Moroccan F-16s Atlas falcons Arrival At Benguerir Air Base

The Atlas Falcon

The Beginning :

Moroccan F16 : F-16D Flies In Fort Worth

Morocco, the twenty-fifth nation to operate the F-16, ordered twenty-four Block 52 aircraft in 2009. The two-tone light brown scheme with gray underside is unique to the Moroccan Air Force.

 

 

Training in US

Royal Moroccan Air Force Maj. Mouloud Chihani performs a preflight check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Tucson International Airport, Ariz., before a training mission July 7, 2010. Major Chihani and three other Moroccan pilots are the first F-16 pilots in their air force and will lead the way to establish a new squadron of F-16s when they return home in July 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jack Braden)

 

 

Departure to Morocco

First Four Lockheed Martin F-16s Produced For Morocco Depart On Ferry Flight

FORT WORTH, Texas, August 1st,

2011 -- The first four of 24 new Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] advanced Block 52 F-16s produced for the Royal Moroccan Air Force have left the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, en route to Morocco. An arrival ceremony will be held in Morocco later this week.

Arrival

Lockheed Martin Delivers Morocco’s First Advanced F-16s

MARRAKECH, Morocco, August 4th, 2011 -- The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) unveiled the first four of 24 Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-16 aircraft in a ceremony today at Ben Guerrir Air Base in Morocco. Senior representatives from the Moroccan and U.S. governments and air forces were present for the historic event.

This is Morocco’s first experience with the F-16 so the package being provided by the U.S. government is comprehensive. Morocco will acquire a Block 52 configuration of the F-16C/D aircraft tailored to meet the specific requirements of the RMAF. The sale includes the aircraft, mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international contractors. The new aircraft will supplement the RMAF’s existing fleet of fighter aircraft and will contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the RMAF.

“The delivery of these aircraft places Morocco among the very elite group of air forces of the world who operate the advanced multirole F-16,” said Ralph D. Heath, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics business area.

Moroccan F16 Block 52 details & history

The Block 50/52 is the current production version of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. It features the Improved Performance Engines, either the F110-GE-129 for the Block 50 or the F100-PW-229 for the block 52. The F100-PW-229 is lighter and more powerful than earlier F100s, and had been flying at Edwards AFB since mid-1990 in test ship #81-0816. Both engines are rated at 29,000lbs of thrust (129kN).

This version first appeared in late 1990. It was unofficially designated F-16CJ/DJ for the same reason as the Block 40/42 unofficial designation. The first Block 50/52 F-16 rolled out of the Fort Worth facility on October 31, 1991 (#90-0801). Production of this version is still ongoing and will be expanded well beyond 2005 with the latest aircraft delivered to Greece and Israel.

Structure & Avionics

The standard avionics fit for the Block 50 includes:

• Honeywell H-423 Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System (RLG INS) for rapid in-flight alignment;
• GPS receiver;
• Data Transfer Cartridge with a larger capacity (128KB) to accommodate the planned avionics growth;
• Improved Data Modem for faster data transmission;
• AN/ALR-56M advanced RWR;
• AN/ALE-47 threat adaptive countermeasure system;
• digital terrain system data transfer cartridge;
• cockpit compatible with night vision systems;
• advanced IFF interrogator;
• Upgraded Programmable Display Generator (UPDG);
• MIL-STD-1760 data bus for programming new-generation PGMs;
• Horizontal Situation Display (HSD) for increased situational awareness and tactical flexibility on all missions.

The Block 50/52 also carries the Westinghouse AN/APG-68 V(5) radar, which offers longer range detection against air targets and higher reliability. The radar has a programmable signal processor that employs very high-speed integrated circuit (VHSIC) technology. The latest batches of Block 50/52 carry the same radar, but versions V(7) and V(8), which offer even greater performance envelopes. The VHF/FM antenna is now incorporated into the leading edge of the vertical fin and has an extended operating distance. The cockpit also includes 2 monochrome MFD's (soon to be replaced by the MLU's color displays) and a FOV HUD.

The Block 50's have the capability to fire the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the new AGM-65G Maverick missile and the PGU-28/B 20mm cannon round. The Block 50/52 is capable of carrying the new JDAM munition, the AGM-154A/B JSOW and is the first F-16 version to integrate the AGM-84 Harpoon antishipping missile. The AGM-137 TSSAM stand-off attack missile was also foreseen in its weaponry, but subsequently cancelled. The aircraft can launch the Harpoon in line-of-sight, bearing-only, and range/bearing modes. The addition of the Harpoon gives the F-16 a significant standoff range anti-shipping capability, especially when combined with optional 600-gallon fuel tanks.

The first Block 50 F-16 was delivered to the USAF in November of 1991. Over 300 have been delivered by early 1997, to four different customers. New production Block 50/52 aircraft ordered after 1996 also include selected features from the MLU program: color multifunction displays, a three-channel video tape recorder, and the modular mission computer.

Modifications & Upgrades

Wild Weasel

F-16CJ Block 52D #91415 aircraft from USAFE's 52nd FW operate as Wild Weasels. This specimen's equiped with wingtip Amraams, Sidewinders on stations 2 and 8, and AGM-88 HARM (starboard) and Shrike (port) anti-radiation missiles. Note the AN/ASQ-213 Harm Targeting System pod on the starboard intake station. (USAF photo)

The F-16CJ/DJ Block 50D/52D have the HARM avionics/Launcher Interface Computer (ALIC) resulting in a full autonomous employment capability of the HARM missile. This capability adds the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission to the already extensive list of missions the F-16 is capable to perform.

The aircraft features full integration for the advanced AGM-88 HARM II and Shrike anti-radiation missiles, a Lockheed Martin Pave Penny laser ranger pod and the Texas Instruments (now Raytheon) AN/ASQ-213 HTS (HARM Targeting System). The pod is mounted on the starboard intake hardpoint and contains a super-sensitive receiver that detects, classifies, and ranges threats and passes the information to the HARM and to the cockpit displays. With the targeting system, the F-16CJ/DJ has full autonomous HARM capability. The HTS pod can be omitted however - in that case, RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft support the F-16 in sorting and prioritizing targets in dense threat environments.

Two HARM missiles are normally carried on a typical SEAD mission, however, 4-missiles loads are currently being test-flown at Eglin AFB.

Deliveries of the Block 50D/52D began in May 1993. All but the earliest Block 50 models have been upgraded to Block 50D standard.

Block 50/52 Plus

One of the latest HAF, F-16C Block 52, #501, taxiing. (LMTAS photo)

The Block 50/52 Plus is a version which has special provisions for the adverse weather delivery of the Boeing JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition). The update includes an add-on tail unit containing a synthetic aperture radar, providing guidance to 1,000lbs Mk.83, 2,000lbs Mk.84 and the 2,000lbs BLU-109 warhead. Other features include passive missile warning, terrain-referenced navigation, and provisions for the 600 US gal (2,271 litre) external fuel tanks and conformal fuel tanks.

Other features of the aircraft include an on-board oxygen generating system (OBOGS), the AN/APX-113 advanced electronic interrogator/transponder IFF system, helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS), ASPIS internal electronic countermeasures suite (full provisions), the Northrop Grumman APG-68(V)9 radar, which is the latest version of the F-16C/D radar. This radar features significant improvements in detection range, resolution, growth potential, and supportability. Furthermore, application of advanced processing techniques enhances the radar's ability to operate in dense electromagnetic environments and resist jamming better than all previous models.

The V(9) version of the AN/APG-68 radar provides both improved air-to-air capabilities and air-to-ground capabilities. These include:

• 30 percent increase in detection range;
• Improvements in false alarm rate and mutual interference;
• Four versus two tracked targets in the Situation Awareness mode (a search-while-track mode);
• Larger search volume and improved track performance in Track While Scan mode;
• Improved track performance in Single Target Track mode;
• Two-foot resolution in new Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode, which allows autonomous delivery of precision, all-weather, standoff weapons;
• Increased detection range in Sea Surveillance mode;
• Improved target detection and map quality in Ground Moving Target Indication mode.

In general, this radar offers a 5X increase in processing speed and 10X increase in memory compared to the current AN/APG-68 radar and provides large growth potential.

The first production V(9) radar, which was delivered in April 2002, will be installed in the first Greece Block 52+ F-16. Also the new Israeli F-16s will be equiped with it.

The latest Israeli F-16 block 52 will furthermore be equiped with a video data link and Conformal Fuel Tanks manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), advanced avionics and a helmet-mounted display manufactured by Elbit, an advanced electronic warfare suite manufactured by Elisra and advanced weapons and sensors manufactured by Rafael. This makes these aircraft are becoming more and more an Israeli domestic product.

Production

Production of the block 50/52 totals 813 airframes up to now. Manufacturing started in 1991 and is still ongoing. Block 50 aircraft were delivered to the USAF, Turkey, Greece and Chile, whilst Block 52 aircraft were delivered to the USAF, South Korea, Singapore, Greece, Poland and Israel. Of the total number of Block 50/52, still 260 are waiting delivery to the customer (July 2003).

Specifications (standard Block 50/52)

Engine: One Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan, rated at 17,000 lb.s.t. dry and 28,500 lb.s.t. with afterburning or one General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofan, rated at 17,155 lb.s.t. dry and 28,984 lb.s.t. with afterburning.

Performance: Maximum short-endurance speed: Mach 2.05 (1353 mph) at 40,000 feet. Maximum sustained speed Mach 1.89 (1247 mph) at 40,000 feet. Tactical radius (hi-lo-hi interdiction on internal fuel with six 500-lb bombs) 360 miles. Maximum ferry range 2450 miles with maximum external fuel (excluding 600gal. tanks or CFT's) .

Dimensions: wingspan 31 feet 0 inches, length 49 feet 4 inches, height 16 feet 8 1/2 inches, wing area 300 square feet.

Weights: 18,238 pounds empty, 26,463 pounds normal loaded (air-to-air mission), 42,300 pounds maximum takeoff.

Sources : Lockheed martin press, release, F16-net, flickers pic.

Compiled by YASSINE

How Google+ is built ,Facebook killer

 

If you’re curious about all things Google+, you’re in luck. The project’s technical lead, Google engineer Joseph Smarr, is currently hosting an online question and answer session about the service — and he has already shared a number of details about Google+’s development, technology, and plans for the future.

On Monday, Smarr opened himself up for questions on Q&A website AnyAsq.com, a Y-Combinator-backed site reminiscent of Formspring.me where users can invite others to “ask me anything.” People sign in to post questions on AnyAsq through their Twitter accounts, but a host’s responses can be longer than 140 characters.

Smarr has already answered 270 queries, and as of press time, his AnyAsq page is still open for questions. Here’s some of what he has revealed so far:

• Google+ fast tracked its development from the start
  “We put extra emphasis on engineering speed/agility–we try to release code updates on a daily basis while still keeping quality/stability/latency as high as you’d expect from Google.”

• New features are absolutely on the way
  “…Personally I’m eager for many of the features other Google+ users have asked for recently: smarter ranking/collapsing/filtering in the stream and notifications… integration with more Google products… and an API so I can start hacking on cool uses of circles, etc.”

• Hashtags are on Google+’s radar
  In response to a question about adding hashtags to help filter Google+ posts, Smarr responded: “Personally, I want this too.”

• There was some fancy footwork on the programming front
  “A couple nifty tricks we do: we use the HTML5 History API to maintain pretty-looking URLs even though it’s an AJAX app (falling back on hash-fragments for older browsers); and we often render our Closure templates server-side so the page renders before any JavaScript is loaded, then the JavaScript finds the right DOM nodes and hooks up event handlers, etc. to make it responsive.”

Although none of Smarr’s responses have been shockingly revealing, the AnyAsq activity is just the latest example of how Google has worked hard to project an air of openness throughout the entire Google+ launch. Where the now-defunct Google Wave was developed with an air of secrecy that ultimately confused users as to its purpose, Google’s strategy with the Plus project has been one of transparency and agility — a “done is better than perfect” attitude. So far, it’s been a refreshing approach. The challenge for the future will be maintaining that flexibility as Google+ grows.

HPS décroche un important marché en France

Le groupe HPS renforce son activité à l'international. L'entreprise spécialisée dans les solutions monétiques vient de signer une convention avec le Cedicam en France. Il s'agit d'un groupement d'intérêt économique (GIE), filiale du groupe Crédit Agricole France. Une plateforme technique traitant l'ensemble des flux monétiques pour le compte de 39 caisses régionales du Crédit Agricole, du Crédit Lyonnais ainsi que trois banques à l'international (Grèce, Italie et Pologne). En termes de volume, le Cedicam a traité, en 2010, plus de 1,44 milliards de demandes d'autorisation. Ce qui représente près de 35% de parts de marché en France et fait du Cedicam, le numéro 1 de l'activité d'acquisition des commerçants en France. C'est en août 2010 que le Cedicam avait passé commande pour la solution PowerCard de HPS pour remplacer la solution qui était installée au niveau de ses caisses régionales. Le contrat vient d'être signé entre Mohamed Horani, président du groupe HPS et Bernard Noe!, DG du Cedicam. «D'un montant de 5,3 millions d'euros, le projet consiste en une refonte globale de toute l'activité back-office commerçants et automates du Cedicam, qui à terme, pourra disposer d'une plateforme d'acquisition la plus aboutie de toutes les grandes banques européennes», explique Horani. Après la réception de la commande, le groupe HPS a procédé au benchmark de la solution PowerCard dans les laboratoires d'IBM à Montpellier. Une étape importante avant la livraison du produit fini. « Des tests de performance ont été effectués pour qualifier la, robustesse et les capacités de notre solution quant à la gestion des gros volumes. Les résultats ont été probants», ajoute-t-on auprès de HPS Group. La solution s'est révélée en mesure de gérer 350.000 commerçants avec 3.000 utilisateurs simultanés et un pic on-line de 250 transactions par seconde. Autre performance de la solution, des traitements batch de 6 millions de transactions par heure et un historique de 6 mois, soit un total de 1,2 milliard de transactions. « La qualité de ces résultats a conforté le choix de la solution PowerCard par le Cedicam, une plateforme reconnue parmi les meilleures solutions de paiement électronique au monde par le Gartner, leader américain dans le domaine des études IT », poursuit Horani. Après la phase tests, des workshops ont été organisés avec l'ensemble des acteurs du Cedicam. L'objectif était de définir leurs besoins métiers ainsi que les meilleures solutions pour y répondre. «Cette importante étape a été clôturée avec succès et célébrée lors de la cérémonie qui a eu lieu le 26 mai pour sceller le partenariat entre le Cedicam et HPS Group», conclut le président du groupe HPS. Aujourd'hui, le spécialiste marocain de la monétique démarre la phase d'intégration de la solution au niveau du système d'information du Cedicam et la reprise de l'ensemble de l'activité back-office commerçant sur la plateforme PowerCard.

(Source : L'Economiste) 06/06/2011

L’Iphone bientôt chez Meditel – Meditel to sell Iphone

 

 

Ce n’est plus qu’une question de jours. Méditel vient de décrocher le contrat de commercialisation de toute la gamme iPhone d’Apple, notamment l’iPhone 4.

Cette nouvelle serait le fruit  delongues négociations directes avec la firme américaine et avec le soutien de son partenaire industriel, France Telecom.

Pour Méditel c’est une nouvelle phase commerciale stratégique qui s’ouvre, d’autant plus que les conditions du contrat lui conféreraient, en tout cas dans un premier temps, une sorte d’exclusivité. Ainsi, pour ratisser large, Méditel promettrait des offres commerciales alléchantes, incluant des formules à zéro dirham.

Gulf countries welcome bid fromJordan, Morocco to join GCC bloc

 

• Image Credit: WAM
• The news of the Kingdoms of Jordan and Morocco possibly joining the Gulf Cooperation Council states was met with shock and awe amongst users of social media networks within minutes of its announcement. Shaikh Mohammad leads the UAE delegation at the annual Consultative Summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Riyadh on Tuesday. Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Abdul Latif Al Zayani, GCC Secretary General, also attended. The developments in Yemen and the GCC mediation, the situation in Libya and Syria were on the summit’s agenda.

Manama: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) could be the umbrella for all the monarchies in the Arab world after the six-member alliance on Tuesday welcomed bids by the kingdoms of Jordan and Morocco to join it, its secretary general Abdul Latif Al Zayani said.

The foreign ministers of the six countries were tasked to start negotiations with their Jordanian and Moroccan counterparts to complete the required procedures, according to media reports from Riyadh where the leaders of the GCC states held their one-day annual advisory council.

The summit has no specific agenda, unlike the official annual rotating summit, usually held in December.

Deep impact

The membership of Jordan and Morocco would also have a deep political, social, economic, security and defence impact.

Jordan is geographically linked to Saudi Arabia and both kingdoms share terrestrial borders that stretch more than 700km.

Yemen has often said since the 1990s that it wanted to join the alliance, but several factors have hampered a positive response to its requests.

The Gulf Cooperation Council includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Bloc of monarchies

The bloc of monarchies was created in 1981 to coordinate political and economic policies. Following a meeting Tuesday in Riyadh, Gulf Arab leaders welcomed Jordan's request to join.

A statement on the Jordanian news agency said Jordan is seeking a free trade agreement with the GCC.

The six countries are seen as among the most influential of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries' members.

They have relied on their oil wealth to secure political and economic clout. Last month the GCC sent troops into Bahrain, which is facing a rebellion against its monarchy.

Why Microsoft Is Buying Skype for $8.5 Billion

 

 

Skype CEO Tony Bates

Updated at 12 midnight. Microsoft has bought Skype for $8.5 billion, in an all-cash deal. The deal closed a few hours ago. is close to finalizing a deal to buy Skype for between $7 billion to $8 billion. The Wall Street Journal confirmed  the news after we had first reported it yesterday. The announcement is likely to come out later today or tomorrow morning, according to several reports. Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, is said to be a big champion of the deal, the largest in the history of the company. Ballmer and Skype CEO Tony Bates will host a press conference in a few hours.

Skype has been up for sale for some time, thanks to some very antsy investors. My sources indicated both eBay and Silver Lake Partners have been getting nervous about the delayed initial public offering and have been pushing for a sale of Skype. Facebook and Google were said to be earlier dance partners for Skype, and Microsoft was a late entrant and is now close to walking away with the prize.

It won’t surprise me if Microsoft comes in for major heat on this decision to buy Skype — and the software company could always botch this purchase, as it often does when it buys a company. The Skype team is also full of hired guns who are likely to move on to the next opportunity rather than dealing with the famed Microsoft bureaucracy.

I also don’t believe Facebook and Google were serious buyers. Google, with its Google Voice offering, doesn’t really need Skype. In essence, I feel Microsoft was bidding against itself. Even then, I personally think this is a bet worth taking, especially for a company that has been left out in the cold for so long.

• Skype gives Microsoft a  boost in the enterprise collaboration market, thanks to Skype’s voice, video and sharing capabilities, especially when competing with Cisco and Google.
• It gives Microsoft a working relationship with carriers, many of them looking to partner with Skype as they start to transition to LTE-based networks.
• It would give them a must-have application/service that can help with the adoption of the future versions of Windows Mobile operating system.
• However, the biggest reason for Microsoft to buy Skype is Windows Phone 7 (Mobile OS) and Nokia. The software giant needs a competitive offering to Google Voice and Apple’s emerging communication platform, Facetime.

Guess Who’s the Big Winner

The biggest winner of this deal could actually be Facebook. The Palo Alto, Calif.-based social networking giant had little or no chance of buying Skype. Had it been public, it would have been a different story. With Microsoft, it gets the best of both worlds: It gets access to Skype assets (Microsoft is an investor in Facebook) and it gets to keep Skype away from Google.

Facebook needs Skype badly. Among other things, it needs to use Skype’s peer-to-peer network to offer video and voice services to the users of Facebook Chat. If the company had to use conventional methods and offer voice and video service to its 600 million plus customers, the cost and overhead of operating the infrastructure would be prohibitive.

Facebook can also help Skype get more customers for its SkypeOut service, and it can have folks use Facebook Credits to pay for Skype minutes. Skype and Facebook are working on a joint announcement, and you can expect it shortly.

Why Did Skype Want To Sell?

Skype had filed for an IPO, was going to do about a billion dollars in revenues, and was on its way to becoming profitable. So why sell? Silver Lake and eBay were both getting impatient and wanted to lock in their profits. Some sources also believe Skype’s revenues had stalled.

The company had bet heavily on is video sharing service. The premium version of video calling and sharing was a way for Skype to increase its average revenue per user and move into the enterprise market. However, given Skype’s DNA is that of a consumer Internet company, the challenges aren’t a surprise.

So Who Made What?

• Using the $8.5 billion price as the likely sale price, eBay gets $2.55 billion for its 30-percent stake in Skype. So in the end, eBay did make money on the Skype deal.

  

  The Skype Founders

• Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, the co-founders, with their 14-percent stake, take home about $1.19 billion. Damn, these guys know how to double-dip!
• Silver Lake, Andreessen Horowitz and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) own 56 percent of the company, and that stake is worth $4.76 billion.
• Andreessen Horowitz had three percent of the deal and made $205 million profit on their $50 million initial investment.