Bulldog arrives at the front line
4 Dec 06

Troops in Iraq are finding driving much easier following delivery of the first upgraded FV430 Mk3 Bulldog vehicles.


The delivery comes after successful trials in the UK and the Middle East confirmed that the Mk 3 vehicles are as reliable and robust as expected. The new engine and transmission give the vehicle improved performance and it is much easier to drive, resulting in less driver fatigue.

It is now fitted with additional armour and other improvements such as air conditioning. Bulldog can now also turn around within its own length which could be a life saver in a narrow street.

Over the next six months, more deliveries will be made to operations in Iraq as well as Afghanistan.

Lieutenant Colonel John Laidler from the DLO's Light Armoured Systems Support Integrated Project Team (LASS IPT) visited theatre to oversee the delivery of the vehicles to the 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets. He said:

"I met the vehicle crews and their commanders and helped fit the additional armour. I was able to explain the strengths of the new vehicle and gain feedback, which proved positive and constructive. This has been an exceptionally demanding project, but we met the deadlines and the vehicles deployed to Basra on time. This was achieved through the combined efforts of BAE Systems and its sub-contractors, LASS IPT, DLO movements staff and particularly the users."

Removing an M1 tank's turret alone takes a day and a half

BREAKING NEWS

Singapore to buy German Leopard tanks

Singapore (dpa) - Singapore's Defence Ministry said Monday that it is set to purchase 96 Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany that feature multi-layered armour that can withstand tank guns and armoured fighting vehicle cannon.

The package is to consist of 66 refurbished tanks and 30 spare tanks and supporting equipment, a ministry statement said.

"Training on the Leopard tanks will be provided by the German army," the statement added.

Delivery of the tanks was expected in one to one and a half years, a ministry spokeswoman said. The price of the sale was not disclosed.

Singapore has some of the most advanced military hardware in South-East Asia. An armed forces list of combat equipment included 100 battle tanks and 350 light tanks.

At 55.15 tons, the Leopard 2A4 offers "one of the most favourable power-to-weight ratio in its class" with a top speed of 72 kilometres per hour, the statement said.

Zusätzlicher Schutz für Soldaten im Einsatz

Berlin, 12.12.2006, Presse- und Informationsstab.
Noch im nächsten Jahr kauft die Bundeswehr deutlich mehr geschützte Fahrzeuge als ursprünglich vorgesehen.

Dem Verteidigungsministerium ist es gelungen, einen Änderungsvertrag über die vorgezogene Lieferung von geschützten Fahrzeugen des Typs Dingo 2 mit der Herstellerfirma Krauss-Maffei Wegmann abzuschließen. Somit können im Jahr 2007 - statt der ursprünglich geplanten 33 Fahrzeuge - nunmehr
insgesamt 100 Exemplare dieses Typs beschafft und den Soldatinnen und Soldaten im Einsatz zur Verfügung gestellt werden.
Damit trägt das Ministerium der sich in diesem Jahr teilweise signifikant verschlechterten Sicherheitslage in Afghanistan Rechnung. "Der Ausstattungsbedarf unserer Soldatinnen und Soldaten im Einsatz hat höchste Priorität und wird regelmäßig detailliert untersucht, um Risiken aufgrund sich verändernder Sicherheitslagen zu minimieren", so Verteidigungsminister Dr. Franz Josef Jung. "Ich freue mich, dass es uns gelungen ist, zusammen mit der Firma Krauss-Maffei Wegmann den Zulauf von Dingo 2 zu beschleunigen".

schonmal überlegt, dass sie nach Möglichkeiten den kampf eben nicht nur in ihrer Stadt führen möchten?

das ist der Punkt, wenn sie sich die Möglichkeit lassen wollen auch offensive Operationen gegen Malaysia durchführen zu können dann wären 100 moderne Kampfpanzer + 350 light tanks sinnvoll.

Honeywell International Inc. in Morris Township, NJ won a U.S. Army contract to change the way it supports its AGT-1500 turbine engine, used on the M1 Abrams tank and related platforms. The company has said that the overall contract under the US Army's Total InteGrated Engine Revitalization (TIGER) program could amount to $1.4 billion by the end of its lifetime.

What distinguishes Honeywell's performance-based approach under TIGER from previous contracts? How does the program fit in with overall US Army plans for the M1 Abrams out to 2027? And what are the latest awards made under the TIGER program?

Experiences in Iraq have shown the US Army that the Abrams tank will constitute a significant portion of the combat force well into this century, as there are no viable substitutes for it. On the other hand, the fleet's AGT-1500 turbines are being pressed into service well beyond their intended life. As they wear down and wear out, it has had an increasing impact on the readiness of combat units.

The Honeywell contract will set up an approach based on full life cycle management, on terms that are performance-based. Which means a contract that ties compensation to the number of combat-ready tank engines (for example), rather than a traditional maintenance contract which pays for the number of hours worked to make them ready. Britain in particular has used this sort of approach across the board in its defense maintenance contracts, in hopes of using better incentive patterns to both raise readiness and lower costs.

As this Associated Press article notes, TIGER will implement a more proactive maintenance system, and give the original manufacturer Honeywell primary responsibility for on-time delivery of replacement engine parts and management of repair schedules. The contract also calls for Honeywell to improve service of the Abrams's AGT-1500 engine using Six Sigma processes to gather data on performance, to be followed by data-driven decisions about repairs and engineering improvements.

To fulfill this contract, Honeywell says it will rely on a Web-based database and special in-use monitoring systems. This will help it provide more effective and less expensive repairs and upkeep, using field data to more accurately determine maintenance needs and provide Army units with detailed, timely information about the mechanical status of Abrams tanks. Indeed, Program Manager Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Flanagan promised that "With the TIGER program in place, commanders at every level will know exactly how much engine life remains in each tank, and be able to execute engine repairs and replacements before deploying to the field."

Honeywell Defense & Space's Vice-President, Surface Systems was even more specific. Mike Cuff said: "We will deliver performance-based logistics and engineering design improvements facilitating an integrated lifecycle management approach to significantly reduce operating costs while doubling the service life of overhauled AGT1500 engines from 700 to 1,400 hours."

Honeywell is teamed with the Army's Program Manager Heavy Brigade Combat Team (PM-HBCT), TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, and Anniston Army Depot (ANAD, which holds the newly renovated TIGER facility) under a long-term agreement. Honeywell will provide engineering support, durability design improvements, integrated supply chain management, material management, field repair support, field and overhaul data collection and fact-based maintenance. The contract includes critical field support services in Kuwait, Korea and key locations across the United States.

The U.S. Army's Abrams sustainment & development program ultimately includes the Abrams Integrated Maintenance (AIM) program, the PROSE (Partnership for Reduced O&S Costs, Engine) program, and ultimately a new gas turbine engine.

As The Armor Site! notes in its outstanding M1 Abrams profile, PROSE Phase 1 aims to overhaul existing AGT 1500 engine/ components, in order to reengineer the production process and improve field support. TIGER is a big part of that effort.

As part of PROSE Phase 2, Honeywell International Engines and Systems and General Electric would finalize development of a new LV100-5 gas turbine engine. The goals as noted by GE are an engine that offers replacement with no to very few structural modifications, reduces the parts Count by 43%, improves Reliability by Over 400%; and addresses the M1's current poor fuel mileage even for a tank by offering a 50% reduction fuel at idle, increasing Operating Range by up to 70 Miles with current fuel tanks, and still offering 1,500 hp to drive the M1 Abrams along at its accustomed lightning-fast clip (speeds over 60 miles/ 100km per hour have been reported). On-board electronic diagnostics and health monitoring and an on-board electronic log book, or data memory module, will also help reduce maintenance requirements; the goal is a reduction of nearly two-thirds (over 65%) in operations and support costs.

These measures, plus ongoing electronics upgrades, are expected to sustain the U.S. Army's fleet of almost 7,000 Abrams tanks into 2027.

BAE to Upgrade Norwegian M113s

BAE Systems has received a $29.7 million contract from the Norwegian Defence Procurement Division for the development and delivery of M113 upgrade kits. The contract calls for the development and production of 72 power pack kits, air conditioning system kits, suspension kits, and track system kits for Norwegian M113 armored personnel carriers, plus the provision of logistics support and spare parts. The contract also includes options for 34 additional sets of kits, storage cases and additional spares.

Work will be performed at BAE Systems' facility Santa Clara, CA and will continue through November 2008. The kits will be installed at the DPD's facility in Norway.

USA Buying 169 More RG-31 Pathfinder Blast-Resistant Vehicles

General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada delivered 148 RG-31 vehicles to the U.S. Army in 2005. In October 2006, TACOM awarded General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada a contract for US$ 27.2 million to provide 60 RG-31 Mk5 mine-resistant patrol vehicles, used by EOD teams and by the 101st Airborne as patrol vehicles; the Mk5 has improved power and payload capabilities in comparison to its predecessors. In November 2006, this order was increased to 94 vehicles for an additional US$ 15.4 million, an addition that is included in DID's order coverage. We also covered the in-theater experience of Canada's RG-31 Nyala route proving vehicles, which have stood up to car bombs as well as IED land mines in Afghanistan, and discussed the difference between vehicle that are merely up-armored vs. blast-resistant vehicles like the RG-31 in the above photo. Blast-resistant vehicles are experiencing a wave of purchases by NATO countries for use in combat zones like Afghanistan, Iraq, et. al., largely due to the revealed weaknesses of more conventional designs.

Now the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), in support of the Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS), has awarded General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada a US$ 76.5 million contract for 169 more RG-31 Mk5 Mine Protected Vehicles, with an option for 9 additional vehicles. The RG-31's American designation is "RG-31 Pathfinder."

Like previous RG-31 contracts, this one was signed through a Crown Agency of the Canadian Government, the Canadian Commercial Corporation. Under that contract, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will provide the program management, while BAE Land Systems OMC of South Africa will manufacture the vehicles. Deliveries will occur from January - April 2007. General Dynamics release.

Swiss Army orders new Armoured Engineer Vehicle from Rheinmetall

Category: Defence Industry

Bild: http://www.army-guide.com/eng/images/pionierpanzer3-021168340168.jpg (Bild automatisch entfernt)


Rheinmetall AG of Dusseldorf has won an order from the Swiss Army for a new generation of armoured engineer vehicles. Under the order, Rheinmetall will supply the Swiss Army with twelve Kodiak armoured engineer vehicles, known in Swiss military parlance as the "Geniepanzer".




Based on well proven components from the Leopard 2 main battle tank, the Kodiak has clear market potential in all Leopard 2 user countries. A number of nations have already expressed an interest in this state-of-the-art system; some have launched procurement projects already.

Apart from its role as a heavy-duty combat engineer tool - whether in military scenarios or disaster relief operations - the Kodiak can be used to breach lanes through minefields, crucial for assuring the mobility and safety of friendly forces.

Joining forces, Rheinmetall subsidiary Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH of Kiel and RUAG Land Systems of Thun, Switzerland have set up a consortium to develop, market and manufacture the Kodiak. The Swiss Army is scheduled to start taking delivery of the new systems in 2009.

Over the years, some 8,000 tracked and wheeled vehicles have left the Rheinmetall Landsysteme assembly line, making the company one of the world's most experienced makers of tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles as well as combat support systems and NBC detection technology.

To perform its primary mission, the Kodiak is equipped with a high-performance hinged arm excavator mounted in centre position, as well as a dozer system with innovative cutting and tilt angle settings and a double-winch system consisting of two 9t capstan winches. When combined and deployed in multiple traction mode, these provide a pulling force of up to 62 tons. Thanks to a quick-release coupling, the excavator bucket can be exchanged for a number of other devices, including a hydraulic hammer and a universal-gripper. All of these tools are electro-hydraulically controlled and can be operated by the driver with two joysticks.

Rounding out the system's operational capabilities, the dozer blade can be swapped for a full-width mine plough, turning the Kodiak - when additionally equipped with a signature-duplicator and a lane-marking unit - into a high performance minefield-breaching system. The Kodiak's anti-landmine protection technology features correspond to those of the latest generation of Leopard 2 MBT.

To defend itself, the Kodiak will be armed with a 12.7mm machine gun and smoke grenade launcher.

Field Life-saver: 10th Mountain Division Invents "The Rat Claw"

"I remember I was pinned inside the truck... Fuel was dripping on me. I was in pain, but the Soldiers did extremely well and the Rat Claw worked. It took one try and I was out of the vehicle. Honestly, I don't know how they would've gotten me out with the equipment we had on hand, if we didn't have the Rat Claw."
-- Lt. Col. Michael Infanti, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain Division in Iraq.

Back home in the USA, road fatalities kill a certain percentage of Americans every year. Armies also have "non-combat casualties," many of which are likewise related to road accidents. Iraq's roads often pass by irrigation canals, an additional hazard since road accidents involving Hummers and even tanks can quickly become fatal if the vehicle rolls into the water and soldiers are unable to escape. The thing is, the very same up-armoring that protects soldiers from enemy bullets can become a deadly liability in a roll-over scenario, since it can take 3 Soldiers or more to push a Hummer door open wide enough for the passengers to escape. Doors sunken into mud are nearly impossible to open.

Bill Del Solar, safety officer for the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, decided to do something about the problem, at least as it applies to their Hummers...

He eventually came up with "the Rat Claw," made up of a flat, steel hook that grips and another end that can be attached to almost anything. One tug with another vehicle will yank the door open - or if necessary, just rip door right off. If a patrol is properly equipped, the operation typically takes less than a minute on land after an accident, or up to 3 minutes from the time the vehicle goes into the water. "It's a reasonable amount of time for a rescue," he said.

The Rat Claw has other uses as well. Lt. Col. Infanti's Hummer, for instance, was flipped over by an IED land mine. The doors were damaged by the force of the blast, but Soldiers were able to open the vehicle and extract all of their wounded comrades in time.

Finnish Army Buys More RBS-70 MANPADS

Saab Bofors Dynamics has signed a SEK 600 million (currently about $85.4 million) contract for the RBS-70 short-range, man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) with the Finnish army, including missiles and maintenance equipment. First delivery is expected at the end of 2008, and the order secures production of the RBS-70 until 2010. Saab release.

Unlike competitors such as Raytheon's FIM-92 Stinger, MBDA's Mistral, or KBM's SA-18 Igla, the RBS-70 is an 'unjammable' laser beam-riding missile with no seeker head at the front....

The RBS-70 is a bit heavy for shoulder firing, and is handled from a tripod. The system can be carried in its component parts by 3 infantry soldiers. Target acquisition includes an IFF phase, but once fired, the missile locks on and vents its propulsion exhaust through the mid-section. This allows the laser beam riding system to fit in the tail, where it is extremely difficult to jam.

Its GlobalSecurity.org entry adds that the RBS-70 Mk 2 uses the Linear Quadratic Method based on the Kalman Theory for missile guidance, whereupon it delivers a 1-2 punch using a shaped charge surrounded by more than 3,000 tungsten pellets.

The Bolide missile is an RBS 70 Mk 2 upgrade that is faster (Mach 2 vs Mach 1.6), with a range up to 8 km (4.8 miles), an adaptable proximity fuse that gives it full effectiveness against a wider variety of targets, and new reprogrammable electronics. The 4th generation system incorporates the BOLIDE all-target missile, BORC clip-on thermal imager, a digital IFF Interrogator, a PC-based training simulator, and an external power supply for training. These improvements reportedly allow the RBS-70 Bolide to be deployed against surface targets as well, which makes it an especially interesting choice for naval use given the proliferation of small fast attack boat threats.

In a complete air defense system configuration, up to 9 RBS-70 firing tripods can be connected to a surveillance radar like Ericsson's Giraffe 75, enabling all C3I functions. If the missile firing positions are set 4 km apart, the resulting networked VSHORAD battery protects an area of 175 square kilometers. A number of radar options are available for the RBS-70, including automatic threat evaluation, autonomous operations, et. al.

Beyond Sweden, RBS-70 sales have been made over the years to Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Indonesia, Iran, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Pakistan, Singapore, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates. All together, Saab says that more than 16,000 missiles have been produced over 4 product generations.

In the last 3-4 years, the Australians have retired their Rapier systems in favour of the RBS-70 system (SEK 600M, incl. SEK 150M for 170 new Bolide missiles). Lithuania received RBS-70 missiles as a gift from Norway to protect critical infrastructure like the Ignalina nuclear plant, while Latvia (ex-Swedish launchers, unspecified missiles for SEK 185M) and the Czech Republic (SEK 204M, 16 launchers & 200 missiles) have also purchased the RBS-70, and Finland now adds an additional order to the $30 million order of RBS-70 missiles in 2002, as part of its $120 million, 16 vehicle ASRAD-R system order.

DID would add that that the SIPRI "Register of the transfers of major conventional weapons from Sweden 1995-2005" also lists Mexico (100 missiles, supplier uncertain in 1993) and Thailand (85, in 1996 & 2001) as having these missiles in inventory. GlobalSecurity.org adds Venezuela's Air Force, and the FAV Club site claims that an RBS-70 was successfully used to shoot down an OV-10 during a 1992 coup attempt.

Rüstungsgigant EADS wird noch größer
Von Hans Georg

Der deutsch-französische Rüstungskonzern EADS, an dem Daimler-Chrysler zu einem Drittel beteiligt ist, steht kurz vor der Übernahme großer Teile seines französischen Konkurrenten Thales. Der DaimlerChrysler AG steht wegen seiner Rüstungsgeschäfte eine schwierige Hauptversammlung bevor.

Wie es in der deutschen Presse heißt, sind die Pläne in der vergangenen Woche zwischen Bundeskanzlerin Merkel und Staatspräsident Chirac in Berlin abgestimmt worden. Den Berichten zufolge wird die Thales-Übernahme zudem mit einer Zerschlagung des französischen Prestigeunternehmens einhergehen. Das Vorhaben, dessen baldige Realisierung deutsche Regierungskreise ankündigen, schwächt die französische Position in der europäischen Rüstungsindustrie und erlaubt es Deutschland, seine Stellung auf dem weltweiten Markt für Kriegsgüter weiter zu stärken.


Kreise der deutschen Rüstungswirtschaft hatten bereits Anfang des Jahres gegenüber german-foreign-policy.com erklärt, Thales habe "erhebliche deutsche Standbeine" und könne "kaum noch als französischer Konzern bezeichnet werden". Jetzt werden Rufe laut, Frankreich müsse sich auch von seinen EADS-Anteilen trennen.

Entscheidende Bedeutung

Am Rüstungskonzern Thales hält der französische Staat 31,3 Prozent der Anteile, weitere Aktienpakete liegen bei Dassault und Alcatel. Das Unternehmen hat im vergangenen Jahr gut verdient und selbst Zukäufe angekündigt. [1] Es spielt eine Hauptrolle beim Versuch der Pariser Regierung, die nationale Rüstungsindustrie zu bündeln. Erst vor drei Monaten hat sich Thales mit 25 Prozent an der staatlichen französischen Marinewerft DCN beteiligt, die unter anderem die Flugzeugträger des Landes gebaut hat. Mit der Allianz will Frankreich - dem deutschen Beispiel folgend - seine Kräfte im Marine-Bereich bündeln. Ende letzten Jahres hatte starker politischer Druck aus Berlin den Versuch des französischen Rüstungskonzerns vereitelt, den Bremer Marineausrüster Atlas Elektronik zu übernehmen, der stattdessen an ein deutsches Konsortium von EADS und Thyssen-Krupp ging. [2] Aktuell treibt die französische Regierung auch die Übernahme der Satellitensparte des Telekommunikations-Ausrüsters Alcatel durch Thales voran, da Alcatel mit Lucent Technologies aus den USA über eine Fusion verhandelt und dem Satellitenbereich entscheidende Bedeutung für die französische Verteidigungsindustrie zugeschrieben wird. [3]

Feuerkraft

Das Konglomerat von EADS und Thales würde mit rund 45 Milliarden Euro Umsatz zu einem der größten Rüstungslieferanten der Welt. Zwischen den beiden Konzernen gibt es bereits viele Kooperationsprojekte - vom Navigationssystem Galileo bis hin zur Rüstungselektronik. EADS verzeichnete im vergangenen Jahr einen Rekordgewinn: Der Gewinn vor Steuern lag mit 2,85 Milliarden Euro um 17 Prozent höher als im Jahr 2004; unter dem Strich blieb ein Reingewinn von 1,7 Milliarden Euro - eine Steigerung um 39 Prozent. Mit weltweit 113.210 Mitarbeitern setzte EADS im abgelaufenen Jahr 34,2 Milliarden Euro um, acht Prozent mehr als ein Jahr zuvor. Die auf 5,5 Milliarden Euro angeschwollenen liquiden Mittel könne der Konzern für Übernahmen nutzen, hatte Thomas Enders, einer der beiden EADS-Chefs, in der deutschen Presse erklärt: "Wir könnten unsere Feuerkraft in Zukunft auch für einige Akquisitionen nutzen." [4] Im Gespräch ist derzeit die komplette Übernahme des Flugzeugherstellers Airbus, an dem EADS bereits 80 Prozent hält. EADS erwägt auch, dem britischen Rüstungskonzern BAE Systems für 3,5 Milliarden Euro seinen 20-prozentigen Anteil abzukaufen. [5]

Neue Märkte

EADS, dessen Rüstungsbereich nach den letzten Querelen um die Schlüsselpositionen mit Stefan Zoller von einem deutschen Manager geführt wird, will aber in erster Linie sein Militärgeschäft forcieren. [6] Erst vor kurzem wurde die Struktur der Rüstungssparte umgebaut, um sie profitabler zu machen und neue Märkte zu erschließen. [7] In den USA wirbt der deutsch-französische Konzern um seine Chance bei mehreren Rüstungsgeschäften und kooperiert dabei mit US-Unternehmen. Im April wird das US-Verteidigungsministerium voraussichtlich 322 Hubschrauber im Wert von rund 1,3 Milliarden Dollar ordern; EADS hat sich mit dem US-Hubschrauberspezialist Sikorsky verbündet und liegt gut im Rennen. Darüber hinaus verhandelt das Unternehmen (zusammen mit dem Elektronikspezialisten Raytheon) mit dem Pentagon über Transportmaschinen für 1,3 Milliarden Dollar und vor allem über einen Auftrag für Tankflugzeuge im Wert von 23 Milliarden Dollar; hierfür hat sich der Konzern mit Northrop Grumman verbündet. [8]

(...)

Rheinmetall wird Mehrheitsgesellschafter bei Chempro
High-Tech-Unternehmen für militärische Schutzsysteme

Mit der Übernahme des Mehrheitsanteils von 51% an der Chempro GmbH, Bonn, und dem schrittweisen Einstieg bei der ADS Gesellschaft für aktive Schutzsysteme mbH, Lohmar, baut der Düsseldorfer Rheinmetall Konzern seine Position als Systemanbieter für die Landstreitkräfte aus. Die Zusammenarbeit bietet eine zukunftsweisende Perspektive für die erfolgreiche Weiterentwicklung der beteiligten Unternehmen.

Die Chempro GmbH wie auch die ADS GmbH wurden von der Familie Deisenroth gegründet. Sie gehören zu der technologischen Spitzengruppe bei hochkomplexen Schutzsystemen für militärische Fahrzeuge.

Mit Hochleistungs-Schutzsystemen ist Chempro maßgeblich an einer Reihe wichtiger Beschaffungsprogramme der Streitkräfte im In- und Ausland beteiligt. Auch der neue Schützenpanzer Puma der Bundeswehr verdankt sein hohes Schutzniveau unter anderem Produkten der Chempro GmbH.

http://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/img/puma_gelaende.jpg
Schützenpanzer Puma

Wirksame Schutzsysteme sind bei heutigen Beschaffungsvorhaben der Streitkräfte von zentraler Bedeutung, um Soldaten mit Blick auf die wachsende Zahl militärischer Einsätze ein Höchstmaß an Sicherheit zu geben. Weltweit wird ein weiter wachsender Markt erwartet.

Die ADS GmbH engagiert sich in der Entwicklung einer neuen Generation so genannter aktiver Schutzsysteme. Rheinmetall beabsichtigt, in den kommenden Jahren die Beteiligung an ADS stufenweise aufzustocken und eine Mehrheit zu übernehmen.

Das neue Produkt AMAP-ADS ist ein High-Tech-System, das im Nahfeld um ein Fahrzeug Bedrohungen detektiert sowie analysiert und mit einer geeigneten Gegenmaßnahme aktiv bekämpft. Dieses Produkt soll spätestens 2008 in Serienproduktion gehen und befindet sich derzeit in Erprobung durch Kunden aus verschiedenen Nationen.

Beide Akquisitionen stehen noch unter dem Vorbehalt der kartellrechtlichen Genehmigung.

Rheinmetall plans step change in remote controlled weapon station capability

Rheinmetall Defence is expected to complete development of a new-generation remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) in 2009. The design objective, according to Rheinmetall representative Peter Stonawski, is to combine the low weight and height of its present lightweight mounts with the weapon effect of its heaviest manned turret, which is that currently being produced for the German Army's Puma infantry combat vehicle, incorporating a 30 mm Mauser MK30-2 cannon. The basis of the new RCWS is expected to be the Mauser RMK30 recoilless cannon, which was successfully test fired aboard a light platform, the 2.8 tonne Wiesel 1 tracked carrier, some years ago.

An entirely new RCWS has been developed by Rheinmetall Landsysteme for the 32 Fuchs 2 NBC reconnaissance vehicles it is supplying to the United Arab Emirates. Designated the WS609E, this incorporates a 12.7 mm HMG mounted on a stabilised platform with a Rheinmetall-developed sensor package, which includes a CCD camera, a cooled IR camera and laser rangefinder. The WS609E is specially adapted to operations in high temperature and sandy conditions, and weighs 288 kg combat ready.

BAE Sending 24 Archers to Sweden

BAE Systems Bofors AB has received a SEK 100 million contract (currently about $14.3 million) from the Swedish FMV for the next phase of the 155mm Archer light mobile artillery program, designed to hit targets at ranges up to 60km/ 36 miles. It belongs in the same class as France's Caesar, South African firm Denel's G6, Soltam's Atmos-2000 and Rascal, BAE's NLOS-C, et. al. The contract includes the next step in the development of the gun system, and product definition phases for an ammunition supply vehicle and modular charges.

The contract follows an SEK 40 million contract in August 2006 for detailed design work, following program approval in June. BAE Bofors has already delivered 2 demonstrator guns that are now undergoing extensive troop trials and tests by the Swedish Armed Forces. The company will now complete final development of the system, and begin production of two battalions (24 guns), with deliveries running from 2009-2011.

Kanada will deutsche Panzer für Afghanistan
10. Feb 12:50
Bild: http://www.netzeitung.de/img/0021/177521-1.jpg (Bild automatisch entfernt)

Bald sollen deutsche «Leopard 2»-Kampfpanzer in den Kriegsgebieten Afghanistans an die Front - allerdings mit kanadischer Besatzung. Die Bundesregierung ist bereit, dem Deal zuzustimmen.

Kanada will für den Kampf gegen die Taliban in Afghanistan deutsche «Leopard 2»-Kampfpanzer einsetzen. Ein Sprecher des Verteidigungsministeriums bestätigte am Samstag einen Bericht des Nachrichtenmagazins «Der Spiegel» über eine entsprechende Anfrage der Regierung aus Ottawa. Die Panzer sollen mit kanadischer Besatzung zum Einsatz kommen.

Die kanadischen Streitkräfte benutzen bereits die ältere Version, den «Leo 1». Aber für den Kampf gegen die Taliban hätten die Kanadier gern das neuste auf dem Markt. Wie das Verteidigungsministerium mitteilte, haben die Kandaier daher angefragt, ob Deutschland etwa 20 «Leopard» in der neuen Version mit einem speziellen Schutz gegen Minen (A6M) bereitstellen könnte.

Vorteil: Höhere Feuerkraft
Weil der Hersteller Krauss-Maffei Wegmann diese nicht sofort liefern könne, will Kanada die Panzer aus deutschen Beständen für zwei Jahre leasen. Der Leo 2 besitzt dank einer leistungsstärkeren Munition eine höhere Feuerkraft als der Leo 1, ist mit einer 120 Millimeter-Kanone ausgerüstete, kann Ziele bis zu vier Kilometer Entfernung bekämpfen. Er hat einen 1200 KW-Motor und bringt es damit auf eine Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 70 Stundenkilometer, was für ein 60 Tonnen-Fahrzeug beachtlich ist.
Die Bundeswehr hat etwa 40 Stück vom Typ A6M. Weitere 80 «Leopard 2»-Panzer einer älteren Version will Kanada kaufen.

Exportrichtline umgehen
Das Verteidigungsministerium steht dem Sprecher zufolge diesem Anliegen grundsätzlich positiv gegenüber. Eine abschließende Entscheidung sei aber noch nicht gefallen. Vermutlich auch deshalb, weil bisher für alle Bundesregierungen galt, keine Rüstungsgüter in Spannungsgebiete zu exportieren. Der Bundessicherheitsrat - ein streng geheim tagender Unterausschuss des Kabinetts - hat über jeden Ausfuhrantrag zu befinden. In ihm sitzen die Kanzlerin, die Minister für Verteidigung, des Äußeren, Inneren, der Wirtschaft und Finanzen sowie der Generalinspekteur der Bundeswehr.

Politische Beobachter gehen indessen davon aus, dass sich der Bund der Anfrage aus Kanada auf keinen Fall verweigern möchte und deshalb nach Möglichkeiten sucht, die restriktive Exportrichtline zu umgehen. Ein Leasing-Geschäft käme Berlin daher sehr entgegen, da das Leasen deutscher Panzer streng genommen kein Exportgeschäft wäre. (nz)

Politische Beobachter gehen indessen davon aus, dass sich der Bund der Anfrage aus Kanada auf keinen Fall verweigern möchte und deshalb nach Möglichkeiten sucht, die restriktive Exportrichtline zu umgehen. Ein Leasing-Geschäft käme Berlin daher sehr entgegen, da das Leasen deutscher Panzer streng genommen kein Exportgeschäft wäre.

Croatia's 2007 Wheeled APC Competition

Many European countries are currently in the process of acquiring wheeled armored personnel carriers, from former East-Bloc nations replacing their old Soviet BTRs, to NATO countries buying lighter and less protected equipment as replacements for their tanks, to new European states looking for road-mobile and affordable armor. Recent contracts in in Europe have tended to involve competitions between 3 key competitors: General Dynamics subsidiaries MOWAG (Piranha) and Steyr-SSG (Pandur), and Finland's Patria Oyj (AMV).

Now Croatia has selected its own finalists. Reports indicate that the Croatian Army is interested in up to 126 vehicles, with EUR 170 million (currently about $220 million) set aside for the project....

Patria has won some of these European competitions, including a large 690-vehicle contract in Poland, 84 AMV orders so far from Finland that include 24 breech-loading 120mm AMOS twin-mortar variants, and a recent order from Slovenia for 135 vehicles in 4 different versions, including one variant with Patria's new unmanned NEMO 120mm mortar turret. It has also lost competitions to Steyr in The Czech Republic (199 Pandur IIs for $1 billion), and Portugal (260 Pandur IIs for $482 million).

Patria Oyj is owned 25%/75% by the Finnish State and EADS, and its AMV has been in serial production since 2004. Steyr is now a subsidiary of General Dynamics Land Systems.

Ich habe zwar auch nicht geschrieben das ein Pandur II zu sehen ist, aber das stimmt natürlich...

Gruß,
Major Steiner

German Army readies Leopard 2 for MOUT

By Rupert Pengelley IDR Group Technical Editor

The German Army plans to retain 350 Leopard 2 tanks, including 125 Leopard 2A5 models and 225 Leopard 2A6s (of which 70 are in the mine-protected Leopard 2A6M version) that will be used to sustain the German Army's remaining six 44-strong tank battalions.

A decision on the final configuration of the Leopard 2 adapted for peace support operations (PSO) or military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) is due to be taken in 2008.

A modified Leopard 2A5 PSO demonstrator vehicle was exhibited by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) at Eurosatory 2006. Its many modifications included turret and chassis protection against RPG-7 warheads, extra roof protection, bottom plate protection, protected optics, electrical turret drives, hydraulic system replacement, new-generation commander's and gunner's sights, a coaxial beam light, close-in situation awareness cameras, a secondary weapon station for the loader (with a +70/-15° engagement capability), an auxiliary power unit, cooling system for the crew compartment, a dozer blade, hydraulic track tensioner, improved power management system and habitability improvements.

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© 2007 Jane's Information Group

A decision on the final configuration of the Leopard 2 adapted for peace support operations (PSO) or military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) is due to be taken in 2008.

Mehr Sicherheit im Einsatz

Berlin, 29.03.2007.
Die Bundeswehr investiert in den Schutz ihrer Soldaten im Einsatz. Bis Herbst 2009 sollen in Afghanistan zwei Systeme einsatzbereit sein, die anfliegende ungelenkte Raketen sowie Artillerie- und Mörsergranaten wirkungsvoll bekämpfen können.
120 mm Mörser im Einsatz Lupe
Mörser in Feuerstellung (Quelle Bundesheer (AUT) )

Bisher gibt es gegen diese Bedrohung keinen wirksamen, aktiven Schutz, da bei sehr kurzer Reaktionszeit sehr kleine Ziele getroffen werden müssen. Ausgangsbasis des so genannten Nächstbereichschutz Counter Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (NBS C-Ram) wird voraussichtlich das Schweizer Flugabwehrsystem Skyshield, das aber weiter entwickelt werden muss.

Der Nächstbereichschutz für ortsfeste Einrichtungen wie Feldlager oder Flugplätze hat ein anderes Einsatzspektrum als das taktische Luftverteidigungssystem MEADS. Dieses soll Flugzeuge, Hubschrauber, Marschflugkörper und Raketen mit einer Reichweite bis zu 1.000 Kilometer bekämpfen

Schutz für Soldaten im Feldlager: Der Nächstbereichsschutz C-RAM

Koblenz, 30.03.2007.
Raketen, Artillerie- und Mörsergranaten bedrohen die Soldaten im Einsatz. Das Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (BWB) hat ein Abwehrsystem in Auftrag gegeben, das Feldlager zukünftig schützen soll.
Das Bild zeigt eine Fotomontage des Nächstbereichsschutzes C-RAMLupe
Fotomontage des Nächstbereichsschutzes C-RAM (Quelle Oerlikon Contraves AG)

Das Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (BWB) hat am 30. März 2007 in Koblenz einen Auftrag zur Projektierung eines aktiven Feldlagerschutzsystems an die schweizer Firma Oerlikon Contraves AG vergeben. Das System soll in der Lage sein, kleinste Ziele, wie Raketen, Artillerie- und Mörsergranaten (RAM) zu bekämpfen. Es trägt die Bezeichnung „Nächstbereichsschutz C-RAM“ (NBS C-RAM), die sich aus dem Englischen ableitet: Counter Rocket, Artillery, Mortar.

Die Entwicklung basiert auf dem bereits existierenden System SKYSHIELD der Firma Oerlikon Contraves, das in seiner jetzigen Konfiguration zur Flugabwehr größerer Ziele eingesetzt werden kann. Der Vertrag umfasst im Wesentlichen die Verbesserung der Genauigkeiten der Sensoren und Geschütze, die Effektivitätssteigerung der Munition und die Anbindungsmöglichkeit an übergeordnete Führungssysteme.
Der erste Nachweis der Leistungsfähigkeit von NBS C-RAM ist Anfang 2008 in realer Umgebung geplant. Damit soll belegt werden, dass das System ein Feldlager schützen kann. Nach erfolgreichem Test sollen in einem Anschlussvertrag zwei komplette Systeme beschafft werden und ab Herbst 2009 in den Einsatz gehen. Der Nächstbereichsschutz C-RAM ist der erste Baustein des zukünftigen Verbundes „System Flugabwehr“ (SysFla).
Bild: http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/9930/nbscram640tc3.jpg (Bild automatisch entfernt)

OTTAWA (CP) - A federal cabinet committee has given the green light to the lease of 20 state-of-the-art tanks to replace aging armoured vehicles in Afghanistan, The Canadian Press has learned.

The cabinet priorities and planning committee approved the lease of the German-built Leopard A6M tanks last week, said a Defence Department source, who asked not to be named.

The recommendation, which is unlikely to be overturned, is now on Prime Minister Stephen Harper's desk for final approval.

The news Tuesday came as Gen. Andrew Leslie, the country's top army officer, said he might have to consider pulling existing tanks - which don't have air conditioning - out of service in Afghanistan this summer because of the heat.

He also told troops in Kandahar to expect a decision from the prime minister on the new tanks within a week.

The new tanks have air conditioning, as well as improved protection against road-side bombs and suicide vehicles, both of which have been packing progressively bigger punches lately.

The army has a handful of older Leopard tanks, which are currently doing duty in western Kandahar as part of NATO's Operation Achilles.

The deal, which apparently includes access to ample spare parts, also gives Canada the option to purchase an unspecified number of additional tanks at a later date.

Reports last winter suggested that in addition to a lease, the army wanted to purchase 80 new Leopards, but the source said that number is likely to be scaled back.

Harper wouldn't bite on questions about the future of the vehicles.

"Cabinet has been discussing the tank issue and we'll have an announcement on that shortly," he said in Kitchener, Ont.

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor, in Montreal for a speech, said he wasn't aware the issue was resolved.

A Defence Department spokesman didn't deny that a lease arrangement has been struck.

"We are exploring a number of options to address an operational requirement," said Lt. Adam Thomson. "However, we have nothing to announce at this moment."

The defence source could not say how much the arrangement was worth, but brand new Leopard tanks cost roughly US $6 million each.

Currently, the army has 17 of its old 45-tonne tanks patrolling the desert and dirt roadways of rural Kandahar. The biggest drawback to the vehicles is their lack of air conditioning in a climate where daytime summer temperatures soar above 50C.

Defence Department researchers have looked at installing air conditioners in the vehicles but that would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per vehicle.

Another idea proposes to give tank crew cooling vests - the same kind used by professional race car drivers - but they would be cumbersome when layered along with existing body armour.

Aside from the comfort factor, the lease of new tanks is seen as a more cost-effective solution, said the defence source.

Alex Morrison of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies said buying new equipment is better than retrofitting.

"It just makes more sense," he said. "This is a decision that's been in the mill for at least the last seven months."

New Democrat defence critic Dawn Black said she's not opposed to the lease arrangement, but only because it means tank crews won't have to roast.

"I think it was irresponsible to deploy them, knowing they weren't suitable for the climate," she said.

In February, a policy think-tank produced a report that criticized Canada's deployment of tanks to Afghanistan, saying the 1970s vintage Leopard-C2 vehicles were vulnerable to insurgent attacks.

Researcher Michael Wallace, of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, argued that new Leopard A6Ms would also be vulnerable to road-side bombs and rocket-propelled grenades. He said the introduction of tanks had the potential to spark an "arms race" with insurgents, prompting the Taliban to build bigger bombs.

Morrison dismissed the arguments, calling them ridiculous.

"What would they have us do?" he asked. "Take the tanks home and then the insurgents won't use whatever weapon they have? What will happen in the end is the insurgents would control the whole country."

BAE Fitting Bradleys With Mine-Resistant Belly Armor

BAE Systems Land & Armaments in York, PA received a delivery order amount of $23.4 million as part of a $41.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for Bradley Improvised Explosive Devices Belly Armor Kits.

Work will be performed in York, PA and is expected to be complete by Nov. 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on Nov. 3, 2006 by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-G-0005).