N° 38 • March/April 2018
MAGAZINE European Defence Review Western developments in the anti-ship missile warfare
From antitank to multirole: the evolution of infantry missiles Man’s Best Friend K9 Humanitarian Deminers The 3-D shipborne radars evolve
MBDAs Coastal Defence System, selected by Qatar, has two effectors, the Marte-ER and the Exocet Block 3. © P. Valpolini
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European Defence Review
MAGAZINE I S S U E N° 38 2018
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The European Parliament has to act against traitors without delay!
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Western developments in the the evolution of infantry missiles
CONTENTS
By Joseph Roukoz
By Luca Peruzzi
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From antitank to multirole: the evolution of infantry missiles Paolo Valpolini
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Man’s Best Friend K9 Humanitarian Deminers
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The 3-D shipborne radars evolve
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KTRV taps into naval weapons market
By David Oliver
By Luca Peruzzi
By Nikolay Novichkov
Publisher: Joseph Roukoz Editor-in-chief: David Olivier European Defence Review (EDR) is published by European Defence Publishing SAS www.edrmagazine.eu EDR | March/April 2018
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EDITORIAL
The European Parliament has to act against traitors without delay! By Joseph Roukoz As a European citizen, I can’t help but being troubled by the silence of the European Parliament, the Defense commission and our National leaders, towards Sweden, after it engaged in talks to acquire 4 Patriot systems and 300 missiles (including 200 PAC3 missiles) for a total of 2.5 billion Euros from the United States. Let alone the fact that the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) had already received a proposal for the Franco-Italian system SAMP/T manufactured by MBDA and Thales that fills all the requirements of Sweden, in a more modern and way less expensive package (866 million Euros for four systems equipped with Aster 30 missiles). The European offer lost its competition without any explanation. It is the third European country after Poland and Romania that chose to acquire American systems while Europe is perfectly capable of providing similar technology with a better price. These decisions are appalling for us Europeans coming from countries that will soon preside the Union while betraying the European market in their high-tech defense acquisitions. One can argue that transatlantic relations have always existed in Europe and that there is not harm in making business with our American allies and they would be right. But on a larger scale, these decisions harm Europe both symbolically and economically. Symbolically, this move sends a strong message that some countries prefer to go through the juridical complications of making business with the US defense industry, rather than benefiting from the European legal and juridical frame that has been put in place to simplify defense acquisitions within the Union and help support the European industry. It is a strong message that political complacency still tops common
economic interests. Economically, failing to stand with the European industry while signing such big contracts impacts the sales balance of companies, therefore harming production and jobs in the Union. How can one explain to the European citizens that they have to stand with the EU, respect laws emanating from Brussels and pay taxes to a Union that isn’t even respected by its own members in their commercial choices? How to deter the evolution of far-right and populist movements in Europe, including in its economic lung Germany, while other members do not respect its ethics? How do we even think about harmonizing a European defense industry or build a European army if its nations fail to have vision and discipline? The European Parliament and all governing institutions should think about a disciplinary process that sanctions these countries or any other that would drop their own industry to the benefit of a foreign power. This might be a radical or an unrealistic vision that reminds us of protectionist times, but building the credibility of the European Union towards its citizens cannot be made with beautiful speeches and soft politics. French President Macron can’t be the only knight fighting for a more unified and strong Europe. You either support your industry and manpower in building a credible European defense, or you pay the price for harming Europe’s economy and punishing your peers and citizens with your politically yellow-belly choices.
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The latest Block 3 version of MBDA MM40 ASM has been sold and in-service or being delivered to a reported number of 11 customers (including the French Navy). The weapon system has been sold and is promoted in ship-, submarine-, aircraft-, helicopter- and shore-based variants. MBDA is working on enhancing the guidance missile capabilities to cope with advanced adversary defences. ©MBDA
Western developments in the anti-ship missile warfare By Luca Peruzzi
The proliferation of advanced anti-ship (ASM) and anti-ship cruise (ASCM) missiles, such as the new families of Chinese supersonic and long-range weapons, and the concerning about the ability of modern navies to ensure control in the face of emerging anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, is pushing towards the development of new generation capable weapon systems and the development of countering systems.
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ew generation or updated ASM western programs feature longer range, more advanced control and navigation, multi-mode seeker, improved warhead and attack capabilities to cope with coastal and long-range environments, introducing in-flight re-vectoring and possibly man-in-the-loop to comply with dynamic situations.
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European achievements In late-March 2017, The UK Minister of Defence procurement and the head of France’s Defence Procurement agency (DGA) signed a technical agreement launching a joint concept phase to investigate options for the next generation of Future Cruise/ Anti-Ship Weapons (FC/ASW). The latter’s
Concept Phase, which will be executed by MBDA group, will examine options to replace and improve existing weapons in the inventory of both nations’ air force and navies, including Storm Shadow/SCALP EG, AGM/UGM/RGM-84 Harpoon and Exocet MM40, and will define the missile designs and should reduce risks to inform decisions about the next stage of the programme. The aim of the FC/ASW program is to have a planned operational capability to be achieved by the end of the next decade. Equally funded by France and the UK and to last three years, it will examine, de-risk and develop a range of missile concept options, sub-systems and technologies, in order to inform an Initial Gate decision in 2020. The UK has an urgent need to replace the Harpoon ASM and last October the UK Minister of Defence has deferred the decision to retire the weapon without replacement, while extending the missile service life beyond 2018. France is more relaxed with its inventory
of Exocet missiles and both has recently decided to launch an upgrade program for the Storm Shadow/SCALP EG. This form of cooperation is viewed by both industry and analysts to be enlarged to third parties in order to share costs and the only capable to sustain the long-term critical mass needed to keep providing Europe with independent access to key sovereign technologies. The family of ship, air or underwater launched MBDA Exocet ASMs, which entered service since 1972, continues to gain orders from current (which today totals at least 35 countries) and potential customers. Since the first delivery to French DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) in December 2010, the latest MM40 Block 3 version has been sold in almost 500 rounds to 11 customers including the French Navy. In June 2016, MBDA received an important contract for different weapon systems by Qatar Emiri Naval Force, including an undisclosed number of additional Block 3 rounds. The latter will
The latest and consistent supply contract for the Exocet missile family was awarded to MBDA in June 2016 by the already-equipped Qatar Emiri Naval Forces, for an undisclosed number of rounds to equip new Fincantieri’s to be provided vessels and MBDA new coastal ASM defence system. The European group is working on enhancing the guidance missile capabilities to cope with advanced adversary defences. ©MBDA
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In addition to the Royal Norwegian, Polish and Royal Malaysian Navies, the NSM is one of the key element of the German and Norwegian long-term cooperation in the naval sector, formally launched on last February. Moreover, the NSM is at the heart of US Raytheon and Kongsberg industrial team offering the missile for the US market, as well as at the core of the industrial participation of Australian industry. ŠKongsberg Group
equip both the new Fincantieri-to be provided corvettes and fast patrol missile vessels and the new coastal mobile ASM batteries, in the latter application being sided by new Marte ER weapon system. Characterized by a less than 6 meters long airframe (with booster) optimized for high-G terminal manoeuvres and reduced IR and radar-cross section signatures, the 780kg heavy Block 3 version features a powerful Microturbo TRI-40 turbojet providing an extended operational range at sea-skimming altitudes of around 200 km. The advanced hybrid INS/GPS navigation package allows for the programming of 3D way-points, optimized trajectories and simultaneous terminal attacks of multiple missiles. Equipped with an insensitive
warhead providing optimized HE blast and pre-fragmented effects, triggered by an impact fuze with proximity function, the Block 3 version’s terminal guidance is provided by a radar seeker with adaptive search patterns, offering enhanced target selection and ECCM, in addition to better air defences penetration capabilities, while land attack is conducted on GPS coordinates. The Exocet missile family, however, continues to cope with latest adversary defence capabilities. According to the 2018 French defence budget law, an enhanced Block 3c sub-version will be delivered in 2019. No details have been provided but in the previous defence budget law, the documents refer to enhancements to the radar seeker in electronic counter The Konsberg NSM family also features an air-launched multi-role version called Joint Strike Missile (JSM), with a modified airframe to be internally carried and launched from F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter. Being developed with Australian participation, the JSM will feature a second independent sensor represented by a passive radio frequency seeker being develop by BAE Systems Australia and a two-way communications data link. ŠKongsberg Group
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In March 2017, Saab Dynamics has been awarded a contract by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the development and production of the next-generation version of RBS15 ASM to equip the Royal Swedish Navy’s Visby-class corvettes and Swedish air force JAS Gripen E multi-role fighters. ©Saab
countermeasures (ECCM), low-signature targets and obsolescence cure. Developed by Kongsberg to meet Royal Norwegian Navy’s (RNoN) requirements for a highly discriminative, low-observable, sea skimming anti-ship missile able to operate effectively in blue waters and littoral environments and to penetrate shipboard defences, the Nytt Sjomalsmissile/Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is finding new and potential customers in Europe and US. In addition to the RNoN and Polish navies who use the missile respectively in shipborne and mobile coastal defence applications and the contract from the Royal Malaysian Navy’s for the six-ships Littoral Combat Ship programme, the NSM became part of the German and Norwegian long-term cooperation in the naval sector, formally launched on last February. The two nations are going to cooperate on further development and procurement of the missile,
with a planned significant acquisition of the NSM by the German Navy. Moreover, Raytheon and Kongsberg Defence Systems industrial team is pushing the NSM on the US market and is participating to the program for an over-the-horizon weapon system (OTH WS) to be acquired by US Navy’s for LCS/ FFG(X) components. With a low-observable composite-made 3,96 meters long airframe and capable of operational range in excess of 200km, the 407-kg heavy NSM features an advanced passive guidance package which combines GPS-aided multi-sensor navigation with an advanced dual-band imaging seeker with autonomous target recognition for terminal guidance. The NSM comes with inclined shipborne launchers, but also studied for VLS and submarine-tube launched applications. Capable also of precision land attack, together with programmable endgame manoeuvres,
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Jointly produced by Saab and Diehl Defence, the current RBS15 Mk3 and previous versions are in service with Croatian, Finnish, German, Polish and Swedish navies and the Mk3 model is reported to have been sold to Algerian MoD to equip Algerian Naval Forces’ new Meko 200AN frigates. ©Saab
the NSM comes also in an air-launched multirole version called Joint Strike Missile (JSM), with a modified airframe to be internally carried and launched from F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter. Being developed with Australian participation, the JSM will feature a second independent sensor represented by a passive radio frequency seeker being develop by BAE Systems Australia and a twoway communications data link. Kongsberg aims to integrate the JSM on F-35 as part of Block 4A/4B update, due to be in service by the 2022-24 timeframe. In March 2017, Saab Dynamics has been awarded a contract by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the development and production of a new, next-generation version of RBS15 ASM to equip the Royal Swedish Navy’s Visby-class corvettes and Swedish air force JAS Gripen E multi-role fighters. The new extended range weapon, which will be produced in both airlaunched and ship-launched configurations, combines proven capabilities from the RBS15
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family with new and enhanced capabilities. The new missile, with external similarities with current RBS 15 versions, is reported to be rearchitectured development of the existing RBS 15 Mk3 anti-ship missile, introducing technology enhancements in the airframe, navigation suite, on-board processing and the radar seeker to improve the all-weather capabilities and develop a significant range enhancement thanks to a lower mass. The latter is reported to be gained with composites and other unspecified componentry to reduce weight and gain range. According to Saab, the next generation missile’s new design enables future growth potential. The new missiles, Rb 3+ Mk 15 for the Visby corvette system and Rb 15F-ER (Extended Range) for the Gripen E will gradually be delivered according to FMV and the systems will be operational from the mid-2020s. Jointly produced by Saab and Diehl Defence, the contract also includes funding for the sustainment of the existing ship-launched RBS15 Mk II and airlaunched RBS15F weapons though to endof-life. Marketed by the two companies, the
Conceived as a multi-platform missile launched by ships, helicopters, fast jets and coastal batteries, the MBDA Italia’s Marte Extended Range (ER) weapon is growing fast after that Qatari Emir Naval Forces contracted in September 2016, the supply of a coastal defence system, including the Exocet Block 3. ©Luca Peruzzi
current RBS15 Mk3 is in production, service or under delivery with German, Polish and Swedish navies and is reported to have been sold to Algerian MoD to equip Algerian Naval Forces’ new Meko 200AN frigates. With a range of 250+ km, all-weather and fire-andforget capabilities, providing stand-off attack while using over-the-horizon targeting, or flexible trajectory with multiple 3D waypoints, the 4.35m length, 660kg flight weight and boosters-aided launched RBS15 Mk3 is equipped with a high-resolution radar seeker with built-in ECCM and a large and lethal 200kg blast and fragmentation warhead triggered by delayed impact or proximity fuse function. Conceived as a multi-platform missile launched by ships, helicopters, fast jets and coastal batteries, the MBDA Italia’s Marte Extended Range (ER) weapon is growing fast after that in September 2016, the Qatari Emir Naval Forces contracted the supply of a mobile coastal defence system including the Exocet Block 3. Based on an intermediaterange anti-surface guided weapon requirement capable
to operate in both littoral and blue-waters scenarios, the Marte ER is equipped with a Williams International turbojet propulsion system to achieve an effective range of ‘well beyond’ 100 km, resulting in a missile with a 3.6 m length and 0.32 m diameter, with a single ventral air-intake and a guidance and navigation suite providing enhanced terminal phase evasive manoeuvres and further mission planning features. Making an extensive use of the naval Marte Mk2/N qualified equipment, including the same launching control and canister technology, the mobile coastal battery solution takes benefits from a network-centric C2 suite, developed
The Marte ER program is on track, with in-service date in 2020. Among its family of MARTE ER variants, the fast-jet version is being proposed for the Eurofighter Typhoon platform, as its main ASM weapon. Marte ER’s capabilities are being driven by Italian Air Force’s and export market’s requirements, especially in the Gulf area. ©MBDA
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by MBDA, operating with an autonomous search and targeting unmanned air system. The coastal/naval Marte ER development is on track, with a 2020 in-service date. At the same time, MBDA is working on the development of Marte ER fast jet version, that has been officially requested as weapon of choice to fulfil anti-ship capability from Eurofighter Typhoon by the Kuwait customer. Leonardo aircraft division and MBDA have started a joint system definition phase program on behalf of Eurofighter consortium to assess the missile integration feasibility on the Typhoon platform as main anti-ship munition. Such a program is the first 18 months’ phase of a full-scale integration program agreed among the two companies. Marte ER’s capabilities are being driven by the Italian Air Force’s and export market’s requirements, especially in the Gulf area where - given the geographical situation - Marte ER can fully express its potential against fast attack crafts, corvettes and frigates, firing from the same platform a potential of 6 missiles with the same time on target, to saturate any advanced enemy defence. The Eurofighter platform can be used both on a direct attack or a patrolling mission. In the first scenario, the Typhoon will quickly react to a target based on a pre-planned aircraft mission or on target information received from the same platform sensors or external sources. In a patrolling mission, the fighter will fly a tactical pattern around or screening a defended target, whilst looking for incoming attackers. Effective patrolling patterns may include aircraft positioned at both high and low altitudes, in order to shorten response times when a potential target is detected. The fast-jet launched variant differs from the helicopter, ship and ground-launched versions, all equipped with central folding wings, for the boosters-absence and fixed central wings. The new missile has a roadmap for capability
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growth, and MBDA is already working on the low-risk insertion of new technologies, including a lethal package enhancement (guidance, seeker and warhead). The current and future Marte ER technologies are expected to form the core of MBDA Italia’s new generation Otomat Mk2 Block IV/Teseo Mk2/A anti-ship weapon system for Italian Navy, which has issued new requirements for the future missile to be developed under a program which is expected to be launched within 2018. This program will guarantee Italy continuing investments in critical capabilities and technologies in the anti-ship domain, successfully exploited over more than 40 years of development and production. Managed by MBDA’s UK Team CW portfolio on behalf of French and UK Ministries of Defence, the Anglo-French Sea Venom/AntiNavire Léger (ANL) missile program has reached a major milestone last June, with the first successful firing from a French DGA Dauphin test bed helicopter on SouthernFrance test range, in advance to a series of guided firings within the end of 2018. Sea Venom/ANL is being procured to meet the respectively UK Future Anti Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy) and the French Anti Navire Léger (ANL) requirements for a lightweight helicopter-launched multirole high-subsonic surface attack missile to replace existing UKdeveloped Sea Skua and French-developed AS15TT anti-ship legacy weapons, also sold internationally. The 110kg heavy, ca 2.5 meters long high-subsonic, drop-launch missile incorporates a Safran uncooled imaging infrared seeker with advanced image processing and self-guidance (with provisions for an additional SAL guidance channel), a robust two-way datalink for operator-in-theloop control, a 30kg semi-armour piercing, blast and fragmentation effects warhead, and a range of around 20 km.
The Anglo-French Sea Venom/Anti-Navire Leger (ANL) missile program has reached a major milestone last June, with the first successful qualification firing from a French DGA Dauphin test bed helicopter on Southern-France test range. ©MBDA
While the missile can fly a fully autonomous profile with various flight modes including sea skimming, operator-in-the-loop control will enable capabilities such as in-flight retargeting, aimpoint correction/refinement, and safe abort. The SAL guidance, if enabled, would allow the engagement of targets outside the line of sight in concert with thirdparty laser designation. The boost/sustain propulsion arrangement adopts a fixed boost motor aft and a mid-body rocket sustainer with a downward canted ventral nozzle. Suitable for both blue water and cluttered littoral
operations, the Sea Venom/ANL is planned to equip the Royal Navy’s AW159 Wildcat helicopter, while French Navy will launch it from the new Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger (HIL). Capable to engage from safe standoff ranges vessels ranging from FIAC (Fast Inshore Attack Craft), through medium sized FAC (Fast Attack Craft) up to large vessels such as corvettes, the missile has been designed for use from the widest range of platforms, with air carriage trials having been conducted to demonstrate compatibility of the missile on legacy Lynx helicopters.
With a range of around 20 km, the 110kg heavy and drop-launched Sea Venom/ANL missile incorporates a Safran uncooled imaging infrared seeker and a robust two-way datalink for operator-in-the-loop control. While the missile can fly a fully autonomous profile, operator-in-theloop control will enable capabilities such as in-flight re-targeting, aimpoint correction/refinement, and safe abort. ©Luca Peruzzi
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In addition to the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) program for a yet-to-be-determined number of Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) or Block IV munitions, all the family of Tomahawk weapon systems will receive an enhanced in-flight targeting update communication and navigation package to allow the Tomahawk to operate with greater impunity in a jamming or A2/AD environments. ©US Navy
The US Navy will reinstate a long-range anti-ship capability under the Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) program. Raytheon has been awarded a contract last September, to begin integrating a new multi-mode seeker and advanced processor into the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) or Block IV munitions to enable the engagement of moving targets at sea. ©US Navy
US developments The US Navy’s ability to ensure sea control in the face of main opponents’ emerging anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, together with continued resources pressures, have pushed the service to develop a “distributed lethality” strategy for reequipping, reconfiguring and repurposing the surface fleet to assume a more overtly “offensive” posture. To meet the urgent antiship requirements, the US Navy is working on updating in-service and introducing new ship and air-launched weapon systems, alongside with an anti-ship version of Raytheon SM-6 surface-to-air missile (SAM) version. In a move to reinstate a long-range antisurface warfare capability, which was lost when the Tomahawk Anti-Ship Missile (TASM) version was withdrawn from the service in 1990s, the US Navy is developing a Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) version. Under a rapid deployment capability program to meet urgent fleet requirements, Raytheon has been awarded a contract in September 2017, to integrate a new multi-mode seeker into a yetto-be-determined number of Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) or Block IV munitions
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to enable the engagement of moving targets at sea. Reported to bring together passive and active capabilities, the new multi-mode seeker will come with a modular multifunction processor which, coupled with an enhanced in-flight targeting update communication and navigation package developed with a separate program, will allow the Tomahawk to operate with greater impunity in a jamming or A2/AD environments. This latter program will introduce a more robust connection based on a new advanced communication architecture to replace the current two-way UHF SATCOM datalink, and will add M-code GPS capabilities. In parallel with the multiple effects warhead US/UK development efforts and the ongoing enhancement deliveries of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) with reduced footprint and cybersecurity, the MST capabilities and communication and navigation upgrading will be introduced during the Block IV rounds recertification program to start in 2019. The latter, which will also regard the UK inventory, will extend missile service-life by an additional 15-years (total of 30-years) and enable the Department to support Tomahawk in the active inventory
through the mid-late 2040s. In the meantime, the US Block III missiles are being retired within 2018. The long-term Tomahawk replacement will be ensured by Next Generation Land Attack Weapon (NGLAW), which will be capable of kinetic land and maritime attack from surface and sub-surface platforms, initially complementing, and then eventually replacing, the Tomahawk Weapon System, with an IOC planned for an estimated 2028-2030 timeframe.
offered in upgrade kits for the Block II model, the newest version is expected to be used on Finnish Navy’s Hamina-class fast attack craft, the new multirole corvettes under acquisition, and coastal batteries. The Boeing Harpoon Block II Plus Extended Range (Block II+ ER) is described as a weapon system offering operators upgrade options that increase capability at very-low cost, based on networkenabled Harpoon Block II+ and Harpoon Extended Range (ER) capabilities.
The air-launched Offensive Anti-Surface Weapon (OASuW) Increment 1 program will be satisfied by the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) AGM-158C missile developed by Lockheed Martin. The LRASM is a derivative of the AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) air-launched cruise missile, equipped with a new sensor package specific to the ASuW mission. ©Lockheed Martin
The US foreign military sales (FMS) contributes to further develop and enlarge the Boeing AGM/UGM/RGM-84 Harpoon weapon system versions family. On last February, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced the possible FMS to Finland of the missile latest version designated RGM-84Q-4 Harpoon Block II+ ER in the surface-launched variant together with Harpoon Block II (RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II) surface-launched missiles, making the Northern-European country the potential launching customer for the new version. Also
The latter more than doubles the range of the current Harpoon missile (in excess of 124 km according to US Navy) thanks to a more efficient engine, proven successful during testing, and additional fuel capacity which added range without changing the weapon’s overall characteristics so that it remains compatible with current launch infrastructure and maintenance systems. It maintains however the same autonomous, all-weather, over-the-horizon capability to execute both anti-ship and land-strike missions.
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The sum of capabilities from the latest Block II+ air-launched version of Boeing Harpoon missile with net centric-warfare capabilities, which is here depicted being dropped by a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, and the Harpoon ER which more than double the range of current Harpoon missile, forms the new Block II+ ER version or upgrade kit for current and potential Harpoon customers. ©US NAVAIR
According to the US Navy, the air-launched AGM-84N Harpoon Block II+ provides a rapidcapability enhancement that includes a new GPS guidance kit, reliability and survivability of the weapon, while the new Link 16 data link interface enables in-flight updates, improved target selectivity, and abort option in addition to enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures. It can be launched from multiple air and surface platforms. The US Navy will deploy the Harpoon Block II+ capability in late FY 2018 from Boeing F/A18E/F Super Hornet and in the following fiscal years from the Boeing P-8A Poseidon ASW/ ASuW platform. The US Navy’s air-launched Offensive AntiSurface Weapon (OASuW) Increment 1 program requirements will be satisfied by the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) AGM-158C missile supplied by Lockheed Martin, which in May 2016 received a contract for the final development, integration, and early operational capability (EOC) of the system. With the first weapons lot-production contract awarded by the US Navy in July 2017, the LRASM will provide the ability to conduct ASuW operations against high-value surface
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combatants protected by Integrated Air Defense Systems with long-range SAMs and deny adversaries the sanctuary of maneuver against 2018-2020 threats. The LRASM is a derivative of the AGM-158B Joint Air-toSurface Standoff Missile - Extended Range (JASSM-ER) air-launched cruise missile, equipped with a new sensor package specific to the ASuW mission. Armed with a 1,000-lb penetrator and blast-fragmentation warhead, LRASM employs a weapon data link, an enhanced digital anti-jam global positioning system (GPS), and a multimode sensor/ seeker to detect and destroy specific targets within a group of ships. The sensor/seeker package – reported to combine a passive radio frequency long-range sensor for wide area target acquisition and an electro-optical seeker for terminal targeting - has been developed by BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration. The program is scheduled to achieve Early Operational Capability on the Air Force B-1 by FY 2018end, and Navy F/A-18E/F by FY 2019-end. Lockheed Martin has further develop the LRASM family with the development and successful testing of two surface-launch versions with both land and shipborne firings.
In addition to the surface-launch variant from the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS), Lockheed Martin has invested in the development of a topside (or deck-mounted) angled launcher configuration which used the same VLS-launched missile configuration characterized by a Mk 114 jettison-able rocket booster (and booster adapter) to give it enough power to reach altitude. To satisfy and support its ‘Distributed Lethality’ strategy, the US Navy launched in June 2015 a program to procure an over-the-horizon weapon system (OTH-WS) anti-ship missile to reinforce the combat capabilities of both the under-acquisition Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the new Guided-Missile Frigate or FFG(X) (then FF) program platforms. The US Navy is requiring a nondevelopmental item and has established a baseline application including one fire control plus two-tofour launcher systems, each accommodating two-to-four missiles, outlying volume and weight allowance requests. The program contenders included Boeing with the latest Harpoon version, Lockheed Martin with the LRASM and Raytheon-Kongsberg with the NSM. However, both Boeing and Lockheed Martin dropped voluntary out of the competition, according to industrial sources for deletion of top-capability requirements such as networking and inflight targeting update, which are key attributes of their
systems, leaving Raytheon-Kongsberg team to appear the only competitor left for the OTH-WS.
Lockheed Martin has further develop the LRASM family with the development and successful testing of two surface-launched applications to satisfy US Navy requirements for reinforcing its distributed anti-surface capability across the surface fleet. Employing the same missile with booster version, the first application is launched from the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS) while the more recent employs a topside (or deckmounted) angled launcher. ©Lockheed Martin
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From antitank to multirole: the evolution of infantry missiles By Paolo Valpolini
MBDA’s MMP can be fired from enclosed spaces and its minimum engagement range is tailored to urban combat missions. ©MBDA
Infantry missiles were developed to defeat main battle tanks; in the late 1980s the British Army airmobile battalions deployed the double of Milan posts compared to standard battalions, that is 48 instead of 24, as their role was to force Warsaw Pact MBTs, part of the Operational Manoeuvre Groups, into the attack helicopters killing grounds. It is however to note that it was the British Army that used the Milan against non armoured targets, such as machine gun positions, during the Falklands War in 1982.
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et’s start from the latest infantry missile system that entered service, that is the MMP (Missile Moyenne Portée) developed and produced by MBDA, the European missile company. A 5th generation missile, both the projectile
and the launcher being fully digital, the MMP was developed since the beginning as a multi-purpose system, the French Armée de Terre having learned the lessons of the past conflicts, most missiles having been used against targets quite different from MBTs. EDR | March/April 2018
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Main reasons behind the MMP
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he French Army requirements included three main types of targets, modern MBTs, infrastructures of different types, and personnel in the open. Other requirements included combat in urban areas, thus a reduced minimum effective range, and the capability to be fired from enclosed spaces. Two features make the MMP truly multirole, the warhead and the attack profile. Manufactured by Saab Bofors Dynamics Switzerland, the warhead exploits the latest developments in energetic materiel and in liner technology; although not many details were unveiled, it is safe to assume that the studies on variable thickness molybdenum liners, used in other antitank missiles, may well have found applications also on this new weapon system as far as shaped charges are concerned. As for other effects, a pre-fragmented body envelops the main charge, which is located behind the main rocket motor. The programmable fuse is exploited to have different terminal effects while using the same new generation multipurpose warhead,
A 5th generation infantry missile, the MMP was developed by MBDA as a replacement for the ageing Milan. ©MBDA
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which reduces the logistic burden compared to missiles that feature different warheads depending on the use. When fired against a main battle tank, the precursor charge, which is located just behind the dual-mode seeker (visible and IR) and the IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), is detonated first to detonate the explosive reactive armour, the standoff with the main charge ensuring that the jet generated by the latter is focused on the tank armour in order to provide maximum effect. MBDA declares a penetration capacity of “over 1,000 mm RHA”. How much this “over” means is open to question, as technologies adopted should provide a capacity in excess of 10 CD (Charge Diameter); considering that the missile has a 140 mm diameter, and that the pre-fragmented body should reduce this slightly, it is safe to assume that penetration should be well over one meter RHA, missiles with a much smaller diameter reaching nearly 1.5 meters. Contrary to what we might think, when used against infrastructures the precursor charge is not detonated; according to MBDA the effects of the precursor warhead would disturb the effects of the main warhead,
In the antitank default mode the MMP adopts the top attack mode, which allows to hit the most vulnerable part of a main battle tank. ©MBDA
the latter being thus detonated with an appropriate delay from the impact. The company carried out a comprehensive test campaign using the MMP against buildings, caverns, and in other scenarios, to confirm the effectiveness of the warhead in the antiinfrastructures mode. The most critical use of the warhead is that against personnel in the open, where the pattern of kinetic energy fragments is a key parameter to ensure maximum effectiveness. To obtain the maximum effect the missile adopts the high trajectory; this allows to obtain a better fragment pattern, with a lesser dispersion, and gives a few extra seconds to the operator to refine the aiming, something important as human reaction times cannot be modified. Against buildings the flat trajectory is usually used while for tanks the MMP is set in the tandem hollow charge and in the high trajectory modes, this being the default mode if no selection is made by the operator prior to the launch.
A highly flexible missile
L
ooking at possible evolutions of the MMP, a debate is on-going on a possible increase of its range. This would require a higher speed at launch, the current booster providing a 15 m/s speed launching the missile at over one meter from the launcher before igniting the main rocket motor, which allows a safe use from enclosed spaces; increasing the speed would not only mean limiting the capacity of using the MMP from a room, but also would increase the minimum engagement range, a key parameter in urban combat. EDR Magazine understood that the 4 km range limit copes with the French requirement, but in fact the missile has some growth margin in terms of range even
without major modifications. Moreover direct fields of view are limited when using the MMP as an infantry system. The MMP being a fully digital system, both the missile and launcher exploiting digital technologies, this allows an easy integration of the system in land platforms, the MBDA missile having already been selected by the French Army to be integrated into the new Jaguar 6x6 armed reconnaissance vehicle, while integration in other turrets is considered an easy task; the company is already looking at possible integration in tactical UAS. An interest for integrating the MMP on light naval units has emerged, mainly from Special Forces units, and MBDA is considering such solutions. As for helicopter use, feasibility and market studies are on going to identify needs before taking any action.
Israel’s hard-learned combat experience
T
he history of the Spike missile family, designed and produced by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, dates back to the Yom Kippur War of 1973, when Israel was invaded by enemy tanks, finally repelled by IDF forces. The first development was the non-line of sight missile, known as Spike NLOS, which might in fact fall within the artillery assets due to its range, 30 km, and its attack profile.
The latest member of the Spike family is the LR2, which adopts a new uncooled seeker and is available also with a newly developed multi-purpose warhead. ŠP. Valpolini EDR | March/April 2018
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target area refining Nowadays the family the aiming thanks to has grown consistently, the day/night sensors with the development in the nose and the of the Spike SR (1.5 km), fiberoptic link, a Spike MR (2.5 km), feature that until now Spike LR (4 km), Spike was available only LR2 (the last addition, in the much bigger with a 5.5 km range), Spike NLOS. The LR2 and Spike ER (8 km). All is available with two Spike missiles are fitted The result of a hit by a Spike LR2 against a different warheads, with a fiberoptic link to reinforced concrete wall. New scenarios require the Anti-Tank (AT) the launcher, with the infantry missile to increase their capabilities against non-armoured targets. ŠP. Valpolini one being a tandem exception of the two hollow charge warhead shorter ranges, the SR optimised for destroying heavily armoured and the MR which are fire-and-forget. targets; to cope with recent scenarios Rafael gave it some form of multirole capacity, Considering infantry missiles the Spike LR2, as by pushing a switch the operator can unveiled in mid-2017, has been developed switch it into anti-structure mode enabling since inception as a multi-purpose system. the warhead to penetrate a structure and Lighter than the LR thanks to the use of detonate inside. This considerably in creases modern materiel, this missile has a quicker the flexibility of the AT version, however activation time thanks to the adoption of a Rafael decided to move further in the new generation uncooled thermal sensor multirole field, developing a Multi-Purpose that provides a better image compared (MP) for its LR2, this warhead including a to that of the older Spike LR, and allows smart fuse which can be controlled by the mission abortion and reuse of the same user in real-time up to missile impact, thus missile. Another important new feature is allowing to shift from one type of target to the addition of an inertial navigation system another until the last moment. that allows to launch the missile in a general
Both the Spike NLOS and the Spike ER are being used in Israel from naval platforms, to engage coastal targets. Š Rafael
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Saab Dynamics’ RBS-56B Bill 2 over-flying attack profile is exploited to cope with soft targets in the open, the missile detonating above them as an airburst munition. © Saab Dynamics
The MP can breach 200 mm of reinforced concrete (including embedded metal bars) by creating a pressure of over 340 bar. Once breached, a Follow-Through-Bomb (FTB) warhead penetrates the structure and detonates after a delay, creating a thermo baric effect in the room. These anti-bunker performances were required in recent years by many users, the Spike in its various versions being in service in 28 countries. In addition to the breach mode, a proximity sensor was added, enabling by selection of the operator to detonate the warhead in the air, creating a lethal air-burst effect. All these capabilities make the Spike LR2 an effective tactical solution for most operational requirement, from anti-tank, to anti-ship, to anti-bunker and finally to anti-personnel.
blast and fragmentation effect within the target. Recently the Spike ER was selected by the Philippine’s Navy to be installed on its MPAC Mk 3 multi-purpose attack craft three of which were commissioned in May 2017.
While Spike MR, LR and LR2 can be considered infantry missiles, due to their weight, 34 kg with canister compared to the 13 kg of the LR, the longer range Spike ER is used from land and air platforms, although it can be fired by the same control launch unit used for the MR, LR and LR2 missile. It s fitted with a Penetration-Blast-Fragmentation (PBF) warhead which penetrates structural targets as well as marine vessels with a delay in detonation, generating a lethal effective
Sweden’s own creation
As for the Spike NLOS, the first member of the family, it has been upgraded with a PBF warhead with effects similar to that of the ER. The type of guidance allows to hit the required point with accuracy, which allows reducing collateral damages when used against buildings, while for naval engagement it allows avoiding sinking the vessel, hitting i.e. the bridge, neutralizing the ship command and communication hub, thus reducing the chances of escalating the conflict.
B
orn to attack armoured targets overflying them and detonating its shaped charge warhead downwards, hitting the top of the turret, Saab Bofors Dynamics’ RBS-56B Bill 2 is the successor of the Bill 1. It employs a semi-automatic command to line of sight, guidance being ensured by a wire connecting the missile with the launcher.
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Two alternative defeat modes were added to the Bill 2, making it multi-mission. Against tanks it maintains an elevated flight path and both the magnetic and optical sensors are active, algorithms optimising the detonation over the target. Against non armoured targets it flies on the line of sight path, all sensors being disconnected,
detonation being triggered by the fuse in impact mode. Against soft targets it overflies them exploiting only the optical sensor, here too special algorithms optimising the detonation. The company does not want at this moment disclose the status of any possible development activities on Bill 2.
Diameter
Max range
Missile weight Overall weight
MMP
MBDA
140 mm
4,000 m
15 kg
26 kg
Spike LR 2
Rafael
130 mm
5,500 m
12.8 kg
25.6 kg
Bill 2
Saab
na
2,200 m
20 kg
37.8-40.3 kg
Short range missiles: multirole from inception Shorter range and lower cost systems are emerging following the most recent conflicts. Accuracy being required to limit collateral damages, manportable weapons are becoming guided, while the types of targets brought the developers to aim at multirole capabilities since they started the first drawing on a blank page. To cope with urban conditions the minimum range is reduced as much as possible, keeping in mind safety considerations, while considering the flight time all those systems are obviously all fireand-forget.
Israel’s smaller Spike SR
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he most developed system, already in service with at least one customer, is Rafael’s Spike-SR, for Short Range. To acquire the target it exploits the 3rd generation uncooled IR seeker installed at the front, activation time being less than 6 seconds; while in the longer range Spikes the sensor is gimballed, in the SR it is fixed. Different warheads are available, the usual one being the HEAT to
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For acquiring the target the Spike SR exploits the missile uncooled seeker, the picture being shown in a small firing unit attached to the missile case. ŠRafael
be used against light and medium armoured vehicles, but fragmentation and antistructure warheads, the latter derived from that of the Matador rocket launcher, are also available. The Spike SR is entering service with the Singaporean Army.
German flair: the Enforcer
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ollowing three years of development, MBDA Germany will start the qualification of its Enforcer in late 2018-early 2019. The system merges the researches carried out for
Mostly developed by MBDA Germany, exploiting many existing elements to keep the price under control, the KFK Enforcer should start qualification tests before year end. ŠMBDA
various programmes within the European missile company; in order to make it a low cost weapon the Enforcer is a low makes extensive use of modularity, re-use and off the shelf components. The design follows the requirements of the German Bundeswehr which intends to complement the Dynamit Nobel Defence RGW90 AD (Wirkmittel 90 in the German Army) rocket launcher. For sighting, the Enforcer employs the same system used on the RGW90, that is Airbus DS Optronics Dynahawk; this allows programming the selectable fuse, the operator choosing between airburst, impact and delayed impact modes before firing, depending on the target. A strap-down electronically gimballed near-IR sensor ensures the system guidance, electronics mimicking the gimbal effect so that the sensor remains locked onto the target after the launch. The Enforcer is fully multi-role thanks to the HE-FRAG warhead developed by TDW that ensures optimal terminal effects against behind-cover unprotected targets, buildings, and lightly armoured vehicles. Following tests against static targets, conducted at ranges
Light missiles like MBDA’s KFK Enforcer have a main role as anti-structure and anti-personnel weapons, but are also effective against light and medium armoured vehicles. ŠMBDA
between 1,000 and 2,000 meters, in late 2017 the first test in airburst mode against a moving target was carried out successfully. One of the test missiles used the new lightweight, carbon-fibre launching tube developed by MBDA Italy. MBDA is working to shorten the minimum operational range to better cope with urban requirements. Other variants are expected, MNDA being unwilling to discuss them at this time.
Sweden again: the ULM
A
wholly different system is the so-called Ultra Light Missile, a concept study launched in 2014 by Saab Dynamics to provide guided ammunition to the Carl Gustaf 84mm recoilless gun. Not many information are available at this stage, the programme being in its infancy, and it is not clear how far Saab will go with the R&D with its own funding. The need to decouple the control and lift folding wings from the barrel rifling will bring to wooden round contained in a launch tube that will be inserted into the Carl Gustaf barrel, the charge diameter being thus slightly less than the original 84 mm.
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Min range
Max range
Missile weight Overall weight
Rafael
Spike SR
50 m
1,500 m
8 kg
9.6 kg
MBDA
Enforcer
100 m
2,000 m
< 7 kg
< 9 kg
Saab Dynamics
ULM
1,500-2,000 m
Numerous warheads have been developed for rocked-propelled grenades, and Saab will leverage on those for developing the ULM one. According to early info the ULM will have two attack modes, direct and diving, in order to increase its antitank capabilities by hitting the top of the turret. To increase range and accuracy of its Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless gun Saab Dynamics launched a study for the development of an Ultra Light Missile, with a range of around 1,000 meters. ŠP. Valpolini
The combat proven reference
VBCI with 40mm CTA turret
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14/02/2018 08:22
A Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) Mine Detection Dog (MDD) working to clear mines in Marjanli, Azerbaijan. ©MLI
Man’s Best Friend K9 Humanitarian Deminers By David Oliver There are more than 700 known types of mines. They are made from wood, metal, compressed explosive, plastic, bakelite and even glass. They are round, cornered, flat or thick, asymmetrical, lightweight, heavy, large or small. They are also different colours. The only thing they have in common is the high explosive inside of them, which makes their detection one of the most important methods of demining.
U
nmatched for that task today is the nose of a dog, also referred to as a “bio-sensor”. Apart from mine detection, dogs are extensively used for the equally important task of determining which areas are not mined. Since 1992 Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), one of the largest non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the world, has been supporting the Canine Explosive Detection Programme where they raise, train and use dogs to clear parts of the world from the remnants of war weapons that can still harm
and maim humans, especially children, and animals.
Dogs are number 1 The work is difficult and very dangerous. Human handlers entrust their own life into the capable hands, or rather noses, of these dogs and in 25 years not one NPA dog has ever been injured. More than 500 canine (K9) detectors work around the world - in Africa, the Middle East, South America and Southeast Asia.
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All existing attempts to duplicate these “animal” sensors with electronic technology have had a limited success. The problem is that only an animal can smell in the higher scent regions necessary to detect explosives. The United States-based Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) launched the Mine Detection Dog Partnership Program (MDDPP) in 1999 which utilises government and private donations to purchase, train and deliver Mine Detection Dogs (MDDs) to landmine removal organizations within a mine-affected country. There are currently more than 900 MDDs working in 24 countries and MLI has donated more than 200 of them. Since launching the MDD programme, MLI’s lifesaving dogs have searched more than 45 million square metres of mine-contaminated land. MLI dogs are trained either at the Global Training Academy in Somerset, Texas or the Mine Detection Dog Center in BosniaHerzegovina. Both facilities procure dogs from reputable breeders in Europe. The dogs complete a rigorous 3-5 month training course where they learn to detect explosive odors commonly found in landmines. Dogs are trained to locate the scent and then sit still, stay safe, and alert a human partner to mark the spot. This ensures that the mine can be removed or destroyed. Dogs’ detection skills, as well as their agility and size, makes them one of the most versatile and valuable partners in the landmine removal team.
Mine Detecting Dogs (MDD) MDDs are motivated to work because of their strong relationship with their human partners and the reward received for finding a mine. When a dog detects a mine, the handler praises and rewards the dog, usually
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A HALO MDD undergoing training to support the Colombian Government’s to clear the country of mines by 2021. ©David Oliver
with a ball or a toy. This makes the work fun for the dog, which motivates them to continue. Six MLI-trained MDDs were recently presented to the HALO Trust, the world’s largest humanitarian mine clearance organization, in support of the Armenian Assembly’s ‘Landmine Free Artsakh’ initiative that that was established in 2002 to clear all landmines in Nagorno Karabakh. After years of negotiation, a groundbreaking agreement has been reached between the Government of Colombia and the country’s largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to get rid of landmines. In 2016 Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos pledged that 21 million suare metres of Colombian territory is to be de-mined within five years.
This challenging task is being led by the Colombian Army which activated a demining brigade in August 2016 to remove and destroy antipersonnel mines, improvised explosive devices (IED), and unexploded ordnance (UXO) that have killed more than 11,500 people. The NPA is heavily involved in mine clearance in Colombia as well as the HALO Trust, which has four MDD teams active in the country. The dogs selected for mine detection are young German Alsatians and Belgian Malinois which are trained over an 18-month period to detect up the different types of explosive materials used in landmines and IEDs. Samples of these materials have been supplied by the Colombian state-owned military weapons manufacturer Indumil, and a few grams is all that is needed for the dogs to detect, often working in overgrown jungle or dry sandy environments.
The dogs can cover more than 400m a day, 20 times more territory than a man with a handheld detector, and with their small footprint and light weight, are less likely to detonate an explosive device. On detecting a device, the dogs are trained to stop, sit and point at the spot, until its handler approaches. The dogs are then rewarded by chasing rubber balls thrown by the handler, some of whom have themselves lost limbs from mines or IEDs.
From Croatia to Colombia and Syria The Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC) has been involved in Colombian humanitarian demining projects since 2009 and in 2017 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mine action and humanitarian demining with the Colombian Ministry of Defence that included training of MDDs.
A Russian Mine Action Centre German Shepherd MDD deployed to Aleppo, Syria. ŠRussian MOD
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In addition to Russia’s operations against the so-called “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant” (ISIL) in Syria since 2015, personnel of a detachment of the Russian Mine Action Centre have been involved in humanitarian mine clearance in liberated cities, including Aleppo. Palmira and Deir-es-Zor. By the end of 2017 Russian engineers of the Centre have cleared more than 6,500 hectares of the land, 1,500 kilometres of roads, more than 17,000 buildings and facilities. They defused or eliminated more than 105,000 unexploded ordnance (UXO) and more than improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In September 2017 group of 170 mine clearance specialists from the International Mine Action Centre were sent to the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor shortly after it was liberated from ISIL control. The troops
A Russian K9 Unit Searching for UXO and IEDs in the ruins of Syrian City of Aleppo. ©Russian MOD
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cleared more than 1,200 hectares of the land, 250 kilometres of roads, more than 1,800 buildings and facilities, and defused over 44,000 explosive devices.
A world K9 competition In addition to operating the latest IMP-S2 hand-held mine detectors, PIPL mobile wire-link detectors, INVU-3M portable non-contact explosive detectors, and OKO2 ground penetrating radar (GPR), the specialists relied heavily on K9 units. The K9 Centre of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation holds an international “True Friend” competition which attracts K9 specialists from Egypt, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Russia. In 2017 five K9 crews comprising five handlers with three German
servicemen during the training allow them to independently carry out demining tasks. The learning course with practical training lasts 1.5 months and up to 100 people can study in the Centre simultaneously,” Morozov added.
and two Belgian Shepherd dogs represented the Russian team. A total of 47 teams and more than 200 military K9 crews took part in the qualifying stages of the competition.
It is not only overseas that Russian demining expertise is put to use. In October 2017 servicemen of the Southern Military District cleared the mountainous Gvardeyets, Kalinovsky, and Alpiysky live firing ranges from unexploded munitions. More than 200 troops were involved to clear some 1,000 hectares from UXO. In addition to mechanical detection equipment, K9 units were used to detect explosive devises in hard-to-reach areas.
The K9 units have German, Belgian and East-European Shepherds, and Labradors, many from the 470th Dog Breeding Centre of the Russian Armed Forces, for minedetection training. After a special training, the handlers have to teach the sniffer dogs to detect anti-handling devices, various types of explosives, and dummy IEDs. The emphasis is also put on the dog’s behaviour in combat conditions. In Armenia K9 teams are trained at altitudes of more than 1,500m above sea level at day and at night in rarefied air and low temperatures.
In December 2017, a United Nations delegation headed by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, visited the Russian International Mine Action Centre located at Nakhabino in Moscow region. Colonel Igor Mikhailik, the Chief of the Centre, told the delegation about how the techniques and experience of the demining operations in Syria were being fed into the training process for the military engineers who demonstrated their training equipment and processes for humanitarian mine clearance.
A Russian mine detection team led by a K9 Unit through the deserted streets of Palmira. ©Russian MOD
As a result of it mine clearing experience in Syria the Russian military organised training for Syrian specialists in a relatively short time frame. More than 750 Syrian engineers have been trained by the specialists from the International Mine Action Centre of the Russian Armed Forces at its branch in Syrian city of Homs, said Anatoly Morozov, the Chief of the Syrian Arab Republic Mine Action Centre. He said that the Centre was established in February 2017 in the city of Aleppo, but in April it was redeployed to the Province of Homs. “The skills acquired by
The Russian engineers wearing OVR-2-02 suits work with K9s to clear mines from the historic Syrian City of Palmira. ©Russian MOD
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The 3-D shipborne radars evolve By Luca Peruzi
The maritime operational scenarios and technological developments are pushing the world navies towards shipbuilding projects including highpower multifunction radars based on fixed phase-array antennas. However most surface combatants continue to rely on rotating radars for 3-D medium-range air and surface surveillance, threat indication, and target indication/weapon support.
I
n response to the new operational requirements, in particular the littoral warfare scenarios, the radar manufacturers have enhanced the 3D multifunction radars with a move towards active electronically scanned arrays (AESAs). The latter have been traditionally using Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) technology-based radio frequency (RF) transmit/receive modules (TRMs), although the technological developments today allow the use of Gallium Nitride (GaN) modules that promise significant benefits in power, efficiency, bandwidth, and reliability. Thales Nederland has been the first company to introduce S-band AESA radars based upon the Dual axis multi-beam processing. Building on its heritage in multibeam surveillance radar, notably the SMART-S Mk2 with its processing technology and the 3-D dual-axis multibeam AESA technology
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Marketed from 2012 to meet the littoral surveillance needs of smallto medium-size surface combatants, Thales Nederland 3D rotating dual-axis multibeam AESA-based NS 100 comes in three different models using the same antenna but differentiating themselves for modules number and transmitted power. ŠThales Nederland
with GaN technology demonstrated with the SM400/SMILE S-band non-rotating four-face fixed array radar system already in service with Royal Netherlands Navyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Holland-class ocean-going patrol shipsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; I-Mast 400 integrated sensor/communication suite, the Netherlands-based company is currently marketing its family of same-type radars with rotating antenna, including both NS 100 and NS 200 models. Using the same electronically stabilized, mechanically rotating antenna with a single-face AESA able to generate beams simultaneously in both elevation and azimuth, the so-called 4D (azimuth, elevation, range and full Doppler) NS 100 and NS 200
surveillance radars differ for the larger array of transmit and receive modules with higher power per each module applied to the latter system.
With customers including Denmark, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Norway and Spain, the Hensoldt TRS-3D/16 variant was supplied to the US Navy through Lockheed Martin to equip both Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) variant ships and US Coast Guard (USCG) Legendclass National Security Cutters (NSC). ŠUS Navy
Digital beamforming is performed in azimuth and elevation, with control exercised at the element level, which Thales Nederland claims, makes the difference and offering improved performance compared to systems employing sub-array architectures. Marketed from 2012 to meet the littoral surveillance needs of small-to medium-size surface combatants, the NS 100 comes in three different models using the same antenna but differentiating themselves for modules number and transmitted power. The NS 100 antenna can also incorporate other sensors, including an infrared camera, IFF, a SCOUT Mk3 surface surveillance radar, automatic identification system (AIS) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), saving topside space and offering a true multi-sensor suite. With a less 3.3x3.1 meters large antenna and less than 1,300kg above deck weight, the NS 100 offers a maximum instrumented range of
The rotating single-face version of the four-face TRS-4D/NR (non-rotating) flat panel radar equipping the German navy's new F 125-class frigates, has been sold by Hensoldt to US Navy, Chile and has been selected by Saudi Naval Forces. ŠHensoldt
280 km (80 km for surface targets) and 1000 targets max tracking capability. The NS 200 was developed for offering extended long range (ELR) performance with a bigger antenna housing more transmitter and receiver modules, with newer and more powerful Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, while maintaining the same NS family system configuration and capability to incorporate other sensors. With an extended range of 400 km, the NS 200 can operate in ELR mode in addition to standard operating functionalities, offering higher update rate and accuracy. The NS 200 is also the first Thales radar to be offered with a full lifecycle support package offering better maintenance budget predictability, higher operational availability and functional upgrades. The NS 100 is in service with Dutch and Republic of Singapore navies while the NS 200 has attracted the interest of potential customers. Although NS family is offered for the same market segment of Thales bet selling SMART-S Mk2 radar, the company wants to maintain and promote both NS family and the SMART-S Mk2 product in the short term. The new Hensoldt sensor house, created by the sale of Airbusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; previous defence electronics and optronics activities in 2017, is offering its renewed and enlarged multidomain family of multi-mode 3D C-band naval radars based on TRS-3D and TRS-4D products, the latter being proposed in both rotating (single face) and non-rotating (NR)
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versions with four fixed-panel faces. The TRS-3D is a fully coherent multi-mode phase array C-band radar capable of fully automatic, detection, track initiation, and classification of sea and air targets, including highly threatening targets such as sea skimmer and high diver missiles. With a maximum detection range of 200 km and the capability to track more than 400 targets, the TRS-3D can operate with several self-defence missile systems and provide surface gun support with splash detection. With customers including Denmark, Finland, Germany, Malaysia, Norway and Spain, the TRS-3D/16 variant (AN/APS-77(V)) was supplied to the US Navy through Lockheed Martin to equip both the first eight Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) variant ships and the US Coast Guard (USCG) Legend-class National Security Cutters (NSC) since first-of-class (AN/SPS-75). The latest Baseline D variant of the TRS-3D, being introduced from the USCG ninth class-ship, differs from previous versions for adopting a solid-state GaN transmitter, improving reliability and offering Sold worldwide with customers including Australia, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand and UAE, the Saab naval Sea Giraffe AMB is under delivery to the US Navy to equip Austal-built Independence-class LCS variant, US Coast Guard’s new Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program and US Navy’s next-generation shipboard ATC radar. ©Saab
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options for future developments. Since the ninth ship of Freedom-class LCS, the US Navy opted for latest Hensoldt’s C-band TRS-4D AESA radar. A rotating single-face version of the four-face TRS-4D/NR (non-rotating) flat panel radar equipping the German navy’s new F 125-class frigates, the TRS-4D is based on solid-state GaN technology. As a software-driven radar employing full digital beam forming, with pulse-Doppler processing in all beams, high track update rates for effective self-defence and area defence, and high-priority target tracking (cued track) for co-operative operations, the TRS-4D has a maximum instrumented range up to 250 km and the ability to track in excess of 1,000 targets. With a 900 kg-less weight, the rotating or stationary-operated EASA technology-based antenna delivers increased sensitivity to detect smaller targets with greater accuracy, as well as faster track generation, with an over 99% probability of maintenance-free 3 months missions, says Hensoldt. Later last year, the German sensor house received a contract from Lockheed
The Saab new Sea Giraffe 4A, here depicted in an integrated mast configuration (larger radar) model, is an S-band full stacked-beam 3D multirole radar with an AESA digital beam-forming antenna introducing GaN technology to meet medium-to long-range air surveillance and target indication requirements. ©Luca Peruzzi
Martin Canada to deliver three TRS-4D radars for the combat system modernization of the Chilean Navy’s Type 23 frigates and has also been down selected for Saudi Arabia’s four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) units program, based on the more heavilyarmed LCS Freedom variant developed by Lockheed Martin. The evolving operational scenarios and the multi-mode radar worldwide market trends pushed Saab to enhance its well-known land and naval family of C-band AMB 3D radar andintroduce the new longer-range S-band Giraffe 4A and Giraffe 8A AESA radars based on the GaN technology. Sold worldwide with customers including Australia, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand and UAE, the naval Sea Giraffe AMB is also being delivered to the US Navy to equip Austal-built Independence-class LCS variant and will be supplied for the US Coast Guard’s new Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program and the US Navy’s next-generation shipboard ATC radar. The Sea Giraffe AMB is a medium range, multi-role surveillance radar optimized for detecting small air and surface targets with high update rate in all kinds of environments, including the littorals. Capable to perform air surveillance and tracking, surface surveillance and tracking, target indication and gunfire support with high-resolution splash spotting, the Sea Giraffe AMB (which stands for agile multibeam) is a stacked beams 3D radar with an instrumented range of 180 km and over 70° elevation coverage. Saab has continuously enhanced the radar capabilities with the latest iteration (Mod B+ standard) adopted for US Navy (from LCS 6) featuring improved and instantaneous/instantly elevating coverage with 14 beams covering 0-70°
updated on all antenna revolutions, improved detection range in high speed targets and small radar cross section surface targets, updated man machine interface and a new CMS integration interface. The Sea Giraffe AMB for USCG OPC program incorporates these enhancements in addition to a solidstate instead of TWT transmitter. The new Sea Giraffe 4A (and its land equivalent), is an S-band full stackedbeam 3D multirole radar with an AESA digital beam-forming antenna introducing GaN technology to meet medium-to longrange air surveillance and target indication requirements. With 350 km instrumented range and an automatic simultaneous detect and classify capacity of over 1,000 air and 500 surface tracks, the Sea Giraffe 4A antenna rotates at 60 rpm to realize a very high 3-D target update rate in the full surface and air search volume, along with highaltitude coverage and monopulse accuracy. Although Saab declared to have a first Sea Giraffe 4A customer but hasn’t released additional information, EDR understood to be Thai Navy which is to receive DW-3000F frigate from South Korean DSME shipbuilder expected being equipped with the new radar in addition to the Sea Giraffe AMB.
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In December 2017, Saab has introduced the Sea Giraffe 4A Fixed Face (FF), a fixed configuration of Saab’s existing and delivered family of AESA rotating antenna, with a fourfixed array layout to satisfy market trends in combatant ships. Based on the group’s extensive experience in the development of naval and airborne multifunctional radar systems, Leonardo’s Land & Naval Defence Electronics division is today proposing it family of multi-domain modular and scalable C-band Kronos radars with AESA-based rotating antenna. Leonardo is also working on a technology evolution roadmap towards a new generation scalable multifunction fixed phased arrays-based Kronos dual-band (X and C) AESA radar suite, alongside the new generation L-band,
The Leonardo’s family of multifunctional naval C-band Kronos radar feature an AESA-based antenna using TRMs populated with GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) MMICs made by Leonardo foundry. The family includes the smaller Kronos Naval model here depicted and capable to be accommodated on 400-plus tons ships. ©Leonardo
fully digital long-range early warning Kronos Power Shield radar. Both products are being developed for Italian Navy’s new combatant and amphibious assault ships and the Power Shield radar has already found export success. Building on the pedigree in 3D multifunction passive radars based on the combat proven EMPAR (Passive Kronos) radar in
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service with bot Italian and French Navy and successfully integrated with MBDA Aster 15/30 air defence missile systems, today employing an AESA-based antenna using TRMs populated with GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) MMICs made by Leonardo foundry, the current solid-state full multifunctional AESA rotating C-band naval radar family is composed of the smaller Kronos Naval model capable to be accommodated on 400-plus tons ships and the more powerful Kronos Grand Naval (MFRA for Italian Navy) for higher-end air-defence missions (and 1700 tons + ships). Differing for the antenna size, TRMs number and weight, the family shares the same AESA technology and 3D multifunctional architecture exploiting the azimuth and elevation beam steering capability. The latter allows for simultaneous long-range surveillance, high tracking update rate (1 sec) with elevation coverage up to 85° in tracking, multi-beam surveillance for optimized dwell-time over full sector with dynamic and adaptive beam forming, short-range tracking (up to 300m), gunfire support and active missile guidance, while at the same time reducing topside weight and overall footprint, increasing reliability and easing maintainability. The 250-km range capable Kronos Naval (ca 600 TRMs and 970 kg with IFF) is in service with UAE and Peruvian navies and under order from the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF), while the full-performance Kronos Grand Naval model (ca 2,200 TRMs) equips Italian Navy’s FREMM type frigates and Algerian navy’s landing platform dock and support ship in the MBDA Italia’s SAAM-ESD configured air defence system which employs MBDA Aster 15 and 30 missiles. With a 300-plus km instrumented detection range, the latter has also been ordered by QENF for its new multirole 100-meters corvette to be supplied by Fincantieri, under demanding overall missile defence (supersonic and ballistic
The full-performance Leonardo’s Kronos Grand Naval model equips Italian Navy’s FREMM type frigates and Algerian navy’s landing platform dock and support ship and has been ordered by Qatar Emiri Naval Forces for its new multirole 100-meters corvette to be supplied by Fincantieri. ©Leonardo.
The BAE Systems’ Artisan 3D S-band medium range radar has become the standard system on board Royal Navy’s major combatant and amphibious ships and is being promoted on the export market for a wide range of missions. ©BAE Systems
threats) requirements. Thanks to radar developments successfully exploited during recent NATO’s Formidable Shield naval integrated air defence exercise, Italian Navy and Leonardo have successfully demonstrated the system detection and tracking capabilities in the ballistic missile defence domain, which could be fully exploited with external cueing information or as autonomous detection and latest versions of MBDA Aster missile. As part of Leonardo’s LNDE division technological development roadmap towards a multirole single (X or C) or dual-band radar, the under-development new generation C-band radar modules incorporating GaN technology, could be applied to single-rotating antenna radars to match the market requirements. The BAE Systems’ Artisan 3D S-band medium range radar has become the standard system on board Royal Navy’s major combatant and amphibious ships and is being promoted on the export market for a wide range of missions. Developed by BAE Systems in conjunction with QinetiQ and Roke Manor Research, the Artisan is a solid-state 3D multibeam radar based on technology derived from the UK’s ARTIST (Advanced Radar Technology Integrated System Testbed) technology
demonstrator programme, Sampson multifunction radar and the Commander ground-based air defence family. Designed to replace the Type 996 radar, the 3D Artisan Type 997 model offers significantly improved small target detection capability in the littoral anti-air warfare role, an anti-surface warfare capability, compatibility with the existing IFF interrogator (with a growth path to IFF Mode 5 and Mode S functionality) an air traffic management capability, especially for carrier air operations support. The Artisan radar also provides tracks for MBDA Sea Ceptor air defence system. Able to manage up to 800 air and surface tracks, according to BAE Systems, the Artisan 3D radar is capable of functioning in any one of four modes including long-range (up to 225 km), littoral water defence, open water defence and air traffic management (up to 150 km) with a 30 rpm. BAE Systems has developed, manufactured and delivered 19 radars for the Royal Navy in addition to support until 2022.
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Equipping the 13 Type 23 frigates, the two Queen Elizabeth carriers, two landing platform dock assault ships and the landing platform helicopter ships, BAE System has received in July 2017 the initial contract for manufacturing the Artisan radar for the new Type 26 GCS frigates. The Israeli Navy is involved in a comprehensive upgrade of its medium-size combatant vessel represented by Saar 4.5 and Saar 5 corvettes to gain technological communalities with the new combat system of the new Saar 6 corvettes to be delivered in 2019. The most evident and important element of the upgrading package is the IAI-Elta 2258 Advanced Lightweight Phased Array (ALPHA) radar, which was integrated on a Saar 4.5 corvette to being sea trails, according to a IAI statement in May 2017. Being offered on the export market, the EL/M2258 is a multirole solid-state S-band active phased array radar based on a lightweight, rotating/scanning, two-dimensional active array antenna suitable for installation on a wide range of vessel types thanks to system reduced weight and footprint. The latter include a 700 kg masthead antenna and 500 kg below deck equipment cabinets. Leveraging on the same transmit/receive module technology applied to the company’s EL/M-2248 MF-STAR four-fixed panels and multifunction radar to be installed on the Saar 6 and already equipping Indian Navy’s Kolkata destroyers and one Israeli Navy’s Saar 5, the EL/M-2258 ALPHA radar key features include a 2-D electronic beam steering (scanning up to 70 degrees), very high tracking update rate and accuracy for high priority targets, automatic splash detection and measurement for gunnery support, and advanced beamforming techniques for multipath suppression and electronic counter countermeasures (ECCM). The latter capabilities allow to extract fast, low radar-
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The most evident and important element of the upgrading package for medium-size Saar 4.5 and Saar 5 corvettes is the IAI-Elta 2258 Advanced Lightweight Phased Array (ALPHA) radar, which was integrated on a Saar 4.5 corvette for sea trails starting in May 2017. ©IAI-Elta
cross section targets in complex clutter and jamming environments. According to IAI-Elta documentation, automatic track initialization is stated at 25+ km for low flying attacking missiles and 120+ km for high-flying fighter aircraft. Having developed and sold worldwide the proven Herakles multifunction passive radar, installed on board a range of combatant ships including French and export-delivered FREMM, and the Republic of Singapore Formidable-class frigates, Thales air systems, the French arm of Thales group is developing the Sea Fire full digital S-band AESA multifunction radar for the French DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement). Based on the GaN technology and four solid-state panel phased-array antenna configuration the multi-mission radar, which will find first application on board the new Frégate de Taille Intermédiaire (FTI) or midsize frigate for French Navy, the new multimission radar will provide air surveillance and defence, surface surveillance and defence, ballistic missile surveillance and
defence, Aster missile fire control, surface gun support and C-RAM. Its modular and scalable architecture will allow to offer tailored configuration for different size of combatant vessels, potentially leading to a single-rotating antenna variant based on market requests. The advancing MMIC technologies and processing capabilities are enlarging the 3D multifunction radar applications to smaller combatant or patrol vessels such as Offshore Patrol vessels or as a secondary air/surface search radar for large-medium combatant platforms. Among different programs, Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GEM Elettronica company has developed and is testing under a joint Italian MoD/private program the MFRAD 3D X-band short-tomedium surface/surveillance radar with
solid-state transmitters. With a weight of less than 400 kg (450 kg with IFF interrogator), the antenna complex includes a lower flat aperture for surface surveillance, target designation and navigation, together with a higher-placed and larger sloping antenna for same purposes in the air domain. The air-cooled MFRAD has demonstrated a maximum instrumented range in excess of 96 nm with a maximum elevation coverage over 60 degrees. With a fully automatic capability of detecting and tracking air and surface platforms (in excess of 300 targets), especially fast and low-flying aircrafts, helicopters and UAVs, the 3D MFRAD has six operational surface and air main modes while anti-clutter and ECCM capabilities give a significant contribution to tactical situational awareness.
Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GEM Elettronica company has developed and is testing under a joint Italian MoD/private program the lightweight MFRAD 3D X-band short-to-medium surface/ surveillance radar with solid-state transmitters. ŠLuca Peruzzi
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KTRV taps into naval weapons market By Nikolay Novichkov
The Paket-E/NK compact anti-submarine warfare (ASW) system with an antitorpedo (ATE) intended for frigates. © Nikolaï Novichkov
Russia`s Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) is beefing up its competences in the area of naval weapons, the Director General of the company Boris Obnosov told the European Defence Review (EDR) magazine “KTRV has made a robust portfolio of naval underwater weapons, coastal defense systems and ship-based weapons. It will allow shoring up of our market positions as we will promote not only air-launched weapons but also other types of missile and underwater weapons,” Obnosov said.
Russia`s leading developer of high-precision weapons intended for navy and naval aviation. The Paket-E/NK is designed to engage close-in submarines and destroy attacking torpedoes.The Paket-E control system, a part of the Paket-E/NK, is designed to process information about underwater situation sent by ship-based integrated complexes and systems, designate targets, control the engineering status of combat modules, compute and input firing data, generate launch commands and train personnel. The Paket-AE sonar with a bottom antenna is designed to automatically detect attacking torpedoes and measure the parameters of their moving, calculate initial targeting information and send targeting data to the control system. The rotating and fixed launchers of the Paket-E/NK are mounted on the deck. They are fitted with a compact antisubmarine torpedo (MPT) or an anti-torpedo (ATE) stored in unified containers with a thermostatic system. The launchers features doubled or quadrupled layout. The MPT torpedo is an effective anti-submarine weapon. A ship`s sonar suite that incorporates a sonar with a bottom antenna and a sonar
Into the systems’ advantages The Paket-E/NK compact anti-submarine warfare (ASW) system with an antitorpedo (ATE) intended for frigates, corvettes and smaller surface combatants is among the most sophisticated naval weapons being offered by KTRV on the global market. The system has been developed by the GNPP Region enterprise (a subsidiary of KTRV), 40
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The MPT torpedo is an effective anti-submarine weapon.©GNPP Region
with a flexible extensional towed array is the main source of information about targets during the accomplishing of anti-submarine missions. The aforementioned assets send information about a target to the system`s control post, which automatically produces firing data package (FDP). The FDP is sent to
origination can accomplish antisubmarine missions in the same manner; however, they are short of active antitorpedo subsystems and typically use only passive assets to destroy attacking torpedoes,” he pointed out. The Paket-E/NK system can be used in all weather conditions at up to Level 5 sea state. ©GNPP Region
the combat module. After launch, a torpedo acquires a target, approaches, and destroys it. The ATE antitorpedo is designed to engage attacking torpedoes. The Paket-AE specialized sonar is the main source of information for the ATE. The target data are delivered to the control
The ATE antitorpedo is designed to engage attacking torpedoes. ©GNPP Region
system, which produces FDP. The FDP is input to the ATE. When optimal target approaching and destruction conditions are reached, the antitorpedo is launched. After launch, the ATE acquires a target, approaches, and destroys it.
Versatility at its best The Paket-E/NK system can be used in all weather conditions at up to Level 5 sea state. The carrier ship can move at a speed of up to 20 kt during the launch of the torpedoes. The Paket-E/NK can be delivered in a modified configuration and complemented by shorebased training facilities and automated training systems at customer request. Moreover, design, mounting and start-up works can be provided also. A representative of KTRV told EDR that the Paket-E/NK is the first complex ASW system. “Unlike foreign analogues, the Paket-E/NK was initially developed as a complex system designed to engage enemy`s submarines and torpedoes. Similar systems of foreign
The representative of the corporation said the Paket-E/NK system features high modernization potential and can be modified to counter new threats in a case of necessity. “Looking forward, the Paket-E/NK system can counter unmanned underwater vehicles [UUV],” he emphasizes.
Available for export According to the official information issued by the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the outstanding effectiveness of the export modification of the Paket-NK system with an antitorpedo has been demonstrated during live-fire exercises carried out in the Baltic Sea in 2014-2017. The press department of the Western Military District has pointed out that the Paket anti-submarine system is a principally new item of hardware that can dramatically extend the survivability of surface combatants. The Rosoboronexport company, a subsidiary of the Rostec state corporation, offers the exportoriented Paket-E/NK system to potential foreign customers on the global market. GNPP Region also designs modern systems to counter various types of sea mines. In particular, the enterprise has developed the Alexandrit-ISPUM-E integrated mine search and destruction system intended for mine countermeasures (MCM) vessels modified for its use. The Alexandrit-ISPUM-E is designed to detect sea-based mines at water depths of up to 300 m and at Level 3 sea state and mark or destroy them. The system can integrate an UUV that can be remotely controlled at a distance of up to 500 m and a towed vehicle. EDR | March/April 2018
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MAGAZINE European Defence Review European Defence Review (EDR) is the first magazine in English focusing on defence issues with a European perspective and one which is fully managed by well-known journalists specialised in defence and security. EDR addresses every topic of the defence sector: equipment and industrial issues, armed forces and operations, but also strategic and political news concerning defence and security issues. Although the articles will be mainly focused on European topics, the review also discusses the main countrie’s partners of Europe and emerging markets: Russia, the Middle East, Brazil, India… EDR distributes during the major international defence trade fairs. The readers include military decision-makers, both political and industrial, from European countries as well as traditional or potential partners of the European defence community. Finally, EDR covers all of the major defence exhibitions worldwide; privileged accasions where policy makers, military and trade-related, are attending.
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