US ARMY EXAMINES PATRIA NEMO

NEMO mortar system live-fire demonstration, Fort Benning Red Cloud Range, USA, Sept. 11, 2019

Patria Oyj (Helsinki, Finland) announced on 19 May it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center to determine feasibility of incorporating a turreted, breech-loaded 120mm mortar weapon system into US mortar carriers.

The scope of the agreement is to assess the capabilities of Patria’s NEMO mortar system, its compatibility with US mortar carrier platforms and fire control systems as well as to evaluate the use of current US 120mm mortar ammunition in a breech-loaded mortar, such as the NEMO.

This agreement is a continuation of the service’s effort to provide Armored and STRYKER Brigade Combat Teams with rapid, precise indirect and direct fire capability in circumstances in which the operating crew is well protected and its physical burden significantly reduced. In late 2018, the army published a market survey to identify capable sources to develop and produce the 120mm Mortar Future Indirect Fire Turret (FIFT). Patria answered the market survey based on NEMO.

Patria’s NEMO is a turreted, remote-controlled 120mm mortar system with both direct and indirect fire capability, capable of executing up to six-grenade multiple rounds simultaneous impact fire missions. In addition to being highly protected, it is light, compact and easily installed on light, tracked chassis, wheeled armored vehicles or naval vessels.

“The agreement between the US Army and Patria exemplifies the capability leap that modern turreted mortar systems can introduce to armed forces and illustrates Patria’s leading role in this technology area. It is also [a] logical continuation to the cooperation between Patria and the US government that began with Patria NEMO sales to a third country through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme,” commented Jussi Järvinen, President of Patria’s Land Business Unit.

Ukraine takes delivery of additional BTR-4 armored personnel carriers

The Ukrainian armed forces have taken delivery of another batch of BTR-4 wheeled armored personnel carriers from the Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau.

The latest delivery is part of a contract signed in 2016, that will see Ukroboronprom hand over a total of 45 units to Ukrainian armed forces.

Developed in Ukraine and first unveiled in 2006, the BTR-4 entered serial production in 2008.

The latest version that is being delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces bears the designation BTR-4E and features enhanced protection. The army has so far received абоут 30 of the amphibious 8x8s since deliveries started in December 2019.

The vehicle is designed for the transport of infantry personnel and can provide fire support in combat operations. The BTR-4 is armed with 30 mm coaxial machine guns and can be fitted with remote-controlled weapon stations and anti-tank missiles.

According to Ukroboronprom specifications, the 22-ton vehicle has a crew of 3 to 7 service members and a top speed of 110 km/h.

Turkey one step closer to Leopard-2A4 upgrade

Previous years Turkey was started the Leopard-2A4 modernization program. A number of security and defense industry researches underlined the deficiencies of the tanks used by Turkish Armed Forces during the operation "Euphrates Shield" and called attention to this matter.

In March 2019, there were various photos of Leopard 2, equipped with ERA panels and tested, on social media.

Previous project of Leopard-2A4 modernization

(თურქეული Leopard 2A4-ის მოდერნიზაციის პროგრამა)

Another version

(მოდერნიზირებული თურქული Leopard-2A4 და M-60T)

This year Roketsan was published an project of an armor placement suitable for the hull of the Leopard 2 (flat turret design version up to A4) among the pictures for the company’s armor solutions. The tank in the image contains armor plates and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA).

New Roketsan Armor Pack

(What happened to Turkey Leopard 2A4 modernization?)

Regarded as an example of the modernization package, it depicts the placement of the Roketsan kits. In the image where only Roketsan products are shown, Aselsan’s systems such as TLUS, ADİS, SARP, YAMGÖZ are not included, whereas SARP UKSS is placed on the plate. It is considered that the armor placement in the image is not the final armor placement, as it is demonstrated in the catalog. The systems expected to be integrated into the tank within the scope of the project are as follows:

• Laser Warning System
• SARP UKSS
• Close Range Survellance System (YAMGÖZ)
• ​ASELSAN’s Driver’s Vision System (ADİS)
• Protective Coating
• Air Conditioning System
• Auxiliary Power Unit
• Pulat Active Protection System

B-1s integrate with Ukrainian and Turkish aircraft for first time

Two B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, conducted a long-range, long duration strategic Bomber Task Force mission throughout Europe and the Black Sea region, May 29, 2020.

This marked the first time that a Bomber Task Force mission integrated with Ukrainian Su-27 Flankers and MiG-29 Fulcrums and Turkish KC-135s.

“Bomber Task Force missions to Europe demonstrate commitment to our allies and partners all while providing a clear deterrence message to any adversary,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander. “The integration of our strategic bomber presence across Europe proves that the U.S., alongside any ally or partner, stands ready to deter, and if needed, can employ these capabilities together.”

The flight also included integration and interoperability training with Polish F-16s and MiG-29s and Romanian F-16s and MiG-21s, which provided escort and combat patrol overwatch in the Black Sea region.

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, Turkish and U.S. KC-135s based out of Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and other NATO aerial refueling aircraft enabled the B-1 to complete the round trip from Ellsworth Air Force Base without delay, while also providing aerial refueling support to our partner-nation aircraft. 

Additionally, the B-1s integrated with Greek F-16 air policing for an overflight of Skopje, North Macedonia. 

“The Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate to our NATO Allies, including our newest member - North Macedonia - that these strategic missions enhance the readiness and training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge around the globe,” said Gen. Tod D. Wolters, U.S. European Command commander. “The integration and interoperability with our NATO Allies during these missions, be it aerial tanker support or fighter escorts, are indelible actions that show the Alliance is as strong as I've ever witnessed.”

Bomber missions familiarize aircrew with air bases, airspace, and operations in different geographic combatant commands. These missions build proficiency and confidence, and they demonstrate the credibility of our forces to address a global security environment that is more diverse and uncertain than at any other time in our history.

How AI Will Soon Change Special Operations

A new SOCOM office is pursuing tools to understand and influence populations, clear rooms with robots, and spot new forms of jamming.

When Gen. Richard D. Clarke was leading special operations forces in Afghanistan years ago, he spent 90 percent of his time thinking about moving and shooting — “the raid, the mission, the kill-capture mission, the destruction of enemy forces,” Clarke said last week at the annual SOFIC conference. But when he returned to Afghanistan last year as the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, he found that U.S. leaders were focusing most of their mental energy on information.

Commanders now spend about 60 percent of their time mulling what the Taliban and the Afghan population are thinking, and how U.S. actions might influence that, Clarke said. “As we look at the info space and in our fight for competition…working in the information space can have the greatest impact in the coming years.”

Clarke said AI will play a big role in SOCOM’s future information-warfare efforts. This summer, the command will stand up a new office to harness AI for language translation, scanning captured laptops and cellphones, collating and countering Taliban messaging, and more.

“How can I, in real-time, sense what the enemy is stating publicly so we can counter that messaging,” he said, “so we can see what they’re working in the Twittersphere, or what they’re working in the information environment so that we can respond in real-time at the speed of relevance.”

That social information will also play a role in tactical operations. Next year, SOCOM will launch a program to give mission commanders better AI tools, according to James Smith, the command’s acquisition executive. One part is creating visualization software that can show relevant tactical information and what Smith described as “SOF-peculiar” data, such as population dynamics, social media trends, sentiment analysis and other social points. All this should give commanders a sense of what’s happening socially and psychologically in the places that they’re operating. 

Smith wants “to give our operations centers a much better feel for the operations that SOF is going to be asked to do, both the [countering violent extremism] operations but also in great power competition.” 

That information, along with “everything they currently get from a whole cell of analysts” will also flow to operators as part of a “hyper-enabled environment,” said Lisa Sanders, SOCOM’s director of science and technology for special operations forces, acquisition, technology and logistics. “All of that could be moved forward to give me a true, immediate situational picture on the edge.”

AI may also help special operators to overcome jamming or detect new electromagnetic threats. “Wouldn’t it be great if we had some kind of machine learning that just identified anomalies in this space,” Smith said. “Maybe it’s the new radars we haven’t seen before.” 

First two Leopard2PL MBTs have been officially taken over by Polish Army

First two Leopard2PL MBTs have been officially taken over by Polish Army and another three to be received by the end of this week. Tanks will be delivered to the Polish Army 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade, headquartered in Świętoszów, Poland.

XM 1299 Prototype 0 Demonstration

In March 2020, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground demonstrated a dramatic stride in extending the range and precision of artillery fires in a demonstration attended by some of the Army’s highest-ranking officials, as well as members of the local and national media who watched both in person and via video feeds at the Pentagon and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

The visitors witnessed two separate test fires of both the Excalibur precision guided munition and the XM1113 rocket-assisted high explosive projectile from a Prototype 0 XM 1299 self-propelled howitzer. Both Excalibur projectiles achieved a 65 kilometer precision hit, and both XM 1113 projectiles achieved a 65 kilometer range. The performance of the XM 1299, outfitted with a 58 caliber tube on a PIM chassis with loader assist, was the centerpiece of the test.

9M337 Sosna-R on Different Chassis

In Russia working on self-propelled short-range anti-aircraft missile system Sosna on the BTR-82' chassis.

The 9M337 Sosna-R (Pine) (SA-24) is a Russian radar and laser-guided supersonic (Mach 4) two-stage missile. It is used in Sosna-R short range air defense missile system designed to protect military units from air attacks in all types of combat situations, including during march.

Other platforms used for the system

BMP-3

MT-LB

Specifications

• Warhead - 1× Fragmented-rod warhead / 1× AP-Frag warhead

• Detonation mechanism - Combined impact/proximity laser fuze

• Operational range - 10 km

• Flight altitude - 10 km

• Maximum speed - 4mach

• Guidance system - Laser guidance / Radio guidance

• Launch platform

Third Unsafe Intercept by Russia in U.S. Sixth Fleet in Two Months

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- For the third time in two months, Russian pilots flew in an unsafe and unprofessional manner while intercepting a U.S. Navy P-8A Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft in U.S. Sixth Fleet, May 26, 2020.

Two Russian Su-35 aircraft unsafely intercept a P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft assigned to U.S. 6th Fleet over the Mediterranean Sea May 26, 2020. The intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously, restricting the P-8A™s ability to safely maneuver, and lasted a total of 64 minutes. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo)

On May 26, 2020, a U.S. Navy P-8A aircraft was flying in the Eastern Mediterranean over international waters and was intercepted by two Russian Su-35 aircraft over a period of 65 minutes. The intercept was determined to be unsafe and unprofessional due to the Russian pilots taking close station on each wing of the P-8A simultaneously, restricting the P-8A’s ability to safely maneuver. 

The unnecessary actions of the Russian Su-35 pilots were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules, and jeopardized the safety of flight of both aircraft.

While the Russian aircraft was operating in international airspace, this interaction was irresponsible. We expect them to operate within international standards set to ensure safety and to prevent incidents, including the 1972 Agreement for the Prevention of Incidents On and Over the High Seas (INCSEA). Actions‎ like these increase the potential for midair collisions.

This incident follows two unsafe interactions in April, over the same waters.

In all cases, the U.S. aircraft were operating in international airspace, consistent with international law, with due regard for safety of flight, and did not provoke this Russian activity.

Russia deploys military fighter aircraft to Libya

U.S. Africa Command assesses that Moscow recently deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors (PMCs) operating on the ground there.

Russian military aircraft are likely to provide close air support and offensive fires for the Wagner Group PMC that is supporting the Libyan National Army's (LNA) fight against the internationally recognized Government of National Accord. The Russian fighter aircraft arrived in Libya, from an airbase in Russia, after transiting Syria where it is assessed they were repainted to camouflage their Russian origin.

"Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favor in Libya. Just like I saw them doing in Syria, they are expanding their military footprint in Africa using government-supported mercenary groups like Wagner," said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. "For too long, Russia has denied the full extent of its involvement in the ongoing Libyan conflict. Well, there is no denying it now. We watched as Russia flew fourth generation jet fighters to Libya -- every step of the way. Neither the LNA nor private military companies can arm, operate and sustain these fighters without state support -- support they are getting from Russia."

Russia has employed state-sponsored Wagner in Libya to conceal its direct role and to afford Moscow plausible deniability of its malign actions. U.S. Africa Command assesses Moscow's military actions have prolonged the Libyan conflict and exacerbated casualties and human suffering on both sides.

“The world heard Mr. Haftar declare he was about to unleash a new air campaign. That will be Russian mercenary pilots flying Russian-supplied aircraft to bomb Libyans,” Townsend said.

U.S. Africa Command assesses that Russia is not interested in what is best for the Libyan people but are working to achieve their own strategic goals instead.

"If Russia seizes basing on Libya's coast, the next logical step is they deploy permanent long-range anti-access area denial (A2AD) capabilities," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Jeff Harrigian, commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa. "If that day comes, it will create very real security concerns on Europe's southern flank."

Russia’s destabilizing actions in Libya will also exacerbate the regional instability that has driven the migration crisis affecting Europe.

Russian fighter jets were recently deployed to Libya in order to support Russian state-sponsored private military contractors (PMCs) operating on the ground there. The Russian fighter aircraft arrived in Libya, from an airbase in Russia, after transiting Syria where it is assessed they were repainted to camouflage their Russian origin. “The world heard Mr. Haftar declare he was about to unleash a new air campaign. That will be Russian mercenary pilots flying Russian-supplied aircraft to bomb Libyans,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command.