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07 Mar 24. USMC select companies to build cannon version of new recon vehicle. The Marine Corps has selected two companies to build prototypes of the 30 mm-cannon version of the advanced reconnaissance vehicle ― the replacement for the aging light armored vehicle.
Program Executive Office-Land Systems announced Wednesday that General Dynamics Land Systems and Textron Systems Corporation would design, develop and manufacture an advanced reconnaissance vehicle 30-mm autocannon prototype vehicle.
The contract award is $11.8 million for Textron and $10.9 million for General Dynamics. Each company will produce one prototype to be delivered by fiscal 2025, land systems spokesman David Jordan told Marine Corps Times.
If prototyping is successful for the family of vehicles, which includes other variants, production could cost between $1.8 billion and $6.8 billion throughout five years, according to a 2022 Congressional Research Service report.
Both Textron and General Dynamics announced in January that each company had completed testing of a command and control advanced reconnaissance vehicle variant prototype, according to company websites.
This 30-mm cannon variant will use the same turret and weapon system that is on the amphibious combat vehicle-30, said Steve Myers, Marine Corps program manager for light armored vehicles.
“Ensuring commonality is crucial, especially for the Marine Corps’ capacity to maintain weapon systems with limited fleets,” Myers said in a land systems release. “The prototyping of the ARV-30 allows the government to test and confirm the requirements before entering the engineering and manufacturing development phase.”
The Marine Corps established the Light Armored Vehicle Way-Ahead plan to replace the light armored vehicle, which has been in service since the early 1980s. The light armored vehicle is a trooper carrier vehicle with radio systems and a 25 mm Bushmaster cannon that has been used extensively in Marine deployments since its fielding.
But light armored vehicle’s life cycle is expected to end in the mid-2030s, Myers said at the time.
In 2019 the service announced the advanced reconnaissance vehicle concept as the official replacement for the light armored vehicle.
But the Corps wanted more than just a newer up-armored gun truck. In the following year, Marine Corps Systems Command staff and Office of Naval Research personnel developed the advanced reconnaissance vehicle concept that would use the vehicle to conduct command and control, sensing, cyber and drone missions.
The Marines later laid out concepts for a command, control, communications and computers/unmanned aerial systems version. Textron and General Dynamics delivered those prototypes in late 2022. Marines tested and evaluated those in from January 2023 to November 2023.
What the Marines want in the advanced reconnaissance vehicle:
- An automatic medium-caliber cannon.
- Anti-armor capability to defeat close-in heavy armor threats.
- Precision-guided munitions to defeat threats beyond the engagement range of threat systems.
- Unmanned systems swarm capability to provide persistent, multifunction munitions.
- Advanced, networked, multifunctional electronic warfare capabilities.
- A modern command-and-control suite and a full range of sensors.
- Organic unmanned aerial and ground systems that can be deployed from the advanced reconnaissance vehicle.
- Active and passive vehicle protection.
- Robust cross-country/on-road mobility performance with shore-to-shore water mobility.
Source: Congressional Research Service
Early planning for the advanced reconnaissance vehicle began in 2016, prior to the Force Design 2030 launch under former Commandant Gen. David Berger in 2019.
Before force design changes, the advanced reconnaissance vehicle was slated to serve much as the light armored vehicle had in light armored reconnaissance battalions.
But the Corps continues to restructure its force, aiming for leaner, smaller formations that can operate distributed, conduct reconnaissance, and counter reconnaissance for the joint force. Platforms such as the ARV must be able to help with deep sensing and pass data for targeting and protect themselves from electromagnetic attack and detection.
In 2023, Berger spelled out in his final update to the force design how reconnaissance would change.
The service needed “littoral, multi-domain reconnaissance capabilities that our light armored reconnaissance battalions do not currently provide.” The document notes that the Corps will shift instead to “mobile reconnaissance battalions” that will include maritime, light mobile and light armored companies.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Marine Times)
08 Mar 24. DE&S helps develop smarter logistics.
Members of the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Digital AI Team have worked with 1710 Naval Air Squadron (based in HMNB Portsmouth) and Royal Navy Engineers, to collaboratively produce the software tool named ‘Motherlode’.
Although delivered separately, the benefits from Motherlode will feed into the Defence Availability Centre, one of three cutting-edge centres set up by DE&S to help bring people together from across the UK defence industrial base to innovate, integrate and spin in new technologies as they develop.
Last October, the group used Wildcat to showcase Motherlode’s innovative new capabilities to the Minister of Defence Procurement James Cartlidge during a visit to RNAS Yeovilton.
Just three months later, Motherlode has now been upgraded so that it can provide richer data on specific airframes across both Merlin and Wildcat, including additional functionality to support ad-hoc mission planning and scenario modelling activity – giving a step change in data driven decision making.
This will enhance the user’s ability to process aircraft data at an unprecedented speed and ensure engineering problems are detected at the earliest possible point, rather than when the fault becomes problematic, allowing personnel to order spares ahead of issues arising.
Engineers can plan ahead and replace parts prior to operations or ensure spare parts are taken for when they will likely to be needed to reduce costs and increase availability of the airframe. We can also better estimate mission planning, shifting expensive and time consuming unplanned maintenance into more efficient planned maintenance.
Steve Hodson, Head DES Digital Automation, said: “Working collaboratively with the RN engineers and operators of platforms was crucial in helping us understand the landscape and ensuring we built an intuitive tool they both understood and wanted to use.
“These rapidly delivered additional upgrades to Motherlode mean that the potential of this technology can be further exploited to provide a competitive edge to those operating in the UK and on the front line.”
Last year Lieutenant Commander Oli Burrows of 1710 Naval Air Squadron, a scientific and engineering support unit, told Forces News that Motherlode allows the Royal Navy to “understand on a really grand scale how we maintain our aircraft”.
(Source: Google/ADS)
08 Mar 24. American Rheinmetall Vehicles Conducts Live-Fire Demo and Continues to Deliver Autonomous Ground Vehicles to the U.S. Marine Corps for Testing, Training, and Deployment. American Rheinmetall Vehicles (Sterling Heights, MI) and Rheinmetall Canada have successfully conducted a live-fire capability demonstration for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) in Fort Clinton, Ohio to highlight the unique capabilities of the Rheinmetall Mission Master SP autonomous, unmanned ground vehicle (A-UGV) paired with the Fieldranger Remotely Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS). This armed variant of the Rheinmetall Mission Master SP provides Marines a variety of remote operated capabilities including armed reconnaisance, sentry over watch, fire support, flank security, screening capability, and more. Having completed numerous test and evaluation events with the Mission Master SP, American Rheinmetall Vehicles continues to deliver ground-breaking advancements in A-UGV systems to the USMC. It first made deliveries to the USMC in early 2023, and several follow-on orders for A-UGVs are proceeding in 2024. The platforms have the potential to substantially enhance the way Marines fight.
Mission Master SPs furnished by American Rheinmetall Vehicles were also extensively tested by the USMC during the Talisman Sabre Exercise (TS23) in Queensland, Australia, in summer 2023 and as part of the Apollo Shield exercise at Marine Corps Base, Twentynine Palms, California, in fall 2023, both in support of Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) evaluations. The Mission Master SPs’ participation supported MCWL’s one year, crawl-walk-run, bilateral effort to test equipment capabilities and evaluate tactics, techniques, and procedures of Infantry squads equipped with A-UGVs. Tasks the Mission Master SP A-UGVs took on during the exercises included casualty evacuations (CASEVAC), resupply missions, fully autonomous road marches reaching ranges up to 50 kilometers, and operating in Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) environments. Feedback from the Marines and their Commanders drove A-UGV design modifications and solidified the benefits of A-UGVs among Marines.
In December 2023, American Rheinmetall Vehicles received an order to manufacture and deliver six Mission Master SPs which are slated for delivery to III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) to support further training and evaluation. Four of the Mission Master SPs will support 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, who will be the first unit to conduct pre-deployment work-ups and deploy with the A-UGVs.
“Bringing the capabilities of the Mission Master SP A-UGV to today‘s Marines gives me great pride in knowing that lives will be saved and Marines will be better prepared for battle,“ said Mike Brooks, Gunner (CW05) USMC Ret., and Director of Business Development for American Rheinmetall Vehicles.
“MCWL’s experimentation with state-of-the-art autonomous systems exemplifies our commitment to harnessing innovative technologies that enhance our tactical capabilities, ensuring our Marines are better equipped, more agile, and always a step ahead on the battlefield,” stated Maj Steven Atkinson, Robotics & Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence Branch Head for the Science and Technology Division of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.
Rheinmetall PATH A-kit: A platform-agnostic, next-generation system that brings autonomous mobility to any vehicle
Each of Rheinmetall’s Mission Master SP A-UGVs uses the Rheinmetall PATH autonomy kit (A-kit), a navigation system developed by Rheinmetall Canada that enables fully autonomous movement and mission planning for vehicles. It can be rapidly added onto existing legacy vehicles or integrated into the latest next-generation platforms. It is a core element of Rheinmetall’s exceptional Mission Master family of autonomous vehicles and combines advanced sensors, technology leading algorithms, and real-time data analysis to allow vehicle platforms to maneuver autonomously in a wide range of operating environments. Fielded and tested on this family of vehicles, but also a wide array of other platforms, the PATH A-kit is a mature, proven technology that stands out from the competition providing a high degree of autonomous mobility.
American Rheinmetall Vehicles is leveraging the PATH A-kit technology to supply program specific vehicle solutions for the U.S. Army’s Common Tactical Truck program and XM30 program.
06 Mar 24. Philippine Army receives first batch of Guarani APCs. The Philippine Army has received the first batch of five Guarani 6×6 wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APCs) from Elbit Systems, Lieutenant Colonel Louie Dema-ala, the Philippine Armyʼs official spokesperson, told Janes on 6 March.
The APCs were delivered to the army in late February and are undergoing technical inspection with the serviceʼs Armor ‘Pambato’ Division (AD), Lt Col Dema-ala said. “Once the APCs pass inspection parameters, they will be deployed with the army.”
The AD displayed the newly received Guarani APCs during a ‘blessing ceremony’ held on 5 March at Camp O’Donnell located in Santa Lucia municipality of Tarlac city.
During the ceremony, the division also showcased the recently acquired Sabrah ASCOD II light tanks.
In February 2020 Elbit Systems announced it had been awarded a USD46 m contract to supply an undisclosed number of Iveco Defence Vehicles Guarani APCs to the army of a country in the Asia-Pacific region. (Source: Janes)
06 Mar 24. BAE Delivers New Prototype AMPV With Unmanned Turreted Mortar Capability to the US Army. BAE Systems has delivered a first-in-its-kind Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) Turreted Mortar prototype to the U.S. Army.
The prototype showcases a newly designed top plate system—the External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP)—that allows for the easy installation of a variety of turrets. This vehicle prototype is also outfitted with the Patria NEMO remote-controlled 120mm turreted mortar system.
The result of a rapid collaborative technology investment effort involving the U.S. Army, BAE Systems, and KONGSBERG/Patria, the prototype demonstrates potential variant growth for the highly adaptable AMPV family of vehicles. By using a fielded and fully-qualified asset like the AMPV chassis, it gives the Army options to field combat capabilities—such as the Patria NEMO—to Soldiers who need them at a much faster pace and reduced cost.
“Handing this remarkable capability over to the Army for evaluation is an important step in creating broader multi-purpose options for Soldiers to maintain combat overmatch on the battlefield,” said Bill Sheehy, BAE Systems AMPV program director. “The AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype was born from a capability discussion we had with the Army in 2022—the same year ExMEP was conceptualized with industry partners, and we look forward to its evaluation. The collaborative, future-driven approach to develop it will benefit the warfighter, and that is what the AMPV program is all about.”
The AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype that leverages BAE Systems’ ExMEP to rapidly integrate the NEMO 120mm mortar system is an indirect and direct fire support platform that can be used in multi-mission scenarios. The system enables Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact fire missions where up to five mortar rounds can hit targets simultaneously in less than four seconds while the vehicle is stationary or on the move.
The AMPV Mortar Carrier variant, which is one of the five variants currently in production with the Army, is comprised of the legacy 120mm mortar system. This new AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype offers a significant enhancement that would not only allow for increased capabilities and force protection, but also keep Soldiers completely under the armor protection provided by the vehicle.
Over the next several months, the Army will run the AMPV Turreted Mortar prototype through rigorous field evaluations to mark its capabilities against what Soldiers would require in the battlefield.
This is the second turreted AMPV prototype in the last three months that BAE Systems has showcased, the other being a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) capability, that utilizes the ExMEP top plate. As the future of battle evolves, the purpose-built framework of the AMPV platform exemplifies endless opportunities for seamless capability integration for the Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Team.
07 Mar 24. Milrem Robotics successfully concludes US Army’s Expeditionary Warrior Experiment. Milrem Robotics, Europe’s leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, has successfully concluded its participation in the US Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE). mThe event, conducted in February in Fort Moore, USA, focussed on experimenting with new technology in realistic operational settings. In cooperation and partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Defence and at the invitation of the Dutch Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) unit it allowed Milrem Robotics to present the capabilities of weaponized THeMIS Combat Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV). Prior to and during the event, Milrem Robotics was actively engaged with the RAS unit to refine operational concepts for deployment within combat formations.
“AEWE showcased the advanced stage of the THeMIS UGV, highlighting its operational readiness and allowing us to collect crucial user feedback on the system and concepts,” stated Patrick Shepherd, Milrem Robotics’ Chief Sales Officer.
Equipped with Milrem’s Intelligent Functions Kits (MIFIK) the UGVs also successfully partook in autonomous functions experiments on various terrain and environments.
“Integrated with intelligent functions, third party payloads such as weapon systems, route clearance or casualty evacuation systems, the THeMIS is now operational globally,” Shepherd added. The last two systems are actively supporting combat efforts in Ukraine. Our ongoing collaboration with our Ukrainian partners involves a dynamic feedback loop. This process not only enhances the system’s performance swiftly but also allows us to implement and test modifications in actual combat scenarios,” Shepherd elaborated.
Milrem Robotics is the leading European robotics and autonomous systems developer and systems integrator, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the US. The company is known for their THeMIS and Multiscope UGVs, the Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle and MIFIK.
07 Mar 24. Algeria expands Fuchs 2 armoured vehicle production.
The Algerian army has expanded its production of German Fuchs 2 wheeled armoured vehicles as part of a long-standing defence cooperation agreement between Germany and Algeria.
Rheinmetall recently confirmed the order for additional Fuchs 2 armoured vehicles, which is worth a three-digit m euro amount.
“An international partner has awarded Rheinmetall an order to supply Fuchs 2 components for producing the wheeled armoured vehicle at a factory in the partner country,” Rheinmetall said in a statement.
“The current follow up orders also include kits for conversion and the supply of spare part packages. Booked in December 2023, the order is worth a figure in the three-digit m-euro range. Delivery of the kits — both for production and conversion — starts this year and will be complete in 2028.”
Rheinmetall added that the production facility in its partner country has seen an increase in added value in recent years as well as investments to ensure high-quality machining, welding and surface treatment. “This long-standing strategic partnership is thus entering a new, promising phase, including the potential export of Fuchs 2 vehicles produced in the partner country.”
The Fuchs 2 is an upgraded version of the original armoured personnel carrier, which entered German service in 1979. The Fuchs 2 features a larger fighting compartment, a more powerful engine, updated running gear, improved survivability and digital vehicle electronics.
The recent order is a part of a broad cooperation agreement established nearly a decade ago between Germany and Algeria. Initially, Berlin had committed to assisting Algeria in the military sector and receiving liquefied gas (LNG) in return, although the energy deliveries never materialised. Nevertheless, the collaboration in the field of armaments was strengthened over the years, with Rheinmetall having established a factory in the southern region of Algeria for the production of Fuchs 2 vehicles.
The components for these vehicles are supplied from Rheinmetall’s German facilities and assembled in North Africa, and the agreement covers a total order of 980 Fuchs 2 vehicles. The recent order from Algeria, while not specified in exact figures by Rheinmetall, is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
This contributes to the overall business between Rheinmetall and Algeria, which, according to previous reports, is valued at 2.7 bn euors, marking one of the group’s significant foreign orders. Although the production of Fuchs armoured vehicle in Algeria is expected to continue until 2028, it is likely that the collaboration will persist, with the Algerian government contemplating the acquisition of additional vehicles. Among the options being considered is the Boxer wheeled armoured vehicle, a more modern alternative to the Fuchs.
Germany has been providing weapons to Algeria since the 2010s, with several bn dollars’ worth contracts for frigates, trucks, torpedoes and naval helicopters. In 2014, Rheinmetall and project developer Ferrostaal industrial group signed a deal with Algeria for nearly 1 000 armoured personnel carriers and a factory. This agreement was part of a package of arms contracts valued at 10 bn euros. It also included the delivery of two frigates by industrial conglomerate ThyssenKrupp and the production of military vehicles by Daimler.
Germany and Algeria have maintained a diplomatic relation since the 19th century, when in 1898 the German Empire established a consulate at a time Algeria wasn’t independent. However, in 1965, two years after gaining sovereignty, the country broke off relations with West Germany over the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel. It was only in 1971 that diplomatic relations resumed with West Germany. Decades later, Abdelaziz Bouteflika became in 2001 the first Algerian president to visit Germany.
This ongoing military partnership with a Western European country might become more challenging as on June 2023 Algeria was elected to the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member to serve a two-year term. Its support for the Palestinian cause and bonds with China and Russia, which Algeria refused to condemn during previous UN votes triggered by the Ukrainian war, could further complicate relations with Western partners, especially Germany which remains sensitive and quite unpredictable on military export controls, as shown with the only recently lifted embargo on the Eurofighter for Saudi Arabia. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
03 Mar 24. Nexter, company of KNDS, offers the VBCI MkII Infantry Fighting Vehicle to modernise the Qatar infantry units. The VBCI MkII to renew the Qatar Armed Forces.
- Nexter proposes a 100% French solution offering the latest evolution of the combat-proven French Infantry Fighting Vehicle (VBCI MkII) to strengthen the Qatar Armed Forces.
- The French proposal contributes to develop the Qatar Emiri Defence Industrial and Technology Base in line with the 2030 vision for Qatar: a final assembly line, maintenance and support, and the production of a large range of ammunition will be localised, to the benefit of Qatar’s sovereignty.
- Nexter also showcases its innovative ammunition range for medium-calibre, artillery and main battle tanks, which can be used by the Leopard 2 tank and the PZH 2000.
Nexter, company of KNDS, has a long history of partnership in the field of armoured vehicles such as the
AMX 30 with the Qatar Armed Forces. Today, we propose to renew this partnership with a state-of-the-art 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle, thanks to the benefit of years of successful evaluation in Qatar, and the lessons learned by the French Army.
The VBCI MkII is an improved version of the French Army’s one already in service. Its new T40 turret integrates an Akeron MP missile and the 40mm cased-telescoped ammunition (CTA) gun able to penetrate 140mm of armour at 1500m. These weapons cover all types of land threats from infantry to main battle tanks. The VBCI is combat proven by the French army for more than 10 years. It has demonstrated exceptional combat capabilities. For instance, the VBCI saved the life of all the crew and soldiers it carried during war operations.
The JAGUAR for reconnaissance and combat missions: The JAGUAR reconnaissance and combat vehicle is the latest cavalry vehicle that has entered in service within the French forces in 2021, and will enter in service in the Belgian army. The JAGUAR is the perfect mix of Nexter, Arquus and Thales know-how. Its turret integrates the 40CTA gun and the Akeron MP missile. This 25t vehicle combines state-of-the art weapons, the newest vetronics for communication and combat as well as an excellent mobility.
The JAGUAR showcased at our booth is equipped with the manned T40 turret. The T40 is a family of turret using the same weapon system. Thanks to the 60° elevation site of the cannon and the new Anti-Aerial Air Burst Ammunition, the RCT40 will contribute to the Counter-UAV capability.
A complete ammunition range: Nexter’s ammunition portfolio includes most of NATO calibres for main battle tanks, naval and land systems:
- The 40mm CTA fired by the VBCI MkII and the JAGUAR with an APDSFS able to defeat 140mm armour at 1500m.
- The 155mm such as the KATANA next-generation high-precision guided artillery ammunition.
- The 120mm for MBT such as the SHARD new APFSDS that outperforms the current ones by more than 10%. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
01 Mar 24. Indian Army issues tender to procure light vehicles. The Indian Army has issued a tender to procure 4×4 ‘light vehicles’ to perform general service (GS) roles.
According to a request for proposal (RFP) issued by the Indian Army on 29 February, the service intends to procure 1,054 light vehicles under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category. Under this category of procurement, at least 50% of the purchased product must be indigenous.
The gross weight of the new light vehicles must be more than 2,500 kg, and the vehicles are required to provide mobility in hilly, high-altitude, cross-country, and desert terrains, the RFP said. The light vehicles will be utilised for rapid deployment of small teams in conventional as well as counter-insurgency operations, the RFP added.
(Source: Janes)
01 Mar 24. Indonesian National Armed Forces receives armoured vehicles. The Indonesian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has handed over 52 armoured vehicles manufactured by PT Pindad to the Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia: TNI).
According to a press release by PT Pindad on 28 February, the MoD handed over 10 Harimau medium tanks, three Badak 6×6 wheeled armoured direct-fire support vehicles, and 10 Pandur II 8×8 fire support vehicles to the TNI.
In addition, the MoD handed over 12 Anoa 6×6 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), seven Komodo 4×4 light armoured vehicles, and 10 Maung 4×4 light tactical vehicles to the TNI.
The handover took place on 28 February during a TNI-Indonesian National Police (Polri) leadership meeting held at TNI headquarters in Jakarta.
In November 2014 PT Pindad and Turkey’s FNSS Defence Systems collaborated to develop a medium tank. The tank was named as ‘Harimau’ in Indonesia and ‘Kaplan’ in Turkey. (Source: Janes)
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