2/08/2022 Eyal Boguslavsky This cooperation will address the growing European interest in Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) capabilities. Elbit SystemsLand and Elbit Systems Deutschland have signed a strategic cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with German defense industry giant KMW (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) concerning rocket artillery. According to Elbit, this cooperation will address the growing European interest in Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) capabilities. As part of the MoU, Elbit Systems will provide an advanced portfolio of MLRS capabilities, from practice ammunition to long-range rockets. Yehuda (Udi) Vered, General Manager of ElbitSystems Land, commented: “We’re pleased to be working with KMW in the area of rocket artillery. I believe that this collaboration is both synergetic, considering the leading expertise of the companies involved, and timely due to the growing demand for long-range precision fire capabilities.” Photo: Elbit Systems-launching the Extra rocket https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/55352

Eyal Boguslavsky | 26/08/2021 The Israeli defense industry certainly has something to offer the Germans. Two giants of the industry, Elbit and Rafael, have developed remote-controlled weapon stations that are sold around the world, and even General Robotics offers a weapon station that is considered the lightest in its class. Will a new market be opened for Israeli defense companies? The German website esut.de reported that the German Army is considering issuing a tender soon for the supply of remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWSs) for thousands of logistics vehicles. The Army is said to intend to seek bids from both domestic and international manufacturers of RCWSs. The most widely used RCWS in the world is the Kongsberg Protector weapon station. Rheinmetall recently introduced two new versions of its Natter weapon station, the Natter 7.62 (weighing less than 100 kg) and the Natter 12.7 (weighing less than 200 kg), both of which meet German Army requirements. The station with a vibration-absorbing assembly unit was specially developed for use on trucks, the report said. If the tender is issued, the Israeli defense industry will certainly have something to offer the Germans. Two giants of the industry, Elbit and Rafael, have developed remote-controlled weapon stations that are sold around the world, and even General Robotics offers a weapon station that is considered the lightest in its class. According to the German website, the German Army first installed RCWSs on five-ton trucks in 2012, and since then it has procured or initiated the procurement of over 7,000 protected and unprotected transport vehicles, all of which can be equipped with RCWSs. There are also more than 2,000 Boxer, Dingo, Eagle, Yak and other combat vehicles that are seen as needing RCWSs. So far, the German Army has mainly been equipped with FLW remote-controlled light weapon stations made by German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. Since 2008, over 1,000 FLW 100 (weighing 100 kg) and FLW 200 (weighing 200 kg) systems have been procured and deployed on German Army vehicles.

June 10 by Robin Hughes The Mk 6 Spike NLOS will be demonstrated on the AH-64E Apache Guardian during the initial LRPM evaluation shoot-offs later this year. (Lockheed Martin) Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has disclosed the development of a sixth-generation evolution of its Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) multi-purpose, multi-platform man-in-the-loop precision-guided missile system. The current Mk 5 variant Spike NLOS features a gimbaled dual-mode charged coupled device (CCD) TV/uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) terminal guidance sensor package, coupled with an embedded inertial navigation system/inertial measure unit (INS/IMU) mid-course navigation, and an encrypted radio frequency (RF) two-way datalink delivering real-time video imagery. Furnished with a smokeless (low visibility/low acoustic signature) solid-propellant rocket motor, the munition is 1.7 m in length, weighs 71 kg, and can be equipped with three warhead options tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), penetrating blast fragmentation (PBF) and fragmentation. The Mk 5 is capable of engaging stationary or moving targets in day/night/adverse weather conditions in either direct attack mode or mid-course navigation mode, based on received target co-ordinates, at air-launched (rotary-wing) ranges between 1–32 km, and at surface-launched (ground/maritime) range between 1–25 km. The new Spike NLOS Mk 6 development retains the inherent functionalities of the Mk 5 but introduces new software-enhanced capabilities “to account for modern battlefield needs and trends”, according to Rafael. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/rafael-unveils-sixth-generation-spike-nlos

18/08/2022 Elbit’s Sabrah tank. Photo: Elbit Systems Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded two contracts, in an aggregate amount valued at $240 million, to upgrade Main Battle Tanks (MBT) for an international customer. A $60 million contract will be delivered over a period of two years and a $180 million contract will be delivered over a period of four years. Under the contracts, Elbit Systems will perform an upgrade of the MBTs and provide advanced electronics suites. "There is a renewed interest from militaries looking to improve the operational capabilities of their armored platforms,” said Bezhalel (Butzi) Machlis, President and CEO of Elbit Systems. “I believe that Elbit Systems is uniquely positioned to address the growing demand in this market due to our ability to provide comprehensive solutions." Earlier this month, Philippine press revealed that the country’s armed forces are expecting a delivery of 20 Israeli Sabrah Ascod light tanks (by Elbit), its first “modern tanks in the postwar era.” https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/55513

26/07/2022 The Ice Breaker “The conflict in Ukraine convinced many nations of the need of high quality 5th generation weapons, as well as of the fact that quantity is a quality on its own,” Yuval Miller, Rafael’s Air and C4ISR Systems Division Executive Vice-President and General Manager tells EDR On-Line in front of the mock-up of the recently unveiled Ice Breaker air-launched cruise missile. The missile in itself is identical to the Sea Breaker, which was unveiled in June 2021, the air-launched version giving away the booster as well as the launch canister. Around 4 meters long, it features two folding wings with a 2.3 meters span and an “X” cruciform empennage. “It is a highly survivable and affordable long-range air-to-ground munition, its survivability being due to its low Radar Cross Section, its terrain following capability given by its navigation systems, and its advanced mission planning system,” Yuval Miller adds. Among the details that allowed Rafael to keep the Ice Breaker RCS pretty low is the fact that the engine air intake is entirely within the missile diameter, a feature that also allows easy integration on aircraft; the airframe is entirely produced in composite materiel, which not only allows reducing the RCS but also contributes to lower the weight as well as the cost, and also improves producibility. The Ice Breaker is loaded upside-down, and when released it rotates, the wings open up and the engine starts working. The missile starts its journey towards the target at high-subsonic speed, maximum range being 300 km. This allows hitting targets at a shorter range exploiting the Ice Breaker maneuverability and its sophisticated planning system, which can exploit intelligence to plan a route that avoids enemy A2/AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) bubbles. The missile is fitted with an anti-jam GPS; however it is capable to conduct a full mission in GPS-denied areas, thanks to its inertial navigation and terrain comparison systems. Not only, it can plan the final part of the mission according to the type of target and the required angle of attack, calling for a pup-up when a deep angle is needed as against hardened targets, the 250 lb (113 kg) warhead developed by Rafael itself being designed for low collateral damages, no further details being provided. When closing to the target the Ice Breaker can exploit its Automatic Target Acquisition (ATA) and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) capabilities, ensured by the advanced Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, located behind the big front window, which exploits Artificial Intelligence algorithms performing deep-learning and big data based scene-matching. A two-way data link maintains the man in the loop, allowing re-planning or mission abortion as well as battle damage assessment by a follow-on missile. The mission planning system is capable to ensure multi-missile planning, designing missions where more than one Ice Breaker comes at the same time on the target from different directions and with various angles of attack, impacting simultaneously maximizing the kill probability as well as the terminal effect. If used against naval targets, the Ice Breaker can perform a sea skimming profile as its naval counterpart. The Ice Breaker has the same footprint of Rafael’s Spice 1000 guided bomb, which has already be integrated on Israeli F-35s, hence the new missile should easily become another weapon for the Lightning II as it fits into the aircraft weapon’s bay. Looking at the other aircraft that are part of the Israeli Air Force inventory, an F-16 can carry up to four Ice Breakers while an F-15 can carry seven. EDR On-Line was told that also a light attack aircraft such as the M-346 could be armed with the new Rafael’s missile, carrying the same number of weapons as the Fighting Falcon. Both the Sea Breaker and the Ice Breaker are considered at TRL 7 (system prototype demonstrated in operational environment), several potential customers having shown their interest, Rafael being ready to adapt some of the features to customers will. As for the land-launched version, this will be very similar to the naval one, as it will also feature a booster and a launch canister. EDR On-Lin understood that this version will exploit the Spyder SHORAD launcher; however this seems to have the lowest priority among the three members of the family. Photos by P. Valpolini https://www.edrmagazine.eu/rafael-provides-more-details-on-its-ice-breaker-cruise-missile

05/07/2022 Haifa, Israel, July 05, 2022 – Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT and TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems” or “the Company”) announced today that it was awarded $80 million contract to supply Direct Infrared Counter Measures (“DIRCM”) and airborne Electronic Warfare (“EW”) systems for a country in Asia-Pacific. The contract will be performed over a two-year period. Under the contract, Elbit Systems will provide C-MUSIC™ DIRCM systems together with the Company’s Infra-Red-based Passive Airborne Warning Systems (IR-PAWS), for several aircraft types, providing high levels of protection and redundancy. These systems have accumulated hundreds of thousands of flight hours to date, and have been selected by numerous customers to equip more than 25 types of aircraft. Customers include Israel, Germany, NATO’s multinational fleet and others. Oren Sabag, General Manager of Elbit Systems ISTAR & EW, commented: “The rising threat that aircraft face from shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles increases the demand for certified and operationally proven self-protection systems. Our capability to provide a complete and tested solution well positions us to address this growing need.” https://www.edrmagazine.eu/elbit-systems-awarded-80-million-contract-to-supply-dircm-and-airborne-ew-self-protection-systems-for-a-country-in-asia-pacific

10/07/2022 It is called ROBUST, the acronym for ROBotic aUtonomous Sense and sTrike, and it has been developed by the Israeli Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), the Tank and APC Directorate, and Israeli defence industries, among which BL Advanced Ground Support Systems Ltd. and Elbit Systems, in which stand the new medium unmanned ground vehicle technological demonstrator was visible at Eurosatory. The Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle (M-RCV) is a 6×6 wheeled vehicle of considerable dimensions, as its rear ramp might well allow infantrymen to enter the vehicle, but it is meant to remain a fully unmanned system. The chassis was developed by BL and is named BLR-2; the vehicle has no steering axles, steering being obtained by the differential speed on the various wheels. This steering system allows pivot turning, reducing to nil the turning radius, a considerable advantage especially when operating in reduced spaces such as woods or dense urban areas. No details were provided on the propulsion and suspension system, however if the BLR-2 is an evolution of the previous BLR, the latter was powered by a 288 hp diesel engine and was fitted with hydrostatic hub motors, individual hydro-pneumatic suspensions ensuring maximum mobility. The “virtual driver” features an edge autonomous driving mode, with visual and thermal sensing and obstacle detection. The driving mode, which surely exploits artificial intelligence algorithms, is capable of global autonomous path planning and real time path adjustment. With the engine at the front and the hub motors controlled by a drive-by-wire system, a lot of room is available inside the vehicle, as in usual armoured personnel carriers. The ROBUST, in the configuration seen at Eurosatory, exploits this space to host a robotic arm that protrudes from the rear opening, its “hand” carrying a vertical take-off and landing mini-UAS that is released and flies around to provide maximum situational awareness. At landing the mini-UAS approaches the robotic arm, which “hand” captures it. Once back in the vehicle, the arm is capable to prepare it for the next flight, ensuring the replacement of the battery and if needed also that of the payload. Coming to lethality, the ROBUST was fitted with the MATE 30 unmanned turret, armed with the Mk44 30 mm Northrop Grumman cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Developed by the Tank and APC Directorate for the Eitan 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle, according to information the main armament maximum elevation is 70°, which fits well possible urban engagements. The “virtual gunner” is fitted with autonomous target recognition, auto-tracking for multiple targets, smart fire plan and context-based target prioritization. Commander and gunner have independent sights, which should allow hunter-killer missions, man-in-the-loop remaining mandatory for any lethal engagement operation. The MATE 30 can be fitted with an antitank guided missile launcher developed by IAI for Rafael’s Spike missile. On the four corners of the turret the antennas of the radar and sensors coupled to Elbit’s Iron Fist active protection system were visible, a trainable turret with two effectors each being fitted on top of the MATE 30, one per side. The ROBUST might well operate alongside manned platforms in a land “loyal wingman” posture and, as EDR On-Line understood; the combat version might be the first of a series of vehicles in different configurations. According to a press release issued during Eurosatory, field tests should be carried out in representative scenarios in 2023. Photos by P. Valpolini https://www.edrmagazine.eu/a-robust-combat-unmanned-vehicle-from-israel

By Boyko Nikolov on Jun 23, 2022 KYIV ($1=29.25 Ukrainian Hryvnias) — The use in Ukraine of one of the newest Russian missiles launched by a 300-mm multiple rocket launcher – a 9M54 series missile has been documented. Evidence from photographs appears for the second time, the first use of this missile was documented in March 2022 in Pokrovsk — located in Donbas Oblast, eastern Ukraine, and only a day ago [June 22] a second piece of evidence through photography shows that the missile fell in the Donetsk region in Donbas. Photo credit: Twitter The 9M54 series missiles are satellite-guided warheads loaded with HE-Fragmentation charge. They are mainly used by the 300-mm multiple rocket launcher 9A52-4 Tornado, which is also one of the latest developments in Russian ground artillery. 9M54 series missiles, such as the 9M542 missile, are also used as weapons in older missile systems, such as the 9K58 Smerch, a design from the late 1980s. One of the last versions of the missile was tested in 2020, equipped with a cumulative-fragmentation warhead – this is the 9M544 rocket. The 9M54 series missiles have similar characteristics or complementary characteristics. The 9M54 series missiles weigh approximately 820 kg and their warhead alone weighs about 250 kg. The minimum range is 40 km and the maximum is 120 km, although the 9M544 missile tested in 2020 reached a range of 200 km. The 9M54 series missiles are a surface-to-surface type. The missile is designed to destroy manpower, unarmored and lightly armored vehicles, destroy command posts, communication centers, and sites of the military-industrial structure. Despite the generally available information on the characteristics of the 9M54 series missiles, some of them have an increased range, which contradicts the technical and tactical data. Increasing the range of this type of missile can be achieved by reducing the weight of the warhead and increasing the length of the missile. At the same time, the total length for all projectiles is preserved – 7600 mm, but the weight of the warhead is increased by 5-10 kg. It can also be argued that the engine was extended by equipping the parachute compartment structure with a powder charge, and the main part was borrowed from the RS 9M55F or 9M528, or their variants. It is possible to further increase the range due to the sub-planning provided as a result of the operation of the aerodynamic rudders. The 9A52-4 Tornado mobile rocket launcher [MRL] from which the two 9M54 series missiles documented so far were launched was designed in 2000 and has been in service since 2014. 9A52-4 Tornado is powered by one KamAZ-740.50.360 diesel engine providing power to the entire installation of 360 horsepower. Its suspension is 8 × 8 wheeled, its top speed is 90 km/h, and the distance you can travel while refueling is 1,000 km. Photo: Flickr 9A52-4 Tornado can launch missiles of different calibers depending on the version used: 122m, 220mm, and 300mm. Version 9A53-G Tornado launches 122mm missiles and mounted on chassis of Kamaz Truck or on a Ural-4320, Version 9A53-U Tornado launches 220mm missiles and mounted on chassis MZKT-79306 and Version 9A53-S Tornado launches 300mm missiles and mounted missiles MZKT-79306. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/06/23/russia-uses-newest-satellite-guided-9m54-series-missile-in-ukraine/

Posted On Friday, 20 May 2022 15:32 MOSCOW, May 20. /TASS-DEFENSE/. The Russian army is to be armed with strategic drones in the near future, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Friday, May 20: “Strategic UAVs are expected to be supplied [to the Russian armed forces] in the near future. They will ease the pressure on flight personnel and considerably reduce the costs of reconnaissance and strike operations as well as the consumption of ammunition and the aircraft wear rate,” he said. Okhotnik S-70 (Picture source: Russian MoD) Shoigu stressed that Russia’s army continued to be supplied with advanced tactical drones: “UAVs are being widely used by the Russian army to cope with a wide range of tasks. Over the past ten years the intensity of their flights has upped 7 times, and the annual flight time 23 times,” Shoigu said. Since 2015 drones have monitored the situation in the whole territory of Syria round the clock. From the moment the Syrian operation began more than 58,000 sorties have been carried out. The total flight time exceeded 377,000 hours. “In the special military operation in Ukraine drones conduct air reconnaissance and carry out pinpoint strikes against enemy facilities in densely populated urban areas without harming civilian infrastructures or causing civilian casualties. Since the day the operation started the drones’ total flight time has exceeded 25,000 hours. The data is transmitted from the drones online, enabling the troops to promptly react to changes in the situation and operate most effectively,” Shoigu said. The Defense Ministry’s board meeting was to consider a draft program for arming the Aerospace Force and the Navy with medium and long-range drones by 2030. Mikoyan Skat-Stealth UCAV https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2022-news-aviation-aerospace/may/8398-russian-army-to-have-strategic-drones-by-2030.html MOSCOW ($1=53.91 Russian Rubles) — Sergei Chemezov, chief executive of Russia’s state-owned Rostech, said that after he meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, mass production of the Okhotnik [Hunter] drone would begin by 2023. Chemezov said in a statement: “We will take the Okhotnik system, whose first flight tests they started in 2021, from the mass production line in 2023 and we will deliver it to the Ministry of Defense,” Chemezov was quoted as saying in Russian media. Chemezov also said that Okhotnik’s standard flat-nozzle propulsion system, low radar visibility [stealth], and the ground management system specifically designed for the Hunter set the UCAV apart from its competitors. S-70 Okhotnik unmanned combat aerial vehicle Developed by Sukhoi’s design bureau, the S-70 Okhotnik features radar reduction technology and a flying wing design. According to open sources, the UAV, which has a takeoff weight of 20 tons, can reach a speed of about 1000 km / h. Okhotnik made his first flight on August 3, 2019. The flight took more than 20 minutes under the control of an operator. On September 27, 2019, Okhotnik flew with the fifth generation Su-57 fighter. The UAV maneuvered in the air in automatic mode at an altitude of about 1600 meters and its flight took more than 30 minutes. Mass deliveries of drones Okhotnik of Russian troops are scheduled to begin in 2024. On August 9, 2020, the President of the United Aircraft Corporation [UAC] Yuri Slyusar announced to Russian President Vladimir Putin that supplies for mass production will begin in 2024. Expectations Russia has high expectations for the S-70 Okhotnik. “The roll-out of the UAV marks the completion of the assembly of the product as a whole, equipping it with all the necessary onboard equipment by the requirements for the aircraft, and the transition to complex ground tests to prepare for the first flight,” Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Alexei Krivoruchko said. According to Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway, authors of an article in The Drive, the second prototype shows a leap of Russian engineers and technologists in the development of stealth technology. However, they remind that this is just a prototype and tests are yet to be performed both on the ground for the functioning of its systems and in the air. Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway pay particular attention to the upcoming aerial tests, as they believe the data collected from these experiments will give a clearer picture of the progress of the Russians, or whether it has been achieved at all. Photo credit: YouTube “Technologies tested on the prototypes will be used in the creation of other promising aircraft systems – both manned and unmanned,” Krivoruchko added, perhaps hinting that the design and testing of the Okhotnik could inform very much-anticipated new strategic bomber, or PAK DA, which is similarly expected to be a flying-wing design. That is if it ever actually materializes. Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway say in their article that Russia has already gained experience and, according to them, the Russians expect the S-70 to have a very long flight time in the air and deliver a significant amount of combat cargo. Okhotnik UCAV is now demonstratively on the way towards becoming a true low-observable combat aircraft. As such, it will likely break entirely new ground for the Russian military once it finally enters service, and it will very likely be offered for export, potentially bringing these advanced capabilities to other countries, too. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2022/06/22/russia-begins-stealth-s-70-okhotnik-production-with-flat-jet-nozzle/

By Colton Jones Jun 21, 2022 Sherpa A2M (Advanced Mobile Mortar). The French and Spanish companies are teaming up to develop a new low-cost, highly mobile artillery system on Sherpa chassis. The alliance of French Arquus and Thales with Spanish-based NTGS has developed the new Sherpa A2M (Advanced Mobile Mortar). The Sherpa A2M is an adequate answer to the tactical challenges met and created by artillery in high-intensity warfare: mobility, protection, close support to the troops on the ground and mobile counter-battery options at the fraction of the price of a Self-Propelled Gun (SPG). The alliance allows the application of a truly complete solution delivering a unique indirect fire support solution, suitable for infantry support, collaborative armed forces troops and Special Forces, as well as autonomous artillery units looking for a high level of mobility and protection. The Sherpa A2M combines the excellent mobility of a Sherpa Light, the proven deployable Mortar System by NTGS and the 120mm rifled mortar barrel by Thales, into one full fully integrated new solution. Thanks to Thales’ capability, the vehicle embeds 120mm rifled ammunition and in the future the mortar laser-guided ammunition. The rifled mortar barrel is three times more precise than smooth-bore mortar. ​ Due to this superior efficiency and accuracy, it can achieve similar operational effects with much less shots; around 4 times less rounds are needed than for a smooth-bore mortar. NTGS provides its skills in global systems with the fire control system in the back of the vehicle. This system conveys information about targets and points of interest, which represents a significant strategic advantage. Thanks to their expertise, the A2M Sherpa delivers control across all mission operations and is already combat-proven. The mortar and tube from NTGS and Thales are qualified both by NATO and by different armies. The Sherpa Light is a multipurpose, 4×4 armored vehicle, designed by Arquus to provide with a wide array of versions and customization for all needs and missions, built on a single, proven base for increased commonality and ease of maintenance. It is a modern, mature, new-generation vehicle, which is built on many years of industrial experience, operational deployments on the battlefield and maintenance. It is protected against ballistic and mine as well as improvised explosive device threats with a STANAG 4569-certified protection, which ensures a high level of safety for the crew inside the vehicle during operations. The Sherpa A2M can carry 40 rounds of 120mm mortar ammunition in the rear and possibly additional ammunition in the cabin, depending on user requirements. It has a range up to 8.2 km with standard rifled ammunition and up to 13km with a rocket-assisted projectile, allowing it to enhance the protection of the embarked soldiers by engaging units without being hit (Shoot & Scoot). Combining the expertise of these three companies’ expertise ensures the highest level of quality for each of the Sherpa A2M’s features: protected tactical mobility, ruggedness, superior firepower and accuracy, as well as easily deployable systems and intuitive fire control. https://defence-blog.com/french-spanish-companies-team-up-to-develop-advanced-mobile-mortar/

Posted On Wednesday, 15 June 2022 22:46 At Eurosatory 2022, International Defense Exhibition in Paris, France, Belgian company John Cockerill presents an upgrade of the Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank (MBT) with the integration of its Cockerill® 3105 weapon station on the tracked chassis of the Leopard 1 MBT. Belgian company John Cockerill integrates its Cockerill 3150 weapon station into the tracked chassis of a Leopard 1 MBT Main Battle Tank. (Picture source: Army Recognition) At Eurosatory 2022, the Cockerill® 3105 weapon station is presented in different configurations, including integration onto the Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank (MBT) tracked chassis, which provide an efficient and cost-effective solution for the upgrading of older platforms. A combination that combines firepower and lightness, with a reduction of 5 tones, compared to the initial version. Last March 2022, the Leopard 1 tank tracked chassis fitted with the Cockerill® 3105 weapon station has already conducted firing tests with impressive results and was entirely realized by the John Cockerill Defense team using their know-how of vehicle upgrades, to meet the need of armies to renew their fleet with a restricted budget. The Leopard 1 is a main battle tank designed and produced in Germany that entered into service with the German army in 1965. The original Leopard 1 was fitted with a three-man turret armed with a 105 mm L7A3 rifled tank gun which consists of a single-piece barrel with a screwed-on breech-ring and a bore evacuator. The Cockerill® 3105 is a new generation of weapon station fully designed and developed by the Belgian company John Cockerill. This modern designed turret offers many advantages to empower modern combat vehicle, with protection, precision, and firepower necessary to fulfill the mission. The turret is armed with a 105mm High Pressure (HP) cannon and one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. The "standard" form of the Cockerill 3000 Series provides full digital weapon stabilization and digitalized fire control system to deliver a very high target-hit chance. The turret is also fitted with a thermal and day sight to provide 24-hour operation whether the vehicle is moving or static. https://www.armyrecognition.com/eurosatory_2022_news_official_online_daily/john_cockerill_presents_new_modernization_of_leopard_1_tank_fitted_with_3105_weapon_station.html

Posted On Thursday, 16 June 2022 23:19 Rheinmetall HX3 – the new generation of vehicles equally suited for logistical and tactical scenarios Made by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, the HX family is among the most widely used range of military trucks anywhere. Over 15,000 vehicles are now in service worldwide. Military-off-the-shelf family of vehicles, HX trucks are systematically designed for maximum durability, mobility, ease of use and modularity, effectively placing them in a class of their own. In May 2021 Rheinmetall unveiled its latest generation of globally tried-and-tested HX trucks. New technologies make these future-proof vehicles more than a match for military and automotive megatrends. In effect, they have been completely redesigned. Among other things, users today expect improved protection, enhanced mobility, improved driving comfort and a digital interface that enables even greater operational flexibility and future performance upgrades. At the same time, however, the new generation preserves the highly prized core strengths of the HX2 and the family-driven concept. The HX3’s completely overhauled cab design delivers even greater ease of operation and crew protection, while various assistance systems assure enhanced safety during routine operations. Completely reworked, the electronic and electrical architecture and assistance systems – including Emergency Brake Assist/EBA, Adaptive Cruise Control/ACC and Lane Departure Warning/LDW – ensure the vehicle’s future viability, especially when it comes to autonomous driving. Standardized interfaces will make it possible to integrate future technologies such as truck platoon and other automated applications. Along with a robust chassis and high-performance engine, the vehicles can be equipped with an optional new active rear axle suspension system, which significantly enhances the vehicle’s performance both on and off-road. More than ever, the new HX3 generation embodies a platform concept equally suited to logistic and tactical scenarios. The HX3 will basically be available in 4x4, 6x6, 8x8 and 10x10 versions, and characterized by an even wider array of variants and greater system diversity. Moreover, its traditional role as a logistics vehicle can be further enhanced thanks to new systems such as the fully automatic Automated Load Handling System, or ALHS, which can load both containers as well as flat racks. HX3 in 10x10 self-propelled howitzer variant. (Picture source: Army Recognition) At Eurosatory 2022, Rheinmetall wheeled self-propelled howitzer is on display, mounted on a high mobility HX 10x10 chassis. The HX3 can also serve as the mobility platform for the Skynex air defence system. Since its foundation in 1889, Rheinmetall has been a world-leading center of expertise for heavy artillery. The company’s new wheeled self-propelled howitzer is highly advanced, being specifically designed to meet international specifications for future-proofed indirect fire systems. Key criteria governing the system’s design include combining the operational reach of Rheinmetall high-mobility, operationally proven, HX military trucks with state-of-the-art howitzer technology, while simultaneously substantially extending the range of cannon artillery to gain range superiority over any enemy capability. The Rheinmetall wheeled self-propelled howitzer is mounted on a high-mobility HX 10x10 chassis made by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles. It is equipped with a highly protected cab and a fully automatic, remote-controlled artillery turret, which, though unmanned, can be entered by the crew. This means that it takes only two soldiers to operate the system from the safety of the armoured cab. The turret can rotate and fire through 360 degrees, drawing on a turret magazine containing projectiles and propelling charges for forty rounds. The armament is the tried and tested L52 weapon system and as future growth potential the L52A1 or the L60 weapon systems – both currently under development. All weapons come from Rheinmetall. The L52A1 is an optimized version of the 155mm L52 weapon and has an enlarged gun chamber. With this, ranges of up to 68 kilometers can be achieved. The L60 can fire low-cost standard projectiles (boat-tail; base bleed; V-LAP) more than 80 kilometers. Precision-guided munitions such as the Vulcano will allow engaging high-value targets at even greater ranges. Compared to other wheeled platforms, which are already hitting their weight and payload limits, using the HX 10x10 offers the advantage of the unused growth potential of circa 5 tonnes of additional load capacity. Given an assumed service life of 30-40 years, this additional payload could be used to incorporate a multitude of additional mission systems as well as for carrying extra ammunition. Moreover, because the howitzer was designed from the start for remote control and semi or fully-automatic operation, it can function without a crew. In keeping with the “human in the loop” principle, however, the fire order is never an autonomous decision. When it comes to procurement and utilization, the howitzer offers an excellent price-performance ratio compared to traditional tracked self-propelled howitzers as well as other wheeled tactical vehicle-based systems, while at the same time substantially enhancing a core capability intrinsic to all howitzers: achieving favorable outcomes through range superiority. Thanks to the high-mobility HX 10x10 truck chassis, the artillery system can flexibly redeploy over large distances without additional logistic support, and with no need for routine maintenance or repairs upon arrival. Furthermore, logistic uniformity owing to the extensive use of HX trucks in the Bundeswehr, the British Army and numerous other armed forces will result in lower lifecycle costs, while simultaneously facilitating multinational operations, thus strengthening national and alliance defence capabilities. https://www.armyrecognition.com/eurosatory_2022_news_official_online_daily/rmmv_rheinmetall_man_showcases_hx3_range_of_all-wheel-drive_trucks.html Israel has similar gun that called SIGMA with 155/52 barrel. https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2022_global_security_army_industry/first_picture_released_on_internet_of_israeli_sigma_155mm_10x10_self-propelled_howitzer.html https://elbitsystems.com/pr-new/elbit-systems-awarded-106-million-contract-to-supply-sigma-self-propelled-howitzer-gun-systems-to-a-country-in-asia-pacific/ The Sigma 155/52 gun