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12 Apr 24. New procurement rules help rapid fitting of military laser to Royal Navy ships. The rollout of Laser weapons systems far quicker than expected, following defence procurement reforms, with DragonFire to be on Royal Navy warships from 2027. The cutting-edge DragonFire laser will be installed on Royal Navy warships for the first time from 2027 – far quicker than previously envisaged thanks to new defence procurement model which came into force this week.
Able to fire at any target visible in the air at around £10 a shot and with an accuracy equivalent to hitting a pound coin from a kilometre away, the powerful DragonFire weapon will provide highly effective defence against drone and missile threats.
Laser weapons were originally expected to be rolled out to UK armed forces in 2032.
But under a raft of reforms to defence procurement that came into effect this week and prioritisation within Defence, the weapon will now be operational around five years earlier than planned.
A key part of the new reforms is delivering a minimum deployable capability quickly to personnel and finalising development once in-service, ensuring that personnel can access the tools they need for an evolving threat.
Under contract from Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), on behalf of the UK MOD, DragonFire has been developed in collaboration with UK industry partners MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “In a more dangerous world, our approach to procurement is shifting with it. We need to be more urgent, more critical and more global. Our widespread reforms will deliver the latest kit and weaponry for our Armed Forces faster and help identify export opportunities that can boost the UK economy. DragonFire shows the best of the UK at the forefront of military technology, and we will not delay in getting it in the hands of our military to face down the threats we’re facing.
The reforms will ensure more consistent delivery for the UK’s Armed Forces, helping avoid previous challenges where programmes have been over-complex, over-budget, and over time.”
In addition to the minimum deployable capability, the new reforms include:
- New checks and balances such as the UK Strategic Command-based Integration Design Authority providing expert advice on integration. This will improve coherence and avoid some of the challenges faced in previous procurements.
- Greater empowerment of defence scientists, government export leads, finance experts and industry partners to challenge and shape proposals before they receive the go-ahead.
- The new model will set programmes up for success by consulting a wide range of experts early in the acquisition process. This will enable the MOD to take the right, expert-informed decisions from the start, saving time later on.
- Increased focus on exportability at the start of a new programme, to prioritise developing kit that can be sold to allies globally.
- Earlier engagement with the UK defence industry to ensure quicker delivery of kit into the hands of our Armed Forces.
Laser-directed energy weapons can engage targets at the speed of light and use an intense beam of light to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted.
DragonFire has the potential to be a long-term low-cost alternative to certain tasks missiles currently carry out, such as shooting down attack drones.Investing in this cutting edge laser technology puts the UK at the forefront of defence capabilities. Moreover, playing a significant part in reducing the challenges faced by traditional stockpiles.
Dstl’s Chief Executive Paul Hollinshead said: “This is excellent news, and a real step forward in enabling operational advantage at pace for UK Defence. Dstl is all about preparing for the future and the DragonFire technology is a great example of that. Our scientists along with industry partners have worked tirelessly to bring laser technology to where it is today, one which I am proud to say is a UK sovereign capability.”
The new procurement model approach is in addition to avoiding competition between the military Services for programmes to be approved and encouraging people to speak up in the face of emerging challenges for delivery – a key recommendation of Clive Sheldon KC’s report into the AJAX programme.
DE&S, the MOD’s procurement arm, has recently redesigned the way it operates so it can get equipment into the hands of our armed forces faster. Its new operating model features a single-entry point which will engage with the military earlier in the process, to help set up projects for success. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
12 Apr 24. DragonFire laser programme accelerating to equip Royal Navy. The UK DragonFire laser programme – led by MBDA, with partners Leonardo UK and QinetiQ – is accelerating following a decision from the UK Ministry of Defence to install the weapon system on Royal Navy ships. The decision, announced by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, will see the DragonFire laser weapon system rapidly develop from a demonstration programme to an operational capability for the Royal Navy. The next stages of this development will include further live firings and the manufacture and installation of weapon systems onto Royal Navy platforms. The UK DragonFire programme is a flagship example of the Government’s new Integrated Procurement Model, designed to reform defence procurement and drive increased pace in the delivery of military capability. The UK DragonFire programme brings together the best of UK industry. It leverages MBDA’s decades of weapon system manufacturing expertise, Leonardo’s position as a world leading authority in laser technology, electro-optics and advanced targeting and QinetiQ’s experience as the only UK company to successfully develop and safely operate high-energy laser sources in the UK and coherent beam-combining technology. The latest announcement follows a series of highly successful firing trials that demonstrated the capability of the DragonFire laser weapon system. DragonFire has been developed through a £100 million joint investment by industry and the UK Ministry of Defence, working with Dstl. The decision by the UK Ministry of Defence to progress the programme ensures that the companies involved can retain, maintain and grow the critical hi-tech skills, knowledge and jobs that contribute to the UK economy. Future exports of DragonFire to the UK’s allies will further support these benefits.
Chris Allam, MBDA UK Managing Director, said: “MBDA are proud to lead this laser weapon programme that will give the UK Armed Forces game-changing operational advantage to protect and defend themselves, and the UK’s strategic assets.”
Mark Stead, Leonardo UK SVP Radar and Advanced Targeting, said: “Leonardo welcomes the commitment to UK science and engineering represented by today’s announcement. The development of DragonFire is securing vital skills and security capabilities onshore in the UK, keeping them available to support our Armed Forces and generate world-class, readily exportable products.”
Steve Wadey, Group CEO, QinetiQ, said: “Today’s announcement is a positive endorsement of UK industry and government working together, to deliver equipment to the front line.
“Our team of scientists and engineers who have developed this world leading capability have played a unique role in developing a technology that will provide real operational advantage.”
11 Apr 24. France to spend $540m on artillery propellant production. French explosives maker Eurenco will spend €500m (U.S. $540m) to restart explosive powder production and boost output of artillery propellants, said French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to the company’s site in Bergerac on Thursday. The investments by state-owned Eurenco over the next two years will double propellant production, Macron said during his visit, timed to the kickoff of new production capacity construction. The company will also resume production of the explosive powder used to make propellant charges, after France shut down powder production in 2007 and switched to imports. The site of the shuttered powder production had become a wasteland. The investment in Bergerac “is, for me, the image of this industrial reconquest and military sovereignty that we want for ourselves and for Europe,” Macron said. The site started production of artillery powder during the First World War. The target is for the Bergerac site to produce 1,200 metric tons of explosive powder a year, equivalent to 500,000 modular propellant charges, the Armed Forces Ministry said in February. France has concluded that if it wants to accelerate artillery shell production and secure supply, it needs to control the entire process, including powder, the president said. Currently, French shell production relies on powder manufactured in Sweden. Eurenco will increase the workforce in Bergerac to 450 in the next 18 to 24 months, after already growing the number of employees to 250 from 200 previously, according to Macron. The company was awarded about €76 million in subsidies as part of the European Commission’s Act in Support of Ammunition Production to increase production capacity in France and Sweden. Eurenco says it will boost powder production tenfold, double production capacity for modular charges by 2026, and double its ammunition and explosives loading production by 2025. France needs to increase propellant production both to aid Ukraine as well as for its own defense, Macron said. He said the Caesar 155mm howitzers supplied to Ukraine by France and Denmark rely on propellant to be effective. Macron added that the world has changed with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and said that won’t end even if the war ends tomorrow.
“There’s been a massive rearmament in Russia in recent times, and because you can see military spending and orders increasing all over Europe, and geopolitics changing all over the world,” Macron said. “We’ve set off for a long-term geopolitical and geostrategic shift, in which the defense industry will play a growing role.” (Source: Defense News)
10 Apr 24. Neutral Switzerland joins European Sky Shield defence project. Switzerland’s Federal Council on Wednesday approved the country’s participation in the European Sky Shield Initiative air defence umbrella, designed to build an integrated air and missile defence system across Europe. The European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) is a common air defence scheme set up by Germany in 2022 to boost European air defence, an issue that has come into sharper focus since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Switzerland had signed a declaration of intent to join the programme in July last year. Several countries, including non-NATO members, have signed up to the project including Germany, Britain and Finland. The initiative aims to cut costs for countries by coordinating their procurement of air and missile defence systems such as the Patriot missile system. It also aims to enable cooperation in training, maintenance and logistics.
“Even after the signing of the membership declaration, Switzerland remains free to decide where and to which extent it plans to participate in ESSI and which ground-to-air defence systems it plans to acquire,” the Federal Council said in a statement.
Neutral Switzerland has come under increasing pressure from its European neighbours since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 to support Ukraine militarily by allowing the re-export of Swiss-made armaments.. (Source: Reuters)
10 Apr 24. The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems a contract to maintain and repair gifted L119 Light Guns in Ukraine. The contract, which was announced during a recent UK Government-led trade mission to Kyiv, means that L119s which were donated by the UK to Ukraine can be serviced in country and returned to the frontline more quickly. The L119 Light Gun has proved to be a trusted system that Ukrainian forces have favoured because of its accurate firepower, light weight, low logistical requirements and mobility. As the original manufacturer of the Light Gun, as well as more than 15 other systems in use in Ukraine, BAE Systems has been working with allied governments since the start of the war to help with training and support. Following a meeting with President Zelenskyy in 2023, the Company has established a legal entity in Ukraine, opened an office and signed agreements to better understand and support Ukraine’s capability requirements and to help revitalise Ukraine’s industrial base.
The L119 contract builds on a teaming agreement signed with British company AMS in December. Under the contract, BAE Systems and the AMS team will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services from maintenance facilities in Ukraine.
Gabby Costigan, Group Managing Director, Business Development, said: “We’re committed to working with our government customers and industry partners to provide solutions that will help Armed Forces Ukraine secure victory. Our partner establishing a strategic military repair facility will significantly reduce the time that critical artillery assets are out of service. This contract is another step in strengthening our relationship and paves the way for us to provide more direct, long-term support to Ukraine.”
Major General Anna-Lee Reilly, Director DE&S Operations, UK Ministry of Defence, said: “As the conflict in Ukraine continues it is vital that the UK Government and UK industry continue to support the Ukrainians to sustain their equipment. The contract with BAE Systems for the refurbishment of the L119 Light Gun continues the UK’s theme of enabling the maintenance and repair of equipment inside Ukraine to minimise the time that equipment will be away from the front line.
“The repair facility that has been secured is scalable to provide a similar capability for UK and other nations’ systems. This commitment from BAE Systems and AMS to work in country demonstrates the continued support from the UK Government and Defence Industry to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
As well as providing support to gifted equipment, BAE Systems has also been involved in delivering major elements of the UK Government’s cyber security support to Ukraine. The Company’s capabilities are helping to detect, block and counter both destructive cyber-attacks and cyber espionage against military targets as well as civilian infrastructure that supports vital services for the Ukrainian people.
09 Apr 24. Taiwan Army to Buy 25,000 Upgraded Assault Rifles. The Taiwanese Army will purchase 25,000 upgraded assault rifles next year as part of an ongoing effort to modernize its defense capabilities.
A military source told local media outlets that the weapons to be procured are an improved version of the T112 rifles, which debuted last year.
Developed by the country’s 205th Arsenal of the Armaments Bureau, the newly-designated “XT112” rifle reportedly has better range and accuracy than the existing T91 and T65K2 models.
It uses the same 5.56×45-millimeter cartridge as the T91s and only weighs 3.5 kilograms (7.7 pounds).
The operational range of the T112s has also been increased from 400 to 600 meters, while its barrel’s life expectancy has improved from 6,000 rounds in the previous models to 10,000 rounds.
Once delivered, the assault rifles are expected to allow Taiwanese soldiers to carry out longer-range missions with improved lethality and mobility.
‘A Fully Ambidextrous System’
After debuting at the 2023 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Industry Exhibition, the T112 underwent minor tweaks to make it a fully ambidextrous system.
Its charging handle can now be operated on either side and it also features dual magazine release and fire group selector to allow easy access for users regardless of their dominant hand.
The manufacturer also incorporated a deflector near the ejection port to protect the face of a left-handed shooter from being burned by ejected casings during shooting.
Additionally, the weapon features an improved sight that allows users to measure the distance of a target and a thickened barrel for improved accuracy. It also has a 30-round polymer magazine that reportedly reduces the chance of misfeeds. It also has a transparent window to see how many bullets are left. The shooting modes on the T112 are semi-automatic, two-round burst, and fully automatic. (Source: Google/https://www.thedefensepost.com/)
08 Apr 24. New SWaP Optimized Nuclear Event Detector Provides 4X Greater Sensitivity and Added Functionality. Micross Components, Inc. (“Micross”), a leading global provider of mission-critical microelectronic components and services for high-reliability aerospace, defense, space and industrial applications, expands its ASIC IP offerings with the addition of its next generation Nuclear Event Detector (NED), a replacement to the current 40-year old legacy NED products, which up until now were the only hi-performance NEDs available. These sensitive, high speed parts can be used to detect the initial rise of the gamma radiation pulse from a nuclear event and quickly shut down electronic systems for a brief interval in order to survive the blast and then resume normal operation. Applications include missiles, satellites, ground vehicles, or any system which needs to potentially survive a nuclear event. This new Nuclear Event Detector IC is manufactured on US soil in the Jazz Semiconductor Trusted Foundry, Inc. (JSTF), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tower Semiconductor NPB.
Micross Nuclear Event Detector
The Micross MYXRHNEDHCJ series Nuclear Event Detectors are available screened to Class H Military flow or Class K Space flow, and feature integrated differential drivers – providing improved overall noise immunity, 300% greater radiation dose sensitivity, and 25% faster response times in comparison with legacy devices. Legacy NED devices require external differential drivers, which typically increase weight due to additional radiation shielding requirements, and further increase response times by up to 100%. Customized NEDs can be optimized for the fastest response time, highest sensitivity, broadest dynamic range, reduced size and weight, or the most optimal combination of these features to address your specific requirements. A Micross applications engineering team is available to assist in this process.
The new Micross radiation hardened NED offers improvements in multiple areas, including:
- Reductions in size, weight and power (SWaP) due to the elimination of any shielding requirements on the peripheral circuitry, and lower power consumption
- 4X lower minimum dose rate threshold coupled with reduced dose rate threshold variation over temperature
- Increased noise immunity and sensitivity to nuclear events along with reduced delay time, resulting in 25% faster event detection
- A wide variety of packaging options
- Improvements in obsolescence mitigation and reliability, via a vertically integrated in-house sourced PIN diode and ASIC.
“Micross’ next-generation NED enables faster, more compact, and reliable nuclear event detection capabilities, with improved SWaP, performance and features, enabled through significant technology and design improvements applied to field proven building blocks,” stated John Santini, Chief Technology Officer, Micross Components. “These new NEDs provide greater safety and security in the protection of critical electronics subjected to a nuclear event, as they are able to recognize events with much greater sensitivity and react much faster to protect electronics than the current decades old NED devices.” A detailed data sheet is available for download from our NED page. Parts are currently in test. Engineering samples are available 4-6 weeks ARO. (Source: PR Newswire)
08 Apr 24. US Navy awards rocket motor contract to Ursa Major in supply push. U.S. rocket propulsion start-up Ursa Major said on Monday it had signed a contract with the United States Navy to develop and test solid fuel rocket engines in an effort to develop a next generation of solid rocket motor for the Navy’s standard missile program and expand and enhance the U.S. rocket motor industrial base.
The agreement is part of a series of prototype engine contracts being awarded by the U.S. Navy as it seeks to address surging demand for such engines and expand the industrial base for manufacturing them.
X-Bow Systems (Crossbow), another new U.S. entrant, has also been awarded a contract, according to a person familiar with the matter. L3 Harris Technologies (LHX.N), which owns Aerojet Rocketdyne, the incumbent maker of the Mk 104 solid rocket motors, used aboard the Navy’s Standard Missiles, was also awarded a development and testing contract, two people familiar with the situation said. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations.
X-Bow and L3 Harris declined to comment.
The contract with the Naval Energetics Systems and Technologies (NEST) Program will see Ursa Major develop a new design and manufacturing process for the Navy’s Mk 104 dual-thrust rocket motor, per a statement from Ursa Major.
The Mk 104 is considered the workhorse of the U.S. Navy’s Standard Missile programs which are deployed in both offensive and defensive assignments, including the Standard Missile-2, Standard Missile-3, and Standard Missile-6.
Manufacturing of rocket propulsion motors has traditionally been dominated by a limited number of large defense contractors, including Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), and L3 Harris’ Aerojet Rocketdyne.
While these prototype contracts awarded by the Navy are small, they can provide a pathway to bigger contracts for upstarts such as Ursa Major and X-Bow should the effort succeed in furnishing the Navy with new enhanced motors.
Ursa Major did not disclose the value of the contract.
The Navy would gain a larger field of manufacturers and bolster supply, important at a time of multiple global flashpoints including Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, as well as potentially bringing down costs through greater competition.
“Our new approach to manufacturing SRMs allows Ursa Major to quickly develop high-performing motors at scale, driving volume and cost efficiencies to address this critical national need,” said Ursa Major Founder Joe Laurienti.
Other areas of the U.S. military are aiming to do similar things with motor procurement and manufacturing: Reuters reported in February the Defense Department was close to awarding an engine contract to Ursa Major. (Source: Reuters)
05 Apr 24. Loitering munition maker UVision contracts with SAIC for US production line. The war in “Ukraine and what happened in Israel has put in the spotlight the use of unmanned systems,” UVision exec Izthik Huber told Breaking Defense.
After closing a new deal with American defense firm SAIC, Israel’s UVision has essentially doubled its production capacity to crank out Hero-120 loitering munitions as it moves to supply US special operations forces and potentially the larger Army, according to company executive Izthik Huber.
In an interview with Breaking Defense, Huber said the deal with SAIC, announced March 27, took eight months to negotiate and, the company said, will “significantly enhanc[e] rapid response capabilities” for customers of the UVisions’ US arm, UVisionUSA.
UVision, through UVisionUSA, already has facilities in the US, but the “landmark collaboration” with SAIC is “aimed at establishing a fully independent domestic supply chain,” UVision said in the March 27 announcement.
UVision focuses on loitering munitions that feature a cylindrical body with two sets of four cruciform wings that pop out in flight.
While the Hero-120 was the focus of the agreement with SAIC, Huber said it also allows for production of the Hero-30 and the larger Hero-400 as well. The Hero-120, at 30 pounds, can be carried by soldiers and can loiter over a target for more than an hour before striking, according to the company’s website. The Hero-30, a significantly smaller model at under nine pounds, can fly for about 40 minutes. The Hero-400 weighs over 100 pounds and can fly for more than two hours.
Breaking Defense reported back in 2019 that US special operations forces and Marines were interested in the tech, and Huber, vice-president for UVision in North America, said special ops forces already use the Hero-120 and the smaller Hero-30 models, and the company is in the “final step” of a program of record for US Special Operations Command. Huber said the company has “development programs” for the Hero-400 for the US Irregular Warfare Support Directorate. (SOCOM did not respond to Breaking Defense’s request for comment as of publication.)
“In addition to that we are in final process to get into certification for the US Army,” he said. “We did some successful demonstrations for US Army in last six months, including live fire and live drills and we will do some final steps in April.”
Huber, who served in the Israeli Air Force before his corporate career, said he hopes to see progress with the Army in the next months. Procurement by the Army outside of the special warfare groups would increase demand for the munitions.
“The scalability and rate of production could be much bigger numbers,” Huber said.
Further deals with the US military could also open up business to American allies and partners abroad, he said, especially as demand has skyrocketed in recent years.
The war in “Ukraine and what happened in Israel has put in the spotlight the use of unmanned systems. It used to be very expensive and sophisticated, but Ukraine showed if you have a bomb on an unmanned system, it can be efficient against the armed forces of Russia,” Huber noted.
Although the company does not disclose the cost-per-munition, loitering munitions are cheaper than cruise missiles and they have added capabilities over regular missiles.
“You need to find the target in advance with missiles, but with loitering munitions you can do recon [and] suppression, with one attack,” Huber said. “The price is lower than any missile. That opens a lot of markets in the world, including places that we wouldn’t think we would open like [integrating on] attack helicopters, ships, boats, UAVs.”
Huber also sees potential in loitering munitions fired from other UAVs — a relatively novel idea with which the Pentagon’s cutting edge research agency DARPA has toyed.
UVision hasn’t done it yet, “but there are RFP [request for proposals] talking about it, and that’s the future that will happen,” Huber said.
(Source: Breaking Defense.com)
04 Apr 24. IWI unveils groundbreaking ARBEL – world’s first computerised small arms system, revolutionising combat lethality and survivability. IWI – Israel Weapon Industries, a member of the SK Group founded by Mr. Samy Katsav, and a global leader in combat-proven small arms production for military, police, law enforcement agencies, and governmental entities worldwide, proudly announces the launch of the world’s first-ever revolutionary computerised small arms system – the ARBEL. Representing a groundbreaking advancement in small arms technology, ARBEL is poised to redefine combat effectiveness on the modern battlefield.
As we all notice, challenges such as enemies appearing briefly (~3 sec.) and numerous drones in the air define the modern battlefield. IWI has developed, after a long period of R&D, the revolutionary ARBEL system to address the immediate action in the modern threats at the battlefield. The ARBEL takes into consideration the continuous fights and heavy weights compensating for the operator’s declining physical and mental abilities due to exertion, fatigue, stress, and other factors, thus, increasing survivability.
The ARBEL system increases the lethality, accuracy and survivability of the operator by up to three times more. The system includes three main components: a computer-based platform, an upgraded electronic trigger mechanism with sensors and a new firing mode “ARBEL”, and a removable battery. The ARBEL system does not influence the operation of the gun. The operator can still use the gun as a standard weapon even if the battery runs out.
One significant outcome of the above-mentioned features is ammunition saving, which is, of course, one of the big factors during combat situations and training.
IWI’s NEGEV LMG (Light Machine Gun), recognised as the world’s most accurate machine gun, is the first small arm to adopt the ARBEL system, harnessing its unmatched precision and controlled firing capabilities. The electronic trigger, featuring the new firing mode ‘ARBEL’, along with a built-in fire control system, enhances accuracy, especially in time-sensitive situations. With the ARBEL system significantly enhancing hit probability and increasing lethality up to three times more, the NEGEV LMG with ARBEL system integrated, achieves an 80-90% hit rate on moving targets.
This unmatched accuracy improves operator safety by effectively countering short target lifespans and significantly reducing the number of shots required to accurately hit targets. Its quick response time, within a fraction of a second, allows it to seize opportunities swiftly, neutralise threats effectively, increase lethality and save on ammunition.
The ARBEL’s energy system offers up to 60 hours of continuous operation without recharging, where inserting a battery activates the computer system and sensors, ensuring uninterrupted functionality even if the battery is deployed. It is optic-agnostic and operates normally in harsh environmental conditions, day or night, allowing operators to choose the required optic configuration for missions. The ARBEL can be embedded to any other Light Machine Gun without affecting its operational system and user interface.
The ARBEL is compatible with assault rifle such as the ARAD and any other AR-15 compatible rifle, by simply replacing the lower receiver. Its compatibility with existing weaponry eliminates the need for replacements, allows for swift upgrades, and simplifies the shooting cycle, requiring minimal training for operators to continue using their equipment.
The ARBEL also fills a crucial operational gap worldwide by enabling drone take-downs with minimal ammunition, boosting accuracy and lethality for various firearms, and meeting NATO standards. It excels at engaging diverse targets, especially moving ones, offering a significant advantage in dynamic combat scenarios.
“The ARBEL system not only increases combat lethality and survivability significantly but also sets new standards for precision and operational efficiency in dynamic combat environments,” said Ronen Hamudot, Exec. Vice President, Marketing and Sales, at IWI and the SK Group. “This groundbreaking technology marks a new era in small arms, showcasing IWI’s dedication to innovation and excellence, poised to redefine the capabilities of light machine guns and small arms globally. The ARBEL, with its simple and intuitive design, offers reliability and effectiveness at a level unmatched in modern warfare.” (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
04 Apr 24. The Russian Viking medium-range air defense system (export version of the Buk-M3 air defense system) is superior to analogues from NATO countries, in particular, the German IRIS-T SLM, the Norwegian-American NASAMS III and the SAMP/T of the Eurosam consortium, in terms of combat performance and combat sustainability.
This opinion, as reported by TASS, was expressed by experts from the Analytical Center for Aerospace Defense in an article for the National Defense magazine[1].
“All Western manufacturers report the unique rate of fire of their launchers – they can shoot 6-8 missiles in 10 seconds. At the same time, only for SAMP/T the number of target channels is revealed – 10. And using the example of SAMP/T, one can see that the rate of fire of the launcher is not equivalent to the fire performance of the complex as a whole,” write the authors of the article.
So, after firing 10 missiles from SAMP/T, all target channels are overloaded due to the peculiarities of the missile guidance scheme, and the next launch becomes possible only as the channels are released. In the medium-range zone, the waiting time will be from 15 to 60 seconds depending on the distance to the target. At the same time, the interval between launches of the Viking is two to three seconds.
“But the system (Viking) as a whole has 36 target channels and 72 missile channels. As a result, having slower-firing launchers, the Viking has noticeably greater fire performance in its area of responsibility,” the experts explained.
As TASS notes, citing experts, the advantage of the Viking is its tracked chassis, which allows it to operate without being tied to paved roads and in a wide range of climatic conditions. The experience of modern combined arms battles shows that the mobility and combat stability of military equipment are directly related.
In addition, the Viking has a higher deployment speed of the main combat assets from marching formation to combat formation – only 5 minutes, the entire system is deployed in 10 minutes. Also, the Russian air defense system is capable of leaving a position with its systems turned on within 20 seconds after the missile launch. Another factor in ensuring its combat stability is its 15 mm armor.
At the same time, foreign medium-range systems are mounted on a wheelbase, which requires good roads. Western air defense systems are deployed from marching formation to combat formation in 10-15 minutes depending on the type.
“The combat stability of the IRIS-T SLM and SAMP/T batteries is also sharply weakened by the presence of only one radar in their composition. After the radar is hit, all the means of these systems fail. It is worth noting that the Kongsberg developers recognized this threat: the NASAMS III battery includes six to eight radars – approximately one for every two launchers. This proportion approximately corresponds to that of the Viking air defense system,” the authors note.
Thus, high maneuverability allows the Viking to quickly move into position and engage in battle, and after completing the task, leave the dangerous area to avoid a retaliatory strike.
In conclusion, the authors of the analysis came to the conclusion that in the West, in the organization of air defense, preference is given to air- and sea-based systems, and ground-based air defense systems are developed on a residual basis.
“In the IRIS-T SLM air defense system, the number of missiles and their range make the radar capacity many times redundant. In SAMP/T, on the contrary, the performance characteristics of the radars do not allow them to realize all the capabilities of the missile defense system. The high rate of fire of the launcher is not consistent with the number of target channels. “A squadron sails at the speed of the slowest ship” – this old principle is perfectly suited for assessing the capabilities of modern Western medium-range air defense systems,” the article emphasizes.
Unlike its Western counterparts, the Russian Viking has balanced characteristics of reconnaissance range and guidance range, the number of tracked targets, fire, target, missile channels, anti-aircraft missiles and the size of its ammunition – all of these characteristics are consistent with each other.
“For a number of characteristics, the Viking air defense system is a world record holder. But the main thing is that he has no weak points. None of the subsystems slows down the complex as a whole; each works to increase its performance characteristics. If we take into account the high maneuverability characteristics and good combat stability, it becomes obvious that we have an air defense system that is optimally suitable for participation in combined arms combat,” TASS quotes the authors of the article. (Source: Defense Arabia)
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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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