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How Should Israel Reinstate its Land Maneuver Capability?

Aug 10, 2008

Better armored vehicles, more affordable guided weapons employed by ‘multi-purpose’ units could better handle future maneuver warfare in high intensive, asymmetric warfare.

Major. General (ret) Yair Naveh, former commander of the IDF Central Command during 2005-2007, outlined at the ‘2nd Latrun Conference for Land Warfare’ some of the lessons learned after the 2006 war, offering some of his recommendations for the ground forces command. Following the conference theme, General Naveh considers the land maneuver as the ONLY option Israel can use to win in future conflicts. “There are different approaches to the Golan, Lebanon and Gaza fronts, but all theaters require a significant, powerful, short and decisive land maneuver, at the operational level – such maneuver should be employed with fire, primarily precision fire.” said Naveh.

From Combined Forces to Organic Assets

“The modern battlefield is not homogenous as it used to be”, General Naveh indicated, “a target set usually includes a mix of armored, fortified, mobile, underground, commando and irregular elements, armed with stand-off, and close-in anti-tank weapons and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), operating in close vicinity, or within the civilian population. Therefore, all the means necessary to conduct battle under all these different scenarios, should be ‘owned’ as organic assets by the unit (brigade).”

This concept stands in contrast to the traditional, Modular ‘combined arms’ approach, currently employed by the IDF, where specialized assets are allocated by higher echelons, for specific tasks. Naveh’s approach has already been implemented by the US Brigade Combat Team concept, but tested to a limited scale by the modular IDF ‘Yata’ battalion, designed specifically for asymmetric warfare. “Future land operations should not rely solely on tanks or infantry, but the brigade should determine, according to the operational scenario ordered, which element should lead the force” General Naveh added. Therefore, tank or infantry units should lead the brigade and shape its entire operational plan.

Heavier Armor Against Growing Threats

Overall, Gen. Naveh favors the return of heavy armored vehicles, as operations are facing numerous, more capable anti-armor threats. General Naveh considers the new Namer AIFVs being fielded with the Golani brigade an essential protection, facilitating their mobility in areas dominated by anti-tank and IEDs. “Threats prevailing in an urban terrain are different from those encountered in open area” says Naveh.

“An AIFV should adapt for both terrain options; relying on tanks only does not provide an effective answer to the challenges of urban area, as they lack the mobility and capability to engage target at elevated angles. I would rather enter an urban area with a minimum number of tanks and provide mobility and support for the infantry by a dedicated armored vehicle, more adaptable for urban warfare” He added.

Smarter Brains for Tougher Muscles

Modern tactical intelligence should be enhanced and adapted to provide target intelligence, in addition to its traditional role, this should be regarded as a pre-requisite for the deployment of precision guided munitions (PGM).

Overall, General Naveh calls for further improvement of ‘sensor to shooter’ kill chains, already established at the IDF counter-terror operations. An essential component of modern land maneuver battle is the employment of effective, precise firepower to create decisive effects only where they count, maintaining collateral low and minimizing the risk for friendly forces. A key for such capabilities is the transformation of statistical fire into ‘cost effective precision fire’. Naveh did not elaborate on how this could be achieved, but indicated that “the C4ISR is already in place for such capabilities”.

To facilitate better targeting for maneuver forces, new sensors and intelligence collection elements such as tactical UAVs are being fielded. However, to employ them to their full extent, the IDF and Israel Air Force (IAF) should reach a compromise about airspace management. “The land component should share responsibility and control of the aerial dimension over the battle area, a factor now controlled exclusively by the air force. This requirement will be more critical in future operations, as the IDF plans to field UAVs at battalion, brigade and division levels, providing critical capabilities to the lower echelons.

Affordable PGM for the Lower Echelon

To further extend direct support by PGM, Naveh recommends an extensive deployment of laser designators at the lowest operational level. However, Naveh indicated that guided weapons should be of low-cost and simple to operate. “The IDF focus on ‘high end’ very accurate but expensive Electro-Optical guided weapons should be offset by simpler, more affordable GPS and laser guided weapons. Laser guidance is particularly suitable for short-range engagement, where targets are usually in sight.” Another factor is the high proficiency level required for the weapons operator. “Employing laser guided weapons require a single person and a single skill in the loop” says Naveh.

He considers electro-optical (EO) guided weapons an essential asset for the division and corps level, where such capabilities become an operational and strategically determinant factor. “EO guided weapons should only be used, after lower cost alternatives are discarded.” said Naveh. He recommends fielding a mix of weapons employing different guidance systems to match a wide range of operational and strategic requirements – “The lower echelon needs a simple and accurate weapon that could be easily integrated within existing forces” said Naveh.

He explained that EO guided weapons are more suitable for divisional and territorial command operations since their operation requires specialized operators and the high “cost per kill” could be justified only by eliminating high priority targets, prioritized by the higher echelons. “Guided to accurately attack a specific location, GPS guided weapons would be most suitable for the attack of fixed targets. The more advanced ‘smart GPS’ combining at least two types of seekers, will be best to pursue illusive targets such as Surface/Surface missile launchers.” said Naveh.

Addressing the call for better maneuverability, the IDF Plans to Increase Land Forces Survivability

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Aug 10, 2008

Speaking at the ‘Land Maneuver in the 21st Century’ conference, Col. Yizhak Elimelech, head of Land R&D Division at the Ground Forces Command said that passive (armor) protection has reached the top. Any further addition of armor protection endangers degrading the platform’s performance. The IDF identified this trend 20 years ago and launched the development of active protection systems which are now matured for fielding. “Such a system transforms the tank from “prey into hunter”, as active protection provides the crew a better situational picture, highlighting battlefield threats in real time, and enabling rapid engagement and elimination of such threats, before they come into effect.

The ground forces command launched a comprehensive program to improve the survivability of the forces, addressing the ever growing capabilities of weapons and methods, employed by all symmetric and asymmetric threats. While improving the armor protection for vehicles and personnel is central to this approach, thorough consideration is given to other survivability aspects, like, pre-emption by standoff detection and avoidance of potential threats, denying target acquisition, disruption, suppression and elimination of threats.

Obtaining a higher level of survivability and maneuverability, such units will be better prepared to pull enemy forces out of their hideouts, through movement, fire and surprise. By engaging enemy forces at their hideouts, conventional forces can better engage targets in an ’empty battlefield’, where guerrilla forces remain hidden until being threatened or directly engaged. The IDF plans to utilize rapid target location and engagement processing, already employed in counter-terror activity, to dramatically reduce the life span of enemy targets as soon as they expose themselves and open fire.

Units prepared for ‘Land Dominance’ will be equipped and trained to operate as tightly synchronized and coordinated elements. Employing networked sensors, such as radars, electro-optical systems and gunshot locators etc) they will be able to rapidly and accurately locate and engage threats. Such capabilities will be provided both at the unit level as well as the individual units.

While the IDF has already established highly capable air mobile elements and have demonstrated the capability to launch brigade scale air-mobile operations, land-maneuver capability will be provided by a balanced force of heavy armored vehicles. According to the Brig. General Yaron Livnat, head of the MoD Merkava tank directorate, the IDF is planning to balance between the key maneuver force’s elements, through measured procurement of Merkava Mk4 tanks balancing it with the acquisition of a significant number of Namer Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles (AIFV) currently being built.

Namer AIFV are designed to operate well both individually and as a unit, equipped with mobility, firepower, protection, sensors, command and control to effectively pursue missions independently (at the individual vehicle level) as well as part of a networked operation. According to Gen. Livnat, the program has now been established to sustain continued production of tanks and AIFVs through the year 2020, which is necessary to ensure production capacity and availability of long lead time elements (engines, ballistic steel etc.) for the Merkava/Namer program. To enable troops to take advantage of the advanced capabilities of these vehicles, they are being provided with comprehensive training and logistical support.

In parallel to the protection of individual combat elements such as tanks, AIFVs and dismounted warfighters, the IDF is seeking to improve the protection for entire combat units, including command, and combat service support vehicles. This enables continuous support for combat units throughout the battlefield. Such protection ‘services’ will be provided with a dedicated platform capable of detecting, countering and defeating incoming threats affecting the protected unit while stationary, or on the move. Operating in a manner similar to a mobile air defense, such platforms will be fitted with sensors and networked elements to provide early warning of potential threats. Based on intelligence reports and real-time sensor data, the system will be able to warn the forces about missile ambushes, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) or mines, planted along the road. The platform will also employ various IED and mine-defeating systems to counter potential threats. Moreover, this platform will also provide protection against anti-tank missiles or RPGs launched against members of the protected unit, employing active protection means designed to protect light armored or unarmored vehicles over a large area.

A typical system considered for such ‘flank protection’ is the Tactical Amphibious Ground Support system (TAGS) robotic vehicle, which has already been tested equipped with sensors and remotely controlled weapon station.

Boeing Develops JDAM Based Countermine Weapon for the US Navy

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Aug 10, 2008

August 10, 2008: Boeing has been awarded a $153 million contract for the development of an aerial Assault Breaching System (ABS) Countermine System (CMS). The program continues previous work known as Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Assault Breaching System (JABS), conducted by Boeing’s Phantom Works for the US Navy Office of Naval Research. The CMS weapon will be developed for the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Panama City, Florida.

The CMS, part of the Navy’s effort to field a comprehensive Assault Breaching System, will help minimize mine-related combat losses during amphibious landings.

“The CMS will neutralize mines in the beach and surf zone in advance of an amphibious assault by the Marines,” said Keith Burns, Boeing CMS acting program manager. “This capability will greatly enhance the sea service’s ability to project power and successfully complete a Ship-to-Objective maneuver.”

The new weapon will be contained as a ‘cargo’ in a JDAM shell, delivered by U.S. Air Force strategic bombers will use the CMS to clear assault lanes while Navy tactical fighters perform localized mine neutralization. The weapon will be programmed prior to launch to scatter its darts over a designated aim-point.

Unlike explosive devices currently used for mine clearing, the new weapon’s payload will comprise of 4,000 dart shaped submunitions, designed to attack surface laid and buried mines placed on land, in water or on the surf zone.

The payload will comprise of different darts, comprising chemical materials, high-explosives or reactive materials that neutralize the mine by deflagrating mine’s explosive charge without detonation. The weapon’s development is expected to be completed by 2013. The Navy plans to integrate CMS into the ABS System of Systems providing a mine neutralization capability by 2015-6.

The Boeing-led team includes General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems for mine neutralizer testing, alternate neutralizer design and the modular payload system; Lockheed Martin for the baseline explosive neutralizer; and Nammo-Talley Defense Systems for the dispenser system.

Israel is Seeking to Achieve ‘Land Dominance’ in the Battlefield

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Aug 10, 2008

Israel’s land forces command outlines a strategic thrust to achieve ‘land dominance’, by employing combined maneuver and firepower to gain decisive victory in future wars

The IDF intentionally refrained from large-scale ground maneuver operations during the 2006 Lebanon War. This was one of the causes of it’s poor showing, which left the scene, for the first time in it’s history, without clear and visible decision, both militarily and political. As the war was examined in depth by the so-called Winograd Commission, it became clear to decision-makers, that extensive ground operations, relying on large-scale, rapid maneuver warfare remain significant elements in any future warfighting, both high-intensive and asymmetric, in which the IDF will have to defend it’s nation against looming threats, both at the frontline and especially in the vulnerable rear zone.

To regain it’s capability to maneuver effectively in threat infected areas, the IDF is preparing its forces to achieve ‘land dominance’ throughout the battle area, during high intensity as well as asymmetric warfare operations. This topic was discussed in details at the ‘2nd Latrun Conference for Land Warfare, organized this month by ‘Yad Lashiryon’, Israel’s Armor Association and Memorial Center.

‘Land Dominance’ has not been achieved during the 2006 Lebanon War, despite extensively rehearsed plans and preparations; the political level and IDF high command was reluctant to launch a ground campaign, opting in favor of employing a standoff attack strategy, by statistical and precision guided weapons. As the stand-off firepower based operational concept dominated the IDF warfighting concept, through the recent years, the IDF land forces overtasked with security and counter-terror operations suffered continuous degradation in training, resulting in the loss of essential knowledge and capabilities, primarily at the middle rank tactical command level.

Lack of training, and inadequate equipment became key to the overall poor performance demonstrated by the ground forces during the conflict. On the other side, extensive preparations by Hezbollah, instructed by Iranian and Syrian experts, challenged IDF ground forces. Whenever the Israelis entered hostile territory, they encountered extensive maneuver inhibiting measures, including well-prepared anti-tank threats, IEDs as well as sophisticated electronic and information warfare elements, designed to prevent the IDF from accomplishing significant ground gains. The main problem, which persisted throughout the entire war, was an unimaginative and indecisive conduct of ground operations at a larger scale, inserting insufficient forces into focal points of strategic and operative value.

The lack of focus to achieve ‘Land Dominance’ – a situation where land forces perform a series of rapid and decisive operations, employing maneuver forces throughout the battle area, precisely, lethally and effectively, to defeat the enemy, was identified soon after the war in after action reports. Lacking area dominance, and recognizing the vulnerability of the individual elements, the IDF response to threats was incomplete, insufficient and deliberate tactical moves were rapidly reduced to evacuation of casualties after initial engagements with the enemy. In an attempt to reduce vulnerability to stand-off anti-tank missile threats the IDF limited operations to night time. Furthermore, movement of lightly armored vehicles was prohibited throughout the theater while heavy armor was ordered to move off-road, which was proven highly challenging for the inexperienced crews. These factors had a negative effect on combat support and combat service support to forward forces, severely degrading their operational effectiveness and combat flexibility.

Having been clearly identified by in-depth research and after-action lessons, these deficiencies are being addressed through an aggressive overall training and force build-up process, determined to achieve and maintain ‘land superiority’ through all types of future conflicts. According to Col. Yizhak Elimelech, head of Land R&D Division at the Ground Forces Command, the IDF determined the element of survivability as a critical aspect for ‘land dominance’. “If we invest adequately in means and R&D we can gain land dominance capability within 10 years” Elimelech concluded.

Grand Challenge UK – 2008 Characterizing the Mission

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Aug 10, 2008

Some of the concepts evaluated during the UK Grand Challenge competition focused on different combination of aerial and ground autonmous systems operated in synchronization and mutual support. Others focused on ground swarms, constellations and formations of ground vehicles or unmanned hoevring aerial vehicles.

Patrolling in urban environments against an evolving and rapidly changing threat is an ongoing element of current operations for UK Armed Forces.
Recent developments in unmanned systems have seen a revolution in the way intelligence is collected and relayed to commanders. However, current in-service systems focus on long-range, high-flying operations providing a strategic surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

Recent advances in the technology, safety and flexibility of unmanned systems mean their great potential to assist short-range, reactive operations, such as urban patrols can be realistically considered. Such systems need to be operable by small numbers of troops at very short notice, with the minimal amount of user input. This requires the system to have a high degree of autonomy and to be effective it must have the capability to reliably identify threats to the troops and relay them quickly to the commander.

Copehill Down Village is the largest fighting in built-up areas (FIBUA) training facility in Europe. The village is used for pre-deployment training for UK and Allied armed forces, providing troops with essential skills for urban operations. Built in 1986, Copehill Down resembles a small northern European town, complete with a church, school, hotel and bar. The site is approximately 350m by 450m. The village contains around 80 buildings and includes a more recently build section based on an Iraqi village.

Unmanned Systems Technologies at the Grand Challenge UK – 2008

The London based Barnard Microsystems team employed two types of remotely controlled model helicopters acting as aerial scouts. A different light weight ‘tricopter’, capable of hovering and perching whilst surveying the area of interest with imaging sensors was developed by Students from Middlesex University as part of the I-Spy team (photo). A different helicopter platform was employed by team members from Thales and the universities of Reading, Cranfield, Exeter and Loughborough and three schools from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET). They have used commercially available helicopters and two custom built ground vehicles (photo) equipped with audio, visual and thermal imaging sensors and laser range finder to detect potential threats.

A combination of air and ground systems was employed by the Stellar team, using multiple systems flying at different altitudes (photo above) as well as a ground autonomous vehicle, all controlled through the SATURN (Sensing & Autonomous Tactical Urban Reconnaissance Network) and guided autonomously by mission planning software.Comprising Stellar Research Services Ltd, Blue Bear Systems Research Ltd, SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems, Cranfield University, Marshall SV Systems Design Group and TRW Conekt, this.

The Silicon Valley team introduced a combination of vehicles including a remote controlled UAV, a glider and two ‘Moonbuggy’ UGVs (photo) operating autonomously in full synchronization, controlled and managed semi-autonomously from the APHIDS mission management system. The system combines the RoboHumatics principles and tuned image recognition software being developed by the Kingston University, University of Reading, and a novel solution developed by IDUS Consultancy to detect IED command wires. Silicon Valley team members are drawn from Silicon Valley Group, IDUS Consultancy Ltd, Smith Engineering (GB) Ltd (UGV designers Cumbria), and Bruton School for Girls. A matrix of multiple vehicles was demonstrated by the Mindsheet team (photo), employing four unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) fitted with thermal imaging and motion detectors.

Swarm Systems used a ‘swarm’ of ‘Owls’, four-rotor (quadrotor) micro aerial vehicles (MAV) each weighing less than 1 kg.The Swarm is tasked to rapidly reconnoitre an area. A swarm approach, when compared to an individual approach, brings the benefits of emergent behaviour, in particular robustness to unforeseen events. As Professor Owen Holland at the University of Essex explains: “Swarming has many proven advantages. Most importantly, it can survive unexpected events. If one vehicle is suddenly lost, then the swarm reconfigures itself to complete the task.” The team’s concept is simple. It uses a swarm of eight quadrotors called ‘Owls’. Their operator uses 3D planning software to swiftly plan and rehearse routes for the Owls over Copehill Down village. The Owls then fly those routes, taking around one thousand high-resolution images. On return, these images are processed by a cluster of ten powerful multi-processor PCs, which analyze each image using the University of Surrey’s threat recognition software. Within minutes, the operator can produce a map of Copehill Down showing the location and type of all recognized threats. Swarm team members drawn from Swarm Systems Ltd, University of Essex, University of Surrey, Orrcam Ltd, Ardware Ltd and Scarzon Ltd.

Members of Team Tumbleweed included the University of Manchester, AV-I Ltd, BAE Systems and MBDA has designed a small six-rotor lightweight UAV, (model is shown on the left) with rotors held in a circular frame (making a spherical ball) and fitted with visual and infra-red sensors. The vehicle is fitted with a stabilized electro-optical sensor system.

MIRA, ERA Technologies, BAE Systems, GFS Projects, University of Warwick and pupils from Royal Grammar School, Guildford formed the Mira team, which presented a combination of a “flying saucer” like UAV and a ground carrier/launcher platform (see photo above) which also operates as an autonomous ground sensor, both equipped with infra-red cameras and laser scanners. Mira also offered a land based platform carrying mainly optical sensors with a tethered aerial camera for situational awareness.

A group of young engineers from the Cortex team, sponsored by QinetiQ designed a two-rotor, highly maneuverable and lightweight winged unmanned air vehicle, (picture) capable of vertical take-off, landing and hovering. The system qualified for the final phase but failed to compete due to technical problems. Another system that failed in the last phase was a pocket-sized, lightweight and easily transportable foam UAVs developed by Team Locust, (see picture above) formed by members of Advanced New Technologies (ANT) Scientific Limited, Portsmouth University and Satmap Systems.

SMArt Sensor-Fuzed Amunition for 155mm guns

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Aug 10, 2008

SMArt 155 (DM702) is produced by GIWS – a subsidiary of Diehl and Rheinmetall. SMArt is an intelligent, autonomous fire and forget artillery projectile designed to accurately engage stationary or mobile battlefield targets. By utilizing smart Submunitions, such targets can be engaged with standard artillery units, at significant range and high kill efficiency.

Each SMART 155 munition is composed of two sensor fused submunitions designed for automatic target acquisition and engagement by an Explosively Forged Penetrator (EFP). After the submunitions are expulsed from the shell case, opening parachutes and arm the warheads, each weapon scans a specific sector in a spiraling pattern, as it auto-rotates under a parachute, scanning the area underneath it with IR and mm radar or millimeter wave radiometer sensor. Once positive indication of a target is provided by both sensors, an aim point is calculated and the EFP is activated, attacking the target from above. According to the manufacturer, The SMArt 155’s fusion of signal processed from IR sensors, radiometers and active radars is spanning a broad range of wavelengths, performs well in adverse conditions such as fog, smoke or precipitation; conditions that impede the performance of single sensors or single wavelength suites of sensors.

The 47 kg Smart 155 round is designed for 155mm guns including M-109/39 and M109/47 and PzH-2000/52 and Paladin self propelled artillery reaching 22.5 (39/47) up to 27.5 km (155/52). The Smart Submunitions are also applicable for MLRS rockets and aerial dispensers, as well as sensor fused ground mines activated by IR, Milimeter Wave (mmw) Radar or acoustic triggering. SMART is fielded with the armied of Germany, Switzerland and Greece. Additional countries are evaluating the weapon, among them the UAE. In a recent test, SMART ammunition was fired from a UAE G6 self-propelled howitzer and scored kills of 67 percent of the armored target. Test results also show that the SMArt(R) 155 is capable of distinguishing a hot target from a cold background as well as a cold target from a hot background. This functionality is particularly important in desert climates with “crossover” times of day that can impact thermal imaging performance. ATK is teamed with GIWS to market and produce the SMArt if selected by the US Forces.

In the UK, SMArt was proposed for the Royal Artillery’s a Guided Artillery Ammunition (GAA) program, part of the Indirect Fire Precision Attack (IFPA) program. The team proposing the SMArt included RO Defense, Rheinmetall Defense and Raytheon . In November 2007 the MoD announced a first order for these munitions. They will be fired from current or future 155mm howitzers, and effectively engage targets at maximum range greater than 45km (with 155/52cal guns) at an accuracy of less than 20m’ CEP.

The projectile will reach this range by determining the specific flight trajectory using inertial sensors and GPS guided flight, utilizing canards deployed at the highest point of its ballistic trajectory (apogee). The mid-course trajectory will be optimized for range and time of arrival, while the terminal trajectory will be optimized for the type of warhead – either direct impact or submunition dispensing. Such accuracy enables firing at close proximity with friendly forces, and in scenarios where rules of engagement prohibit the use of wide area fire missions. GAA will be offered with two payload options – the SMArt Sensor Fused Munition (BSFM) or a new combined effect Blast Fragmentation submunition, designed by BAE-Royal Ordnance.

DARPA Develops Better Battle Damage Tolerance Flight Control for Unmanned Systems

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Aug 10, 2008

Can an airplane fly with part of its wing ripped off? Two decades after a young Israeli pilot made history by landing an F-15B after losing the starboard (right) wing after midair collision with an A-4H, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Rockwell Collins are working on an new damage tolerant flight control technology that can automatically reconfigure the aircraft flight controls after significant loss of control due to battle damage.

An Israel Air Force F-15B recovered safely at an IAF base after losing its right wing in a mid-air collision. Photos: Israel Air Force magazine
DARPA’s Damage Tolerant Controls (DTC) program completed the most recent test series in April 08, culminating in a demonstration of recovery from loss of the majority of the right wing of a sub-scale F/A-18, verifying the ability of adaptive control methods to continue control of an aerial platform in the event of battle damage. According to DARPA’s Program Manager Lt. Col. Jim McCormick, the system provides an autonomous aerial vehicle an ‘air sense’ that would allow them to deal with the unexpected, the way a human pilot might. “Damage tolerance approach will reduce the burden of training on our operators, limit the impact of pilot error, and lessen our dependence on pre-positioned ground equipment.” Col. Don Hazelwood, Project Manager for Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

During the recent test, an F/A-18 sub-scale model equipped with the flight control system developed by Rockwell Collins demonstrated safe recovery from catastrophic wing damage, as it regained stable flight within seconds after losing its right wing. Over the next few minutes the flight control system reconfigured itself to restore most of the original flight quality, allowing the aircraft to complete a flawless autonomous touchdown. The next phase will integrate damage tolerance into an operational unmanned air system, paving the way for future fielding of this unconventional capability.

First Watchkeepers UAVs Are Expected at ParcAberporth By Fall

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Aug 8, 2008

Thales UK’s Watchkeeper program is moving forward, with the first production unmanned air vehicle (UAV) platform flying since April this year. The first flight took place in Israel, the second aircraft is being completed by U-TacS, the joint venture company established by Thales UK and Elbit Systems in England. Flight testing is expected to continue in Israel until fall, focusing on envelope expansion, airworthiness and testing of the sensors. By fall the first and second aircraft will transition to ParcAberporth in Wales, where special corridor and operating airspace have been established for these unmanned aerial systems.

“The coming months are critical for the program” said Alex Dorrian, Thales UK Chief executive Officer. With the platform undergoing flight testing, the next steps will include integration and testing of the EO/IR/laser target designation capabilities, automatic takeoff and landing and the I-Master radar and dual payload flights.

Watchkeeper will provide real-time imagery and situational awareness enabling commanders on the ground to gain a detailed picture of the battlespace and to make timely decisions accordingly. The system will be configured with a dual payload as standard, comprising of the D-Compass, an electro-optical payload and Thales I-Master synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). “The SAR imagery seen in initial trials of I-Master is outstanding and testing of the Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) functionality is well underway” said Dorrian. “The combination of the radar and EO/IR sensors operating form a tactical platform will provide a transformational step in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability for the UK armed forces”.

According to Nick Miller, Business Director, UAV Systems at Thales, the system is designed for a high degree of autonomy, supporting autonomous takeoff and landing (ATOL). This system will be capable of operating in all weather conditions, using GPS and radar navigational systems, determining the direction and approach glide slope in regular as well as GPS-denied conditions.

Russia Extends it’s Arctic Naval Powerbase

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Aug 7, 2008

The Russian navy and air force continue to expand their operations on a global base. Their most recent plans call for joint naval exercises, combining naval units, Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95 Bear long-range strategic bombers, to be held in Indian Ocean later this autumn.

According to the Russian Air Force commander, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin, the Air Force had received orders to increase joint training with the Navy and the number of patrol flights across the world’s oceans are aimed, to ensure the security of Russian shipping in it’s national, strategic- and economically important zones. Colonel General Alexander Zelin, Commander in Chief, Russian Air Force. Photo: Russian MoD Last year Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans. “Since August 2007, Russian strategic bombers have carried out about 150 patrol flights with tactical interference of foreign aircraft, which accompanied our planes on their missions and in some instances jeopardized their success,” Zelin said.

Flying these patrols, strategic bombers are supported by aerial tankers, gain experience flying in northern latitudes and deploy on temporary missions to forward landing airfields.

It is of special interest, that in June 2008 two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers were deployed to the Engels airbase in the Saratov Region, flying routine patrols over the Arctic. One month later, in July 2008, similar patrols were flown by four additional bombers based at the Ukrainka air base in the Far Eastern Amur Region. These aircraft were sent on 14 hour patrol flights over the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Other missions conducetd last week involved a pair of Tu-160 bombers flying 12 hour missions over the Arctic sea and Atlantic ocean. These patrols provide routine Russian presence in these highly strategic areas, as well as improving the air-crew’s proficiency, in flying and navigating over the vast and featureless arctic region.

The Russian Navy also places more attention on the Arctic region, resuming its regular naval presence in that area, after 17 years of noted absence. In June and early July 2008 the Russian Udaloy class anti-submarine ship Severomorsk entered the arctic circle for about a month’ deployment, replaced by the Slava class missile cruiser ‘Marshal Ustinov’ in mid July.

U.S. Navy Fire Controlman 2nd Class Gary Weaver scans his area before allowing USS Elrod's (FFG 55) visit, board, search and seizure team to move forward to the bridge of Russian anti-submarine warfare ship Severomorsk as part of Exercise Northern Eagle 2008. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Henry) As Severomorsk left the area it paid a visit to the Norwegian port of Haakonsvern to continue the traditional spirit of cooperation with participation in ‘Northern Edge 2008’ – a tri-national exercise involving the Russian Fleet, US Navy and Norwegian Navy, taking place in the Norwegian and Barents seas. Northern Edge 2008 focuses on maritime interdiction operations, search and rescue and tactical interoperability to improve maritime safety and security in Northern Europe.

Yet, such peaceful spirit is somewhat obscured, by Russian naval patrols around the area of Spitsbergen, claimed within Norway’s exclusive right to the 200-mile economic zone. A subsequent test launch of a intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) from the Delta-3 nuclear powered missile-carrying submarine Ryazan, further raises concern of the Russian intentions. Ryazan is also operating with the Russian Northern Fleet. The launch was described by the Russian Naval comman, as ‘routine check-up of the nation’s naval strategic nuclear forces’, It was fired from a submerged position in the Barents Sea, hitting a target on the Kamchatka Kura training range.

The arctic area is only one of the areas the Russian Navy is expected to operate in. speaking to journalists on the occasion of the Russian Navy Day celebrations, the commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Vladimir Visotskiy confirmed the the Russian Navy is planning to deploy six aircraft-carrier groups with its Northern and Pacific fleets. They will be operated within a new, network-centric task groups, closely integrated with Russian air force and air-defense assets via Russia’s military-satellite network. At present, the Russians operate a single aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov with the Northern Fleet.

New Lightweight Missiles are Tailored for Asymmetric Warfare

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Aug 6, 2008

Modern weapons are no longer compared on the size and power of their warheads. In a world where illusive targets take cover amongst innocent civilians, and friendly forces are located across the street or behind a wall, the smaller, more surgical effect a weapon has is better. To successfully engage targets under such restrictions, an attack should be pursued swiftly as soon as a target is exposed and while nearby friendly forces and non-combatant elements are least vulnerable.

Responding to these requirements, weapon manufacturers are offering a new range of lightweight precision weapons, optimized to destroy soft targets, while reducing effects beyond a specified distance. While containing smaller amounts of explosives, such weapons are also designed to have even more powerful effect over a limited area, utilizing ‘enhanced blast’ (thermobaric) explosive compounds, which are particularly devastating indoors. Such materials are being evaluated for future, ultra low collateral damage version of the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB), developed under the US Air Force Focused Lethality Munition (FLM) program developed by Boeing.

Reducing the Weapon’s Lethality

Compared to the FLM’s 93 kg blast, low fragmentation warheads, the latest member of this class being displayed at Farnborough for the first time is designed to far more surgical strikes. The new Lightweight Multi-Mission Missile (LMM) developed by Thales contains a warhead weighing only three kilograms. LMM will use laser guidance (beam riding) to fly out to a range of about seven kilometers, where it will activate a semi-active laser or passive infrared seeker to detect the target from a distance of about 1,000 meters. It will then pursue a terminal attack profile, continuously monitored by the operator.

Presently the missile uses blast fragmenting warhead but in the future Thales considers adding an anti-tank dedicated version, fitted with a tandem shaped charge warhead. LMM is designed for light platforms, including light helicopters and unmanned systems. It has been fired from the BAE Systems Herti Unmanned platform and test flown on Scheibel’s S-100 Camcopter unmanned helicopter. Both platforms can carry two missiles each. At Farnborough 08 Thales displays the missile on the AgustaWestland Sea Lynx, where seven LMM missiles are carried by a new launcher weighing about 275 kg.

70mm/2.75″ Guided Rockets

In 2006 BAE Systems was awarded $45.7 million by the U.S. Navy to develop the Advanced Precision-Kill Weapon System (APKWS) modifying standard 2.75″/Hydra 70 rockets into laser guided weapons. Following successful demonstrations conducted through 2007 fired from US Marine Corps AH-1W and Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scouts. BAE Systems is planning to begin full rate production of the conversion kits in 2009.

Raytheon is also developing the Griffin air-to-surface lightweight missile as a private venture. The Griffin is a 45 lb, 42 inch long tube launched missile using semi-active laser guidance. Raytheon was awarded a $9.3 million contract to supply the missiles to equip Predator UAVs operated by an ‘unidentified’ U.S. customer. Each Predator can carry six Griffins, instead of two Hellfire missiles currently carried by the platform.

Another system unveiled here for the first time is the Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket – Laser (GATR-L) developed under a collaborative effort between Elbit Systems and Alliant Techsystems (ATK). GATR-L will introduce a fixed (non gimbaled) semi-active laser seeker and guidance unit to ATK’s 70mm unguided rockets, converting these weapons into precision attack munitions. Such weapons will offer the effect currently achieved by much larger and expensive weapons such as the Hellfire and Maverick missiles, at much lower cost and reduced collateral effect. Similar developments are being pursued by BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Kongsberg Defense from Norway.

A month ago Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) also unveiled a long awaited multi-purpose version of its Lahat missile, designed to defeat ‘soft’ targets. The new 2.5 kg warhead uses a fragmentation sleeve fitted to a shaped charge, designed for multi-role effect defeating both armored and soft targets with blast-fragmenting effect.

LCS Entering the Deep Water

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Aug 5, 2008

As the first Littoral Combat Ship USS Freedom was delivered to the US Navy on September 18, 2008, marking the completion of the final sea trials phase, began on July 28, 2008 in Lake Michigan. While the US Navy suspended further acquisition of LCS class ships, Israel formally requested to buy up to four such light frigates built by Lockheed Martin. LCS can be configured to deploy with any one of three interchangeable mission modules: the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) module; mine countermeasures (MCM) module and surface warfare (SUW) module also know as mission packages.

The first vessel (LCS-1) was delivered with the ASW mission package (MP) utilizing several different vehicles the MH-60R helicopter, unmanned air vehicle, unmanned surface vehicle and associated sensors, including towed array sonar, remote towed active source, USV dipping sonar, multi-static off-board source — to detect, classify, localize, track and engage submarines in the littoral environment. According to U.S. Navy Program Executive Officer for Littoral and Mine Warfare, E. Anne Sandel, the LCS’ anti-submarine warfare mission package will provide the Navy with a persistent large area detection capability, through our advanced unmanned vehicles and bi-static ASW systems.

The Israeli variant (LCS-I) has been refined in the past two years, under close cooperation between the Israel Navy, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Lockheed Martin, in an effort to optimize the vessel for Israeli Navy requirements. According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the total cost of the program could reach $1.9 billion, provided that all four ships are procured. Israel’s MOD has set aside $200 million from its five year defense budget planning to fund the first ship, with additional $160 for its weapon systems suite. The second vessel will be funded under the next five-year budget, commencing 2013.

If the program is approved, Lockheed Martin will build the hull, mechanical and electrical systems, while the installation and integration of combat systems performed in both, US and Israel. Rafael Advanced defense Systems, Elbit Systems and Ness Technologies have already teamed with Lockheed Martin on the LCS-I program. As the program progresses, IAI is also expected to join, with Elta and MBT providing key systems including sensors, command, control and communications, as well as offensive and defensive systems.

Maximizing Multi-Mission Capability

The new vessel has a cruising speed of 40 knots, and a range of will benefit from speed and agility uncommon with current frigates, making it especially effective, to conduct operations in littoral waters. It is designed to be capable pf operating at low speeds, on littoral mission operations, transit at economical speeds, and conduct high-speed sprints, which may be necessary to avoid approaching threats, such as, for example, a small boat or submarine, conduct intercept operations over the horizon, or provide for naval commando insertion and extraction missions. The US Navy considers the LCS particularly effective in defeating asymmetric threats in the littorals, including mine warfare, engaging quiet diesel submarines and defeating fast surface craft. The vessel will also introduce dramatic improvements in support of manned and unmanned special operations, relying on its spacious integrated flight deck and capability to launch and recover manned or unmanned watercraft such naval comando fast boats or Rafael’s ‘Protector’ unmanned surface vessel.

Unlike the US ‘flexible design’ approach, the Israelis require their vessel to perform all the LCS missions in a single platform. As a multi-mission frigate LCS-I will be equipped as the baseline for anti-air, anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-missile warfare missions, as well as special operations. This demanding approach required some compromises, including the elimination of the gun, which will be replaced by a Phalanx Close-In Weapon System. The ‘sacrifice’ of the medium caliber cannon has not been exceptional, since modern guided weapons are far more effective and cause less collateral damage, compared to a traditional cannon.

Considering the limited operational theater defined by Israel’s geo-strategic situation, Israel’s Navy has limited its requirement for large ‘corvette’ size vessels, rather than the larger frigates commonly operated in the ocean sea. The littoral combat ship design was found suitable for Israel’s specific operational concept. However, while the original LCS was designed to operate independently, or as part of a force-package, supported by much larger vessels, it’s mission in the Israeli Navy, is expected to become the centerpiece of Israel’s naval force, providing command, control, situational awareness and protection for a larger force, combining Saar 5/5B corvettes and Saar 4.5 missile boats.

Originally Israel considered have its LCS-I ‘piggy back’ on the construction of LCSs for the US Navy LCS, however, after construction for the first hull was exceeding $450 million. The US Navy cancelled the program. Israel and Saudi Arabia are currently the only potential buyers for this design. Israel requested competing proposals for similar designs, from four different shipyards, including Northrop Grumman, which has recently expanded its shipbuilding activity, the US Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Company Alion.

Assessing Alternatives

Despite of the significant cost increase of the LCS platform, Lockheed Martin’s Freedom remains the only light frigate class vessel that could be procured, meeting the current Israeli schedule. All current naval vessel platforms under construction in the US are much larger. Some shipbuilders in Europe offer ‘light frigates’, but most of the active programs are focusing on larger vessels. Two European shipbuilders were approached by Israel – the German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) which produces the F125 frigate for the German Navy and the Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which has produced four corvettes for the Italian Navy. None is suitable for the Israelis, which require a 2,000 – 3,000 ton platform. Israel could benefit from similar programs currently underway in other countries, such as the Republic of Korea, which has launched the construction of the ‘FFX’, a light and stealthy frigate, the first is planned to be completed by 2015.

TKMS, through its subsidiary HDW has already supplied three Dolphin submarines for the Israeli Navy and is on contract to deliver two additional subs. TKMS is currently producing four F125 a 6,800 ton Frigates for the German Navy. At present, TKMS does not have a US based subsidiary, which could benefit it from the U.S. Foreign Military Sale funding, allocated for Israel. A fifth proposal was submitted by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, currently associated with two major programs – the joint Italian-French 5,900 ton FREMM class frigates, building with the French company DCN a new generation of frigates, and four Cigala Fulgosi class 1,500 ton corvettes, for the Italian Navy. While Fincantieri does have an American based subsidiary, it is not yet geared for major shipbuilding operations in the US.

LCS-I Weapons Complement

According to the US announcement, the LCS-I combat system will comprise of two MK-41 Vertical Launch Systems, each fitted with eight ready-to-fire missiles. These launchers could be equipped with Barak-8 medium-range air defense missiles, extending the ship’s protection beyond the range currently provided by the Barak-1 point defense systems, employed on Saar 5 corvettes and Saar 4.5 missile boats. Barak 8 is currently under development for the Indian and Israeli navies. Consequently, the Barak 8 will have to be integrated with the MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), opening significant export potential for the new Israeli naval air-defense weapon systems.

The LCS-I will carry a single Phalanx Block 1A Close-In-Weapon System, replacing the Mk110 57mm stabilized gun. The Israeli vessel is likely to be installed with two Typhoon remotely controlled naval gun systems or its US Mk-38 Mod 2 derivative. As a self-contained, above-deck system, this configuration could provide the Israelis with enough space to more vertical launchers for Barak 8 or other missiles, extending its capability as an air-and missile-defense asset.

Four Enhanced HARPOON launchers will also be carried on deck, these could potentially carry either Harpoon or Gabriel V anti-ship missiles. As part of its anti-submarine warfare system, the LCS-I will also be equipped with two MK-32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (SVTT). This weapon complement is not significantly different from that carried on the current Saar 5 corvettes. Traditionally, the Israeli Navy packs significantly more weapons on deck, a trend that could be repeated with its new LCS.

Further adaptation could be made to the ship’s combat system. The vessel comes with the Lockheed Martin SPY-1F(V) and MK-99 Fire Control System as standard, parts of the AEGIS weapon system. The vessel will be controlled through the COMBATSS-21 which will also integrate with Israel’s Navy Command and Control (IC2) systems. The new EL/M-2248 MF-STAR phased array naval radar, locally built IAI/Elta Systems will be considered, as it is claimed to be superior and lighter than SPY-1F(V). Israel has an option to integrate this radar as well as its own combat system, datalinks and communications systems, sensors and defensive measures.

Advanced US Radar Could Extend Israel’s Missile Defense

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Aug 5, 2008

The early warning capability provided by US X-band radar that Israel has requested recently could extend the range of Israel’s Arrow II ballistic missile interceptors, enabling effective intercept above the atmosphere.

The United States agreed to link Israel onto advanced long-range missile detection systems against potential attack by a nuclear-armed Iran, Israeli defense Minister Ehud Barak revealed this week, at the end of his strategic Washington talks with senior Pentagon officials, including US Defense Secretary Robert M Gates.

Nearly 70 members of Congress, including the top Democrat and Republican on the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Bush urging him to offer a warning radar that is “fully integrated” with the emerging U.S. shield. Analysts believe that the idea behind this gesture is to encourage responsible elements in Israel to defer offensive measures against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Known as the Forward-Based X-band Transportable (FBX-T) radar, the AN/TPY-2 is built by Raytheon, based on the ‘Ground Based Radar’ employed with the THAAD system. The FBX-T is designed as an air, ground and rail transportable, X-band, phased array radar that uses high-powered, electronically scanning pulsed beams, to track small objects in space at high resolution. The system has been described by U.S. officials as capable of tracking an object the size of a “baseball from about 2,900 miles (4,600 km) away”. The system is being developed in a spiral process. The current phase provides surveillance and search capabilities early in the target trajectory, and enables the early engagement of the threat. It also supports messaging and communication with the Ballistic Missile Defense Systems (BMDS) battle manager (C2BMC).

Performing autonomously, or as cued by other sensors, the FBX-T is optimized for its role as missile detection and tracking sensor. The radar will provide target detection, classification, discrimination, acquisition and tracking. It will plot the trajectory parameters for each threat missile, and pass it to the command and control system for use by the fire control systems, such as the Green Pine radar, acting as fire control system, midcourse and terminal sensors. Furthermore, the long range and wide area coverage provided by the new radar could cause Israel rethinking its sofar shelved, ‘boost phase intercept’ concept, by deploying forward positioned interceptors far from its borders and close to the enemy launching sites.

The new capability will improve both the Israeli missile defense capability, enhancing Israel’s existing Arrow II anti-missile defense, allowing it to engage Iranian Shehab-3 ballistic missiles, fired on Israeli targets at much greater distances. It will also provide an important element of the US missile defense network, providing ascent and mid-course coverage of missiles, launched from Iran, as well as the eastern Mediterranean. This would give a potentially targeted Israeli population at least five precious minutes to prepare for a first Iranian missile impact. The Arrow’s Green Pine radar operates at a lower frequency (L-Band) and therefore, offers lower resolution, While the radar can pick up a missile target as it ascend into space on its ballistic trajectory, its intercept is limited to a later phase of the trajectory, soon before or after it enters the atmosphere on its way to Israeli airspace, with lesser warning time made available in a surprise attack.

Four transportable forward deployed radars are currently planned. Two were produced by the end of 2007 and deployed to protect the United States’, friends and allies from Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and medium range threats. It is not yet clear whether the system destined for Israel will be one of those four.

The US Ballistic Missile Defense System, is planning to deploy four forward based X-Band radars to enhance the US missile defense system, providing a ‘tripwire’ detecting missile attacks from ‘rough states’ soon after they are launched. Current space based sensors and large anti-ballistic missile radars provide launch indication and tracking of ballistic missiles, but are not designed to track medium range ballistic missiles in flight. In addition to Israel, other locations already considered for the radars are Japan, South Korea, and Czech Republic. A sea-based X-Band radar station has already been activated last year, off the Alaskan coast. Forward based radars, coupled with layered sensors, give the Ballistic Missile Defense System a continuous tracking and discrimination capability with more opportunities to engage the target, resulting in a greater probability for a successful intercept.

Iran’s growing ballistic missile capability is of great concern at the Pentagon. According to the Director, Missile Defense Agency Lt. Gen. Henry Obering, the US is concerned that extended range ballistic missile capability, already obtained by Iran is ‘much farther beyond anything that Iran would need in a regional conflict with Israel’, “a missile that is capable of even 1,300 or 1,500 kilometers, could encompass the entire Israeli country as well as – U.S. bases in the region.” General Obering noted. “We do not want to be in a situation where we’re facing a long-range missile threat, in which we don’t have protection against it.” According to Obering, part of this preparation, is the deployment of early warning sensors and interceptors in locations able to provide coverage and protection to those nations that would be vulnerable to long-range Iranian missiles.

Northrop Grumman Develops New Processors, SIGINT for Small UAVs

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Aug 5, 2008

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems has also received $41 million to develop generic Sensors Technology Automated Recognition, which could be implemented for ‘radar vision’ capability, featuring Combat Identification (CID), Ground Moving and Airborne Moving Target Indication (GMTI/AMTI). The fully integrated system will be able to utilize a multiple algorithm to perform recognition and combat identification of ground targets at tactically significant ranges. Possible applications of these capabilities could include Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) and countermeasures employment. In Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (ISTAR) and Battle Damage Assessment role, data-fusion empowered by the new technology could improve information processing cycles, between the sensor and decision maker.

Northrop Grumman will develop a new signals intelligence (SIGINT) payload for unmanned systems under the U.S. Navy’s Warfighter’s Tactical SIGINT Resource (WTSR) program. The capabilities to be offered by WTSR will enable tactical units to benefit from sensor networks to track targets, collect and share actionable intelligence over the network, and automatically distribute SIGINT based alerts.

At present, due to the complexity and unique technical skills required from systems operators, SIGINT is managed primarily at operational and strategic levels and is not directly supporting forward echelons. The Navy’s objective is to provide small unit tactical forces with the sensing and tracking capabilities needed to conduct warfare against an asymmetric threat. The program focuses on developing new sensors; tags and taggants; and network communications that integrate unmanned vehicles and unattended ground sensors into the net-centric battlefield.

Under a three-year $5.2 million contract low-cost Northrop Grumman is developing a lightweight, plug-and-play SIGINT sensor package that requires minimal power. The sensor will be equipped with flight-tunable receivers that enable rapid re-tasking of the SIGINT payload during flight operations. The system will be designed to fly on Tier II/Class II tactical UAVs (similar to the US Army/AAI Shadow 200 UAS), operating at an altitude of 3,000 feet.

Splitterskyddad Enhets Plattform – SEP

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Aug 4, 2008

On February 4, 2008 Sweden has decided not to proceed with the development of the next-generation SEP family of armored combat vehicles. Joris Janssen Lok reported on Aviation Week’s Ares blog. According to armed forces procurement chief Leif Nylander, one of the main reasons for the decision was that neither Sweden nor BAE Systems have managed to find an international partner for the program, with whom Sweden could have shared the development cost. The Swedish Army planed to field a new Modular Armored Tactical System program (SEP) which will be based on common modular wheeled and tracked platforms configured for more than twenty different roles. These included armored personnel carrier, command post, ambulance, medical vehicle, anti-tank missile system, anti aircraft missile system, mortar vehicle, reconnaissance, forward observation vehicle, nuclear, biological and chemical warfare decontamination centre, mine clearing and mine scattering, recovery and repair, communication post, radar, electronic warfare etc.

The common chassis will have an electric transmission system, replacing the mechanical drive shafts with electrical cables, transferring the power from the engines to wheels. This transmission system has many advantages over existing mechanical systems, including volume and fuel efficiency, and increased stealth characteristics. Other benefits are reducing life cycle costs and environmental impact. Decoupled from the final drives, the engine can be mounted flexibly, including the use of distributed power sources (multiple engines). The batteries integrated into the electric drive system allow stealth movement on electrical power only, driving silently with the engines shut down. Another benefit of the electric drive is the increased useable internal volume.

The armored hull is built with integral ballistic armor primarily protecting the fighting compartment. The hull is constructed of high hardness steel armor construction rated to protect against shell fragments and rifle rounds. Appliqué armor weighing 1.5 tones made of ceramic tiles protects against 14.5 mm armor piercing rounds. Heavier armor provides protection against 30 mm armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot (30 mm APPFSDS) rounds.

The new vehicles will comprise mission or role specific modules, fitted on common tracked or wheeled vehicles. These modules will be designed as “Plug in building blocks”, allowing fast adaptation to different tasks and quick upgrades as new technologies become available.

In a troop carrier role, a combat ready SEP will be able to carry a load of 4.5 tons, including 12 infantrymen. A space of 10 cubic meters will be available in a standard load carrying module, substantially larger than that of conventionally powered vehicle of a similar length. Fully laden, SEP will weigh 16.6 tones, carrying up to 6 tones of payload, at top speed of 100 kilometers per hour for the wheeled version and 85 km/h for the tracked variant.

The wheeled version, called “SEP-Wheeled” vehicle has three axles and uses 6×6 drives. The vehicle uses two engines driving an electric transmission, powering each wheel by a 100 kW maximum power permanent magnet, in-hub electric motors. The motors are fitted with a two speed reduction gear. This design offers high redundancy and survivability when operating in combat conditions.
The SEP uses two commercially available diesel engines placed in the sponsons of the vehicle. This gives the advantage of a totally clear central volume of the vehicle, compared with traditional designs built with large, centrally mounted engine compartments. The wheels are mounted with double cast-steel wishbones with short torsion bar spring. The front wheels are steered normally, the centre wheels are not steered and the rear wheels are steered to provide steering at low to medium speeds and to cut out the rear wheel steering at high road speeds to maintain high speed stability. The wheels are fitted with 405/70 type R24 tires. Using the electric drive has improved the vehicle’s stealth characteristics, in terms of thermal, acoustic and radar signatures.

The vehicle uses two 6 cylinder diesel engines in-line, developing 2×270 hp (2×200 kw) of power at 4000 RPM. Each engine is coupled to a 7 speed automatic transmission, driving a separate alternator generating 150 amperes. Steering is performed by 1 pr 2 axels, providing 18 meter turning diameter or all four axels, facilitating pivot maneuvers within a seven meter diameter (the vehicle’s length is six meters). The vehicle uses hydro-pneumatic suspension, offering several optional automotive systems designed to improve performance over different types of terrain, including automatic braking system (ABS), central tire inflation system and central leveling adjustment capability. SEP 8×8 will be able to carry a wide range of armament, including gun turrets (25 – 120mm) and mortars (81 – 120mm). While the 6×6 SEP is designed to be transportable inside a C130, the 8×8 version will have to be carried in the larger A-400M. The vehicle comes fitted with displays for the commander and driver, both seated side by side in the front. Integration with different electronic mission systems is also supported utilizing CAN bus multiplex data system for the vehicle’s automotive and maintenance systems and high speed Ethernet data network for tactical, C4ISR systems support.

The tracked vehicles are fitted with special rubber bandtracks (already used with Bv206 articulated carriers) rather than conventional steel link tracks. These tracks are lighter, quieter and have a operational life of about twice that of an equivalent steel linked track. The new bandtracks have a lower rolling resistance and are operating more efficiently with the electric transmission systems, yielding higher fuel efficiency. Another unique design feature is the underframe mounted suspension. This spaced outer layer gives improved protection against mines. The SEP vehicle can withstand a 7 kilogram TNT explosion under a track.

The use of bandtracks and decoupling the suspension from the side frames and hull dramatically reduces internal noise level to as low as 85dB, which is sufficiently low to meet civilian vehicle noise requirements. The vehicle uses a new electronic architecture developed by Hägglunds, based on an open scalable, fault tolerant databus which manages all the on-board systems and crew interfaces including the weapons systems, battlefield management, defensive aids suite, built in test, digital radio communications and other mission or role specific systems.

SEP T2 was delivered on November 22, 2005 to the Swedish defense Material Administration (FMV) by BAE Land Systems Hägglunds. According to Sven Kågevall, Managing Director of Land Systems Hägglund, SEP develops considerable international interest, from the UK, where it is considered for the British FRES project, EDA (the European Defense Agency of the EU), which restructures and coordinates the work of future defense products in Europe, as well as Norway and Australia.

SEP was displayed by BAE Systems Land Systems Hägglunds at the AUSA 2007 exhibition. At DSEi 2005 the company displayed its two new prototypes of wheeled and tracked chassis developed for the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) Modular Armoured Tactical System (MATS) program. (also known as SEP – Splitterskyddad Enhets Plattform). SEP is currently under development for the Swedish defense Forces, under a 500 million Swedish Kronor contract awarded to BAE Hagglunds in 2006. This program includes the development of two 6×6 wheeled vehicles and two SEP tracked vehicles in troop transport and logistics carrier configurations. These vehicles will be configured in troop carrier and logistics vehicle configurations. The vehicles will weigh around 17-18 tons and will use electric drive or standard diesel engine. The Swedish Army is expected to buy at least 500 of the new vehicles, and have them operational by 2014.

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Further Reading from the conference:

Further Reading from the conference:

Further Reading from the conference:

Reducing the Weapon’s Lethality

70mm/2.75″ Guided Rockets

Maximizing Multi-Mission Capability

Assessing Alternatives

LCS-I Weapons Complement

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