Astute goes diving

A major element of the UK`s future defence and security capability has successfully completed a critical milestone in its development programme, says BAE Systems.

The first of class Astute, the most advanced and capable class of submarines ever built for the Royal Navy, has dived beneath the waves for the first time, at BAE Systems` shipyard in Barrow, North West England.

Astute is crammed with some of the world`s most sophisticated technologies, including advanced nuclear reactor, sonar, optical mast, combat management and weapons systems.

Thailand has selected the Saab Gripen new-generation fighter, and the hi-tech Saab Erieye Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system to meet its national defence needs, reports Saab.

The Thai Cabinet has approved a budget of 34 400 billion baht (US$1.1 billion) for the Royal Thai Air Force to procure 12 Gripen multi-role fighters, to replace its ageing fleet of F-5 B/E aircraft, and two Saab Erieye AEW aircraft, together with associated equipment and services.

Negotiations between Thai and Swedish government officials will now commence in order to conclude a formal agreement.

EADS Defence & Security has successfully completed the first flight tests of its MILDS F Missile Warning System (AN/AAR-60(V)2) on a Royal Danish Air Force F-16 combat aircraft.

The test included five flights at day and at night with different test profiles, and has verified the basic capabilities of MILDS F. A lot of data, including potential false alarm sources and missile simulations, were successfully recorded for analysis.

MILDS F is a missile warning system which detects and tracks the UV emissions of approaching missiles, including the most prevalent threat of heat-seeking shoulder-launched missiles.