03 Feb 14. Italian Navy’s Scire submarine test fires Black Shark Advanced torpedo. The Italian Navy’s second of the Todaro-class (U212) submarines, Scire (S527), has successfully test fired Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei (WASS)-built new Black Shark Advanced (BSA), for the first time, in the La Spezia gulf. Commissioned in February 2007, the hybrid submarine can accommodate a crew of 27 and is armed with six torpedo tubes. During the testing, the torpedo was equipped in the new Lithium-Polymer Battery and has been launched in Push Out mode, a water ram expulsion system which uses high water pressure to eject the torpedo. The launch, dubbed ‘Short-Fire,’ is intended to demonstrate the WASS progresses in support of the New Heavyweight Torpedo project, being developed in cooperation with the Italian Navy. WASS chief executive officer Alessandro Franzoni said that the Black Shark weapon is the result of cutting-edge technology and Italian research. The Black Shark is a new generation powerful, long-range, wire guided and self- homing heavyweight torpedo. Designed to be launched from submarines or surface vessels, the stealth dual purpose wire-guided heavyweight torpedo can counter the threat posed by any type of surface or underwater target for the next 20 years. The Black Shark Advanced will replace the old A-184 heavyweight torpedo, currently in service aboard the Italian Navy’s submarines, over the next few years while significantly enhancing the navy’s ability to defend the waters. Armed with six torpedo tubes for DM2A4 heavyweight torpedoes, the two
Fincantieri-built U212 submarines are equipped with a highly-integrated command and weapons control system which interfaces with sensors, weapons and navigation systems. (Source: naval-technology.com)
03 Feb 14. NAVSEA plans Archerfish follow-on buy. The US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has disclosed plans to procure almost
1,000 additional Archerfish mine destructor vehicles as effectors for the US Navy’s (USN’s) AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralisation System (AMNS). Developed by BAE Systems, the Archerfish vehicle was in 2003 selected as the Common Neutraliser to equip the AN/ASQ-235 system. The AMNS equipment, part of the USN’s airborne organic mine clearance capability, is deployed from the MH-60S helicopter and is intended to neutralise bottom and moored sea mines. In a sole-source pre-solicitation notice published on 29 January, NAVSEA announced its plan to contract BAE Systems “to produce up to 966 Archerfish Neutralizers (Destructor, Mine Neutralization, Airborne EX 64 Mod 0 Archerfish, EX 65 Mod 0 Archerfish, and EX 66 Mod 0 Archerfish)”, together with fibre-optic spools, neutraliser interface boards, neutraliser interface and deployment packages, and support equipment.(Source: IHS Jane’s)
06 Feb 14. 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, introduced its new innovation platform Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology to the Indian market at Defexpo 2014, India. This new breakthrough innovation platform delivers products for use in soft and hard ballistic armor addresses increasing demands in India’s defense sector, including requirements for a higher level of protection and expanded protection area, as well as the adoption of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).06 standard – which are intensifying the need to reduce the weight of protective gear. Built on DSM Dyneema’s Radical Innovation platform, Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology delivers products with a unique combination of exceptional ballistic performance and the lightest weight and lowest profile of any ballistic material currently on the market. Depending on the protection level required for the armor application, it can provide up to 30 percent weight reduction. Several important factors are contributing to the need for lightweight life protection solut