17 Apr 13. Chemring EOD Launches New Disruptor to Reduce Soldier Burden. Chemring EOD, part of the Chemring Group, launched the lightest and most rugged disruptor in its class for the defeat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Designed with the aim of reducing soldier burden, the new WASP water-jet disruptor weighs less than 1 kg when fully loaded and ready to use. For EOD team members on dismounted patrol this offers a 2 kg weight saving compared to the current in-service Pigstick disruptor. WASP can also be easily carried and operated by a single person, making it ideally suited to both dismounted Special Forces and conventional Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). WASP can be deployed using its own lightweight stand, or using the supplied stand adaptor, can be mounted on conventional tripods or Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV). To increase operational flexibility, WASP has also been designed to work with a variety of cartridges. In addition to being compatible with existing Pigstick cartridges, WASP can be fired using the Chemring 12G cartridge. This choice in initiation means existing or alternative stock can be used which mitigates potential supply issues. Despite its reduced size and weight, WASP offers comparable performance to larger disruptors such as the Pigstick. Since it uses the same water-jet technology that users are familiar with, adoption of WASP requires minimal training.
16 Apr 13. Iran test-fired a new land-to-sea ballistic missile in the Gulf, a senior official said on Tuesday, days before an annual ceremony meant to showcase its military muscle at a time of rising tension with the West over its nuclear activity. Israel has publicly warned of possible air strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites if Tehran does not resolve Western suspicions it is developing nuclear weapons know-how under cover of a declared civilian atomic energy programme, something Tehran denies. Iran has threatened to hit Israel and US bases in the region if it comes under attack, and also to block the Strait of Hormuz, the neck of the Gulf through which 40 percent of the world’s seaborne oil exports pass. Iran often announces new weapons achievements, although these are difficult to verify independently. (Source: ArabianBusiness.com)
12 Apr 13. Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 Missile successfully detected, tracked and intercepted a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) in a Lower Tier Project Office flight test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Two PAC-3 Missiles were ripple-fired in the test per current doctrine. The first interceptor destroyed the target and the second PAC-3 Missile self-destructed as planned. Mission objectives were focused on reducing risk for a flight test of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) scheduled later this year.
11 Apr 13. BAE Systems has conducted first windtunnel tests to assess the suitability of integrating Boeing’s AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile with the Eurofighter Typhoon. An image released by the UK company showed a model of the Typhoon reveals the combat aircraft carrying three of the air-launched weapons. In this configuration, one would be carried on the aircraft’s centre-fuselage stores station – ordinarily reserved for an external fuel tank – and two more beneath its wing. (Source: Open Source Information Report/Flight)
17 Apr 13. The U.S. Army’s top leadership held a closed-door meeting Tuesday that’s likely to result in the selection of the service’s next official camouflage pattern. Army officials briefed Army Secretary John McHugh on Chief of Staff Ray Odierno’s recommended replacement for the Army’s current Universal Camouflage Pattern, sources told Military.com. Nearly four years ago, the Army launched its exhaustive Phase IV camouflage improvement plan to find a replacement for the UCP, a pixilated pattern known for its poor performance in Afghanistan. Uniform experts and scientists have been evaluating a handful of patterns that emerged from the massive effort. The Army awarded