Eurosatory 2018 (11 au 15 juin à Paris)

Citation :

Eurosatory 2018: Otokar successfully debuts Tulpar Light Tank

by Dylan Malyasov -  12, June, 2018

 

Turkish company Otokar debuted a new version of its  Tulpar multi-purpose vehicle platform integrated with CMI Cockerill’s  3105 turret at Eurosatory 2018 exhibition.

According to a statement of the company,  new Tulpar Light Tank offers an effective solution for missions requiring high fire and destructive power. Thanks to its superior mobility, Tulpar Light Tank can operate in diverse terrains where the Main Battle Tanks cannot serve due to their weight and size; like bridge capacities or in built-up areas.

The vehicle is integrated with CMI Cockerill’s  3105 turret with autoloader, which is capable of firing all kinds of 105 mm NATO ammunition and the Falarick Gun Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile (GLATGM) with its high pressure 105 mm tank gun.

The Fire Control System (FCS) with fully stabilized day/night (thermal imaging) sights and coincidence firing logic provides high first-round hit probability against static or moving targets and Hunter-Killer Capability provides single and multiple target engagements. CMI Cockerill 3105 turret has a two-man crew.

Tulpar is designed as a multi-purpose vehicle platform in regards to users’ needs for diverse missions. The vehicle offers an ideal platform for the light tank.

Tested in the toughest climate conditions and the most challenging terrains, Tulpar features a modular armor technology that can be configured and scaled according to threats as well as the best mine protection in its class.

Tulpar can be integrated with active protection systems and has the capacity to accommodate 3 crew (Commander, gunner and driver) plus 2 personnel. Its outstanding Integrated Logistic Support System provides low lifecycle support costs.


Photo by Denys Kolesnyk

http://defence-blog.com/army/eurosatory-2018-otokar-successfully-debuts-tulpar-light-tank.html  

Citation :

GDELS unveiled new medium mechanized bridge system

by Dylan Malyasov  -  12, June, 2018



General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has unveiled a new medium mechanized bridge system based on the 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle at Eurosatory 2018.

The medium mechanized bridge system, called the Variable Folding Bridge (VFB), is designed to provide tactical gap crossing capability for mechanized infantry units. VFB allows the crossing of unprepared gaps up to 15 m for wheeled and tracked vehicles with loads up to MLC50.

The new Variable Folding Bridge (VFB) is a flexible and modern bridge system, which can be temporarily or permanently fitted on various medium-weight wheeled and tracked armored vehicles.

With the Bridge Launching Mechanism (BLM) by Pearson Engineering, the Variable Folding Bridge can be attached to the vehicle via a standard Pearson Engineering Jettison Fitting Kit.

The VFB at Eurosatory 2018 was mounted on a standard 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicle PIRANHA 3.

http://defence-blog.com/army/gdels-unveiled-new-medium-mechanized-bridge-system.html  

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LUCH unveils light missile system at Eurosatory 2018

by Dylan Malyasov -  12, June, 2018  

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Photo by Denys Kolesnyk

Ukrainian state enterprise State Kyiv Design Bureau LUCH has unveiled a light, portable missile system, called the Corsar (Le Corsaire), at Eurosatory 2018 in Parish.

The Corsar is the smallest anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) intended to destroy stationary and moving modern armoured targets and other objects with combined, carried or monolithic armour, including ERA (explosive reactive armour), as well as pinpoint targets such as weapon emplacements, a tank in a trench, light-armoured objects and helicopters up range at 3 km.

The system provides carrying out of firing from prepared and unprepared positions, using the mount and without it.

The system contains the devices, which provide its mobility, autonomous operation and diagnosis by build-in self-check system. The missile guidance is realized by a method of TV orientation in a laser beam. A target tracking is carried out by a gunner in a manual or automatic mode by means of the guidance device, incorporated into the launcher.

Implementation of numerous advanced engineering solutions provides up-to-date level of performance characteristics:
◾Possibility of firing from prepared and unprepared positions, both from the mount and from a trench parapet;
◾Destruction of armoured targets behind explosive reactive armour by means of hollow-charge warhead application;
◾Guidance system high-noise immunity against organized jamming;
◾Guidance in low-power radiation level for purposes of control channel covertness (security);
◾High accuracy and advanced range of fire;
◾Possibility of firing on maneuverable targets (helicopters, combat reconnaissance vehicles, armoured vehicles).

The guidance system functionally consists of an optical sight and a missile laser control channel. With the help of the optical sight the gunner realizes a target searching, detection, identification and the target tracking.



The laser and optical sights are adjusted between themselves.

The missile control information field is made up by the guidance device. The missile control system realizes a missile injection into the center of an information beam and provides the following missile holding in this position up to the moment of the target distraction.





http://defence-blog.com/army/luch-unveils-light-anti-tank-missile-system-at-eurosatory-2018.html  

Citation :

Arquus impresses with modern Scarabee armoured vehicle

by Dylan Malyasov -  12, June, 2018



New armored vehicle Scarabee has been the in-crowd’s secret for years but during Eurosatory 2018 the Arquus has disclosed details of a new project.

Arquus is developing on its own equity, a vehicle which combines the most advanced technologies related to mobility, protection and collaborative combat : The Scarabee.

A successor to the VBL and heir to the Panhard armored cars, the Scarabee is a concept offering avant-garde innovations and achieving unrivaled performance.

Offering collaborative ergonomics and maximal comfort, it will enable innovative energy management and exceptional payload.

Equipped with powerful and modern firepower, it will be an essential actor of collaborative combat. Moreover, simple vehicle maintenance will make it optimal for foreign operations.

Arquus Scarabee is to be proposed for the French Armed Forces VBAE program, part of the Scorpion global modernization initiative.  Also, Arquus is expected to market the Scarabee to export markets in Eastern Europe and Africa where a number of nations have requirements for new 4×4 vehicles.





http://defence-blog.com/army/arquus-impresses-modern-scarabee-armoured-vehicle.html  

Citation :

12 juin 2018 | Par Justine BOQUET

Eurosatory 2018 : Eurenco investit dans la R&D

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Eurenco travaille sur le développement de nouveaux explosifs. © Eurenco


A l'occasion du salon Eurosatory, Eurenco a installé sur son stand un espace innovation. Il met en lumière les principaux travaux de recherche et développement menés par l'entreprise.

Parmi les projets sur lesquels se penchent Eurenco, celui le plus avancé concerne les poudres « vertes ». L'entreprise travaille ainsi sur les composants des poudres afin de réduire leur toxicité. En effet, le tir de balles crée des rejets. Si ce n'est pas forcément dangereux au premier abord, les risques augmentent en fonction de l'exposition. Ainsi, au sein des usines, il n'est pas forcément sain sur le long terme de manipuler les poudres actuellement utilisées.

Des études afin d'identifier des composants plus sains et plus naturels sont donc conduites. Dans ce cadre Eurenco a identifié le curcumin et la violette comme pouvant venir jouer le rôle de stabilisateurs pour les petits calibres. L'entreprise cherche également à développer une solution pour les gros calibres.

En parallèle, Eurenco entend également développer de nouveaux explosifs, plus puissants. Alors que les drones sont de plus en plus utilisés dans les forces armées et que la miniaturisation des systèmes devient un véritable enjeu, Eurenco espère pouvoir mettre au point des explosifs plus petits, plus légers mais avec une puissance inaltérée.

Enfin, Eurenco a décidé de se mettre à l'impression 3D. De nouveaux procédés de production voient ainsi le jour et la fabrication additive permet dès lors d'ouvrir de nouveaux marchés. Outre la réalisation de prototypes, elle permet également à Eurenco de se lancer dans la production en petite série des grains de poudre destinés aux gros calibres.

En parallèle de la R&D, Eurenco entend bien séduire de nouveaux marchés à travers le monde. L'entreprise, qui collabore en Europe avec Saab, Nexter, Rheinmetall, MBDA ou encore Naval Group, porte ainsi un intérêt particulier à l'Asie du Sud-Est.

http://www.air-cosmos.com/eurosatory-2018-eurenco-investit-dans-la-r-d-112023  

Citation :

11 juin 2018 | Par Justine BOQUET

Eurosatory 2018 : C-Astral, les drones Made In Slovénie

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Le Bramor ppX est homologué jusqu'au scénario de vol S4. © C-Astral


L'entreprise Slovène C-Astral a profité du salon Eurosatory pour mettre en lumière deux drones : le Bramor ppX et le Bramor C4EYE.

C-Astral expose sur Eurosatory deux modèles de drones. D'une part, l'entreprise présente le Bramor ppX, un drone d'observation pesant 5 kilos et capable d'emporter une charge utile de 1,5 kilos. Lancé depuis une catapulte, ce drone a été conçu, dans un premier temps, pour un usage militaire. Il équipe d'ailleurs trois armées de l'OTAN. En l'espace d'un vol, le Bramor ppX, qui dispose d'une autonomie de 3,5 heures, peut couvrir une zone de 15 km2.

Par la suite, C-Astral a décidé de développer une version civile de ce drone. Dans ce cadre, l'aéronef peut mener différents types de missions, comme de la photogrammétrie afin de pouvoir modéliser une infrastructure ou une surface étendue. Grâce à sa caméra multispectrale infrarouge, le Bramor ppX répond également aux besoins de la sécurité civile. En effet, il peut également mener des missions de reconnaissance suite à des catastrophes naturelles afin de repérer des personnes en détresse.

A côté du Bramor ppX était exposé l'Atlas C4EYE. Cet aéronef de 2,6 kilos offre la possibilité d'emporter une charge utile de 400 grammes. Démontable, ce drone d'observation peut être facilement transporté par les soldats, type fantassins, dans un sac à dos. Il peut être assemblé en 5 minutes, ce qui permet de mener une mission extrêmement rapidement. De plus, son autonomie de 70 minutes et sa portée de 15 kilomètres permettent de surveiller un périmètre de 10 km2.

Les champs d'application de ces deux drones sont très larges, allant de l'inspection aux missions SAR (recherche et sauvetage), en passant par l'agriculture de précision ou encore par les missions dites ISR (renseignement, surveillance, reconnaissance).

http://www.air-cosmos.com/eurosatory-2018-c-astral-les-drones-made-in-slovenie-111997  

jf16 a écrit:

Citation :

Turkey’s new anti-tank vehicle attracts interest from potential buyers

by Dylan Malyasov  -  12, June, 2018  

 

Turkey’s FNSS Savunma Sistemleri armoured vehicle manufacturer unveiled one of the two prototypes of the new PARS 4×4 Anti-Tank Vehicle developed for ATV Project at Eurosatory 2018 in Paris.

Developed by FNSS to meet the needs of Turkish Land Forces Command, the PARS 4×4 Anti-Tank Vehicle (ATV) makes its first world appearance at Eurosatory 2018, where is being displayed at the FNSS stand, giving visitors to the event the opportunity to inspect up close a fully mission-equipped vehicle. The two prototypes, produced as part of the ATV project, will spend the coming months undergoing qualification tests once the manufacturer’s verification tests have been completed.

The Turkish ATV programme will see the delivery of 76 wheeled PARS ATV 4×4 platform. First deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2019, with all deliveries completed by 2021. However, the new anti-tank missile system already attracted plenty of interest from experts and a number of potential customers.

The PARS 4×4 ATV has been devised as a vehicle that offers both speed and high manoeuvrability under all terrain conditions, with sufficient firepower to destroy enemy tanks and other armoured units from a distance, and with the ability to engage second targets following a rapid change of position. Drawing upon its vast experience and innovative approach, FNSS has come up with a very special amphibious vehicle that is capable of meeting these challenging requirements simultaneously.


Most noteworthy among the PARS 4×4 ATV’s features is the positioning of its power pack at the rear of the vehicle. With the placement of cooling grate and exhaust on the upper body, this positioning allows the vehicle to go amphibious without prior preparation, thus granting it the best amphibious capabilities in its class and further allows the PARS 4×4 to manoeuvre at higher speeds. All these features, which can only be expected from a vehicle with a rear-positioned power pack, grants the PARS 4×4 with critical capabilities in moving away rapidly after launching an attack.



The outstanding capabilities of the PARS 4×4 ATV can be listed as follows:
◾Mobility: The PARS 4×4 features an axle and steering system that is designed to give the vehicle a small turning radius, while the long suspension movement range enhances the vehicle’s performance over rough terrain. Although the PARS 4×4 is an amphibious vehicle, no concessions have been made in the vehicle’s ballistic or mine protection levels.
◾Situational Awareness: The rear positioning of the power pack gives the driver a wide field of vision, while the integrated camera system provides the driver with full forward and rear situational awareness.
◾Survivability: The PARS 4×4 has been designed with superior ballistic and mine protection, and uses special armour material that ensure weight optimisation. The rear positioning of the power pack also helps reduce the vehicle’s thermal signature.
◾Weapon System: The PARS 4×4 is armed with an unmanned, remote-controlled anti-tank turret, also of FNSS design. In addition to ballistic protection, the turret also has two anti-tank missiles and a 7.62 mm machine gun. The turret recently performed its first firing test with the anti-tank missile, during which it successfully hit its target at maximum range.

Nail Kurt, General Manager and CEO of FNSS, said that the PARS 4×4 marks the beginning of a new era in anti-tank vehicles: “FNSS closely follows both developments and user requirements around the world, and as a result of these efforts, we came up with the PARS 4×4 concept that we presented for the first time at IDEF 2017. Following the signing of our contract with the user, we readied this concept, along with its turret, for qualification tests, completely from scratch. This has allowed us to roll out a vehicle that is peerless in the world. The PARS 4×4 stands as yet further evidence of FNSS’ engineering strength and tailored capabilities. With the introduction of the PARS 4×4 into the inventory, we are certain that it will become a force multiplier that changes all the equations, first for Turkish Land Forces Command, and later, for friendly and allied nations.”

Launched by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) and conducted with FNSS as the prime contractor, the Anti-Tank Vehicles (ATV) project covers the development, qualification and delivery of a total of 260 vehicles that include the tracked KAPLAN-ATV and wheeled PARS 4×4 ATV platforms.



The project contract was signed on June 27, 2016, and entered into effect on October 14, 2016.

As envisaged in the project plan, the detailed design of the vehicles was examined and approved by the SSM and Land Forces Command on the 15th month of the project schedule. In the classical project methodology, this milestone also corresponds to the start of production activities. In addition to the detailed design, FNSS also manufactured the first KAPLAN-ATV prototype, and presented the Remote Controlled Anti-Tank Turret (RCAT), which is at the heart of the vehicle’s primary striking power, to users in order to obtain feedback prior to commencing factory tests. The 15-month development period for the prototype is impressive in terms of its shortness when compared to recent similar projects, and could in fact be considered unprecedented.



http://defence-blog.com/army/turkeys-new-anti-tank-vehicle-attracts-interest-potential-buyers.html  

Tu lui met une tourelle de 90mm et tu as le remplacant des AML

Citation :

Le Marsouin

#Eurosatory2018 : Quelques détails de la nouvelle tenue de combat modèle F3 déclinée en une version été et une hiver !

PHOTOS:

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Eurosatory 2018: MBDA, Milrem Robotics to develop anti-tank UGV

IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

13 June 2018


MBDA has teamed with Milrem Robotics to develop a UGV designed for the anti-tank role. Source: MBDA

David Donald, Paris

MBDA has teamed with Estonian unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) specialist Milrem Robotics to develop a vehicle designed for the anti-tank role, the company announced during the Eurosatory defence show in Paris.

The project marries a Milrem THeMIS UGV with MBDA’s Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) medium-range anti-tank missile, the latter of which is to be fired from an integrated MMP precision attack combat turret (IMPACT).

THeMIS is a diesel-electric UGV that has a 10 h endurance, including up to 90 minutes in silent electric mode. Its top speed is 22 km/h and it has a payload capability of 750 kg. Milrem Robotics has designed the UGV with direct remote control using cameras over line-of-sight distances, or an autonomous guidance kit.

Developed primarily by MBDA for fitment onto light armoured vehicles, the 250 kg IMPACT motorised turret can carry two ready-to-launch MMP missiles and is equipped with the day/night sensors required for target acquisition.

Citation :

Eurosatory 2018: Patria rolls out latest AMV XP

Christopher F Foss, Paris - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

13 June 2018

   
The latest Finnish Patria Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV) fitted with a Norwegian Kongsberg Protector MCT-30 remote-controlled turret
armed with an Orbital ATK Armament Systems 30 mm MK44 dual-feed cannon with 7.62 mm FN MAG co-axial machine gun above.
Mounted on turret roof is a Kongsberg Protector RWS armed with a .50 cal MG and a Javelin anti-tank gun guided weapon on the right
side. Source: Patria


Patria has shown its latest fully digitised Armoured Modular Vehicle XP (AMV XP, with the XP standing for ‘Extra performance, extra payload and extra protection’) fitted with the latest Kongsberg MCT-30 remote-controlled turret at this year’s Eurosatory exhibition.

The MCT-30 in this case is armed with an Orbital ATK Armament Systems 30 mm MK44 dual-feed cannon, which can be upgraded to fire 40 mm ammunition with enhanced performance. Mounted above the MK44 is a 7.62 mm FN MAG machine gun (MG); mounted on the roof is a Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station (RWS) armed with a .50 cal M2 HB MG; and to the right of that is a Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW).

The turret is also fitted with the latest Kongsberg Integrated Combat System (ICS) and the Savox ImP digital intercom system.

According to Patria, ICS “integrates all subsystems into a holistic, total system that significantly increases crew efficiency and reduces action times”. The system is built on open standards and software.

For improved cross-country mobility, the AMV is fitted with an independent suspension system with a double wishbone on each wheel station, the option of 14.00R20 or 1600.R20 tyres, and a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) and anti-skid braking system (ABS) as standard. The vehicle also has rear-axle steering, which is useful when the vehicle is operating in confined spaces such as in an urban environment.

A modular armour system can be fitted to the AMV that includes a high level of ballistic, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) protection.

The latest AMV also has a number of additional features, including a modular storage system for section and personal equipment, new commander’s and gunner’s stations with 270-degree periscopic view and roof hatches, and a day/night 360-degree thermal camera system for the crew.
 

Citation :

Geonyx, le nouveau bébé de Safran pour les artilleurs français, mais pas que

Actualités  Romain Vincent  12 juin, 2018  


Alors non, Geonyx n’est pas un nouveau venu dans le monde de Goscinny et Uderzo. Ce nom bien gaulois a été donné au dernier bijou de technologie des ingénieurs de Safran Electronics & Defence. Pour sortir de la dépendance au GPS et pour faire progresser la navigation des troupes et la précision de leurs tirs, Safran a dévoilé à l’occasion d’Eurosatory 2018 un petit boitier en métal concentré de technologies. En voici les détails pour comprendre les qualités compactées à l’intérieur de cette centrale inertielle dernière génération.  


La centrale inertielle Geonyx dévoilée sur le salon Eurosatory (Crédits : Forces Opérations Blog)


Geonyx, c’est comme son prédécesseur Sigma 30 dans lequel on aurait remplacé le gyroscope original pour y installer le dernier venu des gyroscopes à résonateur hémisphérique, une fierté chez Safran et un système déjà éprouvé, le HRG Crystal. « Le HRG Crystal permet de mesurer la rotation d’une plateforme pour en déduire sa position et son orientation précises dans l’espace. » nous indique l’industriel français. « Basé sur les principes inertiels du pendule de Foucault et de mise en résonnance, le fonctionnement du gyroscope HRG Crystal peut être assimilé à ce qui se passe lorsque l’on fait tinter un verre en cristal. La déformation du verre se traduit par l’apparition d’une onde et la détection de sa position permet d’en mesurer la rotation. Le HRG Crystal n’a besoin d’aucune communication extérieure pour se repérer, ce qui le rend parfaitement indétectable et autonome. »

Intégré à la centrale de navigation Geonyx, le gyroscope sert à la navigation terrestre et au ciblage (pointage) de plus en plus précis pour les artilleurs et les tireurs dans leurs véhicules de combat (alignement des tourelles). Selon Jean-Christophe Mugler de Safran Electronics & Defence, les efforts des ingénieurs français doivent être compris comme la volonté de s’affranchir de la technologie GPS sur le champ de bataille. Bien qu’on puisse lui reconnaître une révolution dans nos modes de vie, sur un champ de bataille actuel, et surtout futur, le GPS n’a plus lieu d’être : il est brouillé par les ennemis sans trop de difficulté, voire même par les alliés pour ne pas que la technologie puisse être retournée contre leur utilisateur. Alors d’après Mugler, très heureux de présenter la dernière innovation de la filiale Electronics & Defence sur le salon Eurosatory, pour se déplacer et pour cibler l’ennemi, il faut revenir aux lois fondamentales de l’univers : la gravité et la rotation terrestre. C’est là que la navigation inertielle, « la véritable navigation », intervient.

Avec un système de navigation inertielle « la technologie est toujours disponible », à la différence du GPS, grâce à la technologie des gyroscopes résonnants. Bien que cette technologie révolutionnaire soit née il y a 30 ans (Safran a commencé leur production il y a 15 ans) ce n’est qu’aujourd’hui qu’est arrivé le stade de la production de masse et de l’utilisation de masse, un grand moment pour les services commerciaux de l’industriel qui semble prendre de l’avance sur ses concurrents. Au premier cycle de l’innovation, les gyroscopes étaient mécaniques, avant de devenir optiques puis résonnants aujourd’hui. Dès lors, le système Sigma 30, connu pour être intégré sur les CAESAr et divers plateformes du même type, devrait être petit à petit remplacé par le Geonyx.

Le Geonyx, outre ses nouvelles caractéristiques supérieures à ses prédécesseurs, voire à la concurrence, que nous développerons ci-dessous, répond à l’attente des clients et leurs nouveaux besoins : la confiance en le système s’impose, alors les ingénieurs de Safran se sont concentrés sur sa fiabilité et sur prix au long terme : le Geonyx est fait pour durer 1 million d’heure, soit 10 ans avant de tomber en panne ! Maintenant que cette technologie peut être produite en masse, son prix a bien baissé au fil des années de développement, mais c’est véritablement le coût de la maintenance qui a chuté. C’est en tout cas sur quoi Safran veut appuyer en présentant son nouveau bijou de technologie.

Le cadette des centrales inertielles peut être prête en 5 minutes (temps d’alignement), peut fonctionner indépendamment de la technologie GPS pendant plusieurs jours et possède la capacité de « mémorisation du cap » qui facilite la réactivité et l’adaptation. Ensuite, quand une centrale inertielle classique pouvait peser jusqu’à 25 kilos, le Geonyx ne dépasse pas les 6 kilos ! Autre spécificité qui donne à Safran un avantage certain sur ses concurrents, tous les systèmes sont concentrés à l’intérieur du produit, ce petit boitier n’est pas plus encombrant que deux briques de lait. Même le système d’absorption des chocs qui, chez les concurrents est ajouté à l’extérieur, y est intégré ce qui apporte compacité et robustesse. Un véritable « all in the box » assuré d’une « tenue aux chocs extrêmes ».


La centrale inertielle qui équipe actuellement les CAESAr, la Sigma 30 (Crédit photo : Philippe Wodka-Gallien – Sagem)

Là où le Geonyx remplira son rôle le plus déterminant, c’est dans le domaine de l’artillerie. Effectivement, si l’utilisation de centrales inertielles de Safran n’est pas nouvelle, dans l’armée de terre française par exemple, la dernière génération fait progresser le ciblage (pointage) et donc de fait la précision de la frappe qui s’ensuit. Un système d’observation, de reconnaissance/renseignement, repère une cible ennemie, ses cordonnées précises sont transmises par satellite au Geonyx qui n’a plus qu’à les recopier pour que le canon frappe l’ennemi avec précision. Avant l’arrivée du Geonyx sur le marché, la précision dépassait les 2 miliradians. Aujourd’hui Safran propose trois offres pour trois qualités de précision :  Geonyx SP (précision à 2 mil), Geonyx  HP (1 mil) et Geonyx XP (moins d’1 mil)… des chiffres qui ne parleront qu’aux artilleurs, probablement.

Le Geonyx peut être proposé sur tout type de véhicule terrestre de quelque production qu’il soit. Bien qu’il puisse servir à tous les véhicules d’une armée, comme nous l’avons dit, son intérêt premier se trouve dans sa capacité de ciblage/pointage ultra-précis, alors pour la navigation des véhicules, le système Epsilon et son principe de « GPS backup » suffit. En fait, dans le cas français on peut imaginer les flottes de VAB, de VBL, VBMR légers et Griffon équipés des Epsilon, quand les véhicules de combat – Jaguar et Leclerc – se verront intégrer la centrale Geonyx. Aussi, outre l’artillerie « fixe » et mobile, qu’elle tire des obus ou des roquettes, Geonyx conviendra parfaitement aux véhicules ISR pour l’acquisition de cibles, assurant la précision des coordonnées transmises.

Quand on demande au service de communication de Safran, si l’armée française est intéressée par Geonyx, on nous répond que oui, avec un large sourire et des yeux pétillants qui nous annoncent de belles années à venir pour Safran. Des démonstrations ont déjà été organisées à l’attention des officiers français de la STAT et des ingénieurs de la Direction Générale de l’Armement.  

Rien que sur le volet artillerie, les commerciaux de Safran Electronics & Defence ont de longues heures de travail devant eux : outre le CAESAr, la SIGMA 30 avait été sélectionnée pour plus de 40 systèmes d’artillerie dans vingt pays, indique le site de Safran – dont le système Archer, le système sur roues Nora, le lance-roquettes unitaires M270 Mars 2, et le mortier mobile 2R2M. Dès lors, si leurs utilisateurs sont séduits par les promesses de Safran (sur l’abattement du coût de maintenance) et sa technologie dernier cri, on comprend vite que les ventes de l’industriel sont parties pour grossir, encore et encore.  

Enfin, Geonyx est dévoilé au moment où le programme Scorpion bat son plein. Son intégration aux véhicules de combat – nouveaux ou modernisés pourrait encore faire progresser le combat collaboratif et la puissance de feu pour surpasser l’ennemi : avec l’échange d’informations et le systèmes d’assistance au tir, une tourelle de Jaguar peut par exemple être automatiquement dirigée vers une cible détectée par le véhicule ou un allié proche. Difficile de croire qu’on puisse refuser longtemps à l’armée de terre un bonus de réactivité et de précision.

http://forcesoperations.com/geonyx-le-nouveau-bebe-de-safran-pour-les-artilleurs-francais-mais-pas-que/

Citation :

Eurosatory 2018: KMW pursues new amphibious fighting vehicle development

Christopher F Foss, Paris - Jane's International Defence Review

14 June 2018


The APVT is fully amphibious and is propelled in the water by a single waterjet. Source: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann


Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) unveiled a concept demonstrator for its self-funded Amphibious Protected Vehicle Tracked (APVT) programme.

The first example is configured as an armoured personnel carrier (APC), which is operated by a two-person crew and carries eight dismounts.

The hull is of welded steel with additional buoyancy aids fitted to either side.

According to KMW, the APVT is 9.46 m long, 3.0 m wide, and 2.7 m tall with a gross vehicle weight of 30 tonnes. It carries a five-tonne payload capacity for the weapon station, ammunition, fuel, and crew.

The vehicle is fitted with a hydropneumatic decoupled suspension system, which enables it to cross a 2.5 m trench and climb a vertical obstacle of up to 0.8 m.

The road wheels are adapted from the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, which is already in service with the German Army.

The APVT also features Defense Service Tracks (DST) composite rubber tracks, which are lighter, quieter, and generate less rolling resistance and vibration compared with conventional steel tracks, which reduces fuel consumption.

It is powered by a 816-hp MTU diesel engine coupled to an ZF automatic transmission, which gives a maximum road speed of up to 70 km/h with a range of up to 550 km.

During waterborne operations it is propelled by a waterjet, which provides a maximum speed of up to 13.2 km/h with a range of up to 54 km.

Preparation for amphibious operation includes activating the bilge pumps and erecting screens at the front and the rear.

A nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) system and an air conditioning system have also been installed to improve crew survivability and comfort.

Citation :

Forcesoperations‏
@ForcesOperation    
     
4-5 militaires danois présents toute la semaine sur le stand #Nexter pour expliquer leur choix du #CAESAR 8x8 #KNDS #Danemark

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Forcesoperations
‏ @ForcesOperation

Le #Patroller montre les crocs: MMP - Enforcer - Brimstone #Eurosatory2018 #SDT

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Eurosatory 2018: Expal unveils upgrade to EIMOS mortar system

Charles Forrester, Paris - Jane's International Defence Review

14 June 2018

   
The upgraded EIMOS system features improvements to the inertial navigation system and travel bars and locking system.
Source: Expal


Spain’s Expal unveiled a new upgraded variant of its EIMOS truck-mounted mortar system at the Eurosatory trade show in Paris on 13 June.

Key upgrades include changes to the system’s inertial navigation system to help act as a redundancy to the platform’s GPS system, following on from feedback received from operators.

In addition, the travel bars and locking system have been refined, which has also improved barrel stability and accuracy in firing.

According to EIMOS System Product Manager Alberto Fernández Cuervo, other improvements have included upgrades to electrical wiring and materials used in the system as part of efforts to reduce the overall weight of the platform and improve maintainability and through-life support costs.

The company has also worked on reducing the turnaround time from halting to firing to less than 20 seconds. As the mortar is mounted on an open turntable in the existing URO VAMTAC ST5, the vehicle is able to depart as soon as the last mortar bomb is fired to allow for rapid redeployment from counter-fire threats.

The integrated hydro-pneumatic recoil support mechanism into the firing unit supporting the mortar means that no additional stabilisers need to be deployed from the vehicle before firing. With an overall system weight of 800 kg, the company claims that it is able to install the system into existing vehicle fleets without major modification of the vehicles themselves – allowing for continued commonality in spares pools for vehicle fleets.

Being mounted on the open rear cab of the vehicle, a 360° arc of fire can be achieved. Fire mission information is transmitted from the cab of the vehicle using Expal’s Techfire fire control system, which provides firing data and ballistic corrections, as well as ballistic calculations and weapon aiming and firing data.
 

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Eurosatory 2018: GDELS unveils four new armoured vehicles

Peter Felstead, Paris - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

14 June 2018


The GDELS ASCOD MMBT, armed with the Leonardo HITFACT turret sporting a 120 mm smoothbore main gun, made its debut
at Eurosatory 2018. Source: IHS Markit/Patrick Allen


Key Points
•GDELS presented four new AFVs at Eurosatory
•Two of these were based on the company's ASCOD Common Base Platform

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) presented four new armoured vehicles at this year’s Eurosatory defence exhibition, held in Paris from 11–15 June. Making their debut were two amoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) based on the company’s ASCOD Common Base Platform (CBP) – a direct-fire variant and an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) – along with a new version of the Pandur wheeled AFV family and a new medium mechanised bridge system.

The ASCOD Medium Main Battle Tank (MMBT) was shown armed with the Leonardo HITFACT turret sporting a 120 mm smoothbore main gun, a 7.62 coaxial machine gun (MG), a 7.62 mm pintle-mounted MG and a 12.7 mm MG-armed remote weapon station on the roof. The main gun is coupled to a computerised fire control system, giving the commander and gunner stabilised day/thermal sights that incorporate a laser rangefinder.

Speaking to Jane’s on 12 June, Manuel J Serrano, the senior director for tracked vehicles at GDELS, said that the MMBT’s gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 42 tonnes was particularly attractive to customers in the Far East whose operating environment puts heavier 60- to 70-tonne main battle tanks (MBTs) out of favour.

“We were asked about a light tank – this was really a request from the market – and so we developed this, which is effectively the last member of the ASCOD family,” he said. Serrano additionally noted that transportability was a major consideration in the MMBT’s design (the vehicle is transportable in an A400M or C-17 airlifter), along with affordability; the MMBT’s life-cycle costs, he said, were less than half those of a standard MBT.
 

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Eurosatory 2018: Horiba Mira unveils new Centaur 6×6 UGV

Melanie Rovery, London - Jane's International Defence Review

15 June 2018


The Centaur UGV is a modular, lightweight 6x6 multipurpose platform. Source: Horiba Mira


UK engineering group Horiba Mira has unveiled the Centaur, a mid-sized multirole unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), at the Eurosatory 2018 exhibition in Paris.

Centaur was developed as a lightweight 6×6 platform that can mount various payloads. “Having spoken to a number of different stakeholders across the defence and humanitarian communities, we knew that there was a requirement for a platform of this size and functionality that could fulfil a number of roles, for example: IED [improvised explosive device] detection, remote weapons station, solider support, and so on,” Rob Mohacsi, Horiba Mira’s senior commercial manager for defence systems, told Jane’s .

Centaur, a variant of the Viking platform, has been tailored for a Turkish defence requirement. The prototype was built in the UK and production is planned in Turkey by Horiba Mira’s consortium partner, the defence manufacturer Katmerciler. The agreement was signed at the 2018 Turkish British Tatlidil Forum held in the United Kingdom from 11-13 May.

The platform is nearly 3 m long and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h. It weighs 2,000 kg and can carry payloads of up to 600 kg. Standing at just over a metre tall, the vehicle incorporates a flatbed on which payloads (from 1.60 to 1.80 m) can be mounted.

Mohacsi added, “It has been designed to fit on the British Army’s MAN Trucks … thus reducing the logistics footprint. For the logistics support application, it can accommodate a NATO standard pallet as well. Centaur also provides electrical power for those payloads that require it.”

Centaur has 2- and 4-wheel steering which Mohacsi said provides “smoother steering capability over skid-steer at low speed and refined control at higher speed”. Mohacsi said the power system “is an electric drive but a new hybrid powertrain is currently under development for production.”

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Eurosatory 2018: Middle Eastern MoD orders 70 DroneGuns

Oscar Widlund, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

15 June 2018


French President Emmanuel Macron holds the DroneGun Tactical at a French Army base. Source: DroneShield


The Australia-based company DroneShield announced on 14 June that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of a Middle Eastern country had placed a USD3.2 million for 70 units of its DroneGun tactical jammer.

“This is the largest known order for tactical drone mitigation equipment of this kind globally [and] establishes DroneShield as the industry leader,” it said.

It did not identify the country, but said it is allied with Western governments and has one of the largest defence budgets in the world. It noted that the United States needed to approve the order, but said this is expected in the next two months.

“We view this order as just a start of our relationship with the MoD and expect to receive substantial – and substantially larger – additional orders for this product and other products of the company for the MoD and for other ministries and agencies in-country and elsewhere in the region,” it said.

It added that it expects “the validation by a demanding user” to accelerate orders from other countries, and noted that US approval was not necessarily required for the sale of some of its products to US-allied states.

The company told Jane’s it could not reveal which type of DroneGun had been ordered.

It currently promotes two versions: the DroneGun Tactical and the DroneGun MKII, both of which jam frequencies commonly used for remote control and video transmission by small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

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Eurosatory 2018: Streit Group unveil Triton-G810 armoured boat

Oscar Widlund, Paris - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

15 June 2018

The Streit Group unveiled the Triton-G810 armoured boat at Eurosatory 2018 defence exhibition in Paris.


The Triton-G810 on display at Eurosatory (IHS Markit/Oscar Widlund)

The boat is 8.1 m long, has a beam of 2.32 m, a draught of 0.85 m, and can accommodate up to 10 people. It is powered by two outboard engines; the 250 hp unit gives a maximum speed of 80 km/h; the 350 hp unit gives up to 100 km/h, according to Streit.

The hull is made of high density polyethylene, while the cabin is armoured and has six gun ports in the sides and a hatch in the roof.

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Eurosatory 2018: Yugoimport showcases X-01 Strsljen armed VTOL UAV

Nikolai Novichkov, Paris - Jane's International Defence Review

15 June 2018


An example of the X-01 Strsljen seen armed with the Spider anti-tank guided munition. Source: Nikolai Novichkov

Serbia’s Yugoimport company has unveiled the X-01 Strsljen (Hornet) vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (VTOL UAV) at the Eurosatory 2018 exhibition being held in Paris from 11-15 June.

The X-01 Strsljen has been developed by Serbian firm EDePro and is being marketed by Yugoimport.

The air vehicle has a maximum take-off weight of 750 kg and can carry a payload of 350 kg including fuel and weapons.

It has an overall length of 8.75 m, a width of 1.8 m, and a height of 2.44 m.

The airframe is constructed from reinforced carbon fibre and is powered by a Phoenix-180 turboshaft engine, which enables it to attain a cruise and maximum speed of 120 km/h and 180 km/h respectively.

The company is also quoting a climb rate of 8 m/s, an endurance of up to 4 hours, and a 4,000 m service ceiling.

An electro-optical payload is fitted to the air vehicle’s chin, with other mission equipment comprising a radar altimeter, a X-band radar, a GPS/GLONASS combined navigation system coupled to an inertial measurement unit, and an optionally-mounted radar jammer.

The air vehicle can also be armed, with potential loadouts including gun pods with 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, S-8-family 80 mm unguided rockets, or Spider TV-guided anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).