The ASTER 15 successfully intercepted a supersonic target flying over Mach 2. This is the first launch of the ASTER by the Bretagne.

Source:  DGA
Associated URL: Click here to visit

The patented Visible, custom waveform analyzer chip achieves 98% to 100% shot counting accuracy. This is based on hundreds of thousands of rounds fired by independent testers. -- Interval statistics and shot counting analytics provided by the Allegro 20/20 software and the WSC tag automatically notify the user, and/or the manufacture of critical weapon maintenance required in advance of any failure.

-- RuBee uses magnetic fields and unlike RF-based systems, provides high battlefield security with no tempest, target, or eavesdropping risk; has no explosive risks (HERO safe); and no risks on and near tactile or strategic fused ordnance (HERO safe).

-- RuBee Shot Counting tags provide a wireless weapon UID. With low-cost upgrades and Armory 20/20 software, armories can be fully automated, with daily audits, rapid automatic issuance, and enhanced perimeter security.

-- Since RuBee is not blocked by steel or humans, daily automated armory audits have proven to be 100% accurate and do not require human assistance. The Armory 20/20 software can optionally geolocate weapons within the armory to +- a foot.

-- RuBee armories provide enhanced security with sensitive weapon perimeter exit/entry detection. Independent tests show 100% to 99.9% covert exit detection, compared to 0%-50% covert exit/entry detection for competing RFID systems.

-- Finally, because the tags have an optional 20-year field proven battery life, RuBee wireless tags on each weapon serve as a UID reference, create accurate maintenance, ownership, pedigree, and chain of possession records for the life of the weapon.

"Estonia is known as one of the most digitally advanced countries in the world, and we are thrilled that RuBee wireless technology has been selected as a countrywide WSC and wireless UID tag solution on the LMT weapon. We have many Armory and WSC government customers who have set a high bar for weapon maintenance and weapon security and determined that RF-based systems are simply not acceptable." said John Stevens CEO. of Visible "RuBee wireless magnetics has consistently met the most critical customer requirement of 100% accurate audit read rates, 99.9% exit-entry detection, even in high steel content environments and high EMI noise environments where RFID based systems have challenges. Visible strives to deliver, maximum functionality, reliability, and value for our defense customers at the best possible price. It was gratifying to learn that not only did we win this tender based on performance and our unique features, but also when combined with the high-quality LMT weapon we were the lowest priced bidder."

The tender was issued in June 2017. Fourteen firearms manufacturers submitted proposals, nine pre­qualified for the procurement and five were rejected. By the January 2018 deadline, four manufacturers were invited to make firm fixed final bids. LMT was initially notified it won the tender in December 2018. Over the next four months, three unsuccessful award challenges were attempted by a competitor and the final LMT award was revalidated on May 13, 2019 by the Tallinn Administrative Court.

"This was a highly competitive tender, with a very sophisticated technical buyer and advanced bidding score system." Said Karl Lewis CEO of LMT. "In the review of the proposals, the outcome of a shooting test made up 10% of the overall score, the guaranteed number of shots throughout the weapon's life cycle 20%, length of the useful life of the weapon 30%, and the price 40%. With the Visible WSC and live-fire performance of our weapon and aggressive pricing, we had an overall performance score of 99.3. We are excited to be selected as the supplier of the EDF service weapon, we are committed to making high-quality weapons for our NATO partners and worldwide customers."

Source:  Visible Assets, Inc.
Associated URL: www.ru-bee.com

Speaking at a meeting on May 15, 2019, President Putin discussed the status of the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet program. He noted, "The 2028 arms program stipulated the purchase of 16 such jets." According to the Russian leader, the cost of the jets and their onboard equipment had fallen by as much as 20 percent, enabling procurement in higher volumes.

"We have agreed to purchase 76 such fighters without the increase in prices in the same period of time," he said. A contract for the aircraft should be signed 'soon'.

Su-57s as well as the Su-35S, an advanced derivative of the Su-27 family, "are in the final testing stages," President Putin said. The completion of testing on the Su-57 will pave the way for the aircraft to start entering service with the Air Force. Later this year, Russia may also start marketing the Su-57 on international markets, under the export model Su-57E.

The Russian Air Force is presently slated to receive two Su-57s under a contract inked last year. The first jet is to arrive in November 2019, while the second should be delivered in 2020. Previous reporting from Russian state media suggested that a contract would be inked in 2020 for a further batch of 13 jets, for 15 in total, though President Putin's comments clarify that the government had been planning on 16 over the course of the state armaments program, which runs through 2028.

Previously it had been expected that the follow-on contract for 13 jets would take around five years to execute. An amended timeline for the production of 76 jets is not yet available.

President Putin did not offer any specifics on the reduction in costs for the jets. Development costs for new systems typically run high but units become cheaper to produce as serial production gets underway. Landing an export customer would help bring costs down further.

At present, Russia is still developing the serial engines for the Su-57 -- called the 'second stage' engine -- meaning that present models of the aircraft feature an upgraded AL-41F1 ('first stage') engine, rather than a clean-sheet design. The newer engine, which will boost the Su-57's combat capabilities, should be ready for mass production beginning in 2023. Su-57 prototypes have been tested with the second stage engine, though so far seemingly only in a 1+1 configuration wherein one of the engines remains the AL-41F1, while the other is the new model.

Source:  TASS Russian News Agency
Associated URL: Click here to visit