Land Systems

Dealings between KBR and the Army have gotten “very nasty” as the two try to close out the largest government services contract in U.S. history, according to an article in Federal Times. The dispute is over whether the remaining work in the $38 billion Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) III [...]

The UAE is getting ready to face the Iranian threat. Jobaria Defense Systems (JDS) Multiple Cradle Launcher MCL has unveiled its Multiple Cradle 122mm Rocket launcher system at the recent IDEX defense expo in the UAE. i-hls reports. The MCL is A 10 wheel semitrailer mounting four power-operated rocket launchers, [...]

Fighting modern warfare doesn’t mean you face the most sophisticated weapons or strongest enemies. In fact, combat in asymmetric warfare means facing an illusive enemy that, sometime can be equipped with superior weapons, challenging even the strongest armor and most sophisticated platforms. This article addresses countermeasures to a different type [...]

New materials promise improvements in the weight of body armor, but are unproven—and an alternative approach to the problem involves looking at whether some current systems are stronger and heavier than necessary. i-hls reports. Technological progress tends to be incremental, but the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) hopes to [...]

The US Army is likely to cancel a plan to replace its M4 assault rifles with a new carbine. The Army prepared for a selection of three finalists of a major evaluation, before committing over $300 millins for new Carbines over the next five years. It is now likely the Army will opt for the modestly improved M4A1.

Few months ago Texas based Defense Distributed had an idea – to produce weapon accessories using new 3D printing technology. It started with ‘printed magazines’ for AK47 made of from ABS, a thermoplastic material processed into net-shape form by 3D printers. Each magazine sells for $47. A more complex system [...]

The Iranians have developed an improved model of medium-range rocket Fateh-110. The current model is held by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel believes that the advanced model was on its way to the missile units of the organization. The Iranians have not provided many details about this new rocket model, [...]

Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) knows that some armies want new advanced assault rifles but often are reluctant to change the ammunition. This is the reason for the development of an ACE version of its assault rifle that uses 7.62 ammunition. I-HLS reports The ACE family of assault rifles is based [...]

Ground based radar systems have gained operational importance as wars became more limited and urban. I-HLS reports. The need to detect and identify targets under any condition has spurred a vast effort to develop more advanced, easier to operate ground based radar systems. Elta, the fully owned subsidiary of Israel [...]

The Iron Curtain active protection system (APS) for protected vehicles has recently passed a successful test series on board an armored vehicle provided by BAE Systems for U.S. government testing. According to the company CEO Keith Brendley, the system is ready for integration on combat vehicles.

Warfighters pay a high price for lack of auditory protection, but often they consider such price justified, for it keeps them sharp to react quickly and effectively, thus staying alive in combat. Sharpening the warfighter’s hearing while while protecting them from short and long terms risks, next generation of hearing protection are expected soon at a battlefield near you…

The Danish Army has received five Armadillo type armored infantry fighting vehicles for testing. The Armadillo is one of several options considered by the Danish Army. Tests are expected to continue through the summer, leading to final selection in February 2014.

BAE Systems received a $28.7 million contract to upgrade 11 M88A1 Medium Recovery vehicles to the M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) configuration.

The US Army is finally integrating a blue-force tracking system common to manoeuvre and logistics elements. For the first time on the battlefield, maneuver and logistics forces will share situational awareness and messaging, forming a complete and seamless operational picture.

The German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) announced it has signed a contract with the Emirate of Qatar to modernize the Emirate’s single armored brigade, at an investment of over $2 billion. The acquisition is part of a comprehensive modernization program the Emirate’s military forces is undergoing in recent years.

Four different branches of the U.S. military are spending millions of dollars to equip troops with combat uniforms in seven different but similar camouflage patterns, wasting money and potentially exposing some troops to increased risk on the battlefield – the U.S. Government Accountability Office said.

Lockheed Martin performed a successful flight demonstration of a company funded lightweight, precision guided weapon called Nemesis. In the first two tests, Nemesis demonstrated vertical launch, GPS navigation to targets located at distances of eight and 12 kilometers. The third GPS guided test aimed at short range target only 100 meters away from the launcher

The Brazilian Army has already inducted over 86 VBTP-MR GUARANI 6×6 APCs armed with remote weapon station under the URUTU-3 modernisation programme to replace their EE-11 URUTU by 2015.

On March 22, 2013 Lockheed Martin completed the first successful flight test of the Miniature Hit-To-Kill missile, part of the Extended Area Protection and Survivability (EAPS) systems.

INSS Researched Yiftah Shapir rebuts MIT professor Theodor Postol claims that Israel failed to intercept most of the Palestinian rocket attacks in Operation Pillar of Defense. “There is a major difference between legitimate criticism and adamant claims that the Israel defense establishment’s claims about Iron Dome are fraudulent, and that these lies are typical of the defense establishment. Such mudslinging is unreasonable and unacceptable.”

Cassidian has developed a new-generation multifunctional jamming system that combines the smart jamming functionality with signals intelligence, allowing detailed understanding of the threat, thus significantly improving mission planning and force protection.

US contractor Conti Corp selected to construct two highly protected underground facilities in Israel. The facilities, comprising five underground levels and six above ground buildings will be completed in less than three years and are believed to be national command centers

Defence and security company Saab subsidiary Barracuda is expanding its portfolio into ballistic protection, with Saab’s acquisition of the rights to the ‘Soft Armour’ protection technology, from Protaurius AB.

BAE Systems has been awarded a $43 million cooperative agreement extension to lead the Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Micro Autonomous Systems and Technology (MAST) Collaborative Technology Alliance for an additional five years. Defense-Update reports. As a result, the company will have a significant role working with the MAST Alliance’s team [...]

Lockheed Martin recently demonstrated the ability of its DAGR laser guided rocket to launch from a ground vehicle during a series of flight tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. During the test, DAGR and two unguided Hydra 70 rockets were launched from a pedestal launcher mounted in the bed [...]

Ukraine state-run arms exporter Ukrspetsstroi will deliver 110 tank powerplants, engines and related parts to Pakistan, under a $50 million contract. Kharkov-based Malyshev Plant, a state-run enterprise specializing in armored vehicles and their components, will produce the engines under a four-year contract that was signed recently. According to Russian news [...]

RADA Electronic Systems has successfully demonstrated the Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) capabilities of its new Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR). The company expects initial deliveries of systems to customers by year’s end

The German Military (Bundeswehr) is moving to expand its use of Gladius soldier system. A follow-on contract worth €84 million for the delivery of 60 more systems was recently placed with Rheinmetall.

The 1L121E mobile active phased array radar developed by the Russian company NNIIRT is positioned to provide short-range air defense weapons the cueing necessary to engage the most illusive targets – mini-UAVs and Precision Guided Weapons (PGW) – the primary threats for air defense systems

RAFAEL Advanced Defence Systems faces an uphill battle convincing foreign customers as successful and capable as Iron Dome, simply because very few face the situation Israel has to cope with, targeted by tens of thousands of rockets constantly aimed at its population centers. When pitching Iron Dome abroad, RAFAEL is likely to focus on the system’s air defense capabilities, promising to be as impressive as its C-RAM combat record

Once simulations are validated through testing, David’s Sling – an advanced air defense system developed jointly by Israel and the US could introduce unprecedented defensive capabilities, in terms of economy, coverage and airspace integration, posing an adversary with unacceptable attrition if they opt to attack. To a certain extent, the Iron Dome system has demonstrated this concept in a smaller scale during the recent conflict with the Palestinians in Gaza.

Elbit Systems and Bharat Forge Limited announced today plans to establish a Joint Venture Company (JVC) to address the Indian Ministry of Defence and other potential Indian government customers’ requirements for advanced artillery and mortars systems solutions. in addition to addressing current programs and operationally proven systems the JVC will [...]

Controp is displaying its latest aerostat-optimized SPEED-A stabilized electro-optically payload system at Aero-India 2013, in anticipation of new opportunities maturing fr this unique system. The company is hopeful the system would be applicable for the Indian requirements for border and coastal protection, site protection and force protection, where tethered systems are have proved highly effective and economical in covering large areas, particularly over densely vegetated urban or flat terrain.

The Javelin missile recently demonstrated the ability to engage targets beyond its current maximum range requirements.

TrackingPoint has introduced an accurate long-range shooting system at the Shot Show taking place this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new system called ‘Precision-Guided Firearm’ (PGF) system is based on patent-pending innovations in optics and fire control that enables a shooter to excel in long-range shooting.

Military snipers may only get one chance to hit their target. The One Shot program seeks to enable snipers to accurately hit targets with the first round, under crosswind conditions, day or night, at the maximum effective range of the weapon. A commercial system providing similar capabilities (tough not as advanced in down-range measurement as the DARPA system) was unveiled by TrackingPoint at the Shot Show 2013

In June 2012 the German Bundeswehr has placed an order with the Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group to supply it with state-of-the-art infantry equipment. By December, the prime contractor Rheinmetall placed an order with subcontractor Thales, for the day/night vision and display systems, radios and power packs for the system

Russia is offering the BMP-3 to India, as a substitute or long term ‘stop gap’ positioned to replace the rapidly obsoleting BMP-2. If India decides to cancel its long overdue FICV, the BMP-3 could eventually take its place as India’s future ICV.

Supacat HMT Extenda selected for the Australian Special Forces retains a high level of commonality with the Australian Army’s existing `Nary` HMT fleet, delivered by Supacat in 2009, it also provides improved capabilities, particularly, in the areas of crew protection and vehicle versatility.

Evaluation of new combat vehicles for the Australian Army will sonn begin, with the delivery of the first Hawkei protected vehicle by Thales, for Project LAND 121 Phase 4. Supacat also delivered the first improved Special Operations Vehicles (SOV) developed under Project JP2097 Phase 1B.

With the world’s largest armies (except China and India) have ceased procurement of Main Battle Tanks (MBT), third world countries are becoming more dominant customers for this weapon category. Ukraine T-84, Russian T-90 and Chinese MBT2000 are all in production while western tanks are sold second hand to Asian armies at bargain price

The Indian Army, having long suffered from deficiencies in night fighting electro-optical equipment, is set to make up critical deficiencies. Thousands of thermal imagers for T-72 tanks and night sights for hundreds of thousands of assault rifles and carbines are on the horizon

Parker Hannifin and WATT Fuel Cell Corp. are embarking on a strategic licensing and supply agreement to bring WATT’s propane-driven Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) based products to commercial markets.

The U.S. Army, through the System of Systems Integration (SoSI) Directorate, plans to evaluate the use of tactical routers on vehicles. Such routers will enable multiple users and systems on board and nearby combat vehicles to access vehicular networks and distributed IP based services while maintaining high level of security.

The Iron Dome anti-rocket system proved its worth at Operation Pillar of Defense, successfully intercepting 85 percent of its intended targets (over 400 rockets that would have otherwise hit inside populated areas). What is the way forward for the system? How it would affect the military balance with the Palestinians, Hezbollah and beyond?

The Lockheed Martin Area Defense Anti-munitions (ADAM) prototype laser weapon system successfully destroyed a rocket target from a range of 1.6 kilometers. The complete engagement – from target acquisition, tracking to illumination and destruction took approximately three seconds.

The US Army has been using the M160 remotely controlled flail robot built by the Croatian company DOK-ING in Afghanistan for route clearance missions.

DARPA’s Legged Squad Support System (LS3) four-legged robot is preparing for the planned tests that will evaluate the performance of the four-legged robot as an integral member of a marine combat squad. Defense-Update reports. Toward this critical evaluation the LS3 is undergoing field evaluations at Ft. Picket, to assess the [...]

The Israel Ministry of Defense has placed a second order for a number Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The $90 million contract covers an unspecified number of drones delivered over three years, plus eight years support.

Seraphim has introduced an advanced, persistent ground sensor comprising a radar and imaging sensor claimed to provide the Ultimate Gap Filler (UGF) for border protection and persistent surveillance of targets of interest in complex terrain.