Tech Intell

Soukos Robots SA, Larisa, Greece, has released information on an anti-RPG protection system for vehicles and helicopters.

The concept centers around grids of electrodes made of a high strength material, strong enough to withstand the kinetic impact without being destroyed, mounted on the protected platform. When impacted with an incoming RPG round, the company claims that several features contribute to the defeat of the warhead. The first is the strangulation of the warhead between the grids of electrodes, which have a cross-section of between 2 and 10 millimeters. The second is through the application of a reversely polarized modulated electric signal in the adjacent grids of the electrodes using at least two electronic operation devices. “During the impact of one or more grenades on the shield’s energetic surfaces, the device instantaneously directs modulated electronic pulses, which contribute to the destruction of the grenades,” according to the company.

Diesel Quad

Defense vehicle engineering specialist, Roush Technologies, United Kingdom, has announced an intensive international user trials program to demonstrate the capabilities of the latest variant of its successful 6x6 lightweight air-portable platform. The program includes a number of overseas locations and a wide variety of terrain, operational and climatic conditions.

The new variant, which is based on a similar design already in service, has been configured initially as a battlefield mule for close infantry support and casualty evacuation, although the design is readily adaptable for a wide range of other duties and applications. The base vehicle platform weighs just 750 kilograms and is capable of a payload capacity of up to 1450 kilograms—twice its own weight. The unit is also compact enough to be internally transportable within key operational fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft.

The latest variant has also been re-engined—and top speed has been significantly increased. The exceptional mobility of the current in-service fleet has been retained—approach angle of 81 degrees, a departure angle of 50 degrees and a laden traversing stability of 25 degrees.

Roush business development manager Bill Waddell said, “Troops now on active operations in theater can have to carry up to 80 kilograms of kit—in both arduous terrain and difficult climatic conditions. One area of thinking behind the new variant high mobility Roush platform is that it could be deployed to accompany and support a typical small patrol. It could carry the bulk of their personal kit, plus required ordnance and supplies and leave troops less fatigued and better prepared for action. In the event of injury, two side-mounted quick release stretcher modules can be deployed for casualty evacuation.”

Roush engineers have developed the platform and packaging to accommodate a range of turbocharged direct injection diesel engines between 1.4 and 2.0 liters, designed to improve vehicle performance at high altitude. The fuel systems are designed to accept Diesel 1 and 2, JP8, JP5 and B20 biodiesel. Automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive is retained. A fully NATO compliant 24-volt electrical system is incorporated with a high performance, high output alternator.

SA Army, Special Forces Get MILAN

The South African Army (SA) and the Special Forces have received the first of about 30 anti-tank guided missile launchers upgraded at a cost of about $20 million as part of Project Kingfisher.

The contract provided for the remanufacture of MILAN (Missile d’Infanterie Leger ANtichar—infantry light anti-tank missile) launchers placed in storage in 1996 to an “advanced digital technology” standard. The South Africans contracted European missile maker MBDA in December 2006 to upgrade some of the Army’s MILAN launcher inventory to ADT (ADvanced Technology) standard and to provide new MILAN 3 missiles for the launchers.

SA acquired the second-generation semi-automatic command line-ofsight (SACLOS) missiles in 1974, and the original missiles were deemed too old to safely use by the 1990s. SA employed the MILAN in combat in southern Angola in the 1980s. Although details of its use remain sketchy, it is known to have been used by 32 Battalion and 5 Reconnaissance Regiment during Operation Modular in 1987.

MBDA said the SA Army formally accepted the missile at its German facility at Schrobenhausen in December 2007, a year after the contract was first inked. MBDA and local BEE-empowered partner Fulcrum Defence Solutions (FDS) delivered the first batch of rejuvenated MILAN ADT firing post to the SA Army on February 16. The delivery also included MILAN 3 munitions and a training simulator.

Next followed troop trails at the SA Army’s Infantry School training institution in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape province. As SA is the launch customer of the Milan ADT firing post, the trials were also the first operational evaluation of the new, fully digitized mount, MBDA said.

Article edited from www.defencethink.co.za. ♦

* Compiled by KMI Media Group staff