By Justin Katz on April 27, 2022 at 12:57 PM The fiscal 2023 budget request is the first to outline crucial details about the next increment of OASuW, including its hypersonic capability. Lockheed Martin’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). (Credit Lockheed Martin) WASHINGTON: The Navy’s latest budget request revealed the next increment of the service’s air-launched, ship-killing missile will be a hypersonic weapon dubbed HALO. The program’s name is the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Weapon (OASuW) Increment II, and the service’s recently published budget justification documents call its development a “national imperative to maturing hypersonic capabilities.” Its nickname, HALO, is short for the Hypersonic Air-launched OASuW. HALO “will be a higher-speed, longer range, air-launched weapon system providing superior anti surface warfare capabilities,” according to the justification documents. “OASuW Inc 2/HALO will address advanced threats from engagement distances that allow the Navy to operate in, and control, contested battle space in littoral waters and Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) environments.” The weapon’s first increment is the Lockheed Martin-built Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), which has achieved early operational capability on several different warplanes in recent years, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 as well as the Air Force’s B-1B bomber. The fiscal 2023 budget request is the first to establish LRASM’s successor as HALO and reveal it will be a hypersonic capability. The Navy is seeking $92 million in research and development funding for HALO in FY23 and aims to the field the technology in FY28. The service sought, but did not receive, approximately $56 million for similar research in the FY22 budget request. A chart contained in the budget books indicates Halo is expected to reach “milestone B” by the end of FY23. Milestone B is an acquisition marker indicating a technology is cleared to begin producing prototypes. The budget books say the program’s acquisition strategy will follow a “competitive, phased approach” and that the service plans to engage “multiple vendors [to mature] a design” in FY23. HALO is the second major hypersonic weapon program the Navy is undertaking and will be developed alongside Conventional Prompt Strike-(CPS). That hypersonic weapon is projected to be fielded onboard a Zumwalt-class destroyer in FY25, as well as a Virginia-class submarine in FY28. CPS is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army, which will be using the same technology to field a land-based variant. The Navy in FY23 is seeking $1.2 billion in research and development funding for CPS. https://breakingdefense.com/2022/04/navys-next-gen-ship-killing-missile-will-be-a-hypersonic-weapon-dubbed-halo/

2022/03/18 India Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKI Fighter The Indian Air Force is ordering 12 Russian-designed Sukhoi-30 MKI very shortly. Its bid for the fighters, a Rs 10,000 Crore package, is expected to be cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and including the three chiefs next week. The purchase of the additional Sukhoi has come up as the IAF is short of fighters, its squadron strength down to the early 30s, instead of the allotted 40. A dozen fighters will give two-thirds of a much-needed squadron. The IAF had just two squadrons of the Rafale, but it still flies older aircraft, including the upgraded MiG-21 Bison. The Sukhoi Su-30MKI (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) is a twinjet multirole air superiority fighter developed by Russia’s Sukhoi, and built under license by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The aircraft is tailor-made for Indian specifications and integrates Indian systems and avionics as well as state of the art avionics developed by Russia, India and Israel for display, navigation, targeting and electronic warfare; France and South Africa provided other avionics. It has abilities similar to the Sukhoi Su-35 with which it shares many features and components. Su-30MKI aerodynamic configuration is a longitudinal tri-plane with relaxed stability. The canard increases the aircraft lift ability and deflects automatically to allow high angle of attack (AoA) flights allowing it to perform Pugachev’s Cobra. The integral aerodynamic configuration combined with thrust vectoring results in extremely capable maneuverability, taking off and landing characteristics. The Su-30MKI has a range of 3,000 km with internal fuel which ensures a 3.75 hour combat mission. Also, it has an in-flight refueling (IFR) probe that retracts beside the cockpit during normal operation. On 11 October 2012, the Indian Government confirmed plans to buy another 42 Su-30MKI aircraft. On 24 December 2012, India ordered assembly kits for 42 Su-30MKIs by signing a deal during President Putin’s visit to India.[31] This increases India’s order total to 272 Su-30MKIs. In June 2018, India has reportedly decided not to order any further Su-30s as they feel its cost of maintenance is very high compared to Western aircraft. In June 2020, India decided to place an order for 12 more Su-30MKI aircraft along with 21 MiG-29s. The Su-30MKI order is to compensate for losses due to crashes to maintain the sanctioned strength of 272 Su-30MKIs. https://militaryleak.com/2022/03/18/indian-air-force-to-place-order-for-12-sukhoi-su-30-mki-jet-fighters/

Defense News March 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Tuesday, 01 March 2022 10:51 The resupply network will incorporate the Rex MK-2 unmanned ground vehicles to provide robust and reliable means of autonomous delivery (Picture source: MCL/IAI) Through Project Theseus, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) aims to investigate the potential to apply autonomy to the ordering, planning, and delivery of supplies as well as the ability to increase the flow and efficiency of delivery on the battlefield. This will see MCL and IAI define and deliver an end-to-end, highly automated ground and air resupply network, which is enabled by a logistics information system and operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in all conditions. The capability will be facilitated by land and air robotic and autonomous systems (RAS), a mission planner, battlespace management applications and logistics information system to provide tactical last-mile resupply to dismounted forces. The resupply network will incorporate the Rex MK-2 unmanned ground vehicles to provide robust and reliable means of autonomous delivery, as well as uncrewed aerial vehicles and a mission management command control system with autonomous decision-making capability. The solution will also be tasked through a human-portable user interface system, enabling operator intervention if required. The two companies will also have to deliver improvements to the system throughout the contract, with the improvements and final demonstration taking place in early 2022. Shane Knight, Managing Director, MCL, said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with IAI to deliver this innovative capability demonstration to the MoD as part of Project Theseus. Our combined expertise and knowledge of robotic and autonomous systems are crucial to the creation of the ground and air resupply network. This contract is a clear demonstration of the strength of our partnership with IAI, which we are confident, will continue to grow and strengthen throughout the delivery of the Theseus project. It also solidifies our position as a major contractor to the UK MoD.” Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, said: “IAI looks forward to cooperating with MCL to provide this demonstration to the UK MoD as part of Project Theseus. Together IAI and MCL have superior combined knowledge of autonomous land robotic systems to support advanced ground and air resupply networks. This cooperation with MCL further demonstrates the strength of IAI and the UK defense industries' collaborations. IAI is proud to collaborate with our UK partner, to supply advanced combat solutions, and further the company's presence in the region as part of our overarching strategy." MCL and IAI were recently awarded a contract to deliver Robotic Platoon Vehicles (RPVs) to Spiral 2 of the UK MoD’s RPV Experimentation Programme. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_march_2022_global_security_army_industry/mcl_and_iai_awarded_uk_mod_theseus_contract_for_automated_ground_and_air_resupply_network.html

Defense News February 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Monday, 28 February 2022 14:40 According to Globes, Israel business news, the South Korean army has begun operational performance trials of its new S-21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle, which contains systems from Israeli defense electronics companies Elbit and Rafael. Hanwha Defense’s AS-21 Redback in Australian army livery. (Picture source: Australian Defence Magazine) The South Korean army has begun operational performance trials of its new AS-21 Redback infantry fighting vehicle, ahead of potential procurement. The Redback is a fifth-generation IFV featuring a range of state-of-the-art technologies, including composite rubber tracks and an In-arm suspension unit (ISU). The rubber tracks reduce noise and vibration significantly while offering superior ride quality for its crew and the soldiers it protects. The advanced ISU allows more space for add-on armor to mitigate blast underneath. The Redback is also equipped with high-tech sensor systems such as Iron Vision, which allows the crew to see through the vehicle's armor by projecting the image outside the vehicle onto their helmet-mounted displays, and the Iron Fist active protection system. According to an announcement by Hanwha Defense, the Redback includes a range of Israeli technologies including Elbit’s turret with fire control systems, its IronVision mounted helmet (currently also being integrated into the Merkava tank Mark IV), and the Iron Fist active protection system (which will also protect IDF’s Eitan armored personnel carrier (APC) and has been selected to protect the US Bradley APC). The Redback will also be equipped with Rafael’s Spike anti-tank precision-guided missile. Estimates are that the cost of each Elbit turret and its sub-systems is about $2 million, while each of Rafael’s Spike missiles costs about $200,000. The trial will also include Elbit’s IronVision mounted helmet for use by combat crews. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2022_global_security_army_industry/south_korean_as-21_redback_ifv_integrates_elbit_and_rafael_components.html

Aviation Defense News January 2022 aerospace air force industry Posted On Friday, 28 January 2022 10:51 During the second week of January, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) hosted the U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) at Uvda AFB for the “Desert Falcon” joint exercise. The "Desert Falcon" joint exercise, led by the IAF's 119th Squadron, was held with the American 55th Fighter Squadron at Uvda AFB. As part of the exercise, the squadrons dealt with various aerial threats, simulated by the 115th ("Flying Dragon") Squadron, the IAF's aggressor squadron. Also participating in the exercise was the 122nd Squadron, which is responsible for conducting airborne air control. "Cooperating with squadrons from other air forces requires a lot of planning", said Capt. A. from the 119th Squadron. We really emphasized the complete integration of the Americans, to allow us to learn how to cooperate in the most effective way possible. We did so through heterogenic formations that consisted of Israeli and American aircraft and required a lot of close coordination. Beyond the professional cooperation, it was also important for us to make connections on a personal level". At times, it was hard to tell them service members apart. Beyond the formations and the briefing rooms, American personnel sat with Israeli personnel during meals, each wearing different colored uniforms, conversing and getting to know one another. "We all have a common language - an aerial language. Despite all the possible communication gaps, when we take off, we understand each other and speak the same language", shared Maj. E, Deputy Commander of the 119th Squadron. "However, the fact that the communication is not in Hebrew, pushes us a little out of our comfort zone. I believe that this challenge is an excellent opportunity, it forces us to be even more focused". The "Desert Falcon" joint exercise, led by the IAF's 119th Squadron, was held with the American 55th Fighter Squadron at Uvda AFB. As part of the exercise, the squadrons dealt with various aerial threats, simulated by the 115th ("Flying Dragon") Squadron, the IAF's aggressor squadron. Also participating in the exercise was the 122nd Squadron, which is responsible for conducting airborne air control. "Cooperating with squadrons from other air forces requires a lot of planning", said Capt. A. from the 119th Squadron. We really emphasized the complete integration of the Americans, to allow us to learn how to cooperate in the most effective way possible. We did so through heterogenic formations that consisted of Israeli and American aircraft and required a lot of close coordination. Beyond the professional cooperation, it was also important for us to make connections on a personal level". At times, it was hard to tell them service members apart. Beyond the formations and the briefing rooms, American personnel sat with Israeli personnel during meals, each wearing different colored uniforms, conversing and getting to know one another. "We all have a common language - an aerial language. Despite all the possible communication gaps, when we take off, we understand each other and speak the same language", shared Maj. E, Deputy Commander of the 119th Squadron. "However, the fact that the communication is not in Hebrew, pushes us a little out of our comfort zone. I believe that this challenge is an excellent opportunity, it forces us to be even more focused". Desert Falcon Exercise (Picture source: Amit Agronov) "The purpose of the exercise was to strengthen the foundations of our operational ties with the Americans", said Maj. E. "Our squadrons share the same region, the Middle East region, and there is incredible significance in our ability to cooperate. I'm very happy to have had the privilege of flying with another air force, it's an amazing opportunity to learn and improve. "I believe this is only the start of strong cooperation". The Air Control Division also participated in the exercise. Air Controllers from the 115th and 122nd squadron and from the advanced training department all came to ensure that the training could operate smoothly, and to guide the aircraft through their drills. "We learned the methods and doctrines of the Americans, and they learned from us. This was a great opportunity for us to strengthen our regional cooperation", described Lt. Y. Lt. V, who served as a controller in the 115th Squadron, arrived especially for the exercise. As a controller in the "Red" squadron, his job was to set the level of training. As the IAF's aggressor squadron, they are responsible for simulating enemy forces and creating different challenges for aircrew members. "Before the exercise, we determined our goals and set the right format. We want to allow them to become familiar with as many of the region's challenges as we can". "This exercise allowed us to present our knowledge and capabilities in the best way possible, as well as learn a lot from them", stated Lt. Y. "In addition to the operational benefit, it was a fascinating experience. These are very interesting high-level scenarios and it's a great experience to operate and learn together". Desert Falcon Exercise (Picture source: Amit Agronov)Desert Falcon Exercise (Picture source: Amit Agronov)

Defense News March 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Monday, 21 March 2022 11:00 Merkava Mk 4 Windbreaker is the latest variant of the Merkava family. (Picture source: IDF) According to the report, the tank will have an upgraded Trophy active protection system against anti-tank missiles, made by Rafael; 360-degree camera coverage for day and night views, and boosted situational awareness; and a head-up display for the tank commander, similar to that of a fighter-jet pilot. The tank will also include new, advanced sensors enabling it to independently acquire targets and strike them rapidly, as well as deploy electronic-warfare capabilities and advanced processing systems. Many of the new capabilities have been outlined in the Defense Ministry’s Carmel next-generation fighting vehicle program, which was awarded to Israel Aerospace Industries in October 2021. Notice that the latest version in the Merkava family – the Merkava 4 Windbreaker – is already equipped with the Trophy APS (Active protection System) that protects the tank from a wide variety of threats ranging from rockets, ATGMs and platform-fired High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds. Trophy offers 360° protection in azimuth, as well as extensive elevation coverage, while maintaining a predefined safety zone for friendly troops on the ground. The neutralization process is initiated only if the threat is about to hit the vehicle. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_march_2022_global_security_army_industry/merkava_5_barak_mbt_main_battle_tank_to_enter_service_by_2023.html

Aviation Defense News March 2022 aerospace air force industry Posted On Thursday, 24 March 2022 09:28 Lockheed Martin Aeronautics is awarded a $16,645,723 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to a previously awarded contract. This modification adds scope to provide for the development, integration, and testing of the Israel unique software data load in support of integration of Technology Refresh 3 (TR3) onto the F-35 Lot 15 Israel production aircraft. Lockheed Martin F-35i Lightning II of the Israeli Air Force (Picture source: Wikipedia) The integration efforts will include revivification of a select subset of the 3F+ software capability captured in the Israel System Development and Demonstration TR-3 revivification systems requirements document, airworthiness related flight testing of 3F+ software on TR-3 enabled aircraft and weapons certification updates for use with TR-3 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (71.91%); Redondo Beach, California (14.15%); St. Charles, Missouri (6.33%); Tucson, Arizona (4.73%); Palm Bay, Florida (1.99%); and Nevatim, Israel (0.89%), and is expected to be completed in March 2024. Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $16,645,723 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2022-news-aviation-aerospace/march/8294-lockheed-martin-to-develop-and-test-technology-refresh-3-integration-on-israeli-f-35i-fighters.html

14 April 2022 The Slava class (Project 1164) Russian cruiser “Moskva”, the flagship of the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet, was heavily damaged yesterday evening. It is not known whether the ship sank. Ukrainian officials claimed that two locally-made Neptune anti-ship missiles hit the Moskva ship and a major fire occurred on the boat. Making a statement after Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed that a fire broke out on the cruiser but denied the claims by stating that the fire broke out due to an accident related to ammunition. According to unconfirmed Russian radio conversation records shared on Telegram, then posted on social media, the ship was hit while tracking the TB2 UAV with its radar. The cruiser’s radar was activated to detect and identify the flying object according to the dialogue. During the process, an explosion occurred on the boat. The conversation did not include how many blasts took place. According to this narrative, Ukraine used Bayraktar TB2 as bait. Deceived by Ukraine’s trick, the flagship of the Black Sea fleet was planning to hunt down an easy target, but it became the prey. The name the TB2 came to the fore this time, not with its high precision target destruction but with the deception of the high-value target. There is, however, a problem with such a claim. Big vessels keep their air radars active during cruises. The radar is expected to be on. In other words, it wouldn’t be switched on to see the TB2. In fact, the UAV wouldn’t be noticed if the radar were off. Furthermore, the Neptun is RF guided missile. It is not an anti-radiation missile. It is known that TB2 has a psychological effect on Russia. The crew may have focused on the TB2 and missed the Neptune missile. https://www.turdef.com/Article/did-moskva-take-the-tb2-bait/1537

Aviation Defense News April 2022 aerospace air force industry Posted On Tuesday, 26 April 2022 15:36 Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter (Picture source: U.S. Air Force) The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor helicopter developed by American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol. The Chinook is a heavy-lift helicopter that is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters. The CH-47F features a digital automatic flight control system, a common avionics architecture system, and advanced cargo handling to meet the Army’s modernization needs for increased operational capacity while ensuring interoperability with allied nations. The CH-47F Chinook is the Army’s only heavy-lift cargo helicopter supporting combat and other critical operations. The CH-47F has a suite of improved features such as an upgraded digital cockpit featuring the Common Avionics Architecture System, a new monolithic airframe with vibration reduction, and the Digital Automatic Flight Control System, which provides coupled controllability for operations in adverse environments. The CH-47F can fly at speeds of over 175 mph (282 km/h) with a payload of more than 21,000 lb (9,500 kg). https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2022-news-aviation-aerospace/april/8365-germany-to-buy-60-ch-47f-chinook-helicopters-from-boeing.html

Defense News April 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Tuesday, 26 April 2022 11:22 According to information published by the International Press Agency REUTERS, Germany will officially approve the delivery of Gepard's 35mm self-propelled anti-aircraft mobile gun systems to Ukraine. German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has confirmed that Germany is ready to provide Gepard air defense armored vehicles during a meeting on April 26, 2022, that was held at the United States Ramstein Air Base in Germany. German army Gepard 35mm self-propelled anti-aircraft mobile gun system. (Picture source Army Recognition) On February 25, 2022, Army Recognition reported that the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegman (KMW) could deliver 50 decommissioned Gepard anti-aircraft (Flakpanzer) tanks. The Gepard also nicknamed Cheetah, is a self-propelled anti-aircraft cannon that was developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) between 1976 and 1980. The development of the vehicle started in the 1960s and it was fielded in the 1970s. The Gepard was also exported to Belgium and the Netherlands. Currently, the self-propelled anti-aircraft cannon is still in service with Brazil, Chile, Jordan, Romania, and Qatar. The Gepard is fitted with a two-man turret armed with two Oerlikon Contraves 35 mm KDA cannons which have a cyclic rate of fire of 550 rds/min. One 35mm cannon is mounted externally on either side of the turret and the anti-aircraft ammunition is fed via fixed and moving chutes which are hermetically sealed from the fighting compartment. Each cannon is loaded with 310 rounds of anti-aircraft and 20 rounds of armor-piercing ammunition. The cannons have a maximum firing range of 5,500 m with FAPDS ammunition. A bank of four 76 mm smoke grenade dischargers is mounted on either side of the turret. The Gepard is based on the tracked armored chassis of the Leopard 1 MBT (Main Battle Tank), the original turret is removed and replaced by a two-man anti-aircraft gun system. It has a crew of three including a driver, commander, and gunner. The Gepard can run at a maximum road speed of 65 km/h with a maximum road cruising range of 550 km and 400 km in off-road conditions. It can climb a gradient of 60 % and a vertical obstacle of 1.15m. It can cross a trench of 3 m and has a fording depth of 2.5 m. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2022_global_security_army_industry/germany_to_approve_delivery_of_gepard_35mm_anti-aircraft_gun_systems_to_ukraine.html

Focus / Analysis Posted On Tuesday, 26 April 2022 12:49 According to information published by Tass on April 26, 2022, Shtil-1 antiaircraft missiles fired by the Admiral Essen frigate downed a Bayraktar drone over the Black Sea on April 12. The new missiles confirmed counter-drone effectiveness. Russian Project 11356 frigate Admiral Essen (Picture source: Russian MoD) The drone was conducting reconnaissance over the peninsula and monitored Russian warships and ground forces. The ministry released the footage of the missile launch. Another two Project 11356 frigates — the Admiral Grigorovich and the Admiral Makarov are armed with Shtil. The three frigates, including Admiral Essen, have a cruising capacity of 30 days. Besides Shtil-1, they are also armed with Kalibr missiles, A-190 universal artillery gun, 553 mm torpedoes, and RBU-6000 antisubmarine rocket launcher. The Shtil missile. The multichannel seaborne Shtil-1 destroys air targets at a range of 50 km and altitudes of 5 meters to 15 km. It provides round defense of warships against modern fighter jets, drones, anti-ship, and antiradar missiles. Shtil-1 can strike at warships and small vessels, and track and attack from two to 12 targets. The outstanding characteristics are due to the innovative vertical launcher 3S90E.1 supplied by Technodinamika Holding for Admiral Essen in November 2014. It considerably decreased the radar signature of the frigate and increased the rate of antiaircraft fire six times. The launcher has a small size and weight. It was designed by the Yaskin Start enterprise and is a development of the Shtil complex. The design was changed for the launcher to fit into corvettes. The modular design helped vary the number of launchers depending on the class of warships. They can be installed in the bow and stern. Shtil-1 of the frigate has 24 transportation-launch containers with one missile each. Shtil-1 can fire the missiles at an interval of two seconds. Previous complexes with t-slot launchers needed 12 seconds for the second launch. The launchers are located under the deck to decrease the radar signature of the warship. Shtil-1 fires a guided 9M317ME missile, which is a development of the ground-based Buk missile. It has one stage and control fins of 820-mm span in the back. The missile is powered by a solid-fuel engine. Admiral Essen is a frigate of the Admiral Grigorovich class of the Russian Navy named in honor of Admiral Nikolai Ottovich von Essen. Construction was begun in 2011 and the ship was launched in 2014. It is based with the Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol. https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/focus-analysis/11662-analysis-russian-navy-s-frigate-downs-bayraktar-drone-with-shtil-missile.html

Defense News April 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Tuesday, 26 April 2022 10:23 On Monday, April 25, 2022, the British Defense Secretary of Defense announced that the United Kingdom will send an undisclosed number of Stormer tracked armored vehicles fitted with the Starstreak HVM (High-Velocity Missile) air defense missile system. British army Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) Stormer, firing High Velocity Starstreak Missile. (Picture source UK MoD) Currently, the United Kingdom continues its support to Ukraine with military equipment and weapons. On April 8, 2022, the United Kingdom approved another aid of €120 million to provide military equipment and weapons to Ukraine including anti-tank missiles and air defense systems, as well as loitering munitions and non-lethal aid like helmets, body armor and night-vision goggles. In recent weeks the forces have increased the pressure for the conquest of eastern Ukraine with numerous bombardments throughout the Ukrainian territory. On April 19, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russian forces have begun their new offensive against cities in the east and south, adding that Russian army will involve new military forces in Ukraine to take part in the military operations. The Stormer is a light tracked armored vehicle that was developed by the British company Alvis Vicker based on the CVRTs, a family of light reconnaissance armored vehicles but with many new improvements. The transmission is the same as on the CVRT vehicle but with a modified input gear train. It uses components of the CVRT suspension but with six road wheels instead of five for the CVRT. The design of the Stormer consists of three main parts with the driver at the left front of the hull, the engine compartment to the right, and a troop compartment at the rear. The hull is made of all-welded aluminum armor to provide protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. The Stormer is powered by a Cummins Engines 6BTAA-T250A 6-cylinder diesel engine developing 250hp coupled to a semi-automatic transmission. It can run at a maximum road speed of 80 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 650 km. The air defense version of the Stormer is fitted with the Starstreak missile weapon station armed with two blocks of four Starstreak missiles ready to fire. Another batch of 12 missiles is stored in the vehicle. The roof of the vehicle is fitted with an air defense alerting device (ADAD), supplied by Thales (formerly Pilkington) Optronics. The ADAD is an infrared thermal imaging surveillance system that is used by close air defense units, to detect hostile aircraft and helicopter targets and direct weapon systems into the target area. Operating as an infrared search and tracking system in the 8 - 14 micron waveband, the alerter is designed to operate against low and fast-moving fixed-wing aircraft, as well as the latest generation of attack helicopters. The Starstrek is a surface-to-air missile that launches three laser beam-riding submunitions, increasing the likelihood of a successful hit on the target. The missile is designed to destroy aerial targets such as helicopters and high-speed ground attack aircraft. It has a maximum firing range of 7 km. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2022_global_security_army_industry/uk_confirms_delivery_to_ukraine_of_stormer_starstreak_air_defense_missile_armored_vehicles.html