The
EFP Killer Strikes again in Basra
The deadly device known as Explosively
Formed Projectile (EFP), an offspring of the equally deadly
shaped charge
IED, used already widely in Iraq and Lebanon claimed the
lives of four British soldiers. It seems, that the top killer
named "routine patrolling" has reared its ugly head
once more in Iraq and at probably the worst possible timing.
The
Shat-el-Arab incident: Bluff or Coercion
There are some highly intriguing military issues pondering
over the 23rd March incident where two British boarding parties
were captured by Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. Sofar
no explanation has been offered over this embarrassing incident
by an authoritative source in Britain.
Last week India's Telegraph newspaper reported that the Defense
Ministry of India issued two tenders for the supply of 155/52
caliber artillery systems, both truck mounted and self propelled
guns (SPG).
The Yury Dolgoruky, a 'fourth generation' (Project 955) Borey
class nuclear missile submarine is expected to be launched this
week at the Sevmash submarine shipyard in the northern Arkhangelsk
Region. The new submarine is the first vessel expected to be
equipped with the Bulava ballistic
missile (the naval version of the SS-27 Topol M). The submarine
will undergo sea trials in 2007 and, pending the completion
of the Bulava missile testing, is scheduled to be fully equipped
with weaponry in 2008.
New
Gunships for Russian Special Forces
Russia is planning to purchase several dozens of the Ka-50
Black Shark and Ka-52 Alligator helicopters to boost operations
of special-forces, the ITAR-TASS news agency said last week.
Series manufacture for Ka-50/52 helicopters resumed at a plant
in Arsenyev last year after a lengthy downtime. The Ka-50 lost
a Russian Air Force tender to supply attack helicopters to the
Russian Army, which selected the Mi-28N. However, Kamov has
been selected to construct helicopters for Russian special-forces.
Both single seater Ka-50 and twin seater Ka-52 will be built,
the later designed as a command aircraft. Weighing 11 tons,
each helicopter will be able to carry up to two tons of armament
and cargo to a range of 260 km at a ma maximum speed of 300
km/hour.
18
Additional Longbow Apaches For the US Army
Boeing will produce 18 additional AH-64D Apache Longbow Helicopters
for the US Army, under a recently awarded contract worth $276.
These helicopters will be delivered by mid 2009. With this new
order, Boeing is on contract to supply 45 new-build Apache Longbows
for the US Army, in addition to 96 remanufactured AH-64A Apaches,
to be converted unto AH-64Ds. The new U.S. Army Apache Longbow
aircraft, to be built in the Block II configuration, are in
addition to the 501 remanufactured AH-64D Apache Longbows built
between 1997 and 2006 under two five-year, multi-year contracts.
The Russian missile developer Almaz Antei is broadening its
research and development capabilities in an effort to meet the
development challenges of the 'fifth generation air defense
system'. The new system pursued by Almaz Antei will be developed
as a networked defense system providing nation wide coverage,
and will also have the capability to intercept objects in space.
Two month ago Almaz Antei concern was named by the Russian military
industrial commission as the main contractor for the system.
The concern will be integrating eleven new government owned
enterprises, mainly electronic producers, bringing the number
of enterprises under its control to 57.
The Terminal High Altitude
Area Defense (THAAD) system scored a second successful kill
during a flight test conducted over the Pacific Ocean, last
week (April 5th, 2007). The test demonstrated the successful
'hit-to-kill' intercept of a "mid-endoatmospheric"
(inside Earth's atmosphere) unitary (non-separating) target.
Earlier this year, the first
flight test conducted at PMRF demonstrated THAAD’s
ability to intercept a threat representative target in the high
endo-atmosphere.
Army Funds
Development of Stand-Off IED Detector
Planning Systems Incorporated (PSI) received funding to continue
development of its Maverick Improvised Explosive Device (IED)
detection system. The funding was awarded by the Joint Improvised
Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) through the Night
Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate at Ft. Belvoir, VA.
Based on PSI's patented Ground Penetrating Radar technology,
Maverick enables the detection of IEDs from stand-off distance.
PSI is expected to deliver a system for evaluation within 6
months. PSI has been involved with various developmental systems,
such as gunshot location, precision military air drop, on-the-move
landmine and IED detection. In August of 2005, PSI became a
wholly owned subsidiary of Foster-Miller, Inc., a QinetiQ Company.
DRS
to Supply $52 Million Worth of FBCB2 Hardware
DRS Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: DRS) has received a $52 million
contract to provide rugged Appliqué Computer Systems
and peripheral equipment for the U.S. Army’s Force XXI
Battle Command, Brigade and Below (FBCB2) program. The order
covers the supply of more than 5,700 sets including processors,
displays and accessories.
India is expected to expand its fleet of airborne warning and
Command Systems (AWACS) adding up to five additional platforms
to the three Il-76 PHALCON aircraft currently under construction
with the first aircraft scheduled
for delivery in September 2007. The remaining two will be
delivered by 2009. Under the US$1.1 billion PHALCON deal with
Israel, New Delhi has an option to acquire three to five more
AWCs from Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) that would be delivered
during 2009-12.
iRobot
Receives $14 Million Order for PacBots
iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ:IRBT) received a US Navy order worth
$14 million, part of an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity
(IDIQ) contract to supply of PackBot
man transportable robotic systems to the US forces. The recent
order brings the total value of orders received from the Naval
Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to $66 million. The total worth
of the IDIQ contract could reach up to $264 million. Delivery
has started in March 2007 and will continue through the end
of 2007. The U.S. military’s MTRS program has requirements
for up to 1,200 robots through 2012. To date, iRobot has delivered
more than 800 PackBot robots to a broad range of military and
civilian customers worldwide.
BAE Systems has received its second contract from General
Dynamics for $7.2 million to supply a 57-mm Mk 110 Naval Gun
system to be installed on the U.S. Navy's fourth Littoral Combat
Ship (LCS 4) as its main armament. The contract includes options
such as spare parts and training. The gun is scheduled to be
delivered in 2008.
EO Turrets
for the British Army's Future Lynx
L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) WESCAM was selected to provide
Electro-Optical (EO) payloads for the United Kingdom’s
Future Lynx Program. The company will supply 56 MX-15Di turrets
including Electro-Optical (EO) sensors and laser designators,
to be installed on British Army Battlefield Reconnaissance Helicopters
(BRH) and Royal Navy’s Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft
(SCMR), both types are expected to become operational with British
forces by 2013 and 2014. Systems delivery will begin in late
in 2009 and continue through 2014.
