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European States showcased their Defence & Security technologies at Eurosatory 2016

The Eurosatory 2016 the leading international Land and Air Defence and Security exhibition took place from June 13th to 17th, 2016 at Parc des Expositions Paris, allowing dozens of European states to showcase their defense and space technical achievements. Eurosatory, Initially dedicated to Defence, Eurosatory has gradually opened to the Security domain, to propose a real Defence & Security dual technologies offer.

The exhibition presented products from the entire land and air-land industry, from raw materials to sub-assemblies and operational systems. It covers a wide range of products from vehicles to small arms through communications systems, uniforms, logistics services, but also simulation, operational medicine and disaster responses.

 

Airbus completes first trials of HForce helicopter weapon system

Airbus has completed the first firing trials of its HForce helicopter armament system, Airbus stated an H225M was used for the trials in May and June at a range in Belgium, firing 12.7×99 mm machine guns, 20 mm cannon and 70 mm rockets.

This modular system is intended to easily transform unarmed versions of Airbus’ military helicopter range into light gunships. It includes a Thales Scorpion helmet-mounted display, central control unit, Wescam electro-optical turret, weapons pods, and gunner interfaces.

 

Austria’s EYE09 unmanned aircraft system (UAS)

Austria’s EYE.AERO will soon commence trials of its EYE09 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with the Austrian Army. EYE09 consists of a folding quadcopter and a soldier-borne control unit: the PCS13. It is designed to be carried and operated by one soldier, with the air vehicle largely composed of lightweight materials – principally alloys and magnesium. Schnoell said that the system has been designed for simple operation and maintenance, with the PCS13 – which is worn on the chest – having a glove-compatible touchscreen interface and joystick controls. It can be flown via GPS waypoint navigation or manually.

 

The system is intended to provide a visual intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability as well as hazardous area inspection – it has been fitted with a Dräger radiation detector for example. Payloads are integrated with the air vehicle via a detachable mounting unit.

 

The operating platform is currently Linux-based, a design approach which was decided open to enable the system to be as open as possible for customers and the future integration of payloads, Schnoell said, adding that the custom-built control unit will be offered for use with other UASs. The control system can also be configured to run on Android, Schnoell explained.

The 1.5 kg air vehicle can be folded and stored in a tube or a pouch on a soldier’s webbing, for example. It is able to accommodate a payload of up to 0.5 kg and can operate out to a distance of 500 m, at present it is able to offer an endurance of 23 minutes but Schnoell said that this will be extended to 30 minutes following some further development work.

 

Israel RoBattle: multi terrain modular robot

RoBattle is a six-wheeled unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and can be modified with different equipment and weapons according to the mission at hand. The RoBattle is designed to complete whole array of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, fire support and convoy protection.

To implement the missions, the 7 metric ton vehicle features a modular design; its components can easily be swapped out to enhance functionality. For example, RoBattle’s tyres can be switched for tank tracks, allowing it to tackle pretty much any terrain, meanwhile it can also be kitted out with various sensors, vehicle control, navigation and real-time mapping.

According to IAI, operators can equip RoBattle with different payloads like “manipulator arms”, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors and radars, and remotely controlled weapons. As a result, the UGV is equally suited for intelligence, surveillance and armed reconnaissance missions, as well as convoy protection, decoy, and ambush and attack operations, said IAI.

The vehicle can climb to a height of one and a half meters and lower itself to a visible height of 60 centimeters in order to evade enemy fire. Also, the robot can operate up to 12 hours without recharging while in “ambush mode”, which includes tracking and responding settings.

 

Infantry Weapons

KMW launches new FLW500 weapon station

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has launched the FLW500, which is the latest entry to its FLW family of remote weapon stations (RWS) at Eurosatory 2016.

The latest FLW500 has a typical weight of 500 kg above the deck but this depends on the type of weapons fitted and associated ammunition supply.

The version being shown at the exhibition is armed with the Orbital ATK Armament Systems 30 mm M230LF dual-feed low-recoil weapon that is provided with 150 rounds of ready to use ammunition.

A co-axial 7.62 mm FN-MAG machine gun (MG) is provided with 250 rounds of ready use ammunition.

The weapons are fully stabilised with the mount featuring electric traverse through 360° and elevation from -10 to 50°.

 

Rheinmetall Air Defence

Rheinmetall is presenting its new fully networked, future ground-based air defence system Skynex at this year’s Eurosatory exhibition. It can be used for defending critical infrastructure and / or airspace against virtually any airborne threat, around the clock and in all weathers. It can even detect incoming rockets, artillery and mortar shells (RAM) and very small drones, swiftly neutralising them with maximum economy of force. Moreover, the Oerlikon Skynex is highly mobile and ready to go into action straight away.

The Skynex’s nerve centre is the Skymaster command system. Through a communication system, it establishes the connection to other subsystems. These can include up to three Oerlikon X-TAR3D search radars (as sensors) and up to 12 air defence guns (as effectors) each at 35mm. Central and decentralised operation and command are possible, and the system can be configured for tactical and operational applications alike.

One possible effector, also on display at Eurosatory 2016 for the first time, is the remotely controlled, network-capable Oerlikon Revolver Gun Mk3. Tracking / sensor units such as X-band radar, electro-optical sensors and electronic warfare components can be integrated into this 35mm platform, enabling swift, autonomous engagement of externally assigned targets.

Rheinmetall can optionally connect a number of other subsystems to Skynex, including Skyshield or Skyguard fire units, launch devices for anti-aircraft missiles and even high-energy laser (HEL) effectors. Adding electronic warfare components and extra sensors for detecting ‘low, slow, small’ (LSS) targets can further enhance the system’s effectiveness. Furthermore, the Oerlikon Skynex can interface with higher-echelon units and other air defence assets.

Russia

Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport will present military equipment at the Eurosatory 2016, in particular, and will hold negotiations with the European partners on sales and delivery of the equipment. Rosoboronexport expressed hope that foreign partners would express interest in different modifications of the BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, T-90 and T-90MS tanks, BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, Smerch multiple rocket launchers, Pantsir-S1, Buk-M2E and Tor-M2KM missile systems, as well as to the Ka-52 and Mi-28NE attack helicopters.

Russia’s largest small arms maker Kalashnikov Concern, optical electronics Shvabe Holding and other manufacturers will also represent the Russian defense industry at the exhibition

 

 

Giraffe

Saab is showing its Giraffe 1X 3D short-range radar for the first time at Eurosatory. The Giraffe 1X has the ability to track more than 100 air targets and more than 200 on the surface. With an instrumented range of 75km, Giraffe 1X can detect a typical fighter at 30km range at up to 10,000m altitude, and UAVs at 13km up to 4,000m. The radar also provides a CRAM (counter rockets and mortars) sense-and-warn function.

With a total weight of less than 200kg, the Giraffe 1X is adaptable to a number of installations, from a vehicle-mounted mast to a simple tripod. There is also a maritime Sea Giraffe 1X version, for shipborne or coastal use.

In its land version, the radar is primarily intended as a mobile short-range air defence system that can be carried by a light 4×4 tactical vehicle, allowing it to travel with forces to provide protection against a range of air threats. It can be operated as a standalone system, or integrated into a wider network. Typically, the radar would work with VSHORAD systems such as Saab’s laser-guided RBS 70 NG missile.

Giraffe 1X employs a solid-state transmitter and slotted waveguide array. The antenna spins at 60rpm to provide a high refresh rate across the entire search volume, or can be operated in sector mode. The X-band radar’s 12 stacked beams provide simultaneous elevation coverage from the horizon to 70°.

Advanced electronic counter-countermeasures and enhanced LSS (low, slow, small) target detection technology allows the radar to classify threat types. Saab (Hall 6, J353) is currently working on advanced signal processing techniques that can meet the challenge of differentiating birds from small UAVs.

 

Rheinmetall Weapon and Munition has unveiled a new 130 mm smoothbore tank gun at Eurosatory 2016 in Paris.

 

The new 130 mm smoothbore gun is an L/51 weapon and has a vertical sliding breech mechanism, increased chamber volume, and is chrome lined. However, it is not fitted with a muzzle brake. Only scant details of the 130 mm L/51 tank gun have been released by Rheinmetall, with the company quoting an all-up weight of 3,000 kg, which includes the recoil system – the barrel alone is stated as weighing 1,400 kg.

 

The example shown at Eurosatory 2016 is fitted with a thermal sleeve and muzzle reference system (MRS) and these will be fitted for the upcoming firing trials. The MRS enables the weapon to be bore sighted on a more regular basis and without the crew needing to leave the platform.

 

In parallel with the new gun, Rheinmetall is developing a new generation armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) round, which will feature a semi-combustible cartridge case, new propellant, and a new advanced long rod tungsten penetrator.

 

This will be followed by new 130 mm high-explosive air-bursting munition (HE ABM) that will have a number of fuze options depending on the target.

 

This HE ABM round will leverage from technology from the 120 mm DM11 HE ABM, currently in production for the home and export markets for use with Rheinmetall’s 120 mm L/44 and L/55 smoothbore tank guns installed on Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs).

 

More firepower for Centauro

Being shown at Eurosatory for the first time is the Centauro II (8×8) mobile gun system (MGS) that has been developed to meet the requirements of the Italian Army by CIO. The Italian Army requirement is for 136 Centauro II MGS that will replace the currently deployed 105mm Centauro MGS, which is in use by Italy, Spain, Jordan and Oman.

The new three-person turret is armed with a 120mm/45 calibre smoothbore gun that can fire standard NATO ammunition as well as the latest natures such as the DM11 high-explosive with a programmable fuze. The commander and gunner are provided with a stabilised day/ thermal sighting system with integrated laser rangefinder. The brand-new hull has a higher level of ballistic and mine protection.

It is powered by an Iveco diesel developing 720hp, coupled to an ZF automatic transmission, which gives a maximum road speed of 105km/h.When fielded, the Centauro II will provide the Italian army with a step change in capability.

 

Versatile lifter

Appearing at Eurosatory for the first time, Korea Aerospace Industries is promoting its Surion multipurpose helicopter, which was developed with input from Airbus Helicopters.

In its KUH-1 version, the helicopter typically carries nine troops, with a crew of four (two pilots, two gunners). Power is provided by two Hanwha Techwin-built General Electric T700-701K turboshafts, a reardrive version of the engine that also powers the H-60 family and AH-64.

 

KAI is marketing the Surion around the world for a range of duties, concentrating initially on existing customers for its fixed-wing aircraft, such as Indonesia, Iraq, Peru and the Philippines.

 

Developed initially to meet a Republic of Korea Army requirement for a utility transport helicopter, KAI has also developed a number of related versions, and has delivered three to the Korean police. A firefighting variant for the forestry department is currently being produced. In the maritime domain, the type is being built for the Korean marines to provide a ship-to-shore assault capability. KAI has also schemed an anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare version for a ROK Navy requirement.

 

The article sources also include:

 

http://sputniknews.com/military/20160613/1041221726/military-exhibition-eurosatory-2016.html

http://www.airforce-technology.com/contractors/air-defence/rheinmerallair/pressrheinmetall-new-air-defence-system-eurosatory-2016.html

http://www.janes.com/exhibition-news/eurosatory-2016

http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160620/1041618897/israel-military-robot.html

 

 

About Rajesh Uppal

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