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26 Nov 20. MBDA completes qualification firing trials of the Sea Venom/ANL missile. The Sea Venom/ANL anti-ship missile has completed its qualification firings trials, with a successful final firing at the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) test site at Ile du Levant on 17 November. Soon to start equipping the Royal Navy’s AW159 Wildcat and Marine nationale’s H160M Guépard shipborne helicopters, the Sea Venom/ANL anti-ship missile is a co-operation project developed under the Lancaster House treaty between France and the United Kingdom. The Sea Venom/ANL missile is the first programme to take full advantage of the cross-border centres of excellence on missile technologies launched by the Lancaster House treaty, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary this month.
The final qualification trial tested the missile’s advanced target discrimination within a complex and cluttered naval scenario.
Éric Béranger, MBDA CEO, said: “I want to congratulate the UK-French teams across both MBDA and our governments for the commitment they have shown in meeting this qualification milestone amid the disruption caused by Covid-19. Together they have proven that through co-operation we can jointly overcome adversity and deliver leading edge military capabilities.”
Previous trials have tested the missiles launch envelope, release envelope and engagement modes, such as its low-altitude sea-skimming flight, lock on after launch (LOAL), lock on before launch (LOBL), operator-in-the-loop, and aimpoint refinement.
26 Nov 20. Russian Aerospace Forces Test an Upgraded ABM. At the Sary-Shagan test site (Republic of Kazakhstan), the air and missile defence forces of the Aerospace Forces successfully conducted a new test launch of a modernized missile of the Russian ABM system.
During the event, Lieutenant General Andrei Demin, commander of the 1st Army of Special Air and Anti-Ballistic Missile Defence of the Aerospace Troops, said that the new anti-missile missile defence system after a series of tests had reliably confirmed the inherent characteristics, and the combat crews successfully completed the task, hitting a mock target with a given accuracy. The anti-ballistic missile system is in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces. It is designed to protect Moscow from air and space attacks. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Russian Ministry of Defence)
25 Nov 20. BrahMos Program in Progress, Funds Yet to Be Available: DND. Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the program to acquire medium-range ramjet supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles is moving forward but getting enough funds for this remains a challenge.
He made this comment when asked by the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on updates regarding the plans to acquire the cruise missile which was jointly developed by Russia and India.
“The Brahmos (program) is moving forward but the challenge now is (the) funding,” Lorenzana said in a message to PNA late Monday.
When asked for an estimate on how fast the Philippines can get the missile into service, the DND chief said this is dependent on how fast the funds would be made available.
Earlier, Lorenzana said they are planning to acquire at least “two batteries” of the BrahMos cruise missiles with each battery having three mobile autonomous launchers with two or three missile tubes each. The procurement would be via “government-to-government mode”.
If acquired, the missiles will be utilized to fulfill the Philippine Army’s (PA) coastal defense missions. Aside from the PA, the DND chief said the weapons can also be used by the Philippine Air Force.
Once the missiles are delivered, Lorenzana said the BrahMos will be the first Philippine weaponry with deterrent capability.
Acquisition of a land-based missile system is under Horizon Two of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program which is slated for 2018 to 2022 and geared for the acquisition of equipment geared for external defense and has a budget of PHP300bn.(Source: defense-aerospace.com/Philippine News Agency)
26 Nov 20. CNO visit reveals ODIN-HELCAP laser weapon transition plan. New information has emerged on the US Navy’s (USN’s) plans to demonstrate a high-energy laser weapon able to defeat anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) threats.
Details of the engineering approach being pursued for the High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project (HELCAP) beam director were revealed on a wallboard appearing in official photographs showing a visit by Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Michael Gilday to Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) on 17 November. Information on the board indicates that HELCAP will build on the AN/SEQ-4 Optical Dazzler Interdictor, Navy (ODIN) system already being fitted to selected DDG 51 Flight IIA guided-missile destroyers.
HELCAP is intended to evaluate, develop, experiment and demonstrate various laser technologies for a system that would offer a capability to effect ‘hard-kill’ defeat of ASCMs engaged on crossing trajectories. While the USN has previously demonstrated the efficacy of high-energy lasers to defeat unmanned air systems (UASs) and small boat threats, achieving a hard kill against an ASCM will demand a more powerful weapon with greater range.
The HELCAP initiative is intended to deliver a flexible prototype system for government experimentation and demonstration. Key elements of the system include the beam control testbed, a 300 kW+ laser source, a prototype control system, and auxiliary prime power and cooling. (Source: Jane’s)
26 Nov 20. RoKAF receives first Cheongung-II M-SAM battery. The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) has received its first battery of the locally developed Cheongung II medium-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) system, according to a 26 November statement from South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
The agency said the first of a planned seven batteries of the self-propelled, hit-to-kill (HTK) interceptor system, which has a stated maximum range of 40 km and is intended to replace the RoKAF’s MIM-23 HAWK (locally known as Cheolmae) SAM systems, was handed over to the service in November.
Development of the system, which is an improved version of the Cheongung I, began in 2012. The improved variant is designed to engage not only incoming enemy aircraft but also ballistic missile targets at an altitude of about 20 km.
The Cheongung II was rated fit for combat operations after meeting all the requirements at tests conducted in early June 2017. The move marked the completion of the development of the system’s improved HTK missile, which was led by the country’s Agency for Defense Development in co-operation with South Korean companies such as LIG Nex1. The upgraded missile is believed to be capable of reaching a speed of Mach 5. (Source: Jane’s)
26 Nov 20. Weapon system of the future: Rheinmetall developing laser source demonstrator for the Bundeswehr. The German procurement authorities have awarded Rheinmetall a contract to develop a key future laser weapon system component. At the end of the second quarter of 2020, the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, or BAAINBw, contracted with Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH to fabricate a laser source demonstrator. The order is worth a figure in the lower two-digit euro-million range.
Intersectional by design, the laser source demonstrator can be employed in various projects to study in greater depth the use of laser technology in military applications. The first project for the laser demonstrator will be a yearlong trial phase onboard the Germany Navy frigate Sachsen.
The laser demonstrator is based on spectral coupling technology, which Rheinmetall has been investigating intensively for years. Its key performance data include scalable output power of up to 20 kW with very good beam quality. In essence, the demonstrator consists of twelve nearly identical 2kW fibre laser modules with close to diffraction-limited beam quality. A beam combiner – a subassembly that turns multiple beams into a single beam by means of dielectric grid technology – couples the twelve fibre laser beams to form a single laser beam with excellent beam quality.
Spectral coupling technology offers a multitude of advantages compared with other coupling technologies, e.g. geometric coupling: it is less complex, highly modular and features growth potential in the 100kW performance class; moreover, as a passive system, it is able to operate with extremely low control effort.
In 2015, during trials conducted in the Baltic, Rheinmetall successfully engaged targets on land with a functional prototype of a shipboard laser weapon system for the first time in Europe. Then, in 2018, BAAINBw and Rheinmetall successfully tested a laboratory-based 20kW laser source. The planned trials, to be conducted in military environments under authentic operating conditions, are the next step on the path from laboratory to practical application, all in the space of just three years. This is a major step – vital and demanding – on the road to introducing future laser weapon systems.
26 Nov 20. World-class autonomous minehunters to protect Royal Navy. The UK and France reaffirmed their long-standing defence relationship today by committing to a joint programme for Autonomous Minehunting Systems that will detect and neutralise mines around the world. Speaking at the Franco-British Council Defence Conference, the Defence Secretary announced a £184m investment in the joint Maritime Mine Counter Measure (MMCM) programme, which will create new systems to combat sea mines and keep ships and personnel away from danger.
The contract will support 215 jobs across the UK at Thales sites in Somerset and Plymouth, as well as in the wider supply chain, including L3 Harris in Portsmouth, Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire and Alba Ultrasound in Glasgow.
This investment follows the substantial £16.5bn settlement in the Spending Review for Defence over four years that will modernise the armed forces, reinvigorate the shipbuilding industry and bring jobs and prosperity to every part of the UK.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said, “This £184m contract offers a huge leap forward for the Royal Navy’s autonomous capabilities in the detection and defeat of sea mines. As the Armed Forces puts modernisation at the heart of its future strategy, these systems will protect vital shipping lanes, commercial traffic and our brave personnel from these deadly devices. The programme also underpins a deep and ever-strengthening relationship with France and marks the tenth anniversary of the Lancaster House treaties between our two nations.”
UK-France defence cooperation
The Defence Secretary was speaking at this year’s virtual Franco-British Council Defence Conference, which also featured French defence minister Florence Parly, Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter and his French counterpart Ched d’État-Major des Armées François Lecointre.
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the historic Lancaster House treaties on defence, security and nuclear cooperation between the UK and France. The historic commitment has established a long-term partnership between the two countries and includes the fully operational Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) – a force able to rapidly deploy over 10,000 personnel in response to a crisis.
Both nations are deployed around the world together in places such as the Middle East combating Daesh and in Estonia as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence. In Mali, three RAF Chinooks and 100 UK personnel are deployed in a non-combat role in support of French counter-extremist operations.
Royal Navy minehunting
The Royal Navy is world leader in mine countermeasures, having been regularly called upon to deal with mines and other historic ordnance, left over from the Second World War, around the United Kingdom. In recent times, the UK has been involved in minehunting operations across the world, including the Gulf and off Libya.
Following a successful demonstration phase and trials completed in October 2020, the new contract will produce three sets of minehunting equipment, consisting of:
Autonomous vessel – a boat controlled and operated from a “mother ship/base.” Towed sonar – a sonar which is towed/dragged behind the vessel to locate ordnance. Mine neutralisation system – a remotely operated underwater vehicle which is used once the mine is located to neutralise the device and prevent its detonation.
When used together, these three elements are known as the Primary System. This next-generation mine hunting capability is designed to potentially replace conventional crewed mine hunting vessels, such as the Royal Navy’s Hunt and Sandown class ships, with autonomous systems.
First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin said, “I am enormously excited by the potential of the future minehunting capability. This will allow us to deliver minehunting more effectively, more efficiently and more safely, and to integrate even more closely with our French counterparts in this important area.”
The UK element of the MMCM programme was negotiated by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence.
DE&S CEO Sir Simon Bollom said, “This ground-breaking technology brings with it a step-change in capability for the Royal Navy which is a bold step into the digital and autonomous world. I’m incredibly proud of DE&S and the Royal Navy team who have worked tirelessly with our French colleagues to deliver on this contract.”
Alex Cresswell, CEO of Thales in the UK, said, “Technologies such as autonomy and AI are transforming societies and warfare at an exponential rate. This contract represents the next generation for Anglo-French minehunting, delivering a world leading capability that will keep our armed forces safe and create and secure vital jobs across the UK and our supply chain. We look forward to delivering the next stage in this exciting hi-tech programme.”
The first equipment sets are due to be delivered in late 2022. It will commence operational evaluation prior to entering service with the Royal Navy. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
25 Nov 20. South Korea to begin series-production of locally developed KTSSM tactical missile system. South Korea’s Defense Project Promotion Committee has decided that series-production of the locally developed Korean Tactical Surface to Surface Missile (KTSSM) system will begin in 2020.
A statement issued on 25 November by the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said the committee, which is headed by the Minister of National Defense Suh Wook, approved plans to acquire at least 200 missiles, which have an estimated range of about 120 km, under a project budgeted at KRW320bn (USD289m) that is expected to be completed by 2025.
The project is aimed at providing the South Korean military with the capability to destroy long-range artillery pieces hidden in underground tunnels and “to neutralise an enemy attack [in]the shortest time possible, the Yonhap News Agency quoted DAPA officials as saying, adding that this new tactical ballistic missile system, which was developed by the country’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and defence company Hanwha, is expected to enter service from 2022.
Also known as the ‘artillery killer’ the KTSSM system has been designed to carry out precision-strikes. Four missiles can be launched almost simultaneously from a static launching platform.
The projectiles used by the system are similar in appearance and dimension to some of those used by the US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Each missile features a payload section believed to carry a small diameter penetrator warhead filled with a high?blast, or thermobaric explosive, intended to attack protected, underground artillery emplacements. (Source: Jane’s)
25 Nov 20. F-35 begins nuclear drop trials. Nuclear drop trials of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) have begun, with the first tests announced on 23 November. A US Air Force (USAF) F-35A testbed dropped an inert B61 Mod 12 (B61-12) freefall nuclear bomb from one of its internal weapons bays over Tonopah Test Range in Nevada earlier this year, Sandia National Laboratories which oversaw the trial said.
“The flight test of the B61-12 with the F-35A Lightning II this summer was the first ever at Sandia’s Tonopah Test Range featuring the fighter jet. It was also the first of a testing series that will conclude with full-weapon systems demonstrations designed to increase confidence [that] the bomb will always work when needed and never under any other circumstances,” Sandia said. “During the 25 August flight test, an F-35A flying faster than the speed of sound dropped a B61-12 — containing non-nuclear and mock nuclear components — from about 10,500 ft above Tonopah Test Range. The inert B61-12 struck the desert floor in the designated target area about 42 seconds later.”
Sandia is the design and engineering laboratory for non-nuclear components of the United States’ nuclear stockpile, including the B61-12. In addition to non-nuclear component development, Sandia serves as the technical integrator for the complete weapon, assuring the system meets the requirements as a full-weapon system. (Source: Jane’s)
25 Nov 20. UK Government plans to strengthen firearms laws for public safety. Consultation proposes new controls on air weapons, miniature rifle ranges, and high-powered firearms. The government has set out new wide-ranging proposals to strengthen firearms laws and protect the public in a consultation launched today (Tuesday 24 November). This includes new controls on air weapons, aimed at keeping them out the hands of unsupervised young persons. It will also close loopholes which currently mean owners of small gun ranges can buy weapons without informing the police or having a licence.
Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said. “Our gun laws are among the toughest in the world – we are determined to ensure they stay this way to keep the public safe. These measures will tighten controls on air weapons and minimise the risk of tragic accidents, which have devastated families in the past. They will also close loopholes in our laws to prevent dangerous weapons falling into the wrong hands and ensure that law-abiding shooters can use their firearms safely.”
The new air weapons controls being consulted on will include:
* removing exemptions which allow people from the age of 14 to have unsupervised possession of air weapons on private premises
* making it an offence to fail to lock up an air weapon and its ammunition separately in the presence of under-18s while not in use
* working with industry and retailers to improve the safe keeping of air weapons and advice at the point of sale
Owners of miniature rifle ranges are also planned to be placed under the licensing regime.
Under these proposals, owners will no longer be able to legally buy weapons smaller than .23-inch calibre without having a firearms certificate or informing the police.
The public consultation will also seek views on how to increase security measures around powerful firearms, described as high muzzle energy rifles, and how to strengthen controls on ammunition parts to prevent the unlawful manufacture of full rounds.
This follows new laws announced this month aimed at closing antique firearms loopholes, after evidence showed these were being exploited by criminals.
Seven ammunition types have been removed from the definition of antique firearm, making up to 26,000 guns that use them illegal to own without a firearms licence. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
24 Nov 20. US Soldiers are finally getting their hands on the Army’s killer new missile-hauling Stryker. After years in development, soldiers are officially putting the Army’s next-generation short-range air defense system through its paces ahead of its eventual delivery and fielding in Germany.
Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment out of Ansbach, Germany traveled to the White Sands Missile Range to conduct training and operational testing of the Army’s Initial Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (IM-SHORAD) system, the service announced last week.
The IM-SHORAD system consists primarily of a Stryker-mounted 360-degree Avenger air defense turret loaded up with Stinger and AGM-114 Longbow Hellfire missiles (the latter of which are traditionally used in air-to-surface roles), an XM914 30mm cannon, and a 7.62mm machine gun.
The 5-4 ADA will be the first unit to receive the IM-SHORAD system in Germany to replace its aging Humvee-mounted Avenger systems, a move that comes amid the U.S. military’s resurgence in Cold War-style tactics in Europe in the aftermath of the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.
“There’s a lot of equipment on this machine that will change a lot of aspects for the Air Defense Artillery,” Spc. Andy Mendoza, an air and missile defense crewmember with the 5-4 ADA, said in a statement.
“Everything from operations to capabilities to new weapons we as ADA don’t have currently, and I think it will make a huge difference to what we do.”
The operational training and testing come just weeks after General Dynamics Land Systems announced that the Army had awarded the defense contractor a $1.2bn contract award to produce, test, and deliver 28 Stryker IM-SHORAD Strykers to the service.
The Army had previously selected an IM-SHORAD solution engineered by Leonardo DRS back in June 2018.
The service plans on eventually spreading 144 systems across four battalions by as soon as fiscal year 2023. According to Army budget documents, the service plans on spending an additional $1.575bn through 2025 on acquiring a total of 180 IM-SHORAD Stryker vehicles.
The IM-SHORAD system “provides the Army improved capabilities for defense of maneuver formations and other tactical echelons from low altitude air attack and surveillance,” according to the service’s fiscal year 2021 budget documents.
At the moment, however, the IM-SHORAD is “not quite ready for full production,” hence the soldier testing by the 5-4 ADA, according to the Army statement.
Soldiers “need to get their hands on the system, learn to use it, and then use it just as they would, including trying new things, making mistakes, and otherwise doing the sort of thing that the system designers may not have prepared for,” per the Army.
“Everything might look good on paper, on the board, but until we get through the testing and putting it through its paces, understanding what it’s actually capable of, we won’t know if we’re producing the right system for the Soldier,” Steven Powell, acquisition logistics lead with the IM-SHORAD Program Office, said in a statement.
When the IM-SHORAD system is finally ready for prime time, Army envisions employing all of this firepower to counter not just unmanned aerial systems that U.S. troops have been contending with on the battlefields of the Middle East, but both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft deployed by a more conventional adversary like Russia or China.
Indeed, upgrading short-range air and missile defense has remained a major modernization priority for the Army as it pivots to assessing large-scale conflicts against near-peer adversaries.
“The truck itself has different capabilities on the move and in different terrains, it’s a whole different system to get used to.” said Mendoza, the specialist, in a statement. “The weapon system is perfect, it’s just the truck itself, it’s bigger, stronger, and a lot heavier.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/https://taskandpurpose.com/)
21 Nov 20. New US Army research breakthrough could lead to more powerful lasers. A new way to create diamond-structured crystals, discovered by Army researchers, creates a method for scientists to build more powerful lasers, which are found in key targeting and missile defense systems.
The standard way of making the necessary crystal structures for lasers uses either string-like or “close-packed cubic colloidal crystals.”
Those forms didn’t provide the necessary foundation for use with certain wavelengths of light.
The new diamond lattice structure that’s been created could play a major role in more efficient, smaller, lightweight laser systems, light-based quantum computing, atomic clocks and gyroscopes — all key to precision navigation and timing, the backbone of complex modern targeting systems.
The “photonic technique” was conducted by researchers at multiple universities, funded through Army research into laser technology.
“There’s been a great desire among engineers to make a diamond structure,” said David Pine, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at New York University, one of the co-authors of a recently published article in the journal Nature.
“Most researchers had given up on it, to tell you the truth — we may be the only group in the world who is still working on this. I think the publication of the paper will come as something of a surprise to the community.”
Evan Runnerstrom, the program manager for the Army Research Office, part of the Combat Capabilities Development Command, spoke with Army Times about the new development.
“We know that particular structures like the diamond lattice are really attractive to being able to control light in 3D,” he said. “If you trap light or design the structure in certain ways, you can direct the light in certain ways.”
For a practical example, he said that the laser from this kind of structure would be more sensitive to detecting an incoming projectile and use less battery power in a field scenario.
And while the laboratory research isn’t going to hit a system immediately, Runnerstrom estimated that the process will show whether it is scalable and worth pursuing over the next three to five years.
The colloidal crystals consist of microscopic spheres that can be arranged into a variety of shapes, depending on how they link up.
Each attaches to another by way of DNA strands glued to surfaces of the colloids like a “molecular Velcro.”
The colloids collide in a liquid bath, the DNA snags and they link. The structures can then be programmed into complex structures.
Because they do this spontaneously, scientists can likely complete the process at a much higher scale. Past attempts have approached the problem in a top-down way, Runnerstrom said.
That requires separately patterning every layer, which is very labor-intensive and not conducive to creating a more complex, open structure such as the diamond lattice, he said.
Runnerstrom said the science behind this has vexed many researchers in the past.
“Many people have tried and not been successful,” he said. “What made this successful was Pine approached ARO with a compelling idea. It is a high risk but compelling idea and the potential rewards are high enough.” (Source: glstrade.com/ArmyTimes)
24 Nov 20. UK defence minister Ben Wallace admits Ajax turret problems but does not elaborate on ISD delay or cost.
Jonathan Beale
@bealejonathan · 17h
DefSec @BWallaceMP on armoured vehicles says he’s brought forward purchase of Boxer. Says delay on Ajax because still issues with turret, but doesn’t think insurmountable. On Challenger 2 and Warrior upgrade he’s more vague. (Source: joint-forces.com)
BATTLESPACE Comment: Sources suggest that Ajax has a ‘turret wobble’ because of the huge recoil of the CT40 gun which means the second round doesn’t go on target. They also have a problem with balance as the ammo tray is on one side of the turret and as the ammo is fired the weight of the EO/IR system on the other side causes balance problems. Not sure what will fix this apart from adding more weight and costs!
23 Nov 20. FAB and AVIBRAS Sign Partnership for the Conceptual Development of Missiles. On Monday Nov. 23, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and AVIBRAS Indústria Aeroespacial signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to formalize AVIBRAS’ intention to develop long-range cruise missiles, with the contribution of the FAB, with regard to sharing of global military expertise and requirements for missiles of this class.
The Commander of the Air Force, Lt-Brigadier Air Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, welcomed the CEO of AVIBRAS Indústria Aeroespacial, João Brasil Carvalho Leite. Also present at the occasion were the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (EMAER), Lt. Brig. Air Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno; the Deputy Chief of EMAER, Major-Brigadier Air Sérgio Roberto de Almeida; the Chief of the Sixth Subchefia of EMAER, Major-Brigadier of the Air Jefson Borges; and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Commander, Major-Brigadier Air Pedro Luís Farcic.
The purpose of this Memorandum is to formalize AVIBRAS’ intention to develop a family of long-range cruise missiles. This project has the participation of the Air Force, mainly in the sharing of expertise, in order to collaborate with the development of a reliable, efficient and advanced technology product, to meet the operational needs of the Air Force.
According to Lt-Brigadier Bermudez, the FAB’s initial contribution to the project will be in the area of conceptual development. “It is a remarkable moment for the Air Force, since this document summarizes everything that was thought and discussed and, now, we are taking the first steps to put it into practice,” he added.
Lt-Brigadier Damasceno added: “We are currently aligning strategies and route maps. Within FAB’s strategic projects, this is one of the most important. It will be the realization of a project for the real use on a warplane, the F-39 Gripen,” he said.
According to the President of AVIBRAS, the work in conjunction with the Air Force is longstanding. “The partnership with Aeronautics is historic. It is the consecration of a joint work that started in 2004. Now we are, in fact, going to work on a project that will make a difference for the country and this fills us with pride,” he said.
Characteristics of the project to be developed by AVIBRAS
The MICLA-BR, so named in the Military Strategic Plan for Aeronautics (PEMAER), is a national project for the development of a long-range cruise missile, with propulsion based on a jet engine, to be launched from aerial platforms.
With the knowledge to be acquired during the development of the MICLA, it will be possible to design a family of similar missiles, using cutting-edge technology, for application in various scenarios of armed conflict by the Brazilian Armed Forces.
The benefits to be generated with this initiative go beyond the increase in the defense capacity of our nation, as it will contribute to the promotion of the Industrial Defense Base, generating jobs, technological evolution, and even foreign exchange through the possibility of exporting technological products of high added value. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Brazilian Air Force)
20 Nov 20. Hanwha displays models of laser-based weapon systems. South Korean company Hanwha displayed at the 18–20 November DX Korea 2020 defence exhibition in the South Korean city of Goyang models of three future laser-based weapon systems for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.
Among the systems displayed at the show, which was held at the Kintex exhibition centre in Gyeonggi Province, were the ‘Laser Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-I’ and the ‘Laser Based Anti-Aircraft Weapon Block-II’, both of which were developed by Hanwha in co-operation with the country’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD).
The Block-I system, development of which began in September 2019, is expected to be capable of detecting and tracking small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and neutralising them at close range (up to 3 km) by using its 20 kW laser.
Development of the static system is due to be completed by 2023, after which it is expected to be adopted by air-defence units of the Republic of Korea Army to protect strategic assets.
The 30 kW Block-II system, development of which is slated for completion by 2030, will be mounted on a truck. The model at DX Korea 2020 was shown using the same vehicle as that used by the K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher. (Source: Jane’s)
23 Nov 20. EuroSpike’s light company-level precision guided missiles were fired successfully by Estonian Army teams following short instruction. The EDF (Estonian Defense Forces) has completed a firing of SPIKE SR (Short Range) missiles in a demonstration that took place in September.
EuroSpike’s (a European Joint Venture between Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Diehl Defence and Rheinmettal Defence) SPIKE SR is part of the wider, multi-platform, multi-purpose, multi-range SPIKE family of electro-optical missiles. It is an advanced, shoulder-launched, guided missile, designed for modern infantry warfare. SPIKE SR benefits include a light weight of only 10kg, operational simplicity, and an enhanced range of 2000 meters. SPIKE SR’s ease-of-use allows the lower echelon infantry to qualify rapidly and to sustain a high level of operation with almost no continuous training.
During the demo, seen here: https://youtu.be/y5IdkDfQ2h0 the EDF evaluated the system’s operation and fired two SPIKE SR missiles successfully, with precise target hits.
In addition to the firing of live rounds, the EDF activated the different training means of the weapon system, including outdoor and indoor trainers. The EDF also evaluated the high level of portability of the SPIKE SR, and the highly-effective tandem HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) warheads, which allow advanced modern armor penetration, and the critical stand-off range of 2000m.
These capabilities enhance infantry crew survivability when facing today’s modern tank threat that includes better armor, greater standoff ranges and advanced optics, which place ATGM units at risk. With its very low signature and single-soldier operation, SPIKE SR enables forces to shoot-and-scoot without exposing their location. This is a crucial capability for both high intensity conflict, when facing an armored invasion, as well as in hybrid warfare, when proxy armored forces operate to hold ground.
The demo was attended by several European delegations, members of the SPIKE User Club, and was preceded by brief instruction of the EDF team on the operation of the weapon.
Packed in a 98 cm long canister, SPIKE SR is highly portable, allowing infantry to easily and rapidly deploy with the weapon in any ground infantry maneuver.
In September 2019, the Estonian MoD signed a 40M Euro Framework agreement with Eurospike for the supply of SPIKE LR ATGM’s, launchers and associated maintenance and training. The contract included ICLU (Integrated Control Launch Units) launchers and live SPIKE rounds.
Estonia is one of 35 user nations of the SPIKE missile, and one of 19 users in the EU and NATO. More than 33,000 SPIKE missiles have been supplied to-date around the world, with over 5,500 SPIKE missiles fired both in training and in combat.
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Arnold Defense has manufactured more than 1.25 million 2.75-inch rocket launchers since 1961 for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and many NATO customers. They are the world’s largest supplier of rocket launchers for military aircraft, vessels and vehicles. Core products include the 7-round M260 and 19-round M261 commonly used by helicopters; the thermal coated 7-round LAU-68 variants and LAU-61 Digital Rocket Launcher used by the U.S. Navy and Marines; and the 7-round LAU-131 and SUU-25 flare dispenser used by the U.S. Air Force and worldwide.
Today’s rocket launchers now include the ultra-light LWL-12 that weighs just over 60 pounds (27 kg.) empty and the new Fletcher (4) round launcher. Arnold Defense designs and manufactures various rocket launchers that can be customized for any capacity or form factor for platforms in the air, on the ground or even at sea.
Arnold Defense maintains the highest standards of production quality by using extensive testing, calibration and inspection processes.
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