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22 May 19. Belarus upgrades mid-range MRL inventory. The Belarusian military has launched an initiative to modernise its inventory of 9P140 Uragan (Whirlwind) 220 mm medium-range multiple rocket launchers (MRLs), a source from the country’s defence industry told Jane’s at the MILEX 2019 show, which was held in Minsk from 15-18 May.
“Belarus has started to upgrade its Uragan MRLs to the Uragan-M standard. The first modernised systems have already been despatched to the troops,” said the source, adding that the new programme envisages the update of “a large number” of Belarusian Uragans.
Uragan-M MRLs have already been exported to some customers. “I would point out that our vehicle has been tested in combat,” said the source, without specifying any foreign operators of the upgraded system. The 9P140MB Uragan-M is being updated by the Volatavto company. Unlike the basic Uragan, the upgraded vehicle is based on the chassis of the Belarusian-made MAZ-631705 6×6 wheeled truck. It has received a protected cabin, automated fire control system (FCS), and modern communications suite. “The crew [can] fire the rockets without leaving the cabin,” said the source.
The Uragan-M has retained the original 16-tube launch unit of the 9P140, with the source confirming that the upgraded system “fires the rockets of the baseline Uragan” and “is fully reloaded in no more than 14 minutes”.
The 9P140MB’s combat vehicle weighs 23,100 kg and is manned by a four-strong crew. The system has a firing range of 10-36km, a top speed of 80km/h, and a cruising range of up to 1,350km. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 May 19. US Army and UK MoD move out with plans to acquire Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist Light Decoupled APS. Israeli-based Elbit Systems is slated to receive two coveted contracts for its Iron Fist Light Decoupled (IF-LD) active protection system (APS), one from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and another from the US Army.
Both countries recently detailed plans to acquire the system, with the US Army planning to award General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (Elbit Systems’ US-based partner) with a new USD122.2mi contract in January 2020, and the UK MoD awarding Elbit Systems a USD1.5m (GBP1.2m) contract for a single system to evaluate.
According to US Army plans, the new multi-million dollar contract will cover 154 IF-LD systems, as well as 14 calibration and maintenance kits, and 2,484 IF-LD APS countermeasures for its Bradley fleet.
“These items will be installed on Bradley Fighting Vehicles for testing and as needed to meet the demands of the European Deterrence Initiative,” the service wrote in a 21 May announcement on the Federal Business Opportunities website.
Over the past several decades, the US ground service has grappled with APS fielding over numerous attempts to develop a ‘best-of-breed’ system, as well as fielding near-term solutions. Now, with the proliferation of Russian anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), the US Army is developing a Modular Active Protection System while also crafting a plan to field non-developmental systems. So far, the service has decided to field Rafael’s Trophy system on its Abrams tank and Iron Fist on its M2 Bradley while it continues to evaluate which system is best for its fleet of Stryker vehicles.
In addition to fielding IF-LD on some of its fleet of Bradley vehicles, the service is also pairing the hard-kill system with BAE Systems’ RAVEN soft-kill APS system on the vehicle for a layered demonstration this year. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 May 19. India claims new first for world’s fastest cruise missile. India said the world’s fastest cruise missile passed another key test on 22 May when it successfully hit a land target after being fired from a fighter jet.
India is developing the supersonic BrahMos missile – which has a top speed of 3,450 kilometres (2,140 miles) per hour – with Russia, and according to media reports wants to soon start selling it abroad. The missile is one-and-a-half times faster than the old Concorde supersonic jet.
The Indian defence ministry said a specially converted Su-30 MKI fighter jet successfully fired the 2.5-tonne missile, which has a range of about 300 kilometres (185 miles). ‘The launch from the aircraft was smooth and the missile followed the desired trajectory before directly hitting the land target,’ a ministry statement said.
It did not say where the test was staged or give other details apart from saying ‘very complex’ mechanical, electrical and software modifications were made to the Russian-origin fighter jet.
The first test on a sea target was staged in November 2017.
India said then it was the first country ‘to have successfully fired an air launched 2.8 Mach surface attack missile of this category on a sea target’.
‘The BrahMos missile provides Indian Air Force a much-desired capability to strike from large stand-off ranges on any target at sea or on land with pinpoint accuracy by day or night and in all weather conditions,’ the ministry said.
India has already ordered sea-launched versions of the missile for its navy, and specialist defence media reports have said the BrahMos could start being introduced to the air force from 2020. BrahMos is a joint venture between India and Russia and officials from the enterprise have said at recent international air shows that discussions on sales are being held with a number of countries.
Media reports have said Southeast Asian countries have expressed particular interest, which could worry China.
India and Russia are reported to be preparing plans for a longer-range version of the missile which could fly at up to Mach 5, or 6,125 kilometres (3,800 miles) per hour.
BrahMos is named for the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers of India and Russia respectively. (Source: Shephard)
22 May 19. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) successfully tested an advanced warhead for the new DeepStrike® surface-to-surface missile, moving the weapon closer to its first flight test planned for later this year. The DeepStrike missile is Raytheon’s offering for the U.S. Army’s Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, program. PrSM will replace the Army Tactical Missile System, which was designed in the 1970s and is rapidly approaching the end of its service life. During the arena test, experts at the National Technical Systems testing facility detonated the warhead inside a controlled environment and determined it exceeds Army performance requirements based on the mass and distribution of fragments.
“This test, on the heels of our successful preliminary design review for DeepStrike, shows how quickly we are moving to deliver this much-needed capability to ground troops,” said Dr. Thomas Bussing, Raytheon Advanced Missile Systems vice president. “With our advanced technology and expertise in missile design and development, Raytheon is uniquely positioned to provide the Army with the best possible, long-range surface-to-surface missile.”
Featuring an innovative, two-in-the-pod design and other advancements, Raytheon’s new, long-range precision strike missile will fly farther, faster, cover more range and double the firepower at half the cost. It’s also more maneuverable and has a modular, open architecture that simplifies system upgrades.
Raytheon’s DeepStrike missile will defeat fixed land targets 60-499 kilometers away, improve responsiveness compared to current systems and restore the Army’s capability to overmatch an adversary on the battlefield.
21 May 19. Are nonlethal laser drones the new stun guns? With a less-lethal weapon, there is always the risk that it might be bested by more-lethal means. Escalation and immediate response needs can lead to a shoot-first mentality, with less harmful tools kept as an alternative. But if those less-lethal tools are put on a robot, the danger suddenly shifts. Why not send a drone with a stun gun after a person with unknown armament? Worst comes to worst, it’s just another disable robot.
This is, perhaps, one of the reasons Russia’s Scientific and Production Association of Special Materials Corporation is looking to display a drone armed with both a stun gun and an incapacitating laser weapon at the Army 2019 expo in June. Detailed by Interfax, the lightweight vehicle will carry a laser meant to only induce temporary blindness, rather than deliberately cause any permanent damage. (This is the proverbial bright line for all laser and directed-energy weapons, which are permissible to cause permanent damage to sensors, weapons and uncrewed vehicles, but which are bound by the 1995 Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons to not cause permanent harm to human eyesight.)
“This drone is definitely intended for internal security where killing the perpetrator is not recommended or is not the final outcome,” said Samuel Bendett, an adviser at the Center for Naval Analyses. “We do know that Russian National Guard, for example, is interested in a range of technologies for crowd control and internal security — this newly established security agency has also been shopping for drones lately.”
While the Special Materials Corporation doesn’t appear to have any existing drones in its inventory, it does have a range of stun guns and other tools marked to internal security forces. One such laser is designed as an incapacitating tool, with a minimum safe distance of 13 feet. Whether or not a drone built to fly lasers and stun guns toward people will keep that minimum safe distance depends a lot on the code that goes into programming it and the skill of the human piloting it.
“This particular design may have been influenced by Russian experience in Syria — as are many of today’s [Ministry of Defence Tactics, Techniques and Procedures] and [concept of operations],” said Bendett, a fellow in Russian studies at the American Foreign Policy Council. “Judging by the “urban” purpose of this UAV, Russian military and security agency have a need for a technology that incapacitates the adversary either for capturing or for simply flushing him out of hiding (not necessarily to be killed).”
While the burning and melting of directed-energy weapons are the most eye-catching function, we’ve already seen laser dazzlers used to disable or damage sensors on aircraft. That sensor-disabling will only become a bigger part of military missions as more and more uncrewed vehicles enter the battlefield. Russia is already exploring drones using non-lethal means against other drones. And while North Dakota police decided against outfitting drones with stun guns in 2015, equipping robots remains a stated goal of stun gun makers in the United States.
“This drone can be a disruptor without the need to employ larger technology like crowd-control trucks and maybe even without the need to utilize soldiers or police to disperse people — that is why this UAV can also be equipped with a loudspeaker, a siren and a thermal imager,” said Bendett.
Tools and techniques developed for internal security can find their way to the battlefields of irregular warfare, and vice versa. Less-lethal means attached to nonliving machines can shape fights in unique ways, and ones that should be expected in the future. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
21 May 19. New FN MK48 machine gun could address SOCOM desire for 6.5 mm round and assault machine gun. FN America says its new version of the MK48 may address SOCOM’s desire for an assault machine gun and new caliber round. The military small arms manufacturer on Tuesday unveiled a new prototype of its MK48 machine gun, which is now chambered for the 6.5 mm Creedmoor round, at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida. SOCOM has been interested in the 6.5 mm round for several years. Experts say has the potential to lighten loads, increase accuracy, reduce recoil and increase range.
Research has shown that the 6.5mm round will “stay supersonic longer, have less wind drift and better terminal performance than 7.62 mm ammunition,” SOCOM officials previously told Army Times.
The 7.62 version of MK48 has been a program of record for SOCOM since 2003, and is fielded by Army Rangers and Navy SEALS.
The new MK48 MOD 2 version of the FN manufactured machine gun is scaled down from the 7.62mm to the 6.5 Creedmoor round.
The 6.5 Creedmoor version of the MK48 will have a softer recoil and “better more predictable trajectory,” Lynn Ashley, assistant vice president of individual weapons military operations for FN America, told Military Times.
“It’s like shooting a 5.56,” Ashley said.
The new MK48 also comes with new enhancements like a new saddle for mounting lasers and lights, a new grip, lock charging handle, adjustable stock, improved bi-pod and better feed tray, according to Aloysius Donovan, the director of individual weapons military operations for FN America.
Ashley says the new MK48 could save taxpayers money.
Though, changing the barrels wouldn’t provide the special operators with all the bells and whistles that come with the full MOD 2 upgrade, Lynn added.
“You want a program or a platform that allows you to evolve,” Lynn said.
In April 2017, Army Times reported that SOCOM was interested in a polymer version of 6.5 mm round to reduce the weight carried by special operations forces.
In 2018, SOCOM decided to replace their 7.62 sniper rifles with 6.5 Creedmoor round, in an effort to increase range and accuracy of its special operations snipers.
Army Times reported that special operations snipers would see modifications and barrel changes to support the new 6.5 Creedmoor round in 2019. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Army Times)
22 May 19. The Belgian Defence notifies Belgium Naval & Robotics the supply contract for 12 minehunters equipped with their drone systems. Today, the Belgium Naval & Robotics consortium, composed of Naval Group and ECA Group, was awarded the contract to supply twelve mine-hunting vessels to the Belgian and Dutch navies. Equipped with around 100 drones, constituting approximately ten drone systems (toolboxes), six ships are destined for the Belgian Navy, while the other six will be delivered to the Dutch Navy.
The contract, worth nearly two billion euros, will last ten years. After a three-year design phase, Belgium Naval & Robotics will launch the production phase of the ships and drone systems with a first delivery expected in 2024.
The Belgium Naval & Robotics consortium as well as the Naval Group and ECA Group teams are honored by the confidence of the Belgian and Dutch navies and look forward to this upcoming collaboration.
An innovative solution for robotic mine warfare
Belgium Naval & Robotics, thanks to Naval Group’s recognized expertise, offers a 2800-ton militarized ship specialized in mine warfare with military characteristics (acoustic and electromagnetic discretion, shock resistance) perfectly adapted to the operational use targeted by the Belgian and Dutch navies. In particular, this vessel incorporates an implementation and recovery system for ECA Group’s Inspector 125 unmanned surface vehicles (USV). This innovative, robust and reliable system ensures the safety of operators and maneuvers to protect the ship, the USV and its payloads, while offering a high level of mission availability.
The drone systems on board these innovative vessels are the latest generation of drones developed by ECA Group over the past four years. They are integrated into the C2 MCM Umisoft system connected to the Naval Group’s I4drones® system to form the mine-warfare mission system integrated into the ship’s combat system.
The solution includes A18-M autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), T18-M towed sonars and Mine Identification & Destruction Systems (MIDS) composed of SEASCAN and KSTER-C remotely operated vehicles (ROV). All these drones can be operated autonomously from the USV Inspector 125. The drone system also includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and dredgers.
The program provides for the supply of drone systems that can also be projected. Containerized and equipped with handling and communication systems, mine-hunting drone systems can be airlifted and deployed directly from the coast without a ship.
A vast cooperation plan with the Belgian industry
Belgium Naval & Robotics will carry out a significant part of the contract in Belgium, in particular the production of certain equipment for the ship and all naval drones. Ship maintenance will be carried out in Zeebrugge in partnership with Flanders Ship Repair (FSR). The maintenance of naval drones will also be carried out in Zeebrugge according to the needs of the customer, who already has maintenance facilities on his naval base.
The cooperation plan already includes 39 Belgian partners and the notification of the contract will make it possible to finalize the last ones and reach some 50 agreements.
The contract should thus generate an average of 350 jobs per year in the three regions of Belgium.
A reference on export markets
The Belgian and Dutch navies being a reference in mine warfare within NATO, the choice of our consortium is a major asset for export.
The tripartite mine hunter program at the time had generated sales of self-propelled PAP robots in several dozen navies, as well as the export of mine-hunting vessels.
21 May 19. SEA, the UK’s defence systems and integration specialist, has produced a fully qualified and tested Light Weight (LW) Torpedo Trolley that can transport any LW torpedo. Initially commissioned by Leonardo Helicopters, SEA was tasked with designing and producing a trolley that can carry LiG Blue Shark LW Torpedoes, and allow a single person to safely and easily move any LW torpedo on-board a naval platform or shoreside facility. The Design Authority for the Royal Navy’s Magazine Torpedo Launch System (MTLS) and Air Weapon Handling Equipment (AWHE), SEA was able to design and deliver two compliant and operational trolleys to meet the project’s specific operational requirements and timeline.
Available to the wider market following its successful delivery, the trolley can be customised to meet each customer’s specific requirements and offers the capability to elevate the torpedo to load higher launch tubes or helicopter pylons. The modular design of the trolley allows it to interface with any LW torpedo on the market and complements SEA’s weapon-agnostic Torpedo Launcher System.
SEA Business Development Manager Andy Crouch commented, “Starting from our inherently modular design, the design and development expertise we have at SEA has enabled the delivery of what is in essence a prototype as a fully qualified and tested product, helping our customer achieve tight timeframe requirements.”
03 May 19. US Deploys THAAD Anti-Missile System In First Deployment to Romania. American troops offload a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launcher from a C-17 Globemaster III at Mihail Kogalniceanu (MK) Air Base, Romania, May 3, 2019. The THAAD deployed to Romania from 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command out of Fort Hood, Texas. The deployment of the THAAD is in support of the NATO Ballistic Missile Defense mission and reinforces the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to the defense of our NATO allies. The unit arrived in Romania in April to emplace a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system while NATO’s Aegis Ashore Ballistic Missile Defense site undergoes a long-planned update in the upcoming months. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/US Army)
21 May 19. British destroyer HMS Defender tests Sea Viper missile system. The British Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender has tested its Sea Viper missile system off the coast of Scotland. Travelling at four times the speed of sound (Mach 4), the missile hit an incoming drone target. Designed to simulate a projectile attack on the warship, the target flew faster and lower than the ones previously used.
The test represents the first time HMS Defender showcased its missile firing capability against this particular type of target.
In a statement, the Royal Navy stated that the successful test proved the ship’s ability to defend itself and other vessels from the incoming threat. It was conducted as part of US Navy-led Nato Exercise Formidable Shield.
HMS Defender senior warfare officer lieutenant commander Daniel Lee said: “Being a part of our first firing against a fast-moving, low-level target has been a really rewarding experience.
“Proving the effectiveness of the Sea Viper system against a more challenging target reassures us in the ability of HMS Defender to deliver on operations as an air defence destroyer.”
The UK’s Sea Viper air missile defence system comprises the Sampson radar and the Aster missile system. While the radar system is on top of a Type 45 destroyer’s main mast, the Aster missile system is positioned in a silo on the ship’s upper deck.
Sea Viper has the ability to track aircraft and other objects, identify threats, and destroy them when necessary.
Alongside HMS Defender, the ten-day exercise involved assets belonging to nine other navies at the Hebrides range in Scotland. (Source: naval-technology.com)
21 May 19. Lacroix positions variant of Sylena decoy system for Singapore’s MRCV. Following its success with recent naval programmes of Malaysia, Egypt and Qatar, French defence company Lacroix is building on this momentum and positioning a ‘fitted-for-purpose’ variant of its Sylena decoy launching systems for Singapore’s upcoming multi-role combat vessel (MRCV) programme. As part of these efforts, the company displayed a model of the Sylena Mk 2 launcher at the IMDEX 2019 naval and maritime exhibition in Singapore. The launcher, which can be loaded with the company’s Special Advanced Lacroix Electromagnetic (SEALEM) 08-01 or SEALEM 08-02 rounds, is similar to the ones being fitted on the Maharaja Lela class. These decoys feature corner reflector (CNR) technology for more realistic emulation of ship signatures, and can protect the host vessel from threats that utilise RF and IIR (imaging infrared) homing methods. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
21 May 19. Indian Army looking to procure LMGs. A team of Indian Army (IA) officers is evaluating 7.62mm (7.62×51) light machine guns (LMGs) manufactured by vendors in Bulgaria, Israel, and South Korea to meet the force’s immediate requirement for 16,400 LMGs. Official sources told Jane’s that the IA-led group, which also includes Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials, left New Delhi around mid-May and will visit Arsenal JSCo in Bulgaria, Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), and S&T Motiv in South Korea to appraise the companies’ respective LMGs. Thereafter it will invite either all three, or at least two, of them to India for ‘confirmatory trials’ using indigenously made LMG ammunition before shortlisting one weapon system for purchase, starting price negotiations, and signing the deal. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
21 May 19. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed technical testing during the U.S. Army’s Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor sense-off at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The two-week missile defense demonstration highlighted Raytheon’s readiness to deliver mission-critical LTAMDS capability to the U.S. Army.
“Raytheon’s clean-sheet approach and decades-long investments in gallium nitride technology allowed us to demonstrate and deliver a mature solution that will meet the Army’s initial operational capability,” said Tom Laliberty, vice president of integrated air and missile defense at Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business.
In addition to significant Raytheon investments, strategic industrial partners Crane Aerospace & Electronics, Cummings Aerospace, IERUS Technologies, Kord, Mercury Systems, and nLogic were integral to achieving the Army’s accelerated sense-off timetable.
“Our industrial partners contribute the unique technology and capabilities necessary to ensure our LTAMDS solution supports service members,” said Doug Burgess, Raytheon’s LTAMDS program director.
During the sense-off, Raytheon’s LTAMDS solution: Demonstrated the key mission capabilities to service members; Validated the maturity of the LTAMDS design; Acquired and tracked a variety of threat-representative targets; Demonstrated advanced capabilities showcasing Raytheon’s solution; and Showcased ease of maintenance and sustainment to the Soldiers. During the next phase of the competition, Raytheon will develop and deliver a final proposal addressing the Army’s key evaluation criteria.
20 May 19. Congress asks how the Air Force will pay for new missile warning satellites. Congress is worried about a proposed massive budget increase to the Air Force’s next generation missile warning satellite system. In a report released May 20, the House Appropriations Committee expressed concern over the Air Force’s $1.4 bn budget request for its Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Program for fiscal year 2020. That amount is more than double what Congress approved for fiscal 2019 and $459m more than Air Force leaders expected to spend on the program a year ago. In response, the House Appropriations Committee recommended funding $1.2bn for the program, about $202m less than the Pentagon had asked for.
The Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared program will consist of five satellites and is expected to replace the Air Force’s current early warning missile system, the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS). Those satellites provide early warnings of ballistic missile attacks on the United States, its deployed forces, or its allies, though the Air Force notes that the OPIR will have improved “missile warning capabilities that are more survivable against emerging threats.”
The first OPIR satellite is expected in orbit by fiscal year 2025.
The Department of Defense requested $1.4bn for the program for fiscal year 2020, an increase of $752m over what Congress approved last year and $459m more than what the Air Force anticipated for fiscal year 2020 request in its fiscal 2019 request.
In the report, members of the House Appropriations Committee expressed concern with the increase, as well as the Air Force’s reliance on reprogramming requests to fund the program.
“The Committee appreciates the importance of the OPIR mission to national security, and the urgent need to field a more resilient capability against growing space threats,” the report read. “However, the Committee is concerned with the rapid budget growth and the Air Force strategy of relying on significant reprogramming requests to keep the program on schedule.”
The committee also noted that the Department of Defense did not have a comprehensive long-term plan for overhead persistent infrared satellite capabilities. In response, the bill withholds 50 percent of the program funds until the Secretary of Defense submits a plan for the establishment of a Space Development Agency and an explanation of how the Air Force will work with that new organization to develop a unified an integrated space architecture.
The missile warning mission in space is tricky. The program’s predecessor, SBIRS, faced significant cost growth over the years. According to an April 3 Government Accountability Office report, the SBIRS program grew by $19.9 bn, or 265 percent, over initial estimates. Furthermore, the first satellite launch was delayed by roughly nine years and the fifth and sixth satellites, which are slated for launches in 2021 and 2022 respectively, are at risk of delay. At $1.6 bn, the Air Force’s 2020 budget request for SBIRS is double what Congress approved last year. The committee plans to markup the bill on May 21. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
21 May 19. Arnold Defense FLETCHER rocket launcher on display at SOFIC 2019 with Navistar Defense. Arnold Defense, the St Louis based manufacturer of 2.75-inch rocket launchers, will be at this year’s SOFIC exhibition taking place 20-23 May 2019 in Tampa, Florida. At the show, Arnold’s ground-based, laser guided rocket system, FLETCHER, can be seen on the Navistar Defense booth (No. 1248) mounted on their SOTV-B vehicle.
The FLETCHER system, first unveiled in 2017 at DSEi in London, has since undergone highly successful test-firing and with a first customer order now secured, Arnold has commenced initial low-rate production. With FLETCHER, Arnold Defense has extended the utility of their proven, highly capable rocket launcher from aviation platforms into the land environment. Using advanced rocket-guidance technology to meet the modern demands of land-based, mounted and dismounted asymmetric warfare, FLETCHER has been optimized for use by both special and conventional forces to provide surface-to-surface precision effect.
The wider concepts now being explored further expand FLETCHER’s utility into the arena of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV), naval and littoral platforms. The ability to mount FLETCHER on UGV will offer ground forces the capability to remotely support base or mobile defensive operations; giving considerably wider scope for the tactical siting of remotely operated, laser guided weapon systems, whilst significantly minimising exposure and risk to ground-based troops. Further to that, mounting FLETCHER on naval/littoral platforms will gift maritime troops a precision weapon system with a range of up to 5km that can be deployed and operated at a tactical level never previously available.
Jim Hager, President and CEO of Arnold Defense said “Since launching FLETCHER, Arnold Defense has exhibited the system widely on the international market, where it has garnered significant interest world-wide, especially from special operations units. Our rocket launchers are already internationally well-established on airborne platforms, so transitioning into the land and marine environments with FLETCHER is a natural progression”. He added: “We recently announced the receipt of our first customer order for FLETCHER and we’re talking to a significant number of other users who we’re expecting to also place orders in the coming months. SOFIC is an ideal event to meet yet more potential buyers”.
17 May 19. U.S. Warhead Destroys Electronics, Not Buildings. The U.S. Air Force has deployed at least 20 missiles equipped with payloads that can destroy military electronics. The missile uses high-power microwaves (HPMs) to destroy military capabilities without causing any fatalities. The payload is known as the Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP). The missiles are built by Boeing’s Phantom Works for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. Tests took place in 2012. This system is now operational. The microwave payload is delivered by an air-launched cruise missile carried by B-52 bombers. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Forecast International)
20 May 19. Visible Assets to supply automatic weapons to Estonian Defense Forces. Visible Assets and its partner Lewis Machine & Tool Visible (LMT) have secured a contract to supply an initial 16,000 automatic weapons to the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF). Weapon shot counters, unique identifier (UID) tracking, and wireless RuBee security tags will be delivered between 2019 and 2021. All these weapons have integrated RuBee wireless weapon shot counter (WSC) tags.
Under the contract, Visible Assets will also supply handheld Javelin readers with ‘Allegro 20/20’ analytics and weapon maintenance software.
The delivery will also include an additional optional 9,000 weapons with integrated WSC tags over 2021 and 2026 for a total of 25,000 units.
Visible Assets noted that the combination of the LMT automatic firearm and RuBee wireless weapon shot counter tags offer several advantages.
The Allegro 20/20 software and the WSC tag provide interval statistics and shot counting analytics that automatically notify the user or the manufacturer of critical weapon maintenance required in advance of any failure. The software can optionally geolocate weapons in the armoury within a foot. Visible CEO John Stevens said: “We have many armoury and WSC government customers who have set a high bar for weapon maintenance and weapon security and determined that RF-based systems are simply not acceptable.
“RuBee wireless magnetics has consistently met the most critical customer requirement of 100% accurate audit read rates, 99.9% exit-entry detection, even in high steel content environments and high EMI noise environments where RFID based systems have challenges.”
Visible and Lewis Machine & Tool CEO Karl Lewis said: “We are excited to be selected as the supplier of the EDF service weapon, we are committed to making high-quality weapons for our Nato partners and worldwide customers.” (Source: army-technology.com)
18 May 19. Turkey’s Erdogan says will jointly produce S-500s with Russia after purchase of S-400s. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that the purchase of S-400 defense systems from Russia was a done deal, adding that Ankara would also jointly produce S-500 defense systems with Moscow. U.S. officials have called Turkey’s planned purchase of the S-400 missile defense system “deeply problematic,” saying it would risk Ankara’s partnership in the joint strike fighter F-35 program because it would compromise the jets, made by Lockheed Martin Corp.
However, Erdogan told a televised question and answer session with university students in Istanbul that Turkey had carried out technical work and found that such a problem did not exist.
“They (the U.S.) are passing the ball around in the midfield now, showing some reluctance. But sooner or later, we will receive the F-35s. (The U.S.) not delivering them is not an option.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Reuters)
18 May 19. US clears $1bn in Raytheon weapons for Canada, South Korea and Japan. In a trio of notifications Friday afternoon, the U.S. State Department cleared more than a billion dollars in potential weapon sales for three of America’s military allies. Canada has been cleared to purchase $387m worth of MK 54 lightweight torpedo conversion kits, South Korea $313.9m in SM-2 Block IIIB missiles, and Japan $313m worth of AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles.
The notifications, posted on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, top $1.017bn in potential sales. Raytheon is the primary contractor on all three of the potential sales.
As with all DSCA notifications to Congress, the sales must be approved on Capitol Hill and go through negotiations with the supplier, which can lead to changed quantities and dollar figures in the final agreements.
South Korea’s request covers “up to” 94 SM-2 Block IIIB missiles, along with associated equipment and training, including 12 MK 97 MOD 0 guidance sections. South Korea’s military already uses the SM-2, and is in the process of building more missile-defense capable destroyers that use the weapon.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of one of the closest allies in the INDOPACOM Theater. The Republic of Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region,” the DSCA notification reads. “The proposed sale will provide a defensive capability while enhancing interoperability with U.S. and other allied forces.”
Primary work will be done at Raytheon’s Tucson, Arizona, facility. There are industrial offsets required by Seoul, but those have yet to be finalized.
Japan’s request covers 160 AIM-120C-7 AMRAAMs, one AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM guidance section and associated support. Although not specified by DSCA, the AIM-120C can be equipped on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, of which Japan recently increased its planned procurement.
“It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist Japan in developing and maintaining a strong and effective self-defense capability,” the DSCA notification reads. “The proposed sale of these missiles will provide Japan a critical air defense capability to assist in defending the Japanese homeland and U.S. personnel stationed there.”
Japan has been stocking up on high-end munitions, having previously requested $1.774bn since Oct. 1, according to DSCA notifications, including a previous tranche of AMRAAMs.
As with the South Korea deal, primary work will be done at Raytheon’s Tucson facility, and there will be future offsets defined.
Canada’s request covers 425 MK 54 lightweight torpedo conversion kits, along with associated support equipment. The kits will be used to upgrade Canada’s existing MK 46 torpedoes.
“The MK 54 torpedo is designed to be easily upgraded from the existing MK 46 torpedo,” the DSCA notification reads. “Canada plans to utilize MK 54 Lightweight Torpedoes on its Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax class ships, the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CP-140 Aurora Aircraft, and the CH-148 Maritime Helicopters. Canada will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”
Primary work will be done at Raytheon’s Portsmouth, Rhode Island, facility, and it will require some form of offset, in accordance with Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits policy. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
20 May 19. NIOA accepted as full member of AEISG. NIOA has announced that the company is now a full member of the Australasian Explosives Industry Safety Group (AEISG). The primary goal of the AEISG is to continuously improve the level of safety and security throughout the manufacture, transport, storage, handling and use of explosives and their precursors throughout Australasia.
The AEISG represents the explosives industry nationally and internationally to regulatory bodies on safety, security and other matters. Further, it liaises with national and international organisations to progress improved safety and security in the explosives industry.
“The importance to the explosives industry of the AEISG is recognised by NIOA and we are looking forward to contributing to safety and security of explosives in the industry,” a release from NIOA said.
AEISG and its members adhere to the following roles, as set out in its constitution:
- Create an environment for open exchange of opinions/ideas on explosives industry matters;
- Disseminate information in relation to explosives industry issues;
- Health and safety (e.g. accidents, incidents);
- Security;
- Environmental;
- Technological advances in safety and security;
- Represent the explosives industry nationally and internationally to regulatory bodies on safety, security and other matters;
- Liaise with national and international organisations to progress improved safety and security in the explosives industry;
- Develop and promote industry codes of practice (minimum acceptable standards);
- Promote consistency in legislation covering the explosives industry; and
- Promote community perception of a competent and responsible industry.
AEISG members hold association meetings four times per year, with further meetings held to address “specific technical issues as necessary”, including the development and review of its industry codes of practice. (Source: Defence Connect)
20 May 19. Hanwha welcomes SPH announcement with eyes on the future. South Korean-based Hanwha has welcomed the Commonwealth’s announcement of a new Protected Mobile Fires program to provide the Australian Army with a fleet of locally built and maintained self-propelled howitzers (SPH), which links into the company’s offering for LAND 400 Phase 3.
The ‘K9 Thunder’ SPH will provide significant capability enhancement for the Australian Army. As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the K9 Thunder, Hanwha is ready to build and assemble 30 K9 Thunder SPHs and supporting systems in Australia.
Hanwha Defence Australia looks forward to the responsibility of being the Australian prime contractor and OEM for the Protected Mobile Fires program and other major combat vehicle programs to support the Australian Army.
Hanwha’s statement welcomed the bipartisan political support for the program, saying, “We are also pleased to note that this important national program has bipartisan political support. Hanwha Defence Australia is excited at the prospect of developing a significant, advanced manufacturing hub and centre of excellence to build and sustain tracked armoured vehicles in the greater Geelong region of Victoria, thus contributing to Australia’s defence self-reliance, manufacturing capacity and industrial skills base.”
Hanwha Defence Australia has also designed the Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), which is currently under competitive evaluation for the Army’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program. Redback is the newest IFV in the world, leveraging the latest technologies for mission effectiveness. There is also significant commonality between both the K9 Thunder and the Redback, including the powerful MTU 1000 hp engine, transmission and suspension system.
This provides significant cross-platform synergies and logistics efficiencies. Should Hanwha be successful in the evaluation process for these programs, both the K9 Thunder and the Redback will be built and maintained in Australia.
These strategic programs would enable the Hanwha Defence Australia business to manufacture advanced combat vehicles for both Australia’s domestic and broader international markets.
Hanwha Defence Australia will plan to establish an integrated, advanced manufacturing and sustainment facility similar to the facility already slated for production of the Redback IFV – building on a proposal presented to the Australian Army in late-2018 for the provision of 30 K9 Thunder SPHs and 15 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, which served as the catalyst for this government announcement and will be the basis moving forward directly with the Commonwealth as an Australian prime.
“Hanwha Defence Australia and our Australian industry team is rapidly growing its presence in Australia in support of the Protected Mobile Fires program and other major Australian Army combat vehicle projects,” Hanwha’s release added. (Source: Defence Connect)
19 May 19. Inside the classified Coventry factory that makes armour for the military. The company is at the forefront of protecting people in the military all over the world. It’s the Coventry company that has come through challenging times but is very much on the up – and it is also saving lives around the world in more ways than one – but most people probably don’t know it’s even there. NP Aerospace is based in a fairly unassuming manufacturing facility that looks like any other factory on the Foleshill Road. That is one of its two Coventry operations, the other being another ordinary looking operation a short drive away. The company is at the forefront of protecting people in the military all over the world.
It describes itself as being involved in “the design and manufacture of advanced armour technology for personal protection and military vehicle platforms”. In layman’s speak that means it makes helmets, body armour, shields, the protective suits worn by bomb disposal officers and vehicle armour. The company’s products protect servicemen and women on the frontline in war zones across the world. It supplies the UK Ministry of Defence and other NATO allies and has now made more than a million combat helmets for military use. The Foleshill Road factory is where helmets, body armour, protective suits and shields are made while the second operation is focused on military vehicles.
Here new vehicles are armoured before going into use, or existing vehicles come back to be upgraded or refitted. The company has had a recent rebirth after coming under new ownership.
Last year the future was not looking bright as Morgan Advanced Materials – Composites & Defence Systems as it was then said it would be leaving its Foleshill Road site.
Morgan was jointly acquired by the Canadian PFN Group of Companies and one of the senior management, James Kempston, and has returned to its former name NP Aerospace.
James is the CEO of the reborn company and already things are looking up.
NP Aerospace recently announced a $33m combat helmet contract with Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND).
Travelling along the Foleshill Road you would barely know it is there but the company is a absolute hive of high-tech industry.
Its products include ballistic helmets and shields, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suits, body armour plates and composite vehicle armour systems, developed using ultra-lightweight, high performance materials.
NP Aerospace has also integrated and supported over 2,000 military vehicles, including more than 700 of the UK MoD’s Cougar fleet of vehicles used in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The one million combat helmets have been supplied to the UK, Canada, Italy and NATO allies.
The company has also supplied 200,000 body armour plates to the British and Canadian armed forces.
Speaking about how he came to be at the helm James said: “I worked under the Morgan brand here since 2012 and was a director of the business.
“Then I was fortunate enough to buy it – the deal closing in November 2018.
“We are a world-class technology firm selling to the top tier allied countries in the world.
“We entered the defence market in 1979 after winning the contract to supply the UK armed forces with combat helmets and have since then expanded our presence, improving armour technology and threat protection levels.
“We have between 40 and 50 patents in use regarding the tech we make here.
“We are currently renowned as one of the best armament manufacturers in the world.”
The deal to rescue the firm has proved good news for the highly skilled employees at the Coventry factories and already things are looking up.
James said: “The security and defence markets are seeing increased demand in terms of exports, innovation and technology.
“NP Aerospace is ideally placed to introduce ballistic armour innovation that ensures the highest level of protection and mobility for military and law enforcement personnel whilst maintaining cost efficiency.
“We have a long history in the materials manufacturing industry having started life as part of the Courtaulds Group in 1926.
“Our new ownership structure enhances our overall business agility and will strengthen our global export position as we continue to invest in R&D. I am personally very excited to be driving the next phase of our business growth.”
NP Aerospace employs 100 people across its three facilities in the UK and Canada. James said it also recruits some of the brightest minds from Coventry’s two universities as part of its ever-evolving research and development activity. Its Coventry facilities include an on-site ballistics range for armour testing and validation. However it is not all about security and the military.
The company also engineers and manufactures composite materials for a range of industries including medical platforms and antenna systems.
One of its specialist areas is radiology ‘beds’ which a hospital patient lies on when going through an MRI scanner.
The use of composite materials means the scanner focuses on the patient and bot what they are lying on.
High profile projects have also included manufacturing the first moulded composite bikes for the Olympics, sit skis for the Paralympics and parts of the Bloodhound supersonic car.
The latest deal with the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) is a huge vote of confidence in NP Aerospace going forward and helps to secure the factories and jobs in Coventry. The contract is for supply and delivery of the company’s CM735 lightweight ballistic helmet and spare components over a seven-year period.
NP Aerospace has supplied combat helmets to the Canadian DND since 2015.
James said: “We are honoured to continue to supply our ballistic helmets to the Canadian Armed Forces and are proud of our long-standing partnership providing the highest quality body armour.
“This contract is among many with Canada which has allowed us to innovate and enhance our global product offerings.”
The CM735 composite helmet shell has a weight of less than 920 grams while providing ballistic protection against fragments and hand gun rounds. (Source: Google/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net)
17 May 19. Belarus weighs acquiring Russian air defence systems. Belarus is considering acquiring Russian-made air defence systems, including Pantsir-S self-propelled hybrid gun/missile air-defence systems and the Tor-M2 self-propelled surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the head of Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheyev told Russian state media at the HeliRussia-2019 exhibition on 17 May.
“Russian-made air defense systems Pantsyr and Tor complexes of various modifications and, undoubtedly, Mi-35 and Mi-17 helicopters are in demand in Belarus.” Mikheyev said. “The Ansat helicopter also evokes big interest considering its characteristics and its price. This also refers to the Ka-226 helicopter and small arms.” The Pantsir-S gun/SAM system was designed for the strategic defence of high-value targets. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
20 May 19. Turkey’s Tubitak Bilgem invests in continuous wave laser technology. VMLS integrated onto the roof of an Otokar Cobra. Turkey’s Tubitak Bilgem has developed and tested two laser systems that could potentially be deployed by the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC).
Both systems use a continuous wave laser and operate in the 1,070 nm (±10 nm) wavelength. A spokesperson declined to confirm the Technology Readiness Level of either of the systems, but did say that “they are at the laboratory testing phase”.
The first is called the Armol Vehicle Mounted Laser System (VMLS). It is integrated on an Otokar Cobra 4×4 light armoured vehicle (LAV) that is used in large numbers by the TLFC and other organisations in Turkey.
Mounted in the rear of the Cobra is a 220 kW power source, and on the roof is the stabilised pan tilt high-power laser that is claimed to have a maximum output of up to 5 kW. The stabilised roof-mounted package has a traverse of 180° left and right, and an elevation from -30° to 95°.
In addition to the laser it also includes a thermal camera, daylight camera, laser rangefinder, and a laser illuminator.
Typical roles of the Armol VMLS are said to include dazzling cameras and other optics out to a maximum range of 7.5 km, as well as damaging unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and improvised explosive devices (IED) at ranges of up to 1km. It is to have growth potential to include a radar for tracking targets. The second laser system is the Tumol rifle-mounted mobile laser system that was designed to neutralise UAVs and can be mounted on weapons fitted with a Picatinny rail. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
17 May 19. Mecar’s M929 APFSDS-T ammunition undergoes trials in Slovakia. Belgium’s Mecar and Slovakia’s ZTS-Special conducted validation trials in late April in Slovakia with new M929 armor piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot-tracer (APFSDS-T) ammunition developed specially for the 2A42 family of 30x165mm calibre automatic cannons.
The trials were held over two days at the Military-Technical Testing Institute Záhorie (VTSU Záhorie), and fired 240 rounds from the TURRA-30 unmanned turret fitted on a Sakal infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) prototype, and from a two-man turret on the BVP-2 (a locally produced BMP-2) IFV. The 2A42 cannons were fitted with new four-chamber muzzle brakes. The M929 APFSDS-T ammunition is about 95% complete, a Mecar spokesperson said, adding that it is now being marketed to potential customers. The spokesperson did not reveal the potential customers.
According to a Mecar presentation, the M929 APFSD-T ammunition is 293mm long with a 690g nominal weight; the propellant has a 130g nominal weight. The 235g penetrator is produced from a cobalt-free tungsten alloy and the cartridge case is steel. Muzzle speed (at 21°C) is 1280m/s. The tracer burns for 2.1 seconds, and the penetrator takes 1.7 seconds to fly 2,000m. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 May 19. U.S. State Department approves possible $314m sale of missiles to South Korea. U.S. State Department has cleared $314m (£247m) in possible sales of air defence missiles to South Korea, the Pentagon said on Friday, as tensions re-emerge on the Korean peninsula.
South Korea, a key Asian ally of the United States, asked to buy up to 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats, along with 12 guidance systems and technical assistance for a total cost of $313.9m, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on its website.
The agency, a unit of the Department of Defense, delivered certification on Thursday notifying Congress of the possible sale.
The proposed sale comes after North Korea recently criticised South Korea’s defence purchases from the United States, including the arrival of the first F-35 stealth aircraft.
With denuclearisation talks stalled after a second summit between North Korea and United States broke down in Hanoi in February, North Korea went ahead with more weapons tests this month.
The reclusive North and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, rather than a peace treaty. South Korea already uses SM-2 missiles developed by Raytheon Co, but is building more missile defence-capable destroyers equipped with the weapon. (Source: Reuters)
17 May 19. Indian Navy joins select list of nations with successful test of medium-range surface-to-air missile. The trials were undertaken on the Western Seaboard by Indian Naval ships Kochi and Chennai. Both the ships were controlled by one ship to intercept different aerial targets at extended ranges.
The Indian Navy has joined a select group of navies across the globe with the maiden cooperative engagement firing of the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM). With the successful proving of this cooperative mode of engagement, the Indian Navy has achieved a significant milestone in enhancing its Anti-Air Warfare Capability. The trials were undertaken on the Western Seaboard by Indian Naval ships Kochi and Chennai. Both the ships were controlled by one ship to intercept different aerial targets at extended ranges.
The successful conduct of the test has been the result of the sustained efforts by all stakeholders over the years. DRDL Hyderabad, a Defence Research and Development (DRDO) laboratory has jointly developed this missile in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael, and Elta Systems.
The MRSAM has been manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) after the trials were carried out the Indian Navy, DRDO, and Israel Aerospace Industries. This air defence system is already in service with Indian air and ground forces as well as the Israeli Navy.
During the tests the interception tests, the Indian Navy assessed the operational force of the MSRAM and how it can be doubled regionally. The tests had also demonstrated the advanced technological capabilities of the air defence system, as well as the collaborations between Indian Navy, IAI, and the Indian local industry.
According to officials, besides being fitted on board the Kolkata Class Destroyer, these made in India will also be fitted on all future major warships of the navy. With this capability, it significantly enhances the combat effectiveness of the Indian Navy and providing an operational edge over potential adversaries.
The MRSAM has the capability of providing defence against air, marine and ground threats. It has several systems which include a digital radar, command and control, launchers, and interceptors with advanced homing seekers.
Earlier this year, the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) had signed agreements worth $93m with the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to provide the naval version of the medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) systems. There is also the provision of complementary systems for the air defence system (ADS) as well as follow-up orders for a range of maintenance and other services for various sub-systems of IAI’s advanced MSRAM ADS in the contracts. (Source: Google/https://www.financialexpress.com)
17 May 19. Chemring Technology Solutions and SteelRock Technologies collaboration set to transform IED detection and disruption. Chemring Technology Solutions (CTS) and SteelRock Technologies (SRT) have undertaken a series of trials to integrate the RE70 M3 disruptor and the W03 Protector UAV platform, developing a revolutionary solution for IED defeat in difficult to access environments.
The RE70 M3 is a recoilless, modular disruptor deployed either close-to-threat configuration or with significant stand-off from the target. The recoilless nature is essential for maintaining stability and accuracy during disruptor firings.
The trials, carried out by CTS and SteelRock, were to demonstrate / assess the stability of the platform in flight, with controlled firings when both ground-mounted and airborne. Multiple disruption tests were performed, using both the RE70 M3 disruptor and the remote firing system, Breach MC to provide the extremely low latency firing pulse required for rapid initiation when on target.
The WO3 Protector has been designed to deliver maximum stability in flight and when integrated with CTS’s disruptor solutions, provides a highly effective IED counter-measure package. By integrating the RE70 M3 disruptor payload options normally associated with ground-based robotic systems into an aerial platform, the WO3 can undertake a counter-IED role with greater speed and efficiency as well removing the user from danger with no manual input required.
This platform allows disruptor technology to be deployed rapidly over larger distances and to previously inaccessible locations. It can also provide onsite video and data, re-transmitting this information back to EOD command or for real-time intelligence gathering.
Rupert English, CEO and Co-Founder of SRT said: “When developing the WO3’s payload options, SRT needed a technology partner that offers a broad range of proven capabilities in the Counter-IED sector for an effective, fully integrated solution. To this end, SRT has worked closely with the Chemring technical team successfully to integrate the RE70 stand-off disruptor, as well as the Breach MC secure remote firing system.”
The next phase will consist of quantifying the platform’s accuracy, stand off and angle of attack capabilities. With on-going development and trials advancing, the initial results and feedback have been universally positive, which bodes well for continued successful collaboration between SRT and CTS in the further development and commercialisation of this ground-breaking, life-saving technology.
13 May 19. Allied Naval Leaders Warn of New Age of Mine Warfare. Potential adversaries have taken note of how effective improvised explosive devices were in Iraq and Afghanistan and may try the same tactics at sea, naval leaders said May 13.
“Mines are a type of asymmetric warfare. They are cheap. They are easy to place. They’re a nuisance and they are out there,” Frank DiGiovanni, deputy director of the expeditionary warfare division of the U.S. Navy, said at the Undersea Defense Technology symposium in Stockholm, Sweden. They are not just a military problem as they can threaten commercial sea traffic and impede free trade, he noted.
“They’re lethal, they are cheap, they’re numerous and the technology is getting more sophisticated,” he said.
His office is developing a strategy for both offensive and defensive mine warfare, he added.
There are three important goals to improve counter-mine warfare technology, DiGiovanni said. Navies must improve the speed of clearing mines, the accuracy of their detection systems, and they must reduce the cost of operations, he said.
Other questions include the potential role of unmanned underwater systems to defeat the threat and whether sonar is still the best sensor, DiGiovanni said. “Can we rethink the way we do mine countermeasures?” he asked.
Artificial intelligence could be pared with a kinetic countermeasure to automatically search and destroy mines, but he noted that applying lethal force without a “man in the loop” makes “a lot of people nervous.”
Currently, the U.S. Navy uses electronic warfare to conduct what he called “barrage jamming.” It is applying “brute force” to the problem, but he wondered if this could be carried out in a more sophisticated manner.
The location of the conference on the edge of the Baltic Sea was not lost on panel participants. The shallow, but murky waters straddle East and West. The thousands of islands and their channels are said to be “paradise” for submarines and those laying mines and “hell” for those charged with sub-hunting and counter-mine warfare. There are still an estimated 50,000 mines remaining in the waters from World War I and World War II, Rear Adm. Jens Nykvist, chief of the Royal Swedish Navy, said in a keynote speech at the conference.
“There is an increase in the mine threat particularly in the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea,” he said. Some 2,000 to 4,000 boats and ships traverse the sea on a daily basis, which means more targets for mines. The maritime traffic also causes a lot of clutter when trying to detect potential adversaries, he said.
Capt. Herman de Groot, commanding officer of the submarine service in the Royal Netherlands Navy, said whatever the technical solutions are to countering sea mines, they must be viable during an “all out war.” He has seen a lot of technologies out there that purport to solve the counter-mine problem that may work great during exercises, but may not be the best solution in real-world scenarios. “If all hell breaks loose, we still have to do our job,” he said.
The question is whether the ethical boundaries that have prevented nations from indiscriminately laying sea mines are eroding. De Groot says there are schisms is almost every society now where some would oppose it and others would be for it.
“I don’t think it is a threat we can ignore,” said DiGiovanni. It will depend on how a potential adversary feels about the lives the mines may take and how threatened they feel. “If you look at conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past 18 years, then you see how effective that particular piece of warfare has been,” he said.
There has always been “dynamic tension” in the U.S. Navy between the so-called “blue water Navy” and the “littoral Navy,” DiGiovanni said. But most conflict has taken place in the littorals where ports are located and shipping takes place. That is where sea mines are placed.
Commodore Michael Houghton, director general of future submarines for the Australian Department of Defence, added that international norms that prevent sea mines need to be strengthened.
Rear Adm. Odd Werin, director of Naval Systems at the Swedish Royal Navy, said it would be a very difficult decision to launch sea mines offensively, but he could see it happening if they were smart systems where one to 10 mines could do the work of thousands of indiscriminate mines. “It is something very appetizing to my mind,” he added. (Source: glstrade.com/National Defense)
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