Defense News February 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Wednesday, 02 February 2022 15:04 According to Telangana Today, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and the Indian Army have signed a contract for the manufacture and supply of Konkurs–M Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (NATO reporting name: AT-5B Spandrel-B) to the Indian Army. The contract, which was signed in New Delhi on February 2, will be executed in three years. Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missile (Picture source: Tula Machinery Design Bureau) BDL produces an updated variant of the Konkurs, designated Konkurs-M. BDL offers the 9K111-1M upgraded anti-tank system that comprises the 9M113 missile. Konkurs–M can be launched either from a BMP-2 IFV or from a ground launcher. It has a range between 75 to 4,000 meters, with a flight time of 19 seconds. The original 9M113 with a single-charge warhead can penetrate 600 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA). Tandem warhead, with an extended explosive probe, will penetrated 750–800 mm of RHA, (behind a layer of Explosive Reactive Armor)) at 4,000 m (3,500 m in night (passive) mode). The CMD, BDL Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd) said Konkurs–M is being manufactured by BDL under a license agreement with a Russian OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): the 9M113 Konkurs was developed by the Tula Machinery Design Bureau (Tula KBP). The missile has been indigenized up to the maximum extent. The Indian defense industry claims that BDL has manufactured some 25,000 Konkurs-M ATGMs for the Indian Army since 2008. BDL is also offering Konkurs-M missiles for export. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2022_global_security_army_industry/bdl_to_supply_konkurs-m_atgm_antitank_missiles_to_indian_army.html

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Sep 24, 2021 03:40 PM China UAV-WZ-7 The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will for the first time display the WZ-7 high-altitude reconnaissance drone at the Airshow China 2021, to be held in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, from September 28 to October 3, a spokesperson at the PLA Air Force announced on Friday. As one of China's largest drones, the WZ-7 will be deployed in missions that require extended endurance like border reconnaissance and maritime patrol, experts said. Revealing the lineup for the exhibition, Senior Colonel Shen Jinke, spokesperson at the PLA Air Force, said that the J-20 stealth fighter jet and Y-20 large transport aircraft will join the event, the KJ-500 early warning aircraft and the H-6K bomber will be put on static display, and the J-16D electronic warfare aircraft and the WZ-7 reconnaissance drone will make their public debuts, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Friday. Domestically developed and produced by China, the WZ-7 is a high-altitude reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle designed to conduct missions including border reconnaissance and maritime patrol, CCTV said. Featuring a tandem-wing design and being large in size, the WZ-7 has a long endurance, which makes completing its intended missions possible, a Chinese military expert told the Global Times on Friday, requesting anonymity. The drone's official designation is now confirmed as the WZ-7, and the PLA Air Force is presenting it to the general public at the air show indicating that it has entered service with the PLA Air Force, the expert said, noting that it was previously known by its code name, the Soar Dragon. The other new face at the Airshow China is the J-16D, which is a new-type electronic warfare aircraft capable of reconnaissance, attack and defense, CCTV reported, noting that it was developed based on the J-16 fighter jet. Shen said that the J-16D has entered combat-scenario exercises, and this has further enhanced the PLA Air Force's electronic warfare attack capabilities, which expands the scope of combat and contributes to the strategic transformation of the Air Force. Electronic warfare aircraft can accompany other warplanes and provide them with electronic warfare support, for example, conducting electronic jamming or deception, or they can also launch direct attacks on hostile radar installations or early warning aircraft, Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times. The J-20 stealth fighter jet and the JL-10 advanced trainer jet will put on flight performances at the air show, CCTV reported. The appearance of the J-20 at the exhibition will demonstrate the aircraft's continued improvement in its capabilities to carry out its duties and missions, CCTV said. Two of the PLA Air Force's major aerobatic teams, the August 1 Aerobatic Team and the Red Eagle Aerobatic Team from the PLA Air Force Aviation University, will also give performances with J-10 fighter jets and K-8 trainer jets, respectively. The PLA Air Force will display its new achievements in pushing for strategic transform and on its strides to become world-class, showing the value pursuit, development concept and historical heritage as the air force of a major power, Shen said. "[We will] let the people have confidence in the Air Force, and let the airmen have confidence in themselves," Shen said. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202109/1235017.shtml?id=11

Wednesday, September 29, 2021 @ 11:57 AM China’s CH-6 high altitude, long endurance, attack-reconnaissance drone unveiled at the Zhuhai air show this week will target the General Atomics’MQ-9A “Reaper” in the global arms market. China UAV CH-6 While earlier models of the CH series, the CH-4 and CH-5 have been benchmarked against the MQ-9, they have been deficient to the American drone in many ways. However with the CH-6, China hopes to close the gap a lot more. Sharing many similarities to the MQ-9A “Reaper, ”one of the most expensive drones in U.S. arsenal and offered only to select American allies, the CH-6 is capable of high-altitude reconnaissance as well as conducting targeted attacks, according to its developer, the China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA). Shi Wen, chief designer of the CH series of drones, said it (CH-6) targets the high-end arms market and will soon be available to buyers around the world. In comments quoted by Chinese state media during the air show, Wen said, "The CH-6 is capable of performing a wide range of tasks including high-altitude reconnaissance and airstrike, anti-submarine and sea patrol operations, long-range early warning and close-in firepower support." CH-6 Features “The drone can engage in action in groups (drone swarms) and can also cooperate with piloted aircraft (similar to Loyal Wingman project of Boeing),” he is quoted as saying. Powered by two turbofan engines, the CH-6 has a maximum takeoff weight of 7,800 kilograms, is able to carry 450 kilograms of equipment and ammunition including electro optical sensors, radars and missiles. It can fly up to 700 kilometers per hour in a typical cruise flight and can stay in the air for 21 hours at an altitude of 15000 meters, according to the drone's technical specifications. MQ-9 Reaper Reports of the CH-6 drone published in the Chinese media are silent about it various sensors and weapons options. CH-6 to improve upon CH-4 The CH-6 will improve upon the CH-4, a drone that has conducted more than 4,000 flights over the past decade under the control of its foreign operators, with an astonishing kill rate of 99 percent in its more than 800 missile strikes, according to Wen. The CH-series are the most exported drones from China and in service with more than 10 countries including Pakistan, Myanmar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Iraq. The CH-6 would position itself as a natural upgrade to CH-4 customers. Killer drone at a killer price The MQ-9A “Reaper,” has price tag of around $32 million according to Forbes. This makes it more expensive than a fully equipped Apache helicopter. The MQ-9A was used in the targeted killing of Iranian general, Solemani, in Iraq in January 2020, according to U.S. media reports. In comparison, the CH-4 is reported to be priced at under $5 million apiece including weapons and sensors. While there no price indications for the CH-6 so far, it would be priced at 50% or below that of the “Reaper,” to make it attractive to countries on a tight budget. Besides, taking the CH-4 price as a benchmark, the price of the CH-6 could be in the region of $6-8 million. https://www.defenseworld.net/feature/59/China___s_CH_6_Killer_Drone_to_Target_America___s_MQ_9A____Reaper____in_Global_Arms_Market#.YheqRLtMGUk

Posted On Thursday, 03 February 2022 14:09 Sokol Aircraft Plant in Nizhny Novgorod (NAZ) marked 90 years of existence on February 1. It is an affiliate of the MiG Corporation. The enterprise overhauls and upgrades MiG-31, MiG-29 and MiG-29UB aircraft and produces components for MiG-35, MiG-29K/KUB, and MiG-29M/M2. MiG-31 Foxhound (Picture source: Rostec) Sokol was created on February 1, 1932 as the Ordzhonikidze Aircraft Plant in Gorky. It produced the aircraft designed by the Polikarpov and Lavochkin bureaus. During World War 2, it produced each fourth fighter aircraft for the front. In 1949, the enterprise began cooperating with the Mikoyan Design Bureau and producing MiG fighter jets. The enterprise was four times decorated with government awards. It received the Orders of Lenin in 1936 and 1970, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor in 1941, and the Order of the October Revolution in 1982. “In 2021, Sokol increased the income 1.4 times due to a complete load. Wages grew 18 percent and exceeded the average wage in Nizhny Novgorod 10 percent. Sokol has a big production program for 2022. Contracts have been signed for the overhaul and upgrade of aircraft and new deals are planned. We shall continue to operate for military-technical cooperation,” plant Director Vladimir Semenov said. MiG-31 interceptor Sokol produced the supersonic MiG-31 interceptor (NATO reporting name: Foxhound) in 1975-1994. It is a veteran of the Russian Aerospace Forces but has retained its unique speed and altitude characteristics. The aircraft was designed to intercept existing and prospective US air weapons. It is armed with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles. MiG-31 developed into a dozen of modifications, including upgraded MiG-31B with an air refueling system, MiG-BS, etc., and experimental MiG-31LL flying laboratory, as well as some export options, which did not see batch production. The production of these interceptors stopped in 1994. In 2011, the enterprise began to upgrade the jets to the MiG-31BM level. In 2013, the first pair of upgraded interceptors went on combat duty at Monchegorsk airfield in Murmansk region. MiG-31BM carries new arms and radars that detect targets at a distance of 320 kilometers and destroy them at a distance of 280 km. The aircraft can track ten and simultaneously destroy six targets. The RussianCenter of Strategy and Technology Analysis said the Aerospace Forces received in 2016 17 MiG-31BM. Over 20 aircraft were annually supplied in 2017-2018. Modern MiG-31 is armed with the latest weapons. It carries Kinzhal complex to fire hypersonic air ballistic missiles. Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said the aircraft can accelerate the missile to the required speed at the required altitude. The interceptor has been operating for a long time and needs an upgrade to extend the life cycle. In 2020, it was announced that work had begun to extend the resource of the aircraft glider to 3500 flight hours. NAZ told TASS the upgrade increased the combat effectiveness of MiG-31 three times and will keep the aircraft operational until the middle of the 2030s. The interceptor has powerful radar. Four MiG-31 can control the airspace of over one thousand kilometers wide. Merited pilot Major General Vladimir Popov said MiG-31 can control the missiles of the neighboring aircraft when it operates in the air defense system with the ground stations. “When the wing commander leads four aircraft, he can control all the weapons and long-range missiles of the four jets,” he told TASS. The high-altitude MiG-31 interceptors will defend the Russian airspace in the north, he believes. It is due to the huge space of the Russian Extreme North and a lack of airfields there. An upgraded MiG-31 with an electric remote control is undergoing trials. Deputy Defense Minister Alexey Krivoruchko visited NAZ on November 25, 2021, to inspect the production capacities, the overhaul and upgrade of MiG-31, and discuss the fulfillment of the arms procurement order. Sokol plant said there is an upgrade option that switches the aircraft from mechanical to electric remote control. A line of computers has to be installed. “The option with an electric remote control is being implemented. The upgraded interceptor is undergoing trials,” the enterprise said. https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2022-news-aviation-aerospace/february/8137-sokol-producer-of-mig-31-foxhound-marks-90-years.html

By Boyko Nikolov on Feb 4, 2022 Photo credit: Defense Express The company has announced a contract with Tess Defense, the company that runs the program, to supply a modular and light anti-missile and an anti-grenade system called Hybrid Slat Fence [HSF], and will also provide armor with a mine protection solution and an improvised explosive device [IED] for the lower and side parts of the vehicle, with the corresponding energy-absorbing seats for soldiers. According to Plasan, the agreement was signed last November and covers the 348 Dragon vehicles acquired by Spain’s Ministry of Defense in the first phase. The first deliveries will take place in the first quarter of 2022 and will continue until 2026. Plasan CEO Dan Ziv noted that “this contract is an important milestone and a remarkable testament to Plasan’s unique ability to tailor its technologies and solutions to specific platforms and customer needs.” He added: “Plasan is proud to participate in this prestigious program of the Spanish Ministry of Defense and will continue to work closely with Tess Defense to ensure the successful implementation of the VCR program,.” The military recently unveiled in London the mobility, protection, communications, and combat capabilities of its new 8×8 wheeled combat vehicle in a matter of days. In mid-December, the Santa Bárbara Sistemas weapons factory in Trubia began production of vehicles. Tess Defense made up of Santa Bárbara Sistemas, Indra, Sapa Placencia, and Escribano, is responsible for delivering a batch of 348 8×8 WCV worth a total of € 2.1 billion. The forecast is that the first deliveries will take place in the second half of this year. Tess Defense, established in mid-2020 for this program, aims to become a benchmark in the ground segment of the Spanish defense industry, to lead other military programs in the long term, and to participate in international projects. Plasan’s blast and IED protection Plasan solutions not only protect the vehicle and the teams that equip it, but also ensure optimized survival of the crew members by forming several layers of protection. The Israeli company protects the lower body by absorbing the energy of the explosion and stopping fragments of high-speed ammunition, including protection from floating floors and belly deflectors. The floating floor is a solution attached to the walls of the vehicle that minimizes damage and injury by isolating the crew’s feet from the floor of the vehicle, forming a buffer against the explosive impact. Spain to Spend Totaling €2.5Bn to Renew the Fleet of Combat Vehicles GD unveiled next-gen platform ASCOD – from a vehicle to tank https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/02/04/spanish-dragon-8x8-wcv-gets-israeli-armor-and-anti-tank-system/

Defense News February 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Saturday, 05 February 2022 14:17 According to pictures of the U.S. Army published by the Twitter account of Ronkainen on February 5, 2022, BAE Systems has started the delivery of the latest variant of the Bradley tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), the Bradley M2A4, to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart. U.S. Army 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart took delivery of BAE Systems Bradley M2A4 tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle. (Picture source US. Army via Twitter account Ronkainen) The 3rd Infantry Division (nicknamed Rock of the Marne) is a combined arms division of the United States Army based at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team also called "Spartan" includes 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment "Mustang", 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment ”Hounds of Hell", 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment "China", 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment "Battlekings", 9th BEB "Gila", and the 703rd BSB "Maintain". The Bradley is the standard tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) in service with the U.S. armed forces since 1981. The vehicle is designed to transport infantry or reconnaissance units providing high mobility, firepower, and protection. The M2 Bradley IFV consists of five variants including the M2, M2A1, M2A2, M2A2 ODS (Operation Desert Storm improvements), M2A3, and now the M2A4. The Bradley M2A4 armored tracked IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) features the latest digitized electronics for optimum situational awareness, network connectivity and communication within the Armored Brigade Combat Team. Bradley A4’s proven durability and commonality of design reduce the logistics burden while enhancing battlefield performance to meet a variety of mission requirements in close combat, urban scenarios, and open combat situations. The Bradley M2A4 is fitted with a two-man turret and keeps the armament of the previous version of the Bradley family that consists of one Bushmaster 25mm cannon and TOW anti-tank missile system. It has a weight of 36,287 kg and can accommodate up to 10 soldiers including the driver, commander, and gunner. It can run at a maximum road speed of 66 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 402 km. As an IFV, the Bradley M2A4 is able to accommodate up to six infantry soldiers. The Bradley M2A4 is powered by a Diesel engine developing 675 hp. It can run at a maximum road speed of 66 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 402 km. Close view of the BAE Systems Bradley M2A4 turret. (Picture source US. Army via Twitter account Ronkainen) https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2022_global_security_army_industry/us_army_took_delivery_of_latest_variant_of_bradley_m2a4_tracked_armored_ifvs.html

By Boyko Nikolov on Feb 4, 2022 MOSCOW, ($1= Russian Rubles) — Russia expects its first all-new supersonic strategic bomber, reaching Mach 2+ by the end of the second quarter. This information was announced to journalists today, January 4, by the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov. This means that in the second half of 2022 the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation will conduct state and flight tests and most likely in At the end of 2022, the Tu-160M ​​will be officially adopted. Photo credit: FlugRevue The first Tu-160M ​​was supposed to be delivered in 2023, but “we managed to accomplish this task sooner,” says Manturov. According to the minister, the Kremlin’s decision to resume production of the Tu-160 bomber program is timely. According to Manturov, the new Tu-160M ​​opens up new opportunities for greater development of “Russia’s promising long-range aviation complex.” The resumption of the Tu-160 program was discussed in early 2015 after Foreign Minister Sergei Shoigu read an order from Russian President Vladimir Putin. That same year, TASS reported that Russia planned to buy a total of 50 bombers of this model. Serial production began as planned in 2019. At the end of this year, Russia should receive a second Tu-160M ​​for tests, which will be held in early 2023. The new Tu-160M ​​/ M2 The differences between the Tu-160M ​​/ M2 and the Tu-160 built during the Soviet era are not great. Russia claims that the Tu-160M ​​/ M2 will have new weapons systems, avionics, and electronics, which will improve the combat capability of the bomber. This information is missing in detail and cannot be confirmed. Photo credit: Russian MoD What we know for sure is that after Putin gave the green light in 2015 to resume production of the bomber, the manufacturer Kazan Aviation Plant [KAPO] resumed and renewed its production in the field of electron beam welding or titanium work. Also, the new Tu-160M ​​/ M2 will have completely rebuilt hulls. Until now, the renovations of the Tu-160M ​​were carried out by assembling old hulls existing in stock or by old bombers. We can assume that the load that the new Tu-160M ​​/ M2 will carry will also differ, as technological advances are different. For example, BulgarianMilitary.com recalled that in 2020 the Russian Ministry of Defense conducted flight tests of an old Tu-160 armed with a hypersonic missile Kh-47M2 Kinzhal. The tests evaluated the Tu-160’s ability to launch the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal and were successful ie we assume that the new Tu-160M ​​/ M2 will be a carrier of hypersonic weapons. Photo credit: Defence Blog According to Russian military experts, in addition to hypersonic missiles, the Tu-160M ​​/ M2 will be a carrier of various cruise missiles, as well as a short-range hypersonic aero-ballistic missile. Main features of the Tu-160 From what we know and as we said, the difference between the old and the new Tu-160 is not big. Some features will be preserved. For example, the development of a maximum speed of Mach 2+ remains. Cruise speed of 960 km / h too. The crew of the Tu-160 consists of four people – pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, defensive systems officer. It is not known what engine the new Tu-160 will be powered by, but the old version used Kuznetsov NK-32 – an after-burning three-spool low bypass turbofan jet engine, providing 137.3 kN thrust each dry, 245 kN with afterburner. However, it is rumored that a new engine has been designed – NK-32-02 turbofans from Kuznetsov . The reason for these rumors is the flight tests in September 2020, when two Tu-160 set a world record for range and duration of non-stop flight for aircraft of this class. The pilots were in the air for more than 25 hours, traveling more than 20,000 kilometers. The flight took place in the airspace above the neutral waters. Photo credit: Russian MoD There will be no significant differences in other characteristics. It is assumed that the length of the bomber will remain 54.1 meters; the wingspan will be close to 55.7 meters with an area of ​​about 400 m2 with outstretched wings. An empty bomber will weigh about 110,000 kg, but full of equipment, crew, weapons, weapons systems, missiles and bombs will be able to take off with a maximum weight of 275,000 kg. B-1 Lancer, Tu-160 differences Photo credit: USAF Although we want to, we cannot compare the American B-1 Lancer bomber with its Russian counterpart Tu-160 simply because they are two different classes of fighter jets. Unlike the US bomber, the Russian Tu-160 has another role – an anti-aircraft missile platform, which characterizes it as a strategic missile carrier. Another difference is speed. The Russian bomber is faster and has a greater combat range. However, the B-1B has a higher combined payload with an external payload. Of course, the most significant difference between the two bombers is their color-coding. B-1 is usually muted dark gray to reduce visibility, while the Tu-160 is painted white against lightning, which gives it the nickname among Russian pilots “White Swan”. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/02/04/newest-tu-160m-supersonic-mach-2-bomber-arrives-in-mid-2022/

By Colton Jones Jan 30, 2022 The U.S. Army has announced that the second Long Range Radar-Enhanced (LRR-E), the product ionized version of the LRR prototype, was successfully delivered to the Project Director Sensors-Aerial Intelligence (PD SAI) Program Manager Medium Altitude Reconnaissance and Surveillance System (PM MARSS) on Dec. 28. According to a press release from Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors, the LRR-E is capable of detecting moving targets using two types of Moving Target Indications (MTIs). Ground Moving Target Indications (GMTIs) to scan for larger types of targets, such as vehicles, and Dismount Moving Target Indications (DMTI) to focus on smaller targets, like people. “While scanning an area, the operator will see dots overlaid on a map that registers the target’s location,” said Bryan Farley, LRR Lead for PM MARSS. “Using Radar Cross Section (RCS) indication, the operator can determine how big a target might be, how reflective it might be, and how fast it may be going.” The LRR-E is also capable of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a separate mode of the radar, which provides three dimensional radio frequency spectrum representation of the physical environment. This allows the operator to see a terrain through the lens of a radar. The LRR-E is based off the Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radar (VADER). While VADER uses a Ku-band radio frequency, the LRR-E uses an X-band frequency. This allows the LRR-E to produce much longer detection ranges than VADER. Another feature that makes the LRR-E unique is that the antenna is not mechanically swept. Unlike some other radars within the PD SAI portfolio, such as the Small Tactical Radar Lightweight (STARLite), the LRR-E does not use a gimbaled antenna. “This change provides a few purposes,” Farley said. “Because they are mechanical, gimbals tend to break. If there are fewer parts on a sensor that can break, fewer parts will need to be replaced. It also allows operators to place their beams wherever they want, instantaneously.” PD SAI plans to build three LRR-E systems and install them onto three Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Enhanced (ARL-E) aircraft. The first LRR-E system was delivered in April 2018 and a third system is expected to be delivered mid- to late-2022. The ARL-E is a Soldier operated manned aerial ISR suit of equipment integrated into de Havilland Canada-8 (DHC-8) aircraft designed for timely, accurate, assured support to tactical forces of the full spectrum of operations. It provides a persistent capability to include broad-area surveillance and/or focused stare on target areas of interest (point or objective targets), electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR)/full-motion video (FMV), multi-mode radar, robust communications intelligence (COMINT), onboard collection, analysis, sensor cross cue, and dissemination through Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A) enabled workstations. “Compared to VADER, the LRR-E pod is 3.5 feet longer and weights more than twice as much,” said Matt Perry, ARL-E Assistant Product Manager. “Since the ARL-E is a bigger platform compared to other platforms within the PD SAI portfolio, it is able to handle the bigger LRR-E sensor.” Designed to be rapidly reconfigurable, allowing for five different sensor configurations, the ARL-E provides the combatant commander the ability to customize the sensor package for specific missions as needed. PD SAI anticipates integrating the LRR-E into the first ARL-E spring 2022 with flight-testing to begin this summer. PD SAI is also investigating applicability of the LRR-E for future platforms as well as in support of the multi-domain operations (MDO) environment. PD SAI is a Program Executive Office for Intelligence Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) program responsible for developing, acquiring, fielding, and supplying life cycle support to tactically relevant aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors that maintain battlespace awareness and superiority. PEO IEW&S develops and integrates sensors and sensor data across multiple technologies ensuring warfighters have a complete understanding of the battlefield. https://defence-blog.com/us-military-receive-newest-spy-plane/

Naval News December 2021 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry Posted On Monday, 27 December 2021 16:15 Launch ceremony for the "Generalissimo Suvorov" (Picture source: Sevmash Ship yard) “A gala ceremony was held at Sevmash on December 25 to roll out the Generalissimo Suvorov from the slipway,” the company said. The event was attended by the Navy command, authority and industry representatives. “Navy Commander-in-Chief Nikolai Yevmenov congratulated the shipbuilders with another production victory and stressed that Borey-A class SSBN has already confirmed reliability in defending the national borders. Arkhangelsk Governor Alexander Tsybulsky, USC Deputy CEO for military shipbuilding Vladimir Korolev, and CEO of Rubin Design Bureau Igor Vilnit also congratulated the shipyard,” it said. “This is our strategic argument. Nuclear submarines protect our country. The Generalissimo Suvorov is to reinforce the Pacific Fleet,” Yevmenov said. Sevmash CEO Mikhail Budnichenko ordered the submarine to leave the slipway. She was moving at a speed of 3 meters per minute. SSBN Captain First Rank Viktor Artemov broke a bottle of champagne against the hull of the submarine. Budnichenko recalled that Sevmash had handed over to the Navy the Knyaz Oleg and the Novosibirsk nuclear submarines several days ago. The Generalissimo Suvorov was laid on December 25, 2014. The lead Knyaz Vladimir SSBN joined the Navy on June 12, 2020 followed by the Knyaz Oleg on December 21, 2021. "This is our strategic argument. Nuclear submarine cruisers protect our country. I hope that the ‘Knyaz’ [submarine] family will accept the Generalissimus Suvorov as well. This submarine cruiser is planned to reinforce the Pacific Fleet submarine group," Yevmenov said. The commander underscored that Russia has not commissioned this many submarine cruisers since 1991. "We have a rather large commissioning plan for next year. I believe Sevmash will not let us down," he added. The Generalissimus Suvorov was launched at Sevmash Saturday. The vent was attended by the Navy command, authority and industry representatives. The submarine was laid down on December 26, 2014. The lead ship - the Knyaz Vladimir - was commissioned by Sevmash on June 12, 2020. The first serial submarine, the Knyaz Oleg was commissioned on December 21, 2021. © Copyright 2021 TASS Navy Recognition. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2021/december/11170-generalissimus-suvorov-borey-a-class-submarine-to-reinforce-russia-s-pacific-fleet.html

24/01/2022 By Paolo Valpolini Recent conflicts boosted the importance of Loitering Munitions (LMs) on the modern battlefield; however this category of weapon systems has been around for quite a long time, the first LM having been in service since 1982. One of the few, if not the only company that deals uniquely with LMs is UVision of Israel, which has developed the HERO family of systems, ranging from small, tactical, man packable products up to systems with a strategic impact. In 2021 the Israeli company signed an agreement with Rheinmetall, through the subsidiary RWM Italia, located in Italy, to address the European market. The agreement came into force on 11 October 2021. EDR On-Line was briefed on the UVision family of products and on the agreement contents by Dagan Lev Ari, UVision sales and marketing director, and by Romano Ricca, RWM Italia chief business development. “Our company adopts a problem solving approach,” Dagan Lev Ari says, “as we are not looking at how to exploit technology in the military word but rather we do the opposite, starting from the problem to be solved, and in this very moment military forces have to deal with two different scenarios, high intensity and asymmetric ones.” Fighting against sophisticated adversaries means to evolve into an air superiority scenario, with a heavy electronic warfare threat denying GPS navigation as well as communications, hence giving problems to front line troops in terms of command and control, and calls for fire, all that often in urban or confined terrain. On the other hand we have low intensity conflicts, where one of the key issues is to locate targets, as they are disguised among ordinary population, hence a high risk of collateral damages, and are also very often time sensitive, as the scenario changes extremely rapidly. “When we developed our HERO family of LMs we wanted to allow the soldier to achieve his mission neutralizing the threat, with no collateral damages, remaining well protected, all this with an advanced but affordable system,” the UVision representative adds, defining the HERO as a game changer. While armed UAVs are expensive, require a considerable logistic footprint, and often raise political sensitivities, ground-launched missiles on the other hand are a good solution providing the threat location is well known in terms of location and timing. “We tried to put together the benefits of both solutions, the persistence of UAVs together with the terminal effectiveness of a missile, getting rid of disadvantages, and maintaining the man in the loop, through the Operator Control Unit (OCU),” Dagan Lev Ari tells EDR On-Line. While many LMs are based on existing fixed-wing UAVs to which a warhead has been added, the HERO family maintains the advantages of a UAV, in terms of persistence over the target, but has the flexibility of a missile in terms of angle of attack. “Beside being able to choose the time of attack and the direction of attack, if multiple HEROs are used we can attack from different directions in order to saturate the target defensive capabilities, the cruciform wing design allows us to play with the angle of attack, three buttons appearing on the OCU screen, for steep, medium and shallow angles, the operator being also able to select the fuse setting, between point detonation, fragmentation or delayed action,” the company Sales & Marketing Director points out. All this provides maximum flexibility, allowing optimizing all parameters according to the type of target and the surrounding situation. A key element is the capability to abort the attack should the scene suddenly change; a yellow bar on the screen shows that the mission can still be abandoned, something that can be done until the last 6 seconds, when it is then too late to react. Especially in near-peer confrontations the HERO survivability is a key issue. “First of all we choose a launch system, with pneumatic ejection, that is heat signature free, bringing the airframe at the required speed while the propeller opens up and the electric motor is started, secondly for all the versions that are already ob the market we checked the radar cross section, which is minimal, most radars seeing it as a flock of birds, and finally our data-link is fitted with an effective counter-jamming capability,” Dagan Lev Ari underlines. The launch system is powered by a compressed air bottle, which is carried separately from the system as safety measure. Currently three members of the HERO family have been fully developed, sold to undisclosed customers, deployed, and some of them even proven in combat. These are the HERO 30, the HERO 120 and the HERO 400, all fitted with an electric propulsion system, which main characteristics are summarized in the following table. HERO-30 HERO-120 HERO-400EC Weight 3 kg 12 kg 40 kg Warhead 0.5 kg 4.5 kg 10 kg Range 10 km 40 km 60 km, 150 km Endurance 30 min 60 min 120 min Launch method Single/Multi-canister Single/Multi-canister Rail, Single/Multi-canister The HERO-30 is the back packable solution, ideal for providing Special Forces and Light Infantry with an autonomous loitering attack capability against light protected targets. An even lighter version was initially developed, but its range and payload were not considered sufficient. The whole system, one munition, the communications package with the antenna, and the OCU, can be transported by a single soldier, who would also carry his assault rifle and tactical vest. Each other soldier would be able to carry two extra munitions. It is to note that the standard antenna would provide a 5 km range, the 10 km limit being reached suing a bigger antenna. The OCU is user-friendly, the map appearing on the left of the screen, used for planning the approach route to the target area and the loitering zone, the video feed being shown on the right. Once the operator locks on the target the system switches in automatic tracking, leaving the option to abort and go back to loitering as explained earlier. “Our tracking system, which is based on picture comparison, proved to be able to follow a white vehicle over a bright desert surface,” the company representative told EDR On-Line. The HERO-120 can be fitted with a recovery parachute; however this will impact the terminal effect, a smaller warhead being installed to give room for the chute. In its standard version the HERO-120 has an antitank capability; adopted by the US Marine Corps for its Organic Precision Fire Mounted (OPF-M) programme, the US decided to install the same warhead in use on their Javelin antitank missiles, which shows the flexibility of the UVision approach. The USMC purchased the multi-container launcher, currently available in 6- and 8-cell configuration, but according to UVision systems with higher numbers of cells can easily be developed. As for the HERO-400EC the parachute is standard, while its warhead is capable to penetrate a double reinforced concrete wall. The HERO-120 and HERO 400 are usually installed over a mobility platform, i.e. light attack or light armored vehicles, however UVision already successfully tested them from a naval platform, US Special Forces having tested the system from a very light attack boat. “We are currently working on launching our munitions from air platforms,” Dagan Lev Ari added. As for much longer ranges the company is developing the HERO-900 and the HERO-1250 versions, respectively with a 25 kg and a 50 kg warhead, ranges of 150 and 200 km, and endurance of 2 and 6 hours, both powered by a gasoline engine. No availability time frame was provided. Training is obviously another key issue, especially considering the range of those systems and the limitations of exercise areas where they can be allowed to fly. “Teaching a soldier how to use a HERO is much easier than forming a UAV pilot,” the company says, and to do so UVision developed a simulator linked to the system OCU and a launcher mock-up, but is working on an even smaller solution that will se an app installed directly on the OCU, providing two or three different tactical scenarios. Another obvious issue is cost. “The price per unit of one of our system is 60 to 80% less than that of an equivalent antitank missile,” the UVision Sales & Marketing Director states. As anticipated, the USMC is already a customer, the systems being produced by UVision USA Corporation Northern Virginia, another production line having been created in India, where the Israeli company set up a joint venture, known as AVision, with Aditya Precitech. Looking at the European Market, UVision decided to team with one of the defence industrial champions of the Old Continent, Rheinmetall. “The agreement between Rheinmetall and UVision is very articulated, and will evolve according to the business evolution,” Romano Ricca, RWM Italia chief business development explained. Specialized in the development and manufacturing of counter-mining systems, medium to large caliber ammunition and warheads, this Italian subsidiary of Rheinmetall is skilled in electronics, mechanics and explosives, all what is needed, depending on business, to get to a co-production of the HERO. The first step will definitely be the search for customers, and here the strong Rheinmetall footprint in many European nations will be key in promoting the HERO family. To do so the product will have to evolve to cope with EU regulations, and here the Rheinmetall expertise will be of key importance in aligning the available version of the HERO to those standards. “We have the right know-how to bring the current product to NATO standards, and to eventually customize it for future European customers,” Romano Ricca tells EDR On-Line. While this is true for the aforementioned three existing versions, “for the HERO-900 and HERO-1250 we look forward cooperating since now in the latest part of the development in order to have a single product, that can be marketed worldwide,” Ricca tells EDR On-Line, although flexibility to cope with customers requirements will remain. Rheinmetall’s subsidiary RWM Italia will act as prime contractor towards European customers, and when contracts will come, it will carry out the production of some elements and the system assembly, as well as providing Integrated Logistic Support. The two RWM Italia sites would be interested by this cooperation, the one in Ghedi, northern Italy, for the partial production and assembly, and the facility in Sardinia for the loading of the warhead. A success of the HERO on the continental market would lead to an increase in the workforce, which is currently around 350 manpower. As Dagan Lev Ari and Romano Ricca underlined, the agreement is open to further extensions and EDR On-Line understood that it also includes the intention to jointly develop new products in a second phase of the cooperation. Photos courtesy Rheinmetall and P. Valpolini https://www.edrmagazine.eu/rheinmetall-and-uvision-team-to-propose-hero-loitering-munitions-on-the-european-market

Defense News February 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Saturday, 12 February 2022 11:15 According to information published by the "Soldat & Technik" website on February 11, 2022, the Enforcer shoulder launched guided missile weapon system designed and manufactured by the company MBDA will enter into service with the German army in 2024. MBDA Enforcer launcher tube with the sight system mounted on the left side. (Picture source Army Recognition) The missile manufacturer company MBDA will continue to conduct tests and field trials in collaboration with the German army. Enforcer has been under contract for Germany since December 2019. The contract will fulfill the German requirement for a lightweight, day/night, precision-guided weapon system with an effective range of more than 1,800 m. Resulting from a multinational MBDA development effort, Enforcer will complement the ‘Wirkmittel 90’ shoulder-launched unguided munitions capability in the German Army. The development of the Enforcer started in 2014, and in January 2020, MBDA has announced a contract with the German army for the acquisition of Enforcer, a new man-portable guided missile weapon that can be used to destroy lightly armored static and moving targets, targets behind cover, and against targets at a long-range also in urban environments. In December 2016, MBDA has announced successful tests with Enforcer. The firings with the Enforcer development prototype were conducted at ranges of between 1,000m to 2,000 m and confirmed expectations with regard to the weapon’s homing head, which guided the missile directly to the center of each of the intended targets. The MBDA Enforcer is a man-portable guided missile weapon system fully designed and developed by the company MBDA. The weapon system consists of a single-use carbon-fiber launch tube weighing less than 9 kg, a missile that has a weight of less than 7 kg, and a sight system mounted on the left side of the launcher tube. It can be carried and operated by one soldier. The launcher tube has a length of 1 m and a width of 110 mm, thanks to this size it can easily be transported by one man. The sight system of the Enforcer offers combat capabilities during day and night conditions. The Enforcer missile has fire-and-forget capability which means that the missile does not require further guidance after launches such as illumination of the target or wire guidance, and can hit its target without the launcher being in line-of-sight of the target. The missile is also equipped with a lock-on before launch (LOBL), which is a capability of missile systems to lock-on to its target after being launched. The Enforcer shoulder launched weapon system can engage targets within the range between 1,000 m and 2,000 m. It can be also used in enclosed spaces. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2022_global_security_army_industry/mbda_enforcer_man-portable_missile_weapon_to_enter_service_with_german_army_in_2024.html

רכב מס'-1. רכב זה (ראה תמונה למטה) הינו הרכב העיקרי בכח הסיור של חטיבת השריון. רכב זה יצטרך לנוע בשקט מירבי לצפות על איזורים שבהם יושב האוייב, להעביר נקודות ציון לארטילריה הגדודית שיתקפו מקום זה ע"י ארטילריה. בחזית הרכב נתקין עמדה עם מק"כ בקליבר 14.5 מ"מ ורקטות 70 מ"מ מונחות לכתם לייזר, חימושים אלו יהיו להגנה עצמית בלבד, אם צריך להילחם רכב מס'-3 יבוא לעזרתו. מאחורי העמדה יותקן עמוד טלסקופי ועליו יותקנו מערכות ראייה ומערכות תקשורת במטרה לחזק את הקשר עם ה’חימושים המשוטטים’ והגדוד. בקצה הרכב נתקין יחידה לשיגור וקבלה של רחפנים שתפקידם יהיה להביא מידע לגבי איפה האוייב ומה הוא עושה. זהו רכב חשוב מאד לגבי ניהול הקרב שלנו. אפשרות נוספת היא להפעיל את רכב מס'-3 במקום רכב מס'-1. (תמונתו מתחת לרכב מס'-1) רכב מס'-1 זהו הרכב העיקרי של הסיור והוא אינו מאוייש. רכב מס'-3 שניתן להפעילו במקום רכב מס'-1. רכב מס'-2. רכב זה הוא למעשה משגר של ’חימושים משוטטים’, חימושים אלו כדוגמת ה’הירו-120’ שלו טווח של 40 ק"מ ו’הירו-250’ שלו טווח של 150 ק"מ, יתנו משמעות חדשה למונח "טווחים רחוקים". למטה תמונה של משגר לחימוש ’הירו-120’ אם כי על רכב זחלילי. אני לא רואה שום סיבה לנחיצות של רכב זחלילי ולדעתי ניתן יהיה להתקין אותו גם על רכב אופני כדוגמת רכב מס'-3. רכב מס'-2 משגר ל-6 חימושים משוטטים. רכב מס'-3. רכב זה הוא למעשה רכב לחימה לא מאוייש עם 6 גלגלים, מנוע חשמלי וגנרטור לטעינת המצברים של הרכב, המנוע החשמלי יאפשר לרכב להתקרב לקו העימות בתנועה שקטה שלא תחשוף את מיקומו. על רכב זה יותקן צריח של חברת רפא"ל שנושא תותח 30 מ"מ מדגם אמ-44 או אמ-813 שיכול לקבל את תותח ה-40 מ"מ. במקביל לתותח יותקן מקלע 7.62 מ"מ. בצד אחד של הצריח יותקנו 2 טילי נ"ט של רפא"ל לטווח של 5.5 ק"מ. כל אחד מהטילים האלו ניתנים להחלפה בפוד שמכיל 4 או 6 רקטות 70 ממ מונחות בלייזר לטווח של 12 ק"מ. (ראה תמונה למטה) הרכב הלא מאוייש הספרדי עם צריח של רפא"ל. משגר ל-4 רקטות 70 מ"מ מונחות לכתם לייזר. זהו רכב עם עוצמת אש רבה והוא יהיה המגן של רכבי הסיור מהתקפות של האוייב, הוא יכול לנוע עם כוחות השריון של הגדוד גם בהתקפה וגם במיגננה. יתכן שאם רכב זה ימצא במספרים גדולים בכח הסיור, ניתן יהיה להחליף את רכבים מס'-1 ו-2 עם רכב זה, וזה יעזור לאחידות ברכבים של כח הסיור. אפשרות נוספת היא לבחור ברכב זחלילי שיתאים לכל הרכבים. הרכב הזה הוא הרכב של חברת טקסטרון שנקרא ’ריפסו’ אמ-5. קישור לרכב זה למטה: https://mikeshouts.com/ripsaw-m5-unmanned-mini-tank-unveiled/ רכב מס'-4. רכב נוסף הוא רכב נ"מ מאוייש שיבנה על גבי משאית שיורכבו עליה טילי נ"מ ותותחי 30 מ"מ מהירי ירי. בדומה לרכב הרוסי ’פנטסיר’ שנראה בתמונה למטה: Pantsir S2 רכב מס-5. זהו רכב הפיקוד על צוות הסיור והוא יהיה על בסיס הנגמ"ש ’איתן’ שנראה בתמונה למטה: הנגמ"ש ’איתן’ באחת אפשרויות החימוש שלו.