 MILNET Brief New Weapons, Q1-08 February, 2008 |
| MILNET Brief New Weapons, Q1-08 February, 2008 |
| Weapon
Acronym |
Who |
Description |
Status |
| New
Technology |
|||
Big Dog Boston Dynamics |
U.S. Army / DARPA |
"BigDog is the alpha male of the Boston Dynamics family of robots. It is
a quadruped robot that walks, runs, and climbs on rough terrain and
carries heavy loads. BigDog is powered by a gasoline engine that drives
a hydraulic actuation system. BigDog's legs are articulated like an
animal’s, and have compliant elements that absorb shock and recycle
energy from one step to the next. BigDog is the size of a large dog or
small mule, measuring 1 meter long, 0.7 meters tall and 75 kg weight." - Boston Dynamics "...the BigDog prototype is arguably the world's most ambitious legged robot. Its stability and awareness of its own orientation make it the first robot that can handle the unknown challenges of the battlefield. The Great Dane–size 'bot can trot more than three miles an hour, climb inclines of up to 45 degrees, and carry up to 120 pounds—even in rough terrain impenetrable to wheeled or tracked vehicles. But this one is just a puppy; Boston Dynamics expects the next iteration, ready this summer, to be at least twice as fast and carry more than twice as much." - Live Science |
Development |
Black Knight Unmanned Armed Combat Vehicle (UACV) |
DoD |
Remotely controlled or possibly autonomous combat vehicle - Danger Room Also known as the Armed Robotic Armored Vehicle, and is manufactured by BAE-Systems. Features a 30mm gun and coaxial machine taken from the Bradley fighting vehicle. It is 9.5 tons and transportable by the ubiquitous C-130 cargo plane. Powered by a 300 hp diesel at pace with other armored maneuver vehicles. Carries troops and when they disembark, they can take the remote control (Dismounted Control Device -- DCD) along and continue to control the machine. It can also be operated from a Bradley's commander's station. According to BAE, the system features: "autonomous mobility, which allows the Black Knight to plan routes, maneuver on the planned route and avoid obstacles—all without operator intervention. Alternatively, the system can be teleoperated using on-board vision systems that transmit the images from the Black Knight to either the Bradley or the DCD" |
Prototype used in engineering development of robotic systems |
| Future Infantry Soldier System (FELIN)  |
France |
"Will provide the French soldier with improved close-combat capability in terms of
lethality, survivability, mobility and C4I (Command, Control,
Computers, Communications, Information). The DGA selected Sagem as the preferred bidder in 2003 and awarded the
FELIN V1 (Version1) contract in March 2004. Each FELIN system is
estimated to cost €26,000. Under the FELIN contract, Sagem will deliver up to 22,500 FELIN V1 sets
for 20 infantry regiments and an additional 9,000 FELIN sets for use by
the troops of the armoured, engineering and artillery regiments of the
French Army. 50 pre-production FELIN systems were delivered in September 2007 and
trials with these are underway. 358 pre-production FELIN sets are
scheduled for delivery in 2008 for operational evaluation." - Army-Technology.com |
Production Eval in 2008 |
| Future Rapid Effect System -- FRES |
U.K. |
"The FRES program will provide the British Army with a family of
medium-weight, network-enabled, air-deployable armored vehicles to meet
up to 16 battlespace roles. The key drivers are the need for a rapid
effect land capability, the ability to meet a wide number of
operational roles, maximum interoperability with other UK forces and
allies, and addressing the obsolescence of existing vehicles." Contractors include Thales and Boeing New Boeing Facility in Bristol, England |
Development |
HEL Bomber |
U.S. |
Concept simulated during the ACE07
war games conference, can carry the Small Diameter Bombs, Massive
Ordnance Penetrators, Minature Air-Launched Decoys, Advanced
Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles, or even a modified air-launched cruise
missile carrying a pressurized self-contained pod that can be used to
drop special forces into combat. Northrop Grumman's "Lasers For Security" Pres. (PDF: 2.1MB, MILNET Mirror) |
Proposal |
| Honeywell Image Triage System -- HITS | U.S. DoD |
"The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is conducting
research into reading brain waves which could alert platoon leaders
when soldiers lose situational awareness, writes Aviation Week
.The research into how computers read brain waves may one day speed
up the ways intelligence analysts detect targets in satellite images,
in turn helping soldiers in combat." - Army Technology.com |
Research |
ID Sniper Rifle |
Corporate Development |
"used to implant a GPS-microchip in the body of a human being, using a
high powered sniper rifle as the long distance injector. The microchip will enter
the body and stay there, causing no internal damage, and only a very small amount
of physical pain to the target. It will feel like a mosquito-bite lasting a
fraction of a second. At the same time a digital camcorder with a zoom-lense fitted
within the scope will take a high-resolution picture of the target. This picture will
be stored on a memory card for later image-analysis...to mark and identify a suspicious subject on a safe distance, enabeling
the national law enforcement agency to keep track on the target through a satellite
in the weeks to come" - Empire North datasheet |
Ready for Delivery |
Light Fighter Letthality After Next (LFLAN) Stavatti Corp., 7/02/1999 (DefenseReview.com) |
U.S. DoD |
"The TIS-1 (Tactical Infantry System1) is a gasdynamic laser weapon system conceived by Stavatti Corporation in direct response to the Statement of Objectives corresponding to the LFLAN (Light Fighter Lethality After Next). The TIS-1...will deliver a first round probability of hit using directed laser light ... in selectable bursts from 1 to 170 shots per minute in excess of 60% at a range of 500 meters and 80% at 1500 meters...The TIS-1 Gasdynamic Laser Weapon System will function as a result of gasdynamic thermal pumping of a 10%, 89% and 1% mixture of Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen and Helium gas... Initially contained at a state of thermal equilibrium at a high temperature (2173K) and pressure (272 atm) within a gas reservoir heated by a Polonium-210 power cell offering a high energy density of 141 W/g, the gas mixture achieve local sonic velocity (Mach 1.0). Exiting the annulus, the gas enter(s) a supersonic expansion nozzle, consisting of an inverted aerospike configuration. Within the expansion nozzle, the gas temperature and pressure will be significantly reduced (to 288.1 K and O.1122 atm respectively) resulting in the onset of a hypersonic gas velocity of 1998 m/s (Mach 5.98)." - Stavatti Corporation Data Sheet and Proposal |
Response to RFP |
Lightweight Exoatmospheric
Projectile -- LEAP-AS (Wikipedia Commons) |
U.S. Navy/DoD |
Originally intended as the kinetic kill
interceptor vehicle to be used in the Missile Defense Agency's
Ballistic Missile Defense System, LEAP-AS (MILNET designation, not
official) reflects a software upgrade to the AEGIS fired and directed
system sitting atop a Navy Standard Missile - Mod 3 (SM-3) which is
fired from a Vertical Launch System (VLS) cell. The first
publicly known use as an Antisatellite weapon occured on Febrary 20,
2008, when it was used to destroy an unresponsive KH-11 spy satellite
threatening to re-enter the atmosphere with a full hydrazine
tank. The shot, from the AEGIS cruiser, U.S.S. Lake Erie (CG-70) near Hawaii, was a complete
success, taking some 9 minutes to reach its target and destroy it
on-orbit. |
|
| Massive Software Initiative Future Combat Systems  |
U.S. Army |
The Future Combat System
is $200 billion weapons modernization program includes hardware and
software. The SW component will "give soldiers the power to communicate through a wireless network in
near real time with hovering drones; remotely control robots to defuse
bombs; fire laser-guided missiles at enemies on the move; and conduct a
video teleconference in a tank rumbling about 40 mph in the haze of
battle." - Washington Post The key is linking soldiers and commanders, as well as tracking and fire control via all sensors and weapons on or near the battlefield. The Post's coverage is mostlly negative but pretty extensive. - Primary Contractor is Boeing, Photo Gallery |
Development |
| Mounted Combat System - MCS Future Combat System Vehicles  (www.defense-update.com) |
U.S. Army |
Developed by a team of Boeing and SAIC who
recieved some $21 billion in
2003 and 2004 with a total price tag of some $160 billion.
Includes
hybrid electric traction motors, with electricity generated first by
diesel generators and later by fuel cell technology. The new
vehicle's
generators provide up to 420 kilowatts of power. Program includes the
Non-line of Sight cannon (NLOS-C) which is in production prototype
stage, and the Mounted Combat System which sports a 120mm cannon firing
in line of sight and beyond line of sight ammunition. Real time
sensors (Multi-Function Radio Frequency sensor -- MFRF -- and Medium
Range EO Infrared sensor -- MREO) will provide C4ISR to crew and may be
transmitted to others in the combat network. Delivery expected on
some systems beginning in 2009 with several prototypes beginning
testing. - DefenseUpdate.com (paraphrased) |
Development, Some Production Prototypes |
Modular Disc-Wing Urban Cruise Munitions - MDWUCM |
USAF |
Dubbed the Frisbee of Death, this is an
interesting program supposedly funded by the U.S. DoD. Contractor
Triton, says, "It is believed that the 3-D maneuverability of the Frisbee-UAV format will provide "revolutionary tactical access and lethality against hostiles hiding in upper story locations and/or defiladed behind obstacles to direct observation and fire." - Technovelgy.com "the drones will use a series of armor-piercing explosives, shooting jets of molten metal, to eliminate their targets. And these MEFP [Multiple Explosively Formed Penetrator] "warheads will be controllable so as to provide a single large fragment (bunker-buster) or tailorable pattern of smaller fragments (unprotected infantry or light utility vehicles)." The decision of whether to go bunker-buster or infantry-annihilator mode can either be determined by the drones' human operators, "or autonomous target classification routine built into the UAV." - Stuff You Can Use.com |
Development |
Nanotube Radio U of Ilinois-Urbana |
U.S. DoD |
All Carbon Nanotube Radio Transistors enable a
lower power field radio...a battery charge that lasts a few days would
now last several weeks. "By using thousands of perfectly aligned, single-walled carbon nanotubes as a type of semiconductor thin film, our researchers have become the first to successfully bring together all of the pieces required for building real radio frequency analog electronics, including amplifiers, mixers, and resonant antennae," said Dr. Hong Zhang, lead for carbon nanotube development at Northrop Grumman. - Nanotech.com Press Release |
Development |
Pulsed Energy Projectile (PEP) GlobalSecurity.com |
U.S. DoD |
See the presenation on this at publicly available military site. The project is intended to: "...develop and demonstrate the technology necessary to produce a crew served, counter personnel non-lethal directed energy weapon providing controllable bio-effects to deter, disable, and distract individuals. The device directs an invisible induced plasma pulse at a target that will create a flash-bang near the intended target ... projects a beam that creates a plasma pulse at the target. When the plasma pulse strikes an individual, it results in a flash-bang effect that startles and distracts, and it also has a kinetic effect on the individual's nerve sensors." - GlobalSecurity.com |
Late Stage Development |
| Conventional
Battlefield Weapons |
|||
8X8 Transport Inside Line.com |
Tata Corp India. |
The 8x8 is a new offering from the Tata
Corporation which provides heavy transport for military shelters,
containers, missiles, bridge laying or even hauling tanks at high
speeds down the road. Feature a cab unit and trailer, the 8X8 is
nothing all that new, however, its availability in South Asia
(manufactured in India) should mean cost and import/shipping may be
lower for Asian nations. |
Manufacturer Availability |
AVIC-1 Large Military Transport Strategy Center.net |
China PLAAF |
C-17 like military cargo aircraft that maybe
competing for the Chinese choice, built by a Chinese "consortium" (AVIC
consortium are all Chinese government owned just like NORINCO and
CPIEMC). 60 ton capacity, mach .75, ceiling of 8,000 meters
(26,000 ft) and a range of 4,000 km (2,485 mi). Ukranian/Russian
Antonov is also competing. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
|
EC-175 Large Cargo Helicopter Strategy Center.net (Civilian Transport shown) |
China
PLAAF
|
Development by the French Airbus Eurocopter
program, under contract for a Chinese version that will carry up to 6
tons. However, it is not clear how the EC consorium will deliver
such an aircraft due to a 1989 EC Arms Embargo * which also
threatens the civilian delivery of the same helicopter. See the Eurocopter spec. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Scheduled for delivery * in 2011 |
KC-X Air-to-Air Refueler Northrop-Grumman  Northrop-Grumman |
U.S. Air Force |
Capitol Hill is afire with controversy after U.S. Air Force decision makers tapped Northrop- EADS to build the next generation aerial tanker aircraft. The Northrop Grumman led team would manufacture the major portion of the aircraft in the French led Airbus manufacturing facilities in Europe, instead of the all U.S. manufacturing of the other contender, a team led by Boeing. The KC-X, according to the winning team must, "rapidly refuel a wide range of aircraft types: must be equipped with both the boom system and the probe and drogue assembly so that it can refuel platforms from all the services, plus those of allies...must have the operational flexibility of being able to refuel two aircraft simultaneously using the under wing refueling pods...must be able to carry six full-sized 463 pallets on the main deck, some oversize cargo and 50 passengers...must also be quickly configurable for medical evacuation...must be fuel efficient so that as much of the aircraft’s carrying capacity as possible can be devoted to refueling loads and cargo rather than its own power requirements... must be able to conduct refueling operations day or night, in bad weather...must be compliant with world-wide communications, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management...must have a defensive system to ward off attacks by portable surface-to-air missiles.". | Contract Awarded |
KFX 5th gen Fighter Strategy Center.net |
South Korea |
Similar in size to French Rafale fighter, thought to use imported engines and radar systems, targeted for 2020-2025 timeframe. Supposedly targets somewhat stealthy design with engine size equivalent to F-15 or F-16 in twin engines. Intent is to replace 130 F-16s license built in South Korea. - Strategy Page.com (paraphrased) |
Concept |
Mine-Resistant, Ambush Protected vehicle -- (MRAP) Cougar MRAP |
U.S. Army |
", V-shaped hull made strong enough to withstand the impact of an IED... " - Richard Lardner, A.P., 1/17/2007 Push button, automatic transmission, diesel powered, sits high and with small, 1 inch thick windows making for reduced visibility. Top speed of 65 mph. At a cost of $450,000, there are some 12,000 MRAPs on order, included in the 2007 $21 billion provided by Congress at the DoD's request, with deliveries now at about 300 per month. |
Deployed |
| MOKYS Interoperable Military Comms |
Slovak |
"a fully U.S., EU and NATO
interoperable mobile military communications system (MOKYS) to the
Slovak armed forces. The contract will be delivered through an
international partnership led by BAE Systems and involving U.S.,
German, Swedish and Slovak companies.
The BAE Systems solution is based on internet protocol architecture
with fully integrated security and automated command and control
throughout. This advanced system architecture reduces cost and
complexity and provides software defined waveform capability for future
growth" - BAE Press Release |
Delivery Contract |
NORINCO Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle -- AAAV Strategy Center.net |
China PLA |
2005 product, high speed swimming/tracked
armored tanks with 30mm gun to be carred by the Type 071 Chinese LPD
amphisbious assault ship. Capale of 25 knots on water and fields
a 23mm cannon on a troop carrier and a 100mm cannon on the small tank
version. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Some delivered newer versions in development |
CPMIEC B-611/M Mobile SRBM Strategy Center.net |
China PLA |
Shown as a model at IDEX 2007, this 6 wheeled, 2
missile payload mobile launcher can is
supposed to be deployed in the next few years. In 2004
NORINCO said
the missile would have a range of 150km, and suppsedly is setalthy,
maneuverable (to defeat missile defenses) and accurage due to
"navigation guidance". M model is thought to be a 200km range
extended version with a 50m CEP, and can carry a 480kg warhead of HE,
culuster or fuel-air explosives. CPMIEC is the acronym for the China
National Precision Machinery Corporation. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Proposed |
CPMIEC P-12 Mobile SRBM Strategy Center.net |
Shown as a model at IDEX 2007, this 8 wheeled, 2
missile payload mobile launcher can is supposed to be deployed in the
next few years. The TEL (transporter -erector-launcher)
system is thought to be transortable aboard the Chinese Il-76 cargo
aircraft. when detached from the tractor unit. CPMIEC is the acronym
for the China National Precision Machinery Corporation. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
||
|
Strategy Center.net
|
China PLA |
8 wheeled vehicle designed to take advantage of
improved roads, used to ferry soldiers from rear areas or landing
operations to the front lines. Some are armed with small cannon
or high rate-of-fire machine guns. Armored engineering types can
put deming crews into operation or carry demolitions teams. Found
in Light Mechanized Units in the People's Liberation Army. Some
are shown to carry a 105mm gun or twin 120mm mortar systems. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Delivered to Units in 2006 |
NORINCO QL550 Light Armored Vehicle - LAV  Strategy Center.net |
China PLA |
7 ton with 30mm turreted cannon with front
mounted engine. Variations include mounting of a high
rate-of-fire machine gun. Note these vehicles are ideal for attacks
along improved roads - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Deployed |
NORINCO SH-1/SH-2 Wheeled Artillery Cannon Strategy Center.net |
China PLA |
6 wheeled mobile artillery pieces with the SH-1 sporitng a 155mm
cannon, and the SH-2 122mm cannon. Revealed at IDEX 2007 military
show, only small scaled models were displayed. Ammunition was said to
include a laser guided 155mm shell and the unit will weigh about 22
tons. Note wheeled vehicles are intended to make use of improved roads
post amphibious landing. The smaller SH-2 can be carried aboard
Chinese II-76 cargo aircraft - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Proposed |
NORINCO Hailstorm A1 Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun -- SPAAG Strategy Center.net |
China PLA |
High rate-of-fire AA gun with integrated
ammuntion supply on a eight wheeled mult-ton truck frame.
Features a 30mmm gatling gun that fires 4,000 rounds per minute in a
4km engagement range against aircraft and 1.72km against cruise
missiles. Unit was revealed as a scale model only at IDEX 2007 - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Proposed |
|
|
China PLA |
Revealed iat IDEX 2005, features a 30mmm gatling gun that fires 4,000 rounds per minute in a 4km
engagement range against aircraft and 1.72km against cruise missiles. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Deployed |
NORINCO SW1 "Red Arrow" Missile and Tank Gun Turret Strategy Center.net |
China PLA |
Features an 8 missile anti-tank missile launcher
quad plus a 30mm cannon. Can be mounted to various Chinese light
or medium armored vehicles. The gun is a braced version which is
supposed to be far more accurate than non-braced. Recently
fielded on the Chinese 2005 AAAV. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Deployed |
NORINCO Type 98 Tank |
fully-stablised 125 mm 50-calibre smoothbore gun
with autoloader...Ammunitions include armour piercing fin stabilised
discarding sabot
rounds (APFSDS), high explosive anti-tank rounds (HEAT), and high
explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) projectiles...accuracy is attained by
laser rangefinder, wind sensor, ballistic computer, and thermal barrel
sleeve...also fitted with a compuerised onboard information processing
system,
which can collect information from vehicle navigation (Inertia/GPS),
observation systems and sensors, process it in the computer and display
it on the commander's display, giving the ability of real-time command
and beyond-vision-range target engaging...JD-3 integrated laser
rangefinder/warning/self- defence device...powered by a liquid cooled,
turbocharged 1,200 hp diesel derived from
Germany WD396 diesel technology. At its current battle weight of 52
tons, this gives a power-to-weight ratio of about 23 hp/tonne. Speed: 65 km/h, road range: 450km, rate-of-fire: 8 rnds/min, has 7.62 mm machine gun and a 12.7 mm Anti-Aircraft gun. Weight: 50,000 kg, Dim (LxWxH, 11m X 3.4m X 2m |
||
NORINCO VN3 Armored Fighting Vehicle -- AFV Strategy Center.net |
China PLA |
4 wheel driven small armored vehicle with 12.7mm
(50cal) or 14.7mm machine gun. Slightly V shaped body to help
deflect land mine explosions. A slightly larger version carries
the HJ-8 anti-tank missile. - Strategy Center.net (paraphrased) |
Displayed in 2007 |
RQ-11 Raven UAS USAF |
USAF |
The Raven UAS is a man-portable system, which features two Air Vehicles
(AV), a Ground Control Unit, Remote Video Terminal, transit cases, and
support equipment. Two specially trained Airmen operate the Raven AV.
The AV can be controlled manually or can autonomously navigate a
preplanned route. Raven includes a color electro-optical camera and an
infrared camera for night operations. -USAF Fact Sheet |
Deployed |
Super Hercules C-130J C-130J-3D (extended)  Cutaway (FAS) |
India U.K. |
An extended version of
the newest C-130
short takeoff-short landing cargo and/or special ops
aircraft, modified to India Air Force specs. Specifically rumored
to b eseveral meters longer, and equpped for night and battle zone
ops. The J model already is equipped for grassy field landing and
takeoff in a football sized field, climb faster after a quick drop of
troops or wounded. 20 ton capacity with quieter engines, plus
fields advanced radar and missile warning systems,counter measures and
new comms gear. Also features digital displays and maps,
GPD/Inertial guidance, E-TCAS traffic alerting, ground collision
avoidance and other new release avionics. Same aircraft has been
exported by the U.S. to the U.K. RAF. See the excellent summary
by the F.A.S. |
LOA for 6 aircraft signed 1/30/08 |
Type 071 LPD Stratfor.com |
China PLAN |
Similar
in deisgn to U.S. San Antonia class
LPD. Floodable well deck landing ship, launches ACLC
(air-cushioned landing craft) hovercraft, conventional landing craft
and swimming armored vehicles. Designed to embark up to four very
large hovercraft, giving the largest capacity in the world.
Type071 can also launch and shelter helicopters like the U.S. San
Antonia class. The Chinese LPD will carry up to 800 troops enough
for any invasion in the China Sea and beyond. Clearly a long
range power extension craft rather
than the usual Chinese shoreline patrol ships. Note that this
ship
is ideal for littoral amphibious operatios against Taiwan. - Stratfor (paraphrashed) |
Afloat, 2nd keel may be laid |
Weapons Locating Radars -- (WLR) Arthur System |
U.S. Marine Corps / India |
The U.S. Marine's system is called AN/TPQ-37, GWLR for Ground Weapons Locating Radar. (Milnet Mirror)
All weather, 24 hour acquistion of ground targets as small as mortar
implacements, provides targeting info to aircraft or precision
artillery batteries. Also known as ARTHER for Artillery Hunting Radar
which was developed by the Erricson Microwave Systems (acquired by SAAB
group), and can detect small sized targets up to 40 km away. U.S.
Marines system Sourcing Request was let in March of 2003. |
? |
Zelzal Surface-to-Surface Jerusalem Post |
Syria |
Developed with help from Iran, the Syrian missile can strike any targets inside Israel. "The Zelzal has a range of 150 miles (250 km) with an extremely large warhead that can now be targeted at Israel's military installations more precisely. Haaretz quoted a source who remarked, "The problem is that their missiles are being transferred from less effective weapons into precision weapons that will enable their use against military bases, airports and military depots...it should be obvious one of the Zelzal's first targets will be Israel's nuclear facility at Dimona." - News Blaze |
Entering Service |
| Nuclear Triade |
|||
Nuclear Missile Submarine |
U.K. |
SLBM Submarine in refit at Naval
Strategic
Weapons Facility, WA. No, nuclear subs are not going away.
The photo at left is an excerpt taken from a Google satellite view (so
much for secrecy) found on "Stuff You Can Use". Go take a look at a boomer in refit, images from commerical satellite photos online. |
Refit |
