Defense Technology

The new Firestrike 15kW laser source can be employed as stand-alone system or be stacked into high power directed energy weapon systems Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is introducing a new, fully developed 'weapon-class' high power solid-state laser dubbed 'Firestrike', designed as a ruggedized, line replaceable unit (LRU) for battlefield applications. According to the company, the new laser can be stacked...

Boeing delivered the last (79th) upgraded CF-18 Hornet aircraft to the Canadian Department of National Defence, bringing the nine-year, two-phased CF-18 Modernization Project to a close. The program was conducted by an industry team including Boeing and L-3 Communications MAS. Phase 1 was valued at US$436 million and Phase 2 at $150 million. "Nearly 30 years after the delivery of...

The U.S. Army's Future Combat System (FCS) program comprises 14 integrated weapon systems and an advanced information network. The $160 billion program is the centerpiece of the Army’s effort to transition to a lighter, more agile, and more capable combat force. The program led by Lead Integrators Boeing and SAIC, represent a generation leap in technology, procurement and scale...

Brazil squeezes Boeing and Saab to match the terms of the mega-deal agreed by the presidents of the two countries. After Eurocopter and DCSN have already invested large programs in Brazil, Dassault could be next if Rafale is selected for the F-X2. The Brazilian Air Force has extended the deadline for submitting best and final proposals for the F-X2 fighter aircraft, heating...

Major acquisition programs currently being formulated will replace major fragments of the FCS. For example, instead of the eight variants of the tracked manned Ground Vehicle, cancelled along with FCS, the Army is seeking new vehicles to be developed under the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) program being formulated these days. TRADOC and Ft. Monroe are working to map the capability-gaps...

Defense industries and U.S. government research and development authorities are rapidly progressing to mature high power solid-state lasers (SSL), for use as directed energy weapons capable of delivering lethal effects at long range, at the speed of light. "It really is a historical event," said Michael Rinn, vice president and program director of Boeing's Airborne Laser Systems. "As we...

The British Ministry of Defence has selected the UK division of General Dynamics (GDUK) to provide the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) Scout Vehicles, as a first phase of the £4 billion (about $6.08 billion) land forces modernization program. GDLS proposed the ASCOD Scout Vehicle, based on the ASCOD 2, designed under an Austrian-Spanish cooperation. The losing bidder, BAE...

India's Arms Procurement Programs Discussed at the Defexpo 2008 India's Bi-Annual Arms Bazzar (updated March 2008) The Indian Ministry of Defense is planning to double its arms procurement and spend over US$ 20 billion (over Rs 120,000 crore) - more than twice the amount spent in the past 10 years on an annual basis. In the next four years, on...

Under its upgrading program the wheeled recce Armored Car, operated by the French Armor Corps, will receive an information console (TIS) and new RP4G combat net radio. Improvements to the automotive system include softer transmission controls. Other installations include add-on armor, KBCM defensive aids system including Gallix and LIRE IR active decoy, and provisions for thermal sight for the gunner...

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi approved today (Sept 3rd, 2007) the Israel defense Forces (IDF) five year military procurement plan under the codename "TEFEN 2012" projecting expenditure of US$60 billion over five years between 2008 and 2012. The program reflects the IDF's utilization of the increased US military aid supporting about 75% of the program. The...

Draper Laboratory unveiled another concept for nano air vehicle – the Magnetically Operated NAno RotorCraft (MONARC). This miniature aerostructure uses a coaxial rotor powered by two direct drive brushless motors that run on new 2 gram lithium- ion battery developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) delivering power density of 250 Whr/kg. Actuation will be managed by magnetic virtual swash-plate...

"The squad as a system" is the USMC approach to future warrior systems. Mark Richter, PM Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad (MERS) outlined the USMC view of the enhanced rifle infantry squad, a more streamlined combat formation reduced from a complex 13 men unit to the more maneuverable, 8 men element. Richter also discussed the rapid fielding of new equipment,...

August, 2006: New simulator programs recently announced by several programs mark the continued deployment of simulation systems with land forces worldwide. New programs are fielded with the German and Swiss Armies, Thai land forces and Australian Armored Corps. The Australian Army Armor School Deploy New M-1A1 Simulators is operating new training facilities at Hopkins Barracks in Puckapunyal and in Darwin, base...

The modification of the physical properties of armor of steel made, or titanium based alloys, is achieved through a new fabrication technique called Liquidmetal. This process produces advanced alloys at lower temperature, offering twice the strengths characteristics of titanium at a processing efficiency of plastics. Liquidmetal was one of the possible approaches which can be used to compose the...