Arquus Scarabee goes airborne...

via Shepard Media...

Vehicle manufacturer Arquus is developing specialist trailer technology to enhance the capability of the Scarabee 4x4 light armoured vehicle (LAV) to support airborne operations, company officials have disclosed to Shephard.

Exhibiting the LAV to the international market for the first time at the Paris Air Show on 17 June, Arquus informed Shephard the upgrades would be suitable to undertake airborne insertion evaluation with a series of tactical transport aircraft including Airbus Defence and Space’s A400M.

Company officials said it was ‘too early’ to discuss specific timeframes for airborne insertion evaluation with the A400M. However, sources confirmed a single A400M would be capable of carrying up to three Scarabee LAVs, each one equipped with the new trailer which could be used to haul specialist equipment and capabilities.

The trailer, which has been designed with an integrated rechargeable battery to extend the mission endurance of small unit teams, could be used to carry a remote controlled weapon station or radar solution, company officials disclosed to Shephard. Alternative utility could see the trailer re-roled for troop transportation and cargo resupply missions, it was added.

A technology demonstrator of the trailer is due to be completed at the end of 2020 in response to emerging customer requirements, company officials claimed.

Story here. 

 

Lithuanian military receives first two Vilkas (Boxer) IFVs...

via Defense Aerospace.

One of Lithuania’s new Boxer infantry fighting vehicles fires a Spike anti-tank missile during evaluation trials. Lithuania has ordered 88 Boxers from Germany’s Artec. (Lithuania MoD photo)
On June 25 first two of 88 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) “Vilkas” were delivered to Lithuania. After a year of intense testing in training areas and testing centres of Germany and the Netherlands, serial production of the squad-level fighting vehicles for the Lithuanian Armed Forces has started.

IFVs “Vilkas” have been made by a German manufacturer ARTEC, according to the requirements of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The vehicles have Israel-made turrets, 30 mm MK-44S cannons and “Spike LR” anti-tank missiles, other specialised equipment and electronic systems.

The first IFVs “VIlkas” will be delivered to the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Battalion in Rukla to carry out acceptance procedures and after that formally given for using in the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

Story here.

I have to wonder why a small military force would go for what is arguably the most expensive IFV on the planet.

There are other good options out there but I guess the co-production scheme actually held sway.  I have no visibility on the process but I'm betting that Patria or General Dynamics Europe could have sold them AMV-28s or Piranha Vs for a better price.

Czech military signs contract for 62 Titus 6x6 Armored Vehicles...

via Defense Aerospace.

Deputy Minister of Defense for Armaments and Acquisitions Section Filip Říha and Milan Stupka, Managing Director of Eldis Pardubice, Ltd., signed a contract for the supply of 62 wheeled TITUS 6x6 armored vehicles on Friday June 21, 2019.

The contract covers 42 wheeled armored vehicles in command post version, and 20 others in the artillery coordination of fire support (MKPP) variant, and includes logistic support and training. The value of the contract is 6,072 billion crowns including VAT (€237 million—Ed.), and deliveries will take place in 2022-23.

"We have successfully completed a project that has been addressed since 2015. Our army acquires new combat vehicles that will be produced in the Czech Republic and will significantly contribute to the modernization of our ground forces," Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar stressed.

“In order to adapt to the conditions of the modern battlefield, we need a new armored vehicle that will enable us to reinforce command and control capabilities of deployed units, both within our country and abroad. TITUS will replace obsolete equipment and will equip units from the 4th Brigade Task Force,” said Army Commander General Aleš Opata.

TITUS vehicles were developed on the Czech Tatra 6x6 chassis and fitted with a combat extension from the French company Nexter Systems, from which Eldis acquired exclusive licensing rights related to delivery, production and service.

This vehicle gets little attention but as far as the "truck to armored vehicle" market segment, I think its probably at the top of the class.

What has me particularly jazzed is that its capable of carrying a decent number of troops.  Almost makes me think that OSHKOSH is missing the boat by not doing the same with the MTRV.

More Littoral Combat Ship INSANITY!

Thanks to Filippo for the link!

Navy's newest Littoral Combat Ship damaged after smacking into a moored ship in Canada: https://t.co/cI0AnhKlxT

— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) June 26, 2019

Filippo said he was speechless.

I'm fucking shocked.  Are you shitting me? 

The Navy didn't even do us the courtesy of smacking into a Chinese warship...no they picked on a Canadian merchant ship.

Just plain awesome.

Mi-28NM...via Joseph Dempsey's Twitter Page from Russian Airplanes Website...

Some are saying that the nose has changed but I just don't remember and don't have time to Google it.  Still some pretty awesome pics though. Question for my Russian readers.  Is the KA-52 dead now?

BAE press release says its building an ACV-30...

Press release...

“The ACV has proven to be a versatile platform capable of numerous configurations to meet current and future mission requirements,” said John Swift, director of amphibious programs at BAE Systems. “With this award, BAE Systems will be able to develop a family of vehicles that will deliver the technology and capability the Marines require to accomplish their mission in support of our national security.”

The contract calls for the design and development of the command (ACV-C) and the 30mm medium caliber cannon (ACV-30) variants. The ACV-C incorporates seven work stations to provide situational awareness and control of the battle space. The ACV-30 integrates a 30mm cannon to provide the lethality and protection the Marines need while leaving ample room for troop capacity and payload.

BAE Systems was previously awarded a low-rate initial production contract in June 2018 for the personnel variant (ACV-P). The Marine Corps announced the ACV had successfully completed anticipated requirements testing and would no longer be pursuing an envisioned incremental ACV 1.1 and ACV 1.2 development approach. The program is now known as the ACV Family of Vehicles, which encompasses the breadth and depth of the vehicle’s capabilities and multiple variants.

Here (note...you can also download my banner pic in high resolution too...just follow the link!) 

Not even one tiny bit pissed about this news.

Marine Corps procurement (with the exception of aviation) is moving toward the possible now, with an eye toward improvements later.

A 30mm cannon on the ACV will STILL REPRESENT A TREMENDOUS STEP FORWARD IN FIREPOWER over the current AAV.

Additionally it does not mean that a move to the 50mm is out of the cards in the future once the US Army does the heavy lifting on development.

Win.  Win.  Win.

BAE North America is hungry so they're gonna get this done poste haste too.

Chalk that up as another feather in the program's hat.  Quite honestly this might be a model of "how to do" acquisition right.  I can't think of a better run program...can you?

New ACV pic...

Don't lie.  You can't tell me that rig don't look bad ass!

Anyway, I hope they get that recovery version up and running.  Time to retire the AAV and get our armored fleet in order.

Upgrades to the M1A1, buying the ACV...along with development of a gun and command/control version, upgrades to the MTVR, buying the JLTV, upgrades to the M777....

What's left to do?  The M88A2 was recently done.  The GA/TOR is being bought to provide fire support/anti-air/ and other stuff.  The LCAC is being upgraded.

As much as I've beat my drum seems like things are well in hand.

Early morning, pre-sunrise rollout of the @Sikorsky S-97 Raider.....via Dan Parsons Twitter Page...

Early morning, pre-sunrise rollout of the @Sikorsky S-97 Raider. pic.twitter.com/zvPFlCOLa3

— Dan Parsons (@SharkParsons) June 25, 2019

I've been a fan of Sikorsky but their performance of late has been disappointing.  Less sunrise rollouts, more flying the damn thing!  Get the problems sorted out and get this beast in the air!

Saudi F-15 shoots down drone .... Killing drones is the new sport in the Middle East...

#BREAKING: The UAV of #Houthi rebels which was shot down by #SaudiArabia's F-15C fighter jets recently was in fact the SIGINT variant of #Iran made Shahed-123 which is in service of #IRGC|ASF since 2018. #RSAF released video of its shot-down over S. #SaudiArabia yesterday. pic.twitter.com/uO3SA8i0CD

— Babak Taghvaee (@BabakTaghvaee) June 25, 2019

This is getting interesting.

Drones were suppose to be the "wave" of the future but its becoming more than a little apparent that they're basically unusable in the new fashion that's hit warfare worldwide.

This hybrid warfare thing is going to require a rethink of things.

Question.

It's common knowledge that drones are useless (at least the ones we currently have) in a peer vs peer conflict.

What happens when even in what we would have in the past considered "low level"/insurgent warfare they become non-viable?

Does this mean that we've seen the end of the current generation of drones? Do we need a second wave of development with AI now to aid their survival?

From my chair it looks like we do.  Additionally the idea of countermeasures on these things seems like a no-brainer...of course that will add to the cost but as of right now they can't run, they can't turn and they can't defend.  We're looking at multi-million dollar targets.

The only thing we haven't seen is the first Ace in the drone killing business but I'd bet its coming soon.

Open Comment Post. 25 June 2019

What happens when you've suffered REAL oppression for so long that it not only crushes the body, but also the mind and spirit?  

You could mistake a new oppressor as a liberator...taken to its extreme you can see your liberator as your savior...a literal God.

US short range anti-air systems compared to the rest of the world...

Steve Trimble posted this and it tells the bad news.  Our systems aren't even competitive much less effectictive.

The only shining star is that the US Army seems to FINALLY be wrapping its head around the idea that the USAF won't be able to guarantee air superiority in the next big war and that they'll have to protect themselves against air attack.

That HOPEFULLY means more effective systems will be coming online soon...although I note with a bit of trepidation that the legacy anti-air will probably be with us in a different wrapper for the foreseeable future.

Open Comment Post. 24 June 2019

An epic battle fought on the pages of comics that is being mirrored in today's society.  Which do we value more?  Safety or Security?  Hydra Capt America or Original Cap?

Ya know what had me cheering?  The part where he states you stand and fight...you stand and fight...you stand and fight.  This is how you are tested and how the enemy is tested.  They made us feel small and weak...and then at the climax of the confrontation, Cap stands victorious and says "never again"...even though he knows there will be a next time.