Sponsored by Arnold Defense www.arnolddefense.com
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21 Oct 21. Booster rocket failure scuttles hypersonic test. The U.S. tested a hypersonic glide body March 19, 2020, from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. The test, run jointly by the Army and Navy, was deemed a success. The Common-Hypersonic Glide Body, or C-HGB, launched and flew at hypersonic speed to “a designated impact point,” according to a statement issued by the Pentagon. (U.S. Navy) A hypersonic technology test the Defense Department hoped to carry out in Alaska Thursday went awry when a booster rocket failed in a launch attempt.
In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Gorman said the booster that failed was not part of the hypersonic program, and was not related to the common hypersonic glide body. The test took place at the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska.
Reuters first reported the test’s failure.
A defense official told Defense News the rocket made it off the launch pad before failing.
Gorman said program officials have launched a review to determine what caused the booster system to fail so they can improve future tests. He noted this missile booster is only used for testing purposes.
“Experiments and tests both successful and unsuccessful are the backbone of developing highly complex critical technologies at tremendous speed, as the department is doing with hypersonic technologies,” Gorman said. “Delivering hypersonic weapons remains a top priority and the department remains confident that it is on track to field offensive hypersonic capabilities beginning in the early 2020s.”
The Army and Navy also announced Thursday they had conducted a separate test of hypersonic technologies Wednesday at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia.
Hypersonic weapons, which are highly maneuverable and capable of flying at more than Mach 5, are one of the Pentagon’s top priorities.
In August, China tested a space-based hypersonic missile. Experts say that test is not likely to spark a new arms race, but could affect how the White House and Pentagon form its missile defense and nuclear posture strategies. (Source: US DoD)
21 Oct 21. US Army insists on human-piloted rotorcraft for armed reconnaissance mission instead of UAV. The US Army insists it needs a human-piloted Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) helicopter to perform the armed reconnaissance mission despite experts telling Janes the service could perform the mission with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Brigadier General Robert Barrie, programme executive officer for aviation, told Janes on 12 October that the existing technology requires the US Army to have a human-in-the-loop operating in the FARA for the decisions that would be required, and anticipated, for forward reconnaissance. A portion of this mission, he said, will be executed by UAVs, specifically with a combination of Air Launched Effects (ALE) and manned-unmanned teaming.
The US Army has considered using UAVs to perform armed reconnaissance. The service, Brig Gen Barrie said, is always looking for ways to use optionally manned platforms to perform the mission and that it evaluates the development of flight control systems and networks that would be needed to communicate with the UAV for this opportunity.
“We see, in the future, certainly potential where that mission is performed by a larger percentage of unmanned assets than today,” Brig Gen Barrie said.
The armed reconnaissance mission is scouting, better informing or preparing soldiers for a possible engagement with an adversary, but with an opportunity for operators to immediately strike a target. Mark Cancian, senior adviser for the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, told Janes. (Source: Janes)
21 Oct 21. Show us the numbers: Can data from wearable technology improve soldier wellbeing? DASA is seeking demonstrations to show how data gathered from wearable technology can enhance health and wellbeing in soldiers. Wearable devices are of interest in the defence community as a way of gathering data that can be applied in tools that support and protect the capabilities of soldiers. By utilising the power of wearable sensors to collect physiological data (physical or molecular parameters) in real-time, we may be able to accurately monitor for signs of injury and potentially predict these injuries before they occur. The overall objective being to maintain and improve soldier health and wellbeing.
To date, there remain gaps in the evidence base to support what metrics can be robustly measured by wearable technologies and how data from these platforms might demonstrably improve decision-making in a defence context.
The Defence and Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl) therefore seeks to understand what metrics can be reliably collected to provide credible value to the defence community (i.e. are of value in supporting confident decision making). On their behalf, the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is pleased to launch a new Innovation Focus Area (IFA): Next Generation Wearable Technology.
This Innovation Focus Area seeks demonstrations of what data can be gathered from wearable technology, and how this data might support more effective decision-making by defence users to prevent injury to defence personnel.
Can you help? Read the competition document now and submit your idea
How much funding is available?
DASA expects to fund proposals within Technical Readiness Level 3 – 6 (TRLs) up to £200K for a 12 month contract
Read the full competition document to find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-and-security-accelerator-dasa-open-call-for-innovation/open-call-competition-document
Seeking demonstrations of wearable tech that provide robust, actionable insight
DASA and DSTL want to understand what metrics we can collect from wearable technology platforms, and how they add value to defence end users. In addition, we seek proposals that show how wearable technology can provide actionable insight to inform decision-making pathways regarding health and wellbeing.
What solutions are we looking for?
This IFA focuses on 2 key themes:
Theme 1
Demonstration of new sensor technologies and of the data generated from these sensors against existing validated measures.
And/or
Theme 2
Exploitation of data from current or novel wearable systems to provide prognostic insights into human health and wellbeing.
Technologies may include:
- demonstration of measurements that cannot be made by wearable technologies, such as hydration status, a stress marker, cardiac measure or other, pertinent metric
- improvements in quality, robustness and longevity of measurements that can be made using wearable devices
- form factors that enable collection of data in a minimally intrusive format and thus may be more exploitable for defence customers
- experimentation using wearable sensors in combination with data analysis to measure environmental effect on individuals
- physical, psychological and environmental stressors such as heat or cold, altitude, infection and acute and chronic stress, relative to participant specific baselines
Read the full competition document to find out more
Have a novel idea that shows the value of wearable technology?
If you have an in-depth understanding of emerging capabilities, technologies, initiatives and novel approaches that may help us understand the capabilities of wearable technologies, we want to hear from you.
Click here to submit a proposal: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defence-and-security-accelerator-submit-your-research-proposal
The closing date for proposals of this IFA is 05 January 2022 at midday BST. A second cycle will run from 05 January 2022 to 02 March 2022.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
11 Oct 21. Curtiss-Wright Selected by John Cockerill Defense to Provide Turret Drive Stabilization System for New Combat Boat Weapons System. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions, that was selected by John Cockerill Defense (JCD) to provide turret drive stabilization technology for use in the weapons system used onboard the new Combat Boat that JCD is supplying to the Indonesian Ministry of Defense. Under the contract, Curtiss-Wright will supply John Cockerill Defense with its cost-effective, scalable Turret Drive Servo System (TDSS) to provide the aiming and stabilization functionalities of the Combat Boat’s Cockerill® 3030 series weapons system. The Combat Boat, which features both manned and unmanned onboard weapons systems, will enable the Indonesian MoD to quickly respond to piracy threats in its territorial waters. Curtiss-Wright’s TDSS will deliver target location accuracy and precise turret stabilization with the flexibility required by system integrators to define and deploy exact solutions. Further, the TDSS will uniquely enable system designers to upgrade and add stabilization functionality as their mission requirements change.
“We are very pleased to have been selected to support John Cockerill Defense’s innovative Combat Boat with our turret drive stabilization technology,” said Chris Wiltsey, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “This exciting naval platform will represent the first shipboard deployment of our industry-leading high precision, modular TDSS solution. Proven in ground vehicles around the world, TDSS is a highly rugged robust stabilization system ideal for use in harsh environments on land or at sea.”
About Curtiss-Wright’s Turret Drive Servo System
The TDSS uses a modular architecture and standard system configurations, which speeds system development and enables programs to reach demonstration and production phases more rapidly. The use of preconfigured TDSS system components also reduces the time and costs associated with the requirements definition process.
The TDSS enables system integrators to select the exact aiming and stabilization solution that their platform requires – from a manually operated drive all the way up to a highly sophisticated, stabilized drive system – while streamlining enhancements and/or system modification for use on different platforms. This approach is significantly more cost-effective and flexible than traditional bespoke aiming and stabilization system alternatives. TDSS system components can be easily adapted for use on different ground vehicle turrets to meet dynamic program requirements, including performance and precision. The TDSS products covered by the contract are designed at Curtiss-Wright’s Drive Technology facility in Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland. Curtiss-Wright is shipping the products to JCD in Belgium.
21 Oct 21. ARCAS: Could The Army Soon Merge An M4 Rifle And A Computer? How would you like a powerful computer mounted on your M4 carbine? That’s what U.S. Army soldiers are now testing. This gem would give valuable intelligence about the target you are aiming at. The system features a video augmented reality feature connected to a heads-up display to change the way weapons are aimed.
ARCAS Is Here
The Assault Rifle Combat Application System or ARCAS is from Israeli contractor Elbit Systems. It replicates first-person shooter video games for a better situational awareness system attached to soldiers’ rifles. Its artificial intelligence talks to the M4’s electro-optical sight. Elbit calls this system a “digital, networked combat machine.”
ARCAS uses a video camera to give soldiers more information about targets, such as the range and how the shooter needs to correct his or her shot. ARCAS has built-in maps to enable soldiers to conduct their own intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The system also allows soldiers to talk to their squad and platoon leaders through the rifle.
Augmented Reality Heads-Up Display on M4s
ARCAS tracks the number of rounds available in the heads-up display and could even determine who are friendlies and who are enemies. It also lets you comminate with other soldiers through wi-fi or Bluetooth. “Zeroing” the weapon, or setting up and adjusting the sight, is done automatically. ARCAS also tells you if there is a malfunction or jam in the M4. ARCAS will have future updates to the software to improve performance. Through motion detection, ARCAS can track, identify and recognize a target at a maximum of 580 meters, so it is meant for more close-quarters combat.
There Could Be Issues With Such an Advanced System
This all sounds amazing, but there are practical problems.
What if a new private comes to an infantry unit after learning to shoot a certain way with existing sight configurations in Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training? He would have to learn to shoot all over again with a complex system.
It is not clear how much the system weighs and how durable it is. What if sand or dirt gets in ARCAS? Could the entire system crash in combat? What if personnel dropped it on the ground? It seems delicate. Soldiers would then have a rifle that is combat ineffective. Could personnel remove the system and install iron sights in the heat of combat? That’s not clear from the manufacturer. Plus, there are batteries to think about. One of the biggest difficulties with complicated aiming systems is simply remembering to pack extra batteries.
More Features More Problems
The contractor claims it can shoot around corners without explaining how that would work and that ARCAS allows shooting from the hip with newfound accuracy. Maybe ARCAS has what Silicon Valley calls feature creep. That’s too many features without getting user feedback. It would make more sense to focus on one aspect of the system and then innovate new features as soldiers call for them. This would allow the manufacturer to slowly integrate features after each iteration. This could be done in phases of development.
Aside from these downsides, you have to admit that ARCAS is the future. Heads-up displays, augmented reality, and video cameras are all innovations that will eventually come to rifles. ARCAS just has to slow down and get more feedback from users before the Army fields the weapon.
(Source: Defense News Early Bird/https://www.19fortyfive.com/)
14 Oct 21. Lockheed Martin’s (NYSE: LMT) Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) completed its longest flight to date, exceeding maximum threshold, with the U.S. Army yesterday at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), California. This marks the fifth consecutive successful flight test for the missile.
Firing from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) launcher, the PrSM flew an extended range mission over the Pacific Ocean.
“The Precision Strike Missile continues to validate range and performance requirements,” said Paula Hartley, vice president of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Achieving this long-range milestone for the baseline missile demonstrates PrSM’s capability to meet our customer’s modernization priorities on a rapid timeline.” The success comes on the heels of two U.S. Army contract awards issued in September for Early Operational Capability (EOC) production and Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) advancing the missile to the next phase of the PrSM program.
Lockheed Martin is working alongside the U.S. Army to optimize this next-gen system for the future – in everything from production to enhanced capabilities. Implementing digital tools such as augmented reality, advanced modeling and sim, machine learning/data analytics, and software factory to streamline efforts has helped accelerate PrSM’s development program with speed, agility and efficiency.
“We are also working closely with our Army partners to develop and integrate future incremental capabilities,” said Hartley.
The flight is the second of three demonstrations taking place this year as part of the Enhanced Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (ETMRR) phase of the development program. The next flight is scheduled this fall as part of the U.S. Army’s Project Convergence 21.
The test missile was produced at Lockheed Martin’s new Long Range Precision Fires facility in Camden, Arkansas. This facility is a part of a $142m investment to expand and enhance Lockheed Martin’s Precision Fires center of excellence. All missile and pod integration efforts will now be occurring in this adaptable, future-focused facility that is prepared to evolve with future warfighter needs.
For more than 40 years, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has been the leading designer and manufacturer of long-range, surface-to-surface precision strike solutions, providing highly reliable, combat-proven systems such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), HIMARS, Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) and Guided MLRS (GMLRS) to domestic and international customers. (Source: ASD Network/Lockheed Martin Corporation)
19 Oct 21. Milipol Paris 2021: ULBRICHTS Protection presents the first “stand alone” helmet capable of stopping Kalashnikov iron-core ammunition and reducing the back face deformation / trauma to below the fatal level of 25 joules. ULBRICHTS achieves the breakthrough, opening up a new era in ballistic protective helmets with real protection against rifle: ULBRICHTS Protection presents its new RIFLE helmet family. The new VPAM 6 rifle helmet protects ‘stand alone’ on the surface without additional protective shields (FORTIS) against dangerous threats (7.62×39 MSC).
This groundbreaking development offers a new level of protection and is based on the tireless search for a technical solution capable of halting both the extremely difficult-to-stop iron core ammunition 7.62×39 MSC and the NATO caliber 7.62×51 NATO (M80) (NIJ III) at full speed.
TRUE PROTECTION = STOP AND SURVIVABLE RESIDUAL ENERGY VALUES <25 JOULES
Real protection can be ensured only if it not only stops projectiles, but also prevents strong backface deformation and thus reduces residual energy to less than the lethal 25 joules.
Statistics from the last few years show that people running amok and engaging in terror and violence against the executive are increasingly using firearms and long weapons such as the Kalashnikov and AR15 derivatives.
ULBRICHTS Protection has set itself the task of providing special task forces, patrol officers and the first responders who are the quickest to arrive at the scene the best possible protection against threats from short and long guns.
About ULBRICHTS Protection
ULBRICHTS Protection from Schwanenstadt in Upper Austria is a division of ULBRICHTS GmbH. It develops and manufactures ballistic helmets made of titanium and titanium hybrids. The company’s international clientele includes patrol officers, special police forces, other police units and the military. ULBRICHTS Protection is one of the pioneers in the field of ballistic head protection and regularly sets new technical standards in terms of true protection, comfort and design.
ULBRICHTS helmets are the first choice for ballistic first-responder helmets, as well as ballistic helmets for special forces and police units. (Source: PR Newswire)
15 Oct 21. Wheeled Self-propelled Artillery at AUSA. The US Army’s active interest and potential requirements for artillery capability compatible with the Stryker’s manoeuvre saw truck mounted howitzers well represented at the 2021 Association of the US Army exposition.
Its recent completion of demonstration firings of four candidates at Yuma Proving Grounds in August 2021 further facilitated this presence since systems were in the United States. The four candidates trialled were selected from respondents to an Army Request for Information seeking systems that could address and Urgent Need Statement by the Cavalry Stryker regiment in Europe.
Their concern is that the current towed M777 155 mm Howitzers do not have sufficient mobility to keep up with and support the Strykers. In addition, these guns are particularly vulnerable to counter-battery fires anticipated in the peer-on-peer battlefield. Wheeled self-propelled has been widely adopted in other armies as a suitable solution.
Gun systems that were demonstrated at Yuma and displayed at AUSA included the YugoImports Nora, Elbit Defence ATMOS, and BAE Archer. (Nexter’s Caesar was also reportedly demonstrated ay Yuma but was not displayed at AUSA.)
Each system was mounted on a truck chassis model not in US Army service, although representatives of each indicated that it would be relatively straight forward adapting to a different truck body. A case in point was made by John Summers Director Programs of Global Ordnance representing YuroImports who explained that they had adapted Nora to the MAN 8 X 8 in under six weeks for the demonstration. The system’s operation ranged from the manually loaded ATMOS to the Archer and Nora both using automatic loading.
Each system successfully met the Army requirement for a six round per minute minimum rate of fire with the ability to also deliver multiple rounds simultaneous impact on target fire missions. Perhaps more critical is that these systems are able to set-up, fire, and displace far more rapidly than towed artillery. This sequence can be as brief as under ninety seconds compared to 4 to 5 minutes for a towed piece. Doing so assures that the gun and crew have displaced before an enemy can locate and fire on them.
The current Army effort is focused on addressing the UNS which could be eighteen-gun systems for Europe. In this case rapid fielding and an existing support structure would likely be of greatest importance. However, clearly with the emphasis on the peer-on-peer battle the benefits of a broader fielding of wheeled self-propelled artillery appears obvious not just for the US but for armies as well. In fact, France, Japan, Thailand, the PRC, and others have already done so. With this in mind Rheinmetall, Kraus-Maffei Wegmann, and General Dynamics Land Systems all presented wheeled self-propelled artillery solutions.
Rheinmetall uses the latest MAN HX3 10 X 10 truck and will begin firing trials in 2022. The KMW Remotely Controlled Howitzer (RCH) employs the Boxer 8 X 8 armoured vehicle and the 155mm Artillery Gun Module and has been demonstrated. It is not only highly automated but has the capability to deliver accurate indirect fires while moving and direct assault engagement. The General Dynamics 155 howitzer solution includes an ammunition resupply version. Both use the 8 X 8 Stryker combat vehicle assuring both equivalent mobility within the Stryker units and common maintenance and support. Although shown in models it is understood that protype hardware can be anticipated.
The presence of such a gathering of wheeled self-propelled howitzers at the premiere land military exposition in North America suggests its merits have been recognized. The question now is where this capability will fall within the many programs the US Army already has on its plate. (Source: AMR)
15 Oct 21. Pakistan commissions Chinese HQ-9/P surface to air missile system. The Pakistan Army has commissioned the Chinese-developed HQ-9/P high to medium air defense system (HIMADS). The induction ceremony took place at the army air defense center in Karachi on October 14, and was attended by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, as well senior officials from China. Pakistan’s FD-2000, as the export variant of the HQ-9 is labeled, is said to have capabilities similar to the S-300, as it is believed to draw upon the Soviet system. According to available information, the system can cover an area of close to 50,000 square kilometers and intercept aircraft at ranges of up to 125 kilometers. The systems is manufactured by China Precision Machinery Import-Export Corporation (CPMIEC).
“Induction of HIMADS will significantly enhance the comprehensive layered integrated air defense (CLIAD) shield of aerial frontiers of Pakistan as the system is fully integrated through a well-knit digitized system on its inventory,” the Pakistan defense ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added that the system is capable of intercepting multiple air targets including aircraft, cruise missiles and beyond visual range weapons at ranges over 100 kilometers with single shot kill probability.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Qamar Javed Bajwa highlighted the Pakistan–China strategic partnership and defense collaboration as a factor of stability in the region, adding that the induction of the systems “would make Pakistan’s air defense impenetrable in the emerging threat scenario.”
In addition to Pakistan, HQ-9 is in service in China, Algeria, Morocco, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Turkey initially also chose the system for its long-range air-and missile-defense program but later walked away from the purchase due to political reasons. (Source: https://defbrief.com/)
14 Oct 21. S-500 enters service in Moscow region. The first S-500 55R6M Prometey (Prometheus) strategic air-defence system has entered service with a unit in the Moscow region, the TASS news agency reported on 13 October, citing a source close to the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The first regimental set is to be followed by a second in the first half of 2022, the source added. No official announcement has been made by the MoD, but Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told the RIA Novosti news agency in September that deliveries were under way to Russian forces. These initial S-500 units may be intended primarily for training purposes or limited service, as the Izvestia newspaper reported on 12 October that Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov has said serial production and deliveries of the S-500 are scheduled for 2025.
A Russian air defence regimental set typically consists of two Divizion (battalion) sets. A typical battalion set for a similar-sized system such as an S-400 would usually consist of around eight transporter, erector, launchers (TELs) and their associated supporting assets. An S-500 regimental set could be based around a similar structure, with around 16 TELs in a regimental set. However, much about the system remains unknown and it is quite possible a different operating structure has been adopted for the system.
The S-500 is intended to provide an outer tier to Russia’s layered strategic air-defence network and will be combined into a single defensive contour with the Pantsir-SM short-range air-defence system, according to Izvestia. (Source: Janes)
18 Oct 21. UVision strengthens its presence in the United States. UVision USA has signed a cooperation agreement with MAG Aerospace, to support US Forces in the operation of HERO Loitering Munitions. Under the agreement, MAG Aerospace will provide Operators, FSRs, Training and local support for the HERO systems exclusively for UVision USA. UVision USA – continues to strengthen its operations in the US with the signing of a cooperation agreement with MAG Aerospace at the AUSA (Association of the United States Army) Annual Meeting. Through this cooperation, UVision USA and MAG Aerospace will offer operational and training solutions for the Hero family of loitering munitions. MAG Aerospace will provide in-country resources, perform demonstrations, operational training, and support for UVision’s customers OCONUS (outside Continental US) and CONUS (Continental US).
“This agreement has come about in response to the growing need in the United States for HERO systems,” says Jim Truxel, CEO of UVision USA. “As part of the cooperation with MAG Aerospace, we will be able to provide local support for the company’s customers locally and around the globe. UVision USA operations will continue to expand.”
“MAG Aerospace brings a terrific reputation and demonstrated experience in providing similar services all over the world,” says Chief Growth Officer, Matt Bartlett, of MAG Aerospace. “Together with UVision’s advanced technological knowledge and its operationally-proven systems, we will be able to provide an operational advantage to American forces operating on and off the continent.”
The agreement was signed by Jim Truxel and Joe Fluet, CEO of MAG Aerospace, during the AUSA Annual Meeting on October 12.
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Arnold Defense has manufactured more than 1.25 m 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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