Talarion MALE UAS from Cassidian. Rheinmetall and Cassidian are pooling their Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) activities in tactical, Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS and cargo loading systems. The two companies have agreed form a joint venture (JV) where EADS’ military division Cassidian will hold 51 percent and Rheinmetall own the remaining 49 percent of the shares. Both companies are active in the UAS business for many years, research, development, production and support of technologies and systems addressing German military requirements. In recent years the two companies have spent significant R&D efforts in new systems developments, but eventually opted to offer their customers platforms and systems provided by other equipment manufacturers (OEM). The newly announced cooperation will consolidate the offering of the two companies to gain customer support. Getting its UAS business right will be critical for Cassidian, as it expend the potential of manned fighters (namely Eurofighter Typhoon). With alternative programs including the Talarion and Barracuda stalling to gain European government support, Cassidian needs new programs and marketing traction to secure its future. The JV will also give Rheinmetall’s Airborne Systems product unit access to broader development resources and international market access opportunities that had not so far existed to any comparable extent. According to Stefan Zoller, Cassidian Chief Exceutive Officer, the JV will establish the company’s offering “a full product range of customized solutions, including tactical UAS and UAS for medium- and high-altitude.” He said the JV is now positioned as “Europe’s leading provider of Unmanned Aerial Systems”. Klaus Eberhardt, Chairman of the Executive Board of Rheinmetall AG, emphasized the Bremen location of the JV will be securing about 160 positions of Rheinmetall’s employees, to continue supporting the company’s unmanned reconnaissance system KZO (Kleinfluggerät Zielortung) for the German Armed Forces. The site also supports the Heron UAS operated as part of the SAATEG aerial recce system for the German Bundeswehr. KZO is a ground launched, tactical UAV equipped with high-performance sensors used for target acquisition. Harop, a loitering attack drone developed by IAI offers the actionable segment of the WABEP system, through precision engagement. Photo: Rheinmetall defence

TA-50

With the New Year barely underway, South Korea is once again demonstrating a determination to build a formidable military force capable of dealing with potential enemies. The government has signed a $600 million deal with Korea Aerospace Industries (KIA) for 20 FA-50 fighter/attack aircraft based on the highly regarded T-50 advanced jet trainer.
KAI is reporting that the aircraft will be delivered between 2013 and 2014. The FA-50 is a lightweight fighter/attack aircraft incorporating the most advanced technology available in the T-50 Golden Eagle family of aircraft.
KAI also believes that South Korea may increase the order to as many as 60 aircraft for use as replacements for the aging 150 Northrop F-5 aircraft currently being operated.
The FA-50 aircraft ordered are expected to be equipped with the Link 16 tactical link, Elta Systems EL/M-2032 pulse Doppler radar, radar warning systems and a night vision imagery system. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon previously selected the FA-50 as a prime candidate for being outfitted with the same version of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar slated for use in a United States Air Force F-16 upgrade.
The FA-50 is built to carry a weapon’s payload of 9,920 pounds that includes Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Textron’s CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapon. In addition, the FA-50 is also fitted with a 20mm cannon and is configured to carry air-to-air missiles.
KAI has also included in the Golden Eagle family, along with the T-50 and the FA-50, a T-50B aerobatic aircraft and an armed TA-50. All versions of the Golden Eagle family feature a single General Electric F404 engine.
South Korea is expected to issue a call for bids for its F-X III project in February to select a replacement for its F-4 Phantom jets. The candidates competing for this lucrative contract include the Boeing F-15 Silent Eagle, Lockheed Martin F-35, Sukhoi PAK FA, and the Eurofighter Typhoon.