Brave new world.

It quickly became obvious to the visitor this year that Eurosatory was projecting what many had predicted but that had never really materialized to such an extent in an exhibition until now: the new trend in defence. And this had nothing to do with the fact that the exhibition was held for the second time in the modern facilities offered by the Villepinte exhibition center.

A Part from a few exceptions, including, of course, French national exhibitor Giat, large, heavy weapon systems were indeed hard to find. The impression was not so much on an emphasis of any kind but rather more that all parties concerned separately converged on the fact that agility and flexibility are badly needed. Mobility is not just a matter of producing light gear, but also to provide everyone with the means to exploit such an advantage. Indeed, a light, fast and easily air-transportable vehicle filled with soldiers equipped with stale-of-the-art equipment remains a sitting duck if it does not know where to go. This might sound somewhat caricatured, but largely prints out what Eurosatory was all about: to be mobile, protected and informed, with all what the concept entails upstream,

The Buzzword 

Transformation, if not on everybody's lips, certainly was amongst the most repeated words, but unfortunately the consequences of transformation is far from being fully understood--or rather, given the same interpretation everywhere. For a number of governments it brings about a good excuse to cut down on the amount of individuals and equipment in the armed forces. Very much, by the way, like the other big subject of the moment, network-centric warfare (see the various denominations and interpretations given by different nations in "Revolution or Passing Fad" in this issue). The two are in fact intertwined.

Thales projected a stunning synthetic image film of a land war scenario involving United Nations forces in 2017 and incorporating a holographic model of an urban scene, non-line of sight radar and robots for both mine detection and scouting in an urban environment. No, non-line-of-sight radar is not an editing mistake although it may sound strange: it is in fact a UHF device that uses atmospheric diffraction to detect a vehicle hidden behind an obstacle at a range of five to ten km depending on vehicle size and the prevailing environment. In a nutshell, the purpose of the film is to show how the Ooda principle (observe, orient, decide, act) must be shortened--in other words, totally revise the operational thinking pattern.

Thales then moved the spectator from the projection room to give a demonstration of a simulator that enables the parameters of a transformation, which entails teaming of services' capabilities, to be defined. This tool (the development of which is funded by the French defence procurement agency) will ultimately deliver solutions before any hardware commitment is made. The main problem with understanding transformation, one Thales official explained, is <<we are starting with legacy systems, so a smooth transition is required. [...]. We advocate a progressive approach, but the thing is not to let [them] be locked into current habits and doctrines>>, which is an ambitious programme in itself, not to say rather arduous. The company's system goes as far as studying a major potential problem, which is the mass of information that such a modernisation will generate. <<We'll have to build a mechanism to avoid jamming the network with burst systems>>. Moving on to other difficulties infocentric warfare will generate, he added that it will <<lead to [constant] blue force tracking because IFF does not work in an urban environment>>.

While all the rage is about communications making connections, Bahia 21 is launching the Sizo--a new system aimed at doing the contrary. The 'Silent Zone' system was designed to disrupt cellular phone traffic in a threatened (terrorist) environment. Intended for use in determined areas and in frequencies between 20 MHz and 3 GHz, the Sizo only activates upon picking a cellular phone signal and instantly generates a false signal to the telephone retransmitter. According to a Bahia 21 official, American security agencies are interested in a helicopter-carried version, and a special model to counter remotely controlled bombs is underway.

Men and Weapons

Soldiers, along with their personal weapons, portable anti-armour weapons, mini-drones, robots and vehicles are increasingly viewed as forming whole; an entity. At Eurosatory this was highlighted by the French future soldier programme--the Felin headed by Sagem, various scout robots (including one from Israel), and the soldier's base, a vehicle equipped with all manner of voice, data and video transmission equipment, as well as self-defence and land attack gear. In France, this is known as the Boa programme, an acronym that perfectly reflects the concept and that literally translates as <<aeroterrestrial operational bubble>>. In English, replace the word 'bubble' with 'cell' and the concept becomes crystal clear. In fact, it resembles the American Future Combat System, but on a smaller scale. In the wake of the formal announcement of the Boa demonstrator programme by French Defence minister Michele Alliot-Marie at the exhibition, Thales, Giat and Sagem promptly decided to unveil their consortium to bid for the programme.

Led by Thales, this team will also (and obviously) work in partnership with MBDA and Eads. Totally immersed in the infocentric warfare concept (quote: <<moving from pyramidal communication systems to flat Internet-based networks>>), the Boa is aimed at providing light forces with a rapid out-of-area deployment capability in various operational theatres, particularly urban, "from peacekeeping to high intensity peace enforcement", said an official. What remains now is to see how a counter-terrorism component can be inserted into the concept.

As part of the Boa concept, MBDA has already embarked on a study (under a DGA contract) with a view to replacing the Milan 2T and Milan 3. Known as the MCT, this non-line-of-sight missile will have an indirect fire capability and will equip perhaps the VBCI but certainly the EBRC. In the latter vehicle, the missile will be fired vertically and target acquisition performed on a touch screen. Demonstration trials are expected to commence in 2008 and will show its ability to perform its N-los capability, by virtue of which it can be fired 'blind' in the rough direction of the threat, then transmit the scene ahead of it to the operator in the vehicle who can then designate the target on the touch screen. However, since the MCT is slated to enter service around 2015 on the one hand, and because not all soldiers will be Felins on the other, there is also a sharp need for a missile that will bridge the twelve-year gap and also offer a viable solution to current Milan operators (see Diehard Milan box). In this N-los context. MBDA confirmed to the editor that the Polyphem project was definitely terminated but that the technology it incorporated would be used in the MCT.

To remain on the subject of non-line-of-sight missiles, Raytheon gave Armada a presentation of its own Nlos-LS system. Following a simulated demonstration, according to the company, the US Army became a full supporter of the system, which basically comes in the form of a 2200 lb (~one tonne), 15-round Hummer-transportable boxed launcher. "The launcher can be left alone with its 15 missiles, has GPS and 'knows' where it is" explained one Raytheon official. It contains two types of missiles:

* loitering missiles with a range of 70 km and a 30-minute loitering capability, carrying a data link and a laser radar seeker

* precision attack missiles with a range of 5 to 45 km equipped with an uncooled infrared seeker and a semi-active laser seeker able to distinguish through clutter and moving targets.

The missiles use global position satellite navigation for mid-course navigation update and have a datalink to provide images ahead of them. One of the 19 Future Combat System core programmes, the N-los has seen its system design and development funded to the tune of one billion dollars in March 2004 for a period of six years, by which time it should be ready to enter the preproduction stage.

Heavier Weapons

In the field of artillery, MBDA is currently working on a guided MLRS system, whereby the rocket becomes a missile in its own right. Contract negotiations are currently underway which could lead to a full development in order to be available by 2007. A high degree of commonality with the existing MLRS is seen as a prerequisite to win the British Army request for proposal. Nevertheless, the missile is seen as a "three-times 100", i.e. a 100 kg warhead--100 km range--100 k[euro]/unit.

Uprange in calibre, Israel Military Industries also had news at the exhibition as it unveiled its new armoured vehicle 105LW lightweight gun, confirming the growing need for highly effective and mobile weapons of this almost forgotten calibre--a path already followed by Mecar (see Armada 3/2004, page 144) and General Dynamics. The Israeli gun tips the scales at 1550 kg and fires standard Nato rounds including fin-stabilized discarding sabot types.

Higher up still in calibre, Giat and Bofors Defence made a presentation of their new Bonus Mk II submunition for 155 mm rounds. While externally the Mk II is similar to the earlier type, it has been improved to cope with the propensity of vehicles to be equipped with increasingly effective infrared signature suppressors. To do so, Giat and Bofors have replaced the existing sensor with a more sensitive multi-spectral infrared diode that acts as a 3-D scanning ladar to better determine the size and shape of targets, their temperature and thus reject flare signals and already killed vehicles. So far, 48 rounds have been test fired resulting in a 'one shell--one kill' score. The submunition will be qualified this year to be put into production in 2005. The Mk II will replace the earlier version in the deliveries currently underway to France and Sweden. The former has 6000 rounds on order and the latter 3000 but each have already taken delivery of 1500. Further deliveries will thererfore be Mk II variants.

Dynamit Nobel and Corner Shot joined forces to present an urban combat weapon; the Corner Shot Panzerfaust (CSP)--a proprietary system that matches the RGW-60 recoilless grenade launcher with Corner Shot's unique fire control system, one which keeps the operator under cover when engaging an enemy vehicle or bunker-type structure. The CSP is a multi-use platform that can actually take a variety of disposable launchers (although optimised for the RGW-60) and be used many times over. Currently the RGW-60 can fire two shaped-charge warheads (Heat and Heat-MP) for engaging heavy vehicles and Hesh rounds for structures and light vehicles.

Vehicles

In the vehicle department, one of the two stars unquestionably was the new Renault Sherpa which has immediately found itself a customer, namely Giat. Indeed, as will be found in the Mobility supplement distributed with this issue, Mercedes Benz has put the 6 x 6 Unimog out of production, which meant that Giat found itself without a suitable vehicle for its Caesar 155 mm howitzer. In fact, the Renault Sherpa will come as a family that includes three 6 x 6s: the six-tonne payload Sherpa 5 (158 kW), the 13-tonne payload Sherpa 10 (266 kW) and the 16-tonne Sherpa 15 (also 266 kW), but also a larger brother in the form of the 8 x8 Sherpa 20 (304 kW) able to move a load of some 20 tonnes. The base that will be retained for the Caesar will probably be the Sherpa 15 with level 2 cabin protection. According to Giat, the first trials of a Sherpa-mounted Caesar could commence in February 2006.

The other star was the VBCI on Giat's outdoor display. The first of five running prototypes it was actually unveiled to the specialised press well before the exhibition near Giat's facilities in Versailles, where the Editor took the photograph featured in our title illustration (the vehicle was also featured in Armada 3/2004, page 104). This new-generation vehicle is still the only one of its kind to have been ordered into production. While the total run of 700 units for France may sound optimistic according to certain sources (budgets do have a tendency to be slashed), Giat has received a contract for a first batch of 65 for entry into service in 2008. Built around a welded aluminium carrying modular add-on armour, the VBCI will come in two versions: infantry combat vehicle and command post. With an empty weight of 18 tonnes the VBCI is planned to be air-liftable by the future European A 400M.

Eyes On

What was described as an anti-terrorist force protection system was demonstrated to the Armada editorial team by DRS Technologies. The system consists of strategically placed ground and water-based sensors that survey port, harbour and border areas for intrusions and/or suspicious activity. The company had planned a live demonstration in the Middle East within the few weeks following the show, with three operator sites monitoring a 20-mile swath. Wireless links integrated with a two-mile command link--all to be set-up within twelve hours, which is standard time for the complete system (barring sensors). The command station features DRS' proprietary software that can be customised for each application, and which tracks ground and water-borne targets and alerts the operator to activity outside pre-set parameters. The system is slated to receive swimmer detection sensor input. The US Homeland Defense department and a few Middle East countries have voiced interest thus far.

Remote sensors and remotely piloted vehicles are taking centre stage at today's defence exhibitions, and Eurosatory was no different. Some interesting ground, air and water-based remote vehicles are cropping up for a variety of labour saving and life-sparing tasks.

On Guard

Vanguard's Mk II robot spent its time crawling across the show floor, nudging visitors to look down and pay attention. Designed for EOD, IED and other high-risk environments, the Mk II is a lightweight, portable, tactical robot for inspecting unexploded ordnance and hazardous or suspected hazardous materials and transporting them to disposal containers or disrupting them on site. A laptop computer-based control system operates the robot's drive system, turret, shoulder/elbow/ claw-wrist and pincer, both the drive and claw cameras and the two-way digital communication system. The robot, which arrived in April 2004, features increased ground speed, longer mission duration and dual independent firing circuits. The Mk II has sold to the US Army. Navy and Air Force, and representatives from Turkey were seen closely eyeing the system during the show.

A Feeling of Felin

Sagem won the Felin development contract much on the fact that it played 'Weight Watchers'. The firm offered level 3 protection, but reduced weight from twelve to about seven kilos. Batteries were slimmed from 1.5 kilos to a mere 600 grams. In the end, Sagem is confident that it will manage to cut down the overall weight carried by the soldier to below 25 kilos. Sagem will produce ten prototypes by 2005, followed by 350 systems in 2006 to enable the French Army to test the concept involving both a paratrooper and a mechanised company by 2007. The French Army envisages the acquisition of dose to 32,000 Felin V1 gear sets. Evidence that the ties between man and 'home vehicle' are narrow, Sagem is also developing a vehicle fuel cell battery that will be used to charge the Felin batteries, Ultimately, the Felin will be able to carry its own fuel cells. But by this time--half way into the next decade?--we shall probably be talking of the Felin V2. (Armada/EHB)

Taking a Peek Safely

One distinct advantage to one side of the fence has arisen in the urban combat department in the form of what every soldier has always wanted--a way to shoot around corners without being seen. An American/Israeli company, aptly named Corner Shot, has developed what it describes as a counter-terror weapon system, which is one that enables the soldier to observe and engage a target from around a corner without exposing any body parts. The Corner Shot system attaches to most handguns used by Special Forces and uses a small, high-resolution camera and monitor to observe one's target. The video camera is also detachable from the frame, to allow the soldier to scan an area in a target search mode and broadcast the imagery to the other members of his team or to a command post. The detachable camera can also be strategically placed to 'watch' the soldier's back. (Corner Shot)

Diehard Milan

To bridge the gap between the current Milan and the future MCT, MBDA is looking at ways of improving the firing post by integrating a totally new infrared camera within the unit (bottom) to replace the current add-on device (top). This will also fully integrate the electronics of the Milan 3, but it will still be able to tire earlier rounds. In addition to this, MBDA is also offering a new Milan missile with a range extended to three kilometres and improved high-altitude firing performance as well as enhanced anti-jamming capabilities. The new missile system--a company-funded project--will be known as the Milan ER and will offer two modes, i.e. with or without a man-in-the-loop capability. The company is looking at an operational status of some time in 2008. (Armada/EHB)

The Multi Faceted MPRS 

Israel Military Industries put its MPRS--Multi-Purpose Rifle System--on display, demonstrating the system's unique combination of red dot sight, laser pointer, laser rangefinder, digital compass, fire control system, data link and interface to optional accessories The MPRS includes a series of rifle grenades, 40 mm grenades, a collection of other special warheads and the rifle itself along with the multi-purpose sight, which is compatible with almost any rifle and gives the soldier a complete system for operating in the urban terrain. One singular feature of the system is its ability to fire a CCD camera munition that provides real-time intelligence into and beyond concealed areas. So innovative is this camera munition that the company mentioned that once when it was used someone on the 'other side' picked up the munition and showed it around to the others--effectively providing a verifiable count of those involved. (Armada/JK)

Skyranger Convoy Protector

Oerlikon Contraves presented its air defence Skyranger remotely controlled turret, mounted on a Piranha, as befits a new Swiss system. The 3.4-tonne 35 mm revolver turret is still under development, but features an X Tar three-dimensional radar that neatly erects and tucks away into a protected recess at the back of the turret. This is an important feature as it contributes to making the vehicle transportable in a C-130 (and by the way, the only such system to be able to do so). The revolver gun will receive, when its development is completed, a double feed device that helps itself in a 250-round, ready-to-fire-ammunition container. As seen here, the Skyranger's 1000 round-per-minute gun (on the right behind the double-plated protected hatch) fires Fapds and HEI rounds, but can of course speed out the firm's famous Ahead, a little programmed devil that will shred even a small missile out of the sky. In fact, the search radar can control six vehicles equipped either with the revolver canon or short-range missile, like Stingers or Mistrals.

Oerlikon Contraves also introduced a panoramic vision system that is believed to be totally unique. It consists of eight one-megapixel cameras that provide each operator with a continuous picture of the outside world with full distortion and colour correction. (Armada/EHB)

Hermes Strike

KBP offered the first western viewing of its new Hermes missile. Aimed at replacing the Vikhr, the Hermes is in fact a family of missiles trimmed to suit the requirements of the three services. For example, the nominal range of 18 km can be extended to 100 km by virtue of a larger booster and a datalink, with final attack performed by the semi-active laser seeker.

Guidance systems differ according to the mission that can be anti-armour, anti-ship and even air-defence against slow flying targets.

A vehicle-launched type has a typical range of 40 km and uses both radar and datalink, while the air-launched Hermes A version only uses an inertial system to guide it to the target area where the seeker will then perform its final lock-on and thus enable the launching helicopter to remain well out of enemy firing range.

The naval Hermes K, which is suitable for ships as small as fast patrol boats, has inertial guidance for 18 km-range missions, but, like the land version, adds a combination of radio command, radar and a transmitter to guide the missile for 40 km missions. While the 18 to 40 km range variants are said to have been qualified in early 2004, the status of the 100 km variant is still unclear. However, it will probably play its main role in the naval discipline, as the warhead is able to inflict incapacitating damage to ships, conning towers and shore-based depots. (Armada/EHB)