17.05.2022 – Elbit Systems was selected by Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus) to provide J-MUSIC™ DIRCM (Direct Infrared Countermeasures) including the Company’s Infra-Red-based Passive Airborne Warning Systems (PAWS IR), for Airbus A330-200 MRTT aircraft of additional European Air Force. The Company’s DIRCM systems integrate the latest laser technology, high frame-rate thermal cameras and a compact, dynamic high-speed sealed-mirror turret, delivering high performance defense against ground-to-air IR missiles. Elbit Systems has been cooperating with Airbus on equipping aircraft of additional countries with DIRCM and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, including NATO’s Multinational Multirole Fleet, German Air Force’s aircraft, aircraft of the UAE Air Force and others. Oren Sabag, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR & EW, said: “We are looking forward to cooperating with Airbus in additional markets as Air Forces have been placing a growing importance on stepping up platform protection”. Photo courtesy Elbit Systems https://www.edrmagazine.eu/airbus-selected-elbit-systems-to-provide-dircm-and-ew-systems-to-additional-european-air-force

Israeli military officials told Breaking Defense the US Air Force would provide refueling services for Israeli fighters during the exercise. By Arie Egozi on May 18, 2022 at 12:21 PM An Israeli F-16 jet takes off on December 9, 2014 at the Ovda airbase in the Negev Desert near Eilat, southern Israel. (Photo by Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images) TEL AVIV: As Israeli leaders sound the alarm about what they say is an acute, active threat from Iran’s nuclear program, Israel plans to conduct a major military exercise, with US participation, part of which will simulate attacks on Iranian nuclear targets, according to Israeli officials. Israeli military officials told Breaking Defense the US Air Force would provide refueling services for Israeli fighters, as was reported by Israel’s Channel 13. The US Air Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment for this report. The news came as Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz alleged Tuesday that Iran was “just a few weeks” away from having enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb. “The price for tackling the Iranian challenge on a global or regional level is higher than it was a year ago and lower than it will be in a year,” Gantz said, alleging Iran is working to complete the production and installation of 1,000 advanced IR6 centrifuges, including at an underground site near Natanz. “Iran continues to accumulate irreversible knowledge and experience in the development, research, production and operation of advanced centrifuges.” Israeli officials told reporters the month-long military exercise, dubbed Chariots of Fire, is designed to resemble a war on several fronts, practicing in the event Israel decides to launch a multi-stage campaign. The portion of the exercise that would simulate attacks on Iranian nuclear sites will feature in the fourth and final week of the exercise. A senior Israeli defense source told Breaking Defense that US “aerial refueling services will be performed in flight envelopes that may be used by Israel if and when Israel decides to act.” That the exercise is being made so public — and is openly simulating attacks on Iran — is seen by Israeli officials beyond a readiness exercise as a warning to Tehran to return to serious negotiations over its nuclear program. As the world’s attention has focused on Ukraine in recent months, talks over a renewed Iranian nuclear deal, of which Israel has long been critical anyway, have fizzled. The purported involvement of the US in the exercise, along with the implication it would be involved in a real-life military campaign, is designed to underscore the seriousness of the Israeli warning to Iranian leaders. But the participation of the US could be something of a practical necessity as well as a political gambit. Israel currently uses old converted 707s for refueling. It has ordered new KC-46A aircraft to modernize its refueling operations, but those planes aren’t expected to arrive in Israel until 2025. Not coincidentally, Gantz is in Washington, D.C., today, where he’ll meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. A defense source said that Gantz is bringing with him “detailed data” about the way Iran is cheating on its nuclear pledges. Further underlying US-Israel closeness, just hours after Gantz made his allegations about Iran’s nuclear program, the Israeli ministry of defense released details of new technological cooperation between the US and Israeli militaries for everything from artificial intelligence to advanced strike capabilities. “We’re open to all hypotheses, we’re open to any conclusions that we may encounter” about UAP sightings, said Ronald Moultrie, DoD undersecretary for intelligence and security. Heidi Shyu, who will co-chair the new cooperative group, said at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference today that she had her first meeting with her Israeli counter-part, Israeli military R&D director Daniel Gold, last week. “We spent five hours together last week talking about critical technology areas,” Shyu said. “I’ve also emphasized to him the things I’m interested in their technologies. So we’re absolutely collaborating even closer.” As for the simulated strikes on Iran, the defense source said that Israel has been following the Iranian nuclear program very closely, meaning the simulation will be as realistic as possible. “Israeli intelligence has full data on these installations and therefore can simulate attacks accordingly,” the source said. https://breakingdefense.com/2022/05/israeli-military-exercise-to-simulate-attack-on-iranian-nuclear-targets/

August 24, 2022by admin Bayraktar Akinci B Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) Bayraktar Akinci B has completed a test flight loaded with all nine weapon stations. Bayraktar Akinci is a High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) being manufactured by the Turkish technology company Baykar. The company shared a video of Akinci B in flight carrying three Teber-82s, one HGK-82, two MAM-Ls, a MAM-C and a MAM-T, weighing 1,230kg in total. With its unique fuselage and wing design Bayraktar Akinci platform is a strategic class platform which can carry various payloads. Bayraktar AKINCI is equipped with dual artificial intelligence avionics which supports for signal processing, sensor fusion and situational awareness in real time. Bayraktar Akinci B High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) Bayraktar AKINCI can be used in air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missions as well. With its triple redundant electronics hardware and software systems Bayraktar Akinci is capable of carrying the following payloads: Mini Smart Munition MAM-L, Mini Smart Munition MAM – C, Cirit Missile, L-UMTAS Missile, Mini Smart Munition Bozok, MK-81, MK-82, MK-83 Guided Bombs (JDAM), Wing Assisted Guided Bomb MK-82, Air-to-Air Missile Gokdogan and Bozdogan and Stand-Off Missile SOM-A. Bayraktar Akinci will be equipped with multi-function AESA Radar system for air-to-air, synthetic, meteorology estimation. Bayraktar Akinci B High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) Bayraktar Akinci is capable of conducting operations that are performed with fighter jets. It carries electronic support systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and synthetic aperture radar. The aircraft has a 5.5+ tons of Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) while 1350+ kg of this is composed by payload. Akinci is equipped with two turboprop engines which has two different types of thrust capabilities as 450 or 750 hp. Akinci is equipped with electronic support and countermeasure systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and national advanced synthetic aperture radar. Baykar is a private Turkish defence company specializing in UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), C4I (Command Control Communications Computers and Intelligence), and artificial intelligence. Baykar is a portmanteau of the words Bayraktar Kardesler (English: Bayraktar Brothers). The company has been led by Özdemir Bayraktar until his death and his sons – Selcuk and Haluk. Bayraktar Mini UAV was the first unmanned aerial system produced entirely with domestic capital included in the Turkish Armed Forces inventory in 2007. Baykar’s portfolio of advanced UAVs includes Bayraktar Tactical UAS (Bayraktar TB1), Bayraktar TB2 UCAV, Bayraktar Akinci UCAV. In 2021, the Ukrainian military for the first time in the War in Donbas used a Bayraktar strike drone Bayraktar TB2. https://militaryleak.com/2022/08/24/bayraktar-akinci-b-ucav-completes-testing-with-full-weapons-payload/

WASHINGTON — The United States Army has made its choice in the NGSW project – NGSW is short for Next Generation Squad Weapon, BulgarianMilitary.com has learned, citing Soldat&Technik. The US military announced last night [April 19th] that the program will be implemented with the help of weapons developed by SIG Sauer. The project aims to replace part of the M16 family with the so-called NGSW rifle and the M249 light machine gun. As a first step, $ 20.4 million in weapons and ammunition will be purchased for testing purposes. “The contract also includes accessories, spare parts and maintenance contractors. It also provides an opportunity for other agencies of the US Department of Defense and potentially countries that wish to make purchases through foreign military sales to purchase NGSW weapons,” the US military said in a statement. The XM5 rifle, based on the SIG Sauer MCX-SPEAR, will replace the M4 / M4A1 carbine within the so-called Close Combat Forces. The XM250 Automatic Rifle, based on the SIG Sauer LMG-6.8, is the planned replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. Melee forces means infantry, reconnaissance troops, engineering forces, observers and medical troops stationed directly on the front line. The X mark on weapons is usually dropped once the weapon systems have passed all the tests and been handed over to the troops. Therefore, it can be assumed that the official designation of the weapons will be M5 or M250. SIG Sauer XM250 SIG Sauer XM250 Automatic Rifle based on LMG-6.8 is a firearm with a short-stroke gas piston system. There is an interface for a belt box, no magazine submission is provided. At 5,440 grams, the weapon weighs 35 percent less than the comparable MK48 Mod 1. It also has the same recoil reduction system as the SIG MG 338. Similarly, the cover with the top of the belt feeder does not open at the front, but at the side. In this way, the optics can be used with attachments without any problems. The fire selector lever, which can be operated from both sides, is locked in the safe – continuous fire – single fire positions. The weapon can be secured in any state of charge. The extension buttstock, which can be locked in five positions, can be folded on the left side of the housing. The standard tube is 16″ [406 mm] long. The SIG Sauer XM250 SIG Sauer ХМ5 SIG Sauer HM5 based on MCX-SPEAR also works with a short-stroke gas piston system. There is a mechanism with a double loading lever: The weapon can be fully loaded or in the classic way AR-15 with the lifting lever at the rear of the receiver or with a smaller loading lever that can be folded on the left side of the weapon. The weapon can be operated from both sides and has a 13 “barrel. Silencers of the latest generation can be used. The SIG Sauer HM5 Hybrid ammunition 6.8 mm x 51 Both weapons fire with hybrid munitions developed by SIG Sauer in the caliber of 6.8 mm x 51. This munition has a brass box and a steel base. The 6.8 mm projectile was pointed out by the army. The newly developed 6.8 general-purpose projectile is said to have a range of at least 600 meters, doubling the M16 / M4A1’s main combat range. It must also be able to pierce any ballistic body armor currently in use and predictably. Optics Some time ago, a decision was made for the optical part of the NGSW range. Vortex Optics received the order for the system known as XM157. The framework agreement, with a minimum value of $ 20 million and a maximum value of $ 2.7 billion, is set to run for ten years. The XM157 optronics is a combination of 1-8 × 30 interchangeable glass with a sensor package, laser rangefinder and ballistic computer, which aims to significantly increase the probability of the shooter’s first strike compared to classic optics. About NGSW The U.S. military launched the NGSW program about five years ago, and with the choices it has made now, it has chosen the most conventional approach and thus the least risky path. Remaining competitor Lone Star Future Weapons, Beretta and True Velocity offered two Bullpup pistols and polymer box ammunition. Previously, a team from Textron [teamed with Heckler & Koch and Olin Winchester] with telescopic ammunition was eliminated. The next phases are further technical and operational tests with weapons and ammunition. The main focus should be to what extent weapons and ammunition bring advantages in terms of range, effect and handling. The US Special Forces Command [USSOCOM] and the US Marines are also continuing to monitor the project. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/04/20/xm5-xm250-rifles-and-6-8mm-hybrid-ammo-selected-as-us-ngsw/

Defense News August 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Friday, 05 August 2022 11:16 Despite the economic sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, the production of military equipment continues and the Uralvagonzavod company, the producer of tanks for the Russian armed forces, announced the delivery of a new batch of T-90M Proryv main battle tanks (MBTs) and BREM-1M tracked armored recovery tank to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Russian-made T-90M main battle tank. (Picture source Russian Social Network VK) On May 8, 2022, the Army Recognition editorial team reported that the Russian armed forces deployed its latest generation of main battle tanks, the T-90M, to conduct combat operations in Ukraine. The T-90M Proryv is the latest modernization variant in the T-90 tank family that entered into service with the Russian army in 1994. This version of the T-90 tank is improved in terms of protection, mobility, and firepower. The T-90M was tested by the Russian army during the military exercise Zapad-2017 which was held from 14 to 20 September 2017. The T-90M Proryv is armed with one 125 mm 2A46M-4 smooth-bore gun able to fire standard ammunition but also anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) Refleks NATO Code AT-11 Sniper-B. the second armament of the T-90M includes one remotely operated weapon station armed with an NSVT 12.7mm heavy machine gun and one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The design of the T-90M Proryv is similar to the previous version of the T-90 with a driver at the front, a turret in the center, and the power pack at the rear. The tank features a new Relikt ERA (Explosive Reactive Armor) armor fitted at the front and on each side of the turret. It features higher protection performance and serviceability compared with the Kontakt-5 ERA suite which is a second-generation explosive reactive armor (ERA) developed and designed by the Russian defense industry. Where the conventional ERAs are only capable of defeating shaped-charge jets, Kontakt-5 can also defeat APFSDS rounds. Because of Kontakt-5, long-rod penetrators can lose over 30% of their penetration potential and the protected vehicle becomes immune to them. The T-90M Model 2017 Proryv-3 is motorized with a V-92S2 engine developing 1,000 hp coupled to a manual transmission with seven forward and one reverse gear. It can run at a maximum road speed of 60 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 550 km. Russian-made BREM-1M tracked armored recovery tank. (Picture source Russian Social Network VK) The BREM-1M is a tracked armored recovery vehicle that is based on the T-90 chassis. this type of vehicle is designed to recover damaged tanks and armored vehicles on the battlefield. It also supports the crew to conduct on-field repair and maintenance of armored vehicles. The design of the BREM-1M consists of a T-90 tank tracked chassis without a turret. The top of the hull is equipped with a crane and other specialized equipment used to conduct recovery and maintenance operations. The lifting capacity of the hydraulic crane increased from 12 to 20 tons. BREM-1M has a welding tool for field overhaul. The carrying capacity of the cargo platform is 1.5 tons. It has a crew of three including a driver, commander, and a mechanic. The forward hull of the BREM-1M integrates a spade bulldozer fitted with a 3.1m-wide blade. It serves as an earth anchor during recovery operations and also allows the vehicle to perform excavation and clearance missions. The vehicle also carries welding equipment and various tools to perform the repair and servicing of tanks. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_august_2022_global_security_army_industry/russian_army_receives_new_batch_of_t-90m_tanks_brem-1m_recovery_tanks_despite_economic_sanctions.html

By Dylan Malyasov Jul 22, 2022 CV-90MK-4 Photo by BAE Systems CV-90MK-4 armed with 50mm gun and APS by Israel Czech Republic has chosen the CV90 Mk-IV Infantry Fighting Vehicle built by BAE Systems Hägglunds to replace the Soviet-era BMP-2, according to the Czech Ministry of Defense. Specifications: Armament and Protection Cannon-From 30/40-mm and 35/50-mm automatic cannons, up to 120-mm smooth-bore. All-around protection from 14.5-mm armor-piercing rounds, front of the vehicle protected against 30-mm APFSDS ammunition Weight-35,000 to 37,000 kg Designer Country-United Kingdom Speed-70 km/h Range-350 km Accessories: CBRN protection, air-conditioning and heating systems, APS Active Protection System, 360° video camera, laser range finder, day camera, image intensifier, and infrared camera. Crew-3 + 8 Dimensions-Length: 6.47 m; Width: 3.19 m; Height: 2.5 m The government decided to proceed by negotiating the procurement of CV90 vehicles with the Swedish Government. “CV90 is an established and combat-proven platform. The vehicles are in the inventory of a number of European countries’ armed forces. They were also selected by the Slovak Republic, and we will coordinate our negotiations with Slovakia,” Minister Černochová said and noted that cooperation with Slovakia offered the potential of further savings for the Czech Republic. Besides being a combat-proven platform, the CV90 embraces a high growth potential. The procurement of these vehicles will make it possible for the Czech Republic to deliver on its commitment to NATO to build a heavy mechanized brigade that will use advanced combat-proven equipment supplied by Western Allies. Participation of Czech defense industries in the manufacturing of combat vehicles will be a high priority, Minister Černochová says. As noted by the company, the CV90 Mk-IV is fifth generation combat-proven Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) that combines improved battlefield speeds and handling with an upgraded Electronic Architecture to support future growth capabilities. To date, there are 15 variants of the CV90 in service in seven countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands. https://defence-blog.com/czech-republic-selects-baes-cv90-as-next-fighting-vehicle/

8/26/2022 US is providing Ukraine with a counter-drone system that can be fitted onto a pickup truck. Developed by L3Harris, the Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE) is part of the $2.98 billion aid package announced by the Pentagon Wednesday. The suitcase-like VAMPIRE launcher and designator kit can be mounted on the cargo bed of a common civilian truck in two hours by two people and requires just one operator. The modular system is configurable with various weapons and sensors, and has a self-sufficient power supply, the manufacturer stated. Laser-Guided Munitions The four-barrel rocket launcher uses the BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) and other laser-guided munitions to strike land and air targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles. The APKWS can engage rotary-wing aerial targets at up to five kilometers (three miles) and fixed-wing aircraft at 12 kilometers (7.45 miles). The Pentagon aid package includes laser-guided rocket systems. The system’s guided munition eliminates the need to lock onto targets, which will enable Ukrainian forces to engage Russian airborne threats faster. Delivery in Nine Months Citing L3Harris’ spokesman Paul Swiergosz, Business Insider wrote that the company is expecting a formal order for the system from the Pentagon in the “coming days,” which will clarify the quantity to be sent to Kyiv. He added that the company would need nine months to deliver the systems to the beleaguered nation. Senior fellow and director of the defense program at the Center for a New American Security, Stacie Petty john, told the outlet that the VAMPIRE’s multiple barrels and vehicle compatibility make it an upgrade on other anti-aircraft systems the US has supplied to Ukraine, such as the shoulder-fired Stinger. https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/08/26/vampire-launchers-ukraine-pickup-trucks/

By Boyko Nikolovon Aug 2, 2022 BERLIN ($1=0.98 Euros) — Poland will not receive the Leopard 2A4 tanks promised by Germany. Berlin offers Warsaw the Leopard 1A5 and the Marder BMP. This is the official opinion and proposal of Berlin to Warsaw [not only does Poland expects Leopard 2A4, Slovakia and Slovenia too – Ed.]. Poland provided Ukraine with 200 T-72 main battle tanks. Ukrainians needed them because of the invasion of Russian troops into the country on February 24. After negotiations, Germany was one of the first countries to offer an exchange to Poland. Berlin proposed the Leopard 2A4 or Leopard 2 for short. Today it is clear that there are none. According to documents, however, Germany has 350 units of Leopard 2. Then where did the tanks disappear? The Polish online portal Defence 24 suggests one of the possibilities – “cannibalism”. I.e. according to documents the tanks exist, but in reality, they are disassembled and used for spare parts and maintenance. Both the combat capability of Bundeswehr tanks and the combat capability of countries that already operate these tanks. But not only that – Leopard 2 tanks can become chassis donors for other weapon systems such as BREM or the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer. Another possibility is the policy of saving Berlin’s defense budgets in recent years – a practice, writes Defense 24 that dates back to the 1990s. A practice that quite logically leads to this – is the use of fully functional tanks as spare parts for other tanks. It turns out, writes Defence 24, that the Bundeswehr has 600 Leopard 2 tanks and cannot allocate 50 units for Poland. Berlin is now offering 100 Leopard A15 units to Poland. As far as BulgarianMilitary.com remembers, weren’t there that many in Rheinmetall’s warehouses? Wait, aren’t those the same? Where did the German tanks go? And last but not least – not only Poland has a problem with Germany, but also Slovenia and Slovakia. They were also promised the Leopard 2 after transferring quite a few weapons to Ukraine. Most likely, they will also receive what was promised to Poland – nothing. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/08/02/germany-has-no-tanks-where-did-the-leopard-2s-for-poland-disappear/

By Boyko Nikolov On Aug 17, 2022 KYIV ($1=36.80 Ukrainian Hryvnias) — Moscow has managed to replenish its losses and is currently using more attack helicopters in Ukraine. According to Yuriy Ignat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia operates 360 helicopters. The number was increased against the background of the 250 helicopters used since the beginning of the war. However, the number of aircraft used has decreased, Ignat also says. According to Ignat, Russia actively uses Belarusian airfields, which are about 430. The aircraft-helicopter ratio has changed since the beginning of the war. It used to be 450 planes and 250 helicopters, today helicopters have increased by 110 units more. Ignat explains this phenomenon with the frequent use of attack aircraft [attack helicopters] in support of Russian ground operations. In addition to helicopters, Russia uses long-range bombers, fighter-bombers, and attack aircraft. “Despite all its problems and the lack of a sufficient number of high-precision weapons, Moscow managed to replenish losses, and the air force continues to torment the Ukrainian army,” Ignat said in his statement. According to him, the Ukrainian armed forces are experiencing difficulties against low-altitude unguided missiles fired from Ka-52 helicopters. According to military experts, Russia has a problem with Ukrainian air defense, but at the same time, Ukraine cannot cope with Russian aviation. There is a danger that air defense missiles will run out at some point. Russia is also replenishing its aviation reserves with Iranian drones. Ukraine needs more air defense systems from the West, experts say. 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine On 21 February 2022, the Russian government claimed that Ukrainian shelling had destroyed an FSB border facility on the Russia Ukraine border. Moscow also claimed that it had killed 5 Ukrainian soldiers who tried to cross into Russian territory. Ukraine denied being involved in both incidents and called them a false flag. On the same day, the Russian government formally recognized the self-proclaimed DPR and LPR as independent states. According to Putin not only in their de-facto controlled areas, but the Ukrainian Oblasts as a whole. Putin ordered Russian troops, including tanks, to enter the regions. On 24 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine by Russian Armed Forces previously concentrated along the border. The invasion followed by targeted airstrikes of military buildings in the country, as well as tanks entering via the Belarus border. Russia has so far not recognized the invasion of Ukraine as a “war”, although that is exactly what it is, claiming that it is a “special military operation”. According to the UN, in which Russia has its permanent representation, for military action to be defined as a “special military operation”, it must have a resolution issued by the UN. There is no such resolution, which automatically defines the military actions of the Russians as an invasion and war against the citizens of Ukraine. 24/7 BulgarianMilitary.com – all you need to know about Ukrainian – Russian war https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/08/17/moscow-replenished-its-losses-and-uses-more-attack-helos-in-ukraine/\

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 4th, 2022 In April, inspectors with the United States Armed Forces discovered a problem with the ejection seats outfitted on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets that could affect the entire fleet. Officials said they originally suspected the problem was simply an isolated incident. As such, they waited to ground the aircraft for three months so they could more thoroughly investigate the issue. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets are flown not only by the United States Air Force but also the Navy and the Marine Corps, as well. Steve Roberts is a spokesperson for Martin-Baker, the seat manufacturer. He explains, “During a routine maintenance inspection at Hill [AFB, Utah] in April 2022, an anomaly was discovered with one of the seat cartridge actuated devices in the F-35 seat. This was quickly traced back to a gap in the manufacturing process, which was addressed and changed.” The cartridges in question are the component of the ejection seat that explodes, launching the aviator out of the cockpit and prompting the parachute to open. Apparently, the defective aspect of the cartridge was found to be not only loose but also devoid of the magnesium powder crucial for igniting the propellant whose purpose to is to propel the pilot out of danger. According to an unconfirmed briefing summary from the USAF Air Education and Training Command, an engineer inspecting one F-35 suspected that its ejection cartridge felt lighter than it should. Further inspection led to the conclusion that this particular cartridge was installed on the F-35 despite the fact that its explosive charge was missing. This led to the testing of another 2,700 F-35 ejection seat cartridges to discover three failures. Roberts adds that the problem appears to be unique the F-35 and to a specific cartridge number installed therein. He goes on to say, “Martin-Baker has been providing the [prime aircraft contractors like Lockheed Martin] and multiple [government] agencies with supporting data to prove that all other aircraft may be excluded. Outside the F-35, not a single anomaly has been discovered worldwide as a result of the forensic investigation which continues at pace.” https://www.defenseworld.net/2022/08/04/usaf-grounds-most-f-35-fighter-jets-over-ejection-seat-issue.html

August 18, 2022by admin Lockheed Martin delivered to the U.S. Navy a 60+ kW-class high energy laser with integrated optical-dazzler and surveillance (HELIOS), the first tactical laser weapon system to be integrated into existing ships and provide directed energy capability to the fleet. Integrated and scalable by design, the multi-mission HELIOS system will provide tactically relevant laser weapon system war-fighting capability as a key element of a layered defense architecture. HELIOS is a transformational new weapon system providing an additional layer of protection for the fleet with its deep magazine, low-cost per kill, speed of light delivery and precision response. “Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy share a common vision and enthusiasm for developing and providing disruptive laser weapon systems,” said Rick Cordaro, vice president, Lockheed Martin Advanced Product Solutions. “HELIOS enhances the overall combat system effectiveness of the ship to deter future threats and provide additional protection for Sailors, and we understand we must provide scalable solutions customized to the Navy’s priorities. HELIOS represents a solid foundation for incremental delivery of robust and powerful laser weapon system capabilities.” The High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS Lockheed Martin was awarded the Surface Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS) Increment 1, known as HELIOS, contract in January 2018 and has made steady progress on this rapid Directed Energy prototype which will be delivered later this year. In 2020, Lockheed Martin completed the Critical Design Review and Navy Factory Qualification Test milestones, demonstrating the value of system engineering rigor and proven Aegis system integration and test processes on the way to delivering an operationally effective and suitable laser weapon system that meets the Navy’s mission requirements. During factory testing in Moorestown, New Jersey, HELIOS routinely demonstrated full power operation above 60 kW. In early 2021, the U.S. Navy will field test the Department of Defense’s first acquisition program to provide warfighters with permanent laser weapon system capability. While it will be initially integrated into an operational West Coast-based Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyer with the Aegis Combat System, HELIOS is also adaptable to other ship types and combat systems, such as aircraft carriers and big-deck amphibs with the Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS). Completing these significant critical milestones for the HELIOS team and the U.S. Navy brings us much closer to delivering the system to the Navy and providing the Fleet with the capability to counter unmanned aerial threats and fast attack boats today. https://militaryleak.com/2022/08/18/lockheed-martin-delivers-integrated-high-energy-laser-weapon-system-to-us-navy/

Ukraine - Russia conflict war 2022 Posted On Wednesday, 03 August 2022 20:21 Citing Russian information the latest version of the Pantsir air defense system is used in Ukraine as Bayraktar drone killer. (Picture source Russian MoD Footage) According to a video published by the Russian Ministry of Defense on August 2, 2022, the latest generation of the Pantsir, a Russian-made dual weapons air defense system has demonstrated its ability to be used as a drone killer in its fight against the Bayraktar TB2 drone used by the Ukrainian armed forces. The Pantsir-S1 is a mobile air defense system that is armed with cannons and missiles based on an 8x8 military truck chassis. In the video published by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Pantsir deployed in Ukraine is an improved version of the Pantsir which uses the same missile launcher and anti-aircraft cannons. The upgraded version of the Pantsir, which we have named Pantsir-S2, is able to launch new surface-to-air missiles to destroy aerial targets at a range of up to 30 km. This version is also fitted with new SOTS S-band search radar to increase the detection range from 36 km to over 40 km. In the conflict in Ukraine, the Turkish-made Bayraktar drone is used by Ukrainian forces to conduct reconnaissance and strike missions. In fact, the Bayraktar drone can be armed with four guided missiles. It can destroy land targets such as tanks or combat vehicles at a maximum range of 14 km. It can be equipped with observation optic systems including a thermal imager, several daytime cameras and a laser range finder, or alternatively, radar with AFAR (Active Phased Antenna Array). The weakness of the drone is to have no countermeasure system against cannon fire at short range or missile fire at long range. The new radar of the Pantsir-S2 has been designed to detect a wide range of unmanned threats such as small and medium size drones. The upgraded Pantsir has substantially increased the Pantsir's ability to counter all types of drones. In particular, the system is capable of effectively detecting and destroying all types of attack drones. The Pantsir-S2 is able to fire a new type of missile as well as all the missiles fired by the Pantsir-S1. Drones have a low radar cross-section and their detection range is often shorter than the operational range of their weaponry. The operational range of the new Pantsir has been extended and the drones can now be identified quite clearly in the combat area. As for the Pantsir-S1, the Pantsir-S2 is armed with two 2A38M 30mm anti-aircraft guns and twelve 57E6-E ready-to-fire missiles in steered launch containers mounted at the rear of an 8x8 truck chassis. The cannons have a combined rate of fire of between 3,900 and 5,000 rounds per minute (1,950 to 2,500 rpm for each gun), and have a muzzle velocity of 960 m/s. The Pantsir-2 fires the 57E6-E missiles which have a bi-caliber body in tandem configuration, separable booster, and sustained with a separation mechanism. The Pantsir-S2 is fitted with new SOTS S-band search radar increasing the detection range from 36 km to over 40 km with 360° coverage. The system can now track in excess of 40 incoming targets up from 8-10, and can now engage targets traveling at up to 1,200 meters per second up from 1,000 m/s. Search azimuth has also been increased from 80° to 90° owed to electronic beam steering. https://www.armyrecognition.com/ukraine_-_russia_conflict_war_2022/latest_version_of_russian_pantsir_air_defense_system_is_used_in_ukraine_as_bayraktar_drone_killer.html