Scania has acquired 30 percent of the stocks in Laxå Special Vehicles, a company Scania has been cooperating with for adapting adapting cabs and chassis for special-purpose vehicles. Such vehicles traditionally serve in heavy-haulage and fire engines. In recent years, truck platforms have been increasingly used for armored vehicles. According to Martin Lundstedt, Executive Vice President and head of Franchise and Factory Sales at Scania, special purpose vehicle conversion is of “strategic importance to our effort of increasing global sales of special-purpose vehicles”. For many years, Scania has been Laxå’s single largest customer. Laxå Special Vehicles today has 75 employees. Among other things, Laxå Special Vehicles is responsible for preparing the Scania CrewCab for serial production on Scania’s assembly line for trucks in Södertälje.
AFV Situational Awareness in the Urban Battlespace
Tamir Eshel - 0
Armored fighting vehicles face other challenges when operating in urban combat. They are exposed to snipers or anti-tank teams operating from elevated positions on rooftops or accessing underground shafts too close for the crew...
Israel’s Indoor Surveillance and Attack Drones
Tamir Eshel - 0
Operating drones low above ground and in complex terrain represents unique challenges, as most drone controls are limited to line of sight and uninterrupted satellite-based navigation. To endure in a GNSS-contested environment and operate indoors or underground, standard drones would not operate in such conditions. The drone platforms specially designed for subterranean or indoor environments require unique networking, sensing, navigation, and controls to enable such operations. Since these missions are complex and the drones are small, they are used in mission-specific roles such as autonomous mappers, FPV-operated lead elements, and armed effectors.
Giga-PtX Project Visions Eco-friendly, Efficient and War-Ready, Synthetic Fuel Supply
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Rheinmetall has unveiled the Giga-PtX project, aimed at securing a resilient synthetic fuel supply for military applications. The project envisions a decentralized network of large-scale production plants utilizing hydrogen, CO₂, and renewable energy to produce synthetic fuels. This approach addresses the vulnerability of traditional fossil fuel supply chains in wartime, enhancing combat readiness and sustainability. Cooperating with PtX specialist Ineratec, Rheinmetall’s extensive experience in hydrogen technology underpins the development of efficient, cost-effective solutions for fuel production, crucial for modern military operations. The Giga-PtX project ensures a robust and scalable fuel supply, supporting the operational needs of armed forces.
BAE Systems Showcases the MCWS Turret on AMPV
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BAE Systems’ fourth Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) prototype is being showcased at Eurosatory this week. Configured with a common top plate, also known as the External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP), the prototype showcases the vehicle’s ability to integrate capabilities and equipment packages internationally. The new turret uses Oshkosh / Rafael MCWS turret selected by the US Army for the Stryker. BAE Systems has also introduced Elbit Systems UT30 gun turret, Patria's Nemo mortar turret and Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) for the CUAS variant.
TDW Expands Counter-mobility Capability with PARM NextGen
TDW is introducing an improved weapon fitted with an RF datalink, which enables remote control over a longer distance (4 km). The remote control is used to arm or disarm the mine, enabling friendly forces to move along roads that are covered by PARM weapons.