Defence`s Feeds

Israel Military Industries is showing its Iron Fist-Light Configuration (IF-LC) active protection system for the first time. Derived from the full-size Iron Fist system designed for large infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks, the IF-LC is intended to provide hard-kill protection for smaller vehicles against a variety of threats.

Following extensive trials, General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Bárbara Sistemas has awarded Cook Defence Systems (Hall 5, Stand LK657) a contract worth about £30 million to supply its latest TR40 505FB track system for installation on the Ajax reconnaissance version of the British Army Specialist Vehicle – Scout family of tracked vehicles.

In support of India’s defence modernisation, Nammo (Hall 6, Stands F290/GF304) has opened an office in New Delhi, which marks its participation in the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Iveco Defence Vehicles (External Stand D391) is displaying a pair of new vehicles that highlight the comprehensive range of its logistic vehicle portfolio.

The MBDA Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) (medium-range missile) will complete its formal DGA qualification trials at Bourges towards the end of 2016.

In 2016, arguably the most iconic military vehicle ever – the Willys MB, better known as the Jeep – celebrates its 75th birthday. That milestone is being commemorated at Eurosatory by Africa Automotive Distribution Services (External Stand D490), which has been appointed by the Chrysler-owned Jeep company as an authorised supplier of the current Jeep J8 to selected government organisations around the world.

Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) (Hall 6, Stand K652) is building up the export order book for its Wisent 2 Support Vehicle. This was originally developed as a private venture to meet emerging requirements for a Leopard 2 main battle tank (MBT)-based platform that could be rapidly reroled for the specialised armoured recovery vehicle or armoured engineer vehicle (AEV) battlefield missions.

Netline Communications Technologies produces a range of electronic warfare and spectrum dominance systems, including counter-IED systems, active and reactive RF (radio frequency) jammers, and radio/mobile phone tracking devices. Here at Eurosatory (Hall 6, Stand D630) the company is highlighting two new systems that provide defence against small drones and for jamming enemy communications.

UK company WFEL is highlighting its Dry Support Bridge (DSB), which was recently used by the Swiss Armed Forces in a disaster relief operation after heavy rainfall caused landslides and widespread destruction to roads, bridges and pipelines in the municipality of Scuol. The bridge has allowed local communities to regain the use of transport links and will stay in place for up to six months until permanent infrastructure can be rebuilt.

Fuel tanks and containers are particularly at risk from small-arms fire, which is why UK-based Permali Gloucester (Hall 6, Stand H528) has teamed up with US firm High Impact Technology (HIT) on the operationally proven BattleJacket self-sealing fuel tank.

Combining image intensification (I2) with thermal imaging literally intensifies the capabilities of night vision.

Having developed the Fox family of tactical light vehicles and protective technology such as the BLASTech seat, the UK’s Jankel company is launching an innovative product at Eurosatory with the ability to provide a non-contact, non-lethal means of stopping vehicles, writes David Donald.

On the battlefield it would approach almost unseen to deliver a deadly strike. Estonian defence solutions provider Milrem (Hall 5, Stand J521) and ST Kinetics of Singapore are demonstrating for the first time at Eurosatory their weaponised unmanned ground vehicle system, the THeMIS:Adder.

Finnish company Senop (Hall 6, Stand D301), which develops and supplies optical and optoelectronic products, has acquired Rikola, another Finnish company whose products consist of customer-specific sensor modules and hyper-spectral cameras.

Suppressing enemy radio signals on the battlefield not only adds a significant advantage, but is also a valuable protection measure for own troops. Bulgarian company Samel-90 (Hall 6, Stand H287) is showcasing its SVJ-2600 mobile jammer this week, claimed to be the world’s biggest. Displayed on a pickup truck, the SVJ-2600 operates on the 20-6,000MHz frequency band, with 44 frequency sub-bands operated by means of a remote control unit installed inside the vehicle.

Renowned for its innovative defence technologies, Germany’s Drehtainer (Hall 6, Stand L695) is focusing on its command post solutions. These include the Air Force Mobile C²IS for the Bundeswehr (MobFüSys Lw), the C²IS for NBS C-RAM Mantis (also known as Rheinmetall’s Skyshield), and the Ground Support Container System for the Eurofighter/Typhoon project.

Aeryon Labs Inc (Hall 5, Stand K880), a leader in small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), and Persistent Systems LLC, a specialist in mobile ad hoc network (MANET) technology, have announced the integration of the latter’s Wave Relay technology into the airframe of the Aeryon SkyRanger sUAS.

A problem suffered by many long-range surveillance systems is the reduction in image clarity encountered in dusty, hazy or smoky conditions, or during the twilight hours. Israeli surveillance house Controp (Hall 6, Stand C517) is launching a new system at Eurosatory that, according to the company, provides sharp and clear images in all weather and environmental conditions.

Collateral damage is always a cause for concern. PolyCase Ammunition (Hall 5, Stand D607) has a range of advanced small arms ammunition products designed to reduce this risk.

Americas

• The US Navy took an MV-22 from VMX-1 aboard aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson for flight trials on June 12. Testing comes as the service moves to induct the CMV-22B variant as the replacement for the Northrop Grumman C-2 Greyhound twin turboprop in the aircraft carrier logistics role at sea. The purpose of the MV-22 tests is to allow crews to experience landing on an aircraft carrier as opposed to landing on an amphibious ship, like with the USMC. Additions to the Navy model will see the installation of extra fuel bladders to extend its range from 860nm to approximately 1,150nm, as well as a beyond line-of-sight radio and public address system so that crews can communicate en route to the aircraft carrier’s deck, or between other ships in the battle group.

Middle East North Africa

• Pakistan is to drop its attempts to purchase F-16s from the US, instead opting for a deal to source second-hand aircraft from Jordan. Last month, the potential sale of eight F-16C/D aircraft was brought into question after US Congress objected to using the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program to subsidize the deal, requiring Islamabad to pay the full amount of $699 million. Speaking to the Senate Standing Committee on Defense and Foreign Policy on Monday, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Aizaz Chaudhry bemoaned the often strained relations between the two countries commenting “the US has spent 16 years fighting the war on terror. If only it had given six years to the peace process things would have been different.”

• Iraq’s Defense Minister Khaled Obaidi took part in air force sorties against Islamic State targets over Fallujah on June 13. Obaidi, who served as a flight engineer in the Iraqi Air Force between 1987-2003, took to the back seat of an F-16D fighter, posting video to his Twitter and Facebook accounts. The Iraqi Army and Shiite militias, backed by US airstrikes, launched the offensive to retake Fallujah on May 22 and already gain control over most of suburbs of the city.

Europe

• Pacifist activists staged demonstrations on Monday at the Eurosatory 2016 Defense Exhibition in Paris. About ten protesters managed to cover several exhibited items with red paint, symbolizing blood, which included France’s famous Leclerc tank. Before the protesters were ejected by security, they also hung up a rainbow flag with the word “Paix,” or “peace”, in French. The exhibition runs until Friday.

• Thales has introduced its new Ground Master 60 3D short-range air defense radar system. According to the company, the radar has the unique capability to detect rockets, artillery shells, and mortars while on the move, and was unveiled at the Eurosatory 2016 event in Paris. Ground Masters are a family of multi-mission air defense radars with an architecture based on common building blocks and interfaces. It is unknown if the radar got covered in red paint.

Asia Pacific

• BAE Systems is currently working on a new Hawk jet trainer demonstrator for India. Changes to the 42 year old aircraft include wing improvements and modifications expected to improve its aerodynamic performance. The Advanced Hawk, which is sometimes referred to as the Combat Hawk, is being offered to the Indians to expand the size of their training fleet, as well as give them a light attack capability with precision-guided munitions.

• Hackers from North Korea allegedly stole blueprints for the wings of the Boeing F-15 coming from the computers of Korean Air Lines. The theft came as part of wider attempts to break into networks at 160 South Korean firms and government agencies, planting malicious code under a long-term plan laying groundwork for a massive cyber attack. According to reports, the intrusions were detected in February and the breaches could be traced back to 2014.

• Export marketing advocate Kallman Worldwide has announced its 500 sqm US International Pavillion to represent US homeland security manufacturers at next year’s Milipol Asia-Pacific 2017 event in Singapore. The April 4-6 event will focus on products including CBRN defense, forensic science services, law enforcement, anti-terrorism, special forces, crime, security of public places, border control, airport and port security, road safety, security of financial systems, and prison management.

Today’s Video

• Dutch F-35 air power display at at Leeuwarden Air Base: