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Extended Range Modifications Could Double the Range of Current Howitzers

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The newly modified M777A2 howitzer has the potential to double the system's current artillery range. Benet Labs designed the tube and Picatinny designed all of the carriage modifications. Photo by Erin Usawicz.

Picatinny Arsenal engineers have been working to create a longer, newly modified M777A2 howitzer that has the potential to double the range of current M777 artillery systems. Charged with developing technology to extend the range of all 155mm artillery, the Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) project is funded by science and technology office at the US Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC).

The ERCA program evaluates the introduction of a longer barrel, developed for the XM907 cannon, as well as the XM1113 rocket assisted projectile and XM654 supercharge, an autoloader and new fire control system. The program is funded program by the Army and the Marine Corps.

With nearly 1,000 pounds (453 kg) added to the system’s overall weight and an additional six feet (1.82 m’) of cannon tube, the demonstration is taking place to give the Soldiers and Marines more confidence that the gun will still meet all of its mobility requirements.

The Army Program Manager Towed Artillery Systems, (PM-TAS) has already demonstrated a modified M777A2 Howitzer with an integration kit for the mass mock-up of the modified XM907 ERCA cannon at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. Follow-on mobility testing will be conducted at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, to document the changes in mobility from a standard M777A2, if any.

After the ERCA program, the M777ER program is engaged in making sure that ERCA’s system is suitable for the M777 system.
The final ERCA system will be demonstrated with an M109A7 system, which is the Paladin self-propelled howitzer.

“The ERCA program is developing the cannon to give it more range. PM-TAS is doing the demonstration to the Marines to show how it would look, feel and move when integrated into the M777A2 carriage,” said David Bound, M777ER Lead, Artillery Concepts and Design Branch, which is part of ARDEC. At this stage the demonstration will not include firing the weapon, but will show how the gun responds when it travels and how it feels when the crew interacts with the controls. “Right now (the M777) can shoot about 30 kilometers, but once all of the upgrades are complete it will be able to shoot about 70 kilometers,” said Bound.

“The visual prejudice we are up against is that it looks like it may tip over with all that extra cannon. We are trying to increase confidence that the M777 is an acceptable candidate for an extended range upgrade” said Bound. In efforts to ensure that the gun will meet all of its requirements, a mobility cannon tube was created.

The mobility tube consists of an old 52-caliber tube that was modified to fit into an M777A2 at the weight of the XM907. Additionally, grooves were added to the exterior of the tube to allow Picatinny engineers to hang weights at different positions, enabling them to move the center of gravity of the weapon forward or rear.

This cannon will allow the Army and the Marines to assess the impacts to the M777 and how it’s operated as the ERCA program optimizes the cannon design.

“The weights allow the Center of Gravity to move and get to the point where we can start towing this around as the configuration of the tube changes as the ERCA figures out what they want to do because it’s in flux right now,” said Bound.

“We are able to replicate how that tube reacts in the system using the different weight configurations. Then, we can hook this up to a truck so we can see what the users can expect from a human-factors point of view of how much harder it is to elevate, traverse back and forth, and what the trucks are going to see as they tow the system around,” said Bound.

This is the conventional M777 as displayed by BAE Systems this week at Defexpo 2016 in India. The cannon is one of few forerunners in a competition to sell towed artillery to India. BAE is teamed with Mahindra to carry out the production in India. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

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Alpha Design to Assemble Hermes UAVs in India

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Elbit Systems and Alpha Design company of India are announcing today (Wednesday) an agreement to build Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in India, for domestic customers and for export.

The two companies are likely to offer the Israeli UAV solution for the Indian Army requirement for tactical drones, missions currently fulfilled by IAI Searcher MK I and MK II and DRDO Nishant systems.

Hermes 900 and Hermes 450 share many common attributes, both on the platform and ground operations and support infrastructure. The fleet of hermes drones has a track record of over 500,000 accumulated flight hours. Among the key capabilities offered by the Hermes 900 are longer endurance, flight altitude of 30,000 ft. and a large payload capacity (up to 350kg).

A unique 2.5 meter long internal payload bay is provided, capable of accommodating up to 250 kg and allowing quick modular payload installation and replacement, as well as additional payload installation capacity including four hard points under the wings. The UAS includes innovative avionics and electronic systems, a low noise engine, as well as solutions that can be offered for sense and avoid capabilities and safe integration of the UAS into the relevant air space.

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Hermes 900 is a natural extension of the successful Hermes 450, which has a track record of over 500,000 accumulated flight hours. Among the key capabilities offered by the Hermes 900 are longer endurance, flight altitude of 30,000 ft. and a large payload capacity (up to 350kg). A unique 2.5 meter long internal payload bay is provided, capable of accommodating up to 250 kg and allowing quick modular payload installation and replacement, as well as additional payload installation capacity including four hard points under the wings. The UAS includes innovative avionics and electronic systems, a low noise engine, as well as solutions that can be offered for sense & avoid capabilities and safe integration of the UAS into the relevant air space. Photo: Elbit Systems

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DRDO Displays MRSAM Fire Unit at DEFEXPO

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Reliance Forms JV with Rafael, to Focus on Missiles & Aerostats

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Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Indian Reliance Defence company have signed today at Defexpo 2016 a joint venture (JV) that will provide the local content of major defense programs Rafael is involved with, estimated to be worth billions of dollars. The JV, one of the biggest joint ventures between an Indian company with a foreign OEM, addresses multiple programs valued at more than US$10 billion (Rs 65,000 Crore) over next ten year.

Among the areas of activity for the new JV are air/air and surface/air missile systems, in which Rafael is among the world’s leaders. Rafael is involved in several Indian air-defense programs, including Barak-1, Barak-8 and Spyder. Rafael is also offering the Indian Navy the new C-DOME, a navalized version of the Iron Dome system, for shipborne air defense. Another area of activity for the JV will be large aerostats, for which Rafael provides a range of combat-proven solutions. Rafael has already provided large aerostat systems to the Indian Air Force for meeting it’s surveillance, reconnaissance, communication and intelligence needs.

Private sector company Reliance Defence Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd is an Israeli company owned by the Israeli government. Reliance will have 51% holding in the JV with Rafael holding the remaining 49%, per the current guidelines of Government of India.

The Joint Venture will be located at Dhirubhai Ambani Land Systems Park, Pithampur, Indore in the state of Madhya Pradesh and will generate more than 3000 highly skilled jobs. The project will have an initial capital outlay of more than Rs 1300 Crore, ($200 million) excluding the cost of technology.

The two companies, through the Joint Venture will offer the entire range of products in these fields to the Indian Armed Forces. Rafael is also willing to offer solutions through the Joint Venture even for the ongoing “Buy Global” programs where it is currently competing, in line with “Make in India” initiatives of the Indian Government.

Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd.

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DRDO Demonstrates Arjun Mk II, ICV Combat Vehicles in Action at Defexpo 2016

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India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian armored vehicle manufacturers displayed today for the first time a number of combat vehicles developed in India for the Indian armed forces. Among the new vehicles were Arjun Mk II, Kestrel Wheeled Armored Platform (WhAP) and 4×4 Armored Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV) developed by Tata.

WhAP, an 8×8 armored infantry carrier developed by Tata (based on Tata’s Kestrel design) was displayed by the DRDO. The vehicle uses a modular design that adapts the platform to different configurations, including infantry carrier, various specialist and support vehicles. The variant on display included a manned turret mounting a 30mm cannon and 7,62 coaxial machine-gun. APC, CBRN, command post, ambulance, 105 light tank etc.

The 25-ton vehicle is powered by a 600 hp diesel engine, that accelerates the vehicle to a maximum speed of 100 km/h, (10 km/h in water). The vehicle has two propellers for amphibious operation. The vehicle uses hydropneumatic suspension and runflat tires to soften in rough terrain and retain mobility even after tires are damaged. Among the four axles two are steerable, improving the vehicle’s maneuverability in urban and rough terrain. Two years ago, at Defexpo 2014 the Kestrel was displayed with two remotely controlled weapon stations, mounting a 40mm cannon and 7.62 mm gun. For Defexpo 2016 the vehicle was fitted with a 30mm turret form the BMP-2.

Arjun Mk II is an improved version of the indigenous Arjun tank developed by the DRDO. The tank was presented on the static display at Defexpo 2014 and was shown in action, in public today at Defexpo 2016 in Goa for the first time. Arjun Mk II has a 120mm cannon that fires kinetic, high explosive rounds and LAHAT laser guided missiles.

The missile uses a tandem warhead, which is capable of defeating all types of modern armor, including add-on reactive armor. High penetration capability of the main warhead allows the missile to penetrate the armor of major armored vehicles at high impact angles. The Arjun Mk II can carry a total of 39 rounds in special blast-proof canisters. A 7.62 mm MAG machine gun is mounted coaxially to the main armament. Mounted on the top of the turret is a Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) armed with a 12.7mm NSVT machine gun and associated optronics. An independent sight for the commander is located at the turret, left of the commander’s cupola. The protection level has also been improved over Arjun Mk 1, adding reactive armor modules to the turret. The tank also has laser threat warning sensors mounted on four quadrants, along with eight launchers on each side, delivering smoke canisters deploying instantaneous smoke screen, to mask the tank from incoming missiles.

The MPV was developed by Tata Motors Defense unit, under the company’s strategic expansion of its defense solutions, from logistical and utility vehicles to the design shift to broader mobility solutions for the military, providing all types of platforms, from 4×4 to 12×12, including various all-terrain weapon carriers and armored vehicles and combat vehicles. Tata is intended to participate in the Future Infantry Carrier Vehicle (FICV).

The MPV has been developed at the company in the past 5 years. A 20 ton vehicle, the MPV can transport 2 crew members and 12 troops, at high level of safety from mines and other forms of attack, at a maximum speed of 80 km/h. The vehicle is protected against explosives, mines and small arms attack up to STANAG Level 3. All passengers are provided with blast mitigating seats and 4 point harness. All tires are fitted with Run-Flat systems to retain mobility under attack.

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MKU Unveils Body Armor, Helmet with Integrated Support to Wearable Systems

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Airbus Competes With Four Different Aircraft and Helicopters on Five Indian Tenders

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The Fennec H125 light, armed recce helicopter. Photo: Airbus Helicopters.

The Airbus Group has submitted the C295W light transport plane to the Indian AIr Force, as part of its teaming agreement with Tata Advanced Systems. The group also proposes different helicopters to be manufactured by Mahindra Defence. At Defexpo Airbus highlights three helicopter models competing to win different Indian programs – H125M Fennec, AS565MBe Panther and EC725 (marketed here as the H225M).

“We use Defexpo to present our plans to produce defense platforms in India and basically ‘build an industrial eco-system’ supporting it in collaboration with local partners. This would involve creation of thousands of local jobs, skilling people, technology absorption, etc.” said Pierre de Bausset, President & Managing Director, Airbus Group India.

The selection process for the C295W medium transport aircraft is ongoing. The aircraft is proven around the world as a tough, reliable and high-performance workhorse with outstanding lifecycle costs and excellent performance on short or unpaved runways. To date, 144 C295s have been delivered out of 165 on order and it is in service in 20 countries.

Panther H365MBe Photo: Airbus Helicopters

Panther AS565MBe Photo: Airbus HelicoptersAirbus is proposing Panther helicopter for the Indian Navy’s Naval Utility Helicopter (NUH) program calling for the deployment of around 100 all-weather capable helicopters on board ships and offshore, on maritime surveillance missions, search and rescue, casualty evacuation, vertical replenishment, offshore patrolling and counter-terrorism.

The H125M Fennec is foreseen for the Indian Army’s and Air Force’s Reconnaissance and Surveillance Helicopter (RSH) need of around 400 units. The H225M is under selection process for the Indian Coast Guard’s 14 shore-based helicopter tender. It will also answer the future requirement of the Indian Navy 120+ Naval Multi-Role helicopters under the (NMRH) program.

H-125 Fennec light, armed reconnaissance helicopter Photo: Airbus Helicopters

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TATRA, BEML Expect to Deliver 250 Trucks to India in 2016

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US Army Issues First Order for 657 JLTVs

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Startup Accelerator to Promote Innovation in Defense, HLS

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Faced with unique and persistent security challenges Israel has always nurtured smart defense and homeland security (HLS) solutions. The need created a large vertical market that ranges from mega-corporations to specialist subcontractors, OEMs and small startups addressing innovations of all types. Yet the evolution of smart ideas and startup ventures into solid solutions is tough, and only few of the ideas would eventually get through to become full fledged solutions that can meet the demand from local and international customers.

Israel’s Defense & HLS Startup Accelerator, recently launched by iHLS, is providing defense innovators the jumpstart they need to get their dream into reality. Itself a startup venture that brings together all the facilities, knowhow, services and connections needed to succeed, the accelerator has already won the support of major defense corporations and local authorities.

Tal Catran, one of of Israel’s accelerator pioneers and lieutenant colonel (res.) Avi Yariv, a veteran of the IDF C4I corps and a co-founder of iHLS are managing the program. Yariv has extensive background and experience in the field of security technology and international marketing. Catran is experienced in guiding and accompanying entrepreneurs and startups, and an international speaker on entrepreneurship and innovation.

A call for proposals to be released soon, will invite applicants to submit proposals for projects. Those that will be selected will join the program, due to start mid-year. Accepted teams will get workspace in a complex currently being prepared for the new venture. This complex provide an ecosystem that will include training and coaching by technological and professional mentors, exposure in professional and general media outlets and conferences, as well as networking and introduction to local and international companies, investors and delegations from across the globe that already expressed interest in the new venture.

Companies that already committed to the new initiative include Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), and Elbit System’s ‘Incubit’ technology incubator, Verint, and more. Defense-Update has joined as a consultant, in a supporting role. We congratulate i-hls for their initiative and wish Israel’s Defense & HLS Accelerator the best success.

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India and Israel – a Dialog and a Marathon Run

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For three decades Israel and India are maintaining close defense relations, the dialog is conducted at low key, but is ever growing, spanning all military services, government and local authorities and security services. Israeli defense systems operated in India include satellites in space, air-defense, avionics and aerial weapons, radars and other surveillance systems, special mission aircraft, unmanned vehicles, naval systems and coastal defense, electronic warfare, communications, equipment for special forces and more.

Israel established it’s position in the Indian defense market in the late 1990s, when India suffered from the international embargo that followed the Nuclear test in Pokhran in 1998. At that time, Israel and India did not establish formal relations, but under the initiative lead by former IMOD Director Generals Maj. General (Ret.) David Ivri, and his successors Ilan Biran and Amos Yaron, the expedited support for the Indian military during the Kargil War in 1999, created an unprecedented impact and convinced the Indian side that Israel is a true friend and dependable ally.

Israel established its position in the Indian market in a time of change, as India’s traditional ally – Russia, pressed with economic and technical issues, was unable to provide adequate military hardware to sustain the Indian needs, while US and European suppliers removed themselves from the market under the impact of international sanctions that also limited Indian access to advanced technology.

At the time acquisitions were typically based on Government-to-Government (G2G) agreements or other sole-source contracts. These processes seem to have taken less time to close, as the cost and general terms were negotiated at very high level, but the fine details may have taken years to fulfill.

Israel was quick to respond and developed close relations with the users and local partners, offering advanced defense systems and technologies as subsystems and know-how, to assist indigenous programs.

Since those days India have grown to become the world’s largest importer and producer of military hardware of programs. As the Indian market gradually matures with locally developed systems, improving Russian supply chain and introduction of American and European hardware, the Israeli companies are facing growing competition in India.

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Transforming its traditional, unsophisticated and corrupt procurement system, India turned to a slow, ultra complex bureaucratic system that implemented lengthy international tenders with complex and inflexible offset system governed by the country’s Defense Procurement Policy (DPP) guidelines. This system limited the flexibility of foreign suppliers to establish footprint for local activities. The change of government in 2014 marked a new milestone in policy, aligning to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ policy.

The new MAKE policy, to be fully implemented around 2018, is bound to impact foreign companies as it drives more business, mainly to the local private sector. The Israelis are already preparing their stand in India. In recent months several Indian-Israeli Joint Ventures (JV) were established, others went through change in ownership according to the new rule. On the other side, Indian suppliers are scouting for Israeli partners, to establish new business models in view of the new regulation. However, regardless of the slogans released about Make-in-India, the detailed policy is yet unclear, lacking specific details to enable such business ventures to grow and prosper.

As the new policy permits such JVs to increase foreign ownership to 49%, the interests of foreign partners are assured, particularly when it comes to technology transfer and re-export to foreign markets.

This trend opens promising opportunities to technology driven companies like Elbit Systems, which has already invested in a number of JVs in India, with HAL, BEL and Bharat Forge, to name only a few. Elbit Systems’ position in the JV with Bharat Forge was recently increased to 49%. IAI already has several partnerships in India, the latest was established with TATA in 2014. In recent years Rafael has also established several JVs with public and private sector companies, supporting its missiles and armored vehicles offerings. Company executives expect this trend to continue, with 4-5 JVs in place by the turn of the decade.

Private companies in India now entering the defense market will undoubtedly leave their mark as well. For them, cooperation with foreign majors is considered a shortcut and cost saving market entry strategy, enabling them to bid on major programs without the having to invest in expensive infrastructure, research and development and workforce training. Through JVs they can provide all these trust their JV partners to deliver the knowhow.

But these JVs require significant investments that often come from the foreign partner, facing the long and complex procurement processes. For example, following its’s selection to provide the Indian Air Forces’ Future targeting Pod Rafael invested in the establishment of an assembly and integration line for the Litening targeting pods. The modern high-tech facility has been completed long ago but is idle for the past 12 months, as the formal order hasn’t been made so far. In fact, as of March 2016, there are outstanding Indian orders to Israeli suppliers worth US$3-5 billions still in the pipeline; some are idle for 2-3 years.

Senior Israeli officials complain that, unlike many foreign countries that rely on political leverages to promote their business, Israel’s defense establishment is not as helpful as it was in the early days, and is slow to respond to the changing reality.

Despite these delays, Israel is in good company in India. When Modi’s government came into power the government Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has 395 procurement programs awaiting approval. Today, 314 cases are still open, only 86 are in the final stage of approval.

Israel is not alone; in fact, many major programs are awaiting approvals – the acquisition of 36 Rafale fighters in France, two IL-78 Airborne Early Warning aircraft from Israel, C-17s and P8s in the USA and helicopters in Russia are all sealed deals awaiting the final nod from the DAC.

As the Indian market shifts to MAKE, the majority of opportunities will be reserved to local companies, through their JVs with foreign ones. This trend means that a proportional share of research and development could also shift from government owned corporations and labs to the private sector. From slow and inconsistent development of indigenous technologies, some R&D is likely to shift to technology transfer and affordable, local development and manufacturing, facilitated through infrastructure modernization.

To make this change private sector enterprises are encouraged to move activities and investments to the defense sector and many show up in Israel, probing cooperation and business opportunities with Israel’s defense industry majors. Others directly invest in Israeli companies, in the fields of cyber, unmanned systems and electronics, to leverage on potential opportunities as they show up in the future.

“We see our activities here as a Marathon – long-term investments in a key growing market, positioned against the shrinking global defense market” a senior Israeli executive told Defense-Update.

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Israel at Defexpo 2016

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APKWS – High Precision, Deadly Sting

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Currently in its third year of full rate production, the APKWS rocket is the only U.S. Department of Defense fully qualified guided 2.75-inch rocket. It uses semi-active laser guidance technology to strike both soft and lightly armored targets in confined areas, providing greater accuracy and mission effectiveness.

The majority of conflicts that have been fought in the 21st century are asymmetric, involving regular military forces fighting such as terrorists, guerrilla and other irregular forces. Such conflicts are often waged in urban areas and close or within civilian population.

Under these circumstances military forces are required to act decisively and forcefully but, at the same time to engage and neutralize their opponents with precision and with minimal or no collateral damage as possible, thus avoiding risk to innocent population and avoid escalation.

Traditionally, military power has focused on achieving lethality by massive firepower. But in asymmetric warfare, military users often avoid massive firepower for their high potential of collateral damage. Therefore, users turn to weapons that can deliver focused lethality at much higher precision available by statistical weapons of past generations. However, these precise weapons are more expensive and require more experienced operations, which is not always available at the tactical level. Therefore, military users are seeking to acquire weapons that improve those they already maintain in their inventory, yet, be more precise and effective, and thus adapt to the new realities of asymmetric warfare.

Hydra 70 rocket launchers have also been tested with the new weapon attachment on the V-22.

These wishes are now fulfilled with the introduction of the 70mm (2.75inch) laser guided rocket BAE Systems have developed for the US Navy and marine Corps; a precise, lethal and affordable weapon used with attack and assault helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and ground launchers. The ‘Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System’ (APKWS) homes in on a laser spot designated by the firing platform or remote designator, from a distance. This target acquisition method enables the guided rocket to hit moving or stationary targets from a distance of 1,500-5,100 meters, with precision within tens of centimeters from the designated spot. The new rocket has already been used for some time with the US Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last year the US Army has the first order for APKWS rockets, to equip its helicopter gunships with the new weapon. This Army order concluded a long acquisition process that has spanned over many years, which attracted quite a few competitors in the field, including Raytheon and Elbit Systems-ATK.

APKKWS is not a new weapon. Its development began in the mid 2000s, as part of the US military services need to save costs and standardize logistics. Under this plan the US Army approached industry with the requirement to introduce a guided variant for the 2.75” family of rockets. Such a rocket should utilize existing hardware and logistics, and utilize existing rocket launchers (such as the hydra) used with helicopters and some fixed wing aircraft. Such system would use existing laser designators for targeting, the same ones already supporting the Hellfire and US Air Force’s laser Guided Bombs (LGB). Carried on aircraft and drones. Given the lower weight of the rocket, compared to the hellfire or GBU—12, the guided rockets would also provide a suitable weapon for armed UAVs.

The requirement also addressed the need to engage small targets, particularly unarmored and light armored vehicles (soft targets), for which the Hellfire is considered an excessive overmatch effect. At a cost of third or quarter of the Hellfire, the laser guided 2.75 rocket would deliver an optimized, affordable effect. Additionally, same platforms (Apache, A-10) would be able to carry more guided weapons, sustaining longer and more productive missions. It would also retain the Hellfires for use against the targets these weapons were designed for.

Despite the clear requirement and cost conscious intent, the project did not reach acquisition, as the Army aborted the program, transferring the lead to the navy and Marine Corps. The corps evaluated several approaches proposed by different companies, the majority of developers opted for a conventional design placing the laser seeker in the nose cone – similar to laser guided missiles and bombs. However, unlike the rail-mounted missiles that are fired off the open rail, the 2.75” rockets are contained in a multi-barrel launcher, causing significant loads on ignition and launch.

The ‘plug in’ integration of the new guidance system enables the use of existing rockets without changes to existing components. Photo: BAE Systems.

BAE Systems proposed another design, mounting the laser sensors on the stabilizers. As the stabilizers are recessed into the rocket body until it clears the launch tube, the sensitive seekers are also protected from environmental and thermal effects of the launch. The weapon retains both the original Mk66 Mod 4 rocket motor and M151 / Mk 152 4.53 kg (10-pound) high-explosive warhead adding the 18.5 inches (47cm) long integrated targeting and guidance section between the two segments. The overall length of the extended rocket is 1.87 m (73.8 inches) and its weight is 14.8 kg (32.6 pounds).

The upgrading of the standard 2.75″ rocket into APKWS using the plug-in assembly.

This design proved superior to nose mounted seekers, as it offered important advantages, such as easier ‘plug in’ integration of the new system (without the need to move or change the warhead). Fiber-optic cables, enabling fast and reliable connectivity, link the seekers to the processor. With no modifications to the rocket (except for the addition of ‘plug-in’ guidance kit), the firing platform or fire control/launcher systems also remain intact, supporting the new precision fires capability.

In 2009 the Navy selected BAE Systems as a prime contractor for the weapon’s development and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and, by mid 2012 approved the program for full rate production. To date BAE Systems delivered more than 5,000 rockets; more than 100 were used in combat, particularly by the US Marine corps in Afghanistan. Following the endorsement of the US services, the Pentagon has made the APKWS rocket available for export under the foreign military sales (FMS) process.

In 2014 the Australian Defence Force demonstrated the precision strike capability of APKWS, firing FZ-1 modified rockets from an Airbus Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. Photo: BAE Systems

Since 2012, APKWS has primarily been used on the Marine Corps Bell AH-1 and UH-1 platforms. In 2014 the Navy declared early operational capability for the Lockheed martin-Sikorsky MH-60S fleet and followed up in 2015 with the MH-60R fleet. The Marine Corps has begun activities to integrate on the AV-8B, while the Air Force is pursuing integration for their A-10 and Lockheed Martin F-16 platforms. APKWS has also been tested and approved for use on Bell 407, OH-58 and Boeing AH-64 as well as fixed wing aircraft including the OV-10, and Beechcraft AT-6, along with a number of fixed and rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In 2014 the weapon was also demonstrated on an Australian Tiger helicopter.

Additional platforms currently in integration by the US Navy include the Boeing F-18C/D and Airbus Defense & Space CN-235 light gunship for the Royal Jordanian Air Force. Jordan is the first international partner to receive the APKWS. In 2013 the APKWS demonstrated the capability to engage fast, highly maneuverable attack crafts and speedboats, fired from a helicopter. Such threats are considered an imminent and challenging threat in naval asymmetric warfare.

Since the weapon has been cleared for export the US NAVY program has received 13 formal letters of request (LORs) from international customers expressing interest in acquiring APKWS. In 2015 the Navy signed FMS cases with Iraq and the Netherlands and the U.S Army Security Assistance Command signed a case with Tunisia. Further exports are conducted through a marketing partnership BAE Systems struck with MBDA, addressing primarily the European market. According to the agreement MBDA will lead the marketing for the APKWS in Europe, with the system developed by BAE Systems’ US subsidiary.

BAE’s Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System will be fitted to Jordanian CASA-235 light gunships. Photo: BAE Systems

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North Korea Unveil Miniaturized Nuclear Warhead for Missiles

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North Korea claimed it has the know how and capability to develop a nuclear warhead to equip ballistic missiles. This claim has bee substantiated today, by the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jong-Un, presenting a complex spherical object claimed to be the country’s ministurised thermonuclear warhead.“The nuclear warheads have been standardised to be fit for ballistic missiles by miniaturising them,” Kim noted during a visit with nuclear technicians that was reported by the DPRK state media today. Kim also stressed that the miniaturised warheads were “thermo-nuclear” devices, echoing the North’s claim that the nuclear test it conducted in January was of a more powerful hydrogen bomb.

This is the first time Kim has directly claimed the breakthrough that experts see as a game-changing step towards a credible North Korean nuclear threat to the US mainland.

His comments came a day after the North’s powerful National Defence Commission threatened pre-emptive nuclear attacks on South Korea and the US mainland, as Seoul and Washington kicked off large-scale joint military exercises.

Military tensions have surged in the region since the North carried out its fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch last month.

“His comments and the photos are making the message very explicit: ‘We have a nuclear weapon and you have to respect us’,” Melissa Hanham, another expert on North Korea’s weapons programme at MIIS, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS) in California.

North Korea’s claim to have successfully tested an H-bomb in January was greeted with scepticism at the time as the estimated yield was seen as far too low for a full-fledged thermo-nuclear device.

However, weapons experts have suggested it may have been a “boosted” fission device, which makes more efficient use of nuclear material and can be made smaller without sacrificing yield.

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