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14 Feb 19. Lebanon receives first APKWS rockets. Lebanon has received its first consignment of BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) air-to-surface rockets for use on its ground attack aircraft and helicopters. The delivery, which was announced by the US Embassy in Beirut on 13 February, was flown to the country aboard a US Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifter. The rockets will arm the Lebanese Air Force’s (LAF’s) Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)-Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft and MD Helicopters Inc MD 530G light attack helicopters. The APKWS laser-guided rocket is a low-cost, precision munition system that adapts a standard 70mm (2.75 inch) unguided rocket into a laser-guided weapon capable of engaging unarmoured and lightly armoured targets. To use it the mid-body guidance section is simply screwed between the rocket motor and the warhead. The rocket is then loaded into a conventional 70mm rocket launcher. Originally designed for use for helicopters and later adapted for fixed-wing aircraft, the AKPWS has a small warhead and increased accuracy for reduced collateral damage. It is also smaller and cheaper than most other precision rockets in the US inventory. A total of 2,000 APKWS rockets were sold to Lebanon as part of a wider deal for six Super Tucano turboprops that was signed in October 2015. Besides the rockets, the aircraft are equipped with two 12.7mm (.50 calibre) machine guns and are being supplied with AN/AAR-60(V)2 missile launch detection systems and AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispensers. The Super Tucano is also qualified to carry AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 and GBU-58 Paveway II laser guided bombs, but no mention has been made of sales of these particular weapons to Lebanon. All six aircraft were delivered to Lebanon by May 2018. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
14 Feb 19. India clears proposal to produce Kalashnikov rifles with Russia. The Government of India has cleared a proposal for setting up a plant to produce at least 747,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles by a JV between Ordnance Factory Board and a Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern. The plant will be built near Amethi in the Uttar Pradesh state. ANI reported that the Centre cleared a proposal for the joint production of Kalashnikov series assault rifles for the Indian Army. According to media reports, an intergovernmental agreement for this joint venture is expected to be signed later this week. The JV comes in response to the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s Request for Information (RFI) for procurement of 650,000 assault rifles of 7.62×39mm calibre under its ‘Make in India’ programme.
Under the deal, India will secure around 50,000 assault rifles once the joint venture is inked, reported Zee News. In the JV, the Russian government will hold 49% stake, reported International Business Times. Since October, Russia has been pushing for this deal. In December, the two countries agreed on setting up a Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on military and military-technical cooperation.
During the intergovernmental commission meeting, it was decided that the Kalashnikovs will be manufactured in India under the Make in India programme.
This deal will help India provide modern weapons to its army’s infantry division guarding the country’s borders.
This week, the government has signed a deal with US-based Sig Sauer for the procurement of 72,400 7.6mm assault rifles for the Indian Army’s infantry division under fast-track procedures.
PTI reported that the cost of the deal is around Rs7bn.
India has also signed contracts with the US for the purchase of assault rifles currently used by armed forces in the US and several European countries. The US firm will have to begin delivery of the rifles within a year, reported PTI. Once deliveries begin, the Indian Army will receive 66,400 of the assault rifles, the airforce will secure 4,000, and the Indian Navy will receive the remaining 2,000. (Source: army-technology.com)
14 Feb 19. BAE Systems to build facility at Holston Army Ammunition Plant. The US Army has awarded a contract to BAE Systems to build a Recrystallization and Slurry Coating Formulation facility at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant (HSAAP). Under the $74.7m contract, the company will carry out design, construction and commissioning of the new facility. The facility is a part of several multi-year US Army-driven modernisation requirements for the HSAAP. Since 1999, BAE has been serving as the operating contractor of the HSAAP, which is the major supplier of explosive materials to the US Department of Defense. Modernisation planning, project management, design, and construction work activities at the army munition facilities are provided by BAE Systems Ordnance Systems. The new facility will improve production efficiency and play a major role in the manufacturing of a number of products that support the US military.
BAE Systems Ordnance Systems modernisation director Mark Hellstern said: “The new facility will allow HSAAP to enhance production capabilities of our current product base and will support future product requirements as needed by the US Department of Defense. Our modernisation efforts will help ensure the long-term viability of the Holston facility in its strategic support to meet current and future demands, both domestically and abroad.”
Equipped with advanced safety and environmental controls, the facility helps modernise energetics manufacturing by allowing them to be ‘recrystallised’ to meet quality and formulation specifications.
In addition, the facility will allow materials to be ‘dewatered’ and prepared for further processing. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed in late 2021. In December, BAE Systems received a $96.6m contract modification to design, build, and commission a natural gas-fired steam facility at HSAAP. (Source: army-technology.com)
12 Feb 19. UK to double armed-ISR aircraft with ‘Venom kinetic strike capability.’ The UK is to arm additional airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms under a programme known as the ‘Venom kinetic strike capability’, the Secretary of State for Defence said on 11 February.
Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, Gavin Williamson said that the Royal Air Force (RAF) will double its armed ISR capability under the initiative, although he provided no further details.
“The RAF will double [its] armed ISR capability so we can identify and neutralise targets far faster. The Venom kinetic strike capability will mean those who wish to do us harm have more to fear,” Williamson said.
In response to a request for comment, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson told Jane’s , “Venom kinetic strike capability is [a] programme under development to increase the lethality of ISR platforms. The name Venom used is aligned to a programme and not necessarily a weapon.” The spokesperson added that the MoD is unlikely to release any additional information related to the programme, which is largely classified.
The RAF’s airborne ISR fleet currently comprises six Boeing E-3D Sentry AEW1 Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft; four Raytheon Sentinel R1s; five Raytheon Shadow R1s; three L-3 RC-135W Airseekers; and 10 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Of these, only the Reapers are armed.
While media reports have cited official sources as saying that both the Shadow and Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules (which is not acknowledged to be an ISR platform in UK service) will be armed under the project, the MoD told Jane’s that reference to any specific platforms with relation to Venom kinetic strike capability at this stage is “speculation”. However, both the C-130J and Shadow are used as special forces platforms, which would explain the MoD’s reluctance to comment publicly on them being armed if that is indeed the case. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Feb 19. Rail For Handguns. The U.S. Army has certified the T-Worx intelligent equipment rail. Accessories such as optics and range finders are attached mechanically and optically to the handgun quickly and securely using equipment rails – such as the well-known Picatinny rail. The T-Worx rail offers additional power supply for accessories and data connections. This enables easy integration into C2 systems. Central power supply contributes to weight savings. The T-Worx rail is to be incorporated into the “Next Generation Squad Weapons” programme for the future. (Source: ESD Spotlight)
12 Feb 19. SIG SAUER, Inc. is introducing its newest 300BLK ammunition – the 120gr supersonic 300BLK SBR Elite Copper Duty load, specifically designed for short barrel rifles. Available to the commercial market for the first time, this supersonic duty round is engineered for reliable, controlled, 1.8x expansion, and superior feeding out of rifles with sub-9-inch barrels. The supersonic SBR Elite Copper Duty ammunition features an all-copper bullet and black oxide shell case to visually denote SBR capability. Velocity is 1,897 fps with muzzle energy of 959 ft-lbs out of a 6 ¾-inch barrel.
“The new 120gr supersonic SBR Elite Copper Duty ammunition delivers the highest terminal performance possible in short barrel AR-style rifles, something the professional community has been asking us to provide,” said Brad Criner, Senior Director, Brand Management and Business Development, SIG SAUER Ammunition. “Our various SIG Elite 300BLK ammunition loadings have been well received by match shooters, hunters, and law enforcement and government agencies, and there will be more exciting 300BLK offerings from SIG in the weeks to come.”
SIG Elite Copper Duty ammunition uses flash-reduced propellant to minimize visible signature while shooting in low-light situations. Premium-quality primers are also used to minimize variations in velocity The SIG SAUER 120gr supersonic 300BLK SBR Elite Copper Duty ammunition is now available for purchase at the sigsauer.com/store. All SIG SAUER Elite Ammunition is manufactured by SIG SAUER at its state-of-the-art ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas to the same exacting standards as the company’s premium pistols and rifles. For more information, visit sigsauer.com/ammunition
12 Feb 19. Thales conducts first laser-guided BAT-120LG shot. Thales, in collaboration with the French Directorate General of Armaments (Direction Générale de l’Armement: DGA), has conducted the first guided targeting shot of its prototype 120mm BAT-120 LG unpowered, lightweight, laser-guided, air-to-surface munition.
The BAT-120LG munition was launched from a French Air Force Mirage 2000D multirole combat aircraft against a static representative ground target at the DGA missile test range in Biscarrosse, southwest France, at the beginning of December 2018, the company has disclosed. This follows the first guided release of an all-up BAT-120LG round in June 2018 from the same aircraft type, also at Biscarrosse. During that trial the prototype munition executed trajectory corrections in accordance with the test plan. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
11 Feb 19. This multi-caliber rifle from Accuracy International could be a game-changer for snipers worldwide. Accuracy International is no stranger to the sniper rifle market, having produced top-notch bolt-action rifles for military and law enforcement customers for years. The company, co-founded by an Olympian sharpshooter, hopes its AXMC rifle might just be the game-changer military and police snipers across the world are looking for. Thanks to the good folks at AI, GearScout got the chance to take a closer look at the AXMC at SHOT Show 2019 in Las Vegas.
While multi-caliber weapons may be something more commonly talked about among preppers and hobbyists, there is a real-world benefit to such guns, especially in a military context. The ability to swap calibers and cartridges gives battlefield commanders at the small unit level a huge advantage in “customizing” their force appropriately for whatever mission they’re faced with.
As such, customization is exactly what AI promotes with the AXMC rifle platform, a derivative of the company’s Arctic Warfare gun, which has been around since the early 1980s.
The AXMC comes with 3-position safety an adjustable two-stage trigger, a configurable pistol grip and folding stock, as well as plenty of rail space for optics round off the features list for this rifle. (Photo by Ian D’Costa)
Part of the AX series of Arctic Warfare-type rifles, the AXMC can be modified to fire one of three different cartridges: .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, 7.62×51mm NATO/.308 Winchester.
The caliber change can be done at the operator-level in a matter of minutes using a fairly simple conversion kit.
An Allen key stored in the cheek rest can activate or deactivate the rifle’s Quickloc barrel release. Once the Quickloc has been disengaged, the user can remove and replace the barrel, add a new bolt specific to the caliber he plans on shooting, and (in the event that he chooses 7.62 NATO/.308 Win) a magazine insert.
AI offers a total of 8 stainless steel barrel options for the three different calibers:
- .338 LM: 20”/ 27” 1 in 9.35” twist
- .300 Win Mag: 20”/ 24”/ 26” 1 in 11” twist
- .308 Win: 20”/ 24”/ 26” 1 in 12” twist
All factory barrels come standard with threading for a muzzle brake or a suppressor.
The entire rifle weighs around 15 lbs, and comes with a proofed steel action with the built-in Quickloc barrel swapping system, both of which are bolted and bonded to aluminum chassis for a tighter action and better accuracy.
The AXMC comes with 3-position safety an adjustable two-stage trigger, a configurable pistol grip and folding stock, as well as plenty of rail space for optics round off the features list for this rifle.
According to AI’s reps at SHOT Show, the AXMC has been steadily gaining traction with a growing number of customers and end-users outside the United Kingdom (its home market).
Everyone from law enforcement tactical and SWAT teams to elite special operations forces from both NATO and non-NATO countries have either expressed interest or have already put cash down on the AXMC. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Military Times)
11 Feb 19. Indian Army to begin deploying new sniper rifles in Kashmir. The Indian Army (IA) will soon begin inducting two new types of bolt-action sniper rifle for use along the line of control (LOC) in the disputed mountainous region of Kashmir, which is also claimed by Pakistan. IA sources told Jane’s that 24 new sniper rifles were recently acquired as an “emergency purchase” following sustained sniping by the Pakistan Army across the LOC. These include the .338 Scorpio TGT variant of the Minerva Tactical sniper rifle from Italy’s Victrix Armaments, and the Model 95 .50-calibre rifle from US firm Barrett. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
08 Feb 19. Raytheon to be awarded TMRR and EMD contracts for JSOW-ER missile. The US Navy (USN) is to award Raytheon a sole-source contract for the technology maturation risk-reduction (TMRR) and engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) phase of the extended-range (ER) variant of the AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW).
A notification, issued by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on 7 February, covers the TMRR and EMD phase of the JSOW-ER long-range air-to-surface missile that is intended to equip both the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft. Deployment of the missile is due no later than fiscal year 2023 (FY 2023). The JSOW-ER has the same size, shape, and weight as the baseline JSOW glide-weapon, but incorporates a Hamilton Sundstrand TJ-150 turbojet (as fitted onto Raytheon’s MALD [miniature air-launched decoy]) to give it a reported range of about 463 km (compared with 22 km for the JSOW), while Raytheon has said it expects a maximum effective range of 555.6 km when launched under optimum conditions.
As noted by Jane’s Weapons: Air-Launched , the JSOW-ER shares the same upgraded imaging infrared (2IR/IIR) seeker as the AGM-154C-1-variant JSOW, which includes new modes (modified software) to engage moving targets at sea. It is equipped with a Rockwell Collins TacNet 1.0 (two-way strike common weapon datalink [SCWDL]) that enables the launch aircraft or another designated controller to provide real-time target updates to the weapon, or to reassign it to another target mid-flight.
In terms of its warhead, the JSOW-ER can be fitted with the same penetrating effect as the multistage BROACH (Bomb Royal Ordnance Augmented Charge) developed by BAE Systems, but with less blast/fragmentation. It might incorporate less steel in the warhead or adopt a new fragmentation sleeve. The demonstrator airframe flown in October 2009 had a hollow space containing fuel where a BLU-111 warhead would be fitted onto a standard weapon, while Raytheon noted that a production JSOW-ER would have a smaller warhead to accommodate the necessary fuel tank. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
11 Feb 19. India’s DRDO flight tests SFDR propulsion based missile system. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out the flight test of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion based missile system. The testing of the second indigenously developed technology SFDR was conducted from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. During the test, the missile was launched and guided to reach a high altitude to simulate aircraft release conditions. Following this, the ignition process of the nozzle-less-booster was initiated for the SFDR based missile to achieve ramjet Mach. Defence scientists found that the performance of the ground booster, separation of the ground booster and nozzle-less-booster to be ‘satisfactory’.
In a statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence said: “The trajectory was tracked by telemetry and radar stations till touchdown. All the mission objectives have been met.”
“The success of SFDR propulsion technology is a significant milestone and will pave the way for the development of long-range air-to-air missiles in the country.”
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other officials congratulated the defence scientists on the success. The Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL) is serving as the project’s lead agency. In a separate development, the Indian Army has reportedly flight tested the helicopter-launched, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) Helina. During the trial, the weapon system was tested for its full range. The DRDO-developed Helina system is the helicopter-launched version of India’s NAG missile and has a hit range of 7km to 8km. It is considered to be one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world. (Source: army-technology.com)
11 Feb 19. Poland to sign $414m deal for rocket launchers. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced his government will sign a deal to purchase the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, on Feb. 13. The announcement was made Feb. 10 during Morawiecki’s visit to the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade.
“We need to have a strong, modern military. The armored, artillery and rocket forces … are part of and will contribute to developing [it],” Morawiecki said.
The Polish Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the contract will be worth $414m. Poland’s first HIMARS division is to comprise 18 combat-ready launchers and two launchers intended for training activities, the ministry said. In October 2018, the Polish government sent an official request to buy the Lockheed Martin-made systems rocket launchers under its HOMAR program. Last November, Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak announced the U.S. State Department had approved the request, and he said he was positive the Congress would also provide its approval to the deal.
Poland has intensified efforts to acquire new weapons and expand its defense capabilities as a response to Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and its annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014. The acquisition will allow the country to become the second Eastern European ally to purchase HIMARS, following Romania which signed a letter of agreement with the United States in February 2018 to acquire the system.
08 Feb 19. New report suggests different US Navy carrier air wing mix could deliver payload twice as far. Key Points:
- A new report suggests the USN field a different aircraft mix in a future carrier air wing
- This could improve range, endurance, survivability, and payload capacity
The US Navy (USN) could deliver payload twice as far or remain on station much longer if it fields a future carrier air wing with a different mix of aircraft instead of its current plan, according to a new study.
In its report released 7 February, ‘Regaining the High Ground at Sea’, the Washington-based Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) think tank proposes a carrier air wing mix fielded by 2040 that is built around 18 unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs), 10 F/A-XX strike fighters, 10 Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs), and six UCAV-based airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft.
Although the aggregate payload capacity of the proposed carrier air wing is about the same as the USN’s plan, CSBA believes its carrier air wing would improve range, endurance, survivability, and payload capacity compared with today’s carrier air wings. The USN’s planned carrier air wing would centre around 20 F-35Cs and 24 Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets or F/A-XX strike fighters.
The proposed carrier air wing would also incorporate more specialised aircraft to address the growing capability of great power competitors such as China or Russia. The long-range F/A-XX fighter will be better able to counter enemy defensive counterair (DCA) aircraft, and the UCAV will be a more effective platform to support long-endurance combat air patrol (CAP) missions for air defence, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) than the USN’s planned carrier air wing of short-range strike fighters. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
08 Feb 19. US Army Invents 40mm Grenade That Nets Bad Drones. US Army researchers have packed a net into a 40mm grenade so they can take down enemy drones. The new invention, which was patented on Tuesday, brings high-tech engineering to the tried-and-true grenade launchers common among U.S. military and law enforcement units. Rather than launching a net outright, the grenade is activated by a proximity sensor within feet of a moving target, ejecting a spinning net with significantly improved accuracy and duration compared to, say, a pair of hand-thrown bolas.
“As the round nears the target, a signal from a control board activates a servo. The servo pulls on a central lock plunger to release a ball mechanism. This releases the ogive section, which in turn allows the ejection spring means to eject the petals and weights along with the net stowed there within,” according to the patent.
More importantly, the 40mm net grenade is perfectly compatible with the M302 single-shot underslung grenade launcher that’s a frequent addition to the standard issue M4 carbine an M16 assault rifle, as well as the Mk 19 belt-fed grenade launcher.
The new warhead was invented by Tomasz Blyskal, Richard Fong, and LaMar Thompson of the Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey.
Initial testing showed that their round outperforms other net-centric counter-drone tactics like dragging a net from another larger drone, according to the Army, because that requires trained pilots and doesn’t work when trying to “ensnare many, or swarms of drones.”
Anyone who knows ‘The Fifth Element’ will recognise the technology: (Source: UAS VISION/Task & Purpose; TechLink)
08 Feb 19. Lithuania to donate Soviet-made light small arms ammunition to Ukraine. The Lithuanian Government has decided to donate Soviet-made light small arms ammunition to the Ukraine Ministry of Defence (MoD). Worth €255,000 and transferred on a non-reimbursable basis, the ammunition can be used in automatic rifles, machine-guns to ensure national security and defence. The Lithuanian Armed Forces is currently not using the munitions and is not planning to use them in future.
Lithuania National Defence Minister Raimundas Karoblis said: “The transfer of assets is a part of consistent and comprehensive Lithuanian support to Ukraine as it strengthens its defence capabilities in order to ensure independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country.”
The Baltic state has been providing military aid, political support and legally permitted assistance to Ukraine since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, an autonomous republic within Ukraine.
Lithuania’s material assistance and weaponry element to the Ukrainian Armed Forces falls under all applicable international agreements and conventions, as well as European Union and national legislation.
The transferred assets can also be used by the Ukrainian MoD’s subordinate institutions. They can be deployed during participation in regional and collective agreements, and activities in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations.
In a statement, the Lithuania National Defence Ministry said: “The stance has the support of Lithuania’s population; 64% of respondents in a public opinion poll carried by request of the Ministry of National Defence late last year were in favour of Lithuania’s military assistance to Ukraine.”
“Also, Lithuania and allies assist Ukraine in its reform, training and mentoring of its armed forces, Lithuania provides medical care for injured Ukrainian soldiers.” (Source: army-technology.com)
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