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25 Mar 21. MBDA cruise missile falls short in Iraq. An MBDA Storm Shadow or SCALP cruise missile appears to have failed to reach its target in northern Iraq.
Photographs were published by an Iraqi news website on 22 March showing wreckage that was found in the Hammam al-Alil district, south of Mosul. Although identified by an Iraqi security source as an unmanned aerial vehicle, it was clearly powered by a turbojet engine that could be identified as the Turbomeca Microturbo TRI 60 used in the Storm Shadow and its French SCALP counterpart.
The wings and control surfaces seen in the wreckage also conformed with the Storm Shadow/SCALP.
The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon jets used Storm Shadow missiles on 10 March as part of an ongoing campaign against Islamic State fighters using cave complexes in the Makhmur mountains, southwest of Arbil.
It said Storm Shadows were “selected as the most appropriate weapon for the task” and that the “weapons were confirmed to have struck their targets precisely”.
The town of Makhmur sits close to a pass through a mountain ridge about 50 km southeast of Hammam al-Alil so the location of the missile wreckage seems consistent with a weapon that was launched by an aircraft that took off from the RAF base on Cyprus and flew along the Syrian-Turkish border to carry out the strike. (Source: Jane’s)
24 Mar 21. France, Italy update their joint air-defense weapon for faster missiles. France and Italy have announced they are cooperating on a new generation of the SAMP/T anti-air system they developed in the early years of this century to give it new capabilities.
Florence Parly, French Minister of the Armed Forces, and her Italian counterpart Lorenzo Guerini jointly welcomed the launch of the new program on March 24.
The SAMP/T, developed by the Franco-Italian consortium Eurosam, is used by the French Air & Space Force and by the Italian army to provide a ground-to-air, medium-range defense capability against aircraft and some ballistic missiles. It has been deployed operationally in a NATO framework. It consists of a multifunction fire control radar, a ground-based launch system and Aster 30 B1 missiles.
The new SAMP/T NG program will evolve the current system so that it better meets new threats that are “faster, more maneuverable, stealthier and used in combination with cyber attacks, decoys, multiple jammings and saturation attack scenarios,“ the DGA French procurement agency said in a statement.
The program will modernize the fire control system by integrating the latest technology active electronically scanned array radar adapted to the greater range of the future Aster 30 B1 NT Extended Capability missile which has been under development by the two countries since 2016.
The DGA says the new capabilities will also improve the contribution made by the SAMP/T to NATO’s ballistic missile defense.
OCCAR, which is managing the program on behalf of the DGA for France and Italy’s SGD armament directorate, notified the contract to Eurosam on March 19. (Source: Defense News)
25 Mar 21. Israel Tests New Version Of Barak Missile With An Extended Range Of 150 Km. Israel has completed the test of a new Barak extended-range interceptor that can destroy a target 150 km away. India is among the countries that possess the Barak air defense missile.
Its manufacturer, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), said the new missile can shoot down fighter jets, cruise missiles, and other airborne threats. “The Barak extended-range interceptor can take out airborne threats at a range of 150 kilometers (93 miles),” said IAI.
The missile, which is part of the company’s family of Barak interceptors, can be launched vertically and also includes a rocket motor, a booster, and a radar homing seeker.
According to the company, the range of the missile was extended with the help of adjusting other interceptor missiles and radar capabilities.
“The combination of several interceptors in a unified launcher and the inherent modularity of the Barak system provide an optimal response for the future battlefield,” IAI president and CEO Boaz Levy said in a statement after the test.
The Barak 8 (meaning ‘lightning’) SAM has been jointly produced by Israel’s IAI, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Israel’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure, Rafael, Elta Systems, and other companies.
The missile has been designed to shoot down aircraft, helicopters, drones, anti-ship missiles, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
To address its growing need for long-range surface-to-air-missiles (SAMs), India joined hands with Israel to develop the Barak-1 system, which had already been in service with the Indian and Israeli navies.
The missile was further upgraded for the use of land forces as well, with the current version being the Barak-8. In 2019, IAI had won a $777m contract to supply India with a maritime version of the Barak-8 missile defense system.
Besides the Indian military and the Israeli Navy, the system is also used by Azerbaijan. According to reports, currently, the Barak-8 missile can travel at a maximum speed of Mach 2 and has an operational range of 70 kilometers. (Source: Google/https://eurasiantimes.com/)
25 Mar 21. Boeing partners with Hypersonix for research program. Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T) and Australia-based Hypersonix Launch Systems have agreed to conduct a joint study on the design of a reusable hypersonic vehicle, used for the sustainable launch of satellites to low-Earth orbit (LEO).
The vehicle is expected to be powered by the Hypersonix SPARTAN – a fully composite reusable accelerating scramjet engine, capable of speeds of Mach 12.
“The agreement with Hypersonix demonstrates Boeing’s continued commitment to building out critical sovereign capability, supporting the development of Australia’s space industry – safely and sustainably – and also partnering with small and medium-sized enterprises,” Brendan Nelson, president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, said.
Dr Michael Smart, head of R&D and co-founder of Hypersonix, said the firm’s launch system provides satellite network operators with a “green and sustainable” method of launching satellites to LEO.
“We ‘fly to space’, are fully re-usable and we use green hydrogen to provide a high cadence and flexible LEO launch service,” he said.
“Boeing’s long history with sophisticated high-speed airframe design and hypersonic flight makes them an ideal partner for Hypersonix.
Dr Kevin Bowcutt, principle senior technical fellow and chief scientist of hypersonics, BR&T, said Boeing has a “proven track record” of supporting the safe introduction of new hypersonics technologies and platforms.
“Boeing has had decades of experience testing and operating hypersonic technology, including supporting NASA and USAF in flying the very first air-breathing hypersonic test vehicles,” he added.
“This makes Boeing the right company to partner with to develop a revolutionary new approach to delivering payload to space in a sustainable way.”
Hypersonix, which received an Accelerating Commercialisation Grant from the Department of Industry last year, is also working on the supply of green hydrogen as fuel for the SPARTAN scramjet. (Source: Space Connect)
24 Mar 21. SMART SHOOTER moving forward on IWTSD Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic (IWOO) program using advanced Fire Control System.
Unveiled for the first time – New IWOO system combines an advanced optical system, including automated detection and targeting of traditional ground targets as well as small UAS hard-kill capability, all to make the force stronger, faster, more accurate and lethal
In February 2020, the US Department of Defense’ Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) selected SMART SHOOTER, a world-class designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems, to develop the solution for its Individual Weapon Overmatch Optic (IWOO) project.
Last November, SMART SHOOTER reached an important milestone in successfully completing the IWOO Critical Design Review. This means the IWOO design has been approved by IWTSD and will now move to prototype production with delivery of the first functional system next Fall.
The IWOO program was initiated by IWTSD to provide tactical operators overmatch capability against long range static and moving targets, both day and night. SMART SHOOTER won the competition and began development using proven technologies from its SMASH line of Fire Control optics and inserting new capabilities such as a variable x1- x8 zoom – all stitched together with combat-proven fire control algorithms to assure the hit.
The IWOO system automatically detects, highlights, and tracks potential targets – including drones – using a see-through display which enhances the user situational awareness. Built-in fire control processing continuously calculates the optimal firing solution to provide the user with clear, discreet guidance, firing only with the best chance of neutralizing the target, delivering first-round hit capabilities time after time.
“We value this important opportunity to partner with IWTSD to develop the IWOO system, and are honored to provide operators with an unmatched optic capability against modern threats and the types of terrorist attacks that we are increasingly seeing on streets and battlefields around the world” Ms. Michal Mor, CEO of SMART SHOOTER said.
“We are very pleased with the progress SMART SHOOTER has made with the IWOO design” said Michael Trexler, Special Operation Forces Combat Support Coordinator / Program Manager, at IWTSD. “We look forward to conducting operational testing and evaluation using the dual-capabilities of IWOO prototypes in 2021 against ground targets at increased ranges and to take-down drones.”
24 Mar 21. US Army’s Stryker up-gunning contract award postponed until late-June. The US Army needs more time to evaluate vendors’ bids to outfit Stryker vehicles with 30 mm cannons, with plans to pick a winner pushed back to the end of June.
The service privately notified companies bidding on the Medium Calibre Weapons System (MCWS) programme on 15 March that it was revamping its acquisition timeline. According to one timeline graph obtained by Janes and confirmed with the US Army, the service is slipping the production decision from April until 30 June.
“The target award date changed in order to complete proposal evaluations, which are being conducted in accordance with Department of Defense source selection procedures,” Ashley John, director for public and congressional affairs for the Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems, wrote in a 22 March email.
“Any proposal or evaluation information, including information related to the production ready system samples, is source selection sensitive,” John added. “Additional information cannot be provided until after contract award.”
She did not provide additional details about supplementary testing or if vendors could modify the weapons during this time. It is also not clear if the US Army will need to further modify its fielding plan, which already shifted from late fiscal year 2022 (FY 2022) until the March–April 2023 timeframe, after the service gave companies additional time to submit their written proposals, bid samples, and armour coupons last year. However, one industry source warned that these repeated delays make it risky for companies to make an upfront investment in anticipation of a contract award that could further slow roll things. (Source: Jane’s)
23 Mar 21. PNI Sensor’s New Dismounted Soldier Tracking Technology Provides Precise Location in GPS-denied Environments. PNI Sensor, the world’s foremost expert in precision location, motion tracking, and fusion of sensor systems into real-world applications, has announced new Dismounted Soldier Tracking (DST) technology that determines a soldier’s precise location, even when GPS is compromised or denied.
PNI has spent seven years of internal research and development perfecting the highest-accuracy, lowest-power sensor fusion algorithms for wearables and smartphones. DST is the result of this combined expertise. DST location technology stays accurate over time and through a wide range of conditions, so its data can be trusted to deliver precise results in mission-critical scenarios.
Ubiquitous Tracking – PNI’s advanced DST inertial tracking technology provides unparalleled accuracy and offers step-by-step tracking for soldiers, both indoors and outdoors.
Unmatched Direction of Motion – DST technology determines direction of motion independent of the soldier’s body pose or dynamic movement in any direction (forward, backward, sideways).
Self-contained – No additional infrastructure required and optimized for low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). The DST module can be body worn.
“PNI has operated in the soldier-portable domain for more than thirty years and our compass technology is used in U.S. Army laser rangefinders, enhanced night vision goggles, and other mission critical applications that require high accuracy, consistency and reliability in the field,” said Robin Stoecker, vice president of sales and marketing at PNI Sensor. “We are committed to delivering world-class positioning, navigation and timing capabilities that enhance combat overmatch for modern warfighters.”
Evaluation Kit Availability
DST technology is made in the U.S.A, ITAR-free, and fully customizable to mission specifications. Engineering samples are available now. To purchase a DST evaluation kit, please contact PNI Sales or your regional PNI representative.
For product specifications and more information, visit Dismounted Soldier Tracking.
About PNI Sensor
With over 30 years of experience, PNI is the world’s foremost expert in precision location, motion tracking, and fusion of sensor systems into real-world applications. PNI’s sensors and algorithms serve as the cornerstone of successful IoT projects and other mission-critical applications where pinpoint location, accuracy, and low power consumption are essential. Building on decades of patented sensor and algorithm development, PNI offers the industry’s highest-performance geomagnetic sensor in its class, location and motion coprocessors, high-performance modules, sensor fusion algorithms, and complete sensor systems. To learn more, please visit www.pnicorp.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
23 Mar 21. Flight test schedule for US hypersonic weapons at risk, says watchdog. The Pentagon’s ambitious flight test schedule for hypersonic weapons could be at risk due to test range limitations, according to a Government Accountability Office report issued March 22.
The Defense Department plans to conduct as many as 40 flight tests of hypersonic weapons in the next five years, but logistical problems could make achieving existing schedules difficult, the report states.
There is just one long-range flight-test corridor, the GAO states, “but it will not by itself be able to support this pace of testing.”
If hypersonic development programs can’t conduct planned flight tests, “they will be forced to either proceed to an operational capability with fewer tests (and thus less knowledge), or to accept the delay, with schedule and cost consequences,” according to the report.
The Department of Defense is trying to quickly develop and field hypersonic weapons to stay ahead of potential threats from Russia and China. Both countries have robust development and fielding efforts for hypersonic weapons. Hypersonic weapons are capable of flying about five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5, and they can maneuver between varying altitudes and azimuths, making them difficult to detect.
The GAO counted 70 U.S. efforts to develop hypersonic weapons and technologies with an estimated cost of $15bn from fiscal 2015 through fiscal 2024. While some of these efforts are in collaboration with NASA and the Department of Energy, the majority come from within the DoD.
The Army and Navy plan to conduct three flight tests of their co-developed hypersonic glide body in 2021, an ambitious schedule to initially field the weapon in fiscal 2023, according to Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood, who oversees the Army’s rapid development of hypersonic, directed-energy and space capabilities.
In March 2020, the Army and Navy had a successful first flight test of their Common-Hypersonic Glide Body, which was launched and flew at hypersonic speed to a designated impact point. That shot was able to hit within 6 inches of the target.
The Defense Department is developing the body that will serve as the base of the United States’ offensive hypersonic missile. The test marked a significant step forward in accomplishing that mission amid mounting criticism that the U.S. is behind China and Russia in hypersonic weapons development.
The C-HGB will be made up of the weapon’s warhead, guidance system, cabling and thermal protection shield. Each service will use the body as the base while developing individual weapon systems such as launchers capable of firing the weapons from land or sea.
“I just have to tell you that the flight test program is very aggressive,” Thurgood told Defense News in August 2020. “And we need to be aggressive in order to keep on pace and really be competitive with our near-peer competitors, namely Russia and China.”
As the Army gets closer to its fielding goal for the Block I version in FY23, every flight test must meet defined objectives. “We do it for distance, we do it for speed, we do it for accuracy and we do it for lethality,” Thurgood said.
Moving forward, the services will have to “dramatically” accelerate the pace of the program, he added, meaning a flight test should take place mid-2021, and another two later in the year.
“Next year, our intent is to do several flight tests versus where we basically have been done or have completed the flight test, kind of, once every three years,” he said.
But while hypersonic weapons “are useful in part because they are difficult to track,” the report stated, “this complicates efforts to flight test them.”
Flight test programs require a sensor architecture that is able to track the entire flight of a hypersonic missile. Pentagon officials told the GAO that “at present, such flight tests can only be conducted over open ocean,” which means sensors must be on boats that could take weeks to reach destinations far out at sea.
Additionally the ranges and test assets are in high demand, not just for hypersonic weapons development, but for other high-priority programs, the GAO report added, including testing of missile defense systems and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The DoD has been working over the last several years to mitigate the issues, the watchdog noted, and has pointed to future plans to alleviate schedule challenges for wind tunnel and flight test facilities.
The Test Resource Management Center oversees much of the physical tests and evaluation. The Pentagon told the GAO that TRMC and the DoD’s principal director for hypersonics set up a system for managing programs’ access to test facilities if there are schedule conflicts, the report noted. In June 2018, the Pentagon, the Missile Defense Agency and the armed services signed an agreement to prioritize flight tests for the prototype of the C-HGB.
The Pentagon is also expanding its wind tunnel and open-air flight test infrastructure, according to the report. TRMC has directed “several hundred million dollars in recent years” toward refurbishing and expanding ground and flight test facilities as well as new land and sea ranges to alleviate pressure on existing flight-test corridors.
There are also drone-mounted aerial sensors in development that could take some of the burden off ship-based sensors.
And the DoD is trying to establish international partnerships that could include additional test facilities for hypersonic capabilities, according to the report.
The GAO also said the Pentagon should use data garnered from ground tests in order to meet fielding schedules, but that would require a ramp up in wind tunnel testing at a time where demand for such capabilities is growing, and not just for hypersonic testing.
“If programs cannot get sufficient time in the correct tunnels, they may be forced to either wait or find other less ideal means to complete their testing,” the GAO wrote. “These options include conducting more flight testing, adopting more conservative designs, or making expanded use of computer models.”
Every wind tunnel facility that can conduct hypersonic testing is booked a year or more in advance, the GAO stated.
Wind tunnel test sites are also aging, according to the report. There are 26 government and private U.S. wind tunnel facilities capable of conducting hypersonic testing. A total of 14 of those were constructed prior to 1970.
The DoD agreed that investments to maintain and refurbish wind tunnel facilities “are necessary.” (Source: Defense News)
23 Mar 21. Northrop and Lockheed win missile defense contracts valued at up to $7.6bn. Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin won separate contracts to design the next-generation interceptor for the U.S. missile defense network, according to a document seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
The Northrop deal is worth up to $3.9bn and the Lockheed contract could be valued at up to $3.7bn. The next-generation interceptor program could be worth as much as $10 to $12bn over its lifetime as the contractor works to make the technology capable of defeating current threats and future technological advances from countries like North Korea and Iran. The new interceptors would be a part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system here, a network of radars, anti-ballistic missiles and other equipment designed to protect the United States from intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). (Source: Reuters)
19 Mar 21. The Russian Federation MoD has released a set of images of CBR troops in Primorye live-firing RPO-A Shmel (Bumblebee) thermobaric weapons. Troops of the Chemical Biological And Radiation (CBR or РХБ ) protection regiment of the Combined-Arms Army of the Eastern Military District (Восточного военного округа or ВВО) in Primorye, as part of the field exit of the CBR protection units, defeated a simulated enemy using hand-held Shmel (Bumblebee) flamethrowers*. Combat firing took place at the Sergeevsky training ground in the Primorsky Territory.
In the course of practical firing, the servicemen prepared flamethrowers for live fire, identified targets and destroyed them. This live-fire exercise for military personnel drafted in the fall of 2020 was the first this year. Previously, the servicemen trained in practical reconnaissance of targets, determining ranges to them in difficult hilly terrain.
Field training will last for another two weeks, during which they will continue to improve their skills in performing live firing with the RPO Shmel at targets imitating lightly armored vehicles of a conventional enemy at ranges up to 600 metres. (Source: http://www.joint-forces.com)
22 Mar 21. AFRL completes second Golden Horde demonstration, shifts focus to Colosseum digital weapon ‘ecosystem.’
A second flight test performed under the US Air Force’s Golden Horde networked collaborative weapons programme has seen four testbed munitions communicate and synchronise to successfully strike multiple ground targets.
Conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in conjunction with Scientific Applications & Research Associates, the latest test proved the resolution of weapon software issues that had affected the first Golden Horde demonstration in December 2020.
At the same time, the AFRL has revealed that future Golden Horde activities are being reoriented towards the development of multi-tier digital weapon ‘ecosystem’ known as the Colosseum.
Golden Horde is an Air Force Vanguard programme that integrates datalink radios and collaborative behaviours to allow guided weapon systems to work together dynamically in real time to prioritise and defeat targets. This shared data is used to improve information across an entire group or ‘swarm’ of weapons to defeat adversary defences and improve overall effectiveness.
The second Golden Horde flight test demonstration, executed on 19 February, saw an F-16 aircraft from the Air Force Test Center’s 96th Test Wing release four Collaborative Small Diameter Bomb (CSDB) weapons. The CSDB is a standard GBU-39 SDB I modified to integrate a network collaborative autonomy payload that gives the weapon the ability to dynamically respond to changes in mission parameters without real-time human intervention. (Source: Jane’s)
19 Mar 21. ATI and the National Armaments Consortium Partner with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head to Tackle the Department of the Navy’s Energetics Challenges. Advanced Technology International (ATI), in partnership with the National Armaments Consortium (NAC), has signed an agreement to develop the Naval Energetic Systems and Technologies (NEST) Program. The NEST Program is a collaboration executed under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) to address the most significant energetics-related challenges facing the Navy and Marine Corps.
This effort is critical in enabling the Navy, Marine Corps and the entire Department of Defense to address current and future threats in the surface, subsurface, air, ground, littoral and expeditionary environments. The partner organizations will foster a collaboration among the engineers, researchers, and technologists at NSWC IHD and NAC’s 900+ members from industry and academia. The OTA has a term of six years with a four-year option.
“ATI is delighted to continue its longstanding partnership with the National Armaments Consortium in executing this important Naval Energetics Systems and Technologies Program,” said Chris Van Metre, CEO and President of ATI. “NAC members have a proven history of delivering innovative energetics technology solutions and eagerly anticipate the opportunity to continuing doing so in support of NSWC IHD.”
“The NAC is honored to partner with ATI and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division to develop a collaborative partnership focused on solving the biggest energetics challenges facing our nation,” said Charlie Zisette, NAC Executive Director. “Our members look forward to working with the incredible workforce at Indian Head to accelerate the development, adoption, and deployment of energetics-related technologies to provide our warfighters the decisive edge on the battlefield.”
The NSWC IHD is the Navy’s premier organization for ordnance, energetics and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) solutions. Its workforce provides energetics R&D, manufacturing technology, engineering, testing, manufacturing and fleet support. Energetics are used in propulsion systems and ordnance, and include explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, reactive materials, related chemicals and fuels.
NSWC IHD’s capabilities address all aspects of the energetics technical discipline including: basic research, applied technology, technology demonstration and prototyping, engineering development, acquisition, low-rate production, in-service engineering/mishaps, failure investigations, surveillance, EOD technology/information, and demilitarization.
Technology development areas of the NEST OTA include: New Energetics RDT&E; Energetics Manufacturing; Energetic Systems; Energetics and Energetic Systems Modelling; Modelling Software and Coding; Artillery Systems, including Naval Gun Systems; Ammunition and Guns Ammunition; Propellants; Propulsion Systems; Warheads; Ordnance Disassembly and Related Technologies; Improvised Explosive Device Detection, Defeat, and Exploitation; Fuzing and Safe and Arm Systems; Counter Unmanned Systems (CUxS); Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS); Underwater Energetic Technologies; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic Systems; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Systems and Tools; Explosive Ordnance Disposal; Electromagnetic Radiation, Signals, Signal Processing, and Signal Capture; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN); and Packaging, Handling, Storage, and Transportation (PHS&T).
About Advanced Technology International (ATI):
ATI, a nonprofit based in Summerville, SC, builds and manages collaborations that conduct research and development of new technologies to solve our nation’s most pressing challenges. Fueled by a community of experts from industry, academia, and government, ATI uses the power of collaboration to help the federal government quickly acquire disruptive technologies. ATI manages Other Transaction Authority (OTA)-based and Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR)-based collaborations for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. For more information about ATI, please visit: ATI.org. (Source: PR Newswire)
20 Mar 21. F-35A Carried Out First In-Flight Drop Of JSM (Joint Strike Missile) Anti-Ship And Land-Attack Missile.
The Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency has just released the first photos from a successful test conducted in February of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM).
The first drop test of a Joint Strike Missile has been successful carried out using F-35A AF-01 from Edwards Air Force Base in February. The JSM is a multi-role weapon derived from the Naval Strike Missile (NSM), also developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and already operational with the Royal Norwegian Navy.
The new missile, developed in partnership with the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, and in close cooperation with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment, is the only powered anti-ship missile that will fit inside the F-35A and C models weapons bays to enhance the 5th generation aircraft’s ASuW (Anti-Surface Warfare) capabilities. The aircraft will be able to carry two such missiles internally, while additional ones could be carried on the external wing pylons (obviously affecting the overall Low Observability of the aircraft).
The JSM, that was first air-dropped by an F-16 in 2015, features long-range (believed to be in excess of 150 nautical miles), low RCS (radar cross section) and high maneuverability, speed and accuracy.
The first images of the drop from the F-35A were released by the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency. (Source: Google/https://theaviationist.com/)
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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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