31 Jul 13. Ukraine expects to complete the development of its new Korsar (Corsair) anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) later this year, Ukroboronprom announced on 26 July, after completing further firing tests. The new multi-purpose missile is shoulder-fired, guided by a semi-active laser seeker, and can be used against both stationary and moving armoured targets. The Korsar is billed as able to defeat armoured targets from main battle tanks (MBTs) to armoured personnel carriers (APCs), and high-speed landing craft. The Korsar is also capable of hitting small targets, such as hull-down MBTs, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), said Oleg Korostelyov, general designer of SKDB Luch, the developer of the Korsar. (Source: Jane’s)
01 Aug 13. IAF to establish first Iron Dome battery for reserve soldiers. The Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) Aerial Defense Division is currently setting up the first Iron Dome anti-rocket defence system battery for use by the reserve soldiers. Representing the overall sixth battery in service with the IAF, the new battery is scheduled to constitute the basis of a full reserve battalion and will be used for operation of the Iron Dome system during emergencies, alongside other regular forces’ batteries in the future. Aerial Defense Division Active Defense wing commander colonel Tzivika Haimovitch said the establishment of the latest battery forms part of the force-buildup of the Iron Dome Division, which combines both regular and reserve forces. The reservists, including combat soldiers, interceptors and technicians are now scheduled to be trained in operation of the system and its deployment in different operational territories during emergencies. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with significant funding support from the US, Iron Dome is a mobile air defence system designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and 155mm artillery shells in all weather conditions. Equipped with a tracking radar, a battle management and weapons control unit and a missile firing unit, the system can simultaneously intercept multiple threats that are launched from a distance of four to 70km, and aircraft flying at high altitudes. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
31 Jul 13. USMC to issue enhanced combat helmets for soldiers. The US Marine Corps (USMC) will induct the new enhanced combat helmet (ECH) in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, following successful completion of stringent tests. The enhanced combat helmet has been developed by the USMC, in collaboration with the US Army and US Navy, following an urgent requirement initiative in March 2009 to produce a helmet capable of providing enhanced ballistic protection from selected small-arms ammunition and fragmentation. Compatible with other components of infantry combat equipment including body armour, protective goggles, night vision equipment and a camouflage fabric helmet cover, the ECH will maintain all other characteristics of the marines’ lightweight helmet and the army’s advanced combat helmet. Marine Corps Systems Command’s (MCSC) ECH team lead Deidre Hooks said the ECH has undergone testing and successfully passed using director of operational test and evaluation (DOT&E) protocols. (Source: naval-technology.com)
30 Jul 13. Serbia’s indigenously developed PORS (Protivoklopni Raketni Sistem) Bumbar short-range antitank missile system is expected to complete its service-acceptance tests by the end of 2013. Working under a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract, the Krusik Holding Corporation from Valjevo built an initial batch of systems in 2012-13. This batch has now been completed and, according to Serbian internet sources, 50 missiles have been delivered. The basic system delivered during this LRIP phase consists of a 136 mm POVR (Protivoklopna Vodjena Raketa) missile in a transporting-launching container, the UVL (Uredzay za Vodzenye i Lansiranye) firing post, and a tripod or bipod mount. The PORS Bumbar system has suffered a