Russians Get Stealthy

October 25, 2007: Another result of the post-Cold War catch-up in the Russian air force is the appearance, hanging from a Tu95 heavy bomber, of the stealthy Kh-101 cruise missile. This weapon has been in development for nearly two decades, but most work was halted in the 1990s because of money shortages. Five years ago, there were reports that work had been resumed on the Kh-101.

Currently, Tu-160 and Tu-95MS heavy bombers are equipped to carry a dozen Kh-555 cruise missiles each. These missiles are upgrades of the Cold War era AS-15 nuclear cruise missile. The Kh-555 is 20 feet long, weighs 1.5 tons and has a range of 3,000 kilometers. An 800 pound conventional warhead appears to be a cluster bomb type (carrying bomblets). The missile uses inertial and satellite supplied guidance, and can hit within 100 meters of its aiming point. Russia says it will use these missiles to attack terrorist bases in foreign countries.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairw/articles/20071025.aspx

The Büffel ("buffalo")

The Büffel ("buffalo") armoured recovery vehicle of Rheinmetall Landsysteme is a highly advanced member of the Leopard 2 family of armoured combat support vehicles. Along with recovery equipment and towing gear, the Büffel is equipped to operate in an NBC-contaminated environment. The Büffel is manaufactured by Rheinmetall AG

http://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/20071013135658.aspx

US Army Avenger

Mission

Provide mobile, short-range air defense protection against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, and helicoptors to divisions, armored cavalry regiments, separate brigades, and corps/theater air defense brigades.

Entered Army Service
1989

Description and Specifications

The system consists of a gyro-stabilized air defense turret mounted on a modified heavy High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). The turret has two Stinger missile launcher pods, each capable of firing up to 4 fire-and-forget infrared/ultraviolet guided missiles in rapid succession. Avenger can be linked to the Forward Area Air Defense Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (FAAD C3I) system, which permits external radar tracks and messages to be passed to the fire unit to alert and cue the gunner. Using the newly developed Slew-to-Cue subsystem, the commander or gunner can select a FAAD C3I reported target for engagement from a display, then, by a single push-button, initiate an automatic slew in azimuth.

* Weapons: 8 ready-to-fire Stinger missiles; 1 .50-caliber machine gun
* Sensors: Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor/laser range finder/optical sight
* Length: 16 ft 3 in
* Weight: 8,600 lbs
* Crew: 2

Manufacturer

Boeing (Huntsville, AL); AM General (South Bend, IN)

http://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/20071019134551.aspx

F-35 First Flight

An F-35 Lightning II the Joint Strike Fighter, takes off for its first flight as part of system development testing Dec. 15, 2006, in Fort Worth, Texas. Three variants of the aircraft are being developed for the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy

http://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/20071016225342.aspx

Four Fighters

An F-22 Raptor, an F-117 Nighthawk, an F-4 Phantom and an F-15 Eagle fly over Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Oct. 27 during the Holloman Air and Space Expo. The expo showcased Air Force capabilities and the 49th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert)

http://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/200711112046.aspx

Israel Is Listening

November 2, 2007: The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is resuming monitoring their own communications. The practice was halted seven years ago, after persistent rumors that senior officers were using the system to spy on subordinates and rivals. But during the 2006 war in Lebanon, Hizbollah was found to be monitoring cell phone use by Israeli soldiers. This was because Hizbollah had found that Israeli troops would discuss classified or operational matters on their cell phones. The Israelis were not supposed to do that, but since the IDF monitoring had stopped, the troops were getting sloppy.

Another reason for bringing back the monitoring is to try and stop soldiers from leaking information to the media. This has gotten out of hand as well. This is usually done by soldiers that disagree with some government policy. This is often the case with very religious Jews who support the settlers program (Jews living in the West Bank, Golan Heights or Gaza). These troops get too involved in their partisan beliefs, and often tip off their political allies about secret army plans.

The monitoring system will tap into landlines that connect the military phone system to the civilian one. Just the existence of this system is expected to cause most troops to watch what they say on the phone.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htintel/articles/20071102.aspx

Securing the Area

Pararescuemen secure an area after dropping out of an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter during Exercise Angel Thunder July 16 at Gila Bend, Ariz. The Airmen are from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lanie McNeal)

http://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/2007721232016.aspx

A10s Get In Line

04/10/07 - Three A-10 Thunderbolts from the 103rd Fighter Wing, Connecticut Air National Guard, trail behind a KC-135R Stratotanker on April 10, 2007. The aircraft are traveling across the country to their new home with the 188th Fighter Wing at Fort Smith, Ark., as part of the Base Realignment and Closure reorganization. DoD photo by Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Meneguin, U.S. Air Force.

http://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/20075250739.aspx

Osprey First Combat Deployment

GULF OF AQABA (Oct. 4, 2007) - U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263, Marine Aircraft Group 29, prepare for flight on the deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp is on surge deployment to the Middle East carrying the Osprey to its first combat deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary L. Borden

http://www.strategypage.com/military_photos/20071014202151.aspx

Patriot Advanced Capability Missile

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is developing the new Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3TM) Missile. The PAC-3TM Missile is a small, highly agile, kinetic kill interceptor for defense against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and air-breathing threats. The PAC-3TM Missile destroys its targets by direct, body-to-body impact

French Cougar

03/15/07 - An International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) member marshals a French army Cougar helicopter from the landing zone at the Kabul Military Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 15, 2007, during a medical evacuation exercise. Department of Defense and ISAF members are training Afghan National Army officer candidates on practical scenarios such as improvised explosive device attacks, self-aid, buddy care and patient evacuation. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr., U.S. Air Force.

Dusty Dog

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 15, 2007) - Aviation Systems Warfare Operator 2nd Class Johnny Garcia fires an M-240 machine gun from the cabin of an SH-60F Seahawk, attached to the "Dusty Dogs" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 7, while flying plane guard for Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is underway in the Atlantic Ocean participating in the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX) in preparation for deployment to the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Matthew D. Williams

F-16 Close Air Support

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon descends through the sky over the area of responsibility. F-16s fly close-air-support sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On June 30, there were 73 close-air-support missions flown. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Thales Air Defence - Short Range Air Defence Missile System

Thales Air Defence Limited (TADL) is the prime contractor for very short range air defence systems in the UK. It is the Thales Group's centre of excellence for missile design, development and manufacture.

Operated from headquarters in Belfast employing around 500 personnel, TADL's activities are broad-ranging and seek to meet the requirements of customers requiring the design, manufacture, assembly and test of complete, integrated weapon systems, missiles or components.

TADL improves the ability of armed forces throughout the world to protect their assets and forces by supplying complex weapons and specialist protection systems that can be managed from concept through to disposal.

The majority of TADL's business operations are today represented by Starstreak, a revolutionary multi-purpose missile system which pushes the boundaries of missile design to its limits, with consequently devastating capabilities in ground-to-air, air-to-air and ground-to-ground roles.

Starstreak is currently in service with the British Army, and is likely to remain at the forefront of its air defence capability until at least 2020.

However, changes in the nature of the threat, especially to land forces, together with the growing unacceptability of high casualty numbers has highlighted the need for force protection systems – a market which is expected to grow over the coming years.
STARSTREAK HIGH-VELOCITY MISSILE (HVM)

The Starstreak high-velocity missile is designed for operation in all areas of the battlefield, from rapid-reaction roles to the defence of frontline armoured forces.

The missile is a unique laser-beam riding system which, by virtue of its extremely accurate laser guidance and fast time of flight, can defeat a variety of threats, including aerial targets such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters, and also surface targets, static installations or terrorist platforms.

The unique three-dart concept of Starstreak ensures a high hit probability against all main threats. The combined kinetic energy and warhead ensure that target kill can be achieved from even a single dart hit.

The same Starstreak high-velocity missile can be deployed on a wide variety of platforms, from a simple tripod to the more sophisticated vehicle-based systems.
STARSTREAK LIGHTWEIGHT MULTIPLE LAUNCHER (LML)

The lightweight multiple launcher tripod provides three Starstreak missiles, all ready to fire, and is therefore optimised to deal with saturation attacks from the air or the ground.

This manportable system is designed to suit a wide range of missions, from lightweight rapid-reaction roles to air droppable operations. LML deployment is completed in less than two minutes, and Starstreak is then available for immediate firing.
MULTI-MISSION SYSTEM (MMS)

The multi-mission system is a unique, lightweight, vehicle based, highly automated system capable of delivering a rapid reaction response to threats from the air or the ground. MMS can be integrated into a network-enabled force structure and coordinated with early warning command and control (C²) systems, or can operate in an autonomous mode for specific missions.

Equipped with the Starstreak multi-role missile, or other missile systems such as anti-armour systems or rocket systems, MMS has the ability to take on a wide spectrum of targets, including armoured systems, static installations and terrorist platforms, as well as threats such as UAVs and helicopters.

With the increasing need for force protection against conventional and asymmetric threats, MMS provides the necessary multi-mission effects.
STARSTREAK ARMOURED VEHICLE SYSTEM (AVS)

The highly-mobile armoured Starstreak weapon system provides air defence forces with strategic, tactical and operational mobility in all areas of the battlefield. The armoured vehicle system also provides for the transportation of crew, equipment and provisions, as well as reload missiles. In service with the British Army, the system has been successfully deployed in Central Europe and in the Gulf.

http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/missiles/thales/

3e Technologies International - Military Wi-Fi and Wireless Mesh Voice, Video and Data Communication Systems

3e Technologies International (3eTI) is a leading provider of wireless networking solutions that are customized to fit the security challenges and voice, video and data communication requirements of armies around the world. The company designs and manufactures secure Wi-Fi and broadband products – including mesh network, access point, bridge and client infrastructure products – as well as security software.

Many 3eTI products meet the stringent requirements of the US Department of Defense, featuring FIPS 140-2, FIPS 802.11 and Common Criteria Validation™. They are suitable for government, military and homeland security applications for any army requiring secure communications via a stationary or portable wireless network.

The company has over ten years' experience developing secure, reliable wireless solutions for military and government organizations around the world.
WIRELESS LAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Governments and militaries are continually seeking ways to better secure their physical assets and personnel and confidential information. To aid this pursuit, 3eTI specializes in government security-level wireless broadband solutions.

3eTI's Wireless LAN (WLAN) products and solutions meet rigorous US government security standards, including FIPS 140-2 and FIPS 802.11.

3eTI has also achieved many firsts in wireless technology, including becoming the first validated FIPS 140-2 layer two access point, and the first wireless supplier to receive National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) evaluation assurance level two common criteria validation for its WLAN access point and client software.
APPLICATIONS FOR WIRELESS LAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

3eTI WLAN products are designed to provide force and critical infrastructure protection / management, as well as to improve the efficiency of base operations. Some examples of possible applications for government WLAN products are:

* Securing perimeters and information technology at military installations
* Wireless video surveillance to detect security risks domestically and abroad
* Wireless CBRNE sensoring / monitoring and asset tracking using RFID

For example, 3eTI helped streamline maintenance operations of the US Army Black Hawk helicopter program by installing FIPS 140-2 secure wireless communication between the flight line and the hangar. The 3eTI WLAN solutions rapidly transmitted equipment data to maintenance crews, and saved valuable pilot time by cutting the time spent preparing debriefing reports.
8100.2 CERTIFIED SECURE MILITARY WIRELESS NETWORKS

The US Department of Defense (DoD) directive number 8100.2 was issued on the 14th of April 2004, and went into effect immediately. The directive covers the use of commercial wireless devices, services, and technologies in the DoD Global Information Grid (GIG).

The directive spells out policies for deploying secure military wireless networks, and requires monitoring of those wireless networks for compliance. Military users of 3eTI's certified wireless networks can be assured that strong authentication, non-repudiation, and personal-identification security standards are inherent to their applications.
CUSTOM MILITARY WIRELESS NETWORKS

In addition to tailoring off-the-shelf solutions, 3eTI also develops custom secure military wireless network solutions to meet the specific wireless security needs of army technology customers.

If a troop requires mobile remote networking to enable soldiers and personnel to communicate while in vehicles or in the field, or an army company needs undercover surveillance equipment to monitor potentially hostile surroundings, 3eTI military wireless networks and custom solutions have the ability to overcome even the toughest military communication and / or security challenge.

3eTI's military wireless networks are designed to protect and secure data, assets, vital infrastructure and personnel in the most cost-effective manner possible. 3eTI integrated military wireless networks pass essential information to officers, soldiers and other army personnel so they may securely and effectively utilize communications to fulfill their duties.

3eTI's proven military wireless networks and solutions uphold even the highest security standards.

http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/navigation/3e-technologies/

Wi-Fi to Connect Soldiers With Home

29 October 2007 15:09

UK bases in Iraq and Afghanistan will get free Wi-Fi access next year in an initiative aimed at quadrupling the number of internet access points.

The service will be provided free-of-charge and will come into effect in April 2008.

The password protected Wi-Fi network will operate at wireless points in the living quarters of the troops, operating at 128KB per second.

The technology will be extended to cater for one in 25 soldiers, it currently serves one in a 100.

The service will be provided by UK-based communications company Paradigm as part a of Skynet 5 PFI contract they have with the UK Ministry of Defence.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the service will allow the troops to stay in touch with home.

Paradigm also offers troops a voicemail package which families and friends use to leave two-minute messages.

By Ahsanul Islam

http://www.army-technology.com/news/news2910.html

UK Army Tests Invisible Technology

30 October 2007 12:56

The UK army is testing secret technology which can make tanks and troops appear invisible, it announced today.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) revealed it is testing new technology using light emitting diodes (LEDs) attached to vehicles which allows them to project the background image onto the viewed side of the vehicle.

Results have proved successful in disguising certain angles of view to visible wavelengths, with more tests being carried out to investigate other modelled techniques such as light refraction.

"We're researching new technologies to help disguise vehicles, and we’ve already had some results in making them ‘appear’ invisible. It’s still early days,” a spokeswoman for the MOD says.

The MOD says it is still researching and examining all areas of technology with specific details remaining classified.

The technology is not however useful in current conflict situations such as in Afghanistan where much of the UK armed forces are fast moving in a highly dusty environment.

The issue of “invisibility” is somewhat negated if you have a highly visible dust cloud around you, says the MOD.

By Ozge Ibrahim

http://www.army-technology.com/news/news2921.html

Scientists Develop Bullet Repelling Material

31 October 2007 14:45

Scientists at the University of Sydney have developed a new material that can be used to produce bullet-repelling vests for military use.

The researchers at the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology say the elastic properties of carbon nanotubes can be harnessed to rebound the force of bullets.

Carbon nanotubes are a one-atom thick sheet of graphite, rolled into a cylinder that his held together by a strong chemical bond known as orbital hybridisation.

Bullet-proof vests, made from materials such as Kevlar, Twaron or Dyneema, stop a bullet penetrating by spreading its force, which can still leave the wearer suffering from blunt force trauma like bruising or internal bleeding.

The researchers are experimenting to find the optimum point of elasticity for the most effective bullet-bouncing gear.

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh

http://www.army-technology.com/news/news2931.html