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20 Jul 23. “I Have Never Sat In A Better Military Vehicle:” Soldier Praises New TITUS Vehicle. Less than two months after the ceremonial takeover at the IDET fair in Brno, the soldiers of the 13th Artillery Regiment are already enjoying the new TITUS armored vehicle. A total of 21 of these modern vehicles will replace the old Praga V3S in Jince.
“It’s an incredibly intuitive vehicle with amazing driving characteristics that won me over the first time I met it,” says Sergeant Tomáš Burian, senior operator of the fire control team, who says he has never sat in a better vehicle. “Its handling is unreal. The driver has a whole range of modern systems at his disposal – from air suspension, steerable rear axle, all cameras to little things like air conditioning and cruise control. All this is a great support for a soldier,” he emphasizes.
The contract for 62 vehicles was signed in 2019. Forty-two pieces are in the command-staff and liaison version, 20 vehicles will be used as a fire support coordination point. Others include all three types in their fleet.
“By receiving and taking over the TITUS vehicles, we will transition to fully digitalized means of the 21st century. There will be a qualitative and quantitative increase in the capabilities of artillery units, namely in the area of providing fire support and connectivity to NATO units on the contemporary battlefield,” confirmed the commander of the 13th Regiment, Colonel Jan Cífka.
The legendary V3S Prags, which have been in service with the artillery since the 1960s, will now move into a well-deserved retirement. “The two vehicles cannot be compared. V3S’s best is behind it. It used to be a technological marvel and a real waste, but time moves on and today it’s a vehicle that’s not good enough on the road or off-road,” Burian explains.
The TITUS vehicle on the unique TATRA chassis is characterized by a high level of modularity. It can be deployed in a variety of roles and configurations that different types of troops require – from infantry transport to combat support and combat security functions, or from peacekeeping operations to counter-terrorist interventions. Others will install the Adler III automated artillery fire control system in the vehicles, which will ensure full automation of the Czech Army’s fire control and artillery fire coordination processes. There will also be links with other NATO artillery units.
The Army of the Czech Republic is also counting on deploying new vehicles in foreign operations. “Over the course of the next year, units of the artillery regiment will be deployed to protect the eastern flank of the Alliance in Lithuania, where they will go not only with Dana howitzers, but also with new TITUS vehicles in the MKPP version (place of fire support coordination),” added Cífka, adding that in the mission they will provide command support and classified communications.
The TITUS vehicles are not the only modernization project of the artillerymen. The Jinecký unit is also waiting for the replacement of the outdated 152mm DANA howitzers for the 155mm CAESAR 8×8 CZ cannon. The contract was signed in 2021, the first eight pieces will be delivered to the gunners in February 2026. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Czech Republic Ministry of Defence)
20 Jul 23. Hungary awards Rheinmetall and UVision a major contract for the Hero loitering munitions – order volume in the three-digit million-euro range
Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf has secured an important order from Hungary for Hero Loitering Munitions. Contracts to this effect have now been signed. The munitions are worth a figure in the low three-digit million-euro range. Delivery will begin in 2024 and is scheduled to end in 2025.
Hero Loitering Munitions are a family of operationally proven, widely used effectors which Rheinmetall fabricates and markets in Europe under a cooperation agreement with UVision Air Ltd. of Israel. In October 2021 Rheinmetall and UVision embarked on a strategic partnership aimed at addressing sharply increased demand for remotely controlled precision munitions.
Hero precision munitions provide modern armed forces on today’s battlefields with the ultimate in operational flexibility. The weapon systems possess a unique, autonomous target engagement capability, including reconnaissance, monitoring and recognition. It locates, tracks and engages emerging enemy targets with low signatures beyond the line of sight.
Hero Loitering Munition systems circle over the target zone, locating and tracking the enemy and analysing possible targets. They help to select high-value targets as well as suitable timing, direction and angle of attack before carrying out a high-precision strike. Hero Loitering Munition systems feature a high degree of commonality and can therefore be operated from the same operating and datalink terminal on the ground.
All Hero systems are designed to operate in complex battlefield conditions, including in environments without GPS reception or jammed radio connections. Modern armed forces around the world, among them those of major NATO members, use Hero Loitering Munitions, which have proven highly effective in combat operations.
The Hero system has demonstrated its effectiveness against a multitude of different targets, including infantry, light vehicles on the move, tanks, enemy field fortifications, air defence systems and critical infrastructure. It offers major advantages in modern warfare scenarios. Thanks to their rapid deployability and independent target acquisition and engagement capabilities, Hero Loitering Munitions can operate at all echelons, from supreme headquarters to the individual soldier on the ground, and lend themselves to strategic and tactical missions alike.
18 Jul 23. On 18 July 2023, OCCAR-EA Director Joachim Sucker and eurosam Managing Director Eva Bruxmeier signed the Amendment of the FSAF-PAAMS Sustainment & Enhancement (S&E) contract for the procurement of new generation ground based air defence systems SAMP/T NG for Italian Air Force. This procurement adds to the SAMP/T NG production ordered in January 2023 for the Italian Army and French Air and Space Force.
Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR) has awarded this amendment to the S&E contract, by delegation of Segretariato Generale della Difesa e Direzione Nazionale degli Armamenti (SEGREDIFESA) and Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), to the Italo-French consortium eurosam; backed by its three shareholders MBDA France, MBDA Italia and Thales LAS France. The contract was signed in the presence of SEGREDIFESA, DGA and Italian Air Force representatives as it sees this Armed Force joining as a new FSAF-PAAMS domestic user, following the Italian Army and Navy, the French Navy and Air and Space Force and the British Royal Navy. With this contract, Italian Air Force will be equipped with SAMP/T NG ground-to-air defence capabilities, fitted with the Kronos Grand Mobile High Power radar from Leonardo (see note). The SAMP/T NG system development, launched in 2021 in cooperation between France and Italy, is an enhancement of the SAMP/T system in service since 2010 and currently deployed in Europe and in the Middle-East. The SAMP/T NG system is based on:
- An enhanced missile to enlarge the ASTER family: the ASTER Block 1 NT (new technology) from MBDA including a new seeker and a new computer.
- An upgraded launcher.
- A 360-degree new multifunction rotating Active Electronically Scanned Array radar: the Kronos Grand Mobile High Power from Leonardo for Italy and the Ground Fire 300 from Thales for France.
- A common command and control module based on upgraded open command and control software architecture and enhanced connectivity.
The SAMP/T NG is designed to achieve all Ground-Based Air Defence missions with enhanced key capabilities. It is a long-range surface-to-air missile defence system able to:
- Offer a 350 km-plus aerial surveillance range and a 150 km-plus interception range.
- Operate in a dense civilian air environment, in cooperation with friendly military aircraft and fully integrated into air defence networks.
- Provide a 360-degree protection to armed forces and sensitive civil or military sites.
- Offer a dual capability to defeat simultaneously all types of targets, in any combination of types.
- Counter emerging and future threats as diverse as hypersonic missiles, manoeuvring ballistic missiles, re-entry vehicle ballistic missiles, high velocity cruise missiles, UAVs and highly manoeuvring aircraft, in a saturation attack scenario and a challenging cyber environment.
- Deploy quickly with a limited number of personnel and integrate easily in an air-defence network.
With these enhanced features, SAMP/T NG will provide to France, Italy and any other customer, the capability to guarantee their airspace sovereignty, to protect their territory and population and to protect their troops in operations.
Notes to readers:
- About eurosam:
eurosam was established in June 1989 as a joint venture of MBDA and Thales, European leaders in missiles, systems and radars, endowing it with major expertise in terms of solutions for air defence. eurosam is the industrial prime contractor and system design authority for the development, production, marketing, sales and in-service support of a range of medium and long range naval and ground-launched air-defence missile systems also known as Future Surface-to-Air Family of ASTER missile systems. These systems were developed under contract from the French and Italian Governments, who in the late 1980s had come to similar conclusions as to their air-defence operational requirements. This cooperation, enlarged to the UK in 1996, has experienced export successes, both in naval and land configurations.
19 Jul 23. Heavyweight Torpedo Contributes to US Navy’s Undersea Dominance.
- Our work is critical to fleet demand for increased MK48 torpedo inventory
Key Takeaways:
- The MK48 torpedo is the U.S. Navy’s only submarine-launched weapon.
- SAIC serves as the prime integrator for the MK48, providing integration as well as test support for the torpedo’s subsystems.
- Integration of the MK48’s afterbody/tailcone involves more than 500 piece parts.
The MK48 torpedo is the U.S. Navy’s sole submarine-launched anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare weapon. All classes of Navy submarines use it for achieving sea control and neutralizing or destroying threats to high-value vessels.
As the prime integrator of the MK48 torpedo, SAIC builds, integrates and tests the afterbody/tailcone sections and fuel tanks of the MK48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo for Naval Sea Systems Command. Often considered the torpedo’s engine room, the afterbody/tailcone controls the torpedo’s propulsion, starts and applies the power necessary to drive it from the time it is launched until it reaches its target, and steers it on its course to the mark.
The afterbody/tailcone comprises 26 major sub-assemblies requiring the integration of greater than 500 piece parts.
SAIC‘s team of MK48 subject matter experts works primarily in Bedford, Ind., near Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, where the majority of the torpedo integration work takes place. The contract’s program and engineering management team is based in Middletown, R.I., near Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport. SAIC completed the design, development and delivery of an automated electrical power system test set, which is used to test the torpedo’s alternator/regulator assembly, in Indianapolis.
Building on past success
For more than a decade, SAIC has provided engineering, technical and management services in support of NUWC’s propulsion test facility. Our team performs facility operations, maintenance, upgrades and testing in support of the Navy’s only land-based torpedo testing facility. In this capacity, SAIC’s engineers and technicians routinely integrate MK48 afterbody/tailcones in preparation for tests.
The facility can test torpedoes across their full speed and depth envelopes. Our team runs these tests to capture very unique performance data for NAVSEA. (Source: ASD Network)
19 Jul 23. Canadian DND Contracts NP Aerospace Canada for Land Equipment Program. The Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) has awarded NP Aerospace Canada the Land Equipment Program – Engineering Technical Support Services Contract (LEP-ETSS) following a competitive tender. The contract will run for up to five years with NP Aerospace Canada as prime contractor, forming a strategic alliance with Marshall Land Systems Canada with the support of specialist suppliers and testing facilities. Partners include Militex Coatings Inc., Valcom Consulting Group Inc., Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI), Ontario Tech University, Motor Vehicle Test Centre (MVTC), managed by PMG Technologies, and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) – Automotive and Surface Transportation.NP Aerospace was selected due to the company’s expertise supporting large military fleets including the UK Ministry of Defence Protected Mobility Engineering and Technical Support (PMETS) vehicle contract valued at over CAD$100m and covering more than 2,000 vehicles until up to 2030. NP Aerospace Canada has also supplied significant contracts to the Canadian DND over the past ten years including the CAD$33m CM735 combat helmet contract as well as various body armour contracts. The LEP-ETSS contract covers research, testing and evaluation, engineering and prototyping, fabrication, technical investigations, the provision of Field Support Representatives and equipment management and documentation services for military equipment. The contract will be led out of NP Aerospace Canada’s London Ontario facilities and supports growth of Canada’s Key Industrial Capabilities (KICs) and military exports, building links with Academia and Indigenous capabilities and communities.
James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace, comments: “The Land Equipment Program contract is a significant capability enabling contract for Canada’s DND. It will allow the Canadian fleet of land equipment to be incrementally and continually improved, at pace, to keep up with technology and demanding user requirements. The contract further strengthens NP Aerospace’s strategic position in the North American market utilising enhanced land equipment capabilities working in partnership with proven industry partners.”
Jessica Bland, General Manager, NP Aerospace Canada, states: “Our Canadian business will lead the program working with Marshall Land Systems and the wider NP Aerospace capabilities team and I look forward to delivering positive outcomes from the program over the coming months.”
NP Aerospace has led complex military platform integrations for more than 20 years having worked with leading global defence organisations including the UK Ministry of Defence on platforms such as the Cougar fleet used in Afghanistan and Iraq.
18 Jul 23. Taiwan says looking to buy NASAMS air defence system from US.
Taiwan is looking to buy National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, from the United States to upgrade its air defence capabilities having seen how well they work in Ukraine, the island’s defence minister said on Tuesday.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military and political pressure over the past three years to try to force the democratically governed island to accept Beijing’s rule.
NASAMS have been provided by the United States for use in Ukraine, with U.S. officials saying they have had a 100% success rate in intercepting Russian missiles.
The system, developed and built by Raytheon Technologies (RTX.N) and Norway’s Kongsberg Gruppen (KOG.OL) is a short- to medium-range ground-based air defence system that protects against drone, missile, and aircraft attack, which both Canada and Lithuania have also bought, or are buying for Ukraine.
Asked on the sidelines of parliament about Taiwan buying NASAMS, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said “certainly” there was a proposal to get them.
“This work must be done in accordance with the enemy situation,” he said. “We have seen from the Russia-Ukraine war that these weapons definitely have good performance.”
However, Taiwan has not received any official notification from the U.S. that they will sell NASAMS to Taipei, Chiu said.
“But we need this work to be done as soon as possible.”
The U.S., Taiwan’s main foreign source of weapons, formally makes notifications to the island about the arms Washington is willing to sell.
The U.S. is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, despite a lack of formal diplomatic relations. China routinely denounces such arms sales.
Taiwan’s military has been paying close attention to the war in Ukraine for lessons on defending against a much larger opponent, for example by the use of drones.(Source: Reuters)
18 Jul 23. Russian Defense Firm Boosts Output of Components for Iskander Missile System. The Central Research Institute of Automatics and Hydraulics (TsNIIAG, part of High Precision Systems Holding Company within the state tech corporation Rostec), the producer of control systems for Iskander missile systems, has boosted the output of components several-fold, the Holding Company’s press office reported on Monday.
“The Central Research Institute of Automatics and Hydraulics has boosted the output of components for theater and tactical missile systems several-fold compared to the previous year,” the press office said in a statement.
TsNIIAG is a Russian defense enterprise engaged in creating precision control systems, in particular, for Iskander missile systems.
The Iskander theater missile system is designed to stealthily gear up for and deliver effective missile strikes against key enemy targets. The system’s high accuracy of fire at long ranges, its short readiness time and high efficiency of breaching adversary anti-ballistic missile defenses enables the Iskander to promptly strike any designated targets by one self-propelled launcher in a single launch or a salvo launch of two missiles.
The Iskander is a precision weapon with an operating range of 500 km. The missile’s warhead is capable of eradicating practically any target: enemy command posts, missile systems and multiple rocket launchers, long-range artillery, military convoys, communication hubs, air defense systems, and also fixed-and rotary-wing aircraft at airfields.
The Iskander theater missile system can employ both ballistic and cruise missiles that generate deception electronic interference in their final flight path and are invulnerable to enemy air defenses. A cruise missile can fly at ultralow altitudes and follow terrain features, while remaining unseen by enemy air defenses. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/TASS)
17 Jul 23. Raytheon, NGC Awarded Contract for Additional Hypersonic Weapon Advancements.
- Additional Flight Tests Offer Opportunity to Further Expand and Validate System Capabilities
Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, in partnership with Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), was awarded a follow-on contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to reduce risk for future air breathing hypersonic systems. Under the agreement, the Raytheon-led team will build and fly additional Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) flight vehicles.
This artist’s rendering shows the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept, which will integrate Raytheon’s air-breathing hypersonic weapons with scramjet combustors from Northrop Grumman.
“We applied learnings from each successful HAWC flight test to ensure that it is the most sophisticated system of its kind,” said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology for Raytheon. “Continuing this important program will expand our knowledge of hypersonic flight and allow us to deliver the critical capability our warfighters need.”
The team will continue to apply data and lessons learned from earlier stages of the program to mature the operationally relevant weapon concept design. Mainly, the effort focuses on incorporating manufacturing improvements into the existing HAWC design and flight tests to expand its operating envelope while validating system performance models. The airframe and engine designs are closely aligned to the U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) which will directly benefit from the continued advancements.
“The HAWC follow-on contract serves as an engine pathfinder program in our new production-ready Hypersonics Capability Center in Elkton, Maryland,” said Dan Olson, general manager and vice president, weapons systems, Northrop Grumman. “Our factory of the future will seamlessly transition our validated propulsion system design into an operationally ready system to support further flight testing.”
Raytheon and Northrop Grumman have been partners since 2013 and signed a teaming agreement in 2019 to develop, produce and integrate Northrop Grumman’s scramjet engines onto Raytheon’s air-breathing hypersonic weapons. In September 2022, the team was selected to develop HACM, a first-of-its-kind weapon. Additionally, the team has successfully completed multiple HAWC operational prototype system flight tests where digital engineering concepts, grounded in real-world flight data, have accurately predicted and increased system performance. Their combined efforts enable the production of air-breathing hypersonic weapons, the next generation of tactical missile systems. (Source: ASD Network)
15 Jul 23. ADF puts rounds down range in Boxer live fire exercise.
The Australian Defence Force has conducted live fire activities with an Army Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle for the first time with the Queensland Mounted Infantry.
Troops from the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment fought in a simulated enemy engagement in the first use of Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicles for a live fire manoeuvre exercise by A Squadron.
Officer Commanding A Squadron Major Katherine Clarkson said the troops quickly responded to radio traffic across the Battle Group Warhorse net that indicated enemy armoured vehicles were seen advancing towards their position.
“Niner, this is one-niner … my assessment is we have triggered the most dangerous course of action. Over,” MAJ Clarkson said.
“Noting our successes in clearing to the 68 northing, I request this call-sign proceed and conduct an assault by fire to prevent being interdicted from an enemy break-out to the south. Over …”
MAJ Clarkson said the live firing was something for everyone to be proud of with fire on target, smooth and lethal.
“We’ve put a new capability through static and troop-level live fire activities in previous iterations, but to have the whole squadron roll out and conduct safe gunnery; it’s a fantastic milestone.”
The vehicle has been in the spotlight recently with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing Australia and Germany have signed an “in principle” agreement for the delivery of 100 Brisbane-made Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles to the German Bundeswehr.
Driver, Trooper Wade Musicka said the vehicles had been pushed more than ever and he was lucky to crew a Boxer, after having completed initial entry training at the School of Armour.
“The platform can fire out to 3.5 kilometres and has a target acquisition capability that can identify unmanned aerial systems,” he said.
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“The lethality of the vehicle, combined with the ease in which it can traverse difficult terrain allows the crew to feel safe and comfortable so we can get on with the job.
“The squadron loves them and the platform’s only going to get better with each new development.” (Source: Defence Connect)
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About Galvion:
Galvion designs, develops, and delivers mission critical head, face, and torso protective solutions as well as intelligent power and data management systems for the world’s most demanding military and tactical teams. Founded in 2002 as Revision Military, a foundational belief in calculated investment and capability expansion led to a strategic refocus, resulting in the divestiture of the protective eyewear business, along with the Revision name, in 2019. Rebranded as Galvion, the company’s products and technology continue to evolve beyond purely passive protection, focusing instead on active systems that enhance performance and survivability, with an eye to the ever-changing demands of the modern battlefield. Through advanced design, keen end-user insight and intelligent integration, Galvion engineers uniquely customized solutions that go beyond what was once thought possible.
Privately owned with ISO 9001:2015 certified facilities in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the US, Montreal in Canada and Bristol in the UK, Galvion’s team of 400+ employees work proactively to solve the problems left unsolved by others.
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