Apache Helicopter Fires High-Energy Laser Against a Ground Target at White Sands
A high-energy laser mounted on an Apache AH-64 attack helicopter acquired and hit an unmanned target during a recent firing test at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The test was conducted by Raytheon and the U.S. Army Apache Program Management Office, in collaboration with U.S. Special Operations Command.
Israel Aborts an Arrow 3 Test for Target Failure
A test of Israel's Arrow 3 ballistic missile interceptor was aborted today due to a target failure. According to an Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) announcement, the test performed at the Air Forces' Palmachim missile test base was planned as part of the series of tests on Israel's multi-tiered defense array.
Soft-Kill System Seconds a Hard-Kill in a Layered Defense Demonstration
BAE Systems unveiled its next-generation active protection system called raven today, at the US Army (AUSA) convention. Raven uses a unique, non-kinetic InfraRed (IR) countermeasure system to defeat guided missiles fired at the protected platform. Raven has already demonstrated its effectiveness against guided missiles in several tests.
Elbit Systems Large Area Display Selected for Boeing’s Advanced Cockpit Technology
The Boeing Company has selected Elbit Systems to provide advanced avionics systems for its fighter aircraft. Elbit Systems’ Brazilian subsidiary AEL Sistemas S.A. of Porto Alegre is positioned to become a key member in the program, supporting Boeing's F/A-18E/F bid for the FX-2 in Brazil
Compact Kinetic Energy Missile CKEM
The Compact Kinetic Energy Missile (CKEM) is about 1.5 meter (60 inches) long, weighing less than 45 kg (100 pounds). It is designed to operate as short as 400 meters and at extended range, engaging tanks and other armored vehicles well beyond their effective range.
The missile's kill effector is a hyper-velocity (+6.5Mach) long rod, defeating the target by kinetic...
Arrow-3 Successfully Intercepts Medium-Range Target Missile over the Pacific Ocean
Arrow-3, the Israeli exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor successfully intercepted three medium-range missile targets over the North Pacific Ocean. The event marked the completion of a full-capacity flight test campaign. Three Medium-Range Ballistic Missile targets were intercepted in outer space, by Arrow-3 interceptors launched from Kodiak, Alaska. The tests were conducted under a joint Israeli-US program led by Israel’s Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) of the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
US Navy deploys a laser weapon to the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea
The US Navy is operating high energy laser on the command ship leading the annual mine countermeasure exercise IMCMEX 2014. A revolutionary weapon system, the high power laser is designed to protect the vessel from attacks of Iranian fast boats.
US Drone Maker Cleared to Export Jet Powered Combat Drones
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a manufacturer of jet-powered tactical unmanned aerial drone systems, will soon offer its Mako militarized, combat unmanned aerial vehicles systems for export, following approval of such export by the U.S. State Department to certain European and Asia Pacific region countries.
Kongsberg, Patria team to produce turreted mortars in the USA
The Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS and Finland's Patria Oyj have formed a teaming agreement to provide turreted mortar solutions for future U.S. Army mortar programs. Under this agreement the team will promote the turreted mortar and produce the 120mm Patria Nemo, turreted, remote-controlled mortar system in the US.
ATACMS – Army Tactical Missile System
The Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fielded with the US Army as a deep strike precision weapon, capable of engaging time critical targets at high precision under all weather conditions. The missile is deployed from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of launchers, including the MLRS M270A1 launcher and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher....
Drone Anti-Collision System Completes Operational Test
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) completed operational flight tests of Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems using Due Regard Radar (DRR) systems on board its GA-ASI Predator B drones. The tests confirmed that the DAA system provided the RPA pilot with a clear picture of surrounding air traffic, at least as good as 'eyes in the cockpit' of a manned aircraft.
US Army To Get Mobile Air Defense Strykers by 2020
Facing a growing aerial threat from unmanned systems, rockets, artillery, and mortars, the U.S. Army is accelerating the fielding of an Interim, Mobile Short Air Defense (IM-SHORAD) system to complement the tactical formations of its Stryker brigades. Leonardo DRS, Inc. was selected to provide such IM-SHORAD Mission Equipment Package (MEP) for installation Stryker A1 vehicles. The package includes onboard radar system, a turreted weapon system mounting missiles, guns, and non-kinetic (jammers and Electronic attack) capabilities. This system will provide the “detect-identify-track-defeat” capability required to defeat UAS, rotary-wing and fixed-wing threats.
Israel Selects CH-53K to Replace its 50 Year Old Stallions
Israel selects Lockheed Martin Sikorsky CH-53K Yasour helicopters as the IDF’s new heavy-lift aircraft, as part of the IDF’s “Tnufa” (Momentum), multi-year plan. These will replace the “Yassur” helicopters employed by the IAF since the late 1960s.
Iron Dome: Services Tighten Joint Operability, Rafael and Raytheon Expand Cooperation
The U.S. production facility will provide Israel the ability to finance the acquisition of Iron Dome batteries, and Tamir missile interceptor reloads with U.S. military support. Apart from protecting troops and bases, Iron Dome will be able to protect long-range defense systems such as the THAAD, which could be vulnerable to unconventional threats such as short-range missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
