May 2008 Information news about military equipment armoured army defence world worlwide coutries.

Lockheed Martin launched the first Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) wheeled vehicle launcher using the new Universal Fire Control System (UFCS) during a recent test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Four GMLRS rockets flew a pre-planned trajectory and successfully engaged their targets. GMLRS is effective against counter fire, air defense, light materiel and personnel targets. GMLRS incorporates a Global Positioning System-aided inertial guidance package integrated on a product improved rocket body. Additionally, small canards on the Guided Rocket nose add basic maneuverability to further enhance the accuracy of the system.
30 May 2008

At the International Aerospace Exhibition Berlin (ILA), the leading trade fair for the aerospace industry in Germany, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
will present its new family of modular scalable tactical vehicles to specialists and the public. The generic platform Future FENNEK Technology (GP-F²T) is based on the FENNEK armoured reconnaissance vehicle. With the development of the GP-F²T vehicle family we want to offer the Bundeswehr and later other international customers a new dimension in mobility, modularity and protective technology.
30 May 2008

The 25th armoured brigade of the Greek armed forces has put the first LEOPARD 2A6 HEL supplied by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) into service. In addition to the 170 main battle tanks Leopard 2A6, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann supplied Greek armed forces with armoured recovery vehicles, armoured vehicle launched bridges, drivinbg and shooting simulatores, as well as the world's most advanced simulation center. The contract was worth 1.7 billion euros. On March 2008, the Greek national holiday commemorating the 1821 revolution, the armed forces presented the LEOPARD 2A6 HEL to the public at a parade in Athens.
30 May 2008

FLIR Systems is a major provider of thermal imaging and laser designation turrets to the US armed forces, competing with players like Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and L-3’s Wescam to equip helicopters, aircraft and UAVs, naval vessels, etc.
On May 20/08, the firm announced a new contract modification adding $358.4 million to an existing indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for its Star SAFIRE III turrets from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, AL. On May 29/08, FLIR Systems, Inc. announced delivery orders totaling $111.7 million under this contract to “support ongoing U.S. Armed Forces force protection programs.” Work on the delivery orders will begin immediately and be completed within the next 12 months in FLIR’s Portland, Oregon facility.
29 Mai 2008

U.S. soldiers try to extinguish an American wheeled armoured vehicle International Maxxpro at Al Canal street, near Sadr city, Baghdad, Iraq, after a roadside bomb exploded next to a US military convoy, on Monday, May 26, 2008, police said. There was no immediate U.S. Army confirmation regarding the blast.
27 May 2008

The British Army has, Wednesday 21 May 2008, taken delivery of the 500th upgraded Bulldog infantry troop carrier, large numbers of which are deployed in Iraq where they have been praised by the troops operating them. Under the £235 million upgrade programme, the Bulldog FV432 which is a tracked armoured personnel carrier, receives a new engine, transmission and other systems, which increases reliability and reduces support cotst. Vehicles destined for Iraq also receive a package of armour, a remotely operated machine gun and other equipment to enhance the protection of personnel; these are known as Bulldog uparmoured.
27 May 2008

Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, today announced that the M113 upgrade project was now back on track and estimated to meet its original schedule and specifications within budget.
The Land 106 project will deliver 350 upgraded M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier vehicles with improvements in their protection, firepower, mobility and supportability.
Sixteen vehicles have now been delivered to the Army's 7RAR (mechanised infantry). Another nine vehicles (six initial production vehicles and three pre-production vehicles) are being operated in training at Puckapunyal and Bandiana. A further ten vehicles will be issued for training shortly.
"Under the project, a total of 329 vehicles are due to be upgraded to the 18 tonne M113AS4 standard, and 21 vehicles will be upgraded to the 15 tonne M113AS3 standard. I would like to thank both Tenix and DMO for all of hard work in providing a way forward for this project," Mr Combet said.
24 May 2008

Russia is to supply about 100 multi-purpose Tigr vehicles to China, built at the Arzamas machine-building plant, which is part of the Military-Industrial Company, in fulfilment of the two countries' military-technical cooperation plans, a source in the Russian defence industry has told Interfax-AVN.
Under the agreement singed in 2007 between China and the plant, Russia is to supply about a hundred Tigr vehicles, which are Russia's most formidable all-road personnel carriers featuring armour protection of the fifth category of the six possible," he said, noting that the first batch of vehicles, designed for special police role and capable of carrying nine personnel, will be dispatched to China in early June.
"The first batch of Tigrs will be delivered assembled, while the rest will be shipped as complete sets to be assembled at Chinese factories under the agreement," the source added, refusing to disclose information about the contract price.
24 May 2008

Rheinmetall Defence of Dusseldorf and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann of Munich have launched a joint programme to develop a highly protected new vehicle family in the 5 to 9 ton weight class.
The first of the four-wheel drive Armoured Multi Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) vehicles should be ready for serial delivery by 2011. A life-size mock-up of the vehicle will be on show at Eurosatory 2008 in Paris this June, one of the world’s leading venues for land systems. Completion of the first prototype is planned for 2009.
The vehicle family encompasses two type series. The agile AMPV 1 is the smaller of the two, and makes an ideal liaison vehicle. A higher level of protection and a heavier payload are the primary characteristics of the bigger AMPV 2. However, the entire vehicle family is based on standardized engineering principles and technologies.
21 May 2008

BAE Systems has been awarded a $21.8 million contract modification from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command for the design and development of M109A6 Paladin Integrated Management (PIM) self-propelled howitzer vehicles.
The M109A6-PIM uses the existing Paladin main armament and cab structure, replacing hydraulics with electric gun drives that share commonality with the Future Combat Systems Non-Line-Of-Sight Cannon. Outmoded chassis components are replaced with up-to-date components from the Bradley Combat Systems and integrated into a highly producible, new-design chassis structure to increase sustainability and commonality across the Heavy Brigade Combat Teams (HBCT). This modification, when combined with the previous PIM contract worth $5 million, brings the total value to $26.8 million.
The M109A6-PIM is supported by the Army as a vital technology enhancement program to sustain the M109 Family of Vehicles well into the future, and maintain the combat capability of the HBCT.
16 May 2008

Saab has received an order from the United States Government for the Carl-Gustaf system. The Carl-Gustaf is a one man weapon, dedicated for anti-tank combat. The order contains both weapons and ammunition to a value of about 48 million USD. Deliveries will take place during 2009.
Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
15 May 2008

Iraqi army soldiers fire their weapons during a gun-battle with Shi'ite militiamen in the Shi'ite dominated Baghdad's neighborhood of Shulla.
13 May 2008

Lebanese soldier with armoured vehicle patrols the streets of Beirut. A precarious calm returned to Lebanon on Tuesday after the army warned it was ready to use force to restore order after six days of sectarian bloodshed that have shaken the nation
13 May 2008

Kongsberg has signed a framework agreement worth up to MNOK 500 with Renault Trucks Defense of France.The agreement will run for about eight years, and applies to the delivery of the Protector weapon control system to upgrade the French Army's Renault VAB 4x4 armoured personnel carriers. The first order under the framework agreement is for approx. MNOK 74, and deliveries will begin towards the end of this year.
11 May 2008

The U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command recently awarded Navistar Defense a follow-on contract to provide medium tactical trucks and spare parts to the Afghanistan National Police, Afghan National Army and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. Under the multi-year, $1.283 billion contract, Navistar will supply 7,072 vehicles based on their severe service International 7000 Series truck. The order will include General Troop Transporter, POL (petroleum, oil and lubricant), water tankers, wreckers and hazardous material truck variants. In addition, Navistar will supply all required spare parts necessary to support several years of scheduled maintenance. Approximately half of the 2008 order will be delivered during the first year of the contract, with nearly 1,000 units expected to be delivered in FY 2008. This award follows a $430 million contract, 2,900 vehicle contract awarded in 2005, bringing the overall total to $1.71 billion and 9,972 trucks. Navistar release. Note that the International 7000 truck chassis is also the basis of the blast-resistant MaxxPro 4×4 patrol vehicle, which is currently the lead vehicle in the USA’s 15,000+ vehicle MRAP (Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected) program.
09 May 2008

Russian armoured vehicles pass through Moscow during a rehersal for the Victory Day parade on May 9. Fighter jets circled over Red Square as Russia prepared a huge patriotic display around this week's presidential inauguration, amid rising tension with pro-Western neighbour Georgia.
08 May 2008

Hezbollah supporters burn tires as Lebanese soldiers and armoured personnel carriers patrol on a main road in Beirut suburbs May 7, 2008
07 May 2008

Bulgarian army soldiers take part in a military parade to mark Saint George's Day in the capital Sofia Tuesday, May 6, 2008. Bulgaria celebrates Saint George's Day as a Day of Bulgarian Army Bravery.
06 May 2008

MANASSAS, Virginia — BAE Systems will deliver 545 lightweight bar-armor kits to the U.S. Army for installation on ground vehicles. The company received a $23.7 million contract from the Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command to equip 371 RG-31 vehicles and 174 mine-protected Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicles with its L-ROD™ aluminum armor, used widely on Army Buffalo ordnance disposal vehicles. “The L-ROD system is a low-cost and lightweight solution that protects vehicles from rocket-propelled grenade attacks,” said Dr. Jim Galambos, advanced technologies business development director for BAE Systems. “L-ROD is easily adaptable to just about any type of vehicle.” L-ROD is a modular system made of lightweight aluminum alloy that protects vehicles without adding significant additional weight or compromising their operational capabilities. It weighs less than half of comparable steel systems and is bolted to the vehicle, avoiding the need for welding or cutting. It also can be repaired easily in the field. BAE Systems originally developed the system as part of a fast-response Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program to provide rocket-propelled grenade protection for High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. Army officials conducted more than 50 live-fire tests to validate the system’s performance and optimize the engineering design. L-ROD is standard equipment on the Army Buffalo explosive ordnance disposal vehicle. BAE Systems has delivered more than 500 L-ROD kits to the Army. The company has completed L-ROD designs for BAE Systems’ Caiman II and RG33-series mine-protected vehicles. Work will be performed at BAE Systems facilities in Manassas, Virginia, and Austin, Texas.
06 May 2008

CINCINNATI, Ohio – BAE Systems has been awarded a $12 million contract by the U.S. Army for Cab Field Kits for M915A3 semi-trucks with previously installed Add-on Armor kits. When finalized, this contract will be worth approximately $24 million. With this contract, BAE Systems has orders to deliver approximately 2,000 Cab Field Kits. The Cab Field Kit reinforces the cab structure to better handle the weight of the armor. The M915A3 vehicle is used by the U.S. Army for transport of fuel and supplies in South West Asia. “These kits will enable the M915A3 trucks to better perform their mission in the demanding terrain experienced by the Army,” said Tony Russell, vice president of Vehicle Armor for BAE Systems. “It will also reduce the operational and maintenance costs for the Army.” Production for the M915A3 armor kits will be performed in Cincinnati, Ohio and is expected to be completed by January 31, 2009.
06 May 2008

China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) has completed development of its new LG3 40 mm automatic grenade launcher (AGL) and is now marketing it globally. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has traditionally been equipped with locally manufactured 35 mm grenade launchers of various types, including the QLZ87 (with a six- or 15-round magazine) and the LG1 add-on launcher, mounted under the barrel of an assault rifle. The LG3 40 mm AGL features a blowback operation and NORINCO claims it has an effective range of more than 2,200 m. The barrel is fitted with a muzzle brake and feed can be from the left or right side with each box-type magazine holding 30 rounds of ready-use ammunition. Firing mode is automatic-only with a cyclic rate of fire of between 340 to 400 rounds per minute and a claimed barrel life of 6,000 rounds.
04 May 2008

LADSON, S.C.--Force Protection, Inc. today announced that Congress has approved two Cougar Foreign Military Sales to the United Kingdom. The first contract for six Cougar Category I Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and associated services was awarded on April 29. The second contract for 151 Cougar MRAP vehicles and associated services was awarded on May 1. The total value of the contracts for the 157 vehicles, named Ridgebacks by the British, is approximately $94 million. These contracts are not subject to the terms of Force Protection’s joint venture.“We are pleased to note the ongoing interest in and demand for the company’s proven blast protection technology around the world,” said Damon Walsh, Force Protection Executive Vice President for Customer Operations. “Our vehicles’ record for survivability and sustainability leads the industry. Force Protection is proud to have the continued support of our British customer.” Vehicle production will take place at the Company’s Ladson, SC facility and is scheduled for completion by July 2009. The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered more than 330 Cougar vehicles from the Company since February 2008.
02 May 2008

SANTA CLARA, California -- BAE Systems was awarded a $15.5 million contract modification from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command to install modification kits on 952 Bradley Combat Systems vehicles in Iraq and the U.S. The modification improves the survivability of the Bradley Combat Systems in combat. This award is part of a larger $25.6 million contract which calls for additional modernization work. “We have made several modifications to the Bradley over the past few years to maintain its superior survivability as the threat continues to change,” said Andy Hove, vice president of Combat Systems Programs “These modifications will improve the survivability of the systems that are deployed in theater and protect the soldiers even better than we do today.”
Kit installation will be performed in Iraq and will include Bradley Advanced Survivability Seats, a “Hot Box” ammunition restraint system and an improved Fire Suppression System. Air conditioning will also be installed in one Brigade Combat Team vehicle set. Work on the modifications will begin this summer. The Bradley Advanced Survivability Seats address the need to provide a more survivable seating system. The seats offer a number of improvements, including a four-point restraint system with a quick release, independent energy dissipation for each position and an integrated foot rest. The Hotbox Restraint Kits provide an enhanced method of storing ammunition for the Bradley’s 25 mm main gun and allows soldiers to upload ammunition in to the weapon in a safe and efficient manner. Work under this contract will be completed by December 2011. When combined with previous awards this modification brings the total contract value to $387.2 million.
01 May 2008