"[SOFINS2019] Bringing together innovation players around field operators"

Ministry of the Armed Forces, 4 April 2019

(source cross-checking)

The Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly went to the Gironde on 2 April to inaugurate the Special Operations Forces Innovation Network Seminar(SOFINS). For four years, this European exhibition has been bringing together industrialists, companies and other players in defence innovation. On the occasion of the opening of SOFINS, the Minister recalled that special forces are "an essential part of French military strategy". The aim of the exhibition is to promote exchanges between the designers and users of special forces equipment. This year, more than fifty foreign delegations were present.

Availability : N/A

Nexter's "upgraded" Titus

CDEC SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

Nexter presented the "augmented" version of its Titus at the SOFINS 2019 exhibition. The 27-tonne vehicle is equipped with 6-wheel drive, which allows it to operate in a degraded environment. It has a 20 mm remote-controlled turret and can accommodate up to eleven fighters. The Titus allows them to operate in a non-permissive environment and to be protected from mines and IEDs thanks to reinforced armour. The vehicle is now augmented with ground and airborne UAVs that can carry out reconnaissance missions. The two captive land UAVs are deployed through a hatch on the side of the vehicle. They can detonate a mine without leaving the vehicle. The aerial UAV takes off from the roof of the vehicle. These easily usable UAVs can support several payloads depending on the mission to be carried out. Nexter is currently working on a remote piloting program, from the rear of the vehicle or from a command post, to allow the fighters to be out of sight of the enemy. Ultimately, Nexter 's objective is to design remotely operated unmanned armoured vehicles. The BIS and RAID already have Titus. Abroad, the Czech Republic has launched a process to acquire 62 Titus, but seems not to have succeeded yet. Saudi Arabia seems to be a potential customer but has not responded to Nexter's offer.

Availability : immediate

The Hawkei light armoured vehicle by Thales

CDEC SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

At the last edition of SOFINS, Thales presented the latest modifications to its light armoured vehicle, the Hawkei. This patrol and reconnaissance vehicle has level 3 armour, representing a load of 250 kg. It has high mobility, an adaptable electronic system and a 3-ton payload. The Hawkei would now be equipped with an induction (laser-guided) rocket launcher installed alongside a 12.7 mm machine gun. This would give the Hawkei four rockets, with an additional four rockets stored in the rear of the vehicle. The rocket system can be used only when the vehicle is stationary and is intended to be imported into any light armoured vehicle. The Australian Army has purchased 1,100 units, a contract worth 820 million euros for Thales. To date, the Army has not indicated that it wants to purchase the Hawkei.

Availability: immediate

"Shark, the new French champion of military robots."

CDEC SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

The French industrialist Shark Robotics presented for the first time its new Barakuda "mule" robot at the SOFINS special forces exhibition. Capable of transporting up to one ton of material over any terrain, its weight of 350 kg and its length of 1.5 m by 1.2 m wide make it transportable by the future NH90 Cayman special forces helicopter expected by 2025. The Barakuda has a range of 10 to 12 hours and, equipped with electric motors, guarantees more discretion than petrol-powered robots. With this machine, Shark Robotics intends to compete with existing robots such as those of the American General Dynamics, the Estonian Milrem and the American-Israeli Roboteam. According to the co-founder of the company, the Barakuda would be « three times as powerful » than the competing robots. The Shark group, created two years ago, has already established itself on the robotics market: its firefighting robot Colossus, a 500 kg tracked vehicle, has been in service for two years with the Paris fire brigade.

Availability : immediate

^1st presentation: PHANTOM HVT MULTICAL assault rifle

CDEC, SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

The French company SUNROCK, founded in 2007, presented the prototype of its new assault rifle, the PHANTOM HVT MULTICAL, at SOFINS 2019. Specially designed for special operations, the overall dimensions have been extremely reduced, with 49 cm in length for only 2.2 kg. The prototype was presented chambered in 5.56x45 300.ACC blackout, but the barrel is interchangeable with other calibers. Interesting novelty, the breech stop is repositioned at the trigger level. In fact, the shooter presses the trigger, sends back his breech forward after an emergency magazine change or the settlement of a shooting incident and unhooks his magazine only with the index finger. The stock is adjustable, foldable and can be removed in one piece without tools. The prototype can be fitted with remote or anti-drone sighting systems, and displayed a laser pointer, a red dot sight, a lamp and a sound reducer. The prototype was produced by a gunsmith already working with naval commandos, having integrated the constraints of combat swimmers.

Availability : several months (test phase)

^1st presentation : Platform plate carrier front panel in kydex

CDEC, SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

The French company TRB, already well known among special forces and intervention groups for its holsters and Kydex burglary equipment carrying platforms (used by the GIGN), was present at SOFINS 2019. For the first time, it presented a new model of a holster platform. Intended to be fixed on the velcro front panels of the cummerbunds of plate vests, it allows the fighter to prepare in advance his equipment, type and number of loaders, which he then simply places on his vest. The operator can thus foresee and prepare in advance several configurations. The platform is particularly designed for new generation vests, such as the JPC 2.0 from Crye Précisions. The brand's kydex loader carriers can be clipped and unclipped very easily on the same platform. The platform thus allows a high degree of reversibility for the fighters, who can change the configuration of their equipment at will depending on the mission. Previously, such changes required the use of a chest rig on smooth plate holders.

Availability : immediate

Atos-Bull, Coder for intelligence

CDEC SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

During the SOFINS trade fair, the CDEC team was able to attend a presentation of the Codex for intelligence software from the French company Atos-Bull. The software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze data and propose conclusions in the context of an intelligence mission, for example. The automatic analysis of the data gathered by the software enables the extraction of relevant information, the analysis of images or videos related to the mission, a geographical, semantic (terms of the mission) and prescriptive analysis of the mission, the analysis of the profiles of the individuals concerned, the creation of a visual graph and the management of information sharing between different departments. Atos-Bull is using its software as part of the ARTEMIS ( Architecture de Traitement et d'Exploitation Massive de l'Information multi-Source (Massive Processing and Exploitation of Multi-Source Information ) partnership. This partnership was launched by the French Armament Procurement Agency (DGA) in November 2017 and the first forum was organized last October. It is in line with the orientations of the Strategic Review of Defence and National Security (2017), which identified AI as critical for defence systems.

Availability : immediate

The CLS Thorium X tablet

CDEC SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

The French company CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellite), a subsidiary of CNES (Centre national d'études spatiales), presented the CDEC team with its Thorium X tablet. Designed in 2017, it is the first tablet to be directly connected to a satellite. It ensures continuity of communications in isolated regions. More manageable than a smartphone, it provides connectivity and portability. It could enable combatants deployed on missions to remain connected to a command post and transfer information in real time (locations, messages, images, reports).

Availability : immediate

Aristotle: Artificial Intelligence for Operations

CDEC SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

During the SOFINS trade show, the CDEC team was able to attend a presentation of the ARISTOTE data processing unit. This system is capable of processing digital information to provide operational decision support as close as possible to the combatant. The software uses evolutionary artificial intelligence to analyse tactical situations using various data from open source intelligence, electromagnetic, image, human or acoustic sources. Beyond the automatic creation of databases, the system ensures the classification and extraction of sensitive information. Designed by a brigadier-chief of the 13th RDP's innovation and anticipation centre and supported by the Defence Innovation Agency (AID), the software is interoperable with the existing converged intelligence exploitation support system.

Availability : immediate

The Pleiade Neo from Airbus Defense and Space

CDEC SOFINS, April 3, 2019

(single source)

During the last edition of SOFINS, the Intelligence entity ofAirbus Defense and Space presented the next project of the Pleiade constellation of observation satellites. The development of the Pléiade Neo contributes to making Airbus Defense and Space the leader in geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). Four new satellites would be added to the existing fleet of ten satellites. These four new satellites will cover an additional half million km² per day, with a resolution of 30 cm. This satellite system also makes it possible to detect qualitative changes in the field. The images and observations would be transmitted directly to the One Atlas platform (a cloud developed by Airbus Defense and Space allowing simplified access to data). The Pléiade Néo project would be able to provide information at the governmental level (for operators of vital importance) or commercial level (unfavourable weather conditions for a harvest) and to issue alerts to them thanks in particular to communication using laser technology of up to 1.8 Gbit per second.

Availability : 2020

HOLOGRAPH Visual Decision Making, a visual decision support tool for planning and conducting operations.

CDEC SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

The DeliaStrat startup founded by two former infantry officers develops decision support software for strategic, operational and tactical level headquarters. Holograph is a collaborative virtual whiteboard that enables all staff functions to plan and conduct an operation in real time in a fully graphical environment. Holograph allows to connect a strategy model with numerical indicators to evaluate the success at each step and alert in real time on the need to adapt the device and resources. Holograph performs the integration of text, image or geographic data in a graphical user interface compatible with existing geographic or intelligence information systems.

Availability : prototype

The SURVITEC group is developing an emergency airlock against CBRN attacks and incidents.

CDEC SOFINS, April 3, 2019

(single source)

The SURVITEC group is developing an emergency airlock called the SONICS MILPOD. This portable inflatable chamber is designed to accommodate an injured or contaminated person in a CBRN environment. The airlock makes it possible to isolate the person while providing the necessary care thanks to a multitude of gloves attached to the wall of the chamber and allowing access to the inside of the chamber. The SURVITEC group is also developing inflatable walls to recreate an urban area and/or a partitioned environment for training purposes.

Availability : immediate

Airbus Defense and Space's flexible touchpad

CDEC SOFINS, April 3, 2019

(single source)

During the show, the CDEC team was able to attend a presentation byAirbus Defence and Space of an already very advanced prototype of a flexible touch tablet with an autonomy of 16 hours in its current state. This solution includes a secure Android system for hosting business applications, as well as secure Wifi and Bluetooth communications. LTE/4G capabilities are under development.

Availability : immediate

[Video] The Smash 2000 from Smartshooter

CDEC SOFINS 2019, April 3, 2019

(single source)

The Israeli group Smartshooter has developed the Smash 2000, a " Fire control " type system that can be integrated on most modern individual weapons. By means of a target detection and acquisition mechanism, the system blocks the trigger tail and automatically starts firing according to the calculated trajectory of the target previously chosen by the combatant. The Smash 2000 Plus version incorporates a "drone mode" allowing the "assured" destruction of small aerodynes up to a distance of 200 meters.

Availability : immediate

^1st presentation: Silencer DUAL 762-BL

CDEC, SOFINS 2019

(single source)

The Finnish company ASE UTRA, one of the world's leading manufacturers of sound reducers, has exclusively presented its new model, the DUAL 762-B. Designed for 7.62 NATO precision rifles, this new model reduces by more than 50% the gas return at the breech (5 to 20% additional pressure, compared to 30 to 50% for traditional models), including in full auto mode. It ensures an important suppression of the flash at the outlet of the muzzle, for a diameter of 43.5 mm and a weight of 570 gr. The sound suppression is calculated at 22-22 db at one meter to the left of the barrel and 15-20 db at the shooter's ears, for only 12.7 cm of extra length of the weapon. The effectiveness is guaranteed by the mark up to 10,000 shots. Thanks to a special design, the flame reduction at the muzzle exit is very important for the first shot, then almost complete for the following shots in rapid fire.

Availability : immediate

"Russia developing new combat helicopter for Airborne Force"

Tass Agency, March 27, 2019

(source cross-checking)

According to a Tass Agency source, Russia is currently developing an upgraded version of its Mil MI-24 combat helicopter for airborne units. This model could, according to Tass, become the new standard aircraft for Russian forces and improve its performance following the Syrian experience. A symbol of Soviet military power, the Mil MI-24, of which more than 2,500 units have been sold and exported to many countries, has proved its worth in numerous conflicts such as Afghanistan and South Ossetia. Subsequently, a modernized version of the Mil MI-24 was implemented with the Mil MI-35 in order to compensate for the obsolescence of the Hind . Experimented during the exercises of the Vostok program in 2018, these new heliborne units should include transport and attack helicopter squadrons.

Availability : N/A

"The U.S. Army is Gettling Lots of New Guns."

The national interest, March 28, 2019

(source cross-checking)

The U.S. Army is currently testing its new small arms systems. Delivered in the summer of 2018 to two infantry units, the new M110A1 semi-automatic sniper rifles have been described as more accurate and more ergonomic by the German industrialist Heckler and Koch who developed them. 46.2 million of the 2019 defence budget is allocated to the acquisition of 5 180 of these M110A1s. New NGSW-T(Next Generation Squad Weapon-Technology) assault rifles are also being tested. Produced by Textron System, the first prototypes were delivered only 15 months after the contract was signed. They would also be lighter and more powerful thanks to the " cased telescoped " ammunition system. Following the example of the 40 mm shell developed by Nexter, these are new-generation "telescoped" ammunition in which the warhead is enclosed in the powder cartridge instead of being placed on top of it.

Availability : immediate

"Russian helicopter pilot training center opens in Venezuela."

Tass Agency, March 30, 2019

( source cross-checking )

As part of a contract between the Russian industrial group Rosoboronexport and the Venezuelan manufacturer CAVIM, a training centre for helicopter pilots was inaugurated in Venezuela. It would provide effective training for Venezuelan pilots in the use of Russian Mi17V-5, Mi-35M and Mi-26T helicopters. Used for rescue and evacuation missions in areas affected by natural disasters, the Russian Mi-35M helicopters supplied to Venezuela are also used in the fight against drug trafficking. It has a payload capacity of 5 to 6 special forces crew members and is also capable of providing significant fire support. 31 Russian-made helicopters, including 18 Mi17V-5 transport helicopters, 10 Mi-35M2 attack helicopters and three Mi-26T2 heavy transport helicopters are in service with the Venezuelan forces.

Availability : immediate

"U.S withholding F-35 from Turkey could give Russia the chance it needs to export Su-57"

Tyler Rogoway, The Drive, April 2, 2019

(source cross-checking)

An improved version of the Su-57 was presented at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition and will soon be available for export. Russia's potential customers would be none other than those countries to which the United States refuses to sell the F-35 . This is for example the case of Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, but also Turkey. Indeed, the sale of S-400 missile defence systems to Turkey has led the United States to threaten to suspend the delivery of F-35s to Ankara. Russia, for its part, is said to have proposed an export agreement for Su-57s with Turkey. The improved version of the Su-57 would have a significant fuel carrying capacity, namely 10,300 kg as opposed to around 8,000 kg for the F-35 and 4,700 kg for the Rafale. The Su-57 could thus compete with the F-35 and the Rafale, which does not meet the characteristics of a "5th generation" fighter aircraft. Finally, Russia is worried about a possible Chinese copy of the Su-57 like the J-11, copied on the Su-27, which could thus capture Asian market share.

Availability : immediate

"Watch Russia's shotgun drone shoot down a model airplane."

Kelsey D. Atherton, C4ISRNET, March 25, 2019

(single source)

The C4ISRNET site shared a video showing a Russian drone armed with an assault rifle shooting down a miniature aircraft. Associated with Kalashnikov' s Vepr-12 assault rifle by Russian industrialist Almaz-Antey, this UAV would be used to intercept small aerodynes used as weapons or for intelligence purposes. However, the UAV's autonomy has not been specified and it is impossible to determine whether it is manned or autonomous.

Availability: N/A

"Mrs. Parly: "The NATO solidarity clause is article 5, not article F-35."

Reuters, Challenges, 18 March 2019.

(source cross-checking)

On a visit to Washington, Minister Florence Parly discusses NATO's solidarity clause. In a speech to theAtlantic Council, an American think tank, the Minister recalled the strong commitment of the United States to European security. The Minister advocates European strategic autonomy, which would help to strengthen the Alliance. Florence Parly underlines the concern of European countries about the requirement for a threshold of 2% of GDP allocated to defence spending which, if not respected, would lead the United States to withdraw from the Alliance. Finally, the Minister expressed her concern about arms exports, recalling that the solidarity clause should not be conditional on the sale of American equipment to European armies.

Availability : N/A

"All in one counter-drone detection and strike system".

I-HLS, 29 March 2019

(single source)

U.S. Marines are developing a new UAV program. Ground Based Air Defense(GBAD) could be used to support air-land operations. Capable of identifying a target but also of neutralising it, the GBAD programme would thus increase UAV capabilities. It should be possible to use it from ground vehicles. Finally, the first version of the GBAD is expected in 2020., but an enhanced version planned for 2021 is expected to extend the program's scope to advanced radar systems (such as TPS-63 air defence or TPS-73 air traffic control). This version would incorporate both missiles and electronic countermeasures equipment (jamming and laser).

Availability : 2020

"Defiant, the helicopter of the future with a twin rotor propeller propulsion system."

Guerric Poncet, Le Point, 25 March 2019

(source cross-checking)

On 21 March 2019, the futuristic helicopter of the American industrialists Sikorsky and Boeing flew for the first time with a view to entry into service in the American army by 2030. Designed to replace the famous UH-60 Black Hawk, the future SB-1 Defiant could carry out transport, attack, medical evacuation or reconnaissance missions, and could carry up to 12 passengers and 4 crew members. Both faster and safer, capable of exceeding 460 km/h cruising speed compared to 280 km/h for the current Black Hawks, it would guarantee a faster strike capability and reduced vulnerability during flight. This speed would be the result of innovations in the propulsion propeller, with a double counter-rotating rotor to eliminate the need for a tail rotor.

Availability : 10 years

"The Navy is assembling a hacker team to fight off small drones."

Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One, April¹, 2019

(single source)

The US Navy and the US Army have launched a joint UAV project called JYN (named after a Star Wars character). A team of engineers, researchers and hackers has been called upon to develop a defense against commercially available UAVs which, despite their size and functionality, are likely to pose a threat to deployed units. In recent years, the Islamic State Group has demonstrated its ability to militarise these small drones by adding firing or self-destruction capabilities using explosive charges. The priority of this project is the protection of ships and airports, potential targets for these drones.

Availability: N/A

"Sand-Driving: A Dedicated Complex"

Ministry of the Armed Forces, March 29, 2019

(single source)

Established in Biscarrosse, the 17th Artillery Group created a "sand complex" dedicated to desert driving training. 35 to 40 annual courses will train drivers of light and heavy vehicles in driving techniques and crossing sandy areas. This complex includes a series of realistic obstacles (silting, slopes, bridge crossings, etc.) aimed at familiarising drivers with their vehicles (crossing, steering and engine capabilities) and the environment in which they operate (nature of the sand, heat), and at acquiring a great deal of knowledge in this specific environment, such as the position of the tyres according to the obstacle or its collision according to the load.

Availability : immediate

"Exports: How MBDA Loosens the U.S. Noose Knot"

Michel Cabirol, La Tribune, March 27, 2019.

(source cross-checked)

In order to escape the ITAR (International Traffic in Arms regulation), under which the United States can block foreign arms sales when US components are used in their manufacture, the MBDA missile is investing in European defence programmes and in research and technology development. The ITAR regulation places a considerable constraint on European arms exports: in February 2018 the United States vetoed the export to Egypt of 12 Rafale aircraft equipped with SCALP cruise missiles because of the presence of a US electronic chip in them. The missile was then forced to invest massively in the development of a similar component on a European scale. In order to ensure its strategic autonomy, the missile submarine also invests in critical European start-ups and SMEs, such as the DolphinSME., specialized in the development of sensitive electronic components. The French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly encouraged these initiatives, calling on all industrialists to desensitise their armament programmes to ITAR.

Availability : N/A

"Carfit deploys predictive maintenance solution."

GICAT, March 28, 2019

(source cross-checking)

The Carfit company joins the Generate program of the Groupement des industries de défense et de sécurité terrestres et aéroterrestres (GICAT) to contribute to improving the maintenance of vehicles dedicated to the French Army. The company's technology is based on the analysis of vehicles by vibration using an artificial intelligence system. It thus makes it possible to anticipate maintenance needs and to order the corresponding spare parts upstream. This solution is independent: it does not require connectivity or a communication network to operate.

Availability : N/A

"A duo of drones, ground and air, for military and civilian operations."

Jean-Michel Normand, Le Monde, March 29, 2019

(source cross-checking)

On Thursday 28 March, Drone Volt and Nexter Robotics announced a partnership to create a duo of drones for civil and military applications. On the land side, Nexter Robotics has designed the Nerva, a "light multi-missions "It is 35 cm long, weighs 4.5 kg unladen and can be driven for up to two hours at a maximum speed of 30 km/hour., using wheels or tracks. It is programmed to automatically return to its starting point. On the air side, it is coupled to the Hercules 20 Drone Volt. This "wide-body" can lift a load of about 20 kilos thanks to its eight engines and fly for about fifteen minutes. The two aircraft are to be remotely piloted, but could soon evolve into autonomous modules. The ground module can be fitted with various "mission kits" depending on the use made of it: nuclear, radiological, biological or chemical reconnaissance operations, detection of an "improvised explosive device", participation in combat or assistance to victims. The duo, which is intended for special forces, will be presented at the SOFINS 2019 exhibition. The main advantage of the air/land UAV coupling is that it extends the range of action of the second one.

Availability : Immediate

"Defense and security start-ups are pushing the envelope."

Michel Cabirol, La Tribune, March 25, 2019

(source cross-checking)

Five of the ten start-ups supported by Generate, the accelerator of the Groupement des industries de défense et de sécurité terrestre et aéroterrestres (GICAT), have become scale-ups (companies that have gone beyond start-up status but have not yet reached full maturity and are still growing). Aleph Networks, a company specialising in darkweb, Linkurious (software and networks), CerbAir, Diodem and Internest (three industrialists dedicated to UAVs or UAV control) have become scale-ups. These companies have managed to raise funds, form industrial partnerships and sign export contracts. Two years after the launch of the defence and security start-up accelerator Generate, the first results seem positive.

Availability : N/A

"Multinational Training for Interoperability: Dynamic Front 2019."

Ministry of the Armed Forces, March 29, 2019

(single source)

The Dynamic Front 2019 exercise took place from 14 February to 12 March in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Organised by the US Army, this annual training programme aims to enhance the interoperability of NATO forces' artillery systems, in particular through a digital interface called Artillery systems cooperation activities (ASCA). In addition, it aims to improve the flow of data in order to provide greater speed of action, but also to offer a massive, long-range strike force to meet a specific need via any means of fire support. This year, the largest artillery exercise on the European continent hosted 3 200 troops from 27 countries. The Army was represented by 300 soldiers from the^2nd Armoured Brigade.

Availability: N/A

"VPS2 is deployed in the Sahel."

Le Mamouth, March 25, 2019

(source cross-checking)

Thirty copies of the VPS2, ordered from the SME Technamm (which is carrying out the Masstech) by the Special Operations Command (COS), is now deployed in the Sahel-Saharan band. It will also be exhibited at the SOFINS 2019 exhibition. This vehicle was acquired on an emergency basis due to the delays of the VLFS, which the COS is expecting from 2022. The contract was notified last February. It took less than a year to manufacture, test and equip the vehicles (weapons, communication). The VPS2 is based on a British model, Jankel's Fox, developed from a Toyota chassis. All three armies use it, thus simplifying the logistics chain and relief.

Availability : In Service

"Civilian companies accompanied in the recruitment of wounded soldiers."

Ministry of the Armed Forces, March 29, 2019

(single source)

On 27 March, various players involved in the retraining of wounded soldiers met at MEDEF's premises to raise awareness among companies about their recruitment. Present were Sophie Cluzel, Secretary of State for the Disabled, the CEMA, the President of MEDEF, Defence Mobility and the Armed Forces Health Service. The aim is to encourage companies to recruit injured soldiers. A new guide drawn up by the "Accompaniment of injured soldiers" working group of the Defence-MEDEF liaison committee. presented several measures to improve the recruitment of injured soldiers through various courses and training. Sophie Cluzel recalled that the recruitment of injured soldiers would promote their socio-professional reconversion and thus contribute to the national defence effort.

Availability : N/A

"Operation Barkhane: Feedback on the sand run of CaRaPACE, the 40-ton tanker of the Army Gasoline Department."

Ministry of the Armed Forces, 5 April 2019

(single source)

The Army Fuel Service's all-terrain and armoured vehicle, the Extended Capability Front End Petroleum Supply Truck (CaRaPACE), has been involved in Operation Barkhane since August 2018. Built by three companies(Scania France, Maisonneuve, Essonne Sécurité), it has a carrying capacity of 22^m3 for a weight of 40 tons. Its mission is the massive transport of fuel to theatres of operation. To do so, it is equipped with an armoured cabin with a remotely operated 12.7 mm calibre turret. Finally, CaRaPACE is particularly well suited to sandy terrain, and feedback from its deployment in the Sahel-Saharan strip has been positive. The vehicle's handling, air conditioning and increased protection were particularly appreciated by drivers.

Availability : N/A

"After 15 months of discussions, Thales finalizes the acquisition of Gemalto"

Le Figaro, 3 April 2019

(single source)

Thales announced that it has completed the acquisition of Gemalto (Netherlands) for €4.8 billion. Announced 15 months ago, this acquisition enables the group to strengthen its activities in the field of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, biometrics and cybersecurity. Thales is also strengthening its international presence. The group could also reach a turnover of 19 billion euros and a workforce of 80,000 employees.

Availability : N/A

"Amazon urged to stop selling Rekognition to the police."

Les Numériques, April 5, 2019

(source cross-checking)

55 artificial intelligence experts from the industry's most cutting-edge companies - Google, Facebook, Microsoft - including a Turing Award winner, sent an open letter to Amazon, urging the company to stop selling its Rekognition facial recognition system to law enforcement agencies. In 2018, Amazon had announced that its software was being used by police in Oregon and Orlando, Florida, alarming several civil liberties groups. The signatories denounce the "biased" and discriminatory nature of this facial recognition system, which is based on artificial intelligence (AI): earlier this year, researchers from MIT and the University of Toronto showed that Rekognition made many more mistakes when it came to identifying a woman or a person of color, with an error rate estimated at 31% for a woman of color. Unlike Microsoft or IBM, Amazon did not patch its software to limit errors related to women and people of colour.Amazon management questions the results of the study, saying the researchers tested the tool. of facial analysis, not facial recognition.

Availability : N/A

"Analysis: China's ground-to-air defense modernization nearing completion."

Olivier Dujardin, Defence Analysis, March 26, 2019

(source cross-checking)

The last phase of the modernisation of China's ground-to-air defence would be underway with the replacement of the last long-range HQ-2 batteries. Chinese long-range air defence was originally based on this system, a version of the Russian SA-2. This is not the first time that China has fully modernised its ground-to-air defence. In the 1990s, China developed its own long-range anti-aircraft system, the HQ-9, which became operational in 1997 and was inspired by the Russian SA-2., inter alia, of the Russian S-300 system. At the same time, this modernization was accompanied by the renewal of the HQ-2 systems, previously used, and renamed HQ-12. Today, the remaining HQ-2 sites are reportedly in the process of being converted to HQ-12 sites.s HQ-9 or HQ-12. Such a modernization would underline the importance of the role of Russian systems in protecting Chinese vital points and the trust placed by China in them.

Availability : N/A

"Florence Parly: "Yes to artificial intelligence, no to killer robots... »”

Anne Bauer, Les Echos, March 5, 2019

(source cross-checking)

The French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly expressed the French position regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and "killer robots" during her speech at the DataIA Institute in Saclay. After reaffirming the major strategic role of AI in the race for technological, economic and military power, the minister stressed that AI will not be used for the development of "killer robots". She recalled that there was no international consensus on autonomous lethal weapon systems (ALWS), but that France had set a red line. Ln France, research and development on AI are part of an "ethical line" and AI must remain "at the service of man and not replace him ". In accordance with the international law of war, man must remain the one who takes the decision to open fire. In line with the objectives set by the 2019 military programming law, the minister announced the recruitment of 200 specialists and the creation of an ethics committee within the Ministry of the Armed Forces. The AI must today be able to provide an answer to the challenges of storing and calculating masses of data and must contribute to improving decision-making and planning support, intelligence, logistics and maintenance. It also plays a major role in robotics, cyber and collaborative combat.

Availability : N/A

"Russia's Military Mission Creep Advances to a New Front: Africa"

Eric Schmitt, New York Times, March 31, 2019

(source cross-checking)

Russia is increasing its military influence in Africa with a growing number of defence agreements, arms exports and training programmes. This influence now extends to the Central African Republic, Libya, Sudan and the G5 Sahel. While the Russian presence had declined significantly with the fall of the USSR, Moscow has re-established relations with its former partners, such as Mozambique and Angola. The murder of a journalist in the Central African Republic, investigating the activities of the Wagner group, rekindled the attention of Western observers. The Pentagon estimates the number of the company's instructors at 175, with close ties to the Russian army and government. John R. Bolton, national security advisor to the Trump administration, accuses Russia in particular of selling material support in exchange for votes at the United Nations, taking as an example a December vote in which 24 African countries abstained from condemning the annexation of the Crimea. Nevertheless, the financial and material volume of Russia's presence in Africa remains far removed from that of China or the United States. Although the African continent now accounts for a third of Russian arms exports, Algeria remains the main customer (80%).

Availability : N/A

"Gatling Gun"

History Channel

In 1861, in the middle of the Civil War, the American inventor Richard Gatling designed the first machine gun in history.. Its stated objective is then to make the battles orderly "tellement murderers." that the belligerents will no longer dare to engage in such confrontations.... Consisting of six 0.58 calibre barrels pivoting around a central axis with a crank handle, the "Gatling" was capable of delivering between 200 and 400 rounds per minute. It was first tested during the siege of Petersburg in 1864 and 1865 by the Union Army. In this first version, the machine guns were mounted on artillery mounts, increasing the weight and reducing the manoeuvrability of the weapon. Little used in the United States, the Gatling was more attractive to the British, who used it in their conflicts against the Zulus, Boers and Boxers.

"Yann LeCun, co-winner of the Turing Prize"

Denis Sergent, La Croix, April 8, 2019

The French digital scientist Yann LeCun, together with two colleagues, was awarded the Turing Prize, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in computer science. The three researchers have contributed to advances in artificial intelligence, in particular indeep learning, a technique that trains a computer to recognize different contents among millions of data. The Turing Prize has been awarded annually since 1966 by theAssociation for Computing Machinery to scientists for their contributions to the computing community. It is named after the famous British mathematician Alan Turing, who laid the foundations of computing. During the Second World War, he played a crucial role in carrying out the cryptanalysis of the German Enigma encryption machine. After the war, he worked on the very first computers and contributed to the debate on the emergence of artificial intelligence.