Armada International: Issue 3 June/July 2012

THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976

Issue 3/2012 June/JulyINTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL

01INTERNATIONAL 3/2012

20AEW&C AIRCRAFTTODAY’S “MUST-HAVE”ASSETSI Roy Braybrook

28UTILITY HELICOPTER ARMAMENTSWISS KNIVES FOR JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES WHIRLYBIRDSI Roy Braybrook

50RADIO ACCESSORIESACCESSORISE TACTICALLYI Tom Withington

38SITUATIONAL AWARENESSA LIFESAVERFORVEHICLE CREWSI PaoloValpolini

COMPENDIUM SUPPLEMENTDRONES 2012-13I Eric H. Biass & Roy Braybrook

WHERE DOMODERNSOLDIER PROGRAMMES

NOW STAND?I Paolo Valpolini

06MODERN SOLDIER

THE TRUSTED SOURCE FOR DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION SINCE 1976

INTERNATIONAL

Contents3/2012

It has nowbeen a couple of years sinceArmada International published its Modern

Soldier Programmes Compendium – acomprehensive survey covering all the

then-called Future Soldier Programmes. Futurehas become today for a number of these

programmes and Armada though useful to seehow some of them fared since 2010

60FIGHTER AIRCRAFT MARKETFIGHTER MARKET IN FRENZYI Roy Braybrook

Index

02 INTERNATIONAL 3/2012

3M 58

Accusonic Voice Systems 59

ADA 62

AeroVironment 22,,66,,2244,,2266

Airbus Military 23,24,67,69,72

Alliant Techsystems 28

Antonov 22

ATE South Africa 31

ATK 31,3322,,34,67,68

Augusta Westland 04,26,30,36

Aurelis 54

BAE Systems 0033,,04,0066,,0088,,2244,,32,33

Bell helicopter 44,,28,33

Beretta 12,50,51

Beriev 22

Boeing 0033,,04, 0044,,0066,,21,24,2266,,31

Boeing Insitu 33,,66

Bristol Aerospace 32

Carl Zeiss 44

Chengdu Aircraft Industry 61

China Electronics Technology Group 22

Cobham 04,52

Copenhagen Sensor Technology 44

Dassault 77,,88,,3300,,64,65

Denel land Systems 31

Dillon Aero 30,31,32

DRDO 1122,,1144,,24,70

EADS /Cassidian 77,,88,,3366

EID 52,53

Elbit Systems 88,,1100,,1111,,1122,, 34,44,70

Elno 50,56,57

Embraer 24,25,68

Emirates Advanced Investment 33

Eurocopter 29

Eurofighter 64,65

Eurojet 64

Fincantieri Company 68

FN Herstal 29,30,31,32

Force Protection 42

Galileo Avonica 26

Garwood Industries 31

GE Aviation 22,31,62

General Atomics 11,,22,,33,,44,,1100,,2288

General Dynamics 30,32,42,52,58

General Electric 21,28,30

Guizhou Aircraft Industry 61

Gulfstream 26

Hamilton Sundstrand 22

Harris 18,58

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd 1144,,31,65

Honeywell 8

IAI 66,,77,,88,,1100,,1111,,22,26,36

IHAG Holding 4

Ilyushin 22

Imtradex 53,54

Indra Systems 3366

Invisio 54

ITOCHU Croporation 4

ITT Exelis 04,12,13,71

KAI 61,62

Kaman K-Max 66,,77,,3344,,69

Kamov 26,30,31

Kanematsu 4

Kazan 28

Klimov 61,

Kongsberg 18,48

L3 Wescam 10,12,3355,,71

Lockheed Martin 04,0066,,1144,,21,2244,,67

Marinette Marine Croporation 68

MBDA 36,61,67

Micro Power Electronics 53

Motorola 58

Nanjing 14th Institute 22

Narce 58

Nexter 28,31

Norinco 32

Northrop Grumman 33,,04,66,,1122,,1144,,20,26

Oerlikon 4

Peltor 58

Pilatus 4

Pratt & Whitney 22,65,67

PZL Swidnik 32

QinetiQ 16,2266

Quietpro 58,59

RAC MiG 1144,,3300,,62,63

Radmor 52

Raytheon 04,66,,1144,,23,2244,,2277,,28,3300,,34

Raytheon Elcan 10,12

Rheinmetall 77,,12,14,42,44,48

Roketsan 34

Rolls Royce 22,2266

Russian Helicopter 35,36

Saab 24,25,3366,,62

Sagem 77,,8,10

Schiebel 1122,,3355,,3366

Selex Elsag 10

Selex Galileo 12, 40, 42, 3300,,3311,,3344

Shaanxi Aircraft Company 22

Shenyang Aircraft Corporation 66

Sikorsky 0066,,28,30,34,3355

Silynx 56,57,58

ST Engineering 4

Sukhoi 1144,,3300,,66

Symetrics Industries 59

TAI 64

Textron 04,3300,,36

Thales 0088,,1100,,16,17,18,26,32,36,40

Tikhomirov NIIP Institute 22

ULTRACELL 54

Vectronix 14,16

Volvo 61

AFRICA AEROSPACE 69

AR MODULAR 67

ARGON 15

ARMADA SUBSCRIPTION 2222

CERADYNE 13

CODAN 59

DAIMLER 3

DATRON 55

DCI 33

DDC 25

ELBIT SYSTEMS 99

EURONAVAL C3

EUROSAM 27

FISCHER 65

FLIR 9

IAI MALAT 55

ILA BERLIN 3355

INDO DEFENCE CC33

INVISIO 53

ITT EXELIS NIGHT VISION 37

ITT EXELIS SPEARNET 35

IVECO 39

L3 WESCAM 2255

LEUPOLD 17

MBDA C2

NEXTER 47

NORTHROP GRUMMAN 23, 1155,, 1166,, 1177

NOVATEL 45

ODU 71

RAFAEL C4

RECON ROBOTICS 19

REVISION 11

ROCKWELL COLLINS 57

RUAG HOLDING 43

SAAB 1133

SCHIEBEL CC22

SELEX ELSAG 63

SELEX GALILEO 1111

SMi GROUP 63

STAUBI 49

TEXTRON AAI CC44

THALES 41

TRIJICON 15

ULTRALIFE 51

VECTRONIX 31

VIASAT 5

I INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

I INDEX TO MANUFACTURERS

Companies mentioned in this issue. Where there are multiple references to a company in an article,only the firstoccurence and subsequent photographs are listed below

Entries highlighted with bblluuee nnuummbbeerrss arefound Drones 2012-13 Compendium

The French Félin is the world’s firstcomprehensive modern soldier suite to haveentered service, almost turning fiction intoreality. These soldiers have been captured bythe Editor’s camera while they were training inan urban warfare training centre near Sissone.

INTERNATIONALis published bi-monthly by Media Transasia Ltd.

Copyright 2012 by Media Transasia Ltd.Publishing Office: Media Transasia Ltd,Room No. 1205-1206, Hollywood Centre 233,Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong.Tel: (852) 2815 9111, Fax: (852) 2815 1933Editor-in-Chief: Eric H. BiassRegular Contributors: Roy Braybrook,Paolo Valpolini, Thomas Withington

Chairman: J.S. UberoiPresident: Xavier Collaco Sr. Manager International Marketing: Vishal MehtaDeputy Manager Marketing: Tarun MalviyaSales &Marketing Coordinator: Atul BaliSenior Visualiser: Sachin JainProduction Manager: Kanda ThanakornwongskulGroup Circulation Manager: Porames ChinwongsChief Financial Officer: Gaurav Kumar

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AABBCC

Volume 36, Issue No. 3, June/July 2012


Business

AAGGUUSSTTAAWWEESSTTLLAANNDDand KKaanneemmaattssuuCCoorrppoorraattiioonnhave pleased to announcethat they have been aawwaarrddeedd aa ccoonnttrraacctt bythe JJaappaann NNaattiioonnaall PPoolliiccee AAggeennccyy (JNPA)to supply two GGrraannddNNeeww llaaww eennffoorrcceemmeennttlliigghhtt ttwwiinn hheelliiccoopptteerrss as part of an on-going programme to modernise the Policehelicopter fleet. The order represents thefirst sale of GrandNew helicopters to theJapan National Police Agency and is part oftheir plan to modernise its fleet with amodern high performance helicopter.

BBOOEEIINNGGand the UU..SS.. AAiirr FFoorrccee completedthe ffiirrsstt mmaannnneedd fflliigghhtt ooff tthhee QQFF--1166 FFuullllSSccaallee AAeerriiaall TTaarrggeett (FSAT) on May 4 atCecil Field in Jacksonville. The QF-16 tookoff at 3:05 p.m. Eastern time and climbedto an altitude of 41,000 feet during its 66-minute flight.

BBAAEE SSYYSSTTEEMMSShas been awarded acontract to ddeevveelloopp aanndd mmaannuuffaaccttuurree tthhee

AAccttuuaattoorr CCoonnttrrooll UUnniitt (ACU) for theBBooeeiinngg KKCC--4466AA ttaannkkeerr.. The contract is forthe design, development, test, andproduction of the ACU for the BoomActuation Control System (ACS) of theKC-46A tanker.

RRAAYYTTHHEEOONN BBBBNN TTEECCHHNNOOLLOOGGIIEESShasbeen aawwaarrddeedd $$11..99 mmiilllliioonn by the UU..SS.. AAiirrFFoorrccee RReesseeaarrcchh LLaabboorraattoorryy under theFFoorrccee PPrrootteeccttiioonn pprrooggrraamm. BBN is a whollyowned subsidiary of Raytheon Company.

OOEERRLLIIKKOONNhas signed an agreement withto sseellll iittss 1133..9977 %% mmiinnoorriittyy ssttaakkee in theSwiss aircraft manufacturer PPiillaattuussFFlluuggzzeeuuggwweerrkkeeAG, to IIHHAAGG HHoollddiinngg,Zürich and JJ..FF.. BBuurrkkaarrtt (SouthfieldAircraft Ltd.). The parties agreed not todisclose the purchase price. Thetransaction will have a positive one timeeffect on Oerlikon’s 2012 financial result.

JJAAPPAANNMinistry of Defense recentlyordered 19 AAbblleeSSeennttrryy®® ssyysstteemmss fromLLoocckkhheeeedd MMaarrttiinnand its trading partnerIITTOOCCHHUU CCoorrppoorraattiioonn ttoo pprroovviiddeeddeetteeccttiioonn aanndd eeaarrllyy wwaarrnniinnggof a possiblechemical, biological, or radiological attack.

BBOOEEIINNGGhas begun an extensivemmaaiinntteennaannccee ttrraaiinniinngg pprrooggrraammforTTuurrkkeeyy''ss Peace Eagle Airborne Early

Warning and Control ((AAEEWW&&CC)) programat a Boeing facility near Seattle. Classroomtraining for 10 Turkish Air Forcepersonnel and two Turkish Airlinesemployees is being conducted byinstructors from Boeing Defence Australiaand Boeing Training and Flight Services.The training covers all aspects of the 737AEW&C aircraft, including mechanicalavionics, mission systems and electronicwarfare subsystems.

NNOORRTTHHRROOPP GGRRUUMMMMAANNccoommpplleetteeddiittss 22,,000000tthh mmiiccrroowwaavvee ppoowweerr mmoodduullee,, anintegral component in radars, jammersand other military electronics. Theseassemblies are critical components inelectronic warfare and countermeasuresystems such as the AN/ALQ-135 for U.S.and international F-15 aircraft.

I BIG DEALS IN SHORT

COMPANY AMOUNT EVENT FROM WHERE

ST Engineering $100 million Rail electronics solutions & satcom systems contract Singapore

Boeing $55.3 million Upgrade of B-1 Lancer navigation system U.S. Air Force

BAE Systems A$ 86.6 million Interim Basic Flying Training services to ADF Australia

Raytheon $33 million Mission readiness support services contract to US Pacific Command U.S. PACOM

BAE Systems $ 11 million U.S. Special Operations Command contract to procure SkeetIR® thermal monocular U.S. SOCOM

Boeing $12.5 million Contract for additional Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (Laser JDAM) sensors US NAVAIR

Cobham £13 million To supply Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) and support solutions NATO Customers

Raytheon $106 million Contract for the production of Aegis-related equipment U.S. Navy

BAE Systems $ 60 million Contract for training to defeat IED U.S. DOD JIEDDO

BAE Systems $75 million Contract to produce and deliver hard armor inserts U.S. DLA

Lockheed Martin $79.4 million Contract for development of new GMLRS variant U.S. DOD

BAE Systems £224 million Contract to upgrade electronic warfare capabilities on Saudi fighter jets Royal Saudi Air Force

Northrop Grumman $ 52.8 million Contract to upgrade Electronic Attack pods U.S. Air Force

Textron Systems $71.4 million Contract to supply Afghanistan with 65 additional mobile strike force vehicles U.S. Army

ITT EXELIS $ 238 million Contract for production of AN/ALQ-214 on-board jammer system on F/A-18 aircraft U.S. Navy

06

Modern Soldier

It has nowbeen a couple of years since Armada International published its ModernSoldier Programmes Compendium – a comprehensive survey covering all the then-calledFuture Soldier Programmes. Future has become today for a number of theseprogrammes and Armada though useful to see how some of them fared since 2010.

Where Do Modern SoldierProgrammes Now Stand?

INTERNATIONAL 3/2012

SOLDIERModernisation Program-mes are underway in numerouscountries, some with more than asingle programme running or

being planned. Australia, Austria, Belgium,Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, CzechRepublic, Denmark, Finland, France,Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Israel,Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, theNetherlands, Norway, New Zealand,Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal,Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Spain,

Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, SouthKorea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Sweden,Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, andthe United States are the nations that arein a way or another involved in suchprogrammes.

Someof these programmes still only existon paper while others are in various stagesof development. However, the only soldiermodernisation programme that can beconsidered in full production is the FrenchFélin, although a number of other nationsare on the verge of freezing theirconfigurations before shifting to massproduction.

Not all programmes pursue similarobjectives. Some, such as the French one,involve the full spectrum of soldierequipment, from firepower throughprotection to C4I, while others concentrateonly on specific areas. It is thus very difficultto draw comparisons between those variousprogrammes.

I FRANCETheFrenchFelin (see our cover) is definitelythe only integrated system currently inservice. It also is battle-proven, the firstFelin-equipped regiment having beendeployed toAfghanistan in late 2011.The1stInfantry Regiment part of Joint TacticalGroup “Picardie” deployed at Tora was thefirst unit to be fully equipped with the


Rheinmetall should soonreceive a first order for enough IdZ2

systems to equip a battlegroup.(Rheinmetall)

The French Army is taking delivery of thesixth Félin regimental package. Here member of the

fifth unit to be equipped with the system, the 8thRPIMa, was caught by the author’s camera during

an exercise in Great Britain. (Armada/PV)

Paolo Valpolini

system developed and produced by Sagem,although not much has hitherto beenrevealed about lessons learned. The onlycomments were made last January by theFrenchMinister ofDefenceGérardLonguetat the Defense Commission, where hepraised the system’s advanced features thatallowed the French soldiers to overcome amost difficult situation.

In February 2012 the 1stCompanyof the8th Marine Parachute Infantry Regimentdeployed to Otterburn for a combinedexercise with the British Army 5 ScotsRegiment. The 8th RPIMa was the fifthFrenchArmyunit to receive the system, andit was the first time that the systemwas used

A view of the Felin company commander’sruggedized tablet-PC used as C4I terminal;one month into the Félin familiarisationprocess, the 8th RPIMa officers and soldierswere fully satisfied with the system.(Armada/PV)


Modern Soldier

The Sagem Jim LR (longrange) multifunction

binocular is thetarget acquisition

device available toFélin-equipped infantrysections. (Armada/PV)

in such a binational exercise. In October2010 Sagem received an initial conditionaltranche of over €25 million for thedevelopment of the RIF-NG (Réseaud’Information du Fantassin – NouvelleGénération), the radio aimed at replacingthe current Felin radio, because it operateson the 800 MHz band which is now beingallocated to civilian applications. Not much isknown about the development of this radiodespite the fact that it is intended for initialdelivers in 2013.

In late 2011 a team made of Sagem, theInstitut de Recherche Biomedical des Arméesand the Hidalgo in Britain won the bid for aBiosensor Information Demonstrator issuedby the European Defense Agency. With theteam made up of Sagem (Félin primecontractor), and Hidalgo (producer of the

Equivital LifeMonitor miniaturised humanmonitoring system) the EDA requires asystem that checks out heart rate, bloodpressure, oxygen saturation, bodytemperature, metabolic rate, cognitive status,posture, etc. Terminals dedicated to thehierarchical and the medical chains are alsopart of the system.

I ITALYMarch 2012 saw what will possibly the laststep before the production of a first batch of558 Soldato Futuro sets that will equip thefirst Italian Army digitised regiment.Testing, carried out mostly at the InfantrySchool at Cesano near Rome, also involvedthe so-called “precursors”, that is the eightsets modified to the latest developmentstandard. This includes the new SWaveHandheld Software Defined Radio thatreplaces the original Individual PocketRadio, both being designed and developedby Selex-Elsag, the leading company of theSoldato Futuro programme.

The new radio operates in the 30-512

MHz band (instead of 800-900 MHz) andsupports five types of waveform in VHF andUHF bands that allow ground-to-ground aswell as ground-to-air communications.With a 5W maximum output, 100mW,1.25W and 2.5W output levels being alsoavailable, the radio has a two-kilometrerange with the wideband waveform,stretching out to five on the narrowbandone. The new radio also lends itself togenerating a mobile wireless network witha 2MB/s data rate when using the SBW UHFEPM EASY II waveform. The SWave HH’sfurther advantage is that it is inherently ableto handle data, while the IPR required anextra node to do so. Slightly heavier than itspredecessor, it weighs 800 grams withoutbatteries, but considering the boon offeredby the node facility, weight is actually saved.Power supply is now provided by a single 70Wh Li-Ion battery weighing around 0.5 kgthat ensures over eight hours of operatingtime. A newly adopted hot swap systemallows batteries to be changed withouthaving to switch off. The eight precursors


Modern Soldier

The first Soldato Futuro batch will beequippedwith Elcan SpecterDR x1-x4 opticalsights and L-3 Insight Mini ThermalMonoculars. (Armada/PV)

computers were also using the latestsoftware delivery.

Turning to the weapon per se, while theBeretta ARX 160 rifle is currently beingacquired in batches to equip the wholeEsercito independently from the SoldatoFuturo programme under which it wasdeveloped, the Selex Galileo IndividualCombatWeapon System (ICWS) andNightMobility System (Nimos)will be replaced inthe first batch by off-the-shelf items whilefurther improvements are made in terms ofperformance amd weight. The interimsolution consists of the Elcan SpecterDR1-4x coupled for night firing to the L-3 InsightMiniThermalMonocular.As for theNimosinterim replacement, the choice lies betweentwo image intensification goggles, theAN/PVS-21, which features high

compactness, and the new ITT Exelis TM-NVG (Tactical Mobility – Night VisionGoggle). The latter has aprimarymonocularthat allows not only to project informationand colour imagery coming from the C4Isystem in front of the soldier’s eye(something also available on the AN/PVS-21), but to also capture a 960 x 680 pixelimage and forward it to the C4I system.According to some sources the latter shouldbe the preferred choice.

As for the future, SelexGalileo is lookinginto an image fusion solution for the next

batch of Soldato Futuro kits. Selex GalileoGrenade Launcher Fire Control Sight(GLFCS) and Linx target acquisitionsystems successfully passed acceptance testsand are part of the kits. Once the 558 kitsknown as “ForzaNEC” (as theywill be a keyelement of the Italian Army digitisationprogramme) are distributed to the firstregiment, operational experimentationwillcommence, probably followed bydeployment downrange. This will then givethe green light to the productionof the 1,205kits that will equip twomore regiments andthereby complete the digitisation of the firstForzaNECBrigade.

I GERMANYTheGermanIdZ2programme,developedbyRheinmetall as the prime contractor of a


The trials conducted last March at the ItalianArmy Infantry School were used tovalidate the latest configuration beforestarting production. (Armada/PV)

Modern Soldier

group of German companies, is awaiting aparliamentary go-ahead to the order of thefirst batch of systems. The company isconvinced that the authorisation will begranted aspoliticians look forward todeploythe systemas soonaspossible toAfghanistaninorder to improve theBundeswehr soldiers’effectiveness and enhance their protection.Thecontractwill be split in threebatchesof30systems (“system” refers to all the equipmentneededby an infantry sectionof 10 soldiers).Each batchwill also include spares, training,documentation andeducation.

Delivery of the first batch of 30 systems isscheduled for late 2012 and a six-monthtraining period is envisaged before thedeployment downrange around mid-2013.The option for a second batch of 30 systemswould see delivery in mid-2013, while thelast option for the same amount ofequipment should be delivered by late 2013.

Nodecisionhasyetbeenmadeonwhetherto equip the whole German Army combat

A decision on the Soldato Futuro’s NVG isexpected soon, but apparently the ITT ExelisTM-NVG is on top of the list. (Armada/PV)

unitswith the IdZ2system(which,by theway,may soon receive a new name) or not,althoughthenumberof438systems is still theknown requirement.What will certainly notbemet, however is thepreviously announceddateof2015 for thedeliveryof all the systems.From a technical standpoint not much haschanged, configuration having been frozenfollowing the2011evaluation field tests,whilesome subcontractors may change in theproductionphase.Rheinmetall is nowoffering the expertise

garneredwith the IdZ2 on the internationalarena, the Benelux request for proposalsbeing the first of a series of potentialmarkets.

I THE NETHERLANDS AND BENELUXWiththe issue inDecember2011of its requestfor proposals for the Smart Vest the DutchVerbeterd Operationeel Soldaat Systeem(Voss) programme has reached a significantmilestone following the green light given bytheDutchParliament to theVoss investmentinOctober 2008. The subsequent definition,pre-study and study phases have now beencompletedandthe three separateprojects thatcomeunder theVossumbrella areatdifferentstagesofprogress.The most advanced is the E-Lighter, the

Fokker Aerostructures (formerly Stork)portablediesel generator that allow to extendmissions over the 24 hour-limit offering amore efficient solution than traditionalbatteries.The finaldevelopment contractwasawarded in September 2011 with an optionfor series production, and the Dutch MoDexpects to receive a number of prototypes at

TRL6 in 2012, paving the way to a finalproduct by 2014.TheabovementionedSmartVest includes

aC4Imodule,which includes radio andGPSoffering, inter alia, blue force tracking,displays, vehicle installation, etc, the energysupply subsystem with batteries andconnectors, and the load carriage andprotection subsystem, with hard and softballistic protection, backpack, water supplyand so on. Born as a single-nationprogramme, the 2011 study phase sawBelgium and Luxembourg signing a co-operation agreement in April that year.Their respective Best (Belgian SoldierTransformation)andCompass (Co-operativeModernisation Programme of the Army foraSoldierSystem)programmes thus joinedtheVoss on as for the Smart vest component, theNetherlands this acting as the singlecontractingnation for thatpurchase.


Modern Soldier

Developed by Vectronix/Wilcox the RapidAcquisition AimingModule is now inservice with British Army grenadiers withininfantry sections. (Armada/PV)

Numerous companies involved in their national programmes arenow takingpart in that bid forwhichproposalswere expected by earlyMarch 2012, for a contract in late 2012-early 2013. A pre-seriesevaluation runwill eventually lead to serial production.

I BRITAINFollowing the signature of the Increment 1A Surveillance andTargetAcquisition segment in September 2009 the Future Integrated SoldierTechnology (Fist) programme has not evolved beyond the initialincrement. Increment 1B’s intent was to provide commanders with

The final development contract regarding the E-Lighter dieselportable generator, which also includes options for production, shouldlead to a definitve configuration by 2014. (DutchMinistry of Defence)

16

the situation of all network members, butthe Ministry of Defence decided againstproceeding although it has evolved into aseries of urgent operational requirements,while Increment 2, aimed at improvingC4Iand enhancing connectivity, is underdiscussion, Increment 3 networking of allcapabilities having apparentlydisappeared from theArmywish-list.This being said, Increment 1A

seems to be in good health: the itemsintroduced at DSEI 2009 by ThalesUK, the prime contractor for thistranche, underwent a developmentphase that included users trialsduring which feedback wasimplemented wherever possible.

System acceptance was achieved inSeptember 2010 with initial deliveriescommencing shortly after.The package included the FTS (Fist

Thermal Sight), an improved version ofQioptiq Vipir-2, provided to the teamcommander and gunner and fitted withShield CQB red dot sight and an IR laseraimer, the Elcan Specter OS4X day sightissued to all fourmembers in the fire team,the grenadier being equipped with anIstec Underslung Grenade Launchersight and a Vectronix/Wilcox RapidAcquisition Aiming Module, whilethe team commander is receives aVectronix Moskito target locator

Modern Soldier

The Fist Thermal Sight (FTS) is an improvedversion of QioptiQ Vipir-2 and is part of theFist package that started to be distributed toBritish Army units in February 2011.(Armada/PV)

In late 2011 the Netherlandsissued a Request for Proposalsregarding the Smart Vest of its

Voss programme, whichnow also involves Belgium

and Luxembourg. (DutchMinistry of Defence)


system, anOlympus ruggedised camera anda Uniscope hand-held optical periscopeclosely derived from the company’s LH-2000M. The programme included also theupgrade of the existing Common WeaponSights and Maxikite 2, to be providedrespectively to the grenadier and to themarksman once equipped with the CQBsight. In that way half of the fire team isequipped with thermal systems and theother with image intensifiers. The initialorder was for 95 Company packs; howeverin December 2010, following the initialdeliveries, an order for further 51Companypacks was awarded to Thales UK by theBritish Ministry of Defence, bringing thegrand total to 146Company packs.

The British Army announced the FistIncrement 1A in-service date in earlyFebruary 2011, that date marking thedeployment of a sufficient number of kitsand the training of the units. CurrentlyThalesUKdelivered aroundone third of theoverall kits, with final deliveries beingplanned for 2015. Parts of the Fist suite havealready been deployed to Afghanistan,however the British Army plans to field thewhole suite in theatre later this year.

According to Thales UK the later kitsmight differ from the earlier ones undercertain aspects, a spiralling process beingpart of the programme. In the meantimethe company is receiving enquiries fromoverseas customers and is in discussionwith someof them, but declines to expand.Those countries are closely following theBritish experience with the intention ofleveraging lessons learned. Thales islooking beyond the current Fist suite andenvisages a C4I component based on thecompany’s experience acquired throughother C4I programmes such as theNormans inNorway.

I NORWAYSince late 2009 the Norwegian ModularArctic Network Soldier programme, orNormans, made considerable stepstowards its fielding point. In tests carriedout by Thales Norway together with the

The Normans Commander PersonalDigital Assistant was finally developedby Thales itself, as no cots systemsmetthe requirements. (Thales)

NorwegianDefenceResearchEstablishment(FFI) the Normans proved its capacity toincrease the soldiers’ combat effectiveness.This led in late 2010 to the contract for theNormansVersion2,whichmaintainedmostof the capabilities and design features of theVersion 1. The system thus maintains thephilosophy of having only the squadcommander equippedwith theC4I softwareinstalled onto aPDA.One of the evolutions is linked to the

latter piece of equipment, as no cots PDAmet the requirements. The company thus

developed an existing system into the 440-gram Thales Normans PDA that is now thecore of the Normans Commander. Thecommander maintains the two radio sets,the Harris RF 7800 SPR radio for the squadnet and the Kongsberg Handheld MH300VHF to maintain its link with the vehicle’sBattleManagement System.The soldier, for his part, is equippedwith

the Normans Light configuration of thesystem that includes the 150-gram Thaleswrist-mounted lightweight microcontrollerwith built-in GPS and 3D compass, and the

Harris radio. The Version 2 was thoroughlytestedbyaNorwegianArmysub-unit duringthe 2011BoldQuest exercise, that tookplacelast September at Camp Atterbury JointManoeuvre Training Center in Indiana,involving ground and air units from 13different countries. The exercise, whichaimed at improving battefield identificationprocedures, marked a turning point in theNormanshistory as theNorwegianministryof Defence subsequently asked theNorwegianDefenceLogisticOrganisation tofile the contract with Thales Norway for thesystems’ acquisition,TeleplanGlobe softwarecompanybeing themainpartner.According

to the announcement made on 3 October2011 Thales Norway will be the primecontractor for five years and discussions areunderway regarding production phase. Nonumbersordeadlineshavebeenannounced,but it is clear that the programme will becarried out with a spiral approach. Thusnewerbatchesmight includemore advancedsoftware, which might be easily uploadedonto existing systems in order to maintainfull interoperability, the latter issuebeingalsounder discussion between Thales Norwayand the customer.


The Normans Commander, left, and the Normans Light, right; Thales Norway obtained afive-year contract in late 2011. (Thales)

Modern Soldier

The NormansLight controllerincludes a GPS anda compass and hasa weight of only 150grams. (Thales)


Airborne radar platforms with fighter control facilities are increasingly viewed asessential for surveillance and defence. Their detection and tracking capabilities nowinclude low-flying cruise missiles, reconnaissance drones, surface vessels, and tacticalballistic missiles. Aside from controlling interceptions and strikes, they can be used insearch-and-rescue, counter-drug and anti-piracy operations, and to provideemergency air traffic control following natural disasters.

AEW&C Aircraft – Today’s“Must-Have” Assets

There are few visual clues todistinguish these Northrop GrummanE-2D Advanced Hawkeyes from thepreceding Hawkeye 2000, but thenew radar doubles the detectionrange. (Northrop Grumman)

AEW&C Aircraft

T HENEEDfor airborne earlywarningand control aircraft was highlightedin October 1944 by Japanese‘kamikaze’ suicide attacks, which

sank 34 US Navy ships and damaged 386more,with over 9700 casualties.This led to AEW variants (AD-

3W/4W/5W) of the Douglas Skyraider forthe US Navy. The first major land-basedAEW aircraft was the Constellation-basedLockheed WV-2/EC-121 Warning Star,with both dorsal and ventral radomes anda crew of up to 31. During the VietnamWar, EC-121s of the Big Eye Task Force

orbited over theGulf of Tonkin and Laos.

I SENTRYThe EC-121was replaced by the Boeing E-3Sentry Awacs, which entered US Air Forceservice in 1978. InOperationDesert Stormof 1991, E-3s controlledup to 3000Coalitionsorties per day.Basedon the 707-320B, the 152-tonneUS

Air Force E-3B/C has four P&W TF33s, aNorthropGrummanAPY-2 radar and a 9.1-metre diameter rotodome. This turns at sixrpm and gives a detection range of over 320km. The E-3 can cruise at up to 30,000 ft. Ithas a flight crewof four, and13 to 19 systemsoperators.The US Air Force has 32 E-3B/Cs. The

current Block 30/35 E-3B/Cs are beingbrought to Block 40/45s with computerupgrades. The first will be operationalin 2013. Approved modifications includethe Northrop Grumman AAQ-24(V)(Laircm) andBoeing/UTLAYR-1 electronic

supportmeasures.The US Air Force is considering

improvingE-3performance against stealthyaircraft through bistatic operation, with adrone second receiver.The E-3 is also operated by Nato (16 E-

3As), the Britain (seven E-3Ds), SaudiArabia (fiveE-3As) andFrance (fourE-3Fs).British, French andSaudiE-3s haveCFM56-2s, increasing endurance from eight toeleven hours, and refuelling probes as wellas receptacles.

I E-767Following 707 production termination in1991, Awacs marketing moved to the 175-tonne 767-200ERwith twoGeneral Electric


Roy Braybrook

Providing an excellent view of its 9.1-metrediameter rotodome, this Boeing E-3A Sentry(one of five operated by the Royal Saudi AirForce) is shown undergoingmaintenance atTinker AFB, Oklahoma. (USAF)

Probably expecting that the US Air Force would follow suit, the Japan Air Self Defense Forcepurchased four Boeing 767 Awacs, which it operates under the designation E-767. (Boeing)

CF6-80Cs and a high-prf S-band APY-2radar. The 767has over 50%more floor areathan the E-3, flies higher (up to 40,000 ft),and stays up longer (13 hours at 550 km).However, the US Air Force E-3 may not

be replaceduntil 2040, and the only buyer ofthe 767 Awacs has been Japan, whichoperates four E-767s. The cabin has nineconsoles, but the basic design allows forup to 19.

I DISCO-ILYUSHINSRussia’s Beriev A-50 places the Vega ‘Shmel’(Bumblebee) radar with its 10.5-metrerotodomeonthe Ilyushin Il-76MD. TheA-50first flew in1978andentered service in1984,six years after the E-3. The 190-tonne A-50has a five-man flight deck crew and elevenoperators. It has adetection rangeof 150km,andcancontrolonly ten fighters. About40A-50swerebuilt by1992, andaround twelve arestill inRussianAir Force service.The Titan-U upgrade programme

introduces an advancedmission computer,satellite communications, and the Shmel-M radar. This operates in the 0.5 to 18GHzrange, tracks 300 targets (according toBeriev, others say 150) and allows controlof 30 interceptors. Detection range is 215km for cruisemissiles and up to 650 km forlarge aircraft.In September 2008 state trials beganwith

this upgradedA-50U (export designationA-50E). The first entered service in January2012, and two further upgrades are funded.Beriev expects to upgrade one A-50annually, pending A-100 availability(discussed later). The company credits theA-50Ewith fourhours on station at 1000km,or sevenhourswith aerial refuelling.In 1994 China ordered one A-50 (plus

threeoptions)with fixeddisc-type radome, tobe equipped with an Elta Phalcon radarusing three static phased arrays.TheA-50 arrived in Israel in 1999, but the

deal was cancelled under US pressure in2000, and the aircraft was recovered byChina only in 2002. It flew as theKJ-2000 inNovember 2003, with a radar developed bythe Nanjing-based 14th Institute,duplicating the Phalcon arrangement ofthree fixed arrays.Four further KJ-2000s were converted

from China United Airlines Il-76MDs.Deliveries began in 2005, for operation bythe Plaaf 26th Air Division, in the coastalZhejiang province belowShanghai.In 2004, India signed a $ 1.5-billion deal

with Russia and Israel to acquire three Il-

76MDs with PS-90A engines, EL/M-2075Phalcon radars and fixeddisc-type radomes(likewise Elta products). These A-50EIswere delivered to theAgra-basedNo 50 Sqnof the Indian Air Force (IAF) between 2009and 2011. The aircraft can reportedly track60 targets at up to 400 km. In 2011 the IAFwon approval for an $ 800million order fortwomorePhalcon aircraft.FollowingChina’s rejection of theA-50E,

citing lackof aphased-array antenna,Berievprojected theA-100,withaTikhomirovNIIPInstitute radar. However, reorganisation ofthe Russian aerospace industry, in whichBeriev was taken over by Irkut, led to theproject being frozen in2002.In 2005 theRussianAir Force developed a

new AEW&C requirement, relaunching theA-100, now based on the Vega Premiermissionsystem. Therotodomewill turntwiceas fast (twelve rpm)asmostAEWradars, andthe antenna will scan electronically onlyinelevation.Under a 2007 contract, Beriev is

modifying anA-50 into anA-100prototype,to fly in early 2013. Production A-100s willbe converted atTaganrog from195-tonne Il-76MD-90As manufactured at Ulyanovsk.TheA-100will have a refuelling probe and adorsal satcom radome. The first Il-76MD-90A is to fly in early 2012,with a lightweightwing andPS-90A-76 engines.Beriev and Vega are also studying

AEW&C versions of 40-tonne transports,

notably theAntonovAn-148, theBerievBe-200 amphibian and itsBe-300 ground-basedderivative.Antonov transports with rotodomes

already exist as the Pakistan Air Force’sZDK-03 ‘Karakorum Eagle’ version ofChina’s 65-tonne Shaanxi Y-8F600 (An-12derivative). Pakistan ordered four from theChina Electronics Technology Group in2008. The firstwas rolledout atHanzhong inNovember 2010, for delivery in November2011. Mystery surrounds the powerplants,as the agreement on supplying P&WCP150Bs and six-blade GE Aviation/DowtyR-408 propellers was limited to thecommercial Y-8F600.

I THE NEW-GEN HAWKEYE DThe first turbine-engined naval AEW&Caircraft was the Grumman E-2A Hawkeye,which entered service in 1964. Theimproved E-2C followed in 1973. Thecurrent Hawkeye 2000 (H2K) withLockheedMartinAPS-145 radar and eight-blade Hamilton Sundstrand NP2000propellers entered service in 2003. The lastwas delivered in 2009.TheE-2Chasbeenexported toEgypt (six),

France (four), Israel (four,nowretired), Japan(13), Mexico (three, ex-Israeli), Singapore(four, now retired), and Taiwan (six E-2Ts,nowbeingupgraded toH2Ks). TheAPS-145radarhasalsobeenapplied toeightLockheedP-3s of the US Department of HomelandSecurity. Three such aircraft were requested(fruitlessly) byPakistan in2007.The next generation is the 26.8-tonne E-

2DAdvancedHawkeye (AHE), powered bytwoRolls-RoyceT56-427As anddesigned tocruise at around 25,000 ft for seven hours.Rotodome diameter is unchanged at 7.3

The first E-2D Advanced Hawkeyedevelopment aircraft (BuAer No 166501) isshown during trials with Emals(Electro-Magnetic Aircraft Launch System)at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,New Jersey. (US Navy)


AEW&C Aircraft


metres. TheE-2D flewon3August 2007 andis due to achieve IOC by the end of 2014.Low-rate initial production has beenrunning at five units per year since FY2011.The US Navy plans to acquire 70 by 2021,following two development aircraft andthree pilot-productionAHEs.Northrop Grumman forecasts

international sales of at least 25-30 E-2Ds.The United Arab Emirates and the IndianNavyareknowntobe interested inacquiringaland-based version (the Raytheon APY-10radars in the IndianNavy’s24plannedBoeingP-8Iswill have someair searchcapability).The E-2D’s Lockheed Martin APY-9

UHF radar feeds an antenna array thatelectronically scans a 90-degree arc. Therotodome turns at four, five or six rpm, butcan be stopped to concentrate the search.TheAPY-9 has a detection range of 550 km,over twice that of the APS-145. Missionavionics are controlled by three operators,but either pilot can act as a fourth team-member. In-flight refuelling may bedeveloped, as Israel did for the E-2C.

I C-295A disc-type radome guarantees 360-degreecover, hence its choice byAirbusMilitary indeveloping the 23.2-tonne C-295 AEW&C.A development aircraft with a fixed six-metre rotodome first flewon7th June 2011.TheproductionC-295AEW&Cwill have

six operator stations and an endurance ofaroundeighthours,whichcouldbe extendedby the addition of winglets or in-flightrefuelling. In June 2011 Airbus MilitarysignedanagreementwithElta Systems tousethe latter’s new4th-generation S-bandAEWradar, with an Aesa aerial in a rotodome.Since the first flight, a ventral radome for asar/gmti radarhas been added.

I ERIEYEOne alternative to a disc-type radome is aphased-arrayantenna ina ‘plank’, ideallywithadditional antennas for forwardandaft cover.This first example was the Saab

Microwave Systems Erieye PS-890 radar,which equipped five of six Saab 340Bsordered by the Swedish Air Force (SwAF).The E/F-band PS-890 has an eight-metrearray and scans through 150 degrees oneither side. It can detect large transports at

450 kmand fighters at 350 km.The resulting 13.2-tonne Saab S-100B

Argus entered Swedish service in 1997. Itwas first usedpurely as a radarplatform(FSR90), downlinking data to the ground. Twowereupgraded toS-100Dswith twooperatorstations and loaned to Greece as Saab 340Htraining platforms. Fitted with a thirdconsole, they are now flown by the SwAF,designated ASC 890. The remaining fourSwAF Saab 340Bs were sold in pairs toThailand (one without Erieye) and theUnitedArabEmirates.In 2006Pakistanordered four 23.8-tonne

Saab 2000s with Erieye and fiveworkstations, but in the financial crisis of2007 was forced to renegotiate the deal. Atleast twohavebeendelivered. SaudiArabia isrumoured to have ordered similar aircraftfor $ 670million, whichmay be funding forPakistan’s secondpair. The Saab 2000has anendurance of 9.5 hours, compared to six forthe Saab 340.Brazil uses theErieye on three 23.4-tonne

EmbraerEMB-145HsorR-99As,whichhave

fiveworkstations. Jet-powered, these aircrafthave a 35,000 ft ceiling, compared to the20,000 ft of the Saab 340 and the 30,000 ft ofthe Saab 2000. Greece has purchased foursimilar aircraft, andMexico two.Under a$415millioncontract, Embraer is

delivering fourEMB-145Is to India for anewS-band AEW&C system jointly developedby that country’s Defence Research andDevelopment Organisation and the Centrefor Airborne Systems. Equipped with an8.24-metre ‘plank’, five operator stations, anin-flight refuelling probe and a dorsalsatcom radome, they are to serve from 2014alongside theA-50EIs. It is anticipated that, ifthe project succeeds, 15 more EMB-145Iswill be ordered. The EMB-145I had itsmaiden flight inBrazil on 6December 2011,and is due for delivery bymid-2012.

I 737 AEW&CSomeservices require less capability than theE-767,butmoreenduranceandworkstationsthan theE-2C. Boeing thusprojected the77.6tonne 737 AEW&C, based on the 737-700

The latest project in this category is the AirbusMilitary C-295 AEW, which will have a newElta S-band radar linked to a six-metrerotodome. The C-295 has the largest cabin inits class. (Airbus Military)

The pioneer in the development of linear phased-array antennas for AEW&C applicationswas Saab Microwave Systems with the Erieye. This example is flown on a Royal ThaiAir Force Saab 340B. (Saab)

AEW&C Aircraft

IGW and the Northrop Grumman Mesa(Multi-roleElectronically-ScannedAntenna)L-bandradar.A 10.7-metre ‘plank’ array scans 120

degrees on either side, with end-arraysscanning 60 degrees forward and aft. It candetect targets flying at 10,000 ft at a range of600 km, and targets at 500 ft at almost 400

km. It can track 1000 air and surface targets.The aircraft has a flight crew of two and tensystemsoperators. It has an enduranceof tenhours, and canoperate up to 41,000 ft.Australia signed the first Project

Wedgetail contract in 2000 and later broughtthe total to six units. Developmentproblemshit deliveries and Boeing finances, but thefirst aircraft was provisionally accepted inDecember 2009. At timeofwriting five havebeen delivered, and IOC is expected to beannounced in the course of 2012.Turkey signed for four 737 AEW&Cs in

June 2002. Delivery of the first Peace Eagleaircraft is scheduled for the fourthquarter of2012, and the other threewill be delivered in2013. South Korea signed a $ 1.6 billionorder for four (with an option on two) inNovember 2006. The first PeaceEye aircraftwas delivered in September 2011, and theother three are scheduled for delivery in2012. Italy, Saudi Arabia and the United

The Saab 2000 AEW&C is equipped withthe Saab Avitronics HES-21 electronic supportmeasures and self-protection system,combining a range of sensorswith countermeasures-dispensers. (Saab)

Pictured on itsmaiden flight at Sao Paolo, Brazil,is the first of four EMB-145I AEW&Caircraftbeingmanufactured for the Indian Air Force.Theywill serve as platforms for an S-band radarbeing developed in India. (Embraer).

ArabEmirates appear likely buyers.China is believed to have at least five

plank-equipped Y-8W/KJ-200 (serials30171-5), based on the Y-8F600. Aprototype, converted from a Y-8F200, flewin 2001. The first true KJ-200 followed inJanuary 2005, with six-blade propellers andsmall radomes added to the nose and tail-end. Aswith theZDK-03 (discussed earlier),itmay be that PW150s andR-408 propellerswere obtained for commercial Y-8F600s.

I PHALCONTheEL/M-2075 radar used in India’sA-50EI(discussed earlier) is only one form of Elta’sPhalcon series, which first appeared asfuselage-mounted radomes on two Israeliand two SouthAfrican Boeing 707s. A 707-385C (EC-707 ‘Condor’)with abulbousnoseradomeand twomassive fuselage ‘scabs’wasdelivered to theChileanAir Force in 1995.More recently, Elta and Gulfstream have

used the EL/M-2085 mission system toproduce the CAEW (Conformal AEW)version of the 41.3-tonne G550 bizjet. Thisincludes S-band radars in the nose and tail,and L-band units in fuselage scabs. Twowere delivered to the Israeli Air Force in2008, and deliveries of four to Singaporebegan in early 2009.The G550 CAEW can operate at up to

41,000 ft, and remainninehourson stationat185 km. The Israeli ‘Eitam’ version has foursystems operators, while the Singaporeanhas six. Detection range is over 370 km.

I HELICOPTERSBritain’s heavy maritime losses in the 1982Falklands/Malvinas conflict, notable for itslack of AEW&C assets, led to theinstallation of a retractable Thorn-EMISearchwater radar and two operatorstations on the Royal Navy’s 9.7-tonneWestland Sea King AEW2 helicopter. Asimilar installation is used on Sikorsky SH-3Hs of the SpanishNavy.The RN’s current Sea King ASaC7 has a

Thales UK Cerebus mission system, with aThales Sensors Searchwater 2000AEWradar. It is due to be replaced from 2016 byan AEW&C version of the 15.6-tonneAW101 Merlin. The Italian Navy alreadyhas AEW&C capability in four AW101 Mk112s with ventral Galileo AvonicaMM/HEW748 radars.Thales UK has suggested switching the

Cerebus systems from theRN’s SeaKings tosurplus ex-Royal Air Force Merlins.However, Lockheed Martin UK (Merlinprogrammemanager) is promoting its newVigilance roll-on/ roll-off system, with aNorthrop Grumman radar and twoantennas mounted on the fuselage sides.(Vigilance is also proposed for theLockheedMartinC-130,with side-looking radomes inoutboard underwing pods).The Russian Navy uses the 12.5-tonne

Kamov Ka-31 with a NIIR E801M ‘Oko’(Eye) radar feeding a six-by-one-metrerectangular ventral antenna, which scansmechanically in azimuth and electronicallyin elevation. TheKa-31 has only a two-mancrew, radar data being downlinked tothe ship. It has an endurance of 2.5 hr andcan detect fighters at 115 km and shipsat 250 km. The Indian Navy has received15 Ka-31s, and five more are planned.Nine are being delivered to the ChineseNavy (Plan).


AEW&C Aircraft

Four Boeing 737AEW&Caircraft are beingmanufactured for the Turkish Air Force under

the Peace Eagle programme. The last is due fordelivery before the end of 2013. (Boeing)

Thales UK is advocating replacing the Royal Navy Sea King AsaC7 by switching its CerebusAEW&C systemwith retractable radome to surplus ex-Royal Air Force Merlins. (Thales UK)

LockheedMartinUK, as prime contractor for theAgustaWestlandMerlin, proposes a versionequippedwith its VigilanceAEW&C ro-ro system,with aNorthropGrumman radar feeding lateralantennae. (LockheedMartinUK)

I NTHEALGERIANWar of 1954-62 theFrench Air Force developed a flexiblemounting for a 20 mm cannon on itsSikorsky H-34s (S-58s). The French

Army installed light machine guns androcket pods on some Vertol H-21s (‘LaBanane’) and on the turbine-engined Sud-Est Alouette II, some examples of whichwere armed with Nord SS.10/11 guidedmissiles.

Helicopter armament advanced furtherwith American operations in Vietnam(1962-75). Initially, US helicopters wereused to transport Vietnamese troops andrelied for fire support at the LZ (landingzone) on ARVN (Army of the Republic ofVietnam) mortars and artillery and VNAF(Vietnam Air Force) air strikes. Thissupport proved so ineffective that helicoptercrewmen began carrying rifles or the 0.45-calibreM3 ‘GreaseGun’, andmounting lightmachine guns to give lateral cover.

The concept of armingutility helicoptersadvanced furtherwith the arrival of the Bell

Huey series in late 1962. TheUH-1B/Cwasgiven forward- firing seven/eight-tube 2.75-inch rocket pods and 7.62-mm M37C orM60C machine guns, all mounted on theskids. Some 6700 rounds of ammunitionwere carried in twelve boxes, and fedelectrically to the guns viametal chutes.

Inmany cases anM60Bwas simply hungby elastic cord from the top of eitherdoorframe. Gunners then found that thebestway toachieve area coveragewas to try tohold the aim fixed.

Subsequently, the four M60s werereplaced by two flexibly-mounted, forward-firing six-barrel 7.62-mm General ElectricM134Miniguns, each firing at 2000 rd/min.The ‘HeavyHog’ version ofUH-1Calso hada Ford Aerospace M75 40-mm grenadelauncher in a chin turret. The Nord SS.11anti-armour guidedmissile was introducedin Vietnam in 1965, and theHughes/RaytheonBGM-71Tow in 1972.

I POST ’NAMIn 1976 theUSArmy selected the ten-tonneSikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk to replace the4.4-tonne ‘Huey’. The UH-60A entered

service in 1979 and led to various armedmodels, including the MH-60L with M134door guns and stub wings that can mount30-mm Alliant Techsystems M230 ChainGuns. Armed export versions include theAH-60LArpia III forColombia.

Just as the Vietnam War spurred thedevelopment of armed Hueys, Sovietoperations in Afghanistan (1979-89)accelerated weaponisation of the Mil Mi-8series, producing what are probably theworld’s most heavily armed helicopters, the13-tonne Ulan-Ude Mi-171Sh and theKazanMi-17-1V.

Forexample, theMi-17-1Vcancarry80S-8 80-mm or 192 S-5 57-mm rockets, or fourtwin-barrel 23-mmUPK-23-250gunpods. Ithas provisions for a remotely-controlledPKT/PKTM 7.62-mm machine gun in thenose and at the rear, and troops can fire theirAKMassault riflesorPK/RPKmachineguns

28

In times of defence economies, “multirole” is key.Nomilitary equipment warrants that appellation betterthan the armed utility helicopter, serving as trooptransport, cargolifter, gunship, escort, and combatsearch-and-rescue platform. All vtol (vertical take-offand landing) aircraft are weight-sensitive, hence theemphasis in choice of weaponry is on lightness. Utilityhelicopters will become even more potent with thenew generation of laser-homing rocket projectiles andthe miniature air-surface guided missiles beingdeveloped for drone applications.

The Nexter Systems 20-mm 20M621cannon fires at 750 rd/min. It is appliedto helicopters in various forms,including the pintle-mounted SH20 andthe NC621 pod (shown here on anNH90 of the Royal Air Force of Oman)with 180-250 rounds. (Eurocopter/AP)

Roy Braybrook

Swiss Knives forJack-of-All-TradesWhirlybirds


Utility Helicopter Armament

onsix swivelmounts in the sidewindows.

I MACHINE GUNSAutomatic Weapons combine theadvantages of relatively low cost, broad-aspect coverage and fire persistence.

Lightweight single-barrel guns areexemplified by the 7.62 mm FN HerstalMAG 58M, which has the US Armydesignation M240D. The same company’sstandardheavymachine gun is the 12.7-mmFNM3M/M3P/GAU-21 series.

The pintle-mountedM3M is fitted with a


Unveiled at Eurosatory in 2010, the 3.6-tonneEurocopter EC645 is shownwith a range ofweapons, including the LockheedMartinAGM-114AHellfire, the Denel Ingwe, a 19-tube70-mm rocket pod by FZ, aGSh-23 cannonpod and anM134Minigun. (Eurocopter/TJ)

300or 600-roundammunitionbox, and firesat 1025 rd/min. Applications include theUSAir Force Sikorsky HH/MH-60G. Recentplatformintegrations for theM3Pinclude theFNHerstalHMP400 and theRMPpods (thelatter with three 70 mm rockets) on theAgustaWestland AW101. TheM3P has alsobeenselected for theUSArmy’sBellOH-58D.The use ofmultiple barrels, following the

lead of the pioneering Gast and Gatlingguns, overcomes the cyclic-rate limitationof a single-chamber weapon. One of thebest examples for helicopter applications isthe General Dynamics Armament &Technical Products (GDATP) three-barrel12.7-mm GAU-19/A, which is externally-powered and fires at 1000/2000 rd/min.Applications include some US Air ForceHH/MH-60Gs, Colombian Air Force BellUH-1s and Mexican Navy MDHMD-902sandMilMi-17s.The Soviets developed two four-barrel

guns, both self-powered (ie, gas-operated).The lighter design is the Shipunov GShG-7.62, which fires at 6000 rd/min. It is usedin gunpods and in the nose turret of theKamov Ka-29. The other is 12.7 mmYakushev-Borsov (Yak-B) or 9A624, whichwas the original chin turret armament fortheMilMi-24.In Vietnam the US Army demanded

extremely high cyclic rates for suppressive

fire. This led to the electrically-powered six-barrelGeneral Electric 7.62mmGAU-2B/AGatling gun or M134, which was capable of6000 rd/min, but was generally operated at4000/2000 rd/min. It has been employed infixed, pintle-mounted and turreted formson

a wide range of rotary-wing aircraft, but itsreliability is problematic.Arizona-based Dillon Aero has re-

engineered the M134, and restricted cyclicrate to 3000 rd/min, giving outstandingreliability and reduced recoil loads. Thenew

The US Air Combat Command operates theSikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk for combatsearch and rescue, armedwith 12.7-mmFNHerstal M3Ms for lateral cover.These were pictured when assignedto the 66th ExpeditionaryRescue Squadron in Iraq. (US Air Force)


Close-up of the 7.62-mm six-barrel Dillon Aero M134D and its operator, alongside aUS Air Force Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk of the 56th Rescue Squadron (RQS), based at RAFLakenheath in England. (Dillon Aero)


gun is known to theUSArmy as theM134Dand to theUSNavy as theGAU-17/A.DillonAerohas now standardised on the

M134D-HTitaniumHybridversion,which is5.0 kg lighter than theM134D(Steel). It usessome titanium components from theM134D-T Titanium for lightness andcorrosion-resistance, but retains the steelhousing of the original M134D for longer(million-round) life.The company has now produced over

2200 new-build M134Ds and more than3250 upgrade kits for old GE-built M134s.Foreign applications include JordanianSocomhelicopters.The demand for improved M134s has

encouraged another Arizona-basedcompany, Garwood Industries, to enter themarket with its M134G. Firing rate isselectable as 3000/3200/4000 rd/min. TheM134G employs chrome-lined barrels withphosphate coatings, manufactured by FNHUSA. BothDillonAero andGarwoodquotea barrel life of 200,000 rounds.

I CANNONIn helicopter applications, cannon aregenerally not required to produce the high

firing rates used in fighter aircraft. In anyevent, the carriage of large numbers of shellsis unacceptable fromaweight viewpoint.Nexter Systems produces the 20 mm

single-barrel 20M621 in various forms. AstheNC621pod, it has been applied to severalEurocopter products, recently including theEC635. The pintle-mounted SH20, firing at750 rd/min, is employed in a retractableinstallation on the Eurocopter EC725. TheTHL20 turret has been ordered for theHALLight Combat Helicopter. Nexter’s 30 mm30M781 cannon is used in theTHL30 turretof the EurocopterTiger.In the ‘SuperHind’ Mi-24 upgrade

developed for the Algerian Air Force bySouth Africa’s Advanced Technologies &Engineering (ATE), the four-barrel 12.7-mmgun in the chin turret is replacedby a 20-mmsingle-barrelDenel Land SystemsGI-2.The heaviest Russian single-barrel

cannon in this class is the 30-mm Shipunov2A42 from the BMP-2 ground vehicle, butthis has been applied only to the Mil Mi-28and Kamov Ka-50 attack helicopters.Likewise theAlliantTechsystems (ATK) 30-mmexternally-poweredM230ChainGun isused only on theBoeingAH-64 series.

The French Air Force has six EC725 Caracalsassigned to combat search and rescue andeight more for special operations. Thisexample is armed with 7.62-mm FN HerstalMAG 58M machine guns, but it can also carrytwo 19-tube pods for 68-mm rockets or two 20-mm Nexter NC621 cannon pods. (Sirpa Air)


In developing the Mi-24 to meetoperational demands in Afghanistan, Milfirst replaced the 12.7-mmfour-barrel turretgun with a twin-barrel 23-mm GSh-23Lcannon. This concept was dropped, but theGSh-23L is used in UPK-23-250 pods onvarious utility helicopters, including theMi-171Sh, Mi-17-1V and PZL-SwidnikW-3PL‘Gruszec’. In place of the chin turret, theMi-24Phas a fixed twin-barrel 30-mmGSh-30Kon the starboard fuselage side.GDATP’s 20 mm three-barrel M197

cannon is a lightweight derivative of the six-barrel M61A1 Vulcan used in fixed-wingaircraft, and can fire at up to 1500 rd/min. Itis used as a turretedgun in attackhelicopters,and in the GPU-2/A gunpod, which holds300 rounds.

I ROCKETSThemajority of unguided rocket projectilesused on Western helicopters are theThales/TDAArmements 68mm SNEB, the2.75-inch/70mmGeneralDynamicsHydra-70or theMagellan/BristolAerospaceCRV7.Russian helicopters are generally armed

with the 57mm S-5 rocket, but this is beingsuperseded by the 80 mm S-8. Chinesehelicopters are seen with 57- and 68-mmrockets, presumably copied fromtheRussianand French originals, and also with thehome-grown 90-mm Norinco Type 1 inseven-tube launchers and the 130mmType82 in four-tube pods.

I ROCKETS TURNED MISSILESThemany unguided rockets held in storage

offer a low-cost means to produce guidedmissiles, when combined with a laserhoming kit. In comparison with a laser-guidedRaytheonAGM-65L/E2Maverick orLockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire, aHydra-70 rocket has a small warhead, butthis is an advantage when the target is soft

and low collateral effects are required.The need for a lightweight precision

weapon (effectively a cheap complement forHellfire) was recognised in the US Armystudy that followedDesert Stormof 1991. In1996 theDepartment of theArmy approveda Mission Need Statement (MNS) for theApkws (Advanced Precision Kill WeaponSystem), specifically for helicopters.However, it was only in 2000 that theOperational Requirement Document(ORD)was formally approved.The Apkws was envisioned as a laser-

guided rocket (LGR) with a unit cost of lessthan $ 10,000, an accuracy of around onemetre, and a standoff range of at least sixkilometres. It was to combine the GDATPHydra-70 rocket motor, warhead and fuzewith a small, strapdown solid-state laserseeker, an off-the-shelf inertial measuringunit and a low-cost control system. TheApkws was expected to reduce cost-per-killsignificantly, and increase the number ofkills that one helicopter could achieve by afactor of up to 20.The US Army selected BAE Systems as

prime contractor for theApkws in 2006, butzeroed funding in FY2008. In November2008 the programme was taken over by theUSNavy, to provide an accurate lightweightweapon forUSMarineCorps helicopters.

The 7.62-mm FNHerstalMAG58M is shown inLWP (LightWindow Pintle) form on a French AirForce Eurocopter EC725. The standardmagazine takes 250 rounds, but a 1000-roundbox is optional. Firing rate is adjustable from650 to 1000 rd/min. (FNHerstal)


Bell offers a kit that relatively easily turns its407 into a 407AH (Armed Helicopter) withouthaving to tamper to deep into the aircraft’sstructure. Rockets starboard and DillonMinigun port for starters? (Armada/EHB)

The BAE Systems Apkws employs a Dasals (DistributedAperture Semi-Active Laser Seeker) arrangement, with foursensorsmounted in the leading edges of the canard surfaces. Themid-body guidance and control section allows the use of existingwarheads, fuzes and rocket motors, and protects the sensors (oncanards folded back in the launch tube) from the blast ofpreceding rockets.The Apkws has been cleared for use on the US Marine Corps

Bell UH-1Y andAH-1W, andwill later be cleared for the service’sAH-1Zand theUSNavyMH-60R (andNorthropGrummanMQ-8C drone). The first batch of missiles for operational use inAfghanistan has now been delivered. The US Air Force isinterested in acquiringApkws for fixed-wing tactical aircraft.InAugust 2009 theUSArmy issueda request for informationon

lightweight (less than 22.7 kg) precision strikeweapons under theAmpm (Aviation Multi-Platform Munition) programme. Thiseffort is primarily intended to allow the Bell OH-58D to combinelong endurance with a large number of kills against thin-skinnedvehicles and combatants in the open, when taking off underhot/high conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The US Armytrialled three types of LGR in 2009, but appears to be waiting tosee how the US Marine Corps Apkws performs operationallybefore placing orders.One LGR tested by the US Army was the 70 mm Talon jointly

developed by Raytheon and the Abu Dhabi-based EmiratesAdvanced Investments (EAI), presumably on the basis of theRaytheon LGR tested in 2006 under the Apkws programme. TheTalon has since been successfully launched at ranges up to 6.0 km,and is claimed tobe theonlyLGRtohave achievedanair-launcheddirect hit fromas short a range as 1.2 km.If theUnitedArabEmirates place a launchorder for theTalon to

Firing of a Russian 57-mm S-5 rocket from a 32-tube UB-32 podmounted on a Mil Mi-35 of the Afghan National Army Air Corps.The S-5 weighs around 5.0 kg and has a range of 4000 metres.The fully loaded UB-32 weighs 264 kg. (US Air Force)

arm the AH-64D, the initial conversion kitswill be manufactured by Raytheon atTucson,Arizona. The ability tomanufacturethe guidance and control sectionwill thenbetransferred to EAI, but the laser seeker willremain aRaytheonproduct.Another Ampm candidate is the

Lockheed Martin Dagr (Direct AttackGuided Rocket), which uses seeker andguidance technology from its Hellfire andlater air-ground missile projects. Themodification kit is intended for both theHydra-70 andCRV7.The Dagr has a launch weight of 15.9 kg

with a 4.5 kg warhead, and 19 kg with a 7.7kg warhead. It has a range of 7.0 km at sealevel, and up to 12.0 km from 20,000 ft. Itcan engage targetsmoving at up to 90km/hr.Lockheed Martin has designed two- andfour-tube launchers forDagr.There have been at least 20 Dagr firings,

including airborne launches from the AH-64D, OH-58D and AH-6. The Dagr is inlimited production under US Air Forcecontract, reportedly to arm Iraqi Air ForceMil-171s and ATK AC-208Bs, and IraqiArmyAirCorpsMilMi-17s.

The thirdLGR testedby theUSArmywasthe ATK/Elbit Systems Gatr-L (GuidedAdvancedTechnologyRocket –Laser). Thiscombines an improved rocketmotorbyATKand guidance and control technology fromElbit’s Star (Smart Tactical AirborneRocket), which is based on the laser seekerfrom its Lizard LGB.The Gatr-L has also been tested on the

Sikorsky/Elbit Armed Black Hawk (ABH)and is seen as a likely candidate for Israel’sAH-64s andAH-1s. It is proposed as a new-build weapon (rather than a modificationkit) that provides improved kinematicperformance, with a range of over eightkilometres.Several European companies have

produced test LGRs, but evidently lack the

funding or motivation to completedevelopment.One that appears likely to go ahead is the

Roketsan Cirit (Javelin), a completely new70 mm LGR, designed in response to aTurkishArmy requirement for aweapon forits Atak helicopter. It weighs 14 kg, anddelivers a tri-mode (anti-armour, anti-personnel and incendiary) warhead over arange of eight kilometres. Development ofCirit is almost complete, and seriesproduction is expected to start shortly.It appears that the emphasis in Russian

LGRs is currently on heavy rockets, such asthe 122-mm S-13L and 340-mm S-25L,which are used only on attack helicoptersand fixed-wing aircraft.

I MISSILESDespite early use of the SS.10/11 and Tow,the idea of arming utility helicopters withguidedmissiles failed to take off in theWest,due to the development of two-seatdedicated attack helicopters.Maritime operations represent an

exception to this rule, a wide range of anti-ship weapons being employed on what are

When collateral damage control and accuracyare an absolute prerequisite, a Raytheon Talonmissile (a 70mm rocket fittedwith a seeker)for example, fitted into this 19-tube Lau-3/Alauncher could often yield the required result(and nomore) than its neighbour underthe stubwing of an Army Apache, but for abouta sixth of the cost. (Armada/EHB)




basically naval utility helicopters. Forexample, the 310-kg MBDAMarte Mk 2/Sis being cleared for use on the ItalianNavy NHI NH90 and AgustaWestlandAW101, and the 385-kgKongsberg PenguinAGM-119B is used on the US Navy

Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk.The 5.5-tonne Hindustan Aeronautics

Dhruv (Sanskrit for ‘Polaris’) is flown bynine military operators. It is shown herearmed with two twelve-tube 70-mm FZrocket launchers and four MBDA Mistralair-airmissiles. (HindustanAeronautics).In the Soviet Union, where attack

helicopters were developed only later,various guidedmissiles have been applied tothe Mi-8 family. For example, today’s Mi-171Sh (the export version of the Mi-8AMTSh) can carry eight KBM-designed

(Degtyarev-manufactured) 9M120 Ataka(AT-9) anti-armour guidedweapons.Returning to the US Army’s Ampm

programme, aside from the threeLGRs, testswere carriedout on theRaytheonGriffin andTextron Defense Systems Sharpshootermissiles. Little has beenpublished regardingSharpshooter, but the laser-homing, 15-kgGriffin offers off-boresight engagements,three fuzing options andGPS-reversion.Griffin-A is ejected aft from the loading

ramp of a US Marine Corps KC-130JHarvestHawk. Griffin-Bwasdesigned to beejected forwards froma launch tube under adrone. Griffin technology is also used in the5.9-kg Raytheon STM (Small TacticalMunition) glideweapon.The trend to arming drones has

encouraged the development of severalmunitions in the 13-kg category, includingthe IAI Lahat (which has been tested on theMi-8/17), theLockheedMartinScorpion, theMBDA Saber, and the laser beam-ridingThales UK LMM (Lightweight Multi-roleMissile), which has been ordered for theRoyal Navy’s AgustaWestland AW159LynxWildcat.

36

The 5.5-tonne Hindustan Aeronautics Dhruv(Sanskrit for ‘Polaris’) is flown by ninemilitary operators. It is shown here armedwith two twelve-tube 70-mm FZ rocketlaunchers and four MBDAMistral air-airmissiles. (Hindustan Aeronautics).


This computer-generated image of theeight-tonne AgustaWestland AW149 shows itarmedwith Hellfire missiles and FZ 70-mmrocket launchers. A development of thecommercial AW139, the AW149 first flew inFebruary 2011. (AgustaWestland)

T HE NEED to maintain or improvesituational awareness is even moreimportant with the increase in thenumber of missions carried out in

urban environments,wheredismounts needto understand the situation before the rampor the rear doors are opened. Numerouscompanies thus developedoptronic systemsthat allow vehicle crews to obtain as much

visual information as possible while stillunder armourprotection.Other sensors canalso be added, such as shotgun detectionsystems that not only warns on boardpersonnel that their vehicle is being targeted,but also informs them on the direction andthe distance from which the shot was fired.Basically, situational awareness systems tryto provide crews with what they would seeand hear if they kept their heads out of thevehicle, with the boon of a few extrasafforded by the use of evolved sensors.

I 360° OPTRONIC SYSTEMSAll-round vision is the first parameter of agood vehicle viewing system which itselfdepends on . a network that collects theimages, sends them to a processor, which inturn feeds the screens of the variouscrewmembers. The most widely adoptedsolution is based on multiple sensorsdistributed around the vehicle, or around thechassis when the vehicle is a turreted one.Single 360° sensors are available and can beeasier to install and may be cheaper. The

The Ballistic, mine and roadside bomb threat encountered by western forcesduring the last operations in Iraq and Afghanistan led to the adoption of vehicles andweapon systems that allow all personnel to remain safe within an armoured cell.While this ensures a better protection, it does on the other hand reduce crewsituational awareness, something that has already been experienced by soldiersbelonging to mechanised formations.

Paolo Valpolini

Situational Awareness

An SAS module installed onthe flank of a vehicle; the Rheinmetall

system can be fitted with automatictarget recognition. (Rheinmetall)


Situational awareness: alifesaver for vehicle crews

difficulty stems from the fact that quite oftenvehicle elements obstruct vision, whilesingle-sensor systems lack redundancy.

Selex Galileo developed an integratedvehicle situational awareness suite knownasRoad Marshall – a name that includes afamily of equipments ranging from close-inSA (situational awareness) to long rangeRSTA (recconnaissanc3e, surveillance andtarget acquisition). The system’s core is theMulti Functional Display, which far frombeing only a display, also provides power toall the linked systems and ensurescommunication.

The standard model has a 10.4-inchdisplay and a resolution of 1024x768 pixels,though a version with an embeddedWindows XP PC being also available for

running third party applications. Thosedisplays have picture-in-picture capability,which is not part of the smaller 8.4 inch crewstationdisplays.All sensors are linked to thatsingle LRU. For close-in applications SelexGalileo uses itsDriver’sNightVision Systemmodules, the uncooled thermal imagerworking in the 8-12 µm band providing a52°x38° field of view. These can becomplemented with day/low light cameraswitha90°x75° fieldof viewanda sensitivityof0.009 to 100.000 Lux. Configurations canvary from the drivers station, with a singleTI camera and a single screen to a full 360°coverage, the systembeing able to handle upto 16 cameras. Each screen beingindependent, soldiers can call up the imagetheyneed fromoneof thecameras. The company

has provided over 1,200 systems to theBritish Ministry of Defence. All Mastiffprotected mobility vehicles are equippedwith a 360° systemand feature three screensdriver, commander anddismounts.

AtDSEI2011SelexGalileo introduced itsnew DNVS-4 digital dual-channelthermal/colour camera, respectivelyoffering52°x39° and62°x46.5° fields of view. Outputcomes indigital video format (eitherDefStan00-82orGigEVision).Awash-wipemodulecan be added to the camera, the latter beingalso available in high performance colourday/night cameraonlyormonochrome low-light camera only. While the previousanalogue system is currently in service inAustralasia, Europe and Middle Eastincluding SaudiArabia, where it ismountedon an infantry fighting vehicles, the latestdigital version has already bagged an orderfromanundisclosedEuropeanNatocountry.The Selex Galileo Road Marshall has beenintegrated with acoustic shotgun detectionsystems, Britain using theRaytheon BBN Boomerang IIIwhile others opted for the 01dBMetravibPilar.Over recent years Thales UK hasprovided some 100 analogsituational awareness systems to theBritain, but a fully digitised LSAsystemwas introduced in early 2011.Known as the Ilsa (Integrated LocalSituational Awareness) it includes adigital open architecture network aswell as optronic sensors anddisplays,but the system is however able toaccept any sensor or display compliantwith the Britain’s new Def Stan 00-82Digital Video Distribution and Def

Stan 23-09 GenericVehicle ArchitectureA British ArmyMastiff equippedwith Selex

Galileo RoadMarshall. The company providedover 1,200 systems to the the BritishMinistry ofDefence. (Selex Galileo)

1. Front Sensor2. Rear Sensor3. Front Left Side Sensor & IR Illuminator4. Front Right Side Sensor & IR Illuminator5. Rear Left Side Sensor & IR Illuminator6. Rear Right Side Sensor & IR Illuminator7. Driver Display8. Commander Display9. Illuminator Power Supply Unit

The diagram showing a possible arrangement of Selex Galileo Road Marshall sensors,including the 50° field-of-view driver night vision system. (Selex Galileo)




(GVA)design standards.A first contractwasimmediately won from Force ProtectionEurope, ThalesUKbeing responsible for thewhole electronic architecture of theFoxhound (the armoured vehiclecommercially known as Ocelot that wasselected as part of Britain’s Light ProtectedPatrolVehicle requirement).Some 200 systems were thus ordered in

early 2011. The Ilsa ensures minimumlatency and is composed of two types ofsensors, VEM-2 (W) thermal cameras andcolour/mono TV cameras, both being ofsmall dimensions with a weight of less than2.5 kg. Thermal sensorsworking in the 8-12µm band are available with 40°, 50° and 90°horizontal fields of view and are based on a640x480 detector. TV cameras have a 78° or96°horizontal fieldof viewandcanoperate inlow light mode down to 0.1 Lux, withresolutions of 480 TVL in colour mode and600 TVL inmonochromemode, the sensorensuring manrecognition at100 meters.Images are sent toa central hub thatredistributes them to thevarious “on demand”displays thus allowing driver,

commander, gunnerand dismounts to see on their screens theimages that pertain to their respective roles.The Ilsa can accept other types of digital andanalog sensors like existing sights, remoteweapon stations, or acoustic gunshotdetection systems, although the companyhas not yet been asked to integrate the lattersystems. The Ilsa has also been selected forthe Scout SV programme and is providingthe system toGeneral DynamicsUK for thedemonstration phase, following which 400to 600 vehiclesmay be produced. The suite’sconfiguration is reminiscent of that adoptedon board the Foxhound with sensorsinstalled along the chassis, one of the twoscreens for the dismounts being located onthe rear bulkhead in order to allow thesoldiers to have a clear idea of the scenarioat their 6 o’clockposition.ThalesUK is ready

to incorporate new functions in its Ilas, suchas automatic target detection.Rheinmetall Situational Awareness

System (SAS) has 360° coverage and in itsbasic configuration includes two cameramodules, each made of three 60° cameras(this a total of 180°) and a Video ProcessingUnit. The system can be adapted to all kindsof combat vehicles and is extendable to fourcamera modules (day and infrared sights).The single images of the cameramodules aremerged together by theVPU inavirtual 360°panoramic view. The observer can select afull resolution cut from the 360° panoramaview by a simple touch on the monitor. Upto four part-window views can be selectedsimilarly; these are displayed on the upperpart of the monitor. With the extendedversion a roll-in function for a weaponstation is provided to supportcountermeasures against attacks. It is alsopossible to implement automatic targetrecognition and tracking system; assumedtargets are detected and tracked fullyautomatically within the observed videostream, their data extracted and reportedcyclically. The SAS is in production and has


Oneof the latest Selex Galileo products is theDNVS-4 dual channelthermal/colour camera, introduced at DSEI 2011. (Selex Galileo)

The Thales VEM-2 RHS is thermal sensor of the Ilsa systemand is available with different field of view. (Thales)


been installed on the Lance turret providedby Rheinmetall to the Spanish NavalInfantry. It is also on trial worldwide,mounted onmanydifferent chassis.Elbit Systems of Israel See-Through

Armor (STA) provides seamless 360°coverage of the vehicle surroundings andallows zooming into selected areas of theimage. The system can support four totwelve day-and-night high-resolutionsensors providing an elevation coverage of–20°/+30°. Day sensors come in the formofGigabit Ethernet cameras available withdifferent resolutions (640x480, 782x582 or720x1280). For night vision, thermalimagers based on uncooled bolometricsensors with 384x288 or 640x480resolutions are available. Day and nightimage refreshing is typically rated at 25frames per secondwith a two-framedelay,though amaximumof 100 fps is attainablewith day sensors. Captured images areprocessed by STAalgorithms that allowjointing them in a single 360° view.The image is then made availableonto a maximum of three screens,where the operator can see a frontpanoramic vision, select a region ofinterest into which he can zoom in,while keeping, for instance, theupper part of the screen for the rearpanoramic view in order to maintainfull awareness. The STA can be integrated

with other sensors such as battlemanagement systems, warning systems andfire control systems.Carl Zeiss Optronics has just developed

the Mini Sight System (MSS), a smallstabilised platform that can host anuncooled thermal imager and/or a CCDcamera, as well as a laser rangefinder as anoption. The MSS is 250 mm high and has adiameter of 180 mm; the optics can beoriented on the 360° in azimuth whileelevation is between –30° and +80°. Thetwo-axis stabilisation ensures that the targetis maintained in the MSS field of view,maximum angular speed being of 1.8 rad/swhile the stabilisation error is less than 300µrad. TheMSS features a motion detectionsoftware that allows reducing the crewworkload, especially in urban terrain. Twoto three MSS are used to cover 360° on an

infantry fighting vehicle. The system’sdimensions and weight makes it usable bylight armoured vehicles of all types.CopenhagenSensorTechnology (CST) is

developing a complete family of SituationalAwareness cameras,whichwill beunveiled atEurosatory 2012.KnownasCitadel, they arespecifically designed to be mounted onmilitary platforms from light armouredvehicles and reconnaissance vehicles to

Application diagramof the ZeissMini Sight on amediumarmoured vehicle.

(Carl Zeiss Optronics)

TheMiniSight developed by Carl ZeissOptronics is a stabilised platform that can

house different types of sensors.(Carl Zeiss Optronics)

The first order chalked up by Rheinmetall SAS was from the Spanish naval infantry, where thesystem is mounted on the company’s Lance turret that equips the Piranhas. (Rheinmetall)


tanks. Designed with virtually no image lagthey can be used for driver’s assistance,providingenhanced forwardandrear view, aswell as for providing all-round view for thecommander and dismounts. Based on thelatest generation of CCD colour imagesensors, the high-resolution camera systemprovides clear images in conditions ranging

from full sunlight to low-light scenes, thanksto theExtendedNightModeoperation. Fullyruggedized and featuring a low profile, theycan operate between –40°C and +70°C. TheCitadel camera system comes in two basic

configurations. The Panoramic consists oftwo cameras, with the two image streamsstitched together as one image stream, withan 170° horizontal field of view, built into aruggedizedmetal housing. TheWideAngleconfigurationuses a singlewide-angle fieldofview camera, with a factory-configurablehorizontal field of view ranging from 47° to112°, depending on the specific model.Interfacing is carried out via a MIL 38999type connector, allowing easy linkage to on-board videoprocessors andmonitors.Whilethese cameras can be easily integrated inretrofit packages, to address thedigitalworldof newly developed vehicles CST offers theCitadel cameramodelswith adigitalGigabitEthernet interface, providing high-speedvideo streams in accordance with either theGigEVision standardorDef.Stan00-82.Thecompany is in close dialog with major


The Panoramic version of the CST “Citadel”family of SA cameras includes two camerasproviding a single 170° FoV image. (CST)

The latest success of 01dB Metraviv Pilar acoustic sensor was with the French Army VAB TOPupgraded 4x4 vehicles aimed at the French contingent in Afghanistan. (Armada/EHB)


Europeanvehiclemanufacturers and systemintegrators, and a number of field trialsare either underway or planned.

I GUNSHOT LOCATING SYSTEMSWhy most types are based on acousticsensors, one of the latest developments callson sensors of entirely different nature, basedas it is on an infrared focal-plane technology.KnownasFlash, forFast as LightAssessmentof Snipers andHostile fire, it is produced byOceanit, a Hawaii-based engineeringcompany. The infrared sensor – a chip thatoperates at over 10,000 frames per second–can “see” the gunshot when the bullet

leaves the barrel and can report in 1/10 of asecond the shot location and the type ofweapon used, discriminating between rifletypes, rocket propelled grenade launchers,etc. The Flash comes in the formof a camerawith a 360° fish-eye lens. According toOceanit the Flash has a detection range ofover one kilometre. with a detection rategreater than99%anda false alarmrateof lessthan 0.1 %, thanks to algorithms that allowto discriminate between the flash of a gunandone that bouncingoff apolished surface.The Flash technology is being used to

develop a Hostile Fire Detection System(HFDS) for theUSArmy that canbeadoptedboth on vehicles and helicopters. (Armadatried to obtain additional information fromthe company. As a result, quite unbelievably,an internal e-mail was mistakenly sent to theauthor stating that his original e-mail was tobe forwarded “ to counter-intelligence”!)One of the most widely used acoustic

detection systems is certainlyRaytheonBBNTechnologies Boomerang III, of which over10,000 are deployed downrange. The lastcontract from the US Army dates back toOctober 2011, and includes both newsystemsand spares. Itworks at speedsofup to95km/h and ensures a shot detectionof over95 % against supersonic rounds passingwithin 30 meters from the microphonesmast. Bearing and elevation accuracy arebetter than 2.5° while range error is of ± 10%, results being shown in less than 1.5seconds. BBN does not unveil its customersbut at least Britain is known to be one ofthem, the systemhavingbeen integrated intosituational awareness systems equippingmost vehicles deployed toAfghanistan.Another well-known system is the Pilar

Mk-IIw from 01dB Metravib of France, of

The hand-held display of the 01dBMetravibPilar shows the sector fromwhich thethreat is coming. (Armada/EHB)

over1,000unitshavebeen sold to20differentcountries in various configurations. Twotypes are available, stand-aloneor integratedwith an RCWS. The system is capable todetect any round between 5.56 and 20 mmcalibre fired in ripple or as single shot, withor without suppressor, as well as RPGs andmortar rounds.Response time is twosecondswhile accuracy in azimuth is ± 2° with thevehicle stopped and ± 5° with the vehicle onthe move, reference being the vehicle’sheading, elevation accuracy being ± 5°.Range accuracy varies between ±10% and±20%, detection range being of about 1,500metres.The systemis composedof anarrayofmicrophones, an interface and dataacquisition module, a filter module foraggressive fire detection, a display unit(normally a ruggedized computer) runningon ShotGuard software and connectingcables. The MMI includes two modes,aggressive fire inurban terrainandall typesofshots in open terrain. In the integratedversion thePilarMk-IIwcan slew theRCWSstraight towards the detected threat, or canprovide the threat position to a BattleManagement System allowing sharing the

threat information along the chain ofcommand. Sucha solutionhasbeenadopted,inter alia, byNorway andSingapore.Amongits latest contracts 01dBMetravib bagged anorder for80kits knownasSlate for theFrenchArmy, to be installed on 4x4VABs equippedwith a Kongsberg M151 Protector RCWS;these are fully integrated and the turret canbe slewed either instantaneously or with adelay to allow the vehicle to reach a morefavourable tactical position. The systemswere delivered in late 2011 and becameoperational inAfghanistan.Rheinmetall Defence also developed a

vehicle acoustic sensor, the ASLS, forAcoustic Sniper Locating System, made ofan eight microphones array and acomputing system that provides automaticdetection with an angular accuracy of lessthan 2° when static and 5° when on themove and a range accuracy of ± 10 %,maximumrange being 20% in excess of thatof theweapon firing against the vehicle. Thesystem integrated orientation sensorprovides vehicle movement compensation,allowing tomaintain the shooter’s directionon the display unit relative to the orientation

itself. the system also provides elevation, alldata being refreshed every 1.5 second, andcovers 360° in azimuth and 180° inelevation.Wireless communicationbetweenthe sensor, the control and the display unitensure a smooth installation. Besides beingused as a stand-alone solution, theASLS canbe interfacedwithRheinmetall’s SAS aswellas with a weapon station to automaticallyslew it towards the threat. The system isready for production, demonstrators beingavailable mounted on various vehicles andturrets, which are being used for trials intendersworldwide.

Thales UK Vehicle Mounted AcousticSensor System (Vmass) provides a360° coverage using threemicrophones deployed around thevehicle, allowing simultaneoustracking of multiple sources and abearing accuracy of less than 2°horizontally and 4° vertically. Its rangeagainst small arms equates theweapons’ effective range, the Vmassbeing able to pick-up mortar fire atranges of over 5 km, a mainbattle tank at over 10 km and ahelicopter at over 7 km.

The Rheinmetall Acoustic Sniper Locating System completed its full development stage andis now ready for production. (Armada/PV)



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ACCESSORIES ARE provided bycompanies involved in theproduction of High Frequency(HF),VeryHighFrequency (VHF)

and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tacticalradio sets, along with firms which do notproduce such equipment per se, but whichhave developed a niche providing high-

performance items to accompany them.Onecompany in the former category is BarrettCommunicationsofAustralia.Anexample isthe firm’s 2MHz (megahertz) to 30MHz911Automatic Antenna Tuner which has anunlimited channel capacity anda twelve-voltdirect current power requirement.

Along with the antenna tuner, thecompany provides broadband and single-frequency base station antennae that coversthe 2-30MHz frequency range, namely the

BC91200 125W(Watt), BC91202 500WandBC91203 1000W multi-wire broadband aswell as the BC91201 125W single-wirebroadband dipole aerials. Other itemsinclude the 915 single-wire dipole antennawith a 500 kilohertz (KHz) to 30MHz rangeand the 918Logperiodic antennawhich canreceive broadband inputs from 13-30MHz,or 10-30MHz. An automatic tuning dipoleoperating in the 3-30MHz range is alsoavailable from the Barrett together with the

Many readers will be aware that a huge choice exists amongst the tactical radiosthat are available on the market to equip land forces, but just as a widerange of communications systems can equip ground troops, an impressive arrayof accessories is also available to supplement them.

Tom Withington

Radio Accessories

Accessorise Tactically

Caught during his training thisFrench Felin soldier wears an Elno

ostheophone which not onlykeeps his ears clear but also acts as

a microphone (Armada/EHB)


2019 Automatic Tuning Mobile Antenna.The latter has the option to be outfittedwithan integral Global Positioning Systemreceiver. The 2019 can operate with thecompany’s 2000-series HF transceivers, ascan Barrett's 2022 13.8V DC regulated 21-amppower supply. Each2022 canpowerone2000-series transceiver and one 2000-seriesaccessory. Finally, VHF and UHF usersrequiring access to an HF network can optfor Barrett’s 2062 HF-VHF/UHF crossgate,allowing suchusers to obtain a beyond-line-of-sight range across anHFnetwork.

I IP MESHMilitary electronics specialists Cobhamannounced inMarch their latest innovationsregarding Internet Protocol (IP) MeshRadios. IP Mesh radio nodes allow thehandling of video, audio and satellitegeolocation traffic over a mobile wirelessnetwork which can readjust itself as the IPMeshRadio nodemoveswithout degradingthe performance of the network or thebandwidth that it handles.All of this can beperformed using equipment whichweighs 350 grams and consumes ameretenwatts of power.

I GENERAL DYNAMICSAntennae are a speciality of GeneralDynamics, particularly line-of-sighttransceiver types that support thecompany’s URC-200 transceiver. Thecompany produces antennas formanpack, fixed and vehicle-mountedapplications. The manpack antennaproduct line includes the UVU-100 andUVL-100, the latter being configured fora 30-90MHz backpack radio. Mobile

base and base station whip aerial andmounts are available from GeneralDynamics in the form of the UVU-115 andUVU-130,with theUVU-200 andUVU-300offering dual- and tri-band base stationsolutions. Finally, theUVU-100S is a spring-loaded mobile antenna, with a 30-90MHzspring-loaded vehicle-mounted antennaavailable in the formof theUVL-150.

I RADMORLikeGeneral Dynamics, Radmor of Poland

is in the business of providing both tacticalradios and accessories. The company’srange of accessories include batteries andbattery packs, handsets and headsets, cordsand adapters as well as chargers. Five typescomprise Radmor's battery range notablythe NiCd 3571/1 which provides twelvehours of operation, Nickel-Metal Hydrid(NiMH) 1.2V (15 hours), the Lithium-Iron(Li-Iron) 3571/2 (25 hours) and BA-685Abatteries (24 hours) plus the LithiumCR2450 battery, which can be used with

the company’s R35010 PersonalSoldier Radio.

Radmor’s handset rangeincludes the COT 207-14R, which has theappearance of atelephone receiverequippedwith aPushTo Talk (PTT)button, and the01316/1, 01316/2and01316/3headsetand boommicrophonecombinations. Threevehicle adapters areavailable fromRadmor,namely the 05210/1 for

the manpack radio, the0526/1 for thehandheld radio

and the 05215/1 for thepersonal radio. These adapters

are supplemented by five separatebattery chargers including the02727/3Universal BatteryCharger.

I EIDLikewise, a wide array of radioaccessories is available from Portugal’sEID.Customerswhohavepurchased thefirm’s tactical radios may also wish toaugment thesewith theMA-250VHF30-108MHz wideband antennamulticoupler which allows two VHFtransmitters to link to a single antenna,reducing thenumber of aerials requiredfor each radio system. Meanwhile, the

SA-525/20 Antenna Tuning Unit canoperate in an active tuningmodewhere theunit generates theRF signal, or a silentmodewhere pre-loaded tuning parameters areutilised. Furthermore, this product can beused with frequency-hopping systems. A15W loudspeaker is available in the form ofthe company’s CC-230 Class D audioamplifier which can accompany either anintercomor radio equipment.

Like a number of companiesmentioned in this article, EID isa firm which specialises in the designand production of tactical radios. The firm alsoacts as a one-stop-shop which enablescustomers to purchase accompanying EIDaccessories like their headsets. (EID)

Radio Accessories


Of course, the range of coverage offeredby a tactical radio net often needs to beincreased both in terms of traffic handledandgeographical footprint. This iswhere theEID’s ER-525V comes in. Offering both arange extension node, and a gatewaybetween tactical radio nets, the ER-525Vincludes two 50W PRC-525 transceiverswith the whole system handling voice anddata communications at up to 64 kilobits-per-second capacity. Three modes ofoperation are available with the ER-525Vincluding fixed frequency, digital fixedfrequency and frequency-hopping options.

I SMART BATTERIESEffectively any tactical radio is little morethan a box of wires and circuit boardswithout an accompanying power supply.Micro Power Electronics provides a widearray of batteries specifically intended topower tactical radios. The firm’srechargeable batteries are available inNiMH,Li-Ironand lithium-Polymer configurations.Customers requiring disposable batteriescan opt for the company’s lithium primarycellswhich canbe used straight off the shelf,even when they have been stored for up to

seven years. These primary batteries aremanufactured in various lithiumcombinations including lithium sulphurdioxide and lithium thionyl chloride.

Meanwhile,MicroPowerElectronics’ lineof Smart Batteries can communicate their

health to the user via an integral circuitlocated in the battery pack, which canprovide a run-time within one percentaccuracy during the entire life span of thebattery.

High-power micro fuel cells also provide

Germany's Imtradex manufactures a range of tactical radio accessories. These includethe Aurelis handheld microphone which can be used alongside a number ofdifferent tactical radio systems. (Imtradex)


electricity and such products are availablefrom UltraCell which manufacturers theXX25 Fuel Cell. This can provide theequivalent power using 65 percent fewerbatteries for a typical 72 hour missioncompared to the samenumber of traditionalbatteries that a platoon of troops wouldrequire for a given operation. Neither is theuse of the XX25 confined to poweringtactical radios: this fuel cell can be used torecharge batteries and even power smallremote-control vehicles.

I HEADSETSJust as a top-of-the-range sound system islittlemore than ahighly sophisticatedboxofcircuitry without state-of-the-art speakers,a tactical radio also depends onhigh qualityheadsets for receiving and transmitting voicecommunications. A wide range of suchproducts exist provided by an array ofcompanies. One such firm is Imtradex ofGermany, which provides dedicatedheadsets to military users. These can be

customised to fit specific tactical radios. Thefirms’ products include the AurelisHandheld Microphone, which can be usedwithdigital radio systems.Although theImtradex produces analogue headsetssuch as the NB2000 and FireTalk, thecompany stresses that these products arealready adapted for usewith digital radios.

I INVISIOThe name Invisio is synonymous withtactical radio accessories, and the firm'swares have been sold around the worldequipping special forces and regular troopsalike. Invisio provides a range of headsetsusing bone conduction technology. Thisoffers a unique benefit in providing clearcommunications, as bone conductionheadsets only pick up the sound of one'svoice from vibrations moving through thewearer's skull. Because of this, other soundssuch as gunfire, the shouts of one'scomrades and vehicle engine noise areautomatically filtered out. Customers canchoose up to ten different headset designs,

although one product whichmay be ofspecial interest to the military user isthe Invisio X5 dual headset which,

likemany of the company's other designs,can be used with a gas mask or helmet.Soldiers requiring a bone conductionheadsetwhich offers hearing protection, canopt for Invisio's X50 product which willwork with the company's X5 and X6

headsets. A similarly impressive range ofpush-to-talk products is included in thecompany's catalogue. These include theInvisio M20 PTT which will tolerate up to20 metre submersion in water. Anotherclever device is the Invisio M80 remotewireless PTT that enables users to operatetheir radio using a Picatinny rail-mountedswitch.

Headsets are also a speciality of ImpactRadio Accessories. Customers can choosethe PTM-1 and PTM-3 Impact heavy-dutythroat microphones which are equippedwith a large PTT button. Offering alightweight, yet rugged design Impact’sPBH-1 behind-the-head single-muff earpiece is equipped with a headband and an

Radio Accessories

Imtradex's range of radio accessoriesincludes the firm's FireTalk analogue

headset. The firm stresses that itsanalogue products also work seemlessly

with digital tactical communicationssystems. (Imtradex)

Another item in Imtradex's catalogue is theNB2000 tactical radio headset. It is important tostress that the 'extras' which can be procured toaccompany today's battlefield communicationsare in fact imperative to ensuring thatcommunications remain clear. (Imtradex)

Invisio's X50 provides hearing protection forusers of the company's X5 and X6 bone

conduction headsets. The X50 is one of a widerange of products that Inviso provides for tactical

radios. These also include push-to-talkequipment that can be submerged in up to 20

metres of water. (Invisio)

adjustable gooseneck boom microphone.Impact’s POH-2 headset has an over-the-head lightweight configuration and in-linePTT functionality.Military users are oftenrequired to keep their ears open whilereceiving communications traffic whichmakes the firm’s NX-PTHS-1 headsetparticularly attractive. Sound is heard viadual temple transducers which rest on thetemples but leave the ears open. The usercan then hear communications traffic andthe world around them at the same time.Similarly, the NX-PSM-1 dispenses with atraditional microphone and instead uses askull-mounted microphone which willpick up vibrations from the users skullwhen they speak, but at the same time leavetheir mouth free of obstructions,particularly useful if they have to quickly

don a quickly in the event of chemical,biological or radioactive contamination.

I ELNOElno is a company with considerableexperience in the field of osteophones.The firm produces a wide range ofsystems including the most innovativeBCH300ultra-lightweight headset, fittedas a standard configuration with boneconduction technology for both listeningand speech transmission, but a modifiedversion with a noise-cancelling boommicrophone is available. Conventionalheadset designs are also a speciality of Elno,which produces the IH295 tactical headsetfittedwith an earpiece and anoise cancellingmicrophone. Any of these products can beoutfitted with a push-to-talk switch formanual or hands-free transmission.

Elno’s bone conduction headset is arevolutionary product which, by notcovering their ears, allows soldiers toperfectly well hear their communications

Radio Accessories


Silynx is also responsible for the C40PSheadset range. These hard-wearingtactical radio accessories are able to equiptroops with systems that can withstandimmersion down to 20 metres of water.

Alongwith producing accessories for infantrytroops, Elno provides radio equipment forvehicle crews, in particular helmets for use inheavy armoured vehicles which shieldpersonnel from the interior noise ofmain battletanks and infantry fighting vehicles. (Elno)

as well as whatever is happening aroundthem. The bone conduction headset alsodetects their voice, freeing themof the needto have a boom microphone. Thatparticular system has been selected forintegration into the French Army Felinsystem seen in our title photograph.

For mechanised infantry, Elnomanufactures the VH586 helmet to equipcrews of heavy armoured vehicles, and theVH590 headset for light armoured vehiclecrews. Both are built in a binauralconfiguration with ear shells to dampennoise and the company is currentlyintegrating an activenoise reduction system.A talk-through system is also available as anoption. These products are compatible withany vehicle intercom system, including thefull IPElips intercom, also fromElno.

Elno is something of a one-stop-shop for

Silynx's C4 Grip can adorn a rifle, providing aninfantry soldier with ameans of controllingtheir tactical radio without themneeding toremove their hands from their weapon. The C4Grip can also be used to control torches andlasersmounted on theweapon. (Silynx)

tactical radio accessories, as the companyproduces theLS701andLS112 loudspeakers,the former of which can be installed in avehicle and has a robust design, as does theLS112 loudspeaker which can be used bydismounted troops.

I QUIETPROThere will be times when a soldier needstheir ears protected, which is where Narce’sQuietPro+ can help. QuietPro+ combinesan ear plug style design to protect the user’shearing, while also allowing them to hearcommunications traffic. The product is

offered in both binaural and monauralconfigurations with the ear piececonnecting to a control unit, which in turnlinks through to an external PTT boxavailable in a wired chest, wired finger or awireless configuration.Like Narce, Silynx provides combined

hearing protection and enhancementsystems via its Micro C40PS 20-metreimmersible, software-definedheadsetwhichhas abuilt-inGPS forblue force tracking andactivenoise reduction. Its siblingproduct, theC40OPS Hybrid Headset Configuration isdesigned for use in very noisy environments

while, as its name suggests, the C40PSMaritime Headset Configuration canwithstand immersion in 20 metres of waterand manages sound leakage as itscommunications are inaudible from a rangeof 20 inches. An auto whisper modeis included for times when the users mustkeep their voice down.Able to fit onto a weapon’s Picatinny rail,

Silynx’s C4Grip comes outfitted withswitches to control lasers and torches, pluswireless controls for up to two radios. Thisallows the users to maintain theircommunicationswithout themeverneedingto take their hands off their weapons. Otherproducts in the Silynx stable include thecompany’sHeadbandBoomMic, theC4OPSSkullCap, theBA5590BatteryAdapterwhichcan power Harris’ AN/PRC-152 Falcon-IIImultibandandThales’AN/PRC-184MBITRandAN/PRC-148 JEMhandheld radios.Although 3M is arguably better known

for its civilianproducts such as adhesive tapeand Post-It Notes, the company doesproduce a line of audio accessories in theform of its Peltor communications andhearing protection systems. One of thePeltor products is the PTT adaptorwhichhas an ambidextrous design andcan equip the AN/PRC-148 MBITR,Harris AN/PRC-150 and AN/PRC-152 high frequency and multibandradios, the Motorola AN/PRC-153Integrated Intra Squad Radio andMotorola XTS series of digital,portable radios. The Peltor PTTadaptors have a robust constructiondevoid of any protruding parts.

I SPEAKERSAs the abovediscussion states, the battlefieldcanbe anoisy place.Not only is it imperativefor soldiers to clearly hear orders andinformation, they must also be able to beclearlyheardwhen speaking througha radio.While soldiers canhear their radios throughtheir headsets, theremay also be timeswhentheywant tohear communications traffic viaa speaker, perhaps when working in a fixedbase, or travelling in a vehicle. For thesepurposes,GeneralDynamics produces thePTSH-104 Amplified Audio Speakerwhich has a ruggedised chassis toprotect it in the most challenging ofenvironments. It can operate withalmost any12-28 volt direct currentpower source, according to thecompany.Crystal clear reception is


Radio Accessories

Although 3M is arguably betterknown for the manufacture ofconsumer items, the firms' Peltorsubsidiary manufacturesaccessories for tactical radios,including radio and intercomheadsets for tank crews. (3M Peltor)

imperative asmisheard communications canresult in mistakes being made, which in theworst case cancausedeathand injury toone’sown forces or to innocent civilians.Accusonic Voice Systems have kept suchconsiderations at the forefront of theirmindwith their Tactical Talker product line. TheTactical Talker family offers a range ofhandsets which have an ergonomic andlightweight design, plus a high degree ofcustomisation all of which offer clear andintelligible speech.

I USB CABLESAnother similarly clever piece of kit isSymetrics Industries’ U-Roc laptop-tactical radio connector.Comprising twocables, one end has a standard USBconnectorwhich fits into the laptop.TheUSBconnector-equipped cable then passesthroughaboxwithanembeddedcircuit cardcontaining a digital signal processor. Twocables pass from the other side of the boxand connect to the radio. Given theindispensable role that today’s tactical radioshave in carrying data as well as voicecommunications, laptop-to-radio connect-ion equipment is inhighdemand.

This article has aimed to provide thereader with as full an overview as possible ofthe wide array of tactical radio accessorieswhich are available today. Available spaceprevents us fromdiscussing all of the severalhundred products available from suppliersacross theworld.However, the sheer rangeofaccessories on the market underscores notonly the level of customisation that one canadd to their existing tactical radio systems in

termsofantennae,headsets andbatteries, butalso the importance of configuring one’scommunications so that theycansupport anymission in the most efficient way possible.Any products in high demand inevitablybreedawide rangeof accessories andaglanceat the civilian world in terms of cell phonehardware and software available to theconsumer confirms this. The tactical radioworld is littledifferent.

Put simply, QuietPro kills tobirds with one stone by

providing the users with earprotection that will at the same

time enable them to hearcommunications from their

accompanying radio. (USAF)


Fighter Aircraft Market

Important fighter acquisition decisions are shortly due - or have recently beenmade - in Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary,India, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Oman, Qatar,Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, theUnited Arab Emirates and Venezuela. This ‘tsunami’ of buying may largely be drivenby various impending production-line closures. However, it may also indicatethat the next few years are viewed around the world as the last rational time toacquire pre-stealth combat aircraft.

Fighter Market in Frenzy

Break and dispense flares! The ‘AJ’ tailcode and unit badges of these US NavyBoeing F/A-18E/Fs indicates ownership byVFA-31 ‘Tomcatters’ of carrier air wingCVW-8, based at Oceana NAS, Virginia andnormally assigned to CVN-71, USSTheodore Roosevelt. (US Air Force)

F UTURE AVIATION historians maylook back on the middle of thisdecade as a turning-point in thefighter business, after which some

nations (those that could) bought stealthfighters and the rest waited for alternative(probably unmanned) solutions to their airdefence, counter-air, ground attack andreconnaissance requirements.Of those nations buying new-build

fighters, many will favour minimisingspending until the real value of stealth andtheprospects for unmanned combat aircraftbecome clearer.

I THUNDERThe lower end of the market is currentlyrepresented by the Chengdu/PakistanAeronautical Complex (PAC) JF-17Thunder, which has a maximum weight of12.7 tonnes and abasic price of less than$25million. Designed under the direction ofYang Wei, the JF-17 first flew in 2003 withthe domestic designationFC-1.It may be recalled that the MiG-21 from

which the JF-17 was derived had its maidenflight in 1955, and that almost 11,500 werebuilt in the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakiaand India. Over 2400morewere built as theChengduF-7.Following four prototypes and eight

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) preseries JF-17s,all built byChengdu, a batchof 42BlockOnestandard aircraft constructed by PAC wereto be completed inApril 2012. ABlockTwostandard batch of 50 is to follow, withimproved weapons clearances, modifiedavionics and air-air refuelling. The Block

Three standard batch of 50 (if approved) isto be completed by the end of 2015, takingthePAF total to 150.In 2010 Chengdu began testing an FC-1

with the 86.4-kNGuizhouWS-13 engine inplace of the standard 84.4-kN Klimov RD-93. There is talk of a thrust-vectoring WS-13 being developed.There is serious interest in the JF-17 from

Egypt, which is considering licence-production. Inaddition,Algeria,Azerbaijan,Myanmar,Nigeria, SudanandZimbabweareamong the list of possible customers. Chinais still consideringwhether to buy the JF-17.A two-seat version is currently underdevelopment.

I GRIPENThe West’s own “affordable”, lightweightfighterwith a relatively small radar signature

is the 14-tonneSaab Jas39Gripen,whichwillbe the first aircraft cleared to use theMBDAMeteor medium-range air-air missile. Thecurrent engine is the GE F404-based 80.5-kNVolvoAeroRM12,which is being furtherdeveloped to 92.5 kN.The Swedish Air Force (SwAF) has

received120Jas39A/Bsand84Jas39C/Ds,butis consolidating its fleet as 100 upgradedJas39C/Ds. South Africa and Thailand haverespectively purchased26 and twelveGripenC/Ds. Hungary was buying 14 ex-SwAFGripen C/Ds under a lease-purchase


There is a market for measured sophisticationover ruggedness as exemplified by the JF-17Thunder, which is being eyed by Algeria,Azerbaijan,Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan andZimbabwe. Even Egypt is considering licenceproduction. (Armada/EHB)

Roy Braybrook

The Republic of Korea Air Force has placed an order for 20 Korea Aerospace Industries(KAI) FA-50 fighters, based on the company’s two-seat T-50 trainer (pictured), in turn derivedfrom the LockheedMartin F-16. (LockheedMartin)

agreement running from 2006 to 2016, buthas recently negotiated an extension to 2026.TheCzechRepublic is reportedlyconsideringextending the lease of a similar batch from2014 to2019.In November 2011 Switzerland selected

the 16.5-tonne Gripen NG with 98-kNGeneral Electric F414G, SelexGalileoRavenAesa radar, a modified undercarriage, and alarger wing with additional weapon stationsand increased internal fuel. If the Swiss plantobuy22 ina$3.2billiondeal to replace theF-5E/F is approved (with first deliveries in2015– which sounds more than hypothetical attime of writing - Ed), Sweden will place aninitial order for ten, bringing forward from2018 its plans to field the Jas39E/F domesticformofGripenNG.Development of theGripenNGbegan in

2008 with testing of an F414 engine in aJas39B. The Gripen NG prototype with allthe modifications is due to fly in 2013. Acarrier-capable version is projected formarketing inBrazil, Britain and India.

I TEJASMarginally lighter thanGripen, India’s 13.3-tonne Tejas (Radiance) Light CombatAircraft (LCA) has a tailless modified-deltaconfiguration and an 81.4-kN GE F404engine. Jointly developed by theAeronautical Development Agency (ADA)andHindustanAeronautics (HAL) to replacetheMiG-21, theLCAbegan flying in 2001.Eight pre-series aircraft are being

followed by a batch of 40 TejasMk Is for theIndian Air Force. The first squadron is toform at Sulur AB by December 2013 andreach full operational capability withintwelvemonths. A further 40Mk Is are to beordered, followed by at least 83 Mk IIs with98-kN GE F414s. The Mk II is due to fly in2015, and enter service around2018.A navalised (ski-jump take-off, arrested

recovery) Tejas with improved leading edgedevices is being developed to replace theIndianNavy BAe SeaHarrier. The first of sixdevelopmentaircraft is to flyshortly,andapre-productionbatchofninehasbeenapproved.

I FA-50Yet another in the same size category is the13.5-tonne Korea Aerospace Industries(KAI) FA-50, a combat aircraft derivative ofits T-50 supersonic trainer, in turn derivedfrom the F-16. The T-50 family is alreadywell established, with 82 produced fordomestic use and 16 ordered for Indonesia.The FA-50 is (initially at least) powered by a78.7-kN GE F404. The South Korea AirForce (Rokaf) has recently placed an $ 800

million order for 20 FA-50s to beginreplacing its F-5Es.

I J-10/F-10 VANGUARDChina’s 19.2-tonne (F-16 class) Chengdu J-10 first flew in 1998. Although Lavi-inspired, its design is credited to SongWencong. It is currently powered by a 125-kNSaturn/SalyutAL-31FN, althoughChinais trying to develop the Liming WS-10A toenddependence on theRussian engine. TheJ-10 entered service in 2005 with the Plaaf,which has now fielded at least 150.The J-10B, distinguished by diverterless

intakes, flew in 2008. This is presumably theversion being built for the PAF, which wasgranted government approval for a batch of36 (of an eventual 150) in 2006. However,deliveries for Pakistan have slipped to 2014-16, mainly because of lack of funding, butpossibly also because China wanted everyavailableAL-31FN for its own J-10s. Iran is apotential long-term customer.

I MIG-29If Russia restricts China’s purchases of AL-

Photographed from a Boeing F/A-18D of theSwiss Air Force, this Saab Jas39D of theSwedish Air Force gives some impression ofhow the somewhat larger Gripen NG couldlook over the Alps, if Swiss procurement goesahead. (Swiss Air Force)

The United Arab Emirates, by adding another60 units to its currently ordered 80, may well keepthe F-16 Block 60 production line humming foranother three years. (Armada/EHB)



31FNs, it is partly because J-10 saleswill damage those of theMiG-29. In recent yearsRAC-MiGhas sold small numbers ofMiG-29s toSyria, Myanmar and Yemen, but the most significant contractswere for 45MiG-29K/Kubs for the Indian Navy. A RussianMoDorder for 24 MiG-29KS/Kubs for the Russian Navy was signed inFebruary 2012. The Indian Air Force is having 62 MiG-29supgraded toMiG-29UPGstandard, andothers are being upgradedfor Syria and theRussianAir Force.RAC-MiG hopes for a domestic order for 48 examples of the

29.7-tonne MiG-35S derivative, which (like the MiG-29K) has88.3-kN Klimov RD-33MK engines. The company is currentlyupgrading some 46.2-tonne, Mach 2.83 Russian Air Force MiG-

The latest derivative of theRAC-MiGMiG-29 series is theMiG-35,whichuses theuprated engines of the carrier-basedMiG-29KS. The companyhopes towinadomestic launch-order for 48MiG-35S. (RAC–MiG)

31s toMiG-31BM standard.However, the company’s longer-term

prospects have been severely damaged bythe deletion of reference to a LightweightMulti-function Tactical Aircraft (LMFS) inRussia’s National Armaments Programme(GPV-2020).

I F-16Having made its maiden flight in 1974, thethen General Dynamics F-16 is still beingproduced by Lockheed Martin in Americaand by TAI in Turkey. Orders now exceed4500units for 26nations. Maximumweighthas increased from 17.0 tonnes for the F-16A/B (Blocks 1-15) to 19.2 tonnes for theF-16C/D (Blocks 25-52) and 22 tonnes for theF-16E/F (Block 60). Over 3000 F-16s arecurrently active.The F-16 is still being built for Egypt,

Morocco, Turkey and Iraq, which hasrequested 18 more F-16IQ Block 52s(following 18 bought for $ 835 million).Omanhasordered twelvemoreBlock50s for$ 600million. TheFortWorth linemaywellbe kept open beyond 2015 by the UnitedArab Emirates ordering more Block 60s(following the original 80).Defence economies arewidespread. In a$

750 million deal Indonesia has requestedfrom US Air Force stocks 24 Block 25s asExcess Defense Articles, to be upgraded toBlock 52 standard. The Philippines haverequested twelve. In 2009 Romaniaattempted tobuy24 refurbishedBlock 25s ina $ 1.4 billion deal, but this appears to havestalled due to funding problems. TurkishAerospace Industries is upgrading 41PakistanAir Force F-16A/BBlock 15s.

Another emerging pattern results fromdelayeddeliveries of the LockheedMartin F-35. For example, Israel is planning tohave itsF-16s upgraded, and Norway is buying newwings tokeep itsF-16s in serviceuntil 2023.Under the LongTermViper programme,

theUSAir Force plans to spend around$2.8billion to extend the life of the 350 Block 40and 50/52 from 8000 to 12,000 hours, andintroduce an Aesa radar, a new electronicwarfare suite, a stealth data link and cockpitimprovements.At the recent Singapore air show

LockheedMartin announced thenewF-16Vwith Aesa radar and improvements to thecockpit andmission computer.

I HORNET-SIZEThe size-standard for mid-weight combataircraft was set by the 23.5-tonne BoeingF/A-18C/D Hornet. Western Europe

designed two canard-delta aircraft to thissize: the 23.5-tonneEurofighterTyphoonaircombat fighterwith groundattack capabilityadded and the 24.5-tonne Dassault Rafale“omnirole” aircraft. They are poweredrespectively by two 89-kN Eurojet EJ200sand two 75-kN Snecma M88-2s, hence theTyphoonhas better ‘top-end’ performance.The first three Typhoon tranches,

totalling559aircraft (including15 forAustriaand 72 for Saudi Arabia) are now undercontract, but will keep the lines open onlyuntil 2015. Oman is expected to buy twelveTranche III aircraft. The final Tranche IIIBof 124 aircraft may depend on winning afollow-onorder of 48bySaudiArabia.In January 2012 it was announced that

the Rafale (which is nuclear-capable) hadbeen selected to fulfil India’s 126-unitMMRCA (Medium Multi-Role CombatAircraft) programme. The first 18 will be



This French Air Force Dassault Rafale is shownin long-range strike configuration, armedwith two MBDA Scalp-EG cruise missiles andtwo MBDA Mica air-air missiles. Its ‘7-HR’side-number indicates that it is fromEC1/7 ‘Provence’ at BA-113 Saint Dizier.(Dassault Aviation/KT)

Goodbye stealth! On ‘Day Two’ when enemy air defences are down, this is how the USMarine Corps’ Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II will look, with GDATP 25 mm GAU-22/Agunpod under the centreline and six underwing pylons. (Lockheed Martin)

manufactured in France, and the remainder licence-built byHindustanAeronautics. Thismassive order (initially estimated at$10.4billion)boostsDassault hopes inBrazil,Kuwait,Qatar and theUnitedArabEmirates.Some 180 of the 286 Rafales planned for domestic use (228 for

theAir Force and58 for theNavy) are alreadyunder contract. Thefourth batch (60Rafale F3-04Ts)will begindeliveries in 2013withM88-4Eengines,which could (if given larger intakes) bedevelopedto 88 kN, eliminating the performance advantage of theTyphoon.

I LIGHTNING IIThe stealthy 31.8-tonne Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II,powered by a single 190-kN Pratt &Whitney F135, began as anine-nation programme and continues to win orders. Israel,Singapore and Japan cameonboard in 2011. Japan expects to payaround $ 130 million for each of its 42 F-35As. In early 2012Turkey ordered the first twoF-35s of a planned 100. Over 3100F-35s are planned, including 2443 for theUS services.TheUSMarine Corps F-35B stovl version is currently to enter

service in 2016, and theUSAir Force F-35A in 2018.Concurrency of development andproduction is causingmajor

problems. The F-35 first flew at end-2006, launching its eleven-year $ 56.4 billion development, at the completion of which (atend-2016) the first 543 will already be under contract. In Lrip-5(FY2011) negotiations, the Defense Department has beenpressing the contractor to accept an unprecedented “concurrencyclause” and self-fund anymodifications foundnecessary in flighttests, as if thesewere design faults.

I SUPER HORNETThe single-engined stealthyF-35A/Creaches evenheavierweightsthan the twin-engined reduced-signature Boeing F/A-18E/F, ofwhich the US Navy plans to acquire 515 (plus 114 EA-18Gs).

Flying past the skyscrapers of Abu Dhabi, this Eurofighter TyphoonF2 (pictured with leading edge flaps and intake lips depressed) isevidently the mount of Sqn Ldr R Joel of Britain’s Royal Air Force No XISqn, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. (Eurofighter/K.T)


Boeing has now delivered 467 F/A-18E/Fsand EA-18Gs under the first twomulti-yearcontracts (including 24 F/A-18Fs forAustralia) and is working on the thirdcontract for 66F/A-18E/Fs and58EA-18Gs.

Anorder fromBrazil,Malaysia or variousPersian Gulf states would keep the F/A-18E/F line running beyond 2015. Inaddition, F-35delays could lead to follow-onorders from theUSNavy andAustralia.

Boeing has proposed further F/A-18E/Fdevelopment, including 20% more thrustfrom itsGEF414s.

I STRIKE EAGLEThe 36.5-tonne multirole Boeing F-15Eprovides an attractive balance between thefighter and strike roles. The US Air Forceplans to keep 217 in service until at least2035, and is accordingly studying aprogramme to quadruple fatigue life to32,000 hours. (The life of the F-15C/D airsupremacy fighter, ofwhich the service plansto retain around 400 of the current 522, is tobe doubled to 18,000hours).

Powered by two 129.6kN (afterburning)thrust engines, the F-15E has deservedlysold well. Israel bought 25 F-15Is inaddition to 72 F-15A/B/C/Ds. Singaporehas ordered 24 F-15SGs, and South Korea61 F-15Ks (with GE F110 engines in placeof the standard P&WF100s), and both willprobably buy more. Saudi Arabia earlierbought 72 F-15S in addition to 109 F-15C/Ds, and has recently in a $ 29.4 billiondeal ordered 84 improved F-15SAs andupgrades for its F-15S to –15SA standard.

Boeing plans to fly a new-build“advanced international F-15” trials aircraftaround the end of 2012, to test key features

of the reduced-signature F-15SESilentEagleproposed for SouthKorea’s F-X III contest.

I SU-27/30/34/35Developments and derivatives of the Su-27continue to attract orders. In 2011 theRussian Air Force received twelve new-build multi-role Su-27SM(3)s, two Su-30M2 two-seaters and six 45-tonne Su-34strike aircraft. Under a 2008 contract, 32Su-34s are being built by Napo inNovosibirsk, and anew contract covers 92 tobe delivered by 2020.

In 2009 the service ordered 48 examplesof the 38.8-tonne “4.5-generation” Su-35Sfor delivery in 2012-2015, and a secondbatch of 48 is expected to follow,with othersto provide for eight squadrons by 2020. TheSu-35S has thrust-vectoring, an OpticalLocator System that can track targets atover 80 km, and a radar that allows 30aircraft to be tracked and eight engagedsimultaneously.

Around 25 Su-30s were built in 2011 forAlgeria, Vietnam and Uganda in 2011. At

the end of the year, Indonesia, whichcurrently operates six Su-27SKMs and fourSu-30MK2s, signed a $ 470million contractfor sixmore Su-30MK2s. Venezuela, whichhas 24 Su-30MKVs, plans to buy at leasttwelvemore (or alternatively Su-35s).

India,which alreadyhas 230 Su-30MKIs,recently firmed an order for 42 more withupdated cockpit, improved radar, andupgraded armament, including provisionsfor theBrahmos cruisemissile.

Prime Minister Putin has stated thatRussia will acquire 600 new combat aircraftover the next ten years. These willpresumably be mostly Su-27 derivatives inthe short term, and the new-generationSukhoi PAK-FA in later years.

I SHENYANGChina originally bought 76 Su-27SK/UBKsand 100 Su-30MKK/MK2s. Shenyang laterlicence-built 100 Su-27SKs as J-11As and atleast 100 without licence as J-11Bs, withChinese avionics and weapons. Anincomplete prototype of the Su-33 strikefighter (of which the RussianNavy operates19)was obtained from theUlkraine in 2001,providing the basis for the 33-tonneShenyang J-15Flying Shark,which first flewin 2009with Saturn/SalyutAL-31Fs.

On11 January2011Chengdu flew the50-tonne (class) J-20 stealthy strike aircraft,which is apparently being developed tothreatenUSbases andcarriers in theWesternPacific, and is unlikely to be offered in themarketplace for avery long time.

66


The latest of the Sukhoi Su-27/30 series is the“4.5-generation” Su-35S, with thrust-vectoringand new radar and optical sensors. Deliveriesof the first 48 Su-35S have now begun to theRussian Air Force. Seen here is the secondproduction aircraft. (Sukhoi)

Boeing has proposed the reduced radar signature F-15SE SilentEagle, with conformal tanks redesigned as weapon bays. In this trialthe internal weapon carriage concept was tested by launching aRaytheon AIM-120 air-air missile. (Boeing)

O man’s Royal Air Force order isfor five aeroplanes that are to beconfigured as tactical transportsand three as maritime patrol

aircraft, the latter to patrol territorial watersand conduct anti-piracy and anti-smugglingmissions. Deliveries are scheduled tostart next year.TheC295 scoreboard now shows orders

for a total of 108 units, of which 85 arealready in operation in 13 countries.TheC295 appears to be eyeing a growing

number of differentmissions. The companyalready flew a C295 last year with an emptyradome to verify the compatibility ofthe aircraft with a back-mounted AEW&Cdish aerial. The configuration has beenvalidated and Airbus is now working outthe development of themission systemwithElta and discussing with several potentialcustomers.The type is also being modified into a

gunship for Jordan by ATK, which hasprompted Airbus military to approach theAmerican company with a view todeveloping amodular package for theC.295.Another field of investigation is to equip

themaritimepatrol versionof theC295withMBDAMarte anti-shipmissiles, and thereby

complement the currentMk46weapon load.This will take place in three distinct flighttest phases, first to check the aerodynamiccompatibility between the missile and theaircraft, secondly to perform separationtests, and finaly a full drop andmotor firing.Also being looked into is the installation

ofwing-tipwinglets to reduce induced dragand thereby enable the aircraft to increaseits operational ceiling, which will prove asignificant advantage particularly for theAEW&Cversionmentioned above.On the subject of altitude,AirbusMilitary

has been discussing engine setting changeswith Pratt &Whitney since last year with aview to certifying a new climb rate profile toallow theaircraft to reach its ideal operationalceiling much faster with little or nodetrimental effects on engine maintenancecosts. The aim is to get the new procedure

certified and introduced in the aircraft flightmanual during the year. While this willinevitably increase fuel consuption in theclimb phase, it is expected to bring savingsbecause theaircraftwill beallowed toreach itsoptimal efficiency ceilingmuchearlier.A head-up display is also being offered

for the type and should be undergoingtesting in the course of next year. Being fullyintegrated with the aircraft's avionics andmission systems it is also offered with anenhanced vision system (EVS) in the formof an externallymounted infrared camera.Obiggs is a new acronymonewill have to

getacustomedto,particularly in thecontextofaircraft beingoperated inareaswithgunfire-happypopulations as indeed it stands for “onboard inert gas generating system”. Theobejective of the Obiggs is to quickly fill theaircraft's tankswith an intert.


AC295 carrying a dummypiggy-backed AEWdish aerial startedflying in summer 2011 to validate the

aerodynamic feasibility of theconcept. (AirbusMilitary)

Eric H. Biass

What’s Up?

As it announced that Oman had placed an order for eight C295 in Madrid on21 May, Airbus Military also provided a useful update on the further developmentsthat are either planned or already in the pipeline for this aircraft.

C295 sales hit the 108 unit mark, andintroduces a wealth of improvements

To further improve its usability in critical conditions, the C295 could ne equippedwith a head-uponwhich an infrared picture froman external sensor could be superimposed

What's up June12.qxp:Armada 5/25/12 9:14 AM Page 3


Digest

F-35A COMPLETESFIRST IN-FLIGHTREFUELING WITHEXTERNAL WEAPONS

Lockheed Martin F-35ALightning II conventional

takeoff and landing aircraftcompleted the program’s firstin-flight refueling mission whileconfigured with externalweapons at Edwards Air ForceBase, Calif. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col.George Schwartz piloted thetest aircraft, known as AF-4, withtwo external inert AIM-9Xweapons and four externalstores. Internally, the jet wascarrying two Joint Direct AttackMunitions and two AdvancedMedium-Range Air-to-AirMissiles. The two-hour missiontested the flying qualities of theaircraft while maneuvering withexternal weapons. This testpaves the way for weaponsseparation testing later this year.

MINUTEMAN ICBMWEAPON TEST

Northrop GrummanCorporation recently

supported the successfulreliability testing of theUnited States Air Force'sMinuteman IIIintercontinental ballisticmissile weapons system.

The Northrop Grummanled ICBM prime teamincludes Boeing, LockheedMartin, ATK and more than20 other subcontractors.The ICBM team isresponsible for overallsustainment of theweapon system includingdevelopment, production,deployment and systemmodifications.

The operational testwas designated Glory Trip203GM. The test launchproceeded as plannedwith the missile travelingroughly 4,800miles in 30minutes. The MinutemanIII carried a single Mk21 re-entry vehicle speciallyinstrumented to measureoperational performanceparameters.

KC-46 TANKER COMPLETES PRELIMINARYDESIGN REVIEW

The Boeing KC-46 Tanker program has completed a PreliminaryDesign Review (PDR) with the U.S. Air Force, a key milestone

in the development of the next-generation aerial refueling tanker.The review, which began March 21 and ended April 27,

demonstrated that the preliminary design of the KC-46A Tankermeets system requirements and establishes the basis forproceeding with detailed design. Boeing remains on plan to deliver18 combat-ready KC-46A Tankers by 2017.

The program's next major milestone is a Critical Design Review(CDR) that will take place in the summer of 2013. The CDR willdetermine that the design of the KC-46A is mature and ready toproceed to the manufacturing phase.

Boeing will build 179 next-generation aerial refueling tankeraircraft that will begin to replace the Air Force's fleet of 416 KC-135tankers. Based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane, theKC-46A tanker is a widebody, multi-mission aircraft updated withthe latest and most advanced technology to meet the demandingmission requirements of the future, including a digital flight deckfeaturing Boeing 787 Dreamliner electronic displays and a flightcontrol design philosophy that places aircrews in command tomaximize combat maneuverability. The KC-46A also features amodernized KC-10 boom with a fly-by-wire control system, and arefueling envelope and fuel offload rate that is greater than that ofthe KC-135 it will replace.

US third LittoralCombat Ship, USS

Fort Worth (LCS 3),successfully completedits U.S. Navy acceptancetrials and will bedelivered to the Navythis summer.

Fort Worth is thesecond surfacecombatant designed and built by a Lockheed Martin led industryteam. The trials, conducted in Lake Michigan from April 30 to May 4,included a four-hour full-power run and both surface and air detect-to-engage demonstrations of the ship’s combat management system.Major systems and features were demonstrated, including aviationsupport, small boat launch handling and recovery, and ride control.

The Lockheed Martin-led LCS team includes ship builder MarinetteMarine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, naval architect Gibbs &Cox, as well as domestic and international teammates.

USS LCS 3 COMPLETES ACCEPTANCE TRIALS

Aircraft manufacturer Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force haveselected BAE Systems to provide active side sticks as part

of the overall cockpit controls for the KC-390military transportaircraft. In 2011, BAE Systems was chosen to provide flight controlelectronics for the aircraft.

The KC-390 is a twin-turbofan powered medium-weighttransport jet that can be refueled in flight and used for in-flight or on-ground refueling of other aircraft. BAE Systems has more than 20years of experience in developing and produc)ing active pilotcontrols. The company’s active side sticks have additional featuresand benefits over existing pilot control technologies, includingelectrical linking between pilot and co-pilot and changes in theforce-feel characteristic depending on the flight modes andcondition of the aircraft.

ADDITIONAL ELECTORNIC SYSTEMS FOREMBRAER KC-390 AIRCRAFT

A400M MAKES FIRST REFUELLINGCONTACTS WITH A330 MRTT

AnAirbus Military A400M new generation airlifter has successfullyperformed simulated refuelling contacts with an Airbus Military

A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport.The A400Mmade some 30 contacts with the hose and drogue

of the A330 MRTT´s Fuselage Refuelling Unit (FRU). No fuel waspassed in these tests which consisted of “dry contacts”. The A330MRTT that took part in the tests is one of the aircraft to be deliveredto the UK Royal Air Force, where it is known as Voyager, as part of theFuture Strategic Transport Aircraft (FSTA) programme.

The FRU is typically used to refuel large aircraft such as theA400M and the tests demonstrated the stability of both aircraftwhen flying in close formation and when refuelling.

Two unmannedK-MAX helicopters

have delivered morethan one millionpounds in less thanfour months insupport of the U.S.Marine Corps inAfghanistan and willremain in theateruntil September on a deployment extension.

The aircraft, a joint effort by Lockheed Martin andKaman Aerospace, is the first unmanned helicopter todeliver cargo and resupply troops in a combat zone. Theyhave been keeping a steady pace of six missions per day,with record load deliveries ranging from a single 4,200-pound sling load to 28,800 pounds lifted in a single day.During operations in Afghanistan, previously scheduled toend in June, the aircraft has met or exceeded allexpectations with less than one maintenance man-hour perflight hour. As a result, the Marine Corps has extended theK-MAX deployment through the end of the fiscal year,September 30.

The unmanned K-MAX has demonstrated its ability tocarry and deliver 6,000 pounds of cargo at sea level andmore than 4,000 pounds at 10,000 feet altitude.

DEPLOYMENT MILESTONE FOR K-MAXUNMANNED HELICOPTERS

LASER TEST FIREDFOR MILITARYAPPLICATIONS

NorthropGrummanCorporationhas test fired

the first product in its next-generation FIRESTRIKE™family of high-energy, solid-state lasers thatmeet goalsfor size andweight reductionand ruggedization foroperational applications.The tests, conducted in

the company's RedondoBeach laboratory,demonstrated that the lasercould burn through the skinand critical components ofa target drone used tosimulate anti-ship cruisemissile threats to U.S. Navyships.The laser, called Gamma,

uses a "slab" architecturesimilar to previous NorthropGrumman high-powerlasers. It operated at 13.3kilowatts for a number ofshots over a total of 1.5hours with stableperformance and a beamquality that exceededdesign goals, completingthe initial phase of trials.

SHADOW TACTICALUAS COMMENCESAFGHAN OPERATIONS

The Shadow 200 TacticalUnmanned Aerial Systemhas officially commencedoperations in Afghanistan,providing an enhancedcapability to the InternationalSecurity Assistance Force.The Shadow 200 TUAS is

designed to conductIntelligence, Surveillance, TargetAcquisition andReconnaissance (ISTAR)operational support, enhancingthe decision cycle of thesupport force element, throughthe employment of its sensors.The Shadow 200 TUAS

replaces the ScanEagle whichhas been in operation sincemid 2007.Since being deployed to

Afghanistan mid 2007 theScanEagle has flownapproximately 32,000 hours inAfghanistan and over 6,200missions in support of theReconstruction Task Force,Mentoring and ReconstructionTask Force, Mentoring TaskForce, Combined Team -Uruzgan and the SpecialOperations Task Group.

INDIA LAUNCHES LONG RANGEBALLISTIC MISSILE

India set a newmilestone in theIntegrated Missile DevelopmentProgramme, with maiden Long RangeBallistic Missile (LRBM) AGNI-V (A-5)successful flight test.The flawless auto-launch of the

missile took off from the launch pad atfrom south eastern coast of India. Themissile, with a range of more than5000 kms, followed the entiretrajectory in copybook style perfectionas the three stages of Propulsiondropped and fell at appropriateintervals into the Bay of Bengal. Thethree propulsion stages, developed completely indigenously byDRDO, performed exactly the way they were intended to. Theindigenously developed Composite Rocket Motors performed well,signifying the country’s stride and complete self-reliance in thiscomplex propulsion technology.

The GPS III program will affordably replace aging GPS satelliteswhile improving capability to meet the evolving needs ofmilitary, commercial and civilian users worldwide.Raytheon Company has completed delivery of the electronics for

the AN/SQQ-90 tactical sonar suite, the complex sonar for the firstship of the U.S. Navy's DDG 1000-class multimission destroyer. TheAN/SQQ-90 tactical sonar suite, the first dual-frequency hull-mounted sonar of the Navy's surface fleet, is a major advancement inundersea warfare capability and will provide broad warfightingcoverage to DDG 1000.Raytheon delivered the sonar electronics completely assembled

and integrated into an Electronic Modular Enclosure (EME), aninnovation to 21st century shipbuilding designed into the Zumwalt-class destroyer program for affordability. The EME delivers benefitsnot only in upfront integration and testing before delivery to theshipyard for ship installation, but also minimizes the footprintoccupied onboard the ship (size and weight) and maximizesefficiencies in both power and cooling.

FIRST DUAL-FREQUENCY SONAR FOR US NAVY

PROTECTION OF MARITIME FACILITIES

Elbit Systems has launched an Integrated Maritime AwarenessConcept and Solution (IMACS) suit, developed to answer theunique defense requirements of maritime infrastructure facilities,such as oil and gas rigs. Strategically important, these facilitiescall for a unique protection concept due to the potential threatsposed by pirate and terror attacks.A modular solution, IMACS enables customization of various

available technologies and capabilities according to specific customerrequirements. In order to tailor the comprehensive defense suit foreach customer, Elbit Systems has established a unique laboratory,where the use of advanced simulation technologies projects aprecise virtual presentation of the potential threat scenarios. Basedon the relevant customer's operational scenarios, a unique anddedicated "protective circle" strategy is tailored, implemented by anintegrated and effective maritime security suit.The suit includes Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Unmanned

Surface Vessels (USVs), advanced Intelligence Surveillance andReconnaissance (ISR) systems for maritime, aerial and groundmissions, maritime patrol aircraft and other advanced systems.


Digest

JOINT POLAR SATELLITE SYSTEMCGS MILESTONE

The Common Ground System (CGS) developed by RaytheonCompany for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) achieved

a major milestone with the successful download and deliveryof Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) datathrough McMurdo Station, Antarctica, to the Air Force WeatherAgency (AFWA) in Omaha, Neb.

The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), thelatest weapon in the fight against insurgency forces, was

recently approved for its first deployment by Headquarters MarineCorps. The APKWS, the U.S. government’s only program of recordfor the semi-active laser-guided 2.75-inch rocket, converts theHydra 70mm unguided rocket into a precision guided munitionthrough the addition of a mid-body guidance unit (WGU-59/B)developed by BAE Systems.

The APKWS is a “plug and play,” “point and shoot” weapon, andis fired like the unguided 2.75-inch rocket. The weapon is easilyassembled by removing the warhead, attaching the guidancesection to the rocket motor using existing threads, and then re-mounting the warhead to the guidance section. The weapon is shotwith minimal instruction, as if it were an unguided rocket.

Anewly formed joint venture — IBL JV, LLC (IBL) — will bid onthe U.S. Air Force Space Command’s planned Launch and

Test Range System Integrated Support Contract, or LISC.The team, comprised of ITT Exelis, BAE Systems and L-3 ,

brings extensive experience in successful range operations andmaintenance (O&M) and logistics. The joint venture teammatesserve as the incumbents on the existing Air Force Spacelift RangeSystem (SLRS) contract, delivering a strong combination ofperformance and value.

LISC will allow the Air Force to combine O&M and sustainmentservices of its Eastern and Western Ranges under a singlecontract. The move will effectively merge the Air Force’s SLRScontract, currently primed by Exelis, with the Eastern RangeTechnical Services and Western Range OperationsCommunications and Information contracts.

The LISC contract calls for programmanagement, range O&M,sustaining engineering, logistics support and management, rangeinstrumentation systems operations and engineering, hardwareand software depot-level maintenance, downrange baseoperating support, and information assurance.

NEW JV FOR LISC CONTRACT

ADVANCED PRECISION KILL WEAPONSYSTEM DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN

RAF VOYAGER AIRCRAFT MAIDEN FLIGHT

The Airbus Military A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport hasmade its maiden flight in service with the UK Royal Air

Force.Known as the Voyager in RAF service, the aircraft took off

from RAF Brize Norton for a training sortie around the UnitedKingdom to allow the AirTanker crew to familiarise themselveswith the aircraft and achieve the first part of the Voyager crewtraining schedule.

The Voyager aircraft was delivered by Airbus Military toAirTanker, the company formed to operate and support theVoyager for the UK Ministry of Defence under the FutureStrategic Transport Aircraft programme, at the end of last year.

The Voyager aircraft represents a new standard intanker/transport technology and will provide the RAF with theworld´s most advanced air-to-air refueling, passenger transportand aeromedical capability. As a modern and efficient aircraft,the Voyager is quieter and more fuel-efficient than any otheraircraft currently based at RAF Brize Norton – the RAF´sprimary transport/tanker base.


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NEXT ISSUE AUG/SEPT 2012: 3 AUG, ADVT: 18 JULY

Maritime Patrol Aircraft: The naval forces patrol aircraft has alwaysbeen a sort of Jack of all trades, including that of finding capsized leisuresailing boats. Its tasks now include a whole variety of side activities,including the detection of pirates, smugglers and sensitive islandintruders. The wider type of airframes now available enables them to suitmany a pocket.

Baseline Aircraft on Steroids:More than ever, flexibility is the word ofthe day and many operators or potential operators are eyeing thepossibility of equipping standard aircraft – small or large – to enable toperformmissions other than the ones they were originally designed for.This goes from turning light (and even agricultural) and trainer aeroplanesinto ground attack/support aircraft and even otherwise pedestriantransports into awesome gunships.

Latest Electronic Rifle Sights: This new generation of sights can in factbe real fire control systems – particularly when applied to rifles carrying anunderslung grenade launcher, but can also provide remote aiming to fire‘round a corner, or even relay a target to a fellow soldier.

Show Report: SOFEX - A vivid report on the latest wares exhibited at thisspecial operations equipment exhibition in Amman.

Drone Update: Just 550 identified drone types in 2005, but over 1500by mid 2011. This regular column enables the reader to keep abreast withthis ever-growing segment of the defence industry.

Compendium Tactical Radios: The much awaited Tactical Radios titlereturns with more focus on SDR and Cognitive Radios and Networks aswell as coalition interoperability in the communications operationalsphere. Ad hoc connectivity on and about the digital battlefield has foryears been considered a networking panacea, but much that is obvious tosome is never considered. Waveforms do come to the rescue in manyapplications but obviously hardware is still, even in a slower economicatmosphere, a major consideration. Many innovative ideas are beingplaced onto the table - some are being embraced, with new radiosbeginning to offer unmatched capabilities.

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Armada International: Issue 3 June/July 2012