The XM915 cannon is being tested on a UH-60 Black Hawk, but is under development for the Army's Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft. By Joseph Trevithick November 19, 2021 US Army-The XM915 20mm Gatling gun The U.S. Army has given us our first look at a UH-60 Black Hawk test bed carrying its new XM915 20mm Gatling-type automatic cannon and firing the gun in flight. The service expects this gun to be part of the arsenal for its Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft, or FARA. Bell's Invictus 360 and Sikorsky's Raider X, two advanced helicopter designs, are competing against each other to win the final FARA contract. The Army conducted the first aerial tests of the XM915, including firing it in flight for the first time, using the UH-60 test bed in October as part of the Project Convergence 2021 exercise. This is the second Project Convergence event to date, which the service has been using to test and evaluate a wide array of new and advanced weapons and other systems, as well as concepts of operations to go with them. Project Convergence 2021 is taking place at both the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona and the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, and is expected to wrap up this month. Below is the link for the whole article: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43215/this-is-our-first-look-at-the-armys-new-20mm-aerial-cannon-on-an-actual-helicopter

Defense News November 2021 Global Security army industry Posted On Wednesday, 17 November 2021 According to information published on the newspaper website "The Korea Herald" on November 17, 2021, United Arab Emirates will purchase South Korean air defense missile systems Cheongung II also called M-SAM. South Korean Cheongung II medium-range air defense missile system. (Picture source Army Recognition) On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, United Arab Emirates (UAE) defense ministry has announced the acquisition of the latest generation of South Korean-made M-SAM medium-range surface-to-air guided missile system via the Tawazun Economic Council. The amount of the contract could reach a value of $3.5 billion. In April 2021, Army Recognition has reported another purchase of military equipment from South Korea by the UAE. During IDEX 2021, Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, a contract was released regarding the acquisition of an undisclosed number of Chunmoo multi-caliber MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) manufactured by the South Korean company Hanwha Defense as well as guided, unguided rockets and missiles. The Cheongung 2 also named KM-SAM is a South Korean medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system that was developed by the South Korean Agency for Defense Development (ADD) with technical support from Almaz-Antey and Fakel, based on technology from the Russian-made 9M96 missile used with the S-350E and S-400 air defense systems. A complete battery of Cheongung 2 consists of up to six 8-cell transporter erector launcher (Tel), a passive electronically scanned array (PESA) X-band multi-function phased array 3D radar (based on the one from the Russian S-400), and a fire command vehicle. The radar operates in the X-band and rotates at a rate of 40 rpm, covering up to 80 degrees in elevation. It can detect targets within 100 km and track up to 40 simultaneously. The Cheongung SAM system is intended to replace South Korea's MIM-23 HAWK SAM systems, which are locally referred to as Cheolmae. The KM-SAM can intercept up to six targets simultaneously, and the missiles have anti-electronic warfare capabilities to keep functioning despite jamming. It can intercept targets up to an altitude of 15 km at a range of 40 km. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_november_2021_global_security_army_industry/united_arab_emirates_to_purchase_south_korean_cheongung_ii_air_defense_missile_systems.html

Defense Aviation News October 2021 aerospace air force industry Posted On Thursday, 07 October 2021 11:57 China's independently-developed Wing Loong II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) performed a flight at the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2021. AVIC Wing Loong II UAV (Picture source: Air Recognition) The flight demonstrated the aircraft's capabilities of autonomous take-off and landing, climbing to cruise, and air-to-ground coordination. AVIC started exporting the domestically developed Wing Loong series in 2010, including the Wing Loong I, the Wing Loong I-D and the Wing Loong II. A total of 100 had been exported by the end of 2018, the Xinhua News Agency reported in December 2018. By early 2019, Wing Loong series drones operated by different clients have fired more than 3,000 rounds of live munitions with an overall accuracy rate higher than 90 percent on both stationary and moving battlefield targets, China Central Television reported at that time. The Wing Loong II is an improved version of the Wing Loong 1 UAV in the category of MALE (Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance). Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) unveiled the concept of Wing Loong II at the Aviation Expo China in Beijing in September 2015 and a prototype of the Wing Loong II was presented for the first time to the public during the Airshow China exhibition, held in Zhuhai from 1-6 November, 2016. It was also presented for the first time in Europe during the Paris Air Show in June 2017. Compared with Wing Loong I, the Wing Loong II has an optimized aerodynamic design, an improved airframe and upgraded airborne systems, featuring better capabilities in terms of flight, payload and information capacity. In March 2017, a prototype of the Wing Loong II conducted a 31- minute test flight from an unidentified airport in northwestern China. https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/october/7723-wing-loong-ii-performs-flight-at-airshow-china-2021.html

The GPI is being developed to knock down hypersonic missiles as they glide through the Earth's upper atmosphere at about 70 kilometers in altitude at speeds greater than Mach 5. By Theresa Hitchens on November 19, 2021 at 5:19 PM Raytheon artistic rendering of a GPI conceptual design. (Raytheon illustration) WASHINGTON: The Missile Defense Agency has tapped Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to compete in developing a new Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), a defensive hypersonic weapon designed to take out adversary hypersonic missiles mid-course during their unpowered flight. Raytheon Missiles and Defense was awarded $20.97 million; Lockheed Martin, $20.94 million; and Northrop Grumman, $18.95 million, according to MDA’s contract announcement today. Concept designs for prototypes from each vendor are due by September 2022. MDA’s May 19 Broad Agency Announcement for GPI set an original timeline for awards as this summer, but discussions on the complex technical issues took longer than anticipated. “Multiple awards allow us to execute a risk reduction phase to explore industry concepts and maximize the benefits of a competitive environment to demonstrate the most effective and reliable Glide Phase Interceptor for regional hypersonic defense, as soon as possible,” said Rear Adm. Tom Druggan, MDA’s Sea-based Weapon Systems program executive. The GPI is being developed to knock down hypersonic missiles as they glide through the Earth’s upper atmosphere at about 70 kilometers in altitude at speeds greater than Mach 5. It is being designed for launch from the Navy’s Aegis cruisers. Today’s ballistic missile systems, both for tracking and targeting, were optimized for just that: a ballistic missile taking a highly arched trajectory in which most of its flight path is in outer space. Hypersonic missiles spend little if any time in space and further can maneuver so that their paths are unpredictable. Speed plus maneuverability means they are extremely difficult to track. The radar on the Navy’s Aegis ships and the Sea-Based X-band Radar used for terminal defense (i.e. as the missile is getting close to its target) can track hypersonic missiles, but of course that depends being in the right place at the right time. For this reason, MDA and the Space Development Agency are developing the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellites in Low Earth Orbit (between about 100 kilometers and 2,000 kilometers up) to augment current missile warning/tracking satellites that lose hypersonic missiles after their boost phase. Northrop Grumman is also on contract for an HBTSS sensor, competing with L3Harris. Further, the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system’s SM-3 interceptor is designed to kill an incoming missile in space — as is the Army’s Ground-Based Interceptor on the Ground-based Mid-course Defense system. The range of the Navy’s terminal-phase interceptor, the SM-6, is just too short given the high speeds of hypersonic weapons; the range of the Army’s Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is even shorter. GPI aims fill that gap, with MDA already considering how the interceptor might be fitted to land-based missile defense systems. “GPI will be the first-ever interceptor with the speed, ability to withstand heat and maneuverability required to intercept hypersonic threats in this environment,” Tay Fitzgerald, vice president of Strategic Missile Defense at Raytheon Missiles & Defense, told Breaking Defense in an email. “As we develop GPI, we are applying data from our hypersonic strike weapons currently in development to help accelerate the program.” https://breakingdefense.com/2021/11/raytheon-northrop-lockheed-to-compete-for-hypersonic-interceptor/

By Colton Jones Nov 19, 2021 Photo by Naval Sea Systems Command The Naval Sea Systems Command news release states that the U.S. Navy’s new Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) completed builder’s trials. According to a recent Naval Sea Systems Command news release, the next-generation landing craft, Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 103 completed builder’s trials last week. “Builder’s Trials is the Navy’s first opportunity to assess the operational readiness of the craft,” the release said. LCACs are built with similar configurations, dimensions, and clearances to legacy LCAC, ensuring the compatibility of this next-generation air cushion vehicle with existing well deck equipped amphibious ships, as well as the Expeditionary Transfer Dock. The SSC program is now in serial production with LCACs 104-115 making progress on the production lines at Textron Systems in Slidell, Louisiana. SSC training craft, LCACs 100 and 101 are in the initial operator training pipeline and are in post-delivery test and trials at Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division. https://defence-blog.com/us-navys-new-amphibious-landing-craft-completes-builders-trials/ My 2 cents It's OK to land on deserted beach, but if the beach is defended by long range anti ship missile, it will be a suicide mission.

"The farther it flies, the faster it flies, because it's scooping up more oxygen, and that also helps you to avoid detection," a Boeing executive said of the Ramjet design. By Valerie Insinna on October 20, 2021 at 8:27 AM This report has been updated to correct a statistic originally provided by Boeing. Test of Northrop Grumman’s ramjet engine for extended-range 155 mm artillery shells WASHINGTON: A Boeing-led team will demonstrate a new high-speed air-breathing projectile for the Army as soon as next summer, a company official said last week. The Ramjet 155 — which Boeing is co-developing with BAE Systems and Norwegian munitions company Nammo — is progressing through development and will be ready for its first launch from an L39 cannon next year, said Dan Palmeter, Boeing’s capture team lead for the project. Boeing expects that the Ramjet 155 will travel some 250 meters per second “based on projected time of flight to a target,” a spokesperson said, and to distances in excess of 70 kilometers, about double the 40 km range of the XM1113 Rocket Assisted Projectile when fired from a M109 Paladin howitzer. “It kind of changes the battlefield calculus and the target sets which artillery can engage,” Palmeter said. “So that means the artillery can be placed back farther, more out of the enemy’s vision and reach.” While rockets carry an oxidizer onboard to burn fuel, a ramjet is “air-breathing,” meaning it digests the air surrounding it as it flies. Because it doesn’t have to haul the extra weight of an oxidizer, it is able to fly for longer ranges — and also comes with unique flight characteristics that make it more survivable. “The current projectiles the Army have, once they hit their high point, they just coast along ballistic arcs, and they actually slow down as they’re approaching the target,” Palmeter said. “A ramjet is the exact opposite. The farther it flies, the faster it flies, because it’s scooping up more oxygen, and that also helps you to avoid detection.” Boeing was awarded a contract to mature the Ramjet 155 as part of the Army’s Extended Range Artillery Munitions Suite program, receiving a phase 1 award in July 2019 and a phase 2 award in May 2020. The projectile will be able to be shot from both L39 and L58 cannons. Palmeter said he expects the Army to make another down select on the program sometime next year —potentially before Boeing is able to demonstrate the Ramjet 155 for the first time at Nammo test center in Norway. “The testing that we’re doing now is going to continue to prepare us for not only that demonstration, but to hopefully be selected for further development,” he said. https://breakingdefense.com/2021/10/army-could-test-new-ramjet-weapon-from-boeing-next-summer/ Ramjet Shells Could Triple Artillery Range The Army’s ERAMS program will soon announce development contracts for howitzer shells capable of firing over 100 km (62 miles) to counter Russian and Chinese artillery. By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. on May 24, 2021 at 12:00 PM WASHINGTON: The Army is about to award development contracts for future artillery shells that will look more and more like missiles, with precision guidance, fins, and even ramjet engines. The program – part of a much wider buildup of US missile and cannons – aims to boost both range and accuracy far beyond anything possible with gunpowder alone. The goal: enable the currently outgunned and out ranged US artillery force to compete with more advanced Russian and Chinese guns. The US Army has long had rocket-boosted howitzer shells. The Cold War M549A1 has a range of roughly 30 kilometers (not quite 19 miles). The new XM1113 Rocket Assisted Projectile goes 40 km (25 miles) or more from the current M109 Paladin cannon and 70 km (44 miles) from the XM1299 Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) now in development. But to break triple digits – 100 kilometers (62 miles) and more – you can’t rely on rockets: You need something much more powerful, like a ramjet. There are three main ways you can extend the range of a projectile, and the Army’s Extended Range Artillery Munitions Suite is exploring all of them in combination for the future XM1155 shell, ERAMS project manager Nick Berg told me in an interview: Increase muzzle velocity. The faster the projectile comes out of the gun barrel, the farther it can go before drag and gravity bring it down to earth. Higher muzzle velocity is the emphasize of the XM1299 ERCA howitzer, which has a longer barrel and more powerful propellant than the current Paladin. Add lift surfaces. Basically, this means adding wings and fins to the shell – like a missile or miniature aircraft – to make it more aerodynamic. The more lift generated, the longer the projectile can fly. Of course, the wings, fins, and electronics all have to survive the brutal shock of being fired from a cannon. Add “post-launch propulsion.” This is where rockets and ramjets come in: They kick in after the projectile has cleared the gun barrel (hence “post-launch”) to give it an extra burst of thrust. Again, the motors first have to survive the shock of launch. “We’ve actually investigated and looked at all of those areas,” Berg told me. “We really have focused on lifting surfaces to increase your glide [distance], but then also we’ve looked at solid fuel ramjets as a post-launch propulsion mechanism to boost you out to extended ranges.” Why ramjets over rockets? The basic difference is that rockets contain their own oxidizer to burn their fuel, while jets of all kinds – from ramjets to turbofans – get their oxygen from the atmosphere. (Hence the name “air-breathing engine”). That saves weight, since you don’t have to carry oxidizer; it improves safety, since the fuel doesn’t ignite as easily; and it extends endurance, since the jet can keep thrusting as long as it has air and fuel. (A longer, gentler burn is also more aerodynamically efficient, reducing drag). A rocket-boosted artillery shell might burn for just 10 seconds, Berg told me, while a jet could conceivably last much longer. How does a ramjet differ from other kinds of jet engines? All jets work by sucking in air at the front end, compressing it, mixing it with fuel, and igniting it, blasting thrust out the back end. (The shorthand is “suck, squeeze, bang, blow.”) At subsonic speeds, you need to mechanically compress the air with some kind of fan, like the one on the front of an airliner’s turbofan engine. But at supersonic speeds, around Mach 2, the air is coming in the front of the engine so fast that it compresses itself, without mechanical assistance: That’s a ramjet. A ramjet’s actually mechanically simpler than a conventional jet, since it doesn’t need a compressor, which is one less thing that might break when shot out of a cannon. Historically, the hard part with ramjets has been that they don’t work at speeds below Mach 2 – but being shot out of a cannon gets you to those speeds. So ramjets are in some ways a natural fit for artillery propulsion. That doesn’t make them easy to build. “The ramjet does offer a little more technical challenge,” Berg told me, because you have to fit sophisticated, shock-resistant electronics into a small package along with inlets to feed air to the ramjet itself. Some of technology involved gets pretty exquisite, even exotic. The munition’s control system needs to sense airflow, pressure, heating, including phenomena that don’t happen at lower speeds, said Bob Bakos, CEO of Innoveering, a small firm working with the Picatinny Arsenal Armaments Center on the ramjet ammo. “You’re talking about thousands of degrees” of heating from, essentially, the friction of the air, he told me. To steer in such extreme conditions, he went on, the projectile needs the traditional flaps and fins, but it might be possible to use tiny air ducts, electromagnets, or even plasma to affect the airflow and correct course. Once the XM1155 shell is developed, a future “cargo” variant could be used to deliver other payloads besides explosives, such as sensor packages and jamming pods. The Army’s already run Phase I of the ERAMS program, with participation by Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon. Now it’s working on two contracts for Phase II, with awards expected within two weeks. A Raytheon spokesman confirmed they’re no longer working on the program, while Boeing confirmed they’re competing. https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/ramjet-shells-could-triple-artillery-range/

Joe Saballa November 22, 2021 The Moroccan military has acquired the Skylock Dome System from Israel to bolster its defense capabilities against enemy drones. Developed by Skylock Systems, the weapon can detect, verify, and neutralize unauthorized drones. It will reportedly be used to protect the country’s critical civilian and military facilities. According to the Morocco Royal Armed Forces, the country has intensified the acquisition of unmanned anti-aircraft systems and drones that better recognize and neutralize enemy aircraft than conventional defense systems. The Skylock Dome System was first unveiled during the biennial International Defense Exhibition and Conference in February. A total of 27 nations, including Morocco, have purchased the anti-drone weapon system. Skylock chief executive Itzik Huber said the defense system is “extremely effective” and can provide the military with broad protection against the growing aerial threat of state-of-the-art enemy drones. He explained that the Skylock Dome System is a “simple and relatively cheap” defense system. Re-Establishing Defense Ties Last December, Morocco and Israel agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations, allowing the reopening of economic liaison offices and the launching of direct commercial flights between the two countries. The “breakthrough event” also allows the nations to restore their defense ties. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz is expected to visit the North African country this week to finalize defense cooperation agreements. Gantz will reportedly discuss the development of domestic loitering munitions production for the armed forces with his Moroccan counterpart. Morocco and Israel will also discuss a project to manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles to strengthen Morocco’s air defense capabilities. Additionally, the two countries are reportedly planning to build a military base near Melilla. https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/11/22/morocco-israel-skylock-dome-system/

The iconic helicopter gunship has stood down from the Marine Corps to be replaced by the much-improved AH-1Z. By Thomas Newdick October 19, 2020 The curtain has finally come down on one of the U.S. Marine Corps’ most battle-hardened helicopters. The branch has officially retired the Bell AH-1W Super Cobra from its ranks, after over three decades of service that included combat operations during Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, among other campaigns. An official final flight for the AH-1W took place at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 14, 2020, as part of the “Whiskey Sundown Ceremony.” This also included a photo sortie over New Orleans together with its successor, the AH-1Z Viper. The last “Whiskey” sortie was performed by Detachment A of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, the “Red Dogs,” part of the Reserve Forces, based at New Orleans. As the U.S. Marine Corps’ premier attack helicopter, the Super Cobra’s career included 933,614 flight hours as of August 2020, according to a press release from the service. “The AH-1W Super Cobra has served admirably and leaves a remarkable legacy of on-time, on-target attack helicopter support for our Marines,” said Marine Corps Colonel David Walsh, the program manager for Light/Attack Helicopter Programs (PMA-276). “Although the AH-1W chapter is closing, the AH-1Z Viper stands ready with even greater capability to support our Marines for years to come.” “We are tremendously proud of the capabilities the AH-1W has brought to the United States Marines for the past 34 years,” added Michael Deslatte, H-1 Bell Program Manager. “The Super Cobra’s tremendous legacy is a testament to the excellence and dedication the men and women at Bell put into these platforms for generations and we look forward to continuing that legacy for years to come.” Below link for the whole article: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/37149/the-ah-1w-super-cobra-has-been-retired-from-the-marine-corps-after-34-years-of-service

An exotic test jet has been spotted wearing a similar coating in the past, but an F-22 wearing it, is a major development. By Tyler Rogoway November 20, 2021 The War Zone Santos Caceres A highly intriguing U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighter was caught in the camera lens of talented aviation photographer Santos Caceres as it blasted out of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada on the morning of November 19th, 2021. The aircraft is seen largely covered in a tile-like reflective metallic coating that is unlike anything we have seen on a Raptor ever before. While the F-22 can look drastically different when its intricate skin coating and delicate composite stealthy structures are in various states of repair, one sporting polished metal has never been seen before nor does it make any outright operational sense. Note how the coating has been carefully applied to not interfere with the jet's many key access points, sensor and antenna areas, and other critical systems. While what we are exactly seeing here is still up for debate, it looks like the Raptor in question has a mosaic of reflective material applied to its normal skin for some sort of testing purpose. It just so happens that we have seen something uncannily similar before, but on an even more exotic airframe. Below is a link for the whole article: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43228/f-22-raptor-covered-in-mirror-like-coating-photographed-flying-out-of-nellis-afb

משרד ההגנה הרוסי עשוי לשקול את רכישת המטוס החדש החד מנועי שמכונה "שחמט" וזאת במסגרת תוכנית מדינית עתידית לחימוש, אמר סגן ראש הממשלה יורי בוריסוב לתקשורת בפורום הנפט והגז של טיומן. Checkmate fighter unveiled at MAKS-2021 (Picture source: TASS) "במסגרת תוכנית זו, משרד הביטחון וכוח החלל עשויים לשקול את האפשרות לרכישת מטוס זה", אמר בוריסוב. "זהו גורם עיקרי לייצוא, לקוחות זרים תמיד מעוניינים לדעת אם הכוחות המזוינים הלאומיים משתמשים בטכנולוגיות הצבאיות המוצעות לייצוא. בוריסוב אמר ששרי ההגנה והחלל היו תמיד זהירים ברכישת מטוסים עם מנוע אחד, מפני שלדעתם 2 מנועים יותר בטוחים לטיסה, אבל יש הרבה מאד מטוסים עם מנוע אחד. "למיטב ידיעתי, תחילת מבחני הטיסות מתוכננת לשנת 2023, ייצור המוני (בתנאי שיהיה ביקוש מתאים) עשוי להתחיל בשנים 2025-2026. המועד האחרון הוא מציאותי למדי", אמר בוריסוב. "אחרת לא נוכל להיכנס לשוק הזה, שכבר יש בו מודלים אמריקאיים וסינים (חד-מנועים). לתוכנית הזו יש פוטנציאל טוב מאוד וסיכויים טובים לקחת נישה מסוימת וכבר עכשיו יש לה קונים פוטנציאליים. יש שני מדדים חיוניים - הופעה מהירה בשוק ומחיר סביר - שיאפשרו לו לתפוס מקום ראוי ", אמר בוריסוב הוסיף כי למטוס יש מספר מאפיינים התואמים את הפרמטרים של מטוסי הדור החמישי, המטוס מצוייד בתא בתוך הגוף לטילי אוויר/אויר ואוויר/קרקע (מטען של למעלה משבעה טונות). מטוס הקרב צקמאט הוצג לראשונה בתערוכת האויר אמ.אי.קי.אס כחלופה לאפ-35 האמריקאי ולגריפין השבדי. לצקמאט מהירות של 1.8 מאך, טווח של 3,000 ק"מ ויכולת לפגוע ב-6 מטרות בו זמנית. השוק הפוטנציאלי של צ'קמאט מוערך ב -300 יחידות. לצד השוק המקומי המטוס עשוי להיות מופנה למדינות באפריקה, הודו ווייטנאם. המטוס שיקרא אס.יו-75 יורכב במפעל בקומסומולסק און אמור. https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/september/7656-russian-defense-ministry-may-consider-purchase-of-checkmate-fighter.html

AS21 Redback is an advanced infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) being proposed by South Korean firm "Hanwha Defense" for the Australian Army. The IFV will provide superior mobility and complete protection against ballistic, mine and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) threats. The Redback IFV is an advanced version of the K21 IFV, which is in service with the South Korean Army (ROK Army). The prototype vehicle was unveiled at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2019 (ADEX 2019) held at Seoul Airbase in South Korea, in October 2019. AS21 Redback development details AS-21 Redback The AS21 Redback is being offered for the Australian Army’s LAND 400 Phase 3 IFV programme. Rheinmetall Defense’s Lynx KF41 IFV and Redback IFV were selected for the programme in September 2019. The LAND 400 Phase 3, also known as the "Mounted Close Combat Capability" requirement, is a A$15bn ($10.3bn) Australian Department of Defence (DoD) project to acquire 450 IFVs and 17 maneuver support vehicles (MSVs) for the Australian Army. The DoD signed contracts worth A$50m ($37.6m) with Hanwha and Rheinmetall for the Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) phase of the LAND 400 Phase 3 programme in October 2019. The RMA trials will include a rage of tests to evaluate lethality, blast and ballistics, transportability, and mobility of the vehicles. The programme will progress to the procurement process, which includes final evaluation and announcement of the winner of the tender process in 2022. The selected platform is expected to become operational between 2024 and 2025. Hanwha Defence delivered the first two Redback IFV prototypes to the Australian Army for testing in July 2020. The third prototype was shipped in December 2020. In March 2021, the Australian Army received three Redback IFV prototypes, of which two will be used for evaluations and the remaining will be used for blast testing. The Redback IFVs will also be tested by the ROK Army as part of its efforts to procure a next-generation IFV. The vehicles will undergo through driving tests both on paved and unpaved roads, and tactical field trainings in a series of trials forecasted to be held between April 2022 and June 2022. The integration of the Iron Fist active protection system (APS) with the Redback IFV was demonstrated in late-2020. Israeli Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missiles were test-fired from the vehicles in early 2021. AS21 Redback IFV design and features The Redback IFV is designed to provide improved protection and high mobility, while providing superior crew comfort. It will be integrated with a proven digital battle management system (BMS). The combat weight of the vehicle will be 42t. The in-arm type hydro-pneumatic suspension unit (ISU) will help in reducing the overall weight of the vehicle when compared to the traditional IFV design. The armored vehicle will be manned by three crew members including driver, commander and gunner, while its rear compartment will be capable of accommodating eight dismounted troops. The vehicle will offer armour protection options from STANAG Levels 2 to 6 and will be equipped with an advanced Active Protection System (APS) that can defend incoming line-of-sight guided anti-tank missiles/projectiles. The Iron Fist APS equipped with integrated radars and electro-optics will enable the Redback to detect, classify, and counter several threats. Armament The AS21 Redback IFV will be fitted with EOS T-2000 turret, which offers advanced sensing, engagement and command and control capabilities. The maximum combat weight of the turret will be 6,000kg, which includes weapons, missiles, APS, remote weapon station (RWS), and full ammunition load. The turret will be armed with a Bushmaster MK44S 30mm cannon, a MAG 58 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, 76mm multi-barrel smoke grenade dis chargers and two SPIKE LR2 missile launchers. It can be fitted with EOS R400S Mk2 HD or R150 remote weapon system and Javelin anti-tank guided missiles. Engine and mobility The IFV will be powered by an MTU eight-cylinder diesel engine, which generates a power output of 1,000hp. The power-pack will enable the vehicle to run at a maximum speed of more than 65km/h and attain a maximum range of 520km. The composite rubber track (CRT) system fitted to the IFV will ensure improved mobility over rough terrains. Contractors involved Hanwha Defence Australia partnered with Australian space and defence firm Electro Optic Systems (EOS) to bid for the Land 400 Phase 3 programme. EOS is the first-tier subcontractor under the partnership arrangement. Hanwha collaborated with Shoal Group to finalize the design of the AS21 Redback IFV to meet the Australian Army’s requirements and develop logistics and training system concepts. The Shoal-led team includes more than 30 Australian experts. Soucy Defence was contracted by Hanwha Defence for the supply of CRT systems for the Redback infantry fighting vehicle. Elbit Land Systems, a defence electronics company based in Israel, supplies the Iron Fist APS, while Rafael Advanced Defense Systems provides the Spike missile for the IFV. Other contractors in the Redback team include Bisalloy Steels, ECLIPS logistics, Mil spec Manufacturing, and CBG Systems. https://www.army-technology.com/projects/as21-redback-infantry-fighting-vehicle/

DSEI 2021 News Official and Zone Publication Online Show Daily Posted On Thursday, 16 September 2021 23:40 חברת FN הבלגית הציגה את המקלע הקל החדש "Evolys" בתערוכת הנשק הבינלאומית בלונדון. מקלע זה מצטרף למקלע Minimi, ל-FN MAG , ולמק"כ M2HB-QCB. המקלע החדש מיוצר בשני קליברים 5.56 מ"מ ו-7.62 מ"מ. המקלע החדש מתאפיין במשקל נמוך שהושג ע"י שימוש בתיכנון חדש ובשימוש בחומרים מתקדמים, עי"כ הם השיגו משקל של 5.5 ק"ג למקלע בקליבר 5.56 ומשקל של 6.2 ק"ג למקלע בקליבר 7.62 מ"מ. המקלע החדש מוזן משרשרת בשביל להשיג עוצמת אש רבה אבל יש לו את היכולת לירות בבודדת בדומה לרובה וזו תכונה שאינה מקובלת במקלעים. המקלע החדש של FN EVOLYS המקלע החדש בנוי כך שניתן להפעיל את ברר האש גם מימין וגם משמאל ואחד המצבים של הברר הוא ירי בבודדת כמו ברובה. במצב "אוטו" הוא מאפשר ירי אוטומטי עם קצב אש של 750 כדור בדקה. למקלע טווח יעיל של 800 מטר לקליבר 5.56 מ"מ וטווח של 1,000 מטר לקליבר 7.62 מ"מ. הקת של המקלע מתכווננת לאורך ולגובה בדומה לרובה הסער FN SCAR, בעתיד ניתן יהיה להחליף את הקת של המקלע לקת שונה בהתאם לדרישות הקונה. על המקלע מותקנת מסילה עבור מערכות אופטיות למיניהן, מתחת למקלע מותקנת מסילת "פיקטיני" ובי-פוד שמוסיף יציבות למקלע בירי למרחק. מאז שהוצג המקלע הוא מעורר עניין רב במדינות רבות בעולם ויחידות מיוחדות.