Leonardo-Finmeccanica  has  signed  a  contract  with  the  Danish  Defence Acquisition  and  Logistics  Organisation  (DALO)  to  provide  Vehicle  Mission  Systems  for  the  Danish Army’s  land  vehicles. 

Based  on  the  Leonardo  solution,  developed  to  be  fully  compliant  to  the  very latest  Generic  Vehicle  Architecture  (GVA)  technology,  the systems  will  be  fitted  on  several  platforms including  the  newly  procured  General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) PIRANHA  V  APC,  new  Armoured  Patrol  Vehicles,  FFG WISENT  engineering vehicles,  LEOPARD  II  MBTs,  and  CV90  IFVs. 

The  first  production  order  under  the  framework  contract  is expected imminently. Leonardo  was  selected  as  the  chosen  supplier  after  two  competitive  user  field  trials  and  comprehensive through-life  cost  and  supportability  analyses.  Modular  mission  systems  will  be  tailored  to  each  vehicle type  and  role,  with  DALO  able  to  select  the  mix  of  rugged  imaging  sensors  best  suited  to  the  job  (up  to full  360°  colour  and  thermal  imaging  coverage),  while  benefitting  from  the  lower  maintenance  costs  and ease of training inherent to modular systems with common elements. The  mission  system  provided  by  Leonardo  is  based  on  the  UK-led  Generic  Vehicle  Architecture  (GVA) standard  which  is  increasingly  being  adopted  by  other  allied  nations.  GVA  is  an  approach  to  vehicle mission  system  design  that  uses  standard  infrastructure  and  system  control  interfaces  making  it  easy  to train  users,  more  straightforward  to  upgrade  a  vehicle’s  systems  and  reduces  the  cost  of  ownership  by allowing  mission-specific  configurations  and  through-life  upgrades.  The  images  from  the  mission system’s  sensors  are  hosted  on  GVA  multi-functional  digital  displays,  providing  low-latency  digital video.  Images  from  all  sensors  can  be  shared  around  the  vehicle  and  multiple  images  can  be  displayed on screen at the user’s discretion to provide maximum information to suit functional requirements.

The US Navy has successfully demonstrated the use of AeroVironment's submarine-launched BLACKWING UAV to link with a swarm of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV) and communicate with the submarine combat control system during the Annual Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) on 16 August 2016.

Along with providing a new and unique intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability to submarine commanders, the BLACKWING UAV can also provide high-speed data and communication relay for Command and Control (C2) between geographically separated vessels such as manned submarines, UUVs, and surface ships. 

Deployed UUVs collect large quantities of data while conducting diverse missions ranging from mine-hunting to wide-area oceanographic sensing.  During the ANTX exercise, an AeroVironment developed, government-owned, secure digital datalink called DDL, integrated into all BLACKWING UAVs, relayed real-time information from the surrogate manned submarine via the BLACKWING UAV to and from multiple UUVs.

BLACKWING builds on AeroVironment’s extensive development and operational experience with its SWITCHBLADE Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS) and its common DDL to provide the Navy with a deployable submarine launched unmanned aircraft vehicle optimized for distributed Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) environments.  

“Our Naval Undersea Warfare Center partners seek solutions for quickly and seamlessly linking the air and undersea domains to enhance warfighter capability.  We successfully demonstrated the innovative utility of AeroVironment’s new BLACKWING UAV,”  Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of AeroVironment Unmanned Aircraft Systems, explained.  “BLACKWING delivers significant value to the undersea community, and we look forward to working closely with our partners to expand this powerful new capability to enable underwater vehicles and cross-domain interoperability.  In addition to our Navy partners, we also thank our industry partner Sparton for their continued support on BLACKWING efforts.”

L-3 Communications has entered into a contract to acquire Micreo Limited, a specialised Electronic Warfare subsystems provider in Australia. The acquisition is expected to be completed during September 2016 following the satisfaction of standard closing conditions. Following the acquisition, Micreo Limited will be integrated into the Electronic Systems Segment and will be renamed L-3 Micreo. Micreo is projected to generate AU$35 million (U$27 million) in sales for the year ending 31 December 2017 and to be accretive to L-3’s earnings.

Based in Brisbane, Australia, Micreo specialises in solutions that utilise high-performance microwave, millimetre wave and photonic technology that complements L-3’s wide range of sensors and will strengthen L-3’s development of future products in the higher EW RF bandwidth. The company’s patented products are market-ready for ISR and EW applications, and it currently supports a variety of airborne, land and security programs in Australia. The business also has counter-IED capabilities that will specifically enhance L-3’s existing range of man-portable and vehicle electronic counter measures (ECM) equipment. Micreo has approximately 70 employees.

“As part of L-3, Micreo will expand our technical expertise and offerings, providing immediate synergies with L-3 products as well as adjacent growth opportunities across our existing business,” Michael T. Strianese, L-3’s Chairman and CEO, said. “Importantly, this addition will help drive L-3’s international growth, while providing cross-selling opportunities in key markets.”

“L-3 Micreo will enhance our core business in Australia, supporting multiple L-3 segments,” added Christopher E. Kubasik, L-3’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “In addition to our ongoing SATCOM, Maritime, Warrior Systems, Aviation and aircraft modification programs, Micreo will add new in-country resources for our growing customer base in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.”

L-3 Micreo will report directly to L-3 TRL, part of the Integrated Sensor Systems (ISS) sector within Electronic Systems, L-3’s largest and most diverse business segment. "Within ISS, we deliver leading-edge sensor solutions in all domains – from submarines to surface ships, soldiers, ground vehicles, and airborne and space platforms," the company told MT. "As part of ISS, L-3 Micreo will play a critical role in helping to further expand our business in these areas with particular focus on our EW portfolio."

There are many synergies within Micreo and L-3 TRL which makes this acquisition an excellent opportunity for both businesses; it increases the value proposition of both EW and emerging cyber requirements, provides an increased indigenous capability, supports the close G2G relationships, aligns similar cultures and ways of working and essentially enables the ability to access multiple international markets, increasing the number of exports for both companies.

"We are committed to investing in technology and expertise across both businesses to increase our capability to support both the UK and Australian defence and security services," the company further explained. "Crucially, this acquisition will present both businesses with the opportunity to increase our technical capabilities and product range and enable us to offer the UK’s defence and security services enhanced EW integration capabilities in the future. Australia is a strategic country for L-3 in line with the Government’s SDSR. The FVEY alliance and FPDA arrangements also provide an environment where both companies share close government relationships in both the UK and Australia. This acquisition will assist the export of TRL products to the Australian market and the wider Asia-Pacific region and support the key programmes L-3 TRL is currently bidding for."

“We have been reviewing a number of opportunities to both expand our capability portfolio but also increase our international presence, and we’re pleased to announce this acquisition, which supports both of these objectives,” said Alan Titheridge, L-3’s Vice President in Australia. “Micreo not only complements L-3’s increasing portfolio of ISR and EW system capabilities but also increases our presence in Australia and supports a number of opportunities we are currently pursuing.”

“L-3 TRL specialises in the gathering and protection of intelligence through EW and Cyber products and systems,” Greg Roberts, L-3 TRL’s president, continued. “The acquisition of Micreo will allow the development of a multi-domestic and indigenous business, building on the strong UK to Australian relationships in defense and security.”

“We set out to find a shareholder exit that would enable the business to grow and to look after employee and customer needs as well as satisfy our shareholders,” Tim Shaw, Micreo CEO, concluded. Shaw will be taking on the role of Chairman at L-3 Micreo and the entire management team will continue their work at L-3 Micreo.  “I’m satisfied that we have achieved those aims and the company will continue to grow and to provide rewarding and interesting work.”

ECA Group is currently involved in an European project called SWARMs (Smart and Networking Underwater Robots in Cooperation Meshes) in order to develop several innovative solutions.

SWARMs is a wide European project that started in July 2015 with 35 partners from 10 European countries to last three years. The total cost of this project is €17.3 million (EU funding: €6.4 million and national funding: €5.7 million). This sprawling project aims to develop several innovative solutions such as: New cooperative autonomous meshes using heterogeneous robotics system (for example: AUVs, ROVs, and USVs); real time environmental recognition and sensing system; advanced decision making environment system based on imaging recognition algorithm; and an underwater communication framework.

ECA Group, who has been with SWARMs from the very beginning, is in charge of three different workpackages, also thanks to its long and recognised expertise in developing underwater robotics system for more than 45 years. ECA Group
is providing innovative environmental recognition and sensing based on a large scale 3D mapping, map fusion, and simplification.

In this context, ECA Group is fielding its A9 AUV equipped with an interferometric sidescan sonar and an embedded computer with the goal of analysing the quality of the depth soundings, in real time, to modify mission parameters optimising the quality of the survey. Additionally, ECA Group is involved in algorithms for sonar image registration to improve positioning and navigation during repeated missions over the same area by one or multiple vehicles of different kinds.

This month, ECA will participate in underwater tests in the Canaries Islands, with the A9 AUV, in order to approve scientific and theorical input of the past year.

The main goal of SWARMs is to make AUVs, ROVs and USVs further accessible and useful, making autonomous maritime and offshore operations a viable option for new and existent industries.

The RBS 70 laser-guided missile launcher has been in service with the Australian Army since 1987, and Saab has redesigned the sight to install new autonomous systems, freeing the operator from the burden of manual tracking, and renamed the system the RBS 70 NG.

Aside from the autonomous tracking, one of the key upgrades to the new system is in size and weight reduction. The missiles and launcher stand remain a similar weight, but the built-in thermal imagery in the new sight means it weighs only 24kg – compared with 36kg for the previous model, not including a clip-on night device weighing 15kg. “That’s more or less 50kg that has to be carried in two pieces,” Emil Holm, Technical Sales Support for RBS 70 NG at Saab said. “This is just one and it’s only 24kg; half the weight and half the burden, which means it’s even more manoeuvrable.”

In terms of extra manoeuvrability, Saab is also looking at the possibility of integrating the RBS 70 NG on a vehicle, such as the HAWKEI PMV. “Currently, this system is under development,” Holm admitted. “By next year we’re going to have the first fireable prototype.”

Dubbed the RBS 70 NG RWS, the concept will integrate the launcher on a Saab-developed TRACKFIRE Remote Weapon Station (RWS), which is a gyro-stabilised platform designed to accommodate heavy or regular machine guns, on the rear of a vehicle. The concept is consistent with the need to design a close-range missile system capable of keeping up with a rapidly manoeuvring force – something the Australian Army is looking into for LAND 19 phase 7 bravo. “We know that the army would like a bit more range, but we also know that a solution that can keep up with the manoeuvre is essential because geography and threats that pop out of tree lines, for example, mean that you can’t just create a broad umbrella of coverage, and you need something organic to manoeuvre,” said Mathew Jones, Director Marketing and Sales Land, at Saabs Market Area Asia Pacific.

Rheinmetall, the major sponsor for Land Forces 2016, is exhibiting one of its BOXER 8x8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV), one of two remaining competitors for Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 2 programme. The BOXER is equipped with a 35mm automatic cannon, mounted on top of a Rheinmetall-manufactured LANCE manned turret, and features C4ISR capabilities – such as a Local Situational Awareness System (LSAS) developed and manufactured by Melbourne-basd SME Tectonica. Powered by a 720 HP MTU turbo-diesel engine, the Boxer can reach a top speed in excess of 100km/h.

Despite this formidable speed and armament, coupled with multi-layered passive armour, the BOXER is still vulnerable to unexpected rocket attacks in the field, which is where the BOXER's active defence system (ADS) comes in, developed by ADS Protection – a company which Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH holds a 74% stake in.

The active defence system is a comprised of two sets of sensors, which detect and determine incoming explosive projectile threats. If the threat is deemed to be hitting the vehicle, a counter-measure mounted on the side of the vehicle is activated. “The aim is to cut the shape charge mechanism within the incoming warhead without triggering the shape charge jet itself,” Stefan Kruselburger of Rheinmetall Defence explained. As the countermeasure cuts the shape charge of the projectile, the blast is directed down and away from the vehicle in a concentrated area, minimising both collateral damage and damage to the vehicle. “Every hardkill system has close collateral damage, but as we are intercepting the threat close to the vehicle, we have no projectiles or EFP’s flying around, we don’t have a big blast somewhere far from the vehicle, and we don’t bring our own troops that surround the vehicle into danger,” Kruselburger said.

The ADS has a short reaction time, allowing it to intercept threats from a close distance. “An RPG fired from 11-12m is easy for us to detect, determine and intercept,” Kruselburger claimed.

The actual time required to complete these tasks is less than a millisecond.
Currently, the ADS is an optionally mounted system for the BOXER, but an attractive one. The prevalence of explosive projectile threats in the contemporary operating environment makes ADS and similar systems a pressing area for future development.

At Thales’ stand during Land Forces 2016, two versions of the F90 rifle are on display – the 407 Carbine variant with a 16in barrel and the 508 with a 20in barrel and mounted rail interface optics. The F90 weapon system – currently known by the ADF as the eF88 – is built on a 30-year-old Steyr design, which Thales was contracted to overhaul the ageing F88 Austeyr rifle, resulting in the creation of the F90.  “The core of the weapon system is very solid, but the ergonomics and the adaptability of the system required an update,” Customer Programs Manager for Soldier Systems Matthew Duquemin claimed.

Thales has incorporated a number of changes to the weapon system, including a case deflector to enable off-shoulder shooting without the discharge of bullet casings towards the body. “It’s not in the production models at the moment; it’s currently under closing design stages, and in all likelihood will be a retrofit for the current programme.”

Other changes to the system include a bolt-release catch – which means the rifle no longer has to be re-cocked, enabling quicker magazine changes – and a folding cocking handle. “One of the previous problems with the original Steyr design was the cocking handle was fixed, and that sort of location, if it was treated roughly, had a bit of a tendency to snap off,” Duquemin explained. “The folding cocking handle removes that requirement.”

In addition, both the 16in and 20in barrels will fire 18,000 rounds with no accuracy degradation, meeting the Commonwealth standard. “A significant amount of engineering work was put into refining the design on tolerance and manufacturing methods to really improve the durability and the accuracy of the weapon over time as well.”

The Australian government has purchased 27,000 F90 508 variants, which is to be the standard issue weapon for the Australian army. “We’re about 20% through that delivery, and they’ve just been rolled out to Townsville for the entirety of 3 Brigade there,” Duquemin said.

The 407 Carbine variant, on the other hand, is to be kept primarily for armoured and aviation crews, who will benefit from the more compact design due to their unique operating environments.

Thales can be visited at stand #1J15 at the Land Forces 2016 exhibition.

In Interview with Brig.Gen (Ret.) Eli Raiter, the Fire Power Division General Manager and the Head of the Advanced Artillery & Missile Systems business unit at Israel Military Industries (IMI) Systems, MT correspondent Robert Czulda learned about the company's vision, its involvement in Poland, and future.

Could you please elaborate on IMI’s vision and its place within the Israeli defence industry?
E. Raiter: IMI Systems' overall vision is to be and stay a world-class leading defence company, providing cutting edge end-to-end combat-proven solutions for land, air, naval and Home Land Security (HLS) applications. To this end, IMI Systems always seeks to cooperate with local industry in each of our current and future markets.

Regarding artillery rocket and missile systems, IMI Systems is the leading company in Israel in the field of accurate while affordable rockets and missiles. In this field, we are actually positioned among the select few world's leading defence companies.

We are striving to strengthen this position in the coming years by continued R&D investments in advanced technologies aimed at meeting current and future battlefield requirements of advanced armies worldwide.

More specifically, we always design our systems with an eye towards the future, meaning they should not only be suitable for current battlefield needs but also should harbour the capability of allowing relatively easy upgrades to meet future demands. To this end, we assigned a dedicated R&D team that researches upcoming and future requirements and accordingly assists in the development of the next generation of artillery missile systems already today.

What kind of products are available in your portfolio?
E. Raiter: Our Advanced Artillery & Missile Systems business unit is engaged in the design, development and manufacturing of a wide range of artillery rocket and missile weapon systems for the global market, offering end-to-end solutions and upgrades for existing systems. Our flagship products and services include artillery rocket and missile systems, target rockets, TCS (Trajectory Correction Systems) for enhancing artillery rockets, artillery rocket systems upgrades and state-of-the-art artillery ammunitions.
We also design, manufacture and upgrade artillery ammunition and rocket based systems, from artillery tube ammunition through free-flight artillery rockets to full missile systems, including launch systems and command and control systems.

IMI Systems is the main supplier of artillery rocket and missile systems to the Israel Defence Forces, and many of the Artillery business unit's products, including thousands of artillery rockets and hundreds of thousands of artillery ammunition rounds, have been delivered to our customers around the world.

Are your technologies, indigenous or licensed?
E. Raiter: IMI Systems developed and owns the full IP rights for its rocket and missile system technologies. All that is required for us to do is obtain relevant marketing and export licenses from the Israeli authorities, which in the case of Poland have been secured.

What are the key products or services you promote for the Polish requirements?
Just recently IMI Systems offered the Polish Ministry of National Defence an innovative artillery missile solution consisting of the LYNX artillery rocket and missile system tailored to Polish specific requirements, along with various types of advanced artillery missiles. Different configurations of this solution have been already supplied to other customers worldwide.

The "Polish LYNX" is a cost-effective autonomous multipurpose artillery rocket and missile launching system, which is capable of automatically firing various artillery rockets and tactical missiles with different types of calibres and warheads to different ranges from the same platform.

In tandem with the LYNX system and in order to fully utilize the system's capabilities, IMI Systems has offered Poland to procure our EXTRA missile. The EXTRA accurate missile has an effective range of 30-150 km, a 120 kg payload  and is extremely accurate with a CEP of less than 10m, hence it can engage a wide range of high-payoff targets.

Furthermore, we offered Poland our Predator Hawk missile, which is a long range tactical missile with a range of up to 300 km and high precision and manoeuvrability. Its aerodynamic principles and sub-systems are identical to those of the EXTRA, except for the rocket motor and the payload.

How do you deal with the countries that require offset, such as Poland? Do you offer transfer of technology?
E. Raiter: Customers who choose to work with IMI Systems enjoy our well-known business strategy of sharing technologies, working procedures, manufacturing cooperation and transferring adequate know-how with local industry, which is always available and welcome.

Consequently, we have offered to collaborate with the Polish industry on the production of any of IMI Systems launchers and missiles to be purchased by the Polish administration. Such cooperation holds the potential to create hundreds or thousands of jobs for Polish citizens.

What key products are you promoting during MSPO 2016?
E. Raiter: During the exhibition we present a wide range of innovative products developed by IMI Systems for a variety of areas. In the field of artillery, we will introduce the above-mentioned long-range precision rockets and missiles: Accular12, EXTRA and the Predator Hawk along with the TRIGON Naval rocket / missile sea-to-shore launcher solution, the Super High-Explosive (S-HE) 155mm M454 artillery projectile and the Uni-Modular charge systems.

In the aerial field, we will present the MPR-500 bomb designed to hit hidden targets inside buildings while preventing collateral damage, as well as the exclusive IMI systems multi-spectral flares designed to encounter complex, sophisticated anti-aircraft threats in variety of battleground scenarios.

As part of the product line we offer to the infantry and armour field, we will introduce our 120 mm accurate mortar shell series, as well as the unique M339 HE-MP-T multi-purpose tank round aimed  against infantry, fortifications, and armoured vehicles by changing fuse setting. We will also present the "Red Sky" short-range air defence system designed to intercept aerial targets in an automated manner, using autonomic capabilities of scanning, tracking and dispatching.
We will also present our innovative for solutions Home Land Security (HLS) – a rising need in the fight against terror.

Thank you

During MSPO 2016, the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) presented a technology demonstrator of an upgraded LEOPARD 2A4 MBT, known as LEOPARD 2PL. A contract between the Ministry of National Defence, PGZ and its subsidiary, Bumar-Łabędy, was signed in late 2015.

Poland plans to modernise 128 2A4 tanks in the first phase. The representatives of PGS do not hide that there are two goals of the LEOPARD 2PL project – the first is to improve the operational capabilities of aging LEOPARD tanks, donated in recent years by Germany from Bundeswehr’s stocks (in Polish service since 2002).

The second goal is to acquire indigenous capabilities in terms of further modernisation, maintenance and repairs. In order to achieve it, various companies will be involved, including PCO, ZM Tarnów, WZM from Poznań, Rosomak SA and OBRUM Gliwice. Rheinmetall Landsysteme from Germany is a foreign partner in this project. This company is responsible for a modernization project and technical documentation. Ultimately the Bumar-Łabędy company will become an owner of intellectual rights of the project on Polish markets.

There are several elements of a planned upgraded. The PL version is planned to have new situational awareness sensors (including a thermal camera and new observation sensors for a tank commander, a thermal camera for a gunner, and a day/night camera for a driver), electrical turret drive, hydraulic stabilization of a gun and additional armour. Poland does not plan to replace original L44 120 mm gun with a new gun, such as LEOPARD 2A6’s L55 variant. However, after an upgrade the 2PL will be able to fire DM63A1 kinetic energy rounds and DM11 HE rounds. To achieve it, the 2PL will have a fire control system upgraded as well.

New armour is designed in cooperation with IBD Deisenroth Engineering from Germany. It will be possible to easily remove armour and replace it with a new set if needed. According to the PGZ, this armour will give the turret of the 2PL better ballistic protection than in Leopard 2A5. It will be comparable with the 2A7 version, the PGZ says. At the current stage an upgrade of the communication system is not planned.

The total weight of an upgraded vehicle will go up from 55 tonnes to 59 tonnes. It is planned that the 2PL will stay in operational service for roughly 30 years. The first 2PL prototype is planned to be ready by March 2018. The first five tanks will be produced in Germany, with another twelve being produced in Poland but in cooperation with German industry. A remaining 110 will be upgraded only by a Polish company, without German assistance. The MoND has planned to receive it in late 2018. The remaining tank should be delivered to the customer in late 2020.

At the same time Poland plans to acquire new armoured recovery vehicles (ARV) for both Leopard 2A5 and 2PL tanks. It is possible that Bumar Łabędy in cooperation with Rheinmetall will buy up to 20 BPz 3 ARVs. At the same time during MSPO 2016 WZM in Poznań in cooperation with Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) presented a plan of modernization of currently used BPz 2s.

Robert Czulda

Despite an ongoing war in Ukraine, a large number of Ukrainian defence companies attended the MSPO 2016 trade show in Kielce. They were all represented by UkrOboronProm (Ukrainian Defense Industry), an association of more than 100 companies in the defence sector in Ukraine (from five groups: armoured vehicles, artillery, special equipment; aircraft engineering and repair; shipbuilding; precision weapons and ammunition; communication and electronics). This is the third time UkrOboronProm has been present in Kielce during MSPO.

Companies represented by UkrOboronProm during MSPO 2016:

 UKRSETSEXPORT: export and import of military and dual-use products and services;

 UKRINMASH: delivery of arms, ammunition and special purpose military equipment;

 SPETSEHNOEKSPORT: export and import of military equipment and technologies;

 LVIV STATE AIRCRAFT REPAIR PLANT: repair of aircraft and aviation equipment (mainly of MiG family);
 ANTONOV: design and pro
duction of aircraft;

 ARTEM: production and export of more than 70 military products, including medical equipment;

 MYKOLAYIV AIRCRAFT REPAIR PLANT: major overhauls and repairs of aircraft and engines;

 ZHYTOMYR ARMOURED PLANT: manufacture, overhauls and upgrades of light armoured vehicles, armoured carriers;

 SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL COMPLEX: artillery armaments production, spare parts and components production;

 DESIGN BUREAU – ARTILLERY ARMAMENT: design and production of artillery systems, small arms and ammunitions;

 IZYUM INSTRUMENT MAKING PLANT: optical systems;

 KYIV ARMOURED PLANT: production of light arms for armoured vehicles, overhauls and upgrades of various vehicles, spare parts production;

 KONOTOP AIRCRAFT REPAIR PLANT AVIAKON: overhauls and refurbishments, upgrades (Mi-2, Mi-6, Mi-7, Mi-17, Mi-24, Mi-35, Mi-26 helicopters);

 LVIV STATE PLANT LORTA: manufacture of anti-air systems, aviation technologies and armoured vehicles, radar stations.
A list of Ukrainian products promoted by UkrOboronProm during MSPO 2016 includes:

 40 mm under-barrel grenade launcher integrated with the AKM/AK-74 assault rifle. Its rate of fire is 5-6 rounds per minutes, weight is 1.55 kg and grenade muzzle velocity 76 m/s.

 Anti-tank laser-guided missile, also able to destroy hardened targets and tanks with active armour (ERA) thanks to a shaped-charge tandem warhead. This missile, according to representatives of UkrOboronProm, can be fired from several guns: 125 mm (including T-80UD, T-84, T-72AG, T-72B, T-72C, T-84BM Oplot, T-64BM Bulat), 120 mm and 100 mm (T-55MB and MT-12 anti-tank guns).

 RS-80KO air-launched unguided 80 mm rockets with shaped-charge/fragmentation warhead. It is intended to destroy tanks, lightly armoured vehicles, troops and fixed positions. Declared armour penetration is 400 mm.

 BTR-3E1 armoured personal carrier for 9-13 troops. Maximum speed is 10 k/h afloat or 100 km/h on paved roads. The hull protects against 7.62 mm rounds and according to UkrOboronProm it is possible to improve the ballistic protection to the level of 12.7 mm rounds. Declared range is 600 km.

 ADROS KT-01 AVE station for optical electronic suppression, intended for active protection of helicopters against guided missiles with infrared homing targeting systems.

 KOLCHUGA electronic warfare support system on a wheeled platform, intended for detection of radiofrequency emissions. It operates in 130-470 MHz, 750-18,000 bands. It can provide effective detection and target location from up to 600 km and information on up to 200 air targets.

 Tanks such as T-84 OPLOT, T-84 YATAGAN, T-64/B BULAT and modernisation services for the T-72 and T-55 tanks.

Robert Czulda

During MSPO 2016 in Kielce, Lockheed Martin unveiled an armed version of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. This configuration is designed for combat support of land forces (anti-armour, close air support, covering force, escort), however other variants, including MEDEVAC and transport, are available. Representatives of PZL-Mielec, a subsidiary of Sikorsky, said during MSPO 2016 that an armed version is already available for customers and is now being tested in the United States.

At the same time the Black Hawk “gunship” is offered to the Polish Army as an addition to new combat (assault) helicopters and new transport medium-class helicopters which are now being procured by Warsaw. It is worth a reminder that previously an armed Black Hawk was presented to the Polish audience during ANAKONDA 2016 multinational exercises and by PZL Mielec during a media press conference, also this year. However, this is its official debut at MSPO.

With a standard configuration an armed Black Hawk can take up to 13 troops on board without an advanced weapon system. A configuration with an advanced weapon system, with up to 8 troops on board (plus two gunners), includes two M-134 7,62 mm six-barrel rotary machine guns in gunner windows (8,000 rounds in total), sixteen AGM-114R HELLFIRE anti-tank missiles (a launcher can have either two or four rails, up to four launchers), two M261s, and up to 76 Hydra 70 mm rockets (a standard pod can accommodate 7 or 19 Hydra rockets, up to four pods). Every HELLFIRE missile can be replaced by one launcher of DAGR 70 mm missiles (four per one launcher, integration required). Weight of a fully loaded DAGR launcher is 86.2 kg. Range of a DAGR missile is 6 km if launched from a minimal flight ceiling or 12 km if launched from 6,000 metres. The MIL-STD-1760 interface provides flexibility for carrying multiple laser-guided rockets.

Other optional weapons include the GAU-19/A miniguns and the FN M3M 12,7x99 mm machine gun (integration required) with 600 rounds in a standard pod (300 rounds optional). Its effective range is 2,000 metres, while the rate of fire is 950-1100 rounds per minute (rate is regulated). Two GAU-10s have 2,800 rounds in total. Its rate of fire is 1,300 rounds per minute. According to the producer, the Black Hawk helicopter with two M134 guns, eight HELLFIRE missiles and 38 Hydra 70mm rockets, has a ceiling of 6,000m and a maximum speed of 315 km/h.

Black Hawk’s weapon system is integrated by a fire control system provided by Elbit. It is equipped with the MX-10D optoelectronic payload for tactical surveillance and target acquisition.

This is the first time the producer is able to offer a full weapons system on the Black Hawk Helicopter. The previous owner of Sikorsky, UTC, was unable to do so due to internal regulations on arms sale, while Lockheed Martin, a current owner of Sikorsky, is free from such constraints. It is believed that if an armed Black Hawk is selected by Poland, several systems – including missiles – would be replaced by Polish products. During the presentation in Kielce the producer presented a UKM-2000 7.62x51 mm machinegun from the Polish ZM Tarnów as a potential crew-served weapon.

Robert Czulda

During MSPO 2016 in Kielce the Zakłady Mechaniczne in Tarnów (ZM Tarnów) unveiled for the first time the ZSMU-A5 remotely-controlled weapon module. This solution is intended as a weapons system for a next-generation light armoured reconnaissance vehicle (LOTR project, codenamed KLESZCZ) for the Polish Army.

The A5 is the latest version of the ZSMU-1276 system which was designed by ZM Tarnów for various vehicles in order to provide them with self-defence capabilities against troops, low-flying aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles. Two standard versions are currently available – the A3 with external ammunition feeding and the C1 with internal ammunition feeding. The ZSMU-1276 can be equipped with various weapons, including of NATO standards and of Soviet origins (including the UKM-2000C/PKT 7.62 mm machinegun and the WKB-Bm/NSW 12.7 mm machinegun). The 81 mm smoke grenade launchers are offered as optional equipment. The ZSMU-1276 system is integrated with the ZMO-1 optoelectronic payload with thermal and daylight cameras and a laser rangefinder.

The A5 variant is designed for the future LOTR light vehicle. Its weight is up to 330 kg. It is equipped either with a WKB-Bm/NSW 12.7 mm machinegun (up to 200 rounds) or a 40 mm grenade launcher (up to 32 grenades) as a primary weapon and a co-axial UKM-2000C/PKT 7,62 machinegun (up to 200 rounds). The A5 version is equipped with the ZMO-3 optoelectronic payload with thermal camera (target detection from up to 12 km), daylight camera and a laser rangefinder. The A5 can be equipped with various missiles and a smoke grenade launcher.

Robert Czulda

At MSPO 2016, Airbus Helicopters hosted the “Hangar Party”, during which German and French crews answered the questions of trade visitors. During the meeting the company presented three helicopters: the H225M CARACAL multi-role helicopter, the EC665 TIGER assault helicopter, and the H145M light armed helicopter. All three were presented in a static display last year (however the H145M was only as a mock-up).
It is worth nothing that the H225M CARACAL was pre-selected by the Polish government and passed several flight tests in 2015. Later however a new government decided to halt this procurement. Airbus Helicopters still hopes that it will not be cancelled and Poland will ultimately buy the CARACALs. The H225M CARACAL helicopter presented at MSPO 2016 belongs to the 5e régiment d'hélicoptères de combat from Pau.

For the first time Airbus Helicopters sent to Kielce the H145M light, multirole helicopter. Last year only a mock-up was available to the audience. H145M is promoted as a versatile workhorse which can be used in various missions, including light utility and light combat. The version presented in Kielce belongs to the German Armed Forces.

The EC665 TIGER assault helicopter belongs to the 1 Régiment d’Hélicoptères de Combat from Phalsbourg-Bourscheid and it flew directly from Marignane, where facilities of the company are located. This helicopter competes in the KRUK programme (RAVEN) attack helicopter acquisition programme, which was announced in July 2014. Other competitors are AH-64E GUARDIAN and T-129B ATAK. KRUK’s goal is to replace Polish ageing fleet of 29 Mi-24W/D helicopters (acquired mainly in the 1980s with additional batch of ex-East German Ds in 1996). Currently the tender for up to 32 new helicopters is delayed. Airbus Helicopters believes that a procurement of the TIGER helicopter would be a logic step and the combination of H225 CARACAL and EC665 TIGER would allow Poland to save financial and time resources in terms of training, logistic and maintenance.

Another element of the portfolio of the Airbus Group at MSPO was the A330MRTT multi-role tanker. It was underlined that the A330 MRTT can be used not only as a tanker (110 tons of fuel in a regular tanker configuration) but also as a transport aircraft, capable of accommodating up to 300 soldiers or 45 tons of equipment. The MEDEVAC version can be equipped with 130 stretchers.
Airbus Group again promoted at its stand the Eurofighter Typhoon multirole fighter jet. At MSPO 2016 the representatives of a company confirmed that 599 jets have been ordered so far. At the same time the Orlik multi-purpose trainer was presented. The current version has a digital, integrated avionics and a new flight control system.

Recently Airbus Group became more involved in the Polish space sector. During MSPO 2016 the company’s space activities were highlighted more than last year. The company underlined that in June 2016 it pledged to build so-called “clean rooms” in Poland, which will allow the production of high-tech equipment for satellites and space probes. Its planned size is 500 m2. These facilities will be used by PZL Warszawa-Okęcie, a subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space, and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ, Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa).

During MSPO 2016 the Airbus Group promoted the AstroBuS-S Earth observation satellites for very-high resolution (VHR) applications.

Robert Czulda

Celebrating its 80th year in business in 2016, Czech arms manufacturer Ceska zbrojovka a.s. (CZ) has been shortlisted as a contender for a requirement for one million assault rifles from the Pakistani Armed Forces.

Talking to international media at the company’s headquarters in Uhersky Brod on 8 September, Head of Sports and Display Team Jakub Sondel revealed that the newly developed CZ 805 BREN2 assault rifle, in 5.56 x45 NATO calibre, has been under evaluation in Pakistan since the beginning of 2016. A batch of 30 rifles have been provided for the test and user trials, firing ammunition provided by Pakistan. “The test conditions have been very comprehensive: the BREN2 has performed in the Himalayas, in a desert environment at up to 54°C, in marine conditions near Karachi and in a wide variety of specific test scenarios,” he said.

Surely one of the largest small arms contracts to be awarded in the foreseeable future, the Pakistani competition includes a requirement for technology transfer and licence manufacture – a scenario Sondel asserts lies at the heart of CZ’s continuing development strategy. “The results to date have been very encouraging and we have every reason to believe we are a very strong contender for this order,” he said, adding that other manufacturers remaining in the competition include Beretta, FN Herstal and Heckler & Koch.

The BREN2 is the standard rifle of the Czech Army and a new generation of the weapon has been developed over the last three years, featuring advanced ergonomics and a significantly lower weight. Approval of the new generation by the Czech military came within the last two months, according to Sondel.

During MSPO 2016, Thales presented the Watchkeeper X UAS, an export version of Watchkeeper 450. The Watchkeeper X UAS is a strong proposal for Poland, which has launched the GRYF (GRIFFIN) programme. Its current goal is to procure a total of 12 sets (four vehicles in each) of tactical UASs of medium range. They will be combined with the ZEFIR (ZEPHYRUS) project of four sets of MALE class. It was confirmed that Poland is now considering offers for ZEFIR from the United States (MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1C Gray Eagle) and Israel (Hermes 900). Two sets are to be procured before 2022 and two after.
The Watchkeeper X, unveiled during last year’s the DSEI in London, made its Polish debut this year at Kielce. It shares the airframe, human-machine interface and flight control software of a standard Watchkeeper 450, and maintains CS23/STANAG 4671 airworthiness standards. However, the goal of the X programme was to design and produce an advanced export version of Watchkeeper, selected by the British Army as its tactical UAS. Watchkeeper X is a modular system, which means exploitation options selected by the customer can be grouped into four broad categories, focused on sensors, exploitation, mobility, and effectors. Potential payloads are surveillance sensors (including lug-and-play HD EO/IR turret or ground/maritime radars), electronic support measures (RESM), cryptographic electronic support measures (CESM), communications intelligence systems (CommINT), remote terminals, target indicators, recorders or additional data-links.
The Watchkeeper X offered to Poland is armed with four FFLMMs (free-fall lightweight multi-role missiles). They weigh 6 kg each, with a high-explosive warhead. It has a dual guidance system – either by GPS or by a laser. An armed version of GRYF is a requirement of the Ministry of National Defence.

Thales representatives confirm the company is in advanced stages of talks with the Polish Armaments Group over offering the tactical system to Poland. They also state they are ready to propose a comprehensive in-country work package to Poland.

Robert Czulda

During 2016 in Kielce it was announced that Raytheon was granted permission from the government of the United States to offer Poland the SkyCeptor for its WISŁA medium-range air and missile defence system, which is likely to be based on the Patriot system. The SkyCeptor is intended as Poland’s low-cost interceptor but in the future it could be jointly offered to foreign customers.

SkyCeptor is a US-compliant variant of the Stunner missile, jointly developed by Israeli and US industry (Rafael and Raytheon). Stunner is now being introduced into an operational service in Israel (the David’s Sling missile defence). Fielding for the Israeli Defense Forces commenced in 2016. It is a kinetic (hit-to-kill) missile able to intercept short to medium ballistic missiles (70-250 km), cruise missiles and other air-breathing threats Poland or any other US ally may face. According to Raytheon, the SkyCeptor will be much cheaper than missiles already used by the Patriot system, including the PAC-3, PAC-3 MSE and GEM-T.

Raytheon informed that initial integration works on the SkyCeptor missiles have already started. So far four intercept test series have been completed. It is believed that Polish industry might have a significant share in co-development and co-production (more than 50% according to Raytheon). It is worth a reminder that in July 2016 Raytheon signed a letter of intent with PGZ. According to this agreement, 50% of the value of the WISŁA programme will remain in Poland as Polish workshare. PGZ will become Raytheon’s global partner for Patriot export. Polish industry will be awarded contracts for launchers, trucks and support equipment.

At Impulstag 2016, RUAG Defence demonstrated new Level 5 protection systems: The Monoblock and Spaced Armour. Both ar3 currently competing for several international tenders.

At Impulstag 2016, RUAG Defence demonstrated the new generation of their Gladiator, presenting a new set of accuracy through laser technology. While the armasuisse is activly running it through testing, international interest is high, esp. for SOF.

Gladiator can be extended in three modular stages, having been developed for the realistic training of special units, police, and infantry.

At Impulstag 2016, RUAG informed that RUAG Defence delivered an unspecified number of Counter Improved Explosive Device (C-IED) training kits (for indoor and outdoor training plus simulated suicide attacks) to the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), which will be used from the beginning of October 2016 for training at the German Army’s Combat Training Centre (GÜZ).

The kits mainly consist of laser radios and pyrotechnics (serving for simulating blasts), controlled by one modular low weight control station. The components interact with the harnesses the soldiers wear whereby data can be recorded and After Action Reviews can thus be carried out. The delivery also included systems that can be worn by the soldiers directly on the body, simulating a suicide vest. The effect here consist of powder being detonated, thereby having the soldier not wear pyrotechnics on his body.

"During training with the RUAG C-IED training kits soldiers will have the opportunity to learn how diverse IEDs work and how to behave in case one is triggered," RUAG said. "Furthermore, RUAG assists the Bundeswehr with respective exercises in order to further enhance the training effectiveness and to be able to make full use of the technological possibilities of the components starting in October."