Designed by Luminex, the CID uses Infrared technology for tactical marking in order to prevent friendly fire among tactical units. It is currently in use by IDF elite special-forces. The LIR has a unique ergonomic design which makes it easy to operate. The IR light is emitted by 4 high-power IR Light Emitting Diodes (LED) identified by NV systems only.
RAVEN R-400 is type classified by the U.S. Army as the M101 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS). Over 560 such systems were ordered by the US Army through a series of urgent material requirements (UMR), contracted to Recon Optical in less than 18 months. To meet this demand, Recon Optical’s new lean manufacturing facility is capable of producing hundreds of units per month. In December 2006 Recon Optical delivered 44 Raven R-400 to Australia for integration on the Bushmaster armored vehicles.
Recon Optical offers two remotely controlled, stabilized weapon stations – R-400 CROWS, and the Raven R-200, which is designed for applications requiring lighter, lower recoil weapons such as the M240/249 and future XM-307 ACSW. Fully armed and loaded (M240) the stabilized R-200 weighs below 173 lbs. (78.5 kg), well below the Army’s 200 lbs (90.7kg) threshold. It accommodates the CROWS Electro-Optical System (EOS) provided with x25 zoom capable day optics and cooled thermal sensor providing two fields of view. According to company sources, a small batch of R-200– Lightning has been supplied to the US Army.
A recently introduced alternative is the XM116 from L3 Communications, developed specifically for the Mk19 and other support weapons. The U.S. Army is currently evaluating the system for possible deployment on light armored vehicles, including armored recovery vehicles, future light trucks and other tactical vehicles.
The system currently fielded mounts various weapons from 5.56 machine guns up to the M230LF 30mm automatic cannon and the Mk-19 40mm grenade launchers. The system uses a multi-sensor day/night electro-optical payload for target acquisition and aiming. In the newly modified version, SRWS was redesigned with a lower profile, lower height and reduced frontal signature. It also uses appliqué ballistic protection and less exposed cabling for improved survivability.
The sensor package was also improved with the introduction of an integrated InSb 320×256 FPA and a CCD camera with x27 zoom lens offering 26.5 – 1.3 FOV. Other functions include video stabilization, lead compensation, automated sector scan function and optional video tracking. The system can be programmed with up to 200 target reference points. SRWS provides continuous traverse of 360 deg., completing a full traverse in four seconds. The gun can elevate from +60 to -20 at a pointing accuracy of +/- 0.3 mil and under-fire stability of 2 mils.
In 2005 ROI has teamed with Fire Control Systems (FCS) and EOS Technologies (EOST) of Tucson, Arizona, subsidiaries of Electro Optic Systems, Limited (EOS) of Australia, to provide the fire control and sensor components for CROWS. The CROWS SRWS mount is also capable of carrying the lightweight 30mm automatic gun (left picture).
The upgraded BMP-3 retains the 100mm and 30mm automatic guns and ATGMs, and introduces an improved BZS-1 gunner’s sight, which also feeds images to the commander’s position. The new sight is integrating a SAGEM thermal imager, automatic target tracker and laser rangefinder. Such sight will enable both commander and gunner to search and engage targets. Protection is improved with appliqué armor, and the introduction of active countermeasures such as the Arena E and Shtora-1 defensive system. The powerplant upgrade is also included, utilizing the UTD-32T 660hp diesel engine and new air conditioning system.
Whitehead Div., Alenia Defesa, Finmeccanica (Europe)
Whitehead Division of Alenia Difesa – a member of the Finmechanica group, presented a full scale version of its Black Shark dual purpose, wire guided Heavyweight torpedo, equipped with one of the Astra acoustic head and a new powerful propulsion system. The Black Shark is also equipped with an advanced sensor capability, allowing the target classification function even in very complex and unfavorable underwater scenarios. This weapon was developed for the Italian Navy requirements and was later selected to equip the Chilean and Malaysian Scorpene class submarines and is considered a strong candidate for the Indian selection, if a Scorpene design will be selected here as well.
The upgraded FH-77 155/52 howitzer will be equipped with on board navigation, positioning, control, alignment and ballistic calculation systems, automatic servo controlled gun laying, and intra-battery radio communications, facilitating intra-battery networking over a 5 km range.
One of the unique operating modes of this howitzer is the MRSI – Multiple rounds Simultaneous Impact – can be programmed to fire multiple projectiles at a target in different trajectories, designed to impact accurately over the target as a salvo, within 3 seconds.
SWS Defense also developed the FH55BW protected, truck mounted howitzer, capable of “shooting and scooting” a salvo of six rounds within 90 seconds. existing systems, and competition for the supply of future systems for the Indian Army. Soltam, from Israel also displayed some of its systems.
SAAB designed the BAMSE to provide a complete air defense solution with all-weather, all-target capability. The missile should operate at a range of 20km, outranging most stand-off EO controlled weapons, operating at altitudes up to 15km. The high velocity missile uses a combined effect warhead with shaped and fragmentation charge, detonated by impact and proximity fuse. The missile is guided by Command to Line of Sight (CLOS) by the Fire Control Radar (FCR). The missile has high acceleration and high velocity maintained throughout the operational range, which contributes to high maneuverability throughout the engagement envelope. It is designed to counter various threat profiles, from small, high velocity targets such as anti-radiation missiles to relatively slow, low flying cruise missile type targets.
BAMSE battery comprises a surveillance and coordination center (SCC) comprising of the Erricson AMB 3D radar (or similar systems) with C4I functions, as used by the Swedish Army, and two Missile Control Centres (MCC) associated with the SCC can be dispersed over a distance of 10 – 15km. Each MCC can be deployed in 10 minutes and is provided as a self contained unit carrying six ready to fire missiles and an integral erectable 8 m’ mast fitted with the Ka band FCR (NATO could use K band), Thermal Imaging Sight (TIS), IFF interrogator and weather sensor. Reloading six missiles onto the MCC can be performed in less than four minutes. The MCC is operated by a crew of two seated in an operating cell protected from ballistic and NBC threats.
The British Army is planning to field the network enabled, Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) system by the year 2007, to introduce major improvement in its capability to defend against all types of modern air attacks including combat aircraft, attack helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned air vehicles.
GBAD will utilize the existing Rapier Field Standard C and High Velocity Missile (HVM Starstreak) air defense systems with an overarching Air Defense Command, Control, Communication, Computers & Intelligence (ADC4I) structure to provide earlier identification of targets at longer ranges and enhanced ability to combat threats. Such system, integrating legacy weapons systems and supporting assets, is judged to be essential to enable targets to be identified before they become a direct threat, to ensure the safety of friendly aircraft and eliminate fratricide as demonstrated in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2003.
At the current stage, two teams are competing on the 1 billion pound program – one is Team Athena, a consortium led by Lockheed Martin, which comprises Lockheed Martin UK Ltd Integrated Systems, Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Sensor Systems, Alenia Marconi Systems, EDS, Westland Helicopters, INSYS Ltd, System Consultants Services Ltd and Advanced Systems Architectures Ltd. The other contender is a consortium led by the European Aeronautic Defense and Space (EADS), comprising EADS (UK) Ltd, EADS (N&G) and MBDA. Final selection is expected in 2005.
Phase 1 program will aim to achieve the required improvements incrementally from 2007 to 2010 to match the expected threat up to 2020. Another prime purpose of the program is to reduce the running costs of Rapier FSC and HVM by considering obsolescence issues and changes to existing support and training arrangements to improve efficiency and thus realize savings. Replacements for Rapier and HVM will be considered later in the program (phase 2). It is planned that the GBAD Phase 2 program will be taken forward collaboratively through a Memorandum of Understanding signed In 2003 with NATO allies – Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Norway.
GoldenEye-50 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is designed to carry surveillance and chemical agent detection sensors to restricted, hard to reach, or dangerous locations.
GoldenEye 80 is the third version of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capable aerial vehicle designed by Aurora Flight Sciences under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) programs. It is being developed under the Organic Air Vehicle (OAV-II) program, addressing requirements for the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.The 65 inch long (1.65 m’), 150 pounds (68 kg) uses a propulsion system based on heavy fuel (diesel) engine, embedded in a ducted fan assembly, enabling both forward or vertical flight and hovering, with very low acoustic signature. GoldenEye 80 takes off and lands vertically but can transition to horizontal flight using wings. Because GoldenEye 80 is fully autonomous, a pilot is not required to fly the aircraft. It is designed to carry an advanced multi-sensor payload, comprising a high resolution video camera, a high resolution infrared camera for night viewing, a laser rangefinder, a laser tracker, and a laser designator. The payload is under developed by FLIR Systems, under a separate program managed by the US Army’s Night Vision Lab.
GoldenEye 80 is the third generation ducted fan aircraft developed by Aurora. The first, GoldenEye 100, was a proof of concept aircraft first flown in 2003 under the “Clandestine UAV” project. This success led a smaller aircraft, the GoldenEye 50, which in 2005 successfully demonstrated the ability to transition to and from horizontal flight using wings that “float” rather than being rigidly attached to the plane’s body. GoldenEye 80 combines the stealth features and the performance features of the earlier programs with a heavy fuel engine and an advanced sensor payload to create a mature and effective system. Aurora’s partners in the GoldenEye development program include General Dynamics Robotics Systems, Northrop Grumman Corporation, and Athena Technologies.
Aurora is currently building the first of four GoldenEye-50 flight test aircraft. GoldenEye-50 made its first flight in July 2004. First autonomous transition to and from horizontal flight was performed in April 2005. Demonstrated were performed to US Army Ranger, Cavalry and Artillery and the forces of a NATO country. During this period Goldeneye 50 performed over 35 flights. GoldenEye family UAVs platforms were selected by DARPA to provide the basic platform for the OAV II Program, expected to be integrated into the US Army FCS program. The UAV is being developed by Team GoldenEye, an industry team led by Aurora Flight Sciences with Northrop Grumman, Signal Systems Corporation and General Dynamics Robotics Systems.
Designed for a wide array of missions including ship-based operations, the fully-VTOL aircraft has the capability to provide maritime law enforcement teams with a bird’s-eye-view during interdiction and boarding operations, and first responders with reach into dangerous areas and over obstacles. Low acoustic signature is an important feature required for the OAV’s clandestine surveillance mission, because it reduces the standoff distance required for the aircraft to perform surveillance without being observed. According to Matt Hutchison, Aurora’s Vice President of Tactical Systems: “Our work on GoldenEye’s muffler system has created a new standard in acoustic signature suppression for ducted fans without sacrificing engine power or payload capacity,” In flight tests the UAV demonstrated acoustic signatures consistently below limits set by DARPA for the OAV-II program.
Goldeneye’s design offers rapid transition from hover to horizontal flight and high-speed dash performance. Among GoldenEye’s many features is unconventional performance that enables it to take-off and land vertically, like a helicopter, then level off into horizontal flight by virtue of rotating wings. Goldeneye 50
GoldenEye’s engine is housed in a ducted-fan configuration that includes a propeller fully-enclosed within a cylindrical body – a design that integrates advanced lightweight structures and innovative flight controls to achieve remarkable performance. This configuration makes it safer for people working in the area of operation, and also makes the GoldenEye-50 quieter than a similarly sized helicopter. Golden-Eye-50 is the GuideStar flight control system developed by Aurora’s sister company, Athena Technologies. GoldenEye-50 stands 70 cm tall, has a wingspan of 1.4 m’, has a gross takeoff weight of 10 kg, and has a payload of 1 kg. The aircraft can cruise up to 1 hour at 100 km/h with a maximum speed of 280 km/h.
The GoldenEye-50 is derived from the larger GoldenEye-100. Originally developed under DARPA’s Clandestine UAV (CUAV) program, GoldenEye-100 carries a 11 kg payload. Flight testing of this aircraft began in September 2003.
Soltam Defense Systems is currently modernizing the Indian 130mm M46 artillery systems, converting them to the M46S version, the conversion utilize the existing carriage and recoil system of the Russian original 130mm gun, fitted with the 155/45 cal tubes, which use standard 155mm artillery ammunition including ERFB/BB projectiles with charge 11 which extend the firing range up from 27.2 up to 39 km.
Patriot Missile System provides defense of critical assets at the corps and theater level. It is designed to engage aircraft, cruise missiles and limited tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs). Such capabilities were introduced with the Patriot PAC-2 system upgrades, and more advanced PAC-3 missile, which introduces advanced anti-tactical missile capability.
The Patriot missile system comprises of a fire unit which consists of a phased array radar set and engagement control station (ECS), supported by electric power plant and antenna mast group, communications relay and eight remotely located missile launchers with four ready-to-fire missiles sealed in canisters that serve as both shipping containers and launch tubes. Patriot advanced capability-3 (PAC-3) introduces significant upgrades to the radar and ECS, and uses the improved hit-to-kill technology designed for the missile, offering more lethality against tactical ballistic missiles armed with non conventional warheads.
PAC-3 can also employment of up to 16 missiles per launcher, thereby increasing firepower and multiple target engagement capability. According to the US Army plans, PAC-3 and PAC-2 missiles will be used I mixed formations, where PAC-3 will be tasked to engage maneuvering and non-maneuvering TBMs while remaining missiles (PAC-2 and others) will engage cruise missiles and aircraft.
A possible future complement to the Patriot is the Low Cost Interceptor (LCI), 10 inch diameter single-stage missile, designed to intercept and destroy cruise missiles and UAVs. The booster will loft the missile to high altitude and then the missile will use gravity to increase its speed before an intercept.
Named “AvantGuard”, the vehicle can assume diverse roles from surveillance and recce to security missions and patrolling routes, detecting and neutralizing Improvised explosive Devices (IED). 
The UGV is based on the Tomcar Model TM27GL All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) used by the IDF and Israeli Border Police. The autonomous vehicle configuration utilizes advanced robotics and sensor technologies, allowing it to “think” and avoid obstacles, communicate with the operator or other vehicles. The vehicle uses a sensor package which can identify and avoid obstacles, along a pre-planned route. The navigation system uses Differential GPS (DGPS) system with three control levels. Other sensors include front and rear cameras, mounted on a 360 deg. omni-directional pedestal. Based on the mission profile, AvantGuard can carry various payloads – including electro-optical, communication relay, jamming and weapon stations. The example demonstrated at AUSA 05 exhibition was fitted with Elbit Systems’ 7.62 remote-controlled ORCWS 7.62 mm 95 kg weapons station.
The Automatic Soldier Tracking System (ASTS) maintains real-time status of all unit elements in the tactical combat zone. The GPS based end-unit is carried by troops and connected via tactical radio to other network sharing units. Implementation of the ASTS can be realized as part of the Rafael soldier monitoring and alarm system (MAS) to provide automatic tracking, monitoring and reporting of individual troops.
Developed by IAI, I-SEE is a miniature UAV designed for short-range surveillance, reconnaissance and damage assessment roles. The I-SEE aerial vehicle weighs 7.5 kg and measures 1.82 long, with a wing span of 2.90 m’. It can carry an electro optical TV and IR payloads at weights up to 800 gr. as well as other customer furnished payloads. The I-SEE operates at a range of 5 – 10 km, and has a mission endurance of 45 – 60 minutes. It can operate at an altitude up to 3,300 m’ and uses auto launch system. The miniature vehicle is flown autonomously, and has data link for real time video transfer to the ground station.
Honeywell is developing for the FCS program a backpack-sized Miniature Air Vehicle (MAV) designed to gather and transmit battlefield Information in support of small units operations. The development of the MAV was part of an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program developed for DARPA and has since transitioned into advanced development under the US Army Future Combat Systems’ program. Once matured, the micro air vehicle will become become the smallest unmanned aerial element of the U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems program, providing “hover and stare” capability at the platoon level. Class I is one of four UAV systems organic to platoon, company, battalion and brigade echelons that form the aerial component of the FCS networked system-of-systems, providing protection and information to soldiers on the ground.
The MAV ACTD is designed as a ducted fan air vehicle, and flies like a helicopter, using a propeller that draws in air through a duct to provide lift. The MAV’s propeller is enclosed in the duct and is driven by a gasoline engine. A heavy fuel engine variant of the MAV will be available in 2006. The MAV is controlled using Honeywell’s micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) electronic sensor technology.
The system consists of two air vehicles with support equipment of fuel, batteries, an observer/controller unit, remote video terminal and starter. Each vehicle weighs about 17 pounds fully fueled, is 13 inches in diameter and designed to be transported in a back pack. The vehicle operates at altitudes of 100 to 500 feet above ground level, and can provide forward and down-looking day or night video or still imagery. The vehicle will operate in a variety of
weather conditions including rain and moderate winds.
Soldiers can be trained on vehicle operation in less than 24 hours and then can immediately begin to operate the vehicle for proficiency training. Unlike other unmanned aerial systems, no specialized military training is needed to operate the MAV or exploit its data and imagery.
In October 2005, the Class I MAV was tested by the 25th Infantry Division soldiers, receiving positive reviews. During the tests, an infantry scout platoon used the hovering micro UAV to obtain reconnaissance information instead of sending out soldiers to conduct reconnaissance missions. Typical missions were flown to scout convoy driving routes, and collection of real-time information to improve situational awareness. MAV simplicity of operation was demonstrated in these tests – according to DARPA, soldiers who were familiar with commercial video games found it easy to learn to operate the MAV.
The user evaluation tests performed by the 25th ID concluded the program’s second development phase. In 2006 Honeywell will improve the system based on user feedback and deliver 25 additional, improved systems to the 25th Infantry Division beginning in July 2006 for five months of user evaluations. Among other improvements, these new systems will have increased vehicle endurance, improved sensor performance, and better observer/controller units.
On May 24, 2006 Boeing, the FCS program integrator awarded Honeywell a $61 million development contract to fully develop the Class I UAVS. First prototype deliveries and flight tests are scheduled for December 2008.
