The show does go on. (Shows & Exhibitions).

Tatra's new 12 x 12 `special vehicle' in its basic bare chassis form requires over 14 metres lengthwise of parking room. Capable of carrying loads over 26,500 kg, it is currently pure speculation as to where this behemoth will see its first action.

The worldwide reduction in defence spending and acquisitions paints a bleak picture of future purchases for many nations. But the reality of the situation at the 2002 Eurosatory exhibition in Paris was composed from a different pallette--not only were fresh deals afoot, but even the show's venue was new.

On the move in Paris was Stewart & Stevenson TVS UK, which announced its partnership with three British companies to compete for the UK's 1.4 billion [pounds sterling] Support Vehicle programme. Joining LDV, Lex Defence and Multidrive, Stewart & Stevenson is looking to capture the lucrative deal which will require 8200 military cargo, tanker and recovery support vehicles that are capable of high-performance off-road mobility.

Mercedes-Benz rolled in its off-roader G-model with a new 270 CDI diesel powerplant; a five-cylinder, direct injection engine that develops 156 hp and 370 Nm of torque. Sporting permanent all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, the G-models are available in either 2850 or 3400 mm-wheelbase variants. Body styles include a station wagon, panel van and a bog standard chassis and cab for a variety of body choices.

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, fresh from the round table with the Royal Netherlands Army where it had signed a contract to supply 57 PzH2000 self-propelled howitzers, cast quite the space-gobbling shadow over the exhibition grounds, showing its Leopard 2, Leopard 2 A6 EX, the PzH2000, its Fennek reconnaissance vehicle and the Dingo APCV.

MTU discussed the development progress of its new MT 890 HPD (High Power Density) powerplant range for armoured vehicles. Output ranges will fall between 750 and 2000 hp, with five separate cylinder variants--6 to 16 valves. An approximate 50 per cent reduction in weight and volume lowers the power/weight ratio to 0.81 kg/kW. MTU has developed a `hot' cooling system for the new engine, where a dual-circuit system and an increase in the maximum coolant temperature (approx. 20[degrees]C higher) combine to create an equilibrium between the flow of heat into the coolant and the transfer of heat from the ambient air that ensures a significant drop in return coolant temperature.

Barco again pushed the pixel limit in the display sector with its 28-inch 2k x 2k FD 471 rugged flat panel display. Designed for C4I and ATC applications, the unit is illuminated by four field-replaceable backlight trays for consistent image quality. The 20 x 20-inch viewable display was an eye-catcher, partially due to its shallow 116 cm depth. Barco announced a touch of action in the contractual arena, with STN Atlas selecting its 18-inch flat panel displays for use in STN's Kleinfluggerat fur Zielortung (KZO) UAV project. DRS reached for 80 of Barco's 21.3-inch modular rugged flat panel displays for use in the Opus2 console slated for a European mine hunter programme. These displays will be integrated in a variety of the Opus2 dual-head multifunctional consoles for command & control and sonar applications.

The Aspen Water stand was overflowing with water purification systems, including its 1800BC/BP (briefcase/backpack) system that has been earmarked for the US Special Forces. A specially designed backpack allows man-portability of the 16-kilogram BP unit that operates on 90 to 260 VAC at either 50 or 60 Hz from virtually any international power source or from a 24 VDC military connector. Aspen has also supplied military units in Afghanistan with its Aspen 5000M water purification system--a 95-kilo transportable system that will treat between 15,000 and 19,000 litres per day. The company says any non-saline water source, ditches, rivers, lakes or standing puddles, can be treated, even those that may contain chemical and/or biological contamination. The unit features a two-stage protective shutdown system, engaging in the event of a failure in the disinfecting process.

Dap Technologies, for its part, had a veritable cascade of products on show, displaying its new CE8640 Microflex Mobile Computer on stand--under a waterfall! The (obviously waterproof) hand-held unit operates the Windows CE.net system with a variety of bundled client/server, browser and other software titles. An Intel StrongARM SA 1110 206 MHz processor pushes from 16 to 64 MB of SDRam and illuminates a clear, 165 mm diagonal backlit touch screen display, which features automatic contrast temperature compensation. 1 IrDA port (4 Mbps), two Serial, a 10 Mbps Ethernet 2 USB and ports are either standard or with an optional cradle system give host to most any communication requirement--the unit also sports an integrated environmentally-sealed speaker with an optional microphone. Armada witnessed a two-meter drop test of the unit, which is water and dust proof (IP67), ruggedised to withstand temperatures between -30[degrees] and +50[degrees]C and meets Mil-810 standards. The company also mentioned that ESRI's new geographic information system software, Arcpad, is now compatible with all of its Microflex CE units.

Following in the footsteps of the Mirach 100/5, the Nibbio (Kite) system from Italy's Meteor commanded quite some floor space at the show. The high-subsonic drone offers land, air and at-sea launching capability and travels at a high-speed to its target, to be recovered by a parachute system for land or sea touchdowns. The Nibbio is a fast recce asset capable of loading a variety of datalink and sensor equipment, to include IRLS, a pan or a framing camera, a synthetic aperture radar or an ESM suite. Vehicle length is 4.1-metres, wingspan 2.3 and total height 90 centimetres, giving a low profile, which is nevertheless protected by a series of chaff and flare dispensers controlled by threat warning receivers. The Falco is a turboprop TUAV (Tactical) designed to give certain Army and Special Forces units an electro-optical surveillance and identification system in a medium-altitude environment. The Falco offers short take-off and landing and pneumatic catapult launch capability. Meteor's threat simulator configuration of the Mirach 100/5 has recently been selected for the evaluation and tests of a series of missile systems, including the Iris T, Fsaf/Aster and the Amraam. France has ordered 39 Mirach 100/5s with options for a further 50. Deliveries of the first tranche should continue through the end of 2006.

In the Hand--On the Back

Masters of Defense (MOD) had a sharp showing with the new Mk V Atac blade, and its smaller cousin the Mk VI, which are both front-weighted for good hacking ability and sport very savage-looking side hilts for limited penetration and hooking. MOD produces a variety of defensive knives, including the CQD series, which is very popular with the US Navy Seals and has been ordered by mobile security division of the US State Department, Coast Guard, certain Swat units and other government agencies. All MOD knives were designed by martial arts masters and specialists in lethal force training.

Blackhawk Industries forwarded quite a handful of new products to Paris, including its range of load-bearing vests, one of which was mated to a low-profile multi-role lifejacket collar from Cullen Safety of the UK. The life-jacket, which is in use in the US, Britain and Finland, keeps the user's body canted at a 30[degrees] angle during flotation and is custom-built in displacements ranging from 150 to 725 Newtons. The modular collar can be zipped on and off, depending on the mission.

In line with Blackhawk's solid product range, the company also brought its new Hellstorm Kevlar Solag (Special Operations Light Assault Glove) into view. The leather and Kevlar gloves have been tested at temperatures up to 800[degrees]F, and are designed for tactical law enforcement or any land or waterborne military operations that require breathable, quick drying and lightweight hand protection.

The ubiquitous Camelbak hydration systems, recently very popular with US and Canadian troops (and international journalists) in Afghanistan, were under great scrutiny at the company's stand as the Camelbak selection of designed-for-the-military hydration systems continues to grow and evolve.

Thales Nederland signed a contract covering the delivery of 62 Squire ground surveillance radar systems for delivery to the Royal Netherlands Army and Marine Corps. The Squire is a man-portable medium-range unit that detects and classifies moving targets at up to 24 km distant. Thales, the Optronics division this time, recorded another win with an order to supply the multi-sensor (thermal, laser rangefinder, direct day optical and video) gunner's sight for Giat's new VBCI infantry fighting vehicle.

Nammo and General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products (GD ATP) covertly disseminated info to Armada that the GD ATP Striker Mk 47 machine gun system had completed testing with over 19,000 of Nammo's 40 mm grenades at Aberdeen testing grounds. The system was tested by units of the 573 5th Special Forces Group and the 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger regiment. The Striker combines integrated sensing, targeting and computer technology in a video-based fire control system that was designed by General Dynamics Canada. The US Special Operations Command has recently awarded the Mk 47 the `Milestone C' designation, which certifies it ready for its initial production cycles beginning mid-2003.

Short Range Ahead

Regular readers of Armada will have become familiar with the Oerlikon Contraves Pyrotec 35 mm Ahead ammunition and its swarms of sub-projectiles launched into the path of a target aircraft. Ahead is now in service and fired from suitably modified towed air defence gun systems. Oerlikon Contraves has now filled what it sees as an outstanding need for a Self-Propelled Anti-Air target System (Spaag) firing Ahead ammunition and suitable for mounting on a variety of armoured vehicle chassis. The complete system consists not only of the 35 mm Ahead revolver cannon turret but a search radar and suitable air defence missiles for very short range engagements.

Many details of this Oerlikon Contraves proposal remain to be determined, but it is known that the drives will be powerful. The cannon crew will not be located inside the turret but will control engagements from under the protection of the carrier vehicle hull.

Yet another T-72 Update

These days it seems that no defence exhibition is complete without at least one T-72 update proposal on display somewhere. At Eurosatory it was the turn of the Finnish Patria concern to assume the mantle. Patria displayed a private venture project to update existing T-72 tanks by replacing the existing power pack with a more powerful one. The main power source selected is the French Cummins Wartsila V8X 1000 turbocharged diesel developing 1000 hp. The engine, a de-rated version of the 1500 hp unit installed in the French Leclerc main battle tank, is coupled to a fully automatic ESM 350 transmission with eight forward and three reverse gears. The new power pack provides a maximum speed of 71 km/hr, about as much as any tank crew can withstand other than over the smoothest surfaces.

Getting the engine and transmission into the T-72 engine bay is a bit of a squeeze so the power pack is mounted transversely with the revised cooling system on the left. Although there seems to be little space to spare it is claimed that a complete power pack change can be made in 60 minutes.

For the tank enthusiast, one of the main attractions at Eurosatory was probably the first public showing of the AMX-30B2DT mine-clearing tank on the Giat outdoor stand. This system is based around a much-modified AMX-30 tank with the main armament removed and extensive provision made for land mine clearing. The most obvious clearing provision is the Israeli Ramta mine plough array at the front. Two Demeter magnetic signature generators are located over the front of the hull to detonate magnetically fuzed mines before the clearing vehicle gets near them. A Pearson cleared path marking system is provided at the rear of the hull, while added protection for the vehicle in forward areas is noticeable through the lavish provision of Bremus up-armouring kit panels.

As the AMX-30B2DT will have a very hazardous combat role to play, operating in advance of other forces, the vehicle and its systems can be remotely controlled via line of sight by an operator located up to 1000 metres away. It is planned to increase this stand-off distance to 3000 metres under day and night conditions, although this will probably involve operators located inside two VAB light armoured vehicles.

Good News for CTA 

After many years of development and careful testing, CTA International, a BAE Defense/Giat collaboration, was informed that the Defence agencies of the UK and France had signed an agreement to make a substantial investment in the CTA International Cased Telescoped Weapon System (CTWS).

The news came just in time, for a CTWS 40 mm gun could be seen installed on a Warrior IFV. The Warrior is but one possible future application for the CTWS (as a mid-life upgrade) as other possibilities include the planned Future Rapid Effects System, which would include the French Engin Blinde a Roues de Contact. CFWS gun installation trials have already taken place with a US M2 Bradley IFV, and several other applications are in prospect.

The joint agreement will enable CTA International to bring all elements of the CTWS up to the so-called Technical Readiness Level 7 (TRL-7), in effect, the system being ready for delivery and installation as required. It is hoped that the complete system will be ready for integration and production by the end of 2004.

The CTWS involves the 40 mm gun, two types of ammunition (APFSDS and GP, the latter a high efficiency fragmentation and blast projectile) and the ammunition stowage and feed system

Denel/Diehl Alliance

Eurosatory was the venue that Denel of South Africa and Diehl Munitions-systeme had formed an alliance for the joint production of advanced future artillery ammunition systems for Nato and the European market. In fact, the alliance has existed for some time as DMS supplies the dual spectrum (visual and infrared) smoke for one part of Denel's advanced Assegai 155 mm projectile family, intended to be fired as readily from 52 calibre tubes as from 39 calibre tubes. DMS also supplies the insensitive high explosive filling for another Assegai projectile.

On display was one Denel/DMS project that seems certain to attract further attentions. It is a Trajectory Correction Fuze (TCF) that can be retrofitted to many existing artillery rounds. The TCF is based around a conventional multi-function fuze body but including a GPS receiver element. If the TCF projectile GPS element can autonomously detect that the carrier projectile will pass too far over a pre-specified target area, a cloth-covered wire mesh collar will spring out from the body. This drag plane will spoil the airflow over the projectile and thus dictate a decrease in range, permitting improved accuracy and reducing the number of projectiles needed to effectively cover a target area.

The Denel/DMS TCF is not limited to range correction for it retains a proximity function and even an increased delay function to enable it to penetrate hard targets such as structures before detonating. All the time the trajectory correction function remains available as an option for both high explosive and cargo projectiles. Live firing demonstrations were held as far back as June 2001.

Oshkosh In the Future

Another item of alliance news announced at Eurosatory was that between Oshkosh of the USA and Abro (formerly the Army Base Repair Organisation) of the UK. Oshkosh is one of the prime contenders for the UK Ministry of Defence's Future Support Vehicle (FSV). The FSV requirement calls for about 8000 six-tonne medium-light cargo vehicles, nine-tonne medium cargo vehicles and 15-tonne heavy cargo vehicles, the first to be ready for trials during 2005.

The Oshkosh/Abro alliance will result in Abro supplying cargo bodies for Oshkosh trucks and also supplying general integration and other support. Oshkosh will also supply production technology and processes. The basis of the Oshkosh FSV submission is a revised version of their six-tonne, 6 x 6 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) already in series production for the US Marine Corps. The MTVR has already shown itself to be a very tough, well-performing vehicle, one of its performance assets being its ability to climb gradients where it is difficult for a soldier to walk. A fully independent suspension allows the MTVR to deal with virtually any type of terrain it is likely to encounter, something assisted by an automatic central tyre inflation system.

The Oshkosh proposal for the FSV contest, namely an MTVR with a forward control cab, will provide several attractions for the UK and European markets where manoeuvring in tight areas is more prevalent than in the USA, while the lower height profile will assist air transport. In addition, the forward control feature will be useful when negotiating approaches to military bridging and similar hazards.

While the base vehicle for the FSV is a six-tonne vehicle the basic chassis is extremely versatile. In its base form it could meet the FSV nine-tonne requirement while an additional axle could cater for the 15-tonne truck. Also proposed are various tanker and 8 x 8 wrecker models. The prospect of using one base vehicle for a number of applications would make maintenance, spares commonality and general logistic support that much easier, while reducing long term life costs. The UK FSV specification calls for a service life of at least 20 years.

Micro Tavor Goes 9 mm

Small arms innovations were rather thin on the ground, making the first appearance of IMI's 9 mm Micro Tavor all the more welcome. This new Israeli sub-machine gun is a derivative of the 5.56 mm Micro Tavor, billed as the world's shortest assault rifle and part of the much larger Tavor rifle family.

The 9 mm Micro Tavor does not resemble the full scale 5.56 mm Tavor assault rifle but neither does the 5.56 mm Micro Tavor. Both Micro variants are intended for Special Forces applications, being only 520 mm long. They have undergone extensive field testing with the intended end users who suggested the introduction of several changes from the original design. The most noticeable is the omission of the usual large trigger guard in favour of a more conventional pistol group. To prevent hands slipping over the short muzzle once in action, the moulded forward hand guard is contoured with a protective lip. A short length of MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny Rail is provided for mounting various red dot or other sighting systems.

On the 9 mm Micro Tavor, the usual gas operated rotary lock mechanism is replaced by simple blowback. The original magazine housing is retained but adapted to accommodate standard Uzi 20-, 25- or 32-round box magazines, the easy availability of the Uzi units being a major selection factor. Thanks to the 250 mm long barrel, the muzzle velocity is 400 m/s and combat range accuracy is enhanced. The Micro Tavor 9 mm can be supplied chambered for 0.40 S&W ammunition but no doubt other calibres could be supplied.

Tatra's Monster

The Czech Tatra truck concern can usually be relied upon to provide new product at any defence exhibition but they managed to drop something of a bombshell at Eurosatory. Prominent on their outdoor stand was the bare cab and chassis of their largest venture to date, a 12 x 12 load carrier. The length of the cab and chassis alone is 14.03 metres, the planned payload being 26,560 kg. Such a load would give this monster a gross vehicle weight of 45,000 kg. Power is provided by a 324 kW Cummins diesel coupled to an automatic transmission.

Tatra trucks are already in licence production in India, where they have long been adapted to a number of special purposes. India now has the Agni long range ballistic missile in prospect so it would make sense for a locally-produced product to act as the carrier and launch vehicle, rather than rely on outside sources. The Tatra 12 x 12 may therefore be the solution.

Tatra also turned up with another Indian connection. This time it is a proposed Tatra 6 x 6 or 8 x 8 mobile firing platform for the South African Denel 155 mm G5-2000 gun with a barrel length of 52 calibres. The towed version of this gun has already undergone extensive firing trials in South Africa, delivering maximum ranges of over 50 km with enhanced range ammunition. Apparently, India has expressed interest in the 8 x 8 gun/platform combination so it has been proposed as the 155 mm T5-2000. As yet this project remains in the concept stage.

Singapore Rollout

The rollout of the Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) 155 mm Light Weight Self Propelled Howitzer (LWSPH) prototype had taken place just before Eurosatory. The LWSPH weighs only seven tonnes but carries a 39-calibre 155 mm howitzer capable of a 30,000 metres maximum range when firing ERFB-BB projectiles. The light weight means the LWSPH can be carried inside C-130s or CH-47D helicopters, once on the ground the space frame chassis, 170 hp turbocharged diesel power unit provides speeds of up to 80 km/hr on roads; the cruising range is 600 km.

The prospects for the LWSPH look bright, for it will provide rapid deployment and airborne forces with a source of heavy firepower soon after their operations commence, rather than relying on lighter towed equipment, as has been the case in the past. Interest has already been demonstrated by an association relating to the LWSPH between STK and Oto Melara of Italy. Stand by for more regarding the LWSPH.

On the Carpet

Yet another new item from Israel's ever growing inventory of land mine clearing equipment is the Carpet, shown for the first time anywhere. Developed by Rafael Systems Division, the Carpet is an add-on mine-clearing rocket launching system to be installed on any main battle tank or specialised combat engineering vehicle. The frame-mounted launcher box, which weighs 3.5 tonnes, carries 20 ready to launch rockets delivered from a range of 65 to 165 metres from the target minefield. The fin-stabilised rockets each weigh 46 kg, their 265 mm diameter warheads containing fuel-air explosive. On impact with the ground a Stubby stand-off probe ensures the Carpet rocket payload detonates at just the right height to create an intense blast wave that will detonate any land mines in the vicinity. The rocket fins remain intact to act as cleared path markers.

Rockets can be launched individually or under the control of a system that fires all rockets as the host vehicle proceeds. During launch the operators are under the protection of the vehicle's armoured hull and do not need to work outside other than for loading. All 20 rockets can be expended within one minute, creating a cleared path through a minefield up to 100 metres long.

The Carpet is not confined to tanks. It has been suggested that a system could be towed behind an APC or even installed within an APC. Training rockets are available. The Carpet is already operational with the Israel Defence Forces.

The Family of Tow

From the Arizona desert, Raytheon carried its next-generation Tow missiles for an unveiling ceremony at Eurosatory. The new extended range Tow 2A and 2B versions can fly out to 4.5 km, vice the previous 3.75 km. A new aerodynamic airframe and a wireless guidance capability upgrade the 2B variant. All the new Tow missiles are available as new-build or retrofit to existing Tow 2 weapons and digital launcher systems, and for export customers through the US Foreign Military Sales office. News-wise, Raytheon announced its reception of a $35 million contract for the production of more than 370 Stinger Block I and Re-programmable Microprocessor missiles for the US Army, which will provide for continued Stinger production through a two-year period, with deliveries to begin in January 2004. Turkey had also signed an agreement to purchase more than 170 Stinger launchers under a pending $34 million contract. (Raytheon)

Viewing the Short and the Long

A new, lightweight, high performance, long-range TV camera from Radamec Defence, the 206-003, can detect small targets at distances in excess of 10 km. A 3-CCD colour camera sensor improves image resolution to near-broadcast quality, enhancing recognition and identification at any distance. The unit features a motorised built-in x2 optical converter, giving a 0.3[degrees] field-of-view, and doubling the focal length of the lens. The camera (seen on top of tripod) offers a 100:1 zoom ration and features an RS422 serial link control and an internal thermal management system that protects it in temperature extremes between +50[degrees] and -20[degrees]C. Saddled below and to the side of the long-range 206-003 is seen Radamec's new 206-101 compact colour zoom TV camera, which had just returned from successful trials with the Belgian Army. At barely two kilograms, this ruggedised little Cots-produced electric eye is temperature stabilised and sealed to ensure continued use in a wide range of temperature extremes. The 206-102 version is fitted with an optical range extender to give a field-of-view narrow to 1.6[degrees]. (Armada/JK)

Finnish Successes

Sisu of Finland and Renault Trucks of France have for long had an agreement whereby Renault components are incorporated into Sisu trucks, with Sisu trucks being distributed in France by the Renault Trucks network. That agreement has gone one stage further by the French Army placing a contract with Sisu for 110 Sisu 480 E-Tech 6 x 4 tractor trucks to haul French Army heavy armoured vehicles on semitrailers. The trucks are powered by Mack 480 hp diesels, another Renault product. The bulk of the order will be delivered between 2003 and 2004.

The French contract forms Sisu's biggest export order to date and follows on from a busy period for them. Sisu has only recently completed delivery of some 200 of its advanced 8 x 8 High Mobility Trucks to the Finnish Defence Force, including examples with load handling systems.