Armada International Feb Mar 2015

Cover ARMADA Feb-March 2015.qxp:Armada

1/22/15

1:19 PM

Page 3

THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976

Issue 1/2015

February/March

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:30 PM

Page 1

Contents & Index Feb/Mar 15:Armada

1/23/15

10:49 AM

Page 3

THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976

Contents 1/2015 INTERNATIONAL www.armada.ch

10 ACTIVE VEHICLE PROTECTION ACTIVE ARMOURED VEHICLE PROTECTION, OR AN EXTRA SEVEN TONNES? I Paolo Valpolini

Hard-kill active protection systems have been adopted by very few countries. This is mostly due to legal issues and to the perception of potential collateral damages from public opinion.

While collateral damage reduction remains amongst the main concerns of many military organisations, those will never disappear, especially in asymmetrical warfare situations in which the enemy blends into the local population to use any civilian casualty

06

20

30

WHAT’S UP? FRANCE, THE STING OF THE SCORPION I Paolo Valpolini

COMMUNICATIONS ROVING VIDEO RECEIVERS I Peter Donaldson

REMOTE CONTROL TURRETS LATEST ON LIGHT/MEDIUM REMOTE-CONTROL TURRETS I Paolo Valpolini

40

50

AIR DEFENCE RADARS DIGITAL DEFENDERS FOR TODAY’S AIRSPACE I Doug Richardson

NAVAL COUNTERMEASURES NAVAL SOFT-KILL TECHNOLOGIES I Luca Peruzzi

COMPENDIUM SUPPLEMENT GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION I Wesley Fox

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

03

Contents & Index Feb/Mar 15:Armada

1/28/15

10:07 AM

Page 4

Index

DEFENCE TECHNOLOG SOURCE FOR THE TRUSTED

Y INFORMATIO

N SINCE 1976

February/March Issue 1/2015

I INDEX TO ADVERTISERS 3M PELTOR AR MODULAR ARMADA SUBSCRIPTION AUVSI AVALON CARMENTA COUNTER TERROR DAIMLER BENZ DATRON DSEI ESRI GSA IAI-ELTA IAI-MBT IDEF IMDEX IMDS

IVECO KONGSBERG LAAD LEMO MTU NEXTER OSHKOSH PRO OPTICA PROX DYNAMICS RAFAEL RENAULT SAGEM TEXTRON US NAVY LEAGUE

23 35 39 21 35 15 47 C2 27 C3 C4 29 43 C2 49 57 53

19 45 C3 13 29 17 15 33 25 C4 9 5 9, 37 55

Entries highlighted with Red numbers are found in Geospatial Information Compendium 2015

I INDEX TO MANUFACTURERS Companies mentioned in this issue. Where there are multiple references to a company in an article, only the first occurence and subsequent photographs are listed below: AAI

20, 28

General Dynamics

ABBS

16, 18

Geo Data Design

08

PCO

12

ABDS

17, 18

Geoconcept

12

Polish Armaments Group

35

Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa

35

Adobe ADS GMbH

30, 34

07, 11

GeoEye

34

10, 14, 16

Google

06, 11, 13

AeroVironment

20

Harris

AGI

12

Hexagon Geosystems

Airbus Defence & Space

05, 08, 16

12, 20, 25, 26

Hughes Aircraft Company

Artis

16

IAI

Astrium Geo Services

06

Infoterra GmbH

BAE Systems

07, 08, 14, 14, 16, 34

Blue Bear Systems Research Boeing

56 20, 28

Buck Neue Technologien

16

07, 10, 12 47 08, 51 06

Intergraph

07, 12

16, 51

Rockwell Collins

20, 22, 26

52

Sagem

07, 18, 20, 28, 52

Kongsberg

31

L-3

16, 20, 21, 22, 23

Leica Geosystems

04, 07, 10

12, 33, 46, 47

Samson

38

Samsung

17

Sarnoff Corporation

34

Sierra Nevada Company

34

SimActive

04

Lockheed Martin

08, 14, 28, 41, 55

Teleplan Globe

Luciad

07, 10, 18, 33, 34

TenCate

18

08, 42, 51

MBDA

08

Terma

54

Mercury Federal Systems

37

Textron

54, 55

Elta Erdas Imagine

10

ESG Elektroniksystem

05

10, 12, 16, 18, 27, 30 12, 37

Mesko S.A.

12

Microsoft

10, 18

Navionics

26

Finmeccanica

52

FN Herstal

32

Northrop Grumman

Gatling

34

Orbit Logic

06

General Atomics

28

Oto Melara

34, 35, 52

04

06, 07, 08

Rheinmetall

12, 17, 20, 24, 25, 26

DCNS

Exelis

23, 25, 28, 31, 42, 51

10

19, 20, 26

Esri

Raytheon

Renault Trucks Defence

Iveco

Jeppesen

Elbit Systems

11, 12, 42, 52, 56, 58

Saab

10, 12

28

Rafael

Safran

Carmenta Engine

36, 37

28

11

06, 07, 08

DARPA

13

Qinetiq

36

Jaguar

Damen

Polski Holding Obronny

Ionic Software

16, 18

51

12, 18

Israel Military Industries

Bundeswehr

Chemring Countermeasures

OverWatch Systems

Nexter

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

06, 07, 08, 18, 32, 33, 34 04, 28, 31, 41

Thales

10, 12

20, 28, 08 07, 08, 12, 13, 38, 46, 48, 56

Transas

27, 28

Vectronix

35

Vricon Systems

33

Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna

13

ZM Tarnow

35

The objective of the Tencate ABDS is to prevent the vehicle on which it is installed from being projected high in the air as illustrated in this dramatic drawing. See full story in “Active Armoured Vehicle Protection, or an Extra Seven Tonnes?” on page page 10

Volume 39, Issue No. 1, February/March 2015 INTERNATIONAL

is published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd. Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd. Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd., 1205 Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2815 1933 Editor-in-Chief: Eric H. Biass Regular Contributors: Roy Braybrook, Paolo Valpolini, Luca Peruzzi, Peter Donaldson, Doug Richardson Chairman: J.S. Uberoi President: Xavier Collaco Sr. Manager International Marketing: Vishal Mehta Manager Marketing: Jakhongir Djalmetov Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Atul Bali Asstt. Art Director : Ajay Kumar Production Manager: Kanda Thanakornwongskul Group Circulation Manager: Porames Chinwongs Chief Financial Officer: Gaurav Kumar Advertising Sales Offices AUSTRIA, BENELUX, SWITZERLAND Cornelius W. Bontje Ph: +41 55 216 17 81, cornelius.bontje@armada.ch FRANCE Promotion et Motivation, Odile Orbec Ph: +33 1 41 43 83 00, o.orbec@pema-group.com GERMANY Sam Baird Ph: +44 1883 715 697, sam@whitehillmedia.com ITALY, NORDIC COUNTRIES Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg Ph: +46 31 799 9028, egillberg@glocalnet.net

PAKISTAN

Kamran Saeed, Solutions Inc. Tel/Fax: (92 21) 3439 5105 Mob: (92) 300 823 8200 Email: kamran.saeed@solutions-inc.info SPAIN Vía Exclusivas, Macarena Fdez. de Grado Ph: +34 91 448 76 22, macarena@viaexclusivas.com UK, EASTERN EUROPE, GREECE, TURKEY Zena Coupé Ph: +44 1923 852537, zena@expomedia.biz RUSSIA Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, Ph: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile : (7 960) 783 6653 Email :alla@mediatransasia.com USA (EAST/SOUTH EAST), CANADA Margie Brown, Ph: (540) 341 7581, margiespub@rcn.com USA (WEST/SOUTH WEST), BRAZIL Diane Obright, Ph: (858) 759 3557, blackrockmediainc@icloud.com ALL OTHER COUNTRIES Vishal Mehta, Tel: (91) 124 4759625, Mob: (91) 99 999 85425 E-Mail: vishal@mediatransasia.com Jakhongir Djalmetov, Mobile: (91) 98 995 50162 E-Mail: joha@mtil.biz Annual subscription rates: Europe: CHF 222 (including postage) ABC Rest of the World: USD 222 (including postage) Controlled circulation: 25,029 (average per issue) certified by ABC Hong Kong, for the period 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013.

Printed by Media Transasia Thailand Ltd. 75/8, 14th Floor, Ocean Tower II, Soi Sukhumvit 19, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoeynue, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand.

Tel: 66 (0)-2204 2370, Fax: 66 (0)-2204 2390 -1 Subscription Information: Readers should contact the following address: Subscription Department, Media Transasia Ltd., 1205 Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2851 1933

www.armada.ch

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:31 PM

Page 1

Whats Up Scorpion:Armada

1/22/15

12:40 PM

Page 2

What’s Up?

The two new vehicles of the Scorpion programme, the Griffon (left) and the Jaguar (right) will allow full connectivity within the task group.

They will later be joined by a light armoured vehicle and the upgraded Leclerc. (GME Scorpion)

France, the Sting of the Scorpion Friday 5 December 2014 was a turning point for the French Army Scorpion programme: that day Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian handed over to the CEOs of the three companies that form the industrial Scorpion consortium, Nexter Systems, Renault Trucks Defense and Thales, the contract for the EBMR vehicles (Engin Blindé Multi-Rôles, that is multi-role armoured vehicle).

Paolo Valpolini

T

he contract, which is worth €752 million, includes the development, manufacture and support of the two types of vehicles that fall under the EBMR category, which until now have been known as VBMR (Véhicule Blindé MultiRôle, multi-role armoured vehicle) and EBRC (Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance et de Combat, reconnaissance and combat

06

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

armoured vehicle). The ceremony saw the announcement of the names assigned by the French Army to the two vehicles, respectively the Griffon and the Jaguar.

The Scorpion programme entails much more than the development of two new vehicles. The core idea is to link all platforms and combat elements of a task group to increase its fighting capabilities, by allowing real-time information sharing, and thereby narrow the enemy detection-toneutralisation gap.

Current French Army task group vehicles include the VAB 4x4 armoured personnel carrier, the VBCI 8x8 infantry armoured combat vehicle armed with a 25 mm cannon, the AMX-10 RC 6x6 armoured car armed with a 105 mm gun, the ERC Sagaie 6x6 armoured car armed with a 90 mm cannon, and the Leclerc main battle tank armed with a 120 mm smoothbore barrel. Only part of the platforms have been upgraded with digitised C2 systems, some of the vehicles having received only urgent upgrades aimed at increasing their survivability and effectiveness in Afghanistan. The more modern type is the VBCI, which is still being delivered. Among the older platforms, the VAB will be replaced by Griffon, while the two armoured cars as well as the VAB Mephisto (equipped with Hot missiles) will be replaced by the Jaguar.

Work sharing between the three main companies sees Nexter leading the consortium and being responsible for development and manufacture of the vehicles. This entails chassis and body shell, ballistic protection solutions, CBRN protection and interior design of the VBMR and EBRC as well as weapon system control electronics. Renault Trucks Defense is in charge of developing and manufacturing all mobility elements such as power-plant, drive-train, suspensions, steering, brakes and wheel assemblies, as well as electrical power generation, test equipment

Whats Up Scorpion:Armada

1/22/15

12:40 PM

and auxiliary power units. Thales is of course responsible for the vetronics subsystem and for the development and manufacturing of common vetronics solutions, communications, perimeter vision systems, self-protection suites and navigation systems, optronics being provided by Optrolead, the Sagem/Thales JV, while Sagem provides the navigation system.

Page 3

The network also supports broader platform digitisation and network-centric operations. Design responsibilities for the Griffon are shared between the three companies through an integrated architecture team. Nexter is in charge of final assembly of the systems and is design authority for the Jaguar. Renault is responsible for logistic support, and will manage all spares for the three companies, delivering them to the French Army under an agreement based on a guaranteed operational availability level.

Scorpion Phase 1 (2014-2025) covers the production of 780 Griffons and 110 Jaguars.

Both types are 6x6s, but chassis commonality however boils down to the tyres only, though both will use the Volvo/RTD engines with different power ratings. While the combat weight will be similar, 24.5 tonnes for the Griffon and 25 tonnes for the Jaguar, power on tap will be 400 hp for the former and 490 hp for the latter. Both vehicles will be equipped with axles supplied by Texelis, which also manufactures the VBCI’s, and will feature independent double wishbone suspensions.

The Jaguar might, however, be equipped with semi-active suspensions, allowing both levelling and ground clearance to be controlled. Both vehicles have steering on the front axle, but designers are considering counter-steering on the third axle for the Jaguar to reduce turning radius at low speeds.

Both vehicles will feature an aluminium hull as this offers the best weight/protection ratio when coupled to add-on armour and an

optimal armour base for add-on protection kits tailored to different threats such as ballistic, mines and road bombs. Hull design was also optimised for upgradeability to keep these vehicles in service with front line units during the next 30 years.

The vetronic architecture has been developed around adaptability. This approach, common in aviation and naval constructions, allows the vehicle to be mission adapted, costs to be reduced when new configurations are needed, and support to be improved with on-board sensors providing maintenance requirements in real time. Training costs are also cut down thanks to the adoption of common modules on the vehicles. Radios, sensors and other electronic subsystems will be integrated into the architecture as plug and play modules. These include, inter alia, the SICS V1 (Système d’Information du Combat Scorpion) information system (for which the contract still hasn’t been awarded), the future contact software-defined radio (Thales), the Atlas artillery system also developed under a separate contract.

Turning to weapons, the Griffon will be fitted with remote-control stations armed with 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine guns, or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. These stations are being developed by Renault Trucks Defense leveraging experience acquired with the Wasp.

The Jaguar will be fitted with the Nexter T40 turret which will have a different configuration compared with the one seen at

The VAB, which has been in service for four decades, will be replaced by the Griffon from 2018 hence. Five versions in ten different configurations will be developed. (GME Scorpion)

Whats Up Scorpion:Armada

1/22/15

12:40 PM

Page 4

What’s Up? The Jaguar is fitted with a Nexter T40 turret armed with the CTA 40 cannon, two MMP missiles and a 7.62 mm RCWS. Aimed at combat and reconnaissance roles, the first Jaguars should be delivered in 2020. (GME Scorpion)

Eurosatory in June 2014. The CTA 40 gun and its ammunition feed system are the core of the turret, which has been designed as a modular system to which different subsystems can be added. Its optronic suite was finalised shortly before contract award, and the MBDA MMP missile launchers will also be reconfigured. Thus equipped, the Jaguar will be able to engage targets at 3.5 km with MMP missiles, at 1.5 km with 40 mm telescopic cased ammunition, while a remote station armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun, similar to that used on the Griffon, will guarantee short-range self-protection.

The Scorpion consortium will manufacture mobility rigs of both vehicles to test automotive solutions which, at least for the Griffon, should be a very low risk affair, as it will draw on lessons learned with the technological demonstrators. According to current plans, two prototypes of the Jaguar and five of the Griffon are to be manufactured.

Both Jaguars will be similar, as only a single version is currently planned. The five Griffons should all be different to be representative of the main planned variants. Some might actually be split into sub-variants, but the main versions are: personnel carrier, command post, ambulance, cargo/maintenance, and forward artillery observation. The latter will be equipped with a suite developed by Thales to

08

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

include a day/night sight with a laser target designator mounted on a telescopic mast and a Ground Observer 12 Ku-band pulse-doppler surveillance radar with a 12 km range.

Deliveries of the Griffon are planned for 2018, with the Jaguars following two years later.

A huge effort is made to integrate simulation tools in the vehicles, not only for training, but also for mission preparation and rehearsal purposes during operations.

Logistic support considerations have been incorporated right from the outset as (it is a noteworthy point) the consortium will be responsible for nearly 20 years of support and maintenance, availability data as well as cost figures being stipulated in the contract.

Export potential has already been identified by Renault and Nexter for the Griffon in the form of the British Army future utility vehicle as well as some segments of the Australian Army Land 400 programmes, for example. As for the Jaguar, Nexter noticed a considerable interest for a vehicle with a considerable firepower, but with a relatively low combat weight that would suit countries where road infrastructures cannot support heavy vehicles. Turret modularity is also a plus, some Middle East potential customers having been quite impressed by the firepower combination of the CTA 40 cannon and longrange missiles.

Scorpion Phase 1 also includes an upgrade of 200 Leclerc main battle tanks to tend to some obsolescent aspects and add the new vetronic architecture and the modules required for Scorpion system integration.

A light armoured vehicle with a gross weight of ten tonnes should enter service around 2021. Known as Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle Léger (light multirole armoured vehicle), it would belong to the Sherpa Light class, which currently seems the only one in that category, at least if France is looking at a national solution. The first tranche would involve 200 vehicles, over a total requirement of 358 VBMRL, the “proper” name of which will probably be announced at selection time, slightly before 2020.

Scorpion Phase 2 should start in 2023, and see the acquisition of the remaining Griffons, Jaguars and VBMRLs to total 1,722, 248 and 358 units respectively according to current plans and if no further Army reorganisation takes place by then. It will also draw two other key elements into the Scorpion philosophy, namely the VBCI combat vehicle and the Félin infantryman, and thereby bring all ground combat elements under a common umbrella.

While the beginning of Phase 2 is set for 2023, no termination deadline has yet been determined.

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:33 PM

Page 1

Whatever the mission, wherever, whenever

Active Vehicle Protection:Armada

1/22/15

12:43 PM

Page 2

Active Vehicle Protection

Active Armoured Vehicle Protection, or an Extra Seven Tonnes?

Hard-kill active protection systems have so far been adopted by very few countries.

This is mostly due to legal issues and to the perception of potential collateral damages from public opinion. While collateral damage reduction remains amongst the main concerns of many military organisations, those will never disappear, especially in asymmetrical warfare situations in which the enemy blends into the local population to use any civilian casualty as food to feed media propaganda.

An Iveco DV Light Multirole Vehicle equipped with an ADS system. This type of technology protects light vehicles from hollow charges threats, but has had the unexpected side-effect of boosting morale, with soldiers becoming more efficient in their missions. (ADS)

10

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Active Vehicle Protection:Armada

1/22/15

12:43 PM

Page 3

Paolo Valpolini

Rafael’s Trophy scored over 20 successful engagements during operation “Protective Edge” in summer 2014. (Rafael)

C

ounterpropaganda probably is the first enemy of active protection systems, one that denies western armies the right to provide their soldiers—especially those in light armoured vehicles—with considerably improved protection levels.

While the systems based on grenade launchers may raise justified concerns, at least when used in an asymmetrical scenario, criticism of systems used on light vehicles is less understandable. These are mostly based on energetic tiles that would in most cases neutralise the incoming warhead, but are also seen as a potential source of major collateral damages.

When it comes to neutralising a threat every theory is based on statistics, with 100% belonging only to the perfect world. What is more certain, however, is that the detonation of a hollow charge against an armour plate will definitely generate a consistent dispersion of debris outside the vehicle as well, especially when ceramic armour is involved. Ironically, the lethal range resulting from ceramic armour may well be comparable to that caused by the effect of the energetic tile against the incoming projectile. The trouble here is that there is no fixed rule. In some cases an RPG that works perfectly, in other words “drilling” its hole into the vehicle armour, might generate a smaller lethal bubble. On the other hand, and in many cases, that bubble will considerably expand if the warhead that hits the vehicle carries a greater amount of explosive—and if that vehicle’s ammunition stock detonates, the lethal range will increase consistently, a ten-metre radius probably being a conservative estimate. This is far from being a rare event, moreover. So all being said, does western public opinion prefer a higher number of casualties (including one’s own soldiers) to a similar collateral damage, but caused by the enemy? In many cases the very same public opinion (and opinion makers…) will then blame their own armed forces for not providing their soldiers with adequate protection when too many black bags begin to fly back home.

As a result a manoeuvre becomes more offensive, quicker, and increases the chances of catching the enemy by surprise. Lowering the time needed to reach the objective also reduces exposure time to potential threats.

This is important even for those armies that carry out defensive operations, as defence anyway means that initiative has to be taken when needed.

From discussions with equipment manufacturers it emerges that if a grenadebased system might seem more dangerous than energetic tiles-based systems, this assumption largely results from the fact that it displaces the threat interception spot away from the vehicle by some tens of metres.

However, according to available data, the “danger cloud” generated by such an active

I MORALE

Some vehicle producers now also underline how active protection systems may become game changers thanks to the psychological effect on vehicle crews, because they have a definite feeling of being better protected.

The Trophy LV is here seen installed on a Hatehof light armoured vehicle. The top right image provides a detailed view of the long range and short range sensors while the view below details the relatively easy integration on the vehicle. (Armada/P. Valpolini)

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

11

Active Vehicle Protection:Armada

1/22/15

12:43 PM

Page 4

Active Vehicle Protection

Shot though a window at MSPO, this model infantry fighting vehicle displays the position of the main components that make the new Polish active defence system (the picture on the right shows the same 8 x 8 model seen from the top); the programme is run by the Military University of Technology in co-operation with industry. (Armada/P. Valpolini)

system grenade only has a radius of between two and four metres, which is definitely less than the lethal radius generated by a vehicle that explodes if the hollow charge that has hit it generates secondary detonations.

Again, it all boils down to statistics. The same applies to passive anti-RPG systems such as slat armour. Slat protections at best ensure a 60-70% protection probability, but according to active defence systems users—as opposed to their manufacturers— the latter have already scored a success rate of over 80%, and further improvements are foreseen.

“Slat protections at best ensure a 60-70% protection probability, but according to active defence systems users— as opposed to their manufacturers—the latter have already scored a success rate of over 80%, and further improvements are foreseen.”

12

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Increasing front and side protections of a vehicle is of course important, but the necessity to increase underbelly protection has risen higher to the extent that active systems are being developed for that side of vehicles as well. Vehicle manufacturers are closely following improvements in that field, as they may not only reduce perforation rates, but also the height at which a vehicle is projected in the air, which is often a primary cause of casualties when the floor resists the explosion. “A five-tonne class armoured vehicle capable to reach Level 4b is currently a dream, but in some five years this might become reality,” according to the chief designer of a renown vehicle manufacturer.

I NO QUALMS

One public opinion that will definitely not put any blame on active protection systems is Israel’s. The Rafael Trophy was extensively used during operation Protective Edge, recording “over20successfulevents”,tousetheMinistryof Defence’s own words. The system was already combat proven, but following this operation Israel has gained even more confidence with the system, and the Ministry is currently negotiating a contract with Rafael to install the Trophy HV on the Namer infantry fighting

vehicle and possibly other types. Some reports indicate that the Israeli infantry worked in close proximity with Trophy-equipped main battle tanks. Infantry have moreover insisted on having tank company in urban scenarios, because the Trophy radar hostile fire detection system enables enemy positions to be distributed to all troops via the battle management system. The threat level in Gaza was high, even for main battle tanks, various sources citing not only the presence of many tandem warhead RPGs, but also of Russian Kornet and even North Korean antitank missiles. The re-emergence of a symmetrical warfare scenario cannot be excluded (who is currently managing the Syrian T-72s? What would happen if an international “coalition of the willing” deploys in that region?) in which case kinetic energy threats might well come into play. According to industrial sources involved in both active protection and armour production, only active defence systems can, for the time being, decouple an increase in protection from a considerable weight growth penalty. The extra armour required for the protection of a current main battle tank against 125 mm APFSDS munition over a substantial arc is estimated at around seven tonnes.

Active Vehicle Protection:Armada

1/22/15

12:43 PM

Page 5

T SERIES FOR HARSH ENVIRONMENTS

At MSPO 2014 the Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna (Military University of Technology) exhibited the documentation of an active protection system.

The theoretical part seems to have been developed by the Wojskowego Instytutu Techniki Uzbrojenia (Military Institute of Armament Technology), and the effort to turn this into a viable product is underway in a consortium that includes Polski Holding Obronny, PCO and Mesko S.A. Although industry was not at all talkative on the project, it is quite obvious that PCO will provide the optronic sensors while Mesko is working on effectors, PHO probably being the system integrator. Once the system has reached manufacturing maturity level, it will be transferred to defence industries.

The apparently still unnamed system is based on a dual sensor coping both with detection and threat neutralisation to maximise kill probability. The dual sensor suite features an ultraviolet optronic sensor to detect the launch plume of the missile and a visual camera, while a short-range radar provides distance gating at 40, 430 and 20 metres, needed to properly activate actuators. According to images seen at the Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna stand both the radar and optronic sensors should also be used for threat classification. Turning to effectors, a twin-barrel grenade launcher is used to fire a fragmentation grenade that would destroy incoming antitank missiles at standoff distance and eventually destroy/destabilise tank rounds. A last ditch defence is available in case grenades fail to neutralise the threat or if shorter range weapons are used, such as RPGs; this comes in the form of boxes containing linear cumulative charges that destroy the threat just before impact. According to information available, all the elements of the proposed solutions have been tested one by one on firing ranges and then integrated, the system having shown an effectiveness of around 80%.

Drawing and models showed that a system should include one optronic 360° sensor mounted on the rood of the turret, four radar antennae on the sides of the turret, two grenade launchers on the sides of the turret, and 10 explosive boxes— four on each side and two on the glacis in front of the turret, though another layout showed eight boxed with two per side, two in the front and two in the back. No information about a possible roadmap was released.

© Crown Copyright - OGL - RAF Photographer

I POLISH DEVELOPMENT

A watertight and small size push-pull connector solution.

An innovative solution for harsh environments Salt spray corrosion resistance IP 68 rating Endurance above Various size 0T, 1T and 2T From 2 to 32 contact Solder, crimp or print contacts 360° shielding for full EMC shielding Black-chrome or chrome plated brass

LEMO SA - Switzerland

The value of the correlation function of the RPG picked up by the Polish active defence system radar. (Armada/P. Valpolini)

Phone : (+41 21) 695 16 00 Fax : (+41 21) 695 16 02 info@lemo.com Contact your local partner on www.lemo.com

Active Vehicle Protection:Armada

1/22/15

12:44 PM

Page 6

Active Vehicle Protection

Artis is promoting its Iron Curtain in the United States and abroad following the successful tests carried out with BAE Systems. (Artis) I OTHER EXISTING SYSTEMS

Following the lengthy process that led to reach the required level of safety, ADS GmbH is now producing its Active Defense System and deliveries to the launch customer have already started. The contract was signed in September 2013, but no further details have come forth. Just for memory, the system is based on pre-warners that constantly monitor the area around the vehicle which, upon threat detection, feed the data to the central processing system that analyses and evaluates the threat. If the latter is deemed serious it activates the electro-optical sensors that cover the concerned sector, and correlating all available information it selects the appropriate countermeasure unit and activates it at the required instant.

Countermeasures come in the form of boxes containing energetic materials that generate sufficient energy to neutralise the incoming projectile, which usually carries a shapedcharge. The current version of the system does not have any capability against kinetic energy projectiles, although the system has shown such a capability as growth potential, providing the base armour is substantial enough to cope with residual projectiles.

This close-up view highlights the three elements of the Airbus D&S Muss, with the infrared jammer on the top, the sensor heads on the turret sides, and the grenade launcher. (Armada/P. Valpolini)

14

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

While the company proposes its ADS in two configurations, the first, known as the CAB, protects light and logistic vehicle cabins from RPGs types of weapons. The second, the HAT, is intended for hulls and turrets, providing a 360° defence against both antitank rockets and missiles. At any rate the solution provided to the launch customer is “an improved integration concept that cannot be disclosed yet,� according to ADS GmbH. This improved version seems to be aimed at medium to heavy vehicles, light vehicles allowing less room for improvement. One or two more customers have since materialised, with deliveries expected to start in 2015. The company qualified the system in several countries, as some of them wanted a specific procedure to be followed. What is defined as ADS App allows interfacing the system with other vehicle subsystems. One example might be the use of the data provided by the ADS sensors to increase the defensive layout

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:34 PM

Page 1

Active Vehicle Protection:Armada

1/22/15

12:44 PM

Page 8

Active Vehicle Protection

The ADS company (74% owned by Rheinmetall, the remaining 26% being in the hands of Friedrich-Ulf Deisenroth) was one of the first to design a defensive hard- kill system in Europe, here installed on an MAN truck cabin. (ADS)

by activating soft-kill systems, such as smoke grenade launchers, or for cueing remotely controlled weapon stations.

In the United States, Artis is actively marketing its Iron Curtain, which intercepts threats such as RPGs a few centimetres away from the vehicle and renders them inert. The Iron Curtain uses two independent sensors, radar and optical, high-speed computing, and tightly controlled countermunitions to minimise the false alarm rate and maximise system effectiveness and reliability. The system’s radar was developed by L-3 Mustang Technology in Plano, Texas. The Iron Curtain underwent a two-year system safety review, following which the US Joint Services Weapons Safety Review Board approved its safety architecture. It was then integrated by BAE Systems onto a combat vehicle as a system demonstrator for government tests, which were considered a major success.

According to Artis the interest in Iron Curtain is increasing worldwide and with particular attention from the Middle East and northern Europe.

16

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

I SOFT KILL

For the time being the German Bundeswehr opted for a soft-kill active protection system to be installed on its new Pumas infantry fighting vehicles. It is known as the Muss, which stands for Multifunctional SelfProtection System, and was developed by what has now become Airbus Defence & Space. It uses four hybrid sensor heads known as MSH, that include both a missile and a laser warning sensor, and that are installed on the four sides of the Puma’s turret with two different types of effectors.

An infrared jammer, the MJH, is mounted on top of the vehicle turret and generates false infrared signals so that IR-guided antitank missiles are lured as the guidance unit “sees” the missile in the wrong place and generates wrong guidance signals. The second actuator is a smoke screen system, the RiWA, a four-tube launcher installed on each rear side of the Puma turret.

The MSH missile warner operates in the solar-blind UV spectrum to pick the ultraviolet missile plume, while the laser

detector looks for emissions from laser guidance systems. When a potential threat is detected the relevant data are provided to the central electronic unit (MCE) which does the final processing before distributing the information to the relevant subsystem. This can go to the MJH electronic box, the MJE, or to the RiWA electronic box, the MSE, or to both. IR impulses are generated or multispectrum smoke grenades launched. These were developed by Buck Neue Technologien, now integrated into Rheinmetall Waffe Munition, and screen the vehicle from visual and thermal imaging acquisition systems used by most missiles. Of course a soft-kill approach does not work against non-guided weapons such as RPGs. I MINE PROTECTION

Sometimes solutions combine two different systems. This seems to be the case for two systems aiming at reducing as much as possible the effect of underbelly explosions, the VGAM (Vehicle Global Acceleration Mitigation) developed by Advanced Blast & Ballistic Systems (ABBS) in Britain and the Zero Shock System developed by Drehtainer of Germany. The former aims at avoiding the vehicle from lifting off the ground, the

latter at decoupling passengers from floor acceleration and deformation.

As it happened the two companies met at the last Eurosatory, and ensuing discussions lead to a co-operation agreement in August 2014 as the two systems are fully complementary. The Zero Schock acts in the initial timeframe of the accident, say less than half millisecond to 5-10 milliseconds, while the VGAM starts to be effective when the vehicle eventually tends to “take off ”— around 10 milliseconds into the accident.

As described in our Compendium published in issue 2/2013, the Drehtainer system sees the inner floor decoupled from the armoured floor thanks to cables that hang from the roof, the distance between the two floors being around 200 mm. When an explosion is detected pin pullers decouple the cables from the roof letting the floor “float” for a sufficient amount of time to reduce acceleration to 20% of those accepted by Nato Stanags, according to the company. The problem is that at that point the vehicle might be launched into the air by the blast—when the ABBS system comes into action, the VGAM being based on novel fast-acting, powerful rocket motors that apply a

This graph shows the synergistic effect of the two systems, the Zero Schock and the AMPS, in limiting the effects of an underbelly explosion. (ABBS)

Active Vehicle Protection:Armada

1/22/15

12:44 PM

Page 10

Active Vehicle Protection

Looked at vertically these two side-by-side columns of three stills from a filmed test show the effect of the Tencate ABDS that prevents the vehicle from being tossed up in the air as seen on the right-hand column. While the left M-113 will not see another day, its crew, on the other hand, now stands more than a chance. (TenCate)

18

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

downforce on the vehicle to negate upward acceleration. These rocket motors are so small and powerful that they deliver very high impulse levels to the vehicle within the 2030ms that most mine blasts take to produce their lifting forces. According to ABBS a single VGAM motor can produce a 50,000 kg thrust for about 20-30 milliseconds; four such rockets might thus add 200 tonnes to a light armoured vehicle for the time needed to counteract the mine blast forces. To avoid floor deformation ABBS developed the VAFS, for Vehicle Armoured Floor Stabilisation, which however required internal columns to push the floor down, something not acceptable in large armoured personnel carriers. By coupling the two systems, both companies should overcome the weak side of their products.

While the Drehtainer Zero Shock is already in service with the Swiss Army, it will soon enter service with German Bundeswehr, several European vehicle companies having tested it. The ABBS AMPS is currently undergoing full system testing, a blast test being scheduled for December 2014, and will be available for trial on customer vehicles early in 2015. As for the combined system, cooperation is still in its infancy, but a full-scale demonstration on a vehicle might take place during the first half of 2015.

TenCate Advanced Armour has finished the validation of its ABDS active blast countermeasure system, developed in conjunction with ABDS A/S of Denmark which became part of TenCate in late 2011 (see front cover).

The validation process represented Phase 1 of the multi-year evaluation programme that the company is carrying out with the US Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM), following the signature of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. The company is not keen on discussing the working mechanism, but it is understood that mobile masses are the core element of the device together with the trigger and activation system that allows it to react to the blast.

Following the tests conducted during Phase 1, further tests will be conducted in late 2014 and early 2015 within Phase 2 of the cooperation programme with RDECOM. These will be conducted “on a lightweight platform in US inventory�; no further details provided.

In Europe both the German and Dutch governments have started a co-operation scheme with TenCate, which is also talking to other nations willing to test its ABDS.

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:39 PM

Page 1

Rover Systems:Armada

1/23/15

6:38 PM

Page 2

Communications

The StrikeHawk is an analogue and digital video receiver for use

by FAC/TACP/FAOs in targeting missions and to enable immediate battle damage assessment. Options cover the downlink bands dominating in-theatre operations and can be tuned to the frequencies in use. (Rockwell Collins)

Roving Video Receivers Originally, Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (Rover) systems did a very simple thing; they enabled soldiers to view live video from aircraft via a line-of-sight link. Built and fielded very swiftly in 2002 by the US Air Force’s Big Safari organisation for Afghan operations, the ancestral Rover has since spawned a large family and added features such as two-way voice, data and graphical communication, support for many data link standards and precise geospatial references to the video.

Peter Donaldson

E

ndowed with such new features, particularly the possibility of supplying geospatial refences (see our Geospatial Information Compendium accompanying this issue) current Rovers enable the likes of forward air controllers to direct ordnance onto targets more quickly and efficiently than ever before. Softwaredefined radio technology has enabled support for many more waveforms, while encryption has made them more secure. Rover systems are now bringing the benefits of eyes in the

20

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

sky and direct, real-time communication with them to a much wider constituency of operators at the tactical edge, as the evolution of networking technology increasingly means that streaming video need no longer rely only on point-to-point links.

L-3 Communications has been at the heart of the Rover story from the start and offers an extended family for diverse applications, but competing products are on offer from other military communications giants and from key players in the drone business – AAI Textron, AeroVironment, Elbit Systems, Harris, Rockwell Collins and Sagem, for example.

L-3’s Rover 5 is an all-in-one handheld transceiver with an integrated display screen, while the Rover 6 consists of the transceiver and separate antenna and a rugged laptop as the control and display unit, a form factor similar to the earlier Rover 3 and 4, thousands of which are still in the field. Both are based on software-defined radio technology.

Rover 5, for example, transmits timesensitive targeting data and displays sensor feeds from many airborne platforms using wavebands including Ku, C, L and S, plus UHF. It is also backward compatible with earlier Rovers and forward compatible with newer devices through software uploads.

Rover Systems:Armada

1/23/15

6:38 PM

Page 3

Receiving and transmitting in the Ku, C, L, S and UHF bands, the Rover 5 Handheld handles digital and analog waveforms, is Stanag 7085-certified and features an integral video display and an intuitive GUI for pre-mission configuration, waveform selection and frequency band control. (L-3)

Certified to Nato Stanag 7085, which covers interoperable data links for imaging systems, Rover 5 supports digital and analogue waveforms, video encoding and decoding and metadata standards including the Key Length Value (KLV) system adopted by the Motion Imagery Standards Board, says L-3.

It is also compatible with the Common Data Link (CDL) standard.

One of the latest innovative form factors is the AN/PRC-148 Rover FMV-MM. This full-motion video mission module emerged from co-operation between L-3 and Thales Communications to add capabilities to the MBITR family beloved of American and

Rover 6 receives sensor data from multiple platforms, adding transmission and Type 1 encryption capabilities to enable greater levels of collaboration. Operating in the Ku, C, L, S and UHF bands, it has two simultaneous reception channels that can be in the same or different bands. (L-3)

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

21

Rover Systems:Armada

1/23/15

6:38 PM

Page 4

Communications

allied special forces. As an alternative to video, the module can also accommodate other special purpose waveforms. The new module is among the technologies selected for the 2015 Spiral J of the perennial US Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE), according to an objectives document released by Fort Benning in October. It is also intended to be an economical approach to adding capability to more than 200,000 fielded radios.

With the module fitted, the radio retains its narrowband Type 1 capabilities including Sincgars, blue force tracking and integrated waveform satcom and adds FMV capability equivalent to the L-3 Tactical Rover, accepting L-, S-, C- and Ku-band analogue and digital feeds while allowing the operator to use the original capabilities at the same time.

Offering multiple display options through many interfaces, the FMV mission module connects to most soldier systems,

22

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

The Rover Full-Motion Video Mission Module (FMV-MM) from L-3 Communications and Thales Defense & Security adds secure digital and analog multi-band ISR video to the Thales AN/PRC-148 JEM radio for the dismounted soldier, providing simultaneous FMV and transmit/receivecapability. (L-3)

existing display devices including headworn devices, computers and power sources, say the companies. Users can add the module in the field.

Tactical Rover (e) L-3 describes as the first pocket-sized, encrypted, FMV and data receiver. It works with fielded ISR links, including drone, and fighter aircraft video transmitters and displays aircraft position and sensor point of interest simultaneously with the video. Its speed dial preset recall feature enables the soldier to switch between video feeds quickly. L-3 supplies Tactical Rover (e) with its SoldierSight software suite that allows troops to view and record the aircraft position and sensor point of interest on FalconView moving map software.

I VIDEO WITH BROADBAND IP

A more capable handheld device is the Tactical Network Rover designed to provide a multi-megabit, bi-directional data link in a small, light, power-frugal package that combines video reception with broadband IP networking. Using existing Rover communications infrastructure, it provides network access that enables digital close air support, ground force position sharing, chat and large file transfer capabilities.

Developed by L-3 in co-operation with Silvus Technologies, the Mesh Rover Handheld, as the name suggests, provides mesh networking capabilities. In a mesh network, each node connects to a minimum of two others and relays data for the network so

Rover Systems:Armada

1/23/15

6:38 PM

Page 5

L-3’s Soldier ISR Receiver is an IP-based, multi-band, secure, digital and analog receiver designed for ease of integration with very low SWaP. It features multiple interfaces to connect to virtually any soldier system, display, computer and power source says the company. (L-3)

that, effectively, everything can connect to everything else in a decentralised system with no single point of failure, a topology particularly useful in dense urban, indoor and even naval boarding operations.

With mobile ad hoc networking capabilities, the Mesh Rover Handheld is designed to link aerial and tactical edge mesh networks, merging on-demand voice, data and video communications and to provide extremely high bandwidth for ISR while reducing need to carry multiple communications devices.

The Mesh Rover’s two antennae support multiple input multiple output communications, which use multiplexing techniques to take advantage of multipath reflections that previously caused interference.

The advantages gained include greater capacity, spectral efficiency and reliability.

Rover Systems:Armada

1/23/15

6:39 PM

Page 6

Communications

The Mesh Rover Handheld is a small radio that supports dense urban and in-building operations, offering high bandwidth while reducing the need for the soldier to carry multiple communications devices and increasing their ability to conduct diverse tactical operations. (L-3) I CODING FOR RELIABILITY

The Mesh Rover Handheld exploits a technique known as Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (COFDM), which is ideal for penetrating buildings because is passes through and around structures, even deep into ship hulls. As well as a network for large groups of dismounted troops, it provides relay capabilities along with video and C2 communications for robots.

Still with low SWaP handheld video receivers, the Tactical Rover-P was formerly known as the Soldier ISR Receiver (SIR) and is a pure video device designed to provide secure digital and analogue multiband ISR video directly to the dismounted soldier. The IP-based radio can connect to “virtually any” warfighter system, existing display device, computer or power source, says L-3.

Another system designed to exploit Silvus’ mesh network capabilities, particularly in dense urban environments, is the Gateway Rover. Described as a “plug and fight” bolton module for the Rover 6, it enables commanders and tactical edge users to establish a multi-node, high bandwidth dissemination network for voice, data and video. The Gateway Rover can also connect to various mobile ad hoc networks, the Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW), 802.11 wireless networks and others. With four MIMO antennae, it builds on the capabilities

24

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

of and works with the hand-held and vehiclemounted Mesh Rover packages.

Easing the SWaP constraints somewhat allows more functions into the box. The C2 Rover, for example, is a rack-mounted duallink transceiver designed for air, ground and maritime use. Besides full motion video, it handles other data for situational awareness, targeting, battle damage assessment, surveillance, relay, convoy overwatch and other situations that call for eyes on target.

C2 Rover is interoperable with the Common Data Link (CDL), almost all drones, targeting pods and other wave forms including the Raven digital data link.

I REDUNDANT, RESILIENT, ROBUST

Using one or two frequency bands, the system is designed to send common data to multiple platforms. It can also receive data using one or two bands from the same source, a frequency diversity technique that helps to overcome a range of nuisances including interference, interruptions to the line of sight, multipath interference and platform shading.

The result, says the company, is a redundant, resilient and robust link.

C2 Rover’s frequency diversity is twofold; first, it can switch automatically from one receiver to the other if the second is picking up the stronger signal for reliability; second, it can combine signals from the two receivers using MIMO techniques to improve link range.

Acting as a relay, C2 Rover can pass data between ground, airborne and maritime platforms. It can also handle multiple levels of security, automatically segregating data with different levels of classification. All allowable relay configurations can also be

Rover Systems:Armada

1/23/15

6:39 PM

Page 7

disabled by the user for a further degree of security control. The system is also Network Tactical (Net-T) capable, meaning that it supports direct communication between Rover 5 terminals.

I ELBIT’S VIDI, MIDI AND MIPR

In Israel Elbit Systems’ Land and C4I division has addressed the challenge of delivering tactical video over diverse narrowband and broadband networks with its ViDi and mViDi products, respectively vehicle-mounted and manpack video and telemetry streamers. Using H.264 compression, says the company, ViDi overcomes the significant technical challenges facing the delivery of streaming video through both broadband IP networks and narrowband combat net radio systems. ViDi technology supports half- and full-duplex video with metadata and voice at the same time. It can generate single or dual H.264 streams from PAL or NTSC video inputs, each configurable for data rates from 9.6 kbps to 2 Mbps, with integral recording as an option.

ViDi also position coordinates from its internal GPS sensor and data from the camera’s 3D magnetic orientation line of sight sensor, says the company, enabling projection of the video footprint onto a digital map, a boon to a soldier who needs to relate the pictures on the screen to the terrain in front. Both ViDi and mViDi are part of Elbit’s Tactical Multimedia Routing (TMR) solution.

Elbit’s Military IP Radio (MIPR) is designed for even higher data rates, offering a claimed 13.3 Mbps for transmission of real-time high-resolution video, images, data and voice traffic, over point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and mobile ad hoc networks.

Harris offers a Rover L-band receive capability as an option for its its AN/PRC-117G(V)1C single channel multi-band manpack radio and a dedicated handheld package in the form of its RF-7800T-HH Situational Awareness Video Receiver (SAVR).

Covering the analogue L-, S- and C-bands plus the digital Rover-455 Cband and the DDL L-band link for small drones, the 1.27 kg (2.8 lb) SAVR receives more than 95% of fielded downlinks from aircraft with secure datalinks (these including the Raven, Shadow and Predator drones as well as the

An F/A-18F Super Hornet the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 103 breaks away from his wingman during a close air support mission supporting coalition forces over Afghanistan. The air-to-ground video link enables fighter pilots and JTACs to see the same picture. (US Navy)

Rover Systems:Armada

1/23/15

6:39 PM

Page 8

Communications

C-130 gunship). It also supports Type III AES 128 and 256 decryption, says the company.

With an embedded GPS receiver it can also perform relative position reporting, providing the user with the range and bearing to the aircraft providing the feed. SAVR features 99 preset channels and can scan rapidly across all bands.

Harris emphasises that because it complies with the JTRS-derived Software Communications Architecture (SCA 2.2), the SAVR can keep up with evolving digital data link standards through software-only upgrades.

I SAVR DISPLAY AND NETWORKING

While the set has a small integral screen, it can also feed its video to a variety of display devices including head/helmet mounted eyepieces, laptops and Harris’ own RF-3590RT tablet. It can also inject streaming video into tactical mobile ad hoc networks through integration with other Harris radios including the AN/PRC-117G, the AN/PRC152A and the RF-7800M. In the developing battle between commercial devices and fully-rugged military hardware, Harris has chosen the latter for the Android-based RF-3590. Far more than a video display, this tablet computer can be

26

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

connected to all Falcon II and III radios and also features multiple embedded radios including 802.11n wifi, Bluetooth 4.0, commercial GPS and cellular systems.

Automatically connecting users to wideband networks, it enables them to access and share photographs and other files, plot positions of friendly units, run tactical applications and control tactical radios remotely, for example.

This connectivity and a set of tailored applications effectively turns the tablet computer into a mission management suite.

I RIVAL STRIKEHAWK

When Rockwell Collins developed its StrikeHawk Digital video downlink receiver, a key component of its FireStorm integrated targeting system, it retained the capabilities of the analogue original along with its compact body-worn format and helmet mounted display and added L-3’s Rovercompatible digital technology along with a raft of new functions for special forces, tactical air control parties, forward air controllers, forward observation officers and fire support

teams. The occluded eyepiece display is designed to eliminate the risk of light from an open video screen giving the operator’s position away. As well as the eyepiece and the radio, which runs on standard PRC-148/152 batteries, there is a hand controller and a smaller body-worn antenna.

The StrikeHawk supports analogue waveforms in the L-, S- and C-bands plus the 455 kbps TACT 455k in the C-band, the 466 kbps TACT 466k in the L-, S- and C-bands plus the TACT 1.6, 3.2 and 6.4 waveforms (the numbers indicating the data rate in Mbps) and the 0.05 to 5.0 Mbps Vortex Native Waveform (VNW) in all three bands.

(L-3’s Vortex is a “next-generation” rackmounted sensor-to-shooter transceiver for air, ground and maritime use offering simultaneous dual-band transmission that uses spatial and frequency redundancy to make links more reliable.) Optional appliqué modules allow the StrikeHawk to work with bespoke platform downlinks.

AAI Textron emphasises the flexibility and configurability of its One System

Elbit’s ViDi and mViDi are a pair of vehicle-mounted and soldier-carried military H.264 video & telemetry streamer for tactical narrowband and broadband networks. ViDi overcomes the challenges of delivering streaming video by serial communication through narrowband Combat Net Radio. (Elbit)

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:40 PM

Page 1

TECHNOLOGY YOUR TROOPS WILL ACTUALLY USE. Designed with the user in mind, Datron radios are engineered to provide the right feature set for our customers’ requirements. With the addition of the HH2100V handheld radio and automated digital retransmission capability to the Spectre V® tactical radio series, deployment of full VHF tactical networks is now possible. Front-line troops can communicate securely to commanders through the network, share data, and have their positions automatically reported back. All this from a radio that is built to allow troops to focus on the mission not the technology.

To learn more about the Spectre V® PRC2100V and other communications solutions from Datron visit us online at www.dtwc.com

Visit us at IDEX, 22-26 February, at Booth 03-B01

Rover Systems:Armada

1/23/15

6:39 PM

Page 10

Communications

The Rover- and Nato-compatible Sagem Remote Video Terminal (RVT) combines C, S and UHF band receivers with a Panasonic ToughBook CF-19 rugged convertible laptop, embedded GPS, digital mapping and a range of more than 20 km with omnidirectional antennae. (Sagem)

Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT). The software is designed to run on small, rugged computers and can be installed on any Windows platform, while the hardware, says the company, can be configured for manpack, mounted, stationary, airborne and maritime applications.

I OSRVT LINK SUPPORT

The company also goes into specifics for many of the link and vehicle combinations that OSRVT supports. In the L-band, they include those of the AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven, Wasp and Puma small drones and Honeywell’s T-Hawk micro air vehicle. It can also handle the S-band analogue link used for the Boeing Insitu Scan Eagle and the C-band analogue links of the AAI Textron Shadow, Northrop Grumman’s MQ-5B Hunter, General Atomics’ Predator and Grey Eagle (video only), the AAI Aerosonde 4.7 and Northrop Grumman’s Litening targeting pod (video only). C-band digital links include that of the General Atomics Warrior A and Predator and the NG Litening Pod (video only). To these it also adds Ku-band links aboard the Bell Kiowa Warrior L2MUM and Boeing Apache VUIT for manned/unmanned teaming, the Lockheed Martin Persistent

28

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Thread Detection System (PTDS) surveillance aerostat, the Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) systems aboard the Gray Eagle, Shadow and Hunter, plus the Qinetiq Maars armed ground robot, the Lockheed Martin Sniper pod and Northrop Grumman’s Fire Scout vertilift drone.

OSRVT can also handle data decoding, giving the operator access to more geospatial intelligence, annotated maps that can be shown alongside a live video window and keyboard-free operation. With FalconView maps, the system can export target data and display JPEG images.

Sagem offers a comparable system in the form of its RVT Tactical Remote Video Terminal, which teams a Panasonic ToughBook CF-19 handheld PC with a Cband receiver covering 4.4 to 4.8 GHz or 5.2 to 5.8 GHz, an S-band receiver covering 2.2 to 2.4 GHz plus a 345 to 354.8 MHz UHF receiver and an embedded GPS. The RVT displays real time video and metadata, along with a map that shows the observation area and target geolocation, the air vehicle and the terminal and the distance between them.

The RVT is a manpack system weighing 11 kg with 1.3 kg of batteries with energy for more than four hours of operation- It offers a range exceeding 20 km with omnidirectional

antennae and includes a removable vehicle integration kit.

I SMALLER STILL

Fellow drone manufacturer AeroVironment has taken a different approach with its Pocket Digital Data Link, a tiny 100-gram transceiver designed, as the company describes it, to turn any USB-equipped display device into a remote video terminal, the company illustrating Toughbook, smartphone and tablet options running Windows, Android or iOS apps. The Pocket DDL covers the C-1 portion of the Cband and the M1 to M4 divisions of the Mband, which stretches from 60 to 100 GHz, supports the SUAS DDL waveform and analogue NTSC video, enabling it to display imagery from the Puma AE, Raven and Wasp AE drones plus aerostats and raid surveillance towers. It will operate for 2.8 hours on a 2,000 mAh battery, says the company.

While technologies such as 4G LTE, which the US Army implemented in a forward operating base in the recent Network Integration Evaluation 14.2, and the yet-tobe-defined 5G are making it much easier to distribute video through networks, the requirement for direct sensor-to-shooter links is likely to remain, although the technologies behind them are converging.

Remote Control Turrets:Armada

1/22/15

1:00 PM

Page 2

Remote Control Turrets

Konsberg’s proposal for an improved version of the M151 for the American market includes new sensors and Javelin missiles.

(Armada/P. Valpolini)

Latest on Light/Medium Remote-control Turrets Remotely controlled weapon stations armed with light and medium machine guns are becoming more and more popular, as they react to adverse fire without exposing the machine gunner to enemy threat. Compared to pintle-mounted machine guns most now also offer the great advantage of stabilisation, and therefore an accurate fire-on-the-move ability.

30

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Remote Control Turrets:Armada

1/22/15

1:00 PM

Paolo Valpolini

A

more recent development sees remote-control turrets increasingly being used in a turret-on-turret configuration, providing a 360° small-calibre reaction capability to main battle tanks and thereby endowing the latter with proportional reaction means. As in naval or airborne applications, stabilisation is a sine qua non, closely followed by ease of installation.

This article is an update to our Compendium published in issue 6/2013, dedicated to land applications of light to heavy turrets, and covers land and naval systems up to calibres of 20 mm unveiled, updated, or ordered since.

With over 3,200 M151s installed on US Army Strykers (the first one delivered in 2001 and over 11,000 ordered as part of the Crows contract) Kongsberg is the major provider of remotely controlled weapon stations on the US market. The turret has become a benchmark in the light category, although its medium-calibre turret is now gaining momentum. Looking at the possible replacement of the earlier M151s installed on the Stryker (which is also the main armament of numerous versions of that 8x8) Kongsberg exhibited the demonstrator of a new version at AUSA 2014. This borrows numerous elements from the Protector

Page 3

Nordic, which currently is the most advanced version. Amongst those elements is the starboard-mounted KPS VIS 95 viewing system which itself includes three cameras, the central one with a considerably wide 95° field of view. A Kongsberg Batram 1550 laser rangefinder is mounted portside while the thermal imager sits under the weapon. The proposed imager in this instance is a Flir 4000 the detection, reconnaissance and identification performances of which match those of the Javelin antitank missile’s mounted on the right of the automatic weapon. Ammunition is obviously carried on the right. The Kongsberg demonstrator also features an upgraded fire control system as well as a much slimmer display, which also has a much higher resolution. Kongsberg US is closely monitoring an equipment change proposal from the Army.

Although America remains the main single customer for Kongsberg Protech Systems, the Protector has been sold to 16 other nations. The company is now proposing its products to many other nations while continuously upgrading its offer. New variants such as the Protector Nordic and Protector Dual RWS have been added to the product line in the last two years. The Nordic can add a coaxial machine gun and includes a dual-user capability. The naval variant, the Sea Protector, is also gaining attention: deliveries to the US Navy were completed earlier in 2014 and underway to the Norwegian Navy.

This naval version has enhanced stabilisation, integration into existing command and control operator consoles and naval rules of engagement security means.

To meet some customers’ requirement for a multiple operator capability Kongsberg developed an advanced fire control solution that enables more than one operator to take control of a single weapon station within a controlled set of rules of engagement (this solution is also part of the Norwegian CV90 upgrade). The Protector is also promoted for static installation, and the aforementioned solution can be implemented to allow multiple Protectors to be operated by multiple operators. This multi-user fire control solution, developed in accordance with the Generic Vehicle Architecture standard, can be part of an upgrade to an existing system or included in new system deliveries.

While the current Protector provides capacity for additional effectors/weapons as well as an excellent sector coverage close to one’s own vehicle due to its 20° depression angle, the overall height of the system coupled with that of the vehicle platform may create transportation challenges or, in some cases, partially mask vehicle crew vision. A new variant is thus under development to minimise or cure those shortcomings.

Kongsberg is also active in integrating new effectors and new sensors. New lessthan-lethal effectors are being added, Kongsberg having integrated and delivered

The Norwegian Navy is receiving its first Sea Protector, the naval version of Konsberg remote weapon stations. (Kongsberg)

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

31

Remote Control Turrets:Armada

1/22/15

1:00 PM

Page 4

Remote Control Turrets

of ammunition. The Sea deFNder does not protrude under the deck, though different heights are available depending on the desired arc of fire. Elevation is –40°/+70°, maximum elevation speed 60°/s, while traverse speed reaches 90°/s. The sight module includes a day CCD camera, while the thermal channel can be fitted with a cooled or an uncooled imager.

The Sea deFNder has already found a launch customer (as undisclosed as the value of the contract), which this brings the grand total of deFNders on order to over 1,300 units.

FN Herstal took its deFNder concept from land to sea with the Sea deFNder unveiled at Euronaval. It can be armed with up to 12.7 mm machine guns and has already (so far undisclosed) customer. (FNH)

two types of less-than-lethal effectors to multiple customers in recent years, using laser dazzlers and bright lights. For engagement efficiency improvement, a 40mm air-burst automatic grenade launcher has been added to the Protector giving all manner of firing methods offered by such weapons, including string-of-pearls and air burst modes. Combined with the highperformance first-round hit probability the four-axis Protector gives a significant performance advantage against entrenched soldiers and light vehicles for example.

A fully integrated Javelin missile launcher has been developed and demonstrated, and is currently being delivered to some Protector customers. The missile provides for rapid engagement of targets at both close-in and distant ranges. A similar integration involving other types of missiles is being considered to meet customer and market needs. The Protector sensor suite can easily be changed to match the requirements of other missiles. The Nordic’s VIS95 day camera for example provides vehicle identification range of more than three kilometres. Systems with high-performance thermal sensors with similar identification characteristics have also been integrated with corresponding laser range finders and visible and IR pointers, and delivered.

that accommodates weapons ranging from the 5.56 mm FN Minimi, to the 12.7mm M2HBQCB or M3R, not to mention 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. The Sea deFNder obviously is optimised to operate in salty water environments with ad hoc surface treatments, seals and specific two-axis gyroscopes dedicated to naval applications.

The turret has already been submitted to naval environmental qualification tests. Armed with the M2HB-QCB the station has a combat weight of less than 205 kg with the 200 rounds

I FRANCE

Nexter’s ARX20 was designed to meet a need for heavy stopping power, as indeed the effect of a couple of 20 mm rounds is far more devastating on a car than a whole burst of 12.7 mm. This was demonstrated at Canjuers camp in 2011 with two ARXs, one armed with an M621 chambered for Nato 20x102 mm and installed on an Aravis, the other with a 20x139 mm round M693 on a VAB. Because budget prevented France from acquiring the ARX20 and deploying it in Afghanistan, some VABs are equipped with the T20/13 one-man turret armed with the M693. The first commercial success for the ARX20 however came from the Middle East as part of an order for a number of Aravis.

I BELGIUM

Leveraging experience gained with its two remotely controlled weapon stations for land vehicles—the deFNder Light and the deFNder Medium—FN Herstal of Belgium introduced a new turret at Euronaval 2014. Appropriately known as the Sea deFNder, it is dedicated to naval applications, but heavily based on the land version and retains the universal cradle

32

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

For its current Middle East customer Nexter has introduced a number of modifications to the ARX20 weapon station, among which a deeper ammo container with a higher number of rounds. (Nexter)

The Narwahl, which can be armed with two different types of 20 mm cannon, will be operated by France, Gabon and Lebanon. (Nexter)

Although Nexter never confirmed this, it is an open secret that the customer is Saudi Arabia. The contract includes 50 weapon stations, which have been fitted with a number of improvements over the standard ARX20. First of all the number of rounds available to the 20 mm and 7.62 mm weapons has been increased, respectively from 100 to 200 and from 200 to 300. Also required by this customer is a system to recover spent case brass and links, and an enhanced thermal imager to match the main weapon’s range, the thermal camera being provided by Exavision of France. Those improvements

have increased the weight of the weapon station, which is now around 330 kg over deck, to which 20 kilos worth of command console inside the vehicle have to be added.

In late October 2014 Gabon placed a contract for 12 Aravis as a national contribution to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The turrets will have exactly the same configuration as those mentioned above except for the UN white livery. The ARX20 has also been installed on the company’s Titus 6x6, with firing trials conducted in November 2014.

Gabon also ordered the Narwahl 20A station from Nexter. This naval remotecontrol station carries the same M621 cannon, and will be installed on the OPV50 offshore patrol vessel ordered in late October 2014 from the Piriou shipyards. The 58 metre boat will be delivered in mid-2016.

The first foreign customer for the Narwahl was Lebanon, although the number of systems ordered and the ship on which they were installed remained undisclosed.

The same weapon station, but in Narwahl 20B configuration armed with a 20 M 693 cannon, is being adopted by the French Marine Nationale. Compared to the “A” version the “B” is heavier (470 versus 390 kg) due to the heavier weapon and ammunition.

The first Narwahl 20B were installed on board the Normandie (the second French FREMM frigate) and will be installed on the subsequent ship. The first of class, Aquitaine, is due to receive two Narwahls in 2017 during her first refit. The Narwahl 20B will ensure

Remote Control Turrets:Armada

1/22/15

1:01 PM

Page 6

Remote Control Turrets

protection against fast sailing boats, the two turrets being installed port and starboard on top of the helicopter hangar. Recently France took the decision to upgrade its Mistral class BPC (B창timent de projection et de commandement, projection and command ship); the Mistral, Tonnerre and Dixmude will see their current manually driven gun posts replaced by the remotely controlled weapon stations, which will take the same positions, starboard astern and port bow. Over 30 Narwahls have been ordered from Nexter by national and international customers.

I ITALY

Turning to the Oto Melara Hitrole Light orders are soon expected from the national customer, the Esercito. Following the delivery of the first 81 systems, which have been installed on the Iveco DV Lince 4x4 light armoured vehicle, the Italian Army exercised the option for a further 20 units in the same configuration. An order for 80 more is currently being discussed and should be finalised soon. The Italian Army is also considering installing the Hitrole Light on the Iveco Orso 4x4 that are entering service with combat engineers as part of the new Route Clearing Package (the decision to install them on Freccia mortar carriers has already been taken). The Hitrole Light will be installed on the New Centauro in a turret-onturret configuration. A naval version of the Hitrole Light has also been developed. In that role the heavier Hitrole N has obtained some success, thanks to its reload-under-bridge configuration (for land applications such a feature is not considered as key issue,

The Hitrole Light mounted on an Italian Army Lince; new orders should be finalised soon. (Oto Melara)

although may change if a remote-control carrying the main armament is required to arm an armoured personnel carrier. A few remotely operated Hitroles have been sold to the Italian Army and installed on Puma 6x6s).

At Euronaval 2014 Oto Melara announced the signature of a Memorandum of

Unveiled at Eurosatory, the Gatling gun equipped naval Hitrole 20 is developed by Oto Melara in team with Siham Al Khaleej Technology of the United Arab Emirates. (Oto Melara)

34

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Understanding with Siham Al Khaleej Technology of the United Arab Emirates for the development, marketing and coproduction of a new version, the Hitrole 20mm armed with the more powerful and longer range General Dynamics M197 threebarrel Gatling gun (also used by the Italian Army Aviation AW129 Mangusta combat helicopter). The aim of Oto Melara is to extend range and lethal effect on the target to better cope with increased enemy firepower, keeping the standard Hitrole for police and coast guard duties. The shift from 12.7 mm to 20 mm ensures a two-kilometre operational range, an on-target payload delivery increased by nearly three in a two-second burst, and at one kilometre about twice the kinetic energy.

Under deck space often being a critical issue Oto Melara has designed a non-penetrating weapon station with a spacing element to adequately link the rear-mounted ammunition magazine containing 750 20x102 mm rounds and the weapon itself.

This spacing element can also house a 24V power supply, but also serves as a raising spacer to increase depression angle elevation to 30째 (maximum elevation is 75째). This version weighs 600 kg without ammunition and

Remote Control Turrets:Armada

1/23/15

10:10 AM

Page 7

Smallest 20 Watt Man-Packable Amp On The Market AR-20 with LNA

The ZSMU-1276 weapon station developed by ZM Tarnow of Poland is available in two versions, with external ammunition box (top left) and with internal feed allowing under armour ammo resupply. (ZM Tarnow)

power unit, these adding respectively 250 kg and 70 kg. The architecture allows however a different configuration to be adopted, with the ammunition magazine placed under the deck. The ammunition magazine, interestingly, is boosted, thus the pulling force of the gun remains constant whatever the number of remaining rounds might be. Fully stabilised, maximum acceleration both in azimuth and elevation is 250°/s, maximum elevation speed is 110°/s while maximum training speed over the ±155° training arc is 75°/s. The optronic suite is customisable but the basic configuration is the same as the Hitrole’s, as it exceeds the 12.7 mm requirements. The day channel is an in-house product with PAL and HDSDI outputs, 23.6° field of view and x34 zoom, 1.55 µm Vectronix LRF 3000 six-kilometre laser rangefinder and Sagem Matis SP thermal imager.

The Hitrole 20, with its fully digital architecture and auto-tracker, can be controlled from a stand-alone console, or on request be integrated into the ship combat management system. Alternative weapons under consideration include the General Dynamics M61A1 Vulcan, which Oto Melara has tested as part of its gunship solution for the C-27J Spartan, this six-barrel gun belching out a 4,000-round per minute firepower compared to the M197’s 750 or the ATK M230 LF chain gun’s similar rate with 30x113 mm ammunition. Oto Melara and SAKT will market the new system according to their individual geographical spheres of influence, with production taking place both in Italy and the United Arab Emirates.

I POLAND AND ROMANIA

Zakłady Mechaniczne “Tarnów”, now part of the new public holding PGZ (Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, Polish Armaments Group) has developed the ZSMU-1276 (Zdalnie Sterowany Moduł Uzbrojenia, remote controlled module armament), that can be armed with the WKM-Bm 12.7x99 mm or the UKM-2000 C 7.62x51 mm machine guns produced by ZM Tarnów itself and both fed from the right. Two versions are available, the ZSMU-1276 A3 with 150 12.7 mm or 250 7.62 mm external ammo boxes, and the ZSMU-1276 C1 fitted with an ammunition chute that ends under the armoured roof of the vehicle allowing under armour reloading. The less intrusive A3 is 28 kg lighter than the externally fed version. The C1 with the 12.7 mm weapon weighs 169 kg, or 152 kg with the 7.62 mm. The optronic suite is located in the middle and comprises a day camera, a thermal imager and a laser rangefinder. The fact that ZM Tarnów machine guns are fed from the right in Soviet-era style in spite of firing Nato-standard ammunition allows the company to propose automatic weapons compatible with

AR-20B without LNA

AR-20 and AR-20B Booster Amplifiers are small, compact, and simple to use from a company that has over 45 years of RF amplifier experience.

• 30 - 512 MHz with available LOS and SATCOM • Full 20 Watts RF Output • Wide Range DC Input - 12 to 36 VDC Supports Multiple Radios like: • AN/PRC-154 RiflemanTM, AN/PRC-152, AN/PRC-148, Plus Others Waveforms Supported: • AM, FM, HPW, SINCGARS, IW, ANW2, SRW, WNW, ASCM, Plus Others To learn more, visit us at www.arworld.us/20watts or call us at 425-485-9000.

Other divisions: rf/microwave instrumentation • receiver systems • ar europe The Battle Tested logo is Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM. Off. # 3,821,099.

Copyright© 2015 AR. The orange stripe on AR products is Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM. Off.

Remote Control Turrets:Armada

1/22/15

1:01 PM

Page 8

Remote Control Turrets

Developed by Pro-Optica of Romania the Anubis is designed for western, left ammo feed machine guns. (Pro-Optica)

Soviet-era turrets or with similar-era weapons. A ready solution is the NSW-Utios chambered for 12.7x107 mm rounds. Up to six 81 mm smoke grenade launchers can be added. The ZSMU-1276 development started in 2005, the latest success being the selection of the UKM-2000 C-armed A3 by the Polish Army to equip the engineer version of the Rosomak 8x8.

Unveiled at DSEI in 2013, the Romanian Pro-Optica Anubis has since been certified by the Romanian Ministry of Defence.

Designed for 12.7 and 7.62 Western left-fed weapons it has a maximum elevation of 60° depression of 20°. Gyrostabilised on two axes, the Anubis weighs 135 kg sans weapon or ammunition. The Anubis also serves as an observation tool, equipped as it is with a good sensor package that includes a 400,000-pixel day camera with a x30 zoom, a thermal imager with a 17-µm pitch 640x480-pixel array thermal camera fitted with a twolens system or a x6 zoom and a 5 km range laser rangefinder.

Options include ballistic protection, autotracking, round counter, image stabilisation, target grid calculator, and battle management system integration. A 40 mm automatic grenade launcher can also be added, Pro-Optica being in the very last phase of negotiations with an undisclosed customer that should soon order 50 units to be delivered in 2015.

I ISRAEL

Israel Military Industries has two light stations known as Wave in its portfolio, but a third at prototype level is awaiting a launch customer. Both models are designed for 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine guns, but the Wave 200

36

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

is made for western left-feed weapons, while the Wave 300 is fed from the opposite side to cater to eastern-type machine guns such as the PKT 7.62 mm or the NSVT 12.7 mm.

One of the IMI Waves has been selected by an unspecified country for border protection (according to IMI the contract includes “a conspicuous number” of units for command and border control posts).

Although the use of such weapon stations has been promoted by numerous companies in the past few years for such purposes, this might well be a first border security application. IMI has also chalked up a second order, but this time related to a new naval version dedicated to right-feed weapons known as the Wave 300N; here again the customer remains undisclosed,

Israel Military Industries did not disclose which of its Wave models was selected for a border security project. (IMI)

The Wave 300 is designed for rightfeed machine guns, the typical Soviet-era layout, this turret having recently won a contract from an undisclosed country. (IMI)

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:41 PM

Page 1

Remote Control Turrets:Armada

1/22/15

1:01 PM

Page 10

Remote Control Turrets

The latest addition to the Samson family is the Samson Mini MLS, which features an integrated twin Spike-LR missile launcher. (Rafael)

but with down payment received, the first prototype is planned for early 2015.

Leveraging recent developments in the field, Rafael has added one more option to its portfolio, the Samson Mini MLS. Equipped with a single automatic weapon the company considers it as part of the Samson Mini family, although it is based on the external structure of the Samson Dual.

It does however carry a second weapon system in the form of a missile launch system (MLS). Both the weapon station and the multi-sensor day/night sight are fully stabilised. The turret can be fitted to any light-armoured, high-mobility fighting vehicle, new or upgraded, without modifications. The automatic weapon can be an M2HB 12.7 mm or a KPVT 14.5 mm machine gun, Rafael having developed it both for right- and left-feeds, by putting the ammunition box in the lower part of the station. A 40 mm automatic grenade launcher can also be installed, as well as smaller calibre machine guns. The fullyintegrated missile launcher is mounted on the right and contains two multi-purpose

Spike LRs (Long Range). While the missile seeker ensures maximum precision in the final phase, the fibre-optic guidance ensures a two-way data communication that allows the shooter to observe the target until the last moment while it also allows redirecting the missile should the target change. The sight is independent from either weapon elevations, allowing observation even when the machine gun is in a non- threatening posture (50째 maximum elevation, maximum depression 20째; missile launcher arc is +45째/-5째). The Samson Mini MLS now includes numerous additional capabilities such as laser range finder, target tracking, advanced fire control, electrical remote cocking and round counter.

The weapon station can be used by both the commander and the gunner who can also define fire-inhibit zones. Manual machine gun operation is available in case of power failure. The station runs on 24 V, average current consumption being 20A, peaking at 40A. The lower part of the turret is provided with a ballistic protection that among other pluses hides the ammunition box. It weighs 440 kg ready for battle, with the two nine-

Ready for production, the Corced naval station is developed in Brazil by Emgeprom, a company directly linked to the Brazilian Navy. (Emgeprom)

38

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

kilo missiles and 150 rounds (that number can be increased if the vehicle is able to withstand a higher weight). Up to eight smoke grenade launchers can be installed on the turret outer structure. Rafael is also ready to integrate other types of antitank missiles. The Samson Mini MLS has already scored orders from one unspecified customer and is currently in production.

I BRAZIL

In Brazil the Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais (Emgepron), the state-owned company linked to the Ministry of Defence of Brazil through the Command of the Navy, has developed the Corced, a naval station that can be armed with an M2 12.7 mm machine gun or an FN MAG 7.62. Gyrostabilised, it weighs 170 kg. The ammunition box on the left of the weapon contains 300 12.7 mm or 460 7.62 mm rounds. On the right is the optronic pod housing a daytime camera with a x23 zoom, a thermal camera being offered as option. The Corced, which runs on 115 V AC or 24 V DC (drawing a maximum of 60A at 24 V) is fully developed and ready for production.

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:44 PM

Page 1

INTERNATIONAL

THE TRUST

Issue

ED SOUR

CE FOR DEFEN

CE TECHN

OLOG

Y INFOR

MATIO

N SINCE

1976

3/2013

INTERN ATIONA L June/July THE TRUSTED

SOURCE

Issue 2/2013

FOR DEFENCE

TECHNO

LOGY INFORM

1976 ATION SINCE

ONAL INTERNATI

ium Compend by

DRONES

2013-14 trusted IONAL: The INTERNAT

source for

defence

on since gy informati technolo

1976

Annual Subscription Rates, including surface mail, are: CHF 222. (Europe) and USD 222. (Other countries). To receive your own copies of INTERNATIONAL, please mail or fax the portion below to Armada International, Media Transasia Ltd. Room No. 1205-1206, Hollywood Centre 233, Holywood Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2851 1933, or subscribe via www.armada.ch Mr

Rank

Please indicate method of payment

Ms Last Name

First Name

by bank transfer CHF, domestic

CHF, from Europe

USD, other areas

Armada International c/o Media Transasia Ltd. Room No. 1205-1206,

Title

Hollywood Centre 233, Holywood Road, Central, Hong Kong.

Company

by credit card:

Address

PO Box

Town

Country/Province/State

Amexco

Mastercard

Visa

Card No:______________________________________________ Name on card:_________________________________________ Validity: ______________ Card SecurityCode:________________

Country

Postal Code

D D M M Y Y

Signature_______________________

April/May

Air Defence Radars:Armada

1/22/15

1:07 PM

Page 2

Air Defence Radars

Digital Defenders for Today’s Airspace It’s not just the world of tablets and ‘smart’ phones where technological developments are making the systems of yesterday little better than museum exhibits. Digital technology is changing weapons systems of all types, and the land-based and shipboard radars used for air defence are no exception to this rule.

Northrop Grumman’s AN/TPS-80 radar was designed to replace no less than five older radars currently in US Marine Corps service. (Northrop Grumman)

Doug Richardson

L

egacy air-defence radars—immediately recognisable by traditional features such as mechanically rotating arrays, and antennae based on the longestablished reflector and microwave feed, and generating their radio-frequency (RF) power from a transmitter based on vacuumtube technology such as the travelling wave tube (TWT)—are in service in large numbers with armed forces around the world, both at land sites and aboard warships. But talk to a radar engineer, and you will soon learn that many of the radars now under development or entering production combine features that make older traditional radars look as obsolete as the propeller-driven fighter, and the steam-turbine-driven destroyer or frigate.

40

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Several technological trends can be identified: The traditional forms of antenna are giving way to active electronically scanned (Aesa) arrays.

The gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology used by earlier Aesa radars is being replaced by gallium nitride (GaN).

The use of GaN technology, which can run at higher operating temperatures than GaAs, can allow a switch from liquid cooling to air cooling.

The growing use of open architecture and cots (commercial off-the-shelf) hardware.

Radar capability controlled by software rather than hardware, so that functions formerly done using specialised RF hardware can now be handled by reconfigurable fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs) and digital signal processors (DSPs).

Modularity and scalability are being used

to speed the development of new radars.

Commonality simplifies product development and provides economies of scale during manufacture.

Radars are becoming more mobile, with faster set-up and tear-down times—measures intended to make them more survivable.

Some users want radars able to track ballistic threats or even short-range rocket and mortar threats, as well as fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Some radars are using VHF frequencies thought to be better at detecting stealthy aircraft and missiles.

Older radars are being given a performance-enhancing performance boost via retrofit programmes.

No single radar incorporates all of these trends, but a survey of some recently

Air Defence Radars:Armada

1/22/15

1:07 PM

Page 3

Fixed-site radars are easily targeted in wartime. This Serbian radar site at Pristina was knocked out early during the 1990 Operation Allied Force by NATO. (NATO)

announced radar systems and upgrades will illustrate how some of these trends are being applied in practice.

Intended to replace legacy radars such as the AN/MPQ-62 and AN/TPQ-46 (from the HAWK missile system), the AN/TPS-63 (air surveillance), AN/TPS-73 (air traffic control), and AN/TPQ-36/37 (artillery tracking and locating), the Northrop Grumman AN/TPS80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) was developed to meet the requirements of the earlier Multi-Role Radar System (MRRS) and Ground Weapons Locator Radar (GWLR) programmes.

A single hardware configuration consists of a trailer-mounted radar, the Communications Equipment Group (CEG) mounted on a Humvee, and Power Equipment Group (PEG) mounted on a medium tactical vehicle. The complete system is air-portable in a C-130 Hercules. Deployment time is expected to be only 30 minutes, while tear-down time should be 45 minutes.

An Aesa radar with an air-cooled antenna array, it was originally designed to use GaS technology, but was switched to GaN after

delivery of the first two sets. The G/ATOR operates at 2-4 GHz, and can be switched from one task to another by different software.

A USD 207.29 million for four low-rate initial production systems for the USMC was awarded in October 2014, and called for hardware deliveries in 2016-17.

The G/ATOR will be fielded in three blocks.

Block 1 is focused on the short-range airdefence and air-surveillance roles.

Block 2 will add a counterfire capability, with the radar detecting and tracking incoming artillery and rocket projectiles.

Block 3 will offer improved performance against more advanced threats.

Block 4 (which will probably be fielded ahead of Block 3) will provide air-traffic control capabilities.

Every radar delivered will have the inherent capabilities required for all four Block missions.

The G/ATOR also became the jumpingoff point for Northrop Grumman’s candidate to meet the US Air Force’s Three Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range

When developing its candidate to meet the USAF’s Three Dimensional Expeditionary LongRange Radar (3DELRR) requirement, Lockheed Martin created a design that could easily be scaled up to meet a perceived need for a replacement for the long-serving AN/FPS-117s air-surveillance radar. (Lockheed Martin)

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

41

Air Defence Radars:Armada

1/22/15

1:08 PM

Page 4

Air Defence Radars

Radar (3DELRR) requirement to replace the AN/TPS-75, a late-1960s surveillance radar that is becoming more difficult to maintain as it approaches the end of its service life.

The G/ATOR had been designed with scalability in mind, so an S-band derivative promised to meet not only the Air Force’s 3DELRR requirement but also the Department of Defence’s Better Buying Power policy of reusing investments that have already been made. Reusing G/ATOR technology promised to allow common upgrades and modifications for both radars, and offer savings in spares and support.

For its 3DELRR candidate, Lockheed Martin proposed an L-band design based on a modular and scalable architecture that would allow changes should the customer alter the requirement, and allow the design to be scaled up to create a fixed-site radar able to replace the ageing AN/FPS-117s airsurveillance radar.

In October 2014, a third design offered by Raytheon and operating in C-band was selected as the winner. The company was awarded a USD19 million contract for initial engineering and manufacturing development, and the delivery of three systems. A further three production radars were planned, giving the programme a potential total value of USD71.8 million.

“The losing teams filed immediate protests with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), placing the programme in limbo until a review has been carried out—a process that could take up to three months.”

The losing teams filed immediate protests with the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), placing the programme in limbo until a review has been carried out—a process that could take up to three months.

Raytheon’s Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) is being developed as the nextgeneration integrated air and ballistic missile defence radar for the US Navy, and will enter service on DDG 51 Flight III destroyers.

During its development, much emphasis is being given to the concept of scalability. The creation of a series of radar building blocks called Radar Modular Assemblies allows these to be stacked together to create any desired size of radar aperture, resulting in an antenna array that can be either smaller or significantly larger than that used in today’s SPY-1D(V) radar, while the cooling, power, command logic and software will also be scalable, allowing new installations suitable for use in new type of warship, or for retrofitting on existing ships.

The use of GaN technology reduces the size of the hardware needed to generate a specific level of power, and reduces the amount of electric power and cooling required.

The AMDR uses a fully programmable, back-end radar controller built from cots x86 processors, so it will be easily upgradable with future processors to allow the system to cope with emerging threats.

Once again, this is a radar the capabilities of which are software driven. It comes as no surprise to read in a November 2014 company press release not that the radar was being credited with having successfully tracked a simulated Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) target, but that this event had been achieved by what was described as the “first major software build” for the radar.

Raytheon is using what it terms an “agile software development methodology”. A series of monthly software increments undergo integration and test, so that problems or other issues can be identified and resolved as early as possible, and not after all the software has been written. According to the company, this methodology promotes “accelerated development, early risk mitigation and increased software maturity”.

Another example of an Aesa radar developed for the purpose of tracking both aircraft and missiles is Elta’s EL/M-2084 MultiMission Radar (MMR). The design is modular and scalable, and two variants are known.

These have maximum ranges of 150 km and 350 km respectively in the air surveillance role.

This radar operates in S-band, and is probably best known in its role as part of the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Iron Dome anti-rocket system. It has also taken part in tests of the David’s Sling mid-tier antirocket system due to enter limited initial service in 2015.

Israel realises that its Iron Dome defences will be a potential target in any future rocket bombardments, so designed the system to be mobile. The radar can be mounted in a vehicle, or on a small pedestal. The latter configuration allows set-up and tear-down times of less than half an hour.

Scalability is a key concept in Raytheon’s Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) for the US Navy’s DDG 51 Flight III destroyers. The design has the flexibility needed to allow the speedy creation of new variants for other classes of warship. (Raytheon)

42

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:45 PM

Page 1

Air Defence Radars:Armada

1/22/15

1:08 PM

Page 6

Air Defence Radars

The EL/M-2084 radar owes much of its fame to the high-performance role it recently was submitted to as part of the Rafael David’s Sling system in Israel’s defence against massive rocket attacks from Gaza. This example, about to be despatched, was photographed by Armada at Elta’s facilities. It can also be used as stand-alone version sans vehicle. (Armada/Eric H. Biass)

Russia sees VHF radar as a potential solution to the problem of tracking stealth aircraft and stealthy cruise missiles. Whether Russian radar engineers have correctly identified a weakness in US stealth technology remains to be seen. There is some evidence that the US Air Force has recognised the need to have a low radar signature at such long wavelengths. However, they have proceeded to develop a new generation of VHF surveillance radars with a claimed anti-stealth capability.

In the West, we associate the term Aesa with radars whose antennae are made up of large numbers of small solid-state T/R modules. Russian engineers have not hesitated to apply the Aesa principle to VHF radars such as the NNIIRT 1L119 Nebo SVU. Chinese engineers followed the same technological route, and the huge JH-27A VHF Aesa radar displayed at the recent

44

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Zuhai air show is already said to be in operational service.

In the past, many Russian VHF surveillance radars have been large and relatively immobile. Radars such as the 5N84AE Oborona had set-up and strikedown times of more than 12 hours. This is

“Russia sees VHF radar as a potential solution to the problem of tracking stealth aircraft and stealthy cruise missiles.

Whether Russian radar engineers have correctly identified a weakness in US stealth technology remains to be seen (…)”

changing. When designing its Vostok D/E radar, engineers from KB Radar were at pains to combine VHF operation with mobility, creating an antenna array that can be rapidly extended and retracted, allowing a total teardown time of only six minutes.

Another concept being pioneered by Russian engineers is that of combining surveillance radars operating at two or more frequencies into a single integrated system.

One example of this approach is the 55Zh6UME (also known as the Nebo-UME).

Developed by NNIIRT, and first displayed at the 2013 Maks air show, this has two antenna units mounted back-to-back in a single rotating assembly. One antenna operates in the VHF band, the other in L-band (decimetric).

Both antennae are used to determine the azimuth position of targets. The L-band array is used to determine target elevation, while the VHF array is reported to be used to measure target range. The higher resolution of the L-band array is also used to determine precise target co-ordinates. This use of dual frequencies is also understood to improve the radar’s resistance to jamming.

Air Defence Radars:Armada

1/22/15

1:08 PM

Page 7

The use of VHF frequencies for radar no longer implies relative immobility. The tear-down time for KB Radar’s Vostok D/E mobile radar is only six minutes. (KB Radar)

NNIIRT’s 55Zh6M Nebo-M (also available in an export variant designated 55Zh6ME Nebo-ME) takes the use of multiple frequencies a stage further. It uses three antenna units, each operating in a different band.

The 55Zh6M has been in Russian Air Force service for some years, and was first shown publicly during the centennial celebration of Russian Air Force held at the Zhukovskiy Test Centre in 2012.

The VHF (metric) subsystem is designated RLM-M (radiolokatsionniy modul - metroviy diapazon), while the L-band (decimetric) S-band (centimetric) subsystems are the RLM-D (radioloaktsionniy modul - decimetroviy diapazon) and RLM-S (radiolokatsionniy modul - santimetroviy diapazon) respectively. All three are linked to the KU RLK (kabina upravleniya radiolokatsionnovo kompleksa) command and control cabin.

All four are mounted on a BAZ-6909-015 four-axle wheeled chassis which incorporates a hydraulic subsystem for antenna stabilisation, unfolding and folding.

Each also has a GPS/GLONASS land-navigation system own power source, dataexchange and control RF links, and an electrical power generator. According to NNIIRT, deployment and strike-down time for the entire system is only 15 minutes.

Despite the existence of these VHF-band Aesa and multi-frequency systems, there has been no unclassified reaction from the US low-observable community to their existence, or any indication as to whether they represent a real or potential threat to American stealth aircraft.

NNIIRT’s 55Zh6M Nebo-M uses three antenna units, operating in centimetric (left), decimetric (centre) and metric (right) wavelength, (NNIIRT)

Air Defence Radars:Armada

1/22/15

1:08 PM

Page 8

Air Defence Radars

I WESTERN EUROPE

Developed by BAE Systems Maritime Services, the Royal Navy’s E/F-band multibeam Type 997 radar (also known as Artisan 3D) draws on technology from the Sampson multifunction shipboard radar, and the Commander series of ground-based airdefence radars. Its antenna-mounted solidstate transmitter borrows from the Commander power amplifier, while the waveform generator and digital front-end receivers are based on those in the Sampson. It draws less power than the earlier Type 996, and requires less chilled water for cooling. The signalprocessingisbasedon basedon Mercury Systems open-architecture subsystems.

In May 2014, Saab Electronic Defence Systems unveiled three land-based radar systems and two naval variants. All had been company-funded projects, and draw on concepts and technology from the company’s then-existing range of radars.

The new radars, which are all company funded, build on the designs of—and feature commonalities with—Saab’s current range of radars, including the Giraffe AMB multirole surveillance radar, Arthur weapon-locating radar, and Erieye airborne early-warning radar.

The Giraffe 1X and its Sea Giraffe 1X naval variant are lightweight Aesa radars operating in X-band, and intended for mobile, static, or ship-based short-range applications.

The Giraffe 4A and its Sea Giraffe 4A naval counterpart are S-band Aesa multifunction radars that combine medium to long range airsurveillance, air-defence, and weaponlocating capabilities in a single sensor.

Also operating in S-band, the Giraffe 8A surface-based radar is suitable for the longrange air surveillance and tactical ballistic missile defence role. It is the same radar as the Giraffe 4A, but uses a larger antenna in order to obtain its increased range capability.

All these new Saab EDS radars use GaN semiconductors.

Thales Nederland’s NS100 E/F-band 3-D radar exploits technology from the Apar and Smile/Sea Master 400 electronically scanned array radars, and from the Smart-S Mk 2 rotating multibeam radar.

Thales has developed its SR3D platform architecture in a manner that allows a series of modular processing elements and RF building blocks to be used across its new-generation radar products. By varying the number of RF modules, variants with differing levels of transmitted power can be offered for frigates, corvettes, patrol vessels, and fast attack craft.

Improved software is one of the features being used to improve Saab Electronic Defence Systems’ C-band Giraffe AMB radar.

(Saab Electronic Defence Systems)

46

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Air Defence Radars:Armada

1/22/15

1:08 PM

Page 9

BAE Systems Maritime Services Type 997 radar (ARTISAN 3D) uses open-architecture signal processing, and will require less power than cooling than the earlier Type 996.

(BAE Systems Maritime Services)

This growing emphasis on software means that new functions can be added to a radar in much the same way that new functions can be added to a ‘smart’ mobile phone by installing new application software.

For some operators of traditional radars, a technology upgrade can prove an effective way of improving system performance.

Saab has upgraded its existing C-band Giraffe AMB and Arthur radars under

schemes that retain the existing travellingwave tube technology for power generation, but use improved software to provide increased capabilities.

In 2012, Saab Sensis announced that it had successfully completed Site Acceptance Testing of a modernisation applied to four Hughes Air Defense Radars (HADR) operated by the German Air Force. First deployed more than 30 years earlier, these radars lack the capability to accurately detect and track some of today’s threats, while maintenance had become most difficult and time consuming, and costly as a result of component-obsolescence issues.

Commercial-off-the-shelf hardware was used to create a receiver/exciter, radar signal processor, radar data processor and display function in a single electronics cabinet that promised to improve detection and tracking of current air threats, while being easier and less costly to maintain.

R FO Y! ER DA ST O GI E T RE RE F

OR AN EVOLVING WORLD – INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FOR AN EVOLVING WORLD – INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FOR AN EVOLVING WORLD

The event for those in the public and private sectors tasked with sourcing and delivering protection against terrorist threats • Attend live demonstrations and workshops • Network with over 9,500+ public and private sector attendees • Meet 300+ exhibitors showcasing the latest counter terrorism products

and solutions • Discover practical solutions on mitigating the threat of terrorism • Hear from thought leaders on the future of global security

Save £50 by registering for your free exhibition pass at WWW.COUNTERTERROREXPO.COM/TRANSASIA1 Co-located with

Follow us on

Supporting associations

Air Defence Radars:Armada

1/22/15

1:08 PM

Page 10

Air Defence Radars

In the naval field, the shrinking in the physical size of hardware that result from using modern technology simplifies the task of installing a new or updated radar on an existing ship as part of a mid-life upgrade.

Thales has developed its SR3D platform architecture to create a series of building blocks that can be used in a range of new radars. This artist’s impression shows Thales Nederland’s NS100 E/F-band 3-D naval radar. (Thales Nederland)

I LOWER-COST SOURCES UNWISE

In Eastern Europe, and in countries that were once client states of the former Soviet Union, many armed forces face the problem of having to operate ageing radar systems of Soviet origin. It is hardly surprising that many Russian and East European companies have developed modernisation schemes intended to prolong the service life of these radars. In most cases, these schemes are focused on replacing obsolete components or even entire subsystems with modern equivalents of improved performance. But this is not a route to state-of-the-art radar performance.

Inevitably, a customer needing modern radar will be wise to shop with one of the ‘big name’ manufacturers. Buying radars from lower-cost sources can be unwise, as Ecuador discovered several years ago when its recentlypurchased Chinese air-defence radars proved unsatisfactory for operational service.

Lesser-known electronic industries such as those of Iran and North Korea pose their own risk to the unwary customer. Some clues to the state of North Korea’s radar industry emerged in 2011 when The Democratic Voice of Burma, a media organisation run

by Burmese expatriates, published a leaked copy of a report describing a visit made to that country in 2008 by a team from the Myanmar Armed Forces.

Two patterns of search radar were shown to the visitors, who described these as “modified Russian and Chinese search radars” and reported that these incorporated some degree of improved technology. One had been partly digitised. The visiting delegation concluded that it would be wise to investigate what more established radar suppliers could provide.

Watch this Space

To judge from the configuration of the antenna array, technology from the Russian ‘Spoon Rest A’ and ‘Spoon Rest B’ VHF radars seems to have found its way into this North Korean radar shown to a military delegation from Myanmar in 2008. According to a leaked copy of its report, the delegation was unimpressed by the level of technology in the North Korean radars it inspected.

(Myanmar Armed Forces, via The Voice of Burma)

48

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

This article, the first of a series on modern radar technology, is aimed at presenting the most recent types of the air defence variety. The next one, scheduled for our Paris Air Show issue, will concentrate on the technologies involved. (Ed.)

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:46 PM

Page 1

Naval Countermeasures:Armada

1/22/15

1:13 PM

Page 2

Naval Countermeasures

Naval Soft-kill Technologies Soft-kill anti-ship missile self-protection techniques have evolved significantly since the October 1967 sinking of the Israeli destroyer Eilat by an SS-N-2 Styx anti-ship missile to match the ever-growing missile threat, both in terms of smartness and numbers.

Indeed missiles continuously get faster, stealthier, more manoeuvrable and increasingly intelligent in terms of target discrimination and electronic countermeasures.

50

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

Naval Countermeasures:Armada

1/22/15

1:14 PM

Luca Peruzzi

A

ccording to a document released by the British Ministry of Defence’s Maritime Integrated Defence Aids Suite Programme office, 241 antiship missile attacks have occurred since 1967, of which 113 were not defeated and the rest (except one) defeated by soft-kill systems. Offboard expendable soft-kill technology has attempted to keep pace with the threats. Not

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Ramage has received the rapid response capability provided by the Mk-59 floating RF decoy based on corner reflectors to counter modern anti-ship missile. ( US Navy)

Page 3

only have launching systems, for example, evolved from fixed station to trainable systems, but the payloads used are increasingly adapted for multirole operations.

Chemring Countermeasures, as one of the world’s leading manufacturer of 130 mm countermeasures rounds and decoy payloads, decided in 2009 to invest in the development of an advanced system today known as Centurion. This is a 12x130 mm barrelled fully trainable launcher that minimises the need for ship manoeuvre and at the same time provides faster reaction times. In addition to being compatible with existing 130 mm naval infrared and radar-guided-guided missile countermeasures rounds and other payloads such as obscurants, it has been specifically designed, in conjunction with a family of new advanced variable Range Multi-payload Rounds, to be adaptable to defeat future threats and accommodate future solutions.

Moreover, it also offers significant capability in other warfare areas including the deployment of anti-torpedo countermeasures and solutions to counter asymmetric, terrorist and piracy threats. During tests in November 2013 Chemring, together with Raytheon, successfully fired a Javelin missile from the trainable launcher prototype with the objective of developing a naval anti-surface capability. The Centurion’s low weight and small deck footprint make it applicable to platforms from patrol craft through to major combatant vessels. The combination of trainable launcher and the variable range capability allows payload placement to be controlled in three axes. Positional accuracy is further enhanced through stabilisation of the aim point to counter ship movement. This gives better ship signature replication in the missiles seeker and offers a step change in soft-kill performance, according to Chemring. Still in an advance development and trials phase, Centurion has been developed for perceived British and world market needs for a trainable launcher.

Among the latest in-service development in trainable launchers, Rheinmetall has unveiled at the Euronaval 2014 exhibition near Paris a new version of its market-leading Multi-Ammunition Soft-kill System (Mass) with an anti-torpedo capability, represented by up to four DCNS Canto decoys launchers.

Existing launchers can be easily equipped with the new anti-torpedo upgrade kit without modification, adding basically any providerindependent system. The Mass is offered by Rheimentall as a lightweight, low ship impact, low-signature soft-kill system

employing a single type of programmable-fuse ammunition. Based on a low RCS stabilised and trainable 32-barrel launcher, it uses the same company-provided 81mm-calibre spinstabilised Omni-Trap multispectral decoy, covering radar, infrared, laser, electro-optical and ultraviolet (and optionally millimetric) wavebands for employment in seduction, distraction and confusion modes. The Mass is in service or in order with more than a dozen worldwide navies and its latest customer is New Zealand, which ordered it in a twinlauncher configuration with long-range capability to equip two of its Meko-class frigates in a configuration including a Saab laser warning receiver to counter the evergrowing asymmetric threat. Rheinmetall is however cooperating with IAI/Elta in Israel to integrate its NavGuard radar-based projectile warning system that is able to detect even small incoming threats, as evidenced by a live-firing testing against a passive-guided Milan anti-tank missile.

As a private venture, Chemring has developed the advanced 12x130 mm barrel fully trainable Centurion launcher system that minimises the need for a ship to manoeuvre.

A fast-reaction system, the Centurion has been designed to be adaptable to future threats and accommodate new decoy solutions. ( Luca Peruzzi)

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

51

Naval Countermeasures:Armada

1/22/15

1:14 PM

Page 4

Naval Countermeasures

At Euronaval 2014 Rheinmetall unveiled a new version of its trainable market-leading Multi-Ammunition Soft-kill System (Mass) launcher with an anti-torpedo capability based on up to four DCNS Canto decoys launchers. (Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

Building on the success of the widely sold Dagaie and Dagaie Mk 2 decoy system developed in conjunction with countermeasures specialist Lacroix, Sagem (part of Safran group) has developed the New-Generation Dagaie System. Based on a modular architecture, this is a twin-axis launcher, trainable in elevation and azimuth, which has been acquired so far by the French Navy for new Horizon type destroyers and Fremm multirole frigates (also delivered to Morocco). Delivered in a 12-barrel configuration and firing Lacroix’s families of new generation Sealem and Sealir decoy rockets, they deploy RF and IR payloads. An active off-board decoy round called Sealad and an acoustic anti-torpedo called Sealat have also been developed. The fact that a lowRCS launcher variant of this new-gen Dagaie with eight launch tubes is deployed on board Republic of Singapore Navy’s Formidableclass frigates is an open secret. The French company is also marketing the Dagaie NG version which includes 62/80 mm Sealem and Sealir decoys developed by Lacroix.

Elbit is marketing the Deseaver Mk II which, in addition to Israeli Navy’s platforms, equips the Indian Navy’s new-generation frontline ships, including Kolkata-class destroyers and stealth Kamorta-class antisubmarine warfare corvettes. The traversable, 72-barrel, trainable stabilised launcher with reduced radar cross-section allows for very fast and accurate decoy deployment, even during violent evasive manoeuvres. In its latest version, the Deseaver system features new computers, enhanced displays and improved software-based functionalities,

52

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

launching up to 10 different decoy rocket types to provide multi-layered defence in all soft-kill modes (confusion, distraction, dump and centroid seduction).

The development and production of decoy munitions for the Israeli Navy is very much in the hands of Rafael, which supplies a complete range of products including the Long-Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR), the Medium-Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR), the BT-4 short range chaff rocket, the Heatrap IR decoy and the Wideband Zapping Anti-Radar Decoy (Wizard). These programmable decoy rounds are also employed by Rafael’s Integrated Decoy System (IDS) which features three lines of defence with real-time optimised decoy deployment, a fixed or trainable launching system, and a computerised decoy controller.

A modular design, the IDS easily adapts to a wide range of platforms sizes. The trainable launcher, which includes four side-mounted LRCR tubes and 24-to-60 115 mm tubes for medium and short-range decoys, according to Rafael, provides an effective ship defence that capitalises on precise decoy location and optimised defence.

Italy’s Finmeccanica group is marketing the Oto Melara Odls decoy Launcher, also known as the Sclar-H. In the latter configuration, which is deployed on board Italian Navy’s latest frontline ships, including Cavour aircraft carrier, Horizon type destroyers, Fremms and the recently delivered Algerian Navy’s flat deck amphibious and logistic support ship, Oto Melara is responsible for the launcher and Selex ES for the decoy launch control.

Designed for accurate deployment of 105-118 mm calibre decoy rockets against radar and IR

homing missiles, it can also be used for shore bombardment. Featuring a local control unit that performs the interface with ships’ EWS, the Odls comes with up to two trainable launcher units, each equipped with 15 rockets and four mortar stations. Based on the Italian Navy’s advanced EW requirements for the new frontline ship to be soon contracted, Oto Melara conducted a feasibility study and is proposing a new version, characterised by a revised-design but same layout and footprint Odls trainable launcher with 20 mortar stations able to launch not only the full range of 130 mm IR and RF decoys available on the market and under development, but also the rocket-propelled large-payload deployment vehicle compatible with 130 mm launchers. Hence a wide range of payloads can be employed, including ASW, obscuration or other bespoke payloads. The new Odls is also designed to launch nonlethal countermeasures and to be retrofitted to the navy’s frontline ships without ship structure modifications.

Decoy launching systems with barrels fixed at pre-set angles and elevations have proliferated in recent years. The most notable

The trainable 32-barrel Rheinmetall Mass launcher uses the company’s 81mm-calibre spin-stabilised Omni-Trap multispectral decoy, covering radar, IR, laser, electro-optical and ultraviolet (and optionally millimetric) wavebands. (Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:48 PM

Page 1

Naval Countermeasures:Armada

1/22/15

1:14 PM

Page 6

Naval Countermeasures

Sagem’s New Generation Dagaie System family of modular trainable launchers include a low-radar cross section unit employing Lacroix’s Seaclad new-generation family of 62 and 150 mm decoys. The French Navy’s new Horizon destroyers and Fremm multirole frigates (also delivered to Morocco) carry a 12-barrel configuration with conventional shield launcher. (Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

types include the Mk 36 associated with 130 mm Super Rapid Blooming Offboard Chaff/Nato Sea Gnat munitions, and Terma’s Soft-kill Weapon System (SKWS). Recently rebranded C-Guard and designed to protect naval platforms against coordinated multithreat/multi-directional attacks by missiles and torpedoes, and relying on combat proven 130 mm Nato decoys together with a proven mechanical launcher design without moving parts, it is in service in more than 150 systems worldwide. The C-Guard is offered in DL-6T guise with six tubes or DL-12T twelve-tube configuration. Their multi-angular pair sets provides advanced decision-making for the operator and supports distraction and seduction mode in order to obtain the best defence against multi-directional attacks by missiles. The system’s algorithm uses a classified customer-owned database which can be modified to accommodate new threats and tactics that may appear in the future. In combination with the right decoys, the algorithm ensures that decoys are placed to counter any threat including the newest missiles with small range gates.

In the same fixed launcher installation sector, French Lacroix defence group is

54

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

marketing the Sylena system, capable of engaging both air and underwater threats, with the full range of the same company’s Seaclad family of advanced countermeasures, including Sealem Corner Reflector RF and Salir Morphologic IR decoys, together with anti-wake and DCNS Canto electro-acoustic anti-torpedo ammunitions and the Seamosc electro-optic-laser screening/masking decoys.

Easy to integrate according to its manufacturer, lightweight and reduced footprint capabilities, together with claimed very low life cycle costs, the Sylena decoy launcher family is offered in four different versions: Sylena LW or lightweight model capable to deploy anti RF/IR missiles decoys (up to 10 stations), the baseline Sylena Mk 1 and Mk2, which differs for the second being also capable to deploy electro-acoustic torpedo countermeasures in addition to anti RF/IR missiles decoys (up to 16 stations + 3 anti-torpedo decoy stations), and the Sylena Mk2. The Sylena LW is fully operational and integrated with Thales EW sensors in the DCNS Polaris combat system on board the Gowind patrol vessel L’Adroit in service with French Navy and has been contracted in the baseline version for the Al-Ofouq-class patrol vessels under construction and fitting-out by Singapore’s ST Marine for Royal Omani Navy.

In addition to the latest generation family of decoys supplied to the Israeli Navy (including both IR and RF programmable munitions), Rafael is promoting its Integrated Decoy System (IDS), which features three lines of defence with real-time optimised decoy deployment, a fixed or trainable launching system, and a computerised decoy controller.

(Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

Recently renamed C-Guard, Terma’s Soft-kill Weapon System is designed to protect naval platforms against coordinated multithreat/multi-directional attacks by missiles and torpedoes, relying on combat proven 130 mm Nato decoys together with a proven mechanical launcher design featuring no moving parts. ( Terma) I RADAR-GUIDED MISSILE THREAT

In the three decades since the 1980s, when the Falklands War in the South Atlantic and the Tanker War in the Arabian Gulf showed the importance of effective soft-kill defence, the technology and techniques applied to antiship missiles has developed rapidly amongst leading European, Russian and Chinese producers towards terminal guidance suites that are more discriminative and less susceptible to electronic countermeasures.

Although most anti-ship missiles seekers have been developed to operate in J-band for increased robustness and all-weather tolerance, the Ka-band millimetre-wave (mmW) radar guidance of a new generation of Chinese anti-ship missiles has become increasingly common in the Arabian Gulf region. Moreover, the asymmetric threats in the littoral warfare arena have pushed industries and navies to require and develop defence capabilities also against EO/IR and laser guided surface-to-surface missiles.

With the emergence of more advanced threats, navies have been re-examining their strategies against RF missiles, as the more traditional countermeasures will be increasingly ineffective against these latest missiles. However, active RF decoys have only entered service with a handful of navies.

Naval Countermeasures:Armada

1/22/15

1:14 PM

Ease of integration, light weight, reduced footprint and low life cycle costs are the main features of Lacroix’s Sylena family of decoy launchers offered in four versions including this Sylena LW model capable of deploying anti RF/IR missiles decoys (up to 10 stations).

(Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

Page 7

Passive rapid-inflating corner reflectors-based RF decoy are slowly gathering popularity, but the vast majority of surface warships still rely on chaff, fired from fixed and trainable launchers, as their main RF countermeasures.

Development and deployment of new generation off-board active decoys (Obad), which combine a payload carrier vehicle with an active EW payload, began in the late 1990s.

Amongst the Obads in service, the US/Australian Mk234 Nulka is the most successful, with over 1,000 rounds delivered.

According to latest contract press releases, the Nulka AOD will be fitted to 166 ships mainly Australian, Canadian and US naval vessels by 2019. Jointly manufactured by BAE Systems Australia (flight vehicle, shipboard electronics and launcher), and Lockheed Martin (electronic payload), the Nulka employs a hovering rocket propulsion system to position itself away from the launching ship in a manner consistent with the threat missile seeker’s range and angle tracking, using a broadband repeater payload to present a more attractive target. To keep the system at the edge of capabilities, the US Navy has established an improved programme to extend the frequency range and effectiveness of the Obad payload.

The Seaclad family of new-generation decoys developed by Lacroix includes both 62 and 80 mm diameter versions of Sealem Corner Reflector RF and Sealir Morphologic IR decoys, together with anti-wake and DCNS Canto electro-acoustic anti-torpedo ammunitions and the Seamosc electro-opticlaser screening/masking decoys.

(Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

Naval Countermeasures:Armada

1/22/15

1:14 PM

Page 8

Naval Countermeasures

The Mk234 Nulka system is the most successful Off-board Active Decoy (Obad) with over 1,000 rounds delivered. According to the latest announcements, the Nulka will be fitted to 166 ships worldwide by 2019, including Australian, Canadian and US naval vessels. It is jointly manufactured by BAE Systems Australia (flight vehicle, shipboard electronics and launcher) and Lockheed Martin (electronic payload). (Australian DoD)

In the meantime (in October 2014), the Australian government awarded two contracts, one for the production of new rounds and the other covering the design of next generation of shipboard Nulka launch systems for the Royal Australian Navy.

Rafael, in Israel, has developed and is marketing the C-GEM Obad as part of the latest generation family of advanced RF and IR decoys. To counter modern radar seekers exploiting the principle of mon-pulse and lock-on receive only (Loro) techniques to track maritime platforms as well as chaff identification and discrimination capabilities, the Rafael system can be packed into a standard size chaff rocket and includes a lowpower technique generator and high ERP transmitter arrays that generate effective jamming countermeasures. According to Rafael documentation, the C-GEM’s main features are wideband frequency range,

56

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

extended spatial coverage, solid state active array and electronic beam steering techniques, in addition to fire-and-forget and very fast response capabilities.

In Europe, the Royal Navy has been operating the Mk 251 Siren round developed

by Marconi (now Selex ES) as part of the Outfit DLH decoy suite since 2003. A rocketlaunched decoy employing a multimode I/Jband jammer and suspended beneath a parawing, the Mk 251 jammer is pre-programmed before launch. Looking into the future the Royal Navy and the French Royale have partnered in the four-year Accolade technology demonstrator programme. In addition to Thales and Thales UK, the Accolade programme also sees the involvement of Blue Bear Systems Research in Britain for the development of the airborne vehicle. After the successful Obad ballistic launch trials conducted in July 2013, the programme is, according to industry sources, expected to complete with a system demonstration in 2015.

The US Navy has more recently opted for the rapid response capability offered by RF decoys based on corner reflectors. In September 2013, the US Navy has contracted Airborne Systems, a division of HDT Global, to supply a floating radio frequency corner deflector anti-ship missile defence system. The latter is based on the system already supplied to the Royal Navy by Airborne Systems. It is

known as the Outfit DLF(3) and is marketed in its export variant as the FDS3. The British company has been supplying corner deflectors to the Royal Navy since 1986.

Known as Mk 59 Mod 0 in US Navy service, the RF decoy has begun to equip Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in late 2013. The latest customer is New Zealand, announcing a contract in October 2014 as part of the Anzac class frigate upgrade programme.

According to their manufacturers, corner deflectors decoys offer several advantages including launch procedures that are independent from ship manoeuvres, consistent radar reflector performance and extended endurance on the sea surface, insensitivity to the polarisation of the missile’s radar, a ship like radar-cross section that varies in a similar matter to a ship, multi-band performance extending into the millimetric wave region and the resistance to the chaff discriminators used by modern RF seekers.

Few naval forces have developed and put into service the same technology. The French Navy uses the Lacroix Sealem on a number of combatant class vessels. Introduced into service by mid-2000s, the 150 mm diameter Sealem 15-01/15-02 (1650/1800 mm length) rockets deploy corner reflectors that generate customer-tailored RCS over the duration required by of all tactical engagements (centroid seduction, distraction/seduction and dilution). The more compact Sealem 08-

The British company Airborne Systems has provided corner deflectors to the Royal Navy since 1986, with the latest Outfit DLF(3) variant entering into service in 2006. Known as Mk 59 Mod 0 in US Navy service, it began to equip Arleigh Burke-class destroyers since late 2013. The latest customer is New Zealand as part of the Anzac class frigate systems upgrade project. (US Navy)

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:51 PM

Page 1

Naval Countermeasures:Armada

1/22/15

1:15 PM

Page 10

Naval Countermeasures

The Israeli Navy has introduced the Rafael Wizard (Wideband Zapping Anti-Radar Decoy) system, which has been demonstrated to Nato navies in 2007, as seen here. The Wizard is a free-flight, fin-stabilised, solid-propellant 115 mm diameter rocket that deploys corner deflector payloads, that distract or lure radar-guided anti-ship missiles. ( Rafael)

Lacroix countermeasures specialist is marketing the 150 mm diameter Sealem (Special Advanced Lacroix ElectroMagnetic RF decoy) corner reflector launcher rocket.

The more compact Sealem 08 mortar-based rounds have been developed as part of the company’s export-oriented Sylena small-ship decoy launcher system.

(Armada/Luca Peruzzi)

NEXT ISSUE APRIL/MAY 2015: 1 APRIL, ADVERTISING: 16 MARCH Compendium – Artillery from A to Z: This

new Compendium will start with hand-held target acquisition and designation systems, which in recent missions have become a key tool as accuracy is now a top-priority given the additional constraints on collateral damage. Other targeting means can be used, mounted on land, air and even spatial platforms, but this would enlarge too much the scope of the publication. The principles of and need for artillery C4I will be examined though most suites are tailored to varying doctrine needs. This Compendium will of course cover effectors, heavy mortars, field and self-propelled howitzers, rocket launchers and ammunition (especially new families as well as the guided types).

58

INTERNATIONAL

1/2015

01/08-02 mortar-based rounds, for their part, have been developed as part of the company’s export-oriented Sylena small-ship decoy launcher system.

In service with the Israeli Navy Rafael’s Wizard (Wideband Zapping Anti-Radar Decoy) has been demonstrated to Nato navies in 2007. The Wizard is a free-flight , fin-stabilised, solid-propellant 115 mm diameter rocket that deploys corner deflector payloads, which distracts or seduces radarguided anti-ship missiles providing a return signal similar to a ship with a RCS of between 1,500 and 4,000 square metres.

Significantly, important navies are working on new technologies and systems to provide a better protection against new threat. The US Navy has established the Advanced Off-board Electric Warfare programme, which is intended to deliver a Transport Aircraft: Often regarded as the

military’s poor child, the transport aircraft world is now going through an important change to match the requirements of the new world order, and particularly the need to move troops and now different equipment to remote, unprepared areas.

Medium Range Air Defence: A number of

countries are looking at ways of upgrading their air defence systems in an atmosphere in which political (especially), industrial and economical issues arm wrestle with tactical and technical considerations. While looking at improving ABM capabilities, US, Europe, Russia and China champions are fighting against each other for lucrative contracts.

Close Quarter Combat: Chances of having to

fight in towns and urban areas are increasing day by day. Soldiers need new tools to operate in built-up areas, maintaining information superiority in areas

long-endurance off-board countermeasures capability “for use in next generation coordinated EW missions against current and future anti-ship missile threats”, according to Naval Sea Systems Command. While the Mk59 Mod 0 introduction into service is the first increment of this programme, with the latest and second increment, officially acknowledged in April 2014, the US Navy solicited proposals for the development of a new anti-ship missile defence electronic attack (EA) payload to be deployed from MH-60 helicopters but operated under the control of the shipborne AN/ASLQ-32 electronic warfare (EW) suite. The AOEW Active Mission Payload (AMP) Concept of operations envisages the EW suite detecting the in-coming anti-ship missile threats, then cueing and controlling the helicopter-borne AMP via a Link 16 communications link). which are usually best known by their opponents.

Effectors must also be tailored to those scenarios.

Counter Terrorism Equipment: Counter-

terrorism equipment ranges from small arms to satellite surveillance. This article will try to figure out the latest developments that may be of use for those who are involved in defeating terrorism at tactical level.

Border Surveillance: The title is almost self-

explanatory. The idea is to monitor long border swaths with a minimum of personnel, which involves radars and electro-optical devices that can be pole-mounted or airborne, generally in tethered balloons for better endurance.

Show Report – Euronaval: The Biennial naval

exhibition near Paris had quite a few novelties to reveal, according to Armada’s two reporters despatched to the event.

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:52 PM

Page 1

Ad Check Armada.qxp:Armada

1/27/15

2:53 PM

Page 1