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Etoile Arcture Ground Forces
Etoile Arcture Ground Forces |
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Insignia of the Etoile Arcture Ground Forces | |
Founded | 5 May, 1969 |
Country | |
Type | Army |
Role | Land warfare |
Allegiance | Constitution of |
Part of | Defence Directorate |
Parent unit | Etoile Arcture |
Components | Etoile Arcture Expeditionary Etoile Arcture Territorial Etoile Arcture Special |
Garrison/HQ | HQ: Joint Headquarters |
Motto | Latin: Omnia Paratus |
March | "Resolute warriors" |
Web site |
Manpower |
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Military age | Voluntary from 18 |
Active personnel | ~18.6 million |
Reserve personnel | ~21.4 million |
Civilian personnel | ~13.5 million |
Expenditure |
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Budget | ~US$6.5 trillion |
Industry |
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Domestic | |
Foreign suppliers |
The Etoile Arcture Ground Forces (EAGF) is the primary land-based service branch of the Etoile Arcture Defence Forces (EADF) containing approximately 30% of all military personnel. It is subject to the authority of the civilian government via the administration of the Defence Directorate of Etoile Arcture.. It has three principle components: the Etoile Arcture Expeditionary Forces (EAEF) that is a high readiness combined arms force focused on operations on foreign territory, the Etoile Arcture Territorial Forces (EATF) that is primarily tasked with the defence of the nations' metropolitan territory, and the Etoile Arcture Special Operations Forces (EASF) that performs specialised missions (see separate entry).
The Ground Forces are tasked with defending the homeland and overseas possessions from attack and projecting force worldwide to further the policy objectives of the civilian leadership, namely the maintenance and expansion of international peace and security including conflict prevention, encouragement of peaceful development and respect for human rights. It is an all-volunteer force that contains both active duty and reservist components that are equipped and trained to be interoperable with each other. The Ground Forces are expected to perform full-spectrum warfighting and operations-other-than-war in pursuit of these objectives, utilising the most modern equipment available to allow the employment of graduating force appropriate to the mission, from minimum force to hyper-lethal fires. It maintains a rapid reaction force-in-readiness in preparation to respond to crisis and conflict. It continues to evolve, modernise, exploit and adapt to new and emerging threats in the execution of these core missions.
The Armed Forces of Etoile Arcture was founded in 1949 ostensibly by the unification of guerilla groups that had fought in the 1938-49 War of Liberation against the alliance of Franco-British colonialists and the Atrean Imperium. It contained three all-volunteer service branches in the National Army of Etoile Arcture, the forerunner to the Ground Forces, as well as the National Navy of Etoile Arcture and the National Air Force of Etoile Arcture. All three of the services were initially equipped with the captured or abandoned equipment of the defeated colonialists and Atreans that was of largely American, British, French and Belgian origin, and later with the help of military aid provided by The Empire of Korrodos. The nascent government prioritised indigenous armaments manufacturing as part of efforts to modernise the economy and to ensure an independent, secure and reliable source of arms to the nation. This included the founding of companies like Redwood Arsenal, named after the prolific coastal and sierra evergreen forests, and is now known as Sequoia Dynamics, and the Matrix Aircraft Company that is now known as Aerodyne Inc.
During the 1950s and 1960s the nascent Armed Forces would gain considerable combat experience in a number of post-colonial regional conflicts resulting from the breakup of the Atrean Imperium, including the Damiren-Weccan War, both Wagdian revolutions and the Wars of Schism on the Torin Penninsular. On the establishment of the Unitary Technocracy by the constitution of 1970 the National Army was brought under the auspices of the newly created Defence Directorate as part of the Defence Forces where it was renamed as the Ground Forces. In 1975 the Special Forces were established as a separate branch within the service, and In 2020 the Ground Forces were reorganised into its current structure of the Special Operations Forces, the Expeditionary Forces and the Territorial Forces with the aim of improving the training and logistical support of the three components in domestic and foreign operations.
The fundamental fighting principles of the Ground Forces is orientated towards full-spectrum warfighting, network-centric warfare, joint and single-service operations, force multiplication, overmatch at decisive points, attritional battle, strategic depth, and deception and concealment ("Maskirovka"). The Ground Forces adopt a flexible organisational structure, organising and reorganising into ad hoc task-organised units centred on manoeuvre battalions operating semi-autonomously as part of large, self-sufficient brigades and employing fully integrated combined arms tactics to prosecute their mission.
The goal of commanders is to achieve air, ground, sea, space and information dominance to shape the battlefield. Officers and senior enlisted are trained towards the observe, orient, decide and act (OODA) loop and mission-type tactics ("Auftragstaktik") that empower subordinates to exercise initiative within the commander's intent, with a heavy emphasis placed on reconnaissance, effective planning and preparation, exploitation of terrain, manoeuvre in semi-closed and restricted terrain, defence in depth, stand-off range and overmatching fires, achieving surprise and maintaining high operational tempo.
Mission execution is focused on effective coordination across combat arms and echelon levels by clear communication to subordinates of higher intent ("Absicht"), including plans, tasks, objectives, reasons and end-states, and assessing the effects. To ensure effective planning, coordination and control during mission execution, information fusion and shared situational awareness is widely employed across all echelon levels to enhance operational responsiveness and tactical flexibility, with each commander fully aware of the common operational picture in regard to the mission and progress of echelons above and below their command.
Expeditionary, Territorial and Special Forces personnel are held to a strict code of ethics by the civilian leadership, with the aim at minimising collateral damage, and the use of overmatch being only authorised in circumstances where a proportional response may prolong a crisis or lead to unacceptable loss of life. All military personnel are sworn to eleven codes of conduct:
Military action can only be taken against military targets.
The use of force must be proportional to the task at hand.
Soldiers may only use weaponry they were issued by the Etoile Arcture Defence Forces.
Anyone who surrenders cannot be attacked.
Only those who are properly trained can interrogate prisoners.
Soldiers must accord dignity and respect to the civilians they arrest.
Soldiers must give appropriate medical care, when conditions allow, to oneself and one's enemy.
Pillaging is absolutely and totally illegal.
Soldiers must show proper respect for religious and cultural sites and artifacts.
Soldiers must protect international aid workers, including their property and vehicles.
Soldiers must report all violations of this code
Force Structure |
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Operational Units | Commanded by | ||
Field Army | 2 ~ 5 Corps | 100,000 ~ 700,000 troops | Colonel General |
Corps | 2 ~ 7 Division | 50,000 ~ 300,000 troops | Lieutenant General |
Division | 2 ~ 4 Brigade | 7,000 ~ 20,000 troops | Major General |
Brigade | 2 ~ 4 Battalion | 2,000 ~ 8,000 troops | Brigadier General |
Battalion | 2 ~ 5 Company | 400 ~ 1,200 troops | Colonel |
Company | 2 ~ 4 Platoon | 100 ~ 250 troops | Captain |
Platoon | 3 ~ 4 Squad | 20 ~ 50 troops | Lieutenant |
Squad | 2 ~ 3 Team | 9 ~ 13 troops | Sergeant |
The combat forces are based around ~50 divisions of the Expeditionary Forces and around ~2,000 independent brigades of the Territorial Forces with a total nominal establishment of ~20 million troops in all branches and combat arms. The smallest tactical unit able to conduct independent combat operations is a combined arms task force built around a single dismounted infantry platoon detached from an infantry company, and a platoon each of fighting vehicles and tanks, reinforced with organic fire support assets. Heavy role infantry are the dismounted element of the combined arms battalion which is organised into a 2 × 2 design comprising two operational manoeuvre companies equipped with the M35A2-2020-2020 Cataphract, a 67 metric ton main battle tank (MBT) armed with a 120 mm L55 electro-thermal chemical main gun, and two close combat manoeuvre companies equipped with the M34A3-2020-2020 Hoplite, a 56 metric ton heavy infantry fighting vehicle (HIFV) armed with a 40 mm cased telescoped automatic cannon and Spike anti-tank guided missiles. At the lowest organisational level, a platoon of MBT and a platoon of HIFV can be cross-attached to form a task force (TF) augmented by combat support troops such as a scout squad, engineering squad, air defence artillery (ADA) section and mortar section. Medium role infantry are the 'medium weight' units, classified as such as they are easily air portable or sea mobile, though their primary mission is as mechanised troops. Their main equipment may be wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APC) or tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), with organic support provided by wheeled mobile gun system (MGS), mortar carrier and anti-armour missile carrier vehicles based on the M344 Wolverine platform. Some elite units can be permanently roled as air assault or marine infantry formations and can be used within the force structure of the heavy brigade alongside or supporting the armour elements. Light role infantry are the final classification that is traditionally referred to as 'leg' infantry, though this is in fact a broad category that can be both sub-classified as either 'mounted' infantry that relies on light vehicles for mobility or more elite troops trained, equipped and organised to be specialised in a particular warfighting domain e.g., maritime, riverine, tropic, urban, arctic, mountainous, arid environments, etc, or, and special operations-capable (SOC) units. Both types of light role infantry share in common a lack of the kind of heavy weapons available to heavy and medium-weight units. They rely on tracked all-terrain vehicles, wheeled reconnaissance and mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, helicopters, tiltrotors, air cushion vehicles (ACV), fast combat boats, etc, as appropriate for their mobility. They can be called upon to conduct non-conventional warfare in support of special operation forces (SOF), and provide rear security, force protection, and special reconnaissance to prepare the way for heavier follow-on forces.
At the opposite end of the scale a frontline combat division typically comprises between two to four modular combat brigades each with three full-spectrum combat manoeuvre battalions or 'leg' infantry battalions, a fires brigade with a mix of tube and rocket artillery, a combat aviation brigade with attack, assault and utility helicopters, and a sustainment brigade that includes logistics, engineer, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials (CBRNE), medical, maintenance and other non-combat support assets.
Two or more divisions are subordinate to a corps, which contains permanently attached support brigades (e.g., engineer, sustainment, medical, military police (MP), military intelligence (MI), civil affairs (CA), air and missile defence, theatre aviation, etc). Combat units are organized with a 1:4 tooth-to-tail ratio of combat to service personnel. The independent brigades are split on a 50/50 basis between active-duty forces and reserve components (known as the ready reserve) that can reinforce or replenish the standing regular forces through normal personnel rotation, or be used to form their own full divisions during wartime.
Infantry units are classified by doctrinal role and the overall 'weight' of the equipment they are provided to execute their missions which are divided into three broad categories of heavy, medium and light role.
Huge strategic and tactical airlift capacity allow rapid, responsive, airmobile operations, while sea-basing of forward-deployed amphibious and replenishment assets by the Maritime Forces enables rapid power projection worldwide, augmented by chartered civilian vessels to sustain long campaigns. Vertical replenishment capability (based around V-22B and V-44 tiltrotors) sustain expeditionary forces to maintain the quick tempo of operations. Forward operating sites and forward arming and refuelling points are prepositioned along routes of march, and large semi-permanent logistic hubs are established during long campaigns. Fuel-efficient hybrid-electric propulsion helps reduce the logistic footprint of ground combat units through greater mobility and endurance.
As much as 90% of all ground equipment is in war-time storage, and can all be activated in a matter of days (some within hours). Forty large mobilisation bases are maintained primarily in central Etoile Arcture containing combat equipment to form new divisions, with ammunition, fuel and stores pre-stocked and dispersed at thousands of smaller sites throughout the country. Sea-basing of forward-deployed amphibious and replenishment assets allows rapid power projection worldwide, augmented by chartered civilian vessels to sustain long campaigns.
Main article: Comparative Ranks and Insignia of the Unitary Technocracy of Etoile Arcture Defence Forces
Etoile Arcture prides itself on its volunteer-only professional armed forces, which draw from a pool of 0.3% of the population (approximately 480 million citizens according to the 2014 census) who are eligible for military service each year. Gender segregation across all service branches of the Defence Forces was abolished in reforms made during the early-2000s, providing the widest possible recruitment pool and ensuring the highest level of competition and selection/qualification from amongst the best candidates. Recruitment for combat and non-combat roles is neutral of assigned or chosen gender and sexual orientation in keeping with the values of the Unitary Technocracy, and 90% of all positions are open to women and LGBTQ candidates, and it is not uncommon for combat units to be mixed gender composed of male, female and transgender soldiers.
Both enlistment and volunteering for the reserves is viewed as a public duty - the sacred trust - of the citizen-soldier who serves to protect society, as both a chosen warrior and a volunteer. Special focus is placed on the Profession of Arms i.e. military service as a profession, not merely a job, emphasising the vocational and career prospects of meritocratic advancement through the ranks. Reservists and their employers are additionally induced with generous tax credits over the periods they are serving away from their regular jobs. The citizen-soldier is often depicted as a modern-day hoplite in the media and popular culture, held with great esteem and whose workplace and life skills are valued for their ability to rapidly arrive at sound decisions and decisively act upon them.
Both active duty and reservist volunteers are raised in the same training cadres for 10-12 week basic training courses and then assigned to 6-52 week advanced training courses. Extensive unit-level training, planning and preparation is conducted within combat brigades on an all-year round basis to maintain high operational readiness. Reservists (former active duty and reserve-only personnel) serve in the ready reserve and are called upon to train in 2½ or 5-year intervals for 6 month periods at a time overlapping with the active-duty troops to maintain manning levels. Reservists activated in wartime are never used for gap filling, and are brought to high readiness within 3-6 months to replace units rotating out of the field, or to surge overall capacity by forming new units.
Advanced training is based on a "train as you fight" total force approach with active duty and ready reserve personnel trained and equipped identically and deployed together. Units are often task organised and trained to their mission and are not deployed unless at maximum preparedness. There is substantial use made of immersive simulators for realistic drills/training, with the verisimilitude of the simulators aided by the use of Simunition and MILES-type force-on-force trainers and augmented reality technology taking advantage of seamless people/sensor/machine networks for live-training scenarios.
Officers are trained to adapt their approach towards independent and joint operations and cross-train and embed across the service branches and different units to smooth over potential friction while maintaining esprit de corps. Units conduct annual field training and command post exercises at high echelons to practice combined arms tactics and improve unit cohesion, with some units selected for biannual and quadrennial joint international exercises with allies.
Further information: Small Arms and Light Weapons
Crew-served Weapons and Vehicles
Further information: Combat Systems and Heavy Weapons
This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final.
The G10A3 "Demon" IAW (Individual Automatic Weapon), also known as the Valipac-Zinaire Model 10 Third Generation Mark 1 (VZ-10 A3 M1), is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, selective-fire, bullpup assault rifle. It is chambered in the proprietary 6.3 mm Plastic Cased Telescoped Ammunition (6.3×43mm PCTA) round that launches a spitzer-shaped steel jacketted projectile with sub-calibre tungsten carbide insert that retains supersonic velocity up to 800 m to deliver armour defeating terminal effects against NIJ 0101.07 RF3 rated ballistic plate. This has has excellent killing power being long-ranged with a flat trajectory for high hit probability, with low felt recoil allowing a high cyclic rate of fire that delivers tight shot dispersions for high accuracy. The G10A3 is based on Sequoia Weaponworks patent-pending Telescoped Ammunition Lightweight Automatic Weapon (TALAW™) operating system as the basis for Individual Automatic Weapon (IAW) and Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) variants. The system is mechanically simple, physically robust, easily maintainable and highly reliable, consisting of a simple self-contained annular gas drive system locked by a vertical sliding breech block, with the operating group a fixed barrel and slidable barrel sleeve that counter-recoil under gas pressure. Features include a separate chamber and barrel that prevent ammunition cook-off, a high reliability jam-free inline rammer feed/eject system to prevent malfunctions, and low mass volume efficient cased telescoped ammunition (CTA) suite that reduces logistics and lightens the soldier’s load, increasing firepower and improving operational effectiveness. The 'all-in-line' bullpup layout, with the action located behind the trigger, allows for the most optimal barrel length in the most compact and lightweight package and has been designed with a central point of balance above the pistol grip that aids in ease of manoeuvre and rapid target acquisition. The TALAW™ system is based on the earlier Telescoped Ammunition Light Automatic Rifle (TALAR) system developed during the Oceanic Defence Coalition Weapon (ODEWEAP) armament program of the late 2000s to be interoperabile with the Armacorp AVIR/ACOM/ADEC family of small arms. This saw Sequoia Weaponworks responsible for developing a Oceanic Defence Coalition Rifle (ODERIFLE) and Oceanic Defence Coalition Sniper Rifle (ODESNIPER) based on the common TALAR platform, and Sequoia Cartridgeworks responsible for development of a lightweight plastic walled Oceanic Defence Coalition Standardised Small Arms Round (ODEROUND) to be compatible with the metal walled 6.7×35mm (DDI) CTA cartridge, and later developed into the 6.3×43mm PCTA cartridge, and a standardised Oceanic Defence Coalition Magazine (ODEMAG) interface system for double stack and quad stack box magazines. The weapon and ammunition system had been approved for service and was in early production when the program was cancelled following the sudden dissolution of ODECON. On the basis of early production samples supplied to Etoile Arcture, Valipac and Zinaire the three nations signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to continue funding development of the TALAW™ system, 6.3 mm PCTA round and proprietary magazines. The rifle was refined with a number of changes and improvements including switching from a conventional stock (the G500 pattern) to a bullpup stock (the VZ pattern) with fullly ambidextrous controls and ejection ports, and polylithic accessory rails; and addition of a heavy barrel (HBAR) light support version to complement the rifle in fireteams. Design details and engineering The operating group consists of a piston rammer for loading cartridges, a floating firing pin, a rising breech block, a lightweight fluted barrel working as a stationary piston, and barrel sleeve telescoped by helical torsion return spring working as a moving cylinder. The annular breech, fixed barrel, and reciprocating barrel sleeve are constructed from cold‐rotary hammer forged AISI 41V45 chrome-molybdenum-vanadium (CMV) high tensile alloy steel, with the bore and chamber hard chrome plated for enhanced corrosion and wear resistance for improved reliability and service life. The barrel features helical fluting that provides stiffening strength while reducing weight and increasing the heat radiating surface area for temperature control. Broach-cut rifling of the bore at a 1:9 (229 mm) rifle twist ratio stabilises the supersonic ammunition. To reduce firing signature a 'duckbill'-type three-prong flash hider fabricated from heat-treated AL 17-4 chromium-nickel-copper martensitic stainless steel is threaded into the muzzle. The barrelled action is precision machined by computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment from a solid billet of AISA 4140 stainless steel treated with a hard-wearing nitrocarburized surface finish and free-floats inside the receiver riding on two Type III hard-anodized 7075-T6 aluminium alloy internal guide rails to eliminate any disturbances to barrel harmonics that might affect accuracy. All moving parts are coated in a molybdenum-disulphide (MoS2) dry-film lubricant for maximum rust and corrosion resistance, and the springs made from oil-proof polyurethene. The whole assembly is configured around a straight-line push through feed/eject mechanism with the ejector port ahead of the feed path to safely clear the chamber of a dud or misfired cartridge. Cartridges are loaded by a spring-biased piston rammer attached to the barrel sleeve and held back by an operating rod. On pulling the trigger the rod is released allowing the rammer to drive forward to chamber a round. The piston thereby passes through the top of the magazine, located ahead of the chamber in a straight-line path, to strip off a round and feed it into the firing chamber. As the weapon cycles, a chamber guide pin is pushed out of its lower detent position by engagement of the pin on an S-shaped cam track on the piston rammer. This raises the breech block by means of a spring so that the chamber, containing the live round, is aligned with the barrel in the battery position. As the chamber aligns with the barrel a fixed firing pin protrudes through this hole to strike the primer of the cartridge and fire the round. At that same instant the chamber guide pin snaps into its upper detent position and locks the chamber in alignment with the barrel axis. The reciprocation of the cam system also serves to cock the firing hammer so that it is ready to be released either by pulling the trigger or by an automatic sear release mechanism. A precise headspace and timing prevents cookoff, slamfire and carbon fouling of the action. The rifle is hammer-fired with the auto-sear safety mechanism preventing out-of-battery misfires by mechanically timing the hammer in auto-fire mode and holding the hammer until trigger reset during semi-auto fire and the breech block has closed behind the chamber. An inertial safety also locks the sear if the weapon is jolted or dropped to prevent accidental discharges due to the slam-fire, fixed firing pin design. The skeletal trigger is attached by a long linkage to the rear fire control unit which is entirely made of lightweight plastics and is integrated with the receiver. The ambidextrous safety catch is a two-position selector switch forward of the trigger within the trigger guard. The rear position marked "S" (safe) in white functions as a combined trigger safety, firing pin safety and drop safety, and the forward position marked "F" (fire) in red unblocks the firing pin and trigger bar to allow the weapon to be fired. The charging handle is fully reversible for installation in a covered slot on either side of the weapon and is a low profile non-reciprocating type that does not cycle with the action that locks in the forward position during firing. To prevent inadvertent operation a deliberate 9.07 kg (20 lb) of force is required in order to cock the action. To eliminate the need for another long internal linkage bar fire mode selection is by a two-stage progressive trigger with a clearly felt stop between modes. This offers a short 2.27 kg (5 lb) trigger pull with a light and crisp let off with minimal creep on the first stage to select semi-auto fire, and longer and heavier 4.08 kg (9 lb) trigger pull with a short reset on the second stage to select full-auto fire. Cartridge design The 6.3×43mm PCTA is a cylindrical centrefire cased telescoped cartridge that is semi-rimmed to engage with an extractor for positive ejection. It consists of a right circular straight-wall outer casing with polymer end caps and elastomeric O-rings telescoped by "Belleville" spring washers that expand outwards under gas pressure to seal the firing chamber. The case material is a blend of Siloxane-modified Bisphenol-A polycarbonate, acrylic elastomer and high modulus polyphenylene copolymer that are efficient thermal insulators for isolating and removing the heat of burning propellant from the chamber during case extraction, and do not expand or deform under gas pressure to avoid malfunctions. The cartridge seats a full-bore .25-cal (6.3 mm) high ballistic coefficient (BC) bullet surrounded by a compressed grain of polymerised nitramine double-base solid propellant (DBP). This contains a matrix of cyclotet-ramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) moderated intensitive high-explosive in a high propulsive power per weight formulation to maintain the overall compact size and case volume of the cartridge. A booster piston and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) insensitive nitroamine high-explosive precursor charge is mounted against the base of the bullet with a flash tube running from the booster piston to the rear seal that embeds a Boxer-type (small rifle) annular primer cup. When impacted by the firing pin the primer initiates the booster to launch the projectile into the leade of the barrel to produce a gas-tight seal or obturation followed by ignition of the main propellant grain in the casing to drive the projectile down the barrel. This two-stage sequence of ignition allows an air gap to form between the main charge and projectile resulting in a more efficient powder burn with tighter standard deviations and predictable interior ballistics that develop higher muzzle velocities at lower recoil, and avoids gas erosion and carbon fouling of the barrel. Bullet design The bullet is a 100 grain (6.5 gram) non-streamlined spitzer-shaped projectile of high sectional density with a low drag coefficient for flatter trajectory and longer range and high ballistic coefficient with low deceleration to retain more kinetic energy at the target. It is a full-metal-jacket armour-piercing (FMJ-AP) round with an alloyed jacket and composite hard-core/soft-core interior optimised for armour penetration and after-armour terminal effects. Bullet mass is per weight 25% the jacket (a low friction copper/zinc alloy plated steel), 44% the hard-core (cobalt-alloyed tungsten carbide (WC/Co 88/12) and 31% the soft-core (low hardness lead/tin alloy (Pb/Sn 60/40). The hard-core and soft-core are respectively form-fitted with a gas-tight seal in the ogive (nose) and boat (tail) of the bullet. The form-fitting contact of the hard-core against the likewise ogive-shaped internal shape of the jacket results in an extremely compact, rotationally symmetrical and dimensionally accurate body with very good aerodynamic, ballistic and penetration properties. The mix of hard and soft materials optimise the centre of mass for high gyroscopic stability during flight that ensure high speeds and a flat trajectory with very low wind resistance. On contact with the target the jacket partly penetrates and shields the hard-core allowing it to better deliver the kinetic energy to penetrate body armour, vehicle panels, and barriers including plate glass, woods and masonry with the minimum of deflection. After penetration terminal effects against personnel are equally devastating, with the bullet keyholing (rapidly yawing) while entering soft tissue as the centre-of-gravity (cg) moves forward to the tip. The resulting tumbling and fragmentation of the jacket maximise the depth and width of the permanent wound channel for increased lethality. The low weight of the projectile also helps the projectile to rapidly slow in soft tissue, avoiding the over-penetration and reduced wounding effects normally associated with conventional high-velocity armoured piercing rounds. Cartridges are fed from a high-capacity 35-round, staggered double-stack, single feed, straight detachable box magazine (DBM) that superficially resemble submachine-gun 'stick' magazines due to the reduced length of the telescoped cartridges, albeit wider to accommodate a full calibre rifle round. The magazines are of lightweight construction from impact, crush and melt-resistant semi-translucent polycarbonate resin thermoplastic allowing visual indexing/witnessing of the magazine loading condition at all times. The ammunition is forced upwards from the floor plate by a rectangular-type constant-force braided chrome silicon wire spring and maintains a correct feed geometry through a non-hygroscopic and self-lubricating injection-moulded polyacetylene four-way self-levelling/anti-tilt follower. Polished stainless steel feed lips, locking tabs and lugs frictionlessly guide the rounds into a single column feed for straight-line stripping off the magazine by the piston rammer loading mechanism. The magazine is inserted into the action through a deep bevelled magazine well in the rear stock providing a flush fit to prevent fouling by dust, dirt, mud, moisture and other contaminants that can affect performance and reliability. The magazine is retained by a spring-loaded detent that is actuated by a rear paddle release button for easy manipulation by the support hand. When depressed it allows the magazine to freely fall away and springs back to engage with a freshly inserted magazine allowing for fast mag changes with only one hand. The G10A3 IAW can also be configured as a Modular Weapon System (MWS) with three elements: a kinetic energy (KE) component to engage point targets consisting of the rifle/host platform; a high explosive (HE) component to engage area targets consisting of a 40 mm (1.57-in) calibre underbarrel grenade launcher (UGL) mounted at the 6 O'clock rail position; and a target acqusition/fire control/ammunition programmer (TA/FC/AP) element to improve hit probability mounted at the 12 O'clock rail position. Emerson Optronics XM5-10 Digital Weapon Aiming Sight Main article: XM5-10 Digital Weapon Aiming Sight The Emerson Optronics XM5-10 Digital Weapon Aiming Sight (DWAS), also known as a "Dash 10", offers high minute-of-arc (MOA) accuracy and first-round hit probability in daylight, low light and total darkness. It is mounted to the rifle by a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny quick-release mount with dual throw levers and combines a direct-view optic (DVO) and overhead multifunctional digital display. The optical train consists of a 1-8×30 riflescope with illuminated first focal plane (FFP) ballistic plex reticle projected behind a high-resolution Photonis Generation IV (4G) autogated/filmless inverting image intensifier tube (I²T) with integral 800 m range near-infrared LED illuminator with selectable narrow and wide-angle beams boresighted to the optics. The objective lens has a 2.5 mrad resolution and unity power 1-8× wide field-of-view (WFOV) and narrow field-of-view (NFOV) variable magnification for observation, target acquisition, close quarters and long-range combat. Above the 32 mm (1.26 in) main tube is a secondary 127 mm (5 in) active-matrix liquid-crystal (AMLCD) micro display with hooded housing to shield it from sunlight and observation. Targeting cues are overlaid on imagery captured by an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) image sensor coupled by fibre optics to the light gathering photocathode and micro-channel plate (MCP) inside the image intensifier. Electronically indicated muzzle aim points (disturbed reticles) are computed by a ballistic computer calculator (BCC) processing environmental data gathered by solid-state micro-electro-mechanical (MEMS) sensors including a three-axis gyroscope (measuring incline, cant, and azimuth), digital magnetic compass (measuring bearing), capacitive humidity/temperature sensor (measuring relative humidity and air temperature), capacitive barometric pressure sensor (measuring relative air pressure) and low-power Class IM eye-safe (1.54µ) pulse diode laser rangefinder/target designator (LRF/LTD) (measuring range and marking targets with an accuracy of ±1 m to 1,200 m). These inputs are cross-correlated with a parametric library of up to 1,000 pre-loaded small arms and grenade ammunition firing tables to calculate ballistic trajectories and predicted impact or burst points with compensation for gyroscopic drift of spin-stabilized projectiles (spin drift) and lead angles when firing against static or moving targets. The digital solver is a Java-based runtime on an open-source Linux kernel powered by a Nvidia Tegra APX 2600 system-on-a-chip (SoC) with dual-core 32-bit ARM11 MPCore application processor, 4 GB 32-bit LPDDR SDRAM, eight-core Nvidia GeForce ultra-low-power (ULP) graphics processor and 16 GB NAND Flash memory. The unit is of rugged construction rated to IP69K dust, liquid and temperature resistance with a high impact/corrosion resistant glass-reinforced nylon Zytel SST (stiff and super tough) outer housing and nitrogen-purged hard-anodized aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminium alloy tube for the direct-view optic. A UHF-FM transceiver module is also built-in, providing integration with a compatible wrist-wearable computer or both-eyes-open head-mounted display (HMD) via a secure encrypted bi-directional video datalink. This allows the weapon, with sight and display units attached, to be used for reconnaissance, observation and target identification with the freedom to be manipulated around corners and over obstacles to accurately sight and engage targets from behind cover while minimising exposure to hostile fire. The sight image includes a projected muzzle aim point and is locked in the vertical plane through software stabilisation that displays the correct orientation to the viewer regardless of where the unit and imaging sensors are orientated in the pitch, roll and yaw directions. DefendTex Metal Storm 3GL 2nd Generation Main article: Metal Storm 3GL The primary accessory underbarrel grenade launcher (UGL) is the DefendTex Metal Storm 3GL, a lightweight (2.27 kg), three-shot, electronically fired, semi-automatic, grenade launcher. It fires proprietary 40 mm (1.57-in) STORM40 electrically-primed grenade ammunition using the soft recoil high-low propulsion system for high accuracy. The pseudo-caseless grenades consist of a warhead and powder charge in a hollow base which is primed by electrical conductors in the barrel wall that sends ignition impulses. The weapon assembly groups consist of a rifled high tensile alloy steel barrel, sliding breech loading mechanism, electronic fire control module, fibreglass (GFRP) pistol grip unit and MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail interface for mounting to the host weapon platform. STORM40 grenades are loaded from the breech and axially stacked inside the barrel one on top of the other similar in fashion to a Roman candle firework. On firing the hollow bases of the cases obturate the bore preventing blow-back of combustion gases that might cause ammunition cook-off and ensuring consistent chamber pressures and predictable interior ballistics with each shot. STORM40 ammunition is ballistically matched to 40 mm low velocity grenades being capable of engaging targets from 30-200 m with a high angle (indirect fire) trajectory and 100-350 m with a low angle (direct fire) trajectory. The electronic ignition system can selectively fire grenades individually or sequentially in a volley, with 'hot' combat reloading possible between shots. The launcher is controlled by a double-action trigger mechanism and by a fuze programming unit (FPU) integrated with the fire control system (FCS) that can program multi-option smart electronic fuses on timed air burst fragmenting grenades contactlessly by electrical induction for enhanced hit and kill probability. Warhead fuze settings include point detonation (PD) to defeat cover, obstacles and other hard targets; point detonation delay (PDD) allowing rounds to penetrate and detonate behind soft cover such as a door, window or opening; and electronically timed air burst (AB) activation to neutralize troops in the open and defilade positions e.g., behind cover and obstacles such as walls, reverse slopes and entrenchments.
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The M35A2-2020 "Cataphract" (export designation: char de combat principal Cataphracte (Cataphract main battle tank) or Kampfpanzer Kataphrakt ("battle tank Cataphract") or Main battle tank "Katafrakt") is a fifth-generation armoured fighting vehicle with advanced combat manoeuvre, situational awareness, firepower and protection systems, with the crew under full armour protection in the chassis for maximum survivability. The M35A2-2020 has been optimized for high-speed offensive and breakthrough operations, as well as for defensive fire support and urban pacification missions. Originally designed by Sequoia Defence Systems Inc. (now Sequoia Dynamics Land Systems) it originally entered service with the armed forces of Etoile Arcture in 2008 as the M35A2-2000 where it was updated to Block I and Block II standards that are distinguished by the fit of sensors and countermeasures. The M35A2 in various blocks and versions has been widely exported and serves in the armed forces of over a dozen nations. Contents Main article: Development history of the M35A2 Cataphract Main Battle Tank The type has seen service with the Etoile Arcture Ground Forces during peace support operations in Alfegos following the 2005 war, and has taken part in combat operations in Alestra, Madurastan, Thive and Cyncia. The first export customers for the Cataphract included the Principality of Damirez, Republc of Leistung (license produced by Rothschild Heavy Manufacturing as the M35A2L Kataphrakt), Empire of Mephras, Imperial Federacy of Kirav, the Commonwealth of Whiskeasy (designated as the MBT-35) and Republic of Zinaire (replacing the Nakil 1A3 fleet), the Kingdom of Imbrinium, Republic of the Turkish Federation, the Democratic States of Salcania, Orthodox Empire of The Eagleland, the Seorabeol Federation and the Great State of Joseon. The Cataphract features a spacious cockpit-style fighting compartment and incorporates many leap-ahead automotive, firepower, sensor and survivability technologies. In the area of mobility, the tank is powered by a high efficiency and fuel economy hybrid-electric integrated powerpack and drive-by-wire controls that allow the tank to rapidly change position capitalising on natural cover and changing directions in moving for hit avoidance. The powerpack combines engine, alternator/generator, electro-mechanical transmission and planetary gearbox coupled with electric motors and a underframe decoupled active suspension system for superior mobility, ride control, stability when firing and signature management. The tank has also been made fully amphibious, with a detachable swim vane mountable to the hull front for amphibious landings, and being propelled by its tracks when swimming. M35A2-2000 Block II Cataphract
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The M207A1 "Carnivore" Mobile Artillery Rocket System (MARS) (export designation: Mobile Raketenwerfersystem Fleischfresser ("mobile rocket launcher system "Carnivore", or Raketenwerfersystem Fleischfresser), or Lance-roquettes multiple Carnassier, or Self-propelled multiple rocket launcher complex "Myasoyeda") is a highly mobile multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) capable of keeping pace with manoeuvre forces to provide all-weather, day/night indirect fire support during offensive and defensive operations. It consists of a self-contained firing unit based on a heavy duty 8×8 prime mover chassis mounting expendable launcher modules on a trainable firing platform, a suite of long range 266 mm (10.472 in) calibre free-flight or trajectory corrected surface-to-surface rockets, and a fully digitised fire control and battle management suite operated from under armour. Munitions include unitary warheads and multi-functional cargo rounds that provide precision fires and wide area effect at tactical ranges from 20-150 km and extended ranges up to 250 km. The entire system is air transportable by a C-130-sized or larger aircraft. Roles on the battlefield include destruction of fixed high value targets e.g., bunkers, command centres, radar stations and missile batteries, and point targets like fortifications and bridges, counter-artillery and counter-battery fire, area suppression of landing zones, staging areas and armoured formations and troop concentrations, and deep interdiction of rear area facilities such as airfields, supply depots and fuel farms. The M207A1 MARS is designed to support mechanised forces and uses the chassis of the Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck A3 (HEMTT A3) with Oshkosh ProPulse series-hybrid diesel-electric powerpack as its automotive platform. The HEMTT A3 features a two-door forward control cab with armoured glazing, all-welded steel construction and B-kit appliqué armour that provides AEP-55 STANAG 4569 Level 3 protection from small arms fire, shell fragments and splinters, and mine blasts, and also backblast and foreign object debris when firing. The cab is equipped with air-ride seats and climate control for improved crew comfort, and a gas particulate filter, chemical alarm system and overpressure protection system for safe operation in nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. A remote weapon station with .50-cal machine gun is fitted on the roof of the cab for self protection. The vehicle is propelled by induction motors on each axle via an electric generator powered from a diesel engine for high efficiency with up to 40% lower fuel consumption for reduced logistic footprint, and uses ultracapacitors and regenerative braking in the drive train to store engine energy. It is fitted with a central tire inflation system (CTIS) that adjusts ground pressure to aid cross-country mobility and improve ride comfort, and with self-levelling suspension for stability while firing. Main article: MGM-195 Banshee tactical ballistic missile Reloading is fully automated using a robotic ammunition transfer system integrated on to a dedicated HEMTT A3-based transporter/loader resupply vehicle that escorts each launcher vehicle. The transloader carries two full reloads of 24 rockets (12 on a flatrack cargo bed and 12 on a towed trailer) to create a complete M207A1 weapon system. The transloader is equipped with an articulated hydraulic crane with grapple-type end-effector that lifts and handles rocket pods and locks them in place on the launcher using a pin-and-socket interface. A full reload cycle takes only five minutes to complete. The launcher supports barrage-type firing in single (ripple) fire with a 1 second interval, and salvo fire that can clear all rounds in under 30 seconds that limits dispersion for improved accuracy. Rockets can also be individually targeted allowing multiple attacks in a single salvo. The launcher is highly responsive, being able to be brought into action with minimum preparation allowing engagement of short-dwell-time targets and when using shoot-and-scoot tactics. It can be made ready-to-fire five minutes after halting from march, and can displace 60 seconds from the last round fired to a new location to avoid enemy counter-fire. In tactical use the vehicle moves from a covered or concealed hide area to a firing position, and after firing all rounds proceeds to a secure reload site and then on to a new hide area or second firing position to repeat the cycle.
The artillery rocket has a body length of 6.5 metres (21.325 ft), a body diameter of 266 mm (10.472 in) and a maximum launch weight of 330 kg (727½ lb). It consists of a constant diameter lightweight graphite motor casing, a tail unit with wrap-around fins, a warhead/payload section for unitary or cargo warheads, a guidance section (on precision rockets only) and ogive nose. All variants are propelled by a common single-stage solid fuel rocket motor loaded with fourth-generation composite solid propellants arranged in a single pulse all-thrust grain. The fuel is composed of a highly energetic crystalline caged nitramine explosive (hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) based CL-20), an energtic monomer binder (bisazidomethyloxetane (BAMO)/nitratomethyl methyl oxetane (NIMO)) and bio-based copolyamide plasticizer (energetic thermoplastic elastomer (ETPE)) that are low smoke producing with 20% greater performance than conventional solid propellant fuels. Aerodynamic stabilisation is provided by a constant counter-clockwise rotation imparted by spin rails on the inside walls of the launch canister engaging with spin lugs on the aft end of the rocket, and four wrap-around pop out fins that deploy and lock in position after exiting the launch tube. A range of payloads is available including unitary warheads for precision strikes, fragmentation warheads for area saturation, and multi-configurable cargo warheads with terminally guided submunitions for mass targets and scatterable mines. In accordance with legal restrictions including General Assembly Resolution #272 "Chemical Weapons Accord" and General Assembly Resolution #356 "Landmine Safety Protocol" the development of chemical, or minelet or bomblet based submunitions (i.e. cluster munitions) has been prohibited due to the inherent danger they pose to civilians and infrastructure by unexploded ordnance (UXO) such as dud artillery grenades. A self-destruct capability is also built into all munitions to minimise the battlefield hazard to friendly troops occupying zones that have been fired on and as an aid towards post-conflict cleanup and reconstruction efforts. The list of available ordnance include: General Purpose High Explosive (GPHE) The payload is a 90 kg (200 lb) unitary high explosive (HE) warhead with steel fragmenting case that is designed for the point destruction of threat forward area air defence, artillery batteries, radar stations and other important material. It is the standard payload of the precision-guided rocket and has a launch weight of 320 kg (705 lb). It is equipped with a multi-mode programmable electronic safe and arm fuse (ESAF) that provides three modes of operation: a proximity mode with a fixed 5 metre air burst for use against soft targets in the open such as troop concentrations, a delay action mode for enhanced after-penetration effects against light fortifications and bunkers, and a point detonation mode for use against the upper decks of lightly armoured vehicles. Pre-Fragment High Explosive (PFHE) Popularly known as "Hard Rain" this fragmentation warhead is optimised for soft targets and thin-skinned vehicles as an effective alternative to anti-personnel/anti-matériel (APAM) bomblets and is commonly fitted to the free-flight rocket motor. The warhead contains 200,000 pre-formed tungsten fragments of various weights, sizes and shapes (spherical and cubic) to maximise their on-target effects surrounding a CL-20 high-power explosive bursting charge. A proximity fuse with air burst functionality has selectable altitude settings of 3 or 10 metres to allow engagement of enemy troops in the open, entrenchments and anti-defilade i.e. behind reverse slopes, terrain depressions, etc. The weapon can produce a very large kill radius, with a single rocket able to cover up to a 4-hectare zone with its "Hard Rain" of lethal fragments, equivalent in effectiveness to a full salvo of forty 122 mm Grad rockets. For higher precision, differing burst heights are selectable to cover a 1,000-metre grid map square or a point target inside a 500 metre burst radius. High Impulse Thermobaric (HIT) HIT is an air burst weapon primarily intended for minefield clearing, landing zone preparation, targeting of troops in enclosed areas such as bunkers, buildings, tunnels and caves, and anti-structure missions including reduction of battlefield obstacles and strongpoints. The payload is a fuel-air explosive (FAE) that ignites on exposure to atmospheric oxygen. This has an explosive fill consisting of an aerobic fuel-rich aerosol mixture of powdered nitramine nanoparticles coated in a ionic salt oxidiser. Two small bursting charges are used to respectively disperse and then initiate the mixture. When dispersed the powder forms an aerosol cloud that covers a wide area or can enter a structure, and detonates with a massive air blast and high-temperature fireball that will cause severe burns and crushing injuries to any exposed troops. Unlike the short-duration high impulse blast wave of a high explosive, the thermobaric explosive generates a long-duration blast overpressure across a large zone or area that literally flattens any obstacles and has enough force to pre-detonate most buried mines. A selectable air burst is used for wide area effect (minefield clearance, landing zone preparation, etc) and impact/graze for focused effects (demolishing structures and fortifications, materiel destruction, etc.) Devastator Ground-Launched Metric Small Diameter Gliding Bomb (GL-MSDGB) This is an extended range 330 kg (727½ lb) anti-structure/anti-materiel munition that uses a free-flight rocket motor to boost a 129 kg (285 lb) precision guided glide bomb to altitude. It is designed for the precision attack of fixed high value and hardened point targets including bridge piers, bunkers, aircraft shelters, blockhouses, tunnels and caves; and reactive time-critical targeting of stationary or mobile targets like armoured vehicles and mobile command posts, and even landing craft approaching the shore. The kill mechanism is a conical steel penetrator and 57.6 kg (127 lb) dense inert metal explosive (DIME) insensitive munition bursting charge contained inside a low-drag aerodynamic steel casing. It is activated by a multi-mode electronic fuzing system with impact and delay action modes to provide deep penetration or accurate proximity height-of-burst performance. The weapon is modified from the air-dropped Decimator Metric Small Diameter Gliding Bomb (MSDGB) using an inter-stage adapter to mate the weapon to the rocket booster motor. It retains that system's folding non-planar scissor-type variable geometry joined wings that deploy on separation from the booster after 32 km (17¼ nmi) of boost flight to provide an extended unpowered glide range of 150 km (81 nmi). The bomb can fly a non-ballistic aerodynamic flight trajectory that can navigate around obstacles and terrain to provide a cave breaching and reverse slope engagement capability and hits the target with a near vertical terminal trajectory to maximise on-target effects, with a penetration depth up to 1.8 m (6 ft) in steel-reinforced (rebar) concrete. Guidance, navigation and position data is provided by a inertial navigation system (INS) corrected by a global positioning system (GPS) receiver protected by an anti-jam capable selective availability and anti-spoofing module (SAASM). Terminal homing consists of a dual mode 94 GHz millimetre wave (mmW) active radar and mid-wave (3.5 – 5.0 µm) imaging infrared (IIR) passive seeker with the dual sensor channels offering high target/decoy discrimination and clutter rejection capability and ability to locate, classify, identify and track a target to an accuracy of 1 m (3.3 ft). Wide Area Autonomous Search Unitary Penetrator (WAASUP) A cargo warhead for free-flight or precision rockets containing a submunition dispenser with five 22.7 kg (50 lb) WAASUP sensor fused/terminally homing submunitions packed end-to-end. It is designed for the point destruction of multiple dispersed stationary or moving targets with the objective of breaking up enemy armoured and mechanised columns en masse at stand-off ranges. When sensing it is over the target area autosequencers releases submunitions from a dispenser using a gas generator/bladder system, that are then slowed in freefall by a ram-air initiated ballute parachute before deploying a steerable parafoil for trajectory shaping and maximising flight time over the search area. During the unpowered glide phase each autonomous weapon scans a large search footprint area of about 2,000 by 1,000 metres in a helical pattern using a dual-mode MMW active radar and IIR passive optical seeker. Automatic target recognition (ATR) algorithms detect, classify and localise targets, employing imaging methods and preloaded signature libraries to discriminate between high and low value targets such as the infrared signature of an idling tank from that of a truck. After positively identifying a valid target the weapon aims and fires a rocket-boosted tandem shaped-charge warhead with tantalum liner to perforate its thinner upper deck armour, using a precursor to defeat any first layer of reactive armour. It is a quick reaction weapon that can attack multiple vehicles in a moving column, with full capabilities against hot or cold, stationary or moving, and hard or soft targets in all-weather conditions. Wide Area Munition Briliant Anti-Armour Mine (WAM-BAAM) A rocket delivered scatterable version of a hand-emplaced or vehicle dispersed sensor-fused anti-vehicle/anti-tank (AV/AT) mine, with twelve 9 kg (20 lb) munitions packed per rocket, that are dispensed sequentially and descend on a parachute to cover a ground pattern 250 metres wide and between 300 to 400 metres long. The seeding of small minefields at stand-off ranges can disrupt or delay attacking formations, cause attrition and confusion, restrict terrain at chokepoints, or canalize the enemy into other minefields or kill zones. The mine has a constant cylindrical body platform enclosing a launcher tube and gas generator, and a self-righting mechanism that employs an array of U-shaped leaf spring legs to orientate the mine from a sideways landing to upright deployment position with automatic compensation for slope angle. The fusing system employs microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based micro-seismometer and omnidirectional condenser microphone acoustic detector array that deploy on landing to sense targets at a range of ~100 metres, and classifies them according to engine noise and seismic rumble signature. The mine can acoustically track the position, bearing and speed of a target, and uses signal processing algorithms to discriminate between military and civilian vehicles and human and animal activity. On detecting a valid target, such as an armoured vehicle or a logistics truck, the weapon orientates itself on the target bearing and launches a puck or skeet-like mine submunition or "sublet" on a predicted intercepting top-attack trajectory. The spin-stabilised sublet has a 100 metre range visible light laser altimeter and simple polycrystalline lead selenide (PbSe) mid-wave infra-red photodetector to sense when it is over the target, especially vulnerable hot spots like an engine compartment, to trigger firing of an explosively formed penetrator (EFP), consisting of a Misznay-Schardin effect flat cone-shaped charge and copper disc backing plate, to defeat the thin upper armour of the vehicle. Safety features include separate self-neutralising and self-destruct timers that can be preset at 24 or 48 hours, and 7, 15 or 30 days, and an encoded two-way radio communication subsystem and GPS receiver that supports position, status and spot reporting, remote detonation and remote disarm/rearm to allow freedom of movement through a munition field. Kill Runway Improved Sub-System (KRISS) The KRISS runway/airfield denial weapon was originally developed as a low altitude air-dropped runway-cratering submunition or 'dibber' bomblet and has been adapted as an artillery rocket delivered munition using technology licensed from Giat Industries (now Nexter Systems). KRISS is a rocket-boosted concrete penetrating munition optimised for the destruction or long-term damage of rigid or flexible pavement runways, taxiways and parking aprons, and concrete or semi-concrete hardened aircraft shelters and blockhouses. Two 52 kg (115 lb) KRISS submunitions are carried per rocket containing a hardened steel penetrator and 8 kg (17.6 lb) of high explosive (HE) in a bursting charge. They consist of a constant cylindrical body with streamlined ogive nose, high-impulse solid-fuel rocket motor, tailfin assembly with deployable drag parachute and pop-out cruciform stabilisation fins. On release from a dispenser, each KRISS deploys its fins and parachute to slow and shape trajectory to line up over the target, with the aimpoint preprogrammed into a GPS/INS guidance unit to cut runways and taxiways at their intersections to prohibit the use of take-off areas. The warhead is rocket boosted at very high terminal velocity in a steep dive angle to maximise penetration depth through concrete, and detonates underneath the surface on a delay fuze, buckling the surrounding area for maximum destructive effect. The damage this inflicts includes lifting up slabs that cannot be easily patched even by pouring asphalt, making the work of repair teams difficult, with only a few KRISS munitions needed to temporarily disrupt air operations or to permanently deny use of an airfield by continious follow-up attacks. Anti-Material Incendiary Submunition (AMIS) AMIS is a wide area effect, direct attack submunition containing a combined effects anti-matériel/anti-personnel warhead effective against soft or lightly protected targets, with thirteen of the 8.16 kg (18 lb) cylindrically-shaped submunitions packed inside a munition dispenser carried by a GPS/INS-guided precision rocket. AMIS is primarily designed for the deep interdiction of rear area supplies and matériel to delay or disrupt supply, transportation and distribution operations. Targets include trucks, tractors, trailers, expandable van shelters, radar vans, mobile machine shops, fuel tankers and water browsers, stockpiles such as fuel storage barrels and ammunition dumps, and vital equipment like aircraft, helicopters, watercraft and transport-erector-launchers (TEL). The kill mechanism is a bimodal warhead consisting of a pre-scored steel fragmention liner with preformed zirconium-tin pyrophoric fragments embedded in spiralling channels scored on its inner surface, enclosing a PAX-21 insensitive high explosive (IHE) bursting charge, slapper detonators, an electronic safe, arm and fire (ESAF) device, and a piezoelectric impact fuse on a standoff probe that extends from the base of the munition. A drogue parachute is deployed to slow and control the descent of the munition on release from the dispenser and ensure its proper orientation for detonation above the ground. The weapon produces up to 2,000 diamond or arrowhead-shaped self-forging fragments (SFF) in a 360° fragmentation pattern around its cylinder body containing both high-speed fragments that can pierce vehicle hulls, airframes and the thin steel of fuel drums, and low-speed pyrophoric fragments that can ignite fires in vehicle and aircraft fuel cells and munition items. Scatterable Unattended Ground Group Sensor (SUGGS) SUGGS is a ruggedized, expendable, wirelessly-networked, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering system that provides persistent 24/7 all-weather 360° surviellance coverage of an area of interest (AOI) using solid-state sensors to detect, track and identify enemy personnel and vehicles by their seismic, acoustic, radiological nuclear and magnetic signatures. It has a discus-shaped outer body and weighs 2 kg (4½ lb), with 120 packed into the cargo dispenser of an unguided rocket. They are released at a nominal 1,000 m altitude above an aimpoint for wide dispersal, free falling at a terminal velocity of 90 m/s, and function landing either side up on any type of terrain. It contains low-power/low-cost rugged single-chip sensors, processors, transceivers and Flash memory, that are encased in shock absorbent foam sealed inside an impact, crush, shatter, fire/melt, temperature and corrosion resistant polycarbonate outer shell. It can survive high g accelerations/decelerations up to a 50 g (490 m/s²) impact with concrete, rock or hard compacted earth, and has IP68 ingress protection for operation while fully immersed in water, mud, snow, ice, gravel, dirt, sand and dust. On landing they automatically establish an encrypted wireless ad hoc network of mesh topography with a radius 15 km per node to continuously transmit or store-and-forward spot reports of enemy activity and movements to an overflying communications relay. M207A1 Mobile Artillery Rocket System
MesoAmerican cultures Confederacy Army
South hampden National Army Cyrassinian Ground Forces
Slacaria Slacarian Army
Aquilara Aquilaran Army
The Great state of Joseon Royal Joseon Army
Korrodos Imperial Army Imperial Marine Corps Imperial Aeromarines United Korrodosian Defense Force
Rapaldegia Bagazis Bagazian Army Animarnia Fortress State Ground Defence Force Fortress State Royal Marine Corp
Awesome Imperium Imperial Army
New Chinese Federation New Chinese Federation Army Telegram for purchasing options or place an order through Consortia.ea. Please consider approving this dispatch to increase its visibility.
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The M84 "Argus" Forward Area Air Defence System (FAADS) (export designation: Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Argus ("anti-aircraft cannon tank Argus", or Flakpanzer Argus), or Canon automoteur chenillé antiaérien Argus ("self-propelled tracked anti-aircraft gun Argus), or Self-propelled gun-launcher complex "Argus") is a full tracked, heavy armoured, highly mobile, hybrid gun/missile, dual role air and ground defence artillery weapon system. It provides quick reaction terminal point defence and close tactical ground protection to forward area heavy armoured manoeuvre forces and is optimized to engage and defeat air and ground threats with high kill probability under all adverse battle conditions. The M84 Argus is capable of autonomous rapid-fire control and weapon reaction; fully network-centric integrated multi-layer area defence; air/ground long-range target identification, acquisition, prioritization, and tracking with a high 'hit and kill' probability; and all-weather, day/night, extended fighting capability with a search and shoot 'on-the-move' capability. The M84 has three crew members in a conventional layout, with the driver seated in a semi-reclined station in the front hull with a sliding-type hatch and seven periscope cluster with rotating thermal night driving sight. The commander and gunner are located side-by-side in the turret at duplicate digital crew stations. Access to the turret is from a side hatch or by overhead sliding-type hatches with nine periscope clusters. Both turret crew stations feature a pair of ruggedised LED-backlit 26.41 cm (10.4 inch) diagonal active matrix LCD (AMLCD) Multi-Functional Display (MFD) with rugged and vibration resistant machined aluminium housings and 28-button integrated switch bezels. The commander and gunner can control all functions of the firing unit from their MFDs, including vehicle management, fire control, situational awareness, communications and the battlefield management system. A dual-redundant J1939-compliant MilCAN serial bus and quad-channel optical backbone data bus with fibre channel arbitrated loop (FC-AL) network topology interconnects all the onboard systems. The M84 combines missiles and guns into a hybrid integrated weapon system for engaging and defeating air and ground targets. The cannon armament comprises two 40 mm L/78 cased telescoped ammunition (CTA) air-cooled automatic guns mounted by externally-powered elevating arms to either side of the turret. Both guns are independently stabilised to counter vehicle movements, and have a compact form factor equivalent to a 25 mm Bushmaster cannon. The guns are based on the same Nexter 40 mm L/70 Case Telescoped Armament System (CTAS) anti-aircraft cannon used by the Thales RAPIDFire air defence system, modified with barrel extensions to 78 calibres (3,120 mm), ventilated air-cooling jackets and muzzle breaks for increased rate of fire, and non-contact induction coils for sending data to programmable fuses and to prime projectiles. The cylindrical CTA rounds are more volume efficient having 2.5 times the payload of conventional 30 mm ammunition for increased ballistic effects, and produce higher muzzle velocities that deliver longer ranges and shorter miss distances for enhanced accuracy.
The standard missile armament consists of a loadout of twelve (12) stored kills of MIM-191B (SL) Krait surface-to-air missiles in two reloadable six (6) pack launchers, one each mounted on the port and starboard sides of the turret at the base of each cannon mount. All missiles are packed as a containerised all-up-round (AUR) canister allowing easy storage, transport, handling and replenishment by transloader vehicle. [Note: Before development of the MIM-191B Krait weapon system pre-production and low-rate initial production (LRIP) models of the M84 Argus were armed with man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) weapons including the Sequoia Dynamics FIM-192A Scorpion and Raytheon FIM-92J Stinger fire-and-forget missiles and Saab Bofors RBS 70 MK 2 BOLIDE laser beam riding missile. The manufacturer has since fully qualified the Lyran Arms SALY-28, LAIX Arms LA-430 Attero, Crookfur Arms SAM 6, Moretyr AE-7 SRAAM and MBDA Mistral II for integration on export versions of the M84 Argus.] The Argus Fire Control System comprises a radar and optronics sensor package, electronic warfare suite, processors, ballistic computer, geolocation suite, tactical datalinks and battlefield management system. The ballistic computer, based on a VMEbus backplane with multiple 32-bit PowerQUICC III processors, calculates lead angles and gun offsets using azimuth/elevation/range data from radar, optronics and laser range finders. Target search and track data can be shared across two-way, jam-resistant, secure datalinks via any plug-and-fight battlefield management command and control system such as the Cornerstone Battlefield Management System (CBMS) used by the Etoile Arcture Ground Forces, Warrior III Battle Management System (W³BMS) used by the Lamonian Army, BattleNET system used by the Stevidian Army, Uifens Battle Management System used by the Crown Army of Anemos Major and the popular BASTION II (Battlefield Systems Integration and Networking) system produced by Schwerpunkt Arms. This interlinks all vehicles in a firing platoon, and in turn a battery and other friendly units by JTRS Cluster 5 software-defined radio (such as Synergy Electrodynamics JEWEL Waveguard modular wideband digital radios), allowing operators in different vehicles to rapidly switch between targets during an engagement. When employed in semi-permanent fighting positions or defending fixed sites firing units can also be integrated with MIL-PRF-85045/8A Ground Tactical Fibre Optic Cable for added resilience. The Argus Search Radar is a forced air cooled, dual beam, NATO E/F-band (IEEE S-band) coherent pulse-Doppler three-dimensional (3D) digital solid-state frequency agile radar housed in a mechanically rotating, electronically stabilized, low radar cross-section (RCS) reflective antenna. The antenna consist of dual low sidelobe planar arrays mounted back-to-back, each connected to an independent mono-beam Klystron microwave transmitter, digital receiver/exciter (DREX) low phase noise waveform generator, and VMEbus digital signal processor (DSP) board with 32-bit PowerPC 7457 "Apollo" processors, located inside the turret in impact, shock, vibration and heat resistant line replaceable unit (LRU) electronics racks. The scanner rotates at a 60 rpm scan rate providing high-elevation angle 360° volumetric air surveillance, with long-range rapid target detection and recognition out to an instrumented range of 60 km and altitude of 15 km to ground level with a range resolution of 40 metres. The Argus Search Radar features electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM), rapid search modes, track-while-scan (TWS), fire-on-the-move, anti-clutter modes (90 decibels (dB) of clutter rejection in the air channel and 70 dB of clutter rejection in the surface channel), non-cooperative target recognition (NCTR), and automatic identification friend-or-foe (IFF) interrogation for deconfliction. The system can track up to twenty (20) targets and engage eight (8) targets simultaneously, and provides detection, classification and tracking of targets with a RCS as low as 0.5 m² or -3 dBsm (decibels per square metre), in heavy weather or ground clutter and high jamming. The Argus Fire Direction Radar is a forced air cooled, NATO I/J band (IEEE X band) passive electronically scanned array (PESA) fully coherent monopulse solid-state radar using a high power travelling-wave tube amplifier (TWTA) based radio frequency transmitter. The antenna primarily controls the two rapid-fire automatic guns, and is mounted in an armoured radome positioned on the front of the turret, scanning a 60° field of regard in whichever direction the turret is pointed. The fire control radar (FCR) produces range vectors for programming ammunition fuses using precision angle radar tracking, and is capable of low-altitude tracking out to 6 km of low signature targets with a RCS as low as -40 dBsm (0.0001 m²), or at a range of 12 km in low jamming/clutter, or -15 dBsm (0.02 m²) at a range of 16 km in high jamming/clutter. The system can use multi-target track-while-scan modes, range-gated Doppler filters for moving target indication (MTI), and constant false alarm rate (CFAR) clutter rejection modes to detect, classify, track and discriminate against targets including artillery shells, mortar rounds, air-to-ground rockets and missiles, precision-guided bombs, cruise missiles, helicopters and aerodynes, and fast jets (at crossing speeds up to Mach 2.5) over the battlefield. Electro-optic surveillance system The electro-optic system is mounted on a twin-axis stabilised gimballed turret on the vehicle's roof and contains a passive multispectral infra-red search and track (IRST) suite with a detection range of 18 km. It can be used for passive surveillance, tracking and classifying low-level targets, and can cue or receive cues from the fire control radar. The IRST suite comprises a video auto-tracker (with computer-aided optical tracking against evasive highly manoeuvring targets) and continuous-zoom day TV; two thermal channels (a 3-to-5-micron (mid-wave) indium antimonide (InSb) and 8-to-12-micron (long-wave) indium gallium arsenide/indium phosphide (InGaAs/InP) photodiode array (PDA) uncooled microbolometer detectors arranged in a two-dimensional staring focal plane array (FPA) that can see through weather and obscurants (rain, mist, dust, smoke, haze, etc), and track cool (stealthy) targets such as UAVs); a diode-pumped 1.54 μm wavelength ytterbium^erbium:glass-based Q-switched eye-safe laser rangefinder; a digital encoded 10.59 μm fast pulsed CO₂ laser with a range of 8 km using scanning optics to produce expanding patterns of laser spots as jam-resistant guidance beams for beam-riding missiles and laser-guided projectiles; and a geolocation suite using inertial 3-axis sensors and differential GPS receiver. The total package provides optronic fire-control and laser-ranging combined with radar cues to minimise deception by jammers, decoys and visual/IR smoke. A backup aiming system consists of a three-axis stabilized direct view optical panoramic day sight with dual (×3 or ×10) magnification on the turret roof using a rotating driven reticle sight.
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The AH-79C "Anaconda" (export designation: Panzerabwehrhubschrauber Anakonda, or Hélicoptère d'Appui Destruction Anaconda, or Vertolet Anakonda, or Rotorcraft strike complex "Anakonda") is a twin-engine, tandem-seat, multi-role, heavy attack helicopter featuring a robust damage-tolerant semi-monocoque fuselage, engine/transmission and rotor system. It can fly and fight unrestricted in day/night all-weather conditions over all types of terrains and in all climates, operating in land and littoral environments without reconfiguration. Flying at very low-attitude and relatively low-speed fight profiles it uses terrain masking manoeuvres, pop-up attack tactics and low observable (LO) aircraft features that minimise radar, infrared, acoustic and visual signature to increase battlefield survivability. Its primary mission is anti-armour attack, battlefield interdiction, scout/observation and armed reconnaissance, while also being capable of air-threat suppression and air defence suppression, and possessing a high-speed dash capability to provide armed escort to transport helicopters. It has a weapon suite for prosecuting air, ground and waterborne targets with an area weapon (30 mm (1⅒-inch) automatic revolver machine cannon), aerial rocket system (free-flight and laser-guided 2¾-inch, 3½-inch and 5-inch folding fin aerial rockets), air-to-air subsystem (infrared homing Scorpion, Mistral, Stinger, Attero or Sidewinder missiles), and point target subsystem (semi-active laser-homing Hellfire II and Arcus, radar-guided Longbow Hellfire and Brimstone II and, fibre-optic guided and fire-and-forget Scimitar and Spike missiles, and anti-radiation homing Sidearm missiles). An integrated surveillance and fire control system uses radar and electro-optic sensors to navigate through difficult terrain and locate, identify and engage multiple targets in adverse weather and degraded visual conditions. An integrated defensive aids subsystem provides autonomous multispectral (RF/IR/EO) threat situational awareness and self-protection jamming and countermeasures for high survivability in dense electronic warfare threat environments. The AH-79C follows the standard template of a multi-role attack helicopter with a narrow profile and small frontal area that minimises drag and visual silhouette, with stub-winglets for external stores carriage, twin-tandem seating in a pressurised armour-protected cockpit, and a fixed non-retracting tricycle landing gear with single wheel units on shock-absorbing legs. Power is derived from twin side-by-side turboshaft engines in hardened nacelles with integral inlet particle separators and built-in exhaust cooling. The aircraft is highly survivable, type-certified to FAR Part 27 rotorcraft airworthiness standards and MIL-STD-1290A crashworthiness standards, and is highly manoueverable with ADS-33E-PRF military rotorcraft mission handling qualities in low and high-density altitude conditions. It has a stiffened airframe that can sustain high structural loading, a high-efficiency drive train system and responsive engines of high specific excess power, and an articulated rotor head that allows high yaw, roll and pitch rates. These factors combine to extend the flight envelope to aerobatic manoeuvres including 90° bank turns, barrel rolls (combination loop and roll), split S (half rolls), snap turns, Fieseler or Hammerhead (stall turn), and negative g (inverted flight) manoeuvres. It has a 100°/sec yaw rate with unlimited yaw pointing ability at speeds up to 80 knots to turn/line-up on targets (snap turn), can fly sideways at 66 knots (sideslip), hover out of ground effect at full load in FAR Part 29 Category A conditions, make running and non-running take-offs and landings in 40-knot crosswinds, and operate from a rolling, pitching, yawing flight deck in up to Sea State 6. It is highly deployable, able to self-deploy 800 nautical miles into a 20-knot headwind, and can be airlifted (with rotor blades removed and landing gear folded rearwards) by a C-130 or larger transport aircraft. The airframe features an aerodynamically streamlined Fenestron (fan-in-tail/fantail) anti-torque tail rotor, high horizontal T-tail stabilizer with inward canted low-RCS endplate fins, a ventral fin anti-spin strake and mid-mounted tailplanes with angular endplate fins slightly offset to port to counteract rotor torque in forward flight. It has a conventional pod-and-boom layout, with low radar cross-section (RCS) sloped sides and chines blended into the forward fuselage and highly swept tail boom that houses the tail rotor drive shaft. Over 75% of the aircraft by weight is made of composite materials and the remainder from lightweight corrosion-resistant metals. The fuselage is a semi-monocoque damage-tolerant/crashworthy/fail-safe all-composite structure of temperature insensitive, ballistic-resistant glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), graphite and para-aramid fibre (Kevlar) honeycomb sandwich skins over lightweight, low density, high strength titanium-aluminide alloy (TiAl3) spars, ribs and longerons built around a central torsion box beam keel structure. This can sustain high aerodynamic loadings: up to 2.5 g turns and pullups, -0.5 g pushovers and roll manoeuvres, and -0.3 g pop-up manoeuvres. The fuselage panels provide toughness with high strength and modulus, minimal thermal, acoustic and mechanical vibration signature, tolerates crash impacts at 10.5 m/s, and provides STANAG 4569 AEP-55 kinetic energy (KE) protection and STANAG 2920 V50 fragmentation protection to vital areas and systems to resist small arms and heavy machine gun fire. A multilayered polymeric thin-film coating is applied with an infrared absorbent layer and dielectric layer that protects against lightning strike, high-intensity radiated fields (HIRF), electromagnetic interference (EMI), electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and transient radiation effects in electronics (TREE). The undercarriage is a crashworthy non-retractable tailwheel-type landing gear consisting of trailing-arm main gear units mounted either side of the fuselage and a tailwheel unit at the base of a ventral fin. The main gear units have high energy-absorbing two-stage oleo-pneumatic (air–oil hydraulic shock absorber) legs, a single wheel main unit with a low-pressure Goodyear run-flat 8.50-10 tyre, twin rotating hydraulic disc brakes and sprag brakes (wheel locks) to prevent rotation on landing or inadvertent deck roll. The locks disengage hydraulically and actuate automatically on loss of hydraulic power. The tail landing gear unit is fully castoring, self-centring and lockable with a two-stage oleo shock strut, fork stem yoke and wheel assembly that is 360° free swiveling for taxiing and ground handling, a tailwheel lock system and single low-pressure Goodyear run-flat 5.00-4.5 tyre. The landing gear are primarily of lightweight and robust non-ferrous near-beta titanium alloy (Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al) construction. The main gear is designed to handle landing sink rates of 8-12 m/s and the tail gear descent rates of 4-6 m/s. The AH-79 has a staggered/stepped-tandem two-seat pressurised cockpit with the co-pilot/gunner seated above and behind the pilot/aircraft commander. These stations are in a 'gunship' layout positioned slightly offset from one another to offer excellent visibility, with an external crew field-of-view that exceeds MIL-STD-850B aircrew vision standards. Each crewmember is seated on a MIL-S-58095A qualified impact-absorbing/crashworthy Martin-Baker Multi-Platform Armoured Crew Seat (MPACS certified to MIL-STD-1472H human factors/ergonomic standards to accommodate the 3rd-97th percentile of estimated aircrew sizes (male, female and transgender). They are bucket seats featuring laminate boron carbide ballistic protection and dual energy-absorbing vertical stroke impact attenuators, with a fixed covered headrest, form-fitted sitting cushion, height-adjustable moulded backrest and lumbar cushion, and five-point webbing harness with MA-16 acceleration sensing self-retracting inertia reels. The front and rear seat instrument panels are equipped with a Cockpit Airbag Restraint System (CARS) that automatically inflates in high g accelerations/decelerations to prevent blunt impact injuries to the head, neck and chest. All main functions of the rotorcraft are handled by a fully integrated open architecture digital avionics system that controls and monitors communications, navigation, flight director, autopilot, fly-by-wire, transmission, engine condition, fuel/hydraulic/electrical systems, aircraft performance, caution and warning systems, sensors and fire control. The avionics suite includes a VHF omnidirectional range/instrument landing system (VOR/ILS), non-directional (radio) beacon-distance measuring equipment (NDB-DME), automatic direction finder (ADF), tactical air navigation (TACAN) receiver, a strapdown attitude heading reference system (AHRS) with low-airspeed air data system, two omnidirectional airspeed and direction sensors (AADS) and three-axis micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) rate sensors, embedded global positioning system/inertial navigation unit (GPS/INU) (EGI), Doppler navigation system (DNS) with Doppler radar velocity sensor, a Health Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) with enhanced fault detection and data transfer capability, a solid-state digital cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), identification friend/foe (IFF) subsystem, voice-activated intercom, encrypted voice/data communications, and tactical datalink with data modem for inter-aircraft and air-to-ground communications equipment. The aircraft is also equipped with a battery-operated automatic-activating Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to assist search and rescues, and Underwater Acoustic Beacon (UAB) in case of a sea ditching. Full "flight and fight" capability is available from the front and back seats using dual Hands On Collective And Stick (HOCAS) flight controls comprising two twist grip controllers - a sidestick cyclic/gunner grip and collective pitch/throttle lever - and left/right anti-torque pedals for yaw control. The grip controllers use high sensitivity magnetic sensors and provide vibration (force feedback) cues, and have eight switches for control of core aircraft and armament system functions. The aircraft is equipped with a MIL-STD-3009 Type 1 Class B/Class C NVIS (night vision) compatible integrated flight data system (IFDS) or "glass cockpit" based on the Thales (formerly Sextant Avionique) TopDeck integrated modular avionics suite with duplicate 'manprint' (manpower integration) instrumentation and controls at both crew stations. Each station has a centre column containing a central control/display unit (CDU) with 10-row by 24-character dot matrix LED display and alphanumeric keyboard for display and management of the helicopter's radio, navigation, flight control and mission plan; and dual side-by-side 16 cm (6.3 in) diagonal full-colour high-brightness LED-backlit active matrix LCD (AMLCD) Multi-Function Displays (MFD) that can be used as a primary flight display with electronic attitude/director indicators (EADI), a navigation display with electronic horizontal situation indicators (EHSI), a radar display with plan position indicator (PPI) or B-scope display modes, an engine indications and crew alerting system (EICAS) display, a digital moving map that displays routing, threats and terrain elevation data, or can display FLIR/TV video imagery from the sensor suite. Four independently lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery-powered 6.1 cm (2.4 in) diagonal LCD electronic standby instruments (ESI) - a standby altimeter, standby attitude indicator, standby airspeed indicator and standby magnetic compass - provide continuity of operation in the event of a main electrical system failure. The drive train comprises twin Safran (formerly Rolls-Royce/Turboméca) RTM322 01/9 reverse-flow turboshaft engines mounted in side-by-side nacelle pods at the upper centre-fuselage and widely spaced apart for redundancy and survivability from ground fire. The engines have two spool cores with a three-stage axial and single-stage centrifugal compressor, reverse flow annular combustion chamber, a two-stage axial flow gas generator turbine and two-stage axial flow power turbine, connected to a forward-mounted output drive by a transmission shaft. A full authority digital engine control (FADEC) with primary and backup channels provides automatic engine governing and variable rotor speed governing for optimum engine efficiency. The turboshafts are derated for improved cold, humid and 'hot and high' performance, with a low-noise power output and 10% reserve power margin for combat emergencies. They each develop 1,642 kW (2,201 shp) at take-off and 1,483 kW (1,988 shp) in maximum continuous power when both engines are running, and 1,789 kw (2,400 shp) for two minutes in single-engine emergencies. The main transmission is a modular compound planetary gearbox with a minimum 65-minute run-dry capability without oil lubrication and 30-minute operation capability after taking ballistic damage. It has three-stage primary reduction gearing coupled to engine input drive shafts for driving the static mast that carries torque loads to drive the main rotor system. The tail rotor drive shaft is coupled to its own intermediate gearbox for driving the tail rotor gearbox and fantail rotor system. In event of loss of power to main or tail rotor systems, or to recover from loss of lift caused by a vortex ring state, a sprag clutch can disengage the main transmission drive to allow the rotors to freewheel for performing an emergency autorotation landing. Lift and thrust is generated by a five-blade hingeless, bearingless flexbeam, ballistic-tolerant all-composite main rotor system, with the rotor hub a single forged non-ferrous near-beta titanium alloy centrepiece containing the static mast that mounts on the drive shaft. The rotor blades are constructed for maximum ballistic damage tolerance with a filament-wound carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) spar, glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP) upper and lower skin, lightweight Nomex honeycomb core, titanium/nickel leading edge anti-erosion strip, and Kevlar tip cap. They have a broad chord geometry and 13° rotor twist that minimises vibratory loads at high speed, with swept, tapered and curved high-speed anhedral blade tips that produce greater lift, with lower vibration/oscillations, reducing drag at high speed on the advancing blade, with increased operating efficiency at high angles of attack without stalling. The main rotors operate at a low revolutions per minute (rpm) to reduce rotor noise and provide higher control responsiveness with greatly reduced lag. The blades are flexibly mounted by CFRP starplates forming a multiple blade retention ring allowing multiple load paths for greater safety and damage tolerance. A swashplate is connected to each rotor blade by pitch change links (PCL), with control demands (torque for cylic or collective blade pitch control) transmitted through a torsionally soft GFRP flexbeam spar between the rotor hub and blade roots, and by torsionally stiff torque tubes laminate-bonded to the upper and lower skins of the rotor blades connected by elastomeric snubber‐vibration dampers. The elasticity of the rotor blades allows flap bending, lead-lag bending and torsional moments that produces high dynamic and aeroelastic stability in forward and hover flight. For transport, the main rotor blades are removable without disconnecting the control system. A shrouded Fenestron or ducted fan-in-fin tail rotor counteracts the torque effect of the main rotor while providing highly responsive yaw control and directional static stability. It contains eleven asymmetrically angled CFRP/Kevlar 'scissor'-type bearingless fan blades that are unevenly spaced to reduce vibration and noise signature. The Fenestron rotors are ballistic resistant to 14.5 mm (.57 cal) machine gun fire and can operate for 30 minutes with one blade missing, while the main rotor blades can resist 23 mm (0.9 inch) cannon fire. All blades are protected by an anti-icing system using electro-thermo graphite leading-edge mats. The rotorcraft has a highly responsive dual triplex-redundant full-authority, manoeuvre-demand, hydromechanical flight control system electrically signalled by a quadruplex-redundant fly-by-wire (FBW) control system. Cyclic, collective and pedal command inputs are electronically controlled through an automatic flight control system (AFCS) using dual-redundant flight management computers (FMC) receiving data from inertial and navigational sensors. The computers generate dynamic non-linear closed-loop flight control laws that operate within an operational performance envelope (OPE) including airspeed, altitude, rate of climb/descent, sideslip, turn rate and load factor. They are coupled to the engine FADEC computers for flight envelope protection that includes automatic one engine inoperative (OEI) control, high rate of descent protection, autorotation entry assistance, and control axis decoupling. A digital autopilot/yaw damper and flight director can maintain rotorcraft attitude for full-time hands-off flying to reduce pilot workload, and provides four-axis stability augmentation (independent pitch, roll, yaw and collective axis stabilisation) for use in hands-on flying. These encompass a range of basic flight modes including heading/acquire/hold, altitude capture/hold, airspeed hold, ground speed hold, bank angle hold, transition up/down and turn coordination; and advanced flight modes including line-of-sight acquisition/hold, and auto-hover, auto-land, terrain mask, pop-up, navigation and approach, back course, go-around and hover trim modes. The Emerson Optronics ADAMANTS (Airborne Day/Night Navigation And Targeting System) is an electro-optic/infrared/ultraviolet (EO/IR/UV) multi-sensor system that provides long-range, all-weather, day/night and adverse weather navigation, situational awareness with high-speed wide-area sector search, air/ground/sea target identification and classification, and laser rangefinding and designation. A single shared multi-sensor payload is housed in a hermetically-sealed temperature-controlled 762 mm (30 inch) rotating ball turret on a motorized three-axis gyrostabilized gimbal platform with ±120° azimuth and ±30/-60° elevation limits. The turret is constructed from a V50 ballistic resistant polycarbonate shell and contains dual independent forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors that can be used singularly or interleaved for clutter rejection and penetrating adverse weather and battlefield obscurants. These consist of a large-format third-generation 8-12 μm longwave infrared (LWIR) and 3-5 μm medium wave infrared (MWIR) staring array thermal imager with wide, medium, narrow and zoom fields-of-view; a 2-megapixel high definition 3-CCD continuous zoom colour daylight TV camera with wide, narrow and zoom fields-of-view; a 1-megapixel back-illuminated electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) low light TV camera operating in solar-blind ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) spectral wavelengths; a 20 km+/-5 m range diode-pumped, solid-state, Q-switched, eye safe 1.05 μm infrared laser designator/range finder (LD/RF) digitally encoded to STANAG 3733 laser pulse repetition frequency (PRF) codes for cueing semi-active laser (SAL) homing seekers, boresighted to a wide-angle silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) laser spot tracker and goniometer; and solid-state inertial measurement unit (IMU) and and navigation processor for geolocating/geotagging targets. Both the FLIR and TV channels have image processing pipelines with automatic target recognition (ATR), adaptive multi-target video autotracking against high manoeuvring air and ground targets, and target handover capability. The Longbow (Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman joint venture), and formerly Westinghouse, AN/APG-78(V) "Longbow" is a low probability of intercept, millimetric-wavelength, pulse-Doppler, multimode surveillance and fire-control radar (FCR) that is part of a mast-mounted assembly (MMA) including a Lockheed Martin AN/APR-48B Modernised Radar Frequency Interferometer (MRFI). Both sensors are mounted on a baseplate on top of a de-rotation unit above the static mast and cooled by ambient air. The raised position offers an unobstructed 360° field-of-regard to allow detection from behind cover and obstacles (e.g. terrain, trees or buildings) without unmasking the whole aircraft to minimise crew exposure.
The radio frequency interferometer (RFI) is a signal intercept system tightly integrated with the radar system that provides passive long-range detection and unambiguous identification of radiating targets, and performs target acquisition and cueing of sensors and weapons including warning, tracking and engagement of radar directed anti-aircraft threats. It weighs 17.69 kg (39 lb) complete, consisting of two four-element direction finder (DF) arrays offering an instantaneous 360° field-of-regard - a four-element coarse DF array for initial signal acquisition and a four-element long-baseline interferometer for high accuracy DF measurement - that feed a four-channel amplitude and three-channel phase measuring digital channelized instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM) receiver covering the 0.5 to 40 GHz (NATO C- through K-band) frequency range. Signals are processed by a reprogrammable MIL-STD-1750A 16-bit RISC microprocessor that calculates the azimuth angle, elevational angle and Doppler shift of any threat emitter and uses a parametric radar emitter library to characterize, identify and prioritize threats, including warning of threat radars in acquisition mode or that are tracking the fire-control radar. The aircraft is equipped with a Saab Avitronics (Saab Group and Grintek joint venture) Compact Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (CIDAS), an electronic self-protection system that combines multiple lightweight conformal sensors, jammers and processors of optimal size, weight and power (SWaP), and expendable countermeasure decoys, for detection and defeat of ground and air-based attacks. This includes a digital radar warning receiver/electronic support measures (RWR/ESM) system using quadrant spiral antennas and an electronic countermeasure (ECM) deception jammer with digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) techniques generator, used to detect, identify and degrade continuous-wave (CW), pulse and pulse-Doppler (PD) radar in the 1 to 40 GHz (NATO D- through K-band) radio bands; a passive laser warning system (LWS) and all-laser directed IR countermeasures (DIRCM) system with quadrant detectors and fibre laser jammer heads to provide detection, classification, warning and jamming of multiple laser threats in Band I (0.5 µm to 1.1 µm), Band II (1.1 µm to 1.65 µm), Band III (0.8 µm to 1.1 µm) and Band IV (8-12 µm) wavelengths covering laser rangefinder (LRF), laser target designator (LTD), laser beam rider (LBR) and imaging infrared (IIR) missile guidance systems; a passive missile approach warning system (MAWS) with quadrant focal plane array (FPA) imaging sensor heads that detect and track ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by missile plumes during their launch, boost and sustain flight phases, using algorithms to evaluate potential false alarms, declare validity of threats, and select appropriate countermeasures; and a fully integrated chaff and flare decoy dispensing system with manual, semi‐automatic and automatic modes of operation. Each sensor, jammer and dispenser is controlled by a processor card with a digital signal processor (DSP), and are centrally managed by a Saab Avitronics EWC100 Electronic Warfare Controller that uses algorithms and a parametric threat library to analyse threats and select the suitable tactic to counter it.
The area suppression weapon is a Rheinmetall RMK 30/2 (Rückstoßfreie Maschinenkanone Kaliber 30) lightweight front-loading three-chamber revolver recoilless (RCL) single-barrel automatic cannon with electrical firing mechanism. It fires 30 × 250 mm combustible-cased telescoped ammunition with inductive primers consisting of a 44 mm diameter rigid tube of cast solid propellent telescoping an armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) kinetic energy penetrator, or low drag projectile with point detonating high-explosive dual-purpose (HEDP) warhead or programmable, radio frequency (RF) proximity fused, high-explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead. An electric motor-driven linear linkless ammunition handling and autoloading system feed the cannon from a 500-round helical drum magazine located in an armour-protected centre-fuselage ammunition bay. Rounds can be uploaded or downloaded directly into the feeding system using a loading adapter on the flight line. The point target weapon system comprises precision-guided air-to-surface missiles, air-to-air missiles and aerial rockets that are carried on six external hardpoints - four underwing pylon stations stressed for loads of up to 300 kg (661 Ib) and two wingtip attachment points stressed for loads of up to 113.4 kg (250 lb). The pylon stations have hydraulic and electrical quick-disconnects for mounting munition and launcher suspension equipment and can be articulated +2° to -10° in elevation/depression for an increased weapon launch envelope. The wingtip stations can mount a twin-tube launcher assembly or single rail missile launcher. A MIL-STD-1760C Aircraft/Store Electrical Interconnection System (AEIS) interface transmits weapon control signals to munitions and launchers, supporting stores recognition, stores selection, target acquisition and tracking, arming/fusing, launch/release sequencing and stores jettison. Loadout can vary between tactical missions, but must be evenly balanced between both sides of the aircraft. A maximum of eight AGM-114 Hellfire, Brimstone, LA-419 Arcus or SPIKE anti-armour missiles, thirty-eight 2¾ in (70 mm) diameter fin-stabilized air-to-ground rockets, or two AIM-9 Sidewinder or Python, or four AIM-92 Stinger, AIM-192 Scorpion or LA-430 Attero air-to-air missiles can be carried. Original production version focused on armed reconnaissance and anti-tank mission. Powered by twin Rolls-Royce/Turboméca RTM322-02/8 turboshafts driving low-noise and low-vibration 4-blade hingeless/bearingless main rotor and 8-blade anti-torque Fenestron ducted-fan, with fly-by-wire controls, digital autostabiliser and integrated GPS/Doppler/INS/air data/laser/radar altimeter navigation system. Sextant Avionique integrated digital avionics suite with 'manprint' (manpower integration) instrumentation and controls based around dual-redundant MIL-STD-1553B and ARINC 429 databuses and dual MIL-STD-1750A 16-bit RISC microprocessors in each of the two flight control computers and two mission computers. TopNight helmet-mounted sighting system slaved to nose-mounted and roof-mounted optronic sights with TV, FLIR, laser rangefinder/designator and direct view optics for observation and engaging targets from behind cover. Armed with General Dynamics 20 mm (0.87 in) M197 three-barrel electrically-fired Gatling-type rotary cannon in a GIAT (later Nexter) fully traversable chin-mounted turret. Armament system support for laser-guided Hellfire missiles, fire-and-forget and fibre-optic guided Spike missiles, free-flight and laser-guided Zuni, SNEB and Hydra-70 air-to-ground fire support rockets, AGM-122A Sidearm (re-manufactured AIM-9C Sidewinder) anti-radiation missile, AIM-9M Sidewinder, AIM-92 ATAS (Air To Air Stinger), Mistral and Python-3 air-to-air missiles. Integrated suite of self-defence electronics including radar warning receiver, laser warning system, chaff/flare dispensers and radio frequency jammers controlled by a Saab Avitronics centralised electronic warfare management system. Comprehensive engine, airframe, avionics and weapon systems upgrade, including: new 30 mm caseless recoilless (RCL) single barrel revolver machine cannon, avionics architecture updated to Freescale PowerPC AltiVec-based 32-bit multiprocessors and avionics bus to 1-gigabit Fibre Channel high-speed data bus standard, new cockpit displays based on Thales TopDeck suite using modern energy-efficient/low heat producing full-colour AMLCD technology, Thales TopOwl LCD-based binocular helmet-mounted sight and display (HMSD) with Gen IV image intensifiers slaved to nose-mounted optronics turret, Class A helicopter terrain awareness and warning system (HTAWS) with improved flight envelope protection for nap-of-the-earth (NOE) flying, new adverse weather weapon control system with mast-mounted Longbow fire-control radar (FCR) and radar frequency interferometer (RFI) to provide air-to-ground mapping, ground/air moving target indication to cue RF-guided Longbow Hellfire and Brimstone II missiles, maritime radar modes and AGM-84 Harpoon integration, and software and hardware integration of Scimitar missiles, R57/89 WAFAR and AGR-128A Angon rockets, and off-boresight aiming all-aspect IR-guided and thrust-vectoring air-to-air missiles for enhanced air defence. Updated defensive aids suite with all-laser directed IR countermeasures (DIRCM) system added. Engine upgrade to marinized Safran RTM322 01/9 turboshafts to correct salt-air corrosion issues with earlier models and provide improved performance in cold and hot and dry conditions, along with uprated transmissions, alternator-generators. New rotor system with 5-blade main rotor and 11-blade anti-torque Fenestron for higher performance and reduced acoustic signature. Airframe revisions including T-tail on vertical fin and tailplanes with endplate fins for improved vertical, longitudinal, and lateral stability, and modifications to the fixed tricycle undercarriage for better operation from ship flight decks. Etoile Arcture Etoile Arcture Ground Forces Etoile Arcture Maritime Forces Royal Imbrinium Army Royal Imbrinium Marine Corps Zinairian Army Antigrian Army Akimondian Army Imperial Mephrasian Army Salzlander Army Crown Army of Anemos Major Parilisan Revolutionary Army Minnysotan Army Armée de Terre Corps des Marines Madurastan Army Imperial Army Imperial Marine Corps Imperial Aeromarines Confederacy Army Royal Army Air Corps Rocky Canadian Army Cyrassinian Ground Forces Altmelian Army Slacarian Army Imperial Army Imperial Marine Corps Aquilaran Army Royal Joseon Army Armed Military Imperial Army New Chinese Federation Air Force Telegram for purchasing options or place an order through Consortia.ea. Please consider approving this dispatch to increase its visibility. Specifications (AH-79C Block III) AH-79C Anaconda in multi-role mission configuration Data from Aerodyne specifications. General characteristics
Performance
Armament:
Avionics
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This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final.
The M344 Wolverine series of 8×8 light armoured vehicles are all-climate, all-terrain, all-weather, fully amphibious, NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) proof vehicles designed for battlefield survivability while providing overwatching fires to support dismounted infantry. The M344 series incorporate state-of-the-art diesel-electric parallel hybrid power trains and low mass composite applique modular armouring over a lightweight steel monocoque hull to achieve the design goals of reduced weight, increased strategic deployability, high fuel efficiency and sustained cross-country performance. The M344 provides superior anti-IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and anti-RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) levels of protection and are ideally suited to urban operations and low-intensity warfare while still retaining a rough terrain/amphibious capability. The M344 has a high payload capacity with a spacious interior protected by a STANAG 4447 central air filtration system and STANAG 4634 overpressure collective protection system supplying fresh filtered air, and clean agent automatic fire and explosion suppression system protecting the crew and engine compartments. The troop compartment features Nexter Safepro ergonomic crash-proof seats along the hull sides that offer AEP-55 level 4a and 4b fragment and blast protection. The dismounted infantry section is provided equipment storage racks and can access the vehicle via a power-operated ramp at the hull rear. The forward crew compartment is equipped with two duplicate fixed hull stations seating the driver and commander in armoured bucket seats and have excellent situational awareness through advanced sensors, datalinks and information fusion, being able to remotely sight and fire weapons under armour for maximum protection. The crew and dismounts enjoy relative comfort including climate control and amenities that reduce fatigue for sustaining continuous operations. The M344 has a compact modular series-parallel hybrid-electric power pack enclosing high torque common rail diesel engine prime power unit, alternator/generator and variable frequency power electronic converter. An automated electronic shifting transmission allows selection between direct power, battery power for reduced fuel consumption over all terrains, and silent watch and movement in urban areas; and both systems for instant startup, and maximum power and torque over rough terrain. A solid-state high voltage DC-DC step transformer converts electricity from the generator and transfers it by lightweight decoupled drive-by-wire electro-mechanical linkages to the drive motors without need for gears, shafts and differential. A Sand Draw Diesel (Sandiesel) in-line six-cylinder ("straight six") 32-valve intercooled common rail direct injection turbo diesel engine provides the prime power. This engine displaces 7.2 litres, is rated at 536 hp (400 kW) @ 4,000 rpm, and develops 2,000 N-m (Newton metres) of torque. It is directly coupled to a Genista Electrosystems GENSET-1C Reigns permanent magnet (PM) brushless DC alternator/generator that produces 350 kW of electricity. A Saft energy storage system is installed in the undercarriage consisting of twin rechargeable 114 kW/hr battery packs that each comprise twenty-four 2.5 V Lithium-metal polymer (LMP) electro-chemical cells. The suspension consists of independent double wishbone units that integrate an active damping system using magneto-rheological dampers to enable higher cross country speeds and a wider range of mobility. The drive train is designed to yield all-terrain capability with either 8×8 or 4×4 modes available to the user for operation on rough terrain or metalled road surfaces. It is designed for high manoeuvrability on different terrain types including traverse difficult terrain like mountain trails. It has a very tight turning radius being powered and steerable on all eight wheels using 50 cm oil-cooled in-hub constant speed traction motors. These are high power-to-weight ratio units each rated at 72 bhp (53.69 kW) and developing 250 n-M in torque that can store regenerative braking energy for improved efficiency and supplemental battery charging. Each motor also includes an inboard electro-hydraulic disc brake with integral anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution for high manoeuvrability. The wheels run on 14.00 R 20 tyres with run-flat inserts using the Nexter Syegon central tyre inflation system with low ground pressure over sand and snow, and water logged terrain such as swamps, marshes and wetlands. The vehicle is fully amphibious with a deep water fording capability to enable river crossings and beach landings where it is propelled in the water by a centre rear water drive. The basic monocoque hull is of all-welded high hardness wrought armour steel (MIL–A-12560) construction, with additional STANAG 4569/AEP-55 rated ballistic protection provided by low-cost, lightweight, multi-hit ablative, ceramic-filled polymer constrained titanium diboride-alumina (TiB₂-Al₂O₃/E-glass/epoxy) appliqué armouring that is 10% lighter and 200% more resistant than the equivalent mass of previous generations of ceramic matrix composite armours. Modular B-kit add-on protection includes a Low Intensity Warfare kit employed when operating in close urban terrain with slat armour for stand-off protection high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warheads fired by rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) recoilless rifle weapons, and High Intensity Warfare kit with explosive reactive armour (ERA) modules to protect against larger calibre shaped-charged warheads. Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Category II compliant protection from a "/\" (reversed "V") shaped belly and contoured wheel wells that deflect blasts from land mines, explosively formed penetrator (EFP) mines and other improvised explosive devices (IED) away from the hull to protect the crew. Survivability from enemy fires is enhanced by an Integrated threat warning and soft-kill hit avoidance suite including jammers, spoofers and expendable countermeasures (EXCM) for defeat of guided munitions. A Sigleuir counter-mine/anti-IED detection and neutralisation system is fitted for rapid clearance of victim-activated landmines from routes. It detects the recently disturbed ground around buried objects using a staring-type longwave infrared hyperspectral imager in the lower front hull and neutralises the threat by inducing rapid heating of the explosive with a solid-state 0.5-kilowatt air ionizing laser. Against radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RCIED) favoured by insurgents a Thales Eclipse electronic protection system with software-defined electronic countermeasure (ECM) can jam all radio command signals including cellphone frequencies and bands. Radar and thermal signature management is achieved by extensive use of low observable composites in construction, with a small silhouette with sloping glacis to reduce head-on radar cross-section, and low acoustic signature by use of quiet direct electric drive and turret controls. A Full Spectrum Warfare add-on B-kit includes a synthetic rubber dust skirt that minimises dust, sand and debris and Doppler signatures from the turning wheels. All-solid-state electronics are hardened against transient radiation effects and electro-magnetic pulse. A universal 1 m diameter turret ring mounting on the roof can mount an unmanned teleoperated weapon station containing an armament system with ammunition feed and electro-optical multi-sensor payload for target acquisition and fire control. Electric drives provide three-axis stabilization allowing accurate on-the-move target engagement. Each of the APC, ICV, AMS and MCV variants consist a separate self-contained armament package, with the APC variant equipped with an unmanned turret mounting a dual-feed autoloading cased telescoped 40 mm autocannon and a lightweight remote weapon station with 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or 25 mm air bursting grenade machine gun for close-in protection; the MCV variant a Multi-Missile Spike NLOS launcher providing non-line-of-sight firepower (8 missiles) against mobile and stationary targets; the AMS variant a 120 mm automatic gun-mortar that can engage enemy personnel in defilade or elevated fighting positions with air-bursting MAT-120 cargo mortar bombs, and moving vehicles or static strongpoints with STRIX end phase-guided anti-armour projectiles; and the MGS variant a Vosselheim 105 mm L/52 high pressure gun fed by an 8-round autoloader and 12-round replenisher that can handle and fire all NATO standard ammunition types and gun-launched missiles to engage armoured targets at extended ranges.
The M344 possess a sophisticated peripheral vision system of electron-multiplied CCD (EMCDD) cameras that provide enhanced 360° situational awareness to both crew members at their duplicate advanced crew stations, and to the infantry section commander using a stripped-down terminal in the passenger compartment, enabling sighting and firing of the remote weapons by any crewmember. A dual band/multicolour thermal sight system on the roof provides passive, on the move, rapid wide-area search and difficult target acquisition at extreme ranges. Additional aids include an eye-safe laser rangefinder/designator, self-locating digital inertial compass and GPS antenna. Crew overload is reduced by use of software Tactical Decision Aids that perform automatic target acquisition, classification, tracking and firing solution computing. In addition, the vehicle carries a JTRS Cluster 1 communications suite operating as a self-organizing wireless communication node as part of larger multi-static battlefield networks, providing access to off-board friendly sensors, logic and fires over jam-resistant two-way datalinks. The basic M344 consists of a two-vehicle subfamily of a light Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) and heavier Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), differing only by the roof armament option. These include autocannons to defeat soft and light armoured targets, and machine guns and air bursting grenade machine guns capable of target suppression and local protection of the vehicle from enemy infantry. The chassis has also been developed into additional combat configurations including a mortar carrier, air defence artillery vehicle, tank destroyer and numerous unarmed service support versions conducting missions as varied as command post, ambulance, engineering, armoured recovery, minelayer and logistics.
M344 Wolverine Series 1 Armoured Personnel Carrer Full Spectrum Warfare Modular Armour B-Kit M344 Wolverine Series 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier Low Intensity Warfare Modular Armour B-Kit M344 Wolverine Series 2 Infantry Carrier Vehicle High Intensity Warfare Modular Armour B-Kit M344 Wolverine Series 2 Infantry Carrier Vehicle Low Intensity Warfare Modular Armour B-Kit M344 Wolverine Series 3 Missile Carrier Vehicle M344 Wolverine Series 4 Battlefield Reconnaissance Vehicle M344 Wolverine Series 4 Medical Evacuation Vehicle M344 Wolverine Series 4 Command Post Vehicle M345 Timberwolf Communications Relay Vehicle M345 Timberwolf Mounted Gun System M345 Timberwolf Advanced Mortar System M345 Timberwolf Air Defence Vehicle SIDAM 25 M346 Wolfhound Armoured Security Vehicle M347 Wolfcub Armoured Scout Vehicle M348 Werewolf Mounted Gun System Low Intensity Warfare Modular Armour B-Kit M349 Wolfsbane Armoured Mortar System Low Intensity Warfare Modular Armour B-Kit
Coorsota Coorsota Ground Defence Force
Arcturia Armée de Terre Corps des Marines
Korrodos Imperial Army Imperial Marine Corps Imperial Aeromarines United Korrodosian Defense Force
MesoAmerican cultures Confederacy Army
Norway-sweden-finland Imperial Army Cyrassinian Ground Forces Slacarian Army Slacarian Special Forces
Aquilara Aquilaran Army
Animarnia Fortress State Ground Defence Force Fortress State Royal Marine Corp
New Chinese Federation New Chinese Federation Army Lorkiek's Ground Army Lorkiek's National Guards Corps Telegram for purchasing options or place an order through Consortia.ea. Please consider approving this dispatch to increase its visibility.
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This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final.
The M96 Light Utility Multi-Purpose Vehicle (LUMPS) Mark 2 (II) has been designed for a requirement to exceed a 600-mile (965 km) operational radius and features high fuel economy hybrid-electric propulsion, all-terrain mobility, quiet operation, advanced signature management, and armoured crew capsule with STANAG Level 3 protection from small arms fire and shell splinters, and MRAP Category I protection from land mines and improvised explosive devices. It provides protected mobility to small infantry teams and unarmed and armed reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. The M96 LUMPS II is configured with a front engine, four-wheel drive and steer (4WD&S), and four door armoured crew cabin with centre driving station, two duplicate advanced crew stations and either two passenger seats, a modular rear bay or an open load bed. Armament options include remotely controlled weapon stations for up to medium calibre weapons on the cabin roof, and automated weapon systems including mortars, artillery and articulated slant box launchers mounted in the rear bed. The M96 is easily air transportable and deployable, able to be carried internally by a C-130-sized or larger aircraft and deployed by low-velocity airdrop method, or underslung by a V-22 or larger convertiplane or CH-47-type or larger rotorcraft for quick deployment. The M96 is propelled by a series hybrid propulsion system consisting of a front mounted 4.6 litre turbocharged, intercooled diesel engine burning F-35 (MIL-DTL-83133) kerosene-based JP-8 grade jet fuel for reduced exhaust plume, and rated at 215 hp (160 kW) with 800 N-m (Newton metres) of torque, a shaft-driven direct-drive constant speed permanent magnet (PM) brushless DC alternator/generator producing 111.85 kW of electricity with an efficiency of 97.5%, a Saft energy storage system in the undercarriage consisting of a rechargeable 114 kW/hr Lithium-metal polymer (LMP) high voltage battery pack, and four oil-cooled in-hub PM traction motors providing all-wheel drive rated at 67 bhp (50 kW). The drive train delivers peak torque of 80 N-m per at each wheel to overcome all types of terrain, with break force distribution and regenerative braking using the traction motors to recover energy. The M96 has been designed to provide a STANAG 4569 Level 3 ballistic protection and MRAP Category I blast protection rating to occupants. This is achieved with a diamond-shaped steel hull with outward and inward-sloped sides that provides resistance to small arms fire and a reduced radar cross section (RCS), and a "V"-shaped belly plate that combines to mitigate and deflect blasts from mines and other explosive hazards vertically and away from the hull. The M96 lacks a roof hatch for the operation of a trainable machine gun pintle as this would compromise the NBC citadel and armed variants are equipped instead with an Overhead Remote Weapon Station (ORWS) installed on the hull roof for operation while under armour. Grenade dischargers are fitted to the front bumper covering a 270° forward firing arc for laying self-screening smoke. The vetronics (vehicle electronics) architecture is a computer-controlled, multiplexed electronics system that operates and diagnoses all major vehicle systems using built-in self-test fault management and diagnosis equipment. It has an architecture using multiple distributed single-board computers powered by Xilinx Virtex II-Pro system-on-chip processors based on 450 MHz (de-rated to 300 MHz) PowerPC 405 cores, and a dual-redundant MilCAN-compliant J1939 databus with 250 Kbps data rate. Operations are conducted from a centre driver station or from dual duplicate advanced crew stations in the cabin, which all feature multifunction touch displays (three for the driver, and two each for the commander and gunner) with graphical displays powered by processes running on the embedded QNX Neutrino realtime operating system (RTOS). The displays provide realtime performance feedback, or health and usage monitoring, including vehicle speed, engine RPM, braking, accelerometer ratings, as well as audible and visual cues to the driver from threat warning and collision alert systems. The crew stations can access all these functions too as well as data from any plug-and-fight battlefield management system, such as the Cornerstone Battlefield Management System (CBMS) used by the Etoile Arcture Ground Forces, including geolocation (inertial and GPS), route planning, logistics, marked mine, obstacle and enemy positions, optronic and radar sensor channels, gunshot detectors, radiac (radiation source detector and dosimeter) and chemical warfare agent sensor data, in addition to voice and video communications, and control of armament systems.
M96 LUMPS II Infantry Carrier Vehicle M96 LUMPS II Command Liaison Vehicle M96 LUMPS II Scout/Observation Vehicle M96 LUMPS II Medical Evacuation Vehicle M96 LUMPS II Command/Operations Vehicle M96 LUMPS II Light Support Vehicle M96 LUMPS II Fire Support Vehicle
Arcturia Armée de Terre Forces Spéciales Corps des Marines Légion Étrangère
Imbrinium Royal Imbrinium Army Royal Imbrinium Marine Corps
MesoAmerican cultures Confederacy Army
South hampden National Army Imperial Army Cyrassinian Ground Forces Slacarian Army Slacarian Special Forces
Aquilara Aquilaran Army
Animarnia Fortress State Ground Defence Force Fortress State Royal Marine Corp
New Chinese Federation New Chinese Federation Army Telegram for purchasing options or place an order through Consortia.ea. Please consider approving this dispatch to increase its visibility.
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This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final. The M23A1 "Hyena" is a family of three full-tracked heavy armoured engineering vehicles based on a common hull and drive system and can be equipped for a wide range of tasks on the battlefield including mobility support (minefield breaching, obstacle and route clearance, road construction, bank preparation at crossing sites), counter-mobility (digging or covering of anti-tank ditches, building barricades and other obstacles), and survivability (digging of trenches and fighting positions, recovering and repairing other armoured vehicles). It is operated under armour by a crew of two, including commander and driver, that is protected at all times from small arms fire, artillery shell splinters and mine fragment debris. The family consists of:
All M23A1 vehicles are based on the basic chassis and automotive components of the Allis-Chalmers M8 Lariat 1A1L+ (Sequoia-Allis Defence Services M22A2HA Jackal) main battle tank, and sharing a common hull, suspension, running gear, powerpack and vetronics suite to provide a comparable level of agility, protection and performance to the combat vehicle. The M23A1 mainly differs by replacement of the main gun and turret with an all-welded casement fighting compartment providing increased hull volume for up to 7 crew and passengers. The hull is largely based on the earlier M81/M82 Burro family of engineering vehicles developed in the early 2000s by Allis-Chalmers alongside the M8 Lariat. Equipment includes front-mounted automatic capstan drum winches, detachable hydraulic actuated dozer blade, mine plough or mine rake on a rapid coupling/release mechanism, and a side-mounted rotatable hydraulic actuated telescoping arm that can attach a hoist or excavator bucket. The M23A1 is a crew-in-hull design featuring a casement fighting compartment with sloping glacis on the right hull side. The hull is spacious with ample stowage for rations, personal defence weapons and ammunition, handheld tools, and for amenities to ease crew fatigue including a thermoelectric cooler/freezer box and rapid boil cordless electric kettle (both plugging into power inverters in the vehicles internal electrical system), 50 L drinking water tank, and a chemical toilet. Four crew stations are provided for the driver and commander sitting in tandem and for two fitters seated side-by-side behind them, all on suspended seating. An additional three passenger seats (folding jump seats) are located in the hull for the bailed-out crew of a casualty tank. The driver and commander each have their own electrically driven sliding overhead hatch with all-round vision blocks. Two hatches are provided on the left hull side for the rapid ingress and egress of crew and passengers. The shell of the hull and raised superstructure is of all-welded construction comprising load-bearing modified rolled homogeneous armour (MRHA) steel protected by passive armour in the form of spaced arrays of high-hardness or semi-hardened monoplate steel and perforated steel mesh, and an appliqué of high performing multi-hit resistant polymer constrained ceramic composite modules (titanium diboride-alumina (TiB₂-Al₂O₃) ceramic granules in a carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin matrix). Spaced hard and soft monoplate steel side skirts protect the flanks and running gear. The armour suite provides both AEP 55 multi-hit resistance and STANAG 4569 Level 5 ballistic protection against medium calibre cannon armament, rocket-propelled grenades, and overhead protection from artillery fragments and top-attack munitions. Steel road wheels and tracks are protected to STANAG 4569 Level 4A standard to survive mine blasts, and the belly armour is Level 4B rated to resist blast, shaped charge and forged fragment anti-tank mines with explosive masses up to 10 kg of TNT or equivalent. The crew compartment has a microclimate environmental control system (ECS) with air conditioning and heating, and integral central air filtration system and overpressure collective protection system that provides clean breathable air to all occupants under nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) alert conditions. The system maintains a 4 millibar overpressure to keep toxic contaminants out of the vehicle even with hatches open, allowing personnel to enter and exit safely provided they are wearing Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear to protect them outside the vehicle. DynaSensor chemical warning and Radiac radiation detectors warn of any contamination hazards to the vehicle and crew. The engine and APU bays, fuel storage tanks and crew compartment are protected by automatic Spectrex clean agent fire/fuel explosion suppression systems with short wave ultraviolet/infra-red optical detectors and double shot extinguisher systems using non-toxic HFC-227ea (heptafluoropropane) gaseous fire suppressant agent. A carbon dioxide vapour heat exchanger/pump can be mounted to the rear engine deck providing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) capacity to reduce engine strain from overheating, and tropicalisation and winterisation for operation under extreme hot dry, humid hot and severe cold climatic conditions. The engine and transmission are rear-mounted in parallel on a skate frame for easy access for maintenance and repair. The prime power unit is a licensed-produced Sand Draw Diesel (Sandiesel) D990AGP1 liquid-cooled twelve-cylinder (four valves per cylinder) four-stroke diesel engine with common rail fuel injection system and sequential turbocharger. It is a multi-fuel engine that can run on kerosene, diesel, petrol or aviation fuel and is electronically managed by a central Engine Control Unit (ECU). The engine is coupled to a Western Motor Works T250FGT1 automatic planetary gearbox transmission that offers seven forward and one reverse gear ratio, and features an infinitely variable hydrostatic/hydrodynamic superimposed steering system, hydrodynamic/mechanical dual circuit integrated brake system, torque converter with automatic lock-up clutch, and twin infinitely variable cooling fans with power take-off (PTO). An under-armour auxiliary power unit (UAAPU) supplies power to electric, pneumatic and hydraulic systems when the engine is idled or not running. It comprises a 70 kW Sandiesel liquid-cooled, multi-fuel, 4-cylinder diesel engine coupled to five 20 kVA 3-phase AC electrical generators and two DC power inverters. An overhead remote weapon station (ORWS) is mountable offset to the commander's cupola, typically mounting a .50 cal heavy machine gun with 300 round magazine for self-protection. The station has high elevation/depression angles and fast slewing rates to track targets. It can engage light threats or detonate surface mines at stand-off distances. An eight-tube bank of reloadable 76 mm expendable countermeasures (EXCM) dischargers is mounted in the rear deck for rapid laying of self-screening smoke or firing of canister rounds for close protection against dismounted infantry. The crew can operate all equipment (dozers, excavators, cranes, winches, etc) and hitch vehicles to tow while under armour for maximum protection, using joystick controllers, forward and rear peripheral vision systems (wide-angle electron-multiplying CCD day/night cameras), and direct-view periscope optics with rotating thermal viewers on the commander and driver hatches. Vetronics are substantially similar to those found on production M22A2HA Jackal tanks including dual-redundant 1-megabit MilCAN-compliant J1939 serial bus drive-by-wire controls that provide electronic steering, throttle and braking functions with self-diagnostic built-in-test equipment (BITE), CAN-bus electronic controls for electrohydraulic systems, an automated position/navigation system (POSNAV) using inertial i.e. motion and magnetic sensors for dead reckoning navigation, and driver cameras. To minimise crew exposure during operations in high-danger frontline and built-up areas the crew can also dismount and teleoperate their machine from up to 10 km away using a rugged handheld game controller-style remote control unit. The remote includes a two-way wireless J1939 CAN-bus radio datalink receiver, a handheld grip with dual analogue sticks and D-pads that duplicate driving and equipment controls, and a 4-inch colour LCD display. The M23A1 provides both side-mounted hydraulic outlets for handheld power tools, and exportable DC power from the APU generator. All vehicles can be equipped with a full complement of electric, hydraulic and pneumatic tools stowed inside the hull including an electric arc welder, a wire welder, plasma torch, oxy-acetylene torch, air compressor, drill press, hydraulic press (for replacing bearings, shims, etc.), various saws (metal cutting rotary and metal cutting band saws), a motorized chainsaw, electric impact wrench, and loading tackle, lifting tackle, guide pulleys, wire ropes and chains for the winches. Demolition blocks and detonators are stored internally in armoured lockers inside individual fire and blast-resistant containers, to be used for reducing obstacles and battlefield fortifications. An integral fuel/de-fuel pump is also installed on the hull. The rear hull is fitted with a tow hook with a 36 metric ton pull weight (such as engineering trailers with spare powerpack), and a towing pintle of 72.5 metric ton pull weight. The later is used with a two-piece lightweight tubular steel V-shaped tow bar for recovering disabled vehicles such as main battle tanks or to tow damaged equipment into a field workshop for repair. Maxi-Pipe fascines or Class 70 aluminium trackway can be carried on the back deck secured by an excavator arm or crane jib depending on the vehicle, and launched into position to fill in ditches or reinforce river crossing sites. A stand can also be fitted to the back deck to carry heavy equipment weighing up to 8 metric tons including spare powerpacks (engine/transmission assembly), gearboxes, turrets, and other bulk cargo. M23A1E1 Hyena Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle (ARRV) The M23A1E1 "Hyena" Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle (ARRV) (export designation: Bergepanzer Hyäne ("armoured recovery vehicle Hyena" or BPz Hyäne) or Engin de Récupération et Réparation Hyène ("recovery and repair vehicle Hyena") or BREM "Hyaena" (Bronirovannaya Remonto-Evakuatsionnaya Mashina) - armoured maintenance-recovery vehicle) is designed for front-line recovery of swamped, buried, overturned, stuck or damaged tracked vehicles up to Military Load Class 80 (MLC 80) or weighing 72.5 metric tons. It can also perform field maintenance service including working on electrical and hydraulic connections, battlefield repairs using on-board welding and cutting gear and power tools, refuelling or defuelling of vehicles, and towing disabled vehicles using a rigid or non-rigid hitch to the nearest shelter, assembly point or repair unit. M23A1E2 Hyena Armoured Engineering Vehicle (AEV) The M23A1E2 "Hyena" Armoured Engineering Vehicle (AEV) (export designation: Pionierpanzer Hyäne ("armoured engineer vehicle Hyena" or PiPz Hyäne) or Engin de Génie de Combat Hyène ("combat engineer vehicle Hyena") or IMR "Hyaena" (Inzhenernaya Mashina Razgrashdeniya) – combat engineering vehicle) performs a wide range of tasks under battlefield conditions including dozing, ripping, excavating, grading, scraping, craning, grappling, welding, cutting, winching, building and removing obstacles, and mine field clearing. M23A1E3 Hyena Assault Breaching Vehicle (ABV) The M23A1E3 "Hyena" Assault Breaching Vehicle (ABV) (export designation: Entfernungpanzer Hyäne ("armoured obstacle-clearing vehicle Hyena" or EPz Hyäne) or Engin de Génie d'assault Hyène ("assault engineer vehicle Hyena") or PMP Hyaena (Probitiye Mashina Prepyatstviy) - obstacle clearing vehicle) is a dual function combat bulldozer and mine field clearing vehicle. It is designed to operate in the most hostile conditions clearing routes, creating assault lanes, breaching defensive earthworks, and filling anti-tank ditches and trenches. It also has the role of neutralizing mines and obstacles in the surf zone and on the beach during opposed amphibious assaults.
MesoAmerican cultures Confederacy Army
Aquilara Aquilaran Army
The Great state of Joseon Royal Joseon Army
Rapaldegia Bagazis Bagazian Army
Animarnia Fortress State Ground Defence Force Fortress State Royal Marine Corp
New Chinese Federation New Chinese Federation Army Telegram for purchasing options or place an order through Consortia.ea. Please consider approving this dispatch to increase its visibility.
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This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final.
M90A2 Arrowhead Improved Lightweight Attack Weapon in ready-to-fire configuration ....................................................................................................................... The M90A2 "Arrowhead" Improved Lightweight Attack Weapon (ILAW) (export designation: Reaktive Panzerbüchse Modell 90 A2 Pfeilspitze or Lance-Roquettes antichar modèle 90 F2 Flèche (LRAC Mle 90 F2 Flèche) is a compact, multifunctional, individually-portable, 3½" (88.9 mm) calibre, shoulder-launched, one-shot disposable weapon system used against infantry, vehicles, structures, emplacements and fortifications. The M90A2 is designed around a fin-stabilised unguided free-flight rocket-assisted cartridge equipped with a multipurpose tandem high effect warhead. The launcher employs the Davis recoilless gun principle using a funnel-like venturi and a counter mass to significantly reduce recoil, back blast and launch signature. This allows firing at close range from confined enclosures and concealed firing positions. A reusable clip-on day/night/laser sight ensures the single-shot weapon has a high first-round hit probability against both static and moving targets. The launcher is fired from the right shoulder only.Each M90A2 ILAW ships as a 'wooden' round, i.e. a pre-packed ready-to-fire single round of ammunition requiring minimal maintenance and simple pre-fire checks. The complete round consists of a fixed munition with warhead and rocket, expeller charge and counter mass pre-loaded into a sealed expendable composite launch tube, a simple high reliability electro-mechanical firing system with multiple safeties for launcher and warhead, a folding grip and shoulder rest to provide a stable firing platform, shoulder sling for easy portability, reusable clip-on day/night/laser sight, and emergency pop-up battlesights. Different tandem warhead configurations allows engagement of a range of battlefield targets including armoured fighting vehicles, light armoured vehicles, infantry in the open or protected behind cover, and fortified structures. Contents The M90A2 ILAW consists of a smoothbore launch tube open at the muzzle and breach ends containing an electro-mechanical firing mechanism, a rocket-assisted cartridge and expeller charge loaded at the muzzle end, and a counter mass loaded at the breech end in front of a divergent nozzle or venturi. The cartridge is a fixed round comprising a warhead in tandem arrangement (a precursor and primary charge) initiated by programmable setback-armed fuzes, folding aluminium alloy tail fins and an attached solid-propellant rocket motor. Frangible plastic discs secure all the elements inside the launcher. Three warhead options are available.
M90A2 Arrowhead Improved Lightweight Attack Weapon in ready-to-fire configuration The Emerson Optronics XM743 Day/Night/Laser Sight is a reusable clip-on computerised aiming device with a rugged weather-proof Zytel ST (Super Tough) polymer housing. It is secured by a detachable mounting plate to the left side of any M90 launch tube and retains boresight between launchers. The XM743 combines a 4× day telescope with fog proof optics, Generation III+ thin film autogated image intensification tube that works in starlight or moonlight conditions to provide night vision, low-power Class IM eye-safe (1.54µ) laser rangefinder, solid-state three-axis accelerometer, digital magnetic compass for bearing, an automatic crossing speed rate sensor, full-solution digital ballistics computer and a fuze control processor. Etoile Arcture Etoile Arcture Ground Forces
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The GL18E2 Tactical Support Weapon (TSW) (export designation: Mehrzweck-granatwerfer Modell GL18 E2 or Lance-grenades polyvalent modèle 18 A2 Cockatrice (LG Mle 18 A2 Cockatrice), popularly known as the "Basilisk", is a lightweight, shoulder-fired, air-cooled, gas-operated, semi-automatic, revolving action, six-round 40 mm (1.57-inch) calibre multi-shot grenade launcher that offers a high volume of fire to support infantry operations. It can load and fire the full continuum of 40×46 mm low-velocity (LV) and 40×51 mm medium-velocity (MV) grenades with a 140 mm chamber length that accommodates all standard length lethal and extended length less-lethal, as well as enhanced hyper lethal and speciality grenade rounds. The GL18E2 consists of six components: a barrel and front frame group, a cylinder (drum magazine) that revolves around a central axis, a rear frame and trigger mechanism, a reflex or occluded eye gunsight mounted in quadrant, and an adjustable shoulder stock. The frame is machined from a solid billet of Ergal 7075-T6 aluminium alloy that possesses steel-like mechanical strength and durability qualities, and the cylinder die-cast from corrosion-resistant Delphi K-Alloy/A304 in a hot chamber machine. The free-floating barrel is buttoned rifled from AISA 410 stainless steel with a progressive gain-twist that extends barrel life by reducing wear and imparts greater rotational stability on grenades to enhance their accuracy. The GL18E2 is striker fired by a spring-loaded firing pin and has a gas operated locking system that functions in similar fashion to a revolver pistol. The semi-automatic mechanism is cycled by gas diverted from the barrel by a tappet to drive an operating piston that in turn advances the cylinder via a ratchet mechanism indexed by a chamber alignment pin. Fire control is by ambidextrous safety/selector lever and a constant pressure double-action (DA) trigger. Each pull of the trigger rotates the cylinder one-sixth of a revolution, bringing a fresh chamber in battery with the barrel, automatically cocking the striker and releasing the firing pin to hit a percussion primer to fire the grenade. The trigger is two-stage with a long and heavy pull and short surprise break for flinch-free accurate placement of shots. In event of a dud round or misfire a release button on the frame can be pressed to unlock the cylinder allowing it to rotate freely to clear the affected chamber. The sight rail of the GL18E2 can accept a wide variety of aftermarket reflex (red dot), holographic and quadrant sights when firing at ranges <400 m, such as the Milkor M2A1, Rippel Effects GR40 and Mepro GLS reflex sights. It is most optimally configured when equipped with a both-eyes-open single point collimating sight like the Armson O.E.G. (Occluded Eye Gunsight). The O.E.G. compensates for ballistic drift of the 40 mm grenade, and includes a reticule design that allows quick aiming-point adjustment and range estimation, a range quadrant graduated in 25-metre increments, and tritium illuminated aiming posts for low light operation. At ranges up to ~800 m a aftermarket target acquisition and fire control system (FCS) is recommended, such as the Hensoldt Fire Control Sight, Rheinmetall Defence Vingmate Multi-Ray 800 and ITL Viper, that combine a daylight and nighttime (thermal) CCD channel, laser rangefinder, inclinometer, ballistic computer, ammunition programmer, and induction loops installed in the grenade launcher barrel. The FCS can program electronic timed air-burst munitions using range data gathered by the sight to engage targets in defilade such as behind reverse slopes and walls, and reaching building occupants through openings. The GL18E2 is a standalone grenade launcher and only one variant is produced, but can differ in the various types of optical or electronic sights used.
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Defence Forces uniforms and personal equipment follow gender-neutral design principles with standard unisex, male and female fittings for comfort and flexible movement. The service dress uniform is a combination summer and winter uniform in neutral khaki intended for field and garrison use in a breathable water-resistant ripstop fabric. It consists of a WWII-style waist-length battledress jacket (known as a blouse) with shoulder epaulettes worn with battle dress straight-leg trousers with zip flies and hip and rear pockets. The blouse features notched lapels, two pleatless breast pockets with button closures and poppers to keep the flap down, front zip concealed by a storm flap, and cumberbund and adjustable cuffs with button closures. All ranks are authorised to wear medal ribbon bars and specialist badges above the left breast pocket, and officer ranks, senior non-commissioned officers and warrant officers a red lanyard over the right shoulder as a dress embellishment. National insignia is worn as removable velcro patches on the upper left sleeve. The blouse is worn over a light taupe roll neck jumper or a long-sleeve dress shirt that officers wear with scarlet gorget patches (collar tabs with gold braid) and a bronze satin necktie, and senior enlisted personnel with an olive drab necktie. Accoutrements include a black pistol belt, gloves and combat boots with commissioned officers allowed to wear brown poromeric pistol belt, gloves and Oxford shoes. The barrack dress uniform exchanges the blouse for a olive drab crew neck pullover jumper with shoulder and elbow reinforcements, epaulettes and elongated sleeve cuffs that is worn with a khaki webbing belt or blue stable belt.
The standard headdress is a khaki beret with black headband worn folded over the right ear with a 3D-printed plastic cap device above the left eye, or a combination service dress cap with khaki cover and cap device, with officer caps having a red headband and black visor (peak) that is plain for subaltern ranks and adorned with a single or double row of gold oak leaves for substantive ranks. Other embellishments can include a scrim scarf, shemagh, cap comforter or beanie hat in olive drab or khaki. Religious observances are accommodated by a khaki hijab shawl for Muslim women and khaki dastār with plastic cap device for Sikh men.
Officer rank insignia are gold with red outlines (i.e., Bath star rank pips with or without crossed baton and sabre and a wreath for substantive officers) attached to epaulettes by clip pins. Lower ranks wear rank badges and chevrons on the right sleeve as removable velcro patches in gold on a red field or low visibility black on a green field. Warrant officer and senior non-commissioned officer rank badges are positioned above the sleeve cuff and non-commissioned officer and enlisted rank chevrons on the upper sleeve.
The combat dress uniform is the Guardian Multiservice Combat Apparel System consisting a two-piece shirt and pants ensemble in arid, tropic or alpine variants of the Crye MultiCam camouflage pattern adapted to almost any type of terrain or in plain black or olive drab in a moisture-wicking fire-resistant ripstop fabric. It consists of a stand collared long sleeve under amour shirt with half zip front, shoulder and elbow reinforcements, double sleeve and breast pockets, adjustable cuffs with velcro closures, and a pair of combat trouser pants with a gusseted crotch for full range of movement with zip flies, padded waistband, double rear, double front slash and double calf cargo pockets with velcro closures and knee reinforcements. Accoutrements include khaki, white or black removable shaped synthetic flexible shoulder and knee pads, webbing belt, full or half-finger padded tactical gloves, and air cushion combat boots with composite toe caps. It is worn over plain grey "Skivvies" (moisture-wicking T-shirt or brassiere, boxers or briefs, cushion sole socks) or form-fitting micro-climate-control undergarments in combination with a STANAG 2920 compliant personal protection system. This includes both the BK-4 Modular Combat Armour System and the Brigandine Modular Scalable Protective Garment System. The latter contains rigid protection elements offering ballistic, fragment and edge blade/spike protection with Level IIIA non-vital area soft armour inserts and Level IV+ vital area hard armour inserts using thixotropic or sheer thickening fluid. Headgear consists of the Centurion Head Protection System consisting a Level IIIA rated single-piece ballistic/fragmentation resistant shell with shock absorbing gel padding, rail mounting system, removable fragment-resistant maxillofacial shield (mandible guard) and wraparound VO ballistic, fragment and laser protective eyewear with built-in augmented/mixed-reality eyepiece.