Sponsored by Control Solutions LLC.
http://www.controls.com/product-cat/systems/
——————————————————————-
22 Feb 17. Control Solutions Inc. launched its Remote Fire Option ™ (RFO) System at IDEX. The Remote Fire Option (RFO) system is a simple add-on to existing manned turrets currently installed in MRAPs and other tactical vehicles. It allows the gunner to remotely operate the gunner station during “overwatch” while protected inside of the armored vehicle, thus reducing gunner exposure to sniper fire, indirect fire, and enemy assaults. RFO incorporates the ISTEC camera system.
When the gunner senses the need to switch to remote fire operations, he can move down inside the vehicle and activate the RFO feature by flipping a switch on the control box. This locks the gun in alignment with the camera and activates the firing solenoid, camera, display, traverse and elevation drives, and joystick. The gunner then uses the joystick and trigger button to acquire and engage the target.
The RFO system consists of low-cost, commercial-off-the-shelf components. These “plug-and-play” components include a remote fire solenoid, traverse and elevation drives, day/night camera with infrared illuminator, user interface with color display, joystick and trigger, all of which are easily integrated into existing turrets. The RFO weapon system is simple to operate with minimal training while providing a major tactical advantage by allowing the gunner to deliver suppressive firepower from a protected position.
• Enables existing powered turrets to be remotely operated from inside the protection of the vehicle
• Allows threat engagement while providing maximum protection during overwatch
• Remote target engagement via joystick trigger
• View the threat environment on hi-res video display
• Major Improvement in crew safety and system effectiveness
23 Feb 17. Leonardo’s Vulcano 155 mm guided ammunition to be tested by USN. Key Points:
• The USN is to explore Vulcano munitions for compatibility with DDG 1000s
• Leonardo and DRS Technologies will conduct fire trials during 2017
Italy-based Leonardo has been invited by the US Navy (USN) to verify and test its Vulcano guided ammunition for potential application to the DDG 1000 MK 51 155mm calibre Advanced Gun System (AGS), according to Gianpiero Lorandi, managing director of Leonardo’s Defence Systems division.
With the support of the Leonardo subsidiary DRS Technologies, based in the United States, Leonardo is expected to “conduct a two-phased fire trials campaign” after verification and testing, Lorandi told Jane’s at IDEX. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
24 Feb 17. MBDA To Lead The Mid-Life Refurbishment of Storm Shadow/SCALP. The UK and French Ministries of Defence have jointly announced they have contracted MBDA for the mid-life refurbishment of Storm Shadow/SCALP EG cruise missiles. This will prolong the operational superiority of the weapon against the anticipated evolving threat well into next decade
This constitutes another major step in the Franco-British route map, continuing the cooperation in the deep strike domain which was initiated with the launch of the Storm Shadow / SCALP programme in 1996. The Storm Shadow / SCALP mid-life refurbishment programme will include a development phase and will be validated by a series of flight trials during 2019. The first refurbished missiles are expected to be returned to the French and UK armed by early 2020.
Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA, said: “The Storm Shadow / SCALP programme is of special significance to MBDA because it launched the creation of Matra BAe Dynamics and its industrial organization subsequently served as a model for the whole MBDA group. This model today remains unique in the defence industry. It has given our customers in Europe as well as in our export markets, access at an affordable cost to operational capabilities with no equivalent in the world, such as SCALP / Storm Shadow