Combat Support

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded technology research contracts to eight companies under the agency's Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) program, seeking to deliver crew/vehicle survivability through means other than traditional heavy passive armor solutions. DARPA expects these capabilities will be applicable to future ground combat vehicles, improving their combat efficiency and reduce cost. “We’re exploring a...

In the next 10 years about 30 percent of the Russian combat power will consist of remotely controlled and robotic platforms. Uran-9, unmanned BMP-3, obstacle breaching and demining flail robot are among the new systems covered here.

QinetiQ North America is unveiling at AUSA a new version of its TALON counter IED robot. The TALON V is designed to be stronger, more versatile and interoperable with third party components that gives the soldier more flexibility and options to carry out the mission at hand.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing a advanced Counter IED and Mine Suite (CIMS) designed to protect route clearance and lead elements spearheading combat manoeuvre forces operating in areas challenged by IED and mine.

Israel's participation at the Eurosatory defense exhibition this year was the largest ever. This review covers many of the highlights displayed at the Israel national pavilion organized by SIBAT, Israel's defense export directorate.

Earlier in July 2014 the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) has tested two new robotic systems during the Advanced Warfighting Experiment which took place as part of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014 exercise in Hawaii. The systems included the the LS3 Legged Squad Support System and GUSS - Ground Unmanned Support System.

Some of the highlights from the dynamic demonstration held today at Eurosatory 2014 included the Infotron IT 180 unmanned rotorcraft deploying a Cobra Mk2 UGV, both unmanned vehicles are provided by the French robotics company ECA Robotics. The Thales Group displayed the Hawkei Light Protected Mobility Vehicle. Renault Defense Trucks demonstrated a number of vehicles, including the 20 ton VAB Mk III 6x6 armoured personnel carrier offering NATO Level 4 protection, anti-blast and IED protection. anti-blast and IED protection. Another vehicle from Renault is ALTV, a lightweight 4x4 platform developed by ACMAT; Terramax autonomous vehicle from Oshkosh based on an M-ATV and the VERA robotic kit installed on an EAGLE IV armored vehicle from GDELS.

  Israel Aerospace Industries' (IAI) Ramta's Division is developing an unmanned ground penetrating radar sensor designed to detect deep buried and surface-laid mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The system designated Mines and IED Detection System (MIDS) has completed the last phase of engineering testing and have begun building a technology demonstrator. The demonstrator is slated to be ready for...

BAE Systems’ Terrier Combat Engineer Vehicle, the latest vehicle to be accepted into service with the British Army, is on display at BAE System's at DSEI 2013. Terrier has been designed with an integrated electronic architecture which facilitates ‘drive-by-wire’ and remote control making the vehicle highly capable, survivable and adaptable. David Bond, Managing Director of Combat Vehicles (UK) said: “With...

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.

Following several years of development of a complex and ambitious route-clearing counter-mine system, the French Army has halted the original program, transforming the available assets to better cope with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG has taken over the UK company WFEL Ltd. based in Stockport, Cheshire. WFEL is regarded as the world-market leader for mobile bridging systems in both military and civil applications.

BAE Systems recently received a $47 million contract modification to modernize 95 M2/M3 Bradley armored vehicles, through the reset process - replacing old and damaged components with updated equipment and technology. “As the mission and combat environments for our soldiers are changing, we are working to provide a modernized Bradley Fighting Vehicle that continues to perform at an optimal...

Israel's Defense Ministry has awarded General Dynamics a contract to build 600 Namer (leopard in Hebrew) armored personnel carriers (APC) over the next eight years. The competitive procurement process was for the production of Merkava APC hulls, material kit sets and integration of the kits to the vehicle chassis. General Dynamics expects to complete contract negotiations by the end of...