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

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

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

Ukraine - Russia conflict war 2022 Posted On Saturday, 04 June 2022 20:09 The Russian army has deployed in Ukraine its BMPT Terminator tank fire support vehicle to fight Ukrainian soldiers. (Picture source Telegram) According to a video published on the Russian Social Network "VK" on June 3, 2022, the Russian armed forces deployed the BMPT Terminator tank fire support tracked armored vehicles to conduct combat operations in Ukraine. In this article, discover the combat capabilities of the Russian BMPT Terminator explained by the Army Recognition editorial team. The BMPT also nicknamed Terminator is a tank fire support tracked armored especially designed to support tank units but also to conduct combat operations in urban areas. The BMPT deployed in Ukraine is the BMPT Model 2017 which was unveiled in 2017 during the Victory Day Military Parade that was held on the Red Square. The design of this new vehicle was based on combat experience gained during the Soviet-Afghan War and the First Chechen War. The first version of the BMPT was unveiled in 2009 during the Russian Expo Arms exhibition in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. The BMPT Model 2017 is the version deployed by Russian troops in Ukraine. The BMPT offers the mobility of the Main Battle Tank (MBT) and the firepower of an IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). In fact, the BMPT is based on the T-72 MBT tracked chassis. It has a crew of three including a driver, commander, and gunner. The BMPT Terminator has a very powerful weapon station including two 30 mm 2A42 cannons and one 7.62 mm PKTM machine gun mounted above the cannons. Fitted on either side of the turret are two missile launchers able to fire Ataka anti-tank guided missiles, these missiles have a maximum range of 5,800 m and can be fitted with various types of warheads including tandem high explosive anti-tank, thermobaric and continuous rod high explosive. The second armament also includes two 30 mm AG-17D automatic grenade launchers mounted on each side at the front of the hull. The armor of the BMPT has been designed to offer maximum protection for combat operations in urban areas and to withstand attacks of anti-tank weapons such as Rocket-Propelled Grenades or short-range anti-tank guided missiles. The protection of the BMPT is superior to most MBTs, as active and passive protection is used, and additional armor (the vehicle lacks a turret), is distributed to the hull of the vehicle. The vehicle features an advanced protection suite that shields the crew from anti-tank munitions. BMPT has tank-level basic armor. Its front part is not weakened by a firing port intended for a tank gun. The sides of the vehicle are additionally protected by explosive reactive armor. The rear part of the vehicle features bar-slat armor. The BMPT Terminator is powered by a B92C2 four-stroke multi-fuel diesel with liquid cooling and supercharging, which develops 1,000 hp, and gives the vehicle a power-to-weight ratio of 21.2 hp/tone. The BMP-T uses the same chassis as the main battle tank T-72. It can reach a maximum road speed of 65 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 550 km. https://www.armyrecognition.com/ukraine_-_russia_conflict_war_2022/analysis_discover_combat_capabilities_of_russian_bmpt_terminator_used_to_fight_ukrainian_soldiers.html

Posted On Thursday, 18 August 2022 13:40 PATRIOT PARK /Moscow Region/, August 17. /TASS-DEFENSE/. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC, part of the Rostec state hi-tech corporation) and the Russian Defense Ministry are discussing the development of the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 multirole two-seat fighter jet, UAC CEO Yuri Slyusar told TASS at the Army 2022 forum. A significant advantage of a Su-57’s two-seat version can be new tactical capabilities when operating with UAVs (Picture source: Rostec) “We are actively interacting with the customer. A significant advantage of the Su-57’s two-seat version can be new tactical capabilities when operating with UAVs, which allows obtaining a synergetic effect when performing special tasks,” Slyusar said. The Su-57 is a fifth-generation Russian-made multifunctional fighter designed to destroy all types of air, ground and surface targets. It has supersonic cruising speed, internal armament, radar-absorbing coating, as well as the latest onboard equipment. The Russian Aerospace Force will receive 22 Su-57 fighters by late 2024. Their number will be increased to 76 by 2028. The first fighter was delivered to the Russian troops in 2020. The Army 2022 international military-technical forum is running on August 15-21 at the Patriot exhibition center outside Moscow. The Defense Ministry is the organizer of the forum.

By Colton Jones Aug 18, 2022 Norway’s Nammo and U.S. aerospace giant Boeing have jointly test-fired a ramjet-powered artillery shell that any standard 155mm howitzer can fire at targets more than 50 miles (80km) away. According to a press release from Nammo, during the June 28 test at the Andoya Test Center in Norway, a Boeing Ramjet 155 projectile was fired out of a cannon and its ramjet engine ignited successfully. It demonstrated flight stability with a well-controlled engine combustion process. “We believe the Boeing Ramjet 155, with continued technology maturation and testing, can help the U.S. Army meet its long-range precision fires modernization priorities,” said Steve Nordlund, Boeing Phantom Works vice president and general manager. “This successful test is evidence that we are making great progress.” “This is a historic moment for Nammo,” said Nammo Chief Executive Officer Morten Brandtzæg. “The test results demonstrate that ramjets are viable and can fundamentally change the future of artillery. “We have great confidence in the ramjet concept,” Brandtzæg added. “The test – with all aspects from cannon firing, to the projectile body, fins, and trajectory all functioning perfectly – represents a real technological breakthrough in artillery, and a major success for Boeing, Nammo, and the U.S. Army.” The long-range test at Andøya follows years of research, development and testing by Boeing and Nammo of ramjet technology, including more than 450 static or short-range tests. Boeing Phantom Works and Nammo have been working together under a strategic partnership to jointly develop and produce the next generation of boosted artillery projectiles. In July 2019, the Boeing-Nammo team was awarded a contract under the U.S. Army’s XM1155 program to develop and mature the Ramjet 155 projectile. In May 2021, the team was awarded a Phase II technology development contract. Ramjet 155 uses an engine in which the air drawn in for combustion is compressed solely by the forward motion of the projectile at supersonic speeds. Considered a hybrid between guided artillery and missiles, the program has an objective of a common round design that can be used in L39 and L58 cannons. The team continues to develop and mature the technology, with further testing and demonstrations planned in the coming months. As noted by the company, NAMMO also developing an extended range version that goes out to 80km or 150km.

By Boyko Nikolovon Aug 16, 2022 WASHINGTON — Washington will arm its Marines with new Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 sniper rifles. They will replace the M40A6 and Mk13 Mod 7. The Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 is a long-range bolt-action rifle. Similar action was expected after tests of the Mk22 Mod 0 were conducted in late May. Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 can be configured for use in three types of caliber – .338 Norma Magnum, .300 NM, or 7.62×51 mm. The Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 is considered a multi-caliber platform and uses a 10-round removable magazine. Changing to a new sniper rifle means that the US Marines will also change the scope used. Up until now, they have been working with a 5×25 optic on their M40A6 and Mk13 Mod 7. The magnification has now changed as along with the Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 infantrymen will be aiming with the 7×35 Precision Day Optic. The decision to acquire the Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 was no accident. Barrett Firearms won a contract from the US government to supply approximately 2,800 PSRs to the military. This happened last year. This year, the US Army continued its collaboration with Barrett Firearms by ordering an additional 485 MK22 Precision Sniper Rifles [PSR] for close combat. That is the third consecutive order between the Pentagon and Barrett Firearms The tests in late May were conducted at the Marine Corps base in Quantico. Sniper instructors were invited to test the Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 and the new optics for it. The instructors were from three Sea Scout schools. Although the US Marine Corps has already decided on the new sniper rifle, its tests will continue until the end of the year. Until now, the tests involved evaluating the behavior of the barrels and the three different calibers. The speed of the bullet fired from the rifle was also measured. Experts say the Barrett Mk22 Mod 0 has a longer range than the M40A6 and Mk13 Mod 7 and a smaller logistical footprint. The latter also reduces the number of rifles in Marine’s inventory – from four to three. That is in different conditions, the sniper will simply have to change barrels instead of carrying an additional weapon. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/08/16/us-arms-its-marines-with-new-bolt-action-barrett-mk22-sniper-rifles/

27/07/2022 By Paolo Valpolini Until now most if not all short-range air-to-air missiles had a cylindrical body. In the future we might get used to a wholly different shape, if the concept missile shown by Diehl Defence will become a real product. Known as IRIS-T FCAAM, for Future Combat Air-to-Air Missile, it has roughly the size of an IRIS-T, which it might replace in the future, and is designed to become the short-range weapon of the future French-German-Spanish FCAS/SCAF. Should European future air combat systems remain two, the Diehl Defence 6th generation SRAAM will also quite certainly become the short-range weapon of choice of the other FCAS, that under development by the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy, as it would be suicidal for the European defence system arming the two different manned aircraft with different weapons of similar categories. The IRIS-T FCAAM body has a rectangular section with strakes along the upper sides of the body, with a pyramidal nose containing at its extremity the seeker, which according to the company will remain a multi-spectral IR one but more sophisticated than the one used in the 5th generation IRIS-T as it will include some Artificial Intelligence-based algorithms. The rear fins are not fitted in a symmetric way as we are used to see; the upper ones have a wide angle between them, their extremities being aligned with the missile body in order not to generate issues when the missile is hosted in a weapons bay, while the two fins under the body are much closer to vertical. A data-link will allow updating the missile using platform-based sensors, not necessarily the radar of the aircraft that launched the FCAAM but the best data provided by the distributed sensor cloud obtained through the network. Algorithms will have machine learning capabilities, the seeker being also able to autonomously identify the target in order to select the best aiming point. Not much was said on the warhead; however the company talks about “autonomous warhead conversion depending on target” which should mean that the aforementioned identification capability would also allow the FCAAM to select the best detonation mode according to the type of target. This will allow maintaining the missile locked on its target in dog fight situations providing the largest possible No-Escape Zone fort this category of air-to-air missile. A key element for this will be propulsion; instead of the one-stage solid propellant rocket motor used on the IRIS-T, the FCAAM will be most probably fitted with a multiple-stage motor. This will not only increase range, around 20 Nautical Miles (37 km versus the 25 km of the current IRIS-T), but will most importantly allow to keep some energy for the last engagement phase which, coupled with the intelligent thrust vectoring system, will provide considerable end-game maneuverability. As for speed, the IRIS-T FCAAM will remain under Mach 4, as according to Diehl Defence sources higher speed would be a disadvantage for the IR multi-spectral seeker. The AI-based seeker will be inherently resistant to InfraRed and Direct InfraRed Countermeasures (IRCM/DIRCM), according to the company. For the time being the FCAAM remains at concept stage, however EDR On-Line understood that Diehl Defence has carried out a considerable number of computer simulations especially for the end-game phase to verify maneuverability issues. Image courtesy Diehl Defence, photos by P. Valpolini https://www.edrmagazine.eu/iris-t-fcaam-the-future-sraam-6th-generation-missile-by-diehl-defence

Çakir the new Roketsan multi platform cruise missile By Paolo Valpolini Roketsan, the Turkish missile manufacturer champion, unveils at Farnborough its latest product, the Çakir, a cruise missile with an over 150 km range that can be launched from land, naval and air platforms. It is fitted with a 70 kg high-explosive semi-piercing blast fragmentation thermobaric warhead that, according to the company, makes it effective against multiple types of targets such as surface land and coastal targets. When launched from surface platforms the Çakir is fitted with a solid fuel booster weighing around 55 kg, which brings its weight close to 330 kg. The weight of the missile is 275 kg, which corresponds to that of the air launched version. With booster, the Çakir is 4.1 meters long, the missile having a 275 mm diameter, the air-launched version without booster being 3.2 meters long. Lift is provided by two sets of cruciform wings while a set of cruciform actuators ensures maneuverability. The Çakir speed is comprised between Mach 0.75 and 0.85, propulsion being provided by the KTJ-1750 turbojet engine providing a 1,750 N thrust, designed and produced by Kale ARGE in Turkey. To cope with GNSS-denies scenarios the Çakir is guided towards the target by multiple navigation systems that of course include GNSS with anti-jam capability to which Roketsan added an inertial navigation system, radar and barometric altimeters, and a terrain-referenced navigation system. The Çakir mission is programmed via 3D waypoints, a network-based data link ensuring man-in-the-Loop capability for target update, attack/re-attack for in-flight target of opportunity, as well as mission abort. In the final phase on-board seekers will ensure pinpoint accuracy; the Roketsan missile can be fitted with infrared and/or radar seekers. The data link also allows inter-missiles communications, which give the Çakir swarming capabilities, ensuring maximum effectiveness through enemy defence saturation. The missile survivability is enhanced by the use of radar absorbing material on the airframe, as well by its super sea-skimming and terrain masking mission profiles. The cruise missile can be launched by fixed and rotary wing aircraft, UCAVs (according to Roketsan a MALE-class airframe can carry up to four missiles), AUSVs, as well as tactical wheeled Land Vehicles, a 6×6 platforms typically carrying four missiles while bigger 8×8 vehicles can carry up to six. Roketsan developed the Çakir cruise missile on company funds. The missile is now fully developed, system level tests being scheduled before year end. Photos by P. Valpolini https://www.edrmagazine.eu/cakir-the-new-roketsan-multi-platform-cruise-missile

13/07/2022 By Paolo Valpolini The JFS-M cruise missile By MBDA The PrSM Missile Concept designs Missile Packaging and end views Overcoming opponent’s A2/AD threat is the key issue for western armies. Aimed at denying freedom of movement to air assets in their safety bubble, A2/AD must be overcome by unmanned means, among which surface-to-surface missiles and long range artillery are one of the answers. To cope with this issue three German companies teamed to upgrade the MLRS launcher currently in use by the German Army and provide it with a new missile that will allow reaching the limits imposed by the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty signed in 1987 by the USA and then USSR, and denounced in 2019. Current munitions available to the MLRS are the GMLRS, with an 84 km range, the GMLRS ER (ExtendedRange) with a 120-150 km range, and the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System), with a 300 km range. While on the other side of the Ocean Lockheed Martin is working on the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), which should achieve Initial Operational Capability in 2023, the German industry is developing what is defined Joint Fire Support Missile (JFS-M). According to available information both solutions will allow fitting two missiles in one MLRS pod, which means that an M270 tracked launcher will be able to fire up to four missiles, while a HIMARS launcher will have two ready munitions. However similarities should end here; where the PrSM is a ballistic missile, the JFS-M is a ground-launched cruise missile (GLCM). The two solutions have pros and cons, the ballistic one might being harder to engage as it flies at higher speed, the aerodynamic-lift missile being much more flexible in terms of route to the target as well as in payloads, precision and missions. Currently the all-German team is composed of MBDA Deutschland, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH (ESG), but other partners may join the group. MBDA is developing the effector, working closely with KMW for platform integration and with ESG to integrate mission-planning tools into the ADLER III (Artillerie-, Daten-, Lage- und Einsatz-Rechnerverbund that is artillery, data, situation and deployment computer network), and the third iteration of the German Army artillery C4I system. “To reduce cost and time-to-market we are exploiting developments already finalised within the MBDA group as well as some sub-systems already integrated into MBDA missiles,” Björn Goller, Project Manager Sales and Marketing Land Systems MBDA Deutschland, tells EDR On-Line. While The aerodynamic solution resembles that proposed for the Smart Glider family, which was unveiled at the Paris Air Show 2017. The JFS-M body is about 2,600 mm long and has a diameter of approximately 290 mm; in fact speaking of diameter is incorrect, as its section is far from being circular, the shape being dictated by stealth considerations. Two rear folding wings are fitted on top of the fuselage, wingspan is around 1.5 meters, while a cruciform empennage is located at the rear, the fins angled 45° from the vertical and horizontal planes; the rudder system is derived from that of the Marte missile. At launch the JFS-M is accelerated by a booster that brings it to the minimum sustainment speed, and then falls leaving the propulsion responsibility to the turbojet engine located at the rear, with the fuel tank ahead of it, close to the centre of gravity. The turbojet engine will be provided by an Eastern European company, which was not identified, while for the booster MBDA is still looking at existing solutions, by its usual provider Bayern-Chemie, a subsidiary of MBDA, or other third parties, in order to avoid the development of an ad-hoc booster. The JFS-M take-off-weight is between 250-300 kg, its speed varying between Mach 0.5 and Mach 0.9 (600 to 1,000 km/h), which means that the missile at maximum speed would take roughly half an hour to reach a target at the maximum range of 499 km, the limit of the aforementioned INF treaty being 500 km. The airframe design is nearly frozen, according to Mr. Goller; “we developed and designed it,” he adds, “but manufacturing doesn’t fall within MBDA’s competencies, therefore a subcontractor will be selected for production.” The navigation suite is located at the front; of course it includes a GNSS receiver as well as an inertial platform; these will be complemented by an Image Based Navigation system that will ensure maximum accuracy and will add the capability of monitoring a wide area while closing to the target, compensating any possible target movement. While older cruise missiles were using TERCOM (terrain comparison) systems, the availability of near-real time high definition satellite imagery coupled to the quantum leap in computing power made by on-board computers allows today to compare images at high speed. A 3D mission planning will be part of the system, which might also exploit waypoints to avoid as much as possible air spaces that fall under the enemy A2/AD umbrella. Designed to fly at low level, this together with its inherent stealth characteristics should ensure good survival properties to the JFS-M. Coming to lethality, the new MBDA Deutschland project looks at modularity and scalable solutions to best fit any possible mission. The payload is located at the front, just behind the navigation suite, the latter also including the seekers used in the final phase of the attack, MBDA portfolio including electro-optic, radiofrequency and infrared sensors. Beside those, the aforementioned imaging system provides images to the computer unit where Artificial Intelligence-based algorithms ensure automatic target recognition, passive radiofrequency target reconnaissance being also available as option through an ESM suite. The new MLRS missile maintains the man-in-the-loop capability, something mandatory in the western world, a non-line of sight two-way data-link being therefore fitted both for mission update or abort. The warhead provider is TDW, an MBDA Deutschland subsidiary co-located with MBDA Deutschland in the forest of Haguenau, in the vicinity of Schrobenhausen, 30 km north of Munich. “It will feature a high explosive multi-effect warhead capable to destroy standard infrastructures, not heavily armoured bunkers, and medium to heavy armour, as we do not consider this weapon being specifically aimed at main battle tanks,” Björn Goller explains. No indication on the warhead mass was provided, one third of the launch mass being the average for this type of weapon. The JFS-M payload bay is designed to accept multiple solutions, a trade-off between lethality and reconnaissance capability being envisaged. Packing a smaller warhead together with an electronic warfare package or a reconnaissance package is thus feasible, giving increased flexibility to the system. Beside the high lethality version reconnaissance, electronic warfare and training missiles are being considered. The JFS-M capability to fly different routes to reach the target allows obtaining a Multiple Missile Simultaneous Impact (MMSI), the missile equivalent of tube artillery MRSI (Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact). However in the case of a missile, the simultaneous attack capability is further enhanced by the fact that missiles can come from different angles, saturating local air defenses. Not only, the imaging navigation system and the automatic target identification system allow the JFS-M to overfly the area of interest picking up the intended target which location was available with low accuracy, or pick-up targets of interest. As an example a mission against a major air defence enemy asset located 300 km from the launcher can be conducted using two JSF-M, which follow completely different routes, for an overall flight distance of 320 km, that allow them avoiding enemy restricted operating zones and air defence kill boxes, reaching the time fro opposite directions at the same time, flying for 31 minutes at Mach 0.5 speed, mission planning being based on time-on-target. A standard MLRS rocket pod can host two JSF-M; “We considered initially installing three of them into a single pod, but following discussions with KMW, which is leading the launch platform effort, we agreed on two missiles, which gives four of them for an M270A1 launcher,” Mr. Goller says. Keeping the MLRS rocket pod, which can host six standard rockets, two PrSM or one ATACMS, was considered a key design feature, as this will allow using the MBDA missile on all MLRS and HIMARS launchers, the latter wheeled platform being capable to carry a single pod. At ILA 2022 in Berlin the JFS-M was shown in a mock-up configuration installed on a wheeled platform developed by KMW. The German Army should keep its M270 launchers until 2035, and since 2030 new platforms should enter service, which will use the same pod, and some of those might well be wheeled. Which is the current status of the JSF-M? “Currently we consider the system as a whole at TRL 4-5 [1], however a number of subsystems and elements are at a much higher TRL as we took them from existing products,” Björn Goller tells EDR On-Line. The engine and the GPS navigation are at TRL 8, while active and passive seekers as well as sensor-based navigation are based on TRL 8 [2] components. “What we still have to fully develop is the ‘brain’ of the JFS-M,” he says, adding that the other work that has to be carried out is integrating all components into the missile, something that MBDA is well used to do. “Should the customer sign a contract, the JFS-M would be available in 3-5 years time,” the PM Sales and Marketing Land Systems MBDA Deutschland states. The version currently under development is land-based, and is aimed at the MLRS M270 and HIMARS launchers. Looking at NATO and leaving apart the United States, beside Germany these systems are in use in Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, Turkey and the United Kingdom, to which we must add a number of non-NATO countries in the Middle East and Far East, therefore MBDA would have a considerable potential export market. How much the JFS-M would be competing with the PrSM remains to be seen. On one hand the latter can benefit from the FMS scheme, however the missile of German origin is fully ITAR-free; on the operational side, the two systems are completely different, and although having in service munitions of too many types is always a problem from the logistic standpoint, having both systems at hand would allow artillery to select the best effector depending on the tactical situation. As said the current version of the JFS-M falls in the GLCM category; in that version it can be installed on existing platforms as well as on future platforms that will retain the same pod used on the MLRS, a stand-alone version being also conceivable. However MBDA is already considering versions of the missile to be launched from naval platforms as well as from airborne platforms, in the latter case the missile lacking the launch container and the booster. The focus on artillery is clear, considering what is happening in Ukraine, therefore some good news for the German branch of the European missile company might come soon. Images courtesy Bundeswehr and MBDA

Defense News June 2022 Global Security army industry Posted On Tuesday, 28 June 2022 10:30 Philippine army new ATMOS 6x6 155mm self-propelled howitzer (Picture source Philippine Army) The Philippine Army Artillery Regiment concluded on April 8, 2022, its first-ever three-day live-fire drill utilizing its Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155 mm/52 caliber self-propelled artillery pieces at the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation Area in PalayanCity, Nueva Ecija. On May 20, 2020, Army Recognition reported that the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) had released the Notice to Proceed (NTP) for the acquisition of 2 batteries of Elbit Soltam ATMOS 155mm/52cal Self-Propelled Howitzer systems under the service's 155mm Howitzer, Self-Propelled System Acquisition Project The ATMOS 2000 is a 155mm truck-mounted wheeled self-propelled howitzer that was designed by the Israeli company SOLTAM Systems. The first information about the vehicle was released in 2001. The ATMOS is armed with a 155 mm/L52 gun-howitzer mounted at the rear of the truck chassis. The front of the truck is fitted with an armored cabin which provides protection against ballistic and mine threats. The artillery system is operated by a crew of six. The ATMOS can fire all standard 155 mm NATO ammunition. It has a maximum firing range of 30 km with standard HE (High Explosive) projectile and 41 km with extended-range projectile and 56 km with the newly-developed rocket-assisted projectile. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_june_2022_global_security_army_industry/philippine_army_creates_new_artillery_unit_to_operate_atmos_155mm_6x6_self-propelled_howitzers.html

Israel is increasingly worried about Iranian use of drones, prompting aggressive, innovative countermeasures. By Arie Egozi on April 14, 2022 at 10:57 AM TEL AVIV: Israel recently tested a laser weapon system that successfully knocked drones, mortars and rockets out of the sky in what a senior Israeli officer called a “game-changer” for ground-based airborne defense. “The laser is a game-changer thanks to its easily operated system and significant economic advantages,” said Brig. Gen. Yaniv Rotem, head of the Israeli military’s research and development department. Israel said that in a recent test, a laser defense system knocked UAVs, mortars and rockets out of the sky (Credit: Israeli Ministry of Defense) The test comes as Israel sees growing threats from Iranian UAVs, which experts fear could be forward deployed to nearby Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon. Rotem said that after further development, the “plan is to station multiple laser transmitters along Israel’s borders throughout the next decade” to compliment Israel’s famed Iron Dome missile defense system. Israel has been working on counter-UAV lasers for years, proving an ability to shoot down drones last year in a small scale tests (after which Rotem also described the tech as “game-changing.”) But this was the first test for other the other threats like mortars. Defense sources here said the US Department of Defense had been kept abreast of the tests’ success and could play a role in the full production of the system, which is made by Israeli defense firms Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems. Announcing the plans for full-scale production, Israel’s defense minister, Benny Gantz, praised the recent tests as a “breakthrough on a global scale.” “Our goal is to achieve operational status as soon as possible, which will enable an efficient, inexpensive, and innovative means of defense,” he said. “This system will save lives and will also allow operational flexibility.” While the US and other nations are also working on laser-based defenses, the Israeli military says it’s one of the first to develop high-powered laser technology with operational intercept capabilities. In November Breaking Defense reported that the US and Israel had grown sufficiently concerned about Iran’s drone capabilities that the two had stepped up cooperation to hinder the Shi’a nation’s UAV production and use — from US sanctions to reported direct strikes by Israel. (Last month Israel revealed that two Israel F-35s scored the plane’s first air-to-air kills in 2021 when they shot down two Iranian-made drones that were purportedly approaching Israel.) Since at least mid-2021, Israel and the US have exchanged intelligence about Iranian UAV capabilities, according to sources here, which Iran purportedly sees as among its best weapons to strike US and Israeli interests in the region. Earlier this month a high-ranking Iranian officer, IRGC chief Gen. Hossein Salami, claimed in a television interview that Iran’s UAV tech was better even than America’s, specifically saying Iran had a drone that could air-launch an anti-ship missile. Israeli experts said it was clear that Salami was exaggerating, but that it was also clear Iran is attempting to develop ever-deadlier drones. And while Iran’s older drones used off-the-shelf technology, sources here said newer intelligence suggests Iran has been successful in developing more advanced systems domestically, with the help of foreign experts. https://breakingdefense.com/2022/04/beyond-killing-drones-israeli-laser-knocks-mortars-out-of-the-sky-military/