Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association GROUND-LAUNCHED SDB Long-Range Precision Strike

3 - 4/2020

NorwegiaN DefeNce aND Security iNDuStrieS aSSociatioN GROUND-LAUNCHED SDB Long-range precision strike.

The Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) is a high precision long range munition, designed for modern warfighting. It is a flexible solution that may be launched from a variety of launchers, and comes with a variety of warheads. Together with Boeing, Saab is bringing a new dimension to armed forces’ capabilities. saab.no CONTENTS

CONTENTS:

THE COASTAL RANGER COMMAND Editor-in-Chief: M.Sc. Bjørn Domaas Josefsen The Coastal Ranger Command under further development 2 Russia Sniffing around Lofoten and Vesterålen 4

NORWEGIAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY POISON AND POLITICS INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (FSI) 7

While the Russian opposition politician Aleksej Navalnyi is now on the K9 THUNDER road to recovery, it has been confirmed by German, French and Swedish “Thunder” cannons for the North Brigade 10 laboratories that Navalny was poisoned by the neurotoxin Novitsjok. QE CARRIER A Queen by any other name... 12 This is the same poison that the British authorities concluded had been used to poison the Russian / British former spy Sergej Skripal and SAAB´S SEA WASP his daughter in Salisbury in the UK in 2018. Maritime Domain Awareness 16

Novitsjok is a series of neurotoxins, which were developed in the BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY Soviet Union and Russia in the period of 1971-1993. Unlike many other AND TRADE Procurement of new training aircraft suspended 17 war gases and nerve poisons, Novitsjok is lethal even at very low con- USAF to upgrade Keflavik airfield infrastructure 18 centrations. Patria AMV for Bulgaria? 20 Life time extension for Skjold-class coastal corvettes 22 Western countries have accused the Russian government of being Russian Jets for India 25 behind the poison attacks. This is not so surprising. The poison Novits- Remote controlled AMV 8x8 27 jok is not something that just any criminal cohort can get hold of. The Russian state is probably one of very few states, if not the only one, STINGRAY that has Novitsjok available. At the same time, the victims of the No- No barb or venom for now 29 vitsjok attacks, both in the UK in 2018 and today, are people whom the SNOWMOBILES Russian authorities have had an interest in getting rid of. Specially adapted snowmobiles for the Rangers 32

Out of all the different types of poison found on the planet, the poison that has been used is one with clear links to the Russian au- COVERPHOTO: thorities. It is hard to believe this can be a coincidence. By their use Combat Boat 90 of this poison, Russian intelligence wants to demonstrate to the world US Marines and Nor- wegian Coastal Rangers just what they are both capable of and willing to do to their opponents. training together outside Harstad during exercise This in frightening in itself. And when one also knows that Novitsjok Platinum Ren 19. causes a very painful death for the victims, the Russian attitude takes Norwegian Costal Rang- ers is currently using the on an even more frightening hue. Until today, only Russian citizens have “Combat Boat 90”. This class of vessels is due been subjected to Novitsjok attacks. But the signal is clear. The Kremlin for either comprehensive regime, which is steadily evolving in the direction of dictatorship, is upgrades or renewal. making the statement that they can target anyone who fails to do as Photo: Jakob Østheim/ FMS the Kremlin says.

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 1 THE COASTAL RANGER COMMAND

NORWEGIAN COSTAL RANGERS DEPLOYING A HELLFIRE MISSILE BATTERY DURING EXERCISE JOINT VIKING IN 2017. For years, the Hellfire missile has been the main armament for the Costal Rangers, giving small units on shore the capability of attacking enemy vessels in littoral waters. Within few years, the Hellfire missile system will have reached the end of its technological lifespan, and the missile system will not be upgraded or replaced by any other weapons system per se. The Costal Rangers units will be equipped with sensors and drones providing target data and information for the armed forces long range precisions weapons, like the Naval Strike Missile and the Joint Strike Missile. Photo: FMS / Jonny Karlsen

THE COASTAL RANGER COMMAND UNDER FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

Trondenes: The Coastal Ranger Command (CRC) will be developed in a more sea-operational direction and tied up closer to maritime security operations while collaborating more closely with the units of the Navy. The focus will be on developing the Navy’s ability to perform ISTAR operations (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance), enhancing the capability for intelligence-driven operations and further develop the Navy´s ability to perform Maritime Interdiction Operation.

Text and photo: Tor Husby The task of supporting the Norwegian Special to gather decision-supporting information Forces (FS) will continue at the current level. and target data for the Armed Forces’ long- he Coastal Ranger Command (CRCDO) The Navy will be phasing out the Hellfire range precision weaponry. This is a natural will employ flying drones, develop missile from about 2023, and the CRCDO further development of the Coastal Ranger Trobust and relevant boarding capacity, will focus on the introduction of drones and Command, where the main focus will be as well as develop the force protecting abilities. new sensors while developing the ability on putting new technology to use, such as

2 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 THE COASTAL RANGER COMMAND drones and advanced sensors, and becoming - We are currently practising our more integrated with the maritime operations. boarding skills against military vessels, The organic sea mobility of the CRCDO cargo vessels, civilian ferries and other will remain and be further developed. The available boats. It is not up to the CRCDO goal of the Navy is to develop its abilities to decide what vessels are to be boarded. within intelligence-driven operations, while Assignments of this kind happen through increasing the range of its sensors in order the line of command, whereby the Norwe- to produce target data for its long-range gian Joint Headquarter (NJHQ) gives the precision weapons. This will entail that the Navy the order to execute boarding, says CRCDO will be making use of the newest Commander Larsen. technology to develop further its abilities When it comes to force protection, the of situation understanding in the coastal, CRCDO will, based on information gathered littoral and blue water areas. from both “Puma” and “CB 90”, contribute The Coastal Rangers’ abilities regarding to the early detection of threats to our own organic sea mobility will be maintained and and allied units. Sten Richard Larsen is developed further. The CRCDO is currently confident that the CRCDO comprises of using the “Combat Boat 90”, which is due for competent personnel that are fully capable either comprehensive upgrades or renewal. of meeting the Navy’s needs in this respect. The unit, located at Trondenes near the city Chief of CRC, Commander of Harstad, has procured smaller drones of Sten Rikard Larsen. Photo: Tor Husby the PUMA type in order to develop competence in drone operations. The drones are held and launched by operators and are of all-weather type with day and night capabilities. The “Puma” has a range of 20 kms, can stay aloft for 2.5 hours, and flies to an elevation of 10,500 feet. It is possible to mount new sensors on to the units. The same type of drone is also used by other units of the Armed Forces.

Tactical drones are coming - For now, we are in the start-up phase with a limited number of PUMA-type drones, but as soon as we have built up the necessary competence, we will start the development towards the use of tactical drones with longer range. Exactly which types of drones we will then choose to use, will be decided in accordance with the needs we have identified. We are also eagerly studying laws and regulations governing the use of drones; we are at- tending courses with the Air Force, and we have entered into co-operation with the University of Tromsø and other civilian entities, says the Chief of CRCDO, Commander Sten Richard Larsen, to “Mil- itærTeknikk”. An initial pair of new RHIB-type boarding craft have been procured for the purpose of increasing the ability for boarding of vessels. The Coastal Ranger Command will be developing its boarding abilities in accordance with NATO requirements. This is an exacting process, calling for a great deal of specialised competence and equipment. In step with the development of competencies, more boarding craft will be procured, along with more specialised COASTAL RANGER BOARDING A CIVILIAN VESSEL equipment. The competence will be built The Coastal Ranger Command is developing its boarding abilities in accordance with NATO up gradually. requirements. Photo: CRCDO

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 3 THE COASTAL RANGER COMMAND

Support to the Special Forces is a important task for the Navy. The Navy declines to comment on missions related to Special Operations but confirms that the CRCDO has personnel present in Afghanistan in order to support the Special Forces. The Coastal Ranger Command has no helicopters of its own, but the Navy uses NH90 helicopters. Looking ahead, this can become a valuable tool for deploying boarding forces to a vessel. The CRCDO has acquired good competence in collaboration with helicopter capacities and holds regular exercises with the Air Force’s own as well as allied helicopters. The development of the Coastal Ranger Command will drive the need for enhance- ments regarding infrastructure and assets at PUMA LAUNCH FROM A STRIDSBÅT 90 Trondenes. This applies particularly to new In order to build drone competencies, the Coastal Ranger Command has acquired a limited workshop and maintenance facilities. number of PUMA UAV’s. The type and numbers of drones to be finally chosen has yet to be decided. Photo: CRCDO

RUSSIA SNIFFING AROUND LOFOTEN AND VESTERÅLEN

he strategic development in North surreptitiously shifted between the North- does, it is always accompanied by a tugboat. Norway has been given a new element ern Fleet and the Baltic Fleet by way of Speculations are that it will be scrapped. Twhich is characterized by Russia the Russian canals. Both the movements - The motivation for the Russian interest conducting maritime surveys of the Lofo- internally in Russia and operations along in our coast, according to the way the Naval ten and Vesterålen islands and waterways. the Norwegian coast with these smaller Academy views the project “Naval Force 2040”, The Moscow interest is not confined to vessels will be harder to detect. is either to prepare operations to disturb or just Finnmark, states Ståle Ulriksen, head The bigger warships are showing signs of delay Norwegian and allied operations that lecturer at the Naval Academy in Bergen. wear and tear, and inadequate maintenance, are dependent on using the protected inner The Russian Navy appears to have and they are not sailing as much as they sea routes, or to prepare for using our coast ceased building bigger warships, focusing used to. The ageing aircraft carrier “Admi- in order to compensate for a lack of resources instead on smaller vessels like corvettes ral Kutznetsov” – Russia’s only such – can to establish the classic bastion defence, says and conventional submarines that can be only be seen on rare occasions. And when it Ståle Ulriksen.

Stronger along the Norwegian coast He contends that while the Russians are los- ing strength at sea, they are gaining in force along the coast of Norway, where they can also establish land-based “denial bubbles” based on mobile radars and missile batteries for use against both air and sea targets. Ståle Ulriksen is not prepared to delve further into the Norwegian reaction, or lack thereof, to the interest that the Russians are showing in Lofoten and Vesterålen. Christian Tybring Gjedde, member of the Foreign Policy and Defence Committee at the Stortinget, says in general terms that there is nothing new about Russia showing The ageing aircraft carrier “Admiral Kutznetsov” sails along the coast of Norway in October increased interest in North Norway. A great 2016. “Admiral Kutznetsov” is the only Russian aircraft carrier and can only be seen on rare deal has been written on the subject, but occasions. And when it does, it is always accompanied by a tugboat. Speculations are that it will exactly what the Russian intentions are, will Photo: FMS be scrapped. be pure speculation.

4 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020

LIGHT MULTIROLE VEHICLE NEXT GENERATION LMV: DEFENCE IMPROVES ITS POWER

PROTECTION POWER MOBILITY PERFORMANCE DESIGN Improved ballistic steel cab New Powertrain: more powerful New chassis, new suspensions, New cooling and air filtration system Uncompromised New composite armour engine (220 HP) and new driveline, new tyres Million km of experience ergonomics in its class New crashworthy crew cell high-performance 8-speed ADM, ESP improving reliability Widened cockpit, improved visibility automatic gearbox Higher GVW 8.1 ton Increased payload > 85%

With a full range of specialist logistic, protected and armoured vehicles, Iveco Defence Vehicles delivers innovative automotive and protection solutions to meet the needs of military customers worldwide.

PROTECTION AND MOBILITY AT 360°

Iveco Defence Vehicles - Via Volta, 6 - 39100 Bolzano, Italy - [email protected] - www.ivecodefencevehicles.com NORWEGIAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (FSI) NORWEGIAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (FSI)

N o rw e g i a N D e f e N c e a ND S e c u r i t y i ND u S t r i e S a SS o c i at i o N (fSi) THE LEADING ASSOCIATION IN NORWAY ADVOCATING THE INTERESTS OF ITS SECTOR, AND THE PRIMARY INTERLOCUTOR FOR THE GOVERNMENT IN MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE TO THE INDUSTRY. AFFILIATED WITH THE CONFEDERATION OF NORWEGIAN ENTERPRISE (NHO) AND REPRESENTING MORE THAN 100 COMPANIES

HVORFOR VIL IKKE REGJERINGEN DELTA I DET EUROPEISKE FORSVARSFONDET? forslaget til statsbudsjett for rettholde den industrielle kompe- eksportinntekter for landet. Når space industries. Formålet er bl.a. 2021 foreslår regjeringen at tansen Forsvaret, av hensynet til det også er dokumentert at å å hente ut synergier på tvers av INorge ikke deltar i Det eu- nasjonens vesentlige sikkerhets- delta i EDF over tid vil ha lavere EUs FoU-programmer. Derfor ropeiske forsvarsfondet (EDF). interesser har behov for i Norge, kostnader for Norge enn å ikke kan det å ikke delta i EDF også Det vil svekke forsvarsevnen må vi i enda større grad enn før delta, blir det svært vanskelig å få skadevirkninger for norsk del- og forsvarsindustrien, sette ar- samarbeide med andre nasjoner forstå regjeringens begrunnelse tagelse i andre EU-programmer, beidsplasser i hele landet i fare om utvikling av materiell, slik vi som er at den ikke finner rom for som f. eks. romprogrammene. En og medføre betydelig bortfall av nå gjør med Tyskland om ubåter å delta i EDF. betydelig del av EDF vil bli brukt verdiskapning og eksportinntek- og missiler. Bilateralt samarbeid Norge har gjennom EØS-av- på militære romrelaterte prosjekter. Forslaget strider mot regje- vil ikke kunne kompensere for talen valgt å være en del av EUs ter, her vil norsk romindustri ikke ringens egen Europapolitikk og de negative konsekvensene av å indre marked. Derfor har EU få delta. Det kan på sikt også få

vil, dersom det får tilslutning i ikke delta i EDF. Å stå utenfor og medlemsstatene gitt Norge konsekvenser for norsk industris Stortinget, innebære at Norge EDF innebærer at norsk forsvaret eksklusivt tilbud om å delta i muligheter i de sivile romfarts- avslår EUs invitasjon til å delta i sindustri blir en vesentlig mindre EDF. EU-kommisjonen har vært programmene, når disse i økende det mest omfattende og viktigste attraktiv samarbeidspartner også en pådriver for dette på tross grad ses i sammenheng ned fra tiltaket Europa har iverksatt for i bi- og multilaterale samarbeids- av betydelig motstand i enkelte EDF-finansierte romprosjekter. å styrke den europeiske pilaren prosjekter i Europa som gjen- medlemsstater. Etter omfatten- På lengre sikt kan EUs ambisjo- i NATO. Det innebærer også at nomføres utenfor EDF. de lobbyvirksomhet fra norske ner om å ta ut synergier fra de Norge gir avkall på muligheten til Koronapandemien har fått myndigheter i Brussel og øvrige industrirelaterte FoU-program- å være med å påvirke krav, spesi- vidtrekkende konsekvenser for europeiske hovedsteder gjen- mene innebære at også norsk fikasjoner og ytelser for å sikre at norsk næringsliv. Som følge av nom flere år fikk Norge så sent deltagelse i øvrige programmer løsninger som utvikles i europeis- dette har regjeringen brukt enor- som 28. september i år, som som f.eks. Horizon Europe blir ke samarbeidsprosjekter er best me beløp på å begrense de øko- eneste ikke-medlem, anledning negativt påvirket av at vi ikke mulig tilpasset Forsvarets behov. nomiske skadevirkningene. I til å delta i EDF. Det innebærer i deltar i EDF. Det er bred politisk enighet denne perioden har store deler praksis at både norske myndig- Dersom regjeringens forslag om at Norge har behov for en av forsvarsindustrien kunnet bi- heter og industri kan delta med om at Norge ikke skal delta i det forsvarsindustri. Likeledes er dra til å holde hjulene i gang. Det tilnærmet fulle rettigheter i gjen- Europeiske forsvarsfondet blir det erkjent at eksport av forsvar- har vært svært viktig for å sikre nomføringen av programmet. Å stående, vil forsvarsevnen og for- smateriell er en forutsetning for å overlevelsen til mange små og si nei til EDF nå sender et sterkt svarsindustrien bli svekket, ar- kunne opprettholde en nasjonal mellomstore underleverandører signal til Europa om at Norge beidsplasser i hele landet blir satt forsvarsindustri. Det forutsetter i hele landet i en svært krevende nedprioriterer samarbeidet med i fare og det vil medføre betydelig at forsvarsindustrien sikres mar- tid. Det har også har bidratt til EU på forsvars- og sikkerhets- bortfall av verdiskapning og ek- kedsadgang hos våre nærmeste å gjøre statens utgifter til tiltak området og at regjeringen ikke sportinntekter. Vi setter vår lit til allierte. FoU samarbeid på tvers for dempe konsekvensene av følger opp sin egen politikk på at Stortinget forstår de vidtrek- av landegrensene er et viktig til- pandemien mindre enn de ellers dette området. kende negative konsekvensene av tak for å bryte ned handelshind- ville ha vært. Dette illustrerer For et par uker siden lan- regjeringens forslag og sørger for ringer og sikre bedre utnyttelse godt betydningen av å legge til serte EU-kommisjonen et helt at behandlingen av forsvarsbud- av FoU-midlene på forsvarsom- rette for å kunne opprettholde nytt initiativ: «Action Plan on sjettet sikrer for at Norge kommer rådet. Videre er det erkjent at næringer som sikrer langsiktig synergies and cross-fertilisation med i det europeiske forsvarsfon- dersom Norge skal kunne opp- og stabil verdiskapning og store between the civil, defence and det fra 2021.

P.O. Box 5250 Majorstuen, Tel: + 47 23 08 80 00 E-mail: [email protected] NO- 0303 Oslo. NORWAY Telefax: + 47 23 08 80 18 Internet: www.fsi.no

10 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 6/2019 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 7 NORWEGIAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (FSI) YGGDRASIL: AREA CONTROL FOR

THE LAND FORCES

The Norwegian Army`s project for area control, named Yggdrasil, reached out to the FSi (Forsvars- og Sikkerhetsindustriens Forening/ The Defence and Security Industries Association) for the purpose of informing industry an early phase to allow industry to prepare for a future programme. It was therefore very gratifying on the part of the FSi when the management of Project 5065 got in touch and wanted FSi to arrange a meeting place for the industry and the Armed Forces’ project management.

According to the FAF (Future their location. Within this area, Acquisitions for the Norwegian Finnmark is particularly demand- Defence Sector 2019 - 2026), the ing, as the warning time will be project carries a cost estimation particularly short in the event of of between 400 and 600 million a pending attack. NOK, or 40 to 60 million Euro. As of today, we are working on - The project involves the de- the development of requirement velopment of a system consisting specifications for the project, of different types of sensors that continues Major Kleiven. - We are connected to a command and basically have a little more leeway control system through a secure than in other projects to alter network When the system is the project requirements as the deployed to an area, its sensors project proceeds, giving us a lot will send information to military of opportunity to incorporate command centres, relevant mili- good input from the industry. tary units, etc. about, for example, - On the sensor side, we see enemy troop movements that are that there is a virtual jungle of picked up by the sensors. On the different sensor types out there, basis of this information, own not least when it comes to civilian forces can be disposed of in a far sensors such as drones and wild more efficient way. game cameras. These sensors are - We envision that the system also quite inexpensive, which

is based on the NATO concept means that a large number can for Area Access Control, but it be deployed, and if some of the must be emphasized that as of sensors are lost, it will not be today this is only a concept. critical, neither operationally nor There is as far as we know, no financially. Limitations include NATO country that has such a such factors as many of these system in operation, says proj- sensors having been made by ect manager Major Per Kleiven. China, or incorporate technology Our project will accordingly manufactured in China. Further involve significant innovation to this, the civilian sensors are Major Per Kleiven is the Project Manager from the Army and development work, Kleiven based on the 4G communications side for the Yggdrasil project. Photo: MilitærTeknikk explains, and adds that innovation network, and this network is with public funds is a relatively nowhere near secure enough for demanding process. use in a crisis or war. he meeting took place at for Area Access Control (AAC). - The area we regard as partic- - So, what we are looking the beginning of Septem- When the system is available, the ularly relevant to cover includes for, could perhaps be pointedly Tber in the Oslo Military goal is for even a small number of the northern part of Norway. described as consumer electron- Society, and all 53 registered soldiers to have the most efficient These are of course the areas that ics adapted to defence use, says participants were given seats and flexible capacity possible are also the most exposed due to Kleiven in conclusion. within safe corona distance to for controlling, monitoring and the neighbouring chair. possibly also denying access to Project 5065, also known as the area. FACTS AND FIGURES: “Yggdrasil: Area Control”, has the The Yggdrasil project for area purpose of acquiring a modern, control came about as a project According to Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is the name of the world tree, efficient and deployable area idea in 2015-2017 and is a Land probably an ash, which spans across the sky and spreads its branches all over the world. Yggdrasil is always green, and from it comes dew that control system. The system will Force project chiefly intended for drips to the ground. be based on the NATO concept the Army and the Home Guard.

8 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 NORWEGIAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (FSI) NORWEGIAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION (FSI)

UBIQ AEROSPACE, A DEEP-TECH COMPANY, ENJOYS STRONG GROWTH

UBIQ Aerospace is a young tech startup that develops autonomous technology systems. The company is part of a mutually beneficial collaboration with the Armed Forces and FFI (the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment) and is a member of FSi.

History quirement for human interaction. rapidly and will have a total of Also, this is a constructive en- UBIQ Aerospace was founded With this capability, UAVs can 11 employees by January 1st, vironment for developing new in Trondheim, Norway, in No- operate reliably and efficiently for 2021. The company is wholly technology alongside, for in- vember 2017. The company is critical operations such as search owned by a quartet of found- stance, FFI” –, said Kasper Trolle the commercial platform for a and rescue, disaster mitigation, ers, four employees, New York- Borup, CTO, UBIQ Aerospace. technology developed as part of a and medicine supply deliveries. based Lupa Investment Hold- Ph.D. project at NTNU (the Nor- In May this year [2020], the ing, and 6AM. A member of FSi? wegian University of Science and Norwegian Armed Forces awarded UBIQ Aerospace became a mem- Technology), pitched by a contact UBIQ Aerospace a development How is the company ber of FSI in 2018 because of from the US Coast Guard. contract to complete the D•ICE involved in the the many benefits of such mem- solution. The contract will see defense market? bership. “We joined because of The company’s the completion of D•ICE by the “We produce dual-use technol- the networking opportunities, technology and end of 2022 when the Norwegian ogies, but the defense market the events, and the strong en- products Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Sys- is unquestionably the most es- gagement between industry and UBIQ Aerospace creates systems tems acquisition program begins. tablished part of the UAV mar- defense. We are delighted with and solutions for autonomous ket and early adopters of new the opportunities that have aris- and unmanned aircraft that en- The corporate technologies, such as ours. It is, en due to our membership in ables technological autonomy for organization therefore, only natural to focus FSi” –, said Kasper Trolle Borup, a future of increasingly complex UBIQ Aerospace is growing on the defense market initially. CTO, UBIQ Aerospace. and self-governing systems. This objective is achieved by building solutions to critical problems lim- iting unmanned aircraft and urban air mobility industries from

reaching their full potential. The first solution developed by UBIQ Aerospace is D•ICE, an autonomous icing protection solution for unmanned aircraft (often referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs). In-flight icing is one of the most significant weather hazards to aviation and especially to the UAVs. In-flight icing is experienced in freezing conditions when liquid water droplets impinge on exposed aircraft surfaces. Upon impact, the droplets freeze and drastically The D•ICE solution uses sensor data to detect and eliminate ice. Here shown on the Maritime reduce aircraft capabilities with Robotics PX-31 Falk. Image: TYD potentially devastating conse- quences, e.g., the tragic outcome of Air France Flight 447. Current mitigation strategies for UAVs include delaying or sometimes canceling critical operations. D•ICE was initially developed at NTNU and NASA Ames Research Center. Fully autonomous, the D•ICE solution provides the robustness required to operate in harsh and cold conditions, without any re- The leading edge of a UAV wing with glaze ice accretion on it. Photo: Richard Hann

10 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 6/2019 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 9 K9 “THUNDER” “THUNDER” CANNONS FOR THE NORTH BRIGADE

In September, the North Brigade took delivery of the initial 12 units of “Thunder” self- propelled 155 mm artillery (K9) and three ammunition vehicles (K10) from the Hanhwa factory in South Korea. The K10 transfers the grenades automatically every few seconds to the artillery. The K9 weighs in at 48 tonnes, and the K10 almost as much.

Text: Tor Husby

further two deliveries are expected from the factory this autumn. In Atotal, the Artillery Battalion in the North Brigade will then be furnished with 24 units of K9 cannons and six K10 ammunition vehicles. The contract value amounts to 1.8 billion NOK, or some 168 million Euro. The Armed Forces hold an option for a further 24 units of K9 and K10. The new artillery will be replacing the old M109 The K9 “Thunder” self propelled artillery (left) and the K10 ammunition Photo: cannons, following 50 years of service with vehicle (right) during trials at Rena in 2019. Fredrik Ringnes/FMS the Artillery Battalion. The gun crews, who

Gylling Teknikk AS • Rudssletta 71 • 67 15 14 00 • [email protected] • gylling.no 12 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 K9 “THUNDER” henceforth will enjoy air cleaning while also Artillery Battalion at the Setermoen camp. Furthermore, Norway and Finland, who wearing gas masks, will be protected against Hanwha has been building up the technical has also procured the same cannon system, nuclear, bacteriological and chemical warfare, competence of the workshop as a n integral are pursuing close military co-operation in as well as 155 mm fragmentation grenades, part of the offset purchase commitments. this field. 14,5 mm armour piercing grenades and anti-personnel mines, according to Hanhwa. The major military advantages are related to the range of the “Thunder”, which at 40 kms is almost twice as far as that of the M109, while it also offers a higher rate of fire with greater accuracy, topped with better mobility. With a full tank of diesel, the cannons can drive up to 480 kms, or 300 miles. The artillery battalion will not be using the “Thunder” in a stationary role. The cannons are intended to move from one firing site to another as quickly as possible, according to the so-called “Shoot and Scoot” principle. Indeed, the “Thunder” can be on the move to its next firing location before one minute has passed. This modernisation is expected to give the Armed Forces in the Inner Troms region a considerable lift when the new system is fully operational in a few months. The Defence Workshop at Bjerkvik will also be considerably enhanced. Its role will be to function as a permanent technical support The first four units of the Norwegian army´s new K9 Thunder artillery Photo: to the South Korean cannon system of the arriving at Artillery Battalion at Setermoen camp in Northern Norway. Jens Inge Furu/FMS

Hazardous Cargo & Projects Oversize Cargo Johan Martinsson Fredrik Lennqvist [email protected] [email protected] Phone: +46 481 75 45 21 Phone: +46 481 75 45 46 Cell: +46 709 76 41 03 www.borjes.com Cell: +46 708 93 46 86 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 13 CARRIER

Embarking two squadrons of F-35B Lightning IIs – one British, one American – HMS Queen Elizabeth’s participation in Exercise Joint Warrior in October marks the largest number of the type at sea at one time – ever. Photo: UK MoD

A QUEEN BY ANY OTHER NAME…

HMS Queen Elizabeth is one of the two largest warships ever built in or operated by the United Kingdom. But will such a gigantic vessel stand a chance in a battlespace in which cruise missiles are the dominant threat?

Text: Tim Mahon warships ever built in or operated by the at sea ever. They will also constitute the United Kingdom (the other being her con- largest number of aircraft embarked on a s these words are written, Britain’s sort and classmate HMS Prince of Wales) Royal Navy vessel since 1983. Royal Navy is a week away from – will take part in Exercise Joint Warrior Quite apart from all these ‘firsts,’ the ex- Aopening another chapter in its in and around Britain’s shores, taking her ercise, which is aimed at showcasing NATO’s long and distinguished history – a chapter place for the first time as the flagship of a collective force and capability to potential that will, to a certain extent, reprise an UK-led NATO Carrier Strike Group (CSG). adversaries – particularly the resurgent and earlier one. Some 6,000 troops from 11 nations will increasingly intractable Russian Federation The last time British aircraft carriers take part in the exercise, together with 81 – will present a series of challenges for the – the Invincible class just about quali- aircraft, 28 surface warships and two sub- carrier and her crew. This marks the first fied for the name, but they were really marines. Notable will be the contribution major exercise of carrier-based strike power ‘through-deck cruisers’ rather than true made by F-35B Lightning II combat aircraft for the UK in almost four decades, during carriers – were used in active operations operating from the carrier – both British which time two complete generations of was during the Falklands/Malvinas conflict and US Marine Corps aircraft, training naval officers and the entire leadership of the in 1982. In early October this year, HMS together in British skies for the first time service have grown up with no experience Queen Elizabeth – one of the two largest and marking the largest number of F-35Bs of carrier strike operations.

12 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 CARRIER

That does not belittle the vast efforts several hundred miles off your coast and against swarming attacks of scores, perhaps – intellectual, organisational and physi- thereby hold your industrial, military, even hundreds, of so-called ‘carrier killer’ cal – that the Royal Navy has made in the political and even societal assets at peril,” cruise missiles such as the Chinese DF-21D years since commissioning the class of is a powerful one. But is it necessarily still (CSS-5 Mod 4), which has a reputed range two aircraft carriers. But the development as persuasive a rationale as it once was for around 1,500 kilometres. Such a point of of theory and extensive wargaming, while committing to the massive resource and view, while legitimate, does not really tell offering significant benefits, is absolutely no financial investment required? the whole story. substitute for the opportunity to practice The US Navy, for example, appears to National defence is essentially an in a far more realistic environment – one think not. Learning lessons from the spiralling insurance policy. Government and the in which the vagaries of weather and the costs and delays in the construction of the defence authorities that enact developed capricious nature of the sea will combine approx. $13.5 billion Gerald R Ford, the policy gamble that the assets they fund, with the more-than-likely wickedly disruptive service has recently suggested to Secretary of procure, man and operate will be sufficient antics of the exercise controllers to inject Defense Mark T Esper that it will downsize to defeat the vast majority of threats the uncertainty, chaos and challenge into the the carrier fleet from 13 to nine vessels, nation faces. The equations that they must mix. It will be interesting to read some of using the cash and operational resources resolve in deciding how best to achieve the after-action reviews and reports from thus saved to build a numerically superior that challenging task are many, varied and Joint Warrior, should they ever become navy that will feature a large number of fiendishly complex. More distressingly, available in suitably sanitized form. unmanned and smaller crewed vessels. they are always changing. When weighed The most interesting aspect of the deci- This is in response to the perceived threat against the gestation period of designing, sion to build the two carriers – a decision from China which, among other moves, developing and commissioning as com- that has included huge elements of politi- has invested heavily in anti-ship missile plex a machine as an aircraft carrier – and cal concern and controversy, professional technologies and capabilities. adding to the mix the expected 40-year or debate and public confusion, mostly over What, then, might this mean for the more life span of the vessel – it may well the financial aspects – is doctrinal in nature. Queen Elizabeth class? Are the most expen- be that building an aircraft carrier may be Aircraft carriers have traditionally been sive warships ever commissioned in Britain considered as not having been in Britain’s seen as instruments of power projection. doomed to impotence from the outset? Some best interests in the light of current threats. The message sent to a potential enemy in would say yes – pointing to the virtual impos- And that would be a mistaken conclu- saying “we can park a powerful air group sibility of protecting so high-value an asset sion. Quite apart from the considerable

Celebrating 50 years of Naval Innovation

We have enjoyed working on these platforms, and many more, in the last 50 years

… and are exited about the next 50 years

ELECTRONICON AS

Hillerenveien 82 5174 MATHOPEN, NORWAY

Tlf:+47) 55 30 76 60

web: www.electronicon.no

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 13 CARRIER

likely to attract the type of attacks envisaged by those who believe the carrier is outdated. Limited conflict in the North Atlantic or the Arctic is possible – particularly in an anti-submarine warfare context – but is unlikely to cross an escalation threshold that would put the carriers at severe risk. At least, that is the current thinking in Whitehall, according to recent off-the- record conversations with observers both in and out of uniform. At 65,000 tonnes, driven by two 33-tonne propellers at speeds of up to 25 knots, the 280-metre long vessel embarks 40 aircraft. Her powerplant could provide power for a town the size of Swindon (approx. 200,000) and her air traffic control capabilities would be able to cover national requirements if, for example, a cyber attack took down the existing civilian network. Queen Elizabeth – and her consort – are The carrier embarks a total of 40 aircraft, split between fixed- and rotary-wing platforms as national assets. They reaffirm all sorts of operational circumstances demand. Photo: UK MoD commitments – overt and subliminal – and provide a focal point for the continued evolution of cohesive, compelling and SEE HOW 380X BRINGS GREATER CLARITY flag-waving and political power projection of the most likely operational deployment effective defence strategies. Which is the TO MISSION-CRITICAL DECISIONS aspects inevitable in the two carriers’ ex- needs to be considered. Strategic strike op- message one hopes will be taken on board pected future – especially in the post-Brexit erations against land targets in the Middle by the Kremlin as it watches Exercise Joint world rapidly approaching – the question East, Southeast Asia or elsewhere are less Warrior unfold in October.

ELEVATE The Superior YOUR VISION Solution WITH 380X

Make informed decisions faster with advanced imaging from 380X. Featuring a new user interface, de-scintillation filter, improved targeting, and multi-tile video, these upgrades to 101 the Star SAFIRE® 380 system achieve a new level of awareness and clarity. Enhanced gimbal performance and incoming

The AW101 is the class-leading medium/heavy-category helicopter, with more than augmented reality updates will feature mapping overlays for 450,000 ﬂ ying hours from the Arctic to the Antarctic. improved operator confidence and reduced workload. Designed to meet the most demanding range, capacity, performance and safety requirements of operators in the most challenging environments, the AW101 has demonstrated over 900nm range extendable with air to air refuelling capability. FLIR.COM/MT380X High capacity, role ﬂ exible cabin with capacity for up to 38 troops on crashworthy seats combined with the latest Avionics and Mission technologies deliver advanced situational awareness and mission e ectiveness day or night across all domains. Inspired by the vision, creativity and ingenuity of the great master inventor - Leonardo is designing the technology of tomorrow.

leonardocompany.com Helicopters14 MILITÆRTEKNIKK | Aeronautics | Electronics, 3-4/2020 Defence & Security Systems | Space SEE HOW 380X BRINGS GREATER CLARITY TO MISSION-CRITICAL DECISIONS

ELEVATE YOUR VISION WITH 380X

Make informed decisions faster with advanced imaging from 380X. Featuring a new user interface, de-scintillation filter, improved targeting, and multi-tile video, these upgrades to the Star SAFIRE® 380 system achieve a new level of awareness and clarity. Enhanced gimbal performance and incoming augmented reality updates will feature mapping overlays for improved operator confidence and reduced workload.

FLIR.COM/MT380X

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 15 SEA WASP MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS

The underwater domain is becoming increasingly important internationally in all conceivable conflict scenarios - symmetrical and asymmetrical. In April this year the Netherlands became the first European country to select the Sea Wasp underwater robot system from Saab. Due to their geographical location, such underwater systems may also be relevant for Norway.

Text: Communication Manager Christian Trottmann, can operate in harbors, lakes, rivers and basic weight of 75 kilograms and a speed of Saab other waterways. Underwater orienta- just over 2.5 knots, the underwater vehicle tion is performed by video cameras, LED navigates to the pre-defined location using ntil today sea mines dating from the lights and wideband sonar, primarily to waypoints in a chart interface. Sea Wasp’s Second World War are still regularly locate targets that may have been placed onboard Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) and Ufound in Norwegian waters. These on a ship’s hull, harbour wall or the sea- Internal Measurement Unit (IMU) deliver are detected and neutralized by naval mine bed. When ready, the operator uses the navigational capability, allowing it to save, divers - a costly and often dangerous opera- thrusters to lock into position and using import and export specific waypoints. tion. This work can be done more efficiently the five-function manipulator arm to po- Obstacles under water are automatically and without risk by unmanned underwater sition a tool kit beside the target - ready detected and avoided. The six degrees of systems. Operational safety is perhaps one for detonation. freedom allow for manoeuvring and oper- of the most important advantages of using The operating range varies and depends ating with maximum freedom of movement such underwater systems. on the integrated sonar, with a maximum under water. Experience has shown that Sea range of 100 meters. The operator is con- Wasp can reliably locate, identify and neu- System capabilities nected to the Remotely Operated Vehicle tralize underwater mines, even in confined Saab’s Sea Wasp underwater vehicle is (ROV) by a 160-meter electrical/optical spaces and under difficult conditions such designed as a fully mobile system that cable for power and communication. With a as strong currents. Decisive advantages are provided by those systems which offer variable appli- cation possibilities and ensure the uncom- plicated exchange of a mission module. One of the most important arguments in the development of the Swedish underwater robot was therefore the modularity of the system. Here, the basic configuration is tailored and efficiently adapted to the requirements of each mission, for instance by adding payloads.

Civil and military use ROVs are not only suitable for military operations by Naval Forces, but also for law enforcement agencies for anti-IED (Impro- vised Explosive Device) and other underwater missions. Due to its small dimen- sions and footprint, manoeuvrability and relatively low weight, Sea Wasp is perfectly suited for counter IED operations in ports and also for possible self-defence of the own ship. Such unconventional explosive devices are usually well camouflaged and difficult to detect. Due to its geographical location, long coastlines and close proximity to the Arctic, Norway has a specific interest in “Maritime Domain Awareness” - the knowledge of maritime spaces and the safeguarding of such interests. In addition to traditional means such as Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) - manned or unmanned - underwater systems are likely to become increasingly important for Norwegian security pre- Saab’s Sea Wasp underwater vehicle neutralizing an underwater mine. Ill: Saab cautions.

16 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

– B u l l e t i N B o a r D f o r D e f e N c e , i ND u S t ry a ND t r a D e –

Procurement of new training aircraft suspended The schooling aircraft SK 60, Pernselius, Project Manager for which has grown to a ripe old the FMV. age, is to be replaced by a com- At his time, the situation is prehensive so-called Basic Train- undergoing analysis with the er Aircraft system. The FMV has FMV as well as the Armed Forc- initiated the procurement pro- es, where a preparatory work is cess, and invited offers. in progress. Now, however, the procure- The need for a replacement ment has been stopped, and the for the SK 60 remains. The FMV has advised all bidders ac- schooling aircraft in question, the The Northrop Grumman E-2d Hawkeye is an American cordingly. SK60, took to its wings for the all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne Photo: - We aborted the procure- first time in 1963. The goal is for early warning (AEW) aircraft. US Navy / G.R. Kusner ment in August. We had at that the pilot education system to be time not received any proposals ready at Malmen in Linköping for that met with all our “must have” the first batch of pilot candidates E-2D Hawkeye Aircraft for France requirements, says Andreas Säf in the summer of 2023. The State Department has made three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye a determination approving a Aircraft and related equipment possible Foreign Military Sale for an estimated cost of $2 bil- to the Government of France of lion.

Czech Republic to buy Israeli air defence system SPYDER The Czech Republic has selected waveband IIR missile, the I-DER- the Israeli SPYDER system after BY active radar BVR and the assessing nine air defence sys- I-DERBY ER long-range missile. tems from seven producers. These missiles can also be used Developed by Rafael Ad- for ground-to-air operations. Before the Armed Force pilots enter the hot seat in Gripen, they will vanced Defense Systems, SPY- Valued at around $430m, the have spent many hours side by side with an instructor in the SK 60, DER is a low to high-altitude deal is slated to be finalised early or the Saab 105 which is the civilian designation of the aircraft. The twin-engine trainer plane has been the mainstay of all surface-to-air missile system de- next year with deliveries expect- flight training for pilots since the 1960’s. Photo: Saab signed to protect against fighter ed two years later. aircraft, helicopter, other missiles Once delivered, the SPYDER and unmanned aerial vehicles. system will replace the ageing According to the company Soviet-era 2K12 KUB system Taiwan conducts anti-landing drill website, the missile system in- and will be used to protect in- Taiwan has conducted anti-landing Taiwan has controlled Mat- corporates advanced air-to-air- dustrial hubs, nuclear plants and drills on one of its islands closer su and Kinmen island since the missiles called PYTHON-5 dual airports. to the Chinese mainland amid end of the civil war between na- increasing cross-strait tensions. tionalist and communist forces. The exercise to push back China claims sovereignty landing attempts was held on over democratic Taiwan and in the Matsu archipelago, accord- recent months, tensions has es- ing to a statement by Taiwan’s calated after Beijing ramped up Defence Ministry. military activities in the region. Accompanied by pictures of Recently, Taiwan scrambled the drill, the statement said that fighter jets after Chinese aircraft it involved the use of cannons breached the unofficial mid-line and machine guns. of the sensitive Taiwan Strait. In a social media post, Tai- China also conducted large- wan’s Defence Ministry said: scale air and naval drills near “Whether the engine of a fighter the island this month. plane or the rumbling of artillery, This comes after Taiwan al- it is a reassuring sound for the lied with the US for armaments national army that is defending and support, a move denounced SPYDER air defence missile system on a Tatra the homeland.” by mainland China. truck. Photo: Ereshkigal1

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 17 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

USAF to upgrade Keflavik airfield infrastructure The Detachment 4 of the US includes three major initiatives, Air Force (USAF) Installation parking aprons expansion, and Mission Support Center has preparation of the bed-down awarded three contracts with a site to aid personnel in an ex- total value of $38m to upgrade peditionary environment and the airfield infrastructure at Naval to upgrade the hazardous cargo Air Station Keflavik in Iceland. pad of the airfield for the load- The projects support the ing and unloading of explosives. European Deterrence Initiative AFCEC Facility Engineering (EDI) which is implemented by Directorate director Col David the US European Command. Norton said: -The air force de- It aims to boost the US Air pends on the technical exper- Forces, Nato member state forc- tise of the professionals from A Swiss Air Force F-18 Hornet. By a margin of just 9,000 votes, Swiss es and European allies’ respon- AFCEC and Det. 4 to deliver citizens have given a cautious all-clear for a multi-billion purchase of new fighter jets for the air force.In general terms, French- and siveness and readiness. mission-ready infrastructure. Italian-speaking cantons voted against, and German-speaking cantons The initiative is a partner- We are upgrading infrastructure voted for. Analysts consider the high turnout of urban voters, who are ship between the Air Force Civil at Naval Air Station Keflavik to generally more critical of the army, may have driven the close result. Engineer Center, Detachment provide a high level of readiness Also the cost of the plan and the current “pandemic effect” may have 4, US Air Forces in Europe and for US Air Forces in Europe. been decisive. Photo: VBS / DDPS / Alexander Kühni Air Forces Africa, the Naval Fa- We have incorporated innova- cilities Engineering Command tive design and construction Wafer-Thin Majority Approves Europe Africa Central, the Ice- techniques to build resilient New Fighter Jets landic Coast Guard and the Ice- facilities to ensure the longest landic Airport & Air Navigation lifespan at the overall lowest By a margin of just 9,000 votes, tin F-35, Boeing’s Super Hor- Authority. lifecycle cost. Swiss citizens have given a cau- net, Dassault’s Rafale, and Air- The design and construc- In a separate development, tious all-clear for a multi-billion bus’s Eurofighter Typhoon, and tion manager, Detachment 4, the Department of the Air Force purchase of new fighter jets for during the first quarter of 2021, will carry out the project with has chosen 15 additional compa- the air force. In the end, 50.2% a choice will be made among the aid from NAVFAC EURACENT. nies to participate to develop new of voters approved the CHF6 different types of combat aircraft. Iceland Prime Contractors capabilities for Advanced Battle billion ($6.49 billion) funding In addition a choice of long- will execute the work, which Management System (ABMS). package after a surprising after- range surface-to-air defence will noon that left pollsters unable to be made. The candidates for the call the result until the last min- long-range surface-to-air de- ute. Turnout was 59.4%. fence systems are the SAMP / T Projections over the past (Eurosam, France) and Patriot weeks had shown clear accep- (Raytheon, United States). tance for the government-backed The planned financial limit plan, which will see the army re- for aircraft is 6 billion francs and place its ageing fleet of F-5 Tigers for ground-to-air defence 2 bil- and F/A-18 jets by 2030. lion francs. The government would now The new fighter jets as well proceed with the evaluation of as the long-range surface-to-air Two P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft on the four fighter models bidding for defence system will likely be de- apron of Keflavik Air Base, Iceland the contract: the Lockheed-Mar- livered between 2025 and 2030. on 2 January 2020 Photo: US Navy / Amariv Perez

First search and rescue aircraft for Canada The Royal Canadian Air Force speed and searching and hunt- (RCAF) has taken delivery ing skills. of the first future fixed-wing The aircraft features inte- search and rescue CC-295 air- grated sensors, which are ex- craft from Airbus. pected to detect persons or ob- This is part of the govern- jects from over 40km away. ment’s plans to equip the RCAF Worth C$2.4bn ($1.86bn), with modern aircraft to carry the Kingfisher fleet will con- out search and rescue missions sist of 16 aircraft, which will across the country. replace the current CC-115 The new fleet will be named Buffalo and CC-130H Hercules The first CC-295 lands at 19 Wing, Canadian Photo: Garry Walker – Kingfisher, after the kingfisher fleets at four locations in the Forces Base Comox, in British Columbia. CNW Group/Airbus bird, which is known for agility, country.

18 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

New combat vests for Norwegian soldiers The Norwegian Defence Materiel increased operational capaci- Agency Forsvarsmateriell (FMA) ty and predictability,” explains has entered into a contract with project manager Navy Captain the company Equipnor AS Tor Inge Thun. With this sys- for delivery of a new combat tem, the Armed Forces will have vest system for the Norwegian a complete, modular vest sys- Armed Forces. The vest system tem that draws on the best from will be supplied by Equipnor AS, operational experience as well and has been developed by the as all the experience the suppli- Norwegian NFM Group AS. The er possesses. At the same time, system also includes new ballis- the modularity of the Combat tic (bullet-proof) protection. The Vest system ensures that the contract will run for five years, vest can be easily adjusted and with an option to extend up to adapted to different areas of use. 10 years. The scope of delivery Start of production is has an estimated value of just planned for the first quarter of under 500 MNOK, or 45 MEUR. 2021, with the first deliveries to New battle vests for Norwegian soldiers. Photo: Equipnor The combat vest systems will the Armed Forces early in the eventually replace existing battle same year. varets Forskningsinstitutt FFI) will run over five years with the vests and load carrying systems In connection with the de- and NFM Technologies AS, a option of extension. The goal currently in use by the Norwe- livery contract, a Research and subsidiary of NFM Group AS, is to bring out the next gen- gian Armed Forces. Development (R&D) contract for the establishing of a devel- eration of ballistic protection “The contract contributes was also signed between the De- opment effort related to ballis- with lower weight and greater to giving the Armed Forces fence Research Institute (Fors- tic protection. The agreement performance.

Squadron 2020 and HX Fighter programs to drive Finland’s defence expenditure Finland plans to raise its de- Military tensions in the Baltic four multi-role corvettes, which which will be replaced by new fence spending to EUR3.16bn have been on the rise and height- are projected to cost around multi-role fighters under the (US$3.74bn) to modernize the ened with Russia’s Ocean Shield EUR1.3bn (US$1.53bn); the HX Fighter Program to secure capabilities of its naval and air 2020 naval exercises. This has construction of new vessels is and monitor the territorial in- forces through the Squadron helped Finland to push for the expected to begin in 2022. The tegrity of the country. This pro- 2020 and HX Fighter programs. modernization of its naval and new multi-role corvettes will gram is estimated to cost EUR7- The Finnish capital defence air fleets through the Squadron have surface warfare, maritime 10bn (US$8-12bn) and the final budget accounted for 24.9% of 2020 and HX Fighter programs. mine-laying and anti-submarine decision on the procurement of country’s total defence budget The Squadron 2020 pro- warfare capabilities. fighters is expected to be made in 2020, an increase of 0.2% gram aims to replace seven ves- Finland has an aging fleet in 2021. from 2019. sels of the Finnish navy with of 62 F/A-18C and F/A-18D,

control capabilities. In addition qualification tests, serial produc- KAPLAN ANTI-TANK Vehicle to the ready-to-fire missiles, the tion of the KAPLAN ANTI-TANK The KAPLAN ANTI-TANK ve- to its low-weight hull and five turret is also fitted with a 7.62 will begin soon afterwards, and hicle has been developed specif- road wheels. As an amphibious mm co-axial machine gun. deliveries are expected to be ically for an anti-tank role, and vehicle, KAPLAN ANTI-TANK Following the completion of completed in 2021. has successfully completed firing stands out as one of the few tests performed using KORNET vehicles in its class possessing and OMTAS missiles launched this ability. With two water pro- from the FNSS’ Anti-Tank Re- pulsion systems located at the mote Controlled Turret (ARCT). rear, the vehicle allows its users KAPLAN ANTI-TANK is the to carry out operations even in smallest member of the KAPLAN deep and turbulent waters. The new-generation armoured com- hatches and lids on the vehicle’s bat vehicle family of FNSS. The hull have all been fitted with wa- vehicle can execute a broad vari- ter-tight gaskets, and the vehicle ety of missions with the integra- allows its users to enter the water tion of different subsystems. The without prior preparation. vehicle also features mine and For its firepower, KAPLAN armoured protection, and offers ANTI-TANK relies on ARTC, high mobility under different which was developed to feature geographical conditions thanks modern firing and command & KAPLAN ANTI-TANK vehicle. Photo: Turkish Army

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 19 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Patria AMV for Bulgaria? Patria’s armoured combat vehi- Patria AMV is a modular, cle AMV has been selected for powerful and robust armoured the second phase of Bulgarian wheeled vehicle. Patria AMV is vehicle acquisition program also available with amphibious based on a tender phase. The capability for amphibious and final decision on the actual ac- landing operations. The capa- quisition will be made after field bilities of the platform allow tests and negotiations. Also, the integration of any weapon General Dynamics has proceed- system. ed to the second phase.

US Air Force to replace ageing The A330 MRTT combines the advanced technology of a new gener- ICBMs ation tanker with the operational experience recorded during more than 200,000 FH in service. The A330 MRTT is interoperable with The US Air Force (USAF) has the company would be able to receivers worldwide and delivers true multi-role capabilities as proven awarded Northrop Grumman offer a cheaper system and had during the recent MEDEVAC and strategic transport missions related a $13.3bn to modernise the earlier signalled its intention to to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: Airbus US ageing intercontinental bal- not bid for the competition. listic missile (ICBM) system, The resultant missile de- Additional Airbus A330 MRTT marking the next phase of the veloped under the GBSD pro- Ground Based Strategic Deter- gramme will replace the LGM- Airbus has received a firm order and will increase the MMF fleet rent (GBSD) programme. 30G Minuteman III ICBM that for an Airbus A330 MRTT Multi- to nine aircraft. The contract covers the en- first entered service in the 1970s. Role Tanker Transport from OC- This new order comes after gineering and manufacturing The GBSD ICBM is designed CAR, Europe’s organisation for the delivery of the first two air- development (EMD) phase of to offer ‘increased accuracy, en- the management of cooperative craft, with training and opera- the GBSD programme. Span- hanced security and improved armament programmes. tional activities already in place. ning over eight years it will cover reliability’ broadening the US ar- The order, which OCCAR The MMF programme is ‘weapon system design, qualifi- ray of strategic nuclear options. has placed on behalf of NATO’s funded by the Netherlands, Lux- cation, test and evaluation and The finished missile is due Support & Procurement Agency embourg, Norway, Germany, Bel- nuclear certification.’ to be deployed in the late 2020s. (NSPA), follows the decision gium and Czech Republic who Northrop Grumman be- Northrop Grumman said it is from Luxembourg to maximize have the exclusive right to oper- came the lone bidder for the aiming to achieve initial operat- its participation into the Mul- ate the NATO–owned aircraft in GBSD programme after Boeing ing capability by 2029. tinational MRTT Fleet (MMF) a pooling arrangement, a prime dropped out last year, following Air Force Technology under- programme with a significant example of European operational Northrop Grumman’s acquisi- stands that over its lifetime the increase from 200 to 1,200 the defence collaboration. The air- tion of Orbital ATK. Boeing said contract to update the USAF’s number of flight hours contract- craft will be configured for in- that Northrop Grumman’s acqui- ICBM force could be worth up ed. The aircraft is part of the flight refuelling, the transport of sition of Orbital ATK meant that to $85bn. three additional options origi- passengers and cargo, and medi- nally included in the contract cal evacuation operations.

Carl-Gustaf order from U.S. Army Saab has received an order for order will be operated by the Carl-Gustaf ammunition and U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and AT4 systems from the U.S. Special Forces Command. Army. The order value is ap- Since 1987, Saab has de- proximately USD 100 million livered more than 600,000 (930 MSEK) and deliveries will AT4s, both directly and un- take place in 2021. der license, to the U.S. Armed The order was placed with- Forces. The Carl-Gustaf sys- in an indefinite delivery and tem has been a program of quantity agreement signed in record in the U.S. since 2013 2019, enabling the customer and in 2018 the U.S. Army to place orders for Carl-Gustaf announced it would acquire ammunition and AT4 systems the latest version of the system during a five-year period to a – the Carl-Gustaf M4 (desig- value of up to USD 445 mil- nated M3E1 in the U.S.) with a lion. The AT4 systems and the reduced weight of less than 15 An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic Carl-Gustaf munitions in this pounds (7 kilos). missile launches during an operational test. Photo: USAF

20 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

RBS15 Anti-Ship Missiles from Germany Saab has received an order from mately 1.5 BSEK. The agreement its German partner Diehl De- allows orders to be placed until fence for the RBS15 anti-ship the end of 2024. missile for provision to the Ger- The RBS15 missiles and man Navy. The order value is ap- laun-cher systems provided in proximately 1.7 BSEK with de- this order will be placed on the liveries between 2022 and 2026. German Navy’s Braunschweig This order is part of a frame- Class Corvettes. In addition to work agreement between Saab the missile systems, the order and Diehl Defence, which offers also includes associated equip- the possibility for additional pro- ment and services. The German curement in the future, where Navy has been a user of RBS15 Saab’s share is up to approxi- since 2011.

The AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) provides the U.S. Marine Corps with capabilities for air surveillance, air defence, and ground weapon locating missions in one single ground-based radar solution. Photo: : Saab/ Northrop Grumman

Radar components for the U.S. Marine Corps Saab has received a 36.7 million The order includes compo- RBS15 in flight. RBS15 has a range of more than 200km, a total USD order for the U.S. Marine nents and subsystems in sup- in flight weight of 660 kg, and a 200 kg warhead. The missile has Corps’ AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air port of the Full Rate Produc- all weather anti-ship and sea denial capability and is designed to overcome the challenges of the modern naval battlespace. Built for de- Task Oriented Radar G/ATOR. tion phase. Saab’s deliveries ployment on multiple platforms, the RBS15 missile system currently Saab received the order from relating to this contract will serves with the armed forces of several nations around the world. The Northrop Grumman Systems take place between 2020 and RBS15 anti-ship missile solution is jointly produced by Saab Corporation, the prime contrac- 2021 from its facility in Syra- and Diehl Defence. Ill.: Saab tor for G/ATOR. cuse, New York, USA.

First Surface Ship and Submarine Firings of Saab Lightweight Torpedo Saab has together with the The development of the tor- signed for operations in deep- sue the target. It is a flexible sys- Swedish Defence Materiel Ad- pedo commenced with an order er seas. It incorporates a fully tem that can be launched from ministration (FMV) and Swed- from the Swedish Defence Ma- digital homing system, which multiple platforms, including ish Armed Forces conducted the teriel Administration (FMV) in offers both fire-and-forget and surface ships, helicopters, fixed- first tests with the Saab Light- 2016, and is to be deployed on wire-guided operation to pur- wing aircraft and submarines. weight Torpedo (SLWT) from a Sweden’s submarine fleet and corvette and a submarine. corvettes. In January 2018, the The tests are the first of its Finnish Navy placed an order kind for the new torpedo and for the SLWT, as a part of the were undertaken during Feb- Squadron 2000 Mid-Life Up- ruary and March 2020 at sea grade Programme. The Finnish ranges outside Karlskrona, on Navy will operate the system Sweden’s east coast in the Baltic on-board the upgraded Ham- Sea. The tests were conducted ina-class vessels as well as the from a Gotland-class submarine new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes and from a Visby-class corvette. of the Squadron 2020 Pro- The purpose of the firings was gramme. to verify that the torpedo can be The SLWT is unique in the safely launched from the vessels, way that it is adapted for diffi- which also included verification cult littoral underwater condi- of the integration on the vessels tions such as those found in the as well as SLWT’s target seeker. Baltic Sea while also being de- First tests with the Saab Lightweight Torpedo. Photo: Saab

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 21 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Life time extension for Skjold- class coastal corvettes UMOE Mandal AS and Kongs- The life time extension of berg Defence & Aerospace have the coastal corvettes will take agreed to cooperate on the life place at the ship yard in Man- time extension of Skjold-class dal, Norway in close cooper- coastal corvettes. ation with KONGSBERG and On May 29th, the Norwe- other suppliers. gian Government presented a UMOE Mandal has con- proposal to speed up the life structed and built the Skjold-class time extension of the Royal Nor- coastal corvettes for the Norwe- wegian Navy’s coastal corvettes. gian Armed Forces, and KONGS- This is an initiative that will BERG has been a key supplier enable increased activity in the of the combat system, and the Norwegian maritime industry. integration of sub-systems.

Photo: Airbus

First Five-bladed Airbus H145 Helicopter

Airbus Helicopters has delivered load by 150 kg while delivering the first five-bladed H145 to new levels of comfort, simplici- the Norwegian Air Ambulance ty, and connectivity. Foundation. This new version Norwegian Air Ambulance of its best-selling H145 light operates all 13 HEMS (Heli- twin-engine helicopter brings copter Emergency Medical Ser- a new, innovative five-bladed vices) bases in Norway and all 4 rotor to the multi-mission he- bases in Denmark using a fleet Costal corvette KNM Storm during exercise licopter, increasing the useful of H135s and H145s. Cold Response 2014. Photo: FMS

India tests extended range BrahMos supersonic US keeps buying missile F-35 Parts from Turkey India has tested the extend- where the BrahMos Land-Attack This is the second time that ed-range variant of BrahMos Cruise Missile (LACM) achieved the extended range version of The U.S. will continue to buy surface-to-surface supersonic a top speed of Mach 2.8. BrahMos supersonic missile was parts for the F-35 Joint Strike cruise missile. The extended range variant tested. The variant has a range Fighter from Turkey through The test was conducted at is equipped with Booster and of more than 400km. 2022, despite Ankara’s purchase Integrated Test Range (ITR), Airframe Section, as well as oth- BrahMos missile was jointly of the Russian S-400 air defence Balasore, in the state of Odisha, er locally made sub-systems. developed by India and Rus- system. sia. The original version has a The Trump administration range of around 290km and has in July 2019 banned Turkey already been inducted in the from participation in the multi- armed forces. national F-35 program. But the According to The Times of Defense Department continues India, the BrahMos missiles have buying Turkish-made parts to been deployed in Ladakh and maintain production, accord- in Arunachal Pradesh as India is ing to a statement from the US engaged in a military confronta- MoD. tion with China for the past few Turkish factories current- months. ly make more than 900 parts India has also moved for the F-35’s centre fuselage, 800km-range Nirbhay cruise cockpit display systems and missiles, as well as Akash sur- other components. A complete face-to-air missile (SAM) systems cut-off in December as planned to the front. would result in about $1 billion India has tested the extended range version of BrahMos supersonic mis- Recently, India also tested in replacement costs that would sile. The variant has a range of more than 400km. The photo displays the laser-guided anti-tank mis- slow down production of the the original version of the BrahMos missile, sile from MBT Arjun Tank. aircraft. with a range around 290km. . Photo: Indian MoD

22 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Tactical Power Pack for Field Use Bittium launches Bittium Tac- tactical communication use cas- tical Power Pack for portable es. It includes two 70 Wh, 6.7 tactical communication devic- Ah batteries that are attached es. The Tactical Power Pack has as one with an adapter. This been designed to be used for ex- way the Tactical Power Pack ample with Bittium Tough SDR can also be used as a charger Handheld radio and Bittium for the two batteries. The small Tough Comnode device, but size and light weight of the Tac- it can also be easily used with tical Power Pack enables also its Photo: UK MOD normal tablets and smartphones easy attachment to soldier gear through USB connection. The together with the device being Tactical Power Pack enables charged. Thales and Leonardo to Support uninterrupted field use for the Bittium is a Finnish compa- Polish Navy’s Anti-submarine devices. ny with over 35 years of experi- Warfare Capability Bittium Tactical Power Pack ence in advanced radio commu- has been designed especially for nication technologies. The Polish Navy will equip its have been delivered to about a AW101 helicopters with four dozen navies around the world. FLASH SONICS (Folding Light The key benefits of this Acoustic System for Helicop- low-frequency wideband sonar ters) from Thales. The FLASH include long-range detection with is a dipping sonar, and is op- broad sector coverage and low erated by a large number of false alarm rates in open ocean naval forces, including the US as well as littoral waters. Initially Navy, the UK Royal Navy, the designed for heavy helicopters French Navy, the Royal Austra- such as the Merlin AW101 from lian Navy and the navies of the Leonardo chosen by the Polish United Arab Emirates, Norway, Navy, the system is also available Sweden, South Korea, the Phil- in a compact version equipped ippines and now Poland. To with an electric motor for lighter date, over 400 Flash systems helicopters like the AW159.

Second GlobalEye for UAE Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) frigate Admiral Makarov. Photo: Russian MoD The United Arab Emirates The first GlobalEye aircraft (UAE) has taken delivery of the was delivered to the UAE in April Russian air defence training second GlobalEye Swing Role this year. The UAE has so far or- Surveillance System from Saab. dered three GlobalEye aircraft. Air defence (AD) crews on the entered the target range. In 2015, Saab signed a $1.27bn In November 2019, the UAE Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet The enemy target was de- contract with the UAE to expand Ministry of Defence expressed (BSF) frigate Admiral Makarov stroyed by electronic launches and improve the airborne sur- interest in buying two additional have carried out training to re- of anti-aircraft missiles, which veillance capabilities, with the GlobalEye Airborne Early Warn- pel the mock enemy air attack. prevented it from striking the delivery of new airborne swing- ing and Control (AEW&C) air- The exercise is carried out ship. role surveillance system (SRSS). craft from Saab. by the frigate as a part of the The Indian Navy reportedly permanent group of ships that took part in exercises with Rus- are allocated to the Mediterra- sia on 4-5 September. nean Sea. During the exercise, In July, the Russian Navy the mock enemy aircraft relayed took delivery of a new gener- information regarding the loca- ation of hypersonic nuclear tion of the frigate and headed strike weapons and underwater for an airstrike using guided nuclear drones. missiles on the target. During the same month, The weapons control system the Russian Navy accepted its of the ship electronically simu- newest Admiral Gorshkov-class lated the mock enemy with the of Project 22350 frigate, Admi- specified characteristics. The ral Kasatonov. The new frigates crew of the combat information feature stealth capabilities and post identified and classified carry high-precision weapons. the target, and the approaching They are being built by Sever- GlobalEye is designed to provide air, maritime and ground surveillance ‘plane’ was then destroyed by naya Verf (United Shipbuilding capabilities. It integrates the Saab Erieye Extended the air defence crews before it Corporation). Range Radar with Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft. Photo: Saab

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 23 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Sonars for Coastguard vessels Kongsberg Maritime has signed and capable of detecting tor- contract with Vard to deliv- pedoes or other small objects er sonars to the Norwegian in the water column, is an ac- Coastguard. The sonars will be tive hull-mounted sonar which used on board three new craft utilises sophisticated tracking planned for launch between algorithms. Its electronical- 2022 and 2024, replacing the ly-stabilised transmitting and existing Nordkapp-class vessels. receiving beams can be tilted KONGSBERG will equip the to adjust to challenging sound new 136-metre, ice-strength- speed profiles, with its integrat- ened vessels with its SS1221 ed Sound Propagation Mod- sonars, which boast acoustic el determining the optimal tilt properties which make them settings and enhancing the ideally suited for multiple oper- Probability of Detection (PoD) ations safeguarding Norwegian ratio. The SS1221 sonars will territorial waters, especially be delivered to the Coastguard those requiring deployment in complete with retractable hull shallow-water environments. units and gate valves for ice The SS1221, principally protection, ensuring safe and devised for ASW operations efficient operation. Patria NEMO on a AMV 8x8. Photo: Patria

Teaming up for U.S. turreted mortar programs

Patria and Kongsberg Defence & simultaneous impact (MRSI) fire Aerospace have teamed up for missions with up to 6 rounds the future U.S. turreted mortar per MRSI mission. In addition programs. The teaming will pro- to being highly protected, Patria vide to the U.S. market an un- Nemo is light, compact and eas- rivalled combination of Patria’s ily installable on light, tracked world-leading mortar systems chassis, wheeled armoured vehi- together with Kongsberg’s U.S. cles or navy vessels. remote weapons systems (RWS) Having an eye on upcoming manufacturing capabilities and turreted mortar programs for the experience in the U.S. market. U.S. armed forces, Patria and Patria Nemo is a remote-con- Kongsberg have agreed to lever- trolled 120mm mortar system age Kongsberg’s existing RWS capable of both direct and in- manufacturing facilities in John- direct fire on the move. Nemo stown, Pennsylvania for Nemo’s Art impression of the new Norwegian Coastquard can also execute multiple rounds production to the U.S. market. vessels. Ill. Vard Group

Air defence capability under development

During the summer, the FMV The Fire Unit 98 system carried out test firings with will defend Sweden against parts of what is known as the enemy air targets at short dis- Air Force Operational Capa- tances, such as fighter bombers bility. The goal is to hand over and cruise missiles. With radar all system units of Fire Unit 98 information from Intelligence this year. Unit 23, the fire master on Fire Some verification tests are Unit 98 fires the robot at the always performed when new aircraft. systems are developed. The The robot fired from Fire technical ability is tested in rela- Unit 98 is also included as an tion to the requirements set out armament on the JAS 39 Grip- in the procurement that FMV en fighter aircraft. The flight- FMV is in the final phase of the tests with the Fire Unit 98 system. Robot has made. Air defence systems based robot has also become 98 (IRIS-T missile), which is fired from Fire Unit 98, will defend Sweden are technically complex and ground-based after adjust- against, for example, combat aircraft and cruise robots. Photo: FMV require high precision. ments in the software.

24 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

SkyRaider UAS to US Marine Corps FLIR Systems has won a con- Fitted with long-range and tract with the US Marine Corps high-resolution EO/IR imaging (USMC) for the delivery of its sensors, the unmanned system R80D SkyRaider Unmanned is capable of offering situational Aerial Systems (UAS). awareness both during the day Under the $10m contract, and at night. the company will supply an SkyRaider holds the capac- undisclosed number of its ad- ity to carry up to 2kg external vanced military UAS. FLIR R80D loads for specialised missions, SkyRaider has been developed such as forward resupply, asset for the US defence and other extraction and more. federal government clients.

The US Navy is planning to acquire a total of 19 Independence class vessels. The photo displays the USS Gabrielle Giffords. Photo: U.S. Navy/ J. J. Kunkle

US Navy’s 12th Independence- class littoral combat ship Austal USA has delivered the US sel will be deployed to conduct Navy’s 12th Independence-class maritime security, sea control littoral combat ship (LCS), the and deterrence, and protect SkyRaider Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). Photo: FLIR future USS Oakland (LCS 24). coastal threats, including sub- Designed to operate in near- marines, mines and swarming shore environments, the ves- small craft. Composite Australia to components for invest $186bn Russian Jets for India F-35 in defence India has green-lighted the In 2019, India was the Northrop Grumman Corpo- The Australian Government is purchase of 33 Russian fighter third-largest military spender ration has awarded Kongs- set to invest A$270bn ($186bn) jets and upgrades to 59 others in the world at $71.1 billion, berg Defence & Aerospace in the Australian Defence Force worth $2.4 billion at a time according to the Stockholm In- AS (KONGSBERG) a contract (ADF) capability and infrastruc- of rising border tensions with ternational Peace Research In- worth 800 MNOK, where 426 ture over the next ten years. China. stitute (SIPRI). Million NOK has been incre- The investment has been The government also ap- Most of India’s arms imports mentally ordered in previous detailed in the 2020 Defence proved the procurement of 12 still come from Russia. The quarters. Strategic Update 2020 and Force Russian Su-30 MKI aircraft to United States and Israel are also The agreement covers pro- Structure Plan. Once imple- be built under license by Hin- major providers of high-tech duction lots 12-14 for supply mented, the strategic update will dustan Aeronautics Limited. military hardware. of composite fuselage panels invest to directly benefit 11,000 and hatches for all variants of Australian companies in the de- the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. fence industry.

NATO infrastructure in Estonia

NATO has announced the and deployments quickly and opening of its infrastructure effectively. facility for allied troops at the In order to facilitate the Tapa Base in Estonia. Readiness Action Plan, NATO Built with a €20m ($22.5m) Allies have launched a pro- investment, the project received gramme to construct more than majority funding through the 200 similar projects. Currently, NATO Security Investment Pro- the infrastructure to support gramme (NSIP). the prepositioning of military The new facility will serve as supplies, staging and training Despite serious serviceability issues with its MiG-29s (photo) and Su- a base for allied troops to take is under construction in eight 30s, India has decided to buy 33 more Mig-29s for $2.4 billion. part in short-notice exercises NATO nations. Photo: Aktug Ates

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 25 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

New surveillance boat for the West Coast The FMV (Swedish Defence Mate- a special role of participating riel Administration) has delivered in the protection of shipping the surveillance boat HMS “Ärlig” and Sweden’s territorial waters to the 17th patrol boat company from intrusion, especially in and at the Amphibious Regiment in around Gothenburg, where 30 Gothenburg. With this delivery, percent of Sweden’s foreign trade the fifth and last patrol boat has passes through every year. been delivered to the company. The Swedish archipelago con- Facts and figures, HMS “Gävle”. Built at the Karlskronavarvet AB, and sea The five surveillance boats stitutes a complex environment launched 1990. The vessel is 57 m long, 8 m abeam, its draft is some that FMV has now delivered have which means that the Swedish 2,5 m, and the displacement is about 400 tonnes. Photo: Swedish Navy undergone a service life extension Navy needs short reaction times. program during which, among The patrol boats must be able to HMS “Gävle” at sea after the other tasks, the command bridge carry out several different tasks first stage of the modifications has been rebuilt and engines and such as maritime surveillance, sonar have been replaced. protection of shipping, subma- When the first of the two corvettes several part systems is shorter. In Sweden’s latest defence rine hunting and reacting in the to be modified now takes to sea, In some cases, the problem is policy paper for 2016–2020, event of an attack. This requires the project for half time modifica- difficulty of maintenance, while national defence was prioritized, both sensors and equipment that tions enters the next phase, with in other cases the technical de- including submarine hunting are adapted to the environment to the completion of installations and velopment has surged so far capability. The patrol boats have achieve optimal effect. integration of various systems. ahead that entire systems need The half time modification to be replaced in order to keep is the most extensive upgrade up the operative ability. that the Gothenburg class cor- At the time when the first vettes will undergo during their corvette now takes to sea, the life span. The hull itself has a life second corvette lies in the hull expectancy of 30 years, while hall for the completion of cor- the usable technical life span of responding modification efforts.

First A330 aircraft to NATO fleet Airbus has delivered the first by the Netherlands, Luxem- Airbus A330 Multi Role Tank- bourg, Norway, Germany, Bel- HMS “Ärlig” together with two other patrol Photo: Joakim Nilsson/ er Transport (MRTT) aircraft to gium and the Czech Republic. boats at the Gothenburg naval base. Swedish Armed Forces) the NATO Multinational MRTT The aircraft’s main operating Fleet (MMF) in Spain. base is located in Eindhoven, During the ceremony at the the Netherlands. It will also op- Airbus Getafe site in Spain, erate from the Forward Operat- Norwegian company Aristeia AS the first of eight aircraft was ing Base in Cologne, Germany. signs agreement with the US Navy delivered. Funded by the six nations, The MRTT aircraft’s official the MMF programme will per- Following promising results found in outboard engines and acceptance marks a milestone mit them to operate the NATO– from initial tests in Norway, lawnmowers to build up pres- towards its entry to service of owned aircraft in a pooling ar- Aristeia AS has engaged the sure. The company has worked the multinational unit formed rangement. Naval Medical Research Unit closely with the Norwegian De- – San Antonio as an indepen- fence Research Establishment dent test and evaluation agen- through its Innovation and In- cy to further develop its novel dustrial Development and Com- emergency tourniquet. The Col- prehensive Defence divisions laborative Research and Devel- on prototyping and testing. In opment Agreement (CRADA) addition, testing and evaluation will see the tourniquet under- has been performed through a go multiple phases of testing, collaboration with the Norwe- granting the company access to gian Armed Forces. To reach world-leading expertise and fa- these milestones, Aristeia has cilities in prehospital medicine. received backing from the Royal Aristeia has been developing Norwegian Ministry of Defence, a tourniquet to stop lethal hem- Innovation Norway, SIVA and orrhage in the extremities since the Research Council of Norway. Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft will perform 2016. The design is based on Aristeia is developing a new in-flight refuelling, transport passengers and cargo a pull cord mechanism, utiliz- tourniquet system for use in the and carry out medical evacuation operations. Photo: Airbus ing a similar movement to that military and civilian trauma care.

26 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Kongsberg acquires Patria Helicopters AS Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance signed a letter of intent with the Services AS, a company in Kongs- Norwegian Defence Logistics Or- berg Gruppen ASA (KONGS- ganisation regarding a strategic BERG), has entered into agree- partnership on the P-8. ment to acquire Patria Helicopters The acquired company, Pa- AS in Bardufoss from Patria Avia- tria Helicopters, will be renamed tion Oy, a subsidiary of Patria Oyj. Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance The formal takeover date was 1st. Services Bardufoss AS. It has op- July 2020. erations at Bardufoss Airport with “This acquisition strengthens special responsibility for main- our presence in and commitment taining NH-90 helicopters. to Bardufoss and this region and There are plans to grow the makes us more able to support company’s activities, which means the NH-90 helicopters,” says Eirik hiring new personnel and increas- The one hundredth vehicle in the massive rebuilding project Combat Lie, the President of Kongsberg ing the workforce to around 50- Vehicle 90 RENO, encompassing the integration of a new command Defence & Aerospace AS. 60 jobs over time. That involves support system as well as renovation and upgrading of subsystems. Photo: FMV The acquisition is part of a greater need for aircraft tech- KONGSBERG’s long-term com- nicians, for instance. Troms and mitment to the operation and Finnmark County has recently Upgrading maintenance of the Norwegian decided to establish an additional the Combat Vehicle 90 Armed Forces’ systems and plat- aircraft mechanics class at Bar- forms. The company bought a dufoss High School, and the first This week, the FMV took deliv- Bofors is responsible for minority shareholding in Patria three apprentices will join Kongs- ery of serial number 100 of the turrets and system integration Oyj in 2016 and in 2019 a ma- berg Aviation Maintenance Ser- total 288 units of Combat Vehi- and Hägglunds oversees chas- jority shareholding in the former vices Bardufoss in August 2020. cle 90 that are undergoing reno- sis. Development, verification AIM Norway AS, now Kongsberg In addition, Kongsberg vation and upgrading. BAE Sys- and production take place at Aviation Maintenance Services Technology Training Centre AS tems Bofors and BAE Systems each company, with final in- AS, where Patria is the minority (K-Tech), which is partly owned Hägglunds are carrying out the tegration and delivery at Bo- shareholder. Since then, KONGS- by KONGSBERG, will establish assignment jointly. fors for all variants, except the BERG has entered into strategic operations at Bardufoss in the au- The contract for rebuilding salvage variant delivered from cooperation agreements with the tumn of 2020. K-Tech is a centre 288 Combat Vehicles 90 in six Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik. Norwegian Armed Forces relat- of education dedicated to technol- different variants was conclud- Serial production began in ing to the NH-90 helicopter and ogy and industrial subjects and, ed by FMV in 2016 with the 2019 and will continue up to some of the Royal Norwegian Na- with its total of 64 apprentices, company jointly owned by BAE and including 2022. Instructor vy’s systems. plays a very important role in the Systems Bofors and BAE Sys- and technician courses have In addition, KONGSBERG efforts to recruit people to this in- tems Hägglund, H-B Utveck- been completed, and now in signed a letter of intent with Boe- dustry. The first three apprentices ling. This includes the integra- August 2020, the Armed Forc- ing regarding the maintenance will start to work for Kongsberg tion of a new command support es have started unit training of the Norwegian Armed Forc- Aviation Maintenance Services system as well as renovation on rebuilt Combat Vehicles es’ newly acquired P-8 maritime Bardufoss as early as in August and upgrading of subsystems in 90, where Boden is the first patrol aircraft on 18 June and 2020. the Combat Vehicle 90. to go.

Remote controlled AMV 8x8

The development of Patria’s Heavy Unmanned Ground Ve- hicles has reached a level where the Patria AMV 8x8 vehicle can be operated remotely beyond visual line of sight utilizing 5G and 4G networks. This enables vehicles operation even from longer distances with higher reliability. Patria´s unmanned solution can be integrated to new Patria AMV, Patria 6x6 vehicles and to all already delivered AMV 8x8´s without any major changes in the vehicle configuration. Photo: Patria

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 27 BULLETIN BOARD FOR DEFENCE, INDUSTRY AND TRADE

Sonars for Mine CounterMeasures ECA GROUP and iXblue as SEASCAN and K-STER C strengthen their partnership MIDS (Mine Identification and and sign a contract for naviga- Disposal System) for mine iden- tion, underwater positioning tification and neutralization. systems and obstacle avoidance These drones must perform sonars for Mine CounterMea- navigation, obstacle detection sures replacement program for and avoidance, vehicle tracking the Belgian and Royal Nether- and underwater communication lands Navies. between UAVs with a high lev- As part of the program to el of performance. So, through replace the naval Mine Counter this 10-year agreement, iXblue Measures capability of the Bel- is committed to provide equip- gian and Dutch navies, which ment adapted to the high level The new STIM277H Gyro module from Sensonor. Photo: Sensonor includes the supply of twelve of performance specified by ECA minehunters equipped with GROUP. Sensonor Launches Space- drones (Toolbox), ECA Dedicated Gyro and IMU Modules GROUP has signed an agreement with iXblue The high-accuracy tactical-grade high-temperature operating life for the supply of For- STIM277H Gyro module and (HTOL) testing. ward Looking Sonars STIM377H Inertial Measure- STIM277H and STIM377H (FLS), as well as in- ment Unit are based on expe- are electrically and mechanical- ertial navigation and riences and requirements from ly backward-compatible with subsea positioning and serving customers in the space Sensonor’s other IMU and gyro communication sys- segment during the last decade. modules, and provide users tems. The modules have a hermet- with an easy implementation The Toolbox devel- ic aluminum enclosure with a into an existing design. oped by ECA GROUP glass-to-metal sealed electrical The parts are a good fit for consists of a variety micro-d connector and a la- satellite attitude & orbit control of drones to be de- ser-welded lid to secure long- systems (AOCS), launchers, por- ployed by operators to term hermetic operation. The table target acquisition systems, perform autonomous hermetic enclosure protects the UAV payloads, land navigation mine clearance mis- system from the external envi- systems, turret stabilization, missions at sea. It contains ronment and ensures long-term sile stability and GNSS-support- USV INSPECTOR125 reliability to meet requirements ed navigation systems. surface drone, SKE- within the space segment and Sensonor designs and manu- DAR V-200 aerial other applications needing ex- factures advanced tactical-grade drones, AUV A18-M Art illustration of the naval Mine Counter ceptional long-term reliability. gyro sensors, gyro modules and underwater drones, Measures Toolbox developed by ECA The design is tested for a 20+ IMUs for high-precision appli- T18 towed sonars for GROUP for the Belgian years’ operating life through cations. mine detection, as well and Dutch navies. Ill: iXblue

ROBUST SATELLITE COMMUNICATION TERMINALS REQUTECH OFFERS: ABOUT OUR SATCOM TERMINALS: · Help choosing equipment · Robust – can be used in all weather conditions · Satcom terminals with · IP65 rated all peripherals · Complete systems · On-site support · Fulfills EUTESAT/INTELSAT standards · Education at our offices in · All our terminals are EUTELSAT approved and Linköping or Gothenburg may be used with their satellites · Courses at customer premises are also possible

requtech.com

28 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 STINGRAY

T1 N234MQ (s/n 00001) on its first wheels-up flight from MidAmerica Airport. The shadow cast shows the air vehicle’s chine, the longitudinal line of sharp change in the cross-section profile of the fuselage. Photo: Boeing Phantom Works STINGRAY: NO BARB OR VENOM FOR NOW

The US Navy’s nascent MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial vehicle

Text: Mark Ayton to other aircraft, naval vessels, ground ly supporting F-35C Lightning IIs into forces, etc. non-permissive environments. aval Air Systems Command and As the first carrier-based, Group 5 un- A likelihood not denied by Captain Chad Boeing’s Phantom Works is currently manned aircraft system (UAS), the MQ-25 Reed, MQ-25 Program Manager, Unmanned Ndeveloping the MQ-25A Stingray. will pioneer the integration of manned and Carrier Aviation with PMA-268 (PMA This 15.5m (51-foot) long unmanned air unmanned flight operations, demonstrate =Program Manager, Air) who said: “Right vehicle is the world’s first designed for carri- sea-based UAS command, control, com- now, even though its configuration is stealthy, er-based operations. In addition to catapult munications, computers, and intelligence there is no low-observable requirement for the launch and arrested landing capabilities, the (C4I) technologies, and pave the way for MQ-25. Our requirement was for Boeing to use Stingray will perform autonomous aerial future multi-mission unmanned air vehicles. mature technologies in accordance with the refuelling in support of all fixed wing aircraft The latter is a pointer to follow-on roles accelerated programme goals. It is designed assigned to the Carrier Air Wing (CVW). for the MQ-25. Certainly the air vehicle’s to operate in permissive environments when Secondary to that, the MQ-25A has an low-observable stealthy configuration points it enters the fleet, while concepts of operation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the air vehicle being used to drag aircraft are explored, and it’s meshed with manned (ISR) role afforded by an electro-optical and in CVW strike packages further from the operations. Manned-unmanned teaming is a infrared sensor. Data will be transmitted carrier than ever before: most important- notable aspect of the programme, one that’s on

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 29 STINGRAY

the cutting-edge simply because other aircraft are recovery systems, data dissemination foremost because of its ability to meet the not designed to operate in such close proximity systems (including radio terminals and schedule, and the ability to meet the key to and with manned aircraft: Stingray has a antennas), and deck operations systems. performance parameters (KPPs). It’s notable configuration and a new capability unmatched Ship installation requires considerable that the MQ-25 had just two KPPs; the in a current air wing.” work to re-model nearly 900ft² (84m²) capability to give away a set amount of fuel The US Navy has highlighted the current of space on board the carrier to house to a CVW strike package hundreds of miles requirements for the MQ-25A as carrier-based the UMCS. away from the carrier, and full integration refueling and persistent ISR capabilities. Systems specific to carrier flight deck op- with Nimitz and Ford-class carriers as they erations include a tail hook for arrested currently operate. Major architectural landings; foldable wings to minimise the The US Navy saw the importance of segments air vehicle’s parking footprint on the flight getting the system to the fleet quickly. More Designed to be sustainable on board an deck; design features that ease mainte- specifically to reduce the amount of flight aircraft carrier and from shore bases, the nance; and on-deck control systems that time used up by F/A-18 Super Hornets MQ-25 system is comprised of three ma- integrate with systems currently used on when conducting the aerial refuelling role. jor architectural segments. Nimitz and Ford-class carriers. The 6,000-hour Super Hornet service • the air segment includes the MQ-25A life is being depleted at much faster rates air vehicle and associated support and CBARS Competition than anticipated. This has forced the Navy handling equipment including the deck In 2016 PMA-268 issues a plus-up award to devise and develop a new weapon sys- handling system, spares and repair for four contractors capable of developing tem to conduct its tanker mission and save materials. an UAS suitable for the CBARS require- Super Hornet service life. This is a primary • the control system and connectivity (CS&C) ments; Boeing, General Atomics, Lock- reason why the Navy switched its plan for segment includes the Unmanned carrier heed Martin and Northrop Grumman. a carrier-borne UAS from one programme, aviation Mission Control System (UMCS) Each contractor presented PMA-268 UCLASS, to another; CBARS (see below). and its associated communication equip- with ideas about how they were to mature The CBARS concept also addresses other ment. Mission support functionality of the their own technologies and concepts. tactical aspects of carrier aviation; it helps Distributed Common Ground Station-Navy PMA-268 released the draft air system to counter emerging threats now fielded by (DCGS-N), the Navy’s primary intelligence, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Develop- potential adversaries. That capability almost surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting ment (EMD) Request for Proposal (RFP) in certainly points to a need for the MQ-25’s system. All network based interfaces and July 2017. In August 2018 PMA-268 awarded stealthy, low- observable configuration. routing equipment required to control the the EMD contract to The Boeing Company. Stingray; and all required modifications Under the EMD contract, the first seven T1 and Phase One Testing to existing networks and C4I system in- aircraft procured by the Navy are four Engi- Phantom Works, Boeing’s advanced pro- frastructure. neering Development Model (EDM) test air totyping division, started building air ve- • the CVN (aircraft carrier) segment vehicles (AV-1, AV-2, AV-3 and AV-4), and hicle T1 in 2012. comprises the ships’ spaces allocated three System Demonstration Test Articles The design features a blended wing- to unmanned carrier aviation, installed (SDTA). In addition, Boeing will also build body-tail air foil with folding, high-as- ship systems and modifications necessary two more airframes – one for fatigue testing pect-ratio wings and a V-tail. Its configu- for interface with the air and CS&C and one for static loads testing. ration reflects the long-endurance mission segments. CVN systems important to Boeing’s bid was determined to offer requirements of the UCLASS programme, the MQ-25 include aircraft launch and the best value for the government, first and particularly the long thin wings. Phantom Works finished the first iteration in 2014 as part of its design proposal for the UCLASS programme. Air vehicle T1 has the same outer mould line and the same engine to nascent production standard MQ-25s. Consequently, some aspects of testing already undertaken with T1 will not require repeating with a production standard air vehicle. The objective of the MQ-25 test programme is to evaluate system maturity and technical performance of the aerial refuelling role; both mission and recovery tanking. T1’s maiden flight took place there on September 19, 2019. As of March 20, T1 had flown 12 flights and amassed nearly 30 hours. T1 is currently undergoing a planned modification for the installation of an aerial refuelling store underneath the left wing. Testing with T1 will continue over the next few years to include envelope expansion, engine testing, aerial refuelling store Another top down shot shows the fuselage plan form, the engine intake’s curved articulation, operations, and Joint Precision Approach and the flaperons’ position on the wings. Photo: Boeing Landing System (JPALS) functionality testing.

30 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 STINGRAY

T1’s involvement in the test programme will culminate with its hoisting aboard an aircraft carrier to test the deck handling and control station systems.

Risk Reducer and Later Test Phases T1 has already proven beneficial as a risk reducer during initial ground and flight testing. Having T1 available for testing years before the first EDM vehicles are produced, supports early learning and the discovery of any issues much earlier than is typical. For example, an icing suscepti- bility issue with the air data probe system has already been identified and a different air data probe has been designed and will be fitted to all four EDM air vehicles AV-1, AV-2, AV-3 and AV-4, during their An artist impression of General Atomics’ proposal for the CBARS programme, shown aerial production. refuelling an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the single ARS mounted under Without T1, the test team would not the left wing. Photo: General Atomics have been able to identify the air data probe problem for several years. AV-1 and AV-2 will be dedicated to flight sciences testing and fitted with similar During demos, the UMCS commu- direction and altitude, and continuously instrumentation to T1. AV-3 and AV-4 will nicated with a Surface Mobile Aviation monitor the machine while in flight. be dedicated to mission systems and car- Interoperability Lab truck, simulating an Flight control software is designed to rier suitability testing, and the air vehicle’s air vehicle, and verifying command and handle unexpected events such as bad effectiveness to the aerial refueling role, all control. Connectivity between the UMCS weather or when a change to altitude or the planned for the second phase. and shipboard network systems was tested position of its tanking pattern is required. The air vehicle’s all-up weight is an and voice trunking (internet protocol to The AVO will use the MD-5 control sta- incredibly important design parameter for serial) between the air vehicle operator tion housed within the carrier’s Unmanned carrier suitability. The MQ-25 must be ca- (AVO) and the simulated UAV was verified. Carrier Aviation Warfare Center throughout pable of fulfilling its tanking role despite the Limited control and data dissemination all stages of the mission from the catapult constraints imposed by maximum catapult between the UMCS and simulated air vehicle launch to the arrested landing. shot weights and arrested recoveries from to include automatic identification system During aerial refuelling ops, the AVO Nimitz- and Ford-class carriers. All-up weight detection, electro-optical/infrared camera will have the ability to communicate with was also constrained by the requirement operation, and full motion video, pre- the receiver aircraft’s pilot. for a fuel giveaway of 16,000lb (7,257kg) planned and dynamic mission re-planning, at 500 nautical miles (925km) from the was also performed. Milestone C and Beyond carrier. By comparison, a Super Hornet PMA-268 is pursuing a Milestone C de- holds a giveaway fuel load of 12,000lb Air Vehicle Control cision for low rate initial production in (5,443kg) on a two-hour cycle, 15,000lb The air vehicle operator (AVO) com- 2023 to procure up to 12 MQ-25A air (6,803kg) on a normal cycle and 25,000lb mands the air vehicle where it needs to vehicles. Following successful tests and (11,339kg) on a short cycle. go and what it’s required to do: the system evaluations, PMA-268 will pursue a full The MQ-25 will also be tasked with determines how to get there in the most rate production decision for an estimated recovery tanking, which involves having a safe and efficient way. total of 76 air vehicles. tanker airborne in orbit close to the carrier Typical operation involves the AVO Stingray is expected to achieve its while aircraft recover. A critical capability maintaining positive control of the air ve- initial operational capability with the fleet at night or when the weather conditions hicle, including the ability to change speed, in 2024. are bad with a pitching deck in heavy seas, such that pilots need to top up the tanks to afford further attempts to land on the flight deck. MQ-25 STINGRAY CHARACTERISTICS Control System Wingspan 75ft (22.86m) Designated the MD-5 A/B (ship/shore), the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Wingspan folded 31ft 3in (9.54m) Control System (UMCS). An MD-5 A/B control station comprises Length 51ft (15.54m) open architecture software, six OJ-845 common display systems, two UYQ-122 Height 15ft 8in (4.78m) common processing systems, one network processing group, one integrated commu- Flight deck footprint No greater than a Super Hornet nication system, and network connectivity.

MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 31 SNOWMOBILES SPECIALLY ADAPTED SNOWMOBILES FOR THE RANGERS

Lynx BoonDocker Army 4100 850 E-TEC Sweden is procuring two types of snowmobiles, the Lynx 69 Ranger Army 900 ACE and the Lynx BoonDocker Army 4100 850 E-TEC, both adapted to meet the requirements set forth in the agreement. Photo: FMV

he FMV (Swedish Defence Materiel The FMV has contracted with BRP Fin- BRP Finland Oy will be delivering Administration) has signed an agree- land Oy for the delivery of one hundred new the snowmobile models Lynx 69 Ranger Tment for the supply of 100 specially snowmobiles adapted and intended for the Army 900 ACE and Lynx BoonDocker adapted snowmobiles for the Armed Forces’ Army Ranger Battalion at the Norrbotten Army 4100 850 E-TEC, both adapted to rangers, with the possibility of exercising regiment in Arvidsjaur, and the Paratrooper meet the requirements set forth in the options for a further 200 snowmobiles with Squadron at the Intelligence Battalion by the agreement. attendant spare parts. The contract value Life Regiment Hussars in Karlsborg. The delivery of the new snowmobile including options and systems materiel The contract is for two models of snow- system with snow scooters and attendant amounts to approximately 80 MSEK, or mobile: one wide-tracked snowmobile, and tools, spare parts and training will be made 8 MEUR. one snowmobile with high agility in alpine before the winter of 2021/2022. snow conditions.

Administration/Administrasjon: Editorial Office/ Subscriptions/ Castra AS Redaksjon: Abonnementservice: Org.nr. NO 971 161 531 MVA Tel.(+47) 901 83 211 Tel.(+47) 901 83 211 ISSN 0806–6159 Publisher/Utgiver: Editor-in-Chief/Ansvarlig redaktør: Advertising Office/Annonser: Layout: Zanna Skulova Norsk Militærteknisk Forlag M.Sc./Siv.ing. Bjørn Domaas Josefsen Krokliveien 66, N-0584 OSLO Print: UnitedPress Poligrāfijas grupa Krokliveien 66, N-0584 OSLO E-mail: [email protected] Tel.(+47) 901 83 211 www.unitedpress.lv

32 MILITÆRTEKNIKK 3-4/2020 WORLD WORLD LEADING LEADING EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT, TRAININGS TRAININGS WORLD AND LEADINGAND TECHNIQUES TECHNIQUES EQUIPMENT, TRAININGS AND TECHNIQUES • VERTICAL• VERTICAL ACCESS ACCESS AND AND EGRESS EGRESS • MARITIME AND VBSS • MARITIME• VERTICAL AND ACCESS VBSS AND EGRESS ••VERTICALEVACUATION, ACCESS RESCUE AND EGRESS AND RECOVERY • EVACUATION,• MARITIME AND RESCUE VBSS AND RECOVERY • MARITIME AND VBSS • EVACUATION, RESCUE AND RECOVERY • EVACUATION, RESCUE AND RECOVERY

WWW.SKYLOTEC.COM/TACTICAL WWW.SKYLOTEC.COM/TACTICAL WWW.SKYLOTEC.COM/TACTICALWWW.SKYLOTEC.COM/TACTICAL Returadresse:

MilitærTeknikk, Krokliveien 66, 0584 Oslo Norway

525

ENVIRONMENT ECONOMY SECURITY SMART

Next Generation Workhorse Norwegian Special Forces

CONTACT

Robin Wendling Regional Sales Manager Ole Petter Bakken Western Europe & North Sea CEO & President +33 642 158 277 +47 468 11 828 [email protected] [email protected]