Middle East

Qatar Defense Update

Jan 22, 2012

1041

DSEI 2017 Reflects the Latest Trends Oct 1, 2017 The biennial Defense Security Equipment International Exhibition (DSEI) held in London in September 2017 provided insight into British defense programs. The event attracted strong international participation, both visitors and exhibitors from 42 countries, many of which addressed UK and European defense and security requirements. The exhibition considered the second largest of its kind in the west, covered aviation, maritime and land warfare, as well as defense electronics, training simulation, security and cyber. DSEI reflected the growing concern of the Russian threat among countries within NATO. At the backdrop of DSEI was ZAPAD-2017, the large-scale military exercise held along the Russian Army with Belarus, along with its border with Europe. Another concern reflected here was the terror threat, both to military and the homeland. Several exhibitors displayed here innovative solutions that address evolving threats, including land, marine and airborne IEDs and mines. Main Highlights: Naval Modernization Equipping the Strike Brigades New Interest in Active Protection Wheeled Armored Vehicles Pocket Artillery for the Warfighter Fast Wheels for Special Forces Unmanned Systems Assume New Roles Naval Modernization Of a particular interest was the Royal Navy frigate modernization program, particularly the replacement of aging combatants with new Type 26 and Type 31e, and modernization of air defense systems on the remaining Type 23 frigates, that includes the replacement of Sea Wolf anti-missile system and Rapier Ground Based Air Defense missiles with the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM). The Navy also plans to modernize its electronic warfare capabilities, for which Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin announced a teaming agreement. Anti-submarine warfare, electronic warfare, and mine countermeasures were also featured, addressing acquisition programs with several NATO navies. Babcock unveiled at DSEI its Arrowhead class light frigate, developed to meet the Royal Navy requirement for eight Type 31e vessels. The new 120m vessel has a displacement of 4000 tons and an operating autonomy of 6,000 nautical miles. It is armed with ...
DARPA GXV-T Demonstrates Extreme Off Road Mobility, Augmented Reality Jun 23, 2018 Several contracts awarded recently marked significant progress in DARPA’s Ground X-Vehicle Technologies (GXV-T) program with field demonstrations of projects developed by teams and companies under the Phase 2 of the R&D program. Among the technologies showing much progress are extreme mobility projects and crew augmentation technologies. The GXV-T program aims to demonstrate how future combat vehicles could improve mobility, survivability, safety, and effectiveness without increasing their armor. “We’re looking at how to enhance survivability by buttoning up the cockpit and augmenting the crew through driver-assistance aids,” said Maj. Amber Walker, the program manager for GXV-T in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office (TTO). “For mobility, we’ve taken a radically different approach by avoiding armor and developing options to move quickly and be agile over all terrain.” Demonstrations, such as those performed in May at the Aberdeen Test Center, have given potential military service transition partners an opportunity to observe technical progress on the GXV-T program. Among the technologies recently demonstrated by GXV-T participants are: Radically Enhanced Mobility GXV-T envisions future combat vehicles that could traverse up to 95 percent of off-road terrain, including slopes and various elevations. Capabilities include revolutionary wheel-to-track and suspension technologies that would enable access and faster travel both on- and off-road, compared to existing ground vehicles. Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) Wheels permit fast travel on hard surfaces while tracks perform better on soft surfaces. A team from Carnegie Mellon University National Robotics Engineering Center (CMU NREC) demonstrated shape-shifting wheel-track mechanisms that transition from a round wheel to a triangular track and back again while the vehicle is on the move, for instant improvements to tactical mobility and maneuverability on diverse terrains. Electric In-hub Motor Putting motors directly inside the wheels offers numerous potential benefits for combat vehicles, such as heightened acceleration and maneuverability with optimal torque, traction, power, and speed over rough or smooth terrain. In an earlier ...
UAC Delivers Communications Relay Aircraft to the Russian Government Jun 22, 2018 The Russian aerospace company United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) delivered the second of two Tupolev Tu-214 PU-SBUS communications support special mission aircraft (ПУ-СБУС) ordered by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The aircraft was delivered on June 18, 2018. The first aircraft was delivered on March 26 this year. The two aircraft provide a communications support platform, carrying the SBUS-214 carried the communication node payload, housed in a large ventral fairing and SATCOM dome.
French, Belgian and Korean Teams Show Combat Vehicle’s Firepower Jun 21, 2018 In a fire demonstration at the took place on the Suippes firing range in Northern France last week CMI Defence displayed an impressive lineup of combat vehicles weaponized with the company’s latest versions of Cockerill turrets. The first Cockerill Firepower Symposium included a dynamic live firing demonstration, in front of dozens of military officers, official delegations and media representatives from around the world. The firing demonstrations included the live firing of 12.7, 25, 30, 90 and 105 mm guns mounted on various turrets, on medium and long-range engagement, from manned and unmanned, remotely operated turrets. Other live displays included the deployment of Galix self-protection instantaneous smoke screens. The performance of Cockerill 3000 Series turrets was among the event’s highlights. This series represents a single platform enabling a turret to accommodate guns of different calibers and their corresponding technical modules, including automatic 25 mm, 30 mm, 30/40 mm, 35 mm and 50 mm cannons, along with direct fire guns of 90 and 105 mm caliber. These systems can also fire missiles. The 3000 series is one of the most successful product lines at CMI Defence. According to CMI sources, more than 130 Cockerill 3000 Series turrets and more than 30 Cockerill 105 mm guns were delivered to date. At Eurosatory CMI displayed the second generation for the Cockerill Protected Weapon Station (CPWS), representing a new design approach to protected, light and multi-role turret that mounts various automatic guns including the M242 25mm chain gun, or M230LF 30mm guns with under-armor reloading capability. “After the successful Cockerill 3000 Series modular turret, we believe that our multi-role turret concept, which combines lightweight, versatility and protection, will meet the evolving needs of land forces in terms of flexibility and mobility.” Thierry Renaudin, President of CMI Defence said. CPWS Gen.2 uses a configurable hatch that can be adapted ...
Germany Joins France to Establish a Joint European Intervention Force Jun 20, 2018 Germany and France are jointly launching the development of a new main battle tank and self-propelled gun, what seems to be the most strategic project in the European European land defense for the next 30 years, a program package that will shape the future of European armies’ main combat capabilities
Marine Corps to Buy up-to 204 US-Italian Amphibious Combat Vehicles Jun 20, 2018 The U.S. Marine Corps has selected a new wheeled, amphibious combat vehicle (ACV) for the service and awarded BAE Systems a $198 million contract to deliver the initial 30 vehicles, with options for additional 174 vehicles, what could lead up to a $1.2 billion procurement. Based on the Italian SuperAV design introduced by Iveco Defense Vehicles, ACV provides exceptional mobility in all terrains, a suspended interior seat structure for 13 embarked Marines, blast-mitigating positions for a crew of three, and improved survivability and force protection over currently fielded systems.
World Powers Modernize, Improve Nuke Arsenals Jun 18, 2018 The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released today the findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2018, which assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and international security. One of the key findings includes the state of world’s nuclear forces as of January 2018. “All the nuclear weapon-possessing states are developing new nuclear weapon systems and modernizing their existing systems” the report stated. The inventories listed in the table above show a small decline in the U.S. and Russian inventories, as Russia modernizes its strategic weapon’s arsenal, and the US phases out some of the oldest warheads, under the nuclear disarmament agreements.
Dutch Special Forces, Forward Observers to Get New, Lightweight Sights Jun 14, 2018 The Defense Material Organization (DMO) of the Netherlands announced the selection of Vectronix AG, Switzerland (a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense) to supply more than 1,000 handheld thermal sights for the Dutch Army.
NEW DAS Expected to Save $3 Billion in F-35 Sustainment Costs Jun 13, 2018 Lockheed Martin selected Raytheon to develop and deliver the next generation Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for the F-35 fighter jet. The Raytheon-built DAS will be integrated into F-35 aircraft starting with Lot 15 aircraft, expected to begin deliveries in 2023 and is expected to save to more than $3 billion over the life cycle of the program.
KF41 Lynx Command Variant Jun 13, 2018 Rheinmetall displayed today a new configuration of the KF41, unveiled at Eurosatory yesterday. The turreted combat vehicle that was displayed yesterday was reconfigured overnight, adding a high top roof and replacing the two-men 35mm gun turret with a remotely controlled .50 Cal machine gun. The reconfigured vehicle weighs 42 tons, 3 tons less than the turreted one. The internal space is 175 cm high, enabling relative comfort for standing operation. The command vehicle shares the KF41 mobility and high protection and offers a wide internal protected space for C3 work.
AM General Introduces NXT-360 – a new Tactical Armored vehilce Jun 13, 2018 AM General, the manufacturer of the legendary HMMWV introduced at Eurosatory 2018 the next 360, a new vehicle it offers in light tactical vehicle segment. This new product highlights evolutionary changes from the HMMWV. The NXT 360 represents the next generation of the HMMWV platform – an evolutionary design that evolved from HMMWV customer feedback asking for more power, higher GVW, better ride and handling and better overall protection. “The NXT 360 provides added protection, payload capacity, and superior handling performance to perform in any rugged or urban environment,” said Andy Hove, AM General President, and CEO. In terms of survivability, NXT 360 offers basic protection levels conforming to B7 (covering 360 degrees), and Blast protection conforming to STANAG 4569 Kevel 2A at the front wheels and Level 1 at the rear axle. Blast seats and mats are also used, along with transparent armor that also meets B7-ballistic protection level threats. MXT-360 retains the HMMWV offroad mobility, and adds some new features, introducing quick transition time between soft and paved roads, using enhanced central tires inflation system (CTIS) with dual air compressors). Typical higher ground clearance and wheel travel, along with larger tires all contribute to increased traction and reduced ground pressure, providing significant ride improvement, Increased approach and departure angles. The suspension upgrade facilitates maximum upgrade in Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) to a maximum weight of 17,100 kg (7 tons). This added weight required the use of a more powerful bakes, MXT-360 uses an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction control and an autonomous break control interface. The new vehicle uses the P400 Electronically controlled 6.5L V8 turbocharged Engine that develops up to 250 HP (186 kW), 460 ft/lbs (624 N•m) @1700 rpm with 6L85e 6-speed automatic transmission According to AM General, the NXT 360 can be delivered as a complete, new vehicle ...