18 Nov 13. Almaz-Antey develops new Tor-2 air defence system variant. Almaz-Antey has manufactured an advanced variant of the Tor-M2 short-range surface-to-air anti-aircraft missile system, the company’s research and development head Sergei Druzin has announced. Druzin was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying that the new 9M338 missiles equipped variant features enhanced precision, an extended firing range, increased ammunition-carrying capacity, and has already completed successful testing in October 2013. Additional system enhancements are being considered, to enable missile launches at acquired targets while on the move, through elimination of the launcher’s stop time when it is about to fire, according to Druzin, who further noted that new varinat and 9M338 missiles have been approved by a state commission for mass production. Originally manufactured by the Soviet Union under the GRAU designation 9K330, Tor is an all-weather low-to-medium altitude missile system, designed to efficiently engage and destroy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, precision guided munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and short range ballistic targets. An upgraded variant of the Tor M-1 system, Tor-M2 features enhanced fire control radar coverage, and for guidance channels enabling the operator to guide up to four missiles at one time, and can destroy medium and low flying targets in adverse air and jamming environment. Both Tor-M1 and Tor-M2U variants, armed with 9M331 missiles, are currently operational with the Russian Army. Besides Russia, the systems are also in use with Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Egypt, Iran and Venezuela among others. (Source: army-technology.com)
20 Nov 13. Raytheon Company’s Patriot Air and Missile Defense System successfully test fired two Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The mission consisted of two single firings against single tactical ballistic missile representative targets. The test firing was part of the Field Surveillance Program (FSP) and, with potential international customers in attendance, is the second successful FSP mission in the span of 12 months. Annual FSP firings are intended to demonstrate the viability and performance of existing fielded interceptors. Interceptors are selected at random for independent assessment of the globally fielded interceptor lot. Raytheon assists its worldwide Patriot customer base in maintaining its operational readiness. Earlier this month, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force successfully completed a series of test firings at its Annual Service Practice at McGregor Range, N.M. In October, the Republic of Korea conducted a successful test of its Patriot system.
19 Nov 13. DSM Dyneema, the manufacturer of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE) fiber, branded as Dyneema®, and world leader in life protection materials and high performance fibers, officially introduced Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology, built on its Radical Innovation platform, the company’s newest product development program. Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology combines breakthroughs in polymer science, next-generation fiber technology and unique uni-directional engineering to deliver up to 25 percent higher ballistic protection while reducing weight by up to 20 percent. Here at Milipol 2013, the company is showcasing the first products for soft and hard ballistic protection applications featuring this new technology. All are manufactured at the DSM Dyneema facility in Greenville, N.C.
19 Nov 13. Indian Army test launches Brahmos block III variant. The Indian Army has successfully test launched an advanced variant of the
BrahMos supersonic cruise missile at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan, India. Launched from a mobile autonomous launcher (MAL), the BrahMos Block III variant followed the prespecified trajectory and successfully pierced the designated ‘concrete structure at bull’s eye’, Press Trust of India reported. Two regiments of the