RG-31, before
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Russian-designed RPG shoulder-fired rockets are a widespread threat in many parts of the world, including the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. At present, the most common threats involve RPG-7 single warhead variants, which are also produced in quantity by China (to Iran for use abroad) and by Iran (direct shipment to Iraq and Afghanistan).

There are 3 standard approaches for protecting vehicles against incoming RPGs: (1) Heavy or layered armor the warhead can’t penetrate; (2) Reactive armor tiles that explode outward when hit, deflecting, disabling, and/or disrupting the rocket and its blast; and (3) “Cage armor” or similar add-ons that can prevent detonation, or prevent the shaped charge jet from forming, at least some of the time.* The bad news is that providing enough steel cage armor can add a couple of tons to vehicle weight.

Enter BAE Systems’ LROD, developed under a fast-response Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program to provide RPG protection for Hummers and MRAP mine-resistant vehicles. The project led BAE to ask if steel was really necessary – and the answer was: no…

• Nearer My LROD to Thee
• Updates and Contracts [updated]
• Appendix A: How RPG-7s Work (*)
• Appendix B: Additional Readings and Sources [NEW]
  
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G/ATOR diorama
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The US military’s long run of unquestioned air superiority has led to shortcuts in mobile land-based air defenses, and the US Marines are no exception. A December 2005 release from Sen. Schumer’s office [D-NY] said that: “Current radar performance does not meet operational forces requirements… consequences could potentially allow opposing forces to gain air and ground superiority in future operational areas.”

One of the programs in the works to address this gap is the G/ATOR mobile radar system. It’s actually the result of fusing two programs: the Multi-Role Radar System (MRRS), and Ground Weapons Locator Radar (GWLR) requirements. When G/ATOR Increment IV becomes operational, it will replace and consolidate numerous legacy radars, including the AN/TPS-63 air surveillance, AN/MPQ-62 force control, AN/TPS-73 air traffic control, AN/UPS-3 air defense, and AN/TPQ-36/37 artillery tracking & locating radar systems.

The latest updates involve a contract modification that will change G/ATOR’s associated vehicle…

• G/ATOR: Technology Challenges & Industrial Members [NEW]
• The G/ATOR Program [updated]
• Contracts & Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings & Sources, incl. Related Systems [updated]
  
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Terex’s MAC-50 Crane
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Terex Corp. in Fredericksburg, VA received a $7 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract from the US Marine Corps (USMC) to provide maintenance logistics support for the company’s 50-ton military all-terrain cranes (MAC-50) in Afghanistan and Iraq. This contract contains an option, which if exercised, will bring the total contract value to $8.9 million.

Terex will provide maintenance and supply support for the cranes and technical assistance to units operating the crane outside the continental United States. The company will provide personnel, material, services and support documentation; field service representatives; maintenance and parts.

The USMC ordered up to 130 MAC-50 cranes from Terex in 2005.

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Now: M2A2 105mm
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In February 2006, the Australian Government gave first pass approval for the replacement of the ADF’s current 105mm and 155mm artillery pieces with new, more capable, artillery systems that feature improved mobility, protection, range and accuracy. Current systems are all towed, and include the aged 105mm M2A2, the L119 Hamel 105mm Field Gun, and the M198 155mm Howitzer. Options for replacing them include a mix of self-propelled artillery systems and lightweight towed artillery systems under an A$ 450-600 million project known as LAND 17. The project will also examine advanced high precision munitions and a networked command and fire control system.

So, how does this project fit into Australia’s larger defense plans? What’s the expected program timeline? And who are the declared and potential contenders? That matters even more now that the solicitation has been released. DID covers the program, and a number of the confirmed or likely competitors… but one category has now been decided.

• The LAND 17 Program
• LAND 17: Likely Contenders
• Contracts & Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings & Sources
  
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Out with the old…
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Tanks and armored vehicles generally receive the lion’s share of attention, but field vehicles and trailers are the real backbone of any army. They transport personnel and combat supplies, haul those flashy armored vehicles around, evacuate casualties, and serve as platforms and prime movers for weapons systems. Some even offer C4ISR and electronic warfare capabilities, thanks to specialized equipment sets. Australia’s “Hardened and Networked Army” meta-program needed to pay attention to these vehicles as well, given an existing fleet that was bought between 1959-1994. Hence Overlander.

LAND 121 – also known as Project Overlander – is the largest land project in Australia’s Defence Capability Plan. Overall, this is currently an A$3 billion (USD $2.65 billion) investment in the Australian Army to replace its fleet of Army trucks, four-wheel drives, trailers and modules for Army’s high readiness units. As Defence Mnister Hill said in 2005: “Our current fleet is ageing and is becoming more costly to maintain and upgrade. The vehicles will range from lightweight four-wheel drives to heavy trucks and prime movers with interchangeable modules to increase operational flexibility.”

Part of Overlander is actually off, as Australia’s DoD ended up canceling and re-issuing its medium-heavy truck tender. Mea nwhile, its light protected vehicle competition has seen important developments on 2 fronts…

• Overlander: The Program
• Contracts & Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings
  
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CREW Duke V2 System

The US Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command awarded SRCTec a 5-year indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (W15P7T-09-D-M615) worth up to $700 million for Counter Remote Control Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) Duke V2 system upgrades. The initial order is worth $188 million.

The SRCTec CREW Duke system is a vehicle-mounted electronic jammer designed to prevent the remote detonation of land mines. The CREW Duke V2 is the US Army’s CREW 2.0 system, comparable to the Joint CREW (JCREW) 2.1, according to Lisa Mondello, a SRCTec spokesperson. The Duke V2 Upgrade improves the Duke’s capability to the level of the JCREW 3.2 system, she added. For DID coverage of the JCREW systems, click here.

The CREW Duke system was developed to provide US forces protection against a range of RCIED threats…

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SPYDER Mobile Firing Unit
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Israel’s SPYDER air defense system follows a recent trend of using advanced air-air missiles designed for fighter jets as ground-launched surface-to-air missiles (SAM). This truck-mounted system mixes radar and optical tracking with any combination of short to medium-range Derby 4 and ultra-agile short-range 5th generation Python 5 air to air missiles, in order to create a versatile system adapted for a wider range of threats. Hence its inclusion in in our AMRAAM FOCUS article’s “international competitors” section.

India has become the system’s inaugural export customer. SPYDER will reportedly replace India’s Russian-made OSA-AKM/SA-8 Gecko and ZRK-BD Strela-10M/ SA-13 Gopher SAM systems, and the purchase has decisively shelved the Indian DRDO’s failed Trishul project.

More success may be on the way. As India’s Air Force gears up, the Army is reportedly about to follow suit with an even bigger contract…

• The SPYDER System
• Contracts and Key Events: India
• Additional Readings
  
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AAR Mobile Shelters
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AAR Mobility Systems in Cadillac, MI received a maximum $94 million fixed-price-with-economic-price-adjustment order for specialized shipping and storage containers, shelters and accessories to the U.S. military services and federal civilian agencies. The order was placed under a contract vehicle (SPM8ED-07-D-0003) administered by the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. There was originally 1 proposal solicited with 1 response. The date of performance completion is Aug 30/10.

AAR’s Structures and Systems segment designs and manufactures custom pallets, containers, shelters, integrated communications systems, in-aircraft cargo systems and precision manufactured structures and systems for U.S. defense customers.

MCTAGS on Various Vehicles
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BAE Systems Land & Armaments in Santa Clara, CA received a $216.5 million modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-09-D-5026) to provide Marine Corps Transparent Armor Gun Shield (MCTAGS) kits for multiple vehicles.

The MCTAGS provide crew protection from blast, fragmentation, and small arms fire while in the turret.

DID has more on MCTAGS…

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TCOM 17M RAID Aerostat
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The RAID program is a combination of cameras and surveillance equipment positioned on high towers and aerostats, in order to monitor a wide area around important locations and bases. Aerostats differ from blimps in that blimps are powered, while aerostats are anchored to the ground via a cranked tether that also supplies electrical power. Because the aerostats are not highly pressurized, bullets won’t burst them and they can actually remain buoyant for hours after suffering multiple punctures.

The RAID concept began with a smaller TCOM 17M aerostat as the base platform, instead of the TCOM 71M JLENS aerostats used for cruise missile and air defense. Its sensors were also optimized for battlefield surveillance, rather than JLENS’ focus on powerful air defense radars. The result is a form of survivable and permanent surveillance over key areas that has been deployed to Afghanistan & Iraq. “Aerostats” has actually become something of a misnomer, however – RAID can also be deployed as a tower system, and this “Eagle Eye/ GBOSS” deployment is turning out to be the preferred mode.

Raytheon continues to receive contracts from the US Marine Corps and US Army for new towers, as well as maintenance of existing systems. FLIR Systems is another prominent RAID contractor, who has just received another order…

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