by Max Barry

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17

Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final.

Etoile Arcture Ground Forces


Insignia of the Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

Founded

5 May, 1969

Country

Etoile Arcture

Type

Army

Role

Land warfare

Allegiance

Constitution of
Etoile Arcture

Part of

Defence Directorate
of Etoile Arcture

Parent unit

Etoile Arcture
Defence Forces

Components

  • Etoile Arcture Expeditionary
    Forces

  • Etoile Arcture Territorial
    Forces

  • Etoile Arcture Special
    Operations Forces

  • Garrison/HQ

    HQ: Joint Headquarters
    (JHQ), Lake Concordia,
    New Corinth
    Main: Fort Meridian,
    Meridia
    Overseas: Joint Base
    Ultra, Cormoran
    Fort Stahl, Thive

    Motto

    Latin: Omnia Paratus
    "Prepared in all things"

    March

    "Resolute warriors"

    Web site

    www.eagf.mil.gov.ea

    Manpower

    Military age

    Voluntary from 18

    Active personnel

    ~18.6 million

    Reserve personnel

    ~21.4 million

    Civilian personnel

    ~13.5 million

    Expenditure

    Budget

    ~US$6.5 trillion

    Industry

    Domestic

  • Sequoia Dynamics

  • Aerodyne Inc.

  • Colibri Automotive Works

  • Amoskeag International

  • Foreign suppliers

  • Korrodos

  • Amastol

  • Korva

  • Coorsota

  • Ionicus

  • Arceaenia

  • 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).

    Mission


    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.

    History


    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.

    Doctrine


    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 Linkobserve, 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.

    Code of Conduct

    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:

    1. Military action can only be taken against military targets.

    2. The use of force must be proportional to the task at hand.

    3. Soldiers may only use weaponry they were issued by the Etoile Arcture Defence Forces.

    4. Anyone who surrenders cannot be attacked.

    5. Only those who are properly trained can interrogate prisoners.

    6. Soldiers must accord dignity and respect to the civilians they arrest.

    7. Soldiers must give appropriate medical care, when conditions allow, to oneself and one's enemy.

    8. Pillaging is absolutely and totally illegal.

    9. Soldiers must show proper respect for religious and cultural sites and artifacts.

    10. Soldiers must protect international aid workers, including their property and vehicles.

    11. Soldiers must report all violations of this code

    Structure


    Force Structure

    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.
    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.

    • 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.

    Organisation

    Link
    Structure of a typical corps (click to enlarge)

    Link
    Structure of a typical division (click to enlarge)

    Link
    Structure of a typical brigade (click to enlarge)

    The most basic infantry fighting unit is the dismounted rifle platoon which is organised as three combat squads and one weapons squad that operate from wheeled or tracked infantry carrier vehicles. The basic squad size is nine to eleven infantry personnel drawn from the rifleperson, grenadier, gunner and engineer roles/occupational specialities. The combat squad is organised into three cells: a command cell of one to three people to provide recce and communications, an assault cell of three to four people organised as a manoeuvre fire team to provide fire and movement, and a fire support cell of three to four people organised as a fire support team to provide overwatch and base of fire. The weapon squad is organised with a weapon squad leader and two to three two-person cells with a gunner and assistant gunner or ammunition handler to provide direct and/or indirect fire support against point and area targets including machine gun teams, grenade machine gun teams, combined anti-armour teams and mortar teams.

    Combat Squad TO&E

    Command Element

    Squad Leader
    Sergeant or Master Corporal

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon + Metal Storm 3GL w/ XM5-10 Digital Aiming Weapon Sight

    Assistant Squad Leader/Squad Systems Operator
    Sergeant, Master Corporal or Corporal

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon w/ SCRD-06 Sable

    LinkAeryon SkyRanger R70 or FQM-242A Symphyta

    Manouevre Fire Team

    Fire Team Leader
    Master Corporal, Corporal or Lance Corporal

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon w/ XM5-10 Digital Aiming Weapon Sight

    FGM-198A Vespula/IGM-2 Grungir

    Grenadier
    Corporal, Lance Corporal or Private First Class

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon + Metal Storm 3GL w/ XM5-10 Digital Aiming Weapon Sight

    M90A2 Arrowhead Improved Lightweight Attack Weapon w/ XM743 Day/Night/Laser Sight

    Rifleperson
    Private First Class or Private

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon w/ SCRD-06 Sable

    M90A2 Arrowhead Improved Lightweight Attack Weapon

    M8A1 Defensive Hand Grenade
    M8A2 Offensive Hand Grenade
    M9A1 Assault Hand Grenade

    Fire Support Team

    Fire Team Leader
    Master Corporal, Corporal or Lance Corporal

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon w/ XM5-10 Digital Aiming Weapon Sight

    FGM-198A Vespula/IGM-2 Grungir

    Gunner/Automatic Rifleperson
    Lance Corporal, Private First Class or Private

    MG10A3 Demon Squad Automatic Weapon w/ XM5-10 Digital Aiming Weapon Sight

    Assistant Gunner/Rifleperson
    Private First Class or Private

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon w/ SCRD-06 Sable

    M90A2 Arrowhead Improved Lightweight Attack Weapon

    M8A1 Defensive Hand Grenade
    M8A1 Offensive Hand Grenade
    M9A1 Assault Hand Grenade

    Logistics


    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.

    Personnel


    Main article: Comparative Ranks and Insignia of the Unitary Technocracy of Etoile Arcture Defence Forces

    Recruitment

    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.

    Training

    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.

    Military equipment


    Individual Weapons

    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.

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon


    G10A3 Demon IAW with holographic reflex sight and angled foregrip


    Type

    Bullpup assault rifle

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2010 - present

    Used by

    See Users

    Production history

    Designer

    Sequoia Weaponworks

    Designed

    2005-2009

    Manufacturer

    Sequoia Weaponworks

    Unit cost

    US$2,500

    Number built

    classified

    Variants

    See Variants

    Specifications

    Weight

  • empty: 3.42 kg (7½ lb)

  • loaded: 3.629 kg (8 lb)

  • Length

    902 mm (35½ in)

    Barrel length

    546 mm (21½ in)


    Cartridge

    6.3×43mm PCTA

    Action

    annular gas piston, rising chamber block,
    detent locked

    Rate of fire

    1,200 rounds/min (full auto)

    Muzzle velocity

    930 m/s

    Effective firing
    range

  • point target: 800 m

  • area target: 1,200 m

  • Feed system

    35-round detachable box
    magazine

    Sights

    Picatinny rail-mounted iron sights,
    optics, etc

    6.3×43mm PCTA


    From left to right: 5.56×45mm NATO, 6.5×39mm
    Grendel, 6.3×43mm PCTA and sectioned view

    Type

    Rifle, machine gun

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2010 - present

    Used by

    See Users

    Production history

    Designer

    Sequoia Cartridgeworks

    Designed

    2005-2009

    Manufacturer

    Sequoia Cartridgeworks

    Specifications

    Case type

    semi rimmed, straight
    wall, telescoping

    Bullet diameter

    6.3 mm (0.25 in)

    Base rim

    13.75 mm (0.54 in)

    Rim diameter

    14.3 mm (0.56 in)

    Rim thickness

    1.17 mm (0.046 in)

    Case length

    43 mm (1.69 in)

    Rifling twist

    1 turn in 229 mm (9 in)

    Primer

    Boxer

    Maximum pressure

    586 MPa (85,000 psi)

    Ballistic performance

    Bullet mass/type

    100 gr (6.5 g) FMJ-AP

    Penetration

    LinkSTANAG 4569 AEP-55 @ 300 m
    LinkNIJ 0101.07 RF3 @ 800 m

    with 546 mm (21½ in) barrel

    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.

    History and development


    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.
    There is no separate receiver with the action housed in a single-piece stock made from PA66 GF25 V0 (polyamide 66 reinforced with 25% glass fibre), a thermoplastic polymer that offers light weight, high durability, resistance to liquids, moisture and corrosion, with insensitivity to high and low temperatures. The stock is moulded with a self-reinforcing internal checker pattern that provides extra rigidity and strength and is secured to the action by four air-hardened tool steel cross-bolts. To service and clean the action it can be withdrawn out of the rear of the stock by removal of the buttplate assembly that consists of a hinged plate with a synthetic rubber elastomeric recoil pad. A contoured pistol grip, oversized trigger guard, deep bevelled magazine well, and ventilated fore-end are injection-moulded as a monoblock construction. Integral to this are lightweight aircraft-grade precipitation-hardened 6061-T6 aluminium alloy free-floating flat top and bottom MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny/STANAG 2324 accessory rail sections, and lateral open-source KeyMod ventilation holes/mounting slots in between a section of moulded Picatinny Combat Attachment Point (PCAP) mounting holes. Symmetrical openings are provided on both flanks for the operator controls and ejection ports, with the action able to be swapped to work from either side to allow for ambidextrous handling. Thermoplastic blanking panels are used to cover the cutouts and slots on the opposite or unused flank to protect the internal workings against intrusion by dust, mud, water, etc and other foreign material.

    Operating mechanism

    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 cartridge has booster assisted interior ballistics, being initially accelerated by a precusor charge in the base of the cartridge that ejects the bullet into the leade of the barrel to obturate or seal against the chamber, after which point the main propellant charge is ignited to drive the bullet from the gun. A portion of the propellant gasses is diverted by a gas port from the barrel into the annular space between barrel and sleeve, which moves oppositely to buffer the operative group under gas pressure by means of a compressed annular recoil spring. This causes the sleeve to counter-recoil thereby absorbing the recoil energy of the firing impulse. The recoil spring is re-compressed during the rearward travel of the operating group and eventually stops the breech and barrel. This disengages the chamber guide pin from the upper detent, then, by means of the cam surface, lowers the chamber into the seared position. When the breech block is in the lowered seared position the next cartridge being injected into the firing chamber pushes out the empty case, which strikes a fixed ejector to discharge it from the weapon. The ejection port is recessed into the stock and covered by a spring-biased dirt/dust cover that snaps open as the weapon is cocked or fired. The reversible extractor can be swapped between left or right positions for ambidextrous use and throws spent cases at a 10° forward angle away from the shooter and nearby personnel. If, for some reason, the cartridge has not been fired the chamber can still be cleared by the simple remedial action of chambering a round by cycling the weapon as usual to push out the unfired or dud cartridge.

    Fire control and safeties

    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.

    Ammunition suite

    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.

    Feed system

    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.

    Tactical accessories


    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.

    Users


    Etoile Arcture

    Valipac

    • Valipacian Land Forces

  • Zinaire

    • Zinarian Army

    Korrodos

    • Joint Special Forces

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    Designations


    The weapon has been given different designations by the Etoilian, Valipacian, Zinarian and Korrodisian armed forces. They are as follows:

    Etoile Arcure Designation

    Valipac Designation

    Zinaire Designation

    Korrodos Designation

    G10A3 Demon Individual Automatic Weapon

    VZ-10 A3 M1

    VZ-10 A3 M1

    Modell G10 A3 Teufel

    Specifications


    • Cartridge: 6.3×43mm PCTA @ 100 gr FMJ-AP

    • Action: annular gas piston, rising chamber block, detent locked

    • Weight: 3.42 kg (7½ lb) empty, 3.629 kg (8 lb) loaded

    • Overall length: 902 mm (35½ in)

    • Barrel length: 546 mm (21½ in)

    • Rifling: six lands and grooves, right hand twist, 1 turn in 229 mm (9 in)

    • Muzzle device: three-prong 'duckbill' Vortex flash hider

    • Barrel material double lapped, chrome lined, AISI 41V45 chrome-molybdenum-vanadium alloy steel

    • Feed type: 35-round, detachable box magazine, double stack, single feed

    • Stock: bullpup, moulded grip/trigger guard, magazine well, Combat Attachment Point (PCAP) moulded on fore-end, KeyMod mounting slots, free-floating MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny/STANAG 2324 flat-top rail, bottom rail, non-slip buttplate

    • Stock material: PA66 GF25 V0 (polyamide 66 reinforced with 25% glass fibre)

    • Muzzle velocity: 930 m/s

    • Chamber pressure: 586 MPa (85,000 psi

    • Maximum effective range vs point target: 800 m (2,624 ft 8 in)

    • Maximum effective range vs area target: 1,200 m (3,937 ft 0⅛ in)

    • Fire control: progressive trigger, ambidextrous safety catch

    • Rate of fire: 1,200 rpm cyclic

    • Trigger pull: two stage, non-adjustable 22.26 N (5 lb) + 40.01 N (9 lb) pull

    • Modes of fire: safe + semi-auto + full-auto

    • Unit replacement cost: US$2,500

    References


    Footnotes

    1. LinkODECON Weapons System Joint Valipacian-Zinarian Procurement Order

    2. LinkA promotional document about the ODECON Weapons System

    See also


  • Read dispatch

    This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final.

    M35A2-2020 Cataphract

    Type

    Main battle tank

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2008 - present

    Used by

    See Operators

    Production history

    Designer(s)

    Sequoia Defence
    Systems

    Designed

    1983-2001

    Manufacturer(s)

    Sequoia Dynamics
    Land Systems

    Marine Steel Works
    Rothschild Heavy
    Manufacturing
    (under license)
    Soonyang Defense
    (under license)

    Unit cost

    US$25 million

    Number built

    1 million+

    Variants

    M35A2-2000
    M35A2-2020
    MBT-35
    M35A2L Kataphrakt

    Specifications

    Weight

    67,131 kg
    (74 short tons)
    w/ appliqué armour

    Length

    8.45 m (hull)
    11.77 m (gun forward)

    Width

    3.87 m

    Height

    2.49 m

    Crew

    3 (commander,
    gunner, driver)


    Armour

    titanium hull, nickel-
    titanium spaced armour,
    ceramic composite armour,
    non-explosive reactive
    armour, soft-kill/hard-kill
    active protection systems

    Main armament

    M451A2 SPECTER
    120 mm L/55 electro-
    thermal chemical tank
    gun (44 rounds)

    Secondary
    armament

  • M153 CROWS II remote
    weapon station with .50-cal
    machine gun (500 rounds)

  • M70A3 51 mm L/10 Under
    Armour Mortar (30 rounds)

  • Engine

    Rampowerpack MK II
    multi-fuel gas turbine
    2,078 PS (2,049.5 bhp,
    1,529 kW)

    Power train

    series parallel hybrid
    electric drive
    2 x permanent magnet
    brushless traction motors
    912 PS (899.5 bhp, 670 kW)

    Power/weight

    27.6 PS/t

    Transmission

    electro-mechanical,
    planetary gearbox

    Suspension

    hydropneumatic adjustable
    external in-arm hydrogas

    Ground clearance

    48 cm

    Operational
    range

    ~1,116 km @ 45 kph

    Speed

    Paved road: 85 kph
    Off road: 66 kph
    Cross country: 55 kph

    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.

    History


    Development

    Main article: Development history of the M35A2 Cataphract Main Battle Tank

    Combat history

    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.
    Leistungi M35A2L Kataphrakt's took part in the Leisto-Waldenburg War in the Mediterranican and Grand Alliance War in Tyrrhenia, and Joseon M35A2-2020 Cataphract's in the Southeast Asian War, all demonstrating high combat success. The Cataphract has proved vastly surperior to all the threat tanks it has faced including the M1A2 SEP Abrams and M1A4 Wolfhound (Alfegos), T-64B (Madurastan), T-72B (Cyncia), LinkTFC-64 Armored Tiger (Tigerlan), Leopard 2A4 (Colonial Alliance), Leopard 2A6 (Waldernburg), Leopard 2A7v (East Asia) and VT-3 (Certamen). To date there have been no fatal losses of a Cataphract crew either from enemy fire, land mines or improvised explosive devices.

    Design


    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.
    In the area of lethality the current trend of adopting autoloading electro-thermal chemical (ETC) main gun armament (in this case the indigenously developed XM451 weapon system) has been married to a stabilised unmanned turret, full solution digital fire control system and network-enabled multi-sensor suite allowing for greater range, accuracy and first round hit probability while firing on the move.
    In the area of battlefield survivability there are high levels of crew protection with full under-armour situational awareness in a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) proof fighting compartment. The base armour is enhanced by high performing passive armour arrays of modular ceramic composites and multi-layer titanium, hit avoidance hard-kill active protection system, low visual, thermal, noise and radar signatures to deny detection by enemy sensors, and high mobility for rapid combat displacement. A digital multiplex databus integrates all electronic systems so as to allow automatic reconfiguration of the fire control system, gun-laying computer, sensor channels, and vehicle and engine management subsystems to overcome battle damage and malfunction.

    Armament

    Main gun

    Ammunition suite

    Secondary weapons

    Protection

    Ballistic protection

    Signature management

    Individual protection

    Active protection

    Countermeasures

    Camouflage and concealment

    Fire control and observation

    Fire control system

    Battlefield management system

    Situational awareness

    Vetronics


    Mobility

    Powerpack

    Drive train

    Variants


    M35A2-2000 Block I Cataphract

    M35A2-2000 Block II Cataphract

    M35A2-2020 Cataphract

    MBT-35

    M35A2L Kataphrakt

    Specifications (M35A2-2020)



    GENERAL

    Average unit cost

    US$25 Million

    Manufacturer

    Sequoia Dynamics Land Systems

    Proliferation

    Etoile Arcture, Damirez, Mephras, Arcturia, Leistung, Zinaire, Whiskeasy,
    Kirav, Parilisa, Trawach, Imbrinium, The Albertania, Lochario, South
    Hampden, Seorabeol Federation, Joseon, Korrodos, Rapaldegia Bagazis,
    New Chinese Federation

    Production

    2007 - present

    Production to date

    850,000+ domestically
    230,000+ exported
    unknown produced under license

    Crew

    3 (commander, gunner, driver)

    DIMENSIONS

    Combat weight

    67,131 kg (74 short tons)

    Height over hull

    249 cm

    Hull length

    845 cm

    Length with gun forward

    1177 cm

    Width over skirts

    387 cm

    Width of track

    65 cm

    Track length

    485 cm

    Ground clearance

    45 cm

    Turret ring diameter

    256 cm

    Ground pressure, zero penetration

    0.84 kg/cm²

    ARMAMENT

    Type

    Mount

    Feed

    Ammunition

    Traverse

    Elevation

    Maximum effective range

    120 mm L/55 solid propellant,
    electro-thermal chemical

    combination mount in turret

    dual feed bustle linear
    ramming-action autoloader

    44 rounds
    (44 ready)

    360°

    +30° to -8°

    8,000 m

    .50-cal heavy machine gun

    remote weapon station on turret

    dual feed linkless belt

    3,000 rounds

    360°

    +60° to -20°

    1,850 m

    51 mm L/10 under-armour mortar

    combination mount in turret

    rotary magazine, gravity drop

    30 rounds
    (10 ready)

    360°

    +25° to 0°

    4,000 m

    FIRE CONTROL

    Gunner’s sighting system

    Commander’s surveillance system

    Gyrostabilized panoramic CCD and 3rd generation multi-band staring-type FLIR, eye-safe laser rangefinder, 3D imaging lidar

    Gyrostabilized panoramic CCD and 3rd generation multi-band staring-type FLIR, eye-safe laser rangefinder, 3D imaging lidar

    Driver’s primary viewing system

    Battlefield management system

    Unitary day/night periscopes with rotating thermal viewer, quadrant CCD cameras

    multimode, multiband VHF/UHF shared datalinks, UHF and X-band SATCOM, GPS/INS and electronic magnetic compass, ballistic computer, multiplexed databus

    PROTECTION

    Assembly

    All-welded monoque hull and turret

    Structural armour

    Extra-low interstial Ti-6Al-4V titanium α-β alloy

    Passive armour array

    Nickel-titanium alloy spaced plate arrays, polymer-constrained titanium diboride ceramic tiles, non-energetic explosive reactive armour modules

    Fighting compartment cover

    Metallic-intermetallic laminate of titanium tri-aluminide

    Anti-mine floor

    Closed cell aluminium foam with alloy steel backing plate

    Spall liner

    Polycarbonate plastic with multi-ply Dyneema backing

    Nuclear, biological and chemical protection

    STANAG 4447 compliant self-cleaning air filters, 4 mbar (0.004 kp/cm² combined overpressure and climate control

    Fire supression

    Automatic, non-toxic HFC-227ea clean agent extinguishers

    Active protection system

    Radar cued hard-kill countermunition launcher, soft-kill electro-optic countermeasures, electronic countermeasures, anti-mine/IED neutralization system, radio command detonation bomb jammer

    Smoke laying equipment

    4 x 5 tube (5 grenades per launcher) 76 mm grenade dischargers, visual/infra-red self-screening smoke grenades

    POWERTRAIN

    Powerpack

    Pistonless rotary internal combustion engine, direct-drive permanent magnet brushless DC alternator/generator

    Horsepower

    2,078 PS (2,049.5 bhp)

    Fuel capacity

    1,892 litres internal
    300 litres external

    Transmission

    Electro-mechanical, planetary gearbox, automatic range selection

    Steering

    Skid-type electro-hydraulic, T-bar

    Brake system

    In-board electro-hydraulic

    Final drives

    Oil-cooled in-hub permanent magnet brushless DC motors

    SUSPENSION

    Type

    Road wheels

    Return rollers/idlers

    Hydrogas with pneumatic springs and fluid dampers

    7 rubber-tired double aluminium alloy

    alloy steel front sprockets and rear idlers

    Drive sprockets

    Track type

    Shock absorbers

    11-tooth alloy steel front drive

    rubber padded steel double-pin tracks with rubber-bashed track shoes

    On 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th road wheels

    PERFORMANCE

    Maximum level road speed

    85 kph

    Gradient

    70%

    Maximum vertical obstacle

    120 cm

    Maximum off road speed

    66 kph

    Side slope

    40%

    Maximum fording depth @ speed

    500 cm @ 3 kph

    Average cross country speed

    55-45 kph

    Trench crossing

    300 cm

    Minimum turning radius

    1600 cm

    Mileage

    0.58 km/L

    Operational range

    999.4~1,116 km

    Operating temperature range

    +55°C to -40°C

    Operators


    • Etoile Arcture: Etoile Arcture Expeditionary Forces - 500,000 M35A2-2020 tanks on order from 2019-2025.

    • Etoile Arcture: Etoile Arcture Territorial Forces - 350,000 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks built from 2007-2015, all updated to Block II standard in 2016-2018.

    • Damirez: Forțele Terestre Damirez - an unspecified number of modified M35A2-2000 Block I tanks were delivered between 2008-2012.

    • Mephras: Mephrasian Army - 2,000 M35A2 tanks.

    • Arcturia: Armée de Terre - 50,000 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks were delivered in 2014-2015, all updated to Block II standard in 2018.

    • Leistung: Leistungi Army - 2,000 modified M35A2-2000 Block I tanks were delivered in 2010, and a further 17,000 were produced under license by Rothschild Heavy Manufacturing (designated locally as the M35A2L Kataphrakt).

    • Zinaire: Zinarian Army - 15,000 modified M35A2-2000 Block I tanks (designated locally as the MBT-35).

    • Whiskeasy: Whiskeasean Army - 20,000 modified M35A2-2000 Block II tanks (designated locally as the MBT-35).

    • Imbrinium: Royal Imbrinium Marines Corps - 10,000 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks, updated to Block II standard in 2017-2018.

    • Kirav: Kiravian Army - 20,000 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks, updated to Block II standard in 2017-2018.

    • Parilisa: Parilisan Revolutionary Army - 100 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks.

    • Trawach: Trawachan Army - 3,000 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks, all remanufactured to M35A2-2000 Block II standard in 2016.

    • Turkish federation: Turkish Army - 50,000 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks.

    • Salcania: Salcanian Army - 200 M35A2 tanks.

    • Nanwe: Armata Terrestre da Nangue - 9,500 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks.

    • The eagleland: Eagleland Army - 10,000 M35A2-2000 Block I tanks.

    • Tetrika: Tetrikan Army - 1,500 M35A2 tanks.

    • The albertania: Albertanian Army - 500 M35A2-2020 tanks.

    • Lochario: Locharian Army - 10,000 M35A2-2020 tanks.

    • South hampden: National Army - 17 M35A2-2020 tanks.

    • Korrodos: United Korrodosian Defense Force - 10,000 M35A2-2020 tanks.

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    M207A1 Mobile Artillery Rocket System


    M207 MARS prototype on M977 HEMTT

    Type

    Self-propelled multiple
    rocket launcher

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2013 - present

    Used by

    See Operators

    Production history

    Designer

    Sequoia Defence Systems

    Designed

    1993-2011

    Manufacturers

    Sequoia Dynamics
    Land Systems

    Vortex Industries
    (under license)
    Korrodos Military
    Dynamics
    (under
    license)
    Sutherland Defence
    Land Systems

    (under license)
    Aramtechnica Dynamics
    (under license)

    Unit cost

    US$2 million

    Number built

    A great many

    Variants

    M207A1 MARS

    Specifications

    Weight

    31,751 kg
    (35 short tons)

    Length

    10.18 m

    Width

    2.43 m

    Height

    2.99 m

    Crew

    3


    Calibre

    266 mm (10.472 in)

    Barrels

    12

    Rate of fire

    12 rounds in < 30 sec

    Maximum firing
    range

    150 km (93.2 miles)


    Armour

    A-kit/B-kit, long-term
    armour strategy (LTAS)
    compliant

    Main armament

    launcher module

    Secondary armament

    1 × .50-cal machine gun

    Engine

    straight-six diesel engine
    476.5 PS (470 hp, 350.47 kW)

    Suspension

    8×8

    Fuel capacity

    492 L (130 US gal)

    Operational
    range

    640 km (397 miles)

    Speed

    105 kph (65.24 mph)

    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.

    Design


    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.
    Equipment includes a Command Zone integrated truck control and diagnostics system, a digital fire control system (FCS) with ballistic computer and automated mission planning system, a land navigation system able to autonomously determine position without the need to perform a lengthy site survey, meteorological equipment for gathering wind and air density measurements, and a battle management system (BMS) with two-way communications and datalinks. The system has full network enabled capability (NEC) that supports target acquisition, splash reporting and battle damage assessment. The vehicle is manned by a crew of two, consisting of driver and commander/gunner, with all operations controlled under armour from a single fire control panel inside the cab. It can fire autonomously, or receive and process orders to fire remotely from the BMS or by datalink. These allow a forward observer (FO) with target acquisition sensors or an artillery fire direction centre (FDC) to call for fire remotely.
    The battery is mounted on the rear chassis comprising a full-traverse turntable platform over the rear axles and an elevating launcher cradle for two six-pack rocket pods. The engine transmission supplies the electrohydraulic power to the launcher traverse and elevation (T&E) drives from a constant speed power takeoff (PTO) shaft. The fire control system automatically controls the aiming and elevation of the launch tubes within 360° traverse and 0° (when stowed in travel position) to +60° elevation limits to a laying accuracy within 1 milliradian, with rockets launched at angles from +30° to +60° depending on ballistic trajectory. An automatic hydraulic levelling system at the front and rear axles using self-levelling hydraulic stabilization jacks provides a stable firing platform. The electric generator in the powerpack supplies the truck's electrical system and exportable power to all electronics and launcher systems, obviating the need for a separate auxiliary power unit (APU) and enabling the entire system to be fully self-contained.
    The artillery rockets are individually packaged in hermetically sealed fibreglass all-up-round (AUR) cannisters as zero maintenance inert 'wooden' rounds of ready-to-fire munitions with a minimum 15 year storage life. They are transported and handled as packs of six in a disposable aluminium-framed launcher module container (LMC), with two modules mated side-by-side on the launcher cradle for a total of 12 rounds per mount. Each rocket has its own plug-and-fight electrical and electronic connection to the firing system via umbilical cable and wiring harness, with the fire control system automatically reconfiguring itself for the rocket and warhead loading. The munitions are protected by automatic safety devices that prevent accidental firing while the vehicle is in motion, during loading operations, aiming of the launcher, and when the cab is in the danger zone. The launcher can also alternatively load three single-pack modules for the MGM-195 "Banshee" tactical ballistic missile designed to attack high-value targets such as enemy air defence installations, command and control centres, logistics and infrastructure facilities as well as providing fire support to friendly artillery by expanding the area of effect.

    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.

    Rockets

    266 mm Artillery Rocket System

    Type

    Surface-to-surface rocket

    Place of
    origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2013 - present

    Used by

    See Operators

    Production history

    Designer

    Aerodyne Inc.

    Designed

    1998-2014

    Manufacturers

    Aerodyne Inc.
    NPO Novarka
    (under supervision)
    Vortex Industries
    (under license)
    Korrodos Military
    Dynamics
    (under
    license)
    Soonyang Defense
    (under license)
    NERGAL Heavy
    Industries
    (under
    license)
    Armeccanica Armaments
    (under license)

    Specifications

    Diameter

    266 mm

    Length

    6.5 m

    Launch mass

    320-330 kg

    Operational temperature

    -30/+55°C

    Range

    20-30 km to 120-150 km

    Dispersion

    <1%

    Propellant

    BAMO/NIMO/HNIW/ETPE

    Shelf life

    15 years

    Number of
    launch tubes

    12 (6 per pod)

    Cost per
    rocket

    US$100,000

    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.
    Either unguided free-flight rockets for engaging area targets or precision-guided rockets with accuracy for deep fires and counter-battery missions are provided. The precision rockets are equipped with a guidance and control (G&C) section in the ogive nose space and use low mass electric actuators to control four canard steering fins for shaping of ballistic trajectory through yaw and pitch angle deflection correction. Using inputs provided by a strapdown inertial measurement unit (IMU) augmented by a 12-channel multi-constellation all-in-view differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver the guidance system is able to correct the point of impact to a circular error probability (CEP) of 2 to 3 metres. In the case of free-flight rockets the launcher calculates a fire control solution based on position/navigation (POSNAV) information, inertial data and meteorological data, that combine with spin stabilisation and a stable firing platform to deliver munitions within a 10 metre CEP. Differing ballistic range trajectories are achieved by alteration of the throw distance of the rocket by adjustment of launcher superelevation angles, with targets being hit from a minimum 20-30 km to maximum 120-150 km range depending on elevation at launch.

    Warheads

    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.
    The multi-sensor payload comprises a 24 GHz millimetre wave (MMW) micro-Doppler miniature radar and shared microwave radio transciever, using a microstrip patch antenna array along the circumference to provide 360° azimuthal coverage, an all-in-view GPS receiver for geolocating targets, a low noise magnetoresistive (MR) field sensor with shape biased low power spin-dependant tunnelling (SDT) 3-axis magnetometer, high-responsivity fibre-optic disc accelerometer (FODA) seismometer, multiple wide frequency range omnidirectional condenser microphones, and dual silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) radiation sensors behind top and bottom flush transparent polycarbonate panels. It is designed to lie on a surface at any inclination, and have a capability to detect vehicle movements at a range of ~500 m and personnel at ~50 m, using low-power detection algorithms to discriminate between humans, vehicles, and animals, and motion analysis algorithms between different types of activity. The sensors consume only milliwatts of energy with the device self-powered by a 30 day run-time primary cell battery.

    Variants


    M207A1 Mobile Artillery Rocket System

      The M207A1 weapon system comprises two vehicles - a self-contained launcher vehicle with 12 round launcher system, and a transporter/loader resupply vehicle with a Grove loading crane and a towed heavy expanded mobility ammunition trailer (HEMAT) that carry a total of 24 reload rounds. Both vehicles are based on the HEMTT A3 tactical truck that is propelled by a low logistic footprint diesel-electric powerpack.

    Specifications


    • Crew: 2 (driver, commander/gunner) on air-ride seats

    • Armament: one battery of 12 tubes firing 266 mm solid-fuel rockets

    • Reload time: 5 minutes

    • Gross vehicle weight: 31,751 kg

    • Engine: Cummins ISL 400 8.9 L straight-six diesel developing 470 hp, JP-8 compatible, Euro VI exhaust emission standard compliant

    • Generator: Marathon 340 kW (100 kW exportable power)

    • Drive motors: Moog 480VAC induction motors (one per axle)

    • Axle configuration: 8×8

    • Energy storage: 1.9 MJ ultracapacitors

    • Suspension: Oshkosh TAK-4 semi-independent hydrogas strut, with variable height adjustment

    • Tyres: Michelin 395/85R20 XZL radial tyres with central tyre inflation system (CTIS)

    • Axle gearing: two-speed gearing with planetary wheel ends

    • Brakes: air-actuated disc with anti-lock braking system (ABS)

    • Steering: power-assist front tandem

    • Maximum speed: 105 kph (65 mph)

    • Fuel capacity: 492 L (130 US gal)

    • Maximum grade: 60% (30°)

    • Maximum side slope: 30% (15°)

    • Vertical obstacle: ~0.6 m

    • Trench crossing: ~2 m

    • Water fording depth: 1.2 m

    • Air transportability: C-130 and larger

    • Electrical system: 24VDC, 430A alternator, 24V and 12V auxiliary power outlets

    • Lighting: LED lights on all sides, LED black-out drive light

    • Armour: integral A-kit and lightweight B-kit appliqué on forward control cab, long-term armour strategy (LTAS) compliant

    Operators


    Etoile Arcture

    • Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

    Imbrinium

    • Royal Imbrinium Army

    • Royal Imbrinium Marine Corps

    Arcturia

    • Armée de Terre

    • Corps des Marines

    Madurastan

    • Madurastan Army

    MesoAmerican cultures

    • Confederacy Army


    Ikheria

    • Ikheria Army

    Odelinor

    • Odelinoran Army

    South hampden

    • National Army

    Cyrassinia

    • 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

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    M84 Argus Forward Area
    Air Defence System

    Type

    Tracked self-propelled anti-
    aircraft weapon

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2009 - present

    Used by

    See Operators

    Production history

    Designer

    Sequoia Defence
    Systems

    Designed

    1999-2007

    Manufacturers

    Sequoia Dynamics
    Land Systems

    Covenant Arms
    (under license)
    Korrodos Military
    Dynamics
    (under
    license)
    Soonyang Defense
    (under license)
    Aramtechnica Dynamics
    (under license)

    Unit cost

    US$25 million

    Number built

    4,000+

    Variants

    See below

    Specifications

    Weight

    58,060 kg (64 short tons)

    Length

    7.8

    Width

    3.9 m

    Height

    3.29 m

    Crew

    3 (commander, gunner, driver)


    Armour

    STANAG 4569 Level 5
    MRAP Category I

    Main
    armament

    12 × MIM-191B Krait missiles

    Secondary
    armament

    2 ×40 mm CTA automatic cannon
    (500 rounds carried)

    Engine

    D900AGP2 16-cylinder
    twin-turbocharged diesel
    1,520 PS (1,500 bhp,
    1,192 kW kW)

    Power/weight

    26.6 PS/t

    Transmission

    T250FGT1 planetary
    gearbox
    8-speed manual range
    selection

    Suspension

    Hydropneumatic +
    torsion bars

    Ground
    clearance

    45 cm

    Operational
    range

    ~522 km @ 50 kph

    Speed

    75 kph (governed)

    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.
    Each vehicle is self-contained target acquisition and firing unit utilising the Allis-Chalmers M8 Lariat 1A1+ (M22A2E2 Jackal) tank chassis and Sand Draw Diesel (Sandiesel) D900AGP2 power pack as its automotive platform, and mounting a powered electric full traverse turret built by Marine Steel Works. The turret/chassis offers optimum under armour crew ballistic protection combined with main battle tank-class mobility and agility. The turret encloses the entire integrated weapon system made by Synergy Electrodynamics, including separate self-contained surveillance and tracking radar and fire control radar, multispectral optronic sensor suite, digital fire control system and battlefield management system, and combined short-range cannon and ready-to-fire long-range missile armament. In service with the Etoile Arcture Ground Forces it has replaced the gun-only OTO Breda SIDAM 25 and OTO Melara Otomatic anti-aircraft vehicles.

    Design


    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 driver and fighting compartments are both nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC)-proof through a STANAG 4447 compliant hybrid-collective overpressure protection system, and are protected by Spectrex fire detection and explosion suppression systems utilising non-toxic HFC-227ea (heptafluoropropane) clean agent fire extinguishers in the turret. All electrical power to operate the vehicle's air conditioning and ventilation systems, electronics and vetronics suite, and other fire control components as well as turret and armament operations is provided by a 70 kW Sandiesel under-armour auxiliary power unit (UAAPU). This is a liquid cooled, multi-fuel, 4-cylinder diesel engine coupled to five 20 kVA 3-phase electrical generators and DC power inverters. These are all located in the rear turret with sufficient fuel for 48 hours of operation. An emergency backup system is also provided for operating the turret and gun laying controls via the vehicle's electrical system through a slip ring assembly.

    Armament


    Anti-aircraft cannon

    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 ammunition handling system utilises a linear-linkless belt drive mechanism and is dual feed capable allowing selection between two types of ammunition (anti-air or anti-ground) from three high-density magazines per gun. These comprise a main magazine with a 150 ready round capacity of air bursting munitions, and two small magazines of 50 ready round capacity each of frangible or air burst ammunition. The magazines are located inside the turret above the gun breach and fully elevate and depress with the gun mounts. Reloading of all magazines is done by a transloader vehicle feeding into ammunition ports in the rear of the turret using rotating sprockets to carry the cylindrical rounds into each magazine. There are blow out panels on the turret roof to deflect blast from the fighting compartment in case of a penetration of the magazines. The reaction time from target detection to ready to fire mode is only 4 seconds. Four types of ammunition are used.

    • The Frangible Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FAPDS) is intended for self-defence against dismounts in the open or behind urban terrain, and threat armoured fighting vehicles, but is equally effective against low level air targets. The FAPDS round has a pre-fragmented tungsten core which breaks up into small fragments after entering a target to inflict maximum damage, with a zirconium baseplug to increase after-armour incendiary effects. Two guns can engage static and slow-moving soft ground targets and light armoured vehicles with direct fire out to 2,500 metres, being capable of penetrating 140 mm in rolled homogeneous armour at 1,500 metres.

    • The Anti-Aerial Air Burst (A3B) munition can effectively engage aerial targets at up to height level 6,000 metres and is the preferred anti-air munition. The A3B shell consists of a programmable time delay fuse in the base which is immune to jamming, that is programmed via the barrel induction coils, and a front ballistic shroud containing a lethal payload of two hundred 51 grain tungsten alloy cylinders. The fire control system calculates a ballistic solution relative to the range vectors of the target and the muzzle velocity of the round as it exits the barrel, and sets the fuse so the round will explode ahead of the target to project a 100 by 200-metre cone of spin-stabilized subprojectiles into its path. Burst lengths between 1 to 10 rounds are sufficient to neutralise most threats.

    • The General Purpose Round Air Burst (GPR-AB) is the ground-only analogue to the A3B shell, having a high explosive fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead fill and multi-option programmable electronic fuse. In air burst (AB) mode the round detonates mid-flight on a time delay to shower fragments in a 125 m² zone to defeat dismounts in the open or behind cover. In point detonating (PD) mode the round can penetrate 210 mm in reinforced concrete at a range of 3,000 metres to suppress threats in urban structures and to defeat soft skin vehicles.

    • The Cased Telescoped Guided Projectile (CTGP) is a laser beam riding precision-guided munition primarily designed for the counter rocket, artillery, mortar and missile (C-RAMM) mission, but equally effective against aircraft, drones and missiles. The round is a miniature hit-to-kill missile or hittile, and is fired from the gun barrel using a discarding sabot. The gun-launched hittile has a tungsten alloy housing, with a nonrotating rear body containing guidance and control circuitry, a thermal battery and four folding stabilisation fins, a rotating forebody with two canard fins for steering, and nose laser seeker for guidance. It is only capable of line-of-sight engagements guided from the firing unit's optronics suite, and destroys its target by kinetic energy alone and engages targets at a stand-off range of 1,000 to 500 metres. With a 1,000 m/s muzzle velocity it has sufficient kinematics imparted by its 30,000 g acceleration from the gun barrel to manoeuvre up to 1.5 km off-axis to track a manoeuvring target.

    Missiles

    MIM-191B (SL) Krait

    Type

    Surface-to-air missile

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2008 - present

    Used by

    See Operators

    Production history

    Designer

    Aerodyne Inc.

    Designed

    1996-2006

    Manufacturers

    Aerodyne Inc.
    NPO Novarka
    (under supervision)
    Korrodos Military
    Dynamics
    (under
    license)
    Soonyang Defense
    (under license)

    Unit cost

    US$2 million

    Number built

    who knows really

    Variants

    See below

    Specifications

    Weight

    230 kg

    Length

    3.6 m

    Width

    ? mm

    Diameter

    24.5 cm (motor)
    20.3 cm (forebody)

    Wingspan

    32 cm

    Warhead

    annular blast-
    fragmentation

    Warhead weight

    39 kg

    Detonation
    mechanism

    radio frequency
    direct contact

    Engine

    solid-propellant
    rocket motor

    Operational range

    200 m - 25 km

    Flight ceiling

    sea level - 15,000 m

    Speed

    Mach 4+

    Guidance system

    inertial (INS)
    mid-course datalink
    active/passive
    radar (X-band)

    Launch platform

    M84 Argus FAADS

    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 MIM-191B Krait is an all-weather short- to medium-range, quick-reaction, fire-and-forget, supersonic surface-to-air missile able to engage elusive low-altitude, low-signature crossing and approaching targets to a range of 25 km (15½ statute miles) and having a probability of kill (PK) exceeding 95 per cent. Krait is adapted from Selenia's Aspide 2000 (MK 30) missile airframe and Idra active radar homing seeker. It is designed to provide quick reaction to engage otherwise hard to intercept high agility, pop-up and plunging targets within short windows of exposure, including helicopters in low-level hover, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, uninhabited aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles, and can even intercept anti-radiation missiles targeting the launcher vehicle. Krait is propelled by a 245 mm diameter single-stage SNIA-Viscosa solid-fuel rocket motor with all-boost motor grain that provides 100 kilonewtons (kN) of launch thrust for the first 2.5 seconds of flight that accelerates the missile to a burn out velocity of Mach 4+ at sea level.
    The wingless missile body is of all aluminium construction featuring full-length strakes along the boost section for roll stability, and all-moving reduced-span trapezoid tail controls for compressed carriage inside the launch canister. Thrust vector control (TVC) carbon-carbon jet vanes are installed on the motor nozzle to grant a post-launch high g manoeuvring capability with angles of attack exceeding 90° to achieve off-boresight pointing of the seeker and tracking of evading manoeuvring targets. Aerodynamic controls are used after motor burnout for terminal manoeuvring in the end game. The airframe tapers to a 203 mm diameter forebody containing the insensitive munition (IM) compliant warhead and radome-protected flat antenna for the Idra guidance package, which is based around a NATO I/J-band (IEEE X-band) monopulse pulse-Doppler seeker incorporating an advanced programmable electronic counter-counter measure (ECCM) system, digital signal processor (DSP) for clutter and noise resistance, a strapdown inertial guidance system, and spread-spectrum fast-hopping UHF datalink.
    The missile has two firing modes: lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) that uses a data uplink to update the missile inertial reference unit (IRU) with tracking radar guidance coordinates until 6-8 km distance from the target where the seeker is activated for terminal guidance; and lock-on-before-launch (LOBL) where the seeker is cued by the radar, allowing rapid reaction to threats in the 180° forward hemisphere with a snap-up shot. Reaction time including first detection, missile warm-up and launch is only 4 seconds. Krait is fully fire-and-forget with autonomous target tracking and guidance during flight with active radar homing and active/passive home-on-jam tracking modes. The kill mechanism is a large 39 kg high-explosive focused blast and fragmentation warhead with an 8 metre blast radius capable of bringing down any sized aircraft. Warhead initiation is by range-gated Doppler radio frequency (RF) proximity fuse, backed by a direct action 'impact'/'graze' fuse, and a range safety destruction device.

    Fire control and observation


    Fire control system

    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.
    A four-ship (vehicle) air defence artillery firing platoon forms a fire-and-effects cell inside the battlefield management network with a total air surveillance volume of 2,000 km², with each radar set having a target detection and tracking range of 60 km. The commander and gunner use 'cursor on target' and 'click to approve' protocols to rapidly update their tactical picture and to control the sensors and weapons, with the system able to track and prioritize up to fifty (50) targets acquired by on- and off-board sensors per fire-and-effects cell. Aiming can be done in automatic radar 'cue to slew' mode or manually using joystick controllers and a driven reticle sight. Only target assignment and firing orders requires man-in-the-loop verification, with all target acquisition and tracking tasks performed automatically including memory tracking, automatic target alarm, automatic lock-on, automatic noise jammer tracking, automatic gun laying, and automatic handover of targets between sensors and firing units to defend against saturation raids.

    Surveillance/tracking radar

    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.

    Engagement/fire control radar

    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.

    Operators


    Etoile Arcture

    • Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

    Imbrinium

    • Royal Imbrinium Marine Corps

    Lamoni

    • Lamonian Army

    Arcturia

    • Armée de Terre

    Salcania

    • Salcanian Army

    Tergnitz

    • Grand Imperial Army

    The eagleland

    • Eagleland Army

    Anemos major

    • Crown Army of Anemos Major

    Nanwe

    • Armata Terrestre da Nangue

    Tetrika

    • Union Army

    MesoAmerican cultures

    • Confederacy Army


    The albertania

    • Albertanian Army

    Ikheria

    • Ikheria Army

    Holy Marsh

    • Marshite Army

    • Marshite Holy Warriors

    • Marshite First Rank Militia

    Goram

    • Royal Army

    South hampden

    • National Army


    Slacaria

    • Slacarian Army

    Aquilara

    • Aquilaran Army

    The Great state of Joseon

    • Royal Joseon Army

    Korrodos

    • United Korrodosian Defense Force

    Hrstrovokia

    • Ground Force

    Rapaldegia Bagazis

    • Bagazian Army

    Awesome Imperium

    • Imperial Army

    Malvoldia

    • National Guard

    New Chinese Federation

    • New Chinese Federation Army


    Lorkiek

    • Lorkiek's Air Force

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    AH-79C Anaconda


    Role

    Attack helicopter

    National origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Manufacturers

    Aerodyne Inc.
    Korrodosian Aviation
    Company
    (under
    license)

    First flight

    16 April 2000

    Introduction

    23 March 2008

    Status

    In service

    Used by

    See Operators

    Produced

    2000-present

    Number built

    ?,000+, plus ?
    prototypes

    Unit cost

    US$45 million

    Variants

    AH-79A Anaconda
    AH-79C Anaconda

    Developed from

    YAH-79 Anaconda

    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.

    Design


    Overview

    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.

    Airframe

    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 LinkSTANAG 4569 AEP-55 kinetic energy (KE) protection and LinkSTANAG 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).
    Anedral stub-winglets are attached at the centre fuselage constructed with a primary torque box structure of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) ribs and skins reinforced by 7075-T6 aluminium alloy spars, and can be equipped with two articulating weapons pylons for carrying various stores and a wingtip station for twin-tube missile launchers or a rail missile launcher. They also house a self-sealing auxiliary fuel tank that can hold up to 189 L (50 US gal) of reserve fuel. A wire strike protection system (WSPS) is mounted on the airframe that deflects and/or severs any tension ropes, mechanical, electrical transmission, or communication wires or cables suspended from buildings, towers and masts before they can entangle the rotor system or landing gear during low-level flight. It includes aluminium alloy windshield deflectors and windshield wiper protector frames, and electrically grounded high-tensile alloy steel cutting blades mounted above and below the cockpit and in front of the landing gear legs, tailwheel and traversable cannon mount. A carbon fibre wrapped aluminium alloy tail skid is located under the Fenestron to prevent catastrophic ground strikes during high-flare and emergency autorotation landings.

    Landing gear

    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.

    Cockpit

    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.
    The crew compartment has all-around ballistic, blast and fragmentation protection consisting of silicon carbide (SiC) integral ceramic armour floor panels and sliding side panels at the outboard side of each seat, and a transverse blast shield of transparent polycarbonate (PC) inbetween crew stations. The canopy consists of flat-plate windscreens with slightly curved non-glint glazing using ballistic-resistant and UV and laser-protected Zone 1 optical quality fusion-bonded polycarbonate (Lexan) transparencies coated by indium-tin-oxide (ITO) conductive film to minimise radar reflectivity. They also include transparent pulse electro-thermal deicers (PETD), electrically operated windscreen wipers and a windscreen washing system. The impact-absorbing/crashworthy cockpit can survive 30 g (294.3 m/s²) declerations, with the canopy frame and blast shield acting as a roll-over protection structure (ROPS). Crew access is via upward hinged canopy door panels, with blow-out escape hatches on the port side of the forward fuselage that are separated using explosive bolts. A dual-redundant closed-cycle integrated pneumatic system provides ventilation and air conditioning to all crew stations, with a separate air filtration and positive pressure nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) collective protection system. The environmental control system incorporates dual-speed air compressors, digital databus controllers, multiple heat exchangers, electric fans and pneumatic control valves. Full-face chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) protective masks are also stowed for use in event of contamination of the cockpit air supply.

    Avionics

    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.
    Dual flight management computers (FMC) are located in twin rear fuselage avionics bays and dual mission computers in side bays for the front and rear cockpit stations. They are based on MIL-STD-810G rugged air-cooled 3U VXS (Vita-41) single-slot mezzanine single-board computers (SBC) powered by 32-bit PowerPC-based microcode-programmable QUICC Engine dual-core Freescale PowerQUICC III system-on-a-chip (SoC) processors. Avionics cooling is provided by an independent compressor-driven closed-cycle vapour-cycle cooling system (VCCS) using environmentally friendly tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) liquid refrigerant. Aircraft subsystems including the engine control unit (ECU) component of the FADEC, and the pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and fuel system digital controllers are managed by three-core 32-bit e500 PowerPC microcontroller unit (MCU) boards. Processor cores run instances of LynxOS-178C, a POSIX-compliant, DO-178C certified safety-critical, time and space partitioned Unix-like multicore hard real-time operating system (RTOS), with avionics softare written in Ada 2012, a structured, statically typed, imperative, fully-concurrent and object-oriented high-level computer programming language. The avionics network is based on the MIL-STD-1553B multiplex (MUX) data bus protocol mapped over MIL-1394 Fibre Channel interconnects. They consist of a dual-redundant input/output multiplexed fibre-optic data bus using pairs of 75 ohm coax cables routed separately within the aircraft. Radar and TV/FLIR video imagery is transported across an independent high bandwidth Fibre Channel Audio Video (FC-AV)-based ARINC 818-2 Avionics Digital Video Bus (ADVB).

    Instrumentation

    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 pilots are equipped with a Thales (formerly Sextant Avionique) TopOwl binocular helmet-mounted sight/display (HMSD) that superimposes synoptic navigational, threat and weapons information into their field-of-regard through a 100% overlapped "eyes out" binocular image projection with unlimited peripheral vision. This is fitted to an individually tailored lightweight aircrew helmet with polycarbonate ballistic and impact resistant shell and visor, and is ergonomically designed for high comfort/low fatigue with a well-balanced centre-of-gravity. The TopOwl helmet supports day/night all-weather synthetic video (protected FLIR or image intensified TV) to provide obstacle awareness for low-level nap-of-the-earth (NOE) flying and in degraded visual conditions such as brownouts when making landing approaches in dusty environments. The helmet incorporates magnetic head tracking technology for high pointing accuracy for head-slaved sensor and weapon cueing, including high off-boresight aiming of all-aspect air-to-air missiles. Two clip-on image intensifier tubes (I²T) can also be mounted onto the helmet to provide independent night vision with a more limited 40° binocular field-of-view inside the visor, offering level 5 visibility equivalent to a cloudy night with no moon, peripheral light source and starlight. For ease of use TopOwl provides easy switching between daytime, light intensified and infrared vision modes, and a seamless transition between head-up piloting and head-down instrument monitoring for enhanced situational awareness and reduced pilot/gunner workload.

    Engines

    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.
    The engine intakes are flush low-drag scoop-type NACA inlet ducts protected from salt water, salt air, snow, dust, particulates and foreign objects by wire mesh inlet diffusers/radar blockers and fully anti-iced centrifugal engine air particle separators (EAPS). The exhaust ducts are fitted with the Black Hole Ocarina (BHO) infrared suppression system (IRSS) that achieves a significant reduction in overall rotorcraft IR signature by masking of the visible exhaust duct through convective cooling of the engine exhaust plume by routing bypass air across the exhaust manifolds. The aircraft has a dual redundant fuel system consisting of two crashworthy bladder-type centre-fuselage fuel tanks with Kevlar-lined interconnected fuel cells filled with explosive suppressant low density (98% porous) polyurethane reticulated foam, with non-return valves to minimise leakage in event of a crash. A digital fuel feed controller manages two electric motor-driven transfer pumps that supply fuel to the engines through MIL-PRF-7061C compliant self-sealing fuel lines. A single-point pressure i.e. gravity refuelling/defuelling receptacle is provided on the port fuselage side, with provision for auxiliary fuel tanks on all four underwing pylon stations for range extension and self-ferry.
    The electrical power system is based on two 45 kVA oil-cooled brushless AC alternator/generators that are directly coupled to an engine remote accessory gearbox (RAGB). They generate 115 V three-phase AC power at 400 Hz for all flight systems, with DC power generation for avionics and mission systems provided by two 300 A 28 V DC transformer/rectifier units (TRU) and two 24 V, 31 Ah NiCad secondary (rechargeable) batteries. There are two primary AC busbars and two essential DC busbars for dual redundancy, with a backup DC battery bus containing the main aircraft battery used for ground power/self-starting and emergency power. Electrical power and compressed air for engine starting and for backup electricity generation is provided by a Safran (formerly Microturbo) Saphir 100 auxiliary power unit (APU) located in a fairing forward of the rotor mast. It consists of a compact 100 kW (134 bhp) single spool two-stage axial flow gas turbine. It offers continuous run capability, providing bleed air for cockpit air conditioning and mechanical power to drive a 25 kVA electrical starter/generator. The hydraulic system is triple redundant with three main circuits that operate electro-hydraulic twin-cylinder servo-control units in the flight control system, stability augmentation system, main rotor system, tail rotor system and wheel brake system. The main transmission drives a primary (operating) and standby (failsafe) circuit, and the tail rotor intermediate gearbox a third independent circuit.

    Rotor systems

    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.

    Flight control system

    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.

    Mission systems

    Electro-optic

    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.

    Radio frequency

    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 mast-mounted radar weighs 116.5 kg (257 lb) complete, consisting of a mechanically scanned high-gain antenna that is steerable ±180° in azimuth and ±90° in elevation, using parallel plate waveguides to transmit extremely narrow pencil beam mainlobes to avoid counterdetection. It is covered by a low-drag bandpass resonant radome constructed from impact-resistant pre-impregnated (pre-preg) carbon fibre graphite/epoxy with a honeycomb sandwich core. The radio frequency (RF) source is a very low peak power transmitter fed by solid-state 35 GHz (IEE Ka-band) power amplifiers via co-ax cables in a wiring harness passing through a torque tube attached to the static mast. The radar gathers target azimuth, elevation, range and velocity data using extremely high frequencies and pulse-Doppler waveforms of minimal atmospheric attenuation, probability of detection and high jamming resistance. The back-end processing system is a Radar Electronic Unit (REU) with dual Freescale MPC565 32-bit PowerPC microprocessors handling digital signal processing and data processing tasks. The system has a 512 target track-while-scan capacity with a maximum instrumented range of 37 km for an effective surveillance area of 804.2 km². The latest Version 6 (V6) software updates are installed offering four operating modes:

    • Air-targeting mode (ATM), with 360° continuous search capability to detect, classify and prioritise hovering and flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, using low false alarm rate clutter rejection algorithms;

    • Ground-targeting mode (GTM), scanning over 270° in 90° sectors for precise angular resolution and high range resolution to detect, locate and classify up to 256 simultaneous moving and stationary non-cooperative ground and low flying air targets, with automatic decision aids that prioritise the 16 highest threat fixed or moving targets for evaluation or engagement, and lock-on-before-launch (LOBL) and lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) acquisition modes for cueing radar-guided air-to-surface munitions;

    • Maritime-targeting mode (MTM), with broadly the same capabilities optimised for littoral targets with the addition of wave clutter rejection algorithms;

    • Terrain-profiling mode (TPM), mapping terrain topology at very low altitude (<30 m), providing terrain elevation and obstacle warning pilotage information at ranges of 100-2,500 m.

    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.

    Defensive electronics

    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.

    Armament Systems

    Multi-Mission Weapons Loadouts

    Primary mission

    Starboard wingtip

    Starboard wing

    Cannon

    Port wing

    Port wingtip

    Mission duration

    Multi-role

    2 × AIM-192A

    4 × AGM-114R
    19 × Hydra-70

    500 rounds

    4 × AGM-114R
    19 × Hydra-70

    2 × AIM-192A

    2½ hours

    Anti-armour

    -

    8 × AGM-114L

    500 rounds

    8 × AGM-114L

    -

    2¾ hours

    Anti-radiation

    1 × AGM-122A

    -

    -

    -

    1 × AGM-122A

    3 hours

    Armed escort

    1 × AIM-9X-2

    4 × AGM-114R
    7 × AGR-20A

    500 rounds

    4 × AGM-114R
    7 × AGR-20A

    1 × AIM-9X-2

    2½ hours

    Convoy escort/
    ground suppression

    -

    38 × Hydra-70

    500 rounds

    38 × Hydra-70

    -

    2¾ hours

    Armed/visual
    reconnaissance

    2 × AIM-192A

    2 × SPIKE-ER
    2 × SPIKE-NLOS

    500 rounds

    2 × SPIKE-ER
    2 × SPIKE-NLOS

    2 × AIM-192A

    2½ hours

    Anti-ship

    -

    1 × AGM-84N

    -

    1 × AGM-84N

    -

    2½ hours

    Anti-landing craft/boat

    -

    8 × MK 71 Zuni

    500 rounds

    8 × MK 71 Zuni

    -

    2¾ hours

    Anti-helicopter

    1 × AIM-9X-2

    -

    500 rounds

    -

    1 × AIM-9X-2

    2¾ hours

    Anti-drone

    2 × AIM-192A

    -

    500 rounds

    -

    2 × AIM-192A

    2¾ hours

    Cannon

    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 cannon weighs 95 kg complete and is 2200 mm long including a 1700 mm (66.9 in) barrel, and is externally powered by an electric motor at a cyclic rate of 300 rounds per minute. It can fire in short bursts of 0.5 to 1 second or in fully automatic mode without producing recoil, which is attenuated by a high effect muzzle brake and venturi cone compensator that vents a portion of the propellant gasses to the rear. Rounds are fired at a muzzle velocity of 1,050 m/s to a maximum slant range of 4,000 m, a performance equivalent to ADEN/DEFA 30 mm (1⅒-inch) ammunition but at increased muzzle energies, greater accuracy with a 50% reduced dispersion pattern, and lower ammunition weight. The cannon is mounted offset between the mainwheel legs on a fully stabilised hydraulically actuated trainable mounting that is designed to collapse into the fuselage in the event of a crash landing. The mounting has a maximum range of movement of 120° in azimuth, 15° in elevation and 7° in depression limited by backblast, and can be tracked at a maximum slew rate of 90°/sec. Either pilot can fire the cannon, which is slaved to the optronics turret and helmet-mounted sight/aiming devices.

    Rockets and missiles

    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.

    Variants


    AH-79A Anaconda

    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.

    AH-79C Anaconda

    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.

    Operators


    Etoile Arcture

    • Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

    • Etoile Arcture Maritime Forces

    Imbrinium

    • Royal Imbrinium Army

    • Royal Imbrinium Marine Corps

    Zinaire

    • Zinairian Army

    Antigr

    • Antigrian Army

    Akimondad

    • Akimondian Army

    Mephras

    • Imperial Mephrasian Army

    Salzland

    • Salzlander Army

    Anemos major

    • Crown Army of Anemos Major

    Parilisa

    • Parilisan Revolutionary Army

    Minnysota

    • Minnysotan Army

    Arcturia

    • Armée de Terre

    • Corps des Marines

    Madurastan

    • Madurastan Army

    Korrodos

    • Imperial Army

    • Imperial Marine Corps

    • Imperial Aeromarines

    MesoAmerican cultures

    • Confederacy Army

    Goram

    • Royal Army Air Corps

    Rocky canada

    • Rocky Canadian Army

    Cyrassinia

    • Cyrassinian Ground Forces

    Altmelia

    • Altmelian Army

    Slacaria

    • Slacarian Army

    Norway-sweden-finland

    • Imperial Army

    • Imperial Marine Corps

    Aquilara

    • Aquilaran Army

    The Great state of Joseon

    • Royal Joseon Army

    Rapaldegia Bagazis

    • Armed Military

    Awesome Imperium

    • Imperial Army

    New Chinese Federation

    • New Chinese Federation Air Force

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    Specifications (AH-79C Block III)


    AH-79C Anaconda in multi-role mission configuration

    Data from Aerodyne specifications.

    General characteristics

    • Crew: 1 pilot (rear seat) + 1 co-pilot/gunner (front seat)

    • Fuselage length: 15.16 m

    • Fuselage width: 1.7 m

    • Fuselage height: 3.5 m

    • Height:

      • To top of rotor hub: 3.9 m

      • To top of radar mast: 4.4 m

    • Wing span: 4.5 m

    • Operating empty weight (OEW): 4,763 kg

    • Maximum take-off weight (MTOW): 8,447 kg

    • Powerplant: 2 × Safran (ex-Rolls-Royce/Turboméca) RTM322-01/9A turboshaft engines

    • Installed power rating (standard day sea level):

      • All Engines Operating/Takeoff Power (AEO/TOP) (60 minutes): 1,897 kW (2,554 shp)

      • Intermediate Rated Power (IRP) (30 minutes): 2,019 kW (2,708 shp)

      • Maximum Continuous Power (MCP): 1,805 kW (2,421 shp)

      • One Engine Inoperative/Contingency Rated Power (OEI/CRP):

        • (2 minute contingency): 2,223 kW (2,775 shp)

        • (30 second super contingency) (100%): 2,200 kW (2,997 shp)

      • One Engine Inoperative/Maximum Continuous Power (OEI/MCP): 1,781 kW (2,388 shp)

    • Transmission rating:

      • All Engines Operating (AEO): 2,925 kW (3,922 shp)

    • Rotor systems: 5-blade main rotor, 11-blade Fenestron tail rotor

      • Main rotor diameter: 12.8 m

      • Main rotor disc: 128.7 m²

      • Rotor tip speed: ? m/s

      • Fenestron diameter: 1.12 m

      • Fenestron disc: 0.97 m²

    • Fuel capacity: 1,398.7 L (369½ US gal) JP-8 (MIL–DTL–83133)/Jet A kerosene-type aviation turbine fuel

    Performance
    (Under International Standard Atmospheric (ISA) conditions)

    • Never-exceed speed (VNE): 208 knots

    • Maximum level speed at sea level (VH): 189 knots

    • Maximum cruise speed at altitude (VNO): 167 knots

    • Maximum sideways speed: 66 knots

    • Maximum Rate of Climb (ROC) (VY): 13.46 m/s

    • Emergency climb rate (VYSE): 5.58 m/s

    • Combat radius (full weapon load, internal fuel): 584 km (315 nmi)

    • Ferry range (maximum internal and external fuel): 1,481 km (800 nmi)

    • Endurance (10% fuel reserve): 2½ hours

    • Hover Ceiling In Ground Effect (IGE) (hot day ISA +20°C MTOW): 4,921 m (16,145 ft)

    • Hover Ceiling Out of Ground Effect (HOGE) (hot day ISA +20°C MTOW): 3,280 m (10,761 ft)

    • Service ceiling: 6,005 m (19,701 ft)

    • Operating temperature: +45° C to –54° C (–23° C oil temperature for engine starting)

    • Maximum design g-load: +2.5 g to -0.5 g

    Armament:

    • Guns: 1 × Rheinmetall (ex-Mauser) RMK 30/2, 30×250 mm recoilless revolver machine cannon in trainable underfuselage mount (500 rounds total, APFSDS, HEDP or HE-FRAG)

    • Hardpoints: 4 × pylon stations on stub-winglets + 2 × wingtip stations

      • 2 × wet inboard wing pylons rated @ 630 kg (1,389 lb)

      • 2 × wet outboard wing pylons rated @ 454 kg (1,000 lb)

      • 2 × wingtip stations rated @ 113.4 kg (250 lb)

    • Stores: maximum weapon load of 2,200 kg (4,850 lb)

    • Rockets:

      • Matra SNEB 68 mm or SYROCOT rockets - mounted in up to four TELSON (8-tube, 12-tube or 22-tube) launchers (up to 88 unguided or guided rockets total)

      • 2¾ in (70 mm) FFAR (Folding Fin Aerial Rocket) e.g., Hydra-70, CRV7 (Canadian Rocket Vehicle 7) or AGR-20A APKWS II (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System), TALON Laser Guided Rocket, GATR (Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket), FZ275 LGR (Laser Guided Rocket) or LOGIR (Low-Cost Guided Imaging Rocket) - mounted in up to four M260 (7-tube) or M261 (19-tube) lightweight launchers (up to 76 unguided or 28 guided rockets total)

      • 3½ in (88.9 mm) R57/89 WAFAR (Wrap-Around Fin Aerial Rocket) or AGR-128A Angon - mounted in up to four 16-tube digital launchers (up to 64 unguided or guided rockets total)

      • 5 in (127 mm) MK 71 Mod 1 Zuni FFAR (Folding Fin Aerial Rocket) or Laser Guided Zuni - mounted in up to four LAU-10C/A (4-tube) launchers (up to 16 rockets total)

    • Missiles:

      • SPIKE-ER (NT-Dandy) or SPIKE-NLOS (Tamuz) (fibre-optic guided) - up to 16 missiles mounted on four 4-rail Heli-Launchers, two on each wing

      • AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire or Brimstone II (RF guided) - up to 16 missiles mounted on four 4-rail M299 launchers, two on each wing

      • AGM-114R Hellfire II or LA-419 Arcus (semi-active laser homing) - up to 16 missiles mounted on four 4-rail M272 launchers, two on each wing

      • AGM-84N Harpoon Block II+ - up to 2 missiles, one on each wing

      • AGM-189B Scimitar "Kilij" - up to 16 missiles mounted on four 4-rail digital launchers, two on each wing

      • AGM-189C Scimitar "Talwar" - up to 8 missiles mounted on four 2-rail digital launchers, two on each wing

      • AIM-92A Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS) Block II or Mistral ATAM (Air-to-Missile) or AIM-192A ATAS (Air-to-Air Scorpion) or LA-430 Attero - up to four missiles mounted on two 2-round launchers, one on each wing tip station

      • AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder or AGM-122A Sidearm or Python-4 or Python-5 - up to 2 missiles mounted on two LAU-128 launchers, one on each wing tip station

    • Fuel tanks: 870 L (230 US gal) auxiliary fuel tank, two per wing

    Avionics

    • Mission systems:

      • Longbow (Lockheed Martin & Northrop Grumman) (ex-Westinghouse) AN/APG-78(V) "Longbow" Fire Control Radar (FCR)

      • Lockheed Martin AN/APR-48B Modernized Radar Frequency Interferometer (MRFI)

      • Emerson Optronics Airborne Day/Night Navigation And Targeting System (ADAMANTS)

    • Defensive aids:

      • Saab Avitronics Compact Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (CIDAS)

        • Synergy Electrodynamics E/ALQ-03 Deception ECM Jammer

        • Saab (ex-Bofors)BOP-L-39 countermeasure dispenser

        • Hensoldt Advanced Laser Threat Alerting System - 2 Quadrants with Beamrider Detector (ALTAS-2Q(B)

        • Hensoldt (ex-ITT Exelis) AN/AAR-60(V)2 Missile Launch Detection System (MILDS F)

        • Elop/Electronica Multi Spectral Infrared Countermeasure (mini-MUSIC)

    • Navigation aids:

      • Northrop Grumman (ex-Litton) LN-100G Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation System (EGI)

      • Honeywell Air Data Attitude Heading and Reference System (ADAHRS)

      • Honeywell MK XXII Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)

      • BAE Systems Low Probability of Intercept Altimeter (LPIA-209R)

    • Communications:

      • Raytheon AN/ARC-231(V)9(C) RT-1808A Skyfire Airborne Communications System (VHF/UHF-AM/FM voice/data LOS & DAMA/Non-DAMA voice/data BLOS SATCOM)

      • ViaSat KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal (STT) (VHF/UHF, LOS & BLOS Link 16 TADIL-J)

      • Elisra (ex-Tadiran Spectralink) AN/ACQ-9 Tactical Video & Data Link (TVDL) (L-, S- or C-band)

      • Leonardo (ex-DRS Technologies) Concord Intelligence Broadcast Receiver-2 (IBR-2) (R-2650A(C)/U) (near real-time threat, survivor & Blue Force Tracker)

      • BAE Systems AN/APX-123(V)5 Common Transponder (CXP) (Mark XIIA IFF (Mode 4/5, Mode S, TCAS II (Traffic Collision Avoidance System), ADS-B)

    Military aircraft of Etoile Arcture

    Fighters

    F/A-38A/B Sentinel - F-40A Whirlwind - F-60A Cyclone

    Strike/ground attack

    AV-48A Gryphon

    Bombers

    B-90A Condor

    Airborne early warning

    E-20A Pontus - EP-21A Coandă - E-33B Watchtower

    Command and control

    E-99C Mystic

    Electronic warfare

    E-24A Marauder - EV-46A Valkyrie

    Maritime patrol/sea control

    P-21A Coriolis - SV-22A Osprey

    Trainers

    TF-39B Fearless - AT-47A Vandal - F-49A/B Révolution II

    Transport

    KC-16A Cargoship - MV-28A Peregrine - MV-44A Pegasus - C-75A Albatross - C-75B Super Albatross - KC-99B Majestic

    Helicopters

    AH-79C Anaconda - MH-80A Barracuda - MCH-120A Pelican - CH-151A Titan Skyscrane

    Unmanned

    RQ-13A Vulture - AQ-20B Renegade - RAQ-39B Clarion - MQ-45A Privateer - AQ-46A Storm Petrel - BQ-50A Dominator - MQ-59A Mosquito

    Read dispatch

    This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final.

    M344 Wolverine


    M344 Wolverine Series 2 Infantry Carrier Vehicle

    Type

    Armoured combat vehicle

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2005 - present

    Used by

    See Operators

    Production history

    Designer

    Colibri Automotive Works

    Designed

    1992-2003

    Manufacturer

    Sequoia Dynamics Land
    Systems
    Korrodos Military Dynamics

    (under license)
    Sutherland Defence Land
    Systems
    (under license)

    Unit cost

    APC: US$2.5M
    ICV/MEV: US$2M
    MCV: US$3M
    BRV/CPV US$5M

    Number built

    ~2 million

    Variants

  • Series 1 APC (Armoured
    Personnel Carrier)

  • Series 2 ICV (Infantry Carrier
    Vehicle)

  • Series 3 MCV (Missile Carrer
    Vehicle)

  • Series 4 BRV (Battlefield
    Reconnaissance Vehicle)

  • Specifications

    Weight

    APC: ~26,000 kg
    ICV/MCV: ~22,000 kg

    Length

    7.43 m

    Width

    3.05 m

    Height

    2.99 m

    Crew

    2 (+ 10)


    Armour

    reversed V-hull, armoured capsule
    STANAG 4569 Level 4
    MRAP Category II

    Main
    armament

    APC: Nexter 40 mm L/70
    Cased Telescoped Armament System
    ICV: G25 Outlaw 25 mm chain gun
    MCV: Multi-Missile Spike NLOS
    launcher
    MGS: 105 mm L/52 smoothbore cannon
    AMS: 120 mm automatic gun-mortar

    Secondary
    armament

    APC: STK 50 MG 12.7×99 mm
    NATO heavy machine gun
    ICV/MCV: MG78A1 6.8×51 mm
    (.277 SIG Fury) medium
    machine gun

    Engine

    6-cylinder in-line liquid-cooled
    turbo-charged intercooled diesel
    536.5 bhp (400 kW)

    Power train

    parallel hybrid electric drive
    4 x in-hub permanent magnet
    brushless motors 72 bhp (53.7 kW)

    Power/weight

    APC: 18.75 hp/t
    ICV: 22.12 hp/t

    Payload capacity

    8,500 kg

    Transmission

    8-speed automatic electronic
    shifting

    Suspension

    8x8 independent double
    wishbone w/ magneto-
    rheological dampers

    Ground
    clearance

    40-60 cm adjustable

    Operational
    range

    ~800 km @ 50 kph

    Speed

    110 kph (electronically limited)

    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.

    Design


    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.

    Mobility

    Power Pack

    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.

    Drive Train

    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.

    Protection

    Ballistic Protection

    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 Protection

    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.

    Defensive Aids

    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.

    Signature Management

    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.

    Armament

    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.

    • Series 1 Armoured Personnel Carrer - unmanned turret with Nexter 40 mm L/70 Cased Telescoped Weapon System and remote weapon station with 12.7×99 NATO heavy machine gun

    • Series 2 Infantry Carrier Vehicle - remote weapon station with G25 Outlaw 25 mm single-barrel chain-driven autocannon and coaxial 12.7×99 NATO heavy machine gun and 6.8×51 mm Common Cartridge general purpose machine gun

    • Series 3 Missile Carrier Vehicle - remote weapon station with eight-pack Rafael Multi-Missile Spike-NLOS launcher and coaxial 6.8×51 mm Common Cartridge general purpose machine gun

    • Series 4 Battlefield Reconnaissance Vehicle - Sigleuir elevating multi-spectral sensor mast

    • Advanced Mortar System - unmanned turret with Patria AMOS 120 mm L/25 automatic twin barrelled breech loaded mortar

    • Air Defence Vehicle - OTO Breda SIDAM 25 turret with quad G25 Outlaw 25 mm chain guns and twin MANPADS launchers

    • Mounted Gun System - unmanned low profile oscillating turret with autoloading Vosselheim 105 mm L/52 high pressure gun

    • Armoured Mortar System - unmanned turret with RO Defence 120 mm L/25 automatic breech loaded gun-mortar

    • Armoured Scout Vehicle - unmanned turret with Vosselheim 60 mm L/30 automatic breech loaded long range gun-mortar

    • Armoured Security Vehicle - remote weapon station with 40×53 mm automatic grenade launcher and 12.7×99 NATO heavy machine gun

    Fire Control

    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.

    Vetronics

    Variants

    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.

    Variant

    M344 Wolverine

    M345 Timberwolf

    M346 Wolfhound

    M347 Wolfcub

    M348 Werewolf

    M349 Wolfsbane

    Drive

    8x8

    8x8

    6x6

    4x4

    8x8

    8x8

    Crew

    2 crew + 8-10 dismounts

    2 crew + 2-4 operators

    2 crew + 6-8 dismounts

    3 crew

    3 crew

    3 crew

    Armament

    Series 1: 40 mm CTA cannon
    + 12.7 mm HMG
    Series 2: 25 mm Chain Gun
    + 12.7 mm HMG
    Series 3: Multi-Missile Spike-NLOS

    120 mm gun-mortar or
    quad 25 mm Chain Gun
    + dual FIM-92A Stinger

    40 mm AGL +12.7 mm HMG

    60 mm gun-mortar

    105 mm cannon

    120 mm gun-mortar

    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

    Specifications


    • Maximum on-road speed: 110 kph

    • Maximum off-road speed: 92 kph

    • Maximum cross-country speed: 70 kph

    • Operational range: 800 km @ 50 kph cross country, 1,000 km @ 50 kph road range

    • Gradient: 70%

    • Side slope: 40%

    • Vertical obstacle: 0.7 m

    • Trench crossing: 2.8 m @ 90¡, 3 m @ 45¡

    • Minimum turning radius: on the spot

    • Fording depth: 1.2 m without preparation, 1.5 m w/ snorkel kit

    • Maximum fording speed: 10 kph

    • Gross power to weight ratio: 19.86 hp/t (APC), 24.38 hp/t (ICV)

    Operators


    Etoile Arcture

    • Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

    Zinaire

    • Zinairian Army

    Leistung

    • Leistungi Army

    Madurastan

    • Madurstan Army

    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


    Eothasia

    • Crowned Eothasi Army

    Lochario

    • Locharian Army

    Odelinor

    • Odelinoran Army

    Rocky canada

    • Rocky Canadian Army

    Hintuwan

    • Commonwealth Army Ground Forces

    Norway-sweden-finland

    • Imperial Army


    Cyrassinia

    • Cyrassinian Ground Forces


    Slacaria

    • Slacarian Army

    • Slacarian Special Forces

    Aquilara

    • Aquilaran Army

    Animarnia

    • Fortress State Ground Defence Force

    • Fortress State Royal Marine Corp

    Joralia

    • Joralian Army

    New Chinese Federation

    • New Chinese Federation Army


    Lorkiek

    • Lorkiek's Ground Army

    • Lorkiek's National Guards Corps

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    M96 LUMPS II


    Type

    Light armoured all-terrain
    multipurpose vehicle

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2007 - present

    Used by

    See Operators

    Production history

    Designer

    Colibri Automative Works

    Designed

    1996-2005

    Manufacturers

    Sequoia Dynamics Land Systems
    Korrodos Military Dynamics

    (under license)
    Sutherland Defence Land
    Systems
    (under license)

    Unit cost

    US$250,000

    Number built

    ~10 million

    Variants

    See Variants

    Specifications

    Weight

    8,391 kg

    Length

    4.95 m

    Width

    2.29 m

    Height

    2.03 m

    Crew

    2 (+ 3)


    Armour

    STANAG 4569 Level 3
    MRAP Category I

    Main
    armament

    options for:
    FN Herstal M3M .12.7 mm NATO
    MG90A1 GPHMG 15.2 mm CT
    Mauser RMK 30/2 30mm CL
    GMG53A1 Gorgon 40 mm
    M20 105 mm howitzer
    Elbit Spear MK 2 120 mm
    mortar
    FIM-192A Scorpion sextet launcher
    Rafael Multi-Missile SPIKE-NLOS

    Engine

    in-line six-cylinder ("straight
    six") 32-valve intercooled
    common rail direct injection
    turbo diesel 215 bhp (231 kW)

    Power train

    parallel hybrid electric drive
    4 x in-hub permanent magnet
    brushless traction motors
    67 bhp (50 kW)

    Power/weight

    33.87 hp/t

    Payload capacity

    1,300 kg

    Transmission

    6-speed automatic electronic
    shifting

    Suspension

    4x4 double wishbone
    independent electronic
    pneumatic suspension

    Ground
    clearance

    40-46 cm adjustable

    Operational
    range

    ~965 km @ 45 kph

    Speed

    130 kph (electronically limited)

    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.

    Design


    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.

    Mobility

    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.
    On-board electrical power for the drive train, vehicle electronics (vetronics), mission equipment and armament systems is provided via a solid-state DC-DC step transformer. Decoupled drive-by-wire electro-mechanical linkages transfer power from engine to motors to increase performance and responsivity, minimise volume and weight, and reduce thermal, audible and electro-magnetic signature. 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, rapid acceleration and maximum power and torque over rough terrain and steep gradients.
    A double wishbone independent electronic pneumatic suspension with semi-active magneto rheological struts offer electronic ride height control and active damping for roll stability. The vehicle steers on all four wheels with electric power steering (EPS) assistance, using 36X12.5R20 28-ply radial off-road all-terrain tyres fitted with self-supporting puncture-resistant run-flat inserts. A central tyre inflation system (CTIS) automatically adjusts air pressure at each tyre to match the ground pressure on different surfaces (hard, soft, etc) for better traction performance and to lower strain on the drive train.

    Protection

    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 basic frame and hull is of all-welded 5083 light aluminium alloy (MIL-A-46026) construction, with high hardness wrought armour steel (MIL–A-12560) used for the doors and belly plate. The integrally-armoured monocoque crew compartment is constructed from titanium tri-aluminide (TiAl₃Ti) metal matrix armour with a Dyneema spall liner. The undercarriage is protected by an anti-mine blast suppressive floor consisting of a light alloy spaced plate array and rigid closed-cell spray polyurethane foam filler that absorbs shock waves and energy from blasts. The armour suite is not load-bearing and consists of modular replaceable segments of multi-hit ablative polymer-constrained ceramic-filled composite armour of boron carbide-aluminium diboride (B₄C/AlB₂/S2-glass/epoxy) composition fastened in place by bolts to the exterior surfaces. Windscreens, windows and vision blocks are constructed from ballistic-resistant aluminium oxynitride (AlON) transparent polycrystalline ceramic armour that is proof against 12.7 mm NATO (.50 cal BMG) armour piercing rounds and treated with a laser protective dielectric coating.
    The crew compartment is equipped with an Environmental Control System (ECS) that provides air conditioning and climate control to relieve crew fatigue, and a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) overpressure system to keep out contaminants. When buttoned up the crew compartment acts as a sealed citadel, protected by a STANAG 4447-compliant 4 mbar (0.004 kp/cm²) overpressure collective protection system. A central air filtration system provides 80 m³/hour in purified air to all occupants inside the cabin, using a radial flow combination filter to remove gas, particulates and NBC contamination from the air flow. The composite armour suite also provides some measure of protection from alpha, beta and gamma radiation. A Radiac monitoring system provides alarms to warn of any contamination hazards. All vehicle and armament operations can be performed while under armour and in NBC alert conditions, but entry/exit from the vehicle can only be safely performed with all crew wearing MOPP (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) gear.

    Armament

    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.

    Fire Control

    Vetronics

    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.

    Versions


    • Infantry Carrier Vehicle - Kongsberg M153 Protector w/ 12.7 mm NATO or 15.2 mm CT heavy machine gun

    • Command and Liaison Vehicle - Kongsberg M153 Protector w/ 12.7 mm NATO or 15.2 mm CT heavy machine gun, two TOC stations in a hardened shelter

    • Medical Evacuation Vehicle - two litter stations in a hardened shelter

    • Scout Observation Vehicle - elevating sensor mast

    • Light Support Vehicle - Rheinmetall (Mauser) RMK 30/2 recoilless machine cannon on remote weapon station

    • Medium Support Vehicle - Mandus Group Hawkeye Weapon System with lightweight M20 105 mm howitzer on rear bed

    • Fire Support Vehicle - Elbit Spear MK 2 120 mm automated mortar on rear bed

    • Anti-Tank Vehicle - four-pack Rafael Multi-Missile SPIKE-NLOS launcher on rear bed

    • Air Defence Vehicle - FIM-192A Scorpion sextet launcher on rear bed

    Variants


    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



    Technical data for M96 LUMPS II

    Engine

    6-cylinder-inline diesel engine (32-valve), front mounted

    Displacement

    4.6 L

    Peak power

    218 PS (215 bhp, 231 kW) @ 2500 rpm

    Peak torque

    40.78 kg·m (400 N·m; 295 ft/lb)

    Fuel system

    common rail direct fuel injection

    Fuel capacity

    140 L (37 US gal) JP-8 (MIL–DTL–83133)/Jet A kerosene-type aviation turbine fuel

    Electric motor

    permanent magnet brushless DC alternator/generator

    Peak electrical power

    111.85 kW

    Efficiency

    97.5%

    Voltage range

    150-450 VDC ~ 325 VDC

    Power inverter

    DC-DC step transformer with 3-phase IGBT bridge

    Battery group

    114 kWh lithium-metal polymer rechargeable battery pack

    Drive motors

    all-wheel drive, axial-flux permanent magnet brushless DC in-hub traction motors

    Cooling

    engine oil

    Peak output

    67.9 PS (67 bhp, 50 kW) @ 1540 rpm

    Peak torque

    8.15 kg·m (80 N·m; 59 ft/lb)

    Peak efficiency

    91%

    Transmission

    automatic electronic shifting with variable gear ratios, decoupled electro-mechanical linkages

    Gears

    6 - (5 forward, 1 reverse)

    Steering

    independent full-time all-wheel, electric power steering assistance

    Brake system

    in-board electro-hydraulic disc brakes w/ anti-lock/anti-skid brakes, regenerative braking (friction and intarder) and electronic brake force distribution

    Suspension

    independent double-wishbone front and rear axle

    Shock absorbers

    semi-active magneto rheological strut on each wheel

    tyres

    36X12.5R20 28-ply radial off-road all-terrain with run-flat inserts and central tyre inflation system

    Ground clearance

    40-46 cm adjustable

    Maximum fording depth @ speed

    920 cm @ 5 kph

    Maximum gradient

    70%

    Maximum side slope

    40%

    Maximum off-road speed

    87 kph

    Operators


    Etoile Arcture

    • Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

    Arcturia

    • Armée de Terre

    • Forces Spéciales

    • Corps des Marines

    • Légion Étrangère


    Madurstan

    • Madurstan Army

    Imbrinium

    • Royal Imbrinium Army

    • Royal Imbrinium Marine Corps

    Zinaire

    • Zinarian Army

    Parilisa

    • Parilisan Revolutionary Army

    Salcania

    • Salcanian Army

    Nanwe

    • Armata Terrestre da Nangue

    Turkish federation

    • Turkish Army

    Korrodos

    • Imperial Army

    • Imperial Marine Corps

    • Imperial Aeromarines

    MesoAmerican cultures

    • Confederacy Army


    Lochario

    • Locharian Army

    The Novakian Empire

    • Imperial Novakian Army

    Areteom

    • Areteom Army

    South hampden

    • National Army

    Norway-sweden-finland

    • Imperial Army

    Cyrassinia

    • Cyrassinian Ground Forces

    Slacaria

    • 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

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    M23A1 Hyena

    Type

    Military engineering vehicle

    Place of
    origin

    Etoile Arcture
    Coorsota

    Service history

    In service

    2007 - present

    Used by

    See Operators

    Production history

    Designer

    Sequoia-Allis Defence Services

    Designed

    1999-2006

    Manufacturers

    Sequoia Dynamics
    Land Systems

    Covenant Arms
    (under license)
    Korrodos Military
    Dynamics
    (under
    license)
    Sutherland Defence
    Land Systems

    (under license)

    Unit cost

    US$5 million

    Number
    built

    thousands, eh

    Variants

    M23A1E1 Hyena ARRV
    M23A1E2 Hyena AEV
    M23A1E3 Hyena ABV

    Specifications

    Length

    7.8 m (hull)

    Width

    3.66 m

    Height

    2.49 m

    Crew

    4 (driver, commander,
    2 fitters)


    Armour

    modified rolled homogenous armour, steel monoplate spaced array, ceramic composite appliqué armour

    Main armament

    M3M .50 cal heavy machine gun with 300 rounds

    Secondary armament

    Rafael Carpet
    (M23A1E3 only)

    Engine

    D990AGP1 12-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel
    1,673 PS (1,650 bhp, 1,230 kW)

    Transmission

    T250FGT1 planetary gearbox
    8-speed manual range selection

    Suspension

    hydropneumatic + torsion bars

    Ground
    clearance

    44 cm

    Operational
    range

    ~522 km @ 50 kph

    Speed

    75 kph (governed)

    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:

    • 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)

    • 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)

    • 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)

    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.

    Design


    Overview

    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.

    Protection

    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 fighting compartment is protected by a titanium ballistic tub and aramid fibre (Spectra Shield or Dyneema) anti-spall liner. A layered anti-mine floor consists of shock-absorbing closed-cell aluminium foam sandwiched by alloy steel backing plates. Fragment and small arms ballistic protection is also provided to all hydraulic components and hoses using Mil-Spec 1050 denier ballistic nylon sleeves, and optics are protected by fine mesh screens and laser safety filters. Equipment such as dozers and mine rakes are armoured to resist mine blasts and fragments. Active protection is provided by a Thales ECLIPSE electronic countermeasure (ECM) that neutralises command-detonated mines and radio-controlled improvised explosive device (RCIED) threats by automatically detecting, locating and jamming their detonation signals, being especially effective where the trigger mechanism is physically separated from the mine or IED.

    Survivability

    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.

    Mobility

    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.
    The running gear comprises six rubber-tired high-strength steel road wheels, alloy steel front sprockets, track return rollers and rear idlers, and forged steel single-pin tracks with rubber-bashed track shoes. Steel grouser bars can be fitted to the track shoes to improve traction on loose surfaces such as soil, mud and snow. A semi-active hydraulic track tensioning system can be manually adjusted by the driver for different terrain and for reducing wear on the track. The suspension is a hybrid hydropneumatic/torsion system with hydropneumatic suspension on road wheels 1, 2 and 6 with lockout system to provide stability during digging or lifting operations, and torsion bars on road wheels 3, 4 and 5, with semi-active rotary dampers to smooth the ride. The hybrid system can elevate or depress the bow or aft of the tank, or "kneel" the suspension, allowing for superior positioning during craning and dozing operations. The vehicle is fully amphibious with a capability to ford watercourses up to the height of the top deck. A deep wading kit can be installed comprising a pair of intake exhaust towers, with seals inflated on all hatches and bilge pumps in the hull to keep out water when operating submerged.

    Armament

    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.

    Vetronics

    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.
    There is provision for plug-and-fight replaceable and reconfigurable military-off-the-shelf (MOTS) components in the Battlefield Management System (BMS) that provides classified nation-specific command and control functions, sensor fusion and automation (e.g. Synergy's Cornerstone BMS for the Etoile Arcture Ground Forces), with ruggedised digital crew stations configured around VMEbus single-board computers with 32-bit PowerPC processors and Multi-Functional Touch Display Units (MFTDU) with rugged 10.4-inch 1080p LED-backlit active-matrix LCD displays, a dual-redundant 100-megabit Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) optical backbone data bus, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation with 12-channel all-in-view dual-frequency anti-jam receiver, IEEE 802.16 WiMAX wireless intercom for all crew and passengers, and an externally-mounted infantry telephone. The External Communication System (ECS) provides secure/encrypted digital datalinks for the BMS configured around a Harris AN/VRC-103(V)2 Multi-Band Vehicle Radio (MBVR) and TAC 1 Systems AN/PRC-153 Integrated Intra-Squad Radio (IISR) that operate in VHF and UHF frequencies with embedded Communications Security (COMSEC), Transmission Security (TRANSEC) and Electronic Counter-Countermeasure (ECCM) capability. A Digital Cleared Lane/Route Marking System (DCLARMS) is integrated into the BMS that marks cleared lanes and routes in real-time on electronic maps using GPS coordinates. This information is disseminated to other echelons by secure datalink and provides driver cues, or mapping and navigation inputs to drive-by-wire systems allowing a vehicle to self-drive cleared routes and lanes.

    Equipment

    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.

    Variants


    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.
    A turntable and large electro-hydraulic crane jib with fixed-length boom is located on the left hull side. It has 270° traverse and 70° elevation limits with a 355 kN maximum traction force and 36,287 kg maximum lift capacity, and can change out a tank powerpack in only 30 minutes, lift a tank turret, or raise the front or rear of a vehicle to gain access to its suspension and drive assembly. This is achieved with equipment including a loading tackle for turrets and a lifting tackle for powerpacks. The crane has an electronic momentum limiter that constantly calculates jib elevation, vehicle tilt, and load mass to prevent overloading. A hydraulically powered 609 mm (24 in) earth auger bit can be installed on the crane boom for boring up to a depth of 1800 mm into hard and compacted soil at a rate of 30 holes per hour.
    The hull front is equipped with both a primary and auxiliary winch. The main winching system consists of dual continuously driven capstan drums driven by electro-hydraulic stepper motors, and uses tensioners and guide pulleys to extend and wind a single 180 m length of 33 mm steel cable at speeds up to 90 m per minute. It has a maximum tractive force of 450 kN, that is doubled for greater mechanical advantage with block and tackle to produce a maximum constant straight-pull force of 92,523 kg. The auxiliary winch is driven by an independent low-pressure hydraulic drive and is used for spooling, tensioning and hauling of the main winch cable and for minor recovery tasks, with a 40 kN maximum tractive force and 3,628 kg maximum straight-pull force, using 300 m of 8 mm diameter cable.
    A servo-operated full-width dozer blade is fitted to the bow of the vehicle that elevates and tilts using dual power actuators (hydraulic cylinders) and has automatic depth control for accurate digging, ploughing, grading and backfilling. It is primarily used for obstacle removal, debris clearance, minefield breaching, entrenching hull-down positions and filling in ditches. The blast and abrasion-resistant dozer has a deeply curved heavy-duty cast steel moldboard, bolt-on Hardox reversible cutting edge, and scarifiers for ripping up roadways, railway tracks, electrical or telephone poles, and to rake up and flip over buried mines. The dozer can move 400 m³ of soil per hour along a 4.2-metre wide lane. It can also be lowered as an earth anchor or stabiliser during lifting or winching operations.

    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.
    Using an excavating arm it can position fascines to fill in anti-tank ditches; and its dozer blade can deploy portable track ways, do bank preparation on the home and far banks supporting bridge layers, fill in gaps such as craters, blown culverts and ditches, and remove obstacles such as berms, prepare firing positions, and use its electro-hydraulically controlled cable pulling double-capstan winch system to pull rubble, trees and damaged vehicles out of the way. The winch has a maximum pulling capacity of 46,266 kg with pulley blocks and is provided with 122 metres of 28 mm diameter steel cable.
    A multifunction full-width dozer blade is front-mounted and is fully articulated with adjustable cutting angles that are controlled by dual power elevation and tilt actuators. The blast and abrasion-resistant steel blade operates as either an earth anchor, a dozer or a crane stabiliser, and can be used to clear mines, berms, wire, rubble, and tank-ditches, and dig entrenchments. For minefield breaching two blades can be hooked together forming a V-shaped blade with a rearwardly slanted front edge and raking scarifying teeth that dig up and flip over mines, or can be used for ripping up asphalt roadways to render them impassable to wheeled vehicles. Both configurations can clear a 4.2-metre wide trafficable lane for other vehicles to follow. A Pearson Magnetic Signature Duplicator (MSD) provides self-protection by generating a magnetic field in front of the vehicle from emitter coils integrated into mine ploughs or dozer blades, to either prevent magnetic-influence anti-tank and off-route mines from detonating, or to trigger them at a safe stand-off distance.
    A 'trackhoe' hydraulic excavator is mounted on the left hull side on a 270° traverse turntable, and is electro-hydraulically controlled, being operated by the driver using two joystick controllers. A detachable 1.3 m³ (46 ft³) aluminium alloy excavator bucket is attached to its boom arm for multiple tasks including digging, bulldozing, lifting, grappling, or for use as an earth anchor. The knuckle-type boom arm has a 9-metre maximum reach and the bucket can move earth at rate of 300 m³/h (177 ft³/min), or 3,970 kg per swipe, while digging to a working depth of 4.4 metres. It has scarifiers (grappling teeth) allowing it to lift a 4 metric ton object at maximum reach and can fitted with a hydraulic grab thumb, that folds out of the way when digging, for grasping irregular shaped items. A universal quick-release coupling system allows the bucket to be switched out for other attachments including a 360° rotating material handling grapple with jaws that can grab and lift trees, logs, railway ties, pipes, concrete pillars, rocks and loose scrap, and a hydraulic hammer that can break up rocks and demolish concrete structures. In addition, devices such as an earth auger bit, scraper, miniature flails, milling heads and concrete cutters can be attached to and hydraulically powered through the excavator' arm. The vehicle can be fully refitted in the field in under 6 hours with the help of plug-and-play CAN-bus controllers that automatically discover and reconfigure hydraulic and electrical systems for the new attachments.

    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.
    A revised superstructure consisting of a lower profile full-width all-welded casement superstructure with centre crew stations offers the maximum under armour protection to the crew of four, with no provision for the turntable and excavating/craning arm used on other vehicles in the M23A1 series. Depending on the mission a Pearson Engineering multifunction full-width dozer blade or V-shaped combined dozer blade and full-width mine-plough, or RKM twin track-width mine-clearing rollers, can be fitted to the front hull for respectively combat dozing and minefield clearing. An electro-hydraulically controlled double capstan winch system is also fitted to the hull front operating with a guide pulley system to pull up to 36,287 kg with a traction force of 300 kN. For self-recovery and dealing with steep inclines and river banks the vehicle is equipped with a rocket-propelled self-emplacing earth anchor with extendible grapple arms that dig into earth or snag behind roots, rocks, etc, for purchase, that launches from the roof on a 90-metre towing hawser (24 mm diameter steel cable) attached to a 240 kN constant pulling force hydraulic winch.
    A Rafael Carpet Minefield Clearing System is mounted to the rear of the vehicle weighing 3,175 kg fully loaded. It is a box-like podded rocket launcher that holds twenty (20) reloadable rounds of 20 × 265 mm calibre rockets, in two rows of six and one row of eight launch tubes. Each rocket weighs 46 kg including its solid-fuel motor and fuel-air explosive (FAE) warhead, and is fin-stabilised in flight. The warhead is initiated by an extendable stand-off probe on impact with the ground to disperse a spray of fuel above the target area. Detonation of this fuel-air explosive cloud generates a strong impulse over a wide area that can trigger most pressure plate, tilt rod, seismic and acoustic fused mines, regardless of depth, terrain, foliage or man-made obstacles. The minimum engagement range is 65 m and maximum range is 160 m, with the vehicle firing from the forward edge of a minefield. Rockets are launched sequentially to breach a route through the mine field, with a fully volley of 20 rockets discharged in 60 seconds. The munitions reach the ground at 5 m intervals in an electronically controlled sequence to breach a linear path 100 m in length and 6-8 m in width to clear a safe passage wide enough for the safe movement of all combat vehicles.

    Specifications


    General Characteristics

    ..............................................

    M23A1E1 Hyena ARRV

    M23A1E2 Hyena AEV

    M23A1E3 Hyena ABV

    Crew

    4 (driver, commander, 2 fitters)

    Passengers

    3 (e.g., recovered tank crew)

    Combat weight

    54,431 kg

    53,523 kg

    49,895 kg

    Hull length

    7.8 m

    Width over skirt

    3.56 m

    Ground clearance

    0.44 m

    Ground pressure, zero
    penetration

    0.9 kg/cm²

    Powerpack

    28L 12-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel

    Power rating

    1,673 PS (1,650 bhp, 1,230 kW) @ 1400 rpm

    Fuel capacity

    1,200 litres

    Transmission

    manual ranged planetary gearbox transmission

    Operational range

    522 km

    Maximum level road speed

    75 kph

    Maximum off road speed

    60 kph

    Average cross country speed

    35~50 kph

    Average towing speed

    30~45 kph

    Gradient

    60%

    Side slope

    30%

    Maximum vertical obstacle

    1.25 m

    Maximum fording depth

    1.7 m Unprepared
    <7 m with snorkel

    Maximum drawbar pull

    72,574 kg

    63,502 kg

    Maximum on-road speed
    w/ recovered tank

    40 kph

    45 kph

    Maximum off-road speed
    w/ recovered tank

    30 kph

    35 kph

    Maximum crane lift capacity

    36,287 kg

    Maximum winch pull capacity

    92,523 kg

    46,266 kg

    36,287 kg

    Maximum dozing speed

    8 kph

    Maximum dozing rate

    400 m³ per hour

    Excavator digging capacity

    300 m³ per hour

    Operators


    Etoile Arcture

    • Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

    Zinaire

    • Zinarian Army

    Imbrinium

    • Royal Imbrinium Army

    • Royal Imbrinium Marines Corps

    Anemos major

    • Crown Army of Anemos Major

    Parilisa

    • Parilisan Revolutionary Army

    Turkish federation

    • Turkish Army

    Asgarnieu

    • Asgarnian Army

    Whiskeasy

    • Whiskeasian Royal Army

    Madurastan

    • Madurastan Army

    Arcturia

    • Armée de Terre

    • Corps des Marines

    Togora

    • Royal Togoran Army

    Tergnitz

    • Grand Imperial Army

    Nanwe

    • Armata Terrestre da Nangue

    MesoAmerican cultures

    • Confederacy Army

    Holy Marsh

    • Marshite Army

    • Marshite Holy Warriors

    • Marshite First Rank Militia

    Monavian Empire

    • Monavian Royal Marine Corps

    Aquilara

    • Aquilaran Army

    The Great state of Joseon

    • Royal Joseon Army

    Korrodos

    • United Korrodosian Defense Force

    Rapaldegia Bagazis

    • Bagazian Army

    Animarnia

    • Fortress State Ground Defence Force

    • Fortress State Royal Marine Corp

    New Chinese Federation

    • New Chinese Federation Army

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    This page is a work in progress by its author and should not be considered final.

    M90A2 "Arrowhead"


    M901A2 HEAA munition in flight configuration

    Type

    Multi-role (anti-vehicle,
    anti-fortification, anti-
    personnel)

    Place of origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2003 - present

    Used by

    See Users

    Production history

    Designer

    Sequoia Dynamics

    Designed

    1996-2001

    Manufacturers

    Sequoia Dynamics
    Armament And
    Technical Products
    Korrodos Military
    Dynamics
    (under
    license)
    Soonyang Defense
    (under license)
    NERGAL Heavy
    Industries
    (under
    license)
    Aramtechnica Dynamics
    (under license)

    Unit cost

    US$4,000

    Number built

    many millions

    Variants

    See below

    Specifications

    Weight

    7 kg (without sights)
    8.5 kg (with sights)

    Length

    900 mm


    Calibre

    88.9 mm

    Muzzle velocity

    250-270 m/s

    Effective firing
    range

    300 m (point target)

    Maximum firing
    range

    600 m (area target)

    Sights

    iron sights, clip-on
    electro-optic sight

    Detonation mechanism

    point-initiated,
    base-detonated
    or programmable
    smart fuze

    M90A2 Arrowhead Improved Lightweight Attack Weapon in ready-to-fire configuration
    with pop-up battlesights raised.

    .......................................................................................................................
    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.

    Description


    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.
    The launch tube is formed as a single-piece moulding of filament-wound glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), except for a light aluminium liner around the venturi to resist the high pressures and temperatures produced by the rocket exhaust. To protect the cartridge and firing mechanism from water, oils, dust, dirt, snow and other contaminates, both ends of the launcher have fire-through plastic covers and water- and gas-tight rubber seals. Sling attachment points are moulded on to the body of the tube for easy transport, and there is a folding plastic hand grip and shoulder stop for weapon handling during firing. A mounting bracket is also provided for a reusable clip-on sight.
    Form and function of the M90A2 is of a similar fashion to other disposable rocket launchers utilising both a Davis gun-type launcher and high-low propulsion system to achieve recoilless operation. The high-low system - generating high gas pressure and mass flow within the launch tube to provide propulsive force, with low pressure gas venting from a rear divergent nozzle or venturi - is coupled with a Davis gun-type counter mass equal to the remaining momentum of the launched projectile to cancel out the recoil. To allow use in confined (or enclosed) spaces the back blast is contained by the counter mass, which consists of compressed ceramic powder ballast. The powder is lightly bound to maintain its porosity and easily disintegrates under high gas pressure so that it will vent from the rear of the launcher as a high velocity cloud of fine particulates. The mass of the particles is such that they quickly slow and cool by air resistance alone, greatly attenuating the back blast so that it is harmless at a distance of only one metre from the rear of the launcher.
    The firing mechanism uses a percussion activated thermal battery to supply electrical power to arm the warhead fuze and detonation circuits and to ignite the propelling charge. Multiple manual safeties protect the weapon from accidental discharge including a transport safety pin, a safety/cocking lever and safety release catch. All three block the trigger sear, spring-biased firing rod and percussion firing pin, and must be disengaged in a set sequence to cock (arm) the weapon, or re-engaged to safe the weapon.
    The firing sequence begins with ignition of the propelling charge to eject the rocket-assisted cartridge from the launch tube. As soon as the cartridge clears the tube it deploys eight spring-biased switchblade stabilisation fins and initiates a sustainer rocket motor. The motor uses a composite modified nitramine double-base propellant that has a low flash and smoke signature. To ensure high accuracy with resistance to crosswinds the propellant grain is arranged in a constant burn geometry so the motor provides sustained thrust throughout the full length of flight to maintain a constant velocity and flat trajectory towards the target. Acceleration forces (setback) arms the warhead 10 metres from the muzzle. Depending on fusing the warhead detonates on impact or by delay action on contact. If the round overshoots a timer ensures the munition will safely self-destruct beyond a preset distance, which is typically 600 metres.

    Warheads


    Three warhead options are available.

    • The M901A2 HEAA (High Explosive Anti-Armour) warhead contains a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) armour defeat mechanism, consisting of a probe fitted with a point-initiating base-detonating (PIBD) piezoelectric fuze and 100 g shaped charge precursor to initiate explosive reactive armour (ERA) blocks at stand-off distance, and a 500 g full-calibre shaped charge to defeat composite armour and armour plate behind ERA and produce beyond-armour effects. The main shaped charge is configured with a polymer-bonded explosive (PBX) filler and hollow conical bonded bimetallic liner. The liner is deformed on detonation to focus the explosive force as a narrow high velocity jet of molten metal able to perforate 29 inches (740 mm) of homogeneous steel or in excess of 79 inches (~2,00 mm) of concrete. Single shots are effective against the side, rear and top armour of main battle tanks, and two shots effective against the frontal arc (the first to knock out ERA and partly penetrate frontal armour, and the second to travel through the initial hole to complete the penetration.) The warhead can also be employed in an anti-materiel role against light armoured vehicles and field fortifications.

    • The M902A1 MPP (Multi-Purpose Programmable) warhead is the most common variant due to its versatility and is primarily designed for barrier penetration and neutralising troops inside buildings and bunkers, or behind reinforced concrete, brick or stone walls. It is similarly arranged in a tandem layout but with a crushable double ogive housing a PIBD fuze connected to a multifunctional electronic time (ET) fuze with dual mode impact/graze and impact-inertia-fired delay functioning powered by a setback generator on firing and programmed with range data; a high-explosive squash head (HESH) break-in charge that punches holes through walls; and a high-explosive follow-through (HEFT) grenade derived from the M8 offensive/defensive family containing 2,000 x 0.1 g pre-formed forged steel ball fragments. The programmable ET fuze allows selection between three modes of operation to match different classes of targets.

      • Delay Action (DA) fuzes the HESH precursor in impact mode to break through the target leaving a hole that allows the HEFT grenade to enter the structure, where it detonates on a piezoelectric delay fuze to produce behind-the-target fragmentation effects.

      • Super Quick (SQ) mode is optimised for dynamic breaching or mouse-holing. The break-in charge and follow-through grenade are fuzed to detonate in quick succession on contact by PIBD impact/graze fuze as if a unitary HESH charge. The enhanced blast effect is in a projected cone with a circular cutting motion that creates a man-sized "mousehole" without compromising the structural integrity of the target structure. This mode is also effective against fortifications, emplacements and light armoured vehicles.

      • Variable Time (VT) mode is used for anti-defilade defeat. A time delay is set for a particular range by the fire control system (using laser rangefinder data) so that the weapon can employ a timed air burst to produce maximum fragmentation effects against troops in open terrain, entrenchments and dense vegetation.

    • The M904E1 HIT (High Impulse Thermobaric) warhead is based on the M902 MPP pattern with the follow-through grenade derived from the M74 assault hand grenade and equipped with a setback-armed PIBD fuze. The warhead contains a novel explosive (NE) consisting of a homogenous thermobaric explosive (H-THX) bursting charge of an insensitive aluminized nitramine-based polymer-bonded explosive (PBX). The high sustained blast overpressure this produces is effective against personnel in both open terrain and confined spaces including entrenchments, fighting positions, and structures. The long duration blast wave generates expanding flame fronts and volume producing pressure fronts that are especially effective in defeating troops within multi-room structures.

    Sights


    M90A2 Arrowhead Improved Lightweight Attack Weapon in ready-to-fire configuration
    with folding hand grip and shoulder stop extended and clip-on Emerson Optronics
    XM743 Day/Night/Laser Sight mounted over the launch tube.

    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.
    Electrical connectors on the XM743 mate via connectors on the mounting plate with the launcher firing system to send signals to the programmable fuze on the warhead. The operator uses controls on the sight to engage the laser rangefinder, and select from one of three operating modes (DA, SQ and VT) that in turn set the impact and delay fuzes on the rocket warhead. To enhance hit probability an electronically driven reticle provides the operator an aiming point with the impact point automatically corrected for launcher elevation and target position, motion (lead angle), rotational (spin) drift, rocket trajectory drop and crosswind as measured and calculated by the fire control system.
    Emergency battlesights are also provided allowing snap fire at short range, and are identical in function to a back-up iron sights. The rear sight is a rotary diopter adjustable for windage and elevation, with four different apertures corresponding to firing ranges 50 m, 100 m, 200 m and 300 m. The front sight has a centre post with left and right lead posts for aiming at moving targets, and has Tritium luminous dots for night shooting. The sights are hidden behind sliding plastic covers on the launch tube and flip-up for deployment.

    Users


    Etoile Arcture

    • Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

    Arcturia

    • Armée de Terre

    • Corps des Marines

  • Imbrinium

    • Royal Imbrinium Marine Corps

    MesoAmerican cultures

    • Confederacy Army

    South hampden

    • National Army

    Aquilara

    • Aquilaran Army

    The Great state of Joseon

    • Royal Joseon Army

    Korrodos

    • Imperial Army

    • Imperial Marine Corps

    • Imperial Aeromarines

    Rapaldegia Bagazis

    • Bagazian Army

    Animarnia

    • Fortress State Ground Defence Force

    • Fortress State Royal Marine Corp

    Awesome Imperium

    • Imperial Army

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    GL18E2 "Basilisk"


    Type

    Multi-shot grenade launcher

    Place of
    origin

    Etoile Arcture

    Service history

    In service

    2015 - present

    Used by

    See Users

    Production history

    Designer

    Sequoia Weaponworks

    Designed

    2008-2014

    Manufacturers

    Sequoia Dynamics
    Armaments And
    Technical Products

    Korrodos Military
    Dynamics

    (under license)
    Royal Equipment
    Manufactories

    (under license)
    Wolf Armaments
    (under license)
    Bauer Arms (under
    license)
    Seahwa Defense (under
    license)

    Unit cost

    US$1,500

    Number built

    plenty

    Variants

    See Variants

    Specifications

    Weight

    5.8 kg fully loaded with sight

    Length

    736 mm stock folded,
    800 mm stock extended

    Barrel length

    254 mm (10 in)


    Cartridge

  • 40×46mm low-velocity (LV)

  • 40×51mm medium-velocity (MV)

  • Action

    double action

    Rate of fire

    120 rpm cyclic,
    20 rpm practical

    Muzzle velocity

  • LV: 79 m/s

  • MV: 105 m/s

  • Effective firing
    range

  • LV: 125 m point targets,
    375 m area targets

  • MV: 250 m point targets,
    700 m area targets

  • Maximum firing range

  • LV: 400 m

  • MV: 800 m

  • Feed system

    6 round rotating drum

    Sights

    Armson single point OEG
    collimator sight,
    M2A1 reflex sight, Mepro
    GLS reflex sight, etc
    in quadrant

    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 operates by revolver principle using a ratchet-driven, gas-operated six-chamber cylinder to achieve a high rate of accurate fire which can be rapidly brought to bear on a target. For offensive or defensive operations such as ambush/counter-ambush and close combat a full six-round salvo can be fired in only 3 seconds to effectively cover a minimum destruction area of 20 by 60 metres at ranges up to 400 metres. For crowd/riot control and security operations the launcher can accurately engage or suppress point targets out to 125 metres with pinpoint direct fire accuracy with lethal or less-lethal ammunition. The GL18E2 is highly controllable and accurate with soft recoil and shallow ballistic trajectories when using medium-velocity ammunition.

    Design


    Description

    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 barrel is surrounded by a lightweight ventilated heat shield cut with integral Vltor KeyMod accessory rails along the sides. A MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny full-length sight rail is fitted to the receiver top, and a short section of bottom rail mounts a vertical grip. The furniture includes a hard rubber-like Kraton G pistol grip and a polymer collapsible shoulder stock that contains a recoil buffer with self-regulating hydraulic shock absorber to attenuate the firing impulse. The stock is attached to the rear frame by a three-position swivel mount that can be set at various superelevation angles to match high to low angle ballistic trajectories, and is four-position collapsible for adjustment of eye relief.

    Operating principles

    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.
    In addition to a manual safety the GL18E2 has several automatic safety features including a no-skip device to prevent the cylinder from advancing unless the previous round has been fired or manually cleared, and a transfer bar drop safety that keeps the firing pin out-of-line with the firing pin hole until the trigger is pulled all the way back. Ambidextrous release levers on the rear and front frame control a locking mechanism that allows the entire drum to swing open sideways out of the frame to provide access to the six ammunition chambers to reload the weapon with 40 mm cartridges. The gas operating system is superior in performance to other foreign competitor designs that rely on a manually wound clockwork spring mechanism to cycle the weapon, allowing the GL18E2 to be brought into action much faster upon loading/reloading and to fire at a faster firing rate.

    Sights

    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.

    Variants


    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.

    Users


    Etoile Arcture

    • Etoile Arcture Ground Forces

    • Etoile Arcture Special Forces

    Arcturia

    • Armée de Terre

    • Corps des Marine

    • Forces Spéciales

    • Légion Étrangère

    Imbrinium

    • Royal Imbrinium Army

    • Royal Imbrinium Marine Corps

    Korrodos

    • Imperial Army

    • United Korrodosian Defense Force

    MesoAmerican cultures

    • Confederacy Army

    Astograth

    • Astograthian Army

    Monavian Empire

    • Monavian Royal Marine Corps

    The Novakian Empire

    • Imperial Novakian Army

    Odelinor

    • Odelinoran Army

    Common Territories

    • Imperial Army

    Slacaria

    • Slacarian Special Forces

    Aquilara

    • Aquilaran Army

    Rapaldegia Bagazis

    • Bagazian Army

    Animarnia

    • Fortress State Ground Defence Force

    • Fortress State Royal Marine Corp

    Svetvostok

    • Svetvostok Army

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    Specifications


    • Cartridge: 40×46mm low-velocity and 40×51mm medium-velocity grenades, including HE, HEDP, thermobaric, canister, baton, speciality, etc

    • Operation: double action, gas operated, semi-automatic

    • Overall length: 736 mm stock folded, 800 mm stock extended

    • Barrel length: 254 mm

    • Rifling: right hand twist, progressing from 0 to 1 turn in 1.2 m at muzzle

    • Feed device: 6 rounds, revolver action, drum magazine

    • Sights: aftermarket reflex sights, occluded eye gunsights, electronic fire control sights, etc

    • Muzzle velocity: 79 m/s low-velocity, 105 m/s medium-velocity

    • Effective range: 125 m low-velocity, 250 m medium-velocity

    • Maximum range: 400 m low-velocity, 800 m medium-velocity

    • Fire control: ambidextrous selector levers

    • Trigger pull: two stage, adjustable 40-65 N pull

    • Unit replacement cost: US$1,500

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    Uniforms and Gear


    Individual Equipment

    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.

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