Shows & exhibitions.

All exhibitions, including Idex, have their ups and downs, but many will tell that this year's Abu Dhabi performance was definitely an the high, if not one of the best so far. Icing on the cake, it was held for the first time in the city's brand-new and well-appointed exhibition centre. Perhaps the only criticism that could be made was the tightness of some of the stands, particularly outdoors, making vehicles difficult to appreciate and photograph.

Much About New 4 x 4s

Talking of vehicles, not only did they probably take the lion's share of the exhibition but there also was a plethora of new-generation heavily-armoured troop transport and scout 4 x 4s, many of local and middle eastern origin. Their striking characteristic is their size: they are huge and a true sign of things to come. The Hummer was big in comparison with the set of wheels it replaced--the Jeep--but size escalation is definitely not coming to an end as evidenced, for example, by the Marauder and the Matador. These totally new vehicles were launched by Middle East Defence Systems, itself a joint venture between Kaddb (usually pronounced 'kadbee' but stands for King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau) of Jordan and the Paramount Group in South Africa.

The two vehicles are based on 176-kw MAN mechanicals driving a ZF automatic gearbox, but at 6.5 metres the Matador is one metre longer than its Marauder stable mate. At first glance, the shape of these massive vehicles instantaneously reveals their designers intentions; to offer maximum protection against roadside and buried so-called improvised explosive devices as clearly evidenced by their deep V-shaped Swedish hardened steel plate hulls and double side panels.

Some 50 units are apparently already on order from an undisclosed non-regional customer. Tipping the scales at 14.5 tonnes in combat order, they still afford a five-tonne payload. Yet, they both boast a not-too-arrogant overall finish with ample glasswork, two features that are regarded as a 'softening bonus' in peacekeeping operations. Even larger models are already in the pipeline, with a 20-tonne six-wheeler soon to be rolled out.

More Vehicles

Rheinmetall displayed an impressive range of vehicles. These included a new version of the Tokeh that had been unveiled at Eurosatory in 2006. Initially developed specifically to be carried inside the NH 90 helicopter, the vehicle is fitted with an automatic gearbox and central tyre inflation system, and is now also eligible to ride in the Osprey. The German manufacturer is still working on another version that would offer increased armour protection, notably on the sides. This would be achieved by using an integrated armoured body shell as opposed to add-on armour.

Gavial. Parked near the Tokeh was the Gavial, which is in fact based on the French Panhard PVP that was procured in large numbers by the French Army. The 4 x 4 is described as, << offering outstanding protection against mines and small arms fire >>, for a vehicle of this class, also being, << impervious to dust, heat and abrupt changes in weather conditions >>.

Fuchs. Also on display at Rheinmetall's was the first of 32 Fuchs 2 (Fox) ordered by the United Arab Emirates in 2005. Formal deliveries of the NBC and reconnaissance system will begin soon after these lines are printed and continue over a period of two years. There will in fact be three versions. Sixteen will be in NC (nuclear and chemical) configuration, eight in a specific biological detection guise called Fuchs Bio and the remaining eight will be command posts.

As reported by the author two years ago in his Idex show report (see Armada 3/2005), the Fuchs 2 affords a larger internal working space thanks to its raised roof. The resultant greater weight has commanded the installation of stronger suspensions and upgraded brakes. It is powered by a 315-kW MTU 199 TE20 diesel, has a top road speed of 100 km/hour and a range of 700 kin. The RS version will be fitted with Rheinmetall's Model 609E remote-controlled station carrying a 12.7 mm M2 machine gun and a Thales Sophie thermal camera.

Fres. In an interesting move, Nexter (formerly Giat) has responded to a Fres request for proposals and has decided to build aVBCI chassis for its own export demonstrations in addition to the five prototypes that are already in the hands of (and owned by) the French DGA. A company official explained to the author that the aim of the operation is to demonstrate a qualified platform to the British Army and to show how this programme, even with the necessary adjustments, will enable time saving and meet the initial delivery date of 2012

VBL Ingwe. Also presented as part of the International Golden Group was a new combination of two existing items, the Panhard VBL and Denel's Ingwe long-range anti-armour missiles, the lat ter carried on a roof-mounted Denel Armed Long Range Reconnaissance Turret. Interestingly the system can be fired on the move, the operator using a day and night sight for this purpose.

In the Air

Opale. Astonishingly, for an exhibition that focuses on ground equipment, a flying aircraft was involved. Indeed Rheinmetall and Diamond Aviation regularly flew what is now termed an << optionally piloted aircraft >>, and the pictures collected by its gimballed turret could be seen and controlled from a ground command station at the exhibition. The whole point being demonstrated is that by using a normally manned light aircraft that doubles as a drone, civilian airspace can be legally and safely overflown by an aircraft that is controlled from the ground, the onboard pilot taking over if and when needed. However, for patrolling battle areas, the aircraft can be used as a totally unmanned drone capable of eleven-hour missions. The aircraft, having a payload capacity of 190 kg, could be fitted with a synthetic aperture radar. The United Arab Emirates is expected to come up with a request for information on Male drones in 2008.

Mav. Honeywell displayed its Mav, giving a new slant on a potential application besides being part of the Future Combat System. It has indeed been found that this vertically-flying drone could be used as buried-mine detector, the downwash of its shrouded propeller blowing the surface dust of a track away to help its infrared sensor detect changes of temperatures. At the time of the show, company officials said that it had been demonstrated during tests conducted in conjunction with a Stryker in 2006 and it would be demonstrated in Iraq, << in a few months >>. The intention of Honeywell to fit the Mav with a gimballed sensor pod will certainly help it in this new role. Apparently, interest is now being shown by civilian authorities. The company is also considering the development of a turbine-powered version. Currently, the Mav has an endurance of 50 minutes. This 33-cm diameter shrouded drone weighs 7.7 kg with full fuel complement, flies over 100 (reprogrammable) waypoints and has a range of ten kilometres depending on environmental (urban) conditions.

Sea

The Armaris-DCN stand featured the model of a somewhat familiar but smaller than usual submarine. Designated SMX-23, it is based on the Scorpene design. As explained by a company spokesman, the aim of this project is to offer a lower-cost solution to those nations who wish to enter the submarine scene. While it retains all the functionalities and construction technology of its forebear it has a shorter endurance (15 days). It has six SM-39 Exocet-capable torpedo tubes, but no room for reserves. Simplicity has also been retained in propulsion by adopting a diesel-electric suite. << There is no point in fitting a Mesma air-independent propulsion system as the aim is to remain at half the cost of the Scorpene, and it is essentially aimed at providing a deterrent in one's coastal waters. >>

Electronics

Datron offered the author to have a chat with the company President and Chief Executive Officer, Arthur R. Barter, to explain the new orientation taken by this radio manufacturer, which somehow makes it unusual for an American company. << We became a private company and do not want to grow through debt. Our main market is outside the US. We don't manufacture radios or prototypes for the US, unlike others who go for the US first and then try to sell their products to other countries. >> This really set the scene. Mr. Barter strongly emphasised the fact that Datron's prime aim in doing business is to first explain the profit potential customers can make through a strong relationship and by listening to their current and future requirements and, above all, ensure that the products are easy to use (for instance, the radio menus do not have more than three layers). The company's forte is its presence in the customer countries, which means that a set does not need to be sent back to San Diego for a repair.

Datron essentially focuses on UHF and VHF tactical radios. Asked what was the export rate of his company's products, Mr. Barter replied, << Over 90% percent of our military business is export [over 80 countries]. We are particularly strong in Africa and this region [referring to the Middle East] and over the past four years we are the main suppliers to the Afghan armed forces. Ease of use [of our radios] was a definitive advantage. They had never seen a frequency hopper or an encrypted radio before! >>

One of the latest radios is the software-defined RT7700, which is in the final stages of development to be ready for demonstrations by the end of 2007. In compliance with the company's self-imposed rules, it is simple to use, menus never have more than three layers, and it even has a 'help' button. The set is also controllable from a computer via Ethernet, incorporates a high-speed data analogue and digital modem and 256-bit encryption.

Fair-Unfair

As mentioned in the introduction paragraph, this year's Idex was one of the best and extremely dense in terms of new defence systems. We thus had to make a choice in the programmes described in this report and preferred to concentrate on those that could be put in some kind of perspective. However, those that had to be left out for space reasons will find their way into future Armada International articles.

Active Self-protection

For some time Saab has been working on a solution to provide an active defence system for armoured vehicles, as indeed (and repeatedly proven in recent events) normal classical armouring solutions are showing their limits, particularly in terms of weight, size and capability, against the latest tandem-charge anti-tank weapons, whether guided or not. One of the first systems devised by the company was known as the Leds 50 (Land Electronic Defence System), which used a set of laser warning systems that triggers off smoke cartridge launchers. Unfortunately, the system required the turret to be trained. A swivelling launcher was then designed and called the Leds 100 that could rotate 90[degrees] in less than ten milliseconds. The former was ordered by the Netherlands and the latter by Kaddb.

Saab then embarked on developing the Leds 150, which is intended to actively attack incoming rocket-propelled grenades from all sectors by loading the smoke launchers with a special munition that defeats the incoming weapon's warhead (fired from a distance as short as 20 metres) but without detonating it. This considerably reduces collateral damage as it confines the lethal area to a cone of only 11[degrees] perpendicular to the axis of the weapon. The turreted launchers are so quick that the system can handle a missile every 300 milliseconds. The system is scheduled to be demonstrated in October of this year.

Next on the development line are the Leds 200 to deal with top-attack and smart munitions and the Leds 300 to snap kinetic and high-explosive tank munitions. The company presented a number of films showing the performance of the turret and prototype systems. The small turret (see picture at left) rotates horizontally, upwards, onto the opposite side and parks back into home position before the watcher's eyes has any time to really adapt to the speed--to the extent that slow repeat action has to be played to distinguish what previously was a sumptuous blur. For the Leds 300 it was noted that a steerable counter-weapon had to be used. Saab is thus working with Denel on the development of such a 'missile'. Prototypes have already been tested, as again a short film proved; the projectile blows the fins off the incoming penetrator, the blast echoed from the ground lifts its back upwards and therefore the dart dives into the ground within 150 metres. So far the three tests carried out against three 105 mm calibre kinetic penetratots have resulted in a 100% kill rate. The systems are nevertheless still under development and up to this time require quite an amount of tweaking, but the company is confident that a viable system will be ready by 2010.

Yet another amazing video shown by Saab was an infrared camera clip of a man in a field literally disappearing from the scene, very much in the same way as in the Invisible Man series. The key to the mystery comes in the form of a multi-spectral spray that totally alters the thermal signatures of the object on which it is applied. The idea now is to apply this technique to armoured vehicles by fitting them with a number of self-spraying nozzles. The added benefit is that the spray is also a flame extinguisher and thus instantly puts out petrol bomb fires.

Tiger Cocktail

Unveiled at Idex was the air defence armoured Nimr (Tiger), known as the Nimr AD, designed by the Bin Jabr Group with MBDA and Rheinmetall. The vehicle, which is manufactured by Advanced Industries of Arabia in Jordan (part of the Bin Jabr Group headquartered in Abu Dhabi), features two twin MBDA Mistral launchers mounted on the sides of a Rheinmetall Multiple-purpose Turret System (with another four missiles stored inside the vehicle). The <800-kilo turret, for its part, features Rheinmetall's Eoss stabilised day and thermal sensor (mounted between the vertical Mistral mounts) which houses a 3-5 [micro] Saphir imager and an integrated laser rangefinder. Completing the armament is a 12.7 mm machine-gun to afford vehicle self-protection. While the turret can be operated from the vehicle, it can also be controlled by a remote. As displayed here, the Tiger is in its final stages of development (live firing tests being scheduled for 2008, according to Rheinmetall, with deliveries in 2009), but the basic vehicle, which size-wise compares with a Hummer, is already in production in various guises, such as troop transport, shelter carrier and 'station wagon', which is the closest variant to the type on which the Nimr AD is based.

Engine: 5.9-litre, 146 Kw Cummins Eusb 190   Length: 5.815 metres
Gearbox: Allison                             Width: 2.20 metres
Max weight: approx. 6 tonnes                 Road speed: 140 km/hour

Although it was not on display, another variant of the Nimr, known as the Nimr AT, is also being developed and promoted, using the same basic turret but carrying four 3000-metre range Milan ER anti-tank and anti-bunker missiles from MBDA. Advance Industries of Arabia is also envisaging the development of a 6 x 6 variant of the vehicle.

Agrab Grabs Singapore's Srams

Under the auspices of the Emirates-based International Golden Group, Denel of South Africa, Singapore Technologies and BAE System not only unveiled the Agrab (Scorpion) mobile mortar system, but also announced the signature of a contract for 48 systems for the United Arab Emirates to the tune of AED 390 million. The Agrab was designed with the Emirates' requirement in mind, but its use was described, << for roles when long-range artillery is not needed, but when artillery [nevertheless] is >>.

At the heart of the RG-31 4 x 4-based weapon system lies the Singapore Technologies Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (Srams), a fast-firing 120 mm mortar with automatic round loader. Governing the Agrab is the Denel Arachnida fire control system. Originally designed as an artillery man-machine interface, the Arachnida was tweaked for this application and retains ease-of-operation through a touch-screen display to cover the following functions: mortar laying, ballistic computation, mortar management, command control and connectivity and vehicle navigation (based on GPS and Fin3110 laser ring gyro).

The Srams has a firing rate of ten rounds per minute and a range of 8.2 km with the HE bomb. Other bombs include bi-spectrum smoke, standard illumination and infrared illumination and the improved conventional cargo carrying 25 anti-personnel/anti-armour submunitions with a penetrating capacity of over 75 mm of rolled homogeneous steel. The vehicle carries 46 bombs in two carousels plus a rack with a complement of another twelve.

Thus equipped, the Agrab weighs 14 tonnes, has a road speed of 90 kin/hour (40 km/hour off road) and has a fuel range of 800 km.

Datron's new RT7700 software defined radio will be available for demonstrations by the end of 2007. The PRC7700 is a 30 to 88 MHz frequency-hopping digital radio (over 200 hops per second) with a 256-bit comsec facility and replaces the older Spectre but slips into the same vehicle racks. The HH7700 (right) is unique by being the first five-kW hand-held set to offer the full 30 to 88 MHz band. It is fully compatible with the other two sets.

New Style Rippel Effect

The result of a management reshuffle of former Milkor, Rippel Effect came to Idex with a new 40 mm grenade launcher known as the XRGL40. In fact, the product is so new that it was still undergoing qualification tests at the time of the exhibition. However, it may have entered initial production by the time these lines are read. The 'XR' in the designation actually denotes the 'extended' effective range of the weapon, as it can wreak havoc at a distance of 800 metres. As amazing as it may sound, due to its new ERLP munition, a company official said that it could replace a 60 mm mortar at that range arguing that a 60 mm has a useful range of 1000 to 1500 metres, adding, <<and that in this case of attack, a grenade launcher is needed in any case, so you no longer need to carry a mortar--and a battle dress can carry 36 rounds>>. Everything is new with and about the XRLG: it is made of stainless steel instead of cast steel, is lighter, smaller and of reduced diameter and has a new sight (a home-developed device known as the GRF40) incorporating a rangefinder which can be used with night vision goggles, although Ripple Effect is working on the possibility of fitting a clip-on night device. The new round is on the other hand 51 mm long instead of 46 and was obtained by employing a high-velocity projectile but filled with a slow-burning propellant. The 230-gram projectile thus has a higher muzzle velocity of 125 mm instead of 76.

Thales Comm@nder

There is probably nothing more complex than establishing a comprehensive command and control structure that is able to provide a man in charge with every element, development and status to enable him to anticipate and make the right decisions at the right time, and which, in addition, presupposes the availability of shared situational awareness amongst the players involved.

In a C4I system, what one can see--the displays and consoles--really is only the visible part of the iceberg. What lies beneath is an extraordinarily intertwined piece of software and a network of radios that actually work. This requires great experience in terms of both software development and communication systems.

Thales proved at Idex that it has both, having given demonstrations of its new Comm@nder operating principle, which actually called all the attention of the local defence authorities. Thales know-how has enabled the company to first understand what the client actually has and wants in order to build a system around his existing structure instead of tossing out existing systems and throwing in new gear (which requires going all the way up the learning curve again). This novel approach is the forte of the Comm@nder system. One could easily visualise it as a huge, but soft, mass of imaginary communications compound that can be carefully dropped over an existing structure to snugly fit around all its contours, but also remain soft enough in time so that additional libraries can be plugged in (the vertical 'books' seen in the Comm@nder's bookshelf-like structure in the title picture above). These can be regarded as 'services trade books' covering air, land, sea C2, intelligence, joint operations and so forth.

The flowchart given herewith can provide a better understanding of what the Comm@nder can achieve in the manner described above. Its tactical displays show all that flies, rolls or sails, to use the company's own words, but also opens up on the outside world to provide teleconferencing, drone live pictures, special operations, real-time weather forecast, maps of all runways and, if you wish, even CNN.