Sponsored by Galvion
www.galvion.com
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
04 Jun 24. Leidos Achieves Milestone in Next-Generation Hypersonic System. Development, Completes Key Reviews for Mayhem.
Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), a global leader in technology and defense solutions, has successfully completed two key reviews for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) cutting-edge air-breathing hypersonic system, Mayhem. Completion of the two reviews—conceptual design review and system requirements review—marks a significant step forward in advancing the next generation of air-breathing hypersonic technologies. The reviews were executed within the digital engineering environment and showcased the designs and technologies envisioned for high-speed systems such as Mayhem.
A pivotal component in this monumental accomplishment was Leidos’ use of a system design agent (SDA) construct. As part of the SDA approach, Leidos brought together a national team of hypersonic experts, fostering collaboration among 15 entities from industry and academia, with each contributing their expertise to the successful execution of task order one.
By leveraging the SDA construct, Leidos and the SDA team, which includes Calspan, Draper, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, were able to focus on modular architectures and government data rights, creating an environment that facilitates a best-of-breed technology while cultivating a workforce pipeline through collaboration with the University of Michigan’s aerospace department and the U-M x88 Model-Based Systems Engineering lab. The combination of the SDA business model and AFRL’s vision for digital engineering laid the groundwork to streamline the acquisition life cycle.
Hypersonic Weapons – Market and Technology Forecast to 2030
Market forecasts by Region, Type, and by End-User. Country Analysis, Market and Technology Overview, Opportunities and Scenario Analysis, and Leading Company Profiles
Download free sample pages More information
Driven by future capability needs and designed by the top hypersonic experts in the country, the conceptual system design of Mayhem surpasses current capabilities, taking its position in the evolution of hypersonic weapons. AFRL plans to leverage the SDA and Leidos’ expertise through the Expendable Hypersonic Multi-Mission Platform Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract to further advance hypersonic technology maturation.
“Mayhem represents a leap forward in hypersonic capabilities, and we are thrilled with the outcomes of these reviews,” said Mayhem Program Manager Tiffany Creamer. “Despite temporary funding challenges, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and collaboration with AFRL to deliver impactful solutions to our warfighters.” (Source: ASD Network)
04 Jun 24. Finland beefs up artillery capability for coastal defense. Finland is the latest Nordic country to beef up its coastal defense with the planned acquisition of over a dozen self-propelled artillery systems to protect the country’s territorial waters in the Baltic Sea.
The Finnish Logistics Command, which oversees military equipment acquisitions, announced a tender to purchase up to 20 artillery systems, depending on available funding, without disclosing the contract value.
The goal of these purchases will be to create a mobile artillery capability dedicated to coastal defense as to engage vessels in “Finnish territorial waters at the littoral area including the archipelago and hostile forces on land,” according to recently published documents.
Finland’s territorial sea covers an area of 54,130 square kilometers, per the European Commission’s Maritime Spatial Planning database.
Listed requirements for the artillery systems call for them to possess a high degree of mobility so as to allow deployment in the Finnish coastal environment, and for the ammunition to be compatible with NATO’s Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding.
An additional option for the period 2029-2031 covers six more systems, “depending on the quantity to be acquired.”
Last week, Finland’s neighbor, Sweden, launched a call to procure anti-aircraft guns to be placed on the Swedish-made Combat Boat 90 to intercept adversary drones and helicopters.
The Nordic strengthening of maritime defense capabilities comes amid growing concerns over Russia’s aspirations in the Baltic Sea region.
Last month, Moscow suggested plans to revisit and expand its sea borders around Russia’s islands in the Gulf of Finland and around Kaliningrad, an initiative that has the potential to stir up territorial disputes with several NATO countries.
The Finnish Navy’s Coastal Fleet maintains a high degree of operational readiness, focusing in part on mine warfare and maritime combat service support. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
04 Jun 24. US doubles down on HIMARS order worth an additional $2bn.
Ukraine may stand to benefit from this large value contract modification for HIMARS, after the US recently replaced systems it had lost in the war.
Lockheed Martin will produce additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in a new $2bn contract modification according to a US Department of Defense update on 3 June 2024.
Following on from its replacement of the damaged and destroyed systems in Ukraine, the US may look to increase the number of these highly effective multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS).
Carrying three crew and offering considerable firepower on a wheeled chassis, Lockheed Martin developed HIMARS in 1996; they were first used during the Iraq war.
The system is designed to engage and defeat artillery, air defence concentrations, trucks, light armour and personnel carriers as well as support troop and supply concentrations. The system launches its weapons and moves away from the area at high speed before enemy forces locate the launch site.
The vehicle weighs approximately 24,000lb (10,886kg) compared to more than 44,000lb for the MLRS M270 launcher. HIMARS are capable of firing the long-range army tactical missile system.
Before Washington renewed its critical flow of security aid under a $60bn support package at the start of the year, Ukraine had been struggling with a lack of equipment to counter Russian drones. A number of new systems will therefore prove highly effective against Russia’s hybrid threats.
In addition, the new contract modification was announced several days after the US defence prime, alongside Aerostar, had opened the first European-based HIMARS sustainment centre in Romania. Although the facility will primarily support Romania’s land forces it will also prove beneficial for Ukraine and the rest of Europe. (Source: army-technology.com)
04 Jun 24. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is partnering with Hanwha Defense Australia to supply Mk44 Stretch Bushmaster® Chain Guns® (Mk44S) for integration on the Hanwha Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
- As part of Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program, the contract calls for the production of 129 chain guns with initial deliveries beginning in 2026.
- The Mk44S enables interoperability with Northrop Grumman’s advanced ammunition suite, developed for the U.S. Army, and includes the new programmable air burst munition, providing Australia with the most advanced ammunition technology.
- More than 20,000 Bushmaster Chain Guns are in service with 65 allied nations’ land, air and sea-based combat platforms worldwide.
Expert:
Jennifer Zonneveld, director, Bushmaster Chain Guns, Northrop Grumman: “Bushmaster Chain Guns are the automatic cannon of choice for customers around the world due to their performance and reliability. In partnership with the Hanwha-led Team Redback, Northrop Grumman is providing the Australian Army with the most advanced medium caliber capability in the world, maintaining the system’s relevancy for years to come.”
Details:
This program will continue the Bushmaster legacy in Australia, as chain guns are currently integrated on the Australian Defence Force’s land, air and sea-based combat platforms.
Northrop Grumman’s advanced ammunition suite includes the multifunction airburst munition, armor piercing and proximity fuzed ammunition, allowing crewmembers to defeat a broad range of ground and aerial threats by selecting the optimal ammunition at a moment’s notice.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
04 Jun 24. The FN EVOLYS® ultralight machine gun has been given some modified features based on feedback from in-depth testing by potential customers during their own evaluation.
FN Herstal recently unveiled this new member of its illustrious family of machine guns. It joins the FN® M2HB-QCB .50 (12.7x99mm NATO) calibre heavy machine gun, the FN MAG® 7.62 NATO calibre medium/general purpose machine gun, and the FN MINIMI® 5.56 and 7.62mm NATO calibre light machine guns. Standardized by dozens of armed forces including many NATO members and allies, they have totally dominated the NATO calibre machine gun market for decades.
The FN EVOLYS®, chambered in 5.56x45mm or 7.62x51mm calibre, is for mobile infantry or SF units, designed to bridge the gap between the rifle and the light machine gun. It has been undergoing trials with several armed forces, who appreciated its greatly reduced weight, ease of handling, long one-piece top rail allowing in-line mounting of optics, its reliability, and above all the intensive firepower of a belt-fed weapon. Feedback identified two features that users suggested should be modified – and FN Herstal has incorporated them:
The buttstock
A M4 type buttstock with ergonomics familiar to many users, with adjustable length of pull (6 positions) and interchangeable cheek rest (2 heights).
The bipod
The optional bipod has been given stronger aluminium legs and a reinforced attachment interface providing a more stable and robust support.
The FN EVOLYS® with these new features will be displayed on the FN Herstal’s booth at Eurosatory 2024 to be held in Paris from 17 to 21 June. Come and see it, booth F95, hall 6, on the Belgian pavilion.
03 Jun 24. US seek consultation on ten-years of missile defence trials at Guam. The Missile Defence Agency intends to conduct two trials per year for the next ten years from the US Territory of Guam in the Pacific.
The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is inviting a public consultation on a decade-long proposal to test missile defences at Guam, with the intention launching two test flights per year for the next ten years.
As part of an Environmental Assessment/Overseas Environment l Assessment (EA/OEA) made available by the MDA on 1 June 2024, the current missile defences at Guam are described as capable of defending against regional ballistic missile threats.
However, it points to an increase in the technological level of such threats as a motivating factor for the further development of Guam’s missile defences, and for the proposed test flights.
The proposed flight tests and tracking exercises are intended to test the validity of a ‘system of systems’ or ‘backbone’ for missile defences at Guam, focusing on the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), Aegis Weapon System (AWS), Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept of Target (Patriot) Advanced Capability-Three (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) system, and the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) system.
In recent history, the US deployed THAAD systems to Guam in response to threats from the nuclear advances of North Korea in April 2013, but the most recent proposals to increase Guam’s missile defence came under the Biden administration in 2022, which cited the defence of Guam against missile threats from China as a motivating factor for a $892m investment.
The tests will also increase the Department of Defense’s (DoD) understanding of supporting sensors to counter a range of threats including short-, mid-, and longe range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and hypersonic missiles. The tests are intended to advance Command and Control (C2), battle management and communications at Guam, and in theatres globally.
Bottom of Form
The US territory of Guam is a key location for US influence in the Pacific theatre, enabling US forces to respond to crises in the Indo-Pacific, and deter adversaries.
An assessment of China’s land based missile systems published in 2023 in the Journal of Policy and Strategy found that China had approximately 100 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), including both nuclear and conventional versions of the DF-26 missile, capable that are reaching capable of reaching Guam.
The public consolation under the National Historic Preservations Act for the missile defence trials at Guam is open electronic submissions of evidence for the period until 2 July, 2024. (Source: naval-technology.com)
03 Jun 24. JVAT is excited to announce that we have been awarded a place on the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF).
The HTCDF is designed to offer a swift and flexible route to the market to enable the realisation of capabilities efficiently. It will be used to choose suppliers to provide services and supplies to assist in the research, development, and testing of hypersonic technologies to achieve a capability.
Hypersonics is a crucial capability for AUKUS Pillar II, and JVAT is well-positioned to offer global support through our engineering and assurance capability. We specialise in solving our partners’ most complex problems across AU, UK and US, providing a specialised team of engineering, management, and assurance experts with a cross-functional understanding. We look forward to collaborating with other companies on this innovative and agile hypersonic development”
31 May 24. Sweden seeks air-defense guns for its assault boats. Sweden plans to acquire anti-aircraft guns for its fast-assault boats to counter drones and helicopters, as officials have warned that the Baltic Sea could become a flashpoint with Russia.
The Swedish Ministry of Defense’s equipment branch, dubbed FMV, has launched a call to purchase eight anti-aircraft guns under a contract valued at over $176 m.
The weapons will be placed on the Swedish-made Combat Boat 90, a high-speed and sharp-turning assault craft for the country’s amphibious units, according to recently published tender documents. They are slated to operate “in all naval geographical areas of interest,” and will include 12 years worth of ammunition designed to damage aircraft.
Anti-aircraft guns can be a lower-cost alternative to missile interceptors when it comes to protecting troops against drone attacks, a scenario that has become ubiquitous in Ukraine’s defense against Russian attacks.
While some Russian boats are already armed with these types of air defenses, Moscow was also reported to be creating mobile anti-aircraft gun units, where each truck would be equipped with Soviet-era anti-aircraft cannons.
The Swedish procurement comes amid concerns expressed by Micael Bydén, commander of the country’s armed forces, over Russia’s ambitions in the Baltic Sea region.
Of specific interest, he noted in a recent interview with German media network RND, is the island of Gotland, located in the middle of the Baltic Sea, around 330 kilometers from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
“I am confident that Putin even has both eyes on Gotland – his goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea, and who controls Gotland controls the Baltic Sea,” Byden said.
Given its tactical importance for Sweden, now a NATO member, and the wider region, the Scandinavian country has stationed permanent troops on the island.
Earlier this month, the Russian government floated plans to revise its maritime borders around the country’s islands in the Gulf of Finland and around Kaliningrad, a move that would open territorial disputes with nearby NATO members. (Source: Defense News)
31 May 24. Japan, France, and Germany Collaborate to Develop Railgun Technology. Japan’s Ministry of Defense is actively pursuing the rapid deployment of railgun technology, which represents a significant leap in military capabilities through the use of high-speed projectiles. Recently, ATLA sent personnel to the U.S. Navy to leverage American expertise in railgun development, accelerating the practical application of this technology. Previously, Japan had developed a medium railgun capable of launching a 320g projectile at an initial velocity of 2,230 meters per second (Mach 6.5), with an endurance of over 120 shots and a current charge energy of 5MJ, aiming for future advancements targeting a 20MJ charge energy.
France and Germany are working on railgun technology through the Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL). The trilateral agreement with Japan will allow these countries to combine their expertise in power sources, railguns, and hypersonic projectiles. ISL is developing a 25 mm railgun prototype named RAFIRA, capable of firing five rounds in a single salvo and accelerating 100g projectiles to a speed of Mach 7.35. This prototype serves as a test model for research into using railguns as air defense weapons.
The railgun initiative is part of Japan’s broader strategy to enhance its defense capabilities against aerial and maritime threats. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has been conducting fundamental research on railgun technology for the past decade and is seeking to partner with U.S. defense contractors to overcome challenges related to guidance systems and power storage. Japanese officials have engaged in discussions with companies such as BAE Systems and General Atomics, which have previously worked on railgun projects for the U.S. Navy and Army.
- Railguns require significant power and generate considerable heat, posing technical challenges such as energy requirements and structural integrity under extreme electromagnetic forces. Despite these challenges, the potential applications of railguns are vast, including missile defense and long-range strike capabilities. The collaboration between Japan, France, and Germany aims to overcome these obstacles and bring this futuristic technology closer to operational deployment.
In addition to the trilateral agreement, Japan continues to seek partnerships with other nations, including the United States, to strengthen its defense capabilities. Japan’s proactive stance on international defense cooperation reflects its commitment to addressing emerging threats and advancing military technology, particularly in the face of threats from China and North Korea. (Source: Google/https://armyrecognition.com/)
31 May 24. Challenger 3 tank could have 5km engagement range.
The new L55A1 main gun of the UK’s future Challenger 3 MBT will be able to fire a range of new munitions. As test firing of the new main gun system of the British Army’s new Challenger 3 main battle tank (MBT) continues, attention has turned to the types of ammunition that could be fired, ranging from kinetic energy tank busters to multi-mode high explosive (HE) fragmentation.
Equipped with the Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 high pressure gun, the Challenger 3 has been seen in recent footage published on 14 May 2024, by the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), an arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), showing the firing of the main gun in ranges in Germany.
Reiterating what was stated in the original April release, DE&S stated that live firings took place “over a range of distances” to test the accuracy of the new main gun.
The build of the Challenger 3 is being performed by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), a joint venture between the UK’s BAE Systems and Germany’s Rheinmetall AG for military vehicle design, manufacture and support.
Much of the technology being installed in the new Challenger 3 tank is derived from Rheinmetall’s own systems, including the L55A1 120mm smoothbore main gun, the same type as fitted to the Leopard 2A6 MBTs currently operated by Germany and numerous other European militaries.
The gun replaces the L30A1 120mm main gun fitted to the Challenger 2, which is unique among Nato forces in that it has a rifled barrel, a technique that spins the shell to improve accuracy and range.
Challenger 3: potential ammunition types
According to Rheinmetall, the 120mm L55A1 high pressure gun is the latest iteration of the original L55 system and has been qualified in service since 2019. The US Army also operates the L55, under a license manufacture known as the M256E1.
Rheinmetall states that the L55A1 can be integrated onto existing MBTs as an upgrade option, with the system capable of operating the three-mode programmable high explosive (HE)-round DM11. Other ammunition able to be fired from the gun includes the DM73 and DM63A1 armour penetrating round, as well as the DM88 target practice shot, while HE option include the aforementioned DM11, Rh-31, and DM98 target practice munition.
The company also details the specifications of its L55A1-compatible ammunition, with the advanced Armour Piercing Fin Stablised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) DM73 kinetic energy round featuring an increased range due to an “enhanced propulsion unit” from its “SCDB technology”.
The combustible cartridge case includes a fabric reinforcement to prevent loss of propellant powder
in case the cartridge is damaged, Rheinmetall states. The DM73 requires the high-pressure gun L55A1 and cannot be used in either L44 or L55 gun systems.
The DM11 HE round provides three programmable modes; Point detonation, for instance against bunkers and double-reinforced concrete walls; Point detonation with delay, for instance against targets behind cover, light and medium armoured vehicles; and Airburst against area of effect targets like ATGM fortifications and dismounted infantry.
Rheinmetall states that because of this, the DM11 ammunition’s additional construction fragments “maximise the effect on the target”, specifically in airburst mode.
Programming of the round is conducted fully automatically by the fire control system when already chambered, shortly before firing. The DM11 ammunition requires an additional programming kit integrated in the main battle tank, available for all Rheinmetall 120mm weapon systems.
The DM11 munition, without the programmable modes and set to point detonation, is known as the Rh31 round, and does not require programming kit integration into the main battle tank host. Given this, the Rh31 can be used in every available in service Rheinmetall gun and Leopard 2 or M1A1/A2 Abrams MBTs.
It should be noted that the effective engagement range, a more granular battlefield matric, of tank ammunition varies depending on the target, with heavily armoured MBTs likely requiring to be targeted at closer ranges in order to bring about a vehicle kill.
No DU, but an EKE forthcoming?
A total of 148 British Army Challenger 2s will be modernised to the Challenger 3 variant, incorporating a new turret, the L55A1, improved sensors, and vehicle powerpack. However, the improvement to the main gun is the most telling, bringing the British Army’s MBT into ammunution commonality with Nato allies.
However, a significant reduction in lethality will be seen with the loss of a depleted uranium ammunition capability, as is currently available for the rifled L30A1 main gun.
According to a UK Parliament note from 2001 on the use of depleted uranium (DU) in tank ammunition, the rounds have a 10-20% greater penetration than Tungsten and considered to be easier to manufacture than Tungsten alloy.
However, established potential health risks associated with the use of depleted uranium rounds have also likely been a factor, particularly for operators of tanks struck by DU rounds, which was established could lead to levels of DU in the kidney (4ppm) that exceed toxicity thresholds and result in a maximum whole body radiation dose (40-48mSv) outside the UK annual occupational radiation limit (20 mSv/year).
The UK is also exploring with Germany the possibility to develop a new kinetic energy armour piercing munition, which would partially offset the loss of a depleted uranium round, which cannot be fired from European L55A1 guns, unlike the L30A1 of the Challenger 2.
In April 2023 the UK signed an agreement with Germany to begin work on the next phase in the development of more lethal ammunition for the Challenger 3, with the UK MoD’s Defence Equipment and Support work on new armour-piercing tank ammunition centering on the Enhanced Kinetic Energy (EKE) round, intended to provide a “step change” to British Army lethality.
In order to reach the armour penetration levels reached by DU, Tungsten-derived rounds have to travel at higher speeds than existing tank ammunition, indicating a potential research path that the UK and Germany could be pursuing with the EKE capability. (Source: army-technology.com)
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
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.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-