Walk around of newest Ukrainian RK-360MTs Neptun coastal missile system

Walk around of newest Ukrainian RK-360MTs Neptun coastal missile system with R-360 cruise missiles.

Walk around of newest Ukrainian R-360 cruise missile.#Ukraine #CruiseMissile #Missile
Details:https://t.co/BcjgqgbDIW pic.twitter.com/JYOOKijZxs

— Shota Sabauri (@TheDeadDistrict) February 7, 2020

The Defense Express Media & Consulting Company has released new footage of the newest Ukrainian RK-360MTs Neptun coastal missile system with R-360 cruise missiles in stunning detail.

The Neptune is a coastal missile system designed to engage enemy surface fighting ships and auxiliaries vessels both single and belonging to Task Forces.

The system consists of an RCP-360 self-propelled command control and communications centre, USPU-360 self-propelled launchers, a TZM-360 transport and reloader machine and special cargo vehicle.

The coastal missile system is capable of hitting targets at ranges up to 280 kilometers at any time and under any weather conditions. The R-360 missile weighs 870 kg; the weight of its warhead is 150 kg; its launch speed is about 900 km/h.

Rheinmetall to supply laser duel simulators for Puma infantry fighting vehicles

Rheinmetall is to supply AGDUS laser duel simulators for the Puma IFV, contributing to the combat readiness of German mechanised infantry units.

Each AGDUS set consists of laser detectors arrayed around the vehicle as well as eye-safe lasers capable of simulating the effects of the Puma’s principal weapon systems, i.e. the automatic cannon, machinegun and MELLS antitank guided missile (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

Press Release, Düsseldorf, 03 February 2020: Rheinmetall will soon be supplying the German Bundeswehr with simulation technology that will enable highly realistic training of mechanised infantry units equipped with the Puma IFV. The total of the contract could be as high as €142 million, including value added tax.

At the end of 2019, Rheinmetall received order to this effect from the consortium responsible for the Puma for the AGDUS duel simulator, which had in turn been awarded the contract by the Bundeswehr on 20 December. To begin with, a pre-series of six systems will be developed and integrated. For Rheinmetall, the order value (booked in January 2020) comes to €54 million with VAT. Once the system is ready for full-scale serial production, an option exists for equipping 252 infantry fighting vehicles. This would result in an additional order for Rheinmetall worth around €88 million, including VAT, bringing the total value of the AGDUS contract to around €142 million, once again including VAT.

Each AGDUS set consists of laser detectors arrayed around the vehicle as well as eye-safe lasers capable of simulating the effects of the Puma’s principal weapon systems, i.e. the automatic cannon, machine gun and MELLS antitank guided missile. The laser algorithms are programmed to assure ballistically exact simulation of shots and hits. The AGDUS also enables simulation of the Puma IFV’s turret-independent secondary weapon system, or TSWA, as well as the vehicle’s self-defence systems. As a result, extremely realistic exercises can be conducted and evaluated at the German Army Combat Training Centre and other training facilities.

Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems and Electronics Solutions divisions will bring their respective expertise to bear in completing this order, with most of the work being performed at Group locations in Bremen and Unterlüß. True to the motto “Train as you fight!”, the AGDUS-equipped Puma IFV will significantly enhance the combat readiness of Germany’s mechanised infantry corps

US Army Active Protection Systems (APS) Program summary

Executive Summary

• In FY17, in support of the European Deterrence Initiative, the Army initiated an expedited installation and characterization of three Active Protection Systems (APS): the Rafael Trophy APS for the Army Abrams M1A2 and Marine Corps M1A1 tanks, the Artis Iron Curtain APS for the Stryker family of vehicles, and the Elbit Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS for the Bradley family of vehicles.

• The selected APS technologies are non-developmental items intended to improve the survivability of ground combat vehicles against anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and recoilless rifle threats by using a kinetic “hard kill” mechanism to intercept and disrupt/defeat theincoming threat.

• The Army tested the APS in two phases. Phase I assessed technology maturity, performance, and integration. Phase II supported the urgent materiel release (UMR).

Trophy APS

• In FY19, the Army completed Phase II of the TrophyAPS testing. DOT&E will summarize the demonstrated performance in a combined OT&E/LFT&E report in 2QFY20 to support the UMR. 

• Based on the demonstrated performance, the Army issued a directed requirement to procure and install Trophy APS systems on Abrams for a total of four Armored Brigade Combat Teams, by the end of FY20.

Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS

• In FY18, the Army completed Phase I Iron Fist APS testing on the Bradley. This test supported the Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) meeting on November 30, 2018, where the Army decided to move forward with the Phase II Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS program. Phase II testing is currently scheduled for FY21.

Stryker APS

• In FY18, the Army completed Phase I Iron Curtain APS testing on the Stryker. In FY19, the Army pursued and tested two additional Stryker APS solutions: Advanced Modular Armor Protection – Active Defense System by UBT/Rheinmetall and the Trophy Light system by DRS/Rafael. The Army has not selected any of these solutions due to the demonstrated performance and the systems maturity.

Trophy APS

• The Trophy APS includes search radars to detect, identify, and track incoming threats, and a set of kinetic projectiles intended to destroy the threat or cause its early detonation. The Abrams base armor is expected to absorb post‑engagement threat residuals (threat by-products generated after the collision). The Trophy APS adds approximately 8,600 pounds to the platform. The Army has integrated the Trophy system into the tank’s situational awareness system.

Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS

• The Iron Fist – Light Decoupled APS includes radars and optics to detect, identify, and track incoming threats, and a set of explosive projectiles intended to destroy or divert the threat. The system adds approximately 1,543 pounds to the platform. The fielded Bradley A3 does not generate sufficient power to operate the APS, while the Bradley A4 power components, currently under development, can support this APS solution.

Stryker APS

• The Army evaluated three different solutions for Stryker APS: Iron Curtain, Advanced Modular Armor Protection – Active Defense System, and the Trophy Medium Variant system. Each vendor had unique technical solutions with different countermeasure mechanisms. The Army did not select any of the three systems evaluated.

Via DOT&E FY 2019 ANNUAL REPORT 

Pentagon releases new details of Abrams upgrade program

The U.S. military has disclosed details on the development of an improved variant of America’s sole main battle tank that considered the best in the world.

The annual report issued by the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) has revealed fresh details of the M1A2 Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) version 3 (v3) main battle tank program.

The M1A2 SEP v3 would be almost unrecognizable to the tankers who served on its earliest incarnation. The new version could boast of improved fire control electronics mean the SEPv3’s gun can shoot faster and more accurately; the engine, drivetrain, and tracks have been updated for higher performance and to support the platform’s weight increase; it may even sport hubcaps and road arms manufactured by way of 3D printing.

The upgrades also include survivability enhancements including Next Evolution and advanced armor and reduction in vulnerability to Improvised explosive device (IED) threats (Reduction in vulnerability to remote-controlled IEDs).

According to the report, DOT&E approved an updated Abrams M1A2 SEP v3 Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP) on December 28, 2018. The updated TEMP included revisions to planned Production Qualification Test events and the Follow-on operational Test and Evaluation scope.

Also added that in Fiscal Year 19, the Army concluded the M1A2 SEPv3 full-up system-level live fire testing. To complete the survivability assessment of the M1A2 SEPv3, the Army needs to execute the remaining live fire test series focused on addressing combat-induced vulnerabilities of stored ammunition and the modeling and simulation (M&S) effort focused on characterizing armor effectiveness across the operational envelope.

The Army expects to complete the M1A2 SEPv3 Live Fire Test and Evaluation program in the first quarter of FY20.

In FY19, the Army completed Full-Up, System-Level (FUSL) testing to assess the survivability of a combat-ready tank against IEDs, mines, and direct- and indirect-fire. The FUSL test series included 20 tests on 3 production-representative tanks.

Ammunition Compartment testing began in the fourth quarter of FY19 and will complete in 1Q FY20. These tests examine threats that perforate the tank armor and strike the ammunition compartment to assess the reaction of the stowed ammunition, and any resulting impacts to the crew.

The Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 survivability evaluation across operational engagement conditions will depend on live fire test data and models and simulations data. The Army is working on the validation and verification of the models and simulations tools critical to this evaluation.