 In Spite of Medvedev's Optimism Russian Military Is Facing Severe Crisis
October 26, 2009: Three helicopters crashed today in Afghanistan claimed 14 lives and 25wounded. According to information provided by ISAF the helicopter was supporting a search mission over a suspected compound in the Darabam district in the north western Badghis province, where the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is engaging insurgents conducting narcotics trafficking. In a separate incident two U.S. Marines helicopters were involved in a mid-air collision during a night mission. (Read More...)
Three helicopters crashed in one day in Afghanistan claimed 14 lives and wounded 25. According to information provided by ISAF the helicopter was supporting a search mission at a suspected compound in the Darabam district in the Badghis province, in north western Afghanistan, where the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) engaged insurgents conducting narcotics trafficking. In a separate incident two U.S. Marines helicopters were involved in a mid-air collision on a night mission. (Read More...)
Tel Aviv, Israel, October 2009: The Israel Air Force is embarking on an ambitious avionics enhancement program that has the potential to upgrade the air force's entire combat fleet, including fighter, transport and helicopters, facilitating advanced network centric services and capabilities throughout the air force's combat assets, new and old. (Read More...)
Following the successful completion of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) qualification of the Reccelite tactical aerial recce pods with the German Air Force, the Luftwaffe is now equipping Tornado IDS fighters with the system. To be equipped with the first two Reccelite pods, are Tornados of AG51 'Immelmann' Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. Recently deployed to join the rest of the squadron at Mazer e-Sharif airbase in northern Afghanistan, the aircraft will support USAF operations in-theater. (Read more...)
Brazil squeezes Boeing and Saab to match the terms of the mega-deal agreed by the presidents of the two countries. After Eurocopter and DCSN are already invested in large programs in Brazil, Dassault could be next if Rafale is selected for the F-X2. (read more...)
 U.S. Air Force Gears for Irregular Warfare Operations (IW)
While the air force completes procurement of its top-performance F-22, and gears toward fielding of the fifth-next generation F-35 stealth fighter, a modest effort is aimed at a different platform, less glamorous, perhaps, but not less suitable for irregular warfare, a type of conflict the Air Force is expected to support, but currently still lacks adequate means to deliver effectively.
(Read more...)
Light Attack Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft (LAAR)
HBC, Lockheed Martin Team for the Air Force LAAR program
New Night Eyes for the Constant Hawk (Counter-IED Surveillance)
More news on: Aircraft & Helicopters | Guided Weapons | C4ISR | UAVs
Tel Aviv - 22 October 2009: Israel and the United States have launched today, Wednesday October 21, their first day of the three-week Juniper Cobra 10 air defense exercise, being the largest ever joint-military exercises in missile defense, to be held by the two nations. About a thousand U.S. troops, from all four branches of service, will work alongside an equal number of Israel Defense Force personnel, taking part in computer-simulated war games intended to ensure the two countries can jointly respond to a crisis. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: Improving early warning and protection of forward operating bases is urgently needed by many armies. The advanced lightweight counter-mortar radar providing early warning on incoming mortar attacks, and new, very-short-range interceptors, designed to defeat such threats before they hit their targets.. Other missile defense systems being fielded under the U.S. Army control include enhanced PAC-3 combined air and missile interceptor, and THAAD missile defense system are being developed under the U.S. Missile Defense Initiative, to protect forward deployed forces from short and medium missile attacks. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: A major future improvement anticipated today is the precision enhancement of indirect fires, at brigade level and below. Sofar the anchor of the Brigade's precision fires artillery was the 155mm gun-fired Excalibur GPS guided projectile. Soon, more choices will be available with the introduction of precision 120mm mortars bombs and Precision Guided Kits (PGK) for artillery projectiles, enhancing the brigade's organic precision indirect fire capability. (Read More...)
The XM-501 Non Line Of Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) will begin fielding with the first Brigade Combat Team in 2011. The system provides a unique, flexible, platform-independent precision engagement system, empowering light and heavy brigades with immediate and responsive precision fires against moving and stationary targets and against surface targets at sea. The system employs the Precision Attack Missile (PAM), designed to follow preprogrammed flight paths and in-flight target updates. (Read More...)
Raytheon introduced at AUSA 2009 a new enhancement of the MLRS family, based on the Hammer ground-launched multi-role loitering missile. The Hammer was designed as a low-cost, land based loitering weapon system, based on the Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) family, extending the Army's electronic attack and Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) capability. (Read More...)
The first pair of Space Tracking and Surveillance System demonstration (STSS-Demo) satellites were launched September 25, 2009 on a NASA Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral, FL. The satellite's sensors comprise a launch detection sensor and a movable tracking sensor to follow midcourse objects in space. They employ both infrared and visible cameras, capable of tracking and discriminating missiles in midcourse; report on post-boost vehicle maneuvers, reentry vehicle deployments and the use of various types of decoys. The sensor will also provide post-engagement hit/kill assessment. (read more...)
Russian Air Force Deputy Commander for Air Defense Lieut. General Sergei Razygrayev confirmed in an interview with the Moscow Ekho radio that Russia is developing a new, more advanced air and missile defense system designated S-500. The new system development is expected to be completed by 2012. The missile is designed to intercept primarily medium range missiles - what Russia considers 'a new type of threat'. (read more...)
New Israeli hardware was unveiled today at the Latrun 3rd annual conference discussing maneuver in complex terrain. Many of the new systems were unveiled by the Ground Forces Command's (GFC) weapons development department, responsible for the maturization of new weapon systems, command for the armor, infantry, combat engineering and artillery corps. Other programs displayed here are sponsored or supported by the Israel Ministry of Defense Directorate Research & Development (DDR&D) were displayed by four industries that supported the event, including IAI, Rafael, IMI and Azimuth.
Improved Precision for Artillery Projectile
Mini-Spike Anti-Personnel Guided Weapon
Remotely Operated, Organic Precision Attack Missile
Shock Absorber – Man-Portable Active Protection System
More news on: Missile Systems | Air Defense | Precision Strike
Textron Defense Systems' Tactical Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Airbag Protection System, (TRAPS), has recently completed the first phase of testing at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) in Socorro, New Mexico. During these tests the system defeated live RPGs fired at different angles and from both short and long ranges. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: The exhibition provided a preview of potential improvements for major platforms, such as the Stryker, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Paladin self propelled gun, M-1A2 SEP / E3 Abrams main battle tank and M-1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV). It was an opportunity for several companies to present a conceptual approach to manned-unmanned operation of ground vehicles, such as in convoy operations. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: More details on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) have emerged recently with ongoing Technology Demonstration (TD) phase underway, with each of the three teams producing three basic configurations of the vehicle: Category A with payload capacity of 3,500 lb, seating four soldiers, B category carrying 4,000-5,000 lb payloads and seating six soldiers and Category C - utility prime-mover and ambulance, seating a crew of two and carrying up to 5,100 lb of payload. A common trailer is also part of each vehicle family. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: Textron Systems took the AUSA opportunity to introduce a new and upgraded version of the M1117 family – designated 'Mobile Survivable Vehicle' (MSV). Textron engineers have increased the vehicle's gross weight by 18%, to 38,000 lb, allowing an increase in spent armor protection and added payload capacity (220% increase). The vehicle has beefed-up exterior armor and appliqué composite armor interior. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: A new version of the Stryker at AUSA 2009 in Washington DC, configured as a 'Wheeled Combat Vehicle Demonstrator' was also on display. The vehicle presents the achievements of a collaborative effort undertaken by a team of industries led by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). The team configured the advanced combat vehicle by integrating a range of readily available and mature systems, that can be fielded in the immediate or near future (TRL level 6-7) on current Stryker Brigades, during reset or retrofit or through new production for future brigades. Increased firepower is available with the new remotely controlled 25/30mm armored medium caliber Remote Weapon Station (MC RWS). The vehicle also introduced the new Mast Sensor System, developed by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The MC RWS and MMS can be employed together to form a 'hunter-killer' assembly. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: The Army’s newest acquisition - M-ATV , was displayed in a shining new example at prime contractor’s Oshkosh booth at AUSA 2009 before it is shipped to the dusty war torn battlegrounds of Afghanistan. Nearby, Oshkosh displayed a Technology Demonstrator (TD) hinting about what the future applications of tactical vehicles could be - this M-ATV like vehicle was featuring autonomy, exportable power on demand and all-terrain mobility. The TD is equipped with the TerraMax system, integrating sensors, artificial intelligence and drive-by-wire technology to function in autonomous, leader-follower or manually driven modes. (Read More...)
Thales Australia has unveiled the Hawkei lightweight Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV-L) developed to meet the Australian Defense Forces Land121 program and key export customers. "In developing the Hawkei, we have taken the lessons learned building the highly successful Bushmaster and, in combination with our partners, applied that thinking and experience to the new vehicle," said Ian Irving, Thales Australia's Land & Joint Systems Division Vice President. (read more...)
A new Program Executive Office (PEO) designated 'PEO-Integration' was established last week by the U.S. Army. Literally speaking, its mission will be to pick up the remains of the Future Combat Systems (FCS), namely the systems almost ready for fielding as part of the 'Spin-out I', and integrate them to early Brigade Combat Teams. (read more...)
The Army's U.S. Army's TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) is inviting candidate industries capable of designing, developing and producing the next generation vehicles of Ground Combat Vehicles to line up for the program. (Read more...)
AUSA 2009 Update
Developers, Suppliers Group for Ground Combat Vehciles (GCV)
Armored vehicle designers and manufacturers in the UK are scrambling to develop light armored vehicles aimed to replace the lightly armored 4x4 Land Rover Snatch light patrol vehicle, operated by the British forces in Afghanistan. (Read more...)
RG35, Cross Over Armored Mine Protected Vehicle
Ranger: a Hybrid Vehicle designed for Hybrid Battle
British MOD Evaluates Foreign Designs for the FRES Scout Vehicle
British infantry units will soon be issued with new Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) package. The order, part of a £150m contract awarded by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) to Thales UK marks the first acquisition increment of the Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) program. The full FIST package will consist of nearly eleven thousand suites of equipment. (Read more...)
Singapore is fielding the new 8x8 Terrex Infantry Combat Vehicle. The Singaporeans are planning to field at least 135 vehicles, expected to be fielded with all infantry and guards battalions by February 2010. The new vehicle was developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics and is optimized for urban warfare. (Read more...)
More news on: Armor & Protection | Infantry Systems | Defense Electronics
CenTauri Solutionshas been awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense to demonstrate an integrated UAV-based counter-IED technology. Known as “Yellow Jacket” the $11.7 million program is sponsored by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, (AFRL) in Rome, New York. Such a capability could provide life saving services for military patrols and convoys, by scanning the roads and locations and identifing potential IED threats before the arrival of the forces. (Read More...)
October 25, 2009: After developing 3D touch controllers for video and computer games, Novint Technologies is moving on to the real world, developing a Remote Touch Kit (RTK) for the PackBot, under contract from the robot manufacturer iRobot. (Read More...)
Boeing A160T Hummingbird unmanned helicopter successfully completed 20 test flights testing the Foliage Penetration Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Tracking and Engagement Radar (FORESTER), developed under a DARPA / US Army program. The tests, conducted at Fort Stewart, Ga., validated the radar-carrying A160T's flight characteristics with more than 50 hours of flying time. The new radar will be able to detect and track moving vehicles and dismounted troops under foliage, filling a current surveillance gap. The Army currently has one FORRESTER system installed on an A160T and has plans to acquire four additional systems (read more...)
IAI has unveiled today a compact unmanned ground robotic vehicle designed to support infantry units in combat. The platform, dubbed REX has a useful payload of 200 kg (450 lb), providing logistical sustainment for an infantry team or squad (3-10 soldiers) over a 72 hours mission. IAI expects the international market for such products will evolve over the next years, developing a demand for tens of thousands of units for military and civilian applications. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: As the largest world operator of UAVs, the U.S. Army has flown over 760,000 combat flight hours with the growing fleet of UAVs. To date, over 1,400 UAS operators have been trained with 2,300 additional trainees competing their training in 2010. Among the new UAVs, the Army is taking delivery of the first Sky-Warrior Extended Range Multi-Purpose UAV among 11 systems (132 aircraft) planned for procurement, the first platform designed from Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Attack missions. Similar missions are being performed by the MQ-5B Hunter, while improvements underway for the RQ-7 Shadow small UAV will introduce closer cooperation with ground units, directly linking UAVs with scout and attack helicopters, via the new VUIT-2 system. (Read More...)
Israel's Unmanned Ground Vehicle's (UGV) pioneer G-NIUS is expanding its Guardium UGV family with a logistics load carrier (Guardium LS) designed to support dismounted infantry units on the battlefield. In the logistics support role, the vehicle can be tele-operated from mobile or portable terminals, or act in a mule mode, where it autonomously follows a squad unit. (Read more...)
IAI is nearing the first delivery of a prototype version of the Mosquito micro UAV, as part of the technological evaluation of this new concept UAV. Similar to 'micro class' UAVs, Mosquito weighs in the sub kilogram range, but unlike other systems scratching the top of the weight class, Mosquito weighs only 500 grams. Nevertheless, it can operate on a 30 minute mission, at distances up to 3,000 meters from the launch point. According to IAI officials the Mosquito can endure winds and gusts up to 25 knots. The system is not new, Defense Update has first reported on the Mosquito in 2005. In the past four years the development of the systemcontinues, alas at a slower pace, lacking a clear customer requirement or market. But IAI's developers persisted in their effort to improve the system, with encouragement from Israel's MOD Defense Research & Development Directorate (DR&DD). (Read more...)
G-NIUS will Develop the Next-Generation Unmanned Ground Vehicle dubbed Nahshon for the Israeli Defense Forces. The new unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) will offer improved operational flexibility and performance beyond the level provided by the current Guardium, designed for security operations and will provide combat support. (Read more...)
More news on: UAVs | Guided Weapons | C4ISR
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: Persistent surveillance is another field of improvement for the U.S. Army. Current assets, including aerial and vehicle mounted stabilized EO systems, are providing good performance. However their availability, mobility and mission endurance is measured in hours, not days, determined by platform, power and operator limitations. (Read More...)
Another system, soon to be fielded with U.S. Army engineers teams and platoons is the ENFIRE Instrument Set, Reconnaissance and Surveying system, developed by Northrop Grumman. The system is designed as a map-based reporting system, supporting the processing of terrain reconnaissance – currently done sporadically through a complex and laborious manual process reserved only to few skilled professionals. (Read More...)
NetReveal services developed by BAE Systems’ Detica, provide automatic processing and access to huge volumes of information, suggesting association and links between objects of varying formats and origin. Enabling analysts to gain an insight and develop situational awareness and understanding in rapidly unfolding scenarios, intelligence agencies can process large volumes of inbound, multiple format intelligence, dynamically and automatically comparing it to a historic back drop of millions of data items and reports in search of hidden links. (Read More...)
An integrated information system literally designed to save lives is the Global Patient Care and Tracking System (GPCATS) developed by Sierra Nevada Corp. (SNC). The system is designed for airborne medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopters, supporting medics on the ground by linking them to the forward medical care facilities to assist the treatment through the evacuation process utilizing telemedicine technology. (Read More...)
Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) are a central element in the U.S. Army Brigade Combat Team modernization effort. Part of the FCS Spin-Out program are two UGS systems developed by Textron Systems - the AN/GSR-9 Tactical-UGS and AN/GSR-10 Urban-UGS sensors, (also known as the Urban Military Operations in Urban Terrain Advanced Sensor System – UTASS). (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: The network centric that transformed the capabilities of air and naval forces in recent years is finally settling with the land forces, where outdated platforms and communications technologies, coupled with complex integration challenges have hindered sofar the introduction of wide-scale network-centric capabilities. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: To handle the masses of data and imagery streaming from the field, new tools are developed to assist battalions, companies and platoons to obtain, process and use intelligence and operationally relevant information. Such systems streamline, automate, and simplify tasks undertaken by ordinary soldiers and officers, transforming every staff and Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) to an expert. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: 360° surveillance provides effective situational awareness for armored vehicles crew. Perimeter surveillance utilizing peripheral cameras is becoming common with modern combat vehicles, employing forward looking thermal 'driver vision enhancer' and tail mounted camera covering the rear area. Adding side looking cameras to each flank complete the system's 360° coverage. Individual images can be inspected by different crewmembers or be joined together into a panoramic view combining the detailed images, shared and displayed to all crew members. (Read More...)
AUSA, Washington DC, October 2009: An important aspect of military operations in counterinsurgency and stabilization operations is understanding the 'human terrain' – the environment which the unit is operating in. Deciphering this subtle social matrix is an anthropological challenge, and has never been part of the military commander's skill set. However, these social domains are the terrain on which asymmetric conflicts are fought and won, and as such, military commanders should be prepared to assess the situation, avoid obstacles and seize the 'high ground', by solving some of the issues most concerning and critical to the local population. (Read More...)
BAE Systems has delivered the first Airborne, Wide Area Persistent Surveillance System (AWAPSS) to the U.S. Army, addressing an urgent need for improving persistent day-or-night situational awareness in complex operational environments. These surveillance systems will expand the current capabilities of Constant Hawk aerial surveillance aircraft operating in Iraq, detecting, identifying and tracking activities, suspected to be associated with prepartion, emplacement, or locations of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or ambushes in complex, urban environments. Sofar these capabilities were limited to daytime operations. Beyond night performance, the new system will also improve automated target tracking capability and offer better target detection and identification, by employing multi-spectral imaging and supporting multi-user operation. (Read more...)
More news on: Defense Electronics | Electro-Optics
Textron Marine & Land Systems has teamed with L-3 Communications to pursue the U.S. Navy’s future $4 billion Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) program. The Navy is planning to field the 73 ton Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV), starting in the year 2019, gradually replacing the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft landing-craft currently in service. (Read More...)
October 18, 2009: The Lockheed Martin built Freedom class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-1) is already in service, and could be deployed for its first mission as early as next year (early 2010) – two years ahead of its scheduled maiden deployment. The second vessel, USS Independence has completed builders sea trials last week and is awaiting inspection by the customer, prior to handover to the U.S. Navy. (Read More...)
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), U.S. Navy and the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) performed the third successful missile intercept with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). It was the third and final test in a the vessel's qualification, verifying the capabilities of Japan's newest destroyer, JS MYOKO (DDG-175), recently upgraded with the Aegis BMD missile engagement capability. (Read More...)
The German shipyard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW), from Kiel, Germany, and its Greek subsidiary Hellenic Shipyards S.A. (HSY), of Skaramangas, Athens, announced the cancellation of the two submarine programs signed with the Greek defense ministry in 2000 and 2002. The companies claim the outstanding debtby the Hellenic government has accumulated beyond half billion euros. However, since the construction of the four submarines has been completed, and the client is over half a billion Euros in debt, HDW will gain little from the cancellation. However, a forthcoming arbitration, especially with post-election government due in a few months could resolve the crisis. (read more...)
Next year the U.S. Navy will down select a single design for future Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) acquisitions. The two shipyards currently constructing LCS 3 and LCS 4 will continue their work but only one will get follow-on construction contracts for ships of this class. Following the decision the Navy is expected to issue new construction contracts reflecting the new strategy with a single prime contractor and shipyard awarded a fixed price incentive contract for up to 10 ships with two ships in fiscal 2010 and options through fiscal 2014. (read more...)
The Russian Defense Ministry is negotiating a procurement of a Mistral class amphibious assault ship from France. The estimated cost of the ship is 300 - 400 million euros. (read more...)
the French based shipyard DCSN will construct four conventional-propulsion submarines for the Brazilian Navy under a program worth Eur. 6.790 billion. The submarines will be built by Itaguaí Construções Navais, a joint venture set up by DCNS and Brazilian partner Odebrecht. The program will also include technology transfer for a locally constructed nuclear powered submarine. (read more...)
  Thales Offers Modular Integrated Mast for Future Frigates
   TERMA's Integrated Combat System for Thai Amphibious Vessels
Shipboard Protection System Achieves Milestone Decision
More news on: Naval Systems | Guided Weapons | C4ISR
Hawker Beechcraft, Lockheed Martin Team to Offer the Air Force a new Aircraft Optimized for Irregular Warfare
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