INTERNATIONAL: The trusted source for defence technology information since 1976Issue 4/2010 August/September The A-320 pocket amplifier offers full-rated power across the entire 30-512 MHz frequency range. 20 Watts A-320 KT Total Solutions Kit Weighing only 3.1 pounds, it includes amp, quick release mounting bracket, 90-512MHz multi-band antenna and associated cabling. 24 Ounces SEE US AT: Africa Aerospace & Defence: 21 - 25 Sep. 2010 AUSA: 25 - 27 Oct. 2010 If you can find a better amp, buy it! The A-320 stands out from other 20-watt amps by providing consistent performance and full-power across the entire 30-512 MHz spectrum. Can others say the same? The best little 20-watt amp just keeps getting better. The new clip-on A-320DPA Dual Port Adapter also functions as a Low Noise Amplifier for UHF SATCOM transmission. An adapter with radio charging pocket is also available for easy integration into vehicles and other platforms. Don’t overlook the value-added extras in two packaged solutions: The A-320KT Total Solution Kit, and the LPAS-320 Lightweight Portable Amplification System. Visit www.amti.net for complete information. The New A-320 Dual Port Adapter fits all existing A-320 amplifiers and provides LNA functionality. www.amti.net | 315-332-7100 INTERNATIONAL The trusted source for defence technology information since 1976 issue 4/2010 Paolo Valpolini Contents Command… Dynamically 8 In a military world that is increasingly oriented towards digitisation, command posts are evolving rapidly in terms of command, control, communication and computer systems. 12 What Will They Be Up To Next? Drone update Eric H. Biass 16 24 30 36 42 48 52 2 4 54 Nasty and Fired from Under Vehicles: weapons Paolo Valpolini 12 Corvettes Can Play Jaws Naval: corvettes Thomas Withington South Africa’s Defence Industry: Market report Turning the Corner? Helmoed Römer Heitman Combat Aircraft Fighting for… Sales! The Soldier as Nucleus Aircraft: combat 16 Roy Braybrook 24 Soldier systems Johnny Keggler Wheels and Deals at DSA 2010 Shows & exhibitions Conrad Schiller 36 Live Field Testing with Thales What’s Up? Paolo Valpolini Index to Manufacturers and Advertisers Business Digest by 42 Compendium Urban Warfare Compendium Supplement Paolo Valpolini, inputs from Eric H. Biass armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 Urban Warfare 6. 14. 6 Kontrol 4 Krauss-Maffei Wegmann 10. shayma. Ltd. LI-9490 Vaduz. 8 Western Shipyard 6 Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei 28 WZM 49 Zvezda 25 Volume 34. CH-8050 Zurich. Emigsville PA. www. 34 Thales Underwater Systems 28 Thoroughtec 34 ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems 51 Tikhomirov 40 Truvelo Armoury 34 Turbomeca Africa 30 Tusas 37 UAV Navigation 4 UEL 4 Ultracell 44. 6. 10. Yuri Laskin Phone: +7 495 912 13 46. 18. margiespub@rcn. 14. 6. 10. 36. 36. 25. 16 Carl Zeiss Optronics 30. de Grado Phone: +34 91 448 76 22. 18 Overberg Test Range 31 Pakistan Aeronautical Complex 40 Panasonic 42 Panhard 20. 36. 48. 28. 9 BAE Systems LS OMC 11. Odile Orbec Phone : +33 1 41 43 83 00. Fax: +41 44 308 50 55.net Asia Dr. Hagenholzstrasse 65. blackrockmedia@cox. Date of first certification 1992. 17. 8. 17. Phone: +41 44 308 50 50. 32. o. 26.orbec@pema-group. 4 General Dynamics Itronix 42. 54 EADS Defence Electronics 4 EADS Defense & Security 11 Ecomat 53 EDH 34 Elbit Systems 4. 47 Laser Devices 33 Lemo 55 Meggitt Training Systems 29 Meprolight 11 MTU 3 Navantia 29 Northrop Grumman 13 NovAtel 15 ODU-USA 41 Oto Melara 19 Patria 23 Rafael C4 Raytheon BBN Technologies 19 Recon Robotics 5 Remington 9 RUAG Land Systems 21 Rubb Buildings 17 Saab 21 Symetrics 41 Textron Marine & Land C3 Ultralife C2.ru Eastern USA – East of the Mississippi River Margie Brown Phone: (540) 341 7581. Today. 50. 18. 22. 10 Selex Communications 11 Selex Galileo 17. 51. Armada International. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Armada International. Nordic Countries Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg Phone : +46 31 799 9028. PA 17318-0437. 8 DCNS 25. 51 Daimler 34 Dassault Aviation 12. (postage) ABC Controlled circulation: 22. 49 Phazotron 38.Index to Advertisers AM General 33 Argon 41 ATK C4 Brunswick CGP 27 Ceradyne 7 Curtiss-Wright 21 Defence IQ 39 Defensys 2010 C3 Elbit Systems 7 FLIR Government Systems 5 General Dynamics Itronix 45 General Kinetics Engineering 7 IMDS 2011 35 ITT 15 Kollmorgen Electro-Optical 11 L-3 Communications 23. 44. 38. cornelius. 10 Thales Communications 16 Thales Defence Systems 30. 34. 31 BAE Systems NSS 24 Boeing 4. 18 Camero 1.ch France Promotion et Motivation. 53 Patria 4. 36. Thomas Withington Advertising Sales Offices Austria. 13 Oshkosh 6. 6. 13 Northrop Grumman 4. 54. Benelux. 6. 14 Saturn 40 Savi Technology 6 Schiebel 4. 49. C2 Index Sales of the F-22 Raptor. macarena@viaexclusivas. 10 Singapore Technologies Kinetics 22 SME Ordnance 50 Snecma 38 Spectrum Signal Processing 4 Stemme 12 Steyr-Daimler-Puch 10 Sukhoi 40. ISSN 0252-9793. 1. (postage) Overseas: USD 186. 53. 12. 50 Denel Saab Aerostructures 30 DEW 4 Diehl BGT Defence 38 Draganfly 3 DRS Technologies 42 Druck 18 EADS 10. have crested at less than one-third what was projected. 36. 4. Printed by Karl Schwegler AG. Bontje Phone: +41 55 216 17 81. 6. certified by ABC/WEMF. 53 L-3 Communications 2 L-3 Cyterra 12 L-3 Linkabit 54 L-3 RCCS 43. 34 Reutech Solutions 32 Rheinmetall 6. 16. 38. 32 Denel Land Systems 31. only the first occurence and subsequent photographs are listed below. 22. 14 Reutech 28. 38. 20. 51 Air Robot 3 Alenia Aeronautica 4 Amper Programas 9 Ansys 34 AP Labs 4 Argon 6.com Italy. 50. See article on page 36. 23. 28. 14 RAC-MiG 38. 49 Naza Defence 49 Nexter 8. 50 Supacat-Babcock 4 Sysdel 34 Tadiran Spectralink 43 TDA 49. 44 Land Mobility Technologies 34 Lemo 46 Liming 40 Lockheed Martin 4. egillberg@glocalnet. Where there are multiple references to a company in an article. AEI 17 Aerosud 34 Aerovironment 6. 50 Tellumat 34 Thales 6.ghandour@hotmail. 38 Datron 4. 52. 51 Boeing Phantom Works 40 Bollé 55 Boustead Naval Shipyard 51 Bumar 22. 26. 46.armadainternational. 4 Aurora Flight Sciences 3 Automotive and Industrial Design 31 BAE Systems 8.com United Kingdom Zena Coupé Phone: +44 1923 852537. 37.biz Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Laguk Co. 32. 46 Ultrafine 14 Ultralife 46. 10 MBDA 25. 2. 26. is published bi-monthly by Internationale Armada AG and is distributed in the USA by SPP. 13 Saint Gobain 4 Salyut 40 Sapura Thales Electronics 50 Sargent Fletcher 12 Sarnoff 10. 49 Denel 24. Switzerland Cornelius W. 31. 12 Saab Avitronics 34 Saab Barracuda 4 Saab Bofors Dynamics 25 Saab Electronic Defence Systems 4 Saab Systems 20 Saab Systems Grintek 32 Sabiem 31 Sagem 6. Issue No. 38 Greenerg 43 Hal 38 Harris 44. 20. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville. 20. 12 Inmarsat 4.com Arabic Countries Shayma Ghandour Phone: +971 50 125 3709. 44 Argon ST 6 Ariel 6 Artec 10. 6 BAE Systems Hägglunds 8. 32 Reutech Defence 32 Reutech Radar Systems 32. 17.armada. 13 Kongsberg 8. Paolo Valpolini. 4 Shenyang 40 Sierra Nevada 12 Sikorsky 51 Simrad Optronics 6 Singapore Technologies 4. 37. 4 Mechem 31 Mercedes-Benz 49 Metal Storm 20. 2 Electro Optic Systems 22 Elektrobit 20. 54. + 36. 50. 6. 44. 3. 40. 18 FNSS 48. 13 Raytheon BBN Technologies 6 Recon Optical 22 Remote Reality 8. valid from autumn 2009. 6. Switzerland. 17 Oto Melara 20. seen here crashing through the sound barrier. 40 ATK 28. ylarm-lml@mtu-net. 32. 49. 13 General Dynamics ATP 23 General Dynamics C4 Sys. Emigsville. 22 Embraer 51 EMT 2. 1. 36. Head Office: Armada International. 49 General Dynamics Information Sys. 55 General Dynamics Land Systems 31 General Electric 37. 22. FSC COC 100012 and EKAS certified. e-mail: mail@armada. Macarena Fdez.
[email protected]@armada. + 36. Aeulestrasse 5. 54 Novatel 18 Novator Design Bureau 25 ODF Optronics 10 Oerlikon Contraves Canada 17 Optsys 8.ch Publisher: Caroline Schwegler Editor-in-Chief: Eric H. 14. 37. 4 Eureka Aerospace 14 Eurocopter 31. Entries highlighted with blue numbers are found in the Urban Warfare Compendium Index to Manufacturers Companies mentioned in this issue. 12. 24. 51 Eurohawk 12.ch. 8 Kongsberg Maritime 4. 12. 20. 28. 11. 51 Eurofighter 38.com All other countries: contact the Head Office Annual subscription rates: Europe: CHF 186. 12 Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Eng. 20 Rheinmetall Defence Electronics 9 Rheinmetall Denel Munitions 30 Rippel Effect 34 RSD 34 Ruag 4. 3. 49 Otokar 17. 42.com Germany Sam Baird Phone : +44 1883 715 697. PA. 2 AgustaWestland 50. 6 IAI Elta 24 IBD Deisenroth 23 IHI 40 IMI 17 Indra 14. Copyright 2010 by Internationale Armada AG. 26. 22 Raytheon 4. 51 Rafael 16. 23 Codan 42 Controp 4 Cummins 52 Curtiss-Wright 4 Cybaero 14. 51. 20. Biass Editor/Artwork: Johnny Keggler Advertising & Production Manager: Thomas Schneider Administration: Marie-Louise Huber Regular Contributors: Roy Braybrook. 51. Rosalind Lui Phone: +65 64587885.com Western USA – West of the Mississippi River Diane Obright Phone: (858) 759 3557. 56 Hawker Beechcraft 4 Heckler & Koch 17. 22 General Dynamics ELS 9. Switzerland ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004. Liechtenstein. 49 CAE 4 Cambridge Consultants 13. 22 Iveco DV 17 Iveco-Oto Melara 11 Ivema 34 Kockums 4 Kollmorgen Electro-Optical 8. August/September 2010 INTERNATIONAL is published bi-monthly in Zurich. super technology and national demands play second and third violin to tight budget restraints. 8050 Zurich. 12 Utri 3. 12. 32. 51. 44 Eurotorp 28 Evpù 22 Ewation 34 Fincantieri 4 Fischer Connectors 46 Flir Systems 6 FN Herstal 16. 53. 50. 4.net Spain Vía Exclusivas. 24 Saab 4. 30. 26. 8 Hybricon 4 IAI 14. 11 Arvin Meritor 52 Associated Industries 42 ATE 31. 12 Honeywell 4. drrosalind@tsea. 26. 22. 20 United Defense 8 Urban Aeronautics 6. 6 Rheinmetall Canada 17. 22 Micro Power Electronics 44 Mitre 54 Mitsubishi 36 Moh-9 34 Mowag 9. 95 Aberdeen Road. 8 Iridium 6 Irkut 50 IST 4 ITT 54. 50 Deftech 48. 40 Pilatus 4 PMP 31 PNI 18 Qinetiq 4.. 24. 34 Caterpillar 53 Chengdu 40 CIS 22 Cobham 4 Cockerill 49 Coco Communications 18. c/o PO Box 437. 54 Eurojet 38 Euroradar 38 Eurotech 43. 30 Denel Dynamics 30. ISSN: 0252-9793 2 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . Switzerland.com www. 11. 50 Hirth 14.388. sam@whitehillmedia. 6. 44. 49 Fuchs Electronics 32 Fulcrum 34 Gatehouse 4 Geke Schutztechnik 23 General Atomics 4 General Dynamics 36. . supply the Finnish Defence Forces with a nationwide data fusion system. under a € 43 million contract. Under a € 22.Business Gatehouse and Inmarsat have signed a co-operative agreement towards developing the Bgan SDR Platform to the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) programme. from the flight deck.000 flight hours FMS sale of three KC-130J tankers From Whom Darpa US Navy AP Labs Hybricon Swedish FMV US Air Force Fincantieri Italian Air Force Kuwait US Army UK MoD US Navy International Finnish Air Force US Army US Navy Completed technical tests of Increment I of BCTM programme Supply a further 28 Wolfhound heavy tactical support vehicles Supply C4I and electronic warfare systems Launched Onesuit Pro gas-tight hazard suit Continue training and tech support of Vinka fleet MH-60R avionics maintenance trainer enters service Provide Giraffe AMB radar system Advance procurement for LHA-7 production STSS satellites detected/tracked ground-based interceptor To supply arresting gear and launch system for CVN-78 carrier Announced teaming agreement for protection technologies Sky Warrior enters initial production for ER/MP programme Begin low-rate initial production of Standard Missile-6 Latin American country Announced its Talon robots used under Talisman programme British Army Australian Defence Force US Navy US MDA US Navy DEW 4 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . The Enhanced Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (Emarss) outline includes four engineering and manufacturing development aircraft to be delivered within 18 months. The 2a variant introduces a new cab design with integrated mine blast protection.5 million order. As mentioned on page 12 of Armada’s Tactical Radio Compendium 2010. The HFMod project provides longrange fixed and mobile communications to the Australian Defence Forces. with another 13 to be delivered by 2011. Pilatus should deliver six aircraft by August of this year. even in very low light conditions. with another four on option to be delivered within one year of option execution. the Danish company had successfully demonstrated running its Bgan waveform on an SDR 4021 transceiver from Spectrum Signal Processing.5 million Not applicable Undisclosed Undisclosed $ 175 million Not applicable Undisclosed Not applicable Event Develop rifle-scope attachment to enhance markmanship Produce AN/ALQ-99 for EA-6B and E/A-18G Acquired 100% of company Acquire electronic packaging company Continue maintenance and support of Gripen Delivered first Space Based Space Surveillance system Deliver two full navigation suites for U212A submarines Reported C-27J Spartans reached 10. Under this second phase award. Big Deals in Short Company Lockheed Martin Cobham Kontrol Curtiss-Wright Saab Boeing Northrop Grumman Alenia Aeronautica Lockheed Martin Boeing IST Elbit Systems Raytheon Saint Gobain Patria General Atomics CAE Qinetiq Saab Northrop Grumman Raytheon General Atomics Ruag Amount $ 3. The Hoss system is designed to monitor flight deck operations. These aircraft expand the RAAF’s F/A-18F fleet to eleven.9 million $ 46 million Undisclosed $ 19 million SEK 230 million Not applicable Undisclosed Not applicable $ 245 million Not applicable Undisclosed $ 130 million $ 368 million Not applicable € 42 million $ 195. N Saab Barracuda has received a SEK 670 million award from an unspecified customer to provide its multi-spectral camouflage products over the next four years. EADS will implement a datafusion system until 2016. Supacat-Babcock has received a £ 4 5 million contract from the British Ministry of Defence covering another 140 Jackal 2a patrol vehicles to support the UK armed forces in Afghanistan. Kongsberg Maritime has delivered the first JHSV Helicopter Operations Surveillance System (Hoss) to General Dynamics Information Systems for EADS Defence Electronics will. Boeing has announced the completion of Australia’s Joint Project 2043 High Frequency Modernisation programme. integration into the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). The Super Hornets are fitted with Raytheon’s APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (Aesa) radar. Pilatus has handed over the first of six PC12 NG multi-purpose liaison aircraft to the Finnish Air Force. which includes a low-risk/low-cost. Boeing has reported the arrival of six new F/A-18F Super Hornets to the Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley on 6 July. orthrop Grumman has announced it will compete as prime contractor for the US Army’s Emarss programme. Of Special Note Saab received a SEK 100 million order from Kockums to design and integrate a new combat management system for the Swedish boat builder’s programme to design the country’s next-generation submarines. enhanced ISR design from the Hawker Beechcraft 350ER aircraft. designated the MultiSensor Tracking System. www. To share our extraordinary vision go directly to the source. . the leading innovator of EO/IR technology. crisp imagery.FLIR.com/GS © 2010 FLIR Systems.FLIR Systems. we meet unique SOF operational requirements for durability. From surveillance and recon to target acquisition and force protection. Inc. minimal weight and up to seven hours of battery life. ultra-long range capabilities. goes the distance for global special operations forces across the spectrum of missions with our ThermoSight™ advanced weapon sights. 5-inch floppy drive and USB. During the flight the aircraft opened and closed its left-side conformal weapons bay. measures and analyses electromagnetic signals to provide a situational awareness picture in open ocean and littoral environments. severe-duty Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (Hemtt) A4 vehicles. distilled. The concept is to provide realtime two-way communication without requiring the boats to ascend to periscope depth. Simrad Optronics produces electro-optical devices. The test launch from a Rafale fighter saw the missile hit a target 25-km distant. Deliveries under this order will continue through September 2011. The system is powered by two 2. which was not fired. The Vigile range monitors.4 million award from the US Customs and Border protection to provide its Star Safire HD stabilised multi-sensors to certain air assets patrolling the borders of the United States. for which six US Government agencies provided more than $ 120 million in funding.7 million contract will see work completed between 2010 and 2013. Deliveries are expected to be completed by end-2010. a legacy 3. Hardware and engineering design models are expected in early-2011. 150-hp engines. Analysis and Translation (Madcat) programme. Raytheon BBN Technologies was awarded an additional $ 6.Business Northrop Grumman has completed flight demonstrations of the MQ-8B Fire Scout vtol drone under extreme conditions in the United Arab Emi- Lockheed Martin completed the critical design review for the US Navy’s Communications at Speed and Depth programme. as well as more than 530 Palletized Load System trailers. Aerovironment has announced the first aircraft developed under the Global Observer Joint Capability Technology Demonstration programme has completed ground tests in preparation for flight testing.000 feet for up to four days. Thales has signed an agreement with the royal Navy of Oman to provide its Vigile 200 and 400 electronic support measures systems for Omani patrol boats and corvettes. relevant. The kits use Radio Frequency ID. Ethernet and RS232 port connectivity. four- er for the C-17 programme. Rheinmetall has completed the takeover of Norway’s Simrad Optronics after a public buyout bid to the shareholders. GPS and Iridium modems to communicate via satellite to the Department of Defense’s In-Transit Visibility network. Sagem has reported the successful maiden launch of the 250-kg AASM missile demonstrator with terminal laser guidance. Under the programme. Oshkosh Defense received two delivery orders totalling $ 600 million from the US Army for nearly 1900 new and recapitalised. The Intel Core 2 Duo machine includes a DVD/CD RW drive. Flir Systems has received a $ 5. with Patria as the prime and Saab. Boeing’s Silent Eagle F-15E1 demonstrator aircraft completed a successful first flight on 8 July. The ten-day test period validated the Fire Scout’s maturation toward upcoming US Navy operational evaluations onboard the USS Halyburton (FFG-40). Boeing has announced its intentions to acquire Argon ST for approximately $ 775 million. actionable information by automatically converting foreign language text images. Savi Technology has shipped 50 Portable Deployment Kit mobile tracking systems to the US Marine Corps Expeditionary Forces in Afghanistan. The new version combines GPS with inertial and laser guidance. along with the German Navy’s award to outfit four F125 class frigates. which contained an Aim-120 instrumented test vehicle missile.14 million in Darpa funding under the Multilingual Automated Document Classification.3-litre. The € 64. as subcontractors. The programme’s goal is to create a prototype system that provides accurate. Argon ST develops C4ISR and combat systems. et al. which allows the AASM to engage agile land or sea-based targets. which was illuminated by a DHY-307 ground illuminator. into English transcripts.5 million. Western Shipyard and Kongsberg Maritime. such as road signs and handwritten notes. Argon was selected by Boeing to provide its RWS15 rugged workstation/ laptop as a Support Equipment Comput- rates. this first aircraft will be loaded with communication relay and ISR payloads in preparation for developmental flight tests. cylinder. Rheinmetall has received an order from the United Arab Emirates to equip the country’s Abu Dhabi class vessels and Falaj 2 class stealth ships with the Multi Ammunition Softkill System (Mass) system. brings the total value to € 12. 6 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . Patria has signed an order with the Finnish Navy to upgrade the Rauma class fast attack vessels. The computing system will be used in support of flight line testing and other activities. which were built in the early 1990s. This contract. effectively giving Rheinmetall 100% control of Simrad’s stocks. has a 45. Boeing has unveiled its unmanned Phantom Eye drone demonstrator – a hale system that is designed to stay aloft at 65.72metre wingspan and is designed to cruise at 150 kt with a 200-plus-kg load. remote-control weapon stations and weapon system upgrades. and under this move will become a stand-alone subsidiary of Boeing and a new division of Boeing Network & Space Systems. Move up to a new standard of Customer Service and deal with the company at the forefront of military vehicle suspension technology: .Integrated Air Spring Dampers • Semi-Active Suspension • Bearings Compressible Fluid Struts • Band Track Tensioners Hydropneumatic Suspension • Coilover Dampers • Shock Absorbers Reliable high performance ride control solutions for any platform for over 25 years. and able to keep up with vehicles of similar class. which included a command post. and following the cancelling of the Future Combat Systems programme. based on the chassis of the MLRS rocket launcher. it allowed them to move to the battle while keeping their command capabilities. are still needed. but apparently none have ever been produced. and features an open electronic architecture allowing for easy integration of C2 systems. 15 of them were eventually deployed in Iraq in 2003. Although miniaturisation allows the ’squeezing‘ of an increasing number of C4I assets into smaller spaces – even allowing light vehicles to be used as C2 mobile elements – bigger wheeled or tracked vehicles dedicated to the command function. the A2 version with the Rise (Reliability Improvement for Selected Equipment) powerpack. weight and power to accommodate all current and foreseeable C4I options Paolo Valpolini I n the tracked vehicle category. many western countries still field the ‘good old M577’ – the characteristic raised roof of which has marked most of the Cold War era – because the end of the two-block confrontation sounded the death knell on many programmes aimed at upgrading heavy fleets. The new vehicle was to be used as a tactical command post at corps and division level and as a tactical operations centre at brigade and battalion level. command posts are evolving rapidly in terms of command. Battlefield digitisation is. communication and computer systems. Only four such BCVs were produced. but with raised rear compartment roof to increase internal space – the prime aim being to achieve logistic commonality with the Bradley family. with internal/external communications via a local area network. Four ATCCS (Army Tactical Command & Control System) workstations were installed in the rear compartment. they have infiltrated the ranks of many other configurations – command posts being no exception – even if all users of a given wheeled infantry fighting vehicle type have not (yet) ordered their command post counterpart. Some Abrams were also to be armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 The CV9035 Mk III command and control vehicle is the latest configuration. Another programme that stalled early in its life is the Bradley Battle Command Vehicle. A dedicated vehicle similar in architecture to the M577. control. Aimed at brigade and battalion commander level. which included three workstations and a Multi Processor Unit (MPU) hosting the Automated Battle Command Software (ABCS). modified into M1 BCV vehicles. but the US Army still relies mostly on the M1068A3 SICP. now part of BAE Systems. Although wheeled vehicle numbers were initially declining as infantry fighting assets. however. a version of the M577A2. itself a derivative of the M2 Bradley chassis.The Nexter VCP uses the same chassis as the combat version of the VBCI. although much more modern in terms of mobility and C4I suite. However the programme was stopped after 25 of the 400 forecast vehicles were produced. increasing the need for such vehicles. therefore no details are available. the BCPs would be obtained from recycled Bradleys bereft of their turrets. with gun and installations mocking those of the Bradley BCV. Good Ol’ Bradley As the need for a modern command post remains. This was based on an M2 Bradley. the rear compartment of which was equipped with an enhanced C3 suite. Line-of-sight communication was provided with Sincgars. The US Army is still developing mission requirements for its new command post. division command and intelligence and brigade with the Satom 103 radio and the soon-to-befielded Inmarsat satellite system. while further augmenting the type of equipment that is needed on board. but is armed with a 12. In the early 1990s the US Army was fielding numerous M1068 SICP (Standard Integrated Command Post) in the A2 variant. EPLRS and NTDR radios while satcoms were also available. the brigade level vehicle had four radio nets. these were kept in storage at United Defense’s facilities. BAE Systems is proposing its Bradley Command Post or BCP.7-mm Kongsberg Protector Vehicles: C4I Command… Dynamically! In a military world that is increasingly oriented towards digitisation. The years that followed showed the steep emergence of the wheeled vehicle. providing command posts with the same mobility as the Abrams and Bradley vehicles. especially support vehicles. (BAE Hägglunds) 8 . and then decided to acquire more modern command posts with the M4 C2V (Command and Control Vehicle). and these were successfully used in operation by the 4th Infantry Division during Iraqi Freedom. however the modular approach adopted by BAE Systems ensures enough space. scalable electronic architecture which can easily integrate most modern subsystems.62-mm MG3 machine gun (if one excepts the twelve 76-mm smoke grenade launchers). Seating for two command personnel is in the far back and located on the sides looking forward. As radios. but even the traverse motion is limited to ± Among the various versions of command posts based on the Piranha some are also equipped with radio relays. it has ad hoc connectivity to firewall-protected red Lan. having been deprived of all the components hosted inside the turret. Switzerland received a total of 56 vehicles. although it is clear that each nation installed its national C2I system. in two versions. The Pizarro CP also hosts two removable computers. The prototype features a Protector remote-control weapon turret for self-protection and what looks like a satcom-on-the-move antenna at the rear. Belgium is receiving its first CP versions as part of a contract for 138 vehicles with options for up to 24 CPs. 90° in order to increase the available space in the rear compartment. played down from 212 to 191 vehicles and which initially included five more command posts. Sweden also received 42 Fire Control Command Post versions. With accommodation for five mission specialists in the rear compartment and a crew of two up front. other suites were all GFE equipment. will bring 106 more IFVs into service to equip two more battalions. The latest version. the Mk II. the standard Piranha IIIC 8 x 8 version (also ordered among others by the Swiss Army) has a height of 2. while the Netherlands acquired 33 command vehicles. and the network can access all vehicle sensors. two of which in the upgraded C version with better protection. With five battalions thus equipped. one printer and a suite of HF/VHF radios that include three PR4G series VHF units and one HF high-power station. the equivalent of about three battalions. but no additional command posts. Sweden ordered a 10 x 10 CP version for its coastal artillery. which also included 123 infantry fighting vehicles. The Pizarro CP is very similar to the standard fighting vehicle as it retains the turret and the gun barrel. The C2 suite is centred on the Spanish Army Simacet (Sistema de Mando y Control del Ejército de Tierra). as well as other specialised variants. Piranha Amongst the wheeled vehicles pack is the ubiquitous Piranha family manufactured by Mowag. two main screens. the combat weight of the BCP would lay somewhere between 27 and 34 tonnes. while those in the middle of the vehicle look inwards. A second order. Spain an amphibious CP version for its marines. the latter is in fact a fake as it does not have any firing capacity. Switzerland and the Netherlands. The crew of three remains (driver. the turret is manually operated with an elevation arc of -10°/+30°. the 21 CPs would be sufficient to equip brigades and battalion level command posts.5 kW of rectified 24V DC electric power when the main engine is shut down. developed by Spanish Amper Programas and based on Rheinmetall DE battle management system. each is equipped with a desk and a computer. (Mowag) The Piranha command post version has a considerable extra volume in the rear due to the roof. features an open. while Switzerland decided to transform its 6 x 6 Piranha Is previously used as anti-tank vehicles into protected command posts. internal comms being provided by a digital interphone. Sweden received 56. the rear compartment has been raised considerably to increase the The layout of the CV90 CP. (BAE Hägglunds) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 9 . commander and gunner). namely Command & Control and Forward Observer. while an auxiliary generator is installed on the right side of the driver. Pizarro The Spanish Army acquired 21 Pizarro tracked vehicles in the command post configuration as part of its initial first order.94 metres. The lack of gun moving elements and firing chamber as well as the lack of the 30-mm ammunition puts the Pizarro CP combat weight at 28 tonnes compared to the fighting vehicle’s 30. essentially to day optics (although intensification systems can be adopted). as in the M577. in the form of a diesel power generator providing 3. However. while the rear compartment accommodates a command group of four. the vehicle normally hosts four elements in the rear but in the Swedish version these are increased to six. The Pizarro CP’s only weapon is thus the 7. however. Observation systems are also much reduced. (Mowag) CV90 BAE Hägglunds has developed the command post version of the CV90 much to the requirements of customers who favoured a vehicle similar in appearance to the standard IFV. which has been considerably raised compared to the standard version. A rear tent increases the available space. Not many details are available. now part of General Dynamics Land Systems Europe. The range includes numerous command post versions adopted by different countries.The rear compartment (right) hosts a four-man command team. not many details are available. (GDELS) aimed at supporting net-centric operations. The command version of the CV90 has been delivered to Sweden. The main difference between the two obviously lies in the seating arrangement. battlefield management systems and The other peculiar element is the auxiliary power unit.Vehicles: C4I The Pizarro command post variant adopted by the Spanish Army is very similar to the IFV version but the gun is inoperative. which is reduced from seven to four (six in the Swedish version). The air conditioning and auxiliary power units are visible on the vehicle roofs. another European General Dynamics company. suite is centred on the German battlefield management system known as FührungsInformationssystem Heer with software developed by EADS. 2.5 tonnes of cargo.Vehicles: C4I Four command staff are hosted in the Pandur command post version.18 metres proud although all-out height is 3. The crew is relatively limited with driver and vehicle commander plus only three in the rear compartment (the military commander and two staff members). Tipping the scales at 33 tonnes the Boxer is one of the most highly protected vehicles in its category.56-mm machine tion kit. this vehicle is particularly versatile as it ensures the C2 function. In order to allow command continuity. On the top left of the roof sits a 300-A/28V DC auxiliary power unit driven by a water-cooled diesel engine.37metre hull roof height included. Delivery of the first production vehicles to the German forces is expected to take place around October or November 2010. The delivery of the first Dutch CP Boxer is scheduled for 2011 for brigade and battalion levels. The C4I The Boxer command post version in travelling configuration. but the CP will not only be deployed with infantry regiments.7-mm machine gun. but in operation one looks rearwards and two are left to face the working table. Denmark has acquired two Piranha III command posts while Brazil is also known to have acquired some command post versions for its naval infantry unit. these vehicles will not be the only command vehicles in service with the Koninklijke Landmacht. the Stryker Command Vehicle is able to connect to its own deployment transport aircraft power and antenna systems and thereby allow its crew to continue planning in flight. as the Netherlands also ordered 19 C2/Cargo variants. which has its roots in the Mowag Piranha. which can be used with the vehicle itself. in the German Army these vehicles will be deployed from brigade to company level. namely the pilot and the commander/gunner seated in tandem on the left side. the latter having a manual weapon station that can accept anything from a 5. communication devices and software. Inside the rear compartment four staff personnel are seated side-by side. However. also has its command post version. Germany will receive 65 Führungsfahrzeuge – the vehicle maintaining exactly the same characteristics of the armoured personnel carrier version. The Boxer CP will be issued from brigade down to company level. (Artec) Pandur Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug.26 metres. This is complemented by two series of four grenade launchers each located on the aft sides of the roof. Amongst the 240 Pandur 8 x 8s acquired by the Portuguese Army 16 will be command posts (twelve of which have already been delivered at time of writing). a stretcher can also be carried during casevac missions. (Steyr SSF) internal volume to 15 metres3. Inside the vehicle is equipped with the Sir (Service d’Information Régimentaire) regimental- 10 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . will receive a total of 55 Boxer CPs equipped with a battle management system developed by Elbit Systems in Israel. The Stryker. but it can also be further rotated in order to face the back of the vehicle to brief lower level leaders. although only with a single working position and soldier. While the chassis is untouched. The hull stands 2. the one-man turret is replaced by a remote-controlled weapon station in the form of a Kongsberg Protector armed with a 12. while in the remaining space it can host either three more soldiers or up to 1. Far aft a tent is stored on the top of the roof. and both have ordered the CP version of that vehicle. Their seats can be tilted. it is armed with a Protector/Crows II (see the article devoted to this subject in this issue) and maintains the same chassis as its stable mates. (Artec) A drawing of the Pandur command post. has developed a CP version of its Pandur. looking to the right at desktop PCs. A 12. but also with cavalry regiments. the vehicle will be delivered with an adapta- The 40-inch screen used in the German command post version of the Boxer to show overall operational pictures and for planning briefings. two 19-inch TFT screens. which has been acquired by Portugal. gun up to a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. two double vehicular radio mounts and a 150-Watt HF amplifier. Supplied to US Army Stryker Brigade Combat Teams. which also supplies its Enhanced Tactical Computers. A 40 kVA auxiliary generator is installed behind the driver to supply power to the C4I suite when the vehicle’s engine is shut down. VBCI The French Army has ordered 110 VBCI 8 x 8 command posts. specifically those running the Leclerc tank. the score might appear high in regard to the number of VBCI thus far ordered in the fighting version. Derived from the Cargo version. The vehicle has a two-man crew. The Boxer CP has been equipped with a 40-inch screen. or can be interconnected in an ’I‘ or ’L‘ pattern (seen from above) if and when two or three vehicles form a higher echelon command post. (Steyr SSF) Boxer The German and Dutch armies have both acquired the 8 x 8 Boxer manufactured by Artec. for its part.7-mm machine gun is mounted behind the driver and is activated by the commander/gunner. which is normally tilted 30° to allow all occupants to see it. and as the number and type of radios will differ. due to the raised roof and other impediments its arc of fire in azimuth is limited to 170°. a joint Rheinmetall and KraussMaffei Wegmann effort. Last April the prototype was undergoing final trials. The Dutch Army. one tonne more than the fighting vehicle.9 metres and a width of 2. but in the aft right corner was a 2.7-mm RCWS mounted in the central position was the only self-defence weapon. Due to non-disclosure agreements with customers over the number and configuration of command post vehicles. Also up top. (Patria) tions equipped with PC terminals available in the rear compartment. The first prototype of a Centauro command post (left) featured a raised roof and a radio relay antenna. the last deliveries being forecast before mid-2013.1 metres in height and 8. Nexter started to deliver the VPC (Véhicule Poste de Commandement) in the second half of 2008 and in May 2010 thirty-seven such vehicles had joined the French Army. The combat command vehicle will be equipped with similar systems but will have only two working positions. (Artec) level command and control working station. but these fall into a different category and could be part of a fortha coming article. Within medium brigades and regiments (this definition applies to the units equipped with the Freccia) the command posts will be formed by two vehicles. linked to four worksta- Communications CNR 2000 HF radio. Exhibited in 2004 at Eurosatory. A system of servers will be installed. The vehicle featured a complete C4I suite as well as a radio relay with telescopic mast-mounted aerial. two extra batteries Due to financial constraints the command post of the Oto Melara Dardo armoured IFV remained only at prototype stage. the Italian Army decided to scrap the latter and to use the same chassis of the Freccia IFV. However. a Have Quick UHF radio with satcom capability and a wideband satcom system operating on the Sicral satellite Xband. Lighter Naturally lighter vehicles are also used as command post vehicles. no further details are available. These will be loaded with the Siccona 2A command and control system. Some vehicles – blown to 3. Finally a radio system compatible with that of the Soldato Futuro is also included. will host six operators in the rear and carry a Hitrole Light turret). but also a combat command vehicle based on the IFV Freccia configuration. it was based on the then VBC with a hull height of 2. one for the regiment and one for the battalion commander. i. AMV Patria of Finland developed a High Roof variant of its Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV). at Freccia contract time the Italian Army shifted to a different command post structure. without counting combat support units. over a length of 7. one Centauro In Italy the Iveco-Oto Melara consortium produced a command post version of the 8 x 8 armoured fighting vehicle derived from the Centauro. in addition to the two sets of four 80-mm grenade launchers mounted on both sides of the roof at the rear. Optional equipment such as an auxiliary power generator.Vehicles: C4I The radio rack of the command post Boxer. which is about 40 cm higher than the standard version.5-kW auxiliary power generator for engine-off operations.8 metres. a wideband UHF radio. which then became the VBM (medium armoured vehicle) and finally the Freccia in the Italian Esercito. Radio systems will also be similar but the vehicle will only be fitted for the satcom systems. The Netherlands has adopted the C2 version as well as a Cargo/C2 version. (Armada/PV) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 11 . workshop and command post applications in mind. a command element on the CP vehicle and a tactical command element on the combat command vehicle. albeit with some modifications (it will maintain the same two-metre roof-top height as the combat version. as part of the third batch of VBCI ordered. hydraulic telescopic mast and electromagnetic pulse protection are available.2 in length – are ready to be delivered to an undisclosed (an undefined) customer.7 metres. a Sincgars VHF radio. In perspective a satcom on-themove system will be installed. which will be installed when needed. The combat weight of this version is 27 tonnes. A Hitrole 12. which will include not only a specialised vehicle similar to the one described above. this system is installed by EADS Defense and Security following delivery of the vehicle by Nexter. while each infantry regiment will also have two command posts. (Armada/PV) The high-roof version of the Patria AMV has been selected by some undisclosed countries to be fitted as armoured command posts. allowing C4I equipment to work for two hours at -10°C. the vehicle itself being equipped with the Siccona command and navigation system and will be part of the digitised net created by the Freccia vehicles. Each brigade will have two command posts. which means that each brigade will need eight command post and eight combat command vehicles.e. It was developed with ambulance. such as the KMW Dingo 2 and BAE Systems RG35 and RG31. known in the past as VBC (combat armoured vehicle).1 metres and could host five operators in the rear compartment plus a crew of two. A suite of communication equipment will be available and will include a Selex for the commander and one for his deputy. to reach a height of 2. 000 feet and to offer an endurance of 30 Eric H. the Euro Hawk will be ferried to Manching in Germany. This took place at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale facilities in California on 29 June. and finally enter service in 2012. California. which validated its triplex flight control system. the company was. This initiative was sparked off by the award of a $ 33 million Darpa contract to Northrop Grumman on 1 July 2010 in a programme known as KQ-X. The Patroller is derived from a Stemme S15 aircraft. It was also the Patroller’s first flight in full drone mode. but with a back-up pilot onboard). operates at ceilings that are way beyond the reach of conventional tankers – or any other airliner for that matter – and therefore such refuelling operations would allow the drone to replenish its tanks safely well above the international air traffic space. While Northrop Grumman said the Nasa Dryden Flight Research Center. Whatever the latter may be.Drone update Northrop Grumman photomontage of a Global Hawk buddy-buddy refuelling operation What Will They Be Up To Next? It was bound to happen sooner or later. Sargent Fletcher (hardly surprising) and Sierra Nevada would be involved in the project. ferry flight that will take it to its main operating base in Schleswig. Northrop Grumman is to pioneer the full nine yards. Not yet the intended sigint mission aircraft it is intended to be. simply because the Global Hawk. (Northrop Grumman) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 12 . the test will involve two Global Hawks and a hose-anddrogue fuel transfer. and is to culminate in a fully autonomous fuel transfer operation. without pilot on board (earlier flights had been performed in ’drone mode‘.000 feet. Another recent event that involved a Global Hawk airframe core design was the maiden flight of the Euro Hawk. Designed to operate at a ceiling of 26. the weight penalty incurred by the refuelling system and timescales. the event will certainly go down in the books of aviation history. and now they are to buddy refuel in flight! Although simulated approaches involving tankers and demonstrators have been performed in a relatively recent past. But why between two Global Hawks rather than between a Global Hawk and a conventional tanker. where outfitting with the EADS-developed suite will be completed. The aircraft – a Block 20 – is understood to be in its basic configuration with a mock-up mission package. and the aircraft landed just short of two hours later at Edwards after reaching an altitude of 32. one may ask? Well. at time of going to press. however. and then they started to be armed. it will be outfitted with its ad hoc electronics suite by EADS in Germany. Intended as a sigint aircraft due to replace the ageing Dassault-Breguet Atlantiques still in service in Germany. Biass s described in our title photograph. Males Moving down in altitude capabilities. The aircraft in its final configuration is scheduled to take to the air on the occasion of the The first Block 20-based Euro Hawk developed by Eurohawk (a 50-50 Northrop Grumman-EADS company) had its maiden flight on 29 June over Palmdale. First drones established themselves as systems in their own right with military forces (although it took time). being a hale drone. the French Sagem Patroller passed some critical milestones on 24 June with a two-hour-26minute flight. unfortunately unable to answer A our questions regarding the exact type of aircraft to be modified. The RQ-4 provides the capability © 2010 northrop Grumman corporation necessary to gather information critical for responding to natural disasters or to keep coalition troops safe while they keep us safe.The height of ISR knowledge. flying at 60. surveillance. USAF GLobAL HAwk . EURo HAwk® . and reconnaissance system is the basis for the RQ-4 Global Hawk.000 feet for over 30 hours. Able to provide unprecedented real-time situational awareness for decision makers in operations around the world. NATo AGS .northropgrumman. while carrying advanced sensors. USN bAMS UAS . NASA GLobAL HAwk . www.com/globalhawk RQ-4 HALE ENTERPRISE The world’s preeminent high-altitude. it covers vast geographic areas. long-endurance unmanned airborne intelligence. the Pelícano will soon be powered by a 55-horsepower The 2. Specified by the Navy are a 100-km range and a four-hour endurance. the fully capable. the Spanish-developed autopilot is also used by IAI). if one includes the Pasi. electrically powered drone offering an endurance of 60 to 75 minutes. gency landing. (Sagem) system for ship operations». which features inter alia a proprietary IFF unit and navigation system (interestingly enough. Indra’s drone fight tests take place in… Afghanistan! The same tor developed by BAE Systems). softwarestabilised infrared camera. these can house 8-12 or 3-5 µm infrared sensors. carries a stabilised elecrooptical payload including an infrared camera. In military theatre operation. the autopilot. its large flaps are deployed and the aircraft is put in a deep-stall flight configuration to soft-land almost vertically. although this has recently been submitted to a major redesign. Future developments might include a Ka-band synthetic aperture radar. although Indra says that the development Indra official explained that the company is providing training and support to Spanish soldiers deployed in Kalinao. Very clearly based on the Swedish Cybaero design (also adopted by Saab for its Skeldar). for example. Indra Shows Mettle A company that is entering the drone scene in a big way is Indra. it would be operated by the Air Force on behalf of those that might need it. A prototype. and this was clearly visible at the recent Eurosatory exhibition in France in June.Drone update The Patroller landing at Istres in searing heat on 1 July. it is offered as a multiple-service drone operated by the French Air Force. On landing. electronic warfare sensors and light armament. Another new development at Indra is the Mantis (no relation whatsoever with the male drone demonstra- hours with full inboard wing and external wing tanks. This comes in three different sizes with field-detachable balls. the datalink. While the version equipped with its heavy fuel engine is due to take to the air this fall.10-metre-span Mantis is a hand-launched. but we integrate our own electronics [including] the IFF module. «we selected the Cybaero [airframe] because it is a proven platform. (Indra) Pelícano Data Sheet The currently envisaged specifications of the Pelícano are as follows: Length over tail rotor: 3. but can receive the larger Euroflir 410 instead. is currently being flown for test purposes. adding that the company also intended to develop its own lightweight synthetic aperture radar. a zoomed high-resolution colour television camera. features a deck-locking system and a redundant autopilot. It also carries a laser illuminator-ranger and a blue force a tracking facility. One of the underwing tanks can be substituted for a synthetic aperture radar pod. well so to speak. since the Spanish company introduced its fixed-wing Albhatros dieselised version of its current petrol-running Hirsh engine. A rather noticeable drone on Indra’s stand was the Pelícano helicopter. stabilised turret and we are developing our own automatic take-off and landing 14 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . Indra clearly wants to take a strong foothold on the drone market. the aircraft would use an onboard pilot and yet remain under the control of the ground station – with the pilot being there as a back-up due to the normal air traffic and possible emer- a while ago. Strangely enough. The development of the Pelícano is receiving support from the Spanish Government. the pilot’s station is replaced by a high-flow rate satellite aerial. A hand-launched fixed-wing drone. With two or four-axis stabilisation. it currently is being evaluated by the Infanteria de Marina (the Spanish marine corps) as a one-man system. which is a Spanish-configured IAI Searcher Mk 2. 5. As explained to the author by the Indra official in charge of drone business. finished product is due for completion in early 2012. This light. Should it be required to operate in the civilian airspace for forestry service or coastal surveillance missions. a laser designator and an eye-safe laser ranger. (Armada/EHB) and testing of the ground control station has been completed. Indra is in fact the only Spanish company to operate drones in Afghanistan. in which case endurance is reduced to 25 hours. In other words. As a result. which it calls the MMP. The aircraft is currently flown with a Sagem belly-mounted stabilised Euroflir 250 ball. It has a line-of-sight range of ten kilometres. An electronics company with a finger in many major system programme pies.30 metres Max TOW: 200 kg Max payload: 30 kg Max fuel: 52 litres Max speed: 185 km/h Endurance: 4 hrs Datalink range: 100 km Max take-off/landing wind speed: ten metres/sec The Pelícano runs on JP5 fuel.40 metres Fuselage width: 0.96 metres Rotor diameter: 3. since the programme is aimed at a Spanish Navy requirement to equip its six Bam vessels. which is not in its final configuration.2-kilo aircraft currently features an interchangeable sensor nose package and a laterally-looking. Indra has developed an interesting multi-sensor multi-role stabilised sensor turret. drone operations over Spain are banned and the nation has no flight test range for this purpose. You have something new to hide. Success has a secret ingredient. Size is everything. Our new OEMV-1DF™ is the world’s smallest dual-frequency RTK receiver. That’s pretty big news for engineers. Smaller means it uses less power. Smaller means it weighs less. Smaller means it can fit in a lot more places. Smaller means it’s easier to hide your advantage from competitors. And when your advantage is NovAtel, that’s a big deal. To find out more, visit novatel.com or call you-know-who. Integrate success into your . Vehicles: weapons FN Herstal’s range of turrets now includes this new medium «deFNder» Nasty and Fired from Under The sharp increase in the number of light armoured and Mrap-like vehicles now operating downrange has generated a need to equip them with light self-defence systems. Remotely operated systems equipped with electro-optical sensors, possibly with a high elevation firing capability, appear to be the preferred solution in terms of protection, as they can also be installed on heavier vehicles in a ’turret on turret‘ configuration. With such a potential market available, numerous companies are active in the remotely operated light turret business. the US Army, but modifications have upped its weight to 172 kg excluding weapon and ammunition. In late December 2009 Kongsberg signed a framework multi-year contract with the US Army, which increased the number of Crows II turrets from 6500 to 10,349. To broaden its applications to light vehicle needs, Kongsberg has developed a version that can be used only with lowrecoil weapons such as 7.62 and 5.56-mm machine guns. At 74 kg sans weapon and ammunition, the Protector Lite maintains a high degree of commonality with the M151. Its maximum elevation reaches 75° compared to 60° for the Protector and the Crows. Numerous improvements are in the pipeline at Kongsberg in terms of integration of missiles and rockets. Another future option will be a motion detection system that will increase the system’s capabilities in the recce role. Paolo Valpolini T he current market leader in this arena is definitely Kongsberg of Norway, whose Protector won the US Army Common Remotely Operated Weapons Stations II (Crows II) contract in August 2007 and has been selected by another 16 countries, leading to an overall order book of more than 15,000 systems and a production run of 400 units per month. The original M151 weapon station has a weight of 135 kg, excluding weapon and ammunition, and can be armed with 12.7-mm and 7.62-mm machine guns and 40-mm automatic grenade launchers. The number of weapons for which the turret is qualified is increasing as new customers add to the list. The standard layout includes smokegrenade launchers. It is fully stabilised and equipped with a colour daylight camera with a 45° field of view for surveillance and a x30 magnification for target identification and sighting. A thermal camera with dual field of view is installed for night vision. Super-elevation also allows a correct aiming when an AGL is in use. The requirements of the Crows II bid for the US Army led to a modified version of the M151 known as the Protector Crows or XM-153 in US Army parlance. This incorporates lateral ballistic protection for the optronics, while the ammunition box on the left side is larger than the standard item, as it can host 96 40-mm grenades and 400 12.7-mm, 1000 7.62-mm and 1600 5.56mm rounds. Installed on a plethora of vehicles, the American version is equipped with indigenous sensors and laser rangefinders. The thermal camera has a 3° and 11° field of view and a x2 E-zoom while the daylight colour camera has a zoom providing a continuous field of view from 1° to 45°. Its fire control system includes a four-axis independent targeting system with three-axis vector stabilisation as well as an auto-tracker and an auto-lead. The Crows version is of course qualified for the weapons in use by Israel Israeli companies are very active in the weapon station business. The Rafael A Crows II armed with a 40 mm grenade launcher pictured on an American vehicle in Afghanistan. The latest contracts brought the total number of such systems ordered to over 15,000 pieces. (Armada/PV) 16 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 Vehicles: weapons The Kongsberg XM153 Protector, armed with a 12.7mm machine gun, is probably the most widely used Western world turret of its kind. (Armada/PV) Mini-Samson is a stabilised system that can host the typical range of weapons, from 5.56-mm to 12.7-mm machine guns and 40-mm grenade launchers, which can be replaced in a plug-and-play mode and accept optional add-on such as anti-tank missiles, anti-structure munitions and smoke grenade launchers. At 140 to 160 kg above-deck weight without weapon and ammo, it features a CCD day camera, an uncooled thermal imager with dual fields of view and its fire control system provides an auto-tracking capacity. The ammunition load goes from 800 5.56 mm to 600 7.62 mm, 400 12.7 mm and 96 40 mm. The maximum elevation is 70°, which is higher than the 60° of the Samson Jr., which is designed for 7.62 and 5.56 mm weapons and features the same optronics as the Mini, but its weight over deck is reduced to between 60 and 75 kg without weapon and ammo. The Mini-Samson is in service in Israel and Spain, the former planning to install it on the Namer personnel carrier while the latter has it on its the RG-31 Mk 5E. Oerlikon Contraves Canada (now Rheinmetall Canada) has produced it as the Protected Weapon Station for its latest M113 derivatives, but numerous other customers have remained undisclosed. The Mini-Samson has also been manufactured in Britain by AEI under the name Enforcer, although production has been shifted to Selex Galileo. The Enforcer is installed on British Panthers and in limited numbers on Challenger IIs and Bulldogs used in Afghanistan (the last contract was signed in July 2009 for over 40 turrets to be mounted on Ridge- back vehicles). As for the Samson Jr, it is in use by Israel; other customers have not been disclosed. Elbit also provides two different turrets, the ORCWS 12.7 and the ORCWS the Romanian Army which uses it on part of its Piranha III fleet. At Eurosatory 2010 Elbit Systems unveiled a new turret, the DRWS (Dual Remote Weapon Station), which is a derivative of the RCWS-M adopted by the Austrian Army. It essentially differs in its weapons; the primary being either a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher or a 12.7-mm machine gun, while the secondary is a 7.62-mm machine gun. This allows the operator to use weapons that best suit a given situation, for example; 40-mm non-lethal grenades, but maintaining a lethal capacity in case things worsen. The other feature of the DRWS is its ability to operate in surveillance mode in which the weapons are pointed at their maximum elevation while the sensor group continues to scan the vehicle’s surroundings. The DRWS maintains a high commonality with the other Elbit Systems turrets, including a +60° maximum elevation. The Samson Jr, developed by Rafael, is another option for light vehicles which look for light machine gun self-defence systems. (Rafael) 7.62. The former is designed to be armed with weapons ranging from 5.56-mm machine guns to 40-mm grenade launchers. Its sensor suite includes a thermal vision system, a day camera, a searchlight and a laser rangefinder, while its fire control system features dual-axis stabilisation providing fire-on-the-move capability against static and moving targets, thanks to auto-tracking. The ORCWS 12.7 weighs less than 150 kg and offers a maximum elevation of +60°. It was ordered by the Austrian Army for installation on its 150 Iveco LMVs, as well as by Elbit Systems’ ORCWS 12.7 has been ordered by Austria, which will install it on its Iveco LMVs. It can also be armed with a 40-mm AGL. (Elbit Systems) The smaller and lighter RCWS 7.62 mm is also fully stabilised and is dedicated to lighter vehicles, this due to its combat weight of less than 150 kg including the standard load of 690 7.62-mm rounds (although this can be increased to 1150). Customers include Slovenia (Otokar Cobra 4 x 4) and Bulgaria (Oshkosh Sandcat 4 x 4). Israel Military Industries produces a range of weapon stations called Wave. The Wave 100 Advanced Stabilized Remotely operated Weapon Station (ASRWS) is a fully stabilised system equipped with a daylight camera with continuous zoom and a thermal camera for night aiming and surveillance; the latter mode also includes a video motion detection, while firing is assisted by image stabilisation and autotracking. The Wave 100 can accept a 7.62 or a 12.7-mm machine gun, and has a weight without weapon and ammo of 160 kg, with an elevation arc of -20° to +60°. Ammunition can be hosted in a standard single case or their number can be increased by adopting a double case. The Wave 200 maintains commonalities with the Wave 100, but adds the option for the H&K automatic grenade launcher and a laser rangefinder for improved accuracy. It can also be equipped with a gunshot armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 17 In case of need the weapon can be dismounted in 15 seconds to be used by dismounted soldiers. Over 600 have been adopted by French and Belgian armies.7-mm calibres as well as 40-mm FN Herstal’s LRWS (left) is designed to be armed with the two light machine guns of that company. with standard Nato target detection.Vehicles: weapons Elbit’s ORCWS 7. (Rheinmetall) 18 .62-mm weapon.7-mm M2S and M3S. grenade launchers.62 is used by the Slovenian Army on its Otokar Cobra 4 x 4 armoured patrol vehicles.62-mm guise. the Amarok. The optronic suite performances are adapted to weapon range while maximum elevation is the same as with the larger model. Launched in 2008. Maximum elevation is 55° and the weapon is protected by a cover to increase reliability. (Elbit Systems) detection system.62-mm machine guns. Cooled thermal camera.7 mounted on the Dingo 2 and 158 stabilised Arrows that are being mounted on the Piranha IIIC. As for France. The Amarok is a light turret that can be armed with a 5. and the Mag in the latter calibre.62mm Mag 58S and 12. etc. At Eurosatory 2010 Rheinmetall Canada launched two other members of this family. it can be armed with 5. smoke grenade launchers. which is aimed at those countries using Eastern European weapons. 7. the maximum ’payload‘ being 230 kg. which maintain strong commonalities with the Nanuk.7-mm machine gun. Designed to accept FN’s 7. Longer-range optics and a rangefinder can be adopted as well as super-elevation. the Nanuk is fully digital and stabilised in a universal cradle that allows it to integrate 5. the Enforcer II reaches 60° powered. The Arrows is in production for the Belgian and French armies. Its elevation arc of -40° to +70° (depending on the weapon) is clearly aimed at urban scenarios.7-mm rounds. Its sensors include a CCD camera for daylight operations and an The Canadian arm of Rheinmetall has three more products in this range. its overall weight ranges between 245 and 285 kg. the Qimek and the Nanuk. but can host also a 12. Rheinmetall Canada considers 2010 a The Amarok is the lighter RCWS proposed by Rheinmetall Canada. armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 but has been re-engineered to reduce its weight down to 200 kg in combat configuration. laser rangefinder. The light weapon station has been joined by a new medium-weight system that can integrate machine guns up to M3 12. thermal imagers and laser rangefinders. The Arrows M2S can host up to the 12.62 or an NSVT 12.56 and 7. the weight of the overdeck element ranges between 80 and 90 kg and offers a unique elevation arc of -60° to +80°. (FN Herstal) uncooled thermal camera for the night. 322 with the Mag 7. The heavier product. Its weight is 150 kg and it sits slightly taller than the 100 (627 mm versus 600 mm). the magazines accepting up to 500 7. Next comes the Wave 300. FN Herstal has recently renamed its family of turrets “deFNder” (bar Arrows). The Amarok aims at the light armoured vehicle market.7-mm weapon.56 and 7.62 and M2 12. and has a combat weight of 105 kg. As for the last addition. It can accept almost any type of optical module. with a light increase in height and weight (from 139 to 156 kg). ballistic protection and warning sensors. Another important feature is maximum elevation: while the previous model was set at 45° powered and 60° manual.62-mm and 200 12. the Minimi in 5.7-mm machine guns as well as a 40-mm grenade launcher. Among the new features is its connectivity to Battle Management Systems to allow a slew-to-cue capability and an increased ammunition capacity. IMI is finishing the development of its Wave 400. stabilisation. If all conditional batches are ordered Belgium will get 480 such turrets. it maintains most of the features and is only 580 mm high.56 or a 7. The maximum elevation is 60°. of which some 500 are in service with the British Army. 150 Arrows M2s are expected to be delivered for the command post version of the VBCI. of which 110 have been ordered so far. It is open to upgrades adding stabilisation. a lightweight and simple system that can typically be armed with the Mag M240 7. an infrared dual field of view camera and a laser rangefinder. recognition and identification ranges of 8500.62mm and 12. 3400 and 1750 metres respectively.56-mm. FN Herstal’s range includes two models. The Qimek is very similar to the Nanuk in terms of performance. The company obtained a contract for 34 systems from the Canadian Armed Forces for installation on the LAV III (about 18 Nanuks are currently in service in Afghanistan). The optronic suite is modular and tailored to customers needs and can include low-level TV cameras. with respectively 300 and 220 rounds.56-mm and the Mag in 7. the standard suite being made of a colour CCD camera. ballistic protection. Fully loaded.7 mm calibres.62-mm machine gun.62-mm calibre. autoscan and autotracking are available options. Above deck weight is 120 kg without weapon and ammo. The lighter one is known as the LRWS (Light Remotely-operated Weapon Station) which accepts the company’s Minimi machine gun in 5. developed in the early 2000s with Oerlikon Contraves Canada (now Rheinmetall Canada) is the Arrows. target tracking. the Amarok and the Qimek. Europe Selex Galileo is currently proposing a new version of the Enforcer known as Enforcer II and its improvements can be fitted as an upgrade to the previous model. as it can be armed with a PKT 7. while the combat weight is 300 kg. . which will be installed on Italian Army LMV Lince vehicles. 20 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . The sensor suite includes a CCD camera with a continuous 42° to 2. 140 and 145 kg respectively with weapon and ammo. increases with heavier weapons. Both of them have a maximum elevation of 70°.7-mm three-barrel Gatling gun which has a rate-of-fire of 1200 to 2000 rds/min. the FLW 100 and the FLW 200.Vehicles: weapons Leveraging experience garnered with the Arrows.62 mm is 120 rounds while the 40-mm launcher has 32 ready-to-fire rounds. At only 60 kg with weapon and 200 rounds. its elevation arc swings from -40° to +80°.7-mm and 300 7. a naval version has also been developed.6°) and an uncooled thermal imager with a 7. At the IAV Conference held in early February in London the company gave some feedback from the three-year commitment of Danish troops in Afghanistan.5° and 7. The optronic suite installed on the right side is modular and can be adapted to customer needs. Standard elevation is -20° to +55°. (Metal Storm) turret stands 660 mm over deck) to increase the elevation range in case a customer wants to improve the Trackfire’s capacity in urban situations. which can be armed with 5. Ammunition load for the 7. The 12. Being a modular system.3° field of view zoom.56-mm as option) while the latter is designed for a 40-mm grenade launcher. while a second screen will be provided to the vehicle commander to double-check positive identification. The system can be armed with small. 100 12. The Lemur can be integrated with all manner of battlefield management systems and BAE Systems is developing a counter-roadside bomb version adding a standoff explosive detector. With the smaller calibre and 900 rounds the overdeck weight is about 140 kg. Currently the Trackfire is being offered to many countries worldwide and is taking part in numerous bids. The Danish Army intends to install a sensor with a range of over 2. a new CCD camera with a x15 zoom and a target designator to improve identification capacity.7-mm machine gun or a 40-mm grenade launcher. Electrically primed. which. weight increasing from less than 100 to 100.7 mm. (KraussMaffei Wegmann) Gau-19/A 12. each barrel can contain several grenades. the former being a light turret for a 7. The Lemur allows the installation of a coaxial weapon.5 km. Designed as surveillance item. being fitted with a daylight CCD camera with two fields of view (2. Main topics were the reduced use of ammunition compared to heavy machine gun soft mounts (down to one third) and long-range accuracy. although it can also host machine guns up to 12. In Sweden Saab Systems developed the Trackfire. the Bundeswehr has ordered 260 such systems.56 mm machine guns to 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. medium and heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. the sides of the U-structure supporting the weapon can be replaced with taller ones (standard The BAE Systems Lemur SW is designed to be armed with a 12. In late October 2009 Oto Melara bagged an order for 81 Hitrole Lights. in the form of a 7.62-mm rounds. the Wasp naturally uses Sagem’s optronics expertise. which can accept weapons from 5. Maximum elevation with the two smaller calibres reaches +80°.56-mm to 40-mm grenades. To further increase firepower the Lemur can be armed with a The Redback uses Metal Storm’s stacked grenade principle. 250 7. which accepts the typical range of weapon calibres from 5.56-mm. with a confirmed hit at 1879 metres. of course. In France Panhard and Sagem Sécurité Défense have jointly developed the Wasp. (Rheinmetall) key year with the launch of these two new products. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann of Germany has developed two turrets. At 210 kg with 12.7-mm and 32 40-mm. The Hitrole is a heavier unit in which the weapon is protected from weather and dust and is reloadable from under armour. enabling the crew to select the right effector according to the situation. it can be equipped with a video tracker module for increased accuracy.62-mm machine gun.62-mm MG (with a 5. Fully stabilised. The FLW 200 can be armed with a 40-mm AGL. which allows a high rate of fire and the use of different types of ammunition. while their respective weights without weapon and ammunition are 80 and 170 kg. An order from the French DGA is expected soon. The ammunition load would be respectively 64 40-mm grenades and 300 7.7 mm and full ammo load.62-mm rounds or 300 12. as well as with grenade launchers and a coaxial mounting.7-mm ammunition load is more than 300 rounds while in the 40-mm grenade launcher configuration it carries some 48 ready-tofire grenades.62-mm. a thermal camera with narrow and wide angles and a laser rangefinder with a 7500-metre range. Rheinmetall Canada launched the Nanuk in 2008.62-mm machine guns and is aimed at light armoured vehicles. Currently KMW has an order from the Bundeswehr for 308 FLW 100s and 260 FLW 200s. but is limited to +60° with the larger ones.56 and 7.8° field of view although a thermal imager with a 50° field of view is also offered. the number of readyto-fire rounds being 200 5. It can also be integrated with acoustic sensors and with battle management systems. the Trackfire RWS provides increased situation awareness coupled with unparalleled tracking and on-the-move hit performance.FROM INTELLIGENCE TO ACTION Saab’S SolutionS enable excellence in every area of military operationS.com . www. the AT4. Once dismounted. combining reliability with precision and power. When the operation is underway.saabgroup. Carl-Gustaf and NLAW represent the best in man-portable weapon systems. SCOPE SITUATION ADVANTAGE intelliGence to action GrounD combat combat excellence Our Battlefield Management System (BMS) provides all the intelligence your soldiers need when entering a combat situation. Saab – empowering ground forces from intelligence to action. With a maximum elevation of +70°. while the first version allowed to install a 12. with the exception of the thermal imager.8° field of view and a laser rangefinder. Maximum ammo stowage is respectively 330 and 200 rounds while the elevation is only +45°. a single lens thermal imager and no rangefinder. flanked by a 5. Maximum ammunition stowage is 2000 rounds for 5. Some 500 R-400 Crows were delivered to US forces until 2007. the overall weight of the complete module being 200 kg with weapons and ammo. the main one either a 12. which is armed with a multiple-barrel grenade launcher using the 40-mm stacked munitions system developed by Metal Storm. For urban combat situations Electro Optic Systems developed a new low-cost light system. a Matador/Panzerfaust 90 can also be mounted. the same aiming camera as the -07 variant. 22 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 .7 mm and 96 for 40-mm grenades.4° to 1. which was acquired in December 2009 by the Australian group. Offering an elevation of 50°. Maximum elevation is also +70° with a weight of 200 kg without weapon. It was unveiled at Eurosatory in 2008.7-mm heavy machine guns. here armed with a 7. The firm recently sold four systems to an undisclosed country for training and testing. developed with Recon Optical in the United States.62-mm machine gun. it features a laser Oto Melara developed a light version of its Hitrole turret. Its optronic system is similar to that of the R400.000 systems. Electro Optic Systems also teamed with Metal Storm of Australia and Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) to develop the Redback. Its particularly high flexibility stems from the availability of 14 adapters for common automatic weapons as well as ad hoc interfaces for 16 different vehicles.62-mm coaxial machine gun (plus smoke grenade launchers as option). In 2008 the Slovak company Evpù unveiled its ZRSD 07 remotely controlled turret. Fully stabilised. Equipped with a dual field of view daylight CCD camera and a single lens night image intensification camera with a x2 digital zoom (a thermal imager is available as option). Evpù also developed a 12. now marketed as the R-200. which came in September 2009. its weighs less than 300 kg with weapons and ammo (sixty 40-mm grenades and 250 7. but awaits substantial orders for 2011. which has a dual field of view and no continuous zoom.62-mm MG 42/59 machine gun.56 and 7. it is equipped with a daylight colour CCD camera with a x30 zoom. (Armada/PV) The latest configuration of the Oto Melara Hitrole Light armed with a 12. the Komuz might be adopted on reconnaissance and patrol vehicles. its latest version is designed for a PKT 7. a night surveillance camera with a 7. The most recent addition is the 220-kg R600. Singapore Singapore Technologies also proposes the 40/7.7-mm machine gun. EOS intends to be back on the American market teamed with Northrop Grumman in view of the Crows 3 bid. it accepts 5. which should be announced later in 2010 as the Army is planning to equip all tactical vehicles with a remotely operated turret in an operation that may involve over 10. The weight above roof without weapon and ammo is limited to 52 kg.56 or a 7. a thermal imager with a x10 continuous zoom and a laser rangefinder.62-mm weapons and its optronics feature the same systems. ammo a and ballistic protection. but offers the possibility of installing two weapons mounted side-by-side.7° x 2. 500 for 12.7-mm rounds.62-mm rounds). UKM-2000C or PKT 7. The Komuz can also be equipped with six smoke-grenade launchers. offering an elevation of +85°.7-mm machine gun or a 40-mm grenade launcher.56-mm weapons. It also comes with an uncooled thermal imager with an 8° x 16° field of view and x2 digital zoom.Vehicles: weapons Panhard and Sagem have developed the Wasp – a light turret dedicated to vehicles such as the Panhard PVP and VBL. 81 such turrets will be installed on Italian Army Lince 4 x 4 LMVs.72 RWS armed with both a CIS 40-mm capable to fire air burst munitions and a 7.3°). Sighting devices are the choice of the customer. It features two daylight cameras – one for surveillance with a 48° Australia Electro Optic Systems of Australia was the initial provider of the US Army for the Crows contract with its R-400. Cradles for higher-calibre weapons are available.8° x 5. The main advantage is that this system can provide a very high rate-of-fire – up to 3000 rds/min – but at a weight cost of only 70 kg including weapon and ammo. with day/night CCD camera and laser rangefinder being the normal suite. With a weight of 160 kg above deck without weapon and ammo. Eastern Europe Bumar of Poland has developed the Komuz module which can be armed with WKM-B or NSW 12. Sensors are protected by a ballistic cover and an external laser rangefinder can be added. The maximum elevation is 60° and Stanag Level 2 protection is available for optronics and ammo.8° field of view.7-mm model known as the ZSRD 08. The R-400 is fully stabilised and is capable to operate typical machine guns and grenade launchers. Also fully stabilised.7mm machine gun. its weight above roof is 75 kg. typically 150 12.4° x 43. A light version known as Crows Lightning was later developed. (Panhard) rangefinder with a 4000-metre range and offers a maximum elevation of 45°. with a 3. 1200 for 7. unstabilised.62 mm. equipped with a dual field of view daylight CCD camera. the R-150. the other for aiming. This carries a surveillance camera with a continuously variable field of view (from 56.7° x 1. (Oto Melara) x 36° maximum field of view from an x18 optical zoom plus x12 digital zoom.62mm machine guns or with the GA-40 automatic grenade launcher.62-mm machine gun. the combat weight of the system is 150 kg with six smoke-grenade launchers installed on the sides of the optronic group. Fuzing & Ordnance Systems L-3com. Finland.com . To see how Fuzing & Ordnance Systems leads the way in the development of ordnance systems and the production of reliable fuzing and safety & arming devices.fi Patria delivers Protection and Performance. air-dropped. and our international military allies. Fax +358 20 469 2022. infantry-employed and missile-driven ordnance products. Patria offers Partnerships and Potential.patria. visit L-3com.com/FOS or e-mail FOS. info@patria. Kaivokatu 10 A. Patria Oyj.+358 20 4691.S. We are ordnance systems integrators and fuzing experts for tube-launched.com.www.
[email protected] RELIABLE ORDNANCE LEADS TO VICTORY Artillery/Tank Fuzing Mortar Fuzing Bomb Fuzing Ordnance Systems The Fuzing & Ordnance Systems team confronts today’s formidable technological challenges by devoting our resources. FI-00100 Helsinki. experience and expertise to fuzing and ordnance for the U. including guns. the Barak takes its fire control data from a ship’s target acquisition radar and uses command to line of sight radar data for guidance. Other versions include the so-called ‘Has’ (Helicopter. which resulted from a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Germany to develop a version of the Rim-116 that could intercept such targets by adding a software modification to the Block 1 missile.Naval: corvettes Corvettes Can Play Jaws Raytheon’s Evolved Sea Sparrow is an air-defence weapon onboard the United Arab Emirates Baynunah class corvettes Until recently the corvette was perceived as little more than a pint-sized frigate. missiles and torpedoes which can be brought to bear against other naval ships. Modern communication and sensor systems equip these exceedingly versatile ships along with. For guidance. these ships are still big enough to accommodate a missile system for antiship or anti-aircraft defence. Thomas Withington T he corvette’s greatest asset is that. The Umkhonto-IR is joined by Raytheon's Rim-116 Rolling Airframe Missile. The corvette is changing and so are its roles. frigate and cruiser cousins. or the Finnish Navy. a formidable array of weaponry. as well as the Sea Ram that combines the radar from the Raytheon Phalanx Block 1B close-in weapon system (see below) with the eleven-cell Rim-116 missile launcher to engage targets autonomously as it is not dependent on any external radar or electro-optical data. as this article shows. Destruction of the target is then achieved with a 22-kg proximity-fuzed blast fragmentation warhead. This was followed by the Barak-2 (also known as the Barak-8). enabling it to perform infrared guidance all the way to its target. while a datalink provides course and terminal guidance corrections. Today the situation is different. Denel's Umkhonto-IR surface-to-air missile uses infrared guidance to reach targets at a range of up to twelve kilometres. aircraft. it is available in its most recent incarnation as part of the Sea Ram autonomous ship self-defence system. which has resulted from a joint Indo-Israeli development initiative to devise a weapon with a range of up to 70 km. (US Navy) 24 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . A datalink can transmit radar information to the missile and when the weapon is around one kilometre away from its target. which uses the Sidewinder missile’s warhead. the Barak-2 has a fully active radar seeker and is launched in a vertical fashion. Aircraft and Surface targets) version. providing a useful point-defence capability. shore targets and pirate and drug smuggler craft. the infrared seeker of a Raytheon Fim-92A Stinger and the motor from the Mim-72A/M48 Chaparral surface-to-air missile. In terms of the latter. the infrared seeker can take over to perform terminal guidance. The firm has leveraged its highly successful Aim-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile into the Rim-116. which deploys the missile on its Hamina class missile boats. a platform smaller and bearing fewer weapons than its larger destroyer. rather than only for the terminal phase. Also designed for ship-based air defence is the Israel Aerospace Industries-Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Barak surface-to-air missile. it can be found on the Deutsche Marine (German Navy) K130 Braunschweig class ships. Several Rim-116 versions have been produced. which are each equipped with a pair of two-cell missile launchers. although the missile can also hit targets at 500 metres from the ship. Raytheon’s Rim-116 Rolling Airframe Missile uses components from a number of different missile systems. The Block 1 version enhanced the missile further. One of the Umkhonto’s corvette customers is the Merivoimat. which allows the weapon to intercept targets with a low radar cross section. although a version of the missile which extends this to 23 km is planned (see picture in the South African defence industry report in this issue). In terms of the corvettes that the Rim-116 outfits. Even though the current Umkhonto is an infrared-guided weapon. using this weapon’s warhead. it can be used in inferior weather conditions if the launching vessel is equipped with a modern three-dimensional naval radar. including the Block 0. In production since the 1980s. including the Barak-1. With a range of twelve km. which was conceived as a complement for existing ship defence systems such as the Phalanx. despite its small size and all of the benefits that this brings in terms of stealth. The two companies produced this weapon in three configurations. Furthermore. which equips the same country’s Project 28 vessels. armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 25 . Rather than purchasing new Block 3 missiles. the latest version of the weapon. The Mistral can be used with several launcher types. (Saab) Along with the Rim-116 discussed above. the Saccade nevertheless has a reported range of up to 200 km and zooms across the water at a height of just seven metres at supersonic velocities. the Tetral launcher has been selected for the Indonesian Navy’s Sigma class corvettes. As regards missiles designed to provide a shorter-range self-defence capability. and also Poland's Orkan class ships. Barrels Missiles can provide excellent striking power and self-defence capabilities at range. MBDA's infrared-guided Mistral 2 has been developed as a 'fire and forget' weapon able to intercept targets at a range of up to three kilometres with a blast fragmentation warhead triggered by a laser fuze. MBDA’s Otomat Mk 2 anti-ship missile system allows over-the-horizon strikes at range in excess of 150 km (81 nautical miles). which will also be offered with a customer option of the MM40 Exocet.Naval: corvettes Saab’s RBS15 missile is a versatile weapon that can be used for attacking other ships or land-based targets. and the Novator Design Bureau’s 3M-54 MBDA’s Mistral 2 local area airdefence weapon can be housed in a number of launchers including the Tetral system seen here. such as the Mica anti-aircraft missile system. A corvette armed with the MM40 Exocet incarnation can hit targets at ranges of up to 180 km. to perform a wide range of naval missions including air defence and land attack. the Block 3's airframe retains a reduced radar cross-section along with a low infrared signature. Introduced into service in the late 1970s. giving them a fearsome destructive capability. The RBS15 Mk 3. (MBDA) used on the Gowind class corvettes designed by DCNS. MBDA does produce weaponry that can reach out to higher altitudes. To this end. including the Sigma 25/30mm combined gun and three-missile launch tubes. The teaming of the Rim-116 and the RBS15 enables these ships. Along with this Chinese weapon. four and two Mistral tubes respectively. which should help to improve the missile's chances of survival in the face of modern ship self-defence systems. The Otomat Mk 2 complements the ship’s MBDA Albatros air-defence system. Although it is more usually associated with larger vessels. This has been selected to equip the Sigma class corvette operated by the Indonesian Navy. which is used on the Indian Navy’s Kora class corvettes. but corvettes also have to concern themselves with defending the locale around the ship while also possessing a modus operandi for shore bombardment. offering serious over-the-horizon striking power and a major range improvement on the 70 km Block 2 Exocet. navies have the option of purchasing the Block 3 improvements as an upgrade kit that can be rolled out across legacy Block 2 missiles. along with the Tetral. MBDA's MM38/40 Exocet anti-ship missile series can outfit corvette-sized combatants. In addition to equipping the German vessels. Sadral and Simbad launchers which house six. These two attributes are coupled with enhanced manoeuvrability. The weapon's resistance to electronic countermeasures has also been improved with the addition of a J-band radar seeker. A rival Chinese design available for customers unable to afford or obtain the Exocet is in the shape of the Yingji-82 (Nato reporting name CSS-N-8 ‘Saccade’). The missile is deployed on the Braunschweig corvettes of Germany and Sweden’s Visby class vessels. RBS15 or Boeing RGM84 anti-ship missile. One clever attribute of the RBS15 is that several missiles can be programmed to arrive at a target simultaneously from different directions to overwhelm its defences. Germany’s Braunschweig ships are outfitted with the Saab Bofors Dynamics RBS15 anti-ship missile. which also possesses a residual land-attack capability. which includes the inertial navigation system/global positioning system suite taken from the company’s highly successful Joint Direct Attack Munition product line. (MBDA) Klub (Nato reporting name SS-N-27 ‘Sizzler’). which each carry four RBS15 Mk 3 launchers. Boeing has since released a Block II version of the Harpoon. Both the Rim-116 and RBS15 are relatively 'new kids on the block' as far as corvette missile systems are concerned. the RBS15 Mk 2 is deployed on Sweden's Visby corvettes. The missile navigates using a radar altimeter and an inertial navigation and global positioning system. which displace only 1840 tonnes. Russian-designed corvette armament is available in the form of the Zvezda Kh-35U (Nato reporting name SS-N-25 ‘Switchblade’) anti-ship missile. The RBS15 has been designed as a fire-and-forget weapon allowing a vessel to leave the area once the weapon has been launched. The Mica will be Used on the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Laksamana class corvettes. Although the Mistral is a relatively short-range system. has been earmarked for a number of programmes and equips Germany's Braunschweig corvettes. While unlikely to offer the sophistication of its western counterpart. but no less potent in terms of rates of fire. Rheinmetall offers a 30-mm version. The Mk 57 uses programmable ammunition. is available which can dispatch ammunition at a rate of 120 rd/min. which have been selected for a number of US Navy vessels including the Littoral Combat Ship and Zumwalt class destroyer.Naval: corvettes MBDA’s Mica surfaceto-air missile system provides robust air defence for vessels at sea. both of which have been conceived to offer a state-of-the-art rapidfire weapon to replace legacy single-gun turrets either as secondary armament on large vessels. the Exocet MM40 Block 3. in the form of the 76/62 Super Rapid Gun Mount. Any target likely to be at the wrong end of the gun could find itself in trouble by its 1700 rd/min rate of fire. for customers seeking a larger calibre weapon. (MBDA) This latter mission can be supported by a range of products from Oto Melara. Close-in Rheinmetall's MLG-27 27-mm mount can reach out to four km from a vessel and. For improved safety. can be preset to perform an airburst over a soft target such as a pirate's skiff. Should a customer require a faster The latest incarnation of Boeing’s RGM-84 Harpoon missile to be developed is the Block II variant. Moreover. Modes include gated proximity for air defence. which has a product catalogue including scores of naval guns suitable for corvettesized vessels. a rapid-fire version of this weapon. time-delay. is Nexter's Narwhal stabilised gun mount. along with a laser-rangefinder and an auto-tracking capability to hone the gun's accuracy. A two-barrel 40-mm weapon is also available in the form of the Twin 40L70 Compact. prefragmented. which belches out 800 rd/min. gated proximity with impact priority. The One potent weapon for corvettes. The missile is expected to be offered by DCNS as part of the French shipbuilder’s Gowind class corvette programme. the Mk 57 also equips the US Coast Guard's National Security Cutters. weapon than the Super Fast Forty. (Nexter) The word Exocet strikes fear into the heart of any sailor. the firm produces a range of weapons in the 30mm category including the Single-30 MFCS (Micro Fire Control System) and Single-30 Safs local control naval gun mount. they can choose Oto Melara’s Single-30. the gun can use 40-mm and 57-mm. is the Single Fast Forty which achieves 450 rd/min using a dual ammunition feeding system. impact. shore bombardment and anti-surface gun in a single mount using 76-mm ammunition. armour-piercing and proximity. the firm’s 76/62 Compact Naval Gun Mount is an ideal weapon for such a ship and provides a tri-role anti-aircraft. one of the most famous naval gunsmiths. The flexibility of this weapon is particularly useful on vessels where deck space is at a premium. provides a major range increase compared to the earlier versions. (MBDA) Slightly smaller in calibre. which can be supplied in 20. As regards ammunition. which. (US Navy) shell's fuze is programmed before firing with data from the fire control computer. The weapon holds up to 120 rounds ready-to-fire that can be dispatched at a rate of 220 per minute with a barrel life of 5300 rounds. In terms of corvette-sized vessels. the Narwhal can also be operated by remotecontrol. for example. 25 or 30-mm guises. In fact. 26 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . whether as a new fit or upgrade. MBDA’s latest version of the weapon. or as primary armament on smaller-sized ships. For example. One of the other assets of the MLG27 is its remote controlled capability commanded via a video monitor and joystick with day and night electro-optics allowing the weapon to be used in all conditions. six-mode programmable. proximity-fuzed shells. Oto Melara’s offerings are augmented by those of BAE Systems in the form of the company’s Mk 57 weapons. which leverages the navigation system that the company developed for the Joint Direct Attack Munition precision bomb. A muzzle-mounted radar measures each round’s velocity and the gun has a maximum range of 17 km. 423. • Designed for extended service life backed by multi-year warranties • Fully composite (no rot) fortified hull construction • Choice of fiberglass or RIB platforms • More than 600 options available BRUNSWICK COMMERCIAL & GOVERNMENT PRODUCTS. The way we look at it. or nimble but tough Impact RIBs ranging from 15–39 feet. we’re there for you. you’re there for us. 386.top of the line equipment defense demands front line For more than 50 years. Brunswick Commercial & Government Products (BCGP) has built superior quality boats with fortified laminate schedules and heavy-duty components to ensure maximum strength and service life — for the boat and for you.com . Choose unsinkable BCGP Boston Whaler center console or cabin boats. INC. Outfit them with your choice of more than 600 mission-specific options to help you get the job done and get home. GET ON BOARD. So.2900 brunswickCGP . in the case of surface threats. These are available in Mod 1 and Mod 2 configurations and can strike at a range of over 13 km when operating at low speed. Offered as either a 27 or 30-mm design. and at ten km at high speed. It is this modification that allows the Phalanx to be used against surface threats and low-flying threats such as helicopters. In South Africa. a cooled or uncooled thermal imaging camera. The Phalanx Block 1B has an improved gun barrel that is 45-cm longer than the previous version. The Bushmaster can hit targets out to three km. a laser rangefinder. the MU90 can attack targets in 25 metres of water with an engagement range of over 15. The realities of modern warfare make these vessels indispensable. Jacks of all Trades The modern corvette’s ability to perform the anti-submarine mission. as an option. (US Navy) In terms of smaller calibre weapons. Meanwhile. Wass is one of the members of the Eurotorp consortium which includes DCNS and Thales Underwater Systems. Offering a smaller calibre than the AK-630 is Raytheon's Phalanx. For corvettes hunting targets in littoral regions. in addition to shore bombardment. In the 30-mm calibre category. but for dangers lurking beneath the waves. the Russian-designed AK-630 uses a six-barrelled Gatling gun to fire incendiary and fragmentation rounds for local area defence against anti-ship missiles. Bettering the A244/S littoral performance. In addition they can be used in both active and passive modes. the Block 1B improvements include a forward-looking infrared sensor operating in the eight-to-twelve micron waveband to the Phalanx’s Kuband search. corvettes can also be equipped with ATK's M-242 Bushmaster cannon. For example. while using both narrow and broadband acoustic modes. In terms of lightweight weapons. inter alia. (BAE Systems) as fitted. This uses a 20-mm M61A1 gun firing armour-piercing ammunition at a rate of between 3000 to 4500 rd/min. which can provide highly capable point defence to corvettes. the Phalanx's fire control system can be used to hand-off targeting data to other onboard weapons such as the Rolling Airframe Missile. especially anti-ship missiles that are detected via the weapon's fire control system. the A244/S design is ideal. and four km for low-flying aircraft and missiles. Eurotorp provides the MU90 lightweight torpedo.7-mm machine gun.Naval: corvettes BAE System’s Mk 57 naval gun has sold well around the world and equips a number of corvette-sized vessels including the US Coast Guard’s National Security Cutters. It is available in the Block 1B configuration. Moreover. as it Raytheon’s famous Phalanx Close-in Weapons System can be used to equip corvettes. the Royal Malaysian Navy's Laksamana class corvettes are equipped with Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (Wass) A244/S weapons. surface target prosecution and air defence. lightweight torpedoes are required. 28 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . using advanced pump jet technology to reduce the weapon’s acoustic signature while the destructive power is achieved through an insensitive shaped-charge warhead. This ammunition has a muzzle velocity of 880 metres/sec and can fire 5000 rd/min hitting targets out to five km.000 metres. while the sheer range of armament available for the corvette is once again making these combatants a popular choice for navies a around the world. which currently accommodates a 12. It provides devastating firepower for corvette-sized vessels. Fire control is provided by the MR-123-02 radar and a builtin SP-521 electro-optical system. which adds a forward-looking infrared sensor and an improved gun barrel to the earlier Block 1A design. The 120-kg mount includes a dual field of view CCD day sight. The Phalanx has a dual role to protect a corvette against both surface and air threats. This weapon is deployed on a number of ground vehicles. (Rheinmetall) can operate in shallow waters of around 40 metres. and a digital moving target indicator and mono pulse tracking radar. Reutech has developed the Sea Rogue. Rheinmetall’s MLG-27 is fired by remote control and is easily controlled using a video monitor and a joystick. The Mk 57 has a devastating rate of fire of up to 220 rd/min. and it is also used on the Philippine Navy's Jacinto class corvettes and by the US Navy on its patrol boats. Beneath the Waves Guns and missiles give a corvette the striking power against air and surface threats. to the South African Navy frigates. optical auto-tracking and. The Phalanx Block 1A improves the weapon's computer to give the weapon sharper reactions against highly manoeuvrable anti-ship missiles and also feeds the flow of targeting data to other segments of the vessel's self defence architecture. offering a maximum and minimum speed of 38 and 28 kt respectively. underlines the sheer flexibility of these small ships. meggitttrainingsystems.Technology for the sea Global solutions: Design. Wanna train like you’ll have to ght? E-mail: MTSCanada@Meggitt. Hammerhead is a proven target system available today.com . you have to train as you will ght. you can do “dry tracking”.PNorway0 ik Ulv s Augu th -27 t 25 th us Visit at . 201 The wake of the future www. but as most professionals will tell you. Systems Integration and through life support ower Sea .es is not good enough! Credibility and con dence comes from doing the real thing. Meggitt Training Systems www. You can simulate. Hammerhead USV-T is a low cost expendable naval target designed for the “white of the eyes” type of engagement our sailors will face against asymmetric FIAC threats.com See “Meggitt Swarm Ex” on YouTube.navantia. Construction. the Hammerhead is a complimentary purpose-built kill target that can be operated signally or in swarms of up to 16 units in high speeds in excess of SS3. Based on Meggitt’s highly successful Barracuda USV-T. forming Carl Zeiss Optronics (30% Denel).Market report South Africa’s Defence Industry: The 19-tonne (bare) RG-41 is the latest member of the BAE OMC vehicle stable Turning the Corner? Twenty-one years ago the previous South African government initiated defence cuts that saw funding cut by half in a decade. attack periscopes. The group has meanwhile restructured and has transferred control of several divisions to foreign partners. despite very limited spending by the defence force. but is plagued by the government’s inability to decide its future. (especially from the United States) and long-range mortar ammunition. Among them are surface-to-air and anti-tank missiles. the industry has expanded beyond its specialities to supply ‘high tech’ items to major armed forces. ESM and ECM systems. It has increased exports several years running (one billion dollars in 2008). (Denel) Helmoed Römer Heitman M ost impressively. and Turbomeca Africa has established itself as a regional support centre. including several 'kinetic kills' by telemetry rounds. Carl Zeiss Optronics is exporting attack periscopes. while the Mk 2 is in production for Finnish Navy and has been selected by Sweden. Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (49% Denel). Still vulnerable. with most of the work generated by the 1999 ‘strategic defence packages’ completed. The Umkhonto surface-to-air missile has proved successful in the South African Navy. The others are doing well. helmet sight systems. It This still frame from a high-speed camera shows the launch of an Umkhonto-IR air defence missile. Denel Dynamics is well-advanced with the 5th-generation A-Darter air-toair missile. Thus it has not received the full amount requested for recapitalisation. one was performed under guidance of only the frigate's Thales MRR rather than a tracker. Those cuts and the steadily shrinking budget that occurred since almost killed the defence industry. armoured vehicle selfprotection systems. which has been cleared on and integrated with the Gripen (to 12 G and 45. and has developed an integrated reconnaissance system for light aircraft. Denel Rheinmetall Munitions has good orders for long-range artillery 30 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . it may now have turned the corner. Turbomeca Africa (49% Denel) and Denel Saab Aerostructures (80% Denel). radars. Denel is the biggest single actor. stabilised sensor turrets. and is pushing developments in those fields. has useful alliances.000 ft). army command and control systems and naval combat management systems. and is receiving quite substantial orders from the South African forces. with the first live firing from a Gripen set for early 2011. and at real risk of losing A400M work after South Africa exited the project. The divisions under direct Denel control are also gradually improving their position. and the proposed transfer of 50% of missile house Denel Dynamics is held up by differences between Defence and Public Enterprises regarding control of that division. Amongst test launches. drones. and proved successful in its surface-attack mode. stabilised sensor turrets and hand-held laser rangefinders. The latter is in difficulties. With no BAE OMC has acquired the rights to the Iguana – now called the RG-34 – from Sabiem. Lighter weapons like the 40-mm AGL. and turret qualification will begin before year-end. The Bateleur male drone awaits a development partner. the 6 x 6 RG-35 APC that combines Mrap protection with real tactical mobility. which could bring its combat weight close to the 30-tonne threshold depending on the selected protection level. NTW anti-materiel rifle and the SS-77 light machine gun continue to sell. with the basic variant to begin qualification in September. and can mount an overhead weapon station next to the powerpack. Engineering development models of the 30mm Camgun and 60-mm breech-loading long-range mortar are in the qualification stage. It is intended as an armoured personnel carrier for a wide range of applications. OMC has taken first steps to developing a range of more tactical vehicles: it has bought the Iguana from Sabiem and will develop it further as the RG-34. The 30-km-range 105-mm gun is being developed for the army. this 19-tonner has a payload capacity of eleven tonnes. (Denel) offers «enhanced ECCM functionality» and «expanded operational capabilities against aerial targets in high-clutter naval and land environments and against surface targets». Featured in our lead photo. The TV-guided Raptor II boosted standoff bomb is also being exported and has been cleared on the Su-24 among others. OMC’s Dynamics business unit has developed overhead weapon stations for weapons up to 25 mm calibre. (BAE OMC) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 illusions that the Mrap boom will last forever. The range will include various 4 x 4 vehicles as well as a longer 6 x 6 variant. while the Overberg Test Range is increasingly being used by foreign companies and armed forces. RG-32M. The interior offers exceptional space and allows the commander to make eye contact with every one of the soldiers in the vehicle. Denel also has a letter of intent from Malaysia to provide a similar turret for its new vehicle and to handle the overall system integration. extended time on station and greatly reduced maintenance requirements.Market report The Seeker 400 is being developed by Denel Dynamics for «a number» of inter–national customers. It is cur- 31 . The Seeker drone and the Skua highspeed aerial target continue in service with several clients. Longer-range and radarguided variants are planned. probably in the self-propelled mortar version of the Stryker developed with General Dynamics. The intention is to develop it further as an air-transportable armoured vehicle for peace support and similar operations. Mechem continues to be successful in the de-mining and hazardous materials field. and has developed two new vehicles. while the larger Seeker 400 is in final development for «a number of» foreign clients. for whom it was originally designed in South Africa by Automotive and Industrial Design. more time on station and reduced maintenance. RG-33). Its focus is on Eurocopter. The firm will also manufacture most of the 264 Badgers for the South African Army. This vehicle has been provisionally fitted with the turret of an Eland-90 armoured car for illustrative purposes. just aft of the commander. Denel Land Systems is prime contractor for the SA Army Badger infantry combat vehicle. It offers a dual sensor payload. The 10.000-metre range Mokopa laser-homing missile is ready for integration but lacks a launch customer. It will be demonstrated in the United Sates later this year. The Seeker 400 will offer a dual payload capability. and is being upgraded with digital electronics. with good export orders for smallarms ammunition and a valuable multiyear order for ammunition components for the United Kingdom. BAE Land Systems OMC continues to do well with its mine-protected vehicles (RG-31. Advanced Technologies and Engineering is the main industrial facility of the French-based ATE group. who sits next to the driver. and the 8 x 8 RG-41. for whom it is developing a stand-alone weapons system (Saws) for light and medium helicopters. The earlier Seeker II has been exported and is used operationally by those clients. (BAE OMC) The RG-35 marks the first step by BAE OMC in the development of a new range of vehicles that incorporate Mrap levels of protection with real tactical mobility. but also has drawn US Army interest. PMP is well on its way to renewed profitability. The laser beam-riding Ingwe is in production for export and will arm the SA Army’s future tank destroyer. long-range mortars. Electronics In the Reutech group. Saab Systems Grintek is focused on C3 systems. Its Vulture artillery target acquisition and fire direction drone is in service with the army and has been sold to China for local manufacture. also to Nato armies. and is also developing a new family of software-controlled UHF radios for the SA National Defence Force’s Project Radiate. which uses the standard pre-fragmented bombs with Paveway kits on its F-16s. It has also been purchased by the UAE Coastguard and may be selected by Malaysia in its naval and vehicle versions. among them a new multi-option fuze (high and low proximity. A senior com- 32 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 .Market report The ATE Saws weapon system is initially being integrated with the EC-635 for a Eurocopter client and with the Fennec for demonstration purposes. fully digital ACR3 to complement it. and which has been purchased by several other air forces. hand-launched Kiwit has also found an export client. and has developed a ’reduced effect‘ Mk 82 for asymmetric rently integrating this system on an EC635 for a specific customer. to supply the South African Army with a ‘brigade-and-below’ C2 system. A major success was winning the first portion of Project Legend. Looking forward. The EC-635 fit includes Denel’s Ingwe missile. (Reutech) operations. guided and unguided rockets and the Denel Dynamics 5000-metre laser beam-riding Ingwe and 10. electronic delay) for 60. and the mounting is likely to find its way onto other ships. It has been successfully demonstrated and is being qualified for export. Each frigate will later receive an additional two mountings armed with a 20-mm cannon. Fuchs Electronics continues to export a range of electronic fuzes. Reutech Solutions is supplying eight 12. The latter is included in a letter of intent signed for Malaysia’s new-generation ICV and APC family. which will grow into a wider system over time. Part of that bid is a composite rotor blade developed by ATE.7-mm Sea Rogue mountings to the South African Navy for its four frigates. It provides for a sensor turret. RDI is developing the new and lighter. and on an AS550 that will serve as demonstrator.7-mm mounts per frigate. so no clearance process is required. and has been selected by the Royal Norwegian Navy as the helicopter control radar for its Fridtjof Nansen class frigates. point detonation. and has drawn interest in Malaysia in both naval and vehicle variants. Development of the RSR 900 Stealthrad continues. drawing on its experience of developing the navigation and weapons system for the Hawk Mk 120 for the SA Air Force. Reutech Radar Systems produced the most notable successes in the past few years with the sale of its RSR 210N radar to the Royal Norwegian Navy and from the radar component of the vehicle self-protection system developed with Saab and Denel. Reutech Solutions’ Sea Rogue weapon mounting is being procured by the Navy (two 12.000-metre range semi-active laser guided Mokopa missiles among other weapons. Fuchs also manufactures prefragmented bombs. The small. (ATE) Reutech Defence is doing well with its ACR500 airborne multi-mode radio. An additional static system has been ordered for the SANDF Joint Operations Division and another contract was won to provide elements of the system for the national and provincial joint operations centres for the World Cup. (Reutech) The Reutech RSR 210N was developed as a lightweight +50-km-range X-Band 2-D multi-role radar for small surface combatants. which is in all SAAF combat aircraft. It is identical to the standard bomb. focused on small target detection in heavy seas and littoral clutter. two 20-mm mounts to follow) and the UAE Coast Guard. 81 and 120-mm bombs. ATE is also supporting the Mi-25s it upgraded for Algeria and has bid for an Mi-8/17 upgrade package in that country. The first client may be Denmark. differing only in the explosive filling. ATE is developing a fully digital avionics suite for these aircraft and has an agreement with BAE Systems to partner on Hawk upgrades. Versatile. Adaptable.com AMG_AD_Internat_Armada-hp. Versatility and adaptability are just as important to the transformation of today’s fighting forces as the introduction of new technology itself. The HUMVEE® continues to prove itself as the light tactical vehicle of choice.indd 1 4/21/10 2:35 PM . Adaptability for tomorrow’s missions.amgeneral. no other vehicle compares. www. With a GVW of over 6100 kg and the adaptability to support transformation. Versatility for today’s challenges. Sysdel (elint). 40-mm barrels). which is also being marketed for export. Thales Defence Systems is supplying the AS4000 artillery target engagement system to the SA Army and to other clients in Africa. Ivema (Gila mine-protected APC. Portuguese and South Korean submarines. (Carl Zeiss Optronics) (60 and 81 mm) that has drawn SA Army interest and is being marketed for export. The company is also exporting its TR2400 and TR2000 radios successfully. helicopter intake filters and IR suppression. rations packs and related items. including a stabilised naval version. One or two operator’s consoles are fitted in the cabin. low-cost armoured vehicle day/night sights) and Truvelo Armoury (sniping rifles. as well as another CMS contract. truck driver training simulators. the power supply for the system and an additional fuel tank. a number of other companies are also active in the defence field. a retractable searchlight. assault shotguns. Moh-9 (ceramic armour). Rippel Effect (40-mm standard and extended-range grenade launchers). particularly with submarine comint/elint/ ESM/LWS systems and its attack periscope RWR antenna. and the anti-sabot dart Leds-300 is in its final development phase. a mine-protection kit for the Humvee and a ballistic and mine-protected personnel carrier pod that can be carried by any ten-tonne truck. The more comprehensive Leds150 is currently being evaluated by several potential clients. armoured seats). It is able to distinguish slow-moving targets on land and in sea clutter. It is a low-probability-of-intercept frequency modulated continuous wave radar that offers 360°or sector coverage with a range of 40 km. The company has also developed a mobile mortar system Carl Zeiss Optronics has developed a reconnaissance system for utility aircraft and have installed it on a P750 for demonstration purposes. On the airborne side the company has developed a new fully-integrated defensive aids system for fighters. Finally there are companies involved in developing and manufacturing uniforms. Among them are Aerosud (Mirage 1 upgrade. and the development of the HF radios and related elements for the SANDF’s new tactical communications system (Project Radiate). There are also several smaller defence equipment companies.Market report Reutech initially developed the RSR 900 Stealthrad as an easily deployable radar for border and coastline surveillance. Other major projects have been the development of a ground link that enables the SA Air Force to integrate the radar picture of its Gripens into its air picture and command system. UAV datalinks) and Thoroughtec (combat vehicle and tactical simulators. mine-protected truck cabs and personnel carrier pods). which is jointly owned with EADS and focuses on comint systems. also in Asia. The Land Electronic Defence System (Leds) developed with Denel and Reutech has been sold to the Netherlands in its basic Leds-50 form for the CV90. a retractable microwave downlink antenna. a self-protection suite for the Indian Dhruv light helicopter and a self-protection system for commercial aircraft that is in use in Iraq. for the French Navy’s new Fremm frigates. in the Middle East. both purchased for Greek. Tellumat (IFF. transport aircraft and helicopters. The ballistic and mine protected cab developed by Land Mobility Technologies for the Daimler Actros truck family has been bought by the Canadian Army and is being evaluated by the German Army. Fulcrum (C2 systems. a compact ESM/ECM system for the Su-30. It has also supplied the German Navy with a littoral elint/RWR/LWS system for its mine warfare vessels and UAE with an ESM system for the Baynunah class corvettes. Hawk cockpit simulator). In the naval domain TDS has developed a compact combat management system and has a six-ship fast patrol vessel contract for this Mikros system in Asia. Another SA Army project is a new tactical intelligence system (Tacis). Asia and southeast Asia. RSD (mine-detection vehicles). Among them and their areas of competence are EDH (muzzle velocity radars). The company has also developed similar cabs for other trucks. Electronic Defence Systems (former Avitronics) has also been successful. Also in the group is Ewation. and is being developed in several versions. Milan firing post upgrades). Ansys (missile rails for attack helicopters. field equipment. (Reutech) pany official says the system will come in at «about a quarter» the cost of an imported system. combat vehicle interiors. LMT (flat bottom mine protection. (LMT) Apart from defence companies as such. Given that affordability. TDS is also supplying the consoles originally developed for the SA Navy’s frigates. a 34 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . light turrets and mountings). The composite pod houses a retractable optronics turret. Saab believes there is good export potential. . In 2007 Turkey Eagle The US Air Force currently has around 400 air superiority Boeing F-15Cs. indicating a unit cost of $ 180 million. The challenge is to keep the F-16 line open. (Lockheed Martin) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 36 . Those who would like to see the big wing of the Mitsubishi F-2 on a reduced-signature. Target unit price is $ 100 million. The F-22A has a maximum weight of 36. thrust-vectoring F-16 are out of luck. The final delivery will take place in early 2012. of which it is planned that 176 will be upgraded to ‘Golden Eagles’ with modifications including the Raytheon APG63(V)3 aesa radar (see radar article in Armada 3/2010 page 32). or eight SDBs. The F-35A is the only version to mount the four-barrel. with Raytheon APG-82 aesa radars. First flight was scheduled Fighting Falcon Over 4300 Lockheed Martin F-16s have so far been manufactured for 24 countries. The 36. Roy Braybrook for late July 2010. It does not intend to buy ‘Generation Four-Plus’ new developments of in-service fighters. supercruise. and would be replaced by standard CFTs once the need for stealth had passed.6 tonnes and combines allaspect stealth with Mach 1.78 supercruise. digital fly-by-wire controls and conformal fuel tanks (CFT) redesigned to provide internal weapon bays. with radarabsorbent coatings. but production has been capped at 187. 25-mm General Dynamics Gau22/A cannon internally. the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor having entered US Air Force service at the end of 2005. The US Air Force originally calculated a need for 740 F-22s. The US Air Force plans to compensate for F-35 delays by extending the life of its F-16s (and F-15s) through low-cost modifications. which are to be retrofitted The third F-35A prototype (the seventh F-35) had its maiden flight on 20 April 2010.5 million. The last 24 were ordered in FY09 for $ 4343. In March 2009 Boeing unveiled its F-15SE Silent Eagle project. taking off from the Charles de Gaulle Combat Aircraft Fighting for… Sales! This year Russia has begun – and China allegedly will begin – flight trials of fifthgeneration fighters. An F-22 successor is planned for the 2025 to 2030 time frame. joining America in the elite world of stealth. Continuation of F-16 production will depend on further exports of Block 50/52/60/62s. but deliveries dropped to 28 in 2008 and 14 in 2009. considerably simplifying development. without damaging F-35 sales. The service plans to keep around 200 F-15Es until at least 2035. In 2006 Pakistan signed for 18 Block 52s under the Peace Drive programme. T he United States remains the global pace-setter in fighter development. The US Air Force has 217 F-15Es. thrust-vectoring and the fusion of data from off-board and on-board sensors. South Korea is receiving 61 (F-15K) and Singapore 24 (F-15SG). Singapore and South Korea. The latter is considering a follow-on purchase.5 F-15E Strike Eagle remains one of the most effective strike fighters available. Equipment for the F-15SE will include the APG-63(V)3 radar. thrust-vectoring and aesa radars. The F-15SE is aimed at existing F-15 operators such as Japan. Saudi Arabia has 70 (designated F-15S) and Israel 25 (F-15I). the latter including the Northrop Grumman/Raytheon APG-77 aesa radar. ‘vertical’ tails inclined outboard. The F-15SE’s canted fins have now been deferred.7-tonne Mach 2.Aircraft: combat A French Navy Dassault Rafale-M armed with MBDA Mica missiles. One immediate objective is to fire an Aim-120 from a modified CFT. with an option on 18. The bays can accommodate two Aim-120s and two 450-kg Jdams. It has been estimated that restarting production with a five-year batch of 75 F-22s would give a unit production cost of $ 227 million. The US Navy. building to 96 by 2020. non-exploitable peaks in radar response. (Lockheed Martin) signed for 30 Block 50s (to be built by Tusas) under Peace Onyx IV. This covers 66 F/A-18E/Fs and 58 EA-19G Growler electronic attack aircraft. with a General Electric F110-GE-132 engine and conformal fuel tanks. Iraq has stated a need for 18 F-16s in the near term. has just reached an agreement with Boeing covering a third multi-year programme. In early 2010 Romania chose the F-16. has ordered one IOT&E (initial operational test & evaluation) aircraft. and manufacture (for a domestic production total reduced to 2443 units) has grown to $ 273. after years of negotiation. encouraging customers to adopt a wait-and-see attitude. However. The Navy. it will remain (for many players) the only game in town. However. Recently. an arrester hook and nosewheel tow provisions. In late 2009 Egypt ordered 20 more Block 52s. (Saab) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 choice between the F-35. was to sign for 25 F-35As in March 2010. as long as an export F-35 promises to be significantly stealthier than reduced-signature derivatives of in-service fighters. Half are to be wired for possible conversion to EA-18Gs. Italy. despite its cost. when Australia signed for 24 F/A-18Fs. Norway. even before Israel and Singapore joined in. has put on hold plans for a final assembly and checkout facility at Cameri AB. planning to buy 131 The projected Saab Sea Gripen would have a strengthened undercarriage. VMA-332. Israel. Development cost for the F-35 is estimated in General Accountability Office report GAO-10-382 to have risen from $ 19 to 49. engine nozzles and access panels are aligned to produce small. Lockheed Martin would like to win India’s 126-aircraft order with its proposed F-16IN Super Viper. pending the F-35. but Australia will not decide on a second batch until 2012 – and on the final batch until late in the decade. will not sign until 2014. will probably be based at Yuma. (US Air Force) Super Hornet The 30.Aircraft: combat For the Indian Air Force fighter contest. A change of government and the withdrawal of Dutch forces from Afghanistan may lead to a requirements rethink. based on the UAE’s F16E/F Block 60. but has delayed until 2011.6. based on the United Arab Emirates’ F-16E/F Block 60. also plans to increase the new generation’s service life from 6000 to 9000 hours. (including at least 22 F-35Bs). tail.3 billion in base year 2010 values and a corresponding unit cost of $ 133. Reports suggest Britain will split its order for 138 into two widely spaced tranches. but eight allies hyped up to buy 600 more. faced with a fighter/attack shortfall as older Hornets are retired. Florida.6 billion and an acquisition unit cost (including 14 development aircraft) of $ 131 million in then-year dollars. 37 . the US Marine Corps still plans to declare initial operational capability with 29 F-35Bs in December 2012. but has delayed buying the second planned. F/A-18E/F and the Saab Gripen. reduced-signature Boeing F/A-18E/F is a multi-role combat aircraft with (in Block II form) a Northrop Grumman APG-79 aesa radar. supported by the Vmat501 training unit now being formed at Eglin AFB. It is aimed at an Indian Navy requirement for a Sea Harrier replacement. giving a programme total of $ 322. having already received over 400. The first operational unit.6 million. Only in 2007 did it finally break into the export market. Lockheed Martin has proposed the F-16IN. stealthy Lockheed Martin F-35 began life with a US Air Force/Navy/Marine Corps requirement for 2852 units. Denmark has recently delayed from 2010 to 2012 its The edges of the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor’s wing. An initial batch of 14 has now been authorised. Lightning II The 26-tonne. These GAO figures are broadly confirmed by the Pentagon’s latest ‘Selected Acquisition Reports’. Arizona. The Netherlands. In 2008 Morocco became the 25th nation to order the F-16. Although F-35 development is due to be completed only in April 2016 (indicating a four-year slip).3 billion. but is buying 24 ex-US Air Force Block 25s. most F-35 news has been of delays and escalating costs.3 billion. with a contract for 24 Block 52s. These will serve as an interim replacement for the General Dynamics F-111. providing the planned total of 515 Super Hornets and 114 EA-18Gs.2-tonne Mach 1. due to buy 48. with first delivery in 2014. the Super Hornet achieves its outstanding radius at the expense of specific excess power. with conformal tanks and a Northrop Grumman APG-80 aesa radar. The latter gives an F-35 programme cost of $ 328. scheduled to buy 85 F-35s. Australia is to buy 75 to replace the F-111 and 25 to replace the F/A-18F. under Peace Vector VII. to equal America’s offer for 24 pre-used F-16s. In 2009 Saudi Arabia ordered 72 Typhoons via the British government. Tranche I of 148 aircraft has been completed. All F-35 models have the Northrop Grumman APG-81 aesa radar. sometimes referred to as F3+ standard.2 supercruise. its span is small enough to avoid a wing-fold. Indian Navy requirement for up to 40 aircraft to replace its BAE Systems Sea Harrier. (RAC-MiG) The US Air Force and Navy are aiming for an initial operational capability with the F-35A and F-35C in 2015 and 2014 respectively. which is expected to order another large batch. provides a Mach 1. It has now received all nine Gripen-Ds and has begun accepting the 17 single-seat Gripen-Cs. 15 Bs. will have the Thales RBE2 aesa radar. These could be taken from the RAF’s Tranche II. The Gripen NG demonstrator is a modified JAS39B.5 per year. seeking twelve aircraft with early delivery as Jaguar replacements. (Eurofighter) Rafale France has funded development of the 24. Like the Sea Harrier. At the end of 2009 a French multi-year order for 60 Rafales brought the funded domestic total to 180. It is hoped to find funding for a substantial thrust increase for the Rafale’s Snecma M88 engines.7-tonne Dassault Rafale on a national basis. Eurofighter hopes to obtain funding for thrust-vectoring of the Eurojet EJ200 nozzles. Sweden has offered to Romania 24 new-build Gripens for a cut-price of one billion Euros. (RACMiG) Gripen The 14-tonne Saab JAS39 Gripen is the West’s only lightweight fighter of recent design. Austria has purchased nine new-build Tranche I Typhoons and six refurnished ex-German Air Force aircraft. aimed at an The Eurofighter Typhoon has been exported to Austria and Saudi Arabia. 620-aircraft programme to supply the needs of Britain. Deliveries of these F3-standard aircraft will begin in 2015 and run at an average of 10. RAC-MiG Despite reports of orders for hundreds of MiG-29s to be brought to MiG-29SMT standard. which may require support from an export customer.Aircraft: combat MiG-29KUB development aircraft No 941 on the deck of the Russian carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. may purchase Typhoons. has excellent long-term prospects in Switzerland and may well be adopted as a low-cost substitute for the F-35 in several European countries. Early delivery has been achieved by diverting 24 Tranche II aircraft that were being built for the Royal Air Force.5tonne Hal Tejas. Saab has recently launched the 16. 70 Cs and 14 Ds). in turn replaced under a (otherwise unlikely) British order for Tranche IIIB. but plans to reduce its fleet to 100 enhanced JAS39C/Ds. and Tranche II of 254 is in production. The Indian Navy’s repeat order for the MiG-29K is expected to lead to a Russian Navy order. The 2010 annual report of the Cour des Comptes (France’s national audit office) estimated the cost of the programme. South Africa has reduced its order from 28 to 26 in order to afford aircraft of higher standard. It will have 38% more internal fuel and eventually a larger wing. as € 40. The Phazotron Zhuk-AE of the MiG-35 is one example of the aesa radars that provide the latest fighters with major improvements in detection range. In July 2009 an order for a further 112 as Tranche IIIA left the final 124 Typhoons of Tranche IIIB for later consideration. The remaining 48 are to be assembled in Saudi Arabia. The more powerful General Electric F414G. Brazil is expected imminently to select a fighter for its 36-aircraft F-X2 programme and India plans to order 126 multi-role combat aircraft in 2012. The requirement is written around a navalised 13. An aesa development of the Euroradar Captor is to be introduced in the course of Tranche IIIA. The plan is to acquire 228 Rafales for the Air Force and 58 for the Navy. The Gripen NG will have the Selex Galileo ES-05 Raven-1000P aesa radar and Skyward-G IRST system. The Swedish Air Force has armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 38 . and support revenues from around 1600 MiG-29s in 25 countries. In 2006 Hungary commenced operations with 14 Gripens under a lease-buy arrangement. Italy and Spain. Aircraft delivered from 2012 onwards. The Gripen NG stands a good chance in both contests. including the production of 286 aircraft.5tonne Sea Gripen project. received a total of 204 JAS39s (105 JAS39As. In 2005 the Czech Republic began a ten-year lease of 14 Gripens. giving a unit acquisition cost of € 142. basically as in the F/A-18E/F. Oman. Germany. RAC-MiG has been going through difficult times. reliability and multi-functionality. which (if available) would clearly have precedence. Typhoon The Eurofighter Typhoon was launched as a three-tranche.69 billion. and in January 2010 requested approval to buy six more. acting as a testbed for future upgrades for the Swedish Air Force and a basis for export proposals. An Austrian Air Force Typhoon is pictured with Diehl BGT Defence Iris-T short-range air-to-air missiles. The Royal Thai Air Force has ordered six.3 million. Rome. London.com SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO INTERNATIONAL FIGHTER FUTURE MORTAR SYSTEMS 26 . CASE STUDIES. UK www.co.co. London. TBC www. London. UK www.sa-combatid. UK www.com ARMOURED VEHICLES ASIA 12 . ARTICLES. London.electronic-warfare.armouredvehiclesindia.com JOINT PERSONNEL RECOVERY 26 . UK www.MilitaryHealthSupport. Cadiz.uk NOVEMBER FUTURE ARTILLERY MIDDLE EAST 2 . 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PAST PRESENTATIONS.submarineconference.com CYBER WARFARE ASIA JOINT TRAINING & SIMULATION 27 .4 November 2010.SEPTEMBER INFANTRY WEAPONS 20 .armouredvehiclesasia.uk OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS 27 .com 28 . jointpersonnelrecovery.nt-isr.com EARLY VIP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE T: +44 (0)20 7368 9300 0800 652 2363 E: enquire@defenceiq. FACT SHEETS.com 21 .uk 28 . UK www. to replace the Su-24. The MiG-29 began life with a maximum weight of 18 tonnes and grew into the 20. The Far East In November 2009 the first Chengdu JF17/FC-1 to be assembled by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (Pac) was rolled out at Kamra. As a replacement for the Plaaf (People’s Liberation Army Air Force) J-7 (MiG-21) and as a lightweight complement for the J-11 (Su-27). This.8-tonne. building at least 200 for either side and an estimated 600 for export. long-life airframe with new engines. almost 20 years after the YF-22 and Northrop YF-23. However. but China is developing a substitute. paying 25% of the costs. Thrust vectoring is optional.4 billion contract. the prototype of the fifth-generation T-50 or PakFA first flew on 29 January 2010. Venezuela and Vietnam. but probably with French avionics and Sukhoi plans to bridge the gap between the Su-27/30 generation and the Pak-FA with the Su-35. Small-scale deliveries of the Su-34 maritime strike fighter (with side-by-side seating) have begun to the Russian Air Force. combining a reduced-signature. China’s fifth-generation fighter has been dubbed J-XX by the US Office of Naval Intelligence. relatively shallow intakes and canted fins. This is one such Boeing Phantom Works project. The latest sale appears to cover five for Syria. Malaysia. have yet to be substantiated. Pakistan has ordered 36 J-10B/FC-20s under a $ 1. the Indian Navy has ordered 29 more MiG-29K/KUBs to follow the first batch of 16. ‘4++’ generation Su-35. and hopes to reach a total of 150.Aircraft: combat Taken during the first flight of the Sukhoi T-50/Pak-FA on 29 January 2010. which has in recent years been acquired in large numbers by China (104 plus at least 200 license-built). reduced radar signature and new Saturn 117S engines. with IHI XF5-1 engines.2-tonne IAI Laviinspired J-10. there is a case for a lightweight dedicated air superiority fighter that can fly rings around the F-35. partly on behalf of Iran.3-tonne MiG-29SMT and the 24. India and Russia will form a joint venture for production of the FGFA (Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft). but reports of 57 Su-34s by 2015 appear optimistic. modified to domestic standards. This has reportedly sparked an order for at least 24 for the Russian Navy. which entered service in 2006. (Sukhoi) Sukhoi Following its highly successful Su-27/30 series. the Liming WS10A Taihang. The US Navy’s plan for an F/A-18E/F replacement. The 32 MiG-29SMTs ordered by Yemen have all been delivered. One prototype is to fly soon. In Russian service the Pak-FA is reportedly to replace not only the Su-27 but also the MiG-29. RAC-MiG continues to offer the 46. the world’s fastest fighter. The 31 MiG-29SMTs that the Russian Air Force received in 2009 were Algerian rejects. a 40 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . It may be recalled that India declined the alternative MiG LMFS (Lightweight Multirole Tactical Fighter). followed eight delivered from China. which made its début at Russia’s Maks 2007 show. but artist’s impressions of a J-14 have also been published. having failed to acquire America’s F-22. but US Defense Secretary Gates has predicted that China will have only a handful of fifth-generation fighters by 2025. is now the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter. a new Tikhomirov Irbis-E radar. Deliveries will begin around 2017. formerly the FA-XX. the fifth generation with the 38. Salyut is supplying at least 100 AL31FN engines (some reports say 300 to 400). India (50 plus 140) and in smaller numbers by Algeria. new missiles and a strengthened undercarriage. Stories of Syria buying large numbers of MiG-29s. It will have provisions for thrust-vectoring nozzles. this photograph illustrates its wide undercarriage track. the ATDX Shinshin. However.2tonne. In 2009 the service received two Su-34s (and eight upgraded Su-27SMs). Pac is expected to build a further 50. and the expected Libyan order has so far not materialised. Indonesia. (Boeing) weapons integrated by ATE (Advanced Technologies & Engineering). The MiG-35 proposed for the Indian Air Force has a maximum weight of 29.82 MiG-31E.5tonne navalised MiG-29K.7 tonnes and a Phazotron Zhuk-AE aesa radar. Chengdu is producing the 19. Japan. The Shenyang J-12 and Chengdu J-13 projects are competing. the first of 42 under contract. India will share in further development. radar and missiles. is considering development of its own fifth-generation fighter. (Sukhoi) Largely funded by Sukhoi. The Su-35 introduces a 6000-hr fatigue life. Mach 2. Sukhoi hopes to bridge the gap to dorsal airbrake has been deleted in favour of ’active‘ rudders. NOW. Argon Corporation 343 Great Neck Rd. With our extensive library of designs. our willingness & ability to rapidly prototype. NY 11021 sales@argoncorp. Argon can provide the solution you need . Great Neck.Combat-Ready Computers and Displays Hand Held Displays • Wearable Computers Hand Held Computer Tablets Rugged Soldier Solutions for: Argon has been supporting mission critical visualization and computing needs for over 15 years.com .com • www.argoncorp. are standard on today’s battlefield The Soldier as Nucleus The surfeit of electronic gear carried by today’s warfighter has given birth to the wearable electronics concept. in turn. the obvious expansion is to go up and down his arms.2-kg AN/PRC-77 large manpacked radio with ungainly whip antenna manufactured by Associated Industries provided voice communication to US soldiers operating in Vietnam. which. This resulted in body-mounted computers that featured voice activation. light radio and add some extra batteries. What is more interesting is Johnny Keggler T he tactical radio has undergone a metamorphosis over the last 40 years. the paper turns into a battery. another to a headset. quicker. Moving on foot and talking to friendlies has. especially on long-range patrols. Think Small First On the heels of this realisation began a race to find wearable computing and power sources that could replace some of the hardware carried by the soldier. the late-1960s 6. Now we take that small. Our representative radio provides video and data. or a supercapacitor. become easier. small and powerful – is still not considered a ‘wearable’ solution. What did happen though. for communication. and confined to the limited space on his belt and vest web gear. as power is an important consideration.95 MHz frequency range – today’s 395-gram Raytheon Microlight DH500 offers mobile. we find that the accessories required to process the information received over a 300-gram radio has recreated the burdensome gargantua. therefore another cable to connect a rugged laptop is required (DRS Armor X10. Standing by oneself in a repair shop somewhat idly talking to a computer was not yet ready for prime time. transmitting across the 30 to 75. although in effect the concept proved a bit awkward for the user. In comparison. such as this wearable PDA from Codan. Restricted to having only two hands to hold his kit. Instead of a computer that could perform one or two tasks. more secure and less of a physical burden. A cable or two would not be the worst option – one to the PDA. is that these systems piqued the interest of army and air force front-liners. from being a relative behemoth carried and operated by one soldier to a tiny squad radio – one on every soldier’s shoulder. led to the US Navy Special Operations Command to take a much closer look at what these systems could offer. With the overabundance of C4I information available to today’s warfighter. the General Dynamics Itronix Gobook MR-1 – light. wrap around his head and neck and sew the electronics into his clothing. In the early 1990s the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) penned a requirement for wearable systems that could plug into a Mil-STD 1553 bus to run diagnostics for tanks and vehicles. Panasonic Toughbook. (General Dynamics Itronix) 42 . GD Itronix Gobook MR-1 – the selection is there). As a consequence ‘systems’ became the codeword for further development. selfhealing networking ELPRS data. ad hoc self-forming. voice and video communication with embedded 256-bit AES encryption and is software-upgradable to other waveforms. over the years. the idea of having the soldier wearing interconnected systems armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 Although it does illustrate the ease at which some computers can be carried by soldiers. both to defence budgets and to the soldier. The Academics One researcher at Stanford University has discovered that if an ordinary piece of paper is dipped into ink infused with carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires. power and situational awareness seemed more valuable.Soldier systems Data devices. A low thermal signature of only 4° C above ambient temperature and a 600 Wh/kg power-to-weight ratio (up from the earlier model’s 300 Wh/kg) make it very suitable for covert operations.Soldier systems Work by a team led by Dr Chieh Chang at UC Berkeley has created nanofibres with in situ mechanical stretch and electrical poling characteristics that produce piezoelectric properties. this means that as the soldier moves his electronics charge. night vision goggles – essentially a full set of combat gear – for 72 hours.000 chargedischarge cycles. the Zypad is currently in its fourth-generation iteration.5-inch sunlight-readable VGA LCD panel. the testing of which was completed in late2009. The development of these organic fibre nanogenerators could eventually lead to wearable smart clothes that can power electronics through ordinary body movements. Larger than Nano L-3 Communications Rugged Command and Control Solutions has introduced its micro display wrist-worn computer system to the European and US market. the Power Knight back-packable fuel cell from Greenerg (pronounced ‘greener gee’) runs on inert hydrogen tablets (seen in photo) and one simply adds water to provide clean. 128 MB of flash memory and 256 MB of ram make the 645-gram Zypad WR1100 from Eurotech a powerful little wrist-worn computer. Tests have revealed that a paper supercapacitor may last through 40. produced by the stretch and release of the fibre. This image shows the current. and one that allows dismounted troops to download real-time video captured from drones or other aircraft and ground plat- Covertly Hydrogenous Power S With a video receiver small enough to fit into a cargo pocket and weighing less than 1. One of the forerunners in this field is the V-Rambo from Tadiran Spectralink. The V-Rambo is a manpack tactical receiver already in use by the IDF. Operational range is between -30° to +50° C (normal batteries cannot operate below -4° C). Capacitors can store and discharge electricity much quicker than batteries. These nano-sized power sources have piezoelectric properties which convert the energy created through mechanical stress. One endearing feature is that the system delivers perfectly stable voltage through the life of the battery. Engineers at the University of California Berkley have created what they term ‘energy-scavenging’ nano-fibres that are designed to be woven into clothing. The system supports Linux and some Windows operating systems. More than 100 units are currently being used by ‘European forces’. in nano Amps. The unit runs on two internal rechargeable Li-ion batteries or an external 10 to 14 VDC power source. (American Chemical Society) that even if the paper is crumpled or misshapen. Tadiran Spectralink’s V-Rambo is a battle-proven system that provides immediate situational awareness through real-time video. Wrist-worn computers are the current standard for easy of information transfer for situational awareness and data communication. Egnos) and Wwan (GSM/GPRS/ Edge/Umts) add-on modules allow customising to the mission requirements. Bluetooth connectivity is standard and twelve-channel GPS (DGPS & SBas. The touch-screen Zypad can run Windows and Linux operating systems. it continues to work. «The nano materials are a one-dimensional structure with very small diameters. which are viewed on a 3. Translated to the battlefield. Filling the drone’s wings with water adds the same weight penalty as using normal batteries but provides around six times the power.2 kg (for the advanced dual-band version). The second-generation system is seen here resting on the author’s arm.org. The tiny size of the nano material helps them adhere to the fibrous paper. Once the chemical reaction has begun. quiet power for radio. The company has also tested the system on drones – using the aircraft’s wings as the water vessel. Dual rechargeable batteries allow hot-swappable replacement. stretches and twists into electricity. resulting in a battery and super-capacitor that is extremely durable. A removable CFast storage card simplifies upgrades and mission planning/saving and a touch-screen allows on-screen keyboard input via a captive stylus or with a finger. (Tadiran Spectralink) een here in the author’s photograph from Eurosatory 2010. the battery can be stored for up to six months and will undergo an almost imperceptible loss of power.» says Stanford researcher Yi Cui in an article on the website futurity. (Armada/JK) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 43 . Wass. The stand-alone unit operates on an Intel Atom-based processor and includes an internal GPS. and at a size of only 500 nanometres – 100 times thinner than the human hair – the weight penalty is virtually imperceptible. The unit has no moving parts and the chemical reaction is non-toxic and non-flammable. PDA. The “Personal Power Strip” (PPS) should provide universal compatibility through a standardised architecture that integrates both legacy and future portable power sources and powerconsuming equipment with one-handed plug-and-play functionality. (Armada/JK) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 44 . The concept is to reduce the wasteful practice of discarding partially spent batteries and to alleviate the marine’s need to carry multiple battery types. In the Cells In April 2010 the US Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division queried industry for assistance in developing a The RF-7800S-LR secure personal leader radio (left) from Harris is a modular. upgrade to the 7800S-TR team radio (right) that yields additional I/O connections and a Wince operating system. It offers hands-free operation and provides seamless voice and data connection to upper echelon networks. Yet this small. parts of which have already been sold to ‘a special operations’ customer in 2010. The Leader Radio is at the heart of Harris’ Falcon Fighter for Future Soldier Systems development. although still in prototype stage. has become an item of intense discussion. the second patent is for an enhanced protection system that ensures forms.6-kg pack provides a continuous 50 Watts (85 peak) of power at twelve to 30 Volts for up to two weeks. Micro Power Electronics from Beaverton. The Zypad is designed to Mil-STD810F for environmental considerations and -461E requirements covering electromagnetic interference. The company’s AW3 wrist-worn unit (shown). up to two GB Ram and 32 GB CFast storage cards provide soldiers with advanced situational awareness. A standard USB interface connects PDAs or laptops for enhanced situational awareness. A modular battery pack and add-on module expansion system provide adjustable power requirements and the addition of Wwan and GPS capabilities. (L-3 RCCS) tery packs and chargers. The system displays the imagery on a wrist-worn LCD monitor. GDC4S and Boeing. Oregon. offers a line of rugged bat- By-products of Ultracell’s RMFC fuel cells (here the XX55) are small amounts of water vapour and carbon dioxide – quantities equivalent to a small child exhaling. (Ultracell) Argon has developed a series of handheld computers that has sold to Lockheed Martin. Eurotech offers another solution. USB connectivity. with its Zypad WR1100 rugged wrist-wearable wireless computer. and very simply added. The request was for a unit that will automatically recognise any and all connected power sources and battery-operated devices issued to an individual marine and to the rifle squad.Soldier systems In March of this year L-3 Communications RCCS introduced its micro display rugged wrist-worn computer system into the European and US markets. which also notifies if a user has been motionless for a specified period of time. The two-element system comprises the core computer and the rigid wrist sup- lightweight wearable power distribution interface for the US Marine Corps. (Argon) port. and which is now receiving recognition from large US Army organisations. 1. User tracking is achieved through a tilt and dead-reckoning system. The company was awarded two US patents in 2010 covering its portable battery charger configuration: the first design reduces thermal conduction by separating the circuit charging housing from the battery charging housing. which runs Linux on a PXA 270 processor running at 416 MHz. . but the specification bar is continually being raised by system designers and integrators. package and store than hydrogen. the suprisingly light Miltrak system from Thales offers a combination of intra-squad communication and squad-leader-to-upper echelon network-centric situational awareness. Six months earlier the US Army Cerdec voiced interest with a contract award to extend through March 2010 – this also for XX55 development. The RMFC technology reforms liquid methanol into hydrogen gas. The company explains that methanol. The aluminium Landforce line was designed for future soldier system equipment and is guaranteed for up to 10. ergonomically soldier-proof. being liquid at room temperature. the lion’s share of the circuits are still connected by traditional cables. should be on the market by thirdquarter 2010.000 mating cycles. High shock resistance. In December 2009 Ultracell received a $ three million stimulus award from the US Air Force towards further development of the XX55 fuel cell for soldiers currently in the field. the US Department of Defense held a Wearable Power competition for a design that provides 20 Watts of electrical power for 96 hours. be resistant to electroarmada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 Fischer Connectors has developed its Landforce series of miniature. Ultracell also provided its XX25 fuel cells for the US Army’s Expeditionary Warrior Experiment in 2010. rugged connectors. which is controlled through a power manager and offers between five and 36 Volts in and out. high-performance. The alternative has finally become standard. One option is to further the development of fibre-optics for bodyworn equipment. 46 . is easier to handle. and application to soldier wearable electronics proceeds in syna chronicity. Ultracell’s XX25. Connectors and cables must first and foremost be soldier proof. Cable’s Nest Connecting vision systems. magnetic pulses and interference (no small feat considering all the electronics on today’s battlefield. rugged connectors that feature IP68/69 sealing level even when unmated. with an IP68 rating seal. but in case of a fire the addition of more toxic fume sources is always a risk. weighs less than four kilos and attaches to a standard military vest. Miniaturisation and nano technology developments are continuing to advance quite rapidly. They must survive a tug. Their ratchet-coupling mechanism allows quick mating with but one-half turn to seat. The M Series connectors feature 360° screening against RF interference. Multipole contact designs (from two to nine) are available with two plug body sizes. precision modular connectors that have been purposedesigned for every application. (Fischer) On display with other UK Fist modern soldier kit. The battery. There has been an influx of demands for small. (Armada/JK) power packs demands a network of cables and connectors. Although some few new-technology systems are being developed and tested. (Armada/JK) The US Army Research. with Reformed Methanol Fuel Cell (RMFC) technology. they must be tougher and yes smaller and lighter than ever before. (Armada/JK) the power packs continue to work even if there is a component failure that would disable a conventional battery. for example. communication gear. which makes it an ideal fuel source. Often a soldier will carry a radio by its cable – even swinging it by the cable when boredom strikes during lonely sentry duty. The aluminium connectors are small and lightweight and almost designed specifically for body-worn electronics. In October 2008. This solves the weight problem and the electromagnetic interference issue. which is then supplied directly to the fuel cell for electrical power production. met the competition’s benchmark with power to spare after running for four days.Development and Engineering Command (Cerdec) approached Ultralife with a view to producing this conformal battery that slips into Sapi armour plate holders. Switzerland’s Lemo introduced its M Series connector family at Afcea in February 2010. body-worn computers and Fischer Connectors has designed its Landforce connector line to the rugged requirements of future soldier programme equipment.Soldier systems The military range from Lemo is a family of rugged. water ingress and corrosion. NBCR-ready sealing and complete 360° shielding are standard with this line. ultra-light. vibration. when disconnection called for a twist. Weight and ruggedness can be overcome with the increased use of ceramics and composites. Connectors and cabling must handle more bandwidth. weight and extreme environmental protection are vital factors. The lightweight data terminal provides an effective solution for a wide array of battlefield applications where size. soldier-wearable computer system. including a ruggedized wrist display unit. At L-3 Ruggedized Command & Control Solutions (RCCS). Prevail.com/rccs. Wrist Display Lightweight Wearable Computer & Wrist Display Lightweight Hand-Held Computers Mission success relies predominantly on having the ability to view and process vital information.com . execute. For more information. Our newest capability is a small and lightweight.SenSe. Ruggedized Command & Control Solutions L-3com. we provide proven displays and computer solutions to military markets worldwide. visit L-3com. It provides situational awareness to dismounted soldiers operating under challenging tactical conditions. The Malaysian Army is looking to acquire 257 AV-8 vehicles in twelve different variants in this $ 2. Although how Malaysia intends to achieve these capabilities is unclear. The fact that there has been little in the way of major defence procurement in Malaysia over the last six years has hampered the mod- Army Armour Modernisation Difficulties in defence modernisation planning aside. Especially since Malaysian modernisation plans have evolved to take into account the requirements of networking and other high-technology developments. The aim now is to get the modernisation process back on track. This hiatus is now over. In prospect over the next two to three years are major programmes for all three Malaysian services – the Royal Malaysian Army. Or to be more precise. the national five-year economic development programme that will commence in 2011. (FNSS) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 48 . but doubts remain that there will be enough funding made available to make up for this lost time. ernisation plans of the Malaysian military. This was the twelfth edition of DSA. With these programmes to be funded out of allocations from the 10th Malaysia Plan. The 8 X 8 FNSS Pars will provide the basis for the Malaysian AV-8 LAV programme to be led by Deftech.4 billion (US$3. now this has been expanded to include network-enabled capabilities. a biennial event that is recognised as one of the most important tri-service defence exhibitions in Asia. three Letters of Acceptance. the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. as a number of high-value contracts were signed at the recent Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur. Previously. the government signed five Memoranda of Agreement.25 billion) worth of contracts were signed at DSA by the Malaysian government. modernisations were primarily platform based.5 billion programme. four Letters of Intent and eight contracts to be converted into fully fixed contracts at a later date. This series of procurements initiated at DSA are only the start of what promises to be an intense period of purchasing activity for Malaysia. even so since 2004 there has been a hiatus in major procurement programmes for both political and economic reasons. I n total RM10.Shows & exhibitions Wheels and Deals at DSA 2010 Eurocopter is now virtually certain to provide the Royal Malaysian Air Force with twelve EC725 Cougars Visited by Conrad Schiller Malaysia has long been regarded as one of the most important defence markets in Southeast Asia. the original equipment manufacturer. Then the programme was effectively halted due.7 million contract to design.56 billion) to cover the design. with local partner Deftech. there is a command variant. development and manufacture of 257 units in twelve different variants for the Malaysian Army. amongst other reasons. The replacement of the Condor fleet was seen as the priority by the Malaysian Army. an ambulance variant and a recovery version. the Bumar and FNSS offerings also had strong arguments for selection.Shows & exhibitions The TDA 2R2M is already in use in Malaysia on a tracked vehicle and is thus in good position to be selected for the Mortar version on the AV-8. FNSS of Turkey was also a major supplier to the Malaysian Army. The original intention was to select a new 8 x 8 and then purchase a first batch of 98 vehicles. In 2006. (TDA) one of the contracts signed at DSA marked the start of a major programme for the Malaysian Army. a subsidiary of the Naza Group. Where FNSS was at a disadvantage was that the Pars vehicle was at an early stage in its development compared to its two competitors. develop and manufacture an Amphibious Assault Bridge system that will be mounted on a new vehicle based on Pars 8 x 8 automotive components. an order to supply 211 ACV-300 Adnan tracked vehicles in ten different variants in 2000 (in 2008 they would receive an order for 48 more ACV-300 and eight ACV-S vehicles). 162 Sibmas AFSV vehicles are equipped with the CSE90 turret mounting the Cockerill 90mm Mk III gun. Since then the Pars design has been refined and has also obtained orders from the Turkish Command. All three vehicles were trialled by the Malaysian Army after the DSA exhibition of 2006.494 kg and mounted a Sharpshooter turret (as used on 31 of the ACV-300 vehicles in Malaysia) with a 25mm M242 cannon. In the 1980s the Malaysian Army placed numerous vehicle contracts.4 tonnes. Bumar had been selected in 2002 to provide the Malaysian Army with 48 PT-91M Pendekar main battle tanks and 14 support vehicles (ARV+AEV+ AVLB) and was therefore an established supplier to Malaysia.62-mm Nato machine gun installation. one mounting a 20-mm cannon and the other with a twin 7. As the Rosomak was based on the standard Patria AMV. taking a supporting role. The Rosomak variant that was trialled by Malaysia in 2006 was the IFV version equipped with the Oto Melara Hitfist turret mounting an ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II 30 x 173-mm cannon (the same turret was also installed on the Piranha IIIC for the Malaysian trials). three candidate vehicles for the requirement were identified in the form of the General Dynamics European Land Systems-Mowag Piranha IIIC. FNSS was awarded a $ 130. with the eventual requirement being 521 vehicles. The Condor is a 4 x 4 vehicle based on the MercedesBenz Unimog chassis with a weight of 12. having secured. In the end this did not happen and it seems that the two main systems under consideration were the 8 x 8 Pars being offered by FNSS and Deftech and the Rosomak being offered by Bumar and local partner Naza Defence. 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 con- figurations. with the remaining 24 being recovery vehicles. In January 2007. (DCNS) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 49 . These two types have reached the end of their operational lives and the Malaysian Army was looking to find a suitable replacement. Of the three vehicles that were evaluated in 2006. there were numerous vehicle options available to meet Malaysian Army requirements. During 2009 the Malaysian Army LAV programme suddenly came back to life. FNSS had started work on the Pars to meet potential Turkish Land Forces Command requirements for a wheeled vehicle and had developed a family in 4 x 4. the longcherished plan to begin replacing its light armoured vehicle fleet. The fate of the LAV requirement was resolved at DSA when the Malaysian government signed a letter of intent with Deftech with a potential value of RM 8 billion ($ 2. The Sibmas is a 6 x 6 with a combat weight in the 18tonne range. DCNS is to supply the Malaysian navy with a Scorpene simulator. This existing supplier relationship saw Bumar having the lead role in trying to meet the needs of the Malaysian light armoured vehicle requirement with Patria. The Malaysian Army has five Condor variants in service: two with turrets. The 8 x 8 variant trialled in Malaysia in 2006 had a combat weight of 24. the Piranha IIIC seemed to be highly favoured by the Malaysian Army. Yet. the Bumar Rosomak (a version of the Patria AMV modified to Polish Army specifications and license-built by WZM in Poland) and the FNSS Pars. the two most important being the selection of the ThyssenHenschel Radpanzer Condor (459 vehicles acquired) and the selection of the Belgian Sibmas (186 vehicles). the second of which – the KD Tunku Abdul Rahman – is here seen sailing away from the French coast. to the lack of adequate defence funding. although it was expected by many that there might be a new set of trials to look at a broader range of vehicles. Malaysia has two Scorpenes. Other partners in the AV-8 programme include Denel Land Systems.5 million (€ 27 million) contract to provide a simulator and other training services for the two Scorpene class submarines entering service with the RMN. DCNS received a RM 128. using its OICS vehicle electronics architecture and will provide mission system integration on specific AV-8 variants. Thales will act as the electronic integrator. The twelve variants of the AV-8 vehicle will include: a 30-mm.W. there is also a 120-mm mortar variant (and this should be the TDA 2R2M that has already been selected for a tracked mortar carrier). who will supply turrets and act as a systems integrator on the programme. Despite failing to sell the Super Hornet to Malaysia in 2003. under which an LAV was to be developed to meet the specific requirements of the Malaysian Army. a 25-mm. Deftech will act as the prime contractor and systems integrator for what is known as AV-8 Wheeled Armoured Vehicle. indicat- ing an order at some undisclosed point in the future for a second batch of vehicles. There are also plans to explore the export market for the AV-8. indigenous bridging systems and maintenance and associated support of the Malaysian Armed Forced command and control system. a full local production capability will be established to allow the complete manufacture of the vehicle. mortar and artillery ammunition. Other AV-8 variants are surveillance vehicle. while TDA received a RM 60 million contract to supply eight 120-mm 2R2M mortars for the eight ACV-S vehicles ordered in 2008 and SME Ordnance received contracts for small arms. The AV-8 will be a modified version of the 8 x 8 Pars with FNSS acting as the technology partner. one-man turret (probably the FNSS Sharp- shooter that is already in use with the Malaysian Army) and a version equipped with a 7. the Denel LCT30 with a 30 x 173-mm gun. with the programme calling for a prototype vehicle to be ready for trials in early 2012 and all 257 vehicles to be delivered to the Malaysian Army by 2016. To fully meet the Malaysian Army LAV requirement some 400 vehicles will be required. Other contracts signed at DSA saw Deftech receive a RM 97 million-worth letter of intent for spares provision for the PT-91M tank fleet. Bush. The second batch will amortise the investment in the programme and will bring down the unit cost of the vehicles as well. command vehicle. Initially FNSS will supply the Pars in kit form for assembly by Deftech in Malaysia. fitter vehicle. The anti-tank version of the AT-8 with a two-man turret is likely to mount the Denel Ingwe missile. Boeing and the F/A-18E/F are seen as a strong contender for the Malaysian MiG-29N/Nub replacement programme. two-man turret. in parallel with this. The spares and support requirements of the RMAF fleet of 18 Sukhoi Su-30MKM aircraft were met by a RM 100 million contract awarded to Irkut. Other contracts included the acquisition of 180 Heckler & Koch HK416 rifles for RMN Special Forces. cannon-equipped. signals vehicle. Irkut could be investing up to $ five billion A Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet lands on the aircraft carrier USS George H. (Armada/EHB) The Indigenous Route What started off as a relatively direct procurement of a vehicle had evolved into a far more complex programme. The communication fit for the AV-8 will be supplied by Sapura Thales Electronics. cannonequipped.62-mm machine gun in an overhead remote-control station. ambulance and NBC reconnaissance vehicle. In addition. (US Navy) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 50 .Shows & exhibitions Likely contenders for Malaysia’s attack helicopter requirement are the AW129 (AgustaWestland) and the Eurocopter Tiger. The EC725 purchase is the first of what could be a sequence of major helicopter orders over the next few years in Malaysia. both to be funded under the 10th Malaysia Plan. The corvette designator is somewhat misleading. with up to three units required. to be performed in Malaysia in the near future. Air Force Programmes There are two major air force programmes in prospect. Helicopter Opportunities After the AV-8. the Malaysian government now intends to go ahead with the contract. Northrop Grumman and Saab. but this will require that its future surface ship programmes are funded. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and numerous other yards in connection with this programme. Another helicopter programme could come from the navy. European shipyards and Korean shipyards are all interested in this proa gramme. a full RFI could be released very rapidly. This programme has been under discussion for many years. with the Eurocopter Tiger and the AgustaWestland AW129 as likely contenders. Russia initially proposed that the RMAF purchase more Sukhoi Su-30MKM aircraft to add a second squadron to its current fleet. as these units will have a displacement in the 2000tonne range. despite the fact that the helicopter has been in service for more than 30 years. The MiG-29N/Nub fleet was down to 16 aircraft at the start of 2009 and the Malaysian Ministry of Defence stated that they would reduce the fleet number to ten by the end of 2009 and phase out the aircraft completely in 2010. component manufacture and design. but this did not fit in with the force’s concept. If the funding is insufficient then there is a possibility of adding to the existing AW109 Light Observation Helicopter fleet (eleven helicopters in service). The other major naval programme is the acquisition of a Multi Role Support Ship (MRSS). and potentially setting the scene for two more frigates being acquired at a later date.Shows & exhibitions Apart from the Boeing Super Hornet. although these do not really reflect what they would actually like to acquire. The Malaysian Army intends to acquire a squadron of attack helicopters. The RMN has reportedly approached DCNS. on funding from the 10th Malaysia Plan. But a full replacement of the Nuri fleet is not on the cards. Regarding the AEW&C programme. Naval Programmes The RMN is in the process of looking at a number of surface ship acquisitions. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. The first is a new fighter and the second is an Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. the Eurofighter Typhoon. if the air force is confident of funding. The navy had envisaged these two new frigates complementing the two existing Lekiu class frigates that were commissioned in 1999. Instead the main future surface combatant programme is now the ‘Batch II Corvette’. At this stage the aircraft under consideration include the Boeing F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet. the air force sees this as a critical capability and has been attempting to fund such a programme for many years. Should the new fighter be available earlier than anticipated delivery then the MiG29 would be taken out of service sooner. Feeling that circumstances are now more favourable. The future course of the programme depends on the RFI responses. The RMAF is looking to acquire a total of four aircraft. Malaysia had signed a letter of intent with BAE Systems covering the purchase of two frigates. but the contract was sidelined in October 2008 due to the domestic political controversy that it caused. The policy was then changed and the MiG-29N/Nub will remain in service through 2015. The air force will be contracting for a Nuri life extension programme. the most important piece of business at DSA was the signature of a RM 1. The air force is looking to acquire 18 new fighters and has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to a number of potential suppliers. Malaysia is still considering other types of fighter aircraft such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Saab Gripen. but a full agreement on costs. Should the navy opt for a larger displacement unit. to establish a major facility for research and development. As an AEW&C capability has been under consideration for many years. In the mid-1990s the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) acquired 18 MiG-29N/Nub aircraft for the air-defence role and now the intention is to find a replacement. the number of ships will then be reduced. although not before 2015. In September 2008 the EC725 had been selected to meet an air force requirement for a Csar/Sar helicopter to replace the old Sikorsky S-61A-4 Nuri in that role. repair and overhaul at the new Malaysian Defence Security Technology Park. Inevitably one inducement to invest in the facility will be as a part of attempting to win new contracts in country. the level of funding available for the programme under the 10th Malaysia Plan and the offset requirements to be imposed by the government. it was intended to build both frigates in Malaysia. armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 51 . under the 10th Malaysia Plan. The MRSS is in the LPD category. as before. The future force structure plan does call for the acquisition of two more frigates. It now seems that the Russian offer will likely be based on the MiG-35. depending on the amount between six and twelve helicopters are in prospect. equipment and local construction was never finalised. Known as the Lekiu Batch II programme. but it is now believed that it could be funded.6 billion ($ 500 million)-worth letter of acquisition with Eurocopter covering the supply of twelve EC725 Cougars. in full or at least partially. The number of helicopters to be purchased is dependent upon how much funding is received from the 10th Malaysia Plan. As regards the AEW&C requirement. as well as maintenance. with the selected design to be built in Malaysia by Boustead Naval Shipyard at Lumut. the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 50/52 and the Saab Gripen. but Russia is expected to offer the MiG-35 in its answer to Malaysia’s request for information. with the programme being dependent. potential suppliers include Embraer. leading to the programme being terminated. at which point it will be retired and replaced by the new fighter. The Malaysian government has established the park to develop a regional defence industrial hub and is looking to attract foreign companies to invest and build facilities. Back in 2006. What’s Up? Live Field Testing with Thales Ride in the Bushmaster confirmed excellent all-round independent suspension and power reserve Prior to the opening of the Eurosatory exhibition Thales organised a one-day field testing where it lined up a series of its systems that were to be exhibited at the Parc des Expositions at Villepinte.000 hours of operation. Also available now is a Euro 4-compliant Cummins diesel engine. Turning to land vehicles. such as jammers. This does not mean that the Bushmaster didn’t evolve. delivered and is currently operating secure communication services within the International Security and Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan. The Margot screen provides the user with the best possible situational awareness. I n the case of five of these contracts. said Christophe Dumas. Riding in a Bushmaster immediately illustrates the advantage of fully independent suspensions over live axle. The Arvin Meritor progressive coil spring suspensions with upper control arm The Margot 5000 surveillance system includes a Catherine long-range thermal camera. A typical improvement. while it is providing an «Istar by the hour» service which totalled over 30. Thales has also designed. Talks are also underway with the Netherlands and Canada on camp protection solutions. common to many current vehicles. director for strategy at the C4I division. In terms of armour improvements. Australia is certainly the principal user. the company is fully engaged in supporting ongoing operations and in 2009 won about half of the British Ministry of Defence urgent operational requirements. An interesting remark by Geff Miller was that the ten to 20 Bushmasters that had suffered roadside bomb attacks and were sent back to the company for repair are now back to work. which started at 140 Ah and aims at 600 Ah to satisfy the increasing voracity of electronic equipment that many customers want to install. the Australian Army decided to favour logistic simplicity and avoided introducing upgrades during the production. with over 50 sites and 6000 users connected. It was a good opportunity to have a first-hand impression of many existing and new systems. Thales was able to deliver the equipment in less than six months. (Armada/PV) armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 52 . etc. a daylight camera and a laser rangefinder. Thales Australia Business Development Manager for Export. Thales is also the mission system design authority for the Talisman bomb clearance system being acquired by Britain. Vice President Business Development at Thales Land Systems. The 86 vehicles for the Netherlands and the 24 for Britain have been delivered. a solution often adopted by other armies when a contract extends over a long period of time. BMS. is the increase in on-board power availability. the monocoque design lends itself to easily fix add-on armour. extra radios. which is now available in numerous configura- tions and in service with three nations. According to Geoff Miller. one of the Thales products that is extensively used in Afghanistan is the Bushmaster 4 4. with 736 vehicles ordered. Lessons learned with those new business models would be exploited for future contracts. As underlined by Hervé Barbier. the first delivered in August 2003 and over 600 delivered since. The colour display. for its part. At tactical level the newest equipment is the F@stnet Twin. (Armada/PV) abolic is also available. adopted the system to upgrade its Pandur 6 6 vehicles for recce duty. while the Luxembourg Army is installing it on its 48 PRV protected reconnaissance vehicles based on KMW Dingo 2 (for which Thales is prime contractor). the latter using a PDA for data input. Flexnet and Nextw@ve radios as well as both voice and data link with the
[email protected]° and 3° 2. Mounted on a tripod with the tilt-head allowing a 360° azimuth orientation and ±90° elevation. This included the Isis computer. which currently contains the VHF PR4G waveform as well as the UHF St@rmille waveform. Communications is certainly one of the core businesses of Thales. To be able to drive down a steep slope at crawling speed. the starring equipment being the Margot 5000 integrated surveillance system that incorporates a Catherine 8-12 µ third-generation thermal camera with two fields of view (9° 6. Although equipped with Gen II tubes. the station looked like a tidy office with three working positions. Comes night and we were able to put the Thales Lucie night vision goggles through their paces. has a zooming facility to enlarge the area of interest. which considerably facilitates logistics. stop the vehicle mid-slope and begin backing up without effort was an impressive experience. colour daylight CCD camera and ten-km range laser rangefinder. Unlike typical command posts filled with computers. radios and power supply paraphernalia leaving very little room for operators. the alarms. Thales demonstrated the ability of the new radio. each with keyboard and screen although it can be laid out with one to a five working stations. Paolo Valpolini armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 53 . Thales is currently working on the UHF aeronautic waveform to allow the infantry team leader to maintain contact with incoming close air support assets. (Armada/PV) and lower wishbone do a great job of the Thales offroad test site at Cormeillesen-Vexin. Thales demonstrated its Engagement Control Station for airdefence units.2 tonnes max. although a booster function ups this to eight (all packed into a 700gram kit sans battery). and comes with an embedded GPS.) with superior mobility characteristics. to exchange voice communication with the F@stnet. The system proved to be user friendly. in the current combat net radio environment. the back end was mounted in a tent. a 360° view shown on top of the screen allowed one to readily perceive the field of view used by the sensor. the sight was pretty good and. While the satellite equipment sits in a rack at the back of the vehicle. after a few moments of familiarisation.2°). The Belgian Army. some 40 km northwest of Paris. a twin antenna and an output of five Watts. a two-band software-defined radio for the infantry team leader. it was very quickly re-acquired as soon as the satellite was again visible to the vehicle. One of the peculiarities of those goggles is their wide field of view – over 50° compared to the normal 40° – and the use of a single AA battery. showing the behaviour of the electronic tracking and of the algorithms used. which detects a human being at a range of four km and a large vehicle at over A darker window opens on the battlefield management system screen to indicate the full link status of the satcomon-the-move system. a x2 electronic zoom. The vehicle on demonstration was equipped with ballistic add-on armour on the sides and a Kongsberg Protector remotely-controlled weapon station (sans weapon and ammunition). the display and joystick. it was pretty easy to move around in the dark without problems. Thales deployed a Panhard PVP vehicle equipped with a satcom-onthe-move facility operating in X-band with a 55 35 cm flat aerial – though a Ka par- The F@stnet Twin portable UHF/VHF twoband software-defined radio can also provide a 2D map of the area. including satellite link data. Still in the context of communication. with the former used for linking with platoon and command levels and the latter allows maintaining links with the team. the commander can monitor. from that position it was possible to watch the whole of the PontoiseCormeilles airport. The F@stnet Twin is a full two-band radio (it allows to talk on the two bands at the same time) available with a stereophonic headset. which provides a two-dimensional map of the surroundings. azimuth aerial orientation and signal level status (throughput being between 512 kbps and 1 Mbps). via a window overlay on the battlefield management display.What’s Up? The tactical situation with the areas observed by the linked radars as well as the friendly corridors and the threat area as displayed by the Thales Engagement Control Station. The 246-kW Caterpillar 3126E engine and the ZF 6HP502 Ecomat G2 transmission are key elements in providing the 15tonner (which grosses at 17. Thermal imaging was another topic of the day. the keyboard. Last but not least. (Armada/PV) nine. Worthy of notice is that although the signal was lost due to an obstacle. The 30-kg unit is in use on the two Panhard VBL Source (Système Optronique Unique de Renseignement) prototypes acquired by the French Army. The vehicle answers all environmental and safety regulations and is built thinking toward Euro 4. a new solution was also adopted for the hull. high-data-throughput terminals.55 metres in order to allow it to stay within the normal civilian traffic dimensions. Its width is limited to 2. Inert fuel tanks were used and an extinguishing system against Molotov is also included. while a new proprietary software package is being used into multi-function displays. The tests featured several types of satcom terminals using L-3 Linkabit’s MPM-1000 modems running the NCW linked in a multi-node. from where it climbed to 32. when the legend extolling the virtues of the Spearnet radio from ITT was coupled with ITT’s own Spearhead radio photograph. This occurred in our Compendium Tactical Radios. single-hop connectivity between ‘disadvantaged’ onthe-move. underwent a series of flight tests and landed two hours later at Edwards Air Force Base. which allows lowering the weight while providing optimal anti-mine and anti-IED protection. which will also provide a sigint ground station separate from the mission control. the VBMR and the EBRC. launch and recovery ground station from Northrop Grumman. fullduplex. The Eurohawk consortium – a 50:50 joint venture of the two companies – received a contract from the German Ministry of Defence in 2007 to develop the Euro Hawk sigint system. 54 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . Two vastly disparate but uncommonly competent radio systems that are both shown here for comparison. Other companies involved in the PCV tests were General Dynamics C4 Systems and the Mitre Corporation. Armour based on new technologies should be added. The XP2 carried out its first trials from November 2009 to April 2010. The Spearhead is on the left. however a picture was released in early July. Spearnet – Spearhead.Digest Nexter XP2 Unveiled At Eurosatory 2010 Nexter kept its XP2 6 x 6 technology demonstrator under the curtains. and to other configurations. Spear Through the Chest! T hat’s the feeling an author/editor receives when discovering he’s attributed the wrong photo to the right legend. full-mesh network that allowed point-to-point. MPM in PCV for WGS-3 Recent US Army tests designed to verify that Network Centric Waveform (NCW) terminals can operate on the Ka-band over the newly launched Wideband Global Satcom (WGS-3) system were conducted at Fort Monmouth. A new type of open architecture was used to adapt the vehicle to the two vehicles included in the French Scorpion programme. The vehicle is in the 18 to 24-tonne class. The Euro Hawk is the European configuration of the RQ-4 Global Hawk highaltitude drone – it is based on the Block 20 variant and equipped with a new sigint package from EADS Defence & Security. L-3 Linkabit officials reported the Payload Characterization and Verification (PCV) tests demonstrated the readiness of the MPM-1000 modem to operate in the WGS-3 environment in multi-node configuration with various antenna apertures. Nexter has developed a new cinematic chain from the engine to the wheels. 5 and 6 engines. California facility. the vehicle was hidden in an inside area. and following Eurosatory was ready to carry out an endurance test campaign aimed at verifying the entire driveline. as well as newly-designed anti-mine seats.000 feet. Euro Hawk’s First Flight The maiden voyage of the Northrop Grumman/EADS Euro Hawk began on 29 June from Northrop’s Palmdale. New Jersey. the Pulsar is a wireless desktop for complex operations and the Pulsar Premium which is a general-purpose desktop. are certified up to Stanag 2920 ballistic resistance.CONNECTORS FOR HARSH ENVIRONMENTS Feeling Froggy? Try a Tadpole General Dynamics Itronix has released four new ultrathin client computers that enable PC-like performance (connectivity. vibration absorbtion flange arctic grip or knurled design lightning test passed LEMO SA . The new Tadpole team members are the M1000 (shown) – a 1. as with other Bollé products. The spectacles increase visi- ble light received by the eyes from the normal 90% traditionally associated with clear glasses to 96%. An innovative solution for harsh environments very high contact density ratchet screw coupling mechanism 6 different sizes lightweight aluminium shell 2 to 114 contacts optimum space saving oil and fuel resistant IP 68 high shock and vibration resistance High Definition Sniper Specs France’s Bollé has recently unveiled its new High Definition eye protection for lowlight situations or when an extra splash of contrast is necessary to help separate the enemy from the background. The Tadpole range looks and acts like a regular PC but enables ‘instant on’ and plug-and-play setup as well as an integrated VPN (Virtual Private Network) for direct connectivity. This light enhancement provides a stronger contrast and higher definition.Switzerland Phone : (+41 21) 695 16 00 Fax : (+41 21) 695 16 02
[email protected]. high-speed computing). The High Definition glasses (in background). These clients join the Topaz high-end computing rugged notebook which was launched in April of this year.com . The Topaz was designed for military power users requiring workstation-class application with mobile-server flexibility. a high-performance version offering a 15-inch LCD. Navy photo used with permission without endorsement A ratchet screw system enables quick and secure coupling of the connectors. U.3-kg device for highly mobile users. connecting the end-user to a network or through a VPN. The company suggests that core computing is migrating from an end-user-centric environment to secure centralized servers that enable IT teams to work on serverbased capabilities that extend to all clients across the network. the M1500. but without flaring into an enemy’s night vision system. they offer sufficient glamour to serve as diplomatic mission platforms. They must be rugged. State Postal Code Rank Please indicate method of payment: First name by bank transfer CHF. computers. (Other countries). (Europe) and USD 222.Digest T he high-capacity. Sufficiently compact to be simply bolted on a deck without requiring penetration. Soldier-to-Soldier Comms Wars no longer are fought along one’s own borders. Subscriptions Annual Subscription Rates. the embedded cryptography and management interfaces meet strict security standards for handling sensitive but unclassified data. Naval Self-protection Ensuring soldiers maintain communication in high-stress situations has fostered the development of small. are: CHF 222. and with their tracking facility give little chance to an intruder to remain unscathed under their 20 to 30-mm calibre punch. Land Corvette Design An often neglected piece of essential soldier personal equipment is the watch. Explosives Disposal Robots Command. light squad radios which give a host of easy-to-use communication options.armada. the Armada team reports on the technologies and business deals underway at the show. Exoskeletons Very much a complement to the previous title. thanks to sensors that can be accurately positioned for optimal viewing from the operator have become increasingly helpful for defusing and destroying suspect object. from Europe IBAN: LI81 0880 5002 8122 7001 7 USD. Everything has to be taken there. Sea. surveillance. including surface mail. domestic IBAN: LI12 0880 5002 1875 7001 6 CHF. or subscribe via www. high-speed wireless data transmission up to 80 Mbps out to 50 km to facilitate disparate combat applications.und Privatbank AG LI-9490 Vaduz. and waterproof. Show Report – Eurosatory From Paris. Combat Drones Small remotely controlled (generally tracked) vehicles. C-ram units have to be as accurate as rogue rockets and mortar bombs aren’t. Corvettes now pack such a punch that they have become a prime target in a war or conflict. communications. France. but far away on the other side of the globe. Principality of Liechtenstein SWIFT Code: VPBVLI2X by credit card: Amexco Mastercard Visa Card No:____________________________________________ Town Country Name on card: _______________________________________ Validity: ________________ Card Security Code:__________ D D M M Y Y Signature_____________________________ 56 armada INTERNATIONAL 4/2010 . and reconnaissance – the main elements of battlespace awareness and network centricity. please mail or fax the portion below to Armada International.ch Mr Ms Last name Title Company Address PO Box County. are operated from below decks. planes carrying the vehicles that will carry men… C-Ram The way the design of corvettes has been evolving in recent years is quite fascinating – not to mention the punch they can deliver. Hagenholzstrasse 65. intelligence. In total contrast. Fax: +41 44 308 50 55. To receive your own copies of armada INTERNATIONAL. and sometimes where there are no natural or man-made resources. and work in symbiosis with their operator. Drone Update The regular unmanned aircraft news review. and includes intelligence from manned and unmanned ground and aerial assets. Remotely-controlled Turrets As weird and unserious as drones appeared to be a few years ago. Advertising: 27 August Military Watches Compendium Mobility – Air. ships carrying boats. which catches up with the latest developments of this fast-moving discipline. Next Issue (October/November 2010): 24 September. This domain is the eyes and ears of any conflict. Compendium C4ISR Counter rocket. control. The RF-7800W is a wireless IP networking radio that provides long-distance. legible at night. They carry weights where wheels and tracks can’t. Province. Their design is closely following the evolution of their on-board pilot predecessors: merely started with a couple of airdroppable weapons they are now moving into the realm of stealthiness and may soon partially replace the bomber in its dirtiest missions. Naval Medium-calibre. exoskeletons may in fact mature even faster than autonomous robots. command centres and everything travelling on the airwaves. artillery and mortar systems has become the latest way to defend against unguided rockets and mortar rounds. this article will describe the systems that are being developed to protect ships from incoming threats. line-of-sight software-defined radio RF7800W from Harris has recently received US Government Federal Information Processing Standard (Fips) 140-2 Level 2 certification which assures that the unit. other areas IBAN: LI59 0880 5002 8122 7002 5 Armada International c/o Verwaltungs. CH-8050 Zurich/Switzerland.