IDEX

Jane's 'reports' below.

Failed to note if Howden Aircontrol's "wealth of experience"
came from the use of chem and/or bio weapons on Kurds.

And, that DuPont's effort to make a pilot look like an
infantryman will fail as soon as he sits in the chopper's cockpit.
NBC protection for Turkish-built AFVS

Drawing on a wealth of experience originating in the former Howden Aircontrol company, Aircontrol Technologies is exhibiting its expertise in the design and manufacture of NBC filtration and air conditioning systems for military equipment, writes Brian Walters.

The company specialises in the application of environmental control systems, which provide the means to enable personnel to operate their equipment effectively even in the most hostile of environments. In Hall 7, Aircontrol Technologies is displaying an application of its NBC collective protection and crew temperature control systems to the new FNSS-built armoured vehicles now entering service with the UAE armed forces.

In addition to these systems, the company has developed an innovative combined APU/ACU for the UAE command post variants of the Turkish-built vehicles. With this system the auxiliary power unit also offers a 28V DC electrical supply to the vehicle.


Aircontrol Technologies is applying its NBC protection technology to the new FNSS-built AFVS entering service with the UAE.

 

DuPont lightens the NBC burden

The latest in lightweight combat clothing technology is featured on the DuPont stand in Hall 7. The company is showing a fully breathable lightweight NBC protective suit alongside a new helicopter aircrew fire/heat protective flying suit.

The new combat clothing made of Nomex Comfort is claimed to meet all the requirements of the soldier, particularly in warm climates when the wearing of an oversuit can cause severe physiological problems. Comprising two unlaminated layers of Nomex Comfort, the fabric provides NBC protection, fire and heat protection and body heat/sweat management.

A very high level of protection against chemical warfare agents is achieved by two lightweight oleophobol-coated layers of Nomex Comfort, with an air gap and layer of activated carbon between them. This also gives improved protection against nuclear flash and heat effects.

To develop the new clothing, DuPont worked with one of the most advanced weavers in Europe, and a leading manufacturer of activated carbon protective systems. Similar teamwork was employed in the development of the new helicopter aircrew protective clothing.

Comprising underwear and a two-piece combat suit in disruptive camouflage, the aircrew clothing is designed to appear the same as that of an infantry soldier, to ensure that the wearer is not an obvious high-value target. It is coated with oleophobol to provide protection against liquid chemical warfare agents, although it also includes all the standard flight safety features.

 

UK success for LCAD

By Terry J Gander

UK NBC specialist Graseby Dynamics has been awarded an order for an undisclosed quantity of Lightweight Chemical Agent Detectors (LCADs) to be issued to all three UK armed forces on a wide scale.

The LCAD is the first of its kind: a sophisticated lightweight chemical warfare agent detector employing ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) techniques capable of detecting, identifying and differentiating between types of agent and providing an alarm. It can be clipped to a soldier's clothing or webbing without altering the wearer's mobility or normal combat actions and is powered by standard in-service batteries.

In addition to the UK order, the LCAD is currently being tested by the US Soldier, Biological and Chemical Command for possible US Army and Special Forces future use.

 
The Graseby Dynamics LCAD is light enough to allow detection of chemical agents
without inhibiting the wearer's mobility or normal combat actions

 

Rheinmetall bids NBC vehicle

By Christopher F Foss

Rheinmetall Landsysteme is one of the contenders for a UAE requirement for 64 NBC systems with its Transportpanzer 1 (6 x 6) vehicle. The company will be bidding with an enhanced version drawing on German Army experience with the vehicle.

The Transportpanzer 1 has been built in large numbers for the home and export markets. The NBC version is the most widely used vehicle of its type in the world and is in service with Germany, the UK and the USA.

In the past, Rheinmetall Landsysteme has not marketed to a major degree in the Middle East, but does have an export licence for the Transportpanzer 1 NBC vehicle for the Middle East. The Show Daily understands that negotiations are at an advanced stage.

Rheinmetall Landsysteme was formed late last year through the merger of three well-known German companies -- MaK System, KUKA Wehrtechnik and Henschel Wehrtechnik -- under the leadership of Gert Winkler. Since then the new company has been slimmed down from 1,600 to 1,400 people and organised into four centres of competence, with its headquarters and manufacturing facilities at Kiel and other manufacturing plants at Unterlüss and Kassel.

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