Nederlandse defensie industrie

[Zeewier]

Beantwoording Kamervragen over het schrappen van banen bij Thales Nederland #rijksoverheidnl  

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2016/02/18/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-het-schrappen-van-banen-bij-thales-nederland

200 (super technologische) banen weg. Op zulke momenten huilt mijn hart wel hoor. Of denk aan Imtech (au!). Maar in de brief hangt een nogal verwijtende toon. Uiteindelijk draait bedrijfsleven toch om bootjes verkopen, niet op het in de kantine hangen en wachten op orders van de Nederlandse overheid.

Mexico kocht extra Stan Patrol 4207's, nog steeds geen groen licht wat betreft Sigma korvetten. Dat is natuurlijk ook balen voor Thales.
http://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2015/07/13/noticia-armada-mexico-considera-fragata-multiproposito-serie-damen-sigma.html

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Beantwoording Kamervragen over het schrappen van banen bij Thales Nederland #rijksoverheidnl   

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/kamerstukken/2016/02/18/beantwoording-kamervragen-over-het-schrappen-van-banen-bij-thales-nederland

[Harald]

Damen to build tug for Royal Navy

Damen Shipyards has been contracted by Serco to deliver a tug to support the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers at the Portsmouth naval base, Damen announced on 12 February.

The deal forms a part of Serco's contract to provide marine services to the UK Ministry of Defence.

Damen's Advanced Rotortug (ART) 80-32 tug will meet the towing flexibility, power (80 tonnes Bollard Pull) and manoeuvrability needed to support the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

The 32.9m ART features the Rotortug propulsion system consisting of three azimuthing thrusters which provide omni-directional manoeuvrability, and a fully redundant and precise machinery configuration.

Serco has specified a number of modifications to the design, including a double drum render /recovery aft winch for redundancy and a foldable mast for safe working under the flight deck overhang. The vessel will also be fitted with controllable pitch propellers in the place of the usual fixed pitch propellers found on other ART 80-32 vessels.

Damen has started building the tug and is expected to deliver it to Serco in early 2017.

Iain MacLeod, business operations manager, Serco Marine Services, said: 'There were significant challenges to be met with respect to vessel power, manoeuvrability, customisation and delivery time, but once again, it was a pleasure to deal with Damen who more than rose to the challenge.'

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/imps-news/damen-build-tug-british-navy/

of :
http://www.damen.com/en/news/2016/02/serco_procures_new_damen_tug_to_support_royal_navy_aircraft_carriers

Damen's Advanced Rotortug (ART) 80-32 tug :
http://products.damen.com/en/ranges/rotor-tug/art-80_32

[Zeewier]

Grootaandeelhouder Ten Cate verwerpt verhoogd overnamebod

Kempen Oranje Participaties, een van de grootste aandeelhouders van Ten Cate, gaat niet akkoord met het verhoogde bod op de vezelproducent. Daardoor ontstaat de rare situatie dat als Gilde Buy Out het Almelose bedrijf wel kan overnemen, maar niet van de beurs kan halen.

Door: Eric van den Outenaar 14 januari 2016, 12:40

"Ook de betere winstontwikkeling en vooruitzichten worden niet meegenomen. We vinden het bod daarom geen recht doen aan de waarde van de onderneming"
Joop Witteveen, fondsmanager van Kempen Oranje Participaties


'De verhoging van het bod komt overeen met de verlaging van de netto schuld gedurende de biedingsperiode, ofwel, Gilde betaalt niet meer voor de onderneming. Ook de betere winstontwikkeling en vooruitzichten worden niet meegenomen. We vinden het bod daarom geen recht doen aan de waarde van de onderneming', zegt Joop Witteveen, fondsmanager van Kempen Oranje Participaties. Kempen vindt een bod tussen de 27,50 euro en de 36 euro meer recht doen. Als er geen hoger bod komt blijft de aandeelhouder zitten 'als lange termijnaandeelhouder.'

Dinsdag verhoogde Gilde het overnamebod van 24,60 naar 26 euro, nadat de jaarcijfers veel beter dan verwacht waren. De onderneming kwam vervroegd met de cijfers onder druk van beleggers.

Protest

Al sinds juli vorig jaar probeert investeringsmaatschappij Gilde het bedrijf van de beurs te halen. Dat leidde tot protest van aandeelhouders. Die vinden dat bestuursvoorzitter Loek de Vries 'zijn' bedrijf te makkelijk weggeeft. Doordat het weer goed gaat bij Ten Cate met de verkopen van kunstgras en vezels voor kogelwerende vesten zou de prijs van Gilde veel te laag zijn.

In december ging minder dan tweederde van de aandeelhouders in op het overnamebod van Gilde. Die verlengde het bod tot donderdag deze week zonder te verhogen. Dinsdag volgde er plots een verhoging. Tevens is de aanbiedingstermijn verschoven naar  de aandelen naar volgende week donderdag. Het Zwitserse hedgefonds PSquared Asset Management gaat wel akkoord met het verhoogde bod, meldde het FD.

Hierdoor kan de patstelling verder toenemen. De kans is groot dat door de Zwitsers en mogelijk andere 'zwichtende' aandeelhouders Gilde genoeg aandeelhouders aan zijn zijde heeft om Ten Cate over te nemen (meer dan 67 procent). Omdat Kempen meer dan 5 procent van de aandelen heeft kan Gilde het bedrijf nog niet van de beurs halen. Er kan een slepend beursgevecht ontstaan waarbij Gilde de overgebleven aandeelhouders via juridische procedures probeert uit te roken.

http://www.volkskrant.nl/economie/grootaandeelhouder-ten-cate-verwerpt-verhoogd-overnamebod~a4224494/

[Zeewier]

Zou het al opschieten met de Mexicaanse Sigma serie? Het ging om 6 korvetten. Dat aantal zou nu wel eens lager uit kunnen vallen.

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Mexican Navy Orders Three Damen Stan Patrol 4207 Patrol Vessels

Wednesday, 06 January 2016

The Mexican Navy (Secretaria de Marina - SEMAR)and Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group have signed contracts for three, 42-metre patrol vessels in addition to their existing fleet. All ships will be of the Damen Stan Patrol 4207 design.

Zie: http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3437
 

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

Royal Moroccan Navy Orders Five Interceptor 1503 Vessels from Damen

Monday, 14 December 2015

In a third recent construction contract with Damen Shipyards Group, the Royal Moroccan Navy has ordered five Interceptor 1503 vessels. The vessels will be mobilised to combat illegal activities such as terrorism and smuggling in Moroccan waters. Designed for ultra-fast operations, the Interceptor 1503 can reach speeds of up to 60 knots. This impressive figure is achieved by combining an outstanding propulsion system with cutting edge lightweight composite materials.  

zie link:

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3351

[dudge]

SeaWaves Magazine ‏@seawaves_mag  · 7 dec. 

ASEAN reports Malaysia hopes to acquire a DAMEN 8000 LPD

Heel tof als dat lukt.

[jurrien visser (JuVi op Twitter)]

SeaWaves Magazine ‏@seawaves_mag  · 7 dec. 

ASEAN reports Malaysia hopes to acquire a DAMEN 8000 LPD

[Harald]

New tug for Royal Moroccan Navy

The Royal Moroccan Navy has taken delivery of its first ever tug from Damen, the company announced on 8 December.

The 22m Stan Tug 2208 has been named Al Mounkid by the navy. The vessel will bring the force its first independent towing, moving and mooring capability, something it previously needed to outsource to third party contractors.

The tug is powered by two diesel engines, each driving a fixed pitch propeller, providing a maximum of 40 tonnes bollard pull. In addition to vessel assistance duties, the Al Mounkid will be capable of firefighting and oil pollution control missions.

The vessel has been fitted out with air-conditioned living quarters to accommodate up to eight officers and crew.

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/mil-log/new-tug-royal-moroccan-navy/

[Sparkplug]

Damen Unveils Next Generation RHIB

Damen Shipyards Group | December 10, 2015


Builder of larger ships, Damen is now aiming at the growing worldwide market for RHIB fast boats with a product it claims ushers in the next generation of capabilities in this class. (Damen photo)

At this year's Europort event in Rotterdam, the Damen Shipyards Group unveiled the latest addition to its extensive portfolio. The RHIB 1050 represents the next generation in rigid hull inflatable boats. A 10.5 x 3.35 metre multi-mission vessel that can serve as an independent platform or as support for a larger patrol vessel, the RHIB 1050 presents a design that leaves no stone unturned. The end result is a robust package fronting safety, comfort and outstanding performance.

The RHIB 1050 was developed at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld – no stranger to such vessels having provided numerous examples to the Royal Netherlands Navy over the years. Newbuild Project Manager at the yard Roel Foolen is happy with a job well done: "This is not your average RHIB," he states. "For starters, it's Lloyds approved. The hull is made of glass reinforced epoxy as opposed to polyester and provided with Lloyd's approved closed cell, foam core."

Damen's use of epoxy for the hull will see the RHIB 1050 produced at the group's specialist composite yard in Antalya, Turkey. The RHIB will be produced in series with a standard hull, open to flexible, client-specified outfitting requirements.

"Further to this, we are also able to provide training in its use," continues Mr. Foolen. "Damen has many years' experience in building boats for navies and other defence and security bodies," he explains.

Ergonomics are a strong theme running throughout the design. Damen developed the layout using a mock-up console, constantly tweaking the positioning of instrumentation, seating and controls until completely satisfied with comfort levels. Consequently, the wheel and throttle are perfectly aligned with the suspension seating and handles and grips are located strategically throughout the RHIB.

"We've aimed to cover every detail – for example including steps to facilitate easy, fast exit of the RHIB in boarding ops and integration of hoisting eyes into the bollards, simultaneously removing a trip hazard and taking advantage of every available bit of space."

Another example of this philosophy at work is the unique use of D-shaped tubing, rather than the conventional cylindrical tubing. "Doing this allows us to combine the console and the engines into a single, space saving unit. Usually this would not be possible as such a unit would impede access to the fore of the vessel. However, with a section of tubing removed, there is still space for on board personnel to pass safely and comfortably fore to aft," explains Mr Foolen.

This focused planning has also brought about a vessel that is notably easy to maintain. The 2 x 350 litre fuel tanks are located beneath the 10 deck-based seats. The seats are fitted to a dedicated hatch so, in the event the tanks require removing, the seating is simply lifted clear.

Similarly, the entire console unit is hinged at the aft so that it can be very easily moved clear when access is necessary to the 2 x 370 hp Volvo Penta engines. The mast is also hinged so that it can be quickly folded away for transport height.

"As well as easy maintenance, the RHIB 1050 is also low maintenance," states Mr Foolen. "We've used high-end materials and taken every step to ensure components are protected. Console instrumentation is located behind a heated, watertight window for example. And all electrics are housed in a dedicated, heated and ventilated compartment inside the dry storage area.

"Furthermore, the stern platform, as well as being perfectly situated for diving and man overboard operations, works in combination with the tube ends to form a protective barrier for the stern drives. At the front of the vessel, the nose is flattened to serve as a fender during boarding operations and the tubing is fitted to the vessel with aluminium extrusions, as opposed to glue. This not only offers a better grip, but also makes it easier to remove and replace when necessary," Mr Foolen explains.

Of course, with such a vessel, performance is also of fundamental importance. Here too, the RHIB 1050 is not found wanting. "During seatrials, the handling, manouevrability and balance have proven to be excellent. It's very safe also, very forgiving and perfect in rough, harsh water. She's quick too – able to sail at speeds of over 50 knots."

Damen is currently building a second RHIB 1050, which will feature 2 x 400 hp outboard engines.

Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 5,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 160 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/169609/dutch-damen-group-unveils-next-generation-rhib.html

[Zeewier]

Worden we weer belazerd door het neoliberalisme?

Terreur zorgt voor onrust bij overname Ten Cate

De terreuraanslagen en de oplopende spanningen rond Syrië dreigen ook invloed te hebben op de overname van de Koninklijke Ten Cate. Het bedrijf is onder meer gespecialiseerd in de fabricage van vlamwerende gevechtskleding voor militairen, waarvan de vraag de komende tijd fiks kan toenemen.

Door: Peter de Waard 26 november 2015, 22:58
Het is een van de redenen waardoor aandeelhouders twijfelen over het bod dat het opkoopfonds Gilde Buy Out Partners in juli op Ten Cate uitbracht. Nogal wat aandeelhouders vinden dat bod van 24,60 euro per aandeel (675 miljoen euro in totaal) te laag. Ook de beleggersvereniging VEB plaatst steeds meer vraagtekens bij het overnamebod. En inmiddels ruikt ook een Zwitsers hedgefonds een lucratieve winst, waardoor het 311 jaar oude bedrijf inzet is geworden van een ordinair beursgevecht.

Kritisch
Op 7 december zal tijdens een buitengewone aandeelhoudersvergadering een besluit moeten vallen over deze overname. VEB-directeur Paul Koster zegt dat hij daar flink wat kritische vragen zal stellen. Zo wil de VEB weten of ook andere belangstellenden, die mogelijk meer wilden betalen, zich bij Ten Cate hebben gemeld. Koster is bang dat Gilde voor een dubbeltje op de eerste rij wil zitten. 'Ten Cate heeft het de afgelopen jaren niet bepaald gemakkelijk gehad. Vorig jaar was er nog verlies. Maar het gaat beter. En juist op dat moment komt er een overnamebod.'

Wat Koster ook achterdochtig stemt, is dat Gilde als opkoopfonds een minimaal rendement op participaties nastreeft van 20 procent. 'Hoe willen ze dat gaan halen? Ze hebben beloofd minimaal drie jaar lang het bedrijf niet op te splitsen. Maar aan zo'n belofte is wel een mouw te passen.' Woensdag meldde het Financieele Dagblad dat het Zwitserse hedgefonds PSquared een belang heeft gekocht en in een brief aan Ten Cate een hoger bod eist. De Zwitsers wijzen erop dat de onderdelen samen meer waard zijn dan de 675 miljoen euro die Gilde wil bieden.

Ten Cate stond ooit aan de basis van de textielindustrie in Twente. Maar inmiddels is het bedrijf getransformeerd tot wereldleider in de productie van kunstgras en vlamwerend materiaal voor gevechtsuniformen en pantservoertuigen. Vooral door de afname van het aantal defensieorders raakte Ten Cate in 2014 in de verliezen. Maar dit jaar is het tij gekeerd. Het bod van Gilde wordt gesteund door de directie en commissarissen van Ten Cate en door enkele grootaandeelhouders, zoals verzekeraar Delta Lloyd. Samen hebben die 16 procent van het aandelenkapitaal. De Rabobank en NIBC Bank hebben het bod fair genoemd. Voordat Gilde met het bod kwam, was een aandeel Ten Cate minder dan 20 euro waard.

Ontkenning
De VEB heeft ook vraagtekens bij de dubbele petten die sommige bestuursleden lijken te dragen. Zo blijkt directielid Egbert ten Cate volgens het biedingsbericht te gaan participeren in het aandelenkapitaal van de bieder Gilde. De VEB heeft in een brief gevraagd of ook andere directieleden en commissarissen dit voornemen hebben. Dat heeft Ten Cate ontkend.

Tot nu toe hebben zich echter geen kapers op de kust gemeld die een tegenbod willen doen. Gilde en partners lijken vooralsnog niet van plan het bod te verhogen. Ook de beurs houdt daar geen rekening mee, gezien het feit dat de koers vlak onder de 24,60 euro ligt. Hilco Wiersma van Add Value Fund - een beleggingsfonds van small caps op de Amsterdamse beurs - zegt op 7 december de aandeelhoudersvergadering te zullen bijwonen. Maar inmiddels heeft Add Value Fund al wel een deel van het belang in Ten Cate via de beurs afgestoten. 'We zullen zien hoe de vergadering verloopt. Uiteraard is het jammer dat er weer een oud bedrijf van de beurs verdwijnt.'

http://www.volkskrant.nl/economie/terreur-zorgt-voor-onrust-bij-overname-ten-cate~a4195971/

[Harald]

Thales Awarded Ballistic Missile Defence Test and Integration Subcontract

PARIS LA DÉFENSE --- Thales has signed a subcontract for the verification of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) architecture on the Integrated Test Bed in The Hague. The work is part of the contract awarded to prime contractor Leidos by NATO earlier this year.

Under the contract, US-based Leidos and its eight teammates from Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Turkey, the UK, and the US, will support NATO's BMD programme by working together as an integrated product team to deliver BMD capability.

In this scope, Thales will perform the testing and integration activities required for the verification of the NATO BMD architecture. The team is responsible for the design, development and test of the interfaces with NATO's and national weapons and sensors. The Integrated Test Bed relies on Thales's vast experience with naval defence systems and knowledge of long-range sensor technology.

The contract has a duration of four years with options for extension. It is a follow-on to the Active Layer Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence contract.

This contract reinforces Thales's activities in ballistic missile defence. The first success in this field came in 2006 with the modified Thales SMART-L volume search radar tested on board of HNLMS Tromp. The radar tracked a ballistic missile from moments after being launched and provided a real-time uplink of the missile's trajectory.

In 2014, Thales was awarded contracts to update the four SMART-L radars on board of the Royal Netherlands Navy's "De Zeven Provinciën" class vessels. This update will give the radars true BMD capabilities. The Royal Netherlands Air Force ordered two such radars for surveillance of the national air space. The radars will be installed on towers in two locations of the country.

In October this year, the At Sea Demo organized by the Maritime Theatre Missile Defence (MTMD) Forum demonstrated that Thales's sensor technology is capable to detect and track extra-terrestrial objects and provide a cue to the NATO BMD organization for the elimination of the threat.
"We have reached this important milestone together with our partners and see this as an appreciation of our efforts in the field of ballistic missile defence technology for more than a decade," said John Alfrink, Thales VP in charge of Above Water Systems activities.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/168959/thales-wins-nato-ballistic-missile-defence-subcontract.html

[JdL]

Militairen trainen levensecht in '3D-lig pak'

Nieuwsbericht | 19-11-2015 | 17:40

Levensecht trainen te midden van burgers en terroristen in een exacte computersimulatie van de stad waar je over een paar maanden op uitzending bent? Het kan dankzij SUIT, een pak voor levensechte simulatietrainingen. Defensie bekrachtigde vandaag de aanschaf van 2 systemen tijdens het jaarlijkse symposium van de Nederlandse Industrie voor Defensie en Veiligheid (NIDV) in Rotterdam.
Militairen trainen met SUIT.

Militairen trainen met SUIT.

SUIT maakt het mogelijk om het beëindigen van een echte gijzelingssituatie te oefenen. Hiervoor kan actuele informatie aan het mobiele systeem worden toegevoegd zoals satellietbeelden en blauwdrukken van gebouwen. Of iemand traint het ene moment in een West-Europese stad en het volgende in Mali of Irak. En dat met realistische kinderen, ouderen en dieren. Ook is het te gebruiken voor het ontwikkelen van en het experimenteren met nieuwe tactieken.
Bebouwd gebied

SUIT van de Re-lion Group BV bestaat uit een pak en een oefenwapen, beide behangen met sensoren. Een SUIT-systeem telt 12 van die sets. Militairen krijgen op een bril de gesimuleerde omgeving geprojecteerd.  Het systeem is speciaal ontwikkeld om militairen voor te bereiden op optreden in bebouwd gebied. Dit is moeilijk en vormt vanwege de toenemende verstedelijking een steeds belangrijker deel van het militaire optreden.
Minder munitie

Tijdens de ontwikkeling bleek dat virtueel opgeleide militairen beter omgaan met complexere situaties en minder tijd en munitie nodig hebben voor dezelfde opdracht. Special operations forces van het Korps Mariniers en het Korps Commandotroepen en marechaussees van de Brigade Speciale Beveiligingsopdrachten waren nauw betrokken bij het ontwikkelen en testen.
De mortiersimulator.

De mortiersimulator.
Mortiersimulator

Daarnaast werd tijdens het NIDV-symposium een contract gesloten met de firma Van Halteren B.V. voor de aanschaf van 4 mortiersimulatoren. Hiermee kan zowel theoretische leerstof als het afvuren van mortieren worden getraind.

Met MicroFlown tekende Defensie een contract voor de eerste ontwikkelingsfase van akoestische sensoren voor de Fennek, Bushmaster, Boxer en Vector-voertuigen. Deze moeten inkomend geweervuur en vurende raketwerpers lokaliseren. Met Rheinmetall werd een overeenkomst gesloten voor  het beheer van het Boxer-pantserwielvoertuig.
Bijtanken in de lucht

Ook werd bekend dat Fokker de zogenoemde in flight doors voor het F-35-gevechtsvliegtuig gaat maken. Deze zijn tijdens de vlucht te openen om bijvoorbeeld bij te tanken. Ook het landingsgestel en de bewapening zitten achter dergelijke luiken. Het zijn complexe systemen die zeer licht moeten zijn en grote krachten kunnen weerstaan. Bovendien moet het gevechtsvliegtuig onzichtbaar blijven op de radar. De luiken worden gemaakt in de Fokkerfabriek in Hoogeveen, die werk biedt aan zo'n 600 mensen.

Verder tekenden Fokker en het Logistiek Centrum Woensdrecht een overeenkomst voor het onderhoud van de NH90-maritieme gevechtshelikopter.

bron:
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2015/11/19/militairen-trainen-levensecht-in-3d-lig-pak

[Harald]

Microflown AVISA Creates Acoustic Awareness




Capable of detecting, localising, identifying and tracking sound sources in 3D space according to Microflown AVISA, the small and lightweight Acoustic Vector Sensor (AVS) is at the heart of all of the company's sensor systems. MT takes a look at the Dutch companies technology.

Microflown AVISA's AVS is now a combat proven technology with the company's Vehicle Mounted Acoustic Multi Mission Sensor (V-AMMS) system being deployed on Netherlands Special Forces ground mobility vehicles in Mali. Despite V-AMMS being part of a two year innovation project, early findings with the system were so promising that the Dutch military decided to procure nine sets halfway into the WHELAC project, MT learned during a technology demonstration day organised by Microflown AVISA and the Dutch MoD on 25 September.

Delivered to Mali in January, the systems were in operational use for six months by the time the technology demonstrator project ended in mid this year. Capable of localising small arms fire, the acoustic sensors are integrated on the Netherlands Army Special Forces Regiment's Mercedes Benz G280CDI wheeled offroad vehicles operating in the African country as part of the Dutch contribution to what is called the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

A low SWaP system, an V-AMMS weighs a mere 1.75kg, sizes 30cm in diameter while its power consumption is less than 2W. The AMMS contains a sensor node, electronics, a DSP, a sheet metal housing and a black open foam windcap. The vehicle based system, V-AMMS, puts the AMMS on a customised vehicle mount. Combined with a power and data adapter and a Durabook display unit, the V-AMMS provides information relative to the vehicle. Advanced software routines recognise background noises created by the platform itself, such as doors being slammed or gun boxes rattling, so the likelihood of false alerts has been reduced to zero.

The V-AMMS detects the bullet's shockwave, providing an alert and a 120° sector indication. The detection of the corresponding muzzle blast allows the sensor to give a prompt and accurate shooter location, with an angular accuracy of less than 3° and a range accuracy within 10 percent. During all this, V-AMMS ignores the sound of outgoing fire that might be caused by the 7.62mm and 12.7mm machineguns mounted on the Mercedes Benz G280CDI host vehicle. The V-AMMS system that is currently mounted on the SOF vehicles is a standalone system. However, networked options are also possible. This would enhance V-AMMS' capabilities turning it into a system that can better deal with urban scenarios and with RPGs for instance. Such an enhanced version would also see grid coordinates of shooter locations being shown on a digital map.

Patented Technology
Based in Arnhem, the Netherlands, Microflown AVISA uses Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology and no microphones unlike most of its competitors. As a result, the sensor uses the temperature difference in the cross section of two extremely sensitive heated wires to determine acoustic particle velocity. Three orthogonally placed directional sensors placed together in one single point lead to a compact AVS.

A key benefit of Microflown AVISA's sensor is that it not only has the ability to locate small arms fire but also the sounds generated by larger projectiles, by helicopters and by fixed wing and rotary wing UAVs. Thus being a broadbanded technology, the AVS has a multi-threat detection/localisation capability unlike omnidirectional microphone setups which are more frequency dependent.

Microflown AVISA also claims that for gunshots the area covered by a single V-AMMS is 10 times larger than existing microphone based arrays. This is because the system is capable of detecting bullet noise at a shot miss distance (or closest point of approach – CPA) of 500m when used in a static mode. This figure is reduced to some 150m when the vehicle is moving (at speeds of up to 60 km per hour) which still allows a drastic reduction in the number of acoustic sensors needed to adequately protect a convoy for instance. In addition to AMMS' coverage area, direction and range accuracy are also touted as being much better than of competing systems. All this makes AMMS an ideal enabling technology as part of a wider architecture that also has C-RAM and/or C-UAS functionality. However, the V-AMMS system that is now used in Mali is a standalone system which only gives direction and range of any hostile small arms fire that might be detected. For C-RAM purposes a more elaborate system of multiple networked sensors would be needed. Such a networked AMMS system has much better performance, its direction accuracy being given by Microflown AVISA as 0.2° which compares favourably to a stand-alone sensor, accuracy of which is around 1.5 degrees.

A Commercial Success
Over the years, Microflown AVISA has had quite some success with its AVS technology selling V-AMMS to three European countries including the Netherlands, while UAV based systems were sold to a customer in Asia. The Netherlands also uses three ground based systems that are based on AMMS. This includes a networked so-called RAM-SCORE system used on the Army's artillery live fire training area together with a portable variant that is used at the much frequented Bergen/Munster Süd training area in Germany and elsewhere. Also designed to provide point of impact (POI) and point of origin (POO), a single system is in use as part of the Dutch military's upgraded Deployable Integrated Sensor for Compound Security (DISCUS) system.

In its previous configuration, DISCUS was used for compound protection in Afghanistan protecting the main base in Tarin Kowt which the Dutch troops used when deployed to Uruzgan province. Featuring Thales' SQUIRE ground surveillance radar and what appears a TEOSS-350 night vision system, the enhanced DISCUS system was again put to good effect during the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit (NSS 2014) held in the Netherlands.

During the event it was up to Microflown AVISA's networked acoustic sensors to deal with the risk of sniper fire that might be aimed at harming foreign dignitaries arriving for the summit at Amsterdam Schiphol airport. A new multi-mission radar is apparently being considered for integration on DISCUS too. Also aimed at protecting smaller outposts, Microflown AVISA's 360° Mobile Force Protection System typically consists of five AMMS and a Panasonic Toughbook based command post with detected sniper positions being reported as grid coordinates. If needed, the threat information can be passed on to a Battlefield Management System (BMS) and/or be used to cue other sensors or to help aim a remote controlled weapon station.

Airborne Applications
Under the ACHOFILO (Acoustic Hostile Fire Locator) project, Microflown AVISA's acoustic sensor technology has been tested successfully on one of the Dutch Defence Helicopter Command's Airbus Helicopters AS532U2 COUGAR Mk2 transport helicopter in June 2013 with the helicopter actually being shot at, albeit with some safety margins of course. Notably, most of the casualties with helicopters in Afghanistan and Iraq were caused by low tech weapons such as small arms fire or RPG's. While chaff and flares do not help in such cases, ACHOFILO not only brings an alert to the crew, but also informs them where the firing came from, allowing a change in doctrine. Until now, such attempts at bringing down a helicopter, which mostly fail, remain unnoticed until the helicopter has returned to its base. With ACHOFILO deployed, the crew can either evade the threat area or return fire, putting a penalty on the attempt.

In the FLACOUSE (Flying Acoustic Seeker) project funded by the Netherlands MoD, the acoustic vector sensor has been incorporated into a daggered shaped windcap that handles the head wind on a fixed wing UAV. This so-called Acoustic Pointer weighs less than 150g and consumes less than 100mW. As the Acoustic Pointer hears in a fully spherical bubble, its use is not only for wide volume acoustic target acquisition, but also Hear and Avoid as required for autonomous flights. Two variants of the Acoustic Pointer have been developed, a networked and a fully autonomous version that simply can be clipped on to the wing of any fixed wing UAV, such as Aerovironment's RQ-11 RAVEN or WB Electronics' FLY EYE. In this case, the Acoustic Pointer has its own inertial sensors and reports to a separate ground control station, making the fixed wing a mere "taxi."

When the UAV operator opens up its own software, Microflown AVISA can provide the read in/read out interface from its Acoustic Pointer. A follow up to the FLACOUSE project will be the installation of two Acoustic Pointers on an interception drone. The so-called Twin Dagger will double the radius of the detection bubble around the platform, increasing its performance, reducing required sensor density to loiter an area.

Another UAV project, Perch and Listen, sees the ground based AMMS being put on top of a multicopter that carries the sensor across enemy lines. Providing a means for the artillery to replace its active and thus vulnerable weapon location radars by a passive system, the Perch & Listen opens up opportunities to close in on the enemy. Hence the intrinsic disadvantage of acoustic arrays, the slowness of the acoustic propagation, is being addressed. Featuring an advanced autonomous landing system, the 5kg Perch and Listen AMMS system will likely be deployed from a transport box mounted on top of a tactical vehicle. Closing in on enemy activity over a distance 10-14km, Perch and Listen AMMS will step by step improve the accuracy of the grid coordinates being generated of hostile small arms fire and RAM. When combined with other sensors, such a system could also be used for flank protection or to guard a choke point. Flying at 12m per second, the Perch and Listen system has an endurance of 21 minutes according to Microflown AVISA while it can remain at standby for 48 hours. The system's range is being cited as 7.5 kilometres.

Ongoing Activities
Whereas in WHELAC a single stand-alone AMMS was implemented on open wheeled tactical vehicles, Microflown AVISA is now expanding its applications in the Loose Track project. Under this project, Microflown AVISA aims to integrate V-AMMS onto the new Versatile Expeditionary Commando Tactical Off Road (VECTOR) air transportable vehicle that is being procured for the Royal Netherlands Army's Special Forces. It has recently emerged that the Army's 13th Light Brigade which is being transformed into a motorised unit will also receive VECTOR while the new vehicle by Defenture is also said to be the frontrunner in the contest for a new air assault vehicle for the 11th Airmobile Brigade. Not limited to VECTOR, Loose Track also takes into account other wheeled vehicles such as the Dutch Army's BOXER, FENNEK, and BUSHMASTER. The merits of networked versions, above all for convoy protection scenarios, will also be studied.

Also related to Loose Track, AMMS has also been installed on tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), such as the CV90. Microflown AVISA insists that, acoustically speaking, the self-noise of such a vehicle would be similar to that of a light weight open wheeled vehicle if the metal tracks were to be replaced by a rubber track reducing the self-noise of the vehicle by around 15dB. The upside potential for dismounted soldiers would be large, as the acoustic umbrella provided by the vehicle would provide 3D acoustic situational awareness to the soldiers without themselves having the need for a man wearable system.

This said, as the company's strategy is to put an AMMS on all sorts of platforms, the needs of the dismounted soldier are currently being addressed in the Walking Ears project that is also being funded by the Dutch MoD.

Part of the Benelux Smart Vest soldier modernisation programme, a helmet mounted version is required, so based on a novel, IP67 compliant sensor node, a miniaturised AMMS has been developed and tested for the very first time in September 2015. Live firing trials including tests in an urban environment with its acoustic reflections have been scheduled for November 2015. Rifle mounted and man-packed throwable versions are meanwhile also being considered. Information provided by these miniature sensors could be used to improve an infantry squad or platoon leader's situational awareness. This can be done by representing enemy shooter locations on a smartphone like handheld BMS that is part of the Elbit Systems smart vest ensemble about to be introduced into Dutch army service.

In order to keep up its claim that an AMMS can be used to detect, locate and track all sorts of audible threats, Microflown AVISA is currently improving the capabilities of its SKYSENTRY system that is able of handling helicopters and propeller planes. UAVs, be it fixed wing or multicopter, are currently being researched, sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior. The C-UAS system will be demonstrated in several Western countries in the fall of 2015.

Voor extra foto's zie onderstaande LINK

http://www.miltechmag.com/2015/10/microflown-avisa-creates-acoustic.html