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09 Mar 16. US Army displays TOW system capabilities to Spanish Forces. The US Army Europe (USAREUR) has demonstrated tracked wireless-guided weapon (TOW) system capabilities to the Spanish Armed Forces at the Chinchilla training area, Spain. During the bilateral Sky Soldier 16 exercise, Spanish soldiers and US Army paratroopers were trained to use the M41 TOW improved target acquisition system.
US Army paratrooper 1st lieutenant and Company D executive officer Jacob Wijnberg said: “The TOW is our most effective anti-tank weapon.
“Spanish observers were present throughout the TOW training to exchange techniques and ensure the safety of all involved. The BRIPAC uses similar systems so they were familiar with this kind of training.
Spanish army captain and BRIPAC Headquarters Company commander Jaime Arribas added: “The training has been great so far and a great opportunity for us to be embedded with an American Army battalion.
“The TOW system is not a capability that the BRIPAC regularly train on as they possess different systems like VAMTAC BM2 anti-tank vehicle.”
The TOW comprises an improved targeting acquisition system and tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missiles.
It is capable of destroying armoured targets up to 3,750m away, and is the preferred heavy-assault, anti-armour weapon system for Nato and UN peacekeeping operations worldwide. TOW variants include multi-mission TOW 2A, TOW 2B, TOW 2B Aero, and TOW bunker-busters. Sky Soldier 16 aims to build a foundation for future allied training for both the forces, and improve unit lethality and tactical airborne proficiency for contingency operations. (Source: army-technology.com)
07 Mar 16. US explores off-axis laser detection technology to enhance ship protection. Key Points:
• The LITSABR project is developing an off-axis laser detection and characterisation capability using multistatic imaging sensors
• Off-axis laser detection supports counter directed-energy weapons efforts and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities
The US Navy’s (USN’s) Space and Naval Warfare System Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) Atmospheric Propagation Branch is maturing technologies and techniques supporting a new ‘off-axis’ laser detection capability offering the ability to detect indirect laser illumination.
Known as the laser identification through scattering and beam recognition (LITSABR) project, the initiative supports counter directed-energy weapons (CDEW) efforts and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. LITSABR is being supported by the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR’s) CDEW discovery and innovation programme. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/IHS Jane’s)
09 Mar 16. China assists North Korea with new 300mm rocket artillery system. Key Points:
• On 3 March North Korea fired six rounds from its new 300mm MRL in a show of defiance against new UN Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang
• The system seems to owe much to Chinese technology
China has apparently contributed significant technology to North Korea’s new 300mm guided multiple rocket launcher (MRL).
Following China’s late 2011 supply of six 16-wheel transporter erector launchers (TELs), North Korea’s new 300 mm MRL, which was first revealed during Pyongyang’s 10 October 2015 military parade, further illustrates the challenge in getting Beijing to comply with new tougher UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea, passed on 2 March this year.
On 3 March North Korean media reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had “guided” the firing of a “new type large-calibre multiple launch rocket system”. For the first time the North Korean report described the rocket as having a “controlled ordnance rocket warhead”, probably meaning the rocket uses a satellite-based guidance system to achieve greater accuracy