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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Korea Signs $400 Million Contract with Turkey on Transfer of Tank Technology
 The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Wednesday (July 30) that Korea has signed a $400 million deal with Turkey to help develop a new tank by 2015, using over 50 percent of Korea's indigenous technology on the armored vehicle.
The deal was signed between Korean tank manufacturer Hyundai Rotem and Turkish carmaker Otokar in a ceremony attended by Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.
The contract also includes the transfer of technology owned by Korea's state developer, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), according to the Korean defense procurement office.
The contract is very significant in that Korea is now exporting not only defense goods, but also defense technology, the defense procurement office said in a media release.
Korea competed against Germany for the $400 million project to help develop Turkey's new main battle tank, which will be the country's first-ever indigenous tank, according to the defense procurement office. Turkey plans to produce some 200 units of the next generation tank, provisionally named Turkey National Main Battle Tank, upon completion of its development.
Turkey is one of the largest purchasers of Korean defense articles and is set to buy some $100 million worth of weapons, including 155mm self-propelled artillery, from Korea this year alone, according to the defense procurement office.
Korea developed its first indigenous tank, the K-1, in 1988 and is set to replace the main battle tank with the next generation K-2 tanks starting 2010.
Seoul exported some $850 million worth of defense articles last year, with the export expected to grow to over $1 billion this year for the first time in history, the defense procurement office said in the media release.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Korean press reports say that South Korea will transfer key technologies regarding engine, gunnery and snorkeling systems to Turkey, which initially wants to build about 250 advanced main battle tanks, totaling about 60% of the technology required to build the Turkish tanks. Turkey will develop a fire control system on its own.
Korea’s $400 million technology transfer fee includes production costs for four prototype tanks and components, and expenses for about 20 Korean engineers seconded to Turkey for the program.)
Defense-aerospace.com, LINK |
posted by Public Enemy
4:23 PM
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Turkish Air Force Selects Northrop Grumman's Newest Navigation System for Its C-130 Aircraft
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected by the Turkish Air Force to provide the newest fiber-optic gyro inertial navigation system, the LN-260, for use on its C-130 aircraft.
The LN-260 inertial navigation system provides platform navigation and low-noise navigation inputs to steady radar pictures, help precisely direct communications antennas, or guide sensors to enable highly accurate positions for ground and aerial targets for the C-130s. The LN-260 offers high performance, high reliability, light weight and low power consumption to combat aircraft.
“This is the first commercial international sale of the LN-260 and its first application to the C-130 platform,'' said Jim Myers, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems Division. “This win will highlight the capabilities of the LN-260 and demonstrate to U.S. and international customers how Northrop Grumman navigation systems can enhance the performance of all classes of existing military aircraft.''
“We see a bright future for the LN-260 inertial navigation system,'' said Gorik Hossepian, Northrop Grumman vice president of Navigation and Positioning Systems. “In addition to being selected for the Turkish Air Force C-130, the LN-260 has been selected for the U.S. Air Force F-16 Multinational Fighter Program and the U.S. Navy F-5 upgrade kit. LN-260 units have been delivered for each of these programs.''
The LN-260 is a completely integrated inertial navigation system (INS) with a 24-channel embedded global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The fully integrated, tightly coupled GPS is selective availability/anti-spoofing module-compliant and its inertial design provides superior performance relative to other embedded INS/GPS systems. Its modular, open system architecture allows it to be easily adapted to new applications, to new system requirements and to improve performance of mission equipment and flight control systems.
ASELSAN Inc., Northrop Grumman's co-production partner in Turkey for over fifteen years, will manufacture and deliver the LN-260 INS/GPS units to Tusas Aerospace Industries Inc. (TAI) for installation on Turkish Air Force C-130 aircraft. ASELSAN will also manufacture LN-260 units for additional Turkish Air Force programs.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Defense-aerospace.com , LINK |
posted by Public Enemy
3:15 PM
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Thursday, July 17, 2008
Boeing Successfully Completes Flight of 1st AEW&C Peace Eagle Aircraft Modified in Turkey
 ST. LOUIS --- The Boeing Company has successfully conducted the first flight test of the first 737 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft modified by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in Ankara for Turkey's Peace Eagle program.
During the 2.5-hour flight from Ankara on July 16, pilot Ron Johnston and first officer Mark Mitchell performed a series of functional tests that verified the airworthiness of the aircraft's systems and structures.
The aircraft included newly installed aerial refueling capability, an advanced Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) antenna, ventral fins and mission system equipment.
"This flight is a tribute to the skill and hard work of TAI while successfully executing a very complex modification effort in transforming a 737-700 into an AEW&C platform," said Mark Ellis, Boeing Peace Eagle program manager.
Boeing will validate the aircraft's mission system over the next several weeks, before painting the plane with Turkish Air Force markings.
The Peace Eagle program includes four 737 AEW&C aircraft plus ground support segments for mission crew training, mission support and system maintenance. Boeing modified the first aircraft at its facilities in Seattle. TAI is modifying the remaining three aircraft in Ankara.
The 737-700 features 21st century avionics, navigation equipment and flight deck features. Because of its advanced technology, the aircraft requires minimal downtime for maintenance. The 737 series has a worldwide base of suppliers, parts and support equipment.
In addition to Northrop Grumman's MESA antenna with integrated identification friend-or-foe capabilities, the aircraft features a flexible, open architecture for cost-effective future upgrades, an extensive communications suite and aerial refueling capability.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide. |
posted by Public Enemy
6:13 PM
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Tuesday, July 01, 2008
First A400M Military Transporter Rolled Out
In a ceremony presided over by His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, Airbus Military has rolled out the first complete A400M military transport aircraft from the Final Assembly Line facility in Seville, Spain on June 26, 2008.
Designed initially to a recognized requirement for a new airlifter for European air forces, the A400M incorporates the state-of-the-art materials and technology that are being continuously perfected in today’s civil aircraft fleets. Features such as electronic flight controls, carbon composite structures and an automated handling system will bring new standards of operability and safety to military aircrews.
Launched under a single contract in 2003 with 180 orders for seven European launch customers, the A400M represents the most ambitious military procurement program ever undertaken in Europe. The launch customer nations, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom were subsequently joined by Malaysia and South Africa, which recognized the potential of the new airlifter for their own requirements and brought the total number of commitments to 192.
Being the shareholder of Airbus Military S.L., as National Insdustrial Institution, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) has been participating in the design & development activities of the program.
“Today is a great day for our industry,” said Carlos Suarez, CEO of Airbus Military and Head of MTAD: “It is the result of the combined efforts and determination of all those involved in the program. It has been supported by the national governments - our customers, the industrial partners, the suppliers, and the employees who have worked to produce the aircraft. I would like to thank and congratulate them all.”
“This event demonstrates our joint determination to show that EADS can design and manufacture a long-range military transport aircraft which will set new standards in airlift and open further potential in international markets. It also serves to justify the confidence which our customers placed in us when awarding the initial contract,” said Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS.
The initial contract, worth some 20 billion Euros was signed with a single interface between Airbus Military and OCCAR, (Organisation Conjointe de Coordination en matière d’Armement), the contractual body representing all seven European customer nations).
Versatility is the characteristic that best describes the A400M, it being conceived with both tactical and strategic capability. With a payload of up to 37 tonnes over ranges of up to 4700 nm, the A400M is designed to carry all loads and vehicles in the European Staff Requirement (ESR) inventory, serve as an aerial delivery platform and act as an in-flight refueller for both fast jets and helicopters.
The A400M is the first truly new military transport aircraft of its category designed in over 30 years, with twice the capacity and twice the payload of the current aircraft types that it will replace. It is all set to become the new standard in military airlift.
Under the A400M program, a total of 10 A400M aircraft will be procured for the Turkish Air Force Command. To compensate for the 10 A400M aircraft to be procured by Turkey, TAI shall undertake the structural work share which is corresponding to 7.15% of the total work and systems work package, which is 1.26%.
As a partner of Airbus Military S.L., TAI has been participating in the design and development activities of the A400M aircraft with the leading European aerospace companies namely; Airbus (France, Germany, Spain and UK), EADS CASA (Spain) and FLABEL (Belgium) from the beginning of the program.
With this program, TAI shifts to “build-to design” method from “build-to-print.” Being a partner of Airbus Military S.L. (AMSL), our Company will not only own design rights, but also become a partner of Design Organization Approval (JAR-21 PART JA) under AMSL since AMSL has design rights, in general, and type certificate (JAR-25). These approvals will make TAI a company, that has control over all the processes including design, test, certification and delivery.
Taking place as a risk sharing partner in the program, TAI will manufacture the parts under its responsibility in each new aircraft order. The parts, which are under the responsibility (design & production) of TAI are; forward center fuselage, rear fuselage upper shell, parachute doors, emergency exit doors, tail cone, lightning and water/waste systems and aileron and spoiler.
In addition to structural components, TAI is level 1 responsible of the lighting and water/waste systems of the A400M program. Furthermore, the fuselage harness fitting of the A400M is also manufactured by TAI engineers.
defense-aerospace.com , LINK |
posted by Public Enemy
7:18 PM
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Contract of the ATAK Program Becomes Effective
 AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the contracts of the Turkish Attack and Reconnaissance Helicopter (ATAK) Program have become effective and the program has officially started at the ceremony held at the facilities of the Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) today.
The ATAK Program was initiated with the aim to meet the 50 firm and 41 optional Attack/Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter requirements of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLF) by the integration of high-tech avionic equipment, hardware and software which will be developed nationally.
AgustaWestland was announced as the winning bidder at the March 30, 2007 meeting of the Defense Industry Executive Committee. Contract negotiations for the ATAK Program started in April 2007 between the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), TAI, ASELSAN and AgustaWestland. The Prime Contact, Major Subcontract Agreement and Subcontract Agreements, which had been signed on September 7, 2007, have become effective and the ATAK Program has officially started at the ceremony held at the facilities of the Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) today.
TAI is the Prime Contractor of the ATAK Program, whereas ASELSAN and AgustaWestland are the subcontractors of TAI. As the Prime Contractor of the ATAK Program, TAI shall be responsible to ensure that the performance of the T129 ATAK Helicopter meets the operational requirements of the Turkish Land Forces Command. The helicopters will be manufactured at Turkey’s Center of Aerospace, TAI.
The T129 ATAK Helicopter shall be equipped with not only modern and proven weapon systems, but also avionic and weapon systems designed and produced indigenously. The mission computer and targeting, navigation, communication and electronic warfare systems will be developed and produced by ASELSAN, which is one of the leading defense companies of Turkey. The high performance new engine, Automatic Flight Control System and Air Vehicle Monitoring System will be integrated by AgustaWestland, one of the global leaders in rotorcraft industry.
The development phase will be realized through the cooperation of local defense and aerospace companies resulting in an “independent” product, which can be modernized in every respect during its life time of 30 years.
From the [coming into effect] of the contract, the planned duration of the ATAK Program is 114 months, and the first T129 ATAK Helicopter will be delivered in the 60th month.
With the Collaboration Agreement, signed between TAI and AgustaWestland, let alone having the right to use and administer the intellectual property of the T129 ATAK Helicopter, TAI shall be the sole source for its work share under the ATAK program for all potential future world-wide sales of the T129 ATAK Helicopter. The Collaboration Agreement also provides TAI with the right to sell and market the T129 ATAK Helicopter worldwide.
Defense-aerospace.com, LINK |
posted by Public Enemy
6:41 PM
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Boeing Supports and Celebrates Growth in the Turkish Aviation Market
ISTANBUL --- Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Europe, Russia, and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, today met with media in Istanbul to review recent Boeing activities and to comment on the Turkish aviation market.
Dailey expressed his confidence in the rapidly growing Turkish market. "Boeing believes Turkey is well positioned and has huge potential in the European market. For instance, Turkish Airlines is among the few European flag carriers undergoing expansion rather than consolidation, despite difficult economic conditions. Turkish private carriers are demonstrating impressive performance and expanding the Turkish aviation market by executing differentiated business models".
Dailey said the Turkish aviation market, which has been going through a rapid growth, would need approximately $21 billion worth of 250 new airplanes over the next 20 years. He underlined that in the next 20 years Boeing predicts that worldwide demand will be over 28,000 aircraft worth $2.8 trillion.
"Boeing sets its strategy based on our customers' needs," Dailey said. "We listen to them and offer the best solutions to meet their requirements. This commitment led us to design the fuel-efficient and environment friendly 787 Dreamliner by working with airlines, industry bodies, regulators and governments to reduce to the level of fuel burn in every aspect of the air travel industry. The 787 Dreamliner will be the most profitable airliner for long range flights and will offer Turkish carriers the best option for their long haul expansion plans."
"According to our Current Market Outlook, Turkey will increase its market share in the intercontinental flight market in the upcoming years. To meet the growing demand for long-haul service, we believe the highly fuel efficient, passenger-pleasing 777 is the best fit for the Turkish market. The 777 is one of our success stories. Both the 777-300ER model and the -200ER Worldliner, the world's longest range commercial airplane, are ideal for supporting Turkey's competitive position in the intercontinental market. "
"At the Airex Air Show last week in Istanbul, we welcomed many leaders from the Turkish aviation industry. The increase in participation at the air show is a good indicator of the growing sector in Turkey. I want to reiterate Boeing's commitment to Turkey. Not only through words and through deliveries of the world's best airplanes, but also through deeds. Contributing to educational and cultural endeavors in Turkey will continue to be a high priority for Boeing."
defense-aerospace.com |
posted by Public Enemy
6:23 PM
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Cobra rears up
 Otokar, the largest manufacturer of wheeled armoured vehicles in Turkey, has brought two of the latest versions of its Cobra light vehicle to Eurosatory.
The first is the Cobra 20mm cannon carrier, which is fitted with a French Nexter Systems weapon system armed with the proven 20mm M621 cannon. Development of this version commenced in 2007 and earlier this year Otokar received its first production contract for an amphibious version for an undisclosed customer in the Arabian Gulf, with the first vehicles due to be delivered next year.
Second is the Cobra Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), which is fitted with day/thermal sights to enable targets to be engaged under almost all weather conditions.
The machine gun is laid onto the target by the gunner using a flat panel display and associated joystick from within the vehicle under complete armour protection. The vehicle commander is also provided with a screen on which the gunner’s picture is displayed.
Cobra has an all-welded steel armour hull that provides protection from small arms fire and shell splinters, with various appliqué armour packages being provided for higher protection levels. A recent development is a mine protection package.
Into the hull are integrated the suspension and powerpack of the US AM General HMMWV (High Mobility Multi Purpose Wheeled Vehicle) Expanded Capacity Vehicle (ECV) version. This is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine developing 190hp coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission and two-speed transfer case.
Cobra is in service with the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) for a variety of missions and has already been exported to a number of overseas customers, with the latest including Georgia. Otokar can be found on Stand H140.
Jane's Defense , LINK
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posted by Public Enemy
3:43 PM
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New sights from Aselsan
 Aselsan (Stand D220) has grown into one of Turkey’s largest defence electronics companies, offering a wide variety of products. New to the market are the Boa and Python thermal imaging sights. Both are based on the same sensor, but with different optics for different applications.
Python is the standard infantry unit, with a x3 optical magnification with x2 and x4 electronic zoom. Boa is a specialist long-range sight for snipers and recon use, and has a x6 optical zoom. Both are rugged, lightweight units that offer full daylight/darkness capability, with no bloom or shutdown when hit by direct light. Other examples of Aselsan’s capabilities include the ASIR thermal camera, SELFLIR-200T thermal imager, software-defined radios, and a manpack RCIED jammer. As a result of its modular architecture, the RCIED can be configured to give coverage against the range of commonly encountered IED-detonating frequencies, such as VHF, UHF, ISM, GSM-I and GSM-II.
At the other end of the spectrum, the company has developed a Pedestal Mounted Air Defence System (PMADS) for on-the-move SHORAD. The sensor system combines thermal and daylight TV cameras with a laser rangefinder, and the whole system can be integrated into a wider air defence net. A variety of SHORAD missiles can be integrated with the system, with an Igla installation being displayed here at Eurosatory.
Jane's Defense , LINK
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posted by Public Enemy
3:39 PM
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Iraqi Turkmen Front
Armenian Revolt-1