Sponsored by Galvion
www.galvion.com
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07 Aug 24. Galvion recharges USMC with the receipt of multiple power and data product orders. Galvion, a world leader in the design and manufacture of integrated power and data management solutions and innovative head protection systems, has received a number of orders from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for its Nerv Centr® power and data products. Galvion has recently received an order for 5000 SoloPack™ II lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and a USD $1.5m order for additional ancillary cables to further support the USMC’s in-service Portable Power Scavenger Systems (P2S2).
The SoloPack™ II batteries ordered will support the USMC’s Fire support and coordination systems using portable, handheld devices to employ supporting arms in consonance with maneuver elements used by Marines. Galvion’s original 98Wh SoloPack™ batteries were included in kits when fielded in 2018. This new order for 5000 SoloPack™ II will provide more power to better sustain these critical systems. Small, lightweight and energy-dense, the SoloPack II offers 140Wh of energy (40% more power storage capacity than the original SoloPack), while maintaining the familiar, compact form factor users expect from the Nerv Centr® suite of products. SoloPack II fits into a magazine pouch for ease of storage and weighs only 1.65lbs (750 grams).
In December 2022, Galvion announced an order valued at USD $11 m to supply a customized Squad Power Manager™ (SPM) kit to each Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) within the Marine Corps, including Reserve Forces. The USMC’s Portable Power Scavenger System (P2S2) kits include Galvion’s SPM and a selection of cables, connectors and accessories that provide the ability to scavenge, distribute, and manage power from multiple power sources including solar, Alternating Current (AC), Direct Current (DC), military batteries, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) plugs, and vehicle cigarette lighter/alternator attachments. The SPM kit can scavenge power from partially discharged batteries, vehicles, and standard electrical outlets and convert that power into a usable format for powering devices and recharging batteries. The recent order received for additional ancillary cables will extend and further enhance the functionality of the USMC’s in-service P2S2 kits.
Todd Stirtzinger, CEO at Galvion said: “The United States Marines are some of the world’s toughest warfighters, and we’re incredibly proud to supply them with equipment that supports their missions. The power supply and management solutions that we provide contribute to a reduction in physical and logistical burden by sustaining power for longer with less weight.” He continued: “The fact that these orders extend and enhance capabilities that Galvion has already supplied to Marines is an example of our commitment to responding to the ever-changing needs of our customers. We’re seeing a number of repeat orders from partners across the globe, which means we’re doing something right; this latest round of orders from the USMC is a proud moment for our whole team.”
08 Aug 24. Indian Air Force approves additional Astra Mk 1 production.
The Astra Mk 1 was successfully integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Tejas Mk 1 in 2023. (DRDO)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has approved the production of 200 additional Astra Mk 1 air-to-air missiles, an IAF source confirmed to Janes on 8 August.
According to the source, IAF Deputy Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit granted the service’s approval for the production during a visit to the manufacturer, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), in Hyderabad, South India, earlier in August. The missile first entered IAF service in 2017.
Janes understands that the approval for production will support deliveries of the missile to IAF units operating the Tejas Mk 1 and Sukhoi Su-30s. The IAF source could not specify the timeline of deliveries of the additional batch, stating that this was dependent on BDL’s production schedule.
“However, we require the missiles as soon as possible,” the IAF source said.
The approval for the additional production comes nearly two years after the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded BDL a contract in 2022 to supply the 200 missiles and associated equipment to the IAF, as well as 48 for the Indian Navy, according to an MoD announcement in May 2022. The contract had a value of INR29.7bn (USD350m).
The Astra Mk 1 is an all-weather, all-aspect beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) developed by India’s Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). Developed under Indiaʼs Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), the Astra Mk 1 is intended to provide the IAF with a domestic source of BVRAAM weaponry. (Source: Janes)
07 Aug 24. L3Harris Prototype Demos Cutting-Edge Capabilities for Autonomous Air Defense. L3Harris’ Agile Development Group has been iteratively developing a robotic based, highly mobile, short range air defense capability that meets today’s mission needs and is inherently designed to adapt to tomorrow’s threats quickly and economically. The prototype system participated in this year’s Project Convergence Capstone 4 (PC-C4) field experiment and seamlessly integrated advanced long-range surveillance and electronic attack (EA) capabilities onto a fully autonomous combat vehicle, enhancing ground-based air defense with beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations. The team adapted BLOS technology to an additional platform while at the event, demonstrating their ability to respond to emerging robotic system demands.
PC-C4 is a series of exercises, experiments, and events to identify and refine strategies essential for transforming the U.S. Army and securing their war-winning readiness. L3Harris is committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions to the battlefield, effectively balancing the enhancement of capabilities with the minimization of risks to our warfighters.
“Our team’s relentless drive to adapt and innovate is what ultimately drove our success with these prototypes,” said Jennifer Lewis, President, Airborne Combat Systems, L3Harris. “Thanks to their tireless efforts, we’re coming away with valuable insights that will drive further improvements, strategic decisions, and ultimately, powerful new capabilities to the warfighter.”
The prototype excelled in rigorous field tests, navigating approximately 175 kilometers of challenging terrain over six days. It demonstrated robust capability across various mission scenarios, including:
Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System surveillance and electronic warfare, with an autonomous multi-sensor cross-cueing payload able to provide early warning of air threats, operated from over 26 kilometers away.
Dynamic reconnaissance en route to surveillance positions, capturing optical data on-the-move at beyond-line-of-sight ranges.
This testing demonstrated the precision accuracy of the WESCAM MX™-10D reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition multi-sensor imaging and designator system. It also included several communications tests, providing insights related to integration, performance and applicability of modular and open communication systems, and true resiliency for mission-relevant data links. The communications capabilities tested included the RASOR modular communications chassis, Mobile Ad Hoc Network WRAITH, a SATCOM On-the-Move antenna, the AN/PRC-158 Next Gen radio, a RF-7850W high-capacity line of sight radio and a hardened third-party commercial space internet satellite.
A Promising Path Forward
These field tests show the potential for air defense systems to evolve into nimble, tactical assets that enable protection to ground units at low levels. The prototype development and testing has revealed that the operational range of autonomous ground platforms performing missions can be expanded by several orders of magnitude, liberating them from the constraints of traditional data link ranges. The system also highlighted the potential for increased payload automation to ensure mission integrity in the face of link degradation or attack.
(Source: ASD Network)
07 Aug 24. Northrop Grumman unveils CBAD. CBAD simplifies logistics, reducing the need for complex supply chains and extensive maintenance associated with traditional missile systems. Northrop Grumman recently announced on social media that the CBAD system will utilise its Bushmaster Chain Guns alongside ammunition to tackle an increasing range of threats, such as swarms of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and cruise missiles. Source: X/Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is reevaluating modern air defence with its Cannon-Based Air Defense (CBAD) system, offering an alternative over traditional missile interceptors.
In a recent social media post, Northrop Grumman revealed that the CBAD system will employ its Bushmaster Chain Guns paired with ammunition to combat a growing array of threats, including swarms of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and cruise missiles.
Traditional missile-based defences, although practical, can come with financial and logistical costs. As adversaries turn to cheaper and more disposable aerial technologies, the economics of using high-cost interceptors to counter low-cost threats have become increasingly untenable. Northrop Grumman’s CBAD system is an effort to address this challenge, offering a scalable, mobile defence solution that can be tailored to different threat levels and operational environments.
CBAD’s integration of cannons with ammunition types, including air-bursting and guided munitions, ensures it can adapt to various mission needs. This is important as future conflicts will involve aerial threats targeting assets and infrastructure. The system’s layered terminal defence capability is designed to protect these targets, providing a shield against attacks.
CBAD simplifies logistics, reducing the need for complex supply chains and extensive maintenance associated with traditional missile systems. By leveraging existing cannon technology, Northrop Grumman can streamline production and deployment, ensuring that CBAD is effective and readily available to meet the demands of modern warfare.
Northrop Grumman’s approach acknowledges that future conflicts will likely involve an overwhelming number of low-cost threats. Their response is a system that can be produced, deployed, and sustained at a fraction of the cost of traditional missile defences.
As per GlobalData’s “The Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems Market 2023-2033” report, the third leading supplier in the North American region will be Northrop Grumman Corp., which is set to hold a 19.7% share over 2023–33.
In other recent Northrop Grumman developments, the company unveiled the XRQ-73 SHEPARD, a hybrid-electric uncrewed aircraft system developed for DARPA’s Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion Aircraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) programme. The XRQ-73 is set for its maiden flight by the end of 2024. (Source: army-technology.com)
07 Aug 24. US Army working on new missile defense strategy with eye toward 2040. The U.S. Army is planning to release a refreshed missile defense strategy focused on needs in the 2040 timeframe to counter a wide variety of complex threats, according to Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, the service’s Space and Missile Defense Command commander.
The command is targeting October 2025 to release the new strategy, a joint effort by the Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence and Army Futures Command, as well as other service players such as the Army Air and Missile Defense Commands and the Fires Center of Excellence, he said during a press briefing at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.
The Army is taking “an integrated approach to the strategy,” Gainey noted, and it will be nested in the Army’s multidomain operations doctrine and warfighting concepts.
The service previously released a strategic air and missile defense vision in 2018, which was focused on the 2028 time period. That strategy centered on structure and force organization, “but also what we fight with and how we fight well,” Gainey said. “But it’s time to look even further into the future.”
The new strategy will take into account “what we’ve learned from previous years and current conflicts to design the type of force we’ll need” to ensure an AMD force is successful in 2040, Gainey said.
Looking at ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East, Gainey noted, “It’s real easy to see the challenges that are out there.”
“We have an idea, we know currently how the threat is evolving and where we believe the threat is [in] the future,” Gainey said. “So, this strategy is going to allow us the opportunity to lay a foundation … with capability and development to be able to address that future threat.”
Already the command has determined there are some imperatives that will be included in the future strategy.
“We know we will operate under constant observation and in continuous contact — 360-degree coverage is a non-negotiable,” he said.
The strategy also will recognize that technology used for missile defense must have an open architecture and use “all benefits” of artificial intelligence, Gainey noted.
Capability should also be “fast and cost curve-informed and adaptable,” he said. (Source: Defense News)
07 Aug 24. Boeing says it’s ramping up seeker production as Patriot demand surges. Boeing (BA.N) on Wednesday said it has been ramping up its production of PAC-3 seekers – critical components used in Patriot interceptors – to meet the surge in demand for the missile defense system.
The company said it was on pace to break its annual seeker production record by over 20% by the end of the year.
The United States’ plan to boost production of Patriot air defence missiles at Japanese factories hit a roadblock due to shortage of these critical component manufactured by Boeing.
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T) makes about 30 PAC-3 missiles each year under license from defence contractor Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) and plans to increase that number to around 60.
The expansion is not possible without additional supply of seekers, essential for guiding the missiles in their final flight stages.
Last year, Boeing began expanding its seeker factory in the United States to increase production by 30%, though the new lines would not be operational until 2027.
Patriot missile defense systems are in high demand, with their use in Ukraine to counter Russian attacks and in the Middle East due to the threat from Iran.
(Source: Reuters)
07 Aug 24. US up-guns Iraqi Kurds. The Peshmerga forces of Iraq’s Kurdistan region have received new artillery from the United States, it was announced on 6 August. The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) said the US-led coalition had handed over an unspecified number of artillery pieces to its 1st and 2nd support forces commands (SFCs) during a ceremony attended by the US consul in Erbil.
Kurdistan 24 television news coverage of the event showed at least five trucks with the badge of the 1st SFC towing 105 mm M119s, the US version of the British L118 light field gun.
In his televised speech, US consul Mark Stroh said, “Today marks the long-planned transfer of an important capability to the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. These howitzers signify a milestone in building capacity for the Peshmerga forces.” He did not say what had delayed the transfer of the guns.
The US Defense Cooperation Agency announced in April 2017 that the US government had approved the transfer of 36 refurbished M119s to equip two artillery battalions as part of a USD295 m package of equipment for Iraqi Kurdish forces.
The commander of the 1st SFC said in June 2023 that his units would receive their M119s in August of that year.
The 1st and 2nd SFCs comprise what were the heavy weapons units loyal respectively to the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the two main Iraqi Kurdish parties. The commands were formally transferred from the parties to the MoPA in 2021 as part of a US-backed plan to create unified Peshmerga forces for northern Iraq. (Source: Janes)
06 Aug 24. Germany’s GEM-T missile deal to replenish air defence stockpile. Raytheon’s multi-nation missile procurement highlights Europe’s bolstered defence cooperation. Germany’s decision to replenish its Patriot missile stockpile with a $478m (€439m) contract for GEM-T interceptors from Raytheon reflects a broader European push for coordinated defence measures.
The deal, facilitated by Nato’s procurement process, also exemplifies the expanding financial cooperation among European allies.
Germany’s procurement, facilitated by the Nato Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), is designed to replenish Germany’s depleted missile inventory after its military aid to Ukraine.
Germany recently supported Ukraine by delivering eight Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks.
The contract is emblematic of an increasingly collaborative European defence landscape, with Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway stepping in to help finance the acquisition.
“Not only can we better support the missile inventories for these European partners, but also strengthen our cooperation, their interoperability, and their contribution to an essential NATO mission.”,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. “Our customers are already realising the benefits of bundled, multinational procurement of Patriot missiles through NSPA, including the economies that offer greater affordability.”
Beyond the tactical advantage of bolstering Germany’s missile defences, the partnership reflects a concerted effort by Nato members to enhance interoperability and streamline defence procurement—a focus for the alliance as it adapts to an increasingly complex security environment. The NSPA’s role in negotiating and bundling this contract highlights the agency’s growing importance in the European defence infrastructure.
Stacy A. Cummings, NSPA’s General Manager, emphasised the deal’s strategic importance. “This contract demonstrates once again that NSPA, as NATO’s lead organisation for multinational acquisition, support, and sustainment, delivers effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to nations while reinforcing European industrial capacities.”
The latest ICH guideline, Q14, complements Q2(R2) for the validation of analytical procedures. Revision of Q2(R1) into Q2(R2) aligns its implementation with Q14(1), ensuring coherence between both guidelines. Raytheon and MBDA Deutschland have previously collaborated to advance European missile production. In 2022, both entities drafted a roadmap to produce Patriot GEM-T missiles in Germany, enhancing the system’s availability and capabilities for Nato allies until 2048.
The Spanish engineering business Sener has recently supported this initiative, which will contribute to manufacturing missile components at its Madrid facilities. The collaboration reflects an expansion of GEM-T production capacity across Europe.
The GEM-T missiles, part of the Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) series, are components of Europe’s air and missile defence network. As the backbone of defence for eight European nations and Ukraine, the Patriot system is increasingly relied upon to counter the evolving threat of ballistic missiles, drones, and aircraft.
As Nato continues to navigate a troubled geopolitical landscape, the collective investment in defence capabilities shows the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding the region’s stability. (Source: army-technology.com)
06 Aug 24. US, Australia to expand basing cooperation, finalize PrSM and GMLRS missile production plans.
“We have seen today groundbreaking discussions in respect of a much greater collaboration between our defense industry bases, particular in respect of the manufacture of guided weapons in Australia,” Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
What US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called the “unbreakable alliance” between the United States and Australia is drawing ever closer as the two announced today a series of joint initiatives including new “operating locations,” more frequent troop rotations and the formalization of plans to coproduce two key, long-range missile systems.
“Together these efforts will help ensure that we have the capability and the capacity that we’ll need for decades to come,” Austin said today at a press conference for the 34th Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN), flanked by Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. “The United States, Australia and our other friends in the region are operating more closely and more capably than ever before.”
Austin said Washington and Canberra were “doubling down” on defense industrial cooperation and are working to finalize, by December, two memorandums of understanding: The first would formalize the plan to manufacture Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMRLS) in Australia by 2025, an initiative first agreed to in 2023.
The second would “advance” the “co-production, co-sustainment and co-development” of the Precision Guided Strike missile known as PrSM. The US and Australia had agreed to jointly work on PrSM as far back as 2021. To push ahead, officials will establish a “joint programs office” in Huntsville, Ala., a senior US defense official told reporters ahead of today’s announcement.
“We have seen today groundbreaking discussions in respect of a much greater collaboration between our defense industry bases, particular in respect of the manufacture of guided weapons in Australia,” Marles said.
The senior US official also told reporters that the two sides are “working collaboratively on cutting edge hypersonic technologies that will provide critical advantage to the warfighter,” adding there has been “significant progress” in design and ground testing under the joint Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) initiative. Marles separately noted plans to develop a memorandum of understanding between the US Defense Innovation Unit and its counterpart in Australia, the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator.
In Australia, Canberra has agreed to “new and longer-term operating locations” for “force posture cooperation,” the official said.
“We’re also expanding our logistics cooperation by assessing places where we could locate an enduring logistics support area in Queensland, Australia,” the official said.
Austin said there would be an increase in rotational forces, to include more maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and more frequent rotational bomber deployments.
Marles said that put together, those kinds of moves are “greatly going to enhance the United States’s ability to operate in Australia.”
“The presence of American force posture in our nation provides an opportunity to work with our neighbors in the region,” he said, adding it also allows for a “much greater range of activities and operations and exercises.”
Earlier, the senior US defense official noted that beyond bilateral projects, the US and Australia are working together to boost intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in the Indo-Pacific by working more closely with Japan. Austin and Marles also cited the importance of working with regional partners like India and the Philippines.
The official said the bilateral AUSMIN talks would not focus on the AUKUS security arrangement, as that’s a trilateral agreement with the UK, but during the press conference, Austin name-checked the pact, saying there has also been “outstanding progress” on that front.
“So we got a lot done today,” Austin said. “We’ll keep building on our joint achievements over the past three and a half years [since the first AUSMIN], and we’ll keep charting an ambitious course forward.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
05 Aug 24. Light Fidelity set to connect DE&S Defence Munitions sites. An innovative data connectivity pilot that could greatly increase collaboration and efficiency is taking place at DE&S’ Defence Munitions Gosport site.
An innovative data connectivity pilot that could greatly increase collaboration and efficiency is taking place at DE&S’ Defence Munitions Gosport site.
Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) specialists at Defence Munitions sites throughout the UK are responsible for the assembly, integration, testing and storage of complex weapons and general munitions.
Currently, staff work in custom-fitted processing facilities where mobile internet and standard Wi-Fi are not permitted due to the safety risks of using radio transmissions around the complex weapons being stored there.
This lack of connectivity can significantly impact their productivity, as staff cannot access online technical documentation, operation notes and test plans, and are prevented from real-time collaboration on munitions information-sharing and training with delivery teams and design authorities.
However, early signs from a pilot taking place at Defence Munitions Gosport are that Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technology could prove to be a viable alternative for connecting teams at specialist facilities where Wi-Fi is not an option.
The pilot is assessing how easy the Li-Fi technology is to use, its performance and the stability of the signal it creates around Defence Munitions Gosport. It has been facilitated by the DE&S Weapons Operating Centre and is being run by DE&S Digital and UK Strategic Command Defence Digital, in conjunction with Consolite Technology Ltd and Centiant International Ltd.
Nick Rice, CEO at Consolite Technology, said: “There are many reasons why Wi-Fi poses a problem for military users. Li-Fi provides radio frequency-free wireless data for explosive atmospheres, as we see in Gosport. Li-Fi also provides data where increased cyber security protection is desirable, and typically much faster data, more than 10 times the sort of speeds we see in our homes. The Gosport team have done a fantastic job in making their trial fully operational to demonstrate the many benefits of Li-Fi. We’re delighted to be part of this project.”
Pete Forder, Defence Munitions Digital lead at DE&S, said: “The Li-Fi proof of concept trial has been a great success and is potentially game-changing in terms of digital optimisation within our hazardous explosives processing and storage facilities. Introducing this new technology in our unique operating environment has relied on excellent Defence and industry teamwork and collaboration throughout, which further demonstrates the ‘One Defence’ mindset.”
The intention of the pilot is to support wider deployment of Li-Fi throughout Defence Munitions sites to drive greater efficiencies and cost savings. It will also feed into the innovative technologies being employed by DE&S to improve productivity and working practices. The pilot is due to conclude in late-2024 and its results will be used to inform future investments.
Tom Brickell, a Defence Digital Innovation Architect within UK Strategic Command, said: “The lack of connectivity in specialist areas at Defence Munitions sites can significantly disrupt core activity, so being able to bring new optical wireless communications technologies like Li-Fi to complex environments has been a real game changer,” said . “It’s opened up new possibilities for Defence Munitions such as video conferencing with manufacturers, which is very rewarding.”
DE&S Digital team leader Steven Hodson added: “This is a great example of DE&S Digital and UK Strategic Command joining forces for to deliver a tactical pilot that offers huge potential benefits within the Defence Munitions space. We are demonstrating that collaborative working will offer the opportunity to deliver cutting-edge digital solutions to our mission partners.” (Source: Google/ADS)
05 Aug 24. Element U.S. Space & Defense Partners With Texas Tech. University for Innovative Propellant Ignition Study. Element U.S. Space & Defense, a longstanding government testing partner and innovator in space exploration since the 1960s, is collaborating with Texas Tech University’s Mechanical Engineering Department to explore the intricate process of gun propellant ignition and its effects on interior ballistics. The work is positioned to significantly aid the Department of Defense (DoD) in predicting and modeling gun chamber combustion.
Led by the esteemed Dr. Michelle Pantoya of the Texas Tech Combustion Lab, the study will focus on the complex dynamics of solid propellant ignition. Joining the project is Dr. John Granier, Chief Engineer of Munitions & Energetics at Element U.S. Space & Defense, along with his team of scientists and subject matter experts, with additional support from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command – Armaments Center at Picatinny Arsenal.
This well-rounded task force aims to break down complex problems and apply new diagnostic techniques to capture more detailed insights into the ignition process. The research seeks to advance our understanding of how the heat and chemicals from the primer interact with the solid propellant. These interactions, where hot gases and particles penetrate the propellant grains, are crucial for improving pressure, temperature and projectile velocity predictions.
This initial study will primarily take place at the Texas Tech Combustion Lab using a new high-speed digital imaging thermography, with Element U.S. Space & Defense’s ballistics experts supporting in experiment design and data analysis. It is expected that this effort will grow to larger experiments of full-scale guns and artillery with Element U.S. Space & Defense’s Camden facility playing a significant role. Located in Arkansas, the Camden facility is a comprehensive ordnance and ballistic test center, renowned for its state-of-the-art lab and testing capabilities. The laboratory is equipped to conduct a myriad of tests on weapon systems, ordnance, rocket motors and hazardous materials, supporting a wide range of military systems, including live firings, environmental, dynamics and explosive testing.
“We are excited to embark on this groundbreaking study of early propellant ignition in collaboration with the Element U.S. Space & Defense team,” said Dr. Michelle Pantoya, JW Wright Regents Endowed Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University. “The expertise of Element U.S. Space & Defense’s engineers and the extensive capabilities of their Camden facility will be crucial in enhancing our experimental design, analysis and overall results. We anticipate that this research will not only advance the DoD’s work but also provide valuable insights for weapon designers and develop new diagnostics applicable across various fields. Additionally, this project offers a significant opportunity for our graduate-level engineering students to gain hands-on experience and contribute to cutting-edge research.”
A better understanding of propellant ignition is expected to enhance the safety and reliability of firearms by reducing risks such as hang fires, pressure spikes or incomplete burns. Improved ignition control could also lead to lower costs for munitions production and maintenance by minimizing defects and boosting combustion efficiency. Overall, the findings from this study are anticipated to advance primer and propellant technologies, leading to more effective and efficient materials as well as more accurate models of gun systems which could be crucial for enhancing operational effectiveness in military applications.
“As an organization committed to innovation and national security, Element U.S. Space & Defense is thrilled to partner with Texas Tech University on this propellant ignition study,” added Dr. John Granier. “We are applying Texas Tech’s thermography diagnostic equipment and our experience to achieve a deep understanding to a problem that is almost a century old. We look forward to uncovering breakthrough findings alongside Dr. Pantoya and her talented team at Texas Tech, which will be instrumental to the U.S. Defense sector.”
For more information about Element U.S. Space & Defense’s award-winning test and engineering services, please visit www.elementdefense.com.
About Element U.S. Space & Defense: Element U.S. Space & Defense, (formerly NTS Technical Systems) stands at the forefront of testing innovation, as a trusted government testing partner to NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, government agencies and prominent industry leaders across the space and defense sectors. Today, Element U.S. Space & Defense brings more than 60 years of experience and expertise in navigating the most complex projects and programs in the world. From centrifuge testing for the latest Mars rover, vibration testing for the Space Launch System, or environmental simulations for next-generation missiles, Element U.S. Space & Defense is the pioneering partner for highly custom, end-to-end testing design and implementation. For additional information about Element U.S. Space & Defense, visit www.elementdefense.com or call (800) 270-2516. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Aug 24. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed its commitment to continue developing the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm Wheeled Artillery Systems (RCH 155) in partnership with Germany.
This announcement came in response to a parliamentary question posed by Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford.
Rosindell asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the policy to develop the RCH 155 with Germany would be maintained.
Maria Eagle, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, responded affirmatively, underscoring the importance of the collaboration.
“Working with Germany through this landmark defence agreement to collaborate on the Boxer based Remote Controlled Howitzer 155mm Wheeled Artillery Systems (RCH 155), the Defence Secretary will build on existing cooperation, and develop this important programme to strengthen our respective artillery capabilities and promote shared national and European security objectives,” stated Eagle.
The RCH 155, also known as the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155 mm, represents an advancement in artillery technology. Developed and manufactured by the German defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), the RCH 155 was designed based on the successes of the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the Donar artillery system. Utilising the Boxer chassis.
Specifications and Features
- Type: Self-propelled artillery
- Designer: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
- Unit Cost: Approximately €12 m for initial orders
- Mass: Under 39 tonnes
- Dimensions: Length of 10.4 metres, width of 2.99 metres, and height of 3.60 metres
- Crew: Two (commander and driver)
- Armament: Main armament consists of a 155 mm calibre L/52 gun from Rheinmetall, capable of a firing range up to 54 km with enhanced projectiles. Secondary armaments include an optional remote-controlled weapon station.
The RCH 155 is not only powerful but also highly automated, designed to function with minimal human intervention.
Its automation allows for operations like firing on the move—a first for most howitzers—significantly increasing its operational effectiveness by minimising the time stationary, thus reducing vulnerability to enemy fire.
Operational Capabilities
- Engine Power: Equipped with an MTU 8V199 TE21 diesel engine, delivering up to 816 horsepower.
- Mobility: Can reach speeds up to 103 km/h on roads, with an operational range of 700 km.
- Ammunition Capacity: Carries 30 fused rounds and 144 modular propellants, with a maximum rate of fire of 9 rounds per minute.
- Protection: Crew protection against heavy machine gun fire, artillery fragments, mines, and equipped with NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection.
Interestingly, the builders say it is designed for future adaptations to be operated remotely, reducing the need for crew exposure in hazardous conditions. (Source: UKDJ)
04 Aug 24. The Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) has initiated a competitive tender process for the procurement and support of Boresight kits for the AJAX armoured fighting vehicle.
The announcement outlines an opportunity for suppliers to engage with the MoD on this project.
DE&S has confirmed an immediate requirement for 295 Boresight kits, with an initial delivery of 50 kits needed within four to six months to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the AJAX. The contract, which is set to be awarded under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations (DSCPR) 2011, also includes options for other teams within the MoD to purchase additional quantities of the kits to meet their own needs.
According to the tender notice, the overall estimated quantity for these optional purchases is around 400 kits, although this figure may change as the requirements of other teams mature. The MoD estimates the contract value to be between £2m and £5m, with a potential duration of one to five years, depending on the confirmed needs and scaling from other teams.
A Cyber Risk Assessment has classified this project as ‘Very Low’ risk. The tender notice advises potential bidders to review DEFSTAN 05-138 to ensure they can comply with the necessary control measures associated with this classification.
Interested suppliers are invited to express their interest by completing the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) available on the Contracts Finder website. The MoD will assess the PQQs using specified selection criteria and plans to down select between three and five suppliers who will then be invited to tender.
“It is the intention of the Authority to down select to between three and five suppliers and Invite to Tender only those economic operators who successfully complete the PQQ,” the notice states.
(Source: UKDJ)
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About Galvion:
Galvion designs, develops, and delivers mission critical head, face, and torso protective solutions as well as intelligent power and data management systems for the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. Founded in 2002 as Revision Military, a foundational belief in calculated investment and capability expansion led to a strategic refocus, resulting in the divestiture of the protective eyewear business, along with the Revision name, in 2019. Rebranded as Galvion, the company’s products and technology continue to evolve beyond purely passive protection, focusing instead on active systems that enhance performance and survivability, with an eye to the ever-changing demands of the modern battlefield. Through advanced design, keen end-user insight and intelligent integration, Galvion engineers uniquely customized solutions that go beyond what was once thought possible.
Privately owned with ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the US, Montreal in Canada and Bristol in the UK, Galvion’s team of 400+ employees work proactively to solve the problems left unsolved by others.
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