Finmeccanica at Eurosatory 2010

Finmeccanica is attending the Eurosatory 2010 exhibition in Paris, from 14 to 18 June, with its companies DRS Technologies, Elsag Datamat, Oto Melara, SELEX Galileo and SELEX Sistemi Integrati.

Eurosatory is a prestigious showcase for the land, land/air and homeland defence market and Finmeccanica's presence at this exhibition is aimed at highlighting the Group's state-of-the-art products as well as the Group's ability to offer a complete range of equipments and solutions to satisfy the needs of defence and security customers.

DRS Technologies is displaying a suite of its rugged and ultra rugged computing systems. Specifically, the JV-5 Vehicle Computer and Display System (FBCB2) wich provides commanders and soldiers at tactical units, from brigade level to the individual soldier, to access to real-time information, allowing for better command and control decision making and enhanced situational awareness. DRS displays also its Military Rugged Tablet PC, ARMOR X10 Tablet PC, RBM Notebook and RVT Vehicle computers. Along with its computing systems, DRS also exhibits several of its thermal imaging and electro-optical products that help increase situational awareness in the field. On display are its Thermal Weapon Sights, Drivers Vision Enhancer, (DVE) and GS-410 stabilized gimbal which are found on military platforms and weapon systems.

Elsag Datamat is exhibiting the MasterZone monitoring system, based on networks of Unattended Ground Sensors, micro devices with sensors and wireless connectivity that can detect movement, analyse magnetic fields, listen to noises and sounds, and combine this information to generate events and alarms. Also in the defence sector, the company is presenting the Operational Logistics System, which provides the various levels of command with a detailed overview of the logistics assets
available, visibility on moving convoys and analysis of the sustainability of missions in progress. The Operational Logistics System also interacts in real time with both the C2 system, with which it shares the "Common Operational Picture" and the logistics management system in Italy. Also on display are the Italian Air Force-Mission Support System (IAF-MSS) and the Search and Rescue Operations Management System (SAROMS). IAF-MSS is a complete planning system that can support different types of aircraft, for any weapons system and any mission, used first in mission planning for the Tornado and AM-X aircraft and now extended to C-130J, MB-339 and C-27J aircraft and the Italian Army's NH-90 helicopters, while SAROMS supports the management and co-ordination of search and rescue operations. From its range of security systems, Elsag Datamat is presenting the Patrol Support System (PSS), a palm-held patrol support device that contains all the functionality required for military, civil and law enforcement applications. Based on biometric technology, this portable
multifunctional device was developed by the company to perform identity checks and a wide range of territorial monitoring and control operations.

Oto Melara is exhibiting two vehicles manufactured by the Consortium Iveco-Oto Melara: the new VBM FRECCIA armoured vehicle with the HITFIST 25mm turret, recently acquired by the Italian Army, and the Infantry Fighting Vehicle DARDO with special ballistic protection and the 30mm HITFIST Overhead Weapon Station. In addition there is the new 12.7mm HITROLE Light installed on the Lince vehicle that in the same configuration will be employed in Afghanistan and the new DRACO system, presented during the exibition at the Oto Melara chalet (D441). Robotic platforms in the UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles) and mini UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) categories are also on display.

At Eurosatory, SELEX Galileo is showcasing a full range of solutions to enhance situational awareness and for the digitalisation of the battlefield. Particular emphasis is given this year to the Tactical Unmanned Aerial System Falco, ideal for both civil and military missions. The solutions showcased at the exhibition also include SELEX Galileo sensors, ranging from the latest-generation thermal imaging cameras (SLX Hawk, SLX Merlin, SLX Cobra, Erica Plus) to integrated electro-optical turrets (Janus) and AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars. In the area of battlefield digitalisation, SELEX Galileo has developed an innovative suite of electro-optical equipment for the future soldier, which is generating increasing interest from the international markets. SELEX Galileo has also signed an agreement with Universal Engineering to supply its Ranger vehicle with a complete sensors and situational awareness solution.

SELEX Sistemi Integrati is displaying a demonstrator for the Forza NEC (Network Enabled Capability) programme, for which the Finmeccanica company signed a 238 million euro contract on 9 June 2010, with the Land Armaments General Directorate - Italian Ministry of Defence. The five year agreement will allow the Armed Forces to use a digitalised system enabling the maximum exchange of operative, tactical and strategic information from and to every single vehicle and man deployed in the
field. The Forza NEC programme is the response to the requirement for military means which must be flexible and well balanced in every single element and able to integrate with allied forces in a wide range of national and multinational, NATO and European Union operations. The resulting interoperability allows information exchange, knowledge of the exact position of allied forces, besides intercepting possible occurring threats. The demonstrator, in particular, consists of three displays and a computer simulating the system operational functions.

Source: Finmeccanica