FGUP TsNIITOChMASh of Russia has released information on a cartridge round for sniper use on “covered targets.” According to FGUP TsNIITOChMASh the round includes the shell, hard-alloy core including head and cylindrical tail parts, and lead jacket. The front section of the hard-alloy core is made in a conical shape, and the rear section is made in the shape of a tapered cone adjoining front cone directly by lesser base equal to front cone base.
The front cone length is (0.3–0.5)d, top angle is 90–120 degrees, tapered cone length is (0.6–0.8)d, generation line tilt angle of tapered cone is 5–15 degrees, larger base diameter of tapered cone is equal to the tail core part diameter, and total core length is (2–3)d, where d is the bullet caliber.
Covert Surveillance Gear
Ajoka, Hong Kong, a provider of a broad array of surveillance products, has unveiled a micro camera and several additional covert surveillance products. Each is a fully functional surveillance device carefully hidden inside everyday objects, like pens, cigarette lighters and even belt buckles. All are designed for quickly and efficiently completing legitimate surveillance activity.
Pen camera—A 4 GB capacity and built-in DVR functionality for storing up to 16 hours of audio and video evidence with date and time stamping, all housed in a professional looking ball point pen.
• Cigarette lighter—Micro SD capable device captures audio and video for later playback and storage.
• Belt buckle—Although it looks like a standard man’s belt buckle, it contains a means of recording sound and video. Capable of utilizing up to an 8 GB Micro SD card for archiving recordings.
• Wall charger—This regular-looking adapter plugs into a wall outlet in the home or office and records up to eight hours of activity.
• Sunglasses—With a high-polymer rechargeable battery and an internal 2 GB memory, these hidden camera sunglasses can record up to five hours of video on a single charge.
South African Mini UAV
www.defenceweb.co.za has reported that South Africanbased Advanced Technologies & Engineering (ATE) has secured a first export order for its Kiwit mini aerial observation system (MAOS). The UAV was shown for the first time in September 2008.
A company spokesman said the sale to an undisclosed Asian country brings the hand-launched UAV to production status. The Kiwit has an endurance of one hour at an altitude of 500 feet above ground level and can perform aerial observation tasks at ranges of up to 5 kilometers. It weighs 3.5 kilograms and takes 10 minutes to assemble.
The mini UAV was derived from the Vulture tactical UAV now in service with the South African Army Artillery Formation.
Plunging Fire
A recently reviewed Russian artillery design concerns artillery shells intended for warhead re-orientation of projectile launched from a rifled barrel. According to the literature, the artillery shell features a remote stabilizer in the form of telescopic helical tail that can spin at final trajectory in a direction opposite to rotation obtained by the shell in the barrel. Again, according to the literature, the stabilizer has a parachute effect. ♦