Volume 4 Number 2 April/May 2013

Crescent moon rising? Turkish defence industrial capability analysed

SETTING TOOLS OF FIT FOR THE SCENE THE TRADE PURPOSE Urban combat training Squad support weapons Body armour technology

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LWI_AprMay13_Cover.indd 1 26/04/2013 12:27:41 Wescam-Land Warfare Int-ad-April 2013_Layout 1 13-03-07 2:49 PM Page 1

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LWI_AprMay13_IFC.indd 2 26/04/2013 12:29:01 CONTENTS

Front cover: The 8x8 Pars is one of a growing range of armoured vehicles developed in . (Image: FNSS/Lorna Francis) Editor Darren Lake. [email protected] Deputy Editor Tim Fish. [email protected] North America Editor Scott R Gourley. [email protected] Tel: +1 (707) 822 7204 European Editor Ian Kemp. [email protected] 3 EDITORIAL COMMENT Staff Reporters Beth Stevenson, Jonathan Tringham Export drive Defence Analyst Joyce de Thouars 4 NEWS Contributors • Draft RfP outlines US AMPV requirements Claire Apthorp, Gordon Arthur, Mike Bryant, Peter Donaldson, • Navistar delivers first Afghan armoured cabs Jim Dorschner, Christopher F Foss, • solicits bids for integrated soldier system Helmoed Römer Heitman, Rod Rayward • KMW seals and deal Production Manager • Dutch Cheetah air defence guns sold to David Hurst Sub-editor Adam Wakeling 7 HOME GROWN Commercial Manager Over the past three decades, Turkey has gradually Jackie Hall. [email protected] been building the foundations for a sustainable Tel: +44 (0)1753 727009 indigenous defence industry. Claire Apthorp Advertising Sales Executive Brian Millan. [email protected] examines the country’s progression in the 25 Tel: +44 (0)1753 727005 land sector. Editor-in-Chief 25 CHANGING GEAR Tony Skinner 13 SETTING THE SCENE Recent vehicle modernisation programmes in Managing Director With the anticipated shift towards South America are not only boosting the capability Darren Lake in future theatres of operation, militaries are of countries involved, but are helping develop a Chairman Nick Prest developing sophisticated training environments to domestic industrial base for future projects. Tim Fish Subscriptions replicate such scenarios, Scott R Gourley reports. gives an overview of current efforts. CDS Global, Tower House, Lathkill St, Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leics LE16 9EF, UK 17 TOOLS OF THE TRADE 28 FIT FOR PURPOSE Paid subscription contacts: Members of the American, British, Canadian, Materials development is critical in ensuring that Tel: +44 1858 438879 Fax: +44 1858 461739 Australian and Program are soldiers are sufficiently protected against current Email: [email protected] boosting the lethality of their dismounted infantry and future threats. Beth Stevenson discovers some Land Warfare International is published six fire teams’ support weapons through upgrades of the advances being seen in body armour. times per year – in February/March, April/May, June/July, August/September, October/ and new procurements. Ian Kemp provides a November and December/January – by The Shephard Press Ltd, 268 Bath Road, Slough, timely update. PARTING SHOT Berks, SL1 4DX, UK. Subscription rates start at 32 THE SEVEN £65. Subscription records are maintained at CDS Global, Tower House, Lathkill Street, 22 A SECOND SKIN The is maturing its internal Sovereign Park, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9EF, UK. Air Business Ltd is The nature of threats facing soldiers has changed structures to ensure it can more effectively manage acting as mailing agent. Articles and from the days of the , with increasing acquisition programmes. Tim Fish talks to information contained in this publication are the copyright of the Shephard Press Ltd and demands on CBRN protective equipment for Gen Luiz Felipe Linhares Gomes, chief of the may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. No dismounted troops and their vehicles. Mike Bryant service’s programme management office, about responsibility can be accepted for loss of or explores the latest developments. future plans. damage to uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

DTP Vivid Associates Ltd, Sutton, Surrey, UK Print Williams Press, Maidenhead, Berks, UK Subscriptions © The Shephard Press Ltd, 2013. Shephard’s aerospace and defence publishing portfolio incorporates six titles: ISSN 2042-5317 Defence Helicopter, Digital Battlespace, Land Warfare International, Military Logistics International, RotorHub and Unmanned Vehicles.

Published bi-monthly, all have become respected and renowned for covering global issues within their respective industry sector.

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LWI_AprMay13_p02.indd 2 26/04/2013 12:32:09 Military Armored Vehicles 2.indd 1 3/21/2013 11:44:44 AM EDITORIAL COMMENT ‘The new defence spenders still lag behind in setting up a sustainable design and manufacturing capability.’ EXPORT DRIVE he shift in land systems procurement activity the establishment of a local subsidiary is an strategy, as new vehicles are brought home Taway from Europe and the US appears to be essential prerequisite before a vehicle or land and integrated with existing fleets. These gathering pace. The recent contract secured systems manufacturer can even begin to think older platforms are being upgraded instead of by German manufacturer KMW for the export about entering a new market. To secure a replaced and overall fleets downsized. of MBTs and PzH 2000 artillery systems contract, further investment in domestic Unless export contracts can be secured, it to Qatar (see p6) as well as ’s contract with industrial capabilities with a strong technology is not unreasonable to expect that a Iveco to design and build 6x6 Guarani vehicles is transfer element will be key part of any deal. consolidation of the European industrial base indicative of where money in the land sector will could take place similar in scale to that come from in the next decade. IN-COUNTRY COMMITMENT experienced in the aerospace and naval As the US struggles with sequestration and Iveco Defence admitted that it would not have sectors. So far, the land sector has avoided most of Europe languishes in austerity from secured the Guarani vehicle contract from large-scale rationalisation due to the relative the aftermath of the financial crisis, companies the Brazilian Army had it not been for its cost of vehicles, which are less than that of are intensifying efforts to secure overseas commitment to establish a production facility ships and aircraft. In recent years, the only markets in a land grab of a scale not seen since in-country. Governments don’t just want to large-scale industrial manoeuvres have been the ‘scramble for Africa’ by the imperial powers buy products from overseas to meet their US firm purchasing ’s of the late 19th century. But this time, the shoe defence capability requirements – they are Steyr and Swiss company Mowag, and the is on the other . looking to acquire the technology and facilities establishment of a joint venture company to support equipment long-term. This includes between and MAN. FIERCE COMPETITION the ability to design and produce new vehicles With almost a dozen large- and medium- Governments in emerging markets are more and systems in the future for themselves, sized vehicle manufacturers in Europe, there is than aware that competition for their defence with the goal of becoming an international scope for more merger activity, but despite dollars will be fierce, and it means they can set competitor in their own right. this, a reduction in the number of companies demanding conditions for entry. The recent LAAD These are long-term aspirations however, in the land sector will not take place in the exhibition in Rio de Janeiro had significantly as, in technology terms, the new defence short term. Manufacturers will try to stand on increased in size from previous shows, and spenders still lag behind in setting up a their own feet, at least until the export market every major manufacturer was shopping for local sustainable design and manufacturing has been divided up over the next few years industrial partners to help secure influence in the capability. Even larger economies will continue and the international economic landscape region. Even ST Engineering from to rely on outside assistance in the near future, becomes a little clearer. was present in strength, showing that Western both to develop these capabilities and acquire Tim Fish, Deputy Editor companies are facing challenging competition equipment urgently when they do not have IN THE NEXT ISSUE from Asia as well. the time to wait for a domestic programme to At this year’s IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi, bear fruit. l focus you could not help but notice the variety of With the Afghan drawdown approaching, l international products displayed by state- the spate of UORs for protected vehicles APCs owned UAE company Tawazun, among others, produced for European and US armies has l C-RAMs which has partnered with almost every major ended. Procurement programmes will l Special forces vehicles defence contractor. Partnerships of this kind or therefore return to being based on a long-term

www.landwarfareintl.com Volume 4 Number 2 | April/May 2013 | LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL 3

LWI_AprMay13_p03_Comment.indd 3 26/04/2013 12:33:42 NEWS ‘The US Army is only interested in vehicle designs that have already been developed.’

DRAFT RFP OUTLINES LATEST US ARMY AMPV REQUIREMENTS have a unit manufacturing cost of no more than The successful bidder is expected to provide $1.8 million in FY2012 dollars. 29 prototypes that will be accepted by the An industry day took place on 23 April, to be government and supported by the contractor. followed by the release of a full RfP in June. Incremental funding for the EMD phase is as The five AMPV models comprise: mission follows: $64.2m in FY2014; $145.5m in FY2015; command; medical treatment; medical $109.9m in FY2016; and $67.4m in FY2017. evacuation; general purpose; and The winner of the EMD contract will also carrier vehicles. They are expected to have at secure three one-year options for the low-rate Photo: US DoD least 57% commonality in their electrical and initial production phase from FY2018-2020, mechanical components. which has funding amounting to: $335.4m for An acquisition programme to replace the US One company will be chosen for the 42-month FY2018; $361.2m for FY2019; and $378.9m for Army’s M113 APCs has been initiated with the engineering and manufacturing development FY2020. This will be followed by a sole-source release of a draft RfP. (EMD) phase in the third quarter of FY2014. This production phase contract. US Army TACOM Life Cycle Management is a departure from initial plans announced in General Dynamics’ and BAE Systems’ Command announced the release on 21 March November 2012, when two contractors were Bradley Fighting Vehicle are thought to be for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) expected to enter EMD. in contention. With one eye on affordability, programme, which will provide a new family of The EMD contract is expected to run through the US Army is only interested in vehicle vehicles to replace five existing M113 variants. to FY2017, and the draft RfP states that during designs that have already been developed. The draft calls for industry proposals to this phase ‘all five AMPV variants shall be Mission equipment packages for the M113 compete for a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract developed, designed, modelled, simulated, variants will be transferred across to their for the design and development of prototype fabricated, tested and delivered to maximise AMPV counterparts. vehicles that meet AMPV requirements and performance’. By Tim Fish, NAVISTAR DELIVERS FIRST AFGHAN ARMOURED CABS Navistar Defense has handed over its first batch from ballistic and blast threats in operational our security mission and facilitate the withdrawal of armoured cab units designated for service environments. The order also covers additional of US forces while protecting the Afghan with the Afghan National Security Forces. The vehicle enhancements for improved survivability National Security Forces.’ company is producing the cabs as part of a to provide Afghan forces with the capability Col William Boruff, US Army project $23 million urgent delivery order received from to conduct route clearance missions with mine manager for transportation systems, added: the US Army in February. roller equipment. ‘This improvement is tremendously important Under the contract, Navistar is retrofitting 205 Representatives from Navistar and the US to our Afghan allies. This solution provides a armoured cabs onto Medium Tactical Vehicles Army’s Program Executive Office for Combat robust route clearance capability for Afghan (MTVs), which are based on the company’s Service Support marked the completion of the personnel, improving their safety each and International WorkStar platform. The work first wave of deliveries during a ribbon-cutting every day.’ involves replacing the current commercial ceremony at the company’s manufacturing The MTV is already in service in Afghanistan in cab with the specially designed armoured facility in West Point, Mississippi, on 18 April. a variety of models, including general troop unit, providing savings by re-using the original Bob Walsh, VP and general manager of transport, water tankers, fuel tankers, recovery components of the MTV. Navistar Defense, said: ‘Today we are celebrating vehicles and cargo trucks. Deliveries of the The armoured solution will protect Afghan the rapid manufacturing and delivery of refitted vehicles will continue through July. National Army and Afghan National Police crews armoured cabs that will assist in the transition of By Claire Apthorp, London

4 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

LWI_AprMay13_p04-06_News.indd 4 26/04/2013 12:34:44 NEWS

CANADA SOLICITS NEW NEWS ON THE WEB

BIDS FOR INTEGRATED Oshkosh FMTV deliveries reach new milestone SOLDIER SYSTEM 19 April 2013 The acquisition contract is expected to cover Chemring introduces new a period of four years, and incorporates a WASP IED disrupter qualifying period for the new system. Successful 17 April 2013 completion will result in the purchase of Nemesis missile racks up 1,600 units, as well as integrated logistics successful flight tests support covering documentation, 16 April 2013 training and provisioning of spares, with an option to purchase up to 5,024 additional Denel introduces ISSP suites. new-generation Casspir vehicles The genesis of Canada’s ISSP dates back to a 15 April 2013 failed research project the government initiated Upgraded Brazilian M113 Photo: Canadian DND in 1995, the Integrated Protective Clothing and makes debut Equipment technology demonstration. 11 April 2013 Canada has initiated a fresh round of proposals for The renamed ISSP is intended to provide First SA red dot sight order an integrated soldier system after cancelling its soldiers with an integrated suite of weapons for Meprolight 2012 solicitation due to a lack of suitable offers. accessories, electronic devices, sensors, 11 April 2013 A formal RfP has now been issued by Public individual equipment and operational clothing. Works and Government Services Canada, on Networking these elements together is intended Brazilian special forces get behalf of the Department of National Defence, to give soldiers enhanced situational awareness, through-wall imagers to acquire modern equipment and in-service while delivering real-time tactical information 11 April 2013 support under the Integrated Soldier System and an increased ability to synchronise activity. New Spider vehicle unveiled Project (ISSP). Under the ISSP, the RfP forecasts a total 11 April 2013 According to a statement issued by Ottawa acquisition of 6,624 integrated suites over on 25 January, cancellation of the original ISSP four years, and stipulates a requirement of up to ST Kinetics steps up Latin American engagement solicitation, launched in February 2012 and 11 years of associated support. 10 April 2013 closed the following June, was a procedural The OWSS contract will run over five years, requirement as no compliant bids were received. and is comprised of two parts: in-service support, Qinetiq introduces new ‘An evaluation of the [five] received bids encompassing programme management, low-trajectory rocket radar concluded that none were compliant. The supply, plant repair and engineering support; 9 April 2013 fairness monitor, who was engaged to oversee and improvement activities, consisting of General Dynamics places this competitive process, was in agreement,’ incremental design and implementation of Foxhound order with Ricardo the statement confirmed. upgrades to the initial ISS configuration on an 5 April 2013 This was despite ‘extensive consultations as-required basis. and engagement with the industry to ensure The latter also covers possible modifications that the complex project requirements were to the ISS to perform voice and data integration fully understood’. with the new baseline Land Command The new proposal is intended to result in Support System, potential modifications to the award of two contracts, one covering ISS the messaging system and communication acquisition and another dubbed ISS Optimized protocols, integration of a cross-domain solution All these stories can be found Weapon System Support (OWSS), to a single and integration of a type 1 radio. at www.landwarfareintl.com successful bidder. By Jonathan Tringham, London

www.landwarfareintl.com Volume 4 Number 2 | April/May 2013 | LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL 5

LWI_AprMay13_p04-06_News.indd 5 26/04/2013 12:34:44 NEWS ‘The German government has been hesitant to grant export approval to .’

KMW SEALS Photo: KMW QATAR TANK AND ARTILLERY DEAL Krauss- Wegmann (KMW) has announced include the armed forces’ AMX-30 MBT and that it has signed a contract with the Emirate Mk F3 155mm self-propelled guns, as well as 12 of Qatar to supply it with the PzH 2000 Denel G5 towed howitzers. artillery system (illustrated) and Leopard 2 MBT. KMW is also understood to be pursuing a The agreement forms an important aspect of similar deal with Saudi Arabia, involving the nation’s ongoing efforts to modernise its the potential export of the Leopard 2 and the land forces. Boxer multirole armoured fighting vehicle. The The contract, with a total value of €1.89 billion, German government has been hesitant to ($2.45 billion) will see KMW deliver 24 PzH 2000s grant export approval to the kingdom, but the and 62 Leopard 2s. It also covers the delivery of Qatari contract may mark a change in outlook as peripheral equipment, training installations and times continue to be tough for European additional services. defence manufacturers. Qatar’s land forces currently operate an If the Saudi deal goes through, it will underline ageing fleet of and artillery that is in part a shift in the company’s export focus towards more than 40 years old. The systems delivered the Middle East as it seeks new business by KMW will progressively replace outdated outside its traditional European/North American equipment of French and South African origin, customer base. which will be scrapped. These are likely to By Claire Apthorp, London DUTCH CHEETAH AIR DEFENCE GUNS SOLD TO JORDAN The has struck a €21 million ($27 Originally designated PRTL, the Cheetah is was a bilateral effort with , which million) deal that will see 60 surplus Cheetah air the Dutch variant of the German Gepard twin concurrently refurbished 147 of its Gepards. defence systems transferred to the Jordanian 35mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and is The upgraded PRTL was known as Cheetah in armed forces. based on a slightly modified . Dutch military service and its operational life was The agreement includes delivery of spare parts, Produced by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, planned to continue until 2015. However, due some 350,000 rounds of ammunition and technical the mobile air defence system is equipped to a realignment of Dutch ground-based air documentation. In addition, five Leopard 1 with a search radar (S-band for the German defence forces, the Cheetahs were withdrawn Armoured Recovery Vehicles will be handed over vehicle and X-band for the Netherlands) from service in 2007 and stored under the to Jordan together with the hulls of 12 non- installed at the rear of the turret, and a auspices of the Dutch Defence Materiel refurbished PRTL air defence systems and two tracking radar (Ku-band for the German Organisation. Leopard 1 MBTs, which will be used for spare parts. vehicle and X/Ka-band for the Netherlands) on Germany phased out its last Gepards in 2010. Some 11 Thales Nederland Flycatcher Mk 1 the front. Romania received 43 former mobile radar fire control systems and 22 The Dutch MoD acquired five pre-production Gepards in 2004 and bought 30 in 2008, 40mm Bofors L/70 guns are also included in and 95 production PRTLs, the last of which was although the latter deal was later cancelled due the package. The Dutch MoD will provide handed over in 1979. In 1995 it was decided to high overhaul costs. In late 2012, another 36 assistance with training, and deliveries are due to to refurbish 60 vehicles, the first of which was upgraded Gepards were sold to Brazil. commence in 2014. re-delivered in 1998. The upgrade programme By Pieter Bastiaans, Breda

6 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

LWI_AprMay13_p04-06_News.indd 6 26/04/2013 12:34:44 COUNTRY FOCUS

The standard version of the ACV-15 features a Sharpshooter turret armed with a 25mm automatic cannon. (Photo: FNSS)

HOME GROWN Over the past three decades, Turkey has gradually been building the foundations for a sustainable indigenous defence industry. Claire Apthorp examines the country’s progression in the land sector.

ithin the next 20 years, it is expected that capabilities in-country, it focused on meeting the number of developing dynamics, including WTurkey will be able to acquire almost all armed forces’ requirements through a mix of tensions with neighbouring Syria, will reinforce its military equipment from domestic sources, industrial participation and offset programmes. the nation’s need for effective land vehicles completing a long journey of investment in With these endeavours, a sustainable capable of meeting the asymmetric threats of technology and infrastructure. industrial structure of more than 100 defence the modern battlefield. Haluk Bulucu, director of business develop- manufacturers has been established, and the To encourage growth and guide develop- ment and strategy at Turkish land combat SSM has overseen a large number of projects, ment in this area, the SSM published the systems manufacturer FNSS, told Land Warfare with a total value of $30 billion. This success has 2012-2016 Strategic Plan. It aims to manage International: ‘In the last 20 years, we have gone also attracted the attention of export customers, industrialisation, technology and acquisition from learning – together with the government and Turkish industry has been able to compete programmes to further develop defence and and the SSM [Undersecretariat for Defence internationally. security capabilities, which will be attractive Industries] – how to manage large projects, and The land sector in particular is a major area to both domestic customers and the wider produce and then design our own vehicles.’ of growth. Although the past decade has been international market. Its priorities are to create This cooperation allowed local industry to dominated by the vehicle needs of US and allied sustainability in industry, achieve maturity meet 54% of the requirements of the Turkish forces engaged in Afghanistan and , this is in programme management and develop armed forces by 2011. ‘I believe that within the set to change. The drawdown of troops from technological competence. next 20 years, Turkey will procure almost all its these theatres – coupled with the constraints on equipment from its own industry,’ he continued. Western defence budgets and the changing TURKISH TANKS political environment – is likely to cause a Signs of Turkey’s progress in the land FOUNDATION WORK contraction in this part of the market. sector can be seen with one of its largest The journey towards developing a domestic However, in the coming decade the majority projects – the programme, covering military-industrial base began in 1985 with the of investment will be fuelled by post- design, development, production, test and creation of the SSM, tasked with developing Afghanistan considerations. It is here that qualification of a new MBT to meet the Turkish defence capabilities and modernising countries like Turkey can play an important requirements of the . The the nation’s forces. To bring the necessary role in pushing growth – from its perspective, a SSM signed a contract in July 2008 with 

www.landwarfareintl.com Volume 4 Number 2 | April/May 2013 | LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL 7

LWI_AprMay13_p07-10_Turkey.indd 7 26/04/2013 12:35:44 COUNTRY FOCUS ‘The relationship between and Turkey has been important for both countries.’

Otokar valued at around $500 million for the qualification. The first two Altay prototypes were A version of the 8x8 Pars has been ordered first phase of the programme. rolled out in November 2012. by , and FNSS is optimistic about Under the contract, the company will work Under the programme, Aselsan will provide further export sales. (Photo: FNSS) with its South Korean partner Hyundai Rotem an indigenous fire control system (FCS) as well as and subcontractors, plus Turkish companies communications equipment; MKEK will supply ordered a total of 300 systems, with an initial Aselsan, MKEK and Roketsan. The initial the 120mm smooth-bore main gun; and batch delivered by Samsung and the remainder stage will see the development of four Altay Roketsan will produce the modular armour produced under licence. Some electronic prototypes, which will be produced, tested and package under licence from Hyundai Rotem. systems, including the inertial navigation system qualified in a seven-year time frame. If these and FCS, were developed in Turkey by Aselsan. pass testing, a further 250 will be manufactured BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP This arrangement shows how technology during a series production phase that will be The relationship between South Korea and can be brought in-country using low-risk contracted separately. Turkey has been important for both countries. programmes that will benefit a growing industry. Using local companies as much as possible is Korea Aerospace Industries signed a $400 million Aselsan is now supplying the FCS for Altay, and a condition of the contract, but the technology contract in 2007 to supply the export version of is also developing the automatic ammunition for the vehicles will be imported through its KT-1T trainer aircraft to the Turkish Air Force, transfer system for the Firtina Ammunition technology transfer with Hyundai Rotem. The and earlier in 2001, Turkey acquired the Samsung Resupply Vehicle (ARV), which is based on the Altay design is based on the Republic of Korea Techwin K9 self-propelled howitzer (designated South Korean K10. Army’s , and it is Hyundai’s first T-155 Firtina (‘Storm’) in Turkish service). Along with the Firtina, the ARV is attracting export of the model, beating competition from Both of these deals were the largest defence interest from potential export customers, European rivals. export contracts signed by South Korean including Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia. MKEK completed Altay conceptual design industry so far at the time, and have helped the successfully carried out firing demonstrations in 2010, and presented a full-scale mock-up at country’s own expanding industry as well as of its 155mm Panter towed howitzer and the IDEF 2011. At Eurosatory 2012, the company bringing modern technology to Turkey. Firtina in Saudi Arabia in 2012. announced that it had completed detail and The T-155 was supplied by Samsung Techwin Turkey is also seeing success with the preliminary design, and was starting the third under a technology transfer deal worth a development of the tracked Armored Combat and final phase – prototype development and reported $1 billion to South Korea. Ankara Vehicle (ACV). In the 1980s, the Turkish Army had a requirement for several thousand platforms The design of the Altay MBT is based on the based on the US M113-derived Armored Infantry Korean K2 Black Panther. (Photo: Otokar) Fighting Vehicle (AIFV). FNSS won the tender to develop the platform in a technology transfer deal that saw the first 285 hulls assembled, and the remainder wholly built in Turkey. FNSS was originally established as a JV between Turkey’s Nurol Holding (51%) and BAE Systems (49%) to manufacture 1,698 ACVs for Turkish land forces from 1991. Originally called the ACV-300, referring to the Detroit Diesel 6V-53T 300hp engine, the vehicles are now split between the ACV-15 and ACV-19 families, based on the weight category (15 and 19t respectively). The former was rolled out in 2000, with the latter designed the same year, but completed in 2004. Bulucu added: ‘When we won the ACV tender, we had sent a team of experts to the US to be trained on how to assemble and weld the vehicles, and the whole company of FNSS was

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LWI_AprMay13_p07-10_Turkey.indd 8 26/04/2013 12:35:45 COUNTRY FOCUS

injecting the quality requirements,’ he continued. available in a number of variants, including an ‘Within one year, the localisation project began, infantry carrier vehicle and IFV. and within two years the localisation of the The ACV-19 offers increased internal product went from zero to 73%.’ volume and payload capacity, while retaining configured around making the vehicles under Using the AIFV chassis as the basis, a medium- commonality with the ACV-15. The vehicle licence and delivering them on time and with weight, highly mobile and low-silhouette is armed with a 12.7mm and eight the quality required by the Turkish customer.’ ACV-15 has been designed. It includes additional standard smoke dischargers. The main mounts for armaments and equipment, difference is that it has a stretched hull, heavy- CAPABILITY CONTRIBUTION allowing various configurations. The 13-15t duty final drive and better suspension to The ACV programme was a significant milestone vehicle is capable of high-speed operations in allow for heavier payloads. The hull also provides in the development of indigenous capabilities in desert conditions and on roads at up to 65km/h. protection against direct kinetic-energy threats the tracked vehicle sector. The standard ACV-15 configuration features and mines. ‘The Turkish customer had a vision of an M242 25mm automatic cannon; 7.62mm ‘As well as meeting the requirements of the establishing a defence industry in Turkey, and machine gun; 12 standard smoke grenade Turkish land forces, as early as 1997 we started we at FNSS formed a vendor base around us, dischargers; and a Sharpshooter stabilised turret. exporting our combat vehicles, with the UAE investing in training, providing the machinery and It is powered by a 350hp and is becoming our first customer,’ explained 

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LWI_AprMay13_p07-10_Turkey.indd 9 26/04/2013 12:35:45 COUNTRY FOCUS

The Turkish Army has awarded a contract for the procurement of the Pars Mobile Amphibious Assault Bridge. (Photo: FNSS)

Bulucu. ‘The first export to the UAE was in a because we are moving into more sophisticated displayed a new T-50 rifle prototype, which number of different vehicle configurations, and higher technology fields,’ said Bulucu. shares the HK33E body. MKEK is also contracted was followed by exports to Malaysia and the From an export viewpoint, Bulucu believes that by the SSM to develop a machine gun. Philippines.’ Turkey has developed certain attributes that will Aselsan is producing Python/Boa weapon factor strongly in building on the success it has sights for Turkish forces. The lightweight, NATURAL PROGRESSION already achieved: ‘The competitiveness of the ruggedised, 384x288 VOx focal plane array The move into the wheeled combat vehicle field European market is under question, whereas here uncooled thermal sight operates in the was a natural progression for FNSS, which next in Turkey we have a young workforce and a high- longwave band, and has been developed for developed the Pars (‘Leopard’) family of vehicles. energy and ambitious industry developing,’ he fire control on individual or crew weapons or ‘In 1998, we saw a need in the market for said. ‘So in the next 20 years what I see happening surveillance applications. It can discriminate wheeled vehicles, and that is when we started is that our friends in the European and US markets targets in adverse weather, operate in total thinking about moving into this sector,’ added will hopefully see the benefit of partnering with us darkness and will not shut down or bloom when Bulucu. ‘We were still producing the ACV under to penetrate the Asian and Middle East markets.’ hit by direct light. licence, and we got extensive training on wheeled He believes that, like Turkey, other countries The company has also developed the Eagle vehicles, established partnerships and developed also want to develop their own industrial Eye Fire Control Sighting System, designed to our Pars family between 2000 and 2010.’ capability. Instead of retaining a domestic-only provide vehicle gunners and commanders with The Pars 6x6 and 8x8 family have been manufacturing base, Bulucu wants to form the ability to engage threats on the move. It is selected by the Turkish Army, and the company partnerships in the newer markets to pass can operate in adverse weather and in has also been awarded contracts for the on knowledge and ‘share the benefits’. This combat conditions when visual camouflage development and manufacture of two specialist distinguishes it from the attitude of Western is used. variants – the Mobile Amphibious Assault companies, which want to sell from their Through carefully managed investment Bridge and Amphibious Armoured Combat own countries. in select areas, the SSM has been successful Earthmover. Both form an important part of the in laying the foundations for a strong and SSM’s strategic plan. SPECIALIST SUPPLIERS sustainable defence manufacturing and The company is also working with DefTech In addition to major vehicle programmes, the development capability in Turkey. By building of Malaysia to deliver the AV8 – a vehicle based SSM is investing in local companies to promote international relationships and using offset and on Pars – to the Malaysian armed forces. the development of electronics and weapon technology transfer – coupled with a strong ‘The support from the government has played systems. The Modern Infantry Rifle Project culture of R&D – Turkey is already producing a big role here, and the vision is to eventually is being undertaken by MKEK to meet technology that competes internationally. With satisfy all needs from the Turkish sector, but requirements of the . continued guidance from the SSM and ingenuity we’re also coming to a saturation level, and The company produced the HK33 5.56mm from its contractors, the future of Turkey’s land the growth will now proceed at a slower rate assault rifle under licence, and at IDEF in 2007 it sector capabilities looks bright. LWI

10 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

LWI_AprMay13_p07-10_Turkey.indd 10 26/04/2013 12:35:46 LWI_AprMay13_p11.indd 11 26/04/2013 12:37:21 We have it covered.

c atch up W ith neW s stories W orldW ide.

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LWI_AprMay13_p12.indd 12 26/04/2013 12:39:19 TRAINING

Strategic Operations leverages Hollywood- style special effects to enhance the MOUT training experience. (Photo: author)

n July 2012, US-based manufacturer With the anticipated shift towards urban warfare in future theatres of IFalcon Containers announced a contract operation, militaries are developing sophisticated training environments worth over $13 million to provide training to replicate such scenarios, Scott R Gourley reports. systems and structures for USAF Special Operations Command. The contract will see the company design, fabricate, install and integrate over 570 containers into more than 350 buildings and provide instrumentation, control and after-action review facilities at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. SETTING Stephen Shang, CEO of Falcon Containers, said: ‘The end result will be a simulated city made of containers.’ A statement from Falcon describes how the THE SCENE company will be responsible for the military scenario as close to the real environment as populations and integrated infrastructures, is the operations in urban terrain (MOUT) training site possible. Audio and visual sensors record how predominant operational environment in which development, ‘which will allow full mission the scenario is played out so that teams can army forces currently operate.’ profiles designed to defeat the tactical challenges review the actions and learn the lessons. Furthermore, the service’s field manual on of IEDs, as well as the strategic challenges of With more urban training facilities being urban operations states the importance of defeating the network that emplaces the IEDs’. established, it is clear that, post-Afghanistan, training: ‘To operate successfully in a complex the US military expects to be engaged in urban urban environment requires a thorough THEATRE REALISM environments and will face an ever-increasing understanding of the urban environment and The facility will also be used by US Army Special threat from more sophisticated IEDs. The US rigorous, realistic UO [urban operations] training. Operations Command, Naval Special Warfare Army has published a series of documents Training should be conducted by the complete Command and USMC Forces Special Operations outlining how it believes insurgents will combined arms team and cover full-spectrum Command to engage in realistic scenarios based continue to use the urban environment and operations to include appropriate tactics, upon the evolving IED tactics and techniques population centres to their advantage. techniques and procedures…’ used by insurgents. It states in the 2011 ‘Combined Arms The USMC has also developed its own urban The level of realism extends from sight to Operations in Urban Terrain’ doctrine: ‘The urban training infrastructure over the past few years at sound as well as odour generators to provide a environment, consisting of complex terrain, dense the Marine Air Ground Combat Center 

www.landwarfareintl.com Volume 4 Number 2 | April/May 2013 | LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL 13

LWI_AprMay13_p13-16_Urban.indd 13 26/04/2013 12:42:18 TRAINING Remain Undetected Stay Focused+

RF MODULATION The foam sandwich material structure used for Marines conduct a house the wall design also allows the company to clearing exercise on the CAMOUT facility at Twentynine modulate the RF transparency of the buildings. Palms. (Photo: US DoD) Therefore, a building in Afghanistan that is constructed using several inches of mud, or in California. Dubbed the Combined Arms Military One company that specialises in this field is perhaps has rebar, can have its RF profile Operations in Urban Terrain (CAMOUT) facility, Strategic Operations, which uses Hollywood- emulated by modulating the way in which the the complex on Range 220 contains over 1,560 style special effects to enhance the MOUT material is placed inside the sandwich structure. concrete and containerised buildings in a 1.1km2 training experience. Thus, the structure is representative of the area that can be populated by trained role players Based on a San Diego television and film actual building in terms of properties, but is still acting as insurgents spread over CAMOUT’s seven production lot, the company supports MOUT lightweight and portable. This method allows the separate mock city districts. activities including extensive role-player efforts, company to build copies of any structure and The USMC has used the facility for Exercises as well as providing urban infrastructure, such ensure that it has the same RF characteristics. Mojave Viper and Enhanced Mojave Viper, its pre- as those representing Afghan villages. These Lavell also said that within the structures there deployment training events. Allied Container are scattered across 2,590km2 of the NTC at is the ability to change the placing of the interior Systems completed the CAMOUT facility in Fort Irwin and are being provided as part of the walls, so that during long training sessions January 2011, and has recently finished work development of MOUT facilities at the JRTC, as the soldiers would not be able to remember the on structures at the largest army complex at Fort well as in the transformation of such facilities at internal layout of the building and gain an McCoy, Wisconsin, which contains over 1,000 many other bases across the country. unrealistic advantage. buildings of various types. In addition to working with ISO container- ‘On the outside, we can make them look like based training structures, the company anything you want,’ he added. ‘Some panels are GROWING COMPLEX has recently introduced a new MOUT made to resemble an Afghan hut wall. We can The use of container-based training modules structure training design dubbed Re-Locatable make sloped sides, straight sides, cinder block in has proliferated in recent years, with a similar Habitat Unit. appearance and even bamboo in appearance installation located at the US Army’s National ‘It’s built around the principle of a 4x8ft panel,’ for Southeast Asian scenarios.’ Training Center (NTC) complex at Fort Irwin, explained Kit Lavell, executive VP of Strategic California, and Fort Polk’s Joint Readiness Training Operations. ‘The panel is either a door, a blank or SHOOT HOUSE Center (JRTC), which also use role playing and a window. Each piece is less than 100lb [45kg], so Recently, the company also built a multi-room NiteSpotMR realistic Middle East urban environments. you can pick them up and carry them with two 2,800m2 live-fire shoot house for an unnamed Furthermore, the US government is making people, stack them on a pallet, or you can then customer. The facility is different from traditional Medium Range preparations for another counter-IED MOUT put them on a truck, ship or plane. It’s a totally shoot houses, which are sterile – they do not Clip-On Night Sight training complex in New Mexico. According to portable mobile MOUT system.’ contain any furniture and are just made of steel draft statement of need documents, the Lavell said that two people with just a 9mm and rubber, with paper targets. For this new + Remote control for gain & focus four-phase project will utilise a variety of ISO hex tool could put up one of the buildings within shoot house, Strategic Operations has brought + Up to caliber .50 containers modified to create multiple realistic about 30 minutes of taking the wall panels an increased level of realism. + Three accessory rails for compounds and urban tactical settings. The off of the pallets. Larger structures, such as a The various zones include schools, hospitals, additional attachements complex will include a large number of 6,000ft2 building two stories high, could also be hotels, banks and commercial buildings, + Outstanding resolution, brilliant optics relocatable, free-standing structures that will be put together with just the single tool. and they all contain life-like furniture such as + Clear, smooth design ‘at least 6ft [1.8m] high and have the appearance The wall panels are constructed of a sandwich revolving doors, counters, computers, chairs and + and feel of a hardened/rock surface. Walls will of architectural foam without steel or metal. tables, which are made from the company’s Compatible with TACS-M also support the weight of a person scaling and GPS will work inside the building, and the coloured architectural foam. clip-on thermal imaging breaching.’ MOUT training instrumentation systems will An important characteristic of the foam is that With the creation of new facilities, the work within the structures. ‘It’s RF-transparent,’ rounds will pass through it, avoiding the dangers Vectronix AG | | www.vectronix.ch next stage is to improve the realism of the continued Lavell. ‘It’s very lightweight and it’s of ricochet, and the furniture itself will not be environment, while making it adaptable as a also very strong, withstanding 500lb [225kg] of damaged and can be used numerous times. training platform to set up different scenarios. force on the outside.’ ‘You can go into a live-fire shoot house now 

14 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

LWI_AprMay13_p13-16_Urban.indd 14 26/04/2013 12:42:19 Remain Undetected Stay Focused+

NiteSpotMR Medium Range Clip-On Night Sight

+ Remote control for gain & focus + Up to caliber .50 + Three accessory rails for additional attachements + Outstanding resolution, brilliant optics + Clear, smooth design + Compatible with TACS-M clip-on thermal imaging

Vectronix AG | Switzerland | www.vectronix.ch

LWI_AprMay13_p13-16_Urban.indd 15 26/04/2013 12:42:19 TRAINING

Falcon Containers creates simulated sites used for multi-mission counter-IED training. (Photo: Falcon Containers)

and it will look like something that’s real,’ inside the buildings and the effect of heavy Until the GÜZ expansion is finished, Europe’s explained Lavell. weapons fire on the structure. Moreover, mobile largest training facility remains the French urban Strategic Operations also highlighted the video teams accompany the participating units, warfare complex in Northeast , known as importance of contact with field operatives transmitting imagery back to HQ in real time. CENZUB. It was established in July 2004 and cost to get feedback on solider experiences and The buildings are representative of villages in €100 million to build. In 2006, the first troops developments during operations that will Afghanistan and . started training at the centre, which comprises a impact training. Company president Stu Segall The German Army’s facility in Letzlingen is set training camp and areas with two urban centres told LWI: ‘We worked with a marine battalion to expand and become one of the largest urban called Beausejour and Jeoffrecourt. The former is that was one of the four that took Fallujah. I used training grounds in Europe with the construction designed for section- and -level training to get emails from the field, probably twice of a new ‘town’. According to German in a village environment and the latter a week, saying: “These are the things we’re newspaper Mitteldeutsche Zeitung, an initial represents a central European city, comprising running up against.” And we would immediately investment of €60 million ($78.4 million) saw four zones – an urban centre and residential, introduce that. So whatever unit was coming work start last year on the construction of 180 industrial and commercial sections – across a through training here got the benefit of what buildings and associated infrastructure, due 1km2 training ground for larger-sized units. was happening on the ground.’ for completion in 2016. Funding for further stages is expected to reach €100 million for 520 TRAINING TOGETHER EUROPEAN EXPANSION buildings across 6km2, representing a medium- In 2012, British and French infantry The US Army is hardly alone in recognising size town (designed to be a ‘global village’ and paratroopers trained together at the facility, this training need, and since 2001 German not specifically associated with any geographical with the intention of establishing a future defence manufacturer Rheinmetall has operated location). Anglo-French expeditionary force. a sophisticated for The GÜZ has served as the model for a are trained for several months before coming the German Army, known locally as the comparable facility ordered by a customer to CENZUB to prepare them for a 15-day cycle Gefechtsübungszentrum Heer (GÜZ), located in from the Middle East in 2009, and also for of training and rest. From 2015, the facility Letzlingen. The GÜZ provides wireless devices the Russian Army training centre built in will be able to train battalion-sized units up to to participants and vehicles, which contain Mulino. Rheinmetall announced the latter 800 individuals. GPS satellite receivers that constantly transmit contract in November 2011, and the facility In the Middle East, the King Abdullah II Special information about the position and status of every is being built in partnership with Russian Operations Training Center (KASOTC), located dismounted and mounted soldier to the exercise company Oboronservis for completion in north of Amman in Jordan, was opened in May control cell, even if they are inside the buildings. 2014. According to sources, the simulation- 2009. The KASOTC urban infrastructure includes When conducting training for MOUT, the supported training centre will be able to train buildings up to four storeys high, close-quarters facility can also simulate the effects of troops around 30,000 troops a year. battle training, live-fire structures and a mock city of 67 buildings, including numerous Strategic Operations uses a 4x8ft basic environmental scenario designs ranging from an panel made from a sandwich of Afghan village to an embassy set-up. architectural foam. (Photo: author) Looking ahead, militaries around the world are recognising the preponderance of urban operations compared to other theatres of conflict and the implications this has for land forces. The importance of training for this complex environment means that more sophisticated exercise grounds with more buildings and a higher level of realism is required to give soldiers the skills they need. The development of training in these areas and the expansion of facilities should provide units with a more useful way of preparing for the situations they will face in the field. LWI

16 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

LWI_AprMay13_p13-16_Urban.indd 16 26/04/2013 12:42:19 INFANTRY WEAPONS

A US marine provides suppressing fire with an M27 IAR during a squad assault course. (Photo: US DoD)

Members of the American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand Armies Program are boosting the lethality of their dismounted infantry fire teams’ support weapons through upgrades and new procurements. Ian Kemp provides a timely update.

he infantry squad, or section as it known in T most Commonwealth countries, is the basic building block of any army. Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand infantry sections TOOLS OF consist of eight soldiers divided into two four- man teams, known as fire teams, or assault groups in service. The nine- strong US Army squad consists of a leader and THE TRADE two four-man fire teams. The structure of the infantry squad is an assistant LMG gunner carrying ammunition reduces the length of the weapon by 254mm important because it dictates procurement and spare barrels. compared to the original SAW, and shaves off requirements. An essential component of the Some 12 years of combat operations in about 1kg in weight. US Army’s Ground Combat Vehicle project, Afghanistan and Iraq have seen numerous The accuracy of the M249 has also been which will replace the current M2 Bradley with improvements in the capabilities of the support improved with the fielding of Raytheon Elcan’s an IFV, is that it must carry a full nine-man weapons within the infantry squad/section. M145 machine gun optic. Used on both the team in addition to three crew members. For much of the global war on terrorism, SAW and the M240 7.62mm medium machine Furthermore, USMC infantry battalions field FN Herstal’s belt-fed 5.56mm Minimi – and gun, it provides gunners with 3.4x power squads with 13 men each, comprising three four- M249 SAW variant – has been the one section/ magnification and a wider field of view. man fire teams directed by a squad leader. squad support weapon commonly used across ABCA infantry units, as well as the MAGAZINE FEED BASIC COMPONENTS armed forces of more than 40 other countries. Faced with the choice of either acquiring new Across the American, British, Canadian, Since the introduction of the Minimi in the or refurbished M249s to replace its worn-out Australian and New Zealand Armies (ABCA) 1970s, the company has made continuous weapons, in 2005 the USMC decided to replace Program, the composition and basic weapons improvements to improve handling in these belt-fed LMGs at squad level with a of the fire teams are also broadly similar: a team offensive operations, especially patrolling in magazine-fed Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR). leader armed with a rifle; a grenadier armed urban areas. After a competitive evaluation, Marine Corps with a 40mm underbarrel The US Army continues to fund various System Command selected a variant of the mounted on his assault rifle; a machine gunner modifications to the M249, including: a shorter Heckler & Koch HK416 5.56mm carbine and rifle usually armed with an FN Herstal Minimi barrel; improved M5 collapsible buttstock; family in December 2009. The HK416 has since 5.56mm light machine gun (LMG) or the improved bipod; accessory rail kit; 200-round been fielded as the M27 IAR fitted with a Trijicon US variant, the M249 Squad Automatic soft-pack magazines; new sling; and an 4x squad day optic. Earlier this year, the USMC Weapon (SAW), to provide a high volume of improved spare barrel bag. The combination completed the transition with 84 M27s fielded to suppressive fire; and a rifleman who serves as of the collapsible buttstock and short barrel each infantry battalion and 72 weapons to 

www.landwarfareintl.com Volume 4 Number 2 | April/May 2013 | LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL 17

LWI_AprMay13_p17-20_Squad_Support.indd 17 26/04/2013 12:45:39 INFANTRY WEAPONS

standard, which is also being offered on the export market as the F90. The weapon is available in five configurations: F90 with a 16in barrel; F90M marksman with a 20in barrel; F90 close quarters battle carbine with a 14.1in barrel; F90(G) grenade Thales is offering the upgraded launcher; and the F90M(G). EF88 assault rifle for export as the F90. (Photo: Thales Australia) The ‘G’ variants are equipped with a grenade launcher assembly (GLA) manufactured from a each light armoured reconnaissance battalion, 201 M192 lightweight ground mounts for the combination of steel, aluminium and synthetic with priority going to those units preparing for LSW LR. Training establishments and combat materials to make it one of the lightest deployment to Afghanistan. service support units have been issued with 232 underbarrel grenade launchers available, The M27 is about half the weight of the Category B weapons, designated the 7.62mm weighing less than 1kg – more than 1.5kg M249 and its advantages were highlighted by LSW, and these have fixed butts and basic iron lighter than the current F88SA2 and M203PI CWO2 Chris Jones, specialist infantry weapons sights. Units will be ready to deploy with the new GLA manufactured by RM Equipment. The officer of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine , weapons in the second half of 2013. new GLA is mounted much closer to the during his fourth deployment to Afghanistan in The US-designed M203 40mm low-velocity rifle’s point of balance, with the launcher October 2012. ‘This weapon platform could be underbarrel grenade launcher, which has seen trigger sitting within the trigger guard of the rifle used as a multipurpose weapon system in the service with at least 45 countries since its itself, significantly improving the weapon’s infantry squad, by using an IAR as an automatic introduction in 1969, is gradually being replaced handling characteristics. rifle and as a designated marksman rifle,’ he said. in US Army service by the Heckler & Koch M320 Thales Australia has designed a new quadrant ‘In the current fight when there is a limited 40mm grenade launcher module. The weapon sight for the GLA, mounted on the top accessory exposure and a fleeting target that blends in is a further development of the company’s rail alongside the Trijicon optical sight, which with the local populace, it is more important to AG36, which was designed for the German makes viewing much easier than with the have a more accurate rifle with a better optic. If Army’s G36 assault rifle and was also bought by current quadrant housed on the sight of the you can get [positive identification] faster, you the UK for use with the L85A2 assault rifle. M203. The EF88 family is expected to enter series can kill the enemy rather than a weapon that The M320 can be attached beneath the barrel production no later than 2015. provides audible suppression.’ of both the M4 carbine and , and also As part of ISWRUP, New Zealand is planning to used in a standalone configuration. Unlike the upgrade 3,000 of the NZDF’s inventory of around WIDER REPLACEMENTS M203, which has a barrel that slides forward 13,000 Austeyr individual weapons with a In recent years, other forces have opted to for loading, it has a side-loading unrestricted request for tenders expected to be issued shortly. replace the 5.56mm Minimi with a 7.62mm breech, allowing it to fire longer 40mm low- As a separate project, the service also plans to variant, a weapon that was developed by FN velocity NATO standard projectiles and other acquire 330 grenade launchers to replace its Herstal in parallel with the 5.56mm in the 1970s, non-standard rounds. M203s. Thales is expected to make an offer for and revived in 2002 at the request of US Special The M320 is fitted with an Insight Technology both requirements. Operations Command. As part of the New day/night sight and can be used in conjunction Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF’s) In-Service with a Bushnell laser rangefinder to improve FILLING THE GAP Weapon Replacement/Upgrade Programme the first round hit probability out to a maximum US Army officials describe the XM25 individual (ISWRUP), it is replacing the Canadian-built range of 400m. The US Army’s original semi-automatic airburst system as the ‘number variant of the 5.56mm Minimi – known as the C9 requirement was for almost 72,000 M320s, one material solution to mitigate a critical Light Support Weapon (LSW) – with 7.62mm although this could fall in line with planned capability gap for our soldiers in combat, Minimi LMGs. force reductions. defeating defilade targets from 15-500m’. The The NZDF has bought 360 Category A army’s objective is to issue the XM25 to every weapons, designated the 7.62mm LSW Long HIGHER STANDARDS infantry squad and special forces team. The Rail (LR), which are equipped with sliding butts To meet the ’s Land 125 Soldier service plans to purchase 10,876 weapons and issued with a Trijicon 4x32 advanced Combat System Phase 3C lethality requirement, between FY2014 and FY2017. combat optical gunsight for use by army Thales Australia has upgraded the 5.56mm Developed by ATK and partners Heckler & manoeuvre units. The NZDF has also acquired F88SA2 Austeyr assault rifle to the new EF88 Koch and L-3 Communications Integrated 

18 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

LWI_AprMay13_p17-20_Squad_Support.indd 18 26/04/2013 12:45:42 LWI_AprMay13_p17-20_Squad_Support.indd 19 26/04/2013 12:45:43 INFANTRY WEAPONS

The FN Herstal Minimi has been fielded by the armed forces of over 40 countries since the 1970s and is now available as a 7.62mm weapon. (Photo: FN Herstal)

Optical Systems, the XM25 fires a 25mm high- manufacturing development phase of the since being replaced as the standard assault explosive airburst round that can be programmed project, followed by a $24 million contract rifle in US service in the 1970s by the M16, to to detonate above an enemy behind cover at modification in November 2011 to provide the Enhanced Battle Rifle (EBR) configuration. precise distances. The round also has a point additional ammunition, hardware, test and The M14 EBR, assembled at the Rock Island detonation capability. The XM25 is equipped analysis support. A third contract worth $16.8 Arsenal, Illinois, are equipped with a Leupold with a target acquisition/fire control system that million was awarded in September 2012. 3.5-10x scope, enabling a trained marksman to integrates thermal capability with a direct-view For another FOA scheduled for 2013, ATK effectively engage targets at ranges of 800m optics laser rangefinder; compass; fuse setter; will deliver a 36-gun battalion set of new pre- and beyond. Two EBRs are available for use by ballistic computer; laser pointer and illuminator; production prototypes. each squad in-theatre. and internal display. The first 12 were sent to Afghanistan in Five prototype XM25s were sent to January 2013, but the army suspended firing BRITISH BOLSTERING Afghanistan in November 2010 for a forward with the prototypes following an incident on For use by the and , operational assessment (FOA) with two infantry 2 February when a soldier received superficial the UK MoD selected the Lewis Machine & Tool units. In 2011, following initial trials, Lt Col injuries after the primer of a round ignited as Company’s .308 Modular Weapon System Chris Lehner, product manager for individual a result of a double feed. This was the second (LM308MWS), fitted with Trijicon’s 6x8 optic sight weapons within Program Executive Office primer incident to occur, although for different under the designation L129A1 Sharpshooter. The Soldier, confirmed the army’s belief that XM25 reasons, and an army spokesperson pointed L129A1 has been used successfully in Afghanistan will be a ‘game-changing’ weapon. out that almost 5,900 rounds had been fired since October 2010, and the original purchase of between the incidents. Project officials are 440 weapons was bolstered by an order for over The XM25 is designed to plug a US Army confident the problem will resolved. 100 additional rifles. capability gap and engage defilade targets at New Zealand bought a small number of ranges of 15-500m. (Photo: US DoD) SHOOTING OFF LM308MWS in 2011 for use in Afghanistan. US Army Research, Development and They are fitted with a longer 20in barrel instead Engineering Command (RDECOM) is sponsoring of the L129A1’s existing 16in barrel, and have a the Small Arms Grenade Munition (SAGM) selective fire capability enabling the marksman integration and demonstration programme. to fire bursts. Following positive operational It is seeking to develop a low-velocity feedback, the New Zealand Army is now 40mm autonomous airburst SAGM that can fielding a further 110 weapons to complete be fired from standard M203 and M320 its Designated Marksman Weapon (DMW) grenade launchers without additional power project. The ISWRUP project office notes or accessories. that the DMW ‘is intended to provide the In September 2013, RDECOM plans to section with precision fires and complement/ hold a ‘shoot-off’ between two competing support the effects of the [newly introduced designs, incorporating a smart fuse in a 7.62mm] LSW.’ 40mm test vehicle, followed by selection of In January 2013, the Canadian Department of a contractor to continue development and National Defence released a notice of proposed demonstrate an integrated warhead and smart procurement for a precision 7.62mm weapon ‘to ‘No longer will our soldiers have to expose fuse in FY2014. support counter-terrorism in both domestic and themselves by firing and manoeuvring to The use of 5.56mm individual weapons, deployed roles where [standard issue] Canadian eliminate an enemy behind cover,’ he said. although across four different families, is Forces weapons are unsuitable’. ‘Our soldiers can remain covered/protected and common to the five ABCA armies and the USMC, The weapons, optimised for short- to use their XM25 to neutralise an enemy in his and each service identified the need in medium-range (300-800m) engagements, covered position. This will significantly reduce Afghanistan for a precision weapon at the will replace the AR-10T semi-automatic sniper the risk of US casualties and change the way we section/squad level that offered greater range weapons that were acquired through the fight.’ and stopping power than the 5.56mm cartridge. Marksman Rifle System programme in 2004 for In March 2011, ATK received a $65.8 million The US Army opted to extensively upgrade use in Afghanistan. The initial requirement is for contract for the 30-month engineering and 7.62mm M14 rifles, which had been in storage five rifles for evaluation. LWI

20 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

LWI_AprMay13_p17-20_Squad_Support.indd 20 26/04/2013 12:45:43 LWI_AprMay13_p21.indd 21 26/04/2013 13:07:41 CBRN PROTECTION

The nature of threats facing soldiers has changed from the days of the Cold War, with increasing demands for CBRN protective equipment for dismounted troops and their vehicles. Mike Bryant explores the latest developments.

A SECOND

Avon’s ST53 SD respirator is a short- SKIN duration model running for 7-15 minutes for a quick oldiers and military vehicles are usually response in tactical Sequipped to deal with the threats posed by scenarios. (Photo: shot, , mine and other kinetic and explosive Avon Protection Systems) ordnance. However, there are other dangers on the battlefield, among the most deadly of which set of jacket and trousers, complemented by S10 respirator to the British Army in large are CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, rubber gloves and footwear, and a respirator. But, numbers and is now the supplier of the Joint nuclear) hazards. in fact, the technology involved has progressed Service General Purpose Mask (JSGPM) to the The nature of the CBRN threat has changed considerably. US military. significantly in recent years, driving new Respirator manufacturers concern themselves Avon also develops the filters integral to technological developments and ways in which with three main issues: maximising protection; respirator efficacy, and the company’s experience military CBRN personal protective equipment minimising the wearer’s burden and inconven- in developing new technology can be traced back (PPE) is chosen by procurement officials and ience; and ensuring that the mask and any to the S10 contract. The respirator was designed employed by serving soldiers. accompanying gear can be fully and seamlessly and developed by Avon after it won a According to Chris Abbott, chairman of integrated with other equipment. As usual, there competitive tender – the first time the British CBRN-UK, the body that acts as an industry are trade-offs between these objectives, but government had asked the sector to champion for UK companies involved in this significant improvements have been made. design and build a new respirator instead of sector, the changing nature of the threat first Today’s respirators, such as the General Service undertaking the R&D itself. became obvious in the 1990s. Respirator manufactured by Scott Safety and Soldiers serving in the , for example, supplied to UK armed forces, offer high levels of NEW DEVELOPMENTS were faced with the threat of chlorine being protection. The burden on the equipment has The company won the tender in 1982 and released against them, while forces serving in also fallen – the breathing resistance experienced the S10 was in operational use by 1986. The southern Iraq faced not only the perceived by the user has been reduced by careful design intervening years have seen Avon develop new threat of Saddam Hussein’s weapons of mass and evolutionary changes in technology. equipment, but also assist agencies such as the destruction, but various other radiological and Great leaps have also been made in the way a Defence Science and Technology Laboratory chemical hazards against which a traditional soldier can use a respirator – it can now be (DSTL) and the British Army’s School of Infantry to nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) suit may employed with many different weapon systems, exhaustively test the new system. have offered little protection. The threat from communications equipment and even night This experience has helped develop products aerosol-based hazards is another danger that is vision goggles. Furthermore, the field of vision such as the M50 series of JSGPMs, a process that only now being properly addressed. and drinking rates have been markedly improved involved working closely with US forces for wearers, which are important benefits when to analyse requirements and collaborate on TRADITIONAL APPROACH a soldier is wearing CBRN protective gear for development, trials and testing. For troops, the traditional defence against CBRN extended periods of time. John Penton, Avon’s market development attacks has taken the form of specialised clothing Avon Protection Systems, headquartered in manager, said that filters are becoming more and respirators. On the surface, little has changed Wiltshire, the UK, is a provider of respiratory sophisticated too. While still carbon-based, the in this area over recent decades – the average systems for the military and law enforcement chemicals that the carbon is filtered with are soldier of a Western army still typically relies on a markets. The company has supplied the changing; the way that air is flowed across the

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A British soldier carries out personal decontamination drills during an exercise focusing on chemical defence training. (Photo: UK MoD Crown Copyright)

treated substance has been optimised; and the breathing apparatus, or SCBA) protection at the vehicles, as well as capture of carbon dioxide for size of the equipment has been reduced, he flick of a lever. Additionally, by attaching a short greenhouse gas reduction. observed. Many of the hoods Avon produces or long duration compressed air cylinder to the ‘These drivers have resulted in an exponential for military and law enforcement applications system, the wearer is offered further flexibility, increase in new adsorbent materials, such as would not have been possible without the according to the nature of the threat. zeolites, metal organic frameworks and porous success achieved in reducing the size of organic polymers. Some of these materials offer individual components. AIR FILTRATION potential benefit for the removal of TICs.’ Today, most soldiers are unlikely to serve for The DSTL at Porton Down is one of the UK Regarding CBRN suits, the priorities include any sustained period in a contaminated CBRN agencies at the sharp end of developing the their protective value, ease of movement for the environment. Increasingly, the need for the soldier ’ capability to meet the multi- wearer, comfort and, on occasion, the rapidity in terms of CBRN PPE is a baseline capability that faceted threat of CBRN warfare. One of its in which they can be put on. However, the will keep them alive and able to operate for a priorities has been air filtration technology. A DSTL efficiency of their active protective components short period until the problem can otherwise be spokesperson said: ‘As illustrated by the use of is paramount. dealt with or the individual can move to a safer chlorine by insurgents in Baghdad in 2007, the In terms of materials, the active, carbon-based environment. chemical threat in current military operations protective element in the suits has been more However, there is still a need for higher can arise from the use of readily available toxic effectively treated to offer higher degrees of specification equipment for special forces, first industrial chemicals [TICs], such as chlorine and protection. Products such as Remploy Frontline’s responder or other specialist elements, such as ammonia, amongst others.’ Mk IV and Mk IVA suits, which have been supplied hazardous materials (hazmat) units, that are The spokesperson said that in order to provide to the British Army, can now simply be worn over likely to deal with asymmetric or terrorist threats. protection against the broadest possible range of underwear, without the need for the other layers Given the widely differing natures of potential chemicals, respirator filters require highly effective that not so long ago were seen as vital for an CBRN threats, Avon has developed its adsorbent materials so that gas or liquid adequate level of protection. ‘combination system’ respiratory equipment molecules can become attached to a solid surface. German company Blücher has been improving designed to meet the needs of end users facing Additionally, the drive to reduce the burden on PPE clothing with its Saratoga brand that uses an uncertain threat scenarios. the wearer means that improved adsorbents are adsorptive filter liner in chemical protection suits. The company’s ST53 and TAC54 systems are desired, so that filter size, weight and breathing All Blücher’s protective technologies come in the modular in order to meet the needs of wearers resistance can be reduced. Saratoga brand, including: one- and two-piece across contrasting operating environments, ‘Within academia, a wide range of candidate suits, which can be worn as overgarments, be they military, law enforcement or first materials is being developed for other adsorbent undergarments or a combat uniform; hoods; responder. The ST53, for example, allows the user applications with high worldwide demand,’ gloves; socks; and boots. to switch between negative (breathing through the spokesperson added. ‘These applications More than ten million suits have been sold by a filter) and positive (pressure self-contained include storage of hydrogen as a fuel source for Blücher to more than 40 countries, but the 

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HDT’s FFA400-300 is a portable, stackable CBRN filtration system providing clean air for vehicles or permanent shelters. (Photo: HDT)

biggest military user is the US armed forces, which Emerging requirements other than protection, Reuben Harel, HDT’s product line lead for CBRN has adopted the Joint Service Lightweight such as the need to avoid heat stress, systems, said the company is developing a new Integrated Suit Technology and Joint Protective compatibility with other equipment, longer usage family of modular vehicle filtration systems in Aircrew Chemical Ensemble in large numbers. and washability, are reflected in Blücher’s work on cooperation with the US government. They are lightweight suits for the German Infantryman of based on technologies such as catalytic oxidation DURABLE PROTECTION the Future project. For this effort, Blücher has and ‘regenerable’ filtration. According to Andreas Arnold, director of business developed a two-piece individual CB protective ‘We believe the requirement for CBRN development for Saratoga at Blücher, the garment, which also offers aerosol protection. protection equipment will increase due to the company’s products are based predominantly on Although carbon has been used since the early volatile political and security environment around air-permeable (to avoid moisture build-up), days of CBRN PPE for protection against chemical the world,’ he said. ‘HDT addresses these concerns adsorptive technology using spherical, high- agents, many recent advances have involved by offering a broader-based design, with multi- performance adsorbers. suits using protective membranes, some of which force compatibility and modularity, providing a ‘Their physical and chemical properties, as are semi-permeable, with others offering partial lower cost solution and unparalleled support. The well as the process of integrating them into detoxifying capabilities. base requirements are operational, coming from fabrics, render products with an unparalleled Research is also being conducted into suits that the end user, and are based on doctrine and combination of protection, wear physiology and may be able to react and adapt to different threat threat assessment.’ durability,’ he said. environments, although there is still a lot of testing and evaluation to be done on the various LIFE SUPPORT reactive and catalytic systems before any are likely Another company active in the field of vehicle to see service. CBRN protection systems is Israel’s – Kinetics. Thousands of its CBRN and life support EMERGENCY RESPONSE systems (LSS) are in service on vehicles such as the Investment in PPE is being led by manufacturers 3 and 4 MBTs, the 8x8 Piranha 3, the 8x8 seeking to meet the sophisticated requirements Pandur 2, M113 and M577 APCs and the HIMARS of emergency services. The threat of chemical, rocket launcher. biological or even ‘dirty bomb’ attacks on civilian The company’s CBRN protection systems can targets has grown in recent years, so emergency be used in standalone form or as part of an services have sought appropriate PPE. LSS that includes CBRN detection, ventilation The needs of first responders and hazmat and air conditioning, auxiliary power units and teams differ somewhat from those of military automatic fire suppression systems. Typically, its forces – first responders favour gas-tight, CBRN protection systems can operate in three The LSS developed by Elbit for the Piranha 3 wheeled APC. Thousands of impermeable suits that offer the highest possible modes: mask-free positive pressure protection similar units are in service on a range of degrees of protection and possess their own within the cabin; collective face mask protection different platforms. (Photo: Elbit Kinetics) bottled air supply. However, those using sealed with air supplied to each individual by a vehicle- suits are weighed down and must also top up or based system (and by personal canisters for Another key to the products’ efficiency is ‘the replace their breathing equipment frequently, when the crew needs to evacuate the vehicle); perfect match of raw materials, compounds which is not suitable for a soldier. and a hybrid alternative usually employed and clothing design’. The company’s success has Gas-tight suits can be burdensome and do for when the vehicle is to be opened in a been through the basic and applied research not allow for the evaporation of sweat, while the contaminated area. carried out in-house, often in cooperation with stresses and strains a soldier will put on a suit Many current CBRN protection systems do universities and research institutes worldwide. could easily lead to a compromise, such as a not look that dissimilar to their counterparts ‘Development projects in the area of process puncture or tear, either in the material or the from a decade or two ago, however recent engineering complete the research activities, seams of the garments. technological developments have brought and the know-how is safeguarded by over 300 For vehicles, the range of options for CBRN about a revolutionary change in such protection. patents,’ noted Arnold. countermeasures is also varied. Ohio-based HDT Nonetheless, R&D needs to continue apace, as New developments will push the frontiers of Global manufactures filters, filtration systems and the changing needs of the user demand greater available PPE technology yet further, he believes. complete collective protection integrated systems. flexibility. LWI

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Recent vehicle modernisation programmes in South America are not only boosting the capability of the countries concerned, but helping develop a domestic industrial base for future projects. Tim Fish gives an overview of current efforts.

he South American land systems market is Tsmaller than the air and naval sector, with only a limited defence manufacturing base for vehicles and equipment. However, there are signs that this is changing. Recent economic prosperity has seen an upgrade of naval and air forces in the region and now land forces are expected to follow suit. Brazil leads the modernisation effort on Brazil has requested an the continent, representing about half of total extra 26 AAV7s under defence expenditure. It is updating its inventory of an FMS contract. The armoured vehicles under the army’s reform plan current in-service fleet that seeks to create a larger but more flexible and will also be upgraded. rapidly deployable force by 2030. The focus is still (Photo: BAE Systems) on internal operations and border security, with a particular emphasis on the Amazon region and security for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. The modernisation started in 2006 with the procurement of 240 surplus Leopard 1A5 tanks from Germany that were upgraded CHANGING by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall for Brazilian Army service. The former company handed over the first batch of modified MBTs in 2009 and completed deliveries GEAR in February 2012. Following this contract, the company fellow Elbit subsidiary Ares. These are being FAMILY PLANNING announced that it would be setting up a purchased under a framework contract worth Running in parallel with this acquisition was a production plant in Sete Lagoas, 70km from up to $260 million. Acceptance testing was longer-term development effort by the army to Belo Horizonte, at a cost of $30 million, that will be completed in 2011 and an initial $15 million create a family of 6x6 wheeled vehicles, and dedicated to the production of the VBTP-MR. production contract was awarded in September. Iveco Defence was selected to lead this effort. The In August 2012, Iveco received an order for development contract concluded in 2007 and the first 86 vehicles and immediately started WEAPON OF CHOICE moved into the prototype production phase production at its new facility. A total of five were Work is also ongoing for an 8x8 variant of the for an amphibious APC (VBTP-MR) – also known delivered in December 2012 – 49 are expected to Guarani that Iveco hopes to develop from this as Project Guarani – in two 6x6 configurations. At be delivered in 2013 and the remainder in 2014. year, according to Del Noce. The original concept the end of 2009, an open order was announced ‘We are now working to get another order signed was to develop the 8x8 model in parallel with the for 2,044 vehicles to be produced by 2030, with a in 2013 for delivery in 2014-2015,’ noted Del Noce. 6x6, however progress has stalled because the potential price tag of $2.6 billion. The VBTP-MR 6x6s are intended for frontier company ‘does not know which armament the Paolo Del Noce, defence vehicles director protection and have an amphibious capability to Brazilian Army will be using’. of Iveco Latin America, told Land Warfare allow them to traverse rivers in remote areas. It is expected that the service will choose a International that the company was chosen The vehicles also have a high level of protection 105mm gun for the vehicle. Furthermore, the because of its level of commitment to establish a against mines and a few hundred will be fitted armour protection requirements for the 8x8 local manufacturing base for the project, and with the UT-30BR 30mm remote weapon are higher and this will require some additional that there is not yet a ‘fixed number of vehicles’ station (RWS) manufactured by Elbit subsidiary design work. More variants are expected, as in total, but numbers are ‘controlled year after AEL Sistemas. It uses an ATK MK44 Bushmaster Project Guarani vehicles will replace the year with fixed orders’. cannon and a REMAX 12.7/7.62mm mount from existing EE-11 Urutu APCs and EE-9 Cascavel 

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The MK44 Bushmaster cannon will be fitted to some Guarani vehicles to offer increased fire support for infantry units. (Photo: ATK)

reconnaissance vehicles. Del Noce said that upgrade and maintenance of the vehicles. The the project after beating BAE and Flensburger the capability of the new vehicles cannot be work under this contract will be performed at Fahrzeugbau. The remaining vehicles are due to compared to 30-year-old legacy models because the Brazilian Army depot in Curitiba.’ be ready by the end of the year. they are in ‘another world’. BAE is also providing training in maintenance The marines are also acquiring 18 Mowag has also expressed an interest in the and life-cycle support. A further 208 M113Bs are Piranha IIIC 8x8 vehicles from General Dynamics VBTP-MR, and Iveco had been sent an enquiry – being refurbished by Engemotors with an European Land Systems under a contract or preference to buy – for 14 vehicles. One of overhaul of all mechanical systems, and the announced in 2009. The three variants the new prototype vehicles had been sent installation of vehicle radios with assistance from include an APC, and a command to Argentina and was tested at the end of Israeli Military Industries (IMI). Work is due to be vehicle. This followed an earlier contract 2012, and the results were ‘very good’, according completed by 2016. announced in December 2007 for five to Del Noce. The Argentine requirements for amphibious variants of the Piranha IIIC. Six APC the vehicle are the same as Brazil, and the AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT models and a recovery vehicle comprised the company is discussing the next step with An earlier FMS request in August 2012 initial order in 2006. Buenos Aires. announced the possible sale of 26 Amphibious Speaking at the International Armoured Brazil is also upgrading 150 army M113B APCs Assault Vehicle 7s (AAV7s) to Brazil for $233 Vehicles conference in February, Fleet Adm Marco through an FMS contract worth $41.9 million million, including training, parts and logistical Antonio Guimaraes, General Commandant of the signed in December 2011. Under this agreement, support. This amount includes the upgrade Brazilian Marine Corps, said the service intends to BAE Systems will upgrade the vehicles to M113A2 of existing Brazilian Army AAV7s to the procure 36 M109A5s to complement the existing Mk 1 configuration by November 2014. ‘Reliability, Availability and Maintainability/ 40 M109A3s, which will themselves be upgraded ‘Under this work, the vehicle hulls, hatches Rebuild to Standard’ configuration. to A5 standard. and ramps will be re-used, while all ‘The Congressional notification has occurred other components, including the engines, and was approved,’ a BAE spokesperson said. ARGENTINE APPROACH transmissions and cooling systems, will be ‘We believe the programme is progressing Apart from the possible acquisition of Guarani replaced or upgraded,’ said the company. ‘BAE on schedule, and we are prepared to bid for VBTP-MR vehicles, the is Systems will provide the materials needed to the contract.’ struggling to rejuvenate its land vehicle fleet. perform the upgrade work, as well as tooling IMI is assisting the upgrade of 30 M113s for Italian manufacturer CIO told LWI that it had and spares. The company will also transfer the Brazilian Marine Corps to MB1 standard after a received an RfI for a wheeled vehicle programme, technology and train the Brazilian Army on the prototype was completed in 2011. IMI secured and although there are no specific requirements laid out, the company said it would participate in The 6x6 Guarani any tender with its Centauro 8x8 armoured manufactured by vehicle family. Iveco. This example Meanwhile, the army is undergoing significant is armed with a 30mm Bushmaster. structural reforms announced in 2011 aimed at (Photo: Iveco) streamlining its units and ultimately introducing new armoured vehicles. Its 2012 plan outlined upgrades needed for almost all its military hardware from the (TAM) tank fleet down to individual soldier equipment. Elbit was contracted in October 2011 to provide a mid-life upgrade to the TAMs and fit them with a new stabilised gun system, battle management system, thermal optics and power, hydraulic and electrical systems. The army recently received the first prototype, and it is expected the Israeli company will upgrade the entire fleet.

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Argentina’s M113s are being upgraded to the A2 variant and the Argentine Marine Corps has also successfully upgraded ten AAV7s, but the most recent acquisition was the procurement of Panhard’s PVP 4x4 vehicle has been acquired four WMZ-551B1 6x6 vehicles from Chinese by Chile for UN operations. (Photo: Panhard) manufacturer NORINCO that were delivered in 2010. The Argentine Army has also acquired delivered in two variants – seven APCs and fleet. Concerned by the acquisition of Russian 18 Agrale Marruá 4x4 vehicles, which have two ambulance models. The PVPs were MBTs by neighbouring Venezuela, Bogota also been adopted by other South American delivered in 2010 with UN colours from examined options such as the Leclerc and militaries and used on UN operations in Haiti. Leopard for its own requirement, but failed to missions in Haiti. The most recent acquisition on the continent proceed with a programme. However, the army Chile has fared a little better with its was from Colombia, which awarded General is still looking for a tank. procurement initiatives, and is completing a Dynamics Land Systems Canada a $65.3 million Venezuela’s arms imports have increased decade-long modernisation programme. The contract, announced on 10 January, to buy 24 dramatically over the past decade with extensive has acquired largely second-hand Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) for the procurement from Russia of land equipment. In equipment from surplus German and Dutch Colombian Army. Deliveries will be completed by 2011, its armed forces took delivery of 92 T-72 stocks. From 2007, 172 Leopard 2A4 MBTs May 2014. tanks and S-125 Pechora surface-to-air missile were upgraded to CHL standard with new The LAV III has double-V hull technology and systems following earlier deliveries of BTR-80 and electronics, targeting and C4I systems along with additional armour for crew protection against BMP-3 IFVs and artillery guns. Funding for a a mechanical overhaul and installation of the L55 mine blasts, IEDs and other threats. All vehicles further 50 T-72s is expected. gun. RWS and armour were also added. will be equipped with a Rafael Samson Mini RWS To support the Leopards, 138 Marder 1A3 IFVs that has a 12.7mm machine gun. This will INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITY were also purchased from Germany for $47 meet the army’s requirement for an 8x8 wheeled Behind all these acquisition programmes is a million and delivered between 2009 and 2011 armoured vehicle, although there is a need desire from South American governments to following modernisation by KMW. The Marders for more platforms, and further contracts are increase their domestic defence industrial base. are expected to be fitted with the Israeli Spike expected. Brazil’s Iveco Defence Vehicles is operated by Medium Range/Long Range anti-tank missiles. Textron Marine and Land Systems (TM&LS) Iveco, but owned by the Brazilian Army, and These are in addition to the 139 YPR-765 was contracted to deliver 39 4x4 M1117 the company would not have won the Guarani IFVs Chile bought in 2006 and M113s acquired armoured security vehicles for $45.6 million contract without the offer of setting up a from and the US. through an FMS arrangement in 2009. These complete plant. were delivered by July 2010, and in March the Iveco also has a commitment to source 60% of ARTILLERY ACQUISITION company received a further $5.5 million contract the Guarani programme with domestic industry. The Chilean Army bought 12 M109A5 155mm from US Army Tank-Automotive and Del Noce explained that where components self-propelled howitzers from the US under a Armaments Command for 12 armoured turrets, could not be found, Iveco is helping to establish $15.8 million FMS contract in August 2011. technical support services, vehicle repairs and production lines, and while engines, electrical BAE Systems conducted the refurbishment and spare parts for the Colombian Army’s APCs. systems and chassis work could be sourced in upgrade work, which was completed in October There is a requirement for another 41 Brazil, suppliers for specialist defence materiel, 2012. According to the company, it provided vehicles, and a further contract is expected. such as the protected armour shell, could not be digital data connectivity and gun positioning Tom Walmsley, senior VP and general manager found in-country. and navigation systems ‘to provide faster at TM&LS, said: ‘We’re working with Colombia It is unlikely that vehicle manufacturing emplacement time, swifter response time to to increase the number of APCs in plants will be established in every South calls for fire and improved sustainability’. [Colombian Army] units, while sustaining American country because the demand for On the lighter vehicle side, the Chilean its entire vehicle fleet with a coordinated platforms is not high enough. However, even Marine Corps purchased nine PVP vehicles programme of maintenance, training and field if lower volumes of vehicles are required, from Panhard that are designed with increased service support.’ technology transfer will still remain an volume at the rear. A spokesperson from The focus on wheeled vehicles has been as a essential part of any future procurement the company told LWI that these were result of the failure to procure an updated MBT deal. LWI

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Materials development is critical in ensuring soldiers are sufficiently protected against current and future threats. Beth Stevenson explores some of the advances being seen in body armour.

FIT FOR PURPOSE n recent years, developments in soldier body White commented: ‘[SPS is] driven by the army to Iarmour protection have moved ahead in reduce weight, increase performance and lighten leaps and bounds, and current research into new the load for the warfighter. They are going to materials is expected to bring about further gradually grow this into the next generation of advancements in the coming months. body armour for the US Army.’ Samuel White, senior VP of business PEO Soldier calls for the SPS to be 5-15% development at US body armour manufacturer lighter, more efficient in design and modularity Point Blank, told Land Warfare International: and ‘mission-tailorable’. Point Blank is active in ‘We have had probably the greatest ballistic the programme, with efforts to try and reduce enhancements occur in the last six months – and weight and apply modular concepts. this will continue in the next six months – that Matthew Asher, director of product I’ve seen in the last 25 years. A lot of that is a engineering and design at the company, compliment to four fibre suppliers that provide said: ‘Scalability is a huge buzzword right ballistic products.’ now – being able to offer the same vest He cited the main suppliers and products as: with less coverage, scaling up to maximum DuPont, with its Kevlar products; Teijin’s Twaron; coverage to support different operations, Honeywell’s Spectra; and DSM’s Dyneema. whether they be in the military or law ‘Each one of them has made significant enforcement. And they want to lighten the load, advancements in technology,’ continued White. so there are some load management systems ‘When you combine those materials to meet that we’re working on to reduce the weight specific threats, we start to see body armour on the shoulders and increase the comfort and weights that are significantly lighter than mobility of the soldier.’ ever seen before, and yet also are taking up This will inevitably result in trade-offs between tremendously improved threat performance at the level of protection that can be provided by those lighter weights.’ the armour and the mobility of the soldier.

BECOMING FLEXIBLE WEIGHT ISSUES The traditional view of body armour is of heavy Advances in technology will allow more composite plates that can offer protection from protection to be provided at lighter weights, the impact of rifle rounds, but technological however armour requirements vary according to developments have meant products are the mission. Weight is also an issue because becoming lighter, thinner and more flexible, and soldiers are being given more equipment to carry. are better meeting soldier requirements. ‘We’re making a smarter, more adaptable Allen-Vanguard’s Med-Eng EOD 9 suit The US Army’s Program Executive Office (PEO) soldier,’ explained White. ‘We’re adding includes a jacket, groin protector, trousers Soldier is driving developments in this area under communications, cameras and helmets with and boot covers for blast protection against IEDs and bombs. (Photo: Allen-Vanguard) its Soldier Protective System (SPS) programme. optics. They have a huge burden in just

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Comfort is a vital consideration when designing body armour, as soldier mobility can be as important for survivability as physical protection. (Photo: DuPont)

equipment alone, so the government is reaching Soldiers cannot be protected from every single protection is used, only vital areas of the body will out to all areas at all times to reduce weight, with threat, as the armour required would be too be covered – usually the core chest area – with the hope that the combination of a few ounces heavy, reducing their mobility to the extent it limbs receiving little or no protection to keep the off the vest, a few ounces off the scopes, a few would adversely affect performance. Therefore, weight at a reasonable level ‘[If] the blanket is ounces off your gear adds up to pounds.’ armour is being provided to match specific sets of smaller than the bed, you need to know which Some 1.8 million sets of body armour have threats that an infantryman is likely to face, and area you want to cover,’ noted Bader. been sold to the US DoD by Point Blank. This designed to be more suitable for soldiers. The armour itself needs to have properties includes the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV), which was that can transfer the energy from the impact of a the first generation of a product that applied new FASHION POLICE round or bomb fragment away from the body designs to suit the wearer. The first tranche was Speaking at a media briefing in November 2012, and retain it within the materials that make up the delivered in 2003, followed by several generations Yves Bader, Kevlar and Nomex development armour plating. The more the armour can do over the years, and in 2007 Point Blank was manager at DuPont Protection, noted that this, the more effective it will be at providing awarded a contract for the Improved OTV (IOTV), soldiers would just abandon armour vests if they higher levels of protection. which offered further design enhancements and were too uncomfortable, and then there would Bader said that a complex material structure is used lightweight materials. Since then, another be no protection at all. Other issues include the required in order to vary the wave speeds and three generations of IOTVs have been released. weight balance of the armour, something just as dictate where the energy goes. DuPont offers its Developments in materials technology not important as the overall weight. Kevlar XP fabric that provides a 15% reduction only mean that conventional ballistic body He explained that there is a need to balance in back face deformation when compared to armour is undergoing a revamp, but is being what the customer wants, what is feasible and commercially available technologies (tested joined on the market by a range of other armour what works best, and the vest needs to suitable against a .44 magnum round). When a bullet hits types to offer soldiers protection from a wider for all circumstances. the armour plate, the energy from the impact will range of new threats. DuPont specialises in developing the fabric head towards the body, so the rear part of the During the conflict in Afghanistan, soldiers used in many different protection systems, and armour that rests against the body needs to retain have not only faced traditional threats from bomb caters for traditional ballistic protection vests as its shape to prevent harm to the wearer. fragments and munitions, but heat threats from well as more recent threats, such as those from Therefore, the solution with a 10-11 layered incendiary rounds and devices, IED explosions EODs, IEDs and heat. armour plate (made up of multiple sheets) is and RPGs – weapons typical of the asymmetric Another issue relates to which parts of the when only the first two or three of those layers tactics employed by the insurgency. body need to be covered. If heavy armour are affected. 

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‘The more we deform the bullet, the more energy we transfer, and the bigger the surface area of it, so there is less impact,’ said Bader. ‘With Kevlar XP, the bullet will ricochet.’ He explained that military requirements for protection levels depend on the theatre. A number of armies are using DuPont’s Kevlar XP, which comes in the S102 and S307 offerings, with different weights depending on DuPont’s combat clothing technology offers the operational focus. protection from the increased heat threats that Specific polymers are also applied with Kevlar are faced on the battlefield. (Photo: DuPont) to add other properties, such as simultaneous ballistic and knife protection, and thermal Bader. ‘[The DTA] correlates very nicely with the Development began in January 2011, and testing protection is of increasing interest. rib cage. We have to be cautious because one of 19 prototypes by members of the 101st body is different to another.’ Airborne Division’s 1st Combat Team FIRE HAZARD Previously, 80kg pigs were used in BABT tests started in August 2012. The use of more incendiary rounds and explosives because they typically have the same chest size as In a statement, Lynn Hennessey, lead designer that are designed to kill or damage through humans. The DSTL used this data to select the for the female body armour prototype at Natick, impact or by causing fires means there is now a right silicon that represented the chest action to explains: ‘Women were having a real problem real risk of harm through burning. ‘Previously, the develop the DTA. with the fit of the IOTV. The size extra small was infantry wasn’t a target for this sort of threat,’ Asher said that the body armour market is too large for 85% of the females, so they weren’t explained Bader. ‘There are many materials out constant whether the economic environment is getting a good fit – it was too loose and too long.’ there that will melt, and the skin then melts into good or bad: ‘There is always a need for body Oversized armour caused gaps under the the material. You do not want the material to armour – protective solutions are never really at the arms, leaving vulnerable areas and making the continue to burn when removed from the fire.’ bottom of the barrel when you talk about budget vest uncomfortable to wear. Female soldiers DuPont offers its Nomex Multi-Threat dollars because you have to protect troops.’ experienced bruising on the hip bones because of Protection for combat uniforms that require the length of the side plates, and the front plate additional heat and flame protection. It provides FEMALE BODIES would get pushed up too far under the chin when 35% more protection against second-degree However, the company continues to be sitting down due to its size. New plates have been burns than standard material, and can also be innovative, developing armour systems for scaled to fit the contours of the female body, but used for blankets, tents and seats – IR signature the maritime environment, products with are still made of the same materials. management can also be included. Nomex has special flammability, buoyancy and density The army hopes to acquire 3,000 of the new additionally been used for space suits and in characteristics as well as easy-release vests. vests and field them to an army brigade to be protective clothing for oil refinery workers. One development area cited by Asher is for selected this year. In 2012, the company bought an exclusive female-specific designs, an area that the US Meanwhile, counter-threat solutions company licence to use the UK MoD’s Defence Science and government is keen to advance. Allen-Vanguard provides protective equipment Technology Laboratory (DSTL) Dynamic Trauma ‘At the moment, they are running several for specialist units within the military, including Analyser (DTA) test rig to examine the full programmes to create new IOTVs for females that mounted and dismounted EOD teams, special dynamic biochemical response of a human rib are more comfortable,’ he explained. ‘We are forces, mine clearance and search operators. cage to ‘behind armour blunt trauma’ (BABT) seeing more females in our military, and plenty in The company’s Med-Eng brand of EOD suits is resulting from the impact of bullets. law enforcement, and it is something that we are used by some 100 countries worldwide. It offers The DTA uses clay or artificial products to constantly working on at Point Blank to increase tailored blast protection solutions as part of a replicate the human body in a life-like way, the comfort and fit of those carriers.’ larger package that considers a range of threats offering an insight into how armour can be best Female soldiers at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and mission requirements. designed to reduce BABT. tested the gender-specific armour that was A company spokesman explained: ‘For ‘Ballistic protection is not just about stopping developed by the Natick Soldier Research example, an EOD operator requires maximum the bullet – it’s trauma to the chest too,’ added Development and Engineering Center. blast protection, but may require integrated

30 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

LWI_AprMay13_p28-31_Body_armour.indd 30 26/04/2013 13:28:52 BODY ARMOUR ‘The size extra-small was too large for 85% of the females, so they weren’t getting a good fit – it was too loose and too long.’

communications, cooling and chemical-biological systems, including the Cupola Protective FMS Enterprises has identified reducing protection. A high-threat search operator requires Ensemble, which protects the extremities and the soldier’s burden as a priority, but admits greater mobility for longer periods of time, and facial areas of gunners exposed to IEDs, and the that it is a complex issue because of varying therefore there are fewer protective components TAC 6 lightweight protection suit for EOD user requirements between and within theatres focused in more vital body areas. Understanding operators. of operations. and designing around the end user’s needs is the ‘The TAC 6 is ideal for: dismounted IED or route- Oren Gruber, VP of marketing and business key to providing an effective solution.’ clearance operations where a bomb suit cannot development at the company, told LWI: ‘The be carried into theatre; high-risk search, where a soldier burden balance includes communication, SPECIAL CONSIDERATION basic ballistic vest is insufficient; special forces energy, food, water, ammunition, rifle and Specialists face an evolving array of threats, operations, where fragments from a placed protection. In the protection section, there is from blast and fragmentation to chemical/ charge can be lethal; or in mine-clearance further difficulty to balance between threat types, biological agents and heat stress, all while carrying operations,’ explained the spokesperson. cost, coverage area and weight.’ equipment and performing missions in harsh Modularity and lighter weights for greater The company has sold its protection systems to environments, which requires a more advanced mobility are always in demand, and Allen- some 40 countries, and considers itself a second- bomb suit rather than standard armour. Vanguard is continuously examining and testing or third-tier supplier, developing application ‘Depending upon the mission, the user can new materials to explore alternative designs to products from its own manufactured fabrics. scale their protection to higher levels by adding advance its protective offerings. ‘This is in a view to create more applications to optional components, or leave them aside ‘This includes human factors engineering our products and thus increase the usage of our based on decreased risks,’ the spokesperson that optimises the allocation of protective fabrics,’ continued Gruber. ‘Also, some of the added. ‘This puts the user in greater control coverage over each body area,’ he commented. technologies are too expensive for small vest based on a particular set of threats and physical ‘For example, Allen-Vanguard’s unique “suit up” manufacturers and vehicle armourers, so FMS is mobility requirements.’ design allows its TAC 6 platform to fit men and doing this service for our customers.’ Allen-Vanguard has worked with allied forces women in nine sizes. This has been extremely well in Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting them with received in the market.’ LAB TESTS The company has its own laboratories conducting Point Blank’s IOTV uses lightweight materials to improve daily internal ballistic testing, as well as external soldier mobility while retaining high levels of protection. testing at certified laboratories throughout the (Photos: Point Blank) year. Gruber said the higher the threat level, the heavier and more expensive the protection solution, which then leads to the tendency to lower the protection area. ‘The other option is to require a lower threat level that is probably more common, thus getting a higher coverage area,’ he said. ‘It is a statistical calculation being done by every end user at which the end result is getting the highest probability to survive in the field.’ Using a high protection level over a large body area will lead to the soldier becoming less mobile and able to carry out a mission quickly. Mobility is one of the most important survival factors considered by armies, however this is compromised if caught in an explosion or hit by a round. Ultimately, the requirements of each mission will dictate the level of protection and mobility and the best body armour package to be used. LWI

www.landwarfareintl.com Volume 4 Number 2 | April/May 2013 | LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL 31

LWI_AprMay13_p28-31_Body_armour.indd 31 26/04/2013 13:28:54 PARTING SHOT

THE MAJOR SEVEN The Brazilian Army is maturing its internal structures to ensure it can ‘We are discussing if we need so many because more effectively manage acquisition programmes. Tim Fish talks to we can modernise the Urutu,’ he explained. ‘We need different kinds of vehicles – we need General Luiz Felipe Linhares Gomes, chief of the service’s an ambulance, a command car, an engineer programme management office, about future plans. car, so this will be a different order. We are going to be talking about this with Iveco and ollowing Brazil’s 2008 Strategic Plan, the The second project is PROTEGER, which is for they will have to make some adjustments.’ Farmy is running seven strategic-level internal protection of the rest of the country programmes that aim to introduce structural not encompassed by the SISFRON border area. CYBER WARFARE changes to the country’s defence infrastructure, This will also involve procuring sensors, C2 The army also has a cyber warfare programme. as well as over 200 other smaller projects. This is elements and response equipment in a similar This is the most advanced project, as it was the a step-change for Brazil, which previously did not way to SISFRON, but it is still in the early stages. first one started. Linhares added that it was also have this kind of focus at a procurement level. ‘For PROTEGER, we still do not have a prime, the cheapest to develop because it relied mostly ‘We must have these projects, because but we are working on an RfP, which we intend on ‘human capital’ using the ‘mind and creativity’. five years, ten years ago we didn’t have them,’ to launch at end of April or beginning of May, He said: ‘We have our cyber centre, our simulator explained Linhares. ‘Now we can start to make and we will have 20 primes presenting their and lots of people in place doing this job.’ the transformation from an old army to a new possible solutions. We will conduct this project To meet its short-range air defence one. Brazil is growing up on the international in the same way as SISFRON, with a pilot and requirement, Brazil has purchased the Gepard scene, and with this we have responsibilities. It is a lot of studies. After that we will try one kind mobile air defence system, ahead of operations not just a modernisation effort because it is on a of solution – maybe it won’t be the only during the Olympic Games. Although the army structural basis, this is a big transformation.’ solution or the one we choose in the future, but is developing its own air defence missiles, it is the same thinking.’ Linhares said: ‘We can’t wait for the national FUTURE FOCUS The major vehicle programme being managed development.’ This is primarily because it would The Brazilian Army’s seven major procurement by the Brazilian Army is the Guarani project (see take too long to introduce. programmes are the focus for the future. The p25). ‘This is a joint project with the army, the The sixth programme, which aims to first is SISFRON, a system for frontier protection centre of technology and our engineers with develop a multiple-launch rocket system called along Brazil’s 17,000km of land borders and Iveco. It is a big project because we need a lot of ASTROS, is being developed domestically by reaching 150km inside, with the acquisition these cars, but it is a national solution.’ Avibras without any international assistance. of sensor systems, C2 systems and reactive He explained that with earlier vehicles like ‘This will be developing a missile with a 300km elements to respond to incursions. the Urutus, the company that produced them range and also improving the precision of the ‘In SISFRON, we have a pilot project under no longer exists, but it still has the vehicles and ones we have already,’ Linhares stated. way in Dourados in the Mato Grosso do Sul. is upgrading them to last another ten years. Finally, under the Recop programme Brazil is There we have a 600km stretch of border Unfortunately, this meant Brazil lost the modernising and upgrading its existing fleets where we are testing a solution from a capability to develop new vehicles. of vehicles. Before 2008, the focus was on army company or prime we call DEPRO,’ he ‘But we need to create again this design social investment, but since the strategic plan explained. ‘It offered the best solution across and definition capability through this project, this has changed to improve capabilities. several kinds of analysis, in terms of technology, because we lost everything. But now we have ‘The Leopard MBT and M109 self-propelled price and the transfer of technology. the Guarani and the project is for a whole artillery system was bought through this, and ‘After this, we will extend the project to family of vehicles, not just 6x6, but also 4x4 it will also increase the flight hours of our other places. Right now, we have a prime with and 8x8. We are developing the 8x8 and helicopters,’ he concluded. ‘It also means the project in Dourados. It will finish in 2015 discussing what we will do with the 4x4.’ improving what we already have – Urutus, and we will see the studies and results to There are plans for more than 2,000 vehicles, Cascavels – with maintenance and repair, and [determine] what we do next.’ but Linhares said this has not been decided. making them useful... and better.’ LWI

32 LAND WARFARE INTERNATIONAL | April/May 2013 | Volume 4 Number 2 www.landwarfareintl.com

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