Another feature designed for the Merkava Mk 4 is a new turret mounted weapon station, controlled by the crew from within the fighting compartment. The IDF is testing several weapon stations, developed by RAFAEL, IMI and Elbit Systems. Elbit is proposing this weapon station for lightweight patrol vehicles, such as the up-armored Humvee. Elbit and RAFAEL have also developed new overhead weapon stations, designed for APCs and wheeled fighting vehicles (such as the Stryker). Both systems use an elevated system design, mounting the ATK Mk44 automatic 30 mm gun, operated via remote control from within the fighting compartment. The RAFAEL system is designated RCWS-30 while Elbit’s entry is designated ORCWS-25-30.
BAE Systems Australia Unveils an Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Vehicle – the ATLAS
Tamir Eshel - 0
BAE Systems Australia has introduced a wheeled uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) designed to support dismounted and mechanized forces in combat. The Autonomous Tactical Light Armour System (ATLAS) Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV) is an 8x8...
New Acquisition Plans for MBT, AIFVs in Europe
Land Warfare Weekly Defense-Update
Netherlands to Acquire Leopard 2A8 Tanks and Spike LR 2 Anti-Tank Missiles
The Netherlands has announced plans to procure Spike LR 2 anti-tank missiles from Israeli defense company Rafael. The Spike LR...
Defense Update Weekly Report – 30.8.2024
The following are recent defense updates from the previous week. A concise version of this report is also available in the Defense-Brief podcast.
Main topics in this report
Russia-Ukraine War
Land Warfare News
Aerospace News
...
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.