01 Nov 11. China unveils new guided artillery rockets. China’s Aerospace Long March International Trade Company (ALIT) has introduced three new artillery rocket systems to supplement the existing WS-2, -3 and -3A. The new members of the family are the 122 mm calibre WS-22, 300 mm WS-32 guided-rocket systems and a new WS-33 guided missile and launch vehicle. (Source: Jane’s, JMR)
29 Nov 11. Raytheon Company’s Small Diameter Bomb II program remains ahead of schedule after completing a series of tests that demonstrated successful integration of production tri-mode seeker hardware and software. During the tests, a seeker built on an active production line was mounted on a tower and tracked a variety of moving targets in imaging infrared and millimeter wave modes. The tests proved that the seeker’s software could seamlessly pass data between modes, allowing the weapon’s algorithms to arrive at a targeting solution. SDB II fills a critical capability gap for warfighters by enabling fighter and bomber aircraft to engage moving targets in adverse weather from ranges greater than 40 nautical miles (approximately 46 statute miles).
29 Nov 11. Moog featured a G-Seat demonstration at the I/ITSEC 2011 Exhibition in Orlando, Florida. Held from November 28th to December 1st 2011, this exhibition it is one the world’s major modelling, simulation and training events. G-Seats are fighter and helicopter pilot training systems that simulate positive and negative accelerations on the pilot body induced by aircraft movement in surge, sway and roll through the seat itself without the need for a 6 Degree of Freedom Motion system. G-Seats simulate positive and negative G-forces by changing the shape of the seat pan, altering the tension of the seat harness straps and raising or lowering the height of the seat bucket. The seat is controlled from its own control system which responds to real time software via Ethernet.
23 Nov 11. Iran has equipped its air defence unit sentinels with advanced shoulder-fired rocket launchers to boost the nation’s air defence capability. The new man-portable air defence system was tested during the second phase of the ongoing Samen ol-Hojaj exercise at the Khatam ol-Anbia Air Defence Base, Iran. During the mock combat drill, the sentinels fired the rockets at hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The exercise is being conducted to test Iran’s integrated air defence network and the operational capacities of newly developed anti-aircraft weapons. Iran recently equipped the air defence units with the indigenous Mersad air defence missile system to enhance combat power, according to Fars News Agency. (Source: armytechnology.com)
21 Nov 11. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing an indigenous 155mm, 52-calibre howitzer for the Indian Army. Press Trust of India has reported DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat as saying that the laboratory is currently developing advanced metallurgy for the barrels to increase the howitzer’s firepower. Production of the self-propelled howitzer is expected to be completed in the next four years. DRDO has begun the howitzer development work on a self-funding basis, but the project could not be accomplished due to issues pertaining to Bofors guns. The Indian Defence Ministry recently cancelled the procurement tender of 180 wheeled, 155mm, 52-calibre howitzers. (Source: armytechnology.com)
22 Nov 11. The U.S. has built, flown, pointed and triggered a missile designed specifically to carry a directed-energy weapon. That payload, expected to be operational soon, will be able to disrupt, shut down, spoof or damage electrical systems, but little has been revealed about the project. However, various clues have provided substantive details about the design and concept of operations (conops) for the new missile and its exotic payload. They come from Boeing officials, industry specialists and U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory sponsors who are working on the Counter