03 Mar 22. Kongsberg eyes potential UK turret opportunities. Kongsberg sees the uncrewed turret market as an area of growing interest. Following success in supplying RWS to the British Army, Kongsberg is eyeing up potential opportunities to provide the service with its uncrewed turret technologies.
In 2021, a version of the Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) was seen at a WFEL facility in Stockport sporting a Kongsberg RT60 turret.
British Army and UK MoD officials viewed the fully functional prototype, which was designed for an unnamed Middle Eastern customer.
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace VP of strategic business development Kyrre Lohne told Shephard that the RT60 was a credible military-off-the-shelf option if the British Army was interested. (Source: News Now/Shephard)
02 Mar 22. Proteus positions Blue Spear for countries seeking commonality across armed services. Proteus Advanced Systems is marketing its Blue Spear as a cross-deployable surface-to-surface missile for manpower-strained countries seeking greater commonality between units of its armed services. In an interview with Janes on 28 March, Ron Tryfus, general manager of Proteus Advanced Systems, said how a number of developed countries are facing personnel shortages given the decline in their respective populations. This constraint is making it more difficult to deploy different surface strike solutions across different branches of the armed forces, such as the navy and the coastal defence units of the army. Proteus Advanced Systems is a joint-venture teaming between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Singapore defence prime ST Engineering. The company is responsible for marketing the Blue Spear missiles to potential operators as a fifth-generation missile system. (Source: Janes)
03 Mar 22. US Navy developing mine countermeasure system for MQ-8 Fire Scout. The MCM system will enable MQ-8C Fire Scouts to detect mines and obstacles on land and at-sea. The US Navy has announced that it is developing a new mine countermeasure (MCM) sensor suite for MQ-8C Fire Scout uncrewed helicopter systems. The addition of the MCM system will enable MQ-8C Fire Scouts to detect mines and obstacles on land and at-sea. Currently, several departments are working to complete the final phase of the Single System Multi-Mission Airborne Mine Detection (SMAMD) Future Naval Capability Program. BAE Systems-developed SMAMD is set to be the first MCM system to be added onto the MQ-8C Fire Scout. It will also be the heaviest payload that the uncrewed helicopter carried to date. The MCM system leverages an airborne optical sensor suite to offer real-time onboard processing capabilities and expedite response effort when a threat is detected. Fire Scout programme director Captain Thomas Lansley said: “This capability is extremely important as we see future fights occurring in the littoral waters where mine warfare is prevalent.
“A mine warfare capability will greatly reduce risk for LCS and other vessels in the littoral.”
Last month, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Four (UX-24) conducted Flying Qualities and Performance (FQ&P) testing with the MQ-8C.
Models, which are similar in size and weight to the SMAMD System, were used in place of the prototype system pods during the tests. The testing helped to procure relevant data to support air vehicle performance and safety assessment. The US Navy and the team now plan to conduct a land-based demonstration of the MCM prototype this spring to support future integration of the MQ-8C Fire Scout and SMAMD. The demonstration will be carried out at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Panama City, Florida stretching from the beach zone to deep water up to 10km offshore. Recently, the US Navy’s CMV-22B Osprey aircraft has reached initial operational capability. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
02 Mar 22. Austin Postpones Test of Minuteman III Missile. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III exemplified how a responsible nuclear nation should behave and postponed a long-planned test launch of an American Minuteman III rocket, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said today during a news conference. Austin’s order is in direct contrast to the irresponsible actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin who directed a special alert of Russian nuclear forces.
“Now, in this time of heightened tensions, the United States and other members of the international community rightly saw as dangerous and irresponsible and … an unnecessary step,” Kirby said.
The United States and Russia have long agreed nuclear employment could have devastating consequences. Both nations agree that “a nuclear war cannot be won, and must never be fought,” Kirby said.
Putin’s provocative rhetoric and his threats of possible changes to nuclear posture involving the most consequential weapons is unacceptable, he said. The United States has not taken any similar steps.
“So, in an effort to demonstrate that we have no intention of engaging in any actions that can be misunderstood or misconstrued, the secretary of defense has directed that our Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test launch scheduled for this week to be postponed,” Kirby said. “We did not take this decision lightly, but instead to demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power.”
This postponement will not affect America’s nuclear deterrence in any way. “We remain confident in our strategic posture,” Kirby said. “And our ability to defend the homeland and our allies, and our partners remains fully intact and ready.”
In this time of tension, the United States and Russia must bear in mind the risk of miscalculation and take steps to reduce those risks, the press secretary said.
Air Force crews test four Minuteman III rockets per year from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The tests are planned years in advance and publicized to avoid miscalculations. The dummy warheads splash down near Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. A new date for the test has not been set. (Source: US DoD)
01 Mar 22. SIG Custom Works Introduces P320 SPECTRE Comp. SIG SAUER is pleased to introduce the latest addition to the SPECTRE Series of pistols with the P320 SPECTRE Comp created by SIG Custom Works. The P320 SPECTRE Comp is the ultimate P320 for competition, carry and everything in between offering a rich feature set, substantial recoil reduction, and advanced functionality straight from the factory.
“The P320 SPECTRE Comp builds on the ingenuity of the popular P320 XFIVE LEGION and brings a new level of technology to the 9mm polymer pistol. The P320 SPECTRE Comp adds the signature SIG Custom Works LXG treatment for better grip of the patented XSERIES TXG tungsten infused polymer grip module and a full custom works design treatment,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “However, what takes this P320 to the next level in performance is the Sig Custom Works designed compensator resulting in a 30% decrease in recoil from the already flat shooting experience of the P320 XFIVE LEGION. The XRay3 front sight is dovetailed directly to the compensator which dramatically improves sight recovery for each shot. Finished in a Blackout Cerakote® Elite coating, the compensator seamlessly blends with the custom slide finish and serrations resulting in an elegant look with P320 XFIVE LEGION holster compatibility.”
The SIG Custom Works P320 SPECTRE Comp is a 9mm polymer frame pistol that features the laser stippled LXG Tungsten XSERIES grip module, an optics-ready slide with custom serrations featuring an optic plate and rear dovetail sight, integrated compensator with front dovetail sight, a titanium nitride gold barrel and XSERIES gold flat skeleton trigger, and X-RAY 3 day/night sights. The SIG Custom Works P320 SPECTRE Comp ships with (2) 21-round steel magazines or (2) 10-round steel magazines and comes with a SIG Custom Works coin, and certificate of authenticity.
P320 SPECTRE Comp:
Caliber: 9mm
Overall length: 8.5 inches
Overall height: 5.8 Inches
Overall width: 1.6 inches
Barrel length: 4.6 inches
Sight Radius: 6.5 inches
Weight (w/magazine): 41.8 oz.
The complete SIG Custom Works SPECTRE series of pistols includes the P320 SPECTRE COMP, P365XL SPECTRE Comp, P320 XCARRY SPECTRE and the P365XL SPECTRE.
The SIG Custom Works P320 SPECTRE Comp is now shipping and available at retailers. To learn more about the P320 SPECTRE Comp or watch the product video with Phil Strader, Director, Product Management visit sigsauer.com.
01 Mar 22. GATORZ Expands Protective Eyewear Options. GATORZ Eyewear sets to expand its already impressive protective eyewear options, adding the Wraptor style frame to its ANSI 87+/MILSPEC Ballistic rated options. The Wraptor frame features a wrap-style fit with full protection. This style is popular for anyone looking for a close fitting, and comfortable frame. A GATORZ original, the Wraptor looks great on all face shapes, especially those looking for a compact fit. Enduring impact testing to withstand two shots from a .15 caliber projectile between 700-725 feet per second, without cracking, shattering, or dislodging, the new Wraptor ANSI/MILSPEC eyewear is well suited for all protective eyewear needs. The lenses offer an anti-fog coating, as well as a hydro-oleophobic coating for oil and grease repellant and UV 400 protection from the sun. The Wraptor frame joins a strong ballistic lineup that includes the original Magnum frame, Delta frame, and Specter frame offerings. Various combinations are offered throughout the frame and lens selections, with most all eyewear being compliant with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 standard and/or MILSPEC Ballistic rated eyewear with fragmentation protection. Lens options for the GATORZ’ ballistic lineup range from smoked, inferno (photochromic) or clear lenses. Some limited edition eyewear is available, as well as the Specter frame in Cerakote Gunmetal, OD Green, or tan frames with smoked lenses. The new Wraptor ANSI/MILSPEC protective eyewear is available in black frames with options of smoked, inferno (photochromic) or clear lenses.
03 Mar 22. South Korea tests low-altitude missile defence system. South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) recently test-fired its low-altitude missile defence (LAMD) system. According to a report on the state-run Korea.net, the Special Secretary to the President for Public Communication Park Soo-hyun announced on Facebook that the LAMD was test-fired from the Anheung test site. The test site is in Taean county on the eastern shore of South Korea.
Park also said ADD tested the long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) on the same day. Officials confirmed the L-SAM and LAMD are core components of the Korea Air and Missile Defense.
The Korea.net report said the LAMD is a system guiding projectile launch pads that have been installed at multiple sites to “create an air-defence network in the shape of a dome and intercept long-range artillery shells”.
Janes previously reported that South Korean company LIG Nex1 is developing the LAMD system for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces.
According to a LIG Nex1 official, the missiles equipping LAMD are based on the Haegung Korean Surface-to-Air Anti-Missile (K-SAAM) system developed for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). (Source: Janes)
01 Mar 22. EOS, Nova Systems’ Sovereign Missile Alliance partners with Diehl Defence for guided munitions enterprise. The Sovereign Missile Alliance, a joint venture between Electro Optic Systems and Nova Systems, has announced its intention to partner with guided weapons contractor Diehl Defence for the Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise. Designed to provide sovereign solutions for missile and guided weapons manufacturing, the joint venture leverages the capabilities of both EOS and Nova Systems with a reported 1,000 employees and $500m annual turnover.
Now, it has been announced that Diehl Defence would also support the enterprise with technology transfers to greater support the development of sovereign guided weapons capabilities. The agreement will be conducted on a non-exclusive basis.
“This collaboration with Diehl Defence will bring world-leading technology to Australia to enable this development to occur,” Dr Ben Greene, founder and group chief executive officer of EOS, said.
His comments were reflected by Nova Systems Group chief executive officer Jim McDowell, describing how the partnership will better benefit Australian industry and national security.
“Nova Systems and EOS are two Australian mid-tier defence entities of scale that are 100 per cent Australian owned and controlled. The Sovereign Missile Alliance welcomes the commitment of Diehl Defence to participate in the Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise in key technological areas,” McDowell said.
According to earlier reports, the SMA boasts:
- an extensive supply chain network qualified to defence aerospace standards;
- design and development of military aerospace products;
- test and evaluation, certification and systems assurance;
- systems integration;
- rocket motors and propulsion; and
- advanced technology from the largest R&D and tertiary collaboration programs in Australian defence industry.
“The sovereign capability to deliver guided weapons already exists in-country and the SMA creates an Australian owned entity of scale with the required capabilities, resources, funding and established relationships across the broader Defence ecosystem to start this journey with the Commonwealth now,” McDowell, group CEO at Nova Systems, said.
The SMA, which has committed to remaining “missile vendor neutral”, will not require approvals or permissions from foreign partners to deliver sovereign missile requirements.
The co-operative plans to establish a “sustainable, domestic capacity” through a Common User Facility to develop foreign missiles under licence, using the joint venture’s indigenous supply chain. (Source: Defence Connect)
28 Feb 22. RN plans Type 45 ballistic missile defence, eyes future counter-hypersonic capability. The UK RN will upgrade its Type 45 destroyers to provide a ballistic missile defence capability while detailing plans for the ship’s replacements to feature counter-hypersonic equipment.
Upgrades to the Sea Viper missile system aboard Daring-class Type 45 destroyers will protect the RN and wider defence community from ballistic missile threats by the late 2020s, under a newly confirmed UK plan.
A ballistic missile defence (BMD) capability will be delivered through the Sea Viper Evolution (SVE) project.
The government confirmed the plans in a written response to a UK Parliament Defence Committee report on the state of the RN.
Funding for SVE Capability 1, which would see the upgrade of missiles to the Aster Block 1 standard, was mentioned in the March 2021 Integrated Review. (Source: News Now/Shephard)