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15 Dec 23. Bridging the gap: Army validates division-led river crossing. The U.S. Army successfully validated a force structure change meant to help it make better wet gap crossings during large scale combat operations, according to service leaders.
Defense experts have long considered U.S. bridging capability inadequate, particularly in the European theater.
Building bridges over rivers or other bodies of water to advance forward in an operation sounds simple, but involves complex coordination to ensure the enemy is suppressed long enough to move thousands of soldiers and equipment across and that the bridges can support even the heaviest combat vehicles and tanks.
And strong wet gap crossing capabilities are expected to be needed in the Indo-Pacific region, according to both Army officials and defense experts.
“The U.S. clearly does not have enough river crossing capability, and river crossing is an important part of what’s happening in Ukraine,” retired Army Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who previously led U.S. Army Europe, told Defense News in an interview earlier this year. Beyond Ukraine, bridging is “a capability that we need to have in a lot of places in the world.”
Typically, engineer brigades, which provide bridging capability, are a corps-level asset, but during a large-scale combat exercise — Remagen Ready — at Fort Cavazos, Texas, earlier this fall, the 36th Engineer Brigade was taken out of the III Armored Corps and brought into the 1st Cavalry Division, Maj. Gen. Kevin Admiral, 1st Cavalry Division commander, told Defense News in a Dec. 12 interview.
Corps are made up of two divisions and roughly 20,000 to 45,000 troops total, while divisions are made up of three brigades and 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers.
Wet gap crossings “is one of the most difficult things to do,” said Col. Aaron Cox, the 36th Engineer Brigade commander.
“We play one role, which is the actual building of rafts and full enclosure bridges. Those tactical challenges aren’t too difficult, but it is making sure that the fires threat is reduced, that there’s no enemy on the far side objectives, that we have obscuration, that the enemy’s logistics nodes on the far side have been suppressed,” he added. “That’s where the challenge comes from, and it’s converging all of those capabilities into one location in time so that we can successfully get across.”
Engineer units in divisions are “not purpose-built for large-scale combat operations,” Admiral noted. Those units are usually organized in battalions under brigade combat teams, which are not adequate to support large-scale combat maneuver. To conduct a wet gap crossing at the division level in large-scale combat, “I would need external resources that I don’t really have,” he said.
By putting the 36th Engineer Brigade into the 1st Cavalry Division for the exercise, it gave the division the assets and manpower it needed to execute the wet gap mission. Because the brigade was under the control of the division commander, it was easier to coordinate the complex movements needed to set the conditions for a safe crossing and then execute the crossing of about 20,000 soldiers and their armored equipment.
The 1st Cavalry coordinated the two-day live wet gap crossing during the exercise with two physical bridges using what’s known as the Improved Ribbon Bridge, made up of panels that can be put on the back of a truck for transport and then combined to make larger rafts. Seven panels connected together can support an M1 Abrams tank.
The exercise validated the need to put engineer brigades underneath division command, Admiral said, part of a larger plan to redesign force structure as the Army modernizes and shifts from years of using the brigade combat team as the tactical unit where maneuver operations are planned and executed. Now, the service plans to give the division that responsibility.
During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, BCTs operated relatively independently, but large-scale operations across land, air, sea, space and cyber against adversaries like Russia and China would require division-level operations.
The exercise “gave us a good chance to do an initial validation of the Army 2030 Armored Strike Division,” Admiral said. “This is the right direction for the armored divisions.”
Army Futures Command continues to work on what a modernized force’s structure will look like in 2030 and beyond, incorporating lessons from exercises like Remagen Ready.
The Army’s plan to grow its engineer companies, according to the service’s acquisition chief, Doug Bush, is “on track. It’s just finding the money,” he said in an interview this fall. “It’s a big priority, especially as they learned a lot from trying to move around Europe.”
(Source: Defense News)
15 Dec 23. Hungary Takes Delivery of First Leopard 2A7HU Tanks and Support Vehicles. A New Milestone in the History of Hungarian Military Development. The long-awaited Leopards, the crown jewels Hungary’s military development, have arrived, Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced on December 14 in Tata, where the first Leopard 2A7HU tanks of the Hungarian Armed Forces were handed over.
The head of the ministry stated that this marks the beginning of a new era in the history of both Hungarian military development and the history of our country. However, the arrival of the tanks specially developed according to Hungarian needs to the MH 1. György Klapka Armored Brigade is far from the end of a project, but a new chapter. Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky stated: “the lion’s share of the work is just beginning.”
He recalled that three years ago, in 2020, the twelve Leopard 2A4HU type tracked vehicles arrived, which gave the tank crews the opportunity to familiarize themselves with German armored technology, which was significantly different from the previous one, and to prepare for the installation of these modern, new military equipment.
Regarding the Leopard 2A7HU tank, which is one of the most modern in the world, the Minister of National Defense emphasized: “they represent a completely new world, even compared to the Leopard A4s, and they are even more modern than those used in the German army.” In his speech, he mentioned that a total of 44 Leopard, five Wisent 2HU armored recovery vehicles and three Leguan 2HU bridge-launching combat vehicles will arrive in Hungary by 2028. He added that these complete the renewable armored weapon type.
He also pointed out that there are more and more dangers in our environment that we have to face. “For us, the safety of the Hungarian people is the most important thing, and this can only be done with a prepared, well-trained and equipped Hungarian army,” he underlined.
(Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Hungarian Ministry of National Defence; issued Dec. 14, 2023)
14 Dec 23. Zimbabwe receives new Chinese armour. Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa attended an event on 13 December to receive a consignment of Chinese military equipment that included new armoured vehicles.
“This is a result of the unapparelled strategic partnership that exists between Zimbabwe and China,” Mnangagwa posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account. “I express gratitude to China for their generosity and our ongoing relationship.”
The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) described the consignment as a donation that took place at the mechanised brigade base in Inkomo, northwest of Harare.
It released photographs showing at least eight Norinco WMA301 6×6 self-propelled guns, numerous WZ551 6×6 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) in at least three configurations, and trucks.
Some of the WZ551s had the one-person turret with a 25 mm cannon, which is widely used in Africa, while others had an older type of turret with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.
The OPC said the equipment also included ambulances, water purifiers, patrol boats, minibuses, sniper rifles, machine guns, and pistols. (Source: Janes)
15 Dec 23. France Says It ‘Welcomes Strategic Partnership’ Between KNDS and Leonardo. Strategic Partnership Between KNDS and Leonardo. The Ministry of the Armed Forces welcomes the latest progress in discussions between KNDS and Leonardo which aim to bring the two companies closer together in the field of ground equipment industry. The creation of a strategic partnership between Leonardo and KNDS – a group in which the French State is a 50% shareholder and which is composed of Nexter and KMW – is an opportunity for the European land industry, and in particular for French industry. This partnership has been the subject of discussions between the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu and the Italian Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto for several months. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ French Ministry of the Armed Forces; issued Dec. 14, 2023)
15 Dec 23. Panther ready to pounce – Rheinmetall signs development contract with Hungary for next-generation tank. The Hungarian government has joined forces with Rheinmetall to develop the Panther KF51 through to production maturity. A contract to this effect has now been signed in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. The development contract is worth around €288m. A demonstrator vehicle will be constructed and qualified, paving the way to full-scale production. Rheinmetall is cooperating in the project with the state-owned Hungarian holding company N7, which also holds a 49 percent stake in the joint venture Rheinmetall Hungary.
“We’re delighted to have reached another important milestone on the path to producing next-generation fighting vehicles in Hungary”, declares Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall. “The Panther KF51 is the world’s most advanced main battle tank. It sets a new standard for the combat effectiveness of mechanized formations, while delivering a high degree of future adaptability. At the same time, in our accustomed manner, we’ll be empowering our local Joint Venture Rheinmetall Hungary and further strengthen the national defence industrial capabilities of our partners.”
Moving forward together as partners, Hungary and Rheinmetall will jointly develop and prepare for full production the next-generation tank whose concept Rheinmetall first presented to the world public at Eurosatory 2022 trade fair. Unlike the system demonstrator on show at Eurosatory, the Panther KF51 EVO will be armed with Rheinmetall’s tried-and-tested L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun, which also features in the latest variants of the Leopard 2. This will ensure logistical homogeneity with Hungary’s existing fleet of Leopard 2 tanks. Nevertheless, the Panther KF51 EVO will already be equipped with an autoloader. Moreover, the turret architecture will enable subsequent retrofitting of Rheinmetall’s new 130mm gun. The Panther K51 possesses a high degree of digitalization and networkability. Furthermore, new force protection technologies like the standoff protection system StrikeShield will enable a low aggregate weight. Its chassis is based on the Buffalo armoured recovery vehicle, supplied by Rheinmetall. In combination with the tank’s low total weight, this contributes to the Panther KF51’s high mobility, while simultaneously resulting in synergy effects in logistics, maintenance and training owing to commonalities with the Leopard 2 family. The basic crew of the Panther KF51 consists of three soldiers: the commander, gunner and driver. A fourth station, in front on the lefthand side of the bow, is reserved for a subsystem operator. A company or battalion commander can also use it as a mobile command post.
15 Dec 23. South Korea fields new Command Post Vehicles. The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) has deployed a new 8×8 Command Post Vehicle (CPV) for the first time, the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a press release on 12 December.
According to DAPA, the CPV is being used by the RoKA’s 25th Infantry Division in Yangju. It added that the CPV is intended to replace the RoKA’s current static tent-type field command posts that require a lengthy set-up and teardown process, and are vulnerable to firearm, artillery, and chemical, biological, and radiological attacks. DAPA signed contracts worth KRW700 billion (USD530 million) in June 2023 and KRW55.3 billion in June 2022 with Hyundai Rotem to procure an undisclosed number of CPVs.
According to local media, South Korea plans to deploy nearly 600 vehicles by 2029 to the RoKA and RoK Marine Corps units that are operating command post tents.
DAPA earlier awarded a contract worth ₩700 billion with local defence and engineering prime Hyundai Rotem for the serial manufacture of a second tranche of CPVs in June.
“During this second mass production, we plan to secure a highly reliable weapon system by applying the latest technology…such as operator safety and convenience as well as interconnectivity with other weapon systems,” said DAPA, noting the CPV will be initially used by the RoKA to support army experimentation in battlefield artificial intelligence (AI), manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), as well as other emerging operational concepts.
According to DAPA, the CPV is equipped with indigenously developed command-and-control (C2) systems such as the Army Tactical Command and Control Information System (ATCCIS) and the Battalion Battle Command System (B2CS).
The vehicle is operated by a two-person crew with accommodation for up to eight additional personnel in the protected rear cabin, which is equipped with a positive pressure system to protect its occupants against nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) agents.
The CPV is derived from the in-service K808 ‘Baekho’ 8×8 wheel armoured vehicle (WAV) platform also built by Hyundai Rotem.
The first tranche of CPVs was ordered under an earlier ₩55.3 billion contract in June 2022. (Source: AMR)
13 Dec 23. Robots in the ranks: US Army integrating robots in two platoons. US Army Futures Command and the Maneuver Center of Excellence hosts the second Human Machine Integration Summit, Oct. 17-19, at McGinnis-Wickam Hall and Selby Training Area.
Soldiers at both the Maneuver Center of Excellence and the National Training Center are testing out new platoon formations that integrate robots and other technology into dangerous combat scenarios.
Gen. James Rainey, head of Army Futures Command, described a recent scenario conducted by a light infantry platoon at Fort Moore, Georgia, during remarks at the Association of the U.S. Army periodic featured speakers event at the organization’s Arlington, Virginia headquarters.
“We’re prototyping platoons,” Rainey said. “This isn’t Power Point; we have our first human-machine integrated formation for light infantry.”
MCOE Experimental Company, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 316th conducted an urban assault. But instead of human soldiers rushing across open areas and bursting into buildings, robots took the lead.
Rainey said 20 soldiers with four robotic vehicles were able to cross the open terrain to reach the building. But first robots with smoke generators created a screen.
At the same time, robot vehicles with tethered drones jammed enemy signals and extended the soldiers’ network. Small drones dropped robotic ground vehicles with cameras atop buildings to scout the interior while even smaller aerial drones entered windows, scanning the inside of the structure and transmitting back a “blueprint” of the building to soldiers on the ground.
Then robot “dogs” with cameras of their own, entered the building looking for hazards and seeking out enemy troops.
The experimental unit also showcased their current human-machine work during a mid-October Human Machine Integration Summit at Fort Moore.
“We demonstrated how a forward line of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) sensors can be deployed and supported by a forward line of armed robotics, all ahead of the forward line of troops,” said Capt. Tim Young, experimental company commander said in an Army release. “That way we’re sensing early on in the battlefield, we’re engaging with robots making sure we don’t shed human blood for first contact, and then we’re bringing in troops to finish the fight.”
Another human-machine integrated platoon with the opposite force trainers at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California is being built to work alongside mechanized formations. Due to the speed of movement of those types of units, Rainey said early work will focus on defensive positions until the robotic platforms can keep up with the fast-moving formation.
But early concepts and experimenting hold promise, he said.
He sketched out some early ideas that include taking a 14-tank company and adding four robots, 10 soldiers and a couple of Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles. That might not seem like a lot of extra firepower, but with those extras, commanders can add loitering munitions, robot ammunition and battery resupply, keeping soldiers in the fight.
“One of the fascinating things is robotic (casualty evacuation),” Rainey said. “If you take casualties instead of four soldiers carrying one soldier on a litter, you could put four litters on a robot, keep the medic with it, preprogram a grid and (evacuate).”
Seeing these integrated units performing tactical tasks relieves a long-held frustration the general has had.
“The basic idea behind human-machine integration is our quest for what’s aspirational is absolutely blinding us to what’s doable,” Rainey said.
There may be a day when the Army has a robot tank that can travel 70km an hour through 6 feet of mud or a robot graduate Ranger School, Rainey said. But that’s not happening today.
As AFC commander, the general said he’s pushed leaders to work with what’s available now. (Source: Army Times)
11 Dec 23. British Army’s Foxhound Command vehicle undergoes field tests. The British Army Programmes team last night announced via social media that the Foxhound Command Variant is undergoing basic field testing. The Foxhound Command Variant has moved from formal testing and validation to basic field testing with the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team. It is being used by the Brigade HQ to tactically move around the battlefield alongside the vehicles used by the other exercising troops.
The field testing will provide direct user feedback that will enable us to make small tweaks for eventual production, but also show users what type of capability we are bringing into service as part of the British Army’s modernisation program.
A joint team comprising our Rapid Acquisition Team, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), General Dynamics UK Limited and NP Aerospace have worked collaboratively to create the Foxhound Command Variant and it is already proving to be very popular.
Background: On 23rd November 2023 the UK Ministry of Defence published the following Voluntary Transparency Notice:-
The Authority has identified a need to generate 50 Foxhound Command Variants. To accommodate this, Army commercial will seek to convert up to 50 Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicles to Command Variant, via a single source contract with General Dynamics Land Systems UK.
The conversion will provide enhanced VHF, HF and UHF capability, whilst providing the users with a working environment suitable for operating BOWMAN data terminals. The conversion will also include vehicle performance enhancements, required to support the new variant and function on the platform, including mission battery improvement and crew display systems.
General Dynamics UK are the OEM and Design Authority of the Foxhound Platform and have developed the design for the modification using private venture funding As the Design Authority, and only contractor to have access to the design for the modification, General Dynamics UK is the only contractor which is able to perform the requirement, for technical reasons. Further, General Dynamics UK is the Design Authority for BOWMAN and are also the only UK Licenced company by US DOD, under ITAR, to install BOWMAN on a new variant of Foxhound.
It is our intention to award a contract in early 2024 for a period of 15 months.
This notice is not a request for expressions of interest so please do not apply to be invited to tender. This notice advises that the Authority has decided to negotiate a contract with the named supplier on a single source basis, and is published for reasons of transparency. If you are interested in becoming a sub-contractor for this requirement, you should apply directly to the supplier named above. (Source: www.joint-forcescom)
13 Dec 23. TDV develops new Pandur II 8×8 EVO. Czechoslovak Group’s (CSG’s) Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV) is developing a new generation of Pandur II 8×8 EVO (Evolution) armoured vehicle as the 107 Pandur II 8×8 CZs mostly manufactured in the Czech Republic and delivered to the country’s army in 2009–13 reach obsolescence. Vehicles are expected to be procured for the Czech 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, including a completely new mortar version, and the Pandur II 8×8 EVO is also aimed at the export market.
It will be based on the experience of the older Czech Pandur IIs, the improved KOVS and KOVVŠ command and communications variants, which feature better ballistic protection, as well as partly on the Pandur EVO 6×6 vehicle supplied to the Austrian Army by General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) Steyr, with which TDV has a strategic partnership.
(Source: Janes)
13 Dec 23. Italy to Buy Leopard 2A8 Tanks, Join French-German MGCS Future Armor Program. KNDS and Leonardo Form Strategic Alliance. Under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Defense, Leonardo and KNDS have signed an agreement for further development of a more intensive cooperation. The aim is to create a truly European Defense Group and, in addition, to cooperate more closely in the field of land-based electronics.
Such a strategic alliance will enable the implementation of programs in cooperation among European nations, by strengthening their national industrial base and developing the future generation of armored vehicle platforms, including Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).
This alliance supports the strategy defined by the Italian MoD in the Documento Programmatico Difesa 2023-2025 and in the Action Plan of the Agreement recently signed by the Governments of Italy and Germany.
In addition, Leonardo and KNDS have also signed an Agreement to jointly implement the planned Main Battle Tank (MBT) procurement programme with a solution based on Leopard 2A8. The Companies will collaborate in the development, manufacturing and maintenance of the Leopard 2A8 solution for the Italian Army, as well as the support platforms.
The alliance between Leonardo and KNDS aims to create further production and development capabilities in Italy and to use these for future European and export projects.
The Italian Ministry of Defence is currently working on two major programs for the renewal of its Land Forces: firstly, the procurement of the Leopard MBT with support vehicles and, secondly, new Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) under the programme name AICS plus combat support systems. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)
12 Dec 23. GM Defense and Jankel Announce Collaboration. GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), and Jankel, a British world-leader in the design, integration, manufacture and support of high-specification defense systems, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU establishes a framework to jointly pursue business opportunities for defense and government customers using GM Defense mobility solutions, including the Heavy-Duty Sport Utility Vehicle (HD SUV) international variant, the Integrated Armored Vehicle (IAV). The collaboration will include support work in the U.S., in addition to the UK, Europe and in other locations where Jankel has an established support capability.
GM Defense uses a commercial-based approach, leveraging the advanced technologies of its parent, GM, to develop a protected mobility solution, such as the HD SUV, for global defense and government customers. These specially designed vehicles include independent armoring certification with options and configurations to suit customer requirements. With armor built into the vehicle design, GM Defense delivers a purpose-built platform that works seamlessly with the rest of the vehicle. These design features help ensure the vehicle is safe, reliable and easy to maneuver. GM Defense also offers ability to produce international armored vehicle fleets quickly and efficiently.
Jankel is one of the leading global suppliers of Civilian Armoured Vehicles to defense and security customers, including military and nongovernmental organizations and is a trusted and key supplier of full-service support packages that include the complete spectrum of in-service vehicle support. Experts in the conversion of a variety of base platforms to meet the demanding protection requirements of these customers, Jankel has delivered over 2,000 specialist protected platforms to more than 15 global customers, including the United Kingdom, Europe and elsewhere.
“GM Defense is looking forward to collaborating with Jankel, who can help support mobility solutions such as the HD SUV and IAV,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “Aligning our capabilities with companies like Jankel, who have a proven track record among global defense and government customers, is important as GM Defense seeks to meet the needs of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Industrial Strategy and to help modernize the mobility platforms of our allies.”
“Announcing this MOU is a key step for Jankel as we continue to grow our global footprint in the defense and security vehicle space,” said Jankel Chairman Andrew Jankel. “In selecting Jankel, GM Defense has recognized our strong position in the UK and Europe, and we look forward to pursuing joint support opportunities for GM Defense’s IAV. Whilst our initial focus will be on support for the IAV, the collaboration allows for a broadening of the scope to include other GM Defense products and services provided we find suitable joint opportunities. We very much look forward to growing this important relationship.”
12 Dec 23. The British High Commission donates ambulances to the Ghana Armed Forces. The British High Commission, Accra has presented 8 ambulances to the Ghana Armed Forces to improve medical outreach in the Northern border regions. The official handover ceremony which took place on Friday, 12 December at the Burma Camp in Accra is a testament of the strong security and defence ties that the UK and Ghana share.
The event brought together:
• the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Rt. Hon. James Heappey
• the Chief of the Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Seth Amoama from the Ghana Armed Forces
• British High Commissioner, H.E. Harriet Thompson
• representatives from the UK government
• representatives from the Ghana Armed Forces
Together, they demonstrated a collaborative effort to bolster peace and security in the Northern regions.
Ghana, like her neighbours, appreciates the importance of civilian cooperation in the Northern regions as the Armed Forces work alongside non-governmental organisations in the fight to prevent and limit violent extremist organisations. The ambulances provided are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to aid the Ghana Armed Forces in their medical outreaches in the 5 Northern regions, as part of the UK-Ghana Civilian Military Cooperation Programme.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, the UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Rt. Hon. James Heappey said: “Ghana is a key partner for the UK. We work together to tackle shared challenges from violent extremism in the Sahel to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and this donation underscores the strong partnership between the UK and Ghana. We are proud to contribute to Ghana Armed Force’s capacity to protect and serve its civilians in the 5 Northern regions to counter violent extremism, and we will continue to foster long-lasting partnerships through our annual security dialogue.”
The ambulances will be distributed in the Wa, Bolgatanga, Sandema Mechanical Brigade Headquarters and the Armoured Regimental Headquarters in Damango respectively.
The UK continues to work closely with the Ghana Armed Forces to support Ghana’s leadership position in the sub-region and to strengthen the capability of Ghanaian security services to take the lead in responding to instability in the region, particularly those related to that of violent extremists emanating from the Sahel. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
11 Dec 23. Swedish Air Force receives new light, highly modular C3 vehicles. The Swedish Air Force has received new command, control, and communications (C3) vehicles to bolster its tactical mobility.
The vehicles are based on a military variant of the Volkswagen Crafter and are meeting an urgent requirement for light, robust, and highly modular C3 platforms, according to an announcement by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) on 11 December.
Eight vehicles have been delivered so far, with a further 20 on order. Additional units are also planned, the announcement noted.
As standard, each vehicle is equipped with radio and IT equipment as well as various antennas that are adapted to support several different frequencies. The vehicles are also installed with Rakel – the Swedish digital communications system used by the emergency services.
A tent can be connected to the vehicles, providing a cohesive workplace between the operators in the vehicle and the staff outside. (Source: Janes)
07 Dec 23. Australia’s ELO2 consortium unveils first Moon rover proposal. The Brisbane-based ELO2 consortium has unveiled a prototype of what could become Australia’s first lunar rover. The consortium is working on the project under Stage 1 of the Australian Space Agency’s Moon to Mars Trailblazer program which aims to land the rover on the Moon as part of a future NASA Artemis mission later this decade.
The other contender for this contract is the Perth-based AROSE consortium. Each consortium has received a grant from the Agency worth $4m to develop their designs. A final choice should be made in 2024 with the successful contender scheduled to go into orbit in about 2026.
The first glimpse of ELO2’s rover prototype shows the technology and design elements built into this specialised vehicle. If selected for the mission on the Moon’s surface it will be tasked with transporting lunar regolith (Moon soil) to a NASA-run facility for the extraction of oxygen. The initial prototype focuses on testing chassis and suspension subsystems and features an early design of a collection device and special wheels that will enable the rover to cross the Moon’s challenging terrain.
The rover prototype’s unveiling marks an essential step in this process, paving the way for iterative enhancements and expanded functionalities throughout the rest of Stage 1.
This prototype and the following iterations are a practice in de-risking critical technologies, validating requirements, and ensuring their seamless integration. These are crucial for the success of the mission; prototyping such as this is an important step in testing designs for continuous improvement, an essential feature of the space industry.
The rover would autonomously navigate the lunar environment, locate and collect regolith, and is an essential element to enable NASA’s In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) facility to operate. There, oxygen will be extracted from the regolith, which can be used for Artemis astronauts to breathe and for spacecraft fuel – essential elements for a sustained human presence on the Moon.
“ELO2 is designing and developing world-leading technology, capitalising on Australia’s strengths, and leveraging Trailblazer funding to develop dual-use critical technologies able to support technology development for AUKUS Pillar II,” said Ben Sorensen, Director of Innovation and Commercialization at EPE, one of the founding members of the consortium.
“This initiative extends beyond advancing our space industry; it encompasses critical applications in climate change monitoring, critical mineral sourcing for Earth’s green transition, and remote operations in healthcare. This integrated approach not only benefits our space endeavours but also contributes significantly to vital industries on Earth.”
The public unveiling of this early rover prototype aims not only to showcase progress but also to engage the Australian public, the consortium has said. ELO2 seeks to make space more accessible by actively involving citizens in space exploration and hopes that the display of this prototype will encourage comments, feedback and ideas. (Source: https://www.ex2.com.au/news/)
10 Dec 23. Switzerland to Join Leopard 2 Users’ Club. Federal Council Decides to Join the Leopard Tank User’s Group. In order to promote the operation and maintenance of the Leopard 2 tanks used in the Swiss Army and the systems based on them, Switzerland will work more closely with countries that also use these vehicles. The Federal Council approved a corresponding agreement at its meeting on December 8, 2023.
Switzerland is active in various international user groups in order to exchange ideas with partner states about technical and procurement-related aspects of the military systems in operation. A bilateral framework agreement with Germany from 1985 already enables Switzerland to be part of the “Technology” and “Usage” working groups for the Leopard 2 tank. Within this framework, Switzerland regularly exchanges information with other users and industry. In order to be able to participate in further working groups, Switzerland is now joining the operator group. The Federal Council has approved an agreement that regulates joining the operator group. The agreement is a supplement to the MoU on logistical support in the use phase (ISS) and joint measures regarding the systems based on Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 dated May 6, 2013.
Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and Hungary are already members of the operator group.
By joining the operator group, future improvements and further developments can be tackled together with other Leopard users. Through active participation, user experiences can be shared and shared more broadly. Among other things, this also strengthens the negotiating position of users vis-à-vis the manufacturing companies. Participation gives Switzerland increased say and opens up the possibility of taking part in further joint projects on systems based on Leopard 2 tanks.
Working group on the Leguan bridge laying system
Participation in the subordinate working group on the Leguan bridge-laying system is currently of particular interest to Switzerland. The aim of this working group is to create a uniform configuration status of the Leguan bridge laying system and to maintain a common design standard.
Switzerland’s neutrality and independence are not affected by its participation in the Leopard vehicle operator group or the subordinate working groups. The cooperation within the framework of the agreement is limited to technical and logistical questions in the use phase of the systems. Switzerland decides itself whether it wants to take part in working groups and whether it wants to work with other participating states. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Swiss Federal Council; issued Dec. 08, 2023)
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