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Scout
for any Situation
In early
April 2006
Robowatch
Technologies
and Diehl BGT Defence unveiled their new
Asendro modular reconnaissance and defusing
robot system, which is designed to provide
field-expedient situational analysis of a
possible hazard. The robot ‘system’ comprises
a manoeuvrable platform and two mission-specific
payload modules bearing either a reconnaissance
or manipulator arm, easily interchanged depending
on the situation. The Asendro Scout version
can climb stairs, navigate at 15 km/h through
narrow passageways and over rough terrain
and the 40 x 60-cm body fits comfortably
into the boot of a car. When a suspect package
or item is found the Asendro EOD variant
can be quickly assembled. The robot’s
manipulator arm has a stereo camera system
that transmits real-time imagery to a helmet
display, which gives the operator a 3D view
of the situation. The gripping extension
can move and examine objects, open doors
and windows or remove suspect objects weighing
up to five kilos. Additional specialised
tools are available for the manipulator arm.
Asendro Robowatch and Diehl are currently
developing a third payload module that will
detect life-threatening airborne substances
with a variety of sensors: a Geiger counter
for alpha, beta and gamma radiation; an electro-chemical
biosensor to detect toxins, viruses and bacteria
and a multi-gas scanner for chemical warfare
agents such as Sarin.
New
Shmel at
Eurosatory
KBP’s
latest version
of the shoulder-fired
thermobaric
warhead weapon,
the Shmel-M,
has recently
received the
Russian authorities’ stamp
of approval
for export
and will be
on display
at the forthcoming
Eurosatory
exhibition
near Paris. The
weapon, full
designation
which is the
Shmel-M PDM-A,
was accepted
into Russian
Army service
in December
2003 and is
said to carry
a warhead that
is 50% more
lethal than
its predecessor
as it packs
the equivalent
punch of about
5.5 kg of TNT,
yet the overall
weight of the
90 mm calibre
system is cut
by 36%. Due
to its more
powerful rocket
motor, the –M
sees its direct-fire
accuracy doubled
against an
armoured vehicle
at 300 metres.
While sighting
range is increased
to 800 metres,
its maximum
range (for
example when
fired from
a helicopter
or an elevated
point) reaches
1700 metres.
Overall length
of the Shmel-M
is 92 cm.
Gripens
Go Hungary
Mid-March
2006 saw
five Gripen
C and D version
multi-role
fighters delivered
to Kecskemet
Air Base in
Hungary, this
marking the
first delivery
of the 14 fighters
ordered by
the country.
The remaining
nine aircraft
will be delivered
progressively
to Hungary
until December
2007. The latest
C and D versions
delivered are
fully Nato-interoperable
and are equipped
with full-colour
cockpit displays
and retractable
air-to-air
refuelling
probes. Hungary
is the third
nation to operate
the Gripen,
after Sweden
and the Czech
Republic.
Talisman
UUV Launched
The new autonomous
unmanned underwater
vehicle (UUV)
from BAE Systems
Underwater
Systems was
successfully
launched in
mid-March following
a series of
sea trials
in which the
drone scored
a perfect 100.
The Talisman
is BAE’s
latest modular
multi-role
UUV and is
capable of
a variety of
maritime littoral
operations.
The system
comprises the
underwater
vehicle and
a remote control
console – the
carbon-fibre
hulled vehicle,
designed with
separate inner
pressure hulls
that contain
the electronics
systems and
payload, features
vectorable
thruster pods
that allow
it to hover
and turn 360° within
its own length.
Certain low-signature
features were
incorporated
into the hull
design by BAE
System’s
stealth aircraft
technology
experts at
Warton and
Samlesbury.
The Talisman
was designed
as a multi-role
vehicle in
that it was
built around
today’s
almost ‘standard’ open
architecture
design parameters,
which provides
for fitting
a variety of
mission-specific
payloads.
On
the Armada
Bookshelf
European
Missile History TTU
publication
 «The European Missile Success Story» provides
a comprehensive bird’s eye view of
not only the great achievements, but also
some of the notable “flops” of
Europe’s guided weapon industry since
World War II. In fact, the large-format
and lavishly illustrated book starts with
a useful four-page over-the shoulder look
at some amazing developments dating back
to 1914 (like Dr. Von Siemens’ torpedo-armed,
remote-controlled gliders), through the
inevitable V1s and V2s of 1944 vintage.
Through its 175 pages, the book then walks
the reader through the weird and baroque
as well as through the most prestigious
programmes, gradually waking up memories
of famous, but forgotten, company names
in the process, all the way up to the advent
of MBDA, to finally close on a series of
large action pictures revealing unexpected
applications, such as the use to good effect,
of anti-armour missiles against aircraft.
Mas
Shuttles Back
of Bus
Eads Military
Air Systems
(Mas) delivered
the first A400M
rear fuselage
section shells
to Airbus Bremen
in early-Spring
2006. Eads
Mas, the Airbus
partner shouldering
the overall
responsibility
for the rear
fuselage sections,
co-ordinated
the efforts
of France’s
Sogerma and
TAI from Turkey
on this work-share
part of the
overall A400M
programme.
Mas is also
developing
and producing
all piping
systems in
the centre
and rear fuselage
sections – this
includes the
supply and
extraction
pipes for environmental
control systems,
and the hydraulic,
pneumatic and
fuel supply
systems.
Tsat
Team Tests
Pinpoint
Lasercom
The Lockheed
Martin/Northrop
Grumman Transformational
Satellite Communication
System (Tsat)
space segment
team has tested
its new high-data
rate laser
communication
hardware for
compliance
with the new
US government
lasercom interoperability
standard. The
US Air Force
has identified
laser communication
as a key technology
requirement
for the Tsat
programme,
which will
provide high-bandwidth
IP-based satellite
communications.
The laser hardware
tests demonstrated
a single-access
optical aperture – the
front-end of
a communication
terminal the
uses a laser
to transmit
and receive
information – the
beam of which
is extremely
small and requires
precise pointing,
scanning and
tracking performance
to lock onto
and communicate
with another
terminal. Northrop
Grumman’s
partner, SSG
Precision Optronics,
manufactured
the telescope
used in the
tests.
Kärcher
Clean Water
Show
Kärcher
Futuretech
recently presented
its newest
iterations
of trailer-mounted
and containerised
decontamination
and water purification
systems to
the NBC and
Self Protection
School of the
Bundeswehr.
Of the solutions
presented was
the AMGDS 2000
(foreground)
application
module for
the GDS 2000
decontamination
system for
all known chemical
warfare agents – the
system ensures
quick decontamination
with a biologically
degradable
runoff. Also
on display
was the containerised
GDS 3000 (background
in photo),
which includes
an integrated
3000-litre
tank and enables
simultaneous
decontamination
of vehicles,
personnel and
equipment.
Projectiles
with a
Following
Specialised
Imaging has
developed what
it calls the
Trajectory
Tracker, which
provides consistent
and accurate
tracking of
projectiles
in flight via
a computer-controlled/triggered
rotating mirror
positioned
in front of
a high-speed
digital video
camera. The
system allows
observation
of a projectile’s
behaviour for
more than 100
metres with
a tracking
accuracy of
better than
0.5 degrees
over the tracker’s
full scan.
The system
tracks a projectile
at a 90-degree
arc using bespoke
control and
analysis software
and offers
multiple operating
modes that
include the
inputting of
user-defined
profiles that
enable it to
track both
horizontal
and elevated
firings. The
standard Trajectory
Tracker system
includes a
tracking head,
mirror control
unit and a
ruggedised
laptop control
computer; also
trigger units,
cabling and
software for
tracking system
and camera
control. Video
sequences are
archived in
industry-standard
formats.
Imagine
eMagin Oleds
in XL
eMagin has
yet again opened
its Oled (organic
light-emitting
diode) micro-display
portfolio and
offers four
new products
in its Oled-XL
product line.
The company’s
proprietary
Oled-XL displays
provide up
to 410,000
hours luminance
life at the
widest temperature
range and lowest
power requirement
of other commercially
available SVGA-resolution
system. When
combined with
magnifying
optics the
Oled-XL displays
provide high-resolution
but extremely
compact solutions
for personal
display systems
for use in
training, simulation
and combat
near-eye display
applications.
The Oled-XL
displays are
built on eMagin’s
active matrix
SVGA-3D and
SVGA+ integrated
circuits that
feature standard
electronic
interfaces
for drop-in
OEM integration.
Typical power
consumption
of a full-colour
SVGA+ Oled-XL
display running
60 MHz, movie-like,
full-frame
video at 60
cd/m2 is less
than 250 mW.
The SVGA+ (852
x 3 x 600-pixels)
Oled-XL displays
are available
in full-colour
or in white
or green monochrome – the
SVGA-3D (800
x 3 x 600)
versions come
in full-colour
only.
Under
Armour with
Plasan
Israel’s
Plasan Sasa
develops and
manufactures
ballistic armour
kits for a
range of military
vehicles – including
the Hummer.
The company
had recently
completed delivery
of a series
of Hummer armour
suites to the
Portuguese
Army. The APK
(Armor Protection
Kit) provides
a high level
of all-round
protection
for both vehicle
and crew, most
notably against
improvised
explosive devices.
The APK meets
Stanag Nato
technological
standards and
allows field
assembly and
disassembly
for mission-specific
application.
The system
can also be
transferred
from one vehicle
to another
without undue
modification.
Plasan Sasa
was also recently
awarded a contract
to supply its
new M-Pav 2
new-generation
up-armoured
Multi-Purpose
HMMWV armour
(seen in photo)
to an unnamed
Nato country.
The M-Pav 2
kit adds an
additional
2.2 m2 of cargo
space as compared
to the original
M-Pav variant
yet retains
the original
Nato Stanag
level II protection.
The M-Pav 2
can be configured
with a third
row of seats
and windows
to seat six.
The composite
armoured body
provides for
both temperature
and noise insulation
as well as
ballistic protection.
Wireless
HDTV on
a Drone
Global Microwave
Systems (GMS),
a division
of the Allied
Defense Group,
recently completed
successful
maiden flight
demonstrations
of a high-definition
video wireless
link on a Flying-Cam
UAV platform.
The flights,
which took
place at GMS’ facilities
in Carlsbad,
California,
illustrated
the long-range
high-definition
aerial filming
capabilities
of the drone
platform and
should provide
impetus for
future HD UAV
platform development
for critical
surveillance
and other covert
applications
that require
high-definition
images. Initially
developed with
an eye to the
motion picture
and broadcast
television
media the HDML
(High-Definition
Messenger Link)
system includes
a high-definition
Messenger Transmitter,
a six-antenna
diversity Messenger
Smart Receiver,
an optional
Messenger Antennas
Array for long-distance
coverage and
an HD Mpeg2
decoder. All
versions of
the HDML use
Coded orthogonal
frequency division
multiplexed
digital modulation
to ensure a
robust signal,
frequency diversity
and forward
error correction
algorithms.
The system
is available
with up to
a 64Mbps transmission
rate. The flight
demonstrations
can be viewed
at
http://movieserver.gmsinc.com/GMS_HD_UAV_WM9.htm.
Selex
Flies UK
Falcon
Selex Communications
will provide
advanced technologies,
its systems
engineers and
integration
specialists
in support
of the British
Ministry of
Defence information
infrastructure
programme;
Falcon. It
is planned
that Selex
will integrate
its Sentinel
Internet Protocol
switch to provide
secure Voice
over Internet
Protocol (VoIP)
and high-capacity
data communication
across the
Falcon networks.
Selex Communications
will also provide
the associated
terminals and
VoIP tactical
telephones
(see photo).
The Falcon
programme is
designed to
provide high-capacity,
secure information
system capability
to the British
Army’s
command systems
at both operational
and tactical
levels. The
now-popular
Bowman tactical
system and
Cormorant command
system will
feed information
to the Falcon
system, which
will link back
to British
headquarters
using the Skynet
5 satellite
communication
system.
A
Vehicle With
a View
Diehl BGT Defence
and GuS, in
co-operation
with the Fraunhofer
Institute for
Applied Optics
and Precision
engineering
have developed
what they label
a new generation
of periscopes.
This equipment
encompasses
modern electronic
devices and
display technology
and improves
the capability
of close-in
observation
as well as
night vision
for a vehicle’s
crew. The development
group goes
so far as to
say that complicated
additional
display devices
(screens, for
instance, and
HMDs) are no
longer necessary.
Diehl mentions
that this new
generation
of periscopes
will be available
before the
series option
of the Puma
infantry fighting
vehicle is
launched. No
further information
concerning
this new development
was forthcoming – watch
these pages
for updates
on this project.
The
Apache’s Little
Bird
The US Army’s
Airborne Manned/Unmanned
System Technology
Demonstration
(Amust-D) programme
moved far forward
in April when
an AH-64D Apache
Longbow demonstrated
its ability
to control
a UAV payload.
The Apache
took control
and commanded
multiple payloads
onboard the
unmanned aircraft,
which is an
A/MH-6 (Unmanned
Little Bird – ULB)
derivative
in development
by Boeing.
During the
tests the Apache
was on the
ground several
kilometres
away from the
drone. Using
the Apache’s
newly developed
UAV weapon
page, a standard
Hellfire missile
firing sequence
of the ULB
demonstrator
was performed
through the
existing co-pilot
station on
the Apache
without hardware
modifications.
Boeing’s
Phantom Works
is performing
the remote
firing tests,
which support
the US Army
Aviation Applied
Technology
Directorate
weaponisation
programme.
Shaking
Up the
JSF
In April 2006
the Lockheed
Martin F-35
Joint Strike
Fighter team
completed structural
coupling testing
on the first
F-35 and is
planning for
first flight
in autumn of
this year.
The recent
structural
tests measured
the aircraft’s
response to
flight-control
inputs. “Flight
controls can
move very rapidly
and generate
very large
forces that
must be passed
through the
aircraft structure;
for every action
there is a
reaction”,
said Doug Pearson,
Lockheed Martin
vice president
of the F-35
Integrated
Test Force. “Therefore,
we need to
know exactly
how the aircraft
structure reacts
to a given
dynamic flight-control
input.” During
this type of
testing a variety
of specific
flight-control
movements are
initiated using
the onboard
aircraft flight
control system.
Then, based
on the data
collected,
the flight
engineers can ‘tune’ the
system to eliminate
responses that
may damage
the structural
integrity of
the aircraft.
Eight separate
fuel and weapon-load
configurations
were evaluated;
the two internal
weapons bays
were fully
loaded with
inert bombs
and air-to-air
missiles and
the bay doors
were repeatedly
opened and
closed.
Eurofighter
out in Front
According
to defence
market watchdog
Forecast
International
the world combat
aircraft market
is more competitive
than only one
year ago, and
this due primarily
to two developments.
Firstly, the
US Air Force
failed to overturn
cutbacks suggested
for the Lockheed
Martin F-22
programme in
early 2005,
and the fact
that the Eurofighter
consortium
scored a major
advantage when
Saudi Arabia
chose to buy
24 Typhoons
at the end
of the same
year. Amongst
new-generation
advanced jet
trainers, Aermacchi’s
M-346 has made
significant
progress and
the Russian
Yak-130 and
MiG-AT types
are turning
into promising
prospects,
while Lockheed
and Korea Aerospace
are promoting
the T-50 for
lead-in fighter
trainer for
the US Air
Force. During
the 2006 to
2015 forecast
period Forecast
International
sees a total
of 3865 fighter/attack/jet
trainer aircraft
in production
to a value
of $ 155.9
billion. This
with Eurofighter
expected to
lead the pack,
closely followed
by Lockheed
Martin, Boeing,
the Lockheed/Boeing
F-22 team,
Russia’s
Sukhoi and
the newcomer
Chengdu from
China following.
Sincgars
Only 20
to 30
AR Worldwide
Modular RF
has released
the new model
of its KMW1030
booster amplifier,
the KMW1032,
which is a
lightweight,
portable, Sincgars-compatible
unit designed
to boost the
output signal
of a Sincgars
VHF tactical
radio transceiver
up to between
20 and 30 Watts.
The KMW1032
covers the
30 to 108 MHz
frequency band
using filters
to assure acceptable
harmonic distortion
levels. The
unit is Mil
Std-461E compliant
and includes
voltage spike
suppression,
RF sensing,
automatically
switched harmonic
filters and
protection
against mismatch
and over-temperature.
Tiny
Tot With
IR Eyes
In April 2006
Thermoteknix
unveiled its
Miricle 307K
miniature infrared
camera with
a 25-micron
pitch. The
tiny camera
is a high-resolution,
640 x 480 VGA,
uncooled alpha-silicon
long-wave microbolmeter
detector with
a volume of
only 24.58
cc and rests
in an environmentally
protected housing.
The unit produces
clear imagery
in total darkness
and is unaffected
by smoke or
fog. A choice
of housings
are available,
including hermetically
sealed, gas
purged and
a ruggedised
version for
unattended
field or aerial
applications.
Lens arrangements
include bayonet
and thread
mounts, with
wide-angle
to telephoto
and dual field-of-view
focal lengths
on option.
Also included
is a choice
of digital
or analogue
outputs.
The
Glock Gets
Red Eye
Carried as
a back-up weapon
by many special
force operatives
(including
security personnel),
the Glock,
in its many
versions, has
finally come
up-to-speed
in the world
of laser-based
sights. Crimson
Trace has released
its end-user-installable
G-series laser
grips in four
flavours, each
of which is
a custom-fit
to some of
the 22 specific
Glock frames.
The one-piece
unit is a five-minute
exercise in
handgun modification – simply
sliding it
over the back
strap and replacing
the trigger-housing
pin gives a
new aim to
one’s
old friend.
The company
says that by
adding the
laser grip
to the stock
grip the ergonomics
of the laser
unit actually
improve the
point-of-aim
characteristics
of the pistol.
Armada International
recently reported
on laser grips
and sights,
for more information
on this type
of aiming enhancement
see “Battle
Sights” in
issue 1/2006.
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