Armored vehicles

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

Rheinmetall has unveiled a new member of the company’s Lynx combat vehicle family. Described as the mechanized fire support variant of the Lynx KF41 IFV, the Lynx 120, comprises a turret concept that mounts the proven 120mm smoothbore cannon with the Lynx KF 41 chassis.

The Korean automotive industrial giant Hyundai Rotem Co. has signed a contract worth US$820.29 million (901.5 billion won) with the Korean Defense Acquisition and Procurement Agency (DAPA) to deliver the first 100 'Black Panther' K2 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) to the South Korean Army.

IronVision, Elbit Systems' new Helmet Mounted Display (HMS) provides crew members of combat vehicles with 360-degree panoramic situational awareness , as they can ‘see-through’ their vehicle's armor in real-time, creating a complete and clear visualization of the battlefield, under close hatches.

The latest version of the IAI/RAMTA RAM armored vehicle - the RAM Mk3 AT debuts today at the FIDAE airshow. Configured as an anti-tank weapon carrier the vehicle equipped with a weapon station carrying four laser guided anti-tank missiles.

Germany and France began to harmonize requirements and concepts, with the intention to formalize joint system architecture for their future main battle tank, currently known as the 'Main Ground Combat System' (MGCS). This future combat system is expected to succeed the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 and the French Army’s Leclerc beginning in 2035.

Since its introduction in 1979 Mercedes Benz G-Wagen (or G Class as it is known by official designation) has become a popular vehicle, not only for adventurers and military forces alike. This article highlights some of the latest military variants unveiled recently, as the G Wagen reaches its 40th anniversary.

GDLS introduces Griffin III at AUSA 2018. The modular design and open architecture enable the user to configure the vehicle different squad carrying and crew seating configurations. Implementing scalable protection, chassis and turret configuration with different weapons and mission systems, the Griffin III is optimized to perform in multi-domain operations.

The Russian Ministry of Defense plans an evaluation of an innovative robotic tank formation concept that will enhance the operational capabilities of mechanized formations in urban areas. The ‘Storm’ concept will employ a robotized T-72B3 tank in at least five configurations, to create a semi-autonomous ‘robotic vanguard’, coordinated and controlled by human operators from few kilometers away.

Israel will soon begin serial production of Eitan 8x8 armored personnel carriers (APC) at the IDF Technical and Logistics Directorate Development and Maintenance Center, where Merkava and Namer heavy armored fighting vehicles are produced. Eitan is expected to become operational at the end of 2021, replacing the half-century-old M-113 APC.

Armored Lithuania confirmed this week its order for 88 Boxer 8x8 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) armored vehicles signed with the German consortium ARTEC. The Lithuanian military will call this vehicle ‘Vilkas’, which means ‘wolf.' the Israeli Samson 30mm MK II remote weapon station turret, mounting a MK44 automatic 30mm cannon from ATK and 7.62 coaxial machine gun.

A Bradley fighting vehicle up-gunned with ATK XM813 30mm cannon integrated into a Kongsberg MCT-30 Remote Turret was recently demonstrated in fire at Fort Benning, GA. The new 30-mm cannon is intended to replace the 25-mm M242, giving vehicles greater firepower.

The IDF has completed a test series of the new Eitan 8x8 wheeled APC being developed by the Israel Ministry of Defense tank authority for use by IDF infantry brigades. Although the vehicle is developed and ready to be produced in Israel, it is likely that on the long term, U.S. manufacturers will receive the lion's share of this program, if only to enable the IDF to meet the tight schedules and lower costs required for the project.