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Among the omissions: - Forgot to ask the
French why they are upgrading Russia's - That Denel's
artillery draw heavily on work by America's Gerry Bull. - Singapore's base bleed ammo is a descendant of Gerry Bull's design. - Otomelara helped flood the world w/ land mines. |
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Kvitnyk challenges KrasnopolBy Rupert Pengelley A new laser-homing artillery projectile called Kvitnyk has been unveiled by Tochnost, a division of the Ukrainian Progres design and development organisation. According to Tochnost, it has attracted the immediate scrutiny of representatives from Russian guided weapons developer KBP, another IDEX exhibitor whose equivalent Krasnopol design has latterly had the market to itself.The Kvytnik is credited with a weight of under 48kg (including an 8kg high-explosive payload), a maximum length of 1,200mm, and a range of not less than 20km. The chief designer of Progres, Nikolay Skarlet, asserts this makes it lighter, shorter, and more lethal than Krasnopol. Compatibility is claimed for both Russian-type 152mm and NATO-type 155mm artillery systems, though Skarlet admits in the latter case this is founded on calculation rather than practical trials. No figures on design pressure or acceleration limits are being released for the time being, and proof of compatibility with the higher-pressure charge systems and the increased shot-travel of 45, 47 or 52-calibre extended-range 155mm ordnance systems will have to await a collaborative development programme. KBP has meanwhile been collaborating with French company CILAS in proving a semi-active laser homing system for Krasnopol, which would make it compatible with NATO as well as Russian laser target designation systems. In March 1999, a number of Krasnopol test slugs (51.2kg weighted mock-ups) were also fired from a LIW G6 45-calibre 155mm self-propelled howitzer, using low-zone charges. Slugs of Krasnopol-M, a cut-down 44.6kg version compatible with the stowage bins on NATO 155mm SP howitzers, were tested at the same time. Last year, guided firings were successfully conducted in France using a CILAS DHY307 designator to illuminate targets for Krasnopol rounds fired from a 155TR F1 39-calibre towed howitzer of the French Army, which has officially included Krasnopol in trade-off studies for its future guided artillery projectile requirement.
LIW shows 105mm LEO gunBy Christopher F Foss Being shown for the first time overseas is the South African LIW Division of Denel 105mm Light Experimental Weapon (LEO). The system has been developed by the same team that produced the combat-proven 155mm/45 calibre G-5 towed and G-6 (6 x 6) self-propelled artillery systems, which are widely deployed in the Middle East region. The original design goal was to "develop the technology for a light gun with a light logistical load that will equal or better the range and equal or better the terminal effect of current 155mm light guns". The prototype of the 105mm LEO weighs 3,800kg, but the team is now working on reducing the overall weight of the system to 2,500kg. To give the LEO a precision fire capability, it is fitted with the Kentron-developed Arachnida inertial laying and navigation system, with a direct interface to the fire control system. A direct fire optical sight is also fitted. The breech is of the semi-automatic swing and slide type, with the 57 calibre 105mm ordnance being fitted with a high-efficiency pepperpot muzzle brake. Elevation and traverse are hydraulic with the possibility to upgrade this further to fully automatic laying. Denel has also developed a complete family of 105mm ammunition for use with the LEO. This includes a pre-fragmented high explosive projectile that has a lethal area of 1,900m2 and a maximum range of 24km. This lethal area is the same as the Denel 155mm Extended Range Full Bore projectile filled with RDX/TNT filling and better than the widely deployed 155mm M107, which has a lethal area of less than 1,000m2. Other natures of 105mm ammunition include a standard 105mm high explosive projectile and a 105mm armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) projectile for engaging armoured targets. The Somchem division of Denel has developed a five zone uni-modular charge system for the 105mm LEO which is essentially a scaled-down version of the M90 modular charge system selected by the UK MoD for its 155mm AS90 self-propelled artillery systems. Various fuzes, including a new Fuchs Electronics multi-option fuze, can be used with the system. Although a developmental system, a number of enhancements are already under active consideration by LIW for the LEO. These include a base bleed projectile with a range of more than 30km, a load assist device, automatic laying and changes to enable it to fire old 105mm ammunition for training purposes.
New weapons from Singapore unveiledBy Christopher F Foss
The first 155mm LWSPH technology demonstrator was completed last year and has already fired about 350 rounds of ammunition during trials in South Africa. The system builds on Singapore Technologies Kinetics' experience in the design, development and production of the 155mm FH-88 and, more recently, 155mm FH-2000 towed artillery systems. A key design feature of the 155mm LWSPH was that it could be carried internally in not only a C-130 Hercules aircraft, but also a CH-47 or CH-53 helicopter. The complete system makes extensive use of advanced materials and, without ammunition, weighs only 7,000kg. It takes one minute to come into or be taken out of action. Firing a ERFB BB (Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed) projectile, a maximum range of 30km can be achieved with a burst rate of fire of three rounds in 15 seconds. Singapore Technologies Kinetics is also well known for its tracked armoured vehicles, including the expanding family of Bionix infantry combat vehicle, upgraded AMX-13 light tank and large numbers of upgraded M113 series armoured personnel carriers. At IDEX 2001, the company revealed it was developing a new 8 x 8 Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV), which can be fitted with a wide range of weapons systems including the complete turret of the Bionix IFV. The AIFV (8 x 8) is being built as a private venture using proven subsystems wherever possible. The prototype will start trials later this year and will be powered by a Caterpillar diesel coupled to a fully automatic Allison transmission. The advanced independent double-wishbone suspension is provided by Timoney of Ireland. With a combat weight of 17.5 tonnes it is fully air-portable in a C-130 Hercules, but maximum possible combat weight is 24 tonnes. Standard equipment will include a central tyre pressure regulation system and water jets for amphibious operations. The 40mm ABM system has been designed to be retrofitted to existing 40mm grenade launchers, which are deployed by many countries, including the US MK 19, the Singapore CIS 40 AGL and the Singapore Kinetics Super Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher. Key parts of the 40mm ABM system are the actual air bursting 40mm high-explosive fragmentation munition and the fire control system. The fire control system consists of an ammunition programmer, laser target designator, optical module and ballistic computer. It is effective against infantry fighting vehicles and covered troops behind bunkers.
Ahead provides point defenceBy Brian Walters Effective and precise defence against all types of airborne threats is claimed for the latest gun-based air defence system from Oerlikon Contraves. Comprising remotely controlled 35mm guns and a fire control unit consisting of an unmanned sensor unit and a detached command post, the system is highly automated and requires only two operators for complete command and control of the fire unit. For some years, the company has been developing its Ahead system to upgrade the effectiveness of the many 35mm twin gun/Skyguard air defence systems in service around the world. A short burst of Ahead rounds produces a continuous saturation in the expected target position with a cloud of lethal subprojectiles. Modifications to existing 35mm guns will equip them to deal with supersonic and subsonic air attacks ranging from tactical aircraft, attack helicopters, cruise missiles and remotely piloted air vehicles, to precision-guided munitions. The system's sensor unit is highly ECM resistant, while the target detection alarm and threat evaluation is followed by fully automatic handover to the tracking sensors. The multisensor tracking unit is a combined radar plus TV/laser/IR module with high sensor dynamics for interference-free precision tracking. Up to 20 stored engagement bursts may be fired to counter attacks, including those with high saturation rates, the ultra-short reaction time of the Skyshield35/Ahead air defence system offering detection to firing in less than 4.5 seconds. Together with great accuracy and a rate of fire of up to 1,000 rounds/min, this provides the fire power needed for an exceptional multi-target engagement capability. The 35mm twin gun/Skyguard III modernisation programme includes all necessary fire control functions for Ahead engagement against small, fast and steep attacking missile targets in respect to elevation coverage, detection range and ECCM. This extends the existing fire control performance to counter the whole missile threat spectrum. However, Oerlikon Contraves also offers integrated surface-to-air missile launchers to ensure air defence coverage for the outer layers extending to points well in excess of 10km. In this way, a single fire control unit can manage both guns and missiles in a layered air defence system. Employing the company's gas-operated 35mm revolver gun mounts will provide air defence systems with the capability of firing all compatible types of ammunition.
Upgraded M109L47 from LIW By Christopher F Foss Being
shown for the first time on the LIW Division of Denel (South Africa)
outside stand is a M109 155mm/47 self-propelled howitzer as used locally,
upgraded with a new As originally built in the USA, the M109 was fitted with a simple optical dial sight without any navigation capability and could not be brought into action very quickly. The installation of a new laying/navigation
system not only reduces the time for the Once firing commences, the onboard computer measures and stores muzzle velocity and also informs the battery command post, thereby enabling ammunition inventory (projectiles and charges) to be monitored. As well as installing the navigation/fire control system for the M109L47, the LIW Division of Denel is also providing some subsystems for the weapon, including a semi-automatic hydraulic push rammer and a remote travel lock operated by the driver. A new auxiliary power unit is mounted in the turret rear, which provides power for the complete system as well as the air-conditioning system with the main engine shut down. A fire/explosion detection and suppression system is also fitted, as is internal turret insulation. The upgrade is being installed in the local LIW155mm/45 calibre G6 (6 x 6) self-propelled artillery system that has been in service for some years. Eventually the complete artillery fleet will be brought up to a common navigation/gun fire control system with the obvious training and logistical advantages. Further growth potential includes a full automatic laying capability. The M109 155mm were upgraded to the enhanced M109L47 standard by RDM Technology of the Netherlands, with the 155mm/47 calibre ordnance being provided by Switzerland. The US-designed 155mm M109 is the most widely deployed self-propelled artillery system of its type in the world and the LIW Division of Denel believes there are significant additional export orders to be won. Other Divisions of Denel can provide enhanced ammunition for the M109 including various types of projectile and charge system. The Somchem M64A1 bimodular charge system has recently been type classified for use with the 155mm G6 and M109L47 systems. MoU signed for lightweight SPHA memorandum of understanding (MoU) has just been signed by Italian company Otobreda and Singapore Technologies Kinetics to jointly develop a variant of the Light Weight Self-Propelled Howitzer (LWSPH), which was unveiled by Singapore earlier this year. As far as it is known, the LWSPH is the world's first
and only 155mm 39 calibre self- The head of Otobreda, Carlo Alberto Iardella, commented that the LWSPH is a very innovative product with great marketing possibilities and the co-operation between Otobreda and Singapore Technologies Kinetics can complement their respective capabilities. In particular Otobreda will bring to this joint venture the benefit of a NATO-qualified and -produced ordnance and expertise on advanced fire control systems. In addition, with this agreement the two companies extend their activities from the technical field to marketing. Otobreda products have been sold to more than 50 countries in five continents. Italian PzH 2000 order may open up Middle EastBy Christopher F Foss The Italian Army is to take delivery of 70 German
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann 155mm/ Otomelara has been a major supplier of land and sea equipment to the Middle East for many years - its 76mm Compact naval gun is the most widely deployed weapon of its type in the world. Land systems sales have included 36 OF-40 tanks plus recovery vehicles to a local country, 210 Palmaria 155mm self-propelled guns to Libya and 224 infantry armoured fighting vehicles to Saudi Arabia with the twin-round TOW launcher. With its firmly established contacts in the Middle East, Otomelara will be marketing the PzH 2000 to selected countries in the Middle East on a case-by-case basis with German government approval, as key subsystems are supplied by Germany. PzH 2000 is now on the way to becoming the first weapon of its type to be widely deployed in Europe. The German Army is taking delivery of a first batch of 185 systems and late last year it was selected by the Netherlands. Other countries are expected to follow, with the first of these being Greece. It will also soon be trialled in Sweden alongside other systems such as the RO Defence 155mm/52 calibre AS90 Braveheart. Although only recently introduced into service, the PzH 2000 has plenty of stretch potential, with a number of improvements already being studied or earmarked. These include increased protection, a more powerful MTU engine and improvements to the ammunition handling system to increase its rate of fire.
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