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Contents july/August 2020
VOLUME 28 / ISSUE 4
06 12 16
Australian Army Tiger

Armed Reconnaissance
Helicopters (ARH)
operating off HMAS JAPAN’S SIGINT ARISE MARITIME MAKING THE SHELL
Canberra during CHALLENGE UNMANNED VTOL FIT THE JOB
With growing threats all around, the There has been a quickening in Christopher Foss details some of
Indo-Pacific Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force the development and adoption the complexities designed into
Endeavour 2019. needs to bolster its electronic warfare of unmanned rotorcraft for naval ammunition for 105mm and 155mm
(Royal Australian Navy) capabilities. Dr. Thomas Withington forces as Andrew Drwiega explans. artillery.
reports
20 24 30 32
ARH - STICK OR TWIST LOOKS REALLY SHIPBUILDING A MATTER OF STATUS

Andrew Drwiega looks at whether CAN KILL! UNDERWAY DOWN UNDER Asian naval shipbuilding is
Airbus has done enough to gain a Jon Lake examines the Warship building in Australia is now meeting the trends of regional
reprieve for its ARH Tiger fleet or will development of high tech combat a headline commitment, reports requirements. Tim Fish explains.
the ADF feel that enough really isn’t helmets for today’s front line pilots. Tim Fish.
enough.
36 40 44 50
FIGHTING BACK MARITIME FOBS SOUTH KOREA SKILLS ANALYSTS COLUMN

AGAINST UAS FOR SEABORNE SOF BASE BROADENS Ben Ho looks at historical examples
Just as UAS has risen in importance Maritime deployment for SOF JR Ng reviews South Korea’s of why the security of air bases
for the military, so has the need for requires a new look at what investment in keeping its forces needs to be regularly reviewed.
bringing them back down to earth, as they will need as Great Power current and in line with the threat
Stephen W Miller finds out. competition makes a comeback, from the North.
says Andrew White.
| july/AUgUST 2020 | 03
Index of Advertisers
AAD 43
CODAN COVER 4 Editorial
CHINA
COLLINS AEROSPACE 45
EURONAVAL 43
FNSS 9
LIGHTS BORDER
GENERAL ATOMICS 15
HAVELSAN 11, 33
IAI COVER 2, 13
DISPUTE FIRES
INDO DEFENCE COVER 3
LEONARDO DRS 26, 27
LEONARDO 19
B
L3 HARRIS 5
NEXTER 23 order tension between India and China turned into actual conflict on Monday 15 June when
RUAG AMMOTEC 25 reportedly over 60 soldiers from both sides were either killed or injured. The fighting took place in
skylock 37
SMITH & WESSON 29
the Galwan Valley region of Ladakh, in the western Himalayas.
STM 35 This region in northern India includes the states of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, both within
the very sensitive area of what was Indian Administered Kashmir. That changed in August 2019 when the
Indian Government amended Article 370 which had given Jammu and Kashmir the power to have a separate
Advertising Offices constitution and autonomy over its internal administration, granted through the 1954 Presidential Order. This
provoked a predictable reaction from Pakistan saying that it would not give up on its claims to the region due
France/Spain
Stephane de Remusat, REM International
to nearly 70 percent of the population being Muslim.
Tel: (33) 5 3427 0130
E-Mail: [email protected]
Regular border clashes with Pakistan, especially over the historically contested Siachen Glacier, added to the
Indian government’s decision to tie the region further into India.
Germany
Sam Baird, Whitehill Media Over the border on the north eastern side of Ladakh is Chinese administered Aksai Chin, part of the Xinjiang
Tel: (44-1883) 715 697 Mobile: (44-7770) 237 646 and Tibet Autonomous Regions. This is claimed by India which views it as the eastern most part of Ladakh.
Although very high, around 14,000 feet on average, it is sparsely populated but close enough to the Sunni
UK Muslim population of Uyghurs, who are native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Zena Coupé
Tel: +44 1923 852537 The Chinese authorities have been persecuting the Uyghur communities for their religious and cultural
E-Mail: [email protected] beliefs since 2014 and it has been widely reported that hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs are being kept in
Nordic Countries/Italy/ Switzerland mass detention camps which China euphemistically calls re-education camps.
Emanuela Castagnetti-Gillberg
Tel: (46) 31 799 9028 The presence of the China National Highway 219, which runs through the Aksai Chin and Xinjiang Uyghur
E-Mail: [email protected] Autonomous Region allows the Chinese military to quickly bring forces into the disputed area. India has
Russia seen this as a strategic weakness and has been extending its own local road network and improving airfields.
Alla Butova, NOVO-Media Ltd, Some of this work was, China claimed, being extended into the Aksai Chin area, which may have been a
Tel/Fax: (7 3832) 180 885 Mobile: (7 960) 783 6653 trigger to the conflict.
Email: [email protected]
USA (East/South East)/Canada (East) However, as this issue of AMR was closing, reports were emerging from Indian media that satellite imagery
Margie Brown, Blessall Media, LLC. was showing that the Chinese were damming the Galwan river at the Sino-Indian border to obstruct its flow,
Tel: (+1 540) 341 7581 a move that could alter the geography of the land. The aim of this could be to physically alter the terrain to
Email: [email protected] somehow strengthen China’s claims in the area.
USA (West/South West)/Brazil/Canada (West)
Diane Obright, Blackrock Media Inc As I reported in my Bunker Briefing on Monday 22 June (www.armadainternational.com), Indian Defence
Tel: (+1 858) 759 3557 Minister Rajnath Singh met with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and three service Chiefs on
Email: [email protected] Sunday 21 June to discuss the situation in Ladakh. He reportedly gave them “full freedom to deal with any
India aggressive behaviour by China‘s People’s Liberation Army along the Line of Actual Control (LAC),’ with
Sanjay Seth, Global Exposures the military tasked to keep a “strict vigil” on all Chinese activities.
Tel: +91 11 466 96566 Mob: +91 9818 697279
Email: [email protected] China, of course, is no stranger to altering geography to gain strategic advantage. The island building
Turkey campaign that has been ongoing in the South China Sea is a perfect example of the lengths to which the
Zeynep Özlem Baş Chinese government will go.
Mob: +90 532 375 0046
Email: [email protected] And this has not been the only site of military border conflict between the two countries. In 2017, Indian and
Chinese troops again clashed over China’s attempt to construct a road in the Doklam plateau region, an area
All Other Countries
Jakhongir Djalmetov, Media Transasia Limited described as the tri-junction border area between China, Bhutan and India.
Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile: +66 81 6455654
Email: [email protected]
A pattern is emerging of a strengthening China asserting its dominance over disputed areas and places where
it historically not have full control, such as in Hong Kong. Watch out for more of the same, particularly
Roman Durksen, Media Transasia Limited
around the increasingly disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, and of course the great prize for the
Tel: +66 2204 2370, Mobile +66 83 6037989
Chinese government - Taiwan.
Andrew Drwiega, Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Drwiega

Tel: +44 1494 765245, E-mail: [email protected]
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04 | Asian Military Review |

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sea
power
Google Maps
The COMINT gathering station in Chitose. The large circular antenna arrays
used for collecting HF COMINT and locating emitters can be clearly seen in the
centre and bottom left-hand corner of this image.
JAPAN’S SIGINT
CHALLENGE
While Japan has long been involved in the electronic warfare domain,
the country’s navy needs to enhance its strategic EW capabilities.
by Thomas Withington
J
apan is an Electronic Warfare Pacific. The intelligence was duly passed Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) with the
(EW) veteran. In an incident to the UK’s ally Japan, with the Imperial country’s JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-
now worthy of the EW Hall of Japanese Navy performing a surprise Defence Force), like the country’s other
Fame, 116 years ago, the crew attack on the Imperial Russian Navy armed services, reliant on this intelligence.
of a Royal Navy ‘Eclipse’ class stationed at Port Arthur, which today SIGINT refers to the communications
protected cruiser stationed in the Suez resides on the coast of Liaoning province intelligence, and electronic intelligence,
Canal found that they could intercept in the northeast of the People’s Republic the latter of which mainly pertains to
Russian Navy High Frequency (three of China. The Russo-Japanese War was radar transmissions, collecting by SIGINT
megahertz/MHz to 30MHz) radio now underway. practitioners.
communications. The Communications COMINT collection would be
Intelligence (COMINT) gathered by the performed by Japan during the THREATS
crew of HMS Diana on 28 January 1904 conflict, with Russian communications The JMSDF has much to worry about. Its
warned that the fleet of Tsar Nicholas II, intercepted and their codes broken. maritime neighbourhood includes the
who would be the last Emperor of Russia, Over a century later, Japan continues to People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
was mobilising and heading into the be heavily involved in the collection of of the People’s Republic of China to the

sea
power
southwest, the Democratic People’s to address these potential threats, and is the Ocean Surveillance Information
Republic of Korea’s Korean People’s also disputes with the Republic of Korea System (OSIS) based at the navy’s
Navy (KPN) to the west and the Russian (ROK) over the jointly claimed Dokdo/ fleet headquarters in Yokosuka, on the
Navy’s Pacific Fleet headquartered in Takeshima Islands in the southern Sea southern coast of Honshu island.
Vladivostok to the northeast. Japan’s of Japan and with Taiwan over the
close relationship with the United States, sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands SHORE STATIONS
and its strategic rivalry with the first northeast of the island. Prof Tanter argues The Japanese government maintains
two nations makes the Sea of Japan, the that “it isn’t really possible to describe several ground stations operated by the
Yellow Sea and the East China Sea all the Republic of Korea as an ally of Japan, JMSDF tasked with collecting SIGINT
areas of interest, and of potential tension, much to the despair of US alliance including HF traffic from shipping with
for the JMSDF. Professor Richard Tanter, planners.” Consequently “precise levels a high emphasis placed on the location
a senior research associate at the Nautilus and areas of Japan-ROK intelligence of these signals as a means of tracking
Institute, a think tank based in Berkeley, sharing have been difficult to track, other vessels of interest. Stations are located in
California and co-author with Professor than through the public vicissitudes of the Miho on the west coast of Honshu Island,
Desmond Ball of The Tools of Owatatsumi, Japan-ROK GSOMIA (General Security of and at Chitose on the southern coast of
a seminal discussion of Japan’s SIGINT Military Information Agreement).” The Hokkaido Island. This latter station is
gathering apparatus, told AMR that over GSOMIA as an intelligence sharing pact primarily tasked with intercepting HF
“the past three decades Russia concerns between Japan and the ROK which also traffic from the Russian Far East, which
have been surpassed by perceived North involves the US, intended to enhance almost certainly includes Pacific Fleet
Korean and (on a much larger scale) China intelligence sharing vis-a-vis the DPRK. HF traffic. The SIGINT facility on the
threats, (particularly) China’s expanded The pact has come under marked strain island of Kikai-Jima at the southern tip
regional pattern of intrusion into Japan’s in recent years against a backdrop of of the archipelago performs a similar
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and tensions between Japan and the Republic role although it is likely to be largely
defence-sensitive locations.” Moreover, of Korea regarding the former’s colonial concerned with collecting COMNIT
the Japanese government is wedded to a rule of the Korean peninsula between from the PRC. Other COMINT collection
doctrinal requirement for the JMSDF to 1910 and 1945, and Japan’s conduct there facilities are based at Wakkanai, on the
protect sea lines of communications up to during the Second World War. northern tip of Hokkaido which may be
540 nautical miles/nm (1000 kilometres/ The JMSDF’s SIGINT posture rests tasked with collecting COMINT from the
km) from the country. on the collection of COMINT and ELINT DPRK and Russia, Nemuro in northeast
Little surprise then that the EW by ground installations, warships and of the island; Kobunto on the west coast
capabilities of the JMSDF and Japan’s aircraft. The principle clearing house of Honshu, also probably focused on the
armed services writ large have evolved for all SIGINT received by the JMSDF DPRK; Tachiari in the north of Kyushu,
US Navy
The US Navy and JMSDF continue to enjoy high levels of cooperation and intelligence sharing.
This may include some sharing of ELINT gathered by US Navy space assets.
| july/August 2020 | 07
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data which is later analysed and shared
Toshinori Baba
with the JMSDF and Japan’s other armed
services. Conversely the ships and aircraft
may collect SIGINT which is used at the
operational level directly by the JMSDF
and by Japan’s air and ground self defence
forces. For example, ELINT collected by
the EP-3Cs concerning potentially hostile
ground-based air surveillance or fire
control/ground controlled interception
radars would be of great interest to the
air force alongside the navy. ELINT and
COMINT gathered by JMSDF assets is
believed to be analysed by the navy’s
Electronic Intelligence Centre which
will also receive and process ELINT
delivered from Japan’s other defence and
intelligence communities. Thoughts are
now turning to the EP-3C’s replacement.
Japan is currently flight-testing its new
Kawasaki EC-2 ELINT platform which is
expected to enter service with the JASDF
over the coming year. This same platform
could yet replace the JMSDF’s EP-3Cs.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Beyond the capabilities discussed above,
The JMSDF icebreaker Shirase may have a residual role in collecting SIGINT, although the ship is the JMSDF continues to maintain close
not optimised for such a mission, and thus the navy has a need for a strategic-level links with the US Navy. This is highly
apparent in the intelligence-sharing arena
and is illustrated, Prof Tanter says, by
the colocation of the US Navy Seventh
south of the ROK and at Ishigaki in the “are inadequate to extend their SIGINT Fleet and the JMSDF headquarters at
south of the Ryukyu archipelago west of role to match further seas ambitions” for Yokosuka naval base on the southern
Taiwan. Additional ground stations have Japan. Japan’s warships, particularly its coast of Honshu. He continues that
been completed in the city of Miyakojima large surface combatants are outfitted the US Navy and JMSDF collaborate
on Myako Island in Okinawa prefecture, with Electronic Support Measures (ESMs) in several initiatives: For example, the
Japan’s southernmost prefecture, and capable of gathering COMINT as well as
two additional stations on the island of ELINT. At best these will be capable of
Google Maps
Yonaguni one of Japan’s westernmost collecting such intelligence at the tactical
inhabited islands. A station has also been and operational levels, in support of a
constructed on the island of Iwo Jima task group. The problem for the JMSDF
in the Bonin Island archipelago 540nm is that it lacks the capability to collect
(1,000km) south of Tokyo. Prof Tanter SIGINT at the strategic level. This could
says that the construction of these stations become an increasingly pressing priority
means that Japan now has a SIGINT in the Asia-Pacific as tensions with the
gathering apparatus which covers the DPRK and PRC show no immediate signs
entirety of the country’s 110,199 square of lessening. It might become prudent for
nautical mile (377,975 square kilometre) the JMSDF to invest in a strategic SIGINT
EEZ; the eighth largest in the world. gathering vessels, although there are no
immediate signs that such an acquisition
VESSELS is in the offing.
Ships operated by the JMSDF thought
to be used for SIGINT collection include AIRCRAFT
the polar icebreaker Shirase which and Although the JMSDF lacks dedicated
three oceanographic research vessels, SIGINT collection vessels, this is not
the Futami, Nichinan and Shonan, open the case for aircraft. The fleet has four
sources state, may assist SIGINT gathering Lockheed Martin EP-3C SIGINT aircraft, The circular HF COMINT collection array is
efforts. Nonetheless, some sources say closely based on the EP-3Es flown by the clearly visible in this overhead picture of the
that these vessels are primarily concerned US Navy. It is possible that the division of SIGINT station on Kikai-Jima. This facility is
most probably tasked with collecting COMINT
with the collection of acoustic intelligence. labour sees the shore stations tasked with vis-à-vis PRC HF traffic.
Prof Tanter argues that as these vessels the strategic collection of ‘raw’ SIGINT

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Hunini
A JMSDF EP-3C is seen here on the ramp in the foreground of this picture. There is the possibility that
this aircraft will be replaced in the future by a version of the EC-2 SIGINT aircraft equipping the JASDF.
SIGINT obtained by the JMSDF platforms the JGSDF does most of the maritime established as domestic EW suppliers.
discussed above is fed into the force’s surveillance,” notes Prof Tanter. With The domestic approach allows Japan to
Ocean Surveillance System (OSIS) and the EEZ fully covered with by SIGINT remain independent in terms of reliance
some of this data is shared with the collection ground stations, Prof Tanter on electronic warfare equipment while
US Navy, Prof. Tanter continues. The argues that investment is now needed exploiting the competencies in electronics
OSIS also includes acoustic, ELINT and into “surveillance ships and SIGINT and computing where the country has a
imagery intelligence drawn from JMSDF satellites” alongside the extension of justifiably enviable reputation.
underwater acoustic sensors, coastal airborne SIGINT collection coverage into That said, any global economic
radar stations, maritime patrol aircraft, the South China Sea and the South Pacific: slowdown as a result of the ongoing
naval and coastguard vessels. Meanwhile “The latter would depend in part on COVID-19 pandemic could make its
the Japanese government’s Misawa deeper interoperability and operational mark on the Japanese defence budget.
satellite station in northeast Honshu integration with partner countries” such In December 2019 Japanese defence
acts as a ground station receiving raw as Australia and the US, Prof. Tanter expenditure increased for the eighth year
ELINT from the US Navy’s Naval Ocean continues. The JMSDF clearly needs to running enjoying a 1.3 percent growth
Surveillance System constellation of 18 invest in its SIGINT collection, not only on the previous year to take defence
Intruder satellites operational since 2001. to aid the fleet, but also to feed into the spending to $48.6 billion until 2021. In
It would be surprising if at least some of wider Japanese intelligence apparatus. total, the country’s defence budget has
this ELINT was not shared with the US’ On the one hand, investments to increased by 13 percent since 2012. A
close ally and its host for the Misawa this end could herald billions of dollars global recession could cause this trend
portion of the Intruder network. of expenditure. Nonetheless, such to flatline or reduce in the coming years,
capabilities in terms of ships, aircraft particularly if Japan’s military and policy
CHALLENGES and the all-important ESMs that will makers believe that the JMSDF’s SIGINT
One of the major problems facing the equip them could easily be sourced appetite can continue to be satisfied from
JMSDF is that it is largely reliant on domestically. It is noteworthy that the existing capabilities owned by other
the JGSDF and JASDF for much of the EC-2 is being built indigenously and, services. It maybe 116 years since Japan
relevant ELINT and COMINT it receives. although specific details regarding its helped raise the dawn of SIGINT, yet
The force will need to acquire new ESM are sparse, this will almost certainly the Land of the Rising Sun will continue
SIGINT aircraft, and will probably need be sourced domestically. Companies to face security challenges in the naval
a dedicated SIGINT vessel at some point like Fujitsu and Mitsubishi Electric are domain. The extent to which the JMSDF it
in the near future if it is to develop an acknowledged EW centres of excellence. can meet tomorrow’s security challenges
independent and capable strategic and While both have largely demurred from will depend in part on Japan’s ability to
operational SIGINT collection capability: exports, as a result of Japan’s arms procure today the SIGINT tools her navy
“Apart from underwater surveillance, proliferation strictures, they are firmly will need. AMR

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RAN, which is delivering Intelligence,
RAN
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR),
the UAS are likely to play an increasingly
greater role in war fighting by delivering
contributing capabilities into surface and
amphibious warfare, anti-submarine and
fire-support roles, as well as supporting
interdiction operations and assisting with
all round force protection.
On 9 March the Royal Australian
Navy (RAN) and Schiebel completed
acceptance tests of the Camcopter
S-100’s new heavy fuel S2 engine. The
company billed the engine as “as a next
generation replacement for the current
propulsion unit.” Its arrival will increase
An aviation support maintainer
inspecting the main rotor assembly on the performance of the S-100 and allow it
the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter prior to longevity while waiting for the new naval
its flight from Jervis Bay airfield, close vessels to be commissioned.
to HMAS Creswell. in February, 2020. Austrian company Schiebel was
awarded a contract to develop a naval
VOTL UAS capability following its
ARISE MARITIME selection in 2017 as a result of Navy Minor

Project (NMP) 1942.
UNMANNED VTOL
The test flights were designed to
demonstrate not only the endurance of
the S-100 but also the “Maximum Take
Off Weight (MTOW) - with multiple
A number of OEMs are at various stages of
payloads.” These included an L3 Harris
developing unmanned rotorcraft that can be Wescam MX-10 real-time Electro-Optical/
Infra-Red (EO/IR) camera, an Automatic
used off the back of a variety of warships. Identification System (AIS), a L3 Harris
Bandit transceiver and a Mode-S
by Andrew Drwiega Automatic Dependent Surveillance
A
Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder.
report on the Unmanned sight (BLOS) segment of the market due Schiebel stated that it developed a
Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to the need for UAVs to be capable of new proprietary S2 heavy fuel engine,
Market published by longer ranges and greater endurance. which uses JP-5 (F-44) and Jet-A1 fuels, to
MarketsandMarkets, According to the report: “Based on “enable the RAN to continue to expand
intelligence and market mode of operation, the fully autonomous their test and evaluation programme,
research company on 29 October, 2019, UAVs segment is projected to grow at examining advanced Vertical Takeoff and
concluded: “Asia Pacific is projected to the highest CAGR during the forecast Landing (VTOL) UAS capabilities ahead
be the fastest-growing market for UAVs period.” of the Sea 129 Phase 5 Programme.” This
during the forecast period (2019-2025).” programme’s aim is to determine the
The growth is forecast across both Unmanned naval rotorcraft UAS that will operate off the RAN´s new
the military and civil sectors. While In the Indo-Pacific, the Australian Armed Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels
there will be undeniable high civl sector Forces have been leading the way in (OPVs), and the new Hunter-class frigates.
growth, the report points out that it will their planning for, and adoption, of The UMS Skeldar is rapidly working
be the military budgets from countries unmanned systems for both land and its way into contention for any navy in
such as China, India and Japan that have maritime deployment. On 25 October, the Asia-Pacific looking for a maritime
been “increasing on a yearly basis, which 2018, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) VTOL capability. The UMS Skeldar, a
has subsequently led to the adoption officially commission the 822X Squadron joint venture between UMS Aero Group
of military UAVs, as they assist in the to conduct all its evaluations regarding and Saab signed in December 2015, was
collection of battlefield data.” UAS entering the current and future a contender for the RAN contract in 2016.
The report highlights the increasing maritime fleets, as well as managing them Since then recent successes have included
development of flight control systems operationally onboard ships. Currently the selection of the Skeldar V-200 by the
together with advances being made the Squadron’s responsibilities will German Navy announced in August 2018
in sense and avoid that will drive the include the deployments of Schiebel’s and by the Canadian Navy in May 2019,
adoption of UAVs forward. sensor carrying S-100 Camcopter and the with further announcements expected
In the military, not subject to lighter long endurance Insitu ScanEagle. imminently regarding other European
commercial regulations, there will be a Aside from the core tactical role that naval contracts.
significant increase in the beyond line of UAS will serve when operating with the However, in 2016 the Indonesian

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Barak MX integrates cutting edge sensors, and LRAD use the same RF radar homing operation. Under the JTC concept, the sky
computing systems, advanced algorithms, seeker as well as most of their hardware and picture and early warning are processed and
datalink communications, and interceptors software. MRAD employs a single pulse rocket synthesized at the task-force level. The unified
into a complete air and missile defense system. motor, while LRAD uses a dual-pulse solid picture is used in order to allocate targets and
Unlike inflexible legacy systems defined by rocket engine to provide high maneuverability missions to the different task-force members.
firm configurations (sensors and interceptors), in the end game, even at long ranges. The This coordination ensures optimal use of
Barak MX can integrate with different radars, MRAD and LRAD effectors can be mixed in interceptors, eliminates ‘double booking’ of
launchers, and missiles, thus optimized to the any combination in the eight-cell universal targets, and ensures vessels remain armed to
user’s unique challenges. Barak MX comprises vertical launcher. continue the mission.
three building blocks – IAI and/or customer Compared to other naval anti-air and
supplied sensors, a range of interceptors, and missile defense systems built to rely only on
a network-centric Battle Management Center the platform resources on which they are
(BMC) tailored for joint force, air and missile installed, IAI’s Barak MX offers a unique
defense. network-centric area defense capability
achieved by sharing sensors and interceptors
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| may 2019 | 13
sea
power
of its VSR 700 prototype UAS, albeit agency (DGA) as part of the PlanAero.
Airbus
tethered, on 8 November last year. The This second SDAM prototype will be
test was conducted at a facility near aimed at identifying the equipment and
Aix-en-Provence in the south of France. specifications needed to meet the French
According to the company, it successfully Navy’s expected operational needs.
completed a number of take-off and Sea trials aboard a French Navy multi-
landing cycles, with the longest lasting purpose frigate (FREMM) will take place
around 10 minutes. The VSR700 has at the end of 2021.
evolved from the light Guimbal Cabri G2 The AWHero is Leonardo’s entry
helicopter, an optionally piloted version into the maritime UAS market, although
of which Airbus first flew in 2017. the company will also offer it as a land
At this early stage of testing the asset. In the 200kg class, it is currently
VSR700 prototype was tethered with a undergoing its military certification by
30 metre cable to comply with regulatory ARMAEREO in Italy. Leonardo states that
authority requirements. Testing will the AWHero’s Military Type Certificate
continue in 2020 towards the first free from the Italian Military Authority
flight which will then be followed by (DAAA) “is expected in the late 2020
more complex flight testing. The VSR700 timeframe”.
has evolved from light Guimbal Cabri G2 It has already been demonstrated in
helicopter, an optionally piloted version the European Defence Agency (EDA)
of which flew in 2017. Ocean2020 exercise in the Mediterranean
“This first flight of the VSR700 Sea. Operating from an Italian Navy
prototype is a major milestone for the FREMM frigate, and mounting an EO/IR
The predecessor of the VSR 700, the Cabri G2 programme as we make progress on the turret with AIS transceiver, it successfully
helicopter aboard the French Navy frigate operational demonstrator for the French detected, identified and tracked the
Forbin back in 2017. Navy that will perform trials in 2021 in targets.
partnership with Naval Group,” said The Hero is NATO STANAG-4586
Bruno Even, CEO at Airbus Helicopters. compliant and operated from a Ground
Ministry of Defence became the first Further planned testing over the Control Station (GCS) by two operators
military customer for the V-350 civil next couple of years will involve parallel and has been designed to utilise sensors,
type of UAS offered by Skeldar, and testing of onboard applications to validate datalink, data processing and analysis,
was delivered together with a training the UAS and mission performance. with cyber security.
package. it is more simple to certify to MTOW is in the 500-1000kg range. The Flight testing is currently underway
civilian standards. prototype now has its own avionics and (after a brief stop due to the COVID-19
The V-200 has already been proved advanced flight control system. The pilot crisis) and will continue through 2020.
as an asset in anti-piracy operations, cockpit has also been replaced with a One regional development that has
having been used during EU Naval Force payload bay to house mission equipment. had a slow beginning is the Indian Naval
(EU NAVFOR) operations off the coast A second demonstrator for the Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (NRUV),
of Somalia during Operation Atalanta. French Navy’s Airborne Drone System - which has been a joint development
This role could be similarly exercises by “Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine” between Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL)
countries around Asia. (SDAM) - programme has been confirmed and IAI’s Malat Solutions. The initial role
Airbus performed the first flight by the French Defence procurement for the NRUV was to be as was to be as a
communications and ISR maritime asset
but development has been predictably
UMS Skeldar
UMS Skeldar’s slow.

V-200 is gaining The platform is an an upgraded
the attention of
naval operators,
Chetak, now called Chetan (which is a
from Canada and manufactured under license Alouette II)
particularly Europe. with a Turbomeca TM 333 2M2 engine. it
is transformed into a rotarty UAV through
IAI’s Helicopter Modification Suite
(HeMoS). Available data indicates that it
is likely to have a maximum endurance
of six hours with a 120km range. Sensors
suggested for the UAS include maritime
surveillance radars and electro-optical
payloads that would include signals and
communications intelligence gathering
SIGINT/COMINT. One prototype has
reportedly been produced although
further details of testing are not
known. AMR

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land
warfare
Nammo
Nammo’s range extension solutions for artillery range from 40+km range with base bleed to ramjet-powered shells capable of 150km or more.
MAKING THE SHELL FIT THE JOB

Artillery ammunition developments are driven by greater flexibity of
round, the need for more range and increased accuracy.
by Christopher F Foss
T
he fielding of new conventional Howitzer, achieved a maximum range of used; this version referred to as the L119
tube artillery systems, be they 10.5 kilometres. Light Gun.
towed or self-propelled (SP), is New 105mm artillery systems had a The only competitor for the 105mm
only one part of a total artillery longer barrel and fired a new generation L118 Light Gun is the more recently
capability that also takes of ammunition. The Royal Ordnance developed Nexter Systems 105mm Light
into account the key roles of artillery (now BAE Systems) 105mm L118 Light Gun which, although not adopted by
fire control, target acquisition and Gun fired an L31A4 HE projectile to a the French Army, has had major success
ammunition. maximum range of 17.2km Other types on the export market with sales made to
While 105mm artillery are still used of round include the L52A2 smoke. Still Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia,
by air assault and commando type under development is the XL32E1 HE Singapore (no longer deployed) and
artillery units, 155mm is the most widely base-bleed (BB) with a range of over Thailand.
deployed calibre and that is the main area 20km. This uses a gas generator to reduce The 105mm Light Gun fires a new
where investment is taking place. the vacuum at the bottom of the shell family of ammunition developed by
For many years the standard 105mm which reduces the drag. Nexter Munitions including HE Hollow
high-explosive (HE) projectile was the For training, the barrel of the 105mm Base (HB) with a maximum range of
United States developed M1 which, L118 Light Gun could be changed for a 15km and BB with a maximum range of
when fired from the Oto Melara (today shorter barrel to enable the older and 18.5km, with other rounds also including
Leonardo) 105mm Model 56 Pack cheaper 105mm M1 ammunition to be smoke.

l and
warfare
One of the more recent trends for Another type of 155mm munition for follow up forces as well as civilians
all types of ammunition is that the user is the Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB) and for this reason these are no longer
requires them to be Insensitive Munition which is more streamlined projectile with deployed by many countries, although
(IM) compliant and an increasing number nubs and which can be of the HB, BB or they are still manufactured by countries
of countries, especially those in NATO, RA type. such as China and Russia.
are insisting that future ammunition Using internal research and A number of 155mm artillery
procured must be IM compliant development funding, NAMMO has projectiles have been developed and
(Insensitive Munitions are designed developed and placed in production its fielded to enable AFV targets to be
to withstand stimuli representative of new IM HE ER projectile designated successfully engaged; these include
severe but credible accidents). NM269 which is claimed to have an BONUS and SMArt.
enhanced blast effect to defeat armour The 155mm BONUS is a joint
PART OR WHOLE as well as soft targets. The maximum development between Nexter Munitions
In addition to the actual 155mm artillery range when fired from a 155mm/52 (France) and BAE Systems (Bofors) and,
projectile, other elements include the calibre ordnance is 41km when using in addition to being deployed by France
charge system and the nose mounted six Rheinmetall DM72 MACS. This is and Sweden, is also fielded by Finland,
fuze. Some countries have competitions available with a BB or HB unit which Norway, Saudi Arabia and more recently
for a complete artillery ammunition can be attached in the field and is the US Army.
package while others have a competition supplemented by illuminating, smoke BONUS contains two sub-munitions
for each part. and practice projectiles. and sensors, and when fired from
Conventional 155mm bag charges are Spanish company EXPAL is now in a 155mm/39 caliber ordnance has a
giving way to Modular Charge Systems quantity production of the 155 ERO2A1 maximum range of 27km or 35km when
(MCS), or bi-MCS. These are more HE projectile for the Spanish Army. fired from a 155mm 52 calibre ordnance.
efficient and well suited to automatic The ER designation refers to Extended The 155mm SMArt was developed by
ammunition handling systems and are Range which is achieved using a more GiWS, a joint venture company between
being fitted to an increasing number of SP streamlined shape with filling being of Rheinmetall and Diehl and contains
artillery systems to increase rates of fire the IM or conventional HE type. two sub-munitions with an Explosively
and reduce crew fatigue. It can be fitted with a HB or a BB Formed Projectile (EFP) warhead to
A number of contractors produce unit with the latter achieving maximum penetrate the top of AFV.
MCS including Nexter Munitions/ range which is 30km when fired from a Production was undertaken for
EURENCO, Nammo, Rheinmetall 39 calibre ordnance and 39km when fired Germany followed by Australia, Greece
Weapons & Munitions and Rheinmetall from a 155mm/52 calibre ordnance. and Switzerland. Although production
Denel Munitions. In April 2020, the latter In Turkey, MKEK produce a wide was completed it is likely to start again as
announced an $80 million international range of ammunition including the the early shells for Germany are running
contract for their latest 155mm Tactical 155mm HE Extended Range Mod 274 out of shelf life.
Modular Charges (TMS) for delivery in which has a maximum range of 39km The US Army has fielded the Raytheon
2021. when fired from the Firtina 155mm/52 Excalibur M982 155mm precision guided
The main types of 155mm ammunition cal SP artillery system used by the projectile which uses a jam resistant
are still HE, smoke and illuminating Turkish Army. Like many countries they
but the requirement for increased range also make the older US 155mm M107 HE
has been achieved via HB, BB or rocket- projectile which is cheaper and has less
Christopher F Foss
assist (RA), with a few 155mm projectiles range and therefore ideal for training
having a combination of BB and RA. purposes.
China North Industries Corporation To further increase range a number of
(NORINCO) market a complete family contractors are working of 155mm ramjet
of 155mm projectiles and associated artillery projectiles including NAMMO
charges with their 155mm DDBO3 ERFB- (Norway) and Poongsan (South Korea).
BB-RA HE projectile claimed to have a The main drawing back of all artillery
maximum range of 51km when fired from is that as range increases, so there is a
a 155mm/52 calibre weapon. greater dispersion, requiring increased
Rheinmetall Denel Munitions also accuracy.
has a similar projectile called Velocity
enhanced Long Range Artillery Projectile ANTI ARMOUR
(V-LAP) which combines BB and RA to To counter mass attack by armoured
achieve longer ranges. fighting vehicles (AFV) 155mm
During a demonstration in November projectiles carrying sub-munitions have
2019 a KMW/Rheinmetall PzH 2000 been developed and deployed. These
155mm/52 cal fired a V-LAP to a range of sub-munitions have a small calibre high-
nearly 67km with a new top charge while explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead
the G6 howitzer with a 155 mm/52 cal which was designed to penetrate the Nexter Munitions 155mm projectile family
and a 25 litre chamber with a modified vulnerable upper surfaces of AFVS. includes, from left to right, smoke (LU 217),
Illuminating (LU 215), HE (LU 211) and HE
M64 Zone 6 charge fired a V-LAP to a Some of these sub-munitions had a Insensitive Munition (LU 211 IM)
maximum range of 76km. high dud rate and were therefore a danger
land
warfare
GiWS
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman M1156 Precision Guidance Kit (PGK) is a direct replacement for a standard
artillery fuze and provides a step change in accuracy
system, is also IM compliant and fitted by Martin Marietta many years ago.
with a multi-function fuze. In addition, This was a laser guided projectile
there is a semi-active laser (SAL) guided (LGP) although the main drawback was
version with Leonardo working with that the designator had to be in line
Diehl Defence of Germany. with the target. More recently airborne
Nexter Munitions is developing the designators, for example installed in an
Katana PGM with Katana 1 being of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), can also
GPS/INS type which would be followed be used to designate the target in addition
German 155mm DM702 SMArt artillery by 2a INU/GNSS and 2b with a SAL to ground based laser designators.
projectile carries two sub-munitions with an guidance system. NORINCO is currently marketing
advanced warhead designed to defeat the a complete family of LGP including the
upper surfaces of armoured vehicles
GUIDANCE KITS GP155 with a maximum range of 20km
US Army has fielded the Northrop and GP155A with a maximum range
Grumman M1156 Precision Guidance of up to 25km. Both of these have a HE
internal Global Positioning System (GPS) Kit (PGK) which is a direct replacement warhead and are claimed to have a hit
receiver to update the inertial navigation for a standard artillery fuze. It contains probability of 90 percent.
system (INS). This gives an accuracy of GPS guidance using fuzing functions and A more recent development by
less than two meters. an integrated GPS receiver to correct the NORINCO is their 155mm GP155B
When fired from a 155mm artillery inherent errors associated with a ballistic projectile with GPS and BEIDOU satellite
system such as the M777 used by the US firing solution. This increases accuracy navigation. This is claimed to have a
Army and Marine Corps, a maximum and reduces the number of projectiles maximum range of up to 35km and is
range of 39.3km using a Zone 5 Modular required to neutralise the target so fitted with a HE warhead with a circular
Artillery Charge Systems (MACS) is reducing the logistic chain. error of probability (CEP) of between 15-
achieved. This is used with the US 155mm M795 20m claimed.
Excalibur has three fuze modes: point and M549A1 HE projectiles with mission NORINCO also market a 122mm LGP
detonating (PD), PD delay and height-of- critical data being loaded into the PGK called the GP122 for use with 122mm
burst. using the Enhanced Portable Inductive artillery systems such as the widely
Leonardo of Italy has completed Artillery Fuze Setter. deployed Russian D-30 and its numerous
development, industrialisation and By April 2020 over 50,000 PGK had SP equivalents.
qualification of the Vulcano 155mm been produced and export sales made The Russian KBP Instrument Design
Ballistic Extended Range (BER) projectile to Australia and Canada. Test firing had Bureau has developed a family of 152mm
for the Italian Army. been conducted with a number of other and 122mm LGP and for the export
Vulcano features a sub-calibre fin- artillery systems including the German market developed a 155mm Krasnopol.
stabilised airframe which is loaded with PzH 2000. This fired a Rheinmetall DM111 This is known to have been used by India
IM compliant HE with a patented rings HE projectile out to a range of 27km with with its Bofors FH-77B 155mm artillery
pre-fragmented warhead. It is fitted all 10 rounds landing within five metres systems during operations on the border
with a nose mounted multi-function of the target. with Pakistan.
fuze which can be set for height, impact/ There are other course correction The latest 155mm is the Krasnopol-M2
delayed impact, time or self-destruct systems including the Nexter Systems (K155M) which is fitted with a HE
functions. Spacido and the Top Gun from Israel fragmentation warhead a maximum
When fired from the PzH 2000 Aircraft Industries (IAI) which has been quoted range of up to 25km. It is used in
155mm/52 cal SP artillery system adopted by the Israel Defense Force for conjunction with the Malakhit Automated
deployed by the Italian Army a maximum its 155mm artillery projectiles. Fire Control Systems which includes a
range of 50km is achieved using four MCS tripod mounted laser designator and
plus one additional charge integrated into LASER GUIDED PROJECTILES rangefinder unit with a thermal imager,
the Vulcano projectile. The US Army did field the 155mm M712 commander’s computer and a radio set.
The follow on Vulcano Guided Long Cannon Launch Guided Projectile (CLGP) At the firing position is the commander’s
Range (GLR) features an autonomous and this has seen combat in the Middle computer, radio set and gun transceivers
Inertial Measurement Unit/GPS guidance East. Production of these was completed kit. AMR

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AIR
power
full discussion of the capabilities of the
Royal Australian Navy

three options, Airbus was keen to mount
a defence of why its Tiger should be
retained.
Keeping the Tiger

Andrew Mathewson, managing director
and Head of Country at Airbus Australia
Pacific, naturally argues in favour of
keeping the Tiger. “The 2016 Defence
White Paper is some time ago now, but
in 2016 the government announced that
Tiger would be replaced. Since then a lot
of work has been done by industry and
defence to make Tiger work as best that it
possibly can.”
While the Tiger was beset with
supply and integration difficulties as
it slowly worked up to passing its FOC,
Mathewson says that the company has
now turned the corner in overcoming
previous difficulties: “Airbus has
improved the supply chain to the extent
that 93 percent of planned missions
succeed [it was 65 percent in 2019]…
and the end user is now happy with the
The ability to operate effectively off warships is a major
Tiger’s capability.” He added that its
requirement for the Australian Army's attack helicopter.
reliability is now comparable to any of its
competitors.
ARH - STICK OR TWIST

The Airbus proposal’s main line
of attack is that, now that the Tiger is
operating to the Australian Army’s
satisfaction, the cost to extend its
The Australian Defence Force is closing in on operation life out to when the Australian
government believes that it will acquire
a decision on whether it will keep faith with its its next generation helicopter, around
Airbus Tigers, or risk going for a new type of 2040, can be halved compared to buying
a brand new type and establishing
attack helicopter. expensive through life costs for what is
likely to be less than 20 years.
by Andrew Drwiega “We are pleased to say that we can
T
save the Government more than $2.1
he Australian Defence White 2. Acquire a new attack helicopter billion (AUS$3 billion) by retaining Tiger
Paper in 2016 provided a fleet from Bell, the AH-1Z Viper in service and extending its life out to
recommendation that the 3. Acquire a new attack helicopter 2040…Our proposal to government is to
Australian Army’s Armed fleet from Boeing, the Apache AH-64E. bring the decision forward, keep Tiger
Reconnaissance Helicopter In late 2004, the Australian Army in service and integrate it with the next
(ARH) Tiger fleet have a limited received the first of 22 Tigers. However, generation of Future Vertical Lift when it
sustainment while the Australian figures released by the Australian comes,” states Mathewson.
Defence Force (ADF) launched a Request National Audit Office (ANAO) revealed Addressing the question about
for Information (RfI) that would seek a that Tiger was late in meeting its original how Airbus would work to integrate
potential replacement. This was called final operating capability (FOC) deadline and network Tiger into what is largely
LAND 4503. by nearly seven years, from 2009 to April becoming an ADF air fleet based on US
This RfI is due to close on 22 July 2016. manufacturers technology - Lockheed
2020 with three contenders having been The current RfI is seeking 29 attack Martin’s F-35A Lightning IIs, Northrop
identified. The task before the Helicopter helicopters and, following the painful Graumman’s MQ-4C Tritons, General
Systems Division (HSD) of Defence’s experience of bringing Tiger into full Atomics MQ-9 Reapers, Boeing’s P-8A
Capability Acquisition and Sustainment service, has set the initial operational Poseidons and potentially the unmanned
Group (CASG) is to recommend one of capability (IOC) for the first squadron combat air vehicle (UCAV), Loyal
three options: of 12 aircraft in 2026, followed by a full Wingman, Mathewson said that Airbus
1. Keep the Tiger fleet with upgrades operational capability (FOC) in 2028. did have a solution.
suggested by Airbus. While there is no room to provide a “When Tiger was introduced none of

AIR
power
This would not necessarily be the Tiger is a composite structure, it doesn’t

case if the ADF was to acquire a new require the same level of maintenance as
and established attack helicopter such all metal aircraft.
as the Bell AH-1Z Viper or the Apache Airbus has offered an additional
AH-64E Guardian. To stay with Block seven H145Ms to the ADF to make up
upgrades as they are issued by Boeing the numbers in the LAND 4503 to the
for the US Army’s fleet of nearly 800 stipulated 29 rotorcraft. Mathewson says
Apaches, particularly software upgrades, that these can “deliver a greater capability
the acquisition would leave little room to in Darwin where there are no support
manoeuvre to terms of how the aircraft aircraft.” This would be an integrated
was set up. logistical capability. Buying an extra
“Even if the Land 4503 goes seven Tigers to make up the whole fleet
exceptionally well and they meet the to 29 attack helicopters would not be cost
Andrew Mathewson, managing director and
Head of Country at Airbus Australia Pacific. planned full operational capability in effective as the original production line
2028, you are going to start withdrawing has closed.
aircraft in 10-12 years [to make way for Additional helicopters are required by
the datalink systems were profoundly the next generation rotorcraft],” states the ADF for its Special Forces Land 2097
present, and now they are more effective Mathewson. “So you have an investment programme, where 21 helicopters have
and Tiger has to adapt to that,’ he said. of up to $3.5 billion (AUS$5 billion) and been specified. Mathewson believes that
“The Australian Army operates off a [quite quickly] that bridging capability by offering seven H145Ms (the same type
bespoke [Elbit’s] Battle Management would begin to be withdrawn.” if will offer for the Land 2097 programme),
System (BMS); we have already put in a Mathewson added that when the 2016 this would offer the ADF an opportunity
system that talks to the BMS, but [going White Paper highlighted 76 capability to further standardise its rotorcraft fleets.
forward] we will incorporate Link 16 deficiencies, the majority of those were So in summary Airbus proposes to
into the aircraft so that there will be no from the mid-life upgrade programme, upgrade the existing 22 Army Aviation
issues from a data or communications such as the ability to operate in a manned- Tigers, deliver seven H145Ms, and in
perspective.” This is not necessarily part unmanned teaming arrangement. “They doing so save up to $2.4 billion (AUD$3.5
of the Mk3 upgrade that would apply to weren’t deficiencies against the Tiger billion).
the other three nations operating the Tiger. contract but were against the future
The Australian government has requirement for Tiger. For the Chinook Buying the Viper
become ‘risk averse’ in wanting an capability there is a similar list of Bell is ready to supply the Australian
attack helicopter that does not need deficiencies, also for the Seahawk Romeo, Army with its AH-1Z Viper. Javier Ball,
further lengthy development or insertion but the ANAO did not make a same level Bell’s military sales manager responsible
of unproven technology. In addition of comment on those upgrade deficiencies, for LAND4503 and in a previous role
to the problems associated with Tiger, just Tiger.” was the senior US liaison officer to the
its negative experience and eventual Mathewson said that Airbus and ADF. He was focused on setting up US
cancellation of the RAN’s Kaman SH- the Army had overcome many of the force posture and enhanced aircraft
2G (A) Super Seasprite programme in challenges that were initially levelled at cooperation initiative between the RAAF,
favour of Sikorsky’s MH-60R in 2008 is an the platform. Accused of Tiger incurring the USAF and other aviation assets.
indicator that the ADF wants to use tried high operating costs and cost of ownership, “I have watched the Australian
and tested aircraft that have a good user he said that many factors were included amphibious capability grow from
community base. in the overall cost, including through nascent beginnings to the end of Pacific-
Talking of the upgrade plan that life support, upgrades and dealing with Endeavours exercises,” said Ball. Through
Airbus was submitting to the government obsolescence, maintenance and aircrew that experience, he said he had gained
for consideration, Mathewson said that training, and people embedded in Airbus. a good insight into Australian defence
the company it would “incorporate all The actual cost of the aircraft operation requirements.
low risk modifications that are easy to is just over $6,000 (AUS$9,000) per hour In pressing the case for Bell’s AH-1Z he
implement and that are conducted here which is a valid comparative figure.” He submitted: “The Zulu offers a completely
in Australia. The thing that didn’t exist added that when compared with another encapsulated programme that reduces
all those years ago and now exists is aircraft, such as Boeing’s Chinook, most risk but provides options to government
an understanding of the technologies of the training was conducted overseas. and the only offering that is specifically
around Tiger and other systems within “We want people to compare like-for-like built to operate in an expeditionary
Airbus Australia.” in their analysis,” he said. environment and off operate off a ship
“Today we are developing software The Army needs to deploy its attack without any degradation of capability.”
in Australia, for Australia on our own helicopter onto Royal Australian Navy Ball points to the Land 4503 RfI
rigs. When the Commonwealth bought (RAN) warships, and rivals are keen to and highlights what he sees is a need
the Tiger it also bought a software point out that Tiger is relatively deficient for marinised capabilities. To achieve
support capability so that software can in this capability. In answer to this charge, this he states that “the Zulu is the only
be developed in Australia. We have an Mathewson said that by March “the first offering that can be delivered without
agreement with Europe to sell software of class flight trials have been completed any modifications or upgrades that
updates back into Europe on Tiger and and the Tiger can operate off the Landing can operate off a ship, has the lowest
NH-90.” Helicopter Docks.” He added that as the acquisition cost, greatest capability set
AIR
power
and lowest total life cycle cost” (referring “We are aiming to establish a balance only rotary wing aircraft that integrates
to a Royal United Services Institute between FMS and DCS and we are now air defence into the National Advanced
document, written by Scott Lovell called in the process of discussions between Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS),
Australian Defence Capability Analysis the Australian and US governments Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) and F-35
Project LAND 4503 - ARH Replacement regarding an offset programme, looking for identification, detection and duel-
Program. Some of the comparisons made to maximise Australia industry content node.” It also integrates with the RAAF’s
within this report are however disputed in our solution.” He added that BAE E7 Wedgetail, he added.
by Airbus’ Mathewson). was certified for all aero modifications
“When you put a non-marinised which could be carried out in Australia. Buying the Apache
helicopter onboard ship and the blades All maintenance, he said, would be at The Boeing Apache AH-64E Guardian is
don’t fold when you require fresh water the operational location of the squadron the third option, and a very well known
washing because it is not marinised, all including deep maintenance. However, and mature alternative. Acquiring the
the ordinance is usually different too - US the Viper is a new helicopter with USMC Apache would tie Army Aviation into the
Army US ordinance is different from US not yet requiring that level of deeper US Army’s Block upgrade sustainment
Navy ordinance which effects how you maintenance and AH-1Zs are still rolling programme with Boeing.
store it and move it around the ship,” said off the production line. The US Army is looking to operate its
Ball. Ball made the point that the USMC’s newer Apaches through to the 2060s, due
Other aspects that make the Zulu Vipers are already qualified to operate off to the time needed to replace the 791 of
an appropriate buy, stated Ball, is that it the RAN’s LHD’s so the transition would them in Army Aviation with whichever
was designed for safe overwater flight be nearly seamless if they were also aircraft was selected through the
and, should the need occur, to survive a acquired by the ADF. FARA programme. Boeing is currently
water impact landing and has “multiple In terms of training the pilots, Tink delivering the AH-64E V6 upgrade which
redundant systems so if you do lose an said that BAE in Australia had an has further software updates. These
engine you can still get back to the ship.” extensive experience for training, not updates will continue through to at least
Bell’s proposal is the basic only aircrew - over 430 pilots - but also 2040, if not beyond.
configuration that the USMC gets, but it maintainers and sustainers. The customer TJ Jamison, director, Vertical Lift
is up to what the government stipulates could decide how much training, and International Sales at Boeing, said that
so there is flexibility. Bell would offer where, was required. the ADF’s selection of Apache could be
either a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) or a In terms of delivery, Ball said the cost effective if they tied in with the US
hybrid FMS/ direct sale (DCS). “This is first aircraft to achieve IOC should occur Army’s multi-year acquisition strategy.
why we talking to BAE Systems Australia around 2025 with FOC by 2028, but he Boeing’s global supply chain network
who can provide all the in-country revealed that Bell could deliver IOC in may well see airframes being delivered
maintenance, overhaul and sustainment.” 2024 and could achieve FOC in 2025. to Australia from existing production
Bell is conscious of the industrial side In terms of Manned/Unmanned facilities such as that in South Korea with
and particularly offering jobs and third teaming with unmanned aerial vehicles completion being completed locally in
party supply relationships under the BAE (UAVs) the USMC is at Level II, but the Australia.
umbrella. offer would be Level III although there The Apache’s obvious strengths are
Rowan Tink, business development has been no specific request for this. its well proven fire control radar, with the
manager at BAE Systems Australia said: Tink concluded that “Viper is the V6 upgrade extending its range from 8km
to 16km, allowing it to coordinate attacks
particularly during deep reconnaissance
missions and working with UAVs. Its
USMC
MUM-T capability also means that live

video feed can be share with others in a
Joint Fires Network through Link 16.
In the maritime domain, the V6
upgrade to the fire control radar allows
it to take into account sea states during
the detection and classification of vessels,
including smaller, lighter craft. Jamison
said that the radar can classify 260
potential targets and prioritise ten.
Conclusion
At time of writing, Australia has not been
as economically damaged as many other
countries, particularly those in Europe
and the United States. Defence budgets
Four USMC AH-1Z Vipers with Marine Light Attack Helicopter are one of the first areas that governments
Squadrons 169 and 469 fly together during Exercise Viper Storm look at to save money.
at El Centro, California, 11 Dec, 2019.
If the Australian government does
require cost savings then replacing the

AIR
power
Tiger might become a lower priority. The
Boeing
ADF, mindful of China’s expansionist
foreign policy, might continue to invest
in the extension of its Intelligence,
Surveillance and Recconnaissance
(ISR) capabilities while continuing the
expensive purchase of its Lockheed
Martin F-35 fleet and maintaining the
transformation of the Royal Australian
Navy (RAN), particularly the replacement
of the Collins-class submarines.
By investing now in either the Bell or
Boeing attack helicopters, the ADF may be
setting the foundation through potential
compatibilities with its next generation
rotorcraft, as both of the US manufacturers
are deeply committed to the US Army’s
Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft
(FARA) and Future Long-Range
Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) development
Boeing's AH-64E Apache will be programmes. Both the Bell AH-1Z Viper
around for a long time and investing in and the AH-64E and due to remain in
the US Army baseline model will assure service for decades to come with both the
long term upgrades and support.
US Army and the USMC, reducing risk in
terms of costs and future proofing. AMR
Never Home
Photo credits: ©ECPAD/France/A.Roine
The CAESAR® artillery system in Mali
CREATING REFERENCES IN DEFENSE

AIR
power
additional weight at the front.
BAE Systems
The next major change came with
the development of missile cueing
systems, which were designed to allow
a fighter pilot to ‘point’ the seeker head
of a missile at its target, rather than
having to ‘boresight’ the enemy aircraft –
manoeuvring to place the enemy aircraft
centrally in the head up display where
the missile seeker would ‘see’ it.
The first useable helmet mounted
missile sight was probably the Honeywell
Visual Target Acquisition System (VTAS)
produced for the US Navy, with a ‘granny
glass’ monocular eyepiece providing an
aiming reticle, and comprehensive head
trackers to allow the weapons system
to work out exactly where the pilot was
looking. The system could direct the
radar where to point, which in turn cued
the missile seeker, and there was a mode
that allowed the helmet to directly cue
the seeker. The system could also provide
simple up/down left/right cues to direct
The Striker II helmet-mounted display combines a 40 degree field of view,
daylight readable color display and integrated night vision. the pilot’s eye onto a target.
The system was fielded on about 500
Navy and Marine Corps F-4 Phantom
LOOKS REALLY
fighters from 1973 to about 1979, but
was then abandoned, though it did
influence work on similar systems being
developed in South Africa and the Soviet
CAN KILL!
Union. The South African Cat’s Eye
HMS programme resulted in the first
operationally deployed helmet sight,
initially teamed with the indigenous
Armscor V3A Kukri AAM on the Mirage
Tracing the development of high tech flying F1. Soviet HMS studies started in 1969 at
the Kiev Arsenal plant, resulting in the
helmets for frontline pilots. development of the Schel-3U, which was
ordered into production in 1977 to equip
by Jon Lake
the new MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters.
F
The combination of the Schel helmet
lying wearing a helmet of ejection seats, and a hard outer shell sight and the new thrust vectoring R-73
mounted sight, a pilot only has was worn on the head, creating the first (AA-11 ‘Archer’) gave the new fighters a
to look at the target to cue the ‘bone dome’ or ‘brain bucket’. Goggles formidable ‘off boresight’ capability, and
onboard weapons, while the gave way to a visor, which was soon kick started the development of a new
data displayed in front of the made integral with the helmet itself, but generation of helmet-mounted sights and
pilot’s eyes frees the need to constantly helmets themselves then changed very display systems in the West.
look down at the cockpit displays, or little until the 1970s and 1980s, though A very similar Marconi/Honeywell
even to look ahead through the Head Up efforts were made to reduce their weight, Helmet Mounted Sighting System was
Display (HUD). to improve their comfort, and to provide used by Royal Air Force Jaguars (and later
The simple leather helmets worn by better protection. Tornados) primarily for sensor cueing,
the earliest military aviators provided The development of night vision slaving the TIALD laser designator pod
warmth in an open cockpit, but goggles in the 1960s and 1970s initially to the pilot’s sightline, demonstrating
afforded little protection, and no extra led to no major changes to helmet design. that helmet sights are not only useful in
functionality. Most aircrew also wore NVGs were typically mounted on the the air-to-air environment. It could also
separate goggles, and sometimes a silk front of a helmet (usually replacing the be used to update the aircraft’s navigation
scarf over the unprotected lower part visor) on a simple mount that allowed system, and, of course, for off-boresight
of the face. By the Second World War, them to be swung down into the pilot’s missile aiming.
helmets had gained oxygen masks and sightline when required. Heavy batteries Attack helicopters provided the first
integral headphones. The arrival of the were sometimes Velcro’d to the back application for more complex helmets.
jet age saw the widespread introduction of the helmet to compensate for the The Boeing AH-64 Apache’s Integrated

AIR
power
Helmet & Display Sighting System
UK MoD
(IHADSS) allows the pilot or gunner to
slave the helicopter’s 30mm M230 Chain
Gun to their helmet, so that the gun points
where they are looking. The helmet can
also be used to steer the slewable thermal
camera system and sighting system
mounted on the nose of the aircraft. The
helmet’s monocular display had a 40° by
30° field of view, presenting video and
raster symbology.
Israel’s Elbit Systems produced the
first modern Western HMD to enter
operational service. Like the older South
African system, the company’s DASH
(Display and sight helmet) used a CRT
to project symbology onto the spherical
visor to provide a collimated image to
the pilot. Produced in a succession of
progressively improved versions, the
original DASH provided the basis of
a digital variant with advanced video
and colour capabilities and also led to a
number of derivatives, including the US
A British Army Boeing AH-64D Apache pilot wearing a monocular
Integrated Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS). Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System
(JHMCS)
We are proud to present

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ADVERTORIAL
ADVANCING ASIA-PACIFIC
LAND FORCES THROUGH INNOVATION
AND CAPABILITIES INTEGRATION
BY AL MOSHER, SENIOR DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY, LEONARDO DRS LAND ELECTRONICS
A major challenge that many Asia-Pacific military forces are having give the warfighters the ability to monitor, control, and interact with
is that they are transitioning from a stovepiped, service-only the entire system simultaneously.
architecture for their battle management systems or their mission
command systems, over to something that’s fully joint, coalition, As an example, in 2014, Leonardo DRS Land Electronics, in
and combined forces interoperable. The elimination of stovepiped partnership with key industry partners, undertook a substantial C4I
architectures prevents voice, data and video communications demonstration of a new tactical command & control capability for a
within and between forces from being isolated. Leonardo DRS Middle Eastern customer. The experience Leonardo DRS had derived
Land Electronics, with their experience through Mounted Family of from delivering similar capabilities to the US Army on FBCB2 as well
Computer Systems (MFoCS) battle management and international as the Mounted Family of Computer Systems (MFoCS), and with the
battle management capabilities, can help these communication British Army on Bowman, was the base on which its DDU capability
systems to become interoperable. Integrating digital communication had been designed and built. At the core of Leonardo DRS’
within their formations and within their services can significantly approach to this new C4I capability was a highly innovative piece of
benefit the military. The integration can also provide a significant technology called the Data Distribution Unit (DDU). The DDU, also
advantage for first responders to efficiently and effectively referred to as the ‘Magic Box,’ enables voice, data, sensor and video
take action in natural disasters or other major events, allowing applications and vehicle services to be integrated via a common line
interoperability between military forces and civilian organizations. replaceable unit (LRU). This is ideal for a tactical vehicle & command
post environment where space is tight and an effective approach to
When warfighters’ lives are on the line, detecting and locating the size, weight & power (SWaP) is a key requirement.
enemy or fellow soldiers on the battlefield is critical. Situational
awareness is a crucial part of understanding current conditions The DDU-3, the version of the DDU used for formative phases of
in a Multi-Domain Battle environment to ensure the warfighter this key project, is where all of the primary system functions meet
can integrate Army, joint, inter-organizational, and multinational and get integrated. It is open and agnostic and supports multiple
capabilities that allow him to visualize and create windows of multi- Virtual Machines (VM), one of these supporting the Systematic
domain superiority through fire and maneuver to positions of relative SitaWare™ BMS and Mission Planning application. It also interfaces
advantage in decisive tactical and operational level operations for the with the tactical radios. For this Middle Eastern customer, as it
mounted platform and dismounted user, leader, or commander. To do is with many such systems, the ability to fully utilize the existing
this, mission command uses a combination of hardware and software tactical communications infrastructure was vital. The DDU’s ability
to enable centralized interaction while integrating Command, Control, to interface to up to four (4) concurrent tactical radios, potentially
Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (C5ISR). Also, integrating Electronic Warfare (EW)
platforms and weapons subsystems into one holistic capability can
ADVERTORIAL
each from a different vendor and with disparate waveforms, was The DDU is also connected to the BMS and as a result, the tactical
a key to providing the voice and data interoperability. An inbuilt network. The BMS application can be an application running on
Wave-engine provides the ability to securely cross-band between the DDU or could be an existing BMS system hosted by another
say a Harris 7850M and Thales PR4G or even a 4G/LTE connected processor.
user interface (UI) device. This capability, coupled with the ability to
interface the same DDU-3 to SatCom and LTE systems, was a game- The DDU application has several critical pieces of data that are crucial
changer and provided a degree of flexibility not possible before. The to sharing any given event with other vehicles that it is deployed with
DDU-3 also benefits from an embedded GPS (either commercial and that can assist in suppressing the threat or would benefit from
or Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SAASM)) and as knowing about the threat. The DDU can pass this data to the BMS
a backup to GPS, the option of interfacing enhanced long-range application, and in turn, the BMS application can plot the details of
navigation (eLORAN) or L-Band for beyond line of sight Blue Force the detected shot on a battle map that is shared across the network.
Tracking (BLOS BFT) services is also possible. The DDU-3 can also Data including azimuth and inclination of the vehicle along with
be interfaced to an INS/INU to provide system applications with a Laser Range Finder (LRF) data can also be shared, significantly
continuous dead reckoning of position and velocity. The DDU-3 was increasing the level of situational awareness.
the foundation of delivering smart and cost-effective integration of Leonardo DRS understands that enhanced situational awareness
the communications and sensor environment. capabilities will be required to integrate with the military, civil
A highly effective Vehicle and non-military land and sea platforms in a multi-domain battle
Intercom System (VIS) environment. The integration includes hosting a variety of software
solution could also be applications on the DDU and interfacing with the various vehicle
integrated via the DDU-3, platforms, its subsystems, current military and commercial networks,
either to the network or and a variety of existing and new sensor technologies. This
standalone via its own integration could potentially include platform sensor integration,
Radio Interface Unit leveraging additional military and commercial radios and networks
(RIU). The Leonardo DRS for failover communications, weapons systems integration, video
VIS is a digital-quality collection and distribution, etc. Leonardo DRS has a portfolio of
and resilient solution to fielded proven capabilities that could enhance any military’s position
providing cost-effective by providing a set of already developed mature technologies that
voice communication together will provide enhanced situational awareness. These features
within tactical vehicles include but are not limited to the following: advanced IP routing
and command posts. The success of the live evaluation followed by and switching, sensor integration including weapons systems,
implementation of an initial brigade of the new capability was the commercial and military radio integration, voice cross banding, video
trigger for this key customer to roll out the system across additional integration, Battle Management System (BMS) integration and the
brigades where DRS will be providing an enhanced version of the ability to leverage commercial cellular networks. The new DDU-4 is a
DDU in the form of the DDU-4 along with upgrades to the Vehicle powerful Intel Xeon Quad-core computing and networking platform
Intercom System and a new multi-touch Commander’s Display. allowing multiple and simultaneous executions of various DRS and
third-party applications and software.
As tactical vehicle environments have become more complex over
the years, Leonardo DRS has been required to develop new hardware The DDU’s
and software capabilities for the DDU. The Galileo Situational functionality
Awareness system being delivered to a SE Asian customer integrates combines traditional
several primary vehicles’ systems into a capability that significantly computing,
reduces the reaction time to a threat and the decision time taken to networking and
engage with this threat. The system also provides the means to share distribution
situational awareness both on the platform and with other networked technologies into a
vehicles in the same area of operations, as well as with high-echelon small form factor,
command posts and Headquarters (HQ). An interface connects and embedded
the DDU-4 and the shot detection acoustic array with the weapons technologies
system turret and the infrared radiation (IR)/day camera and the allow the DDU to be deployed in a non-obtrusive manner without
Battle Management System (BMS). infringing on critical space or power requirements. The DDU
provides an “everything over Ethernet” backbone, allowing one
The system integrates many C5ISR capabilities. A prime example of or multiple users to access all electronics data within the vehicle.
these capabilities, and one of the primary functions of the system, Numerous standard and non-proprietary interfaces are available on
is to detect a gunshot and locate the source automatically. The the DDU to allow connection to existing legacy mission equipment
system can then geolocate the source of the shot, pass a message as well as support future integration requirements.
to the overhead weapons system and automatically put its weapon
and associated sensors, such as the camera and laser range finder,
Learn more at LeonardoDRS.com
on the detected threat. The commander of the vehicle is presented
with this data and the related imagery from the weapons system
and other vehicle cameras through the high-resolution touch screen
display, and can, in conjunction with other vehicle crew, decide how
to engage with the threat. This entire sequence takes seconds and
dramatically increases the ability to react rapidly to the threat.
AIR
power
operations. TopOwl provides integrated

night vision using light intensifiers placed
on both sides of the helmet, removing the
need for separate NVGs. Turkey’s Aselsan
is developing a similar system, known
as the AVCI Helmet Integrated Cueing
System for the T-129 ATAK helicopter.
Thales developed the Scorpion Head/
Helmet-Mounted Display System to
meet a USAF/ANG/AFRes requirement.
A full-colour monocular, the Scorpion
Helmet Mounted Integrated Targeting
system uses a Hybrid Optical based
Inertial Tracker (HObIT) requiring no
mapping of the aircraft cockpit, and can
be installed on a standard issue USAF
flight helmet without special fitting. It
is fully compatible with standard and
panoramic Night Vision Goggles, and can
be worn behind a standard clear, glare,
Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems (RCEVS), the joint venture between Elbit Systems of America
and Rockwell Collins, will incorporate the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II (JHMCS II)
high contrast, gradient, or laser protective
helmet-mounted display (HMD) into Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-16 aircraft helmet visor.
Originally known simply as the HEA
(head equipment assembly) or HMSS
JHMCS (pronounced juh-hamicks) Elbit’s TARGO 2 which was originally (Helmet-Mounted Symbology System)
was a derivative of the DASH III and the marketed as a low-cost, low-integration the Striker helmet developed by BAE
Kaiser Agile Eye, and was developed by solution for light attack, airlift, and Systems for the Eurofighter Typhoon is
a joint venture company formed by Elbit trainer aircraft. Interestingly, the TARGO platform agnostic, and a derivative, the
Vision Systems International (VSI) and 2 has been selected by a number of Cobra, is in use on the Saab JAS39 Gripen.
Rockwell Collins (who bought out Kaiser recent Dassault Rafale export customers, The original Striker was distinguished by
Electronics). JHMCS presented collimated while the Swedish Defence Material a rash of bumps over much of the surface.
cursive symbology and raster scanned Administration (FMV) has ordered an These bumps were infra-red LEDs used
imagery to the pilot in monochrome, unspecified number of Targo helmet- in association with three sensors in the
displaying FLIR/IRST pictures for night mounted display and sight (HMD/S) cockpit for accurate head tracking, in
operations and allowing standard night- systems for the new JAS-39E/F Gripen. order to accurately calculate exactly
vision goggles to be used. The Digital Elbit Systems used DASH technology where the pilot is looking with no lag or
JHMCS (D-JHMCS) is an upgrade to the as the basis of the new Jedeye helmet latency.
existing system, and added advanced mounted system developed for rotary An advanced derivative the Striker II,
video and colour capabilities. It provides wing applications. The system has an is lighter and more comfortable to wear
NVCD (night symbology) and offers unusually wide 70 by 40 degree field of and incorporates an integral night vision
improved comfort and a better optimised view, and can present dual-vision 3D camera inside the helmet, allowing it to
centre of gravity. imagery, useful for augmented reality be used at night. Striker II is claimed to be
The newer JHMCS II system is applications, including brownout the world’s only helmet-mounted display
designed for new applications and mitigation systems. that combines a daylight readable colour
provides a new optical-inertial head Sextant Avionique (now part of display, a 40° field of view, and integrated
tracker which does not require cockpit Thales) has developed a family of Helmet night vision.
mapping. It also uses a new lightweight Mounted Display systems, initially The Striker II supports the display
Aircraft Interface Unit (ACIU) which does producing the futuristic-looking TopSight of imagery from high resolution sensor
not require a mounting tray or additional for the Rafale and late model Mirage 2000. systems including distributed aperture
cooling and has support for virtual The helmet uses a contoured external systems like that fitted to the F-35, and
training. face guard which covers the oxygen which effectively allows a pilot to ‘see’
Both D-JHMCS and JHMCS II can be mask, with no impairment of the pilot’s through the body of the aircraft.
integrated with Elbit’s Canary system, peripheral vision. Topsight provides a 20 One feature of the Striker II that is
which can provide advance warning of degree field of view for the pilot’s right claimed to be unique is its 3D audio
hypoxia and can trigger automatic aircraft eye, and employs electromagnetic head capability, which is coupled with
recovery if the pilot loses consciousness. tracking. intelligent active noise reduction (ANR).
Integration on US frontline fighter The heavier TopNight and TopOwl The 3D audio system provides 360-degree
types and adoption by the US armed use more advanced optics and project directional audio, allowing the pilot to
forces has given the JHMCS a tremendous collimated imagery overlaid with hear threat warnings from the appropriate
competitive advantage, but there are symbology, providing a 30 x 40 degree direction, and to tailor the direction from
other options, some of them more capable. binocular field of view, optimised for which specific communications are heard,
The latest derivative of the DASH is adverse weather and night air to ground so that ground communications appear

AIR
power
Elbit Systems of America

to sound as though they originate from
below the aircraft. The ANR system greatly
improves audio clarity by significantly
reducing environmental noise, even on
board the noisiest platforms.
The Striker II is very light, with better
balance and a lower centre of gravity
than most of today’s current HMD/NVG
solutions. This improves pilot comfort
during high g manoeuvres, reduces neck
loads, and decreases fatigue during long
endurance missions. The inner liner is
The Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II is used by
manufactured to the exact shape of the
Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-16 pilots.
wearer’s head, using laser scanning, and
is finished with Italian leather. Helmet fit
is carefully tailored to ensure optimum off-axis targeting and cueing capabilities The BAE helmet achieved every
weight distribution for every individual and comprehensive symbology, but can milestone and promised to offer a reliable,
pilot. also present video imagery in day or night dependable and affordable alternative
The closely related Cobra HMD used conditions, including video from the to the RCEVS design, but would have
by South African and Swedish Gripens aircraft’s Distributed Aperture System. required some changes to the cockpit. It
combines a helmet and display system This allows the pilot to virtually ‘look was originally planned that both helmets
developed by BAE Systems, display through’ the cockpit floor (for example). would take part in a competitive fly-off,
symbology by Saab, and a helmet tracking The HMDS also provides fully integrated but the competition was cancelled on
system provided by Denel Optronics of visor projected night vision capabilities. cost grounds when problems affecting
South Africa. The HMDS suffered from severe the original helmet started to be solved.
The Lockheed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter night-vision, latency and jitter problems One of the final issues to be solved was
was designed without a head up display, during development, and in September inadequate helmet line-of-sight accuracy
meaning that the pilot relies completely 2014, Lockheed Martin awarded a for strafing. This was eventually sorted by
on his Helmet Mounted Display System contract to BAE Systems to develop replacing the original head tracker with a
(HMDS) for critical flight and weapons an alternative ‘low risk’ helmet design new hybrid optical-magnetic tracker.
aiming information, which effectively BAE proposed a hybrid helmet that The HMDS is the first aircraft primary
provides a virtual Head-Up Display. The combined the two-part inner and outer flight display to be worn by the pilot, and
F-35 HMDS was developed by RCEVS - a shell design of its Striker helmet with a is claimed to be a third-generation HMD
joint venture between Rockwell Collins clip-on Q-Sight holographic monocular system. Rockwell Collins is hoping to find
and Elbit Systems’ Vision Systems display, an optical head tracking system other applications for the F-35 HMDS, but
International. and conventional ‘swing down’ binocular with a quoted price tag of $400,000, the
The F-35 HMDS provides the usual NVGs. market may be limited. AMR
TESTED. PROVEN. SELECTED.

Regional
naval directory
WA Government
The Australian Marine Complex at Henderson in Western Australia. The yard does all the sustainment of the Collins-class submarines
apart from Full Cycle Docking periods and supports the Anzac-class frigates. It is likely to be the next shipyard to get an upgrade.
SHIPBUILDING UNDERWAY DOWN UNDER

Australia’s plan to ramp-up sovereign shipbuilding gathers pace.
by Tim Fish
A
ustralia has ambitious over to prime contractor BAE Systems shipyard they would be given, but around
plans for the construction on 1 July. The company will run the the edges like the pipe shop we have
of new anti-submarine shipyard under license to build the nine worked with BAE to make sure the flow
warfare frigates and diesel- new Hunter-class frigates. The second of materials meets their requirements,”
electric submarines that shipyard at Osborne North is still under Seaton explained.
will modernise Royal Australian Navy development and will eventually be used “The new yard is a standalone yard
(RAN) capabilities in the next decade. by Naval Group to build 12 new Attack- and will ultimately be integrated into the
In order to deliver these platforms the class submarines. existing yard. The Hunter-class frigates
government has devoted $680 million Andrew Seaton, CEO of ANI, told and new Arafura-class offshore patrol
(A$1 billion) in its Naval Shipbuilding Asian Military Review that there are vessels will coexist for a time in the
Plan to build two new shipyards at ‘different approaches’ to the construction existing yard until the OPVs are finished –
Osborne, South Australia. of the North and South facilities. maybe by the end of 2023 – and then from
These will give Australia a sovereign He said that Osborne South Hunter, BAE Systems will effectively
shipbuilding capability to produce both was designed by Odense Maritime lease the whole yard from us," Seaton
frigates and submarines in Australia. Technology as a ‘generic’ shipyard built explained.
Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) by construction company LendLease. “All the equipment is in there and is
is the organisation – created in 2017 - This means that it can not only build the being set to work. It is really for BAE
mandated to develop, own and operate Hunter-class but also future warships to come in and familiarise themselves
new shipyards that will achieve this task. up to destroyer size with a maximum with the facility and begin training so
The first shipyard at Osborne South 170 metre length and 10,000 tonnes we will have the original equipment
has been completed and is to be handed displacement. “BAE were told what manufacturers come back and train the

Regional
naval directory
BAE workforce to begin prototyping in the design of the yard with the capability the Naval Shipbuilding Plan for
December this year,” he added. of the submarine itself.” The design is the construction of both yards was
The new yard is located next to yet to be finalised but it involves Naval $680 million but the final bill for the
the existing ASC Shipbuilding yard at Group, ANI, Lockheed Martin, the construction of the Osborne North yard
Osborne South which built the RAN’s Commonwealth and construction firm has yet to be publicly announced.
Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyers Laing O’Rourke under an integrated As in the South, there is also an
(AWDs) that were completed in March. project team arrangement. existing ASC shipyard at Osborne North
It is now building two of the 12 new The final design of the new Osborne which conducts Full Cycle Docking
Arafura-class OPVs. Seaton said that not North shipyard will be depend on Naval maintenance on the RAN’s six Collins-
all of the $363 million (A$535 million) Group’s construction methodology for the class submarines. A decision is yet to be
for the Osborne South project was spent Attack-class submarines. Initial buildings taken by the government about whether
and the remainder would be used to under Phase 1 are under construction and the operations of this facility will move to
modernise some facilities at ASC. will be followed by a second main phase. Western Australia.
A BAE spokesperson told AMR that “It is a staged construction schedule “At the moment everything we
the existing construction halls, currently so as each part is completed the facilities are designing and building will have
being utilised for the OPV programme, are handed over to Lockheed Martin and flexibility awaiting that decision,” Seaton
will be modernised in the next phase Naval Group. Concurrently with what is said. “If Collins’ sustainment stays in
of the redevelopment project. “When happening [under Phase 1] the planning in Adelaide we will stay with ASC as a
combined with the five new buildings and design for Phase 2 is also underway. tenant here as well as Naval Group. If
and associated infrastructure, this will Phase 2 is the main production facility Collins sustainment moves to Perth then
create a seamless facility where design, and the support systems for that, which ASC will still have a presence here in some
manufacture, outfit, consolidation, and is happening as the building of two form or another but we will integrate the
test and activation can take place,” they buildings under Phase 1 are underway yards,” he explained.
added. now,” Seaton explained. Meanwhile the Australian Marine
Unlike the earlier AWD construction A spokesperson from Naval Group Complex in the Henderson Precinct
programme, which assembled ship told AMR that it is continuing to south of Perth in WA could be set for an
blocks that were built around the country, work with ANI on the design of the upgrade should ASC’s Collins Full Cycle
the new shipyard is vertically integrated Submarine Construction Yard and Docking facility move there. Seaton said
meaning ‘steel in, ships out’ with the the implementation of manufacturing that ANI already owns some assets in
capability to build all the ship blocks itself, systems. “The construction halls, blast Henderson and although it does not have
assemble them and launch the vessel. and paint workshop, warehousing and sight of future plans just yet, if there is
other facilities for the Future Submarine new shipyard capabilities required there
Phased Approach Construction Yard in Osborne are “then the expectation is that ANI would
Seaton said the site at Osborne North is expected to begin to take shape onsite become involved.” AMR
being built to a ‘bespoke design’ using from this year,” the spokesperson said.
a phased approach that is “progressing The total amount identified by
ANI
The new shipyard at Osborne South consists of a large new ship assembly shed (seen on the left),
block assembly hall (in the centre) and a steel fabrication and unit assembly hall (on the right).
Regional
naval directory
DSNS
SIGMA 10514 PKR1 frigate for the Indonesian Navy during final stages of construction at local shipyard PT Pal
A MATTER OF STATUS
SE Asian shipyards, traditionally smaller, look to build affordable
vessels but may face economic peril in the post-COVID-19 world.
by Tim Fish
E
fforts to improve naval and South Korea. In the Oceania, we’ve under DSME licence."
shipbuilding capacity are Australia. In South Asia, there’s India. In South East Asia there are
mixed across the Indo-Pacific In Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, shipbuilding programmes underway that
region and depend largely Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam possess centre on OPVs and frigates. The main
on the naval shipbuilding the region’s most modern shipbuilding OPV programmes are being undertaken
programmes that are underway or capacities.” by the Song Thu Group in Vietnam; by
planned. Some countries are developing He added: "Myanmar is one example Destini/THHE in Malaysia; Bangkok
ship programmes because of increased that’s often ignored, though the growth of Dock in Thailand; and both PT Citra and
threats in the maritime domain, but most its naval shipbuilding capacity is geared PT Malindo in Indonesia. In South Asia
want to get industrial self-reliance in an towards meeting domestic needs. Still, in the Thanlyin shipyard in Myanmar is
area that can boost the economy, create the long run, the capacity could position building new OPVs and in Bangladesh
jobs and bring in technology as well as the country well for export prospects. there are signs that naval shipbuilding
help project status internationally. And so is the case of Bangladesh, capacity is being expanded at Khulna
Dr Collin Koh Swee Lean, from which is clearly also looking at export Shipyard.
the Institute of Defence and Strategic opportunities." OPVs are the simplest of naval vessels
Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of Colin said that that in South East Asia to build and these countries are able to use
International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore the enhancement of shipyards has been their existing commercial shipbuilding
told AMR: “Most of the Indo-Pacific "minimal" with "perhaps the exception of facilities to undertake OPV projects.
region’s modern shipyards are found in Indonesia which has recently acquired More complex warships like frigates are
Northeast Asia, such as in China, Japan the capacity to build its first submarine much harder to construct. Malaysia is

Regional
naval directory
complexity of naval vessels. “If you bring
DSNS
sensors and weapons to the shipyard they
need to be stored in a preserved way in
terms of temperature and humidity and
that is what we had to build with the
yard,” Briene explained.
In Indonesia, PT Pal had the necessary
infrastructure and it was more about
delivering specific skills that would
enable a transition from commercial ships
to frigate construction. Here, Briene said
that one area of focus was the upgrade in
welding skills and equipment specific for
that project.
“If you build tankers and now go to
navy ships the steel plate thickness is
much less, it is not a heavy steel welding
that you are used to you need more
specialised welding. Also if you have
to install sensitive sensors and radar
systems that are not on container ships,
that requires an upgrade of those skills
too. We provide them with that,” he said.
This is the kind of mix of assistance that
Damen Song Cam Shipyard, Damen’s first formal Joint Venture yard in Vietnam
is required to develop shipyards in the
region and depends largely on the scale of
the project and the existing facilities and
pushing ahead with frigate construction but also the engineers. They have to be skills sets. But bringing in technology is
at Boustead Naval Shipyard, in Indonesia adequately trained, and able to ensure not always a simple process. Collin said
this capability is being centred upon PT quality control in the shipbuilding that whilst it is very important recipient
Pal, and in Pakistan Karachi Shipyards process.” countries “need to create the necessary
is undertaking frigate construction too. Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding domestic conditions for technology
But all are being undertaken with the (DSNS) has been one of the more successful transfer to be effective. This includes
assistance from overseas companies with companies in the region and is assisting creating the regulatory frameworks or
a significant degree of technology transfer. several yards in Vietnam and Malaysia’s policies to make it effective and efficient,
Collin said: “Generally across the Destini with OPV programmes and PT and also, the requisite human capital.”
Indo-Pacific, OPVs and frigates are areas Pal in Indonesia with the construction of In addition he said that there that
of focus because of not only domestic frigates. are some local shipbuilders that aren’t
maritime forces imperatives but also for Roland Briene, commercial director at necessarily satisfied with the extent of
export prospects. These assets tend to be the company told AMR that DSNS helped technology collaboration with foreign
popular on the international naval market, the shipyards with both infrastructure vendors, “with some complaining that
more affordable for more navies and requirements and technology transfer. they are denied full access to the requisite
coastguards. The trend towards OPV, is “In most cases the facilities were already tech, or not fulfilling contractual terms on
the result of a general proliferation trend there but they usually need some minor transfer of technology generally.”
for maritime law enforcement agencies, modification,” he said. Modifications But the outlook looks bleak following
especially in the Indo-Pacific where were discussed with the shipyards and the COVID-19 pandemic. Spending on
there’s a considerable market for such would reflect the building strategy for health and other social and economic
vessels. But in Northeast Asia, there are the ships. “The building strategy has to programmes means that the outlook for
not only OPVs and frigates, but destroyer be aligned with the infrastructure, what navies is uncertain. Collin said that if
programmes also in vogue.” kind of launch, what kind of transfer of demand for maritime forces could be
Technology transfer has been required blocks on the premises of the shipyard is undermined and this in turn will affect
to enable shipyards to embark on these needed. If that means extension of sheds the shipbuilding developments.
projects. The main challenge has less to or an extra loader to carry blocks around “The smaller players will be amongst
do with precision machinery that can be the yard or different welding machines the hardest hit, whereas the larger and
acquired commercially but more related that will be discussed, that is the kind more established ones in the region could
to systems integration. of advice we provide. Those are key more or less stay buoyant with sufficient
“This is a major hurdle those lesser elements, the bigger the project the more government intervention and support,”
shipbuilders in the region have to tailored it gets,” Briene added. he said. “We’ll be lucky if we see the
overcome and this is only possible In Vietnam DSNS’s partner yard existing ones remaining intact long after
through technology transfer,” Collin in Haiphong required an extension the pandemic and its economic fallout,
said, “The other challenge is manpower of its sheds and improved storage which could result in complete shutdowns
– not just skilled welders and draftsmen, facilities considering the sensitivity and or mergers and consolidation.” AMR

Marketing
P r o m o t i o n
STM ASSUMES CRITICAL

ROLES IN THE MODERNISATION
AND EXPANSION OF
THE TURKISH NAVY
P
laying an important role MİLGEM Ada-Class Corvettes, constructed as in the modernisation project for Pakistan’s
in the efforts of Turkey’s with a localization rate of 70 percent, in which Agosta 90B Khalid-Class submarines. Having
defence sector to develop STM assumed a significant subcontractor role. won the trust of the Pakistan Navy with the
indigenous technologies, Building on its involvement in the success of its projects in the country to date,
which have witnessed MİLGEM programme, STM then became the STM is currently involved in the construction
significant advances in recent years, STM main contractor in the I-Class Frigate project, of Four Ada-Class Corvettes, to be built by
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ve Ticaret A.Ş. offers critical solutions on schedule to start deliveries in 2023 with a all its engineering capabilities to the project
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leadership of the Presidency of Defence (A-591) project, which will be Turkey’s first
Industries (SSB). The company’s intelligence ship, and has assumed important
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local defence and technology needs, and and construction projects of the Turkish
at opening up to the international market Navy. With the successful completion of the
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its rank on the list of the world’s top 100 the modernisation of four Preveze-Class
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STM has played a critical role is the New Type Pakistan Navy Fleet Tanker (PNS MOAWIN)
Submarine Project with an Air Independent
Propulsion System (Reis Class). Attracts the attention of the world’s
navies
Pioneering efforts to promote NATO-member
Turkey’s deterrence capabilities in the naval
field, STM is today developing flexible
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Agosta 90 B over a wide spectrum, including production
Playing a critical role in meeting in the respective countries’ shipyards and local
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Forces the Turkish Navy at the service of shipyards when needed.
In line with the county’s NATO membership, friendly and brotherly countries STM specialises in equipping the systems
the Turkish Navy, as one of the most active STM is exporting its capabilities and services being used successfully by the Turkish Navy
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its operational capabilities were tested. The out to meet Turkey’s needs. The company is art technologies, and offers long-term service
exercise was conducted simultaneously in the continuing its activities as the main contractor support and indigenously developed weapon
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ships, 57 aircraft, 33 helicopters and 25,900 Pakistan Navy (PN), and which was built by embargoes, allowing them to be used also by
personnel. Also involved in the exercise were Karachi Shipyard and delivered to PN, as well the navies of friendly and allied nations.
land
warfare
duct-tape. However, on 14 September 2019

USMC
Achieving the ‘hard kill’

of a UAS using guns has
a tactically coordinated attack entirely by
generally been the preferred unmanned systems occurred on Saudi
option for military operating Arabia’s state oil group Aramco’s sites at
on the front lines. The US Abqaiq and Khurais. A mixed formation
Marines have coupled radar
of cruise missiles and small drone UASs
detection, electro-optic
identification and aiming approached undetected by sophisticated,
with the high volume of fire advanced air defences. Programmed to
of the Gatling style gun in its fly hundreds of kilometres along remote
CUAS system. routes they were able to attack from
unexpected directions simultaneously
striking critical facilities. Douglas Barrie,
an air power fellow at the International
Institute for Strategies Studies (IISS)
stated that “the level of complexity of
this attack is above all that we have seen
before. It raised a question mark as to the
quality of the protection available against
UAV / drone attacks. The fact is that
complex networks of air defence radars
linked to guided missiles and advanced
fighter jet squadrons are not designed
to counteract this relatively cheap and
FIGHTING BACK
disposable technology.” If there ever was
a question about potential tactical value
and seriousness of the threat the UAS
AGAINST UAS posed this attack resolved it.
Multiple Scenarios
Luke Layman CEO of MyDefence North
A widening range of methods are being fielded
America explains that “UAS operations
to take down UAS depending on their size. create third-dimension awareness... with
unmanned systems being used for tactical
by Stephen W. Miller operations that range from deception and
U
disruption to surveillance and kinetic
nmanned Aerial Systems to countermeasures. They have rapidly response. Force protection and critical
(UAS) offer new threats as changed tactics and control mechanisms infrastructure managers must include
well as new capabilities to reduce vulnerability while still these in their planning considerations…
to the military. At least achieving their mission capabilities. As they now must be aware of what they
95 countries and groups a result developing equally adaptable can’t see- and more importantly, what can
have versions of UAS ranging from the defeat solutions has been a near term see them!” One of the unique challenges
sophisticated and expensive systems priority.” in countering the UAS is the wide number
designed to fly at extreme altitudes for Originally introduced as primarily of ways it can be employed and the quite
extended periods down to the simple an information gathering system, the different conditions faced in each potential
and inexpensive hobby-type systems. UAS grew more capable through the scenario. Addressing a UAS operating in
The latter, referred to as Groups I and introduction of more precise navigation an urban civilian environment needs to
II (those under 55kg), range from those using GPS, improved flight controls, and consider the possibility of unintended
small enough to fit in the palm of the greater payloads. These allowed fitting collateral damage that might occur when
hand to larger ones weighing a few of higher resolution cameras and laser taking it down. Similarly, providing
kilograms with limited payload range rangefinders enhancing their surveillance continuous all-around protection to a
and endurance that are locally controlled. and permitting them to provide fixed site requires an entirely different
These readily available UAS platforms targeting information for artillery. “The platform and performance than
are proliferating rapidly creating effectiveness of combining the UAS and offering the same coverage to a moving
challenges both on the home front and indirect fires was well demonstrated by convoy or a tactical military unit. The
over all areas where the military operate, the Russian’s in the Ukraine.” Col Shank appropriate countermeasure differ in a
from the battlefield to rear support and shared, “as a new and important element peacetime versus combat scenario even
logistics areas. Colonel David E. Shank, of combined arms warfare.” between that faced in a terrorist incident,
Commandant of the US Army Air Perhaps inevitably, UASs were insurgency and peer-on-peer warfare. As
Defence Center and School explains: “The ‘jury-rigged’ to carry and crudely drop a result the litany of possible approaches
UAS adds a new dimension to the aerial improvised explosive devices. Typically, to defeating the UAS has of necessity
battle. The Group I and II have proven to as used by ISIS fighters in Mosul, these needed to be broad. However, the
be particularly adaptable in responding were hand grenades with fins fastened by principles in defeating the UAS in every

THE UAS THREAT
IS REAL
Detection EO/IR Acquisition Neutralisation Destruction
PROTECTING YOUR SKIES

SKYLOCK’s mobile Counter - UAS platform provides “on the
move protection” for military, police and border security units
against growing multiple UAS threats. The modular, integrated
mounted system provides the outer layer of protection for
Military Bases, Critical Infrastructures, Presidential Guard and
Ports.
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[email protected]
land
warfare
(10m² RCS) at 8.4km. Thus, the system is is, in fact, a target of concern, accurately
US Army
also able to offer full intrusion detection identify it and assess the nature of the
against both ground and aerial threats. threat. In the process target tracking
The Czech field tests further and engagement options and targeting
demonstrated the need for both rapid solutions will be determined. The
and accurate detection and confirmation complexity of the environments in which
at the greatest range. What became the UAS operates often requires the use
clear is that the UAS is a dynamic target of multiple sensors to accomplish this.
always in motion presenting a nimble In the University of Defence trials optical
and often momentary target. Even with tracking and discrimination of the UAS
a moderate flight speed of about 10–15 proved highly efficient particularly for
meters per second (mps) a UAS can thermal IR heat sensing devices using
quickly close a distance of 300 meters in narrow field of view (NFVO)/high
only 20–30 seconds. It can, thus, quickly magnification. However, use of the
Manportable, handheld CUAS systems. The
US Army forces in the Republic of Korea have evade, move beyond detection, or be on NFOV made initial capture of the target
fielded the Battelle developed DroneDefender top of or beyond an observer virtually image problematic without outside
now offered by Dedrone. in seconds. The detect to decision chain azimuth designation.
must, therefore, be rapid and precise to
have any relevance. The challenges posed Defeat – Soft Kill
scenario remain the same: Detect & Track, by the small UAS are more analogous to With a positive threat confirmation
Decide (Identify /Characterise), Target those of detecting and tracking rockets and identification the UAS must be
and Defeat. and artillery and mortar projectiles in neutralised. This can be by physically
flight – referred to as C-RAM – than to engaging and destroying it in a ‘hard
Detect systems targeting conventional airborne kill’ or by neutralising it in a ‘soft kill’.
The Group I, II and many III UASs are platforms. “Recognition of this The later, referred to as non-kinetic most
designed to operate at low altitudes. influenced the selection of the KuRFS often is directed to disrupting the UAS’
Often flying to blend with the terrain, radar for our Howler CUAS system” operation by jamming or deceiving its
trees and building of its surroundings or relates Don Sullivan, chief technologist at controls, navigation signals or operator
flying well above the ground where its Raytheon Missile Systems. He explains: data link tcausing it to crash or be hijacked
small size and quiet operation make it “the UAS is particularly difficult to find and captured. Raytheon’s MESMER even
inconspicuous. Lee Dingman, president and track. Not only are they often a seeks to manipulate its radio frequencies
and COO at Ascent Vision explains that small target but they are flown at low to control a hostile drone. These
the “initial detection of a UAS can be altitudes that present a clutter or false techniques can be less effective where
extremely difficult as they typically have signal returns for radar. The Ku radar is the UAS has autonomous navigation and
very low visual and aural signatures“. already proven in detecting and tracking is programmed to default to return to a
A field assessment of multispectral incoming projectiles in C-RAM, thus, has safe landing point should positive control
technologies ability to find UAS’ in flight also been particularly effective against be lost. Most soft-kill utilise electronic
conducted by the Faculty of Military these small UASs as well.” warfare jammers intended to disrupt
Technology, University of Defence in Ascent Vision’s X-MADIS and control of the UAS or, as Luke Layman
the Czech Republic found human eye E-MADIS employ pulse Doppler points out, “even the pre-programmed
detection was only reliable inside 100 S-Band radar with four fixed ‘staring’ course UAS likely has a data link to
metres. Even thermal cameras and antenna each with 90 degrees spatial send video which can be interrupted”. A
acoustic devices were effective only to coverage oriented to provide all-around
around 350m when required to observe surveillance. Dingman shared that the
Hensoldt
a broad area. Despite their very low system can not only provide nano UAS
radar cross-section (RCS), radar still detection at 3.5m but also larger UAS’,
provides the best detection ranges. In fighter aircraft and helicopters at up to
trials, X-band radar provided detections 25-30km for the later. An additional
at around 3000m. As an element of its advantage is that coupled with the
Xpeller Counter UAS system, Germany’s company’s software it is able to track and
Hensoldt utilises its SPEXER 360 X-band correlate multiple threats including UAS
Doppler radar which is optimised for swarms.
small target detection even in cluttered
backgrounds. Company spokesperson, Decide
Carina Englehardt, stated that “the Determining that a possible threat
system at 44 pounds (22 kilograms) is is present it must then be confirmed, The small signature presented particularly by
lightweight yet able to offer maximum positively identified and classified prior the Group 1 and 2 UAS and its operation at
very low altitude around obstructing terrain
protection under a variety of conditions to any counter action. Experience has
complicates detection. To date radar, like the
and ranges. “ It will detect a Micro UAS demonstrated that presently radar must SPEXER 360 X-band doppler used in Hensoldt
with a 0.03m² RCS at 1.6km but also be complemented with electro-optics and Xpeller shown watching over a city, optimised
other low and surface targets like a man electronic radio frequency monitoring to to address specific parameters have proved
(which has a 0.5m² RCS) at 4km or truck acquire and then confirm the detection the most efficient.

Northrop Grumman
l and
warfare
station. These range from a Dillon Aero Energy Laser) has also been successfully
7.62mm six barrel electrically powered demonstrated at the US Army Manoeuvre
Gatling type gun capable of 3000 round Fires Integrated Exercise (MFIX 2018),
per minute, to the venerable M2 .50cal shooting down a dozen manoeuvring
machine gun, and the 30mm M230LF drones. At the 2019 MFIX, Kord
auto-cannon. The later has become Technologies of Huntsville, Alabama
increasingly viewed as the weapon of showed its 5kW Mobile Expeditionary
Achieving rapid kill of a UAS is critical. The choice. This preference will likely grow High-Energy Laser (MEHEL) on a Stryker.
30mm combines offering a lighter weight gun with the introduction of proximity fusing More recently in October 2019 Raytheon
with higher kill probability per rounds fired.
The 30mm effectiveness will be significantly which would be demonstrability more provided the US Air Force with a 10kW-
enhanced by Northrop-Grumman’s proximity effective against the UAS. Jarrod Krull, class HEL mounted on a Polaris all-
fuse currently being certified. a Northrop Grumman spokesperson, terrain vehicle. It is a major step forward
shared that the company has such toward a workable tactical laser weapon
proximity ammunition for the 30mm system since it integrates a multispectral
principle concern with signal jamming is which is undergoing Army certification. optical and infrared aiming system, laser
the possibility that other radio frequencies The advantage of ballistic weapons in the cooling, and sufficient power for the
not associated with the targeted UAS combat area are their inherent ability to laser (using 220-volt batteries originally
could also be affected. This is especially engage other targets as well. Raytheon’s built for electric race cars) on a compact
sensitive concern in security in public and Howler takes another approach using its mobile platform. Hofle suggests that
dense populated areas. expendable, tube launched high speed “the laser and microwave systems are
In many potential situations a Coyote missile, itself a form of turbo-jet complementary. The former has longer
portable counter-measure is highly propelled UAS, to execute the kill. It is range and better precision, so it can focus
desired if not essential. Rifle style coupled with the KuRF radar proven in tightly to detonate an explosive payload
systems like DroneShield of Australia’s the C-RAM role. It is being fielded by or cripple targets that slip through
handheld DroneGun Tactical UAS the US Army initially in a truck mounted defences.”
disruptor carried by a single person can form for site defence. An advantage of the laser is it can
fill this requirement. Directed precisely Another possibility is the use engage targets with less concern over
at the target, they simultaneously disrupt of directed high power microwave replenishing ready ammunition. On the
RF control frequency bands, the GNSS energy which can incapacitate a UAS other hand current lasers require a dwell
capability (GPS, GLONASS), and can cut immediately by disrupting it’s electronics. time on target to inflict sufficient damage
off the video link to the UAS controller. It is directional and can have a narrow or to down it, reducing the system’s ability
Oleg Vornik, chief executive office at the wide beam with the later ideal for dealing to rapidly address multiple targets in
company shared that “the system forces with the multi-drone swarm attack. At succession. In addition these lasers are
drones into a fail-safe mode where they the US Army 2018 Manoeuvre Fires effective only in engaging these Group 1
cannot be controlled by the operator.” Integrated Exercise (MFIX), a Raytheon and 2 UAS limiting their overall tactical
Another handheld jammer with 1km High Energy Microwave (HEM) shot utility.
range, the ORION-H, was recently down 33 drones in groups of two or three.
presented by TRD Singapore. It is a man- Michael Hofle, the company’s Product UAS and CUAS Future
portable model of a family of ORION line director explains: “The high-power A February 2018 report from The Centre
systems including backpack, stationary microwaves are really effective with a for the Study of the Drone at Bard College
and vehicle mounted solutions. large swarm [of drones], because they in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York,
Another approach is to employ one’s have a large cone of effect". Another Air stated “drone technology itself is not
own UAS to intercept and capture or down Force demonstration in September 2019 standing still, Drones might be designed
a hostile drone in these scenarios. Selex lead to the deployment of its Phaser HPM to reduce their radar signature. Counter-
ES in the United Kingdom, a Leonardo from Raytheon for field experimentation laser systems could protect drones from
company, offers its Falcon Shield in airfield defence. Using an ISO container directed-energy attacks. Finally, forces
designed to actually allow its operator it is less suited for tactical use, however, might seek to deploy drone swarms,
to commandeer the UAS’s controls and Liedos is developing its TIGER (Time which present a range of vexing technical
make it land safely. The Dutch firm Delft Integrated Gigawatt Electromagnetic challenges”. That there is a distinct
Dynamics’ Drone Catcher is a quad-copter Response) man portable system. difference between solutions appropriate
UAS with integrated camera with image Major investments are also being for countering civil security threat
recognition and tracking and a special made in lasers. Given current power challenges and those of the battlefield
pneumatic “net gun”. Manoeuvred to limits the smaller TUAS is a target that must also be recognised. In the former
within 20m of the targeted UAS it locks- it is actually capable of addressing. In the focus on simply addressing the UAS
on and then launches a net that captures 2018 Boeing demonstrated a 5kW laser itself is acceptable. However, in the latter
the opposing UAS. on the General Dynamics Stryker 8x8 the UAS is assuredly becoming a new and
armoured vehicle under the title of integrated element of the larger combined
Defeat - Kinetic Mobile Expeditionary High Energy Laser arms. Therefore, the CUAS systems
Kinetic kill seeks to destroy the UAS (MEHEL). Its Compact Laser Weapon fielded must be similarly integrated
or physically disable it. More often the System (CLWS) was developed for a and able to respond to all battlefield
selection for this has been an automatic US Marine evaluation integrated onto challenges if they are to be effective in
firing weapon in a remote weapon the M-ATV. Raytheon’s HEL (High combat. AMR
technology
s p o t l i g h t
DVIDS
Asia Pacific SOF conduct submarine operations using
MIBs during the Rim of the Pacific exercise in Hawaii
in 2018. Similar CONOPS are due to be explored in
July 2020 as part of the same exercise.
MARITIME FOBS
FOR SEABORNE SOF
Across Asia Pacific, special operations forces (SOF) are receiving
upgrades in maritime capability to support emerging mission sets
associated with the Great Power Competition (GPC).
by Andrew White
D
esigned to counter potential violent extremist organisation (C-VEO) equipment to support littoral and
military threats from fighting, SOF will see more of a pivot Bluewater operational requirements both
the People’s Republic of to the GPC. SOF’s inherent ability to be above and below the surface. Examples
China and/or the Russian a flexible, agile, and adaptive force will include Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB),
Federation, regional SOF continue to compliment the joint force High Speed Interceptor Craft (HSIC) and
forces are rapidly evolving concepts of as we focus on the GPC,” a SOCPAC Mothership vessels on the surface; in
operation (CONOPS) to successfully spokesperson explained to Asian Military addition to submarines, dry deck shelters,
engage with high capability adversaries Review following the event. swimmer delivery vehicles (SDVs) and
and maintain tactical overmatch. “SOF has always taken on multiple combat diving equipment which can be
Such considerations were explored roles. Although we have been heavily employed in the sub-surface environment.
at the US Special Operations Command invested in the counter-terrorism fight
Pacific’s (SOCPAC’s) Transregional for the past 20 years, we haven’t lost Surface Solutions
Resistance Working Group (TRWG) our focus on the GPC. As we see our Similar to ‘fly and drive’ operations
in Monterey, California between 4-6 policy begin to shift focus from a CT employed by SOF in the ground domain,
February 2020. fight to competing in the GPC, we will maritime components continue to
According to SOCPAC officials, the balance requirements based on priorities consider the employment of ‘mothership’
overarching theme of the event was informed by assessments,” it was added. concepts in Bluewater environments.
to compare “Russian and Chinese Critical to such a strategy are special Such a CONOP requires a large
Aggression” across the region, with operations in the maritime domain, given surface vessel to be forward deployed,
particular focus on strategic threats facing the strategic nature of seaways scattered acting as an ‘at sea’ Forward Operating
Mongolia and Taiwan which continue to across Asia Pacific, which include the Base (FOB) allowing SOF components to
“seek to increase efforts in the resilience Strait of Malacca between Singapore, conduct the full spectrum of mission sets
and resistance areas of their national Malaysia and Indonesia. through the projection of multiple types
security strategy”. As a result, SOF across the region of surface and sub-surface platforms.
“After 20 years of sustained counter- continue to upgrade SOF-specific In February 2019, the UK Ministry of

technology
s p o t l i g h t
Defence (MoD) disclosed plans to operate
DVIDS
such a ‘mothership’ concept with former
defence secretary, Gavin Williamson
describing how “Littoral Strike Ships”
could be equipped with modular roll on/
roll off mission suites.
Speaking at the Royal United Services
Institute (RUSI) in London, Williamson
explained how the MoD was seeking to
“dramatically accelerate” the procurement
of Littoral Strike Ships into service with
the Royal Navy, confirming: “These
globally deployable multirole vessels
will be able to conduct a wide range
of operations, from crisis support to
warfighting. They’ll be forward deployed
at exceptionally high readiness and able
to respond at a moment’s notice, bringing
the fight from sea to land. Our vision is
for these ships to form part of two littoral
strike groups, complete with escorts,
support vessels, and helicopters.”
Similar to fly and drive operations conducted in the land domain, maritime SOF can project
The US Special Operations Command RHIBs over greater distances using Airborne Systems’ MCADS, deployed from fixed wing aircraft.
(USSOCOM) has also toyed with the Here, two rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) are dropped by MCADS for Special Operations
mothership concept, employing the Command Europe.
special warfare support vessel MV Ocean
Trader in a similar capacity, industry
sources highlighted to AMR. operations, helicopter-underslung, air- According to the White Paper, any
In South Korea, SOF from the Naval drop and transport by road, sea and air selected Littoral Mission Ship should
Special Warfare Flotilla look set to benefit for worldwide deployment,” a company comprise a “modular design [capable
from the procurement of a Landing spokesperson told AMR. of being] equipped with additional
Platform Helicopter II (LPH II) surface C-950D RHIBs can also feature a weapons and systems to meet future
vessel, according to documents disclosed series of cargo rails on the deck in order to operating needs”.
by the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 12 July 2019. facilitate mission-specific arrangements Such an uplift in maritime surface
The 30,000-ton LPH II would be of seating and equipment, dependent capabilities was included in a solicitation
capable of operating as a type of upon mission requirements. by Malaysia’s Ministry of Defence
‘mothership’ to facilitate special missions The RHIB can also be fitted with a on 19 July 2019, which demanded the
across a wide area through the launch telescopic mast to house radar, thermal acquisition of 18 surface vessels which
of rotary wing and tilt-rotor air frames imaging cameras and antenna payloads. could be immediately deployed to
in addition to armoured vehicles used As company sources explained, during support ongoing CT operations in Eastern
to conduct sea-to-land operations. maritime interdiction and Visit, Board, Sabah. Vessels will replace legacy CB90
However, as of 20 April 2020, the South Search and Seizure (VBSS) missions, the FACs, as manufactured by Dockstavarvet
Korean government has yet to grant final mast can be retracted to protect valuable in Sweden.
approval for the programme to continue. payloads from hitting nearby vessels. Alternative platforms could include
At the more tactical end of the market, Finally, the C-950D can also be USSOCOM’s Combatant Craft family
a number of SOF components across forward deployed using Airborne of Assault, Medium and Heavy surface
Asia Pacific including India’s Marine Systems’ Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery vessels which continue to be rolled out
Commandos (MARCOS) are operating System (MCADS) which means vessels across US Naval Special Warfare.
C-950D RHIBs from Boomeranger Boats can be air-dropped from a variety of fixed On 14 April 2020, United States
in Finland, used by force components wing platforms including A400M; C-17; Marine was awarded a $108 million
to conduct maritime counter-terrorism C-130; as well as the CH-47 Chinook contract to deliver an undisclosed
(MCT) operations. helicopter. number of Combatant Craft Assault
Measuring 9.5m in length with a 3m In Malaysia, the navy’s PASKAL (CCA) surface vessels to Naval Special
beam, C-950D RHIBs provide maritime SOF unit is also seeking to enhance Warfare Group 4 as part of an indefinite
SOF teams with a top speed of 60 knots its maritime capabilities following an delivery/indefinite quantity award.
with a maximum payload capacity of announcement disclosed in the 2019 According to an official statement
2,000kg. Defence White Paper. According to the from United States Marine, CCA vessels
“The Boomeranger Special Operations document, PASKAL could benefit from (operated by Special Boat Teams 12 and
Boats are customised according to the a Littoral Mission Ship as well as HSICs 20) can be tasked with “medium range
requirements of the customer for troop and “Special Forces Boats”, capable of maritime interdiction operations in
transport and insertion, boarding, fire supporting maritime CT missions in medium-to-high threat environments”,
support, diver, kayak and inflatable Bluewater environments. in addition to the discreet or clandestine
| July/August 2020 | 41
technology
s p o t l i g h t
2018, saw manufacturing begin at the end
Teledyne Brown Engineering

of 2019.
South Korean Navy SEALs attended
RIMPAC 2018, declaring to AMR that they
did not currently possess a submarine
special operations capability. However,
KSS-III submarines are expected to
comprise some kind of capacity to launch
clandestine small boat/SDV operations
when submerged, industry sources
suggest.
Similar efforts are being developed by
the Pakistan Navy which is due to receive
an initial tranche of four submarines
in 2022. Manufactured at the Karachi
Shipyard and Engineering Works, as
part of a technology transfer agreement
with China, submarines are also expected
to provide a sub-surface capability to
Swimmer Delivery Vehicles remain a key capability set for SOF seeking a clandestine insertion/ support special operations of the Special
extraction capability in the maritime environment. Examples include US Naval Special Warfare’s Services Group (Navy).
Shallow Water Combat Submersible, manufactured by Teledyne Brown Engineering. In Indonesia, the navy’s KOPASKA
SOF unit is expecting to receive a new
22m mini-submarine design following
insertion and extraction of small unit components across Asia Pacific are disclosure of the concept at the Indo-
teams. turning their attentions to special mission Defence 2018 exhibition in Jakarta, by
CCAs, which are designed with a capabilities associated with submarines. shipbuilder PT Palindo Marine.
mono-hull design, can also be delivered Similar CONOPS are due to be explored According to SOF sources familiar
via MCADS from C-17 air frames. by SOF units from across Asia Pacific at with the project, KOPASKA is demanding
Powered by a pair of diesel engines, the the Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) a boat capable of remaining submerged
surface vessel includes an ISTAR mission between June/July 2020, organised by the for up to six days at an operating depth
payload comprising maritime radar, US SOCPAC. as low as 150m. The mini-submarine
communications antenna and Combatant Headed by an Operational must also have a top speed of 10kts when
Craft Forward Looking Infrared Detachment Alpha (ODA) Team from the moving underwater, sources added.
camera featuring laser rangefinder and US Army’s 1st Special Forces Group, the Finally, SOF components across Asia
designator. CCAs can also be upgraded SOF element of Exercise RIMPAC will Pacific also continue to ramp up their
with a variety of armaments including see SOF units from South Korea, Japan, SDV capabilities to operate not only in a
12.7mm heavy machine guns and 40mm India, The Philippines, Peru, Chile and standalone mode but also in collaboration
grenade launchers. Brazil conducting small boat operations with submarines and larger mothership
Future upgrades which might soon be launched from strategic submarines from surface vessels.
made available to CCA operators include Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in Oahu, Examples include Russian SOF which
the development of a Surface Search Hawaii. first disclosed the deployment of Rotinor
Phased Array radar which would allow These “maritime/dive and submarine Black Shadow swimmer propulsion
crews to detect and track low observable operations”, as one SOCPAC official vehicles (SPVs) during an exercise in the
surface vessels on the water. explained to AMR, allow small unit teams Mediterranean Sea in September 2018.
Elsewhere, Russian SOF components to deploy military inflatable boats (MIBs) Russian SOF operators used the SPVs to
are now equipped with Project 02800 Fast from submarines when submerged. insert in a clandestine fashion from Kilo-
Attack Craft (FAC) which can be used to Additional CONOPS available to SOF class submarines to undertake combat
support maritime interdiction missions in include the deployment of Swimmer dive operations, sources revealed.
littoral and Bluewater environments. Delivery Vehicles (SDVs) from Dry The Australian Special Operations
With capacity to cary up to 10 Deck Shelters (DDS)- a concept which Command (SOCOMD) also continues
personnel, FACs have a maximum speed is already in operation with US Naval to identify potential solutions to satisfy
of 43kts and can also be retrofitted with Special Warfare. its search for a ‘next-generation’ SDV
scalable levels in ballistic protection Examples include South Korea’s Naval which could be forward deployed from
dependent upon the threat environment. Special Warfare Flotilla which is working submerged boats.
As industry sources explained to AMR, up special operations requirements for a The SOCOMD has been pursuing
Project 02800 FACs now augment Project fleet of KSS-III diesel-electric submarines a requirement for ‘tens’ of SDVs with
03160 Raptor HSIC vessels currently being designed and manufactured potential options comprising Alseamar’s
deployed to Tartus, Syria. by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine inventory of Sphyrene and Coryphene
Engineering. A contract, which was first SDVs, each of which can carry between
Sub-Surface announced by the Defense Acquisition three and six personnel each. AMR
In the sub-surface environment, SOF Programme Administration in December

Euronaval2020-AMR AND ARMADA-213x143mm-GB.pdf 1 12/03/2020 11:40
THE WORLD NAVAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION
OCTOBER 2020
EXHIBITION CONFERENCE
20/23 19
LE BOURGET PARIS
www.euronaval.fr
Regional
M i l i t a r i e s
JR Ng
K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer
SOUTH KOREA SKILLS

BASE BROADENS
The South Korean defence industry is widening its skills and knowledge
across all sectors, including tier supply.
by JR Ng
T
he Republic of Korea (RoK, or People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, or on advanced technologies – especially
South Korea)’s defence industry North Korea) as well as historical baggage command, control, communications,
has been shaped by the country’s with Japan and an increasingly powerful computers, intelligence, surveillance and
unique strategic environment, China have driven indigenous defence- reconnaissance (C4ISR) – from the United
having evolved over several industrial advancement across the air, States as well as position its defence
decades to address the requirements of its land, and naval domains and provided industry as an engine of growth for
rapidly modernising armed forces and a the RoK armed forces with a highly national economic development.
national imperative to expand its national credible set of offensive and defensive The push for next-generation
export potential. capabilities. development is being spearheaded by the
Enduring threats posed by an Despite the remarkable progress Ministry of National Defense (MND)’s
unpredictable and belligerent Democratic Seoul is seeking to decrease its reliance Agency for Defense Development

DELI V ERI NG
O N TA RGET
New technology for more capable,

high-performance weapons guidance
Our Atlantic Inertial Systems’ ultra-reliable Micro-Electro
Mechanical Systems (MEMS) inertial measurement units
extend the range and performance of many weapons types.
And now, they deliver fibre-optic gyro levels of performance
without the added size, weight and cost.
collinsaerospace.com/gnc
© 2020 Collins Aerospace

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RoKN
The indigenously built 8,500t
Sejong Daewang (KDX-3)-class
Aegis guided-missile destroyer.
(ADD) that was established in the 1970s its side of the demilitarised zone. This running for the DoD’s Land 400 Phase 3
to oversee licensed production of US- has spurred the south to develop highly mounted close combat capability, which
designed weapons and munitions. capable military vehicles, ranging from calls for the acquisition of up to 450 IFVs
There is a growing consensus that the wheeled armoured fighting vehicles and 17 manoeuvre support vehicles
South Korean defence industry has come (AFVs) such as the Hyundai Rotem 6x6 worth between $6.8-10.2 billion (A$10-15
of age with large homegrown public and K806 and K808 Wheeled Armoured billion) to replace the Australian Army’s
private corporations such as Daewoo Vehicles (WAVs) to the tracked K21 upgraded but ageing M113AS4 armoured
Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), K9 personnel carriers (APCs).
(DSME), Hanwha, Hyundai Heavy Thunder 155/52 mm self-propelled The company has proposed an
Industries (HHI), Hyundai Rotem, Korea howitzer (SPH), and upgraded K1A1 enhanced version of its successful K21 IFV
Aerospace Industries (KAI), and S&T and K2 ‘Black Panther’ main battle tanks called the AS21 Redback. The 42t IFV will
Motiv – along with numerous mid-sized (MBTs). be operated by a three-person crew and
and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) – One standout success is Hanwha accommodate up to eight fully equipped
moving up the value chain from licensed- Defense’s 46 tonne K9 Thunder SPH, dismounts and will feature Australian
production and equipment/platform which offers a sustained fire capability of firm EOS Defence System’s two-person
upgrades to comprehensive development three rounds/minute and a rapid-fire rate T2000 turret and Elbit Systems’ highly
of high-end platforms and systems. of eight rounds/minute. Besides being integrated C4I suite.
the primary SPH platform for the RoKA, A Hanwha official told AMR that
Land systems the type has been exported to countries mobility testing of the Redback had
Land platforms and weapons have including Estonia, Finland, India (local already commenced in its Korean test
unsurprisingly emerged as one of the production), Norway, and Turkey (local facilities around late 2019 ahead of in-
leading sectors within the South Korean production). The K9 had earlier been a country assessments and the company
defence industry, given that its principal contender in the Australian Department plans to establish a “full-service”
customer – the RoK Army (RoKA) – is of Defence (DoD)’s Land 17 Phase manufacturing and support plant in
the country’s largest military service and 1C artillery replacement programme, Geelong should it secure the contract in
responsible for countering the Korean although the effort was abruptly cancelled 2022. The Redback is competing against
People Army (KPA). Although equipped in mid-2012, Australia again expressed Rheinmetall’s Lynx IFV.
with comparatively obsolete equipment, strong interest in the SPH in mid-2019 “We believe that our Redback is a
the KPA nevertheless possesses large with plans to sole-source 30 SPHs under strong contender as it builds on the
fleets of artillery and armoured vehicles the Land 8116 Protected Mobility Fires proven design and operational pedigree
that can adequately cover the distance requirement, although a firm decision has of the K21, which certainly meets or
to Seoul and other vital cities from well- yet to materialise to date. exceeds most requirements of modern
hidden and hardened firing positions on Hanwha is nevertheless in the armed forces around the world,” the

Regional
M i l i t a r i e s
official asserted. latter’s Aegir afloat support ship design. The company is also pursuing potential
Meanwhile, Hyundai Rotem is DSME was awarded a $605 million (£452 contracts in India and Peru.
positioning its K2 MBT for potential million) contract in March 2012 for four At the 2019 edition of the International
exports, having been actively marketing 39,000t tankers to replace its retired Leaf- Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition
region-specific variants of the tank in and Rover-class vessels. (MADEX) in Busan, DSME highlighted a
recent years. The company appears to be Elsewhere in the Asia Pacific, HHI is new export SSK design called DSME 2000.
especially bullish about its prospects in also delivering two 2,600t multirole José The 71 metre long single-hull design
Africa and Middle East, having unveiled Rizal-class frigates to the Philippine Navy features an underwater displacement of
a desert-optimised K2 with modifications at a cost of $337 million. The vessels are 2,180t and will incorporate a comparable
such as a turret shade, additional bustle- derived from the company’s HDF-3000 suite of indigenous system developed for
mounted air-conditioning system, and design, which is originally based on the the RoKN’s latest KSS-3 SSKs, and will be
supplementary dust covers and filters. RoKN’s Incheon-class frigates. The lead equipped with lithium ion batteries for
ship, BRP Jose Rizal, arrived in Subic Bay improved range and endurance.
Naval systems on 23 May. Its sister ship, BRP Antonio It is envisioned to offer a maximum
Likewise, the rapid assimilation of Luna, is being fitted out and is expected operating range of 10,000 nautical miles
foreign technical expertise – notably to be delivered by the end of 2020. and will be operated by a 40-person crew
from Western European shipyards Despite having no experience in and will be able to accommodate up to 10
between the 1960s and 1990s – has submarine development and construction more personnel.
produced a naval shipbuilding industry prior to its acquisition of the KSS-1 Chang
that has evolved from upgrading and Bogo-class (Type 209/1200) and KSS-2 Son Aerospace
license-manufacturing foreign designs Won-Il (Type 214) – the latter featuring Major aerospace companies such as KAI
to producing indigenously-developed air-independent propulsion (AIP) – the and the aerospace business of national
surface and underwater combatants. diesel-electric submarine (SSK) designed airline Korean Air have over the past three
South Korea’s naval production by Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche decades developed extensive expertise
capabilities are centred on DSME, Werft (HDW) were built locally by South relating to the maintenance, repair, and
HHI, and Hanjin Heavy Industries & Korean shipbuilders with the exception of overhaul (MRO) and upgrades of RoK
Construction (HHIC), which as built at the lead KSS-1 boat. Air Force (RoKAF) aircraft over the past
least 150 vessels for the RoK Navy (RoKN) This eventually led to the development three decades. It is now fully capable
ranging from the smaller Chamsuri and of the fully indigenous KSS-3 Dosan of indigenously producing a range of
Geomdoksuri-class patrol crafts to the Ahn Changho-class AIP submarine, the parts and airframe structures, including
8,500t Sejong Daewang (KDX-3)-class first of which was launched in late 2018 composite production component
Aegis guided-missile destroyers and and is presently undergoing sea trials in manufacturing, testing and simulation,
14,500t Dokdo-class helicopter carriers. anticipation of service entry in 2020. and tooling.
Recent successes include the Royal DSME has been actively seeking However, despite significant progress
Navy’s new Tide-class Royal Fleet opportunities in the submarine-export military aerospace industry remains
Auxiliary (RFA) replenishment vessels, market. It has exported a Nagapasa- dependent on foreign technologies to
which was built by DSME at its Okpo class SSK – based on the Type 209/1400 compensate for enduring capability
yard on Geoje Island in partnership design – to Indonesia and secured a gaps especially in the areas of advanced
with BMT Defence Services using the contract for three follow-on boats in 2019. airborne sensors and aero-engines.
Perhaps the most important military
aerospace development currently
underway is the Korean Fighter
eXperimental (KF-X) programme being
HHI
led by KAI with significant foreign input.

KAI was awarded a contract in December
2015 to develop the KF-X and will supply
six prototypes for ground and air testing
with the aim of completing development
by 2026.
Thereafter, it will commence serial
production of an initial batch of 120
aircraft that will replace the RoKAF’s
ageing F-4E Phantom and F-5E Tiger II
aircraft. Assembly of the first prototype
is expected to be finalised by the end of
2020 and rollout following soon after.
Despite its indigenous design, the
KF-X features significant foreign content
from European and US suppliers. For
example, Collins Aerospace Systems is
BRP Jose Rizal frigate supplying several critical power and
control systems such as the aircraft’s
| july/august 2020 | 47
Regional
M i l i t a r i e s
JR Ng
Surion medium helicopter
integrated and compact environmental existing VSCF generators. strategies will continue to revolve around
control system (ECS) which includes air Besides Collins Aerospace, the its T-50 Golden Eagle advanced jet trainer
conditioning, bleed air control, cabin KF-X will include equipment provided aircraft and its FA-50 multirole fighter
pressurisation and liquid cooling. The by Cobham Mission Systems (missile variant. Both types have been successfully
company is also supplying the aircraft’s eject-launchers), IAI ELTA (AESA radar exported to countries including Iraq,
engine start system components, development), Elbit Systems (terrain the Philippines, and Thailand, with a
including the air turbine starter and flow following/terrain avoidance TF/TA company official noting that several other
control valve. system), General Electric (F414-GE-400 Asia Pacific and Middle East countries
The KF-X will also feature Collins engines), L3 Harris (BRU-47 and BRU-57 have expressed “strong interest” in
Aerospace’s latest variable speed constant release systems), Meggitt (brake control acquiring advanced trainers and/or light
frequency (VSCF) generator which is system, carbon brakes, displays, wheels attack aircraft.
more efficient and 10 percent more etc), and Saab (AESA radar development). KAI is also pitching an upgraded
power dense compared to the company’s KAI’s near to medium export version of its twin-engine, medium

Regional
M i l i t a r i e s
multirole Surion Korean Utility COVID-19 impact

Helicopter (KUH) called the Surion KUH The push for increased exports has taken
1E for export markets. Likewise, the on greater urgency amid the Covid-19
helicopter was originally developed with coronavirus, which has seen the South
a foreign partner, with Eurocopter (now Korean government slashing its annual
Airbus) providing the main gearbox and defence budget by $733 million – with
rotor components and KAI providing the $577 million of this sum originally
remaining content. While the Surion has earmarked for the RoK Armed Forces’
found domestic success, it has yet to gain modernisation – to reduce the economic
traction overseas although KAI believes impact of the pandemic.
it is close to securing a launch export Nevertheless, local companies are set
customer. to benefit from a series of government
Meanwhile, KAI is developing the initiatives aimed at ensuring the survival
Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) – derived of the defence industry, which Seoul
from the Airbus Helicopters H155 design considers one of its key pillars of its
– to replace the RoKA’s AH-1F Cobra national economy.
and MD 500E/500MD helicopters. The Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-
LAH prototype was rolled out at the doo said on 15 June that the Ministry of
company’s Sacheon facility in early 2019, National Defense (MND) will roll out
subsequently performing its maiden schemes including financial support and
flight in July of that year. It is expected exemptions of penalties on late payments.
that the RoKA will acquire around 214 He also noted that the MND will prioritise
examples with service entry between the acquisitions from local companies over
2022-2023 timeframe. It is expected that foreign imports for fiscal year 2021. AMR
the LAH will eventually enter the export
market once it fulfils domestic orders.
KAI
KAI's T50i Indonesian export version.
| july/august 2020 | 49
Analyst
C o l u m n
THE
VULNERABILITY
OF AIR BASES
By Ben Ho
I
n 1921, Italian Army General North African campaign against German
Giulio Douhet published Il Luftwaffe airfields, the SAS troopers
Dominio Dell’Aria (or Command destroyed 11 Argentine aircraft using
of the Air), a hugely influential anti-tank weapons, explosive charges,
treatise on airpower. While the and mortars. Fuel and ammunition stores
book was largely an advocacy for what were also hit. Just one British soldier was fedayeen dressed in American military
would be termed strategic bombing, it injured, and the operation was regarded uniform successfully infiltrating the
also makes several insightful points on as a complete success. airbase in Helmand province. Although
other aspects of airpower, one of which Twenty-nine years later, on the night Camp Bastion was described as “one
is that of destroying the enemy’s air force of 22 May, 2011, up to 20 fedayeen from of the largest and best-defended posts
at its point of origin. As Douhet asserted: the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan”, an intense four-hour
“It is easier and more effective to destroy brazenly infiltrated and assaulted the firefight ensued where even pilots and
an enemy’s aerial power by destroying headquarters of Pakistan’s naval air maintainers were called to fend off the
his nests and eggs on the ground than to arm at Karachi. Within 20 minutes of militants.
hunt his flying birds in the air.” infiltrating PNS Mehran, the militants Using various weapons, including
In other words, Douhet was proposing using rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) RPGs and suicide vests, the fedayeen
striking the enemy aircraft on the ground. had destroyed two Lockheed P-3 shot up eight United States Marine
This made a lot of sense then and still Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, AV-8 Harrier jets and inflicted damages
does today. After all, aircraft have always each costing some $45 million. A few amounting to some $200 million. Two
been considered ‘soft targets’ given that other aircraft were also damaged. The Marines were dead at the end of the
they are thin-skinned and are virtually Islamabad Government activated its SOF siege, with another 17 wounded. Only
sitting ducks (no pun intended) when on to retake the base, and at the end of the one militant was captured, and the rest
land. (Of course, the proviso is that one 16-hour incident, 18 Pakistani military killed. Indeed, one commentator termed
must first penetrate the adversary’s outer personnel were dead with another 16 the incident as “the worst loss of US
defences to carry out such an attack). injured. Four fedayeen were killed, two airpower in a single incident since the
Douhet’s quote came to my mind escaped, and the rest captured. Vietnam War”. Like the PNS Mehran
when I was reminded last month of the This was a relatively low price to pay strike, Camp Bastion 2012 was arguably
anniversaries of two highly effective to inflict costs worth many millions of a military victory for the extremists in
attacks by land forces on airfields in dollars on their adversary. Unsurprisingly, purely financial terms. More importantly,
recent decades: the 1982 Pebble Island the Pakistan Navy was castigated by the it was also a major propaganda coup for
operation during the Falklands War and media over the attack, which came during the Taliban in the “war of the narratives”.
the terrorist attack in 2011 on the Pakistan a period where social media was on the Penetrating attacks by small numbers
Naval Station (PNS) Mehran. Indeed, both ascent. The two airbase raids highlight of determined and skilled personnel could
involved only a scattering of attackers, how derring-do, surprise, and arguably pose an effective threat to airbases. There
but they exuded effects disproportionate some luck by small units of men could have been many other instances of such
to their limited numbers. circumvent seemingly tight defences. operations: including several during the
Pebble Island 1982 is one of the most They have also cast the spotlight on Tet Offensive by the North Vietnamese
audacious special operations forces (SOF) airbase security, an issue that has been forces during the Vietnam War.
missions in history. On the night of 14-15 debated since the exploits of the British In the future however, a tech-savvy
May, 1982, over 40 members of Britain’s SAS in North Africa. extremist group targeting an airbase need
Special Air Service (SAS) struck the The lessons learnt from many not simply rely on ground infiltration. By
Argentine held airstrip on Pebble Island, decades of dealing with airbase security using cyber to jam security systems, and
whose operational potential was deemed were arguably not heeded during the unmanned aerial vehicles (which may
to jeopardise the upcoming amphibious spectacular Camp Bastion attack carried be weaponsied and may be swarming)
landing by the closing British Task Force out by the Afghan Taliban on the night to confound the airbase’s defence,
to reclaim the Falklands. In a strike of 14 September, 2012. Lapses and infiltration by a determined group could
reminiscent of their forefathers during the shortfalls in perimeter security led to 15 result in even greater success. AMR

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Volume 28/issue 4 july/august 2020

OPTIONS FOR AUSTRALIA’S ARH

IAI’s Naval Warfare Suite.

Australian Army Tiger

ARH - STICK OR TWIST LOOKS REALLY SHIPBUILDING A MATTER OF STATUS

FIGHTING BACK MARITIME FOBS SOUTH KOREA SKILLS ANALYSTS COLUMN

Editor-in-Chief: Andrew Drwiega

04 | Asian Military Review |

Learn more at L3Harris.com/vipershield

Image: Lockheed Martin

06 | Asian Military Review |

data which is later analysed and shared

08 | Asian Military Review |

10 | Asian Military Review |

RAN, which is delivering Intelligence,

ARISE MARITIME selection in 2017 as a result of Navy Minor

12 | Asian Military Review |

UMS Skeldar’s slow.

14 | Asian Military Review |

From a family of trusted UAS surpassing

MAKING THE SHELL FIT THE JOB

16 | Asian Military Review |

18 | Asian Military Review |

Helicopters | Aeronautics | Electronics, Defence & Security Systems | Space

full discussion of the capabilities of the

Royal Australian Navy

Keeping the Tiger

ARH - STICK OR TWIST

20 | Asian Military Review |

This would not necessarily be the Tiger is a composite structure, it doesn’t

MUM-T capability also means that live

22 | Asian Military Review |

Tiger might become a lower priority. The

Photo credits: ©ECPAD/France/A.Roine

The CAESAR® artillery system in Mali

CREATING REFERENCES IN DEFENSE

additional weight at the front.

24 | Asian Military Review |

Helmet & Display Sighting System

We are proud to present

operations. TopOwl provides integrated

28 | Asian Military Review |

Elbit Systems of America

TESTED. PROVEN. SELECTED.

SHIPBUILDING UNDERWAY DOWN UNDER

30 | Asian Military Review |

32 | Asian Military Review |

complexity of naval vessels. “If you bring

34 | Asian Military Review |

STM ASSUMES CRITICAL

duct-tape. However, on 14 September 2019

Achieving the ‘hard kill’

AGAINST UAS posed this attack resolved it.

36 | Asian Military Review |

Detection EO/IR Acquisition Neutralisation Destruction

PROTECTING YOUR SKIES

38 | Asian Military Review |

40 | Asian Military Review |

Defence (MoD) disclosed plans to operate