deFNder Medium Remote Weapon Station fitted

with .50 cal FN M3P Machine Gun

June 4, 2012 defpro.com

Belgian small arms manufacturer FN Herstal and French armored vehicle manufacturer Renault Trucks Defense have recently announced their close co-operation at the international EUROSATORY trade show being held in Paris from 11 through to 15 June 2012.

Renault Trucks Defense will demonstrate its VAB Mk II 4x4 vehicle equipped with FN Herstal’s deFNder Medium Remote Weapon Station in the outdoor live area every day of the exhibition. The deFNder Medium will be fitted with a .50 cal FN M3P machine gun, which provides high rate of fire (1,100 RPM) and is a world exclusivity by FN Herstal.

Renault Trucks Defense will also exhibit their Higuard (MRAP) vehicle featuring a deFNder Light Remote Weapon Station on their outdoor static display (booth no. A520). The deFNder Light will be equipped with a 7.62x51mm cal FN MAG machine gun. Light weight and low silhouette make the deFNder Light perfect for integration onto low payload vehicles.

Both deFNder feature unique elevation and depression angles (+80°;-60° for the Light, and approx. +73°;-42° for the Medium, subject to weapon type), and can accept a large number of user-defined features and options such as control handle, sight module, ammunition box and stabilization. They will also be on show on FN Herstal’s booth - Hall 6, Booth no. F200 (Belgian Pavilion).

 June 4, 2012 (Released May 31, 2012) defpro.com

Brussels | Austria and Poland have been asked to notify to the European Commission within the next two months the measures they are taking to transpose EU rules on defence procurement (Directive 2009/81/EC). The Commission is concerned that they have failed to fulfil their commitments under the Directive regarding procurement of arms, munitions and war material (and related works and services) for defence purposes, and also the procurement of sensitive supplies, works and services for security purposes. If the Directive is not fully implemented in all Member States, companies and taxpayers alike cannot reap the benefits of easier access to a transparent and open – and hence more competitive - defence market.

These rules are tailored to the specificities of defence and security equipment and markets. The deadline for implementing the rules in question was 20 August 2011.

Austria has not yet transposed the Directive's provisions with regard to Carinthia, which means that the Directive's measures do not apply to its entire territory. As to Poland, it has not yet communicated any measures transposing the aforementioned Directive.

The Commission's request takes the form of a reasoned opinion. If the Austrian and Polish authorities do not notify the necessary implementing measures within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union and may request the Court to impose financial penalties.

BACKGROUND

The Directive introduces at European level:

• fair and transparent rules to help companies access defence and security markets in other EU countries;
• flexibility for contracting authorities to negotiate in detail all features of complex contracts;
• the option for contracting authorities to require safeguards (from suppliers) to ensure the protection of classified information against unauthorised access and security of supply so that armed forces receive deliveries in time, particularly in times of crisis or armed conflict.

It covers specific security and defence procurement contracts for:

• Military equipment* and related works and services
• Sensitive security equipment works and services which involve access to classified information.

Procurement of non-sensitive and non-military equipment, works and services by contracting authorities in the fields of defence and security is covered by the general public procurement Directive 2004/18/EC.

Both directives are subject to Article 346 of the Treaty, which means that EU countries can exempt defence and security contracts where the rules of Directive 2009/81/EC are not sufficient to safeguard their essential security interests.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• More information:
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/company/simplification/index_en.htm
• Latest information on infringement proceedings concerning all Member States:
http://ec.europa.eu/community_law/index_en.htm
• For more information on infringement procedures, see MEMO/12/387 at http://goo.gl/MAEht

____
* Arms, munitions and war material included in the 1958 list which defines the scope of Article 346 of the Treaty

04.06.2012 SISU army-guide.com

Norwegian Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) together with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, and US based Raytheon Company performed a Live Firing Event at Andøya island, Northern Norway, on 23-24 May 2012.

In the Event, the SISU 8x8 hook-lift Launcher Vehicle was used by KONGSBERG for transportation and emplacement of the NASAMS canister launcher. The NASAMS canister launcher was transported to its combat position and for the first time the canister launcher was on SISU’s purpose-built hook lift flat rack when fired. The event was witnessed by Armed Forces representatives from more than 10 nations worldwide.

SISU 8x8 is an armoured off-road truck used in various military applications. In addition to it’s excellent off-road capabilities, the versatile truck runs rapidly on highways, too. The distance from Sisu factory at Karjaa, Finland, to Andøya in Northern Norway is in fact a good example of the potential operational radius of the truck.

Both tests were successful: SISU 8x8 truck delivered the canister launcher, and the missile hit the target drone.

04/06/2012 par Bertrand de Cordoue- Les Echos.fr

L'alternance qui vient de se produire en France relancera-t-elle le projet d'Europe de la défense dont il est si difficile de mesurer les progrès depuis que le traité de Maastricht en a fait un objectif en 1992 ? En dépit des intentions affichées à cet égard par le président élu, la réponse à cette question sera négative si on commet l'erreur classique, et narcissique, de croire qu'il suffirait que Paris marque sa volonté d'aller de l'avant pour que la construction européenne s'étende enfin à la défense.

Cette ambition ne pourra prendre forme qu'à condition d'admettre une réalité simple : la France n'est plus une nation entièrement souveraine en matière de défense. Sa place au Conseil de sécurité et sa force de dissuasion lui conservent un statut particulier, mais elles ne sont plus la garantie ni de son indépendance ni de sa sécurité : pas d'intervention en Libye sans coalition, pas de lutte contre le terrorisme sans concours de nos voisins, pas de drone ni de transport aérien militaire sans collaboration industrielle.

Comme notre économie, notre sécurité est aujourd'hui tributaire de notre environnement. Cette évolution géostratégique, qu'analysait d'ailleurs bien le Livre blanc de 2008, ne peut pas rester plus longtemps sans conséquence sur notre politique de défense : reconnaissant ses limites, celle-ci doit, sans se laisser acculer, choisir les dépendances qu'elle ne peut plus éluder. Sur ce terrain comme sur celui de l'économie, il n'y a pas d'autre choix que celui de l'Europe. Et c'est l'économie qui rend aujourd'hui ce choix plus pressant puisque la crise de la dette oblige à des restrictions budgétaires inédites.

Tirer les conséquences de cette réalité sur le plan industriel, c'est entrer dans une révision copernicienne de notre outil de défense à au moins trois titres.

• Donner un contenu technologique et industriel au concept de « dépendance mutuelle acceptée » introduit dans le Livre blanc de 2008. Plus que de faire jouer la concurrence, l'intégration progressive du marché européen des équipements militaires a précisément pour objectif de permettre ces dépendances croisées entre pays de l'Union et de favoriser la consolidation de fournisseurs européens plurinationaux.

• Evoluer vers un mode de conduite des programmes adapté aux contraintes de la coopération (et non l'inverse). Il est admissible qu'un projet conduit à plusieurs soit plus coûteux dès lors qu'il permet à chacun des participants de réaliser une économie par rapport à une solution nationale. Mais, pour cela, les Etats doivent accepter de déléguer le pilotage des programmes en coopération à des structures multinationales intégrées, capables d'imposer des compromis. Aux industriels, il revient de faire des offres pragmatiques sans empiler les spécifications et les versions pour maximiser, de manière illusoire, leur plan de charge.

• Reconnaître que l'activité industrielle d'armement située sur le territoire français n'a d'avenir que si les entreprises qui en assurent la maîtrise d'oeuvre atteignent - sans être portées à bout de bras par des commandes nationales devenues insolvables -une taille critique suffisante pour être compétitives face à leurs concurrentes américaines ou, bientôt, issues des pays émergents.

Face à ce triple défi, même si la France reste un des principaux acteurs de la défense en Europe, on voit bien qu'il n'y a place ni pour l'attentisme ni pour l'arrogance. Notre pays n'a d'autre choix que d'accepter un nouveau stade d'intégration européenne en matière de défense, celui qui touche à l'industrie d'armement. Cela veut dire que nous devons refuser tout a priori dans le choix de nos partenaires. L'effort de coopération avec les Britanniques est légitime. Il ne doit pas devenir exclusif. La géométrie variable selon les projets doit rester la règle. Eliminer les pays dits « petits » au motif qu'ils ont des budgets militaires faibles est contre-productif : c'est les encourager à confier leurs ressources à l'industrie américaine.

Cela veut dire que, tout en tenant compte du poids de chacun, nous devons refuser les coopérations intergouvernementales qui accordent le droit de veto à chacun des participants et font le lit d'un strict et inefficace juste retour industriel.

Cela veut dire que nous ne pouvons plus concevoir notre politique industrielle dans ce secteur de manière exclusivement hexagonale et que nous devons résolument favoriser la constitution de champions européens multinationaux. On trouve aujourd'hui, dans les services de l'Etat comme dans les entreprises concernées, beaucoup de motivation et d'enthousiasme, notamment parmi les jeunes ingénieurs, pour ce projet d'Europe de l'armement. Ne les décevons pas !

* Bertrand de Cordoue est ancien directeur à l'Agence européenne de défense.

Singaporean Leopard 2A4 fitted with Evolution up-armoring

kits from IBD. Photo: Cyberpioneer/MINDEF

June 3, 2012 Tamir Eshel- defense-update.com

The German company IBD along with its Swedish subsidiary Åkers Krutbruk have demonstrated the latest MBT protection study for the MBT122 and CV9040, improving the tank’s protection over 360 degrees, as required to defend from Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), Explosively Formed penetrators (EFP) and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), all weapons typical of asymmetric threats.

The two platforms have adapted the modular Evolution Kit developed by IBD, designed and modified to meet enhanced protection at low, or no weight increase, depending on the selected protection solution. (The baseline MBT 122B Evolution configuration incurred only 350 kg in additional weight and maintained vehicle width at four meters, allowing unobstructed urban operations and bridge crossing).

Leopard 2A5 (MBT 122) fitted with the Evolution up-armoring kit. Photo: IBD

The new armor concept, sponsored by the Swedish Defense Material Administration (FMV) was displayed at the recent Swedish Armed Forces open day event. IBD has already delivered the Evolution ‘urban armor kits’ employed on the Leopard 2A4 tanks of the Singapore land forces.

Evolution up-armoring kit applied to the BAE Systems CV9035. Photo: IBD

01 juin 2012 Par Barbara Leblanc – USINE NOUVELLE

Le nouveau patron d’EADS a envoyé une lettre révélée par l’AFP et adressée aux personnels du groupe ce 1er juin.

Celui qui a pris les commandes du groupe n’a pas attendu pour annoncer qu’il voulait rencontrer les collaborateurs de toutes les divisions de l’entreprise et notamment Airbus.

L’occasion pour lui aussi d’annoncer qu’il allait annoncer des changements de stratégie et d’organisation à l’automne prochain.

"Je veux entendre ce que vous avez à dire mais aussi vous parler. Je souhaite que l'on me mette à épreuve et me sollicite, écrit-il. Ces échanges vont sans doute entraîner des changements dans la stratégie, la structure et l'organisation. Je souhaite en parler avec le comité exécutif et le conseil d'administration cet automne puis partager les informations avec tous très rapidement".

Il devrait notamment faire part d’une nouvelle composition de son comité exécutif en septembre, "suite à l'évaluation de la situation et de la stratégie de l'entreprise".

De son côté Fabrice Brégier arrivé à la tête d’Aribus a annoncé par courrier aux cadres et syndicats du groupe qu’il les rencontrerait le 14 juin prochain.

Avec un chiffre d'affaires de 49,1 milliards d'euros en 2011, EADS est le second groupe mondial d'aéronautique et de défense, derrière l'Américain Boeing.

June 01, 2012 by FN HERSTAL

SmartCoreBelgium-based small arms manufacturer FN Herstal will display the innovative FN SmartCore, formerly known as the FN Black Box, at the international Eurosatory trade show being held in Paris from 11-15 June 2012.

The FN SmartCore is an electronic system which, when coupled with a weapon, analyzes and records the conditions of use of the weapon in order to reduce its life cycle cost, optimize its operational availability and communicate any exchange of fire to the upper level of command in real time using the C4I system of the infantryman.

The FN SmartCore is a fully automated and integrated system that can fit various types of weapons. Its operation is totally

transparent to the infantryman and its light weight and location - embedded in the pistol grip or buttstock for instance - has no impact on the balance of the weapon.

For more information and demonstration, visit FN Herstal at Eurosatory 2012 - Hall 6, Booth no. F200 (Belgian Pavilion).

31.05.2012 romandie.com

Thoune/BE (awp/ats) - RUAG envisage la suppression d'environ 65 emplois dans sa division Business Unit Land Systems, à Thoune (BE). L'expiration à fin 2012 de gros projets portant sur plusieurs années et liés à l'armée suisse est la cause principale de cette restructuration.

Le groupe, actif dans l'armement et la technologie, a ouvert une procédure de consultation avec les représentants des salariés, a-t-il indiqué jeudi. L'entreprise bernoise, en mains de la Confédération, en a informé les partenaires sociaux. La suppression de 25 postes est d'ores et déjà une certitude.

L'expiration à fin 2012 de deux gros projets de plusieurs années pour la Business Unit Land Systems de RUAG Defence constitue le principal motif de cette mesure. Il s'agit du programme de modernisation pour le char Leopard et de la livraison du char de génie et de déminage Kodiak pour l'armée suisse.

"Il était prévisible, et aussi communiqué ouvertement, que ces commandes expireraient à fin 2012", explique Urs Breitmeier, directeur de RUAG Defence, cité dans le communiqué. "La Business Unit Land Systems à Thoune est parvenue à générer de nouvelles commandes internationales, mais dans le contexte actuel il n'a pas été possible de compenser entièrement la situation."

Un phénomène aggravé par le franc fort, la crise économique et les restrictions touchant l'exportation suisse. RUAG, qui emploie quelque 7700 collaborateurs dans le monde, avait déjà dû restructurer en novembre 2011 sur son site d'Altdorf, dans son unité de génie mécanique. 40 postes étaient initialement menacés, mais seuls 15 avaient été supprimés, grâce au recours au chômage partiel.

31 mai 2012 Par Thibaut de Jaegher – USINE NOUVELLE

Faire d'EADS un groupe comme les autres, c'est l'ambition du nouveau PDG Tom Enders et de la nouvelle équipe direction. Mais cela reviendrait à nier une partie de l'histoire du groupe et les raisons qui ont poussé à sa création.

Tom Enders sera-t-il le premier président d'une entreprise "normale" ? C’est en tout cas l’ambition affichée par l'ancien parachutiste, qui vient de succéder à Louis Gallois à la tête d'EADS. Il souhaite faire du spécialiste européen de l'aéronautique et de la défense un groupe comme les autres.

En parodiant le nouveau président français, on pourrait lui faire dire : "Moi, président, je ferais d'EADS un groupe mondialisé. Moi, président, je libérerais le groupe de ses tutelles françaises et allemandes. Moi, président, je ne prendrais mes décisions qu'en fonction des intérêts de l'entreprise et non en suivant le jeu des pressions politiques de tout bord. Moi, président, je ferais d’EADS une entreprise normale."

La tirade est bien évidemment inventée mais elle résume bien l'état d'esprit dans lequel se trouve Tom Enders et les autres dirigeants du groupe, Fabrice Brégier chez Airbus notamment. Leur dessein est simple : ils veulent piloter le groupe à l'aune de ses seuls intérêts. Et non en fonction des exigences des Etats ou des régions où le groupe s'est implanté.

Ils voient ou rêvent EADS comme une entreprise apatride où ce qui prime c’est le bien d'Airbus, d’Eurocopter, de Cassidian ou d’Astrium. Comme Renault, General Electric et bien d'autres industriels encore, EADS se pense multi-local. Il veut être français en France, chinois en Chine, américain aux Etats-Unis... Etre une entreprise normale en somme, c’est-à-dire être partout chez soi et ne surtout pas affirmer ses racines.

Ses droits et ses devoirs

Si pour bien des groupes, cette stratégie fonctionne (bien qu’elle soit contestable car rien ne se construit sans enracinement), pour EADS, elle pourrait être rapidement une impasse. N'en déplaise à ses dirigeants, ce groupe n'est pas une entreprise comme les autres. D’abord parce qu'elle évolue dans un marché assez peu concurrentiel où deux acteurs majeurs se partagent l’essentiel des ventes : Airbus et Boeing.

Ensuite, parce qu’elle est née d'une volonté politique, celle de susciter un champion industriel européen pour casser le monopole américain en matière aéronautique. Egalement parce qu'elle a été portée sur les fonts baptismaux non par des acteurs privés (même s’ils faisaient partie du tour de table) mais par quatre Etats : l’Allemagne, la France, l’Espagne et le Royaume-Uni. Enfin parce qu'elle est aujourd'hui la seule entreprise européenne digne de ce nom et qu’à ce titre, elle a des droits mais surtout des devoirs.

De cet héritage, Tom Enders ne pourra totalement se libérer. Si d'un point de vue comptable et managérial, son projet d’entreprise normale est une garantie d'efficacité et donc de performance, elle revient aussi à couper le groupe de ses racines. Et ça, l’Etat français et l’Etat alle

31 May 12 UK MoD - A People In Defence news article

The MOD has announced today that Professor Vernon Gibson will be appointed as its new Chief Scientific Adviser.

As Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Gibson will oversee the MOD's science and technology programme.

Professor Gibson replaces the outgoing Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Sir Mark Welland, who is returning to Cambridge University to take up an academic post.

Professor Gibson will join the Department on 2 July 2012 following a distinguished career as an academic researcher and a period in the commercial sector as one of BP's chief scientists. He said:

    "I am tremendously honoured and privileged to be joining the Ministry of Defence as its Chief Scientific Adviser. I'm looking forward to addressing the science and technology challenges that will help shape the capability of our Armed Forces in the 21st century."

Professor Welland said:

    "The post of Chief Scientific Adviser is extraordinarily attractive and extremely influential, both within the Department and beyond. The post has existed since the 1960s, so there is a long track record of scientific development within the Ministry of Defence.

    "The science and technology community across Defence has continued to support the front line and addressed current and future technological challenges. I am sure that this support will continue at pace under Professor Gibson."

Professor Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, described Professor Gibson's appointment as 'excellent news for the Government and for the UK'.

Professor Beddington added:

    "As a former chief scientist at BP, [Professor Gibson's] distinguished academic career alongside extensive industry experience will be invaluable to the Ministry of Defence itself, as well as further strengthening the network of Chief Scientific Advisers across government.

    "Expert scientific advice is critical to good policy-making and I am delighted to welcome someone with Vernon's expertise to the fold. I look forward to working with him."

29 May 2012 By Telegraph reporters

The last-flying Vulcan bomber will no longer take part in the Queen's Jubilee celebrations after explosions on a test flight on Monday.

Witnesses said that there were explosions as smoke billowed out of the restored aircraft, XH558, and debris was left on the runway.

It is thought the bomber will now be unable to take part in its scheduled programme of Jubilee flights.

Vulcan enthusiast Maurice Long, who observed the test flight, said: "It got to the end of the runway and then you couldn't see anything but smoke coming out of the back end.

"There was a flashing and explosions, two bangs, and then they cut the engines."

Fire engines were called to the scene and the troubled Vulcan was held on the runway for about an hour and a half while initial checks were carried out.

A spokesman for the Vulcan to the Sky group, which raised the money to buy and restore the Cold War nuclear bomber, said: "XH558 was scheduled to take off at noon on May 28 for a crew currency and display training flight.

"Just after the start of the take-off roll, she experienced problems with two of her Olympus engines.

"The crew immediately shut all engines down and everyone is safe.

"At this stage, we don't have any further information but we will keep supporters informed.

"Unfortunately, this means that she will not be able to fly for at least two weeks, although we will not know exactly how long rectification will take until the problem has been thoroughly investigated."

The runway at Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster, South Yorks., had to be closed while checks were carried out on the stricken plane, meaning that holiday flights had to be diverted.

Running costs of the Vulcan, which was bought and restored by the Vulcan to the Sky trust, are around £2m a year.

It had been due to appear in a series of air displays to coincide with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Avro Vulcan first flew in 1952 as a long-range bomber as part of Nato's nuclear deterrent. It was used during the Falklands war to bomb Argentine positions at Port Stanley.

The XH558 was sold by the Ministry of Defence in 1992 and was restored to flying condition in 2007, and renamed the Spirit of Great Britain. It is the last remaining airworthy aircraft of its kind in the world.

In 2001 Daily Telegraph readers saved the aircraft from sale to American buyers after raising £30,000 to keep the restoration on track.

photo UK MoD

29 May 2012 airforce-technology.com

Selex Galileo has received a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the supply of Titan 385ES-HD electro-optic turrets for the Royal Air Force's (RAF) fleet of CH-47 Chinook HC2/2A transport helicopters.

The €13.1m award follows a previous £10m contract secured by the company in November 2009, for the delivery of 21 turrets and upgrades to four in-service Titan 385-ES systems to the high-definition (HD) configuration.

Under the new contract, the company will supply a total of 20 turrets along with a spares package to help enhance the capabilities of the RAF's existing Chinook fleet as well as the new Mk.6 Chinooks, scheduled to enter operational service in 2016.

Developed by the company under co-funding from the MoD, the turret features a HD SLX Merlin medium waveband infrared (IR) camera and uses Albion thermal imaging technology to offer high resolution night vision capability in either mid or long wave IR wavebands.

Combining high performance sensors into a single Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) solution, the Titan 385ES is a multi-sensor turret system designed to meet current operational airborne observation, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements.

Fitted with an embedded auto-tracker, Titan 385ES is capable of operating on any of the imaging sensor channels, and also includes other sensors in the electro-optic payload that enhance the Chinook fleet's capabilities during current operations.

Deliveries under the contract are scheduled to run through 2012 and 2013.

The RAF Chinook HC2 is a tandem rotor helicopter, designed to provide heavy-lift support and transport across all branches of the British Armed Forces.

The helicopters have been widely used by the RAF in support of British military engagements, including the Falklands war, peace-keeping commitments in the Balkans, as well as for wars in the Iraq and Afghanistan.

May 31, 2012 ASDNews Source : Rheinmetall AG

Every two years, the international land forces community gathers in Paris. The Eurosatory defence show offers an impressive overview of the latest developments in wheeled and tracked vehicles, command and control technology, weapons, force protection systems, personal equipment, sensors and much, much more. One of the world’s leading suppliers of defence technology systems, Rheinmetall will be on hand 11-15 June 2012, displaying a selection of its product portfolio to high-ranking delegations and specialist visitors from around the globe, with “Force protection is our mission” as its motto.

Tracked and wheeled fighting vehicles
Main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) as well as wheeled armoured combat vehicles continue to form the backbone of modern mechanized armed forces. Even in contemporary asymmetric conflicts, their mobility, excellent protection, firepower and C4I capabilities render them invaluable.

At its Eurosatory pavilion, Rheinmetall will be presenting its current products and projects in this vital domain. On display is the Boxer armoured transport vehicle in its Bundeswehr command post configuration, together with the protected Armoured Multi Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).

Yet older legacy vehicles too can be retrofitted to meet the contingencies of modern military operations. Taking two extensively overhauled Marder IFVs as an example, Rheinmetall shows how new protection technologies, improved drives and innovative build-ons based on tried-and-tested platforms can result in new, cost-effective vehicles ranging from armoured personnel carriers to medium-weight main battle tanks. Moreover, by integrating the latest technologies, components and subsystems, Rheinmetall is able to produce high-end solutions as well. An outstanding example of this is the MBT Revolution.

Mobility
Dependable vehicles form the key link in every logistics chain. Made by Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV), the robust and versatile TG, HX and SX vehicle series have reliably served armies around the world for decades.

At Eurosatory 2012 Rheinmetall is showcasing an advanced version of the protected HX series for the first time. The vehicle is equipped with the ADS active hard-kill system. Also on view at the Rheinmetall stand are various versions of the HX 8x8, which, among other things, is the Group’s entry in the competition to supply Canada’s projected “Medium Support Vehicle System Standard Military Pattern” (MSVS SMP).

Another Eurosatory premiere: the lightweight Amorok M. RMMV is thus systematically expanding its range of commercial off-the-shelf vehicles in the under 3.5 t weight class.

Protection
Whether the object is preventing optical, optronic or electronic detection, or individual body armour, innovative vehicle systems or even safeguarding large-scale critical infrastructure, Rheinmetall supplies cutting edge systems and total solutions – all from a single source.

Rheinmetall Chempro und Rheinmetall Verseidag Ballistic Protection Systems are the Group’s experts for passive protection products. They are made of lightweight, high-performance materials, designed for inclusion in tactical vehicles, helicopters or ships for protecting passengers and crew. Inserts made of these materials are also available for ballistic vests.

“Soft-kill” solutions offer excellent active protection for ground vehicles as well as fixed-wing aircraft helicopters and ships. Smoke/obscurant systems like “Rosy” make vehicles invisible to the enemy in the event of an ambush, etc. Constituting the last line of defence, “hard-kill” systems such as Rheinmetall’s ADS neutralize incoming projectiles before they reach their target.

One of the must trusted names in the international defence industry for well over a century, a great strength of Rheinmetall is its unsurpassed ability to integrate new and existing technology into a highly effective system of systems.

Sensors and fire control technology
For the first time at Eurosatory, the Rheinmetall Electro-Optics division is presenting its cost-efficient Vingtags SLR observation system. Besides Rheinmetall’s own sensors, it can also accommodate third-party devices. It is able to collect and transmit target data even at long ranges.

Its big brother, the Vingtaqs II, which combines electro-optical reconnaissance with a battlefield radar, is on show as well, mounted on the AMPV as a mobile reconnaissance solution.

Rheinmetall is also displaying its FOI 2000 laser target marking system for forward artillery observers and forward air controllers. It can be integrated into vehicles or deployed in dismounted mode. The armed forces of Sweden and Norway already use this device.

Visitors can also have a look at the Group’s trusty laser pointers, laser target marker and laser light modules, including the Vario Ray (LLM-VR), and the LLM01, which is in service with numerous armed forces and law enforcement agencies. The Group’s ZEFF identification friend-foe system, known as the Dismounted Soldier Identification Device/DSID, rounds out the division’s array of products on display, together with its Multi-Ray fire control unit.

Soldier systems
Infantry and other units that operate in dismounted mode continue to play a vital role in modern conflicts. On behalf of the German Bundeswehr, Rheinmetall developed its modular Future Soldier – 2 (IdZ-2) array of combat kit, which is currently being fielded under the name “Gladius”. The system brings dismounted troops directly into the loop of network-enable operations. At Eurosatory, Rheinmetall is presenting the version now being procured by the German military.

Munitions
The Group’s comprehensive portfolio of 40mm x 46 (low velocity/LV and medium velocity/MV) and 40mm x 53 high velocity (HV) ammunition underscores Rheinmetall’s compelling lead in the 40mm field. This ranges from practice ammunition and non-lethal variants to highly effective service ammunition, including 40mm x 46 MV and 40 mm x 53 HV time-delay airburst rounds. In addition, Rheinmetall has developed the Cerberus grenade launcher and Hydra automatic grenade launcher, each specially designed for firing medium-velocity ammunition. Both feature a hydraulic shock absorber that reduces the recoil force to the level of LV ammunition. Concept studies can be examined at Eurosatory.

In the field of 60mm mortar ammunition Rheinmetall can also lay claim to a leadership role. This new family of insensitive ammunition meets all the requirements of STANAG 4439. It encompasses service, multi-purpose and practice rounds. The VingPods fire control unit, already successfully deployed in the 81mm mortar sphere, is currently being modified to meet the requirements of this new ammunition family.

Furthermore, on show at Eurosatory are Rheinmetall’s two new 120mm tank rounds, the HE Temp. DM11 and the HE SQ (standing for “high explosive super quick) RH31, both of them optimized for the modern battlefield. The DM11 is characterized by a) the programmability of the loaded cartridge, and b) delayed airburst detonation at ranges of engagement of up to five kilometres. The necessary technical modifications (programmability) can be carried out in any main battle tank equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun and an up-to-date fire control unit. The lower priced RH31 features a selectable impact function (with or without delay) that requires no modification of the system. A number of Leopard 2/M1 user nations have already placed orders for both ammunition types.

LANCE is a state-of-the-art Rheinmetall medium-calibre turret system. It can be configured for manned operation or serve as a remote control turret. At Eurosatory, visitors can view a LANCE training demonstrator at the Rheinmetall stand. Moreover, MOWAG is showcasing a Piranha APC mounted with a LANCE turret.
Even small command and mission-specific vehicles can be provided with additional firepower. Possibilities include Rheinmetall’s remote control, fully stabilized weapon stations such as the Lite or Super Lite of the Protector family, which are integrated into various vehicles on display at the Rheinmetall stand.

Air defence
Modern air defence systems have to be able to contend not just with the traditional threat from above, but also with random asymmetric attacks, i.e. rocket, artillery and mortar fire (RAM). Rheinmetall Air Defence’s response to this tactical and technical challenge is the Oerlikon Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM system. It is designed to protect military installations and critical civilian infrastructure from RAM attacks on the home front and during deployed operations abroad – whether in high-intensity conventional conflicts or military operations other than war (MOOTW). The Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM system is based on Rheinmetall’s Ahead airburst technology. Germany has already procured two Skyshield MOOTW/C-RAM systems, which it refers to as the MANTIS.

Rheinmetall: global source for defence technology
The Rheinmetall products on display at Eurosatory 2012 underscore once again the multifaceted capabilities of one of the world’s leading suppliers of top-quality systems and equipment for armed forces and law enforcement agencies.