Monday 25 December 2006

An A-10/Harrier hybrid?

The Major's Email: British Harrier Support in Afghanistan, Revisited (defense acquisition, defence purchasing, military procurement)
After looking at the success of both the A-10 and Harrier in the close air support (CAS) role, it really is sad that both aircraft will have no direct replacements, and are already at the end of their lives...Which begs the question, why not a replacement for these 2 aircraft that combines the special features of the 2 aircraft, the armoured tub and 30mm cannon of the A-10, and the vertical take-off capability of the harrier. (Remember to throw in a 2nd seat for an extra pair of eyes...)

Sunday 24 December 2006

Backgrounder: Fact sheet: Women's progress in the Canadian Military

Army - News: News Releases

Good to see that women in the Canadian armed forces participating in all areas, including combat vocations. Wonder if there are other armed forces with such a liberal policy...

Boomerang II Acoustic Gunshot Detection System


Boomerang II Acoustic Gunshot Detection System
It looks like sniper detection systems have, like what opswarfare discussed previously, developed to feature an automatic slewing function.

Saturday 23 December 2006

Newly resurrected Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1










++ THE NEW BROWN-WATER NAVY ++
Somehow, opswarfare gets the feeling that the real reason for the US Navy delving into riverine operations is to ensure that it has a share of the Global War on Terror (GWOT ) budget pie...

Monday 18 December 2006

Dutch Army's 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPH) deployed in Afghanistan


Krauss-Maffei Wegmann – Ihr Partner rund um Wehrtechnik
Finally, common sense has prevailed. After a few years of muddying around with light armoured vehicles, the various Western armies have decided that heavier armour (and heavier firepower) is needed. What is interesting to note here is that it was the Dutch who brought in the PzH 2000 to Afghanistan first, and not the German army (If you still haven't figure it out, the PzH 2000 is a German-made SPH). In similar news, the Canadian army recently sent its 20 year old (but still useful) Leopard 1 tanks to Afghanistan to provide some much needed firepower and protection.

Sunday 10 December 2006

Minotor Stalker


COMBAT FILMS AND RESEARCH
Well this is intriguing. A 30 ton light tank, it seems to be in a class of its own.

40MM CASE TELESCOPED WEAPON SYSTEM


BAESYSTEMS.com
This innovative cannon system sends in a round from the side, and then rotates it 90 degrees into the breech. Another difference from normal cannons, is that the shell is placed inside the case.

New Efficient MOrtar System (NEMO)

Patria NEMO
This looks like the little brother of Patria's AMOS system. The turret is unmanned, which enables it to be installed on lighter platforms. The interesting Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) feature is worth looking at further.