U.S. Army News:

CAD model of already proposed Stryker firepower increase and modernisation package.

Militarov wrote:

CAD model of already proposed Stryker firepower increase and modernisation package.

Gee Wiz a 30mm gun upgrade... 1980's USSR called, they want their swag back...


....Wake me up when they upgrade to a 40mm autocannon similar to this:

Militarov wrote:

CAD model of already proposed Stryker firepower increase and modernisation package.

Wait doesn't GDLS have a cleaner design already tested?



Modified Stryker.



Clean slate Stryker 30.

Yeah...looks like shi*

KoTeMoRe wrote:

Militarov wrote:

CAD model of already proposed Stryker firepower increase and modernisation package.

Wait doesn't GDLS have a cleaner design already tested?



Modified Stryker.



Clean slate Stryker 30.

Yeah...looks like shi*

But the main issue is that the Stryker is upgrading to 30mm autocannon when it's well known to experts and average joes alike that virtually all modern APC/IFV's are basically immune to 30mm shells from the front....I mean for FFS the whole selling point to the upgrade was Russia introducing Kurganets-25, bare minimum they would need to introduce a 40mm autocannon to be even semi-effective. Even the Epoch-size-small turret for K-25 is basically the intermediate for the Epoch-57mm turret.

As demonstrated by Thales, 40mm autocannon with the help of a auto-tracker will give you an additional bonus of having a limited PGM engagement capability.

Raytheon Company Plans to Offer Updated Long-Range Missile to US Army





Raytheon made an up-to-date missile involving latest technology. It is opting to offer these LRPF missiles to US Army. Today, Raytheon Company announced its intentions to offer a new missile design to the US Army. This missile contains the capability to meet the Long-Range Precision Fires (LRPF) requirements. In this manner, the army is likely to get the opportunity to replace aging tactical missile system weapons.

Raytheon Advanced Missile Systems Vice President Dr. Thomas Bussing said on the occasion: "Our LRPF design will provide the U.S. Army with double the combat power of its ground launchers by utilizing a new design that fits two missiles in a single launcher pod -- increasing effectiveness at a fraction of the cost of the current weapon." He further added: "Advances in propulsion will enable LRPF to fly faster over longer distances -- approximately 500 kilometers -- to defeat fixed land targets. This is the definition of overmatch against future threats."

The company is intended to integrate these missiles with the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers. It claims the missiles to have the capacity to reach targets over vast geographical territory in a high-threat environment.

The US Army is soon to field a missile that will out range the current ATACMS (which can reach 300km)! Quite honestly this is moving into deep strike territory! Who needs to do interdiction with aircraft when you can reach out and touch the enemy with long range precision fires?

Wow... that is amazing.... they are developing Iskander...

The Department of Defense announced that the US Army has awarded Boeing a nearly $185 million contract to produce an undisclosed additional number of heavily-armoured Apache AH-64 attack helicopters.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160322/1036706522/boeing-wins-apache-contract.html#ixzz43dsqNWL0


The US Army has awarded Oshkosh Defense a nearly $200 million contract to modernize and renovate an undescribed number of five-ton, Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160322/1036706075/oshkosh-recapitalize-usa-army-trucks.html#ixzz43dsuTSVh

US Army Orders More Apache Combat Helicopters

The US Army has awarded Boeing a contract to buy 117 new Apache tactical ground support helicopters.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US Army has awarded Boeing a more than $900 million contract to buy 117 new Apache tactical ground support helicopters, the Department of Defense announced.

"Boeing Company, Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $922.6 million… contract for 117 AH-64E remanufactured Apache helicopters," the announcement stated on Thursday. "Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2018."

In March, the Defense Department announced that the US Army had awarded Boeing an earlier nearly $185 million contract to produce an undisclosed additional number of heavily-armored Apache AH-64 attack helicopters.

The Apache AH-64 has been described as a flying tank. It is a helicopter designed to survive heavy attack and inflict massive damage on ground forces.

The AH-64 is designed to attack day or night, including in unfavorable weather and visibility.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/military/20160408/1037669382/pentagon-orders-more-apache.html#ixzz45DlUwrnF

Flying tank here, flying tank there...those journalists. There is only one flying tank.

Only partially Army but a fun size comparison of US military gear

M109A7 and its Ammo Carrier/reloader

JBLM soldier shoots Apache helicopter with live rounds, grounding California exercise

A large training exercise for Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers in Southern California came to a halt Saturday morning when an infantryman shot an Army Apache helicopter with live rounds.

No one was hurt in the incident, but the infantryman’s bullets punctured the JBLM-based helicopter four times and prompted a suspension of the exercise at the National Training Center in the Mojave Desert, said Ken Drylie, a spokesman for the training center.

It’s not clear why the soldier had live rounds in his rifle. Soldiers are issued blanks when they arrive at the training center to use in war games. They shoot at each other with blanks and a sort of laser tag during mock battles.

“The big question is how did it happen, which is why when it happened they immediately stopped training, and they did a 100 percent inspection to ensure there were no further live rounds where they shouldn’t be,” Drylie said.

Rifles at Fort Irwin are equipped with devices called blank firing adapters that allow the weapons to shoot as if they have live rounds. In this case, a live round blasted the adapter off the rifle and then subsequent bullets hit the helicopter.

Drylie said the soldier has not been disciplined. The Army conducted a preliminary investigation and determined the shooting was an accident.

“It’s a really weird accident, but it’s an accident,” he said.

The infantryman who shot at the helicopter serves in JBLM’s 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment. He was temporarily attached to a unit at the training center that acts as the enemy force when infantry brigades from around the country visit the post for large-scale exercises.

max steel wrote:JBLM soldier shoots Apache helicopter with live rounds, grounding California exercise

A large training exercise for Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers in Southern California came to a halt Saturday morning when an infantryman shot an Army Apache helicopter with live rounds.

No one was hurt in the incident, but the infantryman’s bullets punctured the JBLM-based helicopter four times and prompted a suspension of the exercise at the National Training Center in the Mojave Desert, said Ken Drylie, a spokesman for the training center.

It’s not clear why the soldier had live rounds in his rifle. Soldiers are issued blanks when they arrive at the training center to use in war games. They shoot at each other with blanks and a sort of laser tag during mock battles.

“The big question is how did it happen, which is why when it happened they immediately stopped training, and they did a 100 percent inspection to ensure there were no further live rounds where they shouldn’t be,” Drylie said.

Rifles at Fort Irwin are equipped with devices called blank firing adapters that allow the weapons to shoot as if they have live rounds. In this case, a live round blasted the adapter off the rifle and then subsequent bullets hit the helicopter.

Drylie said the soldier has not been disciplined. The Army conducted a preliminary investigation and determined the shooting was an accident.

“It’s a really weird accident, but it’s an accident,” he said.

The infantryman who shot at the helicopter serves in JBLM’s 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment. He was temporarily attached to a unit at the training center that acts as the enemy force when infantry brigades from around the country visit the post for large-scale exercises.

I will pity those apaches when they finally meet the Igla(-1).

"The US Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), along with its US Army Research Development Engineering Command (RDECOM) partners, selected IMI Systems’ Iron Fist-based Active Protection System (APS) technologies. That reported by www.israeldefense.co.il. This will demonstrate an implementation of the TARDEC led RDECOM effort toward Modular Active Protection Systems (MAPS) architecture including connectivity with MAPS central controller and software.

IMI Systems’ Active Protection Systems (APS) approach, in partnership with GD-OTS, increases the self-defense capability of the entire range of armored platforms, from light- and medium-weight Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) to heavy Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) and Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). The MAPS program seeks to eliminate barriers associated with the US fielding of APS through a modular and safe design that establishes the foundation to transition tailored capability integrated on any platform.

IMI’s APS vehicle portfolio is based on Iron Fist, designed for heavy AFVs and MBTs, and Iron Fist Light Configuration (IF-LC), a downscaled version of the Iron Fist designed for light to medium APCs and AFVs. The system’s hard-kill concept is based on intercepting the threat using a small warhead, initiated at a safe distance from the defended platform. The Iron Fist and IF-LC technologies are able to provide 360-degree protection coverage for very close-range scenarios in both open field and urban environments. The System features a Situational Awareness capability to provide robust and reliable detection, accurate trajectory prediction, and short reaction time in all terrain environments.



The design of the IF-LC miniaturizes the dimensions of APS while maintaining combat efficacy and force protection. IF-LC’s scale facilitates rapid integration onto the full range of combat vehicles. Its dimensions open the possibility for equipping new light vehicles and medium vehicles with APS, as well as upgrading legacy platforms for which size, weight, and power constraints require maximum efficiency from an APS solution.

During recent months, IF-LC has passed rigorous internal IMI testing to verify its maturity and applicability to current requirements. The results confirmed the technological maturity of IF-LC and its readiness for deployment in the most challenging operational environments. MAPS compliant technology will be demonstrated on a vehicle as part of the planned MAPS demonstrations."

Source: http://defence-blog.com/army/us-army-selected-imi-systems-aps-technology.html

"United States has chosen the Israeli active protection system "Iron Fist Light Configuration " to protect light and medium armoured vehicle personnel carrier. The system is designed and manufactured by the Israel Military Industries (IMI). Iron Fist is a hard-kill active protection system (APS) designed by Israel Military Industries (IMI), with a modular design allowing adaptation to a range of platforms ranging from light utility vehicles to heavy armoured fighting vehicles.

The U.S. Army’s decision was influenced by the system’s light weight and ability to fire interceptors without shock, as well as an attractive price-tag, Zafir said. He also praised its ability to defend against RPGs, rockets, and anti-tank missiles. The system has been successfully tested against a wide variety of threats including rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank guided missiles and tank-fired HEAT ammunition and kinetic energy penetrators.



IRON FIST employs a sophisticated, multi-sensor early warning system, utilizing both infrared and radar sensors, providing the crew with enhanced situational awareness and early warning from potential threats. Upon a threat warning, the modular system employs the multi-layered defenses, comprising electro-optical jammers, Instantaneous smoke screens and, if necessary, an interceptor-based hard kill Active Protection System (APS).

IRON FIST APS was also selected by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as the Active Protection System designed to protect the Namer heavy infantry fighting vehicle."

Source: http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/u.s._has_chosen_israeli_iron_fist_active_protection_system_to_secure_armoured_personnel_carrier_10906162.html

Lockheed Might Offer Miniature Hit-to-Kill Missile Internationally

The US Army has delayed its plans to move forward with a capability it was developing to launch a variety of missiles against rocket, artillery and mortar (RAM) threats, so Lockheed Martin is turning to the international market to sell its Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) missile designed to combat the worldwide threat.

Lockheed’s MHTK missile can go up against both RAM threats and some unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Bob Delgado, the company’s international business development director for air and missile defense, told Defense News on Thursday at Eurosatory, a land warfare conference.

The RAM threat “has proliferated, it’s a very cost-effective threat,” he said. “Obviously the cost of mortars and rockets are extremely low, not something you’d want to engage with these large missiles.”

Lockheed developed the MHTK weapon in order to take out RAM threats — the second-largest killer of soldiers in Iraq — at a fraction of the cost of larger missiles.

The Army is developing the Integrated Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) program in three phases, first tackling the UAS threat, a major priority for the service. In the second increment, the Army plans to focus on countering RAM threats. “That is where our missile comes in,” Delgado said.

The missile is 27 inches long, two inches in diameter and weighs 5 pounds “at launch,” he added. The semi-active missile has no warhead, using kinetic energy — or thrust — instead to take out a target. “It’s really a bullet hitting a bullet,” which is the bread and butter capability in Lockheed’s missile technology. One launcher can fit 36 of the missiles, Delgado said, and two launchers can fit onto a single truck.

US's equivalent of AT-14 Spriggan aka "Kornet"



Here against a T-72 -old video-

Javelin is nothing like Kornet... Kornet is a heavy long range high speed laser beam riding missile.

Javelin is a short range low speed very very expensive missile with a thermal imager for self guidance, or manual SACLOS guidance.

GarryB wrote:Javelin is nothing like Kornet... Kornet is a heavy long range high speed laser beam riding missile.

Javelin is a short range low speed very very expensive missile with a thermal imager for self guidance, or manual SACLOS guidance.

Thx Garry.
I do not know why in this test, the T-72 was completely burnt by the Javelin. Did this T-72 contain too much fuel ? Video aimed for propaganda ? The warthead of the Javelin was greater than normal ?

Kornet is considered a class above the rest but Javelin is good enough to make the job as well. Excessively expensive though.

nemrod wrote:

GarryB wrote:Javelin is nothing like Kornet... Kornet is a heavy long range high speed laser beam riding missile.

Javelin is a short range low speed very very expensive missile with a thermal imager for self guidance, or manual SACLOS guidance.

Thx Garry.
I do not know why in this test, the T-72 was completely burnt by the Javelin. Did this T-72 contain too much fuel ? Video aimed for propaganda ? The warthead of the Javelin was greater than normal ?

Many believe that that T-72 was filled up with explosives for PR.

Hannibal Barca wrote:Kornet is considered a class above the rest but Javelin is good enough to make the job as well. Excessively expensive though.

Like many American weapons they're more flash then substance, it's debatable how effective a top attack weapon like that is against an mushroom shaped turret, although it's effectiveness against the box shaped turret is practically guaranteed.