Archive for September, 2011

Oto Melara is developing a family of extended range, guided and unguided 76mm projectiles designed for the popular 76/62 naval gun system. The weapon addresses new operational requirements evolving from modern littoral warfare missions; as reflected in the Second lebanon War (2006) and the Libyan campaign in 2011.

Eurocopter Tests Hybrid propulsion for Helicopters, to Enhance Safety on Emergency Landing | RBS15 Mk3 Inducted into German Navy Service

DARPA awarded two contracts worth $13 million, to Raytheon Vision Systems, and BAE Systems, for the development of these low-cost, miniature thermal cameras within two years

Boeing Offers Super Hornet F/A-18E Block II or Japan’s FX | Moscow, Beijing and Tehran Discussing Missile Defense Alliance | 16 Dead in Rebel Attack in the Philippines |

Senate Proposes Cuts in Funding for the SM-3B2 ABM Interceptor September 25, 2011: In its version of the 2012 defense spending bill, unveiled Sept. 15, the Senate Appropriations Committee provides no funding for the Standard Missile SM-3 Block 2B AEGIS interceptor, slated to become the interceptor of choice for the [...]

The HC-130J is replacing the Air Combat Command’s aging HC-130P/N fleet as the dedicated fixed-wing personnel recovery platform in the Air Force inventory. Lockheed Martin delivered the first of 11 aircraft on order on September 24, 2011.

ATK-GD OTS Team to Deliver the marines with Precision Mortar Bombs | BAE Systems to Axe 3,000 Jobs in the U.K. | Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Announce Stock Repurchase, Dividends | Qatar Interested in Daimler’s EADS Shares

India has tested the Shourya nuclear-capable surface/surface missile, at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur off Orissa coast, about 15 km from Balasore. The missile can carry a warhead weighing one ton, a weight sufficient for a nuclear device. However, its massive warhead combined with relatively high accuracy of less than 30 meters (aided GPS) make the Shourya effective for conventional attack of high value targets. Shourya is scheduled to enter service in 2013.

The EGBU-28/BLU-113 Hard Target Penetrator was first deployed during the First Gulf War in 1991 as a laser guided munition. It is now available with Laser/GPS or GPS Aided Guidance, offering all-weather accuracy of less than six meters, or with laser guidance. The 4,400 pounds (2.2 tons) weapon can destroy reinforced concrete protected targets buried 30 meters in the ground.

The U.S. Navy recently completed two successful live fire tests of the Raytheon AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air/air missile. Following the recent approval for Raytheon to enter low rate initial production, AIM-9X Block II is now scheduled to enter operational testing in spring 2012.

Turkey is ready to sell the new ANKA Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles to Egypt. Ankara has already approved a contract signed between with Egypt, for the transfer of six fast intervention vessels.

successfully completed the first flight test of a counter-electronics missile carrying a high power microwave payload designed to zap enemy electronic system. CHAMP is a nonlethal weapon designed to neutralize electronic targets. It is considered a cost effective alternative to current kinetic (explosive) weapons, that cannot penetrate hidden, underground targets.

MBDA Germany successfully tested a 10kW laser illuminator designed for use with future Counter Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) laser weapon system.

The U.S. Air Force has extended the deployment of two E11 Bombardier BD-700 Global Express executive jets operated by Northrop Grumman in support of ground operations in Afghanistan. #43 million will maintain the aircraft in service in Afghanistan until January 2012.

U.S. Delivers GBU-28 Bunker-Busting Bombs to Israel | Airbus Military Delivers First C295 Medium Transport to Egypt | Turkey, Egypt Discuss Possible Export of Anka UAV | Qatar to Buy Six MH-60R Maritime helicopters | UAE to Buy Hellfire Missiles, Link 16 Datalinks | Saudi Arabia to Equip Three Artillery Regiments with U.S. Howitzers | Rafael Fires Spike ER Missiles for Indian Evaluation | Israel defense Forces to Deploy Additional Automated 120mm Mortars | Bahrain to Buy Wireless TOW 2 Missiles

Saudi Arabia is seeking to buy M777A2 lightweight, air-mobile howitzer guns from the U.S., three artillery battalions (53 guns) and associated target acquisition and fire locating radars, in an arms package worth about $886 million

The F-16A/B upgrade package the U.S. offers Taiwan includes the integration of an unspecified AESA radar, helmet mounted cueing system (JHMCS) supporting AIM-9X air/air missiles and advanced electronic warfare and self-protection systems. Targeting pods and precision guided munitions will also enhance the fighters’ air/ground capability.

The first Peace-Eye 737 Airborne early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft was delivered today to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The aircraft landed at the ROKAF Base Gimhae, the main operating base for the aircraft.

A new GPS-enabled telemetry system developed by the government team in U.S. Navy Weapons Test Center at China Lake enables highly-accurate, high-rate, three dimensional time, space and position information to be collected during missile fly-out.

Second Successful Launch of the Indian Shourya Ballistic Missile | Neptune Prepared for Flight | Cyber Espionage Compromises Technical Data at Japan’s Defense Giant | Taiwan developing asymmetrical strategies to deal with China | Taiwan to Invest Half a Billion US$ for Pilot Training Program | China military growth to boost arms sales to Asia | China Launches a New Military Communications Satellite | Boeing Delivers Peace-Eye 737 AEW&C to Korea | BCL to deploy the First Immersive Tactical Trainer in India

Lockheed Martin has submitted its contract proposal for full-rate production of the AN/TPQ-36 (EQ-36) Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar, slated to replace legacy AN/TPQ-36 counter artillery and AN/TPQ-37 mortar locating medium-range radars now in the Army’s inventory.

This photo, released today by the Pentagon, shows a member of a security force securing the Dahla Dam in the Kandahar province. Spc. Marshall carries what seems to be a backpack carried IED jammer, one we haven’t spotted before…  

The Raytheon AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air/air missile has passed ‘Milestone C’ on June 30, 2011 – clearing the program for Low Rate Initial Production. Raytheon is expected to begin production of more than 5,000 operational AIM-9X Block II rounds for U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force over the life of the program.

The U.S. Air Force plans to resume flight operations of its 170 F-22A Raptor fleet after four months stand down following safety concerns associated with the aircraft life support system. The entire Raptor fleet will undergo an extensive inspection of the life support systems before returning to flight, with follow-on daily inspections.

September 20, 2011 Defense Update: Azerbaijan Takes delivery of 60 Israeli UAVs | U.S. Delays SM-3 Block 2A Development | Ex-Indian Su-30Ks Delivered to Belarus | Malaysia Interested in Joining the U.K. Type 26 Frigate Program | Singapore’s HIMARS Unit Operational | U.S. Proposes Upgrades for Taiwans’ F-16s | Lack of Spares Render South Korean Patriot Systems Inoperable | India Offers the BrahMos to Vietnam | Thailand Undecided about German Type 206 Submarines

By David Eshel Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Islamic prime minister of Turkey, may not be a nice person, regarded by most Israelis as an unfriendly bully strutting the already highly turbulent Mid Eastern neighborhood. But no one in his right mind can dismiss his shrewd, yet capable talents, being demonstrated [...]

Raytheon Company and its German industry partner, RAMSYS completed the upgrade integration of the Rolling Airframe Missile Block II preparing the enhanced missile for flight testing later this year.

Lockheed martin has outlined new activities in the field of Ground Combat Vehicles it is developing as a prime contractor or under cooperation with other primes. Among these activities are the developments of lethality and electronic architecture for the British Scout Specialist Vehicle, and Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) on both [...]

Singapore Technologie’s Kinetics (ST Kinetics) has teamed with AmSafe, the developer and producer of Tarian RPG protection system, to offer the lightweight, textile-based RPG protection system on its Warthog all terrain armored vehicles.

ITT is expanding the Spearhead family of tactical radios, the company is releasing today the Spearhead HF Radio at the DSEi 2011 exhibition in London.

Oshkosh Defense has unveiled today the Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (L-ATV), a new class of vehicle designed to meet the military’s new trend toward lighter, deployable yet highly protected tactical vehicles. Based on its extensive experience with and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and the medium weight variant, (M-ATV), [...]

In a briefing at the recent Land Warfare conference held in Latrun, Israel earlier this month, the commander of the IDF Northern Command, Major General Gershon HaCohen, examined maneuver and fire alternatives and their role against the evolving hybrid warfare challenges. “It is obvious land maneuver is not a goal in itself. Classic maneuver should shake an enemy force out of balance, however, maneuvering against irregular, ‘disappearing’ forces is difficult due to the lack of clear center weights” said HaCohen.

Following successful firing trials MBDA is preparing to deliver the first Fire Shadow firing units to the British Army. The new loitering weapon could be deployed to Afghanistan by early 2012, significantly extending the reach, coverage and persistent of current artillery fires.

A robotic load carrier developed by Boeing UK in cooperation with utility vehicle manufacturer John Deere and Boeing UK is unveiled today at DSEi 2011. The robotic vehicle called R-Gator A3 Assisted Carriage System (ACS) is based on John Deere’s R-Gator robotic utility vehicle.

Elbit Systems is unveiling today two advanced hand held tactical radios at DSEi 2011. The SDR-7200 HH multiband, software defined radio and the Personal Network Radio PNR-1000A personal communicator, both supporting advanced voice, data and video transfer capabilities

The Tamuz precision guided beyond line of sight (BLOS) guided weapon was developed by RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems since the late 1970s and has been fielded by the Israeli artillery corps since the early 1980s.

The evolution of the Syrian, Iranian armies and guerrillas into semi-irregular formations, challenging the Israeli domination of the battlefield with hybrid warfare concepts. Defense Update covers this topic in two parts, one outlining the transformation of the Syrian land forces.

A new, lightweight, super agile military variant of the Rally Raid proven Wildcat is introduced for military and special operations applications at DSEi 2011 as part of the Supacat special purpose vehicle family. The new Wildcat offers a high performance, off road vehicle for special forces, border patrol, reconnaissance, rapid intervention and strike roles.

Despite the LPPV setback Supacat continued to develop the SPV400 light protected patrol vehicle to meet international demand for this new class of vehicle in military and non-military markets.

Zephyr protected vehicle designed by Creation is displayed at DSEi 2011 in a new configuration, reflecting the latest upgrade variant. The vehicle is now available in two- and three-axle configurations. Zephyr’s protection architecture features a composite ‘occupant survival cell’ employing a V-form belly plate and an integral blast mitigation system.

Creation is displaying the ‘LifeSeat One’ blast protecting seats at DSEi 2011. The new seats isolate the passenger from extreme body shock and skeletal injury potential resulting from IED and mine blasts. According to the developer, the latest iteration of the seat shown at DSEi, installed in the two-axle Zephyr MRV have performed exceptionally well in trials.

A joint venture between recovery vehicle specialist EKA, and Penman is introducing at at DSEi 2011 the new Lightweight Recovery Vehicle (LRV), based on a 6×6 GDLS Europe Duro chassis.

IAI is introducing a small robotic mule platform called REX, designed to support infantry teams in dismounted operations. The robotic platform employs a simplified, specially developed method to recognize the path of its leading soldier, following the team’s path with high accuracy using ‘virtual bread crumbs’ the leading soldier leaves behind him.

Israel’s primary land conference and exhibition opened today at Latrun, featuring the country’s leading defense industries showing a wide range of weapon systems, command and control and logistics support hardware. The theme of this year’s event is War’s Changing Environment, with day one focusing on the logistics aspect of warfare [...]

A combined, unmanned reconnaissance and attack system developed under a collaborative program between Germany and israel has recently passed an important milestone, demonstrating the integration of KZO and HAROP unmanned aerial systems over the WABEP network

BAE Systems has recently tested an ‘invisibility cloak’ that allows a vehicle to blend into its surroundings, effectively becoming invisible to thermal imaging systems.

EMS Technology to Provide Anti-Jam Antenna for the Fourth AEHF Satellite | Boeing has been Awarded Over a Billion US$ Toward the Procurement of Three Wideband Global SATCOM Satellites | Force protection’s Timberwolf Pursue Canadian TAPV Program | Optics Acquisition to Expands Bushnell’s Reach Into Security, Military Markets

Turkey Agrees to Host European BMD Radar Turkey has agreed to host an early warning radar as part of NATO’s missile defense system aimed at countering ballistic missile threats from neighboring Iran, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Friday. While NATO leaders agreed in 2010 to implement an anti-missile system over [...]

The advanced Standaard missile 3 (SM-3) Block 1B failed its first intercept test yesterday in a ballistic missile intercept test conducted by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The missile was launched from BMD cruiser Lake Eire (CG70), at a short range ballistic missile target launched from the Pacific Missile Range facility in Hawaii.