October 2009
Emerging Defense Technologies
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October 2009
Synopsis of global emerging defense technologies for the ground warrior
Emerging Defense Technologies
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October 2009
October 2009
Emerging Defense Technologies
What’s Inside 1
October 2009
Synopsis of global emerging defense technologies for the ground warrior
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
www.defense-house.com
Emerging Defense Technologies is published monthly by Defense House Publishing, P.O. Box 236, Forest Hill, Maryland, 21050, USA. Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, duplicated or re-transmitted without the expressed written permission of the publisher. The Technology Briefs section of Emerging Defense Technologies is a single reference point for currently developing or developed patented scientific and engineering data of military projects or projects that have potential military application. The full reports, including all technical drawings are available separately. All reports are in the language of the country of origin with the language noted by each report. The Technology Briefs’ documents are compiled by Defense House Publishing. For information on purchasing individual documents, a complete single issue or an annual subscription, contact Defense House Publishing.
Defense House Publishing P.O. Box 236 Forest Hill, Maryland 21050 USA
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Indian Unmanned BMP
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Armoured Fighting Vehicle Sector Strategy
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Left of Boom
13 On Target—News Briefs 19 Conventional Arms Transfers - 2008 23 Australian Defense Land Force Programs
2009-2010
26 Calendar of Events 27 Technology Briefs
Ammunition & Munitions Artillery Communications, Suvreillance & Sensors Ground Vehicles Infantry Weapons Soldier Survivability & Gear Unmanned Vehicles
Jeff McKaughan jeffm@defense-house.com 443-243-1710 410-838-0224 fax
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Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
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Indian Unmanned BMP The first prototype of unmanned ground vehicle on BMP II (Namica) vehicle platform has been developed by Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, Avadi, Chennai. The prototype consists of driveby-wire (DBW) system which includes electromechanical actuators and drives for the driver interfaces such as acceleration, brake, gear shifting, steering, clutch, parking brake, etc. The DBW system is controlled by a PXI-based controller in the remote vehicle and receives commands on wireless LAN from a lab view-based GUI located in the base station. The position feedbacks from the encoders on the steering actuators and from limit switches on the gear shift levers are obtained at the base station for accurate control. The clutching and gear shifting operations have been combined in the GUI, rendering the advantages of an automatic transmission to the conventional powerpack. Remote switching on the engine is also built in the controller. The unmanned BMP was demonstrated to Dr A Sivathanu PIllai, distinguished scientist, and chief controller Research & Development (NS & ACE), on 25 May 2009. The signals from the engine, like engine rpm, vehicle speed, etc are acquired by a data
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acquisition card and displayed in the GUI. The electromechanical actuators for the BMP II have been designed in such a way that the driver’s accessibility to all the control pedals is not affected. The reverse effect on the actuators due to the manual override was considered during the design and selection of
electromechanical actuators.
Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment
Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) has its origin as the Chief Inspectorate of Mechanical Transport Establishment (MTE) in Chaklala (now in Pakistan) during world war II in 1929. After India’s independence it was moved to Ahemednagar to form Technical Development Establishment (TDE - Vehicles). It was later transformed into Vehicle Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahemednagar. In 1965, after the decision was made to manufacture the Vijayanta tank, the Heavy Vehicles Factory was set up at Avadi. To render R&D support to HVF, a detachment of VRDE was established as a nucleus at Avadi. In 1969, India opted to set up an independent DRDO laboratory for handling tasks relating to armored fighting vehicles. In March 1976 the detachment of VRDE Avadi was redesignated as Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE).
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Armoured Fighting Vehicle Sector Strategy The UK Ministry of Defence recently released their Armoured Fighting Vehicle Sector Strategy, the text of which follows. The Defence Industrial Strategy set out the government’s approach to the delivery of the capabilities required by our Armed Forces now and in the future, and the way in which industry could contribute to that. A next step in that work is to articulate an AFV Sector Strategy, as part of the broader Land Sector Strategy, through which MOD, led by DE&S, will engage with an appropriatelyshaped industrial sector in order to support the delivery of current and future AFV capability. The evolving threat we face requires…. The ability to make intelligent decisions rapidly • Agile responses from military and industry alike Our vision for the AFV Sector is: To provide armoured fighting vehicles to meet the current and future operational needs of the armed forces, from a healthy and sustainable supply base that provides greater efficiency, •
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effectiveness and agility with long term value for money. Scope and Application This strategy does not seek to deliver a specific outcome or attempt to define an industrial construct. The aim is to lay out some guiding principles which will shape MOD’s evolving relationship with industry in the AFV sector, in order to set the context for individual project decisions. When applied, these principles will provide a test for each project in order to ensure that it contributes to a coherent sector programme or, where it deviates, that we understand the implications across the whole of the delivery landscape. As such, it explicitly avoids mandating solutions to projects from either a technical or industrial supply perspective. A global market means…
• • • •
October 2009 Many suppliers Competitive pressures A range of technologies available Few barriers to exploitation
Urgent Operational Requirements The need for a swift and agile response to operational need is a key driver in shaping our approach in the AFV sector. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have required us to make considerable modifications and enhancements to our armoured vehicles in order to meet both the environmental demands as well as the evolving threat. Since 2003, we have invested over £2.3Bn in the land equipment area, with several thousand people in both MOD and industry jointly engaged in this work. Warrior, for example, has been fitted with 20 new systems at a cost of £1.1M per vehicle (or about 30% of the base vehicle value). This work, and the speed with which we need to undertake it, drives our requirements for design information, appropriate AIT expertise and a competent MRO organisation. Key Driver: Operational Soverignty and Value for Money There are two fundamental drivers which will continue to shape our approach to the procurement and support of our AFV fleet: the need to maintain appropriate operational sovereignty and the need to increase value for money in the sector. The UK government reserves the right to maintain an appropriate degree of access to industrial skills, capacities, capabilities and technology to ensure appropriate operational sovereignty in the range of operations that we wish to be able to conduct. We define operational sovereignty as the ability to use our armed forces’ capabilities with appropriate UK control and without third party constraints. In meeting our operational sovereignty needs, we will first look to the open market, and only if that market is not appropriate will we secure AFV-related capability within the UK and, if necessary, within government itself. Where appropriate operational sovereignty can only be achieved through sustaining key industrial skills, capabilities, capacities and technology in the UK, we will balance the benefits against the potential costs of such an approach. A central consideration for the MOD is the securing of long-term value for money (vfm) across the whole delivery landscape,
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
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Bulldog: Investing in What We Have Our approach is not simply based on acquiring new vehicles. Part of our approach to capability delivery is prudent investment in what we already have. Since 2006, we have invested over £173M in turning 900 FV 432 into Bulldog vehicles, which have made a significant contribution to operations in Iraq
and we believe that competition should be exploited where it is the most appropriate mechanism for delivering this. Where a viable competition cannot be established, then we will seek to deliver vfm through the establishment of long-term partnering arrangements with an appropriate supplier. In doing this, we will ensure that the use of the Defence Support Group is optimised in order to deliver best overall value for defence. It will also be important, once a competition is completed, to find a mechanism whereby the winning contractor integrates into extant or new support partnering arrangements designed to secure long-term value. Current Landscape and Our Future Approach Design Rights Currently, MOD is often constrained in its ability to modify vehicles because of the limited rights we hold over the use of vehicle design information. This is not a position which we would wish to retain, because it limits our ability to contract for subsequent UK-specific modification activity, as well as routine upkeep and update work, with somebody other than the original design entity. The securing of appropriate rights over the use of design information, where affordable, will be an important element of our future approach to vehicle acquisition. Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) The UK’s continuing ability to maintain and operate its AFV fleet is dependent on two fundamental activities: the ability to understand and manage the structural integrity of the vehicles and the ability to repair and re-generate battle damaged or operationally time-expired vehicles. Both these activities are features of upkeep activity,
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and are delivered through a competent MRO organisation. It follows that the ability to carry out these activities must be retained on-shore, although the off-platform repair of non-critical sub-systems need not be. The retention of DSG partially meets this need, although not completely or in isolation, and we acknowledge that we will remain dependent on an appropriate industrial component to support DSG outputs. Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) Lessons learned from current operations have re-emphasised the need to be able to make substantial changes to the capabilities of our vehicles in order to respond to rapidly evolving threats. In industrial terms, this requires sufficient rights over the use of vehicle design information (the ‘What’) and assured
access to the design knowledge and design capability (the ‘How’), in order to design major UK-specific sub-system upgrades. It also requires the ability to undertake the production, assembly, integration and onvehicle test of such system upgrades in order to deliver a usable solution. Conclusions There are two major conclusions that we have drawn from our analysis: •
That we are prepared to acquire AFVs from the global market, provided that we can secure appropriate design rights and assured access to design information and design knowledge. This is necessary in order to allow us to modify our vehicles as we wish to meet our needs. However we acknowledge that each case will be subject to affordablility considerations.
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That in order then to continue to operate our AFV fleet with appropriate operational sovereignty, we need assured access to a competent AFV system design capability, together with the ability to maintain and operate the fleet through maintenance repair & overhaul activities, to upgrade the fleet through the assembly integration & test of major AFV subsystems, as well as have available suitable expert advice on system and sub-system integration.
Key Principles These conclusions, supported by our other background work, have led to the development of 9 Key Principles which will shape our approach to this sector: (1) Operational Sovereignty Operational sovereignty considerations determine the need for assured access to AFV design expertise, maintenance repair & overhaul and assembly integration & test capabilities, in order to be able to modify vehicles as we wish. This gives us the ability to prosecute operations in conditions of dynamic threat. But there is a requirement, all be it not at any cost, to manufacture UK-
Integration & Test: Remote Weapons System on CR2 An example of the integration and test challenge we face is the programme to design, integrate test and deliver the remote weapon system for CR2. Working closely with the vehicle Design Authority and system supplier, 24 systems were supplied, fitted and delivered within 8.5 months at a cost of £3.9M
specific critical sub-systems on-shore. (2) Global Market Exploitation We should, as a default approach, operate as a customer in the global AFV market provided that we can secure appropriate rights over, and access to, design information and design knowledge. (3) Procurement Focus At base-vehicle level, procurement should focus on intrinsically flexible vehicles with growth potential and exploitation routes in order to maximise both utility and value for money. (4) Holistic Support Strategy The integrated nature of operations in the ground environment requires migration to a
October 2009
holistic support strategy for all AFVs, both legacy and future. (5) Intelligent Customer Competences We need to be able to define technical standards and architectures. We also need to be able to make intelligent decisions, based on independent advice, on bringing the right technologies into integrated solutions using best systems engineering practice in order both to manage safety and deliver capability through life. Over recent years, we have chosen not to retain many of the competencies we need in house: we acknowledge the need to source them from elsewhere amongst our industrial partners. (6) Intelligent Customer Obligations We must continue to develop an approach in which we act as an intelligent customer, allocating risk appropriately, being realistic in our demands and promises and delivering on our commitments and obligations. (7) Design Information Rights We must secure sufficient rights over design information, as well as assured access to relevant design knowledge, to allow third party modification of designs where appropriate, and to allow routine maintenance, repair and overhaul activities. (8) Defence Support Group (DSG) Leverage DSG capability and capacity should be utilised to the maximum extent possible in individual project delivery strategies, in order to provide best value for defence. (9) VFM on Through Life and Whole Solution Basis In striving for vfm, the focus should be on leveraging both industry and our own resources to realise vfm both through life and across the whole delivery landscape, in order to avoid a series of sub-optimal decisions at individual project level. Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) is important to us… •
• •
It enables the rapid upgrade of our vehicles to meet new threats (e.g. additional armour protection) It enables the long-term evolution of our fleet to meet our needs We are developing AIT expertise more widely through current UOR work with a number of contractors
For a copy of the original document, go to: www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/993C6B2AB028-4612-8B6E-451E0C2554AD/0/ afvsectorstrategy.pdf
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Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
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Left of Boom The Joint Improvised Explosives Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) has issued a broad agency announcement (BAA) entitled Rapid Development of Counter-IED Capabilities. Through this BAA, the Department of Defense (DoD) solicits proposals for the development of innovative capabilities to defeat IEDs employed against U.S. and coalition forces anywhere in the world, but especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. JIEDDO is seeking innovative counter-IED capabilities that can be rapidly developed, demonstrated, and deployed within 12 to 24 months from award. However, JIEDDO is willing to entertain less mature systems with a potentially high payoff. Proposals must address one of the following five solicitation areas: • •
•
• • •
Detect, neutralize or mitigate person-borne IEDs. Detect, neutralize or mitigate buried IEDs or pressure initiation devices. Provide stand-off detection and confirmation of explosives or chemical compounds associated with explosives. Detect, neutralize or mitigate explosively formed penetrators. Counter-IED medical science and technologies. Any additional technology, information, or recommendations that would enhance existing counter-IED systems.
Stand-Off Detection of Person-borne IEDs Requirements The most important and difficult aspect of the person-borne IED (PBIED) detection problem is reliable, verifiable interrogation of all individuals in an unstructured crowd at
Emerging Defense Technologies
a large public event (e.g. a crowded market square). JIEDDO is also interested in the more manageable problem of interrogation at controlled access points, with individuals queued up for interrogation by portal or other fixed-site technologies in a one-at-a-time scenario (e.g. an election polling station). However, it should be emphasized that this is a subset of the larger problem of the unstructured crowd, and does not represent a full solution. Queues represent targets of opportunity for bombers; therefore JIEDDO is primarily interested in solutions that address the crowd problem without requiring the cooperation or even knowledge of the individual being interrogated. Stand-off means that the PBIED detection and confirmation should be performed at a distance far enough away from the suspect device that the operator or valued assets are protected should the device detonate. The stand-off distance will vary depending on the specific scenario, but the main objective is to develop the capability to rapidly and accurately detect PBIED from a safe distance. Due to the issues of occlusion, look angle, and the potentially large number of individuals present, no single sensor can provide adequate coverage. Therefore, JIEDDO would prefer a multi-sensor, systemof-systems approach in order to eliminate PBIEDs as a weapon system of strategic influence. However, single sensor solutions that provide a desired capability will also be considered. Counter-PBIED proposals should address one or more of the following focus areas:
1. Single- and multi-sensor algorithms for aided or automated threat detection In order to address the unstructured crowd, algorithms must be able to exploit very low dwell time, on the order of one second or less, with real time threat assessment. a. Proposals addressing detection algorithms should describe methods for exploiting sensor data to extract threat features in an automated or operator-aided fashion to reduce operators’ decision cycle. JIEDDO’s most critical need in algorithms is the automated isolation of anomalous regions of 2D and 3D imagery of persons. It should be noted that PBIED devices are improvised, so pattern matching has limited value. b. Solutions may include single- and multi-sensor detection techniques, and should therefore address combined use of disparate sensor data to enhance the probability of detection (Pd) and minimize the false alarm rate (FAR). Confidence values should be included for weighted, multi-sensor threat assessments inputted into fusion algorithms. c. JIEDDO is seeking intelligent fusion engines for combining multiple sensor threat assessments and confidence values to enhance Pd and minimize FAR. d. Proposed solutions should address data transformation for multi-sensor algorithms. For example, imagery captured by sensors at different look angles to the individual being interrogated need to be transformed to correct for perspective and parallax differences to enable direct image comparison. 2. Threat-detection sensor technologies In order to address the unstructured crowd, aimed, standoff sensors must provide fast slew rates (on the order of milliseconds)
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8 and the ability to address small fields of regard (either by an overall narrow field of view, or resolution and algorithms which can address a small portion of a larger field of view). Heavy, low-slew rate, pan and tilt solutions are of limited value. a. Active or passive, imaging or nonimaging, millimeter wave (MMW) and terahertz (THz). Preference will be given to those proposed sensor technologies which operate in the 10-1200 GHz (0.01 to 1.2 THz) frequency range where clothing transmission is significant. Modalities may include imaging, polarimetry and spectroscopy. b. Metal detection sensors – optimally, sensors should be packaged and miniaturized, with methods to secure the sensors to the ground to enable them to be deployed in crowds, on paved and unpaved surfaces, while making it difficult for persons to remove the sensors or damage them intentionally or inadvertently. c. Stand-alone air-sampling spectroscopic sensors. As in the case of metal detection sensors, spectroscopic sensors would ideally be miniaturized and packaged to enable secure, rapid deployment. A combined package of metal detection and spectroscopic detection would be considered as well. d. Active or passive, imaging or nonimaging, infrared (IR) sensors, including technologies for standoff spectroscopic identification of explosives on (trace) and through (bulk) clothing. e. Electronics sensors for non-linear junction (diode) detection. f. Behavioral detection technologies – gate analysis, aggression, respiration and heart rate – to enable assessment of threat potential of persons. g. Ancillary technology which actively enhance signatures for other modalities. 3. Personnel Tracking Software and Sensors a. Algorithms to enable situational awareness and tracking of all individuals in the area of coverage as well as hand off of individuals’ tracks from one sensor to another. b. Methods for passive tagging of tracked individuals so that lost tracks can be automatically reacquired. These may include color histogram, texture, or shape characterization to provide a passive tag, and may be informed by color cameras, LIDAR, or other technologies. c. Proposals addressing personnel tracking should describe sensors to be used, as well as the software to be used for location
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and tracking of individuals in the area of coverage. d. Video analytics software for analysis and prediction of individuals’ behavior and detection of suspicious inanimate objects (e.g. bags, backpacks, and boxes). 4. Multi-sensor Architecture a. Proposals addressing multi-sensor architectures should describe a software network backbone which: enables straightforward addition of new sensors and computing resources to the system; is capable of auto-discovery of those sensors and computing resources; assigns computational tasks to available computing resources. b. Software developer kit (SDK): Proposals addressing multi-sensor architectures should include a SDK to allow plug-and-play addition of sensors by enabling sensor developers to rapidly complete a software control interface for new sensors. c. Proposed solutions should provide a graphical user interface (GUI) which enables command, control, and interface with sensors, computing resources, communications systems, operators and interdictors, as well as intelligent, simultaneous display of multiple sensor inputs and threat status for system area of coverage. 5. Proposals Counter-PBIED proposals should specifically address their methodology to provide early stand-off detection of potential suicide attackers without providing undue alert to the attacker. Where appropriate, the detection proposal should include: a. Description of key detection signatures or observables, and why the vendor believes those key signatures to be unique and reliable. Proposals which include preliminary test data demonstrating the existence of a strong observable will be given preference. In all cases, information or empirical data on solution’s dependence upon environmental conditions and clothing types will greatly assist JIEDDO in assessing the value of proposed solutions. b. Description of potential false alarm sources especially in high-clutter environments and how those false alarm sources will be mitigated. c. Description of expected Pd and FAR, and their dependence upon range, environmental conditions and variations due to the body types of those being interrogated. For existing technologies, proposers are encouraged to provide test data in support of the expected performance of the proposed
October 2009
Definitions An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is defined as a device placed or fabricated in an improvised manner incorporating destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic, or incendiary chemicals and designed to destroy, incapacitate, harass, or distract. It may incorporate military supplies, but is normally devised from non-military components. Counter-IED (C-IED) is defined as the collective efforts at all levels to defeat the IED system in order to reduce or eliminate the effects of all forms of IEDs used against friendly forces and non-combatants according to the mission. It includes offensive and defensive measures taken to predict, prevent, detect, neutralize, and mitigate the IED threat, as well as train our forces to counter it. It also includes operations to predict and prevent the IED network. The PREDICT functional capability is the foretelling of activities associated with the IED manufacture and emplacement, to include: recruitment, information operations, financial transactions, transportation, manufacturing processes, and identification of the people associated with these activities. The PREVENT functional capability is the targeting, interdiction, and elimination of enemy personnel (operators and bomb makers) and the associated infrastructure (facilities and supplies) that precludes employment of IEDs against military and civilian personnel. The DETECT functional capability is the extraction of information from objects and activities associated with IEDs (fabrication, transportation, and employment) or components of IEDs and in sufficient time to achieve a favorable outcome. The NEUTRALIZE functional capability is to provide the means to disable, disrupt or predetonate IEDs or their sub-components. The MITIGATE functional capability is to lessen or minimize the severity of IED-related events through enhancement of protection. New capabilities will enhance the protection of military personnel vehicles by mitigating the blast effects of IEDs.
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009 detection system. d. A clear statement of the current and end-state technical maturity of the primary detection methods. Vendors should address interoperability in a radio-frequency jamming environment, collateral effects (human exposure limits), and any other issue relevant to the integration of the proposed system into a military operating environment. Buried IED and Pressure Initiation Device Requirements Detection of Buried IEDs Buried IEDs are emplaced on or under the ground with the intent to detonate them beneath vehicles and personnel. They are used on roadways, thoroughfares and choke points where intended victims are likely to pass over. Emplacements vary widely, but burial depth often corresponds with the net explosive weight of the device (i.e. larger devices can be emplaced more deeply or in culverts). The explosive charge can be composed of: metallic ordnance, low metal mines, bulk explosives in metal, plastic or fabric containers; or combinations of these elements. Devices are frequently emplaced in or near features that screen their signatures and reduce visible evidence of their burial, such as repaired holes and culverts. The most common initiators for buried IEDs are pressure switches and command wires. Command wires lead from the main charge off the road to a switch, battery and person at a remote firing point. Pressure switches are emplaced under light overburden near the main charge and close a contact when compressed under a wheel or foot. Frequent association and proximity of pressure switches to main charges enable detection strategies that address either or both IED components. Common pressure switches are fabricated from lightweight conductive components that are held apart by nonconductive flexible or collapsible spacers. Although they can be fabricated from most anything conductive, common components are saw blades, nails, foil, dual conductor wires and commercial pressure switches. Metal content can be deliberately minimized. Other components associated with pressure switches are batteries, wire leads to the main charge, command arming wires and radio control arming devices. Detecting buried IEDs is a significant challenge. JIEDDO’s investments to meet this challenge will encompass technologies
Emerging Defense Technologies
9 intended to directly detect the device in situ and technologies intended to detect signs of emplacement, either by coherent change detection or by identifying the characteristic signatures of disturbed earth and other artifacts. Partially or fully automated threat identification capabilities will be required in most operational scenarios. White papers should provide a clear discussion of the automated threat identification approach proposed. Potential platforms include manned and unmanned ground vehicles and aircraft. Detection of a buried IED from a ground vehicle must be completed before the vehicle enters the blast area or detonates the device. The minimum safe detection range (stand-off distance) will vary with the type of operation. Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations are performed when a possible IED location has been identified. The EOD team interrogates the location to confirm the presence of an IED, images it if possible and disables it. EOD teams can loiter at the threat location for a brief period, and they may direct a detection or imaging system at a likely IED from a robot or interrogation arm. EOD operations require that a system have high resolution imaging capability and a high probability of detection (Pd), but the detection range can be short and determination of a threat can be left to the operator. Route clearance operations are intended to find and remove threats on frequently travelled routes. While advancing along the route, the route clearance team can direct its attention to discovering threats, and may proceed at a slow pace near likely
threat locations. Detection systems intended for route clearance require that threats be automatically nominated with high Pd in time for the operator to stop, and that the false alarm rate (FAR) be low enough to permit reasonable forward progress as determined by the mission and operators. Tactical and convoy operations require higher speeds and demand more of the operator’s attention, so detection systems need to automatically find and identify threats independent of the operator at a distance that accommodates the vehicle speed. Tactical and convoy scenarios will require a forward looking or closely linked airborne system. A lower Pd may be tolerated. Detection of buried IEDs from the air benefits all ground forces regardless of mission, but success of an airborne system depends on: meeting the size, weight and power requirements of the proposed platform; availability of the platform; search rate; rapid communication of IED nominations to ground forces; and viability of the required search CONOPS. JIEDDO’s near term goal is to enhance buried-IED detection capabilities in EOD and route clearance scenarios in both theaters. Our ultimate goal is to provide buried IED detection capabilities that are effective in convoy and tactical scenarios. To accomplish our goals, JIEDDO will field a suite of systems that can provide buried IED detection capability to units in most operational scenarios. The technical issues associated with the various operational profiles are different, and solutions that address any part of the problem will be pursued. All viable solutions will
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10 exploit signatures that are robust, distinct and persistent. The technical challenges include: • • • •
•
• •
•
Penetration through air, pavement, and soil Identification of target signatures in clutter (natural or man-made) Identification of a wide variety of targets, including non-metallic Automated threat detection and identification (e.g. pressure plate vs. main charge) Variations in sensor perspective and environment on consecutive searches Timely and clear communication of target location to ground forces Interoperability of sensor systems with other systems used in the operating environment Mitigation of collateral effects on friendly forces, civilians, and electronic infrastructure
Stand-off Detection and Confirmation of Explosives Stand-off explosives detection is different and more challenging than standoff explosives confirmation. Explosives detection is defined as the ability to find explosives associated with a threat when there is no prior evidence of the presence of a target material or other cueing indicator. Explosives confirmation is the ability to determine the composition of a material at a suspicious location. Stand-off means that the
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explosives detection and confirmation should be performed at a distance far enough away from the suspect device that the operator or valued assets are protected should the device detonate. The stand-off distance will vary depending on the specific scenario, but the main objective is to develop the capability to rapidly and accurately interrogate from a safe distance. In terms of the JIEDDO mission, the most challenging aspects of this problem are the requirements to have a high probability of detection and a low probability of false alarms at relatively large stand-off distances in an environment that is contaminated with explosives. 1. Stand-off detection of explosives is challenging. A key consideration to meeting this capability gap is that stand-off explosives detection is required for a wide variety of situations, including but not limited to: personnel and vehicle borne IEDs in complex environments such as marketplaces; buried or hidden IEDs; and assembly and production facilities. Ideal solutions should encompass looking for all potential explosives, both in the detection and confirmation mode. However, the following categories are of particular interest: bulk home-made explosives and enclosed or hidden military grade explosives. In general, detection capability should provide wide area scanning capability and a preliminary indication of where the confirmation sensor should interrogate. 2. Stand-off confirmation of explosives is not a standalone capability. Cueing from
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another system or an observable is usually required. In this context, cueing involves indicators that an IED threat may be present and the need to perform stand-off explosives confirmation. Cueing may be from the explosive itself, or other indicators (e.g. disturbed earth, etc.). Ideally, confirmation should rapidly interrogate a selected area of interest and provide an unambiguous indication that explosives are (or are not) present. 3. Comprehensive solutions to address the stand-off explosives confirmation gap should include consideration of the following components: •
•
•
Sampling protocol: when, where, and how often to interrogate in order to confirm the presence of an explosive threat. Discrimination: the ability to link the presence of a chemical species to the presence of an explosive threat. Selectivity and sensitivity: the ability to detect the presence of an explosive threat in an environment already contaminated with explosives.
4. Operational utility of proposed standoff capabilities is a key consideration in order to meet the objectives of the JIEDDO mission. In order to more fully determine the potential effectiveness of a proposed standoff explosives detection or confirmation
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October 2009
capability, consideration should be given to the specific scenario under which the proposed technology could be employed. Examples of relevant operational scenarios are: •
•
•
•
•
Interrogation of suspect vehicles, at a checkpoint, parked along a roadway, or travelling freely. Detection and confirmation can focus either on explosives (military grade or homemade), or chemical materials required to construct an IED. Route clearance interrogation from ground or aerial assets. Consideration should be given to the speed of the platform and the area to be interrogated in a set timeframe. Interrogation of suspect facilities where homemade explosive production may be taking place or where IEDs are being assembled. Detection and confirmation can focus on the explosive, the chemical materials required for manufacturing explosives, or the assembly of an IED. Interrogation of a suspect individual, either at a checkpoint or in an unstructured crowd. For this scenario detection and confirmation should be limited to the explosive. Scenarios are not limited to those listed above; however, proposed scenarios must be clearly associated with the JIEDDO mission space.
5. Additional capabilities. As stand-off explosives detection and confirmation capabilities advance, there will be a continuing need to increase the speed, accuracy, and automation of the detection process. Solutions
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could include: Improved algorithms: Aided or automated detection Cooperative use of multiple sensors and data cueing Hardware improvements: Increased range Increased resolution and selectivity Reduced size, up to and including handheld sensors for dismounted operations
•
•
Novel approaches using new technologies. Examples include, but are not limited to
Capacitance trans-impedance array (CTIA) detector based technologies
Nanotechnology-based sensors with promise for more sensitive IR and laser systems
Effective sensors that are small, inexpensive and usable for wide area surveillance by dispersal over an area of interest may be useful, but sensing of this type has the potential for unintended consequences such as environmental contamination, health effects, or other unforeseen outcomes that must be addressed. Explosively Formed Penetrator Requirements An explosively formed penetrator (EFP) is a class of IED designed to fire a shaped warhead that effectively penetrates armor at stand-off distances. An EFP system has four major components: •
Arming switch. This component arms or disarms the EFP. More
•
sophisticated EFPs use a radiocontrolled (RC) device (e.g. cell phone or long range cordless telephone) to transmit a control signal. Trigger switch. This component triggers the explosive device. More sophisticated EFPs use a victim operated trigger. Less sophisticated EFPs use command operated trigger. Explosive Device. The explosive device consists of four elements: a concave metal liner (the penetrator), case, base plate, and explosive charge (propellant). The case is generally cylindrical and fabricated from commonly available materials (e.g. PVC or steel pipe). The forward end of the case is closed by a concave copper or steel disk-shaped liner, which forms the penetrator. Generally military-grade plastic explosives are loaded behind the liner to fill the casing. A blasting cap initiator is placed though a hole in the base plate. The penetrator can reach speeds well over one kilometer per second with kinetic energy on the order of mega joules, depending on the design and type of explosive used. Camouflage. This component conceals the EFP system and often consists of hardened polyurethane foam designed to blend the system in to the immediate environment.
An EFP detection system is expected to perform detection, interrogation and discrimination in both rural and urban environments, with their associated clutter.
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12 •
•
Rural Environment. Clutter in a rural environment is dominated by natural objects. Examples include, but are not limited to: trees, grass, gravel roads, culverts, agriculture and animals. Urban Environment. Clutter in an urban environment is dominated by manmade objects. Examples include, but are not limited to: trash (e.g. plastic bottles, paper, etc.), building material (e.g. concrete blocks, stone building blocks, metal rebar or mesh), buildings, curbs, roads, concrete barricades and humans. In addition to physical clutter, urban environments have EMI clutter from man-made electronic devices.
JIEDDO’s requirement is to develop algorithms for automated detection and discrimination on the explosive device and camouflage while on the move in the presence of urban and rural clutter. Proposals shall provide a clear and concise discussion on the features the algorithms will use for detection. Proposals will also provide a clear and concise discussion on how their system will operate in both a rural and urban environment. Proposals that only discuss hardware without discussing algorithm development will not be considered. JIEDDO requires that these detection algorithms support detection from
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a moving vehicle while performing route clearance operations. Detection of the EFP must occur in time to provide a safe standoff-distance for the vehicle’s crew to react. JIEDDO is interested in technologies that can: •
•
• •
Detect the EFP explosive device using radar techniques in a rural and urban environment. Detect the EFP explosive device and camouflage using acoustic techniques in a rural and urban environment. Concurrently detect and defeat EFP as a weapon Combine two or more detection and interrogation techniques on EFP components (i.e. arming switch, trigger switch, explosive device and camouflage) to increase the probability of detection and reduce the false alarm rate. Combined techniques shall have the ability to detect, interrogate and discriminate in rural and urban environments.
Counter-IED Medical Science and Technology In order to ensure and enhance medical research and studies, the JIEDDO Surgeon’s office provides Science and Technology
October 2009
and research for medical initiatives that enhance lifesaving measures, prevention, early detection and informatics for US and multinational service members; as a result of IED blasts. •
•
Proposals shall address capability gaps in which significant medical research is required to conduct or mitigate the unknown effects of blast and blast trauma for improved warfighter performance. Proposals shall address specific medical research, studies, prototypes, software enhancement, equipment and or training materials that will assist in attacking the network, defeating the device, training the force or data fusion.
• Other Counter-IED Proposals Offerors possessing any additional technology, information, or recommendations that would enhance the detection, identification, or defeat of IEDs or their supporting manufacturing, transportation, emplacement or personnel networks are also encouraged to submit proposals to this BAA. Identify what aspects of the IED problem as a weapon system of strategic influence each proposal addresses and how each proposed solution would mitigate the effectiveness of the IED weapon system.
Emerging Defense Technologies
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On Target Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Supacat recently unveiled the Supacat Protected Vehicle (SPV) Series, the next generation design to enhance the company’s successful range of high mobility vehicles. Supacat is offering the 4x4 SPV 400 as the optimum solution to the UK MoD’s urgent operational requirement for a light protected patrol vehicle (LPPV) to replace the Land Rover Snatch platform. The SPV design combines a fully integrated protection system with a cutting edge automotive solution to provide a LPPV with both supreme cross country performance and the agility to operate in tight urban environments. The protection system is fully integrated and comprises a V-shaped hull to provide mine blast protection and a composite crew “pod” to provide both blast and ballistic protection. The system includes mine blast seats and configurable ballistic armor to meet specific operational threats. The protection system has been developed in conjunction with NP Aerospace. “Building on our experience and integrating direct feedback from operational use of the existing fleet, the SPV takes the performance levels of lightweight protected mobility platforms beyond those currently available worldwide,” said Nick Ames, managing director of Supacat. “The operator’s needs and the integration of modern battlefield systems have been considered from the outset, making the SPV an attractive and upgradeable solution for 21st century operations.” The SPV survivability is predicated on fully integrated protection, in which the threat protection measures are integrated into the vehicle structure to achieve an optimized high protection, low weight solution. It uses an armored steel V-shaped chassis hull, manufactured as a single structure, with high ground standoff to provide integral blast protection. The axle assemblies are mounted in sacrificial sub frames, fore and aft of the hull, designed to blow off in the event of a wheel mine blast. The composite crew pod sits over the hull, between the wheels, and utilizes the latest composite and ceramic armor systems to mitigate the operational threats at optimal weight. The composite armor systems are designed by NP Aerospace, building on their extensive weight efficient composite experience. The SPV chassis design extends the mobility performance ethos of previous Supacat vehicles and incorporates all our experience
Emerging Defense Technologies
from previous platforms. High articulation independent suspension, air spring units and tuned-for-purpose damping coupled to managed power transmission provides all terrain mobility and speed. A startergenerator provides substantial electrical power for all mission scenarios and the same Cummins engine and Allison transmission system matches the logistic footprint of Jackal and Coyote. The 4x4 SPV 400 Series concept, which carries a 2+4 crew and has a declared GVW of 7500kg, provides a useable payload of 1500kg. A 6x6 SPV 600 Series sister platform is due to follow. Supacat and NP Aerospace offer an innovative and proven design capability in vehicle mobility and protection to deliver the LPPV Program. They are the leading vehicle UOR providers responsible for the backbone of the UK armed forces’ in-theatre protected mobility fleet, respectively supplying and supporting Jackal and Coyote, and Ridgeback and Mastiff. For the LPPV bid Supacat is prime contractor and systems integrator responsible for the mobility platform and NP Aerospace is principal sub-contractor responsible for the protection and crew pod, as well as providing production resources.
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October 2009
On Target New Class of US UDV for the IDF Ground Combat Vehicles The U.S. Army is planning on developing and fielding, in an incremental approach, a class of ground combat vehicles that will be integrated into the Armys Brigade Combat Teams (BCT). A class of vehicles will introduce, over time, various platforms (variants) to the BCT in an incremental acquisition approach starting with a lead vehicle development effort. US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command has issued a sources sought notice notice that seeks to identify firms capable of designing, developing and producing the U.S. Armys next generation of highly survivable, lethal and supportable ground combat vehicles. Industry sources are being sought with experience and corporate knowledge in the development and integration of combat vehicles that are expected to achieve highly challenging interoperability, (vehicle and crew) survivability, lethality, mobility, supportability, availability, affordability and transportability objectives. In addition, describe your firms ability to develop, integrate and produce:
• Highly reliable, interoperable and real time network capabilities • Software-intensive mission and safety critical systems • Non-lethal capabilities for ground combat vehicles • Embedded training capabilities introducing state of the art in training as an integral part of the combat vehicle
The Army also wants to identify firms that have or can develop and obtain the expertise, capacity, facilities and qualifications for potentially managing, developing and producing an increasing number of varying ground combat vehicle platforms.
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G-NIUS Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS) Ltd., a joint venture of Elbit Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), announced today that it was awarded a contract for the development of the next-generation UGV (unmanned ground vehicle) for the Israeli Defense Forces. The development phase, led by the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and the Technological Industry and the Israeli Ground Forces, is to be completed by 2011. The Nahshon UGV is based on the vast experience of the G-NIUS UGV Guardium, operated by the IDF since 2008. The next-generation UGV will offer improved autonomous movement and operational performance. Additionally, the vehicle’s navigation capabilities will be intensified and will include various advanced control solutions. The new UGV will allow increased payload weight, in order to offer better situational awareness, autonomity and independent decision making. The features of the new UGV will enable higher operational flexibility and allow activity in various combat scenarios. These advanced capabilities will also allow the vehicle to provide combat support, along with the Guardium which operates mainly in security missions. G-NIUS CEO Erez Peled noted that the decision of the Israeli Defense Forces to develop a next-generation UGV reflects the necessity for such a system and its major contribution to security missions in the modern combat arena. Peled added that the Israeli Defense Forces is one of the most advanced armies worldwide in the unmanned systems field, and trusts that other armed forces around the world will follow the IDF in its selection of G-NIUS’ unmanned systems.
Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics Oerlikon Contraves Deutschland GmbH is now Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics – a center of excellence for advanced infantry technology Trading under the new name Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH, the former Oerlikon Contraves Deutschland GmbH of Stockach, Germany, supports the world’s armed forces with an extensive array of high-tech products and services. The company, which has belonged to the Rheinmetall Group since 1999, develops and manufactures special components for infantry applications. The name change became effective on 1 September 2009. “Thanks to our wide range of deployment-oriented soldier systems, our company is particularly well placed for
future growth. The new name calls attention to our product portfolio, and sends a clear message to the market, which means we’ll be able to do a better job of positioning ourselves. We’re totally committed to supplying infantrymen with an optimum, mission-oriented suite of equipment,” declares Wolfgang Kammerlander, managing director of Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics GmbH. Products such as laser-based aiming systems (LLM: laser light modules), fire control units for dismounted soldiers and the DSID (dismounted soldier identification device) exemplify the company’s commitment to improving the combat effectiveness, survivability and accuracy of fire of today’s armed forces.
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
15
On Target Zephyr SRV (Specific Requirements Vehicle) Team Z, the collaborative alliance set up between military vehicle design and engineering house, Creation - and defence manufacturer and through-life support specialist, Babcock, recently debuted its new new Zephyr armored vehicle program. The new Zephyr SRV (Specific Requirements Vehicle) is an all-new protected vehicle platform based on modular principles to provide high survivability, multi-role operational flexibility—and optimum mechanical and logistics serviceability. A variant of the Zephyr SRV is being put forward as part of the Creation/Babcock Team Z joint bid to win the imminent UK MoD UOR contract for the design and build of a new light protected patrol vehicle (LPPV), to replace the current in-service Snatch Land Rover. A Zephyr SRV package is also planned for submission for part of the Australian Land 121 Overlander program and the Canadian Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) requirement. The companies have a further variant prepared for the now delayed OUVS (Small) competition, for which Babcock was down-selected last year. A central feature of the Zephyr SRV design is the inclusion of a composite occupant survival cell. Surrounding protection includes a V-form belly plate and an integral blast mitigation system. Protection is specified for minimum STANAG 4569 level 2 mine protection and level 2-3 KE protection. Fragment protection is taken to level 4. Zephyr SRV is also able to carry a range of roof-mounted options, including protected or remote weapons stations (RWS). The vehicle has been designed to meet worldwide deployment criteria—A1-C1 operating—and A1-C2 for storage. The unit is also specified for climatic conditions A2-C1 (+56C to -32C) for storage—and down to C2 extreme at -56C for operations. The Zephyr SRV is configured for air transportability within C130 and above— or underslung below CH47. Mobility is designed to meet and exceed IMMLC at a gross vehicle weight of 7500kg—with an effective payload capability of 2500kg, assuming standard designed protection levels.
Emerging Defense Technologies
The vehicle envelope is designed to accommodate a range of powertrain options, dependent on end user specification. The initial Zephyr SRV has been developed to incorporate a rapid access and removal ‘cassette’ mounting for the engine—to facilitate removal and replacement, automatic transmission and both centre and final drive locking differentials. Independent height adjustable suspension is included to adapt ground clearance, ride and handling to suit operating conditions. Throughout the program, Creation and Babcock have worked closely together to ensure that the design is fully productionised to meet high volume requirements. Initial build is planned for multiple units per week—with a fulfilment for 400 vehicles within twelve months. Further production engineering will accommodate overseas customer requirements for specified levels of local build and content. The package is designed also to be fully supportable in service—and in theatre if required. The vehicle envelope can be configured for a wide range of operational roles, body types and specialist applications such as pickup utility vehicle, troop carrier, command and control, Weapons Mounted Installation Kit (WMIK), reconnaissance and battlefield ambulance. A 6x6 variant is also planned. Crew and seating layouts can be varied from two to eight occupants, to suit
operational requirements. Space is also allocated for weapons fit, communications suites, situational awareness (SA) systems and other electronic devices—inline with LPPV and other comparable requirements. Additional features include fully integrated health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS) and the capability to support exportable power requirements. “The formation of Team Z has brought together the combined strengths and capabilities of two companies with an unique and in-depth experience of the sector and its requirements. This will significantly add value both to the program—but also ultimately, for the customer and end user. We are very pleased to be working with Babcock to compete for the UK MoD’s LPPV requirement and other international programs. The Zephyr SRV concept is designed to do exactly what it says—meet the specific requirements of the end user—and we see the future of the Zephyr program potentially as a world market product,” said Creation managing director, Bill Davis. Babcock Equipment Solutions managing director, Roger Gillespie said, “We are delighted to be working with Creation on the new Zephyr SRV vehicle. This versatile design will provide the basis for both our joint LPPV bid, and also for our OUVS (Small) submission for which Babcock was short-listed last year. Close working and collaboration with industry partners and the MoD is key to delivering battle-winning vehicles to the front-line, on-time and costeffectively.”
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October 2009
On Target RG-35 Latest BAE Systems Armored Vehicle BAE Systems recently launched the latest 6x6 addition to the battle-proven RG range, the RG35 mine protected multi-purpose fighting vehicle. RG35 combines the high levels of survivability of the RG31 mine protected vehicle with much of the tactical capability of a modern combat vehicle. The vehicle incorporates the best of 30 years experience in mobility, protection and sustainability, while meeting current challenges and threats. It meets modern warfare protection requirements, but also offers tactical on- and off-road mobility. “RG35 offers unprecedented versatility and will be equally suitable in peace support and conventional operations,” said Johan Steyn, managing director, BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa. “We continuously develop and enhance our vehicles to support our customers’ operational needs.” The versatile RG35 can carry light and medium turrets and direct and indirect-fire weapons. It can also be configured in all the variants of a fighting unit (ambulance, weapon carriers, command posts and others) and can be customized in various sizes such as
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the 4x4 and 6x6, for various missions to meet customer needs. RG35 is a 6x6 mine protected multi-purpose fighting vehicle 7.4 meters in length, 2.5 meters in width and 2,7 meters in height with
a ground clearance of 458 millimeters. The RG35 gross vehicle mass is 33,000kg with a payload of 14,870kg and 15sqm volume under armor. The RG35 has a turning circle of 15m and seats driver plus 15 crew members.
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
17
On Target Common Vehicle Displays The Program Executive Office-Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS), Program Management Office Heavy Brigade Combat Team (PMHBCT) has issued a market survey to determine the current availability of a common display for integration onto Abrams, Bradley and Paladin families of vehicles. Platforms targeted for the common displays could eventually include additional legacy, in-production, and future ground tactical vehicles. US Army vehicle programs are facing problems with limitations in size, weight, power, human factors and safety related to the proliferation of GFE electronics systems being integrated into vehicle platforms. Many electronic systems require their own display/monitor/control panel, taking significant size, weight and power (SWaP) budget and impacting safe and effective operation of the vehicles. The vision for common displays is to create a scalable system that would meet the needs of multiple vehicle platforms to address modernization issues. PM HBCT is interested in pursuing a consolidated, common display technology that can accept and effectively display input in multiple formats/interfaces from vehicle electronics systems (health monitoring systems, sensor systems, situational awareness systems, communication systems, weapons systems, routers, etc.) and where required, allow control of those systems from the common display. Specifically, the US Army seeks to obtain information relative to current and/or future display panel capabilities that promote commonality across a wide range of applications. Displays will be used in a wide variety of applications and the common display program will create a family of displays that employ open architecture principles to ensure total ownership costs are affordable for all level of requirements. Ideally, the common display would be a modular and scalable system with an open architecture to enable commonality of major subcomponents between the end-item displays used in different families of ground tactical vehicles. For example, the same display head assembly module could be mated to two different input/output (I/O) modules and installed in two different vehicle platforms performing vastly different functions. The physical, electrical, and functional interfaces between these modules would be open, non-proprietary, based upon commercial standards, and easily implemented by third parties. Any common display design should greatly reduce development cycle time and cost for redeploying an end-item display for a new platform to include final integration. The initial common display family will be built upon the most advanced technologies available with improved optical performance (luminance ranges, contrast ratio, viewing angles, and night vision compatibility), next-generation processing performance, and high-bandwidth video/data interfaces. Significantly increased MTBF is also a key requirement. The modular nature of the system will ensure simplified technology insertion when new technologies become available. For example, the display head assembly could be replaced with a form, fit, and function assembly based upon advanced concept technology in future years. Common display technical attributes should include: • Modular open system architecture (MOSA) • Commercial IT standards • Processors connected via ethernet LAN with internet protocols. • An open business model that includes government purpose rights to software, third party development toolkit, and US Army laboratory support which include assisting the Army in setting up the development & testing environment. • All LRUs will contain built-in-test/built-in-test equipment electronics. • The LRUs shall self-test and test interface equipment during a start-up power application. Results shall have the ability to be used on an equipment status display to assess the operational readiness and identify degraded or failed system conditions. • The LRUs shall self-test and test interfaced equipment on a non-interference basis, and will identify degraded or failed system conditions.
The overall goal is to limit the number of displays at each crew member/occupant position. The desired display units should: • be configurable to permit viewing and control of any input system; • be configurable to allow monitoring multiple systems simultaneously; • have displays that are identical and interchangeable between crew positions and vehicle platforms; • be based on flat screen technology (LCD, plasma, or similar); • allow for connection through multiple types of data connectors, and accept inputs from analog and digital data and video signals; • have the ability to display multi-format video input formats, possessing disparate resolution formats (VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, etc.); • be based on varying software languages; • include an anti-glare or filtering system to allow for viewing in direct sunlight, and brightness control for viewing through night vision goggles; • shall be ruggedized and sealed to resist damage or degradation while operating in typical US Army environments (salt fog, salt spray, dirt, mud, etc.); • require minimal power to mitigate vehicle power demand; and • have a touch screen or other method for users to input data and/or control systems/applications displayed, operable in MOPP IV and cold weather gear.
Emerging Defense Technologies
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October 2009
On Target Full-width Mine/IED Roller The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center Picatinny Arsenal, on behalf of PM IED Defeat/Protect Force is looking for interested sources to provide, a full-width, front mounted roller set. The roller must be a full-width, (vehicle width at minimum), front mounted roller set to detonate surface laid and buried anti-tank (AT) mines and pressure activated IEDs when connected to the MMPV, MPCV, MRAP and any other tactical wheeled vehicles (TWV). The roller must be effective while operating at a minimum of 15kph on primary, secondary roadways and fair weather loose surface trail roadways. The rollers must be capable of activating threats buried flush with the surface and threats buried below the surface. The roller set must be capable of quick connect/disconnect by two soldiers (vehicle operator and one other soldier) with no special tools or lift assets The roller and vehicle tandem must be capable of negotiating sharp turns and performing extreme mobility operations while in roller operational mode. Effectiveness requirements must be met during sharp turns and during extreme mobility operations. The roller must have an emergency release to disconnect the roller from the vehicle interface or to disconnect the roller interface and roller from the vehicle. The emergency release must be operable from inside the operator’s station (driver’s seat) and must initiate and complete disconnection maneuver within 10 seconds with the rollers raised and suspended by only the vehicle interface. The roller capability must not degrade the host vehicle mobility by more than 25 percent.
Fire/Rescue RTV EJ Metals, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of wildland fire trucks, recently announced it has delivered six Assault Force 70 fire-rescue rough terrain vehicles (FRRTVs) to the US Army. The FRRTVs will be deployed to Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, to provide fire protection for the increasing population of US warfighters in the region. The purchase was made through contracts with General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Schedule under EJ Metal’s contact number GS-30F-0014T. “We’re so proud that our newest firefighting vehicle, the Assault Force 70, will be providing fire protection to the men and women protecting freedom in Afghanistan,” said Kevin Quinn, president of EJ Metals. “This FRRTV features the latest high pressure foam technology to provide the ultimate in fire protection for US military installations. It simply lets the US Army do more firefighting with less water and foam, at a very affordable price, and it provides remarkable versatility and goes nearly anywhere. Our team members couldn’t be prouder to support
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our military forces this way. The Assault Force 70 is a unique, offroad firefighting model that provides the best firefighting capability of any rough terrain vehicle in the industry. It features a 70-gallon water tank, a 5-gallon Class A foam cell, a high-pressure fire pump and a patented, triple-discharge nozzle that allows firefighters to attack brush fires, wildland fires, vehicle fires and structural fires with a variety of water/foam streams. The hydraulically driven, high-pressure system provides six gallonsper-minute (gpm) of water/foam discharge at 1,500 psi, delivering approximately 12 minutes of discharge time. The Assault Force 70 has excellent onpavement and off-road firefighting capabilities that are ideally suited to the variety of terrains and applications found at military bases in Afghanistan. It’s built on a fourwheel-drive Kubota RTV900, which is powered by a 21.6-horsepower Kubota diesel engine and has a maximum off-road speed of 25 mph. It is the only FFRTV equipped with a diesel-engine-driven system. Its high pressure foam system features a 1,500-psi high pressure pump, hose reel with 150 feet of
high-pressure hose and a control panel at the rear of the vehicle. EJ Metal’s patented tripledischarge water/foam nozzle allows firefighters to change spray patterns (straight stream, light mix and heavy mix) instantly for changing fire conditions. Additionally, the vehicle is the only fire RTV that has been tilt-table tested to verify its stability and offers a 24degree side-slope capability. Quinn said, “This FRRTV is extremely easy to use. It’s so simple to operate that it can be put into action quickly and effectively with minimal operator training, allowing these Assault Force 70s to begin providing fire protection on base immediately.”
Emerging Defense Technologies
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19
Conventional Arms Transfers
The following charts list the reported conventional arms transfers for ground combat systems as reported to the United Nations for the 2008 calendar year.
Export Austria
Australia
Belarus
Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium Belgium
Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria Bulgaria
Canada Canada Canada Canada Canada
China
Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic
Import Portugal
Netherlands
Azerbaijan
Jordan Bahrain Bahrain Bahrain Chile Morocco Uruguay
Quantity 20 20 3
18 3 42 5 21 43 3
Belgium Canada Canada Chad Eritrea Mali Mali Russia Serbia USA
1 2 2 2 50 15 14 61 1 6
Rwanda
20
Netherlands Nigeria UAE UK Uruguay
Belgium Germany Germany Haiti Poland Slovakia Sudan Switzerland Ukraine Ukraine UK UK USA USA
Emerging Defense Technologies
4 4 3 4 4
2 7 1 2 2 6 8 1 50 50 1 1 5 5
Description Pandur II
Busmaster armored vehicles
2S7 203mm SPG
M113 Recovery APC YPR765 YPR765 25mm YPR765 with Milan M108 Commandos M109A2 SPG M113 APC
115mm 2A20 gun 82mm mortar 120mm mortar 2S1 122mm howitzer 82mm mortar BRDM armored vehicle BTR armored vehicle MTLB armored vehicle 82mm mortar 82mm mortar
M101 105mm howitzers (non-functioning museum pieces) Armored rescue vehicles armored vehicles armored vehicles Cougars without turrets
armored combat vehicles
T-34 (for collector use) BVP-1 (for collector use) BTR-60 (for collector use) OT-64 (for use with UN mission) 2S1 122mm SPG T-72 (for offensive exercises) OT-64 (for use with UN mission) T-72 (for collector use) OT-64 (for use with UN mission) BVP-1 T-55 (for collector use) T-72 (for collector use) BM-21 122mm MLRS D-30 122mm howitzer
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20 Export Estonia Estonia
Finland Finland Finland
France France
Import Afghanistan Germany
Lithuania Slovenia UAE
Chad UAE
Quantity 2 5 7 9 2
25 1
October 2009
Description SISU XA-180 armored vehicles (for use in Afghanistan) Alvis Mamba 4 (for use in Afghanistan)
SISU 8x8 trucks Armored modular 8x8 vehicles AMV 8x8 armored vehicles
VAB armored vehicles Leclerc engineer vehicle
Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany Germany
Chile Czech Republic France Greece Hungary Netherlands Czech Republic Romania Romania Singapore Turkey
170 21 10 16 5 11 21 3 6 26 108
Marder armored vehicles Dingo 2A2 armored vehicle 110mm LAR Leopard 2 Daimler armored vehicles Pzh-2000 SPG Dingo 2A2 armored vehicle Recovery vehicles Gepard Antiaircraft SPGs Leopard 2A4 Leopard 2A4
Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary Hungary
Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Russia Slovakia Ukraine
1 170 237 2 3 31 40 106 16 10 18 90 35 59 10 71 9 7 53
Skoda LT 35 tank (for museum purposes) BVP-1 armored vehicles (Hungary only reported 63) VPVs 2S1 122mm SPGs 85mm 39M anti aircraft guns (for spares purposes) BM-21s 122mm 38/74 howitzers 152mm D-20 howitzers 100mm MT-12 cannons 76mm 42M guns (for spares purposes) 100mm MT-12 anti-tank guns (for spares purposes) 85mm D-44 guns (for spares purposes) 57mm S-60 anti aircraft guns (for spares purposes) 152mm 38 caliber howitzers 152mm D2S3M howitzers 152mm D-20 howitzers (Hungary reported 175) armored combat vehicles BMP-1 APCs (for spares purposes) 2S1 122mm SPG (for spares purposes)
Czech Republic Norway Spain UK
19 42 120 220
Israel Israel
Italy Italy Italy Italy
Netherlands Netherlands Netherlands
Norway Norway
Austria Bulgaria
Canada Chile Portugal
Afghanistan Sweden
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2 2
100 18 9
100 1
120mm Soltam mortar Sandcat
Iveco M65E armored vehicle (for use with UN mission) Iveco LMV VATT Lince armored vehicles Panthers
Leopard 2 main battle tanks YPR-765 Leopard 2 main battle tanks Portugal reported only 8)
81mm mortars (exported in 2009) CV-903N on loan
Emerging Defense Technologies
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21
Export Import Quantity Poland Finland 1 Poland Iraq 44 Poland Malaysia 21 Poland UAE 5
Pakistan
Romania
Belgium
Israel
1
1
Description T-55 main battle tank (for collector purposes) Dzik armored vehicles T-91M main battle tank Rosomak APC (for modification in Finland before UAE delivery)
106mm gun
Grad LAR MLRS system
Russia Russia Russia Russia Russia Russia Russia Russia Russia Russia
Algeria Algeria Azerbaijan India India India India Kazahkstan Kazahkstan Kazahkstan
53 5 20 19 5 18 6 2 1 18
main battle tanks armored combat vehicles armored combat vehicles T-90S main battle tanks T-90SK main battle tanks 9A52-2T MLRS Smerch 9T234-2T transport loading vehicle BTR-80A APC BTR-80 Kamaz-43269
Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia Slovakia
Central African Republic Central Africa Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Czech Republic Malaysia Switzerland Switzerland USA
2 1 50 1 14 1 1 9 29 1 6
OT-90 BRDM OT-90 armored transporter without weapons Tank service car TPDA-R 82mm BzK vz.59 gun UAZ S28 Mobile tank garage 125mm 2A46 cannon 122mm RM-70 MLRS 2S1 Gvozhika SPG T-72M
Chile Romania Singapore
15 20 2
South Africa
Spain Spain Spain
Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden
Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland
Slovakia
Afghanistan Denmark Germany Italy Netherlands Nigeria UK UK
Brazil Belgium Denmark Denmark Germany Germany Ireland Romania
Emerging Defense Technologies
1
100 30 30 35 42 1 9 41 3 24 50 15 5 1 95 17
RG-32M
Scorpion armored vehicles VAMTAC armored vehicles 120mm mortars
81 mm mortars (of UK origin) CV90 combat vehicles BV 206S BV-206S (34 reported by Sweden) CV-9035 (35mm) armored vehicles (46 reported by Sweden) CV-9035 manufacturer demo BvS10 all terrain vehicles Vikings
Piranha IIIC (Switzerland reported 2) Piranha III (Switzerland reported 9) Eagle IV Piranha IIC Eagle IV Kodiak engineer vehicle 120mm Ruag mortar Piranha IIC APC
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22 Export Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey Turkey
UK UK
Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine Ukraine
USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA
Import Bahrain Bangladesh Nigeria Slovenia UAE UAE
Quantity 15 17 149 10 740 740
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Chad Chad Georgia Georgia Georgia Iraq Israel Kenya Kenya Latvia USA USA USA USA
32 18 10 3 80 8 1 15 25 4 1 33 6 1 1 120 9 25
Saudi Arabia Spain
162 2
Afghanistan 4 Bulgaria Canada 2 Colombia 15 Czech Republic 1 Egypt 55 Egypt 14 Iraq 2 Israel 14 Pakistan 67 Portugal 17 UK 240
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October 2009
Description Wheeled armored vehicles Otokar 4x4wheeled recon vehicles (Turkey reported 10) Wheeled armored vehicles RKB light recce vehicles 122mm extended range artillery rocket (TRK-122) 122mm extended range artillery rocket (TRB-122)
Tactical vehicles, including 14 ambulances 105mm howitzers
BTR-70 2S1 SPG 9P58M Strela-3 Tochka-U 9P129-1M launchers/missile BMP-1 BTR-3E T-72 BMP-1 BTR-70 BREM BM-21 T-72 BM-21 ISU-152 122mm howitzer (for museum) BMP-3 9M313 Igla-1 9P519 Igla-1 9P58 Strela2M
81mm M252 mortars M1151A M777 155mm lightweight howitzers 81mm M252 mortars Skoda LT 35 tank (for museum purposes) M1A1 M109A5 155mm SPG M113A2 M1064A3 mortar carriers M109A5 SPGs HMMWVs (M1151A1, M 1152A1, and M1165A) Hellfires
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
23
Australian Defense Land Force Program 2009/10
The business of the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) is to equip and sustain the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The DMO makes a major contribution to both the preparedness of today’s ADF and the development of the future force. The DMO is currently managing over 210 major acquisition projects and more than 150 minor projects. It also provides sustainment management services for over 100 fleets of military equipment. To meet these demands, the DMO has many of its own staff, together with contracted industry suppliers, located near or with the operating ADF units. DMO personnel are currently located in over 40 locations across Australia and overseas including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain and New Zealand. The DMO and Australian defense industry have a significant and ongoing role to play in delivering new equipment on time, on budget and to specification underlined by capability effect, quality and safety. In 2009-10, the DMO is budgeted to spend in excess of $11.85b, of which an estimated 57 per cent is expected to be spent in Australia. This review looks at the major land acquisition programs as well as the primary land-oriented sustainment programs.
Emerging Defense Technologies
Upgrade of M113 Armored Vehicles LAND 106 Prime Contractor: BAE Systems Australia Defence The project is upgrading the Army’s M113 A1 vehicles to improve protection, lethality, mobility and habitability. The upgrade replaces most of the vehicle, retaining only the hull, hatches, rear door and communications systems. In addition to the 350 vehicles for the initial requirement, 81 vehicles are being purchased to support the Army’s Enhanced Land Force. The construction of armored personnel carrier, fitters and recovery variants is continuing and design development of the logistics, command, ambulance and mortar variants is progressing well and will continue through to late 2009 or early 2010. The final contracted delivery date for all 431 vehicles is now October 2011. The major design development risks have been retired due to the initial testing of the first three vehicle variants using a drive system that is common across all variants. The logistic variant encompasses a new hull design and was assessed as the most technically challenging of the remaining variants. A comprehensive development test program
has been completed by the contractor. The contractor remains committed to the delivery of the 431 vehicles as contracted by October 2011; however, Defence assessed this as a high risk as the required ramp-up of production relies on the contractor establishing its new facilities at Williamstown, Victoria, and Wakefield, South Australia, and upgrading services in the Bandiana facilities, Victoria, in sufficient time to support the vehicle assembly line requirements. Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle Project Bushranger LAND 116 Phase 3 Prime Contractor: Thales Australia The project is acquiring 737 vehicles in seven variants (troop, command, mortar, assault pioneer, direct fire weapon, ambulance and air defense). The vehicles will provide protected land mobility to Army combat units and Air Force Airfield Defence Guards. All 300 troop, command, assault pioneer, mortar, direct fire weapon and ambulance variants under the original acquisition contract have been delivered. Delivery of the 144 Enhanced Land Force vehicles commenced in November 2007 and was completed in April 2009. Delivery of the 293 Bushmaster vehicles for
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24 Land 121 Overlander Phase 3 commenced in April 2009 and will be completed by June 2012. A request for tender for the provision of up to 184 protected mobility vehicle compatible trailers to meet an element of Land 121 Overlander Phase 3 was released to Thales in December 2008 with a closing date of 22 May 2009. In June 2007, the government approved the rapid acquisition of an additional 72 protected weapon stations, 116 automatic fire suppression systems and 116 purpose designed spall curtains to further enhance the protection level of those vehicles currently deployed on operations and the pre-deployment training fleet. All protected weapon stations have been delivered and fitted. All automatic fire suppression systems have been delivered and fitment commenced to deployed vehicles in February 2009. The purpose-designed spall curtains commenced
delivery in December 2008 and fitment commenced to deployed vehicles in February 2009 and is expected to take six months. Key risks to the project are: • the configuration of the baseline of the protected mobility vehicle may be affected by the backlog of engineering change proposals due to the extended production schedule. The project office is managing this through liaison and customer feedback with Thales. • the delivery schedule of the trailer may be affected by the requirement to make design changes to the vehicle to allow interoperability with the trailer. This will be managed through the conduct of interoperability tests on similar trailers and modelling to evaluate the impact. • the operational tempo may affect the availability of vehicles and delay the fit-
Other Acquisition Projects Not Included in the Top 30—Current Status Australian Light Armored Vehicles Land 112, Phase 3 Total Authorized Funding: Funds Spent to June 30, 2009: Budget Estimate 2009/2010:
$692 million $590 million $6 million
General Service Field Vehicles - Outlander Land 121, Phase 32 Total Authorized Funding: $93 million Funds Spent to June 30, 2009: $63 million Budget Estimate 2009/2010: $4 million • Bulk Liquid Tankers - project has been completed and closed • Heavy Recovery Vehicle - project has been completed and closed • Land Rover Handling Upgrade - project has been completed and closed • Mack In-Cabin Noise Reduction - in contract, due for completion in October 2010 • Unimog & Mack Gun Tractors Passenger/Cargo Restraint & Separation - all modules delivered, project due for completion by the end of 2009. • Land Rover Safety Improvements - modification of the regional force surveillance and the fitted for radio variants with a personnel/cargo restraint, segregation and rollover system. • The regional force surveillance component is due for completion in 2010. The fitted for radio component has been removed from the project scope due to inability to find a value for money technical solution. Tank Replacement Program Land 907, Phase 1 Total Authorized Funding: Funds Spent to June 30, 2009: Budget Estimate 2009/2010:
$579 million $430 million $15 million
The project is on schedule and within budget. All major capability platforms have been delivered and are in service. Current focus is to establish a through-life support contract, Leopard tank disposal and the acquisition of tank urban survivability kits.
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October 2009
ment of the automatic fire suppression systems and spall curtains. Overlander Field Vehicles LAND 121 Phase 3 Prime Contractors: Light/Lightweight Capability: Mercedes Benz Australia Pacific Trailer Capability: Haulmark Trailers Australia Medium/heavy capability: yet to be selected Additional Bushmaster vehicles: Thales Australia. The project is a multi-billion dollar project to provide the ADF with replacement field vehicles, modules and trailers. The project comprises: • Light/lightweight capability - supply of
vehicles with limited protection capability. A contract was signed with Mercedes Benz Australia Pacific in October 2008 for the supply of G-Wagons. The modules subcontractor is G.H. Varley of Newcastle. First deliveries are due in 2011 • Trailer Capability – currently in negotiations with Haulmark Trailers Australia • Medium/heavy capability – in August 2008 the Commonwealth ceased negotiations with the preferred tender for this segment due to increased risks with the offer and the need to increase vehicle protection levels. The Commonwealth is refreshing the four remaining tenders (Mercedes Benz Australia Pacific, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, BAE Systems and Thales). Comparative evaluation testing will lead to a down-selection of preferably two tenderers for the final offer definition and refinement process. Contract signature is due mid-2011 and first delivery is due in 2013. • Additional Bushmaster Vehicles – 293 Bushmasters are to be purchased from Thales Australia under LAND 116. Key project risks are as follows: • there is a chance that the requirement to integrate new generation communications equipment into the light/light weight vehicles and modules prior to capability delivery may impact on cost and schedule • there is a chance that the medium/heavy capability basis of provisioning will be affected by industry prices substantially surpassing the estimated project costing.
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October 2009 SUSTAINMENT The sustainment of land systems is managed by 10 Systems Program Offices within Land Systems Division. Land Systems sustainment activity supports a diverse range of materiel, including armored and non-armored vehicle fleets, artillery and weapon systems, engineer plant, materiel handling equipment, soldier protection and uniforms, bulk liquid distribution, medical and dental stores, surveillance and simulation systems, and consumable stores such as combat rations. During 2009-10 these products will be managed across 31 separate MSAs. Sustainment support to operations remains the highest priority for Land Systems Division during 2009-10. The Division provides support to forces deployed outside Australia, including the Middle East, East Timor and Solomon Islands. Land Systems Division continues to refurbish equipment returning from overseas deployments to ensure its availability for future operations. Other significant sustainment activities include: • continued downsizing of the commercial vehicle fleet from six to four cylinder vehicles (the target is 50 per cent of the acquisition for 2009-10) • increased engagement with original equipment manufacturers for through-life support • continued refinement of MSAs with the services to increase accountability with a focus on operational availability.
25 groups. Projects range in complexity from rifles and other weapons, materiel for Special Forces, through to all-terrain vehicles and major upgrades to the deployed Bushmaster Vehicle. In 2008-09 Land Systems Division completed five approved rapid acquisition projects at a total cost of $60.355m. The Division also completed 11 operationally urgent acquisitions at a total cost of $16.015m. In 2009-10 Land Systems Division will progress an additional 40 rapid and operationally urgent acquisitions with an approved budget of approximately $46.466m. The majority of these will be delivered in the next reporting period. B Vehicles $134 million B Vehicles are generally unprotected Land Rovers, Mercedes Unimog 4-tonne and Mack 8-tonne trucks, and associated trailers. There are approximately 12,076 vehicles and trailers under management. A small number of motorcycles, all terrain vehicles and ceremonial vehicles are also under management. The overall budget includes logistic shortfall supplementation. This budget will provide for regional unscheduled maintenance, centrally managed repair programs and remediation of vehicles as they return from operational areas. The major risks to be mitigated are the uncertain timing of equipment returning from operations and the increasing maintenance liability due to the ageing of the fleet.
ADF Clothing and Equipment $116 million ADF clothing includes combat, noncombat clothing and accoutrements for general duties and non-operational roles. The ADF Clothing and Personal Equipment Procurement Plan for the period 2009-13 outlines for industry the activities that will establish standing offer agreements for the acquisition of combat and non-combat clothing. In addition to the plan, a key initiative in 2009 will be an open tender to establish a prime vendor for non-combat clothing based on three work packages for the provision of general duty and ceremonial uniforms, sports wear and commercial work wear. Each work package will deliver a complete head to foot solution for the identified uniform requirements. Commercial Vehicle Fleet $77 million The commercial vehicle fleet comprises approximately 6,100 commercial off-theshelf vehicles and trailers. This includes a small number of vehicles that are located overseas at RMAF Butterworth, Malaysia, and on operations. The fleet ranges from passenger sedans through to heavy rigid trucks and touring coaches. The procurement of 2,263 vehicles is planned for 2009-10. The major risk to be mitigated is the declining values for used vehicles, which impacts the projected revenue target for the planned sale of 2,113 vehicles.
Under the Smart Maintenance initiative, all major products managed by Land Systems Division will be carefully scrutinized to identify possible efficiencies over the next five years. Savings freed up will be available for reinvestment in current and future capability. Challenges for 2009-10 will include sustainment revitalization through improvement to inventory and maintenance management. Sustainment revitalization will focus on rationalizing and balancing inventory while maintaining high operational availability of critical equipment and improving land materiel maintenance systems. These activities will contribute to greater efficiency and improve the effectiveness of land equipment. Rapid acquisition projects are a significant component of the Land Systems Division workload in support of operations. Projects are initiated at short notice to satisfy immediate operational requirements of deployed or deploying the ADF element
Emerging Defense Technologies
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26
October 2009
Calendar of Events Joint Military Logistics October 4-6, 2009 IDGA Muscat, Oman www.idga.org Armoured Combat Mobility October 12-13, 2009 SMi Defence London, UK www.smi-online.co.uk ISDEF October 12-14, 2009 Tel Aviv, Israel www.isdef.co.il Combat Vehicles Conference October 12-14, 2009 NDIA Dearborn, MI www.ndia.org TACOM LCMC APBI October 14-16, 2009 NDIA Dearborn, MI www.ndia.org Advanced Armour Materials Symposium October 14-15, 2009 Cranfield University Shrivenham, UK www.cranfield.ac.uk/cds/symposia/aams09. jsp Future Artillery Middle East October 18-20, 2009 IDGA Abu Dhabi, UAE www.idga.org Soldier Modernisation Middle East October 18-21, 2009 IDGA Abu Dhabi, UAE www.idga.org Irregular Warfare Conference October 21-22, 2009 Technology Training Corp. San Diego, A www.ttcus.com
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Tactical Guided Weapon System Design and Integration October 22-23, 2009 NATO Research and Technology Organisation Tallinn, Estonia www.rta.nato.int/meetings.asp Combatant Commanders Conference November 3-4, 2009 Defense Technical Information Center confinfo@dtic.mil Armoured Vehicles Australia November 5-6, 2009 IDGA Canberra, Australia www.idga.org Defence Logistics November 9-10, 2009 SMi Defence London, UK www.smi-online.co.uk Defence Equipment Maintenance November 11-12, 2009 The Shephard Group Berkshire, UK ww.shephard.co.uk Military Engineering November 16-17, 2009 The Shephard Group Kent, UK www.shephard.co.uk Soldier Equipment Expo November 16-18, 2009 IDGA Fayetteville, NC www.idga.org Expeditionary Warfare Conference November 16-19, 2009 NDIA Panama City, FL www.ndia.org Light Armored Vehicles & Stryker Summit November 16-19, 2009 IDGA Vienna, VA www.idga.org
International Defence Logistics November 18-19, 2009 IDGA Canberra, Australia www.idga.org Armoured Vehicles Middle East November 22-24, 2009 IDGA Abu Dhabi, UAE www.idga.org National Symposium on Acoustics November 26-28, 2009 Research Centre Imarat Hyderabad, India Nsa2009rci@gmail.com Infantry Weapons November 30-December 1, 2009 IDGA Brussels, Belgium www.idga.org Defense Logistics December 1-4, 2009 WBR Arlington, VA www.wbresearch.com Vehicle Maintenance Summit December 7-9, 2009 IDGA Washington, DC www.idga.org Soldier Survivability and Personal Protection December 9-10, 2009 IDGA London, UK ww.idga.org Soldier Technology January 19-22, 2009 WBR Crystal City, VA www.wbresearch.com Defence Logistics Middle East January 24-27, 2010 IDGA Abu Dhabi, UAE www.idga.org
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
27
Technology Briefs Ammunition and Munitions
Artillery
Communications, Sensors & Surveillance
Ground Vehicles
Infantry Weapons Soldier Survivability and Gear Unmanned Ground Systems
Emerging Defense Technologies
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28
October 2009
Ammunition & Munitions Missile Guidance Method OBShchEVOJSKOVAJa AKADEMIJa VOORUZhENNYKh SIL ROSSIJSKOJ FEDERATsII (OA VS RF) Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This concept is of a proposed method comprises measuring the range to target, determining direction linear speed the aiming line changes at. Distance to target is measured allowing for measurement errors and time passed after range finding. Aiming line is shifted towards lower departure with linear speed directly proportional to linear crosswise speed and inversely proportional to the sum or difference. The reported effect is reduced, by 25 to 30%, error of aiming line stabilization and 10 to 15%-higher efficiency of fire in conditions of interferences. Gun Small Caliber Projectile Federal’noe gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie “Federal’nyj nauchnoproizvodstvennyj tsentr Pribor Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to common projectiles. Proposed projectile incorporates nose fuse, splitter body with cavity accommodating explosive and furnished with centering thick strap. There is a crosswise groove arranged in the said strap to receive lead copper strap pressed therein. It also has a shank representing truncated cone narrowing rearwards and furnished with aerodynamic chamber open on the bottom face. Shank length makes half the
projectile caliber, its aerodynamic stepwiseshape chamber accommodating a tracer device. Thickness of strip between aforesaid centering thick strap crosswise groove and chamber smaller-diameter cavity makes 1.1 to 1.2 of the body wall thickness. Note that the angle of inclination of previously mentioned truncated cone generating line to projectile lengthwise axis makes 8 to 10°. The reported effect is higher accuracy of hits and hitting probability, along with ease of manufacture. 1 drawing Remote Setting for Electronic Systems in a Projectile for Chambered Ammunition General Dynamics Ordnance And Tactical Systems- Canada, Inc Country of origin: USA Language: English A fuze setting circuit in an artillery or tank shell having a case with a pressfitted head assembly is provided with an electromechanical fuze-wiring link that is completed electrically by mechanical assembly of a tracer-carrying projectile on the shell casing, and by the rotational attachment of a programmable fuze onto the projectile. 21 drawings Splitter-in-Beam Projectile Federal’noe gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Federal’nyj nauchnoproizvodstvennyj tsentr Pribor Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to gun smallcaliber projectiles that feature axial and
circular hitting field. Proposed projectile comprises a fuse, conical fairing and body to house cluster with beehives arranged in ordered layers, constricted, from below, by damping disk and, from above, by diaphragm, and explosive charge. Aforesaid fuse is rigidly fixed on conical fairing. Aforesaid cluster is furnished with central cross-ignition duct housing a powder burster device that communicates with the fuse. The device above is furnished with throttle directed to additional propellant charge located under aforesaid damping disk. The reported effect is a projectile higher scattering effects. 2 drawings Zubtsov’s Splitter-in-Beam Projectile GOSUDARSTVENNOE OBRAZOVATEL’NOE UChREZhDENIE VYSShEGO PROFESSIONAL’NOGO OBRAZOVANIJa OBShchEVOJSKOVAJa AKADEMIJa VOORUZhENNYKh SIL ROSSIJSKOJ FEDERATsII (OVA VS RF) Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to ammunition creating circular and axial hitting fields. Proposed projectile comprises the body accommodating explosive charge. Aforesaid body front part houses one- or multilayer splitter set of finished hitting elements made from steel and tungsten-base alloys. Shape of the said elements allows their dense packing in the said set. The body has a nose cap with trajectory-contact-type nose fuse and pyrotechnical device to separate the nose cap. Finished hitting elements represent convex polygons and have at least two ribs, their dihedral angle making 40 to 75°. The reported effect is higher penetrating ability. 1 drawing Cluster Projectile Federal’noe gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Gosudarstvennoe nauchnoproizvodstvennoe predprijatie Bazal’t Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to projectile to structures etc. Projectile comprises warhead (WH), stabilizer fin with blade-as-folded-
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October 2009 position clamp representing a cylinder with planes of weakness and container with parachute (PS) system. Afore mentioned components are located on outer surface of the tube with WH bottom, the tube being divided into chambers with the help of bushes to house consecutively WH bottom initiator, stabilizer fin opening device (STOD), PS separation device (PSSD) and container unpacking device (CUD). Incendiary combat elements (ICE) are arranged in gaps between stabiliser fin blades. STOD represents separate charges fitted in the bush, aforesaid separated charges being gas-dynamically interconnected and communicating with free space between ICEs. PSSD represents bush filled with powder charge. The reported effect is higher specific efficiency and reliability. 3 drawings
Small Caliber Artillery Projectile Federal’noe gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Federal’nyj nauchnoproizvodstvennyj tsentr Pribor Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to projectiles for anti-personal automatic grenade launchers. Proposed projectile comprises nose fuse,
Emerging Defense Technologies
29 splitter body filled with explosive and guide ledges made from the material of the said body. These ledges represent trapezoidal-section circular grooves with the trapezoid bases located at the body crosswise groove. The depth of the said groves is subject to the relationship d/d1=1.04-1.05, where d is the caliber diameter, d1 is the groove diameter. Note here that the groves are spaced apart and seat at the distance from the groove edge of 0.8-1.2 of the groove base width. The reported effect is an increase range of fire and higher accuracy of hits. Missile Folding Stabliizer Fin Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Gosudarstvennoe mashinostroitel’noe konstruktorskoe bjuro Vympel im. I.I. Toropova Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to ammunition, particularly to guided missiles, namely to folding stabilizer fin. Proposed folding stabiliser fin comprises its root part attached to the drive output shaft and its rotary part with tapered ledges and stabiliser fin opening mechanism. The latter incorporates spring-loaded pushrod fitted in the drive output shaft. Aforesaid rotary part is seats on two semi-axles fitted in the stabilizer fit root part both sides, perpendicular to the said shaft. Note that there is a blunt cutout made along the drive output shaft lengthwise axis, in previously mentioned rotary part. Pushrod is forced by springs to move outwards and along the drive shaft axis. The pushrod outer end face features a tapered slot oriented along the missile lengthwise axis. A plate to interact with the said rotary part is fitted right across the pushrod face tapered slot. The reported effect is higher stiffness of stabilizer fin, reduced as-folded dimensions. 2 drawings
Container to Store and Carry Ammunition Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo “Korporatsija Takticheskoe raketnoe vooruzhenie Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to storage and transportation of ammunition. Proposed container represents a hollow casing made from polymer composite material with inner cavity, elements of stacking and loading/unloading elements. Aforesaid casing represents a monocoque consisting of at least one lower part and at least one upper part jointed together. Every aforesaid part has at least one stiffening element. These stiffening elements are arranged one above the other to form one casing loadbearing belt. Upper part stiffening element represents a support for ammunition, while upper part stiffening element represents crosswise frame. Locking element is attached to monocoque lower part to prevent lengthwise-crosswise displacement of ammunition, the said element representing a clamp made from steel strips jointed together. Stacking elements are located in stiffening belts zone and represent ledges on lower stiffening elements, while upper stiffening elements are furnished with recesses arranged aligned with ledges. The reported effect is a strong and cheap returnable container. 3 drawings
Shaped Charge Obshchestvo s ogranichennoj otvetstvennost’ju Kumuljativnye zarjady Zonenko Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This concept is for a proposed shaped charge comprises casing representing an unclosed enclosure to house explosive with shaped recess arranged in the open part of casing, initiator fitted in the casing closed part and lining adjoining aforesaid shaped recess, that feature the surface with irregularities formed by shape and thickness variations. Inner surface of the casing has layered lining that serve to
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30 separate, partially, or completely, explosive and charge casing. Aforesaid layered lining represents a solid body abutting on aforesaid shaped recess and formed by two surfaces with thickness smaller than its other sizes. Note here that, generally, the lining thickness varies. The reported effect is higher penetrative ability and ease of manufacture.
Fixed Deployed Net for Hit-to-Kill Vehicle Country of origin: USA Language: English A warhead including a hit-to-kill vehicle and a hub about the hit-to-kill vehicle including, packaged therein, a net, thrusters for deploying the net, and a plurality of rods held in a spaced relationship by the net for destroying a target when the net is deployed in the vicinity of the target in case the hit-to-kill vehicle misses the target. 7 drawings
Steerable Projectile with a Rotatable Nose Cone Having a Flat Formation Extending Off-Axis From the Tip of the Nose Thales Holdings UK Country of origin: UK Language: English A steerable bullet comprises a cylindrical body portion and a nose portion. The body and nose are substantially coaxially arranged and rotatable relative to one another about
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their co-axis. The nose further comprises an asymmetric formation operable to enable the bullet o be subjected to off-axis drag during flight. The nose may be ellipsoidal in profile, with a flat formation extending off-axis from the tip of the nose. In use, the bullet, on expulsion from a gun barrel, will rotate about its elongate axis. The nose may counter rotate relative to the body during flight by means of DC motor. The nose may thus be rendered stationary with respect to the ground such that the asymmetric formation can impart a steering force onto the bullet. Rotation of the nose may be controlled by control electronics which may act on information received from an optical detection system and a laser guidance means. 7 drawings
Guided Missile Diehl BGT Defence GMBH & Co Country of origin: Germany Language: German Es wird ein Lenkflugkörper mit einer Sensoreinheit, mit einer Antriebseinheit und mit einer Nutzlasteinheit angegeben, wobei eine die Aussenkontur bildende, sich entlang einer Längsrichtung erstreckende Flugkörperhülle umfasst ist, die zur Aufnahme der Sensoreinheit, der Antriebseinheit und der Nutzlasteinheit ausgebildet ist, und wobei wenigstens zwei der Einheiten in Längsrichtung nebeneinander anbringbar sind. Der Lenkflugkörper zeichnet sich gegenüber herkömmlichen Lenkflugkörpern durch eine erhöhte Modularität und somit durch eine erhöhte Flexibilität hinsichtlich verschiedener Einsatz-Szenarien aus. 4 drawings
October 2009
Anti-radar Shell Varenykh Nikolaj Mikhajlovich, Emel’janov Valerij Nilovich, Vagonov Sergej Nikolaevich, Bryksin Sergej Viktorovich Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to ammunition designed to ensure anti-radar protection. Proposed shell comprises casing with receiver accommodating cartridge with electric igniter screwed therein. Right above the said cartridge a piston is arranged representing a cup with burster charge placed on its bottom. Stack of disks with densely packed dipole reflectors and covered with sealing cap rests upon aforesaid piston. Burster charge is arranged inside damping annular shutter and rests upon crosswise crosspiece that features central fire-transfer hole. Aforesaid electric igniter is screwed in place, inside the cartridge, via sealer interlayer to allow normal electric contact. Note here that sealer interlayer height from the shell end face makes 1/3 to 1/2 of cartridge height. The reported effect is higher reliability of shell. 2 drawings
IR Radiation Pyro Cartridge Varenykh Nikolaj Mikhajlovich, Emel’janov Valerij Nilovich, Vagonov Sergej Nikolaevich, Bryksin Sergej Viktorovich Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian The reported effect of this invention relates to ammunition designed to make false targets that simulate high- temperature objects. Proposed cartridge comprises cylindrical grain with lengthwise grooves arranged along the grain generating line. Aforesaid grain is arranged with radial clearance inside cylindrical casing to rest, via annular shutter, upon hollow perforated bottom chamber representing
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009 a receiver. Note here that the casing bottom has central seat cage accommodating threaded electric igniter. Note also that the cover is fitted, via sealer, onto grain top end face for the casing open end face to be spinned therein. Aforesaid electric igniter is screwed in place, inside the cartridge, via sealer interlayer to allow normal electric contact. Note here that sealer interlayer height from the shell end face makes 1/3 to 1/2 of cartridge height. The reported effect is higher reliability of shell. 2 drawings
Controlled Mine Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to controlled artillery shells and mines. Proposed mine com-
31 prises electrically connected sections and explosive charge arranged there between. Flat current conducting cable is arranged inside the mine casing, all along the charge length, and covered with insulating cover plate glued to the casing. Explosive charge casing is filled with cast explosive. Cup with detonator is arranged inside the mine casing, right on the explosive charge front bottom. Casing rear bottom is detachable, local semi-oval undercuts are made at the points of joints to house insulating bushes furnished with lengthwise inner slots to accommodate current conducting cable. Note that the bush mounted at the front bottom is detachable and furnished with cable clamp. The reported effect is higher efficiency of controlled mine. 5 drawings Method to Control Missile Start and Missile Complex Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to weapons, particularly to wire-guided missile systems and can be used in development of missile complexes. Dispensable communication line is used to connect starting circuits of every onboard hardware unit to ground power source. Note that current in starting circuits is limited, the said circuits being switched in compliance with required sequence of operation. Controlled switching unit is added into ground control system of missile complex, while several limiting and switching elements are introduced into missile circuitry. Note that aforesaid dispensable wire line features wire length suitable for operation of every starting circuit and eliminating closing of aforesaid dispensable wires. The reported effect is reduced start time interval, higher probability of target hitting. 1 drawing
by wiring. Missile modules wiring is effected with the help of integrated detachable cable bundles made from tape- type wires and assembly p.c.b. soldered thereto. One of the said printed-circuit boards accommodates missile electronic hardware, the other ones support missile radio electronic starting circuits and male- female connectors. Mating parts of detachable connectors are fitted on appropriate missile units, while integrated detachable bundle is fixed on and along missile outer surface after connecting detachable connectors together, aforesaid bundle being protected by a protective cover plate. Integrated detachable bundle can, partially or completely, represent parallel isolated conductors. One or several printed circuit boards can have additional boards with electro radio hardware components. The reported effect is higher reliability. 3 drawings Grenade Launcher Shot Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to close combat arms. Proposed shot comprises plastic cartridge with cylindrical bore at its bottom accommodating high- pressure high-strength chamber that houses the grenade. Grenade has its casing glued to plastic cartridge and features a cylindrical ledge partially entered into high-pressure chamber. Metal ring is fitted into aforesaid cylindrical bore between chamber casing outer surface and cartridge bottom inner surface. Aforesaid metal ring is screwed to cartridge bottom and jointed to high-pressure chamber and cylindrical ledge of grenade casing. The reported effect is higher accuracy of hits and reliability. 2 drawings
Method to Realize Missile Connection Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to missiles, particularly to guided missile connections. Proposed method comprises connecting separate missile modules mechanically and
Emerging Defense Technologies
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32 Device to Spin Missile Along Roll Rossijskaja Federatsija, ot imeni kotoroj vystupaet Federal’noe angentstvo po atomnoj ehnergii, Federal’noe gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Rossijskij federal’nyj jadernyj tsentr - Vserossijskij nauchnoissledovatel’skij institut ehksperimental’noj fiziki” – FGUP RFJaTs-VNIIEhF Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to missilery and can be used to stabilize missile trajectory by spinning it about lengthwise axis and with the help of aerodynamic fins. Missile spinning device comprises housing spigot interacting with appropriate helical groove on tubular guide inner surface. Proposed device comprises also a rod arranged in the tubular guide to interact with its inner surface. Aforesaid rod is aligned with the missile and fixed on its rear end face with the help of explosive link furnished with control device. Aforesaid explosive link can represent an explosive bolt. The reported effect is simplified missile design, lower weight smaller crosswise sizes of fins. 4 drawings
Guided Missile System Launcher Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to weapons, particularly to short-range missile systems. Proposed launcher comprises launching bracket attached to turret and container arranged on the guide. Aforesaid launching bracket accommodates the drive linked with
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the guide. Launching container represents triangular posts with annular lugs and is furnished with powder gas deflector made in the form of bent sheet. Guide rotational axis is located behind the container rear end face and represents a hollow cylinder. Cylinder bottom accommodates position pickup built in one of the launching container lugs. The reported effect is higher drive torque and accuracy of guidance. 3 drawings
October 2009
supports the bullet such that the bullet is separable. The wad enables the bullet to be fired and be separated from the ammunition simultaneously upon the explosion of the charge. 7 drawings
Ammunition Korea Nuclear Engineering Country of origin: South Korea Language: Korean The present invention relates to ammunition in which the movement speed and the range thereof are increased and the accuracy rate thereof is improved. To accomplish the object of the present invention, provided is ammunition including a cartridge having a charge chamber with an opening; a charge charged in the charge chamber of the cartridge; a detonator arranged in the cartridge to cause the explosion of the charge when physical or electrical impact is applied; a bullet arranged in the opening of the cartridge in such a manner that the bullet can be fired, and has a streamlined tail for minimizing air resistance during firing; and a wad for sealing the opening of the charge chamber wherein the wad
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009
Artillery Firing Member for Firing a Shell Patria Land & Armament OY Country of origin: Finland Language: English A firing member for firing a primer of a basic charge of a shell. The firing member comprises an electricity-producing element arranged to generate an electrical impulse by the action of a force directed thereto for firing the primer of the basic charge of the shell. In addition, a support piece for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breechloading weapon, and a method of firing a primer of a basic charge of a shell by means of a firing member 3 drawings
Support Member and Method for Launching Patria Land & Armament OY Country of origin: Finland Language: English The present invention relates to a support member for launching ammunition from a barrel of a breech-loading weapon. The support member comprises launching means for launching an electric detonator of a charge of the ammunition. The support member is
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Emerging Defense Technologies characterized in that the launching means comprise a capacitor, a control unit provided with comparison means for monitoring a state/charge level of the capacitor, and switch means for conveying charge charged in the capacitor to the electric detonator of the charge of the ammunition. The invention further relates to a method of launching ammunition a barrel of a breech-loading weapon. 11 drawings Arrangement for Supporting Shell Into Weapon Barrel, Support Element and Method Patria Land & Armament OY Country of origin: Finland Language: English The present invention relates to an arrangement for supporting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon. The arrangement comprises a shell (1) and a support element (8) to be fastened to a shell tail, the support elementcom- prising firing means (9) for firing the actual primer (5) of the shell. The arrangement is characterized in that the firing means (9) of the support element comprise a power source (90), which is arranged to produce electric current for the electric primer of the shell as a result of astimulusapplied to its structure. In addition, the invention relates to a support element and a method for sup- porting a shell into the barrel of a breech-loading weapon. 9 drawings
pension is locked with a restraining means and the back leg is moved into contact with the ground via hinge; in the travelling mode, the suspension is enabled by disengaging the restraining means and the back leg is lifted off the ground by swinging it about hinge. In the travelling mode, the gun may be towed at the muzzle of the barrel by a vehicle. Also disclosed is a wheel axle assembly selectively rotatable about a pivot that allows two wheels of the gun to contact the ground over a range of inclines. The field gun in particular may be a light gun such as a howitzer. 10 drawings
Towable Field Gun Interchangable Between Travelling Mode and a Firing Mode BAE Systems Country of origin: UK Language: French A field gun comprises a barrel, an aiming means, an extendable front leg carrying a wheel with suspension mechanism, and a hinged back leg. In the firing mode, the sus-
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Communications, Sensors & Surveillance Protected Area Boundaries Safety System Kudel’kin Vladimir Andreevich Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention pertains to protective and defensive engineering. System contains overall overview video camera connected with the control computer at least one fixed unit of remotely-operated smallarms weapons, actuators of weapon horizontal and vertical movement, releasemechanism actuator, connected through the communication channel with weapon controller and further with transmitterreceiver of the weapon, connected through the control transmitter-receiver with the control computer having monitor and control device. The system is equipped with motion-sensors connected through the intruder detection controller to the control computer, with systems of light and audible alarm connected through the controllers of light and audible alarm to the control computer, remotely-operated weapons, trench mortars, tanks, missiles, pilotless planes, and mine defenses with contact fuze and radio frequency fuze connected by a radio channel through the controller of mine defense with the control computer. The reported effect will improve remote protection and defense. 3 drawings
Method of Target Attack for Mechanized Unit and Informational System for Method Implementation Gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro priborostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian
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October 2009
Emerging Defense Technologies eted imaging semi-active laser system (“ISALS”). In one aspect, the I-SALS closes on a laser designation of a target until it starts imaging the target, whereupon the I-SALS then homes on the target from the image. Some embodiments employ a slightly defocused designation. Other embodiments use existential jitter in the designation and other embodiments intentionally induce a jitter in the designation called dither. One particular embodiments provides a dual field-of-view optics package that has no moving parts. 25 drawings
This invention concerns defense technology. Method involves detection and recognition of target, target tagging and tracking along with stadimetrics, defining shooting angle by mathematic expressions taking permanent barrel declination against sight line into account, and target shooting. Fire control system (FCS) operation mode and ammunition type are selected, and relevant logic signal corresponding to arms and ammunition type is generated at control board (CB) and transmitted from CB to ballistic computer (BC) by BC request, the BC transmitting it further to viewfinder system and control unit (CU). This signal alerts actuation circuits of electric arms launcher, and depending in ammunition type and loading order a signal is generated for switching between ammunition belt feed from right or left magazine case of arms loading system. Ammunition belt of respective ammunition type is connected, a request sequence is performed by informational control system (ICS) in ICS sensors. Electric circuit commutation is performed before control signal processing by power drives to maintain defined mode of stabilizer and FCS operation. The reported effect is enhanced shooting efficiency due to increased accuracy and performance rate. 7 drawings
Device Defining Angular Coordinates of Firearms Shooting Point Khabibulin Anatolij Evgen’evich Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention concerns armament. At the moment of shot, any firearms generate energy in infrared band. Invention claims device registering a firearms shot automatically in the space under survey within direct visibility range and defining angular coordinates of the shot in horizontal and vertical planes against optic axis of optic system view field.
Dual FOV Imaging Semi-Active Laser System Country of origin: USA Language: English The present invention includes a multifac-
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October 2009 The effect is achieved by registration of infrared band energy, determination of energy variation rate, and comparison to given minimum and maximum variation rate for energy emitted by gunshot. Angular coordinates of shot point are defined by the address (number) of matrix pixel in photo receivers received the energy. The reported effect is enhanced accuracy of detection. 2 drawings Laser Spot Tracker and Target Identifier Analog Modules, Inc. Country of origin: USA Language: English A laser spot tracker device comprising a laser tracker receiver using a quadrant detector incorporated into a pair of binoculars or optical telescope system with a crosshair or reticule. Directional information from the laser tracker receiver is displayed to an operator (JTAC) to allow the reticule to be manually steered on to the target illuminated by the laser, thus identifying the target to the spotter. The laser code may be pre-selected to track a particular designator, or, the tracker may read out the code or codes of laser spots within its field of view. 8 drawings
35 particularly to devices that allow determining the bullet hitting accuracy in shooting by combat and sporting small arms in open and closed shooting galleries. Proposed device comprises a rectangular-frame target with its front and rear covered by rubber screens that make a measuring chamber. Coordinate computation unit and four acoustic transducers are arranged inside aforesaid chamber, connected with amplifiers. Outputs of the latter are connected to coordinate computation unit via time interval measurement unit. The reported effect is higher accuracy and reliability of coordinate determination irrespective of ambient air temperature and dnsity. 2 drawings
Device to Determine Bullet Hit Coordinates Federal’noe gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Tsentral’nyj nauchnoissledovatel’skij institut tochnogo mashinostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to target complexes,
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Ground Vehicles Cabine Blindee Pour Vehicule Nexter Systems Country of origin: France Language: French L’invention a pour objet une cabine blindée pour véhicule, cabine comportant au moins un plancher sur lequel est soudée au moins une paroi latérale. Cette cabine est caractérisée en ce que le plancher et au moins une des autres parois de la cabine sont assemblées avant soudure au moyen d’au moins un assemblage à concordance de formes entre les bords relatifs de la paroi du plancher, cet assemblage permettant de fournir un point d’appui mutuel de la paroi par rapport au plancher lorsqu’un effort mécanique externe est appliqué à la paroi ou au plancher. 11 drawings
Armour for a Vehicle Benteler Automobiltechnik GMBH Country of origin: Germany Language: German Es wird die Verwendung einer Stahlsorte für die Herstellung warmgeformter und gehärteter Panzerungen vorgeschlagen. Dadurch lassen sich komplexe Bauteile herstellen, die insbesondere auch zum Brechen von Hartkernmunition geeignet sind. Glass-Ceramic with Laminates Country of origin: USA Language: English A transparent armor system includes a hard face fabricated from a substantially transparent glass-ceramic material exhibiting crystalline bodies throughout the mass of the glass-ceramic material and a backing covering a rear surface of the hard face opposite an anticipated incoming projectile. The backing has a refractive index substantially matching that of the hard face such as to allow substantial transparency of the transparent armor system. The hard face serves to disburse energy caused by
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October 2009
Emerging Defense Technologies the impact of an incoming projectile with the transparent armor system, while the backing serves to retain any pieces of the hard face fractured during ballistic impact. In certain embodiments, a plurality of hard faces are held in parallel and spaced apart arrangement. 13 drawings
front missile with the armour to cause missile rebound and prevent armour breach. The reported effect is increased internal space of turret, maintainability due to possible installation of quick-release protection modules, enhanced reliability of module fixation to turret. 7 drawings
Tank Turret Federal’noe gosudarstvennoe unitarnoe predprijatie Konstruktorskoe bjuro transportnogo mashinostroenija (FGUP KBTM) Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention concerns tank turrets and can be applied in new tank models or for upgrade of existing ones. Tank turret includes welded firing ports, front and lateral walls, aft sheet with removable armoured load conveying container attached to it, bottom sheet, roof with ports, and quick-release front protection modules. Internal space is expanded due to installation of front turret case walls perpendicular to bottom sheet. Quick-release protection modules of enhanced armour durability are positioned so as to allow for replacement in field in case of battle damage. Junctions between board sheets and load conveying container feature armoured deflectors. Light armour compartment with independent antiaircraft machine gun and ammunition load is attached to lateral turret wall and covered by protection module in front. Discharge port for pad of semi-combustible cartridge case features device for air duct mounting for underwater driving. Roof sheets are mounted at a minimum incidence angle of
Out of Turret Tank Gun Loading Machine Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Konstruktorskoe bjuro transportnogo mashinostroenija (OAO KBTM) Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention concerns armoured units, particularly automated tank gun loading devices, and can be applied in development of new mechanised units and upgrade of existing ones. Safety gate and cartridge deployment drives are united in a single device enabling simultaneous passage opening by safety gate and deployment of cartridge in seating channel. Safety gate is flexibly mounted on feed screws and can be lifted to open passage and lowered to block passage, and features cartridge deployment device. Feed screws feature rotation drive in the form of reverse electric motor switched off by terminal switches in end positions of safety gate. The reported effect is enhanced performance rate and reliability of manned tank turret compartment separation from ammunition load located in load conveying container. 10 drawings
Vehicle Extender Lockheed Martin Corp. Country of origin: USA Language: English A vehicle extender for selective connection with a base vehicle. The extender includes a frame and two wheels on an axle which may be driveable. There are inter-engageable air, electrical and brake connectors on the frame
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009 to provide electrical and brake systems to the vehicle extender from the base vehicle, and there is a quick-connection assembly for connecting the vehicle extender to the base vehicle. There can be a combination of a base vehicle and a vehicle extender, with provision for quick connect/disconnect. The base vehicle has a chassis, a body including a cargo bed, engine, tires, an electrical system, an air system and a brake system. 15 drawings
Tank Gun Loading Machine Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Ural’skoe konstruktorskoe bjuro transportnogo mashinostroenija Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention concerns armoured units, particularly devices of automatic tank gun loading. Cartridge lift device of loading machine features grips in the form of three-arm lever with carriage attached to it by joints to perform reciprocate movement in guide lines, and cartridge lift device bracket features additional guide lines and follower with a slot. One arm of three-arm lever is connected by links mounted at the lever on joints, with an arm of balance beam sprung against the links, with beam axis connected to slides in additional guide
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37 lines, and other beam arm featuring hitches with slots interacting with drag axles jointly connecting chainlinks with second arm of three-arm lever. Third arm of threearm lever features roller contacting the slot of follower. The reported effect allows use of loads with extra long shells without increase in tank size and weight. 3 drawings Armour for a Vehicle Benteler Automobiltechnik GMBH Country of origin: Germany Language: German Es wird vorgeschlagen, eine Panzerung für ein Fahrzeug aus mindestens zwei separaten zumindest abschnitssweise identisch konfigurierten Blechen oder Blechformteilen aus Panzerstahl aufzubauen, indem beide Bleche oder Blechformteile in kongruenter Zuordnung hintereinander gelegt werden. 2 drawings
Waffenstation Krauss Maffei Wegmann Country of origin: Germany Language: German Die Erfindung betrifft eine Waffenstation, insbesondere zur Anordnung auf militärischen Fahrzeugen, die über einen gemeinsamen Antrieb elevierbar sind, wobei die beiden Waffen über ein Getriebe derart miteinander gekoppelt sind, dass die Primärwaffe und die Sekundärwaffe mit unterschiedlichen Winkelgeschwindigkeiten elevierbar sind. 10 drawings
Heads Up Display Delphi Technologies Inc. Country of origin: USA Language: English A heads up display apparatus for a vehicle having a windshield includes an LED display having alphanumeric characters which are at least reflected off of the vehicle windshield toward the driver. The display has power controls and, optionally, a variable brightness control through a manually driver manipulatable control member or automatically through an ambient light sensor output coupled to the display. A vehicle operating parameter output is coupled to the display and converted by the display into illuminated alphanumeric characters. Each element of each LED character includes a reflected element image and at least a partially refracted and reflected ghost element image which have juxtaposed and overlapped element to form a combined single image to the viewer. 7 drawings
Wireless Engine Monitoring System Harris Corp. Country of origin: USA Language: English A wireless engine monitoring system (WEMS) includes an engine monitoring module that is mounted directly on an aircraft engine and records, stores, encrypts and transmits full flight engine data. The system preferably interfaces to the Full Authority Digital Engine Controller/Engine Control Unit (FADEC/ECU) and can record hundreds of engine parameters with a preferred sampling frequency of about one second. The engine monitoring module is preferably formed as a miniaturized module directly mounted on the aircraft engine within its cowling and has a conformal antenna. The engine monitoring module can also upload data for onboard processing. 7 drawings
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38 Adaptable Beam Lifter Element BAE Systems & Armaments L.P. Country of origin: USA Language: English The present invention is an Adaptable Beam Lifter Element (ABLE) system for use in lifting and moving an assortment of military vehicles and containers in transit and storage. An ABLE device is generally a structure having a low-profile frame that contains hydraulic lift, maneuvering, and drive features that may readily be placed beneath or around vehicles or containers for desired movement in a confined space. By using ABLE devices, transported vehicles placed on ships or in other confined locations can be stowed very close together, while allowing vehicles to be retrieved easily and efficiently, without dedicating a vast amount of space for maneuvering. In some embodiments, multiple ABLEs may be ganged and slaved logically together to form a system to cooperatively lift and transport a variety of vehicles and containers including many types of military equipment. 20 drawing
October 2009
other end of the base plate or the clamp lid. A sensor housing with a sensor is clamped between the base plate and the clamp lid. 3 drawings Tank Gun and Tank Gosudarstvennoe obrazovatel’noe uchrezhdenie vysshego professional’nogo obrazovanija Moskovskij gosudarstvennyj tekhnicheskij universitet im. N.Eh. Baumana (GOU VPO MGTU im. N.Eh. Baumana) Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This proposed tank comprises hull, turret with roof and gun mounted inside the said turret. Aforesaid gun has a barrel and generates force acting on the tank and not exceeding 800…1000 kN at barrel recoil travel making less than 152…155 mm and weight not over 1,500 kg. The reported effect is higher combat efficiency. 1 drawing
Sensor Mount Assembly Rocky Research Country of origin: USA Language: English A shock resistant sensor assembly comprises a base plate, a clamp lid, a hinge assembly secured to the base plate and the clamp lid and forming a hinge connection, and a releasable clamp assembly secured to either the base plate or the clamp lid opposite the hinge assembly and having a latch member for releasably engaging and clamping the
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October 2009
Infantry Weapons Small Arms Trigger S.A.T. Sviss Armz Teknolodzhi AG Country of origin: Language This invention relates to small arms, namely to rifle. The rifle comprises trigger revolving on axle, trigger link arranged inside breech frame and rotary lever connecting trigger link with trigger. Aforesaid lever, arranged in the breech frame, is pivoted to trigger link and revolves on axle to displace lengthwise to hold or release cocked striker. To change trigger resistance with no notable design changes, aforesaid rotary lever, articulated to link, features retainer extending upwards. With the trigger cocked up, the latter enters lower stop slot of trigger. Note here that the said slot features front skewed flat for the retainer stop edge to rest upon. The reported effect is easy adjustment of trigger resistance. 5 drawings Method for Non-Lethal Effect at Human Organs of vision with Help of Eradiation FGU 12 Tsentral’nyj nauchnoissledovatel’skij institut Ministerstva oborony Rossijskoj Federatsii Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention is related to the field of effect at human organs of vision located behind optical devices with application of EHF-radiation as affecting factor. Method consists in effect at human organs of vision, which are located behind optical devices, by electromagnet radiation of millimeter range, besides, wave length is selected in the range of 8.75‌8.8 mm, which corresponds to window of atmosphere transparency and transmission of radiation through optical devices. Moreover, radiation energy flux density is set, which makes a human being to responsively shut the eyelids. Device comprises movable platform, on which
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Emerging Defense Technologies sighting accessory is installed, as well as unit of electromagnet effect at human organs of vision. Besides unit for effect at human being is arranged in the form of radiating antenna coupled with generator of electromagnet radiation of millimetre range of wave lengths. The reported effect is improved efficiency of non-lethal effect at human organs of vision, including those behind optical devices and difficulty of protection against effect. 1 drawing Weapon Grip Assembly R/M Equipment, Inc Country of origin: USA Language: English A weapon grip assembly for attachment to a forward portion of a weapon is provided. The invention includes a base assembly supported for operative engagement by a handle. The base assembly includes clamps adapted to be secured to a forward portion of the weapon and further includes a post having a clamp end adapted to retain the clamps for pivot motion with respect thereto. The post of the base assembly is received within a bore of the handle, a mandrel being interposed between the handle and the clamps of the base assembly. As the base assembly is drawn into the handle, by rotation of the handle about the post of the base assembly, the mandrel receives the clamp end of the post, with an upper free surface thereof engaging the clamps for pivoted closure about a portion of the weapon in furtherance of securing the weapon grip assembly thereto. 16 drawings
tion, the opposing lateral portions including a neck portion, a shoulder portion adjacent the neck portion, and a base portion adjacent the shoulder portion, wherein the neck portion adjacent the shoulder portion has a width that is about 0.005 inches to about 0.04 inches greater than the nominal size of a neck portion of the cartridges. 5 drawings
Muzzle or Barrel Device Smolovik Evgenij Sergeevich Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention concerns small arms. Device includes extension boxes connected by
Cartridge Magazine with Shoulder Retention Features Country of origin: USA Language: English A magazine configured to receive a plurality of cartridges includes a front portion, a rear portion, and opposing lateral portions between the front portion and the rear por-
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40 gas channels to bullet race. Extension boxes feature smooth surface closed in crosssection to form closed vortex of combustion gas inside, and gas channels are directed at a tangent to extension box generatrix, and their surface area allows for filling the extension box with combustion gas before the bullet leaves barrel or reaches gas channels of next extension box. The reported effect is enhanced sound damping, along with reduced impairing of shooting density. 3 drawings Grenade Launcher Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Zavod im. V.A. Degtjareva Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This proposed device comprises percussion cap and propellant explosive charge arranged in combustion chamber, powder gas exhaust chamber with tightly closed combustion chamber inlet and outlet into chamber arranged outside the launcher. Note here that a piston is arranged inside combustion chamber to reciprocate therein, the said piston housing aforesaid percussion cap and propellant charge. Note that the stem and piston are furnished with stops to get into contact during piston travel and to open inlet of powder gas exhaust from combustion chamber. The reported effect is higher reliability, minimized servicing. 4 drawings
Small Arms Blow-back Compensator Kovalenko Vladimir Naumovich Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This proposed invention can be used to reduce blow-back in firing in bursts. Blowback compensator comprises motor with its shaft supporting one flat working body and arranged perpendicular to barrel axis. Aforesaid working body is oriented parallel to the plane that crosses barrel and trig-
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ger. Motor shaft rotational speed can be varied. The reported effect is higher accuracy of fire. 0 drawing Special Carbine Gosudarstvennoe obrazovatel’noe uchrezhdenie vysshego professional’nogo obrazovanija TUL’SKIJ ARTILLERIJSKIJ INZhENERNYJ INSTITUT (TAII) Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to small arms to fire both underwater and overland. Proposed carbine comprises barrel with gas chamber and breech frame with butt. It accommodates also lock frame with breech lock and counterrecoil mechanism, magazine- opening cover with handle, gas tube, trigger and feed mechanisms, feed mechanism catch and shutter. Feed mechanism catch base is made integral with aforesaid shutter to move lengthwise along flanges of breech frame receiving opening and to be locked by spring-loaded retainers in two positions. Note that that barrel length makes (55…75) d, where d is bore diameter, mm. The reported effect is the attachment of magazines with various cartridges, higher reliability. 4 drawings
Electrically Driven Trigger Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo Zavod im.V.A. Degtjareva Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to small arms, particularly to electrically driven triggers that require locking of actuated parts proposed trigger comprises body of solenoid 1 with coil 2, armature 3, spring loaded by plunger 4 with link 5, casing of electric launching pawl 6 with sear 7 fitted in axle 3 and acted on by spring 9, lever 10 fitted on axle 8 interacting with link 5. Casing of electric launching pawl 6 accommodates stop 12 fitted on axle 11 to interact with lever 10. Stop 12 features two thrust flats 13 and 14 to interact, when locked, with aforesaid casing 6 and sear 7. Note that aforesaid stop thrust flat interacting with sear is arranged
October 2009
to have the perpendicular to its surface crossing the stop rotational axis. Sear has thrust surface to lock actuated parts at the angle α (15° to 20°) exceeding the maximum angle of self-jamming (8°, max). The reported effect is higher reliability. 4 drawings
Weapons Control System Avner Klein Country of origin: Australia Language: English Weapons control systems are disclosed including a handheld display and wiring loom configurations for weapons control systems. A control system for a weapon comprises a sight unit for mounting to the weapon for capturing image data for targeting the weapon. The control system also comprises a handheld display having a sight viewable by at least one eye of an operator of the weapon to view data associated with operation of the weapon including image data collected by the sight unit and a controller to control operation of the weapon. The control system also comprises a communication system coupled to be in communication with the handheld display and the sight unit to enable the operator to remotely view the data associated with operation of the weapon and simultaneously control operation of the weapon. 6 drawings
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October 2009
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Cartridge Loading Mechanism for Semi-automatic Shotguns Tasyagan Bahtiyar Country of origin: Turkey Language: English Our invention is the cartridge loading mechanism for semi automatic shotguns which enables loading bullet with single hand and without giving up the 0 shooting position, which consists for five independent elements that act together in integrity and is designed as away from complexity for the sake of easy installation, and not affected from powder gases in the rifle thanks to its location. 6 drawings
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October 2009
Soldier Survivability & Gear Mist Generator Emel’janov Valerij Nilovich (RU), Vagonov Sergej Nikolaevich (RU), Varenykh Nikolaj Mikhajlovich, Kiselev Vitalij Borisovich Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This design describes a generator that includes thermally insulated body with functional pyrotechnic cartridge located in the body, electric spark igniter mounted in internal diaphragm with outlets. It is equipped with protective cover, socket fixed on body, screw base carrying diaphragm, bottom with paper gasket connected with body and circular shell made of cardboard and installed in screw base integrated with the socket. In this structure the diaphragm is located over circular shell and forms receiver together with circular shell. Protective cover is screwed on projecting base end via seal ring, and pyrotechnic cartridge is fixed in cardboard cylinder installed in the body. The generator may be equipped with additional igniter for manual actuating. The reported effect is an increase in functional reliability and enhancement of technological possibilities. 1 drawing
Method of Production of Helmets of Polymer Composites and Helmet of Polymer Composites Obshchestvo s ogranichennoj otvetstvennost’ju Nauchno proizvodstvennoe predprijatie Armokom-Tsentr Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian The design describes a group of inventions pertains to body armor facilities. Production method of helmet of polymer composites includes location of shock damper between domical protective cover and helmet inner. Damper is produced by cutting out of a blank part in the shape of chamomile with 4-8 equally spaced meridian incisions of elastic thermoplastic foam plastic with the width of (1.05…2.2)s, where s - width of protective cover. Equally spaced openings
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in a rearward direction around the first side of the torso of the person and under the first rear laterally extending section, thereby causing overlapping of at least a portion of ballistic paneling of the first front laterally extending section with at least a portion of ballistic paneling of the rear section around the first side of the torso. 11 drawings
with d = (0.6…1.5)s diameter are made in the blank by arranging them at l = (1.05…2.2)d from each other in the tops of mutually adjoining equilateral triangles. Thereafter blank is assigned dome-shape by thermal processing in the domical tool set deforming openings into a cone-shape. Helmet of polymer composites contains a protective cover, helmet inner and arranged in between of them damper produced by the above stated method. The reported effect is aimed at increasing reliability of helmet, reducing weight of the damper, decreasing after-penetration edge on the protected object. 7 drawings Body Armor and Closure Mechanism MSA Country of origin: USA Language: English A body armor to be worn by a person includes a front section including ballistic paneling. The front section further includes at least a first front laterally extending section on a first side of the body armor. The first front laterally extending section includes ballistic paneling. The body armor further includes a rear section comprising ballistic paneling and at least a first rear laterally extending section attached to the rear section on the first side of the body armor and extending from the rear section. The first rear laterally extending section is connected to the first front laterally extending section so that when the first rear laterally extending section is moved forward around a first side of a torso of the person during closure of the first side of the body armor, the first front laterally extending section is pulled to move
Composite Armor Material and Method of Manufacture Modumetal, LLC. Country of origin: USA Language: English An armor material and method of manufacturing utilize nano- and/ or microlaminate materials. In one embodiment, the armor material comprises a layered composite material including a strike face, a core layer, and a spall liner. The strike face achieves hardness and toughness by the controlled placement of hard and tough constituent materials through the use of nano- and/or microlaminate materials. The core layer achieves energy absorption through the use of nano- or microlaminated coated compliant materials. The spall liner provides reinforcement through the use of nano- or microlaminated fiber reinforced panels. In one embodiment, nano- and/or microlaminated materials can be manufactured through the use of electrodeposition techniques. 31 drawings Pistol Holster with Lock Lever RASSIAS Dzhon N. Country of origin: Russia Language: Russia This proposed holster comprises a cover with lock bearing stop connected with the cover top and two sidewalls, and cam slot in the case sidewall. It includes also at least one opening to accommodate pistol therein at least one sidewall of the case and lever fastened to the case to turn thereon. Note that aforesaid lever features an arm with working member to be acted upon by the thumb, and a retainer. It also incorporates a cam arm with guide pawl received into the case cam slot to slide therein from the 1st into 2nd position. Note here that, when in the 1st position, the said guide pawl stays outside of at least one opening
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009 accommodating pistol, while, when in the 2nd position, the said guide cam stays in at least one aforesaid pistol opening to lock pistol therein. The reported effect is faster pulling pistol off holster and safe pistol carrying. 6 drawings Foldable and Deployable Panel Elbit Systems Country of origin: Israel Language: English A foldable deployable panel device attached to a body of an object is disclosed. The device includes a panel pivotally attached to the body by a first pivot element at a first pivot position and a second pivot element at a second pivot position. The first pivot element is disengageable from the first pivot position, when the panel is aligned in a predetermined orientation. The second pivot element is fixed at the second pivot position, when the first pivot element is engaged at the first pivot position. The panel is urged by an energy storing element, when the first pivot element is disengaged from the first pivot position, to move into a deployed position. 6 drawings.
43 Ballistic Resistant Articles Comprises Elongate Bodies Teijin Armamid BV Country of origin: Netherlands Language: The invention pertains to a ballistic-resistant moulded article comprising a compressed stack of sheets comprising reinforcing elongate bodies and an organic matrix material, the direction of the elongate bodies within the compressed stack being not unidirectionally, wherein the elongate bodies are tapes with a width of at least 2 mm and a width to thickness ratio of at least 10:1 with the stack comprising 0.2-8 wt. % of an organic matrix material. A method for manufacturing the ballistic-resistant moulded article is also claimed. 0 drawings Weapon Ball Stock With Integrated Weapon Orientation Country of origin: USA Language: English A weapon ball-and-socket-based weapon mounting system for removably attaching a to the body of a user. A ball stock adapted to be attached to a weapon at one end and configured with a substantially ball-shaped ball element on the other end replaced the conventional weapon butt stock. The ball stock mates with a body-supported socket adapted to receive the ball element by clicking in to the socket. The user is able to articulate the weapon into a rest position as well as rotating it through a full range of elevation and sweeping orientations. 30 drawings
Camouflage and Similar Patterns and Techniques for Creating Such Patterns Country of origin: USA Language: English Camouflage and other patterns and techniques for creating and using such patterns are disclosed. Many of the disclosed patterns and pattern-creation techniques avoid creating the “black blob� effect that
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renders many existing camouflage patterns ineffective at a distance. Certain disclosed patterns have elements that cause the patterns to look non-distinct up close, but to appear more defined when viewed at a distance. Clothing, guns, vehicles, and other articles having such a pattern may better blend with the surrounding environment both close up and when viewed at a distance. An exemplary pattern comprises singlecolor shapes sized and/or having other characteristics such that, when viewed from a distance, the single-color shapes form groupings that appear to be larger distinct shapes rather than a blobbed together single color or uniform pattern. When viewed from a distance, for example, a camouflage pattern may look like a combination of leaves, trees, rocks, or natural elements. 19 drawings Ceramic Multi-hit Armor Country of origin: USA Language: English A ballistic structure for armor with improved multi-hit behavior includes at least a ceramic element and at least one defined void in the ceramic element to separate the ceramic element into separate ballistic segments. The defined void is, for example, a slit of given depth and width. 28 drawings
Head Protective Gear Eye Tactical Inc. Country of origin: Canada Language: English There is disclosed a protective head gear comprising a helmet having a brim positioned above the eyes of the wearer, a face protector covering at least a portion of the face of the wearer, and an adapter comprising an elongate cross member for securing the face protector to the helmet along the brim. There is also disclosed an adapter for attaching a face protector
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44 having a pair of strap receiving slots moulded therein to a helmet, comprising a cross member secured to the helmet, and a pair of support arms for insertion into the strap receiving slots. Additionally, there is disclosed face protective gear for use with a helmet having a brim positioned above the eyes of the wearer, comprising a cross member comprising a lip moulded along an upper edge, and a pair of goggles depending from the cross member When the cross member is secured to the helmet, the lip overlaps the brim. 5 drawings
Sequenced Vehicular Traffic Guiding System Country of origin: USA Language: English A system of signal emitting modules is disclosed. The modules emit light or other signals to warn oncoming traffic that a road or other pathway has changed or is traversing a tortuous pathway. The modules are interconnected in a sequence so that they flash on and off in a pattern that leads the driver or observer along a path with less confusion than with randomly flashing or steady lights or reflectors. The modules are self-powered and can be arrayed first and programmed following deployment. The programming can be done with “mesh” technology, an external controller, or by dialing a specific number in each of a plurality of distributed controllers. The modules can improve highway safety by reducing driver confusion. The modules are arrayed to prevent a driver from seeing them from an oncoming direction. The driver coming from the opposite direction will have his or her own guiding system. The modules can also be deployed for use in nautical situations, to designate nautical obstructions (such as entering a harbor), shallow water,
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or other area of danger, and in the field of aviation to mark the direction and position of temporary runways or landing zones for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. 7 drawings
Visor Heads-up Display Day & Night Display Systems, LLC Country of origin: USA Language: English A wearable system is shown that presents one or more heads-up displays to the wearer. A data source provides information to an image generator that is sufficient to generate one or more display images, which are still or moving, characters or graphical displays. The output image from the image generator passes through a lens, reflects off a curved mirror, and passes back through the lens the other way. The image then passes through two non-doublet lenses, between which an intermediate image exists. The image reflects off the “lens,” or visor, of the glasses and proceeds to pupil of the wearer’s eye. Alternative embodiments use a helmet visor, mirror, or other (at least partially) reflective surface for the final reflection. 5 drawings
October 2009
sists of carcass and flexible fabric cover to be laid on over the said carcass. The latter is made from ellipse rings with thicknessto-width ratio making 1:10, while heightto-width ratio being equal to 1.85- 1.9. The reported effect is easier assembly, lower costs, reduced time of assembly. 4 drawings
Armored Structure Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obshchestvo OKB Sukhogo Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to multi-layer armored structure intended for protection against bullets, shells and fragments. Proposed structure consists of the face, 2nd and 3rd layers. Face layer represents low-hardness (HB≤150) metal alloy plate. 2nd and 3rd layers are made in identical organic plastic material fabricated from ballistically resistant fabric based on aramide fibers impregnated with binder, and laid in layers at various angles to primary direction of reinforcement. Thickness of the 2nd layer exceeds that of the 3rd one. Weight of one square meter of 2nd layer varies from 12 to 19 kg, while weight of one square meter of the 3rd layer varies from 10 to 16 kg. All layers are jointed together along perimeter. The reported lower weight of unit area with no deterioration in protective qualities. 1 drawing
Fortified Structure FGU 15 Tsentral’nyj nauchnoissledovatel’skij ispytatel’nyj institut im. D.M. Karbysheva MO RF Country of origin: Russia Language: Russian This invention relates to fortified structures for personnel protection against modern munitions. Proposed fortified structure con-
Emerging Defense Technologies
October 2009 Protective Panel Tec Inn s.r.l. Country of origin: Italy Language: English A protective panel comprising an inner surface proximate to a body to be protected and an outer surface distal from said body; between the inner and outer surface is housed a multi-layer structure constituted by at least one layer of ceramic material and/ or aluminium and at least one layer of fabric with high resistance against perforation, coupled to each other by means of an adhesive layer made of elastic material. 1 drawing
45 grenades having a hollow nose cone. A netting of knotted and coated superstrong fibers is disposed in front of the object, in such a manner that the nose cone of a rocket caught in the netting will penetrate one of the meshes of the netting and be deformed through strangulation, thereby disabling the detonator. A device to be used with said method comprises a netting of knotted superstrong fibers provided with a flexible coating, formed with a plurality of meshes having a stretched mesh length of maximally about 8 cm. 7 drawings
Method and Device for Protecting Objects Against Rocket Propelled Grenades Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onnderzoek (TNO) Country of origin: Netherlands Language: English The invention relates to a method for protecting objects against rocket-propelled
Emerging Defense Technologies
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October 2009
Unmanned Ground Vehicles On-Site Land Mine Removal System Country of origin: USA Language: English A method of deactivating land mines buried in ground comprises projecting high-pressure water jets into ground, cutting through ground with the high-pressure water jets, and making at least one cut through a land mine or cutting through at least one land mine that had been under the ground, the cutting of the land mine reducing the performance of the land mine. The method may reduce the performance of the land mine by rendering the land mine inactive to normal detonation procedures for the land mine. To reach as many surface areas on the buried landmines, it is preferable that at least two high-pressure water jets are spaced apart are used to cut through the ground. The method may be practiced with the high-pressure water jet being carried on a vehicle and cutting is done in a line that is formed at least in part by movement of the vehicle over the ground while the high-pressure water jet is cutting ground. An apparatus for the reduction in effectiveness of land mines buried in ground may comprise a self-contained push-cart unit or a unit attached or attachable to a vehicle. A complete system could comprise a vehicle having a source of liquid, a high-pressure pump to move the liquid under high pressure, a nozzle directing a liquid jet path for the liquid, a support for the nozzle, abrasive delivery system, and nozzle being controllable to direct the liquid towards the ground while the nozzle is fixed relative to the vehicle. 10 drawings
The task designators indicate a position in the environment map and indicate a task for the robot to achieve. A control intermediary links task designators with robot instructions issued to the robot. The control intermediary analyzes a relative position between the task designators and the robot. The control intermediary uses the analysis to determine a task-oriented autonomy level for the robot and communicates target achievement information to the robot. The target achievement information may include instructions for directly guiding the robot if the autonomy level indicates low robot initiative and may include instructions for directing the robot to determine a robot plan for achieving the task if the autonomy level indicates high robot initiative. 38 drawings
System and Method for Seamless TaskDirected Autonomy for Robots Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC Country of origin: USA Language: English Systems, methods, and user interfaces are used for controlling a robot. An environment map and a robot designator are presented to a user. The user may place, move, and modify task designators on the environment map.
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Emerging Defense Technologies