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02 Nov 23. US Army’s JLTV and ISV could soon be equipped with armor busting missile. The service is looking for a “readily available” weapon for its smaller, lighter vehicles, that can hit targets at least 25 kilometers away. The US Army is on the hunt for an already-in-production armor busting missile that it can quickly field to infantry soldiers on the move in smaller, lighter vehicles, according to a new notice.
Service officials unveiled the new Mobile-Long Range Precision Strike Missile (M-LRPSM) directed requirement in a request for information published on Wednesday, noting it needs industry to propose “readily available” weapons that can “bridge a current gap/operational requirement.”
More specifically, they want to provide the missile to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams for soldiers to use from their Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) or Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISVs). The missile needs to be able to hit armored vehicles, field fortifications and urban structures at least 25 kilometers away, and have the ability to “adjust missile flight, retarget, and abort.”
“[The missile] should be survivable and resilient in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited-bandwidth (DDIL) environments, enabling the system to operate and protect itself against attacks on embedded network, cyberspace, electromagnetic spectrum (EMS), and position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities,” the Army wrote.
“A time to target requirement is currently undefined however a reduced time of flight will be a key consideration,” it added. The service did not disclose when it wants to begin fielding the weapon to soldiers but said it considers this an “immediate capability.”
While the service does not outline firm launcher requirements, it notes that it should be able to hold at least four missiles.
Industry now has until Nov. 17 to respond to the Army’s request and provide additional details about their proposed missile.
Although the service does not detail specific weapons or companies it is eyeing for this effort, one prime candidate could be the Spike Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) missile system, which can be fired from a four- pod launcher and is designed to penetrate armored targets up to 32 km away.
Offered inside the US via a teaming agreement between Lockheed Martin and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, both the Army and special forces community have experience integrating Spike NLOS onto helicopters and ground vehicles.
Up in the air, the Army is using the weapon as its interim long-range precision munition for the AH-64 Apache helicopter, while US Special Operations Command has already tasked the industry partners with integrating the four-pod launcher on JLTVs.
In May 2022, Lockheed Martin officials told Breaking Defense that they can integrate the launcher onto vehicles smaller than the JLTV, potentially making the ISV an option too.
“If you have the bed-mounted rails on your vehicle, we designed our palletized launcher to readily adapt onto any vehicle that has that … kit on it,” Tom Bargnesi, precision strike program manager at Lockheed, told Breaking Defense at the time. “We actually demonstrated that, across a number of different vehicles in a very short amount of time, we were able to move our palletized launcher unit from a JLTV onto another vehicle onto another vehicle.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense.com)
26 Oct 23. Malaysian Army to receive Turkey’s KaraOK anti-tank guided weapons. The Malaysian Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has selected Turkey’s defence company Roketsan’s KaraOK anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) for the Malaysian Army requirement of 18 medium-range anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems, Rahayu Bahaudin, general manager at Malaysia’s Ketech Asia, told Janes on 26 October.
The contract has been signed, and Ketech Asia – which is acting as a system integrator in the agreement – will supply the Malaysian Army with 18 KaraOKs from Turkey, according to Bahaudin.
Janes assesses the new ATGM systems will replace the Metis-Ms in service with the Malaysian Army for the past 20 years. Malaysia purchased up to 24 Metis-M launchers and about 100 missiles in 2001.
In March MINDEF requested bids to procure 18 medium-range ATGM systems with at least one missile in the launching tube. The tender also included the delivery of one indoor simulator, three outdoor simulators, three cut-open missiles, and test equipment. (Source: Janes)
02 Nov 23. MBDA Deutschland offers more applications for Enforcer missile system. MBDA Deutschland presented international journalists visiting the company on 27 October with more applications for the Enforcer missile system being procured by the Bundeswehr for its Leichtes Wirkmittel 1800+ requirement for a lightweight, day/night, precision-guided, shoulder-launched 89 mm weapon with a range of more than 1,800 m. The new applications are anti-tank, air-launched, and very short- and short-range air defence (V/SHORAD).
Jochen Dehner, MBDA’s head of sales and marketing, said the Enforcer could be armed with a tandem shaped warhead instead of the existing warhead designed to destroy light vehicles. The Enforcer X anti-tank version of the weapon is under development, according to Dehner, who also spoke of a concept for an air-launched Enforcer for fixed- and rotary-wing manned and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). (Source: Janes)
02 Nov 23. Israeli F-35 shoots down Houthi cruise missile. An Israeli Air Force (IAF) Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir combat aircraft shot down a cruise missile fired from Yemen by the Iranian-backed Ansar Allah group, known as Houthis.
The IAF announced the event on 2 November, releasing F-35I electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) footage of the engagement.
“In recent days, the IAF’s control and detection systems identified a cruise missile launched from the southeast towards Israeli airspace. The systems tracked the trajectory of the cruise missile and launched fighter planes of the ‘Adir’ type, which successfully intercepted it,” the IAF said on its official X (formerly Twitter) site.
The footage showed what seemed to be a turbojet-powered cruise missile flying at high speed and low level before being struck by a missile and destroyed. Footage and information previously released by the Houthis refer to a type of cruise missile known as the Quds series. (Source: Janes)
31 Oct 23. Indonesia completes development of R-Han 122B MLRS. The Indonesia Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced in late-October that state-owned arms manufacturer PT Pindad has completed the development of a 122 mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) known as the R-Han 122B.
In a social media post, the MoD said that PT Pindad conducted a “series of successful trials on the system” before declaring its completion of development.
The MoD added it is now working on finalising the contract for the procurement of R-Han 122B systems and 60 mm mortar ammunition.
Janes earlier reported that PT Pindad has been producing the R-Han 122B for the Indonesian Marine Corps on a low-rate initial production (LRIP) basis since 2017, but the service needs more than 1,000 rounds of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and inertial navigation system (GPS/INS)-guided weapon across its three divisions by 2024.
The R-Han 122B has a calibre of 122 mm, an overall length of 2,810 mm, and is driven by a hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) rocket motor, according to PT Pindad. (Source: Janes)
02 Nov 23. OCCAR signs hypersonic interceptor contract, kick-starting HYDEF development. The overall system will be able to detect and intercept hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs) as well as highly agile hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs). As a consortium partner, Diehl Defence announced that OCCAR signed the Hypersonic Defence Interceptor Study (HYDEF) in Bonn, Germany on 31 October.
This marks the official start of the project. The consortium consists of 13 companies from seven European nations. The project is being funded with €100m ($106.3m).
Spanish Missile Systems (SMS) is responsible for project management within HYDEF. Meanwhile, the German air defence systems manufacturer, Diehl Defence, headquartered at Lake Constance, manages the technical implementation, from the development of the overall system to the interceptor itself.
HYDEF is based on the successful signing of the contract in July 2022, when the European Commission announced the HYDEF project as the winner of the tender. At that time, the HYDEF project was able to prevail over the competitor and could clearly win the Europe-wide tender.
On the German side also Hensoldt and Airbus are involved as national partners in the HYDEF project. The goal is to expand the technology leadership in Germany and to provide the user with fully accessible, open system elements.
Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch congratulated the project team, commenting: “This is an important milestone for the HYDEF project. The realisation of tomorrow’s air defence, specifically against hypersonic threats, can now begin in Europe.”
Current state of hypersonic missile development
The US, Russia and China are all testing hypersonic technology, generating fears of escalating global competition for weaponry that has the potential to render current defences inadequate.
Hypersonic refers to aerial objects—including aircraft, missiles, rockets, and spacecraft—that can reach speeds through the atmosphere greater than Mach 5, which is nearly 4,000 miles per hour (6437 km/h).
In Europe, GlobalData analysts note that, at least on the surface, it appears “Russia seems to be the furthest ahead, having launched the Kh47M2 ‘Kinzhal’ missiles on Ukraine from a MiG31K.”
However, “more accurately this is an air-launched ballistic missile with little hypersonic boosting, gliding or manoeuvering capability.”
This is an observation echoed by MBDA Germany’s Director of Future Systems, Dr Dirk Zimper, during an international press event at the company’s Schrobenhaussen facility last week, where he commented that “hypersonic weapons fly aerodynamically” while the Kinzhal “lacks manoeuvrability” and therefore an unpredictable “trajectory or curvature.”
On the world stage, it appears the furthest development in hypersonics may be seen in the US Navy, where the service recently began trialling its Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic missile system onboard its Zumwalt-class destroyers in early September. The programme is in a phase of rapidly developing fieldable prototypes within an acquisition programme.
OCCAR’s HYDEF programme
Intercepting hypersonic threats is just as significant a step as fielding the threat itself.
In the future, the HYDEF system will be able to detect and intercept hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs) as well as highly agile hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs).
All this will be realised through the networking of various, partly space-based sensors and the interceptor systems which will be deployed based on existing Nato ballistic missile defence command and control systems wherever possible.
The milestone is not just a step forward technologically, but also a step toward an independent European defence industry.
In December last year, when OCCAR signed the contribution agreement, the director emphasised that “OCCAR and the Commission should grow more and more in order to strengthen the European Defence Industry and to assist Europe in making its defence environment more independent from our strategic partner across the Atlantic.”
This will become more and more pressing as Professor Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow in Airpower and Technology at the Royal United Services Institute stated that “the US military will be desperately stretched against the Chinese threat that they will be less able to defend their allies.
“[The US] are going to be pulling [equipment] out of Europe not putting it back in,” he added.(Source: airforce-technology.com)
02 Nov 23. Bundeswehr wants more from its high-energy Laser Weapon Demonstrator.
MBDA Germany’s head of laser business development, Doris Laarmann, discusses the future development of laser weapon systems at an international press event.
Following the successful year-long trial of a Laser Weapon Demonstrator (LWD) onboard the German Navy frigate FGS Sachsen (F124) last month, the Bundeswehr has asked for more challenging requirements to be met in developing the future High-Energy Laser (HEL) weapon system.
Working together as part of the High-Energy Laser Naval Demonstrator Group, abbreviated in German as ‘ARGE’, MBDA was responsible for producing command and control as well as the target-tracking capabilities, while Rheinmetall manufactured the laser power source, beam directors, and other niche internal components.
At an international press event at MBDA Germany’s Schrobenhaussen facility last week, Doris Laarmann, the company’s head of laser business development, discussed the latest requirements as well as the innovative approaches taken to effectively track targets using its sophisticated sensor suite and command and control (C2) interface.
A brief look at the Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) market
HEL systems engage targets at the speed of light, with very low optical detectability, while operating with the highest possible precision and minimal collateral damage.
Leading intelligence consultancy GlobalData suggests the DEW market presents significant potential for growth due to rising global demand and extensive opportunities for technological innovation.
According to GlobalData, Germany has spent $195m (€183.1m) on DEW systems to remain invested in the market potential. However, the Bundeswehr is more cautious with its research and development (R&D) efforts, which explains why MBDA’s LWD project was entirely self-funded.
Nevertheless, the low cost per engagement will certainly balance the net cost of conventional missile systems throughout their lifecycle – accounting for supplementary equipment and projectiles.
Right now, this has not stopped increased global spending on conventional missile programmes, including the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent, Patriot Advanced Capability-3, Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2, SM-6 block 1, and the Next-Generation Interceptor programmes by the US.
Bundeswehr’s requirements and the future of lasers
At the press event, Laarmann explained the various stages of laser weapon system (LWS) development.
MBDA Germany achieved proof of concept in 2008, developed the critical technologies needed for the system in 2010 and her team has lately demonstrated the system in an operational environment against land, air and sea targets.
Although the technology is ready, the Bundeswehr requires a smaller, integrated and modular system as opposed to the 20ft, six and a half tonne container unit that was on board the German Sachsen frigate this past year.
MBDA Germany expects to fulfill these additional developments by 2027+.
Moreover, the German Armed Forces want a LWS that is more powerful – with the ability to engage more difficult targets such as drone swarms. Currently, the LWD’s beam operates at 50-100kw, which requires a three-to-five-second engagement time to destroy a target.
“Lasers are a compliment to missiles. They will not surpass them [right now],” Laarmann stated.
When asked whether the defence industry will eventually transition toward greater use of LWSs compared to conventional projectiles, Laarmann explained that this “depends” on the intensity of the laser beam.
“At the moment we are on 50-100kw,” but this “could eventually surpass at the level of megawatts, whereas now we are on kilowatts.”
If this this is the case, then it will not be for some time considering the simultaneous advancement and reliability of conventional missiles.
Emerging concepts for increased manoeuvrability are entering the missile defence market, such as the low-radar cross section missiles operating at hypersonic speeds, which GlobalData says will alter the present-day paradigm for the detection and defensive countermeasures of assets, in turn driving R&D investments into missile defence systems.
Right now “we are still a missile company,” Laarmann reiterated. (Source: army-technology.com)
31 Oct 23. HYDEF Project Reaches Next Milestone. On October 31, 2023, the contract between OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement) and Spanish Missile Systems (SMS) for the HYDEF (Hypersonic Defence Interceptor Study) project was signed in Bonn, Germany.
As first European program for defence against hypersonic threats, the HYDEF project of the consortium around SMS (amongst others Escribano Mechanical & Engineering, GMV and SENER AEROSPACIAL) from Spain and Diehl Defence from Germany was able to clearly position itself by signing the contract with OCCAR. This marks the official start of the project. The consortium consists of 13 companies from seven European nations.
Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch congratulated the project team and announced: “This is an important milestone for the HYDEF project. The realization of tomorrow’s air defence, specifically against hypersonic threats, can now begin in Europe.”
The Spanish company SMS is responsible for the project management within the HYDEF project. The German system house for air defence systems Diehl Defence, headquartered at Lake Constance, is in charge of the technical implementation from the development of the overall system to the interceptor itself. In the future, the overall system will be able to detect and intercept hypersonic cruise missiles (HCMs) as well as highly agile hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs). All this will be realized through the networking of various, partly space-based sensors and the interceptor system which will be deployed on the basis of existing NATO BMD command and control systems wherever possible. The consortium is optimally qualified to solve this highly complex and multidimensional task of system interconnection.
Diehl Defence can draw on many years of experience and comprehensive know-how in the field of air defence solutions. Among other things, the system leader Diehl Defence together with the partners HENSOLDT and Airbus develops and produces the medium-range ground-based air defence system IRIS-T SLM. The system is being successfully deployed in Ukraine to ensure the protection of the Ukrainian population. Furthermore, Diehl Defence is also a reliable partner of the German Bundeswehr and international armed forces in the field of missiles, ammunition, training and protection systems.
The HYDEF project is based on the successful signing of the contract in July 2022, when the European Commission announced the HYDEF project as the winner of the tender. At that time, the HYDEF project was able to prevail over the competitor and could clearly win the Europe-wide tender. On the German side also HENSOLDT and Airbus are involved as national partners in the HYDEF project. The goal is to expand the technology leadership in Germany and to provide the user with fully accessible, open system elements.
HYDEF is closely linked to the PESCO EU project “Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based TheatER surveillance” (TWISTER) and deals with the development of an overall endo-atmospheric interceptor concept for air defence. This project is being funded with 100m euros.(Source: ASD Network)
01 Nov 23. Switzerland selects the PAC-3 MSE missile, the fifteenth nation to do so. Under its Air2030 modernisation, the Swiss Government will benefit from the dual-pulse solid rocket motor of the latest Patriot missile to boost its air defence.
US and Swiss officials have signed an agreement to procure Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles, the latest variant in the Patriot family.
Switzerland will be the 15th country to use Lockheed Martin’s advanced projectile.
The decision was made to extend the Swiss Government’s Air2030 modernisation programme, in which the Armed Forces will renew and upgrade it air defence capabilities.
The most recent development in this initiative was the selection of Lockheed Martin’s F-35A multi-role aircraft to replace its 24 F-5 aircraft, procured form as early as 1976, and its 30 F/A-18 Hornet fighters acquired in the late 1990s.
Air2030 includes the Armed Forces’ ground-based missile defence systems (MDS). The PAC-3 MSE contract will furnish its existing five Patriot units.
On 30 September 2023, the US State Department approved a possible foreign military sale of the five Patriot Configuration-3+ Modernised Fire Units in a deal worth $2.2bn (CHF1.9bn).
GlobalData intelligence indicates that Swiss spending on its MIM-104 Patriot MDS will be worth $1.8bn between 2023-33.
As part of the latest deal, the original equipment manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, and Swiss officials also finalised an offset agreement supporting the PAC-3 MSE programme.
This agreement is the catalyst for multiple new projects that will support Switzerland’s security-relevant technology and industry base as the country looks to maintain its own inventory as the geopolitical environment deteriorates.
Why opt for the PAC-3 MSE missile?
The PAC-3 MSE uses a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, providing increased performance in altitude and range.
PAC-3 MSE is a high-velocity interceptor that defends against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, advanced threats and aircraft. It uses hit-to-kill technology, intercepting threats through kinetic energy via body-to-body contact.
The MSE began flight testing in May 2008. In December 2012, the missile destructed a tactical ballistic missile target at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, US.
The variant has an increased range due to its powerful dual pulse solid rocket motor for added thrust and larger fins for increased manoeuvrability against faster and more sophisticated ballistic and cruise missiles.
The PAC-3 MSE programme is scaling up production to reach an impressive annual capacity of 550 MSEs, with further expansion plans in the pipeline. Other applications for the missile include its integration within the Aegis Combat System onboard US Navy vessels.
(Source: army-technology.com)
01 Nov 23. New NASAMS Cooperative Arrangement Established Between Norway, RTX and Kongsberg. The Norwegian Ministry of Defence today announced a new collaborative arrangement between Norway, Raytheon, an RTX business, and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace on the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS. The agreement, which was signed at the Norwegian ambassador’s residence in Washington DC in October, will lay the foundation to further enhance NASAMS’ already robust and combat-proven air defence capabilities.
“We need to strengthen and further expand air defence to better protect civilian and military targets against airborne threats. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how crucial air defence is in war. The cooperation arrangement with Norway’s KONGSBERG and Raytheon of the US lays the foundation for further developing the battle-tested NASAMS air defence system against future threats, said Bjørn Arild Gram, Norway’s Minister of Defence.
NASAMS, a highly adaptable medium-range air defence solution, is jointly developed and produced by Raytheon and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. Drawing on decades of experience, industrial cooperation, and significant investment made by all three parties, this new collaborative arrangement will grow the capabilities of NASAMS to ensure it keeps pace with ever-evolving complex threats.
“We look forward to continuing the successful three-way collaboration between KONGSBERG, Raytheon and the Norwegian MoD to further improve NASAMS with the mobility and operational flexibility required to protect people and critical assets in the future,” said Kjetil Reiten Myhra, Executive Vice President of Integrated Defence Systems at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
“Today marks a key milestone in cementing NASAMS’ legacy as the world’s leading medium-range air defence system,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defence Systems at Raytheon. “We will continue to invest in the evolution of NASAMS to support the Norwegian Armed Forces and our allies around the globe.”
Future acquisitions of NASAMS
The Norwegian government plans to submit two air defence projects to the Storting for parliamentary approval in the forthcoming state budget 2023 revisions under the Ministry of Defence this autumn. These are Project 7821, which will acquire missiles for NASAMS air defence, and Project 1146, which will re-acquire donated main components for NASAMS. In addition, a proposal to change the scope of Project 7628 Combat Air Defence will be presented, due to previous donations. (Source: ASD Network)
31 Oct 23. Contract Amendment Clears Way for Further Italian Orders for CAMM Missiles. CAMM-ER Amendment 1 Contract Signature Ceremony. The first amendment of the CAMM-ER (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile – Extended Range) Contract was signed at the OCCAR premises in Rome, Italy.
The OCCAR-EA Director, Mr. Joachim Sucker, together with the Managing Director of MBDA Italy, Mr. Giovanni Soccodato, signed this important agreement for additional systems’ production, on behalf of Italy.
Thanks to this amendment, OCCAR will procure more short-range air-defence (SHORAD) systems for the Italian Air Force (MAADS – Modular Advance Anti Air Systems –variant) and Army (GRIFO variant) both based on the “CAMM-ER” missile. This will also allow the delivery of telemetric operational missiles (TOM), necessary for training in firing ranges.
These new procurement activities will complete the first batch of systems’ production which OCCAR awarded to MBDA on the 28 November 2022 for the Italian forces.
This is a further development for the FSAF-PAAMS Programme Division, marking yet another stride towards meeting the objectives set forth by the Italian MoD.
During his address, the OCCAR Director recognised the high level of effort undertaken by the stakeholders’ community, with special mention of the pivotal contributions made by the Italian MoD, OCCAR-EA (Central Office and FSAF-PAAMS Programme Division) and MBDA. It is their collective dedication and open, cooperative spirit that has propelled us toward the achievement of such a significant milestone, furthering the interests of the Italian Defence and solidifying our commitment to excellence. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/OCCAR)
31 Oct 23. Hungary Takes Delivery of First Two NASAMS Fire Units.
A Leap Forward for Domestic Air Defense. “There is no national sovereignty, no security and no national defense without well-functioning ground-based air defense systems,” said Minister of National Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky at the ceremonial handover ceremony of the NASAMS (National/Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) air defense missile system in Győr, MH Dánielfy Tibor at the 205th Air Defense Missile Regiment on October 26.
“Hungary is getting stronger today. The Hungarian National Defense has acquired a capability through which the safety and property of the Hungarian people can be protected and guaranteed much better than before. We have come into possession of a brand-new air defense missile system representing the most modern technology, which will be a new element of a large puzzle, one of the new, decisive jewels of the capabilities of the forces undergoing transformation and complete rearmament,” said Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky at the handover ceremony.
The head of the ministry said the Russian-Ukrainian war that broke out on February 24, 2022, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has existed since 1948 and recently renewed, are also good examples of the key importance of using ground-based air defense systems.
“For this reason alone, it is of the utmost importance that Hungary, after its military forces were reduced for many years, is now able to rebuild its high-altitude and medium-range independent national defense capability, whose components are lined up here behind me,” said the Minister of National Defense.
On November 30, 2020, the Hungarian Defense Forces signed a contract for the purchase of air defense missile systems originally developed by the Norwegian Kongsberg and American Raytheon companies for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
According to Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the NASAMS air defense missile system represents a world-leading system, and so far the armed forces of fourteen countries, including the United States of America, Australia, Chile, Spain, Lithuania and Oman, have deployed it, as well as the Ukrainian armed forces, demonstrating serious combat experience, were the first to use it in combat.
The Minister of National Defense added that two fire units (batteries) have been delivered this year, and that 4 +1 fire units are expected next year. “In addition, the necessary supplementary and training elements will also arrive; ready-to-use, complete, training and control equipment will arrive,” he explained.
“One of the greatest capabilities of this system is that it enables the creation of a network based on the connection of control stations, thereby providing unparalleled flexibility,” assessed Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, who also spoke about the fact that the system uses the AMRAAM missiles that NATO-member nations consider “extremely common, safe, excellent American-made weapons and also the basic weapon of the Gripen fighter aircraft”.
Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized that the NASAMS system will be the weapon of the Győr air defense missile regiment, where it will replace a decades-old Soviet system. “I am quite sure that this excellent and highly qualified regiment will continue to serve effectively, as it has done so far, and now with the skills of the 21st century in its hands,” he said.
Kyrre Lohne, vice president of the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg, said at the ceremony that Hungary was the twelfth country to entrust the security of its airspace to the NASAMS air defense missile system, and is the first NATO member state to have the AMRAAM-ER extended-range air defense missile.
“We are proud to acknowledge that NASAMS does great work every day to protect the skies, save lives and protect critical infrastructure. NASAMS has become NATO’s air defense standard, Hungary has the latest and most modern version, so it provides one of the alliance’s most qualified air defense capabilities,” he emphasized.
Kongsberg’s vice president asked the representatives of the Hungarian armed forces to share their experience with other user nations in the future, since our country will probably be operating the system in another twenty, but possibly even thirty or forty years from now.
The manager of the Norwegian company and Minister of National Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky – together with Lt. Gen. Ferenc Kajári, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Honvéd and colonel Tibor Mihály Matyi, commander of the Győr regiment – officially handed over the equipment. Lt. Col. Sándor Nagy, the commander of the NASAMS Air Defense Missile Department, then explained the use of the NASAMS air defense system’s tools on display at the static demonstration.
Gábor Gion, State Secretary responsible for defense strategy and human policy at the Ministry of National Defense, Ákos Radnóti, Deputy Mayor of Győr County, Zoltán Németh, Chairman of the Győr-Moson-Sopron County Assembly, László Kürtös, participated in the ceremonial handover of the NASAMS air defense missile system. The company manager of Kongsberg Hungária Kft. and Trine Skymoen, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway in Budapest, also attended. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)(Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/ Hungarian Ministry of Defence; issued Oct. 27, 2023)
31 Oct 23. Raytheon, Kongsberg to further develop NASAMS missile system, Norway says. The Norwegian defence ministry on Tuesday said it had agreed a new collaboration with U.S. based RTX (RTX.N) unit Raytheon and Norway’s Kongsberg Gruppen (KOG.OL) on further development of the NASAMS surface-to-air missile system.
“We need to strengthen and further expand air defence to better protect civilian and military targets against airborne threats,” Norwegian Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said in a statement.
NASAMS is among the weapons systems donated by Western nations to Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
“The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how crucial air defence is in war,” Gram said.
The new agreement is intended to ensure the NASAMS missile system keeps pace with evolving threats, the ministry added.
The Norwegian government plans to submit two air defence projects for parliamentary approval this autumn in its forthcoming 2023 state budget revisions, the ministry said.
The two projects will acquire missiles for NASAMS air defence, and re-acquire donated main components for NASAMS, respectively, according to the ministry. (Source: Google/Reuters)
31 Oct 23. FN Herstal will present its latest innovation in the field of kinetic energy less lethal systems in November at the MILIPOL Paris 2023 trade show. The new FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T less lethal solution detects human heads so as to drastically reduce the risk of serious and potentially irreversible injuries. The brand-new FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T is primarily used by law enforcement where the use of lethal force must
be avoided, such as crowd control, social disturbance, riots, day to day patrol and public safety for large events.
FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T: one integrated solution for four key benefi ts
The FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T is designed around the long-proven shoulder-fired FN 303® less lethal platform, in service with a large number of law enforcement agencies, special units and military forces worldwide. The
FN 303® combines optimum safety, accuracy and efficiency and is the first level of a graduated and proportionate response to an unarmed threat. Accurate enough to selectively engage an individual, the projectiles break up on impact to avoid penetration, and deliver a highly dissuasive impact similar to a baton strike beyond the range of hand-thrown projectiles.
The FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T retains these capabilities with an important added feature.
- The unique innovation found on the FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T is the integration of an electro-optic solution
composed of an on-board camera and image processing software that detects human heads in real time,
providing audible and visual warnings as well as an automated trigger blocking mechanism. This technology
drastically reduces the risk of serious and potentially irreversible head-related injuries.
- The FN VictoR®-SP camera can record images taken
during firing, providing valuable data for afteraction
reviews or judicial investigations.
- The battery has an autonomy of 5 to 12 hours
depending on usage and features an automatic
sleep mode to reduce power consumption. An
external power pack can be added if necessary.
- Lastly, the FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T can act as an integrated pre-mission training system.
- An App is available and provides a tool for weapon skills development. The user interface shows the predicted point of impact and the muzzle movement prior and after each shot in order to provide metrics on shooter weaknesses. Recorded video can also be used to rehearse against a pre-recorded scenario used on projector display.
- Building on two decades of global success with the FN 303® launcher that offers the best efficiency-accuracy safety combination available on the market, FN Herstal brings an unequalled level of safety with the FN Smart ProtectoR®-303T.
30 Oct 23. PGZ ramps up the Polish Navy’s missile defence.
Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace will transfer tech knowledge-sharing to Poland’s state-owned defence. industrial group, allowing it to maintain Poland’s two new Naval Missile Units.
While the Polish Government has been tunnel-visioned on its vast procurement of multilayered ground-based missile defence since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year – which is epitomised by its £1.9bn ($2.3bn) missile export deal with MBDA UK in April – the country’s Navy has experienced little of this expansion.
However, Poland’s Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Błaszczak, has recently posted on the social media platform X that there is “Good news for the Navy.”
On 26 October, two companies in the Polish Armaments Group, also known by its Polish abbreviation ‘PGZ’, have agreed two contracts with the Norwegian supplier Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, respectively, for the construction and delivery of two Naval Missile Units (NMUs), with supplementary servicing and production of Naval Strike Missiles (NSMs).
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Currently, the Navy has two Network Detection and Response systems. One was purchased in 2008 and delivered in 2012, the other was ordered in 2014 and handed over to the Army in 2017.
On 5 September, PGZ contracted Kongsberg for coastal NMUs furnished with NSMs. Now, the PGZ subsidiary PIT-RADWAR has expanded this acquisition with two additional NMUs and NSM support. (Source: Google/ naval-technology.com)
27 Oct 23. Department of Defense Announces Pursuit of B61 Gravity Bomb Variant. Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced that the United States will pursue a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, designated the B61-13, pending Congressional authorization and appropriation.
The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) would produce the B61-13. The decision to pursue this capability, which was undertaken in close collaboration with the NNSA, responds to the demands of a rapidly evolving security environment as described in the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review.
“Today’s announcement is reflective of a changing security environment and growing threats from potential adversaries,” said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb. “The United States has a responsibility to continue to assess and field the capabilities we need to credibly deter and, if necessary, respond to strategic attacks, and assure our allies.”
The B61-13 would be deliverable by modern aircraft, strengthening deterrence of adversaries and assurance of allies and partners by providing the President with additional options against certain harder and large-area military targets. It would replace some of the B61-7s in the current nuclear stockpile and have a yield similar to the B61-7, which is higher than that of the B61-12.
“The B61-13 represents a reasonable step to manage the challenges of a highly dynamic security environment,” said Plumb. “While it provides us with additional flexibility, production of the B61-13 will not increase the overall number of weapons in our nuclear stockpile.”
The B61-13 would take advantage of the current, established production capabilities supporting the B61-12, and would include the modern safety, security, and accuracy features of the B61-12.
This initiative follows several months of review and consideration. The fielding of the B61-13 is not in response to any specific current event; it reflects an ongoing assessment of a changing security environment.
The fact sheet can be found here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://media.defense.gov/2023/Oct/27/2003329624/-1/-1/1/B61-13-FACT-SHEET.PDF (Source: U.S. DoD)
27 Oct 23. USN and MDA Successfully Intercept Multiple Targets in Integrated Air and Missile Defense Test. The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120) successfully intercepted multiple targets in an Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) test executed by the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii.
The joint test, known as Vigilant Wyvern, demonstrated the capability of a ballistic missile defense-configured Aegis ship to detect, track, engage and execute intercepts of two short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) targets while concurrently demonstrating an Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) engagement of two subsonic anti-ship cruise missile drone targets.
This realistic, live-fire raid scenario represented one of the largest IAMD events ever conducted in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Area of Responsibility and demonstrated for the first time a concurrent Ballistic Missile Defense and Anti-Air Warfare raid.
The test, designated Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-48 (FTM-48) by the MDA, demonstrated the IAMD engagement of two SRBM targets with two Standard Missile 3 Block IA (SM-3 Blk IA) interceptors, and engagement of two subsonic anti-ship cruise missile drone targets with four SM-2 Blk IIIA interceptors.
“The success of Vigilant Wyvern is a huge milestone,” said RDML Seiko Okano, Program Executive Officer Integrated Warfare Systems. “The Navy and MDA successfully demonstrated the tremendous capability of Aegis ships defending against an IAMD raid scenario. This test event is the first of its kind and an excellent example of collaboration between organizations, further progressing a unified mission to increase capability. Congratulations to the joint test team and the ship’s crew for an excellent event.”
As part of the IAMD Priority Mode, ships can integrate classic air defense with new discrimination and tracking capabilities to defend against coordinated, simultaneous missile attacks.
“The success of this joint test represents a critical step in defending against multiple targets in a realistic raid scenario,” said RDML Douglas Williams, MDA Acting Director. “The Aegis weapon system successfully defeated multiple concurrent attacks, showcasing the incredible versatility of both this system and the crew of the USS Carl M. Levin. My congratulations to the entire test team in achieving this milestone.”
PEO IWS and the MDA jointly executed Vigilant Wyvern/FTM-48. Targets were launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility, located on Kauai, Hawaii. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/USN6)
27 Oct 23. Defense Contractor Delivers 1st Batch of Advanced Malva Howitzers to Russian Troops. The state tech giant Rostec has delivered the first batch of the latest Malva self-propelled artillery guns to Russian troops, the Rostec press office reported on Thursday.
“Rostec has dispatched the first batch of 152mm Malva self-propelled artillery guns to the troops. The latest artillery gun is characterized by its mobility and can deliver automatic fire with all types of munitions and operate in the barrage mode when several munitions fired reach the target simultaneously,” the press office said in a statement.
The advanced motorized artillery system features large technical potential and is less costly in operation compared to tracked artillery guns. In addition, the Malva requires less time for its deployment and withdrawal from a firing position and for taking aim at a target, Rostec said.
“This is an advanced and powerful weapon that can wipe out practically any targets with high-explosive fragmentation munitions at a range of over 24 km. The howitzer features a fire rate of over 7 rounds per minute and has an ammunition load of up to 30 rounds,” the press office quoted Rostec Industrial Director for the Conventional Armaments, Munitions and Special Chemistry Cluster Bekkhan Ozdoyev as saying.
Russia’s Defense Ministry signed a state contract at the Army 2023 international arms show in August on the delivery of 2S43 Malva howitzers to Russian troops. The 152mm Malva motorized artillery system engineered by the Burevestnik Central Research Institute is mounted on the 8×8 wheel chassis of a BAZ vehicle and has a five-member crew.
The Malva motorized howitzer can cover a distance of 1,000 km on public roads without refueling thanks to its all-wheel drive and a powerful diesel engine and has a cross-country capacity. The howitzer can be placed into an Il-76 military transport plane. The Malva is more maneuverable than self-propelled tracked guns, features greater technical potential and is less costly in operation. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/TASS)
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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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