Special Operations Equipment

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The Eurocopter EC725 is used by the French Air Force and Army for Csar and special operations

OCOs (overseas contingency operations: Obama-speak for foreign wars) have highlighted some shortcomings in the aerospace assets available to special forces, but future scenarios are generating even greater challenges.

Roy Braybrook, inputs from Paolo Valpolini

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merica and its allies may now reasonably hope to see some form of  peace return to Iraq, and insurgency in Afghanistan eventually decline to a tolerable level. Southwest Asia will nonetheless remain an area of special concern, due (inter alia) to the possibility of an extremist faction gaining control of nucleararmed Pakistan, and of regime-change in Saudi Arabia, which has a quarter of the world’s oil reserves. In addition, like North Korea in the east, Iran may develop nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. Any of these scenarios could pose serious problems for US special forces, as could a ‘symmetric’ war with another major power. Several could demand actions by special units at very long distance from friendly bases, to terminate key personnel, disable nuclear devices, disrupt communications and computer networks and locate mobile missile launchers.

Stealthy Penetration The development of a stealthy transport aircraft (M-X) for Afsoc (US Air Force Special Operations Command) is motivated by the acquisition of highly effective networked air-defence systems by countries that could at some stage threaten Western interests. It is being argued that

the M-X must be available soon, with service introduction by 2020 at the latest. This M-X is envisaged as having a comparatively limited payload of around 8000 kg, compared to the 11,500 kg maximum for the Alenia Aeronautica C-27J tactical transport. The M-X figure may indicate designing to accommodate up to 64 personnel. A study of possible Asian scenarios suggests that the M-X should ideally have a semi-strategic range of around 8500 km, compared to the 5000 km quoted by the US Air Force for Lockheed Martin’s MC-130H. This would allow it to penetrate up to 3500 km into hostile territory from a refuelling point 500 km outside. The numbers imply a relatively large aircraft, in the same gross weight ballpark as the 80-tonne C-130J, but with a disproportionately small cabin. Short field performance would clearly be required. Development of the M-X would be highly expensive and the potential market small. Afsoc has only 20 MC-130H Combat Talon II penetration transports with active units (plus ten MC-130Es with AFRC) and twelve (planned) MC130W Combat Spears. Although large, slow, sore-thumb targets, the MC-130s can at present function singly or in pairs, flying low at night, using terrain-following radar, flir sensors, night vision goggles and (probably) support jamming. If the M-X also replaces Afsoc’s gunships, these would add only 17 AC-130U 1

Spookies and eight AC-130H Spectres to the numbers. Depending on which Hercules it replaced, M-X production could thus amount to 36 to 60 units, assuming twelve aircraft per squadron.

Tankers and EW Hercs Digressing briefly, briefly, Afsoc also has 27 MC130P Combat Shadow tankers for its rotary-wing force, this figure includes four Air National Guard aircraft. The US Air Force Air Combat Command has 13 HC-130P/N Combat Rescue Tankers (scheduled to be replaced by HC-130Js) to refuel Csar helicopters, plus 13 with the Air National Guard and ten with AFRC. However, these aircraft operate with fighter cover, and thus do not require stealth. To complete this outline of Afsoc C-130 assets, the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Air National Guard,

T

On the Cover

he most covert and quiet method of reaching shore is to approach underwater. The US Navy Seal Delivery Vehicle seen here has been in service for a while, but its replacement proves more arduous than expected, while European nations are awakening to the concept.    6    7    9    1   e   c   n    i   s   n   o    i    t   a   m   r   o    f   n    i   y   g   o    l   o   n    h   c   e    t   e   c   n   e    f   e    d   r   o    f   e   c   r   u   o   s    d   e    t   s   u   r    t   e    h    T

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   9    0    0    2   s   n   o    i   t   a   r   e   p    Obased at Middletown, Pennsylvania, has    l six EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft   aequipped for psychological and informa   i operations. The The EC-130Js can broad  c tion cast radio radi o on AM, FM and HF, HF, and colour   eTV to all standards worldwide.   p The other electronic warfare Hercules    Sis the EC-130H Compass Call, which has

Distinguished by  numerous appendages to the  wings and vertical  tail, the Lockheed  Martin EC-130J  Commando Solo  broadcasts radio  and television in psychological and  information operations. (US Air Force) and Michael Isherwood), the US Air Force interest – as stated in May 2007 – is for a manned subsonic bomber with a combat radius of at least 3700 km and a warload of 6350 to 12,700 kg.

The only positive sign for the NGB and/or M-X may be that Northrop Grumman is believed to have received in 2008 a $ 2.0-billion sole-source contract from the US Air Force ‘black’ budget to produce a large stealthy air vehicle to demonstrate the latest low observable technology full-scale.

Hercules Gunships The Afsoc AC-130U gunship is being upgraded with the Raytheon APQ-180 fire control radar and the Lockheed Martin AAQ-39 Gunship Multispectral Sensor System (GMS2), replacing the older All-Light-Level Television (ALLTV). The GMS2 turret is mounted on the lefthand fuselage sponson. There are also suggestions that the present fire control computer may be replaced.

a crew of 13 (compared to nine for the EC-130J) and is tasked with disrupting enemy communications. By FY2011 all EC-130Hs will be brought to Block 35 standard, adding the capability to jam early warning and acquisition radars. Air Combat Command has 14 EC-130Hs, operated by the 55th Electronic Combat Group. This is based at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, but reports to the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.

M-X  Development of the M-X will probably have to ‘piggyback’ on that of another large, subsonic stealth project, such as the US Air Force’s Next Generation Bomber (NGB). This is intended to supplement the Northrop Grumman B-2A in any major war, after use of the Boeing

The US Air Force’s AC-130U gunship has comprehensive self-defence measures, as demonstrated by this Spooky from the 4th Special Operations Squadron ‘Ghostriders’, based at Hurlburt Field, Florida. (US Air Force Special Operations Command) At first sight it seems likely that the NGB complement for the 152-tonne B2A would be much larger than the M-X. However, if the 18,150-kg warload of the B-2A really is to be halved, then the gross

Lockheed Martin is studying a ‘Harvest Hawk’ armed Hercules for nearterm use by the US Marine Corps in Afghanistan. A modification of the KC130J tanker, this is expected to be fitted with a new targeting sensor, the 30-mm ATK Mk 44 Bushmaster II chain gun or 40-mm Bofors (firing through the leftside paratrooper door), four wingmounted Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfires and possibly another type of airto-ground missile, to be dropped from the lowered rear ramp. The US Marine Corps

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  e AC-130U is being upgraded with the Lockheed Martin AAQ-39 Gunship Multi-     d    i The spectral Sensor System (GMS2), mounted just behind the 25-mm General Dynamics   u Gau-12/U Gatling gun. (Lockheed Martin)    GB-52H and Rockwell B-1B has become weight of the new bomber could also be no longer viable. in the 80-tonne ballpark.   e   t Although only 20 B-2As were built, Although the US Air Force earlier around 100 NGBs are expected to be purplanned to launch an NGB competition   e    l chased. Service entry for the NGB was between the Boeing/Lockheed Martin   poriginally scheduled for 2018, to bridge team and Northrop Grumman in the gap to another bomber generation, 2009 fiscal year, the programme was zeroz ero  mthe theoretically arriving around 2037. funded in the FY10 budget request and   o According to a Northrop Grumman the 2018 in-service date was delayed    Cstudy (The 2018 Bomber by Robert Haffa pending the Nuclear Posture Review. 2

The tube-launched, laser-homing, 21-kg, Northrop Grumman GBU-44/B Viper  Strike has been adopted as the Stand-  Off Precision Guided Munition for the  AC-130U and MC-130W. (Northrop  Grumman)

Utility aircraft may  be used for both paratroop training and the low-profile  insertion of special  forces. One  possibility is this Technoavia SM-92T  Turbo-Finist. (Smolensk Aircraft  Plant)

is expected to purchase nine such mission kits, three for each of its tanker wings. The first Hellfire firing trials from a C130 were carried out around the end of  2002 by Arizona-based International Air Response, using one of its own C-130As (registration N118TG). This Killer Hercules programme was performed at the request of the Under Secretary of  Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. It used funds provided (strangely) by the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dahlgren, Virginia, although the aim was to clear the way for Afsoc AC-130s to use Hellfire missiles. At a unit price of around $ 70,000, the 46-kg Hellfire is a relatively expensive way to attack small groups of insurgents. More cost-effective alternatives include laser-guided rockets, such as the BAE

Paving the way for  future directed-  energy weapons to  arm Afsoc  gunships, in June  2009 Boeing’s Advanced Tactical  Laser (ATL) was successfully fired at  a ground target  from this Lockheed  Martin NC-130H. (Boeing) rent firing range of the AC-130U. Some preliminary Sopgm release trials have already been carried out from an AC130U, presumably from wing pylons.

Western utility  aircraft employed  in parachute  training include the  Pacific Aerospace  PAC-750XL (shown here) and the  somewhat lighter, well-known Pilatus PC-6 Turbo-Porter. (Pacific Aerospace) Systems APKWS-II (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II) development for the US Marine Corps and Army, the Lockheed Martin Dagr (Direct Attack Guided Rocket) and the ATK/ Elbit Systems Gatr-L (Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket-Laser), all based on the 70-mm General Dynamics Hydra-70 pro jectile. In a heavier category, Russia has a 122-mm S-13L laser-guided rocket, and in June 2009 MBDA began trials at China Lake, California with a laser-guided fiveinch Zuni, aimed at fulfilling a US Marine Corps need. In August 2005 Northrop Grumman was awarded a Special Operations Command (Socom) sole-source contract to develop its 21-kg GBU-44/B Viper Strike laser-homing glide weapon as a stand-off  precision-guided munition (Sopgm) for the AC-130. Viper Strike has a glide ratio of 9:1, and could in theory reach a range of 27 km from a height of 10,000 ft above ground, effectively quadrupling the cur-

Gunship (NGG) or ‘A-X’, Afsoc was to have interim gunships based on existing MC-130W airframes. This decision appears to eliminate any short-term prospects for the proposed ‘AC27J Stinger II’. There were reports in 2008 that an old C-27A had been taken out of  storage at Davis-Monthan AFB and moved to Eglin AFB in Florida for conversion into a gunship. This was to be used for ground tests, paving the way for the purchase of 16 AC-27Js within seven years. The side-firing armament for the modified MC-130W has evidently not yet been finalised. The current AC-130U combines

In the FY10 budget request it was announced that, rather than developing an ‘AC-130J’ that would have delayed a brand-new stealthy New Generation

a 25-mm General Dynamics Gau-12/U Gatling gun with a 40-mm L/60 Bofors and a 105-mm M102 howitzer. Afsoc planned to replace the two lighter weapons with 30mm Bushmaster II chain guns, but there have reportedly been problems in developing the new installation. In June 2009 the US Air Force issued a pre-solicitation notice for a ‘Gunslinger’ weapon system, including integration of  the Sopgm on the MC-130W. The idea is apparently to carry at least ten tubelaunched Sopgms on fuselage-mounted pylons, and reload the system in flight (presumably from an underfloor magazine) while retaining cabin pressurisation. The aim was to field the first system within 180 days. Northrop Grumman, Sierra Nevada and Applied Technical Services have all expressed interest. In a ‘Gunship 2006’ Navsea (Naval Sea Systems Command) presentation a proposal was outlined to convert the 105-mm

The Air Tractor AT-  802U is an armed  version of the AT-  802 crop sprayer, which – being designed to destroy  narcotic cultivation areas – has armour  around the engine  and critical  components. (Air  Tractor)

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   9    0    0    2   s   n   o    i   t   a   r   e   p    O    l   ahowitzer into a 120-mm smooth bore sys   i This was to fire a family of barrel  c tem. launched munitions and deploy folding  ewing, sensor-equipped drones. The   pmunitions would include the M934A1    Shigh-explosive round, the M930 visible-

light round, and the M983 for infrared illumination. At some stage Afsoc gunships will be armed with directed energy weapons, which will provide the firepower persistence desired. In June 2009, members of  the US Air Force 413th Flight Test Squadron, based at Hurlburt Field, Florida, test-fired Boeing’s Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) from an NC-130H in flight over White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, successfully hitting a target board on the ground. When the MC-130W is converted to an interim gunship, it will be replaced in the penetration role by new-build MC-130Js acquired under HC/MC-130 recapitalisation. The latter procurement programme was launched with seven MC-130Js in FY08, followed by two HC-130Js and four MC-130Js in FY09. Nine HC/MC-130Js have been requested for FY10. The HC-130J and MC-130J are both based on the US Marine Corps’ KC-130J tanker. The first MC-130J is due to fly in 2010, be delivered in 2011 and achieve

One twin-turboprop  aircraft with light  attack capability is the  Rockwell/Boeing OV-10 Bronco. This ex-German Air  Force OV-10B is from the Musée  Européen de  l‘Aviation de  Chasse. (Messe  Berlin)

The Russian Defence Ministry is planning to acquire new aircraft to replace the venerable Antonov An-2 biplane in the paratroop training role. The leading contenders are reportedly the Ukraine’s 5800kg Antonov An-3T and Russia’s 3000-kg Technoavia SM-92T Turbo-Finist, which was certificated in December 2008 and is built by the Smolensk Aircraft Plant. The SM-92T is in broadly the same size category as the well-established 2800-kg Pilatus PC-6 Turbo-Porter. Another Western type used in parachute training is the 3395-kg Pacific Aerospace PAC-750XL.

Light Attack  IOC (initial operational capability) in 2012. The Pentagon has approved the procurement of up to 68 HC/MC-130Js.

Fixed-Wing Utilities In a lighter category, Afsoc operates 19 Pilatus PC-12 utility aircraft. Designated U-28A, it is flown by the 319th Special Operations Squadron from Hurlburt Field, Florida and the 318th SOS at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. Afsoc is planning to buy other utility aircraft, increasing its fleet to 40. It currently leases four Bombardier Dash 8 regional transports.

The modern tendency in IW (irregular warfare) appears to be for ground troops to demand air support whenever in contact with hostile units, however small. Conventional ground attack aircraft, such as the Lockheed Martin F-16 and Fairchild A-10, are expensive means to attack small groups of insurgents. There are consequently growing calls for a low-cost turboprop-powered light attack aircraft, which will significantly increase the available number of weapon platforms and may also be operated by nascent air arms. The relatively low speed and small turning radius of a turboprop give the

The Yakovlev Yak-130, seen here in the form of the first production trainer for the  Russian Air Force, could provide outstanding warload-to-radius performance in the  ground-attack role. (Yakovlev)

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pilot a better chance of sighting a small ground target, but it is also more vulnerable to return fire. Fortunately, few usable Manpads seem to be left in Afghanistan. In July 2009 Air Combat Command issued an RFI (request for information) on a Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance (Laar) aircraft that is also suitable for what is termed ‘advanced’ flying training, and can be operated from semiprepared airfields. It is proposed to buy 100 examples. The Laar is described as a tandem-seat turboprop with a 30,000-ft ceiling, a ferry range of 1670 km and an endurance of five hours with 30 minutes fuel reserve. Armament is to include at least one machine gun, two 227-kg bombs, 70-mm rockets and rail-launched munitions. Deliveries are planned to start in FY12, and the first squadron is to reach IOC in FY13. The Laar contenders are thought to include (in ascending order of gross

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the 2350-kg Pilatus PC-9, the    9weight) 2950-kg Beechcraft AT-6B, the 3850-kg    0Embraer Super Tucano, the 4640-kg US    0Aircraft A-67 Dragon, the 6350-kg Piper Enforcer and the 7260-kg Air Trac   2PA-48 tor AT-802U. The Air National Guard is   s currently evaluating the AT-6B, while the   nUS Navy’s Irregular Warfare Office is a leased Super Tucano.   otesting    i However, all the above are single  t engined, hence there might be a case for   a production of the twin-engined   r restarting 6550-kg Rockwell OV-10 Bronco. Boeing   ehas proposed the modernised OV-10(X)   pSuper Bronco. The OV-10 is still used by the Philippines and Venezuela.    OColombia, Another aircraft in this category is the    l 6800-kg IA-58 Pucara, which is still oper  aated by Argentina and Uruguay.    i Alenia Aermacchi is believed to be   c considering two jets: the 4400  ekg MB-339 proposing and the new twin-engined   p6700-kg M-346, although neither is likely    Sto meet the five-hour endurance requirement. Designed as a trainer, the latter (like the Yakovlev Yak-130, from which it

Alternatively, the space could be adapted to allow the rescue of two personnel.

Outside The Box  Special forces have pioneered the use of  many groundbreaking concepts; hence it is relevant to note the latest ideas from Darpa. For example, the Agency’s FY10 budget request included funds for several new programmes, including a Submersible Aircraft. According to an October 2008 briefing for industry representatives by Darpa’s Dr Aaron D. Lazarus, the Submersible Aircraft is an alternative approach to delivering eight operatives and their equipment (a payload of 907 kg) to a beach, in the face of the latest littoral defences. The requirement calls for the vehicle to transit to the operations area at altitude for 1850 km, then ingress at extremely low level over the water for 185 km, alight, and travel for the last 22 km just below the surface. Total ingress time is required to be eight hours or less.

Helicopters will take a major step forward with the introduction of pusher propellers, as instanced by this Sikorsky mock-up of a derivative of its X2 research aircraft. (Sikorsky)

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was derived) could provide outstanding warload-radius performance. However, reports that the US Air Force intends leaving the Laar behind for the Afghan National Army Air Corps suggest that it will not be as expensive as an M-346. The AT-802U is an armed version of  the AT-802 armoured crop-spraying aircraft, which has been used in South America for several years to destroy narcotic agriculture areas. In this form it has armour protection for the engine and critical components, and an AAR-47/ALE47 sensor/flare protection suite to defend against Manpads threats. The fuel tanks are self-sealing, and inert to minimise the risk of explosion if punctured. The AT-802U exhibited at the 2009 Paris Air Show was equipped with six pylons carrying two 227-kg Mk 82 bombs, two 12.7-mm Gau-19/A Gatling guns and two M260 seven-tube 70-mm rocket launchers. If desired, the centre fuselage hopper could be used to increase fuel capacity, extending endurance to ten hours.

At the insert location the vehicle would loiter for three days, then return with the operatives by the reverse of the ingress flight profile. A more workable concept might be a twin-float seaplane designed to deploy a supercavitating mini-submarine. Develop-

Based on the success of the AH/MH-6 Little Bird with the US Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Boeing is marketing the AH-6 (seen here in a montage) internationally for  light attack/reconnaissance duties. (Boeing) ment of the latter is probably challenging enough without Darpa trying to combine the two very different types of vehicle. In the ‘déjà vu’ category, Darpa has asked for two million dollars in seedmoney to develop a roadable aircraft, named Transformer Vehicle (TX). The TX would carry four personnel, have an endurance of at least two hours and be quiet and able to hover. It would be operable in an urban or rural scenario by a typical soldier without pilot training. Darpa is looking for new concepts and proposals for experiments that would lay the foundations for TX. The technologies to be explored include hybrid-electric drive ducted-fan propulsion and advanced flight management systems. Older readers will recall decades of US Army dreams of ’flying jeeps‘ and invariably fruitless projects aimed at fulfilling them. It is clear that current technological advances are paving the way for man-carrying drones that can be operated simply by inserting waypoints in a laptop. However, whether a vtol vehicle weighing several tonnes could ever run quietly is another matter. Austrian-born British helicopter pioneer Raoul Hafner said that one would either see such things in a big way (meaning that they will have large

The single-seat  Kamov Ka-50  attack helicopter  was employed to  support Russian special forces in Chechnya. More  recently the two-  seat Ka-52 has been ordered for  similar use. (US Air  Force)

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This Bell Boeing CV-22B was one of four from the 8th Special Operations Squadron deployed to Mali for Exercise Flintlock in April  2008. Here it is refuelling from an MC-130P tanker of the 9th SOS. (US Air Force Special Operations Command) rotors), or hear them in a big way (like the Harrier).

Rotary-Wing Just as Afsoc dominates the fixed-wing sector of special operations, the rotary-wing sector is led by US Army Special Operations Command (Usasoc), the largest of the five Ussocom components. Usasoc in turn has three major subordinate commands, one of which is the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Soar), based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The 160th Soar specialises in nighttime assaults, and has four battalions based in the Continental US (Conus). The 1st Battalion operates the Boeing AH/MH-6 Little Bird and Sikorsky MH60L Dap (Direct Action Penetrator) Black Hawk, while the 2nd has the Boeing MH-47 Chinook, the 3rd the MH-60 and MH-47 and the 4th the MH-47. At the upper end of the scale, 37 of the 61 MH-47Gs planned for the 160th Soar are now under contract. The MH-47 has only two 12.7-mm machine guns for self-defence, but the AH/MH-6 and MH-60L can provide fire support with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, Hydra 70 mm rocket pods, and 40 mm grenade launchers. They can also carry Stinger air-to-air missiles. The demands placed on 160th Soar are increasing, and some observers are forecasting the formation of a second Soar, with two MH-47 and two MH-60 battalions. Digressing, the dedicated Csar (combat search-and-rescue) Boeing HH-47 was selected to fulfil the US Air Force Csar-X requirement in 2006, but protests from Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky (promot-

ing variants of the AW101 and S-92) have forced a rerun. Other very capable Csar aircraft include the Eurocopter EC725 and Mil Mi-171Sh, the latter built at UlanUde. The subject of Csar will be discussed in detail in Armada issue 1/2010. In the lightweight category, there is increasing interest in the use of small, armed helicopters by special forces units. The French Air Force has four squadrons assigned to the Mesures Actives de Sûreté Aérienne (Masa) anti-terrorist task group, to protect important sites (such as that of Arianespace in French Guiana), VIPs and events such as the Paris Air Show.

They also protect against incursions into the capital’s airspace by light aircraft, and guard the air traffic using its airports against Manpads attacks. Their Eurocopter AS355F1 and AS555AN Fennec are operated with one pilot and two sharpshooters. In a similar context, the US Marine Corps snipers attached to Combined Task Force 151, deterring piracy in the Gulf of Aden, are trained to shoot both from a ship (as in the rescue of the Maersk Alabama’s captain in April 2008) and from a helicopter. The 7.62 mm Mk 11 rifle is regarded as effective to around 750 metres, and the 12.7 mm Sasr (Special

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This Bell Boeing MV-22B of US Marine Corps squadron VMM-263 ‘Thunder Eagles’ is preparing to land on the deck of the Northrop Grumman-built amphibious assault ship  LHD-7 Iwo Jima. (US Navy) 7

Scoped Rifle) can disable    9Application small craft at over 900 metres.    0 In October 2008, based on the success    0of AH/MH-6 with the 160th Soar, Boeing its intention to promote the    2announced AH-6 overseas as a light attack/recon  s naissance helicopter. It is marketed with   nan EO/IR sighting system and provisions machine guns, Hellfire missiles and   ofor    i M260 seven-tube 70 mm rocket pods.   t At the upper end of the armed heli  a spectrum, the US Army employed   r copter Boeing AH-64 Apaches in special opera  etions during Desert Storm, making   pstrikes deep behind Iraqi lines. Likewise, single-seat Kamov Ka-50 was used by    Othe Russian special forces in Chechnya. In    l 2008 the production of a batch of twelve   atwo-seat Ka-52s was authorised, also for    i missions.   c special Dedicated attack helicopters have not   efound widespread support in the special   poperations community, presumably    Sbecause of their lack of operational flexibility in comparison with an assault helicopter such as the Mil Mi-24/35, which can also accommodate eight troops.

France’s Flying Robots FR102 is broadly comparable to the Powered  Sherpa, but can optionally have an on-  board pilot and has a ballistically-  deployed emergency parachute. (Flying Robots)

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However, a new generation of much faster helicopters, with some form of auxiliary propulsion giving a cruise speed of  around 450 km/h, may lead to changes in thinking. Companies working on helicopters with tail-mounted propellers include Mil, Piasecki and Sikorsky. One way to achieve higher speed in a rotary-wing aircraft is to tilt the rotor forward through a large angle, transitioning to wing lift in forward flight. The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is the only tilt-rotor aircraft in service, and its high unit price discourages imitations. Judging by the FY10 budget requests, the US Marine Corps MV-22B is running at $ 76.7 million, and the Afsoc CV-22B at $ 90.3 million. There are nonetheless hopes that Germany might adopt the V-22 as a replacement for its Sikorsky CH-53G. The Pentagon’s procurement objective is 408 MV-22Bs (360 for the US Marine Corps and 48 for the US Navy) and 50 CV-22Bs. The V-22 has a cruise speed of 445 km/h and a ferry range of  3900 km with auxiliary internal tanks,

Canada’s Mmist  Sherpa precision aerial delivery  system was introduced in Iraq by US Marine  Corps KC-130Ts in 2003. It has since  been chosen for the  armed forces of  more than ten nations. (Mmist)

making it far easier to deploy overseas than a conventional helicopter. However, the 181.5 kg current weight of an average Marine with body armour and combat equipment has reduced a typical MV-22B load from 24 to 20. The MV-22B reached IOC in 2007. It has been deployed three times to Iraq, and is due in Afghanistan before the end of 2009. In US Marine Corps use the MV22B replaces the Boeing CH-46 Sea Knight, providing much greater speed and range. On the other hand, the Osprey is a larger aircraft; hence on an LHA/ LHD vessel twelve CH-46s will be replaced by only ten MV-22Bs. In addition, the downwash produced by the MV22B is significantly greater. The CV-22B reached IOC in March 2009. Prior to this, a detachment selfdeployed in April 2008 to Mali in Africa, to work with Malian and Senegalese special forces in Exercise Flintlock 09. All 50 CV22Bs are due to be delivered by 2017. Both the MV-22B and CV-22B are currently armed with a ramp-mounted 7.62-mm M249 machine gun, which is to be replaced by a 12.7-mm weapon. The belly-mounted BAE Systems Remote

Guardian System that is being developed for the CV-22B, using a 7.62-mm Gau-17 Gatling gun, now appears likely to be applied to the MV-22B. An uprated version with a 12.7-mm Gau-19 may be offered for the CH/MH-47.

Parafoils Problems with surface logistics in both Iraq and Afghanistan have encouraged the development of various means of precision aerial delivery to forward sites. The US Army has some packages up to 250 kg delivered by low flying, contractor-operated Airbus Military C-212s using unguided, time-expired personnel parachutes. However, the trend is toward GPS-guided ram-air parafoils, although these are expensive and should be recovered. Beginning in August 2006, the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan have used the Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System (Jpads) in the form of the Strong Enterprises ‘Screamer’. Dealing with payloads up to 1000 kg, Screamer transitions from a highly-loaded parafoil to a round parachute at a height of 550 ft, in order to

The heaviest load  so far delivered by  an autonomously-  guided ram-air  parachute is 18,140 kg. It  employed (as shown here) an Airborne Systems Gigafly parafoil of  60 metres span. (Airborne Systems)

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New Zealand’s Martin Aircraft Jetpack  has a 150-kW two-stroke engine  driving two ducted lift fans. Empty  weight is 113 kg, maximum take-off  weight is 250 kg and maximum speed  is 115 km/h. (Martin Aircraft)

combine a rapid descent (6.5 minutes from 24,000 ft) with a soft landing. In March 2007 the US Army selected the Airborne Systems Firefly as its ‘extralight’ Jpads-2K to deliver loads of 25 to 1000 kg. A batch of 200 has been ordered for use by the Army in Afghanistan. If  required, the Firefly glide path can be controlled from an aircraft. Later that year the same company’s Dragonfly was chosen as the army’s ‘light’ Jpads-10K, for loads from 2200 to 4500 kg. The Megafly is designed for loads of up to 13,600 kg. In October 2009 Airborne Systems set a payload record for autonomously-guided ram-air parachutes, when its 60-metre span Gigafly delivered an 18,140-kg load from a height of 25,000 ft and with an accuracy better than 100 metres. The Gigafly has a glide-ratio of 2.9:1. Another leader in this field is Atair Aerospace, which markets its Onyx guided parafoil series in four sizes: the Onyx ML for loads up to 68 kg, the Onyx 300 for load up to 136 kg, the Onyx UL for loads up to 320 kg and the Onyx 2200 for loads up to 1000 kg. The Onyx family combines an elliptical parafoil with a round parachute for a soft landing. Atair has developed collision-avoidance and swarming algorithms to allow up to 50 units to be deployed in the same airspace. Other Atair products include the Darpafunded Micro-Leapp (Long Endurance Autonomous Powered Paraglider), which can carry a 23-kg sensor payload and has an endurance of eight hours. Stara Technologies specialises in lightweight GPS-guided parachute systems. Its Mosquito, designed to deliver unattended ground sensors from ALE47/MJU-10B countermeasures dispensers, is claimed to be the world’s

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smallest guided parachute system. The 4.5-kg Messenger delivers small batches of leaflets, for use when different communities live in close proximity. The Provider is a 100-kg resupply pod, designed to be released from drones at altitudes up to 25,000 ft, providing a range of 20 km. Canada’s Mmist (Mist Mobility Integrated Systems Technology) manufactures the Sherpa precision aerial delivery system, which was first used operationally by US Marine Corps KC-130Ts over Iraq in 2003. It has subsequently been selected by other US services and the armed forces of more than ten other countries. It is marketed in two variants: the Sherpa Ranger for loads up to 545 kg and the Sherpa Provider for loads up to 4535 kg. The Canadian forces have purchased 18 Sherpa Provider systems for use in Afghanistan. The 635-kg Powered Sherpa is used by Ussocom under the designation CQ-10A Snowgoose, primarily as a means to deliver leaflets. Using two alternative sizes of  parafoil, it can be ground-launched from a Hummer or a trailer, or air-launched from the rear ramp of a transport aircraft such as a C-17 or C-130. The CQ-10B development replaces the parafoil of the -10A with a threeblade rotor, giving a higher cruise speed and reduced sensitivity to winds. The rotor is unpowered in forward flight, but can be spun up on the ground by the pusher engine, to give near-vtol operation. Mmist is working with the US Naval Research Laboratory to develop the CQ10B for the US Marine Corps. Turning to Europe, EADS Defence Electronics’ Parafinder helmet-mounted navigation system for paratroops is in service with Germany’s special forces. In 2007 five of EADS Paralander cargo systems were supplied to the Bundeswehr for use in Afghanistan. The Paralander is designed for loads of up to six tonnes, and gives a glide range of up to 55 km.

Deflecting the trailing edge of the canopy produces a flared landing Dutch Space (an EADS Astrium company) and the Netherlands’ National Aerospace Laboratory have jointly developed the GPS-guided Spades (Small Parafoil Autonomous Delivery System). This uses a Zodiac/Aerazur ARZ G9 ram air parachute and a shockabsorbing base for the payload. The Spades 300 and 1000 are designed for loads of up to 350 and 1000 kg respectively, and a 6000-kg version is under development. Deliveries of Spades to the Royal Netherlands Army are scheduled to begin before the end of 2009. France’s Flying Robots markets the FR102, which is broadly comparable to the Powered Sherpa. The FR102 has a gross weight of 600 kg, a payload capacity of up to 250 kg and an endurance of up to 20 hours. An unusual feature is a ballistically deployed emergency parachute. Flying Robots has sold one system to France’s special forces and one to China. Before leaving the subject of parachutes, it may be noted that Germany’s Hahotec is developing the use of a Jetcat turbojet to improve the glide angle of a parachutist. Trials with a G9 parachute and P160-SX engine of 16 kg thrust have demonstrated a glide slope better than 13:1. Work is proceeding on the basis of a 23-kg P200 and a larger fuel tank, to give an endurance of over 30 minutes.

Rotor Drones The US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory has issued an Immediate Cargo UAS (ICUAS) requirement to resupply forward units in Afghanistan. The drone must be able to deliver 1135 kg in less than six hours (and 4540 kg in a 24-hour period) over a 140 km radius for three consecutive days. It has to be capable of cruising at 130 km/h, and of hovering out of ground effect at up to 15,000 ft. Boeing was awarded a $ 500,000 contract to study the A160T

Siegfried Herbst, CEO of Hahotec, egresses from his Pilatus PC-6 launch aircraft. The   Jetcat P160 of his GPPS turbojet can be started at up to 11,500 ft, providing a glide  slope better than 13:1. (Hahotec) 10

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this context, while a Lockheed Mar   9intin/Kaman team has received $ 860,000 for    0the Unmanned K-Max. It is anticipated    0that the ICUAS will be deployed to in early 2010. It may be noted    2Afghanistan that Ussocom plans to acquire 20 A160Ts   s under the designation YMQ-18A in   nFY12-13 for use with various sensors. and Israel are both develop  oingAmerica    i vtol drones for casualty evacuation.   t Following Darpa’s Nightingale feasibility   a the Pentagon began awarding Com  r study, bat Medic UAS contracts in FY07, the   econtractors including Piasecki Aircraft,   pDragonfly Pictures and Perceptek. Israel Defense Force is develop   OingThe its own drone requirements for resup   l ply and casevac (casualty evacuation). In   athe former role, contenders include the    i Butterfly powered parachute, with   c Emit a 230-kg payload capacity. In the casevac   ecategory, Urban Aeronautics has been   ptesting the subscale Panda, and trials with    Sthe full-scale ducted-fan 2400-kg Mule

are imminent. The Fast Mule is a larger derivative, aimed at the US requirement. The Fisher Brothers MedUAV is comparable to the Powered Sherpa. More conventional drones were discussed in some detail in the supplement to Armada 3/2009. The most important programme in the present context is the Small Tactical UAS for the US Navy and Marine Corps, which will provide the services with 72 and 128 air vehicles respectively, with IOC in FY12. The principal contenders are a growth version of  the AAI Aerosonde Mk 4.7, the Boeing/Insitu Integrator, the Raytheon/Swift Engineering Killerbee-4 and the UAV Dynamics (GD/Elbit) Storm (Hermes 90 derivative).

 Algorithms from Italy 

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Utri of Italy, specialised in micro and mini-drones, has exercised its electronic skills and, together with the Italian Army ‘Folgore’ Parachute Brigade research and studies centre, developed a state-ofthe-art navigation and guidance unit for special forces high-altitude/high-opening parachute missions. Known as the Skypath B, the system comprises a variable number of Flight Guidance Units (FGU) and a mission planning station, which can be hosted on any laptop loaded with the proprietary software. The latter allows one to carry out mission analysis based on the desired landing area, wind forecast, canopy parameters, release point altitude, speed and bearing. Once the mission profile has been approved, it is entered via wi-fi together with the appropriate maps into the FGU. Based on GPS location, the 280 x 165 x 95 mm FGU is activated by the operator immediately after the canopy has deployed, providing in-flight trajectory optimisation and manoeuvring, comparing planned with real conditions. A compass-like icon is shown, the operator’s task being to manoeuvre his chute in order to bring a mobile arrow in line with the arrow generated by the system.

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Shortlisted alongside the Boeing A160T in the US Marine Corps Immediate Cargo contest is the  Unmanned K-Max, which is jointly  promoted by Kaman Aircraft and  Lockheed Martin. (Kaman) Another mode allows to verify the operator’s position on the map, while the position of the other team members as well as the estimated time-on-target are also shown. The system also provides flight safety parameters such as automatic collision avoidance as well as alarms in case of missing elements; communications between the FGUs is carried out via a frequency-hopping encrypted digital transceiver with adjustable power output. A transportable ground control station, to be used mostly for training missions, monitors the flight within a 60-km range and can transmit new target grids to all team members. The system can also be used by teams that are already positioned on the ground. The Skypath B can store up to four drop zones, and it is possible to modify target data during the flight. The FGU features a double rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery set; one battery is inserted in the FGU for about ten hours operation, while the second is inserted into the docking base linked to the harness and ensures the heating of the 155 x 95 mm LCD colour sun-readable screen during the high-altitude navigation phase. The system has been tested between -55° and +50°C and is operational between 11,000 and -200 metres. The Skypath B weighs 2.9 kg without batteries and harness (3.5 kg overall) and is splash proof, although a waterproof version can be provided with a slight weight increase. Once on the ground the Skypath B can be used as a Blue Force Tracking system 12

as well as a navigation tool, while as an option it can also become a receiving station for data provided from Utri micro UAVs. In case of danger all data can be extracted and quickly destroyed, while during training missions all data can be saved in the FGUs for after-action debriefing. Exploiting the same guidance system of the Skypath, Utri developed a fully autonomous precision airdrop and guidance system for air cargo delivery up to 500 kg (UD). Known as the Skyporter, it uses the same algorithms for wind estimate, route correction and canopy parameters correction as the Skypath, and uses the same mission planner. The communication module is also the same, which allows one or more Skyporters to be integrated into a team equipped with the Skypath, flying in formation and carrying extra equipment or the operational detachment. It can also be used in launchand-forget mode, providing it has the grids of the landing zone, and it can be remotely directed by a ground team located near the landing zone. A flare mode for landing allows a soft delivery of  the payload, up to 500 kg, which can vary according to the type of parachute being used. The system, including guidance electronics, batteries and actuators, has a weight of about 20 kg. The Skyporter was demonstrated at the Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration (Patcad) 2005 which took place at Yuma, Arizona, and at Patcad 2006 at Biscarosse, France.

For daylight jumps the Utri Skypath Flight Guidance Unit provides a black-  on-white data display (although a white-on-black option is available), which can be switched to NVIS Green B on a black background mode for full  compatibility with night vision goggles. (Utri)

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Defence Consulting Europe Seal Pod can transport comandoes above and below water

The utility of naval special operations forces was dramatically demonstrated following the seizure of Captain Richard Philips, skipper of the MV  Maersk   Alabama  container ship and his liberation by US Navy Sea Air Land (Seal) team members on 12 April 2009. Philips made his escape when three snipers from Seal Team Six killed three of the four pirates who were holding him captive on the vessel’s lifeboat.

Thomas Withington

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he MV Maersk Alabama had of  course been hijacked by Somali pirates en route to Mombasa, Kenya. The Seal team had fired the shots from the USS Bainbridge , an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, that ended the tense stand-off between the navy and the pirates. The hijacking of the Maersk Alabama was reportedly the first seizure of an American-flagged vessel since the Second Barbary War of 1815. The seizure and the subsequent rescue of Captain Philips underscored just how dangerous the waters around the Horn of  Africa are for merchant shipping where pirates can operate with impunity from the lawless state of Somalia. Moreover, it also indicates the demand for naval special operations forces capable of bringing their considerable skill sets such as sniping and hostile-craft boarding to bear in the battle against the pirates. Several navies from Asia, Europe and North America are currently involved in anti-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean, while other forces are looking afresh at their maritime special operations capabilities and in particular at the vessels, both surface and subsurface, that can take them to the action. Until the end of the Cold War, the offshore patrol vessel (OPV) was seen as a means to safeguard a nation’s coastline, assisting in search and rescue and in protecting Economic Exclusion Zones. OPVs are still the vessels of choice for

performing these essential missions, but their role has since expanded to accommodate special forces that maybe called upon to assist during a vessel hijacking, and to seize boats carrying narcotics or involved in people smuggling. Seizures of vessels by pirates or terrorists may not only occur off the coastlines of unstable states. As this article was being written, news organisations around the world were seeking to unravel the mystery of the seizure of the Russian-crewed MV  Arctic Sea, which transmitted a call claiming that it had been boarded by masked individuals on 30 July. The vessel,

which disappeared until mid-August, was eventually located and docked but, while questions remained regarding the circumstances of the hijacking, the incident highlights that the hostile boarding of merchant vessels may not be restricted to the restive waters off the coast of east Africa or the Strait of Malacca in Asia. Such incidents may also occur in areas thought to be trouble free. For this reason, several countries are looking at equipping their navies with OPVs to accommodate naval special operations personnel who can board hijacked vessels as well as assist in maritime law enforcement. For naval special operations teams, the OPV gives them a craft from which they can plan and execute a mission. OPVs also bring navies an added degree of flexibility by enabling them to deploy special forces where needed without monopolising larger surface combatants that might be called on duty elsewhere.

The Royal  Malaysian Navy’s KD Sri Indera Sakti multi-role support  ship operating with special forces on anti-piracy  operations in the  Gulf of Aden. The  navy has recently  acquired a commercial vessel, the MV Bunga Mas Lima, to be  converted into a naval platform to  fulfil a similar role. (US Navy)

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Still only a design, the DCNS Andrasta submarine is very much a stepping stone for  submarine-less navies. Regarded as a scaled-down Scorpène, it would constitute an effective coastal water deterrent asset, but could also be used to support special forces operations in coastal environments. (DCNS)

South Africa South Africa is one country that is looking hard at how to equip its maritime special forces. The Republic of South Africa Navy already operates a unit of combat divers, although the country is now engaged in a programme to significantly increase its’ maritime special forces capabilities. The force has three Heroine class submarines (based on the Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft Type 209) which replaced the French Navy’s former Daphné class boats, and all of these vessels were commissioned by 2008. The Heroine submarines are able to support special operations and supplement the other special operations forces assets of  the navy, which includes the force’s Operational Boat Squadron outfitted with Namacurra class patrol boats and which are deployed for boarding operations and riverine missions. To this end the force has participated in peacekeeping missions in Burundi. The South African Navy is currently raising a Maritime Reaction Squadron (MRS), which is envisaged as a battalionsized combat unit. The MRS cadre will be trained as infantry troops despite retaining naval ranks, and will conduct peacekeeping operations alongside conventional naval special operations such as force protection, calls for naval gunfire support, amphibious

landing and maritime law enforcement. The MRS initiative was launched in December 2008 and will include a diving unit of around 17 personnel along with an operational boat division. The operational boat division will continue to use the Namacurra vessels along with Lima class landing craft and Xena

mm grenade launchers, the vessels can accommodate one 12.7-mm machine gun or a pair of 7.62-mm weapons. These craft will be organised into three units, each equipped with five boats. The Xena, Namacurra and Lima class vessels will be supplemented by new Multimission Offshore Patrol Vessels (MMOPV), which the navy is seeking to purchase as part of its Project Biro initiative. A total of six vessels are to be acquired, with all of the ships entering service by 2016. Equipped with 76-mm armament, they will be around 85 metres in length, with exact sensor and weapons outfit yet to be determined. An alternative to purchasing six MMOPVs could see three vessels being acquired and supported by up to three inshore patrol craft equipped with 30mm cannon. These craft will be tasked with coastal and EEZ patrol missions such as fishery protection and maritime law enforcement, in addition to mine countermeasures and littoral patrol. Whatever solution may eventually be adopted, the competition to supply the multimission offshore patrol vessels is expected to be contended by DCNS of  France, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of Germany, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding of the Netherlands and BVT Surface Fleet of Britain. The craft are expected to be of a modular construction,

The Andrasta carries a crew of 19 plus six divers, it has a submerged speed of up to  15 kt and a diving depth of over 200 metres; an important consideration when performing coastal missions. The vessel can remain submerged for up to five days and  has a range of up to 3000 nm or an endurance of up to five days. (DCNS) class riverine patrol boats. The Xena vessels are essentially Namacurra class boats that have been rebuilt with a 10.3-metrelong hull and water jet propulsion driven by inboard engines. As well as carrying 40-

Designed and built by Defence Consulting Europe in Sweden, the recently unveiled  Seal Delivery Vehicle is powered by a 320-hp diesel, which itself feeds four waterjets (two front, two aft). The boat is 10.3 metres long, weighs 3800 kg and its compressed  air supply of 40,000 litres enables it to re-inflate its rubber buoyancy units from a normal immersed depth of 15 metres. (Defence Consulting Europe) 15

by which the vessels will be have common core design able to accept mission-specific hardware depending on the task of the day. The ships will eventually allow the South African Navy to decommission its Warrior class missile boats which are based on the Israeli Sa’air-4 class vessels and carry Israel Aerospace Industries Scorpion short-range anti-ship missiles and an Oto Melara gun. Three of the force’s four River class mine countermeasures vessels will also be replaced by the new acquisition. The South African Navy is not the only force augmenting the maritime special operations forces capability of its surface fleet. The Royal Australian Navy makes use of the Bale Defence Industries Patrol Boat Special Forces (PB-SF) craft. The PB-SF is produced in a range of configurations to suit customer size require-

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piracy operations: the Misc suffered the hijacking of two of its ships in 2008. The vessel has undergone substantial conversion and has received a helicopter deck, along with a medical centre, military communications, positions for light

Gulf of Aden, although the addition of  the Bunga Mas Lima will now permit the force’s surface combatants to concentrate on other missions, and also save the navy the time, money and wear and tear of deploying its warships for this task. The ship will be crewed by a combination of  Misc employees and Malaysian sailors; the latter of which will include special operations personnel from the navy’s Pasukan Khas Laut maritime special forces unit. An aviation detachment will operate an AgustaWestland Super Lynx helicopter to carry the special operations personnel to and from their objective – as will the ship’s organic boats. In Singapore, emphasis was recently put on the sub-surface special forces capabilities. The Republic of Singapore Navy received a boost in 2009 with the launch of  its first Västergötland class submarine, which was constructed at the Kockums shipyard in Sweden. Singapore’s navy includes two special operations forces units; the Maritime Security Task Force anti-piracy unit and the Alpha and Bravo naval diving teams. The three vessels, which have been operated by the Royal Swedish Navy, were completed by 1988 and have since been upgraded to enhance

Malaysia While naval special operations forces are usually associated with utilising fast raiding craft or midget submarines as their transport of choice, the Royal Malaysian Navy is adopting a novel approach to the transportation of commandoes for antipiracy operations. Malaysia is located on the northeastern side of the Strait of  Malacca, which is one of the most notorious stretches of water in the world for pirate attacks. However, while incidents of piracy have declined there in recent years, Malaysia, as with several other countries around the world, has seen its merchant shipping suffer piracy attacks off the Somali coast. In June last year it was reported that the Royal Malaysian Navy would receive a converted merchant vessel, the MV

The M88 Stiletto, built by M Ship of California, has been going through extensive  trials with the US Navy. The trials have illustrated that the vessel definitely has some  potential as a special forces support craft, although some shortcomings in terms of  communications will need to be addressed. (M Ship) weapons and small raiding craft operation capability. The ship also now carries Royal Malaysian Navy colours. The Royal Malaysian Navy has been tasked in escorting ships through the

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performance in warm tropical waters. The first of the Västergötland boats, which was launched for the RSN on 16 June, has been renamed RSS  Archer . It will be followed in 2010 by the RSS Swordsman (the exHMS Västergötland). In terms of outfitting the boats for naval special operations missions, a diver’s lock out chamber was added to the sail during the vessels’ upgrade programme.

France

Instrumental in the rescue of Captain Philips was the USS Bainbridge destroyer, which was able to accommodate US Navy Seal members. Surface combatants are  increasingly being used to transport naval special forces personnel for anti-piracy  operations. (US Navy) 16

Two years ago, French shipbuilder DCNS unveiled a product, the SMX-23, which could be of major benefit to underwater special operations. Now known as the Andrasta, this submarine was designed for coastal operations and for conducting special operations. It can protect itself  with heavyweight torpedoes such as the Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei Black Shark or anti-shipping missiles like MBDA’s SM-39 Exocet, which can be fired from six forward tubes.

The future of the US  Navy’s Zumwalt  class destroyers hangs in the  balance following concerns regarding the programme’s budget. The craft  are seen as a valuable addition to the list of US  Navy craft able to  transport naval  special forces to the  action. (US Navy) For the conduct of special operations, the Andrasta features an airlock and can be outfitted with intelligence-gathering equipment. The small 48.8-metre-length double-hulled design of the vessel helps to preserve its low-observablility characteristics, along with its low acoustic signature. DCNS has designed the Andrasta to carry the company’s Subtics combat system, which is also used on DCNS’s Scorpène class of conventional submarines. DCNS seeks to address what it sees as a gap in the market for naval forces which require a means of performing coastal submarine operations such as insertion and intelligence-gathering, but do not have the finance or infrastructure to operate larger conventional submarines. In order to keep costs down and ease the engineering and design burden, DCNS has chosen to leverage much of the technology that has been developed for the company’s Scorpène boats which have been purchased by Chile, India, Malaysia and Brazil. These countries may yet emerge as target customers for the Andrasta.

 Joining the ranks of the USS Florida and the USS Ohio, the USS Georgia nuclear powered submarine will soon complete its conversion to an attack  submarine able to support special  forces missions. (US Navy)

Netherlands While the French are marketing the Andrasta concept, the Royal Netherlands Navy is augmenting its fleet with vessels that can perform maritime interdiction and special operations. The fleet is presently involved in operations off the Gulf of Aden as part of a Nato anti-piracy initiative, which includes the Russian

 S  Sweden  p Meanwhile, Sweden is looking to  e enhance the capabilities of its maritime  c  i   special forces. The country’s navy oper-  a ates Kurstjaegerskolan combat diver l   units which use midget submarines and Seal commando delivery vehicles, while  O its Amphibious Corps are used in support  p of landing operations and hostile-vessel  e boarding. The Royal Swedish Navy is curr  rently outfitting its combat divers with  a new Seal Delivery Vehicles to be delivered from Defence Consulting Europe of  t  i    o Vaxholm, Sweden. The company builds a number of spe- n cial operations products which includes  s  the Seal Pod family. One member is the Seal SDV (Swimmer Delivery Vehicle), 2  which can operate in semi- or a fully-sub-  0  merged modes (fully flooded in the latter  0  case). One of the important attributes of  the Seal SDV is its low visual signature. 9  During operations on the surface, the craft can achieve speeds of up to 30 kt using a diesel engine and water jet propulsion. When operating below the surface, the Seal SDV uses a battery that is con-

The Dry Deck  Shelter (DDS) is a removable structure  that can be fixed to  the hull of a submarine allowing divers to enter and  exit while the vessel  is submerged. The  US Navy’s DDS  can be transported  in a Lockheed  Martin C-5 Galaxy  airlifter. (US Navy) Navy’s Neustrashimy guided-missile frigate and India’s Talwar class frigate. The Dutch have contributed their HNMLS De Ruyter , a De Zeven Provinciën class frigate, which is accommodating special operations teams. However, in recent years the navy has suffered a reduction of its fleet size resulting from the sale of four of its Karel Doorman class frigates, reducing the number of  platforms from which that country’s special forces can deploy. As a result, in 2007 Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding was contracted to produce four OPVs as part of the Project Patrouilleschepen initiative, which should enter service by 2013. Displacing 3750 tonnes with a length of 108 metres the first ship in the class began construction in 2008. The ships will be built by Damen Schelde at Galati in Romania and Vlissingen in the Netherlands. The vessels will have a top speed of 21.5 kt and accommodation for an NH Industries NH-90 Nato Frigate Helicopter. In terms of supporting the maritime special operations, two twelve-metre rigid-hull inflatables can be accommodated along with 40 troops. 17

nected to four electric thrusters and a propeller, while an inertial navigation system and active sonar provide the course. The company hopes to have concluded trials of the Mk I version of the Seal SDV by the end of 2009 with deliveries to the Royal Swedish Navy commencing in mid-2010. The Seal SDV will equip the Swedish Navy as part of the force’s Diver Group Boat programme. While the Seal SDV is ideal for covert operations above and below the waves, Defence Consulting Europe has designed a craft for harbour protection, which can accommodate three-person special forces teams. The Seal HI, part of the company’s Seal Pod family, and can carry up to 500 kg including its occupants and their equipment. A fast reaction time to possible surface threats in ports or harbours is essential and was highlighted by the attack on the USS Cole, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, in the port of Aden in October 2000. With such capabilities in mind the Seal HI can reach speeds of 25 kt in up to sea state three. The vessel can also be used for submerged missions in a fully-flooded state and can reach speeds of three kt when submerged down to 16 metres.

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Navy concluded the operational evaluation of its M88 Stiletto composite ship. Built by the M Ship company of San Diego, California, the M88 Stiletto was procured for experimental purposes by the US Department of Defense’s Office of  Force Transformation. With a length of 27 metres, the vessel makes use of an M-shaped hull to provide a stable highspeed platform for the carriage of sensors and weapons. The hull design is sufficient to allow the M88 to move comfortably through rough seas and also to perform beach landings and operations in the littoral environment. Four diesel engines give the ship a top speed of over 50 kt and a 500-nm range. The rear ramp on the vessel also allows the operation of either rigid-hull inflatables or remotely operated underwater vehicles. The ship can carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo, despite having an unladen weight of 45 tonnes, allowing it to be deployed from a larger vessel for coastal operations over the horizon. Broadly speaking, the US Navy seems to have enjoyed a positive experience with the M88. The operational evaluation illustrated that the craft has good littoral operation capabilities, although its command and control, and surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance abilities would need to be improved. This because the vessel experienced problems in satellite voice communication, and also lacked secure data communication. In terms of improvements to the M88’s command and control capabilities, the installation of the US Department of Defense’s Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (Siprnet) has been recommended. Moreover, the vessel will also probably require a more potent radar system than the commercial equipment used during the Opeval, which experienced difficulties in identifying surface targets of interest. However, the M88 did demonstrate that it could operate with an aerostat carrying sensors for anti-narcotics trafficking missions and the vessel assisted in the apprehension of a suspicious vessel when chasing a fast boat that was under surveillance.

The USS Florida nuclear powered  attack submarine  has been converted  from its erstwhile  status as a missile  boat to one that  can accommodate  special forces personnel in support of covert  missions. (US  Navy)

Critical to the M88’s success is its ability to not only reach high speeds, but also to operate conformably in shallow coastal waters. For now, the experiments with the M88 will continue with emphasis on the Stiletto’s suitability for anti-narcotics operations. Other recommendations for the Stiletto could include the addition of  organic force-protection assets such as machine guns or cannon, in addition to outfitting the craft for support operations of up to five days’ duration. While the M88 Stiletto may well equip the US Navy Seal commando force in the near future, there are questions regarding the survival of the US Navy’s Zumwalt class destroyer programme. Both General Dynamics and Northrop Grumman have been involved in the initiative which has already seen three vessels planned for construction. The Center for National Policy think tank in Washington DC has published a paper recommending that the Zumwalt class be frozen at three vessels in order to save money. The Zumwalt ships were conceived as a means of providing robust land-attack assets as well as support for special forces. The vessels were designed with a stern-mounted boat ramp from which rigid-hull inflatables can be deployed even in high sea states. The Zumwalt class is no stranger to controversy with the Congressional Budget Office estimating that the vessels would have a life cycle cost of up to four billion dollars, which was around one billion in excess of the navy’s original estimate. Questions have also been asked about the vessel’s ballistic missile, air defence and land attack capabilities. As

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an alternative the Center for National Policy has recommended purchasing additional Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), although the future of this programme is also in doubt given cost escalations. The demise of the LCS and the Zumwalt class could have some serious implications for the US Navy’s ability to deploy its special operations personnel from surface vessels. While existing amphibious support ships, landing craft, rigid-hull inflatables and air assets give these troops the means to reach objectives on land and also to chase down suspicious vessels, these future sophisticated surface combatants provide them a means with which to link into the US Navy’s wide-ranging command and control systems. However, while questions are being asked regarding future US Navy surface combatants, the force is experiencing successes with its USS Ohio and USS Florida guided missile submarines.These were previously Ohio class ballistic missile boats but were recently converted into guided missile vessels as part of the Navy’s Tactical Tomahawk programme. In addition to being outfitted with Raytheon BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles, they were furnished with several technologies to support special operations missions. These included swimmer lockout chambers converted from one of  the Lockheed Martin UGM-133 Trident submarine-launched ballistic missile canisters, plus the means to operate the erstwhile Advanced Seal Delivery Vehicle (ASDV) and the Dry Deck Shelter which can accommodate up to 66 personnel. In 2002, General Dynamics Electric Boat Division won a contract to begin the conversion of an eventual four Ohio boats, which also includes the USS Michigan and USS Georgia, with all four ships delivered to the Navy by 2007. While the Navy is remaining tightlipped on the character of the operations that the Ohio and Florida have been involved in as part of ongoing anti-terrorist operations, the vessels reportedly acquitted themselves well during the missions that they undertook. The force is now looking forward to the Michigan and Georgia  joining the fold. The US Navy’s Tactical Tomahawk submarines were supposed to operate the ill-fated ASDV. However, the solitary ASDV, which had been manufactured,

Rotinor produces the Seabob Black  Shadow 730. This sleek looking machine can transport up to two  people over  considerable  distances and can operate down to  60 metres. (Armada/TW)

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Compendium by

Defence in Asia Issue 2/2010

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   9    0    0    2   s   n   o    i   t   a   r   e   p    O    l suffered a catastrophic fire in November   a2008. With the ASDV programme now    i the force is looking ahead at   c cancelled, the Joint Multi Mission Submarine   e(JMMS) concept as the replacement for   pthe existing Mk VIII Seal Delivery Vehi   Scles, ten Mod 1 versions are in service – these are also operated by the United Kingdom’s Special Boat Service. Towards the end of 2008, the US Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (Navsea) issued a request for information regarding the acquisition of the JMMS which will replace the Mk VIII boats with an anticipated entry into serv-

Although outfitted to  equip a British fire  and rescue service, small hovercraft such as those designed  and built by Hi-Tech International of Italy  offer a low-cost high-  speed method of  delivering special  forces to the shore, or  across mud and  sand. (Armada/TW)

ice of 2016. A request for proposals should be issued by the end of 2009. In terms of design, Navsea is thought to favour a vessel with significantly derisked technologies to ensure its expeditious entry into service. The JMMS will be designed as a dry vessel, in that it will not be flooded, and will also need to use the existing collar designed for the ASDV to attach to its host submarine. The US Navy’s pursuit of the JMMS initiative illustrates that the market for special operations craft for under and above-water transportation is still very much alive. The ability to perform count-

Among the vessels at the disposal of  the US Navy commando units are the  CR-34 boats, which have a superstructure above a rigid hull  inflatable design. These vessels are  ideal for fast pursuit and boarding operations. (US Navy) er-terrorist operations at sea is clearly an important factor in new vessel designs and acquisitions, as is the continual threat posed by maritime piracy.

The SF version of the Lince has now joined the stable of Iveco’s light multi-role vehicles

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  e  While most of the equipment used by special forces for insertion from the air    d    i and from sea is purpose-developed, the equipment for land operations is often   u a dedicated or modified version of existing gear. In conventional operations, teams tend to operate deep behind enemy lines, as exemplified by the first     G SOF Gulf War in 1991. However, in current operations, in which there is no clear   e   t battlefront, this is no longer always true.   e    l Therefore some of the requirements that Paolo Valpolini   p were high on the priority list in the past, owadays, special forces operations as the availability of air-transportabil  m are more characterised by the type such ity for specific vehicles, are now partly   o of mission they have to conduct played down in favour of protection, as    Crather than the distance from their base. entire operations now tend to be carried

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out solely on land, without air insertion by rotary or fixed wing aircraft. This does not mean that light air-transportable vehicles will disappear from special forces inventories, but only that new and heavier vehicles are becoming the daily working tool for such units. Moving in Iraq and Afghanistan is a dangerous business due to the numerous roadside bombs used by the insurgents to deny mobility to coalition forces. Thus, special forces on mounted reconnaissance missions now tend to use protected vehicles rather than light, highly-mobile ones. However, it appears that an ade-

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version that can fit into the CV-22 tiltrotor aircraft has also been developed. Known as Srats ITV (Internally Transportable Vehicle) it is smaller, lighter and can be armed with a remotely operated 12.7-mm machine gun. An armoured version of the Srats known as Elsorv (Enhanced Logistics Support Off-Road Vehicle), with a curb weight of 3.85 tonnes and a payload of 1.3 tonnes, has also been developed and is being acquired mostly for logistic missions.

Britain

The Humvee has been used by special forces of various nations but is being super -  seded by new and more effective vehicles. (US Army)

quate balance between protection, mobility and situational awareness still needs to be found. Indeed, new versions of existing highly protected open vehicles are becoming available, but this clearly indicates a softer emphasis on protection in favour of situational awareness - not to mention firepower, which is maximised by the fact that all team members will not only be able to better observe but also open fire with their individual weapons (in a closed vehicle only the machine gun operator can return fire). Hence the current tendency for producers of once unprotected vehicles to add armour to meet the new requirements. While the Humvee in its latest iteration remains one of the most widely used vehicle amongst the American special forces, they have recently been joined by a number of Thales Australia Bushmasters and some 40 BAE Systems South Africa RG33 that offer a much higher level of protection. With its 15-tonne gross weight and 2.5-tonne payload the Bushmaster certainly provides optimal protection, as does the RG33 with its gross weight of over 17 tonnes and a 3.7-tonne payload capacity. While these vehicles are suited to open terrain, their weight and bulk quickly show their limits when operational

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detachments are called to counter Taliban forces in mountainous terrain. With a view to overcoming this problem the US Special Operations Command has acquired the Utah-made Specialized Reconnaissance Assault Transport System (Srats) – a high-mobility four-wheeldrive platform developed with Darpa funding. The Srats adopts designs used in recreational vehicles that allows them to climb up extremely steep gradients, but still enables it to hit the 150 km/h mark on a road. Its curb weight is three tonnes and, quite extraordinarily, it offers a payload of  1.8 tonnes, including four passengers (six more can be carried on the outriggers). A Level 1 armour package provided by BAE Systems ensures some protection against small arms fire, and quite sensibly given the nature of the vehicle, it features rollover protection which doubles as a medium calibre machine gun platform. Power is provided by an AM General turbo diesel engine with 300 hp on tap, driving the wheels through a Humvee transmission, which all goes to minimise logistic issues. Thanks to its exceedingly high mobility capabilities the Srats is suitable for missions such as stealth reconnaissance, personnel recovery, off-road convoy escort and high-speed chase. A

The British Army  ordered some 200  Yamaha quads that  are able to tow  Logic trailers. (UK  Ministry of  Defence)

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The British Special Air Service (SAS) also has bought the Bushmaster – 24 of  them – but these are seldom used in Afghanistan as the elite service prefers to rely on the mobility, speed, off-road capability, lower profile afforded by vehicles such as the Jackal; as its agility is not impaired by heavy protection. Based on the Supacat HMT 400 series chassis, it is

Many vehicles operated by special  forces teams can be equipped with medium calibre weapons, although such arrangements are a rare sight. (US Army) powered by a 195-hp Cummins diesel engine and has a 2.3-tonne payload capacity for a gross weight of seven tonnes. Crew boils down to driver, vehicle commander and machine gunner with the latter operating a pintle-mounted 12.7-mm machine gun or a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher installed in the rear. With such a small crew, part of the payload capacity is used to store ammunition, water and equipment, but most of  it is absorbed by floor and side composite armour plates. Its reduced width, 1.97 metres, allows it to be carried inside a Chinook helicopter. A follow-on model in the form of the Jackal 2 has been developed to offer a fourth seat and improved manoeuvrability, while the weapon is moved forward. The type has been ordered by the British Army but it is unclear if it will equip special forces units. The same applies to the Jackal 3, based on the HMT 600 6 x 6 chassis and shown last June at DVD, which has the possibility to be transformed in a closed vehicle with ballistic

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and armed 4 x 4 Pinzgauers. The Wmik – an acronym for Weapons Mounted Installation Kit – was developed by Ricardo, a British company that specialises amongst other things in the modification of military vehicles such as the Land Rover Defender and the Pinzgauer. In the SAS ranks, the Wmik Land Rover replaced the ’Pink Panther‘ Land Rovers. Nevertheless, the Jackal adopts numerous Wmik solutions. Wmik-modified vehicles normally feature a principal defence weapon in the form of a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher or a 12.7mm machine gun, with a secondary 7.62mm machine gun for the vehicle commander. Interestingly, the 1.4-tonne payload Pinzgauer 712 6 x 6 has also been adopted by Malaysia, New Zealand and US Special Forces units. At least 13 such vehicles are in service with New Zealand’s Special Air Service regiment, while the US Special Operations Command signed a contract in April 2007 for an unspecified number of platforms to be used by Joint Special Operations units and the 75th Ranger Regiment.

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The Elsorv is the armoured version of  the Specialised Reconnaissance  Assault Transport System (Srats) in use  with American special forces detachments. (US Army)

Panhard has developed a special  operations variant of  its PVP. It can accommodate three  soldiers and provide  them with lateral  protection. (Panhard)

France At least two companies have developed special forces-dedicated platforms based on light armoured vehicles. Renault Trucks, for example, is marketing the Sherpa 3 Forces Spéciales based on the Sherpa 3 4 x 4 vehicle. With a gross weight of 9.5 tonnes and a payload capacity of 

defence weapon, but it can also be covered with a canvas if needed. This is not, however, the only special forces vehicle developed by Panhard as a new development, based on the PVP (Petit Véhicule Protégé), was recently unveiled. Compared to the standard PVP, the SF version has an open top although it maintains full side-protection, that tends to slope towards the rear; not many details were provided, but according to pictures the vehicle can host four operators and carry three automatic weapons (two small-calibre machine guns, one looking forward available to the vehicle commander and one looking to the rear, with a mediumcalibre or automatic grenade launcher mounted in the centre and covering 360°. The vehicle has a gross weight of five tonnes and a payload capacity of one, with a maximum speed of 120 km/h and a cruising range of 800 km. The ballistic protection level is still unknown, but should remain a Level 2, like the PVP. Thanks to its reduced width, 1.97 metres, the PVP SF should be transportable in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, like the VPS which is even narrower at only 1.86 metres.

Renault Trucks proposes a special  forces version of its Sherpa 3 Light  family of vehicles. (Armada/PV)

three tonnes, it is powered by a 215-hp diesel giving it a top road speed of 120 km/h and a range of over 1000 km at a cruise speed of 70 km/h. The Sherpa 3 FS can accommodate five men, two in the front and three in the rear; the operator in the rear centre seat mans the pintlemounted weapon, which again can be a medium-calibre machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher. The weapon is fixed to the tubular roll-bar which protects the whole crew. Panhard, for its part, developed the Véhicule Patrouille SAS, or VPS, based on the Mercedes G chassis and ordered by the French DGA in 2005. A four tonner with a 1.2-tonne payload, it is powered by a 157-hp engine and has a cruising range of 800 km. Currently 51 VPS have been provided to French special forces units operating under the COS (Commandement des Opérations Spéciales). Normally used in the open top configuration, it features a robust roll-bar which holds the pintle carrying the self24

Italy  Italian Special Forces operating in Afghanistan within Task Force 45 have for some time been using the Iveco DV Light Multirole vehicle (LMV), known in Italy as Lince (Lynx). The vehicle has proven to be effective against roadside bombs and only minor injuries were suffered by its travelling after an attack. Iveco has developed a dedicated version of the vehicle and its decision was corroborated by the request of some special force units whose operational requirements were close to the vehicle design. The ‘cabriolet’ version of the LMV features a stripped armoured cab which maintains only the front armoured glass while the remaining 270° protection is limited to the waistline downwards. Removal of the roof and side glass reduces the vehicle weight to 4.2 tonnes and thereby increases the payload to three tonnes to the benefit of increased ballistic and mine protection. The vehicle is offered with a roll-bar supporting a

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The Panhard VPS (Véhicule Patrouille SAS) fording a river during a mission in Africa. (Panhard)

weapon ring for small and medium-calibre machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. The central roll-bar is fixed, however, a version with a foldable roll-bar is under consideration to further ease air transportability, since the armoured windscreen is already foldable. In the reduced-width configuration (2.05 metres) the LMV SF would thus become transportable inside a CH-47. Iveco maintains maximum design flexibility for seat layout and optional equipment such as additional fuel and/or water tanks and so forth.

A Rheinmetall  Serval of the  German Army  Special Forces Command in operation somewhere in Afghanistan. (Bundeswehr)

Germany  In the early 2000s Rheinmetall developed a special operations vehicle based on the Mercedes G 280 CDI chassis, which was able to carry a crew of four soldiers and their equipment and could be air transported by CH-47, CH-53, V-22, C160, C-130 and A400M. Known as the Serval, it has a 1.5-tonne payload capacity and is able to withstand the explosion of two DM 51 anti-personnel mines. The limited width of 1.84 metres and height of 1.87 metres (weapon station folded)

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enables the Serval to roll into a CH-47 or a CH-53. The 135-kW engine allows the 4.8 tonne vehicle to reach 120 km/h on flat terrain. As many other vehicles of similar class it is equipped with a main weapon station, normally an RSL 609 K with electric traverse system, capable of accommodating various weapons up to 12.7 mm

The special forces version of the Nimr  developed by the  Bin Jabr Group of  Abu Dhabi has already been sold  to the Libyan Army. (Armada/PV)

26

or a 40-mm AGL. An MG3 is available for the vehicle commander, while smoke grenade launchers are offered on option – six at the front and four at the rear. Other options include a ballistic protected windscreen, run-flat tyres, a semiautomatic central tyre inflation system and an additional fuel tank (+54 litres) to stretch range to over 800 km on road. The Serval has been in service with German special forces (which acquired 21 vehicles in 2003) and another undisclosed European country since 2006.

 Abu Dhabi The Bin Jabr Group has developed an open-top version of its Nimr multi-mission vehicle specifically aimed at special forces and 57 such vehicles have already been ordered by Libya for its elite units. With 250 hp under the loud pedal, the Cummins turbo diesel engine can thrust the 8.25-tonne vehicle to the 135 km/h mark, cruising range being 700 km on a 175-litre fuel tank. The Nimr SF can seat up to four people and is equipped with a weapon mounting over its roll-bar.

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Iraqi special forces training; they have specially-equipped versions of the Humvee  provided by the US. (US Army)

Speed Apart from the Srats all the vehicles described here do not really fit into the fast attack vehicle category, one that tended to retain greater consideration in the past, although recent special forces equipment exhibitions proved that these are still very much part of the proposed portfolio. The Flyer has been around for quite some time and is currently produced by Flyer Defense (a subsidiary of Marvin Engineering) in California. This set of  wheels is based on a tubular spaceframe chassis with a four-wheel independent suspension and is able to move at a maximum speed of about 105 km/h. This oneto-six-seater is powered by a rear-mounted, 115-hp, turbocharged intercooled diesel engine that drives a three-speed powershift transmission. The base vehicle curb weight is 1.45 tonnes with a payload of 1.36 tonnes. The standard 144-litre fuel tank provides a range of 725 km, however an optional tank increases fuel capacity to 265 litres, stretching range to over 1600 km. The initial Flyers were designed for transport in a CH-47 helicopter, but the advent of the CV-22 brought about a second version known as Flyer ITV, with      y        b

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The Springer has been acquired by  British forces to provide front-line  supplies, and it can be used by special  or conventional forces alike. (EPS)

smaller dimensions in order to fit inside the new tilt-rotor aircraft. The width was therefore reduced from 2 to 1.57 metres, while the height with roll-bars folded was decreased to 1.6 metres. One Flyer can fit into the V-22 while two others can be transported externally, while the CH-53E and CH-47D can transport two vehicles inside the aircraft and three more underslung. Smaller helicopters such as the CH-46 Sea Knight can transport only one Flyer, either internally or externally, while the UH-60 Blackhawk can transport a single Flyer under a sling. A special ramp allows to stack two vehicles and to drive them into the bay of  a C-130, allowing a Hercules to transport up to six Flyers; this system can also be used to transport two Flyers in a 20-ft ISO container. The Flyer can also be dropped by parachute, using two G-11 cargo parachutes. The Flyer ITV is in service with US Special Operations units as well as with the Singaporean Army, which in the late ‘90s ordered 79. Following the increased roadside bomb threats an armoured version of the Flyer was developed with the cab based on the ceramic armour Flexkit developed by Ceradyne. The vehicle curb weight thus grew to 1.81 tonnes but the new 150-hp engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission also increased the top speed to over 135 km/h. The size of the vehicle remains mostly the same and thus retains its CV-22 transportability. The only characteristic that is lost in the armoured v ersion, known as Armored Light Strike Vehicle, is the ability to stack two vehicles. Quite similar to the Flyer is the Spider Light Strike Vehicle manufactured by ST Kinetics of Singapore (which also produces the Flyer under license). This is also based on a tubular frame chassis and has a curb weight of 1.6 tonnes and a payload of  1.2. Powered by a 130-hp, 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine through a semi-automatic transmission, it can seat three to six sol28

diers. Compared to the Flyer ITV the Spider is larger (over two metres wide and 1.9 metres over the roll-cage) and thus not suited for restricted holds such as in the CV-22. Fitted with all-round independent suspensions, double wishbone with single shock absorber at the front and trailing arms with dual shock absorbers at the rear, the Spider can reach 120 km/h onroad and 80 km/h off, and has a range of  600 km. It can be armed with medium-calibre machine guns and 40 mm AGLs, but better still, it can accommodate the Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (Srams). Also an ST Kinetics design, this 120-mm low-recoil mortar is equipped with an automatic fire control system with a firing rate of ten rounds per minute. An Srams team would be made of two Spiders, one with a crew of two and the mortar and the other manned by a single driver to carry the ammunition. The Spider can be equipped with a ballistic protected capsule able to withstand 7.62-mm rounds, but is also offered with a Mogen (Motor Generator) power system – a hybrid diesel-electric package that allows it to move silently when in contact with the

British troops on the move with their  Honda 450 all-terrain vehicles, which are being replaced by new vehicles. (UK Ministry of Defence) enemy. Such a solution was also studied for the Flyer years ago but has apparently been abandoned. Back to the United States, the off-road division of USA Dar Corporation, specialising in off-road racing technology, developed the Vyper V1, a 4 x 4 highmobility vehicle with over 60-cm-stroke suspensions and a petrol engine developing more than 650 hp, which gives it a maximum speed in excess of 240 km/h. A diesel engine is offered as an option, which would be better suited for the battlefield even if this might bring a slight increase in the 1270-kg curb weight of the vehicle. Explosion resistant underbelly and seats are also offered, as well as an automatic transmission to replace the four-speed manual racing transmission installed. Racing technologies are used to reduce the powerpack replacing time to less than one hour and to allow easy repair or replacement of most components. With theV1 experience feather in its cap, the company is developing the V2 Fast Attack Vehicle, which features an enclosed front cabin for three soldiers with the steering wheel facing the central

Well-equipped and trained fighting forces are the key to mission success. Providing these forces with the means to communicate successfully is our  mission. Thales’s AN/ PRC-148 Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio, or JEM, is the  multiband, multirole handheld radio serving both the individual out on patrol and the force commander operating out of headquarters.  At Thales, we take your mission very seriously, designing, manufacturing and supporting products for situations where success means completing life-threatening missions and staying alive.

Mission Critical Benefits. The AN/PRC-148 JEM is the smallest, lightest, and most power-efficient multiband tactical handheld radio in use today and is the first production JTRS radio to receive Software Communications Architecture, or SCA, certification. Smaller. You are able to carry the JEM in more convenient locations on the body or in load-carrying gear. Lighter. The JEM weighs only 0.86 kg, enabling you to carry more warfighting equipment. Longer battery life. More than 10 hours of battery life means fewer batteries need to be carried for any length mission. Greater range. Typical receive sensitivity is better than -119 dBm, so you can operate at longer distances with better connectivity. Faster channel access. Communicating on different links is as simple as moving a switch, ensuring more safety in both routine and emergency situations. Fewer failures. With greater mean time between failures (>11,400 hours), the JEM is continuously available.

Adapting to the Current Combat Situation. The AN/PRC-148’s Remote Control Unit (RCU) with embedded GPS provides full radio control. Situational awareness data is transmitted simultaneously with normal voice communications. Team members’

locations are shown on the RCU’s display, and the GPS receiver facilitates the introduction of Force Tracking capabilities to the radio – key to network-centric operations.

Networked Data Communications. The JEM’s future Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) function, layered onto the SINCGARS and CPM waveforms, adds an IP addressable network  capability to the existing waveforms that supports self configuration, automatic healing, and multi-hop range extension of data. With the JEM, you can be tied into the larger tactical internet through IP networking. Further, in keeping with U.S. Department of Defense JTRS program goals, the AN/PRC-148 JEM can be programmed with current in-service waveforms, waveforms in development and future waveforms, and capabilities that provide increased data throughput, MANE T, and improved satellite communications.

Confidence for Leaders at the Forward Edge. With its broad capabilities and flexibility, the AN/  PRC-148 JEM gives both the boots on the ground and commanders the confidence that they will be able to establish and maintain communications at the forward edge of the battlefield – readily available and absolutely reliable communications enabling them to face both routine and emergency situations with equal confidence. Whatever the future holds in tactical radio communications, the JEM will be ready to take it on. Tactical Advantage at the Forward Edge.

For more information, email [email protected] or call +1 240-864-7000 or 1-800-258-4420. Thales Communications, Inc. 22605 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871 USA www.thalescomminc.com

   9    0    0    2   s   n   o    i   t   a   r   e   p    O    l   a    i   c   e The two-seater RZR-SW developed by Polaris for special forces can carry a 225-kg load. (Polaris)   p    Sseat. The central section of the vehicle is bocharged engines to a Volkswagen 2.5-l mobility empty, which allows the installation of a three-metre3 module. The vehicle is equipped with A-frame front suspensions and a V-hull to withstand under-belly explosions while its 230-litre fuel tank offers a range of 970 km. The pod is an integral part of the vehicle and its payload capacity is 900 kg for the lightweight version and 2700 kg for the heavy-duty type. A number of dedicated modules have been designed, ranging from cargo transport to medical, troop transport (four people), weapons (up to 20-mm chain gun), rescue/breaching, tactical operations centre, fuel or water container (both with a 2700-litre capacity) and holding cell, but the company is ready to build new modules according to customer requirements. Another company is proposing a twoseat special forces/rescue vehicle: Wide Open Industries recently showed an offroad vehicle with a curb weight of 1680 kg, a 540-kg payload (wet), with dual Aarm and coil over independent suspensions. Various engine and transmission solutions are offered ranging from petrol Subaru 2.5-litre atmospheric or tur-

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The markings of a 6.8-mm round, the  new calibre developed by the US  Special Forces in co-operation with Remington. (Barrett Firearms)

turbo diesel. The latter provides 180 hp and can be coupled either to a manual or an automatic transmission. The former offers a top speed of 165 km/h and a range at patrol speed of 480 km, while the

vehicles to the Ministry of  Defence. This 850-kg dry weight dune buggy carries two soldiers in an open cabin with side-protection, plus a rear 1.4-tonne payload compartment, which makes it highly suitable for delivering

Revolve in Britain specialises in diesel  engines that are  used to replace  gasoline  powerpacks on all-  terrain vehicles aimed at the  military market. (Armada/PV)

autoshifter decreases this to 148 km/h and 430 km. Safety is provided by a selfsealing fuel tank and a ballistic protected battery enclosure. Two spare tyres are available, as are attachment points for additional ballistic protection. Front and rear weapon mounts are available as option, as well as a fording kit and a runflat tire system. An electric winch can be quickly installed either at the front or at the rear. The Wide Open vehicle is air transportable in CH-47 and CH-53 helicopters. Remaining in the mobility field, small and light high-mobility vehicles are widely used by special forces units to provide operational detachments with a fastmoving capability in very rough terrain (where normal vehicles would encounter problems due to their dimensions), as well as some degree of logistic support when deployed for long periods. Enhanced Protection Systems in Britain has sold at least 75 Springer high 30

vital supplies to frontline special forces detachments. ATV (a Phoenix International company) developed the Prowler in the early 2000s; a 4 x 4 Light Tactical All Terrain Vehicle (LTATV) currently in service with American special forces units. Designed from scratch for military use, the first version known as the Prowler ITV (Internally Transportable Vehicle) entered service in 2002 and had a single front seat; it is based on a tubular steel structure with a roll-over protection system and has a front and a rear cargo rack. In 2005 a new version with two forwardlooking seats was unveiled. Known as the Prowler II it maintains the concept of its predecessor. A further enhancement was unveiled in the fall of 2008, which mainly introduced a 30% power increase. The current Prowler is powered by a 750-cc, liquid-cooled, DFI, four-valve, 90° V-twin with automatic transmission giving a maximum speed of 80 km/h. Both front

   9    0    0    2   s   n   o    i   t   a   r   e   p    O    l The FN Herstal Scar Mk 16 Mod 0 equipped with the Mk13 Mod 0 single-shot    a grenade launcher. (Armada/PV)    i   c and rear suspensions are based on in  edependent double wishbone A arms   pwith adjustable preload gas-charged    Sshock absorbers, allowing the suspen-

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sions to be adjusted to the load and to the type of terrain. The Prowler’s dry weight is 567 kg, while its payload is higher at 635 kg. It can tow a trailer of up to 1.15 tonnes. Its overall width of only 1.48 metres allows it to be transported internally in most helicopters and aircraft equipped with a rear ramp like the V-22 Osprey and the NH90. Another company fully involved in all-terrain vehicles is Polaris, which was contracted in 2004 by the US Special Operations Command to provide 700 4 x 4 and 6 x 6 vehicles, mostly MV700s. The most recent versions of these are offered with a spark-ignited, direct injectionequipped, 760-cc engine which can also run on JP8 fuel. With a dry weight of 472 kg, a front rack capacity of 90 kg and a rear capacity of 181 kg, the MV700 can reach a maximum speed of over 90 km/h and tow a trailer with an overall weight of  680 kg. Polaris also developed a series of  4 x 4 and 6 x 6 ultra-light vehicles with automotive style controls, known as the Ranger, which features a two-seat sideby-side arrangement at the front and a cargo platform at the rear. Respective payloads are 680 kg and 800 kg while their 40-hp 760-cc EFI twins give them a maximum speed of about 80 km/h. These vehicles have been constantly improved with the Ranger RZR, the RZR-S models, joined in 2009 by the RZR-SW. This features a reinforced frame, heavy-duty suspension, improved braking, winch with dashboard-mounted and wire remote controls, lighting blackout function, updated seating for easier egress and more operator room, mounting for four-point seatbelts, single front-rear tyre size, reinforced steel rims, 225-kg rear box capacity, rear differential, keyless ignition and two 12 V outlets. With an overall length of 2.85 metres, a 1.5-metre width and 186-cm height, the RZR-SW has a dry weight of 504 kg and can speed up to 109 km/h. Polaris started to market this new model last summer and aims at special operations and search-and-rescue units. Polaris products are already in serv-

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ice not only in the US but also with numerous other nations such as Israel, Egypt, Norway, Sweden, central and southern American countries as well as various Eastern Europe nations. Last June (2009) Kawasaki UV Country, based in Texas, won a contract to supply 1625 Teryx 4 x 4 vehicles to the US Special Operations forces. Powered by a 750-cc FI engine, this 4 x 4 cots vehicle has side-by-side seating with a foldable rollover bar, all-round independent suspension and a tilting cargo bed with a 225-kg payload capacity. This order brings the number of all-terrain and similar vehicles ordered by the US forces since the beginning of this decade to over 6000 units, showing how such highly mobile light vehicles are becoming of importance in

The Barrett Rec7 is currently the only weapon available in the 6.8 mm calibre, although numerous manufacturers look forward to developing their most recent  weapons in such calibre, should it become common in the SF community. (Barrett  Firearms) 32

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   9    0    0    2   s   n   o    i   t   a   r   e   p    O    l   a The FN Herstal Mk 13 Mod 0 grenade launcher in stand-alone guise. (FN Herstal)    i   c the military, and more specifically in the rier was developed, while the larger calibre   especial forces community. What remains is the Mk 319 Mod 0 cartridge ball, rifle and   pa problem is the fuel type; currently this barrier. Both ammo result from a long    Scategory of vehicles is powered by petrol series of studies aimed at improving the (gasoline), which requires a dedicated logistic chain as most other vehicles run on diesel. Currently the only company that seems to be pushing for a dieselisation of this type of machines is Revolve Technologies in Britain, which developed prototypes based on Polaris and Arctic Cat machines. While Polaris seems to consider that diesel propulsion for such kind of vehicle is not yet mature, Arctic Cat is now proposing its 700 Diesel ATV which can run on six different diesel fuels, DF1, DF2, DF A Arctic, JP5, JP8 and up to 20% bio-diesel. Not only the diesel powerpack uses the standard fuel available in the military, but the 700-cc, twocylinder, supercharged diesel engine used on the Arctic Cat ATV provides 50% more range.

effectiveness of standard calibre rounds, especially in close quarter battle, thus for short-barrelled rifles, but numerous solutions adopted in law enforcement ammunition were also considered. Known as

using an Mk 16 Scar with a 355-mm barrel (short), the latter using a 410 mm barrel (the velocity drops to 830 m/s with the 330mm CQB barrel). Both bullets are designed to defeat intermediate barriers, something that the standard 5.56-mm round is unable to do in most cases. While the 5.56-mm version maintains the same weight as the SS109/M855 ball, the 7.62-

US Special Forces in action; their  current weapon of  choice is the M4 carbine, which is also widely used by  other countries. (US  Army)

Firepower Not many new weapons have appeared of  recent; the FN Herstal Scar remains the weapon of choice of special forces units. The Scar comes in two variants, the 5.56mm-calibre Mk 16 and the 7.62-mm Mk 17, and the US Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) - Crane Division is focusing its efforts on developing new cartridges for both calibres in order to optimise the use of  the new weapon. In the smaller calibre, the Mk 318 Mod 0 cartridge, ball, carbine, bar     y        b

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Enhanced ammunition the 5.56-mm features a 62-grain (4.02 gram) bullet which has a speed of 892 m/s at a 4.6-metre distance from the muzzle, while the 7.62-mm Enhanced has a 130-grain (8.42 gram) bullet that has the same velocity – the former

A prototype of the  3 GL grenade  launcher, which was developed by  Metal Storm; it  exploits the stacked  ammunition technology to  provide multi-shot  capability. (Metal  Storm)

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mm round uses a lighter ball compared to the 146.6 grains (9.5 grams) of the Nato standard ammo. A new propellant was also developed. Not only was this optimised for short-barrel use, it is also temperature independent to ensure consistent results and also contains flash-reducing additives. Developed within the American special forces community, the 6.8 x 43 mm SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) has been industrialised by Remington and aims at providing the best combination of combat accuracy, reliability and terminal performance for up to 500-metre engagements. It is also more suitable in close-quarter battle situations as its much higher energy, better barrier penetration and incapacitation effect compared to current 5.56 mm rounds ensures a more efficient terminal effect. Until now the only military weapon available for this calibre was the Barrett Firearms Rec7, however numerous manufacturers are considering this new calibre for their newly developed weapons,

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This picture shows how the Metal Storm launcher can be fired without modifying the  hand grip on the rifle. (Metal Storm)

although it remains unclear if and when this ammunition will become a standard and how many services will be willing to shift to a new calibre. If green armies might remain faithful to the current calibre, special forces units might decide to shift to the new ammo considering its advantages and the limited reduction, from 30 to 25, in the number of rounds contained by a Stanag 4179 magazine. If the Scar will soon replace the M4 in US special forces units, another weapon has been acquired by Socom and by similar units in a number of other countries: the Heckler & Koch HK416, which is essentially an improved Colt M4 carbine using a refined rotating-bolt head with multiple locking lugs which improves the weapon’s reliability. Another assault rifle used by some SF units, notably those of  Israel, India, Colombia, Georgia and Por-

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The Rover, a small laptop with an external antenna, allows this Joint  Terminal Attack Controller to see  ‘through the eyes of the pilot’ and  thereby minimise risks of collateral  damage. (US Air Force)

tugal, is the Tavor 21 manufactured by Israel Military Industries, now Israel Weapon Industries. All these rifles can be equipped with a single-shot 40 mm grenade launcher that attaches under the barrel, while the Scar will receive the Mk

would give a multiple-shot capability to the single soldier, who will thus be able to mix different types of rounds to launch, for example, a door buster round followed by two HE rounds to clear a room. Metal Storm is developing a whole range of munitions, including high-explosive, airburst, thermobaric and less-thanlethal rounds. The weight of a 3GL is comparable with that of an M203, while the 40-mm grenade performances are similar in range and velocity to those of  low-velocity 40-mm grenades. Metal Storm has also developed the Maul (Multi-shot Accessory Underbarrel Launcher), a lightweight 12-gauge gun system that attaches to the barrel like a 40-mm grenade launcher and uses the same stacked round technology. The four shots in the chamber can be fired in rapid succession by pulling the trigger as quickly as possible. Made of carbon fibre, the Maul only adds 1.25 kg to the weapon, giving to the soldier the combination of  an assault rifle and a shotgun.

Signals The future of communications will certainly include the capability of long-range on-

The Maul (Multi-  shot Accessory  Underbarrel  Launcher) is a five-  shot, 12-gauge, semi-automatic  shotgun that can easily be fixed  under the barrel to  provide the soldier  with a choice of  fire. (Metal Storm)

13 Mod 0 Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module, also known as the EGLM, which features a polymer receiver and a 244mm-long aluminium barrel. Fully ambidextrous, the barrel swivels to the right or to the left for loading and unloading, while the double-action firing mechanism allows quick-action repeating in case of misfire. The launcher is so designed that it brings its trigger exactly under the Scar trigger, making it accessible without changing hand position on the pistol grip. The launcher was also designed to fire medium-velocity grenades in addition to the low-velocity types. Following the near-full development of an innovative grenade system by Metal Storm (an Americano-Australian company) the term «single-shot» for under-barrel grenade launchers might become obsolescent in the near future, as Metal Storm has developed a system known as ‘stacked grenade’, in which more than one grenade can be stacked in line and fired using an electric ignition system located on the side of the grenade. This 36

the-move communications, which will therefore include satcom-on-the-move capabilities. Currently special forces set up their satcom links as soon as their vehicles come to a halt to establish a secure link with their home base, although urban and deep valleys in high mountainous areas often pose a challenge. Many companies around the world (including Thales) are working on this issue, but in the United States this is being addressed by a US Army programme called Win-T (Warfighter Information Network-Tactical). This is headed by General Dynamics C4 Systems, but also involves Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Harris, L-3 Communications, Juniper Networks, Sisco Systems and many others. It will thus not be too long before we see special forces vehicles featuring new kinds of aerials, most probably roofmounted to ensure the best possible visibility towards the sky. Integrating such aerials on vehicles without creating mechanical and electronic interferences with roof-mounted support weapon stations will certainly not be an easy task as

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   9    0    0    2   s   n   o    i   t   a   r   e   p    O    l   a    i   c   e   p    S  Joint Terminal Attack Controllers are seen here reviewing map data using the Mini  Rover, a Global Positioning System-integrated micro computer that is used for targeting purposes. (US Air Force)

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systems currently offered on the market are way too big. Within a group equipped with Humvee-class vehicles for example, a satcom-on-the-move system would require a fully dedicated vehicle. Although miniaturisation is capable of wonders, it still is difficult to define when a system for integration into a fast-attack vehicle will become available. But things are moving: General Dynamics C4S received a contract in 2007 to develop a Warrior Model 20-20 antenna system for verification and testing, operating in Ku-band and capable of  transmitting and receiving data at speeds up to 1.54 Mbps. Also, in June 2009 Northrop Grumman delivered the first example of its EHF Solid State Power Amplifier, a key component in the effort to reduce size and weight of future on-the-move satcom systems. The system is capable of attaining high power outputs in a small form factor, and Northrop Grumman also showed how the design is scalable to higher power levels. In February 2009, Swe-Dish (now part of Rockwell Collins) unveiled an on-themove satcom system combining the company’s satellite communication terminal technology with a Saab stabilised platform. Designed for land and naval applications, its coverage is close to worldwide as it provides access to almost any commercial Ku-band satellite currently in service, with 1.0 Mbps throughput.

  e    d    i   u    G  Video Receivers   e   t According to military sources, the   eAfghan campaign which involves numer   l ous Nato special task forces under the   pbanner of the Socce (Special Operations and Command Element),   mCoordination has brought a change of focus in the use   oof drones by special forces. While in the    Cpast the effort was aimed at providing

special force detachments with micro/ mini drones that allowed them to monitor the situation at short or very-short ranges, experience proved that the endurance of those systems was too short

to provide a thorough appreciation of the tactical situation, causing those forces to shift their gaze to Predator-class systems. With a view to providing real-time imagery generated by such systems, General Atomics, which had earlier developed a system known as the Rover (Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver), came up with the Rover 2, which was used by special forces in Afghanistan to despatch video footage from the Predator. Conventional forces were then also equipped with such systems. The Rover 3 was then developed by L-3 Communications CSW; thanks to its multi-band receiver in the Ku and C bands digital and C and L bands analogue, the Rover 3 now can acquire the videos broadcasted by the Predator and other systems such as various other drones and, for example, the Litening II and III and the Sniper XR aircraft targeting pods. The simple receiver weighs about five kilos, including batteries (which then needs at least the omnidirectional C/L and Ku bands), and about 22 kg when linked to a ruggedised laptop to accommodate the C-band directional as an option. Then came the 3.63-kg Rover 4, also from L-3, which became a transceiver and added an S analogue band and a new decoder for video formats. A considerable step forward was made by L-3 with the Rover 5 Handheld, based on a rugged software-defined radio. It features KU, C, L and S-band reception and transmission capacity, as well as UHF allowing voice communications with pilots. Its data rates range from 200 kbps to over 40 Mbps, but the main advantage for special force operators is that its weight is less than 1.6 kg. A further boost to imagery distribution at the lower levels is L-3 Communications’ Soldier ISR multi-band receiver in UHF, C, L, S and Ku bands, with data rates up to ten Mbps. At a weight of less than 0.3 kg for the modem and 0.14 kg for the antenna, this is designed to operate in conjunction with any computer, display and power source currently in operation.

Battery Recharging

The software-defined AN/PRC-112G  transceiver is an integral part of the  Hook2 GPS Csar system from GDC4S. This unit is carried by pilots and  special operations teams – the GPS  Quickdraw2 interrogrator (not shown). is the mate used by search and rescue  teams (Pararescuemen, etc) to locate  and communicate with those in need. (General Dynamics C4 Systems) 38

For troops who might operate in isolation for long periods of time, power generation is one of the major issues, along with water supplies. If the latter problem cannot yet be solved by technology, and probably never will be, the former should be solved in the short-to-mid term with various technologies, fuel cells being apparently one of the most promising. Numerous other solutions are however being proposed. Powerfilm in Ames, Indiana, is offering a series of solar chargers. Its AA Foldable Solar Charger, which weighs less than 100 grams, recharges two AA batteries in four hours in full sunshine or four batteries in eight hours. Its USB + AA Solar Charger weighs 140 grams and recharges two AA batteries or small USB devices. Folded dimensions are 83 × 140 × 35 mm while unfolded it

THE MASK IS BRAND NEW. THE TECHNOLOGY IS CUTTING EDGE. BUT THE COMPANY BEHIND IT IS NOT EXACTLY A ROOKIE.

1– 5 February 2010  & E X HI BI TIO N > CO N F E R E NC E ExCel Centre,  he Con ference  t r  fo r  te   s  i eg  R  To London, UK   lea se quo te and E x h i b i t ion p A R MADA Based at London’s ExCel centre, this is the only international exhibition &  N L Y conference dedicated exclusively to the armoured vehicle community. > E X HI BI TIO N O our F R E E International Armoured Vehicles brings together senior military and industry experts, App l y toda y for y providing opportunities to gain expert insights on armoured vehicle trends,  E xpo pa s s! global procurement activity and lessons learnt from the battlefield, as well as to conduct business with the world’s leading vehicle, system and component manufacturers and smaller specialist suppliers. CONFERENCE

1 – 5 February 2010

Don’t miss exclusive briefings from 50 of the World’s Defence Leaders including…

New for 2010: EXHIBITION

2 – 3 February 2010

• Vehicle display: including TMV’s new 6x6M and IVECO’s LMV • New technology display: including NIITEK ’s mine detection system and Rafael’s active protection system

• General Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff, United States Army

• Innovation briefings: free presentations showcasing in-theatre

• General Sir Peter Wall KBC, CBE

,

Commander-in-Chief Land Forces, British Army

applications of new technologies including RUAG’s add-on armour and DuPont’s spall liners

• Free attendance to the exhibition for pre-registered visitors

• Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie

,

Chief of Land Staff, Canadian DND

• Lieutenant General Antonio Gucciardino

,

General Manager of the Procurement Agency for Land Systems, Italian Army

Call: +44 (0)20 7368 9300 Email: [email protected] 

www.armoured-vehicles.co.uk  Please Quote "ARMADA"

   9    0    0    2   s   n   o    i   t   a   r   e   p    O    l   a    i   c   e   p    S

the runtime since output power is doubled. These are only a few examples of  different types of recharging systems that are becoming available to special forces; but ones that will most probably become a common items relatively soon.

The latest version of L-3 Communications’ Rover is the Rover 5, which weighs only 1.6 kg and has a playstation-type look. (Armada/PV)

covers a 620 × 140 mm area. The AA system generates 3.6 V at 0.4 A, while USB devices recharge at five volts. Larger solar chargers are also available, in five different power ratings; 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 W, weighing between 0.22 and 1.45 kg, while folded dimensions for the larger types are 279 x 241 x 51 mm. They all operate at 15.4 V with operating currents between 0.3 and 3.6 Amps. Originally produced for the US Army Natick Soldier Center, Power Film Solar Field Shelters are available in three different types, Quadrant (190 W), Temper Fly (750 W) and Powershade (two kW) and are designed to reduce dependence on fuelfired generators. Developed by Stork Aerospace for the Dutch Voss future soldier programme, the E-Lighter is a small power generator that uses diesel or JP8 fuel and provides a 15 W, 15 V DC output. Fully fuelled it weighs 1.8 kg for a 50% weight reduction compared to spare batteries as it can provide 400 Wh/kg during 48 hours of operation. Ultracell is under contract with the US Department of Defense to provide its XX25 fuel cell that weighs 1.24 kg (without cartridge) for a dimension of 230 x 150 x 43 mm. According to the company      y        b

Complete Guide Special Operations 2009 Supplement to issue 6/2009

  e    d    i   u    G   e   t   e    l   p   m   o ABC    C

Volume 33, Issue No. 6, December 2009/January 2010  INTERNATIONAL

is published bi-monthly in Zurich, Switzerland. Copyright 2009 by Internationale Armada AG, Aeulestrasse 5, LI-9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein. Head Office: Armada International, Hagenholzstrasse 65, CH-8050 Zurich, Switzerland. Phone: (+41 44) 308 50 50, Fax:(+41 44) 308 50 55, e-mail: [email protected]; www.armadainternational.com www.armada.ch Publisher: Caroline Schwegler Publishing Director: Stephan Soder Editor-in-Chief: Eric H. Biass Editor/Artwork: Johnny Keggler Administration: Thomas Schneider, Marie-Louise Huber Regular Contributors: Roy Braybrook, Ian Kemp, Thomas Withington, Paolo Valpolini Controlled circulation: 22,388 , certified by ABC/WEMF, valid from autumn 2009.

it allows a 70% weight savings compared with normal batteries on a 72-hour mission. It operates at 12/24 V (selectable) and provides a maximum output power of 25 W. The weight of the cartridges varies according to the capacity: the standard one weighs 345 grams with a 180 Wh capacity, the XRT-75 weighs 1.2 kg for a 900 Watt-hour capacity, the XRT-200 3.6 kg and 2500 Wh, and the XRT-1000 18 kg and 12,500 Wh. A scaled version, the XX55, has recently been unveiled, which has a weight of 1.6 kg and 272 x 208 x 81 mm (without battery pack); it provides a 50 W output and works at 12 or 30 V. The XX55 is designed for operating as battery recharging system and uses the same cartridges as the XX25, although with half 

Powerfilm developed numerous versions of its solar cell battery  chargers, which can provide add-on power to special forces, especially  when deployed in desert areas. (Armada/PV)

Index to Advertisers

 AAI 23 Defence Logistics Middle East 37   Adventure Lights 37  DIMDEX 2010 11  Airborne Systems 5 Elbit Systems 33  AM General 33 ELCAN 21  Armada International 19, FLIR Government Systems 31 C3 Non-USA  FNH USA C3 USA    Avon Protection 39 Hutchinson 35 Ceradyne 11 International Armoured Defence IQ 13  Vehicles 39 Advertising Sales Offices  Austria, Benelux, Switzerland  Cornelius W. Bontje Phone: +41 55 216 17 81, [email protected]  France  Promotion et Motivation, Odile Orbec Phone : +33 1 41 43 83 00, [email protected] Germany Sam Baird Phone: +44 1883 715 697, [email protected]  Italy, Nordic Countries Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg Phone: +46 31 799 9028, [email protected]  Spain Vía Exclusivas, Macarena Fdez. de Grado Phone: +34 91 448 76 22, [email protected] United Kingdom Zena Coupé Phone: +44 1923 852537, [email protected] Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Laguk Co. Ltd., Yuri Laskin Phone: +7 495 912 13 46, [email protected]  Asia Dr. Rosalind Lui Phone: +65 64587885, [email protected]

40

ITT LaserMax Nivisys Remington Revision Eyewear Ruag Ammotec Saab Thales Communications Ultralife

C4 35 39 9 25 37   27   29 C2

 Eastern USA – East of the Mississippi River  Margie Brown Phone: (540) 341 7581, [email protected] Western USA – West of the Mississippi River  Diane Obright Phone: (858) 759 3557, [email protected]  Arabic Countries Shayma Ghandour Phone: +971 50 125 3709, [email protected]  All other countries: contact the Head Office Annual subscription rates: Europe: CHF 186. + 36. (postage) Overseas: USD 186. + 36. (postage) Printed by Karl Schwegler AG, 8050 Zurich, Switzerland ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004, FSC COC 100012 and EKAS certified. Date of first certification 1992.

Armada International, ISSN 0252-9793, is published bi-monthly by Internationale Armada AG and is distributed in the USA by SPP, 95 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville, PA. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Armada International, c/o PO Box 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437. ISSN: 0252-9793