Greece Commissions First Leopard 2A6 HEL Tank

The Greek armed forces commissioned into service the first LEOPARD 2A6 HEL supplied by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). The tank was fielded with the 25th armoured brigade at Xanthi. LEOPARD 2A6 HEL is considered to be the most advanced version of the Leopard tank family.

In addition to the 170 main battle tanks, KMW supplied the Greek armed forces with armoured recovery vehicles (ARVs), armoured vehicle launched bridges (AVLBs), driving and shooting simulators, as well as the world's most advanced simulation centre. KMW is also fulfilling one of the most extensive offset programmes for Greece. The contract was worth 1.7 billion euros.

Clarion Acquires Three defense Shows from Reed Exhibitions

Clarion Events Limited announced the acquisition of three major events in the defence and security sector. DSEi (Defence Systems and Equipment International), ITEC and LAAD (Latin American Aerospace and Defence) have been bought by Clarion Events from Reed Exhibitions. The shows have been purchased for an undisclosed amount. Simon Kimble, CEO of Clarion Events, assured that Clarion's priority is to achieve a seamless transition of the events, building on the successful platform's track record. Clarion Events is the largest independent event organiser in the UK. The company plans to hold the next DSEI event as scheduled, at London ’s ExCeL centre in 8–11 September, 2009. ITEC - Europe’s leading conference and exhibition dedicated to defence training, simulation and education will be held in Stockholm from 10-12 June, 2008. LAAD, Latin America's leading defense exhibition will be held in Rio de Janeiro from 14-17 April, 2009.

MIG Could Join Russia's United Aircraft Corporation This Year

Russia's recently incorporated MiG aircraft manufacturer may become part of Russia's state-owned United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) by the end of this year (2008) – according to Russian daily newspaper Kommersant. Among the Russian aerospace companies currently forming UAC are Ilyushin, Tupolev, Sukhoi, Antonov and Mikoyan. Kommersant quoted MiG's new general director Anatoly Belov saying that such integration could be expected after June this year, following a conclusion of the audit report prepared by Ernst Young.

Gyrocam to Deliver 500 VOSS EO Systems to Army Vehicles

Gyrocam Systems has been awarded a follow-on contract worth $302 million to supply electro-optical surveillance systems under Phase II of the U.S. Army Vehicle Optic Sensor System (VOSS) program. The VOSS is deployed on patrol vehicles such as MRAP tasked with rout clearing and convoy protection. The elevated EO sensor enables the crew to spot improvised explosive devices from safe distance. Gyrocam began delivering EO systems in 2004 and has provided the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy and the Air Force with more than 300 mast-mounted vehicle camera systems currently operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. The current order funds the supply of additional 500 systems, as well as sustainment and support in theater.

USAF Drops GPS Enhanced Laser Guided Weapon from MQ-9 Reaper

A test team with the 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron completed the first Global Positioning System guided weapons release from an MQ-9 Reaper May 13 at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake, Calif. The weapon used was the Air Force' new GBU-49 500 lb guided weapon. The GBU-49 provides the war fighter an all-weather capability to employ a munition with precision without the aid of a laser designator. A total of six weapons were dropped during the test. Two inert weapons, three GPS guided and a single laser guided bomb.

French Special Forces Select Israeli Skylark I Mini UAVs from Elbit

Elbit Systems will supply Skylark I mini UAVs to the French Special Forces. Ten of the world's leading UAV providers competed for this tender, which could lead to future procurement by other branches of the French Armed Forces. Haim Kellerman, General Manager of Elbit Systems UAV Division and Corporate Vice President, is hopeful the new agreement will pave Elbit System's way to the French market. Kellerman hopes that this win will be followed by further agreements with European NATO member countries. Skylark I systems demonstrated their effectiveness during the 2006 Lebanon War and are currently deployed by several countries as part of the coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

British Army Phase Out Pheonix for Hermes 450, Desert Hawk III

The Phoenix unmanned aerial vehicles is officially withdrawn from active service with the British Army this month. The 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, the army's tactical unmanned air vehicle (UAV) regiment retired the UAV in an official parade at its barracks on March 20, 2008. The 32 regiment operates two batteries, the 22 (Gibralter) Battery and 57 (Bhurtpore) Battery. These units are currently operating Desert Hawk 3 mini UAVs and larger, more capable Hermes 450, acting as interim replacements for the Watchkeeper UAV, to be fielded by 2010. The Royal Air Force also operates three larger Predator B (Reaper) in Afghanistan.

L-3 Claim Performance Breakthrough with Uncooled Thermal Imagers

L-3 Infrared Products is developing a new line of uncooled thermal imaging products called Thermal-Eye 'Series 17'. According to Mike Studer, VP Marketing, L-3 Infrared Products, the new line is based on a new and promising technology called 'Amorphous Silicon' representing new and revolutionary sensing capabilities.

ICx Technologies to Develop a new Radar for GDRS's Patrol Robot

Sensor technology specialist ICx Technologies (NASDAQ:ICXT) will develop a new Intruder Detection Radar Sensor for General Dynamics Robotic Systems (GDRS)' Mobile Detection Assessment and Response System (MDARS) robotic patrol vehicle. The new radar will be based on ICx Technologies’ STS-350 radar system, added with higher angle scanning and extended range capability. The initial award is for five systems, with additional quantities in the out years.

Boeing, Raytheon Awarded $130 Million to Upgrade Radars on Eight F-15Cs

The Boeing Company has been awarded a $130 million U.S. Air Force contract to upgrade 16 Air Force and Air National Guard F-15C Eagles with the APG-63(v)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. This contract follows a similar agreement signed in September 2007 to equip seven aircraft. Raytheon, The radar producer's share of this contract will be about $89.5 million. According to Jim Means, director of proprietary programs for Boeing Global Strike Systems, the new orders extend the APG-63(V)3 upgrade program through 2010.