Update: Australian Army upgrades Bushmasters with satcom capabilities
11 August 2023
by Oishee Majumdar
The Australian Army has equipped some of its Bushmaster 4×4 protected mobility vehicles with satcom systems as part of an ongoing programme to enhance battlefield telecommunications. (Capt Annie Richardson, Commonwealth of Australia)
The Australian Army has integrated satellite communication (satcom) systems into some of its Thales Australia Bushmaster 4×4 protected mobility vehicles, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) said on 3 August.
An undisclosed number of Bushmasters have been equipped with the satcom systems to enable “stable and reliable communication services, even while commanders are on the move in the battlespace”, the DoD said.
The initiative is part of Australia's Project Land 2072 Phase 2B, also known as Project Currawong, to enhance battlefield telecommunications. Project Currawong is led by Boeing.
Bushmasters integrated with the satcom systems are known as the Protected Mobility Headquarters on the Move (HQOTM) variant. This variant is a mobile version of the Currawong battlespace communications system.
Tom Minge, Boeing's Currawong programme manager, told Janes on 9 August that “the satellite terminals selected for the Protected Mobility HQOTM were built by L3 Harris and integrated into the platform by Boeing”.
Ukrainian UGV undergoes trials in Estonian exercise
14 May 2024
by Olivia Savage
The Sirko-S1 modular UGV developed by Ukrainian company SkyLab is designed to support resupply, medevac, reconnaissance, and mining operations. Its dimensions are 1100×800×500 mm with a maximum speed of up to 7.5 m/s. (Mykhailo Fedorov/Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine)
A Ukrainian-made unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), Sirko-S1, is undergoing trials in Estonia during Exercise ‘Spring Storm', held between 6 and 17 May.
The trials will focus on testing the vehicle's minelaying capabilities in collaboration with ASAX Innovation, the Estonian company said on 11 May.
Sirko-S1 is a 4×4 multi-purpose UGV with a 3 hour battery life, 160 mm ground clearance, and 200 kg payload capacity, making it suitable for various tasks. These include transporting cargo, evacuating wounded soldiers, conducting reconnaissance missions, and supporting minelaying and demining operations.
The vehicle, backed by Ukraine's Brave1 defence innovation cluster, has a 3 km operational range that can be extended out to 10 km with a repeater, SkyLab detailed. It is also equipped with a day/night 360° camera.
Along with this, the company is exploring the possibility of adding a “combat turret” to the vehicle, Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov previously noted.
South Korea plans to retire F-4 Phantom IIs in June
13 May 2024
by Akhil Kadidal
Four RoKAF Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-4Es conducted the fleet's final flight on 9 May 2024. The aircraft were painted in the various colour schemes used by the type over the course of RoKAF service, including a discontinued jungle camouflage pattern and a light grey scheme. Two aircraft were painted in the RoKAF's current dark grey colour scheme. (South Korean Ministry of National Defense)
The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) is preparing to retire its Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-4E Phantom IIs in June 2024.
The fleet conducted final weapon launches and a cross-country flight as it prepares to wind down from service, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) said on 13 May. Four F-4E Phantom IIs took off from the RoKAF's Suwon Air Base on 9 May for the commemorative flight, the MND added.
UK reopens Fleet Helicopter Support Unit tender
10 May 2024
by Gareth Jennings
A FOST Airbus AS365N2 Dauphin operated by British International Helicopters under the FHSU requirement. The MoD has put the tender out to requirement, hoping to secure a new service starting from 1 April 2026. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has reopened its requirement for a Fleet Helicopter Support Unit (FHSU) provider to deliver a crewed rotary-wing service to the Royal Navy (RN), having seemingly failed to do so on previous occasions.
A notification posted on the UK government's Contract Finder website on 8 May calls for bids for a contractor-owned service to deliver military and non-military personnel for the RN and to enable the conduct of operational sea training and supporting tasks, including the transportation of freight. The MoD requires the successful bidder to be ready to deliver an initial service to specified ships from 1 April 2026, with the contract expected to run for six years.
The Australian Army has integrated satellite communication (satcom) systems into some of its Thales ...
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