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01 Feb 24. Russian leaders have high hopes for new nukes this year — again. The Russian ministry of defense has declared 2024 as the year when several nuclear weapons will enter the inventory of Moscow’s strategic forces, moving a number of goalposts that were meant to be reached last year.
Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko said on Jan. 26 that the entry into the armed forces of the Sarmat strategic missile system, Tu-160M bombers and the Borei-A nuclear submarine Knyaz Pozharsky are the main tasks for 2024. The objectives have remained the same since December 2022, when Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced atomic-weapons plans for the then-upcoming year during a speech at the Defence Ministry Board.
The development of the Sarmat missile system has been behind schedule for a long time, and only one successful flight test of the missile is recorded. This is due to the fact that the production and testing of the rocket are under the jurisdiction of Roscosmos, which suffers from low profitability, accumulated debts and increased losses.
The CEO of Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, in a December 2023 interview with Rossiya 24 TV channel, said that the corporation had lost 180 bn rubles ($2 bn) of export revenue due to the strong impact of sanctions.
The closure of access to Western technologies and components required the search for alternatives, which led to the fact that Roscosmos enterprises incur additional costs, as due dates for equipment deliveries approach.
The desire to reduce costs led to the fact that from 2019 to 2021 Roscosmos laid off 17,000 workers, and in 2023 halved the staff of the headquarters office.
Due to lack of funds, Roscosmos seeks to find investments in cooperation with countries such as Algeria and Egypt, and in 2023 entered the borrowing market for the first time, planning to issue bonds worth 50 bn rubles.
As a result, orbital launches have decreased and stagnated at the level of 15-26 launches per year for the last eight years. Test launches of Russian land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles also decreased from 6-10 in 2013-2017 to 2-5 in 2018-2023, publicly available figures suggest.
Roscosmos subsidiaries involved in the production of Sarmat have financial and production problems. In particular, the Proton-PM plant, which produces the missile’s propulsion system, “faced limited access to Western equipment, tools, raw materials of imported origin and an increase in the interest burden on loans,” director Ivan Krasnov said in 2022. (Source: Defense News)
01 Feb 24. Royal Artillery fires new Archer howitzer for first time in Swedish Lapland. British soldiers have been getting hands-on with their new Archer mobile howitzer – firing the weapon for the first time on a snowy training area in Swedish Lapland.
The Swedish-designed Archer is based on the Bofors FH77 field howitzer, consisting of an automated 155mm 52-calibre gun mounted on a 6×6 articulated hauler and a separate fire control cabin.
It was a case of the weapon going back to its roots as the members of the Royal Artillery fired the gun on a range near Boden in the north of the country, Sweden’s biggest garrison town.
In order to improve survivability, combat units must be able to cooperate effectively, and the Archer represents the next generation of wheeled artillery systems being built to keep up with fast-moving ground forces.
In keeping with tracked self-propelled artillery systems like the AS90, the Archer is designed to “shoot and scoot”.
This means the crew can open fire on a target then quickly move to a new location before being hit by counter-battery fire or enemy ground attack aircraft.
The Army says the Archer can engage a target and then disengage in less than 20 seconds, minimising its chances of being located by the enemy and increasing its survivability.
The weapons system has a crew of up to four, is fully automated and has a firing range in excess of 50km.
Loading, laying and firing is handled from inside an armoured cabin, offering good protection as the crew are kept separate from the ammunition. (Source: forces.net)
31 Jan 24. New DASA Competition launched to enhance the detection of trace explosives. Do you have an innovative idea to enhance the detection of trace explosives using novel, lightweight, bioassay systems?
- DASA has launched a new Themed Competition called Small, Lightweight, Trace Explosives Detector
- This competition is jointly funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the US Department of Defense (DoD)
- Up to £600,000 (ex VAT) of funding is available for innovative proposals for the development of novel, lightweight, bioassay systems for the detection of trace explosives
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Themed Competition called ‘Small, Lightweight, Trace Explosives Detector’. This competition is jointly funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the US Department of Defense (DoD) and seeks proposals for the development of novel, lightweight, bioassay systems for the detection of trace explosives to benefit end-users working in UK and US Defence and Security.
Trace detection systems allow end-users to detect and identify non-visible (trace) levels of materials from surfaces and/or items relating to Defence and Security, e.g. resulting from a suspected improvised explosive device. Current trace detection equipment, such as systems used in airports, have a significant size, weight and power (SWaP) footprint. In addition, pocket-sized systems such as chemical test kits that are used for presumptive identification have much lower SWaP, but do not perform as well as the larger systems.
Detection systems that use biological assays have low SWaP and can be used in some applications for sensing molecular explosives, however to date they have not been optimised for trace detection of explosives. Biological Assay in this context refers to the use of biologically derived or biologically inspired reagents or methods that can be used to identify and/or detect a chemical. In this case the assay would be used to achieve detection of trace / sub-visible quantities of molecular explosive targets collected from a surface.
The primary aim of this competition is to develop innovative platforms for the trace detection of explosives using biologically derived detection strategies. We are looking for innovative solutions that will incorporate modern sampling and reader formats into a platform that is capable of the trace detection of initially three explosive materials with the potential for future iterations of the platform to detect up to 10 explosives and / or other small molecule threats.
Key dates and funding
- The total possible funding available for this themed competition is £600,000, we expect to fund two proposals of up to £300,000 each or one outstanding proposal up to £600,000
- The deadline to submit a proposal is midday (BST) on Tuesday 9 April 2024
- A Q&A webinar to discuss the competition requirements will take place on Thursday 8 February 2024
- A series of fifteen minute 1-2-1 webinar sessions will take place on Thursday 15 February and Tuesday 20 February 2024 and provide the opportunity to ask specific questions
Do you have an innovative proposal for the development of a novel, lightweight bioassay system that could enhance the detection of trace explosives? Read the full competition document and submit a proposal.
Webinars and online events
Launch Q&A Webinar: 8 February 2024, 3pm (GMT)
This webinar will provide more information on the challenge areas and how to submit a proposal. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions in the Q&A.
Register now on the Eventbrite Page: Small, lightweight trace explosives detector Launch Webinar Tickets, Thu 8 Feb 2024 at 15:00 | Eventbrite
1-2-1 Sessions: 15 February 2024 & 20 February 2024
A series of 20 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions.
Register for a session now on the Eventbrite Pages:
15 February 2024
20 February 2024
Submit a proposal: Competition: Small, Lightweight Trace Explosives Detector – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Do you have an innovative proposal for the development of a novel, lightweight, bioassay system that could enhance the detection of trace explosives?
Read the full competition document to learn more and submit a proposal.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
31 Jan 24. British Army mulls procurement of interim SHORAD system.
The British Army is considering the procurement of a new mobile short-range air defence (SHORAD) system to replace its Stormer-based self-propelled high-velocity missile (SP-HVM) system, Janes learnt at Defence iQ’s International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2024 conference held in London from 22 to 25 January.
While Janes understands that a business case for the procurement has not yet been approved and that its primary justification would be to fill the gap left by the donation of Stormer systems to Ukraine, the material presented at the IAV conference implies that the new system could take over the mobile SHORAD role once the Stormer reaches its planned out-of-service date in 2026.
BATTLESPACE Comment: m Jon Hawkes reported on ‘X’ that the MoD is looking at an interim buy of Spanish VAMTAC vehicles equipped with the Thales Rapid Ranger missile. RapidRanger is a unique lightweight, vehicle based, highly automated system capable of delivering a rapid reaction response to threats from the air or the ground. RapidRanger can be integrated into a network enabled force structure and be coordinated with Early Warning Command and Control (C2) systems, or it can operate in an autonomous mode for specific missions.
When using the StarStreak missile with its extremely fast time of flight, a variety of threats can be defeated from head on or fast crossing aerial targets, to targets such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters.
When used with the LMM a capability is provided to defeat surface targets such as Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs), trucks and fixed installations and aerial targets such as UAVs. Both missiles utilise the Thales laser beam riding guidance system.
With the increasing need for Force Protection against conventional and asymmetric threats, RapidRanger provides the multi-mission effects demanded by modern forces. The system weighs less than 500 kg, and being of modular design, can be fitted to many types of wheeled or tracked vehicles. The RapidRanger open architecture enables the integration of a range of missiles from the highly effective StarStreak Air Defence Missile to anti-armour missiles and rockets.
The RapidRanger is designed to include an integral 360° surveillance sensor – either a passive Infra Red Search and Track (IRST) or integrated Surveillance and Track Radar which provides the RapidRanger with completely autonomous system operation.
31 Jan 24. MBDA and Saab to strengthen co-operation. France and Sweden have expressed their desire to strengthen their defence co-operation under a new strategic partnership signed on 30 January as part of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Sweden. Anti-tank and air defence have been identified as priority areas for co-operation.
In this context, a major new step has been taken in the relationship between the two countries. On 31 January, Eric Béranger and Micael Johansson, the CEOs of MBDA and Saab, expressed their willingness to support this process in the fields of anti-tank and air defence, two capabilities identified as particularly critical for the armed forces of both countries, especially in the context of high-intensity conflicts. They signed Letters of Intent to strengthen the co-operation between their companies in these two fields, at the Business Forum organised in the presence of the highest French and Swedish authorities.
Eric Béranger CEO of MBDA, said:
“This is an exciting new step in our long-standing partnership with Saab. We are both world leaders in the anti-tank and air defence domains and we will be combining our expertise to deliver the best capabilities for the armed forces on the battlefield. The signature of these Letters of Intent is further proof that co-operation lies at the very heart of MBDA’s values.”
Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, said:
“The closeness between Saab and MBDA is reflected in our co-operation over many years, and the deepening and broadening of that through these Letters of Intent is most welcome. Doing this here in Stockholm during the state visit by President Macron to Sweden is symbolic of how two European governments working together can facilitate industry in strengthening our collective security.”
Co-operation in the anti-tank field has resulted in an initial focus on the AKERON MP (formerly known as MMP – Missile Moyenne Portée). A first contract has been awarded to Saab and MBDA by the DGA, the French contracting entity, and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV – Försvarets Materielverk). This will enable the pooling of MBDA and Saab’s expertise in the anti-tank domain, in order to support the French and Swedish armed forces’ choice of the AKERON MP weapon system in the short term. This will also enable the implementation of a joint capability roadmap to develop new functionalities associated in particular with beyond line-of-sight firing, and also to prepare the missile to address the future generation of targets that will arrive on the battlefield. This roadmap will maintain AKERON MP’s position as the benchmark weapon in its field, and an indispensable tool in high-intensity conflicts.
MBDA and Saab are long-standing partners, as illustrated by their co-operation on the Meteor air-to-air missile programme and the TAURUS cruise missile, as well as in the European MarsEUs consortium that aims to provide a sovereign European beyond line-of-sight missile firing capability.
31 Jan 24. Rheinmetall expand Hungary ammunition plant to include 155mm shells. Rheinmetall is going ahead with an expansion of its Hungary based ammunition plant that will introduce production lines for 155mm shells and 120mm ammunition.
The Rheinmetall ammunition plant in Várpalota, Hungary, is set for a significant expansion in its operations, the company announced on 30 January 2024.
Initially designed for manufacturing 30mm ammunition, the plant now plans to include the production of 155mm artillery shells and 120mm ammunition.
European nations have been criticised for their shortfalls introduction capacity for 155mm artillery shells and other ammunition types. They are failing to reach a target of supplying one m rounds to Ukraine by Spring 2024, with a necessary ramp-up in supply not forthcoming. In November 2023, Estonia’s Minister of Defence slammed the EU for inaction over production rises for 155mm ammunition, as he announced that Estonia would commit 30% of its defence budget to ammunition procurement.
The decision to expand the facility in Hungary predates the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It was a response to the anticipated demand for ammunition in Europe and NATO, highlighting the need to reduce Europe’s reliance on overseas imports. The first phase of the plant, which began production in 2024, was dedicated to producing 30mm medium-caliber ammunition for Lynx infantry fighting vehicles.
Construction of the expanded facility, referred to as “Várpalota 2.0,” began in January 2024. It involves enlarging the plant area by 20 hectares, bringing the total size to approximately 120 hectares. This expansion is expected to increase the workforce to about 200 employees.
The new phase of ammunition production, scheduled to start in early 2026, will focus on 155mm artillery shells for the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer and 120mm ammunition for the Leopard 2 main battle tank, as well as its potential successor, the Panther KF51 EVO. The Várpalota site will also engage in development and acceptance testing for these new types of ammunition.
In addition to ammunition production, the site will host a new facility for manufacturing explosives (RDX), in a joint venture between Rheinmetall and the Hungarian holding company N7. This facility aims to secure a stable supply of essential raw materials for ammunition production within Europe. (Source: army-technology.com)
31 Jan 24. NGI competition heats up as Northrop Grumman beats timeline.
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) programme is accelerating. Northrop Grumman Corporation’s NGI programme has wrapped up its All-Up Round Preliminary Design Review (PDR) a full year ahead of schedule.
Breaking free from the conventional timeline, Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Next Generation Interceptor programme is accelerating towards deploying a homeland defence solution.
The PDR not only set the technical framework for integrating Northrop Grumman’s interceptor design but showcased its robustness across challenging environments. To demonstrate capability, the NGI team provided on-site interactive demonstrators, including a full-scale solid rocket motor and avionics, earning commendation from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
In August 2023, the competition, Lockheed Martin, achieved a milestone in advancing the Next Generation Missile Interceptor for the US Missile Defense Agency. Using advanced digital engineering tools, Lockheed Martin completed its preliminary design reviews (PDR) for all NGI major subsystems. Lockheed Martin aims to deliver the first NGI to MDA by 2027.
Lisa Brown, vice president of the Next Generation Interceptor programme, highlighted the global significance of the NGI solution, emphasising the role of production and manufacturing readiness in ensuring its success. Meanwhile, Wendy Williams, vice president and general manager of Launch and Missile Defense Systems, emphasised the commitment to maintaining technical rigour while expediting the NGI schedule.
According to GlobalData’s “The Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems Market 2023-2033” report. Northrop Grumman Corp. is the third leading supplier in the North American region, which is set to hold a 19.7% share over 2023–33.
Strategic partner Raytheon, an RTX business, played a role in the success, providing key hardware and simulations for environmental testing. Jennifer Gauthier, deputy president of Air & Space Defense Systems for Raytheon, lauded the decades of experience contributing to developing proven exo-atmospheric interceptors.
The NGI solution, designed to defend the US homeland from Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) threats, showcased digital engineering techniques, propelling the design toward operational capability ahead of schedule. With the critical design review on the horizon, Northrop Grumman anticipates deploying the first operational Next Generation Interceptor as early as 2027, rivalling Lockheed Martin’s offering. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
31 Jan 24. Firing Naval missiles from US Army artillery, MRC goes into soldiers’ hands. The Mid-Range Capability (MRC) uses Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles fired from currently used, upgraded US Army artillery and missile systems.
The Mid-Range Capability (MRC) long-range precision fires missile system is leaving development and heading into “soldier’s hands” according to a release from the US Army, following the transfer of responsibility from the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) to the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space (PEO MS), according to a release the US Army on 30 January 2024.
The MRC, also known as the Strategic Mid-Range Fires System (SMRF), will ground-launch US Navy missiles, the SM-6 and Tomahawk, from existing US Army artillery systems.
The advances in the MRC program put US ground forces a step closer to countering challenges from Russian and Chinese artillery systems, reported to have been improved for delivering longer range fires according to a Congressional Research Service report published in November 2023.
The MRC is based on current artillery and missile systems that have been upgraded to deliver long-range precision fires. Its first prototype, the Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) battery, delivered in late 2023, consisted of four vertical launch systems and a battery operations centre with federated command and control. The four prototype Typhoon systems were delivered by Lockheed Martin in late December 2022.
“The MRC development from a blank piece of paper to being in the Soldier’s hands has been quick and impressive,” said Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, as he gave thanks to the Department of Defence team for quickly delivering the defence equipment.
MRC in the Multi-Domain Task Force
The Army plans to field four MRC batteries as part of its Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTF) in organised within Strategic Fires battalions along with batteries of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon batteries, according to a 2021 US Army Chief of Staff Paper.
The MDTF is a is designed to synchronise precision effects and precision fires for anti-access and area denial networks across all domains.
Each MDTF is intended to have one MRC battery organically, acquiring individual systems annually, however the Congressional Research Service questions if there will eta shortfall, as only four MRC batteries are being procured for five planned MDTF.
After completion system testing, training, and delivery of the missiles, the MRC achieved operational capability in 2023. Further prototype fabrication will be conducted by PEO MS, along with fielding, future production, and lifestyle sustainment. (Source: army-technology.com
26 Jan 24. Turkey starts mass production of new naval torpedo, missile systems. Turkey has begun serial production of its indigenously developed Akya heavyweight torpedo (HWT), Atmaca surface-to-surface anti-ship guided missile, and Sapan anti-aircraft air-defence missile.
A contract signing ceremony to start mass producing the three weapon systems, which were developed by Turkish manufacturer Roketsan, was held on 20 January, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MND) confirmed the same day.
In development since 2009, Roketsan’s Akya HWT achieved initial operational capability on 27 December 2023 after completing its first successful test-firing with a live warhead from the Turkish Navy’s first-of-class Type 209/1400 diesel-electric submarine (SSK), TCG Preveze (S-353). During the test, which took place in the eastern Mediterranean, Akya was launched from Preveze and hit the decommissioned Cherokee-class tugboat TCG Gazal (ex-USS Sioux) with pinpoint accuracy from a distance of 12,000 yd and sank it. (Source: Janes)
30 Jan 24. Leonardo DRS Delivers 1,000th Laser System Key to Rotor and Fixed-Wing Aircraft Protection System. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today that it has delivered the 1,000th Solaris™ ruggedized laser system that is at the heart of Northrop Grumman’s Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) system. CIRCM is a next-generation aircraft protection system designed to defend rotary wing, tilt rotor, and small fixed wing platforms across the U.S. armed services from a range of missile threats.
“We are proud to be a trusted partner with Northrop Grumman on this critical technology designed to keep aircraft and aircrews out of harm’s way,” said Dr. Timothy Day, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Daylight Solutions business unit. “This highly reliable technology is designed for the high-threat environment our aircrews face today and tomorrow, and we are pleased to play a part in providing this protection for users across the services.”
The Leonardo DRS Solaris is the laser source for Northrop Grumman’s 5th generation IRCM technology for warfighter protection. The laser works in the CIRCM system to ‘dazzle’ the missile’s infrared guidance system allowing the aircraft to safely move away from the missile threat. In addition, the Solaris Line Replaceable Unit is modular and expandable to adapt to future threats.
U.S. Army and Northrop Grumman program officials will visit the Leonardo DRS production facility in San Diego to celebrate the delivery of the 1,000th Solaris unit for the CIRCM program, and to congratulate employees on their dedication to keeping our frontline pilots and aircrews safe.
Leonardo DRS has an extensive installed base of laser technology across the U.S. military. Advanced sensing capability is a key strategic focus for Leonardo DRS providing world-leading sensing and laser technologies for a range of aircraft protection and mounted and unmounted sensors supporting the men and women of the U.S. armed forces. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Jan 24. Cuashub.com said today that DIU Seeks Unmanned Surface Vehicle Interceptors. With the ocean covering more than 70 percent of the world’s surface and maritime transit being the cornerstone of international commerce, the Department of the Navy has an operational need for small Unmanned Surface Vehicle (sUSV) interceptors.
The sUSV interceptor should be capable of autonomously navigating over hundreds of miles through disputed waters, remaining in a designated operational zone to monitor maritime surface threats, and rapidly intercepting a noncooperative, maneuvering vessel. Interceptors must operate in coordinated groups, executing intricate autonomous behaviors that adjust to the dynamic and evasive maneuvers of the targeted vessel.
The interceptor will play a crucial role in ensuring the security of waterways and shipping routes that promote the freedom, prosperity, connectivity, and security of the bns of people on the planet. Unrestricted access to the global maritime commons is essential in the 21st century, and deploying advanced ocean-going vehicles is key to safeguarding freedom of navigation, benefiting the United States and its allies and partners worldwide.
A highly desired attribute of the sUSV interceptor will be to carry a readily deployable small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) to help search for and localize vessels of interest and for other supporting missions.
For primary, secondary, and tertiary attributes, as collaborative multi-agent autonomy solution attributes and other important information related to this opportunity, please visit Production-ready, Inexpensive Expeditionary (PRIME) Small Unmanned Surface Vehicle (sUSV) and Collaborative Intercept Capability on the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) website.
Post Image- The unmanned surface vessel Ranger transits underneath the Sydney Harbor bridge during a scheduled port visit during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Oct 24, 2023. IBP 23.2 is a Pacific Fleet exercise to test, develop, and evaluate the integration of unmanned platforms into fleet operations to create warfighting advantages. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Pierson Hawkins)
https://cuashub.com/en/content/diu-seeks-unmanned-surface-vehicle-interceptors/?_hsmi=291988614&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9ZQaGkdyCK-Hmu4mRnFde43XRdhdfdlpvVlVHIUVaa9JTY57ChxCwwrwjmQu6VqbDoKyOCm8CUkoi0XMBj_yCl8dipvJilvsvmXIKM5wBa0oA-hEQ#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=291988614&utm_source=hs_email(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
30 Jan 24. GKN Aerospace has been selected by Northrop Grumman to help develop advanced technology for a revolutionary solid rocket motor demonstrator.
The first Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo) successfully tested a new motor that was developed in less than a year to showcase innovative technologies, including alternative manufacturing materials and processes. Underpinned by GKN Aerospace’s ground-breaking AM capability, the project demonstrated technologies that could reduce production lead times by up to 75%.
Shawn Black, President of GKN Aerospace’s Defense Business, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Northrop Grumman on SMART Demo. Programmes like this underscore the significant benefits additive manufacturing can bring, such as reducing production costs and lead times for mission-critical products that support our armed forces and the commercial aviation industry. We are committed to innovation and to rapidly advance this technology to support our customers and to provide greater resilience across the aerospace and defence industrial base.”
GKN Aerospace has been a pioneer in additive manufacturing for around two decades, with prominent research and technology centres in Sweden and the UK, as well as the USA. This month, the business announced a joint investment of £50m with the Swedish Energy Agency into cutting-edge additive technology in Trollhättan, Sweden.
GKN Aerospace has been a supplier to Northrop Grumman for many years. In 2022 GKN Aerospace showcased its additive manufacturing leadership with an 8-foot titanium demonstrator, the largest AM component it had ever produced, in partnership with NGC.
29 Jan 24. Combat Arms Earplugs Settlement Set to Exceed 98% Participation Milestone. Today, 3M (NYSE: MMM) announced that claimant participation in the Combat Arms Earplugs litigation settlement is on track to exceed the 98% participation threshold set forth in the settlement agreement by the final registration date of March 25, 2024.
Under the terms of the settlement announced in August 2023, 3M agreed to pay a total of $6.0 bn to resolve the litigation over the time period of 2023 to 2029, including the option to pay up to $1.0 bn of that total in 3M stock or cash, upon satisfaction of the 98% participation level. 3M has elected to pay the $1.0 bn in cash, instead of stock.
The strong support from more than 250,000 eligible claimants who have elected to participate in the settlement and release and dismiss their claims, coupled with ongoing dismissals of claims that do not meet participation or litigation requirements ordered by the MDL Court, are expected to resolve more than 99% of the claims in the litigation by the final registration date. (Source: PR Newswire)
30 Jan 24. Ammunition production capacity increasing: Várpalota ammo plant continues to grow. The new Rheinmetall ammunition plant in Várpalota, Hungary, currently being built by the Hungarian holding company N7 on behalf of the joint venture company Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions Zrt., is now poised to expand as planned. The second phase of construction started in January 2024.
The concept for a multi-phase expansion of the plant existed prior to February 2022 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The project constitutes a strategic Hungarian investment in cooperation with Rheinmetall in response to the shortfall in ammunition already apparent at the time given the anticipated increase in demand in Europe and NATO. Furthermore, it has the added aim of reducing Europe’s dependence on overseas imports.
Just one year ago, the foundation stone was laid in Várpalota for the first part of the new Rheinmetall plant, where the joint venture company Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions Zrt. will in future produce ammunition for various systems. The first expansion phase of the plant will enable production of 30mm medium-calibre ammunition for the Lynx infantry fighting vehicles which will be built by Rheinmetall at its new tank plant in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary. Production starts in 2024.
Now set to begin, the “Várpalota 2.0” expansion will increase the size of the plant by 20 hectares to approximately 120 hectares. The number of employees will grow to up to a total of 200.
In addition, the product range will expand to include new types of ammunition, principally 155mm artillery shells for the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer and 120mm ammunition for the Leopard 2 main battle tank and its potential follower, the Panther KF51 EVO. Production is slated to begin in early 2026. Furthermore, Rheinmetall also plans to carry out development and acceptance testing at Várpalota.
Part of this strategic expansion of capacity for the production of ammunition in Hungary is also an additional plant for the production of explosives (RDX), which is being built in parallel on the same site and also in a joint venture between Reinmetall and N7. This will also make a major contribution to ensuring the security of supply of this elementary raw material for ammunition production in Europe.
Part of the Várpalota’s output will meet the needs of the Hungarian armed forces, with the rest destined for export.
In addition to the newly built plant operated by Rheinmetall Hungary Munitions Zrt., today Rheinmetall already produces ammunition in Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, South Africa, Australia and the United States.
30 Jan 24. Dstl launches £42.5m advanced materials Centre of Excellence.
New defence materials developed for extreme environments
£42.5m partnership formed with industry and academia
Defence scientists to lead pioneering research
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has set up a £42.5m research partnership to develop ground-breaking new materials.
The Defence Materials Centre of Excellence (DMEx) will bring together world-leading UK experts in a national effort to accelerate advances in defence material technology for extreme physical environments.
The DMEx will research, create, and prototype new materials for the armed forces that can survive in the harshest conditions such as temperatures of 1,000 °C, polar to tropical operations, high impact vibrations, shock, blasts and extreme water depth.
Advanced materials are vital to keeping the UK safe – ranging from body armour for our personnel, to the protection of sensitive electronics in satellites from radiation damage and corrosion-resistant submarine components.
The Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials, which operates its hub at the University of Manchester, will lead the centre of excellence with 23 other partners from academia, industry, and research organisations such as the Catapult Network.
Defence Minister James Cartlidge said: “These exciting new materials not only fortify the safety of our personnel and assets, but also symbolise our creativity and innovation in the face of defence challenges.
“The research and creation of these materials will secure highly skilled jobs and expertise across the country and cements the UK’s place as a global leader in advanced materials.”
Dstl Chief Executive Dr Paul Hollinshead OBE MBA said: “Advanced materials are the building blocks of the future and an area of great international competition. Today we are putting the UK on path to maintain its strategic advantage by harnessing all the nation’s talents.
“This highly-collaborative partnership between Dstl, academia and industry will create operational advantage for our armed forces, while supporting UK growth and prosperity.”
Defence research not only contributes directly to the prosperity of the UK but it also has a strong track record in developing innovations that have dual-use for the benefit of civilian applications. Funding in the Centre will also help us grow the vital skills we need to strengthen the skills base of the UK in this important technology area.
A study commissioned by the UK Government showed advanced materials related activity contributes an estimated £14.4bn in gross value add to the UK economy, equivalent to around £72k per employee.
The Centre is set to open later this year.
Centre Associate Director Laura Jones said: “This is a major milestone for Dstl and wider defence to explore and accelerate advanced materials innovation in the UK to help us stay ahead of future threats and challenges.”
Dstl and Centre of Excellence Principal Scientist Matthew Lunt said: “Advanced materials are critical in so many areas and we are delighted to bring so much talent together to ensure we can create, sustain and develop these highly-specialised and skilled jobs for years to come.
Regius Prof. Phil Withers FRENg FRS, Chief Scientist at the Henry Royce Institute and Regius Professor at The University of Manchester, said: “I am very excited about this opportunity for the Royce to team up with Catapults, industry, other universities and Dstl to bring many of the brightest minds and state of the art capabilities together to undertake materials research and development in support of the UK.”
Dstl has pioneered numerous advances in materials working with industry and academic partners. A recent example being revolutionising the production of titanium by reducing the 40 stage process down to just two stages with a resulting halving in costs.
Titanium alloys offer the potential for transforming defence equipment as they have a similar strength to steel but with approximately half the weight. However, the current cost of titanium is prohibitively expensive for non-aerospace defence uses.
This emerging technological breakthrough is driving the possibility of affordable lightweight, robust, corrosion-resistant components for defence.
Dstl is now working with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, the University of Sheffield, BAE Systems, MBDA, Transition International and the Advanced Forming Research Centre on creating more affordable titanium for defence with 30–40 per cent weight reduction whilst maintaining survivability.
29 Jan 24. At the recent IAV Conference, held at Twickenham, London, Supacat showed Elbit Systems UK’s operationally proven SLING 120mm mortar integrated on Supacat’s Coyote 6×6 vehicle. The vehicle had storage capacity for up to 60 rounds. “The system delivers enhanced firepower and reach for light forces,” Toby Cox told the Editor. Toby Cox also confirmed that Supacat and the MoD had ceased development of the Portee 105mm Light Gun system as shown on Coyote at Eurosatory due to the Light Gun being phased out of service.
SLING is a fully autonomous, computerized, mounted mortar system with the dimensions and weight of a small carrier vehicle, the SLING is adaptable to a wide range of high mobility platforms. The rapidly deployed 120mm mortar system enables quick response and enhanced survivability, in and out of action within 30 – 60 seconds, with shoot & scoot capabilities. SLING is easily operated by a 2 – 4 person crew.
SLING features an accurate automatic laying system and allows a firing azimuth of 220° (±110), with an onboard fore control system that delivers INS precision better than 1 mil. The mortar system is ground deployed in firing position; firing recoil forces are transmitted to the ground to prevent transmission to the vehicle. SLING delivers massive firepower at 16 bombs per minute, with a sustained rate of 3 – 4 bombs per minute and a firing range of up to 7km (with standard ammunition – M933 or equivalent). The mortar system is suitable for use with all types of qualified 120mm smoothbore ammunition.
Key Features:
- Automated deployment, lay, and adjustment of fire
- 7km range with standard munitions
- Guided mortar munition for precision strike
- Integrates readily with C4I / BMS Key Benefits:
- Rapid deployment
- Operational and tactical mobility
- Enhanced target effect
- Proven with NATO partners
29 Jan 24. Slovakia looks to buy Patriot air defence system from United States. Slovakia wants to discuss buying a Patriot missile defence system from the United States as part of longer-term plans to defend its airspace, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak said.
Kalinak, speaking on state broadcaster RTVS’s Sunday debate show, said Slovakia would seek to use a discount for the possible purchase of attack helicopters that it received from the U.S. last year. The discount came after Bratislava sent its retired MiG-29 fighter jets and a S-300 air defence system to Ukraine.
“We have opened the debate whether it would be possible to use this discount as well for the Patriot (system),” Kalinak said.
Bratislava received the U.S. offer last year for 12 new Bell AH-1Z Viper helicopters at a two-thirds discount, with part of the price covered under the U.S. Foreign Military Financing programme after it sent its old fighter jets to Ukraine.
The offer came before the new government that includes Kalinak took power in October 2023. Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government has halted supplies of military aid to Ukraine from officials stockpiles. Kalinak said that while the helicopters under discussion were for offensive purposes, Slovakia’s priority should be on defence and specifically air defence.
The country borders Ukraine and has been part of NATO efforts to bolster its eastern flank. Slovakia currently has a Patriot system from Italy stationed in the country set to stay until April. Kalinak said Slovakia was also in talks with Poland and Israel about short- to medium-range air defence systems. (Source: Reuters)
26 Jan 24. Second defender: US Army to pick batch of cruise missile interceptors in 2025 for new competition. In a bid to win a spot on the IFPC Inc 2 program as the second interceptor, Israel’s Rafael will throw its hat into the ring with Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptor, and Lockheed says it may have a contender too.
Companies eyeing a spot on the US Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) program are lining up their cruise missile interceptor candidates for a new competition for a second projectile.
The service published the official request for information on Thursday for a second IFPC Inc. 2 interceptor aimed at taking out threats from incoming subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles, aerial drones, and large caliber rockets. Interested companies are invited to attend Feb. 8 industry day in Huntsville, Ala., an initial step on the Army’s pathway towards making a “competitive award” in fiscal 2025 and then hosting a fly off, of sorts, in the FY26 to FY27 timeframe.
“The government [then] intends to award a development, qualification, and test effort following this demonstration,” the Army wrote.
Just over a year ago, in January 2023, the Army unveiled plans to acquire the second interceptor and issued an informal solicitation for industry feedback. At that time, though, it envisioned a slightly faster-paced acquisition timetable with a live-fire demo a year earlier in the FY25 to 26 window. The service did not respond to questions about what factors contributed to the new and revised timetable, or the larger testing and eventual fielding goal for this second interceptor.
Breaking Defense reached out to a handful of defense contractors likely to be interested in competing for a seat at the table, and Lockheed Martin and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems said that they’re in, at least at this stage.
“Lockheed Martin is always interested in supporting our customers’ missions and we believe we have expertise we can offer for the Army’s IFPC Inc 2 program,” Chris Murphy, the advanced programs business development lead, wrote in a short statement. “To that end, we are planning to attend the industry day to listen to the Army’s presentation, assess what we can offer, and then make an informed decision on competing for the program.”
Israel’s Rafael, meanwhile, is looking for another crack at the program with its Tamir interceptor. In February 2023, Ariel Karo, Rafael executive vice president for marketing and business development, told Breaking Defense his company was planning to compete for the contract with a “subversion” of its Tamir interceptor that meets the new requirements. Plans to compete remain intact and the company will “definitely compete” with RTX as its US partner, an industry source confirmed today.
The duo has long had a teaming agreement on the line and just last October they formally announced plans to establish a new facility in Arkansas to churn out Tamir and its US-variant SkyHunter missiles, a weapon the Marine Corps is using for its Medium-Range Intercept Capability (MRIC) program.
RTX, meanwhile, declined to disclose if it would submit a separate, individual bid for the second interceptor “due to the competitive nature” of the effort. Regardless, it already has a prized piece of the program and is providing the baseline interceptor for the program — a ground-launched AIM-9X Sidewinder — after it team up with Leidos-owned Dynetics for the initial competition and won.
For its part, Dynetics is producing the Enduring Sheid launcher for the program and did not disclose its exact role in upcoming interceptor competition. A company rep just told Breaking Defense that it plans to “remain engaged and interested in the second interceptor opportunity.”
“Our team will continue to evaluate our strategy as the government further defines requirements,” the spokesperson said.
After abandoning plans years ago to field a Multi-Mission Launcher (MML) that also used the AIM-9X Sidewinder as the baseline weapon — in part over MML reload and refill procedures and thermal issues associated with launching the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II from the ground — the service launched the IFPC Inc 2 program.
In the second half of 2021, it selected the Dynetics-RTX proposal for a new developmental launcher dubbed Enduring Shield, paired with the AIM-9X as the first interceptor. That pairing was picked over Rafael’s battle-proven Iron Dome with the Tamir, a bid for which Rafael also partnered with RTX.
At the time of selection, the Army ordered 60 “fieldable” interceptor prototypes and 16 launcher prototypes, with plans to begin receiving those launchers in late 2022. However, supply chain woes delayed that start by more than a year.
But in late December 2023, progress: Dynetics announced it had begun deliveries and that the service would kickstart its developmental test program this month. In total, eight launchers have now been handed over to the service, and the remaining eight will follow over the next few months, the company spokesperson said.
“All units will be supporting developmental testing activities,” they wrote in an emailed statement.
As for that first order of 60 AIM-9X interceptors, the service told Breaking Defense in October 2023 that RTX had already begun delivering them and, while it still needed to verify climatic test results, so far contractor-led testing indicated that thermal management problems associated with launching the weapon from the ground instead of the air had been mitigated.
If testing of both the launcher and initial interceptor proceeded as planned, the Army plans to fold the developmental system in as part of its incremental Integrated Fires Test Campaign in 2024, and pair the air defense capability up with the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) and the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar, Army Col. Chris Hill, the project manager of the Integrated Fires Mission Command Project Office, told reporters in August 2023.
By 2027, the goal is to have those three core capabilities also tied together with the Long Range Persistent Surveillance (ALPS), Lockheed Martin’s Remote Interceptor Guidance-360 (RIG–360), Sentinel A3 and A4 radars. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
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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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