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11 Jul 24. Hanwha starts producing ‘Block-I’ laser weapon. South Korean firm Hanwha Aerospace started production on 11 July of a new anti-aircraft laser weapon, the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced.
DAPA said the start of production follows a contract it signed with Hanwha Aerospace in late June to produce the ‘Laser Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I’ for the Republic of Korea (RoK) Armed Forces. Under the contract, which is valued at KRW100bn (USD72.5m), deliveries of an unknown number of systems will start later in 2024.
“This laser anti-aircraft weapon (Block-I) is a new-concept future weapon system that neutralises targets by directly irradiating them with a light-source laser generated from an optical fibre,” DAPA said. “[The system] can precisely strike small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and multicopters at close range.”
DAPA said the Block-I system is “silent, does not require ammunition, and can be operated only with electricity”. It said the cost of a single firing of the weapon is about KRW2,000.
“In addition, if output is improved in the future it is a weapon system that can play a game-changing role in the future battlefield, capable of responding to aircraft and ballistic missiles,” DAPA said.
Development of the Block-I system started in 2019, with a budget of KRW87 bn. DAPA’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) led the development project and Hanwha Aerospace was selected as programme development and production partner.
DAPA also said it intends to develop a Block-II version that will have extended range and increased power compared with the Block-I variant. DAPA did not elaborate on the performance of either the Block-I or Block-II variants. (Source: Janes)
11 Jul 24. US ballistic missile interceptor site up and running in Poland.
Dubbed “Aegis Ashore”, the site is part of a larger Nato missile shield and is designed to detect, track and intercept ballistic missiles in flight. The US has opened an ‘Aegis Ashore’ site, a ballistic missile interceptor facility, strategically located in northern Poland overlooking the continent and the Baltic Sea.
It is the second base of its kind within a wider Nato air defence network. Its sister opened in 2016 and is situated in the town of Deveselu, southern Romania, approximately 1,880 kilometres away.
Nato Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) manages this so-called “missile shield” network that protects European populations, territory and forces against its namesake threat. First conceived at the Lisbon Summit in 2010, the BMD shield also comprises US Navy destroyers out of Spain and early warning radar in Kurecik, South Eastern Türkiye.
According to Nato, Aegis Ashore are purely defensive; around 200 military personnel are stationed at the two interceptor sites in Poland and Romania.
The missile defence site in Poland can defend against short-to-intermediate range ballistic missiles. Aegis Ashore is a key component of Nato’s BMD “Enhanced Operational Capability” declared by allied Heads of State and Government at the Washington Summit.
Responding to Russian ballistic missile strikes
“This is an important step for transatlantic security and Nato’s ability to defend against the growing threat of ballistic missiles,” Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated. “Ballistic missiles have been widely used in conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.”
Ukraine is facing an enduring problem when it comes to air defence. A top priority for member states attending the present Nato summit in Washington will be to increase the number of missile defence systems needed for Ukraine to secure its people, infrastructure and territory from indiscrimate Russian strikes, such as the one against a children’s hospital in Kyiv on 9 July 2024.
“As a defensive alliance we cannot ignore that threat. Missile defence is an essential element for Nato’s core task of collective defence”, Stoltenberg added.
GlobalData intelligence also indicates that Europe will witness the highest cumulative spending on missiles and missile defence in the next decade. The Eastern European conflict has led to increased regional security concerns, and highlighted the need for seamless coordination and joint efforts in defending against ballistic missile threats.
This is symptomatic of Russia’s burgeoning war machine, which has begun to source a range of weapons, particularly missiles, from similarly nefarious states, such as North Korea, that flout international law.
In April, Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution to renew the mandate to uphold the global non-proliferation regime. This decision will allow Russia to breach and evade UN sanctions to get arms and ammunition from North Korea for its illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Such a partnership will push Nato to bolster continental airspace further. The opening of the Polish Aegis Ashore has finally come after it was originally anticipated to open in 2018, according to a fact sheet from the military alliance back in 2016. (Source: army-technology.com)
11 Jul 24. British Army’s interim Archer artillery in-country, to reach IOC in October. Initially the UK Ministry of Defence stated that the Archer 155mm artillery capability would be fully operational by the start of Q2 2024, but this timeframe has slipped.
Atotal of 12 of 14 Archer 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH) acquired by the UK for the British Army under an interim artillery programme are currently in the country, with the platform expected to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) by the autumn.
In addition, 13 of the 14 ammunition resupply systems (ARS) are also in the UK, with the two remaining Archer 155mm SPH completing trials in Sweden. The entire fleet of 14 Archer 155mm artillery systems are being modified to meet British Army requirements.
The Swedish Artillery School also provided a 14-week T3 ‘train the trainer’ course, which began in spring 2024, ahead of firing of rounds in the summer in the summer.
In March 2023, the UK opted to acquire 14 Archer 155mm SPH in the 6×6 wheeled configuration, along with 13 ARS systems for logistics and resupply, in an interim order to fill capability gaps following initial donations of 32 AS90 155mm SPHs to Ukraine, part of a wider provision of artillery system to Kyiv.
In the months since, the UK provision of its AS90 fleet has increased up to 60 platforms, along with 12 non-functional vehicles as spares.
According to a March 2023 release from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the first 14 Archer 155mm artillery systems were to have ownership transferred to the British Army the same month and be fully operational by April 2024.
This timeframe has not been able to be achieved, with IOC – likely the ability to field a single battery’s worth of systems – to be achieved by October 2024, ahead of planned attainment of full operational capability by the end of the year.
“Archer 6×6 has been procured as an interim 155mm solution, following the granting-in-kind of a number of the British Army’s AS90s to Ukraine. Archer will provide the UK with proven and lethal 155mm capability, until the RCH155 enters service later this decade,” a UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson stated.
Mobile Fires Platform: RCH 155 beats Archer
A prospective larger UK Archer acquisition was on the cards, with the platform being put forward for the country’s Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme. However, in April this year, the UK signed a deal with Germany for the co-development of the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm Wheeled Artillery Systems (RCH 155), which is based on the 8×8 wheeled Boxer mechanised vehicle.
Exact numbers of RCH 155 to be acquired for the British Army are yet to be released, although analysis by Army Technology indicates a potential UK fleet of around 200 vehicles. It is understood that the British Army is seeking to achieve a minimum deployable capability for the RCH155 within this decade.
In an 18 June 2024 release, German prime KNDS revealed the scope of the joint UK-German RCH 155 programme, stating that the two countries had “recently agreed to co-develop the RCH 155” with a potential of 400 artillery systems.
It is unclear what medium-range artillery the British Army currently has following the donation of at least 60 AS90 SPHs, plus 12 spares, in a move that will have dramatically reduced, or indeed ended, the UK’s 155mm capability, at least until Archer reaches IOC later this year. Prior to February 2022, it was thought the UK had around 80-90 operational AS90 platforms in its inventory.
The recent commitment by the UK for a further ten AS90s to Ukraine, taking the number provided from 50 up to 60 units, also included 32 new barrels and “critical spares” for previously donated systems. It could well be the British Army’s AS90 fleet, and therefore its 155mm fires capability, is now reduced to tokenistic at best, or gone, at worst.
10 Jul 24. Japan reveals test launch of its hypersonic strike missile program. Japan has revealed video footage of the maiden test launch of a hypersonic missile currently under development. Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency – ATLA for short – published the video on its official YouTube page on July 4. In an accompanying explanation, it said it had “conducted a pre-launch test of a Hyper-Velocity Gliding Projectile for island defense” in California on March 23.
Examining the video footage, Timothy Wright, research associate in the Defence and Military Analysis Programme of the U.K.-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), offered this explanation to Defense News: “Japan conducted two preliminary tests of its so-called HVGP in March and April, 2024 respectively. The missile’s manufacturer said the purpose of the test was to validate ‘measurement’ units, possibly meaning the missile’s inertial navigation system. ATLA did not say whether the warhead separated from the booster during either test.”
Once fielded, the HVGP, made by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will be launched from a truck using a booster, after which the warhead separates and glides towards its target.
Wright noted, “Japan is developing the HVGP for both anti-ship and land attack missions to intercept and eliminate invading forces against Japan at a distance and at an early stage.”
ATLA has previously released computer animations of an HVGP attacking an enemy aircraft carrier.
When development commenced in fiscal 2015, the HVGP was slated to enter service in 2029. However, Japan’s perceived deterioration of its security environment – prompted primarily by China and North Korea – caused defense leaders to accelerate the missile’s development by three years.
The high-supersonic Block I version of the HVGP, with an estimated maximum range of 310 miles (500km), is now expected to be fielded by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in 2026.
As part of its incremental development, a hypersonic Block 2 version, with perhaps an 1,864-mile (3,000km) range, will be fielded in around FY2030.
“Japan’s current missile capabilities reflect the restrictions of its post-1945 defense posture, but those limitations will soon change substantially following Tokyo’s groundbreaking decision in 2023 for it to procure so-called ‘counterstrike’ capabilities,” Wright said.
The IISS researcher said Tokyo is developing “at least seven new types of air-, sea- and ground-launched missiles for land and maritime roles, and buying three different missile designs from its U.S. ally”.
One of those American missiles is the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). Also on July 4, ATLA confirmed it had signed an agreement to acquire the Lockheed Martin-made weapon. The U.S. had approved a $104 m Foreign Military Sale of 50 AGM-158B/B-2 JASSMs with extended range last August.
These, plus the HVGP, will strengthen Japan’s “stand-off defense capabilities in order to quickly and remotely intercept and eliminate invading forces against our country,” ATLA said.
Japanese ground forces are expected to eventually field two HVGP battalions.
“Once these systems enter service in large numbers, Japan will possess one of the most significant long-range strike capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Wright. (Source: Defense News)
10 Jul 24. Sentinel Land-Based Nuclear Modernization Program Will Continue, With Changes. The Defense Department has announced its decision to continue to modernize the land-based leg of the nuclear triad with a program called Sentinel. That decision comes after the Air Force notified Congress in January that the program had exceeded its baseline cost and triggered what is known as a Nunn-McCurdy breach.
The Nunn-McCurdy Amendment was enacted in 1983 as part of the 1982 Defense Authorization Act to curtail cost growth in the U.S. weapons procurement programs.
A breach occurs when the program acquisition unit cost or average unit procurement cost within a program increases by 25% or more over the program’s current acquisition baseline.
When a breach occurs, a program must be terminated unless the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment certifies to Congress that the program meets established criteria to continue.
During the media event, William A. LaPlante, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, said that during the past 120 days he has led a review to determine if the program meets the criteria to continue, and he has determined that it does.
“Based on the results of the review, it is clear that a reasonably modified Sentinel program remains essential to U.S. national security and is the best option to meet the needs of our warfighters,” LaPlante said. “As the milestone decision authority, today I am certifying that the Sentinel program meets the statutory criteria to continue.”
There are five criteria established by Congress that a program must meet in order to continue following a Nunn-McCurdy breach. Those criteria include:
- Program continuation is essential to national security;
- There are no alternatives to the program that will provide acceptable capability to meet the joint requirements at less cost;
- The new estimates of the program acquisition unit cost or procurement unit cost have been determined by the director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, or CAPE, to be reasonable;
- The program is a higher priority than programs whose funding must be reduced to accommodate the growth in cost of the program; and
- The management structure for the program is adequate to manage and control program acquisition unit cost or procurement unit cost.
While LaPlante said the department would continue to pursue modernization of the land-based leg of the nuclear triad, he also said continuation of the program wouldn’t be “business as usual.”
“The program will be restructured to address the root causes of the breach and ensure an appropriate management structure is in place to control costs,” he said. “The total program acquisition costs for a reasonably modified program are estimated by the CAPE to be $140.9 bn, an increase of 81% compared to estimates at the program’s previous Milestone B decision, in September of 2020.”
LaPlante said there are “reasons, but no excuses” for the cost growth, but also addressed the risk of not modernizing the land-based portion of the U.S. nuclear triad.
“We fully appreciate the magnitude of the costs, but we also understand the risks of not modernizing our nuclear forces and of not addressing the very real threats we confront.”
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife addressed these threats and reinforced the role of the nuclear triad.
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“Each leg brings unique complementary attributes which are mutually supporting and key to signaling and establishing deterrence amidst an increasingly complex and dynamic security environment which, for the first time, includes the People’s Republic of China as a major nuclear armed power and strategic competitor,” he said.
As part of the decision to continue with the Sentinel program, LaPlante said he has rescinded the program’s “Milestone B” decision. This is the decision made in the lifecycle of an acquisition program where it is authorized to enter the engineering and manufacturing development phase.
He said he has also directed the Air Force to develop a plan to restructure the Sentinel program.
“Preserving schedule will be a key consideration during this restructuring, but a delay of several years is currently estimated,” he said. “It’s important to note that Sentinel is truly a historic program to modernize the land leg of the nuclear triad. And its scale, scope and complexity are something we haven’t attempted as a nation for over 60 years.”
Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Andrew Hunter stated that over the coming months the Air Force will develop a comprehensive plan for how the program will be restructured.
“Our goal is to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the ICBM force as it continues to provide 24/7 strategic deterrence, standing ready to respond at a moment’s notice as the most responsive leg of the nuclear triad,” Hunter said. “We’ll do what it takes to sustain Minuteman III to meet these warfighter requirements in the interim.”
The U.S. has about 400 silo-based Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, also called ICBMs. The U.S. military has been developing replacements for its ground-based nuclear missiles through the Sentinel program. The Minuteman III has been in place since 1970 and has been life-extended several times. LaPlante affirmed, “Across the department, we are committed to ensuring we are on the right path to defend our nation while protecting the sacred responsibility the American taxpayer has entrusted us with.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
10 Jul 24. Hanwha Aerospace signs contract to supply Romania with K9 and K10 artillery systems.
- • Hanwha Aerospace signed a $1bn contract on 9th July to provide 54 K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers and 36 K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles to Romania under a package deal that also includes scores of wheeled support vehicles and ammunition.
- • Romania has become the 10th K9 User Club member state, growing the international user community of the 155mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer, which accounts for over 50 percent of the global self-propelled howitzer market.
- • Most of the Romanian K9 artillery systems will be manufactured and repaired locally with an extensive involvement of local suppliers, with the aim of maximizing benefits to the Romanian economy and industry.
- • Hanwha Aerospace is offering the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) for Romania’s armoured vehicle modernization as the Redback shares a high level of commonality with the K9, which could increase the efficiency of operation, production and maintenance when running both systems.
Hanwha Aerospace signed a contract with Romania over the supply of 54 K9 Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH) and 36 K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicles (ARV). Signed on 9th July by Hanwha Aerospace and the Romanian Ministry of National Defence, the contract also includes ammunition and support vehicles both on tracks and wheels. The contract is valued about $1 bn.
Romania has become the 10th customer nation operating the 155mm/52-calibre K9 SPH. Among the NATO members, Romania is the sixth K9 user nation following Türkiye, Poland, Norway, Finland and Estonia. Following Norway and Australia, Romania will also be the third global operator of the K10, which enables a fully automated re-supplying capability to maximize the efficiency of artillery forces.
“This is a remarkable deal that can further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries,” said Mr. Jaeil Son, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace. “This contract involves not only artillery vehicles but also supporting vehicles and ammunition, representing Hanwha Aerospace’s capability to provide a total package of advanced defence solutions based on its high-level of technological expertise and world-leading production capacity.”
Under the contract, Hanwha will deliver the vehicles in stages over the next five years, with the first delivery to be made by early 2027. Most of the vehicles are to be manufactured in Romania with an extensive involvement of local suppliers.
“Hanwha Aerospace is committed to maximizing benefits to the Romanian defense industry through various types of localization programs, which include local production of defense equipment, local employment, technology transfer, and the establishment of Center of Excellence for MRO operations in a new greenfield facility in Romania,” said Mr. Peter Bae, Vice President of Hanwha Aerospace Europe. “Romanian industry’s inclusion in Hanwha Aerospace’s broad global supply chains is one of the potential benefits Romania could take from the collaboration. Through this partnership alongside with other future projects, Romania would become a hub of Hanwha Aerospace’s land business in Europe.”
As part of efforts to broaden its partnership with Bucharest, Hanwha Aerospace is offering the Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) for Romania’s IFV modernization program.
In 2023, the Redback was selected for Australia’s next-generation IFV under the LAND 400 Phase 3 program for the delivery of 129 vehicles, most of which are to be built at a facility in Geelong, Victoria. To win the high-profile Australian IFV contest, the Redback successfully went through the world’s most competitive IFV tests and evaluations, proving its overwhelming maneuverability and lethality compared to other armoured combat vehicles.
The Redback features a range of innovative technologies, including composite rubber tracks, a hard-kill active protection system, and a see-through helmet mounted display, and layered lethality system.
With its adaptability and growth potential, the Redback will meet the Romanian Army’s operational needs in response to the emerging threats, and future battlefield environment. A high level of commonality between the K9 and Redback in terms of powertrain and chassis is expected to increase the efficiency of operation, production and maintenance of both systems.
About K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer
The K9 SPH was developed in 1999 in cooperation with the South Korean Agency for Defense Development. Nicknamed “Thunder,” the K9 tracked artillery system can deliver consistent, accurate, rapid effects at ranges of more than 40 kilometers. The 47-ton K9 is optimized for ‘Shoot and Scoot’ capability to fire multiple rounds and immediately moving to a different location to avoid counter-fire.
Following the modifications to the K9A1 version, the artillery system is being upgraded feature a fully automatic ammunition handling system. The autoloading next-generation artillery will be capable of firing over 10 rounds per minute, with just three crew members.
In 2022, the K9 User Club was launched for the K9 user countries to share experience, know-how of operating the K9 systems in terms of operation, maintenance and training. Over 1,800 K9 vehicles are in service with nine countries, accounting for some 50 percent the global SPH market.
About K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle
The K10 is an automatic ammunition resupply vehicle based on the chassis of K9 howitzer, sharing most of the components and characteristics for logistics support.
The vehicle can support the K9 by carrying and resupplying 104 shells of 155mm artillery ammunition and 504 units of charges under contested conditions. The vehicle transfers ammunition at a maximum speed of 12 rounds/min, taking 37 minutes to fully load. The fully automated ammunition resupply system guarantees its efficiency in logistics support and tactical movements in any severe battlefield conditions.
09 Jul 24. Agreement will significantly expand production of Norwegian artillery ammunition. At the request of the Government, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has entered into an agreement with the aerospace and defence company Nammo that paves the way for a significant increase in the production of artillery ammunition and missiles. The agreement provides funding of more than NOK 1 bn, and Nammo has committed to maintaining the new production capacity for at least 15 years.
‘Ukraine has an enormous and urgent need for ammunition and weapons. The Government has implemented a number of measures to enhance production in the Norwegian defence industry. This agreement will make it possible for Nammo to expand production of highly sought-after military equipment. This is of great importance for Ukraine, for Allied security and for our own national preparedness,’ said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
As a result of the agreement with the manufacturer in Raufoss, Norway, Nammo will be investing in a new production line that can increase production of the defence sector’s most modern artillery shells tenfold. The facility will also provide double the capacity for production of other artillery ammunition and rocket engines.
‘’We are enabling Nammo to increase its production capacity significantly to help meet Norwegian, Allied and Ukrainian needs. I am pleased that Nammo has committed to maintaining this capacity for at least 15 years. This is essential in order to strengthen national preparedness, safeguard international security and augment local value creation,’ said Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram.
Nammo will increase production of:
The Minister of Defence presented the agreement together with Nammo CEO Morten Brandtzæg in the lead-up to the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Washington DC on Tuesday 9 July.
‘This represents a major step forward for Nammo, and it would not have been possible without the Government’s initiative. The new production line will give us an unprecedented increase in capacity. It will also create many jobs, promote growth, and greatly improve our ability to supply Norway, NATO and Ukraine,’ said Mr Brandtzæg.
Nammo will have the new production line up and running as soon as possible, and at the latest by the end of 2026. Nammo will maintain the new production capacity for at least 15 years.
(Source: Google/https://www.regjeringen.no/)
05 Jul 24. Dutch Navy looks to fit air defence payload to ‘civil’ ships.
The service will procure Multi Functional Support Ships to deploy Standard Missile 2 units as a way to disperse firepower across the fleet.
In line with their plans to disperse air defence capabilities across the fleet to meet a new range of maritime threats, the Royal Netherlands Navy will acquire two home-built “civil supplier type” support ships.
Currently, the government has not determined the specific model of the ships. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said that the details will be confirmed after the topic has been discussed among the House of Representatives before the end of 2024.
The force refers to these future vessels as Multi Functional Support Ships (MFSS). The government will approach their own supplier base within the Dutch maritime industry. The Netherlands Material and IT command investigates the total market of suppliers who provide containerised payloads.
“The initial goal is to integrate [an] air defence payload in a network with a frigate. Integration in a wider network will be considered” down the line, they added.
Netherlands undergoes extensive fleet renewal
Over the next 15 years the Dutch Government have committed to an extensive modernisation programme to replace its largely ageing fleet. This endeavour will cost the government several bn euros.
Besides the two new MFSS, the Royal Netherlands Navy will also deploy medium-sized, uncrewed surface vessels to carry air defence payloads.
Soon, however, the first of the Netherlands’ new naval platforms – a Combat Support Ship – is due to arrive in the country in a matter of months. Based on the Karel Doorman, an existing support ship that entered service in 2015, the vessel will have the capability to operate in high threat situations when protected by frigates.
Other platforms include four future frigates to replace the existing De Zeven Provinciën class fleet acquired between 2002 and 2005.
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This new frigate class will play a pivotal role within the seaborne air defence network that the Navy intends to project. They will interplay with MFSS units in and around the North Sea theatre, acting as Air Defence Command Frigates (ADCFs), the spokesperson confirmed.
What type of air defence payload will the ships carry?
To fulfill the tactical requirement of dispersed operations and to enhance the firepower of a Naval Task Group, Multi Functional Low (and in the future un-) crewed support vessels will be equipped with an air defence payload.
The MFSSs will deploy the Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) designed and built by the US defence producer Raytheon, now an RTX subsidiary. Specifically, the ships will use SM-2 Block IIIA long range missiles from modular, remote launchers.
A dedicated link between the ADCF and the MFSS enables the user to control the remote launchers from the frigate and provides them with the required targeting data for launch and guidance.
ADCFs execute the missile uplink-downlink, the MFSS controls the status of the remote launcher, which is equipped with a command veto function for safety.
The modular Electronic Support Measure (ESM) and Electronic Countermeasure (ECM) systems will be controlled from the MFSS. When operating in support of an ADCF, the ECM mission module can also be operated from the ADCF through a dedicated link.
The module can be tasked to disrupt radio frequency seekers in adversarial missiles; counter drones; and prevent or hamper the enemy picture compilation.
High-threat maritime environment
“The evolving threat (varying from simple drone systems to hypersonic high divers) require a more diverse air defence package to mitigate that threat,” explained the spokesperson.
According to intelligence from GlobalData, the global military uncrewed aerial vehicles market is due to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 6% from $12.2bn in 2024 to $21.9bn by 2034.
Likewise, hypersonics pose a dangerous threat as the global powers the US, Russia, and China are all testing hypersonic technology, generating fears of escalating global competition for weaponry that has the potential to render current defences inadequate.
Our proclivity for missile diplomacy has only grown as demonstrated by the Yemeni Houthi militants holding naval task forces and civilian shipping to ransom in the Red Sea.
For the first time during its deployment to the threatre HNLMS Karel Doorman has provided medical treatment to a casualty onboard the ship. It concerned a seafarer from a merchant ship hit by two missiles in the Gulf of Aden. (Source: naval-technology.com)
06 Jul 24. U.S. Navy Unveils Air-Launched SM-6 Missile During RIMPAC 2024. This week, the U.S. Navy showcased an advancement in its air capabilities during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2024. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornets revealed the air-launched variant of the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), a development previously shrouded in secrecy. This missile, adapted for air launch, represents a critical enhancement to the Navy’s arsenal, augmenting its long-range strike and defensive capabilities.
First seen in 2021 on a VX-31 Test and Evaluation F/A-18F, the SM-6 variant has undergone further testing this year with Super Hornets from the VX-9 Test and Evaluation squadron. These tests were pivotal in integrating the SM-6 into the F/A-18E/F fleet. The U.S. Navy has officially acknowledged the air-launched SM-6 variant, marking a milestone in its operational deployment.
Naval News has confirmed crucial details about this program, including its official name and operational status. The missile, now designated AIM-174B, has been seen on Super Hornets aboard the USS Carl Vinson and at Hawaii’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during RIMPAC 2024. Although the Navy has not commented on the possible live-fire involvement of the AIM-174B during the exercise, the public nature of RIMPAC suggests that additional details may emerge.
The SM-6, known for its versatility as a ship-launched interceptor, has been adapted for air-to-air missions, offering a new role as a long-range air-to-air missile. This development is separate from the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) program, which remains classified. The SM-6, with a range of up to 230 miles, can engage multiple threats, including ballistic missiles, aircraft, and surface targets.
Experts believe that the public reveal of the air-launched SM-6 is a strategic move, signaling emerging capabilities to both allies and potential adversaries, particularly China. Justin Bronk, an airpower and technology expert, emphasized the missile’s potential to extend the engagement range of carrier air wings. m(Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
05 Jul 24. US nuclear missile program costs soar to around $160bn, sources say. The cost of an Air Force program to replace aging nuclear missiles has ballooned to about $160bn from $95.8bn, three people familiar with the matter said, threatening to slash funding for other key modernization plans.
The project, now named the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program, is designed and managed by Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N), and aims to replace aging Minuteman III missiles.
Its latest price tag has risen by around $65 bn since a 2020 cost estimate, according to a U.S. official, an industry executive and a hill aide briefed on the matter. This may force the Pentagon to scale back the project’s scope or time frame, a second industry executive said.
Bloomberg reported earlier on Friday that the new price tag was around $141bn with the Pentagon assessing modifications of construction and schedule.
Northrop Grumman declined to comment. The Pentagon did not comment on the figure, but said it expects to give a new cost estimate around Tuesday.
The new Sentinel cost estimate eclipses an increase to “at least” $131 bn that the Air Force made public in January.
That triggered the Nunn-McCurdy Act, a 1982 law that requires the Pentagon to formally justify to Congress the importance of a program whose unit acquisition costs have risen more than 25% above a baseline.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is expected to deliver that notification next week.
Though Air Force leaders argue that Sentinel is crucial for maintaining America’s nuclear deterrent, the Pentagon asked industry to provide cost estimates on a service life extension program for the existing inventory of Minuteman III missiles, according to documents seen by Reuters.
Increased cost estimates are putting pressure on other Air Force priorities like the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter jet program, according to two of the sources.
Other programs potentially at risk include hypersonic weapons development, the B-21 bomber, and various space initiatives.(Source: Reuters)
05 Jul 24. JMSDF mulls over new class of railgun-equipped destroyers.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has begun studying the possibility of acquiring a new class of destroyers that will be equipped with electromagnetic (EM) railguns and high-powered lasers.
In response to questions from Janes, a spokesperson from Japan’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has confirmed that the service first began studying this warship concept in 2023.
The concept, which has been dubbed as the 13DDX future destroyer, was developed by the MoD’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA), the spokesperson added.
Besides being armed with railguns and high-powered lasers, the 13DDX will also be equipped with directed energy weapon (DEW) systems and a new type of multifunction radar that will be optimised to detect high-speed targets, according to information in a presentation that was produced by ATLA.
It will also be equipped with automated damage control and navigation systems and the flexibility to take on a variety of mission modules.
The 13DDX will inherit some features from the JMSDF’s Asahi-class destroyers and Mogami-class frigates.
However, the agency is not able to provide further specifics on the concept, including the projected tonnage and overall length of the warship, as these are still being studied, the MoD spokesperson said.
Japan first disclosed in October 2023 that it has carried out the country’s first shipboard test firing of an EM railgun. The firing was carried out on the JMSDF’s sole Asuka-class research ship, JS Asuka. (Source: Janes)
05 Jul 24. MBDA, Kongsberg snub Swiss tender for medium-range air defense system. Pan-European missile maker MBDA and Norway’s Kongsberg snubbed a Swiss tender for a new medium-range air-defense system, leaving the door open for Germany’s Diehl Defence as the sole potential bidder for the contract.
Kongsberg and MBDA informed Swiss defense-procurement agency armasuisse they won’t submit offers due to time constraints, armasuisse spokeswoman Samanta Leiser told Defense News in an emailed response to questions. The evaluation process will continue as planned, with Diehl remaining as a potential manufacturer, the government office said in a statement on Friday.
Switzerland in April decided to join the Germany-led European Sky Shield Initiative, for which Diehl is a partner for the medium-range component with the Iris-T SLM system. Armasuisse said participation in ESSI doesn’t preempt any decision on what air defense the country is buying, though other partners in the initiative have picked Diehl’s system.
“Armasuisse is awaiting the receipt of the offer from the remaining manufacturing company by mid-July,” the office said. “Apart from the costs, a decision in favor of the remaining candidate in the third quarter of 2024 is dependent on this candidate submitting an offer which meets the requirements of armasuisse.”
Leiser declined to comment on the budget, how many systems Switzerland is seeking or what the delivery timeline will be. The Swiss parliament is currently discussing buying the system within the 2024 defense plan, rather than in 2025 as previously envisioned.
The alpine country in 2016 suspended a previous project to modernize its air-defense system, terminating a contract with Thales for purchasing preparations. Switzerland in 2022 agreed to buy the Patriot system for longer-range, ground-based air defense.
Kongsberg had been asked to provide a quote for the NASAMS system, according to company spokesman Ivar Simensen, who said the company has no further comment. MBDA didn’t respond to requests for comment, while Diehl also didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Slovenia in January agreed to buy one Iris-T SLM fire unit, consisting of a radar component, a tactical operations center and four missile launchers, through the German federal office for defense procurement. Estonia and Latvia signed framework agreements with Diehl in September to buy the system within the framework of ESSI.
One of Switzerland’s criteria is that the system must already be successfully in use. The country also says inclusion of Swiss industry in the contract is “of particular importance,” with a demand that the entire purchase price is compensated with offsetting transactions in Switzerland. “There is no flexibility” with respect to the offset requirement, according to Leiser.
Iris-T SLM is designed to defend against aircraft, cruise missiles and drones to a range of up to 40 kilometers. Diehl says the performance of Iris-T SLM in Ukraine has been “excellent,” achieving “close to 100% hit rate” even during attack waves with more than 12 targets.
Separately, Kongsberg said it signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency to the initial development phase of the German-Norwegian supersonic strike missile, or 3SM, set to be deployed on naval vessels from 2035. The contract value for the first development phase is up to 1.5 bn kroner (U.S. $131 m), the company said in a statement on Friday.
Kongsberg, Diehl Defence and MBDA Deutschland agreed in May to set up a partnership for joint development of the new missile. (Source: Defense News)
05 Jul 24. Serbian exercise demonstrates UAE-supplied and indigenously developed loitering munitions. Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije: VS) was noted operating both United Arab Emirates (UAE)-supplied and domestically sourced fixed-wing loitering munitions during a recent military manoeuvre.
Exercise ‘Vatreni udar 2024′ (Fire strike 2024) held at the Pasuljanske Livade training ground in central Serbia on 4 July saw the use of the UAE-built EDGE Group SM1 and SM2 as well as the Serbian Ministry of Defence (MoD) Military Technical Institute (VojnoTehnički Institut: VTI)-developed Osica (Small Wasp) and Komarac-2 (Mosquito-2) loitering munitions.
While the larger SM2 was seen overflying outside the exercise area, the smaller SM1 actively participated in the exercise, crashing into a ground target with a simulated explosion. Nenad Miloradović, assistant minister for material resources at the Serbian MoD, said the SM1 will provide “far more destructive effects [on enemy manpower and vehicles] in a 100×50 m area if the real warhead was used”.
Miloradović explained that the SM1 loitering munition shown at the exercise was operated by soldiers of the Niš-based Mixed Artillery Brigade (Mešovita artiljerijska brigada), which is a unit tasked to provide artillery support to the Serbian Army (Kopnena vojska Srbije: KoV). He gave no further details on SM1, except saying “it has [a] range far, far beyond that of the Osica”.
Also demonstrated at the exercise, Osica is described by the MoD as a loitering munition that can circulate the battlefield for up to 30 minutes at a distance of 20 km, and attack all targets, including armoured vehicles. It has a 1.5 kg warhead and can penetrate 500 mm of homogeneous steel. It is derived from the Yugoslav-made M79 Osa (Wasp) portable anti-tank weapon. (Source: Janes)
04 Jul 24. Spanish Army Tests the Future Soldier System Developed by Indra and GMV.
- To enhance soldiers’ capabilities with cutting-edge technologies
- The SISCAP system, a key element for integrating soldiers into the new digitalized environments, has been put to the test in an operational demonstration at the maneuver field at the Toledo Infantry Academy
- The modular, flexible, and scalable solution will equip the soldier with the most advanced information, communications and fire effectiveness technologies and enhanced situational awareness
- This system will be vital in moving towards a complete digitalization of the Army, from strategic command and control to the soldier deployed in the field
Indra and GMV have taken a decisive step forward in the development of the Future Soldier System (SISCAP, in Spanish), after carrying out an operational demonstration at the Toledo Infantry Academy with this solution, which boosts the soldier’s communication, information, and fire efficiency capabilities. As a result of an R&D program funded by the Ministry of Defence through the Subdirectorate General for Planning, Technology and Innovation (SG PLATIN), the progress of this new development is being supervised by the Directorate General for Armaments and Material (DGAM).
Indra and GMV’s aim is to equip combatants with advanced technologies for use in digitalized theaters of operations, where they will have to operate in a network with systems adapted to the new combat cloud concept.
Each of these soldiers will have a viewfinder attached to their helmet that, through the use of augmented reality, will allow them to visualize the route to follow and the position of their companions and to receive different tactical indications about threats and identified targets. They will also have both day and night viewfinders, personal cameras (visible and thermal) to gather images and an advanced radio that will position them by satellite and allow them to transmit voice and data, as well as setting up different groups for improved coordination.
The regulation weapon will incorporate its own viewfinders and cameras that extend the range and accuracy of fire and allow the possibility of indirect fire, so that the image captured by the weapon’s viewfinder can also be seen in the helmet’s viewfinder, thus avoiding exposure when turning a corner or entering an enclosed area. It will also incorporate controls to manage communications without having to release the rifle and to prevent friendly fire.
The platoon leader will have a tablet connected to the battlefield management system (BMS) used in the Army’s armored vehicles, thus integrating the unit into the chain of command.
In exercises held last month at the Toledo Infantry Academy, a platoon of legionnaires evaluated the system by simulating a reconnaissance mission and other day and night surveillance missions. They also conducted various day and night shooting tests. The next and final test that SISCAP will undergo in the coming months will add to this equation the presence of the 8×8 Dragon armored vehicle, which will act as a communications node between the unit and the tactical command and control center.
The manager of the UTE at Indra, Gregorio González, explains that “the system will provide soldiers with the most advanced digital capabilities and will provide them with a situational awareness of the highest level, by giving them a vision capacity enriched with the information collected by all their colleagues and other deployed means” and adds that “one of the great advantages of the system is that it is modular and scalable, which allows it to be adapted to the mission being carried out, ensuring maximum ergonomics and minimum weight”.
This modularity allows, for example, the addition of electronic aids to distinguish between friendly and enemy forces, infrared cameras, image intensifiers, laser designators or image magnifiers, as appropriate, to the fire effectiveness system. In the case of more complex missions, soldiers can even be equipped with palm-sized micro-drones to reconnoiter the area and minimize risks. SISCAP’s open architecture will allow the incorporation of new functionalities in the future, such as the use of artificial intelligence for target discrimination, checking the status of combatants and facilitating system maintenance.
Indra and GMV’s goal is to close this first development phase this year, delivering the first seven functional prototypes in platoon-leader configuration. In subsequent phases, the possibility of manufacturing an initial pre-series of 40 or 50 systems will be studied for evaluation in real operations, and then, from 2030 onwards, for larger-scale production.
The work of Indra and GMV in European projects such as ACHILE and GOSSRA, funded by the European Commission, has generated significant synergies and contributed to the development of this solution. At the same time, SISCAP is part of the Army’s Force 35 initiative, which places the soldier at the center of its modernization strategy. (Source: ASD Network)
05 Jul 24. Polish army’s new Grot A3 assault rifle revealed. Polish firearms maker Fabryka Broni (FB) ‘Łucznik’ Radom revealed the newest version of its MSBS Grot family of assault rifles, the A3, at the Grotowisko 2024 small-arms conference, held in Zegrze near Warsaw from 22 to 23 June. This newest version of the 5.56 mm Grot C16 assault rifle was official presented to the commander of Poland’s Territorial Defence Forces (Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej: WOT) on 22 June. Seweryn Figurski, acting CEO of FB, told Janes that “the MSBS Grot A3 is a solution designed to meet soldiers’ requirements”, and that “user remarks gathered by Fabryka Broni are being implemented by the construction department in subsequent variants”, adding that “the weapon’s final configuration might still develop during negotiations with the Polish Army”. Compared with the standard-duty Grot C16 A2 assault rifle, the A3 will be lighter (3.4 kg instead of 3.7 kg). Although FB recommends its 14.5 inch (368 mm) barrel be used for the weapon, its expected the army will use it with a 16 inch (406 mm)-long barrel. Another modification is a new stock adapter that allows mounting side-folding butt-stocks. The forend profile had been redesigned to be smaller and slimmer to try and improve weapon handling. The upper receiver, charging handle, and bolt carrier group have been redesigned. As Figurski told Janes, (Source: Janes)
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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.
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