Italy has confirmed a base-sharing plan for its F-35 order of STOVL jets similar to the one seen above at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Lockheed Martin)

Jul. 2, 2012 - By TOM KINGTON and VAGO MURADIAN Defense News

As it cuts its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter order, Italy has confirmed a base sharing plan for its 30 Navy and Air Force short-takeoff, vertical-landing (STOVL) aircraft, which is set to save on maintenance and support.

The fighters — 15 for the Navy and 15 for the Air Force — will be grouped at the Navy’s Grottaglie base in southern Italy, which currently hosts the Navy’s AV-8 Harrier jump jets.

The decision ends a simmering debate between the Navy and Air Force about how many STOVL aircraft each service would receive, a debate that kicked off when Italy cut its order in February.

“The arrangement with the Italian Ministry of Defense, which issued the directive on this, was that the Air Force and Navy would put two squadrons of 15 aircraft in a single base, and we accepted to share the base with the Navy at Grottaglie close to where the [Italian carrier] Cavour is stationed,” said Gen. Giuseppe Bernardis, Italian Air Force chief.

Italy’s original planned order of 131 JSFs was cut back to 90 in February due to budget cuts. The Air Force had planned to buy around 40 F-35B STOVLs to replace its AMX fighters, while the Navy said it needed at least 22 to keep a full contingent on board the Cavour.

Instead, the services are left with 15 STOVLs apiece, while the Air Force will receive 60 conventional F-35As.

“Supportability is a key issue with two squadrons of 15 and 15 [STOVLs],” Bernardis said. “We think 30 is a number that is sustainable, and that is why we are going together. We will have common support and different advanced training.”

Bernardis said the two squadrons would not fall under one command, nor would Air Force pilots get into the habit of flying from the decks of the Cavour.

“That is something we are not aiming at now, but in case of need, we are ready to do everything,” he said. “We don’t want a replica of the U.K. system where the [Royal Air Force] and Royal Navy Harriers are under one single line of command. The British model creates too many controversies between the two forces.

“But what is important is that we could switch JSF aircraft between the two services,” he said. “The aircraft will be owned by the two forces, but in case of necessity, the Air Force vision is that pilots from one force could fly the aircraft belonging to the other force.”

The Air Force had previously considered basing its STOVLs at its Amendola base in southern Italy, but F-35As will go there instead.

“Amendola was always meant to be a base for the F-35 — whether the B or A model makes little substantial difference,” Bernardis said. “Amendola will receive our first F-35A squadron, so we did not spend money without reason at Amendola.”

The Italian Air Force’s decision to buy the STOVL variant has raised eyebrows in Italy, but Bernardis said he saw a real need for the aircraft.

“We commissioned a Lockheed Martin study 12 years ago about mixed fleet capability and we think in many instances, the use of the F-35B could make the difference between having and not having a suitable runway for land operations,” he said.

“We saw examples of this in the Balkans, as well as in Afghanistan, where we had to ask the Germans to use their runway where they were deployed because we couldn’t operate our Tornados from our main base in Herat,” he added.

“The Marine Corps and the RAF used Harriers in Afghanistan, and the Marines are not just envisaging the use of the F-35B at sea.”

Bernardis also said he was not put off by continual talk of price hikes in the program.

“The aim of the JSF was to be an affordable platform from the point of view of procurement and sustainment,” he said. “If it is not affordable now, it is only because it has been the subject of never-ending discussions about increasing capabilities and engine options.

“Moreover, JSF is not the only program having problems around the world. The difference is that JSF is a huge program,” he said.

“I strongly believe it will cost much less than forecast now. And we have many precedents like F-16 which had the same problem. If you go back to some [U.S. General Accountability Office] reports from the time, you will find out that it was very similar to what is going on now,” he added.

“When you go for major programs, you will find problems in the development phase when you have many partners around the world and when you have strong competition. JSF is competing everywhere with other programs, including in the U.S.”

In Italy, the Air Force is tightening its belt to cope with slumping defense spending. Bernardis said that plans were underway to bring Italy’s Tornados together in one base.

Procurement has not, however, stopped altogether. The Air Force is now leasing a Gulfstream III with signals intelligence capabilities from Lockheed Martin and could buy early warning Gulfstream aircraft from Israel in a swap deal under which Israel will buy the Italian M-346 trainer.

“As far as early warning goes, we are in the NATO [airborne warning and control system] community even though that community is limited in what it can do in peacetime. We are actively looking at a small national capability and we are looking at options,” Bernardis said.

“Now our procurement staff is talking to Israel,” Bernardis said. “There is nothing firm. The dimensions are much smaller than what we were discussing. It is an option we are looking at.”

July 2, 2012 Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs / NNS – defpro.com

GROTON, Conn. | Portugal marked its first trip to the "Submarine Capital of the World" when it arrived at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, June 30.

NRP Tridente, a diesel electric with air independent propulsion submarine, has a crew of 33 sailors and is commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Bruno Ricardo Amaral Henriques. Prior to its arrival in Groton, Tridente participated in the multinational Fleet Training Exercise War of 1812 (FLEETEX) from June 19 to 29.

During the FLEETEX more than 20 ships and aircraft from the U.S., Portugal, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Canada and Brazil participated.

Tridente is visiting Groton to conduct sea trials. Participation in both the FLEETEX, as well as sea trials, allow the crew of Tridente to increase their levels of operating readiness.

"We have been planning the arrival of NRP Tridente for some time and look forward to learning from one another and sharing traditions and customs to strengthen each service's undersea warfare capabilities," said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Luff, exercise coordinator, Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 12.

Cmdr. Mario Pereira, of the Portuguese navy, will oversee aspects of the sea trials and emphasizes the opportunity for training with the U.S. Navy's submarine force.

"Although it's now time to focus on this task that will increase NRP Tridente's level of operational readiness, this partnership between Portugal and U.S. navies is an excellent opportunity to evolve together, strengthening the cooperation among friendly nations that efficiently use the sea," said Cmdr. Mario Pereira, head of Portuguese delegation for the Submarine Sea Trials.

After sea trials are complete, Tridente will depart Groton for its trans-Atlantic return to Portugal.

29/06/2012 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

A Northrop B-2 Spirit is arriving in the UK next week to take part in the Royal International Air Tattoo. It will be the first time that the infamous Stealth Bomber has been seen in public in the UK for eight years and represents a massive coup for this huge airshow -one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The B-2 Spirit will be positioned in the static display, giving visitors an extremely rare chance to see this elusive aircraft, famed both for its radar-evading capabilities and the role it's played in numerous conflicts since being pressed into USAF service in the late 1990s.

In order to get to RIAT 2012, the B-2 Spirit will journey 5,000 miles from its home base - Missouri's Whiteman AFB - before carrying out the same transit several days later.

B-2 Spirit

The B-2 Spirit was unveiled to a fascinated world in 1988, making its first flight a year later. A strategic bomber, it's one element of the USAF's Global Strike Command that also includes the venerable Boeing B-52H Stratofortress and a number of ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) designs.

USAF B-2 Spirits spearheaded the US military's involvement in 2011's Operation Odyssey Dawn - the UN-approved airpower sorties over Libya. They've also participated in the Kosovo War, Operation Enduring Freedom and the War in Iraq.

The Northrop B-2 Spirit has a top speed of just under Mach 1 and can carry 50,000 pounds of weapons in two internal bomb bays. Its multi-faceted design, slim exhaust nozzles and other features are all designed to give it the smallest possible radar screen presence.

Stealth Bomber UK Visit

"The B-2 is high on the list of people's must-see aircraft because of its distinctive and mysterious, sleek shape and the fact it rarely appears at airshows outside of the USA", RIAT's chief executive, Tim Prince, explained in a press release on the Stealth Bomber's UK visit.

"Anyone who has seen it will tell you what an incredible looking aircraft it is. It's simply unique."

RIAT 2012 takes place between 7-8 July at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

June 28, 2012 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Thales; issued June 28, 2012)

TopOwl Provides A Decisive Edge On the Battlefield

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --- The Thales TopOwl helmet-mounted sight and display (HMSD) has been deployed on the battlefield aboard the United States Marine Corps Y-model Huey helicopter in Afghanistan and the French Tiger helicopter in Afghanistan and Libya. On a daily basis, the TopOwl system is demonstrating its operational benefits and its ability to increase mission success rates.

“Recent conflicts have underscored the key role played by helicopters in supporting ground forces on their missions. TopOwl has been deployed in Afghanistan since 2009, and French Tiger helicopter crews view the system as their “cat's eyes”, enabling recurrent night operations and extending the capabilities of the Tiger weapon system” said Yves Joannic, Vice-president of Thales’s helicopter activities.

In Libya, helicopters were deployed without ground forces. For more than four months, all offensive missions were conducted from a naval platform at night, in total darkness. The TopOwl-equipped Tiger was a major component in these operations, working closely with other helicopters deployed on night missions to destroy large numbers of targets with a broad range of weapon systems.

TopOwl is currently the most advanced HMSD available on the market.

TopOwl provides the pilot with the best environmental vision capabilities, with unique visor-projected intensified night vision and unmatched comfort of use.

The system displays images from any onboard sensors, such as an HD FLIR, in front of the pilot’s eyes. TopOwl features a very high-accuracy head-tracking system to slave any type of weapon or sensor.

TopOwl is perfectly balanced, providing the highest levels of comfort and thereby reducing pilot fatigue and improving performance and safety on long and repetitive missions.

Designed by pilots, for pilots

Thales has been working closely with end users around the world to identify their real needs and test the solutions needed to deliver the technical solution that fulfills their operational mission requirements.

With TopOwl's I2T technology (Image Intensifier Tubes) and high-definition capability, pilots can easily switch between infrared and light intensification, infrared and daytime, and light intensification and daytime vision modes, while simultaneously viewing superimposed flight or weapon system symbology.

TopOwl is the only binocular HMSD in full-scale production, with production commitments of more than 1,600 systems for 16 nations. More than 1,000 systems have been already delivered.

27.06.2012 par Optro et Défense

Le Forsvarsministeriet, ministère danois de la défense, a annoncé qu’il a choisi le pod de désignation laser Litening G4 de Northrop Grumman pour ses avions de chasse F-16. Cette annonce fait écho à la commande du mois dernier (plus d’informations) de ces même pods de désignation laser pour un montant de 103 millions de dollars par l’agence d’acquisition de matériel militaire pour l’US Navy, NAVAIR (Naval Air Systems Command).

Selon les termes du contrat avec l’organisation d’acquisition et de logistique de la Défense du Danemark (DALO - Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization), l’entreprise américaine fournira les nacelles Litening G4, les systèmes de liaison de données, les pièces détachées, les équipements de soutien, la formation et le soutien logistique associé à la Royal Danish Air Force.

« Cette selection, à la suite d’un processus de sélection concurrentiel rigoureux, est encore un autre vote de confiance de la communauté aéronautique internationale dans la technologie de pointe du système de ciblage Litening G4″, a déclaré le vice-président de la business unit E-O/IR (électro-optique/infrarouge) de Northrop Grumman .

Les livraisons débuteront en Août 2013. Le Danemark rejoindra alors les Etats-Unis, l’Australie, les Pays-Bas, la Finlande, l’Italie, le Portugal, l’Espagne, le Royaume-Uni et Israël comme utilisateur de la famille de pods de désignation Litening de Northrop Grumman.

Source :
- communiqué de presse officiel du 25 juin 2012 de Northrop Grumman

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. – June 25, 2012 – GLOBE NEWSWIRE

Denmark to Upgrade Its F-16 Aircraft With LITENING G4 Targeting Pods

The Danish Ministry of Defence announced that it has selected Northrop Grumman's LITENING G4 targeting system for its F-16 fighter aircraft.

Under the terms of the contract with the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization, Northrop Grumman will supply LITENING G4 pods, data links, spares, support equipment, training and associated logistics support to the Royal Danish Air Force. Deliveries will begin in August 2013.

"This award, following a rigorous competitive selection process, is yet another vote of confidence from the international aviation community in the advanced technology of the LITENING G4 targeting system," said Jim Mocarski, vice president of Northrop Grumman's electro-optical/infrared business unit.

With this contract award, Denmark joins the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Israel as users of the Northrop Grumman LITENING family of targeting pods.

The LITENING G4 Advanced Targeting Pod delivers the latest advancements in sensor, laser imaging and data link technology. The G4's technologies include true 1Kx1K forward-looking infrared and charge-coupled device sensors, short wave infrared laser imaging sensor, color symbology, tracker improvements and enhanced zoom. These advancements deliver more accurate target identification and location at longer ranges than previous generations of LITENING targeting pod systems while reducing pilot workload.

The Gulfstream III supports a multitude of sensors, broad flight regime and long range.

Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin

25 June 2012 airforce-technology.com

The Italian Air Force is currently operating a signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipped Gulfstream III jet, which was acquired for one year under a leased flight hours contract from Lockheed Martin.

The jet has been stationed at the air force's 14th Wing at Pratica di Mare base since the end of April 2012 and is currently being operated by both the air force and Lockheed crews.

The aircraft is a flying intelligence surveillance reconnaissance test bed, dubbed the airborne multi-INT laboratory.

Equipped with an electro-optical sensor and ground data link, in addition to communications intelligence, electronic intelligence equipment, the aircraft features an open architecture and configurable exterior physical structure that enables efficient integration of C4ISR software and hardware components.

As part of the contract signed in 2011, Lockheed crew provided sensor training to the Italian Armed Forces in Italy, while Italian Air Force pilots were trained in the US.

Italy had sought a request for information from Lockheed and Elta Systems in 2007 with plans to purchase Gulfstream SIGINT to replace its G222 SIGINT aircraft, which is scheduled to retire from operational service by end of 2012.

The air force however held back its purchase plans due to budgetary constraints, and instead procured Early Warning Gulfstreams from Israel, in exchange for Israeli Air Force's (IAF) purchase of M346 training jets from Finmeccanica.

June 25, 2012 Chief Mass Communication Speicialist Mikel Bookwalter, Naval Station Rota, Spain Public Affairs / NNS  - defpro.com

ROTA, Spain | The commander of U.S. Navy Installations Command visited Naval Station Rota, Spain, June 22, to look at base operations and check on-the-ground progress toward homeporting four U.S. Navy destroyers here as forward deployed naval forces (FDNF) by 2015.

During Vice Adm. William D. French's visit, he expressed the value he sees in NS Rota, the importance of the current and growing missions here and the need for Rota's help in the Navy-wide effort to develop more efficient means of executing missions.

French said that Rota embodies the three key principles of the Chief of Naval Operation's Sailing Directions of warfighting first, operating forward and being ready.

"I think you guys are the crux of all three of those things," said French, during a meeting with base leadership and staff. "You are certainly forward, you are certainly part of our readiness, and you are certainly part of what makes warfighting possible in this area of responsibility ... and the four guided-missile destroyers we're bringing here will even magnify what Rota brings to the fight and to the table."

Although Rota is growing operationally with the addition of the four ships by 2015, French highlighted the need for the Navy, at all levels, to continue to develop more efficient means to execute missions while remaining effective.

"I'm really here to walk around today to look around and see the things that you guys need and where can we help you," said French.

CNIC is looking to boost efficiencies in an effort to bridge a $500 million gap in its budget by 2014, French said. "How ever you can help us contribute to that, whether it's figuring out how to conduct port operations more efficiently, air ops more efficiently; whether it's figuring out how to deliver moral, welfare and recreation services more efficiently, that's really what we're looking at."

One goal of this tour of installations is to take note of best practices and to share them across the CNIC enterprise so everyone can benefit, said French.

The visit to NS Rota is part of a multi-nation tour, which includes installations in several European and Central Asian countries.

CNIC's mission is to enable the Navy's Operating Concept through enterprise alignment of all shore installation support to the fleet, fighter and family.

Jun 21, 2012 ASDNews Source : US Air Force

After a nearly 5,000-mile trip across the world, 150 members of the German air force recently arrived here with eight German Eurofighter Typhoons.

German air force Col. Andreas Pfeiffer, the commander of Fighter Wing 74, at Neuburg air base, Germany, said training here is a completely different experience for the German air force, specifically because Alaska provides more air space and accommodates high-caliber coalition training. Most importantly, though, it is host to the 18th Aggressor Squadron.

"The (18th) Aggressor Squadron, which provides us with the best training on Earth, is unique -- there is no other training partner like the Aggressors," Pfeiffer said. "If you put all of the factors together, this is probably the highest quality training you could possibly get in modern air combat."

One of the most valuable aspects the 18th AGRS provides is dedicated adversary support that the German air force might not find back home, giving a new perspective for German flying and tactics, said Capt. Cory Farrer, an 18th AGRS F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot.

"It allows us to fly with another ally and integrate with them as well as giving them a large piece of airspace to train in," Farrer said. "The Eurofighter is a very capable and formidable airframe, and it's a great and valuable asset (for our allies)."

The German air force's aim with Red Flag was to bring the Eurofighter into an environment in which its pilots could show their proficiency with the aircraft while being able to learn and enhance their experience level, Pfeiffer said.

"The goals we have for this Red Flag exercise are focused on our wing capabilities, both in terms of logistics as well as techniques, to prove that the Eurofighter is capable of coping with all of the challenges of modern air combat," said Pfeiffer. "At the same time, it's for us to increase our own technical performance and capabilities."

In addition to months of training in Europe, the Germans arrived in May to participate in Distant Frontier in order to prepare for Red Flag. Since then, Pfeiffer said his forces have learned valuable lessons.

"We are learning that we are flying and fighting on a common tactical basis," he said. "Although we are flying alongside coalition forces on a regular basis (in Europe), what we learn here is a completely different dimension ... and we are able to prepare ourselves for possible future operations anywhere."

While the German air force has participated in previous exercises like Maple Flag in Canada and other Red Flags at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the Eurofighters have never participated in such a large-scale exercise.

"We have some really experienced pilots, but this is a huge challenge for most of them -- it's the first time they've done something like this," Pfeiffer said. "Even so, I'm surprised about the performance of both our jets and our crews. Our guys and our systems are ready to face the challenges ahead."

Keeping the future in sight, Pfeiffer is eager to return to Alaska for future Red Flags, attributing the success of his forces to the hospitality and support of Eielson Air Force Base.

"I feel privileged to have the opportunity to participate with my wing and with a new jet in such an outstanding exercise," said Pfeiffer. "This is the highest quality training you could get worldwide; it is unique and simply a privilege."

Jun 21, 2012 ASDNews Source : Eurocopter

Eurocopter today began the U.S. tour of its X3 high-speed hybrid helicopter, which will demonstrate the unique operational capabilities of this advanced transportation system during a month of visits to military facilities and hub locations for civil helicopter operators.

The tour was initiated with a debut X3 flight presentation at the Grand Prairie, Texas headquarters of Eurocopter’s U.S. subsidiary – American Eurocopter – which was attended by employees, elected officials, customers and industry partners.

In addition to providing the first-ever demonstration of Eurocopter’s cutting-edge innovation with the X3 outside of Europe, the company’s tradition of rotary-wing excellence was underscored by a Grand Prairie Airport fly-in of its product range, from the pioneering Alouette and BO105 to today’s UH-72A Lakota for the U.S. Army, the U.S. Coast Guard’s MH-65C Dolphin, as well as the EC225, AS350 and EC145 – which are used in civilian operations, law enforcement, medical airlift and parapublic missions.

“We have a very ambitious innovation strategy leading to the first flight of a new helicopter, a new version or a new technology demonstrator every year. Innovation is not just a buzzword, it’s a way of life at Eurocopter,” explained President & CEO Lutz Bertling. “With the ingenious design and unparalleled technology of our X3 demonstrator, we are well positioned to bring this type of helicopter to the market in the next 10 years.”

Underscoring the X3’s maturity and excellent handling characteristics, some guest pilots and observers were invited to fly aboard the demonstrator aircraft today – an opportunity that will be repeated during multiple demonstrations organized by American Eurocopter at Grand Prairie with the oil and gas, public services, law enforcement and medical airlift sectors. The X3 will then fly to Redstone Army Arsenal Airfield in Alabama; Fort Bragg’s Simmons Army Airfield in North Carolina; Virginia’s Manassas Regional Airport and military installations in the Washington, D.C. area.

Eurocopter’s aircraft configuration for the X3 uses a pair of turboshaft engines to power a fiveblade main rotor system, along with two propellers installed on short-span fixed wings. This concept is well adapted to missions requiring long transit flights and where speed is important, while retaining vertical lift and hover capabilities – all at very affordable cost.

The company envisions a wide range of purposes for its hybrid technology in future products, including long-distance search and rescue (SAR), Coast Guard missions, border patrol missions, passenger transport and off-shore airlift, along with inter-city shuttle services. It also is well-suited for military missions in special forces operations, troop transport, combat SAR and medical evacuation – benefitting from the combination of higher cruise speeds with excellent vertical takeoff/landing performance.

Eurocopter began X3 flight testing in September 2010 from the Istres Flight Test Center in southern France, where the aircraft easily surpassed its initial speed target of 220 kts.; reaching more than 230 kts. in level flight while using 80 percent of available power. Beyond confirming its excellent flight qualities, maneuverability, outstanding acceleration and deceleration capabilities, the hybrid demonstrator has shown exceptional climb and descent rates along with very low vibration levels – all without any need for passive or active anti-vibration systems.

Foxhound production at Ricardo. (Photo Ricardo plc)

June 21, 2012 defpro.com

It has been announced Jun. 18 that Ricardo UK Ltd has received a sub-contract from General Dynamics that will see the next tranche of 100 Foxhound vehicles for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) assembled at Ricardo’s special vehicle facility at Shoreham-by-Sea.

The subcontract between Ricardo and General Dynamics Land Systems - Force Protection Europe has been extended to include the final assembly and production of the next batch of 100 Foxhound to be procured by the UK MoD, taking the total number of Foxhound contracted with Ricardo to 300.

The Foxhound is a new “from the ground up” design, for a light tactical (4x4) highly protected mine and blast protected vehicle, integrating V-hull blast protection technology with a modular demountable protected crew pod. The vehicles low weight and tight turning circle enable it to operate effectively in the urban environment where the infrastructure cannot take heavier, larger vehicles. The V-hull runs the length of the vehicle, providing mine and blast protection for the engine and driveline components packaged within its protective envelope. The crew pod rests on the V-hull and is designed to be able to tilt, enabling routine repair and maintenance, or to be removed and replaced quickly by an alternative mission module. This modularity, allows multiple configurations and capabilities.

Production of the first tranche of 200 Foxhounds for the MoD commenced in 2011, and the first production vehicles have now been flown into Afghanistan.

“The announcement of this sub-contract with General Dynamics Land Systems – Force Protection Europe is excellent news for Ricardo and underscores the high quality of our design and engineering skills, and the outstanding nature of our vehicle production capability,” commented Ricardo UK Ltd managing director Martin Fausset. “Foxhound is the fruit of an extremely successful relationship between Ricardo and Force Protection which continues now with General Dynamics Land Systems. The order for the next 100 Foxhounds is both recognition of the exceptional quality and capabilities of this vehicle, and of the hard work, determination and skills of the team that are manufacturing it at our high quality vehicle assembly facility.”

June 19, 2012 defpro.com

PARSIPPANY, NJ | DRS Technologies, Inc. a Finmeccanica Company announced its Sustainment Systems division has been awarded an engineering and manufacturing design (EMD) contract for the U.S. Army’s Joint Assault Bridge Program (JAB).

This EMD contract from the Army's Program Manager Force Projection, at the TACOM Lifecycle Management Command, stems from DRS’ successful design and development of relevant bridge launching technology and hardware.

DRS Technologies in partnership with Israel Military Industries (IMI), invested in the development of bridge launching technology and hardware to provide the U.S. Army with a low-risk alternative.

“DRS and IMI recognized the need to invest to develop and support the technology needs of this program,” says Joseph Matteoni, vice president and general manager of DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc. “Our proven system demonstrates our commitment to our Army customer, and we are proud to bring world-class solutions to improve soldier mobility in the field.”

June 18, 2012: Strategy page

Finland has ordered 70 MGM140 ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) artillery rockets from the United States. Finland already has 22 M270 MLRS rocket launchers, which the ATACMS is launched from. Finland is getting the ATACMS equipped with a 227 kg (500 pound) high explosive warhead. The U.S. used over 700 ATACMS in Iraq and Afghanistan and was satisfied with their performance. These rockets use GPS guidance to hit targets up to 300 kilometers away. Sort of like the popular 500 pound JDAM smart bomb used by the air force, but not requiring an aircraft to deliver it.

When the U.S. Army first introduced its long range ATACMS rocket 25 years ago, it designed fancy warheads that distributed lots of smaller bomblets. While these worked, there was always a problem with some of the bomblets not self-destructing, and later going off when civilians, or American troops, came along. Not a popular weapon. Then, when a version, with GPS guidance and a single, 500 pound high explosive (or "unitary") warhead was introduced, it proved very popular. These rockets cost about $1.2 million dollars each. A 500 pound JDAM costs about $35,000, although you can add a few thousand dollars more to cover the expense of operating the jet bomber that delivered it.

The ATACMS is a 610mm rocket that fits in the same size container that normally holds six 227mm MLRS rockets (with a max range of 70 kilometers). ATACMS has sufficient range to reach many military targets inside Russia. This has annoyed Russia, as has Finnish plans to join NATO. Finland has been annoying Russia for centuries, something the Finns never seem to get tired of.