The US Army will evaluate counter-small unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS) technologies ideal for urban environments during an industry demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, in April.  In mid-January, the service released a request for information asking interested vendors to submit White Papers detailing technologies capable of downing group 1 and 2 UAS that weigh less than 25 kg, travel at speeds less than 250 kt, and operate at altitudes less than 1,066 m.  After reviewing the White Papers, the army will select up to 10 companies to...

The UK’s Supacat completed physical modifications to a Jackal 1 4x4 surveillance and reconnaissance vehicle (SRV) in mid-December 2020, and is ready for Magtec to integrate its hybrid electric drive (HED) system.  Jackal 1 4x4 SRVs are powered by a six-cylinder Cummins diesel engine developing 185 hp, coupled to an Allison 2500 five-speed automatic transmission and a two-speed transfer case. This gives a maximum road speed of up to 120 km/h, and a range of up to 800 km.  For the HED application, the six-cylinder engine has been replaced by a...

The US Army is in the throes of modernising its weapon systems to better compete with Russian and Chinese forces, and incoming political appointees, both acting and Senate-confirmed, will have the opportunity to push the programmes forward or shake things up.  On 20 January at noon local time in Washington, DC, President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn into office and Trump administration appointees will step down. It will take weeks, and potentially months, for the Biden administration to vet candidates for top Pentagon and service slots, and...

The Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has signed a contract with BAE Systems for the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of 122 CV9035NL infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) of the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA), the company announced in a press release on 14 January. The contract, valued at over USD500 million, includes an option to upgrade 19 more CV90s.  The DMO has signed a contract with BAE Systems for the MLU of 122 RNLA CV9035NL IFVs. (BAE Systems)  BAE Systems said the upgrade, which includes a new turret, will improve the IFV's capabilities,...

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has formally selected a localised version of the M3 amphibious rig to meet a Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) requirement for an amphibious bridge and ferry system.  Official sources told Janes on 19 January that this M3 variant, which was proposed by Hanwha Defense in partnership with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), was chosen over the Otter Armoured Amphibious Assault Bridge (AAAB) system, which had been proposed by rival bidde...

The Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French armament procurement agency, ordered the first 364 Serval light Véhicule Blindé Multi-rôles (VBMR) multirole armoured vehicles from Nexter and Texelis on 23 December 2020, the two companies announced in a press release on 15 January. The companies, which form a consortium to develop and build the Serval, said the first 12 vehicles would be delivered during the first half of 2022, followed by 96 more during the second half of the same year.  The DGA has ordered the first 364 Serval VBMR mu...

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has begun the widespread distribution of suppressors to equip all of its close combat units, the Marine CorpsTimes noted in a 30 December 2020 article.  The suppressors are intended for the M27 IAR, M4, M4A1, and M38 rif...

State-owned broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) revealed in mid-January that the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF) is operating a new tracked all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to provide logistics support to troops deployed in hard-to-reach high-altitude areas.  A screenshot from CCTV footage released on 15 January showing a new tracked ATV that recently entered service with the PLAGF. (CCTV)  In a news report published on its js7tv.cn website, CCTV said that the four-door vehicle, the designation of which was not disclosed, can b...

New joint guidance governing how US armed forces’ will adopt, implement, and execute the Pentagon’s new strategy for electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) is expected to be released by the end of January, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of S...

India’s Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) will produce the Starstreak close air defence system under a new teaming agreement with Thales, with the companies aiming to meet future demand from the Indian Armed Forces and international customers.  BDL will become part of the system’s global supply chain, with the potential to export Indian-manufactured Starsteak systems – and individual components – to existing and future customers, according to the two companies.  The deal would allow BDL to offer what the companies term a ‘Made in India’ Starstrea...

Consortium Iveco – Oto Melara (CIO) confirmed on 8 January that production of its latest Centauro II 8x8 Mobile Gun System (MGS) for the Italian Army is under way, with first deliveries due in the first quarter of 2021.  The Italian Army’s initial contract was for 11 Centauro II 8x8 MGSs comprising one prototype brought up to full-production standard, 10 new-production MGSs, and a two-year support package.  According to CIO, the latest Centauro II MGS prototype has a number of improvements that have now been tested by the Italian Army and wil...

The US Navy (USN) has postponed a decision to possibly transfer Aegis Ashore operations to another military entity during recent budget discussions but discussions continue about making such a move, said Rear Admiral Paul Schlise, director, USN Sur...

South Korean company Hanwha Defense officially launched its Redback infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in Australia on 12 January, prior to delivering three of the IFVs for a Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA) in which the Redback will compete with Rheinmetall’s Lynx KF41 IFV for an Australian Army requirement valued at AUD18–27 billion (USD13.9–20.8 billion).  Hanwha Defense officially launched its Redback IFV (seen here in Australian Army camouflage) in Australia on 12 January. (Hanwha Defense Australia)  Project Land 400 Phase 3, also known as t...

Decisions on two major UK armoured fighting vehicle procurement programmes have been delayed to allow them to be considered as part of the country’s ongoing Integrated Security, Defence, and Foreign Policy Review, which is now expected to be revealed in February.  Main gate approval for the Warrior (foreground) and Challenger (background) upgrades could be delayed until at least March or April. (Janes/Patrick Allen)  Programmes to upgrade the British Army’s Challenger 2 main battle tanks and Warrior infantry fighting vehicles had been projec...

The Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, has ordered 1,401 unprotected military trucks from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV), the company announced in a press release on 6 January.  Rheinmetall valued the order at EUR543 million (USD666.6 million), adding that 1,000 of the vehicles are funded by the German government’s economic stimulus package to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.  The BAAINBw h...

Rafael has unveiled a series of autonomous systems with automatic target-recognition capabilities to find targets inside buildings, reducing the exposure of frontline soldiers.  Rafael’s Magic Fly-Raven mini-UAV can be tasked with finding enemy combatants inside a building. (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems)  Company sources said the new systems are designed to provide ground forces with detailed intelligence on threats in enclosed spaces where communications are unreliable, vision is limited, and navigation is challenging.  The systems includ...

Milrem Robotics’ new Type-X Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) has passed its initial mobility tests, the company announced on 7 January. Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics, told Janes that the tests commenced in October 2020 and were carried out in a testing field in Estonia.  “Milrem Robotics aims to follow and conduct a thorough testing plan to validate the performance of the Type-X against customer requirements for a proof-of-concept system,” said Väärsi. “This plan will be conducted through Q1 this year.”  The Type-X RCV is approximately...

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has issued its definitive strategy for the implementation of 5G capabilities in the US armed forces’ command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) operations, just as department officials prepare to kick experimentation plans for the advanced mobile communications technology into high gear.  The implementation plan, approved by acting US Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller in December 2020, codifies four main pillars of the department’s overall 5G roa...

The 10th Panzer Division's Artilleriebataillon (Artillery Battalion) 131 is training eight Hungarian trainers on the Panzerhaubitze (PzH) 2000 self-propelled howitzer (SPH), the German Army announced on its website on 6 January. The service said the first of 24 PzH 2000s would be handed over to the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) in February 2022 and be used for training in Hungary.  The German Army is training Hungarian artillerymen on the PzH 2000, pictured firing the SPH. (Bundeswehr/Mario Hönig)  Eight Hungarian artillerymen have received...

Turkey’s FNSS Savunma Sistemleri (FNSS) announced on 4 January that delivery of the Armoured Amphibious Combat Earthmover (AACE) vehicles ordered by the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) last year will be completed by the end of March 2023.  Turkey’s FNSS announced on 4 January that delivery of the AACE vehicles ordered for the Philippine Army last year is expected to be completed by March 2023. (FNSS)  The company said in a statement that under the contract, which entered into force in November 2020, FNSS will provide the track...