Totally deserted. Modules weapons in the fight against habitable towers
In recent years, remotely controlled weapons modules have increased their presence in programs for military vehicles, primarily in the medium caliber segment. Companies are focusing on expanding the range of tasks for these systems and increasing their capabilities, including the level of autonomy.
Modified Toyota pickup with an EOS RHNVX-MK400 DUMV installed during combat shooting
There are several differences between the “classic” combat module and the wider category of uninhabited towers. For example, to the uninhabited towers in most cases there is access from the car, whereas to the combat modules most often there is no such access. This is due to the second big difference - remotely controlled weapons modules (DUMV), as a rule, do not have the same level of reservation as uninhabited towers.
In addition, DUMVs are traditionally equipped weapons smaller caliber, although nowadays they can be seen more and more often with medium-caliber weapons, including, for example, 30-mm guns.
Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace is a major player in this segment thanks to its DUMV Protector family, which includes “classic” examples and uninhabited turrets such as the MST-30. As for the "classic" systems, it has delivered more than 12000 CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) combat modules to the US Army. In addition, it is also a supplier of MST-30 uninhabited turrets for General Dynamics Land Systems, which installs them on the new Dragoon armored vehicles of the 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment of the US Army, stationed in Europe.
After the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, the need for increased combat stability provided by the CIDA and, according to a representative of the Kongsberg company Arne Giennestad, has decreased, "therefore, the market as a whole has declined slightly over the past couple of years."
US customers focus on upgrading and maintaining existing systems, as well as upgrading the CROWS module as part of the Technology Refresh program. "We are working to guarantee the necessary technological updates, in connection with which the existing systems will receive some new opportunities."
According to Giennestad, the market itself is becoming more competitive as new companies enter the market or existing manufacturers improve their offerings.
Get cool
“Competition, of course, is getting tougher and tougher. Many companies seek to catch up with us. However, the company still receives new orders for its Protector, both from the United States and from other countries, and more and more often DUMV is becoming an indispensable component in the development of new machines, ”noted Gienstad.
“DUMVs are an important part of the requirements in many programs, either for the entire fleet or for at least several types of vehicles in the park. As a rule, this requirement exists in all major programs for combat vehicles. ”
Recently, there has been a growing demand to include a number of “intellectual functions” in the DUMM, as well as to unite their single network, a spokesman for FN Herstal said, while noting that there was a significant need for habitable options. “DUMAs play an important role in military operations. However, the habitable options still have something to offer. "
The company produces two DUMVs for the ground segment: deFNder Light and deFNder Medium. They can be used in many defensive and offensive tasks, including with the use of machine guns and smoke grenades, as well as to monitor and increase situational awareness.
According to FN Herstal, the deFNder Light module was created as a lightweight, remotely controlled means of firing, the operator of which is protected by armor. It is designed for machines that can not be installed heavy combat module, or machines that do not require heavy machine gun, as well as to protect the perimeter. The module is optimized for the installation of 5,56-mm and 7,62-mm machine guns.
Meanwhile, the deFNder Medium module can be installed on light, medium and heavy machines. It can take weapons of different types, for example, FN Minimi (FN M249) 5.56 mm or FN M3R 12,7 mm and 40-mm automatic grenade launchers.
In recent years, systems have evolved in different ways, which was due to the changing needs of the market. For example, the company has integrated a radio channel into its modules, which makes it possible to install deFNder on automatic ground vehicles.
FN Herstal together with the Estonian Milrem Robotics worked on the practical implementation of this solution by installing the deFNder Medium module on the THeMIS platform. The system was tested on Spring Storm 2017 exercises in Estonia and demonstrated at several defense exhibitions.
Rafael’s Samson Dual Weapons Module is armed with a M230LF cannon
Empowerment
According to the representative of the company Rafael, the manufacturer of the Samson family of modules, the ground forces of many countries are increasingly taking on the supply of the CIDA. “Although some countries still rely on manned towers, it seems that most land armies have adopted the concept of a DUMA. Examples include the United States, most European countries, the countries of the Persian Gulf and Asia, said a company spokesman. “DUMVs have the same fire efficiency as the habitable variants, but they have significant advantages, for example, less weight, increased survivability (the shooter and the commander are well protected), are more cost effective.”
The technology has evolved in different directions, primarily due to the addition of advanced image processing capabilities and improved sights, both day and night. “This allows us to obtain long observation distances and much more accurate target acquisition,” the representative noted, adding that new instruments and devices can operate in the most adverse weather conditions. “New light and low-cost radar stations, becoming part of a target detection and acquisition system, will dramatically increase the capabilities of the platforms at any time and in any weather.”
The Samson line-up consists of four items armed with various systems, from 5,56-mm machine guns to 30-mm guns. The company has placed 1000 DUMM on the order since the beginning of 2014 of the year, currently over 5000 of its systems are in active operation.
The company recently introduced two new modules. DUMV Samson 30 is armed with 30-mm automatic cannon Mk 44 from Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital ATK) and a machine gun paired with it. In addition to other improvements, he received an updated SLA and a new image processing system.
The representative drew attention to the integration of the Trophy active protection complex into the Samson 30 module, noting that this increases the crew’s combat stability and minimizes residual damage to the vehicle by neutralizing threats from a safe distance. More than 2500 tests of this KAZ with a success rate of more than 90% were carried out, after which it was adopted by the Israeli army.
“One of the main advantages of integrating the Trophy into the Samson DUMV is the ability to determine the source of fire; this allows the crew to respond efficiently by timely and accurately determining the location of the source of fire. This can be done through the use of the Samson 30 module or by interacting with other combat platforms through an operational control network. KAZ Trophy can improve the fire effectiveness of combat units, effectively neutralizing the enemy’s anti-tank groups. ”
The second new Samson Dual, armed with the Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems M230 automatic cannon, can accept either the 7,62-mm machine gun or the launcher of two universal guided missiles: the Spike LR or the new Spike LR2.
FN Herstal deFNder module mounted on Robot Milrem THeMIS, demonstrates the new capabilities of the DUMV
Expanding markets
The DUMM market is also expanding due to the emergence of new systems. For example, Arquus developed the Hornet family for the modernization program of the French army Scorpion; the system must be installed on Griffon armored personnel carriers from 2019 of the year and Jaguar reconnaissance armored vehicles from 2021 of the year. Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense) said they were ready to install Hornet modules on other machines.
A spokesperson for FN Herstal said that the importance of artificial intelligence is growing in “automatic detection, recognition and identification of targets and situational awareness” systems. There is also a growing need for higher-level modularity and adaptation to different requirements in order to meet the changing and evolving needs of different customers.
Leonardo company produces its line of HITFIST towers (photo below). The company noted a number of trends in the market in recent years, especially the integration of anti-tank missiles and KAZ into medium-caliber light armored vehicles, which are usually armed with a 30-mm cannon. The addition of anti-tank missiles increases the flexibility of detecting and hitting complex targets, for example, tanks at long ranges.
According to the company, the evolution of the KAZ means that it is currently possible to install them on the mid-caliber turrets of 8x8 vehicles or tracked platforms. It would be logical to expect major investments in this area in the coming years, since KAZ can provide reliable crew protection against RPGs and anti-tank missiles.
Giennestad said that Kongsberg is constantly responding to the needs of customers in increasing the range and increasing the efficiency of their DUMV weapons. Increasingly, the military is asking for anti-tank or anti-aircraft missile launchers, for example, Javelin and Stinger. “You can have a gun, as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft components. You can choose an actuator depending on the purpose. "
"This is primarily true of our DUMV Protector LW30." - Giennestad explained. This system is somewhat heavier than the standard model, but it extends the capabilities of the operator. According to the company, the LW30 module is armed with an 30-mm M230LF cannon as the main weapon, but can also include a twin-machine gun 7,62-mm and a Javelin rocket.
“This flexibility and modularity make it possible to use the full power of an armament complex for many operational needs. Switching between weapons of different types is easily performed by the operator using an intuitive human-machine interface, ”said a representative of Kongsberg, adding that the system architecture allows the integration of Stinger missiles and other weapons. “It certainly adds a lot, but your possibilities expand significantly,” Giennestad added.
Wirelessly
Kongsberg worked with the Norwegian Defense Research Institute and the Norwegian Army to increase the autonomy of the DUMV and to provide complete wireless platform management. Solving these issues would allow the system to be installed on autonomous or remotely controlled vehicles that could follow crew vehicles or close to them when performing various tasks, including protecting the perimeter of important facilities.
Gjennestad also noted the use of DUMS in the fight against droneswhich have been of increasing concern in recent years. “They can be very small, but you still have to deal with them somehow. We are looking at how we can make the best use of the already deployed DUMS, increase capabilities and give more flexibility to users, instead of buying a new complex special system to combat UAVs.”
In the market of uninhabited towers "there are still heated debates about whether to stay with the old inhabited towers or switch to uninhabited technologies. But today we see a lot of programs with the requirements of installing habitable towers. ”
However, the company recently received several new contracts for uninhabited systems that need to be executed. For example, in March of this year, she received a contract for the installation of MST-30 on BMPs procured by Qatar. According to the company, for all its history This is the largest single contract with a potential value of 2 billion dollars. In addition to the uninhabited tower MCT-30, Kongsberg will supply a DUMV Protector for this program.
Giennestad considers that “we are at the very beginning of the road” when it comes to uninhabited towers with medium-caliber weapons. “An uninhabited tower can provide greater functional flexibility compared to a manned tower. With an uninhabited tower, you can free up some space in the car and take more people on board and transport more equipment and, of course, the car becomes easier. ”
One of Kongsberg's partners in supplying MCT-30 uninhabited towers for Dragoon armored vehicles is Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. For example, the vehicles recently deployed in the 2 reconnaissance regiment are equipped with an MCT-30 turret, which has an automatic XM813 gun, an MK 44 Bushmaster version, which can be equipped with 30-mm or 40-mm trunks. The company also demonstrated its M230LF chain-driven cannon in the Kongsberg module, while its systems are also installed in other companies’s MASA, for example, Rafael, which indicates that it is focused on the market of both habitable and uninhabited towers.
“We recently received orders for the supply of guns to equip uninhabited towers,” said Jeffrey Tipton of Armament Systems division of Northrop Grumman. There are a lot of threats in the world that our customers face, so we see a revival in the uninhabited sector. We believe that they want to slightly increase the firepower, having heavier weapons on the machine, and sometimes it is best suited for an uninhabited tower. ”
The US Army is currently installing a new uninhabited MCT-30 turret from Kongsberg with an 30-mm cannon from Northrop Grumman on its armored vehicles.
The fight against drones
According to John Kottis from the company EOS Defense Systems, the fight against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is becoming one of the priorities of the DUMV customers. “The fight against the drone is now in many heads. This is something that definitely comes to the fore. ”
EOS manufactures the Stabilized Remote Weapon Station stabilized combat module and a larger R-400 model. R-600 bought several countries, including Australia, the Netherlands and the United States, while the Singaporean army is armed with the option R-400. EOS also works on the lightweight R-600 DUMV.
In cooperation with Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, EOS develops an anti-thrust system, which is an R-400 module, armed with an M30 230-mm cannon, capable of firing air shells.
Any machine can become an anti-roll-off platform, noted Kottis, if it is possible to install a DUMV on it. On the other hand, it is possible to install a DUMM on a ground robot and then it will become a specialized anti-thrust or anti-aircraft platform that can work as part of a unit equipped with habitable platforms.
Kottis said that EOS supports a common user interface and control systems in all its viewing and targeting subsystems. For example, this means that an optoelectronic station from an R-400 can go up to a smaller R-150 module or a larger R-600 module without having to replace components under the roof. "This is very important because it simplifies training and logistics for all combat modules in a single fleet of vehicles."
According to Oikku Ehren of FNSS, investments in sighting systems for uninhabited towers and DUMV are growing.
A number of operators are increasingly turning to dual-band thermal imagers, which are capable of operating in the near (long wavelength) and middle (medium wavelength) IR regions of the spectrum. “This gives you tremendous advantages in terms of target detection and identification, since the advantages of these two spectra are combined. The near infrared region of the spectrum works well in smoke, and the middle infrared region of the spectrum is useful in hot and humid climates. ”
Uninhabited Teber Tower by FNSS
FNSS manufactures a wide range of uninhabited towers, such as the Teber family of towers. They can be equipped with 30-mm or 40-mm guns and are available in habitable and uninhabited versions. The company also works on various types of light and medium DUMVs for a wide variety of customers.
In the near future, Ehren also expects to see helmet-mounted displays, with the help of which it will be possible to control DUMV and uninhabited towers; similar technology is used in fighter jets and attack helicopters. “This will mean that the operators will work, regardless of the display in front of them, it will be like if the car were equipped with transparent armor.”
Promising trends
“As technologies become cheaper, we will see more on-helmet displays in ground systems,” he added. “So far it has been quite expensive and they were actually used only in the air force, but in the near future we will also be able to see their use on ground platforms.”
According to Ehren, in the coming years, the capabilities of the identification and tracking systems will increase, as the processing power will increase. This will automatically identify objects based on images stored in the data library, for example.
“The movement in the direction of the uninhabited towers is due to the need to protect the crew,” Tipton said. “Everyone wants to be able to reload their weapons from inside the car, without exposing the crew members to unnecessary risk associated with external threats.”
According to Tipton, in recent years, attention has been growing towards certain types of sensors that can be combined with a gun. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems is actively working in this direction with its partners, integrating the 44 Mk gun and other systems into combat vehicles.
We are talking not only about laser range finders, but, for example, also about the weather stations required for aiming an air blast. In recent years, there has been a huge leap in the field of optical systems for DUMV and uninhabited towers, in particular in infrared and thermal imaging systems.
According to Tipton, despite the growth in demand for uninhabited systems, the market for habitable systems will soon retain its position. “In 30 years, who knows, but as long as they remain in one or another proportion. Although I see that combat modules are becoming increasingly popular and more and more armies are adopting them. "
According to the representative of FN Herstal, in the coming years, his company expects a wider use of DUMV together with manned systems, more and more often combat modules will be installed on the ground vehicles, which are well suited to protect the perimeter. There will also be a need to unite into a single network a variety of different systems.
A spokesperson for Rafael said the company expects an increase in demand for Samson and similar systems in the coming years. “We believe that in the next five years the role of the MES will become more noticeable; they will replace the manned towers, retaining all their capabilities and adding their own advantages. ”
Giennestadt expects DUMV and uninhabited towers “to become an integral part of all major combat vehicle development programs. According to our estimates, the market will remain dynamic. Demand will only grow on systems of this type. ”
Eren pointed out that there is not a single universal solution; he believes that DUMV and uninhabited towers will not be able to completely replace the habitable systems. In several recent programs, customers have chosen manned towers. This proves that these systems are in demand now and will remain in demand in the future.
“The type of weapon system chosen depends on the type of vehicle and its role, whether it be reconnaissance armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, commanding vehicles or armored personnel carriers,” Eren said. “You need to think about a possible set of tasks for these machines in order to choose the right weapon system.”
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Modified Toyota pickup with an EOS RHNVX-MK400 DUMV installed during combat shooting
There are several differences between the “classic” combat module and the wider category of uninhabited towers. For example, to the uninhabited towers in most cases there is access from the car, whereas to the combat modules most often there is no such access. This is due to the second big difference - remotely controlled weapons modules (DUMV), as a rule, do not have the same level of reservation as uninhabited towers.
In addition, DUMVs are traditionally equipped weapons smaller caliber, although nowadays they can be seen more and more often with medium-caliber weapons, including, for example, 30-mm guns.
Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace is a major player in this segment thanks to its DUMV Protector family, which includes “classic” examples and uninhabited turrets such as the MST-30. As for the "classic" systems, it has delivered more than 12000 CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) combat modules to the US Army. In addition, it is also a supplier of MST-30 uninhabited turrets for General Dynamics Land Systems, which installs them on the new Dragoon armored vehicles of the 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment of the US Army, stationed in Europe.
After the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, the need for increased combat stability provided by the CIDA and, according to a representative of the Kongsberg company Arne Giennestad, has decreased, "therefore, the market as a whole has declined slightly over the past couple of years."
US customers focus on upgrading and maintaining existing systems, as well as upgrading the CROWS module as part of the Technology Refresh program. "We are working to guarantee the necessary technological updates, in connection with which the existing systems will receive some new opportunities."
According to Giennestad, the market itself is becoming more competitive as new companies enter the market or existing manufacturers improve their offerings.
Get cool
“Competition, of course, is getting tougher and tougher. Many companies seek to catch up with us. However, the company still receives new orders for its Protector, both from the United States and from other countries, and more and more often DUMV is becoming an indispensable component in the development of new machines, ”noted Gienstad.
“DUMVs are an important part of the requirements in many programs, either for the entire fleet or for at least several types of vehicles in the park. As a rule, this requirement exists in all major programs for combat vehicles. ”
Recently, there has been a growing demand to include a number of “intellectual functions” in the DUMM, as well as to unite their single network, a spokesman for FN Herstal said, while noting that there was a significant need for habitable options. “DUMAs play an important role in military operations. However, the habitable options still have something to offer. "
The company produces two DUMVs for the ground segment: deFNder Light and deFNder Medium. They can be used in many defensive and offensive tasks, including with the use of machine guns and smoke grenades, as well as to monitor and increase situational awareness.
According to FN Herstal, the deFNder Light module was created as a lightweight, remotely controlled means of firing, the operator of which is protected by armor. It is designed for machines that can not be installed heavy combat module, or machines that do not require heavy machine gun, as well as to protect the perimeter. The module is optimized for the installation of 5,56-mm and 7,62-mm machine guns.
Meanwhile, the deFNder Medium module can be installed on light, medium and heavy machines. It can take weapons of different types, for example, FN Minimi (FN M249) 5.56 mm or FN M3R 12,7 mm and 40-mm automatic grenade launchers.
In recent years, systems have evolved in different ways, which was due to the changing needs of the market. For example, the company has integrated a radio channel into its modules, which makes it possible to install deFNder on automatic ground vehicles.
FN Herstal together with the Estonian Milrem Robotics worked on the practical implementation of this solution by installing the deFNder Medium module on the THeMIS platform. The system was tested on Spring Storm 2017 exercises in Estonia and demonstrated at several defense exhibitions.
Rafael’s Samson Dual Weapons Module is armed with a M230LF cannon
Empowerment
According to the representative of the company Rafael, the manufacturer of the Samson family of modules, the ground forces of many countries are increasingly taking on the supply of the CIDA. “Although some countries still rely on manned towers, it seems that most land armies have adopted the concept of a DUMA. Examples include the United States, most European countries, the countries of the Persian Gulf and Asia, said a company spokesman. “DUMVs have the same fire efficiency as the habitable variants, but they have significant advantages, for example, less weight, increased survivability (the shooter and the commander are well protected), are more cost effective.”
The technology has evolved in different directions, primarily due to the addition of advanced image processing capabilities and improved sights, both day and night. “This allows us to obtain long observation distances and much more accurate target acquisition,” the representative noted, adding that new instruments and devices can operate in the most adverse weather conditions. “New light and low-cost radar stations, becoming part of a target detection and acquisition system, will dramatically increase the capabilities of the platforms at any time and in any weather.”
The Samson line-up consists of four items armed with various systems, from 5,56-mm machine guns to 30-mm guns. The company has placed 1000 DUMM on the order since the beginning of 2014 of the year, currently over 5000 of its systems are in active operation.
The company recently introduced two new modules. DUMV Samson 30 is armed with 30-mm automatic cannon Mk 44 from Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (formerly Orbital ATK) and a machine gun paired with it. In addition to other improvements, he received an updated SLA and a new image processing system.
The representative drew attention to the integration of the Trophy active protection complex into the Samson 30 module, noting that this increases the crew’s combat stability and minimizes residual damage to the vehicle by neutralizing threats from a safe distance. More than 2500 tests of this KAZ with a success rate of more than 90% were carried out, after which it was adopted by the Israeli army.
“One of the main advantages of integrating the Trophy into the Samson DUMV is the ability to determine the source of fire; this allows the crew to respond efficiently by timely and accurately determining the location of the source of fire. This can be done through the use of the Samson 30 module or by interacting with other combat platforms through an operational control network. KAZ Trophy can improve the fire effectiveness of combat units, effectively neutralizing the enemy’s anti-tank groups. ”
The second new Samson Dual, armed with the Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems M230 automatic cannon, can accept either the 7,62-mm machine gun or the launcher of two universal guided missiles: the Spike LR or the new Spike LR2.
FN Herstal deFNder module mounted on Robot Milrem THeMIS, demonstrates the new capabilities of the DUMV
Expanding markets
The DUMM market is also expanding due to the emergence of new systems. For example, Arquus developed the Hornet family for the modernization program of the French army Scorpion; the system must be installed on Griffon armored personnel carriers from 2019 of the year and Jaguar reconnaissance armored vehicles from 2021 of the year. Arquus (formerly Renault Trucks Defense) said they were ready to install Hornet modules on other machines.
A spokesperson for FN Herstal said that the importance of artificial intelligence is growing in “automatic detection, recognition and identification of targets and situational awareness” systems. There is also a growing need for higher-level modularity and adaptation to different requirements in order to meet the changing and evolving needs of different customers.
Leonardo company produces its line of HITFIST towers (photo below). The company noted a number of trends in the market in recent years, especially the integration of anti-tank missiles and KAZ into medium-caliber light armored vehicles, which are usually armed with a 30-mm cannon. The addition of anti-tank missiles increases the flexibility of detecting and hitting complex targets, for example, tanks at long ranges.
According to the company, the evolution of the KAZ means that it is currently possible to install them on the mid-caliber turrets of 8x8 vehicles or tracked platforms. It would be logical to expect major investments in this area in the coming years, since KAZ can provide reliable crew protection against RPGs and anti-tank missiles.
Giennestad said that Kongsberg is constantly responding to the needs of customers in increasing the range and increasing the efficiency of their DUMV weapons. Increasingly, the military is asking for anti-tank or anti-aircraft missile launchers, for example, Javelin and Stinger. “You can have a gun, as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft components. You can choose an actuator depending on the purpose. "
"This is primarily true of our DUMV Protector LW30." - Giennestad explained. This system is somewhat heavier than the standard model, but it extends the capabilities of the operator. According to the company, the LW30 module is armed with an 30-mm M230LF cannon as the main weapon, but can also include a twin-machine gun 7,62-mm and a Javelin rocket.
“This flexibility and modularity make it possible to use the full power of an armament complex for many operational needs. Switching between weapons of different types is easily performed by the operator using an intuitive human-machine interface, ”said a representative of Kongsberg, adding that the system architecture allows the integration of Stinger missiles and other weapons. “It certainly adds a lot, but your possibilities expand significantly,” Giennestad added.
Wirelessly
Kongsberg worked with the Norwegian Defense Research Institute and the Norwegian Army to increase the autonomy of the DUMV and to provide complete wireless platform management. Solving these issues would allow the system to be installed on autonomous or remotely controlled vehicles that could follow crew vehicles or close to them when performing various tasks, including protecting the perimeter of important facilities.
Gjennestad also noted the use of DUMS in the fight against droneswhich have been of increasing concern in recent years. “They can be very small, but you still have to deal with them somehow. We are looking at how we can make the best use of the already deployed DUMS, increase capabilities and give more flexibility to users, instead of buying a new complex special system to combat UAVs.”
In the market of uninhabited towers "there are still heated debates about whether to stay with the old inhabited towers or switch to uninhabited technologies. But today we see a lot of programs with the requirements of installing habitable towers. ”
However, the company recently received several new contracts for uninhabited systems that need to be executed. For example, in March of this year, she received a contract for the installation of MST-30 on BMPs procured by Qatar. According to the company, for all its history This is the largest single contract with a potential value of 2 billion dollars. In addition to the uninhabited tower MCT-30, Kongsberg will supply a DUMV Protector for this program.
Giennestad considers that “we are at the very beginning of the road” when it comes to uninhabited towers with medium-caliber weapons. “An uninhabited tower can provide greater functional flexibility compared to a manned tower. With an uninhabited tower, you can free up some space in the car and take more people on board and transport more equipment and, of course, the car becomes easier. ”
One of Kongsberg's partners in supplying MCT-30 uninhabited towers for Dragoon armored vehicles is Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. For example, the vehicles recently deployed in the 2 reconnaissance regiment are equipped with an MCT-30 turret, which has an automatic XM813 gun, an MK 44 Bushmaster version, which can be equipped with 30-mm or 40-mm trunks. The company also demonstrated its M230LF chain-driven cannon in the Kongsberg module, while its systems are also installed in other companies’s MASA, for example, Rafael, which indicates that it is focused on the market of both habitable and uninhabited towers.
“We recently received orders for the supply of guns to equip uninhabited towers,” said Jeffrey Tipton of Armament Systems division of Northrop Grumman. There are a lot of threats in the world that our customers face, so we see a revival in the uninhabited sector. We believe that they want to slightly increase the firepower, having heavier weapons on the machine, and sometimes it is best suited for an uninhabited tower. ”
The US Army is currently installing a new uninhabited MCT-30 turret from Kongsberg with an 30-mm cannon from Northrop Grumman on its armored vehicles.
The fight against drones
According to John Kottis from the company EOS Defense Systems, the fight against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is becoming one of the priorities of the DUMV customers. “The fight against the drone is now in many heads. This is something that definitely comes to the fore. ”
EOS manufactures the Stabilized Remote Weapon Station stabilized combat module and a larger R-400 model. R-600 bought several countries, including Australia, the Netherlands and the United States, while the Singaporean army is armed with the option R-400. EOS also works on the lightweight R-600 DUMV.
In cooperation with Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, EOS develops an anti-thrust system, which is an R-400 module, armed with an M30 230-mm cannon, capable of firing air shells.
Any machine can become an anti-roll-off platform, noted Kottis, if it is possible to install a DUMV on it. On the other hand, it is possible to install a DUMM on a ground robot and then it will become a specialized anti-thrust or anti-aircraft platform that can work as part of a unit equipped with habitable platforms.
Kottis said that EOS supports a common user interface and control systems in all its viewing and targeting subsystems. For example, this means that an optoelectronic station from an R-400 can go up to a smaller R-150 module or a larger R-600 module without having to replace components under the roof. "This is very important because it simplifies training and logistics for all combat modules in a single fleet of vehicles."
According to Oikku Ehren of FNSS, investments in sighting systems for uninhabited towers and DUMV are growing.
A number of operators are increasingly turning to dual-band thermal imagers, which are capable of operating in the near (long wavelength) and middle (medium wavelength) IR regions of the spectrum. “This gives you tremendous advantages in terms of target detection and identification, since the advantages of these two spectra are combined. The near infrared region of the spectrum works well in smoke, and the middle infrared region of the spectrum is useful in hot and humid climates. ”
Uninhabited Teber Tower by FNSS
FNSS manufactures a wide range of uninhabited towers, such as the Teber family of towers. They can be equipped with 30-mm or 40-mm guns and are available in habitable and uninhabited versions. The company also works on various types of light and medium DUMVs for a wide variety of customers.
In the near future, Ehren also expects to see helmet-mounted displays, with the help of which it will be possible to control DUMV and uninhabited towers; similar technology is used in fighter jets and attack helicopters. “This will mean that the operators will work, regardless of the display in front of them, it will be like if the car were equipped with transparent armor.”
Promising trends
“As technologies become cheaper, we will see more on-helmet displays in ground systems,” he added. “So far it has been quite expensive and they were actually used only in the air force, but in the near future we will also be able to see their use on ground platforms.”
According to Ehren, in the coming years, the capabilities of the identification and tracking systems will increase, as the processing power will increase. This will automatically identify objects based on images stored in the data library, for example.
“The movement in the direction of the uninhabited towers is due to the need to protect the crew,” Tipton said. “Everyone wants to be able to reload their weapons from inside the car, without exposing the crew members to unnecessary risk associated with external threats.”
According to Tipton, in recent years, attention has been growing towards certain types of sensors that can be combined with a gun. Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems is actively working in this direction with its partners, integrating the 44 Mk gun and other systems into combat vehicles.
We are talking not only about laser range finders, but, for example, also about the weather stations required for aiming an air blast. In recent years, there has been a huge leap in the field of optical systems for DUMV and uninhabited towers, in particular in infrared and thermal imaging systems.
According to Tipton, despite the growth in demand for uninhabited systems, the market for habitable systems will soon retain its position. “In 30 years, who knows, but as long as they remain in one or another proportion. Although I see that combat modules are becoming increasingly popular and more and more armies are adopting them. "
According to the representative of FN Herstal, in the coming years, his company expects a wider use of DUMV together with manned systems, more and more often combat modules will be installed on the ground vehicles, which are well suited to protect the perimeter. There will also be a need to unite into a single network a variety of different systems.
A spokesperson for Rafael said the company expects an increase in demand for Samson and similar systems in the coming years. “We believe that in the next five years the role of the MES will become more noticeable; they will replace the manned towers, retaining all their capabilities and adding their own advantages. ”
Giennestadt expects DUMV and uninhabited towers “to become an integral part of all major combat vehicle development programs. According to our estimates, the market will remain dynamic. Demand will only grow on systems of this type. ”
Eren pointed out that there is not a single universal solution; he believes that DUMV and uninhabited towers will not be able to completely replace the habitable systems. In several recent programs, customers have chosen manned towers. This proves that these systems are in demand now and will remain in demand in the future.
“The type of weapon system chosen depends on the type of vehicle and its role, whether it be reconnaissance armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, commanding vehicles or armored personnel carriers,” Eren said. “You need to think about a possible set of tasks for these machines in order to choose the right weapon system.”
Materials used:
www.shephardmedia.com
www.eos-aus.com
www.kongsberg.com
www.fnherstal.com
www.rafael.co.il
www.fnss.com.tr
www.pinterest.ru
www.wikipedia.org
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