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30 Nov 23. IDV delivers the first MTV “12kN” vehicle to the Dutch Armed Forces. In 2019, IDV has signed a contract with the Dutch COMMIT to provide 1,185 medium multirole protected vehicles within the “12kN & RCWS” project. The delivery ceremony of the first unit was held on November 30th, 2023, at the NEDS exhibition in Rotterdam in presence of Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Commander of the Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) and National Armaments Director.
IDV, a company of Iveco Group, delivered the first 12kN vehicle to the Dutch Armed Forces. The handover ceremony of the Manticore, which is the name given to the 12kN vehicles by the Dutch Armed Forces, was held during this year’s edition of the NIDV Exhibition for Defence and Security (NEDS) in presence of Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Commander of the Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) and National Armaments Director.
The delivery of the first vehicle represents an important milestone in the consolidation of the strategic partnership between the Dutch MoD and IDV, further emphasizing the company’s commitment
commitment to playing an important role in the multirole vehicle segment for defence and homeland security missions.
IDV’s MTV (Multirole Tactical Vehicle) is designed to combine high tactical 4×4 mobility, optimal off-road performance, outstanding modularity, advanced system integration capabilities as well as high crew protection paired with excellent payload capability. This high-performance vehicle with its range of several configurations such as Hard Top, Soft Top, Pick-up, Casualty Transport, Personnel Transport and Command Post can efficiently be adapted to meet the needs of all military users including Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Military Police.
30 Nov 23. GM Defense Awarded U.S. Department of State Contract for Next Generation Armored Heavy-Duty Sport Utility Vehicles. The U.S. Department of State has awarded GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), a 10-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) full-rate production contract to deliver the next generation Heavy-Duty armored Sport Utility Vehicle (HD SUV) in support of the Department’s Diplomatic Security Service. GM Defense will deliver Original Equipment Manufacturer integrated HD SUVs under the contract with a ceiling value of $300 m. GM Defense was awarded an initial task order through the IDIQ contract for vehicles, training and engineering services valued at approximately $25 m. This contract follows the development and validation contract awarded in 2021 that delivered prototype vehicles for comprehensive testing and evaluation.
The newly designed GM Defense HD SUV incorporates protective armor into the original design and manufacturing process, diverging from current after-market, tear-down and rebuild practices. The new approach provides superior vehicle performance while improving efficiencies in build and lead-time, resulting in faster vehicle delivery to the end user. GM Defense also provides additional benefits through a robust manufacturer’s warranty and extended vehicle lifespan that delivers value as compared to the current multi-stage aftermarket armoring process.
“This is a very important program for GM Defense as it showcases our ability to leverage the proven commercial platforms and world-class engineering and manufacturing processes of GM to provide a first-of-its-kind vehicle for the Department of State,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “Everyone on our team has committed to partnering with the State Department to ensure we deliver the best vehicles to support their mission. We look forward to continuing this partnership and bringing this exciting new platform to other U.S. government and allied defense and security customers around the world.”
GM Defense’s HD SUV solution uses a high percentage of commercial-off-the-shelf parts, including the body, exterior, propulsion, interior and brakes. The vehicle includes a new and unique body-on-frame chassis and suspension, specifically designed to support the increased vehicle weight and performance requirements. Advanced manufacturing tools and techniques will continue to be used to support low-volume production of the new chassis and frame to meet all customer requirements.
GM Defense hosted Department of State leaders in July at Summit Point Training Facility in West Virginia for a half-day of briefings and demonstrations of the newly designed HD SUV prototype. The engagement included high-performance driving demonstrations, showcasing the vehicle’s handling and maneuverability.
For the latest GM Defense news, please visit www.GMDefenseLLC.com and follow GM Defense on LinkedIn.
About GM Defense LLC
GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense’s technologies results from decades of proven performance and bns of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities. For more information, please visit www.gmdefensellc.com.
29 Nov 23. UK (and US?) UGV developments shelved for the foreseeable future. Sources at the MakeUK Defence Summit told BATTLESPACE that all ongoing and future Unmanned Ground Vehicle Trials and Projects have been shelved for the foreseeable future due to technical and doctrine issues. Current designs make movement on roads and on the battlefield limited in certain circumstances and the ability to fire remotely requires new doctrine Rules. The US Army is believed to be taking a similar decision but continues ongoing developments of certain UGV projects which will take them to up to and including evaluation on both armed and unarmed projects. This includes project Ripshaw for which a downselect was announced as recently as October. The Army awarded agreements to four companies to design and build Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) platform prototypes in Phase I of a multi-phase Program of Record competition utilizing the Ground Vehicle Systems (GVS) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA). The agreements were awarded to: McQ, Inc. (Fredericksburg, Va.); Textron Systems Corporation (Hunt Valley, Md.); General Dynamics Land Systems (Sterling Heights, Mich.); and Oshkosh Defense, LLC (Oshkosh, Wis.). The total combined base award value is approximately $24.72m.
The four awardees will each build and deliver two platform prototypes by August 2024 in support of platform mobility testing and a Soldier touchpoint. They will concurrently mature and deliver integrated system designs towards Army requirements for a lightweight, modular, and upgradeable robotic combat vehicle. This full system prototype award is part of the RCV-Light (RCV(L)) Middle Tier Acquisition – Rapid Prototyping program capability that could be transitioned to production and fielding to support the Army of 2030.
Team RIPSAW, a collaboration between Textron Systems, Howe & Howe, and Teledyne FLIR Defense, was one team chosen to participate in the US Army’s Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Phase I programme.
Leading Guide to Land Platform Power Packs, Engine and Transmission for the Defence Industry
Under Phase I of the programme, Team RIPSAW will deliver two prototype RIPSAW M3 vehicles in 2024. These vehicles will undergo testing by the US Army, evaluating their mobility, sensor performance, remote vehicle control, and overall system reliability.
Concurrently, Team RIPSAW will work on the preliminary design for the M3 variant, enhancing its capabilities further.
Designed to meet the US Army’s exacting requirements, it strongly emphasises transportability and mission versatility. Its open architecture design and common chassis allow for a wide range of field exchangeable payloads, making it adaptable for various mission profiles.
The US Army has selected four companies for their Robotic Combat Vehicle prototypes. The US Army has also chosen Oshkosh for the future Robotic Combat Vehicle programme for its team’s design proposal.
Oshkosh is set to deliver two platform prototypes to the US Army by August 2024. The other competitor companies for the programme include McQ, Inc. and General Dynamics Land Systems.
Team RIPSAW has been actively investing in this family of robotic vehicles since 2019, starting with the debut of the RIPSAW M5 system. Subsequent variants, including the M5-E (electric) and M3 Tech Demonstrator, have been developed through collaboration with industry partners, academia, and the US Army.
These vehicles have executed multiple mission sets in diverse environmental and test conditions, accumulating over 2,000 miles of durability testing.
The Source told BATTLESPACE that all the future focus will be on UAVs.
28 Nov 23. On November 28, Texelis officially launched CELERIS, its new turnkey offer for vehicle mobility. CELERIS is aimed at OEMs and institutional partners looking to expand their portfolio by integrating modern, high-performance, military-grade mobility on their vehicles, without having to worry about adapting or developing a new mobility solution.
CELERIS is also a unique opportunity for companies looking forward to entering the vehicle market, by building their offer on a fully developed, qualified and proven solution.
Developing a new 4×4 is a very challenging endeavour. It requires the mastery of several fields, from mobility to armour and systems integration, in a very competitive market.
Any OEM willing to add a 4×4 vehicle to its range has two options. One is to build on a commercial chassis, thus benefitting from low purchasing costs and large access to spare parts. However, that option does not provide with a military-quality mobility solution, does not grant full control over the components and their settings, does not guarantee support and life cycle management for the vehicle, and requires heavy work to adjust it to the workload required of a military vehicle, thus almost cancelling the price argument and creating a world of technical issues to solve.
The other option is to develop a custom-made mobility solution. That strategy guarantees high performance, control over the components, life cycle management, support over 40 years and complete adequation to the actual needs of the end users. However, in-house development is expensive and can only be a sensible investment if commercial success is guaranteed.
With CELERIS, Texelis offers the best of the two worlds: a complete, hassle-free, custom-made, turnkey solution, effectively granting the partner with its very own mobility solution, designed to meet his needs, including a tailored support system.
CELERIS 4×4 comprises 12 base kits, such as axles, powerpack or steering, as well as more than 30 optional kits, depending on the exact configuration, planned use and performance needed.
It can accommodate both self-supporting body vehicles as well as ladder-frame vehicles, enabling a wide range of architectures and uses. With its mass of about 4.5 tonnes including tires, CELERIS 4×4 can accommodate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) ranging from 13 to 18 tonnes.
At the heart of CELERIS 4×4 are the Texelis T750 axles, with a rear axle available both with trailing arms (9,5T load) and with double wishbone (8,5T load). The driveline combines a Cummins ISL9 Euro 3 diesel engine with an output of 375hp, an Allison 3200SP transmission with two speed plus neutral transfer case.
Thanks to this configuration, a client OEM could decide to elect some kits and use some other components developed in-house or to be developed in house, thus creating or honing strategic skills.
For the same reason, CELERIS can be instrumental for countries or OEMs willing to create or expand their automotive industry with a tight schedule. It is thus particularly suited for companies looking to increase local content in the framework of a wider contract.
CELERIS benefits greatly from the experience gathered by the company in the framework of the Scorpion program for the French Army. For the past 6 years, Texelis has been working on the Serval program for the French Army, gaining considerable knowledge and expertise in the fields of mobility kits development and integration, as well as the process of qualifying a vehicle and planning its whole lifecycle.
That experience has enabled Texelis to step up from its traditional business of designing and supplying axles to offering complete mobility packages and working with top-level OEMs such as French Defense leader Nexter, a company of KNDS. That expertise is now available.
To reach its ambitious goals on Serval and match the official requirements by the French DGA, Texelis has put together a complete, packaged offer by bringing together the very best their partner companies could offer. This team will keep working around Texelis to further increase the performance and capabilities of CELERIS.
The Serval program, currently under production with 2,000 units ordered, also ensures long-term commitment and reduced costs of ownership for all fleets worldwide.
With CELERIS, any OEM looking forward to find a new mobility solution will find a reliable and proven solution, at a very competitive cost, with more than 30 years of life cycle management and access to spares already guaranteed, as well as all future evolutions within the CELERIS club.
CELERIS is not just a rolling chassis to adapt to an armored body. It is a complete environment in which Texelis team of experts bring their knowledge on mobility and integration to assist the customer throughout the complete development of the prototypes and first series of vehicles. They then hand over all existing documentation and setting tools, effectively making Texelis’ partner fully autonomous and in control of the vehicle, its settings and its support.
As a complete environment, CELERIS will keep evolving, but also expanding. A 6×6 variant is already being developed by Texelis and is now available for discussion.
TEXELIS has already scored one launch customer for CELERIS, and is looking forward to expanding its reach worldwide.
About Texelis
Texelis is a leader in the design and manufacture of axles, drivelines and complete mobility solutions for 4×4, 6×6 and 8×8 military vehicles. In 2018, the DGA has entrusted the development and implementation contract for Light VBMR to Nexter and Texelis. The Light VBMR fulfils the light vehicle component of France’s “SCORPION” programme. Texelis is responsible for delivering the full vehicle driveline for integration with the systems produced by Nexter for Serval. This solution has been designed to maximise mobility for the extremely demanding and restrictive environment in which the French Army’s vehicle fleet operates in today’s battlefield, delivering advanced protection, and enhanced strategic and tactical mobility.
Texelis supports both manufacturers and operators throughout the product lifecycle, from initial design through renewal. Permanent attention is paid to the technical, robustness and adaptability to always meet the end-users needs and requirements. By expanding its offer developing chassis and mobility kits for armoured vehicles Texelis is proving all its know-how and technology and is positioning itself as the mobility partner of armoured vehicles of today and tomorrow.
A dual company, Texelis is also a key player in the development, design and manufacture of the current and future generations of mobility systems for railway mobility.
Texelis is expanding its offering to include chassis and mobility kits for monocoque vehicles, demonstrating its expertise and technology, and positioning itself as the mobility partner for armoured vehicles, today and tomorrow. More information on www.texelis.com
28 Nov 23. British Army Foxhounds to take on command role. Up to 50 of the British Army’s Foxhound vehicles will be converted into command variants under a GBP19.76m (USD24.92 m) sole-source contract with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). The contract, expected to be awarded in early 2024, will involve the conversion of up to 50 Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicles (LPPVs) over a 15-month period, a UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract notice disclosed on 23 November. According to the notice, the converted vehicles will be installed with enhanced high-frequency (HF), very-high-frequency (VHF), and ultra-high-frequency (UHF) capabilities and will enable operation of Bowman data terminals. The UK MoD were unable to elaborate to Janes on the new communication systems expected to be installed on the converted command vehicles. (Source: Janes)
28 Nov 23. Upgraded German Puma IFV deliveries delayed. The German Federal Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 27 November that deliveries of upgraded Puma infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) have been delayed. The ministry noted that the Bundeswehr was to receive the first upgraded Pumas for the German Army by the end of 2023 but the necessary work, especially on software, should be completed in February 2024, delaying the delivery of the first vehicles to the end of that month. The MoD, Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr: BAAINBw), and the German Army were engaged in a “close and constructive exchange” with industry, the MoD said, adding that the essential requirements for planned testing, training, and exercises have been met. (Source: Janes)
24 Nov 23. Germany procures Dingo 2s to replace vehicles donated to Ukraine. The budget committee of the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, on 16 November approved funding for the procurement of 50 Dingo 2 A4.1 armoured vehicles for the Bundeswehr, the German Federal Ministry of Defence announced on its website the next day. The ministry gave a value of approximately EUR150 m (USD163.5 m) for the procurement, paid for by the German government’s Enable and Enhance Initiative to support partner states with military materiel and training, to replace Dingos donated to Ukraine. Germany supplied 50 Dingos to the war-torn country, according to the German government’s list of military aid delivered to Kyiv. Dingo 2 A4.1 deliveries to the Bundeswehr are scheduled for 2026. Asked by Janes for the specifications of the Dingo 2 A4.1, a spokesperson for the vehicle’s manufacturer, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), said on 22 November that he could not do so until a contract was signed, the date for which the company does not know. (Source: Janes)
28 Nov 23. Oshkosh Defense to Produce Medium Equipment Trailers for U.S. Army. Oshkosh Defense announced today that the U.S. Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA) awarded a production contract for the Medium Equipment Trailer (MET). Oshkosh will partner with Broshuis, B.V to execute the $342m contract.
The five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract includes the option for two additional years and calls for Oshkosh to produce an estimated 557 trailers.
The MET is a six-axle trailer designed to be pulled by the Oshkosh Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter (EHET) M1300 Tractor with the ability to obtain European road permissions at required payloads and negotiate highway overpasses. The combined MET and EHET system is capable of transporting military equipment weighing up to 60-tons.
In September 2022, the U.S. Army also selected Oshkosh to produce the Enhanced Heavy Equipment Transporter System (EHETS).
“We appreciate the U.S. Army’s continued confidence in our logistics solutions that play a pivotal role in the swift global deployment of mission-critical equipment,” stated Pat Williams, chief programs officer for Oshkosh Defense. “These trailers, paired with the Oshkosh EHET, are vital to surviving the rigors of modern combat and addressing the challenges of contested logistics.”
Oshkosh Defense will deliver the first trailers in May 2024 to support Product Qualification Testing and Operational Testing.
Oshkosh Defense is a global leader in the design, production and sustainment of best-in-class military vehicles, technology solutions and mobility systems. Oshkosh develops and applies emerging technologies that advance safety and mission success. Setting the industry standard for sustaining fleet readiness, Oshkosh ensures every solution is supported worldwide throughout its entire life cycle.
Broshuis B.V. is a 100% family owned, Dutch company and one of the largest specialty trailer manufacturers in Europe. Founded in 1885, Broshuis B.V. is known in the market because of its focus on innovation, quality and safety. They introduced the market changing multi extendible trailers (up to 227 feet), independent and power steered HD suspensions and the refined PL2 pendular axle system which is fitted to the HET trailer. Broshuis B.V. experience and project management, led to numerous contracts for supplying specialty trailers to various militaries in the last decades. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)
28 Nov 23. Moog and Piedrafita unveil test rig for armoured vehicle suspension design. The rig produces vibrations crucial for evaluating shock absorber resistance and suspension system performance in combat scenarios.
Moog Inc. and Piedrafita Systems have unveiled a test rig, enhancing the design of armoured vehicle suspensions.
The collaboration, fuelled by Piedrafita’s vision for technology, yields a system capable of simulating intense vibrations crucial for assessing shock absorbers and suspension systems in combat scenarios.
Moog Inc. has partnered with the Spain-based company to introduce a test rig. The catalyst for this collaboration was Piedrafita’s quest for technology capable of delivering forces up to 500kN at a speed of 8m/s and up to 200Hz.
This isn’t the first time Moog and Piedrafita have worked together. Moog supplied a fatigue test system to Piedrafita. The test system is important for the development of a new shock absorber designed for military ground vehicles operating in extreme conditions.
Piedrafita, backed by a grant from the European Defence Industrial Development Programme, initiated the SRB project, focusing on developing a hydropneumatic rotary suspension for armoured vehicles. The newly installed test rig plays a role in this project.
Juan Carlos Molinero, project manager and engineering leader for simulation test at Moog, highlighted the collaborative process: “Piedrafita asked if this new system was feasible. After our study and performance tests, we again collaborated with Piedrafita to develop a concept that could test an armoured vehicle’s suspension.”
The test rig, designed to simulate the passage of armoured vehicle tracks over undulating terrain, produces vibrations crucial for evaluating shock absorber resistance and suspension system performance in combat scenarios.
Vanesa Recio, head of communication and marketing for Piedrafita, emphasised the new system’s capabilities: “Our engineers can test wheel stations under very demanding profiles for main battle tanks such as the Abrams, Challenger, Leclerc, and Leopard.”
The Moog-Piedrafita test system, encompassing a Moog test controller, hydraulic actuators, an HPU, and a power cabinet, is an alternative to traditional proving ground tests. “The high-performance test bench minimises costs and enables tests in a controlled manner rather than driving over a proving ground, thereby protecting a crew who would otherwise have to be on board a vehicle,” added Recio.
This collaboration benefits Piedrafita but allows manufacturers like General Dynamics and KNDS to leverage the advanced test system for evaluating their vehicles’ suspensions.
Moog Inc. reported record sales for the second quarter of 2023. The company experienced a 9% increase in net sales compared to the same quarter the previous year, reaching $837m.
In March 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced an expansion of Moog Inc. in Western New York, investing $25m to create 500 new jobs in the aerospace industry. This project involved adding high-tech manufacturing equipment. (Source: army-technology.com)
28 Nov 23. RMA Automotive South Africa has big plans. As a global company with a significant footprint around the world, mainly in Southeast Asia where it is headquartered, RMA Automotive (RMAA) is this year celebrating 15 years of operations in South Africa.
Speaking at the anniversary function in Centurion earlier this month (14 November), Christian Wiedmann, senior vice president and Automotive managing director, said that the importance of South Africa in the company’s strategy cannot be overstated, especially regarding African automotive development.
As a leading manufacturer and supplier of modified special vehicles, accessories, and parts, RMA Automotive offers pre-engineered special vehicle solutions to the global market, including in Africa. RMAA intends to further expand its footprint on the continent by contributing to the economic development of African nations.
“The talent pool in Africa is vast, diverse, and eager to participate in the global economy,” he stated. “As such, we intend to further invest in our capabilities here, particularly in education, skills development, and fostering innovation.”
In this regard Wiedmann was also referring to South Africa where the company overcame many challenges in the past 15 years. He thanked his colleagues for their dedication to make the operation a success.
His sentiments were echoed by Alan Caugant, RMA Managing Director for Manufacturing. Caugant highlighted the company’s track record of 40 years delivering tailor-made mobility solutions to global fleet customers operating in the most challenging sectors. “These are defence, mining, healthcare and rescue, agriculture, aid and humanitarian.”
On display outside the venue were several of RMAA South Africa’s modified special vehicles, including an affordable box-body ambulance for rough terrain to be used in remote or hard to access areas, which could be very useful in Africa. It is also ideal for mine sites and the military; it can be mounted on any of South Africa’s local pick-up platforms.
In his presentation, RMAA South Africa country manager Brendan Londt explained the original purpose of the local operation.
“It was to contribute to preparation for the US Army TACOM (tank-automotive and armaments command) project,” Londt stated. “It involved sourcing and preparing Ford Ranger vehicles from several Ford production plants around the world, including South Africa, for the Afghanistan Police. In the end, although RMA delivered 43 000 vehicles, only a handful came from the South African workshop.”
This ultimately led to modification of vehicles for sectors other than the military, notably security and other mobility solutions in the mining and industrial spheres. Vehicle modification is very much part of the business. According to Londt, fitment of accessories sourced locally and abroad resulted in a fully functional engineering and design department, creating accessories specific to customer needs.
“Technology has played and will continue to play, a pivotal role in our expansion strategy across Africa,” Londt said. “Embracing innovative solutions, materials and designs, will enable us to deliver purpose-built products and class leading solutions catering to the specific needs of each market sector.”
He mentioned the company’s access to all wheel drive system conversions, left-hand drive to right-hand drive conversions, and Digital Signal Blackout systems required for military purposes.
Whilst its focus is modifying conventional vehicles, the company is also working on electric vehicles, especially those with the same dimensions as internal combustion engines (ICEs). According to Caugant, RMAA’s testing of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) for humanitarian applications in Somalia, South Sudan and Kenya is having positive results. The company is also converting ICE vehicles to PHEV for the military in Singapore.
RMAA is based in Silverton, Pretoria, where its 1 500 square metre manufacturing facility is focused on the company’s vehicle modification business and the supply of RMA Special Vehicles.
In February 2022 it was reported that RMAA South Africa’s Ford Vehicle Personalisation team relocated to the newly built Ford Motor Company South Africa Vehicle Modification Centre (VMC). This is where the company will continue to provide accessory fitments to Ford Ranger vehicles for the local and export markets. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
27 Nov 23. Airbus Completes Auto’Mate Autonomous Aerial Refuelling Tests. Aerial refuelling is an increasingly vital capability for military force projection, and Airbus-developed technology to automate the in-flight “topping off” of aircraft will revolutionise this process – with wider applications for both the defence and civil aviation sectors.
Disruptive technology for fully autonomous in-flight refuelling – designated Auto’Mate – is being evolved by the Airbus Defence and Space business unit in collaboration with Airbus UpNext, the company’s wholly-owned innovation subsidiary. Airbus UpNext also is pursuing such cross-division projects as pilot assistance technologies to further enhance flight safety and aircraft operational efficiency, along with new propulsion systems and aircraft design to face sustainability challenges.
Last March, a successful Auto’Mate demonstration using an Airbus testbed tanker aircraft and four unmanned drones marked a major milestone for the autonomous in-flight refuelling capability.
During a second flight test campaign conducted in November 2023, the Auto’Mate demonstrator showcased the potential of Autonomous Assets Air to Air Refuelling (A4R) operations flying with five unmanned drones (Airbus DT-25, two of them being digital twins) – under the control of an A310 MRTT tanker – simulating a refuelling operation, using advanced AI-based relative navigation and cooperative control technologies.
Enhanced Safety, Reliability and Efficiency
By automating in-flight refuelling without the need for human intervention, an aerial tanker can take control of a “receiver” aircraft from several kilometres away and autonomously guide and control it into the proper position to receive fuel, followed by the actual fuel transfer via the tanker’s refuelling probe, completed by a safe separation manoeuvre at the operation’s completion.
The in-flight refuelling procedures utilised today require demanding and precise coordination between an aerial tanker’s crew and the pilot of the “receiver” aircraft. By applying autonomous technologies, the process will benefit from enhanced safety, reliability and efficiency. Other advantages are the ability to conduct more effective operations – including the transfer of fuel in very low visibility conditions, and the reduction of training costs for flight crews.
As importantly, the Auto’Mate technology opens the way for aerial refuelling of non-piloted combat air vehicles such as drones, apart from the technologies reuse in remote carriers and “loyal wingman”operations – which are key unmanned elements of Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Furthermore, thanks to Auto’Mate technology, the whole refuelling operation can be carried out seamlessly without the need for human intervention, neither by the Aerial Refuelling Operator (ARO) on the tanker nor by the manned receiver’s pilot or the unmanned drone’s operator. This could eventually lead to autonomous tankers and aerial assets operating without a crew on board in the future.
Three Technological ‘Bricks’ for Automated Aerial Refuelling
In evolving autonomous in-flight refuelling, Airbus is focusing on three primary key technological foundations:
- Navigation: the system can achieve unprecedented levels of position accuracy using different types of cameras, high-precision satellite global positioning, and LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensors, combined with AI and sensor fusion algorithms.
- Communications: covert, secure and multi-node communication systems have been tested to guide several “receiver” aircraft.
- Control: autonomous control systems take the lead in managing critical flight parameters, guaranteeing coordination, and safe and efficient operations with built-in collision avoidance functionalities.
Airbus is well positioned to take this next step for aerial refuelling, building on its experience in the domain – beginning with its A310 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) which entered service in 2004, and followed by the new-generation A330 MRTT.
Airbus’ Leadership in Aerial Tankers with the A330 MRTT
The A330 MRTT positions Airbus as a leader in the multi-role tanker transport sector, having already pioneered such advancements as the use of fly-by-wire control for the refuelling probe and its development of a high-definition 2D/3D digital system for enhanced viewing by the fuelling operators.
A total of 60 A330 MRTTs have been ordered by Australia, France, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, with the aircraft fleet logging thousands of flight hours in the support of military deployments and humanitarian operations. (Source: UAS VISION)
17 Nov 23. On the morning of 17 November a ceremony was held for the delivery of 15 Otokar URAL 4×4 light armoured tactical vehicles (LATV) to Ecuador. On the morning of this Friday, November 17, 2023, at the ‘Mariscal Sucre’ Air Base in the city of Quito, the delivery ceremony of 15 URAL 4×4 tactical vehicles for the Armed Forces of Ecuador was held. The event was attended by the President of the Republic, Guillermo Lasso; General Luis Lara Jaramillo, Minister of National Defence, the Military High Command and State authorities.
During his speech, the President highlighted the importance of strengthening the technical and operational capabilities of the three branches of the Armed Forces as one of the objectives of his management and highlighted the acquisitions made during his period of government. Later he referred to the work carried out by the Armed Forces: “I want to thank each one of you, brave soldiers of the Homeland, you are a symbol of courage, patriotism, solidarity and dedication; of commitment to the country and Ecuadorian families… I highlight your work with Ecuador in difficult times such as the pandemic and your valuable contingent in our successful vaccination campaign…, the Ecuadorian people do not forget and will not forget their support during emergencies or to restore order; I must highlight his defence of the rule of law and democracy…).
“You are the pride of the country, of your people and of your President.”
In his speech, the Minister of National Defence highlighted that: “an essential aspect of the Armed Forces for the future will be their ability to adapt to changing scenarios with capabilities, equipment for multiple scenarios, cutting-edge technology, immediate response capacity and new doctrines. of employment for combat both in conventional scenarios and in urban areas. The adaptation of land, sea and air soldiers to these new defence circumstances must respond to long-term strategic visions based on national interests, but fundamentally operational planning and the urgent needs of State security. and of the citizens .”
He thanked the support provided to the Armed Forces and the State security institutions and recognised the timely responses and decisions made in the face of threats against the sovereignty, security and integrity of the homeland. “It is necessary to highlight the enormous effort made by the national government to support Defence, which will ensure the peace of Ecuador, the permanence of democracy and the security of the nation.”
The 15 URAL 4×4 multipurpose armoured vehicles, which are added to the COBRA vehicles previously delivered, will allow the execution of multiple tasks and protection missions carried out in various military operations at the national level. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)
25 Nov 23. RICO trials ePMV as power source. The Australian Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office (RICO) has trialled the electric Protected Mobility Vehicle (ePMV) with a 2 Health Battalion (2HB) medical treatment team to test the viability of powering deployable medical capabilities.
The trial, conducted in the field at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, found the ePMV provided sufficient power to run a PMV-command vehicle for about eight days without using a generator.
Following the vehicle’s launch at the Chief of Army Symposium in August, the ePMV has been trialled and tested in a variety of conditions and by different units to better understand the opportunities and limitations of electric propulsion in an operating environment.
The lead for emerging technology within Future Land Warfare branch, Lieutenant Colonel Alex Palmer, said trials of the ePMV by soldiers within different units had been crucial in the exploration of a practical approach to helping people perform their roles to a higher, safer standard.
“We’ve been able to realise benefits, including thermal and acoustic signature management, the ability to export electrical energy, robotic and autonomous systems connectivity, instantaneous power and tactical agility,” he said.
“This learn-by-doing approach is about discovering just how far we can push the limits of the ePMV whilst also getting an understanding of their limitations.”
The ePMV was deployed during Exercise Talisman Sabre alongside other emerging technologies RICO is exploring, including a ground uncrewed system capable of providing continuous surveillance for 35 days.
The ePMV project has facilitated a learn-by-doing approach, connecting industry partner 3ME with feedback from soldiers using the technology from 5th Combat Service Support Battalion, 8th Combat Service Support Battalion, 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, and 2HB.
Lieutenant Colonel Palmer said there was a wide range of emerging power and energy technology that would impact many Army systems. Electrification technology could increase Army’s energy performance, sustainability and reduce logistic demand across the whole force.
He said RICO was set to adapt the ePMV to a diesel-electric hybrid engine in early 2024. The hybrid-electric trial sought to deliver the benefits of electrification technology, while extending the bushmaster range.
(Source: https://www.ex2.com.au/news/)
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TEK Military Seating Limited
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Contact: David Parkman
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