Indian Defence Review

A400M air to air refuelling

AIRBUS

The ATLAS A400M is the most versatile airlifter currently available responding to the most varied needs of world Air Forces and other organizations in the 21st century. It can perform three very different types of duties: it is able to perform both tactical missions directly to the point of need and long range strategic/logistic ones. And it can also serve as an air-to-air refueling “tanker”.

Powered by four unique counter-rotating Europrop International (EPI) TP400 turboprop power plants, the A400M offers a wide flight envelope in terms of both speed and altitude. It is the ideal airlifter to fulfill the most varied requirements of any nation around the globe in terms of military, humanitarian and any other “civic” mission for the benefit of society.

The A400M was launched in 2003 to respond to the combined needs of seven European Nations regrouped within OCCAR (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Spain, Turkey and the UK), with Malaysia joining in 2005. This is one of the major reasons for its extreme versatility.

EUROCOPTER 

The Tiger is capable of undertaking a wide range of combat missions, including armed reconnaissance and surveillance, anti-tank and close air support, escort and protection of friendly assets; and can operate during day or night in all-weather conditions, and has been designed to include operations in the aftermath of nuclear, biological, or chemical warfare.

Eurocopter Tiger

The Tiger can also be used in the maritime environment, able to operate from the decks of ships including frigates and during extreme weather conditions. Amongst the Tiger’s notable qualities, it possesses very high levels of agility, much of which is attributed to the design of its 13-meter four-bladed hingeless main rotor; the Tiger can perform full loops and negative g manoeuvres. Power is provided by a pair of FADEC-controlled MTU Turbomeca Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshaft engines.

The Tiger has a tandem-seat ‘glass cockpit’ and is operated by a two-man crew; the pilot is placed in the forward position, with the gunner seated behind. Either of the crew members can manage the weapon systems or the primary flight controls, switching roles if necessitated; in addition to flying the aircraft, the Tiger’s pilot would typically be in control of the self-defence systems and communications, as well as some secondary weapons functions. While some of the weapons use dedicated control interfaces, such as the anti-tank Trigat missile, air-to-air weapons can be managed via controls on both sets of collective and cyclic sticks.

NH90

NH INDUSTRIES

The helicopter NH90 TTH is powered by two Rolls-Royce-Turbomeca RTM322 engines, it is an advanced helicopter designed primarily to perform logistics and utility transport, combat search and rescue (RESCO), as well as heli-borne operations.

The Naval variant can perform anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions. This next-generation helicopter can also be used to perform casualty and medical evacuation, electronic warfare, special operations and counter-terrorism missions, airborne command post and VIP transportation.

FELIN SYSTEM

This system is less than 25kg, to include the entire FELIN system, weapons, ammunitions, and 24-hour energy, food and water provisions. Effort is also being directed to the selection of the energy supplies and the method of recharging batteries. Each individual soldier will be equipped with a radio and a GPS. This system has already proved itself in Afghanistan and Mali with hundred percent effectiveness something that is unthinkable otherwise. The FELIN system includes portable computer, a voice and data radio, new combat clothing with body armour and a new ballistic helmet.

FELIN System

The new lightweight helmet provides ballistic protection and is fitted with Sagem’s monocular oculaire de vision déportée (OVD) optronic system with light intensifying camera. The helmet has two LED displays, each 3cm².

The headband of the helmet is fitted with a OH-295 osteo-microphone which picks up speech by sensing the vibration in the wearer’s skull. The osteo-microphone and a vibrating speaker provide good voice communications even in a noisy battlefield environment.

The weapon systems include the Giat FAMAS F1 5.56mm assault rifle, the Giat FR-F2 7.62mm sniper rifle and the FN Herstal Minimi 5.56mm light machine gun. The weapons are fitted with new sights for day and night operation having improved target acquisition capablities.

FELIN System

The infantry soldier has an image-intensifying sight Sagem Clara and for the commander a thermal imaging weapon sight. The sights are linked to the communications system so the acquired target images viewed through the weapon sights can be transmitted digitally in real time through the FELIN communications network. The video sight will allow the soldier to extend the weapon and aim around a corner.

The FAMAS assault rifle will be equipped with a video sight integrated to the FELIN system. The video sight will allow the soldier to extend the weapon and aim around a corner without exposing his body to the enemy’s line of sight. A push control button on the stock of the FAMAS rifle allows the soldier to call up other systems such as targeting aids without lowering the weapon from the firing position.

FELIN System

JIM MR multifunction binoculars combines un-cooled thermal imaging channel, eye safe laser rangefinder and a digital magnetic compass for FELIN.

The individual soldier is equipped with a radio / global positioning system (GPS). He has the RIF (infantry information network)  voice and data network that connects the soldier to other infantrymen in the section and to the section commander, who is connected to the SITEL battle management system of the vehicle. SITEL, is fitted to all French Army vehicles The PR4G VS4 frequency-hopping tactical radio from Thales Communications has tactical internet connectivity and links the dismounted soldier to the vehicle’s SITEL.

Conclusion

The Eurosatory Land and Air  Defence and Security international exhibition which will take place at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center from June 16th to 20th 2014, is going to be a unique opportunity to see the latest technology at display under one roof.

Eurosatory thus is the largest Land Defence and Security exhibition in the world. Every two years, companies large and small gather with armed forces and government officials from all five continents outside Paris.

More than an exhibition, Eurosatory is a platform for international exchange dedicated to all specialists of land and air land Defence and Security for one week, the entire “supply chain” could be found at the show.