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FORBIN

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Yeah !

The A330 MRTT Phénix of the French Air Force and its livery

On December 15, 2015, Airbus Defense and Space announced in a press release that the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) had just issued a first firm order for the purchase of eight A330 MRTT "Phénix" in-flight refueling tankers Of the French Air Force.

At the time, the official communiqué stated that "these aircraft constitute the second tranche of the multi-year contract for twelve A330 MRTTs, signed by the French Ministry of Defense in November 2014, bringing the total order to nine aircraft."

While work began on the Istres-Le Tubé BA 125, the first French A330 MRTT (pictured here) is due to join the Air Force in October 2018, the second in 2019 and the rest of the aircraft should Be received in subsequent years, with a rate of one to two aircraft per year.

Eventually, they will replace the aging fleet of C-135FR and KC-135RG refueling tankers in Flight 2/91 "Brittany", as well as Airbus A310 (three) and A340 (two) of Transport Squadron 60 "Esterel".

The new aircraft of the Strategic Air Forces (FAS) will adopt the following livery, with a tapered line that runs along the entire aircraft and which strongly recalls the long feathers of the mythical bird.
The coat of arms of Brittany is to be seen on the top of the drift, and on the other side, that of the Esterel, which will pass under the command of the FAS in 2021.

Contacted in November 2014 on Twitter, the communication cell of the French Ministry of Defense explained that this choice was made in order "to associate the legendary character of this mythical bird with a remarkable aircraft at all levels of performance".

Speaking at the symposium on the 50th anniversary of French nuclear deterrence, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian declared that "this choice is not the result of a costly Marketing study. On the contrary, it is the fruit of the reflection of the future users themselves "and that it is" not insignificant ".
Finally, the Minister also made a parallel between "the Red and Gold colors of the 'Phoenix' [which] also remind us of the red, color of the Strategic Air Forces, as well as the gold of the Air Force wings
The "Phoenix" of the FAS will be responsible for conducting in-flight refueling missions, indispensable in foreign operations, for training in France and especially for the nuclear deterrent mission.
For this purpose, the apparatus has a central rigid pole and a nacelle under the two wings. Unlike the C-135FR and KC-135RG currently in service and carrying 17 tons of fuel, the A330 MRTT carries no less than 50 tons.

Both the Stratotanker and the Phoenix have autonomy of 4h30 in the area of operations and can operate up to 2 000 kilometers from the base.
These MRTTs can also conduct medical evacuation missions with the MORPHEE kit. Indeed, it will be able to accommodate wounded of war since the plane can contain up to ten modules MORPHEE to 12 000km.

In addition, these aircraft will be able to carry out transport missions since an aircraft has the capacity to accommodate 271 passengers at 10,000km, or 40 tons at 7,000km.
In comparison, the A310-300 carries 29 tons at 5,000km and 185 passengers at 5,200km. The A340-200 carries 41 tons at 11,500 km and 279 pax at 11,800 km.
Finally, the current tankers have a capacity of 25 tons to 8,000 km, from 73 pax to 9,000 km, and 8 modules MORPHEE to 8,000 km.

They can also serve as Command Relays with an extension of communications for aircraft operating in the area of operation, including C2 communications and SATCOM.
In addition, it will also act as an ISR relay, with the capacity to receive, process and distribute the received data.

Given the ability to carry out all these missions, the twelve A330 MRTT "Phénix" will replace the C-135FR, the three KC-135RG, the three A310s and the two A340s of the ET 60.
Standard 1, available on delivery, includes:

The L16 link, a camera placed under the front of the aircraft and capable of filming all around the day and night, a MEDEVAC device (lightweight MORPHEE or transport modules), rigid pole and flexible pods and related specificities To nuclear deterrence.

Standard 2, available from 2024 (normally), includes:

A satellite communication system, a short intelligence loop (live transmission to the HQ of the data collected by the Rafale RECO-NG nacelle via the French satellite SYRACUSE) and a self-protection system.
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FRA A-330 MRTT.jpg
 
Bon appétit!

De nouvelles rations de combat adaptées aux forces spéciales à l’étude
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Actuellement, la ration de combat individuelle réchauffable (RCIR, ou « rasquette ») se présente sous la forme d’une boîte rectangulaire pesant 1,5 à 1,8 kg, étanche grâce à un film de suremballage, rigide afin d’éviter qu’elle soit écrasée pendant le transport et « adaptée » au paquetage du combattant. Une autre contrainte est que les produits qu’elle contient puissent se conserver à des températures allant jusqu’à 55°c.

Au total, d’une valeur énergétique de 3.200 kcal (norme Otan, ces rasquettes se déclinent selon 14 menus dont 7 sans porc et 4 pouvant être consommés froids. Un boîte doit en effet contenir un petit-déjeuner, un hors-d’oeuvre, une soupe et deux plats cuisinés. À cela, il faut ajouter des biscuits de campagne (salés et sucrés) des confiseries (chocolat, nougat ou pâte de fruit, caramels, chewing-gum) ainsi que des boissons (thé, café). [voir la vidéo ci-dessous]

Si ces rations de combat sont adaptées aux troupes dites « conventionnelles », elles ne le sont pas forcément pour les forces spéciales, qui ont des besoins particulier. D’où l’étude actuellement menée par le Commissariat des armées.

« Ces recherches visent à proposer un produit complémentaire aux rations actuellement distribuées, mieux adapté et plus modulable aux troupes en actions, en s’inspirant du concept américain des ‘First Strike Rations’ (haut pouvoir énergétique et consommation en situation de mobilité) », explique en effet le Commissariat des armées.

L’idée est donc de développer des « rasquettes » à la fois plus légères et plus rapides à préparer, tout en veillant à préserver ce qui en fait une singularité française (à en croire les armées étrangères), c’est à dire leurs qualités gustatives.

Un prototype est actuellement testé par des détachements de forces spéciales actuellement déployés sur un théâtre extérieur. D’une valeur énergétique de 3.900 kcal, il contient des barres énergétiques, des sachets de produits riches en protéines, des jus de fruits enrichis en vitamine C et des sandwiches longue conservation à base de pain complet. « Les premiers retours sont extrêmement positifs », assure le Commissariat des armées.
"At present, the individual warfare ration (RCIR) is in the form of a rectangular box weighing 1.5 to 1.8 kg, sealed by a rigid overpack film to avoid 'Crushed during transport and' adapted 'to the combatant's package. Another constraint is that the products it contains can be stored at temperatures up to 55 ° c.

In total, with an energy value of 3,200 kcal (Otan standard, these rasquettes are declined according to 14 menus of which 7 without pork and 4 can be consumed cold. A box must indeed contain a breakfast, an hors d'oeuvre (Sweet and savory), confectionery (chocolate, nougat or fruit paste, caramels, chewing gum) as well as drinks (tea, coffee). [See video below]

If these combat rations are adapted to so-called "conventional" troops, they are not necessarily so for special forces, which have special needs. Hence the study currently being carried out by the Commissariat des Armées.

"This research aims at proposing a product complementary to the rations currently distributed, better suited and more flexible to the troops in action, drawing inspiration from the American concept of 'First Strike Rations' (high energy power and consumption in mobility situation) Explains the Commissariat des Armées.

The idea is therefore to develop "rasquettes" that are both lighter and faster to prepare, while making sure to preserve what makes it a French singularity (to believe the foreign armies), ie their qualities taste.

A prototype is currently being tested by special forces detachments currently deployed to an outside theater. With an energy value of 3,900 kcal, it contains energy bars, sachets of protein-rich products, fruit juices fortified with vitamin C and long-life sandwiches made from wholemeal bread. "The first returns are extremely positive," assures the Commissariat des Armées."
rasquette-fs-20170503.jpg

 
now I read
French frigates to be armed with anti-sub capability
France launched May 2 an upgrade of systems and weapons on three La Fayette frigates, notably adding an anti-submarine capability to the stealthy warship, the arms procurement office said.

The Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) announced the award to DCNS for the modernization of three of the five La Fayette class frigates in service with the French Navy. Work will start in 2020 and will be done in Toulon, southern France, when the frigates go into dock for scheduled overhaul, the procurement office said. A first upgraded frigate will be delivered in 2021.

The anti-submarine capability will be fitted with a hull-mounted sonar and anti-torpedo countermeasures, the DGA said. A spokesman declined to comment on the value of the contract.

Adding the antisubmarine capability boosts the La Fayette to the first rank listing of warships.

The work on the ship includes a general overhaul of the hull and combat systems. The electronic and computer systems for managing the ship will be upgraded, while the combat management system will be replaced with a version adapted from that fitted on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

Other upgrades include the tactical datalink and a replacement of the Crotale missile with two Sadral launchers, the DGA said.

Thales supplies the anti-air Crotale weapon, while a Sadral launcher fires MBDA Mistral missiles.

Nathalie Smirnov, DCNS director for services, welcomed the launch of the upgrade.

“This is a significant operation which has never before been undertaken on this type of frigate,” she said in a DCNS statement.

The decision to upgrade La Fayette was taken at a ministerial investment committee meeting and follows last month’s launch of work on the intermediate frigate, in a deal worth €3.8 billion ($4.2 billion). The aim is to equip the French Navy with a fleet of 15 first rank frigates until an initial intermediate frigate is delivered in 2023.
source is DefenseNews
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FORBIN

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Even modernised remains a Frigate of 2nd rank

All French frigates have now or very soon MM-40 Bl 3 La Fayette also, capable lauched but not all missiles delivered, article inexact
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(MM40 Block 3) on first rank frigate (FREMM, HORIZON, LA FAYETTE)

Its main weapon system is the Exocet missile, of which it can carry 8 missiles in 2 quadruple launchers. For the French vessels originating the MM40 Block 2 with a range of 72 km, it has since been replaced by MM40 Block 3 with a range of 180 km providing a precision strike capability against coastal targets .
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except only last 5 Georges Leygues have again MM-40 Block 2 same performances as initial MM- 40 only different for electronic.
MM-40 is a MM-40 modernised with a new engine Which consumes less fuel and range increase from 72 km to 180 ! with also a GPS have a capacity for Attack lang target but with a wargead of only 165 kg much less than a Tomahawk.


Green light for the renovation of the frigates "La Fayette"

The renovation program for the "La Fayette" (FLF) frigates will start. On 2 May 2017, the Directorate-General for Armaments (DGA) notified DCNS of the contract for the modernization of three of these vessels (out of five) belonging to the French Navy.

The construction site is scheduled to start in 2020. According to the Ministry of Defense, it will concern both the platform and the combat system of the building. The structure will therefore be renovated, a hull sonar and anti-torpedo countermeasures will be integrated. FLFs will therefore be equipped with anti-submarine capacities of which they have so far been devoid. The combat system will be replaced by a system derived from that developed for the aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle". Tactical data links will also be upgraded. The capacities in the ground air area will be modified. The Crotale missile system will be replaced by two renovated Sadral launchers (Mistral sextuple missile launcher ).

Remember that the FLF are also equipped with MM 40 Block 2 missiles, a 100 mm gun and 20 mm guns. According to the site "Sea and Marine" the renovation will allow to implement the MM-40 in its version Block 3. The hangar helicopter is planned for the boarding of an average aircraft like the Panther. The first renovated FLF is to be delivered in 2021.

Entered into service between 1996 and 2001, the FLF, originally called "Frigates Léger Furtives", were conceived from the start as evolutionary buildings. Space had been provided for the integration of anti-submarine capabilities. Locations were also left free for vertical launch systems for Aster missiles. Which will never a priori be integrated. The renovation of the FLF will allow the French Navy to maintain a format of fifteen first-class frigates (with the Multi-Missions Frigates and the Air Defense Frigates) pending the arrival of the five Intermediate Size Frigates ordered on April 21st.

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