A very automated DSEi: the ground and sea exhibition in London illustrated the defence industry's lean towards robotics, automation and autonomy, highlighting increasing efforts to keep soldier, seaman and airman out of harm's way.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

None of the actual vehicles being evaluated in the Trials of Truth for the utility variant of the British Army's multi-billion pound Future Rapid Effects Systems (Fres) were on hand at DSEi, as the evaluation was in its last days. Nexter displayed its VBCI in the French Army's infantry fighting vehicle configuration. General Dynamics Land Systems' subsidiary Mowag had a Piranha III (sitting before its stand) the company's Piranha IV-based Evolution demonstrator is being evaluated in the Trials of Truth and the company has yet to complete the first prototype of the Piranha V that would eventually prefigure the Fres configuration. The Dutch-German Artec consortium displayed a model of the Boxer Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle. Selection of the winning design was scheduled to have been made in November; shortly before these lines are printed.

The four contenders for the British Army's 500 million [pounds sterling] Warrior Lethality Improvement Programme (Wlip) were pitching their solutions at DSEi. To ensure that the BAE Systems Warrior infantry fighting vehicle remains effective for another 30 years the service wants to replace the 30 mm Rarden cannon in up to 449 vehicles. On offer are:

* the 40 mm Cased Telescope Weapons System developed by the BAE Systems-Nexter CTAI joint venture

* the ATK Gun Systems Mk 44 Bushmaster 30 mm cannon.

* the Oto Melara Hitfist 30 turret (offer made by Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems)

* a turret designed by Rheinmetall (offer made by Lockheed Martin UK Insys)

* the General Dynamics Land Systems Mk 46 turret designed for the US Marine Corps' Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle.

The turret chosen for the Wlip is also expected to be installed on the scout/reconnaissance variant of the Fres family.

VT Shipbuilding unveiled its ocean-capable patrol vessel design which was developed to meet the lower tier of the Royal Navy's Future Surface Combatant (FSC) programme. Under the current plans the programme will consist of three tiers of ships--C1, C2 and C3--to replace the service's Type 22 and Type 23 frigates, mine countermeasures vessels and survey ships. VT derived the 100-metre design with a displacement of about 3000 tonnes from the ocean patrol vessel developed for Oman's Project Khareef. With an endurance of 45 days the ship will be capable of reaching a maximum speed of more than 24 knots and a cruising speed of twelve knots, covering a maximum range of more than 7000 nm. C3 class vessels will be used for a variety of roles including mine countermeasures, patrol duties and survey work. VT's C3 FSC design incorporates a large crane and a flexible 26-metre-long mission deck aft, equipped with a stern ramp for payload deployment/recovery. The design also includes a 16-metre-long flight deck able to accommodate helicopters as large as the RN's EH101 Merlin and a hanger with room enough for a Lynx helicopter. Weapons could include a 76 mm or similar medium-calibre gun forward, a 30 mm gun or Phalanx close-in weapon system port and starboard as well as .50-calibre heavy machine guns, and surface-to-surface missiles. VT has proposed that the Ministry of Defence could lease the C3 FCS vessels in the same manner as its does the RN's River Class ocean patrol vessels also built by VT.

Thales Air Defence has developed a new version of its Starstreak surface-to-air missile to be called Starstreak II, which offers an extended range to beyond seven km, with increased coverage and altitude and improved guidance precision to engage smaller targets such as unmanned air vehicles. Like the earlier missile each Starstreak II releases three line-of-sight laser-beam riding 'hittile' darts after launch that are immune to all known countermeasures. Thales has recently demonstrated the ability of Starstreak missiles launched from the Thales Multi Mission System (MMS) to engage both air and ground targets including armoured vehicles.

Patria Vehicles and IBD Deisenroth Engineering announced that they would collaborate to increase the survivability of Patria's wheeled AMV (Armoured Modular Vehicle), which has now been sold to five countries. The vehicle displayed at the exhibition was fitted with IBD's Amap-ADS (Advanced Modular Armour Protection-Active Defence System), which provides all-round protection against kinetic energy and shaped-charge threats. The partners are also working on integrating the Amap-I for protection against improvised explosive devices. Fully integrated vehicles are expected to be ready within the next two years.

British engineering firm Ricardo announced the formation of its new Defence Systems & Technologies strategic business unit that will include the facilities and expertise of the Ricardo Special Vehicles group and leverage the latest automotive technologies developed throughout the Ricardo group. The company provided an example of this technology when it unveiled a military hybrid systems demonstrator vehicle developed in partnership with L-3 Communications and Magnet Motors. Traction is through independent hub motors, which also provide improved ground clearance and thereby increased survivability. An on-board generator capable of delivering more than 100 kW of electrical power could replace trailer-based generators for functions such as communication.

Oshkosh Truck displayed its contender for the United Kingdom's Future Light Equipment Transporter (Flet) programme, which requires a 6 x 6 tractor truck for use with semi-trailers now in service. The vehicle is similar to the 357 tractor trucks that Oshkosh supplied for the Kingdom's Wheeled Tank Programme; with changes that include a lower fifth wheel and smaller tyres. An invitation to tender is expected to be issued before the end of December for an initial batch of 110 Flet trucks to enter service in 2010 or 2011. The other contender will be MAN ERF, which recently delivered the first 161 cross-country trucks to the British Army under a 1.3 billion [pounds sterling] contract to supply 7216 of its 4 x 4, 6 x 6 and 8 x 8 wheeled tactical vehicles.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Team LM (for Loitering Munition), lead by MBDA, unveiled its Fire Shadow design for the British Indirect Fire Attack Requirement. The requirement is for a weapon with a range of more than 150 km and a Circular Error of Probability of less than one metre. The Fire Shadow will be capable of loitering for about ten hours over the battle zone and the design features man-in-the-loop operation so that the Fire Shadow can be diverted if non-combatants appear near the intended target. The Loitering Munitions Assessment Phase is expected to commence in 2008, leading to a Main Gate decision in 2011. Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support, Lord Drayson, announced at the Farnborough Air Show 2006 that the loitering munition system contract would be single-sourced to Team CW subject to a continuing requirement and the ability to clearly demonstrate value for money. Team LM includes Blue Bear Systems Research, Cranfield Aerospace, Cranfield University, Lockheed Martin UK Insys, Marshalls SV, Meggitt, Qinetiq, Roxel, Selex, Thales UK, Ultra Electronics and Vega.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BAE Systems will provide field service support to the US Marine Corps when it deploys its M777 155 mm lightweight towed howitzers for the first time to Afghanistan and Iraq over the coming months. The Canadian Army M777A1 has fired more than 8000 rounds in Afghanistan and the service is planning to order a further 16 to 18 guns to add to the twelve diverted from US production to meet an unforeseen operational requirement. BAE Systems has suspended development of its M777 Portee system following the British Ministry of Defence's decision to cancel its Light Mobile Artillery Weapon System (Limaws) (Gun) requirement. Lockheed Martin UK Insys officials said the award of a demonstration and manufacture contract for the Limaws (Rocket) is imminent. This will cover the production of four pre-production weapons, 20 production weapons and the upgrade of the four pre-production weapons to the full production standard. The Limaws (R) is designed to fire the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Sight & Sound

Keeping an eye on the show in a very sheltered manner was Harris' International Government Systems division, with its new border surveillance shelter initiative. The self-contained system employs a variety of unattended ground sensors, including ground radar and video and infrared cameras, to provide perimeter or border security and surveillance and asset protection. Harris representatives related that the shelter's system includes customer-specific sensors and a command and control system that are coupled with a variety of either proprietary or third party communication systems. The sensor data fusion through the company's Safeguard data fusion application creates a common operational picture of the area under surveillance and, through high-capacity line-of-sight, satcom or telecom links, transmits the information to a regional headquarters or mobile guard station.

Also present with an eye and ear in the air was ICX, with its Cerberus mobile perimeter security tower, which features the company's Vision-sense capability that overlays CCD and thermal images in real time to provide observation in total darkness and all weather conditions. ICX has sold the Cerberus system, with its 9.1-metre-extending mast, to the US Army and is currently focusing on the European defence market, as the company mentions, which is more concerned with perimeter security.

Datron showcased its new HH7700 VFH hand-held transceiver that provides five watts of power over 16 channels in the 30 to 88 MHz range. The unit uses an embedded voice scrambler that is compatible with the company's existing line-up (of note is that all of Datron's radios are designed for the international [non-US] market). The 'grab-off-the-shelf-and-go' HH7700 kit sells for under $1000.00, complete with batteries, charger, cables and antenna. The Afghan National Army is currently field-testing around one dozen units.

ITT flashed its Spearnet wideband radio that works through self-organising, self-healing, multi-hop tactical local area networking, but the freshest news was of the company's night vision division's contract to provide the US Navy and Coast Guard with submersible AN/PVS-14 monocular devices. The $ 37 million award requires delivery of the equipment through 2012.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

VT Shipbuilding had just awarded a communications system upgrade contract to Rohde & Schwarz, this covering the HF systems aboard the Royal Navy's offshore patrol vessel HMS Clyde. This is required to bring the ship into compliance with the Defence High Frequency Communications Service Network.

There seems to be no end to 'smaller' when it comes to electronic equipment; to this Harris unveiled its RF-7800M-MP multi-band high-capacity data radio that provides 3.2 Mbps throughput in a CNR-sized package (18 x 8 x 21 cm). The single-channel radio covers the 30 MHz to 2 GHz frequency range with 20 watts of power to deliver secure voice and high-speed data transmission capability The company relayed that the RF-7800M-MP provides more than ten times the processing power of currently fielded manpack radios, and does so featuring AES 256-bit key encryption. The RF-7800M-MP is built on a software communications architecture for easy upgrades.

Taking Notes

One large-scale project using many small-scale elements is Boeing's Orbital Express, which is a part of a Darpa programme demonstrating the use of fully-autonomous, on-orbit spacecraft to ferry assets brought into space by other launches and automatically deliver them to the appropriate satellites. Try to envision, as one Aitech representative at DSEi put it, "a service station in the sky", where the parked satellites (communication, surveillance, laser, etc) are refuelled and restocked by an autonomous shuttle that sits dormant until the next delivery from Earth. Aitech Defense Systems--known for its space-qualified, radiation-tolerant electronics--provided certain mission-critical computers (main mission computer, robotic arm controller, mission payload, etc) and PCI boards for the Orbital Express programme, for which the Astro (Autonomous Space Transport Robotic Operations) vehicle has been 'decommissioned' and is sitting quietly somewhere out in space awaiting the next series of delivery missions.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Hand-held and small, rugged computers and proliferating, and their appearance at every turn is almost mind-boggling. Getac introduced its new V100; a 2.2-kg rugged notebook that was designed on very slim lines and features a pressure sensitive, sunlight readable (400 nits) touch screen, a waterproof membrane backlit keyboard and sealed ports and connectors. A shock-mounted Sata 120-GB hard drive gets a push from an Intel core duo 1.2 GHz processor and up to 2 GB Ram. The screen swivels 180[degrees] to metamorphose from laptop to tablet and integrated GPS and wireless access capabilities keep the user connected.

Waving at Linux was Twisted Pair, displaying its Wave VoIP (Voice over IP) software that the company mentioned was being ported to Linux (possibly within a few months but certainly with the next version). The software provides unified communication between different networks regardless of communication device used. Run on a PC, Wave connects radios, analogue and IP phone systems, and other devices with push-to-talk voice, alerting, text messaging and recording capabilities in multi-and unicast IP environments. A four-channel PDA client is currently available to turn any PDA into a multi-function radio.

General Dynamics C4 Systems launched its Gobook MR-1 to the European market--the 0.9-kg rugged notebook measures 10 x 16 cm and has a 5.6-inch outdoor-viewable SVGA display. The MR-1 runs on a 1.2 GHz Core Solo U1400 processor and can handle up to 1 GB of Ram. The Gobook can manage multiple embedded wireless radios and standards--four wireless radios, simultaneous Wlan, Pan, GPS and Wwan with seamless roaming.

A new life-saving clothing system for high-intensity combat is the Integrated Tourniquet System from Blackhawk. The company relates that far too many lives are lost in combat from loss of blood and the need for a simple tourniquet. The new system contains integrated tourniquets in both high and low areas on arms and legs and can be operated by the wearer without assistance.

The Gore-Tex folks displayed new prototype uniforms and fabrics for the British 'Tape Seam' contract, which covers sleeping covers and foul-weather gear, and company officials whispered that the integration of rain gear into everyday wearable clothing is being brewed back at their headquarters. That sounds like of 'less for the soldier to pack, less to carry'.

Also in the less-to-carry category; Lifesaver Systems had the first ten production Lifesaver bottles on hand to demonstrate what many bottled water companies don't want to see. A water filtration system that can be carried by a soldier and will safely and immediately clean up to 6000 litres of water from any supply except urine (and will not desalinate). The bottle weighs 630 grams empty and will clean up to 70 litres in four to five minutes--enough for any squad to drink their fill. The company is focusing on the special operations/ forward operating teams and any logistics division responding to natural disasters as the system doesn't create piles of discarded empty water bottles.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Parting the Waters

A short stroll to the dockside at DSEi revealed a dramatic sight; an impressive display of warships from across Europe dominated by the Royal Swedish Navy's new Visby class corvette. It's slab-sided, stealthy appearance stood out against the more prickly silhouettes of the frigates and minesweepers moored behind. This was the ship's first visit to Britain and it proved to be a highly popular attraction. Despite its daunting size, the heavy use of composite materials in its construction gives it a weight of just 600 tonnes. As usual with the stealth principle, the vessel combines its shape along with acoustic, infrared and electronic signature management to keep a low profile on the high seas.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Raytheon unveiled its laser system which could be a powerful addition to the M61A1 20-mm Phalanx naval gun system. A laser will give the system the ability to hit rockets and artillery fire, thereby greatly increasing a vessel's self-defence capabilities. Compared to using kinetic weaponry, a laser could afford some all-important weight savings as far as warships are concerned.

The show illustrated another aspect of naval technology that is coming of age, namely Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV). Navies have long used tethered remotely operated vehicles for mine clearance and inspection, but the potential for their untethered cousins to aid the acquisition of intelligence is growing. To this end BMT Defence announced the completion of concept studies for a hangar that could house, launch and recover an AUV from a submarine. Launching from a submarine's torpedo tube is no easy business, as it has to be designed for this from the outset, which then limits the equipment and technology that it can carry. It also does not solve the problem of recovering the vehicle once it has completed its mission.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

BMT's solution rests on a hangar that could be fitted to a submarine to allow the AUV to be recovered, after which it can download the information it has gathered before being readied for another mission. One concept that the company has discussed is having such a hangar built-in to a submarine's sail in future vessels, taking advantage of developments in non-penetrating mast design to position the hangar beneath the top of the sail.

One such AUV to fit this application could be BAE System's Talisman-M. The Talisman benefits from the same rapid prototyping that the company has used on its air vehicles, and BAE Systems anticipates that the vehicle could be particularly useful for mine warfare. Sea trials have begun at the Royal Navy's diving school in Portsmouth, England. In keeping with BAE System's healthy performance on the western side of the Atlantic, the company is equipping the US Navy's Common Neutraliser mine counter-measures initiative with the Archerfish single-shot mine disposal system.

Conversely Hydroid, an American company specialising in AUVs, was celebrating the decision of the Royal Navy to order two of its Remus 600 vehicles to meet the British force's need for an underwater reconnaissance drone. Hydroid has already supplied the Royal Navy with a Remus 100 AUV in 2005 to perform reconnaissance operations at depths between 30 and 200 metres. The Remus 600's primary task will be mine countermeasures and hydrographic survey. The two AUVs will enter service in spring 2009.

The Dutch were also celebrating with the news that Thales Nederland will supply a host of equipment, including communication systems and sensors, for the Khareef ocean patrol vessels operated by the Royal Navy of Oman. The shopping list includes Thales' Integrated Communications System, Smart-S Mk II surveillance radar and the Sting fire control system, all of which will be delivered to VT Shipbuilding, who is to construct the Khareef vessels by next year.

Meanwhile, the Scanter 4100 radar design produced by Terma continues to win orders. The air/surface-search system will be installed on patrol ships ordered by Trinidad and Tobago, along with the radar's maiden deployment on the HMS Clyde, the new Falkland Island's patrol ship of the Royal Navy.

Macs for the UK?

MacNeillies entered the mainstream military vehicle market when it unveiled its prototype Military Armoured Carrier System (Macs). The vehicle is one of several contenders--along with the new BAE Systems RG31 Mk 6 and the Thales Bushmaster--for the United Kingdom's requirement for about 180 Medium Protected Patrol Vehicles. MacNeilles designed a monocoque armoured body shell fitted with Mercedes-Benz S5000 4 x 4 Unimog cross-country vehicle components, including power train and running gear. The vehicle's dimensions (5.77 metres long, 2.36 metres wide and 2.45 high) and gross weight (from 9.5 to 14 tonnes) enable carriage inside a C-130. The baseline armour of the Macs can be upgraded with applique, including V-shaped belly plates and wheel-arch protection to counter IED blasts.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pinzgauer

AE Systems was able to unveil the new 6 x 6 Pinzgauer II all-terrain vehicle at the show, this following its recent acquisition of Armor Holdings. The Pinzgauer family of 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 vehicles is in service with the armed forces of 29 countries. The ergonomically re-styled Pinzgauer II offers additional height and width, with an increased 3.8-tonne payload capacity enabling it to carry two standard Nato pallets or up to 14 personnel. Features of the new Pinzgauer II include a Euro 4-compliant, six-cylinder, 145 kW-output engine, enhanced air suspension and flexible armour system. The vehicle will be available with a new bonnet-out-front design called Mantis which offers additional mine blast protection and the traditional Pinzgauer cab-forward design. The Pinzgauer II has a maximum road speed of 80 km/h and a range of about 1000 km. With production vehicles available from 2008 BAE Systems officials said the Pinzgauer II is already being marketed to potential customers in Asia and northern Europe.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Protector

I hales UK and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace announced a teaming agreement that enables Thales to manufacture the Norwegian company's Protector remote weapons station at its Glaswegian facility for future British requirements, including the Medium Protected Patrol Vehicle and the Future Rapid Effects Systems. Thales will no longer produce its own Swarm (Stabilised Weapon And Reconnaissance Mount) RWS although it will continue to provide support for existing customers in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. The agreement will exploit the experience Thales has gained developing and manufacturing sighting systems for British Army armoured vehicles, including the Challenger 2 tank, Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) and Warrior infantry fighting vehicle. Kongsberg has received orders for more than 2000 Protectors including some 1800 M151 models to equip the US Army's General Dynamics Land Systems--Canada Stryker vehicles. In August Kongsberg was awarded a one billion dollar framework contract to deliver up to 6500 RWS' derived from the M151 for the US Army's Crows (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) programme. Production at the company's Norwegian facility and US factory in Johnstown, Pennsylvania will reach 200/month by early next year.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Trackfire at the Ready

Saab Systems launched its Trackfire modular remote weapon station, for which it began development in 2004 as a private venture. Saab has two units ready for demonstrations and customer trials. Development will be completed by the end of the year. Designed for use on all types of military vehicles and vessels the system comprises a stabilised sensor and weapon platform, an operator console and system electronics. It can be equipped with a 5.56 mm light machine gun, 7.62 mm medium machine gun, a .50 calibre heavy machine gun or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The weapon can be reloaded from below armour or deck, thus improving crew survivability. The weapon/sensor mount weighs 136 kg. The system incorporates slew to cue and automatic search and track functions. The modular design allows the customer to specify auxiliary armour kits, a quick-change weapon solution, a generic auxiliary armament interface, multi-grenade launcher interfaces and exchangeable sensor packages. The Trackfire can be integrated with a battle management system to provide surveillance and target acquisition and can also be linked as part of a defensive aids suite.

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

British Future Aircraft Carrier

Although the British Ministry of Defence has yet to award a production contract for two 65,000-tonne Future Aircraft Carriers (CVF)--to be named HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales--, which are intended to be the core of the Royal Navy's power projection capability beyond 2016, the Aircraft Carrier Alliance is already awarding contracts for long-lead items. Alstec, a subsidiary of Babcock, is expected to receive a contract before the end of October to supply the Highly Mechanised Weapon Handling System for the ships. The system is designed to speed up the loading of weapons and at the same time reduce the weapon handling complement aboard the ships by 75%. Wartsila has received contracts for technical support work and long-lead items for the ship's main and emergency diesel generator sets. Each ship will be powered by two twelve-cylinder and two 16-cyclinder Wartsila 38 engines with a twelve-cylinder Wartsila 200 engine as an emergency generator. Alliance officials were confident that the French plan to order a carrier to the same design would survive the new government's defence review.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Series 4100 Radio

Rohde & Schwarz highlighted an HF protocol stack that includes the company's new M3SR Series 4100 radio for sea-based or any stationary communication system. The Series 4100 provides automatic link establishment, parameterisation and waveform selection through software definition (read SDR). Three power classes from 150 to 1000 watts are available and the radio can be remotely controlled via a Lan interface. (Armada/JK)

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]