janes international defence review november 2013

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ihs.com/janes

IDR explores how much of a

role aviation really plays

Airpower vsirregular warfare

NOVEMBER 2013 VOL 46


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CONTENTS For further in-depth coverage go toihs.com/janes

Contents November 2013, Volume 46Features

38 Virtually grounded: UAS training eyesa future in simulation

42 Rising STOM: China expandsamphibious capabilities

48 Airpower challenge: applications andlimitations in the COIN environment

Departments

INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE DIGEST4 Brazilian Air Force conducts first night

flights without runway lights5 ISAF working to improve ANSF amid

uncertain future

WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT6 Terminator 2 makes its debut8 Russias latest BTR enters production9 F-35 project seeks to overcome EW

obsolescence10 New chip promises iPhone encryption12 Individual soldier systems step out13 Research into pencil squids serves as

basis for counter-infrared camouflage

16 Selex launches BriteCloud decoy

UPGRADE UPDATE17 More firepower offered for BMP-2 IFV18 Refreshed BVP upgrade readies for trials19 MANPADS co-ordination system

gains mobility20 Raytheon tests anti-radar seeker for

Block IV Tomahawk

UNMANNED SYSTEMS21 Combat support system demonstrates

Russias advanced UGV

34

y

ISAF:1487860

22 Skate UAS active in Afghanistan

24 Saab Seaeye demonstratesunderwater vehicle developments

25 ENICS extends Eleron family26 RWUAS programme explores potential

of UK maritime UAS

SPECIAL REPORTS28 Exactor, the missile that never was,

comes in from the cold32 Imperial aspirations: Nexter aims

TITUS at export market34 Fledgling Hawks: taking RAF pilot

training to the next level

36 Small arms lethality: never mind thecalibre, take aim at the training

EQUIPMENT PROFILE54 Flexible 57 mm firepower trains on

littoral targets

TECHNOLOGY REPORT60 Training day: simulation software

advances come into focus

PARTING SHOT66 T-72 in the frame for upgrades

For more stories, log on to

IDRs website at ihs.com/janes

Online content is only available to online subscribers

US Navy software improves satelliteimagery analysis for maritime detection

EDA progresses rapidly with ammotesting standards

F-35 office abandons alternative HMDS

ON THE COVER

48

A US soldier crouches

behind an AAF Mil Mi-8-17

Hip helicopter in Afghani-

stan. This months cover

feature explores how much

of a force multiplier airpower

can really be for the counter-

insurgency mission.

ON THE WEB

ihs.com/janes November 2013 Janes International Defence Review | 3


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INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE DIGEST

Polish, Russian, and Turkish

fighter aircraft jointly conducteda live five-day NATO-Russiacounter-terrorism exercise in lateSeptember, including participa-tion from each states air forceand ground controllers.

Exercise Vigilant Skies 2013,which ran from 23-27 Septem-ber, marked thesecond time thatair traffic controllers from theNATO-Russia Councils Co-oper-ative Airspace Initiative (CAI)were tested ina live scenario on

their real-time capacity to detect

and direct the response toa civil-ian aircraft hijacked by terror-ists in the skies over NATOand

Russian territory, NATO said ina statement.Theinitiative was created in

2002 following the September2001 attacks in theUnitedStates, and is designed to bolsterairspace security co-operationbetween Russia and NATO. Thefirst live exercise was in 2011and they now focusmainly onreal-time surveillance and airtraffic co-ordination.

TheCAI, which began in 2006,

is essentially a shared air traffic

control (ATC) system meant toidentify and respond to hijack-ings, particularly those in which

the aircraft might be used as aweapon against a populationcentre, according to the NATO-RussiaCouncil.

For its 2013 event, the NATO-RussiaCouncil created a two-partscenario in which a civilianaircraft was hijacked by terror-ists while aloft over NATO andRussian territory.

All incidents were success-fully resolved after NATO andRussian air traffic controllers

co-ordinated [NATO] and

Russian military authorities toscramble fighter jets to escortthe aircraft to safe landings,according to the alliance.

The first part saw a mock civil-ian aircraft take off from Poland

and fly towards Kaliningrad,Russia, and air traffic control-lers collaborated through CAIco-ordination centres in Warsawand Moscow to identify theproblem and then launch Russianand Polish fighters to jointlyintercept and escort the aircraft.

A second part took place overtheBlack Sea and saw Turkishand Russian air traffic control-lers andfighter aircraft work toidentify, intercept, and escort the

hijacked aircraft.

JANET TAPPIN COELHO

DANIEL WASSERBLY

Brazilian Air Force conducts first

night flights without runway lights

TheBrazilian Air Force (FAB)has releaseddetails of its firstclandestine flights that involvedco-ordinated take-offs andlandings in the dead of nightwithout runway lights.

The exercise, OperationGreen Owl II, consisted oftraining pilots in theAraraSquadron (1st Squadron, 9th

Transportation Group) atManaus Air Base to use night-vision goggles (NVGs) duringnight operations.

The flight crewworked withground staff from theFABs 7thRegional Engineering Servicewhowere being trainedin theassembly, use,and dismantling ofthe recently introduced SignallingLuminous AutonomousTactical(SLTA) landing guidance system.

Thedrills ranfrom 16-19

September and involved fivetake-offs and five landings pernight in Airbus Military C295(designated C-105Amazonasby theFAB) transport aircraft.

Theaim was to provide air crew,who had undergone previoussimulation training, with opera-tional experience without visualreferences, navigating at lowaltitudes and learning how toland on runways without lights.Thetraining enables the FABtoperform rescuemissions or tolaunch paratroopers in a conflictzone without revealing theirposition to the enemy.

Because the NVG turns the

night into day, the exercise wasnolonger about a day or nightflight, but a flight with char-acteristics that needed to betrained in, explained Sergeant

Renato Fontes, with the FABsAerospace Medical Institute.

As the crew guided the C295 into land, the NVGs illuminated theSLTA infrared signalling systemthat had beenassembledon therunway by personnel fromthe7th Regional EngineeringService.

The signalling equipmentcomprises solar-powered LEDsthat areboosted by compactsolar panels and batteries. Eachlamp, fixedto the groundof an

aerodrome or heliport, emits anindependent light and signal,supervisedand handled via anencrypted remote control.

During Operation Green OwlII

the unitswere operated remotelyby theground engineers from thePonta PeladaAirportcontrol towerat Manaus.The AraraSquadronpilotsin theC295s cabin could

also operatethe SLTAfrom as farout as4 kmusingan embeddedremote control.

The signalling system includesindependent units that can beadapted to different configura-tions, runway lengths, andhelipads. Aside from the infraredoption, theequipment canalsooperate as a beacon with sixlight intensities.

The system is portable anddoes not require cables and a

generator, making installationvery fast and safe, said MajorRicardo Rodolpho, an officerwith the7th Regional Engi-neering Service. The technicalground team installed the unitswithin thefirst 40 minutes ofthe four-day operation.

The exercise demonstratedthatthe FAB now has theability to perform tasks duringa blackout and in previouslyinaccessible locations, Major

Juraci Muniz, with the AraraSquadron, said. We have nowreached another stage in avia-tion transport.We now use thenight to benefit us, he added.

FAB/SargentoCarleilson/VIICOMAR:1484750

The SLTA system canbe operated from anapproaching aircraft totrigger an infrared bea-con that helps guidethe pilot in landing atnight without runwaylights.

Vigilant Skies trials ATC system


5/68ihs.com/janes November 2013 Janes International Defence Review | 5

INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE DIGEST

DANIEL WASSERBLY

The International Security Assis-tance Force (ISAF) in Afghani-stan is continuing with itsefforts to train and support theAfghan National Security Forces(ANSF) even as the futureofthe NATO mission there growsincreasingly uncertain.

In June theANSF undertookresponsibility for nationwidesecurity as ISAF assumed a sup-porting role instead.

A clear physical and cogni-

tive shift has taken place as wehave completed a transitionthat started with our forces inthe lead, to our forces partneredwith Afghanforces, to thecurrent Security Force Assis-tance [SFA] construct, ISAFCommander US Marine CorpsGeneral Joe Dunford said in arecent command update.

He noted that ISAFs onlyunilateral operations areconducted for the forces own

security, such as route clearance,but added that theAfghans werenot fully capable of operatingeffectively on their own.

ANSF capabilities are notyet sustainable, but they havemade significant and very realprogress, he said. Much workremains tobe doneon thesystems, processes and institu-tions necessary to make ourprogress enduring, and we areproviding support at the minis-

terial level, as well as the corpslevel and below. In the fieldedforce, the AfghanAir Force[AAF], logistics and intelligenceare particular focus areas forimprovement.

However, ISAF might not havemuch time to support or teachtheANSF, as political issues areendangering the NATO forcesfuture role in Afghanistan.

The presence of NATO andISAFin Afghanistanbeyond 2014 is

largely dependent on the US and

Afghan governments reaching aformal Status of ForcesAgree-ment (SOFA) that would legallyallow foreign troops to continueoperating there.

At thetime of writing,officials in Washington were

becoming frustrated with thelack of progress towards a SOFA,with the United States unwill-ing to meet Afghan requests fora NATO-like security guaranteeand Afghanistan unwilling toallow ISAF to continue counter-terrorism operations.

TheUS Department of Stateon 11 October sent Secretaryof State John Kerryto Kabul tomeet with Afghan PresidentHamid Karzai, but no agree-

ments were reached.The WhiteHouse hoped for a deal bytheend of October 2013 so thatplans could be made for shiftingto Operation Resolute Supportor for withdrawing all forces.

It is anticipated that a LoyaJirga will be convened in late2013 togainpublic assent to theUS BSA[Bilateral Security Agree-ment] andNATOSOFA. Theseagreements are critical precondi-tions for the Resolute Support

mission, which will ensure that

the progress wehave made to dateis sustainable,Gen Dunfordsaid.

The commander lamentedthat theuncertain futureforNATO and ISAF operationshas been causing unhelpfulhedging behaviour among

some potential allies.Meanwhile, Gen Dunford said

that ISAFs current focus is toenable theANSF to emerge fromthis fighting season confidentand credible inthe eyes of theAfghan people.

To bolster theANSF, ISAFcontinues to execute a variety ofprogrammes to prepare them tooperate on their own.

For example the AAF and theAfghan National Army (ANA) are

integrating air and ground forcesto conduct combat fire supportand logistics missions, as theAfghans currently rely uponISAF for air support.

In late September ANA officersconducted an air-to-groundintegration exercise in easternAfghanistan that sawAfghansoldiers work with two AfghanMi-35 helicopters during live-firedrills. This served as partof a proof-of-concept initiative

meant to certify Afghan air co-

ordinators, according to ISAF.US Air Force personnel are,under this initiative, helping todevelop a curriculum for a newAfghan Tactical Air Coordinatorcareer field within the ANA.

ISAF officials have also noted

thatthe ANSF still lacks theability to effectively managelogistics tasks and variousadministrative functions, such aspaying and promoting personnel.

For more basic combat andsupport functions, the UKMinistry of Defence (MoD)announced in early October thatANA troops hadbegun enrollingin training courses at a new 215Regional Corps Battle School(RCBS) at Camp Shorabak in

Helmand province.The RCBS is to bea sustainabletraining facility for theANAs215Corps that can provideAfghan recruits who have com-pleted their basic training withmore advanced skills, such asfiring mortars, the MoD said.

Aside from offering seveninfantry courses, it also provides10 combat service supportcourses for functions such asproviding food, transportation

and maintenance.

ISAF working to improve ANSF amid uncertain future

g

p y g

A joint ANA and British Army patrol is seen

here at Kalang bazaar in the Nad-e Ali

district of Helmand province. ANA is now

the lead for all security operations.



WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT

Terminator 2 makes its debut

New airborne assault vehicle rolled out

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS

Uralvagonzavod unveiled itslatest armoured fighting vehicleatthe Russian Arms Expo 2013in Nizhny Tagil, Russia.

Dubbed a Fire SupportCombatVehicle, the BMPT-72 Termina-tor 2is built ona baseT-72mainbattle tank (MBT) hull includ-ing drivetrain, running gear andso on and has been designedto operate alongsideMBTs orindependently.

A key selling point of the

vehicle, a Uralvagonzavod spokes-person told a select audience atthe exhibition, is that existingoperators of theT-72 will be ableto convertsurplus vehicles intothe BMPT-72 configuration;offering utilityand increasingservice life.

This latest variant buildsontheearlier BMPT Tank SupportCombat Vehicle,whichbegandeliveries to Kazakhstan, in 2011.While theinitial variant was

partly funded by theRussian mili-tary and built onnew hulls, thelatest vehicle was developed withinternalcompany funding over aperiodof less than oneyear.

A significant difference

between the two vehicles is thenumber of crew required, which

has been reduced from five tothree due tothe removal of thetwo, bow-mounted 30 mm auto-matic grenade launchers.

TheTerminator 2s main arma-ment is externally mounted,separating it from thecrewcompartment, although it stillrotates synchronously.

It comprises twostabilised2A4230 mmcannons withamaximumrange of 4,000 m and850 rounds of ammunition and

twoprotectedpods of KolomnaKBM9M120 anti-tank laser-guided missiles. Two types ofwarhead can be utilised tandemhigh-explosiveanti-tank andhigh-explosiveconcrete pierc-

ing out toa maximum rangeof 6,000 m.The vehiclealso

features a coaxially mounted 7.62mm PKTM machinegun and isprovided with2,100 rounds ofready-to-use ammunition.

A new computerised fire-control system (FCS) has beeninstalled to enable stationary andmoving targets to be engaged dayand night, and under a range ofweather conditions, while thevehicle itself is on the move.TheFCS features target detectionand location capabilities, stabi-

lised weapons laying, and laserrangefinders for the commanderand gunner.

The gunners sight featureselectro-optical and infrared (IR)channels, while the commander

is provided with a video andIR channels.

Both the hull and turret aremade of steel armour withfurther protection in the form

of integrated explosive reactivearmour(ERA) tothe front of theturret, a detachable ERA moduleon the glacis plate andappliqueERA onthesidesof the hullandturret.Over the rear arc,bar/slatarmour is fitted to increase pro-tectionagainst rocket-propelledgrenades. It is equipped witha screening systemto counterlaser target-designators and laserrangefinders. This system warnsthe crew of targeting lasers and

automatically deploys an aerosolviagrenades that are fired from12 launchers.

While the BMPT-72 wouldfeature theT-72 engine as stan-dard, it can also be fitted withmore powerful diesels in theform of the B-84MC and B-92C2units, which develop 840 hpand 1,000 hp respectively. Anauxiliary power unit is fittedthat enables all of the vehiclessystems to be operated without

the engines running; two optionsare available: 5 kW and 8 kW.

Themaximum road speed isstated as 60 km/h; when fittedwith external fuel tanks thevehiclehas a range of 500 km.

The BMPT-72 Terminator 2 has a T-72 MBT at its core.

ChristopherFFoss:1448673

The latest member of RussiasBMD family of airborneassaultvehicles was shown for thefirsttimeat RAE 2013 in NizhnyTagil in late September.

The new vehicle is designatedBTR-MDM and is a furtherdevelopment of the BTR-MD,which features a raised super-structure atthe front of the hullto provide a significant increasein internal volume. This enablesit to be used as anarmoured per-

sonnel carrier and has also seen

the vehicle adopted for otherspecialised missions, including

command post, ambulance, andlogistics variants.

As was the case with theBTR-MD, thenew vehicle is

fully amphibious and, in addi-tion to being used by airborne

units, also has potential for usewith the Russian Navy Amphibi-ous Forces.

Armament consists of bow-and roof-mounted 7.62 mm

machine guns and two banks oftwin 81 mm grenade launchersthat fire over the frontal arc.Toreduce life-cycle costs the vehicleuses many components commonto the BMP-3M, including thepower plant, electrical system,and information managementand monitoring systems.

Production of theBMD serieswas originally undertaken at theVolgograd Tractor Plant but hassince been transferred to the

Kurgan facility.

The BTR-MDM was shown for the first time at RAE 2013.

ChristopherFFpss:144867

2


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Russias latest BTR enters production

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS

Russias Military IndustrialCompany (MIC) has begunbuilding a new generationof 8x8BTR-82A amphibious armouredpersonnel carrier (APC) for theRussian Army.

MIC is Russias major wheeledarmoured fighting vehicle (AFV)manufacturer, having madeBTR-60, -70, and -80 variants.According to the company,speaking at the RAE exhibitionin Nizhny Tagil, it canmanufac-

ture between 200 and 300 of thenew BTR-82A vehicles a year ona single shift basis.

Although similar in appear-ance to theearlier BTR-80A,the BTR-82A has a number of sig-nificant improvements, althoughperhaps not a major step changein capability despite MICs claimsthat the BTR-82A has doublethe combat effectiveness of theearlier vehicles.

Enhancements include the

replacement of the originalKamaz 260 hp diesel enginewith a 300 hp turbodiesel fromthe same company, which givesa maximum road speed of up to100 km/h (10-20 km/h faster

than the BTR-80, depending onvariant) and a roadrange of up

to600 km.The transmission and suspen-

sion have also been upgradedtosupport a growth ingrossvehicle weight (GVW) from theBTR-80As 14.55 tonnes to15.4 tonnes.

An electrically operatedcommonised fighting moduleis mounted on the roof of thevehicle, armed with a two-axisstabilised 30 mm 2A72 dual-feedcannon and a 7.62 mm PKTM

machine gun (MG), all aimedthrough TKN-4GA-02 sights.A bank of three forward-facing81 mm grenade launchers is sitedon each side of the weapons.

The modules design representsan improvement,as the weaponsare mounted externallyso ammu-nition fumes do not enter thecrew compartment.Their loca-tion also enablesa high degreeof movement, withelevationranging from -7 to+70.

Althoughthe army has adoptedthe BTR-82A, it hasnot goneforthe more lightly armed BTR-82,whichisfittedwitha14.5mmKPVT heavy MG and PKTM.

The BTR-82As overall layout

andballistic protection is thesame as theBTR-80A, but crewsurvivability has been increasedwiththe installation of spallliners, blast-attenuating seatingandan improved fire detectionandsuppressionsystem. The creware alsoprotected by a nuclear,biological, and chemical filtrationsystem and air conditioning.

Beyond this latest BTR-82Aiteration, the RussianArmy isplanning a longer term replace-

ment for the BTR-80 FOV withthe Bumerang (Boomerang)vehicle, which is one of five keynew AFV expected tobe fieldedby the RussianArmy from2015.MIC is believed to have already

built the firstBumerang proto-types, but they are notexpectedtobe seen inpublic forsometime.

The Bumerang designis expected to break withtradition,looking to a designmore in keeping with modernWestern lines, by moving theengine from therear to thefront, unlike all of theBTR-60,-70, and -80series types. Thisfrees up room in the rear for thetroop compartment and adds

more bulk at the front, whichis more likely to point towardsobjectives to be assaulted. Italso makes it easier to adapt thevehicles for a more specialisedmissions, such as ambulance,command post or specialisedweapon platforms.

Like the BTR-80 family,Bumerang will be fully amphibi-ous. One version will be armedwith the sameweapons as thetracked Kurganets, which is the

replacement for the currentlyfielded BMP-3 IFV.MIC is the prime contractor

for the Bumerang as an umbrellaorganisation drawing in manage-ment of theArzamas MachineryPlant JSC, Vehicle Hull Plant

JSC, and the Military Engineer-ing Centre.

MIC also developed the largerBTR-90 8x8 and built a smallbatch for thehome market, butall marketing of this vehicle has

now ceased.

The main difference between the BTR-82A (left) and the BTR-82 (right) is that

the former has a more powerful weapon station.


The latest Russian BTR-82Aamphibious armoured personnelcarrier has a turret armed with a30 mm 2A72 cannon and 7.62 mmPKTM machine gun.




MBDA offers PARS 3 as HOT successor

ANIKA TORRUELLA

RUPERT PENGELLEY

A range of evolutionarydevelop-ments of the7 km-range PARS

3 LR (LRTRIGAT) air-groundmissile system, now in produc-tion for the BundeswehrsTigerattack helicopter fleet, hasbeen proposed to theGermanMinistry of Defence by MBDAGermany as a potential succes-sor to the Bundeswehrs currentHOT missile inventory.The latteris due to bewithdrawn fromservice in 2017-18.

Dubbed Future HOT, MBDAis suggesting development on

a national basis of a family of

missiles broadly analogous tothe longer-range MHT versionof the multinational Multi-RoleCombat Missile project.

MHT, which MBDA Germanyhas been studying in conjunctionwith its French and British coun-terparts for the past several yearsand is unfunded, would remainthegroups preferred offering ininternational markets.

The company claims FutureHOT couldbe developed inashortened timescale and wouldbe cost-effective, exploitingexisting components and usingmodular airframe configurations.

It would be platform-agnostic,

allowing air and groundlaunch,with flexible operating modesand changeable warheadsenabling the engagement of a

wide range of targets.Its guidance system wouldallow it to be used against staticand moving targets, in line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS (NLOS)engagements.

When operated as a direct-fire weapon, Future HOT wouldvariously employ fire-and-forgetGPS guidance; semi-automaticcommand-to-line-of-sight man-in-the-loop guidance; or lock-onbefore launch semi-active laser

(SAL) guidance. In the indirect-

fire (fire support) role, lock-onafter launch (LOAL) with third-party SAL designationwould beused. MBDA has also embarked

on development of a datalinkasa means of passing mid-courseupdates in theLOAL mode. Theprojected Future HOT launchplatforms range from utilityvehicles to 8x8 tank destroyers,attack helicopters, and mediumunmanned aerial vehicles.

An MBDA representative hastold IHS Janes thefirst firingdemonstration of an evolvedPARS 3 missile conforming to theFuture HOT concept is expected

to take place in 2014.

The United States has embarkedon a technology refresh for theelectronic warfare (EW) moduleof theF-35 Lightning II JointStrike Fighter to overcome obso-lescence issues before the systemhas even made it into service.

TheUS NavalAir SystemsCommand has placeda USD149million contract to LockheedMartin, as a modification to aprevious advanced acquisitiondeal andcovers theredesign

and qualification of replacementF-35 Lightning II Joint StrikeFighter Electronic Warfaresystem components due tocurrent diminishing manufactur-ing sources.

Principal components of thefifth-generation multi-missionF-35s integrated avionics suiteare theNorthrop GrummanAN/APG-81 Active Electroni-cally Scanned Array (AESA)radar, Northrop Grummans AN/

AAQ-37 Distributed ApertureSystem (DAS), the LockheedMartinAAQ-40 Electro-OpticalTargeting System (EOTS), a VSI

(joint venture between ElbitSystems and RockwellCollins)

Helmet-Mounted Display System(HMDS), and BAE Systemsdigital AN/ASQ-239 (Barracuda)system derived from the F-22Raptors AN/ALR-94 EW suite.

Sensor fusionand avionic com-ponent integration is enabled bymultiple commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) Freescale Power PCprocessors, Green Hills Soft-wares Integrity DO-178B real-time operating system (RTOS),and Xilinx field-programmable

gate arrays (FPGAs), whichsupport missile and aircraftdetection, identification, orien-tation, target-tracking, engage-ment, and evasion capabilities aswell as real-time data-sharing.

Thetechnology refresh isaimedprimarily at the [Barra-cuda] EW system, a LockheedMartin spokesperson told IHS

Janes. Barracuda is essentiallya radar warning receiver thatenables passive targeting of

other aircraft, high-sensitivityelectronic surveillance, radiofrequency sensor fusion, infraredtracking, and multi-spectral

missile countermeasures. Bar-racuda also includes Northrop

Grummans Communications,Navigation, and Intelligence(CNI) suite datalinks and mayhave some passive jammingcapability through the APG-81AESA antenna.

The Barracuda EW system iscomprised of fivesets of sensorsdistributed on wing-leadingedges (6), trailing edges (2), andthe horizontal stabilisers trailingedges (2), enabling aft Band 2,3, and 4 coverage. The digital

nature of Barracuda enablesprecise geo-location and target-ing of potential hostiles withoutrequiring triangulation usingothernetworked aircraft.

This changeis a technologyrefresh beginning with aircraftin Low Rate Initial Production(LRIP) Lot 7 that is necessitatedby diminishing manufactur-ing sources, said the LockheedMartin spokesperson.

The spokesperson added:

Hardware modules within theEW system arebeing updatedwith new components toaddress these obsolescence

issues. The overall system willmaintain the planned Block 3

baseline software and capabili-ties. This effort will be confinedto the EW racks and will notaffect the countermeasuressubsystem or antennas.

The refresh is planned tobeapplied to all F-35 variants andwill be rolled out to internationalpartners.Work on the refreshis expected to be completed byMarch 2018.

TheF-35 Joint Strike FighterJoint Program was recently criti-

cised in a 126-page US Depart-ment of Defense InspectorGeneral report citing 363 find-ings that contained 719qualityassurance issues.

Thereport also criticisedsubcontractors NorthropGrumman, BAE Systems, L-3Display Systems, HoneywellAerospace, and United Technolo-gies Corporation, as well as theF-35 Joint Program Office (JPO),for not ensuring that Lockheed

Martin and its subcontractorswere applying sufficient rigorin design, manufacturing, andquality assurance processes.

F-35 project seeks to overcome EW obsolescence


10/68


11/68




Individual soldier systems step out

CHARLES HOLLOSI

GILES EBBUTT

Sagem showcased its AdvancedWarfighter Solution, whichleverages its work in producingthe FrenchArmys Fantassin quipement et Liaisons Intgrs(FLIN) individual soldiersystem, while Elbit displayed thelatest iteration of its Domina-tor system, Dominator Light(Warrior), at theDSEI exhibitionin London in September.

This is the fourth generationDominator system, which was

first announced in October2012 but has not been widelydisplayed since then.Developedoriginally for special forces use itconsists of theruggedized Raptorcomputer, which has a 4.3 inchdisplay with a smartphone-likehuman-machine interface, abattery pack and radio.

The Raptorincludes integratedGPS and a compass,andhasalight sensor to controldisplaybrightness. Rachamim Cohen,

Elbits Dominator programmemanager, observedthat despitethe currentdrive towards usingcommercial smartphonesfor userinterfaces they were notruggedenough for operational use, evenwith a rugged wrapper.Theyareallright for Trade Shows he saidbut notfor real operations.

Elbit offers thesystem with itsPersonal Network radio-1000Aultra-high frequency, althoughthe system is communications

agnostic. It runs a reducedversion of theTORC2H com-mand-and-control (C2) software,which forms the backbone of theIsrael Defence Forces DigitalArmy Programme and has alsobeen partially adopted by theAustralian Army.

The battery pack providesbetween 24-36 hours of lifedepending on use, with powermanagement software in theRaptor controlling power con-

sumption. The assembly weighs

less than 2.5 kg.SagemsAdvanced Warfighter

Solution has evolved from theFLIN programme and formsthe basis for Sagems bids forboth theBenelux SmartVestprogramme and the CanadianIndividual Soldier SystemProject(ISSP). ISSP is currentlyin the assessment phase for thesecond time, the first competi-tion having been abandoned forundisclosed reasons. Downse-lection of the winning systemis expected at the beginning of

2014. For SmartVest, Sagem is

partneredwith NFMGroup andfor ISSP with RaytheonCanada.

For both bids the system usesRaytheons DH500 Micro-Light radio paired with a newSagem computer and displayfor commanders. This provides

a networking layer and newrouting protocols. The tabletcomputer with a 5 inch displayis smaller than the SIT ComDused inFLIN, and it has newC2 software with a simplifiedmenu and improved applications,according to Patrick Curlier,SagemsVice President for Busi-ness Development, Optronicsand Defence. Thesystem alsoincludes a near-eye eyepiece,which incorporates a camera and

a simple finger interfaceacting asa mouse, providing an alternativeto the tablet display and intendedmainly for junior leaders. Indi-vidual soldiers areprovided onlywith the networking radio.

Some of the developments inthe system will be incorporatedinto FLIN V1.3, the contract forwhich is expected to beissued bythe French Ministry of Defencebythe end of 2013, inparticularthe load carrying and modular

protection arrangements.

Above: Sagems

new individual

soldier Advanced

Warfighter solu-

tion displayed at

DSEI. The near-eye

eyepiece can be

seen on the right of

the vest, with the

tablet secured at

the front.

Stidd Systems Inc has developeda low-drag towed cargo trailerfor its range of Diver PropulsionDevice (DPD) swimmer deliveryvehicles (SDVs).

TheDPD Capsule provides anadditional 340 litres of equip-ment stowage space for 181 kgof neutrally buoyant cargo, withno significant increasein drag,according to the company.

It is made of marinealumin-

ium alloy and measures 2.3 m inlength with a diameter of 53 cm,enabling compatibility withNATO submarine torpedo tubesfor stowage and deploymentpurposes. It weighs around 27 kgin air, but is neutrally buoyant inwater due to hard-mounted rigidfoam volumes fitted in thenoseand tail sections. Access to theinterior is via a sliding top hatch.

The capsule is towed byacable, which together withrear-

mounted horizontal and verticalplanes reduces snaking in itsmovement through the waterandresultsin a calculated dragloadof67Nat3kt.Thetowcableattaches to the rear tow pointintegrated ontoStidds new SDV.

In addition to the towing con-figuration, two capsules can beattached directly to thesides ofthe DPD using its quick-releaseattachment points to increasecargo capacity from the DPDs

baseline 85 litres to 765 litres.In response to the customerfeedback, the company has alsointroduced exterior quick-release cargo tiedown pointson the vehicles fore body,allowing operators to attachweapons, hooks and ladderswith minimal increasein drag.The DPD also benefits from anew high-efficiency lightweightbrushless thruster providing a25% increasein speed over the

standard thrusters.

New pod expandsstorage for SDVs

GilesEbbutt:1448653

GilesEbbutt:1448652

The Dominator Light/Warrior ensem-

ble shown by Elbit Systems at DSEI.




Research into pencil squids serves asbasis for counter-infrared camouflageERIK SCHECHTER

Researchers at the Universityof California Irvines HenrySamueli School of Engineeringhave announced that theybelieve protein found in cepha-lopods may help troops evadenear-infrared (IR) sensors.

Like many cephalopods, pencilsquid can change colour, patternand even skin texture to matchtheir background with incred-

ible fidelity in part thanks toaprotein called reflectin.

Alon Gorodetsky, an assistantprofessor of chemical engineer-ing and materials science wholeads theUC Irvine team, beganresearching cephalopods twoyears ago after attending a

lecture on cuttlefish by notedmarine biologist Roger Hanlon.

Studying the camouflage prop-erties of the pencil squid, theUC Irvine researchers focusedtheir attention on reflectin, thestructural protein in the animalsskin cells that allows it to changecolour and modulate the lightit reflects. Gorodetsky copiedthe protein and expressed it inbacteria, which was then fixedto a silica surface using graphene

oxide as theadhesive. It wasmuch easier to mass producereflectin using bacteria than tokill a lot of squids, he explains,but functionally its identical towhatyou get out of a squid.

TheUC Irvine scientists sub-jected the bacterial film to differ-

ent chemical stimuli, causing itto change colour and reflectance.Finally, when exposed to thevapour of high-concentrationvinegar, the reflectin reactedagain, this time modulating wellinto the near-IR spectrum.

Gorodetsky realized reflectincouldbe used on uniforms toconfuse active near-IR sensors.

Adding the protein to clothingfibres will not pose a challenge,Gorodetsky says. But finding

a stimulus thatcould beusedunder battlefield conditions willbe more difficult. Obviously, ifyou want a realistic application,you cant be putting vinegar onyourself,he admits. So we aretrying to find either a mechanicalor an electrical stimulus.

In particular,the team islookingatlightweightandflexibleconductive materials todeliveralow-Wattcurrent tothe reflectin.Theresbeenalotofworkon

organic,carbon-based electron-ics, he noted.You cant generatemassive amountsof power withthem yet, buttheyare greatforpersonaldevices,and youcaneasily integrate theminto clothes.

The UC Irvine teams work hasattracted some initial attentionfrom US Department of Defenseagencies, but it will take manymore years of experimentationbefore theproof of conceptreaches the field-test stage.

As a scientist,I tend tobe veryoptimistic, so Id loveto say thatwellhave near-infrared camou-flagetested injust a few yearsfromnow, he says. Butrealisti-cally speaking withour currentfunding, if weare very good andverylucky, maybe a decade.




SPAWAR reveals novel human detector

GEOFF FEIN

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS

Two scientistsatthe US NavySpace andNavalWarfare(SPAWAR) SystemCenter Pacific(SSC)have developed a technologythat candetecta moving personbysensingtheir heartbeat andrespi-ration fromtens of feetaway.

The Remote Human PresenceMonitoring System (RHPMS),which is nobigger thana packof cigarettes with an externalantenna, was developed byDanielTam and Jack Dea. The

technology uses triboelectriccharging the result of thepumping of the human heartand lungs causing the skinto rubagainst surrounding air mol-ecules creating triboelectricity,according to SSC.

The device can sensetheelectricfield, or charges, that arealways present in a persons heart-beat andrespiration,Dea, thedesigner of the RHPMS, told IHS

Janes on 13 September. When

a person moves, the electric fieldalsochanges becausethe chargemoves withthe person.

The abilityto sense a personsheartbeat and respiration could

make the device ideal for detect-ingsomeone buried under rubble,Dea said, orit could beused bysoldiers to see if anyone is hidingbehind a wall or withina struc-ture. I havebeenableto observepeoples respiration and heartbeatthrough walls, he added.

The RHPMS could also haveapplication on an unmannedgroundvehicle. That is entirelypossible. People workingunmanned systems have talked

tome about that, theyareinterested in this area, Tam, anengineer at SSC said.

For closer [detection] weareconfidentin the heartbeatcapabil-ity, butfor distance we aremoreconfidentin respiration, Dea said.Currently, the monitorcan detecta heartbeatata distance of about3 ft (0.9m). Tam and Dea verifiedthedevicesresults against a bloodpressure (sphygmomanometer)monitor. If I know someones

heartbeatis 59 beats perminute,Jack [Dea] will run sensor [results]through thesignal analyser and

itshows the same59 beats perminute. That is how weverify

[the results]. The device is cur-rently at a Technology ReadinessLevel (TRL) 3 sohas a way to gobefore it could enter production,according to Tam.

TheTRL is roughly equivalentto a research and developmentarea right now. Wegot thepatenta couple of months ago whenit was a TRL 1, Tam said. Weproved we can detect humanheart rate and respiration.

Tam and Dea havealso under-

taken a paralleleffort to adaptthe RHPMS to detect people hun-dreds of feet away, which couldmake the technologyideal forperimeter defence. Eventhoughwehave not publicised it wearefocused on improving the heart-beatand respiration detection[capability], Dea said. Itusesourdetector but we add attachmentsto it to improve range.

Because each person has theirown uniqueheartbeat pattern,

another potential application forthe device would be biometricdata for accessing secure build-

ings, Tamadded.We can captureeverybodys heartbeat signature

and wecan put it intoa database.Using funding obtained

through SSC, Tam and Dea havebeen able to digitise the signal,perform signal analysis as well asimprove thesystems circuits tomakeit easier touse.

We arealways improving theproduct even thoughweonly havea small amountof funding for it.But the picturecan change if acorporationis interested in thisandcan work with us, Tamsaid.

We areslowly improving thetechnology maturity level. Thegovernment is not interested inputting in funding until they seea TRL of 8, Tam added. By thetimewepushtoaTRL8,theriskis minimal for building it.

TamandDea acknowledgeitwill takequite a bit of additionalfunding to reach the TRL8milestone. EachTRL takes aboutUSD500 thousand, Tamsaid. Wehavefive more levels to goso [we

willneed] USD2million more.

GeneralDynamicsLand Systems Force Protection Europe hasprivately fundedthe development

of a range ofnew Ocelot protectedvehicle variants based on a cheaperdesignthatswaps thecrewcita-dels widespread use of high-endcomposite materials forsteel.

According to the company, thenewvehicle, known as Ocelot-S,offers similar levelsof ballistic andblastprotection against impro-visedexplosive devices (IEDs).

The firstversionof Ocelot-Sis optimised for the commandfunction at unit level andblends

General Dynamics UKs (GDUK)

integrated communications andbattlemanagement systemswithThales generic vehiclearchitecture (GVA) kit.The latterforms the digital backbone forelectronic integration and Health

& Usage Monitoring System

(HUMS) datagathering.Steel and composite bodies are

fully interchangeable, so custom-ers will be able to specify typesto suit their budget and weight

requirements.The steel versionsare naturally heavier than thecomposite vehicles, imposing an1,800 kg reduction in payload,but General Dynamics claimsthat the mobility of theOcelot-Sis unaffected.

TheOcelot and Ocelot-S areboth built on a Common BasePlatform (CBP) propulsion skateboard with earlier variantsincluding an open Reconnais-sance design and a Utility Variant

(UV), which has been built and

tested carrying two NATO-stan-dard pallets with a two-tonnepayload to therear of a protectedtwo-door cab.

Other potentialOcelotUV

concepts areartillery tractors for105mm Light Gun, fuel bowsers,recovery cranes, protectedshelters, dogkennel andmortarplatforms.The current vehiclehasa wheelbase of 3.65 m butthere isalso the potential of a long wheelbase (LWB) variant, which wouldoffer more volume and payload.Furtherdown the line, the pos-sibility of a 6x6model has alsobeen discussed.

GD to build full family of more affordable Ocelots

Ocelot-S promises lower-cost pro-

tection, eschewing composites.

IHS/PatrickAllen:1524976

Seeihs.com/janesfor more

Seeihs.com/janesfor more


15/68

The new Star SAFIRE 380-HDc is the worlds

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Finmeccanicas Selex ES sub-sidiary planned to unveil a newgeneration of self-containedexpendable Digital RadioFrequency Memory (DRFM)

jammers for fast jet aircraftbefore the endof October.

The new system known asBriteCloud are designed tobe ejected fromthe aircraft,providing an off-board RF decoyto counter fire-controlradars and

lureawayactiveand semi-activemissile threats.

Eachexpendablejammerispacked with high-power batteriesto react andrespond to threatsquickly, and then provideatleast 10 seconds of life after thedecoy is ejected. Their formfactorenablesthem to be loaded intostandard 55 mm chaff and flaredispensers, reducing crew trainingrequirementsand ensuring thatthey can be handled by first-line

and maintenance personnel.

According to Selex ES, BriteCloudwillbe available at significantlylower costs thanfibre-optictoweddecoys (FOTDs)as there is littleorno platform integration requiredandeach BriteCloud unit is highlycompetitively priced.

Compared with older-gener-ation off-board products suchas simple repeater-based activedecoys that are only ableto defeatlegacy continuous-wave emit-

ters Selex ES claims that the

new system is cheaper and atleast twice as effective, providingDoppler andrange obscuration todefeat chaff discrimination tech-niques and systems withrangeand velocity gates.

In addition, to avoid theinherent home-on-jam vulner-abilities of on-board devices,the new expandable active decoyputs significant distance betweenthe decoy andthe fighter after

launch, providing a larger

escapeenvelope. In itscurrent55 mm flare cartridge configur-ation, the casecontainstheexpendable decoy and foldablerear fins,withthe electronics to

activate the firing sequence andpreprogrammed jamming tech-niques are connected through aninternal umbilical connection tothe standard dispenser interface.

The decoys are 200-375 mmlongto suitintegration aboard dif-ferentplatforms andrange withinthe standard 0.7-0.85 kg flareweightmass, offeringa shelf lifeof aroundfive years.

The new decoyscan bepre-loaded withthreat data from

Selex ES EW OperationalSupport (EWOS) outfit undera support contract or users canupload their own information forspecificmissions.

Prototyping design work wascompleted 12-15 months agoandincluded aerodynamic,anechoicchamber, shock and fire testing.Since then, Selex ES hasbeenworking withChemring to pro-ductionise the decoy design.

Selex launches BriteCloud decoy

LUCA PERUZZI

Expanded image of Selexs new BriteCloud expendable decoy.


Selex:1518376


Renault Trucks Defense andtheUralvagonzavod Research andProduction Corporation unveileda full-scale mock-up of a concept

infantry fightingvehicle(IFV)atRAE 2013 in NizhnyTagil,inlateSeptember.

Designated Atom, the 8x8vehiclebringstogether the capa-bilities of the two contractors inwhatOleg Sienko, Uralvagonza-vodsdirector general, describedas a 50:50 partnership.

The Frenchpartnerbrings itsexpertise in wheeled vehicletech-nology, withresponsibility for thecomplete powertrain,driveline,

andsuspension, while its Russian

counterpart willbe responsiblefor the complete hull andassoci-ated weapon system, as well asfinal assembly.

The firstversionis projected

tofillaheavyIFVroleandwasshown fitted with a mock-up ofa remote-controlled turret witha 57 mm cannon as its principal

armament, which Sienko said

would offer superior capabilitiesover comparable vehicles on themarket today.

The heavy IFV versionwouldhavethree crew and spaceforeight dismounts.

The projected designfeaturesan all-welded hull with a grossvehicleweight of 32 tonnesclaimedto offer protection to

STANAG 4569 Level 5.Furtherprojected character-istics include a maximum roadspeed of 100 km/h and a rangeofupto750km.

Discussionsare ongoing as towhether to progressto the nextstage of the programme.

The development of a wheeledIFV represents Uralvagonzavodsfirst effortin this vehicle class andis part of its plans tobroaden itsproduct range away from tanks

and tracked combat vehicles.

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS,

HUW WILLIAMS

A full-scale mock-up of the Atom infantry fighting vehicle concept wasshown at RAE 2013 in Nizhny Tagil in late September.

Seeidr.janes.comfor more

France and Russia team for future IFV


17/68

UPGRADE UPDATE

ihs.com/janes November 2013 Janes International Defence Review | 17

More firepower offered for BMP-2 IFV

CHRISTOPHER F FOSS

Russias Kurganmashzavod JointStockCompany has developedtwo firepower upgrades for thewidely deployed BMP-2 infantryfighting vehicle (IFV).

Thefirst version includes theinstallation of a B07K2 gunnerssight that features double-planehead mirror stabilisation, athermal imaging camera, and alaser rangefinder.The imageryfrom these devices is displayed

on a monitor atthe gunnersposition in the turret.

Furthermore, in place of thecommanders roof-mountedTKN-3MB vision device, theTKN-AI unit, which featureslaser active pulse illumination,has been installed.

Armament improvementscomein the formof a twinlauncher for the Kolomna KBM9K120Ataka missile system.This offers improvements in

lethalityand range over the9K113Konkurs anti-tankguidedmissile that is installed onthe standard BMP-2IFV.

TheAtaka has a semi-automaticcommand-to-line-of-sightguidance system, requiring thegunner only to maintain his sighton the targetuntil missileimpact.The supersonic missile

hasa maximum range of 5,800 m(the Konkurs is effective outtoa range of4,000m),andatleast three types of missile are

currently being marketed.The first of these, the 9M120,is the option for the BMP-2IFV upgrade.

The9M120-1 features atandem high-explosive anti-tankwarhead that is claimed to beable topenetrate800 mm ofconventional steel armourprotected by explosive reactive

armour (ERA).The 9M120F1has a thermobaric (or fuel airexplosive)-type warhead that is

optimised for use againstbunkers, and the 9A220 has acontinuous-rod high-explosivewarhead with impact andproximity laser fuzing, whichis most often used againstairborne targets.

No upgrades have been madetothe BMP-2s 30 mm 2A42dual-feed cannonor to its

7.62 mm PKT co-axiallymounted machine gun.

The more limited secondfirepower upgrade packageincludes the installation of a

remote-controlled 30 mm AG-17automatic grenade launcher anda BPK-3-42gunners sight.

Survivability enhancementscomein the form of appliqupassive armour to the hull andturret, spall liners insidethecrew compartment, and platesunder the hull floor for improvedprotection against mines. Bar/slat-type armour has been fittedtothe hull and turret to helpcounter rocket-propelled

grenades. ERA could be fitted asan alternative to the bar/slatarmour, but this would increasethe gross vehicle weight.

Other survivability improve-ments include the installation offire- and explosion-proof dieselfuel tanks and suspended seatsfor thecrew.

For improved crew comfortduring operations in highambient temperatures, a KBM2air-conditioning system can be

fitted, and tracks with rubberpads will reducedamage to roadsand noise.

Finally, the existing engine canbe replaced by a more powerfulUTD-23T turbocharged dieselunit thatdevelops 360 hp and anupgraded suspension, includingstronger torsion bars and newroad wheels.

Above: Standard production

Russian BMP-2 IFV with 30 mm

2A42 cannon.

Right: Scale model of the up-

graded BMP-2 IFV with two

turret-mounted 9M120 series

ATGWs and bar/slat armour for a

higher level of protection against

rocket propelled grenades.

Anonymoussource:1127547




UPGRADE UPDATE

A Czech andSlovakian consortiumis preparing to conduct trialsof anew comprehensive overhauledand upgraded version of theSoviet-era BMP-1 and BMP-2armoured fighting vehicle lines.

Czech-based ExcaliburArmyand the Slovak VOP Trancnmilitary repair unit and EVPUInc have been working on the

vehicle known as theBVP-M2SKCZ since 2009 and this firstprototype leverages work under-taken on theMGC-1, which wasrevealed in 2011.

Its mainfocus is on boostingprotection for thecrew, who nowsit on blast-attenuating, hingedseats. In standard form, the bellyof thevehicle is protected toSTANAG 4569 Level 1, rising toLevel 2a for explosions underthe tracks, with the main hull

offering Level 3 armour orLevel 4 with appliqu plate. Ifthe hull is breached, the crewisnow protected by a standardanti-explosion and fire extin-guisher system.

The7mlong,3.2mwide,and 2.9 m tall (without bar/slat armour) prototype vehicleis also equipped with an RF

jammer to protect againstremotely detonated improvisedexplosive devices.

Protection can be bolstered

further with elementsof passiveand active protection systems, aswell as vehicle-specific camou-flage designs and nets.

As well as boosting protec-tion, the designers have greatlyimproved the crew comfort andergonomic layout of the vehicle,with thecrew accessing via arear hydraulic ramp with a singlebuilt-in doorreplacingthe legacytwo-door set-up.

Thefuel tank and batteries located in the dismountsectionin theBMP-series have beenrelocated and the compartmentsceiling has been raised to offer amore usable1.3 m height.

Twoindependent heatingandair conditioning units shouldenable a more tailored tempera-ture range.

The vehicles armament fea-tures EVPUs TURRA-30 remoteturret, armed with a stabilised

30 mm 2A42 cannon, coaxial

7.62 mm machine gun, smokegrenade launchers, and mountingfor an optional anti-tank missiletwin launcher.

Details are unconfirmed, buttheturret is understood to beaimed through day-and-night,all-weather surveillance and tar-geting sights for the commanderand gunner,enabling the weapontofire onthe move.

The BMP-series traditional and

reliable butobsolete Soviet-

origin UTD-20engine is replacedwith a more powerful CaterpillarC9.3 turbodiesel, developing402 bhp and 1,696 lb/ft ofmaximum torque, which is quitesubstantial fora vehicle with acombat weight of 18 tonnes.

The prototype vehicle retainsthe originalgearbox, albeitcontrolledby a newsystemcapable of full-or semi-automaticoperation.It also offers an emer-

gency manualmode in case ofmalfunction or tow-away.IHS Janes has learned that Slo-

vakia may becomethe first cus-tomer for theupgrade, lookingtoenhance part of its BVP-1 andBVP-2 fleet to BVP-M2 SKCZstandard, as those vehicles areapproaching theend of theirservice life and Slovakia has notacquired any modern wheeledIFVs to replace them (unlike theCzech Republic, which has more

than 100 PandurII 8x8s).

Refreshed BVP upgrade readies for trials

MICHAL ZDOBINSKY

The BVP-M2s

driver station

features anintuitive layout.

Internal view of the BVP-M2, which has been completely redesigned with

space for six dismounts in suspended seats.

The overall layout of the BVP-M2 offers more space for crew and dismounts.

ExcaliburArmy:1518368

y

Excalibur Armys new BVP-M2 is a substantial modernisation of the BMP-1

and -2 line.





UPGRADE UPDATE

Russias Radiozavod has addeda mobile control capabilityto its manportable air-defencesystem (MANPADS) co-ordina-tion system.

The system is designatedKTSAU PZRK (Komplet Tekh-nicseskikh Sredstv Automa-tizirovannovo UpravleniaStrelka Perenosnovo ZenitnovoRaketnovo Kompleta), and

enables up to nine MANPADSto be co-ordinated from a singleAutomated Control Module(ACM), with the intention ofspeeding up engagements andincreasing lethality.

An ACM consists of a laptopcomputer linked to GPS orGLONASS housed in a rug-gedised case, along with thecommunications equipment forvoice and data, and batteries.

The ACM can be connected

to higher level command-and-control (C2) elements such as9S482M, 9S482M7, and9S737MK as well as a radar(1L122-1), which the companyclaims enables the ACM tosimultaneously track at least 60aerial targets travelling at speedsof up 2,550 m/s and out to arange of 40 km.

The new mobile controlconfiguration is intended foruse in vehicles and sees the

computer and voice radio unitremoved from the ruggedisedcase although still connectedby wire and the communica-tions and power elements fittedelsewhere in the vehicle.

Adding this mobile capabilityenables a greater flexibility inthe deployment of the system.

The ACM automaticallyreceives information for thehigher C2 levels regarding theair picture, which includes radar

data, all of which can be pre-

sented on the ACM operatorscomputer display.

The ACM also receives datafrom its subordinate MANPADSunits regarding their position,combat readiness, ammunitionlevels, and combat actions.

Information sent to theMANPADS includes the airpicture and operational com-mands for engaging targets.

Each MANPADS operator isprovided with an Individual

Automation Kit (IAK), whichconsists of a vest and helmet,the former is fitted with thecommunications and computingsystems, as well as the battery,the latter features the operatorsradio and a monocle that pres-ents the information receivedfrom the ACM regarding theassigned target.

This information is displayedon a grid and includes therange to target, its direction

of travel, a visual indication ofthe targets position, and anaim mark.

The IAK is able to receiveinformation on one target trackonly, with information on thetarget refreshed at 0.5-secondintervals and presented to theoperator at an update rate ofonce per second.

The ACM can be connectedto the C2 systems and radarvia a hard wire to a maximum

distance of 5 km, via radio com-munications these ranges areextended to 10 km.

The link with the IAK is viaradio and out to a maximumrange of 1.5 km.

The systems elements arestated as being capable of oper-ating in temperatures rangingfrom -40 to 50 Celsius and inall-weather conditions.

With the standard batteries,continuous operating time

is stated as up to six hours.

MANPADS co-ordinationsystem gains mobilityHUW WILLIAMS

The USArmy is tofit its BoeingCH-47Chinooks and SikorskyUH-60 Black Hawks with a newlighter ballistic protection systemthat is designed to providethecrew and passengers with greaterprotection against small arms fireover larger sections of the heli-copters, the service announced inearlyOctober.

The Ballistic ProtectionSystem

(BPS) comprises a floor kit and aMulti-Impact Transparent ArmorSystem (MITAS) for the windowsto provide additional protectionto the pilot and cargo areas.

Fitted to theChinook, thesystem weighs just 680 kgcompared with 1,590 kg for the

ballistic protection currently inplace, and there is a comparativeweight reduction for theBlackHawk also.

Developed at theArmyAviation and Missile Research,Development and EngineeringCenters Prototype Integra-tion Facility (PIF) at RedstoneArsenal in Alabama, the BPS ispart of a wider drive toemploylighter-weight armour systemsin aircraft while maintaining or

increasing theability to with-stand advanced ground fire.

The PIF will now deliver atechnical data package to theCH-47 andUH-60 programmemanagement offices to allowindustry to compete for futureBPS acquisition contracts.

US to fit lightweight

armour to helicoptersGARETH JENNINGS



UPGRADE UPDATE

The US Navy will begin upgrad-ing its inventory of Block IVTomahawk cruise missiles in2017 with a new seeker capableof locating and tracking fixed andmoving radar-emitting targets.

The electronic support mea-sures (ESM) seeker is part of anewproductimprovement pro-gramme for the missilethat alsoincludes a two-way satellite

datalink to enable a strikecontroller to redirect the missilein-flight to pre-programmedalternate targets or more criticaltargets, Raytheon said in an earlyOctoberannouncement.

Raytheons ESM seeker capa-bilitywas validated in a realistic,high-density environment afterseven months of testing inanechoic chambers, Raytheonsaid.The demonstration occurredin July.

The plan would beto insertthis capability along with other

enhancements to Block IVproduction in 2017 as a part of arecertification phase beginningbetween2017 and 2019. All newproduction following the recer-tification phase will incorporatenew capabilities, Roy Donelson,Tomahawk programme directorat Raytheon Missile Systems,told IHS Janes.

The seeker upgrade will allowtheTomahawk to target, forexample, fixed radar installations

on land that would be emittingenergy, Donelson said.

However, in its currentform the upgraded Block IVTomahawk ESM is not designedto find non-emitting targets.

This test covered only thepassive ARH [anti-radar homing]element, Donelson said. Theprogramme is pursuing a multi-mode sensor capability. Themulti-mode sensor could thenlocate, identify, discriminate, and

engage both moving/fixed andemitting/non-emitting targets.

TheBlock IV Tomahawkprogramme started productionin 2004 and has delivered morethan 2,900 production missilesas of September 2013.

The current budget reflectsprocurement of Tomahawkmissiles through 2020, a USNaval Air Systems Command

spokesperson told IHS Janes.Block IV missile inventories,

including planned recertificationefforts, will sustain fleet opera-tions until the 2045 time frame,the spokesperson said.

Block III Tomahawk missiles

procured and deliveredprior totheBlock IV productionwillremainin thefleet until theirservice life expires.

It is anticipated that Block IIImissiles will be out of the inven-tory by 2020, thespokespersonsaid. It is not possible to modifytheBlock IIImissiles to makethem Block IVs.

The Tomahawk programmecontinues to evaluate potentialenhancements of the Block

IV missile for future budgetsubmissions, including warheadand communications improve-ments, the spokesperson added.

Raytheon is pursuing othernew product improvements,according to Donelson.

The company is also exploringcapabilities to provide Tomahawkenhancements for operations inan anti-access/area-denial envi-ronment, a multi-mode sensorpackage, enhanced communi-

cation suite, and multi-effectwarhead capability.

Raytheon tests anti-radar

seeker for Block IV TomahawkGEOFF FEIN

The US Navy will install a new ESMseeker onto the Block IV Tomahawk

cruise missile beginning in 2017.

The US Navy (USN)will beginmodifying AV-8B Harriermissioncomputers before the endof2013 to provide additional com-

puter memory and processing,andenablefuture upgrades.Under the current contract

awarded to General DynamicsAdvanced InformationSystems all133 AV-8B Harriers inthe fleetwillreceive the upgrade.

This upgradewill provide asecond Open System Processor[OSP3] card with a Future Air-borneCapabilities Environment[FACE]software environmentinthe AV-8B, MarciaHart-Wise,

USN NavalAir Systems Command

spokeswoman, told IHS Janes inlateSeptember.

This willallow future capa-bilities to be added to theAV-8Bmission computer via FACE soft-ware applications, she added.

The secondcard upgradetothe MissionSystems Computer(MSC) willprovideadditionalcomputer processing, additionalcomputer memory, anda card onwhich the Required NavigationPerformance/Area Navigation(RNP RNAV) capability developedby the government willbe hosted,Hart-Wise said.

Once government-producedsoftware is completely separatefromthe processor cardupgrade,

RNP RNAV will provideAV-8B

equipped aircraft withthe abilityto navigate using GPS as a primarymeansof navigation, enablingthose aircraft to fileandfly RNAVdepartures, routes,arrivals,and RNAV (GPS) non-precision

approaches withcivil airspaceauthorities, andallow for globalRNP RNAV airspace access, shesaid. The effort includes hardwareandsoftware upgrades. A secondOSP3 card will be installed in theAV-8B missioncomputer.Thiscard willhave a FACE environ-ment thatwill support the RNPRNAV application.The secondcard will support RNPRNAVeven if FACE conformance is notachievable, Hart-Wise added.

Hardware upgradeinstalla-

tions are expected to begin afterthe contract is awarded,whichis anticipated late thisyear,Hart-Wise said. Installations areexpected to continue to the endof 2016. RNP RNAV softwareis

expected to be delivered in 2017.The upgradewill enable theUS MarineCorps (USMC) to con-tinue flying the Harrierafter thearrival of the F-35B short take-offandvertical landing variantof

JointStrikeFighter. Hart-Wisesaid the AV-8B and F-35B will beflown together on the battlefield,with the USMC hoping tokeeptheAV-8B operational until 2030.

TheUSN has awarded 44 con-tracts for Harrierupgrades since

1 October2012.

USN to upgrade AV-8B Harrier mission computersGEOFF FEIN

USNavy:0522981



UNMANNED SYSTEMS

A Russian consortium has devel-oped a combatsupport unmannedground vehicle (UGV).

Armoured vehicle specialistUralvagonzavod has partneredwith OAO Izhevskiy Radiozavodand theFederal State UnitaryEnterprises Radio Research andDevelopment Institute (NIIR) todevelop the system, a prototype

of which took part in the live-firedisplay at RAE 2013 in NizhnyTagil,Russia.

Designated MRC-002-BG-57,the tracked system on display isintended to act in intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance(ISR),and direct and indirectcombat roles.

According to company data,the vehicle can operate out toa range of5 kmandtravel atspeedsof upto 35km/h;it isalso

said to feature an encrypted com-munications system.

It is fitted with a gyrostabilisedweapons station and an electro-

optic/infrared (EO/IR) payload,which is used for both its ISRrole andfor engaging targets.The current weapons fit canaccommodate 7.62 or 12.7 mmmachine guns (with 500 and300 rounds of ammunition,respectively), or a 30 mm auto-

matic grenade launcher. It alsohas a ballistic computer to aidin engagements.

The vehicle is battery-powered

and has an operational weightof1,100kg,anditissaidtobeable to operate in temperaturesranging from -40 to 40Celsius.In its present configuration, itmeasures3 m inlength by1.8 min width and 1.26 m in height.

The level of autonomy pos-

sessed bythe system is notknown; however, direct controlis undertaken via a joystick andcontrol console.

The partnership has alsodeveloped a four-wheeled UGV,designated MRC-001-b-23.This vehicle is also designedto provide combat support and

ISR capabilities.To date, most Russian efforts

to develop UGVs have focusedon explosive ordnance disposalsystems which for the mostpart offer basic functionalitywhen compared to Westernsystems and the conversionofsmall engineering vehicles.Thesenew systems represent the firstforay into larger purpose-builtUGVs by Russian industry, andthe willingness to incorporate

combat capabilities in systemsfrom the get-gois a notableaspect, given that most Westernmanufacturers (and militaries)aretaking only tentative steps inthis area of UGV utility.

However, how far thedevel-opment of these systems willprogress is not known.At RAE2013, a number of leading indus-try figures said thedevelopmentof advanced UGVs will requireguidance from the Russian

Ministry of Defence and militarybefore companies can commitresources, but to date this has notbeen forthcoming.

Combat support system demonstratesRussias advanced UGV capabilitiesHUW WILLIAMS

The US Navyis set to field28 MQ-8C FireScout unmannedhelicopters,based on the Bell407 airframe.

The MRC-002-BG-57 system demonstrated a high degree of mobility duringthe live-fire display at RAE 2013.

ChristopherFF

oss:1518353

MQ-8C Fire Scout readies for flight trials

Northrop Grummanhas begunpreparing the MQ-8C Fire Scout

unmanned helicopter for flighttrials set to take place in October.The main rotor blades of the

first MQ-8C were rotated duringinitial ground testing and engineruns at Naval Base VenturaCounty Point Mugu,California,in mid-September. This was doneto ensure that all of the aircraftssystems are functioning andcommunicating properly prior toits first flight, the company saidin a statement.

Based on the Bell 407 air-

frame, the MQ-8C is a largerand more capable variant of itsMQ-8B Fire Scout namesake,which is modelled on the smaller

Schweizer Aircraft model 330helicopter. The US Navy is set toreceive 28 MQ-8Cs to augmentthe 168 MQ-8Bs it plans tooperate in both the intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance(ISR) and unmanned strike roles.Northrop Grummanis currentlyunder contract to produceMQ-8C aircraft for deploymentbeginning in 2014.

In May, the navy announcedthat it was standing up its first

composite squadron to operate

both manned and unmannedhelicopters. Based at Naval AirStation (NAS) North Island inCalifornia, Helicopter Maritime

Strike Squadron (HSM)-35

Magicians will field a mixedforce of eight Sikorsky MH-60RSeahawk and 10 NorthropGrumman MQ-8B/C Fire

Scout helicopters.

GARETH JENNINGS

NorthropGrumman:151302

6



UNMANNED SYSTEMS

Aurora Flight Sciences Skateunmanned aircraft system (UAS)has deployed operationallyto Afghanistan, the companyrevealed in September.

Skates deploymenthas beensponsored bythe USAir ForceResearch Laboratory. A companyspokesperson told IHS Janes thattheUAS was sent to theatreinMarch 2013 and that there is noscheduled enddate for its mission.

According to a company state-

ment, the initial assessment ofthe systems performance hasbeen very positive, with systemcapability and ease-of-use amongthe highlights.

The spokesperson said thatmultiple systems have beendelivered and that Skate is inoperation with two differentservices. Exact details regardingthe number of systems in theatreand where they are operatingcannot be disclosed for security

reasons, however, the spokesper-son confirmed that thesystemsare being used ina variety of

intelligence, surveillance andreconnaissance roles, includingfor patrol overwatch and forwardoperating base security.

The aircraft is typicallyequipped with electro-opticaland infrared imaging payloads,and the spokesperson said thatboth types have been utilised.

Skate is hand-launched anddesigned to be lightweight, easilyportable (in a backpack), and todeliver relatively long endurance

on quiet electric power, as wellas having an autonomous opera-tion capability.

The aircraft is made fromexpanded polypropylene andweighs less than 1 kg, includingthe batteries and payload.Thevehicle is essentially a rectan-gular flying wing with a spanof61cmandalengthof48cm that has a rear-mounted controlsurface and twin vertical stabilis-ing surfaces. Theaircraft has a0.2 kg payload capacity, whichis mounted centrally and can beswapped in and out in the field.

Skate features twin indepen-dently articulated motors thatpower two-bladed propellers andenable the aircraft to transitionbetween vertical and horizontal

flight.These areintended toimprove manoeuvrability andendurance, the latter due to theability to combine vertical take-off and landing functionalitywith typical fixed wing flight.They also enable the vehicle tobe launched and recovered inconfined spaces.

The aircraft has an operatingrange of around3.5 km with anomni-directional antenna, butthis can be extendedto 5 km

with a directional system; it usesan encrypted digital datalink.

Skates one-hour endurance canbe extended to 90 minutes withan optional kit. It typically flies at400 ft above ground level and hasa maximumoperating altitudeof13,000ft above mean sea level.It is controlledvia a handheldunit that has an integratedvideodisplay andcan operate undermanual control or using GPSwaypoint navigation.

Skate UAS active in AfghanistanHUW WILLIAMS

AuroraFlightSciences:1518346

Aurora Flight SciencesSkate UAS is in use with USarmed forces in Afghanistan.

The US Defense AdvancedResearch Projects Agency(DARPA) has modified its con-tract with Boston Dynamics forthe development of theLeggedSquad Support System (LS3) in

order to incorporate a range ofnew capabilities.DARPA is working with theUS

MarineCorps on the LS3 with anaim of combining mobility andlogistics capabilities in a systemthat can haul 400 lb (181 kg)of equipment more than 32 kmwithout the need for interven-tion during a 24-hour period, andalso keep pacewith the forces itis supporting.

Under the modification

which provides for up to nearly

USD10 million in extra funding Boston Dynamics has beentasked with improving thereliability and usability of theplatform, as well as providing

enhanced survivability againstsmall arms fire and introducinga quiet power supply to supportstealthy tactical operations.

LS3 is a quadruped and has

evolved from Boston DynamicsBigDog system. It undertookits most recent field trials inDecember 2012 at Fort Pickett,Virginia; the two-week effortwas held in conjunctionwiththeUS Marine Corps Warfight-ing Laboratory (MCWL).Therobots legs have hydraulicactuators with sensors for jointposition and force. Thesystem

can run and maintain its balanceon loose, slippery, and unevenground, climb hills, and can alsoright itself if it falls over.

During the trials, fivecapabili-ties of the system were demon-strated: verbal commands; nightoperations; go toorders; percep-tion of environment; and intelli-gent foot placement. At the timeof the trials, platform robustnessand perception were identifiedas the primary challenges in the

development of the system.

DARPA has tasked Boston Dynamics with enhancing the survivability

among other improvements of the LS3.

DARPA:1517081

HUW WILLIAMS

DARPA looks to enhance LS3


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UNMANNED SYSTEMS

Leveraging technologies fromits Swedish and UK operations,Saab Seaeye showcased a numberof new developments in theunderwater vehicles arena onboard the Swedish Navys minecountermeasures vessel (MCMV)HMSwNS Vinga atDSEI2013inLondon, in mid-September.

Based on the Double Eagle

family of remotely operatedvehicles (ROVs), with advancesin autonomous underwatervehicles (AUVs) and ROVs in thecommercial offshore sector, thecompany has developed a newconcept called the Multi-MineNeutralisation System (MuMNS).

We have matched our latestversion of the SeaeyeFalcon ROVwiththe MuMNS multiple-shot

reusablesystem,Saab Seaeyesales manager Bengt Larson toldIHS Janes. This not only signifi-cantly reduces costs comparedto current mine neutralisation[concepts] employing eitherdiver-or ROV-placed charges, butalso substantially increases theefficiency andspeed of advancethrough mined waters.

MuMNS consists of a magazinesystem, which accommodates as

standard three launchers housingthe Ballista disruptor system.The latter system incorporatesthe ShadowFloat capabil-ity, a remotecommand firingsystemusing an antenna buoy.More launchers can be included,depending on thesizeof the ROVand customerrequirements. Thesystemwastested off Estonia inAugust, while further trials are

plannedin UK waters using theThales/ASV unmanned surfacevehicledemonstrator Halcyon.

As MuMNS employs simpledeck filled charges, Larsonsaid, the magazine can befitted to a variety of remotelyoperated vehicles.The chargesare attached tothe mines byamanipulator arm and nail gun,after which a float is releasedwith an RF communications

antenna for command deto-nation, or the charges can beprimedto detonate by a timer.

In theMCM concept of opera-tions envisaged by Saab Seaeye,anAUV equipped with MuMNSwould search for andidentifymines before activating the float-ing antenna buoy. The chargecould then be triggeredat longrange by an unmanned aerial

vehicle or a helicopter usinganRF signal. The charge can betriggeredup to 28 days after themine is discovered.

Elsewhere, Saab Seaeye

revealed that it has secured ordersduring 2013 tosell the latestversionof itsAUV-62 systemtotwo undisclosed customers.

CalledAUV-62-AT, the systemis designed for anti-submarinewarfareoperatortraining, as wellas for on board sonar,helicoptersonar,and command systemoper-ations.The AUV-62-ATacts as atarget surrogate which mimicsthe signature of a submarine bytransmitting broadband noise

similar to the passivesignaturesof a conventional submarine.The AUV-62-AT returns activesonar pings witha realistic targetstrength andecho location.

The AUV-62-AT systempackage consists of a vehicle, acommand-and-control system,and operating and maintenanceequipment. It can be launchedfrom a variety of platforms.

LUCA PERUZZI

Saab Seaeye demonstrates

underwater vehicle developments

Roboteam offers new mobility option for MTGR

Unmanned systems specialistRoboteam has developed a newconfiguration of its Micro Tacti-calGround Robot (MTGR)that isdesigned to improve operation indifficult terrain.

The MTGR is primarilyintended for explosive ordnance

disposal (EOD)and intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance(ISR) duties.

The standard MTGR featuresrubber main tracks and trackedflippers that aid in stair climb-ing and traversing over objects;interestingly, these flippersare approximately the samelength as the main tracks. Thenewconfiguration adds a wheelkit to theplatform to improvemanoeuvrability and mobility,

while maintaining the ability

to climb using the flippers.The MTGR is inservicewith

US special forces and EOD teams,andin Israel with the police,EOD units, and specialist elem-ents of themilitary.

The complete system can becarried in a backpack.The vehicleitself weighs 16 lb (7.25 kg) in itstracked configuration and 19 lb

when fitted with wheels,it has a

20 lb payload capacity andistypically fitted with a company-developed manipulator arm.Power is provided by a standard2557/U battery pack, which sup-ports an operating endurance ofup tothree hours.

A new manipulator featuresfour degrees-of-freedom (DoF)instead of the three DoF previ-

ously available.

The platform uses a secureMANET datalink andis controlledwiththe companys tablet com-puter-style Ruggedised OperatorsControlUnit-7(ROCU-7).This isalsopowered by a 2557/U batteryandruns Microsofts Windows 7,withcontrolsoftware devel-oped in-house.The batteriescanbe detached and worn on the

operators belt to lighten thecontroller.Through line-of-sightcommunications, the system canbe controlled out toa range ofalmost 490 m.

For situational awarenessand surveillance, the MTGRfeatures five cameras: one ineach flank and therear; with twofacing forwards, one with a widefield-of-view, the other narrowand near-IR; another camera isused to guide the manipulator

arms gripper.

HUW WILLIAMS The additionof a wheel kitto the MTGRis designed toimprove thevehicles mobil-ity in challeng-ing terrain.

Roboteam:

1518375



UNMANNED SYSTEMS

Russias ENICS displayed thelatest variants of its Eleronunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)series atRAE 2013 in NizhnyTagil, Russia.

The company has developednew SV versions of its Eleron-3andEleron-10 systems, whichoffer a number of enhancementsover the baseline UAVs,but whichalsobring reductions in the per-formance of certain aspects.

TheEleron-10SV brings an

improvement in maximumspeed, now standing at 135 km/has opposed to thebaselinesystems 120 km/h. However,the SVs ceiling has reducedsignificantly from 16,400 ft to13,100ft. While the maximumtake-off weight has not changedat 15.5kg, thenew versionspayload capacity is 2.5 kg lessthan the baseline vehicle, nowstanding at2 kg. The upside ofthis loss in payload capacity is

an increase in endurance (whenfitted with maximum payload) to2.5 hours inthe SV, up from thestandard 1.5 hours.

Perhaps the mo

janes international defence review november 2013

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