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Israel Tests Warning System
A passive missile approach warning system that protects attack helicopters flying in threat-dense environments has successfully completed the first round of tests that included ground trials against live fired missiles and airborne tests using simulated missile attacks.

The passive airborne warning system (PAWS) enhances helicopter survivability by simultaneously detecting and tracking multiple threats. PAWS uses image and signal processing to spot and trace an incoming missile’s hot plume as it appears against the background landscape surrounding the aircraft. By tracking the missile’s trajectory, the system discriminates between threatening and nonthreatening missiles. When it detects an adversary’s missile, PAWS automatically alerts the pilot with a warning signal and activates countermeasures. The system provides threat information to other electronic warfare systems as well as to avionics subsystems. It also can operate as a stand-alone system.

The Elisra Group, which comprises Elisra Electronic Systems Limited, Tadiran Electronic Systems Limited, Tadiran Spectralink Limited and B.V.R. Systems, developed the system. The company and the Israel Air Force conducted the series of tests.


Europe Gets New View
The European Commission now has access to high-resolution global Ikonos imagery for operational and research activities, specifically within the institutes of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy. The satellite imagery data will be used to assess and monitor land use and infrastructure, disaster and hazard mitigation, geophysical mapping, environmental mapping and planning, and marine and coastal zones.

The JRC is the European Union’s scientific and technical research laboratory and part of the European Commission. It provides both scientific and technical advice that supports European Union policies. This is the first time the JRC’s Institute for the Protection and the Security of the Citizen has issued an invitation to tender for high-resolution imagery.

The European Community awarded the two-year contract to European Space Imaging, a commercial regional affiliate of Space Imaging Incorporated. The contract can be extended for an additional year. “Local tasking of the Ikonos satellite allows us to efficiently schedule image collections over Europe by literally taking last-minute weather information into account,” Adrian Zevenbergen, director of sales, European Space Imaging. 

New Messaging System for Dutch Navy
The Royal Netherlands Navy will be deploying a military message handling system across its land-based facilities. Entering service in 2004, XOmail is a commercial-based software program tailored for integration into the Dutch military’s network infrastructure. Designed for high security and compliant with NATO standards, the system interfaces with the Dutch army and air force tactical messaging system and tactical communications network, and the Navy’s shipboard message handling system. XOmail is produced by Thales Communications 
 

Nations Collaborate on Weapons Development
A U.S. firm is teaming with an Israeli company in the final phase of the bid for the U.S. Marine Corps’ follow-on to shoulder-launched, manportable assault weapon (FOTS) contract. The estimated value of the contract is $700 million.

Lockheed Martin will provide the fire control and weapon systems integration expertise while Israel Military Industries Limited (IMI) will develop the propulsion unit and warhead for FOTS. During this final stage, contenders for the contract must develop and demonstrate an advanced capabilities shoulder-launched multipurpose assault system that can be fired from enclosures. This capability would allow the Marines to neutralize bunkers, breach light armor vehicles and create large openings into triple-brick and reinforced concrete structures.

A team comprising General Dynamics , Rafael and Dynamic Nobel also is competing for the contract. Following the one-year system integration phase, the teams will participate in a demonstration of system performance and compliance with requirements.
 
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