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 In recent years, fire support
innovations are not provided by new platforms, or more powerful
cannons, but by the integration of advanced systems, which maintain
the artillery's position as one of the most dominant effectors of
the modern battlefield. Some of the modern trends could be seen at
Eurosatory 2004, including mobilization and automation, which
contribute to more flexible and survivable operation; long range and
precision improvements, and moving toward net centricity. Among the
systems shown were the Caesar autonomous truck mounted gun system
which was also demons trated
in the field.
Caesar will soon entering production for
the French army. As a model of the Romanian
ATROM was also on
display. Among the self propelled mortars, Thales'
D2DR demonstrated
its dramatic rapid performance in the field. This mortar is also
entering Frenc Army service. A self-propelled dual barrel
AMOS mortar was also
displayed by Patria's AMOS, as configured for the Finnish Army,
while CARDOM was shown by Soltam – this mortar is being produced for
the US Army. Smart munitions for 120mm mortars were also on display
- a new arrival was the PGMM shown by ATK
for the first time.
IAI
displayed its new Fireball laser guided bomb and IMI unveiled its
own version for a 120mm laser guided bomb. Among the artillery smart
ammunitions, several versions of cargo shells were shown including
155mm versions of Excalibur, IMPAQT, Volcano and GAA, but their
payloads is narrowing down into two choices –
SMART and
BONUS.
Conventional ammunition stocks can also be upgraded, with
 the
introduction of Course Correction Techniques, demonstrated by
GIAT's Spadico,
Diehl and IMI.
In the air defense field, systems displayed included
MEADS and
SAMP-T for long range
engagements, and the short range
SL-AMRAAM,
BAMSE and Vertical
Launched VL/MICA,
Rafael Spyder and the
new SkyRanger
mobile air defense gun system, shown for the first time. A new
system on display was the Bofors
Advanced Effects Protection
System (AEPS). Also
related to air defense, several companies emphasized the
capabilities of systems to provide protection from cruise missiles -
operating sensors such as
JLENS and other tethered systems. |
