent $38.2bn
India, which spent $30.0bn

While US arms spending for 2008 was up ten per cent on 2007, the report suggested that the introduction of the new, Obama government would likely result in more moderate increases in future years.

Next week sees the biannual Paris Air Show - one of the world's major aerospace events. Here, defence technology is expected to loom large over air travel.

Drash Joins with Communications Platforms to Form Integrated Shelter System

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:40:03 GMT

DHS Systems LLC recently announced that its line of Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter (DRASH) Systems can now accommodate the Satellite Transportable Terminal (STT) and similar communications platforms.

FN Expertise in Integrated Weapon Systems on Display at Paris Air Show

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:16:59 GMT

A global leader in the manufacture of small caliber weapons, ammunition and weapon systems FN Herstal will attend the Paris Air Show from 15 through 21 June 2009 (Hall 2B, Booth no. G32b in the Belgian Pavilion).

Kinetics Offer a Range of Enhancements for Military Vehicle Suspension

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:41:37 GMT

Military vehicles often have to operate for extended periods of time in some of the most extreme conditions on the planet. It is essential for these vehicles to use the highest quality and most hard wearing components. This article explores the range of equipment that Kinetics offer for military vehicle suspension.

Kinetics' Range of Vehicle and Crew Cooling Systems

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:09:45 GMT

Kinetics Ltd produce a range of products in the field of vehicle and crew cooling systems. These systems are designed for use in a wide range of military vehicles to keep the crew cool and able to operate in extreme conditions.