18 August 2023
by Jakub Link-Lenczowski
The 4×4 Waran launcher vehicle of the Gladius system with the FT-5 tactical reconnaissance UAV mounted. To the left is the training version of the BSP-U strike UAV. (Jakub Link-Lenczowski)
The Polish army unveiled the components of its new Gladius artillery strike-reconnaissance system during a military parade on 15 August, displaying a commander's vehicle and a mobile launcher vehicle, the FT-5 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and the training version of the BSP-U strike UAV (BSP-U(T)).
Huta Stalowa Wola's (HSW) Waran 4×4 is used as the base platform for the commander's vehicle and the launcher vehicle, with the former being the light armoured vehicle variant and the latter the pickup chassis.
While the FT-5 and the BSP-U(T) UAVs were shown at the parade, a WB Group spokeperson told Janes that the launcher vehicle could also operate other types, such as the company's Warmate 2 loitering munition.
Both vehicles are fitted with expandable antenna masts, RRC 9311 AP amplified radios, and the FONET digital intercom. This equipment provides long-range communications and enables the vehicles to integrate with the Topaz combat management system, which supports co-ordinated reconnaissance and strike operations.
02 May 2024
by Zach Rosenberg
Airbus's unmanned UH-72 concept, displayed at Modern Day Marine 2024. (Janes/Zach Rosenberg)
Airbus unveiled a conceptual unmanned version of the company's UH-72B at Modern Day Marine 2024, which it intends to pitch to the US Marine Corps (USMC) to fulfil its expected unmanned ship-to-shore cargo carrier requirement.
Airbus has been working on the concept for roughly one year, Carl Forsling, senior director for business development and strategy at the company's US branch, told Janes at Modern Day Marine on 1 May.
“We're doing this in response to a Marine Corps requirement under [middle tier acquisition] for rapid prototyping,” Forsling said. Such programmes are intended to field prototypes within two to five years. “We're confident that using an off-the-shelf modification of [our] platform, we can meet those timelines.”
The company's pitch is based partially on commonality with the US Army's UH-72 versions. The service operates more than 400 such helicopters for stateside training and transport, according to Janes All the World's Aircraft: Development & Production , and would allow the US Department of Defense to take advantage of economies of scale.
02 May 2024
by Ridzwan Rahmat
India's SMART system, seen here during its first test in 2020. The DRDO carried out the third known test of the system on 1 May 2024. (DRDO)
India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has carried out another test of its missile-based torpedo delivery system after a lull of more than two years.
The latest test of the weapon known as the Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system was carried out on 1 May, the DRDO disclosed in a statement on the same day.
It was fired from a truck-based mobile launcher that was situated on the Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on India's eastern seaboard. Parameters such as the weapon's separation, ejection and velocity control functions were validated during the test, the DRDO added.
The SMART is a canister-based supersonic missile system that utilises a two-stage solid propulsion system to deliver a lightweight torpedo.
Upon closing in on its intended target, the SMART releases its torpedo payload via a parachute-based release system. This method extends the range of the lightweight torpedo beyond what is usually achieved with conventional delivery systems such as vessel-borne torpedo tubes.
30 April 2024
by Gareth Jennings
A pair of Norwegian F-35A Lightning IIs. In Polish service, the type will be named Husarz. (Royal Norwegian Air Force)
Poland has assigned the name Husarz to the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in national service, the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces announced on 29 April.
The name, which translates in English to Hussar, has been given to the ‘fifth-generation' stealth fighter following a public competition.
At the same time as the new national name was disclosed, the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that the country's F-35As will receive low-visibility greyed-out checkerboard markings in place of the traditional red and white checkerboard. This will be a first for the Polish Armed Forces and has been decided to fully preserve the aircraft's low observability characteristics.
The new name and national marking disclosures coincided with the announcement by Lockheed Martin that the first F-35A for Poland, aircraft AZ-01, had stood on its own wheels at the assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas. It will be delivered to Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas for pilot training later in 2024.
The Polish army unveiled the components of its new Gladius artillery strike-reconnaissance system du...
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